August 2014: Cancer into Leo

(7-25)As we begin the eighth month of the year Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun form a stellium in Leo, which will be joined by Venus on August 12. Leo is the star of the show this month, just as Cancer was during July with its stellium of planets in the sign of home and family. ( stellium=three or more planets in the same sign clumped close together) As these planets enter Leo, the focus will shift from family to singles, and love and fun.

This many planets in one sign means that overall we will see a big focus on the things Leo represents. Leo, first of all is about royalty. We could hear news of royals, or be around people who act like royalty one way or another! In other words, on the negative end we could be dealing with people with an attitude. This is not always bad, some of us need to have more of an attitude. Leo is flashy and likes to be noticed and can have an attitude. Words that describe Leo are confident, fun, ambitious, loyal, generous, and in some cases pretentious, domineering and melodramatic.

Jupiter is in Leo and Jupiter expands the qualities whatever sign it is in. Jupiter in Leo rules the fifth house of creativity, friends, love affairs and children, just as Jupiter in Cancer expanded home and family. There will be many love affairs that begin during the year Jupiter is in Leo! We will be naturally more inclined to look for more fun, and after the serious and jarring transits, that are not gone, this will be a positive thing. During 2014-15 more children will be born, as the fifth house rules children.

Children will be in focus during August, and the July 26, New Moon falls at 4 degrees Leo- square Mars, showing children involved in military situations. The energy of the new moon will continue until August 25, and the plight of the children of war, as well as immigrants, and other situations will continue to be shown to us. This new moon was conjunct Jupiter and whatever Jupiter touches it expands, and the plight of these unfortunate children will continue to be a focus in the world.

Children showed prominently in the Summer solstice chart and I wrote, "Mercury (retrograde) in Gemini in the twelfth house of this chart, along with Saturn in Scorpio in the fifth house show many issues surrounding children and younger people who will continue to be in the news and I hate to say..suffer. School shootings are becoming random news, and this no doubt will relate to the surge of child immigrants crossing America's borders. Either way it is a discouraging time for many young people, and children do not fare well in this chart. Let us not forget the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls, and the fact that until their kidnappers are taken out of the picture, more children are at risk."

With this many planets in Leo, all of them squaring Saturn, the creates an energy that can often be considered 'me-first.' In the world this energy will be shown by governments, politicians and those who put themselves first and believe they are right. August will be a volatile month in the world and continued wars are probable in the hot spots around the globe, that could spread.

Other major transits in August include:

August 1, Venus squares Uranus. You could be looking for something different on this day, and Venus rules love and money. Some relationships will begin and others will end. Venus-Uranus transit are generally connected with sudden shifts in the financial markets. Venus also trines Saturn and this could be a day to get a business deal off the ground if there are not unexpected occurrences.

Mars squares Jupiter and this is a transit of things getting blown out of proportion. We will likely see news involving governments and military action.

August 2, Mercury conjuncts Jupiter which is generally pleasant, but things get blown out of proportion or over-estimated. Mercury squares Mars and this is an irritating transit indicative of arguments, accidents, issues with children, younger people and pets. The talking heads on the news will have a busy day, debating the facts.

August 7, Mars trines Neptune and this transit can make you intuitive or compassionate toward others. Dreams may be over the top both literally and figuratively. A good day to get a reading, or help someone less fortunate. Compassion and creativity are the key today.

August 8, the Sun conjuncts Mercury and this transit is indicative of communication, travel and willfulness. Mercury trines Uranus showing us new ideas, and Mercury squares Saturn a transit of serious thinking, tiredness and can lean toward negative thinking and communication.

August 9, the Sun squares Saturn. This is a basically negative transit, depending on what it is aspecting in your natal chart, and this day will be one of seriousness, responsibility and in some cases endings. Serious events will occur in the world on and around this day.

August 10, the full moon occurs at 18 degrees of Aquarius at 2:09 P.M., EST. This full moon squares Saturn giving it a tiring and negative quality. Looking at this chart, cast for Washington, DC, three planets in the ninth house show concern with issues abroad, children, laws, education, world issues. Transportation issues may arise and issues with children and young people.

This will be a time of serious issues in the world, and we may hear news of subversive groups. The President will be dealing with important matters abroad.

Aquarius is the natural ruler of the eleventh house concerning groups, special interests and Congress. Aquarius is one of the signs connected with wars, coups and unexpected changes. (Uranus)

August 12, Venus enters Leo until September 5. A boost for Leo and fire signs. Venus in this sign will be indicative of fun, singles, and romance-fun is key for many. It is summer for only so long!

August 15, Mercury enters Virgo and mental energy starts to shift once again. Virgo is the most critical of signs and you can experience critical thinking in a positive way, or critical-negative thinking and communication within yourself, and from others. Overall, look for some individuals to become more critical in a negative way, but it's all in the way you handle it.

August 18, Venus conjuncts Jupiter and this transit is positive, indicative of fun, romance and entertainment (and overindulgence). A great day to meet someone new BUT, Mercury opposes Neptune. This transit is indicative of confusion, lack of clarity, lies and deception, from someone else or ourselves. Keep your feet firmly on the ground. We may hear of adverse or unusual weather conditions and believe none of what you see or hear until you have proof positive personally or in the world.

August 21, Mercury trines Pluto, a good day for problem solving and getting to the bottom of any matter with more ease than normal.

August 23, the Sun enters Virgo at 12:46 A.M. EST, and the mutable part of summer begins. In some areas the weather will soon start to change. Virgo is the natural ruler of the sixth house of work and service.

August 25, the New Moon occurs at 2 degrees of Virgo at 10:13 A.M., EST. This moon opposes Neptune showing us the chance of weather conditions that involve water and this is a confusing period where details may not be clear. Mars conjuncts Saturn showing the potential of hard work, frustration and anger. Virgo is the most critical of signs, and it important not to jump to conclusions or become overly critical of others as all the facts may not be known, especially in work, but all situations.

August 26, Venus squares Saturn and this is indicative of issues with love and money. Some relationships and situations may end or cool down, especially as this is on the heels of the New Moon, and love may seem cool today. Choose another day for important meetings.

August 27, Venus squares Mars. This transit is typically indicative of sex and jealousy. You may encounter problems with the opposite sex. Alternatively, depending on how your life is going it can sometimes indicate a new person entering your life, and the sparks can be physical.

August 29, the Sun conjuncts Neptune. Neptune is the planet of illusion, confusion and delusion, so check your facts. It can be a dreamy, or creative time, a time of dreaming-literally or figuratively, and a great day to help others or get a reading as Neptune represents psychics and the metaphysical.

Print this list off to keep a list of the months most important transits, if you wish.

Predicting Love: Is love in your stars this summer?

An astrological reading can predict all major life events including love.

Astrology is a blueprint of your life that was created at the moment of your birth, and the transits of the planets that bring you together with the most important people you will ever meet were set into motion the moment you were born. Of course, each natal chart is different, and there may be mitigating factors to consider, depending upon the chart,  but we can easily predict the times the various Sun signs have greater luck in finding that someone special.

If you know your ascendant-use that instead of Sun sign.

Venus and Mars are the day to day rulers of your love life. When Mars or Venus go into a sign that's favorable to you, your chances of meeting someone special increase as well as social activity in general.

When Mars and Venus are in the same sign and it happens to be your Sun sign or in your 5th or 11th houses of love affairs, or friends, hopes and wishes watch out! This time is extra special to you, as this duo doesn't dance often, and relationship opportunities will be at an all time high.

In 2014 Mars and Venus are not in the same sign at all. This is a rare occurrence and will not happen again until 1-4 of 2015, when both Mars and Venus are in Aquarius.

Venus entered Cancer July 18-August 12. This gives Cancer or those with a Cancer ascendant a real boost. You should feel better, and be making an effort to improve your appearance. Now is your time. This also works for Pisces as it enters your fifth house of love affairs, and Scorpio. Also good for Taurus and Virgo.

Mars enters Scorpio July 25-September 12. This is an extremely good combination for Cancer (along with Venus) and works well for the other Water signs and Earth signs.

Venus enters Leo August 12-September 5. This works great for Leo, also other fire signs and puts Venus in the fifth house of love affairs for Aries-the best! This can also work for Aries, Gemini, Libra, and Sagittarius.

Venus enters Virgo September 5-28. Of course, Virgo will be in the spotlight now. This puts Venus in the fifth house of love affairs for Taurus-great! This can also work for Cancer, Scorpio, and Capricorn.

September 13, Mars enters Sagittarius-October 25. This will work well for Leo, as Mars is traveling through the fifth house of love affairs. This can also work for Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius.

Other planets can bring love as well. If you are a Sagittarius or 14-17 degree Sagittarius ascendant, Uranus trine your ascendant or Sun can bring someone unexpected into your life. If so (Sag Sun) you would have been born November 6-11. If Jupiter is trine, sextile or conjunct your Sun you may find love. If you are a 14-19 degree Cancer ascendant, Saturn could help.

Many combinations of planets can bring love, depending on what is in your chart.  To know absolutely I must look at your entire chart, but typically the above combinations are considered lucky for love, your social life and meeting new people.

 

 

Action, big changes, unexpected events

The Sun entered Leo July 22, and this will change energy in the world substantially. The Sun will conjunct Jupiter in the evening hours of July 23-24, and for some this will be positive energy depending on what it is aspecting in your chart.

Mercury opposed Pluto July 22, and this transit is indicative of propaganda in the world, obsessiveness, and the media and all the news is about Malaysian flight M17, and the conflict in the Ukraine.  By July 24, Mercury squares Uranus, and this will relate to unexpected news. Uranus rules aircraft, weather, revolts and revolutions and  we will hear news out of the norm, that could involve young people as well. Aircraft will be top priority and over the next days we may see the safety of aircraft and passengers become a topic.

In your own life, expect mental changes and unexpected news. Be careful traveling or driving, especially if you have a cardinal planet around 15-17 degrees. (Cancer, Capricorn, Aires or Libra)

These transits of Mercury (in Cancer) and soon Venus will set off the Uranus-Pluto square and this lets us know events that occur will be of major significance in the world and in our lives if this aspects your personal chart. As I have stated many times before, we are in history making times. Both events we are watching unfold on the news will change the course of history as we know it.

July 25, Mars enters Scorpio at 10:25 P.M., EST and this marks another major planetary shift. As Mars has been in Libra for 7 months, and in its retrograde shadow period until a few days ago, energy will really start to move forward now. Now, is the time to pick up the threads from past ideas, projects and situations that have moved slowly, and begin to really move forward. The first 7 months of 2014 have moved slowly due to the number of retrograde planets, but we are finally free to begin to act!

Scorpio is the most intense of signs and Mars placement here will be intense, deep, and in some cases dark and brooding. It will be indicative of continued violence in the world. Scorpio rules the eighth house of sex, and other people's money, and even death, and many issues that arise will be about these subjects and its is a transformative period. Mars will remain in this sign until September 12. How it will affect you, depends on what it is transiting in your own personal chart.

Mars however, squares the Sun July 25-26 and this is indicative of anger and frustration, military action and police, and Mars rules young men. No doubt this will show us continued conflicts in the world. Mars squared the Sun in Libra-Cancer on July 18, and we saw M17 shot down over the Ukraine.

July 26, the New moon occurs at 3 degrees of Leo at 6:42 P.M., EST. Moon-Jupiter transits can seem overall positive, but this moon squares Mars, bringing anger and frustration into the fray, both in the world and in our lives.

The moon will conjunct Jupiter, along with the Sun and we will truly experience a burst of Leo energy. Again, how this affects your personally will depend on how it is aspecting your chart.

As this triple transit is focused in Leo, we will see events in the world that are focused on children, the welfare of children, young men, governments, creativity and love affairs. As the moon squares Mars this moon does not bode well for children at risk in the world or even the United States.

In our personal lives we may take the positive route and focus on creativity, fun, friends, and this moon may spark love affairs, or at least the desire for love. In some cases it will personally focus on children.

July 27, Venus opposes Pluto and this will set off the Uranus-Pluto square once again. Venus-Pluto transits are obsessive, possessive and indicative of hurt feelings and intensity in relationships. At its best, it could be an intense interaction/transformative situation with the opposite sex, but more likely there will be obsessiveness and some relationships, and a great deal of jealousy. This is not the day to push and issue. You could hear of domestic violence.

In the world we will see events related to sexual abuse, possibly rape, and the abusive treatment of women and girls. Money could be a focus as well.

July 31, Venus squares Uranus. This will relate to changes in relationships, unexpected changes, endings and beginnings, and none of them especially stable.  You may feel the desire for something new and different. This transit often coincides with big swings in the financial markets and money. (7-23-2014)

 

 

 

George Washington: Lucky George, the Founding Father you never knew

George Washington, the first US President, leader of the American revolution and US Founding Father,  was born February 22, 1732, 10 a.m., Wakefield, Va, to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington.

Washington was actually born 20 years prior to the 1752 introduction of the Gregorian Calendar When the Julian Calendar was "corrected" to the Gregorian Calendar, February 11th became February 22nd.

 His birth was somewhat unusual in that it almost never took place. According to Ripley's Believe it or Not TV series, shortly before Mary's pregnancy was known, she suffered from a sickness that was so intense it put her into a coma and she was buried while still alive. Just before her coffin was lowered into the ground Augustine heard sounds coming from the coffin and upon opening it  discovered Mary had regained consciousness. Her pregnancy was discovered soon after, and George Washington was born the next year.

All his life George had a fear of being buried alive, which occurred often during his time. Just before his death he said to his secretary, ""I am just going. Have me decently buried; and don't let my body be put into the vault in less than three days after I am dead. Tis well"

George Washington was a three degree Pisces Sun with a 18 degree Taurus ascendant. Taurus rules the earth and both before and after his Presidency he was a planter, plantation owner, and in early life land surveyor. Pisces is the most sensitive of signs and often associated with those who have psychic qualities.

The Moon shows the wife, emotional life and the Mother in a man's chart, and Washington's moon lies at 16 degrees of Capricorn. Pluto square the moon can indicate a controlling or possessive female presence. Moon in Capricorn is cool emotionally and generally loyal once committed to a stand or cause.

Washington was reputed to have had a cool and distant relationship with his mother as an adult. During the Revolutionary War and her son's presidency, (Mary Ball Washington) is alleged to have never stated a word of praise about her son and was reputed to have  been a Tory. Late during the Revolutionary War, Mary Washington petitioned the Virginia legislature for financial relief, pleading poverty—and, by implication, neglect by her son. Washington, who was shown to have been very generous to his mother, was indignant over these claims.

Washington was born with a grand trine, considered the luckiest of formations, and a mystic rectangle pattern in his chart.

A Grand trine is a 3 sided triangle that encompasses three planets and is considered very lucky. The areas of life affected in the chart by the grand trine are said to operate with ease.

Grand trines must be worked to achieve success at and show an inborn talent capable of success utilizing the planets and their placements, and George made the most of it. His grand trine makes aspects to his first house (self), tenth house of career and reputation and sixth house of work.

His Grand trine in Air is considered highly intuitive, and involves Mercury and Jupiter, very positive for successful in business and communications. It also involves his Neptune in Gemini giving it an intuitive and quick edge. Jupiter in Libra gives him luck and was a contributing factor to his happy and lifelong marriage to Martha at age 27.

Martha Washington was a prominent widow whose husband died unexpectedly, and upon marriage George instantly became an extremely wealthy Va. planter as he inherited use of her wealth. (he already had family money) They were married until death and in one of his letters to Martha years after the marriage, he wrote, "Fort Cumberland, July 20, 1758, We have begun our march to the Ohio. A courier is starting for Williamsburg, and I embrace the opportunity to send a few words to one whose life is now inseparable from mine. Since that happy hour when we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have been continually going to you as to another Self. That All-powerful Providence may keep us both in safety is the prayer of your faithful and ever affectionate friend, G. Washington."

Uranus and Mars lie in his seventh house of marriage (and enemies) and Uranus opposes Neptune, but is part of a kite pattern that has been described as 'a grand trine with backbone.'

In a kite pattern, all three planets in a grand trine are connected to a fourth planet, one by an opposition and the other two by sextiles. This is a combination of tense and harmonious in which the two planets connected by trines and sextiles provide outlets for the tension of the opposition.

Uranus in his seventh house shows an unusual marriage partner. Uranus is supported by Mercury on one end, and Jupiter on the other, showing a marriage where the pair would enjoy communication and information and Jupiter shows wealth, tolerance and good will, along with luck in a fortunate marriage.

Martha Washington was born June 2, 1731, and has a 17 degree Taurus moon which lies on George's ascendant, showing she would play a prominent role in his life, and they would have a strong emotional connection. Her Venus was at 2 degrees Taurus, sextiling his Sun showing love and compatibility. Theirs was a union meant to be, and Martha actually accompanied him on many of his military campaigns during the revolutionary War.

Mars also lies in his seventh house of marriage and partners at 23 degrees of Scorpio, but it trines his Venus showing a life that would include success, money and a compatible mate.

Mars in Scorpio individuals have little fear of treading into dark places others would avoid. George distinguished himself as a fearless leader in the military early on, and of course was Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary war. Mars in the placement would guarantee many enemies, but its trine to Venus would give him luck to overcome.

Mars in Scorpio individuals are not people to be messed with so to speak, and retaliation  can be swift and pack a punch. He was the perfect individual to lead America to freedom, and his chart speaks volumes about his destiny.

In men, Mars in Scorpio generates a great deal of sexual energy. These men seldom have a problem finding a partner and can come across as magnetic. They are usually passionate and sensitive, and generally love sex. In spite of the generic pictures we are accustomed to seeing of Washington in his later years, in his youth it is more likely George Washington was a 'hunk,' and his courtship and marriage to Martha very passionate.

The other prominent pattern in Washington's  chart is a mystic rectangle. Astrologer Dane Rudhyar calls the mystic rectangle, the “Harmonic” Rectangle and wrote, “One of the most practically constructive and spiritually harmonious possibilities of any rectangle is indicated when the 2 oppositions are linked by sextiles and trines.” Where fully active, this ‘Harmonic Rectangle’ points to the potential development of a character strongly organized in an attempt to take an important step in personal growth and/or spiritual development. The configuration tends to bring the polarized elements symbolized by the oppositions into a unity, because a strong sense of organization (sextile) and a cohesive, purposeful vision (Trine) are potential in the personality. Whatever tensions arise in the life or personality that are symbolized in the opposing planets (or opposition) don’t necessarily ‘go away.’ But, they can be “laid on the altar,” or channeled toward the concrete completion of a significant life-task."

Washington's mid-heaven shows his career, and falls at 29 degrees of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, and is prominent in his chart.

Aquarius rules his tenth house of career and the ruler of Aquarius is Uranus (along with Saturn) located in his seventh house (marriage and known enemies). His Mercury lies in Aquarius in the tenth giving him a universal viewpoint, and an open mind and is sextile his natal Uranus at 10 degrees Sagittarius, showing an idealistic point of view and brilliance.

Uranus is associated with revolutions and rebellions and is always prominent in individuals who bring change to the world through rebellions, coups and takeovers, which the Revolutionary war was considered at the time.

Uranus opposes his Neptune (14 degrees Gemini, retrograde) showing he would develop many enemies over an idealistic cause-the American revolution.

Washington's other tenth house ruler is Saturn and his Saturn lies at 2 degrees of Aries in his twelfth house also sextile his Mercury, showing us he had deliberate and methodical thinking.

Several Presidents of the United States have been connected to psychic experiences including George Washington. Washington's link to the psychic world is shown in several places in his chart that include his Sun in Pisces, Neptune in his first house, opposing Uranus, and his North Node in his eighth house.

In 1859, an interview with Anthony Sherman who had fought alongside George Washington, appeared in newspapers. Anthony Sherman revealed that during the darkest hour of the Revolutionary War (when George Washington was forced to retreated to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in 1777), was when the vision occurred.

George Washington told in Anthony Sherman that a mysterious woman suddenly appeared in his personal tent. When challenged, the woman only stared at Washington and her stare seem to freeze him in place. The woman said ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn’ and began revealing the future of a new nation, the United States, and the challenges it would face. In brief, Washington was shown that the United States would eventually extend from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific ocean. And, that the United States would become heavily populated with ‘villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them’.

It was also revealed to Washington that the U.S. would face 3 significant challenges. Based on the descriptions, one challenge seems to indicate the Civil War, another might be interpreted as World Wars 1 and 2, and the last would seem to indicate some sort of invasion of the United States where the citizens nearly lose the fight if not for divine intervention. When the visions concluded Washington told Anthony Sherman, ‘… I started from my seat, and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.’

After his vision he found the will to hold his fighting force together. The French joined the Americans as allies, and the Spanish and Dutch had begun their own assault on England’s interested.

On a final note, compassion is shown in Washington's chart through his water planets and Neptune in the first house. While slavery was taken for granted during his day, he had grave reservations about it, especially as he grew older. In his will he ordered his slaves freed upon his death. Martha's slaves were considered property of her estate left to her by her first husband, and passed on to her children so by law he was forbidden to disperse of any 'property' belonging to her estate.

George had no children of his own, but became step father and protector of Martha's children however, and by all accounts led a happy family life.

It is to this great man America owes its greatness, and his future as well as the 'experiment' called America is reflected in his chart.