Dear friends,

This week 3 planets - Venus, Mars and Mercury - change signs. What's in store?

Love goddess Venus moves on Monday from assertive and independent Aries to earthy in-the-body Taurus. As changes go this is a good one. Venus is happy in her sign of Taurus - the lady of pleasure in the sign of pleasure -  so satisfactions much easier to come by. This is more true this time through after June 4. Venus likes interaction too, and out of Aries she's less inclined to go solo. Here are some real life examples to illustrate the difference: Rosa Parks, Cate Blanchette and poet Adrienne Rich find their love in an Aries independent kind of way; Juliette Binoche (especially in movie Chocolat), Gladys Knight (just listen) and Ida Rolf (founder of Rolfing, therapy that's all about the body) show us that beauty is right in Taurus skin.

Later in the week, Mars leaves emotional Cancer into let's rock Leo, also a good change. While Mars doesn't have official dignity in Leo, the fire sign corresponds with his nature. Ladies, have you noticed that during the time of Mars in maternal Cancer (since mid April) men have lost testosterone by the week? It'll start to come back this Saturday, especially after Mars passes Saturn on July 17th. Mars in Cancer may have activated good guy qualities as demonstrated by actor and philanthropist Richard Gere and rich inner imagination like painter Wassily Kandinsky and filmmaker David Lynch, but despite these famous examples (who surely have other strengths) it generally isn't the best for assertive confidence. For this we'll get much more bang out of Mars in Leo like actors Harrison Ford and George Clooney. And my favorite example of the braggadocio of the warrior-lion combo is Ferrucio Lamborghini. Yes, that Lamborghini, maker of flashy luxurious cars that not only look like an animal but will leave all others on the road in the dust. Planets in Leo just know they are better than everything else!

Thinker Mercury is has whizzed right through his own sign of Gemini and heads into Cancer next Saturday as well. The lion may think he's superior, but Cancer crab knows she's deeper. Mercury in the sign of the insides means all of us will be thinking with our feelings and going with our gut. With the next retrograde coming up in early July, Mercury will be spending double time in the watery cave. While good for those who can rely on intuition and who naturally devote brain time to deeper emotional processes, it can mean that we're not as objective and that feelings dominate our thinking. We'll be less chatty and curious, more quiet and perceptive. 

Now going deeper for the astro literate. Why does one transit have some effect and the next one nada? From the perspective of traditional astrology, transits are not the end all of predictive techniques - in fact they are at the bottom of the ladder. Why? If you have Moon conjunct natal Venus (everyone gets this once a month) barring any tough Saturn or Pluto action or afflicted planets you'll get at least some kind of pleasure. If this hits during a Wednesday afternoon during work hours, maybe you take a break to talk to your lover and linger at lunch. But if you get the same Moon conjunct Venus on a Sunday morn when you are free, you can spend hours or even all day in bed, take time to prepare your very favorite foods, linger over wine, delight yourself (and whoever is nearby) to your heart's content. What's the different between Wednesday and Sunday? The period of time that allows what is possible in the transit. This is a simple example to illustrate the point. We go through various *periods* and the transits take place within these.

One of the best of these period techniques is called profection - we go around the houses of our chart year by year, month by month and even day by day for those that like the detail. Of all the astrology techniques that exist, I use the planetary hours and profections most in personal life. The houses focus our experience for the year, month or day. If you are in a 5th house month of pleasures or 7th house month of partnerships, then Venus/Moon transits can really be everything you'd expect from the typical symbolism. If a 10th house month, maybe someone speaks well of your efforts. But if it is a 6th house month, perhaps the big event is walking the dog.

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Find out where you are in life month by month and give context to your year. I use profections in every update reading.

Smarts in the chart - can we tell the person is a genius and if so how? Check out my analysis of Leonardo's chart here.

Can all this star 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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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 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 Gemini. We seek out new information as we live to learn, explore and communicate. With the free flow of ideas we are more adaptable and consider other points of view. The twins want dialog, interaction, wits and play. The trap of the twins - too many ideas and sometimes no sleep because the mind can't stop. The Sun also has a special influence on Sundays, Wednesday nights and all Sun hours.

Moon * days 4 - 10 with First Quarter in Virgo on Saturday 6/3, then 11-19 with Full Moon in Sagittarius on Sunday June 11. Follow Queen Moon as below; she also has a special influence on Mondays, Thursday nights and all Moon hours.  

Monday 5/29 * Moon in Cancer. Cooking and eating are divine imperatives for planets in Cancer, so you may find yourself devoting more time to your menu. Yet with all the Sun and Mercury in Gemini chatter going on, the best brain food may be a few minutes (or more) of quiet. In whatever way you nourish yourself today, Moon in Cancer gives us a preview of the emotional agenda for Sun in Cancer just 3 weeks away.

Tuesday 5/30 * Moon in Cancer. Another day to turn within, but less cozy then yesterday with Moon moving towards Mars all day long. Energy spent round the house and garden is one expression; walking through nature also good. With Sun on royal star of spring, a day to take a step up and elevate our life.

Wednesday 5/31 * Moon in Leo, Mercury opposite Pluto. Not the easiest day - both our lunar limbic mind and thinking messenger mind under siege. We'll start to feel more radiant after 3:30 pm, but our thoughts still hell bent on something or other until sleep. 

Thursday 6/1 * Moon in Leo. Just like a big cat, most of the time planets in Leo take it easy. Then they'll exert everything all at once for a big kill, then feasting, napping and time for play. No offense to Leos out there, but the Leo GW Bush (rising, Mercury, Venus) does enjoy his frequent vacations. This afternoon around 5:00 pm we enjoy delights of the liquid variety.

Friday 6/2 * Moon in Leo, into Virgo 1:15 pm. Virgo and Friday don't go together so well. Just when we think we've reached the end of our week and it's time to enjoy, we have a Virgo Moon pushing us towards accomplishment. Some ideas: plan your summer vaca, work on your Burning Man getups, even consider a spiritual retreat this weekend or next. Our minds go easily to our origins, the deepest source of all.

Saturday 6/3 * Moon in Virgo, Mercury into Cancer, Mars into Leo. Planets into Cancer are always a magic moment (this time too early for most, 4:20 am). Cancer is the gateway to life and with the messenger here we know the frail yet tenacious preciousness of our beating heart. Then Mars in Leo, hooray, means men have their mojo back.

Sunday 6/4 * Moon in Virgo, Venus square Saturn. Pleasures aren't coming easy this weekend - not only will Virgo Moon want purity first, but Venus and her entourage - enjoyments, worth, friends, lovers - have been held up by the old man of fear and lack.

Double dose - next Star Pearls Monday 6/12.

Monday 6/5 * Moon in Libra, Sun square Uranus. Make up for any weekend disappointments today and tomorrow. Moon in together Libra with Venus in touching Taurus (and past roadblock #1) means a time to get it together or at least dinner with a close friend.

Tuesday 6/6 * Moon in Libra, Venus opposite Jupiter. While I hesitate to use the word tantra (lighting a scented candle doesn't make it so) with Moon in do it together Libra and Venus in pleasure Taurus aspecting the teacher Jupiter in the sign of sex, tonight is one of the best times to experience the spiritual uplift of making love. And for genuine tantrikas the energy is powerful tonight.

Wednesday 6/7 * Moon in Libra, into Scorpio 1:40 pm. When Mars was in Cancer (mid April through this past weekend), anytime Moon was in Aries or Scorpio it was easy to be emotional or even for some to find anger within. Now with Mars in Leo, then same Moon in Aries and Scorpio will be simpler and easier to handle - express, create, move.

Thursday 6/8 * Moon in Scorpio. With beauty Venus in aspect with communicator Mercury for the next two weeks, we'll not only want to experience art but also to create it. As good as cds and movies may be, still they make us consume what we could be creating for ourselves. You might not have the deft fingers of a pro, but pick up a guitar and strum it; get a notebook and draw; add to the beauty of the world. Tonight our mind usually so involved in thoughts and feelings gets a hit of hard won truth - if we are willing to go all the way into the heart of experience, the wisdom we find will change our thinking for the better.

Friday 6/9 * Moon in Scorpio, into Sagittarius 10:00 pm, Mercury trine Jupiter. We awake with happy thoughts and can look forward to a great weekend. A bright Moon in shoot for the stars expands our sense of what is possible.

Saturday 6/10 * Moon in Sagittarius, Sun trine Neptune. Song-theme for the weekend: Imagine by John Lennon. A bit cliché I admit, so find your own variety of idealistic vision. Dream it, think it, be your inspired truth.

Sunday 6/11 * Full Moon in Sagittarius, the Buddha's Enlightenment Full Moon. With Sun in mind Gemini and Moon in go beyond Sagittarius, we expand our little minds into big truth. If meditation isn't your thing, then at least open your mind to new perspectives this weekend.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

If you don't want to know the astrology of the Buddha's enlightenment, unsubscribe here.

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Gemini, into Cancer on June 3. After moving absolute top speed through the most agile of signs, Mercury slows down in the sign of deep. We'll be thinking with our feelings - intuitive, perceptive, more aware of internal processes. Mercury in Cancer through June 28, then back again July 10 through August 10 due to ***retrograde July 4 to July 28.*** Mercury influences Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Taurus. The lady of enjoyments in the most pleasure oriented of signs. Touch and smells, food and sex are what it's all about. Oh yes, and money, gotta have cash to afford the finer things. Though Venus in her home sign makes some satisfactions reliable, this time aspects to Saturn on June 4 and again and more powerfully on June 16 mean we can experience the painful lack of such pleasures around these dates. Venus in Taurus through June 23. Venus influences Fridays, Monday nights and all Venus hours.

Mars * in Cancer, into Leo. Men and other Mar-tians go from the since of nice to the roar of the lion - expect cock-sure braggadocio, self-expression, assertions of pride. Mars in Leo through July 22. 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 Leo means we advance by expressing, creating and having fun. Romance also boosts the lion's pride.

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus in Taurus means relationships can by stymied due to disconnect in resources or even disparity in sex drive.