Saturn: Sagittarius into Capricorn-coming soon!

Saturn is known as the taskmaster, or the Lord of Karma and the Great teacher to name a few. Without Saturn we have no stability in life. It shows us both our structures and our boundaries.

Saturn changes signs about every two and a half years, and takes about 30 years to circle through the entire zodiac.

December 19, 2017 Saturn enters Capricorn until March 23, 2020 when it enters Aquarius for four months until July 2, 2020. Then, on December 16, 2020, it will complete its tour of Capricorn, not to return for nearly 30 years.

Saturn in Capricorn is far different than Saturn in Sagittarius where it currently lies. Saturn in Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and is the ninth house ruler, the place of ideas and philosophies.

In 2016 Saturn squared Neptune, bringing with it much chaos and confusion, and as we now know, Russia influenced the US election. The effects of this transit continue to play out today, and a most obvious manifestation of this is the 'fake news,' we are now all so familiar with. Many things started at this time may be regretted in the future, collectively speaking, as this transit caused great confusion and misinformation.

In 2017, Saturn will trine Jupiter late August and this is a far more positive manifestation of energy and it will also trine Uranus toward the end of the year, another positive aspect that could bring new innovations to the forefront.

When Saturn enters Capricorn we will all begin a new cycle and chapter altogether, both individually and collectively.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn so Saturn is very powerful here. The last transit of Saturn in Capricorn was from February 15, 1988 until February 5, 1991.Before that it was January of 1959-January of 1962, and December 1929-November 1932.

Capricorn is the ruler of the fourth house of home, homeland and our basic foundations, and it is here we will be focused from late 2017 until the end of 2020.

Capricorn is a no frills sign and deals with power, business and structure. Saturn here is concerned with security and structure, tradition, organization, big business and defense. If left unchecked, big business can become the new Gods of the Universe.

Saturn in Capricorn can denote great wealth but also great limitations. Saturn was in Capricorn during the worst part of the Great Depression in the early 1930's.

While in Capricorn Saturn will build things that are meant to inspire respect (or intimidation) as much as anything else. 

The Berlin wall for example, began construction under a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (August 31, 1961). It was meant to be a political symbol to keep people in their place.

Those most affected by Saturn in Capricorn will be the Cardinal signs-Aries (square), Cancer (opposition), Libra (square) and Capricorn (conjunct).

When Saturn enters your sign it can denote a stressful period. Many things end and a new situating begins. 

Typically, I tell clients with Saturn in your own sign you will be re-creating yourself in some way.I see this occur in clients often!

Those who will fare the best will be those born under the earth and some water signs-Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces.

While in Capricorn, Saturn will conjunct Pluto during January 2020, at 22 degrees of Capricorn. Events leading up to this period will begin long before the aspect becomes exact.

Saturn-Pluto will relate to to the established power structures and ruling elite versus the common people, nuclear events and restriction on many levels. We could see a world wide recession. This is a restrictive transit and we will see these restrictions play out on many levels in the world and in our personal lives. This transit will affect all of those individuals with cardinal planets 20-24 degrees.

Saturn conjunct Pluto will be a stressful period and can indicate limitation, financial loss, nuclear incidents, war and change and transformation. Many things will change at this time or be transformed, or end all together.

The last time Saturn was conjunct Pluto was in Libra June-July 1983. During this time we saw unemployment rise in the US to the highest level since 1941. Europe was dealing with the IRA, Ethiopia appealed to the world for aid when death tolls from hunger reached 4 million, the US invaded Grenada, the Philippine leader was assassinated, the US embassy in Beirut was destroyed by a suicide bomber killing 63, and Ronald Regan proposed Strategic defense initiative to name just a few world events at this time.

The positive side of this combination  can relate to industrial infrastructure, science and engineering and a deeper understanding of things like genetics and physics. Some things can be transformed for the better.

The negative side can't be worse: tyranny, the abuse of power and corruption, organized crime and criminal activities, nuclear incidents, power struggles, recessions, issues with the monetary system and banks, and war, and limitation and restriction on many levels.

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction will fall dead on Jupiter in the chart of the US Republican Party. The party will change or die as it currently exists.

During this transit of Saturn and especially around the Saturn-Pluto conjunction world events will play out of great magnitude. The world will be changed collectively and many lives will be changed as a result. If you live on planet earth to some extent you will be affected by what may be the most significant transit of the generation. I will write more about this in the future.

Full Moon in Libra: sudden and explosive events

This month's full Moon falls on April 11, in the early hours of the morning. It peaks at 21 degrees of Libra.

Libra rules the 7th house of partnerships and marriage, so partnerships will the theme of this Moon. This includes, but is not limited to romantic partnerships, but rather partnerships of all kinds.

This Moon is conjunct Jupiter. This is typically pleasant and even fortunate in some cases. But Jupiter expands whatever it touches, good or bad.

The Moon squares Pluto and opposes Uranus setting off the Cardinal t-square in the sky which can bring big events. The Moon's square to Pluto can be obsessive and demanding. There can be problems over control, sex, or there could be a desire to remake someone. When I think of Moon-Pluto, I think of extreme emotional reactions.

On a collective level, Moon -Pluto can relate to nuclear incidents, and a stressed population. Pluto relates to raw power.

The Moon also opposes Uranus. Uranus transits are typically associated with the unexpected. Uranus typically signifies a desire for freedom and independence. People won't want to feel hemmed in. Do something different and utilize this energy.

In the world Uranus symbolizes revolts, revolutions and explosions and unexpected events.

April 7, the Sun opposes Jupiter. Jupiter relates to big events and things happen in an almost explosive way as we have seen with the recent news. 

April 8, the Sun squares Pluto. This will be a very important news day, as this transit has to do with power struggles, the abuse of power, and has the potential to involve nuclear situations.

April 13, the Sun conjuncts Uranus and events (related to the Moon) may be erratic and unpredictable. Things you do not expect to happen can. Remember, Uranus is about freedom and unpredictable events. On the positive side this can be an electric, if not restless day. You or others may do unexpected things.

In the world this can relate to aircraft, explosions and unexpected news and situations.

Some relationships can end on this moon and others may begin. As Mercury is retrograde events connected to this moon could be delayed.

Typically, we begin to feel the effects of the moon several days before it occurs. Events may take up to several weeks to play out completely.

The events of this Moon will play out in the world for some time to come. By the weekend of April 14-16 Mars is conjunct fixed star Algol, which is typically associated with losing one's head, both figuratively and literally. I look for recent events to be only the start of a bigger situation.

Venus/Saturn: love and reality

During a retrograde Venus, love often takes a significant turn for better or worse, as the planet of love reverses direction.

A retrograde Venus is not limited to romantic love and can affect relationships of all types along with money. Retrograde Venus is karmic in nature. In other words, what will be will be as the planet of love and money reverses direction.

Venus turns stationary direct April 15. Soon it will be moving forward and things can return to normal.

Saturn will square Venus twice. The first time is April 9-13 as it retrogrades. The second time occurs April 18-23 as Venus turns stationary direct. If you have been living with rose colored glasses, they will likely come off at this time. 

Saturn is the planet of reality and it will clash with the planet of love. The retrograde square is likely to be more difficult.

Venus square Saturn can make us feel lonely, rejected or isolated. In some cases if this or something else makes a significant aspect some relationships may end. But this would typically only be the case if the relationship is tottering on the edge.

Issues can come to the surface and be dealt with. Sometimes this coincides with unpleasant circumstances we would prefer to avoid but can't, such as a loved one having surgery (or something else). In cases like this we just plug on and know the transit will pass shortly.

As Venus squares Saturn the second time, love matters can change again. It creates a rough start for Venus as it turns direct. By April 29, Venus enters Aries again where it spent most of February and March. The shadow period of the retrograde Venus will end on May 19, and things will be back to normal. Or if your relationship has changed during this time, the new normal.

This transit will usher in many world events, and is not considered positive for money and financial matters.

Sataurn retrogrades April 6: Barriers or bridges?

Saturn turns retrograde this year April 6.  Saturn is retrograde about 5 months every year.

This will be more difficult for those with mutable planets-Gemini, Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius- in the late degrees, around 28-26 degrees in the signs mentioned above.

Saturn's retrograde can be a pivotal time, especially if it affects something in your chart.

When you experience a Saturn transit, you generally get three passes of it and the retrograde pass is generally the most challenging. Saturn is overall associated with delays, slowdowns and endings of various types. 

During April Saturn will retrograde from 27-25 degrees and will affect everyone with mutable planets at these degrees.

While in Sagittarius, Saturn is associated with our personal views on the world, and we determine our own personal outlook and opinions on things, especially politics and happenings in the world. At this time we can experience a bona fide real world education.

As Saturn deals with our structure we may be concerned with basic security issues while Saturn is retrograde. Saturn will retrograde back to 21degres during the summer and turn direct here on August 25. The stationary direct period is important as well.

If Saturn turns direct at a positive angle in your chart, you can expect positive events to amp up in your life. If it turns direct in a harsh angle, you can expect frustration in whatever area of your life it is transiting.

Saturn will remain in Sagittarius until the end of the year when it enters Capricorn on December 21, 2017 for the next two and a half years.

Surviving and thriving: Mercury turns retrograde April 9

Mercury turns retrograde April 9, at 4 degrees of Taurus. The ruling planet of Taurus is Venus, the planet of love and money.

Mercury in Taurus will concern money, possessions, basic comforts and love.

The next three weeks may be a period where things seem at a standstill, especially our outward action. On an inner level however, we can accomplish a great deal. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and soon Pluto will also retrograde.

Mercury turns retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name and elicits groans when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.

All of this will occur, but this period does not have to be the disaster many believe it to be with some basic knowledge ahead of time.  The four most important things are to 1)understand what retrograde Mercury means 2)know what to expect 3) know what to avoid and lastly 4)understand what you can gain from it. With this basic information available, you should be able to make the most of the time, and benefit from the retrograde as oppose to being caught off guard.

The first step is to know what retrograde Mercury means. In the strictest sense of the word, the planet of communication does not actually go backward, it only appears to. This will occur three or four times every year.  A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac, and this is referred to as apparent retrograde motion.  When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills. When Mercury retrogrades, there are several phases.

The first phase is the pre-retrograde shadow period which began March 28. This period is where Mercurial energy starts to shift and it is time to start wrapping up new projects for the time being and focusing on what is at hand.

The second phase of retrograde Mercury is the stationary retrograde period, when Mercury starts to shift into apparent backward motion. This occurs April 9-14 when Mercury starts its retrograde. This is the period most glitches start to become evident, and if you have a prominent Mercury in your chart, thinking may become foggy.

Mercury continues to retrograde through May 3 when it turns stationary direct May 3-8. This is the second period when glitches, breakdowns and changes in direction may well occur.

Mercury begins to move forward again on May 9, but remains in the shadow direct phase until May 21, 2017.  Mercurial energy does not pick up its normal pace until completion of the second shadow period. So, the retrograde Mercury period is actually a much longer cycle than most people understand. Changes will occur at the juncture of each retrograde phase.

The second step in surviving a retrograde is to know what to expect. What you can expect and prepare for are slowdowns, delays, miscommunications, interference with travel and travel plans and appointments, and the breakdown of machinery, situations and even relationships. If your car has been limping along and you have been putting off a repair, know this is the likely time it will become obvious that you have to fix it. If your computer is slow or having problems be sure and back up everything important. (I learned this one the hard way several times!) If you are in a relationship that is tottering on the brink of ending, this may well be the period that can occur, and often does. Of course, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification.

The third and perhaps most important step in surviving retrograde Mercury is to know what to avoid. Don’t get married, start a new business, start new projects or begin anything you hope will become permanent during the most important three week phase of the retrograde. Don’t purchase high ticket items, important Christmas gifts, paint, or anything you expect to be there for a long time if you can avoid it. Retrograde Mercury is not the time to start new projects, but rather finish up the old, and redo, re-organize or re-work. Go against this advice and you may wish you hadn’t. I chose the paint color in my office on retrograde Mercury just to test it, and as I write this post, I wish I had time to get out a paintbrush today.

The fourth step to surviving retrograde Mercury is to understand what you can gain from it. Know that retrograde Mercury is part of the natural cycle of life and it is not anything out of the ordinary. Everything serves a purpose and the point of a retrograde Mercury is to slow down a bit, reflect, rethink, re-do, re-plan and reorganize and reconsider. It is a period of correction. Rather than starting new projects it is time to look at what is on the drawing board. Often during a retrograde, thinking changes direction and a more appropriate course of action can be mapped out. Often new information comes to the surface that must be considered.  Sometimes secrets are revealed, and the truth comes out into the open.  The truth may not be what your want to hear, but it can set you free. Retrograde Mercury is a time to plan, work on you, and delve into the spiritual side of life. Sometimes important contacts with people from our past can be initiated, and there is generally a focus on the past or past situations that can come back up to be resolved. Just focus on what is at hand rather than starting new situations.  If you are forced to start a job during a retrograde, it could be altered when Mercury goes direct, or you may not have all the facts. If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde, it may end or change when Mercury goes forward, time will tell. 

All in all, retrograde Mercury is a period where we should reflect on our current state, and plan rather than initiate new ventures. Reconsider your options, re-write, re-organize, and re-think. If you follow these basic principles, I can’t guarantee you won’t experience frustration, but you will survive the retrograde and perhaps come out of it better than you had believed possible.

The total solar eclipse of 2017

This is early, but its big. It's been 38 years since we have seen a total solar eclipse in the continental US. That takes us back to 1979, when we experienced the last one. Some people reading this have never seen a total solar eclipse, but you will have a chance on August 21, 2017. The last time an eclipse went coast to coast in the US was June 1918.

This eclipse falls at 28 degrees of Leo, and it peaks at 2:03 PM, EST, 11:30 AM, Pacific. You can take a look at this google map and see that it goes coast to coast. Everyone in the US should be able to see some of it. The best city to view the eclipse from is Nashville, TN or one of the following locations: Atlanta, 97%, Boston, 63%, Chicago, 87%, Cincinnati, 91%, Dallas, 76%, Denver 92%, Detroit, 79%, Houston, 67%, Indianapolis 91%, Las Vegas, 72%, Los Angeles, 62%, Memphis 93%, Miami 78%, Milwaukee 83%, Minneapolis, 83%, NYC, 72%, Oklahoma City 84%, Philadelphia, 75%, Phoenix, 63%, Pittsburgh, 81%, Portland 99%, Salt Lake City 91%, Seattle, 92%, Washington, DC, 81%.   If you look at the google map, the closer you are to the eclipse path, the more you will see.

The eclipse falls at 28 degrees of Leo, and peaks at 2:30 PM, EST/11;30AM, Pacific.

Leo is the sign of royalty and rules the 5th house of love, friends and children. This could be a great day to take time off and celebrate.

The Sun/Moon will trine Uranus, exact at 28 degrees of Aries and there will be an electric feeling in the air.

We could hear of some type of new innovations.

Many things will happen on a world level. The last time we experienced and eclipse at this degree was August 21, 1998. Click here to see a list of events that occurred at this time.

An eclipse like this will be very powerful individually and collectively and be the harbinger of many world events.

In the US chart this eclipse falls from the 3rd to the 9th house of the US Sibley chart. It opposes the Moon-the people, who will be in an uproar. The 3rd/9th house axis relates to laws and foreign affairs, and Saturn is conjunct Neptune, which will deal with scandals and deceptive issues potentially connected with the current Russian investigation, or some other international crisis.

The eclipse is prominent as it falls on Mars in the 12th house of Donald trump's chart. The 'Russian investigation,' began, or came to the forefront around the February 11, eclipse in Leo that fell in his 12th house. He could experience health issues. Many things will be revealed at this time.

The eclipse could affect Queen Elizabeth (UK) as it squares Saturn, her ruling 10th house planet. Saturn/Neptune transits are also associated with changes in the royal family, and Saturn squared Neptune in 2016. The eclipse could bring Prince Charles to the forefront.

The energy of an eclipse begins at least a month or two before the actual eclipse occurs. I will write more about this eclipse in the future.