26 February 2006 – 4 March 2006
If a horoscope is created at random for any moment in time, one can expect to find one or two pairs of planets in positions that connect with each other. A Full Moon finds the Sun and Moon occupying exactly opposite positions in the zodiac. But usually the planets are distributed randomly around the sky and bear no special relationship to one another. In this “normal” situation we can connect events with our free will and we have slack to choose or refuse action that comes to us. Occasionally the planets all come together so that they are all connected and no planet stands alone. This weeks New Moon chart shows the sky tightly wired up in a high focus that indicates we will be confronted with situations that demand choice and reaction and will not be ignored.
On this New Moon Monday afternoon, every planet is connected with another planet (or planets) in a high degree of exactitude. Mars and Saturn, high in the chart, are both at 5 degrees of Gemini and Leo respectively. The Sun, Moon, and Uranus are grouped in less than two degrees of arc at 9 and 10 Pisces. Mercury is in the number 26 degree of Pisces, Pluto is in the 26 degree of Sagittarius, and Venus is in the 25 degree of Capricorn. Jupiter is at the 18 degree of Scorpio square to Neptune at 18 degrees of Aquarius. There is an extraordinary degree of exactitude in this chart. This suggests that the lunar cycle that begins with this New Moon will make urgent the need for clarity with no gray areas of ambivalence.
The New Moon takes place on the 10th degree of Pisces, and this degree bears the symbol of an aviator flying through the clouds. He's flying on instruments or on intuition but not on normal visual perceptions. This suggests we will need to look through and beyond the “fog” of information the washes over us nowadays via the media and Internet. We will need to listen to our own “truth sensors” amidst conflicting and confusing reports. This is combined with Uranian energies since Uranus aligns with the New Moon. Uranus acts suddenly to shake up the status quo...it's his job. The Pisces experience reveals to us the “crack between worlds” - places where realities intersect like the surface of the sea. So expect to gain a sudden insight that causes a re-evaluation, new knowledge, something hidden coming to light.
For the U.S. the New Moon is located in the area that relates to health, employment, and the military. Bird flu could make the leap into human to human propagation (happy to be wrong about this). The U.S. military may find itself playing a new role or faced with an unexpected challenge.
Uranus also has a connection with extreme weather as does Mercury's retrograde periods one of which begins this week. One could characterize Uranus in Pisces as ecology in revolt.
On average Mercury moves “backward” in retrograde motion three times a year. These periods last for three weeks and, as many readers know, these are often times of minor confusion, words misheard, items lost, travel confusion, and computer snafus. Those of us born when Mercury was retrograde, about twenty percent of humanity, can experience heightened energy and efficiency during this period. Often with Mercury, the communicator and fact-gatherer, moving backward old issues re-surface, happily old friends can re-connect, and sometimes the backward connection extends to the prehistoric deep past. Much that is written and learned during the retrograde period will be later revised since Mercury will pass over the same area of the zodiac when he resumes normal motion. For this reason astrologers advise against entering into contracts during Mercury's retrograde period.
This retrograde period begins, as always, with Mercury appearing to stand still in the sky. This happens on Thursday this week. But Mercury's stand still location is exactly at right angles to Pluto, lord of secrets and hidden power. Mercury has been in square angle to Pluto for a few days now; this relates to hidden deals discovered and a growing distrust and cynicism. This square angle inclines us to look for the underlying motivation and hidden agenda behind events and statements. It's a detective's energy and during this retrograde period all of us will be asking for “the facts, ma'am.”
Mercury's astrological partner is Jupiter. Where Mercury takes the close detailed view and gathers information, Jupiter takes the long view, theorizes, and makes policy. Jupiter sees the woods, and Mercury sees the trees.
Together they form a pair of planets that symbolize our mental functioning and they are the energy sources for the signs Gemini and Virgo (for Mercury) and Sagittarius and Pisces (shared with Neptune) for Jupiter. They reflect how our mind's engage with the world.
On Saturday, Jupiter also stands still and begins his retrograde period. This is an annual event that lasts about four months each year and is a period when we tend to review and revise our philosophy and world-view. Its remarkable that this functional pair of planets changes their direction separated by less than 48 hours. Note in this New Moon horoscope that the “angles” - the horizontal and vertical axes – intersect with these same signs: Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini. All of this, which may be too complicated for some, points to a mental and perceptual sea change in the coming lunar cycle. We will be thinking about our world differently after this week.
There's more. Just as Mercury was square to Pluto in his change of motion, Jupiter is square to Neptune. This square angle has been commented upon here and elsewhere for several weeks since these are slow moving planets and this tension has been in effect for sometime. But now it comes to a peak. Jupiter and Neptune together represent the symbols and ideas around which humans unify. These symbols can range from football team logos to cartoon images and religious buildings. We are awash in symbols and images that are charged with Scorpio's intensity of feeling (where Jupiter is) and made violent and radical in Aquarius fashion (Neptune's current location.)
High overhead in this chart for the U.S. are Mars and Saturn. They combine and cooperate to present an opportunity for people in high places to speak out and clarify. Especially under these conditions, the right language can lead and inspire.
Much of this energy can be used by individuals to broaden their perceptions and connect outside their customary social and intellectual circles. New Moons are always time to become still so we can hear our inner voice. With so much high-energy flowing around us, quiet moments of peace with the compassionate heart of Pisces will open doors and bring much needed perspective.
Notice for Los Angeles area readers:
Ongoing Classes:
1:00pm – Intermediate Class in Predictions. Using the charts of well-known people, the effects of progressions, transits, and solar returns will be taught and explored. The class is open to people who know the basics of astrology.
3:00pm – Beginner’s Class. All are welcome. There are no prerequisites except an open mind and curiosity. This class will cover the signs, planets, and houses and show how to interpret these symbols and analyze birth chart patterns. Call the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.
Sunday, March 12th – A discussion of the Lunar Eclipse in Virgo at 10:00am followed, at 11:00am, by a talk entitled “Swimming with the Fishes – the Pisces experience.” At the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.
Long Range Forecast:
March 2nd - 4th - Mercury goes retrograde on March 2nd and two days later Jupiter does the same. Since both symbolize human communications and mental processing, we can certainly expect more than the usual Mercury Retrograde confusions. Computer networks and the media may exhibit anomalous behavior. Past events will resurface and be revisited. Mercury resumes normal motion on March 25th; prior to then avoid signing contracts and making decisions based on critical information. Something may be overlooked.
Long-Long Range Forecast:
March 14, 2009 – August 21, 2010 - Saturn makes a series of squares to Pluto newly in Capricorn. The end of business-as-usual politics. The nationalistic dinosaurs will enter their twilight times. The transition to organic regional government will not be smooth…the result may be some corporate feudal mixture.
June 24, 2012 – March 17, 2015 - Uranus in Aries forms his first major hard aspect to Pluto, a square angle, since they were aligned in the second half of the 1960’s. Hippie dreams may come true when the ecology and/or petroleum-based economies fail. Plan to live where there is food and water and you don’t need a car. Plan to live where you’ll know your neighbors…maybe even love them. What a thought! We may have to choose between eating grain on a commune or growing very thin in the city.
Daily Forecasts
The inflow toward tomorrow's New Moon is already felt. We're looking within and, under the Aquarius Moon, able to detach and see at least a part of ourselves clearly. The Moon goes Void at 8:25pm/11:25pm
This is an electric day. Some of us may literally be tingling with energy. Sit in stillness after the New Moon at 4:31pm/7:31pm. Our inner vision may be like watching a fast-cut MTV show.
This is a very busy day with numerous connections between planets and between the Moon and the planets. Mercury moves from Pluto to Venus and doors will open if you knock...or email.
The Sun aligns with Uranus today and most of us are not completely satisfied with the status quo. This is an annual time of stepping outside our lives and taking stock. Sometimes radical action is needed, and sometimes it's just the easy answer. Somewhere there will be explosions.
Mercury is standing still today so, despite feeling a strong need to act, our thinking may be confused. Geminis and Virgos may feel slowed down and a loss of their normally sharp wits. It's just temporary.
The confusions remains but the pace has slowed somewhat under a Taurus Moon. Take time to review finances and make last minute adjustments to plans with Venus at the end of Capricorn. We are most grounded today and tomorrow with solid earth energy.
Take that defective item back to the store today and get your refund. Mercury is square to Pluto for the second time in five days – coming and going in his shift to retrograde motion. Use the mental sharpness and try to avoid suspicion where it's not warranted. Jupiter is standing still square to Neptune and it may be hard to see the benefit of large scale religious movements. Keep faith with the local church or synagogue or mosque full of real people. We all know, but seem to need reinforcement, that religion and politics make a deadly brew.
Visit the Celestial Weather Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com
Copyright 2006 Rich Humbert