Up, Up and Away

Yesterday, all eyes were on a silvery balloon as it floated across the Mountain Time Zone.

Fear was paramount as a family and authorities believed a small boy was in the balloon that was reaching several thousand feet. Luckily, he turned out to be in an attic.

I was busy all day and didn't hear about it until NPR did a report while I as driving. At that point the balloon had been found but there was no boy in it, people were worried the boy had fallen out of it. My heart dropped. Later, I saw a headline on my computer that the boy had been found in the house.

By that point people were pissed. My own husband came home annoyed as he said, "I spent big emotional investment in that family when I heard their son was missing and possibly in a balloon. My heart was in my stomach."

Then when he saw the interviews with the dad and that they had been on a TV show my husband was totally annoyed. I believe the quote was, "What a loser!"

I kind of was not invested in it once I heard the boy was found but I did think it was interesting to see my husband's reaction and then later interviews where it was suggested the dad created a hoax for publicity.

I actually don't think it was a deliberate move by the dad. To me it just seemed like kids doing kid stuff but all the reactions remind me of the North/South Node Cap/Cancer climate we are now experiencing. Last week I brought it up with the Letterman/Jon&Kate/McKenzie Phillips business and I see it here too.

We do NOT have the appetite for emotionally charged events. We want things to be cool and Capricorn. We want seasoned, matured actions. We want a dad to keep his kids away from his balloon projects. (why weren't they in school, btw?) We want people to be responsible. If you are sloppy and emotional the world is not diggin' you. We are seeking maturity.

Sun Trine Neptune

On Friday, October 16 8:46pm (EDT) The sun makes a glorious trine to Neptune in Aquarius. We get this aspect twice a year and it is a gentle aspect. Neptune is dreamy and mystical and when the Sun falls under Neptune's charm we are far more humanitarian and perhaps a bit forgiving. There is a term in astrology called Mutual Receptivity which means two planets are in each other's home sign. In this case Uranus which rules Aquarius is in the sign Pisces. And Neptune which rules Pisces is in Aquarius.

While mutual reception is taking place the two energies are mingled. Think of two streams coming together to make a river. This co-mingled energy has been taking place since 2003 and will continue until 2012 however starting next Spring Uranus will step into Aries for a brief time disconnecting the river. The next trine between the Sun and Neptune will happen next summer and at that time it will not be influenced by Uranus. So, what ever message we get from The Sun to Neptune this week will be the last one under co-mingled influence for a long time (one will happen when Uranus retrogrades back into Pisces). I have said a long time that this co mingled energy reminds me of a famous quote "Comfort the Disturb, Disturb the Comforted." Watch and see if this Trine from the Sun coaxes you to do either.

Ray Merriman

On my links section (to the right) I list Ray Merriman's website. Ray is the real deal when talking about astrology and economic forecast.

Ray generates a column every week. I would encourage you guys to check him out. There is a lot of wisdom for all of us to ponder.

here is a snippet from this week's report:

Last week I discussed potential political themes related to the 16-year transit of Pluto through Capricorn (2008-2014). There are also monetary and economic themes related to this passage. Let’s start with the idea that Pluto rules taxes, as proposed several times in this column as a major theme of the 32-27 year Saturn-Pluto cycle. With the waning square of these two planets fast approaching November 15 (and lasting approximately 9 months), the issue of taxes and their possible consequences on the economy will likely be a very sensitive topic. As outlined before, the entire waning phase of this cycle (opposition to conjunction, 2001-2020) is likely to see greater government spending, increased government and individual debt, increased budget deficits, higher taxes, and a stagnant economy that will see deeper and deeper recessions that are longer and longer lasting. The waning square between Saturn and Pluto is the midpoint of this down cycle, which means either 1) it is the bottom of the cycle or 2) possibly the major change within the cycle that will accelerate its economic down phase until it ends in 10 years.

Venus Square Pluto

On Thursday October 15 1:21pm (EDT) Dear Sweet Venus moves into an exact square with dangerous, lethal Pluto. The best way to visualize this aspect is to think James Bond (Pluto) and any of his Bond Women (Venus). Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.

If there is a dark energy in your soul this week you can blame Pluto and Venus. Things that have always had our passion and desire may feel 'off' this week. You normally love getting coffee with that certain friend every Thursday but this week you ask yourself, "Why do we always get together?" Or your partner just bugs the crap out of you. Or you look at your bank account and you say, "how the 'eff did my money get so low?" This is Pluto Square Venus. Of course, your jealousy could come up in big throes. "How come SHE always has the fun friends to hang out with?" "How come they have so much money?" "Who is emailing my husband/wife?"

The good news is that this energy is fast moving. It will be out of effect within a few days but there is more to this picture than you or I getting annoyed with our spouse. It really answers a bigger question. "What are my values and how is my life not reflecting those values?"

This happens twice a year (more if there is a retrograde) and the last time these two got together was May 2nd. At that time Venus was in Aries and the energy was circling around our need for independence versus status quo. You may want to go back to your calendar and see where you were wanting freedom. This time Venus is in Libra which puts the focus on the other guy--our relationships. So, naturally we think our problems are because of 'others'. Perhaps that is true. But perhaps it is more about how we 'relate' to that other guy that is the problem.

Like I said it does not last forever but if you can use this as a learning experience you will be making the most of the aspect. What changes can you make in your life that improve your relationships? Do it now.

Venus Conjunct Saturn

Venus Conjuct Saturn October 13, 6:52am (EDT)


About once a year ( unless a retrograde is in effect) Venus conjuncts Saturn. This is one of those weird aspects. Weird because we love Venus. She is all about love, money, joy, resources....she is that fabulous dessert at the end of a great meal. Saturn is about structure, order, work, responsibility, duty and dad. "I'll have a slice of that raspberry pie, please" says, Venus. "No, you won't" says Saturn. At first blush it looks like Saturn is a big ass pain in the ass---BUT, perhaps we don't need that slice a pie. Perhaps we need to go on a budget. Perhaps we need to focus our energies and resources and not fritter it all away. There is a natural tightening of the belt with this aspect. We need to focus on a higher quality and good guidance. (side discussion, I would expect a downward turn on Wall Street today)

Depending on where 29 degrees Virgo lies in your chart will show where this tightening is taking effect. Although, to be honest, this aspect is so strong (in my opinion) even if you do not know your chart you are feeling this aspect. When you went to bed last night you felt it and when you woke up this morning you felt it.
So, what should you do? Give Saturn what it wants. Tighten up. Get some structure, scrutinize that area of your life. Don't beat yourself up, just "Dad up". Venus will thank you for it later.

And remember this aspect only lasts a couple of days. No need to get all moppy about it just do the work and it will pass and you will have gotten the reward of it. Remember, Saturn delays he does not deny! He just needs you to grow up.

Jupiter Turns Direct

Jupiter turns Direct On Tuesday, October 13 (12:34am EDT) Jupiter which has been retrograde since June will turn direct at 18 degrees of Aquarius. I have discussed previously that this year we are experiencing a conjunction between Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron. It is one of those ‘Aquarius age’ aspects that demands we expand and release and heal ----and we do it as a group.

Once Jupiter turns direct it will be heading for a throw down with the other two planets so be looking for something to catch all of our attention after October 13th. As is often the case we may have an opportunity to learn from others' mistakes—so something in the public will probably be an eye-catching event. And of course, we may step on our own egos by overreaching and causing some upset. Remember to think of the group before you go too far and you should be in good shape. And yeah, I know it is hard but for gawdsakes you have been doing it all year so you should know it now better than ever. Groups count.

On a side note, I have been off my game all day. I know that I am still not a 100 percent since last week's illness but I also think big ol' jupiter has got me down as it slows down and turns direct. I hope that tomorrow I will feel enthused. Perhaps you are feeling similarly?

By Jove, Turn around for us!

Letterman, Jon & Kate( + Hate) & MacKenzie Phillips

Do you remember back HERE I mentioned that the North Node had moved into Capricorn and we should prepare for a sea change?

I said it then and I will say it again. There are two points in astrology called the North Node and The South Node and as their name implies they are opposite each other. Think of them as a teeter totter. The nodes move at a slow pace and stay in a sign for about about a year and a half. But when they shift we feel different about stuff. It starts off subtle but then it grows and grows and like clothes that no longer fit, things don't feel right.

For example, when the north node moved into Aquarius and the south node moved into Leo back in December 2007 we began a cycle where the emphasis moved to groups of like minded people finding each other and being focused on causes "greater than themselves." As you can imagine this is why grassroots roots campaigns gained tremendous support in 2008. It of course, worked out well for the Obama campaign but in truth the other candidates also benefited since the people were itching to be with their grass root gang. It was a highly spirited 2008 because of that Aquarius energy.

But what about Leo? South node is where we are way too comfortable, we are so used to something a certain way that it is too cozy and this is when we step on our own johnson (even if we don't have one). Leo when it is bad is all about EGO. And saying that, perhaps the biggest problem for Hillary Clinton was the overall cloud that she felt she deserved the nomination. Her ego was too in the mix. I'm not saying this was true for her but it was a feeling that was lobbed about by many pundits and man on the streets. And if it was not something she actually felt it sort of didn't matter-- we had an antenna up for South Node in Leo behaviors. If you felt you were better than anyone during that time, you turned off people. The arrogance of Leo rubbed people wrong.

Now the North Node is in Capricorn and it is asking people to be responsible, mature, conserve, be a boss. We respond to that energy. We rally around it. But at the same time we have an antenna up for anyone who is being the bad side of "south node in Cancer" which is too sensitive, too emotional, too familiar, too reactionary, too childish. When South Node in Cancer is in effect, it can be extremely uncomfortable to watch.

And here we are about two months into the 18 month process and we have had a ten day cycle of news makers that are .... Capricorn versus Cancer. Jon and Kate and all their money issues, and "check, check mate" moves against each other, MacKenzie Phillips graphic confessional about her sex life with her father and Dave Letterman and his confession to his studio audience and the world about his own peccadillo's has all come to light. Of the four , I would say that maybe Letterman expressed some North Node in Cap. Taking responsibility, stepping up and getting in front of the situation was probably the most Capricorn. The other ones feel south node in Cancer. Venting their spleen more than anything. All cancer-ish. However, having said that, I would say that Dave might be pushing it a bit. --I hope his apologies can end soon because it is a bit uncomfortable which is NOT Capricorn. Top Ten reasons to stop confessing.....#1, "It is so daytime."