Category Archives: Forecasts

Full Moon in Aries, October 14, 2008

Full Moon in AriesFire sign inspiration and dynamic energy has been in short supply for quite awhile now, so the Full Moon at 21° 51′ Aries  on October 14 will inject some much-needed leavening into the atmosphere, if only temporarily.

To help us understand the tone this Full Moon will bring, I am going to lead off with the Sabian symbols for both the Moon and Sun, because they hold the key to how best to position ourselves during this lunation.

For the Full Moon it is, the gate to the garden of all fulfilled desires, with the keyword COSMIC OPTIMISM. Both luminaries are harmoniously aspected by Neptune in Aquarius, bringing a message of cooperation and inspiring the collective with a sense of community. With economic unrest making headlines around the globe, this is the best time to reach out to our fellow travelers with the recognition that we are all in this together and that it is through cooperation and understanding we can reduce the stress in our lives.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 21° 51′ Libra 51′ is, a child giving birds a drink at a fountain, with the keyword SOLICITUDE. The theme of finding anew a sense of childlike wonder or beginner’s mind is common in many cultures and belief systems as a key component for resolving difficulties from a fresh perspective. Often the secret is letting go of preconceived notions and ideas and cultivating a sense of innocent joy. Here again we can draw on Neptune’s gift of understanding that we are all part of the greater whole to ignite Libra’s desire for compromise and elegant equitable solutions.

On the Full Moon, Mercury in Libra is virtually at a standstill, preparing to go direct almost exactly 24 hours after the Full Moon. We gradually will see the unleashing of all that has been on hold for the past three weeks while Mercury was retrograde. Mercury is closely semi-sextile Mars in Scorpio, and this rather irritating aspect asks us to think before we speak to avoid causing hurt feelings when remaining silent will better serve us in the long run.

Another fly in the ointment is a square between Venus in Scorpio, Libra’s ruling planet, and Neptune in Aquarius. Here we can get caught up in unrealistic expectations, especially where our loved ones are concerned. Scorpio’s need to rehash all the details, important or not, could really spoil the mood too. Venus will move into Sagittarius on October 18, just four days after the Full Moon, and lighten things up considerably. Keep in mind the Libra principal of catching more flies with honey instead of vinegar to avoid sabotaging your relationships inadvertently.

There are two grand trines with asteroids in play:  one in air with the Sun, Neptune, and Pallas; and one in fire with the Moon, Juno, and Ceres. Pallas/Athena brings a clear sighted organizational ability to the table, and in Gemini she shines brightly. Pallas will happily discuss options for conflict resolution with wise Neptune and equitable Libra, and we could all use a dose of this in our lives. The fire sign trio brings together the enthusiastic innocence of the Aries Moon and the desire of Juno in Sagittarius to find a common belief system, while Ceres in Leo adds nurturance through creativity and joy. Both of these grand trines contribute to the dynamic of complements represented by the Full Moon, and if we consciously draw on the energies they represent, we can go far toward improving our relationships with others.

Yes, Saturn in Virgo is still trine Jupiter in Capricorn and moving to exactly oppose Uranus in Pisces on November 4. These two very different aspects present challenges to all of us, but if we keep in mind that earth and water are compatible elements, the path to resolution is possible. An attitude of acceptance and a willingness to do the work are needed here.

This Full Moon provides us with tools and concepts we can draw on in the days and weeks ahead to work with the challenges the Saturn-Uranus opposition heralds. We are definitely experiencing the final throes of Pluto’s march through Sagittarius now and getting some idea what his move into Capricorn will bring. As the Sabian symbols suggest, we can find our way to abundance through togetherness and cooperation while holding within ourselves the joy of solicitude for others. As always, practice kindness and forgiveness, starting with yourself and then extending it to others.

Libra is about balanceposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast October 6: Mercury Retrograde, Venus and Mars in Scorpio

The Hallucenogenic Toreador, by Salvador DaliWe’re in a holding pattern this week, with Mercury moving through the final stage of his retrograde phase, Mars well-established in his own sign of Scorpio, and no highly challenging aspects.

As the week begins, Mercury has a week and a half left to go in his three-week retrograde period. Some of you have written to say that you haven’t noticed any major effects of this Mercury retrograde, and I have to agree with you. I’ve seen a few minor glitches here and there, but no major mix-ups. I’ve even heard a couple of good stories, and my own experience has been mostly positive. A relationship with a co-worker began getting back on track after several weeks of discord.

Because Mercury is in Libra, the sign of relationships, I do believe it’s possible that this retrograde period has been good for revisiting old wounds and unresolved issues, especially as Mercury forms harmonious trines with Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius.

On Monday, the Sun conjoins retrograde Mercury, and both bodies square Jupiter in Capricorn. If you don’t like the way a certain relationship is going, this is a great opportunity to make some real changes. Depending on where Mercury is transiting your chart, you may also have a window of opportunity to change some other part of your life. With Mercury and the Sun in an intellectual air sign and Jupiter in a practical earth sign, thinking through how you’d like things to be different is a good start. Visualization exercises and affirmations will work well with this planetary configuration.

The effects of this triple aspect will continue into Tuesday as the Moon in Capricorn squares Mercury and the Sun and conjoins Jupiter. We manifest much more effectively when we back our thoughts with emotion. Put another way, when there’s a real need, the energy we send out into the Universe is much more powerful.

Matters also start getting complicated, though, with Venus in Scorpio squaring Chiron on Tuesday and Neptune on Saturday. We can’t be truly intimate with another person if we don’t express our hurts and fears. Often we’re afraid to do this, either because it exposes our vulnerability or makes us appear less desirable. Or we may be afraid that the other person will be angry, perhaps even angry enough to leave us. Withholding information from an intimate partner or someone else close to you is a means of manipulation and control, and while you may get what you want in the short term, this will harm your relationship over time. If nothing else, be ruthlessly honest with yourself about your motives.

As she makes these difficult aspects with Chiron and Neptune, Venus also sextiles Saturn early in the week. This is good energy for solidifying your committed relationships, provided you are willing to do the work. In financial matters, this positive Venus-Saturn contact can help you make progress, even with Mercury retrograde.

The Moon in Aquarius conjoins Chiron on Thursday and Neptune on Friday, triggering the Mercury-Sun aspect earlier in the week. Also on Thursday and Friday, Venus forms a happy trine to unpredictable Uranus. Typically the surprises that arrive under this aspect are happy ones. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for some of that!

Overall, we’ll get a bit of a breather this week, so take advantage while you can. Next week is the Full Moon in Aries, the day before Mercury turns direct, and I’m betting that a lot of pent-up energy will be released at that time. Neith will have more on this in a day or two.

Love and blessings,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image:  The Hallucinogenic Toreador, by Salvador Dalí, 1968-1970. Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida. I chose this image because it so nicely represents the confused, complicated energies of Venus this week. However, on a deeper level, this painting contains symbolism for suddenly seeing the whole, a psychological phenomenon called “emergence” in Gestalt theory.

Weekly Forecast September 29: New Moon in Libra, Mars enters Scorpio

BUSTED!We’ll feel a major energy shift this week as Mars enters his own sign of Scorpio. Relationships continue to be our focus, but there are twists and complications.

That’s not until Friday, though, so I’m getting ahead of myself. The week begins with the New Moon in Libra, which Neith wrote about at length in a post last week. By the way, her lunation posts are drawing record numbers of page views for us, and we are now read in all 50 states and nearly 100 countries around the world!

The Moon remains in Libra on Tuesday and conjoins Mercury and Mars and trines Neptune. Mercury just turned retrograde and either is wreaking havoc with your relationships or allowing you to go back and review where you took a wrong turn — not that these two effects are mutually exclusive. Sometimes we need to be forced to deal with issues we’d rather avoid. Put another way, the more deeply you’re in denial, the harsher the wakeup call. But if you’ve been hoping for an opportunity for a healing heart-to-heart talk, you can have it now. Embrace all that comes your way, and make a special effort not to avoid necessary confrontation. Used properly, conflict leads to growth.

On Thursday (Friday in the Eastern Hemisphere), Mars sextiles Pluto. Modern astrologers use Pluto as the ruler of Scorpio, but Mars remains Scorpio’s co-ruler. When these two are in a favorable relationship, their combined energies are available to help us shift out of thought and behavior patterns that may be keeping us stuck. Mars will carry this powerful Plutonian charge with him as he enters Scorpio at 9:34 p.m. Friday on the West Coast of the United States.

Since mid-August, the Warrior has been in Libra, where he is decidedly less warlike but stripped of his vital energy. Until last week, Venus also was in Libra, one of the two signs she rules. These symbols of divine masculine and feminine conjoined on September 11 in her sign, giving the upper hand to feminine qualities of diplomacy and compromise. He went along, but he may have whined about it, or perhaps he expressed his displeasure through passive-aggressive means such as little digs or inner rebellion.

Well, now the tables are turned. He is at his best, while she is not. Mars in Scorpio knows what he wants, and he knows how to get it. It is not through cajoling or gentle persuasion, but through targeted action. If he meets with resistance, he will resort to whatever means necessary. Some of those means might not be very nice, but they will be effective.

Venus in Scorpio knows what she wants, too, or at least she thinks she does. She may obsess endlessly on it and use underhanded means such as manipulation and subtle lies. Then, once she gets it, she may not want it anymore.

So what does all of this mean for you?

You may notice after Friday that you are tired of endless negotiating and putting up with less than you want and deserve. If you’re not getting what you want in a relationship, a job, or some other situation, be honest and open, and be firm. Demands and threats won’t work. You’ll need to put your money where your mouth is.

At every step of the way, examine your motives, especially if others are standing in your way. Do you really want what you think you want? Are you engaging in a hidden struggle for power and control? Or are you perhaps standing in your own way by controlling a part of you that needs to be expressed and heard? Are you telling yourself you need to be nice, when a tougher stance may be more appropriate?

If you do need to discuss a relationship, Saturday’s trine between Mercury and Chiron will help you discuss hurt feelings. Don’t expect any immediate resolution. Just be content to get the issues out in the open.

Sunday’s Venus-Jupiter sextile brings some relief in the way of a little self-indulgence. Remember, a little will go a long way, so there’s no need to go overboard and leave yourself with the equivalent of a hangover on Monday.

Hang in there.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Mars and Venus Surprised by Apollo, by Hendrick de Clerck (1570-1629). I concede that there’s a certain cheesiness to this image, and you have to wonder whether the artist used a female model for Venus. But several artists from this era painted this theme, which for some reason was very popular at the time.

New Moon in Libra, September 29, 2008

New Moon by Maxfield ParrishThis is the first New Moon following the autumnal equinox and is the doorway to the period leading up the winter solstice, which marks the end of one solar year and the beginning of the new one.

Any New Moon in Libra always draws attention to our one-on-one relationships, matters of equity and justice, making informed decisions, and focusing attention on the “other” rather than ourselves. Libra is the halfway point of the astrological year and a good time to look at what has happened since the New Moon in Aries six months ago. With five planets in air signs in this chart, the intellectual approach to problem-solving is favored.

Since Mercury in Libra is retrograde on the New Moon, reviewing old business is a far better option than attempting to start something new, even though Mars is still conjunct Mercury, encouraging us to take action. Perhaps a better use of this cardinal energy is to sit down with our partners and take a look at what works and what doesn’t. The trine from Mercury in Libra to Neptune in Aquarius is still in effect and very helpful for taking the high road and applying a generous dose of compassion and empathy.

Venus, Libra’s ruler, has recently moved into Scorpio and is closely semi-sextile the Sun-Moon conjunction, strengthening the bond between them. While Libra really does prefer to stay in the mental realms, Venus in Scorpio can be very insistent about the need to look deeper and examine our motives and the “whys” behind our obsessive behaviors. What do we need to do for emotional housecleaning? Do our relationships truly benefit both parties, or would separation be the best course? These are the type of questions to ask now.

In addition, an inconjunct from Uranus in Pisces to Mercury in Libra still is resonating in the atmosphere. Uranus can be very persistent in reminding us of the need to be true to our authentic selves, and this inconjunct to Mercury can be the mosquito in our gardens flying around our heads bugging us to pay attention to ensure our own needs are being met.

The sextile from Mars in Libra to Pluto in Sagittarius will be exact on October 1. We have a window of opportunity here supporting our efforts to clear out the debris in our lives generated by the T-square with Pluto on the last Full Moon. Of course, we can always ignore this and go on as we have, but keep in mind that sooner or later, Pluto will demand his due.

The grand trine with Jupiter in Capricorn, Saturn in Virgo, and Vesta in Taurus is once more in effect. This pattern was also in the sky during the eclipse on August 16, but Venus and Mercury were in Virgo conjoining Saturn then adding their bit. This is the bare bones version but the message of healing through taking a practical, grounded approach is still there. Because we are working with the flowing energy of the trine, to get the most out of this pattern, we must consciously choose to do so.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is 7 Libra:  A woman feeding chickens and protecting them from the hawks, with the keyword GUARDIANSHIP. In 360 Degrees of Wisdom, Lynda Hill writes that there is the perception that one’s guard can’t be let down without someone, or something, taking advantage. This symbol is most closely tied to the slightly irritating semi-sextile between Venus in vigilant Scorpio and the New Moon in Libra, representing our nurturing side. The trick here is to avoid being overly protective and allowing others to make their own choices, facilitating the learning process.

Perhaps the best use of this lunation is to recognize where we are receiving genuine love and support and nurture those connections. It never hurts to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us and thank them for their help and being there for us. Oh yes, remember to practice moderation in all things including moderation . . . that’s Libra!

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Weekly Forecast September 22: Mercury Retrograde

The Cadence of Autumn, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1905Well, the first thing you might notice is that this forecast is a day late. I blame retrograde Mercury!

Before I talk about that, though, let’s welcome the Sun in Libra, also known as the fall equinox. I have to admit that I’m not feeling it all that much, not with Mercury, Mars, and Venus all in Libra since August 30. We’ve had a good dose of Libra energy since then, so the Sun’s passage through the sign of balance is somewhat anticlimactic, except for the Libra and Aries lunations, which Neith will have more on shortly.

It is “officially” the first day of fall, though, and that has a psychological effect. The process of harvesting, gathering, and preservation is programmed into our DNA, as are the shorter days and longer, chillier nights. We are aware that winter is on the way.

Venus leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on Tuesday. Venus is in her fall in Scorpio, and while many astrologers consider this a sexy and even psychic placement of Venus, she also can be obsessive and manipulative, neither of which help foster honest and open communications with those you love. We will all have to mindful of giving up control over situations and other people.

This will be all the more important with Mercury conjoining Mars in Libra earlier Tuesday. Difficult Mercury-Mars aspects are notorious for heated words. Because Libra is a more balanced sign, those words might be disguised as “nice” when they are meant to inflict pain or to express anger.

The Messenger goes into “reverse” on Wednesday at nearly 23 degrees Libra and will retrograde back to about 7 degrees Libra before returning direct on October 15. Relationship issues will be vulnerable to revisiting and rehashing, especially those that come up on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. There’s almost no point in trying to figure out where you stand, because that could change in the next three weeks, and more than once. Just try to remain as open-minded and as open-hearted as possible, and look inward to your desires and motivations. If you don’t feel ready to admit them to others, at least be honest with yourself.

The rest of the week is fairly low-key, with no aspects between major planets Thursday through Saturday. On Sunday, retrograde Mercury trines Neptune, marking the first opportunity to have a healing discussion. Don’t expect much from this, though, and if you can’t get your message through, step back and wait for a couple of weeks, difficult as that may be. Trying to force discussions while Mercury is retrograde can get us in trouble even deeper, and Neptune is known for clouding the issues.

By this weekend, we’ll start feeling the New Moon in Libra on Monday. Other than occurring during Mercury retrograde, this should be a fairly easy lunation. Look for Neith’s post tomorrow.

Until then, love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

P.S. For more information on the upcoming Mercury retrograde, see my recent Saturday Extra post.

Image: The Cadence of Autumn, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1905.

Weekly Forecast September 15: Full Moon in Pisces

With the Full Moon in Pisces on Monday, this week starts out with a bang!

Neith already has written at length on this lunation, and I discussed it in last week’s forecast. Because the Sun opposed Uranus on Friday (Saturday in the Eastern Hemisphere), you may already have felt the impact of this volatile Full Moon, but with Uranus involved, it’s almost impossible to know.

Tempest, by Maxfield Parrish

Hurricane Ike was an interesting manifestation of this Full Moon energy. This storm puzzled forecasters, because it wasn’t behaving like most hurricanes. In the days before landfall, they were getting inconsistent readings, and their forecasting tools were at odds, some showing that Ike would pass over warm currents and strengthen significantly, while others indicated passing over cold currents and weakening. In the end, Ike caused severe damage, but didn’t develop into a stronger Category 3 storm.

Hopefully, that will be the case in our personal lives as well. And unlike hurricanes, which leave death, destruction, and personal tragedy, emotional storms can clear our lives of accumulated debris and set us on a new course more in line with our authentic selves.

Mercury, Venus, and Mars all conjoined in Libra last week, which resulted in productive discussions, especially regarding relationships. A lot of anger may have been released, which I believe is a good thing in the long run, but some emotional turbulence may linger through this Wednesday, when the Moon in Aries opposes Mars, Mercury, and Venus all within a few hours. Keep talking, and don’t fear confrontation. Ultimately, it will help you grow and break through to higher ground.

Indeed, barely two hours after the Moon opposes Venus, the planet of love forms a harmonious trine to Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions. Which you get depends on whether you’ve done your work. Mercury trines Neptune on Friday, and Mars follows on Sunday. The bigger picture should come through now. There’s nothing like putting things in perspective to help you heal. Do keep in mind that Mercury turns retrograde next week, and so some of the issues you’ve been experiencing in your closest relationships likely will come up for rehashing and review for the next several weeks. Having a big picture for context will help us keep our sanity through it all.

On Saturday, the Sun in Virgo squares Pluto in Sagittarius, putting practical considerations in conflict with religious and political beliefs. Expect a new round of campaign mudslinging, at the very least.

Speaking of Pluto, the planet of death and transformation has just returned direct, as has Jupiter, the planet of expansion and good fortune. Breakthroughs should be happening for us left and right this week, in possibly miraculous ways. I sure could use a miracle, and wish the same for you.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

P.S. For more information on the upcoming Mercury retrograde, see my recent Saturday Extra post.

Image: The Tempest, by Maxfield Parrish, 1909.

Saturday Extra: Mercury Retrograde

Mercury, by Simeon SolomonWith all the drama going on this week, our attention has been diverted from the effects of Mercury’s imminent retrograde.

The shadow period began on September 2, although we began experiencing the effects even sooner due to Mars passing through Mercury’s retrograde path. Mars acts as a trigger, and this can happen before an aspect occurs as well as afterward. I’m already seeing communications mix-ups, especially in relationships. As usual, the ferry schedules are totally mixed up, and I’m also seeing some breakdowns (Mars rules moving parts in a machine).

All of the usual warnings will apply to this Mercury retrograde, such as backing up your computer files, double-checking reservations, and making sure that you are clear in all of your communications. Those are all things you can start doing now.

Likewise, if someone isn’t clear with you, don’t jump to conclusions. If there are miscommunications, they may not be anyone’s fault. Forgive and forget, especially with Mercury in Libra.

Now, there will be a couple of interesting facets to this Mercury retrograde that will bear watching. First, Venus and Mars just conjoined on September 11, with Mercury in close conjunction (Mercury and Venus are exactly conjunct tomorrow, Sunday). Whatever has been going on for you in the past couple of days, especially regarding your relationships, may come up for revisiting and review over the next month or so. My guess is that you’ll find resolution, but the interim period could be frustrating.

Second, Mercury will be retrograde at the New Moon in Libra on September 29, so any movement associated with that New Moon likely will be delayed until Mercury returns direct on October 15, which is the day after the Full Moon in Aries. Patience will be required.

This is all information to keep in the back of your mind as you sail this week’s stormy seas.

Love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Mercury, by Simeon Solomon, a Libra, born October 8, 1840.

Full Moon in Pisces, September 15, 2008

Pisces Moon risingThe Full Moon next Monday promises to be a real zinger at 22°54′ Pisces, with Uranus conjoining it and Pluto in Sagittarius forming a T-square. It’s “batten down the hatches” time!

By the time the Moon is full, both Jupiter and Pluto will have returned direct and started to pick up speed. Sagittarius and Scorpio folk in particular may be getting hints that matters held in stasis over the past few months are beginning to see movement, as Jupiter and Pluto rule those signs, respectively. Adding to the movement is the continuing trine from Saturn in Virgo, so look where Jupiter is currently falling in your chart to see what’s breaking loose for you. It’s entirely possible that things will fall into place smoothly and easily under the influence of the trine. Let’s hope so, anyway.

Pluto is another matter. The T-square with the Sun, Moon, and Uranus is more likely to create some dramatic effects, because any time Uranus is on the playing field, he electrifies events. Pluto asks us to let go of what is dead or dying in our lives, and if we have not been paying attention up to this point, we will have far less choice in the matter now. For some reason, the thought popping into my mind about this pattern has to do with accepting loss. In doing so, we ultimately gain, but there will be a price (mostly because human beings tend to undervalue freely given gifts). If we allow ourselves to let go gracefully in an open-handed manner and forgive ourselves for holding on so tightly in the first place, we will navigate through this fine.

The Moon-Uranus conjunction in Pisces is closely semi-sextile Neptune in Aquarius, emphasizing the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune. The Moon provides access to our emotions and unconscious motivations, and at this time we may be better able to tap into the archetypes represented by Uranus and Neptune. Service to others with compassion and appreciation for what makes each of us unique is a good starting point. Taking time to consider how we may be of service is never a waste of time.

On a more mundane level, we have a nice tight stellium in Libra of Venus, Mercury, and Mars. It sure doesn’t hurt to have sympathetic Neptune, the higher octave expression of Venus, trine to this stellium. This is the perfect time to find the right words to heal the atmosphere of divisiveness possibly brought about by Mars in Libra’s tendency to use words like weapons and take the other side of a disagreement just because it can. Mars is not comfortable in Libra, the sign of his detriment. But don’t worry, because on October 4, he will enter Scorpio, the sign he co-rules with Pluto.

For this Full Moon, the Sabian Symbol for 23 Pisces is, A materializing medium giving a séance, with a keyword SUBSTANTIATION. More than anything, this connects with the mutable T -square, acknowledging the need to surrender to our higher purpose in order to become “unstuck” on our path to becoming our most authentic self. In order to manifest something new in one’s life, there has to be space available, and it’s far better to do this consciously and with awareness.

The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is 23 Virgo is, A lion tamer displays his skill and character, with keywords RESOLUTENESS and PATIENCE. This is perfect fit with the current trine between Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn, where earth sign persistence and willingness to tame one’s vital energies to achieve a goal is rewarded. We also are reminded to have faith and courage in our abilities.

We are standing on the threshold of a period of profound change brought about by Saturn opposing Uranus, and this Full Moon on the Virgo-Pisces axis gives us an opportunity to glimpse how this opposition may affect us personally. It is also a great time to remind ourselves that practicing kindness and behaving in a thoughtful manner to all we encounter is no bad thing, because Uranus is the biggest pot-stirrer there is!

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast September 8: Run-Up to Full Moon in Pisces

Botticelli's Mars and VenusFasten your seat belts and hang on to the handrails, because this is going to be a killer week.

It’s hard to name one dominant energy this week, as there are so many things going on astrologically. However, if I had to name one outstanding feature, I’d say it’s the run-up to the Full Moon in Pisces next Monday.

Although we’re still a week away, we’re going to start feeling this potent Full Moon by mid-week. Some of you may feel it even earlier, if you have chart angles or key planets in the mid-degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). The Full Moon will be tightly conjunct Uranus, planet of sudden change and surprise, so there’s no telling what might happen. In situations like this, we can only lamely advise you to expect the unexpected.

As usual, Neith will have more in a day or two in one of her enlightening and increasingly popular lunation reports. In the meantime, let’s have a look at the other significant events happening in the sky this week.

On Monday, Jupiter and Pluto both turn direct. Jupiter has been retrograde since May 9; Pluto, since April 2. Give these two a week or so, and then watch to see what manifests in your life. It could be quite sudden. If you’ve been working toward a certain goal but have been getting only lukewarm results, you may see major movement now, depending on where Jupiter and Pluto are transiting your chart.

Jupiter’s return direct is all the more powerful, since it takes place in a tight trine with Saturn, ruler of manifestation on the physical plane. If you haven’t had a goal in mind, get one now and do some visualization and affirmation work on Monday. The square from Mercury in Libra to Jupiter will help you form intentions. Remember, thoughts are entities.

As if that’s not enough for one day, Mercury conjoins Mars in the middle of all this activity, which could bring an element of anger or impatience to your dealings with others and your approach to life in general. The energy of Mars in Libra can be passive-aggressive, so monitor your words and actions to be sure that you’re saying what you really mean. For example, rather than lashing out at someone because you’re hurt, try just saying, “That hurt,” and take it from there.

The Moon, meanwhile, conjoins Pluto on Monday before entering Capricorn and interacting with Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, all within a five-hour period on Tuesday (roughly 1 to 6 p.m. on the West Coast of the United States). Events during this period should provide you with plenty of clues what to expect as a result of the Jupiter-Saturn trine and also the upcoming Venus-Mars conjunction.

The cosmic lovers finally meet on Thursday, although after the activity early in the week, it’s almost anticlimactic. Hopefully, the dust will settle for a few hours, and you’ll get to enjoy the sweetness of this moment. The image I chose for this week, Botticelli’s Mars and Venus, is in honor of this aspect. There’s a fascinating entry on this painting on Wikipedia. Note especially the comments attributed to philosopher Marsilio Ficino on the capacity of Venus to placate Mars but his inability to master her. That would especially be true of Venus and Mars in Libra!

By Friday, the you-know-what starts hitting the fan, as the Sun opposes erratic Uranus. This is the opening act for the Full Moon, and I can’t even begin to predict how it will manifest.

From Friday through Sunday, Mercury, Venus, and Mars trine Chiron, creating an opening to heal through words, love, and physical intimacy. With everything else that’s going on, we may miss this subtle cue, but if we remain aware of it, we can draw on it to improve our closest relationships. This includes your relationship with yourself.

I am definitely on pins and needles, but I’m trying to muster my courage to handle whatever life throws my way. I wish the same for you, in spades.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli, c. 1483. National Gallery, London.

Weekly Forecast September 1: In the Wake of the New Moon in Virgo

The Guilded Cage, by Evelyn de MorganWe’re still in the wake of last Saturday’s New Moon in Virgo, and we likely will see manifestations of it right up until Wednesday, when the Sun conjoins Saturn, thus carrying the energy of the New Moon to Saturn’s “classroom.”

What lesson you’re learning at the hand of the taskmaster depends on what house of your natal chart he’s transiting and whether he’s making an aspect to any natal planets. For that, you’d need to consult an astrologer, but in general, we are learning how to become our authentic selves and, in so doing, how we can better serve humanity. This theme will become more prominent as Saturn approaches opposition to Uranus this fall.

For now, just be aware of how limiting yourself could be hurting not just yourself, but others as well. What is your greatest gift to the world? What changes may be necessary in your life in order for you to give it?

That’s a heavy homework assignment, and it is one you’ll need to contemplate for awhile.

Meanwhile, we’ll get a little taste on Monday of what next week’s Venus-Mars conjunction may bring our way, as the Moon in Libra aligns with Venus, Mercury, and Mars within a 12-hour span.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Mars-Venus conjunction, which will be exact on September 11. Mars-Venus conjunctions typically are good for relationships, and that should be all the more true with this conjunction occurring in Libra, the sign most associated with relationships.

That said, Mars is not well-placed in Libra, the sign of his detriment. We think of Libra as the peacemaker and the conciliator, but that is not the natural character of Mars. In Libra, he can be passive-aggressive.

Also please note that Mercury goes retrograde in Libra this month, and Mars is now moving through Mercury’s retrograde path, which will extend from about 7 degrees to 23 degrees Libra. Mercury, remember, is about communications. Mercury-Mars conjunctions, even in Libra, can result in anger. Not that this is a bad thing. We tend to view anger as negative, but it’s a lot more negative to repress it. A good clearing of the air, especially in intimate relationships, may turn out to be exactly what we most need. As I mentioned above, keep an eye on what happens in your life on Monday for clues as to how this important transit could affect you and your relationships.

Speaking of Mercury, I’ve started receiving reports of events that sound suspiciously like Mercury retrograde activity, so I’m betting that Mars is the culprit here. There will be lots more, too, as Mercury officially enters his retrograde shadow period on Tuesday. Heads up!

The Sun goes on to trine Jupiter on Thursday. The Big Guy is in his fall and still technically retrograde, but he’s slowing way down (that’s what it looks like from down here anyway) in preparation to return direct late Sunday on the West Coast of the United States. Yes, it will be next week already in most of the rest of the world. This will be a powerful moment to decide what you want to manifest, especially as it relates to fulfilling your highest purpose and destiny. It’s not called soul work for nothing. It’s work, it’s hard, and sometimes it seems impossible.

We’ll get an extra nudge on Sunday from squares to Jupiter from Mars and then Mercury. We usually think of squares as presenting conflict, but these two can be useful if approached with an intention to go for the highest good. In any case, a little effort this week will go a long way, so just do it.

Love and blessings,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The Guilded Cage, by Evelyn de Morgan, 1919. The message here is about how attachment to material possessions can prevent you from living a more free and authentic life.