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Planet Weather for Weeks 10/16 and 10/23/11
NewsBits: Steve Jobs, Modern Visionary. The death of Steve Jobs at age 56 was the loss of a great visionary. Jobs is credited with many inventions – the personal computer, touch screen technology, the i-pod, i-touch, i-phone, i-pad – all those technological toys the world has come to love and that have changed our way of communicating forever.
Steven Jobs was born on 2/24/55 in San Francisco, CA, time unknown. His parents were young graduate students and his father, a Syrian-born Muslim. His Swiss-German mother’s father was against the relationship on ethnic grounds and Steven was put up for adoption. Paul and Clara Jobs adopted and raised Steven as their own son. Paul Jobs was a machinist who worked with laser technology and he taught his son basic electronics and how to work with his hands.
Steven Jobs was born a Pisces (highly sensitive and often attuned to non-perceptual realms or modes of receiving information) with Moon in Aries (a desire to lead, pioneer, and progress), Mercury in Aquarius (the exalted position of Mercury - a mind that is sharp with big picture and technical capabilities). His Venus in Capricorn has a love of work or productivity and the ability for discipline and focus. His Mars in its own sign of Aries accentuates his Aries Moon and the desire to lead and innovate, to move past the crowd, a bit of a loner. Jobs has a particular configuration called a Grand Cross in his chart, which is comprised of 4 or more planets each approximately 90 degrees from each other. When one of these planets is stimulated, all the rest are activated and a tremendous amount of energy is generated. Jobs grand cross consists of Mars/Aries exactly opposite Neptune/Libra and square Venus/Capricorn opposite Jupiter/Uranus/Cancer – all these planets are in cardinal signs, increasing energy and forward momentum. Mars in anyone’s chart is the action principle. Steve Jobs has Mars strong in its own sign and making five powerful aspects to other planets in his chart, creating better integration – Mars is square Jupiter (exalted in Cancer – the public, consumerism, home/family), square Uranus/Cancer, square Venus/Capricorn, opposite Neptune/Libra, and trine Pluto/Leo. His Venus/Capricorn makes six major aspects. His Sun at 5 Pisces makes no aspect to another planet but may make a significant aspect to one of his angles if we knew his birth time.
One of Steve Jobs favorite quotes comes from ice hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” That seems to sum up the amazing legacy of a visionary inventor like Steve Jobs. Thank you Steve Jobs for the amazing toys, advancing our connections, and making it all so much fun.
Occupy Wall St. Protest! Astrologers are not surprised that the same energies that have stimulated protests and governmental change in the Middle-East, called the “Arab Spring” would eventually emerge here in the US in the form of “Occupy Wall Street.” Dissatisfaction with a slow and ponderous bureaucracy, greed, lies, and exorbitant corporate bonuses, combined with raging unemployment and a domestic growth slump – people are undeniably and understandably angry and feel betrayed by the system meant to be protective but showing itself as having taken advantage of the trust granted it by the people.
Astrologically, there’s been a steady progression of change as the three outer planets have all changed signs sequentially in the last three years. First came Pluto’s move into Capricorn (big business, systems, security) in January 2008 (for the next 16 years), which manifested in the financial crisis and resulted in economic depression but also in the historic election of a black President. In the summer of 2010, Uranus moved into Aries (for the next 7 years), ignited the fire of individual human rights and pitted those rights against what is seen as corporate greed, bullying and lack of integrity. It also brought the horror of the explosion and biggest oil spill in history in the Gulf of Mexico and the tsunami in Japan. Last but not least was Neptune’s first foray into its own sign of Pisces, April 2011. As of this date Neptune has retrogressed back into the previous sign, Aquarius but is due to become fully invested in Pisces in February 2012. We have yet to fully experience what Neptune’s sign change will bring (for the next 14 years). Neptune is spirituality, visionary but can easily be disillusioned and feel betrayed, it can be prone to self-delusion and it can be beguiled - since it is idealistic and seeks transcendence and a more perfect world. Since the world is not perfect, depression may manifest along with the stress of life’s imperfections. Neptune will point out what is weakest in any system and yet also wants to offer services and compassion to those less fortunate. I think the “Occupy Wall Steet” movements are signals of the stresses of the masses and their attempt to get attention to the erosion of services and assistance in making a healthy, viable and honest living. This movement reflects the bounce back to the opposite sign from Pisces of Virgo – the workers and the financial inequities that are becoming wider and more alarming. It is a protest for fairness and leveling the playing field so that there are more options available for those who want to better their lives. As it stands, there are so many hoops to jump through that people are just plain tired.
Sky Watch -Moon phase for the week of 10/16: 10/19 - The Moon enters Her Last (aka Third) Quarter phase at 11:30 PM EDT, at 26 degrees of Cancer, the sign of Her rulership. This phase marks the start of the "daytime Moon" when the Moon becomes visible progressively higher and higher in the daytime sky, first in the afternoon and then in the morning as the week wears on. The daytime Moon is always an interesting sight, since She is virtually the only celestial object besides the Sun that is visible in the daytime except for your very occasional nearby supernova exploding star and the planet Venus on not quite so rare occasions. Skywatching events for the week: 10/21: Look for the Orionids meteor shower. Best viewing time will be around midnight well after the Moon has set, so that Her light will not wash out the faint streaks of space stones making their brief, fiery entries into the Earth's air. The Orionid meteors are so-called because they appear to originate from the constellation Orion. All week: Planets visible in the morning sky (midnight to sunrise) this week are Mars and Jupiter. Planets visible in the evening sky (sunset to midnight) are Mercury and Venus.
Moon phase for the week of 10/23: 10/26 -- The Moon enters Her New cycle at 3:56 PM EDT, at 3 degrees of Scorpio, the sign of Her Fall (because opposite Taurus, the sign of Her exaltation). Skywatching events of the week: 10/27 -- The waxing Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Mercury, although their point of closest approach when both have set and are well below the horizon. Their approach may barely be visible low in the West right after sunset. Look for Mercury just above the thin sliver of Moon. 10/28 The waxing Crescent Moon will make a close pass by Venus, again well after both have set and again, look for their approach low in the West after sunset with the Moon below Venus.
Space News and Weather: The so-called "Doomsday Comet," Comet Elenin (named for the Russian astronomer Leonid Elenin, its discoverer) has turned out to bring doom, all right -- to itself. Apparently, Elenin flew too close to the Sun last month and encountered a solar eruption that blasted it into fragments of its former self. For reasons no one seems very clear about, Comet Elenin had been widely touted -- especially on the Web -- as being a bringer of, if not the end of the world, a least a fair amount of unpleasantness. Now the fragments of Elinen are expected to pass by just inside the Moon's orbit with nary an extinction event down here. 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.
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Week of 10/1611 – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the most active days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with others, projects, and stimulation for producing results, or demands/challenges on your energy. On 10/17/11, the Moon is VOC/Gemini from 6:18PM to 9:38PM EDT – On 10/19/11, the Moon is VOC/Cancer from 11:30PM to 6:06AM (next day!) – On 10/22/11, the Moon is VOC/Leo from 8:35AM to 10:41AM.
Week of 10/23/11 – Sunday (Sun enters Scorpio), Wednesday (New Moon), and Friday are the most active days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with other or projects, and stimulation for producing results, or demands/challenges on your energy. On 10/23/11, the Moon is VOC/Virgo from 4:47PM EDT until 11:49AM EDT (next day!) – On 10/26/11, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 8:19AM to 11:08AM EDT – On 10/28/11, the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 7:49AM to 10:45AM EDT.
Quote of Note: For Scorpio: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Summary: By the time these two weeks end, there will be three planets in Scorpio – so the word is processing, processing and more processing. It’s time to dig deep and come to terms with what’s lurking in the shadows – the unconscious, the denied, the forgotten and the latent. Additionally, we are entering the darkest part of the Moon’s phase (“dark of the Moon”) and the New Moon will be in Scorpio too on 10/26. Take the time to “feel” what is most urgent, what wants to be born, and what you must release.
Planet Patterns and Cosmic Headlines (Detail):
The Sun enters fixed, water Scorpio on 10/23/11 until 11/22/11. The Sun joins Venus and Mercury already lodged in Scorpio. Are things a bit intense these days? They’re likely to get more intense. Your strongest feelings will demand acknowledgment and so will your deepest fears. Pay attention to your premonitions but guard against superstition and acting on unfounded obsessive fears. There’s a focus on having what you want with planetary emphasis on Scorpio and with Jupiter in Taurus exaggerating desire and possessions. Take stock of your financial picture and manage it well, so that you’ll feel secure about your resources. Draw on your own resourcefulness to reach levels of financial comfort.
Jupiter Rx in fixed, earth Taurus trine (120deg.) Pluto in cardinal, earth Capricorn @ 5deg. on 10/28/11. This is either an aspect of optimism or excess or perhaps a bit of both. Scorpio is quite resourceful and with its penchant for research can usually find ways to get exactly what it wants. This aspect is about manifestation. So, if there is something that you’ve been developing, keep doing it, make it bigger and better and bring it into reality. These energies serve research and development and growing one’s resources until they take on a life of their own. Use this energy as fuel – to grow a seed from a very small beginning into your desired outcome.
*Mercury Retrograde (Rx) Alert! This is a head’s up. Mercury’s last Retrograde of 2011 begins on 11/24/11 @ 20deg. of mutable, fire Sagittarius, and ends on 12/13/11. Pre-retrograde shadow begins on 11/6/11 when Mercury reaches 4 Sagittarius, at which it will turn Direct again on 12/13/11. More on Mercury’s Rx cycle in next issue of PW.
Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns -- Back Stories: Repeats and elaboration of the major configurations affecting all of us currently.
Pluto turned Stationary Direct @ 4 Capricorn on 9/16/11 until 4/11/12. Anytime an outer planet slows down, stops, and reverses direction, its characteristic energy is amplified. Pluto is our slowest moving planet [Yes] and for several years now it has been processing the growing discontent with systems that have failed us and failed to provide the kind of security society expected. We’ve experienced various breakdowns collectively and personally yielding quite a bit of instability and insecurity. This station could very well deal with financial issues and the pragmatic concerns of unemployment, but more directly where the money is, who is holding it, and why lending isn’t forthcoming. It is quite possible that a bottleneck will open and more money will flow to fuel jobs and fund business. At least these seem to be the issues surrounding this Pluto Station. (The gold bubble and Germany’s bailout in the Euro crisis with defaulting Greece.)
Jupiter entered fixed, earth Taurus on 6/4/11 until 6/12/12. Jupiter stays in Taurus without moving back into the previous sign, even when it turns retrograde on 8/30/11(it remains in Taurus), which only happens about every three Jupiter cycles (3 years). Jupiter turns Direct @ 0deg. on 12/25/11! Most of the time when Jupiter turns retrograde in any sign, it moves back into the sign before and then its retrograde cycle moves between the two signs. We might speculate that this can grant us greater relaxation and stability from the fast and furious and sudden changes that we’ve all witnessed since the beginning of this year, at least, while Jupiter was in fiery Aries. Stable and practical with a certain amount of sweetness, abundance, or favor is the message of this giving Jupiter in a Venus-ruled sign. There are possibilities, if we look for them.
Neptune in mutable, water Pisces turned Retrograde @ 0degrees on 6/3/11. Almost two months after Neptune first entered Pisces, it made its station retrograde and left Pisces on 8/4/11 to complete its cycle in the previous sign, Aquarius. Neptune returns to Pisces on 2/4/12 for the extent of its stay – until 3/31/25. So, we’ve had a taste of Neptune’s dissolving energies and the power of the water! Anyone with planets near 0deg. of any sign has been especially imprinted with Neptunian themes such as paranormal experiences, illumination about some life themes or experiences, and secrets leaking out, or even some funky illness. Neptune energies can also manifest as melancholy as we review dreams that may not have materialized, make necessary adjustments, all the while maintaining our faith in life, spirit and the meaning of it all.
Neptune entered mutable, water Pisces for the first time in 164 years on 4/4/11. Neptune turned Retrograde on @ 0deg. on 6/3/11 – Neptune returned to Aquarius on 8/4/11. Neptune re-enters Pisces for the duration of its 14 year cycle on 2/4/12. This planet’s sign change is the biggest news in April and has consequences for the next 14 years. Now we have the third outer planet making a sign change since January 2008, setting in motion a series of conditions and events that have global long-term effects. There is much to say about this momentous passage and we only get a taste this year, since Neptune will retrograde back to Aquarius from 8/4/11, through 2/4/12. Neptune is entering the modern rulership of its own sign Pisces and expresses itself quite naturally here according to its intrinsic nature. We can expect the need for greater sensitivity and environmental protections, as the harm we have done to the planet becomes more obvious. [And Gaia thinks seriously about giving us an eviction notice.] We may witness the formation of new religious groups and a reformation of existing religion as we know it. Secrets may be exposed and more leaks of information that some people may not wish to be revealed. On the positive side, new artistic accomplishments will flower in all fields, especially music, but all across the artistic spectrum. In essence it is a cultural call for greater refinement and attunement to what we often take for granted or fail to notice.
Neptune was discovered in 1846, and entered Pisces on 4/26/1847 through 1861. Oddly enough, Uranus was also in Aries (although farther along in the sign) when Neptune entered Pisces for the first time (since its discovery). This is only the second time, after Neptune came into our consciousness awareness, that Neptune is transiting Pisces! Both Neptune and Pisces are tricky. They operate on a completely different level. Pisces is known for its hyper-sensitivity, compassion, diffusiveness, spirituality, dream-like imagination, second-sight, idealism, patronage of the arts, and the ability to dissolve barriers of all kinds for greater unity. Negative manifestation includes: dissipation, neglect, addictions, deception, drugs, theft, scandals, and secrets. Neptune leaves Pisces on 3/31, 2025. A few highlights of Neptune’s last transit through Pisces include: new social movements, such as Marxism, emancipation of slaves, the start of the US Civil War, the California Gold Rush, the Romantic movement in music, and transcendentalism. You can be sure we’ll be discussing Neptune’s amazing journey through Pisces in future issues of PW.
We’ve only had four months of Neptune in Pisces, which we have not experienced for 166 years! As we begin to integrate with this complex novel energy infusion, you may notice a greater sensitivity or subtlety. Neptune dissolves barriers and that is one of the reasons a positive Neptunian response often allows greater compassion for human error and human frailty. Neptune deals with the unseen and the unnoticed and often accounts for spiritual breakthroughs and even paranormal experiences. I believe that this transit of Neptune through Pisces will loosen the boundaries between the material realm and the spiritual or energetic realms. Many of us will experience more than can be easily explained through the measurable functions of science. This can be a time of high magic but also the stripping away of illusions and deceptions and unless one has a strong inner core, the disillusionment we find may destabilize us. Practice faith in the joy of being alive and the true mysticism of that fact alone, no matter what your religious beliefs may be. Neptune is magical and a component of magic is addiction, as we seek to recreate the transcendence of blissful states that allow us to escape the harsher realities of everyday life.
Uranus re-entered Aries on 3/11/11, and remains there until May 2018. This is the biggest news of March and beyond, and heralds a new upward spiral in social and cultural evolution. Last summer, Uranus teased us by parking itself and remaining only at 0deg. Aries (the powerful degree of the Spring Equinox) from 5/27-8/13/10. Now it really means business – it has engaged into its full cycle. Any planet in the first sign of the Zodiac wants to start a fire, begin something new, innovate, and create or reinvent something in its own image. This combination can certainly be aggressive, bold, courageous, willful, and because of the influence of Uranus, unexpected and explosive. Most of the previous text was written well before the popular uprisings (conflagrations) in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and other parts of the Middle East. We are seeing the effects of individuals asserting themselves in their striving for personal freedoms that they believe are their birthright. Repressive regimes will no longer be tolerated. Aries represents the new and renewal – as it emerges from the dreams of the previous sign, Pisces. It burns with the fire of justice and courage to be free at any cost.
Saturn entered cardinal, air Libra on 10/29/09. The full cycle lasts until 10/6/12. Saturn retrograded back into the last three degrees of the previous sign, Virgo, from 4/8/10-7/22/10. What can we expect? Let’s speak to the greater implications of this 2.5-year Saturn-sign cycle. Saturn is exalted in Libra. This so-called “essential dignity” means there’s more of a commitment to promote cooperation and harmony among equals. Or, we can say, that is the primary striving in this combination. The collective will be more focused on what is fair and equitable and what is not. Generally, the message is to find the imbalances and rebalance as needed. Where are you giving your commitment and attention? Are the returns you receive what you really want? If not, then adjust those commitments and relationships for greater equality and fairness. Saturn in Libra also asks – what matters and what is valuable? When there is real value, it is easier to make a commitment for a longer time and with greater attention and intention. All major relationships and, in particular, those with Libra/Aries Sun, Moon, or Ascendant, will be put to a greater test. Saturn in a cardinal sign is more proactive than in other signs, and you may find that you seek order from recent chaos and productivity from prior stress and mess.
Saturn in Libra addresses the questions of balance, fairness, relationships, negotiations, and compromise. With Saturn there is always some kind of evaluation, some testing of standards met or not, and have we achieved what we set out to do in the various areas of our life? If we feel we are out of balance, then we will want to rebalance, or renegotiate the contracts we’ve made. Saturn will be backtracking now, to refine those imbalances and to test the rebalancing that you’ve begun. What is it exactly that makes for harmony and contentment in your life? All Libras, Aries, Cancers and Capricorns are feeling this testing the most.