Using Transits - More Coming

I left off the last paragraph of the previous article "How to Use Transits". There is more to come.

The first part of the article covers the length a tranist is in effect. The timing of a transit helps you make your plans and know when to look for things.

The next part of this article covers what to expect during a transit, and what to do.

How to Use Transits

I have been asked how long a transit will last; here's a few tips. This information does not apply to progressions or directions.

How to Work with Transits

Transits are connections between planets. There are days when no planet is making an exact transit, and not much is going on, although this does not always apply to individuals. It might be a quiet day for most people, but if your personal chart is being triggered, you'll notice it, if it's a major transit.

The length of a transit also depends on the aspect. Major aspects such as the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, quincunx and opposition have larger orbs and therefore last a little longer.

When working with transits, the time before the a transit is exact is usually more potent than the time after it's exact. After a transit is exact the planets have finished their business and move on. The closer a planet is to exact, the more powerful it is. And let me remind you, transits are always affected by your natal chart, for better or worse.

Any planet about to go retrograde is moving very slowly. When it makes its station it doesn't move at all for several days. When a planet is Rx it makes three passes over the same area of the natal chart. Three strikes and your out, if you haven't done your work. All planets except the Sun and Moon go retrograde.

The Inner Planets - The Fast Moving Planets

The Moon
The Moon makes aspects on a daily basis but the effect does not last all day, give it about half a day. Transits from New and Full Moons are a couple of days. The waxing and waning quarters are about a day. An eclipse lasts from 3 months to three years, and sometimes longer.

Sun - allow about three to five days prior to the aspect to feel the effects, and about three days after.

Mercury, and Venus - allow about two days before the aspect and a day after.

Mars - allow about a week before and after.

Jupiter and Saturn
Jupiter and Saturn have a longer influence of two or three weeks depending on how fast the are moving.

Outer Planets
Outer planets move very slowly and their influence may be for months, or even a year, before and after the transits.

The New Planets - Eris and Sedna
These planets stay in the same degree for a couple of years. As we become more familiar with them, we'll know more about how they affect us.

Cut Back and Cut Down - the Deception of Saturn Neptune

Saturn made an opposition to Neptune at the end of August. Even though the transit is no longer exact, it hasn't finished with us. It’s affecting our daily lives in ways that aren’t obvious, and there’ll be two more passes.

Astrologers look for outer, worldly, events, as well as inner emotions and reactions to understand a difficult transit. What we often forget is that the outer manifestations may not be obvious, and with Neptune, they may be flawed, as well as obscure.

Transits cause inner effects as well as outer effects, and with Neptune, any inner effect, even though it may be strong, is harder to pin down. It's often a matter of wondering if the event caused the thought or the feeling, or whether the event was caused by the thought or feeling. Anyway, it’s almost impossible to connect the thoughts, feelings, and events in a Neptune transit.

This is especially true with a Saturn, Neptune transit. These planets are so different. Saturn is concrete, realistic, materialistic, and is concerned with usefulness. Saturn deals with the world of form, survival, and business success. It's a tightwad; it'll do anything to save a dollar. It limits, binds, and cuts things down. Neptune represents the world of dreams and visions. Neptune is always seeking to move away from the materialistic world. It doesn't want to have a concrete form, it wants to be diffuse. Neptune wants to merge with things that are amorphous, idealistic, and utopian. It's otherworldly, and unconcerned with material life, in fact it wants to escape. It would rather get high than go to work. It creates illusions; it’s vague, deceptive, mesmerizing, secretive, difficult to see and grasp, and will pull the wool over your eyes to get its way.

Outer Events Related to Saturn and Neptune

False Optimism

The stock market has been doing very well since the end of the Saturn/Neptune transit, in fact it's going up at almost alarming rates. Raymond Merriman, a financial astrologer equates this with the false optimism of Neptune, which may come back to haunt us at the at the next Saturn Neptune oppositions in February and June of 2007. With Saturn and Neptune, facts and figures about material output are deceptive.

What Happened to More for Your Money?

Deception is seen in some of the current marketing tricks. Have you gone to the store recently for your favorite laundry soap and noticed that it seems different? The soap comes in the same box, but may have a pound less detergent. You sensed it was lighter, but you didn't pay attention (Neptune). When you opened it, you probably wondered why they're wasting so much space in the box; you forgot it used to be filled to the top. What they do next is offer you more for your money. They add a little more, maybe half a pound, and raise the price.

Have you bought your favorite mayonnaise and wondered why it didn't last as long? Mayonnaise has been reduced to less than a quart. It still advertises that it comes in a quart jar but has two less ounces.

Do you remember when you could buy one little pack of gum? Now it appears as if you get more for your money in a pack of several, but you don't, and by the time you open up your third pack, it's probably stale and brittle.

Another tactic is to raise a price to the breaking point so that when it’s lowered you breathe a sigh of relief, even though the price is still out of line. (Does gasoline ring a bell?)

Price Cutting is an Illusion

Have you purchased something that looked like a good deal, and when you paid for it, you found it cost much more than advertised? You didn't read the small print. The little asterisk next to the price leads to writing that is difficult to see and grasp (Neptune). You need a magnifying glass to read the "mouse print", no matter how good your eyesight. Airline tickets are a good example. They advertise the one-way fare without all the extra charges. The cost is more than double what they advertise, and the extra costs are explained in all the miniscule print.

We've all become aware of the phrase, "read the fine print", but how many of us read it? We've become so mesmerized we don’t even bother (Neptune). Saturn likes things that are compact and able to fit in small spaces. Tiny type (Saturn) is great solution to hide agendas (Neptune).

What many companies are doing is cutting back (Saturn) on the product rather than raising the price. The first clue is the phrase "new and improved". Improving marketing to fool you is the real meaning. This is such a great example of Saturn oppose Neptune; Saturn cuts things down and Neptune is deception. With the opposition, a choice has to be made. Do one or the other if you can't find a way to blend or balance. The choice is raise the price, or give them less for the same money. From past practices, they learned that the consumer wouldn’t notice or care, as long as it’s cheaper. The company is using the Saturn principle of cutting down, and Neptune deceives the customer so they don't notice that they're getting less for their money.

Inner Feelings

This transit brings feelings of hopelessness when trying to deal with the material world. Neptune wants to escape and Saturn longs for the old days.

Look to see where transit Saturn and Neptune are located in your chart, and notice if they're making aspects to natal or progressed planets.

Next I'll talk more about the Saturn Neptune effect, and then how to get something positive out of the transit.

9/24 Jupiter square Neptune

On 9/24 Jupiter, the planet of exaggeration, is square Neptune, the planet of illusion, delusion, and deception. This is the third and final square for several years. The first two squares were 1/27/06 and 3/16/06. We've been feeling this square for a couple of weeks.

Here are some of the things going on with Jupiter square Neptune.

Jupiter brings higher vision, while Neptune looks for idyllic conditions. This is a problem for many New Agers as they search for perfect peace. This transit will dim this ideal, which is often unrealistic. Many are looking for rapture or ascension as a way of avoiding life. They hang onto a belief that a higher reality is descending, which will wash away all negativity, and solve each and every problem. Actually they hang onto the hope that all problems will disappear. While thoughts of a new and higher existence are good, when this ideal (Neptune) is exaggerated (Jupiter) and ignores the balance of reality, it becomes wishful thinking, a fantasy, and is difficult to manifest on any level. This denial distracts us from what is important. Try to envision a better world without being too fantastical. Strike a balance with reality.

There is a political component to this aspect that comes from Aquarius. In some countries politics and religion are one and the same. Earlier this year we saw a reaction to Jupiter square Neptune in religious protests to a Muslim cartoon that was published in the media. Due to Scorpio, it became very intense. Look for some type of religious outrage, but not necessarily over a cartoon.

Neptune is associated with alcohol, and Jupiter seeks justice. Jeffrey Skilling made the news recently when he was arrested for public intoxication (Neptune). The Enron trial (Jupiter) is coming up again. The beginning of the Enron trial started 1/30/06, three days after the start of the first Jupiter square to Neptune.

The Gulf War Syndrome has been in the news. The government has disavowed that there is any such thing as the Gulf War Syndrome. This sounds like Neptune denial, and disinformation. During the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and through the Gulf War that ended in 1991, Jupiter was in opposition to Neptune.

Other problems we may expect.

• Increase of rainfall, floods or anything to do with water
• Intense religious reactions to the radical free press, especially photos (or cartoons). (Neptune in Aquarius)
• Problems on universities or college campuses, or during athletic events, with drugs and alcohol
• Problems with pilgrimages, or travel to foreign countries
• excessive trade
• the illusion that things are well, causing the stock market to go higher than it should.

This transit could play out in any of the following areas.

Jupiter - religion, churches and places of worship, the pope, philosophy, publishing, education, universities and places of higher learning, courts, law, the Republican party, the senate, legal ceremonies such as weddings, travel, royalty and the nobility, foreigners, foreign affairs and trade, horseracing and equestrian events.

Neptune - boundaries, drugs and alcohol, pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry, priests, nuns, monks, monasteries and sanctuaries, hospitals and clinics, prisons and prisoners, secret enemies, bankruptcies, photography and film, music, poetry, oceans, harbors, beaches, docks, boats, charities, and spirituality.

We must beware of overdoing and falling prey to the Jupiter tendency to exaggerate matters of religion, philosophy, education, travel, and to things ruled by Neptune, alcohol and drugs, and things of glamour that trick us into a false sense of beauty. Once we overcome the friction of this transit, we'll reach a bigger view based on wisdom.

tags: astrology solar eclipse
virgo

Solar Eclipse 9/22/06

On 9/22/06, there will be a solar eclipse in the sign Virgo. This is an annular solar eclipse at 29 Virgo 19. Contact of Umbra begins at 09:48, greatest eclipse is 11:40 UT, and ends at 13:31 UT. The entire duration of this eclipse is 7:09 hours.

Solar Eclipse Chart

It begins in Guyana, passes over Surinam and French Guiana, then heads over the Atlantic Ocean, and ends near Kerguelen Island, in the Southern Indian Ocean above Antarctica.Go to Fred Espenak’s page at NASA for more details.

A solar eclipse is a powerful conjunction of the Sun and the Moon, which brings energy to start new projects, look for new ideas, or seek a new way of life. Virgo is a mutable, earth sign symbolizing grain, the harvest, and virgin territory. Mundane matters are the military, unions, service, health and small pets. Earth signs are practical, and planets in Virgo are concerned with ordinary details. Virgo will fine tune life for efficiency, but when imbalanced brings high stress, anxiety, and often poor health of a chronic nature.

The closest applying aspect of this eclipse is a trine to Chiron, and again we see the idea of health. This is a chance to heal wounds, but if all you’re able to do is lick your wounds, it’s better than not doing anything. There’s a wide conjunction to Mars, but it’s out of sign, which slightly distorts the energy, so it won’t be of much benefit. Because there are no clear-cut aspects to the planets, we must look to other symbols and connections to learn more about this eclipse.

Virgo, a mutable sign, signals a completion and preparation for what is ahead, and since it’s an earth sign, this indicates that daily material life will be a focus.

The eclipse is in late degrees. Twenty-nine degrees is the wrapping up of a zodiac sign, things are at an end, and it's time to move on rather than making changes. This repeats the theme of completion. We are preparing to move from a phase in the world of form that is personal and material, into the Libra phase that involves our relationships with others. Virgo says get your daily life organized, and let go of the stress and anxiety of criticizing yourself for never doing things right in world, especially at your daily job, or where you serve others.

The conjunction of the eclipse with the south node brings up the involvement with the past. The south node is always related to something that came before. We’re being told it is time to complete anything that is holding us back; one of the biggest culprits is self-criticism, and it may be such a miniscule thought that you aren’t even aware of it.

This is Saros series 144, and Brady 8 South. Brady 8 South Series means something is being finished; it's separation and loss. This series started in 4/1/1718 and ends 4/30/2962. The last 8 South was 9/11/1988. It started near Somalia, crossed the Indian Ocean and ended below New Zealand. The next one is 10/02/2024 starting in the Pacific Ocean.

In the chart for Washington DC, the eclipse falls in the twelfth house indicating a focus on heath services, such as hospitals and clinics, prisons, spiritual practices, and secret enemies, (not public or known enemies.) The recent problem with spinach is an example of a secret enemy. Matters to do with the 12th house often bring sorrow.

For an in-depth interpretation for the US, go to Moon Valley Astrology.

Pay particular attention to where the eclipse is located in your natal chart The house and aspects from the eclipse will tell you what to expect personally. Of course, you can always book a reading with me.

Steve Irwin Contacts and Tribute

The inquires and interest in Steve Irwin continues. I have gathered some website information, and put all my articles on one page. Go to the Steve Irwin Page.

For those who loved Steve Irwin, fans friends and family, he will always be someone special, and that memory will grow, and grow, and grow.

I didn’t know Steve Irwin, and I never heard of him until Harriet the turtle died, and even when I read about Harriet, the image of Steve Irwin was only in my subconscious. Since his death I’ve read many posts about what he did in life, and whatever your bent, this comment sums up what he did for wildlife.

Here's a comment from Chuck's terezella's website. "Think about what this guy has done. He was able to take our nightmares...vicious reptiles and snakes, poisonous spiders and fish, everything that makes us shudder and cringe... and not just bring them to life and explain them, but make us care for them, respect them and recognize the need to preserve both them and the habitat they so desperately need to survive. He did it with humor and excitement; even through a television screen you could feel his love and passion for what he was doing."


I don’t have connections to his zoo, but I do appreciate and respect nature, and I know the contact is healing.

I’ve been asked for a website and address: Go to the Australia Zoo website http://www.australiazoo.com.au/


Send inquiries, cards, or donations to:
Australia ZooGlass House Mountains Tourist DriveBeerwah, Queensland 4519Australia

There are many donation scams since his death, so the Australia Zoo is the safest place to send donations, and don’t forget to support your local zoo.

Several people have asked about Harriet theTurtle

Harriet the Turtle preceded him to the other side by a few months.

Harriet, 175 years old, Australia Zoo, June 24, 2006.

Read about Harriet
From Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_the_tortoise
From the Mirror - The Oldest Turtle on Earth

And finally Steve Irwin's bio .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_irwin

Steve Irwin's Memorial - The Event Chart

Astrology Lesson #9196-C

I was asked about a chart for the day of the memorial. A chart cast for the time of the memorial is called an event chart. Here is an excercise for you. For those in my classes, or new to astrology, this is a great chance to start reading a chart. If you're having trouble, or would like me to clarify something, leave me a message in the comment section at the end of this particular post.

Take the date and time of the memorial at Beerwah, Australia, 9/20/06, 9 AM, enter it into your program, and read the chart by itself. That is the chart on the outer wheel in the previous Steve Irwin Memorial Post. Or set up the chart manually by placing the ascendant and 10th house cups (Midheaven) on a blank wheel. (The ascendant for the daily chart is in the 12th house, at 29 Scorpio 51, the midheaven is 14 Leo 12.) You may wish to use equal houses based on the ascendant or midheaven, or just approximate the cusps of the other houses. Then fill in the planets and note the aspects. Go here to print out a blank wheel.

The time of this event is taken from the scheduled time of the event. Notice the late degrees on the ascendant. This is telling us that something is coming to an end.

A Steve Irwin Goodbye

Wednesday morning in Australia, the memorial for Steve Irwin takes place at 9AM at the sold-out Crocoseum. (This will be evening in the states, and the middle of the night in the UK.) Early on Friday people were lined up at three different places hoping to get one of the 3,000 tickets; and tickets were snapped up within 15 minutes.

Here are the progressions and transits for the day of the memorial. Whenever there is an event, we always look to see what the progressed Moon is doing, as well as tranits and other progressions.

Steve Irwin's Natal Chart

This chart is based on the time recalled from the memory of Steve Irwin. The source is Michael Wolfstar.

It is possible that this will be close to the correct time of birth because of the transits to the natal and progressed Moon, and the ascendant. The only way to be sure is to go back and do rectification with the major events in his life.

We see that his ascendant is 00 Capricorn 32. He was a good businessman, but he we also see the possibility of a Sagittarius ascendant. He lived life in a big way, and he was very athletic. I don't know if this applied to sports, but he certainly was athletic around animals. If this is the correct time, he has an angular Moon in Virgo, dignified by triplicity, which added to his success in the world.

What's Happening on the Day of the Memorial

I mentioned the fixed T-square, which was activated on the day of his death in an earlier articles.

Steve Irwin's Death

The Crocodile Hunter

Steve Irwin's Chart with Transits and Progressions
























Let's try to refine his chart by looking at the transits on the day of the memorial.

The progressed Moon is making a sextile to Mars. Mars rules the natal 12th house (sorrow), and the Moon rules the 8th (death). Progressed Mars is in the 4th house (endings), and progressed Moon is in the 5th house (children). In the end, death and sorrow will be balanced by the opportunity to create better things for his children (5th house). The sorrow of the 12th house, as difficult as it may be, will be balanced by the sextile.

If the time is close to accurate, the transit Moon at the start of the memorial is almost a degree away from a trine to the ascendant, and by the end of the memorial, it will probably be exact. A trine is like a gift from the gods, and with the Moon going through his 9th house, this has to do with other cultures and foreigners. In addition, if we consider the fact that Jupiter is the natural ruler of Sagittarius and the 9th house, this tells us that his death was not in vain. (Jupiter is a ruler of death.)

Transit Saturn, the grim reaper is now quincunx his progressed Mars 4th of endings. Quincunxes are adjustment aspects, and are associated with the 8th house (death). Mars cuts things out, and here we see the finality. Saturn then moves on to an opposition to Jupiter, co-ruler of the 12th of sorrow, and ruler of the 4th of endings. Letting go will not be easy.

Transit Jupiter is in the 11th house of friends and groups making a quincunx to the Sun, the ruler of vitality and life. Jupiter in Scorpio shows the deep sorrow of the group coming to honor (Sun) Steve Irwin's life (Sun), because of a death (quincunx), and to honor his expression (5th house).

Transit Mars (action and passion) in the 10th of reputation, and recognition by the community and the world, is making a trine to natal Mercury (communication), ruler of the 10th (recognition).

For the past year Pluto, the planet of major transformation, has been making a square from the 12th house of sorrow, to his powerful, angular, natal Moon in the 10th. The Moon has to do with function, as well as the emotions. It's interesting that Pluto is purportedly a co-ruler of the 12th house.

Overall, if this is the correct time, we get a good idea of what is happening. This is also an example of the start to rectifying a chart.

steve irwin

What is an Eclipse?

With the solar eclipse coming up on 9/22/06, here is some background information on an eclipse to help you understand what is going on.

Eclipses have been around for thousands of years. Our ancestors believed they were an evil omen, and that reputation has followed them down through the ages. In the past it was noticed that they caused strange things to happen; day would suddenly turn to night, flowers would close up, and animals would howl or drop to the ground in sleep.

In astrology there is a correlation with evil partly because of the proximity of the nodes. The nodes of the Moon are imaginary points in the sky where the Moon crosses the ecliptic, which is the normal path of the Sun in the sky. There are two nodes. One is the beneficial north node, or head of the dragon, symbolic of the future, and the other is the malefic south node, the tail of the dragon, symbolic of the past. Whether the eclipses were thought to be evil because of the nodes, or the nodes became evil because of the eclipse, we may only wonder.

An eclipse occurs when the light of the sun is blocked either by the Moon or the Earth. One hint that an eclipse is coming is the proximity to the nodes of the Moon.

Occasionally I have heard of a transit of Mercury or Venus across the Sun called an eclipse, but this is incorrect for they are too small to block out the Sun. There is a special term for this event, and it is called an occultation. It may be small, but it is just as powerful as a solar eclipse. The Transit of Venus looked like a tiny little pinhole on the sun.


There are two types of eclipses - Solar or Lunar

A solar eclipse occurs at the new moon when the Moon is so perfectly aligned between the Earth and the Sun that it blocks out the light of the Sun. The pictures are very dramatic, showing a dark ball covering most of the Sun, often with a fiery ring around the edge.

As the eclipse starts, the sky slowly begins to darken, and we start to see a very unusual diffused light turning day into dusk; in some areas it becomes dark as night. The duration of each eclipse varies.

A solar eclipse is like the new moon, it is all about new beginnings, but it holds more importance for a longer period of time, and events are more noticeable and dramatic.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks the light of the Moon, the reflected light of the sun. Think of a full Moon with a heavy cloud cover causing an eerie light and you will get a sense of way it looks. The duration of effects is about 6 months, or to the next lunar eclipse.

The symbolism of a lunar eclipse is similar to a full Moon, except that it is much more powerful. It is a completion or finishing of some project that we have been working on.


Variations of a Solar Eclipse - Total, Partial, Annular, and Hybrid

The difference between these 3 eclipses is caused by the distance of the Moon to the Earth. A total eclipse results when the Moon is close to the Earth, aligned perfectly with the sun, and large enough to totally block the sun. This is very rare, you may only see one in your entire lifetime. This also makes the path of this eclipse very narrow. I have read that the Moon is slowly moving away from the Earth and that at some time in the far, far, future total eclipses will be a thing of the past. So enjoy them, and write about them, because your ancestors may doubt they ever happened, just like we doubt Atlantis.

The annular eclipse is more common. This happens when the Moon is further away from the Earth and not able to totally block out the sun, so we are able to see more of the corona around the Sun.

In a partial eclipse the Sun and Moon do not line up precisely, and the Moon only blocks out part of the Sun. Often it looks as if the Moon is taking a bite out of the Sun.

The hybrid eclipse which is also rare, is a combination of total and annular. The eclipse starts out annular, goes to total, and then back to annular at the end. This has to do with the curvature of the Earth's surface.


Duration of the Eclipse

In astrology the duration of effects is based on the length of the eclipse, and forecasts can be anywhere from six months to three years, but it may be longer. In other words the duration of the eclipse may effect the length of time that it will trigger events. (Astrologers differ on the length of effects, many astrologers say it's only six months, no matter how long the eclipse.)


Area of Visibility

The area of visibility is the path of the eclipse. This is the due to the shape of the earth and the area over which the Sun and Moon will travel during the time that they're together. What you see depends on your angle to the sun, determined by your location. Even if it is an annular, you may only see it as a partial.


The Nodes

When the Sun and Moon are together in a solar eclipse they will be conjunct either the north or the south node. This tells us whether the influence is positive or negative.

If the Sun and Moon are with the north node, is said to bring a positive influence. If they are with the south node, dire things are predicted. It was common for the ancient stargazers to foretell extreme doom and gloom, but think of the conditions they lived under. I prefer to think of it in a different way. A north node eclipse is new territory, and we are urged to go forward into totally unknown place, into an exciting, unpredictable future, to be open to fresh, new ideas, and a big evolutionary leap. A south node eclipse has to do with upgrading our previously developed talents, and using them to bring about new ways.

I'll use the wheel as an example. The wheel, used for transportation, was one of those inventions that totally transformed society and there really was nothing like it before. Then at the turn of the century, we went from wagons to motorized cars. A new form of transportation based on a previous idea. When the airplane was invented, this was another leap. Other leaps that we are familiar with have to do with communication.

Of course, your personal chart is always the best guide.



The Saros Series

Eclipses have a beginning and an end and they have a cycle of about 12 -13 centuries. They are born at one pole, move toward the equator, and finish up at the other pole. This sequence is called the Saros Series and they are labeled either a north or south series. Each series or "family" of eclipses is about eighteen years apart.


How Will it Affect You?

Aspects of the solar eclipse to planets in your natal chart will tell you how the eclipse will affect you, and how strong the effect will be. If it is triggering one of the personal planets, or Mars, Jupiter or Saturn, it will be personal. If it is an outer planet, the effect will be more societal, and generational. The aspects will tell if it is easy, bringing good things without much effort on your part, or if you'll have to work to recieve the benefits. The house will tell you which area of life it will affect. Don't forget to look at the house/s ruled by the planet/s receiving the eclipse, and the houses ruled by the Sun and the Moon. I normally allow a one degree orb, but at times I have seen affects from larger orbs. A larger orb seems to be more psychological than eventful.


Gazing at an Eclipse

Your eyes must be protected when looking at the sun. No matter what anyone says about their experience, it is better to be safe than sorry. People who live where the sun is strong have problems just from going to the beach. Looking directly into the sun may cause blindness, and at the least, it will harm the white part of the eye, it actually melts it. So always get special eclipse glasses or viewers, not sunglasses, no matter how expensive they are. You want to enjoy your viewing experience and have many good memories.

tag: astrology solar eclipse eclipse september 22 eclipse

Eris, Xena, UB313

The name of UB313 was announced on September 14, 2006; it will be called Eris, the Greek goddess of discord and strife. Don't be fooled by the fact that she is no longer the warrior princess Xena; Eris packs a powerful punch, in fact, she is rumored to be among the causes of the Trojan War.

How will Eris be used astrologically? How will we determine what she means? First, the name of something is very important. Names submitted to the IAU are taken from mythology. Astrologers will now be able to look at the myths surrounding Eris and build the meanings. A chart is cast for the time of discovery and analyzed, world events at the time of discovery are taken into consideration, as well as events that occurred when Eris historically was in transit with other planets. Then natal charts of clients and famous people will be pulled out to see what effects she caused. Since, 1930 Eris had been in the sign Aries; currently she's around 21 Aries. In her mythology, Eris is the sister of Ares, the god of war. Again we see the war theme.

I also like to consider what the numbers mean. Eris is catalogued as 136199, which breaks down to the number 11. Eleven is a master number, and master numbers have two sides to them. They bring good, but they're not always easy to handle; the negative side of eleven brings hidden trials, treachery and division. This supports the mythology of Eris. In ancient numerology, the name Eris also breaks down to the number 11.

The total of the number 136199 before it is broken down is 29, and this gives us another hint. Twenty-nine is another number of treachery and deception and it's a very intense karmic number. Twenty-nine is a test, which involves the opposite sex. Eris is accused of inciting the men of Troy to believe that their ideas were the only way.


This is just a starting point. For more ideas on the meanings of Eris, go to Phil Brown's Astroblog or Astrological Musings

tag: astrology eris xena UB313

The Daily Moon

For those of you who would like to read my take on the Moon's daily activities, here's a copy of the blog and here's the link.

I started doing the moon blog for some of my students over a year ago. I had intened to stop the blog when the course was finished, but it seems to have taken on a life of it's own. I 'm starting up my Moon Course in October, so the Moon Blog continues on. Yes, I'lll try to tape the class for those who would like to buy the tape; I may even be able to get the CD out. I just have to drag out my digital recorder.

9/14 Moon enters Cancer 7:53 PM PDT, 10:53 PM EDT9/15 2:53 AM UT, 12:53 PM AEST

The Moon is back to its old stomping grounds, the sign Cancer; you see the Moon rules Cancer, and every 28 days or so when it goes back to Cancer, it's like going home; the Moon can now rest and rejuvenate after its four week journey around the world. Cancer is the sign of home and hearth, and home and family will be in our minds in both hemispheres. In the North leaves are falling, nights are cooling, and the family is starting to gather around the hearth, or the cookstove, and soon the smell of apple cider will soon awaken the Fall senses. In the Southern hemispheres, winter is almost over and soon leaves will be shooting up, instead of falling down. This is the dance of the Earth, and the balance it brings.

9/15 Moon squares Mercury at 11:03 AM UT, this add to the indecisiveness of Mercury in Libra. If you are having trouble making decisions, hold off making up your mind until later in the day. The Moon goes on to a square to Mars at 11:43 AM UT. This brings impulsive feelings, which could lead you to make mistakes, or you'll observe someone else flubbing up.

9/16 The Moon makes a sextile to Venus at 1:45 AM UT. Don't forget we start to feel the aspects of the Moon a couple of hours before exact. In the West, this brings opportunities for better relationships during the day, while the East will have a good night. You'll relate in a better way to your pillow, or your sleep mate. Tell yourself to dream, sweet dreams of financial success, and see oodles of Venus money, with a promise to Virgo that the account books will be balanced. At 2:04 PM UT, the Moon makes a trine to Uranus. This may bring vivid Technicolor dreams, or wild and crazy feelings and events. If you’re awake, let the good times roll.

The Moon makes a trine to Jupiter at 8:47 AM UT. After that energizing night's sleep, you’ll awake with vigor, and the day just keeps getting better with a lunar trine to the Sun in Virgo at 12:31 AM UT on 9/17. It's a good day to tackle chores, they'll get done faster.

The Moon goes VOC with Moon trine Sun and moves into Leo 9/17 12:15 PM UT.

tag: moon astrology horoscope

911

I was reading Jonathon Cainer’s “Today” column, and it moved me to a new realization. Jonathon went to Calanais for the Lunar Eclipse, and he talks about his insight into the meaning of the eclipse, the Lunar Standstill, and conflicts on our planet.

When I see and hear of the negative happenings in our world, and on our planet, it's easy to get off balance. I shake them off, do an affirmation, say a prayer, put myself in a positive frame of mind, or whatever, and turn off the news.

After I read Jonathon’s thought, the revelation-light-bulb flashed in my head, and I had an “aha” moment. I’m rather good a tuning into my feelings about personal matters, and when they bug me, I adjust my feelings or thinking. As I read Jonathon’s quote, I realized I don’t do this as consciously with outward global events. Whether it’s news about Global Warming, the gas crunch, war, famine, child abuse, or natural disasters, this news makes me sad, down, angry, or disgusted, and at times I go into the “what’s the use, I can't do anything about it," mode.

This morning I decided that I wanted to have as stronger desire to “want to be here”. I know I do good work, but I get frustrated because the world doesn’t move forward at the pace I want. My wish was answered today when I read Jonathon’s “Today”. I’m now able to see world events in a new light, and I’m on my way to doing something. I no longer have to sit around and feel helpless. I'm part of the army for good.

Whenever we see an image on the news that’s disturbing, or have a thought about the problems in the world, we need to stop and pay attention. Our feelings are trying to lead us somewhere, and it can be somewhere better.

As soon as we have these feelings or thoughts, we should think of what we want. Do a Cosmic Ordering type of thing. If you think about Global Warming, think “I want a wonderful climate”; if it’s water shortages, think, “ I want rain”, have fun and be creative, think of water asteroids; if it’s war think, “I want peace”.

What does all this have to do with astrology? It’s the power of the eclipses. Both eclipses are in signs that have to do with healing. The Pisces Full Moon eclipse is healing on a grand scale. The Virgo New Moon eclipse is healing on the level of personal service to humanity. This is one of the gifts of the eclipses, and I’m sure there’ll be more.

Today is an eye-awakening day in the US. It’s the fifth anniversary of 911. The fact that it’s the fifth anniversary is important; the number five is a turning point. This tells me that we all have an opportunity to make the world a better place. Step by step, stone by stone, and brick by brick, we can build and rebuild our world, just as we’re building at Ground Zero. Building is a Saturn thing, and Saturn is leaving an opposition (decisions and awareness) to Neptune (despair about the downtrodden.

If Jonathon's quote isn’t on his home page, he moves it to his archives. Click on Thoughts for the day and then go to Previous Thoughts for the Day, and check out his book on Cosmic Ordering.

There is a power in thoughts and words that we often don’t see. Those few words by Jonathon changed my world in a big way. Thank you Jonathon, for giving us those words on the anniversary of an important event in the US, that affected the world.

When I finished this article, I looked out the window and saw one of the things I love, many magnificent, puffy, white clouds. I’m definitely a weather person.

Weekly Planets September 10 – September 16

For those of you who haven't been to my website, here is a sample of the Weekly Planets.

The skies are quiet this week, a quick letdown from the adrenalin rush of the aspects and eclipse of last week, and with the eclipse in Pisces, the vibration was a little un-nerving and unfocused. This week we have a strong emphasis of scattered, mutable energy, combated at times by fixed-planet energy. Air is predominant now so it’s easy to lose focus. For more on what to do: read the Moon Blog.

9/12 MERCURY ENTERS LIBRA

Mercury will be in the air sign Libra for the next 20 days. Although Libra is a mental sign, and Mercury is a mental planet, the feeling will be different from the last few weeks of Mercury in its own sign Virgo, when were able to get many things accomplished of a Virgo nature, details, schedules, work, organization. Thoughts will not be of such a nooks and crannies, busy-body nature. Mercury has dignity by “triplicity”, which gives good timing, but benefits don’t always last. Venus, as the ruler of Libra, tones the quicksilver of Mercury, but brings indecisiveness. This is not good because Mercury doesn’t pay attention anyway, and when its in Libra it can really waffle.

9/14 LAST QUARTER MOON IN GEMINI 11:15 AM UT

This is a wind-down period leading up to the re-set period of the New Moon eclipse on 9/22. There will be a push to experience as much as possible without paying attention to anything in particular. It’s a good time to clean out the mental closet. Mentally wipe it down, and sweep it out so you have room for the new earth energy coming in next week. You may feel head pressure, in the next few days, (not quite a headache), and at times you won’t feel like focusing, or thinking about things in an orderly fashion. Do the best you can, and know that better times are coming.

9/15 MERCURY CONJUNCT MARS

This aspect requires care and fortitude. Mars speeds things up, and Mercury, which is already a speedy planet, doesn’t need the encouragement. As I mentioned previously, with the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini, there is an urge to finish up life experiences, and with Gemini we do things at the last minute. Mercury conjunct Mars in air signs is not the most grounded of aspects, but there's lots of enthusiasm. At times people will feel like a ship without a rudder, or a navigation system, and to make it worse, they won’t know where they want to go. It may be best to let life take you where it may, but take a flashlight to shine on the bumps in the road.

9/16 VENUS OPPOSE URANUS

Relationships will take a back seat under this aspect, or they should. Stability is not easy to find, and the fairy-like, flirtatious quality of Venus in Gemini brings out the nostalgic side of Uranus in Pisces, which is irksome to Uranus. It can be disillusioning because Uranus tries to throw cold water on the Pisces sentimentality, and Venus, the relationship planet, gets the fall-out. It’s better to pursue the mental side of Mercury in Gemini and find a way to blend it with the creativity of Uranus in Pisces. Paint, be a poet, write music, go to movies, and avoid the violence of TV and the media. There’s a overly stimulating side of this transit, and we must be careful. There is little grounding energy available, ideas float through the mind, and we do things without forethought, and regret them later.

Steve Irwin's Death

Two Stars in the Southern Sky
R and TY Coronae Australis
To Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter
and Harriet his 175 Year Old Turtle

Many people are feeling the pain and grief of Steve Irwin's death. The shock kept us anesthetized, but now we're coming out of the numbness. Because this story has been so widespread, it's in the consciousness of the planet. We weren’t prepared, so there's a tendency to flounder and be confused. Everyone is becoming more sensitive to what is happening on our planet. There's an old story about Paramhansa Yoganadna and an accident involving a ship that sunk in the waters near Japan. Even though he was thousands of miles away, he felt the pain, and was aware of the cries of the people in the ship as it was sinking. The awareness of group feeling is becoming frequent all over the world whether it is due to major traumas, or major joys.

The eclipse yesterday made my brain foggy and heightened my sensity, so I could feel the grief more than usual. When his death was announced I didn’t know who he was, but I was drawn to his story. What a surprise I got when I saw his picture; it was familiar. In June, I was attracted to the story of an old turtle that died in Australia. At the time, for some odd reason, I knew this story was important. Next to the turtle was a nice-looking, young man, with a radiant smile. On Monday when I searched my files, there was the picture of Steve Irwin with Harriet the turtle. Needless to say, I was stunned. This is one of my “Pay Attention” moments.

The turtle as a symbol stands for the cycles of give and take. If anyone has comments on turtle energy and symbols, please feel free to comment.

There are many symbols and layers to the Steve Irwin story, and one of them is death. Death can no longer be ignored, or hidden. We will no longer be distracted with caskets covered with flowers, sympathy cards, casseroles, and marshmallow Jell-O. Pluto already trumpeted this change with his pretend demotion. If Pluto, the planet associated with death can change, the attitude of humanity can change.

Steve Irwin was young, healthy, and experienced in the ways of animals in the wild. We say, "It shouldn't have happened", but it did, and we must acknowledge that life is a cycle. We must look death in the face, and consider our perception of death, and see it as a transformation. Our judgment of death as something horrific needs to change.

Most people have an intense fear of death, which we’ve been taught since the cradle. Society and religion makes us believe we must fight the great fight. We do everything to delay, prevent, or ignore death. We sterilize, and desensitize. The smells of death are abhorrent to us. Yes, there is a time when the stench can be overwhelming, but we have lost our true ability to smell. Native people are used to the normal smells of life, and when we visit them, they turn up their noses at our sweet soaps, and perfumes; sadly, this is changing. We aren’t even aware anymore of our disconnect with nature.

We are born; we die. It’s our right to hope for better health care, and a better quality of life, but if this comes from fear and avoidance, all we are doing is creating bigger problems. With the fear of death comes manipulation. It's easier to manipulate a society in fear, than a society that accepts the rhythms of life. If people aren't afraid to die, how can they be controlled?

People don't even have a right to die anymore; it’s become a question for lawyers and government. Doctors are in shock when someone turns down their advice and says, "No, I don't want the treatment, I'm ready to go", in fact it's almost illegal. Society would be shocked at the high number of suicides in the elderly generation; many elders stop taking their pills on purpose.

It seems rather ironic that our fight against death is so aggressive, and yet, when it comes to the dollar, we look the other way. Our modern, industrial, technological, society depends on the chemicals that pollute and kill people before their time. The cry from the government and big business is, "if we cut back on pollution people will be out of work. In a short time, the jobs are gone anyway, whether the area was cleaned up or not.

Too often death has lost its nobility, but Steve Irwin’s story shows that we are capable of allowing people to have dignity in death, to spend the necessary time in grief, honor their passing, and allow the joy. We are being given the opportunity to understand and embrace the joy of a life fullfilled.

Septmeber Eclipse Charts

Here's a link to the chart for the 9/7/06 eclipse

and the New Moon Solar Eclipse 9/22/06

9/6 Lunar Eclipse September 7

Beginning at 6:42 PM in Britain, 2:42 PM on the East Coast of the US, 9/7, (9/8 in Australia) there will be a Full Moon Eclipse in the water sign Pisces. In your calendars, you may notice that it’s listed around 18:51, which is the time of greatest eclipse. Pisces wants to merge with higher truths, and find a better world, and with a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, it’s time to let go of the old world, and old ways, to find our first footing in the reflection of the Elysian Fields. The world is tired of being a martyr to useless causes.

The fact that this may happen suddenly, without warning, and through totally, unexpected events, is due to the conjunction of Uranus with the Moon. If something earth shattering happens to you, first, and foremost, try to get out of the fear; for only then will you be able to move on with ease. Pisces is a fearful sign. Think of birth, and the experience of going from a cosy, muted, watery world of rhythmic sounds, into glaring lights, loud discordant sounds, and being spanked on the butt, and you’ll get the feeling.

Whether you liked him or not, one of the first martyrs to this Pisces cause was Steve Irwin, of Australia, who died from an attack by a stingray in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. This is important because it has been brought to the attention of the world. Leaving aside, his ethics and earthly personality, look at the deeper truth. It it is said he built a bridge on earth to the animal kindgom, now the bridge will be built on a higher level. This is a great metaphor. Read what I wrote about him here.

We had a wake-up call just a few weeks ago when the world became focused on, and fascinated with, Pluto, the great transformer, long associated with Scorpio, the manipulator, the sign of death, and the Phoenix rising out of the ashes. In August the IAU designated Pluto as a dwarf planet. Just a few days ago, Pluto stationed direct, ending its 97-day retrograde for this year.

How do we see this wake-up call manifesting in the outer world? One clue is through the spin-doctors of Washington DC. Lately, every time they come out with statements trying to manipulate, (Scorpio), the public, their ratings go down. This is a first, usually their spins have pushed the ratings up. They must be shaking their heads, and scurrying for a new plan, a new spin. How can they convince the public that the billions of dollars spent daily are keeping us safe, and that their causes are good ones? Public perception and gulliblity, (Pisces), is waning.People are starting to feel the truth, and manipulation and lies make them feel uncomfortable. As Germaine Greer, a witty satirist, stated, "will killing babies keep terrorism at bay?" Where is the balance?

Look at your heads of state and see how people are reacting. I know in Britain there has been quite a bit of negative talk about Tony Blair. He and George may not be going hand in hand anymore. Boyfriends, it’s time to move on.

For those of you who have planets near 15 degrees of mutable signs, you'll notice the effects of the eclipse more than others will. The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

The Crocodile Hunter

Even though we're used to hearing about death in the news on a daily basis, it still comes as a shock, especially when it is sudden, violent, and unexpected, and involves a famous personality. Our thoughts go out to the family, loved ones, and friends of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, who died while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. A usually docile sea creature, the stingray, pierced him through the heart, and he died a short time later after going into a coma.

The Australian Parliament took a break for a tribute, and they've offered a state funeral, if his family agrees. Later, a video of his death may be shown with the approval of his family. It's been reported that this is what he would've wanted, and he's quoted as saying, "always keep the cameras rolling even in death." It's being said that for Australians, this is on a par with Diana.

The following is a brief overview of his chart in regard to his death.

Irwin has a compassionate Pisces Sun, near Venus in Pisces, (DOB:2/22/62 Victoria, Australia, time unknown), and a stellium of four planets in out-of-the-ordinary Aquarius: Saturn, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter.

Pisces is the sign of the fishes, and he left his body by way of the sea, (Pisces).

His Sun in Pisces (film) is conjunct Formalhaut, one of the four Royal Stars of Persia, the bringer of success through noble ideals, so we see his rise to fame through TV.

One of the main challenges in Steve Irwin's chart is the natal fixed T-square formation of the beneficial North Node in Leo, opposing Mars in Aquarius, with Neptune in Scorpio squaring both. The benefic North Node has a counterpart, the malefic South Node, which always involves loss of some sort, and in his chart, it’s with Mars. Mars opposing the North Node reduces its benefits and protection. Mars is the planet of impulse, taking risks, and danger. Neptune is poor, or clouded, judgment. Most of his work had been on land, he was not as familiar with the dangers on the sea, and this risk proved fatal.

I won't go into all the math of the fixed T-square that's affecting his chart, let me just say that the current, transiting, fixed T-square of Jupiter in Scorpio, Saturn in Leo, and Neptune in Aquarius, are making difficult aspects to that natal fixed formation. Mars is the planet that cuts things out completely. Jupiter, associated with death, is approaching a square to Mars. Saturn, the grim reaper, is also part of this configuration. Picture transiting Saturn, the reaper making an opposition to piercing, cutting, natal Mars, next to the malefic South Node, squared by transiting Jupiter, which makes things bigger, and you start to get the picture. Even though Saturn is separating from Mars, it's still active because of the square from transit Jupiter in Scorpio (death). Jupiter continues the resonance. Draw this out on a piece of paper and you'll get the idea.

Uranus was in trine with progressed Neptune within one minute, so this brought a blessing in disguise by making the sudden death in the sea, over and done quickly. In astrology, Uranus and Neptune are called generational planets, in other words, they cause a tremendous affect a large section of the population, ususally in the same age groups.

In addition, there were two quincunxes. A quincunx is considered a death aspect depending on its position. The Sun is in an eighth house quincunx to Mars, and Mars is in an eighth house quincunx to the Sun. The Sun rules the vital signs and the heart, which was pierced by Mars. Mars is known for knives, barbs, anything that cuts, or any warlike instruments.

Since the birth time is unknown, we are not sure about the natal Moon. However, the eclipse on 9/22 may be making square to his Moon. Depending on the time of birth, it may be approaching or separating. Most astrologers say an eclipse has a one-degree orb; others say it may have wider orbs. With the arbitrary noon birth, the Moon is at 00 Libra 18. This gives the eclipse up to a six-degree orb. As more information is revealed about his birth data, we’ll know if the eclipse is involved.

For an opinion that relates to Neptune and Jupiter, go to Crocodile Tears. This is Neptune as martyr, and Jupiter blowing things out of proportion, and only looking at the bright side.

Memorial Day, Pluto Station, and Various Blunders

I should be working but I had to sneak in a quick post. I'll be burning the midnight oil. I apologize if you got many notifications of my blog. It felt like a Mercury Rx kind of day, but of course, it was Pluto, and since Pluto is playing around with my Mercury, I can use that excuse. I really, really, didn't hit the Publish Post button with my Mercury finger more than once, maybe it was my Mercury elbow.

I was thinking about Memorial Day today, the US holiday that honors veterans, and many types of soldiers who have died for this country, a very Pluto thing, on a Pluto station day.

The last time I posted about Memorial Day was about eight years ago. At that time I had been in the woods hunting wild herbs, and came upon a patch of magnificent wild Yarrow, just the smell alone was divine. As I was posting about my experience, in my mind the Yarrow kept poking, and shouting about me, as if it thought I was hard of hearing. He kept yelling, "tell my story, I am the warrior, healer." In one of those intuitive flashes, I saw the Yarrow decked out in full gear and realized it was Memorial Day, which I had forgotten.

Yarrow is a deep fever medicine, a wound healer, a bitter, a ceremonial, and a psychic protector. I'm sure Galen had the Roman soldiers carry this in their pack. I believe Yarrow is a Mars herb. I'll have to pull out my Culpeper which is buried around here somewhere. It may be a Venus herb, which in a way makes sense since there is a warrior side to Venus. When you look at the Yarrow it does look rather feminine and lacy, hiding all that strength behind the lace.

Matthew Wood has a marvelous herbal, The Book of Herbal Wisdom. a must-read book. It's a thick juicy, book, very chatty, very spiritual, and chock full of information. I've met Matthew; he's a bear of a man, with a gentle nature. In his book, he talks about the elements and temperaments. If you want a better understanding of herbs and medical astrology, get this book.

I must tell you, I have to remind myself to reign in my mind. I could easily go off on topic tangents. My literary muse is laughing at me. It's the Pluto in Sag being very mutable as it tampers with my Mercury.

I will digress slightly. Writing this article is driving me batty. I worked on my mouse today, doing a good Pluto clean out, and the right click died. I had trouble getting the cover back on and it isn't fitting properly. It's easy to take a right click for granted until it's gone.

We've just had the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which pretty much destroyed the city of New Orleans. Now we're coming up to the fifth Anniversary of 911, and as I'm contemplating this I get a nutty call out of the blue, from a woman I don't know, asking me if the things going on in the world bother me. I politely said I'm busy now, and she hung up. End of conversation, end of the day.

Cry Me A River

Today Pluto goes direct. We'll see what happens with the IAU decision about Pluto now that it's direct. It seems a matter of semantics to me. Pluto is still a planet, even though they call it a dwarf. But after all, physically, it is tiny. Remember what I've said in my past articles - tiny does not mean insignificant.

Pay close attention. The IAU may think they demoted Pluto, but Pluto doesn't let anyone mess with him. This means Pluto has announced that he's changing, and so the world must change as well. As Pluto approaches the Galactic Center at 26 Sagittarius 55, we must upgrade our old definitions and myths. Which of your natal or progressed houses is Pluto affecting? Note the aspects to determine the intensity of the effect.

A petition among scientists protesting the decision has been completed. Pluto is not finished with us yet. The tears we've shed may be for naught.

If you've been letting the garbage pile up during this Pluto retrograde, it's now time to put out the trash and clean up the waste, and this is for everyone, on all levels. Pluto doesn't go Rx again until March 31, 2007. We now have the opportunity to upgrade our personal myths.

As an aside, Australian TV personality, Steven Irwin, age 44, known as the Crocodile Hunter, a popular, and well-admired, conservationist, was killed today by a stingray, while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. It's very synchronistic that this happened just after his turtle Harriet, the oldest turtle alive, died on June 24, 2006. This is a very Plutonian, Neptunian event, and again, more tears.

Lunar Eclipse

There’s a lunar eclipse on September 7, 2006. For the data go to Fred Espanek's NASA site. Even though the eclipse starts at 16:42 UT, we won't see it until 17:30 UT, and it will only be seen through parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

September usually brings a harvest Moon, but this is not a true harvest Moon eclipse. Dorothy Oja says that the harvest moon is the next Full Moon, on October 6 after the Fall Equinox. Oh dear, so many people were excited to have the Lunar Eclipse Harvest Moon; it sounded so prophetic, didn't it?

This eclipse will bring surprises, for it's less than three degrees separating from Uranus. The Uranus midpoint of its retrograde is on 9/5 with an opposition to the Sun, which is shaking up our world. As I mentioned in my Moon Blog, as the Sun is opposing Uranus on 9/5, the Moon squares Jupiter, and the thought "Cry Me a River" comes to my mind. the title of a famous single by Arthur Hamilton, sung by Julie London. Recently, Justin Timberlake did a song with the same title. Anyway, emotions will be gushing, sudden, and overblown. The Moon moves on to a conjunction with Neptune, and things could get drippy and sentimental. Even though the eclipse is a few days later, this is setting us up for some roller coaster emotions at the eclipse.

The connection of the eclipse and Uranus is shown by the Uranus Rx station degree of 14 Pisces 53 on June 19, 2006. This eclipse couldn't get much closer to that point, so expect fireworks. The eclipse in the mutable signs Virgo and Pisces, tells us that we must remain flexible and be ready for any surprises that Uranus brings. To understand how this affects you personally, look at your chart and note the houses of the eclipse, as well as the aspects, to see if you'll be crying a river.

A Saturn Oppose Neptune Bungle

This week I've been doing the Neptune thing. I finally got a digital camera. I have many planets in fixed signs as well as a fixed ascendant, so it takes me awhile to do new things, but once I do, I go full steam ahead. I've been looking for the right digital for several years.

I started out with a small pocket digital camera. Once I figured out all the gizmos, I started snapping away, but I couldn't get a good picture. They came out an odd color no matter what I did with my new computer fix-the-photo program. My friends don't appreciate orange body parts. The landscaping was very speckled, and my hair looked like metallic glitter, even after I despeckled. I also figured out why woman want big hair. The camera made me look as if I was all face with plastered hair. I had to get out my goo, hair spray, and various salon accoutrements to look normal. I detest that stuff on my hair, but I have a prominent Venus, so plastered hair just won't do. I'm also hearing my mother's voice about how I look. She was from the matching shoes and bag era.

Of course, in the back of my mind, I kept hearing the Saturn voice saying, you haven't done your blog. So I'm satisfying both Neptune and Saturn by writing about photography on my blog. I enjoy looking at all the other astro bloggers photos, and the little kid in me wanted to play "photo on the blog".

What I thought would be photo fun turned into photo nightmare. It wasn't easy and the Saturn square Neptune kept me on the hook. A fishy predicatment if ever there was one. First I spent hours taking photos that I didn't like, and doing the Neptune martyr thing. Then when I decided to return the camera and read the sales slip, I realized there was a 15% repacking fee. (Was I deluded or what?) I'll lose money, but it's better than being stuck with a camera I don't like. Before I returned the camera I trotted off to Radio Shack. I found a nice little Canon with a 30 day return, no repacking fee. I love it. I'm snapping away to my heart’s content. By the way astrobarry.com told me about the Canon a couple of months ago. Did I remember that? It just slipped through my Neptune mind.

That's my Saturn oppose Neptune story. I had to make a decision (opposition) about photography (Neptune). I will be using this for work (Saturn). I didn't make the best decision the first time, but I've corrected my mistake, a foolish Neptune error.

I have to admit that as an astrologer I did something bad. I bought my new camera in a waning Moon. I had a funny feeling I'd be sorry, but the sales clerk was so nice, informative and convincing, and I buckled. The old adage held up; don't buy something new in a waning Moon. Live and Learn. (Saturn)