Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 7*17*06

It's about motion
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

When most people talk astrology they say "I'm a Cancer" or "She's a Leo." What this actually means, of course, is that person #1's Sun is in Cancer and person #2's Sun is in Leo. It is the Sun moving through that portion of the zodiac that lights up the qualities of that sign. If the Sun or other planet weren't there, the sign wouldn't have our attention. Am I being picky? Well yes, but there is a point. Astrology is the study of planets *moving* through signs, not just signs themselves.

Most readers know that Mercury is now retrograde in Cancer. This will get our minds on past emotional situations. But let's think for a bit - we're about midway through the Rx so that means Mercury is moving backwards as fast as he can go! As the retrograde comes to a close towards the end of July, he'll slow down again, come to stop, then turn direct. What would you rather have, a slow Mercury or a Mercury walking fast backwards? This is a trick question - neither! A slow Mercury will mean delays, things not arriving on time, mental hesitation. A Mercury traveling fast backwards (max speed 7/16) is when things will really go awry. Computers crashing, wrong decisions, communication snafus of all kinds. As I type this, my email and web host are both down so who knows when you will be able to read it. Anyone else experiencing the worst of the Rx today and the last few days?

When we are aware of the movement, whenever we have something difficult (like this past weekend of Venus opposite Pluto, also moving backwards quickly) we know that it is bound to change. The planets continue on their course, something good is sure to come around. Venus enters Cancer Tuesday night, then moves towards one of the best aspects of them all - Venus trine Jupiter, exact on 7/26. Jupiter loves planets in Cancer, so this is a double strength trine. And for all the people, women especially, who were feeling the depths of Pluto power this past weekend, see how things change!

Now going deeper for the astrology literate. If you pay attention to transits, we can also watch the speed of planets. I've made a big deal of planet stations in past columns (see a wonderful example here in the chart of Mozart) but I've also seen an Rx Saturn grinding over a key planet (Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury especially) or angle that is the toughest of the 3 passes. And if a planet is moving backward, it probably isn't at its most evolutionary potential. Even Uranus ;)

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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Sun * in Cancer, into Leo on Saturday 7/22. Have you had enough emotion? Was the past 3 weeks enough for a whole year? Just a few days to go, then the Sun enters his home sign of Leo. With the Sun in Leo, we want to be king or queen of the jungle. If the boss is in the way, go on vacation. True the Sun in Leo appreciates luxury and playtime, but the heart of Leo is self realization and authentic experience. For this the true Sun in Leo will forsake the glitter and go all the way to truth. 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 * Last Quarter in Aries on Monday 7/17, moving towards New Moon in Leo on Monday 7/24.

Monday 7/17 * Moon in Aries, into Taurus 8:45 pm. Sun in Cancer wants it safe and secure, Moon in Aries needs new stimulation. One solution: a new recipe every night. Aries is one of most physical of all signs, but with Sun conjunct Mercury in Cancer early tomorrow our minds are also activated. We review our inner lives, research and communicate with people from our past. Just don't come up with a grand plan to move, quit your job or do anything with major commitments or long term consequences.

Tuesday 7/18 * Moon in Taurus, Sun conjunct Mercury, Venus into Cancer 7:40 pm. With Moon in comfort Taurus, where will we find pleasure? During the day with Venus still in the Twins - talking, learning, reading and writing. At night with Venus now like domestic goddess Nigella Lawson, snuggling up on a couch in fresh organic happiness after eating your fave summer dinner.

Wednesday 7/19 * Moon in Taurus. With 3 planets in Cancer, forget about noisy dinners out. Cooking for your sweetheart is the sexiest start to a romantic eve.

Thursday 7/20 * Moon in Gemini. Just two more days of all this emoting! Well to this degree anyway. Today and tomorrow are the days to communicate with yourself and others about what's going on inside.

Friday 7/21 * Moon in Gemini. Have you noticed that your mind has gone backwards in time? Not just in terms of communicating with old friends, but also thoughts and actions that used to be yours but no longer. Every time Mercury goes retrograde, something reappears from my life of 1, 2, 3 years ago, often things I used to do and enjoy.

Saturday 7/22 * Moon in Cancer, Mars into Virgo, Sun into Leo. A delightful day - both the Sun and Moon in their home signs and Mars on the royal star of summer. An image of today: waking up feeling like you are off to golf with Tiger, tennis with Venus and picnic with Martha Stewart. Even if your company isn't as famous, make today out of the ordinary and live your best. The universe is listening and you'll score brownie points for the next ultra positive day.

Sunday 7/23 * Dark of the Moon in Cancer. The Sun's in Leo now and we just want to be our glorious selves. For most of us these days this happens more wonderfully the more we can let go of what we don't need. The end of the Moon cycle in the feeling sign of Cancer is one of the best days of the year for just that.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * back in Cancer after a week of Leo - uh oh! This is *mental confusion!* We thought we were done with feelings and on to good times, now feelings have returned to our minds. Not a good time for final decisions of any kind. Acknowledge that our minds are again emotional and sigh, Mercury retrograde! ***Mercury retrograde July 4 to July 28.*** Mercury has extra effect on Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Gemini, into Cancer on Tuesday 7/18. Venus in Cancer is the domestic goddess who knows all the aphrodisiac recipes, secrets of baths, candlelight and just the right music to set the mood. Loyal, maternal and ohh soo feeling. Venus in Cancer through August 12. Venus has special pull on Fridays, Monday nights and all hours of Venus.

Mars * in Leo, entering Virgo on 7/22. Mars goes from the rock star to the techie stage crew. Mars in Virgo is drive to accomplish, improve, purify, but the methods will be wildly imaginative and unpredictable thanks to opposing Uranus in Pisces. Mars in Virgo through September 7. Mars has more bang on Tuesdays, Friday nights and all hours of Mars.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now direct, so we 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 blesses 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 stabilizes 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 * * *