August 24th, 2009 - August 31st, 2009
Archives
Weekly Weather Report
by Stephanie Azaria
Significant Planetary Aspects for:
The atmosphere feels decidedly different. One reason is that the discernment and discrimination of Virgo have come to the fore again. Saturn, the cosmic teacher, which has been in that sign for two years now, has finally moved beyond the shadow of his recent retrograde, which lasted from New Year’s into May. Look for his advance in the sky to be paralleled by progress here on terra firma. We will see how well we have been maintaining personal boundaries and tending to our own gardens and business. If we have been, our foundations will begin to take on the weight and responsibilities of new structures being built on them. In other words, situations, projects and our general readiness to deal responsibly with our lives should all start moving forward step by step by step.
We’re not through with issues of self-mastery, though. The opportunity to revisit and refine them will come up in September, when Mercury’s upcoming retrograde takes him to exactly the degree (21 Virgo) where Saturn’s retrograde began. Mercury entered the shadow of his retrograde last Tuesday, August 18, so some of what we hear, learn and say this week may return for another look, too, when the retrograde rolls around. (Mark your calendars: that happens September 6-29, and Mercury clears the shadow October 14.)
The other and big reason for the atmospheric difference is that the three inner planets, Mercury, Venus and Mars, change signs this week. This means not just a huge and palpable atmospheric shift in information, relationships, money, motivations and ambitions, but also a major refining of all of them. That’s because each shift immediately leads to an encounter with Pluto, who is at the first degree of Capricorn and operating as the gatekeeper for every sign change now. Every journey through a new sign starts with a stripping away and refinement of everything the transiting planet rules, and it then travels through the sign sparkling and to some extent smarting from that transformation.
Mars, ruler of our drive and ambitions, leads the charge, moving into nurturing, home-loving, self-protective Cancer on Tuesday. Under other circumstances, Cancer’s emotional waters could prompt Mars to be brooding and cranky and lash out at perceived slights. Mars is a changed man, now, thanks to two conjunctions with Venus and several months of traveling in her comforting, loving company. He’s now on the task of going after our hearts’ desires. Cancer’s not the same crabby territory, either. It’s still tingling with the transformative power of the summer’s two Cancer New Moons and the Capricorn lunar eclipse. Our relationship to everything that Cancer embodies — home, family (blood and chosen), traditions, food, nurturing, parenting — has permanently altered. The Moon cycles since the solstice have caused us to narrow our focus to what is most important to us personally (not familially or tribally) and to internalize and take responsibility for our own emotional and nurturance needs. So Mars’ transit will be different from what we’ve experienced previously. For starters, it will reflect our narrowed focus and new personal responsibility. For another, it begins with two big collisions that affect how Mars will move through Cancer’s emotional waters.
One player needs to move into place for Mars’ first appointment. Mercury, the planet of communication and transportation, heads for Libra later Tuesday as well. Libra’s airy digs are a happy place for Mercury, who floats on words and phrases crafted with grace and a gentleness that, if taken to extreme, can wander into backhandedness. Once Mars and Mercury cross the thresholds into their new turfs, the two planets quickly collide in a square, an aspect that demands action and movement. Conversations will be fractious and likely involve issues of fairness and equal exchange. Stuck thinking will get dislodged. If there’s a discrepancy between someone’s words and their actions (even yours), one of them will have to give.
The next day, Wednesday, Mars and Mercury each have an encounter with Pluto’s scythe. Mercury squares Pluto and important, life-changing communications ensue. Secrets come out; minds change; goodbyes are said. Mars opposes Pluto; passions intensify, tempers and power struggles flare, motivations and agendas are exposed, and we have the opportunity to see how our will (or phobias, obsessions, compulsions) diverges from Higher Will. In between these fevered moments, Venus enters the well-lit, opulent center stage that is Leo. Venus enjoys the attention and dramatic flair of Leo. She’s headed straight for an attitude adjustment with Pluto and an evolutionary spurt with Mars, both of which arrive Thursday. She’s likely to play a role in the skirmishes that Mars and Mercury have with Pluto, so don’t be surprised if matters of the heart and wallet factor into the day’s intensity — particularly involving triangles, which have a way of cropping up when Venus and Pluto dance. If you’re in a triangle, Pluto will challenge you to choose sides; whether you are or not, Pluto will put you to a choice all the same, and the route to go involves your core values. Venus will carry that choice with her as she then moves through Leo for the rest of the month and into next.
Venus’ travel with Mars enters a new stage now, too. They have gone from being traveling companions to her running ahead and his following close behind to now moving forward in a growth aspect. The aspect is exact this week, on Thursday, after their separate but equal brushes with Pluto. In those brushes, each planet let go of something and grew stronger, and that simplicity and strength inform their relationship. The masculine and the feminine, heart and will, men and women have all settled into their new mode of cooperation and collaboration. The cap on this evolution occurs Friday, when an opportunity aspect between Mercury and Venus opens the door to messages and conversations that improve our relationships, cash flow and sense of self-worth. Watch for them.
Monday: All the aspects belong to the Moon, and she is busy, busy, busy. An uncomfortable start gives way to an afternoon and early evening of satisfying work and progress. Rest up; Tuesday and Wednesday are big days.
Tuesday: Nothing is business as usual today. We’re acclimating simultaneously to gear shifts in agendas (more personal and emotional) and styles of communication (less emphasis on the detail, more on the flow). As the evening builds, so does tension between these two shifts. The dynamic energy will break through the usual communication filters, so watch what flies through your head or out of your mouth or out of the people around you. You don’t have to get into an argument. There is always a choice.
Wednesday: On tap today: sudden, major shifts in perspective, profound stand-offs and a metamorphosis in approach, with power struggles and anger possible as well. Put your truth behind what you say and do, because there will be no take backs and, until early afternoon, no do overs. No matter how riled up you get, do not force anything from mid-afternoon on. No win or lasting victory will come from your efforts; in fact, it’s unlikely anything will come from them, except for frustration, resentment and lingering bad feelings. That’s because the Moon goes void of course at 2:35 EDT, which lasts till 11:16 PM. Before she does, she lets in a rush of cool, even bracing breezes. Ride on them, turn down the emotional heat and do something fun and frivolous.
Thursday: A crossroads pops up today, between heart-felt desires and magnetic compulsions, earthly values and greater will, even mutually exclusive attractions. Which love will it be? Your heart knows the answer, and the way you navigate the crossroads demonstrates the new compatibility and cooperation between your heart and your will. They’re on the same page, as they say.
Friday: Today is as smooth and happy as Wednesday was bumpy. Accept gestures, overtures, invitations, offers and messages. One of them, early in the day, can open a doorway that pleases you. Make a point to be sociable. Any early evening knocks will pass quickly.
Saturday: Emotional processing fills the day, as the Moon aspects seven different bodies. Insights may disrupt sleep or occasion odd dreams (take notes). The daytime hours swing from focus on what you want (NOW!) to social edginess to smoothing out and peace. Ride the waves, and don’t attach to any one moment.
Sunday: Finally, a day that truly supports taking it easy and regrouping. There are no major aspects today, only one minor one and one by declination. Sleep. Contemplate. Relax. Let your being go fallow. Floating will allow you to process, assimilate and simply be in the moment.
An mp3 is now available at FortunaWorks.com of Kathy’s teletalk taking the eclipses through the signs, from last year through next. Her site also has podcasts, other mp3s, a discussion forum and more on the eclipses, the Aquarius/Pisces traveling party and the Saturn/Uranus opposition. To join her mailing list, send e-mail to kbiehl@fortunaworks.com.
