Monthly Archives: October 2009

Full Moon in Taurus, November 2, 2009

The Full Moon in Taurus on November 2 puts the focus back on the fixed signs, if only temporarily, reminding us what’s worth hanging onto and what we need to release as we head into a period with so much change.

At 10°30′ Scorpio-Taurus, the Sun and Moon form a tight T-square with Mars in Leo. Using a wide orb, we get fixed grand cross with Jupiter in Aquarius, underscoring the hazards of taking an ideological stance come what may.

The Sun in eagle-eyed Scorpio conjoins Mercury, and both are square Scorpio’s co-ruler, Mars. This can translate into potential explosions due to information being revealed by Scorpio’s innate ability to sniff out hidden secrets and nastiness.

The Moon is usually very comfortable in earthy Taurus, but here again, the square from Mars pushes buttons. While Taurus is generally known as easy going and good-natured, when the Bull gets mad, it takes a looong time to cool down. Keep in mind that all three of these signs are on the possessive side and given to occasional bouts of jealousy. In other words, this is a very bad moment to prod these folks, because you could find yourself amputated from their lives.

Thankfully, Venus rules this Full Moon, and she’s still in her other home sign, Libra, closely trine Neptune in Aquarius. We can use all the help we can get finding the compassionate compromise to smooth troubled waters. Venus is also trine Chiron in Aquarius, making it possible to see areas of vulnerability in others and stepping around them. Now is not a good time to use Mercury in Scorpio’s ability to pinpoint other’s weaknesses and exploit them.

Venus is also part of a Yod with Uranus in Pisces at the apex and Vesta in Leo as the other leg of the base. There is a purity of creative expression with Vesta in fiery Leo joined with Venus in Libra’s eye for balance and beauty. The challenge is channeling this through Uranus in Pisces. Pisces is very creative but in a Neptunian way – lovely, ethereal and none too focused. It may be better to write your inspirations down at this time and implement them when the fog lifts . . .

Perhaps the single most important astrological event in recent days is Saturn’s move into equitable Libra. The drawback is Saturn’s approach to an exact square with Pluto in Capricorn on November 15. We’re all going to need to play by the rules and be scrupulously honest in all our dealings. Any and all negotiations or mediations (Libra) that fail to meet these standards may result in unpleasant legal consequences (Saturn) – and we are just in the opening phase of this influence! The sooner this realization hits home, the better our chances will be of avoiding being brought to task by this dynamic pair. Make every effort to be open and fair in your dealings with partners, both personal and professional. Consider this your first warning!

The lovely trine between Venus and Neptune can be further illuminated by the Sabian symbol for the Moon at 11 Taurus, “A woman watering flowers in her garden,” with the keyword CULTIVATION. By nurturing the virtues of this trine – patience, tolerance and compassion – we stand a better chance of improving our relationships with others rather than destroying them.

The Sabian symbol for 11 Scorpio is both a warning and a solution – “A drowning man is being rescued,” with the keyword RESUSCITATION. The fixed grand cross is a deeply static pattern, and if we cling to a certain way of thinking and being, seeing it as the “only way,” we run the risk of drowning. In order to be rescued from ourselves, learning flexibility and staying open to other options may be required.

This is an excellent lunation for examining our belief structures and learning about those places where we are most emotionally invested in being right. Long experience with Pluto’s little ways of teaching us about letting go of expectations and detaching from outcomes leads me to encourage all those with planets and chart angles in the early degrees of the cardinal signs – Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn – to use this time well. It is always better to get a jump on Pluto because if it’s left up to him, the lessons can be quite painful.

posted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Saturn-Pluto Square?

This week’s question comes from Karin in Amsterdam, Netherlands:

The upcoming Saturn/Pluto square is becoming tighter now. Can you tell us anything about it? And how will it affect the lucky ones with the conjunction in their natal charts? Mine has been sizzling for weeks now, scaring the hell out of me.

Neith’s response:

Karin, I think what you have been noticing is Saturn moving through the final degrees of Virgo, and once he is firmly established in Libra, you will find the effect less harsh for the next few months.

Saturn promises to be easier to live with in fair-minded Libra, even with the square to Pluto in Capricorn. Honest, equitable behaviors, especially in relationships, will stand us in good stead. You have your Moon conjunct Neptune in Libra as I do, and we lived through this transit in the early 1980’s. Think back to what was happening in your life at that time and that realize all you’ve learned in the intervening years will serve you well. Saturn is always much kinder to those of us who have seen a couple of Saturn returns.

You are also in the midst of another major life cycle transit, Uranus square Uranus. Because this transit triggers your natal Sun-Uranus square as well as your Ascendant and Midheaven, the period from May 2009 through January 2011 will be filled with intense moments of introspection about who you are, what you are doing in your career, and how you wish to be seen by others. Partners, both business and personal, may challenge you, too. The best thing about transits is they pass . . . so says someone who managed to live through her Uranus square Uranus transit.

My recommendation, Karin, is to live as much as possible in the present. Expectations, projections and good old-fashioned worrying are all stress producers. Dig out a copy of the serenity prayer and remind yourself daily you are making the best decisions you can based on the information you have – my mantra for Saturn in Libra!

Pat’s response:

Great question, Karin. A square between Saturn and Pluto does sound kind of ominous, doesn’t it? But honestly, I don’t see any relationship between your natal Saturn-Pluto conjunction and the square between transiting Saturn and Pluto.

The bigger issue for you is going to be the conjunction of transiting Mars on your natal Saturn-Pluto. Mars just entered Leo and will stay there for several months, since he’s retrograde from Dec. 20 to March 10. During this time, you may feel frustrated by circumstances out of your control, or you may encounter a person who is totally overbearing and attempts to have control over you. This could be a friend, or perhaps someone in an organization to which you belong. If you have children or grandchildren, there could be an issue there.

As for transiting Saturn and Pluto, they are hitting two key angles in your chart, the Ascendant and IC (fourth-house cusp). If I had to guess, I’d say this is the source of that “sizzling” feeling you describe. Saturn crosses our Ascendant once every 29 years, and we typically feel it as a heaviness, increase in responsibility, or major change in life circumstances. With Pluto on your IC at the same time, you likely will experience some radical changes involving your home or family, perhaps a change of residence.

Although these changes will be significant, there is no reason to fear this aspect or any other astrological influence, for that matter. As with bad weather, we just need to take proper precautions and not doing anything to invite trouble. If you’re really worried about it, consider a transit reading with an experienced astrologer.

Wishing you much courage, and thanks for writing.

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Real Astrologer’s Poll: Saturn in Libra’s Effect On Relationships.

Saturn enters Libra tomorrow, the first time since September 1980. Some of you weren’t even born yet!

Since Libra is the sign of relationships, and among Saturn’s attributes is commitment, we think there will be a renewed emphasis on commitment in all kinds of relationships, from domestic and business partnerships to relationships between citizens and governments, and governments and the rest of the world.

In this week’s poll, we’d like to know whether you are thinking about relationships any differently lately as a result of Saturn’s imminent shift into Libra.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Pat

Weekly Forecast October 26: Saturn Enters Libra

This could be a fairly intense week on several fronts as we continue to feel major shifts, welcome new developments into our lives, and heal old wounds. I should say upfront that this is not going to be a week for the faint-hearted!

The biggest news this week, of course, is Saturn’s entry into Libra. Saturn is far happier in Libra than he’s been in service-oriented, nitpicky Virgo. Commitments to social justice and restoring balance in government should be evident in the headlines soon.

In our individual lives, honoring our commitments in relationships will take on more importance as we come to understand that good relationship don’t happen by accident. They require diligence, compromise, and hard work.

Just so you know, Saturn turns retrograde in January and returns to Virgo from April to July. So whatever you’ve been grappling with will come back for review at that time. Likewise, societal trends might seem to change and then take a step back. It’s a given that we’ll be revisiting healthcare reform, a very Saturn-in-Virgo subject. I do believe that we’ll get a better deal next time around.

None of this is going to happen without a fight, either. As he moves back and forth through the early degrees of Libra, Saturn will square Pluto in Capricorn. There will be seemingly insurmountable obstacles to change, both in the collective and in our individual lives. Once Uranus gets in on the mix in the middle of next year, it could be a real free-for-all. But we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

This week will be like college orientation, when we get a lay of the land and learn more about what will be required of us.

Although the other shifts this week aren’t nearly as radical, they will be noticeable, starting right out on Monday and Tuesday, when the Moon is in Aquarius. Jupiter turned direct in Aquarius on October 12, and this Tuesday, the Moon will conjoin the Big Guy for the first time since he began moving forward again. The Moon is often a trigger for releasing pent-up energies, so if you haven’t noticed any changes since Jupiter went direct, keep your antennae up this week.

Also on Tuesday, the Moon conjoins Chiron, which turns direct on Friday, and Neptune, which turns direct next week. With Wednesday’s trine between Venus and Jupiter and her trine to Chiron on Saturday, there will be no doubts after this week how the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction is going to play out in your life. The handwriting is on the wall, in huge, black spray paint.

On Wednesday, Mercury enters Scorpio and sextiles Pluto, the Scorpion’s modern ruler. Typically, this combination turns up hidden motivations or activities, but since this is an easy sextile, I don’t expect that we’ll be overly shocked by the revelations. They may come via dreams or psychic flashes, even if you’re not normally prone to such insight (but especially if you are). If you need to pry information out of someone, this is a good aspect for doing so. Just make sure you’re using the information for the right reasons and not for your own power trip.

Overall, I see this week as holding a lot of potential for deep healing and higher growth. How much depends on whether you’re committed to doing the work.

Saturday’s square between Mercury and Mars is the big exception. Depending on where this aspect falls in your chart, you could end up in a stinging confrontation with someone. Since both planets are in fixed signs, neither side will want to budge, and what starts out as a trivial difference of opinion could escalate into a knock-down, drag-out fight. If someone is in your face, step to the side and wait until next week to call them on their behavior.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Pat

Image: Justice, from the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. Most of the Major Arcana have an astrological association. Justice corresponds to Libra.

Saturday Extra! Back in Business

I’d like to take this opportunity to announce that I have started taking new clients again.

As some of you know, I suffered a serious back injury in late January. It has been a traumatic ordeal, including a re-injury at the end of July. Throughout this time, I was unable to sit for very long in front of the computer, which meant I had to stop taking new clients and scale back my presence on the Web. Standing has been equally painful, if not more so.

I am still healing and will be for some time, but I feel ready to step back in, on a limited basis, to see how it goes. Many of you have written asking me to do reports, and I’ve had to refer you to Neith, who also had a backlog.

I’ll be updating my report pages over the next few days, so if you’re interested in a consultation, check out what I have to offer. The one thing I’ll have to discontinue, at least for the time being, is my comprehensive written report, which requires a minimum of two full days to prepare. I’m just not up to that amount of sitting yet, but hope to be at some point.

Thank you all for bearing with me. I look forward to being more involved in RealAstrologers in the months and years ahead.

Wishing you all much love and courage,

Pat

Ask Real Astrologers: Will Saturn in Libra Jumpstart My Career?

This week’s question comes from Amanda in New York:

I’m a Libra Sun, and with Saturn soon to enter Libra, I’m concerned about my choice in career. I recently made a decision to leave my career as a speech language pathologist and try to enter the field of publishing. I’ve had no luck, and I’m resigned to go back to my previous career, but I’m having trouble finding a position that would truly make me happy. Will Saturn have any effect on my career?

Neith’s response:

With your natal Moon and Jupiter in your second house of values and personal income, Amanda, I would not be surprised to learn you are emotionally invested in utilizing your talents and determination to the best possible advantage.

Saturn’s journey through Virgo and your third house over the past couple of years has to have weighed heavily on you, coinciding as it did with your Saturn return. However, that is behind you now, and I believe you will find Saturn in Libra will bring very different challenges for you. In fact, as it draws closer to the cusp of your fourth house and your Pluto-Sun conjunction, you may find your home and family concerns looming larger. But that’s still two years away.

Pluto in Capricorn has been hovering around the cusp of your sixth house this past year – the second earth house (the second house and the tenth house are the others) and the most service-oriented. This may be another factor in your desire to revamp your career. Finding a way to serve others and your community may bring you more satisfaction, too.

Please keep in mind Mars in Leo is crossing your Ascendant about the same time as Saturn moves into Libra. This transit will be very helpful for encouraging you to put your best foot forward and increase your overall energy levels. You do know how to project confidence and warmth, with both your Ascendant and Midheaven in fire signs!

I have confidence in your ability to make your own luck, Amanda, and encourage you to believe in yourself. Good Luck!

Pat’s response:

Amanda, I don’t see that anything major is going to change in your career as a result of Saturn’s entrance into Libra. That said, Saturn is indeed playing a significant role in your life right now and especially in your career, and you will notice more developments the closer transiting Saturn gets to your IC and your Libra Sun. This will happen two years from now, in October 2011.

When assessing where clients are in their career and in life in general, I look at two aspects of the Saturn cycle. The first is where transiting Saturn is relative to natal Saturn, and the second is the house position of transiting Saturn. As a general rule, you’re in an upward cycle when Saturn crosses the IC and begins to move up in your chart, and in a downward cycle when he completes his tour of your tenth house and begins to move downward.

You just completed a Saturn return, when Saturn crossed the degree of your natal Saturn. The first Saturn return is a maturing process and does bring up questions such as you are asking. Sometimes the changes happen all by themselves, and they can be radical, but that depends on where Saturn is transiting the chart. In your case, you’re finishing up the tail end of your downward cycle, so you didn’t experience this effect.

The good news is that in two years’ time, you will begin climbing upward, and for a good 15 years after that, you’ll steadily move toward a new professional peak. The next two years would be a good time to decide what you want to do — or not do — so that you can begin laying the groundwork for your new career. Don’t try to rush this process. The more patient and disciplined you are, the more successful you’ll ultimately be.

As always, I highly recommend a complete reading with a professional astrologer, although I don’t think there’s any hurry for you to do this, as it won’t push things along any faster.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for a great question!

Ask Our Readers: Saturn At 29 Degrees Virgo – Painful!

Brilliant Aspens Saturn is now officially at 29° Virgo and taking what seems like forever to move into Libra on Friday, October 29, and I’m sure along with me, there are lots and lots of people ready for that to happen.

If you have any planets or Angles at 29° as I do, it feels like Saturn has made up a checklist of things that need to be taken care of and is insisting on going down the list one frikkin’ item at time. Admittedly I’m getting a slew of petty details resolved but with much grumbling because I’m feeling the seasonal cardinal push to move on to newer and potentially better things.

Anyone else have a bone to pick with Saturn’s last days in Virgo?

posted by Neith . . .

Image: I have been taking photos of these aspens almost every day, recording the changes in color and texture of the landscape. They seem to shine with their own light!

Weekly Forecast October 19: Sun Enters Scorpio

The Sun goes into Scorpio this week, and here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a time for turning inward.

The mood is set right off, with the Moon in Scorpio on Monday and Tuesday. She actually entered Scorpio yesterday (Sunday) and squared Mars, which entered Leo this past Friday. There was no mistaking it for me! With Mars sitting right on my Descendant, I got smacked but good … and by a Scorpio, no less!

Of course, we’re also still in the wake of Sunday’s New Moon in Libra, with Venus and Mercury also in the sign of reconciliation and harmony. So there’s at least a chance to talk things through, and this will continue throughout this week. Tuesday’s trine between Mercury and Jupiter should go a long way toward repairing any dings, and we can further discuss hurt feelings on Thursday, when Mercury trines Chiron. Just make sure you don’t cause more of them.

The Sun enters Scorpio on Friday, which also has happens to be Neith’s birthday, so please join me in a big birthday wish for my cherished friend and business partner.

On Saturday, the Sun forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn, which should help us repair situations with authority figures, be they supervisors, parents, or the government bureaucracy. You’ll have to make a case for yourself and won’t get any favors you don’t deserve, but it’s still an opportunity that’s there if you need it.

Later on Saturday, Mercury trines Neptune, a nice aspect for writing poetry or doing any kind of work that requires creative imagination. It’s a good time to tell someone how much you appreciate them, too.

Meanwhile, Jupiter continues to yawn and stretch, giving us a little extra luck in one or more areas of our lives. I’ve noticed some improvements here and there and am hoping for more.

Lastly, Saturn is moving through the final degrees of Virgo before entering Libra next week. He’s not done yet, as he’ll turn retrograde in January and return to Virgo for a few months next year. So whatever you’re working on now, you’ll probably have to revisit later, but do your best. Even the stern taskmaster can’t require any more of us than that.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Pat

Image: Right on cue, the wet, rotting time begins here in the Pacific Northwest. Our winters may not have a lot of snow, but they are very Scorpionic nonetheless. Photo by Pat Paquette, all rights reserved.

Saturday Extra: Libra and Leo – No Problems, Right?

For a change of pace I decided to do a short post on synastry in response to a reader’s question. She is Libra Sun and her boyfriend is a Leo – very fitting, with Venus having just returned to her home sign and Mars arriving in Leo yesterday.

Ms. Libra asks why her Leo boyfriend has her so baffled all the time when their synastry seems quite good at first glance. Fiery Leo is usually very appreciate of charming Libra.

This is a good example of why it’s important to move past Sun signs for understanding how we relate to others. For those with either Libra Sun or Ascendant, the placement of Venus is particularly important. In Ms. Libra’s chart, Venus is in Scorpio square Saturn in Leo, where both planets are in their detriment. What this means is neither are at their best and brightest. Venus can be obsessive and possessive in Scorpio while, dour Saturn greatly diminishes Leo’s sense of fun.

Mr. Leo’s Sun is conjunct his Venus in Leo, increasing his warmth and charm, but both are square his Jupiter in Scorpio. This has me wondering if perhaps he likes to spread all the charm around a little too much for Ms. Libra’s comfort?

Her Venus conjoins his Jupiter, squaring his Sun-Venus. Venus square Venus in synastry shows a disparity between each individual’s ideas of what constitutes a good time. Scorpio prefers to be alone with their lover and Leo wants to show them off at every party in town.

Another potential source of differences is Mars, his in detached Aquarius and hers in passionate Scorpio. This can lead to heated discussions about how to get things done, because the way they get from ‘A’ to ‘B’ is very different. Scorpio is noted for getting an amazing amount accomplished with a minimum amount of discussion, while Aquarius wants to set up a study group before taking one step.

Is there any workaround for them? Possibly, but they need to be honest with themselves and each other first and foremost. If Ms. Libra has questions about her lover’s fidelity, those need to be addressed ASAP, because with as much Scorpio as she has, anything less than total fidelity is not going to work.

When it comes to their differences about what’s enjoyable (Venus square Venus), finding a compromise probably won’t be that difficult, but the square between her Mars and his, both in fixed signs, may be more challenging. It all depends on how attached each of them is to being right. Sometimes the best solution is to take turns instead of attempting to work together!

With Saturn about to move into Libra, we all will be learning the fine art of compromise when seeking to improve our relationships.

posted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: Will Mars in Leo Bring Emotional Upheaval?

This week’s question comes from Anne in Fort Worth, Texas:

Just as I am coming near the end of the Saturn in Virgo number, I read that Mars is going to be in Leo for seven months. My Moon is in Leo and my Pluto is in Leo! Does this mean that after undergoing the rigors of Saturn that I must face emotional upheaval for seven months? I just want to scream, “Enough! Enough!” Any insight would be deeply appreciated.

Neith’s response:

Thankfully, Anne, Mars is very, very different from Saturn in expression. He represents the action principle and encourages us to get moving – a welcome relief after Saturn in Virgo’s cautious nitpicking.

Transiting Mars in Leo will be triggering your natal fixed T-square of your Moon opposing Mars and both square your Sun-Saturn. I’m guessing change is not your favorite thing and you much prefer life proceeding as uneventfully as possible. As someone who also has a fixed sign preponderance in their chart, I quite understand!

Mars transits are good for helping us stand up for ourselves and learning to express our anger. If you have been suppressing your unhappiness about the way things are done in your work place, this transit could help clear that up.

Your twelfth house Moon in Leo will be getting a jolt and your family may be in for a surprise when your normally mild-mannered self speaks out and tells them how you really feel.

Mars transits to the Moon are also ideal for getting in touch with our anger and resentments, so this extended transit may be an ideal time to explore this. The stress resulting from not acknowledging anger and resentment in particular can manifest in any number of health problems.

You have some time yet before Mars starts to affect your chart in mid-November, Anne, to mull things over. For now, you may wish to make an appointment to get a relaxing massage or take a quiet stroll through the most beautiful natural setting you know of to unwind.

Take care and be well.

Pat’s response:

Anne, your question is very timely, because Mars just entered Leo this morning. And you are right, he is going to remain there for a long time! Normally Mars stays in a sign for six weeks, but when he goes retrograde (every other year), he stays in a sign for nearly eight months.

Mars has had a reputation as a troublemaker since ancient times. Wherever he is in our charts, we tend to experience difficulties. There are a couple of exceptions, but everyone feels tension when Mars is retrograde. His retrograde period this year is going to be compounded by eclipses and Mercury retrograde. We’re all going to need to hang onto our seats.

Because Mars is in a fixed sign, those with a lot of fixed sign energy in their charts will be especially affected. That’s Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. As Neith noted, all of your planets except Neptune are in fixed signs, so yes, you probably are going to experience some upheaval, especially since Mars turns retrograde in very tight aspect to your Moon-Saturn square. I have the Moon and Saturn square in my chart as well, and so I know that whenever this challenging aspect is triggered, emotional upsets do tend to occur. The “good” news there is that the upsets typically aren’t due to any real external circumstances but are due to internal conflicts. That doesn’t make them any easier to deal with on a day-to-day basis, but at least it’s not a “world falling apart” thing.

Since Mars will turn retrograde in your twelfth house, the biggest concern is that you could get physically run down and be more susceptible to colds and flu. It wouldn’t hurt to get a flu shot now, and then make sure you take all your vitamins and supplements between now and January, in addition to eating a sensible diet and getting enough rest.

Best of luck, Anne, and do keep us posted.