The post modern western take on an eclipse is that they have very certain effects. These effects depend on when the first eclipse occurred during what is called the Saros cycle for any given eclipse. At that time the dominate planetary event occurring during the eclipse is taken to be the main theme of the eclipse for its entire Saros cycle. Saros cycles last for 100’s of years. The effect of a given eclipse is said to be 1 year for every hour of the eclipse. The place effected is one of two…The first is where the eclipse path lay, that is where the eclipse is visible from the earth. The second is places where the eclipse point is significant in a chart of a town, city, or country. For instance the current eclipse hit significant points in Haiti and in Eureka California.

Next factor in the element the eclipse is occurring in. Last winter the eclipse occurred in an air sign, we had a flu outbreak. Last summer the eclipse occurred in a water sign, Asia had huge floods. This winter the eclipse occurred in an earth sign, we have had two major earthquakes within the eclipse week.

The third consideration is how the eclipse affects a person’s natal chart. For instance, this eclipse is occurring at 25* Capricorn. Anyone with a significant chart pressure point is going to feel the effects of this eclipse strongly in their personal life. For instance, President Barak Obama has Saturn at 25* Capricorn. So his Saturn, and what it means for his chart, is going to be strongly affected by the eclipse. For this reason many people are worried about President Obama’s safety this coming year, but they are missing out on a few important details. One is, his Saturn is very dignified, so it tends to act well in his chart, rather than in a more malefic way. The second is the meaning of this eclipse cycle is generally positive. This eclipse is 12 N in the Saros cycle, the meaning is “opportunities to accept greater responsibilities come suddenly into one’s life. Although the events which lead to these opportunities are difficult, they tend to create greater harmony and self esteem in the end” In this case we can already see that Barack Obama has been given an opportunity to show how a good president, or ruler, relates to a natural disaster. His rising to the occasion of the Haiti earthquake, I expect will have a good effect on how Americans view him.

James Camerons Avatar is on its way to becoming the top grossing box office hit of all time. Its use of CGI technology, Science Fiction and Eco Mythic plot has struck a nerve in our society that is going to cause it to quickly break all previous box office financial and attendance records world wide. We can ask, why this movie and why now. Astrology has a very simple and direct answer. It is, the Jupiter Neptune conjunction in Aquarius.

First let us talk about why. Jupiter represents idealism, spirituality, what is good, alive, abundant, large and expansive. Neptune represents the unconscious and other worldly as a dream experience, an illusion, a visionary experience, an untouchable and unknowable reality. Neptune is the mysterious, but also the visionary, ethereal, spiritual, and hopeful or deluded. First and formeost, when these two large gas planets combine we get big, and Avatar is huge. Over a thousand people worked on the technical production alone. Technology had to catch up with the vision of James Cameron’s script. It took film making  beyond its previous boundaries and set a new standard for the science fiction and fantasy film.

Avatar is a dream film, it is also an illusion, the Na’vi are CGI taken from real actors, a good deal of the film is flawlessly computer generated and then woven into the actual footage, giving the impression that it is real. The Na’vi themselves are a spiritually idealistic people, in the sense that they live in harmony with nature. They are one with a great mind that is plant based, dream like and in the other world. The world they live in is utopian and the people who work with the Avatars in the film are living the dream of being in a new body that is not theirs.

The Neptune Jupiter aspects of the film are undeniable making it a great escapist film with an idealistic natural message. This Idealism is even further reinforced by the planets both being in Aquarius, which is the sign of the universal, tribal, Utopian idealist. Thus in the film we do not get many shades of gray, we get the good, and ideal, the Na’vi and their way of life which is in harmony, and the bad and corrupted, corporate consumptive capitalism. Aquarius is an air sign, and the film has a good deal of its action taking place with in the air, and the planet Pandora itself has a lighter gravity, thus mountains actually float in the air.

This is the what of the Neptune Jupiter conjunction, now how about the when…well, believe it or not, the film was released theatrically between Dec. 16th and 18th, 2 to 4 days before the exact conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius.

We will be able to look back historically and say, what flim embodied this conjunction and its meaning, and the answer will be Avatar.

The Lunar mansions are giving to be the following. Different authors have different variations, but the differences are not that great. This table is from Agrippa and can be found here. Now It should be stated that this is a very curse explanation, but one which is a great guide to beginning your meditations upon the Lunar Mansions, and watching how they effect your life. More on that in the next post!

The Mansions of the Moon according to H. C. Agrippa’s Occult Philosophy, 1533
	name	(name – Latin)	from	significance	Talisman for	with image of
1	Alnath	horns of Aries	0° Aries	journeys and discord	the destruction of someone	A black man in a garment made of hair, and girdled round, casting a small lance with his right hand
2	Albothaim Albocham	belly of Aries	12°51′22″ Aries	finding treasure and retaining captives	reconciliation with a prince	A king crowned
3	Achaomazone Athoraye	rainy ones or Pleiades	25°42′51″ Aries	profits sailors, huntsmen, alchemists	happy fortune and every good thing	A woman well clothed, sitting in a chair, her right hand being lifted up on her head
4	Aldebram Aldelamen	eye or head of Taurus	8°34′17″ Taurus	destruction and hinderances of buildings, fountains, wells and gold mines, the flight of reptiles and creates discord	revenge, separation, enmity & ill will	A soldier on a horse, holding a serpent in his right hand
5	Alchataya Albachaya	( )	21°25′40″ Taurus	helps safe return from journey, instruction of pupils, confirms buildings, gives health and good will	the favour of kings and officers	The head of a man
6	Alhanna Alchaya	little star of great light	4°17′09″ Gemini	favours hunting, besieging towns, revenge of princes, destroys harvests and fruits, hinders medicine	to procure love betwixt two	two images embracing one another
7	Aldimiach Alarzach	arm of Gemini	17°08′34″ Gemini	brings money and friendship, profits lovers, disperses flies, destroys teaching authorities	to obtain every good thing	A man well clothed, holding his hands up to heaven as it were praying and supplicating
8	Alnaza Anatrachya	misty or cloudy	0° Cancer	creates, love, friendship, travellers’ fellowship, drives away mice, confirms captivity	victory in war	an eagle having the face of a man
9	Achaam Alcharph	eye of Leo	12°51′22″ Cancer	hinders harvests and travellers, creates discord between men	to cause infirmities	The image of a man wanting his privy parts, shutting his eyes with his hands
10	Algeliache Aglebh	neck or forehead of Leo	25°42′51″ Cancer	strengthens buildings, extends love, good will and help against enemies	to facilitate child-bearing	The head of a lion
11	Azobra Ardaf	Leo’s mane	8°34′17″ Leo	helps journeys and money from commerce, and redeeming captives	fear, reverence and worship	A man riding a lion, holding the ear thereof in his left hand, and in his right, holding forth a bracelet of gold
12	Alzarpha	tail of Leo	21°25′40″ Leo	prospers harvests and plantations, betters servants, captives and allies, but hinders sailors	the separation of lovers	A dragon fighting with a man
13	Alhayre	dogs or winged ones of Virgo	4°17′09″ Virgo	favours benevolence, money, voyages, harvests, freedom of captives	the agreement of married couples and for dissolving charms against copulation	images of man in red wax and woman in white wax embracing
14	Achureth, Arimes, Azimeth, Albumech, Alcheymech	Virgo’s ear of corn	17°08′34″ Virgo	favours marital love, healing of sick, good for journeys by sea but bad for land	divorce and separation of the man from the woman	A dog biting his tail
15	Agrapha Algarpha	covered or flying covered	0° Libra	good for extracting treasures, digging pits, helps divorce, discord, destruction of houses and enemies, hinders travel	friendship and goodwill	A man sitting and inditing letters
16	Azubene Ahubene	horns of Scorpio	12°51′22″ Libra	hinders journeys and marriage, harvests and commerce, but helps redemption of captives	much merchandising	A man sitting on a chair, holding a balance in his hands
17	Alchil	crown of Scorpio	25°42′51″ Libra	improves bad fortune, helps love to last, strengthens buildings, helps sailors	against thieves and robbers	An ape
18	Alchas Altoh	heart of Scorpio	8°34′17″ Scorpio	causes discord, sedition, conspiracy against powerful, revenge from enemies, but frees captives and helps buildings	against fevers and pains of the belly	A snake holding his tail above his head
19	Allatha, Achala, Hycula, Axala	tail of Scorpio	21°25′40″ Scorpio	helps besieging and taking of cities, driving people from positions, destroys sailors and captives	facilitating birth and provoking the menstrues	A woman holding her hands upon her face
20	Abnahaya	the beam, transom	4°17′09″ Sagittarius	helps taming beasts, strengthens prisons, destroys allies’ wealth, compels a man to come to a certain place	hunting	Sagittary, half a man and half an horse
21	Abeda Albeldach	the desert	17°08′34″ Sagittarius	favours harvests, money, buildings, travellers, causes divorce	the destruction of somebody	A man with a double countenance, before and behind
22	Sadabacha, Zodeboluch, Zandeldena	the shepherd	0° Capricorn	incites the flight of slaves and captives, helping escape, and curing of diseases	the security of [i.e. to catch] runaways	A man with wings on his feet, bearing an helmet on his head
23	Sabadola Zobrach	swallowing	12°51′22″ Capricorn	causes divorce, freedom of captives, healing of sick	destruction and wasting	A cat having a dog’s head
24	Sadabath Chadezoath	star of fortune	25°42′51″ Capricorn	helps marital understanding, victory of soldiers, causes disobedience, hindering execution of authority	the multiplying of herds of cattle	A woman giving suck to her son
25	Sadalabra Sadalachia	the butterfly, unfolding	8°34′17″ Aquarius	helps siege and revenge, divorce, prisons and buildings, speeds messengers, destroys enemies, helps spells against sex or to cause impotence	the preservation of trees and harvests	A man planting
26	Alpharg Phtagal Mocaden	the first drawing, draining	21°25′40″ Aquarius	helps union, love of men, health of captives, destroys prisons and buildings	love and favour	A woman washing and combing her hairs
27	Alcharya Ahhalgalmoad	the second drawing, draining	4°17′09″ Pisces	increases harvests, revenues, money, heals illnesses, weakens buildings, prolongs imprisonment, endangers sailors, and helps bringing evils against anyone	to destroy fountains, pits, medicinal waters and baths	A man winged, holding in his hand an empty vessel, and perforated
28	Albotham Alchalh	the fishes, Pisces	17°08′34″ Pisces	increases harvests and commerce, helps the safety of travellers in dangerous places, causes marital harmony, but strengthens prisons and causes loss of treasures	to gather fishes together	A fish

Lunar mansions are an ancient method of watching how the moon transits the sky in its 28 day cycle. The lunar cycle is actually 27.3 days long, so the mansions are not evenly divided into 24 hours period. The origins of the mansions are heatedly debated by scholars, and the true source of their existence may be more ancient than writing itself, thus a mystery to modern man, and only the subject of speculation. What we do know is that there are currently three main traditions of Lunar Mansion Astrology. These 3 are Chinese, Jyotish, and Arabic mansions. The Jyotish contains for the most part only 27 mansions, while the Chinese and the Arabic contain 28.

The lunar mansions are extraordinarily helpful to developing harmony with the current of life. We can, and many people do track the moon through the 12 signs of the Zodiac. This gives us 2 and a half day energetic emphasis to watch for and learn from. The Lunar mansions give us 24 hour specific energy patterns to observe in the current of life.

I am using the arabic tradition, as I practice a mix of current thinking and medieval astrology. Medieval astrology takes as one of its roots definitions that came from Ptolemy. The mansions are defined by the nature of the specific stars.

This brings us to an interesting modern dilemma which is whether to use the tropical or sidereal Zodiac. This was not a question for Greek astrologers, from which western astrology has grown, as at that time, the two Zodiacs were in harmony. Now they are significantly out of phase. In a future post I will go into detail about the differences, but here let us just say, we will be using the Tropical Zodiac. Why, because this is considered to be the “immovable” or “archetypal” zodiac, meaning that it is beyond the passage of time, its effects are more subtle and pervasive than the Sidereal Zodiac which is “moveable” and thus closer to the imperfection of human existence.

The 28 lunar mansions, as one can see were considered an extremely important part of astrology, only behind the 12 zodiac signs in there ability to confer information about the native, and the courses of action a person should take on a given day. Modern astrology has not even scratched the surface on the utility of this. For instance let us take a look at the Moons placement in Barak Obama’s Natal chart. His moon abides in 3 degrees Gemini which is the mansion under the angel guide Gabiel known as “the white spot” . The Key words for this are ” intellectual activity, goodwill, universal body, health, and safety.” The image is of a King surrounded by stars.”  this adds a much deeper interpretation of President Barack Obama’s emotional motivation than just the Gemini’s “a rapid learner operating on a mental plane who is out of touch with others emotional needs.”

Cheers and always happy for feedback.

It is said by the Astrology teacher Robert Zoller, that only what is promised in the astrology chart may come to pass. When these things come to pass is based upon transit, progression, and direction. An astrologer who is trained in predictive art will look at these three to see when promised events in the chart will occur.  In the case of Tiger Woods, a brilliant and public challenge from his wife, destruction of his home, and life changing obsessions with sex are all promised in his chart. Here is the chart:

In this chart one can see Jupiter rules the 4^th and 7^th house. This is the house of home and marriage respectively. Likewise Jupiter is in the sign of Aries, which according to the Libra Hermetis implies “Powerful tyrants” and ones who are honored and achieve success in physical and martial activities. Is this Tiger, yes it is. Likewise, this Jupiter is in the terms of Mercury, indicating “being successful at business.” Is this Tiger, yes it is. This Jupiter is giving Tiger a good deal of his fame and fortune in the chart, so what is going on, why have things gone bad.

This Jupiter is squaring the Sun in the fourth house, so we know that Jupiter is going to be involved in creating soul lessons for Tiger.  Jupiter is also opposed Pluto in Libra for Tiger. Pluto in Libra is going to fixate on and crave beauty and passion. Thus the goodness of his career, marriage, and home, are going to be opposed at times in his life by his powerful fixation upon passion.

Look at the nodes in the chart. The South Node is in Taurus, the North Node is in Scorpio.  This nodal access suggests karmic lessons through relationships, specifically, relationships that are passionate and sensual. Why now? The solar directed Jupiter, is conjunct the malefic south node.  Thus Jupiter, Tiger’s great boon, is being consumed by the South Node.

Jupiter will always do things with a great blowout. It is a gas giant after all. So it is extravagantly self destructing in a public way now that it has reached the South Node. What would an astrologers advice be to Tiger this year, I would have said, be careful with your family and lay low.

I expect that when Jupiter moves past the South Node, Brand Tiger will recover. But because Solar Directions create permanent physical experiential changes, and not just emotional changes (as transits tend to), Tiger Woods will not have the same wife or home by the end of it all.

The moon, considered by the ancient western astrologers as the gateway of the soul to the earth, has always been an object of veneration and mystery for humanity.  The moon’s movements through the archetypal zodiac signs creates a monthly pulse that a person can use to develop their sensitivity to the natural flow of the world around them. This subtle dynamic energy of life and personality which is observable as the moon travels through the archtypes of the zodiac, has a pause points. We call these pause moon void of course. A void of course moon is when the moon is in one of the Zodiac signs, but will make no further aspects to a planet while in that sign. This  can occur for only a few minutes, or can even last a couple of days. It usually occurs every two days.

Western astrological thought at its roots is influenced by the aristotilian idea that as the soul descendeds from the divine it picks up pure energy from the planets and then this energy in its natural divine order is scrambled as the soul travels through the moon on its final descent to earth. It is inferred that the moon is the translator of the energy of the planets. Sahl, a Persian astrologer who lived in the 9^th century, stated it thus, “Know that the Moon, whose circle is closer to the earth than the circles of all the planets, is similar to the things of the world more so than all the planets. Do you not see that man begins being small, then he grows until he is finished? The moon does likewise. Therefore, consider the Moon as significatrix of all matters: Because her soundness is the soundness of every matter: and her detriment is the detriment of every matter. And she pushes her own disposition likewise to him to whom she projects her own rays, and to whom, of the planets, she is joined: and she changes her own being to that planet( and this planet is called the “receiver of the disposition” because he receives what has been committed to him)> Therefore the moon herself is these planets’ bearer of information, and she reconciles them and bear off from certain ones of them to others.”1 The implication here is that it is the moon which translates the energies of the planets.

So what happens when no planetary energies are left for the moon to transmit when in a given sign? The moon is void of course. There is no direction left for a matter to undertake. Traditionally void of course moon was used in Horary and electional astrology. It has also come to be associated with the idea that actions undertaken when the moon is void of course will come to not. In other words, there is no planetary energy to drive an action to fulfillment.

This is why in l we would avoid signing contracts, starting projects, initiating stock trades, initiating new relationships and planting seeds when the moon is void of course. During this time unexpected events occur, or plans go awry.  Because of this, the general recommendation of astrologers is during a void of course moon, is to stick to routines or projects that are already under way. It is thus the time to indulge your laziness and rest. If you try and push through that term paper or grant proposal when the moon is void of course, it is probably going to be frustrating and need a rewrite anyways, so instead take the opportunity to be nurturing to your soul, enjoy some tea and think about things. People do this naturally anyways, and it can be observed that during void of course moons less people eat out at restraints, go to movies, or engage in social activities.

The most common recommendation for a void of course moon is that you do something spiritual. Like yoga, or tai chi, or meditate. Certainly watching Lost or Battlestar Galactica can be spiritual, why not? The point is that you can take advantage of the void of course moon to relax. Our society is mad with accomplishing, so allow the void of course moon to help inform your nurturing still side. There is another implication, which is it is easier to perceive the spiritual when the moon is in this passive moment.

A spiritual practice can be very potent during void of course moon, Michal Mugrage, a healer and soul worker in Arcata, has noticed that she can see  subtle energies and spirits more clearly when the moon is void of course. For those who practice sitting meditation, thoughts will be less disturbing. The moon is not pushing a planetary energy into the atmosphere at this time, so we can reflect more clearly on where our own hearts are. It is a time when we, as confused humans, with very scrambled energies, can go deeper into the stillness of our souls. When we are there, in that stillness, we will find a peace that is not in need of any material goods, or cravings. We will be free of our habitual patterns of anger and desire, and completely satisfied. Then, when we come out of our void of course meditation, back into coursing action, we will be clear, and have a pure heart.

This is the best way to work with Void of Course moon. Using it as a tool to help enrich and purify our hearts, so that we can be better human beings.  When the moon is direct, channeling a planets energy, then it is upon us to use that planets energy in a conscious way. As an example, take when the moon is squaring mars in Capricorn. Well, this planetary energy could be used to wage war (Mars) to define state boundaries (Capricorn), as Isreal doing in Gaza at the writing of this article. It may have served the state of Isreal better to engage in aggressive (Mars) statesman diplomacy (Capricorn), as a use of this planetary transit. The nature of mankind though, is one of unconscious impulses propelling action. When we use the moon void of course as a time to reflect on our emotions and souls, then we are bringing consciousness to our lives, as well as humanities.

If you reflect upon it, there are many examples of how we react impulsively, and hurt ourselves, others, and the environment through these reactions. Were we to use the void of course moon times to reflect on how we use our lives and what our emotional and spiritual nature is truly like, then conscious directing of planetary energies and impulses becomes more likely.  This is the gift of when the moon is void of course and pure spirit.

“The all seeing Sun, then, being truly fire-like and the light of the mind is the organ of perception of the soul”-Vettius Valens

The Sun. In astrology the sun is the center. That is, a symbol which represents the soul. The soul, your soul, an immaterial, unlocatable, empty phenomena, which has the nature of ongoing unending awareness is represented by the Sun. As such, it is the place, around which all the other planets, a great cosmic display dance. The Sun is externalized by  all cultures throughout history, which have worshipped the Sun as a principle deity. This is rightly so, as life on earth could not exist without the Sun maintaining its constant and steady presence. Its warmth chases away darkness on a daily basis, allowing all plants and beings to thrive on our unique and beautiful planet full of life. The idea of a solar deity is that the Sun itself is a living being, with its own consciousness, It is not just a mass of atoms, but has its own embodiment. Some suggest that Christ is a representation of the Solar Deity in a Christian form. In our own charts we look at the Sun as a place where we gain illumination. Where our soul is revealed and naturally emanates.  Whichever house it falls into, that is a house which will receive its warm benefit, a place that will feel natural to our soul, and what our soul will naturally express to the world.

The planets revolve around the Sun. The Sun is considered in general benefic, it illuminates the house it is in. It signifies the father in daytime charts (Saturn signifies the father in nighttime charts.) It also signifies life force, or the king and ruler. It rules all other planets, and has power over them. This concept is related to visual astrology. In visual astrology when a planet is conjunct the sun, it is combust, which means that it can no longer be seen. The empirical art of astrology is based upon visible light that reaching the earth. Thus, if a planet can not be seen, it is weak and, it can not fulfill its purpose. Perhaps a better way to think of is that a combust planet, that is a planet within 6 degree orb of the Sun in both directions, is hidden. It is in what we might call the fairy world or the other world. Its activity and purpose cannot be seen clearly in the male solar linear world in which we live. Thus, whichever planets we find in these places in our natal charts, that is where we have intuitive psychic gifts, and also shadows that need our full awareness to become useful energies in our lives.

How we do that is a personal but essential question. The indication is that we need to bring our awareness into that underworld place. For example if Mercury is combust we may not be so good at communicating and thinking in a clear logical way, however, our intuition and insight can be outstandingly powerful. Such a person very well may be able to communicate with fairies or gods. Initially though, before a person with such a natal aspect engenders that planet with aware insight, they may be often misunderstood, or act in detriment to their benifit. Likewise, because it is combust, the areas of the chart ruled by that planet, will be approached in an alternative manner, one which differs from the approaches mainstream society would take. Thus when a planet is combust it is empowered and engaged  through alternative approaches.

If the planet is even closer to conjunct the Sun, that is within 30 minutes or half a degree, it is then what was termed Cazimi which is an Arabic term for “in the heart of the Sun.” This planet is then imbued with the life giving rays of the Sun and becomes more potent and powerful, a super planet, capable of excelling and illuminating far and wide its interests. An example of this would be Oprah Winfrey who has Venus Cazimi. Venus embodies womanhood, and so Oprah has embodied the Venusian ideal of woman. In her chart, Venus rules her ninth house, thus we see Oprah’s powerful reach in publishing, spirituality, and educating the tv watching American public. It also rules her 2^nd house, and we thus see her immense capacity for wealth, becoming one of the richest entertainers in the world.

The only object in the sky that has this power is the Sun, that is why it is considered the ruler of all planets. Likewise, it is considered the most noble of all planets. It is the only one that does not go retrograde, that is reverse its course, and fall back within its trajectory. We can say thus that the Sun is symbolic of true integrity, it never hides its intentions, and it never deceives in its path. The Sun becomes malefic, that is capable of creating harm in the world and one’s personal psyche when it is squared, conjunct, or opposed Mars. In this case the Sun will overheat Mars. We all know what happens when Mars, the warrior gets over heated! If one has this aspect in the chart, then it is essential to learn how to calm down when heated.

As the Sun moves through your birth chart on a monthly basis, it will occupy all twelve houses and signs of the zodiac. When it goes into each new sign it is an opportunity to invoke in your experience understanding of that archetype. For instance, when the sun moves into Aries, recognize the initiating, bold, and enthusiastic energy that is invoked. Likewise, If the Sun moves into your second house, that is a time to take advantage of its illuminating rays and look at your financial situation, and what your possessions which are usable to you are. If you need to make changes, this is the perfect time to evoke them. This can be applied to all the houses, and all of the signs.

Using the Sun in this way, on a yearly basis, to become aware of different aspects of your personality and your environment, is a very good way of honoring your Solar Deity and coming to learn how it illuminates your life and being.

Mars. The Red Planet. Hot and Dry. Feisty in temper and quick to act with force. The archetype of the warrior. The minor Malefic in astrology. Malefic means that where if falls in the chart, it is going to make life tough. That place is going to need consciousness to be used. When we have a warrior, a great big hot headed killer, you need him to behave and do his purpose well. In astrology terms this would mean a good sign placement, where he is happy, in his exaltation or domicile. Or he needs to be in a house he enjoys (an accidental dignity) This house is the sixth house, where toil and work is done, using Mars energy well.

When Mars is well in Aries, Scorpio, or exalted in Capricorn, then Mars is going to create courageous people, just people, warriors who are confident, yet prudent in there own affairs. Mars is going to ensure one can carry out ones will, be served by brothers and warriors who are capable, and be effective in whichever house Mars rules.

When Mars is in Fall or detriment, then it is sloppy, it is like a man who goes Postal. The innocent are going to be hurt. There is going to be theivery, obscenity, violence, traitorous behavior in the houses that Mars is placed or ruled. This is the warrior with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that is not treated, the gun totting meth head, or the Rapist. Its not so good.

What to do if Mars is bad in your chart (in Libra or Cancer), look to the houses that Mars rules, those are the areas that you can funnel the energy with consciousness. You will need to use awarenss. The bad warrior has to be kept tabs on, you have to keep him on Parole or in Therapy, or he is going to get nasty. If you do this though, his frustrated energy will serve one very well!

Right now Mars has moved into Cancer. This is where Mars is in Fall. The warrior is so uncomfortable in the cool loving nurturing of the mother realm, that it is going to act badly. During this time we will see acts of violence against women rise, or violent acts against committed on drugs rise. This is the time when people go postal. Look for where your Mars is in your chart. Be careful with the matters of that house when Mars is in its fall! Also be careful not to be alone in dangerous places during this time, acts of random violence will be more commonplace. Mars here will focus on Women and Children. Mars will also invigorate during the evening and night, the moon’s time. During the day there will be more sloth. Our energy will be muted during this time. Mars is going to be depressed, so our activities will not  be as common place.  These are the precautions for Mars in Cancer. Live in awareness, live well,

Dorje

These days you can find a lot of astrology that is about Sun signs, or love signs, or Western and Chinese astrology combined into “new astrology”. These texts, newspapers, astrology feeds can offer good entertainment, but are they astrology? The answer of course is no. Astrology is the science of understanding how the planets interact in a precise mathematical way with your own moment of becoming in this life (that would be with your birth.) As the planets and the nodes travel around the zodiac they form mathematical aspects to each other. These aspects occur can be indicated through many different ways of moving the planets and nodes through the chart.

Of course we know of the aspects as the conjunction, the sextile, the square, the trine and the opposition. I wrote a very simple synopsis of them in the article “How to use aspects in your chart.” The ways the the chart is propelled mathematically around the circle are many. Some examples are: transits, which is where the planets are in the archetypal zodiac now, compared to when you were born. Another is  progressions, which is where the planets were in the sky one day later for every year you have been alive (thus if you have been alive for 49 years, where the planets are 49 days after your birth.) Profections, which is moving the planets forward one sign for every year of your life (thus turning the zodiac). Solar Directions…which amongst other numerical equations means moving the planets 1 degree forward in the chart for every year you have been alive.  These are just a few of the many ways that astrologers move planets to scry meaning for your life as it is currently.

What do all of these have in common, that in the hands of a capable astrologer, they prescribe precision to what the actual and current experiences of your life are. This is something that sun signs and love signs can not to. Sorry, its just not that simple. If you have sun in Virgo, as I do, then you might read today: “Try to take on the big ideas going on around you — there are so many of them to choose from! You almost certainly feel something click as you identify a new sense of purpose and belonging.” which is absolutely meaningless. Sure it is good advice, good on any day for any person. But, because your natal sun is in Virgo in know way means that this applies to your life with any specificity.

Likewise, who you are, as a soul, a human, a psyche is so much more than a simple sun sign, or sun sign and Chinese zodiac sign. You are not a Taurus for example. You may be a Taurus with a Leo moon and Sagittarius Rising, along with a Gemini Mercury, Taurus Venus, Taurus Mars…etc. That is you are, by the strictest of methods, A Sun, Moon, Rising, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn combination in twelve different signs and 12 different houses. That makes a very individual and unique you! Rejoice…you are one of a kind. So keep your mind clean of pop entertainment, and discover the unique you!

This is why there are professional astrologers, why they must study hard to master their craft. Interpreting a persons birth chart is an art and a science which requires time, energy and skill to become adept at, let alone master. In the hands of a master, it becomes a marvelous predictive tool, capable of predicting personal as well as profound world events. Such a case is when Robert Zoller, who is a master of the craft, predicted 9-11 2001 years before it happened.  You can read about this here: www.new-library.com/zoller/features/

Think of sun sign astrology as pop music, a casual enjoyment, or as a commercial. If you seek to know astrology though, consult a professional, or begin many exciting years of study.

Cheers!

Now I want to look at the figurehead for the revolution. His name is Mir Hussein Moussavi. His chart is really quite interesting really in the light of current events. He was born in Khameneh Iran on the 21^st of September 1941. His birth time has not been released as a matter of public record. Because of this we will set the birth time at 12 noon. This of course limits our ability to read the houses, which are a very big and important part of natal astrology. It is the houses that really give place and shape to the wonderful colors of the signs and voices of the planets. Still with the colors and voices we can tell a lot about Mir Moussavi and what his callings are, and more importantly, why his calling is now.

First let us look at how his Nodal axis is a Mercury Jupiter Axis. This is an axis that is philosophical (Jupiter) and Rational (Mercury) in its struggles for growth. It shows a person who struggles with the opposition of faith and logic and through which ideally develops a deep faith of personal philosophy.

Any planet aspecting the nodes by square, which is called the bends of the nodes, or conjunction is going to be pivotal in a karmic way in that person’s life. Can you guess what planets aspect Moussavi’s nodes. Yes that’s right, Neptune and Jupiter, which embody the green Revolution. Neptune conjuncts his north node. Neptune is a planet that invokes spiritual idealism. It is also exactly conjunct the Sun. We thus have a person whose destiny is to be spiritually and philosophically idealized by the masses and a figure head for their wish to have boundless freedom. Neptune here conjunct the Sun also shows a strong possibility of Martyrdom, as Neptune can very powerfully dissolve ones life force if it becomes active in a chart.

Next we find that Jupiter, which is the planet of the statesman, philosopher, and advocate is on the bends of the nodes. Thus Moussavi is also destined to play a role as all three of the above, especially when Jupiter becomes aspected in his chart. This Jupiter is trine Mercury, and receiving its blessings by being in Gemini. That Makes Moussavi a very skilled speaker and user of technology. He is known as a technocrat and has been using facebook to send out his communiqués.

This has been a simple first hand look at Moussavi’s chart. But I put forth it exemplifies the importance of the Jupiter Neptune conjunction in the Green Revolution of Iran. We can conclude that Moussavi will be a significant historical figure in the changes that Iran is undergoing now, whether he lives….or not.