Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 9*4*06

Dark dreams
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

It's been a tough couple of weeks for the planets. Recently Pluto was demoted (probably making Pluto transits all the more eruptive) and over the weekend some mad scientists caused a crash on the Moon so they could check out the dust. Surely she was not amused.

Many people first get into astrology because it is such an interesting classification system. He's acting this way because he's a Leo, or I'm this way because I'm a Libra, and so on. But when we take the next step of following the transits around our chart, we come to the amazing and rather humbling realization that the planets deserve some respect. Our life is connected with these energies; we aren't completely independent, which is what so many of us Americans like to think. We can respect Jupiter for the opportunities that are coming easy in current area of life under his influence; and when Saturn takes his turn on us we'll develop some respect or else be begging for relief.

A case in point - anyone else having some noticeably bad dreams recently? If so the intensity may have already peaked, but we can view this as an expected consequence of Saturn opposite Neptune, now the primary aspect of the outer planets. The first of three oppositions was exact early last Thursday morning, but the themes remain for the rest of this year as it repeats twice more in late February and late June 2007.

Saturn is known for difficulty, heaviness, restriction, lack, things we'd rather not have; Neptune is king of the dream world. When these face off, Saturn becomes Neptunian and Neptune acts like Saturn. Translation: The structures, responsibilities and pain patterns (all Saturn) of our lives may be softened (Neptune). This can be good or bad depending; things we thought were set in stone are a little looser, and a powerful imagination can build not just castles in the sky but the very real foundations of life.

Conversely, our dream world may have darkened and our fantasy wishes (both Neptune) are now subject to Saturn's heavier hand. While nightmares can be troubling, this is not all bad - perhaps instead of a jetting off to Italy you are more interested in a yoga retreat. The night that Saturn-Neptune was exact last week, my neighbors uncharacteristically played Arvo Part. For those of you don't know who the spare, medieval, somber beauty of the Bohemian recluse it was a perfect fit for the astro-energies. Think of this as a theme song for Saturn-Neptune.

Such music may be beautiful, but there is more we can do to enhance the opportunities and mitigate the difficulties. First I suggest making aromatherapy a regular part of your nighttime routine, especially if you've also noticed disturbing dreams. Select a good sounding oil from Floracopeia and make yourself a sleep oil to massage into your temples or just dab directly on a handkerchief and tuck it in your pillow.

On the imagination level and in many other circumstances, flexibility is good. However, sometimes we need firmness, as in buildings (traditionally assigned to Saturn for this reason) and bones in the body (ditto). Neptune tends to dissolve things on a physical level, so this transit means we are all more susceptible to bone weakness and degeneration. This also includes teeth problems. Make sure to get good quality calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in your diet, as well as the time tested bone broth otherwise known as stock.

Much of what is written about Saturn-Neptune emphasizes the difficult, and no doubt when our dreams darken life can seem tougher. But there is much that can be gained from the opposition, because as much as Saturn (difficulty) is acting on Neptune (dreams), Neptune (spiritual quest) is acting on Saturn (pain). This means knowledge obtained through our extended community (Aquarius influence) can help dissolve long-standing pain patterns. We can also put tremendous effort (Saturn) into our ideals (Neptune). The intoxicants aren't so appealing anymore; we want long-lasting realization. But if the end of the sugar-high has you down, but on the Arvo Part and just chill.

For more ramifications of Saturn-Neptune I highly recommend Bill Street's essay here.

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.

How much does astrology influence our world? Check out my daily stock market predictions for Thursday 8/31 here, perhaps my best series of scores to date. If you compare the notes to the chart, you'll see that almost the day's entire movement was called in advance, including the low of the day to the minute!

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Star*Watch - More info here.

Sun * in Virgo. With the Sun in the sign of purity we will want to clean inside and out, toss the trash, shape up and get something done. This year with Mercury traveling alongside the Sun we have the very best of Virgo. The usual catch of Virgin energy: too much criticism! 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 Eclipse in Pisces on Thursday 7/7.

Monday 9/4 * Moon in Capricorn, into Aquarius 11:15 am, Pluto direct. So Pluto is now second rate, huh? Check your reality today at 4:20 pm. If you feel charged, driven, potent, going all the way, then pay your respects to Pluto and accord him full on planet status. Otherwise we are more intellectual with Moon in knowledge seeking Aquarius.

Tuesday 9/5 * Moon in Aquarius, Sun opposite Uranus, Venus into Virgo. Sun opposite Uranus great for breakthroughs and changes of plan but tough on sleep and stability; Venus on royal star Regulus throughout the day means pleasures and loves take a step up to higher road.

Wednesday 9/6 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces 11:55 am, Sun sextile Jupiter. And all round positive day; if you are feeling the urge for changes of any kind this week you are probably on the right track.

Thursday 9/7 * Full Moon eclipse in Pisces, Mars into Libra. The Pisces parts of us are *amped up* today and even until the next New Moon. Let's call it Pisces craving - whether that is dessert or enlightenment depends on your point of view. Eclipses often get a bum rap, but they are potent alignments of the Sun, Moon and Earth and so key times for positive actions and rituals.

Friday 9/8 * Moon in Aries 11:25 am. Ahh, the dance of Venus and Mars - for weeks Venus was seeking attention in Leo but Mars in Virgo was too busy to respond. Now Mr. Mars in Libra is finally interested in relationships but Venus has moved into purity Virgo - too late Mr Mars!

Saturday 9/9 * Moon in Aries, Mercury square Pluto. With ruler Mars in Libra, today is good for fresh starts in relationships; that is to the extent Ms Venus in Virgo is willing to have some fun. Some advice for Venus in Virgo for both sexes; if you must criticize your partner get it out now at the beginning and be done with it, but don't go on and on, for criticism is the one of the surely ways to douse passion flames.

Sunday 9/10 * Moon in Aries, into Taurus 11:30 am. What a curious shift - Normally ego Aries is interested in partnership thanks to Mars in Libra, and usually pleasure Taurus wants to get something done with Venus in Virgo. For these few weeks, we aesthetically assert and delight in improvement.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Virgo. The ultra sign for Mercury - our minds can get so much done in the realm of practical accomplishment. Virgo wants to see the improvement and notice the results. If they aren't there, we'll criticize until they happen! Mercury in Virgo through September 12. Mercury is especially active on Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all hours of Mercury.

Venus * in Leo, into Virgo. Hopefully Venus had a little bit of fun in Leo, because now is the time for Self Improvement 301. Taking care of the body, the mind, the job ... all so the relationship coming can be that much better. Venus in Virgo late Tuesday Sept 5 through Sept 30. Venus sweetens Fridays, Monday nights and all hours of Venus.

Mars * in Virgo, into Libra. Drive to accomplish switches gears to pursuit of partnerships, art, pleasure, dialog and options. It is the last part that is the trickiest of Mars in Libra - when it comes time to act we want to just go, not debate about all the choices. Mars in Libra on September 7 through October 23. 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. 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.