Category Archives: General Musing

Weekly Forecast November 16: New Moon in Scorpio, Sun Enters Sagittarius

The Rotting Season Developments that began unfolding last Thursday or Friday continue to play out in what promises to be another intense week. There likely will be another surprise or two, and it’s anyone’s guess whether it will be pleasant or of the other variety.

The week begins with a powerful New Moon in Scorpio. You’ve probably read Neith’s complete report, but if not, it’s a must-read. This New Moon comes fully loaded with six out of ten planets in fixed signs, virtually guaranteeing some sort of conflict.

Now, as I’m so fond of saying, not all conflict is bad. Sometimes we need it to push us out of a rut. If nothing else, we are forced to decide what we really want. If we don’t make a point of setting priorities, life sometimes hands us a situation to get our attention. That has happened to me a couple of times already in the past week, and I’m expecting more of it this week, with the New Moon dead on my lunar North Node and Midheaven.

If for some reason someone or something has you feeling cornered, look to the sign opposite the apex of the T-square for direction, which would range from about 11 degrees to 25 degrees of Taurus. In my chart, 25 degrees Taurus is my South Node and IC, so for resolution I might look to home, family, or memories from childhood. Or, if I come against a problem I can’t get a handle on, the source might be behavior I’m not aware of that no longer serves me. That’s what I would tell a client, anyway.

The New Moon can represent powerful new beginnings, so keep that in mind, too. Sometimes in order to make a fresh start, we need to leave something or someone behind for good.

On Tuesday, Mercury sextiles Saturn. Positive Mercury-Saturn contacts typically help our concentration. In this case, we may get some clarity regarding a long-term relationship, and we’ll be able to discuss matters frankly and honestly with the other person.

Venus squares Mars on Thursday, and this often can manifest as conflict in love relationships, especially involving issues of jealousy, possessiveness, and dominance. If you’re attracted to someone and are prevented from acting on it, one or both of you could end up frustrated and irritable. This is all the more true if you’re unaware of your feelings or deliberately suppressing them. But this aspect also represents the tension in an intimate relationship that leads to unbridled passion.

Also on Thursday, the Moon conjoins Pluto and squares Saturn. I wrote about this influence last week, when the Moon conjoined Saturn and squared Pluto. If you got a blip on your radar screen last Thursday or Friday (I did), it may grow into something more this week.

Relief from all this intensity comes on Saturday, when the Sun enters Sagittarius. The Archer is a centaur, a mythological creature who is half man, half horse. Except for Chiron, the centaurs were a wild bunch and loved playing around, in all senses of the word. But hey, we all have to cut loose once in awhile and have fun, damn the torpedoes. Just don’t do anything you’ll regret in the morning.

Wishing you all much love and joy,
Pat

Image: We’re seriously into winter here in the Pacific Northwest, with the relentless cold rain that leads to the most impressive composting and rot I’ve ever seen. Scorpio is the sign of death, rebirth, and transformation, and here we are, in the uncomfortable dying out phase. Photo by Pat Paquette, all rights reserved.

We’re Upgraded . . . For Better or Worse!

grape vine arch 525px

After beating my head against the wall attempting to do the upgrade manually and failing dismally, I decided to use Fantastico on Cpanel. Lo and behold, it worked! But there are some odd quirks like images vanishing from posts so we may be puttering around behind the scenes for awhile.

posted by Neith . . .

Saturday Extra! So Are We In Scorpio, Or What?

Scorpio is the sign of mysteries, secrets, and hidden things, so it’s no surprise that among its hidden attributes is an entire “lost sign” of the zodiac.

I wrote about this last year in the second half of Scorpio, so many of you already are aware that there’s a thirteenth constellation of the zodiac, Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, sometimes called the Snake Handler. There is so much rich symbolism in this sign, including its hidden nature.

Ophiuchus

As I explained previously, the zodiac is comprised of twelve constellations Continue reading →

Ask Real Astrologers: What Can We Tell from Outer Planet Transits?

This week’s question comes from Adina from Montreal, Quebec:

How will Saturn’s transit through Libra affect me (personally, professionally), taking into consideration the position of Pluto until 2024, of Neptune and Uranus and Jupiter – the slower moving planets?

Neith’s response:

Adina, I believe you will find Saturn in Libra much, much easier to live with than when he was in Virgo for many reasons, the most important being Saturn is far more at home in thoughtful, equitable Libra.

When Saturn entered Virgo in September 2007, he started right out by conjoining your Jupiter, making you feel like you had to earn every bit of luck that came your way. Also, just before he moved into Libra, Saturn conjoined your Uranus, a transit that almost always feels extremely confining. Since this transit was through your eleventh house, those with whom you have chosen to ally yourself are probably a much smaller group than before.

The good news is that you will not be directly impacted by Saturn until he enters the second half of Libra in 2011, because he will be tucked away behind the scenes in your twelfth house. None of the other outer planets will be strongly affecting your chart for quite some time, either. So relax for now and take advantage of this time to consolidate gains and restore balance to your life – something Libras everywhere will be doing!

One note of caution that applies to you and all of the rest of us with Mercury in Scorpio: Transiting Mars in Leo will be squaring our Mercury on and off for the next several months, and we’ll be quicker to take offense than usual. This can come as quite a surprise to friends, co-workers and family members if you are generally seen as a peace-loving Libra!

If you can, Adina, take time to refresh yourself in beautiful surroundings, always important for the Venus-ruled. Best of luck to you!

Pat’s response:

Adina, I concur wholeheartedly with Neith regarding Saturn in your twelfth house. It’s not inconsequential, but it’s a more subtle influence that doesn’t manifest outright as other house transits of Saturn tend to do.

This is a time for finishing what you started, not a good time for starting new projects, relationships, careers, etc. This would be true regardless of what aspects transiting Saturn and the other outer planets are making to one another. If a new job does come along — a real possibility after Uranus moves into your sixth house in late March — then of course you shouldn’t reject it out of hand. But in general, you should be focused on completing what you’ve already started rather than looking for something new.

Beyond that, understanding how the complex energies create by the T-square (Saturn in Libra, Pluto in Capricorn, Uranus and Jupiter in Aries) will affect you personally exceeds the scope of this column. You’d need to have a complete reading by a professional astrologer to explore all the ins and outs. In general, I think it’s safe to say that all of us are going to experience sudden shifts and sweeping changes. How much depends on our individual charts and unique circumstances.

Thanks for writing, and I hope you’ll join the discussion on our blog. Our readers often leave comments about how astrological aspects are affecting their lives. It’s all information we can use to better understand how these complicate transits involving multiple planets work.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Weekly Forecast November 2: Full Moon in Taurus, Neptune Direct

We’re heading into dreamtime now. With the Sun in Scorpio and Neptune at a standstill, preparing to go direct, we’re all more open to psychic phenomena and “downloads” from the universe.

I forgot to mention in last week’s forecast that Sunday was the Celtic cross-quarter day of Samhain. In earlier times, Samhain was the beginning of the new year. In the industrialized West, we tend to view night and the dark part of the year as negative and undesirable, but to the nature-centered Celts, light grows out of darkness, so their days began at sunset, not sunrise, and their year began with the descent into winter. The seeds have all been planted for what will be born again in spring.

This also is a time of year when many people feel the veil thinning between the worlds of the visible and the unmanifest. So the tradition goes, the veil lifts very briefly on Samhain, which evolved into our modern Halloween. Still, as with many of our traditional holidays, we’ve retained the rich symbolism, even if we’ve lost touch with its meaning.

Because of this week’s Full Moon and Neptune’s change of direction, the window will remain open a little longer this year for us to travel into unseen realms. Your dreams may be very vivid this week, and they may contain important messages. Keep a journal by your bed, and don’t let those images get away!

We begin the week with the Full Moon in Taurus. Most of you probably have read Neith’s post from Saturday, but if not, don’t miss it. She has a lot of interesting insights, especially for us change-averse fixed-sign types (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).

Even if you don’t have a lot of fixed energy in your chart, it’s human nature to fight change, and the changes are going to come fast and furious as we head into next year’s cardinal cross. Now is the time for us to take inventory, keep what serves us, and get rid of everything else. We’re going to need to travel light in the times ahead, both materially and spiritually. In my experience, it’s always best to make the necessary sacrifices, rather than waiting for someone or something to take away the things you’re attached to.

Neptune turns direct on Wednesday. We may feel sleepy and slow for much of this week, and concentration will be more difficult than usual. If you don’t have a mentally demanding job, or if you have a lull and can turn off your thought processes for a few days, you can get some amazing insights. Because Neptune is in Aquarius, the sign of the collective, the messages that come to us now may be about how we fit into the unfolding story of our time. We may get glimpses of the future, too. If a booming voice tells you to build an ark and gather the animals two by two, let me know!

The Sun and Mercury conjoin on Thursday, and it’s another day for profound insights and deeper understanding of how the universe works. New ideas may come into our minds as images or even feelings rather than thoughts, and they may need time to process before you understand them. It could take days or even months.

Venus enters Scorpio on Saturday, intensifying Scorpio themes of money, sex, and power. To the undeveloped mind, this translates to greed, lust, and the need to control. But the evolved mind knows that desire is a means to an end and that there is real power in being able to desire with an intensity that could kill us, and then releasing attachment to those desires. That kind of power is a bit scary to think of, and maybe that’s why we have a simultaneous fear and fascination with Pluto and Scorpio.

On Sunday, Mercury sextiles Pluto. The downloads just keep on coming, and we stumble on information that opens our eyes and may even be scandalous. If you need to talk to someone about your deepest feelings, this is a good time for it.

With all this intensity, it’s not going to be an easy week. But with some effort on your part, it will be an amazingly productive week. Be sure to leave comments and let us know what’s going on with you!

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Pat

Image: Wet dawn in the Pacific Northwest. Off daylight saving time, with the days shortening, and rain, rain, rain. It’s weather for going inward, and so very Scorpio. Photo by Pat Paquette, all rights reserved.

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.

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

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 . . .

Weekly Forecast October 12: Jupiter Direct, Mars Enters Leo

Had enough rest? I hope so, because we’re in for a busy week!

Mercury is back in Libra, picking up speed, and leaves his post-retrograde shadow period on Wednesday. Just as he’s entering new territory, Venus enters Libra. Relationships will benefit enormously from this double dose of Libra, especially after weeks of Venus and Mercury in nitpicky Virgo. If you and a loved one have been getting on each other’s nerves, you can both relax!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s have a look at this week’s lineup, one day at a time.

On Monday, Mars sextiles Saturn, just as both are about to enter a new sign. The Mars force is suppressed in watery Cancer, but even though our physical energy hasn’t been the most vibrant, it should pick up early this week so that we can finish up projects that have been on our plate for awhile. If those projects involve paperwork and mental concentration, so much the better.

On Tuesday, Jupiter returns direct at 17 degrees Aquarius. He’ll need a few days to yawn and stretch, but once he does, many of us are going to see major movement. How much depends on where he’s currently transiting your chart, but with the New Moon this weekend favorably angled to Jupiter, you should see at least a small obstacle clearing. The Big Guy is in my first house, so I’m expecting significant news. I’ll keep you posted.

Also on Tuesday, Venus conjoins Saturn in Virgo and sextiles Mars. Venus-Saturn aspects aren’t the happiest, especially for romantic relationships. Talk about a bucket of cold water. The inclusion of Mars in this configuration should mitigate that effect somewhat, though, and hopefully the outcome will be embers that glow for a long time rather than a flame that flares up but dies out just as quickly. I’ll be interested to get feedback on how you experience this three-way energy.

Even if you do suffer a little setback or temporary disconnect, all that should change when Venus enters Libra on Wednesday. This is her territory, and with Mercury and the Sun also in the sign of harmonious relations, people everywhere should be feeling more courteous and conciliatory. While Venus is in Libra, it’s also a great time for haircuts, manicures, and beauty treatments of all time. Goddess knows, I should have waited. I had my haircut last week during Venus in Virgo and I’m not at all happy with it. Yes, as an astrologer, I should have known better!

On Thursday, Venus squares Pluto. One of the problems with this aspect is that the heat can be too intense and judgment can fly out the window. This also is one of those energy combinations that can feed into manipulation. Venus uses sex and charm to get what she wants, while Pluto uses money and power. Age-old story, isn’t it? But whatever works between consenting adults…

Friday could be a hot date night, as the Moon enters Libra and amplifies the Venus-Pluto square. The real news, though, is the entry of Mars in fiery Leo. We’ll have more on this planet-sign combination in the weeks and months ahead, as Mars will be retrograde in Leo from December 20 to March 10. I’m already on the edge of my seat for this one. In the meantime, we should all feel a bit more energetic.

The weekend will be dominated by Sunday’s New Moon at 25 degrees Libra, in a close trine with Neptune and Chiron and a wider trine with newly direct Jupiter. The energy of the New Moon still will be very active early next week, so next week could be even busier!

I’m looking forward to some lovely new beginnings and wish the same for you.

Much love to all,
Pat

Image: The Bulgarian theatre group Temp performs their show ‘Wings in the Fire’ in Skopje earlier this year. What could better express the energy of Mars in Leo than a live performance with fire? Photo by Robert Atanasovski for Agence France-Presse.