Happy Parent's Day!

Here in the United States, July 25th is Parent's day - which strikes me as a good time to discuss the astrology of parenting versus parented. 

And let's just start with a little comment on how interesting it is that this day falls under Sun in Leo, not Sun in Cancer. 

Why interesting? Because Cancer is the sign of families and 'childhood' as a life period. Leo is the sign of 'things I do for my own pleasure' and creatvity - both of which seem to mesh quite happily with the idea of having kids. 

But then there's that Leo question of risk. Every sign has challenge and one of the big Leo challenges is that pesky question of risk. And no question - having kids is risky!

 You have no idea if your little bundle of joy is going to turn out to be a darling or a pain in the very (very!) low back. You don't know what life holds for you as the adult in charge: will you continue to be able to support them? Will something in your own personal life (say a divorce or whatnot) totally disrupt your child's life?

 When we look at the horoscope wheel and its twelve parts (each called a "house")...

...the 4th house is family and YOUR childhood, the 5th house is having kids. 

What does this tell us astrologically? Well, there's a given order of the zodiac. And when we have a horoscope where the 1st house is Aries (corresponding to Aries as the first sign of the zodiac) and all follows right around, that's known as a 'natural (horoscope) wheel.' This isn't to say this format is better - it just corresponds to natural zodiacal order. 

Granting that most people have something other than a natural wheel however, the 4th and 5th houses of any horoscope still carry an 'underlying flavor' or identity which is closely allied with the natural sign associated with said house. 

Given that Cancer rules the 4th house of family, memories, habits and your own childhood - and that Cancer is an innately emotion (water) sign, good or bad, treasured or despised, hardly any of us are neutral about family. 

As for the 5th house, as we said, it's natural ruler is Leo. Leo is a fire sign and fire signs are all about the ideal and everything we can possibly imagine - the good and the bad, the highest heights to which our kids may ascend (and how scrumptuously wonderful we think they are) to the dangers they may face, the angst we may endure as their parents and the dashing of our hopes kids can deliver in any of a thousand ways.

We may want grandkids - they may not want kids.

We may want them to be an opera singer and they want to be a gardener. The vision was ours - it was our idealized (fire sign) image.

The reality? That's so often something else entirely.  And reconciling ourselves to that reality is not exactly what we want (Leo) to do, especially when it comes to our kids.

You know...those Leo creations of ours. 

Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is a respository for memory - and the habits which are the psychological form thereof, too. Cancer is about culture and heritage, our homeland and how/where we live. Thought of symbolically as the surf zone and tidal surges which are driven by the Moon's phases, Cancer and all things 4th house are a pretty good description of our the daily doings of family life, the classic family squabble and yet how that same family pulls together like a well-trained army when approached by any external entity.

Cancer builds on the past and looks to the future, figuring out what it takes to get where you want to go. Leo meanwhile, is all about what we make in the present. Leo hones its skills. Leo practices its art - whatever the artwork of the moment may be. Leo lives for the moment and makes the most of it. Leo envisions, but the practicalities of that vision and what it takes to get there? That's not a Leo problem. What, you want greatness and brilliance and operative parameters too? 

If you're looking for doing, Cancer is the cardinal sign. Cardinal signs do. Leo being a fixed sign describes its 'fixation' in the moment; don't ask the child to move on, they're busy having fun! They haven't seen where the ladybug is going yet! They haven't finished their imaginary story! 

Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is feeling and nurturing. The Moon being a reflective body, Cancer should reflect on what it does, though let's be real - at times the high tide just sends parents barreling on their way like some giant storm surge. And there are also those moment of New Moon darkness when parents feel emotionally lost and without a guiding light.

Given all that, I guess it's not all that surprising that Parent's Day falls under Sun in Leo. The Sun(ny) side of parenting is all the fun we have playing with our little ones - the way having kids lets you relive your own carefree moments of childhood. So what if the Sun's in your eyes and you're not getting the whole picture? It's a holiday!

So I say enjoy it...that's what holidays are for!

Jupiter squares Pluto

At July 25th, 1:51am/GMT (as this blog goes up) Pluto and Jupiter are in perfected square.

Sounds lovely, right? Well, it can be. But as the old song goes, it ain't necessarily so. 

(The song is from 'Porgy and Bess,' in case you care.)

To begin with, that this happens within the two-day leeway auspice of Jupiter's station/retrograde tells us it's part of that process. So if you didn't read that blog post, you may want to start with yesterday, then read today. And yes, I'll wait right here while you're gone.

For those ready to charge on, several astrological things have changed in the day-and-a-half between these events, the first and most obvious being the position of the Moon. Given that the Moon's position (and thus its effects on all things earthly) delineates the angular perspective on life (otherwise known as our point-of-view on things), this is where we start.

So...the Moon is at 22 Capricorn. Moon in Capricorn is known for hard line decisions - some of which are made without taking all facts and factors into account.

At the time of the Jupiter station, the Moon was at 1 Capricorn. And now what with it being at 22 Capricorn, that offers us a lovely picture on how decanates work.

I keep saying 'decan' and 'decanates' and not everybody gets it. So let's have a moment of group grok: each sign is composed of 30 degrees. This thirty degrees gets divided into three ten-degree segments (zero to 9, 10 to 19 and 20 to 29), each of which is called a 'decan' or 'decanate' (from the Latin 'deca' for 'ten). So....

Any time you see anything astrological in the first decan it's about the physical or the doing of something.

All second decan positions are emotional - yes, even in air signs! There's a rumor which goes around about air signs not being emotional - have we never heard of a passionate thought, people?

All third decanate positions are about how things work once we 'put them out there.' This decan symbols all require that we let go and see what happens - we don't get the reward until we become willing to risk the critique.

So with this transiting square having a 22 Capricorn Moon signature we know the flow of this dynamic has to do with things public and worldly. This tells us that this moment may be all about you waiting to get a reaction. Or your having to let go of something (sending it out into the world beyond your control) in order to see if it 'works.' Or you may be hearing from the world - getting all that feedback on something you've said, done, or even failed to do (which is another form of 'putting it out there,' it's just the refusal to do instead of the doing!).

And the world in turn...it may be acting in haste. Then again, it may be saying or showing you how you acted in haste and/or with lack of forethought (etc.). Given how Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, that also reminds us that Saturn has just moved into/committed to a transit of Libra...and again, you may want to read the blog on that shift (posted this past Wednesday) in order to understand today in light of that a little more fully.

Basically though...since Saturn in Libra is about how we present ourselves, our positions, relationships and/or "products" to others and thus how we are received (otherwise known as cause/effect), this moment carries that entire note. Discussions, critiques, feedback, negotiations, debates - even meeting up with new situations, people, ideas and circumstances typify this kind of moment.

Will you be the presenter or the presented to? Like as not, a little of each. But whether you will prevail? That has to do with whether you have thought only of yourself or have taken the standards, needs, feelings and morays of others.

Another factor which has changed is the tenor of thought and communication: since Jupiter's station Mercury has moved from 23 Leo (need/aptitude for organizational versitility) to 26 Leo (reconcilliation of natural forces/instinct with greater contexts).

 
Why am I making these comparisons?

Well, one of the really effective ways to learn how transiting global astrology works is to do just this: by looking at subtle shifts and thinking back to even a recent moment, you see how events evolve in parallel with zodiacal and celestial themes.

And once you 'get it,' all of astrology becomes more useful.
 

So! Continuing on...at the time of Jupiter's station the Moon stood opposition Polyhymnia (happiness), asking us if we had done enough or gone too far. As Jupiter went retrograde, we internalized that moment and now are proceeding to reflect on it.

But the world? The world (time, the Moon) it just ticks along. So now we're experiencing some of the ripples in the pond, the rewards and consequences flowing out from that station. If things are good, you're basking in good feelings. If things are bad, you're dealing with turbulent social waters. 

Whatever is going, this is not the moment du jour: the Moon atop a black hole tells us this moment - good or bad is all about the experience of 'alternative emotional realities.' Given how the Moon is also conjunct Circe (rendering humans animalistic) and Scheherazade (powerful storytelling), insight is strong - and it may be about you understanding others...then again, it may be you seeing how others (or the world) see(s) you.

From Friday's station to today, black moon Lilith (the calculated/societal form of Lilith) has also moved from 2 to 3 Pisces. At the station, it manifested as uneven social situations which without sufficient goading wouldn't get where they needed to go. But now at 3 Pisces? Now there's some 'oomph' and social clarity. The subject is how well privilege or resources have been used, resulting in applause or some sort of judgment saying an opportunity has been squandered coming to the fore.

Putting these things together, we see a trend towards feedback from others. Are we expecting it? Good question, and one which like as not hinges on how well we have judged other people...a statement which takes us back to some of that 'How good are you at judging human nature?' stuff talked about in the blog on Saturn entering Libra.

If you have underestimated someone, they are likely to "emerge from a black hole" like some Alice in Wonderland rabbit being pulled out of your hat (or somewhere else, but we won't go into that!).

Plus with Venus still in emotional degrees of Virgo (where we tend to feel undervalued and/or put upon) no matter how wonderful you are, you cannot expect to have everything your way or feel totally appreciated. Maybe even understood. Ethics and integrity are very much at the fore now - and as a theme you can anticipate that they'll continue to ring through human harmonics for at least 36 to 48 hours.

Metaphysically, this is sort of a 'how many pockets has Peter Piper picked?' question about if/where you have taken care of yourself at the EXPENSE of others. We all do it, the question is whether you did it knowingly and/or to what extent you did it. About the best anyone can do here is own up to mistakes and/or bad behavior and move on, so if you've been particularly self-willed or naughty of late get out your recipe for humble pie and start baking!

But be warned: with this moment all about Jupiter squaring Pluto (you knew we'd eventually get to the big stuff, right?) you can't just mince, cream, bake and scoot - that simply won't work. You have to own the issue and make the changes which prove to others that you've really 'gotten it.' Nothing else will do.

A last note here on what this all may feel like...when we look at Greek myth and who these characters Pluto and Jupiter are we get that Jupiter is Zeus, King of Olympus and ruler of all. Pluto is Hades, ruler of the afterlife, 'buried treasures' (in soul and in earth) and all things transformational, be they the orgasm of sexual experience to the karma of death and resurrection to bankruptcy to changes of job, spouses and so on.

More to the point here, Zeus and Hades are brothers. So this isn't really about you and the world; this is your world - the fact that you really are part of this world (the whole world and nothing but the world) and that the world is thus part of you. This is thus all about learning about how to reclaim our integrity while reconciling  disparate forces in our world, in our social circles and in ourselves.

And this isn't just about people. This is a global transit. So it affects corporations, governments populations, you, me the door mouse in the barn, production of shoelaces wherever they get made, bumblebees in Brazil and everything else.

And that, in the end, says we are all going through changes right now. Not one of us is truly comfortable. We are all duly aware of big problems and big issues - in our lives and otherwise. Thus the question ultimately is whether we will take hold of all these challenges or avoid them or resist them. There aren't any immediate solutions here (issues of the moment play out in November of this year and February of next year) but this is a step in a process.

We can take that step, or we can not take that step or we can refuse to see the larger parameters and take a misstep. Whatever we choose to do or not do, where that takes us is up to us on an individual, interactive and yet ultimately collective basis.

And thus we determine our own individual and universal destiny. There is no 'it's too big a problem' here - there is only your willingness to grapple with reality.

An Anniversary: Man Lands on the Moon

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

These few words marked a huge change in human history. Man had left Mother Earth and stood on a different celestial body.

The date was July 20, 1969 (20:17:40 UT) and the chart for this event is both interesting and sobering in that it shows Uranus and Jupiter at zero Libra - almost exactly opposite the postion they are today (you may remember both planets entering Aries: Uranus in late may and Jupiter in early June of this year).

Whatever your politics and opinions on space travel, the unity of Uranus and Jupiter at zero Libra is a huge astrological statement. Libra is the sign about who we show ourselves to be. In this case, nobody was there watching, so this was greatly a statement BY mankind TO mankind about what we are truly capable of, as echoed by Pallas (wisdom) standing at 26 Sagittarius - location of our own galaxy's black hole core and a postion well known as being about giving to the world...or as they say in films, 'beyond.'

With supermassive Black Hole M87 standing at 1 Libra, this Uranus/Jupiter is at the point of 'falling across the singularity' - a singularity being the name of a black hole's edge. Thus this is a picture of humankind being drawn into the 'alternative reality' represented by any black hole: it's a moment of inexorable wonder as we grasp ourselves capable of being truly part of a universe so vast as to boggle the imagination.

The Moon here - representing the body and spirit of mankind stands in a late minute of 7 Libra, a degree fraught with the profound challenge of understanding what love and power and existence really mean. That it is conjunct Diadem (the crowning glory) and Polyhymnia (happiness) expresses well the elation of that moment. But with Diadem having been at that time positioned at 8 Libra, the 'widow's degree' we also get a very clear message that for all the glory of the achievement, mankind is still aware of feeling very alone in this universe.

And how maybe we are most in mourning for our own ability to be loved and respected by our own kind. Libra is a sign all about respect and honesty - and given the enormity of this moment, that not decades later it would be questioned, even marketed as a hoax is a sad thing indeed. Can we not as a race simply accept our achievements?

Pictured by Eris (discord) conjunct Sappho (universality) in a challenging opposition to Moon-Diadem-Polyhymnia, apparently not. Does one person's joy always HAVE to earn denigration? In this picture, the Libra Moon's connection to a Gemini Venus conjunct Nessus (poisonous jealousy) and Hebe (service to/of others) in a degree prone to confusion or confusing the issue suggests the real issue is projection.

In other words, who is making that accusation and why do they feel it so necessary an accusation to make?

This again brings us back to Libra's hallmark 'cause-effect' in the world of human relations and relative peace - or lack thereof. This is particularly important now as Saturn is poised to commit to its transit of Libra and the juxtaposition of these events is so acute as to suggest a metaphysical tie reminding us that one of the first and most important rules of human psychology...sadly...is that we will always (always!) accuse others of our own worst fault. The jealous will accuse others of jealousy, the materialistic will accuse others of materialism - and so on.

This chart is certainly one for us to reflect on. In the forty-one years since Neil Armstrong took that 'one step for all mankind' Jupiter and Uranus have moved to the opposite (Aries) pole of their synodic (interactive) zodiacal cycle. And here we all are dealing with floods, famines, wars and disastrous oil spils.

We took one big step for mankind, yes. But apparently that step wasn't big enough. Let's hope that in the next forty-one years we right some of our own ineptitudes and attitudes. This planet is bigger than we are. We talk about hurting the planet but the reality of it is we aren't hurting the planet, we're hurting our own ability to LIVE on this planet.

That's the crux of Aries. And as Saturn moves into Libra we may be sure that we are going to hear much more about that. Jealousy means nothing when compared to the very survival of life.  

As the Zen masters say...walk on.

Or to quote Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear, 'to infinity...and beyond!'

Our infinity started with that first step on the Moon. Where will we go from there?

Mercury in Cancer

 Mercury transiting across the Sun - source: News/CNET

Mercury moved into Cancer today. 

So what, you say?

Well, granting that this may not be earth-shattering news, it does signal a change in attitudes. And tone. Which is valuable to you because it says a lot about what's going to come up for discussion...and what approach is most likely to work whether you're in a negotiation or just some garden variety conversation.

Being a water sign, Cancer is automatically emotional. This tells us that as of today, the emotional approach works better than it would have, say....yesterday.

Yes, things do change just that darn quick - not to mention universally.

So where yesterday's appeal to logic might have gotten you where you wanted to go, today (and for the next while), getting into how others feel...or appealing to them in feeling or heartfelt terms is more likely to get a point across. Or - as they say - win friends and influence people.

With that said however, how you feel about 'things Cancerian' may make you more or less receptive to emotionalism in general, emotional appeals, or discussing feelings - yours or anyone else's...which may make you a card carrying member of the Bah, Humbug! club.

Then again, it may just be something far less dastardly and distinguished (sounds like a law firm, doesn't it?) People with air sign Moons are notorious for not liking how it feels when anyone tugs on their heartstrings. They tend to feel 'played'...you know, like a harp. And when Mercury transits any water sign, talking to someone with a water sign Moon may tap into some sort of emotional geyser. 

Obviously we can't cover every contingency about every person you may meet up with here. Nor do I expect that you have the chart on everyone you know - heck, I don't even have that! And we're never going to know the data on people we run across  during the average roustabout day. That's just a given! 

But we can say a few conceptual things about Mercury in Cancer which may be rather useful. 

First of all, water signs vary. Cancer is associated with the surf zone - which may explain to you why it's associated with the Moon, seeing as it's the gravitational pull of the Moon which causes tides. From this we draw that the conversational or situational Mercury in Cancer is also going to have not just tidal rhythms, but waves.

How will this work? Well, rather like the surf itself. While Mercury remains in Cancer, every day is going to have surges and ebbs. But apart from that, there's a 'rising tide' to the entire transit of Mercury through Cancer - a transit which begins today (June 25th) and runs to July 9, when it moves into Leo sometime during the day depending on where you be at that time.  

From June 25 through June 29, the emphasis is on what you do, what you're going to do, or what you've done. This may be a testing, or testy time.

Between June 29 and July 4, Mercury will be in Cancer's most emotional decanate (degrees 10 thru 19) which added to the Sun being in Cancer signals an emotional high tide.  Expect feelings and the expressing of those feelings to be more frequent, more fervent, more exultant and more moody during this time.

From the 4th to the 9th, Mercury moves through Cancer third and last decan (degrees 20 thru 29). The third decan of any sign being where others see what we've been up to, now efforts play out  and you see where you stand...or what you yet need to rise to. 

There's another quirk to throw in here too, namely that the Sun and Mercury will be running in conjunction from June 25 through July 1st. And when the Sun and Mercury are positioned close together, the Mercurial thought process gets a bit...well, let's just say 'drowned out' - that works in a water sign, right? 

And if you don't get why this would be? Look at the photo heading this lovely blog piece. That little, itty, bitty dot is Mercury - the whole Mercury and nothing but the Mercury. The Sun is HUGE! It's hard to remember how large the Sun really is. But it is...gigantic, I mean. 

Anyway, during these periodic Sun/Mercury conjunctions, a bit of personal myopia tends to be going around. So during this time - overlapping from the 'doing' sector into the 'feeling' sector, try to think long term. It won't be easy, but try anyway.

To this we should add just a few more thoughts, the most basic of which comes from the idea that Mercury rules two signs: Gemini and Virgo.

Gemini is an air sign all about the 'idea' of the thing and our ability to think, choose and manage life as effectively or badly as we will.

Virgo is an earth sign all about practical, tangible things. With Virgo, the thing works or it doesn't. There's a practical and pragmatic way to get things done and a proverbial means to the end. That doesn't mean that we always do it that way, but Mercury's association with Virgo is all about the search for the effective method, even if we ignore it once we've identified it!

Put these ideas together and you get why Mercury represents curiosity and a need to understand. Thus in Cancer, Mercury sorts through the basics and finds out what works, and what doesn't work. Given its natural position at the bottom of the zodiac wheel, Cancer is about foundations, thus Mercury in Cancer focuses on really basic values, asking what they're 'worth' to you.

This is where the negotiating comes in. Maybe something is worth it to you...maybe it isn't. And since there are always two parts to any conversation (and since Mercury is associated with pluralities) this makes for a lot of questioning. And answering. And asking why someone wants to know.

Hey! What's it to you, bud?

Considering Cancer rules families, real estate, cultural and national heritage, populations (of any size - civic, familial, national, ethnic, etc.), the homeland, end of life issues, childhood, memory, traditions and in families, particularly the father - and that both the Moon and astrological water are metaphors for money (liquidity, one might say), these subjects are likely to be focal points for discussions.

And don't just take this as a finite list - do a little (Mercurial) conjugating!  What do I mean by that? Well, real estate + money = home financing and home loans (or the need for same). Family + end of life issues = wills, trusts, funerals and probate matters. Childhood + memory (or tradition) can equal simple nostalgia or taking a trip half way across the globe in order to explore your personal roots. 

A last few words. There are two big 'general' groups of us right now...those for whom life may be a little odd, but basically stable - and those whose lives have either been totally tumultuous or which have begun 'shifting' through influences beyond control since...(oh....say,) early May. The former group is not being affected by the July 11 solar eclipse at 19 Cancer - the later camp is being affected by said solar eclipse. 

If you're in the first group, Mercury in Cancer may have it's up and down moments (high and low tide with a few particularly large waves) but basically it's just one of those months.

If you're in the second group, Mercury in Cancer may feel like someone is pressurizing the life vessel you happen to be encased in. And while this isn't fatal, it sure is likely to be uncomfortable.

Whoever you are, expect a lot of emphasis on 'how it looks,' many an assumption being made before all the facts are in (much shooting off of mouths) and a lot of things becoming public knowledge which in calmer moments might have been contained or gone unnoticed.

To paraphrase Bette Davis, it's going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. But not necessarily a bad one!

June 2010 Lunar Eclipse: Change or Be Changed

l

 Lunar Eclipse 2000 - source: NASA

June 26, 2010 is Lunar Eclipse time. And if you think the chart of said eclipse (below) looks like the Cancer Ingress chart, it does.

But there are some very important differences....

In astrology (like in its sister-science, astronomy), what looks ‘little’ on paper is often a big giant deal...a dot of light in Earth’s night sky can be a supernova measuring light years across. 

So let's start by thinking of it like this: the Ingress chart is a picture of dynamics which unfold over three mortal months. Lunar Eclipses are emotional events…the reverberations and repercussions of which resonate for three months.  Some say six months, but in my experience by the time three months have passed, the biggest part of the upheaval (if there is to be one) is over. You may still be batting clean-up, but the game...as it were...has already been won or lost.


Which brings us to a big point of differentiation between solar and lunar eclipses: even when a solar eclipse is smack dab on one of your chart points, it concerns a form of personal evolution - and it takes time for a fish to become a slogging amphibian which becomes a spraddle-legged reptile which becomes a rapacious dinosaur which then becomes the fluffy, clucking chicken providing eggs for morning breakfast.

(Just think...you're actually serving up a dinosaur over easy!)

As opposed to this, the lunar eclipse which hits your chart with any acuity? They're  notoriously prompt. Like spit-spot on, as Mary Poppins might say (were she an astrologer...which she may be for all I know!).  

Getting back to the point here, an ingress is a solar event. Thus it's it’s about what we do in the course of building, maintaining, managing and having a life. The lunar eclipse is about feelings. So in a sense you might say that an Ingress chart is a calendar - a overview of Earth's next quarter cycle. A lunar eclipse is a moment in time which changes everything. And since the Moon moves from sign to sign every two days, the Moon in an ingress of even a week ago is hardly the same as the one involved here in this eclipse.

And how is it different? Well, as chatted about in the Ingress blog, the season’s Moon is in Libra, a airy sign about the concept of relating to each other, things we learn through relating and how what we put out there is what we become known for. That Moon being in Libra's critical (29th) degree also told us that the ‘relating’ thing is…well, critical! 

Through the whole three months, I mean.

Not only that, but the position of that Moon (as part of the grand trine ‘engine’ of the season) means it’s part of and supportive of solutions to problems as a tool which allows us to ‘get things done’ or advance our cause over the next three months.

Against that, we have this eclipse Moon at 4 Capricorn, a degree known for warmth, depth and its ability to take on the ‘flavor’ of whatever else is at hand, a trait which caused me to compare it to tofu not many days ago. And considering the Moon as metaphysical symbol of nurturance (emotional nutrition)...? That seems apt.

HOWEVER…

This 4 Capricorn Moon is but on part of the lunar eclipse configuration. To review, eclipses only happen when a New or Full Moon is positioned within specified range of the lunar nodes, which automatically makes them social or societal events.

What happens specifically during a lunar eclipse is that Earth (reality) comes between the Sun (will) and the Moon, cutting off the ‘light of our emotional life’...and our
ability to 'reflect' - to moon over something, one might say! And this taking the ‘pause’ out of the equation is why lunar eclipses are events. You don't get to pause and dawdle a bit while you decide if a lunar eclipse has you in its zodiacal sites. Something happens – boom! 

And it's done. In one minute something isn’t true, in the next it’s your unavoidable reality.

The aspect of will being ‘cut off’ here is represented by the Sun at 4 Cancer – a degree described as 'defiant’ in a very particular way. What way would that be? Well, the habit here is to attempt to substitute your ‘reality’ for the real reality. You know…life. - the world or society you live in. 

This degree's rather Neptunian tinge is so strong that according to the lore, the biggest wallops are going to be felt by those whose egos rely on something (someone, or some activity) which allows them to ‘run away’ from reality. And given that Earth's position (reality) is now ‘cutting’ the connection between this will to continue doing whatever has been giving them their 'feel-good' fix...

...well, let's just say this is a recipe for an emotional ‘thud.’ And we're not talking any  ordinary ‘thud’ neither! That we know because the Capricorn Moon which is the focus of this configuration is exactly conjunct Pluto. And I do mean EXACTLY.

And because Pluto symbolizes transformational change...and BECAUSE it's sitting pretty much atop a galactic black hole, that means this eclipse has the power to be a do-all, feel-all, inexorable-feeling  ‘alternative reality.’

Which in mortal parlance might manifest as incredible insight...or a complete loss of control. And whatever it is, it’s a highly polarizing and very extreme-feeling event.

Plus  let's not forget that Pluto in Capricorn is a general call for changing standards with Pluto acting as verb-of-consequence. So when Pluto gets active in Capricorn, new things may come into being. Old things may get destroyed. Totally unexpected things may happen.This could merely mean you're in for a highly dramatic time. Then again, you may be meeting up with a very painful moment. 

It all depends on what kind of escapist you are - and let's face it, most of us are escapists of one kind or another. 

So...is this going to be YOU? That would be the important question, right?

For the answer to that, please get out your natal chart. Or go get one (there are links on this page). Even if you don’t have your birth time, the positions of planets will be pretty darn close, though you won't be able to use any of the house lines or the Moon.

Everybody ready now? Okay....then...

*********************************************************************

IF YOU HAVE A CHART POINT… 

....Between 29 Sagittarius and 9 Capricorn (OR) 29 Gemini and 9 Cancer, this eclipse has your name on it with a big tag labeled “DO YOU GET IT NOW?" 

....Between 29 Virgo and 9 Libra (OR) 29 Pisces and 9 Aries, prepare for a challenging moment which requires that you harness both your strengths AND your vulnerabilities.  

....Between 2 and 6 Aquarius (OR) 2 and 6 Sagittarius, disquieting or uncomfortable events are in the offing. Ego bruises are not unlikely: live and learn. 

....Between 2 and 6 Gemini (OR) 2 and 6 Leo: you can’t go on doing what you have been doing – take the hint! 

....Between 1 and 7 Pisces (OR) 1 and 7 Scorpio: this is a moment of opportunity when dealing with a problem depends on your being willing to see the truth and heed it.

 ....Between 29 Aries and 9 Taurus (OR) 29 Leo and 9 Virgo: dead or alive, your chickens are now coming home to roost.

*******************************************************

One more thing to understand about this eclipse. Because Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, and Saturn is currently in a 3rd decan (public, results dependent) section of functionality and propriety-oriented Virgo....

....AND in opposition to fixed sign Scheat (bad reception).... 

....AND in opposition to Lust/Uranus (new fixations or breaking through a fixation)....

...AND in opposition to Jupiter/Tantalus (knowing you’ve done the wrong thing)...

...the root of this moment is really about something done some time ago. If that was unproductive (in the 'totality of your life' sense) or really sincerely naughty, expect to encounter a bad time. 

And the solution is not to try to justify it. Nor will pointing fingers and blaming others really work. The only answer here is to get over yourself and clean up your act!

But there is good news. And that good news is that while lunar eclipses can be upsetting to the max, they're not (generally) life/death events. If you’ve been a very bad girl or boy, yes, you may need to devote some serious time/effort to rehabilitating your reputation...even with yourself. And those who ignore the handwriting on the wall (in bas relief) now are likely to get some sort of truly uncomfortable come-uppance rather soon...say, in the environs of October, 2010 (give or take 6 weeks). 

Those effects will be lasting. These are merely temporary. And no, that isn't to say they couldn't be tres, tres ouchy...but what would you prefer, temporary or chronic regret?

But wait...isn't there even a smidge of a chance this could be a fabuloso and wonderful moment? 

Why yes...! That could well happen. But again, that would depend on past choices. 

The great Pluto theme words are create, deny, destroy with the values behind its engine being all about your willingness to risk and learn better. Not more enjoyable…better as in productive and humanity-oriented, not precisely your druthers oriented. And seeing that we're talking a Capricorn Pluto influence, this isn't about  short-term pleasure either. What you're looking for here is the long term investment (and what's worth investing in). And yet....

...given the situation what you need to get to that ultimate satisfaction may not be what you think you (Moon) want at this moment. Which is where Pluto/Moon comes in as a unit. In raw terms, Pluto/Moon is 'change of feelings.' Or because the Moon often represents money, women, the state of the body (health or conception/good or bad news) any one of these arenas may get highlighted. 

If something changes, whatever changes, though you may be very used to it as part of your status quo, for reasons entirely individual, what you have been invested in may have been keeping you from the thing or effort or relationship or life status you really, truly need.

And let's face it - when you get right down to it, need trumps want every time.

It's just...well...sometimes we just think we need what we want. 

But then comes the eclipsing of our reality. 

Oh yeah...that. 
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Holey Eclipse, Batman! (by Alex Miller)

Probably best known for his work with galactics, my long-time friend Alex Miller has stopped by the blog today to give us all a few thoughts on Saturday's lunar eclipse.

Take it away, Alex !

Monster Black Hole - source: National Geographic

 Holy Eclipse, Batman!

  
...Black Hole-y, that is. The Lunar Eclipse of 26 June 2010 sets off a Galactic Grand Cross of Deep Space energies guaranteed to keep things hopping for the next six months.  With the Moon eclipsed at 4 Capricorn, opposed a 4 Cancer Sun, a primal polarity of Black Holes is activated; add in squares to the Pulsar at 3 Aries and a Quasar at 5 Libra, and we have the makings of a truly stand-out astrological phenomenon.

Black Holes, those virtual pinpoints in space whose gravitational pull is so intense that not even light can escape them, promote the volte face, the sudden, swift, unexpected and complete reversal of the status quo. Conditions change in the twinkling of an eye to ones wholly unrecognizable from what pertained before.  In essence, you have changed universes - you can’t go home again. They drain energy from whatever they touch, creating instability and uncertainty, but they also tap us into the limitless potential of the unknown, and make possible what was previously considered unthinkable, both good and bad.

Quasars are among the brightest and furthest objects in the universe; they shine a bright spotlight upon whatever they touch and promote notoriety, success, achievement and attaining of goals.  It’s just not possible to keep hidden what they illumine, it stands out in a crowd, like placing a beacon on a hilltop.

Pulsars, rapidly rotating stellar remnants that emit regular bursts of energy in the radio and X-ray frequencies, are informational in nature, often provoking media attention or newsworthy events.  They can provide “body knowledge,” a sense of “just knowing” a thing to be true which wells up into consciousness from a cellular level.

Put it all together, and you’ve got a formula for some cosmic fireworks.  Add Pluto with the Moon at 4 Capricorn, just shy of the 5 Cap Black Hole, and Mercury at 2 Cancer with the Sun, both within the grip of the Black Hole at 4 Cancer, and the picture gains some clarity.  Add Uranus at 0 Aries and Jupiter at 2 Aries, both conjunct the 3 Aries Pulsar and squared the eclipse, and there’s even more substance to the image.

The Moon with Pluto and the Galactic Grand Cross has a positive and a negative message to convey. On the plus side, Moon/Pulsar is incredibly intuitive, has its finger on the pulse of the possible, and with the Black Hole giving access to the potential realms in parallel universes and alternate dimensions, it’s within your grasp now to transform (Pluto) your reality, enacting a new one and grounding it here (Quasar), breaking free of the habitual conditioning of the past (Moon).  Go with your gut, and with Jupiter in the mix, think big, expansive thoughts; the Black Holes say that anything is possible, so you may as well dream big. Uranus urges us to envision a more enlightened future, using the technological marvels at our disposal to refocus our life energy (Sun) and establish plans and procedures (Mercury) to achieve success (Quasar).

But there’s a potential downside as well. Mercury opposed Pluto can seem hopeless, helpless, our thoughts (Mercury) too dark to allow of the possibility of freeing ourselves (Uranus) from the emotional morass (Moon/Pluto) we seem to be stuck in.  The Black Hole here can make it difficult to convey our message, even if we see the silver lining in the clouds that lower.  In thinking too much of ourselves (Sun) we can become stuck in old patterns (Moon) and outdated assumptions or life scripts (Jupiter), not allowing ourselves to shine (Quasar), hiding our light under a bushel.  It’s in focusing on others, and how we may be an aid or catalyst (Pluto) to their development, making connections and networking (Quasar), sharing ideas (Mercury), theorizing (Jupiter) about a more expansive, collectively beneficial future (Uranus), that we can truly transform our reality (Black Hole) and find the security and comfort (Moon) we crave.

Emotions are likely to be in particular flux at this time, with moods swinging rapidly and running the gamut from A to Z in the blink of an eye.  Pay special attention to dream images and impressions, as these can provide vital clues to future action or resolution of prior conflicts.  Thoughts, too, can be unstable, even chaotic, but Mercury with a Black Hole also grants a highly creative perspective, with heretofore unconsidered solutions to age-old problems presenting themselves.

Nationally, with the eclipsed Moon and Pluto opposed the US Venus/Jupiter combination at 3 and 5 Cancer, it’s time to face our propensity to over-spend, over-extend ourselves financially, and pass the fiscal buck.  It can’t go on forever, and Pluto’s recent focus on overhauling our monetary structures is about to be joined by some serious shocks to the system provided courtesy of Uranus in square to Venus/Jupiter next year, and the hard times and deprivation likely brought on by Saturn’s upcoming square late this summer. This Lunar Eclipse may be yet another warning shot over the bow of the US financial industry; expect further upsets and volatility in these markets over the next few months, with Black Hole instability guaranteeing some heart-stopping thrill rides like the infamous “Flash Crash” of May.

Probably the most potent fact about Black Holes is their unpredictability - but whatever they bring, you can be sure it will be record-breaking, sensational, and sweeping. If you have natal placements between about 0 and 8 degrees of Cardinal Signs, this eclipse is especially focused on you, but regardless, we all have to deal with the fallout. And with the Galactic Grand Cross activated, that could be considerable.

Can You Hear Me Now? (Part 1): Getting that astro-"in" with someone

I once had a doctor I needed to deal with but felt very disconnected from. Surely there was some way to 'click' with this guy?

So I did what astrologers do: I asked for his birth date. I can't recall at this point (years later) whether I did it the old fashioned direct way, or if I got to it by playing any of the hundred games astrologers play to get folks to spill.

In this case, he spilled (verbally) and I retreated to my casa of the moment and looked up his chart.

Should you want to try synastry for yourself ('synastry' being the chart-to-chart comparison of symbol positions), try to keep these rules in mind:

If your planet connects with their Sun, you need to approach them in terms of who they are. You may even want to read a sun sign book to get a clue first.

If your chart jives with their Moon, feelings, money, family heritage and anything they're really care about (general rule: with clothes on) is your quickest 'in,' but don't count on this holding their attention for longer than a conversation or two. In other words, it's a good 'in' but not necessarily what will build a real relationship.

A connection to their Mercury means you need to appeal to what they think about things or the whole subject of how people think, commmunicate and run their day-to-day lives. Appeal to their interests and try not to be too, too boring. Mercurys are...well, mercurial - like the metal which doesn't stay put or hold its shape. Move in and move on!

Hooking in via their Venus requires a deft touch with regards to their values and what they value. Asking what they 'like' or 'like to do' or 'admire' is a good one here, and flattery may get a spark, but don't pander. Venus connections are good with flattery right up until the time they get hungry for real human sustenance - at which point you either become a feast or a forget-me-knot (yes, knot).

If your planet connects with their Mars, you need to cooperate with what they're doing/want done or at least appear to be interested in whatever their immediate goals really are (immediate being the key word here).

Your chart point intersecting with their Jupiter is a classic give/take point. It could be teacher/student (roles may flip-flop back and forth), you could just be dealing with someone who wants to lord over you (which could get very tiring) or you may find yourself constantly having to feed one of their interests, drives or need - which could be fun....

....or it could be simply like trying to keep a very large shark fed, lest you get munched.

Your chart clicking in with their Saturn means respect is on the table. Know where they come from, what their standards are and what they're (maybe secretly, maybe not so secretly) afraid of. 

Unless they're very wishy-washy, watch yourself. And if they are an uber-wuss, be prepared: they may bail just when you need them. Or if you really, truly frighten them (in which case it's up to YOU to go un-frighten them!).

If your chart point connects with their Uranus...uh...good luck. Whatever aspect in you is getting their Uranian attention, don't expect constancy, consistency or agreement, so tread lightly, carry a fire extinguisher and when in doubt, try to laugh. You may need to do it as you're backing out the door, but laugh anyway.

Should your chart link with their Neptune, don't define - elicit! You'll get their attention by getting them to get into themselves and find the thing which connects with you. Work the fuzzy edges. Be willing to be a little vulnerable. They can't see whatever you're leading with, so give them time - allow them to figure out how much they enjoy you.

This brings me back to the doctor, it being my Neptune which connected with his Mercury. I looked at that (and looked and looked again) then realized I'd have to walk my own plank (blindfolded) if we were going to connect. 

Which brings up the other side of the coin - the You part. 

But let's finish the 'them' list first...

If your chart connects with their Pluto, you need to get what their strongest strengths and/or finest weaknesses are. Not what they say they are - what they really are! That's where they'll either adopt you, or need you. 

HOWEVER...if the symbol on your side is Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars or Nadir(IC), it's best that you play fair, too as a Pluto wronged is a terrible thing to face and the little list above (Moon, Venus, etc.) are not exactly where you're blast-proof.

This does brings up what you are connecting through. Sun is your life - who are you? What are you about? Moon is money and feelings (always a goodie!).

Mercury is thoughts - if it's your Mercury connecting with their whatever, expressing a thought which pertains to their whatever will start a conversation (as opposed to your whatever connecting with THEIR Mercury, which means you want to PROVOKE thought in them, which will get them to start a conversation with you).

Venus is values, and the infamous art of personal allure. Venus intices where Mars asserts...and knowing the difference between tempting and arousing is a really important thing whether you're in the board room or the bedroom (or trying to bed someone in the boardroom!).

Jupiter is knowledge, exploration and sharing. Have you ever wondered...? Did you see that...? I just learned that...? Isn't it amazing...? Do you know how to...? Do you know anyone who....? Fill in the blanks, then let them fill in the response.

Using your Saturn to reach someone else is mucho tricky, especially if your Saturn connects with their 'likely to be more personal' points (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, IC). When starting out, it's best to adopt a (non-inflammatory) stance and see what happens. By and by you may become the 'strong shoulder' or the one who leads the way but you can't assume that will work starting out. Our Saturns often 'look' intimidating to others even when inside, they're just something we're used to doing (which makes us look very expert and when we least expect, threatening!) or a 'social mask' we adopt either to fit in, or because we're not all that confident in/about ourselves.

Your Uranus hooking into someone elses chart gives you insight, but not permission to intrude simply because you understand, see, or know how to get under their skin.

In other words, don't blow it! Unleashing your brilliance (not your impatience) is good - as is humor...Uranus is all about humor! And try not to say "don't you GET it?" to the point they want to barf. Yeah, YOU get it, but they don't want to be friends with the most obnoxious know-it-all of all time! 

Our Uranus can be the most unattractive part of us (just go for the inference here, and use both hands if you have to...) so start with short-strokes and don't rush into that  heavy impact thing. If your opening improv works, there's time enough for all things - and in a relationship where Uranus is a basic connection, that 'all things' is really ALL  THINGS!

Neptune is everybody's blind spot - hence my feeling like I was walking a plank blindfolded with that doctor. (We did become friends, by the by...) What you believe (or believe in) works here, but figure on not knowing what you're doing. Or what you may catch - figuratively or literally!

Pluto embodies all you are obsessed with and everything which is your weakness. And in that weakness department, be prepared: it may be exactly that you deny about yourself. If your Pluto connects with any of their personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or particularly their chart axis (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven/MC or - ouch! - Nadir/IC) and they aren't just magnetized  by your presence, you might want to try someone else. 

If your Pluto connects with any of their generational (Jupiter, Saturn) or transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) there is a potential for alliance with all terms negotiable, so play a card and see what they respond with. 

Before I close, a word or two on chart angles: the Ascendant is what you're doing (or they're doing), the Descendant is what you/they want to be known for (or appear as) the Midheaven/MC is the longings, dreams, goals and ambitions department and the Nadir/IC is our foundation. 

Of the four, the Ascendant is the most obvious and the Nadir (or IC) the most vulnerable. And that vulnerability is more important to you than them - WAY more important. Nothing baby does remains standing when baby's IC gets undermined...and that applies whether you're the baby or they're the baby.

And just in case you're thinking to chop at someone elses IC - think again: this may be the point which generates more ill feeling (and vengeance) than anything else simply because it so does represent our softest of soft underbellies. 

Or....guys? Maybe not your belly, if you get me. 

We're just talking about basic basics here - your point matching up to their point within 5 degrees (a conjunction). And these are just the most standard of old-time symbols.If you really, really want more, make me feel your love and I'll DO more.

In the meantime, happy people hunting! 

And do try to play nice. Okay, or not! 

It does depend - I so do know. 


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96 Percent Unknown...the Macro-Microcosm of it all

We like to think we know what's going on in life, but evidently we don't.Of the 100% of
everything which Is, 23% is "dark matter" - stuff in our universe we can't quite define.

Another 73% is "dark energy" - stuff we don't even have much of a clue about.

That adds up to 96%.

And that 96% of Existence is unknowns means only 4% of everything is known.

Which leaves a lot of room for growing, never mind not knowing.

Way back when there was this group in Egypt known as the Hermeticists. Nifty in their
time, they left us one really superb expression: "As above, so below." It's an early sort of universal statement which science has fleshed out with cause/effect, E=mc2'd and the endless if fabulously fascinating patterns in existence, time, structures...all of which appear on the grand scale, the not-so grand scale and so on, right down to the
piddly and puny scale of life.

It's all patterns. It's all cause/effect. And what we see? What we know? That's just the tip of the iceberg!
 

Now that we all know this much, let's move on to June 26, when We of Earth are going to experience a lunar eclipse. (Yes, there's a solar eclipse on July 11, but first things first!) 

This lunar eclipse pictures the Sun at 4 Cancer with Mercury nearly alongside at 2 Cancer. Any time Mercury is that close to the Sun there's a focus of thought - in fact probably to some extent such an over-focus or narrowness of focus that we miss some of the bigger, more important factors. 

You know, those things which it might just help if we knew? 

The hardest part of being a person sometimes is definitely the 'being human' part, yes.

Anyway...so what's on the dinner table at this eclipse? Well, this 4 Cancer degree is itself about tests of rationality. How would you like your rationality served, my dear...rare, medium or well done?

Obviously we'd all like to think our rationales are 'well done' (no bleeding hearts on my plate, please), but this is a primal sort of degree which often tests our ability to be reasonable that we are left...raw. 

As for 2 Cancer, this would be the bratty kid in the family. You know the one - the kid who hogs everything and enjoys upsetting everyone else? 

Taken together this may well describe people or situations or societal entities which act rather selfish - even to the extent of choosing incompetency (even corruption) over other things just to get your way.

Or so that you/they don't have to face the real truth. Or reality, take your pick.

But being that Cancer is ruled by the Moon...never mind that we're talking about a LUNAR eclipse (oh, helloooo - lunar? As in loony and lunatic?)...all this takes us back to the Moon-Pluto end of the stick. 

And what a stick it is (you should be so lucky not to have it stuck to you!) Occurring in Capricorn, we know this eclipse concerns itself with structures or 'things structural' ...in your life, maybe in your body, with the job, the relationship - you name it.  Plus if we're talking Moon, we start out with a definite theme of 'status quo,' everyday life, life as we know it - all that. 

Into all this comes Pluto. Pluto is one of those metaphysical verbs which come as standard equipment with our solar system. And what Pluto 'says' (thematically) is this: what you get depends on what you chose. So where structures you've chosen are viable, you win. Where they're not so viable, you get clonked on the head (or some other appropriate part - not for me to say).

Oh - and I need to mention one more itty, bitty thing. Maybe not so itty bitty, come to think about it...this eclipse? It's formulated in a configuration known as a t-square. T-squares are all about challenges: think of the 't' as a hurdle set up on a running track. You start out with good intentions, and if you're able to jump the hurdle, you  continue to the finish. If you don't, you return to 'go' and start again.

In this particular configuration, since Moon-Pluto is standing at 'go' and this IS an eclipse, the failure is likely to really, really hurt. And if you fall, what are you going to fall ON? 

That's right - the hurdle. 

And what is this particular hurdle composed of? Well, first there's Uranus (terrible thing to fall on, Uranus...) Metaphysically speaking, this is innovative change versus disruptive anarchy - your choice. 

But wait - there's more! Next is Jupiter - which is either the expanding of our horizons and the glory of growth or getting overwhelmed, overburdened or blown out of the water by your own foolish arrogance. 
 

And we're not done. Standing with this possibly great, possibly terrible pairing is Lust (obsessive fixation versus productive passion), Eos (insatiable appetite/greed versus delighted fascination) and Tantalus (using knowledge for personal gain, regardless of the cost versus ridding the/your world of ills).

Being that this entire symbolic passel is in Aries, the thing we have to get past is something in ourselves. And those who don't, won't or are living in denial? They're the ones likely to get the worst of the Moon-Pluto (ruling) end of this eclipse as they fall on their Eos-Lust-Tantaus-Jupiter-Uranus. 

Which is better than falling on one's sword, if only because it's less likely to be fatal. (Still...big ouch. Mega ouch!)

Even more to the point are two other items worth mentioning - Pallas at  4 Scorpio (intuitive Wisdom) and Chiron at 0 Pisces conjunct calculated Lilith and 29 Aquarius (understanding society/social ills). In trine to the Mercury/Sun and sextile Moon-Pluto this is a figure known as a 'kite' in which though it's really, really tough to stop doing what we've been doing because oooooh, it's so much easier than other things and we really like doing it our way (and behaving like brats)...

...in spite of all, we know better. Like, oy...what a pain. A pain in my...

(No, I'm not going there.)  

So why bring this into a discussion about how much we don't know about our universe and Existence? Because when Pluto-Moon come together they become a
door. And that door can close in your face hard. Or it can open before you, allowing you to explore a life, a world, a universe...

...96% of which you don't yet know. And that would be the purpose of eclipses to begin with.  

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