So when will they bring an astrologer on to the meteorology team on TV? As predicted in last week's column, Mercury into Aries (just yesterday) has ushered in our usual sunny spring weather. 4 days of mostly clear skies are forecast for this week, our first stretch of Sun since ... i forget when. Though not my area of expertise, this weather prediction was simple enough for anyone who knows Mercury brings winds and Pisces is the sign of wet. Mercury out of Pisces into Aries means the damp starts to dry out. 

Are you a sign or a planet? While the prevalence of Sun sign astrology means most people think of themselves as a Taurus, a Gemini, etc, (Sun goes without saying), traditional astrology has a different emphasis. Since the Sun lights up everything there is a certain validity to the importance of the Sun sign, but try this experiment on for size. In traditional astrology, people are ultimately classified by planet: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon. In the journey from the realm of light to the dense earth, the soul visits each planet. The soul will probably feel an affinity to one or two, not enjoy others, and be indifferent to most. Like driving cross country - New Mexico almost made me want to move there, got through Texas as fast as possible without risking the radar guns, Tennessee, whatever.

While the rules to determine the planet with the most juice in your chart are fairly elaborate, you can start with all planets the connect to the first house of your chart, as well as consider any planet that rules a batch of other planets. If you are Aries or Scorpio rising or have several planets in these signs, you have a strong connection with Mars. Taurus and Libra (and often Pisces too) mean Venus. Gemini and Virgo, Mercury. Cancer the Moon and Leo the Sun. Sagittarius and Pisces go to Jupiter, and Capricorn and Aquarius go to Saturn. Also consider any planet in your first house or that aspects the Ascendant.

Why do all this? Because this week we have two completely different things going on, and what happens in your life largely depends on which planet is more important in your life. Venus is conjunct Uranus and trine Jupiter, one of the best set ups for breakthroughs, sudden advances and positive changes in love. Yet at the same time we have a rather irritating alignment between Mercury and Mars. Let's sum it up this way: love is divine, our minds vexed. If you are a Venus type, you'll be more on the proverbial cloud, level 6 or higher. If you are a Mercury person, you might be more frustrated.

If you figure out which planets exert more influence in your chart, you can refer to the Star Watch section below to keep up. Again using our examples, Mercury is back from his vacation and now in go-go Aries, while Venus is enjoying her ocean cruise in Pisces. Two totally different energies going on at the same time, yet affecting us differently.

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Now more ~ on aspects ~ for the astro literate. If you mention aspects to an astrology club, usually the first question you hear is 'what orb?' This is like saying 'what version of Windows?' Only the geeks care. If you know what you are doing, you can get the report typed with Windows 2000, XP, it doesn't really matter.

Traditional astrology doesn't use orbs for aspects; instead we consider the force field around each planet and calculate from that. Just involving slightly more brain time, this method gives best results. For example, next Monday Sun square Saturn is in effect. When will we start feeling it? According to my favorite source, the force field of the Sun is 15 degrees and Saturn is 9. The force field surrounds each planet, so we divide by half to get the moiety (fancy word simply meaning half). So we have 7.5 for the Sun and 4.5 for Saturn. Saturn is at 4.5 Leo, meaning its reach as of this week goes from 0 Leo to 9.5 Leo. As soon as the Sun's force field touched 0 Taurus the square was in effect. When did the Sun's force field touch 0 Taurus? When it hit 22.5 Aries, since adding 7.5 to 22.5 brings us to 0 Taurus. The square will be separating after Monday but still in effect until the Sun passes 16.5 Taurus (Saturn at 4.5 Leo + 4.5 moiety = 9 Leo, 9 + 7.5 moiety for Sun = 16.5). If you'd like to check this out on more aspects, here is Bonatti's list (remember to divide by half to get the influence on each side): Sun 15, Moon 12, Mercury and Venus each 7, Mars 8, Jupiter and Saturn both 9.

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Rush ahead in Aries with even more juice. Ideas 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 some early 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 Aries, into Taurus on Wednesday. Sun in Taurus means our rush to adventure slows as we focus on safety, material riches and pleasure. The Taurus bull isn't much for scrambling over new heights; he'd rather have his hay and cozy up in the green pasture that he knows. May Day is the classic Taurus holiday, a celebration of the earth, fertility, all Venusian arts of love. With ruler Venus in Pisces, what brings us riches may be the arts, spirituality and giving. The trap of Taurus - too set in ways.

Moon * days 20 - 26 with Last Quarter on Thursday. 

Monday 4/17 * Moon in Sagittarius. We expand our horizons with Moon in the sign of of the archer aiming for the beyond. Women accompanied by art and celestial music appear from nowhere and invite us to their fantasy isle. Our messenger minds, though, are as frustrated as when we miss the boat. Sleep deeper with your favorite remedy tonight.

Tuesday 4/18 * Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 2:15, Venus conjunct Uranus, Mercury square Mars. Both the Venus and Mercury aspects are in the wee hours, so we'll feel them more Monday afternoon and eve. Today the Moon travels from joining Pluto in the morn to opposing Mars in the eve; we can take disciplined action to secure our families or emotional stability, but still not the smoothest of energies.

Wednesday 4/19 * Moon in Capricorn, Mercury trine Saturn, Sun into Taurus 10:25 pm. A day to get it done. Moon in accomplishment Capricorn is already putting us in the mood to put in the time, and Mercury aligning with effort Saturn means our minds are right there too. Sun into Taurus welcomes the second sign of Spring. Slow down, breathe deep and enjoy the pleasures of life.

Thursday 4/20 * Moon in Capricorn, into Aquarius 6:55 pm, Venus trine Jupiter, Moon square Sun. Venus trine Jupiter is one of the best aspects in all of astrology - our love expands and our optimism feels good. And yet this time around isn't the most glorious Venus-Jupiter aspect we'll ever have, not by a long shot. I dislike saying one word against Venus-Jupiter, but with Jupiter in Scorpio, not the fave sign of Venus, traveling backwards about as fast as the wealthy prince can go without tripping over his robes, it may not deliver all that we usually hope from such an aspect. Let's put it this way - lover Venus gets excited by the idea of a date with prince Jupiter, but he's choosing the menu and this has her a little miffed. Sun in Taurus squaring Moon in Aquarius means our orientation is on our own love and money, but our mood is only satisfied by intelligent community.

Friday 4/21 * Moon in Aquarius. Moon in Aquarius makes us connect to friends and put forth effort to benefit humanity; Moon moving towards movie-star Neptune tonight means the intangible will allure.

Saturday 4/22 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces 9:45 pm. At least Earth day is in Taurus, thank you organizers for good timing. Simple words for this weekend: take it easy.

Sunday 4/23 * Moon in Pisces. While this evening will feel more electric than most of the day, still a day for rest. Let worry thoughts go. If you feel tired or depressed, we can attribute this to Sun square Saturn exact Monday eve. Life will pick back up on Tuesday.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

If you don't want to know why a part of you feels high and juicy and the other so not, unsubscribe here.

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Aries. The messenger mind is back! After an extended vacation stay in ocean Pisces, Mercury is back up to speedy tricks. Move forward, get going, now! Our to do is check check checked. The downside of Mercury in Aries is impetuous mind. Mercury in Aries through May 5.

Venus * in Pisces. Venus in Pisces is love of the all - people, animals, the world. Our love grows, and a little chocolate and red wine might just help even more! For real, Venus has been in signs of hard-working Saturn since last November. Enjoy love again. Venus in Pisces through May 3.

Mars * in Cancer. Men, embrace your inner Martha - cook, garden, light up the BBQ. After 7 weeks of extra thinking and curiosity, we are now driven by our feelings, nurturing, food and family but all in a Mars kind of way. Pass the hot sauce, cathart, move vigorously in or near water. With mutual reception to Jupiter in Scorpio, we have the best side of Mars in Cancer. Mars in Cancer through June 3.   

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now retrograde, so some prosperity on hold while we pursue inner wisdom and riches. 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 direct, so developments in some long term structures in life get moving again. 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 Cancer means we advance by ways we take charge of emotions, protect family, improve the house, and learn to cook. 

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus in Pisces means past relationships are quite positive.