Dear friends,
What a difference a planet makes. On May 1 2003 GW Bush co-piloted a Navy Viking
jet on to the deck of the US Abraham Lincoln and proclaimed an end to the war in
Iraq. Crowds were cheering and the military was saluting. Even the wimpy
Democrats were saying hmm yes the war has gone without a significant hitch and
well yes at least Saddam is out of there. GW had rising approval ratings and the
congratulations of the world. In August 2003 those approval ratings reached over
60%, the highest they had been since the frenzied wake of 9/11.
Astrologically speaking, GW had Jupiter, planet of good fortune and
opportunities, in his first house. Jupiter had crossed into the all important
1st back in September 2002. The very day of his aircraft landing Jupiter was at
the same exact degree of his 1st house Mercury. "The war in Iraq is over!" and a
PR stunt that will go down in history - expansive communications, yes? In August
03, the month of the highest approval ratings, Jupiter crossed over GW's first
house Venus, planet of love. "We love you GW" said the United States. We approve!
Now it is a much different story. Jupiter is long gone. Well not exactly gone,
but less powerful in Bush's personal chart and soon to be even less so. Saturn,
planet of obstacles and frustrations, has taken over. Saturn is smack on Bush's
Ascendant [1] today and will soon come - and stay - on Bush's first house
Mercury. The same planet with the power to communicate "the war is over" with
Jupiter's blessings will now have to answer to Saturn. Why didn't the government
act to save lives from Katrina and the flooding? What of Plamegate? Among other
signs, it is this lengthy Saturn transit that led me to predict a severe crisis
for the Bush administration this fall. See
predictions posted in July 2005 here.
We so clearly with this example: Jupiter gives blessings and opportunities,
Saturn brings tests and difficulties. There will be some exceptions in certain
birth chart configurations, but it's a pretty reliable rule of thumb. For two
thousand years of traditional astrology Jupiter was known as the Great Benefic
and Saturn the Great Malefic - these terms are not for nothing.
This rhythm of opportunities and tests also repeats with the zodiac. Sagittarius
is a sign ruled by Jupiter, Capricorn a sign ruled by Saturn. Just this last
weekend of 9/10-11 the Moon was in Sagittarius; Monday and Tuesday it is in
Capricorn. Capricorn doesn't have to be "bad" like the life of GW is right now.
But if you watch the Moon through the signs you'll know you'll have
opportunities for positive expansion with the Moon in Sagittarius, and yet
willing to knuckle down and cut back with Moon in Capricorn. Sagittarius is time
to make life into a party. We all have our favorite ways of doing this. We shop,
we eat, drink, see friends, learn, create some happiness for ourselves. In
Capricorn we know it is time to get to work. We all have our dreams of great
accomplishment and with Moon in Capricorn we take the steps to make them happen.
The zodiac is the rhythm of life, the heartbeat of the world, and knowing this
rhythm helps you dance in time with the music. Watch the astrology and see for
yourself - what is the music of your own dance?
Last week I wrote of a way of learning astrology that focuses on precisely this.
Watch the Moon through the signs and how this connects to your own experience,
instead of reading books to figure out what certain planets in signs might mean
in birth charts. If you want to read astrology books, by all means go ahead! But
I am saying: if you are just beginning, start here. Begin with the Moon and your
own life. Just be aware of how the overall character of the weekend with Moon in
Sagittarius (Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday night at midnight) differs from the Moon
in Capricorn of today and tomorrow, and then how this again changes with Moon in
Aquarius on Wednesday and Thursday.
Why do this? Why learn these nuances and twelve flavors of energy? Because they
repeat and repeat. Queen Moon goes through all twelve signs in a month; King Sun
goes through all twelve in a year. This rhythm has been going on since the
beginning of time, and unless we knock something seriously out of orbit with our
nuclear foolishness, it will continue to do so. If you learn what Moon in
Sagittarius means for you, you already know something about the next time this
happens. You know that you'll have the chance to expand your life a little. With
awareness comes wise choices. If you pay attention to what Moon in Capricorn
means, you'll know how to put this energy to best use.
Once you are familiar with the signs start to incorporate the basic aspects -
the Moon's relationship with the Sun and Mercury, Moon conjunct and oppose
Saturn and Mars, and Moon conjunct and trine Venus and Jupiter. If you want to
go into the outer planets this is the place to start - Moon conjunct or oppose
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Just watch the time and see what happens.
Next week: Taking this to the next level - integrating the current astrology
with your own chart.
*
Up for a challenge? Feel like a duel? Especially with anyone of the opposite
gender? It's Battle Of The Sexes circa 2005. Venus just entered Scorpio and is
opposing Mars in Taurus. While Venus transits Scorpio once a year, and Mars
transits Taurus usually for 6 weeks out of every two years, the last time we had
Venus in Scorpio opposing Mars in Taurus was September 1973. That's right, the
month of the $100,000 challenge (big bucks back then) between tennis stars
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. She was 27 and he 55, but still this was a
major media event witnessed by 30,000 spectators in the Astrodome and 50 million
viewers on TV. [2] Oh yeah: Billie Jean trounced old Bobby, and women's sports
took a big step up. [3]
In our relationships, we've got something of the lover's duel going on. Some
challenge is unavoidable - fight fairly.
[1] For new readers: the Ascendant is one of the most important points in any
astrology chart. It is the beginning of the 1st house and the point that is due
east at the moment of birth. This is thought to be the point at which spirit
enters matter and is the starting place of any person or event.
[2] Read the story here:
http://tinyurl.com/7rroh
[3] Thanks to an anonymous astro friend for this Venus in Scorpio opposing Mars
in Taurus info and anecdote.
*
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*
Star*Watch
All times Pacific Daylight Time. See below for comments on other visible
planets. The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun is our
fundamental orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects are the energetic
pulls of the day, and tell us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet
aspects influence the energies for several days and sometimes weeks before and
after the aspect depending on the planets involved.
Sun * in Virgo. Partying is over, now back to school and work. We think and
accomplish all day long. Get a handle on your to-do list. Organize your
environment and purify your body. The trap of Virgo - criticism and
perfectionism!
Moon * days 10 - 16 (new Moon is day 1). Moon grows towards the magnificent
Harvest Full Moon on Saturday.
Monday 9/12 * Moon in Capricorn. Capricorn has the power of taking each small
step on the tough climb of the mountain of our aspirations. With Mercury in
Virgo, we improve all areas of life with the power
of thought - communications have extra zing to make their mark; transactions are
more beneficially productive; we know how to create health.
Tuesday 9/13 * Moon in Capricorn, Sun trine Mars. "Trine" means friendly
connection. Sun the King of life is the planet of action; Mars the warrior hero is the planet
of gumption and drive. Often how we act and what we fight for pull us in different
directions, but today and this week they are working together. We go after what
we want with extra force on the pedal. Don't worry about the speeding ticket -
just go.
Wednesday 9/14 * Moon into Aquarius at 2:00 am, Sun square Pluto. We are in
Virgo, having a productive week; Moon in Capricorn of Monday and Tuesday means
we'll be getting a lot done. But then there are the Pluto realities that
threaten our day to day like illness, terrorism, violence, cruelties of the
system. Today, even though we are strong and capable due to the energy of the
week, we also feel threatened by the darkness we don't like to face. The aspect
is exact in the morning around 7:15 am, but with Moon opposite Saturn at 2:00
we'll be feeling our personal tests in the afternoon as well. Moon in Aquarius means
we'll find happiness from human knowledge and connections. Share your wisdom and
learn from others. This will help get you through. With Moon moving to Neptune
in the wee hours, music, movies, and your favorite alcohol will help in the
evening too.
Thursday 9/15 * Moon in Aquarius, Mercury trine Mars, Mercury square Pluto.
Mercury following in the path of the Sun repeats the aspects of Tuesday and
Wednesday - we have intellectual confidence and drive, yet threatened by
darkness at the same time. Pressure's on but we've got the sure shot. After
10:30 am the energies lighten; easy to be more positive in our battles,
especially around 3:45 pm. Mercury-Mars exact 8:05 pm, and Mercury-Pluto exact
at 11:30; a night for calming herbs.
Friday 9/16 * Moon in Pisces at 2:25 am. Why do people think about pleasure and
romance on Friday? Well yes the weekend approaches, but why not obsess Thursday
night instead of Friday all day when we could be productive? Because Friday is
day of Venus! Venus insists on some loving or at least some sweetness. Today we
have a Venus day good for just that. Moon in Pisces means we'll be less in to-do
mode and more in to-wander and enjoy the garden of earthy delights. For those
learning aspects, Moon trines Venus at 11:50 am; perfect time for midday love note,
lunch date or at least day dream. Harvest Moon at her most spectacular tonight.
Saturday 9/17 * Full Moon in Pisces at 7:00 pm, Sun conjunct Mercury. With Sun
in Virgo our mission is to improve life by taking care of all the details. We
eat well and keep our bodies pure with organic foods and good water. We
exercise. We accomplish. And yet Moon in Pisces says: drop it. Forget about the
to-do list. Just be and experience and go with the flow of the world. Beauty
will inspire and life will take care of itself. This full Moon says: we get the
wisdom of Pisces if we take the preparations of Virgo. We are balancing our
Virgo discrimination with Pisces acceptance of all. We also have a special
opportunity to transform our darkness into light tonight, and see through all
illusion.
Sunday 9/18 * Moon in Aries at 2:46 am, Venus square Saturn in the wee hours,
Venus trine Uranus at 9:30 am. Last night was good for finding meaning and
connecting to the All but just not the best for the one-on-one of
romance. Venus square Saturn with the Sun and Mercury still in Virgo slows our
love-beat. Yet just after the disappointment we get a sudden
surprise. Energy of the weekend - a little bummed at the state of our love life,
we turn to our spiritual path instead on Saturday night to create some positive
vibes. And on Sunday morning, the phone rings - it's the person we hadn't
dreamed would call, but we're delighted that they did.
Have a stellar week!
Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl
Help share the wisdom of the Moon. Please forward Star Pearls to your friends.
Also posted to the website on Tuesdays
here.
If you don't want to know how Bush's approval ratings go up and down exactly
with transits of Jupiter and Saturn,
unsubscribe here.
*
Wandering Stars - the planets
Mercury * in Virgo. With Sun and Mercury in Virgo we get accomplishment,
purification and improvement full head on. Our minds are ticking off the to-do
list. Excellent time for learning anything that is of real benefit. This
especially includes health, skills, service. The trap - critical mind. Mercury
in Virgo through September 20.
Venus * in Scorpio. Venus in Scorpio is driven to get what she wants. What does
lady Venus like? Love and pleasure, as always, but now she takes them by force
or at least by subterfuge. Steamy sex, scotch or your whiskey of choice, and
daarrrk chocolate. Venus in Scorpio through October 7.
Mars * in Taurus. Strong drive for safety and pleasure. We're content to do
without risks - we'd rather pad our bank accounts and spend extra time for sheer
physical pleasure. Mars retrogrades here 10/1 - 12/9, so in Taurus until
February 06.
Jupiter * in Libra. Blessings in love and partnerships! Learning in realms of
art and beauty. Jupiter now direct and past the Dragon's Tail, so abundance and
blessings are coming our way! Jupiter in Libra through October 2005.
Saturn * in Leo. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much;
we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in
many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do
and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007.
Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are
more prone to hostility.
Dragon's Tail * in Libra. We fear loss in relationships. Art explores the
unseen.
* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *
