Ready or not, here comes retrograde Mercury

Mercury turns stationary retrograde on June 26 at 9:08 a.m EST, and will remain so until July 20. The stationary retrograde which lasts through the 29th,is generally the time where events occur that let us know the Mercurial energy is shifting and changing gears. This is often the most important period of the retrograde along with the stationary direct period when Mercury begins to move forward, shifting energy once again July 20-July 24.

Mercury retrograde in Cancer may be overly emotional for some and hard to handle especially for Fire signs. We may walk down memory lane a little too often, and events and situations may revolve around family members, the home or other loved ones.

All planetary cycles have their propose though, and Mercury retrograde is about reflecting, re-organizing and re-doing. The time for new actions will be after Mercury goes direct again,  and often we have gained new ideas and new directions.

Now is the time to clean out your closet, both literally and emotionally. Get rid of the clutter in your life, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water, or get rid of things you will later regret!

There is a karmic quality to a retrograde, and some relationships that have ended can reconcile and others break up entirely. Many divorces and separations occur on a retrograde Mercury. Lawsuits can be settled or initiated, and situations or things that have broken down can be repaired.

Look for delays, miscommunications and slowdowns in business and most affairs. cars break down along with computers and other machinery. If you are looking for a job, there could be delays. This is a period to fix what is in your life, or look at the general direction you are headed.  The time for new ventures of all types will be after July 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capricorn SuperMoon June 23

This month's full moon falls at 2 degrees of Capricorn on June 23, reaching a peak at 7:32 a.m. EST. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn the planet of hard work and discipline, so many people will be focused on shoring up things that are necessary to their personal foundation. Or it can show you areas of your life you need to work on during this time. Capricorn is the natural ruler of the tenth house of career, reputation and priorities. Now is the time to finish up tasks as Mercury turns retrograde June 26, and we will go through a period of re-working, re-organizing and re-accessing situations in our lives.

This full moon is far from flamboyant but it is considered a SuperMoon, meaning it is closer to the earth. Astrologer Richard Noell coined the term SuperMoon years ago, and wrote of this month's full moon, "On June 21, Mercury and Venus are aligned during the Mercury Max, within a couple days of a SuperMoon full moon. On the geophysical level, both alignments (and especially the latter) are very likely to be harbingers of increased storm and seismic activity. These are combinations – again, especially the latter -which I fully expect to anchor some of the year’s most emphatic geocosmic stress windows – replete with a surfeit of powerful storms, extreme tidal surges and significant seismic activity (including magnitude 5+ earthquakes and volcanic eruptions). Solar flares by definition do dump extra Gigawatts of energy into the Earth. Like turning up the heat on a saucepan of water, they can turn a slow simmer into a rolling boil. It manifests in terms of extreme weather events and increased seismicity – particularly when compounded with factors like the June 23 SuperMoon.

All the resultant increases in geomagnetism tend to nudge electrical and electronic infrastructure and equipment into greater or lesser chaos, affecting our civilization. Our bodies are electrical systems too, and people get a bit fritzy at times like this too."

This moon falls within 8 degrees of Pluto, again creating a focus on the Uranus-Pluto square which dominates the sky. This past week we saw a major stock market correction as the Sun conjuncted Jupiter showing us it was over inflated. The Uranus-Pluto square is an aspect that will shake up the world and in the past few weeks we have learned many things. In the US the major focus has been on the revelation the US government is logging phone and internet information on US citizens as well as foreign. I look for these issues to be in the news again and events of the past few weeks to continue to be significant well into the future. 

If you would like to schedule a personal reading contact me at contact@lesliehale-astrology.com

 

 

Your perfect man is not a sun sign!

Many people are under the misconception that finding their ideal mate is all about choosing the right sun sign. While the right sun sign will help, (and we all DO have a Sun sign) it is not the only, or even in some instances the most important consideration when comparing charts for compatibility or the potential of a future match between the two individuals. There is much, much more to take into consideration.

Comparing charts between two individuals in a branch of astrology known as synastry, or relationship comparison which shows us how individuals will react with one another, and how compatible they really are.

If there are not some pretty positive aspects between the two individuals the relationship will often never get off the ground. There might be attraction or a one sided interest, but things never go anywhere. Or, at times relationships simply become a battlefield of neurosis if the planets align in the wrong way.

The most important aspects in synastry (compatibility) involve Sun-Moon combinations, Moon-Moon,  Venus-Mars, Venus-Moon, Venus-Jupiter, Venus to ascendant-Sun or Moon or Jupiter, and Sun to Venus, Jupiter or other personal planets and Sun-Sun. There are many combinations an astrologer can look at as no two charts are the same, but the following are some of the most important:

The moon represents the emotional life in men and women, but in a man's chart it represents all the women in his life including his Mother, and eventually it will represent the wife if he marries.

Venus is equally important in a man's chart. Venus is indicative of the type of woman he desires and wants to be with. Venus is our desire nature, and represents the “type” a man is drawn to. The Moon however, represents the true emotional nature, and in a man’s chart wife, which may differ from his Venus.

Sometimes a man may feel attracted to one type of woman, but in the end he will generally marry the kind of woman represented by the Moon in his natal chart. Sometimes the Moon and Venus are in conflict,  in which case he may be attracted to one type, but marry another. When the moon and Venus are in harmony with each other, what he desires and wishes to marry are one and the same. But, this is not always the case.

An  important connection is a Sun-Moon aspect of some type. He could be a Sagittarius, and she a Taurus. But, if she has a moon in Sagittarius, she is an emotional Sagittarius to some extent and has a stronger emotional connection to him. It can work the other way. This can be one of the strongest connections in a chart, and works best if the woman's moon connects with the man's Sun.  If the above mentioned individuals met, they might be different in terms of Sun signs, but there would be an emotional connection. And of course that is only one connection, there would need to be more.

Another strong connection involves a moon-moon connection. For example, he could be a Sagittarius, she a Libra, but if he has an Aquarius moon, and she has a moon in Libra which is compatible with Aquarius, this gives a strong emotional connection as well. Sometimes these individuals feel psychically linked to each other.

Venus to Mars or the Sun aspects are always important in a long term relationship. Venus-Sun aspects give love and appreciation of one another, and Venus-Mars aspects can give love and sexual compatibility, and these are some important aspects to have in some form.

Venus/Sun/Moon/Mars/Ascendant/Jupiter are all good aspects to look for.

Moon/Ascendant or descendant often indicate a soul connection.

Sun/Jupiter connections can indicate a benefactor type of relationship or the partner can do no wrong.

Sun/Ascendant connections can indicate a soul or what we may perceive as karmic connection.

With Venus/Mercury aspects, warm feelings can develop as well as the ability to communicate well.

Mars/Jupiter aspects can make a relationship dynamic and can be good for money

Venus/Jupiter aspects between two people can indicate love, fun and this can be a good comparative money aspect.

Venus/Saturn can indicate longevity, positive money synastry and solid partnerships.

Venus/Uranus can indicate an exciting relationship but it may not be long term.

Venus/Neptune transits can indicate and intuitive, warm or spiritual relationship and at times love can be 'selfless.'

Venus/Pluto aspects can indicate intensity and depth of feelings.

Saturn/Moon aspects in soft angles can give stability, security and loyalty.

Mars/Mars aspects indicate dynamic interaction and often sexual attraction.

And finally compatible Sun-Sun aspects give a natural affinity with each other and a level of understanding.  Water is generally compatible with Water and Earth, Air with Air and Fire and Fire with Fire and Air. One of the more difficult Sun sign connections is Water and Fire.

None of these aspects alone are going to make for a great relationship. The astrologer must take into account all of the aspects between the two people, but this is a guide to some of the most important. Sometimes there are negative aspects that can be overcome by some of the more positive ones. Few charts are perfect, just as few relationships are perfect. We are all human and our charts show that. But for a long term commitment, there must be some of the above aspects to get us there in the first place and even more important, to keep the relationship together.

These aspects work best if they are in a trine, sextile, sometimes a conjunction, making them more harmonious. Squares oppositions and sometimes conjunctions, are less desirable and sometime negative, again depending upon the entire chart.

In the future I will write about some of the more negative aspects, and what to look out for, as well as a subject often left overlooked: financial synastry or the ability of two people to live in financial harmony together.

 

 

 

 

Whistleblower Edward Snowden: villain, hero or doomed man?

 

 

Edward Snowden is contractor and former CIA employee who worked for the National Security Agency before leaking details of a classified NSA spy program to the Guardian newspaper, sparking an instant controversy and outrage over the US governments collection of American phone and internet records. Snowden is a 29 year old high school dropout who held national security clearance and made over $200,000 a year and his story reads like a John Grisham thriller.

Whether he is a hero or disgruntled CIA worker who plans on selling state secrets as has been alleged by certain politicians, at the time of this writing he is on the run.

Snowden was born June 21, 1983 in NC. The most outstanding aspects in his chart are two major oppositions in Gemini-Sagittarius containing a total of 6 out of 10 planets in his chart.

Gemini/Sagittarius rules the 3rd/9th house axis of speech and world view, law and governments. Snowden would have extremely strong opinions about speech, freedom of speech, and his own personal world views. As these transits are in the form of oppositions, his world views were destined to ultimately bring trouble from others, i.e. the US Government.

Snowden is a 29 degree Gemini with a Mars/Mercury in Gemini and a Neptune opposition to his Sun/ Mars, making him an idealist. He stated to the Guardian, " I don't want to live in a society that does these sort of things … I do not want to live in a world where everything I do and say is recorded."

Sun-Neptune transits often indicate an individual who desires to experience something out of the ordinary, and sometimes associates with unsavory types. Snowden stated he has spent most of his adult life as a spy. Many of these individuals (Sun-Neptune) spend their childhood with a lack of direction that did not clearly define goals, often including a lack clarity or rules and sometimes the Father is missing, or the relationship is not clearly defined or the ego is not strongly developed in childhood. But, they are idealists and dreamers.

After dropping out of high school Snowden had a brief stint in the Army lasting only 6 months. His idealism was apparent again when he said, "I wanted to fight in the Iraq war because I felt like I had an obligation as a human being to help free people from oppression."

These individuals can sometimes be lead astray by Neptunian type behaviors: drugs or alcohol, escapist or other self defeating behaviors, and they are often duped by others. They are generally sensitive types who find it difficult to live within the bounds of what is considered ordinary.

Mars-Neptune individuals are often found chasing a dream, fantasy or illusion and what better job description than a spy. Snowden identified himself as a spook to the Washington Post stating, "I've been a spy most of my life." He used the code name "Verax," in communicating with a reporter and placed a red hood over his head and his laptop when entering passwords to keep them from being stolen from hidden cameras, according to the Guardian. Fantasy or brilliance based on his knowledge of the spy business? Sometimes there is a thin line. In typical fashion of a Sun-Neptune individual his background is far from clear, even questionable and it begs the question: Exactly how did a high school dropout achieve such a high ranking position with access to government secrets?

Neptune-Mars individuals can feel oppressed and retaliate in covert ways. These individuals can lack follow through, employ deceptive means to an end and generally follow the beat of a different drummer their entire lives.

Obviously Snowden's views were strong enough for him to go on the record as being the person who leaked NSA secrets to the press, and face criminal prosecution, knowing he would be forced to flee Hong Kong where he was residing. It is likely Snowden felt a strong bond to the American ideal of freedom of speech and information as the USA natal chart itself has a Sagittarius ascendant that opposes Uranus in Gemini (the Sibly chart) and contains a Mars-Neptune square in Virgo and Gemini.

Some astrologers use the Gemini rising chart, and in that chart Gemini rules the ascendant, the sign governing speech. This chart too, contains the Mars-Neptune square that lies in the first/fourth house, describing the self (the people) and the 4th house or the 'home.'

America's chart defines its people as does any country's chart and many American's will view Snowden a hero. America is after all, is a nation of dreamers, idealists, freedom seekers and those who march to the beat of their own drummer.

His Mercury-Jupiter/Uranus opposition would intensify Snowden's opinions about freedom of speech, and enlarge his ideas about it. Mercury/Uranus individuals can be brilliant or scattered, and sometimes speak or take action without carefully thinking it through. Mercury-Jupiter individuals like to see the big picture quickly and can often overlook smaller details.

Snowden has a Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Libra. This transit often shows a great deal of tenacity and self discipline and often represents severity. Once an individual with this transit makes up their mind it shows incredible resolve and carry through. Sometimes this transit can also confer revenge.

Snowden's moon lies in Scorpio (time of birth unknown) and individuals with a Scorpio moon often have a brooding intensity that lies beneath the surface of what they present to the world. Scorpio is emotional, intense, secretive and these moons are often driven by deeper forces than they appear to possess upon first meeting.

Scorpio moon individuals generally possess penetrating insights and often have deep vision into situations but are not above thoughts of revenge or serious resentment. Interesting chart  for a self professed  spy.

It is no accident Snowden came to public eye as the Uranus- Pluto square was set off by Mercury, the planet ruling speech and communication. The Guardian has reported much more information will be revealed.

The May 25 eclipse in Sagittarius (natural ruler of 9th house of government and world views) conjuncted Snowden's Uranus-Jupiter conjunction (Jupiter rules governments) and opposed Mercury (speech) setting off his Mercury/Jupiter-Uranus opposition in his chart.

Neptune is currently squaring Snowden's Jupiter-Uranus and Neptune is associated with secretive and often sneaky actions. Jupiter-Neptune can represent an idealistic vision, and sometimes Jupiter can represent money as well. Snowden likely considered his actions a self sacrifice on the behalf of the American people.

It is interesting to note Snowden's Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Sagittarius opposes President Obama's natal moon. In a President's chart the moon would represent the people or the mood of the people.

The same May 25 eclipse, opposed President Obama's moon in Gemini which was being squared by Neptune, the planet of illusion delusion and confusion (and scandal). In the following days after the announcement of the leaks, Mars in Gemini opposed the President's moon and the ire of the people became apparent as it became known all electronic communications of the American people are being monitored. These planets set off a scandal with the President he may not overcome in months to come, as he campaigned on transparency in government. Of course this spy program has been tied to the Patriot Act passed by George Bush and Congress in 2001. Either way, there will be far more to come in the future, and this revelation is not going to fade away anytime soon for President.

Nor will Edward Snowden be a free man again anytime in the near future, and I look for a propaganda campaign to start smearing his reputation regardless of the truth. Chances are strong he will be captured or taken out by the US government or some other entity who has an interest in the matter in the near future. If he evades this he will live in a foreign country among where circumstances of life are beyond his control. (6-11-13 )