Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 7*3*06

Homer's Cancer tale
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

Why do I love the Odyssey? Yes it's a classic of Western lit, but this isn't why I love it. And though I get a sly smile that Homer taught everyone astrology and they didn't even know it, this isn't my favorite either. I find the Odyssey so compelling because once we understand the astrology behind the story, we see it coming to life not in some fairytale 2700 years ago but all around us today.

In the Gemini chapter, one of the things we noticed was that everyone was going on short trips. Telemachus makes two journeys, and Athena herself (still in disguise) goes off to collect a debt. Perhaps this sounds like a simple insight, but I have a friend in NY living the artist's life with Gemini rising and Gemini Moon and she is always planning her next trip! It's really true - people with Gemini influence love to explore. So what do we find in the Cancer chapter?

Telemachus and his traveling companion arrive at the games of King Menelaus, a famous general of the Trojan war. An aide tells him that strangers have arrived and the gate and what to do? The King is noticeably upset at the very question - "Think of all the hospitality we enjoyed ... quick, let them in!" The King promptly hands Telemachus the choice portion of meat, what he himself had been served. Is this not just like a Cancer? Here, come in, eat! As Telemachus is struck by the splendor of the palace, Menelaus admits that yes he is wealthy but also sad. He misses his comrades who fell at Troy and longs for Odysseus most of all. At this he starts crying - the great warlord in tears! Then Telemachus joins in, the king's wife, Telemachus' friend, they are all sobbing. As their flood of emotion ends, the Cancer King declares: "Well so much for the grief that caught us just now, let's think again of supper." And what would a chapter on Cancer be without the anxious mother? Penelope catches word of the suitors plot to kill Telemachus on his journey home, and she breaks down with grief and panic. But Athena comes and tells her not to worry.

How to make use of this story? Know that Sun in Cancer is an emotional time. In the midst of plenty, we will still deeply feel the losses in our life. Nourishment and rest are both paramount. Homer is sure to describe the feast and the beds in great detail in this particular chapter! In one interesting line, Menelaus' wife Helen slips a drug "heart's ease" into the wine so they'd forget their troubles. I have found that people with strong Cancer charts feel so much that soothing herbs can be very beneficial as a regular routine. It is a lifelong lesson for Cancer to not worry.

Now going deeper for the astrology literate. Was Homer writing about the signs like an astrology cookbook, Aries, Taurus, Gemini etc? Yes he was, but it is more complicated. On my latest re-read of the great story, I realized that more was happening. For Homer, Cancer is not just a collection of themes, but a constellation of stars that could be rising, setting, culminating, or not seen underneath in the sky. That is if Cancer is rising, then Capricorn will be setting, Aries will be on the MC and Libra will be on the IC. Homer weaves all this into the story. The King has everything but weeps for fallen comrades - this is the message of being opposed by Capricorn! Why is Cancer concerned all the time? Perhaps because more than any other sign, they feel the possibility of lack as a constant threat. In the very first Aries chapter, Athena inspires Telemachus to seek news of his father. Now with Aries on the MC, he gets the story from Menelaus as his plan comes to fruition.

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Sun * in Cancer. Our essential life force is all about deep emotion. Thoughts and chatter don't matter as much - what are we feeling inside? And what are we sensing from outside? With Sun in Cancer we are more perceptive of both inner realms and outer environment. We want genuine bonds or none at all. We eat well, enjoy nature's bounty and are entertained by flowers and birds. The trap of the crab - too many grouchy feelings! The Sun also has a special influence on Sundays, Wednesday nights and all Sun hours. For planetary days and hours at your location (highly recommended!), download freeware from ChronosXP.

Moon * First Quarter on 7/3, heading towards Full on Monday 7/10.

Monday 7/3 * Moon in Libra. Sun in Cancer naturally wants to interact with others, so this square is much more manageable than many. Today we enjoy sharing food and ideas with others, and get even more chatty in the evening.

Tuesday 7/4 * Moon in Libra, into Scorpio late, Mercury retrograde! Mercury Rx is a great intro to real astrology - because if you don't see effects, you aren't looking! The rush of brain activity we've been experiencing in recent days will promptly back off. You know the drill - don't buy anything you want to last or run fast. Other astro sites will encourage 're-view' and while communicating with people from your past is just fine, don't 're-think' your way to a long term commitment until Mercury goes direct and then some. Expect changing minds and plans around the Rx motion and station direct. And of course communications, computers, details, plans, etc, are all *on hold* for 3 weeks.

Wednesday 7/5 * Moon in Scorpio, Mars opposite Neptune, Venus square Uranus. Men are fighting Don Quixote style mirages, and women are ready to bolt if things aren't real. Scorpio wants to go deep, but ruler Mars in Leo just wants to play. Sometimes hitting the hoops (or weights, pavement, world cup, whatever) is the best therapy.

Thursday 7/6 * Moon in Scorpio, Sun trine Uranus, Jupiter direct! Hooray for Santa at last traveling forwards in his sleigh! He delivers just a fraction of the gifts when backwards, this time since early March. The catch - he'll be crossing testy Saturn until October. The benefic advances with more oomph than the malefic, so keep the faith. The ancient astrologers called this period 'the fortitude of the sword' and gains will be yours for those courageous enough to fight their battles against the forces of poverty and doom!

Friday 7/6 * Moon in Sagittarius. Have you noticed that people have been extra chatty these last two weeks? Why is this when Sun is in Cancer? It is because Venus is in Gemini, and Venus has to do with how we interact. Yes the Sun is in the Cancer, sign of feelings; yet we are relating through communicating and exploring. With Moon in Sag and Jupiter freshly direct, we may feel more optimistic than we have in a long time.

Saturday 7/7 * Moon in Sagittarius. All that is Jupiter in Scorpio - powerful regeneration, gains in healing and therapy, sexuality and tantra, finding blessings by ferreting out hidden secrets - now start happening again with force.

Sunday * Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 12:25, Venus trine Neptune. Moon in Capricorn is keen on history and things that last, but Venus trine the lord of dreams would rather have fantasy. Live both today - watch an old movie, listen to classical music, experience nostalgic pleasures.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Cancer, entering Leo. Mercury slows down in the sign of deep. We'll be thinking with our feelings - intuitive, perceptive, more aware of internal processes. Then for a few days we have Mercury roaring in Leo, sign of bold, gold and me-me-me. Mercury back in Cancer July 10 through August 10 due to ***retrograde July 4 to July 28.*** Mercury influences Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Gemini. We talk it up, love to read, and want a partner whose mind we can love. Venus in Gemini finds romance in bookstores, short trips here and there and most of all, love talk. Venus in Gemini through July 18.

Mars * in Leo. Men and other Mars folks in the sign of the lion - expect cock-sure braggadocio, self-expression, assertions of pride. Planets in Leo like to be noticed, so men will be dressing with flair. Yes we have drama, but the very best of Leo is courage. If someone crosses the lion or doesn't pay proper respects, watch out. Mars in Leo through July 22. Mars influences Tuesdays, Friday nights and all hours of Mars..

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Turning direct this week!This means we start to see more outer results of inner work done the past few months. 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. Developments in some long term structures in life are moving forward, but concrete Saturn moving into an opposition with destabilizing Neptune. This is a major aspect and will set the tone for everything else later this summer and on into 2007. More in a column coming soon. Saturn in Leo through September 2007. Saturn influences Saturdays, Tuesday nights and all Saturn hours.

Dragon's Head * in Pisces. We advance towards peace, arts and spirituality, and partnerships are also a must. Without the sweet embrace of love, substitutes can be not just an occasional indulgence but a routine.

Dragon's Tail * in Virgo. As placements go, this is a bit tough. The Dragon's Tail is like the tai-chi master doing quiet movements but little else. How does this function in the sign of accomplishment through detail & perfection? We let go of ways we are unnecessarily restrictive. Hard work is a virtue, but unless guided by a Pisces wholeness will never bring us true peace.

* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *