Dear friends,
Feeling lucky? Over the weekend and into this week Jupiter, the Great Benefic,
is on the bounty star of Spica. For thousands of years this star has been
considered the most positive in the sky. In poet Manilius' Astronomica, a famous
1st century 'tv guide' to the constellations, most stars get a few sentences.
Spica gets 2 pages. She is the star of the nightly sky show, literally.
Spica is the fruit of the harvest of the constellation of the Virgo goddess, the
sheaf of wheat she holds in her hands. We start with a plan - then we plant
seeds, water and feed, weed, watch over, wait, water and feed again, weed again,
wait more, then we get our results. Spica is the sky symbol of the results of
our hard work.
When royal Prince Jupiter's blessings combine with the bounty of Spica, fortune
is on our side. The message is: if we pursue wisdom, if we strive to uplift our
lives, we may just get a little assistance from the universe. Like the times we
run into just the right person to be our lover, teacher, friend, healer or
employer, we can experience uplifting connections now.
Since the most auspicious planet and most positive star meet up but once in 12
years, I'm commemorating the occasion by sharing astrology wisdom and giving a
talk! It's this Wednesday night at Fort Mason in SF.
Details here. We'll be
exploring two techniques of Greek astrology that I have found to be absolutely
captivating. Read on for a bit of a preview.
Firmicus Maternus was a Sicilian lawyer in the 4th century. He tired of the law
business and turned to astrology (I like this guy). He then wrote up a book,
"Astrology in 8 Books" to be exact, which the longest Greek text on astrology
that has survived to the current day. I would venture to say that most
astrologers haven't read it (the English translations, I mean).
Maternus starts like other traditional books on astrology - after a short
introduction and defense of astrology he goes into the planets, signs, houses
and aspects. Just two pages after talking about aspects, which everyone in
astrology know about, he talks about the theory of antiscia, which very few
people know about. Literally meaning 'opposite shadows,' the idea is that each
point in the zodiac casts a mirror point somewhere else. Maternus gives a lot of
importance to these mirror points. He even says that 'everything that is looked
for in men's destinies' (sorry not a lot of women clients back then) can be
found by looking at them. In analyzing hundreds of charts, I have found these
mirror points to be tremendously important, especially in relationships.
In the talk I'll explain how the mirror points are derived (quite simple) and
we'll look at a number of examples. Since we're in Libra season and oriented to
relationships, we'll check out the mirror point connections between famous
couples: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Frida Kahlo and
Diego Rivera, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We'll also look at a saint, HH the
Dalai Lama, and a sinner, Hitler. We'll see what this technique has to say about
the chart of the USA. And since the Moon will be in Leo, I'll devote time at the
end to everyone's favorite question: "But what about *my* chart?" Yes, for those
willing we'll put charts up on the board and see what the antiscia reveal.
Another technique that Firmicus Maternus especially likes is the duodecima, or
duads for short. Again and again he says: to understand the nature of a planet
in a chart, check the duads! This is another strange term that most astrologers
don't know about. Yet the idea is very simple - within each sign of 30 degrees,
there are 12 sub-signs. This is a really interesting concept. What if we thought
of the Sun in Libra-Scorpio (as it is today) instead of just plain Libra? Or
what if instead of thinking that your Venus was just in Scorpio, that you knew
she was in Scorpio-Taurus (also today)? Double your astro fun with the duads!
Really, this technique gives an important refinement to the expression of
planets and can change the way we think about the zodiac.
Please come if you'd like to learn more astrology. You don't have to be an
expert. The talk will be suitable for anyone who knows a bit about the signs and
planets and would like to learn more. If you have your own chart you may walk
away with new insights. You'll get to see how traditional astrology works, which
is a bit different than its modern cousin. And we'll have some fun with the
examples. If you aren't in the area, the talk will be taped by coordinator Steve
Pincus and Sun Recordings. Please contact me for more info.
*
Want insights on antiscia or duads in your chart?
Get a Life or Update reading. For information on scheduling, please visit the Services page.
I'm at Samovar
Tea for mini-readings on Monday nights from 7-9 pm. Ask any question
and ponder your life with fine tea.
Like what you are reading? Get it free
delivered to your email on Monday by
signing up here.
Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends!
Also posted to the website on Tuesdays
here.
*
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 Libra. Libra is the season of relationships. We experience life through
our connections with others. We delight in possibilities, but also have
indecision as the Libra scale swings back and forth, measuring the options. The
joys of partnership Libra are rich experiences in relating. The difficulty of
Libra is the very same focus on relationships means we easily lose our own point
of view.
Moon * days 24 - 30 (new Moon is day 1). In 4th Quarter, our energy naturally
wanes and we lean towards giving away and letting go.
Monday 9/26 * Moon in Cancer. It's our lucky day! If we took time to tend our
emotions over the weekend, we're rewarded by extra-sensitive perception.
Intuition favors us in relationships, business, creative pursuits - Cancer is
the mother of all and with Jupiter on Spica today through Wednesday all is
possible.
Tuesday 9/27 * Moon in Leo at 7:00 am. Moon in Leo likes extravagance, the
highlife, the spotlight - but all these are now dimmed with gloomy Saturn
putting a downer on the Lion's party. We can, though, push towards a goal, fight
against authority or leaders, take on a challenge. If we want the high-life,
we've got to work for it. We'll get this rhythm for 2 more years, as long as
Saturn is in Leo. All the more reason to take the time to nourish ourselves when
the moon is in cozy Cancer. Moon's exact conjunct with Saturn is 12:35 am on
Wednesday, so tonight is not high energy. A positive connection between Sun and
Moon benefits all mediation and yoga, as well as communion with women and men.
If anxiety plagues sleep, find a natural remedy.
Wednesday 9/28 * Moon in Leo. Mercury the messenger is in relationship Libra but
right near the South node of the Moon, the Dragon's Tail. The Tail can be seen
as the end of a cycle, which in turn becomes the beginning of a new one. We may
be thinking the past - past partners, past goals, family - anything from an
earlier time. Today Mercury crosses the Tail and starts on a new cycle of
manifestation. If you are reading this column and want to learn how real
astrology works, come to my talk at Fort Mason! Preview above and details
here.
Thursday 9/29 * Moon in Leo, into Virgo at 7:45 pm, Mercury trine Neptune. This
week the normally detail oriented messenger is strolling the art gallery. Our
minds are pleasantly captivated by images, music and art. But on a physical level
we bolt out of bed (Moon square Mars 6:15 am) and midday we've got charge. Moon
into Virgo in the evening puts a stop to Leo extravagance and glamour and begins
two days of accomplishment and quiet self perfection.
Friday 9/30 * Moon in Virgo. If you've been paying attention you know what Virgo
is all about - we just had Sun in Virgo the month before the Equinox. Now that
we're in relationship Libra, the tendency towards improvement given by Moon in
Virgo will play out in relationships. We get a shakeup or technology inspiration
around 11:00 am, and tonight will be a tad wild.
Saturday 10/1 * Moon in Virgo, Mars retrograde, Venus opposite Mars. When
planets change direction we get a stronger hit of their energy. Lots of people
know about Mercury Rx, but fewer pay attention to the other planets. This week
the burning, driven, aggressive energy of Mars comes to a head, and then tails
off as it begins to move backwards. This is like a pro athlete who gives his all
on the field and then is totally wiped for days afterward. Friday night through
Saturday is the 4th quarter of the big game and we're getting the max juice;
then for 9 weeks Mars energy turns inward. More on Mars Rx next week. Venus in
Scorpio opposing Mars in Taurus doesn't get any hotter, except perhaps tomorrow
morning when the Moon is in let's get it on Libra instead of let's wait Virgo.
Sunday 10/2 * Dark of the Moon in Libra 7:25 am. There is a solar eclipse early
the morning on Monday, so tonight the Earth, Sun and Moon are lining up in way
that happens just a couple times year. Tibetan Buddhists say the alignment is
advantageous for meditation. Since the Moon is blocking the Sun, our deeper
feelings can overrun our conscious mind. With awareness, great potential;
without, extra zaniness.
Have a stellar week!
Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl
Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends!
Also posted to the website on Tuesdays
here.
If you don't want to know about Sicilian lawyers turned astrologers and how they
looked at charts,
unsubscribe
here.
*
Wandering Stars - the planets
Mercury * in Libra. We think of partners and friends, and take in their point of
view. The Libra dilemma - we could do this, we could do that. Mercury moving
past the South node this week on Wednesday morning, so after that we'll get more
juice out of our communications. Mercury in Libra through October 8.
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 * * *
