Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Dear friends,

Saturn gets a bad rap in astrology. The Saturn return is a notoriously tough time, and the traditional texts are even worse. William Ramesey, writing on Saturn as Lord of the Year, says the Great Malefic brings about "mortality, poverty, scarcity and great want... thick gross and corrupt air, also dark and cloudy... much hard cold weather and frost... trouble, sadness, grief and sorrow." That about sums it up - Saturn is a bummer.

Saturn represents endings & lack, and because of this there is fear and pain. These are quite warranted. It is difficult to have Saturn in your 7th house of partnerships and watch all your friends getting married while wondering when it will happen to you. Saturn in the 9th house can delay or prevent higher education, and travel often might be out of reach. Saturn in the 10th can stymie a career. Even Saturn in the 11th, the most benefic house of them all, can limit friends and cause delays in attaining the dreams of life.

And yet Saturn has its place. Because all things end, we have to choose what is most important to us. We do not have unlimited opportunities for everything. We have to decide. Is this relationship worth my life energy? If not, then a Saturn transit can end it. Is this job in alignment with my purpose? If not, time to move on. If so, Saturn may reward with greater responsibility. This is one reason why Indian astrology calls Saturn the Lord of Karma. No other planet brings the consequences of our choices home like Saturn. And because Saturn makes us examine what is most important, we can find - and at times are forced to find - true meaning. In spite of all the woeful terminology common to Saturn, the traditional texts still start with Saturn and call it "the supremest and highest of all the planets." That's William Lilly for the curious, right in the beginning of Christian Astrology.

This week on Friday the Sun opposes Saturn. This means a face-off with our fear. What if we don't succeed in our career? What if we never find the love of our dreams? What if we never have the home we want? Wherever we have our natal Saturn, we are likely to experience at least some level of fear. Yet this is why Saturn also represents effort. Because we fear losing our jobs, we work hard. Since we fear being alone, we get out there and date. Because we fear death, we put time into our spiritual path. Saturn gets us in gear.

Though this week may be difficult - fear is not a pleasant emotion, and Sun opposite Saturn can also bring lethargy and depression - at the same time it is one of the best weeks of the year for thinking about what really matters to us. We keep in mind that Venus, planet of desire, is still retrograde; but we can focus on the greater responsibilities and commitments of our life and where we want to go with them.

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The Sun is in Aquarius, sign of the knowledge pourer. Think better. Read up on enhancing your mind with food here.

Some people prefer Mozart for the mind instead. To celebrate his 250th birthday, I've commented on his chart here.

A few weeks ago a client asked if his dog would die. Find out what happened here.

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 weekday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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Star*Watch
All times Pacific Standard Time. Visit www.alabe.com for the view of the chart for your current location, and www.astro.com also gives planet 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 Aquarius. Sun in Aquarius means the spotlight is on community. We learn, share ideas and acquire knowledge. Some of this knowledge leads to changes in the structures that Capricorn set up; Sun in Aquarius is a time to change our rules for the better. The traps of Aquarius - being too community focused that we don't let our own light shine, and being so knowledge oriented we forget about the heart.

Moon * days 25 - 30 (new Moon is day 1). New Moon in Aquarius on Sunday.

Monday 1/23 * Moon in Scorpio. After a lover's weekend the Moon in Scorpio meets with optimistic Jupiter, helping us find the positive in what may be a tough week. We've got motion energy this afternoon and keen investigation mind this evening around 7:30 pm.

Tuesday 1/24 * Moon in Scorpio, into Sagittarius at 10:40 am. Sun in Aquarius and Moon in Sagittarius means both lights are in freedom signs. They are getting along tonight so we have harmonious energies and relations. Communication among friends or with our larger group can aid our quest for meaning.

Wednesday 1/25 * Moon in Sagittarius. Today and tomorrow we take a more launching initiative towards our responsibilities, which are getting attention due to the looming Sun-Saturn opposition. With messenger Mercury so close to the Sun, our minds seek the truth and may be willing to go a different route than usual to get it.

Thursday 1/26 * Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 2:30 pm, Mercury conjunct Sun. When our minds meet up with the source of light, our thinking has special power. We have intellectual breakthroughs all day, especially if you've followed some of my suggestions for brain boosters described here. Our minds may be illumined, but Moon in Capricorn and Sun opposite Saturn is still heavy energy. Lighten up your day with Mozart - the classical station KDFC is celebrating the composer's 250th birthday on Friday with his music all week. Astrology fans can check out his chart here.

Friday 1/27 * Moon in Capricorn, Sun opposite Saturn, Jupiter square Neptune. I'll be blunt - it doesn't get any heavier than Sun opposite Saturn, exact at 2:50 pm. Thankfully we also have a positive aspect between Venus and Jupiter earlier in the morning to take the edge off. And if you really want smooth things over, Jupiter square Neptune at 5:30 is good for an extra round of Friday drinks! Things start to get better here and into the evening as Moon meets up with Lady Venus and happy Jupiter, both shortly after 6:00 pm.

Saturday 1/28 * Dark of the Moon in Capricorn, into Aquarius 3:10 pm. Dark of the Moon is low energy. Do your taxes or read a long old book.

Sunday 1/29 * New Moon in Aquarius 6:15 am. Happy Lunar New Year! An intellectual Sunday morning, so another good day for reading and exchanging ideas with friends. New Moon returns our spirits. With Sun and Mercury moving towards Neptune, we'll be more interested in art, music and movies today and into next week.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Aquarius. Mercury in Aquarius is a mind that seeks knowledge that benefits humanity. Our minds flow with the river of thoughts. Some of the best few weeks of the year for any kind of intellectual activity. Not much to warn about Mercury in Aquarius - it is really a fine placement. Mercury in Aquarius through February 8.

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 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.

* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *