23 April 2006 – 29 April 2006
Last week the variety of interplanetary contacts was discussed and also the need for a blend of “hard” aspects with “soft” aspects for a healthy life. This week begins with a classic “hard” aspect: the square angle formed by the Sun to Saturn. With the Sun in Taurus and Saturn in Leo, this is a stress between our resources and what we want to create. It may be as simple as not having enough money for the vacation you really want and having to compromise to stay within your budget. Or the required funds for a project could be delayed, and you don't control the timing. Saturn provides the pressure, and sometimes the necessity, to pare down to essentials and to think about future needs and past promises.
This back pressure will bring us clarity about what is or is not within our control; it will give us a clearer picture of our personal power at this time in our lives. Maybe we made promises that were a bit too grand or magnanimous with a puffy ego, Saturn in Leo will bring us down to reality, and if we can let go of the “puff” part we can find ourselves actually liberated from maintaining that self-image. Of course, this can be painful, and the amount and duration of this pain depends on how quickly we learn and how big the “puff”. This is exactly like the pain we feel in the gym doing those last few repetitions when we “feel the burn”. Those last efforts hurt the most, and they produce the most muscle development.
But this Sun square Saturn happens twice every year and we've all lived through this pattern many times. As always, the effects are felt most forcibly by those whose horoscopes are directly connected with current positions. That would include those whose birthdays fall early this week and those born in late July, and others with more subtle connections. Most of us may feel no more than a slowing down of the pace and a slightly tighter scrutiny in play.
The slow and steady pace continues on through Thursday when we have a New Moon in the number 8 degree of Taurus, a degree symbolized by “a sleigh without snow”. Many of us have memories of childhood sleigh rides that came to sudden stops when we hit a patch of bare ground. Abstractly this is when our equipment and preparation don't match the situation. It further suggests being stuck, since the sled won't go. But snow could come, the situation could change, and then we would be able to glide along.
The New Moon in Taurus signals a time to focus and plan how best to use our resources. Budgeting. This is when the sprouting plants are sending rootlets out to find nourishment in the earth. And we are sending out psychic and sensual feelers out seeking connection with our Mother Earth and fellow members of the human herd. Many of us can sense that Mother Earth is unwell. Taurus gets energy from Venus, and for this New Moon Venus is in Pisces moving to square Pluto. This too is an annual event, but in this New Moon context it reflects the Piscean ecology set in turmoil by global forces of change, i.e. Pluto. We seek a sense of stability and physical empathy in Taurus, and we find that the “solid” Earth is changing, and that we too must adjust.
High in the New Moon chart is Mars in Cancer making a two-sign connection with the New Moon. With Mars in Cancer, we can take action to protect living things - life itself - if we want to. We are not forced by this connection, but if we feel motivated we will find energy to defend our turf and our waters. Mars is moving into a water triangle with Jupiter and Uranus that becomes most precisely focused late next week. This is powerful water energy that can express as cleansing floods, extreme weather, and emotional volatility. Actions taken this week can produce major consequences as Mars and Jupiter move into the triangle with Uranus.
Late this week, especially on Saturday, we will feel Venus moving into a square angle with Pluto. This semi-annual event often manifests as a need for intensity in our relations with each other. Small talk seems extra vapid and pointless. We may find ourselves pruning people who have been casual acquaintances that never developed into true friendships. It will be hard to “go through the motions” with people we don't really care about. This same energy can inflate a small dispute into a major conflict and feelings of betrayal. Conversely, it can add depth and confirmation to our commitments if we take this opportunity to renew them.
Daily Forecasts:
Emotions can surge under the Pisces Moon in a foretaste of the water triangle coming next week. Emotions of all kinds. When the Moon passes directly over Uranus at 8:06pm/11:06pm, there will be a tendency to blurt out our feelings. In the right setting, a wonderful honesty; in another setting, faux pas.
The slow motion feeling comes with the Sun in square to Saturn. The Moon goes Void at 5:35pm/8:35pm when she squares Pluto. Many of us will be glad to finish this day.
The Moon has entered Aries, the house of Mars, overnight and makes a square to Mars this morning. Put your body in motion and seek challenge. If you feel cooped up, anger or irritation can easily well up.
As the tomorrow's New Moon approaches, we're busy as bees inside our heads. Ideas are bubbling up, but we can sense that the near future is already determined by the past. The Moon goes Void at 6:44pm/9:44pm.
For some who feel stuck, waiting is the best idea, but for others it may be time to get out and walk away. The New Moon comes at 12:44pm/3:44pm and contact with Mars follows shortly thereafter. Wait until after the New Moon to put new plans in motion.
Try to budget for the future you want by considering all aspects of your situation including those not under your control: politics, climate, economies, technology. The Moon goes Void at 6:31pm/9:31pm in harmony with Venus in Pisces suggesting that the broadest viewpoint will be well-served.
The Gemini Moon shines under a Sun – Mars contact and Mercury making a similar two-sign contact to Neptune. Words and ideas may flow through our minds faster than we can give them speech. And everything seems very important with Venus moving to square Pluto. Strive for a light touch, and don't waste your time with people you don't love.
Long Range Forecast:
May 4th - Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus form a high-energy water triangle as the Sun opposes Jupiter. Emotions are hair-triggered and can easily escalate out of control. And control or commitment may be an issue that provokes an emotional response.
Long-Long Range Forecast:
April 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 – April 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.
Notices for Los Angeles area readers:
Ongoing Classes:
Classes RESUME THIS SATURDAY, April 29th, and continue through May.
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.
Visit the Celestial Weather Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com
Copyright 2006 Rich Humbert