Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 8*7*06

Star of the show
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

Everyone who knows the zodiac knows that Leo is the star of the show, and in the 5th chapter of the Odyssey by Homer we finally meet Odysseus. The chapter begins with messenger Hermes bringing the news to goddess Calypso that it's time for Odysseus to set off for home. Hermes is amazed by the luxurious woods, birds, grapes, flowers and herbs of Calypso’s domain. “Why even a deathless god who came upon that place would gaze in wonder, heart entranced with pleasure.” Leo knows luxury, that's for sure.

Calypso is understandably upset at the news. Oh you gods are jealous when a goddess takes a man as a lover, she protests. Hermes insists that it is the will of Zeus, so she tells the plan to Odysseus.

Though Odysseus seemingly has everything he could want - life on a beautiful island spending each night with a goddess - we find him crying his heart out on the beach. Though so many years have passed, he still longs for his wife and homeland.

When Calypso tells him to build a raft and sail the ocean, at first he suspects a plot. She assures him, then questions: why is it that you want to leave me for your wife? "Does she rival me in build, in beauty?" No, Odysseus wisely soothes her, but I love her and my home.

In a few short paragraphs Homer has woven Leo themes of jealousy, trust, loyalty and love. Calypso feels the pangs of a rejected lover; Odysseus doesn't trust the plan; he has remained loyal to his heart's true love all these years.

After building the raft and stocking with supplies, Odysseus sets off on his courageous journey. 17 days and nights he sails, then Poseidon, still angry at Odysseus for blinding his son, wrecks the raft. Odysseus drifts at sea for 3 more days, fearing for his life time and time again as the ocean drains his strength. Finally he spots land and swims for shore. A local goddess helps him out with a protective scarf. He makes it between the breakers and rocks to a spot on shore, covers himself with leaves and falls asleep.

People with planets in Leo, especially at the beginning of the sign, often do have a period of life that is very luxurious. But the material finery can be left behind as a journey calls them to a greater goal. The voyage can be tough, even seemingly life threatening, but when the aim is true special helpers come just in the nick of time. And since Odysseus' life was saved by a scarf, is it any wonder that Leo knows something about fashion?

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Sun * in Leo! With 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 real 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 * Full Moon in Aquarius very early on Wednesday 8/9. Moon has extra pull on Mondays, Thursday nights and all hours of the Moon.

Monday 8/7 * Moon in Capricorn, Sun conjunct Saturn. Did you feel tired or anxious over the weekend? The Sun joined with heavy Saturn early this morning, so our energies and confidence will start to pick up. Where the first two weeks of Sun in Leo might have foisted some effort or delay upon us, now with greater enthusiasm we set off on our own journey to truth (see above for tips). With Moon opposing Venus and Mercury later today, we are pulled between responsibilities and pleasures.

Tuesday 8/8 * Moon in Aquarius, Mars sextile Jupiter. When planet of courage Mars connects with expansion Jupiter, we take on a bit more than usual. Gains come by being a stickler for details and seeing the greater purpose behind them. Full moon early tomorrow, so a night for a sake inspired poetry reading party or your own variation on the theme. And if you can sleep through the full Moon, enjoy some of the biggest, most incredible dreams of the year.

Wednesday 8/9 * Full Moon in Aquarius. Full Moon while we sleep, and we wake with profound messages from the dream world. Sun in Leo makes us all the star, yet Moon in Aquarius pulls us towards sharing the spotlight in our search for wisdom.

Thursday 8/10 * Moon in Pisces, Mercury into Leo, Sun opposite Neptune. With Sun in Leo we have a deeper sense of our heart's truth. And yet we must integrate a collective purpose and ideal for this to be truly satisfying! There are many ways to experience deeper interconnection; watch that vitality is not too drained by cheap sugar highs, hangovers and spacing out. Mercury, planet of the mind, has spent many weeks submerged in the sign of deep emotion; in Leo our thinking will return to strength.

Friday 8/11 * Moon in Pisces. Pisces Moons are typically good for unwinding, but with Jupiter in Scorpio the inner journey is more intense. Things lighten up after 4:00 pm as we go towards the best of Pisces - openness and interest in all of experience, a drive towards connection with the whole.

Saturday 8/12 * Moon in Aries, Venus into Leo. OMG - 4, countem, 4 planets in Leo! With Venus here, you've got to dress to attract the lover or raise. Saturn's still one of them so we're still not getting off easy, no child's play or easy drama here. Instead, you've got homework: read Homer's Odyssey chapter 5, then plot life course (or see scribe notes above). With Mars opposite Uranus early tomorrow, a night to take special care driving.

Sunday 8/13 * Moon in Aries, Mars opposite Uranus. Gumption Mars fighting revolution Uranus means sudden changes especially regarding men or work, both unexpected outbursts and sudden breakthroughs, and best case a glimpse of the technically brilliant and detail oriented visionary.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Cancer, entering Leo. Whew, it has been several weeks of our thinking being too influenced by emotions. Mercury in Leo will get our minds back in gear. Good for colorful yet serious communications; intellectual effort until August 20th, then more expression; marketing, including self, so be thorough; and after 8/20 we'll see enthusiasm! in! type! Mercury in Leo through August 27th. Mercury has extra effect on Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Cancer, entering Leo. Venus in Leo loves to be noticed, adored and above all, loved. If she's not getting at least some praise, and better declarations of utter love and commitment for life, then she'll think something is amiss. And as the story of the lioness a couple columns back demonstrates, disloyalty is *not* tolerated. Even though Saturn in Leo is casting a gray cast to the most colorful of signs, still will be more flair in fashion and gold to boot. Whereas Venus in Cancer may be the subtle rose, Venus in Leo is the must-be-noticed stargazer lily. Venus sweetens Fridays, Monday nights and all hours of Venus.

Mars * in Virgo. Drive to accomplish, improve, purify, but the methods will be wildly imaginative and unpredictable thanks to opposing Uranus in Pisces. Men in particular will be eating right and extra health conscious. 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 * * *