Category Archives: Forecasts

New Moon in Virgo, August 30, 2008

down on the farmThe New Moon this Saturday, August 30, is the first following the pair of eclipses earlier this month. The Sun and Moon at 7°48′ Virgo, conjunct Saturn, emphasize responsible manifestation of our goals.

Saturn is the taskmaster, but at least we find that what he asks of us is easy to understand – not necessarily pleasant, but understandable. Saturn reminds us of the need to behave in a responsible manner. When he’s in Virgo, being of service to others is high on his priorities list. We are being asked to eat our vegetables first, then dessert!

One of the best things about this New Moon is the lovely supporting trine from Jupiter in Capricorn. Virgo and Capricorn are not flashy signs, but they are both excellent for getting down to work in a quiet, straightforward manner. After the drama of the eclipses in Leo-Aquarius, most of us are more than ready for a break. If your experiences this month have been remotely like mine, there is a backlog of things to catch up on!

The Jupiter-Saturn trine will be in effect until early December, giving us time to take care of business. Trines do not require a lot of effort, just awareness to seize the opportunities that present themselves. However, it would be a shame to waste any moment of this very productive aspect between practical Saturn and visionary Jupiter. Those of you who have planets and chart angles at the mid-degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) will notice this aspect the most, especially if Saturn will conjoin those points in your chart.

My Libra self is extremely happy to see the nice stellium in Libra occurring at this New Moon, with Venus, Mercury, and Mars all in the sign of balance. If you have need of charm and diplomacy to make a move at this time, this stellium has those qualities in spades. The trine from Pallas in Gemini provides further support for making accurate assessments of any situation. Pallas is the asteroid specializing in clear, concise thought and organizational skills, and Mercury ruled Gemini is associated with communications in general.

Because neither Neptune in Aquarius nor Uranus in Pisces are aspected in this chart, we are going to catch a breather from dealing with the issues those two outer planets have been pummeling us with over the past few months. Pluto in Sagittarius is also out of orb with the inner planets at this time. It is much easier for us to recognize and deal with matters related to Jupiter and Saturn than the archetypes of the three outermost planets. A practical, mundane focus is in order for now.

The Sabian symbol for 8 Virgo is, A girl takes her first dancing lesson, and the keyword is ASSISTANCE. As usual the Sabian symbol strikes right to the heart of the matter and, in this case, it is the New Moon conjunction with Saturn. We learn many things by practicing with focus and diligence, and this is a great time for practicing discipline, self-control, and concentration. Saturn always blesses our efforts to manage our lives by taking small steps instead of taking giant leaps in mid-air.

All in all, this New Moon is going to be good for us, a time to pick up the loose ends and deal with them in an orderly fashion. Virgo and Libra both remind us of the value of treating others with politeness and consideration – a great time to practice “paying it forward” with random acts of kindness. We need to take advantage of this opportunity, because the Full Moon in Pisces next month will conjoin Uranus, not Saturn, and life will get “interesting” once more.

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

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

Weekly Forecast August 25: New Moon in Virgo, Venus enters Libra

Helen of Troy, by Evelyn de Morgan, 1898

The Sun is in Virgo, and fall is definitely here in the Pacific Northwest. The days are noticeably shorter, the light is growing thinner, the nights are cold, and the vegetable stands are overflowing with good things from the Earth.

This is my favorite time of year, when I feel invigorated. Perhaps we know deep down in our genetic coding (we in the Northern Hemisphere) that this is the Earth’s last hurrah, our time of celebration and abundance before heading into the darkest days of the year and the corresponding turn inward.

This cycle is very much reflected in the mythology of Ceres (the Greek Demeter), the quintessential earth mother. I’ve written a lot on my blog, The Pisces Chronicles, about Ceres as the modern ruler of Virgo, if not alone then as co-ruler with Mercury. I have a feeling that if the ancient astrologers who devised our rulership system had known of the existence of Ceres and the other planets discovered since the 18th century, they would have revised their system accordingly.

Ceres, as it turns out, is fairly quiet right now, in the early degrees of Leo and not in aspect with the heavy players of the week. Her influence will grow, however, as she moves through Leo and the degrees of the eclipses in the current series, and then when she enters Virgo in early November. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it…

This week, we have an edgy New Moon in Virgo (more about that in a minute), as well as Mercury and Venus moving into Libra. Let’s talk about Venus first.

Venus has not been happy at all in Virgo, the sign of her fall. Conversely, Libra is one of the two signs ruled by Venus. The image I chose for this week’s post says it all. Venus in Libra is the highest expression of feminine beauty and grace. She is adorned, pampered, worshipped, fought over … and, OK, a little spoiled, but that has been the due for gorgeous creatures since time immemorial.

That said, Venus in Libra is not egocentric and knows how to compromise to get what she wants. Compromise truly is an art, and like many other things, it requires knowing yourself. Otherwise, you don’t know whether you’re giving away too much or compromising your integrity. Venus enters Libra Saturday at 7:41 a.m. on the West Coast of the United States — not a moment too soon, as the New Moon is just a few hours away, and I think it’s going to be a tough one for many of us.

As usual, Neith will have a full report in a day or two. For now, I’ll note simply that this New Moon, just shy of 8 degrees Virgo, falls in fairly close conjunction with Saturn, a stern presence whose lessons are never easy to learn. Depending on the house position of this New Moon in your chart, you may be asked to take on a new responsibility, or you may be forced to accept responsibility for your behavior or your approach to a certain part of your life. This is not a bad thing, obviously, but it is a lesson that many of us learn only under duress.

Mercury also enters Libra this week, at 7:50 p.m. PDT on Thursday. Although Mercury isn’t exalted here, Libra is an air sign and thus a comfortable place for Mercury’s intellectual, analytical qualities. Talking about relationships will be especially productive, and that will include rehashing unresolved problems when Mercury goes retrograde on September 24. The shadow period starts on September 2, so be sure to wrap up Mercury related activities this week, including making changes to your computer system, signing contracts, sending important correspondence, and getting your accounting in order.

Mercury and Venus both square Pluto before changing signs — Mercury on Wednesday and Venus on Friday. This should help identify relationship problems at their source, even if it’s just in your own mind, so that you can work to find solutions. Realizations may be painful, or you may finally just accept what you’ve known inside all along.

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

Image: Helen of Troy, by Evelyn de Morgan, 1898. The artist was a Virgo, born August 30, 1855, and of course had Venus in Libra. Could there be a more fitting image for Venus in Libra at the New Moon?

Weekly Forecast August 18: Sun enters Virgo

French painter Jean François Millet stirred social controversy in this 1857 painting, The Gleaners.French painter Jean François Millet stirred social controversy in this 1857 painting, The Gleaners.Whew, I don’t know about you, but I’m sure glad that the eclipses are behind me and that life may start returning to some semblance of normalcy.

I am qualifying that statement as may return, as there’s still a lot going on astrologically that relates directly or indirectly to situations that reached a critical point last week.

There are two concurrent themes right now, linked by the mutual reception between Neptune and Uranus (mutual reception occurs when two planets are in the sign ruled by the other). The current eclipse series, in Aquarius and Leo, is bringing the energies of Neptune in Aquarius to the fore, while the emphasis on Virgo is triggering the influence of Uranus in Pisces. The recent opposition of Mars to Uranus (exact on August 6) was a marker that should have provided you with a clue or two about how the second theme is playing out in your life.

As the week begins, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are in Virgo. They were in a fairly close conjunction at last Saturday’s eclipse. Relationships, particularly your romantic commitments, may have gone through a major change, either a break or a solid commitment. I noticed a lot of weddings in my area on Saturday. I wouldn’t have advised getting married at a Full Moon lunar eclipse, but sometimes these things just happen, and it’s not surprising.

Throughout this week, Venus and Mercury will form a troublesome quincunx with Neptune and an edgy opposition with Uranus. Remember that Chiron, too, is involved in this complex configuration, focusing our attention on healing our deepest wounds. As I’ve written many times, this can be an extremely painful process, because it requires revisiting and reopening those wounds. It’s not for the faint-hearted, especially if you’ve been keeping those issues buried. These wounds may be from early childhood, or you may have brought them into this incarnation with you. Humanity is a wounded species, and our collective wounds (Chiron in Aquarius) are deep and daunting.

It may help you as you go through this process to try to understand how your individual wounds reflect the wounds of the collective. You aren’t alone, nor do you need to stay stuck in guilt and blame. We are all in this together.

Mercury opposes Uranus on Friday, followed by a Venus-Uranus opposition on Saturday. Although oppositions can be challenging, these two are likely to be surprising in a good way, and they may even help you find some unexpected solutions to sticky problems. The more you open your mind to radical thinking, the more positive these experiences will be.

The Sun enters Virgo on Friday at 11:02 a.m. on the West Coast of the United States. Virgo has a reputation for being coolly analytical and critical, but done with a loving heart, criticism is constructive and allows growth to occur. If you feel critical of someone, stop to contemplate your motivation. Do you want that person to change for your own comfort and convenience, or do you truly have his or her best interests at heart?

Also this week, Mars enters Libra (3:03 a.m. Tuesday on the West Coast). Mars is in his detriment in Libra, meaning that both Venus and Mars, key relationship planets, are not shining their brightest. Moreover, Libra is one of the “passive-aggressive” placements of Mars. Since he can’t be direct, he’ll say everything is just fine but find other ways to let others know that they have displeased him. Being direct is not always possible, because some people can’t hear it. But before you withhold critical information, ask yourself whether this is really true, or whether you don’t want to have to deal with conflict.

Incidentally, in a few weeks, Venus and Mars will conjoin in Libra. This will be a special event, and we’ll have more about it as the date approaches.

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The Gleaners, by Jean François Millet, 1857. The Louvre, Paris.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, August 16, 2008

 Full Moon in Aquarius reflections
The lunar eclipse at the Full Moon this Saturday is the second of the pair of eclipses this month, with the Sun at 24°21′ Leo and the Moon at 24° 21′ Aquarius.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth is between the Sun and Moon, and the Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon causes the eclipse. The qualities of the Moon are enhanced, and a lunar eclipse can allow us to get in touch with our subtle emotional motivations without the interference of the Sun’s brilliance.

The Full Moon in Aquarius is conjoined with Neptune, further emphasizing empathy and helping us raise our awareness of spiritual matters, if we so choose. Here is an instance when we are better served by courting Neptune’s higher qualities by finding some form of meditative activity to pursue. This can be as simple as walking in as natural a setting as possible. Walking by a stream, lake or the ocean would be especially healing under this Full Moon, because it would bring the mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces (water sign) semi-sextile Neptune in Aquarius (air sign) into play.

At the New Moon on August 1, the Sun in Leo was accompanied by the Moon, Mercury, and Venus all in Leo. Now only the Sun remains there, and Mercury and Venus have joined Mars and Saturn in Virgo. This is a natural progression from the passion and heat of Leo into the more practical, service-oriented sign of Virgo and a strong indication that we need to start devoting more time to taking care of business and less to playing . . . sigh.

Mercury is still within orb of Saturn but is pulling away quickly. From now until Mercury moves into Libra on August 28, we have a great opportunity to deal with all Mercury related matters, because Mercury shines in detail-oriented Virgo. In fact, if you have tasks that take mental acuity and can schedule them before the end of the month, it would be a good idea, since we have a Mercury retrograde coming in September.

Saturn, Venus, and Mercury in Virgo are trine Jupiter in Capricorn and form a grand trine with Vesta in Taurus – all in all presenting an opportunity to manifest tangible results. Both Vesta and Virgo are concerned with healing and recharging our internal batteries, and Jupiter will be happy to provide the means to enable us to do so. The ongoing Chiron-North Node conjunction in Aquarius is part of this healing theme but more on the societal level, unless that conjunction directly aspects your chart. In that case, you are no doubt already aware of where your wounds are.

If you have planets or chart angles close to 28° in the mutable signs, the waxing square between Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Sagittarius will  ignite anger-related issues and make sure you know that it’s past time to let go and move on. Remember, anger is one of the stages of the grieving process. The cycle of death and rebirth is as old as time and still doesn’t get any easier, but Pluto is inexorable in demanding his due, so practice releasing what needs releasing with a modicum of grace.

The Sabian Symbols for the Full Moon add their usual measure of richness to the mix. For the Sun at 25 Leo it is, A large camel crossing a vast and forbidding desert, with the keyword ADEQUACY; and for 25 Aquarius it is, A butterfly with the right wing more perfectly formed. The keyword for 25 Aquarius is UNIQUENESS.

The first symbol suggests we are up to handling the challenges presented by this pair of eclipses, as difficult as they may seem. We have the reserves and the resources inherently, and part of the process is acknowledging that fact. The symbol for the Moon emphasizes the need for transmutation of emotional energies as part of the healing process. It is often our very uniqueness that can be our salvation.

As this eclipse cycle draws to a close, please remember a couple of things. First, we can’t start healing until we recognize that the problem exists and, second, please remember that we are all human and have frailties, so forgiving ourselves as well as others is an essential component for healing. Be well, and practice kindness to all.

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast August 11: Full Moon Eclipse in Aquarius

King Neptune, by Walter Crane
We’re still in the period between eclipses, and with Mars just past an opposition to Uranus and coming up on a square with Pluto, this likely will be a tumultuous week.

Let’s look at Mars first. The opposition to Uranus has separated enough that the dust is settling, but the effects lasted right up until yesterday — at least, I found this to be the case. And be forewarned that whatever came up for you last week is likely to be an ongoing issue for the next year, as Saturn is moving toward opposition to Uranus in early November and will make two more passes until finally separating in September 2009. We’ll have more on this, of course, as the dates get closer.

This week, Mars squares Pluto. Whereas Mars-Uranus aspects can indicate explosions, Mars-Pluto combinations suggest implosions or, at the very least, intense discomfort. There is an element of subversion, underhanded manipulation, and struggles for power and control. As always, you’ll feel this aspect the most if either of these planets falls on key planets or angles in your natal chart. The aspect is exact late Saturday on the West Coast of the United States.

Venus, unfortunately, isn’t going to be able to do much to intervene. She’s unhappily placed in Virgo and meets up with Saturn on Wednesday, which puts a chilling effect on her ability to soothe and bring conciliatory love. Those of you who are going through relationship difficulties may find this to be a lonely week. Try not to despair. Even if you’re in a tough situation, the pain will subside in a week or two, and you’ll be able to move forward with a plan.

Talking about the situation may be difficult, too, as Mercury also conjoins Saturn. The aspect is exact on Friday, but we’ll feel it for a couple of days on either side. Resist the temptation to be overly critical and to blame others for the difficulties in your life. At the same time, don’t get stuck in blaming yourself, as this isn’t particularly helpful or productive, either. The best strategy this week, if you can swing it, is to reserve judgment and wait until next week to see the picture more clearly.

The Full Moon lunar eclipse on Saturday brings ongoing issues to a head. There shouldn’t be any surprises to this one. Chances are, you’ve seen the handwriting on the wall in big, bold letters, although perhaps you’ve been wishing that it weren’t true. The eclipse falls at 24°21′ Aquarius, in close conjunction with Neptune, the planet of dreams and delusions. If you can strip away the wishful thinking, you may find that the reality, while stark, is something you can deal with. You just need to confront it, and then deep healing can take place.

As always, Neith will have more on the Full Moon later this week.

I should also mention that Mercury and Venus both trine Jupiter late this week, although I’m not counting on them to be very helpful. Venus and Jupiter both are in their fall, and Jupiter is retrograde. At best, we may get a few moments of relief, and yet even that may come through less-than-ideal methods such as having a beer too many or downing a pint of ice cream. Or maybe you’ll just want to talk someone’s ear off.

Do what you have to do to stay steady.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: King Neptune, by illustrator Walter Crane, born August 15, 1845.

Weekly Forecast August 4: Mars opposite Uranus

The castration of Uranus by SaturnPush comes to shove this week as Mars, planet of action and aggression, opposes erratic Uranus. This pair can cause explosions, and it’s a sure bet that there will be a spectacular one somewhere in the world.

As the week begins, we’re still in the wake of Friday’s eclipse, which some of you felt very strongly, either as a shift in a real situation or emotionally. Whatever your circumstances, they will remain in flux until the Full Moon lunar eclipse on August 16. At that time, you can expect a culmination of a situation that started in February. The final chapter is still to come, however, as this series of eclipses runs for another year.

Back in mid-June, Mars opposed Neptune right after forming an inconjunct with Uranus. I experienced a few mishaps at the time, including spilling a pot of scalding-hot soup all over myself. With Uranus and Neptune in mutual reception (both planets are in the sign ruled by the other), we can expect some similar events, although they will be more direct and more explosive, as Uranus is not nearly as subtle as Neptune.

The Mars-Uranus opposition peaks on Wednesday, but Mars transits can be felt a week on either side, so we’re already well in the thick of it. Moreover, the Moon conjoins Mars on Monday and opposes Uranus less than three hours later, triggering this aspect’s volatile energy. Pay attention to situations that come up on Monday, as they will provide a clue as to how your personal life will be affected, if at all.

Within three minutes of the Mars-Uranus opposition, Mercury opposes Neptune, so I’m guessing that we’ll get some news fairly quickly, although it may not be immediately clear what’s going on. In your personal life, you may be confused, in part because of information overload. Neptune connects us to our higher consciousness and the collective, whereas Mercury is more literal. In Leo, he thinks in conventional, traditional terms.

In short, you may need time to mentally process any events in your personal life associated with this set of aspects. But, as I mentioned above, it likely will take until the lunar eclipse next week for everything to shake out anyway. This is all the more true since that event will occur in close conjunction with Neptune.

It’s all connected…

Venus changes signs this week, going from showy Leo to the sign of her fall, Virgo. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and sensuality, and she wilts in practical, analytical Virgo. Venus wants flowers and romance, while Virgo considers these things useless and detrimental to getting the job done.

Mercury trines Pluto on Saturday and then enters Virgo on Sunday. Virgo is one of the two signs Mercury rules (although you all know that if I had my way, Ceres would be the modern ruler of Virgo). If nothing else, we should have some extra ammunition to analyze the tough emotional situations we find ourselves in these days.

I know I could use some.

Love and blessings to all…
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The Defeat of Uranus by Saturn, by Giorgio Vasari and Gherardi Christofano, 16th century, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. Rather grisly image, but that’s the cosmology of Uranus. And remember, it’s how lovely Venus came into being …

New Moon in Leo Solar Eclipse, August 1, 2008

New Moon in Leo, warmth & beautyThe New Moon at 9° Leo 31′ is a force to be reckoned with for several reasons.

It is the first lunation in a pair of eclipses on the Leo-Aquarius axis (the second eclipse is the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 16). Also, it falls on Lammas, when the harvest is celebrated in the Celtic calendar. Lammas marks the point in the year when we become aware of the days growing shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. The primary focus, though, is on Leo, the fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun.

The Sun, Moon, and Mercury are conjoined in Leo, urging us to explore our hearts and bringing warmth and light to encourage us to stand up for what we believe in. As one with natal Saturn in Leo, I know it is possible to grow in confidence and to learn to express the love and joy hidden in a shy heart. In fact, this New Moon Leo stellium falls on my natal Saturn in the ninth house, and here I am writing for readers from around the world. We can all use the tremendous creative power generated by this New Moon to make a long-desired breakthrough on our own personal path to becoming our most authentic selves.

Venus is also in Leo opposing Neptune in Aquarius and forming a waxing trine to Pluto in Sagittarius (exact early next week). This combination suggests that we have a window of opportunity to pursue creative goals with focus and intensity. It is not often we can manifest Neptune’s marvelous inspirations and work with them in a tangible way. Write down ideas and possibilities at this time for future development. Keep in mind that creative seed ideas can grow exponentially.

Another aspect underlining the cyclical nature of life is Uranus in Pisces exactly trine Ceres in Cancer. Whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere and are moving into the dark cycle or the Southern Hemisphere where the days are getting longer, we are at a point of transition. Uranus is noted for being a harbinger of change, and Ceres reminds us that all things come in cycles. This aspect suggests that if we acknowledge and prepare ourselves for change, we will make the transition smoothly.

Mars in Virgo is moving closer to an exact opposition with Uranus in Pisces. If you have planets or chart angles near 22 degrees, this opposition is making its self felt in your life. Remember the Mars-Saturn conjunction? Well, this opposition will most likely have a completely different effect in our lives, creating disruption and change for the sake of change. It may help to realize that sometimes a good housecleaning is needed to make way for new and better possibilities to enter our lives . . . or not.

Saturn does not play much of a role in the New Moon chart, but be aware he will in the one for the Full Moon on August 16. What is theoretical now may become reality at that time.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is, Early morning dew salutes the sunlight. This is wonderful symbolism for a New Moon in Leo, with all the exhilaration of new possibilities unfolding before us. The caution is to remember to let go of difficult situations and not anticipate trouble that may never happen. Enjoy the moment and breathe in the dawn.

Libra, Venus ruledposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast July 28: New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo

This week brings us one of the most significant astrological aspects of the year, a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo.

If, like me, you have this eclipse in a sensitive area of your chart, you are feeling it already. In fact, you’ve been feeling it since this series began in February, and the story that is unfolding in your life will continue for another year, until we enter a new series of eclipses in Capricorn and Cancer.

Eclipses occur in sign pairs, determined by the position of the lunar nodes. The North Node currently is at 18 degrees Aquarius, with the South Node opposite at 18 degrees Leo. This week’s eclipse, which occurs Friday at 3:12 a.m. on the West Coast of the United States, falls at 9 degrees Leo, making it a South Node eclipse. Anyone with planets or chart angles between 4 and 14 degrees Leo or Aquarius will feel this eclipse the most, but you’ll also feel it if you have planets or chart angles between those degrees of Scorpio and Taurus.

Eclipses tend to bring rapid change into our lives, faster than is comfortable for us. This is especially true for the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). It’s said that the fixed signs fight change, but that’s not entirely true. That would be like saying that a rock fights change. We are so solid that change is extremely difficult for us. Even Aquarius, the air sign ruled by the Uranus, planet of sudden change and revolution, has a hard time getting into a new groove, as much as we usually want to.

New Moon eclipses typically are about new beginnings. In my case, at least, it appears that a relationship that began at the solar eclipse in Aquarius in February has reached a logical conclusion, and it either will begin again under different circumstances, or it will disappear, clearing the way for another that is viable and sustainable. The learning process has been painful but extremely enlightening, and there is a possibility that deep healing will take place.

I’ve written previously on Real Astrologers and on my blog, The Pisces Chronicles, about the healing potential of the triple conjunction of Neptune, Chiron, and the North Node. Since eclipses are tied to the nodes, healing will be a major theme of Friday’s eclipse and even more so with the lunar eclipse on August 16, which will be conjunct Neptune.

Neith will have more on the eclipses in a day or two.

Otherwise, there’s not a lot going on this week. Venus is on the South Node today (Monday), and she’ll oppose Neptune on Thursday. Wounds surrounding love and body image may come to the fore. If so, let them out and take them for what they are.

August 1 also is the Celtic cross quarter day of Lammas, which in many cultures was the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere. I can tell you that it feels like fall already here in the Pacific Northwest, where the angle of the sun is very noticeable.

Please leave comments telling us how you are experiencing this eclipse.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The Moon, from the Marseille Tarot, c. 1701-1715. The classic interpretation of The Moon involves subconscious fears, hidden motivations, and the inexplicable compulsion for enlightenment.

Weekly Forecast July 21: Sun in Leo, Setup for Eclipses in Leo and Aquarius

Tres Riches Heures, AugustThe Sun enters his own sign of Leo this week, setting the stage for a pair of eclipses in August that will affect Leo, Aquarius, and anyone with major planets or chart points in the fixed signs.

If you’ve known a strong Leo personality, you know that they tend to be the biggest presence in the room, and they often think the world revolves around them. And to a certain degree, it does. Like planets revolving around the Sun in our solar system, we want to bask in Leo’s warmth, charm, and confidence.

Each sign of the Zodiac rules a part of the body, and Leo rules the heart, the true center of the mind. The brain is just a tool. The French word for the heart, coeur, comes from the same Latin root as core, or center. It also is the root of courage, one of my favorite words. To encourage someone means “to give heart.”

This is the special gift of Leo, and it’s a gift we can give ourselves during this special time when the Sun shines brightly in his own sign. What is truly in your heart? Who are you at the center, stripped of all the accumulated layers of programming and baggage? Is logic a support system for you, or does it rule your actions? (And are you sure about that?)

Leo is associated with the fifth house, the area of the chart associated with romance, children, and fun. In the Northern Hemisphere, August typically is a time of summer vacations, pool parties, and barbecues with friends. This week is great for all of those activities, as astrological energies are relatively calm this week – the calm before the storm for many, so take advantage while you can.

Here’s how this week shakes out:

On Tuesday, the Sun enters Leo. Later in the day, Mercury in Cancer trines the Moon and Uranus, which conjoin in Pisces. If you make an attempt to communicate from the heart, the results could surprise you. Deeper connections can form this way.

Mercury enters Leo on Friday, bringing out the prankster in those who are predisposed and maybe even some of you who normally are more reserved. Have fun!

Also on Friday, Mars trines retrograde Jupiter. With both planets in practical earth signs, this is good energy to put into strengthening your material and financial base.

As I said, pretty easy week! Not so next week, with a New Moon solar eclipse on Friday, August 1, at 9 degrees Leo. This one will be right on the Ascendant in Washington, D.C., so it’s possible that we may hear some disturbing news from the White House – well, more so than usual. Two weeks after that, on August 16, there will be a Full Moon lunar eclipse at 24 degrees Aquarius, conjunct Neptune.

As we get closer to the eclipses, I’ll have more, and Neith will provide some insight in her popular lunation reports. Stay tuned!

Love and blessings,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: August, from the illuminated manuscript, Les Très Riches Heures du Duc du Berry, by the Limbourg Brothers, c. 1412-1416. Musée Condé, Chantilly

Full Moon in Capricorn, July 18, 2008

almost full . . . This Friday’s Full Moon flows naturally from the New Moon in Cancer on July 2, perhaps because Ceres is still widely conjunct the Sun, bringing her deep understanding of cycles in nature with her. Mercury conjoins Ceres, and both are opposite Jupiter in Capricorn, adding to the feeling of balance. We tend to forget that opposite signs are in complementary elements. The Full Moon is a good time to remember that.

A comfort factor in this particular Full Moon is the Moon, Cancer’s ruler, falling in Cancer’s complementary sign of Capricorn. This softens Capricorn’s stance, much as a child’s bright smiling face brings an answering one from her parent. Capricorn is far more than is often thought. It is feminine earth, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is in Capricorn during the season of dormancy, when the earth renews itself quietly for the new growing season to come when the Sun is in Cancer.

Saturn and Mars are both in Virgo, also an earth sign, emphasizing the need to take a practical, pragmatic approach to the tasks on our “to do” lists. Mars forms a harmonious trine to Jupiter in Capricorn, opening doors to concrete action for a change. Now is a good time to implement some of those bright ideas we came up with earlier in the year! Mars has moved on past Saturn now and is ready to initiate action.

Venus has moved from Cancer to Leo, and she’s looking forward to having some fun. She does form a semi-sextile with Saturn in Virgo and is square to the asteroid, Vesta. Both of these are reminders to finish your household chores and take care of other boring but important details before heading out the door to party.

There is a strong correlation between the Yod in this chart with the Sun in Cancer at the apex and Pluto in Sagittarius sextile Neptune in Aquarius as the base, and the Sabian symbols for the Moon and Sun. The themes of catharsis and upreaching are highlighted. Pluto, of course, plays a role in the catharsis and Neptune with an ascent in consciousness.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun is Cancer 27: A violent storm in a residential canyon filled with valuable homes. This is a reminder that we cannot control the uncontrollable, something anyone who has had a major Pluto transit knows. So many of us live in urban areas where we can more easily ignore nature’s changes and cycles and now is a good time to recognize the power of natural phenomena such as floods and earthquakes.

For the Moon at Capricorn 27, the Sabian symbol is:  A mountain pilgrimage. Yes, we can find an “exalted” place but we need to keep in mind that doesn’t automatically make one person better than another. It is the striving or, in other words, the process of becoming where the attention is best focused, not on the outcome.

For some, this Full Moon will bring recognition they need to take steps to make changes that they may have been contemplating for awhile. Perhaps it is time to relocate, leaving friends behind, or perhaps this will be an internal shift where an old way of thinking and being is finally outgrown and discarded. Whatever your path, walk it with grace and kindness and with purpose.

To get another perspective on this week’s patterns in the sky, please read Pat’s latest weekly forecast.

synastry, Libra specialtyposted by Neith . . .