Category Archives: Saturday Extra!

Full Moon in Gemini, December 12, 2008

Moonlight Night Winter by Maxfield ParrishThe chart for the Full Moon on December 12 shows an incredible amount of energy and force contained at this moment in time by a grand cross formed in mutable signs with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, and Uranus in Pisces, all around 21 degrees.

The key is to be aware that this is all potential energy, not actual, because we are dealing with a stable structure in the grand cross. Unlike a T-square, where the planet at the apex acts as the focal point and shows us the path of least resistance, a grand cross offers no clear outlet but forces consideration of all the avenues on each point. So if you feel like pressure is building and nothing seems to be happening, this is why. Having Mars conjunct the Sun in Sagittarius really does not help, because Sagittarius just naturally loves to be moving and Mars-Sun conjunctions are power generators plus.

However, the Moon in Gemini is always happy to discuss options, Saturn in Virgo is great for making sure all the bases are covered, and Uranus in Pisces is wonderful for thinking outside the box. Overall, this Full Moon offers an opportunity to put together a really great plan, or plans, as the case may be. Another factor to keep in mind is that Saturn is at a virtual standstill for most of December, preparing to station direct on December 31, and this is also putting a damper on initiating action despite the fact no planets are retrograde now. Yes, we may all be extremely frustrated for awhile, so use extra care not to take this out on your nearest and dearest.

As an indicator of things to come, Pluto conjoins Mercury in Capricorn in this chart, supporting all forms of research and digging deeply within to ferret out underlying issues in our lives. This conjunction is excellent for coming up with practical solutions and is also great for keeping us all grounded in reality, something we need help with right now. The waning trine of Jupiter in Capricorn to Saturn in Virgo can offer a modicum of support, but this effect is definitely fading.

There is a waxing conjunction between Venus in humanitarian Aquarius and the North Node in Aquarius that will be exact on December 17. While Venus is rather detached and cool in Aquarius, she still brings kindness and compassion to the table, making this a good time to promote good will to all and an awareness that we are truly citizens of the world and very much interconnected. This is a reminder to offer what support we can to our favorite charities and humanitarian causes, preferably in the form of time.

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon at 22 Gemini is, dancing couples in a harvest festival, with a keyword GREGARIOUSNESS. This is a lovely symbol illustrating the need to take time for simple pleasures and recognition of our accomplishments as well as renewing our attunement with nature’s cycles and seasons. With the winter solstice almost upon us, this is a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we wish to travel next.

For the Sun at 22 Sagittarius, the Sabian symbol is, a Chinese laundry, with the keyword SELF-CONTAINMENT. Sagittarius is the sign that most enjoys embracing the richness of diversity while respecting cultural differences. It is important to realize we can draw on those cultural differences as a means of support with no loss of appreciation for the surrounding groups.

As we all struggle with our personal frustrations and the demands of the holiday season, please remember to exercise the gift of Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius, a sense of humor. This is always a great time of year to cultivate one’s appreciation of the absurdity of life on this planet and laugh rather than cry. Remember to practice kindness, because it’s always preferable to avoid doing something in the first place that we’ll need to ask forgiveness for later!

**Please do read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, December 8, too. With the dynamics in the sky right now, additional perspective can only help.

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Saturday Extra: 13th Sign of the Zodiac

Neith has pointed out recently that Scorpio’s healing properties often are ignored, which prompted me to write this little explanation for Saturday Extra.

Ophiuchus

The zodiac is comprised of twelve constellations on the ecliptic, the path the Sun takes as it appears to move through the sky from our perspective here on Earth. There is, however, a thirteenth constellation on the ecliptic, Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. When the ancient Greeks came up with the tropical zodiac system, they excluded Ophiuchus and Continue reading →

Saturday Archives: Ceres as Ruler of Virgo

Ceres Fresco by Cosimo Tura, 1469-70.

Ceres Fresco by Cosimo Tura, 1469-70.

On Monday, Ceres enters Virgo. Just as Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto rule signs in modern astrology, some astrologers believe Ceres should be the modern ruler of Virgo. I am one of them. Here is an article on the topic from my archives (edited for length).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Astrologers got a little huffy when Pluto was demoted to “dwarf planet,” but otherwise, it’s been business as usual. The technical reclassification hasn’t changed the way we view Pluto.

Not so with Ceres and Eris. In the case of the latter, we’re bending our brains pondering how this newly discovered planet with radically different mythology should fit into our practice. We’ll be grappling with that one for several years, I’m sure.

Of the three, Ceres merits the most immediate attention. Although many astrologers have been using her in chart analysis along with the other asteroid goddesses, she’s now no longer just another asteroid. She has been promoted to Pluto’s equal, and that means she’s about to go mainstream. She’ll likely get a sign to co-rule. Taurus has been suggested as a possibility, but Virgo is emerging as the logical choice.

Ceres was thought to be a planet when she was discovered in 1801 and was later classified as an asteroid, only to be promoted to the new dwarf planet status last year. In addition to being discovered before Neptune and Pluto, she’s also much closer to the Earth. The asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter, meaning that she’s on the boundary between the so-called “personal planets” and the outer planets. This fits nicely with her mythology and with what I believe is the real significance of Ceres in astrology.

To quickly recap the Ceres myth, Ceres was the Roman goddess of the harvest. Her Greek counterpart was Demeter. Ceres had a lovely daughter named Proserpina, the Greek Persephone (so it’s technically incorrect to talk about Ceres and Persephone, although most of us do it).

As you may remember, Demeter and Persephone were out one fine spring day roaming the fields, when the earth split open, and out leapt Hades (the Roman Pluto) in his chariot. Bewitched by Persephone’s beauty, he stole her off to the underworld to be his wife. Demeter searched high and low for her daughter and finally appealed to Zeus, who knew what had happened. Enraged, Demeter demanded her daughter back. Hermes (Mercury), the only god who could come and go freely to the underworld, was dispatched with a message that it was time for Persephone to come home. Hades being Hades, you can guess what his response was.

Grieving for her lost child, Demeter stopped taking care of the plant life, also with predictable results. Zeus was forced to send an edict to Hades, but because Persephone had eaten food in the underworld – Hades had been feeding her pomegranates – she could not return permanently to earth. The compromise was that she’d spend half the year above and half the year below. During the part of the year that Persephone was in Hades, Demeter was so depressed that nothing grew. Ostensibly, this is the mythology of the seasons.

Of all the gods and goddesses, Ceres alone went up against Pluto and won. She didn’t get everything she wanted, but even a compromise with the Lord of the Underworld was a major victory. How symbolic is it, then, that she now gets equal status with him as a special-category planet?

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPosted by Pat

Image: Ceres, an allegory for August, from a fresco designed by Cosimo Tura, 1469-1470. The Sun begins its tour through Virgo in late August.

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.

Saturday Extra: Madonna turns 50, Lunar Eclipse

madonna.jpgMadonna turns 50 today, with a lunar eclipse on her Sun as a little gift from the Cosmos.

We don’t have an exact birth time for Madonna, so it’s hard to write about her chart with any degree of certainty. But the chart most commonly used gives her a 7:05 a.m. birth time, making her a Leo with Virgo on the Ascendant. Considering that one of her first big hits was “Like a Virgin,” this fits.

It also fits that she’d have a twelfth-house Sun, which would account for her interest in religious themes and immersion in Kabbalah studies.

Normally I don’t work with uncertain birth times, but since I’m just musing here anyway, let’s suppose this is an accurate chart. If it is, then the Material Girl turned Mom is getting hammered big time, not just by the eclipse in Leo, her sign, but by Saturn’s transit over her Ascendant. Heavy responsibilities come with this aspect, and life feels burdensome. In addition, Saturn shortly will conjoin her Moon at 11 degrees Virgo, a 29-year transit that brings a sense of loneliness and isolation.

There have been rumors in the media of a divorce from her current husband, Guy Ritchie, which both of them have denied. However, Saturn’s transit of the first house often does coincide with breakups of key relationships, as do challenging Saturn-Moon transits. And this week’s Saturn-Venus conjunction on Madonna’s Ascendant does suggest that something is up with her marriage. If it’s basically sound, however, this transit can offer an opportunity to confront the issues and get closer.

I do hope that Madonna at some point will give up the sexy rocker thing and “act her age.” She could do so much to help women over 50 address issues of body image, sexuality, relationships, parenthood, spirituality, and much more.

We all have it in us to be as vital and confident as she is, regardless of our age.

Personally, I’ve been hit hard by this eclipse, too, so I won’t wish you calm and peaceful waters. I’ll simply say that I hope you weather the storm and come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and happier.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat