Tag Archives: Aquarius

Weekly Forecast January 19: Sun Enters Aquarius, Mercury Retrograde

Water Cube in BeijingThis is going to be a big week for many of us and the beginning of a journey over the next several weeks that will lead us to some surprising places. Do expect some turbulence, though. For some of us, there could be quite a lot of it.

As major aspects play out this week, we’re moving closer to the second pass of the Saturn-Uranus opposition, which is exact on February 5, and this tug-of-war remains an active force in all of our lives. We want to change; we know we need it and that it will be good for us. But humans don’t give up the status quo easily. We are wired to stay on familiar ground, even if we’re not getting everything we need there. Forging ahead into unexplored territory is scary and takes a supreme act of will.

Or, more often than not, it takes a crisis or event out of the blue over which we have no control to drag us kicking and screaming.

That is likely to happen in the days and weeks ahead, with two eclipses that are bound to bring sweeping changes. If you have key planets or chart points in the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), you will feel these eclipses more than others.

I have to tell you, I am on pins and needles, with Sun and Ascendant both in Aquarius, opposite a fixed T-square. And being an astrologer doesn’t help. Aquarius and its ruler, Uranus, are so unpredictable and full of surprises that there’s no point in even trying to guess what might happen. Besides, planetary energies are so complex and intertwined right now that it’s too much for a lowly human brain to try to figure out the nearly unlimited ways they could manifest. For me, it likely will have something to do with my income or love life, but that’s an awfully broad statement.

On a day-to-day basis, here’s how our week stacks up:

On Monday, the Sun enters Aquarius, fueling the forces of change and favoring the collective. This happens just as a new president takes office in the United States — not that this is unusual; Inauguration Day always takes place with the Sun in Aquarius, and since the event is traditionally scheduled for noon, the Ascendant will always be Taurus. It is interesting to note, however, that our new leader is a Rising Aquarius, and he is evoking the words and spirit of another Aquarius, Abraham Lincoln, as he prepares to take office.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on Tuesday and then retrogrades back into Capricorn. We may experience a flurry of new ideas, only to take a step back and dismiss these flashes of inspiration as impractical, not doable, etc. Or it may be a case of cold feet. These are mixed messages we’re sending to ourselves, but the good news is that it will help you refine your concept of who you are and what you want.

On Thursday, Mars forms a harmonious sextile to Uranus, which forms an exact conjunction with Venus later in the day. Mars and Venus are both in the signs of their exaltation, so the energy they feed into the planet of change is going to be powerful, and I’m betting that we will get something we’ve needed desperately, whether it’s material object or one of those great intangibles. Start thinking now about what you need and visual that need met. If you regularly do manifestation meditations, you know that it’s best to concentrate on the need and not on the specific outcome. There are many ways to have a need met, so stay open to receiving in a way you can’t even imagine right now.

The Sun conjoins Jupiter on Friday, adding still more fuel to creative change. Ancient astrologers considered Jupiter a lucky influence, and my experience is that he usually is. However, the caveat is that you have to do something to get the most out of this energy. It will not deliver the goods to you on a silver platter. And yes, sometimes Jupiter acts as an amplifier, bringing too much of a good thing. Looking at the chart for this aspect, though, I think it reflects a largely positive influence.

On Saturday, Mars is trine Saturn and Venus is in opposition. Part of the difficulty making changes is that we need to leave people and places behind. When we love those people, it’s that much harder. But sometimes we resist leaving even when these attachments are not all that good for us. If you are in such a situation or relationship, be prepared for a disruption, and keep in mind that it will be better for you in the long run.

The Moon conjoins Mercury on Sunday right before entering Aquarius, and we’re well in the wake of the solar eclipse by this time. Eclipse-related events can take place a few days before or after the eclipse and sometimes are delayed by weeks or a few months. With Mercury retrograde, it’s possible we may have to wait until the Full Moon to see any real action, but given what else is going on in the sky this week, that traditional interpretation may get blown to bits. The eclipse takes place just before midnight Sunday here on the West Coast of the United States, but it will be Monday by then in most places in the world. As usual, Neith will have a full report. I can’t wait to read her interpretation, and I’m sure you can’t, either, so stay tuned!

Wishing you much love and courage…
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The National Aquatics Center in Beijing, also known as the Water Cube. Although Aquarius is an air sign, I thought this was a fitting image because of the futuristic look of the building and also because Uranus, planetary ruler of Aquarius, currently is in Pisces. Photo by Frederic J. Brown for Agence France-Presse.

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Am I Feeling So Angry?

This week’s question comes from Elaine in San Francisco:

All summer, I have felt consumed by anger, frustration, and guilt. I feel the earth shaking under me and feel like we are in a deeper movement than just my personal upheavals. Anything to this? Or is it just my neurotic self and shifts that I am doing and not allowing?

Libra ponders . . .Neith’s response:

Elaine, Uranus has been hanging out in your eighth house creating an aspect pattern called a Yod with your Ascendant in Leo conjunct Pluto sextile Neptune in Libra as the base. Of course, any planet activating your Ascendant-Pluto also affects your Sun because of the natal Sun-Pluto opposition.

All the astro-babble can be translated into simpler terms as follows: The eighth house relates to Scorpio and all things Plutonian and Uranus transits are noted for stirring the pot to help us become our most authentic selves. Anger, frustration and guilt are all good Pluto and eighth house issues. Outer planet transits to one point of a natal chart pattern can act like a fly wriggling on the corner of a spider web, shaking the whole thing.

Uranus encourages us to look out for ourselves and Pluto demands we deal with our darker aspects with detachment and acceptance. Yes, it’s a major pain the rear but the rewards can be equally great if we do the work.

Pluto also moved back into Sagittarius for a final visit in June about a week before Uranus turned Rx taking the collective into a period of review and potential catharsis. Perhaps you are more sensitive and aware of what’s going on in a broader sense because your personal planets are aspected natally by the outer planets. Both Pat and I are outer planet people too and consequently pay more attention to their movements.

As always, my suggestion is to practice forgiveness and treat one’s self with kindness and forbearance. Good luck!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s answer:

Elaine, you are a powerfully “Plutonian” person, with natal Pluto poised on your Ascendant at 21 degrees Leo. My guess is that you are extremely psychic (possibly a hereditary trait), and that you are indeed picking up some universal energy.

I’ve written quite a bit on my blog, The Pisces Chronicles, and to a lesser extent here on the Real Astrologers blog, about the current series of eclipses in Leo and Aquarius, with a window on healing provided by Neptune and Chiron on the lunar North Node around 19-22 degrees Aquarius, which means that they are sitting opposite your Ascendant and natal Pluto. This has opened a powerful window of opportunity for you to do some deep healing work, possibly related to wounds you brought into this incarnation with you. Some of these may have been considerable — deep and dark, and very much in the realm of Pluto, who, as you may recall from Mythology 101, was the dark lord of the underworld.

I do believe that the current eclipse series is corresponding to a groundswell shift, and you are no doubt feeling it. As an Aquarius with Aquarius Rising, I most certainly am!

As I’ve also noted on my blog, there is another, simultaneous energy pattern happening right now, related to the imminent opposition of transiting Saturn and Uranus. Saturn currently is transiting your first house, but he’ll move to the second shortly, and so the opposition will happen in your second and eighth houses. Neith already has described one of the effects of Uranus in the eighth house, so you can see how this relates further to Plutonian themes.

Anger is a natural part of the healing process, but it is one of the scariest and most uncomfortable emotions for us, especially women. Just allow yourself the space to process it, and don’t judge it as “bad” or “negative.” Anger is a powerfully motivating force, or can be, when used properly. Just use it with care, don’t point it at anyone (at least not anyone who doesn’t deserve it!).

I also would note that since mid-June — the time you said this anger began — Mars was crossing your Ascendant, so of course he conjoined natal Pluto. This can be a period of blind rage, so it’s hardly surprising that you felt a lot of anger. Then Mars crossed Saturn in your first house and went on to oppose Uranus in your eighth house. Many people I know, myself included, either felt anger during this time or were the targets of anger.

Thank you for raising this very important question, Elaine. Much love and courage to you.

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

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 . . .

Ellen DeGeneres, Quirky Aquarius

Ellen DeGeneres at her casual best  Ellen DeGeneres recently picked up her fourth Daytime Emmy for hosting her own TV show with humor and style. An Aquarius born January 26, 1958, Ellen has combined the charm of her Venus-Sun conjunction in Aquarius with an innate zaniness amplified by the opposition of Uranus, Aquarius’s ruler.

Playing host to a wide variety of celebrities and others comes easy to Ellen with Jupiter conjunct Neptune in her eleventh house. The eleventh house falls under the aegis of Aquarius, her Sun sign, expanding her ability to relate to a broad cross-section of humanity and see them as kindred spirits. The Jupiter-Neptune combination can act as a mirror for her viewers, allowing them to project their expectations of Ellen as a genial host to all and sundry.

Her Sagittarius Ascendant contributes to her sense of comedic timing and her relaxed sense of style – she almost always wears tennis shoes with everything from jeans to a tux. Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Sagittarius in the first house and give her the drive and energy needed to achieve her goals.

Ellen has been able to use all of her differences and natural quirkiness to her advantage. She was the first woman to play an openly lesbian character on TV in April 1997. At the same time, she disclosed that she was a lesbian in her personal life. Her Moon is in adventurous Aries supported by a trine from Mars and Saturn, giving her a strong sense of independence.

Conversely, her Mercury in conventional Capricorn squares her Moon, so she may have difficulty expressing how she feels, especially to those close to her.

Ellen also is making headline news for her impending marriage to her longtime significant other, Portia de Rossi. Portia is a fellow Aquarian, with Uranus aspecting her Venus-Jupiter conjunction. It is no surprise she, too, is willing to publicly express her individuality. Ellen and Portia both have Mars in Sagittarius within a few degrees, contributing to their compatibility. It’s a safe bet to say that life is never boring around these two.

Saturn in Virgo will be transiting Ellen’s Midheaven in the latter half of this year, then will move back and forth over it before moving deeper into her tenth house. It is likely she will continue to focus time and energy on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and most likely pick up a fifth Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show in 2009.

Ellen DeGeneres Natal Chart

Libra hereposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast May 26-June 1: Mercury Retrograde!

I probably don’t need to tell you that this is going to be a strange week, as you’re no doubt feeling it already.

The biggest news, of course, is Mercury’s turn retrograde on Monday. The Messenger stations at 21°32″ Gemini and eventually will work his way back to 12°58″ Gemini before returning direct on June 19.

Because Mercury is in his own sign of Gemini, we can expect all the classic effects of this event, including communications mix-ups, missed connections, computer crashes, traffic jams, lost luggage, and delays in general. We’ve experienced a lot of this already since the shadow period began on May 11.

Chiron and Achilles

The wild card that may cause this Mercury retrograde to behave differently is Neptune’s turn retrograde less than half an hour later on Monday. While this configuration has the potential for complications and confusion, the two planets will be in a harmonious trine, which also creates the possibility for mental breakthroughs. This is especially true if you’ve been confronting a thorny problem that has resisted logical solutions.

Monday is a major U.S. holiday, signifying the beginning of summer. Hopefully, you get the day off, and hopefully you aren’t going anywhere due to high gasoline prices. With Mercury and Neptune both stopped in their tracks, staying home and relaxing would be the best use of your energy … if you can muster any at all. If you are traveling, expect delays. And be careful out there, OK?

We also have many readers around the world (49 50 53 countries on six continents at last count!) who will be going to work Monday morning with Mercury and Neptune stationed. Traffic may be at a dead stop, and possibly due to unusual circumstances. Leave a little early, and do whatever you need to do to manage your frustration level.

As if that’s not enough retrograde energy, Chiron also just went retrograde, at 21 degrees Aquarius. It’s always hard to say how multiple aspects like this will manifest, but I think it’s going to involve healing beliefs and thought patterns that no longer serve us. There also may be an element of healing old wounds and talking with others about past hurts between you. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend attempting this during Mercury retrograde periods, but a triple retrograde like this is incredibly rare and warrants trying something different.

The Moon conjoins Chiron and Neptune on Monday, so we’re going to get a full dose of this medicine, and the effects will continue strongly into Tuesday, when the Moon enters Neptune-ruled Pisces. As complicated as these intertwining energies are, there will be no mistaking how they’re manifesting in our lives, individually or collectively. The lunar North Node is sitting at 22 degrees Aquarius, between Chiron and Neptune, indicating an element of destiny to all of this. Be sure to leave comments with your experiences here so that we can all compare notes!

Also on Monday, Venus squares Saturn in the early degrees of Gemini and Virgo. This is going to be a tough week all around for romantic relationships, but if you’re willing to confront your issues directly, you’ll be rewarded eventually. You can’t expect to undo years of hurt in a day or two, and there is bound to be turbulence. As I’m so fond of saying, you can’t get to cruising altitude without it.

We’ll spend the rest of the week adjusting to this shift. Just remember to breathe.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

P.S. Normally I wouldn’t recommend getting a reading while Mercury is retrograde, but this week’s energies are extraordinary, so if you’ve been thinking about it, check out our exclusive forecasts and unique compatibility reports.

Image: The Education of Achilles by Donato Creti, 1714 (Musei Civici d’Arte Antica, Bologna). The mythological Chiron was a mentor to heroes and known as a great astrologer.