Dear friends,
Astro Santa is having a busy season! I'm delighted that so many people are
interested in a taste of real astrology. And welcome to all the new readers. If
you have contacted me, I *will* reply, but there is a bit of backlog. Because I
am so much enjoying talking astrology with people from around the world, I have
decided to extend the offer all the way to New Moon on 12/1 7:00 am Pacific
Time. As long as requests for readings come in by then we will arrange them. It
might take me all the way to Christmas to give away this many readings, but I'll
do it. Tell your friends!
If you are a new reader and want to know why I am doing this, read the top
portion of this column
here.
If you are getting this email by forward, here's the deal: I am giving away a
free 5 minute astrology reading to everyone on my Star*Pearls email list. You
must be on the list to receive the reading. There is no other obligation and you
may unsubscribe anytime. If you are interested in astrology, though, I hope you
will like the column. I don't talk about other paid services during your 5
minutes - unless you request them. If you'd like to sign up,
go here.
For everyone requesting a reading, please include:
1. Date, time & place of birth.
2. Phone #.
If outside the US we will set up a free call using
www.skype.com. You will need to set up an
account if you don't have one already. My user name is jonathanpearl.
3. Good times to reach you. I'm up early so work mostly during the day, but I'll
schedule a few evenings slots as well. These are limited so if you can spare a
few minutes during lunch or a break this will help your reading happen much
sooner. Since word is spreading about this offer and many people are signing up
to receive this column, those requesting reading this week will probably get
theirs in another week or two (or three).
*
The most common practice in astrology uses the birth chart to understand the
tone and development of the life. There is an equally valid yet different
technique that uses the time of a specific question as basis for interpretation
and guidance for that one issue. For an example, here's another Question of the
Hour. A client asked: Shall I launch a home based candle business?
Answer given using
traditional astrology here.
*
Last week on Tuesday, the night of the full Moon, I went for a walk in Golden
Gate park. The Moon was rising in the sky just as she was full - a beautiful
site. In the areas with less electric light (for a city anyway) Queen Luna was
even more glorious. And it vividly struck me: it's all about light.
Prior to electricity, what were the sources of light? We have the Sun; the Moon;
the stars; the five visible planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn & Jupiter
when they could be seen (forget about Uranus, Neptune and Pluto); fire and all
its forms: candlelight, oil lamps, gas light and so on.
No wonder why fire was understood to be a gift - or theft - from the gods above.
The ultimate source of light was the Sun and the heavens. What does light allow?
Seeing! We cannot see without light. For centuries the light of the Sun was
understood not only to allow our common perception of sight, but also *insight.*
This light not only animates the entire world, but contains a sacred
intelligence and wisdom. All forms of fire can be seen as sparks of the Sun.
With living flame we appreciate its power and vulnerability - don't get too
close, fire burns; don't allow too much changing wind, the fire can go out; feed
the fire to keep it burning.
Since the days of Edison, the situation is a bit different. We want light, we
flip a switch. When the bulb burns out, we get a new one. Kind of like our
current perception of life. This is so common we do not realize how much it robs
our soul. Kidney failure? Let's pop in a new one. Wheat not growing well in poor
soil? Let's design some new varieties - maybe a gene inserted here will do the
trick. Global warming? Um... we cannot really replace the Earth.
Artificial light allows us to see. True light gives this and more. It is this
light that is invoked in the famous hymn Veni Creator Spiritus:
"Come Creator Spirit,
visit the minds of your people,
fill with grace from on high
the hearts which Thou didst create.
[...] living fount, fire, love and
unction of the spirit.
Endow our weak flesh with perpetual strength."
I'm not Catholic, but neither really was Gustav Mahler when he set the first
half of his famous and monumental 8th symphony (The Symphony of a Thousand,
named for the almost thousand performers) to this hymn. He wrote: "I have just
finished my Eighth ... Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and
resound. These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving." [1]
Astrology is the study of this light and its effects on the world and its
inhabitants. Indian astrology, called Jyotish, translates into literally this:
"science of light." I'm very happy to give practical advice, but I think one of
the highest purposes and gifts of astrology is that we can get a flash of the
truth and importance of this authentic Light. In such moments we have reverence
and awe. We are amazed by the intelligent logic and correspondences of the
cosmic system that are mirrored in the human mind. This reverence is certainly
not for me, hopefully a bit for astrology, certainly for the grand design of the
world, and most of all for your own divine spark that is a part of the living
spirit of the universe.
[1] Translation and Mahler quote from EMI Classics
Mahler Symphony #8, conductor Simon Rattle.
*
If 5 minutes tickled your astro fancy, see what 1 hour can do. For information
on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page.
No longer at Samovar Tea! Playing Astro Santa
instead.
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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. Visit
www.astro.com for current planet positions in your location. 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 * entering Sagittarius. We rise up from the emotional depths of Scorpio into
a happier and more optimistic time. Sagittarius enlarges and expands - hence the
American Sagittarius ritual of Thanksgiving where we eat extra and the Day After
where many shop extra. Sagittarius delights in pleasures, but there is a higher
side too, one that seeks wisdom through a variety of experiences. We look
forward to the future - we have to, because the Sun dims each day. In the face
of this decreasing light we have faith that the Sun will be reborn after the
winter solstice. The trap of Sag - too much is not even enough.
Moon * days 21 - 27 (new Moon is day 1). Last Quarter Moon on Thursday starts
the close of the lunar month.
Monday 11/21 * Moon in Leo, Sun into Sagittarius 9:15 pm. Moon in Leo sets off
the arrangement between Jupiter, Mars and Saturn; astrology aficionados know
this as T-square. We may be rubbed the wrong way by teachers, but still like the
message. Frustration with authority and limitations may be heightened, and we
are more tired in the evening around 8:50 pm with Moon's conjunction to Saturn.
In spite of this, the grander story of the day involves the Sun. The Sun is at
the point in the zodiac that is closest to the closest star to us. We sense
'planets and suns revolving' and glimpse wisdom from beyond. And tonight is the
official start of holiday season - Sun into Sagittarius!
Tuesday 11/22 * Moon in Leo, Saturn retrograde. Planets changing direction
highlight their energy. Saturn in Leo is not the worst place for Saturn, but
still some may have been feeling more gloomy and worried over the weekend. This
passes as Saturn starts moving again - slowly. Tonight around 6:30 is another
dose of heavier energy. But the Sun is now in Sagittarius and it's time to
party! In France its official - new wine is released on the 3rd Thursday in
November. If they timed it astrologically the party season would commence with
Sun into Sag. Having Moon in Leo is even better. Try some Beaujolais Nouveau.
Wednesday 11/23 * Moon in Leo, into Virgo 10:41 am. Sagittarius expands beyond limits;
Virgo insists on discrimination. As long as we keep some improvement in our
grand plan, expansion is allowed. This morning we awake early with a charge.
Most people in the US are heading off for vacations but Virgo Moon may keep
minds at work. At least a good time to clean the house!
Thursday 11/24 * Moon in Virgo, Sun conjunct Mercury. The messenger, currently
thinking about the philosophy he studied in college, meets up with King Truth,
and questions are answered. Though Mercury is retrograde, we have extra power in
our thinking and interest in knowledge and ideas. We may have a plethora of new
plans - hold off acting on the big ones until Mercury goes direct. Moon in
purity conscious Virgo will mean people will not feel like every last morsel for
Thanksgiving and that's OK. We give thanks to the bounty of the Earth. May we
keep her safe and sound.
Friday 11/25 * Moon in Virgo, into Libra 11:00 pm. A quieter day to learn from
the past or communicate with old friends. Save shopping for tomorrow when we can
more conscious and of other's desires, and generous too.
Saturday 11/26 * Moon in Libra, Mercury backs into Scorpio. Moon in Libra puts
feelings on relationships, and with Venus currently in Capricorn we take step
after step to reach our relationship goals. The biggie of tonight is the pending
Jupiter-Uranus trine, exact early tomorrow. Sudden expansions, revelations,
discoveries, new openings - all is possible.
Sunday 11/27 * Moon in Libra, Jupiter trine Uranus. The utter excitement of last
night fades a bit from last night but still colors the day. Moon now past the
Dragon's Tail can more fully enjoy relationships.
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 get your present from Astro Santa,
unsubscribe
here.
*
Wandering Stars - the planets
Mercury * in Sagittarius, backing into Scorpio on 11/26. The messenger is
playing the part of the big guy and is a bit out of his league. We ignore facts
and data and jump to the big conclusions. Still our minds are overall happy and
have good intentions so we get away with this some of the time. Our minds,
communication and learning expand and go into new territory. We have more... and
more... to say. Mercury re-treading Scorpio brings up research and intellectual
penetration of emotional depths.
***Mercury retrograde alert!*** Mercury retrogrades 11/13 and turns direct on
December 12/3.
Venus * in Capricorn. We want to be safe in our desires. We take the long term
approach to pleasure and relationships. If the partner isn't marriage potential,
move on. Older things attract, yet we are willing to save and sacrifice for
greater goals. We take step after accomplishment step to reach romance, finance
and relationship goals. Venus in Capricorn through December 15.
Mars * in Taurus. Now retrograde, so we are feeling Mars more internally. This
can mean that we're extra self driven at best and more frustrated or angry at
our selves at worst. Whatever Mars connects to in our personal charts gets put
on hold until direct motion on December 9. Mars in Taurus until February 06.
Jupiter * in Scorpio. Jupiter entering Scorpio blesses therapies, healing
modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter
wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some
kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my
own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive
side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscia)
and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November
2006.
Saturn * in Leo. Turning retrograde 11/22, so developments in some long term
structures in life are on hold. 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 * * *
