Celestial Weather

7 August 2005 – 13 August 2005

Week of August 7th, 2005

Week as a Whole:

On Monday the Sun makes his annual move to pass exactly opposite to Neptune. The Earth’s motion

sets up several contacts between the Sun and Neptune every year, but the opposition is the most “in-your-face” encounter we have with the reality shifting represented by Neptune. Modern physics tells us it’s possible we live in just one of an infinite number of parallel universes. Art works, like Rashomon or Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet, show us how the same events are experienced through the lens of individual reality. All of us know how mood and emotional assumptions can color the moments of our lives. From Monday through Friday, the bright light of the Sun illuminates the interplay between our imagination and reality.

Moments of magical resonance may alternate with periods of disillusionment. Note that “disillusionment” really means becoming aware of a new reality. Neptune functions to present and attract us toward ideals, perfections in the Platonic sense. When he enters our lives, we may have “perfect” moments, soul harmonies beyond words, events charged with long-shadowed meanings. For many of us, the thorniest problems are not handling these elevated levels of experience, but what to do when they pass and leave us on the shores of ordinary reality once again. Like the song said, “It’s hard to go ahead when you’re going down.” People need a context in which to understand these peak experiences and some comfort to carry them through the valleys that inevitably come after the peaks. Sometimes that comfort comes out of a bottle. If your horoscope has a strong Neptune component, you are challenged to integrate the shifting of reality into your life. You can persist in the consensus reality for just so long before the imaginative forces in your life demand expression.

As the Sun moves across from Neptune, Jupiter is moving to connect with Neptune as well, becoming exactly four signs apart the following Wednesday, August 17th. This will help us absorb Neptune’s energy with more balance and perspective. We may find resources in our social setting, like a church or philosophical group, that offer an intellectual framework for new perceptions. Or they may simply provide solace and sympathy if our newly perceived reality comes with a hard edge.

Speaking of hard edges, on Wednesday Venus makes a square with Pluto. She makes a Pluto square twice each year and forces us to consider if we’re getting what we need from the people around us. Particularly when the square comes from Virgo (Venus) to Sagittarius (Pluto) we ask ourselves whether our relationships are going really somewhere, or just marking time. We should avoid the unconscious tendency to punt when a single flaw is found. “Easy does it” may be replaced by the equally effective “So does Hard” option this week.

Adding to the late week testiness is a square angle exactly formed Saturday between Mercury and Mars. This pattern can lead to the “Yes it is!” “No it isn’t” ping-pong of irritated children’s dialogue. Mercury in Leo, being absolutely sure of his incorrect (retrograde) perceptions and taking any correction as a personal affront, persists in his folly with Mars in Taurean stubbornness. While this energy is positive when we “stick to our guns” we need to opt for humility and flexibility whenever possible. Furthermore, Mercury and Mars remain roughly in this tense relationship until August 25^th when it becomes exact again. This is because Mercury will stand still next Monday night, and then resume normal motion and re-enter the square with Mars, this time moving forward. There may be words unspoken this week that rankle until they are expressed two weeks later.

All of these conditions are shown in the horoscope of the First Quarter Moon on Friday. The Sun (at 5 o’clock) has moved passed the exact opposition to Neptune (11 o’clock) and both are squared by the First Quarter Moon (2 o’clock). This is another of the T-square patterns of tension we have seen before, this time not so tightly focused, but it shows the Neptune glamour and shape-shifting affecting both major life energies. Venus (4 o’clock) has moved past Wednesday’s square to Pluto (1 o’clock) and Mercury (5:30 position) is moving into the square with Mars (8:30 position).

Jupiter (3 o’clock) is moving to connect with Neptune and the Sun is moving to connect with Pluto next week. Disturbing changes may mark this coming weekend. Mars links with Uranus and the Sun with Pluto in two separate connections formed in less than twenty minutes at 8:00am/11:00am next Sunday morning as Mercury is slowing to a standstill thirty-six hours later.

Once again the overall chart pattern for this First Quarter Moon, shows the invisible globalizing planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, grouped above the horizon in general opposition with the visible planets of everyday society and life below the horizon. This symbolizes a ongoing worldwide experience of cultures clashing as the planet “shrinks.”

Notice for Los Angeles area readers:

Classes are out of session for the summer.

Beginning September 17^th:

1:00pm– The astrology of relationships. We’ll explore what astrology tells us about how we meet and match with each other in partnership and in families. The class is open to people who know the basics of astrology. Call the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.

3:00pm – A new Beginner’s Class. There are no prerequisites except an open mind and curiosity. This class will begin with the signs, planets, and houses and develop their manifold relationships and interweaving. Unlike the last sentence, the class will be in plain English.

Long Range Forecast:

On the website: A look at the high energy dates for 2005.

July 16th – Saturn leaves Cancer and begins 2 plus years in Leo. This is a major shift in cultural focus from home and family to leadership, self-expression, and entertainment. Saturn was last in Leo during 1975-77 when Franco and Elvis died. U.S. Presidents were Ford and Carter.

July 22nd – Mercury goes retrograde until August 15^th. Plan major purchases, contracts, and commitments to avoid this period unless you want to change them later. The Sun enters Leo on this day and moves into alignment with Saturn. One of those “corners in time” type of days.

Daily Forecasts

Sunday 7 August 2005

Getting things done, errands and chores, feels good with a Virgo Moon. Shared work is always a healthy bonding, more so when the Moon passes directly over Venus at 9:56pm/12:56pm. Deep and dreamy sleep will come this evening.

Monday 8 August 2005

The Moon has been Void since 3:09am/6:09am and stays that way until she enters Libra at 7:08pm/10:08pm. Today is not a great day to connect and makes decisions. Better to finish up last week’s tasks and start new ones tomorrow. The Sun is opposite Neptune and we’re liable to be slightly blinded to something relevant.

Tuesday 9 August 2005

Open new channels of communication today. The Moon – Mercury connection will get your calls returned. Share a joke and have a little fun. We’re still lingering in Neptunian dreamland.

Wednesday 10 August 2005

Some of us will wake up having reached a conclusion overnight. Look for a message from your unconscious. Don’t waste time with people who aren’t sincere, there isn’t time. The Moon goes Void at 2:10pm/5:10pm and it’s time to kick back and let the momentum work things out.

Thursday 11 August 2005

The Moon enters Scorpio at 5:35am/8:35am and forms a series of tense aspects to Saturn, Mars, and then Mercury throughout the day. We’re apt to be short with those who disagree. Try to remember that Mercury retrograde may confuse us into temporary befuddlement, and Mars may have us cling to ignorance. Humility and flexibility are recommended.

Friday 12 August 2005

If things aren’t exactly the way you want them, or people don’t share your passions, at least you know what you want. Our tongues are still snappy and heels ready to dig in. As the sage said, “Those who know don’t speak, and those who speak don’t know.”

Saturday 13 August 2005

The Moon is Void today from 5:06am/8:06am until 12:47pm/3:47pm when she enters Sagittarius. This is almost exactly when Mercury squares Mars, so expect a noticeable mood shift at midday (U.S. Time). Also expect to find yourself part of a larger more connected world. It’s likely the media will bring us together in a shared experience.

Visit the Celestial Weather Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com