Tag Archives: Mars in Leo

Weekly Forecast August 26: Venus Opposes Uranus, Mars Enters Leo

Rocky Path. © Osk Ingad Alden, 2013.

As I was researching the news headlines to write this post, I was reminded of the tagline for the television series, The X-Files: “Trust No One.”

It used to be that you could always trust The New York Times to deliver the facts, but those days came to an abrupt halt after it came out that its reports about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were completely untrue. Based on unnamed government sources, the articles bolstered the case for the Bush administration to invade Iraq.

Democracy is based on an informed citizenry, but where are we to get reliable information? I barely believe a word I read anymore. The corporate media can’t be trusted. Media watchers blame the failure to investigate and report government wrongdoing on post-9/11 hysteria, but that was 12 years ago. As I see it, Pluto’s entry into Capricorn in 2008 is the bigger indicator – even more so since Saturn entered Scorpio last October, putting Saturn and Pluto in mutual reception (each in the sign ruled by the other). This is Big Brother on steroids. It’s no surprise that as governments become increasingly authoritarian, they set all scruples aside and spare no expense in going after the whistleblowers. Add Uranus into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for deadly suppression of rebellion. And then along comes Jupiter and inflames situations even more.

Several events in the past week can be traced back to late 2010 and early 2011, when Uranus was moving toward the square with Pluto, and Jupiter in Aries conjoined Uranus and then “carried forward” his energy to a square with Pluto. In February and March 2011, with the square between Jupiter and Pluto close to exact, Mubarak resigned in Egypt, protests broke out in Syria, and a powerful earthquake caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant. As Jupiter approached opposition to Pluto earlier this month, Egypt experienced the worst political violence in recent history. A massive underground reservoir of radioactive water began leaking from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean. In Syria, chemical weapons killed at least 350 and injured thousands more. It appears that the government is responsible, but it has officially denied it and blames the attack on anti-government rebel “terrorists.” As I type, the United States is moving an additional Navy destroyer to within target range of Syria, and the Obama administration is considering its “options.” There’s hardly a mention anywhere of the Israeli government, even though it defies credulity to think they aren’t involved big-time.

In addition to those breaking stories, Bradley Manning, who has asked to be called Chelsea from now on, received a 35-year sentence for blowing the whistle on military abuses in Iraq. The British police – apparently with the approval of the Obama administration – detained the partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald and confiscated his laptop and other electronic devices. A few days later, sensitive intelligence information was mysteriously leaked to another British paper, which quoted an unnamed source and said the material was contained in the files copied by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. It looks an awful lot like a government plant.

There’s so much lying going on that we don’t know what to believe. So most people believe what makes the most sense to them, given their experience, political beliefs, mental filters, and other biases. You have to wonder whether Homo sapiens has devolved into Homo dementis.

I do think we may get some clarity this week, and I also think it’s possible that political crises can be defused, at least temporarily.

Through the middle of the week, Venus transforms the cardinal T-square of Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto into a cardinal grand cross. Although this sounds kind of scary, it could turn out to be beneficial. Venus in Libra is the diplomat of the zodiac, and while a square to Pluto suggests power struggles, diplomacy may win out … this time. That won’t always be the case. Reason and clarity prevail with Mercury in his home sign of Virgo. The Sun also is in Virgo, which may help tone down some of the rhetoric and posturing. Virgo is analytical and wants “just the facts.”

Both the Sun and Mercury sextile Saturn and Jupiter this week, and they also trine Pluto – Mercury on Wednesday and the Sun on Sunday (September 1). The trine is a favorable aspect, and when it connects to a planet in a tense formation like a square or opposition – in this case, Pluto – it provides a pressure valve to release pent-up energy. Mercury is the communications planet, so I’m hopeful that the release will be in the form of the factual news and information we’ve been waiting for. Maybe there still is a news organization on the planet with the integrity to report the real news. For that matter, The New York Times might even redeem itself by working with the Guardian on the NSA story. That’s not to say it’s all going to be good news, but at this point, we just want to know what’s really going on. People are tired of the secrets and lies.

Now, before that happens, we have an opposition from the Sun and Mercury to Neptune. It will be over by Tuesday, clearing the way for the truth to come out. Matters could be somewhat obscured on Sunday and Monday, though. Or, perhaps some facts will be revealed that are so seriously disturbing that many people will prefer to remain in denial – more than usual, anyway. This is all the more likely with Venus opposing Uranus on Monday. The truth could be downright shocking.

I also need to mention that Mars enters Leo on Tuesday. Mars hasn’t been a happy camper in Cancer, and when he changes to a compatible fire sign, his entry could be dramatic. There’s also the possibility of some saber-rattling here, although, taken together, all the other aspects this week suggest that the pissing contests will be toned down for now. Next week, different story.

What I’ve written above also can apply to our personal lives. Perhaps a frank discussion about a relationship will result in information that helps you make an objective, rational decision. Or you could defuse a tense situation at work through an honest dialog that sticks to the facts. A level playing field can be restored upon the revelation of secrets intentionally kept in order to tip the balance of power. Depending on where they fall in your chart, Venus and Uranus could signal love at first sight, a sudden financial opportunity, or an unexpected social invitation.

Before I go, I want to tell you about a disturbing experience I had earlier this week and to ask for suggestions. I was doing a Google search and came across some text that looked an awful lot like my writing. Imagine my shock when I clicked on the link and found a blog displaying all of my posts since last October, in their entirety, without any attribution, and with only one faint, unidentified link back to RealAstrologers. There were posts by a couple of other astrologers as well, and the site was plastered with obnoxious Google ads. After spending more than an hour trying to find out who owned the blog and how to contact him, I wrote a terse e-mail giving him 48 hours to remove all of my content from his site. He replied that it was “completely legal” to repost RSS feeds! He did, however, comply with my request.

It is most certainly not legal to post someone else’s work and make it look like original content. However, as I investigated my options, I discovered that web scraping, as this is called, is not uncommon, and the only way to prevent it is to truncate my RSS feed.

When the Creative Commons license first came out, I supported it and attached it to all my work. The idea behind it is that sharing information enriches everyone and creates a more informed community. I also believe that the way to cope with the enormous stress we’re all facing is to band together. But when I come across people like this who feel entitled to take whatever they want, I’m not inclined to want to share freely. Moreover, Creative Commons licenses just encourage stealing. The whole thing was all the more infuriating in that I spent more than two days researching the applicable law rather than catching up my work.

Truncating my RSS feed means that all of you who have been receiving my forecasts via e-mail would get only a short paragraph and would have to visit my blog for the rest of the article. That would be my best protection, but it would be an inconvenience for my subscribers. A Facebook reader suggested adding a copyright notice to each article, so I thought I’d try that for a while and see how it goes. Meanwhile, if anyone has any other suggestions, please contact me or leave a comment. And if you come across any violations, please let me know right away.

Much love and courage to you all,
Pat

Weekly Forecast September 19: Sun Enters Libra, Fall Equinox

Weighing the Harvest. © Mafoto for Dreamstime.com

The biggest news this week is the equinox – fall in the Northern Hemisphere, spring for those of you in the Land of Oz and other parts south.

The Sun enters Libra on Friday, followed by Mercury on Sunday, just as the Sun opposes Uranus. This is the halfway point of the astrological year, the balance between light and dark, represented by the scales. The scales, or balance, also are symbolic of the harvest, traditionally a time when crops were weighed and accounts settled. For our ancestors, it was the culmination of the agricultural year. If they didn’t plant enough, or if their crop was damaged by weather or pests, they had to do the math for how they would ration to get through the winter.

For us, it’s a time to consider our progress since the Sun entered Aries on March 20. As you may recall, that was a particularly volatile period, with a new cardinal buildup that mirrored last summer’s T-square. Well, we get that again starting this week, as the Sun and Mercury form a T-square with Uranus and Pluto.

That may sound dire, and yet I’m optimistic about the possible manifestations of this configuration, primarily because of the dynamic position of Mars. The testosterone planet has been frustrated in Cancer since the beginning of August. You only needed to drive a few miles down the highway to see it. I lost count of how many times some guy in a monster pickup screamed up behind me, rode my tail, then blew around me at twice the speed limit, cutting off the guy behind him.

As of this evening (Sept. 18), Mars will be in Leo, where he is much happier. His energy can flow, and that means it can be channeled into creative projects and other productive activities. In this position, he’ll provide an “out” to the cardinal T-square, as he’ll be at a positive angle with Uranus in Aries, the sign he rules, and the Sun in Libra. At its best, this translates to creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. It also shows where you can be a leader and a pioneer.

The downside is that Mars will be at a jarring inconjunct with Pluto in Capricorn. Mars in Leo has megalomaniacal tendencies as it is. In discord with the ultimate authoritarian, we’ve got the metaphorical irresistible force colliding with an immovable object. Watch the news headlines for intransigent world leaders up against forces beyond their control (e.g., debt and finances). In your personal life, take care not to let your ego get the better of you in situations involving authority.

This week is a great time to order your StarGuide 2011 Fall Forecast! I’ve added some new features, including expanded notes on Mercury retrograde and the lunations – two of which are eclipses. I’ve also added 1-2 pages with interpretations of the house positions of the outer planets. You won’t find these in a typical transit forecast, which provides this information only when a planet changes houses. With the outer planets, this can be anywhere from two years for Saturn to 15 years or more for Pluto. It takes me significantly longer to include this data, as I create these reports individually, but I’ve kept the price at $36. If you’d like to see a sample, I created a new one for one of my favorite Leo personalities, Martha Stewart.

Next week’s New Moon is at 4 degrees Libra, which forms a tight T-square with Uranus and Pluto. I’ll cover it in next week’s forecast, but in the meantime, you can get an idea of how it will affect you by ordering your StarGuide Forecast. Remember, I’m going back to school on September 26, so if you wait, I can’t guarantee delivery of your report within 48 hours. Even if you order this week, it may take longer than 24 hours (my usual turnaround) to get your report, as my schedule is close to booked.

Much love and courage to all,
Pat

Ask Real Astrologers: Is There a Chance for Us?

This week’s question comes from Elena in Romania:

I broke up with my friend last autumn. I am trying so hard to be with him again but he is so cold and distant. Please, just tell me, is there a chance for us?

Elena, your words could have been written by any one of millions of women around the world. I have been among you, and my heart breaks for us all.

I have been writing about this topic for years and see this situation as an indication of a fundamental wound on our planet. Many of us are trying to heal now, just when planetary energies are shifting to bring everything and everyone back into alignment. That is the good news. The bad news is that we have to go through this painful situation and suffer as a perquisite to healing. So many people I know are going through exactly what you describe.

To put it another way, our individual suffering is mirrored in the collective and vice versa.

As to your particular situation, you’ve been affected very heavily by Mars in Leo. He has been in your first house for an extended stay, and he has crossed over your natal Sun and Mars twice already — once forward and once retrograde — and now he’s about to cross them for a third and final time. In last week’s column, I addressed some of the effects of Mars retrograde on the Sun. There’s a major difference, however, in that you’ve got Mars going through your first house, and he’s also opposite your seventh-house Moon, which can make you more emotional than usual.

Moreover, both you and your friend have a lot of fixed energy in your chart (the fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). In fact, it’s quite interesting to note that you both were born near a Full Moon — you, with Sun in Leo and Moon in Aquarius, and your friend with Sun in Taurus and Moon in Scorpio.

Although you may have generated a lot of passion and heat in the beginning, you need to know that a long-term relationship with this person would entail ongoing conflict. It’s not impossible to make it work, but you would have to be very committed to each other, to your own personal growth, and to learning how to communicate without hurting each other. That may be the karmic lesson you need to learn, but I believe that you would eventually be happier with a relationship that isn’t so taxing and that allows your Leo personality to shine.

Thank you for writing, Elena. I really do feel your pain and hope that you soon will find peace for your troubled heart and soul.

For anyone who is interested, I do synastry readings, with a special gift for finding your karmic connections. I should warn you, though, that karmic connections aren’t always easy, nor do they necessarily mean that you were made for each other for all time. Many people I know are working through karmic relationships right now and are enduring a lot of pain in the process. What I can do for you is to help you identify the issue you are working on so that you can focus on that and get through your lesson as efficiently as possible.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’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.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Hammered by Mars in Leo

In my most recent weekly forecast, I wrote about Mars in Leo and the need for asserting your ego. To know how to go about it, I advised looking at where 1 degree Leo falls in your natal chart. That prompted a question from Renick in Tokyo, who writes:

For me, that’s dead-on conjunct my natal Sun, along with my Saturn and Mercury and opposed my Moon. This kind of complex arrangement is beyond my interpretive skills. What does it mean when a big-deal conjunction occurs on top of a natal chart pattern like that? More broadly, I never really know how to interpret that chart pattern: a stellium opposing one planet. I’d like to hear your thoughts. Thanks for writing your blog! It’s always enlightening.

Renick, if it makes you feel any better, Mars has been sitting exactly on my Descendant, with predictable results for my close partnerships!

Yes, having Mars on your Sun can be a challenge, but it’s actually one of the more positive Mars conjunctions. Mars and the Sun are both “ego” planets, and so their energies work quite nicely together. This is all the more true when the conjunction occurs in Leo, since the Sun is Leo’s ruler.

Normally, you would be bubbling over with energy under this transit, but with Mars stationed and just sitting there like a heavy lump, I’ll bet you’ve been dragging. That makes it hard for you to put this energy to its best use, which would be some good, hard physical work. If you’re feeling the need for strenuous activity but can’t get moving, the resulting frustration could make you very irritable. I also wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you got some kind of nasty infection or hurt yourself. That can sometimes happen under this transit, and Mars is in your sixth house, which rules health.

If you don’t have the energy to throw yourself into late nights at the gym, then late nights at the office might work, too. The only problem there is that sitting in a chair all day might make you fidgety and irritable, and it’s back to being in a fighting mood.

As for Saturn and Mercury, I wouldn’t worry too much about Mars affecting them, as they are far enough away and not in the same sign. I’d be more concerned about the eclipses in July if I were you, but that’s another question for another time.

In general, though, you are right that it’s much harder to interpret a chart when a planet hits a natal stellium or, conversely, when a transiting stellium falls near a natal planet. It definitely complicates things, and I’ve admitted a few times in the past year that I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. When there’s that much going on, there are just too many variables.

That said, the house position gives us major clues. In your case, you have a lot going on in the sixth house, which is associated with health, the workplace, and your daily routine. It also can indicate issues with small pets.

I hope that puts you at ease. Thanks for writing, and thank you for the kind words!

Full Moon in Leo, January 29-30, 2010

After the intensity of the past two eclipses, the Full Moon at 10°14′ Leo on January 29 will be much easier to live with (January 30 in the Eastern Hemisphere).

The chart for this lunation has three main conversations – one between the Moon conjunct Mars in Leo opposing the Sun conjunct Venus in Aquarius, Jupiter in Pisces sextile Pluto in Capricorn, and Saturn in Libra exactly squaring Pluto. Mercury in Capricorn, Neptune in Aquarius, and Uranus in Pisces form only minor aspects and are content to mutter quietly in the background.

I find it amusing the way Venus and Mars are aligned with the Sun and Moon. Ultimately, they balance each other out nicely. Traditionally, Venus and the Moon have more in common, as both are more receptive in nature, while Mars and the Sun are both more assertive and outgoing.

On one hand, pairing Venus with the Sun in cool, cerebral Aquarius tones down the exuberance of Sol, ruler of Leo, and gives Venus a decidedly independent streak. On the other, Mars in Leo is still retrograde, reducing his normal force and bluster to a whisper for now, making it much easier for him to find common ground with the Moon, whose normal fluidity is firmed up in fixed, fiery Leo.

What this gives us is better-than-normal opportunities to sit down with partners of all types and work out any issues creating problems. Our differences will be easier to define under the brilliant light of the Full Moon, and since the atmosphere is less divisive than usual, we stand a better chance of finding points of compromise.

Be warned, though, it is essential to be as honest and equitable as possible, because the second of three squares between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn is exact on Sunday, January 31. I know I sound like a broken record on the subject, but right now unscrupulous behavior will bring us to grief in the end. Pluto does not take prisoners ever, and Saturn in Libra is backing him up on this. Consider what has and is happening to Capricorn Tiger Woods and his Capricorn wife, Elin, if you will.

Jupiter is now in Pisces and is making a waxing sextile to Pluto in Capricorn. This aspect softens the edges and introduces a deeper sense of compassion and caring to the collective than we have experienced in awhile. I am still maintaining a “wait and see” approach to Jupiter in Pisces, because Pisces is very good at faking us out – it is a much more powerful sign than it is often given credit for. Think oceans and tsunamis . . .

Mercury in Capricorn is semi-sextile the Sun and Venus in Aquarius and seems very intent on catching up on the backlog left from the days it was retrograde. Mercury ruled types like Virgos and Geminis are very busy right now from what I’m hearing. Even after Mercury moves into Aquarius, the first thing it will do is trine Saturn in Libra – taking care of business will still be in order.

As for the ongoing mutual reception between Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces, it does provide an excellent backdrop for the Sabian symbol of 11 Aquarius, “During a silent hour, a man receives a new inspiration which may change his life.” If we take time to quiet our minds each day, we can tap into the rich world of the imagination to renew our creativity.

For the Moon, the Sabian symbol is 11 Leo, “Children play on a swing hanging from the branches of a huge oak tree.” What a wonderful image to inspire us to take time to play and renew our acquaintance with what it means to be joyous. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready for a break from the intensity of the past month or so.

Take time to laugh and play with family and friends on this Full Moon, if you can. Sharing joy heals places within ourselves that we often didn’t even realize needed it.

posted by Diane . . .

Saturday Extra! Going Retro with Mars in Leo

Leg warmers I’ve been invited to a birthday party this evening with an 80s theme. How ironic to have a party with a retro theme, the night before Mars turns retrograde in Leo, the party sign that loves flash and glitter.

What’s more, Mars is opposite Jupiter, lord of everything big and over-the-top. That pretty much sums up fashion in the 80s … which, as I recently discovered, has made a dreaded comeback.

I searched for some astrological reason that we might be returning to the years of Ronald Reagan, supply side economics, Big Oil, and big hair. Maybe Jupiter conjunct Neptune? Beats me. I did find out that Mars in Leo was opposed to Jupiter in Aquarius in 1985. The opposition was exact at 11 degrees on August 11, with Mars direct and Jupiter retrograde. Could that be significant? I’ll have to think about it, after I’ve figured out what to wear tonight.

Part of the deal is that everyone has to come in 80s attire. Never mind that the birthday girl is turning 30 and probably doesn’t remember much of the 80s.

Then, neither do I. In an attempt to keep my life simple and uncluttered, I have not saved a single item of clothing from the 80s. Heck, I barely remember what I wore back then. As a 20-something, I should have been following all the latest trends. I can say with certainty that I never owned a pair of leg warmers, fishnet stockings, or jewelry with crosses. I did, however, wear large earrings and gargantuan shoulder pads (they balanced out my wide butt), and I was thoroughly guilty of big hair and blue eye shadow.

Since that was what actually what I wore, I decided to start there for my party costume. My first stop was Granny’s Attic, the place to shop on Vashon, where we’ve got this recycle thing down. There are two shops on Vashon where you can buy new clothing and three thrift shops. On any given Saturday, Granny’s has a long line at the cash register, which isn’t true for most retail stores these days.

For $5.50, I found a warm-up jacket in pale yellow parachute silk with big, puffy shoulder pads. I put it on and howled. It just screams 80s. I came home all smug and happy … until I started thinking about what to wear with it. It probably came with matching parachute pants, and the original buyer might have dressed it up with heels or down with Reeboks.

Reeboks! Yes, I had a pair of those, the high-tops with the Velcro straps. They still make them, and you can buy them online. I ordered a pair and kept my fingers crossed that they’d arrive on time and would fit. You know, Mercury in shadow, Mars about to go retrograde. It’s enough to make an astrologer bite off all her nails before painting them torrid fuchsia.

I envisioned leggings and a short jean skirt to cover my hips. Since the 80s are allegedly back, I figured I could just walk into Nordstrom and find legwarmers. Meanwhile, I researched the hair and makeup. For that, I Googled Dallas, Dynasty, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. Flame red spikes are out of the question, but a couple of twisted bandanas and a lot of mousse and hairspray should do the trick. Oh, and I’ll need an eye shadow duo in blue and orange, and “wet look” lip gloss.

With my list in hand, I ventured into the city. There wasn’t a pair of legwarmers to be had anywhere. No skirt, either. Lots of leggings. I tried them on alone. No, no, no. After three hours of shopping and a four-hour roundtrip commute, I came home with a pair of large leopard-print hoop earrings and a couple of bracelets.

A week went by, and I was starting to panic. Rather than leggings and a skirt, I thought about a Plan B: tapered jeans and slouch socks. I ventured into the city again. Two hours and two dozen pairs of jeans later, I found a pair that fit. Almost. They’re too short, but I’ll just roll them up and show off my vintage shoes.

Legs and butt covered, I shifted to cosmetics. In the past two years, I’ve bought a couple of eyeliner pencils and some Burt’s Bees colored lip balm. All of the makeup I own fits into a four-by-six-inch pouch. I went to three separate stores, none of which had exactly what I needed. Exasperated, eyes glazed over, I had to make a decision or I’d miss the last bus to the ferry.

It was late when I got home, but I just had to see how everything looked together. As I was pushing back the elasticized sleeves on the jacket, I heard a rip. The fragile fabric was torn in two spots near the elbow, and when I inspected it more closely, discovered that the fabric casing over the elastic was disintegrating!

I spent part of yesterday back at our thrift stores, looking for alternatives, but nothing worked. So, I told myself, I will go the party with a disintegrating jacket, and that’s that. I’ll bet no one even will notice.

I also told myself that there was a lesson here and even more irony. The 80s were about rabid consumption. Like everyone else in that era, I spent money freely and carelessly. I had more stuff than space to put it. I worked long hours and wrecked my health to make money so I could buy even more stuff. Life was cluttered and complicated. It’s no wonder that 80s fashion reflected that.

To accessorize my $5 “bargain” jacket, I’d spent nearly $150, even though I was very selective and bought everything on sale.

I took a deep breath and made sure I wrote my abundance check when I got home. I also vowed that, after the party, I will give the extraneous makeup to some friend’s teenagers and donate my unwanted clothes to Granny’s, which gives the proceeds to the health center to help cover the costs of treating uninsured residents. This is a much better economic model, and one that I can feel good about supporting.

Wishing you a holiday season full of all the things that really matter,
Pat

P.S. Photos on Monday!

Image: What I won’t be wearing! But, hey, if I’d started searching early enough, I could have ordered a pair online. There’s nothing you can’t get on the Internet. These go for $16 from American Apparel.

Ask Real Astrologers: Will Mars in Leo Bring Emotional Upheaval?

This week’s question comes from Anne in Fort Worth, Texas:

Just as I am coming near the end of the Saturn in Virgo number, I read that Mars is going to be in Leo for seven months. My Moon is in Leo and my Pluto is in Leo! Does this mean that after undergoing the rigors of Saturn that I must face emotional upheaval for seven months? I just want to scream, “Enough! Enough!” Any insight would be deeply appreciated.

Neith’s response:

Thankfully, Anne, Mars is very, very different from Saturn in expression. He represents the action principle and encourages us to get moving – a welcome relief after Saturn in Virgo’s cautious nitpicking.

Transiting Mars in Leo will be triggering your natal fixed T-square of your Moon opposing Mars and both square your Sun-Saturn. I’m guessing change is not your favorite thing and you much prefer life proceeding as uneventfully as possible. As someone who also has a fixed sign preponderance in their chart, I quite understand!

Mars transits are good for helping us stand up for ourselves and learning to express our anger. If you have been suppressing your unhappiness about the way things are done in your work place, this transit could help clear that up.

Your twelfth house Moon in Leo will be getting a jolt and your family may be in for a surprise when your normally mild-mannered self speaks out and tells them how you really feel.

Mars transits to the Moon are also ideal for getting in touch with our anger and resentments, so this extended transit may be an ideal time to explore this. The stress resulting from not acknowledging anger and resentment in particular can manifest in any number of health problems.

You have some time yet before Mars starts to affect your chart in mid-November, Anne, to mull things over. For now, you may wish to make an appointment to get a relaxing massage or take a quiet stroll through the most beautiful natural setting you know of to unwind.

Take care and be well.

Pat’s response:

Anne, your question is very timely, because Mars just entered Leo this morning. And you are right, he is going to remain there for a long time! Normally Mars stays in a sign for six weeks, but when he goes retrograde (every other year), he stays in a sign for nearly eight months.

Mars has had a reputation as a troublemaker since ancient times. Wherever he is in our charts, we tend to experience difficulties. There are a couple of exceptions, but everyone feels tension when Mars is retrograde. His retrograde period this year is going to be compounded by eclipses and Mercury retrograde. We’re all going to need to hang onto our seats.

Because Mars is in a fixed sign, those with a lot of fixed sign energy in their charts will be especially affected. That’s Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. As Neith noted, all of your planets except Neptune are in fixed signs, so yes, you probably are going to experience some upheaval, especially since Mars turns retrograde in very tight aspect to your Moon-Saturn square. I have the Moon and Saturn square in my chart as well, and so I know that whenever this challenging aspect is triggered, emotional upsets do tend to occur. The “good” news there is that the upsets typically aren’t due to any real external circumstances but are due to internal conflicts. That doesn’t make them any easier to deal with on a day-to-day basis, but at least it’s not a “world falling apart” thing.

Since Mars will turn retrograde in your twelfth house, the biggest concern is that you could get physically run down and be more susceptible to colds and flu. It wouldn’t hurt to get a flu shot now, and then make sure you take all your vitamins and supplements between now and January, in addition to eating a sensible diet and getting enough rest.

Best of luck, Anne, and do keep us posted.

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 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.

Full Moon in Sagittarius, June 18-19, 2008

Full Moon in June The Full Moon at 28 degrees Sagittarius on June 18 is a powerful one, as it occurs in conjunction with Pluto, recently returned to the sign of the Archer on his retrograde path. Whether on a personal or global scale, the Full Moon-Pluto conjunction ushers in a time of change for many of us, especially those with key planets or chart angles in the late mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces).

Uranus in Pisces forms a T-square with the Full Moon axis, emphasizing the need to clear away the deadwood from our lives. Mars in Leo is still close to the South Node and opposes Chiron and Neptune on the North Node. This ties into the cleansing theme, but because the elements are in harmony with the Full Moon, we may be able to exercise some grace in the manner we choose to do our “housecleaning.”

With fire and air leading the way, there is bound to be lots of discussion of what needs to happen. Jupiter and Saturn are in earth signs, so we have some grounding available but not as much as we had during the Full Moons in May. Be aware that our time for talking will come to an end by the next Full Moon in Capricorn on July 18, when Mars will be in incisive Virgo instead of playful Leo and actions will speak louder than words.

Because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the minor aspects he is making with the nodal axis may prove to have more impact than usual. Jupiter in Capricorn is semi-sextile the North Node and Chiron in Aquarius and inconjunct Mars on the South Node. My intuitive sense says beware of pride and hubris and focus on taking care of business in a matter-of-fact manner.

Venus and Ceres are conjunct in nurturing Cancer and, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, are heralds for the summer solstice on June 20-21. These two powerful symbols of the feminine archetypes in Cancer remind us to acknowledge and cherish that side of ourselves and nurture it in our loved ones. We can take this one step further and pay our respect and appreciation for the bounties of the natural world, too.

The Sabian Symbols for 28 Gemini, a man declared bankrupt, and 28 Sagittarius, a bridge over a beautiful stream, have keywords of “deliverance” and “conservation.” We are offered support during a time of sacrifice and a means of connection between the past and the future. The caution here is to avoid the risk taking associated with the Pluto in Sagittarius years and to appreciate enduring elements of value from the past.

One of the most important things to keep in mind during this Full Moon is that this is the last time Pluto in Sagittarius will play a role in a lunation. The next time we see a Gemini-Sagittarius lunation in late November, Pluto will have moved back into Capricorn for the duration. Re-examine your ethics and ideals now and choose what’s best for you consciously, because our “grasshopper” days are ending and the “ants” will be taking over with Capricorn.

posted by Neith . . .

This photo was actually taken June 2007 of the Full Moon in Sagittarius.

Mercury Enters Shadow Phase (But You Knew That)

The antidote to Mercury Rx Mars in Leo definitely didn’t come in with a roar. Just about everyone I encountered over the weekend was exhausted and irritable.

I did get a boost Sunday from the Sun-Uranus sextile, and my bathroom is now free of hairballs. Thank goddess for small blessings. It’s Monday already in the Eastern Hemisphere, so you all get to start the week out on a positive note (at last count, Real Astrologers had readers in 37 countries on six continents!). The Sun trines Jupiter a few hours later, but the Big Guy just went retrograde, and the trine peaks while the Moon is void of course, so we probably won’t get much more from this aspect than a few hours of good feelings.

Then, that would be a blessing, too, given the way things have been going lately.

Mercury entered the retrograde shadow period at 1:42 p.m. Sunday on the West Coast of the United States, but many of you reported seeing the effects as much as a week earlier. Another blog author I know has been in communications hell. The pre-retrograde shadow phase, which lasts about two weeks, starts at the moment Mercury crosses the degree at which he’ll return direct and lasts until he turns retrograde. There’s also a post-retrograde shadow period. We’ll keep you posted in our Mercury Retrograde Watch feature, a Real Astrologers exclusive!

I’ve also had several reports of bureaucratic delays similar to my own. This no doubt was a reflection of Mercury’s square with Saturn last week, but with the Messenger now in shadow, it hardly matters what “caused” it. Delays are going to be the rule rather than the exception from now until the end of June.

I definitely have been seeing some powerful effects of creeping Mercury retrograde. I’ve had trouble getting through to the right people and missed the delivery of an important piece of mail. On Friday, I found out that I’ll be starting a new job on May 26 – the day Mercury turns retrograde! I tried to talk my way into starting a few days earlier, but no luck. The last job I started on the day Mercury turned retrograde was a total fiasco and ended disastrously.

On Wednesday, the Sun squares Neptune. This is another low-energy aspect and, depending on which houses in your chart these bodies are transiting, you could feel discouraged about a particular area of your life. It’s worth mentioning that the North Node recently crossed over Neptune and Chiron, and the three are still relatively close together. This is not a comfortable configuration, and it may be creating a certain amount of existential angst for many of you. I’ve been more focused on the subject of spiritual enlightenment than usual, and I’ve been questioning myself heavily about how I measure up.

The Libra Moon on Thursday and Friday should help us regain some balance. But then we get thrown off again on Saturday, when Venus squares Chiron. The angst may extend to your sexuality and body image.

She’ll more than make up for it on Sunday, though, with a sextile to Uranus and then a trine to Jupiter. Don’t be surprised if you react to unexpected good news by diving into a vat of caramel turtle ice cream. Some people eat when they’re unhappy, but many of us are just as likely to overindulge in a moment of pure joy. I haven’t quite figured that one out. Maybe it’s because we’re afraid the good feelings will go away, and we want to prolong the pleasure as long as possible. Entirely understandable these days.

So if you go for that triple hot fudge sundae, promise me you’ll enjoy the hell out of it, with no regrets on Monday morning!

Love and blessings with a cherry on top,
Pat