There are a total of 6 eclipses in 2009, the big one being a very long Total Solar Eclipse at the end of Cancer on July 22nd centred on India, Nepal and China.
2009: The entire year of 2009 features a Chiron-Neptune conjunction in late degrees of Aquarius, exact in February 2010 at 26° Aquarius; this is the first conjunction of these two since September 1945. Jupiter joins Chiron and Neptune in mid December 2009, with an opposing Mars turning retrograde in Leo. Whoever is elected U.S. president in 2008 might now undertake an emergency mobilisation of alternative energy production, if the problem has continued to be swept under the rug. Mountain Astrologer
Saturn in Virgo opposes Uranus. (First hit Nov 4th 2008, Second:- February 5th 2009, 3rd Sept. 15th 2009, 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010). Saturn and Uranus are at the climax of their cycle which began with their conjunction in 1988, (the 1988 activator!). The last opposition occurred in 1965 to the start of 1967 also across Pisces Virgo. That cycle started in 1942. The opposition before that occurred 1918 to 1920 across Leo Aquarius. The last time Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces was in the years 1419 and 1420.
Jupiter enters Aquarius and is conjunct Neptune in that sign 3 times this year. (Recent conjunctions Jan 1997, Jan 1984, both in Capricorn. Three in 1971 in Sagittarius. This year's are the first of three in Aquarius since 1843. The conjunction in Aquarius occurred in Feb 1511 Jan 1345 and a triple in 1191).
Saturn enters Libra on October 29th 2009 and squares Pluto three times. Firstly on November 15th 2009, second on 31st Jan 1010 and finally on August 21st 2010. It is this month August 2010 which sees the most powerful manifestation of a cardinal T-square of Saturn in Libra opposite Uranus and Jupiter in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn.
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy is a year-long celebration of astronomy , taking place in to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a Telescope by Galileo.
January 2009
This month sees Jupiter entering Aquarius, an Annular Solar Eclipse, the Moon and 4 planets clustered within a 20 degree arc from January 24th for 2 days and a build up to the second opposition of Saturn and Uranus.
We are already in another eclipse season with two eclipses about to occur. An annular Solar Eclipse in Aquarius occurs on January 26th and a penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Leo follows on February 9th. Prior to this the Full Moon on January 11th forms a tight 'mystic rectangle' with Saturn and Uranus. These two planets apply in opposition all month and dominate the skies. Mercury turns retrograde on January 11th.
Thursday January 1st 2009
Wishing you a Happy New Year 2009.
Yesterday Israel decided to continue its offensive in the Palestinian territory of Gaza despite a French proposal for a humanitarian truce. Israel's fourth day of attacks (four days since the New Moon) has sent the Palestinian death toll to more than 375
At least 53 people were killed and dozens were injured in a fire in a nightclub in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.
Russia says gas talks with Ukraine failed and supplies are cut within hours - amid fears European exports could be hit.
A "leap second" was added onto official clocks around the world at midnight to account for the Earth's slowing spin on its axis. London's Big Ben, whose bongs bring in the new year across the UK, will have its Great Clock adjusted. And the BBC will add an extra "pip" to mark the delayed start to 2009. Twenty-three leap seconds have been introduced since 1972 to keep GMT - internationally defined time - and the Earth's rhythms in synch
As Big Ben chimes the start of the New Year (GMT) the Sun, a decelerating Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto are in Capricorn, the Moon, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune are in Aquarius. Things quickly change.
The Moon enters Pisces 00:28 GMT.
Mercury enters Aquarius today at 09:52 GMT. Mercury turns retrograde on January 11th. Mercury is conjunct Jupiter at 3 degrees Aquarius on 18th Jan. He is at inferior conjunction with the Sun at 1 degree Aquarius on January 20th, and re-enters Capricorn (as a morning star) on January 21st. Retrograde 'morning star" Mercury is sextile Venus on January 26th the day of the next Solar eclipse, he is conjunct Mars on January 27th. Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on February 1st.. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th. Mercury aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Friday January 2nd 2009
Yesterday a top Hamas leader died in an Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip, the most senior figure to be killed for nearly five years. Yesterday was the 6th day of bombing.
Cuba celebrated the 50th anniversary of its revolution but economic difficulties meant the festivities were subdued.
Russia stopped all gas supplies to Ukraine after the collapse of talks to end a row over unpaid bills and prices. Russia's gas giant Gazprom said it turned off the taps at 0700 GMT on January 1st 2009, when its contract to supply Ukraine ended.
Today is rather astrologically a 'low key' day. The energy is well grounded.
The Moon is conjunct Uranus 13:42 GMT at 19 degrees Pisces.
The Moon in Pisces then moves on to oppose Saturn in Virgo at 18:24 GMT
Saturday January 3rd 2009
The annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Jan. 3rd when Earth enters a stream of debris from shattered comet 2003 EH1. The timing of the encounter favors observers in western North America who could see dozens to hundreds of meteors during the dark hours before dawn on Saturday morning. www.spaceweather.com
Yesterday the UN warned that Palestinians in Gaza face a serious health and food crisis as Israeli air strikes continued for a seventh day. The start of the Israeli air bombardment coincided with the New Moon in Capricorn and the ingress of Mars into Capricorn on Dec 27th 2008. TV news reports show Israeli tanks amassed outside of Gaza, awaiting orders.
Sri Lanka's government claimed a major victory after troops took control of the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto capital, Kilinochchi.
Russian gas giant Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing gas meant for other European countries amid growing tensions.
Today the Moon in Pisces sextiles Jupiter and is void of course at 08:51 GMT. She enters Aries 09:50 GMT and waxes towards her first quarter phase tomorrow.
Venus enters Pisces 12:36 GMT. During her residence in Pisces. Venus sextiles Pluto tomorrow. Venus is conjunct Uranus (within 1.25 degrees) on January 23rd at 20 degrees Pisces. Venus opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) and sextiles Mars on January 24th.
Venus is sextile retrograde Mercury on January 26th. Venus enters Aries on February 3rd. Venus will turn retrograde on March 6th 2009 being then positioned half way through Aries.
Today has a little more impetus (from 09:50 GMT) compared to recent days. All eyes are on the Gaza strip.
Sunday January 4th 2009
Yesterday, (under the impetus and crisis of the Moon approaching first quarter phase in Aries), Israeli ground troops entered Gaza, a week after the offensive against Hamas began, (the commencement of hostilities coincided with Mars entering Capricorn and being conjunct Pluto and the passing of a New Moon in Capricorn). Yesterday mass demonstrations were held around the world in protest. Rallies were held in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Athens and several Asian cities, following similar events in parts of the Muslim world on Friday. Earlier, tens of thousands of Israeli Arabs called for an end to the bombing campaign at a rally in northern Israel. US President George W Bush meanwhile blamed the violence firmly on Hamas.
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills narrowly won Ghana's presidential run-off and vowed to be a unifying leader.
Ukraine warned of serious problems with gas supplies for EU countries if its dispute with Russia is not settled soon.
Today the waxing and accelerating Moon reaches first quarter phase 14 degrees Aries at 11:57 GMT.
Earth in Perihelion (closest to the Sun all year) 15:30 GMT
Venus sextiles Pluto 19:29 GMT adding a touch of the melodramatic to the evening.
More aggression, more impetus and greater crisis appear to be on the cards today.
Monday January 5th 2009
Yesterday Israeli troops stepped up operations against Hamas militants, driving deep into Gaza and in effect cutting it in two.
Up to 40 Shia pilgrims were killed by a female suicide bomber near a shrine in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad,
US President-elect Barack Obama and his family took up residence in Washington, ahead of his swearing-in as president.
At least four people have been killed and dozens injured after a series of powerful earthquakes hit eastern Indonesia. The strongest tremor, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck north of the city of Manokwari in West Papua province at 0443 (1943 GMT on Saturday).
Final sunspot counts for the year 2008 are now available and the numbers are very low. The sun was utterly blank--that is, it had no sunspots whatsoever--on 266 days last year. That makes 2008 a century-class year in terms of low sunspot numbers. To find a year with more blank suns, you have to go all the way back to 1913, which had 311 spotless days. Now for the good news: Evidence is mounting that the deep solar minimum of 2008 is coming to an end; we can expect a in 2009. www.spaceweather.com
State of the skies:-The Sun today is half way through the sign Capricorn. There are 75 days to the Vernal equinox. We are in the foothills of an eclipse season. There are 21 days to an Annular Eclipse of the Sun in Aquarius.
The Moon today waxing and accelerating in Aries sextiles Neptune and is void 02:45 GMT for 13 hours. The Moon enters Taurus 15:46 GMT. The Moon is full on January 11th arranged then in a tight 'Mystic Rectangle' pattern with Saturn and Uranus, forming at that time, a hexagon pattern with the local ascendant of London UK. The Full Moon following this one is a Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon in Leo on February 9th.
Mercury is an 'evening star' in Aquarius. Mercury is, from today, appearing to move less than a degree a day, prior to him turning retrograde on January 11th. Mercury is conjunct Jupiter at 3 degrees Aquarius on 18th Jan. He is at inferior conjunction with the Sun at 1 degree Aquarius on January 20th, and re-enters Capricorn (as a morning star) on January 21st. Retrograde 'morning star" Mercury is sextile Venus on January 26th the day of the next Solar eclipse, he is conjunct Mars on January 27th. Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on February 1st.. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th, the day his speed is greater than a degree a day. Mercury enters new territory on Feb 21st and then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Venus also appears as 'an evening star' and is in Pisces. Venus is conjunct Uranus (within 1.25 degrees) on January 23rd at 20 degrees Pisces. Venus opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) and sextiles Mars on January 24th. Venus is sextile retrograde Mercury on January 26th. Venus enters Aries on February 3rd. Venus will turn retrograde on March 6th 2009 being then positioned half way through Aries
Mars is on the far side of the Sun and in Capricorn 'till February 4th 2009. Mars eases the ongoing Uranus Saturn opposition by making a sextile aspect to Uranus on January 22nd and a trine aspect to Saturn on January 24th. After leaving Capricorn on February 4th Mars is tightly conjunct Jupiter (within 34 minutes of arc) at 10 degrees Aquarius on February 17th.
What does all this mean? Well right now we are having to cope with essentials only. This is not a time for planning or for vision or for advancement. The solution to existing problems lies in work, in service and in adjustment.
However a change is coming and it starts today with...
Jupiter enters Aquarius today 15:42 GMT
Jupiter in its 12 year orbit of the Sun was last in Aquarius in 1997, 1985 and in 1973.
Jupiter is conjunct Neptune whilst in Aquarius 3 times this year. (Recent conjunctions of Jupiter and Neptune were Jan 1997, Jan 1984, both in Capricorn, three in 1971 in Sagittarius. This year's are the first of three in Aquarius since 1843. The conjunction in Aquarius also occurred in Feb 1511 Jan 1345 and a triple in 1191). This planetary combination symbolises advancement and inspiration in communication, in education and in transport.
It favours science, mathematics and technology. It may well evoke an intolerance to injustice and prejudice. This is a good omen for the year ahead.
Jupiter almost immediately makes a 'one off' waning semi-square aspect to Uranus on January 27th 2009 which is a forerunner to the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus on the Pisces Aries cusp in 2010 and 2011. We are living through incredibly exciting and demanding times.
Tuesday January 6th 2009
Yesterday casualties poured into over-stretched hospitals in the Gaza Strip as Israel pressed on with its offensive against Palestinian militant groups.
The Palestinian health ministry said 90 people, mostly civilians and including 26 children, have been killed since Israeli forces went in on Saturday.
US President-elect Barack Obama is seeing Congressional leaders to discuss his stimulus plan, which reports say could total $800bn
Today the Moon waxes and accelerates in Taurus. Both the Sun and the Moon are today and tomorrow in Earth signs (together with Mars, Saturn and Pluto). This is a very static situation. Today is a day to harness, secure, set down roots, stand your ground and consolidate. It favours acquisition and material comfort.
The remainder of this week sees a build up to the dynamic Full Moon early Sunday (GMT). This will be the last Full Moon before eclipses of the Sun and the Moon take place on Jan 26th and Feb 9th respectively. Eclipses invoke changes and 'stir things up'. Jupiter yesterday ingressed Aquarius. Time is slowly moving on and its quality is subtly changing.
Wednesday January 7th 2009
Yesterday at least 30 people were killed and 55 injured as Israeli artillery shells landed by a United Nations-run school in Gaza, Earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a "full-blown humanitarian crisis" in Gaza. Speaking on the 11th day of the Israeli assault, a senior ICRC official, Pierre Kraehenbuhl, said life in Gaza had become intolerable. Palestinian medical sources say up to 600 people have been killed since the attacks began, and Mr Kraehenbuhl said much more needed to be done to protect civilians. Some 70 Palestinians and five Israeli soldiers were killed on Tuesday.
Several EU countries reported major disruption to their gas supplies from Russia as Moscow accused Ukraine of shutting pipelines.
Today the fast moving Moon in Taurus squares Neptune in Aquarius and is void at 06:05 GMT for just over 12 hours. Around that time the Moon eases the Saturn Uranus opposition. (This opposition is now applying to its 2nd climax of 5 which occurs on Feb 5th. The first was on November 4th 2008 the day the USA electorate elected Barack Obama as president).
The Moon rapidly occults the Plaiedes for UK observers 16:23 to 18:00 GMT.
The Moon enters Gemini 18:12 GMT reaching gibbous phase at 22:44 GMT at 3 degrees Gemini. The procession to Sunday's Full Moon climax begins in earnest from then.
This day continues in a similarly static way to yesterday until 18:12 GMT when a 'mild wind of change' might be sensed. Certainly things will appear a little less entrenched from that point in time.
Pressures are now beginning to increase as the full moon approaches.
As the Moon increases in size and motion, Mercury is rapidly decreasing in apparent speed as each day passes. The advice is to hold back, refrain from commitment, open your heart to new possibilities and be prepared to allow gentle changes of heart, mind and in your life take place as the days immediately ahead unfold.
There is more movement tonight (GMT), hopefully there will be more success in stopping the bloodshed in Gaza from now on.
Thursday January 8th 2009
Yesterday Israel agreed "on the principles" of a cease-fire proposal, raising hopes of an end to its conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza. "The challenge now is to get the details to match the principles," Israeli spokesman Mark Regev said. The Palestinian militant group Hamas said there were "positive signs but no agreement yet". The development came as Israel halted military operations in Gaza for three hours to aid humanitarian efforts.
Also yesterday Barack Obama joined President George W Bush and the three living ex-presidents for a special White House lunch. (Sun signs left to right:- Gemini, Leo, Cancer, Leo, Libra)
A cosmic chicken-and-egg question has been solved by astronomers, who now say that black holes came before galaxies. The findings were presented at a major astronomy meeting in California.
Today the very fast moving gibbous Moon waxes and accelerates in Gemini.
There is a veritable buzz in the ether today. More movement chatter and diversity than of late.
Friday January 9th 2009
Yesterday the UN said its main aid agency is suspending work in Gaza because staff have been killed and injured in Israeli attacks.
US President-elect Barack Obama said that a huge stimulus package is urgently needed to revive the US economy.
Russian PM Vladimir Putin said Moscow will resume pumping gas to Europe, as Ukraine says it will guarantee its transit.
A strong earthquake struck Costa Rica, the US Geological Survey said. It said the magnitude 6.2 tremor was centred some 35km (22 miles) north-west of the capital San Jose at a depth of 28km (17 miles). Reports say the quake - which hit at 1321 local time (1921 GMT Thursday January 8th 2009) - cut off electricity in parts of the capital.
Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3), discovered in 2007 by a - team of astronomers from Taiwan and China, is swinging around the sun and approaching Earth. Right now, Comet Lulin is gliding through the constellation Libra in the southeastern sky before dawn: . It glows like an 8th magnitude star, so a mid-sized backyard telescope is required to see it. Visibility will improve in February as the Earth-comet distance shrinks. At closest approach (0.41 AU) on February 24th, the comet should brighten to about 5th magnitude--dimly visible to the unaided eye and an easy target for binoculars. Star map below.
Barack Obama has his 4th Jupiter return today, Jan 9th 2009. It is entirely appropriate that the climatic nature of the hour (with a dynamic Full Moon approaching) should set the scene for the next 12 years in this man's life.
From today and for two further days the Sun eases the Saturn Uranus opposition. Solutions are available to all problems at this time.
Around 02:30 GMT the Moon forms a trapezium with the Sun, Saturn and Uranus.
The very fast moving 'nearly Full' Moon in Gemini trines Neptune and is void at 06:40 GMT for nearly 9 hours.
The Sun in Capricorn sextiles Uranus in Pisces 15:28 GMT.
The Moon enters Cancer 18:14 GMT opposing Pluto 20:43 GMT.
The 'Full Moon (in Cancer) weekend' is upon us. Emotions are high.
Saturday January 10th 2009
The UN's first truce call is dismissed by both sides in the Gaza fighting, with Israel's PM calling it unworkable. The fighting continued.
More US workers lost jobs last year than in any year since World War II, with employers axing 2.6 million posts and 524,000 in December alone
Today the Moon is at perigee (fastest all month) 10:49 GMT. She opposes Mars 11:05 GMT.
The emotional power of the day approaches a crescendo as the day ends.
Sunday January 11th 2009
Full Moon in Cancer
03:27 GMT
The biggest full Moon of the year. It's a "perigee Moon" as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons we'll see later in 2009.
arranged in tight 'Mystic Rectangle' pattern with Saturn and Uranus forming a hexagon with the local ascendant of London UK.
http://www.the-wizard.com/MoonRulesCancer5w+Pg30@120med.jpg
This is the 5th Full Moon following on from the Partial Lunar Eclipse of August 16th 2008 and the ultimate Full Moon before the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 21 degrees Leo on February 9th 2009.
This is an extremely dynamic Full Moon. It is arranged in tight 'Mystic Rectangle' pattern with Saturn and Uranus forming a hexagon with the local ascendant of London UK.
At the moment of Full Moon the Sun is rising and the Moon is setting at Johannesburg, Ashklabad and at Harare. The Moon is on the local IC (local Noon) at Darwin,
This Full Moon is sextile Barack Obama's natal Mars.
This Full Moon falls exactly on the natal Sun and Ascendant of the Iraq republic chart.
This Full Moon is trine Gordon Brown's natal Mars.
This Full Moon directly hits the natal Sun of Harrison Ford, the natal Mercury of Venus Williams, the natal Mars Saturn conjunction of Dolly Parton, the natal Jupiter of musician Jack Bruce, the natal Uranus of John Travolta (whose 16 year old son died of a brain seizure 8 days ago), the natal Pluto of Yoko Ono and Joan Collins and the natal Ascendant of Carla Bruni.
How does this Full Moon affect your natal horoscope? Sign up to astrotexts.com
The Full Moon sextiles Saturn 04:27 GMT and becomes Void of Course.
Mercury turns retrograde today 16:37 GMT
The Moon enters Leo 17:41 GMT.
The Sun trines Saturn 18:02 GMT.
The Moon, the Earth and Jupiter are linearly aligned within a degree at 19:59 GMT. This is the first of three tight alignments involving the the Moon, the Earth and a planet in three days.
Monday January 12th 2009
Israel said it carried out some 60 air strikes on Gaza on Saturday night Sunday morning, (the night of the Full Moon), as its cabinet discussed stepping up the military offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert then said the goals of the military campaign in Gaza were near, but signals the offensive will go on
President-elect Obama said the US will take a different approach to Iran under his leadership, in a wide-ranging US TV interview.
A search operation is under way after a ferry carrying about 250 passengers and 17 crew sank in stormy seas in central Indonesia. Indonesia's state-run Antara news agency said the vessel went down at 0400 local time (2100 GMT Saturday) in stormy seas.
Pakistani soldiers repulsed an attack by 600 fighters in a tribal area near the Afghan border, killing at least 40 militants, military officials said
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 22 degrees Capricorn. There are 8 days remaining to the start of the astrological month of Aquarius and 68 days to the Vernal Equinox.
We are now in an eclipse season with eclipses of the Sun in Aquarius and of the Moon in Leo occurring on January 26th and February 9th respectively.
The Moon today is waning and decelerating in Leo. The Moon, the Earth and retrograde Mercury are linearly aligned within 0.75 of a degree at 06:04 GMT. This is the second of three tight alignments involving the Moon, the Earth and a planet in three days.
Mercury is now a retrograde 'evening star' in Aquarius. (Delays in transport, communications, computers and decision making can be expected). Mercury is conjunct Jupiter at 3 degrees Aquarius on 18th Jan. He is at inferior conjunction with the Sun at 1 degree Aquarius on January 20th, and re-enters Capricorn (as a morning star) on January 21st. Retrograde 'morning star' Mercury is sextile Venus on January 26th the day of the next Solar eclipse, he is conjunct Mars on January 27th. Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on February 1st.. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th, the day his speed is greater than a degree a day. Mercury enters new territory on Feb 21st and then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Venus also appears as 'an evening star' and is in Pisces. Venus is conjunct Uranus (within 1.25 degrees) on January 23rd at 20 degrees Pisces. Venus opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) and sextiles Mars on January 24th. Venus is sextile retrograde Mercury on January 26th. Venus enters Aries on February 3rd. Venus will turn retrograde on March 6th 2009 being then positioned half way through Aries
Mars is on the far side of the Sun and in Capricorn 'till February 4th 2009. Mars eases the ongoing Uranus Saturn opposition by making a sextile aspect to Uranus on January 22nd and a trine aspect to Saturn on January 24th. After leaving Capricorn on February 4th Mars is tightly conjunct Jupiter (within 34 minutes of arc) at 10 degrees Aquarius on February 17th.
Jupiter makes a 'one off' waning semi-square aspect to Uranus on January 27th 2009 which is a forerunner to the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus on the Pisces Aries cusp in 2010 and 2011.
The week ahead ends with retrograde Mercury in a conjunction with Jupiter at 3 degrees Aquarius on Sunday.
Tuesday January 13th 2009
Yesterday Israeli forces move slowly into Gaza's most densely populated areas, but the military denied an escalation
Russia will resume pumping gas to third countries via Ukraine from Tuesday morning, the EU says, ending a dispute over transit
Outgoing US President George W Bush warned his successor that a terrorist attack is still the "most urgent threat" to the US.
Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) (photo above) is swinging around the sun and approaching Earth for a 38-million-mile close encounter in late February. The comet is not yet visible to the naked eye, but it is putting on a nice show for backyard telescopes. Comet Lulin is gliding through the constellation Libra. http://www.spaceweather.com
Today the Moon, the Earth and Neptune are linearly aligned within a degree at 06:38 GMT and the Moon then becomes void of course. This is the third of three tight alignments involving the Moon, the Earth and a planet in three days.
The Moon enters Virgo nearly 12 hours later at 18:33 GMT.
From this point in time the Sun and the Moon are again both in earth signs (with Mars, Saturn and Pluto). The remainder of this day and the two which follow are geared to practical matters and precision methodology.
This is a time for critical appraisal.
Wednesday January 14th 2009
In contradiction to Monday's declared news and in true 'Mercury Retrograde' style Russian gas giant Gazprom yesterday said Ukraine has blocked deliveries of gas to Europe, scotching hopes of an end to the crisis.
Also yesterday, a fairly 'low key news day' Israeli troops again entered Gaza City's suburbs and engaged in street fighting with Palestinian militants.
Today the decelerating and waning Moon reaches disseminating phase 10 degrees Virgo 10:26 GMT.
Today Venus in Pisces is at greatest elongation, 47° east of the Sun in the evening sky.
There is a need for efficiency, methodology and precision today. The focus is on cutbacks, realism and industry.
Thursday January 15th 2009
Yesterday Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip passed 1,000, medical sources in Gaza said, as diplomatic efforts continued to reach a ceasefire.
The official in charge of trials at Guantanamo Bay was quoted as saying US agents tortured a Saudi man at the camp.
Shares in Europe and the US fell sharply after more bleak news on the US economy alarmed investors.
Jupiter opposes Barack Obama's natal Mercury today, the same day as Pluto opposes his natal Venus. The tide of destiny is strong right now for this man.
Today the waning and decelerating Moon in Virgo opposes Uranus 04:16 GMT and is conjunct Saturn 07:32 GMT, becoming void at that time. This evokes sobering moments.
The day continues with an almost obsessive requirement for detail.
We are in a pre-eclipse 'astrological lull' at the moment, but several sharp planetary conjunctions are looming ahead. Retrograde Mercury and Jupiter are drawing to a conjunction in early Aquarius which occurs next Sunday (January 18th). Venus is drawing to a conjunction with Uranus in Pisces which hits on January 23rd. The Sun is conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on January 24th. The big day, January 26th, sees the Sun eclipsed in Aquarius, and retrograde Mercury is conjunct Mars in Capricorn on January 27th. The planets are amassing in Aquarius, there are important days ahead.
The Moon enters Libra 22:31 GMT.
Friday January 16th 2009
Yesterday one of the top Hamas leaders in Gaza, interior minister Said Siyam, was killed in an air strike. The head of the UN aid agency in Gaza accused the Israeli military of firing what was believed to be white phosphorus shells at its compound.
Illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Burma said Thai soldiers tied their hands and forced them back to sea on boats without engines.
Senator Hillary Clinton moved a step closer to a confirmation vote on her appointment as the next US secretary of state.
An unprecedented security operation is under way in Washington ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration as US president. With estimates of up to a record two million people attending on 20 January, the event has been designated a "national special security event". Reports suggest more than 20,000 police officers, troops and security agents are involved.
In the UK a third runway should be built at Heathrow, ministers said - but opponents vowed to fight the plans.
Today the Moon wanes and decelerates in Libra for two days and approaches her Last Quarter phase.
The Sun and Moon are now both in Cardinal signs (with Mars and Pluto).
Ten days remain to an Eclipse of the Sun. Retrograde Mercury, a major player right now, is approaching his second (of 3) conjunctions this season with Jupiter on Sunday evening (GMT). Saturday, like today, is primarily social in focus. On Sunday more serious issues may arise.
Saturday January 17th 2009
Yesterday's main news concerned the pilot who landed a plane in the Hudson River New York saving all 155 people on board on Thursday evening (GMT). The event was hailed as a miracle, a touch of welcome news amid a torrent of wretched news stories so far this year. The timings of the incident were reported as follows.
1 1526 local time (2026 GMT): Flight 1549 takes off from New York's LaGuardia Airport
2 1527 (2027 GMT): Pilot Chesley Sullenberger III reports birds hitting both engines
3 1528 (2028 GMT): Air traffic controllers tell the pilot to land at Teterboro airfield in New Jersey
4 1531 (2031 GMT): Pilot decides he cannot reach Teterboro and ditches plane in Hudson River
These critical five minutes reveal the transiting Mars/Pluto midpoint opposite the local ascendant of New York (the danger), and the Uranus/Venus midpoint on the local Mid-heaven of New York ( the miracle). These timings offer a real research potential for 'fine-tuning' astrologers to investigate the story. Astrological harmonics are the tool to use for such precision work.
Astrologer Marjorie Orr wrote yesterday The plane that crashed Thursday into the Hudson River, left La Guardia, NY airport at 3.26pm. This puts Uranus within two degrees of the midheaven and exactly conjunct about ten minutes later as the passengers were presumably climbing onto the wing. Jupiter just into Aquarius favours aviation and was exactly conjunct the Sun/NNode midpoint which is lucky and brings favourable public attention. On the 8th Harmonic which is often strong for accident charts, Jupiter is conjunct the midheaven trine Pluto and square the Moon - so Jupiter produced its lucky trick to get everyone safely rescued.
Also yesterday the US and Israel signed a deal to halt arms smuggling into Gaza, in what Israel's foreign minister says is a step towards peace.
A team of NASA and university scientists has discovered "substantial plumes" of methane floating through the atmosphere of Mars. Their discovery indicates Mars is either biologically or geologically active.
Today the Moon quietly wanes and decelerates in Libra towards last quarter.
Mercury continues in retrograde motion towards a conjunction with Jupiter tomorrow.
The current eclipse season deepens.
Today is largely social. Diplomacy, war, peace, justice, injustice are all in the balance.
Sunday January 18th 2009
Yesterday Israel said it will halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe after an absence of more than two months.
US President-elect Barack Obama retraced Abraham Lincoln's steps as he headed to Washington to assume the presidency
Today is the last full day of the astrological month of Capricorn.
The Moon reaches last quarter phase 02:47 GMT 28 degrees Libra and is void from that moment.
She enters Scorpio 06:21 GMT. The social focus of yesterday now gives way to a more intense and willful atmosphere.
The Moon then squares Jupiter and retrograde Mercury at 12:10 and 12:54 GMT respectively. This day could be a little hard going.
Mercury is conjunct Jupiter at 3 degrees Aquarius at 19:07 GMT. This is the 2nd of 3 conjunctions of these two. The first was on new year's eve.
Monday January 19th 2009
Yesterday as Mercury retrograded into the bosom of Jupiter Palestinian militant group Hamas declared a one-week ceasefire to allow Israeli soldiers to withdraw from Gaza.
Nato's secretary general says Afghan government corruption is as much to blame as insurgents for instability.
Beyonce and Bruce Spingsteen are to star in a welcome concert for Barack Obama ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday
A meteoroid of unknown size hit Earth's atmosphere over Sweden Saturday (Jan. 17 at 1909 UT) and exploded, turning the sky "lightning blue and green." Security camera footage suggests the fireball was about as bright as a full Moon; it was visible from Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and possibly as far away as Spain.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at the very end of the sign Capricorn. The Sun ingresses Aquarius 22:41 GMT today. There are then 60 days to the Vernal Equinox. We are currently deeply immersed within an eclipse season with eclipses of the Sun and Moon on January 26th and February 9th respectively.
The slow moving Moon now past last quarter phase and decelerating makes easy aspects today.
Mercury is a retrograding 'evening star' in Aquarius. Mercury is at inferior conjunction with the Sun at 1 degree Aquarius tomorrow January 20th, and then shines as a 'morning star'. He retrogrades back into Capricorn on Wednesday. Retrograde 'morning star' Mercury is sextile Venus on January 26th the day of the next Solar eclipse, he is conjunct Mars on January 27th. Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on February 1st.. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th, that day his speed is greater than a degree a day, and the time will be ripe for initiating new projects and plans. Mercury enters new territory on Feb 21st and then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Venus appears as 'an evening star' and is in Pisces. Venus is conjunct Uranus (within 1.25 degrees) on Friday at 20 degrees Pisces. Venus opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) and sextiles Mars on Saturday. Venus is sextile retrograde Mercury on January 26th. Venus enters Aries on February 3rd. Venus will turn retrograde on March 6th 2009 being then positioned half way through Aries
Mars is on the far side of the Sun and in Capricorn 'till February 4th 2009. From today for five more days Mars eases the ongoing Uranus Saturn opposition by making a sextile aspect to Uranus on January 22nd and a trine aspect to Saturn on January 24th. After leaving Capricorn on February 4th Mars is tightly conjunct Jupiter (within 34 minutes of arc) at 10 degrees Aquarius on February 17th.
Jupiter makes a 'one off' waning semi-square aspect to Uranus on January 27th 2009 which is a forerunner to the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus on the Pisces Aries cusp in 2010 and 2011.
This 'pre-eclipse' week then sees the Sun conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on Saturday. The big day, next Monday January 26th, sees the Sun eclipsed in Aquarius, and retrograde Mercury is conjunct Mars in Capricorn the day after, on Tuesday January 27th. The planets are amassing in Aquarius, there are very important days ahead.
The Sun enters Aquarius 22:41 GMT today, and a new astrological month begins.
Jupiter today trines Barack Obama's natal Moon, a very favourable aspect. Popularity wins the day.
The dream is realized tomorrow.
Tuesday January 20th 2009.
Tens of thousands of Gazans are destitute and lack running water after Israel's offensive against Hamas militants, the UN yesterday said
A lawyer for the family of a Chechen woman murdered by a Russian officer has been shot dead in Moscow.
Yesterday US President-elect Barack Obama joined events for the annual Martin Luther King holiday, which fell on the eve of his inauguration.
SCANDINAVIAN FIREBALL: A meteoroid of unknown size hit Earth's atmosphere over Scandinavia on Jan. 17th (1909 UT) and disintegrated in a thunderous explosion. The fireball was so bright it turned the nighttime sky blue.
See the movie! http://sydsvenskan.se/webbtv/article406633/Trolig-meteor-lyste-upp-himlen.html?context=webbtv
Today is the first day of the astrological month of Aquarius.
US presidential inauguration day.
The Moon in Scorpio squares Neptune in Aquarius and is void from 03:38 GMT.
The Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun occurs at 16:00 GMT at 1 degree Aquarius.
This can be considered a 'seed moment of the mind', a 'New Mercury'.
One hour later millions will witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Obama inauguration chart
Presidential power passes to President Barack Obama at 12:00 EST today. The inauguration chart above is set up for this moment at Washington DC.
(USA inauguration charts always have the Sun in Aquarius near the MC and have Taurus rising).
At this moment in Washington DC the Moon is waning and decelerating in the last minutes of Scorpio and is void of course. Thirty one minutes after the inauguration moment the Moon enters Sagittarius and applies in sextile aspect to the Sun and to Mercury and to Jupiter.
An annular eclipse of the Sun is six days away.
Mercury is at Inferior conjunction with the Sun at the start of Aquarius, Jupiter also in Aquarius smiles on close by. Venus applying in conjunction to Uranus is sextile Mars. A planetary kite is forming in the skies involving the Washington DC local ascendant, Mars, and the tightening Saturn Uranus opposition. There is real power and destiny in this moment.
Although President Obama begins his office towards the end of the lunation cycle, in the approaching days to an eclipse (when many things will change and unforeseen situations will arise), and with a retrograde Mercury, the symbolism fits perfectly. This man inherits a mess, the product of the old cycle and its old ideas. There is however hope in this chart. A new seed message has been released, symbolised by Mercury at Inferior conjunction, the chart is very favourable, the sign Aquarius dominates the chart, the sign of 'perfected man', the sign of the future and the sign of The New Age, and the chart has a predominance of favourable sextile and trine aspects. It is nearly moonset at Washington, a magical moment, national past mistakes can be acknowledged, recompensed and laid to rest. The Mars Jupiter midpoint is exactly on the MC, there is practical and visionary energy. Uranus is exactly on the MC ASC midpoint. There is unprecedented world attention here, at this place, at this time.
Exact astrocartographic contacts are occurring at Algiers and Reykjavick (where Mercury is setting), Cairo and Warsaw (Neptune sets), Johannesburg (Sun sets), Harare (the lunar Node sets) , Saigon (Mercury lower culmination), Brisbane (Venus lower culmination). At Delhi Pluto is close to lower culmination and maybe very significantly, Venus, Saturn and Uranus straddle the Iran Afghan Pakistan borders.
The setting Moon aligns exactly to New Orleans, in the opposite direction the moon line aligns to New York, Athens, and the Egypt Gaza region. Pluto aligns to just north of Moscow and on to Kabul. Mars aligns close to Lhasa and Rangoon, the Sun and Mercury align to Saigon (doubly starred), Venus, Saturn and Uranus align to Seattle and on to Perth
Some thirty one minutes after the inauguration moment the Moon enters Sagittarius 17:31 GMT making sextile aspects to Mercury, the Sun and Jupiter.
With the Sun in Aquarius and the Moon in Sagittarius we can imagine that have a global party atmosphere on our hands.
Wednesday January 21st 2009
Yesterday Barack Obama was sworn in as America's 44th president - and its first African-American leader - in a ceremony in Washington DC watched by millions around the world.
Rwandan troops entered eastern DR Congo for a joint operation with Congolese forces against a Rwandan Hutu militia.
Italian carmaker Fiat signed a global strategic alliance with Chrysler, taking a 35% share in the troubled US giant.
Continued fears about the health of the UK banking sector caused sterling to hit its lowest level against the dollar since 2001.
Today Mercury retrogrades into Capricorn 05:37 GMT. He returns there to re-fix and mend a few recent mistakes and wrong decisions. Mercury is sextile Venus on January 26th the day of the next Solar eclipse, he is conjunct Mars on January 27th. Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on February 1st.. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th,
A lunar occultation of Antares occurs today around 13:38 GMT. The occultation is centred on central south America. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series of Antares lunar occultations is from 2023 to 2028.
Thursday January 22nd 2009
Yesterday President Obama signed executive orders he said will bring a "new era of openness" to government, on his first full day in office
Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said the time has come for the West to lift its boycott on his Palestinian Islamist movement.
The continent of Antarctica is heating up in step with the rest of the planet, according to a new analysis reported yesterday..
Right now, Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Today the very slowly waning Moon hits balsamic phase 04:28 GMT at 17 degrees Sagittarius.
The procession to Annular Solar Eclipse next Monday will then begin.
We now live through a few prophetic days where the passing and ending of the old cycle contains in the flavour of the time traces and glimpses of the new.
Around noon GMT this slow balsamic Moon forms a T-square with Uranus and Saturn evoking challenge and change.
The Moon moves on even slower to a sextile aspect with Neptune 16:25 GMT.
Meanwhile Mars in Capricorn strikes a sextile of his own with Uranus in Pisces at 17:00 GMT, stamping an ingenuity and a measure of meaningful activity on the day.
Venus too draws to a close conjunction with Uranus all day today which peaks very early tomorrow (GMT), something potentially exciting and unusual is underway, just be ready for anything.
Friday January 23rd 2009
Yesterday US President Barack Obama ordered the closure of the Guantanamo prison camp and overseas CIA detention centres.
Microsoft has said it will cut up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months, including 1,400 immediately.
Today the Moon is at apogee (slowest all month) 00:10 GMT.
Venus is conjunct Uranus (within 1.25 degrees) at 01:01 GMT at 20 degrees Pisces.
The old 'nail paring' Moon enters Capricorn 06:19 GMT and makes easy aspects right up to and beyond Monday's eclipse. The Moon is conjunct Pluto at 10:27 GMT.
The weekend ahead is a pre-eclipse weekend, mighty in importance. The planets are amassing in Aquarius. This is a strong concentration of energy.
All day today the Sun applies to his annual conjunction with Jupiter, this year in Aquarius. The conjunction peaks early tomorrow (GMT). This one is potentially full of new developments.
Also Mars, industriously placed in Capricorn is about to 'trine' Saturn. This confers on today and tomorrow a real opportunity to get things done and forge practical accomplishments..
Saturday January 24th 2009
Yesterday DR Congo sought the extradition of rebel leader Laurent Nkunda after his capture by neighbouring Rwanda.
Two infants and an adult were killed and 10 other people wounded in a knife attack at a creche in north-west Belgium.
US regulators cleared the way for the world's first study on human embryonic stem cell therapy.
The UK has officially entered recession for the first time since the early 1990s, after the economy shrank by 1.5% in the last quarter of 2008.
Comet Lulin remains about magnitude 7.0 as it rises rapidly higher in the southeast to south before dawn. Small-telescope users are spotting it easily, with the Moon now gone from the morning sky. The comet is moving toward Earth and should reach 5th magnitude in late February.
Today the Sun is conjunct Jupiter at 4 degrees Aquarius 05:45 GMT. A conjunction of the Sun and Jupiter in Aquarius has not occurred since Feb 18th 1986. The 'Single European Act' was signed the previous day and the Russians launched the Mir space station the next day. The occurrence before that was on February 13th 1974 the very day that Aleksander Solzhenitsyn was expelled from Russia.
Mars in Capricorn trines Saturn in Virgo 08:05 GMT.
Venus still very moist after with her conjunction yesterday with Uranus in Pisces, today opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) at 08:16 GMT. This one has an austere hue.
Venus in Pisces sextiles Mars in Capricorn 09:05 GMT. These two (unusually) remain in waxing sextile aspect right through to the end of February. Something has started, something's going on and the drug here is love.
The Moon and 4 planets are clustered within a 20 degree arc from 11:35 GMT today for 2 days.
We have here a real concentrated blend of planetary forces at work over the next 50 hours or so.
Sunday January 25th 2009
On January 25th 2009 Jupiter squares UK opposition leader David Cameron's natal Mercury, there may well be some serious misjudgments and over-estimations in this man's calculations right now..
The Moon is closely conjunct Mars (<0.75 degree) 02:36 GMT at 22 degrees Capricorn.
The Moon is conjunct Mercury 09:09 GMT at 25 degrees Capricorn and is void of course.
The Moon enters Aquarius 18:57 GMT and makes continues to make pleasant aspects.
Monday January 26th 2009
Yesterday Sri Lankan troops won control of Mullaitivu, the last big town held by Tamil Tiger rebels, the head of the country's army says
Bolivians were voting on a new constitution that President Evo Morales said will empower the country's indigenous majority.
Schools in the Gaza Strip operated by the United Nations reopened for the first time since the Israeli offensive against Hamas militants
Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 BD slowly passed by Earth yesterday only 400,000 miles away. The small 10m-wide space rock posed no threat, but it merits attention anyway. The orbit of 2009 BD appears to be almost identical to the orbit of Earth. 2009 BD may be a rare , circling the sun in near-tandem with our planet. Extrapolating the motion of 2009 BD into the future, we see that it remains in the vicinity of Earth for many months to come, never receding farther than 0.1 AU (9.3 million miles) until Nov. 2010. Future observations may reveal the nature of this strange asteroid; stay tuned! http://www.spaceweather.com/
Welcome to THE DAZE,
and a day and a time of wonder.
The day starts with the ancient Moon is aligned to Jupiter at 5 degrees Aquarius at 04:37 GMT. There then follows an
Annular eclipse of the Sun
at 6 degrees Aquarius
conjunct Jupiter
Stellium in Aquarius. Venus conjunct Uranus in Pisces.
Central eclipse 07-59 GMT.
This eclipse is visible from the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Borneo, the East Indies, and the eastern Pacific.
http://www.e-earthborn.com/gallery/photoshop/images/aquarius.jpg
http://www.hermit.org/eclipse/2009-01-26/
The first solar eclipse of 2009 occurs at the Moon's ascending node in tropical Aquarius. An annular eclipse will be visible from a wide track that traverses the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia. A partial eclipse will be seen within the much larger path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes the southern third of Africa, Madagascar, Australia except Tasmania, southeast India, Southeast Asia and Indonesia
Timings of the Eclipse. (UT h:m:s)
First external contact of penumbra 04:56:37
First external contact of umbra 06:02:39
The annular path begins in the South Atlantic at 06:06 UT
First internal contact of umbra 06:08:58
First internal contact of penumbra 07:21:05
Greatest Eclipse 07:59:44
At this instant, the annular duration (the ring of fire) is 7 minutes 54 seconds, the path width is 280 kilometers and the Sun is 73° above the flat horizon formed by the open ocean
Last internal contact of penumbra 08:36:31
Last internal contact of umbra 09:48:28
In its final minutes, the antumbral shadow cuts across central Borneo and clips the northwestern edge of Celebes before ending just short of Mindanao, Philippines at 09:52 UT.
Last external contact of umbra 09:54:44
Last external contact of penumbra 11:00:41
Saros 131.
Today's eclipse is the 50th member of the 70 eclipses which form Solar Saros series 131. This series began on August 1st 1125 at 05:15:09 UT and will finish on September 2nd in the year 2369. The series peaked on May 30th 1612 with its longest Total Eclipse. Today's eclipse is the longest Annular Eclipse in the series.
The last eclipse in the series occurred on Jan 15th 1973, the day before the start of 'Operation Desert Storm'. The one before that was on Jan 4th 1973. Before that one occurred on Christmas Day 1954 when Laos gained Full independence, the one before that on Dec 13th 1936 the time of the Abdication of King Edward of Britain, and before that on Dec 3rd 1918 the day of the start of Iceland's self governing.
Astrological contacts from the eclipse.
This eclipse directly hits the natal Sun of Eartha Kit (who died over Christmas 2008) and Nick Mason, the natal Moon of Jeff Buckley, and Ursula Andress, the natal Mars Jupiter conjunction of David Blaine, the natal Mars of Melanie Safka, the natal Jupiter of George Clooney and Boy George (sent to prison 10 days ago and hit hard by this eclipse and the lunar eclipse in two weeks time) and the natal Saturn of Jon Bonjovi. The eclipse is opposite David Cameron's natal Moon and trine his natal Venus.
After the eclipse is over the infant Moon slowly accelerates through Aquarius.
Retrograde Mercury is sextile Venus 23:31 GMT and all day applies in a conjunction with Mars which peaks tomorrow.
Tuesday January 27th 2009
Yesterday's solar eclipse saw US President Barack Obama calling for US energy independence, saying global warming and relying on foreign oil posed threats.
Equally importantly Icelandic PM Geir Haarde announced the resignation of his government in the wake of the country's economic crisis.
Islamist forces captured most of the Somali city of Baidoa - one of the last government strongholds.
The Sudanese military launched an air and ground assault on insurgents' positions in South Darfur, according to a rebel group.
We are now in an eclipse fortnight between eclipses of the Sun, yesterday and of the Moon on February 9th, a mightily sensitive time.
Today retrograde Mercury is conjunct Mars 06:12 GMT at 24 degrees Capricorn. This particular conjunction occurred on Nov 29th 2008 ( in Sagittarius) when the terrorist attack in Mumbai which left nearly 200 dead came to its conclusion. The final conjunction is on March 2nd 2009 in Aquarius.
The slow moving infant Moon aligns to Neptune (within 1.7 degrees) at 23 degrees Aquarius at 17:13 GMT and is void.
Jupiter waning semi-square aspect to Uranus 23:05 GMT a one off aspect, and a forerunner to the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus on the Pisces Aries cusp in 2010 and 2011.
Wednesday January 28th 2009
Yesterday Israel carried out an air attack on Gaza and sent tanks across the border in the worst clashes since its conflict with Hamas ended
US President Barack Obama prepared to try to get Republican backing for his $825bn economic recovery plan.
Zimbabwe's opposition said it has not agreed to join a unity government, as reported by southern Africa's leaders.
Sri Lanka's military said it is trying to secure the north-east coastline to encircle Tamil Tiger rebels as part of a final assault. Troops are moving north from the captured rebel town of Mullaitivu to take the 30km (18 mile) stretch. The military says it hopes to control the entire north within weeks.
All eight octuplets born prematurely in the US are breathing on their own after ventilators were removed from three who initially had breathing problems. The mother is only the second person recorded in the US to have delivered a set of living octuplets.
A mathematical model based on fading sea ice and the population growth of emperor penguins suggests their likely demise.
Today the fresh young Moon enters Pisces 06:13 GMT and begins a slow acceleration towards a rather sweet and liquid conjunction with Venus on Friday morning (GMT) in that sign. We now enter a more ethereal and subliminal couple of days.
Thursday January 29th 2009
Yesterday Russia's military announced it will halt its plans to deploy short-range missiles in its Baltic enclave Kaliningrad. A Russian military official said a change in US attitude had prompted the latest decision.
World news is full, right now, of the shock waves of the implication of Barack Obama's election to the presidency of the United States. There is a definite ripple effect in many quarters. The European Commission yesterday called on President Obama to cap US carbon emissions and sign up to a global carbon trading system. This is occurring as Saturn and Uranus are approaching the 2nd of their 5 oppositions. Barack Obama was elected on the very day of the first opposition of these two planets on November 4th 2008.
Today the young accelerating Moon hooks into the opposition and is conjunct Uranus 21:15 GMT at 20 degrees Pisces and opposes Saturn (within 1.5 degrees) at 22:32 GMT. She is then unhindered in her application to Venus.
Friday January 30th 2009
Yesterday unions in France led big protests against the handling of the economic crisis, causing disruption to rail and air services.
The UN launched an appeal for $613m to help people affected by Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Today the youthful accelerating Moon reaches her waxing crescent phase 07:03 GMT at 26 degrees Pisces. She is conjunct Venus at 09:24 GMT at 27 degrees Pisces and is void for a dreamy six hours and one minute.
The Moon enters Aries 15:25 GMT.
Shotgun and starting pistol ! The rest of the day and the weekend ahead are rampant. A time to cut loose.
Jupiter makes her final waxing 135 degrees aspect to Saturn tonight at 23:04 GMT. (1st March 18th 2008, 2nd June 26th 2008). This aspect sets in motion the majestic and slow build up of the 'great opposition' of Jupiter and Saturn which occurs during 2010 and 2011 across the Aries Libra axis. The opposition wll be the culmination of the 'great conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn which occurred in late May 2000 (in Taurus). The next 'great conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn occurs on the day of the Winter Solstice in Dec 2020 at the very start of Aquarius. Ponder on this.
Saturday January 31st 2009
The Moon 'increasing in light and motion' resides in Aries and continues in her approach to the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Leo in 9 days time.
Amid the urges and surges of this spirited day, Mercury hangs, appearing almost motionless, turning direct again tomorrow. There is great stillness of mind to be achieved today.
February 2009
Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3), photo above http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/lulin/24jan09/chris-brennan1.jpg, discovered in 2007 by a team of astronomers from Taiwan and China, is swinging around the sun and approaching Earth. Right now, Comet Lulin is gliding through the constellation Libra (Tropical Scorpio) in the southeastern sky before dawn. It glows like an 7th magnitude star, so a mid-sized backyard telescope is required to see it. Visibility will improve in February as the Earth-comet distance shrinks. At closest approach (0.41 AU) on February 24th, the comet should brighten to about 5th magnitude--dimly visible to the unaided eye and an easy target for binoculars. Surprises are possible. The hyperbolic orbit of Comet Lulin suggests this could be the comet's first visit to the inner solar system. How it will react to increasing sunlight is anyone's guess.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 2nd time on February 5th, this ongoing Saturn Uranus opposition hooks into Gordon' Brown's lunar nodal axis and his natal Mars and is conjunct David Cameron's natal Uranus. This looks a testy time for UK politics
A heavy Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 21 degrees Leo opposite Neptune and Chiron occurs on February 9th. This eclipse has the hallmark of an unwieldy delusionary nature, full of strange magic and glamour, very good for artistic creation not so good for clarity of emotion.
Venus is sextile Mars all month, an unusual astrological situation, promoting man woman relationships and sexual love.
Mars is conjunct Jupiter in Capricorn February 17th. This conjunction always evokes events.
Sunday February 1st 2009
The Moon forms a 'finger of fate' with Neptune and the Uranus. Saturn opposition today around 07:00 GMT.
Mercury turns direct today at 22 degrees Capricorn 07:05 GMT.
Set lose your magic tortoise as Mercury turns direct. Mercury is direct in motion from today until May 7th.2009.
The day follows with similar energy to yesterday.
The Moon squares Mars at 18:08 GMT and is void.
She enters Taurus 22:09 GMT.
The (GMT) day ends with a degree of resignation.
Monday February 2nd 2009
Yesterday Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vowed a "disproportionate" response after rockets and mortars hit Israel, injuring three people.
Crisis-hit Iceland announced a new government headed by the world's first openly gay leader, Johanna Sigurdardottir.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 14 degrees Aquarius. There are 46 days to the Vernal Equinox. Tomorrow we are half way between the Capricorn Solstice and the Vernal Equinox.
We are currently in an eclipse fortnight with the accelerating but steady Moon today at her First quarter phase 14 degrees Taurus 23:14 GMT waxing to a heavy penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurring next Monday.
Mercury is now appearing as a slow moving but accelerating and (since yesterday) a directly moving 'morning star' in Capricorn. He remains in Capricorn until (Valentines day) February 14th, the day his speed is greater than a degree a day. Mercury enters new territory on Feb. 21st and then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time this season ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Venus appears as an evening star in Pisces and she enters Aries tomorrow February 3rd. Venus squares Pluto on Friday, (a touch of the traumatic and not really a good day for the markets). Venus will turn retrograde on March 6th 2009 being then positioned half way through Aries
Mars is on the far side of the Sun and in Capricorn. Entering Aquarius on February 4th, Mars is tightly conjunct Jupiter (within 34 minutes of arc) at 10 degrees Aquarius on February 17th.
Saturn opposes Uranus on Thursday. This is the 2nd of 5 oppositions between these two over the current couple of years. The 1st on Nov 4th 2008 coincide with the USA election. The 3rd is on Sept. 15th 2009, the 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010.
Tuesday February 3rd 2009
Yesterday the Sri Lankan government told civilians to leave an area where it is fighting Tamil rebels, saying it cannot guarantee their safety.
Leaders of the African Union elected Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as their next chairman at a summit meeting in Ethiopia.
In the UK a protester threw a shoe and hurls an insult at the Chinese prime minister during a speech at Cambridge University.
The worst snow storms in 18 years hit the UK. We on this island are braced for further severe disruption as more snow falls in many parts of the country.
Today the Moon now past first quarter phase waxes and accelerates towards her penumbral eclipse next Monday.
Jupiter in Aquarius opposes David Cameron's Moon today.
Venus the 'evening star' enters Aries 03:41 GMT. There is a lot to tell here. The story of Venus' passage through the celestial sphere will be full of drama and intrigue. Venus will be in Aries right up to June 6th except for a brief (but very eventful) 13 day retrograde slip back into Pisces. Venus squares Pluto on Friday 6th Feb., the first of 3 such aspects which will throw a melodramatic and wanton hue over the entire period under consideration. Venus sextiles Jupiter on Feb. 17th and Mars on Feb. 18th, an intensely eventful couple of days). The Moon occults Venus at 15 degrees Aries on Feb. 27th. Venus appears to slow to a standstill, turning retrograde on March 6th being at that time in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star.
Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Around 12:30 GMT today the Moon in Taurus forms a 'planetary kite' based around an 'earthy grand trine' involving Mercury now direct in Capricorn, Saturn in Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces.
At 16:51 GMT we are exactly mid way between the Winter Solstice (in the northern hemisphere) and the Vernal Equinox. In the north the season of 'stirring' begins, in the south the seemingly endless summer is indeed past its glory.
Wednesday February 4th 2009
Iran has launched its first domestically made satellite, prompting concern by Western powers over its intentions.
Key international negotiators have urged Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels to lay down arms and discuss ending hostilities.
In the UK yesterday hundreds of workers continued unofficial strike action over the use of foreign contractors, as Acas talks resume.
Today the Moon in Taurus trines Mars and is void of course from 01:27 GMT.
The fast moving, accelerating and heavily waxing Moon enters Gemini 02:15 GMT.
A frantic talkative blitz of words images connections and movement is underway. A kinetic circus of communications ensues.
Mars, on the far side of the Sun, enters Aquarius 15:56 GMT, (keeping a steady pace with Venus at the start of Aries), joining the Sun, Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron and the Lunar Node there. Mars is conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on Feb. 17th, a truly eventful time, and at the time of the next New Moon, Mars is arrayed in Aquarius with Mercury and Jupiter. Mercury overtakes Mars on March 2nd at 20 degrees Aquarius. Mars is conjunct Neptune on March 8th, and he finally enters Pisces on March 15th. With Venus in Aries during this period we have a rather independent self seeking Mars doing romantic battle with an uncharacteristically complicated Venus, seething with passion, but turning retrograde in possibly angry and tempestuous change of heart.
Thursday February 5th 2009
Yesterday, seemingly a 'low news day', saw Sri Lanka's president declaring that the country's Tamil insurgents are on the verge of total defeat, saying their demise has helped unite the island nation on the 61st anniversary of its independence
Today the Moon continues to wax towards penumbral eclipse (next Monday) and accelerate in Gemini. The Sun and the Moon are both in air signs, (together with Mars, Jupiter and Neptune). The emphasis today is on communication, and lots of it. News travels fast.
Saturn opposes Uranus 11:04 GMT. (1st Nov 4th 2008, Second:- February 5th 2009, 3rd Sept. 15th 2009, 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010). Saturn and Uranus are at the climax of their cycle which began with their conjunction in 1988. Barack Obama was elected on the very day of the first opposition of these two planets on November 4th 2008. The last opposition of Saturn and Uranus occurred in 1965 to the start of 1967 also across Pisces Virgo. That cycle started in 1942. The opposition before that occurred 1918 to 1920 across Leo Aquarius. The last time Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces was in the years 1419 and 1420.
The fast moving Moon quickly brings the matter to a head as she forms an exact and tight mutable T-square with Saturn and Uranus at 12:46 GMT.
The Moon then trines Neptune and is void from 17:44 GMT for the remainder of the (GMT) day.
We face the prospect of Venus in a debauch square aspect to Pluto peaking early tomorrow (GMT). Get used to it, this square aspect will be around a great deal in the coming months. There is always the flavour of salacious scandal with this one around.
Comet Lulin, rising around midnight local time, is now very close to the fixed star Alpha Librae.
Friday February 6th 2009
Yesterday Somali pirates who held a Ukrainian ship full of weapons for five months freed the vessel after a ransom was paid, reports said.
Sri Lanka's government rejected a call by international donors for it to begin negotiating with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
China declared an emergency in northern and central drought-hit regions, where nearly four million people are suffering water shortages.
The Bank of England reduced interest rates to an historic 1% from 1.5% in an attempt to boost the slowing economy. (Graph above)
Today Jupiter trines David Cameron's natal Venus, a short lasting Jupiter transit which might give the man a boost in popularity.
Venus squares Pluto 04:21 GMT. A dominant (wanton) aspect at work during the coming weeks after Venus turns retrograde on March 6th and is active for most of April 2009.
The Moon rapidly enters Cancer at 04:46 GMT.
The Moon forms a tight cardinal T-square with Venus and Pluto at 08:12 GMT exactly.
The Moon reaches gibbous phase 08:30 GMT 3 degrees Cancer. We are then in a rapid 'top gear' emotional swirl as the procession to next Monday's Penumbral Eclipse is in full sway.
Hold tight, cling on.
The Moon occults the 3rd magnitude fixed star epsilon Gemini for UK observers 19:30 to 20:37 GMT
Saturday February 7th 2009
Yesterday US President Barack Obama said the Senate's delay in passing his economic stimulus bill is "inexcusable and irresponsible".
A UN relief agency suspended relief imports into Gaza after 10 trucks of food were seized, in what Hamas said was a "mistake".
Russia and the EU traded accusations over human rights abuses, at their first high-level talks since the gas dispute.
Russia however said they will assist the U.S. in the transit of non-military cargo to Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday.
This weekend will witness the heavily waxing and very fast moving Moon approaching her penumbral eclipse on Monday afternoon (GMT). Today she resides in Cancer conferring an overtly emotional atmosphere on all situations. Tomorrow the Moon is in Leo but she is somewhat besieged by oppositions from Mars and Jupiter in Aquarius, so there is no plane sailing this weekend.
The Moon, the Earth and Mercury are linearly aligned (within 7 minutes of arc) at 19:08 GMT. This alignment is very tight, be aware of the moment. The Moon is then void.
Moon perigee (fastest all month) 20:18 GMT
Sunday February 8th 2009
The Moon rapidly waxing towards Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tomorrow, enters Leo 04:44 GMT today..
The Moon powerfully and menacingly opposes Mars and Jupiter at 09:24 and 17:43 GMT respectively.
Grave holy splendorous pre-eclipse uncompromising hours are upon us.
Monday February 9th 2009
Day of a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
Welcome to THE DAZE
As the lunar eclipse approaches Bush fires in southern Australia on Saturday wiped out whole towns and killed at least 84 people, the worst death toll in the country's history.
Good news manifested as Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov welcomed the US promise to "re-set the button" in their relationship.
US President Barack Obama has defended his economic stimulus plan as "absolutely necessary", and urged Congress to quickly approve it. The Senate was holding a rare Saturday session to debate a pared-down version of the original $900bn (£612bn) plan to revive the flagging US economy. Mr Obama praised moderate Democratic and Republican senators for coming up with the tentative compromise deal. The Senate is now expected to vote on the bill early next week.
Comet Lulin is now visible to the naked eye from dark-sky sites.
State of the skies on this eclipse day:-The Sun today is at 21 degrees Aquarius. There are 39 days to the Vernal Equinox.
The Moon today undergoes a penumbral eclipse. (See below).
Mercury is now appearing as a slow moving but accelerating a directly moving 'morning star' in Capricorn. He remains in Capricorn until February 14th, the day his speed appears greater than a degree a day. Mercury enters new territory on Feb. 21st and then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time this season ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th.
Venus the 'evening star' is in Aries. Venus will be in Aries right up to June 6th except for a brief (but very eventful) 13 day retrograde slip back into Pisces. Venus sextiles Jupiter on Feb. 17th and Mars on Feb. 18th, an intensely eventful couple of days. The Moon occults Venus at 15 degrees Aries on Feb. 27th. Venus appears to slow to a standstill, turning retrograde on March 6th being at that time in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Aquarius, (keeping a steady pace with Venus in Aries). Mars is conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on Feb. 17th, a truly eventful time, and at the time of the next New Moon, Mars is arrayed in Aquarius with Mercury and Jupiter. Mercury overtakes Mars on March 2nd at 20 degrees Aquarius. Mars is conjunct Neptune on March 8th, and he finally enters Pisces on March 15th. With Venus in Aries during this period we have a rather independent self seeking Mars doing romantic battle with an uncharacteristically complicated Venus, seething with passion, but turning retrograde in possibly angry and tempestuous change of heart.
Penumbral lunar eclipse.
at 21 degrees Leo
opposite Neptune and Chiron.
Saturn opposes Uranus.
central eclipse 14-38 GMT
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/Robinb53/Embrace_the_Moon_by_azurylipfe.jpg
The first lunar eclipse of 2009 is one of four such events during the year. The first three eclipses are penumbral while the last (on Dec. 31) is partial. The Feb. 09 event is the deepest penumbral eclipse of the year with a penumbral magnitude of 0.899. It will be easily visible to the naked eye as a dusky shading in the northern half of the Moon. The times of the major phases are listed below.
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 12:38:46 UT
Greatest Eclipse: 14:38:15 UT
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 16:37:40 UT
Of course, the beginning and end of a penumbral eclipse are not visible to the eye. In fact, no shading can be detected until about 2/3 of the Moon's disk is immersed in the penumbra. This would put the period of eclipse visibility from approximately 14:00 to 15:20 UT. Keep in mind that this is only an estimate. Atmospheric conditions and the observer's visual acuity are important factors to consider. An interesting exercise is to note when penumbral shading is first and last seen.
The map above shows the path of the Moon through the penumbra as well as a map of Earth showing the regions of eclipse visibility. Eastern Canada and the USA will miss the eclipse entirely since the eclipse begins after moonset. Observers in western Canada and the USA will have the best views with moonset occurring sometime after mid-eclipse. To catch the entire event, one must be in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, or East Asia. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2009.html#2009Feb09N
Lunar Saros 143
Today's eclipse is the 18th of 73 eclipses which belong to this Saros. This Saros is still in its youth.
The first eclipse in the series occurred on August 7th 1702 at 19:20 UT, and the series will end on October 5th in the year 3000. The chart for the moment of greatest eclipse for the first eclipse in the series, set for London UK is shown above. The Saros has its first partial eclipse in 2063, its first Total Eclipse in 2243 and peaks with the longest Total eclipse in 2351. After today's eclipse there are 2 more penumbral eclipses one in 2027 and one in 2045. Recent eclipses in this Saros occurred on Jan 31st 1991, Jan 18th 1973, Jan 8th 1955, Dec 28th 1936, Dec 17th 1918 and Dec 6th 1900.
The Saros chart above shows a fiery mix (6 planets in fire signs) . The eclipsed Moon in Aquarius opposes Pluto yet makes a sextile aspect with a triple conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune in Aries. Mars in Capricorn squares the triple conjunction and opposes Venus. Mercury is retrograde. The nature of this Saros is to promote rigorous self social and civil projection. There is a baptism.
Astrocartographic contacts.
At the moment of maximum eclipse today the eclipsed Moon is rising over Cairo and Warsaw. The Moon is on the local MC of the east coast of Korea and central Australia. She is on the local IC of Brazil. The Saturn Uranus opposition is centred on central Afghanistan. Jupiter Mars and the Lunar node are setting over the UK.
Astrological contacts.
This lunar eclipse makes almost exact direct conjunctions to the natal Venus of George W Bush and Sylvester Stallone, the natal moon of Helena Bonham Carter and singer Pete Burns, the natal Mars of Amy Winehouse, the natal Mars Uranus conjunction of Boy George (recently imprisoned and hit hard by this eclipse and the solar eclipse two weeks ago), the natal Saturn of Hilary Clinton, and Rory Bremner, the natal Uranus of George Clooney and William Hague, the natal Pluto of Bob Geldof and Vladmir Putin and the natal Mid-heaven of Robert Deniro. The eclipse is also closely square on David Cameron's natal Neptune.
After the eclipse the Moon opposes Neptune (1 degree orb) 19:29 GMT and is then void of course.
Tuesday February 10th 2009
Arsonists who started some of the bush fires in Australia that have killed 170 people are guilty of mass murder, the PM says. At the moment of greatest eclipse yesterday (14:38 GMT) the penumbral eclipsed Moon opposite Neptune was focused on the area of Victoria in question, with Pluto shortly to rise, before the end of the eclipse. Yesterday's eclipse may well will be remembered by astro-historians as the Australian bush fire eclipse.
The two main airports in Paris shut overnight, amid fears of winds of up 120km/h (75mph) hitting the French capital.
China is suffering its worst drought in half a century Soldiers fired rockets with cloud-seeding chemicals into stricken areas Many places have not had rainfall for more than 100 days More than 4.3 million residents face a shortage of drinking water
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the leaders of Madagascar to resolve their differences after an anti-government rally a day earlier turned violent and left more than two dozen people dead.
Politicians in Israel are making their final appeals to voters before a general election on Tuesday. The favorite to become prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu (Libra Sun sign), leader of the right-wing opposition party, Likud. But his opinion-poll lead has been clawed back in recent weeks by Tzipi Livni, (Cancer Sun sign) who heads the centrist Kadima, the largest party in the government.
Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant was the big winner at the Grammys on Sunday, taking home five prizes for his collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss. Yesterday's Lunar Eclipse was closely sextile the tall cool one's natal Libran Mars. His progressed Mercury is currently at inferior conjunction sextile natal Saturn..
Today the 'hung over Moon' enters Virgo 05:39 GMT and applies to a conjunction with Saturn (exact tomorrow).
Around 14:45 GMT this still dangerous (alive and kicking) 'post eclipsed' Moon forms a 'finger of fate' with Venus in Aries and Mars in Aquarius. Care must be exercised today.
Wednesday February 11th 2009
Yesterday the US Senate passed an $838bn economic stimulus bill, despite opposition from some Republicans.
Despite bad weather, turnout in Israel's tightly contested general election was higher than the last vote in 2006
Australian police said they are confident of catching arsonists they blame for some of the devastating bushfires in Victoria.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would welcome talks with the US as long as they were based on "mutual respect".
The Hadron Collider could be switched back on in September - a year after it shut down and months later than expected.
Today a somber few hours are in store as the Moon in Virgo is conjunct Saturn at 15:44 GMT and is in opposition to Uranus at 16:56 GMT. The Comet Lulin is now a quarter of a degree from the fixed star Lambda Virginis.
Now we are starting to pull out of the current eclipse season, the next cosmic wave we have to deal with is a conjunction Mars and Jupiter on the far side of the Sun at 10 degrees Aquarius which occurs next Tuesday (Feb.. 18th). Today they are 3.5 degrees apart. Mars Jupiter conjunctions (which occur roughly every 26 months ) are real 'event invokers', and these events can be very hard hitting. The conjunction next Tuesday is however nicely sextile Venus, which will maybe direct the energy into more aesthetic realms. We will see. Since 1999, assignation attempts, near collisions with asteroids, air crashes and Nuclear Power Station emergencies have featured in the news on the exact days when this conjunction has hit.
How does the Mars Jupiter conjunction affect your astrological birth chart? Subscribe to Michael Harwood's Astrotexts service and find out.
Thursday February 12th 2009
Today the Moon in Virgo trines Mercury in Capricorn at 04:18 GMT and is void for just over 4 hours. She sails into Libra 08:34 GMT.
The Sun makes his annual conjunction with Neptune 12:41 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius.
At 21:29 GMT a Moon Venus opposition across Libra Aries is eased by the tightening Mars Jupiter conjunction in Aquarius. This Mars Jupiter conjunction is on the natal Mercury of Robert Mugabe. How perfectly apt that the main world news yesterday reported Mr. Mugabe administering the swearing-in of Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his long-standing rival, under a power-sharing deal.
Morgan Tsvangirai vowed to stabilise the country's shattered economy and end political violence. The former opposition leader addressed thousands of cheering supporters after being sworn-in.
Also yesterday Australian officials blamed arsonists for fresh fires in Victoria, as a dozen bush fires continued to burn in the state.
An assault on three government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, left at least 27 people, including eight attackers, dead.
Comet Lulin is approaching Earth and brightening, but it can't compete with the Moon. For the next few mornings, bright moonlight will spoil the view as Moon and comet cross paths in the constellation Virgo.
Today the Moon in Libra offers a brief time of potential relaxation and sociability. However the Mars Jupiter conjunction (see yesterday's comment) is tightening by the hour. Someone somewhere is planning some agitation.
Friday February 13th 2009
Yesterday India said that Pakistan's admission that the Mumbai attacks were partly planned on its soil was a "positive development".
Republican senator Judd Gregg withdrew as President Obama's nominee for commerce secretary, citing policy differences.
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai spent his first full day in office visiting political prisoners.
The final results of Israel's general election confirmed that neither of the two main parties can form a government on its own.
US and Russian satellites collided in space, creating a cloud of debris above Siberia in the first reported accident of its kind on Tuesday Feb. 10th at 16:55 GMT. Occurring some 24 hours after Monday's penumbral lunar eclipse this strange event requires further examination. At the time of impact globally the Moon formed a finger of fate with Venus and Jupiter being almost exactly on their midpoint. The 8th harmonic chart erected for this time of impact shows Mars Saturn and Uranus in Capricorn applying in square aspect to Pluto in Aries. It is understood however that there is no radioactive material involved.
Today the decelerating Moon reaches her disseminating phase at 9 degrees Libra at 01:17 GMT.
An astrologically quiet 'Friday the Thirteenth' is in store.
The Moon slides into Scorpio 14:52 GMT tomorrow ensuring that the weekend from that point has an increasingly more intense feel to it. The skies are dominated by the tightening Mars Jupiter conjunction in the rather full sign of Aquarius. Mercury will tomorrow join Mars, Jupiter, Neptune and the Sun in that sign.
Saturday February 14th 2009
Yesterday the swearing-in of Zimbabwe's new power-sharing cabinet was marred by the arrest of one minister and a row over others.
Forty-nine people were killed when a flight from Newark to Buffalo crashed in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo, in New York state. One person was also killed on the ground. Continental flight 3407 was five minutes from Buffalo airport when it crashed at 2210 local time (0310 GMT Friday February 13th).
Police arrested a man in connection with wildfires that have laid waste to large areas of southeastern Australia over the past week and killed at least 181 people
Today the Moon in Libra squares Mercury at the very end of Capricorn at 14:47 GMT and is void of course for only five minutes.
The Moon enters Scorpio 14:52 GMT.
Mercury enters Aquarius 15:39 GMT today, joining the Sun, Mars Jupiter and Neptune in this sign. Mercury is now 'back up to speed' following his recent retrograde motion, so this is a really good period in which to launch new projects. Mercury enters new territory on Feb. 21st. Mercury then aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time this season ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th, sextiles Venus on Feb.. 26th, is closely conjunct Mars at 20 degrees Aquarius on March 2nd. Mercury is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius on March 5th and enters Pisces on March 8th. This period is both a rejuvenating and visionary. Thought processes are geared to the future. These are 'modern times'. The period is excellent for ingenuity, invention, and all new communications. We are now in experimental times.
Sunday February 15th 2009
Yesterday Leading industrial 'G7' countries promised to avoid protectionism as they described stabilizing the world economy as the "highest priority".
Israel ruled out a truce in Gaza unless an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants is freed, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said.
Pakistani officials said a suspected US missile attack near the Afghan border has left at least 27 militants dead.
The Moon decelerating and waning towards her last quarter phase in Scorpio squares Mars and Jupiter at 06:25 GMT and 09:00 GMT respectively.
Mars is 2 degrees from his conjunction with Jupiter.
Monday February 16th 2009
Yesterday the Taleban in north-west Pakistan's restive Swat Valley announced a 10-day ceasefire during talks with the government.
Venezuelans voted on whether to allow President Hugo Chavez and other officials to seek as many terms as they wish. We await results.
Zimbabwe authorities dropped a treason charge against politician Roy Bennett, replacing it with lesser charges, his party says.
There could be one hundred billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy, a US conference was told.
KENTUCKY FIREBALL: On Friday, Feb. 13th, around 10:00 pm EST, people in central Kentucky heard loud booms, felt their houses shake, and some saw a fireball streaking through the sky. The nature of this event is still under investigation. Possibilities include a small asteroid or a piece of space junk entering Earth's atmosphere. National Weather Service reports that the fireball was debris from the Feb. 10th collision of Iridium 33 and Kosmos 2251 satellites may be premature. Stay tuned for updates. www.spaceweather.com
Comet Lulin is 3° north of Spica early Monday morning just as a window of moonless observing time is opening up for it. The comet will be best seen with binoculars shortly before moonrise, around midnight or later tonight.
Before sunrise today, Jupiter and faint Mars are close together and lined up horizontally well to the lower left of Mercury, as shown below. On Tuesday morning the 17th, tiny Mars is 0.6° south (lower right) of Jupiter very low in bright dawn. Sky and Telescope.
State of the skies:- Today the Sun is at 28 degrees Aquarius. There are two days remaining of the astrological month of Aquarius and there are 32 days to the Vernal Equinox. We are now pulling out of an eclipse season. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune are currently in Aquarius representing a massive concentration of energy directed to 'future planning'. Mars is conjunct Jupiter in that sign tomorrow. We are currently in 'strong times'.
The slow moving and decelerating Moon today reaches her last quarter phase 21:38 GMT at 28 degrees Scorpio and is then void of course from that moment.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Aquarius, heralding the dawn. Mercury aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time this season ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius on February 24th, sextiles Venus on Feb.. 26th, is closely conjunct Mars at 20 degrees Aquarius on March 2nd. Mercury is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius on March 5th and enters Pisces on March 8th
Venus is the 'evening star' is in Aries. Venus will be in Aries right up to June 6th except for a brief (but very eventful) 13 day retrograde slip back into Pisces. Venus sextiles Jupiter tomorrow and Mars on Wednesday, an intensely eventful couple of days. The Moon occults Venus at 15 degrees Aries on Feb. 27th. Venus appears to slow to a standstill, turning retrograde on March 6th being at that time in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Aquarius, (keeping a steady pace with Venus in Aries). Mars is conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on Feb. 17th, a truly eventful time. Mars Jupiter conjunctions (which occur roughly every 26 months ) are real 'event invokers', and these events can be very hard hitting. The conjunction tomorrow is sextile Venus, which will maybe direct the energy into more aesthetic realms. We will see. Since 1999, assignation attempts, near collisions with asteroids, air crashes and Nuclear Power Station emergencies have featured in the news on the exact days when this conjunction has hit. At the time of the next New Moon, Mars is arrayed in Aquarius with Mercury and Jupiter. Mercury overtakes Mars on March 2nd at 20 degrees Aquarius. Mars is conjunct Neptune on March 8th, and he finally enters Pisces on March 15th.
The end of February and start of March sees a dance of the planets Mercury, Jupiter and Mars in the eastern pre-dawn sky. 17th Feb.: Mars nearest to Jupiter. 24th Feb.: Mercury nearest to Jupiter 2nd March: Mercury nearest to Mars.
How does this dance of planets affect your astrological birth chart? Subscribe to Michael Harwood's Astrotexts service, (for less than one pound sterling a week!) and find out.
Tuesday February 17th 2009
It was revealed yesterday that a Royal Navy nuclear submarine was involved in a collision with a French submarine in the middle of the Atlantic. Initial reports on February 6th 2009 by the Ministry of Defense said the vessel's sonar dome had been damaged in a collision. Venus was square Pluto that day.
Also yesterday Tamil Tiger rebels were reported firing at civilians trying to leave Sri Lanka's conflict zone, the UN said.
Hillary Clinton arrived in Japan on her first overseas visit as the top US diplomat, days after pledging greater engagement with Asia. Hilary has some very strong 'good' exact major transits right now. Uranus is trine her natal Mercury tomorrow, Pluto is sextile her natal Sun on Friday and Jupiter is trine her natal Neptune next Monday. Next week's New Moon is conjunct the MC of Hilary Clinton. These are all very mind broadening and beneficial influences.
Runners in Sunday's Austin marathon were astonished when a brilliant fireball raced across the Texas sky in broad daylight. The extremely-bright meteor descended at 11 am CST on Feb. 15th less than a day after the FAA reportedly warned U.S. pilots to watch for "falling space debris" from the recent between satellites Iridium 33 and Kosmos 2251. On the evening of Friday the 13th, around 2003 UT, multiple cameras in Italy recorded a fireball at least 10 times brighter than a full Moon.
Today is the last day of the astrological month of Aquarius.
The slow, waning and decelerating Moon enters Sagittarius at 00:54 GMT.
Venus sextiles Jupiter 04:48 GMT.
The Moon grazingly occults the 3rd magnitude fixed star pi Scorpio for UK observers 06:44 to 06:59 GMT
Mars is conjunct Jupiter (within 34 minutes of arc) at 10 degrees Aquarius at 16:28 GMT today.
Mars Jupiter conjunctions (which occur roughly every 26 months ) are real 'event invokers', and these events can be very hard hitting. The conjunction today is however nicely sextile Venus, which will maybe direct the energy into more aesthetic realms. We will see. Since 1999, assassination attempts, near collisions with asteroids, air crashes and Nuclear Power Station emergencies have featured in the news on the exact days when this conjunction has hit.
After the Mars Saturn conjunction peaks the Moon in Sagittarius makes pleasant aspects.
Lunar occultation of Antares today around 20:51 GMT. Occultation centred on the Far East and Australia. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
At 22:30 the Mars Jupiter conjunction sextiles both the Moon and Venus.
Wednesday February 18th 2009
The Mars Jupiter conjunction yesterday coincided in the UK with the Health Protection Agency confirming the first case of the human form of "mad cow disease" in a patient with haemophilia.
The next time Mars is conjunct Jupiter is on May 1st 2011 at 21 degrees Aries, on the very day that an balsamic Moon aligns with the planetary pair, visible before the dawn on that day.
Europe's Cern is losing ground in the race to identify one of the fundamental particles of matter, the so called 'God particle', its US rival claims.
The political crisis that has gripped Zimbabwe for nearly a year may be drawing to an end, but a deadly cholera outbreak there is only getting worse. The newly formed cabinet of Zimbabwe's unity government met for the first time Tuesday, the same day that Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) released a report warning that the epidemic shows no signs of slowing. Since August, at least 3,623 people have died and 76,127 people have been infected by cholera.
Today Venus in Aries makes a waxing positive sextile aspect with Mars in Aquarius 09:31 GMT. This aspect has been in operation for most of this month and holds tight and true for a couple more weeks, as Venus slows towards her forthcoming station.
The Sun enters Pisces 12:46 GMT and a new astrological month begins.
Around 18:00 GMT the slow moving Moon in Sagittarius forms a mutable T-square with Saturn and Uranus.
Thursday February 19th 2009
The final manifestation of Tuesday's Mars Jupiter conjunction occurred at 1730 EST that day when President Obama announced his first military decision. An extra Marine Expeditionary Unit and Army Stryker brigade, along with support, will deploy to Afghanistan in the next few months. That means perhaps 17,000 more troops can look forward to many months in the beauty, filth and danger of the Afghan theatre.
Yesterday hundreds of depositors of the Bank of Antigua withdrew their funds after bank owner Sir Allen Stanford was charged with fraud.
More than 100 people are trapped on board a cruise ship which is stuck in the ice in Antarctica are to be evacuated.
Nasa and the European Space Agency have decided to forge ahead with an ambitious plan to send a probe to the Jupiter system and its icy moon Europa. The proposal could be the agencies' next "flagship" endeavour, to follow on from the successful Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system. Officials had been considering the Jupiter mission along with a venture to Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus. They are targeting an earlier flight opportunity for the Europa mission.Although the agencies have prioritised this mission, Nasa and Esa will also plan for the potential visit to Saturn's moons.
The Sun now is in Pisces with Uranus, leaving Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius. Although the quantity of Aquarius energy is diminished, the concentration and the tightness of the stellium in that sign is increasing.
Today the very slow moving Moon starting the day in Sagittarius sextiles Neptune at 01:37 GMT and is void of course for nearly 12 hours.
The Moon enters Capricorn at 13:26 GMT.
The Moon is apogee (slowest all month) 17:04 GMT.
The Moon is then conjunct Pluto at 19:06 GMT at 3 degrees Capricorn.
Friday February 20th 2009
Yesterday Kyrgyzstan voted to close an air base key to US efforts in Afghanistan, as Washington urges Nato to send more troops there.
US President Barack Obama arrived in Canada for talks with PM Stephen Harper on trade and the war in Afghanistan.
Comet Lulin is approaching Earth for a 38-million-mile close encounter on Feb. 24th.
The Moon in Capricorn squares Venus at 13:21 GMT, the only aspect today. The FTSE dropped below 4000 this morning as this manifested.
The Sun is in Pisces and the Moon in Capricorn. This is rather an inert, mellow and sensuous combination. This vibration colours today and tomorrow.
Saturday February 21st 2009
The slow moving Moon reaches balsamic phase 01:02 GMT at 18 degrees Capricorn.
The Sun in Pisces sextiles Pluto in Capricorn at 08:00 GMT.
The Moon sextiles Uranus and is void of course at 09:01 GMT for a long 17 hours.
Sunday February 22nd 2009.
THE GREEN COMET COMETH Comet Lulin this week is at its brightest and closest to Earth right when the sky is conveniently moonless. Use binoculars or a telescope to look for it once it's well up in late evening. The comet is glowing at about magnitude 5.6 as it moves rapidly westward across Virgo.
In recent days the comet's dust-spike antitail has grown longer and stronger, completely outclassing its "true" tail, which points properly away from the Sun like a comet's tail should. On Monday night, February 23rd, the comet passes 2° south-southwest of Saturn. Lulin's closest approach to Earth, 0.41 a.u. (61 million km), occurs on February 24th. On the night of February 25th the comet goes through opposition, nearly 180° from the Sun in our sky.
Yesterday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls for a deeper US-China partnership on the economy and climate change
Taleban rebels in Pakistan's restive Swat valley agree to a "permanent ceasefire", a senior government official says.
Detainees being held at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan cannot use US courts to challenge their detention, the US says.
The old, slow (but now accelerating) Moon enters Aquarius 02:06 GMT.
The Moon and 4 planets are clustered within a 20 degree arc in Aquarius from 10:43 GMT today for 2 days.
The Moon zodiacally aligns to Mercury (within a degree) at 10 degrees Aquarius at 21:24 GMT. Closest alignment occurs 22:02 GMT.
Monday February 23rd 2009
Triple conjunction February / March 2009
The view from Australia
Yesterday leaders of Europe's biggest economies agreed on the need to regulate all financial markets, including hedge funds.
At least 73 miners were killed in an explosion at a coal mine in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi. Rescue workers are at the scene in Gujiao city attempting to rescue dozens of miners who remain trapped.
At least four people are injured in an explosion in a tourist area of Cairo,
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 5 degrees Pisces. There are 25 days to the Vernal Equinox. We are currently leaving an eclipse season with the first New Moon following January's solar eclipse occurring on Wednesday. We still have a stellium of planets in Aquarius. Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Chiron and the Lunar Node are all there at the moment.
The old and slow but now accelerating Moon is conjunct Jupiter (41 minute orb) at 00:38 GMT at 11 degrees Aquarius. The Moon is zodiacally conjunct Mars ( 1 degree 35 minute orb) at 06:49 GMT at 14 degrees Aquarius. Closest alignment for UK observers 06:10. The New Moon in Pisces occurs on Wednesday.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Aquarius, heralding the dawn. Mercury aligns to Jupiter for the third and final time this season ( with a close 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius tomorrow, sextiles Venus on Feb 26th, is closely conjunct Mars at 20 degrees Aquarius on March 2nd. Mercury is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius on March 5th and enters Pisces on March 8th
Venus is the 'evening star' is in Aries. Venus will be in Aries right up to June 6th except for a brief (but very eventful) 13 day retrograde slip back into Pisces. The Moon occults Venus at 15 degrees Aries on Feb. 27th. Venus appears to slow to a standstill, turning retrograde on March 6th being at that time in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Aquarius, (keeping a steady pace with Venus in Aries). Mercury overtakes Mars on March 2nd at 20 degrees Aquarius. Mars is conjunct Neptune on March 8th, and he finally enters Pisces on March 15th
Tuesday February 24th 2009
Scores of white-owned farms in Zimbabwe have been invaded since the unity government took office, says a union chief said yesterday.
Human rights group Amnesty International called for a freeze on arms sales to Israel and Palestinian groups like Hamas.
Stalinist North Korea deployed new medium-range ballistic missiles and expanded special forces training during 2008, South Korea's defense ministry yesterday reported.
Comet Lulin is now at maximum brightness and closest to Earth. Today Feb. 24th, Comet Lulin is aligned (only 2 degrees apart) at the position in the tropical zodiac 19 degrees Virgo. At the same time, Comet Lulin will be making its closes approach to Earth (38 million miles). How strange that this 'green comet' should be aligned to Saturn in Virgo, from our perspective, as it is nearest to Earth. This is a weird synchrony. It is almost a call to sobriety. Set your alarm for 1 am. That's the best time to see Comet Lulin riding high in the southern sky pleasingly close to golden Saturn: . To the unaided eye, Lulin looks like a faint patch of gas. Point your telescope at that patch and you will see a lovely green comet. www.spaceweather.com
The Moon is conjunct Neptune at 24 degrees Aquarius at 02:08 GMT and is then void of course.
Mercury aligns to Jupiter ( 37 minute orb) at 12 degrees Aquarius at 06:53 GMT.
The ancient Moon slips into Pisces 13:00 GMT, joining The Sun and Uranus in that sign. The ebb and flow of time and its changing quality has a deep, soulful and prophetic quality to it from that moment. Offer prayers and burn your soul as incense. The New Moon in Pisces is tomorrow.
Wednesday February 25th 2009
Comet Lulin yesterday passed just 2 degrees away from Saturn (upper right) in tropical Virgo.
As the old Moon withered in Aquarius on Monday A major rout on Wall Street occurred with shares reaching a 12 year low. This continued over into Asia on Tuesday as doubts over U.S. President Obama's plans to rescue ailing banks pushed markets to crisis lows. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the US recession may last beyond the end of the year.
President Obama hailed Japan as the "cornerstone" of East Asia security, as Taro Aso became the first world leader to visit him. Today's New Moon moment sees the current Mercury Mars Jupiter triple conjunction focused on Japan..
Foreign tourists planning to visit Tibet have been told by travel agencies that the region has been closed to outsiders until the end of March. The month marks the 50th anniversary of the escape into exile of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
New Moon in Pisces
Stellium in Aquarius
Saturn opposes Uranus.
Mercury Jupiter conjunction.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mZdv4u7DYhA/SKoXoYKD1yI/AAAAAAAABJA/4a8snKYjQwY/S1600-R/Josephine+Wall.jpg
This is the first New Moon following the Annular Solar Eclipse of January 26th 2009 and the fifth before the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009. In the larger scheme of things this New moon starts to make manifest the energies 'set up' at the time of the January solar eclipse. Also today's New Moon coincides with a time of a stellium of planets in Aquarius dominated by a close conjunction of Mercury, Mars and Jupiter in that sign. The 'seed energy' of today's lunation is one of faith, vision, hope and a fair measure of 'future-proof' planning. The days that follow (once the Moon gets big enough to see) are a good time to make decisions and inaugurate new plans and schemes .
This New Moon is conjunct the MC of Hilary Clinton, it also falls almost exactly on the natal Mars of singer Phil Collins, the natal lunar node of Bob Geldoff, the natal Venus of musician Steve Howe, and interestingly the natal Moon of singer Robert Plant, (a local lad), an individual whose astrology I am following closely right now. This singer and musician will be affected strongly by today's lunation, but it doesn't appear to mean any more Led Zeppelin at the moment, but when Robert is ready....
This New Moon falls on the natal Chiron and opposes natal Pluto of Barack Obama, the first of many tests of this man's mettle. Jupiter will be opposing this man's natal Sun in the next few days, adding to the toughness of the challenge.
At the exact moment of New Moon today, the Sun and Moon have just risen at Mumbai, (Slum Dogs Millionaire dominating the Oscars and film airways right now), they are setting at Los Angeles and are (aptly) on the IC of Reykjavik (a place of economic midnight right now). The Mercury Mars Jupiter triple conjunction in Aquarius is rising over Iran, ( promising vibes here?), Saudi and NE Africa and is on the MC of Japan (Tokyo especially is 'starred' ), and Australia. Saturn and Uranus are aligned to New Zealand.
Saturn is conjunct with David Cameron's natal Pluto for the second time on Feb. 25th 2009. A UK general election has to be held sometime during the next 15 months. This man will be made or will fall by the wayside by its outcome. Currently then, under this transit Cameron has to lay the strongest foundation of his offensive on Gordon Brown's government, and his manifesto for the future.
How will future New and Full Moons directly affect your astrological birth chart? Subscribe to Michael Harwood's Astrotexts service, (for less than one Great British Pound sterling a week!) and find out.
Thursday February 26th 2009
Yesterday a Turkish Airlines plane broke up after landing short of the runway at Amsterdam airport, killing nine people and injuring 84.
David and Samantha Cameron passed on their thanks for messages of sympathy after the death yesterday of son Ivan. Saturn was exactly conjunct David Cameron's natal Pluto yesterday.
Scientists believe they have found a way to grow teeth in the laboratory, a discovery that could put an end to fillings and dentures.
Today Mercury in Aquarius sextiles Venus in Aries 01:00 GMT. Venus is appearing to really slow up now, prior to her retrograde motion starting on March 6th 2009. Today's sextile aspect from an accelerating Mercury adds a touch of cool logic to a passionate situation. A woman's prerogative and all that. An interesting 'about turn' is just ahead.
The Moon opposes Saturn at 01:26 GMT and is conjunct Uranus at 06:10 GMT and is void from that moment for another lengthy 9 hours. The day drifts.
The Moon lunges into Aries 21:24 GMT and clears the air somewhat.
Friday February 27th 2009
Yesterday A UN court cleared Serbian ex-President Milan Milutinovic of war crimes in Kosovo but convicted five top officials.
The U.S. envoy for North Korea hopes to visit that nation next week as part of what the Obama administration hopes will be a different relationship between Washington and Pyongyang, senior administration officials told CNN yesterday.
Bangladeshi border guards surrendered after a two-day mutiny that left 20 people dead.
Today Uranus is in Aphelion (furthest from the Sun) 01:34 GMT. A rare but regular astronomical event which last occurred in 1925 and in 1841. Perihelions (closest to the Sun) occurred in 1966 and again in 2050. (1925 was full of the birth of radio communication and its consequences, 1841 was the year (in the UK) of the first modern census.
Also today the young Moon waxes in refreshing Aries and slowly accelerates towards an occultation with a near stationary Venus..
The Moon is conjunct Venus at 15 degrees Aries at 23:57 GMT. This is a lunar occultation of Venus observable on Feb. 28, 2009 (local time), over Antarctica.
Saturday February 28th 2009
Jupiter in Aquarius opposes Barack Obama's natal Sun today Feb. 28th. This occurs as President Barack Obama announces details of his plan to withdraw most US troops from Iraq by August 2010. The President has also unveiled a $3.6tn (£2.5tn) budget for 2010, aiming to pull the US out of financial crisis. The US economy shrank by 6.2% in the last three months of 2008, official figures have shown, a far sharper fall than had previously been reported.
Troops searching the site of a mutiny in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, yesterday, found a grave thought to contain 58 bodies.
Canadian air force jets intercepted a Russian bomber approaching Canadian air space the day before President Barack Obama visited Ottawa, officials say. Two fighter jets met the long-range Bear bomber over the Arctic last week, Defence Minister Peter MacKay yesterday said
Unemployment across the nations that share the euro has risen again to its highest level in more than two years, as more firms laid off staff. The eurozone unemployment rate totalled 8.2% in January, according to the latest official European Union data.
India's economy grew by less than expected in the last three months of 2008, official figures have shown.
Today the Moon after making sextiles to Mercury, Mars and finally Neptune at 17:52 GMT becomes void of course.
The Moon reaches crescent phase 19:17 GMT at 26 degrees Aries.
This is a spirited and competitive Saturday.
March 2009
March 2009 really does look to be astrologically reasonably quiet. The month however starts with Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius. The (2nd of 5) Saturn Uranus oppositions is weakening.
March 2009 sees the final blast of Uranus conjunct Gordon Brown's natal Mars.
Sunday March 1st 2009
The Moon enters Taurus 03:34 GMT.
The Sun is in Pisces, the crescent Moon is in Taurus.
An astrologically quiet combination.
Stone ground energy.
Monday March 2nd 2009
Iran possesses enough nuclear material to build a bomb, the United States' most senior military commander said yesterday.
Missiles said to have been fired by US unmanned aircraft have killed seven people close to Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.
A British team has begun a gruelling trek to the North Pole to discover how quickly the Arctic sea-ice is melting
Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 DD45 is about to fly past Earth only 73,000 km away (0.2 LD). The space rock is about 35 meters in diameter, similar in size to the Tunguska impactor of 1908. At closest approach on March 2nd, around 1400 UT, 2009 DD45 will speed through the constellation Virgo.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 12 degrees Pisces. there are 18 days to the Vernal Equinox. We are now out of the eclipse season. The next Full moon on March 11th is the first Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th
The accelerating and waxing crescent Moon in Taurus squares Mars and Mercury between 15:00 and 16:00, she then squares Neptune at 22:43 GMT and becomes void of course.
Mercury is closely conjunct Mars today at 20 degrees Aquarius 03:06 GMT (orb 36 minutes of arc). This is the final of 3 recent conjunctions of these two planets. The first on November 29th 2008 coincided with the terrorist attack on Mumbai. The 2nd was on January 27th 2009 and saw Israel back tracking on the cease fire agreement by carrying out an air attack on Gaza and sending tanks across the border. Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Aquarius, heralding the dawn. Mercury is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius on March 5th and enters Pisces on March 8th
Venus is the 'evening star' is in Aries. Venus appears to slow to a standstill, turning retrograde on March 6th being at that time in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Aquarius, (keeping a steady pace with Venus in Aries). Mercury overtakes Mars today at 20 degrees Aquarius. Mars is conjunct Neptune on March 8th, and he enters Pisces on March 15th.
It is this close conjunction of Mars and Neptune (46 minutes of arc orb) at 25 degrees Aquarius next Sunday which is the next astrological event. It looks like a quiet week ahead.
How will this conjunction directly affect your astrological birth chart? Subscribe to Michael Harwood's Astrotexts service, (for less than one Great British Pound sterling a week!) and find out and receive a full personal astrological service.
Tuesday March 3rd 2009
International donors yesterday pledged $4.5bn in aid to the Palestinians, chiefly to rebuild Gaza, after Israel's recent offensive.
The president of Guinea-Bissau was shot dead by soldiers, an apparent revenge attack for the killing of the army chief.
Stock markets fell worldwide as insurance giant AIG posted the largest quarterly loss in corporate history, with the Dow Jones at its lowest since 1997 and the UK's FTSE 100 touching a six-year trough..
Mars appears to have had running water on its surface about one million years ago, according to new evidence.
Oasis' first gigs in China were canceled after the authorities revoked performance licences, calling the band "unsuitable".
Barack Obama's progressed Mars squares his progressed Saturn on March 3rd. This aspect has been building up for many months and represents a tough slog of work. This progression aptly describes the nature of Barack Obama's life and destiny right now. This one is enduring, this one is hard going.
The Moon enters Gemini 08:00 GMT accelerating and waxing towards mutable First Quarter Phase tomorrow. The Sun, Moon, Saturn and Uranus are in mutable signs today and tomorrow. There is some give, some movement and plenty of talk today.
Wednesday March 4th 2009
Yesterday Pakistani police were hunting gunmen who attacked a convoy carrying Sri Lanka's cricket team in Lahore, killing seven people. The firing started at about 0840 (0340 GMT Tuesday March 3rd)) and it continued for 15 minutes.
Police in Bangladesh said they had arrested the leader of a mutiny staged by border guards which left 74 people dead.
Today the Moon hits first quarter phase 14 degrees Gemini 07:47 GMT. A small crisis in action is underway. Lots of restlessness, movement and transmission is on the cards today.
Thursday March 5th 2009
Yesterday the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudan's President for alleged war crimes in Darfur. Omar al-Bashir was charged with genocide by the Hague-based court last year.
Share prices around the world jumped amid hopes China will announce an expansion to its economic stimulus plan.
At least 20 people were killed during a riot at a prison in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez
Gordon Brown received a standing ovation from the US Congress after calling for a renewal "of the special relationship".
Astronomers believe they have seen the first pair of black holes orbiting each other at the centre of a distant galaxy. While such "binary systems" have been postulated before, none has ever been conclusively spotted. (Graphic above)
International scientists have announced the discovery of a tiny moon orbiting Saturn. The speck of light, captured by cameras on board the Cassini spacecraft, was first observed on August 15. A review found the moonlet on two earlier images and it has since been seen on multiple occasions. The finding appeared in Tuesday's edition of the International Astronomical Union circular. The moon is about one-third of a mile (a half-kilometer) across and circles Saturn as a part of the planet's sixth, or G, ring.
Today our Moon in Gemini is trine Neptune at 02:11 GMT and becomes void of course for 9 hours.
Mercury is conjunct Neptune 09:40 GMT today (with just over a degree and a half orb) at 25 degrees Aquarius. It all seems a bit unreal, a bit scattered and a bit strange.
Mars will be closely conjunct Neptune on Sunday, we are not through this one yet.
The Moon rapidly enters Cancer 11:08 GMT. The Sun, the Moon and Uranus are then in water signs. The atmosphere of the day changes to a more emotional nature.
Venus appears almost at a standstill. Affections are hovering, awaiting a change in fortune. Complex relationship situations are starred for the next few weeks.
Friday March 6th 2009
Yesterday Nato ministers agreed to resume formal ties with Russia as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for a "fresh start".
Sudan's president vowed not to "kneel" to the West, as he furiously defied the war crimes court's indictment against him.
North Korea has said it cannot ensure the safety of South Korean civilian flights passing near its airspace over the Sea of Japan (East Sea).
The Bank of England cut interest rates to 0.5% and says it will boost the money supply to help revive the economy.
Today the Moon increasing in light and motion is in Cancer. This is one touchy and sensitive day.
Venus turns retrograde 17:10 GMT today at 15 degrees Aries. She turns to face and form a 'finger of fate' with Jupiter and Saturn which lasts for a fortnight. As I said yesterday affections are hovering, awaiting a change in fortune. Complex relationship situations are starred for the next few weeks.
Saturday March 7th 2009
The very fast moving Moon in Cancer trines Uranus 00:43 GMT and becomes void.
She enters Leo 13:26 GMT, reaches perigee 15:09 GMT and is at gibbous phase 17:12 GMT 3 degrees Leo.
We are now in the run up to the Full Moon in Virgo. Today Mars is applying to a close conjunction with Neptune. This is an event inducing aspect, so today, especially from 13:26 GMT onwards, should be viewed as potent.
Sunday March 8th 2009
The UN has said that it estimates that thousands of civilians have been killed and wounded in the conflict in the north-east of Sri Lanka.
NASA's Kepler spacecraft has left Earth on a mission to search for Earth-like planets circling other stars. The spectacular night launch at 10:49 pm EST on March 5th followed a smooth countdown free of technical issues or weather concerns. Check nasa.gov for updates.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has said he is resigning to pave the way for a national unity government.
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai remains in hospital after a car crash on Friday in which his wife Susan was killed. Zimbabwe's MDC party says it will carry out its own investigation into the cause of the crash which killed PM Tsvangirai's wife Susan.
Mr Tsvangirai has his birthday on Thursday of this week, one day after the Full Moon.
Eight people, mostly police and soldiers, are dead after reportedly being lured to a booby-trapped car in north-western Pakistan.
This is the weekend of Saturn. On Sunday, March 8th, the ringed planet will be at its closest to Earth for the entire year. The planet rises in the east at sunset and soars almost overhead at midnight. Look for the bright, golden "star" in the constellation Leo (tropical zodiac sign Virgo.
Pressure is now increasing as we approach the Full Moon. Today is potentially a red letter day!
Mars is closely conjunct Neptune (46 minutes of arc orb) at 25 degrees Aquarius at 12:51 GMT. Stand by for events!
The Moon, the Earth and Jupiter are linearly aligned (within only 1 minute of arc) between the signs Leo and Aquarius at 13:21 GMT. The Moon shines more or less between Regulus and Saturn.
Mercury enters Pisces today at 18:56 GMT. Mercury sextiles Pluto on March 10th, Mercury opposes Saturn on March 19th, he aligns to Uranus within 1.25 degrees at 23 degrees Pisces on March 22nd. Mercury enters Aries on March 25th. This is a brief and poignant residence in Pisces and attention must be drawn to the period from March 18th to March 23rd when he hooks into the Saturn Uranus opposition. The hall mark of the entire period is impressionability to new ideas.
The Sun in Pisces opposes Saturn in Virgo at 19:44 GMT.
Monday March 9th 2009
Yesterday's Mars Neptune conjunction in Aquarius coincided with a suicide bomber killing 28 people at a police academy in Baghdad.
President Obama suggested there could be talks with moderate elements of the Taleban in Afghanistan.
Israel's ex-President Moshe Katsav is to be charged with sex offences including rape of an ex-employee,
The main UK news story yesterday concerned an attack at a Northern Ireland army base in which two soldiers were killed. A caller claiming to be from the Real IRA told a newspaper the group carried out the attack.
Officers in a military camp near Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo mutinied, refusing to take any more orders from the government.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 19 degrees Pisces and is currently hooked into the ongoing Saturn Uranus opposition. The Sun opposed Saturn yesterday and is in conjunction with Uranus on Friday.
There are 11 days to the vernal equinox.
The fast moving (but now decelerating) gibbous Moon in Leo opposes Neptune at 06:57 GMT and opposes Mars 07:57 GMT and becomes void. The Moon then enters Virgo 15:35 GMT. The Moon. the Earth and Mercury align within 8 minutes of arc between Virgo and Pisces at 18:12 GMT.
The Moon is Full on Wednesday.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Pisces. Mercury sextiles Pluto on March 10th, Mercury opposes Saturn on March 19th, he aligns to Uranus within 1.25 degrees at 23 degrees Pisces on March 22nd Mercury and enters Aries on March 25th.
Mercury is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th and is at superior conjunction with the Sun at 11 degrees Aries on March 31st.
Venus is the very bright retrograding 'evening star' is in Aries and is in a finger of fate arrangement with Saturn and Jupiter. Venus sextiles Jupiter for a second time on March 11th and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th.
Mars is in late Aquarius and enters Pisces on March 15th.
The week ahead is dominated by the Full Moon in Virgo, usually a tense affair.
Tuesday March 10th 2009
Yesterday president Barack Obama lifted restrictions on US federal funding for research on human embryonic stem cells.
Five Chinese ships maneuvered dangerously close to a US surveillance vessel in the South China Sea.
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the car crash that killed his wife Susan was an accident.
North Korea warned that any attempt to shoot down a satellite it says it plans to launch will result in war. The South and the US believe Pyongyang could be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile under the guise of a satellite launch.
Today is the day before a tense Full Moon, the heavily pregnant Moon in Virgo applies to a conjunction with Saturn.
Exactitude, methodology, and critical review are amplified to almost extreme proportion today.
Mercury sextiles Pluto 17:36 GMT. This aspect adds an investigative specialality to the atmosphere of the day.
Today favours breakthroughs and crises in scientific and other research.
The Moon is conjunct Saturn 22:27 GMT at 18 degrees Virgo.
Wednesday March 11th 2009
Yesterday at least 33 people died in a suicide attack on dignitaries at a reconciliation conference in Baghdad,
US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke said the world is suffering from the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. However shares in the US and Europe rose sharply after banking giant Citigroup said it made a profit in the first two months of the year.
The global sea level looks set to rise far higher than forecast because of changes in the polar ice-sheets, researchers suggested.
Two men, aged 17 and 37, were arrested in connection with the murder of a PSNI constable in Northern Ireland.
Full Moon in Virgo
separating from a conjunction with Saturn
applying in opposition to Uranus.
http://www.anonymousspace.com/albums/userpics/115913/spirit.jpg
This is the first Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th 2009 and the fourth before another Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th 2009.
This Full Moon is hooked into the current Saturn Uranus opposition, separating from Saturn and applying in opposition to Uranus. At this time retrograding Venus is sextile Jupiter, Mercury sextiles Pluto.
This full moon directly hits the natal Sun of Amy Winehouse, (yesterday BBC news reported that singer Amy Winehouse will not perform at next month's US Coachella festival because of "legal issues"),.the natal Moon of Serena Williams, the natal Mercury of Jimmy Carter, the natal Venus of Brigette Bardot, Bobby Charlton and Robert Deniro. The natal Jupiter of Eric Clapton and (exactly!) that of Yoko Ono, the natal Saturn of Venus Williams, the natal Lunar South Node of Gordon Brown. The Full Moon is conjunct the Uranus Neptune conjunction of David Cameron and is closely conjunct Barack Obama's natal Mars.
This Full Moon falls on the day before the birthday of Morgan Tsvangirai.
At the exact moment of Full Moon the Moon and Saturn are at lower culmination at Sapporo Japan. The Moon is exactly setting at Tehran. Pluto rises over the UK and sets at Tokyo. Mars culminates at Manila, Mercury over Korea, Jupiter at Boston, Neptune at Cape town. London looks to be the focus of much of the energy of this lunation.
How does this and future Full Moons affect your astrological birthchart? Subscribe to my ASTROTEXTS service and receive an ongoing personal astrological monitoring of the effect of planetary movements on your natal chart.
After the Full Moon moment the Moon opposes Uranus 05:49 GMT and becomes void.
Retrograding Venus is sextile Jupiter at 12:34 GMT forming this week a 'finger of fate' with Saturn.
The Moon enters Libra 18:47 GMT
Thursday March 12th 2009
Yesterday as police were investigating why a gunman killed 10 people in a series of shootings in the southern US state of Alabama before killing himself, another gunman ( a teenager) killed himself after going on a rampage and killing 15 people in south-west Germany. These two events occurred on the day of the Full Moon conjunct Saturn and opposite Uranus.
President Sarkozy announced France's return to Nato's military command, reversing decades of self-imposed exile.
Peace rallies took place across Northern Ireland as people showed their anger at the murders of two soldiers and a policeman.
Uranus makes the third of 3 passes opposite Barack Obama's natal Mars today March 12th. This transit occurred firstly in June and secondly in July last year 2008. Its original buildup coincided with him becoming the democratic presidential nomination. He obviously responded well to the opposition's 'stirring things up' influence. The process is complete today.
Today the 'hung over' Moon in Libra wanes and decelerates. The vibration today is social and lazy. The Moon opposes Venus 20:37 GMT and the opposition is eased by Jupiter. The Sun is conjunct Uranus, there are exceptions today, there are surprises, but overall the mood is a little more relaxed than over recent days.
Friday March 13th 2009
Jupiter is trine UK's leader of the opposition David Cameron's natal Sun today March 13th 2009. This represents a much needed boost in prospects and popularity after the desperately difficult transits he has undergone so far in 2009.
Today the Sun is conjunct Uranus 01:28 GMT
The Moon in Libra is trine Mars at 22:40 and is void from that moment.
The day is socially orientated. There is a potentially affable 'feel' to proceedings. A lighthearted approach is manifest.
Saturday March 14th 2009
The Moon enters Scorpio 00:23 GMT and reaches disseminating phase 9 degrees Scorpio 17:38 GMT.
Today is different. The Sun and Moon are in water signs. There are strong emotional undercurrents at work.
Sunday March 15th 2009
Mars enters Pisces 03:20 GMT, joining Mercury, the Sun and Uranus in that sign.
Mars sextiles Pluto March 19th which symbolises a rush of 'emotional adrenaline' invoking changes. Mars opposes Saturn on April 5th, a real tough challenge, and is closely conjunct Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd. The period of Mars in Pisces will be characterized by mass movements and possible blind followings. The heart and the instincts will override the head. Emotions will dominate actions.
Today is especially emotional and a little intense. Mysterious semblance.
Monday March 16th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 26 degrees Pisces. There are only 4 days now to the Vernal Equinox which occurs on Friday.
The slow moving and decelerating Moon in Scorpio makes a trine aspect to the Sun 00:43 GMT and is void from that moment. The Moon enters Sagittarius 09:22 and is immediately square Mars.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Pisces. Mercury opposes Saturn on March 19th, he aligns to Uranus within 1.25 degrees at 23 degrees Pisces on March 22nd Mercury enters Aries on March 25th. Mercury is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th and is at superior conjunction with the Sun at 11 degrees Aries on March 31st.
Venus is the retrograding 'evening star' is in Aries and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces and he sextiles Pluto on Wednesday 18th giving rise to a rush of emotional adrenaline invoking changes. Mars opposes Saturn on April 5th, a tough challenge, and is closely conjunct Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd
Tuesday March 17th 2009.
Yesterday soldiers stormed one of Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana's palaces, as the Africa Union condemned an "attempted coup".
Pakistan's government said that a sacked Supreme Court chief justice will be reinstated, prompting the opposition to call off a major rally in the capital.
Jupiter makes a one off conjunction to Gordon Brown's natal Mercury today March 17th 2009. Gordon Brown yesterday gave a lukewarm response to proposals for minimum prices for alcohol. It remains to be seen if this transit invokes other 'don't really want to upset folk by stopping the party' effects. It could be the source of a wide ranging and wholly new manifesto.
A lunar occultation of Antares occurs today around 04:50 GMT. The occultation centred on central Atlantic areas. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
The slow moving Sagittarian Moon decelerating towards her last quarter phase, makes a loose mutable T-square with Mercury and Saturn from 14:00 to 21:00 GMT today. Mercury opposes Saturn on Thursday and is conjunction with Uranus on Sunday.
Today is full of movement and openness..
Wednesday March 18th 2009
Yesterday Madagascar's president said he was standing down, paving the way for his young rival, Andry Rajoelina, to take power
Russia's president unveiled plans to modernise its armed forces, in response to regional instability and Nato expansion.
Jupiter made a one off conjunction to Gordon Brown's natal Mercury yesterday March 17th 2009. The UK prime minister said an expansion of nuclear power was needed globally to meet carbon reduction targets. The word 'expansion' is critical to the understanding of the influence of Jupiter here.
The slow moving Moon reaches last quarter phase 17:48 GMT at 28 degrees Sagittarius. The Moon is then void of course for the remainder of the day.
The Moon enters Capricorn 21:19 GMT.
A wave of seriousness crashes.
Mercury is about to hook into the Saturn Uranus opposition over the next five days, dominating the equinox skies. Important declarations are ahead.
Thursday March 19th 2009
Yesterday the US Federal Reserve said it will buy $1.2 trillion worth of debt to help boost lending and promote economic recovery
The French foreign ministry voiced "sharp concern" over the Pope's rejection of condom use to fight Aids.
Today is the last day of the astrological month of Pisces.
The very slowly moving Moon is conjunct Pluto at 3 degrees Capricorn at 03:52 GMT
Mercury opposes Saturn 04:00 GMT.
Mars sextiles Pluto 06:11 GMT.
The Moon reaches apogee (slowest all month) 13:17 GMT.
Friday March 20th 2009
Its old news now but yesterday the main news item was that of Austrian Josef Fritzl (ARIES sun sign), who kept his daughter (also ARIES sun sign) in a cellar and fathered her seven children, being found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life in a secure psychiatric facility.
7.9 magnitude quake which struck about 209 km (130 miles) southeast of Tonga triggered a tsunami in the South Pacific. The quake hit at 0618 local time (1818 GMT) at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
French unions claimed that up to three million people took part in street protests amid a national strike against France's economic policies. Police gave an estimate of 1.2 million people at rallies nationwide. Schools were closed and public transport disrupted, with demonstrations held in about 200 towns.
Lets move on, the seasons are changing.
The Sun enters Aries today at 11:44 GMT and a new astrological month begins.
Vernal Equinox 2009
http://www.jitzul.com/otherStuff/psBeyond/textures/spine.jpg
This year's Vernal equinox occurs as the Aries Sun is on the Mercury Venus midpoint and square Pluto. The pragmatic Moon in Capricorn separates from a trine aspect to Saturn in Virgo and applies in sextile aspect to Mercury in Pisces. Mercury is hooked into the current Saturn Uranus opposition being conjunct Uranus tomorrow. Mars in early Pisces sextiles Pluto.
What we have here is a potential for sudden changes of heart and mind. This equinox promises radical reform, and rearrangement. The changes will come fast and be hard hitting. There will be no denial of the realism of the energy unleashed.
At the moment of the Vernal Equinox today the Sun rises at Cincinnati and at Atlanta. The Moon sets at Toulouse and is on the IC of Beijing. Mars sets at Karachi and over Afghanistan. Jupiter is on the MC of Recife Brazil and on the IC of Melbourne. Saturn is on the MC of Wellington and Pluto rises over New Zealand. At London Uranus is exactly on the MC and Mercury too culminates over the UK. The UK especially is in focus now, change and challenge can be expected here.
After the Equinox moment, the Moon in Capricorn sextiles Uranus 20:06 GMT and is void from that moment.
Saturday March 21st 2009
The Moon enters Aquarius 10:07 GMT.
All day Mercury applies to a conjunction with Uranus. The news may be quite shocking.
Sunday March 22nd 2009
Mercury aligns to Uranus within 1.25 degrees at 23 degrees Pisces 05:02 GMT. (This aspect coincided with the death of UK reality TV personality Jade Goody, who has died of cancer aged 27).
The Moon aligns to Jupiter within 1.5 degrees at 17 degrees Aquarius at 20:33 GMT
The Moon is at balsamic phase 20:37 GMT at 17 degrees Aquarius.
Monday March 23rd 2009
Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI held Mass in Angola in front of a vast crowd, urging Africans to end years of damaging wars and civil strife.
Chinese police held 93 monks after a riot in an ethnically Tibetan area of Qinghai province.
The Indian Premier League tournament will be held outside the country because of unresolved security concerns.
Ten years after its construction began, the International Space Station now has full power capability.
State of the skies:- Today the Sun is at 3 degrees Aries. The Sun squares Pluto 18:32 GMT.
The balsamic Moon is conjunct Neptune (within 2 degrees) at 12:09 GMT at 25 degrees Aquarius, and becomes void. The Moon slips into Pisces 21:08 GMT. The Moon is New in Aries (conjunct retrograde Venus) on Thursday.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Pisces. Mercury enters Aries on March 25th. Mercury is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th and is at superior conjunction with the Sun at 11 degrees Aries on March 31st.
Venus is the retrograding 'evening star' is in Aries and is conjunct the New Moon at 8 degrees Aries on March 26th. The Inferior Conjunction of Venus occurs on March 27th at 7 degrees Aries. Mercury (approaching his Superior Conjunction) is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. From this time Venus shines as a morning star. Throughout April, Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces and he opposes Saturn on April 5th, which is a tough challenge, and he is closely conjunct Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd.
The week ahead is dominated by a concentration of five bodies clustered within 20 degrees across Pisces and Aries, the New Moon in Aries and a conjunction of retrograding Venus and Mercury. There is a potential for healing and renewal this week.
Tuesday March 24th 2009
Yesterday South Africa refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend an international peace conference in Johannesburg this week.
At least 25 people were killed by a suicide bomb attack on a Kurdish funeral in the Iraqi province of Diyala
President Barack Obama said that the US must have an "exit strategy" in Afghanistan, even as Washington sends more troops to fight Taleban militants.
US Treasury unveiled details of a plan worth up to $1 trillion to encourage private investors to buy up toxic assets.
India's Tata Motors is due to launch the 100,000 rupees Nano car as it seeks to boost its own fortunes.
UK scientists plan trials to see if embryonic stem cells can be used as a viable way of making synthetic blood.
Researchers at a meeting in the US claim renewed evidence for the long-discredited idea of fusion at room temperature.
Today the slow, old, but accelerating Moon is conjunct Mars at 7 degrees Pisces at 11:03 GMT.
Wednesday March 25th 2009
Yesterday the US unveiled a $700m plan to help combat the drugs trade in Mexico, with much of the money going on tighter border security.
Israel's Labour party voted to join a coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu of the right-wing Likud.
The Indian Premier League will now be hosted by South Africa following the decision to move it from India.
After months of teasing seismic activity, Alaska's Mount Redoubt finally erupted on March 23rd. The blast hurled clouds of ash into the lower stratosphere at least 18 km high. The last time an Alaskan volcano blew its top was Kasatochi in August 2008.
Today the old Moon, the Earth and Saturn are linearly aligned (within a degree) between the tropical signs of Pisces and Virgo at 05:25 GMT.
The Moon, the Sun and 3 planets (Mercury, Venus and Uranus) are clustered within a 20 degree arc from 08:33 GMT today for 2 days.
The very old Moon is conjunct Uranus at 23 degrees Pisces 16:54 GMT and is void of course from that time.
Mercury enters Aries 19:56 GMT today. Mercury remains in this sign for only 15 days and he has a very busy and stimulating schedule. He squares Pluto on Friday, he overtakes retrograding Venus at 6 degrees Aries on March 29th. He is at superior conjunction with the Sun at 11 degrees Aries on March 31st thereafter becoming an evening star. Mercury sextiles Jupiter on April 4th, sextiles Neptune on April 7th and enters Taurus on April 9th at the hour of the next Full Moon. This 15 day period is characterized by a veritable whirl of impetus of new ideas and a surge of proactive initiatives. Shoot your verbals first, think later.
Thursday March 26th 2009
As the old Moon 'dissolved' in Pisces yesterday, Israel's next Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, insisted his government will work for peace with the Palestinians
President Obama declared North Dakota a federal disaster area as flood waters rise across the state.
China said that a video which allegedly shows Chinese security personnel beating Tibetans after last year's unrest is not accurate.
North Korea placed what is thought to be a long-range missile on a launch pad, Japanese and US officials said. North Korea had already said it would send a satellite into orbit in early April, using a long-range missile. The US, Japan and South Korea are concerned Pyongyang will test its Taepodong-2 long-range missile instead of launching a satellite.
.Today the now very ancient Moon chasing Mercury enters Aries 05:04 GMT.
The Moon joins the Sun, Mercury and Venus in Aries. A rapacious time will be experienced by all. Hold tight.
These four bodies are clustering upon each other as observed from Earth. Today and the following five days are of some significance and witness a stream of new ideas, actions, sensations and eventualities. The first impetus is that of the aged Moon being conjunct Mercury at 1 degree Aries at 06:37 GMT today. The New Moon in Aries occurs some 9 hours and 30 minutes later.
New Moon in Aries
conjunct Venus and square Pluto.
http://www.sunspiritgallery.com/images/aries8.jpg
This is the second New Moon following the Annular Solar Eclipse of January 26th 2009 and the fourth before the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009.
This invigorating New Moon falls directly on the natal ascendant of the Madagascar national chart and on the natal MC of the Iraq republic chart. It falls on natal Sun of William Hague, the natal Mars of Zardani Bhutto and the UK Labour party, the natal Jupiter of Victoria Beckham, the natal Saturn of Boris Becker, Tracy Bingham, Henry Blofeld, Carla Bruni and Julia Roberts, and on the natal MC of Cherie Blair
The New Moon on March 26th is opposite David Cameron's natal Venus, trine his natal Moon.
How will this New Moon, and those ahead, directly affect your astrological birth chart? Subscribe to Michael Harwood's Astrotexts service, (for less than one Great British Pound sterling a week) and find out, and receive a full personal astrological service.
The tender infant Moon is conjunct Venus at 8 degrees Aries at 19:16 GMT.
Friday March 27th 2009
Yesterday about 20,000 anti-government demonstrators surrounded the Thai government headquarters and set up camp in a bid to oust the prime minister,
At least 22 civilians were killed and 38 other people were wounded in a Baghdad car bombing,
Beijing reacted angrily to a report by the Pentagon, which says China's military power is shifting Asia's military balance.
The next five days witness Venus on our side of the Sun, in a conjunction with the Sun, and Mercury on the far side of the Sun, all aligned to Aries. This is of primal importance.
Today Mercury squares Pluto 12:15 GMT. This represents a dart of manic melancholia, it quickly passes, Mercury appears to move so fast now.
Around 13:39 GMT The Aries Moon forms a 'finger of fate' with Jupiter in Aquarius and Saturn in Virgo. Dangerous strangers.
In the background behind the scenes today, Jupiter makes a waxing semi-square aspect to Pluto 16:51 GMT, a one off aspect. (This aspect follows the Jupiter Pluto conjunction in Sagittarius in late 2007, it is the forerunner of the Jupiter Pluto square next year, the Jupiter Pluto opposition in 2013 across Cancer Capricorn and the next Jupiter Pluto conjunction a triple in Capricorn in 2020).
Venus makes its closest approach to the sun (just 8 degrees away) on Friday, March 27th. Today, the luminous crescent will almost completely circumscribe the planet. (Photo above www.spaceweather.com). The Inferior conjunction of Venus and the Sun at 7 degrees Aries occurs today at 19:24 GMT. (This symbolically represents the release of a new 'Love Seed' hidden at the moment from consciousness, but real and alive).
With this in mind enjoy a rampant Friday night.
Saturday March 28th 2009
The very young seminal Moon in Aries sextiles Neptune and is void from 02:18 GMT.
She enters Taurus 10:10 GMT.
The weekend becomes a little more steady.
Mercury on the far side of the Sun today applies to a conjunction with Venus on this side of the Sun, all three bodies being in Aries. This is a time of personal decision making. Events will transpire and follow.
Sunday March 29th 2009
Mercury is conjunct Venus at 6 degrees Aries 02:32 GMT.
The young Moon waxes and accelerates in Taurus.
Monday March 30th 2009
Yesterday US President Barack Obama said he will consult Pakistan's leaders before targeting militants in that country.
An electronic spy network, based mainly in China, has infiltrated computers around the world, Canadian researchers said.
A gunman shot dead six people and injured three at a nursing home in the US state of North Carolina.
Record-breaking flood waters in the US state of North Dakota have breached a dike at a school, swamping the campus. Officials warn the Red River in the city of Fargo will stay at danger level for days, despite peaking on Friday and continuing to recede. Officials say up to 30,000 people could be homeless if defences fail in Fargo, and in Moorhead on the opposite bank.
Major global landmarks were plunged into darkness on Saturday as millions switched off lights for an hour to protest against climate change.
World leaders will meet this week in London to discuss measures to tackle the downturn.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 10 degrees Aries. There are 80 days to the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Moon today reaches waxing crescent phase 04:26 GMT at 25 degrees Taurus. The Moon squares Neptune and is void from 06:02 GMT. The Moon enters Gemini 13:37 GMT. The next Full Moon brimming with joviality and sociability is on Thursday week, in Libra.
Mercury now appears to be an accelerating 'morning star' in Aries on March 25th. Mercury is at superior conjunction with the Sun at 11 degrees Aries tomorrow, thereafter becoming an evening star. Mercury sextiles Jupiter on April 4th, sextiles Neptune on April 7th and enters Taurus on April 9th at the hour of the next Full Moon. These next 11 days continue to be characterized by a veritable whirl of impetus of new ideas and a surge of proactive initiatives. Shoot your verbals first, think later.
Venus is the retrograding 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus remains closely square to Pluto, an aspect which peaks for a second time on April 3rd. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces and he opposes Saturn on April 5th, which is a tough challenge, and he is closely conjunct Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd.
Jupiter is now less than 7 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
Tuesday March 31st 2009
Yesterday Pakistani security forces regained control of a police academy in Lahore after eight hours of clashes with gunmen.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi stormed out of the Arab summit in Qatar after denouncing the Saudi king for his ties with the West.
On March 29th, around 9:45 pm EDT, people along the Atlantic coast of the USA from Maryland to North Carolina witnessed bright lights in the sky and heard thunderous rumbles. It was probably a meteoritic bolide--a random asteroid hitting Earth's atmosphere and exploding in flight.
Today Mercury is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun at 03:30 GMT at 11 degrees Aries. This is the 'Full Mercury' a climax of illumination of the mind'. Mercury then becomes astrologically an 'evening star' and he will turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini
The Moon is busy in Gemini infusing our souls with the need to communicate.
Today is both urgent and myriad.
April 2009
April 2009 starts with the Sun, Mercury and a retrograding Venus in Aries.
Mars is now applying to a conjunction with Uranus in Pisces and opposing Saturn in Virgo. This is an important astrological wave. It crashes firstly with the Mars Saturn opposition on Sunday April 5th 2009 and then with the Mars Uranus conjunction occurring on April 15th.
Venus in retrograde motion is square Pluto all month. This is a prolonged period of potential licentiousness, financial corruption, political scandal and potential unhealthy liaisons. The advice is not to take what you don't want.
Wednesday April 1st 2009
US President Barack Obama is in town! Yesterday he headed for Europe for his first major foreign visit since taking office in January. Over the next couple of days he undergoes reasonable planetary transits.
The US envoy to Afghanistan had "a cordial exchange" with a senior Iranian official, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday.
More than 200 African migrants are feared dead after their boat sank off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says. The boat carrying around 250 people is reported to have capsized 50km (30 miles) north of the Libyan coast in stormy seas and high winds.
Today the rapidly moving Moon in Gemini trines Neptune at 09:04 GMT and becomes void of course.
She crashes into Cancer 16:31 GMT discovering difficult emotional territory there. She forms a cardinal T-square with Venus and Pluto from 22:00 to midnight GMT. (Tricky and sticky to say the least).
Thursday April 2nd 2009
Scuffles were reported outside the Bank of England yesterday, as thousands of protesters, including anti-capitalists, anarchists, and environmental campaigners, gathereded in the heart of London's financial district a day before the G-20 summit.
Moon perigee (fastest all month) 02:26 GMT
The Moon arrives at her first quarter phase 13 degrees Cancer at 14:35 GMT. An emotional 'crisis in action' is underway. Passions, urges and surges dominate proceedings.
Friday April 3rd 2009
Yesterday North Korea said it will attack the Japanese military and "major targets," if Japan shoots down a rocket Pyongyang plans to launch in the coming days, North Korea's state-run news service reports
Leaders attending the G-20 summit in London Thursday laid out a raft of measures they said would shorten recession and save jobs. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said an additional $1 trillion was agreed -- most of it going to the International Monetary Fund.
Police clashed with hundreds of protesters in Strasbourg, France, ahead of a Nato summit, reports say.
Today and tomorrow Mercury in Aries forms a finger of fate with Jupiter in Aquarius and Saturn in Virgo. Taking care in travel and all communications is advised.
The fast moving Moon, starting the day in Cancer, trines Uranus at 09:00 GMT, and becomes void of course.
Retrograde Venus is square Pluto 10:30 GMT. This aspect lasts all month because of Venus' slow retrograde motion. This is not a sound period to cement relationships.
The Moon enters Leo 19:33 GMT. The Sun and Moon are now in fire signs together with Venus and Mercury.
Emboldened spirits now seek out fun and games.
Saturday April 4th 2009
A weekend of uncompromising stances is upon us, forcing a point hard hitting issues invoked by Mars in Pisces opposing Saturn in Virgo as tomorrow starts.
Today is good for looking on the bright side.
Pluto turns retrograde 13:34 GMT at 3 degrees Capricorn.
Mercury in Aries sextiles Jupiter in Aquarius 14:59 GMT.
The rapidly waxing Moon is resplendent in Leo.
Sunday April 5th 2009
Yesterday Nato agreed to boost troop numbers to cover the Afghan presidential election at a summit marred by street violence
A suicide bomber killed at least five paramilitary police in an attack on a security base in the Pakistan capital Islamabad, police say.
More than 100 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in two separate battles, the Sri Lankan military says.
The first window in North Korea's five-day satellite launch plan has passed with no sign of a blast-off.A South Korean expert said conditions in the launch area were not ideal, with "somewhat strong" winds and cloud. Neighbouring states suspect the launch of the rocket is a cover for a long-range missile test and have urged North Korea not to go ahead. North Korea has said the launch will happen between 4-8 April, during windows from 0200 to 0700 GMT.
An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale on Saturday jolted the eastern part of Indonesia, the meteorology and disaster management agencies said. The quake occurred on Saturday 4th April at 0541 GMT, with the epicentre 117 km northeast of North Sulawesi and 10 km under the seabed, an official said. No tsunami warning was issued. There is no report of damage or fatality.
A UK team unveiled the first machine to have independently discovered new scientific knowledge.
Gordon Browns gibbous progressed Moon is conjunct his progressed Saturn on April 5th 2009. This has become a rather important, hard hitting and at the same time austere period for Gordon Brown, quite befitting this progression.
Today Mars opposes Saturn 00:56 GMT.
The Moon opposes Jupiter around half a degree orb 05:36 GMT.
The Moon then opposes Neptune less than 1.3 degree orb at 15:40 and is then void.
The Moon enters Virgo 23:02 GMT.
Monday April 6th 2009
Yesterday U.S. Northern Command officials acknowledged that North Korea launched a Taepo Dong 2 missile at 10:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, which passed over the Sea of Japan/East Sea and the nation of Japan. Stage one of the missile fell into the Sea of Japan/East Sea. The remaining stages along with the payload itself landed in the Pacific Ocean. No object entered orbit and no debris fell on Japan.The UN Security Council is preparing to hold an emergency session about the controversial rocket launch by North Korea.
US President Barack Obama outlined his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons during a major speech in Europe.
Zimbabwe's new coalition government adopted a 100-day renewal plan aimed at mending ties with the West.
The four-year-old grandson of Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai drowned in a swimming pool at the family's home in Harare. The death of the child, Sean, comes less than a month after Mr Tsvangirai's wife Susan died in a car crash. Jupiter opposed his natal Pluto this weekend.
An ice bridge linking a shelf of ice the size of Jamaica to two islands in Antarctica has snapped. Scientists say the collapse could mean the Wilkins Ice Shelf is on the brink of breaking away, and provides further evidence or rapid change in the region.
Mt. Redoubt erupted again on April 4th (13:58 UTC), spewing a plume of ash, water vapor and sulfurous gases at least 50,000 feet high. While the gaseous emissions are entering the stratosphere and blowing away, much of the ash is falling back to Earth.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 17 degrees Aries. There are 73 days to the solstice.
The Moon reaches gibbous phase 01:26 GMT today at 1 degree Virgo. She is now in procession to the Full Moon phase which occurs on Thursday April 9th in Libra.
Mercury appears now to be a very fast moving 'evening star' in Aries on March 25th. Mercury sextiles Neptune tomorrow, and enters Taurus on April 9th at the very hour of the next Full Moon. These next 3 days continue to be characterized by a veritable whirl of impetus of new ideas and a surge of proactive initiatives. Shoot your verbals first, think later. Mercury will next turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini.
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Venus is the retrograding 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus remains closely square to Pluto. This is a prolonged period of potential licentiousness, financial corruption, political scandal and potential unhealthy liaisons. Venus slips back into Pisces from April 11th. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces and after yesterday's opposition he now moves forward to a close conjunction with Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd.
Jupiter is now less than 6 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
Tuesday April 7th 2009
Rescuers worked into the night searching for survivors from a devastating earthquake in central Italy. They dug into the rubble with their bare hands and used dogs to try to find survivors. At least 150 people were killed, fire officials say, and around 1,500 injured. Thousands fled their homes, and a tent city is rising for survivors in L'Aquila.
Globally at the exact time of the earthquake (01:32:42 GMT Monday April 6th 2009), the Moon within minutes of her exact gibbous phase (135 degrees ahead of the Sun) was geometrically linked to Uranus, who was was exactly half a semi-square from the Sun. The arrangement shows up poignantly on the 4th harmonic chart of the moment. Here the Moon is shown as an exact Full Moon tightly square Uranus.
Locally at the time the Moon was due west (with Chiron due East). The Moon formed a 'finger of fate' with Venus and the local Ascendant. The local MC is trine Uranus.The Full Moon chart on Thursday shows Mars setting at the epicentre and the Vernal Equinox chart 2009 shows Venus on the MC of the epicentre.
Today the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn are forming a loose 'finger of fate' which will ring out over the next three days.
The Moon is conjunct Saturn 03:12 at 16 degrees Virgo. She then goes on to oppose Mars (2.3 degree orb) at 06:28 GMT.
Mercury in Aries sextiles Neptune in Aquarius at 12:38 GMT.
The Moon opposes Uranus at 16:53 GMT and becomes void.
Wednesday April 8th 2009
Yesterday US President Barack Obama went to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders and to see US troops at the end of a trip to Europe.
At least 207 people have now been killed by the earthquake in central Italy, with 100 residents critically injured, PM Berlusconi said. I include here again yesterday's comment. 'Globally at the exact time of the earthquake (01:32:42 GMT Monday April 6th 2009), the Moon within minutes of her exact gibbous phase (135 degrees ahead of the Sun) was geometrically linked to Uranus, who was exactly half a semi-square from the Sun. The arrangement shows up poignantly on the 4th harmonic chart of the moment. Here the Moon is shown as an exact Full Moon tightly square Uranus.
Locally at the exact time of the quake, the Moon was due west (with Chiron due East). The Moon formed a 'finger of fate' with Venus and the local Ascendant. The local MC is trine Uranus. The Full Moon chart on Thursday shows Mars setting at the epicentre and the Vernal Equinox chart 2009 shows Venus on the MC of the epicentre.
In addition here is Marjorie Orr's comment The Italian earthquake which has killed '207' to date with tens of thousands homeless happened at 3.32 am this morning at L''Aquila, north of Rome.
Looking at the recent Total Solar Eclipse charts - the Aug 2008 one had a wide Mars Saturn conjunction in Virgo with Mars opposition Uranus - so the present tr Mars in Pisces just off the opposition to tr Saturn in Virgo and approaching the conjunction with tr Uranus does resonate to the same vibe as it were - accident prone, hardship, death (Mars Saturn), explosive and disruptive (Mars Uranus). But there is nothing too exact.
It is the previous Total Solar Eclipse of March 2006 which shows the earthquake up most clearly. It had a high risk Mars opposition Pluto which locating the Eclipse to L''Aquila was set in square to the Pisces midheaven. Transitting Uranus is now exactly on that L''Aquila Eclipse Midheaven and exactly square the Mars/Pluto midpoint. And that definitely sounds like a major disaster.
My impression is you have to go back one or two Total Solar Eclipses to find the one which triggers - which means you''d have to be very much on top of the Eclipse charts all the time to be able to predict in advance. But interesting even in retrospect.
Today the 'very nearly full' Moon, breezes into Libra 03:23 GMT, forming a rather awesome cardinal T-square with the long lasting Venus Pluto square lasting up to 09:30 GMT. The critical atmosphere of the last two days now gives way to a more diffuse resolution of current developments.
Solutions today and tomorrow involve socialisation and indecision. War and peace, life and death, are all in the balance. 'War is just a shot away, love is just a kiss away'.
The Moon now cruises to her full climax which peaks tomorrow.
Thursday April 9th 2009
Mercury, now an evening 'star', enters Taurus 14:22 GMT today and begins a deceleration towards her station on May 7th. Mercury trines Pluto on April 11th. He trines Saturn on April 18th. On April 22nd at 22 degrees Taurus Mercury reaches a point in the zodiac that he will move back too in his forthcoming retrograde motion. He squares Jupiter on April 23rd, sextiles Uranus on April 24th and is square Neptune on April 26th. By this time Mercury is appearing to move at less than a degree pere day and quite slowly enters Gemini on April 30th. Mercury will next turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
We are now entering a period of 'backward looking thinking' with a reliance on traditional reserved and established mental processes.
Just over half an hour after Mercury's ingress into Taurus the moment of the current Full Moon is reached.
Full Moon in Libra
trine Jupiter
http://wiku.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/web-libra.jpg
This is the second Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th 2009 and the third before another Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th 2009.
This Full Moon is eased by Jupiter and is quintile Pluto.
The Full Moon today closely and directly hits the natal Neptune of Gordon Brown, Phil Collins and Michael Barrymore, and the natal Saturn Neptune conjunction of Michael Portillo and John Edwards. The natal Uranus of David Blaine is hit, as is the natal Pluto of Stephen Gerrard and the natal Mars of Robert Plant.
At the exact moment of Full Moon the Moon is rising at Dhahran and is rising just east of Tehran where it is exactly sunset. The Moon is on the local MC of Alice Springs. Mars is on the local MC of Boston and Santiago, Jupiter culminates at Mexico City. Saturn rises at Bern and Ajaco, he is on the local MC of Hanoi and on the local IC of New York. Venus is at lower culmination at Beijing, Mercury is at lower culmination at Edmonton and Melbourne.
After the full moon moment the Moon trines Jupiter 16:21 GMT.
Friday April 10th 2009
Yesterday a hijacked ship freed by its crew reportedly sets sail for Kenya, but its US captain remains a hostage on a lifeboat.
Iran's president opened the country's first nuclear fuel production plant, in defiant mood despite fresh moves on talks.
Thailand declared a public holiday to help security forces deal with mass anti-government protests in Bangkok.
The time of the Full Moon and her awesome symphony of life and death has now passed.
We move on.
Mars in Pisces is 5 degrees of celestial longitude from Uranus and will meet on April 15th, Mars is 7 degrees from a retrograding Venus and will meet with her on April 21st. These are the next two astrological waves to ride.
The 'hung-over Moon' still in Libra trines Neptune and is void from 01:45 GMT.
This decelerating Moon enters Scorpio 09:23 GMT.
The Sun in Aries sextiles Jupiter in Aquarius 13:44 GMT. This is a more optimistic influence. Blessed be.
Saturday April 11th 2009
Yesterday a French hostage died and four others were freed in a rescue operation by French forces on a yacht off Somalia.
A state funeral was held in Italy for 205 victims of the devastating earthquake, as the country observed a day of mourning.
Under the optimistic vibration of the Sun in sextile relationship to Jupiter, President Barack Obama said he sees "glimmers of hope" in the US economy, but warned there was a lot more work to do
The decelerating and waning moon is today in Scorpio.
Mercury in Taurus makes a waxing earthy trine aspect to Pluto 05:51 GMT.
Venus retrogrades into Pisces 12:48 GMT where she resides, for 13 days, turning direct next Friday. She joins Uranus and Mars in that sign in a grouping that is currently tightening.
There is a sense of inevitability and certainty today.
Sunday April 12th 2009
The Moon in Scorpio has a busy day finally making a trine aspect to Venus in Pisces and becoming void of course at 17:29 GMT.
She enters Sagittarius 18:01 GMT.
Mars tightens on his 'electric piscean conjunction' with Uranus which will peak on Wednesday.
Monday April 13th 2009
The captain of a US cargo ship who was taken hostage by Somali pirates has been rescued and is safe.
Yesterady shots are heard in the Thai capital Bangkok as soldiers moved to disperse anti-government protesters at a major junction.
In the UK A key aide to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has resigned after e-mails reportedly smearing top political opponents were leaked.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 24 degrees Aries. There are 66 days remaining to the Solstice and there are 100 days remaining to the big astrological event of 2009 the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd.
The decelerating and slow moving Moon today reaches disseminating phase 9 degrees Sagittarius 10:54 GMT.
The next New Moon which is on April 25th 2009 is midway between lunar eclipses.
Lunar occultation of Antares.
There is a Lunar occultation of Antares today. It starts around 11:20 is at maximum 13:14 GMT and ends arouns 15:12 GMT. The Occultation centred on central Pacific areas. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Around 22:00 GMT today the Moon Neptune and Mercury form three vertices of a pentagon.
Mercury is an evening 'star' in Taurus and is decelerating towards his station on May 7th. He trines Saturn on April 18th. On April 22nd at 22 degrees Taurus Mercury reaches a point in the zodiac that he will move back too in his forthcoming retrograde motion. He squares Jupiter on April 23rd, sextiles Uranus on April 24th and is square Neptune on April 26th. By this time Mercury is appearing to move at less than a degree pere day and quite slowly enters Gemini on April 30th. Mercury will next turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is the retrograding 'morning star' in Pisces. Throughout April, Venus remains closely square to Pluto. This is a prolonged period of potential licentiousness, financial corruption, political scandal and potential unhealthy liaisons. She turns direct on April 17th at 29 degrees Pisces. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces is involved in a close conjunction with Uranus in Pisces on April 15th. That alignment is like an underwater electric arc torch, a real dangerous one at that. On April 21st Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd.
Jupiter is now less than 5 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009. Jupiter Neptune conjunctions can invoke 'phantasms' and very illusionary and unwise speculations.
Tuesday April 14th 2009
Yesterday evening troops in Thailand had Bangkok under control after a day of pitched battles with anti-government protesters. Pluto is opposite the natal Sun in Thailand national constitution chart in 2009 and 2010. Last week's Full Moon was square Pluto in the chart.
Yesterday at least 22 people were killed in a fire at a hostel for homeless people in north-western Poland.
Twenty years from yesterday, on April 13th, 2029, asteroid Apophis will buzz Earth only 18,300 miles above the planet's surface--well inside the belt of geosynchronous communications satellites. At closest approach, the 300-meter-wide asteroid will shine like a 3rd magnitude star, visible to the unaided eye from cities in Africa, Europe and Asia. There is a small chance (1 in 45,000) that the 2029 encounter will bend the asteroid's orbit so that it returns to Earth and actually hits the planet on April 13th, 2036. www.spaceweather.com
Today the Moon in Sagittarius squares the tightening Mars Uranus conjunction at 17:19 GMT.
Mars is closing on his electric 'near alignment' with Uranus which occurs tomorrow, stand by.
Wednesday April 15th 2009
Yesterday North Korea said it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism.
Somali pirates hijacked four vessels in 48 hours, capturing two cargo ships and two fishing boats carrying dozens of people.
S President Barack Obama said there are signs the recession is easing but underlined that times remain tough.
Today the Sagittarian Moon squares Venus and is void at 04:08 GMT.
The very slowly waning Moon establishes herself in Capricorn 05:28 GMT making mainly easy aspects whilst there over the next couple of days.
The Sun is in late Aries, the purpose and heart of news matter right now stems from the energy of this brazen fire sign. There is a however an accompanying planetary triplet of Mars, Uranus and Venus (approaching her direct station) in watery Pisces right now. Five zodiac degrees separate them. There is a rich and strong strata of 'Electric Pisces' energy pervading the biosphere right now. The effect will culminate and transform by next Tuesday.
Mars is conjunct Uranus (within half a degree) at 10:00 GMT at 24 degrees Pisces. Both planets lie 5 degrees from a retrograding Venus.
The Moon is conjunct Pluto 12:04 GMT at 3 degrees Capricorn.
The Sun sextiles Neptune 19:55 GMT.
Thursday April 16th 2009
Pink lightening was seen in the UK yesterday as the Mars Uranus alignment peaked.
Also yesterday a French warship captured 11 Somali pirates off Kenya, amid calls for greater international resolve in dealing with piracy
A suicide bombing killed 16 people at a police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan.
In the UK thousands gathered at Anfield for a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Today the Moon at apogee 09:13 GMT forms a wide earthy grand trine with Mercury and Saturn from 06:00 GMT to 14:00 GMT.
This is potentially a practical, realistic and constructive day.
Friday April 17th 2009
Voting has ended in the first round of India's month-long general elections. Millions voted in 124 constituencies around the country. Turnout was reported to be steady and there were a number of attacks by Maoist rebels. More than 700 million Indians are eligible to vote in the five-phase poll. Results are due on 16 May - a new parliament must be in place by 2 June.
US President Barack Obama is in Mexico for a visit in which he is expected to show support for its war on drugs cartels.
The slow moving but now accelerating Moon today hits last quarter phase 13:37 GMT at 28 degrees Capricorn and then forms a sextile to Venus at 16:43 GMT, becoming void at that time.
She enters Aquarius 18:20 GMT and starts to apply to conjunctions with Jupiter and Neptune which occur on Sunday.
Venus turns direct (as if sensing the approach of Mars) 19:24 GMT at 29 degrees Pisces.
The current planetary triplet of Mars, Uranus and Venus in Pisces is at its tightest today.
The weekend ahead sees an old slow Moon waning in Aquarius and the Sun moving from Aries to Taurus.
Saturday April 18th 2009
This is the last full day of the astrological month of Aries.
Mercury in Taurus trines Saturn in Virgo 00:52 GMT.
The Moon slowly accelerates and wanes in Aquarius.
Sunday April 19th 2009
The Moon is conjunct Jupiter (within 2 degrees) at 22 degrees Aquarius at 14:54 GMT.
She is conjunct Neptune (also within 2 degrees) at 26 degrees Aquarius at 22:16 GMT and this then void of course.
The Sun enters Taurus 22:45 GMT and a new astrological month begins.
Monday April 20th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at the very start of Taurus. There are 60 days to the solstice.
The slow waning but accelerating Moon, approaching balsamic phase, enters Pisces 05:56 GMT. The next New Moon which is on April 25th 2009 is midway between lunar eclipses.
Mercury is an evening 'star' in Taurus and is decelerating towards his station on May 7th. On April 22nd at 22 degrees Taurus Mercury reaches a point in the zodiac that he will move back too in his forthcoming retrograde motion. He squares Jupiter on April 23rd, sextiles Uranus on April 24th and is square Neptune on April 26th. By this time Mercury is appearing to move at less than a degree pere day and quite slowly enters Gemini on April 30th. Mercury will next turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is the direct moving 'morning star' in Pisces. Throughout April, Venus remains closely square to Pluto. This is a prolonged period of potential licentiousness, financial corruption, political scandal and potential unhealthy liaisons. She is overtaken by Mars on April 21st and occulted again by the Moon on April 22nd. (An events observable form North America). Venus flares back into Aries on April 24th, squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is in Pisces. Tomorrow Mars overtakes a slow moving vulnerable Venus and he enters Aries on April 22nd.
Jupiter is now less than 4 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009. Jupiter Neptune conjunctions can invoke 'phantasms' and very illusionary and unwise speculations.
Tuesday April 21st 2009
The first day of the astrological month of Taurus brought forth thre following world stories. Sri Lanka's military said at least 25,000 civilians had escaped from a Tamil Tiger-held area after the army smashed a fortification.
Diplomats walked out of a UN anti-racism conference during a speech by Iran's president as he condemned Israel's creation.
Professor Stephen Hawking, one of the world's leading scientists, is "very ill" in hospital, Cambridge University said.
One of the world's most powerful telescope arrays, which will provide a new view of the Universe, got under way.
Today Mars is at perihelion (closest to the Sun). 09:47 GMT
The Moon, the Earth and Saturn are linearly aligned within a degree at 11:24 GMT.
The Moon hits balsamic phase 13:29 GMT at 17 degrees Pisces.
A very slowly moving Venus is conjunct and overtaken Mars (4.5 degree orb) 23:19 GMT at the very end of Pisces, the cusp of loves ignition!
Wednesday April 22nd 2009
Every year in late April Earth passes through the dusty tail of Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1), and the encounter causes a meteor shower--the Lyrids. This year the shower peaks on Wednesday morning, April 22nd. The best time to look, no matter where you live, is during the dark hours before dawn. Forecasters expect 10 to 20 meteors per hour visible from dark-sky sites. www.spaceweather.com
Yesterday Sri Lanka said that 63,000 Tamil civilians had crossed from the last remaining area held by Tamil Tiger rebels in the preceding two days.
Astronomers have announced the discovery of the lightest planet ever detected outside our Solar System. Situated in the constellation Libra, it is only about twice as massive as the Earth, whereas most other exoplanets identified have been far bigger. The scientists say the planet's orbit takes it far too close to its star Gliese 581 for life to be possible.
Uranus is conjunct David Cameron's natal Saturn for the first time today April 22nd 2009.
The Moon is conjunct Uranus 04:39 GMT at 25 degrees Pisces.
She then is aligned to Venus (within a degree) at that self same cusp. This is a lunar occultation of Venus as observed from North America as shown below. The central point in time of the occultation is 14:17 GMT. Geocentric conjunction is 13:30 GMT
During the time of the occultation of Venus, Mars rams hard into Aries 13:45 GMT.
The Moon follows suit at 14:10 GMT and is immediately conjunct Mars.
Mars will be in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars squares Pluto in Capricorn on Sunday April 26th, that is potentially a disturbingly harsh and violent combination. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, a much more inspiring situation, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. Mars in Aries is an exciting time of sensation, impulse and primal motivation. There will be evidence of a lot of hot-headedness and spur of the moment activity. During the rest of April all of May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
See below.
Thursday April 23rd 2009
The Cumbre volcano in The Galapagos National Park is continuing to emit lava, following its eruption on Saturday. The eruption is affecting the uninhabited island of Fernandina, and authorities say there is no threat to humans.
High turnout in South Africa's election yesterday led to long queues at polling stations, as voting drew to a close.
Astronomers have found the most distant evidence of water in the Universe, a major conference has been told. The vapour is thought to be present in a jet ejected from a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy that is billions of light-years away.
A detailed simulation of a small region of a brain built molecule by molecule has been constructed and has recreated experimental results from real brains. The "Blue Brain" has been put in a virtual body, and observing it gives the first indications of the molecular and neural basis of thought and memory.
The period from mid April until mid July sees Venus and Mars close together in the eastern pre-dawn sky. It is unusual for the two to be so close together for so long; they happen to be in the same line of sight as Venus reaches the maximum curve of its orbit. Venus moves above Mars from 22nd April and then lies about 5 to 10 degrees to the upper left of Mars until the middle of June. The diagram at left shows them by the crescent Moon on the 23rd of April.
The view from Australia
Today as the old Moon in Aries accelerates and wanes Mercury in Taurus squares Jupiter in Aquarius 00:53 GMT
During the first few hours of this day the Sun in Taurus trines Pluto in Capricorn 05:41 GMT.
There is a change in the ether now with Mars and the Moon in Aries. Can you sense it?
Friday April 24th 2009
The first day of Mars in Aries (applying in harsh square to Pluto in Capricorn) saw suicide attacks in Baghdad and Baquba which killed at least 76, including Iranian pilgrims and homeless people,
ANC leader Jacob Zuma appeared before a cheering crowd, as his party headed for a clear victory in South Africa's election.
International donors pledged more than $250m (£172m) to boost security in Somalia, the EU development commissioner says
Scientific discoveries continue unabated day by day now, a molecule that until now existed only in theory has finally been made. Known as a Rydberg molecule, it is formed through an elusive and extremely weak chemical bond between two atoms.
Powerful times!
Venus unable to resist following Mars slips naked into Aries 07:19 GMT.
The very old Moon also in Aries sextiles Neptune at 12:12 GMT and is void of course from that moment.
This ancient Moon enters Taurus 18:47 GMT, and is new tomorrow.
Mercury in Taurus sextiles Uranus in Pisces 19:39 GMT. Practical and inspired thought processes in evidence.
The weekend ahead will see a good New Moon on Saturday set against the very unfriendly Mars in Aries square menacing Pluto, and a confounded and confused Mercury in Taurus square Neptune on Sunday.
Saturday April 25th 2009
Yesterday at least 60 people died as female suicide bombers attacked Baghdad's main Shia shrine, after one of the deadliest days in Iraq this year. These two days of carnage have coincided with Mars in Aries applying in square aspect to Pluto.
A suspected outbreak of swine flu in Mexico has left 60 people dead and has infected hundreds, according to the UN health agency.
US and Russian negotiators have begun to work on a new treaty aimed at reducing the number of nuclear weapons.
New Moon in Taurus
trine Pluto quintile Jupiter and Neptune.
Venus conjunct Mars in Aries.
http://www.blogickal.com/pics/Taurus_V2.jpg
This New Moon is midway between the Annular Solar Eclipse of January 26th 2009 and the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009.
This New Moon is trine Pluto quintile Jupiter and Neptune. Venus is conjunct Mars in Aries, both square Pluto. Mercury is square Jupiter and Pluto. Uranus squares the MC at London.
This New Moon is good news set against a difficult planetary backdrop.
At the exact moment of New Moon, the Moon is rising at Nairobi. The Sun rises at Alexandria and at Daressalam. The Sun and the Moon are rising over the south west of Madagascar. The Moon culminates at Seoul and sets at Seattle. Jupiter is at lower culmination at Los Angeles and sets at Tokyo. Saturn culminates the LC of Dallas. Pluto rises at Panama and is culminating at Bremen and at Stuttgart. Uranus rises at Algiers. Uranus culminates at Lhasa and curiously this New Moon falls on the natal Uranus of the Dalai Lama.
The New Moon also directly hits the natal Mercury of Russell Crowe, the natal Mars of Kate Bush, the Jupiter of Joan Baez and the natal Uranus of Shirley Bassey.
Sunday April 26th 2009
Mercury bleary-eyed is in waxing fixed square aspect to Neptune 00:55 GMT.
The rapidly moving infant new Moon is conjunct Mercury 27 degrees Taurus (within 2 degrees) at 15:43 and is then void.
Mars in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn at 16:10 GMT
The Moon ingresses Gemini 21:03 GMT, immediately sextiling Venus and Mars.
Monday April 27th 2009
National public health bodies are co-ordinating their work to prevent the spread of a new swine flu virus, the World Health Organization says. Mexico has reported 71 deaths but "we don't know how many are new swine flu infections," Dr Keiji Fukuda said. Mexican authorities have taken drastic measures to contain the virus. The latest cases to be confirmed were among New York students but "there is no need for Americans to panic," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the situation remains serious but "the picture is evolving". This relatively new story hit the 'wires' as Venus entered Aries on Friday.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 7 degrees Taurus. There are 53 days to the Solstice. Mars and Venus separated by only three degrees are both squaring Pluto.
The young Moon is very rapidly waxing in Gemini. The next Full Moon is on May 9th in Scorpio. This will be the third Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th 2009 and the penultimate Full Moon before another Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th 2009.
Mercury is an evening 'star' in Taurus and is decelerating towards his station on May 7th. Mercury is appearing to move at less than a degree pere day now and quite slowly enters Gemini on April 30th. Mercury will turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is the direct moving 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus has remained closely square to Pluto. Venus squares Pluto a final time on May 2nd, chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. This is a very interesting period.
Mars is now in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, an inspiring combination, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. Mars in Aries is an exciting time of sensation, impulse and primal motivation. There will be evidence of a lot of hot-headedness and spur of the moment activity. During the rest of April, all of May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
Jupiter is now less than 3 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to very strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009. Jupiter Neptune conjunctions can invoke 'phantasms' and very illusionary and unwise speculations.
Barack Obama's progressed Moon in late Aquarius trines progressed Mars April 27th 2009, and trines progressed Mercury on May 10th. This is a very positive time for the president..
Tuesday April 28th 2009
Yesterday the EU and US urged caution over travel to Mexico amid fears of a swine flu pandemic, as the first case was confirmed in Europe. Two people admitted to hospital after returning from a holiday in Mexico are confirmed as the UK's first swine flu cases. At the exact moment of the last Full Moon, on April 9th 2009, Jupiter culminated on the local MC at Mexico City.
Soldiers stormed Madagascar's constitutional court and arrested its head of security, who is accused of destabilising the country.
The EU extended sanctions against Burma and renewed calls for the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Over the weekend, midnight sky watchers in Arizona and New Mexico witnessed a "spectacular fireball" that exploded in "a flash like lightning." The brightness may have exceeded that of a full Moon. The approximate time was 0604 UT, a few minutes past midnight MDT on April 26th.
Today the Moon is at perigee (fastest all month) 06:21 GMT
The Moon reaches crescent phase 11:35 GMT at 23 degrees Gemini.
She trines Neptune 16:23 GMT and is void.
She arrives home in Cancer 22:39 GMT.
Wednesday April 29th 2009.
Yesterday cases of the deadly swine flu virus were confirmed as far afield as New Zealand and Israel as the UN warned it cannot be contained.
Republican US Senator Arlen Specter announced that he intends to become a Democrat, giving the party 59 votes in the Senate.
The cataclysmic explosion of a giant star is the most distant single object ever detected by telescopes. The colossal blast was picked up first by Nasa's Swift space observatory which is tuned to see the high-energy gamma-rays emitted from extreme events. Other telescopes then followed up the signal, confirming the source to be more than 13 billion light-years away. Scientists say the star's destruction probably resulted in a black hole. "This gets us into a realm where we've never been before," said Nial Tanvir, of the University of Leicester, UK. "This is the most remote gamma-ray burst (GRB) ever detected, and also the most distant object ever discovered."
State of Play, starring Russell Crowe and Dame Helen Mirren, makes its debut at number one in the UK and Ireland film chart. The New Moon last Saturday was exactly hits the natal Mercury of Russell Crowe.
During the first four hours of the (GMT) day, the Moon in Cancer forms a cardinal T-square with Pluto in Capricorn, and Venus and Mars in Aries. This is a difficult and touchy start to the day.
What follows is a day containing equal measures of instinct and persistence.
Mercury aligning to the Pleiades appears to slow to a standstill. Begin no serious ventures for a while now.
Thursday April 30th 2009.
Yesterday a Mexican child visiting the US died of swine flu - the first such death outside Mexico, where the virus may have killed up to 159.
Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - seven confirmed cases
US: one death, at least 91 confirmed cases
Canada: 13 confirmed cases
UK: 5 confirmed cases
Spain: 10 confirmed cases
Germany, New Zealand: 3 confirmed cases each
Israel: 2 confirmed cases
Austria: 1 case.
The outbreak of the Swine Flu Virus 'scare' is occurring as Mars and Venus are both in Aries and are squaring Pluto. Jupiter and Neptune are applying to their conjunction in Aquarius.
Also yesterday three car bombs killed at least 41 people in the Shia district of Sadr City in Iraq's capital,
US President Barack Obama outlined the future direction of his administration, as he marked 100 days in office.
Today, May Eve, sees the 'homely but worried' Moon in Cancer in trine aspect to Uranus in Pisces and becoming void of course at 16:46 GMT.
Mercury and the Pleiades are converging for a mini-conjunction of their own on April 30th. Mercury crawls into Gemini 22:29 GMT. Mercury will turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
May 2009
The Jupiter Neptune conjunction in May 2009 is opposite David Cameron's natal Mars. It will probably not be plain sailing for that man this month.
The month starts with the Sun and Mercury (approaching his station) in Taurus. Just over three degrees separate Venus and Mars in Aries, both square Pluto.
The looming Jupiter Neptune conjunction can give rise to 'phantasms'. The current world news story of 'Swine Flu' ,just for the record, may be symptomatic of this conjunction and the difficult square aspect that Venus and Mars are making to Pluto. The 'genesis' of the outbreak occurred as the exact moment of the last Full Moon climaxing on April 9th 2009, as Jupiter was culminating at New Mexico.
Friday May 1st 2009
US carmaker Chrysler is to enter bankruptcy protection after failing to have its debts written off, the White House said yesterday.
The EU's health chief said a possible flu pandemic may not cause many deaths, following emergency talks on the virus. As of 20:00 GMT on Thursday April 30th three new cases of swine flu had been diagnosed in the UK, bringing the total number here to eight,
Four people died as a car crashed into crowds watching Dutch Queen Beatrix pass by in an open-topped bus.
Today the Moon enters Leo 00:56 GMT and trines Venus and Mars in Aries during the day. That situation looks creative and potentially 'fun'.
The fast moving but decelerating Moon reaches her first quarter phase 12 degrees Leo 20:45 GMT.
Venus in Aries is nearly square Pluto. 'Debauch' is a fair description for the energy tonight.
Saturday May 2nd 2009
The Moon rapidly waxes in Leo. This is a day geared to recreation and fun, especially good for children. Make the most of it, the following two days are more 'job of work' oriented.
Venus in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn 17:03 GMT
The Moon in Leo opposes both Jupiter and Neptune and becomes void of course at 22:09 GMT.
Sunday May 3rd 2009
The Moon enters Virgo 04:37 GMT forms a finger of fate with Venus and the lunar node around 11:37 GMT.
The Sun, the Moon, together with Saturn and Pluto are now in earth signs. This day and tomorrow are very practical and methodical days.
Monday May 4th 2009
Cases of swine flu are confirmed in more than half of US states, as countries are urged to stay vigilant over the outbreak.
The Maoist PM of Nepal resigns after failing to get the president to approve his decision to sack the head of the army
Bob Dylan tops the UK album chart for the seventh time in his career, nearly 40 years since his last number one.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 14 degrees Taurus. At 08:51 GMT tomorrow the Sun is at 15 degrees Taurus and is exactly half way between the Vernal Equinox and the Solstice. There are then 45 days to the Solstice.
The decelerating but waxing Moon is conjunct Saturn at 15 degrees Virgo 07:08 GMT. The next Full Moon is in the early hours (GMT) of next Saturday. It will be the third Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th 2009 and the penultimate before another Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th 2009.
Mercury is an evening 'star' in Gemini and is decelerating towards his station in 3 days time on May 7th. Mercury will turn retrograde on May 7th at 2 degrees Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is a 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus has remained closely square to Pluto. Venus squared Pluto a final time two days ago and is chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. Just over 5 degrees separate Venus and Mars today.
Mars is now in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, an inspiring combination, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. Mars in Aries is an exciting time of sensation, impulse and primal motivation. There will be evidence of a lot of hot-headedness and spur of the moment activity. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
Jupiter is now less than 2 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to very strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009. Jupiter Neptune conjunctions can invoke 'phantasms' and very illusionary and unwise speculations.
Tuesday May 5th 2009
The Moon opposes Uranus at 01:31 GMT and is then void of course.
At 08:51 GMT today the Sun is at 15 degrees Taurus and is exactly half way between the Vernal Equinox and the Solstice. The lightest quarter of the year for the northern hemisphere starts at this point in time and the darkest quarter of the year commences for the south.
The Sun in Taurus trines Saturn in Virgo at 09:34 GMT. This is a very practical vibration. A constructive day follows.
The Moon enters Libra 09:52 GMT
The Moon hits gibbous phase 09:57 GMT at zero degrees Libra. The procession to the Walpurgis Full Moon in the early hours (GMT) of Saturday morning then begins.
This potent gibbous Moon forms a cardinal T-square with Venus and Pluto between 15:00 and 17:00 GMT.
Wednesday May 6th 2009
'Low news' day yesterday.
Residents in Mexico City restlessly waited for life to return to normal as officials from both Mexico and the United States said the worst may be over in the swine flu outbreak.
A UN inquiry into attacks by Israeli forces on its property in the Gaza conflict this year is heavily critical of Israel's military.
Today the heavily waxing gibbous Moon in Libra opposes Mars 04:55 GMT and makes no other aspects. Mercury appears to slow to a standstill.
Thursday May 7th 2009
Yesterday Washington "deeply, deeply" regretted the death of Afghan civilians killed by an air strike, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. Red Cross officials believe dozens of civilians including women and children died in the strike which targeted Taleban fighters in Farah Province.
ANC leader Jacob Zuma was officially elected as president of South Africa by members of the National Assembly.
Scientists said they have found more evidence that the Indonesian "Hobbits" are a new species - not modern pygmies
Today Mercury turns retrograde today 04:56 GMT at 2 degrees Gemini.
The 'pregnant' Moon in Libra trines Neptune in Aquarius 10:01 GMT and becomes void.
The Moon enters Scorpio 16:48 GMT forming a potentially risky finger of fate with Pluto and stationary Mercury around 22:27 GMT.
The mood of this day 'intensifies'.
Friday May 8th 2009
Yesterday Pakistan's PM ordered the army to "eliminate militants and terrorists", as operations against the Taleban were stepped up.
Heavy ground fighting between Chadian troops and rebels erupted in the east, a day after the government said a rebel offensive had been defeated.
Polling has now closed in the fourth stage of India's marathon five phase general election. Millions of voters in 85 constituencies across seven states and in the federally-administered territory of Delhi cast their ballots on Thursday. Neither the ruling Congress nor main opposition BJP are expected to win outright and other parties could play a key role after counting on 16 May.
Today the Moon approaches her full phase in Scorpio.
An intense and passion filled day is in store.
Saturday May 9th 2009
Full Moon in Scorpio
http://www.newmoontradingco.macwebsitebuilder.com/i/tarot%20images/empress.jpg
This is the third Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of February 9th 2009 and the penultimate before another Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th 2009.
This Full Moon separates from a sextile aspect to Saturn, moving later in the day to square the ongoing Jupiter Neptune conjunction.
At the exact moment of Full Moon the Sun is rising and the Moon is setting at Harare. The Moon also sets over Ireland and at Toulouse. The Sun rises at Turin. Jupiter and Neptune are culminating the local Mid heaven at Moscow, Addis Ababa, Daresalam and at Mecca.
Jupiter and Neptune set at Bejing where the Sun and Moon powerfully straddle the local MC IC axis. Jupiter and Neptune also set at Taipei, Alice Springs and at Adelaide.
Jupiter and Neptune rise at Ascuntion.
At San Francisco retrograding Mercury is rising and Saturn is conjunct the local Mid Heaven. (Graphic above)
This Full Moon directly hits the natal Sun and Venus of Leonardo Dicaprio, the natal Jupiter of both musician Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and football player Jack Charlton, the natal Saturn of Rowan Atkinson and the natal Neptune of the UK 1801 National chart.
The Full Moon today is sextile David Cameron's natal Pluto and she squares Barack Obama's Ascendant.
The Moon squares Neptune 18:49 GMT and becomes void of course.
Sunday May 10th 2009
Barack Obama's progressed Moon trines progressed Mercury on May 10th.
The hung over Moon enters Sagittarius 01:50 GMT.
At 04:31 GMT she opposes Mercury and the opposition is eased by the lunar node.
Lunar occultation of Antares today around 21:01 GMT. Occultation centred on the Middle East and NE Africa. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Monday May 11th 2009
The Full Moon period has been beset with news of fighting.
An official in northern Sri Lanka said 378 people had been killed in 24 hours, but the government denies shelling the area.
A curfew was briefly lifted in Pakistan's Swat district, allowing trapped residents to flee fighting between troops and militants.
Chad has won a "decisive victory" over rebels in the east of the country, Defence Minister Adoum Younousmi said after two days of fierce fighting.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 21 degrees Taurus. There are 39 days to the Solstice.
The very slow moving 'still hung over' Moon wanes and decelerates in Sagittarius. The Moon reaches last quarter phase next Sunday.
Mercury is a retrograding evening 'star' in Gemini. Mercury will retrograde back into Taurus on May 13th, is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on May 18th at 28 degrees Taurus and turns direct again on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is a 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus has remained closely square to Pluto. Venus is chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. Just over 5 degrees separate Venus and Mars today.
Mars is now in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, an inspiring combination, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
Jupiter is now less than 1.25 degrees from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to very strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
Tuesday May 12th 2009
Yesterday Pope Benedict said the suffering of Holocaust victims must never be denied as he visits the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem.
The Hubble Space Telescope is set to receive its final overhaul as a space shuttle mission launches from Florida. The shuttle Atlantis blasted off on Monday in an attempt to repair the stricken space observatory.
Today the Moon in Sagittarius sextiles Neptune in Aquarius and is void from 05:56 GMT.
She enters Capricorn 13:10 GMT. The Sun and the Moon (together with Pluto and Saturn) are in earth signs.
We have on our hands a 'down to earth' realistic, practical and hard working sort of day.
The Moon is conjunct Pluto 19:05 GMT at 3 degrees Capricorn.
Wednesday May 13th 2009
The very slowly waning Moon reaches her disseminating phase at 8 degrees Capricorn 04:25 GMT.
A similar day to yesterday is in store. Stark realism and common sense pervades. This is a hard hitting day probably evoking 'true colours'.
Mercury retrogrades back into Taurus 23:53 GMT
Thursday May 14th 2009
US President Barack Obama will try to stop the release of images of prisoner abuse by US soldiers, reversing an earlier position. Typical 'Mercury retrograde' stuff.
Space shuttle Atlantis has reached the Hubble telescope in a repair mission that will give it a new lease on life.
Today the Moon is at apogee (nearest to the Earth and slowest all month) 02:52 GMT.
This waning Moon makes easy aspects today from Capricorn.
Mercury retrograding in late Taurus and the Sun also in Taurus are now making a hard square aspect with Jupiter and Neptune. Uranus too is geometrically linked. This planetary picture dominates the skies over the next week, which is indeed astrologically quite potent. Today however is earthy, reactionary and 'stone ground'.
Friday May 15th 2009
Yesterday the Red Cross said that Sri Lanka is facing an "unimaginable" catastrophe in the area where troops have trapped Tamil Tigers.
The US and other Western states condemed new charges brought against Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
In the UK the 'member of parliament expenses scandal' continues to rage on unabated. Former minister Elliot Morley has been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party after claiming £16,000 expenses for a mortgage he had already paid off. Conservative MP Andrew MacKay earlier resigned as aide to David Cameron over an "unacceptable" expenses claim. The last Full Moon fell on the UK national chart's natal Neptune. Both Jupiter and Neptune have been in opposition to the natal Saturn in the said chart.
Today the Moon in Capricorn trines Mercury retrograding in Taurus and is void from 01:00 GMT.
She enters Aquarius 02:03 GMT.
The Sun and the Moon (together with Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune) are then in Fixed Signs. The next two days are characterized by strong, stubborn and entrenched attitudes. It is however easier to remain detached today.
The weekend has much in store. The Sun will square Jupiter and Neptune. Important developments and crises are likely.
Saturday May 16th 2009
Around 01:18 GMT the Moon forms a weak 'finger of fate' with Venus and Saturn.
The Sun squares Jupiter 08:46 GMT.
The Sun sextiles Uranus 13:09 GMT
Sunday May 17th 2009
Saturn turns direct 00:33 GMT at 16 degrees Virgo.
The Sun squares Neptune at 05:06 GMT.
The Moon hardwires into the current Sun Mercury Jupiter and Neptune planetary dynamic. She is conjunct Jupiter at 05:48 GMT and Neptune at 07:16 at 26 degrees Aquarius, reaching last quarter phase 07:27 GMT 27 degrees Aquarius, and squaring Mercury 10:41 GMT becoming void at that moment.
She slips (unnoticed) into Pisces 14:18 GMT
Monday May 18th 2009
Over the past weekend Tamil Tiger rebels holed up in a tiny enclave in northern Sri Lanka have 'decided to silence their guns', a rebel spokesman said.
Hardline Islamist militants captured a strategically important town north of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Kuwaiti voters elected their first female MPs in early elections called after the emir dissolved parliament two months ago.
India's Congress party was holding meetings to decide on its ruling coalition after its decisive victory in the general election.
US President Barack Obama is to make a week-long foreign tour in July that will include Russia, Italy and Ghana, the White House said. Mr Obama will be in Moscow on 6-8 July for talks that are expected to cover efforts to reduce nuclear stockpiles and non-proliferation.
In the UK the 'member of parliament expenses scandal' continues to dominate news reels and appears to be transforming the national political landscape. The MPs who backed a bill that would have blocked public release of parliamentary expense claims are among the latest accused of benefiting from the system.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 28 degrees Taurus. There are then 32 days to the Solstice.
The Moon wanes in Pisces. The Moon is New in Gemini next Sunday. That will be the 4th New Moon following the Annular Solar Eclipse of January 26th 2009 and the penultimate before the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009.
Mercury is retrograding in Taurus and today is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun at 28 degrees Taurus at 10:02 GMT. He turns direct on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is a 'morning star' in Aries. Throughout April, Venus has remained closely square to Pluto. Venus is chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. Just over 7 degrees separate Venus and Mars today.
Mars is now in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, an inspiring combination, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
Jupiter is now less than a degree from his conjunction with Neptune and is starting to very strongly characterise all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
During the rest of this calendar month the Jupiter Neptune conjunction hooks up with Uranus, Mercury and the Sun is a geometric arrangement which will affect everyone's life in some way.
Tuesday May 19th 2009
Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead, Sri Lanka's military announced, prompting celebrations on the streets of the capital.
The number of swine flu cases in Japan has risen rapidly - with more than 120 cases now confirmed.
The World Bank has agreed to give Zimbabwe $22m (£14.4m), its first assistance to the heavily-indebted African country since 2000.
The Speaker of the House of Commons was challenged by MPs to stand down in unprecedented scenes in the chamber.
Today the slow but accelerating Moon is conjunct Uranus 15:56 GMT at 26 degrees Pisces.
She sextiles the Sun at 21:44 GMT and becomes void.
The Moon ingresses Aries 23:31 GMT
Today is the last full day of the astrological month of Taurus.
Wednesday May 20th 2009
This week, Venus, Mars and the Moon are gathering for a morning sky show in tropical Aries. On Wednesday, May 20th, the three worlds will form a line in the dawn sky. On Thursday morning, May 21st, they will shift to become the vertices of a lovely celestial triangle.
Yesterday President Barack Obama unveiled plans to make vehicles more fuel efficient, to cut US oil use and set the first national standards
The US announced a $110m emergency aid package to assist those caught up in the fighting in Pakistan's north-west.
Nearly 10,000 cases of swine flu were confirmed in 40 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. The WHO also said 79 people are known to have died from the new virus.
In the UK Michael Martin told MPs he intends to stand down as Commons Speaker on 21 June
Today the waning accelerating Moon is in Aries with both Venus and Mars. After the inert and rather 'following' nature of the past two days we are now in a more combative, sexually aggressive, astrological atmosphere.
Retro-Mercury squares Neptune 09:22 GMT shedding a confused light on proceedings. Unravelings and about turns are in evidence.
The Sun enters Gemini 21:51 and a new astrological month begins.
Thursday May 21st 2009
On Thursday morning, May 21st, the Moon Venus and Mars all in tropical Aries become the vertices of a lovely celestial triangle
Yesterday at least 34 people were killed by a large car bomb in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. (A reckless Moon, Venus and Mars in Aries).
The US Senate overwhelmingly rejected plans to move detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, and refused funds to close it down. (Retrograde Mercury in stubborn Taurus square a confused Neptune).
Victims of child abuse at Irish Catholic institutions expressed anger that a damning report will not result in prosecutions.
An Indonesian military transport plane carrying troops and their families has crashed on the island of Java, killing at least 98 people. The plane was due to land at Iswahyudi air force base and struck houses in the village of Geplak, a few kilometres away, at about 0630 local time (2330 GMT on May 19th).
Today, the first day of the astrological month of Gemini, sees the Aries Moon reaching balsamic phase 02:57 GMT at 15 degrees Aries. The procession to New Moon now begins.
The Moon is conjunct Venus at 03:23 GMT.
At 06:47 GMT retro Mercury now sextiles Uranus.
At 15:23 GMT the Moon is conjunct Mars at 22 degrees Aries.
A pugnacious day all round is forecast.
Friday May 22nd 2009
The US will find a way to cope securely with dangerous inmates at Guantanamo Bay, President Barack Obama said yesterday.
At least 23 people, including three US soldiers, were killed in deadly bombings in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Kirkuk.
Three men accused of plotting to bomb New York synagogues and fire missiles at aircraft appeared in court, with a fourth due later.
Global markets fell on concerns over the length of the downturn after Federal Reserve minutes showed it lowered its forecast for US growth. The Dow Jones was down 1.5% by early afternoon, while the UK's FTSE 100 fell 2.8%, France's Cac 40 lost 2.6% and Germany's Dax shed 2.7% by their close.
In the UK a campaign backed by actress Joanna Lumley secured residency rights for thousands of former British army Gurkhas.
The Sun has left the party but Mercury is still in square aspect to the Jupiter Neptune conjunction, and is in sextile aspect to Uranus. The astrological tides are high.
Today the old but accelerating Moon enters Taurus 04:41 GMT and moves to trine Pluto.
The Sun, Moon and Mercury are today (and tomorrow) in Taurus.
Despite lots going on this is a 'pretty steady' sort of day.
Saturday May 23rd 2009
The hastening Taurean Moon after making a trine aspect to Saturn is conjunct Mercury at 25 degrees Taurus at 21:47 GMT.
Sunday May 24th 2009
The ancient Moon squares Jupiter and Neptune becoming void at 00:49 GMT.
The Moon enters Gemini 06:34 GMT and accelerates to her New Moon phase.
New Moon in Gemini
Saturn exactly rises at Paris at the moment of New Moon.
This is the 4th New Moon following the Annular Solar Eclipse of January 26th 2009 and the penultimate before the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009.
At this time, Jupiter is conjunct Neptune, a retrograde almost stationary Mercury sextiles Uranus and squares Jupiter. Mars applies in sextile aspect to Jupiter and Neptune.
At the exact moment of New Moon, the Sun and the Moon are on the local Mid heaven of the UK where Saturn is shortly to rise.
It is Moonrise at Las Vegas and Sunrise at Monroe.
Pluto rises at Manila and sets at Caracas and at Washington DC.
Jupiter and Neptune both hit the local Mid heaven of Dallas.
Uranus is culminating at San Juan and at La Paz.
The New Moon on May 24th is conjunct Barack Obama's natal Moon.
She directly hits the natal Moon of Joan Baez, the natal Mars and Ascendant of Tony Blair, the natal Uranus of Jack Bruce, the natal Venus of Russell Crowe.
Today also is Bob Dlyan's 68th birthday.
Monday May 25th 2009
North Korea has staged what it calls a "successful" nuclear test, triggering widespread international condemnation. The US Geological Survey said a 4.7-magnitude quake was detected at 0054 GMT, (less then 13 hours after the New Moon) 10km (six miles) underground. Geological agencies in both South Korea and the US said the tremor indicated a nuclear explosion.
Pakistan's army says it could take another week to 10 days to remove the Taliban from Mingora, the main city in the Swat valley.
Mongolia's opposition leader wins the presidential election, as the incumbent leader admits a "narrow" defeat.
State of the skies:-The Sun today is at 4 degrees Gemini. There are only 26 days to the Solstice.
The infant Moon very rapidly moves and waxes through Gemini.
Mercury now is a retrograding 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) in Taurus. He turns direct on May 31st. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is also a 'morning star', but in Aries. Throughout April, Venus has remained closely square to Pluto. Venus is chasing Mars throughout May before entering Taurus on June 6th. Just over 6 degrees separate Venus and Mars today, Venus is now gaining on Mars.
Mars is now in Aries until the end of May. Venus is on his tail during the whole time of his residence. Mars sextiles the (exact) Jupiter Neptune conjunction on May 27th, an inspiring combination, and he enters Taurus on May 31st. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th.
Jupiter is now less than 7 minutes of zodiac longitude from his conjunction with Neptune and is very strongly characterize all astrological charts at this time. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
During the rest of this calendar month the Jupiter Neptune conjunction hooks up with Uranus and Mercury in a geometric arrangement which will affect everyone's life in some way.
When the sun goes down tonight, May 25th, step outside and look west. If you have a clear view of the horizon, you could see a super-skinny crescent Moon shining through the rosy glow of sunset. If naked eyes don't work, try scanning the horizon with binoculars.
Tuesday May 26th 2009
The UN Security Council is meeting to discuss North Korea's latest nuclear test, which was condemned even by its allies.
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will testify at her trial for breaking the terms of her house arrest, lawyers yesterday said.
Today the very fast moving Moon in Gemini trines Jupiter and Neptune becoming void 01:18 GMT.
She is perigee 03:36 GMT, and enters Cancer 06:58 GMT.
What follows is a backgrop of domestic orientation over the next couple of days, with a tidal swell of Martian energy as the red planet applies in sextile aspect to the almost exact Jupiter Neptune conjunction.
This is a day to push for space.
Wednesday May 27th 2009
Back live on Sunday,
Mars sextiles Jupiter 03:20 GMT
Mars sextiles Neptune 04:38 GMT.
Moon reaches crescent phase 17:55 GMT at 22 degrees Cancer and makes nice aspects from there today..
Jupiter conjunct Neptune 26 degrees Aquarius 20:13 GMT.
First of three, the second is on July 10th 2009, final Dec 21st 2009 . This alignment is less than 0.38 of a degree from exactitude.
Thursday May 28th 2009
The Moon squares Mars and is void from 03:06 GMT.
She enters Leo 07:45.
The emboldened Moon has quiet hours.
This day is resplendent in colour, recreation and pride.
After his conjunction with Jupiter, Neptune turns retrograde at 26 degrees Aquarius at 23:54 GMT.
Friday May 29th 2009
There are fifty four days remaining to the big astrological event of 2009 the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd.
The Moon aspect less rapidly waxes in Leo.
A day designed (given the chance) for recreation, repose and relaxation of body and mind.
Saturday May 30th 2009
The Moon opposes Jupiter and Neptune 04:15 and 04:28 GMT making a trine aspect to Mars and becoming void at 08:19 GMT.
Between 08:00 and 15:00 the Moon forms a dissociate grand trine with Mars and Pluto.
She enters Virgo 10:18 GMT.
A reentry to routine and repair.
Sunday May 31st 2009
Back live.
Pakistan's operation against Taliban rebels in the Swat valley should be over within days, the country's defense minister says.
Mercury turned direct today 01:18 GMT
The Moon reached first quarter phase 10 degrees Virgo 03:23 GMT goes on to a conjunction with Saturn 12:38 GMT at 15 degrees Virgo.
Mars enters Taurus today 21:19 GMT, and will reside there for 46 days.
The residence is, in the main, favorable and constructive.
Mars trines Pluto in Capricorn on June 4th.
Mars is conjunct Venus at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st.
Mars trines Saturn in Virgo on Monday June 22nd 2009
Mars squares Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius on July 6th.
Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
June 2009
During June the notable planetary pattern is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidle through the sign of Taurus. As the month starts Venus in late Aries is 5 degrees behind Mars. They are conjunct on June 20th and by months end so too only 4 degrees separate. The keyword for June 2009 is Fertility.
Monday June 1st 2009
State of the skies:-The Sun today is at 11 degrees Gemini. There are only 19 days to the Solstice.
There are fifty one days remaining to the big astrological event of 2009 the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd.
A powerful start to flaming June as at 06:00 the waxing Moon in Virgo forms a finger of fate with Venus in Aries and Jupiter in Aquarius and at the same moment opposes Uranus in Pisces.
The Moon opposes Uranus 08:33 GMT and is void. She enters Libra 15:17 GMT forming eventful aspects through the following hours.
The Moon is full in Sagittarius next Sunday.
Mercury now is a direct moving 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) in Taurus. He finally leaves Taurus on June 14th.
Venus is also a 'morning star', but in Aries. Venus has been chasing Mars throughout May and will enter Taurus on June 6th. Just over 5 degrees separate Venus and Mars today, Venus is gaining on Mars.
Mars is now in Taurus. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern has been and remains is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidled through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction in Taurus on June 20th. Mars trines Pluto in Capricorn on June 4th. Mars is conjunct Venus at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Mars trines Saturn in Virgo on Monday June 22nd 2009 Mars squares Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius on July 6th. Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
Jupiter is now past his first conjunction with Neptune. Jupiter was conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
Tuesday June 2nd 2009
Yesterday France said it was unlikely anyone on board a plane carrying 228 people which vanished en route from Brazil had survived.
The astrological chart set for Rio at the moment of take off shows Uranus exactly rising there opposite the Moon in Virgo, and Pluto had just risen.
Car giant General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection, the biggest industrial failure in US corporate history.
Several hundred Pakistani students went missing near the Afghan border, amid fears they may have been abducted.
North Korea was reportedly moving closer to launching another long-range missile, despite international concern. South Korean media say the North has moved its most advanced missile to a new launch site on the west coast.
Today there are fifty days remaining to the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd.
The Sun and Moon are today in air signs (with Jupiter and Neptune).
Communication itself is the issue today.
Venus in Aries sextiles Neptune and Jupiter at 15:55 and 23:40 GMT.
Wednesday June 3rd 2009
Yesterday Brazilian planes searching the Atlantic for a lost French airliner spotted a seat and other debris but they could not be immediately identified.
Hunger in South Asia has reached its highest level in 40 years because of food and fuel price rises, a UN report said.
Media reports from South Korea said North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has chosen his youngest son to succeed him.
Today the Moon is very slowly waxing in Libra.
Mars is applying in earthy trine with Pluto. There are both diplomatic poise and the application of positive, constructive effort for change available today.
Around 17:00 GMT the Moon trines Neptune and Jupiter, then opposes Venus at 18:01 GMT and becomes void.
From 18:00 GMT for 10 hours the Moon forms a Cardinal/Fixed T-square with Venus, Mars and her Node.
The Moon reaches her gibbous phase at 19:38 GMT at 28 degrees Libra.
The procession towards Sunday's Full Moon then starts in earnest.
The Moon enters Scorpio 22:45 GMT
Thursday June 4th 2009
Yesterday officials said that the flight data recorders of the plane missing over the Atlantic may never be found, as Paris mourned for those lost..
A US inquiry has found that mistakes were made when US planes bombed suspected Taliban positions in Afghanistan in May.
President Barack Obama arrives in the Middle East on a visit aimed at increasing US engagement with the Islamic world.
A tape recording purported to be of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden has accused US President Barack Obama of fueling hatred of America in Pakistan.
A robotic sub called Nereus has reached the deepest-known part of the ocean.
The dive to 10,902m (6.8 miles) took place on 31 May, at the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean.
In the UK Gordon Brown faces mounting pressure after Hazel Blears becomes the latest minister to quit on the eve of vital polls. Brown's progressed Moon is opposed progressed Jupiter on June 17th 2009 becoming 'void of course' for only 12 days. The progressed Moon enters Libra on June 29th. One week later the lunar eclipse on July 7th sextiles his natal Jupiter, and the lunar eclipse on August 6th is conjunct his natal Mercury. This period has suddenly become very significant.
Today Mars in Taurus trines Pluto in Capricorn at 04:32 GMT.
The Moon in Scorpio waxes to the Full.
Pressures are increasing, there is a more intense astrological atmosphere as the full moon approaches. The Sun today is starting to square Saturn. The result is a slightly oppressive atmosphere.
Friday June 5th 2009
Yesterday President Barack Obama called for a new beginning in US relations with the Muslim world in a keynote speech in Egypt.
Hong Kong refused entry to a former leader of the Tiananmen Square movement ahead of the 20th anniversary.
Today is potentially quite a tough day.
The Sun in Gemini squares Saturn in Virgo 19:11 GMT.
The Moon, the Earth and Mercury linearly align (within 45 minutes of arc) 20:58 GMT. Mark the moment!
From this time for 7 hours the Moon forms a weak T-square with Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune.
Saturday June 6th 2009
The Moon squares Jupiter 02:19 GMT and is void.
The Moon enters Sagittarius 08:25 GMT.
Venus enters Taurus 09:07 GMT. Venus joins Mars and Mercury in this sign. Her residence in this sign is generally a very natural and happy time. Venus is trine Pluto on Monday June 8th. Venus at last overtakes Mars in a conjunction at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Venus trines Saturn on June 22nd. Venus squares Neptune on July 1st, squares Jupiter on July 2nd and finally sextiles Uranus on July 2nd before entering Gemini on July 5th.
From today we are in real fertile times. Fertility in relationships, friendships, and in business will be evident. This is the time to invest in land, real estate, property, commodity. this is the time to make babies, make love, make art, music, crafts, money and friendships. Things started now will take root. Plant trees, grow plants and make good deals.
Sunday June 7th 2009
A lunar occultation of Antares occurs today around 03:43 GMT, some two and a half hours before the Full Moon climax. The occultation is centred on central Atlantic areas. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Full Moon in Sagittarius
conjunct Antares
square Saturn.
This is the final Full Moon before a penumbral Lunar eclipse on July 7th 2009. With the passing of today's lunation we are once again in the foothills of a new eclipse season.
At this time, Venus Mars and Mercury are in Taurus. Jupiter is conjunct Neptune, Venus trines Pluto. Mercury sextiles Uranus and squares Jupiter and Neptune. The Sun and Moon form a wide mutable cross with Saturn and Uranus. consequentially this lunation is a largely fortunate affair with a good measure of optimism, love and exploration. The time is ripe.
This Full Moon falls on the USA national chart natal Mercury and Ascendant. This is an energetic and potentially and invigorating influence on the old US of A.
It falls directly on Robert Mugabe's natal Jupiter, (benevolence at work here now?) and Prince Harry (of the UK)'s natal Mars. Watch his desire to fly.
It is Johnny Depp's birthday tomorrow, and it was Bjon Borg's birthday yesterday. They may well both have a climatic year ahead.
At the exact moment of Full Moon, Saturn is aligned to the UK (reeling from political changes) and Spain. Pluto aligns to Istanbul, Lima and Washington, Saturn to Bismark USA and Lhasa, Jupiter and Neptune to Mumbai, Delhi and San Francisco, and Mars to Djibouti.
Today is an action packed affair. Have fun.
Monday June 8th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 18 degrees Gemini. There now are only 12 days to the Solstice.
The Moon, now just past the Full and slowly waning in Sagittarius, sextiles Jupiter and is void at 13:52 GMT. The Moon enters Capricorn at 20:01 GMT and makes easy aspects over the next couple of days.
The next Full Moon on July 7th is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, so we are now technically in a new 'Eclipse season', which will extend way past a Total Solar Eclipse on June 22nd, and beyond another Penumbral Eclipse on August 6th.
Mercury is a direct moving 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) and picking up to full speed in Taurus. He leaves Taurus on June 14th. Mercury is at Superior Conjunction on July 14th, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra.
Venus is also a 'morning star' in Taurus. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). Venus has been chasing Mars throughout May. Just over 5 degrees separate Venus and Mars today, Venus is now gaining on Mars. Venus is trine Pluto today at 19:19 GMT. Venus at last overtakes Mars in a conjunction at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Venus trines Saturn on June 22nd. Venus squares Neptune on July 1st, squares Jupiter on July 2nd and finally sextiles Uranus on July 2nd before entering Gemini on July 5th
Mars is also in Taurus. During May and most of June, the notable planetary pattern has been and remains is a long lasting conjunction of Venus and Mars as they sidled through the signs of Aries, and then Taurus. They form a conjunction at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Mars trines Saturn in Virgo on Monday June 22nd 2009 Mars squares Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius on July 6th. Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
Jupiter is now past his first conjunction with Neptune. Jupiter was conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009.
Tuesday June 9th 2009
Centre-right parties have done well in EU elections at the expense of the left, with far-right groups also making gains.
Yesterday Gabonese President Omar Bongo - Africa's longest serving leader - was confirmed dead by the nation's prime minister, after earlier denials.
Gordon Brown faced his Labour critics as another minister quit to raise the stakes after woeful Euro election results. Gordon Brown's progressed (gibbous) Moon is opposed his progressed Jupiter on June 17th 2009 becoming 'void of course' for only 12 days. This is a turning point and change of gear for him.
Today Uranus is semi-sextile Neptune.
The very slowly moving Moon is conjunct Pluto 00:44 GMT.
Mercury locks into the Uranus Neptune semi-sextile, making a sextile aspect to Uranus 21:46 GMT and a square to Neptune 21:54 GMT.
Wednesday June 10th 2009
Yesterday, seemingly a 'low news day' saw the first Guantanamo detainee to face a US civilian trial, Ahmed Ghailani, arrived in New York and appeared later in court.
A huge blast killed five people and injured at least 25 at a luxury hotel in the north-west Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The first human remains from the Air France jet which crashed into the Atlantic a week ago were flown back to Brazil.
Today Mercury in Taurus makes a fixed waxing square to Jupiter in Aquarius 15:34 GMT. The image here is of greed.
The Moon is at apogee (slowest all month) at 16:04 GMT.
Thursday June 11th 2009
At the time of writing Iran's presidential poll campaign is drawing to a close overshadowed by a row between President Ahmadinejad and his rivals.
Key UN Security Council members agree a draft resolution to expand sanctions on North Korea over its latest nuclear test.
A sharp increase in swine flu cases in Australia may mean the infection has become a pandemic, the World Health Organization says.
Today the very slowly moving but now accelerating Moon trines Mercury at 03:32 GMT and is void. Around 04:00 GMT Uranus is on the Moon/Mercury midpoint sextile to them both. Important and unlooked for communications and developments are possible at this time.
The Moon enters Aquarius at 08:53 GMT, squares Venus and Mars in the ensuing 5 hours, and reaches her disseminating phase 6 degrees Aquarius 21:14 GMT.
The respective conjunctions of Venus and Mars in Taurus and Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius are the most significant planetary events taking place in the skies of Earth as we approach the solstice next week.
Otherwise this is now a rather 'astrologically quiet' period. We are however drawing ever closer to three eclipses; two weak Lunar Eclipses straddling a very powerful Total Solar eclipse on July 22nd.
Friday June 12th 2009
Yesterday the World Health Organization declared a global flu pandemic after an emergency meeting. It means the swine flu virus is spreading in at least two regions of the world with rising cases being seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile. WHO chief Dr Margaret Chan said the move does not mean the virus is causing more severe illness or more deaths. The swine flu (H1N1) virus first emerged in Mexico in April and has since spread to 74 countries.
Today the Moon slowly wanes and accelerates in Aquarius.
Saturday June 13th 2009
The Moon in Aquarius is conjunct Neptune at 14:23 GMT and Jupiter at 15:35 GMT.
She squares Mercury 21:05 GMT and enters Pisces 21:33 GMT.
Sunday June 14th 2009
Mercury enters Gemini today at 02:48 GMT. Mercury's residence in this sign is brief and breezy. Mercury trines Neptune on July 1st. Mercury trines Jupiter and squares Uranus on July 2nd, and he enters Cancer on July 3rd.
The accelerating Moon sextiles Venus and Mars.
Monday June 15th 2009
Yesterday thousands of Iranians poured into Tehran's streets to celebrate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election. The president's closest opponent in the election, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, has lodged an official appeal against the result amid continuing angry protests. Security forces have arrested up to 100 members of reformist groups, accusing them of orchestrating the violence. Mr Ahmadinejad denied any vote-fixing, saying the result was "very accurate". At an earlier news conference, the president accused foreign media of refusing to accept the result because they did not like it.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 24 degrees Gemini.
There are six days to the Solstice.
There are 22 days to a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, 23 days to the start of the Ashes Cricket Competition. There are 38 days to the Total Solar Eclipse.
The waning and accelerating Moon opposes Saturn (1.6 degree orb) 04:21 GMT, and today reaches her mutable Last Quarter phase 22:16 GMT at 25 degrees Pisces.
The next Full Moon on July 7th is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, so we are now in a new 'Eclipse season', which will extend way past a Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd, and beyond another Penumbral Eclipse on August 6th.
Mercury is a direct moving 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) and is now up to full speed in Gemini. Mercury trines Neptune on July 1st. Mercury trines Jupiter and squares Uranus on July 2nd, and he enters Cancer on July 3rd. Mercury is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun on July 14th, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra.
Venus is also a 'morning star' but still in Taurus. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). Venus has been chasing Mars throughout May. Less than 2 degrees separate Venus and Mars today, Venus is gaining on Mars and at last overtakes him in a conjunction at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Venus trines Saturn on June 22nd. Venus squares Neptune on July 1st, squares Jupiter on July 2nd and finally sextiles Uranus on July 2nd before entering Gemini on July 5th
Mars is also in Taurus. As mentioned above, Venus and Mars form a conjunction at 15 degrees Taurus on June 21st. Mars trines Saturn in Virgo on Monday June 22nd 2009 Mars squares Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius on July 6th. Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
Jupiter is now past his first conjunction with Neptune. Jupiter was conjunct Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius on May 27th this will be the first of three. The second is on July 10th 2009 and the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009. Today Jupiter turns retrograde at 27 degrees Aquarius 07:10 GMT.
Tuesday June 16th 2009
Yesterday Gunfire was heard at a rally in Iran where hundreds of thousands of people were protesting against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, with one person being killed. Uranus (planet of revolution) has been passing over both natal Mercury and natal Mars in the Islamic Republic of Iran astrological chart this spring and is currently on their midpoint, and within a degree of each planet. Saturn is approaching the republic North Node. This chart is undergoing revolution. Hail Iran!
Today the Last quarter Moon occults the 4th magnitude fixed star lambda Pisces for UK observers 00:48 to 01:50 GMT
The Moon is conjunct Uranus 01:18 GMT at 27 degrees Pisces and becomes void.
She enters Aries 07:52 GMT.
An urgent and exciting day is in store.
Wednesday June 17th 2009
Gordon Brown's progressed Moon is opposed progressed Jupiter on June 17th 2009 becoming 'void of course' for only 12 days.
The Sun trines Neptune 10:45 GMT and squares Uranus 14:57 GMT.
Thursday June 18th 2009
Yesterday tens of thousands again took to the streets in Iran's capital after Mir Hossein Mousavi urged peaceful election protests.
The US government announced major reform of banking regulation to prevent future financial crises.
More than 100 Romanian people living in Belfast were moved to temporary accommodation after a spate of racist attacks
The Sun trines Jupiter 02:29 GMT.
The aging and accelerating Moon in Aries sextiles Neptune, Jupiter and the finally the Sun becoming void 09:35 GMT. After just under 4 hours of a void of course state she enters Taurus 14:21 GMT, joining Venus and Mars in that sign.
Friday June 19th 2009
Yesterday more than 100,000 people join a rally in Tehran to remember protesters who were killed while opposing Iran's election results.
There are now only two days to the Solstice, three days to a New Moon. We are getting deeper into the eclipse season, there are 18 days to a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, (19 days to the start of the Ashes Cricket Competition, England v Australia). There are 34 days to the Total Solar Eclipse.
Today the Moon is sweetly conjunct Venus 13:00 GMT at 13 degrees Taurus.
The Moon hits her balsamic phase 13:23 GMT at 13 degrees Taurus.
The Moon is forcefully conjunct Mars 14:07 GMT at 14 degrees Taurus.
Saturday June 20th 2009
The view from Australia
www.astrovisuals.com.au
Venus finally passes by Mars on the 22nd of June; at the same time Mercury is visible in the northeastern pre-dawn sky, next to the star Aldebaran.
Diagram shows them with the Moon around the 20th of June.
The Moon squares Jupiter 12:09 GMT and becomes void of course.
She enters Gemini 17:01 GMT setting the scene for the Solstice.
Sunday June 21st 2009
Cancer Solstice 2009 05:46 GMT.
Today is the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. It is the Winter Solstice in the south.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/summer%20solstice/trimfairy/Holiday/SummerSolstice.jpg
At this time of Solstice Venus is conjunct Mars in mid Taurus, both in trine aspect to Saturn. The very old but rapidly moving Moon in Gemini is conjunct Mercury. Jupiter Chiron and Neptune form a triple conjunction in Aquarius. The Solstice Sun opposes Pluto but trines Jupiter.
There are no planets in Fire signs right now. Feminine signs predominate.
At the moment of Solstice the Sun is rising over North West Africa. At Cape town the Sun rises and Pluto sets.
The Sun culminates over Central East Asia and is at lower culmination over central USA.
Uranus culminates over eastern UK. Saturn is at lower culmination under Ireland.
Jupiter and Neptune are setting at Tehran. The Moon culminates at Kabul.
Mercury sets at Melbourne. The Moon sets at Adelaide. Jupiter and Neptune are at lower culmination at Brisbane. Uranus rises at San Salvador. Pluto sets at Lisbon and at Rabat. Venus and Mars culminate over Madagascar.
After the Solstice moment has passed we enter a 'holy' period of 38 hours between the Solstice and the New Moon. in Cancer.
The 'vibe' has now changed. We are catapulted into the whirlpool of the past. The gates of reincarnation stand wide open. Nature has climaxed in the north, the seed released. In the south the deep midwinter moment has passed. All over the world, families gather, national groups and tribes gather. Today is a day of celebration.
Happy Solstice to all readers of the Daze.
The ancient Moon is conjunct Mercury 06:52 GMT.
Venus is at last conjunct Mars at 15 degrees Taurus 13:10 GMT.
Monday June 22nd 2009
Stonehenge England June 21st 2009
At least 10 people were killed in protests on Saturday and family members of a key politician arrested, Iran's state media said.
The death toll from an attack near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk - the deadliest in Iraq for more than a year - has risen to at least 72, security officials say. About 200 people were injured in the truck bombing, which flattened dozens of mud-brick houses.
Today Venus trines Saturn 06:31 GMT.
The Moon trines Jupiter and is void at 12:20 GMT entering Cancer 17:12 GMT. The New Moon in Cancer occurs 2 hours 24 minutes later.
Mars trines Saturn 14:45 GMT.
There are 15 days to a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, (16 days to the start of the Ashes Cricket Competition, England v Australia). There are 31 days to the Total Solar Eclipse.
New Moon in Cancer
19:36 GMT
opposite Pluto.
Venus conjunct Mars in Taurus, Chiron, Neptune, Jupiter triple conjunction in Aquarius.
Pluto exactly rises at London at the moment of New Moon.
http://www.opaintings.com/images/draper/draper005.jpg
The Sun, Moon and Pluto align to Karachi and Edmonton.
This is the ultimate New Moon before the Total solar Eclipse on July 22nd. We are now fully locked in to an eclipse season.
Today's New Moon is a rather difficult 'new birth' being opposite Pluto.
This 'Summer Solstice New Moon' today applies to a very close conjunction with Barack Obama's natal Venus.
This New Moon also directly hits the natal Sun and Venus and Jeff Beck, the natal Mid heaven of David Cameron, the natal Mars of the Indian republic Chart, the natal Jupiter of Andrew Flintoff, and Paul McCartney and the natal Lunar Node of Pope Benedict XV1.
At the exact moment of New Moon, the Sun and Moon are rising over New Zealand, they are culminating at Edmonton, setting at Dakar and are at lower culmination at Karachi. Venus and Mars are aligned to Budapest and Capetown.
The New Moon opposes Pluto 20:22 GMT.
Tuesday June 23rd 2009
Yesterday Iranian riot police fired tear gas to break up an opposition rally in Tehran, hours after a warning to protesters.
At least 21 people were killed in a series of bomb attacks across Iraq, days before US troops pull out of Iraqi cities.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the wearing of the burka by Muslim women in France undermines their dignity.
Today the Sun opposes Pluto 07:38 GMT.
The Moon is perigee (closest to the Earth and fastest all month) 10:38 GMT
This fast moving infant Moon, in Cancer, and now waxing towards a weak lunar eclipse in 14 days time sextiles Saturn, Mars and Venus from 18:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT.
Wednesday June 24th 2009
Yesterday at least 45 people were killed in a missile strike by a US drone aircraft in Pakistan, officials there have said.
US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the "unjust actions" of Iran in clamping down on election protests.
The UK is to expel two Iranian diplomats, following the expulsion of two British envoys from Tehran, Gordon Brown says.
Today the fast moving infant Moon in Cancer trines Uranus in Pisces and is void from 11:25 GMT.
She enters Leo 16:51 GMT. Things then turn a little less touchy, a little more bolshy.
Thursday June 25th 2009
Yesterday at least 60 people died in a blast at a market in Baghdad's Sadr City, six days before US troops pull out of Iraqi cities.
Iranian riot police were reported to have clashed with demonstrators defying orders to stop street protests over disputed elections.
Today the young Moon waxes in Leo towards her penumbral eclipse in 12 days time. There are 28 days to the Total Solar Eclipse. Mercury is about to square Saturn, heartless words may well be banded about today. Other than that there is recreation to enjoy.
Friday June 26th 2009
Yesterday Iran's protest leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said those who "rigged" its elections are responsible for the ensuing bloodshed.
Today the Moon reaches her waxing crescent phase 00:31 GMT at 20 degrees Leo.
Mercury in Gemini squares Saturn 08:33 GMT a very 'brittle' vibration. It will quickly pass.
The Moon opposes Neptune and Jupiter at 12:29 GMT becoming void of course.
The Moon enters Virgo 17:47 GMT.
Discretion is the better part of valor.
The weekend ahead has a practical and domestic quality. The devil however is in the detail.
Saturday June 27th 2009
Today has a refined quality. Careful choices and serious deliberations are in order.
The Moon is conjunct Saturn at 21:35 GMT at 16 degrees Virgo.
Sunday June 28th 2009
The Moon in Virgo opposes Uranus 15:27 GMT and is void.
She enters Libra 21:25 GMT and decelerates towards her firts quarter phase.
Monday June 29th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 8 degrees Cancer. There are 82 days to the Libra Equinox.
We are now immersed in an eclipse season. There are 8 days to a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, (9 days to the start of the Ashes Cricket Competition, England v Australia). There are 24 days to the Total Solar Eclipse (July 22nd), and another penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs on August 6th.
The Moon is waxing and decelerating in Libra. The Moon squares Pluto 00:41 GMT, She reaches first quarter phase 8 degrees Libra 11:30 GMT, and then makes easy aspects for the rest of her stay in Libra.
Mercury is a direct moving 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) and appears to move at full speed in Gemini. Mercury trines Neptune on July 1st. Mercury trines Jupiter and squares Uranus on July 2nd, and he enters Cancer on July 3rd. Mercury is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun on July 14th, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra.
Venus is also a 'morning star' but still in Taurus. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). Venus squares Neptune on July 1st, squares Jupiter on July 2nd and finally sextiles Uranus on July 2nd before entering Gemini on July 5th
Mars is also in Taurus, some 2 degrees behind Venus. Venus however is pulling away from him. Mars squares Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius on July 6th. Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
The second conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune is on July 10th 2009 (the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009).
Gordon Brown's progressed Moon enters Libra on June 29th.
Tuesday June 30th 2009
Michael Jackson
The following are the words of Marjorie Orr.
- Pluto Mars/Uranus From: Marjorie Orr. (26 Jun 2009 11:00):
Astrology mercifully won''t tell us about death - the when at least. Though it can give hints as to the mood around the time and what was going on psychologically with the person. There''s doubt as to Michael Jackson''s birth time - it has been suggested late in the evening and it was rectified (according to ADB with no guarantees) to 11.53pm. This would produce a 16 Gemini Ascendant which certainly fits with tr Saturn squaring his Ascendant over his sudden death. Saturn was also within days of being conjunct his Pisces Moon for the third time in months which is depressing and debilitating.
From his midpoints he was elated and pushing ahead confidently (Pluto square Sun/Jupiter; and Uranus square Mercury/Jupiter) but he was also highly stressed and accident prone with Pluto opp Mars/Uranus. This Pl Mars Ur is described by Ebertin as: ''Force, violent interventions, Higher Power, a struggle for survival, an accident.'' Not only was he born and died under a Jupiter Neptune conjunction, his Solar Arc Jup Nep had moved to straddle his natal Saturn in Sagittarius which squared his Pisces Moon. So his fragile Moon was being shaken from transits and SA Directions. I don''t think Jupiter Neptune is especially malefic to use an old term but some people do seem to march to the drumbeat of their natal chart - John Lennon certainly did to Jupiter Saturn conjunctions. Not all do however.
Michael Jackson''s Secondary Progressed Mars went retrograde around 2000 (on a square to his natal Pluto) which is usually a time of major problems - his financial problems escalated with a further child abuse allegation to come. Although his Sec Prog Mars was reversing a degree away from a square to Pluto the effects would still be there. He''d been living under increasingly heavy pressure since it turned retrograde.
The sudden death of Michael Jackson took us all by surprise. He died as Mars and Venus were still in a conjunction in late Taurus and at the time when Mercury in Gemini was square Saturn, a globally somber moment.
The mother of Michael Jackson has filed for guardianship of his three children, according to court documents.
Today the moon in Libra trines Jupiter 22:00 GMT and becomes void of course. The calendar month ends.
Pluto opposes natal Barack Obama's Venus (for the 2nd of 3 times) on June 30th.
July 2009
We are already well into another eclipse season as July starts. There is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 7th in Capricorn, a very long Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd in late Cancer, and another penumbral Lunar Eclipse on August 6th. Jupiter makes his second of three conjunctions with Neptune on July 10th. At this time Uranus is in semi-sextile with Neptune.
The Jupiter Neptune conjunction in May, July and Dec 2009 is opposite David Cameron's natal Mars.
In the first week Venus and Mars are square Jupiter and Neptune. The 2nd and 3rd of July are very dynamic.
Wednesday July 1st 2009
Yesterday a blast killed at least 27 people in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk as the country celebrated a major pullback of US forces
The UN General Assembly backed a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Honduras' ousted leader Manuel Zelaya.
A Yemeni plane which crashed in the Indian Ocean was banned from France since 2007 over "irregularities".
At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured after a freight train carrying gas derailed and exploded in northern Italy. The wagons jumped the tracks and crashed into several homes, setting off an inferno in the seaside town of Viareggio in the middle of the night. Several of the victims died when their houses collapsed and there are fears other may be trapped in rubble.
The Moon, waxing towards penumbral eclipse, enters Scorpio 04:20 GMT and initiates an astrologically very dynamic couple of days.
Uranus is stationary turning retrograde at 27 degrees Pisces at 04:56 GMT.
Venus in Taurus squares Neptune in Aquarius 20:01 GMT.
Mercury in Gemini trines Neptune 20:48 GMT
Thursday July 2nd 2009
The EU is no longer qualified to take part in talks on Iran's nuclear programme, said the country's army chief yesterday.
Also yesterday a 12-year-old girl thought to be the only Yemenia air crash survivor told how she fell into the ocean and saw her plane sink.
A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit near the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It struck at 09:30 GMT. the USGS said. It was centered about 80 miles (130 kilometers) off the city of Iraklion on Crete.
Today the current dynamic planetary situation continues as the Moon waxes in Scorpio.
Mercury now trines Jupiter 01:35 GMT.
Mercury squares Uranus 02:14 GMT.
Venus squares Jupiter 04:25 GMT.
Venus sextiles Uranus 17:42 GMT.
Friday July 3rd 2009
From 06:00 to 10:00 the Moon forms a Fixed T-square with Jupiter Neptune and Venus Mars.
The Moon is busy. She reaches gibbous phase 07:20 GMT 27 degrees Scorpio. She finally opposes Venus at 10:04 GMT and becomes void.
The Moon enters Sagittarius 14:12 GMT.
Mercury enters Cancer at 19:20 GMT today joining the Sun in that sign. Mercury flies through this sign in just 14 days. He opposes Pluto on July 4th, sextiles Saturn on July 12th, is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun on July 14th, trines Uranus on July 16th and enters Leo on July 17th.
Saturday July 4th 2009
North Korea has test-firesd five missiles in an apparent act of defiance on 4 July, American Independence Day.
Burma's military ruler is refusing to let visiting UN chief Ban Ki-moon meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Honduras' high court has rejected a demand by the Organization of American States to reinstate ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
We are in a powerful build up now to Tuesday's Lunar Eclipse. Also Mars is building to a square to the Jupiter Neptune conjunction.
Earth in Aphelion 01:42 GMT
Lunar occultation of Antares today around 09:39 GMT. Occultation centered on north central Pacific areas. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Mercury opposes Pluto 15:27 GMT.
We are in astrologically difficult and dynamic times.
Sunday July 5th 2009
Venus enters Gemini 08:23 GMT. Venus squares Saturn on July 21st, trines Jupiter on July 27th, squares Uranus on July 28th finally entering Cancer on August 1st and opposing Pluto that day.
The gibbous and nearly full Moon in Sagittarius squares Uranus and is void at 19:18 GMT.
Monday July 6th 2009
Yesterday Honduras' interim government said it will block ousted President Zelaya from flying home, but he said he is determined to go.
A group of Iranian clerics called the presidential vote's result invalid, underlining the splits in the ruling elite.
Days of torrential rains in southern and central China have forced more than 300,000 people to flee their homes, the state-run Xinhua news agency says. Floods, landslides and houses toppled by the rain killed at least 16 people in Hunan, Fujian and Guangxi. A number of people are still missing.
State of the skies:-By the end of today (GMT) the Sun is exactly half way through the sign of Cancer. There are then 75 days to the Libra Equinox.
We are deeply immersed in an eclipse season and we stand at the day before a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. There are 16 days to the Total Solar Eclipse (July 22nd), and another penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs on August 6th.
The heavily pregnant Moon, starting the day void of course in Sagittarius enters Capricorn 02:08 GMT.
She is conjunct Pluto 05:29 GMT.
Mercury is a direct moving 'morning star' (Mercury Lucifer) and appears to move at full speed in Cancer. Mercury is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun on July 14th, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury sextiles Saturn on July 12th, is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun on July 14th, trines Uranus on July 16th and enters Leo on July 17th.
Venus is also a 'morning star' but now in Gemini. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). Venus squares Saturn on July 21st, trines Jupiter on July 27th, squares Uranus on July 28th finally entering Cancer on August 1st and opposing Pluto that day.
Mars is in Taurus, now some 5 degrees behind Venus. Venus however is pulling away from him. Mars squares Neptune at 14:43 GMT and squares Jupiter 20:28 GMT. Mars enters Gemini on July 12th.
The second conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune is on July 10th 2009 (the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009).
Tuesday July 7th 2009
Yesterday, the day before a lunar eclipse, ethnic violence in China's restive region of Xinjiang left at least 140 people dead and more than 800 injured.
US President Barack Obama arrived in Moscow for talks with the Russian leadership on slashing nuclear weapons stockpiles. They reached a deal to cut back their stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
The astrological relationship chart for Obama and Madvedev has a lot of Virgo energy, with a Scorpio Moon. This is a productive relationship, good for details, but much may be hidden from public view.
Today starts with Mars sextile Uranus 07:48 GMT.
Penumbral lunar eclipse 09-39 GMT
at 16 degrees Capricorn
trine Saturn
http://sabiansymbols.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83462eb8d69e200e553fb1fb98834-800wi
Eclipse starts 08:37:51 UT
Greatest Eclipse 09:39:42
Eclipse ends 10:39:20 UT
At the moment of maximum eclipse the Sun and Full Moon are aligned between New York and Washington DC. Saturn rises at London.
This eclipse sextiles Gordon Brown's natal Jupiter and squares David Cameron's natal Sun. It directly hits the natal Sun of Rowan Atkinson and Marilyn Manson, the natal Moon of Andrew Flintoff, the natal Mercury of Keith Richards, the natal Venus of Bjork, Neil Diamond and the Kenyan National Chart, the natal Saturn of Madagascar and the natal Uranus of Miley Cyrus.
Lunar Saros Series 110
Today's eclipse is the last but one member of Saros series 110. This is really' old and spent' Saros energy.
The astrological chart for the moment of central eclipse for the first eclipse in the cycle back in 747 AD, set for London, is shown above. This chart is dominated by a loose mutable cross involving the Sun, the Moon in freedom fighting Sagittarius, Uranus and Jupiter.
The flavour of the Saros seems to involve freedom fighting, breakdown of old structures, and the establishment of new structures. The last eclipse in the series coincided (within two days) of the collapse of Yugoslavia and the declarations of independence of Croatia and Slovenia. Prior to that, the 1973 eclipse saw the Nixon Brezhnew talks.
Duration of Saros 110 = 1280.14 Years
First Eclipse = 0747 May 28 21:51:50 TD
Shortest Partial Lunar Eclipse: 0891 Aug 23 Duration = 00h49m01s
This Saros went Total 1306 Apr 29 with the Shortest Total Lunar Eclipse: Duration = 00h29m54s
The Saros peaked with the Longest Total Lunar Eclipse: 1414 Jul 03 Duration = 01h43m08s
Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse: 1540 Sep 16 Duration = 03h22m22s
Longest Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: 1901 May 03 Duration = 04h48m15s
The last five eclipses in this Saros are shown below.
1955 Jun 05 14:23:23
1973 Jun 15 20:50:41
1991 Jun 27 03:15:41
2009 Jul 07 09:39:43
Shortest Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: 2027 Jul 18 Duration = 00h11m47s
Last Eclipse = 2027 Jul 18 16:04:09 TD
The Saros ends with the 2027 eclipse.
How does this and future eclipses affect you?
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The day continues with the Full Moon crawling through the dense terrain of Capricorn
The Moon is at apogee 21:35 GMT.
Wednesday July 8th 2009
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2009/silburyhill/silburyhill2009.html
Latest crop circle in Wiltshire England.
Astrological historians will remember yesterday's penumbral lunar eclipse with the news that Groups of ethnic Han Chinese were marching through the city of Urumqi carrying clubs and machetes, as tension grew between ethnic groups and police. Security forces imposed a curfew and fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, who said they were angry at violence carried out by ethnic Muslim Uighurs.
US President Barack Obama urged former Cold War rival Russia to abandon the "great game" of the past and realise common goals.
Fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial concert, amid strong police presence. The show, which began at 1800 BST, featured Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder.
The first cricket Test Match Australia v England starts at Cardiff today.
We are now into the first of two 'eclipse fortnights'.
The 'hung over' Moon in Capricorn trines Mars in Taurus and is void of course at 09:43 GMT.
She enters Aquarius 15:04.
Thursday July 9th 2009
Yesterday the US and European space agencies launched an initiative that could lead to joint missions to explore the Red Planet Mars.
Scientists in Newcastle (England) claimed to have created human sperm in the laboratory in what they say is a world first.
Today the Sun in Cancer is sextile Saturn in Virgo at 07:10 GMT, a very practical and domestic combination.
The Moon slowly wanes in Aquarius and applies to both Jupiter and Neptune who are undergoing their second (of 3) conjunction tomorrow.
Friday July 10th 2009
Yesterday developed and developing nations agreed global temperatures should not rise more than 2C above 1900 levels, a G8 declaration said.
Nigeria said it is to release militant leader Henry Okah - a key demand of rebels fighting in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
China's leaders vowed "severe punishment" for rioters in the Xinjiang region in their first public comment on the violence.
Jupiter conjunct Neptune today at 09:11 GMT at 26 degrees Aquarius. (This is the second of 3. First was on May 27th, final hit Dec 21st).
The Moon in Aquarius is conjunct Jupiter (3.3 degree orb) at 19:42 GMT and is conjunct Neptune (2.6 degree orb) 19:45 GMT.
At this time Barack Obama's progressed Venus is conjunct his progressed Uranus.
The weekend ahead has Mercury approaching his Superior Conjunction with the Sun, in sextile aspect to Saturn. The Moon will be in Pisces. A emotionally reactive but largely 'straight thinking' time is forecast.
Saturday July 11th 2009
The Moon squares Mars at 02:17 GMT and is then void of course. She slides into Pisces 03:44 GMT hitting disseminating phase 4 degrees Pisces 12:24 GMT.
The weekend then goes into 'drift mode'.
Sunday July 12th 2009
Mercury sextiles Saturn 01:55 GMT
Mars enters Gemini 02:56 GMT joining Venus in that sign. Mars is in residence in Gemini until August 28th 2009. He squares Saturn on August 11th, trines Jupiter on August 13th, trines Neptune on August 18th and squares Uranus on August 19th before entering cancer on August 25th and opposing Pluto the next day August 26th. The entire period is characterized by a rich diversity of activity.
The Moon opposes Saturn (2 degree orb) at 14:25. The opposition is eased by the Sun and Mercury in Cancer.
Monday July 13th 2009
The CIA head accused former Vice-President Cheney of hiding an intelligence project from Congress, a US senator said yesterday
Also yesterday the interim government in Honduras lifted the curfew imposed when President Zelaya was ousted two weeks ago.
The names of six servicemen killed in Afghanistan on the same day were released - including three who were just 18
The first death by Swine Flu to a person in the UK who had no other background health problems occurred on Friday. It seemed to send a little shudder across the nation. The Moon slipped into Pisces, where she is now.
State of the skies:-The Sun today is at 21 degrees Cancer. There are 69 days to the Libran equinox. We are in the midst of the first of 2 eclipse fortnights.
There are 9 days to the Total Solar Eclipse (July 22nd), and another penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs on August 6th.
The disseminating Moon in Pisces is conjunct Uranus 08:03 GMT and then becomes void of course. She enters Aries 14:40 GMT.
Mercury is a direct moving 'morning star' and appears to move at full speed in Cancer. Mercury is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun tomorrow July 14th, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury trines Uranus on July 16th and enters Leo on July 17th.
Venus is also a 'morning star' but now in Gemini. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). Venus squares Saturn on July 21st, trines Jupiter on July 27th, squares Uranus on July 28th finally entering Cancer on August 1st and opposing Pluto that day.
Mars entered Gemini yesterday and is falling behind Venus also currently in that sign. Mars is in residence in Gemini until August 28th 2009. He squares Saturn on August 11th, trines Jupiter on August 13th, trines Neptune on August 18th and squares Uranus on August 19th before entering cancer on August 25th and opposing Pluto the next day August 26th. The entire period is characterized by a rich diversity of activity.
The second conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune is on July 10th 2009 (the final hit is on Dec 21st 2009).
Tuesday July 14th 2009
Today Mercury is at Superior Conjunction on the far side of the Sun at 02:16 GMT at 22 degrees Cancer.
Mercury then becomes astrologically an 'evening star'. The superior conjunction of Mercury occurs three times a year and can be considered a 'Full Mercury", symbolising the illuminated collective mind.
The Moon meanwhile, less than 200 hours from totally eclipsing the Sun, accelerates and wanes in Aries, and approaches her last quarter phase.
Wednesday July 15th 2009
We have had a couple of days of 'low news'.
We draw ever nearer to a whoppa of a Total Solar Eclipse next Wednesday (GMT).
A European probe orbiting Venus has new data that indicates the planet may once had a lot of water on its surface and even had a system of plate tectonics.
The accelerating Moon today reaches her Cardinal Last Quarter phase 09:54 GMT at 23 degrees Aries.
The Moon then sextiles Jupiter and Neptune at 15:07 GMT and becomes void of course.
She enters Taurus 22:30 GMT.
Thursday July 16th 2009
Two powerful events occurred within 140 minutes of each other yesterday.
An Iranian passenger plane crashed in northern Iran, killing all 168 passengers and crew. The plane took off from Tehran at 07:03 GMT. Pluto was at lower culmination at Tehran at the time of take off, Saturn was due East there, the Moon due West.
A strong earthquake then shook New Zealand, generating a small tsunami and briefly putting the country on alert. The US said a 7.8-magnitude quake hit off the south-west tip of New Zealand, 161km (100 miles) west of Invercargill at a depth of 33km. The quake was detected at 2122 local time (0922 GMT), reports said.
Both events occurred as the Moon was applying towards (last quarter) squares to the Sun and Mercury. Mercury and the Sun were on the Mars Saturn midpoint.
The lunar eclipse on July 7th 2009 directly hit the natal Moon of cricketer Andrew Flintoff who yesterday announced he will retire from Test cricket at the end of the current Ashes series against Australia.
Today Mercury in Cancer trines Uranus in Pisces 07:34 GMT
The Moon accelerates and wanes in Taurus.
Sun in Cancer, Moon in Taurus, domesticity prevails.
Friday July 17th 2009
Yesterday Pakistan and India pledged to co-operate in fighting terrorism, after a meeting to discuss restarting peace talks.
Discovered 13 years ago, and officially added to the periodic table just weeks ago, element 112 finally has a name. It will be called "copernicium", with the symbol Cp, in honour of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Today the Moon accelerating and rapidly waning in Taurus sextiles Uranus and is void at 20:49 GMT.
Mercury enters Leo 23:08 GMT.
Mercury resides in Leo for only 11 days. He opposes Jupiter in Aquarius on July 30th and opposes Neptune on July 31st. Mercury enters Virgo on August 2nd.
Saturday July 18th 2009
Yesterday Iran's former President Rafsanjani challenged the country's leaders at Friday prayers, as protesters clashed with police in Tehran.
A spurt in the number of new houses under construction in June sparked optimism the US property market is improving.
Today the Moon occults the Palaides for UK observers 01:25 to 03:15 GMT
The Moon zips into Gemini 02:42 joining Venus and Mars in that sign.
The Moon is conjunct Mars at 4 degrees Gemini 10:05 GMT
The Moon hits balsamic phase 21:39 GMT at 11 degrees Gemini.
The Total Solar Eclipse approaches.
Sunday July 19th 2009
The Sun trines Uranus 00:36 GMT.
The very fast moving Moon is conjunct Venus at 15 degrees Gemini at 04:07 GMT.
The Moon squares Uranus and is void from 22:13 GMT.
Monday July 20th 2009
State of the skies:-The Sun today is at 28 degrees Cancer. 62 days remain to the Libra Equinox.
There is a massive Total Solar Eclipse within 48 hours.
The rapidly waning balsamic and ancient Moon reaches her home base Cancer at 03:52 GMT.
Mercury is now an 'evening star' and appears to move at full speed in Leo. Mercury sextiles Mars 23:32 GMT today. He opposes Jupiter in Aquarius on July 30th and opposes Neptune on July 31st. Mercury enters Virgo on August 2nd, and will next turn retrograde on Monday September 7th 2009 at 6 degrees Libra.
Venus is a 'morning star' in Gemini. (Venus will grace the morning pre-dawn skies for the remainder of 2009). VVenus squares Saturn on tomorrow, July 21st, trines Jupiter on July 27th, squares Uranus on July 28th finally entering Cancer on August 1st, opposing Pluto that day.
Mars is in Gemini and is falling behind Venus also currently in that sign. Mars is in residence in Gemini until August 28th 2009. He squares Saturn on August 11th, trines Jupiter on August 13th, trines Neptune on August 18th and squares Uranus on August 19th before entering cancer on August 25th and opposing Pluto the next day August 26th. The entire period is characterized by a rich diversity of activity.
Tuesday July 21st 2009
Wecome to The Daze.
We have now arrived at the day before the major astrological event of 2009.
It is potentially a harsh day with Venus squaring Saturn 20:06 GMT. This aspect casts a bleak aura over the whole eclipse episode.
The ancient pre-eclipse Moon is at perigee in Cancer 20:26 GMT. This fact is why this eclipse is so long and so powerful.
Prepare yourself for purification by water.
Wednesday July 22nd 2009
Total Solar Eclipse 02-35 GMT
at 29 degrees Cancer
trine Uranus.
http://ttt.astro.su.se/~alexis/images/TSE99.jpg
On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.
Jupiter, Chiron and Jupiter still in tight conjunction in Aquarius.
Very long, lasts 6m 39s. Visible from East Asia, Pacific Ocean, Hawaii
[Total: India, Nepal, China, c Pacific]
Central eclipse at 02-35 GMT.
Timings of the Eclipse (GMT)
Astrological cartography of today's eclipse.
At the moment of central eclipse The Sun and Moon are rising at Kihinev and are on the local Midheaven of Richmond Australia. Mercury rises at Erivan, Venus rises at Lisbon and at Rabat. Saturn is about to set at New York and is on the local IC of Florence and Munich. Uranus culminates at Stockholm, Neptune and Jupiter align to Afghanistan, Monrovia, Saint Louis and Milwaukee. .Pluto culminates at Caracas.
Solar Saros 136
This chart above is set for the moment of central eclipse during the first eclipse of Saros 136 on June 14th 1360. This chart and this moment sets the flavour of the whole Saros, including today's eclipse. The eclipsed Sun, in the chart, is at the very start of Cancer, the solstice point. This chart is essentially favourable. The eclipse is sextile Saturn and trine Neptune. Mars is conjunct Pluto in Aries, giving force and power but this is harnessed by a trine to Saturn in Leo.
First Eclipse = 1360 Jun 14 05:56:04 TD
Last Eclipse = 2622 Jul 30 12:18:09 TD
Duration of Saros 136 = 1262.11 Years
Longest Total Solar Eclipse: 1955 Jun 20 Duration = 07m08s
Shortest Total Solar Eclipse: 2496 May 13 Duration = 01m02s
Longest Annular Solar Eclipse: 1504 Sep 08 Duration = 00m32s
Shortest Annular Solar Eclipse: 1594 Nov 12 Duration = 00m04s
Longest Hybrid Solar Eclipse: 1703 Jan 17 Duration = 00m50s
Shortest Hybrid Solar Eclipse: 1612 Nov 22 Duration = 00m01s
Largest Partial Solar Eclipse: 1486 Aug 29 Magnitude = 0.9856
Smallest Partial Solar Eclipse: 1360 Jun 14 Magnitude = 0.0495
The previous Solar eclipses in this Saros were on:-
July 11th 1991, Boris Yeltsin began his 5 year presidency as the first elected president of Russia, one day earlier. (Actually Saturn was rising at Moscow in the Saros chart).
June 30th 1973, A Northern Ireland election two days before this led eventually to the first time power sharing between Nationalists and Unionists.
June 20th 1955, nothing of note occurred until one month later when the Geneva Summit was first held on July 18th 1955
June 8th 1937, Wallis Simpson married Edward V111 of Britain 5 days before the eclipse.
May 29th 1919, Eddinton confirmed Einstein's theory of General Relativity by taking measurements actually during the eclipse .
May 18th 1901. The first US Stock Market crash occurred on the day before the eclipse.
This powerful Total Solar Eclipse on Jul 22nd is trine Barack Obama's natal MC. It also directly hits the natal Sun of Asif Ali Zardani and Cat Stevens, the natal Mercury of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), and the Madagascar National Horoscope, the natal Venus of Madonna, the natal Mars of Joe Cocker and George Clooney, the natal Jupiter of Condoleeza Rice, the natal Midheaven of Mick Jagger, the natal Uranus of Bjon Borg, the natal Pluto of John McCain, Terry Wogan, Bobby Charlton and astrologer Martin Davis.
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From the moment of New Moon the Moon is void.
The Moon enters Leo 03:28 GMT.
The Sun regally follows into Leo 16:36 GMT.
The tender infant Moon conjunct Mercury 18:59 GMT at 10 degrees Leo.
Thursday July 23rd 2009
The Moon in Leo opposes Jupiter and Neptune at 20:29 GMT and becomes void of course.
Friday July 24th 2009
The Moon enters Virgo 03:24 GMT.
Saturday July 25th 2009
This image shows a large impact on Jupiter's south polar region captured on July 20, 2009, by NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Image credit: NASA/JPL/Infrared Telescope Facility
Scientists have found evidence that another object has bombarded Jupiter, exactly 15 years after the first impacts by the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.
Following up on a tip by an amateur astronomer, Anthony Wesley of Australia, that a new dark "scar" had suddenly appeared on Jupiter, this morning between 3 and 9 a.m. PDT (6 a.m. and noon EDT) scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., using NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, gathered evidence indicating an impact.
New infrared images show the likely impact point was near the south polar region, with a visibly dark "scar" and bright upwelling particles in the upper atmosphere detected in near-infrared wavelengths, and a warming of the upper troposphere with possible extra emission from ammonia gas detected at mid-infrared wavelengths.
"We were extremely lucky to be seeing Jupiter at exactly the right time, the right hour, the right side of Jupiter to witness the event. We couldn't have planned it better," said Glenn Orton, a scientist at JPL.
Orton and his team of astronomers kicked into gear early in the morning and haven't stopped tracking the planet. They are downloading data now and are working to get additional observing time on this and other telescopes.
This image was taken at 1.65 microns, a wavelength sensitive to sunlight reflected from high in Jupiter's atmosphere, and it shows both the bright center of the scar (bottom left) and the debris to its northwest (upper left).
"It could be the impact of a comet, but we don't know for sure yet," said Orton. "It's been a whirlwind of a day, and this on the anniversary of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Apollo anniversaries is amazing."
The Moon reaches crescent phase 08:17 GMT at 18 degrees Virgo and is conjunct Saturn 10:13 GMT at 19 degrees Virgo.
The Moon opposes Uranus 23:15 GMT and is void of course from that moment.
Fifty hours after a whoppa of a Total Solar Eclipse and the news stories yesterday were as follows. Lawyers for Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi were presenting closing arguments, as her trial neared its end.
China's largest city Shanghai (directly in the path of Wdsnesday's eclipse) is encouraging parents to have a second child in a bid to balance its ageing population.
Thousands of firefighters are battling to bring under control summer wildfires that are spreading across parts of southern Europe. At least seven people have died in the blazes that have struck Spain, France, Greece and the Italian island of Sardinia in the past few days.
In the UK the Conservatives have scored a convincing victory over Labour in the Norwich North by-election - the first since the MPs' expenses scandal.
I am on holiday now. The Daze will be back live on August 10th 2009.
Sunday July 26th 2009
The Moon enters Libra 07:29 GMT. She squares Pluto 07:29 GMT and then makes easy aspects.
Monday July 27th 2009
The Moon makes pleasant aspects from Libra.
Venus trines Jupiter 04:08 GMT.
Tuesday July 28th 2009
From 00:00 to 06:00 GMT the Moon forms an airy grand trine with Jupiter, Neptune and Venus.
The Moon trines Neptune and is void from 02:54 GMT.
Venus trines Neptune 05:52 GMT
The Moon enters Scorpio 10:57 GMT.
Venus squares Uranus 20:38 GMT? and will oppose Pluto on August 1st .
Moon first quarter phase 6 degrees Scorpio 22:01 GMT.
Wednesday July 29th 2009
The Moon waxes in Scorpio.
Thursday July 30th 2009
Around 09:30 GMT the Moon forms a fixed T-square, with Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury.
Mercury opposes Jupiter (2.5 degree orb) 10:38 GMT.
The Moon trines Uranus and is void of course from 12:55 GMT.
The Moon enters Sagittarius 20:10 GMT
Friday July 31st 2009
Mercury opposes Neptune (2 degree orb) 07:47 GMT.
Lunar occultation of Antares today around 15:36 GMT. Occultation centered on India and China. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
August 2009
During August and September 2009 Saturn's rings appear edge on to Earth.
For the first time in nearly 15 years, Saturn's rings will be edge-on to the Earth and hence invisible when viewed with a telescope during these months. The rings are edge-on to the Sun on August the 10th and edge-on to the Earth on September 4th. Saturn is low in the western evening sky on these days.
August 2009 starts with us already deeply immersed within an eclipse fortnight. The Moon is penumbrally eclipsed on August 6th in Aquarius.
Mercury and Venus are is sextile aspect all month. Mercury in Leo starts the month still dizzily in opposition to Neptune and Jupiter. Venus in late Gemini is in T-square with Uranus and Pluto, opposing Pluto on the first of the month.
The month starts with a flourish, then after a fairly quiet second week the astrology picks up with a series of planetary pictures and planetary symmetries which will cause wave after wave of events as we progress past August 22nd and 23rd, (possibly the crown of the month), right up to planetary turbulence at the end of the month as we pull out of the eclipse season.
Saturday August 1st 2009
Venus enters Cancer 01:28 GMT.
Moon gibbous phase 21:33 GMT 25 degrees Sagittarius.
Venus opposes Pluto 23:33.
Sunday August 2nd 2009
At midnight the Moon eases the waning Mercury opposite Jupiter and Neptune.
The Moon trines Mercury 05:42 GMT and is void.
The Moon enters Capricorn 08:09 GMT. She is conjunct Pluto at 10:16 GMT. She opposes Venus (within a degree) 11:27 GMT.
Mercury enters Virgo 23:07 GMT, joining Saturn in that sign.
Monday August 3rd 2009
Mercury is in earthy trine aspect with Pluto 14:10 GMT.
Tuesday August 4th 2009
Moon apogee 00:44 GMT.
The nearly Full Moon sextiles Uranus and is void 13:31 GMT
The Moon enters Aquarius 21:08 GMT.
Wednesday August 5th 2009
A loose finger of fate planetary pattern involving the Moon with the month long sextile of Mercury and Venus. this pictures is centered around 05:30 GMT.
The Moon slowly approaches her eclipse.
Thursday August 6th 2009
Penumbral lunar eclipse
01-39 GMT
at 14 degrees Aquarius
applying to Jupiter, trine Mars.
http://www.crystalinks.com/lunareclipsearc2.jpg
Timings of the eclipse.
First contact 23:04:21 (August 5th 2009)
Central eclipse 00:40:17.9
Last contact 02:14:08
Lunar Saros Series 148
First Eclipse = 1973 Jul 15 11:39:19 TD
Last Eclipse = 3217 Aug 09 09:38:06 TD
Duration of Saros 148 = 1244.08 Years
Longest Total Lunar Eclipse: 2568 Jul 10 Duration = 01h44m29s
Shortest Total Lunar Eclipse: 2676 Sep 14 Duration = 00h26m13s
Today's eclipse is only the 3rd member of the series. The first eclipse on July 15th 1973 coincided (within a day) with the breaking of the 'Watergate scandal'. The second eclipse in the series, July 26th 1991 coincided with the 'New Industrial Policy' passed by the Indian government and marked the start of India's economic reforms.
This Saros energy is very fresh and new. The saros chart above is a very inflammatory map. Fire, Air and Cardinal signs predominate. The Sun and Full Moon form a loose Cardinal Cross with Mars and Uranus. This is potent energy.
This lunar eclipse is conjunct Gordon Brown's natal Mercury and is trine David Cameron's natal Sun.
The eclipsed Moon directly hits the natal Sun of singer Melanie Safka, the natal Mercury Jupiter conjunction of Jim Carey, the natal Mercury of Neil Diamond and of Muhammed Ali, and the natal Venus of Daniel Craig.
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After the eclipse the Moon is conjunct Jupiter (with 3 degrees) at 23 degrees Aquarius.
Friday August 7th 2009
The Moon in the wake of her eclipse is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius 00:20 and is then void.
The Moon enters Pisces 09:35 GMT.
Saturday August 8th 2009
At 01:35 The Moon opposes Mercury and is tightly eased by Venus.
Mercury sextiles Venus 03:53 GMT.
From 23:00 GMT today for three hours the fishy Moon forms a mutable T-square with Saturn and Mars.
Sunday August 9th 2009
The Moon is conjunct Uranus 12:45 GMT at 26 degrees Pisces and becomes void of course.
She head buts into Aries 20:24 GMT.
Monday August 10th 2009 .
The Daze is now back live.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 18 degrees Leo. We passed the midway point between Solstice and Equinox last Friday. There are now 42 days to the Libra Equinox. We are starting to pull out of the recent eclipse season.
The accelerating Moon reaches her disseminating phase today at 3 degrees Aries at 01:20 GMT.
Mercury is now a decelerating 'evening star' in Virgo. There is a month long sextile of Mercury in Virgo and Venus in Cancer. Mercury is conjunct Saturn, one week today, August 17th, at 21 degrees Virgo. On that day Mercury reaches the point in the zodiac that he will return to at his retrograde station on September 29th. Mercury tightly opposes Uranus on August 21st. Mercury's apparent motion drops below a degree per day on August 24th. Mercury enters Libra on August 25th. Mercury is approaching his station. He turns retrograde on September 7th at 6 degrees Libra. |Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 0th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th.
Venus is also an 'morning star' and is in Cancer. A strange spot emerged on Venus last week, and astronomers are not sure what caused it. They hope future observations will reveal whether volcanic activity, turbulence in the planet's atmosphere, or charged particles from the are to blame. Venus sextiles Saturn on August 19th. Venus trines Uranus on August 22nd. Venus enters Leo on August 26th.
Mars is in Gemini and currently applies in square aspect to Saturn. Mars trines Jupiter on Thursday 13th august. Mars trines Neptune on August 18th. Mars squares Uranus on August 19th. Mars enters Cancer on August 25th.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been sworn in on August 5th for a second term as Iran's president, after weeks of post-election unrest. In an address after the ceremony, he criticised foreign powers who have cast doubt on the validity of the election, saying Iran would resist them. Opposition supporters protesting outside parliament were met by hundreds of riot police. A French teacher and an Iranian employed by the UK embassy are among people put on trial over poll protests in Iran
This was August 4th 2009. It was a riveting combination of characters for a high-drama mercy mission, with all the trappings of a spy novel. A charismatic former president flying across the Pacific to rescue two damsels in distress. A meeting with a reclusive, enigmatic leader in a country mostly cut off from the rest of the world. Bill Clinton had Jupiter trine his natal Jupiter, Saturn trine his natal Moon and Venus conjunct his natal Midheaven when he pulled off this coup.
The authorities in Tonga now say 85 people are missing and feared drowned after an inter-island ferry sank. The probable toll rose from earlier estimates of 64, after it was found 141 people were on board the Princess Ashika when it went down on Wednesday.
Tuesday August 11th 2009
Yesterday as the harsh and brittle aspect of Mars in Gemini square Saturn in Virgo built to its peak, (occurring today 00:16 GMT), a series of bomb blasts in Iraq killed more than 40 people and wounded at least 200.
Two truck bombs exploded in a Shia village near the northern city of Mosul, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 130. Meanwhile, Baghdad was hit by a string of bomb attacks that killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 90. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has warned of an upsurge of violence ahead of next January's elections.
Militants attacked government and police buildings near the Afghan capital, Kabul, days ahead of nationwide elections.
Greenpeace drops boulders onto the sea floor off Sweden to prevent what it says are destructive forms of fishing.
Two strong storms across the Pacific region have left scores of people dead or missing. At least 10 people have been killed in Japan in flash floods generated by the approaching tropical storm Etau. Meanwhile Typhoon Morakot hit mainland China on Sunday, killing at least one child and prompting almost a million people to flee from coastal areas. It has already passed over Taiwan, killing at least 12 people and causing the worst flooding in five decades. Taiwan's National Disaster Relief Centre said it believed about 100 people were trapped in a landslide that hit the mountain village of Shiao Lin on Sunday morning.
The recent solar eclipse path bisected the geographical area between the lines of these two major typhoons.
At 13:00 GMT the Moon in Aries, the Sun, Mars and Jupiter form 4 points of a fire air hexagon. (19 degrees Libra and Sagittarius missing). This is an important day in time.
The Moon sextiles Neptune at 20:24 GMT and is void.
From today for 5 days Mars starts to ease the opposition of the Sun and Jupiter. Over the next few days as this opposition builds it is seriously eased by Mars.
The remainder of this month is astrologically very busy.
Important events, high times.
Robert Plant received his CBE from Prince Charles (July 19th 2009)
Wednesday August 12th 2009
Yesterday under a dynamic planetary picture, world leaders expressed anger and disappointment at the conviction of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Hundreds of people are feared to have died in southern Taiwan, after a landslide triggered by a typhoon.
Skygazers are preparing for the high point of the annual Perseid meteor shower. The shower, which reaches its peak on Wednesday, occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of dusty debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. As this cometary "grit" strikes our atmosphere, it burns up, often creating streaks of light across the sky.
Today the waning and accelerating Moon enters Taurus 04:51 GMT and makes her approach to Fixed Last Quarter phase. Fixed solid overtures ensue today.
Lots of energy to feed, grow and build upon.
Thursday August 13th 2009
The Moon wanes in Taurus.
Mars in Gemini air trines Jupiter in Aquarius 16:30.
Good vibrations.
The Moon hits last quarter phase 18:56 GMT at 21 degrees Taurus.
Friday August 14th 2009
The Moon in Taurus sextiles Uranus 15:18 GMT and is void.
The Moon breezes into Gemini 10:27 GMT.
The Sun opposes Jupiter 17:54 GMT.
Mars very tightly eases the opposition.
Saturday August 15th 2009
The Moon wanes and accelerates in Gemini.
The Sun opposes Jupiter and Neptune.
Mercury applies strongly in conjunction with Saturn.
Energy levels rising. Much movement, much noise, much deliberation.
Sunday August 16th 2009
Today the Moon is conjunct Mars 02:57 at 24 degrees Gemini.
The Moon then squares Uranus 06:20 GMT and is void.
She is reborn in Cancer 13:14 GMT. She opposes Pluto 14:36 GMT and then makes easy aspects for two days.
Now three astrological waves are ahead of us carrying us up to and beyond the next New Moon.
The first wave, the month long sextile of Mercury and Venus now starts to form a finger of fate with Jupiter. This lasts for the next four days.
Mercury is conjunct Saturn and Neptune is at opposition tomorrow.
The New Moon is conjunct Regulus is on August 20th.
The second wave, the ongoing sextile of Mercury and Venus moves to focus on Neptune peaking on 22nd and 23rd August 2009.
The third wave, a mutable T-square involving Mercury Uranus and Mars also now starts to form. It peaks on 22nd and lasts up to 26th.
Monday August 17th 2009
With Mercury and Saturn in conjunction in Virgo, the Sun opposing Jupiter and Neptune and much planetary activity right now in sway there is currently a significant amount of news material.
A suicide car bombing exploded outside the NATO headquarters in Afghanistan early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring 91 just five days before the country holds presidential elections.
Yesterday forty-one women and children were killed by a fire in a tent at a wedding near Kuwait City.
A series of earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 6.7 to 4.7, struck off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Two British soldiers died after explosions in Afghanistan, taking the number of UK troops killed since 2001 to 201. This is starting to become a major issue here. in the UK.
Finnish police say a ransom demand has been made for a missing Russian-manned cargo vessel, the Arctic Sea. The demand - which has not been confirmed as genuine - was put to the ship's Finnish owners, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said. A Finnish radio station said it had been told the 15 crew members' lives would be at risk if it was not paid. Mystery surrounds the location of the Arctic Sea, last sighted in the Bay of Biscay on 30 July. The 4,000-tonne Maltese-flagged vessel, which had been carrying timber, went off radar after passing through the English Channel. A recent sighting off Africa's Cape Verde islands is still to be confirmed.
Raw images of the moment Saturn reached its equinox have been beamed back to Earth by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft. Scientists are studying the unprocessed pictures to uncover new discoveries in the gas giant's ring system. Equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses a planet's equator, making day and night the same length. During this time, the Sun's angle over Saturn is lowered, showing new objects and irregular structures as shadows on the otherwise flat plane of the rings. Saturn's orbit is so vast that Equinox happens only once every 15 Earth years. At the moment of equinox, the rings turn edge-on to the Sun and reflect almost no sunlight. This is the first equinox since 1994 and the first time there has been an observer, in the shape of the joint US and European spacecraft, Cassini.
In the USA the major news story over recent days has been over the proposed health policy. US President Barack Obama stepped up his drive for healthcare reform, attacking excessive insurance company premiums
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 25 degrees Leo. There are now 35 days to the Libra Equinox. The Leo Sun sextiles Mars in Gemini 10:58 GMT. The Sun opposes Neptune 20:55 GMT. We are pulling out of the recent eclipse season, with the first New Moon after a solar eclipse occurring on Thursday of this week.
The fast moving and accelerating Moon hits balsamic phase 04:42 GMT at 9 degrees Cancer. The Moon is conjunct Venus ( <1.7 degrees) 21:12 GMT at 20 degrees Cancer.
Mercury is now a decelerating 'evening star' in Virgo. Mercury is conjunct Saturn today at 15:15 GMT at 21 degrees Virgo. This is the first of three encounters of these two planets. The second, during Mercury's retrograde period is on September 22nd, the final (and tightest ) one is on October 8th. There is also a month long sextile of Mercury in Virgo and Venus in Cancer. Today Mercury reaches the point in the zodiac that he will return to at his retrograde station on September 29th. Mercury tightly opposes Uranus on August 21st. Mercury's apparent motion drops below a degree per day on August 24th. Mercury enters Libra on August 25th. Mercury is approaching his station. He turns retrograde on September 7th at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 0th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th.
Venus is a 'morning star' and is in Cancer. Venus sextiles Saturn on August 19th. Venus trines Uranus on August 22nd. Venus enters Leo on August 26th.
Mars is in Gemini. Mars trines Neptune on August 18th. Mars squares Uranus on August 19th. Mars enters Cancer on August 25th and will then oppose Pluto.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 3rd of 5 occasions on Sept. 15th 2009.
Tuesday August 18th 2009
Yesterday Russia said it has found the missing cargo vessel near the Cape Verde islands and retrieved its 15-member Russian crew
On the last day of campaigning before Thursday's poll, candidates in the Afghan presidential election wooed voters.
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt set a new world record as he stormed to a stunning victory in the 100m at the World Championships in Berlin. The 22-year-old Jamaican recorded a time of 9.58 seconds to take 0.11 off the mark he set last year when winning gold at the Beijing Olympics. Bolt, sun sign Leo, is 23 years old on Friday, the day after the New Moon.
The first wave breaks, a 'finger of fate involving Mercury in Virgo', Venus in Cancer, and Jupiter in Aquarius dominates the skies today.
The second wave, the ongoing sextile maneuvers to focus on Neptune peaking on 22nd and 23rd.
Mars in Gemini 'air trines' Neptune in Aquarius 01:29 GMT.
The very fast moving Moon in Cancer 'water trines' Uranus in Pisces 07:10 and is then void.
This old Moon bounds at a rate of knots into Leo 13:57 GMT.
Mars is applying to a harsh and brittle square with Uranus as the day proceeds. This is a disruptive influence.
Wednesday August 19th 2009
Yesterday a suicide bomber killed 10 people in an attack on Western troops in the Afghan capital, 2 days before a presidential election.
As many as 76 people are now feared dead after an explosion at a huge Siberian hydro-electric power station
Scientists have identified the amino acid glycine, a fundamental chemical building block of life, in a comet for the first time.
From today, the third wave, a mutable T-square involving Mercury in Virgo Uranus in Pisces and Mars in Gemini starts to break. It peaks on 22nd and lasts up to 26th.
On this day before the New Moon in Leo, Mars in Gemini squares Uranus in Pisces 02:25 GMT
Moon perigee (fastest all month) 04:49 GMT
Venus sextiles Saturn 10:11 GMT bringing about a slight more steadier influence upon proceedings.
Thursday August 20th 2009
The Moon, the Earth and Jupiter are in linear alignment (within a degree) 00:11 GMT.
New Moon in Leo
10:02 GMT
conjunct Regulus
opposite Neptune and Jupiter sextile Mars.
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http://www.crystalinks.com/3goddesseslion.jpg
This New Moon on August 20th 2009 is conjunct David Cameron's natal Mars. Saturn is conjunct his natal Uranus (for the final time) tomorrow on August 21st 2009.
This New Moon falls on the natal Sun of Bill Clinton, whose birthday was yesterday, and on the natal Sun Saturn conjunction of Robert Plant, whose birthday is today. It also directly hits the natal Moon of Carlos Santana, the natal Venus of the Dalai Lama, the natal Jupiter of Keith Richards and the natal Jupiter Pluto conjunction of Bill Gates,
This is the first New Moon following the Total Solar Eclipse on July 22nd 2009. and the fifth before the Annular Solar Eclipse on January 15th 2010.
This New Moon chart shows a loose mutable/cardinal grand cross involving Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Mars and Pluto.
Before the lunation the Earth and the Moon Neptune align within 2 degrees 06:00 GMT. The Moon is then void.
The infant Moon enters Virgo 14:01 GMT.
Friday August 21st 2009
On Wednesday, the day before the New Moon and in the wake of a harsh Mars square Uranus aspect in the skies, truck bombs and a barrage of mortars killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 500 in Baghdad, in the deadliest attacks in months. One vehicle exploded outside the foreign ministry near the perimeter of the heavily guarded government Green Zone, leaving a huge crater. Another blast went off close to the finance ministry building.
Yesterday, the day of the New Moon Afghanistan's leader and his Western allies praised voters for braving Taliban threats and taking part in elections.
The Libyan jailed in Scotland over the Lockerbie bombing returned home after his release, which US President Obama called a 'mistake'
The sun is entering its 41st consecutive day without sunspots. This remarkable string of blank suns shows that we are still in the pits of the deepest solar minimum in a century. If the streak continues for 11 more days, it will match the longest blank spell of the current cycle.
Today is an important day.
Mercury tightly opposes Uranus 11:47 GMT (< a degree).
A critical and serious few days now ensue.
Saturday August 22nd 2009
The view from Australia
Yesterday the US and Britain voiced anger over the jubilant welcome home for the Libyan man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's campaign said he has enough votes for a majority, but his main rival also claims victory.
Mercury, Venus and Neptune are arrayed in a fearsome finger of fate arrangement. The arrangement peaks today.
The Moon is conjunct Saturn at 01:24 GMT at 22 degrees Virgo.
The Moon is conjunct Mercury at 09:34 at 27 degrees Virgo
The Moon then squares Mars and is void from 11:44 GMT.
The Moon enters Libra 15:12 GMT.
Venus trines Uranus 23:32 GMT.
The Sun enters Virgo 23:39 and a new astrological month begins.
Sunday August 23rd 2009
Welcome to the first day of the astrological month of Virgo.
Former South Korean leader Kim Dae-jung is given a state funeral, amid an apparent easing of tense relations with the North.
Italy and France send aircraft to help crews in Greece battling out-of-control fires approaching the capital, Athens.
The Moon reaches crescent phase 18:05 GMT at 16 degrees Libra.
The Sun trines Pluto 18:17.
A formidable planetary symmetry forms in the skies today centered on Sun/Venus Uranus/Pluto and Mars/Mercury Saturn.
The skies right now are full of dynamic planetary arrangement, these are special days.
Monday August 24th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 1 degree Virgo. We are now almost out of the recent eclipse season. Amid complex skies a 4th planetary wave starts. This one involves Mercury, Mars and Pluto, in a tight cardinal T-square and this one sees the month out.
The waxing and decelerating Moon in Libra trines Mars 18:10 GMT and is void. The Moon enters Scorpio 19:17 GMT.
Mercury is now a decelerating 'evening star' in Virgo. Mercury's apparent motion drops below a degree per day today. Mercury enters Libra tomorrow. Mercury is approaching his station. He turns retrograde on September 7th at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 0th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th.
Venus is a 'morning star' and is in Cancer. Venus enters Leo on August 26th.
Mars is in Gemini. Mars enters Cancer on August 25th and will then oppose Pluto.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 3rd of 5 occasions on Sept. 15th 2009.
Tuesday August 25th 2009
Yesterday as Mercury, Mars and Pluto tightened in a planetary T-square US President Barack Obama approved a new elite team to question terror suspects ahead of a key report on prisoner abuse.
At least 20 people were killed in bomb attacks on two buses near the southern Iraqi town of Kut
A break in strong winds helped Greek firefighters battling dozens of fierce wildfires across the country for the past four days.
Yesterday also marked the 45th consecutive day without spots on the sun--one of the longest quiet spells of the current solar minimum.
In the UK the prime minister invited the England cricket team to a Downing Street reception to celebrate their Ashes victory. It may be of interest to some readers that at the very moment sagattarian sun sign Andrew Flintoff made that match winning throw from 'Mid On' to run out Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Sagittarius had just started to rise at the Kennington Oval on Sunday afternoon. Man of the match Broad, sun sign Cancer, was born the day after the Full Moon. Over the weekend transiting Saturn was in a very constructive earthy trine to his natal Mars.
The T-square mentioned above continues to tighten, modulate and ring out over the next few days. Tense, serious and potentially alarming correspondences can be expected.
There are three significant planetary ingresses over the next 36 hours
Mars enters Cancer today 17:16 GMT.
Mercury enters Libra today 20:18 GMT, and Venus enters Leo tomorrow 16:12 GMT. We have before us a planetary minor 'change of gear'.
Mars in Cancer will immediately oppose Pluto in Capricorn tomorrow. Mars squares Mercury in Libra both tomorrow and on September 3rd. On September 13th. the Moon is very closely conjunct Mars at 12 degrees Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th. Generally speaking this residence indicates a domestic, nationalistic and financially conserving period. Other than the opposition to Pluto tomorrow, the aspects Mars makes and receives whilst in Cancer are easy and productive.
Mercury enters Libra. Mercury is approaching his station. He turns retrograde on September 7th at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 20th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Mercury in Libra is a time of wavering judgment and materializing options.
Wednesday August 26th 2009
Yesterday the first results in Afghanistan's presidential poll were announced, giving Hamid Karzai a slight lead over one of his main rivals.
President Obama nominated Ben Bernanke (born December 13, 1953) for a second term as chairman of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve.
South African runner Caster Semenya's (born 7 January 1991) testosterone level is three times higher than that found in an average female sample. She is sun sign Capricorn, Moon Libra, Venus Aquarius, Mars Taurus, and a preponderance of Earthy planets.
A difficult day is in store today.
Mercury, Mars and Pluto are in a tight cardinal T-square today.
Mercury in Libra squares Mars in Cancer 03:58 GMT.
Mercury squares Pluto 16:05 GMT.
Venus enters Leo 16:12 GMT. Whilst in Leo, Venus opposes Jupiter on September 11th, and opposes Neptune on September 15th. Venus enters Virgo on September 20th. Venus in Leo in generally a warm hearted period with an emphasis on the lavish and the generous. Tempered somewhat by a spendthrift Mars in Cancer we can conclude that Venus will have the upper hand. The collective anima is 'on top'.
The Moon trines Uranus and is void from 18:35 GMT.
Mars in cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn. 20:29 GMT.
At 21:30 a loose grand trine of the slow Moon Venus and Uranus rings out.
Thursday August 27th 2009
Senator Edward Kennedy, stalwart of liberal US politics and brother of JFK, died yesterday at 77 after battling a brain tumour. He was born February 22, 1932 at 3:58 AM in Dorchester (MA) (USA), Sun in 2°32 Pisces, AS in 10°47 Capricorn, Moon in 6°25 Virgo, MC in 6°49 Scorpio, some 8 hours after a Full Moon in Virgo conjunct a retrograde Neptune in his 8th house, and opposing a humanitarian conjunction of Mercury and Mars in Aquarius almost guaranteeing a tumultuous life woven with glamour, mystery and self undoing. It is indeed tribute to the man that he is now regarded in such high esteem.
The event most memorable to most of us living through that period was the Chappaquiddick incident.
On the night of July 18, 1969, Ted Kennedy was on Martha's Vineyard's Chappaquiddick Island at a party for the "Boiler Room Girls", a group of young women who had worked on his brother Robert's presidential campaign the year before. Leaving the party, Kennedy was driving a 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 with one of the women, 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne, as his passenger, when Kennedy drove off Dike Bridge into the Poucha Pond inlet. Kennedy escaped the overturned vehicle and swam to safety, but Kopechne died in the car. Kennedy left the scene and did not call authorities until after Kopechne's body was discovered the following day. On July 25, Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was given a sentence of two months in jail, suspended.
On the night of the Chappaquiddick incident the crescent Moon was in Virgo. Mars in Sagittarius was exactly square his natal Sun at the time of the accident. His lunar return earlier that Friday shows a very strong 4th harmonic conjunction of Saturn and the South Lunar Node tightly opposite Pluto at the degree of the transiting Mars square to his natal Sun. The lunar eclipse 6 weeks after the accident was conjunct his natal Full Moon. The previous New Moon to the incident was conjunct his natal Pluto.
Just for the record, Mary Jo Kopechne was a strong willed high destiny Sun conjunct Pluto in Leo, an ardent Moon in Aries, with an uncompromising Mars also in Leo dangerously square a conjunction of establishment Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus. She was described as 'a teacher, secretary, and campaign specialist, a devout Roman Catholic with a demure, serious personality who rarely drank much, and had no reputation for extramarital activities with men'. Leamer, Laurence (2004). Sons of Camelot: The Fate of an American Dynasty.
President Barack Obama, of whom Ted was an active supporter, said yesterday he was "heartbroken" to hear of his death.
Also yesterday Red Cross officials from North and South Korea start talks aimed at allowing divided families to begin meeting again
Argentina's supreme court ruled that it is unconstitutional for the government to punish people for the personal use of marijuana.
Today the Moon slowly enters Sagittarius at 03:16 GMT and hits first quarter phase 4 degrees Sagittarius 11:43 GMT.
The Moon then decelerates towards an occultation of Antares.
Lunar occultation of Antares today around 22:26 GMT. Occultation centered on Atlantic areas shown above. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Friday August 28th 2009
Yesterday it was reported that China "resolutely opposes" a planned trip by the Dalai Lama to Taiwan, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua said hours after Taiwan's president announced the visit
Iran could face new sanctions if it does not show a willingness to negotiate on its nuclear programme, the German chancellor has said. Tough and tenacious Cancerian Angela Merkel was speaking yesterday after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin.
During this month of August 2009 Barack Obama's progressed Moon in Aquarius has opposed his progressed conjunction of Venus and Uranus. The month has been dominated by his battles with his proposed US domestic health care reforms. His progressed Moon becomes 'void of course' today Aug. 28th, in his progressed horoscope. This void period ends when his progressed waxing gibbous Moon ingresses Pisces on Oct 7th 2009. Saturn makes a single conjunction with his natal Mars tomorrow, Aug. 29th. These are very interesting and significant trends, and a very important time for him.
The lunar 'void of course period' represents an 'intermission' between one set of circumstances and another. The one off Saturn transit (exact tomorrow but operative for a few weeks either side) is a consolidating tempering and sobering affair. The death of Ted Kennedy does seem to have moved him deeply.
The ingress of his progressed Moon into Pisces in October heralds a change and the approach of his climatic progressed Full Moon in 2011. His progressed Sun ingresses Libra on Aug. 24th 2010. His role then, and for the following 30 years, symbolises the 'world diplomat' hopefully 'the peacemaker' and 'world statesman'. Barack Obama's life story is approaching a climax which is very close.
Today Mercury, now in Libra, sextiles Venus, now in Leo, 13:26 GMT, for the second time this month. This is a merry combination and potentially a pleasant fusion of heart and mind. Also today the Moon slowly waxes in Sagittarius.
All in all, fingers crossed, a lively funfilled day.
Make hay.
Saturday August 29th 2009
News stories right now are gripped with the report that a US woman has been found after being abducted as a girl in 1991 gave birth to two children fathered by her alleged kidnapper - the first when she was 14. Jaycee Lee Dugard and her daughters, 11 and 15, were kept in a "hidden backyard within a backyard", police say. Alleged kidnapper Phillip Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy Garrido, 54, are being held in custody in California. The story broke here on Thursday evening as the Moon moved to occult Antares.
Yesterday Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged decisive action against leaders of the post-election protests.
A British teenager who has become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, has told the BBC he is delighted with his feat. Mike Perham, who celebrated his 17th birthday while on the journey, crossed the finish line at Lizard Point off the Cornish Coast. Yesterday a Dutch court put a 13-year-old girl under care, stalling her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
Researchers have imaged single molecules in unprecedented detail, showing the chemical bonds that hold them together. The physical shape of single carbon nanotubes has been outlined before, using similar techniques - but the new method even shows up chemical bonds. Understanding molecular structure on this scale could help in the design of many things on the molecular scale, particularly electronics or even drugs. The IBM researchers report their findings in the journal Science. It is the same group that in July reported the feat of measuring the charge on a single atom. This is a real sign of the times and a manifestation of Saturn in Virgo, (precision measurement), Uranus in Pisces, (electronic imagery), Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius, (expansive chemical technology), and Pluto in Capricorn (penetration of matter).
Today around 04:00 GMT a loose mutable T-square between the Moon Saturn and Uranus occurs.
The Moon squares Uranus 05:26 GMT and becomes void.
She labors into Capricorn 14:45 and is conjunct with Pluto at 1 degree of that sign. The Sun and Moon (with Saturn and Pluto) are then in Earth signs.
Around 20:30 the Moon in Capricorn forms a tight and troublesome cardinal T-square with Mercury and Mars. Sunday August 30th 2009
The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is set to win the general election by a landslide.
A suspected suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's Swat valley has killed at least 14 police recruits
Police investigating the kidnap of Jaycee Dugard extend their inquiry to the house next door to where she was held.
A wildfire in the mountains above Los Angeles is threatening some 10,000 homes.
The slowly waxing adolesent Moon loses speed in Capricorn. (A bit of a hard slog but ultimately successful if careful planning is done beforehand).
Practicality and usefulness are to the fore today
Monday August 31st 2009
A report by the top US general in Afghanistan is expected to admit the military's current strategy is not working.
Japan's next leader, Yukio Hatoyama, is beginning a transition to power after winning a landmark general election.
It appears that his birthdate is 11 February 1947 (1947-02-11) (age 62). Jupiter is conjunct his natal Sun in Aqyarius right now.
State of the skies:- The Sun today is at 8 degrees Virgo. There are 22 days to the Equinox.
The heavily waxing Moon in Capricorn is at apogee (slowest all month) 11:02 GMT and hits her gibbous phase 14:07 GMT 23 degrees Capricorn. The Moon sextiles Uranus and is void of course from 18:09.
Mercury is now in Libra and is approaching his station. He turns retrograde on September 7th at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 20th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is a morning star in Leo. Venus opposes Jupiter on September 11th, and opposes Neptune on September 15th. Venus enters Virgo on September 20th.
Mars squares Mercury in Libra on September 3rd. On September 13th. the Moon is very closely conjunct Mars at 12 degrees Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo. Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 3rd of 5 occasions on Sept. 15th 2009.
September 2009
The third blast (of 5) of the Saturn Uranus occurs this month.
At the start of September the Sun applies to a conjunction Saturn in Virgo, Mercury is slowing in Libra, Venus is in morning skies in Leo. Mars is in Cancer.
Less then 5 degrees separate Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius.
Tuesday September 1st 2009
A dawn ceremony begins a day of remembrance in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.
Firefighters tackling a wildfire north of Los Angeles say they are making slow progress and the blaze remains very dangerous.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon visits the Arctic Circle to draw attention to the need for action at climate change talks in December.
Hurricane Jimena has grown into a maximum category-five storm that is threatening 20,000 families on Mexico's Baja peninsula, Mexican officials say.
Today the gibbous Moon, growing and filling towards her Full phase, floats into Aquarius 03:43 GMT.
The Moon, the Earth and Venus align within 36 minutes of arc at 18:28 GMT between tropical Aquarius and Leo. Mark the moment.
Wednesday September 2nd
A major earthquake struck Indonesia on Wednesday -- initially categorized as magnitude 7.4 before being downgraded to 7.0 by geological officials. Initial details are included below. The moment of first shock occurred as the lunar Nodal axis straddled the ascendant descendant axis at the epicentre.
DATE : 2 September 2009 ORIGIN TIME : 07:55 01s UTC LAT/LON : 7.770 ° South / 107.324 ° East
DEPTH : 49 km MAGNITUDE : 7.0 Mw LOCALITY : Off south coast of Java, Indonesia
Afghan opium cultivation has decreased by more than a fifth in a year, with the biggest fall in Helmand, the UN says.
The nearly Full Moon is conjunct Jupiter (within 3 degrees) at 20 degrees Aquarius at 19:27 GMT.
Thursday September 3rd 2009
The accelerating almost Full Moon is conjunct Neptune at 25 degrees Aquarius at 05:20 GMT and then becomes void of course.
She floats into Pisces, huge, full and unfathomable, 15:59 GMT.
Strong wayward subliminal pressures now at work.
Mercury squares Mars 16:20 GMT. Harsh and bitter.
'The Moon is Full tonight.
Friday September 4th 2009
The Full Moon today climaxes in Pisces and at the time of writing, current news stories are weak.
Yesterday fresh protests took place in China's Xinjiang province, after more than 470 people report being stabbed with syringes.
Fighting broke out in Gabon after officials announced the son of late ruler Omar Bongo has won a presidential election.
Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian ministers met in Ankara on Thursday to discuss water shortages in the major Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which run through all three countries.
The vast Andromeda galaxy has expanded by consuming stars from smaller galaxies, research released yesterday shows.
Full Moon in Pisces
http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/420/c8a/420c8aa9-f0f6-49de-b573-d712a1ea50d4
This Full Moon is the first following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of August 6th 2009 and the 4th before the Partial Lunar Eclipse on New Years Eve 2009.
This Full Moon on September 4th is in tight fateful quincunx aspect to Barack Obama's natal Sun, and is widely conjunct Gordon Brown's natal Jupiter. The Saturn Uranus opposition at this time hooks onto his natal Venus. It's enough maybe to give him another boost. There are at most 9 months to a UK general election.
This Full Moon is quintile Pluto, and the major aspect in the sky right now is an almost stationary Mercury in Libra squaring an emotional and 'hetup' Mars in Cancer.
This Full moon is conjunct the natal Sun of Daniel Craig and Jon Bonjovi. She hits the natal Mars of Seb Coe and the natal Jupiters of Sol Campbell and Tom Cruise.
At the moment of Full Moon the Sun and Moon are setting at Moscow, at Ankara and at Cairo, Mars is setting over the UK.
Saturday September 5th 2009
The hung over Full Moon is conjunct Uranus 16:54 GMT at 25 degrees Pisces and is void from that moment.
The Moon occults the fixed star lambda Pisces for UK observers 19:07 to 20:08 GMT
Sunday September 6th 2009
The Full Moon in Pisces is now over.
The following is Full Moon fallout, and awful tragedy of war.
A NATO team arrived in northern Afghanistan late Friday night to investigate an airstrike that killed at least 90 people, a military spokeswoman said. A mix of Taliban militants and civilians were killed in the attack, NATO and local officials said. The NATO team will work with Afghan investigators. The airstrike occurred Thursday after fuel trucks were hijacked by militants in the Kunduz province. The trucks were carrying fuel for NATO forces when they were commandeered. At some point before the airstrike, people tried to empty fuel from the tankers
At least 30 people were killed and 350,000 displaced when torrential rains soaked much of West Africa, the United Nations said on Friday.
Flooding in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, killed five and affected about 150,000, the aid agency said.
At least 19 people, mainly Bulgarian tourists, are drowned after a boat sinks on Lake Ohrid in Macedonia,
Today after nine hours of a 'void of course' Moon, she enters Aries 02:15 GMT.
From 13:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT this waning but combative Moon forms a weak cardinal T-square with Mars and an almost stationary Mercury.
I forecast a rush of definite activity and assertive criticism, once the Moon gets going in Aries today.
Monday September 7th 2009
State of the skies:-The Sun today is at 15 degrees Virgo. There are 15 days to the Libra Equinox.
The Moon wanes and accelerates in Aries.
Around 14:18 GMT today a sextile of the Moon and Jupiter forms a weak finger of fate with Saturn.
Mercury hovers, almost to a standstill, in Libra, approaching his station.
Mercury turns retrograde today 04:40 GMT at 6 degrees Libra. Mercury re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in inferior conjunction with the Sun on September 20th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is a morning star in Leo. Venus opposes Jupiter this Friday, September 11th, and opposes Neptune on September 15th. Venus enters Virgo on September 20th.
Mars is in Cancer. On September 13th. the Moon is very closely conjunct Mars at 12 degrees Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th, Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo. Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 3rd out of 5 occurrences on September 15th. (1st Nov 4th 2008, 2nd February 5th 2009, 3rd Sept. 15th 2009, 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010). Saturn and Uranus are at the climax of their cycle which began with their conjunction in 1988). The last opposition occurred in 1965 to the start of 1967 also across Pisces Virgo. That cycle started in 1942. The opposition before that occurred 1918 to 1920 across Leo Aquarius. The last time Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces was in the years 1419 and 1420.
The first of these five oppositions coincided with the actual election gate, of Barack Obama. The second with Obama's 'economic stimulus' legislation. We are now at the 3rd opposition.
Tuesday September 8th 2009
Yesterday, under a 'methodical' Virgo Sun, and a waning 'combative' Moon in Aries, Israel approved the building of 455 homes in the occupied West Bank, despite strong US pressure to halt settlement work.
A Sudanese woman was jailed for refusing to pay a fine for "dressing indecently" by wearing trousers.
The Afghan Taliban called for an international inquiry into a US air raid which a human rights group says killed up to 70 civilians.
Brazil entered into negotiations with France to buy 36 fighter jets, the two countries have announced. In exchange for the $4bn tender, France would buy about a dozen military cargo planes, they said in a joint statement. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in Brazil to attend Independence Day celebrations, but a formal decision on the deal is not expected this week.
Japan's PM-elect Yukio Hatoyama (Aquarius Sun sign) pledged a 25% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, much more than his predecessor.
Today Venus in Leo is drawing to an opposition with Jupiter in Aquarius over the next 4 days, and then Venus moves on to oppose Neptune in Aquarius on September 15th. The next week is coloured by this configuration casting a lavish, intoxicating, over-indulgent atmosphere over all events and experiences.
Today the Moon in Aries sextiles Neptune 00:13 GMT and is void.
She enters Taurus 10:19 GMT. The Sun and Moon are then both in Earth signs (with Saturn and Pluto)
The Moon hits disseminating phase 1 degree Taurus 12:06 GMT.
Wednesday September 9th 2009
Torrential rains and flooding have affected 600,000 people in 16 West African nations, the United Nations reported yesterday. The worst hit have been Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana and Niger.
Four US soldiers died in roadside bombings in Iraq while four more were killed in fighting in eastern Afghanistan.
President Obama made a key speech to US schoolchildren that has stirred anger from his conservative critics.
A female Sudanese journalist, jailed for a month after being convicted of "dressing indecently" by wearing trousers, was freed after one day.
Today the Moon in Taurus forms a fixed T-square with Venus in Leo and Jupiter in Aquarius from 16:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT. This is a resolute, self centred and opinionated vibration. There is little movement, and absolutely no surrender today.
Remember, right now, Mercury is retrograde in Libra and Venus in Leo is about to oppose Jupiter and Neptune. There is a lot of lazy indecision and possible misguided affections and loyalties, wide of the mark. This is not a time for firming opinion and public support. Expect 'about turns'.
Thursday September 10th 2009
The Butterfly Nebula captured with the new WFC3. Astronomers are celebrating the release of remarkable new images from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). They prove the mission carried out by astronauts in May to service the observatory was an outstanding success. The latest pictures include trademark Hubble visions - from colliding galaxies to dying stars. Nasa says the orbiting telescope, regarded as one of the most important scientific tools ever built, should keep working until at least 2014
Yesterday at least 23 people were killed and more were reported missing after the heaviest rain in 80 years triggered sudden floods in Turkey.
A kidnapped Western journalist was freed in a raid in Afghanistan, but a UK soldier and three Afghan civilians were killed.
Today around 06:00 GMT the fast and accelerating Moon in Taurus eases the ongoing Saturn Uranus opposition. The Moon sextiles Uranus and becomes void of course at 07:18 GMT for 9 hours.
The Moon enters Gemini 16:18 GMT and approaches Last Quarter. From this moment the Sun and Moon are in mutable signs (together with Saturn, and Uranus). The rather staid vibration of the past couple of days gives way to more movement and more change.
Venus in Leo is almost opposite Jupiter.
Friday September 11th 2009
Yesterday Afghanistan's electoral complaints body invalidated for the first time some ballots from the presidential poll because of fraud.
US President Barack Obama voiced his disappointment directly to UK PM Gordon Brown over the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Japan successfully launched its new unmanned cargo craft on a mission vital to the future of the space station.
Today Venus in Leo opposes Jupiter in Aquarius (1.67 degree orb) 07:55 GMT.
The last time this opposition occurred with Jupiter in Aquarius was in on July 15th 1997. The Dow Jones index was soaring to record highs. FW Woolwoth was closing down, and Che Guevara's body was returned to Cuba for burial.
The time before that was on August 12th 1985. On that day Japan Airlines Flight 123, a Japan Airlines domestic flight from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) to Osaka International Airport (Itami) suffered mechanical failures 12 minutes into flight and 32 minutes later crashed into two ridges of Mount Takamagahara. All 15 crew members and 505 out of 509 passengers died, resulting in a total of 520 deaths and 4 survivors. This was the worst single-aircraft disaster in history.
The time before that (July 1973) the Watergate Scandal was about to break.
These seem pretty major events. New stories at the moment, this week, seem pretty weak in comparison. One wonders if a major news story is about to break.
The cosmos has to work out the planetary tensions.
At 13:35 GMT today Pluto turns direct at 1 degree Capricorn.
The Moon in Gemini rapidly wanes towards her Last Quarter phase.
Saturday September 12th 2009
Really quiet. News stories 'low intensity'.
Today the fast moving Moon hits last quarter phase 02:17 GMT 19 degrees Gemini.
Around 11:00 GMT the Moon in Gemini forms a mutable T-square with Saturn and Uranus.
At 11:31 GMT the Moon squares Uranus and becomes void.
The Moon enters Cancer 20:20 GMT.
Domestic and house keeping considerations are then to the fore.
Sunday September 13th 2009
Welcome to the new style Daze.
Two German merchant ships are sailing from Asia to Europe via Russia's Arctic coast, having negotiated the once impassable North East Passage. This route is usually frozen but rising temperatures in the region caused by global warming have melted much of the ice allowing large ships to go through. The North East passage has tempted mariners for hundreds of years. In 1553 the British voyager Sir Hugh Willoughby died attempting to find the route.
This event seems to reflect the nature of Venus in Leo opposite Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius, currently dominating the skies.
Yesteday President Robert Mugabe said Zimbabwe's first high-level talks with the EU in seven years had gone well.
Mugabe had Jupiter exactly opposite natal Neptune in his natal chart yesterday, together with a host of pleasant 'swooning' aspects. Party on Robert.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai remains on track to be re-elected, with ballots from 95% of polling stations counted.
Uranus is conjunct David Cameron's natal Saturn for the second time on September 13th 2009.
Today the fast moving Moon is very closely conjunct Mars at 16:11 GMT at 12 degrees Cancer.
The Sun is drawing to her annual conjunction with Saturn. Mercury and Uranus are also being drawn into the fray, climaxing on the day of the next New Moon Friday 18th September 2009.
Curious times ahead.
Monday September 14th 2009
Yesterday it was reported that treacherous storm conditions have been plaguing southern Brazilian states for nearly a week, causing flooding and landslides and displacing thousands of people.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 22 degrees Virgo. There are 8 days to the Equinox, 98 days to the Capricorn Solstice.
The very fast moving Moon in Cancer trines Uranus 13:58 GMT and is then void. This old Moon then enters Leo 22:40 GMT.
Mercury is a retrograding evening star in Libra. He re-enters Virgo on September 19th and is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on September 20th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is a morning star in Leo. Venus opposes Neptune tomorrow September 15th. Venus enters Virgo on September 20th.
Mars is in Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th, Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo. Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Saturn opposes Uranus for the 3rd out of 5 occurrences on September 15th. (1st Nov 4th 2008, 2nd February 5th 2009, 3rd Sept. 15th 2009, 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010). Saturn and Uranus are at the climax of their cycle which began with their conjunction in 1988). The last opposition occurred in 1965 to the start of 1967 also across Pisces Virgo. That cycle started in 1942. The opposition before that occurred 1918 to 1920 across Leo Aquarius. The last time Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces was in the years 1419 and 1420.
The first of these current five oppositions coincided with the actual election gate, of Barack Obama. The second with Obama's 'economic stimulus' legislation. We are now at the 3rd opposition, and the issue is now of course US healthcare reforms.
David Cameron's progressed Mars opposes progressed Saturn today Sept 14th 2009. How apt that David Cameron is currently training in in War Games Scenarios. Saturn opposes his natal Saturn in two days time on September 16th 2009. Some serious planning going on there.
The week ahead is astrologically interesting as we approach the New moon in Virgo, conjunct Saturn, on Friday.
Tuesday September 15th 2009
Yesterday helicopters carrying foreign troops attacked Islamist militants in Somalia, killing two and taking two captive.
At least 14 women and children died in a stampede to get free flour in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi.
Less than two months before launch, Russia's Phobos-Grunt and China's Yinghuo 1 (Mars probes) face a likely two-year delay.
An audio message purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused President Barack Obama of being unable to fulfil his election pledge to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq.
Today the rapidly waning Moon reaches balsamic phase 11:29 GMT at 8 degrees Leo.
Saturn opposes Uranus 12:50 GMT today. (1st Nov 4th 2008, 2nd February 5th 2009, 3rd Sept. 15th 2009, 4th April 26th 2010, final July 26th 2010). Saturn and Uranus are at the climax of their cycle which began with their conjunction in 1988. The last opposition occurred in 1965 to the start of 1967 also across Pisces Virgo. That cycle started in 1942. The opposition before that occurred 1918 to 1920 across Leo Aquarius. The last time Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces was in the years 1419 and 1420.
The first of these five oppositions coincided with the election of Barack Obama. The second with Obama's 'economic stimulus' legislation. Today's opposition is occurring at the same time as Barack Obama is pushing through his proposed health care reforms.
Venus in Leo now opposes Neptune in Aquarius 21:37 GMT. This opposition colours today with a measure of confusion, especially in love and in finance. Watch the markets.
This 'old Moon in Leo day' is geared to sensation, recreation and 'big vision'. There is no compromise, but plenty uncertainty.
Wednesday September 16th 2009
There is evidence that both Israeli and Palestinian forces committed war crimes in the Gaza conflict, a UN report concluded yesterday.
Set your alarm for dawn. On Wednesday morning, Sept. 16th, Venus will rise in the east right beside an exquisite 7% crescent Moon, both in tropical Leo. It's a beautiful way to begin the day.
The Moon, the Earth and Jupiter align within 36 minutes of arc between tropical signs Leo and Aquarius at 04:51 GMT.
The Moon is at perigee (closest to the Earth and fastest all month) 07:51 GMT
This old Moon opposes Neptune 14:37 GMT. (1.75 degree orb).
The Moon is conjunct Venus at 16:11 GMT and is void of course.
The Moon enters Virgo 23:56 GMT.
A few 'astrologically special' days are ahead of us.
Thursday September 17th 2009
Yesterday Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned EU claims of election fraud as preliminary results give him victory with 54.6%.
Yukio Hatoyama promised economic revival and strong US ties, after being sworn in as Japan's new prime minister.
A new undersea internet cable connecting East Africa with the rest of the world is poised to go live,
ASA is set to launched a sensitive new infrared space telescope to search for dark asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth.
Today the Sun in Virgo aligns into the current opposition of Saturn and Uranus.
The Moon in Virgo is very old and pretty rapidly hurtling towards New Moon tomorrow.
This 'day before the New Moon' could well be serious and important. A difficult square between Mercury and Pluto confers a potential manic twist on proceedings.
The Sun opposes Uranus 09:41 GMT.
Mercury squares Pluto 11:50 GMT.
The Sun is conjunct Saturn 18:23 GMT at 25 degrees Virgo
Friday September 18th 2009
Yesterday the US abandoned plans to base a missile defence system in Europe, the Czech PM announced, in a major foreign policy shift.
Italy said a bomb attack on one of its military convoys in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killed at least six soldiers.
In the UK ballot papers for a national strike at Royal Mail over pay and job cuts were sent to members of the main postal union.
The European telescope sent far from Earth to study the oldest light in the Universe has returned its first images. The Planck observatory, launched in April, is surveying radiation that first swept out across space just 380,000 years after the Big Bang. The light holds details about the age, contents and evolution of the cosmos. The new images show off Planck's capabilities now that it has been set up, although major science results are not expected for a couple of years.
Mercury retrogrades into Virgo today at 03:26 GMT. He is in Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on September 20th at 28 degrees Virgo. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Mercury, Saturn, the Sun and the Moon are appearing to close in on each other in Virgo. This is a very brittle vibration. A mini crisis is underway.
The ancient Moon is conjunct Saturn at 25 degrees Virgo 17:17 GMT.
Suitably sobered, ancient and wise beyond reckoning, after her encounter with Saturn, the Moon approaches her new phase.
New Moon in Virgo
26 degrees Virgo. 18:44 GMT conjunct Saturn, opposite Uranus conjunct Mercury.
This New Moon is the second one following the long Total Solar Eclipse of July 22nd 2009, and the fourth before the the Annular solar Eclipse on January 15th 2010.
The New Moon is locked into the current opposition of Saturn and Uranus. Mercury is retrograde, approaching Inferior conjunction, square Pluto and applying to a close conjunction with Saturn. There is a predominance of planets in mutable and earth signs.
This is a critical lunation. This is a time for legislation, cutbacks, refined fine tuning and sobriety.
At the moment of New Moon it is local midnight at New Delhi where the Sun and Saturn are on the local IC. Neptune sets at Seoul, Jupiter sets at Melbourne. The Sun, the Moon and Saturn straddle the MC of the American Mid West.
This New Moon directly hits the natal Sun of footballer Sol Campbell, the ascendant of Paul McCartney, the natal jupiter of Cate Blanchett, the natal Neptune of Geoffrey Boycott and the natal Pluto of Mariah Carey.
After the new Moon moment the Moon is conjunct Mercury 23:56 GMT.
She is void from this time.
Saturday September 19th 2009
Jupiter is conjunct Obama's ascendant on 19th Sept, on the same day the New Moon is trine his natal Saturn.
The infant Moon glides into Libra 01:26 GMT.
An essentially socially orientated weekend ensues.
Sunday September 20th 2009
Mercury at Inferior Conjunction 10:05 GMT at 28 degrees Virgo. This symbolically represents a 'New Mercury', a seed moment of new revelation, new purpose, new plans. The seed is buried deep within consciousness.
Venus enters Virgo 13:32 GMT joining Mercury and Saturn in that sign. While in Virgo Venus trines Pluto tomorrow, September 21st, opposes Uranus on October 9th, aligns to Saturn and sextiles Mars on October 13th finally entering Libra on October 14th. The time of Venus in Virgo is a brief period of refinement, choice and tension. There is a potential cultural and discerning atmosphere. Fine tuning and careful selection are on the cards.
The Moon trines Neptune and is void of course 18:43 GMT
Monday September 21st 2009
The New Moon in Virgo on Friday occurred as Barack Obama announced changes in the NATO defense strategy. There will be no strategic defense base in eastern Europe. The amazing consequence is an immediate warm response from Russia. The New Cold war appears over.
President Obama will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Tuesday, in an effort to relaunch Middle East peace talks.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 29 degrees Virgo. There is 1 day to the Equinox, 91 days to the Capricorn Solstice. On this day Mercury, Saturn, Venus and the Sun are in Virgo.
The young Moon today enters Scorpio 04:52 GMT
Around 06:15 GMT the Moon sits on the Venus Pluto midpoint, sextiling both.
Mercury is now a retrograding morning star in Virgo. Mercury is conjunct Saturn tomorrow at 26 degrees Virgo. This is the second of three hits, the first was on August 17th and the final (and tightest) one is on October 8th. Mercury turns direct again on September 29th, picking up a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is also a morning star, but now in Virgo. Venus trines Pluto 02:55 GMT today. Venus opposes Uranus on October 9th, aligns to Saturn and sextiles Mars on October 13th finally entering Libra on October 14th.
Mars is in Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th, Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo. Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Tuesday September 22nd 2009
The US mission in Afghanistan will "fail" unless troops are increased, the top military commander there said yesterday in a confidential report.
Also yesterday ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya returned to his country, three months after the coup which overthrew him.
Militiamen have killed at least 76 people in an attack in southern Sudan in the latest in a series of ethnic clashes, the military said.
Today the Moon reaches crescent phase 06:44 GMT at 14 degrees Scorpio.
Retrograding Mercury is conjunct Saturn 09:08 GMT at 26 degrees Virgo. This is the second of three hits, the first was on August 17th and the final (and tightest) one is on October 8th.
Nearly twelve hours later we arrived at the Eqinox moment.
Autumn Equinox 2009
21:19 GMT
http://www.earthstarshop.co.uk/images/autumn%20equinox%20(Small).jpg
The Libran Equinox moment this year is astrologically magnificent.
The 2009 Libran Equinox moment occurs at an astrologically magnificent moment. Planetary kite and mutable
T-square patterns are manifest in the skies of earth, at this time. A young crescent Scorpio moon with a very positive agenda, is arrayed in watery triangle with Mars and Uranus. The kite’s central axis is aligned with the current aspect of retrograde Mercury and Saturn opposite Uranus.
There are healing rays and currents of change in this chart. There is a land of wealth of emotional expression and compassion contained within the symbolism of the chart. These 'planetary offers of help' abound, but it is the opposition of Saturn and Uranus that dominates the map. Metre versus mystic, empirical against visionary, breakage enforces changes, needed changes.
And also, in this chart is the slightly foreboding vibration of the oncoming Saturn Pluto square. (later this year and next year) .
The Sun right now at zero Libra also applies in square to Pluto.
At the Equinox moment at London a mutable T-square has formed. Jupiter culminates. Mercury and Uranus square the ascendant. Undercurrents and movements are forecast for that city.
Jupiter in Aquarius rises at Washington DC, big time happening there, Neptune rises at New York. bedazzlement forecast.
Mercury and Saturn set at Buenos Aires. Pluto sets at Athens and at Berlin. It is local midnight at Moscow where Mercury and Saturn are also at lower culmination. Welcome onboard.
Mercury is exactly on the IC at Ankara. Neptune sets at Calcutta. It is high noon at Seoul.
We are at the point of balance of the equinox. Day and night are of equal length, everywhere on Earth today.
The astrological time of this equinox reveals messages of magnificence, of hope and of heed.
Wednesday September 23rd 2009
Yesterday President Hu Jintao pledged to curb the rise in China's CO2 emissions, at a UN summit on climate change.
Honduran authorities imposed strict controls on the Brazilian embassy, where deposed leader Manuel Zelaya is holed up.
US President Barack Obama told Israeli and Palestinian leaders to act with "a sense of urgency" to restart peace talks.
Europe's Goce spacecraft will start this week to make the most detailed global map of the Earth's gravity field.
Today the crescent Moon in Scorpio eases the ongoing Saturn Uranus opposition 01:00 to 04:00 GMT.
She finally sextiles Saturn 03:33 GMT and is void of course.
She enters Sagittarius 11:44 GMT.
The Sun squares Pluto 14:19 GMT. Power plays and struggles for balance are underway.
Mercury in Virgo opposes Uranus in Pisces (1.25 degree orb) 15:36 GMT.
Potentially a troublesome day.
Thursday September 24th 2009
Yesterday US President Obama urged greater global co-operation in his first UN speech, as Libya's leader attacked the major powers.
At least 15 workers were killed and many more trapped as a chimney collapses at a power plant in central India.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the international community should demand the reinstatement of ousted Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya.
A large stretch of Australia's east coast, including the largest city Sydney, has been shrouded in red dust blown in from the desert outback. Visibility in Sydney was so bad that flights were diverted and harbour ferry traffic disrupted. Landmarks such as the Opera House were obscured, and many residents took to wearing masks.
Today a lunar occultation of Antares occurs around 06:28 GMT. The occultation is centered on the northern Pacific. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. These events started in December 2004. Only five now remain. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
At 21:56 GMT the crescent waxing Moon in Sagittarius forms a tight 'finger of fate' with Mars and Jupiter.
Today is a free spirited adventurous sort of day, one to push forward, take a few chances and seize opportunities.
Friday September 25th 2009
Yesterday, under an optimistic crescent Sagittarian Moon, it was announced that an experimental HIV vaccine had for the first time cut infection rates, in a major trial in Thailand.
Barack Obama called for an end to nuclear arms and the spread of the technology behind them, at an historic UN session. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for nuclear disarmament.
The interim Honduran government said it will end a curfew, as calls for ousted leader Manuel Zelaya to be reinstated grew.
A surprising amount of water has been found to exist in the Moon's soil.Data from three spacecraft, including India's Chandrayaan probe, shows that very fine films of H2O coat the particles that make up the lunar dirt. The quantity is tiny but could become a useful resource for astronauts wishing to live on the Moon, scientists say.
Today from 10:00 GMT to 14:30 the waxing and decelerating Moon in Sagittarius acts out a planetary mutable T-square with Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces. This is a brittle, 'crisis driven' few hours.
The Moon actually squares Saturn at 14:16 GMT and is void of course for 8 hours.
The Moon enters Capricorn 22:19 GMT and is conjunct Pluto 23:45 at 1 degree of that sign.
After a spirited start this day eventually settles and ends in pragmatic consolidation.
The weekend ahead is suited to jobs of work and to making accomplished efforts. Form and grace can be made real.
Saturday September 26th 2009
Iran's president rejects Western criticism of a newly revealed nuclear plant, saying it is open to UN inspection.
At least 13 people die in two suicide car bomb attacks in north-west Pakistan, raising fears of a new Taliban offensive.
The Iran nuclear situation is now a major world problem it seems. This is occurring as part and parcel of Saturn opposite Uranus in the skies of Earth. With Saturn entering Libra on October 29th, Uranus entering Aries late May next year and them both squaring Pluto over the next year, there exists some war like symbolism in the planetary situation.
In the UK a general election race is more or less underway. The full moon on September 4th is conjunct Brown's natal Jupiter. The Saturn Uranus opposition at that time hooks onto his natal Venus. Gordon Brown's Saturn return occurs on November 8th 2009. (This is the first of 3 over the next year). His progressed Moon trines progressed Venus on Nov 25th 2009 and then moves on to square progressed Uranus in Feb. 2010.
Brown's progressed Mercury is conjunct his progressed Mars on Nov 19th 2009. In 2010 Pluto starts to make a conjunction with Brown's natal MC, his progressed Moon is full in 2011 and in 2012 Neptune is conjunct his natal Sun. I wonder if these powerful astrological aspects do indeed suggest that Gordon Brown is with us in his high office for quite a few years to come. This has seemed inconceivable to many UK political commentators. David Cameron progressed Mars opposed his progressed Saturn earlier this month Sept 2009. Saturn also opposed his natal Saturn. There apparently has been a great deal of hard hitting strategic planning going on lately in Conservative central office. With Saturn entering Libra in late October 2009 David Cameron will start to feel the harnessing power of Saturn in his Sun sign. The next but one New Moon, on November 16th 2009, is trine David Cameron's natal Saturn , this is going to be a tough fight. Cameron's progressed waxing Moon in Pisces applies throughout 2009 to a trine aspect with his progressed Mercury which peaks in early June 2010. Saturn is conjunct Cameron's natal Venus in Autumn 2010. By progression Mars is conjunct his progressed Uranus in March 2011. Cameron's progressed Sun enters Sagittarius in April 2011. In fact 2011 looks very powerful for Cameron. With Saturn (still in Libra) conjunct his natal Sun. Saturn is conjunct his natal Mercury in 2012. His progressed Full Moon occurs in 2016. So both party leaders have powerful transits and progressions in store. We are promised a fascinating contest.
Today the Moon reached first quarter phase 3 degrees Capricorn 04:51 GMT.
Today is a good day to accomplish any practical undertaking that requires planning and method.
Sunday September 27th 2009
The Moon, the Earth and Mars align (within a degree and a half) between tropical Cancer and Capricorn at 14:25 GMT.
For the rest of the day the Moon makes easy aspects.
Monday September 28th 2009
Chancellor Angela Merkel (horoscope above) wins Germany's election, exit polls say, and may have enough votes to build a centre-right coalition. She was born on the day after a Partial Lunar Eclipse. Saturn is square her natal Mars right now, not the easiest of transits, and suggestive of difficult responsibility. When attempting to predict election winners, astrologers must bear in mind that hard Saturn transits, at the time of the election, like this one, may be indicative of a winner.
Yesterday Brazil said it would not comply with a Honduran demand to define the status of ousted leader Manuel Zelaya within 10 days.
A massive rescue operation is under way in the Philippines where at least 73 people are confirmed to have been killed in the wake of torrential rains. Tropical Storm Ketsana triggered the worst flooding in decades in the capital Manila and nearby provinces. Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said troops, police and civilian volunteers had rescued more than 4,000 people - many clinging to each other on roofs. More than 250,000 have been driven from their homes, officials say.
Iran has tested two short-range missiles and announced plans for a controversial long-range missile test, state TV reports.It says the short-range missiles were the Tondar and Fateh, with a reported range of up to 170km (100 miles). Tehran said it would test a long-range Shahab-3 missile, believed to be capable of reaching Israel, on Monday.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 6 degrees Libra. There are 84 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury, appearing almost at a standstill, and Saturn and Venus are all in Virgo. These three planets are all in Virgo until October 10th. The energy right now and up to this date promotes excessive detail and exact methodology.
The very slowly waxing Moon starting the (GMT) day in Capricorn is trine Saturn 03:34 GMT, becomes void of course, and reaches apogee (slowest all month) 03:27 GMT. She enters Aquarius 11:07 GMT. The Sun and Moon (together with Neptune) are then in air signs. The Moon is Full in Libra, the Harvest Moon, next Sunday.
Mercury is a retrograding morning star in Virgo. Mercury turns direct again tomorrow, September 29th, picking up speed of a degree per day on October 6th, re-entering Libra on October 10th and entering new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is also a morning star, in Virgo. Venus opposes Uranus on October 9th, aligns to Saturn and sextiles Mars on October 13th finally entering Libra on October 14th.
Mars is in Cancer. On October 1st and on October 4th, Mars is sextile a slow but direct moving Mercury in Virgo. Mars trines Uranus in Pisces on October 5th. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
The week ahead will witness a slow build up to the Full Moon in Aries on Sunday morning (GMT), (the Harvest moon in the northern hemisphere).
Tuesday September 29th 2009
Yesterday Iran successfully test-fired some of the longest range missiles in its arsenal. The Revolutionary Guards tested the Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets, which are believed to have ranges of up to 2,000km (1,240 miles), reports said. The missiles' range could potentially permit them to reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf, analysts say. The tests come amid heightened tension with the big international powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Last week, Iran disclosed it was building a second uranium enrichment plant, despite UN demands that it cease its enrichment activities.
Today Mercury turns direct at 13:08 GMT at 22 degrees Virgo. Mercury picks up speed of a degree per day on October 6th, re-enters Libra on October 10th and enters new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th..Mercury reaches Superior Conjunction with the Sun at 13 degrees scorpio on November 5th and turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th. With Mercury now in direct motion again it is possible and wise to plan launch new ventures and plans in your life. Wait until Mercury picks up speed and then unleash your ambitions.
The Moon, now well past First Quarter, is conjunct Jupiter at 22:27 GMT today at 17 degrees Aquarius.
Wednesday September 30th 2009
News filtered through yesterday that at least 157 people were killed when Guinean troops opened fire on opposition protesters on Monday. Earlier police said 87 people had died, but local activists say hospital sources confirmed a much higher toll. Human rights groups say they have had reports of soldiers bayoneting people and women being stripped and raped in the streets during the protest. The astrological independence chart for the country is shown above. Independence proceedings actually began 51 years ago today on the day after a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
Transiting Saturn right now is slap bang right on top of Venus in this chart, and will make conjunctions with Mercury and the Sun over the next year. Astrologically it is no wonder that repression and brutal acts are occurring there.
Tensions are rising in keeping with the approaching Full Moon. Yesterday Iran said it will not negotiate away its rights to nuclear enrichment at an upcoming meeting with world powers.
The Philippines government said 246 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused when Tropical Storm Ketsana struck on Saturday. The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced 450,000 people and left 380,000 living in makeshift shelters.
Today the Moon in Aquarius forms a very tight 'finger of fate' pattern with Mercury in Virgo and Mars in Cancer around 06:00 GMT.
She reaches gibbous phase 08:10 GMT 22 degrees Aquarius, and is conjunct Neptune 11:35 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius. She is then 'void of course' for the remainder of the (GMT) day.
You may sense the rising lunar pressure on this day which may appear to be going nowhere.
The Moon slips in Pisces 23:27 GMT at month's end.
October 2009
As the month starts Mercury, Venus and Saturn are within 15 degrees of each other in Virgo and are tightening.This situation lasts for another 10 days after which Mercury leads the way into Libra. We are in the midst of a very refined and methodical vibration where detail and precision are critical.
Thursday October 1st 2009
Two earthquakes have occurred within 17 hours of each other. Both quakes share striking planetary midpoints, largely formed about Mercury and Uranus opposing Saturn. Uranus was rising at the epicenter at the time of Wednesday's quake. Saturn was rising at the epicenter at the time of Tuesday's quake.
At least 75 people died and thousands are trapped under rubble after a strong earthquake shook the island of Sumatra, officials say. The epicenter of the 7.6-magnitude quake was about 50km (30 miles) off the coast of the Indonesian island, near the city of Padang. There are reports of widespread destruction to buildings and bridges. The earthquake struck on Wednesday September 30th 2009 at 1016 GMT some 85km under the sea, north-west of Padang, the US Geological Survey said. At the moment of this quake there were some very precise astrological events occurring. In the astrological chart of this quake Uranus is shortly to rise locally and is exactly on the Mercury Saturn midpoint. Neptune was on the Mars Saturn midpoint (2 minute orb), Pluto was on the Sun Uranus midpoint ( 1 minute orb).
It came hours after a tsunami triggered by a separate South Pacific quake which killed more than 100 people. Samoan officials said whole villages have been destroyed while thousands of people are reported to have been made homeless in American Samoa. This 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday 29th September 2009, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands.
At the moment of this quake (the earlier of the two), globally Pluto was on the Sun Uranus midpoint (19 minute arc) and Uranus was on the Mercury Saturn midpoint (6 minute arc). Saturn in Virgo was almost exactly rising at the epicenter, Uranus was setting, and Neptune was on the Mars local Ascendant midpoint (4 minute arc).
Today October 1st sees Mercury in Virgo in sextile relationship to Mars in Cancer at 06:00 GMT. Mind and muscle are working in harmony. This aspect lasts for the whole of the first week in October.
The gibbous Moon waxes in Pisces and is full on Sunday morning (GMT).
Today is deeply subliminal, emotional, tidal, and increasing in lunar tension.
Friday October 2nd 2009
Geologically the recent cluster of earthquakes in the two distinct geographical areas have no connection. They are located on different tectonic plates. Astrologically they certainly are connected. Saturn and Mercury are opposite Uranus right now in the skies of earth. From the perspective of the Sun, the Heliocentric perspective, Saturn and Uranus make their single opposition on October 8th 2009. This opposition has not yet peaked.
It must be one of the greatest aspirations of astrology to be able to predict Earthquakes.
Another strong earthquake rocked Indonesia early on Thursday as the Southeast Asian nation was reeling from an earlier jolt that killed more than 1000 people and caused widespread destruction.The 6.8 magnitude quake Thursday hit South Sumatra at 8:52 a.m. local time (9:52 p.m. Wednesday ET), about 89 miles (143 kilometers) from Bengkulu, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. The earlier quake Wednesday was 7.6 magnitude. At least 529 people were dead and more than 500 were injured. The worst hit was the West Sumatra capital of Padang, where 376 people perished. Another earthquake struck Wednesday near the Samoan islands, an area already devastated by earthquake and tsunami damage which killed more than 130 people.
Another earthquake struck Wednesday near the Samoan islands, an area already devastated by earthquake and tsunami damage which killed more than 130 people.The 5.5-magnitude earthquake occurred at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday evening (1:13 a.m. Thursday ET), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was 10 km (6 miles) deep in the Pacific Ocean about 121 miles (194 km) from the city of Apia, Samoa. The quake did not trigger a tsunami warning, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. It followed the 8.0-magnitude earthquake which hit the small cluster of Samoan islands early Tuesday triggering a tsunami.
Yesterday world powers began talks on Iran's controversial nuclear programme, days after it was accused of secretly building a second uranium plant. Iran has agreed to let the IAEA visit its newly unveiled uranium-enrichment facility,
Also yesterday China staged mass celebrations to mark 60 years since the Communist Party came to power. Vast lines of tanks, soldiers and missile launchers were paraded through the capital Beijing. President Hu Jintao appeared on the rostrum at Tiananmen Square in a black Mao-style tunic, seen by analysts as a symbol of his control of the military. He was joined by his predecessor Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders. After a 60-gun salute, the Chinese flag was formally raised in the centre of the historic square - where revolutionary leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949.
Today the 'nearly full' Moon is slowly accelerating towards her 'harvest moon' weekend climax. The deeply emotional responses of yesterday are increasing.
She is conjunct Uranus at 24 degrees Pisces 22:03 GMT
Saturday October 3rd 2009
The Moon opposes Saturn 03:30 GMT and becomes void.
The Moon enters Aries 09:21 and is full in that sign tomorrow.
Today is an eager, impulsive, competitive urgent, full on, sort of day.
Sunday October 4th 2009
Full Moon in Aries
http://aura1.gaia.com/photos/45/440662/large/aries.gif
Venus, Mercury, and Saturn in Virgo.
This is the 2nd Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on August 6th 2009 and the 3rd before the Partial Lunar Eclipse on New Years Eve this year.
At this time of Full Moon a tight 'Finger of Fate' planetary picture is formed by Mercury, Mars and Neptune. The Moon herself is positioned in the application to a square with Mars. Mercury is opposite Uranus, Mars trines Uranus.
It is the opposition of Mercury to Uranus which will give this lunation a razor's edge. The is a sudden sharp and unlooked for event. The earthquakes of the past week have been partly due to this opposition, there is still the potential of further sudden upset, take care.
This Full Moon directly hits the natal Sun of Al Gore, the natal Mercury of Mariah carey, the natal Mars Saturn conjunction of Daniel Craig and the natal Jupiters of Bertie Ahern and David Beckham.
At the moment of Full Moon today the Sun is rising at London, the Moon sets at Paris. The Moon is on the local Mid heaven of Oklahoma City and Fortworth USA. Mercury and Uranus are aligned to Kabul and Montpelier. Pluto sets at Los Angeles and Neptune sets at Rio de Janeiro.
After the Full Moon moment has past, Mercury sextiles Mars again (as on Thursday) 11:37 GMT.
The Moon forms a finger of fate with Jupiter and Venus around 17:26 GMT
Mercury opposes Uranus 21:06 GMT .
The weekend ends with this shattering opposition.
Monday October 5th 2009
The Full Moon now past coincided with coalition forces suffering their worst casualties for more than a year as eight US soldiers were killed in an attack in eastern Afghanistan. The UN welcomed a move from "confrontation" as Iran agreed an inspection of its recently revealed uranium plant on 25 October. Irish voters strongly endorsed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty - 16 months after their first vote rejecting it plunged EU reforms into deadlock. Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the 2016 Olympics.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 13 degrees Libra. There are 77 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury, Saturn and Venus are all in Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces. This is planetary crisis time. The energy right now continues to promotes excessive detail and exact methodology.
The 'hung over' Full Moon today squares Mars and is void of course at 05:47 GMT, forming a finger of fate with Mercury and Neptune at this time This bloated waning Moon wanes in void like state for 11 hours before entering Taurus 16:34 GMT.
Mercury is now a direct moving morning star in Virgo, rising ahead of the Sun. His apparent speed is in the order of a degree per day tomorrow, October 6th. This corresponds to a time of advancement in all projects and enterprises. Mercury is closely aligned to Saturn on Thursday at 07:10 GMT. (Zodiacal conjunction 06:35 at 28 degrees Virgo) This is the tightest planetary alignment of 2009. He re-enters Libra on October 10th and enters new territory on October 14th. Mercury finally leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on October 28th.
Venus is also a morning star, in Virgo. Venus opposes Uranus on Friday October 9th, aligns to Saturn and sextiles Mars on October 13th finally entering Libra on October 14th.
Mars is in Cancer. Mars trines Uranus today at 01:36 GMT. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo on October 12th. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Wednesday to Friday of this coming week is astrologically quite potent.
Tuesday October 6th 2009
Greece's opposition Socialist party on Sunday defeated the incumbent center-right government of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, as Socialist leader George Papandreou (photo above) promised to chart a new course for an economic comeback. Born June 16th 1952, the son and grandson of former Greek prime ministers, he twice served as Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs (1988-1989 and 1994-1996) and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2004. Astrologically he has the Sun and Venus in Gemini, Moon in Aries, Mars in Scorpio, Mercury in Cancer. His is a passionate chart, wilful, vampish, tenacious.
Today the 'still pretty full' Moon wanes in Taurus. Today is a kind of quiet lull before the dynamic planetary activity of the following three days.
Wednesday October 7th 2009
There are now 75 days to the Capricorn Solstice.
Today from 11:00 GMT to 18:00 GMT the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and the Lunar Node occupy five points of a hexagon, the missing point is 24 degrees Scorpio. This pattern is part and parcel of very strong astrological patterns today. Interesting and significant events and experiences may be occurring.
The Moon is very busy today, making many planetary aspects before finally making an 'earthy trine' aspect to Saturn at 17:19. She reaches her disseminating phase at 30 degrees Taurus at 21:20 GMT, and after a brief 27 minutes of being 'void' , enters Gemini 21:47 GMT. As all this is panning out, simultaneously Mercury is applying to a near exact alignment with Saturn, from the earth's point of view, which peaks tomorrow morning. This adds more astrological import to today and tomorrow.
Barack Obama's progressed waxing gibbous Moon ingresses Pisces on Oct 7th 2009.
This also ends a brief 'lunar void of course' period which started in Barack's progressed horoscope on 28th August this year. It has coincided with growing unpopularity at home, problems with US healthcare reforms, and a snub regarding the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympic games. From today (dependent on a reported 07-24 am birth) his progressed Moon enters Pisces and remains there until October 2011. This Piscean gibbous progressed Moon is opposite progressed Pluto and trine progressed Neptune May 2010, sextile progressed Saturn in April 2011 and sextile progressed Jupiter in October 2011. His climatic progressed Full Moon occurs at 1 degree Aries in November 2011. We may be witness to several policy changes in the next few weeks.
Thursday October 8th 2009
A colossal dust ring has been seen encircling Saturn, extending some 13 million km (eight million miles) into space. he scale of the new ring feature is astonishing. Nothing like it has been seen elsewhere in the Solar System. The more easily visible outlier in Saturn's famous bands of ice and dust is its E-ring, which encompasses the orbit of the moon Enceladus. This circles the planet at a distance of just 240,000km. The newly identified torus is not only much broader and further out, it is also tilted at an angle of 27 degrees to the plane on which the more traditional rings sit.
This in itself strongly links the ring's origin to Phoebe, which also takes a highly inclined path around Saturn. Scientists suspected the ring might be present and had the perfect tool in the Spitzer space telescope to confirm it.
- Newly discovered ring is so large it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it
- Ring is made up of ice and dust particles that are so far apart it's hard to see
- Ring material may come from comet, meteor collisions with moon Phoebe
Today the Sun is midway through Libra. He reaches 15 degrees Libra today at 03:40 GMT. This is the start of the 'Darkened Way' which leads us in 15 days time at the sign of the Scorpion.
Mercury is closely aligned to Saturn at 07:10 GMT. (Zodiacal conjunction 06:35 at 28 degrees Virgo). This is the tightest planetary alignment of 2009. This is the final of three hits, the first was on August 17th and the second one was on September 22nd.
The view from Australia
www.astrovisuals.com.au
Friday October 9th 2009
Yesterday the Taliban said it carried out a suicide bombing near the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people.
The authorities in Nigeria say as many as 15,000 oil militants active in the Niger Delta surrendered under the two-month amnesty which expired on Sunday.
From 01:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT the Moon in Gemini, the Sun in Libra and Jupiter in Aquarius form an airy grand trine. This is an excellent few hours for expansive communications.
On Friday morning, Oct. 9th, you can watch a pair of spacecraft crash into the Moon with your own eyes. (graphic above). The purposeful impacts are the climax of NASA's LCROSS mission to unearth signs of water in lunar soil. See http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/05oct_lcrossvg.htm to learn how and where to look.
The day that follows has a busy feel to it. Communication is the keyword. Air the element. There is however potential for unsettling circumstances later on and rather an abrupt ending to the day.
Venus opposes Uranus 22:01 GMT
From 21:00 GMT tonight until 04:00 GMT tomorrow the Moon, Pluto and the triple conjunction in Virgo of Mercury, Venus Uranus and Saturn form a mutable T-square.
The astrological vibration of the weekend ahead is largely domestic.
Saturday October 10th 2009
The Moon squares Mercury at 01:35 GMT and is void.
She enters Cancer 01:48 GMT
Mercury enters Libra 03:46 GMT. Mercury squares Pluto today, and enters new territory on October 14th, trines Jupiter on October 20th, trines Neptune on October 24th and enters Scorpio on October 28th. The Superior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun occurs at 13 degrees Scorpio on November 5th 2009 and Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th.
The Sun trines Jupiter 08:39 GMT
Mercury squares Pluto 18:42 GMT
Sunday October 11th 2009
The Moon reaches cardinal last quarter phase 08:57 GMT 18 degrees Cancer.
This day invokes a caring, clannish, tribal, protective responses.
Monday October 12th 2009
Yesterday the US secretary of state said that a militant attack on Pakistan's army HQ is evidence of an increasing threat against the authority of the state. Speaking in London, Mrs Clinton said that despite the attack, the US had confidence in Pakistan's control over its nuclear weapons
Nasa scientists have been outlining their preliminary results after crashing two unmanned spacecraft into the Moon in a bid to detect water-ice. A rocket stage slammed into the Moon's south pole at 1231 BST (0731 EDT). Another craft followed just behind, looking for signs of water in debris kicked up by the first collision. Instruments on the second spacecraft identified a flash from the initial impact as well as a crater, but the expected debris cloud was not evident.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 20 degrees Libra. There are 70 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury has moved into Libra, following a trend but Saturn and Venus are still in Virgo.
The very fast moving Moon is conjunct Mars (<70 minutes of arc) at 01:03 GMT at 28 degrees Cancer. The Moon is sextile Saturn 01:37 GMT and is void of course. The Moon enters Leo 05:03 GMT today. There is a New Moon in Libra on Sunday.
Mercury is now a direct moving morning star in Libra and enters new territory (after his recent retrograde motion) on October 14th, trines Jupiter on October 20th, trines Neptune on October 24th and enters Scorpio on October 28th. The Superior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun occurs at 13 degrees Scorpio on November 5th 2009 and Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th.
Venus is also a morning star, in Virgo. She aligns to Saturn and sextiles Mars tomorrow, finally entering Libra on Wednesday October 14th, squaring Pluto on Friday.
Mars is in Cancer. Mars sextiles Saturn in Virgo 20:53 GMT. Mars enters Leo on October 16th.
Things are changing. Mercury moved into Libra at the weekend, Venus will join him there on Wednesday, Mars also changes signs by moving into Leo on Friday. The week ahead witnesses an old Moon speeding towards her New phase, an enchanting lunation, next Sunday.
Tuesday October 13th 2009
Yesterday at least 41 people were killed in a suspected suicide car bombing in north-west Pakistan, in the latest in a string of militant attacks.
French magistrates filed preliminary charges against a nuclear scientist accused of links to al-Qaeda.
American Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel prize for economics since it began in 1968, for "her analysis of economic governance". She is a Leo Sun and Mercury with Piscean moon, (far reaching grasp of all levels of her subject especially 'governance Ostrom is considered one of the leading scholars in the study of common pool resources.), and Venus in Virgo, a real meticulous 'Miss Moneypenny. Uranus is trine her natal Pluto right now.
NASA scientists are grappling with a mystery. Where did the debris go? Last Friday morning, Oct. 9th, the water-seeking LCROSS spacecraft and its Centaur booster rocket crashed into the floor of crater Cabeus near the Moon's south pole, on time and on target. But the debris plumes that were supposed to issue from the impacts failed to materialize.
Today Jupiter appears stationary, turning direct at 17 degrees Aquarius 03:32 GMT.
Venus aligns to Saturn (within 31 minutes of arc) at 28 degrees Virgo at 10:52 GMT. A serious and sobering alignment.
The Moon is at 'perigee' in Leo 12:24 GMT.
Venus in virgo sextiles Mars in Cancer 18:31 GMT.
The Moon in Leo opposes Neptune 21:21 GMT and is then void.
Today is brimming with life's dramas.
Wednesday October 14th 2009
Yesterday's Venus Saturn near alignment in Virgo appeared to have a dampening effect on world news.
News stories appeared bland. Stock markets sagged.
Today may be different as the Moon enters Virgo 07:46 GMT .
A discerning and productive atmosphere should be manifest from this time for two and a half days.
The Moon reaches her balsamic phase 18:50 GMT at 7 degrees Virgo. The procession to Sunday's New Moon begins at this time.
Venus enters Libra 22:47 GMT.
While in Libra Venus squares Pluto tomorrow, trines Jupiter on October 29th and trines Neptune on November 3rd. She enters Scorpio on November 8th. This is a very short and sweet residence. The immediate square to Pluto is potentially scandal ridden and salacious, but the airy trines to Jupiter and Neptune are enchanting.
There is a pleasant sociability associated with this ingress which will manifest and endure over the next 24 days.
Thursday October 15th 2009
Targets to cut numbers of hungry people in the world will not be met without more international effort, UN food agencies warned yesterday.
I have a friend from Kenya. Her family's animals have died in the drought there.
Researchers have discovered a magnetic equivalent to electricity: single magnetic charges that can behave and interact like electrical ones. The work is the first to make use of the magnetic monopoles that exist in special crystals known as spin ice. Writing in Nature journal, a team showed that monopoles gather to form a "magnetic current" like electricity. The phenomenon, dubbed "magnetricity", could be used in magnetic storage or in computing.
Today, the sun is entering its 13th consecutive day without sunspots. Just a few years ago, such a stretch of blank suns would have been unthinkable. Now it's routine. So far this year, the sun has been spotless 79% of the time, topping the 73% mark recorded in 2008. Long after many forecasters thought solar minimum would be finished, the quiet is not only continuing, but actually deepening. Are sunspots gone for good? Researchers discuss the question in an article from Science@NASA.
There are potentially licentious vibes today as Venus in Libra squares Pluto 17:19 GMT .
The old Moon wanes in Virgo.
Scandles, gossip, a bit naughty.
Friday October 16th 2009
Today the very old Moon in Virgo is conjunct Saturn 07:55 GMT at 28 degrees Virgo. This is one solemn start to the (GMT) day.
The Moon sextiles Mars 10:19 GMT and becomes void.
The Moon enters Libra 10:30 GMT attracted by the sweet scent of Venus, the poise of Mercury, and the radiant elegance of the Sun, already in this sign. This day eases and modulates to a planetary case of 'diplomatic immunity'.
The Moon is conjunct Venus 13:57 GMT. Love hearts.
Mars enters Leo 15:33 GMT.
Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not a particularly bright one visibly, the consequence is that mars will be in Leo for a long time, from today right up to June 7th 2010.
Leo Sun Sign individuals take note. Mars in your sign will energize your life over the coming months.
Globally the following eight months will be a period of big-time razzmatazz. We enter a period today of uncompromising extrovert energy. Lavish flamboyance and 'no-expenses spare' do not ride well in a global recession, but that is the nature of this beast. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo, and will after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th.
Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010. The Sun and venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010. The is a right royal ingress, take note.
Saturday October 17th 2009
GIANT RIBBON DISCOVERED AT THE EDGE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM: For years, researchers have known that the solar system is surrounded by a vast bubble of magnetism. Called the "heliosphere," it springs from the sun and extends far beyond the orbit of Pluto, providing a first line of defense against cosmic rays and interstellar clouds that try to enter our local space. Although the heliosphere is huge and literally fills the sky, it emits no light and no one has actually seen it. Until now. Science@NASA has the full story.
Yesterday twelve people died and 15 were injured in a bombing in Peshawar in north-western Pakistan. A suicide bomber attacked a police investigation bureau in the Swati Pathak area, which is close to a Pakistani army garrison.
Security has been tightened nationwide after about 40 people were killed in Lahore and the north-west on Thursday.
Those attacks were the latest in a recent wave of brazen militant assaults across the country.
The party of Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said it was boycotting the country's unity government.
The Large Hadron Collider experiment has reached its operating temperature, colder even than deep space.
Today the Moon and very old, like an empty hot air balloon.
The New moon is tomorrow.
The Sun is trines Neptune 00:47 GMT
This ancient Moon is conjunct Mercury at 11 degrees Libra at 05:23 GMT.
Enchanting.
Sunday October 18th 2009
On the day before the New Moon, with Mars now in Leo, fierce fighting broke out as Pakistan's army launched an air and ground offensive against Taliban militants in the South Waziristan area. Officials said 30,000 troops, backed by artillery, had moved into the region where Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is based. Militants were reported to be offering stiff resistance as troops advanced from the north, east, and west. A curfew was imposed in the region before the offensive began.
There have been several co-ordinated Taliban attacks in recent days, killing more than 150 people in cities across Pakistan. This is the main news right now.
Yesterday hundreds of thousands take part in a march in Madrid to oppose government plans to liberalise Spain's abortion law.
West African states have imposed an arms embargo on Guinea over the mass shooting of opposition supporters.
It comes amid growing criticism of the junta, led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, which seized power in December.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) condemned "atrocities" in September in which Guinean troops opened fire on an opposition rally at a stadium in the capital Conakry. Human rights groups say 157 people died but the junta puts the toll at 57. Transiting Saturn was conjunct Venus in the Guinean astrological chart at the time of the atrocities in late September 2009, and will make conjunctions with Mercury and the Sun over the next year. It says most of the victims were trampled to death rather than shot, as opposition activists say. Human rights groups say soldiers raped and sexually abused women during the crackdown, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into the deaths.
Sir Paul McCartney is to join a host of stars including Take That, Lily Allen and Muse for a one-off charity concert for Children in Need next month. Dame Shirley Bassey, Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal and Snow Patrol are also on the line-up for the show, organised by Take That's Gary Barlow. Radio 1's Chris Moyles will host the show at London's Royal Albert Hall on 12 November.
LUNAR IMPACT PLUME: There was a plume after all. Observers on Earth had their doubts after LCROSS and its Centaur booster rocket hit the Moon on Friday, Oct. 9th. The twin lunar impacts failed to produce visible plumes of debris, prompting speculation that something had gone wrong. On the contrary, members of the LCROSS science team are now calling the experiment "a smashing success." Fifteen seconds after the Centaur hit the shadowy floor of crater Cabeus, the LCROSS spacecraft flying 600 km overhead took the picture aboveof a plume measuring 6 to 8 km wide:http://www.spaceweather.com/
New Moon in Libra trine Neptune.
http://avalon.albuquerque.nm.us/images/libra.jp
This New Moon is the third one following the long Total Solar Eclipse of July 22nd 2009, and is also the third before the the Annular solar Eclipse on January 15th 2010. Being midway between eclipses we are, with this lunation, at a point of 'karmic balance'.
This New Moon has the potential to be an enchanting affair, being in Libra and closely trine to Neptune. Four planets plus the Moon and Sun are in air signs. Imagination, vision, communication, sociability, diplomacy, laziness, wit and elegance are to the fore at this time.
At the moment of New Moon today, the Sun and Moon are on the local Mid heaven of Tibet and Bangladesh, the pair are rising over Italy and are at lower culmination at Chicago and at San Salvador. Saturn significantly is culminating at Kabul. Uranus rises at Sydney, Mercury sets at Wellington.
This New Moon directly hits the natal Jupiter of Leonard Cohen, the natal Neptune of Kim Bassenger, Cherie Blair and their generation, the natal Jupiter Lunar Node conjunction of Kate Bush, Madonna and their generation, the natal Mercury of Zardari Bhutto. This New Moon squares Barack Obama's natal Saturn. He is under pressure..
The Moon becomes void of course at the moment of New Moon.
The nine hours that follow the New Moon drift and float and hang, the sleeping baby new moon is void of course.
The tender infant Moon enters Scorpio 14:23 GMT and an atmosphere of greater substance ensues.
November 2009
Sunday November 1st 2009
Afghanistan's election is thrown into confusion after President Karzai's rival says he will pull out of the second round next week.
The fourth storm in a month to hit the Philippines has lashed the eastern coastal province of Quezon, bringing heavy rain and winds to the region.Typhoon Mirinae followed a similar route to a September storm, Ketsana, which dumped the heaviest rains in 40 years on Manila. Pluto is exactly on the local IC of Manila at the moment of Full Moon tomorrow.
There are 50 days to the Capricorn Solstice.
The Moon in Aries sextiles Neptune 13:29 GMT and is void of course from that moment.
Monday November 2nd 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 11 degrees Scorpio. There are 49 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury is in Scorpio, Venus is in Libra, and Mars is in Leo.
The Moon enter Taurus 00:45 GMT
The Moon is Full today. (See below).
Mercury is in Scorpio. As a morning 'star' Mercury squares Mars today 00:51 GMT and is at Superior Conjunction with the Sun at 13 degrees Scorpio on Nov 5th. Then as an evening 'star' Mercury squares Jupiter Nov 8th, trines Uranus Nov 11th, squares Neptune on Nov 12th and zips into Sagittarius on Nov 16th, the day of the New Moon. Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th 2009.
Venus is also a morning star, in Libra. She trines Neptune late tonight (GMT). She enters Scorpio on November 8th.
Mars is in Leo. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not the brightest , the consequence is that Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. Jupiter this evening is 3° or 4° lower left of the waxing Moon. Leo Sun Sign individuals take note. Mars in your sign will energize your life over the coming months.
The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo, and will after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Saturn now in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn on November 15th 2009.
Full Moon in Taurus
arrayed in Fixed Grand Cross
with Mercury, Mars and Jupiter.
http://data5.blog.de/media/714/2984714_7a5b786274_m.jpg
This is the 3rd Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on August 6th 2009 and the penultimate Full Moon before the Partial Lunar Eclipse on New Years Eve this year.
At the moment of Full Moon today the Sun, Moon and Mercury are aligned to the prime vertical Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It is sunrise at Melbourne. Uranus culminates at Sofia, Venus is at lower culmination at Tehran. Uranus rises at La Paz, Pluto sets at Rome and is at lower culmination at Manila. Neptune sets at Delhi, Mars sets at Dallas. A paran occurs at Odessa where the lunar node and Saturn align.
This Full Moon is uncompromising in its strength and fixity. There is a resolute character in all consequences and reactions to its breaking wave.
Venus in Libra air trines Neptune 23:21 GMT.
Tuesday November 3rd 2009
Iran came under more international pressure to respond to a proposal it send its uranium abroad for enrichment.
Today the 'hung over' full Moon waning and accelerating in Taurus squares Jupiter and finally Neptune at 18:04 GMT and is then void of course.
Wednesday November 4th 2009
Yesterday The Czech Republic became the last country to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which is now set to become EU law within weeks.
Ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared at his war crimes trial for the first time and said it should be delayed.
Today the Moon rapidly enters Gemini 04:53 GMT.
Neptune is stationary turning direct 14:53 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius.
Today tongues are set free to speak their minds. Words penetrate and lay bare. The truth 'outs' today.
Thursday November 5th 2009
Yesterday five British soldiers were shot dead in Helmand Province, in an attack the UK military blamed on a "rogue" Afghan policeman.
Israel's military said it had intercepted a ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of Iranian weapons bound for Hezbollah.
Security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse opposition supporters in the Iranian capital, Tehran, witnesses and state media said. Unconfirmed reports said the authorities had also opened fire.
The Nasa Messenger probe's observations of Mercury has shown the planet is even more of an "iron planet" than scientists thought.
Today Mercury is in Superior Conjunction with the Sun at 08:03 GMT at 13 degrees Scorpio. This symbolizes a 'Full Mercury'. and 'the illuminated mind'.
This is another day full of communication and contact.
The fast moving Moon in Gemini forms an airy grand trine with Venus in Libra and Neptune in aquarius from 20:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT tomorrow. These are special hours, exceedingly good for communication.
Earth is entering a stream of debris from periodic Comet 2P/Encke, and this is causing the annual Taurid meteor shower. The shower has a broad maximum lasting from Nov. 5th through 12th. At most, only about 5 Taurids per hour streak across the sky, but what they lack in number they make up for in dazzle. Taurid meteors tend to be fireballs, very bright and slow. Look for them falling out of the constellation Taurus during the hours around midnight. www.spaceweather.com
Friday November 6th 2009
Yesterday the UN's war crimes court appointed a lawyer for ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and adjourned his trial until March.
The UN said it is to temporarily move 600 of its foreign staff in Afghanistan, after last week's deadly Taliban hostel raid.
The fast moving Moon trines Venus 03:47 and is void. She hits disseminating phase 29 degrees Gemini 05:58 GMT and enters Cancer 07:43 GMT. Then the Sun and the Moon are in water signs together with Mercury and Uranus.
From 08:00 to 11:00 this watery Moon in Cancer forms a tight cardinal T-square with Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn.
This day will invoke responses that are essentially emotional.
Saturday November 7th 2009
The harsh square aspect between Saturn and Pluto is dominating all astrological charts at this time. There are grim events being reported.
US President Barack Obama has praised the heroism of soldiers and civilians in their response to the deadly attack at a US army base in Texas.In his weekly address, he says that although the shootings showed the "worst of human nature" they had also brought out "the best of America". Maj Nidal Malik Hasan, a US-born Muslim, opened fire at Fort Hood on Thursday, killing 13 people
ASTEROID NEAR MISS: On Nov. 6th at 2132 UT, asteroid 2009 VA barely missed Earth when it flew just 14,000 km above the planet's surface. That's well inside the "Clarke Belt" of geosynchronous satellites. If it had hit, the ~6-meter wide space rock would have disintegrated in the atmosphere as a spectacular fireball, causing no significant damage to the ground. 2009 VA was discovered just 15 hours before closest approach by astronomers working at the Catalina Sky Survey.
We are midway in time between the Libra Equinox and the Capricorn Solstice.
The very fast moving Moon makes pleasant aspects today from Cancer.
Moon perigee 07:25 GMT
The Moon trines Uranus and is void from 22:26 GMT.
Sunday November 8th 2009
Gordon Brown's Saturn return occurs on November 8th 2009. (This is the first of 3 over the next year, this is 'tough cookie' time for Gordon.
Venus enters Scorpio 00:24 GMT joining Mercury and the Sun in this sign. Venus will reside in Scorpio for the remainder of November. She sextiles Pluto tomorrow, squares Mars on November 19th, squares Jupiter on November 23rd, trines Uranus on 26th and squares Neptune on the 27th. She leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 1st. Venus is not too 'happy' in Scorpio especially with Mars currently residing in Leo. We can expect a lot of passionate personal and global conflict and a measure of intense sexuality, power trips, and colossal financial speculation during the remainder of this calendar month.
The Moon enters Leo 10:23 GMT. The day changes.
Mercury in scorpio 'fixed squares' Jupiter in Aquarius 14:43 GMT.
Too wide of the mark. Overkill.
Monday November 9th 2009
Yesterday the Iraqi parliament approved a crucial election law
ahead of national polls due to be held in January 2010.
President Barack Obama praised the House's approval of landmark
health reforms and expects the Senate to follow suit.
El Salvador declared an emergency in five regions after at least 50 people die in floods caused by days of heavy rains.
At least 12 people were killed and about 35 injured in a suicide bomb attack near the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, police say. The blast ripped through a busy cattle market on the outskirts of the city.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 18 degrees Scorpio. There are 42 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury and Venus are in Scorpio. Mars is in Leo.
The Moon is conjunct Mars today at 04:22 GMT at 11 degrees Leo. The Moon reaches last quarter phase 15:57 GMT 17 degrees Leo. From 16:00 GMT to 21:00 the Moon forms a tight Fixed T-square with Jupiter, the Sun and Mercury.
The Earth, the Moon and Jupiter align ( within 70') at 17:42 GMT.
Mercury is an 'evening star' in Scorpio. Mercury trines Uranus Nov 11th, squares Neptune on Nov 12th and zips into Sagittarius on Nov 16th, the day of the New Moon. Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th 2009.
Venus is a morning star in Scorpio. Venus sextiles Pluto today 05:32 and squares Mars on November 19th, squares Jupiter on November 23rd and trines Uranus on 26th and squares Neptune on the 27th. She leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 1st. Venus is not too 'happy' in Scorpio especially with Mars currently residing in Leo. We can expect a lot of conflict during the remainder of this calendar month.
Mars is in Leo. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not the brightest , the consequence is that Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 , and will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Saturn now in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn on November 15th 2009.
Tuesday November 10th 2009
Yesterday world leaders past and present joined thousands of Berliners
marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The planets Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct in Capricorn when the wall was erected in the summer of 1961.
Saturn and Neptune were conjunct in Capricorn in late 1989 when the wall came down.
In the UK the government has approved 10 sites in England and Wales for new nuclear power stations, most of them in locations where there are already plants.
Somali pirates attacked an oil tanker 1,000 miles from the coast - the furthest yet,
Today the Moon in Leo opposes Neptune and is void of course at 02:44 GMT.
After 11 hours of being void the Moon enters Virgo 13:31 GMT.
The Scorpio Sun squares Jupiter in Aquarius 18:42 GMT.
Exaggerated responses and fussiness can be expected today.
Wednesday November 11th 2009
Yesterday a south Korean warship exchanged fire with
a North Korean naval vessel-and the White House was calling
for calm. The two navies have engaged in deadly exchanges
twice along their western sea border in the past decade. The incident comes days before US President Barack Obama visits Asia, with North Korea seeking direct talks on its nuclear programme.
More than 20 people were killed and many injured in a bomb blast in the north-western Pakistani town of Charsadda.
Experts have agreed on a "DNA barcode" system that gives every plant on Earth a unique genetic fingerprint.
Today the Moon wanes in Virgo.
Mercury in Scorpio water trines Uranus in Pisces 11:38 GMT.
A rare vintage day. Careful choices to be made. Positive, inventive and creative thinking will be evident. Good plans are afoot. Crystal vision.
Thursday November 12th 2009
Yesterday was pretty much a 'low news day'. At 18:00 GMT CNN world news led with the story of a German national team soccer star Robert Enke committing suicide by stepping in front of a 100 mph train. Born on Aug. 24th 1977 Robert Enke, who had been suffering from depression for six years, was under pressure from the current Saturn Pluto square focused on his natal Jupiter. Possibly Pluto was also on his natal Moon in Capricorn, (exact birth time not known). A sad and strange story.
Today Mercury 'fixed squares' Neptune 00:12 GMT.
Around 05:00 GMT the Virgo Moon forms a trapezoidal pattern with Uranus, Mercury and the Lunar Node. This could well be a 'tipping point' as the GMT day begins.
The ageing Moon sextiles Mercury 07:14 GMT and is void for ten hours. She sails into Libra 17:23 GMT and is conjunct Saturn 19:55 GMT at 1 degree of that sign.
Friday November 13th 2009
Yesterday President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia's old economic model no longer works, as he gave his state of the nation speech. Just out of interest Medvedev born September 14th 1965 has Sun Mercury Uranus and Pluto in Virgo, waning Moon in Taurus, and Venus, Mars and Neptune in Scorpio. Seemingly very much a 'yes man' he must have an 'edge' with the Scorpio component to his personality. With saturn now out of his Sun sign Virgo maybe we can expect a little more colour in his 'grey-like' presence on the world stage.
Europe's Rosetta probe will make its final Earth flyby on today as it seeks to position itself to chase down comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in May 2014.
Astronomers may have found a way to identify those Sun-like stars most likely to harbour orbiting planets. A survey of stars known to possess planets shows the vast majority to be severely depleted in lithium. To date, scientists have detected just over 420 worlds circling other stars using a range of techniques.
Today the Moon reaches her balsamic phase 03:42 GMT at 6 degrees Libra.
We are about to experience an 'old Moon weekend'.
This old Moon today makes pleasant and easy aspects from Libra. Expect a more relaxed couple of days.
Saturday November 14th 2009
NASA has reported the discovery of a large field of ice on the moon. .Just weeks after NASA's L-CROSS mission analyzed a plume of debris generated by the impact of a satellite into a crater on the moon's south pole, NASA scientists announce that the findings suggest the presence of frozen water at the site of impact. This is a major find. It may well affect the future destiny of human civilization. This discovery is announced as Saturn squares Pluto.
Today the old (watery!) Moon in Libra makes an 'air trine' aspect to Neptune at 11:11 GMT and is void from that moment.
The day drifts 'rudderless' for some eleven hours.
The Moon however enters Scorpio 22:25 GMT. A new direction emerges. The Sun at this time is applying in watery trine to Uranus. Seriously inspiring emotions responses are quite possible as midnight (GMT) approaches.
Sunday November 15th 2009
From www.spaceweather.com
WATER ON THE MOON: Last month when NASA's LCROSS spacecraft hit the Moon and failed to produce a bright flash, many observers thought the experiment was a dud. NASA has announced that LCROSS discovered water at the bottom of crater Cabeus near the Moon's south pole.The primary evidence is spectral. When LCROSS's Centaur rocket hit the ground, it produced a faint cloud of vapor. High above, the LCROSS mothership analyzed the cloud using its near-infrared spectrometer. Some of the bumps and wiggles in the spectrum perfectly match the infrared signature of H2O:The red curve traces what the spectrum would have looked like if the debris cloud had been made of nothing but moondust and pure water vapor. Points with error bars are the actual data. Clearly, water is present, but that's not all. "Along with the water in Cabeus, there are hints of other intriguing substances," says Anthony Colaprete, the mission's principal investigator the NASA's Ames Research Center. "The possibility of contamination from the Centaur rocket [has been] ruled out," so any unidentified compounds are likely native to the Moon.What are these mystery substances? Remember, LCROSS targeted a "cold trap" where materials have been freezing and accumulating for billions of years. It could be almost anything. Researchers are still studying the spectra for clues. "Full understanding of the LCROSS data may take some time," notes Colaprete. "The data are so rich."Stay tuned for updates as the analysis continues.
No doubt the colonization of the Moon will now be speeded up. It is a curious fact that this 'water on the moon news' is announced as Saturn squares Pluto and a strong planetary 'septile harmonic' is currently sounding out. Our consciousness is being raised at this time.
The piece below was written several years ago in the 'Mountain astrologer' magazine.
On November 15, 2009: The most powerful configurations are beginning. Saturn squares Pluto at 1° 42' Libra-Capricorn, while the Moon and Venus join Neptune and Pluto in a septile pattern. The Sun septiles Saturn as well. Public fears of terrorism or war are accentuated at this time. This Saturn-Pluto square repeats on January 31, 2010 and again in August 2010. These are key dates in terms of oil shortages, oil price hikes, and international co-operation (or lack thereof). The increased use of coal raises new concerns about air pollution and accelerated global warming. Mountain Astrologer.
Today the Sun trines Uranus 01:41 GMT.
Saturn waning square aspect to Pluto, 14:23 GMT, first of three, second Jan 31st 2010, final hit August 21st 2010.
The ancient Moon swoons with Venus 15:42 GMT. This is the 'magic septile moment' mentioned in the piece above.
The Scorpio Sun squares Neptune 23:11 GMT. This 'day before a New Moon' could end in much confusion.
Monday November 16th 2009
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 25 degrees Scorpio. There are 35 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury and Venus are with the Sun in Scorpio. Mars is in Leo.
The Moon is New today.
Mercury starts the (GMT) day as an 'evening star' in Scorpio but soon enters Sagittarius at 00:28 GMT today. Mercury sextiles Saturn tomorrow. He trines Mars on November 26th, sextiles Jupiter on November 29th, squares Uranus on November 30th, and on December 1st he sextiles Neptune. Mercury enters Capricorn on December 5th. Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th 2009. Mercury as an evening star in Sagittarius symbolizes a universal mentality which is both candid and attracted to rigid dogma. A lot of hot air can be expected.
Venus is a morning star in Scorpio. Venus squares Mars on November 19th, squares Jupiter on November 23rd and trines Uranus on 26th and squares Neptune on the 27th. She leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 1st. Venus is not too 'happy' in Scorpio especially with Mars currently residing in Leo. We can expect a lot of conflict during the remainder of this calendar month.
Mars is in Leo. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not the brightest , the consequence is that Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 , and will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Saturn now in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn on November 15th 2009.
Saturn now in Libra together with Pluto in capricorn both hit Barack Obama's natal Venus very hard on 16th-18th Nov 2009. The New Moon today squares his natal Uranus .
New Moon in Scorpio
square Neptune, trine Uranus.
http://astrologerjaclynjupiter.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/teeshapic.34315751.jpg
This New Moon is the 4th one following the Total Solar Eclipse of July 22nd 2009, and is also the penultimate before the the Annular solar Eclipse on January 15th 2010.
This New moon is tightly square Neptune and trine Uranus. The skies currently are dominated by a harsh cardinal waning square aspect between Saturn and Pluto. Venus and Mars are also at loggerheads from Leo to Scorpio. In most respects all this adds up to a difficult lunation. The world stage is draped in uncertainty. The USA administration is undecided about the Afghan question. Pakistan is the scene of much confusion.
At the moment of New Moon the Sun and Moon are on the midnight line of Karachi, Pakistan in general and Afghanistan. Saturn and Pluto are tightly aligned to Saigon and Jakarta.
The New Moon on November 16th 2009 directly hits the natal Sun of Jeff Buckley and Prince Charles, the natal Mercury of Geoffrey Boycott and John Cleese, the natal Jupiter of Pete Burns, the natal Saturn of the cricketer Ravi Bopara, the natal Uranus of footballer Stephen Gerrard, the natal Neptune of Julia Roberts and Boris Becker, and the natal Pluto of Miley Cyrus. The New Moon is also is trine David Cameron's Saturn.
The Moon becomes void of course at the moment of New Moon.
Tuesday November 17th 2009
You won't see this many meteors at once! But each one, if traced backward far enough across the sky, would intersect the shower's radiant point in Leo. The most productive area to watch is whatever part of your sky is darkest. www.skypub.com
Yesterday's New Moon in Scorpio witnessed the UN's nuclear watchdog saying Iran must answer more questions about a recently declared nuclear site near the city of Qom.
US President Barack Obama said freedom of expression and worship are "universal rights", during his first visit to China.
The UN chief called for a "single vision" on food and climate issues, as leaders met for a "hunger summit" in Rome.
Today Mercury in Sagittarius sextiles Saturn in Libra 05:01 GMT
The slow infant Moon enters Sagittarius 05:23 GMT, joining Mercury in that sign.
The Moon is conjunct Mercury 09:23 GMT at 2 degrees Sagittarius.
Today the astrological vibe is forthright, spirited and focused.
A lunar occultation of Antares occurs today around 23:46 GMT. The occultation is centered on the small area where North America meets Asia. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year, there are only three remaining. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
Wednesday November 18th 2009
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) could restart as early as this weekend after more than a year of repairs. Officials have avoided giving an exact date for sending beams of protons around the 27km (17 mile) circular tunnel which houses the collider.The LHC was first switched on in 2008, but had to be shut down when a faulty electrical connection caused one tonne of helium to leak into the tunnel.
Yesterday the US voiced its "dismay" over Israel's approval of 900 new housing units at a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem.
Somali pirates released a Spanish fishing boat and its 36 crew after holding it for six weeks amid reports of a $3.5m ransom
Today the very young Moon waxes and decelerates in Sagittarius.
Venus in Scorpio is applying to a difficult fixed waxing square to Mars in Leo, this is not good for cooperation, especially between the sexes. Today may well witness pugnacious and combative situations.
Thursday Nov. 19th 2009
Yesterday President Obama admitted the US will miss the January 2010
deadline he set for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison.
One of Iraq's vice-presidents vetoed part of the new election law,
putting the parliamentary polls due in January in doubt.
EXPLODING METEOR: A remarkable midnight fireball that "turned night into day" over parts of the western United States on Tuesday night was not a Leonid. Infrasound measurements suggest a sporadic asteroid not associated with the Leonid debris stream. The space rock exploded in the atmosphere with an energy equivalent to 0.5 - 1 kilotons of TNT. Approximately 6 hours later, observers in Utah and Colorado witnessed a twisting iridescent-blue cloud in the dawn sky. Debris from the fireball should have disipated by that time, but the cloud remains unexplained; we cannot yet rule out a connection to the fireball event. Stay tuned for further analysis. videos: #1, #2. www.spaceweather.com
Gordon Brown's progressed Mercury is conjunct his progressed Mars on Nov 19th 2009. This one has been building for a few years. It does seem at times inconceivable that Gordon Brown will win the next UK general election which is now less than six months away. However the race is now on and today's progression marks a high tide mark of mind and activity. There may still be more power to wield for this man.
The Moon in Sagittarius sextiles Neptune in Aquarius and is void from 02:47 GMT for over 12 hours.
Venus in Scorpio 'fixed waning squares' Mars in Leo 08:23 GMT. This is a difficult transit.
The very slow Moon enters Capricorn 15:01 GMT
The Moon is conjunct Pluto 18:38 GMT, and squares Saturn 19:08 GMT
Friday November 20th 2009
Yesterday President Karzai said he wants Afghan forces in charge
within five years, as he was sworn in for a second term amid fresh violence.
Hamid Karzai was born Dec 24th 1957. He has Mercury and Sun in Capricorn trine Pluto , practical pragmatic, power seeking. Venus (opposite Uranus) and Moon in Aquarius, his life subject to sudden changes, Mars in Sagittarius square Pluto, experiences of harsh and brutal violence. On the morning of July 14, 1999, Karzai's father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was gunned down as he was coming home from a mosque in the city of Quetta. Reports suggest that the Taliban carried out the assassination.[13] . On that exact day Jupiter simultaneously exactly trined both his natal Sun and his natal Pluto. He has survived several assassination attempts. This year 2009 he has Pluto conjunct his natal Sun.
Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy is named as the new EU president and the UK's Baroness Ashton becomes foreign policy chief.He was born October 31, 1947.Van Rompuy is five days younger than Hillary Clinton, so has the same Scorpio Sun in his case square Mars Pluto in Leo. With Mars Pluto Saturn in Leo square Mercury Venus in Scorpio. Marjorie Orr
Today the Moon makes pleasant and easy aspects from Capricorn and reaches her crescent phase 17:58 GMT at 14 degrees Capricorn.
Saturday November 21st 2009
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) could be re-started in the early hours of Saturday morning at the earliest, officials have said.
Today the slowly decelerating Moon continues to make easy aspects from Capricorn.
This is the last day of the astrological month of Scorpio.
Sunday November 22nd 2009
The Large Hadron Collider experiment has re-started after a 14-month hiatus while the machine was being repaired.
Engineers have made two stable proton beams circulate in opposite directions around the machine, which is in a tunnel beneath the French-Swiss border. The team may try to increase the £6bn ($10bn) collider's energy to record-breaking levels this weekend. The LHC is being used to smash together beams of protons in a bid to shed light on the nature of the Universe.
Saturn sextiles Barack Obama's natal Mercury Nov 22nd. He is about to make the most important decision of his presidency so far regarding the extent of future USA involvement in Afghanistan. Obama's Saturn transit today aptly marks and symbolizes the seriousness of this episode in his life.
It's all change from 03:00 GMT! The Moon in Capricorn sextiles the Sun 03:04 GMT and is void from that moment.
She enters Aquarius seven minutes later at 03:11 GMT, and begins a 40 hour application to Jupiter.
The Sun enters Sagittarius another 73 minutes later at 04:23 GMT, joining Mercury in this sign, and a new astrological month begins.
ALL CHANGE.
Moon apogee (slowest all month) 20:13 GMT.
Monday November 23rd 2009
Yesterday Iran began five days of war games to simulate strikes on its nuclear sites, warning it will retaliate if attacked.
More than 240 people were rescued after an Indonesian ferry sank in stormy waters, but at least 29 people died.
The US Senate narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country's healthcare.
Researchers working on the Large Hadron Collider are delighted with the progress made since the machine restarted
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 2 degrees Sagittarius and he sextiles Saturn tomorrow. There are 28 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury is with the Sun in Sagittarius. Venus is in Scorpio. Mars is in Leo.
The slow moving, accelerating and waxing crescent Moon is in Aquarius. She reaches her first quarter phase tomorrow.
A very tight linear alignment of the Moon, the Earth and Mars (11' orb) occurs 10:39 GMT between tropical Leo and Aquarius.
From 10:00 GMT to 20:00 GMT the Moon forms a Fixed T-square with Mars in Leo and Venus in Scorpio.
The Moon is conjunct Jupiter at 20 degrees Aquarius at 19:45 GMT
Mercury is an evening star in Sagittarius. He trines Mars on November 26th, sextiles Jupiter on November 29th, squares Uranus on November 30th, and on December 1st he sextiles Neptune. Mercury enters Capricorn on December 5th. Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th 2009. Mercury as an evening star in Sagittarius symbolizes a universal mentality which is both candid and attracted to rigid dogma. A lot of hot air can be expected.
Venus is a morning star in Scorpio. Venus squares Jupiter 22:03 GMT today. and trines Uranus on 26th and squares Neptune on the 27th. She leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 1st. Venus is not too 'happy' in Scorpio especially with Mars currently residing in Leo. We can expect a lot of conflict during the remainder of this calendar month.
Mars is in Leo and is slowing down as he approaches his station. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars currently is only four degrees from his station. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not the brightest,, the consequence is that Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 . Mars will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Tuesday November 24th 2009
Saturn's moon Enceladus. See below.
Yesterday twenty-one people abducted in the southern Philippines were found dead in an attack linked to next year's elections.
India's opposition reacted angrily to reports its leaders were implicated in a mosque demolition which sparked terrible violence.
Nasa has released the latest raw images of Saturn's moon Enceladus, from the Cassini spacecraft's extended mission to the planet and its satellites. The images show the moon's rippling terrain in remarkable clarity. Cassini started transmitting uncalibrated temperature data and images during a flyby on 21 November.
Today the Moon is conjunct Neptune 03:36 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius and is void from this moment.
The Sun sextiles Saturn 15:35 GMT.
The Moon enters Pisces 16:08 GMT
The Moon arrives at her first quarter phase 3 degrees Pisces 21:40 GMT.
Wednesday Nov. 25th 2009
Yesterday Barack Obama pledged to "finish the job" in Afghanistan and said
he will announce a decision on US troops "shortly".
China executed two people over a scandal involving tainted milk powder that
resulted in six children dying,
At least 46 people are now known to have died in a mass political killing the Philippines, after more bodies were discovered in a shallow grave.
Engineers operating the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) yesterday smashed together proton beams in the machine for the first time.
Today the Moon waxes in Pisces. That's dreamy enough. Also Venus in Scorpio is applying in a watery trine aspect to Uranus in Pisces. Today absolutely oozes sexuality.
Thursday November 26th 2009
Venus trines Uranus 03:00 GMT
The Moon is conjunct Uranus at 13:09 GMT at 23 degrees Pisces
The Moon trines Venus at 14:18 GMT and is void from that moment for 13 hours.
Mercury 'fire trines' Mars 14:54 GMT, sparking a great deal of enthusiastic mental energy. loads of ideas arise.
Venus meanwhile is now squaring Neptune. Is this love or just confusion? The markets might react to this confusion too. Watch carefully.
The day is alive with electric dreams and aberration. let the head rule the heart.
Friday November 27th 2009
As advised yesterday there has been confusion in the markets. London's FTSE 100 share index
suffered its biggest one-day fall since March due to concerns about Dubai's financial health. Venus
is square Neptune.
The next generation of computers may make use of the "spin" of electrons instead of their charge. Spintronics relies on manipulating these spins to make them capable of carrying data. The technique has been shown in a number of materials at low temperatures before. But researchers writing in Nature have made use of these "spin-polarised" electrons in silicon at room temperature for the first time.
Today Venus squares Neptune 00:16 GMT.
The Moon enters Aries 03:11 GMT
The Sun and the Moon are then in fire signs with Mercury and Mars, invoking a spirited day.
From 07:00 to 09:00 GMT the Moon in Aries again forms a very tight cardinal T-square with Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn.
Enjoy the impetuous atmosphere of today if you can.
Saturday November 28th 2009
Under the beams of a waxing 'fire Moon' in Aries 25 people have died in an express train crash
in Russia amid speculation that it may have been caused by a bomb blast.
A ferry carrying more than 1,000 passengers has partly capsized in southern Bangladesh.
Tiger Woods had Mercury opposite his natal Mars on the day he smashed his car
into a fire hydrant by his house in Florida. Newspaper reports suggest a domestic tiff was to blame.
Also Yesterday US shares fell on worries over Dubai's debt problems, but European markets recovered from earlier falls.
The death throes of the biggest star known to science have been observed by Europe's
new space telescope, Herschel. The observatory, launched in May, has subjected
VY Canis Majoris, to a detailed spectroscopic analysis. It has allowed Herschel to identify
the different types of molecules and atoms that swirl away from the star which is 30-40 times as massive as our Sun. VY Canis Majoris is some 4,500 light-years from Earth and could explode as a supernova at any time. It is colossal. If it was sited at the centre of our Solar System, it would extend beyond the orbit of Saturn. The star, in the constellation Canis Major, has been recorded by astronomers for at least 200 years. It is what is called a red hypergiant - a highly evolved object that is exhausting its nuclear fuel.
From 10:00 to 16:00 GMT today the Moon in Aries forms a fire Grand Trine with Mars in Leo and Mercury in Sagittarius. This appears to be a pretty positive interlude.
The Moon reaches gibbous phase 19:40 GMT 22 degrees Aries.
The procession to the Full Moon climax is underway. Lunar pressures are rising.
The Moon sextiles Neptune 23:33 GMT and is void from that time.
Sunday November 29th 2009
The gibbous Moon enters Taurus 10:35 GMT.
The Moon is pregnant with lust and lamentation.
Mercury in Sagittarius sextiles Jupiter in Aquarius 11:54 GMT
Monday November 30th 2009
Yesterday Iran's government approved a big expansion in its uranium enrichment programme,
after a rebuke from the UN watchdog.
The number of dead in floods following Saudi Arabia's heaviest rains for years
has risen to around 100.
Dozens are said to be missing and some reports suggest the death toll will rise further in the city of Jeddah.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 9 degrees Sagittarius. There are 21 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Mercury is with the Sun in Sagittarius. Venus is in Scorpio. Mars is in Leo.
The gibbous Moon is today afflicted and besieged in Taurus. The Moon is Full in Gemini on Wednesday 2nd December. The Full Moon after that on New Years Eve is a Partial Lunar Eclipse.
Mercury is an evening star in Sagittarius. He squares Uranus 19:53 GMT today, and tomorrow he sextiles Neptune. Mercury enters Capricorn on December 5th. Mercury turns retrograde again in Capricorn on December 26th 2009. Mercury as an evening star in Sagittarius symbolizes a universal mentality which is both candid and attracted to rigid dogma. A lot of hot air can be expected at the currnnt time.
Venus is a morning star in Scorpio. She leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius tomorrow, December 1st.
Mars is in Leo and is slowing down as he approaches his station. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars currently is only four degrees from his station. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Although this opposition is not the brightest, the consequence is that Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 . Mars will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
December 2009
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT HERE IS AN AMAZING ARTICLE BY ASTROLOGER MARJORIE ORR
Markets, global economy and sanity From: Marjorie. (21 Nov 2009 11:30):
Background since this is in two parts one economic and one astrological.
Stock markets usually precede general economic recovery by six months - gambling that it''s going to come good. The markets are being driven at the moment by those who think we''re out of the recent blip and the show''s on the road as usual. But there''s huge concern in the financial world that we haven''t seen the bottom of this scrunch, by a long way.
The French Bank Societe Generale has issued a worst case scenario, not a prediction more a description of what might happen. State rescue packages over the last year have merely transferred private liabilities onto sagging sovereign shoulders, creating a fresh set of problems. At the gloomiest the dollar would slide further, global equities would retest the March lows. Property prices would tumble again. Oil would fall back to $50 in 2010. Governments have already shot their fiscal bolts. Public debt will explode. Worldwide state debt would reach 45 trillion dollars USD, up two-and-a-half times in a decade.The underlying debt burden is greater than it was after the Second World War. The bank said the current crisis displays "compelling similarities" with Japan during its Lost Decade (or two), with a big difference: Japan was able to stay afloat by exporting into a robust global economy and by letting the yen fall. It is not possible for half the world to pursue this strategy at the same time.
Looking at the UK FTSE (31 Dec 1983) first which has defied all downbeat economic reports by soaring upwards. When the market collapsed in late 2008 tr Pluto was conjunct Neptune (= devastation) with tr Saturn square Uranus Moon (= shocking surprises). Though with tr Uranus heading for a lucky square to Jupiter you would have expected ups as well as downs in the aftermath. Plus the FTSE has Sun/Jupiter at 2 degrees Capricorn which is getting a lift thro'' 09/10 by a tr Pluto conjunction. I''d still have expected it to come down in Sept/Oct 09 with tr Saturn square Jupiter Neptune but there we are - juggling with multiple variables it is tricky knowing quite which influences will prove the stronger.
Looking back to the stock market crash of 1987 there''s nothing too exact but on the broad sweep the gathering triple conjunction in Capricorn was getting ready to cross the key FTSE planets of Jupiter Neptune and Sun Mercury in Capricorn. Tr Neptune was heading for a conjunction to the FTSE Mercury Sun (= very undermining), tr Neptune was heading to conjunct Jupiter Neptune ( falsely high hopes), tr Saturn was not far behind. The 1992 crash had tr Saturn square the FTSE Saturn (= get real), tr Uranus Neptune was trine Saturn ( = spooked and nervy). The Dotcom bubble bust in 2000 had tr Pluto conjunct Uranus (= total upheaval), Saturn opp Saturn, tr Uranus Neptune widely square Saturn.
On the FTSE chart the closer tr Pluto gets to that 9 degree Capricorn Sun (exact 2012) and tr Saturn heads to the square from after mid 2010 the more trouble you can expect. There''s also a Solar Arc Saturn conjunct Uranus from mid 2010 onwards which will be a jarring brake. Interestingly what''s around at the moment in Solar Arcs is a SArc Venus conj Jupiter till early 2010 which might explain the creep upwards in the face of all sanity. Plus tr Uranus has been in a lucky sextile to the SArc Jupiter till late Dec 09 after which it disappears. So the buoyancy will fade though not instantly. There will be some pressures from late Dec 09 onwards as tr Saturn and tr Pluto hit the FTSE Sun/Neptune midpoint at 4 degrees Capricorn. And tr Saturn has to re-cross the FTSE Neptune aspect twice again before mid 2010 which is usually a downer. Often it isn''t the first hit of these influences which causes the problems. By 2011/12 the SArc Uranus is conjunct the FTSE Mercury and Sun which is when there will be jolts and upheavals in a different direction. So on the FTSE I''d reckon from late 2010 thro'' 11/12 are the key collapses.
On the Dow Jones (26 May 1896) the market collapse of 2008 had tr Saturn in the confusing, panicky square to the DJ Neptune (Pluto) and the effects of that only really disappeared mid 2009 as tr Saturn moved on. The next direct difficult aspect of this year is tr Saturn opposition the DJ Mars in the first two weeks of Dec 09, usually the sign of setbacks followed by a hugely frustrating, enraging, scary tr Pluto square DJ Mars from late Dec to late Jan 10 (repeating later in 2010). The DJ Solar Arc Saturn is being weighed down by a tr Pluto sextile at the same time. More worryingly the SArc Saturn will square the Dow Jones Sun come 2011 which is real problem time.
Looking back on previous crashes. 1929 had tr Neptune inconjunct exactly the DJ Mars and tr Uranus past the conjunction to that Mars by nine months but still in orb. Tr Pluto was also trine the DJ Saturn Uranus conjunction. 1987 had tr Neptune just past the square to that Mars, with tr Pluto heading for the ''deprived'' conjunction with Saturn, and tr Saturn exactly in the depressing square the DJ Neptune. 1992 saw the total disruption of tr Pluto conjunct the DJ Uranus, and tr Saturn square Saturn and trine Pluto, all heavy duty. The 2000 Dotcom Bubble had tr Pluto opp DJ Pluto (= heavy pressures), tr Neptune trine the DJ Sun (= undermining), tr Uranus trine Neptune (=highly strung) and tr Saturn opp the DJ Saturn (= get real).
The Dow Jones Mars at 3 degrees Capricorn is very key obviously. It does tie into a mini-grand trine natally of Mars trine Jupiter sextile the Gemini Sun. So any heavy transits to Mars will affect the central Sun as well. There will be some buoyancy from Pluto transits to DJ Jupiter midpoints in 10/11/12. But there does look to be a major clawback coming. Tr Saturn is around that Mars till mid 2010, tr Pluto till late 2010 and into 2011/12 tr Uranus hits it by opposition.
So I''d reckon we are certainly into the double dip scenario with the next major slide downwards perhaps delayed till late 2010 but certainly there in 2011. There''ll be wobbles and spikes in both directions before then.
It certainly fits with the UK chart having a 10 Capricorn Sun, the USA with a 13 degree Cancer Sun with Venus Jupiter earlier in Cancer, China has a 7 Libra Sun, the EU has a 10 Capricorn Sun. All of these will take the full force of the tr Saturn in Libra hard aspects from late 2010, followed by tr Pluto and tr Uranus from 2011 to 2014. The global economy is not about to creep out of the present problems without a good deal more pain to come, worse than has been seen so far".
BACK TO DECEMBER 2009
Mars in Leo is now starting to oppose Jupiter and Neptune in aquarius but will not make it this time.
The Jupiter Neptune conjunction in May, July and Dec 2009 is opposite David Cameron's natal Mars. His rise to Prime-Ministership is probably being undermined this month.
Tuesday December 1st 2009
US President Barack Obama has issued new orders for the US military in Afghanistan after
deciding how many more troops to send, officials say. Mr Obama told senior military leaders
about his long-awaited decision on troop numbers on Sunday night. The president yesterday
briefed the UK, French and Russian leaders on the plan. The moves come as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would send 500 more soldiers to the country. Mr Obama is set to formally announce that a further 30,000 troops are to be sent to Afghanistan in a televised address on today.
Germany has warned Iran it faces new UN sanctions after Tehran announced plans for 10 uranium enrichment sites in defiance of international demands. Big trouble seems to be brewing there.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiment on the French-Swiss border has set a new world record for energy. The LHC pushed the energy of its particle beams beyond one trillion electron volts, making it the world's highest-energy particle accelerator.
Today the Moon in Taurus opposes Venus at 13:40 GMT and is void.
This' nearly full' Moon enters Gemini 14:24 GMT
Mercury in Sagittarius sextiles Neptune in Aquarius 14:53 GMT
Uranus is stationary turning direct 18:44 at 23 degrees Pisces.
Venus enters Sagittarius 22:04 GMT today, joining the Sun and Mercury in that sign. Venus will reside in Sagittarius for 25 days. She sextiles Saturn on Dec. 4th, trines Mars on Dec 17th, squares Uranus on Dec. 20th, sextiles Jupiter on Dec. 21st and enters Capricorn on Christmas day. Venus will be in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on January 11th. With Mars in Leo, Venus in Sagittarius is the perfect compliment. We are in for 25 days of potential spirited and enterprising responses. This is risk taking, thrill seeking and adventurous stuff.
Wednesday December 2nd 2009
President Barack Obama is to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan within six months.
All South African babies testing HIV-positive will be treated, in a major change of police
announced by Jacob Zuma.
Iran's failure to explain why a UK yacht crew were seized by its navy is of "increasing concern",
the UK Foreign Office says.
Full Moon in Gemini
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_G7-K54fS8qk/R0hg2nVdqYI/AAAAAAAAAHE/EGccSTEwLZE/s320/mini-mini-twinflameangels.jpg
This is the 4th Full Moon following on from the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on August 6th 2009 and the ultimate Full Moon before the Partial Lunar Eclipse on New Years Eve this year.
This FULL Moon is in a loose airy trine aspect with Saturn, and in a loose sextile with Mars. Saturn is square Pluto. Mercury sextiles Neptune, Venus sextiles Saturn. Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune are tightly packed together in Aquarius. The purpose energy of this Full moon is to 'transmit' and to connect. Communication is the keyword here.
The world situation has a grave edge to it at the moment. Saturn is square Pluto. There is trouble on the world stage with Iran. Greater US military involvement in Afghanistan has just been announced. Climate change is very much on the political agenda with the Copenhagen summit in 5 days time. This lunation offers some prospect of human interaction to sort out problems.
At the moment of Full Moon (today 07:31 GMT) the Sun and Moon are aligned to Los Angeles. The Moon is rising over North Island New Zealand and Japan. Saturn is culminating at London. Mars culminates at Rio De Janeiro. Saturn and Pluto form a 'paran' at Accra.
This Full Moon directly hits the natal Mercury of the Israel Independence chart, the natal Venus of Joan Collins, the natal Saturn of Jo Biden and the natal Uranus of Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Today is the birthday of Britney Spears, Monica Seles and Lucy Liu.
The Full Moon wave breaks across the whole day and The Moon sextiles Mars in Leo 19:59 GMT.
With the passing of this Full Moon we are once again in the foothills of another eclipse season.
Thursday December 3rd 2009
Yesterday's Full Moon occurred as the Taliban said they will step up the fight in Afghanistan, after the US pledged to send substantial reinforcements.
An influential group of Nigerians urged the president to resign on the grounds of ill-health, but ministers rejected the call.
Golfer Tiger Woods said he has let his family down and expresses regret, days after a car crash at his Florida home.
The relatives of five British sailors whose boat apparently drifted into Iranian territorial waters last week voiced relief on Wednesday as their sons arrived at a yacht club in Dubai.
Today the fast moving and now waning Moon in Gemini opposes Mercury in Sagittarius at 10:28 GMT and is void from that point in time.
The Moon then enters Cancer 16:01 GMT. The day from that moment veers towards domesticity.
From 16:00 GMT to 21:30 GMT the Moon forms another cardinal T-square with Pluto and Saturn.
Friday December 4th 2009
Yesterday a suicide bomber disguised as a woman killed at least 19 people, including government ministers, at a hotel in the Somali capital.
Russia and the Vatican have established full diplomatic relations, ending longstanding tensions, the Kremlin said.
Today Venus in Sagittarius sextiles Saturn in Libra 11:45 GMT. Enterprising commitments may be in evidence today.
The Moon in Cancer is perigee (fastest all month) 14:22 GMT
The Moon occults the fixed star delta Gemini for UK observers 20:58 to 21:53 GMT
Saturday December 5th 2009
A Philippines province is under martial law after the election-related massacre of 57 people, the first such move in decades.
A blaze set off by fireworks in a club in the Russian city of Perm leaves at least 101 people dead and 140 injured.
President Obama will now attend the end of the Copenhagen climate summit after "progress" in talks, the White House says.
The Moon in Cancer trines Uranus in Pisces at 05:09 GMT and is void of course from that time.
The Moon hits disseminating phase 29 degrees Cancer 14:50 GMT.
The Moon enters Leo 17:08 GMT joining Mars in that sign.
Mercury enters Capricorn 17:25 GMT joining Pluto. More later!
Sunday December 6th 2009
Tens of thousands of people took part yesterday in climate change protests around the UK ahead of the Copenhagen summit
The dance of Mercury.
Mercury entered Capricorn as an evening star on Saturday 5th December. He will be in this sign right up to Feb 10th 2010 as he will be undergoing retrograde motion during this time. Here is Mercury's agenda.
Dec 5th Mercury enters Capricorn.
Dec 7th Mercury conjunction with Pluto.
Dec 8th Mercury square Saturn.
Dec 9th Mercury reaches the point (6 Capricorn) he will be returning to during retrograde motion.
Dec 18th Mercury apparent speed less than a degree per day.
Dec 26th Mercury turns retrograde 22 Capricorn.
Jan 4th 2010 Mercury and the Sun in Inferior Conjunction. Mercury now a morning star.
Jan 5th Mercury is overtaken by Venus at 13 Capricorn. Mercury will attempt to 'get even' with Venus in early April when he almost catches up with her but is foiled again by his own retrograde motion at that time. It is not till late October 2010 that these two meet again.
Jan 15th 2010 Mercury stationary turns direct 6 Capricorn.
Jan 27th 2010 Mercury now moving over a degree per day.
Feb 5th 2010 Mercury enters 'new territory'.
Feb 6th 2010 Mercury sextiles Uranus.
Feb 10th 2010 Mercury enters Aquarius.
Mercury in Capricorn invokes practical and pragmatic thought forms. The period of this residence is a great time to make realistic plans but not to initiate them.
Saturn makes a trine aspect to Barack Obama's natal Moon today Dec 6th.
The Moon is conjunct Mars at 19 degrees Leo 23:52 GMT
Monday December 7th 2009
Yesterday Senior government figures rejected criticism of President Barack Obama's plan to start pulling troops from Afghanistan in 2011. Saturn was making a trine aspect to Barack Obama's natal Moon yesterday.
Iraq's parliament unanimously approved a new electoral law, paving the way for elections next year.
Guinea's military leader is in a "favourable" condition after surgery for injuries sustained in an assassination bid, doctors said.
The UN's top climate official said things are in "excellent shape" ahead of a climate change summit in Copenhagen.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 16 degrees Sagittarius. There are 14 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Venus is with the Sun in Sagittarius. Mercury is in Capricorn with Pluto, and Mars is in Leo.
The Leo Moon opposes Jupiter (05:00 GMT) and Neptune (08:59 GMT), becoming void at that time.
The Moon enters Virgo 19:07 GMT
The next Full Moon on New Year's Eve is a Partial Lunar Eclipse.
Mercury is an evening star in Capricorn. Mercury is conjunct Pluto 09:10 GMT today and he is square to Saturn tomorrow. On Dec 9th Mercury reaches the point (6 Capricorn) he will be returning to during retrograde motion. Dec 18th Mercury apparent speed less than a degree per day. Dec 26th Mercury turns retrograde 22 Capricorn. Jan 4th 2010 Mercury and the Sun in Inferior Conjunction. Mercury now a morning star. Jan 5th Mercury is overtaken by Venus at 13 Capricorn. Mercury will attempt to 'get even' with Venus in early April when he almost catches up with her but is foiled again by his own retrograde motion at that time. It is not till late October 2010 that these two meet again. Jan 15th 2010 Mercury stationary turns direct 6 Capricorn. Jan 27th 2010 Mercury now moving over a degree per day. Feb 5th 2010 Mercury enters 'new territory'. Feb 6th 2010 Mercury sextiles Uranus. Feb 10th 2010 Mercury enters Aquarius. Mercury in Capricorn invokes practical and pragmatic thought forms. The period of this residence is a great time to make realistic plans but not to initiate them.
Venus is a morning star in Sagittarius. She trines Mars on Dec 17th, squares Uranus on Dec. 20th, sextiles Jupiter on Dec. 21st and enters Capricorn on Christmas day. Venus will be in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on January 11th. With Mars in Leo, Venus in Sagittarius is the perfect compliment. We are in for 18 more days of potential spirited and enterprising responses. This is risk taking, thrill seeking and adventurous stuff.
Mars is in Leo and is slowing down as he approaches his station. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars currently is only four degrees from his station. Currently Mars is only degrees from an opposition to Jupiter but will turn retrograde before the opposition can be consummated. August 4th 2010 will be the date that this opposition occurs. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 . Mars will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 24 degrees Aquarius on December 21st .This is the final of 3. (First was May 27th, second was on July 10th)
The United Nations Climate Change Conference will take place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between December 7 and December 18, 2009. The conference includes the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Meeting of the Parties (COP/MOP 5) to the Kyoto Protocol. According to the Bali Road Map, a framework for climate change mitigation beyond 2012 is to be agreed there.[1]
The conference starts as a decelerating Mercury is squaring Saturn. This is not too good an omen to start with. The conference could get bogged down in too much detail at the start. There is some hope for a satisfactory outcome however with a more optimistic planetary situation towards the end of the week.
Tuesday December 8th 2009
Yesterday Denmark's PM described the UN climate summit in Copenhagen
as an "opportunity the world cannot afford to miss".
Gunfire was heard as Iranian security forces clashed with opposition supporters
in central Tehran.
Two explosions ripped through a busy market in the city of Lahore, killing at least
12 people and injuring dozens of others.
Today Mercury in Capricorn squares Saturn in Libra 14:36 GMT
The Moon wanes and decelerates in Virgo towards her Last Quarter phase tomorrow.
This is a day of hard work, methodology and potential frustration.
Wednesday December 9th 2009
Yesterday a harsh Mercury 'cardinal square' Saturn in the skies of Earth coincided with a series of car bombings killing at least 127 people in Baghdad in what officials said was a bid to destabilise Iraq.
Today the Moon reaches Last Quarter Phase 00:14 GMT 17 degrees Virgo.
The Moon in Virgo opposes Uranus at 10:05 and is void of course from that moment for over 10 hours.
The Moon enters Libra 22:48 GMT
Thursday December 10th 2009
Later yesterday Thousands of Jewish settlers and their supporters protested in Jerusalem at a curb on West Bank settlement building.
The Iraqi PM fired the head of Baghdad's security forces after bombings killed 127 people on Tuesday, reports say.
A major split between developing countries emerged at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Small island states and poor African nations vulnerable to climate impacts laid out demands for a legally-binding deal tougher than the Kyoto Protocol. This was opposed by richer developing states such as China, which fear tougher action would curb their growth. Tuvalu demanded - and got - a suspension of negotiations until the issue could be resolved.
Research reveals details of a catastrophic flood that refilled the Mediterranean Sea more than five million years ago.
Today the Moon wanes and decelerates in Libra.
The Sun is fire trining a nearly stationary Mars. Cosmic adrenalin is unleashed. This is a social and combustible day. Friday is also a nice one. Have fun.
Friday December 11th 2009
CONFIRMED: The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed the launch and subsequent
failure of a submarine-based missile: This explains the strange lights over Norway
reported yesterday.(See photo above) BBC Report.
Today the fiery Sagittarian Sun trines a fiery Mars in Leo 01:18 GMT.
The Libran Moon sextiles both the Sun and Mars 09:00 to 09:30 GMT
The Moon makes pleasant aspects all day; making a final trine aspect to Neptune at 17:45 GMT. The Moon is then void of course. Tonight (GMT) will seemto drift nowhere in particular. The weekend that follows sees an old decelerating Moon in Scorpio conferring a deep and wilful hue on all activities.
Saturday December 12th 2009
The Moon enters Scorpio 04:32 GMT and reaches her balsamic phase 15:02 GMT at 6 degrees Scorpio.
Things are perhaps little intense today.
Copenhagen
Rich countries are being asked to raise their pledges on tackling climate change, a draft text at the Copenhagen summit shows. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Australia as part of global protests to demand action from leaders at UN climate talks in Copenhagen.
Tiger Woods still headline news, (sign of the times).
US golfer Tiger Woods (Sun Capricorn, old Moon in Sagittarius opposite Mars in Gemini, intense Venus in Scorpio) says he is taking an indefinite break from the sport, after publicly admitting his "infidelity" for the first time. Tiger Wood's astrological chart is widely known and has an accurate birth time. In September he had Saturn on his Virgo ascendant as Pluto was on his Sun Moon midpoint . His progressed Midheaven is conjunct his progressed Saturn this season and right now Jupiter is sextile his natal Moon (hope here for the family man) however Uranus is square his Midheaven in January 2010 suggesting severance.
Avatar.
Jupiter and Neptune are finally conjunct in Aquarius, a fitting symbolism as the Sci-fi epic Avatar has premiered in London, with stars Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington on the red carpet.
Sunday December 13th 2009
A group of suspected Islamic militants storm a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing 31 prisoners.
Climate activists criticise Danish police for heavy-handed tactics after they detained 968 people a
t a Copenhagen summit rally.
The slow Moon wanes and decelerates in Scorpio.
The Gemini meteor shower peaks on Dec. 13th and 14th when Earth passes through a stream of debris from extinct comet 3200 Phaethon. The Geminids have been intensifying in recent years, and 2009 could be the best year yet. Forecasters expect 140+ meteors per hour under the dark skies of a very old Moon.
The Sun applies in square aspect to Uranus. There is something a little unsettling and unpalatable about today.
Monday December 14th 2009
Yesterday Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hit in the face and knocked to the ground after a political rally in Milan.
Pluto was (to the day) sextile his Jupiter/Neptune midpoint, Jupiter is opposite his Neptune/Pluto midpoint and square his Saturn/ Pluto midpoint, Wednesday's New Moon is square his Virgo Ascendant. The lunar eclipse on New Years Eve is square his Mercury. It all adds up to a loss of face and augers not well for his future.
Marjorie Orr "With his Sun at 5 degrees Libra it is due for the first hit of the tr Pluto square from late Feb 2010 which will turn his life inside out putting major pressure on him in the coming eighteen months. Also his Ascendant and Midheaven are at 27 degrees Virgo/Gemini so will pick up the hard transits from Saturn and Uranus through 2010. Image and ambitions going completely off track."
The leaders of Sudan and of its semi-autonomous southern region said they have reached a deal on the terms of a key referendum.
Climate activists criticise Danish police for heavy-handed tactics after they detained 968 people at a Copenhagen summit rally.
State of the skies:- The Sun today reaches 23 degrees Sagittarius. The Sun squares Uranus today 15:27 GMT. He sextiles Jupiter tomorrow and he sextiles Neptune on Wednesday. There are 7 days to the Capricorn Solstice. Venus is with the Sun in Sagittarius. Mercury is in Capricorn with Pluto, and Mars is in Leo. We are in an eclipse season with eclipses of the Moon on Dec 31st and of the Sun on Jan 15th.
The slow and old Moon in Scorpio squares Neptune at 01:18 GMT and is void of course at that moment.
The Moon enters Sagittarius 12:25 GMT.
The next New Moon is on Wednesday.
Mercury is an evening star in Capricorn. Mercury is now covering zodiacal ground he will have to return to in his forthcoming retrograde motion. On Dec 18th Mercury's apparent speed is less than a degree per day. On Dec 26th Mercury turns retrograde 22 Capricorn. On Jan 4th 2010 Mercury and the Sun are in Inferior Conjunction. Mercury is then a morning star. On Jan 5th Mercury is overtaken by Venus at 13 Capricorn. Mercury will attempt to 'get even' with Venus in early April when he almost catches up with her but is foiled again by his own retrograde motion at that time. It is not till late October 2010 that these two meet again. On Jan 15th 2010 Mercury stationary turns direct 6 Capricorn. On Jan 27th 2010 Mercury now moving over a degree per day. On Feb 5th 2010 Mercury enters 'new territory'.On Feb 6th 2010 Mercury sextiles Uranus. On Feb 10th 2010 Mercury enters Aquarius. Mercury in Capricorn invokes practical and pragmatic thought forms. The period of this residence is a great time to make realistic plans but not to initiate them.
Venus is a morning star in Sagittarius. She trines Mars on Dec 17th, squares Uranus on Dec. 20th, sextiles Jupiter on Dec. 21st and enters Capricorn on Christmas day. Venus will be in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on January 11th. With Mars in Leo, Venus in Sagittarius is the perfect compliment. We are in for 11 more days of potential spirited and enterprising responses. This is risk taking, thrill seeking and adventurous stuff.
Mars is in Leo and is slowing down as he approaches his station. Mars will appear to turn retrograde on Dec 20th 2010 at 20 degrees Leo. Mars currently is less than two degrees from his station. Currently Mars is only degrees from an opposition to Jupiter but will turn retrograde before the opposition can be consummated. August 4th 2010 will be the date that this opposition occurs. Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Mars will be in Leo for a long time right up to June 7th 2010. The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 . Mars will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Jupiter is conjunct Neptune at 24 degrees Aquarius on December 21st .This is the final of 3. (First was May 27th, second was on July 10th)
Tuesday December 15th 2009
Yesterday negotiations at the UN climate summit resumed after developing countries earlier withdrew their co-operation.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Tehran to free three US hikers facing trial in Iran after crossing into the country.
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi will stay in hospital for a second night after having his nose broken by an attacker,
A Nasa satellite designed to uncover hidden cosmic objects has blasted off from California. The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (Wise) blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base on a Delta II rocket just after 1409 GMT.
It will pick up the glow of hundreds of millions of astronomical bodies.
Today the Sun sextiles Jupiter 00:17 GMT.
A lunar occultation of Antares today occurs around 07:02 GMT. The occultation is centered on northern Russia. The current series of lunar Antares occultations will end in February next year. Only two remain now. These events started in December 2004. The next series is from 2023 to 2028.
The Moon is conjunct Venus at 18 degrees Sagittarius 22:17 GMT.
Today is the day before the New Moon. The sagittarian Sun is in sextile relationship to Jupiter and Neptune. There is joviality, and a lot of' hot air' about.
Wednesday December 16th 2009
Yesterday high-level talks at the UN climate summit began, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon telling nations to "seal a deal" on climate change. On Monday the talks were disrupted. The Sun was square Uranus then. Yesterday with the Sun sextile Jupiter things were much more constructive.
However at least 22 people were killed in a bomb attack in the central Pakistani town of Dera Ghazi Khan,
Today the Sun sextiles Neptune 00:17 GMT.
Almost twelve hours later the Moon is New.
New Moon in Sagittarius
sextile Jupiter and Neptune.
http://aura.gaia.com/photos/46/456392/large/sagittarius.gif
This New Moon is the last one before the Annular Solar Eclipse in Capricorn on 15th January 2010. With its passing we are deeply in an eclipse season with a Partial Lunar Eclipse following on Dec 31st 2009.
This New Moon is sextile Neptune and Jupiter who are tightly conjunct in Aquarius. At best the time is optimistic, visionary, artistic and inspired. Venus is trine Mars, social and sexual atmospheres are energised, but in the background is the sinister Saturn square Pluto, which is currently constantly casting a gloomy shadow on the frivolities.
This New Moon is conjucnt the natal Moon of Tiger Woods and Amy Winehouse, the natal Venus of Joan Baez, the natal Lunar Node of Shirley Bassey, and the natal Sun of Keith Richards who is 66 on Friday. The New Moon today trines Barack Obama's natal Uranus.
At the exact moment of New Moon today the Sun and Moon are on the local Midheaven of central England, they are both about to rise at Miami and they both straddle the horizon of Kabul. Jupiter and Neptune are aligned to Tokyo, a Uranus Pluto Paran cuts just north of Calcutta and Mars is on the Midheaven of San Francisco.
The Moon is void from the moment of New Moon.
She ingresses Capricorn 22:32 GMT
Thursday December 17th 2009
Yesterday in the crazy wake of a firery New Moon in Sagittarius formal negotiations at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen halted amid disagreement, as police and protesters clashed outside. Chaos ruled all about.
The European Space Agency (Esa) released stunning new pictures from the recently launched Herschel telescope. The pictures show star formation, and have been described as among the most important images obtained from space for decades. (photo above).
Today the infant Moon in Capricorn is conjunct Pluto 04:00 GMT.
Venus fire trines Mars 12:39 GMT.
Love is in the air.
Friday December 18th 2009
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (currently undergoing his Venus return) yesterday backed calls by developing nations to keep the Kyoto Protocol, which only requires rich nations to cut emissions. Speaking in Copenhagen, he broke away from the EU position of favouring a new deal that saw all nations commit to measures to curb climate change. Elsewhere, the US and China have been at loggerheads over binding targets. With one day remaining, observers say the climate summit is unlikely to deliver a meaningful deal. With Mercury slowing and Mars almost at a standstill (both from a geocentric perspective) I guess we can expect no better than this.
CURIOUS EVENTS IN NEBRASKA:On Dec. 16th at 9 p.m. CST, a very bright meteor lit up the completely overcast sky like lightning in southeast Nebraska," reports Trooper Jerry Chab of the Nebraska State Patrol. "It flashed for approximately 2 seconds and was followed by sonic booms and ground shaking, which prompted many calls by the public to law enforcement in a three county wide area." Meanwhile, the USGS says there was a magnitude 3.5 earthquake near Auburn, Nebraska, at 8:53 pm, about the same time and place as the fireball.
This map shows the nominal epicenter: "If the earthquake is confirmed, as it appears to be, I think we have the most cosmic of coincidences: A large fireball around the same time of an earthquake," says Chab. "I am simply amazed!" One possible interpretation of these events is that a small asteroid hit Earth's atmosphere and caused the ground to shake when it exploded in mid-air. However, the timing might not be right. The quake seems to have preceded the fireball. Astrologically Mars was about to rise. The Moon was conjunct Pluto.
The genetic blueprint for the two most common forms of cancer, lung and skin, have been decoded by British scientists. They say the research could lead to new diagnostic techniques and treatments for the conditions in the future.
Today Mercury's apparent speed is less than a degree per day as he slows to his retrograde motion which begins on December 26th. Mars too turns retrograde in two days time. The advice offered is hold back on important matters for several weeks. A time of reflection and contemplation is ahead of us.
The slow moving Moon closely aligns to this decelerating Mercury at 06:56 GMT, zodiacal conjunction 17 degrees Capricorn 07:52 GMT.
The decelerating Moon then sextiles Uranus 20:08 GMT and becomes void for over 14 hours.
Saturday December 19th 2009
Delegates at the climate summit are battling to prevent the talks ending without reaching a final deal.
Earlier, a US-led group of five nations - including China - tabled a last-minute proposal that President Barack Obama called a "meaningful agreement". However, it was rejected by a few developing nations who felt it failed to deliver the actions needed to halt dangerous climate change. Not a satisfactory outcome. Astrologically it is no surprise. Mercury and Mars are approaching their stations.
Today The very slowly waxing Moon enters Aquarius 10:39 GMT .
This day has a bit of an unsettling edge to it . Venus is squaring Uranus.
Sunday December 20th 2009
A key reformist cleric in Iran, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, dies aged 87, raising tensions over fresh protests.
The Colombian government has announced it is building a new military base on its border with Venezuela and has activated six new airborne battalions.Relations between the two nations are at a historic low with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez already telling his generals to prepare for war.
A snowstorm moves into the eastern US with falls of up to 14in (36cm) and at least five deaths blamed on the weather.
Eurostar passenger trains remain suspended following chaos on Saturday, as fresh snowfall is predicted across parts of the UK.
Today Venus in Sagittarius squares Uranus in Pisces 01:53 GMT.
Mars is stationary turning retrograde 13:33 GMT at 20 degrees Leo.
Moon apogee 14:55 GMT.
Moon reaches crescent phase 15:51 GMT at 14 degrees Aquarius.
Monday December 21st 2009
The Daze is ten years old today.
The day of the Capricorn Solstice 2009
This day starts with the Moon in Aquarius tightly opposing Mars (47' orb) 02:44 GMT
Venus in Sagittarius sextiles Jupiter in Aquarius 04:53 GMT
Jupiter is conjunct Neptune 24 degrees Aquarius 08:53 GMT (32' orb). This is the final of three. (The first was May 27th 2009, the second was on July 10th 2009)
The Moon then is conjunct Neptune 12:07 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius
and two minutes later is conjunct Jupiter 12:09 GMT at 24 degrees Aquarius.
The Moon sextiles Venus 12:54 and becomes void for nearly 11 hours .
Winter Solstice (northern hemisphere)
17:47 GMT
The skies of the Capricorn Solstice this year are dominated with the tight final conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius. The Moon is there with the heavenly pair in Aquarius and Venus sextiles them all. Mercury in Capricorn is sextile Uranus. Mars is retrograde in Leo in impotent opposition to Jupiter, and the Capricorn Sun is applying to Pluto and square Saturn. There is a predominance of Fire and Air and positivity in the planetary makeup today.
The astrological quality of this Solstice, which sets the tone for the whole year ahead, is one of vision, invention and hope amid a serious warning note. The Jupiter Neptune conjunction confers an other-worldly glamour, the crescent Moon in Aquarius gives the vision, Mercury sextile Uranus invokes the inventiveness and the Saturn Pluto square issues the warning.
At the moment of Solstice, it is local midnight at Lharsa. The Sun sets at Acra. Pluto sets at Lagos. Saturn and Pluto align to Havana. Pluto is on the MC of Atlanta. The Moon is at lower culmination at Sydney. Mars hits the MC of Edmonton. Mercury and lunar Node are on the IC of Perth and of Hong Kong. Jupiter and Neptune set at Moscow. Saturn is at lower culmination at Bern. Uranus is on the local Midheaven of Wales, Scotland and at Madrid.
The waxing crescent Moon sets well before local midnight over the UK and slips unseen into Pisces 23:42 GMT.
Tuesday December 22nd 2009
The Moon, bleary eyed but determined waxes and accelerates in Pisces applying all day to Uranus.
Wednesday December 23rd 2009
Europe faces continued transport chaos as a cold snap sweeps across the continent, causing at least 80 deaths
President Ahmadinejad rejects as US forgeries papers allegedly showing Iranian plans to test a trigger for a nuclear bomb.
Well the Capricorn Solstice is past.
Ringing Yule Tide bells here.
Today the Moon is conjunct Uranus at 23 degrees Pisces 21:43 GMT.
Thursday December 24th 2009
Yesteday police and opposition supporters clashed in Iran during a memorial for a leading
dissident cleric, opposition websites said.
More than half of the Italian city of Venice is flooded, after water levels rose to their highest point this year.
Freezing weather which has killed more than 90 people is continuing to cause transport problems across Europe. Air, rail and road services have been severely disrupted but some routes have now resumed. Eurostar resumed a limited service and flights restarted from Europe's third-biggest airport - in Frankfurt - on Tuesday after it was closed overnight. In Poland, where 10 people died in a single day, the winter death toll now stands at 79. The bitterly cold weather across much of the continent combined with heavy snow in some areas has caused cancellations and delays at airports and forced train lines to close. The disruption has come during the busy Christmas holiday season, affecting many people's travel plans.
Today the Pisces Moon is square Venus at 08:10 GMT and is void of course from that moment.
The Moon enters Aries 11:40 GMT
A very tight cardinal T-square manifests around 17:18 GMT involving the Moon. Saturn, the Sun and Pluto.
The Sun is conjunct Pluto 17:28 GMT
The Moon hits her first quarter phase at 3 degrees Aries 17:37 GMT.
Friday December 25th 2009
Yesterday the US Senate passed the final version of a historic healthcare reform bill, in a boost to President Barack Obama.
At least 23 people were killed and scores were wounded in a series of bomb blasts in Iraq, some targeting Shia Muslims.
Happy Christmas everyone from a wintry England.
Today the Moon waxes in Aries.
Venus enters Capricorn 18:17 GMT.
Venus will reside in Capricorn for only 25 days. This is is a period of commitment in personal affairs. Security in relationships becomes paramount. A sense of quality and value will be evident.
While in this sign Venus is conjunct Pluto at 3 degrees Capricorn on Dec 28th. She is square Saturn on 29th Dec. Venus is in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on January 11th at 22 degrees Capricorn, and she is sextile Uranus 0n January 13th 2010. She enters Aquarius on January 18th 2010.
The Sun squares Saturn 23:58 GMT
Saturday December 26th 2009
At least 18 people have died as a result of blizzards and freezing temperatures enveloping the US Midwest. A state of emergency has been declared in South Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma, where the authorities have shut down highways after a series of accidents.
A shaken Pope Benedict celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica shortly after being knocked over by a female spectator.The woman, said to be mentally unstable, managed to grab him by his vestments near the neck as a security guard tried to overwhelm her. Venus was opposite the Pope's natal Mars and square his natal Mercury when the attack took place.
Today The Moon in Aries sextiles Jupiter 11:46 GMT and is void of course.
Mercury turns retrograde today at 22 degrees Capricorn at 14:32 GMT.
The Moon enters Taurus 20:27 GMT
Sunday December 27th 2009
The News was not so good yesterday. As the Moon in Aries waxed toward partial eclipse
and Mercury hung apparently motionless at his station, an incident occured on an airliner arriving
in the US city of Detroit from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It was a failed bomb attack. A man burnt his leg trying to ignite explosives on the jet, which had 278 passengers and 11 crew aboard, but nobody else was seriously hurt. In custody, the Nigerian suspect said he had been acting on behalf of al-Qaeda.
Iranian security forces and opposition activists clashed in Tehran, reformist web sites and witnesses said. Some reports say shots have been fired in the air to disperse demonstrators in the centre of the capital.
The collapse of a bridge being built in western India is feared to have left some 40 people dead, local police say. Dozens of labourers working on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the river Chambal when it collapsed late on Thursday.
Today the Sun and Moon are in earth signs together with Mercury Venus and Pluto. The Moon, waxing to a partial eclipse on New Years Eve, is today in Taurus.
Venus is very close to her conjunction with Pluto.
Eclipse tensions are beginning to rise.
Monday December 28th 2009
Yesterday at least four protesters were killed and 300 arrested amid violence between anti-government crowds and police in Iran's capital. Venus is conjunct Pluto and the Sun.
State of the skies:-The Sun, Venus and Pluto are now closely packed in Capricorn. Retrograde Mercury approaches the 'cluster'. The Sun today reaches 7 degrees Capricorn. There are 83 days to the Vernal Equinox. Mercury is retrograding in Capricorn and Mars is retrograding in Leo. We are in an eclipse season with eclipses of the Moon on Dec 31st and of the Sun on Jan 15th.
The Moon reaches gibbous phase 11:17 GMT 22 degrees Taurus. The procession towards Partial Lunar Eclipse is now underway.
Mercury is a retrograding evening' star' in Capricorn. On Jan 4th 2010 Mercury and the Sun are in Inferior Conjunction. Mercury becomes a morning ' star'. On Jan 5th Mercury is overtaken by Venus at 13 Capricorn. Mercury will attempt to 'get even' with Venus in early April when he almost catches up with her. He is foiled again by his own retrograde motion at that time. It is not till late October 2010 that these two meet again.
On Jan 15th 2010 Mercury stationary turns direct 6 Capricorn. On Jan 27th 2010 Mercury now moving over a degree per day. On Feb 5th 2010 Mercury enters 'new territory'. On Feb 6th 2010 Mercury sextiles Uranus. On Feb 10th 2010 Mercury enters Aquarius. Mercury in Capricorn invokes practical and pragmatic thought forms. The period of this residence is a great time to make realistic plans but not to initiate them.
Venus is a morning star in Capricorn. Venus is conjunct Pluto at 3 degrees Capricorn at 06:47 GMT. She is square Saturn on 29th Dec. Venus is in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on January 11th at 22 degrees Capricorn, and she sextile Uranus 0n January 13th 2010. She enters Aquarius on January 18th 2010.
Mars is retrograding in Leo Mars is in opposition to the Sun on January 29th 2010. Mars will be in Leo right up to June 7th 2010.
The Sun and Venus oppose Mars between the 27th and 29th Jan 2010 . Mars will, after opposition on Jan 29th, turn direct again at zero Leo on March 10th. Mars' major aspects with the outer planets are a sextile to Saturn in Libra on Feb 15th 2010 and on March 23rd 2010, and an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius on June 4th 2010.
Ec lipse approaching.
Tuesday December 29th 2009
Yesterday, as Venus applied in harsh waxing cardinal square aspect to Saturn, at least
30 people were killed in a suicide attack on a Shia Muslim march in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
At least 10 Afghan civilians, most of them children, were killed during Western military operations,
said President Hamid Karzai.
A number of opposition figures were arrested in Iran, a day after at least eight people were killed in violent protests.
Iran's National chart which one to use?
Marjorie Orr-"Usually the earlier dates for countries are the best ones. Not easy I grant you where there has been a long history back into the unrecorded past. But if possible finding the date when a country in modern times symbolically came into being. Iran was Iran before the ''79 Revolution just as South Africa was South Africa before 1994. Taking a much more recent date seems to me a little like wanting a new birth chart just because you got divorced and started a new life.
Though on the whole I''ll work with two charts if necessary - in this case 1906 and 1979 - and often they both throw up the same answers. I do prefer the Ayatollah Khomeini return-to-Iran of Feb 11 1979 chart for modern Islamist Iran. I did check it out with the April 1 1979 chart against later happenings and will try to fish that out. That''s really the only way to cope with country charts - test them out.
Looking at the Iran-Iraq War from Sep 22 1980, which ran for six years and cost nearly 1 million Iranian lives until the UN brokered a peace deal, is a case in point. On the Iran 1906 chart at the time when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980 the very central natal Mars opposition Saturn was being challenged several different ways. Tr Uranus was opposition the SArc Saturn moving to conjunct the SArc Mars in the next two years. The SArc Pluto was opposition the natal Saturn, moving to conjunct the Iran Mars at the end of it all. Tr Uranus was inconjunct the Iran Pluto which is natally square Mars. That all seems to me to validate that 1906 chart very clearly".
2009 is ending with a flurry of sunspots. So far this month, the visible disk of the sun has had spots 67% of the time, a sharp increase compared to the annual average. Furthermore, all six of December's sunspot groups have been members of new Solar Cycle 24. These numbers could herald the sun's awakening from the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century and a livelier sun in 2010.
Today The Moon enters Gemini 01:15 GMT
The rather cruel Venus in Capricorn squares Saturn in Libra peaking at 06:56 GMT.
The day that follows presents communication opportunities.
Wednesday December 30th 2009
The West is not helping enough against al-Qaeda, Yemen said yesterday, as details emerged of
the alleged Christmas Day US jet bomber's time there.
The Chinese ambassador was called to the Foreign Office amid a growing row over the execution
of a British man. The UK Chinese relationship suddenly seems bleak.
Today the 'inflated balloon 'and haunted gibbous Moon in Gemini sails towards her new year's eve eclipse . She is finely trine to Jupiter 20:31 GMT and is then the void of course.
Latest update:-Thursday December 31st 2009
Yesterday British hostage Peter Moore, who was held captive in Iraq for more than two-and-a-half years, was freed.
The US knew of "a Nigerian" in Yemen being prepared for a terrorist attack - weeks before a failed bombing on a US plane.
Today the heavily pregnant Full Moon lumbers into Cancer 02:46 GMT. She forms a difficult cardinal T-square with Saturn and Pluto from 08:00 GMT to 10:00 GMT.
The Long awaited...............
New Years Eve
Partial Lunar Eclipse 19:23 GMT
at 10 degrees Cancer
square Saturn.
http://www.wilddelaware.com/wp-content/flock-of-snow-geese-full-moon-27273.jpg
This Partial Lunar Eclipse at the very end of 2009 is astronomically a minor affair. Astrologically it carries some import and interest. The eclipsed Moon in tropical Cancer, square Saturn, is aligned to (just east of) Kabul. Jupiter and Neptune are aligned to Being, Rome, Munich, Stuttgart and Vancouver. Pluto is aligned to Los Angeles. Venus and Pluto to Adelaide and Mars to Dublin.
Timings of the eclipse.
Penumbral eclipse starts 17:10:07 GMT
Partial eclipse starts 18:52:42 GMT
Greatest eclipse 19:23:45.9 GMT
Partial eclipse ends 19:52:42 GMT
Penumbral eclipse ends 21:28:15 GMT
Lunar Saros Series 115
Today's eclipse is the 57th eclipse of a total of 72 in Saros Series 115. This 'family of eclipses' started on 21st April 1000, (the chart above is set for the moment of greatest eclipse during that first eclipse) and the series will end on June 13th 2280. The series 'went total' in 1288, the series peaked with the longest total Eclipse in May 1631. The final Total Eclipse in the series was 1739 and today's eclipse is the last but 4 partial eclipse. The series turns penumbral in 2100. The most recent eclipses in Saros 115 were on Dec 21st 1991, Dec 10th 1973 and Nov 29th 1955. The next eclipses in the series are Jan 12th 2028 and Jan 22nd 1946. The Saros chart above (giving clues to the nature of the whole series) shows the eclipsed Moon in Scorpio separating from a very powerful Pluto in Scorpio with Chiron (trine Uranus) . This 'blood Moon' formed a Fixed T-square with Mars in Leo. There is little air in the chart. The quality of the chart and of the series is of uncompromising even brutal power and will. At the height of the Saros May 10th 1631 ( 5 days before the eclipse that year) the infamous 'Magdeburg Massacre' took place in Germany in the middle of the 30 years war. 20000 inhabitants were slaughtered by imperialist troops. On the exact day of the last eclipse in the series Dec 21st 1991 the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Two days after the eclipse on 29th Nov 1955 the National Civil Rights movement started in the USA.
Today's eclipse falls of sensitive points in the charts of many famous people in 'The Daze collection'. The eclipse hits the natal Sun of Tom Cruise, the natal Moon of Ian Duncan Smith, the natal Mercury of Angela Merkel, Cat Stevens and Boy George, the natal Venus of kate Bush, the natal Mars of William Hague, the natal Saturn of Jon Anderson and Michael Douglas, the natal Uranus of Morgan Tsvangirai, Steve Hillage and Michael Barrymore, the natal Pluto of Tony Benn and Robert Mugabe, the natal Midheaven of the UK national chart and the natal lunar Node of Pete Townsend and Sarah Palin.
The year 2009 comes to a close two and a half hours after today's eclipse ends.