Planet Weather for the Week of February 1, 2009

 

NewsBits: Outlook for 2009, Part 2 – Retrogrades. Having just completed the first Mercury retrograde (Rx) of 2009, we are now heading straight for a Venus Rx. Venus turns Rx about every 18-20 months and pertains to our values, finances and relationships, or social contacts in general. The last Venus retrograde took place between 7/27-9/8/07. The message of all retrogrades is to be more thorough with the issues that arise during that time, or those that are revived because they are unresolved. Because a retrograde retraces the same area, or series of degrees of the zodiac, it indicates an unfinished or premature condition as well. In other words, there is a necessity to take more time and entertain the various possibilities, or doubts that could surface during a retrograde cycle. The great opportunity of a retrograde is to understand more, learn more and be better prepared, since there is a need to repeat, delete, or reaffirm based on a deeper level of experience.

 

This year is blessed with the usual three Mercury retrogrades (a fourth begins the day after Christmas 2009), Venus retrograde, and at the end of the year a Mars retrograde in Leo. Mars turns backwards about every two years. Since this is our first full year of Pluto in Capricorn and much of what we have depended upon is shaken, this astrologer finds it intriguing that we also have a Venus retrograde, which necessitates that we refine and redefine our values and in the sign Aries, our sense of self in the scheme of things and where we are going. What are the worthy goals of our life in these challenging times? In fact, Venus’ first planetary contact after it enters the sign Aries is a square to Pluto! You may need to seriously adjust your goals to meet both vibrancy and viability. It might be a brilliant idea but is it workable and how can you make it succeed on a practical level?

 

Mars retrograde is typically harder to endure because it has to do with our energy and a Mars retrograde slows things down. Mars does not enjoy being held back. Yet again, we are more than ever in a cautious moment in history. Note that both Venus and Mars retrograde in fire signs. The urge to move ahead with spirit is challenged by the cautious note struck by Pluto in Capricorn. Giving in, without due diligence to impulsiveness will have more serious consequences in these Capricorn times. Keep your enthusiasm, but it’s best to have all your ducks in a row before you leap ahead.

 

Venus Rx Aries/Pisces: 3/6 – 4/17/09

Next Mercury Rx Gemini/Taurus: 5/7 – 5/30/09

Mercury Rx Libra/Virgo: 9/7 – 9/29/09

Mercury Rx Capricorn on 12/26/09

Mars Rx Leo 12/20/09.

 

SkyWatch: Moon phase of the week: 2/2 -- The Moon enters Her First Quarter phase at 6:13 PM EST, at 14 degrees of Capricorn, the sign of Her detriment because Capricorn is exactly opposite the sign of Her rulership, Cancer. Skywatching events of the week: 2/7 -- The Nearly Full Moon comes within 6 degrees of the bright astrological star Pollux and, since this Moon rises just before sunset, the two should be visible together throughout the night as the Moon moves slowly past the star. (If you watched all night, the Moon moves fast enough along the Zodiac -- about one degree every two hours while the fixed stars remain, well, fixed relative to the Zodiac -- then you could actually see the angular distance between them change.) Space news of the week: It's raining gasoline -- on Saturn's moon Titan. It's been known for some time now that Titan harbors whole lakes of hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane (gasoline). From data returned by the Saturn probe Cassini (named after the discoverer of Saturn's rings), scientists have now determined that hydrocarbon rains keep these lakes filled. SkyWatch is just waiting for someone to come up with a bright idea for getting all this energy from Titan back to Earth, but evidently no one has yet even considered the possibility. (By the time they do, or it becomes feasible to do so, hydrocarbons will probably be history as an energy source anyway -- at least hopefully.)

Go out! Look up!

 

 Knowing when VOC Moons occur is key to planning your successful week!

 

The Void-of-course (VOC) Moon is a kind of limbo. As it reaches the end of a sign, the Moon makes no major aspect to another planet before it enters the next sign. VOC is best for less outcome-oriented activity, since VOC often means detours, distractions, drifting, or delays. If you want specific outcomes, or if timeliness is critical, don’t use a VOC Moon time. VOC is best for processing, imagining, creating, and open-ended activities, like parties, research, or cleaning your desk/closet for instance! It is said that when a new action is initiated during VOC, “nothing will come of it,” or energies go in unplanned directions, which may not necessarily be negative.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Week of 2/1/09 – Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (morning) are the most active energetically and potentially very productive days – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with others or projects, and/or producing results. On 2/1/09, the Moon is VOC Aries from 1:08PM to 5:09PM EST.  – On 2/3/09, the Moon is VOC/Taurus from 8:27PM to 9:14PM EST. – On 2/5/09, the Moon is VOC/Gemini  from 12:45PM to 11:06PM EST.— On2/7/09, the Moon is VOC/Cancer from 2:07PM to 11:43PM EST.

 

Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines:

 

 Currently Active and Changing on 2/1/09 – Mercury in cardinal, earth Capricorn turns Stationary Direct @ 21degrees! (Mercury was Rx in Capricorn between 1/21 and 2/1/09. It remains in the sign Capricorn until 2/14/09). This first Mercury Rx cycle of 2009 reflects Pluto in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Mercury turned Rx in Aquarius, (the traditional ruler of Aquarius is Saturn) and, Mercury/Capricorn, of course (ruled by Saturn) giving us the message of taking responsibility for past actions and being accountable for future actions.

 

Pluto in Capricorn shows us the dark side of Saturn and forces us to analyze established rules, patterns, structures and habits. These are tested for viability and as Pluto/Capricorn has revealed – the answer is NO – many systems have failed and are continuing to fail. There are serious questions about the survival of our capitalist system. When Mercury re-enters Aquarius we will look further to the future and how we can creatively adapt/invent systems to fit shifting needs and times. This retrograde concerns what is alive and in our present existence, and how we need to innovate and think long-term creative solutions. The full cycle of Mercury in either Capricorn or Aquarius, direct or retrograde is from 12/12/08 to 3/8/09. For almost three months we’ve been actively processing the above mentioned themes! Ask your astrologer the where and how of this in your own chart.  Mercury/Aquarius turned Rx @ 7degrees on 1/11/09 and passes that shadow degree on 2/21/08. After that time, the deep retrograde processing ends and the solutions that were tossed about will be easier to implement.

 

*Venus Rx alert! Venus enters cardinal, fire Aries on 2/2/09, then quickly squares Pluto/Capricorn on 2/5/09. Venus/Aries turns Rx on 3/6/09. Things get spicy and energetic. Venus in Aries is fresh, sassy, and ready to roll. It loves to try new things, so get yourself out of the house and go exploring. Time to set some new goals for what’s worthy of your time and energy these days. Give yourself a boost with this spirited energy. Venus squaring Pluto may bring some raw feeling to the surface, or strong attachments, jealousies, fears of loss and abandonment. It’s best to face these feelings head on, find the root causes and recognize your own innate wisdom in navigating these turbulent waters. The long Venus Rx cycle prompts a great deal of evaluation about what one is aligning with, who one is aligned with, and what you really need in order to feel your best in all your partnered situations. More in future PW.

 

Mars enters fixed, air sign Aquarius on 2/4/09 until 3/14/09. We’re noticing a general shift to scanning the future with every action we take. Mars in Aquarius is nothing if not individualistic. It will go to great lengths to come up with the best (and most logical) solution for the situation at hand. It can be cool and aloof – it needs space to get the panoramic view. In combination with some other energies explained above, this time is likely to be highly inventive and innovative. Mars in Aquarius follows its own guidance and does not enjoy being told what to do.

 

Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Pattern:  Part 2 of 5 – Saturn in mutable, earth Virgo opposite (180 deg. angle) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces on 2/5/09 @ 20 deg.  Virgos and Pisces – those in the last third of the sign are being challenged most by this configuration. To a similar extent Geminis and Sagittarians in the last third of the sign – or anyone with planets within +/- 20deg. will feel the effect of this deconstruction more poignantly. How to handle it? Take stock first and assess the problem or challenge. Address whatever is most in crisis and find the solution. The solution is there – you may not like it, but do what you can to contain the damage until stability is restored. This aspect is about change in what we have taken for granted and in that way encourages creative thinking and in other cases encourages brand new situations that are better than the previous ones. Remain positive, engage your creative muscle and look forward.