What are the stars telling us now?

Nov 19, The Saturn-Pluto Square and the Health Care Bill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:54:46 GMT

The current Saturn-Pluto square forms a T-square with the Venus-Jupiter conjunction in the U.S. horoscope. With this conjunction in Cancer, we in the U.S. like to think of ourselves as open and generous. We can be, if our sense of security is not threatened, but we can also be tight-fisted out of a fear of not having enough. Our citizens (especially the wealthy) pay less in taxes than do those in most other developed nations but tend to resent it more. With Pluto in Capricorn transiting in opposition to our Venus-Jupiter conjunction, we are being challenged to transform the way our country and its government take care of people. Change-resistant Saturn in Libra transiting in square to our Venus-Jupiter conjunction adds tension with Pluto's energy for transformational change. Saturn's slow energy can be useful, encouraging the careful development of a solid foundation for a new structure. Cancer is a sign of nurturing and protection, and the health care bill now being debated in Congress fits this theme. How does the U.S. protect the health of its people? Our health care system has evolved piecemeal. Most physicians, clinics and hospitals are private, charging whatever the market will bear. Other aspects of our medical system are public. Medicare, a government program, pays most health care expenses of citizens over 65, while Medicaid covers them for citizens below the poverty line. A diminishing number of employers provide health insurance for employees and their families. Medical advances, along with other factors, have made the U.S. health-care system among the most expensive in the world. As the cost of health care rises, fewer businesses can afford full insurance coverage for their employees. Unemployed and self-employed individuals often find themselves unable to afford health insurance at all; or, if they have a pre-existing condition, may be unable to purchase insurance at any price. Insurance companies sometimes cancel the policies of people who suffer from medical conditions, like cancer, which are expensive to treat. Most U.S. citizens agree that our health care system needs reform. Pluto's energy is pushing us to reform it now. Saturn's energy introduces delay and resistance to change. In combination, especially in square aspect, these planets tend to generate fear. Fear leads to conflict. This is what we've seen as Congress tackles health care. A clause in the House bill which would require Medicare to pay for doctor-patient discussions about the type of care patients want at the end of their lives has been incorrectly characterized as a government program to put elderly people to death! Among other things, Pluto rules death. We can see Saturn at work in the stiff resistance of some people to any change at all. Pluto's energy and the square demand change, so it's my guess the U.S. will get health-care legislation before Fall 2010 when the Saturn-Pluto square is past - but it may take that long to get a final bill through Congress. Further reforms may be needed under a more harmonious transit.

Nov 16, Things Could Be Different (Saturn Squares Pluto, Part 3)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:25:24 GMT

Yesterday (see below), I told a story about a fictional couple who divorce under the influence of the Saturn-Pluto square. Could this same couple navigate the square in a less painful way? First, let's note a challenging interaspect between their birth charts: His Venus in Capricorn squares her Venus in Libra. With Venus in Libra, she's in love with love. Harmony is so important to her, she'll do almost anything to maintain it, even suppress her own needs. With Venus in Capricorn, he craves security. He expresses his love by being faithful and taking care of his wife's needs rather than by whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Yearning for romantic gestures foreign to his nature, she neglects her own needs in an effort to please him. It's too easy for him to take control, leaving her feeling powerless. Meanwhile, he feels insecure whenever she has a friendly conversation with the mailman. Could their marriage be happy despite this challenging interaspect? Sure! Most couples have both challenging and harmonious interaspects between their charts. Square aspects push us to grow. Part of what attracts people to each other is the feeling that, together, they can become their best selves. But they both have to accept the challenge to grow. Let's rewrite the story: Under the influence of Saturn in Libra, the husband feels dissatisfied with his marriage but doesn't want it to end. He realizes he feels more critical of his wife because he fears she no longer looks up to him as an authority. But using Saturn's energy for self-discipline and Pluto's energy for insight, he resists the urge to criticize her, taking an honest look at himself instead. Only by revitalizing their marriage can he find the security he craves. One evening when she heads for her romance novel, he says, "I wish you loved me as much as you seem to love the imaginary man in that book." She, too, is dissatisfied. With Saturn conjuncting her Venus, it seems like the love energy in her life has vanished. The romance novel she's reading only makes the lack of romance in her marriage more obvious. Seeing her husband is upset, she's tempted to say, as she often does, "Oh, darling, I'm crazy in love with you." But under Saturn's influence, she realizes this habitual reassurance only masks the disharmony between them. Pluto's energy for change gives her the courage to say, "I wish we had more romance in our marriage." It occurs to her husband that consulting someone they could both look up to as an authority on marriage might be helpful. He says "Let's make an appointment with a marriage counselor. I don't want to lose you." She agrees. "Thank you, sweetheart. That's the most romantic thing you've said to me in a long time."
Next: The Saturn-Pluto square and the health care bill

Nov 15, A Saturn-Pluto Story (Saturn Squares Pluto, Part 2)

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:18:41 GMT

(See November 13 post below for Part I) As Saturn and Pluto align in an exact square today, Saturn has just moved into Libra and Pluto into Capricorn. Saturn in Libra gives us a more sober and realistic perspective on love, friendship, partnership, art, beauty and compassion. Pluto in Capricorn is beginning a deep transformation in our understanding of status, authority, government, fatherhood, and career. Saturn's slow, straightforward energy delays change so it can be supported by a solid foundation. Pluto often acts in a hidden, secretive way until it suddenly bursts forth with a radical change. Here's a story I made up to show how these energies might operate together: Under the influence of Saturn in Libra, a married man insists on preserving a marriage in which both he and his wife feel trapped. Sensing the change inherent in the Pluto-in-Capricorn energy, he fears she no longer accepts him as an authority over her. Resisting any change in the power dynamics in their marriage, he redoubles his efforts to control her. Early one morning while she is asleep, he throws her collection of romance novels in the trash. By the time she wakes up, the garbage truck has come and gone. For her, this is a strong manifestation of the Saturn-in-Libra energy. Like a big wet blanket, Saturn has suppressed the romantic dreams she's been using as a substitute for genuine love. Now she has to take an honest look at her marriage. She realizes she's let her husband control everything in her life except her imagination. Pluto in Capricorn demands a radical transformation. Secretly, she consults a divorce lawyer. On the day Mercury conjuncts Pluto and both conjunct the husband's natal Venus, he receives notice that his wife has filed for divorce. He goes home to find she has moved out. For both husband and wife, this is a painful experience. Ultimately, though, the outcome can be truly beneficial. Both have been feeling trapped, and the divorce will free them. The husband has received a powerful lesson in how people react when he behaves like a despot. When he starts dating again, he may avoid women who read romance novels, or he may read them himself in order to gain insight into what women find romantic. The wife no longer enjoys novels that portray authoritarian men as desirable. Perhaps, as Saturn conjuncts her natal Venus in Libra, she starts writing a romance novel about a strong woman who refuses to marry the man she loves until he accepts her as an equal partner. The novel becomes a bestseller (Pluto can relate to the ability to reach a mass audience). Because Pluto has an affinity with psychology, both the man and the woman may consult therapists who help them overcome long-standing childhood traumas.
Coming tomorrow: Part 3: Things Could Be Different

Nov 13, Saturn Squares Pluto: Hide in a Cave 'Til It's Over?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:49:45 GMT

If you keep up with astrology blogs, you know Saturn and Pluto are currently in square aspect. Some of the predictions sound pretty scary: BioPsciences Institute says, "Considering that squares are generally rougher than oppositions and that the Saturn-Pluto opposition brought us the World Trade Center attack in 2001, you can reasonably expect this square to have some powerful repercussions." Elsa Elsa playfully warns you you'll have to "work in the dirty grave that is your psyche" if you have planets in early degrees of cardinal signs. (At least she has a sense of humor!) As Elsa suggests, if Saturn and Pluto aren't transiting your birth planets, you might not notice any personal repercussions. You might even experience some exhilerating positive effects if your birth planets are transited by trine or sextile. Do you have planets in your birth chart at or near 1 degree of Taurus, Gemini, Virgo or Aquarius? You're experiencing a transit by trine. At or near 1 degree of Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius or Pisces? A sextile. Saturn's harmonious transits make it easy for us to work persistently and realistically toward important goals. Pluto's harmonious transits make it easy to make changes. Even with a harmonious transit, we might feel mixed emotions. With a Pluto transit, for example, we may feel sadness as we say goodbye to a person, a place, a job, an unmet goal, or some part of our being, mixed with excitement and pleasure as a new and healthier dynamic comes into our lives. But what if Saturn and Pluto are transiting your birth planets by conjunction, square or opposition? If you have planets at or near 1 degree of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn and are having trouble with this transit, you'll be aware of some problems by now. This isn't a case of the universe randomly being mean just because the planets have aligned in a certain way. The square aspect strongly promotes change by making us aware of disharmonies or negative patterns that already exist in our lives. It pushes us to find a healthier way to live so we can turn chaos into harmony. Saturn's energy can help you to look honestly and realistically at whatever situation is making you unhappy and to consider the part you have played in creating or maintaining the situation - not to make you feel blamed or shamed, but to empower you. Pluto can give you the courage to make very deep, thorough changes based on the practical understanding of the situation that Saturn has helped you gain.
Coming Tomorrow: A Saturn-Pluto Story

Oct 30, Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune Update

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:11:24 GMT

With the most intense phase of this triple conjunction past, can we get a sense of how it manifested? The conjunction probably affected much of what happened this summer, but let's take a look at one example. The conjunction was at its tightest in May, when renewed efforts were devoted to negotiating peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This has been a decades-long effort, which fell by the wayside during the eight years of the Bush Administration when the U.S. mostly abandoned its leadership in the negotiations. In May, Israel offered assistance to the Palestinian National Authority, Egypt and Jordan in protecting against the H1N1 swine flu. Pope Benedict visited Israel and the Palestinian territories and spoke in favor of Palestinian statehood. U.S. President Barack Obama also urged the creation of a Palestinian state. Israel took a step toward this possibility, evicting a group of Jewish settlers from an area in the West Bank. This year, U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell has been in the Middle East on a regular basis, meeting with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. In September, President Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. This weekend, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with the same leaders. Chiron's influence is evident in the deep pain each side feels as a result of this long-entrenched conflict. Chiron in Aquarius is associated with the wound of feeling too different from others to belong. The State of Israel was formed after World War II by Jews who had fled persecution in Europe, and with Chiron now in Aquarius, there may be a surge of fears about whether they can ever be accepted by their neighbors. Meanwhile, Palestinians whose families used to live in what is now Israel can never truly belong in a Jewish state, since they follow Islam. Healing comes when the Chiron-in-Aquarius energy shifts to a higher level of understanding: differences between people are welcomed as a source of richness and strength. If everyone's religious beliefs were identical, there would be no pressure to continually reexamine our spirituality, and it could easily become a meaningless habit practiced by rote. We can see Neptune's involvement in the devotion to ideals: the U.S. government and others are once again dedicating efforts to nurturing peace in the Middle East in the belief that it is possible. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians seem to be holding out for solutions they believe to be ideal, which is getting in the way of true progress. There is a need to shift to a higher understanding of what is ideal and to a more generous way of thinking about the other side in this conflict. Will the new efforts bear fruit? Neptune's indefinite energy tends to keep us in suspense, veiling the outcome of our activities in uncertainty. But it also brings faith, especially in combination with Jupiter's optimistic energy. And faith is a powerful ally in any endeavor.

Sep 10, Mercury-Mars-Pluto T-Square

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:21:45 GMT

Has your computer been acting up? Mercury, Mars and Pluto have been forming a t-square pattern, stirring up communication patterns. If you lose access to your Facebook account for a few hours, it's probably just a minor inconvenience. If you run a small business and your email system stops working, it's a huge problem that needs correcting ASAP. You'll probably feel better about any communication problems you may have been having if you realize the universe is sending them to you to help you correct an imbalance that has probably been causing nagging, low-grade problems for a long time.

With Mars (in Cancer) and Pluto (in Capricorn) in opposition aspect, we need to find the right balance between the drive for self-assertion (especially about our need to be nurtured and protected) and our need for transformation and rebirth (especially in our relationships with authority figures). When Mercury, moving through Libra, comes into square aspect with both Mars and Pluto, it pushes us to make changes in our communication patterns. Today, many of us rely on computer networks as a communication medium. If our communication patterns aren't in perfect harmony with our needs (and how many of have achieved this perfect harmony?), the universe has been pushes us during times like this to develop greater balance. If you tend to be too hesitant in asserting your needs, the universe might use this t-square energy to push you into getting angry enough to speak up. If you tend to express your anger quite strongly, but to innocent bystanders like your spouse or children, the t-square energy might show you why this doesn't work, and push you to express yourself instead to the person who is the source of your frustration, or at least to someone who can help resolve the problem. Anger is an uncomfortable emotion. That's why it's so effective at getting us to speak up when someone does something to hurt us, or when people responsible for meeting our needs fail to live up to their obligations. Mars helps us overcome our fear of rocking the boat by taking initiative. Mercury helps us speak clearly and effectively. And Pluto shows us when a situation that is not working well needs to be changed. This t-square is a good influence to have working for us as we tackle the process of reforming the U.S. health-care system. Sure, it means tempers tend to flare. But if people (on all sides of the issue) didn't speak up when they feel wronged, it wouldn't be possible to reach a solution that works well for everyone.

Apr 30, Charles Dickens's Horoscope

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:56:22 GMT

Charles Dickens is an especially fascinating study for an astrologer interested in quintile aspects, because he had a lot of them in his chart. As a child, he worked long hours in a dismal factory after his father was sent to debtor's prison. But, using the creative energy of the quintile aspects in his birth chart, Dickens was able to transform this unhappy experience into a platform for success by writing novels about, among other things, children who had similar experiences. As a direct result of his novels, people in his home country of England became more sympathetic to the plight of the poor and made important reforms to help relieve their suffering. Recently, I took a look at Dickens's horoscope and some important transits that occurred for him in March 1835, before he became famous. Perhaps even more important for Dickens, a passionate romantic, he was not yet married. My Sample Flash Report for Charles Dickens discusses the astrological influences he experienced that month. It also provides a good example of the kind of analysis you can expect if you order a Flash Report. See the Services page for more information.

Apr 15, Mars-Uranus Conjunction; New "Flash Report" Option

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:47:55 GMT

With Mars and Uranus conjunct in Pisces today, now is the perfect time for me to start offering $15 Flash Reports. See the Services page for more information. Mars is the planet of initiative, while the Uranus energy moves with great speed, sometimes seeming to provide instantaneous insights. Pisces is the most intuitive of the signs in the zodiac. This is a time when you may be more intuitive than usual, especially if you have planets in your birth chart at approximately 24-25 degrees of Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, or Sagittarius.

Apr 10, New Article: Quintiles, Septiles and Undeciles

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:36:04 GMT

A new article on the non-traditional aspects and how they function in a person's life has been added to the website. Though astrologers are only beginning to study and use these aspects in their work, they can be extremely significant to people in whose charts they appear.

Apr 7, New Feature

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:34:24 GMT

An article on the 2009 Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction launches the new Articles section (see the new tab on the navigation bar to the left). I've mentioned this exceptionally promising astrological phenomenon in two January posts below. The article discusses its timing and meaning and suggests ways we can take advantage of this special opportunity to make our world a better place to live in.

Feb 16, An Interesting Saturn-Neptune-Pluto Pattern

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:25:12 GMT

The septile family of aspects is associated with spirituality and poetic inspiration, and has a kinship with Neptune's idealistic energy. These aspects result from dividing the circle of the horoscope into seven equal parts. The basic aspect is the septile, one-seventh of the circle, but there are also biseptile (two-sevenths) and triseptile (three-sevenths) aspects. Some well-known people with patterns of linked septile-family aspects in their birth charts include Martin Luther King Jr., Pope Benedict XVI, the Dalai Lama, George Bush, Emily Dickinson, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. For many of them, Neptune is part of the septile-family pattern. These people have in common the ability to communicate in a way that has moved people emotionally. While we recognize religious callings in several cases, others are not associated with conventionally religious beliefs. Most, however, had or have a strong desire to reform society. Currently, a septile-family aspect pattern is in effect between Saturn, Neptune and Pluto. Saturn and Pluto are both in Earth signs (Saturn in Virgo, Pluto in Capricorn), giving this particular pattern a more grounded and practical quality than would usually be associated with septiles. But Neptune is part of the pattern, too, in reform-oriented Aquarius with its energy for creative innovation. Not everyone will feel the effects of this pattern strongly, but if you have any planets located in your chart in one or more positions that these three planets are currently transiting by a septile-family angle, you may find yourself taking special pains to think, plan or communicate in a perfected and perhaps an inspired way. If you have planets near 15 degrees of Aries, 7 degrees of Gemini, 28 or 29 degrees of Cancer, 20 degrees of Virgo (conjuncting Saturn's current position), 11 degrees of Scorpio, 3 degrees of Capricorn (conjuncting Pluto's current position), or 24 degrees of Aquarius (conjuncting Neptune's current position), you are especially likely to be feeling this aspect pattern's effect. Be patient (Saturn's influence is sometimes associated with delay or discouragement), make an extra effort, and your communications could make a positive difference in people's lives.

Jan 22, Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune triple conjunction

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:09:29 GMT

Jupiter represents our need to grow and look ahead to the future with optimism. In Aquarius, the focus of this growth is humanitarian and altruistic, inspiring us with an innovative spirit dedicated to reforming and improving the world we live in. As Jupiter's energy joins Chiron's urge to heal and Neptune's urge to idealism and unity, this summer could feature deep and powerful healing at all levels of society throughout the world. Can the United States of America overcome its history of bitter racism? Already, the inauguration of Barack Obama as our President has brought healing balm to many hearts. He was elected by citizens of many races coming together as one to reach for hope and healing. His slogan, "Yes, we can!" sounds a lot like the voices of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune singing in harmony. Even those who did not vote for him overwhelmingly based their decision on factors that had nothing to do with race and, now that he is President, offer him their respect and good wishes. Will peace come to the Middle East? Europe suffered two ferocious and destructive wars in the first half of the twentieth century, but have now joined together in the European Union. Can it be more difficult for peace to flower in a land considered holy by three religions than in lands ravaged by Hitler? With Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune coming together in the sign of Aquarius, we are likely to see peace breaking out in many parts of the world, the Middle East included. Can humanity wake up to our destructive impact on the natural environment and reverse the destruction before it's too late? Again, the powerful conjoined energy of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune is coming to our aid. As I write, Chiron and Neptune are less than 4 degrees apart, already beginning to inspire us with their healing energy. Four planets (the Sun, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune) plus the Moon's North Node are clustered in Aquarius, urging us to a spirit of goodwill and reform. From February 9-11, the Sun will form a triple conjunction with Chiron and Neptune. Do you have one or more planets at 21-24 degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Sagittarius? If so, this triple conjunction is also likely to have an important personal meaning to you.

Jan 6, Chiron and Neptune conjunct in Aquarius

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:52:57 GMT

Chiron and Neptune are moving into conjunction in the sign of Aquarius and are currently less than 5 degrees apart. At its best, Aquarius is all about getting in touch with our ideals and working to create reforms that will help make the world a better place. The Aquarius energy likes to look at a problem from an angle that may not have been tried before, so it can come up with a creative solution. Chiron is a large asteroid known to astrologers as "the wounded healer." In an individual chart, its position indicates where we feel most sensitive and wounded and suggests a path to healing. (People with a strong Chiron emphasis in their charts often have a talent for healing of some kind.) While Chiron travels through Aquarius, most of us will be feeling somewhat more vulnerable about the ways in which we are different from others; those born with Chiron in Aquarius may sometimes feel so different they fear being unable to fit in or be accepted by the larger society around them. Of course, it is our uniqueness that makes each of us especially necessary to the group, filling a role no one else can. Realizing this is a path to healing the wound of Chiron in Aquarius. Neptune is the most mysterious and unworldly planet. Some have called it a higher form of the Venus energy, representing the divine love that binds us all together and makes us part of the mystic oneness of the universe. When its energy is not used well, it can be associated with deception, escapism and wishful thinking. Most of us feel a little confused and uncertain under Neptune's influence because it is so ineffable. But Neptune can help us learn to still our worries and attend to the quiet spiritual wisdom that comes in moments of peaceful harmony. Neptune in Aquarius draws us to idealize the process of bringing reform. If we use it well, avoiding deception or wishful thinking, it can bring us spiritual insights of great value. As Chiron and Neptune join together in the sign of Aquarius, we have the opportunity to come together, each of us bringing our individual gifts and talents to the group endeavor, and help a world in deep need of healing and spiritual grace. Next: Adding Jupiter's energy to the conjunction

Jan 3, Happy New Year

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:28:39 GMT

On December 12, Mars and the Sun in conjunction moved into square alignment with a long-term Saturn-Uranus opposition, forming a T-square pattern. This pattern is like a super-square, raising tensions and demanding change. Since the planets forming the T-square were also transiting the position of Neptune in the U.S. chart (I use the Sibley chart), this T-square had special significance for the U.S. The Mars-Saturn square has a bad reputation among astrologers for causing violence. With a Sun-Mars conjunction in House 1 of the U.S. chart, one possible negative manifestation of this square could have been the U.S. violently lashing out against a perceived threat to our national security. A positive manifestation of this square - yes, squares do have positive potential! - could represent a dramatic positive shift in the vitality of the U.S. and in our reputation abroad. Though news on the economic front remains discouraging, the early weeks of December saw an improvement in the U.S. reputation abroad as a result of the election of Barack Obama as our next President. During this time, the President-Elect was announcing the appointment of members of his cabinet and team of economic advisers, appointments generally received with warm approval across the political spectrum. It's a good reminder that we need not fear aspects and transits with bad reputations. I've been exceptionally busy lately. (Could this have something to do with Uranus sextiling my natal Mars?) But I'm planning a blog post with an overview of some of the astrological highlights we can expect in 2009. The biggest ones: the continuing Saturn opposite Uranus aspect will be exact on Febrary 5 and again on September 15; Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune will be forming a close triple conjunction (a stellium) in Aquarius that will be especially tight in May and July, stimulating and expanding our ideals. Watch this space over the next week for a more detailed analysis of these phenomena.

Oct 31, Undecile Aspects on Election Day 2008

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:23:41 GMT

U.S. Presidential elections are held in early November with the Sun in Scorpio, a sign of transformational endings and beginnings appropriate for selecting a new President to replace one whose term is ending, and with the Sun in House 11 of the U.S. horoscope, which relates to group activities and social reform, another appropriate election influence. Neptune is currently in Aquarius, a sign which, like House 11, relates to group activities and social reform. As discussed in the October 5 post, Neptune's energy can be used for good (altruism and compassion) or ill (wishful thinking and deception). As Neptune leaves the U.S. House 2, we are seeing the result of the country's wishful thinking and deceptive practices relating to material resources: an economic recession. On Election Day, the Sun and Neptune will be in waning triundecile aspect. This aspect relates to overcoming internal resistance to change. It's natural to resist even necessary changes that will improve our lives. Sometimes we do this consciously, as when someone whose credit card spending is out of control insists he can't live without his cards. Other times we do this unconsciously; for example, by forgetting an appointment with a health care practitioner. The waning triundecile aspect helps us become more conscious of internal resistance so that we can overcome it. This transit will help Americans take the initiative to vote for a candidate who favors making overdue changes in our country's financial practices, attuning us to a more positive use of our Neptune energy. At the same time, the Sun and Jupiter will form a waning biundecile aspect, whose energy is very similar to the triundecile, representing a later stage of overcoming internal resistance. Jupiter is in Capricorn, which puts increased focus on everything relating to government and authority. It is also moving into the U.S. House 2, which gives us the potential to increase our country's overall financial well-being, provided we use Jupiter's expansive energy in a positive way by planning for the long term rather than by over-indulging. Fortunately, the waning biundecile will help us become more conscious of the need to change our country's buy-now-pay-later attitude to a more fiscally responsible approach. Finally, Jupiter and Neptune will form a waning undecile aspect, which represents a stage of completion in the healing process before we go on to face new challenges. Jupiter's expansive nature increases our ability to use Neptune's energy in the most positive way. When the American people cast their ballots on Election Day, the overall theme is likely to be a compassionate awareness that taking care of the needs of all Americans, rather than acting primarily out of narrow financial self-interest, ultimately benefits everyone.

Oct 21, Barack Obama and the Undecile Aspect

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:08:26 GMT

The undecile aspect results from dividing the circle of the horoscope into eleven equal parts. It's considered a minor aspect, and most astrologers don't use it. However, when several undecile aspects are linked together, they can be highly significant in a chart. A gifted healer I know has a pattern in her chart of linked aspects that are multiples of the undecile, and the undecile aspect is indeed related to healing. Robert Blaschke (whose book Sabian Aspect Orbs is a valuable resource on undeciles and other nontraditional aspects) points out the symbolic connection of the number eleven with disruption and restoration. Jesus had twelve disciples until Judas betrayed him, when the number shrank to eleven until a new disciple was chosen at Pentecost, restoring the original number. On a more worldly level, bankruptcy laws, which allow people suffering from debts they can never repay to regain their financial footing, are in Title 11 of the U.S. Code. Like everything in astrology, the energy of the undecile can be used for good or ill. When used inappropriately, the undecile energy can be quite destructive. Two strong undecile patterns were in effect when the bombing of Baghdad began on March 20, 2003. Pluto aspected Mercury, Jupiter and the Moon's North Node by multiples of the undecile. Pluto is associated with bombs in its negative manifestation, but can stimulate deeply positive transformation if its energy is used well. It's heartbreaking to note that the Moon's North Node, which guides us toward our best selves, formed a waxing* quinqueundecile (the undecile x 5) with Pluto, indicating a time appropriate for pausing to ask questions and consult experts. The North Node was in Gemini, reinforcing the importance of gathering information and considering both sides of a question before making a decision. Had this been done, great progress might have been made in healing the trauma inflicted on September 11, 2001. Instead, March 20, 2003 was a day of destruction. Barack Obama's birth chart is notable for its patterns of linked undecile aspects. One joins Chiron, Mars and his Midheaven, while the other links Mercury, Venus, Pluto and his Ascendant. Of special note are the two waning* quinqueundeciles, one between Mars and Chiron, the other between Mercury and the Ascendant, which indicate the capacity to accept responsibility for restoring a disrupted situation to wholeness. Senator Obama's natal Mercury (thought and communication) is in Leo (a sign of leadership) and House 6 (service to others). The waning* quinqueundecile between Mercury and his Ascendant gives him the ability to take responsibility for using his considerable eloquence in the service of healing, while the waning* undecile between his Mercury and Pluto indicates potential for bringing a healing process to completion by using his communication skills in the service of deep transformation. *In a waxing aspect, the faster planet is moving away from the slower planet; in a waning aspect, it is moving toward the slower planet. Next: Election Day Undecile Aspects

Oct 11, Barack Obama and the 2008 Election

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:42:19 GMT

On Election Day 2008, Saturn will be moving toward conjunction with Barack Obama's natal Mars at approximately 22 degrees of Virgo. People with Mars in Virgo tend to be hard-working, practical and detail-oriented. They are generally highly responsible and can be quite critical of both themselves and others. Senator Obama's well-organized Presidential campaign is a reflection of his Virgo Mars. In Senator Obama's birth chart, Mars and Saturn are in trine, intensifying the Virgo emphasis, since Saturn has a strong affinity with Virgo. Saturn's energy can manifest in delay, limitation, frustration and feelings of depression, but when its energy is used well, it can provide the stamina needed to persist in a difficult task as one builds a sturdy foundation for future achievement. As transiting Saturn conjuncts Senator Obama's natal Mars, he could experience either a serious setback or be given new and important responsibilities. On Election Day, the Sun will transit Senator Obama's natal Sun by square, and Mercury his natal Jupiter by square. People often experience transits by square as difficult, but they are not portents of doom. Square transits demand that we grow, learning to use the planetary energies involved at a higher level of spiritual understanding. The Sun represents the ego. In a democracy, anyone who loses or wins an election is challenged to reassess the ego energy and realize that it must be used unselfishly to be used well. Mercury represents thought and communication, while Jupiter represents the drive to grow and fulfill our potential; Mercury's transit of Senator Obama's Jupiter by square (as it enters Scorpio and his House 9) could represent either a message from voters checking his drive to grow, or challenging him to learn deeply and widely as he prepares to take on a job that affects the future of the entire nation. On Election Day, Mars will be nearing conjunction with Senator Obama's Scorpio Midheaven and entering his House 10. For anyone with the Midheaven in Scorpio, transiting Mars is an important career indicator. Senator Obama can expect to devote increased energy to his life's work as Mars transits through his House 10. An interesting pattern of nontraditional aspects will be in effect on Election Day. The "undecile" aspect and its multiples result from dividing the circle of the horoscope into eleven equal parts. They relate to the process of restoring wholeness after destruction or disruption. On November 4, the Sun, Jupiter and Neptune will be linked by a waning undecile, a waning biundecile and a waning triundecile, representing the three final stages of resolving a problem: internalizing the understanding of how to resolve the problem so that it becomes instinctive, overcoming internal resistance to resolving the problem, and actually resolving the problem. It is all too easy to pinpoint the problem to be resolved on Election Day: the election in 2000 and 2004 of a President who did not have the necessary skills and understanding to lead wisely. Next: Undecile aspects, Barack Obama and the 2008 Election

Oct 6, The Saturn-Uranus Opposition and the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:57:31 GMT

It doesn't take an astrologer to realize the coming U.S. Presidential election is all about change. As Saturn and Uranus move toward an exact opposition aspect on Election Day, we may see more "October surprises," brought to us not by politicians hoping to control the election, but by the inherent nature of the unsound structures our country's policies and practices have built. Sound structures will hold through this period and prove their worth; unstable structures are likely to fail unless we accept Saturn's challenge to be unflinchingly realistic and Uranus's challenge to quickly make necessary reforms. People with one or more planets in their birth charts near 19 degrees of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius will feel the effects of this aspect most strongly, because Saturn and Uranus will be transiting their planets as the opposition aspect occurs. In John McCain's birth chart, Saturn is located at approximately 20 degrees of Pisces. With this Saturn placement, he gains personal security through identifying with something greater than himself: his country. People with Saturn in Pisces may also limit their vision of the world by adopting an overly rigid or fearful outlook. Senator McCain's world view emphasizes the risk of attacks from other nations. He approves the Bush Administration policy of limiting diplomacy with nations we regard as enemies. But the Saturn-in-Pisces energy also has the positive potential of recognizing that, in today's world, all of us on the planet are connected, and the security of the world as a whole depends on a responsible, realistic approach to solving problems we all have in common. Saturn began transiting through Senator McCain's astrological House 11 in August of 2006. With Saturn in House 11 people often wish to take on more public responsibility. It may have been around this time that he began thinking seriously about running for President. He announced his candidacy on April 25, 2007. Saturn will move out of his House 11 into his House 12, though, in mid-October. This Saturn position represents a transition phase when one cycle of life comes to a close and the ground is cleared for a new cycle to begin when Saturn moves into House 1. With Saturn in House 12, people often retreat from the outside world to some extent (or are forced to) and spend time redefining their goals and ideals. As Uranus conjuncts Senator McCain's natal Saturn, sudden events are challenging the way he thinks about security issues. He once commented that he did not understand economic issues as well as he might; he now acknowledges that economic insecurity represents a genuine threat and must be dealt with. Both the astrological indicators and the latest polls suggest it is unlikely he will win the election. If he does, he will become responsible for his country's security. It will be important for whoever becomes President to gain the broadest and most realistic and insightful understanding possible about all national security issues. Next: Barack Obama and the 2008 Election

Oct 5, Saturn-Uranus Opposition

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:52:13 GMT

Saturn and Uranus are within 5 degrees of forming an opposition aspect which will be exact on Election Day, November 4, 2008. We're already seeing the effects of this aspect with a financial crisis that came to a head in mid-September with Saturn and Uranus 7 degrees from opposition. Neptune has been transiting through House 2 of the United States' astrological chart since 1992 (based on the traditional Sibley chart). If our country had responded to Neptune's other-worldly energy by using financial resources for compassionate, idealistic ends, we might not be in an economic crisis today. Unfortunately, we responded in a less healthy way by falling prey to romantic illusions. Among other things, we have been buying and selling property through the use of mortgages with no sound basis in financial reality. Political leaders insisted our economy was "fundamentally sound" while the vast majority of Americans struggled financially, a few made fortunes, and our tax system relieved the wealthy of their tax "burdens" while the nation's deficit ballooned to an unprecedented size. Saturn is the planet of the reality check. When we ignore facts in favor of wishful thinking, Saturn will eventually demand that we face the truth. Astrologers used to consider Saturn a malevolent force. Nothing could be more mistaken. If Saturn brings an unpleasant awakening it is simply the consequence of our own actions. If we seek out solid facts, plan carefully, and do the nitty-gritty, step-by-step work of building our lives on a solid foundation, Saturn will bring us the blessings of stability and security. Uranus, on the other hand, is all about rapid change. At the individual level, if we have been clinging to a job, a partner, an illusion that isn't good for us, Uranus can take it away in an instant. Often, Uranus makes us realize we have the power to change a situation we have long wanted to change but didn't think we could. Its swift energy can seem almost magical - but it's as natural as a lightning bolt. Bring Saturn and Uranus together in a dynamic aspect like the opposition, and these very different energies work together to force us to recognize the truth. Next: Effects of the Saturn-Uranus opposition on the November 4 election

May 28, Mercury Square Uranus

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:46:30 GMT

Have your computer and other electronic devices been acting up lately? If so, you're not alone. Mercury (currently in Gemini) and Uranus (in Pisces) are in square aspect, stirring up potentially troublesome energies related to communication technology. You're most likely to notice this if you have planets located around 20-23 degrees in one or more of the signs in your birth chart, especially Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces or Gemini, in which case Mercury and Uranus are making strong transits to your chart. This square has been in effect from about May 20 and will continue until the beginning of June. We'll get a second taste of it in early July, from about July 3 through 6. How can we make this influence work for us rather than against us? It might be as simple as taking the computer on an overdue visit to the repair shop. The energy of the square demands change, and if you've been neglecting basic maintenance, the planets might be telling you to get moving. Or maybe you've been spending too much time at the computer lately and could benefit from the more reflective process of reading a printed book or from more face-to-face communication with people you care about. Uranus in Pisces can bring sudden, intuitive insights that change and deepen our understanding of spirituality and religion, while Mercury in Gemini inclines us to think and communicate with careful, logical reasoning. These two energies are quite different and don't always feel compatible, but they're both important. The square between these planets challenges us to integrate our capacity for rational thought with our ability to receive spiritual insights. I'm reminded of Joan of Arc, born with Uranus in the altruistic and unconventional sign of Aquarius and with Mercury in the practical and authoritative sign of Capricorn. Joan had great faith in the spiritual guidance of her voices, which she believed came from a divine source. When speaking with her fellow commanders in the field, though, she often translated their guidance into terms of commonsense practicality. We too can test the spiritual guidance that comes to us by measuring it against our native good sense. After all, our rational minds are also divine gifts.

May 19, Triple Conjunction of Chiron, Neptune and the Moon's North Node

Mon, 19 May 2008 21:35:52 GMT

The conjunction of Chiron, Neptune and the Moon's North Node in Aquarius can have a powerful healing effect for any of us who work toward the ideal of making this world a better place for everyone. Chiron represents issues that cause us persistent emotional pain which we cannot resolve until we plumb their depths and recognize the blessings within. With Chiron in Aquarius, many of us could be feeling as though we are too different from others to feel a sense of belonging. In fact, Chiron in Aquarius teaches us that everyone's unique individuality is what makes us belong together. Like a single piece of a jigsaw puzzle, each of us is a little different from everyone else. By honoring these differences and coming together in a spirit of love, we can make a beautiful world. Neptune is the planet of ideals, but when we act selfishly out of our own desires (as we all sometimes do), it can make us prey to illusions and delusions. Neptune has been in Aquarius since 1998, inclining us to look for spiritual harmony in the groups we belong to, large or small. When we use this influence at its best potential, we can become altruistic and deeply caring. Unfortunately, with Neptune in Aquarius, many people have blindly devoted themselves to religious, national and ethnic groups that have caused destruction and suffering by treating people outside the group as enemies. Neptune will leave Aquarius and move into Pisces in 2012. In the meantime, its conjunction with Chiron gives us an important opportunity to heal by attuning ourselves to ideals that are more spiritual and inclusive. The Moon's Nodes occur where the plane of the Moon's orbit around the Earth intersects with the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The South Node represents a way of being that is ready to be released. The North Node represents the new, nourishing energies that need to be taken in. In early January, the North Node moved into Aquarius while the South Node moved into Leo, where they will be until late July 2009. During this time, we may all be tempted to behave selfishly, wanting to be treated as though we were more important than everyone else. If we do, though, we are likely to get into even more trouble than such behavior usually causes. By recognizing the importance of other people in our lives and making a point of treating them as the special individuals they truly are, we can bring greater happiness into our lives. This conjunction is influencing all of us to some extent, but people born with one or more planets between approximately 20 to 25 degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and/or Scorpio are likely to be feeling its effects most strongly.