Celestial Weather: Terms Defined
Celestial Weather: Terms Defined
Void of
Course Moon:
As the moon moves through the signs of the Zodiac,
there comes a time when it has made the last connection it can make
while in the present sign. From that time until the Moon enters the
next Zodiac sign it is said to be VOID OF COURSE. It means that things
are "in neutral". It is a time to maintain routines but NOT a time to
begin new projects. Ideas and opportunities which come up during VOID
of COURSE moon periods rarely amount to much. It's not a good time to
schedule an important first meeting or to make decisions. This VOID OF
COURSE time can last from a couple minutes to almost 48 hours
depending on the arrangement of the planets in the signs.
Retrograde Planets:
All the planets except for the Sun and Moon will periodically appear to
reverse their direction of motion across our sky and move backward or
RETROGRADE for a period of time. After this period they resume normal
West to East motion. The energy represented by the planet increases for a
few days before and after the day it changes direction. This is
especially true for the outer planets:Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
and Pluto.
Mercury does this more often than any other planet: 3 times a year.
It remains in "retrograde" motion for 3 weeks each time before it
stops and resumes direct motion. Mercury retrogrades are associated
with mis-communication, lost personal items, information from the past
surfacing, and are excellent opportunities to reorganize files and
information Contacts between Planets
Alignments (Conjunctions): When two planets come together
in our sky, they are said to be aligned or in "conjunction". Their
energies and the activities they represent are blended. Sometimes
these energies work well together, like Venus and the Moon to
produce social ease and warm connections. Sometimes they don't, like
Mars and Saturn, which can be like driving with the brakes on.
Alignments also symbolize an ending and a beginning like a New Moon
does.
Oppositions: Planets passing opposite each other produce
an awareness of choice. We must balance the two energies in a
see-saw fashion, doing first one then the other. Furthermore,
when we choose one, the other reacts and thus our consciousness
is expanded. Most of this action-reaction comes through the
people around us.
Squares: Two planets seen to form a right angle are said
to be "square" each other. Their activities work at cross
purposes and produce tension. Squares are formed between signs that have
similar modes of action. Signs that are instigators are called
cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). Signs that focus energy
into power are called fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). And
signs that make connections and adjustments are called mutable (Gemini,
Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces).
Trines: When planets are four signs apart (120 degrees),
they form a harmonious connection called a trine. The
astrological elements of fire, earth, air, and water are found in
signs that are four apart. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are the
three fire signs. So when planets connect in a "trine" angle
they are both using the same basic energy and reinforce each
other. There's an easy flow and momentum building quality to
trines.
Sextiles: Planets make "sextile" angles when they are two
signs apart (60 degrees). They are connecting from zodiac signs
that easily cooperate like fire and air or earth and water. Unlike
"trine" angles, sextiles represent doorways of opportunity that must be
entered to activate.
Quincunxes: Five signs separate planets making the
"quincunx" connection. The planets involved are operating in
incompatible signs like Cancer and Sagittarius. The need for roots and
security of Cancer conflicts with the need for freedom and space of
Sagittarius. This conflict won't be ignored; it pushes us to progress
to the next sign. If the Cancer opens out into Leo, it would ease this
stress, and if the Sagittarian moved to Capricorn's solid ground, he
could balance with Cancer.
Time Zones:
The times used in the reports are given for local time on the U.S. West
Coast and local time on the U.S. East Coast. For example, an event
occurring at 10:00am Pacific Daylight Time would be shown as
10:00am/1:00pm. I apologize to non-U.S. readers for this national bias,
but the vast majority of readers are in the U.S.
Copyright 2005 Rich Humbert