Is life fated or do we have free will? While this question is not at the top of the intellectual agenda today, many profound thinkers devoted much time to it.

If we have free will, then why am I able to pick up an astrology chart of someone I've never met and without even seeing them accurately describe prominent features and events of their life? But if life is fated, then how to describe the very real sense of choice we seem to have from moment to moment?

Answer: there is both fate and free will. Indian astrologers have no problem with this at all. Fate is karma. Karma is complex but at a simple level can be understood as the result of previous actions that influence the present moment. If we planted wheat seeds, we get a wheat crop. So if we want to do something about our karma, we exercise our free will. The two are not mutually exclusive.

We understand this mentality most of all with planets in Capricorn. If we want to be healthier, we have to eat nutritious foods and exercise. If we want to make more money, we have to take on more responsibility or get a higher paying job. We understand that our actions have a cause and result.

It is with this view that the system of remedies in Indian astrology became so highly developed. Many Indian astrologers will give recommendations in diet, colors to wear, days of the week for effective action, exercise, gemstones, donations, mantras and other spiritual practices as part of their readings. It is one of my missions to develop remedies appropriate for Westerners using Western charts, so I do the same for all my clients.

In 2006 I'm starting to develop the Remedies section of this website. Because vitality is the very foundation of life, the first section will be a monthly column on ways to follow the Sun for good health. Here's the introduction and link to the first installment on Capricorn.

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On Friday December 30th, we had New Moon in Capricorn. For the next two weeks she grow to Full in Cancer early Saturday morning on December 14th. When King Sun is just getting out of the gate, Queen Moon will be her peak of glory, full in her most favorite sign.

This is a time to explore the Moon. We can learn about the Moon by learning to follow her monthly journey through the zodiac here; we can think about the Moon in our charts; and we can turn out the lights.

Yes, for the next two weeks I've resolved to use as little artificial light as possible, *especially* at night. After the Sun goes down I'll be turning off the bulbs and lighting candles instead. I'm nixing the computer monitor and even beloved books in favor of music, walking under the stars, conversation and other nighttime interactions. Why do this?

The Moon is the yin planet of feelings, the unconscious, nourishment and relating, but as our friends in Indian astrology tell us the Moon is more than all this. The Moon is the key planet of mind. In neuroscience terms, we can understand the Moon as one of the two planets (the other being Venus) that symbolizes our limbic mind.

So if we want to explore the deeper levels of our mind, we turn out the lights. This is why meditators across time and throughout the world have done much of their practice in darkness. It is easier to turn within.

Indian astrologers will also tell us that the Moon is the primary indicators for happiness. A strong Moon means a better chances of inner fulfillment; an afflicted Moon the opposite. So if we want to understand happiness, we go into the Moonlight.

If you are inspired by this idea, please join in to the extent you are able and send me notes of your experiences. If you'd like to try on a few nights, I recommend Tuesday nights (the night of Saturn we're more willing to rest and function in darkness, Thursday nights (night of Moon), Saturday and Sunday January 7th and 8th with the Moon in her exaltation sign of Taurus, and Thursday and Friday January 12th and 13th with Moon in favorite sign of Cancer.

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More columns and news:

Start 2006 by learning more astrology! Class 1 for Beginners - Learn to Read a Moon Calendar on Thursday January 12th at 6:30 pm PST. Class 2 for the Astrology Initiated - You've had your chart done, Now What? on Tuesday January 24 at 6:30 pm PST. Here is more info on both classes; email if you have any questions. Classes are limited to 12 participants to allow interaction and slots are filling up. Email to reserve your space today!

Want even more of the Moon? Check out Yasmin Boland's Moon Meditations, available at her site here.

Interested in karma and astrology? Read my latest book review of A Thousand Suns, written by the editor of Indian astrology for The Mountain Astrologer.

I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. Full readings are available on weekdays in January 2006 at 3:00 pm PST (1st choice), 11:00 am PST (2nd choice) and 7:30 pm on Wednesdays. I can be a bit flexible from day to day, and may open up additional evenings if it makes a reading possible for you. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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.

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Star*Watch
All times Pacific Daylight Time. Visit www.alabe.com for the view of the chart for your current location, and www.astro.com will also give you positions. 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 Capricorn. As the light begins to increase, we sense beginnings and the long road ahead. We plan our accomplishments and are willing to let go of the hindrances that get in our way. And so the Capricorn ritual of New Year's Resolutions! Capricorn can be a somber sign, so we also remind ourselves and others to be happy several times a day! Yet this time around with Capricorn's ruler Saturn in Leo, winter will be a bit warmer, luxurious and playful than most. The typical traps of Cap: scarcity mentality, fear based action, "I'm not good enough" despite great success and acclaim. The traps of Cap with Saturn in Leo - we want luxury, but we've gotta pay for it.

Moon * days 3 - 9 (new Moon is day 1). First Quarter Moon in Aries on Friday January 6th.

Monday 1/2 * Moon in Aquarius. We awaken from rich dreams and have a day to learn and connect with friends. We're drawn to ex-lovers and women from our past later this afternoon and into this evening. Our focus on material (how much $ will I make this year?) gives way to more positive thinking and communication tonight and into the next two days.

Tuesday 1/3 * Moon into Pisces 4:45 am, Mercury into Capricorn. The Messenger joins King Sun and Lover Venus in the sign of long term accomplishments. The fun is over and back to work, right? Well true, but the traditional texts remind us that the sign of the sea goat is one of the randy ones. Work hard, play hard. With Moon in Pisces moving towards Uranus most of the day, we can explore with creative technology.

Wednesday 1/4 * Moon in Pisces. If you didn't get everything from 2005 wrapped up, these days with Moon in Pisces is another chance. Though Pisces Moon needs time to be and experience, today our mind will be set on our accomplishment plan so deeper emotional experiences may be brushed aside as an inconvenience.

Thursday 1/5 * Moon in Aries 6:45 am. Last call for resolutions! We had the New Moon in Capricorn on 12/30. We had January 1st. If you are a person of slow resolve, or perhaps some of the experiences of this week or even ideas in this column have got you thinking, you can begin your action today just like every Moon in Aries. It's an especially good day for a new diet plan since our orientation this morning and through Saturday is on food and nourishment, and Aries Moon gives us a fresh start. We're excited by newness tonight, especially around 8:30 to 10:00 pm.

Friday 1/6 * First Quarter Moon in Aries. Our soul takes the long term approach and gives weight to our responsibilities. But our mind wants new adventures! How to reconcile? This is the dilemma posed by Sun in Capricorn and Moon in Aries. The answer this time around is we can use our drive for both gains in wealth and new pleasures.

Saturday 1/7 * Moon in Taurus 11:10 am. Taurus is known for sensual delights, but old texts remind us that cattle were a primary indicator of wealth. Net assets? 500 head. With Sun and Moon in Earth signs, we'll be materially driven, especially to make ourselves feel more safe. After 3:30 we'll be less home bound and more up and out for a show.

Sunday 1/8 * Moon in Taurus. An astrologically energetic day. Moon joins Warrior Mars at 11:00 am, and this makes the morning good for a Sunday run or romp. We overdo the afternoon, and Mercury sextile Uranus in the evening gives us innovative solutions to practical problems. Strong and confident energy continues into the evening.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

If you don't want to know how to eat your Saturn, unsubscribe here.

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Sagittarius, into Capricorn on Tuesday December 3rd. Mercury in Capricorn is the mind of the hard worker. We plan and take our steps to greatness one by one. The traps - fear thinking & poverty mentality. Mercury in Capricorn through January 22.

Venus * retrograde in Capricorn. We have pleasure in accomplishment and may be itching for long term markers like the investment account, land and marriage. With Venus Rx, there is a simple answer: wait.

*** Venus retrograde alert! *** Venus starts movement backwards on December 24. Just like Mercury Rx means don't buy new computers, Venus Rx means postpone those luxury purchases. With Venus in Aquarius, this means put off the luxury technology that you don't really need. When Venus re-enters in serious Capricorn, don't be in a rush to buy stocks or real estate either. And most important: don't get married! Short term trysts, as long as you can negotiate the consequences, can warm up winter. Venus direct on February 2 2006.

Mars * in Taurus. Now direct, so forward energy in all battles. We resume exercise and our pursuits of pleasures and material security are back into gear. Mars moving to square Saturn means we're willing to take on and fight the authorities that are getting in our way. Mars in Taurus until February 06.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Jupiter in 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 antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006.

Saturn * in Leo. Now retrograde, 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. Ruler Mars in Taurus is strong forward drive for material wealth.

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus Rx in Capricorn means a double emphasis on past relationships.