Dear friends,
Two special announcements!
Astrology and Tea - made for each other. Tonight I'm doing mini-readings at
Samovar Tea in San Francisco. I'll be there from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. If you have
been getting this column and wondering about your chart, or you know some
astrology but are curious how the traditional methods apply to you, or if you
have friends who haven't yet made the leap - stop by! If you have been wondering
about changes in your life, why things are the way they are, or just have
something on your mind, try out real astrology. Chose your topic and we'll
discuss your life from the perspective of the stars.
Samovar is a lovely teahouse with one of the best selections of tea available
anywhere. Slow down, sip fine tea, ponder your life. Tell your friends!
http://www.samovartea.com/
Free class! Folks, this will *not* happen again. Tuesday 5/31
I'll be teaching Moon astrology for GAIA San Francisco's FREE open house. GAIA
is like Learning Annex but way cooler. GAIA offers classes in subjects you
really want to learn - prosperity, relating, and movement to name a few. The
Moon is my specialty, and learning to read an astrology calendar is worth all
the horoscopes in print. You'll learn insights that can last a lifetime. And
you'll meet lots of groovy Bay Area people and the other fabulous instructors.
http://www.gaiasanfrancisco.com/
Open House on Tuesday 5/31, 7-10 pm
SpiralMuse Home of Well Being
3387-3389 22nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
*
Last week I attended a discussion featuring two highly respected American
Buddhist teachers: Pema Chodron and Jack Kornfield. Both of them agreed that the
most significant obstacle and hindrance to spiritual development in America was
our tendency to be hard on ourselves. Self-judgment, self-condemnation,
criticism towards ourselves - these are biggest hang-ups.
As an astrologer I have noticed a similar phenomenon interacting with clients -
often people will jump to a negative conclusion, or focus on a challenge in the
chart even when it has come after several strengths and opportunities.
What is this? How do we work with it? Can astrology shed some light here?
For astrologers and people who know the language, there are signs in our
nation's chart of July 4 1776 that point to this. Using the Sibley chart that
puts Sagittarius on the Ascendant, we have Mars in Gemini in our 7th house. This
will manifest in many different ways, but one of them is precisely this
phenomenon of self-criticism. Mars in Gemini goes after information
aggressively. It is the signature of the intellectual fighter, the lawyer, the
dueler of words and wit. But any planet in the 7th - the house of allies and
opponents - opposes the 1st - that's us, the people of the USA. So the principle
of hostility in the mind is quite literally against us in our very own chart. If
we want confirmation that Mars in the 7th is acting on our character in a
troublesome way, then we look to the ruler of that Mars in Gemini which is
Mercury. Mercury is retrograde in the US chart - we turn the mental hostility
inwards.
This is where astrology can be of benefit. We can't just make the energy go
away. We have Mars in Gemini as a nation, so this means we've got to work with
it somehow. How might we use Mars in Gemini in constructive ways instead of this
vexing self-criticism? [Please note nothing against Gemini here - don't self
criticize!]
As Americans, we go after information aggressively. We have to go after
learning, otherwise we are emotionally stuck. Take classes, read books, join
yahoo discussion groups where you are stimulated. Mars in Gemini in the 7th
means we need competition. Where there isn't an enemy we'll create one, and this
creates lots of political problems for the world, but how might we work this on
a cultural level? Debates, intellectual games and contests, chess, crosswords
and all other games of strategy, and of course, sports. We have transformed the
play of sport into high strategy - just check a football diagram, basketball
play set-up, or talk baseball to a long time fan. We intellectualize sports.
So if you resonate with the insight of Pema and Jack above, one strategy might
be to give yourself an outlet for Mars in Gemini energies. Try some healthy
intellectual competition. Talk about sports, or play tennis. Go back to board
games. Create an environment where the natural aggression of Mars can come out
in a way that doesn't do damage. This is what games and sports are all about!
*
Want even more astrology to read? Great article on real astrology here from NY
Newsday:
http://tinyurl.com/8gj76
*
Thanks for passing on this column to friends. If you are getting this column by
forward and like what you read, just send an email to sign up. Emails for this
list only.
*
Star*Watch
All times PDT. See below for comments on other visible planets. The Sun and Moon
together set the tone of the time. The Sun provides our orientation for the
month; Moon signs and aspects influence the energy of the day, and tells us how
we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet aspects influence the energies for
several days (sometimes weeks) before and even after the aspect depending on the
nature of the planets involved.
Sun * in Gemini. Our orientation of pleasure and safety changes to the curious
game player, the thinking and learner, the one who delights in wit. We'll want
to talk, read, and write. We're bored with safety now - we'll get kicks from
exploration, especially intellectual. Gather facts. Read and express. Enjoy the
play of words. Here's the catch - in America we are *so* much in our heads and
emails that Gemini can have too many rapid fire thoughts for its own good. Take
a few moments each day to connect with breathing, let thoughts come and go,
without running after them. This is the reverse of what Gemini wants to do -
Gemini Sun (Venus and Mercury here too this week) will naturally play with
thoughts all day and all night! Also, as light as Gemini can be, this is the
sign of the twins and there is a dark side. Exploration means seeing both sides.
Moon * days 23 - 29 (new Moon is day 1). We are in last quarter Moon, generally
a time to clear out and let go. Yet energies this week are intensely physical.
New Moon in Gemini on Monday June 6.
Monday 5/30 * Moon in Pisces. With Moon in Pisces, we like to feel instead of
think, and we might have had enough of this triple-time Gemini thinking and
chatting. Yet we want to accomplish today, and with the Sun on the royal star of
Spring we are blessed with new beginnings and new seeing. We feel more stirred
as the day goes on; exercise today, or physical restlessness may keep some up at
night.
Tuesday 5/31 * Moon in Pisces, into Aries in the evening, Sun square Uranus.
Moon in late Pisces is one of the most creative and imaginative places in the
zodiac. We are positively inspired, especially mid afternoon and then into the
evening. With 3 planets in Gemini our minds are zooming through thoughts like
birds zipping in the sky. We are challenged by sudden changes of plan this
evening, but at the same open to breakthroughs and new insights, especially in
relationships. We are learning and easily meeting with teachers and wisdom. Come
learn Moon astrology from me at GAIA's open house! See above for details.
Wednesday 6/1 * Moon in Aries, Mercury trine Jupiter early. Moon in Aries needs
new adventures. With the planet of our minds getting friendly assistance from
prince of presents Jupiter, we are thinking big. Santa has been on delay, but
with Jupiter going direct on Sunday, we'll have Christmas in June soon enough.
Thursday 6/2 * Moon in Aries, into Taurus late night, Mars square Pluto. Mars
square Pluto will drive this week. Yes we'll have positive intellectual
stimulation, but right alongside will be intense physical expression, deep rage,
and hostility. The aspect is exact mid afternoon - by the evening we'll have
relief. With Moon in Aries yesterday and today, we *must* have vigorous movement
to work with this energy. Our minds are after the truth today, and we have
special blessings to connect with the light tonight. We have prophetic dreams.
Friday 6/3 * Moon in Taurus, Sun conjunct Mercury, Venus into Cancer. After the
intensity of this week, we have blessings from women, beauty and the natural
world. The Moon and Venus are in mutual reception by rulership, yet both are out
of bounds - the gifts of these feminine planets are different than the usual. On
this most delicious day of Venus, skip work and head to the park. Feed yourself
happy plants and healthy animals. Create. Any planet into Cancer passes through
the very gate of life - pay homage to Venus here at 8:18 am PDT if you can. If
you can't, tonight will do!
Saturday 6/4 * Moon in Taurus, Mars trine Saturn. Our minds are moving quickly,
but with Mars trine Saturn, our exertions take the long and steady path. Moon in
Taurus helps with a solid approach to life. Slow down and feed your body after
the intensity of the week - boons are coming and we want to be ready!
Sunday 6/5 * Moon into Gemini. One of the best meditation mornings of the year.
Our minds, life and body join as one. After all this collecting of information
that we have done in Gemini, today we seek wisdom.
Have a stellar week!
Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl
If you don't want to know about why we love sports, need an enemy or two and
send nasty emails, and what we can do about it all, just reply with a "No
thanks" and you'll be off the list.
Wandering Stars - the planets
Mercury * in Gemini. We are thinking, thinking, thinking and talking, talking
talking. Information is flowing more quickly now than at any other time in the
year. Mercury in Gemini is its home sign - our minds are adept, quick, curious,
fast. Mercury in Gemini through June 10.
Venus * in Gemini, into Cancer. Venus in Gemini loves talking, reading, writing,
learning. Pleasures in the hands, and love comes in twos. Venus in Gemini
through June 3. Venus into Cancer loves children, feelings, food and the natural
world. She is sensitive and creative here, an artistic lover, deeply aware,
intuitive and protective. Yet Saturn's here, so Venus chills, and she attracts
older things and people. Venus in Cancer through June 28.
Mars * in Pisces. The artist, the poet, the voyager whose destination is within.
The drive to explore our depths, regardless of the weather. Sometimes a lot of
drugs, all in the name of the journey. Mars in Pisces through June 11.
Jupiter * in Libra. Blessings in love and partnerships! Learning in realms of
art and beauty. Jupiter turning retrograde, so we seek abundance through inner
means. Outer riches get put on hold. Jupiter direct on June 5. Jupiter in Libra
through October 2005.
Saturn * in Cancer. Structure and responsibility in the domain of our innermost
feeling life and among our families and tribes. A positive vision of this
energy: the sensitive yet authoritative parent. Saturn direct in Cancer through
July 2005.
For specific astrology insights just for you, please visit the
Services page.
* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *
