Astroblogick

Astroblogick 03.05.2010

Mars Maximum

    Things really begin to heat-up this week when Mars comes to a virtual standstill just inside the cusp of Leo (00 Leo), preparing to change directions on Wednesday after being retrograde since the Winter Solstice. This is Mars Maximum, a time when all things martial are brought to our attention, goading some people to action while others find themselves frustrated and angry in the face of setbacks and situations that run contrary to individual drives and needs. News and developments involving fires, accidents, wars and armed conflicts around the globe are likely to take priority in the collective dialog, either by choice or necessity.

    Once Mars begins to resume direction motion next week, we’ll begin to see progress in areas that have experienced impasses, divergences, delays, obstacles, blockages, filibusters and a lack of enthusiasm since late December. Even so, it won’t be until mid-May when Mars leaves its retrograde shadow that we’ll be able to move forward with new initiatives. Until then, we’ll continue to work through the same basic themes and issues that have been in front of us since October, perhaps salvaging items we once gave up for lost. New projects and initiatives that need a fresh infusion of energy won’t be cleared for take-off until the second half of May.

Venusian Hot Spot

    Mars’ opposing counterpart, Venus is particularly active this week as it continues to translate the Uranus-Saturn-Pluto configuration, suggesting a period of adjustments in relationships, personal values and global finance. A serious need to take responsibility in these areas will become more noticeable later in the week while the Venus translation could also point to climatic extremes, particularly where precipitation is concerned.

    In the midst of this translation, Venus moves from the emotionally passive waters of Pisces across the fiery cusp of Aries on Sunday. As Venus is the planet most closely associated with partnership, harmony, compromise and cooperation she’s rather uncomfortable in restless, impulsive and oftentimes pushy Aries. Also of interest is the fact that Venus will form a powerful alignment with stationary Mars even as she crosses into Mars’ ruling sign of Aries. This can be one of the more advantageous planetary combinations for passionate lovemaking and other expressions of physical pleasure and desire. Whether any of this comes to pass or not has more to do with you than anything Venus and Mars appear to be doing.

Lunar Gardening Report

    This isn’t a favorable week for planting, repotting or germinating with the Moon moving into its Last Quarter Phase. Instead, the focus should be channeled into preparing for these types of activities once we find a fertile patch on the other side of the Pisces New Moon – March 18, to be exact. If you’re feeling the need to be doing something besides cleaning beds or constructing cold frames, look to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for fertilizing, soil cultivation and tending to existing plants while the Moon makes its way through Capricorn.

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

Friday, March 5: Emotional intensity charges the air in ways both subtle and palatable with the Moon in Scorpio. Recent developments in the realm of love, sex and money suggest that breakthroughs, breakdowns and liberations will continue to come fast and furious throughout the week. A mixed-bag of early evening lunar alignments speak of exciting activities off the beaten-path while misunderstandings, confusions or deceptions try to mess things up. Closer to midnight, a more amorous and passionate vibe asserts itself – a nice thing if you’re in a good place to benefit by it.

Saturday, March 6: After treading emotionally murky waters of Scorpio in recent days, the Moon enters the enthusiastic fires of Sagittarius, where a more upbeat and optimistic tone is assessable. Overly-opinionated bombast is likely during the evening hours while the rest of the day is good for outdoor activities that get the blood flowing. With Venus spending its last day in Pisces, the elements of love and water can carry you away if you let yourself kick back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Sunday, March 7: A more aggressive tone begins to assert itself with Venus crossing into Aries – a definite shift away from Venus’ pacifist orientation of recent weeks. Love, sex and money are areas where we’re likely to see more personal assertion and less cooperation through the end of the month. At the same time, Venus forms a fluid alignment to motionless Mars – the ruler of Aries – with Venus being the more dominant of the two planets. This is another in a series of alignments that favor sexual relations, only in this case, we’re looking at a more physical expression than a dreamy, romantic one. Also look of a surge of information swamping headlines and media outlets – my guess is that it has to do with financial markets.

Monday, March 8: With the Moon moving through its Last Quarter Phase this week, most business activity should be focused on the completion of things already in process while avoiding new initiatives until next week. After a fairly lighthearted morning, the atmosphere is likely to shift to a heavier, somewhat more serious tone, placing an emphasis on duty, responsibility and natural limitations. The remainder of the day shows the Capricorn Moon activating the Uranus-Saturn-Pluto hotspot, leaving a trace of collective uncertainty. Markets begin to swoon.

Tuesday, March 9: A considerable amount of psychic gravity is in evidence with the specter of sadness, loss and hard lessons casting a pall (Venus opposed Saturn). Values come into question as events conspire to bring us down to Earth in a very pointed way. Not a good day to invest money, make large purchases, get married or start a business. Precipitation extremes are possible while global finance catches fire – look to your calm center while avoiding the temptation to get caught-up in the drama. With Mars stationary direct tomorrow, overheating is expected. Be safe.

Wednesday, March 10: Mars, the planet most closely associated with action, activity, behavior, assertiveness, aggression, anger, accidents and violence changes to direct motion after languishing retrograde since December 20. Projects, plans and initiatives that have been obstructed or delayed since then are likely to show stirrings of new life although full output won’t be there until May. The Capricorn Moon lends a tone of caution today, a good quality to have during this period of Mars Maximum, continuing through the weekend.

Thursday, March 11: Still feeling the heat from yesterday’s Mars station, impulsive actions and reactive responses continue to dominate in some areas. The subject of debt takes on more weight as Venus squares Pluto, completing its translation of the Uranus-Saturn-Pluto configuration with guns blazing in the financial world. Coercive behaviors, power-trips, manipulations and obsessive appetites may temporarily take hold while we’re encouraged to purge ourselves of unhealthy emotions and poisonous relationships.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn 

Astroblogick Weekly 02.26.2010

Nonlinear Reflections

     This coming weekend may take some unusual turns as five planets mass in Pisces while the Virgo Full Moon moves opposite on Sunday, casting them in stark relief. One of the main players in Pisces is its ruler, Jupiter setting an expansive tone that encourages empathic and compassionate behaviors. One of the highest expressions of Pisces is kindheartedness that extends beyond religious, racial, political and national boundaries. Hopefully, a sign of things to come.

    The Virgo Full Moon takes place on Sunday at 11:38 a.m. (09Vir/Pis59), illuminating the polarity that contrasts the imagination against hard facts. Overly idealistic projections and inflated expectations might fuel foolish or careless actions that could ultimately go down in flames. This isn’t to undervalue the need for hope, faith and confidence, just that these qualities should be tempered with practical considerations and the facts-on-the-ground. By the same token, it’s important not to become overly pessimistic or hyper-critical when it comes to things that, at first blush, seem idealistic or far-fetched.

    With Jupiter intimately connected with the Full Moon, it seems likely that economics and political opinion will weigh heavily this weekend along with difficulties in separating facts from fictions. With so much activity taking place in Pisces along with Mercury joining Neptune (co-ruler of Pisces) on Saturday, the potential for deception is high as some people take unfair advantage of the rose-colored glass effect. Of course, most of this activity is likely to be taking place on a larger, collective level of expression as politicians and the corporations they represent continue to move against the best interests of all in the name of endless profits and the holy grail of the status quo.

    On an individual level of expression, the coming week is favorable for the creative arts and activities that stimulate the imagination. Frustration grows if there is too much emphasis on controlling outcomes or trying to make logical sense of things that are anything but logical – like human nature. Considering the turbulence we’re likely to experience in March, this is a good time to release our grip on things we cannot hope to control while learning how to move with the rising tide.

Lunar Gardening Report

    Although the Moon is waxing toward Sunday’s Full Moon, its sign placements aren’t favorable for planting or fertilizing until the Moon enters Libra on Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday are good for flowering plants, vines, shrubs, trees and other ornamentals. The Moon’s journey through Scorpio on Thursday and Friday is the last best chance to plant and fertilize before March 18.

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

Friday, Feb. 26: Little in the way of obstacles under the Leo Moon with room for small items taking dramatic turns whether they warrant it or not. Mental fog could develop as the night progresses, becoming more accentuated throughout the day tomorrow. Use a modicum of caution as you’re probably seeing what you want to see while ignoring the important stuff.

Saturday, Feb. 27: This isn’t the best day to travel or sign contracts as communication and transportation themes are very unpredictable with more going on than meets to eye (Mercury conjunct Neptune). This can be ideal for meditation, music, creative writing, photography and visually stimulating movies as we’re looking at one of the more mystically-minded alignments of astrology. The shadow falls in the realm of deception, paranoia, victimization, inebriation or something as simple as losing your car keys. Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the above, you might find yourself at the mercy of others who are. Last minute decisions or agreements made between 3:15 and 7:52 p.m. may not unfold the way you planned…a good thing? The fog lifts tonight.

Sunday, Feb. 28: This final day of February is marked by the Virgo Full Moon taking place at 11:38 a.m. (09Vir/Pis59), bringing issues to the surface that have simmered in recent days. Polarity runs along the lines of the ideal and the real; optimism and cynicism; the spiritual and the profane. These themes may become more amplified and social in nature with Jupiter exactly tied-in with the Full Moon which can be excellent if properly harnessed. Heated opinions and fault-finding may be more prevalent than usual today, so you might consider keeping a low profile in some situations.

Monday, March 1: Logical thought-processes continue to take on a distinctively non-linear quality with Mercury entering Pisces for about two weeks – ideal for activities that don’t rely too heavily on hard facts and quick wits. This also brings the total number of planets in Pisces to five, underscoring this lighter-than-air sign with a strong emphasis on empathy and compassion. An abrupt change in schedule or plan is possible midday, coinciding with the Virgo Moon void-of-course (VOC) from 12:36 p.m. until 7:51 p.m. when the Moon enters Libra. Impatience, irritation and impulsive speech could be in evidence during the early evening hours while duties, responsibilities and other weighty matters could be keeping you awake.

Tuesday, March 2: A more cooperative vibe could mark the day with the Moon in Libra, best expressed through acts of diplomacy and compromise. There might also be a somewhat ambiguous tone to contend with throughout the day as partners find it hard to be decisive about even the simplest things. This is turn could lead to frustration and ill-chosen words later in the day and tonight, possibly interfering with agreements already in the works.

Wednesday, March 3: Uneven alignments during the early afternoon make it difficult to feel relax while things lighten-up considerably in the late afternoon. Be mindful of the Libra Moon VOC at 3:45 p.m., remaining void until 9:11 p.m., placing an unpredictable spin on agreements and decisions made during that time frame. Tonight’s Scorpio Moon lends passion and heat to intimate interactions while the realm of love, sex and money could take unusual or surprising forms with sudden turn-ons and turn-offs making themselves known (Venus conjunct Uranus). This is an ideal combination for sexual experimentation and no-holds-barred eroticism that can shake you to the core and set you free.

Thursday, March 4: Penetrating insights and the ability to cut through any drama is key to making the most of today’s Mercury-Pluto sextile; ideal for problem solving and repositioning yourself to make use of the current flow of ideas and approaches. Things tend to flow more fluidly in the evening hours – take it while you can as the atmosphere begins to heat up next week.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn

Astroblogick 02.19.2010

Calm Before the Storm

    We’re looking at a week of downtime as far as the more immediate, high-profile alignments are concerned. A bit of breathing space as we ramp-up for a major blast next month when Mars resumes direct motion on the 10th and the more notable movers and shakers of the planetary pantheon get serious.

    In terms of navigation, the Moon is the only active body in the heavens this week, and strongly waxing – a good time to get moving on projects and plans if you leave space in your approach for the Mars retrograde factor. As I’ve explained in previous columns, Mars retrograde doesn’t destroy initiatives so much as it signals impasses, obstacles, delays, sidetracks and the feeling that you’re getting nowhere in a hurry. I believe that this will change once Mars is moving direct again in March, making the next couple weeks a good time to plan for better conditions while being patient with a slower, more cautious pace for now.

Lunar Gardening Report

    Most of the weekend is a ideal for gardening work if you happen to live in a climate where your beds aren’t knee-deep in snow. The Moon in Taurus is most favorable for growing your soil with compost, manure and other organic compounds while planting and cutting to encourage growth are also good up until 1:45 p.m. when the Moon enters Gemini. Here, you’d be better off applying your energy by going through seed catalogs than planting or fertilizing until the Moon enters Cancer on Tuesday evening. Wednesday though most of Thursday are ideal days to germinate, take cuttings, repot, fertilize and feed.

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

Friday, Feb.19: With the Moon in Taurus today through Sunday morning, a greater emphasis is placed on practicality and a steady application of energy although there may be a tendency to slack-off and take the easiest route available, which is fine as well. The exception here may arise in the late morning hours if frustration or stubborn refusals muck-up the works, in which case, take lunch early and wait for another, more positive wave to come in early afternoon. Lunar alignments this evening appear comfortable, warm and friendly.

Saturday, Feb. 20: Communication glitches or transportation delays could be evident in the late morning hours then ease a little as the day progresses. Even so, another alignment comes into play today that suggests a certain unevenness when it comes to getting stuff done (Sun quincunx retro Mars). Some of you may be feeling as though you’re taking three steps forward and four steps back while the ego could be interjecting itself in odd ways or at inappropriate times.

Sunday, Feb. 21: Besides feeling a little woozy in the early morning hours, the rest of the day appears mental sharp and very active once the Moon enters Gemini at 1:47 p.m. Great day for social gatherings, phone calls, letters or a good read while early evening could see something disrupting your flow. This is the Moon in its First Quarter Phase, a time to pause and recalibrate your trajectory on the way to next week’s Full Moon. An uneven alignment between the Sun and Saturn could leave some people feeling a bit uncomfortable or heavy for no obvious reason – perhaps a dreaded anticipation of the work week ahead.

Monday, Feb. 22: Aside from a bump in mental activity levels under the Gemini Moon, there isn’t too much going on in an immediate sense aside from a lunar alignment with Venus that suggests differences in opinion over tastes, values and other subjective orientations. Live and let live is the way to proceed if you wish to avoid unnecessary confrontations.

Tuesday, Feb. 23: Sudden changes in plans are possible this morning while you might notice a power-surge that has you feeling comparable of standing-up to any kind of challenge (Sun sextile Pluto). This is also an ideal alignment for cutting through the crap in order to get to the beating heart of the situation. Watch for the Gemini Moon going VOC for six hours beginning at 12:30 p.m., placing a hex on agreements, decisions or initiatives implemented before the Moon enters Cancer at 6:30 p.m. Tonight the overall tone shifts from mental to emotional.

Wednesday, Feb. 24: The Cancer Moon places greater emphasis on home, family, parents and security-related themes, expanded and accentuated in the morning and again later tonight when it forms soft contacts to Jupiter and Venus, respectively.

Thursday, Feb. 25: Although most of the day carries a strong emotional component, there is still plenty of room for innovative approaches to daily routines to prevent them from becoming stale. An attitude shift could be in evidence when the Moon enters Leo at 8:08 p.m. which may appear more upbeat than in recent days. Even so, keep in mind that once the Moon enters Leo, it will form a conjunction with Mars just after 10:00 p.m.; signifying a spike in energy levels that could leave some people feeling all wound-up with nowhere to go. Instead of letting it turn into an argument or a case of insomnia, take a late night walk and look above to see the Moon and Mars moving as one across the winter sky.

Copyright 2010  Gary Paul Glynn