Radiant Living

June started with the communication planet, Mercury, retrograding uncomfortably into Uranus’s path between 1 and 4 June. Uranus is the planet of change, shocks and surprises and this stressful alignment between Mercury Retro and Uranus saw everything from car accidents to panic attacks to volatile communication. Yet Uranus also brought some pleasant surprises such as contact from distant loved ones or breakthroughs with long-awaited news. The Mercury-Uranus cosmic event coincided with the New Moon in Gemini on 4 June (at 14 degrees). With Mercury as Gemini’s ruler, the Gemini New Moon was not necessarily smooth. Relating to others is likely to have taken extra effort under this influence, especially as words may not have been matching behaviour. Switching off, dissociating and disconnecting from emotions comes with the territory under this influence. Yet ultimately this New Moon encourages new relating patterns that are less emotionally erratic, yet not so objective that we ignore others’ needs.

On 8 June, we are at the exact halfway mark of the major 8-year Venus transit over the face of the Sun that takes place between June 2004 and June 2012. In June 2004 there was much media interest in Venus’s passage being visible (as a tiny black dot) across the Sun and it will be the same in June 2012. At the current halfway point in June 2008, Venus is on the other side of the Sun and therefore her passage is not visible, yet her message is still potent. Venus embodies the feminine principle and during this 8-year transit we are encouraged to reassess, reclaim and revalue the role of the feminine. This month, marking Venus at the midpoint of her cycle, is the perfect time to foster the feminine qualities of patience, empathy, listening, reflecting and nurturing. It’s also important to honour being in process with life, moving one-step-at-a-time through our daily experiences and being truly present in each moment. The way to be truly present is to be embodied - in our bodies - because our bodies are always communicating our emotions to us and the truth of our inner needs.

In addition, between 12 and 24 June, Mars and the South Node travel together, asking us to let go of any masculine qualities that no longer serve us. Certainly impatience, rushing, forcing, attacking, being self-interested and selfish are particularly unpleasant masculine qualities. Yet when Mars comes together with the South Node we are encouraged to understand why these qualities evolved, and the core of the matter is that our negative Mars qualities tend to flare when survival needs are at stake. Given humanity’s experiences of war, droughts, floods and other disasters, it’s no wonder the negative masculine easily erupts. It’s an energy that ensures personal survival, and the survival of those of our ‘tribe’. Throughout June, the Venus energy helps us feel compassion towards these Mars expressions, yet the South Node warns that it’s also time to let them go. If you find yourself in any negative masculine circumstances, e.g. fighting and selfishness, bring in some of the Venus qualities of patience and understanding to create a healthy balance. Do keep in mind that compassion does not mean having to accept or allow destructive behaviour.

Essentially the Mars and South Node alignment is saying ‘no more war’. All of us are recovering from wars of one kind or another. Whether it’s wars in our relationships or literal wars that ourselves or our family have lived through or the wars that are going on globally and affect us through the news and in our hearts. While Venus is behind the Sun, she is bringing light to the dark and helping us all find gentle yet firm ways to not only say ‘no’ to war but also to find co-operative avenues forward.

The Full Moon on 19 June (at 28 degrees Sagittarius) is right on top of the Galactic Centre. Soon after on 21 June, the Winter Solstice also aligns closely with the Galactic Centre. These are a reminders that the personal choices we make about the use of the masculine and feminine affect the evolution of humanity. Both full moons and solstices bring in strongly the energy of Sun (masculine) and Moon (feminine) and when aligned with the Galactic Centre (the ‘womb’ of our galaxy) we are called to let die negative expressions of both masculine and feminine, while also evolving their positive expressions for the benefit of humanity. Being in Sagittarius, the Full Moon celebrates the explorer energy and motivates us to ‘go where no one has gone before’ by experimenting with new solutions to old problems. It also encourages us to use some generous doses of fun, play and adventure. It’s important not to lose our senses of humour, but it’s also important to use humour appropriately - not to prematurely laugh off difficulties. Our Sagittarian energy will go to waste if we use it to avoid what needs to be faced, rather than to help lighten and bring fresh energy to tough circumstances. The Sagittarius Full Moon also inspires us to celebrate how far we’ve come this year, as 2008 has not necessarily been a bed of roses so far.

The month ends with Mercury going Direct on 20 June and Uranus shifting Retrograde on the 27th. These two planets were prominent at the start of June, and they are also prominent at the end. Yet this time round their energy is a little smoother. When Mercury heads forward, relating, communicating and moving from A to B become easier, and with Uranus Retro, the accelerated rate of change is likely to slow down enough to give us a chance to integrate all the new things in our lives.

Ironically at the winter solstice, it’s traditional to celebrate the return of the light. Although in the depths of winter, the solstice marks the day of the year when we have least light, but every day after that the light increases until, before we know it, we’re in the midst of the summer season.

The cosmic event that I’m most excited about this month is Mars moving into Leo. After spending a very long time in Cancer (since September last year, with intervals in Gemini), Mars finally makes a fresh start by shifting into Leo on Saturday 10 May. A fiery planet in a fiery sign makes a great combination. Most of all, this mix inspires fun, passion and play, which I figure many of us could do with in bucketloads. Yet we still can’t expect everything to be a barrel of laughs due to Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, shifting backwards on Friday 9 May, the day before Mars moves into Leo. This suggests being restrained in our fun and finding simple ways to have a good time. Extravagance doesn’t go down too well with Jupiter Retro in Capricorn.

In fact, the cautious, sensible, goal-focussed energy of Capricorn is flagged as being the way to go this month. May’s first big cosmic event is Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn, shifting Direct on 3 May. With the month being introduced by a focus on Saturn, it’s important to acknowledge the Saturn/Capricorn way of things. Capricorn especially encourages being mindful of goals and consequences. For example, a Friday night drinking and partying session after a stressful week might help release stress in the short term, but the weekend’s hangover plus the amount of money spent could bring health and financial consequences. Mars in Leo wants us to party but Jupiter Retro in Capricorn reminds us to be moderate because we’re likely to be more affected by the consequences than usual.

Most of May has a Taurean flavour with the Sun and Venus both in practical, resourceful Taurus. The combination of Taurus and Capricorn energy suggests being careful with cash. Watch you don’t throw caution to the wind with Mars in Leo and spend money you don’t have. For example, Mars in Leo would love to shout everyone a lavish round of drinks, but do your best to show your generosity in ways that are sustainable for you and that don’t unintentionally pressure others to follow suit. Another example - perhaps a new designer outfit might be perfect for a special party but if it’ll set back your cash flow, consider borrowing from a friend or visiting a quality recycled clothes shop. Taurus loves being thrifty and frugal. Yet Mars in Leo wants to be first and best - there’s a competitive edge to Mars - but the thrill of finding a unique outfit in an op shop will keep both Mars and Taurus happy. Or better still, throw a clothes swap party. Mars in Leo will love that party.

The New Moon in Taurus on 5 May brings money matters to mind as well as the importance of environmental sustainability. Jupiter Retro in Capricorn wants us to consider the impact on the environment of what we consume. Taurus is about the things we purchase and use. May’s a month to consider ideas such as swapping what’s on your fruit tree with what’s on a neighbour’s. Perhaps even make an event out of it. I once went to fabulous fig party where every dish featured figs from the host’s backyard. Mars in Leo wants us to have fun but Taurus and Capricorn want us to be sensible about it.

The Full Moon in Scorpio on 20 May is the second in a row in that zodiac sign. This unusual repetition brings a deep emotional chapter to a close. Being in the last degree of Scorpio (29 degrees), endings and rebirthings are possible. We’ve each been dealing with powerful emotions since September when Mars first went into water sign Cancer. This second Full Moon in Scorpio helps us complete the major shake-up created by the alchemical mix of masculine planet Mars in feminine zodiac sign Cancer. It’s been very difficult to avoid emotions since September, and at the first Scorpio full moon on April 20 the difficulties of mixing fire (the masculine Mars energy) with water (the feminine Cancer energy) could well have flared up. It’s likely that a big toxic release took place. But Scorpio is ultimately about recycling, transforming and rebirthing and this second Scorpio Full Moon on 20 May brings a release from nearly 8 months of emotional intensity.

Over those 8 months, something that we have feared has been faced and journeyed through. For myself, it was a fear of deeper commitment to my boyfriend that came to a head when I moved in with him, plus a fear of becoming a more visible professional writer. I’ll certainly be kicking my heels up and finding a Mars-in-Leo way to party around the time of the May 20 Full Moon. Venus and Neptune blend with this Full Moon to bring in the gentle energies of the feminine, including the heights of the compassionate divine feminine. Uranus also aligns harmoniously with this Full Moon bringing liberation and celebration.

Finally the month ends with Mercury and Neptune both shifting retrograde on the 27th. When Mercury, planet of the mind, shifts Retro it’s important to take extra care when communicating or making arrangements as the chances of misunderstandings are emphasised. Yet with Neptune joining Mercury in this retrograde dynamic, the chances of confusion are doubled. Neptune can bring out wishful or doomsday thinking in the best of us. We might put a gloss on what someone has said or we might feel hurt and disappointed. Rather than swing between extremes in our words and thoughts, it’s important to bring some practicalities to bear. Clarify what’s going on in any fuzzy communication exchanges as everyone’s likely to be a little bit vague at this time.

Enjoy the Mars in Leo party vibe and the Full Moon rebirthing, while keeping in mind the Taurus and Capricorn reminders to be resourceful and sensible.

The Aries New Moon on the 6th kickstarts a month of focus on the masculine archetype. Both men and women contain masculine and feminine energies, it’s just that men tend to have more easy access to the masculine than women (and vice versa). Aries is a fiery masculine zodiac sign with a particular emphasis on motivating us to activate our plans. Since the start of the year, we’ve been encouraged by the cosmos to break free of old life patterns, jobs, relationships or projects that are no longer working. It’s a year for getting on track and following the spark of our passion.

This does not necessarily mean jumping ship too soon. The Full Moon on the 20th in Scorpio reminds us that it’s always worthwhile putting effort into current relationships or circumstances to see whether it’s possible to transform and improve what’s not working. Perhaps everyone involved is ready to go to the next level. Yet if after trying to negotiate, a win-win is not possible - i.e. either you or someone else feels they have to compromise too much - then the New Moon encourages us to break free and move on.

Moving on takes courage as we might have to go it alone for a while, plus experience the grief and sadness of leaving behind people, places or creative pursuits that we love. But as we light our path with our own passion, soon others on similar paths will be drawn towards us and new connections can be made. With both Aries and Scorpio strongly active this month, it’s likely that as we forge our individual paths ahead (Aries) we will need to put extra effort into either transforming (Scorpio) or letting go (also Scorpio).

Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio goes retrograde on 2 April. Pluto has spent the past few months getting used to being in zodiac sign Capricorn, and in going retrograde prods us to spend time reflecting on habits or patterns that block us from reaching our goals (Capricorn is goal-oriented). We particularly need to reflect on how we can either take more or less responsibility in our lives, depending on what our current responsibility patterns are. Some take on more responsibility than is helpful for others, whereas others don’t take on enough. It’s time for better balance with the Capricorn theme of responsibility.

Mars, the ruler of Aries adds extra emphasis to the role of the masculine in our lives, especially from mid-month. Because men are generally more finely attuned to the masculine than women, it’s likely that men will be going through rapid growth experiences this month, and therefore relationships with men will be a focus. Those who resonate with masculine energy are role models to us as we attempt to forge ahead with our passions. Some show negative Mars/Aries energy and possibly role model what not to do (e.g. being forceful, bossy, self-interested or impatient), yet others will express positive masculine attributes (e.g. focus, willpower, self-motivation or courage).

From mid-April to the end of the month, Mars squares Venus, trines Uranus and opposes Jupiter. This rather unstable erratic mix brings difficulties yet also successes. When Mars squares Venus, misunderstandings between the genders can flare up, so do your best to stay calm in relationships this month. Women will need to be especially patient with men who are are pushing boundaries around issues of freedom and adventure. And men will need to do their best to remember the value of commitment and stability and not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

When Mars comes into contact with Jupiter and/or Uranus, the urge for the masculine to break free is irresistible. Women who resonate strongly with their masculine sides will also be chomping at the bit for change and freedom. Remember, do your best to transform a situation by negotiating a win-win, but if you feel you have to compromise too much, it might be time to walk away. We’ll all need to be especially careful with the ‘war’ energy during this time, in that it’ll be easy for anger to erupt and fights to break out. The feminine within each of us will have its work cut out to be patient with the masculine. Stay loving and respectful but also be firm and boundaried. Walk away if conflict begins to escalate but ensure you return to the issue later when things are calmer. It’s not a month for suppression. Issues must be dealt with.

Find some positive exercise outlets to help burn off frustration. Punching pillows, fast aerobic walking or jogging, working out at the gym, dancing or sports can all be supportive. Watch for road ragers or hot head drivers. There’s a rash competitive vibe in the air that requires awareness. Despite the potential for pain and loss this month, there are also incredible opportunities for breaking free of old patterns and forging ahead with a huge energy rush toward the future. Jupiter in connection with Mars brings a positive outcome to any difficulties and opens up pathways for fresh opportunities and luck.

Jupiter is in Capricorn and has our futures in mind. Mars is in Cancer and shows us what we need to respect from the past. Finding a way to honour the past while creating the future is important now. Past difficulties with male family members or relatives, old boyfriends or past close male friends need to be resolved so that we can move forward and build new futures. The feminine within us needs a masculine counterpart that can help us heal hurts from the past without getting bogged in them so that we can create the exciting futures that Jupiter guides us towards.

In broad terms, Jupiter and Mars are encouraging futures where a different, more life-affirming embodiment of the masculine is cultivated in our world. It’s time to let go of a war mentality and instead honour difference. It’s also a time to let go of the ‘first and best’ competitive ‘more deserving’ mentality that predominately drives our culture and instead foster co-operative collaboration. We all have ‘places to go and people to see’. We’re all striving for the best. This month the cosmic energies prod us to develop new skills for ensuring everyone is given a fair chance to achieve their goals.

Wishing you fortunate breakthrough moments in April that see you forging ahead successfully with cherised plans.

The planetary alignments in March build an interesting dynamic between the four directions - North, South, East and West. Here’s the summary:

• 4 March, Mars returns to Zero degrees Cancer (’North’)
• 7 March, Mars opposite Pluto at Zero to One degrees Capricorn (’South’) (The last of three hits)
• 8 March, New Moon in Pisces (17 degrees Pisces) right on top of Uranus
• 20 March, Autumn equinox at Zero degrees Aries (’East’)
• 22 March, Full Moon in Libra (01 degrees Libra) (’West’)

Notice how all of the above (except the New Moon on 8 March) are triggering Zero degrees of North, South, East and West. In astrology these are known as the Cardinal points because they mark the beginning of the seasons. Cancer is astrological North and associated with Winter, Capricorn is South and associated with Summer, Aries is East-Autumn, Libra is West-Spring. I’ve given the Southern Hemisphere associations - it’d be the opposite for the Northern Hemisphere (e.g. Cancer equals Summer in the Northern Hemisphere).

In March there’s an unusual emphasis on the Zero or One degree point of each of these Cardinal zodiac signs. Cardinal signs are to do with new beginnings - they get each one of the seasons started, and zero to one degrees represents the start of a zodiac sign (each zodiac sign goes from zero to thirty degrees). So, there’s a big message in March about new beginnings.

Whenever we start something new, effort is involved - think of a baby being born. We often associate effort with hard yakka, yet there are other ways to use our focus. The Cardinal zodiac signs have the ‘oomph’ and leadership qualities required to get things moving and as such show different ways to use effort. Aries uses motivation, courage and force to enter new ground. Libra uses strategy, gentleness and co-operation to create fair agreements and relationships. Cancer builds safety & emotional bonds for rest and support. Capricorn finetunes plans and goals before carefully taking one slow step after the other on the path to success. Birthing or breakthrough energy therefore requires different types of effort - not only the force of Aries or the steady persistence of Capricorn, but also Cancer’s rest and sustenance and Libra’s patient and considered problem-solving.

In March if you’re having difficulty birthing the new, perhaps try out an archetype you might’ve been overlooking. For instance, if you’re a Fire sign, you might be using too much courage and force. If you’re a Water sign, you might be using too much rest and waiting. If an Earth sign you might be doing too much planning and procrastinating. If an Air sign you might be doing too much talking or thinking. Instead, try to mix and match the energies for a rounded and smoother birthing of the new.

Early in the month, it’s mainly the Cancer and Capricorn themes that get the most attention. This means home and private life issues, plus work and public life issues are most likely to be highlighted. Cancer brings attention to our living and family circumstances. For example, high mortgage rates, sick family members or marriage difficulties could be emphasised. Capricorn focuses our attention on the workplace and world affairs. For example, salary conditions, unfair systems or corrupt authorities are on our minds. The most intense period for these issues is from 4 to 8 March, with Mars going into Cancer, a New Moon in Pisces and Mars making its last alignment to Pluto.

A New Moon in Pisces - notice the word ‘new’ there too? Yet another opportunity for a new beginning. This New Moon is significant because it falls right on top of Uranus, which is also in the zodiac sign Pisces. Uranus brings sudden change - either through shocks and shake-ups or lovely surprises. Whichever type of change comes to you, the deeper meaning is one of change for the better, even if some disruption and chaos erupts first. As the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus brings change that allows equality for all. Human rights and fair distribution of the Earth’s resources are Aquarian themes. Remember that both the New Moon and Uranus are in Pisces - this brings the Pisces energy into full focus. The essential quality of Pisces is compassion. The combined energy of Aquarius and Pisces asks for compassion and empathy toward all humans and all life forms, no matter how different or ‘wrong’ they might seem.

The new beginnings and Pisces themes continue in the second half of March with the rebirthing energy of Easter highlighted. In this day and age, we’d be forgiven for forgetting that Easter eggs represent celebrating the rebirth of the ‘Christ’ (Pisces) energy. The Christian tradition is to schedule Easter Sunday on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox. In 2008 there’s a full moon less than two days after the Equinox, which explains the early Easter this year. Scheduling Easter to match these alignments is a human choice, yet it’s cosmic design to have the two (Equinox and Full Moon) so close together. This creates added intensity in an already intense month.

The Autumn Equinox on the 20th at Zero degrees Aries (East) and Libra Full Moon on the 22nd at One degree Libra (West) bring in the last two Cardinal points for the month - Aries and Libra. Aries represents the masculine archetype - keywords include ’self’, ’separation’, ‘war’, ‘action’, ‘assertion’. Libra represents the feminine archetype - keywords include ‘others’, ‘connection’, ‘peace’, ‘balancing’, ‘receiving’. Aries represents standing up for our individual needs to be met, whereas Libra represents creating the right connections with others to move forward with more impact than when alone. Images of the right and left sides of the brain come to mind. Think of those who tend to view the world only through the lenses of logic, rules and reason. Then think of those who filter the world through feelings, intuition and creative chaos. We can go it alone by living in one hemisphere of our brain, or we can bridge the two hemispheres and benefit from both functions. Similarly we can build bridges with others in order to relate well and experience more of life.

The cosmos is currently favouring relationship and connectedness without sacrificing independence or individuality. The message is that masculine and feminine can be bridged. The third and final alignment, for the time being, of Mars opposite Pluto on the 7th (the first was Sept 07, the second was January 08) is asking us to say ‘no’ to dynamics that are too separatist or too focussed on the individual. The Aquarius-Pisces theme described above alerts us to the current age of connectedness, community and ‘the butterfly effect’ (i.e. even the smallest action impacts all). March is a month to foster small acts of kindness and enjoy the ripple effect.

In summary, the energies in March are asking us to realign our Cardinal points - our North, South, East & West bearings. If we are leaning too much on one of those poles, we might need to spread some of our energy out toward the other directions. For example if we are being too independent (Aries), we might need to reach out more to others (Libra). If we are being too family & home oriented (Cancer) we might need to think more about our connectedness to the world at large (Capricorn). All in all, it’s a time to clear out old beliefs of being alone or unsupported. Everything in the cosmos right now is asking us to reach out and to connect to 1) our own passion & creative desires(Aries); 2) our relationships with others (Libra); 3) our family, home and support team (Cancer) and 4) our sense of community and connection to larger issues.

All the best with re-aligning your compass bearings, and then happy rebirthing!

With two eclipses in February we’re in for a big month. In fact many of you will already have been feeling the effects of the eclipse building. For women readers, you’ll know what I mean when I say that eclipse energy as it builds is a bit like PMT - internally things get more and more ‘full’ and it’s usually a relief when a period comes. So an eclipse is a bit like getting a period - i.e. PMT (pre-eclipse), then wishing for retreat time while bleeding (the eclipse itself & the days following), then finally a sense of calm and integration.

The eclipses are happening at the new and full moons. Here’s the information:

• Thurs 7th, New Moon at 18 degrees Aquarius, 2.46 pm plus Solar Eclipse at 2.56 pm (This partial eclipse will be visible in parts of Australia: here in Melbourne 9% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon. According to spaceweather.com the Sun will dapple the ground with crescent-shaped sunbeams, and it’s suggested that looking in the shadows of leafy trees will help us see this - i.e. don’t look directly at the Sun or you’ll risk going blind.)
• Thurs 21st, Full Moon at 2 degrees Virgo, 2.32 pm plus Total Lunar Eclipse at 2.27 pm (As this happens during daylight hours in Australia, it won’t be visible to us.)

These eclipses could bring important breakthroughs, even if they may feel somewhat tumultuous. In particular the Aquarius solar eclipse/new moon on the 7th has an energy of change. It could feel shaky and anxiety-provoking (Aquarius is a zodiac sign associated with anxiety) but also wonderfully refreshing and exciting (Aquarius is also associated with flashes of insight and innovative improvements). The Virgo lunar eclipse/full moon on the 21st will help us ground the creative jolts brought on by the Aquarius eclipse. Yet Virgo can also be a worry-wart zodiac sign, so if you’re prone to anxiety this is definitely the month to invest in some extra supports: supplements, fresh air and good food, regular exercise, friends at the ready for phone chats, counselling, cathartic or calming music… whatever you know works for you. See it as if you’re stocking up on extra menstrual supplies!

After the full moon/lunar eclipse on the 21st we can begin to build new systems to support what we have learned from the Aquarius eclipse and find practical ways to enjoy being spiritual beings in human bodies. In my opinion, becoming more spiritually aware doesn’t involve meditating 24/7, but does involve living passionately and courageously as a human, foibles and all. Aquarius has a tendency to dissociate from the body into otherworldly realms, wheras Virgo challenges us to be in our bodies and to constantly work on more efficient ways to deal with life on planet earth.

February also includes an interesting mix of Mercury Retrograde and Mars Direct. The combination of these two adds to the feeling of the cosmos wearing us down a little in order to loosen our usual facades or old coping mechanisms. This encourages us to get to the root of our problems, face them and evolve the stuck bits of our personalities. In this way we get pared back to our essential selves and are left staring at our magnificence. You’d think that’d be good, but many of us freak out when our greatness is reflected back.

Here’s the technical information on Mercury and Mars:

• Mercury went Retrograde (backwards) on 29 January at 24 degrees Aquarius. It will shift Direct again on 19 February and will return to 24 degrees Aquarius mid-March.
• Mars went Direct (forwards) on 31 January at 24 degrees Gemini and throughout February retraces all of its January steps (essentially from 24 to 29 degrees Gemini). It won’t be until early April that Mars returns to the original degree it went retrograde in.

Notice how both Mercury and Mars hit the 24 degree mark at the time they shifted positions? These two are entwined at this degree of the zodiac in a cosmic tango and they are showing us something about how to use appropriate moves and not step on too many toes. As they dance, they whip up relationship and communication conundrums especially around issues of inclusion and exclusion. Mercury is in Aquarius and wanting us to create friendship, family or community groups that are inclusive and respectful of difference, yet Mars is in coin-flipping Gemini - i.e. one minute including someone and the next minute excluding them. When Mercury and Mars tango like this in air zodiac signs, all kinds of interesting relationship webs are created and everyone is challenged to acknowledge what is going on.

As Mars retraces where it travelled in January, think back to any social or relationship tangles that might’ve flared up for yourself or loved ones. For example, was someone not invited to a party who ’should’ve’ been or vice versa? In this Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, we are being shown that what happens to one person affects the whole. Even if one person is treated unfairly in a social or relationship sense, then a whole community is affected. The word ‘unfairly’ here seems to be key - as adults we understand there are times when we are included and times when we are excluded, but if we are not treated fairly or respectfully in the process, then it’s only natural to get upset.

Mercury and Mars are dancing together in air signs, and the air signs are about awareness, communication, consultation, negotiation and fair decision making. Remaining conscious of relationship and social dynamics, acknowleding and talking about them is critical, otherwise despite the sophisticated networking and relationship options available to us in the 21st century, our animal instincts get activated and things can go to hell in a handbasket. So if there are any hurt feelings out there around relationship triangles, or social blunders, get talking! Mercury and Mars will help you sort things out. If you know your chart and have something at 23, 24 or 25 degrees of any zodiac sign, you are especially likely to be feeling the heat of this dilemma.

And now for Pluto in Capricorn Part 2. Last month, I began a discussion of the major cosmic shift of Pluto into Capricorn, which happened on 26 January. As Pluto dips its toes into the energy of the zodiac sign that will host its visit for the next 16 years, it’s worth pondering what Pluto in Capricorn might bring. I plan to upload an article on my website in the coming weeks exploring this topic more fully, and for the rest of this e-news I will share the generous offers from readers in response to my Pluto in Capricorn Vox Pop - these beautifully illustrate what’s been going on in the cosmos.

Remember as you read these anecdotes that Jupiter moved into Capricorn shortly before Pluto did, exaggerating the combined energies of Pluto (which rules Scorpio), Jupiter (which rules Sagittarius) and Capricorn (ruled by Saturn). You’ll also notice some Mars retrograde themes as you read.

Reader 1’s story (R1)
R1 moved interstate (Jupiter) to take up a job offer (Jupiter and Capricorn) from some past (Capricorn) employers, but on arrival got offered another job, better than the original one she’d moved interstate for (Jupiter - fresh opportunities). She accepted the new position & turned down the original one. The night before starting the new job, she was out being a party animal (Jupiter) and broke her foot (Capricorn is connected with bones)! So she turned up to the new job the next day on crutches. During her partying phase she met an exciting new man, yet communication difficulties after the broken foot affected the relationship being able to grow (Pluto endings). Being on crutches also meant R1 couldn’t live where she originally planned due to mobility problems (a family member’s home - Capricorn - the past). Some generous friends (Jupiter) offered her accommodation yet she’s now facing issues of dependence vs independence. Prior to the broken foot, R1 was living a free independent life. The foot is likely to take three months to heal. R1’s experiences show the tug-of-war between Sagittarius (freedom) and Capricorn (restriction), and also the Capricornian process of dealing with chronic conditions that take time to heal. There’s also the sense of loss and endings (especially past Capricornian connections) that can come with Pluto, but also the positive Jupiter-Pluto new beginnings.

Reader 2’s story (R2)
R2 works in the fast-paced corporate world and was distressed when her boss suddenly gave her close workmate a written warning for no apparent reason (Pluto power act). This could lead to R2’s most supportive colleague being laid off. The shock has highlighted to R2 that she ‘needs the courage and conviction to move onto something not as well paid’. Since Jupiter hit Pluto, R2 has taken time off work for therapy sessions that have brought out suppressed anger (Mars retrograde) - part of her wants to go on stress leave to explore work avenues that would be more fulfilling(Jupiter - freedom), but another part of her doesn’t want to give in (Capricorn - honouring what’s already been established). Yet with Pluto in Capricorn, it sounds as if R2 is being challenged to find new career pursuits that are more fulfilling and sustainable for her in the long term. Interestingly these feelings of dissatisfaction at work have coincided with R2 getting engaged - perhaps the increased commitment (Capricorn) in her personal life is challenging her to seek more spaciousness (Jupiter) in her career life otherwise she might feel too overwhelmed by the level of commitment in both areas.

Reader 3’s story (R3)
On a recent stinking hot Melbourne night (Jupiter is assoicated with heat), R3 went to the bathroom to discover ‘the bottom of the toilet was oozing brown stuff and was all over the floor, also the shower was pumping up the same matter!’ In her panic to stem the sewerage flow, R3 slipped and landed with her face down in the ‘mire’! In her words, ‘So.. all the shit was rising, unearthing the desperate need to repair old shonky pipes and drainage.’ Pluto is associated with shit and blocked pipes - the Pluto impulse is to clear blockages, and here R3 experienced a sudden blow up (Jupiter) of toxic matter forced to the surface. Capricorn is to do with structures and systems, so R3 was also being challenged to address old structures and to build new more sustainable ones. Jupiter is a joker planet and as R3 says ‘I did laugh in the midst of it all, recognising a marvelous parallel.’ Our head and face are associated with Mars so here we see the Mars retrograde theme too - the universe intensely showing R3 something she needed to ‘face’ about her life direction (Mars). Perhaps the sewerage is a symbol of suppressed passions and desires (Mars) that now need to be acted (Mars) upon.

Reader 4’s story (R4)
R4 was in the process of having a kitchen installed before Christmas (images of pipes again come to mind - both Pluto and Capricorn) and decided to hire a painter who was new to the area and wanted to develop a good name for himself (Jupiter is about positive recommendations). R4 chose to give him a chance even though he was relatively unknown. Yet this painter ‘proved moody and unreliable’. Moodiness is associated with Scorpio or Pluto difficulties and it turns out this painter had a number of planets in Scorpio. The whole experience ended in an unpleasant screaming match (Mars - fights and conflicts) between R4 and the painter, who had also turned out to be something of a bully. He refused to leave the house until R4 paid him, despite his not finishing the job, and R4 refused to pay him until he finished (Pluto power struggle). After a long stalemate, the painter finally completed the job and R4 paid him. The whole experience brought up memories for R4 of past domestic violence situations. Here R4 was trying to build (Capricorn) new systems/structures (kitchen) in her home to improve (Jupiter) her circumstances but unresolved energies re bullying and violence (Pluto and Mars) from her past (Capricorn) blew up (Jupiter). The positive is that she now knows what the blocks are to building new supportive structures for herself and can explore (Jupiter) how to resolve them.

Reader 5’s story (R5)
In the last few weeks of December, R5 became absolutely exhausted and went into hibernation (Capricorn energy of restriction and withdrawal). She let go of friendships and activities that she realised were no longer sustaining (Pluto endings), and spent a lot of time meditating. While meditating she tapped into ‘many new energies adjusting on earth’ as well as in her own life. Her intuitive self expanded (Jupiter) while her outward self retreated (Capricorn). She made a decision to move interstate and is patiently awaiting (Capricorn) some personal motivation (Jupiter and/or Mars) to help her make the move. Jupiter is associated with moving or travel so it’s interesting that both R1 and R5 were affected by a desire to move interstate. Also, I suspect that much of R5’s lack of motivation is likely to be lifting now that Mars has gone direct, as Mars retrograde can lead to decreased vitality.

Thank you to Readers 1 to 5 for sharing your stories, and also to all who gave me feedback and participated more privately. Finally, here’s wishing everyone some inspiring changes during the February eclipse season.

December had some major astrological turning points that signalled the beginning of what, over the past years, has been dubbed in spiritual circles as ‘the coming earth changes’. The astrological line-ups show that these earth changes are no longer ‘coming’ - they are actually here. Jupiter’s alignment with Pluto at the Galactic Centre on 12 December could perhaps be seen as the key that unlocked the door to the next phase in humanity’s evolution. On that day Jupiter, Pluto and the Galactic Centre were all in Sagittarius. (For the record, the Galactic Centre, our galaxy’s birthing point, is always in Sagittarius.) A week later on 19 December Jupiter moved into a new zodiac sign - Capricorn - and the very next day (the 20th) the ruler of Capricorn (Saturn) turned retrograde. These events emphasise that the Saturn/Capricorn energy is about to become intensified. This shift from Sagittarius to Capricorn will become even more significant on 26 January when Pluto moves into Capricorn.

Pluto moves very slowly through the zodiac and was last in Capricorn 248 years ago between 1762 and 1778. In her article, ‘Shadowlands: When Pluto Visits Capricorn’ in the 2008 AstroLog, Michele Finey discusses how during those years Britain took control of India and how Captain Cook’s arrival in Australia led to the destruction of Indigenous Australia. Michele also points out that the Industrial Revolution came into full force later in this period, eventually leading to the repeated abuse of Earth’s natural resources. It strikes me that in those years humanity expressed the dark side of Pluto - Pluto as rapist, bully and power monger. The Greek myth of Persephone’s abduction from Ceres (Mother Earth) and rape by Pluto (Hades) illustrates how humanity went through a phase of losing its innocence. Persephone was the innocent teenage daughter of Ceres before her abduction into the Underworld by Pluto (Hades).

With Pluto now returning to Capricorn are we being faced with the cellular or subconscious collective memories of the events that happened 248 years ago? I find it fascinating that in the month when Pluto shifts back into Capricorn there’s been conflict between the Australian and Indian cricket teams. Is a long-past memory of the British colonisation of India being retriggered? Afterall, Australia identifies strongly with British culture and cricket originated as a British sport. In addition, Kevin Rudd has vowed to formally apologise to Aboriginal Australians on behalf of the nation when Parliament resumes this year, and issues of climate change and right use of earth’s resources are certainly being given long overdue attention. This seems to be a time in humanity’s evolution when power imbalances must be acknowledged and rectified.

This is the first time Pluto will be in Capricorn since its discovery in 1930, a potent symbol that humanity is now able to see the results of power abuses and therefore also see solutions. Whenever a planet is discovered, it becomes visible to human eyes and astrologers correlate this with humanity becoming more consciously aware of the discovered planet’s archetype. To put it another way, planets, asteroids, comets etc are always already there in the cosmos (just as our secrets or hidden pasts are always there even if invisible within us) but their full mythology and story becomes activated when they are discovered and ’seen’ for the first time.

Pluto was discovered in 1930, but in 2006 was demoted from being a ‘real planet’ to a ‘dwarf planet’. Symbolically this could represent that humanity prefers to suppress its dark side rather than face it (Pluto is the planet most connected with the dark), yet we won’t be able to get away with denial or suppression now that both Jupiter and Pluto are in Capricorn. Jupiter will shine its extremely large spotlight (think of how big Jupiter is as a planet) on all things Capricornian, and Pluto will dig deep to reveal hidden truths. We might want to gloss over past mistakes or power abuses but Jupiter will keep bringing them out of the closet. Yet if we face and rectify past errors, Jupiter’s positive powers can come into play and we can be rewarded with the true freedom and joy that comes from releasing past burdens. Pluto is interested in getting to the bottom of things. It sifts back through the past like a detective piecing together the truth of what happened from fragments of evidence left at a crime scene. But once the crime is solved and justice restored, an incredible feeling of renewed energy is birthed. Even if innocence can never again be restored, fresh inspired creations weave the magic of new possibilities and we can walk lightly again on earth and without shame.

At the same time that Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet in 2006, Ceres was promoted from asteroid status to dwarf planet status. Beforehand, Ceres was considered lesser than Pluto according to humanity’s planetary definitions, but now she is ranked as equal. In the Greek myth mentioned above, all the other Gods knew that Pluto (Hades) would abduct Ceres’ (Mother Earth’s) daughter except for Ceres herself. As a way of forcing the truth out of the Gods she stopped tending the earth and sent it into winter. She threatened to let humans starve until the Gods finally admitted they had turned a blind eye to Jupiter’s (Zeus’s) contract with Pluto (Hades) to take Persephone to be his wife. Jupiter wanted to enjoy the fruits of being the Sky God and gave his brother Pluto dominion over the less glamorous Underworld. Pluto agreed to be King of the Underworld if he could take Persephone as his wife. Interesting isn’t it how both Jupiter and Pluto have now met together again in Capricorn and will be spending the year in this zodiac sign? Happily, this time round Ceres also has a say. The old structure of the solar system, with Pluto acknowledged as a greater planet than Ceres, simply repeated the insult of Pluto having more power than Ceres. Yet now that both Pluto and Ceres are deemed equal by astronomers perhaps a positive shift is about to occur with Ceres’ (Mother Earth’s) dignity being restored and justice implemented.

What then does all this large-scale human evolution have to do with us as individuals? Later this month when Mercury goes retrograde in Aquarius on the 29th we will have plenty of time to ponder this. Aquarius is the zodiac sign that shows how as individuals we each have a role to play in humanity’s evolution. With Pluto in Capricorn we are being asked to assess the choices we make in our daily lives and how they affect the whole. Do we buy food that’s been polluted with earth-destroying chemicals? Do we buy clothes that have been made in Asian sweatshops? Do we block out the knowledge that Aboriginal Australians are still suffering from white colonisation? As each of us raises our awareness over negative or domineering systems and structures, we are freed up to choose systems or structures that sustain all of life on this planet.

Pluto will not finally ease into its extended travels through Capricorn until November because it retrogrades back into Sagittarius between June and November. So we have between January and June to start to adjust to Pluto in Capricorn, and then between June and November to reflect back on its time in Sagittarius before truly welcoming it into Capricorn where it will stay for another 16 years (until 2023-24).

Next month I will write more about this profound cosmic turning point. In Part 2, I particularly want to focus on examples from individual’s lives of the kinds of transformations that are taking place. We are each being asked to take a leap in our evolution, even if it doesn’t feel as if we have quite yet finished with the past. So go ahead and email me some of your stories so that I can share them (without revealing your personal details) with AstroWeather readers to encourage a feeling of solidarity as we go through this rite of passage.

Pluto’s intensity at the start of this year might’ve left you breathing deeply to stay calm. When my sister gave me some Rescue Remedy for Christmas, I knew it’d be coming in handy! I highly recommend you stock up your ’stay calm’ toolkit and be prepared for a tranformative year! Don’t forget to share your stories with others by dropping me a quick line

Over time this section will evolve to include a range of helpful information, including:

• Links to free astrology websites
• Links to reputable astrology, tarot and spiritual development organisations
• Reference links for astrology students
• Reference links for clients wishing to understand more about astrology, tarot or energy healing
• Inspiring books and other publications

If there’s something you would like to have included on this site as a resource, please email Michelle at mproctor@radiantliving.com.au. She welcomes suggestions and feedback.

Currently the Resources section contains:

• Practitioner Profiles
• Links

The monthly Radiant Living e-news often includes a ‘Practitioner of the Month’ section. The following are past profiled practitioners, in alphabetical order:

• Angelica Hristakos, Spiritual Shiatsu Therapy, Acupuncture & Flower Essences, Mien Natural Therapies, Clifton Hill, 0438 008 218
• Arrayah, Pure Crystal Sounds (Crystal Sound Therapy & Meditations, Crystal Healing & Workshops) Hurstbridge, 0432 948 430, arrayah@aapt.net.au
• Jane Kent, Clairvoyant & Medium, Broadmeadows, 9309 5896 or 0438 411 441, jkent6@bigpond.com,
• Julia Dunn, Numerologist, Glass Artist, Tarot Reader, Spiritual Development Teacher, juliadunnart@optusnet.com.au
• Kylie Shaw Wallace, Spiritual Midwife & Holistic Counsellor, 0404 578 961, independent_ksw@yahoo.co.uk, http://www.independentwings.com.au/
• Lauren Simmonds, Intuitive Art & Meditation Classes, Northcote & Richmond, 0421 237 741, http://www.3flames.com.au, 3flames@gmail.com
• Lisa Proctor, Nurturing Women (Bowen, Reiki, Massage), Mobile therapist, http://www.nurturingwomen.com.au/
• Mas Rogers, Heart Radiance Meditation Technique & Chi Kung, Clifton Hill, http://www.heartradiance.com/
• Nat Misztal, Transpersonal & Spiritual Counsellor, Yarraville, 0402 130 134, natmz@optusnet.com.au
• Nina Isabella, Pre-natal Yoga Teacher & Birth Educator, Mamashanti Mother Peace Yoga, Thornbury, 0432 078 899, mamashanti@netspace.net.au, http://www.mamashanti.com/
• Robyn Bull, Radix Body-Centered Psychotherapist, Brunswick, 0407 221 035, imanifest@bigpond.com, http://www.livingfully.com.au/
• Robyn Frank, Life Coach, essenceoflifecoaching@yahoo.com.au, 0412 737 309, http://www.lifecoaching.websyte.com.au/
• Tanishka, Goddess Archetype Readings & Workshops, Montmorency, 0407 369 857, services@starofishtar.com, http://www.starofishtar.com/

My intention here is to give an overview of the planetary movements over December & January and then follow up with more information in the January e-news. At-a-glance, here’s why things have been so full-on for many of us:
 
12 December, Jupiter aligned with Pluto and the Galactic Centre. In brief, this combination can bring up hidden or suppressed issues from the past to be dealt with and cleared. It can also bring massive transformative life changes, as shown in the Death card in tarot. For some this might feel like a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ Monopoly card whereby a long-term block finally shifts offering a sense of freedom and relief. Yet some might experience it as a confrontation with a difficult fear, as represented by the Devil card in tarot. If this if the case for you, remember that Jupiter’s influence will ensure that there’s a silver lining with every cloud.
 
18 December, Mars’s closest approach to Earth between now and 2016. Of late, Mars is being very attention-seeking in the cosmos. Having been retrograde since 15 November, Mars’s energy is still very intense, and now being so close to Earth it’s important not to ignore the red planet. See ‘24 December’ for a discussion of this.
 
19 December, Jupiter moved into Capricorn. After spending 12 months in its home sign of Sagittarius, Jupiter has now begun its Capricorn visit. Jupiter spends about a year in a zodiac sign so will shower its blessings on Capricorn for the next twelve months. This combination encourages freedom within commitment and joy within responsibilities. On its initial entry into Capricorn we might get itchy feet and want to escape our commitments and responsibilities, but usually this is a passing phase as we adjust to the exciting challenge of finding ways to bring more fun, adventure, lightness and laughs into life’s more serious ventures.
 
20 December, Saturn shifted into backward motion. Being the ruler of Capricorn, it seems quite significant that Saturn shifted retrograde just 2 days after Jupiter moved into Capricorn. This intensifies Capricorn themes and is likely to encourage us to reflect on whether we are happy with our current commitments or want to make some changes.

22 December, Summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere this is the day of longest light and represents the height of celebrating the summer season. For a number of years now the solstice has been aligned with the Galactic Centre. Does this remind you of something? Pluto has been aligned with the Galactic Centre all of 2007 and, as mentioned above, Jupiter is there right now. The Galactic Centre is the birth-death-rebirth point of our galaxy and many planetary alignments have bringing it strongly into focus. It’s interesting that this coincides with a time when humanity is not only aware of, but also becoming active about, the possible death of many life forms on our planet through climate change.
 
24 December, Full Moon in Cancer aligning with Mars Retrograde. Visually this full moon will be the fullest full moon between now and 2023. If you’re out admiring this historic full moon on Christmas Eve also take note of the red planet nearby - that’ll be Mars. Watch out for conflict on this day because Mars is still retrograde in Cancer, and nearly every account of Mars retrograde energy that I’ve heard from clients, students, friends and family has been intense. Skeletons have been coming out of many family closests (Cancer is closely aligned with families and with the events in the past) and usually these skeletons emerge through tempers suddenly flaring (Mars). Be gentle with your husbands, fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles and male friends, boyfriends or any man anywhere basically! As men generally carry the Mars energy more strongly than women, they are likely to be feeling quite intense & possibly even volatile during this Mars retrograde phase. Yet women are not exempt because many women identify strongly with the masculine energy. Another effect of Mars retrograde is volatility on the roads. There’s been a lot in the news lately about dreadful car accidents. When Mars is intensified the incidence of road rage, speeding and impulsive actions is increased. So please be careful and do your best not to rush when driving, even if running late. Make a note to keep a look out for, and steer clear of, erratic drivers.
 
25 December, Full Moon & Mars effects continue. For as long as you can visually see the full moon with Mars nearby, the effects will also remain, so on Christmas Day this will be the case. (By the way, NASA has plans for a giant rocket named Ares, still being created, to visit the Moon in future years. Ares is the Greek name of the Roman God, Mars, and NASA is publicising this plan at the same time that Mars (Ares) is next to the fullest Full Moon between now and 2023. Interesting synchronicity…)
 
2 January 2008, Mars opposite Pluto. This could be an explosive start to the New Year. When Mars aligns with Pluto, deep stuff rises to the surface. With Mars very active at the time of Christmas and New Year, it is not a season to be silly but instead a season to stay alert and to take an objective ‘growth opportunity’ view of any interrelationship volcanoes that erupt. This is the second hit of Mars opposite Pluto. The first was late September.
 
8 January 2008, New Moon in Capricorn. More Capricorn energy! This is a wonderful time to write down your plans for the year and to see how possible they are. Get out a 2008 diary and map them out. Keep in mind your goals for the next 7 years as you go. Capricorn likes 7-year plans.
 
26 January 2008, Pluto shifts into Capricorn. This is the big cosmic event that everyone’s been talking about (well, astrologers anyway!) I’ll explore this in the January e-news.
 
31 January 2008, Mars stations Direct. All of the intensity of tempers flaring, road accidents, deep frustration etc that we’ve been experiencing since Mars went retrograde on 15 November will begin to ease from 31st January. We won’t be completely out of the woods until Mars leaves Cancer mid-May 2008, but at least Mars will be moving forwards again and be able to express itself less disruptively. This is a lovely New Year’s present from the cosmos, but between the summer solstice and the end of January we’ll still need to take things gently and stay prepared for possible eruptions. 
  
Best wishes with navigating the cosmic fireworks from now until the end of January, and I’ll look forward to renewed contact in 2008.

How did you go with the Mercury retrograde period? Every now and then I cop a really bad one, and this most recent Merc Retro was one of them! Thankfully Mercury moved direct on the 2nd, easing for us all attempts at communication, getting from A to B, having mail delivered on time and so on. Yet we’re not completely out of the woods until the 18th when Mercury passes over the same degree it went retrograde in. Here’s the lowdown on Mercury:

2 November, Mercury moves direct while in Libra
12 November, Mercury arrives back into Scorpio
18 November, Mercury arrives back at the same degree (9 Scorpio) that it originally retrograded in
1st December, Mercury moves out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius

While retrograding in and out of Libra and Scorpio, Mercury is spending more time in those zodiac signs than it normally would. All up, the whole Mercury in Libra-Scorpio phase lasts from 28 September until 1st December, and with Mercury in those zodiac signs our attention is on relationships - both the superficial and the deep. It’s as if we are being given a good opportunity to consider which relationship connections are best kept on a superficial level and which can work more intimately. Some previously close friends might become less close, some social acquaintances might become best buddies, someone you thought was just a friend might become a lover, someone you thought was the love of your life might turn out to be a passing ship in the night. After the 1st of December when Mercury moves into Sagittarius, things will be much lighter and Mercury’s attention will turn to the fun and good times of the summer season. Until then use your powers of observation and discernment to guide you in relationship choices and also take time to brush up your negotiation skills. Some honest and transformative conversations are on the agenda.
 
To add weight to the depth of Mercury while in Scorpio, there’s a Scorpio New Moon on the 10th (at 17 degrees). This is the perfect time to address power imbalances in your life and to work towards righting past wrongs. If you have felt yourself to be a victim in the past, now’s the time to make a stand for your true worth and to claim your right to be treated well. Or if you’ve been too dominant and demanding, now’s a good time to assess your approach. The Full Moon happens on 25 November in Gemini. This is a perfect party weekend. Full moons bring about bursts of energy and Gemini is a very social zodiac sign. To recap:

10 November, New Moon in Scorpio at 17 degrees
25 November, Full Moon in Gemini at 2 degrees

Among Gemini’s qualities are changeability and indecision, so it’s interesting to note that the Federal Election happens on the full moon weekend when there’s such mind-changing energy in the air. Also of note is how Uranus (the planet of dramatic changes, shocks & surprises) turns direct on the 24th (election day) after approximately 6 months of retrograde slumber. I wonder what surprises the combined energy of a jumpy Gemini full moon plus a Uranus turnabout will bring. If we can’t decide between the two major parties (like Gemini are they simply two-sides of the same coin?) will we vote in some Uranian outsiders? After all, Uranus likes to shake up the status quo.

24 November, Uranus turns direct
All of November, Jupiter straddles the energies of Uranus and Pluto

In the October AstroWeather I discussed the crazy antics that Jupiter square Uranus might bring, and I don’t know about you, but I certainly felt like a cosmic guinea pig throughout that period! Of course, the cosmos wasn’t doing anything to me - that would be ignoring my part in my own soul growth - but my conscious self had no idea what my subconscious had in store. I woke one morning to a dead computer, which could not be repaired, had to find a benefactor for a new computer, bought a new computer, installed new programs & transferred data, discovered the new computer had a substantial flaw, had to argue for a replacement computer, uninstalled and deleted programs from the dud first computer, then re-installed and re-transferred data onto the replacement new computer. All this was happening during the Mercury Retrograde period, so as you can imagine there was much, much more to the story than I have given!
 
I tell this story because its symbolism about transitioning from the old to the new is particularly relevant to current trends. Next month Jupiter teams up with Pluto and this alignment will challenge us all to make the leap from the old to the new. What areas of your life did Jupiter and Uranus disrupt in October? November is the month to reflect on this while Jupiter straddles the energies of Uranus and Pluto. Next month Jupiter will take what it started while teamed with Uranus and hand that over to Pluto for an ‘extreme makeover’. Despite feeling like Alice-in-surreal-techno-land for at least three full weeks, I now have a new computer system and can make many long-desired improvements. And when Jupiter hits Pluto in December I could really benefit from this soul-directed evolution if I don’t resist too much. It could be a tough month for all of us with Pluto’s input, but resistance will only make it tougher. Take time in November to reflect on the changes unfolding in your life and to prepare for the powerful evolutionary upgrade in store when Jupiter teams up with Pluto. In case I’m sounding too dire - Jupiter always brings positive growth, so these changes will ultimately improve your chances of enjoying and delighting in the experience of being here on Planet Earth!

15 November, Mars turns retrograde in Cancer (12 degrees)

As we get closer to the big cosmic shift in 2008 when Pluto moves into Capricorn, it’s as if all the planets are limbering up for their roles in humanity’s evolution between 2008 and 2012 and Mars is no exception. There are huge planetary alignments in-store over that 4-year period, but more on that in future newsletters. I’ll finish this month’s Astroweather with Mars’s important sojourn in Cancer. Mars shifted into Cancer on 29 September and won’t completely leave that zodiac sign until mid-May 2008. For Mars that is a very long time in a zodiac sign, yet not all of it will be spent in Cancer because during Mars’s retrograde phase it will shift back into Gemini. It’s a bit like what Mercury’s currently doing in Libra-Scorpio (see above). When planets go retrograde they often visit the previous zodiac sign. I plan to write more next month on Mars’s Gemini-Cancer phase. For now, let me just say that from 15 November when Mars shifts retrograde, our attention is being drawn to family and loved ones. It’s a time for honouring connections and strengthening those ties, whether with our birth family or our families of choice as adults, or both. Improving communication channels with loved ones is very important to help navigate the major planetary shifts that begin when Pluto moves into Capricorn in January next year.
 
Wishing you all recovery and relaxation during November in preparation for December’s Jupiter-Pluto evolutionary prod!

Last month, Pluto moved forward after 5 months of backward travel. This month Pluto makes the cosmic headlines again by aligning with the Galactic Centre for a third and final time. The first hit was in December 2006, the second in mid-July, and the third is on the 27th. I don’t know about you, but I’m keen to wave Pluto goodbye no matter how much I know the angst is ultimately worth it! Yet it will take time to process Pluto’s profound visit to the birth-death-rebirth point in our galaxy. Consider what has been happening in your own galaxy - i.e. your own life and cirumstances - over the past year. Have there been massive changes to any of the following: your family, job, community, friendships, partner relationships, business relationships, living arrangements, bottom-line values, or your understanding of who you are and where you’re headed? Pluto has prodded our deepest fears of loss and has challenged us to not only courageously face our fears but to also let go of controlling circumstances to avoid loss. Often we are unaware of the degree to which we attempt to control others or are controlled by others in order to avoid the pain of separation and loss.
 
Pluto has been confronting us with death - either through the actual deaths of loved ones, or through other deeply painful losses - so that we can find ways to accept that loss is an inevitable part of change. And change is an inevitable part of evolution. After the 27th, we’ll start to see the benefits of all this change and feel more comfortable on a core level with what is evolving in our own lives and the new directions that await. Pluto is relatively peaceful throughout November and December, yet in January 2008, makes a huge change by shifting zodiac sign - something this planet only does every 14 to 30 years - by shifting out of Sagittarius and into Capricorn. That’s when we’ll feel the need to commit to our new directions. But more on that then. In the meantime, feel how much stronger you are after Pluto’s resilience program! Some of us might still have a few aftershocks to go through but, on the whole, after the 27th it’s an empowering time for consolidating and integrating.
 
You might’ve noticed that I’m writing this month’s AstroWeather backwards - ie starting with what’s going on later in the month. This out-of-sequence chronology fits the energies of surprise and system-bucking that Jupiter and Uranus have in store. Throughout October these two are like a couple of party-goers high on adrenalin and buoyed with the energy of the collective. Not too unlike the atmosphere of a grand final match, Jupiter has his team of followers roaring and shaking the stands every time he kicks a goal, and the same goes for Uranus. As these two play, what started as a game of footy suddenly becomes a round of quidditch and unusual tactics take centre stage. In the same way for us, October offers some surprising turns.
 
You might, for instance, be taking your usual morning stroll up to the milk bar when, before you know it, you’re visited by the high-spirited and ‘out-there’ energies of Jupiter and Uranus. Perhaps an 80-year-old on rollerblades whizzes past on the pathway, knocks into a passerby whose take-away cappuccino soars through the air and plonks onto your just-ironed outfit. At first you want to punch someone’s lights out, but instead find yourself roaring with laughter along with the Cappuccino Kltuz, who takes your arm and leads you to the nearest cafe for a clean-up and fresh coffee. Whereupon, one thing leads to another and over the weeks that follow CK either swindles you of your life savings or turns out to be ‘The One’! In a similar way, October promises to get downright eccentric, loud, perverse, hysterical, shocking or dazzling at times. Expect the unexpected as Jupiter, the cosmic Joker, tries to outwit Uranus, the god of thunderbolts and lightning.
 
These two are most active from the 10th to the 22nd. Reversals of fortune can be expected under this vibe, so if you’ve been having a tough time, the ‘wheel of fortune’ might now bring you a winning ticket. Yet nothing is certain under this particular influence, so wait until later in the month to get a clearer picture of what’s really going on. Also be careful around people who tend to be big drinkers or drug users, or who have a rebellious streak. Some might have a tendency to self-destruct at this time, and might unintentionally draw us into a technicolour drama or two. Especially watch out for erratic drivers, or people in general who suddenly break rules and create chaos.
 
There’s a powerful alignment of the South Node and Saturn from the 15th to end of the month that has us mulling over details of past difficulties. The tune is ‘hey, why don’t you play another somebody done somebody wrong song’. Don’t ignore these thoughts if they arise. It could well be that there’s something from the past that needs a good bit of attention in order for you to move on. The upside of this connection between Saturn and the South Node is that we are given a powerful opportunity to embrace what has worked from the past and to build on that for the future. Master your powers of discernment so that you can choose what to let go of and what to take with you from your past.
 
For most of the month, this Saturn and South Node connection also happens to be at the highest point of a kite configuration made by the planets’ constant movement. This is a truly fabulous opportunity to begin flying into new futures taking everything we have learnt from both past mistakes and past successes. With newfound wisdom and maturity, we are able to reap the rewards of all we have been through. Yet with Saturn and the South Node involved, a bit of effort is required because the past has a habit of luring us back into old ghosts and comfort zones. Stay focussed on your new goals and in order to move forward draw on the solid connections or firm foundations you have already made.
 
Another planetary effect that sees us reminiscing is Mercury’s retrograde shift on the 12th. A backwards-moving Mercury tends to promote communication fluff-ups or general hitches in all kinds of transactions (eg, postal delays, traffic jams), so double-check all arrangements. Throughout October we might truly feel like Alice in Wonderful with the combined efforts of Mercury retrograde and the Jupiter-Uranus connection! Yet on a deeper level, this Mercury retrograde will actually help us stay sane. Given that Mercury is retrograding in Scorpio we’ll have better than usual powers to understand what’s beneath the surface shennanigans. It’s a time for deep thinking and feeling, for relishing the art of reflection and marvelling at the mysteries of life.
 
Finally, every month has its full moon and new moons. October offers a New Moon in Libra on the 11th and a Full Moon in Taurus on the 26th. The Libran new moon is a wonderful time for planting new relationship seeds. Writing out a relationship manifestation or improvement list could be just the go. At the full moon on the 26th, our awareness is likely to be drawn to our material circumstances. As we know, Planet Earth is out of balance, and here in Australia a current example of that imbalance is the battle in Tasmania over the Gunns pulp mill project. It will be interesting to see what pans out at the time of the full moon in regard to that conflict over the earth’s resources. And on a personal level, the full moon will offer insights about our own financial wellbeing and individual use of the earth’s precious resources.
 
You might’ve thought September was a big month, but as you can see, October is big too. Yet keep in mind the fortunate kite pattern made by the planets throughout the month. Despite all the cosmic activity there’s a continual underlying sense of lightness and flow, including an air of new beginnings and beautiful opportunities. If you find this hard to believe, I challenge you to draw yourself a kite and meditate on it throughout the month. Glue beautiful objects onto it, colour it in, stick baubles on it - do whatever you must in order to ensure that it continually grabs your attention. It might take effort to see October’s kite, but it’s definitely there. 
 
I wish you some happy kite flying!

August ended with a spectacular visual display of the total lunar eclipse at the full moon. I’ve had many people comment on how significant the event was for them, both from inner and outer perspectives. A student of mine commented that ‘it was like witnessing the moon undergo a very private experience with all of us watching - as if the moon were in labour and giving birth’. Perhaps the moon was role-modelling the shape-shifting encouraged of us during this year of Pluto conjunct the Galactic Centre. It’s time to let go of old shapes and forms and give way to our true colours - just like diamonds held up to the light after being cut. Because the lunar eclipse was in Pisces (the zodiac sign of the ‘collective soul’), when one of us transforms, all of us are affected. Like the moon, don’t be shy to express vulnerable moments - you might feel as if you’re sharing tentative and awkward new steps in a public way, but perhaps what others are truly seeing is an awe-inspiring blossoming from a courageous soul.
 
The eclipse theme continues this month when a partial solar eclipse coincides with the new moon on the 11th at 18 degrees Virgo. You might’ve noticed that’s the anniversary of the Twin Towers collapse on Sept 11, 2001. Six years later we are still globally dealing with the legacy of that tragedy. One of the greatest gifts of Virgo is to make things whole, yet at this solar eclipse we might first notice what is fragmented. Virgo’s job is to help us find missing jigsaw pieces so that we may solve confusing puzzles. On a personal level, the solar eclipse might bring up niggly details previously overlooked in the daily rush for efficiency and achievement. Health concerns might flare up, and we’ll need to take particular care of mental exhaustion and anxiety. Eclipses tend to magnify life events and bring significant changes. So don’t be surprised if between the August and September eclipses, and in fact, for a week or so afterwards, you experience endings and new beginnings. Take things one small moment at a time and focus on being in the present. Truly living in the ‘now’ (another Virgo goal) will support bringing through the gifts of the September eclipse.
 
While on the theme of transformative energies, it’s worth mentioning that Pluto shifts into direct motion on the 7th after 5 months of backward travel. As discussed earlier, Pluto is aligned with the Galactic Centre this year and is close to the GC at this time. During the period Pluto was retrograde, we were encouraged to reflect on the changes that are needed in our lives. When Pluto shifts forward again, it is as if we are given a cosmic key to open new doorways.
 
Also of major significance this month is Saturn leaving the zodiac sign Leo, where it’s been for the past two years, and moving into Virgo. Saturn made this transition on the 2nd shortly before the solar eclipse in Virgo. We can therefore expect all things Virgo to be highlighted for some time. In fact Saturn will remain in Virgo for the next two and a half years and brings its maturing influence to this zodiac energy. If you are a Leo, or have prominent Leo in your chart, reflect back over the past two years and see whether you feel you have matured at a faster rate than usual. It’s not uncommon for Saturn to mature us through the ’school of hard knocks’ . It mainly feels this way because Saturn forces us to confront reality and let go of false idealism. If you are a Virgo, or have prominent Virgo in your chart, the next two and a half years provide an opportunity for rapid evolution under Saturn’s guidance.
 
Collectively, we will all be affected by Saturn’s shift into Virgo. Virgo, the sign of the Virgin, is not about virginity in the sexual sense, but instead in the sense of returning things to whole or ‘virginal’ states. And a virginal state is not about returning to how things were in the beginning. None of us can literally return to our mother’s womb, but we can create a new sense of ‘womb’ (i.e. home, comfort and support) by discerning what most supports us. In doing this, we create wholeness and unity for where we are now. On a global level, there’s a huge need for healing and wholeness. Virgo is the sixth zodiac sign and it’s six years since September 11. Saturn, the planet of maturing, asks us to reflect on the best ways to make things whole, always remembering that the choices we make in our own lives affect larger choices. Ultimately it might be that there are only two choices: love or fear. In more often choosing love in each moment, perhaps over time the collective might also become influenced towards making more love-based decisions.
 
September feels like a profound month so far doesn’t it?! All of the abovementioned planetary activity might be enough to overshadow another significant event, but it’s one that should not be overlooked. On the 9th, Venus returns to direct motion after 6 weeks of backward movement. Relationships of all kinds have been under review during this period, and finally we can move forward with our insights. Now that Venus is on the move forward again, there’s more chance of successfully implementing new relating patterns. Yet the moment Venus moves forward she encounters Neptune, the planet of both romance and heart-fulfilment, yet also fantasy and illusion. It could be a challenge to discern between feelings of love that can be made real and feelings of love that might lead to nothing. In this eclipse month, there’s no need to rush relationship decisions. Be content to know that things might not be what they seem and wait until after the Spring Equinox for clearer direction from your whole self.
 
Thank goodness for the Spring Equinox on the 23rd. It’s time to say goodbye to winter, eclipses and other difficult energies. Enjoy a renewal of faith and confidence in the universe’s benevolence. It’s as if we are waking from a night of tumultuous sleep with jarring dreams to birds singing and sun streaming through the window. The upbeat Spring Equinox is closely followed by a full moon on the 27th in Aries, the zodiac sign of all things new. The Aries energy offers to kickstart enthusiasm, initiative, motivation and a pioneering spirit. It also gives an injection of courage to get out there and enact our dreams. Between the 23rd and the 27th let your mind, body and soul sing your visions. Or if that sounds a bit airy-fairy, get out some butcher’s paper and coloured pens and brainstorm your desired directions. If that doesn’t appeal, perhaps just get on the phone to a trusted friend and share your plans with them. Believe in yourself, believe in the the universe and do at least a little something at the time of the new moon to initiate what you most deeply want.
 
After riding eclipse rollercoasters since the end of August, I wish you optimistic visions for fresh starts at the Spring Equinox and Aries New Moon.

At the end of July’s e-news I mentioned that Venus shifted into retrograde motion on 28 July. And what an interesting shift it’s been. I’ve noticed more people going into hibernation over the past couple of weeks than over the whole of winter so far. If you’ve found yourself backing out of social events, there’s a good chance you’ve been bitten by the Venus Retro bug. When planets go retrograde their energy is often felt more internally than usual, and given that Venus represents the social and relating archetype, it’s not surprising that instead of relating externally (i.e. to others), many of us have been drawn to relate internally (i.e. connect more deeply with ourselves).
 
Another impact of a retrograde planet is an intensification of its themes. Therefore many of us have also been experiencing heightened relationship issues. Being a feminine planet, these issues might well relate to women in our lives - e.g. mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, girlfriends, daughters, female bosses - or to the feminine side in men. As Venus is also the planet of love, beauty and self-esteem, we might find ourselves assessing how attractive or worthwhile we feel, especially if we are having difficulty in lover or partner relationships. Under the influence of Venus retrograde, it’s generally beneficial to reflect on all relationships, past and present, plus feelings of self-worth in matters of the heart and body. Don’t be surprised if loved ones from the past get in touch - it’s a time for completing unfinished business and moving on, or for finding new ways to relate. Perhaps memories will emerge that help us gauge how much we’ve grown on a relating level so that we can make peace with our young, less mature selves. Venus retrograde provides an opportunity to forgive ourselves for past relating blunders.
 
Most of all, Venus retrograde asks us to assess our relationship intentions, promises and contracts. Often we make silent contracts with others (known as the ‘left-handed handshake’, due to the unconscious or hidden nature of some of our agreements). The challenge under Venus Retro is to discover old ‘toxic’ agreements (whether they be with a partner, friend, sister, parent), bring them to awareness and release them. New intentions can then be set for fresh forms of relating that more fully embrace and allow creative expression. It’s a perfect time for addressing unhealed relationship wounds. Venus is retrograde all through August and doesn’t move direct until early September. We therefore have ample opportunity to detach past relationship hooks and build new relationship agreements. If you are single, this is a great time to clarify relationship goals and plan how to bring romance into your life.
 
In mid-August, Venus pairs up with Saturn for a couple of days; this is a time to keep an eye on our inner critic. We could be too hard on ourselves over past mistakes, or encounter hurdles with our loved ones. It’ll be important to remember that all good relationships take effort and to put hard work into overcoming any current hurdles. Hardships are sometimes opportunities dressed in disguise, and with Saturn and Venus paired up, there are opportunities mid-month for deep and lasting commitments. Straight after her connection with Saturn, Venus moves into harmonious alignment with the Galactic Centre. This truly is a time for significant soul connections to manifest; the kinds of connections that lead us toward desired futures. Yet it’s also a significant time to honour and let go of many relationships, or to find new ways to relate to old loved ones.
 
On 13 August, a New Moon in Leo challenges us to build confidence with career or creative projects. Venus represents relationship confidence and self-worth, whereas Leo represents career/creativity confidence and self-worth. August then is a month for shedding self-doubts and building self-esteem. Another confidence booster happens in August when Jupiter, planet of adventure and abundance, shifts out of its 4-month Retro phase on the 7th. It might take Jupiter a week or two to yawn, stretch and fully limber up, but you can bet this planet of good vibes and fun times will then make the most of its remaining months in its home zodiac sign, Sagittarius. In general, spirits are likely to lift and optimism increase under Jupiter’s influence, and this could be particularly evident in the lives of fire signs (Sagittarius, Leo and Aries). In December Jupiter will shift into Capricorn, and it will then be the earth signs’ (Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo) turn for a bit of a spark up.
 
Last but definitely not least, on 28 August, a total lunar eclipse happens at the time of the Full Moon in Pisces at approximately 8.30 pm. This eclipse will be visible along the east coast of Australia. To check out its visibility in your area, you might like to scroll down to the visibility table on this web page from an amateur astronomer’s assocation in Australia: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,409,0,0,1,0 . Being a lunar eclipse and being in Pisces (both very watery energies), this eclipse is likely to trigger floods of emotion. Either yourself or those around you might become emotionally overwhelmed. To avoid this, plan ways to direct any emotional build up at the time of the eclipse. One way to direct the energy could be to watch the eclipse and marvel at the wonder of the universe. Pisces is a spiritual zodiac sign that encourages us to appreciate our soul-connectedness to all of life. Should your emotions become agitated at this time, perhaps try grounded meditations, deep relaxation, guided visualisation or other spiritual/intuitive activities that feed your soul. Ensure you ground yourself because the Pisces energy could contribute to forgetfulness, confusion or uncomfortable out-of-body feelings. Eat and exercise well, spend time in nature and protect your aura so that you can fully enjoy your intuitive experiences.
 
Wishing you a wonderful experience of moon magic during this month’s eclipse and many fruitful relationship developments while Venus is retrograde.

On Tuesday (10 July) soon after midday, Mercury shifted into direct motion. I decided to wait until after Mercury went direct to send out this e-news, anticipating you’d be more likely to receive it without glitches I know many people have been looking forward to Mercury shifting direct after a few weeks of communication or transport chaos.
 
Yet as ever, there’s always more interesting planetary alignments to egg us on, and there are definitely some strong ones in July. At each alignment we have the opportunity to either evolve or devolve, and sometimes a bit of ‘devolving’ is exactly what’s needed to help us locate and heal unresolved situations from the past. On 14 July, past issues, especially to do with family, childhood or support needs, are awakened by a New Moon in Cancer. Yet being a new moon, the universe also awaits your input for fresh beginnings.
 
Each month there’s a new moon in a different zodiac sign until all 12 receive new moon awakenings. Every new moon offers a fresh start in its zodiac sign’s related themes. With a new moon in Cancer, it’s a perfect time to clarify the support situations that nourish you and to then negotiate personal needs with family, friends or colleagues. Often this might require reflecting on past support situations that haven’t worked and having faith that your current and future needs can be met even if your past needs were not. You might like to use the New Moon in Cancer to clear stagnant energy in the home or any other familiar environment. If you’d like a tip or two, consider these ideas: first do a bit of good old-fashioned dusting and scrubbing to clear stagnant energy on the physical level; put away objects or photos that have outgrown their current meaning; open windows & doors to let fresh air in; try some new age purifying pleasures such as burning oils or incense, creating sound vibrations through music or bells, lighting salt crystal lamps to release negative ions or dousing the atmosphere in essential oil sprays.
 
The energies remain strong for clearing past situations until the end of July. An intensely powerful alignment takes place on 17 July between Pluto and the Galactic Centre (GC). On this day Pluto makes its second exact hit to the GC. The first hit was back in December. If you feel drawn to read what I wrote then, you might like to check out this link. As Pluto aligns with the GC approximately only once every 248 years, this is quite an attention-seeking transit. The last hit will be in October this year. Over 2007 we can expect to have doors close on us, yet new doors will also open. There will be times when we feel we are sitting in the ‘dark’ or the ‘void’ of the unknown. The challenge will be to make it as warm and cosy as possible in that space until the new emerges.
 
A project known as ‘Fire the Grid’ has been planned for the day Pluto and the Galactic Centre align. ‘Fire the Grid’ is a global earth healing project that Shelley Yates has been preparing for the past two years. The catalyst for her project was the miraculous experience of herself and her son not only surviving, but also thriving after both clinically dying from drowning. As far as I’m aware, Shelley doesn’t consciously know that the 17th, the chosen day for ‘Fire the Grid’ is so astrologically charged. The synchronicity of ‘Fire the Grid’ with the alignment of Pluto to the Galactic Centre is worth a moment’s reflection. Pluto is about death and rebirth, the Galactic Centre is about death and rebirth, Shelley’s global project was triggered by her profound death and rebirth experiences, and the intention of Fire the Grid is to rebirth our planet from a possible near death experience through climate change. I highly recommend you read her story at www.firethegrid.com and consider participating in the global meditation.
 
Yet if this is not your cup of tea, 17 July is still a profound date to reflect seriously upon situations in your life that are no longer working for you and to make quantum leap choices about new directions. Don’t worry too much if you miss the actual date of 17 July because all of July is infused with these energies. It’s generally accepted within psychology and healing frameworks that we can only move on once we’ve fully acknowledged and embraced our pain. If we keep avoiding pain, we keep getting stuck. Embracing pain doesn’t mean getting trapped in it and having to relive trauma. The goal is to ride pain like surfing a wave and then to move forward. If you’re feeling trapped, perhaps use July’s Cancer energy to play some watery sad songs, read old letters, go through photos, and allow emotion to ebb and flow in order to enjoy being released from the past. While you’re at it, find and reclaim treasures from the past just as you might if diving for precious sea shells in a gently rocking ocean.
 
On 28 July Venus shifts into Retrograde motion, yet given how important it is to focus on the Pluto to Galactic Centre alignment this month, I’ll discuss that in next month’s e-news. Finally on 30 July there’s a Full Moon in Aquarius. The zodiac sign Aquarius is about embracing the new, and full moons are times for clear insight. After spending July dusting out cobwebs, use the Aquarian energy to encourage and motivate yourself to embrace who you truly are. Stretch beyond your usual thought processes by allowing visions of a new future for yourself and others to break through. A downside of the Aquarian energy is that we can expect ourselves to be already miraculously transformed into future ideals. A way to ground and temper this impossible idealism is to bring dreams back to the present and start taking small steps towards reaching them. In the meantime, announce the truth of who you are, even if it’s only to your journal, or whispered as a thought in your mind. Yet the more powerfully you speak your truth, the more certain the universe can be that you mean business and can effortlessly build momentum towards activating your dreams.
 
Whether you enjoy or endure the inner resilience that July promotes, keep in mind that each of us is being awakened with the ‘Dawning of the Age of Aquarius’ and its promise of a radiant future.

June is a busy month astrologically with much happening to keep us entertained (or to keep us on our toes)! There’s a sense from the planetary alignments that we are in an ‘in-between’ phase - as if old doors are closing while new ones are simultaneously opening. When Mercury travels retrograde in Cancer from 16 June to 10 July (see ’special offer’ above for detailed explanation) we are drawn to ponder our attachments and comfort zones and to let go of connections that are no longer nourishing. We are also encouraged to remember the gifts from the past and to ensure we don’t throw out our whole pasts in an attempt to move forward. Mercury offers the power of discernment so that we can sort out what to keep and what to let go of.

The winter solstice (or summer solstice in the northern hemisphere) on the 22nd also has an ‘in-between’ feel to it. On this day we recognise the mid-way point in the year - it’s the day of least light (i.e. shortest daylight hours) which means we must make our peace with the longest night. Yet after the 22nd each day gets longer and longer, reducing the darkness incrementally, until finally in December at the summer solstice we are greeted with an abundance of light. At the winter solstice, when we are symbolically in the ‘darkest night of the soul’, it’s important to remember that everything is cyclic and that it won’t be long until the brightest light - our joy - returns. Yet while the winter solstice is active, it’s important to embrace the benefits of the dark. The dark is symbolic of the ‘void’ - that strange empty vulnerable space that each of us knows where we can experience fear and loneliness or a rich sense of potential for new mysteries and adventures. Our challenge when sitting in the ‘void’ (i.e. the in-between phase) is to transform fear of the dark into an enjoyment of intuiting its possibilities. Think of surprise parties - all is darkness, yet there’s a sense of anticipation as we sit waiting in the dark, and when the lights go on we get to yell ’surprise!’ (or be the one who is surprised) and have a big celebration with friends and loved ones!

Two days after the winter solstice, on the 24th, we are treated to two astrological events - one being the planet Uranus switching retrograde, and the other being a magnificent alignment known as a Star of David. Uranus retrograde affects us on subtle yet deep levels. Somewhere in the layers of our unconscious we are prodded to become more aware of the effects of our individual lifestyle choices upon all of humanity - our global consciousness is gently nudged so that we become more attuned to bigger issues - e.g. climate change, resource consumption and community awareness.

The Star of David is a hexagram pattern formed by planets aligning on each of the six points of the hexagram, and on 24 June the planets momentarily align in such a way. Astrologically a star pattern such as this offers opportunities for successful manifestations. Take time to harness the potential of this star pattern by envisaging what you would like to achieve in all areas of your life: self, relationships, family, career, home, health, travel, romance, abundance etc. The 24th (or thereabouts) would be a perfect time to create a vision board by cutting out images (e.g. from magazines or newspapers) of what you wish to attract in your life. Alternatively write down or draw your visions. Or do a meditation, play an instrument, create some art, walk in nature, dance wildly or enjoy whatever method helps you lift your emotions to joyful creative levels as you focus on your visions.

There’s yet more to June’s astrological weather patterns… On the 26th, the final alignment of Saturn opposite Neptune takes place. This will be the third exact connection these two make. The first hit was August 2006, the second was February this year and the final hit will be on 26 June. This powerful tug-of-war has seen many of us trying to discern the difference between what’s real and what’s illusion. When these two planets align we are challenged to either get our heads out of the clouds and reality check our fantasies, or to relax defeatist attitudes and allow space for intuitive wisdom and creative solutions. Around the time of the 26th, our personal experiences (relationships, career, family, money or any other area of life) of this tug-of-war will begin to settle. All of us are likely to have developed a better balance between dreams and reality where previously we might’ve swung between hope and doomsday thinking. On a very deep level this planetary alignment has been teaching us to take responsibility for our own dreams and to let go of fantasies of being saved or rescued (or being saviours or rescuers) from difficult circumstances. We become more healed, empowered and alive when we build our own confidence with testing what’s possible and what’s not. Over time we become masters of creative solutions and let go of previous fears and addictions.

Finally, June is a blue moon month here in the southern hemisphere (May was the northern hemisphere’s blue moon month). There tends to be confusion over the correct definition of a blue moon, not least because there are actual (unusual and unpredictable) times when moons have been truly seen to turn blue (due to ice-crystal & other atmospheric formations). Yet the now generally accepted definition is that a blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. As it’s not common to have two full moons in one calendar month, a blue moon is a special occasion. In June the first full moon was in Sagittarius on the 1st, and the second full moon will be in Capricorn on the 30th. In between these full moons a new moon falls in Gemini on the 15th. With so much else going on astrologically in June, it seems fitting that the month ends with a blue moon grand finale. Full moons generally help us see clearly by bringing beneath-the-surface ideas, feelings or desires to our attention. Allow June’s blue moon to bring your inner riches to the surface for you to appreciate and claim, even if they seem a bit chaotic at first.

May began with the full moon (on 2 May) that had many people asking what was going on. Being a Scorpio full moon, its intensity was pretty much guaranteed, but the impact was increased by it also being the Wesak (or Vesak) moon. The Wesak moon is known as Buddha’s moon because the celebration of Wesak is the day chosen by Eastern buddhist religions to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment and death. Last month I discussed how this year’s April full moon was the Easter Moon, which in Christian religions marks the Easter period recognising the birth, death & rebirth of Christ. So the last couple of full moons have brought with them huge collective energies that encourage us to remember our divinity and potential for enlightenment as illustrated by Christ and Buddha. No wonder they’ve been shaking us up a little.

Fortunately a new moon in Taurus is just around the corner on 17 May. Taurus is a stabilising, earthing and grounding zodiac sign. This is a positive cosmic time to visualise and feel what you wish to manifest for abundance, peace and calm. Thoughts and feelings must be in alignment to manifest your desires, so focus particularly on bringing your feelings into sync with your thoughts of abundance. Even if you only manage to hold this alignment for a few moments, you’ll still be achieving a lot.

There are a number of planets in retrograde motion this month and this retrograde emphasis also provides opportunities for grounding and stabilising - this time through reflecting, integrating, digesting and assimilating any changes that have been taking place. Jupiter and Pluto are both retrograde throughout all of May, and Neptune and Chiron join them later in the month - Chiron on the 21st and Neptune on the 25th. I’ve already been bitten by the retrograde bug and have been making huge progress with piles of paperwork that had built up over the past couple of years. My mind is already feeling fresh and clear, and I’m only half way through it. What has been collecting dust in your life (either internally or externally) that could do with a good bit of attention?

The last few days have seen some interesting planetary activity with Mars making a difficult alignment to Pluto. An example of how this planetary alignment might manifest is the recent crackdown on hoon behaviour by Victorian police. Mars is a symbol of how we assert ourselves, so cars, speed and men (i.e. the masculine assertive principle) fit into Mars’s symbolic realm. Pluto symbolises, among other things, right and wrong use of power. Over the past few days a number of hoons have had their cars seized on Victoria’s roads. On Saturday a 19-year-old man was caught doing 160 km in a 100 km zone and a couple of hours later another 19-year-old male was caught doing 200 km in a 100 km zone. The previous day a 23-year-old man had his mother’s car seized when he was caught doing 140 km in a 60 km zone. Mars and Pluto are in alignment from 11 to 15 May. It’s worth observing in our own lives how well our own Mars energy is expressing. With Mars contacting Pluto we are being encouraged to recognise any ‘wrong’ use of Mars power and endeavour to transform that into ‘right’ use. Symptoms of a suppressed Mars might include latent anger, irritability or hostile feelings towards others. An aggressive Mars might include our own versions of ‘hooning’. A balanced flowing Mars is shown through the ability to effortlessly express desires with respect to our own and others’ needs.

Finally Jupiter and Saturn are travelling in harmonious alignment throughout most of May. Their exact alignment was on 6 May. When these two connect favourably much in life runs smoothly. Jupiter, the planet of joy and fortune, can find firm footing in Saturn’s steadiness. Being the planet of reality and responsibility Saturn helps bring to fruition the possibilities of Jupiter. This connection can truly help bring dreams into reality. What a relief to know that Jupiter and Saturn are a happy pair behind-the-scenes during this month of surface turbulence. With these two working their magic, bringing our thoughts and feelings into sync at the new moon on the 17th can truly help manifest abundance.

This e-news should arrive in your in-boxes under the Aries new moon on Tues 17 April - certainly a time to action things because Aries is all about initiative, passion & fresh starts. Yet Aries is also known for conflict, selfishness and war. With this energy in the air we might be hasty or rash, yet hopefully the full moon earlier in the month has brought hidden frustrations to our attention so that we’re not caught unawares by either our own or others’ fiery impulses. Every month around the time of a full moon we are challenged to see what we normally don’t see, and in April the full moon brought out Libra’s dark side.

The Libra full moon on 3 April was also the Easter moon. The Christian tradition is to schedule Easter Sunday on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox (try saying that quickly!) and in 2007 that was 3 April. This might go some way to explaining why Easter often feels emotionally intense. Already there’s the collective theme of death and rebirth in the story of Christ, yet the first full moon after the Equinox adds to the intensity. Themes of balance figure strongly during the two equinoxes each year (autumn and spring) and balance is the key theme of full moons. The zodiac sign Libra, represented by the scales, also symbolises balance, yet ironically, all these astrological balancing energies initially tend to bring heightened imbalance.

Without imbalances becoming glaringly obvious we would be unlikely to put much effort into creating balance. We tend to think we have balance when things seem smooth on the surface, yet often smooth surfaces turn out to be superficial fronts - like the face of someone smiling without warmth in their eyes. There’s no better cosmic time to discover what’s beneath sugar-coated surfaces than at a Libra full moon when we get to see the side beneath Libran social pleasantries, charm and diplomacy, and that other side is Aries. Every zodiac sign has its opposite - for example, Gemini’s opposite is Sagittarius, and Taurus’s opposite is Scorpio - and this month we are concerned with the opposing signs of Aries and Libra.

The Aries new moon arrives on Tuesday 17 April to show the importance of standing up for our needs. Under Aries we are challenged to be self-focussed, but under Libra we are encouraged to be other-focussed. To balance this polarity we generally do best to stay in contact with our own needs while also considering and negotiating the needs of others. If we have been suppressing our needs, we might feel our blood boiling under an Aries new moon. If we have been dissociating from our needs, we might find ourselves resorting to addictive, escapist substances or becoming overwhelmed with confusion or tiredness. Sometimes we can be reduced to tears of disempowered helplessness under an Aries influence. It’s a case of cosmic PMT when all creatures on heaven and earth (i.e. not just women!) can become irritable, irrational and crazy for chocolate!

The second half of April is about reclaiming our power. No more tears, no more rage, no more escapism and no more weapons. Sure we might find ourselves in those states under this new moon, but the challenge is to transform them. Think win-win. Think negotiation, healthy conflict and empowerment for all. Sounds easier said than done? If so, imagine that whoever flares up under the Aries new moon (be it your boss, your best friend or your local grocer) is having an inner two-year-old tantrum and that they are testing the limits of your own inner-two-year-old. Before the ‘terrible twos’ get too bad, try using a good dose of willpower (an Aries keyword) to show who’s boss. Is it your inner two-year-old (or your friend’s etc?) or is it your compassionate mature self (i.e. your ‘higher self’)? Now’s the time to surrender to the wisdom of your higher self and see what insights, initiatives and inspirations (more Aries keywords) your higher self offers to help break through locked-horns. Then it’s time to courageously test out those new ideas and enjoy the thrill of exploring uncharted territory.

On a different topic, you might like to check out this link to Saturn’s polar hexagon structure http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2007-034. And yes you did read right - recent space pictures have revealed that Saturn’s north pole is surrounded by a hexagonal geometric pattern. Incredible!