Dear friends,

How many of you felt a less energetic than usual on Sunday 5/14? Perhaps more lounging in bed and fewer forays around town? Maybe even malaise? The most positive side would have been a willingness to restrain action or accept some lack for your own good.

If this is resonating with some of you readers, what explains? From the usual view we had Sun in Taurus, Moon in Sag, both OK; Mercury aspecting both Mars and Neptune which would effect our thinking (both more aggressive and perhaps more deluded simultaneously), but we wouldn't expect less activity or anything to do with negation.

That is unless we were aware of the mirror point position of Saturn at 24 Taurus. Then we'd see that there was a type of hidden Sun-Saturn conjunction on Sunday night. For those of you who know something of the language, does this accurately reflect your reality? 

If so then I may have just doubled your astro universe. Antiscia (literally opposite shadows) is a system of mirror points that was highly emphasized by a Sicilian lawyer turned astrologer Firmicus Maternus in the 4th century. For the astrologers on the list: book review here. After working with these mirror points in all charts - questions, birth charts, transits - for several years, I can say without hesitation that Firmicus was right. What does this mean for astrology?

It means that in your own birth chart you have double the positions you thought you had. In transits, there are double the points to consider. For anyone with benefic planets in Gemini (the twins like twos) antiscia are the cat's meow.

It also means this: what most people think of astrology - planet positions and transits - is far out stuff; but traditional astrology is far, far out indeed. "I can accept planetary influence you say, but mirror points? You are losing me." I might remind you that contemporary physics has no problem with a force having simultaneous influences at more than one place. Stretch your mind.

Now to some straighter talk for the coming week. The most significant factor isn't happening this week, but Neptune stations next Monday 5/22. When a planet stations retrograde, we get a triple dose of its energy. So for all this week we are on Neptune's shores, and this influences everything else. What is Neptune? On the positive side: ideals, dreams, music, art, design, mythological mentality, all is connected consciousness; in the middle, fantasy land and whatever gets us there; on the negative, too much sugar, drink, drugs, so far out to la la that we don't know which way is up.

And here is where the antiscia come in - Neptune stations at 19 Aquarius. The mirror point of Jupiter is today at 17 Aquarius. And by the mirror point system, we have a Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in early June! Jupiter is generally benefic, but has been rather confused while treading backwards in the deep emotional waters of Scorpio. Jupiter expands whatever it contacts, generally for good but sometimes not. This means this coming week is not just triple Neptune but quadruple and even quintuple Neptune.

So instead of a temptation to buy a new cd player, you go ahead and get the whole home theater setup. You may seriously consider relocating to the ocean. A houseboat might even sound like a good idea. Music becomes an integral part of life, and every day this week may feel like Burning Man. With this particular location of Neptune, we also have the potential to organize the nebulous, like putting your music in order or reading a book on the fine points of meditation. But if we aren't getting the art and transcendence that we need, then easy to fall towards the negative side of Neptune. Easy this week to overdo.

I'm not saying to teetotal; when Neptune's around we go his way in some fashion or the other. But when Jupiter and Neptune get together, this can mean a hangover if not careful. Otherwise enjoy the cruise, life returns from Isle of La La next week.

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Can all this far out stuff be practical too? Yes! Here's my latest example of using astrology to answer the question: Shall I look for a new job or ask for another raise?

I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. 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. To follow planetary days and hours for your location (highly recommended!), download freeware from ChronosXP.

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 Taurus, entering Gemini on Saturday 5/20. 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 now in Aries, we're more pioneering than usual. The trap of Taurus - too set in ways. The Sun also has a special influence on Sundays, Wednesday nights and all Sun hours.

Moon * days 19 - 25 with Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius early Saturday. Follow Queen Moon as below; she also has a special influence on Mondays, Thursday nights and all Moon hours.  

Monday 5/15 * Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 8:00 pm. Yes Moon meets up with compulsive Pluto this afternoon at 1:15, but since going Rx Pluto's punch has been muted (back to full force in September). So we have a rather pleasant enjoyment mood, especially in the afternoon, until getting more serious towards accomplishment after 8:00 pm.

Tuesday 5/16 * Moon in Capricorn. Sun on star Algol today, the severed head of Medusa. Violence erupts, yet more positively we have light shining on the dark. The mythology is complex - yes the star can bring evil, but it also allowed the hero Perseus to free the princess Cassiopeia from a deathly trap. The message: what we once turned away from in pain can be liberating.

Wednesday 5/17 * Moon in Capricorn. We wake with a start today, good for a morning workout. Moon in get it done Capricorn cooperating with Sun and Mercury in materially aware Taurus - a good day for your professional activities.

Thursday 5/18 * Moon in Aquarius, Sun conjunct Mercury. We'll be meeting our obligations until 10:40, and have extra ability to focus into midday, then we'll start feel the full force of Neptune (read above column for details) today, tonight and especially on into tomorrow. Mega-dreams tonight.

Friday 5/19 * Moon in Aquarius, Mercury into Gemini. A morning to sleep in (some from hangovers) or at least crank the office stereo. If you thought a quick Mercury in Taurus was activating your mind in the last 3 weeks, now our mind is on absolute top speed. Attention all writers, creative and otherwise: you can do more words per hour in these 3 weeks than just about any other time.

Saturday 5/20 * Moon in Pisces, Sun into Gemini. Sun joins Mercury in its communication sign. Instead of Taurus body, possessions and pleasure, our orientation is now Gemini mind, thoughts and communication. Venus aspecting Neptune means romance and art may make us just plain giddy.  

Sunday 5/21 * Moon in Pisces. On a Pisces weekend with Neptune station tomorrow, it's simple: head to the ocean, or movies if you are inclined indoors.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Taurus, entering Gemini on Friday 5/19. After a quick plough through the sign of money and love, our minds move at absolute top speed through the most agile of signs. Ideas come so fast we can't even keep up so quick, write it down! Speed-readers and other geniuses will be born in the next 2 weeks.  Mercury in Gemini through June 3. Mercury influences Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Aries. Fresh energy into desire and love. I want what I want and I want it now! We go towards new pleasures and love motion and thrills and maybe muscles too. The downside - love takes two, and we don't think as much of the other with Venus in the sign of moi. Venus in Aries through through May 29. Venus influences Fridays, Monday nights and all Venus hours.

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. Mars influences Tuesdays, Friday nights and all hours of Mars.

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. Jupiter influences Thursdays, Sunday nights and all Jupiter hours.

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. Saturn influences Saturdays, Tuesday nights and all Saturn hours.

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; Venus into Aries means these same past relationships will get a what's in it for me spin.