Astroblogick

Astroblogick 02.05.2010

A Benign Weirdness

    A wide mix of geocosmic activity is scattered over the coming week with a strong focus on a trio of friendly planets (Mercury, Venus and Jupiter) geometrically engaged with a trio of aliens (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). These signatures suggest a kind of happy weirdness where nothing is quite what it seems – take from that what you will.

    Because these contacts are all more or less taking place at the same time, it’s difficult to put a fine point on any one interaction. The overall pattern appears to be a colorful mélange of soft and hard alignments: the softer contacts indicate excitement, surprise, opportunity, fun, games and episodes of major hilarity. Dreamy romance and sexual fantasies may find some of you as well.. The harder aspects – occurring simultaneously – suggest an uneasy atmosphere where an underlying element of tension colors even the most wonderful experience.

    On an individual level, this could be a week of revelations and surprising news, a time when personal discoveries send an involuntary shiver up your spine. Looking outside of the box of conventional wisdom reveals new options while thought processes shift into higher gear on Wednesday when Mercury shrugs-off the binding nature of Capricorn, soaring through the rarefied air of Aquarius for the remainder of the month.

    In matters of love, sex and money, there is more going on than meets the eye with beautiful illusions and dewy-eyed idealism opening the door to less-than-ideal long term outcomes. This isn’t to say that you should avoid anything that looks too good to be true or to be distrustful, just that you’d be better off enjoying such things in the moment without trying to own or control the experience. If you’re not the sort of person who suffers fools gladly, it would be best to avoid sports bars this weekend .

    Speaking of which, Superbowl Sunday takes place with the Moon in Sagittarius, the sign most closely affiliated with spectator sports, athletics, parties and too much of a good thing. Venus in conjunction with Neptune lends a drowsy touch, perhaps through the mass consumption of beer and snacks throughout the day, leading to some folks sleeping through the second half of the game. Astrological favorites to win? Indianapolis Colts

Lunar Gardening Report

    With the Moon spending the week in its closing Last Quarter Phase, this isn’t a good period to plant or fertilize. Focus instead on killing, clearing, cleaning, cultivating and prepping ahead of the next growing cycle, set to arrive on Monday, February 15.

Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern/-0500 UTC)

Friday, Feb. 5: A feeling of awkwardness and discontent may bubble up to the surface in the social scheme of things while imbalances are being called to our attention (Jupiter-Saturn). With the Moon in Scorpio, try not to take it personally - everyone’s feeling a bit weird right now. Like a shade slowly being drawn, the Moon enters its Last Quarter Phase at sunset, reflecting a one-week period of completion, consolidation and elimination – preparing for the Aquarian New Moon next Saturday. The evening hours appear lively, if not hyperactive in the way of animated conversations lasting well into the night.

Saturday, Feb. 6: Your feet hit the ground running this morning? Plans and agreements made after 11:11 a.m. are made to be changed under the VOC Moon while the good times roll once the Moon enters Sagittarius at 7:00 p.m. Revelations, discoveries, surprising news and flashes of creative genius are possible today while some folks may be feeling a bit overwhelmed around noon (Mercury sextile Uranus). Your attention could be drawn to an event that invokes a powerful empathic response, making an unmistakable social impact (Jupiter sextile Pluto). Power surges, natural and unnatural could be in evidence.

Sunday, Feb. 7: The Moon is moving through Sagittarius: the sign most closely associated with spectator sports and parties, making this a fitting day to revisit Ancient Rome. After the Clash of the Gladiators and its accompanying feasts, a different theme emerges in the way of romantic fantasies, sweet little lies and drunken sex with strangers (Venus conjunct Neptune). Items you’re probably more likely to experience in your dreams tonight.

Monday, Feb. 8: Any lack of grace this morning is redeemed by people in amiable and good-humored moods while the Moon continues its journey through Sagittarius for the remainder of the day. When it comes to business, the coming week is more favorable for finishing what’s already on your plate than reaching for another helping. New initiatives should wait until next week. Barring an early evening spike unraveling your game plan, movies, music, games and the comforts of home are otherwise indicated.

Tuesday, Feb. 9: The party’s over. Individuals having a difficult time understanding this fact may find themselves feeling affected today as the darkened Balsamic Moon enters somber Capricorn while translating Saturn-Pluto. Heavy, serious atmospherics are a marked contrast from all the over-the-top hoopla of recent days. For some people, this might even come as a welcomed change. Things lighten-up ever so slightly later in the day – enough to provide breathing room to relax your guard.

Wednesday, Feb. 10: After spending more time in Capricorn that it cares to, Mercury flies over the cusp into Aquarius where the focus shifts from business analysis to social reform with a strong emphasis on technology. The remainder of February is ideal for purchasing computers, cell/smart phones, upgrading hardware, installing software or writing to your congressman. Something lurches to the left or the right, angry voices are raised in alarm.

Thursday, Feb. 11: The darkened Capricorn Moon will be VOC until 6:24 p.m., potentially voiding agreements or decisions made before this time. Venus leaves behind the detached sign of Aquarius and dives off into the deep end of Pisces where she’ll swim with the fishes for a month. Venus in Pisces casts a wide net of expression, ranging from compassion and loving kindness to fantasy-laced sexuality to unhealthy relationships or partners that become an energy drain. It’s important to see partners for what they are, not what we want to them to be; then proceed accordingly.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn

Astroblogick 01.29.2010

Rumors of Spring

    Imbolc arrives on Tuesday, marking the midpoint of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the spring on the pagan calendar. Even though it seems a stretch to consider spring when the high temperature is in the lower 20’s, it is becoming increasingly evident that the days are growing longer. Imbolc begins at Candlemas: when the spark ignited at the Winter Solstice grows into a flickering flame of hope before becoming the fire of the Vernal Equinox, just six weeks away. I can hardly wait

Moon Mars Maximum

    On Friday night, the Full Moon takes place in the sign of Leo as it moves opposite the Sun in Aquarius, speaking of the polarity that exists between individual needs and the desires of the collective. But there is even more going on here as the Moon will be making its closest orbital approach to the Earth (perigee) of the year while joined with Mars. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this combination as we’re looking at Mars, Moon, Earth and the Sun in perfect alignment to one another.

    Breath-taking displays of egotistical behavior, dominance displays, warfare, fires and men behaving badly are likely to surface this weekend. The alternative may be found in the way of highly expressive creativity, unbounded generosity and energetic lovemaking. With the Moon making its closest approach to the Earth in 2010, I also wouldn’t rule out geophysical extremes in the way of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal surges and freaky weather systems.

    You’ll be able to witness the conjunction of this oversized Full Moon and Mars as they travel together across the sky from dusk to dawn on Friday night.

Unsettled Weather

    Another major alignment becomes exact on Sunday as Saturn forms the second of three squares to Pluto, an indicator of radical change, or at least situations that force the need for such changes. The most likely target of this shift surrounds The Economy as it forms the lynch pin of just about everything that appears to be going wrong in the world today.

    As these two planets have essentially been moving in a loose 90-degree pattern since early November, and will remain in this state until the end of February (before making a final square to one another this summer), we’re looking at a long term, chronic situation as opposed to a one-off event.

    Although Saturn-Pluto tends to express itself more in terms of large-scale events impacting collectives, it can also find expression in our personal lives in the way of events that appear to be out of our immediate control. Whatever unfolds this weekend or in the weeks to come, look to it as a process of creative destruction that is clearing the decks for something better to take its place.

Lunar Gardening Report

    Most of the coming week isn’t very auspicious for planting or fertilizing with the Moon, in its Full Phase, moving through Leo and Virgo until Tuesday. These days are more favorable for weed and pest control, cutting and clearing than they are for tending to plants. Tuesday through Thursday morning is a different story with the Moon moving through Libra, a good lunar placement for planting flowers, vines and ornamentals. Thursday afternoon is also good for fertilizing after the Moon enters Scorpio, yet due to the Moon entering its closing, Last Quarter Phase next Friday, probably not the best time to plant.

Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern/-0500 UTC)

Friday, Jan. 29: Early morning could find you feeling a bit touchy and less than enthusiastic about mingling with crowds of people in the same state as yourself, but this will pass once the Moon crosses to the sunny side of the street when it enters Leo at 9:10 a.m. If there is a mood after that, it might be defined as angry when Mars retrograde moves into an opposition with the Sun just ahead of tonight’s Full Moon. It might also suggest a surge of will power that can overcome just about any obstacle that lies in your path. Men could figure strongly in the equation. Egotistical behaviors or accidents caused by impulsive actions are also possibilities today, so it might be a good idea to turn off the cruise control until you get on the other side of this rough patch. Strong juju is expected tonight ahead of the Full Moon, taking place at 1:18 a.m. - tomorrow’s forecast applies today.

Saturday, Jan. 30: The Leo Full Moon takes place at 1:18 a.m. (10Leo/Aqu15), placing a strong emphasis on creative energy and ego-based reality structures. With the Full Moon joining retrograde Mars while both move opposite the Sun, the potential for something going off is very strong at this time. Do your best to avoid flammable situations, particularly if you’re feeling like an open flame. There could be considerable polarity between personal needs and collective desires, and, as is usually the case, the collective always wins, so it would be in your best interest to include more than just yourself in any plans you want to execute at this time.

Sunday, Jan. 31: We’re still not out of the woods yet. The recent Martian Full Moon continues to reverberate while Saturn moves into the second of three 90-degree aspects to Pluto. This is another alignment that has been with us for weeks, only reaching maximum intensity now as it forces us to make changes we would just as soon put off for another decade. Unless Saturn-Pluto is involved with a personal planet in your chart, its likely to find its greatest expression on the world stage, which may or may not immediately effect you. Either way, this is all about clearing the decks for more positive changes to come.

Monday, Feb. 1: If things are still in a tailspin, the weekend forecast is still active and might warrant a reread. Otherwise, the picture is a bit calmer with a strong emphasis on communication themes – particularly involving things that came up for your inspection at the beginning of January. Later tonight, the potential for unexpected changes could go hand-in-hand with a sudden realization or understanding that was right under your nose the whole time.

Tuesday, Feb. 2: Imbolc/Groundhog Day. It would be good to wait until after 8:45 a.m. to agree or decide on anything you want to see happen while the pressures of duty, responsibility and hard work are strong mid-afternoon. You may be seeing an emphasis placed on any shifts that have taken place since the weekend as the Moon translates the Saturn-Pluto square. All this aside, today marks a time of hope as the days become noticeably longer and the Vernal Equinox lies just six weeks away.

Wednesday, Feb. 3: The Libra Moon suggests a day of cooperation and ambivalence which shouldn’t be a problem seeing that we’re putting some distance between ourselves and the fallout from last weekend. Mercury exits its retrograde shadow today, breaking new ground for the first time since December 8. Speaking, planning, writing, announcing, advertising and overall thought-processes take on a new tone, which will become even more noticeable when Mercury enters Aquarius a week from today.

Thursday, Feb. 4: With the Libra Moon void-of-course (VOC) until noon, it would be good to hold off from making decisions and agreements until the Moon enters Scorpio at that time and things can be carved in stone. Social awkwardness could be in evidence today and through the coming weekend where we aren’t sure how far we can go to express ourselves (Jupiter quincunx Saturn).  Lunar alignments tonight suggest expansive insights, deeper insights and the ability to cut through the crap to get to the good stuff.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn

Astroblogick 01.22.2010

Mars Retrograde Redux

    Back at the Winter Solstice, Mars, the planet associated with outwardly-directed energy came to an apparent standstill about two-thirds of the way into the sign of Leo before it began heading back the way in which it came – what astrologers and astronomers call “retrograde.” Mars is still retrograde and will continue to move backward through the sign of Leo until March 10 when it turns direct at the very beginning of this sign (00Leo18) and retraces its steps back to where it originally turned retrograde on May 13 (19Leo41).

    Retrograde Mars is the archetypal signature of actions, activities and energy behaving opposite the way in which Mars normally comports itself – effectively acting upon things in the outer world. In other words, Mars retrograde can be viewed as a geocosmic time-out when outwardly-directed energy is refocused inwardly in order to rest, regroup, redirect, consolidate, plan, review and assimilate previous actions while engaging with the knowledge that things aren’t operating in their normal fashion. Of course, Mars is completely indifferent as to whether we take advantage of this signal or not, but if we blindly forge ahead, assuming that things will turn out the way we expect (the way they always turn out), we could be setting ourselves up for disappointment.

    Maintaining forward momentum can a bit of challenge for those individuals impatient and anxious to “get ahead” while Mars retrograde asks, “Get ahead of what?” Those of you finding it difficult to get things moving “out there” could be focusing in the wrong direction; instead of using this time to sharpen your tools, refine your approach and reevaluate your goals, you may be setting yourself up to relearn simple, yet important lessons the hard way. It also means having to expend twice as much energy to accomplish something than it does when Mars is in direct motion. Maintaining a more relaxed approach can get you farther than fussing and fighting your way forward.

    Even if you’re struggling to make it happen, Mars retro also shouldn’t be seen a time to cease your noble efforts, merely to watch how you’re employing them and how they unfold. With Mars retrograde in Leo, the ego is as much involved as the creative process and may be a source of frustration if it isn’t getting the kind of attention it craves. Sometimes this manifests by way of the ego feeling challenged to act aggressively, yet acts of careless aggression have a way of bouncing back quickly, leaving the aggressor taking the brunt of the impact.

    Another factor to consider when examining Mars retrograde periods is what noted astrologer, Richard Nolle has coined “Mars Maximum” when the Mars retrograde effect is strongest – at the beginning, middle and end of the Mars retrograde period. The beginning phase occurs in the weeks that surround Mars stationary retrograde (December 14-28); the middle, when Mars makes its closest pass to the Earth, placing Earth squarely between Mars and the Sun (January 28-31) and when Mars turns stationary direct (March 3-17).

    These dates should be watched for sudden flare-ups with regard to natural and manmade disasters or a surge in violence. On an individual basis, Mars Maximum could show-up through impulsive urges to act or unexpected conflicts with others. This is particularly true for those of you with Leo and Aquarius placements, especially those of you born at the end of January or in the first days of August.

    By acting out of a more conscious sense of the present moment instead of through the lens of the past or the future, our actions and behaviors will work more in step with our intentions in the challenging weeks and months to come. Important considerations to keep in mind as we transverse the ever-changing landscape that leads to a brighter future.

Lunar Gardening Report

    This week offers more opportunities for planting and fertilizing than we’ve seen in some time with the Moon in the midst of its waxing phase while transiting fertile signs. Both Saturday and Sunday offer good planting conditions with the Moon moving through Taurus, although the focus is best placed on soil enrichment and cultivation in the way of compost, manure and mineral supplements. Monday and Tuesday aren’t good days to plant or fertilize so much as they favor the perusing of seed catalogs and planning your garden under the Gemini Moon. Wednesday and Thursday are by far the best days this week for planting, transplanting, cutting and fertilizing with the Moon rolling through hyper-fertile Cancer, just ahead of the Full Moon. Make the most of this period as we won’t hit another fertile stretch until Imbolc.

Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern/-0500 UTC)

Friday, Jan. 22: The urge to get on with it remains strong with the Moon continuing its monthly journey through action-oriented Aries, but then slips out of gear at 2:45 p.m. when it goes void-of-course for the remainder of the day. Avoid agreements and major decisions after 2:45 p.m. if you want them to unfold smoothly. Stick with routines and all will be well.

Saturday, Jan. 23: With the Moon gliding through stable, practical Taurus while entering into its First Quarter Phase, things may drag a bit in the morning hours, perhaps forcing you to rethink and realign your present course of action. Don’t let subjective value judgments pull you into unwinnable arguments or feelings of self-doubt; such distractions are unnecessary and unproductive. Things begin to click again in the late afternoon while there could be an energy flush tonight that could leave you feeling frustrated or angry if there isn’t a suitable outlet for the surge.

Sunday, Jan. 24: This is an ideal day for applying yourself to something requiring focus, concentration and the will to follow-through (Sun trine Saturn). Duties, responsibilities and a sense of natural limitation are involved in this alignment, but can go a long way to assist you in pushing through on a project that has languished for awhile. Even so, the Taurus Moon could work against you by encouraging major couch-time and the NFL playoffs, leading to a nagging sense of guilt as you nosh on another chicken wing, deeds undone. Solution: get the necessary stuff out of the way during the morning hours before sinking into the couch, watching large men fight over a ball.

Monday, Jan. 25: Communication themes loom large with the Moon moving through Gemini while forming a series of contacts to a number of planets all day. The potential for overdoing it and coloring outside of the lines is strong in the morning hours with appropriate corrections and compensations accounted for in the early afternoon. Impulsive speech and erratic movements are possible early evening that may be reflecting a sense of awkwardness or frustration (Mercury quincunx retrograde Mars). The night closes with soft focus and warm comfort as you drift off to sleep.

Tuesday, Jan. 26: Not much to speak of in terms of immediate alignments during much of the day besides the fast pace of words and movement under the Gemini Moon. Even so, things could begin to heat-up as we move into the evening hours with unpredictable interactions changing game plans along with the potential for inflamed passions signaling hand-to-hand combat or highly physical lovemaking (Venus opposed retrograde Mars). Of course, you could always turn-in early to avoid such scenarios.

Wednesday, Jan. 27: With the Gemini Moon VOC until 9:00 a.m., it would be best to avoid contract signings, verbal agreements and decision making until after the Moon enters Cancer at this time. The overall tone shifts from mental to emotional with a stronger emphasis on home, family, parents and security themes. This is a good day to have lunch with friends to map-out future activities that you can look forward to. Carry this positive vibe with you to counter a heavier vibe arising in the late afternoon when the Moon activates the Saturn-Pluto square and we forced to face more challenging, but necessary, realities. Family-oriented activities are favored this evening.

Thursday, Jan. 28: Remain alert on your way to work this morning as impulsive, bleary-eyed drivers could pose a hazard. There is likely to be a rather aggressive tone in the air now and for the next two days as retrograde Mars moves opposite the Sun, signaling inflamed passions, conflicts and blustering, egocentric behavior trying to prove itself to itself. Men in particular could be appear to be a source of conflict at this time. Even so, if you’re feeling angry at someone for some reason, look within as it’s likely that the source of your irritation has more to do with you than the other person (Mars retrograde). Then kiss and make-up with yourself.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn