Skywatch, the monthly astrological forecast for July is now posted on my website. An excerpt:

As July begins, the difficult patterns of the June cycles are behind us, but with five planets in retrograde motion (Jupiter, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), we are still looking backward to make sense of it all. When planets appear to move backward from our perspective here on earth, the issues associated with that planet become more pronounced and require greater attention. When Mercury turns retrograde on July 5, there will be six planets retrograde which is a rare event! Mercury retrograde periods come with their own challenges (see this article for more details), but with this number of retrograde planets we may feel somewhat stuck and find it difficult to move forward.

Since Venus left the grounded sign of Taurus for Gemini in late June, no planets have been in earth signs and therefore there has been little earth energy available to us. In early July there is a strong fire and air influence, creating much dialogue and a flurry of activity, but without an anchor to lend a sense of practicality to our endeavors. The combination of the lack of earth energy combined with the retrograding outer planets may make it difficult for us to find our footing. When Jupiter (retrograde since March 4th) turns direct on July 6 we will begin to encounter more opportunities and possibilities.

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Today I’m working on the July Skywatch article, so watch for that to be posted tomorrow as well.

Meanwhile, I found this interesting article covering the attack of one galaxy by its neighbor that sounded eerily apropo of what is happening in the middle east, including this quote:

When galaxies interact, it’s never a pretty picture. But it can be a source of rebirth and renewal. The tidal forces between galaxies cause huge clouds of gas and dust to compact, creating nurseries of giant, hot stars….

Life is not easy, even for galaxies. Some indeed get so close to their neighbours that they get rather distorted. But such encounters between galaxies have another effect: they spawn new generations of stars.

This is the lesson of Pluto and transformation if we can maintain a longer view when confronted with stress and tension.

Thanks to Astrococktail’s news section for this tidbit:

“What’s Your Sign? Design,” a show premiering at 9 p.m. Saturday, looks to the zodiac to bring harmony to star-crossed couples, roommates and homeowners. Hosted by Steven Lee, the show features interior designer Nicole Facciuto and astrologer Greg Tufaro, all Manhattanites, and who together will demonstrate that the solution to decorating dilemmas may lie in making your space more Aries than airy, adding pieces of Pisces or letting your inner Leo roar.

Each week, Tufaro reads the chart of each household member, based on his or her date, time and location of birth and maps a customized chart. Facciuto listens for style clues as Tufaro breaks down each individual’s likes and dislikes, based on planetary positions in the charts, highlighting the shared traits between the signs they’re dealing with and looking for elements that will please and balance everyone. Then, armed with a $2,000 budget, the team creates a plan for a 48-hour makeover.

Malverne resident Colleen Brady, … was ready to take the challenge. “Danny and I are both Geminis, which was something that they found interesting, because, although we have the same sign, we have two completely different personalities. Danny … has been in theater since he was 7, and I can’t sing.”

This to me is great, because it sounds like the show will point out that real astrology is about so much more than sun signs. However, it appears that design using astrology is not universally effective:

Indeed, Facciuto says most participants “really love” the results. “It’s funny,” she says, “because in the shows where someone didn’t love it, it was either we completely missed the board — you know, you can’t win ‘em all — or one person liked it and the other didn’t.”

Still, it’s very exciting to see real astrologers casting real charts and demonstrating to millions of viewers what astrology really can do. As Facciuto, the designer said: “”I was skeptical. “But it’s almost like astrology goes into your core and pulls out what you never even thought you knew you’d like.”

Last night Israeli forces stormed into southern Gaza, attacking three bridges and knocking out a power plant in an effort to force the release of an Israeli soldier who had been kidnapped by Palestinian militants. Ironically, yesterday Hamas and Fatah (the two Palestinian political factions) came to an agreement on a shared political platform which formally recognizes the State of Israel. It’s doubtful, though, that last night’s attack will secure the peace process.

The astrological chart for Israel (from astrodatabank) shows the Sun in the fixed sign of Taurus in square (challenging aspect) to Mars (warfare and aggression) in Leo. In mundane astrology, the Sun represents the spirit of the nation, and Taurus is focused in security and peace. A fixed sign, Taurus can be stubborn like the Bull by which it is symbolized, and does not easily adapt to the ideas of others. The square of Mars to the Sun shows a combative nature, and Mars in the royal sign of Leo can be arrogant and prideful. Chiron forms a T-square to the Mars/Sun opposition: the Sun is opposed by Chiron (the wounded healer), indicating a persistent healing crisis in the life of the nation that will pressure it to continually align with the truth. In the individual, failure to make this alignment results in chronic disease, and the same can be said of countries. Chiron also makes a square to Mars, indicating that an imbalance of aggression and the failure to create healthy boundaries will lead to great pain.

Four planets fall in Leo in the Israeli chart: Moon, Pluto, Saturn and Mars. Leo is the sign of self-oriented expression, and the Moon in Leo demands appreciation and recognition. Conjunct Pluto as it is in this chart, the Moon is constantly under pressure to prove its worth. The conjunction of Saturn and Pluto is a challenging one in any chart: Saturn strives for stability and practicality, it is the planet that inspires building something lasting. Pluto, on the other hand, demands authenticity and breaks down structures that are not for the highest good. The combination of these two planets generally requires a letting go of our own plans (Saturn) and a willingness to open up to the possibilities of transformation (Pluto). Resistance to this process leads to a constant crisis and breakdown of the structures we work hard to establish.

Israel’s beginning as a state was marked by constant conflict that mirrored this inner complex, and this latest conflict was stimulated by the passage of combative Mars over the Saturn/Pluto combination in the Israeli chart.

Also present in the Israeli chart is the opposition between Uranus (radical ideas and change) to Jupiter (philosophy, meaning, expansion). Uranus is the idealist – the Utopian humanitarian where humans live together in brotherhood. However, Uranus ate his children, and has been known to destroy that which doesn’t fit into his ideals. Jupiter is the philosopher, the ideologue, the creator of theology and shared ideals. When two planets are in challenging aspect to each other, like the opposition, we tend to see the more negative manifestations of these planets, resulting in a self-righteous (Jupiter) desire for Utopia and the willingness to break through and destroy any obstacles in its path.

Currently Israel is undergoing transits to both the Leo planets and the Uranus/Jupiter opposition. Transiting Saturn began passing over the Moon in the chart of Israel last year and is moving into position to hit the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in the chart. The period of July and August will be extremely difficult for Israel as transiting Saturn applies pressure and restrictions on its ability to achieve its objectives.

On a larger scale, transiting Pluto last year began a pass over the natal Jupiter/Uranus combination in the chart of Israel, planting the seeds of transformation that led to Israel’s pullout from Gaza. Pluto is currently retrograding back over this sensitive point and will make a station (appear to stand still) right on the Uranus point of the chart, creating culture wars within Israel (probably resulting from increased military activity from Saturn). Pluto will remain at this point through early November, at which point it will move into position to conjunct Jupiter. This is a long-range planetary cycle that will continue throughout the end of next year.

There is no doubt that we are in a cycle of global transformation and change that is leading up to the Uranus/Pluto square of 2010-2013. However, we cannot allow ourselve to sink into fear. FEAR can be explained as False Evidence Appearing Real, and we need to always step back and look at the bigger picture of what we are really doing here on planet Earth. As individuals we can make tremendous a difference in the world around us just by making small changes in ourselves and our own environment.

You can read this article on the National Ledger site (turn on your popup blocker!). I’m going to post today on the escalating violence in Israel instead.

Art by Lynette Hensley

Pluto turned retrograde (appeared to move backward) at the end of March, and as it slowed down before changing direction (the “stationary retrograde period”) the issue of secrecy regained prominence with the disclosure that the National Security Agency had been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans.

Pluto, like his mythological namesake, rules the dark Underworld of secrecy and that which is hidden. In the journey of human evolution, Pluto’s role is to expose anything from which we are hiding that keeps us from achieving our higher purpose. Pluto is also associated with issues of power, and the Bush administration, more than any other in recent history, has built their power structure on the need for secrecy. Even before September 11, VP Cheney allowed himself to be sued rather than reveal the identities of those on the task force which helped to shape the energy policy. When Jupiter entered Scorpio last year, the sign ruled by Pluto, Administration secrets began tumbling into public view beginning with the indictment of Cheney Aide Scooter Libby in the Valerie Plame investigation.

Uranus, often called “the awakener,” changed direction on June 19 leading to additional revelations by the New York Times of spying from the Bush Administration, this time on bank records of American citizens, leading to furious condemnations by the Republican spin machine. When the Washington press corps began reporting on leaked information this week about planning by US commanders in Iraq to begin withdrawing troops by September, the Administration comfortably discussed these national secrets publicly. But the revelation of the secret program to monitor banking transactions of private citizens drew down the wrath of the Administration and its spokespeople.

Also under Uranus retrograde, the recent rash of stolen records affecting the privacy of millions of Americans reached epidemic proportions this week:

• On June 19 ING Financial Services announced that 13,000 District of Columbia workers were affected by a theft of a laptop computer from the home of one of its employees.
• It was announced June 20 that medical records of over 10,000 patients at the University of Alabama were stolen along with a computer from a locked room.
• On June 21 it was revealed that personal details on over 26,000 people were stolen when the USDA computers were hacked.
• Computers containing personal data on 4,000 participants in a study at the University of Waterloo were stolen yesterday.

The outer planets are associated with transpersonal issues and the expansion of human awareness. When multiple outer planets are in retrograde motion (currently Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are all retrograde), humanity as a collective deals with issues that are larger than one’s individual personal life, and this trickles down to the level of the individual as well. While events are occurring over which we have no control, we retain the gift of free will to make choices that will empower and enable us to continue to grow and evolve. As Nick Campion writes (quoted in an article by Clare Martin):

Perhaps in the Age of Aquarius we will recognise the presence of the Divine within us, rather than projecting it outward onto various superhuman gods and goddesses. Human beings will have to acknowledge themselves as the source of both good and evil, and of all the other possibilities on earth. Change depends upon individual free will, and the development of the individual capacity to make independent choices. The ‘new age’ will therefore come about not as a result of a preordained pattern but as a result of the ability of humanity to realise its full potential.

My husband’s favorite TV channel is the Weather Channel. He loves to watch the changing patterns of the radar, and attempt to predict what the weather will be that day. In North Carolina, weather forecasts are notoriously inaccurate, and I always tell him I have a better chance of predicting the weather with a tarot card than he does with the Weather Channel.

So I was very interested to see this article (turn your popup blocker on!!) about a new project in India by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) on using astrology to predict the weather. This project “will blend well-proven scientific meteorological data, backed by mathematical calculations, with astronomical data for weather prediction.”

Gayatri astronomy expert Devi Vasudev says, when the Sun traverses star Krittika [the star Alcyone/Eta Tauri in the Pleaiades system in the constellation of Taurus], the summer heat gets intensified as this star is associated with Sun, the fire god in Vedic texts. And this is precisely the time, when the mercury shoots up. The stars are ruled by natural elements and it is believed that movement of Sun and Saturn in conjunction imply that winter is ahead. Similarly, dry weather will prevail if Sun and Jupiter conjoin, while with Venus rainfall is round the corner, and so on.

IMD scientists inform that a pilot project has been initiated by the Gujarat government to blend the astronomical data with scientifical data for better rainfall prediction. “The potential for Jyotisha [vedic astrology] to forecast monsoons, if explored, can help to a large extent in improving accuracy based on modern methods,” Vasudev says in a theme paper presented in a recent meeting at CRIDA. The paper highlights that Sun’s entry into a constellation changes the weather pattern and solar ingress into Scorpio has a bearing on monsoon.

Mr Ramakrishna says that these studies point out towards the long-term prediction of rainfall based on astrological parameters that are generated by careful and systematic observation and experience. “These are in no manner inferior to the research models used by modern scientists,” he adds. In no uncertain terms, the next move by IMD and CRIDA is to work together to see how far the data can be blended to draw on the strengths of each segment.

I love the fact that the governmental research centers are cooperating with astronomic data and astrologers in this study! Vedic astrology (which originated in India as opposed to our Western astrology which originated in Greece/Babylonia/Mesopotamia) is not the only branch of astrology that works with weather. Western astrologers such as Astrometerologists Carolyn Egan and Alphee Lavoie also look to the stars and planets to predict cycles of weather using a variety of techniques including casting charts for each New Moon and for the cardinal inegress point at the equinoxes and solstices. A preponderance of water planets and signs indicate humidity and rain; fire signs point to dry heat. Air signs signify a drying of the climate, and Earth signs tend to be cooler.

The correlation of astrology with the material mundane world fascinates me to no end. I am looking forward to hearing of the results of this study!

We are currently experiencing the second phase of the Jupiter/Saturn cycle, an event which will conclude in September. Jupiter represents expansion, freedom, our search for meaning; Saturn rules conventional morality, social and governmental structures. Over the past week as reported below, Mars (warfare, aggression) joined with Saturn where it created irritations and challenged the established power structures. Because of the square between Jupiter and Saturn, Mars made a square to Jupiter as well. The aggression of Mars is expanded by Jupiter, and Mars in Leo is particularly expressive and dramatic.

The operation of the system formed now by these planets can be symbolized in the middle east: the Hamas party in Gaza (Mars), creates warfare against the established power structure of the Israelis (Saturn) which is resisting the efforts of Hamas to assert its dominance in the region. Hamas receives inspiration and support from Iran (Jupiter) who goads Hamas into greater violence against the common enemy. Consequently Israel and its ally the US (Saturn) places greater restrictions on Iran (Jupiter). The combination of these three planets makes for a combustible mix.

Of course Chiron (wounding and healing) is still within range of its dance with Saturn and therefore also opposing Mars over the past week; forcing to a head issues which may have been dormant. During this period North Korea came back into the picture, bringing with it fears of nuclear crisis and the activation of the US Missile Defense System.

The change of direction last week of Uranus, ruling unexpected and sudden changes as well as radical and revolutionary thought, has brought with it an increase in radical expressions across the world.

• Chaos ensued last week when the Episcopal Church elected a female presiding bishop.
• Hamas militants killed two Israeli soldiers yesterday and kidnapped a third.
• A strike in Oaxaca Mexico evolved into a massive movement to oust the sitting governor.
• Iran remained defiant on its right to continue its nuclear ambitions, despite recent indications of willingness to negotiate.
• Islamic militants are imposing (Saturn) moral codes (Jupiter) with renewed vigor in Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.

But the news is not all bad, and it’s not unusual for new democracies (also ruled by Uranus) to take hold during Uranus retrograde periods. Last week in Mauritania a new constitution was approved by the first national vote since a military takeover last summer, and Italians began voting today on massive constitutional reforms in that country.

We knew that June would be a stressful month, but we should see some respite over the next week until Mercury turns retrograde on July 4 and Mars moves into position to tango with Neptune.

The New Moon occurs in the emotional and family-oriented sign of Cancer at 12:05 pm EST, June 25. During the New Moon, the Sun and Moon (the solar conscious principle and the lunar unconscious principle) are conjunct in the sky in the same sign, both in Cancer. Mercury (communication and mental functioning) is still in the last degrees of Cancer as well, so Cancerian issues of nurturing, family roots and caring for others will be important now.

New Moons are times of beginnings – the New Moon is the start of a new lunar cycle, and a great time to begin new projects, change a habit, set a goal. The energy at a new moon is fresh and new, and for millenia farmers have planted new crops at the New Moon. Planting your garden during the nurturing Cancer New Moon is particularly good for watering and for propagation of new plants by cutting and transplanting. Animals born during the Cancer New Moon are said to make good breding stock. In our personal lives, this is the time to hatch a new business, a new idea and a new plan for taking better care of ourselves.

Cancer also rules our need for emotional security, and under this New Moon we may want to take a closer look at the way in which we seek security. Are we dependent upon physical things for security? Can we develop a stronger base of security within ourselves? Can we open ourselves to depend on those we love without becoming dependent? These are all issues of the Cancer New Moon.

This New Moon makes no aspects to other planets except a wide trine to Jupiter, which will cast a smiling eye (Jupiter rules abundance and possibility) upon our endeavors. The Saturn/ Chiron/ Jupiter configuration is still in effect now so we may not instantly see the fruits of our projects. However, putting in the time (Saturn) and attention (Chiron) now, we will certainly reap the rewards (Jupiter).

Lindsey Lohan is an extremely gifted young actress; blessed with good looks, brains and talent she began modeling at the age of three. She acted in over 60 television commercials, and achieved early success at the age of twelve in a starring dual role in the film, The Parent Trap. However, over the past year Lindsey has become better known for her tabloid headlines than for her considerable acting skills and success.

Lindsey was born under the sign of Cancer – symbolized by the crab, Cancerians are sensitive, emotional, and can be prickly. Lindsey’s Sun is opposed by Neptune, the misty planet that represents creativity and spirituality but also the blurring of boundaries, showing her ability to
slip in and out of acting roles but also a tendency to lose her sense of self (represented by the Sun). Lindsey’s Moon (emotional security) is in Taurus (stability and pleasure), showing that she needs stability and material security in order to feel emotional secure, and it interacts
harmoniously with her drive for success as shown by Mars (drive and boundaries) in Capricorn (hard work and success). Jupiter (where we find meaning in life) in Lindsey’s chart is in sensitive and creative Pisces, giving her an added sensitivity and empathy to the needs of others.

Lindsey’s chart shows five planets in retrograde motion, meaning that at the time of her birth they were appearing to move backwards from our perspective on earth. This is relatively rare, and shows an individual whose attention is primarily turned inwards. Lindsey feels a great deal of empathy towards others, but she likely finds it difficult to make strong connections because
of this inward facing dynamic. This may play a major role in her very public conflicts with others. In addition, Mercury (communication) in her chart is in Leo, showing a person with great confidence in her opinion, and it is in a stressful aspect with Pluto (compulsion and obsession). The Pluto/Mercury square at best shows an individual with a probing mind and
great intelligence, but at its worst someone who can be cruel and ruthless in their speech.

Lindsey first hit the tabloids in 2003 with her highly publicized fueled with fellow actress Hillary Duff over Aaron Carter. Over the past year she has been in the headlines feuding with Paris Hilton, Brandon Davis and most recently Sean Combs (aka P Diddy). Her father, who spent most of Lindsey’s preteen years in prison for securities fraud, went back to prison for
attempted assault. Also last year, Lindsey was involved in an auto collision in May while attempting to escape a photographer, and in October another collision left her shaking and upset. Last June she was hospitalized after a bout with bulimia that nearly killed her.

Lindsey went through several major planetary event cycles last year involving Saturn and Neptune that challenged her sense of security (Saturn) and created confusion and illusion (Neptune). (For more information about these cycles, see Jeffrey Kishner’s article on this topic.) In addition, Pluto (death of ego and transformation) completed its pass over a sensitive point in her chart and forcing her to deal with unresolved emotional wounds. This year she is being strongly affected by Chiron (healing), and she will begin to incorporate the lessons she has learned over the past few years. There is a saying “To whom much is given, much is expected” and this is certainly true of Lindsey Lohan. She has been through more at the age of 20 than most people by the time they turn 40, but I am certain that we will see great things from this young person.