This Week Ahead

The week ahead

We begin the week with a Gibbous Moon.  Yes, yes, yes, when you look up at the moon it looks full or almost full but it is not full. It is gibbous.  During this phase we are refining information.   The wax is spreading out thin in our waxing moon.  We see imperfections and bubbles.  We are working out kinks so we can be ready for the full moon. 

Focus on:

What details are you learning about your career?  What details are you learning about your position in the world?   How is society impacting your daily life?   Are there changes you would like to make that would impact your societal position but me more satisfying in your daily life?     

Full Moon is on Tuesday August 20^th

…. See separate post (to come).

On Wednesday 8/21 Jupiter square Uranus we get that yucky square between Jupiter and Uranus  back on New Moon I wrote our Jupiter process this cycle….. let’s recap.

JUPITER

Jupiter the biggest planet in our zodiac will be making a lot of noise this cycle.  I say interesting because we already know Leo cycle is a big and noisy and now we have Jupiter the biggest planet around being noisy.  Feels like big squared.   What is causing all the commotion?  On August 7, Jupiter will make the first of three oppositions to Pluto.  Round two will be in January 2014 and Round three will be in April 2014.  The one in April is exceptionally dramatic given there will another round of t squares with the cardinals with other planets but let’s not get bogged down with that right now.   Anyway, Jupiter in Cancer is all about BIG emotions.    It is not just tears it is a river of tears.  It is not chuckles it is laughing so hard your sides ache.  It is not just angry shouts it is a volcanic explosion.  It will be a year of big emotions.   And opposite those emotions at least right now for round one of Pluto in Capricorn who is cold as ice.    Business versus emotions.  Opinionated versus discretion.   Make money not tears.    I don’t follow sports (like at all) but even I seem to know about A-Rod and his problems.   Smells like Jupiter versus Pluto to me.

 Depending on what houses transiting Pluto and Jupiter are traveling in your chart the tension will be noticeable.  Where are you emoting big time and where are you non plussed, cool as a cucumber?   Watch August 7^th.  That may give you an idea how this aspect is playing in your life.  Also in today’s news was the story that Jeff Bezos founder of Amazon has personally purchased the Washington Post.  Okay—there is Sun trine Uranus and Jupiter oppose Pluto in Capricorn in one move.  I will bet money that the move is based more on emotions than business whether Mr. Bezos admits it or not. 

Once Jupiter finishes up with Pluto, he then moves into a square with Uranus.   Mr Big Emotions squaring off with Rebel with and without a cause.   Blech.    I think it is interesting that many embassies were shut down this weekend as Jupiter approaches Pluto (8/7) and I am wondering if there will be an echo effect around the 21^st.   It will be curious.  This tension is thick and of course the last time Jupiter was in Cancer was 2001 and you remember that fall.    Remember you will be feeling this personally in your chart in a more profound way if you have any planets in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn) between 9-12 degrees.   Watch what comes up for you between August 7 and August 21.

Luckily, Jupiter is getting some nice trines with Neptune and Saturn.   Spirit (Neptune in Pisces) and practical regeneration (Saturn in Scorpio) are empowered by emotions (Jupiter in Cancer).   This is an aspect where we feel things and get inspired to do something that sprouts new growth.   Thank you, Universe for this aspect.   We need the perks!

8/22: Sun in Virgo.   Call up your Virgo and ask them what they want or need?  Don’t surprise them.   They have been morphing so much lately that you gotta ask them what they want.

8/23:  Mercury in Virgo

http://astrology.about.com/od/mercury/p/MercuryVirgo.htm

8/24: Venus/Pluto.   Love of power and the power of love…are all tweaked out.  Breathe.

The Week Ahead

We begin the week with Crescent Moon.   On the New Moon we planted seeds.  Now on Crescent we learn information that furthers the progress of the seeds we planted last week.  Information could come by 'accident' or it comes by us asking questions.   Either way we should take the information and process it, not ignore it.       This particular Crescent Phase is informing us about our relationships and our partnerships.

In the middle of the week we have a First Quarter moon where we will do action again to further the seeds planted on New.     Remember, the Leo lunar phase is where we are creative, we give birth, we find joy,  we find merriment, we do things that make us BIG.    If we feel small or others treat us small......ask, "Hmm, why does that person bring out my small, my meek, my weak?" Then ask, "Why are they in my life, again?"   This First quarter puts the accent on death & rebirth.   Where do you need a rebirth in order to be big? 

Maybe you need a shark costume and a Roomba!


Crescent Moon Phase

Focus on: What information are you receiving your partnerships?  About your marriages?  What information are you learning about balance?  How is your strength supported by your partners?   Are you too strong or are you not strong enough?  Why? 

Special Focus:

8/11: Mercury/Saturn: Harsh language, cutting to the quick snaps.  Great time to make a point that won’t be forgotten.  Good news bad news.

First Quarter Moon

August 14
6:56a EDT   

 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals we planted on New need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted.

 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that promote sex?  How about loans?  What actions do you need to take on debts or loans?  What actions do you need to take that support death AND rebirth?   What cuts need to be made so that you can feel regenerative?

Special focus

8/14: Mercury/Uranus: Daring, creative thinking.   Conversation that gets something new going.

8/16: Venus in Libra  http://theastrologyplace.blogspot.com/2010/11/venus-in-libra.html

 

 

Sun flares back the news again.....

David Crook at Stellar Insights always finds interesting stories.   This one was perfectly timed.  

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 07, 2013

Something big is about to happen on the Sun

~Aug. 7 FOXNEWS.com
"The sun is gearing up for a major solar flip, NASA says.

In an event that occurs once every 11 years, the magnetic field of the sun will change its polarity in a matter of months, according new observations by NASA-supported observatories.

The flipping of the sun's magnetic field marks the peak of the star's 11-year solar cycle and the halfway point in the sun's "solar maximum" — the peak of its solar weather cycle. NASA released a new video describing the sun's magnetic flip.

'This change will have ripple effects throughout the solar system.'
- Todd Hoeksema, the director of Stanford University's Wilcox Solar Observatory

"It looks like we're no more than three to four months away from a complete field reversal," Todd Hoeksema, the director of Stanford University's Wilcox Solar Observatory, said in a statement. "This change will have ripple effects throughout the solar system."

As the field shifts, the "current sheet" — a surface that radiates billions of kilometers outward from the sun's equator — becomes very wavy, NASA officials said. Earth orbits the sun, dipping in and out of the waves of the current sheet. The transition from a wave to a dip can create stormy space weather around Earth, NASA officials said.

"The sun's polar magnetic fields weaken, go to zero, and then emerge again with the opposite polarity," Stanford solar physicist Phil Scherrer said in a statement. "This is a regular part of the solar cycle."

While the polarity shift can stir up some stormy weather, it also provides extra shielding from dangerous cosmic rays. These high-energy particles, which are accelerated by events like supernova explosions, zip through the universe at nearly the speed of light. They can harm satellites and astronauts in space, and the wrinkled current sheet better protects the planet from these particles.

The effects of the rippled sheet can also be felt throughout the solar system, far beyond Pluto and even touching the Voyager probes near the barrier of interstellar space.

"The sun's north pole has already changed sign, while the south pole is racing to catch up," Scherrer said. "Soon, however, both poles will be reversed, and the second half of solar max will be underway."

The current solar maximum is the weakest in 100 years, experts have said. Usually, at the height of a solar cycle, sunspot activity increases. These dark regions on the sun's surface can give birth to solar flares and ejections, but there have been fewer observed sunspots this year than in the maximums of previous cycles."

~YouTube video: ScienceCasts: The Sun's Magnetic Field is About to Flip

Aug. 6 Tweet~ Obvious synchronicity between NASA news of the Sun reversing it's magnetic field and the New Moon in Leo- the sign most associated with Sol.

Leo New Moon 2013

I don't usually pull images for Sabian symbols but when I saw the chart for this new moon and saw what is going on in the next 28 days and read the sabian symbol for 15 Leo is a parade.... Well, I felt a rose parade image made the most sense.   Big, silly, creative...let's all get a hat and walk down Colorado Blvd now!

It is going to be a big ass 28 day cycle.  This is not the time to be meek as a mouse.  Find what makes you tick and get ticking.  Stretch, be big, be bold.   BE ALIVE!     You will find my full write up HERE.http://margaretwendt.com/columns.php#copy 

Here is a snippet. Go to link for full piece.

 

LEO NEW MOON  

NEW MOON

August 6, 2013

2:51 PM PDT  

14 Leo 35

 

Sabian Symbol:

A Pageant, With Its Spectacular Floats, Moves Along A Street Crowded With Cheering People


http://www.cafeastrology.com/sabiansymbols_degreemeanings.html

 

BIRTHIN’ YOUR CREATIVE BABY

I had a conversation with a family member not too long ago who was complaining about a celebrity in the news.   The beef was not so much about the celebrity as much as it was that the story was in the news.    I absolutely understood the rolled eyes and the complaint, “This isn’t news!”    But I did feel inclined to mention this is not limited to our blessed 21^st century.   Archeologists have excavated thousands of examples of celebrity news from other eras.  For example, there is graffiti on walls in Pompeii bestowing the virtues of Tetraites a gladiator and his victory over another gladiator in one huge bout.  And it was not just local lore; pottery with Tetraites image was found as far away as France and England.  Basically, this guy was the Brad Pitt, Lance Armstrong, and probably Anthony Weiner (if there was texting) of Ancient Rome.   And he was not the only one to make it to pottery fame, (the equivalent to NY Post) there are tons of ancient celebrities on clay, caves and coins.   So, let’s all get on the same page on this topic.  There have been celebrities and fans interested in those celebrities for thousands of years.   Nothing new there.    And at the same time there was some gal or guy in a toga in Rome who rolled their eyes whenever anyone brought up Tetraites and said, “Oh, him again.  Who cares?  I have got grapes to squash.”

 

So why are humans drawn to celebrities either by attraction or repulsion?  And yes those who go on and on about celebrities in the anti voice, “I hate her, him, they are no big deal, blah, blah, blah” are a bit like characters in a Shakespeare play aka, “thou protest too much.”    They are hooked whether they know it or not.  Anyway, the dynamics behind the celebrity and the fan/non fan is a relationship that speaks to  unique creativity.   This person who has set him or herself apart by merit, by pedigree, by whatever means is really a reminder to us that we are all unique and special.   It is not so much about ‘Oh, look how cool Brad Pitt is building houses in the 9^th ward of New Orleans.”   But more a reminder, “I have many interests too and I also want to be of service.”    It is not about making Lance Armstrong a hero-villain but more as a reminder, “All that talent wasted, where is my own hubris getting in my way?”   The celebrity versus the rest of us -- is just one huge mirror reflecting our own forgotten or unrealized desires.      And who helps us find those desires?  Leo. 

 

During the Leo 28-day lunar cycle we are inspired to find our desires and above all -- be creative.   Creativity is a loaded word.    When you read it what comes up for you?  For many, being creative is like breathing.   Create, create, create, you are doing it all the time.  Or at the very least you acknowledge that you are connected to creating. 

 

Then there are others who will say, “I’m not a creative type. I’m not an artist.”     Right there you have it wrong when you associate creativity with art. Creativity can be artistry but it is not limited to it.   For example you can be sitting at your...go to link for full piece. 

 

Uranus - Pluto : Merriman's take

As I slog through the boxes and what not that are still in my life, (dear lord next move can my husband please not be working till at ten every night?)  Anyway, as I start to peek out from my world-o-chaos into the real world again, I wanted to offer up another angle on Uranus and Pluto.  As readers of my blog know, Uranus and Pluto are in the middle of their bitch slap festival aka, waxing squares.  It started last year and will go until 2015.

Here are the dates:

Uranus square Pluto June 24 2012  **  8 degrees
Uranus square Pluto September 19 2012 **  6 degrees
Uranus square Pluto May 20 2013  **  11 degrees Uranus square Pluto November 1 2013 **  9 degrees
Uranus square Pluto April 21 2014 **   13 degrees
Uranus square Pluto December 15 2014 **  12 degrees
Uranus square Pluto March 17 2015 **  15 degrees

I highlighted the dates for 2013.  Anyone with planets at those degrees in the signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are feeling the tension more than those with no planets at those degrees. But as I said in my Cancer New Moon article everyone is feeling the changes off in the distance and needing to make their own shifts. 

I was happy to see Ray Merriman has posted a rather long piece on the waxing Uranus Pluto Squares and wanted to share it with you.    It may get astro heady at times but I encourage you to give it a read.

Here is a snippet..go to link for the whole report. It is worth it.

The Dynamics of Uranus and Pluto

    As mundane astrologers, our first task is to consider the principles of the astrological signatures that are in force. We then try to integrate various combinations of these principles to arrive at possible manifestations in the real world, thereby creating a “forecast” – manifestations that may actually unfold onto the current times.

    So let us begin with an understanding of the principles of Uranus and Pluto, and the areas of human activity in which they may manifest. The following is a list of some of the key words that describe the dynamics of Uranus and Pluto

        Uranus                                            Pluto

Sudden and unexpected                      Slow and building momentum

Change                                                 Reform

Revolution                                           Transformation and upheaval/uprooting

Invent and make new                        Tear down the old, rebirth and death

Masses without organization             Mobs (organized) with an agenda

Chaos                                                 Focus and intention

Doesn’t like status quo                     Doesn’t like status quo

Mass movements for equality          Protest movement to end, or gain, power

Technology and science                   Grass roots and emotional issues

Earthquake and winds                     Storm clouds, volcano eruptions

Electrical blackouts                          Famines and droughts

Detached, disconnected                  Over-involved, suffocating, infiltration

Charisma and youth                        Death, debt, and taxes

Technology and innovation            Waste and removal

New movements, new age             Long-term grievances, resentment

Embrace the future; forget the past            “Payback time”

Freedom and independence            Coercion, and force against one’s will

Ecology and environmental advancement        Pollution and toxicity

    As one can see, there is a wealth of areas in human activity that potentially correspond to Uranus and Pluto dynamics, but they are not always compatible. Under the waxing square aspect, the conflicts are apt to become increasingly magnified. For instance, Uranus wants change and it wants it now, and may not take into account the consequences of acting first and considering later. Pluto also wants change, but it is more methodical and deliberate, especially in Capricorn. Pluto is more attuned to reform of current conditions that may be stifling, whereas Uranus wants to incorporate a whole new system and is not concerned about reforming the old system. With Uranus, there can be massive demonstrations that suddenly erupt out of nowhere onto the national or global scene. With Pluto there can also be massive demonstrations, but they are more of a protest movement with a definite agenda.

The movements of Uranus are often based on a principle of social equality and fairness, and participants desire to keep the movement “pure” and innocent. The protest movements of Pluto are usually grievance-oriented, steeped in a belief of social abuses, and the participants often want to exact a measure of revenge against the perpetrators of their perceived “personal” injustice and historical abuses. For them, this is “payback time.” Somebody – some group – must pay for these violations. Uranus values freedom from authority, whereas Pluto seeks to transform the balance of power from the current authority (i.e. establishment, like government and big business) to another sector that represents their personal interests. Uranus is detached and aloof, while Pluto can be obsessed and over-involved to the point of seeming to smother others. Pluto will attempt to infiltrate, coerce, and force its will onto others – especially those who it thinks are guilty of violations of some kind - whereas Uranus is not interested so much in the sins of the past, only a new future. For Uranus, the motto is “Embrace a bright new future.” For Pluto, the motto is, “It’s payback time.”

The Week Ahead

Good day!  We are in the last quarter of the Cancer Lunar Cycle.   At the last quarter moon we go back and look at the seeds we planted on the new (in this case July 8-11th) and consider doing our last round of action.  
If we made promises back then and have not followed through, we get up off our duff and take care of business!

Of course, since this is the Cancer cycle, plenty of the actions will have to do with both family and family of choice.  Do we need to stand up and help a family member? Do we need to get out of our comfort zone and show up?   Or perhaps we need to show up for ourselves in the face of our family?  Remember we take this time of the year to get our family and our roots tidied up so we can enjoy the gifts of the rest of the year.    Get on with it..... work now so you can dance later!

Last Quarter Moon Phase

July 29, 2013

1:43 pm EDT

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living  “The serenity prayer”

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Focus on: What actions can you take that build on things that are practical?  What are you building?   What things that are in your family that need concrete work?   How are you stepping up in a practical way? 

Special focus:

7/30:  Venus/Pluto:  Love and power are in sync.  Flow of love brings rebirth.

7/31: Mars/Uranus:  Unrest, revolutionary feelings, abruptness, rebellious, family versus breaking out. 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

August 2, 3:40pm ED

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new. 

Focus on   We release our mental chaos.  We release our need to connect.  We release our need to communicate.  We release our siblings. 

Special focus:

8/2:  Venus/Mars:  Inspired, energetic, fun, lovely.  Actions based on love excel.

HRH NEW PRINCE ...CONGRATS TO GREAT BRITAIN!

HRH –New Prince  

The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth this afternoon July 22,  to a 8lb baby boy.  By all reports, his father Prince William was there for the momentous occasion.    

HRH – New Prince was born the last few minutes of Sun in Cancer. And when I say last few minutes I mean last few minutes.   Had HRH-New Prince been born at 4:57pm instead of 4:24pm he would be a Leo ---no ifs ands or buts.     However with his birth time he is 29 Cancer 58.      I usually don’t play the cusp game.   “You are what you are,” is sort of my policy. But I got to wonder about the New Prince.    His grandmother Diana was a Cancer and was naturally shy.   His father, William is also a Cancer and not a playah like his younger brother Harry (Virgo) and yes, maybe not as shy as his mother but still no one would confuse William with a big, bold, brash Leo.    I will put some money that the new heir will be noisier and out there a bit more than his dad, grandmother and mom. 

    What is also interesting is that New Prince has a Moon at 28 degrees of Capricorn.   Again, the last few degrees of the sign.   And don’t let all those news reporters standing in front of St. Mary’s Hospital confuse you with their shots of the Moon, New Prince was not born on a Full Moon.  If he had been born at 7:07pm he would have had a Moon in Aquarius and if he had been born at  7:15pm he would have been a born on Full Moon.    But since he was born at 4:24pm he was born on a Gibbous Moon.  Of course, his mom has Sun in Capricorn and  I just took a peek at his mom’s chart and she has moon in Cancer.  So, she is a Cap with Moon in Cancer and New Prince is a Cancer with Moon in Capricorn.    Perfect symmetry there.    William by the way was born on a New Moon and has Sun and Moon in Cancer.    Man, that is so much water in one little family, I’m thrilled there is a patina of fiery Leo on New Prince.    After all it is good to mix it up a bit.

Astrologers will write volumes on New Prince’s Mercury conjunct Mars conjunct Jupiter in Cancer.   His brain will move way faster than the words coming out of his mouth and of course Jupiter conjunct Mercury can blurt out stuff before they think which will cause him some bumps with friends, teachers and family.   But given my own son has Mercury/Jupiter conjunct in Cancer I can say without hesitation he will be very sensitive.   I predict a pet kitty will be in the palace, scratching up some old tapestry of Henry the VIII no doubt.   

One little shadow part of the chart which leaves me scratching my head a bit, is Saturn in Scorpio Square Moon and Sun.   Saturn brings out our insecurity and with a square to Sun and Moon, there is a level of not feeling ‘good enough’ for mom (Moon) and dad (Sun).   Whether it is for a real reason or not, the person with the Sun/Moon hard aspect with Saturn just feels judged.      Since Saturn is in his 11^th house it might simply be a case of a life too cloistered and he wants to be with more of the regular joes.  I dunno.   Let other astrologers muse on it in 2060 or whenever he takes the throne (long after I’m gone.)  In the meantime, I wish New Prince an abundant, joyful life with his lovely family.

One other thing:   Scorpio Rising, Moon and Pluto in 2nd house and four planets in 8th house--if he wasn't going to be a future king I would ship him off to NYC where he would be the King of Wall Street.  Pretty potent placements for money and power.