NEWS
COSMIC IMPRINT
For those who have not yet seen Cosmic Imprint, this new astrology tv show goes to air Monday nights at 8pm on Channel 31. Congratulations to Julie McBeth for her hard work in getting this show up.
I will be appearing on Cosmic Imprint on Monday November 3, and Monday November 10.
You can also watch Cosmic Imprint (including past episodes featuring a host of professional Melbourne based and international astrologers) at their website,
NOVEMBER 2008
Uranus opposing Saturn (first of 5 exact hits)
November 4 2008
There comes a time when each generation reaches the zenith of its power and influence, often around midlife. At some point each generation confronts the older established order, particularly if it stands in the way of the future.
Uranus and Saturn last opposed each other in the mid 1960s. This aspect heralds a powerful shift in consciousness, a major awakening which brings social change in its wake.
The urgent need to address climate change and restructure our established systems is part of this process. This is one of the major challenges of this aspect, (and of Pluto in Capricorn).
With Saturn and Uranus there are five exact alignments of this opposition over the next two years, suggesting this is not going to be easy.
This opposition heralds a major cycle of outer planet alignments that will continue until at least 2015.
After the 5 hits of Uranus/Saturn then Uranus and Pluto will square one another, and this aspect occurs a total of 7 times! Saturn will also be involved in this alignment, forming a T-square.
Currently we have Saturn on one side of the Earth, representing the old established order. Saturn, the planet of authority, big business and government rules and regulations is conservative, measured, structured, practical and cautious, and respects tradition.
On the other side is Uranus, who is rebellious, innovative and unpredictable and represents individuality, freedom, new technology, humanity as a whole, creativity and the future.
Both Saturn and Uranus represent important and necessary processes, but because they are so different in their energy and style, the opposition between them tends to polarise them further.
While this is likely to be a challenging and potentially stressful time, it’s also exactly what is needed to help us implement new practical and innovative solutions to the many problems we face.
It's all about finding a balance between these two energies.
For example, part of the problem that has led to the current finanical crisis was the lack of government regulation in the banking sector. Lenders have had too much freedom and now more controls are coming back.
One way to restore balance is by connecting with the Earth itself, so we can centre and ground ourselves which will greatly assist in finding a way to help these energies work in harmony with each other.
While change can be difficult to manage, new technologies and systems are likely to be developed, bringing new opportunities, helping us reconnect with our creativity and develop new approaches to living.
It’s worth noting that Saturn and Uranus are now exactly reversed from their positions in the 1960s, so if you were born at that time, 2008-9 is likely to be a time of major change for you and though this can be scary, it can also wake us up to what is possible in an infinite universe.
To better understand what areas of your life will most be affected and how you can work with these energies to bring about creative change in your life, look to the houses where these planets are transiting and any other planets located at or around the degrees of the zodiac listed below.
Now is a good time to initiate change, or at least think about what changes you want to make in your life so you are prepared when the time comes.
Note any area of your life where you feel stale, stuck or fearful, for this cycle of change can help you break free from negative patterns that may be holding you back, and help you find a way to make your creative ideas a material reality.
Date Degrees Signs
5/11/2008 18 degrees Virgo/Pisces
5/2/2009 20 degrees Virgo/Pisces
15/9/2009 24 degrees Virgo/Pisces
27/4/2010 28 degrees Virgo/Pisces
27/7/2010 0 degrees Libra/Aries
US ELECTION
In the chart for the first exact alignment of this aspect, set for Washington D.C., Saturn and Uranus straddle the MC-IC with Saturn prominent on the Midheaven, directly above Washington.
It’s very difficult to predict the outcome of this election. While on the one hand the prominent Saturn might seem to indicate a conservative victory, Uranus is shifting the energy from beneath, suggesting that deep down the American people want change.
The two planets associated with the mood of the people and the masses, are the Moon, which is in conservative Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, and Neptune, which is associated with the collective unconscious, and it is in Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, so again this doesn’t give us a clear picture, however since Aquarius is also ruled by Saturn, and as Neptune continues to engage in a mutual reception with Uranus, perhaps this means that Obama (Uranus) will capture more of the total overall vote. His campaign slogan, is after all, CHANGE.
It’s also worth noting that Neptune stations direct on November 2, which is likely to assist Obama, who is more of a visionary and idealist than McCain.
On closer inspection, Mercury, the ruling planet of Saturn (McCain) is at the anaretic degree, (29 Libra) which again does not favour a Republican victory.
Mercury will move into Scorpio as the day unfolds, indicating that people may be making a decision about who to vote for right at the last minute, although many have already cast their vote.
Whoever wins they will have a tough job ahead. My gut feeling is that Obama will win, but this also probably has something to do with my own bias.
THE MELBOURNE CUP
The 2008 Melbourne Cup will be run on the same calendar day as the US election, but since we are ahead of the US time-wise, the Melbourne Cup will be run before the US election.
The outcome of this race may give us a clue to the winner of the election.
Perhaps the name of the horse will be symbolic of the winning candidate. My feeling is the race will either be very close, or one horse will win by a long margin.
In this chart, the Saturn Uranus opposition is almost exact, and sits in angular houses.
Last year Efficient (number 6) was the winner and with hindsight, this seems highly appropriate, since Saturn was in Virgo, the sixth sign, arguably the most efficient sign of the zodiac. It was also in the sixth house and even located at 6 degrees of Virgo!
Using this idea I have looked at a couple of other Melbourne Cups to see which planets were emphasised in the same way.
In 2004 the second year Makybe Diva won, the horse was wearing number 5. In that chart Venus was dignified in Libra and in the 7th house at 5 Libra.
In 2005 the same horse won, wearing saddlecloth 1. In that chart Jupiter, the MC Ruler was in Scorpio and in the 8th house at 1 Scorpio. The Melbourne Cup is always run with Sagittarius on the MC and Pisces rising so this doesn't give us much to work with, nevertheless I am starting to wonder if there is something to this idea and note that in this year's chart there are two planets located at 21 degrees, one is Mars which is dignified in Scorpio. Perhaps number 21 will win, or a horse name which contains symbols associated with Mars.
Of course not all horses' names have a symbolic meaning that can be applied to the planets and signs.
Initial thoughts...
But looking at some of the names of horses this year, a few stand out. The one that hit me the most was Yellowstone. There are a number of others that seem symbolic of the energy of the times including; Mad Rush, Zipping, Boundless as well as Honolulu because it is connected to Borack Obama.
I've always associated bright yellow with Uranus (both having an energy that is exciting, open, free, and interested in the future and change) and in Chinese Astrology yellow (a more earthy hue) is associate with Saturn. Stone of course is related to Saturn too, as in the myth. At this stage my tips are Yellowstone and whichever horse is number 21.
After the barrier draw...
I looked at all the horses, their colours, their names and numbers, and I've decided on 21, 8 and 18. Prize Lady, Mad Rush and Profound Beauty. I also like Red Lord, No 19.
After the Race...
Well I didn't have much luck or skill in selecting a winner, which was Number 10, Viewed.
John Frawley's method of using Campanus Houses and looking to the 5th cusp and moving it to the closest aspect, holds up in this instance in that the Sun was the planet making the closest aspect to that point. No need to even look at the sign the Sun is in, nor house, just the intrinsic nature of the Sun itself describes the winning horse, as Viewed is clearly associated with the Sun.
Better luck next time.
Scorpio Full Moon
13 Nov 2008
Sabian Symbol for Moon: A white dove over troubled waters.
At this Full Moon, as a prelude to Pluto’s complete ingress into Capricorn, which happens at the next New Moon, Venus now crosses this cardinal threshold.
Most things in life need to be seen in the light of the bigger picture, especially at this time when the outer planets are involved in such intense aspects.
The Moon is exalted here, operating powerfully in the sign associated with money and resources. Now that the US elections are over, and given the financial mess they are in, withdrawing from Iraq would seem to be in the best interests of the US both morally and financially. Some announcement may be made on this front.
The Moon and Sun are in exact square to Neptune, however, and given the cluster of powerful energies at work at this time, this Full Moon may trigger a possible earthquake or volcanic eruption. Areas of stress on Earth include the Mexico City region.
On a personal note, this T-Square seems to be asking us to ponder the nature of our personal values, both material and spiritual.
Fortunately, Uranus and Jupiter form an exact (to the minute) sextile aspect, and as Jupiter in Caprciron also trines Saturn its ruler, this will greatly assist us to think outside the square and adopt new approaches to old problems.
Pluto enters Capricorn
27 Nov 2008
When I wrote my Pluto in Capricorn article in 2006, I thought it would take a while for this cycle to kick in. Pluto’s action is generally slow and relentless.
No doubt Jupiter’s in Capricorn has also slowed economic growth, and coming with Saturn and Uranus opposing, we have been going through a roller coaster.
It’s feasible now that Pluto is shifting into Capricorn fully, that we may see more stability in world markets.
Jupiter will shift into Aquarius in January, which indicates a more positive mood, but the recovery is probably not going to be as fast as the downturn has been.
In this ingress chart Pluto is in trine to Vesta in Taurus, which seeks to align us to our spiritual values which will help sustain us during this transition.
The Moon is in its Balsamic Phase, and in Scorpio, suggesting also that now is a good time for inner reflection and to engage in a clearing out and letting go process, both literally and metaphorically.
By adopting spiritual, but also practical measures and values that honour the spirit of Gaia, we can attune ourselves to this vibration.
Practical measures such as recycling, op shopping, re-gifting and de-cluttering, clearing out our closets of unwanted material possessions that others can make good use of, is a creative use of this energy. This also helps clear the way for a new creative influx of energy.
Similarly, detoxifying and releasing emotional baggage are all positive ways to work with this powerful energy.
Venus and Jupiter are in trine to Saturn in earth signs, suggesting that by taking a conservative approach in our material choices, we can reap rewards over the longer term.
Just as Pluto crosses the solstice point, Uranus stations direct, heralding amazing new discoveries and showing us that we are living in truly extraordinary times.
New Moon Sagittarius
28 Nov 2008
Sabian Symbol for Sun and Moon: A game of cricket.
Mercury and Mars align closely with this New Moon in Sagittarius, suggesting a sporty, more upbeat and positive energy in the lead up to Christmas. Watch for excess.
Jupiter and Venus are very close to each other in the sky now, and can be seen as two very bright beacons in the evening skies. Passions run hot and competition is heightened, yet in conservative Capricorn, the longer term goal is always in mind.
