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.

Saturday Archives: When Will I Find Love?

Of all the posts I’ve written for my blog, The Pisces Chronicles, this one continues to get several hits a week. And with a powerful solar eclipse coming up this week in my seventh house of relationships, it’s a topic that is foremost in my mind.

When we’re talking among ourselves, astrologers often lament that the question we get most often is, “When will I find love?” or the even lower version, “Will he come back to me?”

Well, I just love it when people ask about love, no matter what version of the question they ask!

There’s no greater treasure in life than true love. It’s what we’re here for, and it’s what we all want, in our deepest heart of hearts. When you get right down to it, what else is there? That so many people are asking about it – even in what we consider to be an “unenlightened” way – is very encouraging.

It means they have started down the path.

I’m going to digress for a minute and talk about the Hollywood movie plot. In the mid-1990s, Chris Vogler circulated a paper at his studio about how the journey of the mythical hero could be incorporated into scripts to make the story more compelling. He drew heavily on the work of Joseph Campbell, notably The Hero with a Thousand Faces. His formula was so successful that he ended up writing a book, The Writer’s Journey, which is now on the must-read list of every Hollywood screenwriter.

The reason I mention it is that, while it might not be immediately obvious, the hero’s journey is extremely relevant to romance films, be they serious love stories or romantic comedies. After all, what is the classic formula “boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back” if not a hero’s journey? The story starts with desire – the strongest desire human beings ever feel – and that puts the hero or heroine on a path of testing, trials, and self-discovery as they get closer to what they really want. Pay attention the next time you watch a romance film, and you’ll see this formula at work.

Astrology is an extremely cerebral discipline. Contrary to what many people think, you have to be very bright to understand all the math involved, to grasp the nature of the various planetary energies and how they interact with each other, to keep so much information in your head, and to be able to recall it on demand and see how it applies in a given chart or situation. Of course, someone thought of writing a book called Astrology for Dummies, but the fact is, there’s no such thing, because if you’re really a dummy, you won’t get it.

And, good astrologers have to be more than just smart. We also have to have excellent intuition, because astrology is both a science and an art. The best astrologers are those rare individuals whose left and right brains are in synch.

Because we are so cerebral and so immersed in our subject, we are easily trapped into using astrology as an intellectual exercise to avoid having to actually live. The special knowledge we have of how the Universe works does not make us immune to having to feel what everyone else feels. The fact is that love is extremely scary, because it’s the one thing that forces us to face up to ourselves. Could that be why we hate the common question so much?

When a client asks me about love, my response is, “Let’s have a look at your chart.” Inside, I’m smiling, because I know that she doesn’t have a clue what she’s really asking, especially if she’s very young. But of course I don’t tell her that. She’ll figure out soon enough that anyone who is seeking true love has to go through a complete metamorphosis. Fortunately, there’s no better tool for helping the process along than astrology. The tests and trials that come in a romantic relationship ultimately have to do with the self, and astrology is incredibly efficient in this regard, because it allows the client to step outside herself and get some distance. Once her perceptions are validated, she can get out of the pit of guilt, shame, and blame that keep her stuck.

So that’s my devious plan: help people on their quest for love, and the world ultimately will be a better place.

What I really want to know, though, is when will I find true love?

Ask Real Astrologers: Difficult Saturn Cycles

This week we are responding to two questions related to Saturn.

First, from Fiona in the UK:

This year I seem to be repeating events in my life that last occurred 14 years ago. The order and outcome are different but the component parts are the same/similar. It is a complete breakdown and rebuild of all aspects of my life. I’ve gone back to 28 years and 42 years ago and the same seems to have happened in those years, too! Is there a transit/life cycle that occurs every 14 years that I should study/learn about so that I’m more prepared in 2022? P.S. I have a close friend who also seems to be going through the same cycle this year.

The second question is from Sarah in San Jose, California:

I’m a 28-year-old female with a Saturn stellium (Sun, Moon, and Saturn all in Virgo in the fourth house). Is this an unlucky combination? Is my Saturn return going to be great and rewarding or absolutely painful? I have already experienced some drastic changes in my life and I feel like more are on the way!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Both Fiona and Sarah are dealing with Saturn in all his glory by transit and natally, no easy task.

Fiona, what you are describing are classic Saturn cycle experiences. And in your case with Saturn-ruled Capricorn rising, you will find your awareness of any Saturn transit to your natal Saturn will make itself felt. Since September of last year, Saturn has made three passes trine to your natal Saturn in Capricorn and conjoined your natal Pluto at the same time. Saturn conjunct natal Pluto is keenly felt also.

Saturn is moving now to square your Moon and hopefully by the end of October you will get a breather. While no Saturn transit is easy, if we follow the rules and behave in a responsible manner, we can get through them in one piece. Good luck with this!

Sarah, as you undergo your first Saturn return, keep in mind it is a process. There will be days when you feel like the weight of world is bearing down on you, but this will pass. With a Sun, Moon, Saturn stellium in Virgo I’m going to guess you are a pretty responsible sort naturally and once Saturn completes his transit you will feel much better about yourself and life in general.

I don’t see any aspect set as being unlucky and especially not those with Saturn. He is a hard taskmaster but ultimately a fair one. The gains we make through Saturn are beneficial and long lasting, if painful in the initial stages. When Saturn moves on into Libra late in 2009, you can look back and heave a sign of relief!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Before I respond to Fiona and Sarah, let me clarify what we’re talking about here for those who may have less knowledge of astrology.

A planetary “return” occurs when that planet returns to the exact position it was on the day you were born. Saturn’s orbit around the Sun is 28-29 years, so we all experience Saturn returns in our late 20s and again in our late 50s. In between, there are seven-year segments, thus the 14-year cycle that Fiona notes. This is also called a Saturn “half-return” and can be as powerful and disruptive as the return itself. Also, due to Saturn’s longer orbit and retrograde cycle, Saturn transits usually occur in a three-part series, as Neith notes above.

With that background, I’ll start with Sarah’s question. Sarah, the first Saturn return can be traumatic or simply maturing, depending on how you have handled your life up to this point. My life completely changed around at my first Saturn return, and this was much-needed. It’s not too melodramatic to say that what happened at that time almost killed me, but I got through it, and my life opened up in ways that I never would have imagined, including finding a new love.

But it’s not always that dramatic. I was talking to a man in his early 30s the other day who told me that he got a divorce at his first Saturn return, and while it initially threw him for a loop, he quickly realized that it was the best thing that ever happened to him. In the weeks and months that followed, he got a great new job and started down an exciting career path, and his life seemed to take form.

That said, I expect that you will feel this keenly due to your Virgo stellium — and, by the way, I agree with Neith that there are no “unlucky” aspects. Some are more challenging than others, that is for sure, but there is usually compensation built into the chart somewhere to help you meet those challenges. And I also agree with Neith that a Sun-Saturn conjunction in Virgo makes you extremely responsible.

Fiona, I don’t have much to add to Neith’s analysis, but can say that the instant I read your question, I knew that we were talking about Saturn. It’s also interesting that you should mention the 42-year cycle, which is half a Uranus orbit. The so-called “midlife crisis” occurs at the Uranus half-return.

Among other things, Saturn’s transit through your chart indicates how your life is taking structure and form. Saturn is about manifestation into material reality, which is why he’s sometimes referred to as the planet of karma. Although it may feel like you are the victim of circumstances, many of the situations and people in your life now are a result of choices and decisions you made during previous critical points in the Saturn cycle.

In other words, what we do may have longer-lasting implications than we know or would like to believe. Rather than feeling bad about this, we can use this knowledge of how Saturn works to make better choices for our future.

Best of luck to you both, and please do keep us posted. When readers write to us with their experiences, we become better astrologers.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers.

Celebrating Venus through the Houses

Venus Verticordia by Rossetti Now that Venus is in Leo and yearning for the spotlight once more, I decided to do another post featuring her.

Venus is expressed differently according to the house she falls in as well as the sign, both natally and by transit. Just for the fun of it, I am going to follow her around the chart wheel looking at each house.

Venus in the First House
When Venus is in the first house, she helps improve awareness of our appearance, especially when we are going out and about in public. This placement of Venus natally seldom opens herself to fashion disasters or behaves in socially unacceptable ways. A Venus transit over the Ascendant and the first house is a good time to give attention to one’s appearance.

Venus in the Second House
Venus is very comfortable in the second house because Taurus rules the second house and Venus rules Taurus. A second house Venus is very good at knowing just what the antique from your grandmother’s attic is worth and has a knack for attracting the good things in life to her. Transits of Venus to the second house help us appreciate beautiful objects.

Venus in the Third House
Here Venus helps smooth the way by knowing just the right thing to say to your close friends and siblings. She also knows all the cozy neighborhood hangouts. If you are diplomacy challenged, wait until Venus is transiting your third house to apologize, and it will be much easier to find the right words.

Venus in the Fourth House
Walking into the home of someone who has Venus in the fourth house and feeling surrounded by comfort and beauty tells the story here. Even someone with a privacy loving Venus will make visitors feel at ease if they have Venus in the fourth or on the IC. If you have put off entertaining because you don’t enjoy it, then shoot for the time when Venus is transiting your fourth house!

Venus in the Fifth House
Leo rules the fifth house, and having a fifth house Venus says this is someone who knows how to have fun. Usually those with Venus in the fifth are invited to all the right parties, because they know how to encourage everyone to have a good time. Naturally, a transit of Venus through your fifth house is great for socializing.

Venus in the Sixth House
The sixth house Venus individual uses a pleasant manner to put others at ease and help them relax and de-stress. This is a kindly Venus and more interested in being of service to others than usual. If your life is stressed to the max and Venus is poised to transit your sixth house, make plans to visit somewhere quiet and restful during that time.
surrealistic representation of Venus
Venus in the Seventh House
You have the ability to attract pleasing and attractive partners, you lucky thing. Libra and Taurus types will find their way to you and shower you with charm and sweet words. Venus transiting the seventh house is a great time to meet potential partners, too.

Venus in the Eighth House
This is a more intense placement of Venus with overtones of Scorpio. It is possible you will inherit nice things and be fortunate in your investments or make out like a bandit in your divorce settlement. Check for eighth house Venus transits when planning to sit down with your friendly banker or investment manager.

Venus in the Ninth House
You enjoy traveling to distant lands and learning new things whether it’s by train, boat, or your armchair. It’s also possible you have quite a library of books and memorabilia from exotic locales. Naturally, a great time to travel abroad or head for your favorite sporting event is during the time Venus is transiting your ninth house.

Venus in the Tenth House
Your charming manner and willingness to play nice with others is a real bonus in your chosen career. Either that or your career revolves around being charming, attractive and pleasant. Tenth house transits of Venus are a much better time to ask for a raise than, say, a Saturn transit . . .

Venus in the Eleventh House
Here, the gracious nature of Venus helps you maintain a wide circle of friends and like-minded people. You usually enjoy taking part in group activities and promoting humanitarian causes. Have plans to host a gathering to raise money to help the rain forest? Plan the event while Venus is transiting your eleventh house for the greatest success.

Venus in the Twelfth House
As with all planetary activities in the twelfth house, Venus here is relegated to working behind the scenes. Her presence here allows you to benefit from the kindness of strangers and the occasional unknown benefactor. It takes more effort to see this subtle Venus working in your life. Not too surprisingly, Venus transiting the twelfth is a great time to go on retreat and take private time for yourself.

Of course aspects to Venus and the sign she is in will profoundly affect the way she expresses herself in your chart or by transit. When Venus is retrograde in the sky every couple of years, this usually beneficent planet can show us a very different face.

Libra, Venus ruledposted by Neith . . .

Real Astrologers Weekly Poll: Leo’s, Love ’em or Not

It’s Leo season and there is a lot more fire in the sky now with Venus already in Leo and Mercury arriving on Saturday. We all know Leo loves being appreciated so I thought a poll about them would be fun!

Online Surveys & Market Research

In honor of last week’s Full Moon we inquired about how closely you all followed the Moon.

19.4% Love to watch the Moon wax and wane but have no idea what sign it’s in.
03.2% Gardening by the Moon is my thing.
74.2% I check my ephemeris daily to track the lunar cycle.
03.2% The Full Moon makes people crazy, right?

As we’ve noticed before there are a lot of astrology buffs among our readers and these results confirm that once more. Almost two thirds of you are checking your ephemeris on a daily basis to track the Moon through the signs. This is a great tool for learning more about your chart and aspect patterns as the Moon passes over critical degrees. At least the Moon moves right along unlike certain outer planets we won’t name.

Almost all the rest who voted enjoy watching the Moon wax and wane in the sky. This is a great way to develop awareness of natural cycles and an appreciation for the stately rhythm of the planets and stars. There is nothing more beautiful than watching a Full Moon creep over the horizon in the evening sky in my opinion.

Gardening by the Moon really works so if you are an avid gardener already; do try planting by the Moon. A general rule of thumb is plant root crops during the dark of the Moon and leafy crops during the Full Moon.

The Full Moon drives me crazy ’cause it’s so hard to sleep with all that light! And lack of sleep can make a person a little loony.

synastry, Libra specialtyposted by Neith . . .

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

Saturday Archives: Pluto in Synastry

I decided to continue with the Pluto theme and pulled out this post on Pluto in Synastry. Because Pluto in our charts, in synastry and by transit teaches us about control and how in the long run how little we really have, it is my opinion we can never learn too much about this small but powerful planet at the outer edges of our solar system.

pluto-and-charon-by-david-hardy.jpg

When I was asked about Pluto in synastry that question started this amazing upwelling of information . . . so here’s a big Thank You to the person who asked! In fact, there is so much coming up from the depths of my mind I may be at this for awhile . . .

First, it is necessary to remember Pluto is a major player (ignore those deluded folks who reclassified him as a dwarf planet) among the outer planets. The nature of the outer planets and the impact they have on us poor humans is profound and often difficult to discern and articulate. The only reason I’m attempting this is because Pluto by transit has conjuncted every single planet in my chart except Uranus and he opposed that. I’m sure there are a lot of other people out there who have shared this experience but as an astrologer I’m probably most compelled to use those experiences to help others understand just what the hell happened to their carefully crafted lives!

As always we need to look at how Pluto operates in our own charts first before we can look at how he works in synastry. Those of us with lots of Scorpio, loaded 8th Houses or Pluto in aspect to the personal planets and Ascendant, all have at least a starting point. My recommendation is to take note of where you are obsessing about something or someone, or having someone obsessing about you – then stop feeding energy into that. And personal experience says that is HARD sometimes! However, unless we can shine some light in those areas and apply good old fashioned common sense, we will continue to beat our heads against the wall of those obsessions. Liz Greene has written some amazing information about Pluto in her book, “The Astrology of Fate”. Reading that was very helpful for me in identifying and reducing my obsessions to a manageable level. “Manageable” is the key as the darn things are not going to disappear and blow away. So all you high-minded sorts that would prefer to remain above all that . . . not going to happen and it will only make things worse.

When it comes to relationships and Pluto we have to prepare ourselves to be an honest as possible about our motives and expectations. If a person has Pluto in the 7th House natally, they are just about guaranteed to find themselves dealing with control issues in their one-on-one relationships. Pluto/Moon aspects natally will often translate for men as seeing women as ball busting bitches, sad to say. And for women, well, that can emerge as this horrifying desire to run someone else’s life done to the tiniest detail. The way I see it these urges can end up eating up so much time and energy, there is nothing left for simply enjoying life as a couple. This is why I keep going back to the theme of getting to know, understand and accept ourselves first before running out and jumping into relationships. Being Libra, I have to say . . . on the other hand . . . there is the school of thought that says we learn by doing!

There will be much more forthcoming but for now, I’d like to pay homage to Pluto, Hades, Kali, Erishkagal and the many faces of that part of Life where something must be destroyed to make way for the possibility of renewal. By surrendering ourselves to this aspect of the cycle of being, we can open ourselves up to transformation as expressed by the Phoenix.

This is a painting done by David A. Hardy titled “Pluto and Charon” . . . simply stunning! To see more go to: http://www.solarvoyager.com/dhardy.asp

synastry, Libra specialtyposted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: Help!

This week’s question comes from Rose in Melbourne, Australia:

Nothing is going right for me. I have a teenage son who has developed a drug problem, my seven-year relationship ended last year, and work is tough. I make an effort every day to stay positive and ask the universe for guidance, but the last 12 month are one step forward and ten steps back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Rose, it looks like you have been slammed by several major transits over the past year and I think you are doing well to still be working on maintaining a positive attitude! One of the major events over this past winter was Mars in Cancer going retrograde and with your Aries rising and natal Mars in Cancer that had to have felt exactly as you said, “one step forward and ten steps back.”

At the beginning of this time period, Saturn in Leo transited your natal Uranus in Leo, triggering your natal Uranus square to your Moon. This translates into all matters pertaining to home and family being highlighted, because of the Moon-fourth house connection.

The problems with your son appear to have been triggered by Saturn’s transit into your fifth house, which pertains to children. Your natal Pluto and South Node are on the fifth house cusp, which means that Saturn will soon conjoin these two points. Hopefully when Saturn moves past this point in mid-August, matters will begin to heal, as Saturn in Virgo also promotes handling health-related issues in sensible manner.

When Pluto returns to Capricorn in November, you will begin a journey in self-discovery. Pluto transits to personal planets are capable of transforming our personal landscapes but they are not easy. Jupiter’s passage over your natal Mercury, Sun, Jupiter and Saturn have given you a hint of what’s to come. When Jupiter turns direct in September and transits over your Jupiter and Saturn heading for Aquarius shortly after the first of 2009, you may start to see more resolution of the current set of challenges.

Good luck!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

My heart goes out to you, Rose. One look at your chart tells me that you are going through a hard time, indeed.

There is not much I can add to Neith’s excellent analysis, except to say that I recently went through my Saturn-Pluto conjunction, and I have a couple of clients who also experienced this difficult transit, so I know firsthand how it can make us feel stuck in every area of our lives. You feel like you’re being hit from all sides at once, and there’s no safe harbor.

But I can also tell you that I experienced some important life changes as a result, and I’m feeling more “myself” than I have in my whole life. I think this will happen for you, too, once you get through this “dark night of the soul.” Among other things, you may develop a new relationship with your son based on a stronger role as a parent and loving guide.

Hang in there, and stay in touch.

Stuck and don’t know what to do? Consider having Neith or Pat do a transit reading for you. You can find out more on our forecast page.

 Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers.

Real Astrologers Weekly Poll: Following the Moon

With the Full Moon coming up this Friday, we thought it would be fun to do a poll on how much attention you pay to the lunar cycles. Have fun!

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Results of Last Week’s Poll

In last week’s poll, we wanted to know how the Mars-Saturn conjunction was playing out for you. Here is what you told us:

48.1% My frustration level is off the charts.
21.2% Helping me stay focused and on task.
7.7% Helping me blow through a major obstacle.
13.5% Giving me a little energy boost.
9.6% No visible effect at all.

By far, the Mars-Saturn conjunction resulted in frustration and obstacles. This is what we expected, but it’s also interesting to see how many of you didn’t follow the predictable pattern. Personally, I had some major frustration as well, but I have to say that I also made a lot of progress in an extremely sticky situation. Mars did his job!

With Mars and Saturn both in Virgo, staying focused and on-task was another predictable result, so it’s no surprise that it got the second-highest number of votes. Given the heavy energy of this aspect, it’s also no surprise that only a small number of you didn’t feel it at all. I’m guessing that those of you who voted for the last option probably didn’t experience the Mars-Saturn conjunction in a significant area of your chart. Or, you might have had a compensating transit to a natal planet.

This was our most successful poll yet. Thanks to all of you who voted. Please vote again this week! (For more on the Full Moon in Capricorn, see the previous post by Neith.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat