Skywatch for September is posted!

September 1, 2011 By

Skywatch for SeptemberYou can read the article in its entirety here, or sign up on my website for my newsletter to receive a translation of Skywatch into easy to understand English each month.

Here’s the introduction to get you started for September:

The astrological indicators for September continue the trend towards less intensity than the energies we have been experiencing for much of the year, with only fast-moving planetary cycles.  Connections between outer planets have a more powerful influence that lasts longer, and we have had an incredible number of major cycles involving Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto over the past years.  Between now and next June there are no major planetary cycles so the crisis points have subsided somewhat for now.

Uranus and Pluto came closest in July to the challenging square that will dominate astrological news until 2015 or so, and these two planets are separating, although they are still within orb of the square which will continue to apply some pressure for change and a radical response (Uranus) to outmoded structures that no longer work in today’s world (Pluto in Capricorn).

Jupiter has just turned retrograde, and Pluto is stationary throughout the month.  Pluto, very much still a planet, inspires us to embrace the death of our old selves and emerge into a new life, very like the snake which sheds its skin as it grows and evolves into a new body.

Pluto will be changing direction on September 16th after traveling retrograde since April.  As Pluto prepares to to turn direct again its motion has slowed down to a crawl and is now “stationary” – it will only travel four minutes of arc between the first of the month and the direct turn, and then just five minutes until the end of the month.  With Pluto at a standstill, its energy is focused like a laser beam, an important transformational influence that will reveal any secrets or dark places that need to be exposed.  During this period there will be no challenging aspects of other planets to Pluto (except for the Libra New Moon on the 27th).  This should facilitate transformation and minimize resistance during the process.

On September 2nd the Sun trines Jupiter for a day or so, shining a light into our quest to bring positive things into our lives.  This is a good time to expand our vision and intentionally open our hearts beyond what we think possible.

There are no planetary aspects (other than aspects from the Moon) during the next few days until Mercury (the mind and mental function) opposes Neptune (spirituality and transcendence) on September 8th. This can be an imaginative time for a day or so, but it can also be confusing and promote delusion.  Try to avoid making business decisions on the 8th, but use that time to let your mind explore different ideas and philosophies or spiritual ideas.

For daily planetary news, visit my Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Skywatch is posted! And the Taurus New Moon

May 3, 2011 By

May Skywatch 2011Tune in later for a post about the death of Osama bin Laden, but for now Skywatch for May has been posted just in time for the Taurus New Moon. You can read the whole article here, or if you’re not on my mailing list you can see what you’re missing here and read the abridged version.

Here’s the important information for the first week of May and the New Moon which occurs on May 3rd (today!):

During the month of May we get a bit of a breather.  The intensity of April’s fire energy, with so many planets in Aries, has subsided and while Mars is still separating from a conjunction to Jupiter which has amplified (Jupiter) the force for activation (Mars), and there are still five planets in Aries, over the past few weeks we have hopefully been able to integrate the power of that fire so that it is less disturbing and perhaps more energizing and clarifying. In May there are no major planetary aspects, and most of the planetary interaction comes from the faster moving planets and last only a day or so.

The image of the phoenix bird (the firebird) is a powerful one for the element of fire.  We usually refer to the phoenix in connection with Scorpio because of the regeneration after death, but it is also a good descriptor of the power of fire which consumes everything in its path and leaves a clean slate behind.  This is the force of the element of fire that we can use for our benefit if we can learn to balance and use the force of fire, which is pure instinctive inspiration and motivation at its core, and not let it overwhelm us with anxiety and rage.

Until the Sun enters Gemini on the 20th there is a dearth of the element of air other than Saturn in Libra which is a bit like negative air since Saturn creates a vacuum in the sign that it falls in.  Air is the element that provides us with perspective and objectivity, but Mercury and Venus travel together for most of the month.  That combination of Mercury and Venus is a great aid for mental stability and inspire a desire for a more balanced (Venus) viewpoint (Mercury) that will assist us in finding that perspective. Venus and Mercury are both in Aries so inspiration is available to us, but it is gentler and affords greater creativity.  If you have plans to make for your life, this is a great time to put these plans into motion.

The Taurus New Moon on May 5th will help to ground us and provide a few days of peace and serenity as we connect to our experience of life on a green planet.  In Taurus the senses are more acute and we find ourselves seeking more balance with the natural world.  The chart for the New Moon incorporates the Mars/Jupiter conjunction, which is separating but still in effect so there is a stabilizing (Taurus) of the fiery blaze that helps us to find greater balance between the volatlity and passion of fire and the dislike of change and need for stability that Taurus engenders.

 

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Skywatch for January is posted!

January 2, 2011 By

Skywatch for JanuaryI’ve posted the January Skywatch article on my website, so take a look. If you are not already on my mailing list please sign up in the sidebar and you’ll start receiving my newsletter each month which includes a translation of Skywatch into English which is easy to understand and strips out the technical language.

Here’s a tidbit to get you started for the month:

(Happy New Year!  For an overview of the planetary energies for 2011, please listen to this free mp3 of the Astrology of 2011. While the upcoming cycles of change are larger in scope than what we have been experiencing over the the past few years, they are less personal in nature and will likely offer relief from the intensely emotional transformation that many of us have experienced.)

As January begins Mercury has just turned direct after a three-week retrograde period, and for most of the month no planets are traveling in retrograde motion.  There is a sense here of forward movement now after a long period of apparent stagnation. It’s important to remember, though, that even when we feel stuck as we often do during retrograde periods small changes are occurring as we are forced to find greater perfection in “that which is” as we prepare for “that which will be.”

Jupiter and Uranus made their first conjunction last year in Aries, and the second phase occurred in Pisces.  For the past few weeks they have been moving ever closer towards their final conjunction which culminates on January 4th.  This is an explosive planetary combination that demands authenticity and freedom from restriction, and the dance of these two planets has fostered revolutionary fervor throughout the globe over the past year.  Both Jupiter and Uranus seek freedom, but they manifest somewhat differently.  Jupiter seeks the freedom to expand personally – to feel more confidence; to engage in adventures that expand the mind.  Uranus is more of the revolutionary, resisting confinement and shattering the status quo.  Together they create opportunities for breakthrough that are exhilarating but can also be challenging to those of us who are afraid of or distrust change.

During the first week of January we are approaching the second in a series of eclipses that began with the lunar eclipse at the Winter Solstice.  This eclipse, a solar eclipse at the New Moon in Capricorn on January 4th, features a lineup of four planets in Capricorn including not only the Sun and Moon, but also Pluto and Mars.  An eclipse occurs when one of the lunar nodes conjoins the Sun or Moon at the time of a lunation (a full or new Moon), and in the case of this eclipse Pluto is the bridge between the New Moon and the North Node.

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Skywatch for July 2010 is posted

July 1, 2010 By

Here’s my introduction to get you started – you can read the article in its entirety on my website here.  For daily updates on astrological activity, visit me on Facebook and Twitter!

The beginning of July finds us at a crossroads after a powerful month of planetary alignments in June. This is the time astrologers have been anticipating for years: a period in which Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto all aligned in a T-square formation, all challenging each other and producing a tremendous force for change.

The lunar eclipse on June 26th was, in my view, the climax of this period with seven planets all in the early degrees of what we call the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), battling for dominance in the push to re-form human life. There is another eclipse on July 11th (I love the numerological significance of an eclipse on 7/11) in which the alignments are tighter, and this is a total eclipse. But there are fewer planets interacting at this time, and unlike the June 26 eclipse in which the Sun and Moon were a part of the Grand Cross, the Sun and Moon do not interact with the alignments in the July 11 eclipse.

We are not completely out of the woods – Saturn (challenges and tests) re-enters Libra this month where it will become more tightly aligned in the cross with Pluto (death and regeneration), Jupiter (expansive freedom) and Uranus (radical liberation and change), and this is likely to create some stress if there are areas of our lives that are not yet in balance. Saturn is completing two major cycles right now: The opposition of Saturn to Uranus, and the square of Saturn to Pluto. Planetary cycles, whether global ones in the sky or personal ones that aspect planets in our chart, are nearly always more difficult as we approach the first phase and become confronted with the unfamiliar energy of that planetary cycle. As the cycle continues we become more attuned to the flow of energy that is offered and we throw up less resistance: hence less difficulty. At this point in the summer we have been moving through a great deal of blockages and are more comfortable with the planetary stressors.

Uranus is virtually at a standstill now as it prepares to turn retrograde on July 5th, so the pressure towards authenticity and living as true a life as we can is paramount. Saturn will change signs this month, moving back into Libra after completing its cycle through Virgo and this will create another shift in focus, this time towards harmony and learning to improve our relationships.

We also have an alignment between Jupiter and Pluto that is within a degree of exactitude throughout the month. Pluto’s astrological role is to empower us at the deepest level, and in order to do so it will sometimes create challenges that force us to leave something behind. In the square of Jupiter to Pluto, what we have to leave behind is often our own sense of self-importance.

read more here…

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Lynn’s Skywatch for June is posted (finally)

June 6, 2010 By

I was unable to write the June Skywatch article before I left for my trip, but if you were on my mailing list you would have received a summation of the first week’s planetary events to tide you over.  The newsletter also includes a translation of the month’s planetary events into English which is simpler and easier for novices to understand. To sign up, simply enter your email address in the sidebar!

The full article is posted here, and here is a snippet of planetary news for this week:

As June begins, there is a great deal of planetary energy that is urging change and evolution. We are being forced to pay attention to areas in our life where we have been too lax, and at the same time we are inspired to move forward and change the things that need to be changed and transformed. Any wounded areas in our hearts and minds that may be holding us back from our spiritual growth are emerging into our awareness so that we can breathe deeply and release them.
Saturn and Neptune have both changed direction – Saturn has turned direct (forward) and Neptune has turned retrograde (backward). Saturn is creating pressure to wake up to reality, and Neptune is calling us beyond the material world. Uranus has changed signs, moving into fiery Aries, and Jupiter moves into Aries on the 7th. Both form a square to Ceres on the 6th-7th. These two planets demand expansion and radical new ways of thinking about our life. Finally, Chiron is stationary at zero degrees Pisces. The stages of healing the soul are evolving in a new direction, but before that occurs, with Chiron retrograding on the 4th, we have to revisit the old wounds before moving forward.

During the first week of June Ceres is very active, and because Ceres represents our connection to the earth and to our own bodies, the physical manifestation of our life on earth, this affects us deeply personally. A sextile from Ceres to Chiron on June 2nd helps to facilitate the healing of our relationship to our bodies and the planet, but Uranus is approaching a challenging square to Ceres that peaks on the 6th, followed by a square from Jupiter as it enters Aries. The combination of Jupiter and Uranus, especially in Aries, is bombastic and somewhat overconfident – seeking change (sometimes only for the sake of change itself). There is a desire to put ourselves first and we are dealing with primal needs here which are not always the wisest of motivations. A brief opposition from Mars (energy and drive) to Neptune (soul and spirit) could create some confusion and possibly be somewhat discouraging for a day or two.

With all of this energy swirling about we may find that we lack the focus that we need to move forward with our goals and intentions. This may be somewhat frustrating, but it’s important now to clarify the vision before taking action. Once this energy has settled down we can begin to put our vision into more concrete form.

Mars changes signs on June 6, entering Virgo where it will remain until the end of July. Mars in Virgo, an earth sign of order and routine, will help us to ground the exciting power of Jupiter and Uranus in Aries. In Virgo Mars seeks a more practical approach to our lives, so after June 6 planning and organization will become much easier AND more important.

On the 7th Mars forms a harmonious trine to Ceres which changes signs the same day, retrograding back into expansive Sagittarius where we are inspired to care for ourselves and others (Ceres) through expanding our knowledge and wisdom about the world around us. Ceres will remain in Sagittarius until October.

Mercury (mental functioning) forms a harmonious trine to Saturn on June 8, the day that Jupiter and Uranus conjoin in the sky. Mercury transits typically last less than a day and are usually not very notable, but Mercury is very active over the next few days. The trine to Saturn on the 8th helps us to harness our ideas in a way that easily manifests into form. A challenging square to Neptune on the 9th could create difficulties in business matters and other forms of communication, but on the 10th Mercury enters Gemini, harmonizing with both Jupiter and Uranus, bringing new insights and excitement into the picture.

For the next few weeks with Mercury in its own sign of Gemini the mental realm is activated, helping ideas to flow smoothly and aiding our ability to adapt to new circumstances. This process is facilitated by the Gemini New Moon on June 12th. The New Moon phase offers an opportunity for a new beginning, and in Gemini this opportunity takes us into the mental realm where we experiment with new ideas and ways of living our life before actually manifesting these ideas into form.

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Top Planetary Events of the Week: Nov. 23-29

November 22, 2009 By
This is written for Eastern time zone, please adjust for your own locality.

  • Moon begins the week in Aquarius – emotional detachment prevails.
  • Lots of Venus this week!  Venus in Scorpio squares Jupiter on the 23rd creating a fertile climate for social events; however, there is a possibility of broken dates (Jupiter) and demand for retribution (Scorpio Venus).
  • Moon moves into Pisces on the 24th at 11:07 am bringing dreamlike wonder and mystery.
  • The Sun forms a harmonious sextile to Saturn on the morning of the 24th.  Focus and acuity are the gifts today!
  • Venus squares Chiron all day, peaking near midnight – watch for hurt feelings and the necessity to go deep where others are concerned.
  • Venus trines Uranus on the 25th – break out of your routine and look for the unexpected.
  • On the 26th (Thanksgiving in the US) Mercury trines Mars, limiting the number of arguments that are likely when families get together.
  • On the other hand, a square from Venus to Neptune suggests that unrealistic expectations may create some problems.
  • Moon enters Aries late on the 26th, and for a few days it’s all about ME and that’s a good thing.
  • Moon enters Taurus early on the 29th, bringing with it a need for luxury and delicious foods.
  • Mercury is sextile Chiron on the 29th culminating late in the evening bringing greater wisdom to our emotional world.
You can sign up for Lynn’s Skywatch: Planetary Illuminations, a monthly report of planetary activity from an astrological point of view, on my website.
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Top Planetary Events of the Week: Nov. 2-8

November 2, 2009 By
Sorry this comes a day late!  What with the Skywatch and the Full Moon I got a bit behind. :)
This is written for the Eastern time zone, please adjust for your own locality.
1.  Full Moon on the 2nd!  Moon is in Taurus, squared by Mars in Leo.  For more information read my Full Moon post.
2.  Busy Moon on the 3rd in challenging square to the Big Three (Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune).  Emotional rollercoaster likely, but Taurus will try to keep the peace.
3.  Moon enters Gemini late on Tuesday opening the doors of communication and mental activity.
4.  Neptune turns direct on the 4th!  Creativity, spirituality – and perhaps confusion enter the mix.
5.  Sun conjoins Mercury in Scorpio on the 5th – Gemini Moon wants superficiality but the Scorpio Mercury must go deep.  Today you have to choose, and Scorpio usually wins.
6.  Moon enters Cancer early am on the 6th.
7.  Venus enters Scorpio on the evening of the 7th, and now there are three planets in Scorpio.  Intense, focused, fierce!
8.  Moon enters Leo on the 8th, the harbinger of a busy astrological day.  More focus is put now on the role of the individual and that means ME.
9.  Mercury squares Jupiter, bringing the potential for arguments and a bit of arrogant behavior on the part of SOMEONE.
10. Venus sextiles Pluto, softening the effect of #9 and encouraging the conversation to deepen and enrich the lives of everyone.
No radio show Sunday the 8th!  I’ll be in Jamaica, Mon.
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Skywatch is Posted! And the Leo/Aquarius Polarity

August 3, 2008 By

Skywatch for August is posted here, and here’s a snippet on this month’s eclipse cycle along with news for the first week of August:

August begins with the first of a pair of Leo/Aquarius eclipses, this one a Solar Eclipse with the New Moon in Leo, opening a doorway to self expression and a healthy ego (Leo).  (You can read more about this eclipse here.)  The Sun, Mercury and Venus are all in Leo now, facilitating and encouraging the development of the Self, but the South Node, pointing to the past and what is comfortable is in the midst of all the Leo energy which suggests that the ego is holding us back at this time.

The North Node, the signpost to the future, is in Aquarius where it has been locked in a conjunction to Chiron since May or so and this conjunction will remain in effect for another couple of months as Chiron (now retrograde) makes a station before turning direct again and moving on.  Aquarius, as the polar opposite of Leo, calls upon us to surrender our personal goals and dreams for the sake of the collective.  It tends to be rather impersonal and cares not a whit about the ego.  Social justice and individual liberty for all is the realm of Aquarius, and the tension between these two dynamics will be in play for quite some time but has been highlighted by the Leo Eclipse of August 1.

On August 4 an opposition from Mercury (communication) in Leo to the Chiron/North Node conjunction continues to call our attention to this dichotomy.  Mercury in Leo tends to see things from the perspective of the ego, and Chiron, in its role as the Wounded Healer, may put us into situations where the pain of the ego is revealed. Look for arguments and hurt feelings caused by a lack of sensitivity. Suppressing the ego is not a useful way to manage this polarity – instead we must recognize the needs of the ego but balance them with the needs of our communities.  A trine from Venus (relating to others) to Pluto (transformation) that day will help to smooth the way by making it easier to recognize the deep changes that are needed in order to improve communication in our relationships.

On August 5 Venus enters Virgo which begins to lessen the strong and fiery Leo influence and turn our attention more towards serving (Virgo) the people around us.  Mars (energy, inspiration) is moving into position to oppose Uranus (revolutionary thinking) the following day, and this could create energy imbalance, recklessness and the potential for accidents caused by carelessness.  An opposition from Mercury (mental function) to Neptune (dreams and illusions) can confuse the issues and prevent us from seeing clearly.  This can be a volatile combination making this a good day to be as conscious as possible!

If you’d like your own subscription to Skywatch, which includes an abridged version in simpler language, visit my website and sign up!

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