Astroair Astrology by Mandi Lockley

An Urgent Post About Saturn in Libra (& Your Personal Saturn Review)

2012-01-22T20:55:00.000Z

Saturn in Libra requires our seriousconsideration over the next few weeks. Mid January, it moved into the finaldegree of Libra, where it will stay until March 3.

The final degree of any sign, the 29^thdegree, is known as the Anaretic (or Critical) Degree. When a planet is at the Anaretic Degree thereis a sense of urgency and extremism. Closure is required before the planet canmove fully into the energies of the next sign, so issues/themes related to theplanet’s outgoing sign placement come to a head. Things can seem as if they’reat the end of their rope with fast action required to find a solution. Issuesthat have been complacently pushed to one side tend to pop up for urgentresolution. There’s a sense that time is running out. Decisions need to be madequickly.

For Saturn in Libra, this is an especiallytense visit to the Anaretic Degree. It will stay there longer than it usuallywould due to its slow movement as it prepares to station Retrograde at 29 Libraon February 8 (see data at the end). The Retrograde (apparent backwardmovement) of Saturn makes it doubly likely that old issues will come up overthe next few weeks.

Saturn Retrograde in the final degree ofLibra is a time to review your progress over the last couple of years. Tie up looseends, clear up unresolved issues, reflect upon losses one last time, allowyourself to enjoy the rewards of your achievements, make some (perhapsdifficult) decisions, restore your senseof balance and prepare to let go so you can move on.

How this will affect you depends on whichhouse Saturn in Libra is transiting in your chart and which natal planets it’stransiting, if any. The house Saturn has been moving through reflects thearea of your life where you have been facing Saturn’s tests, delays, obstaclesand challenges, where you have had to take responsibility, meet obligations andlearn lessons.

Inparticular, Saturn in Libra has brought lessons and tests around diplomacy,compromise and fairness. It’s asked you to take relationships more seriously, toset healthy boundaries and to get the give-take balance right. Any kind ofrelationship could have felt like a heavy responsibility under this transit.Solid relationships have become more committed, but others may have broken down. We have learnt lessons aroundcommunicating and relating to others. We’ve been urged to play by the rules,stop competing and learn to cooperate and negotiate. Disputes, arguments andclaims may have arisen. Some have been settled, but others remain to beresolved. Under Saturn in Libra peace and harmony has been more than possible,but you will have discovered that achieving it requires hard work, patience andconstant compromise.

YourPersonal Saturn in Libra Review

Backin 2010, Astroair Astrology wrote about the themes of Saturn in Libra throughthe Houses, including handy tips. Use these themes and tips as your startingpoint for your own Saturn in Libra Review.

Hereare the links:

Saturn in Libra through Houses 1-6

Saturn in Libra through Houses 7-12

Incase you’re quite new to astrology, both links explain how to quickly andeasily work out what house Saturn in Libra is moving through.

Hereare a a few questions to start you off (relate these to the area of liferepresented by the house Saturn has been transiting):

Whathave I learnt?

Whatobstacles have I overcome?

What new responsibilities have I taken on?Are they still relevant going forwards?

Where have I been held back/held myself back?

Whathave I achieved?

Howhas the way I have related to others improved?

Where in my life (or in the life of others),have I helped to create harmony and good relating?

What loose ends do I need to tie up?

What compromises have I had to make? Has itbeen worth it?

What do I need to let go of?

What decisions need to be made now?

Ihope things come together for you over the next few weeks. Certainly, having apersonal review now can only help, especially if things come to an urgent headand you need to act quickly or make a difficult decision. Let me know how youget on.

Withlove,

Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Data

January15, 2012: Saturn enters 29 Libra 00 (enters the Anaretic Degree)
February8, 2012: Saturn stations Retrograde 29 Libra 30
March3, 2012: Saturn enters 28 Libra 59 (leaves the Anaretic Degree)
June 25, 2012: Saturn turns direct on 25 June at 22 Libra 45
September28, 2012: Saturn enters 29 Libra 00 (re-enters the Anaretic Degree)
October 6, 2012: Saturn enters Scorpio

Don't Worry, It's Not the End of the World ~ Debunking 2012

2012-01-12T18:54:00.000Z

“The sands of time are running out for the world and not even Indiana Jones can save us now. The astrological alignments and numerological formulae cannot be wrong: on December 21 this year, the apocalypse foretold 5,125 years ago by the ancient Mayans will come to pass and the world will end.”

This is a quote from The Daily Mail newspaper, in an article that went on to debunk the 2012 end of day theories.

Yes, the Mayan calendar comes to an end, apparently, but this does not mean the end of time. What it does mean is a mystery, but nowhere did the Mayans predict a world ending apocalypse, to the best knowledge of archaeologists and anthropologists.

Even if the Mayans did prophesise doom and gloom, we know that prophesies (ancient and modern) are very open to interpretation and rarely if ever come true. Remember Harold Camping who was convinced that the bible predicted the end on October 21 2011? He had to make an embarrassing retreat when sunrise heralded another earth day on October 22. Many of Camping’s followers, as is often the case, were left out of pocket.

As an astrologer, I can tell you there is nothing in the December 21, 2012 chart that predicts the end of the world. I hang my reputation on that and if any astrologer out there can prove to me otherwise, on the basis of the astrological measurements and the common sense application of factual evidence, then I will give up astrology for good!

You see, while planetary alignments suggest the type of energy that will prevail, we cannot accurately predict how that energy will manifest. This is because, as human beings, we have the free will to decide whether to draw upon the energy available and if we do, we have the free will to decide how to use it - destructively or creatively, for our own good or for the good of others and so on. For example, the disruptive, rebellious, sudden-change inciting energies that accompany the on-going Uranus-Pluto square are there to be tapped into. While many of us will proactively embrace the opportunity for a shake-up of the status quo, still more of us will carry on with business as usual, dealing with change only when we absolutely have to.

Imbedded in the symbolism of every astrological alignment, however challenging it looks on paper, is the opportunity for positive growth and change. It’s up to us, collectively and individually, to make the best of it and to positively learn from the experience.

When ‘sensible’ astrologers make predictions (or forecasts, as I prefer to call them) they are based on our practical knowledge and experience, including our understanding of the symbolism of the planets, our experience of what occurred during previous similar alignments and our knowledge of history and/or current affairs (or personal history and current circumstances in the case of a forecast for an individual person). To that we apply a big dollop of good old fashioned common sense. Only then do we have a set of realistic assumptions on which to make a forecast.

When forecasting the future, headline grabbing sensationalism which taps into people’s fears, should play no part. Neither should astrologers claim to have some kind of special hotline to the gods.

I learnt astrology by taking classes, sitting exams, reading books, studying myself and my friends, sharing with my colleagues and listening to my clients. I am not a chosen one with exclusive access to arcane knowledge and I don’t hear voices in my head. I am not a guru and I don’t need followers. I simply want to help my clients and readers and encourage them to question me and more importantly to question themselves and the world. I would be worried if anyone took my opinions and suggestions as the final and only word on the matter.

An end of the world prediction based on no real evidence, astrological or otherwise, will never come from an astrologer who knows their stuff.

Yes, we can say with some authority that we are going through challenging times and that things could well get tougher. In the years to come, an economic catastrophe to make the 2008 banking crisis look trifling is a possibility, as are environmental disasters, but these events are by no means inevitable.

We should be prepared for anything, but we should not live in fear, for it is fear that the 2012 doom mongers are playing on. Many of them are cashing in nicely. The Daily Mail article mentions an entrepreneur who is selling places in bunkers for $50,000 to those who are wealthy enough and dumb enough to fall for the con. And there are entire websites devoted to selling 2012 survival kits. Anything from gas masks to bullet proof vests. A year’s supply of dehydrated food is there for the ordering if you can afford the thousand-dollar plus price tag.

So let’s be sensible this 2012. It’s wise to plan for potential hardship, but healthy to hope for a better world and responsible to do our bit to try to make that happen.

Instead of running scared and giving your money and energy to gurus and salesmen and other scaremongers, be smart with your time and even smarter with your money. Ask questions, pull your head out of the sand, look around, trust yourself and stay flexible.

We are living through a time of great challenge, but even greater possibility. Are you ready?

www.mandilockley.com

Say Hello 2012, Wave Goodbye 2011 (and some handy survival tips)

2012-01-01T17:30:00.001Z

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and I hope you enjoyed the celebrations. Of course, we weren't just saying hello to the New Year, we were letting go of the old year.

I celebrated with friends and at midnight, as we stood on the roof of their building watching the fireworks over London, someone shouted, goodbye 2011, you were c**p! Yes, without a doubt, 2011 was a year when many of us were swept up in a tide of change, challenge and difficulty.

This was reflected in the symbolism of the planetary alignments, most notably the applying square of radical, impetuous Uranus in Aries to Pluto in Capricorn, which demands sweeping transformation of our societal structures from the foundations up, including our economic and political structures and leaders. Who would have believed that 2011 would see the end of Mubarak's regime in Egypt, the overthrowing of Tunisia's President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the humiliating fall of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi? Instead, People Power was the way forward, witnessed most dramatically in the Arab Spring uprisings, but also in the riots and protests across Europe and in the worldwide Occupy movement.

Saturn continued through Libra, prompting us to question the boundaries of our relationships and alliances, on a personal level but also on a collective and political level. In the Eurozone crisis for example, relationships amongst EU countries have been strained almost to the limit over questions around who should pay to bailout failing Eurozone countries.

Neptune continued to travel hand in hand with Chiron, as both planets played out their last days in Aquarius and immersed themeselves in watery Pisces (Neptune finally leaves Aquarius behind in February). This suggests a collective (and for some, a personal) need to feel and understand sacrifice at a deep level. We're being told that, even though times are hard and set to get even harder, we're all in this together. Beware though, Neptune can be the great deceiver. Are we really all in this together? The Occupy Movement would say no we're not, the 99% are being asked to pick up the tab for the mistakes of the 1% who continue to 'get away with it'. The romanticism of Neptune in Pisces came out in the fairy tale fantasy that was the royal wedding and we were reminded of the destructive power of water by the devastating tsunami and nucleur crisis in Japan.

What will 2012 bring, more of the same? I believe it will bring the same and more.

The new People Power is only just finding its feet. It will continue to gain momentum as Uranus and Pluto make their first and second of seven exact squares in June and September 2012. Five more squares follow in 2013, 14 and 15. Exciting new leaders will begin to emerge, but in the end will they be any better than the leaders they will replace, or just different? Economically, we're set for another recession in 2012, with some even predicting a depression. I think they're correct, all the indications are there. It's a necessary step towards overhauling a system that is no longer working. We have failed to change voluntarily so we must do it the hard way. It's just a pity that this will mean suffering for so many. As for the '1%', as the Uranus and Pluto squares bed in, we will see more and more of them being held accountable for the messes they have created. Expect to see an avalanche of corporate and political heads rolling over the next three years. Again, will their replacements be any better or will the ousted leaders just be sacrificial gestures (Neptune in Pisces) so that the 1% can get back to 'business as usual' as quickly as possible? This is a time when we really can change the world, but also a time where it will be too easy to miss the opportunity if we don't fight hard enough or shout loud enough.

In October 2012, Saturn makes a clean break from Libra and enters Scorpio, where it will remain until 2015. Uneasy alliances and shaky friendships won't survive this transition. The UK coalition government will begin to break down, perhaps acrimoniously and I will be surprised if we don't see more than one country crashing out ot the Euro currency. People and communities, as well as countries, will become more secretive and more concerned about protecting what they've got, less inclined to share or compromise. Law and order, national, local and personal security and immigration will become hot topics during Saturn's time in Scorpio. See Theodore White's article for more on Saturn in Scorpio.

Neptune in Pisces will be reflected on all levels, all at once. Expect the power of nature to make herself known over and over, but also expect to be heartened by the compassion and empathy of the human race in response to any kind of suffering or hardship. This is where Chiron in Pisces comes in and it will be those who have suffered the most that will have the most to offer others in hardship or despair. Neptune in Pisces will continue to come out through music, fashion, movies and in our spirituality. Expect a fantasy/escapism theme to emerge in all these areas. Fashion will follow film and the Maggie Thatcher look (yes, really), will be the height of glamour, closely followed by styles from The Great Gatsby. New findings into the nature of consciousness and the interconnectedness of all life will be published. Science will more and more come to feel like a religious experience, as discoveries in astrophysics push the boundaries of our comprehension and make us question reality. Lies and trickery will also be the order of Neptune in Pisces and deceptions will be uncovered. The full extent of the phone hacking scandal will emerge, including details of exactly how Piscean Rupert Murdoch played his part.

My survival tips for 2012?

Don't believe all that you see or all that you hear. Seek the answers from within and even then question yourself. In fact, this is a year to question everything,

Fight for your rights (and for the rights of others).

Stand up for who you are and be the unique person you were always meant to be.

Don't blindly follow any kind of leader, especially any kind of guru who claims to have all the answers.

Folllow your own lead.

Be your own boss.

Cut out the weed, cut down on the booze, keep a toe in reality if you're tempted to go on any flight of fantasy.

Create something beautiful.

Let go of the illusion of security and feel safe anyway.

2012 will push many of us to the edge, keeping clean and healthy in mind, body and spirit will help us to appreciate the view without falling off.

Most of all, do it all with love.

Hold on tight, our future is here

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Planetary Retrograde Dates for 2012

2011-12-31T11:49:00.000Z

Planetary Retrogrades for 2012

(For an explanation of retrograde and direct, please click here)

Mercury
Mercury turns retrograde on 12 Mar at 6 Aries 49
Mercury turns direct on 4 April at 23 Pisces 50

Mercury turns retrograde on 15 July at 12 Leo 32
Mercury turns direct on 8 Aug at 1 Leo 25

Mercury turns retrograde on 6 November at 04 Sagittarius 18
Mercury turns direct on 26 November at 18 Scorpio 10

Venus
Venus turns retrograde on 15 May at 23 Gemini 59
Venus turns direct on 27 June at 07 Gemini 29

Mars
Mars turns retrograde on 24 January at 23 Virgo 05
Mars turns direct on 14 April at 03 Virgo 41

Jupiter
Jupiter turns retrograde on 4 October at 16 Gemini 22
Jupiter turns direct on 30 January 2013 at 06 Gemini 19

Saturn

Saturn turns retrograde on 8 February at 29 Libra 30
Saturn turns direct on 25 June at 22 Libra 45

Uranus

Uranus turns retrograde on 13 Jul 2011 at 08 Aries 32
Uranus turns direct on 13 December at 04 Aries 36

Neptune
Neptune turns retrograde on 4 June at 03 Pisces 09

Neptune turns direct on 11 November at 00 Pisces 21

Pluto
Pluto turns retrograde on 10 Apr at 09 Capricorn 33
Pluto turns direct on 18 Sep at 06 Capricorn 57

Chiron
Chiron turns retrograde on 12 June at 09 Pisces 45
Chirons turns direct on 14 November at 04 Pisces 58

Note: dates are based on European time zones and may vary by a maximum of one day for other time zones.

See also:

An Explanation of Retrograde, Station and Direct
Retrograde Planets in the Birth Chart

Mandi

http://www.mandilockley.com/

December Astrology Part 2 - Season's Meetings and Greetings

2011-12-20T19:29:00.000Z

Season's Greetings!

Continuing Astroair's summary of December's astrological happenings...

Love, peace and harmony planet Venus moves into Aquarius, the sign of friendship and teamwork on December 20. This might not be the sexiest or most affectionate placement for Venus, but it's good for getting together with groups of people during this seasonal time, be that your complicated family or your circle of friends. Venus in Aquarius can seem detached at times, so if you or a loved one comes over a little aloof, just give yourself or them a bit of space and you/they will soon be back to their sociable self.

A Square between Venus and Jupiter on December 21, can only be a good thing, so expect peace, love and harmony to break out all around!

On December 22, the Sun moves into Capricorn. As a December Capricorn myself, I feel bound to defend my much maligned sign. Far from being serious and boring, Capricorns can be a wacky bunch, just check out these quotes from some famous cappies. Far from being slow and patient, Capricorns are dynamic and swift acting once they decide what they want and work out how to get it. However, discovering what they want and being in a position to get it might take some some time. This is because Saturn is trying to teach them the lesson of patience and well earned reward. This might be hard for cappy to swallow at times, but unfortunately there it is!

The Sun's entry into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere). The chart for the Solstice is commonly used as a predictor for the season to come, at least until the Spring Equinox which marks the Sun's passage into Aries.

In the Solstice Chart the Sun trines Jupiter, presenting us with an opportunity to feel optimistic about the end of this year and the beginning of next, especially as Jupiter turns direct on December 25, after being retrograde since the end of August. Sun square Uranus asks us to brace ourselves for the unexpected, as disruptive and perhaps surprising elements come into play. Without a doubt, change is in the air in the coming months, another indicator of which is Sun conjunct Pluto. This aspect is still quite wide in the Solstice Chart, but becomes exact on December 29, in time for the tail end of the year. Of course, with Pluto being in Capricorn since 2008, every winter solstice chart for the past few years has had Sun conjunct Pluto. This reflects the fact that Pluto’s idea of change is slow, deep, transformation. We cannot doubt that the world is slowly becoming a very different kind of place for so many of us. In this season’s solstice chart, Jupiter opposite Saturn arms us with a sense of purpose to help us tackle any challenge that comes our way. Finally, Moon square Neptune suggests that the general mood will be our collective desire to escape, dream and get away from it all. Indulge if you must, but beware of deceiving yourself about what is real and what is not. Strictly speaking, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is!

December 24 brings a New Moon in Capricorn. I always think of the Capricorn New Moon as the start to the New Year... New Moons are seeding times, when we can ‘plant’ our intentions and watch them grow. Therefore, if you do have any New Year’s resolutions, decide upon them around this New Moon. OK, with the holiday indulgences in full swing, it might not be practical to put them into action until the New Year but setting the intention now can’t hurt, can it? And make a note to check back in on those resolutions around the time of the Aries Equinox in March, a time which marks another new beginning.

Wishing all my readers a happy and peaceful end to the year and a happy and healthy 2012.

Thanks for reading.

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Summary of December's Astrology

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto
December 2: Sun square Mars
December 5: Venus trine Mars
December 9: Uranus turns Direct
December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
December 13: Mercury turns Direct
December 18: Venus squares Saturn
December 20: Venus enters Aquarius
December 21: Venus squares Jupiter
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): The Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere)
December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus
December 24: New Moon in Capricorn
December 25: Jupiter stations Direct

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

December Astrology Pt. 1 Letting Go and Moving Forward

2011-12-01T12:14:00.000Z

Welcome to December, the final month before we enter the long awaited year of 2012. More on that to come, but for now, what opportunities and challenges will the end of 2011 bring? Look no further, because here's the first of Astroair's monthly summaries...

December 1: Venus conjuncts Pluto
It’s a passionate start to December, as love planet Venus gets into bed with intense Pluto. This alignment creates an atmosphere where deep feelings surface. Love affairs can feel fated and emotions are experienced at the most profound level. You may become aware of your own or someone else’s jealousy during this transit. It could also prompt a new understanding of what or who you need to let go of. The power of money is also highlighted when Venus and Pluto join forces.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.

December 2: The Sun squares Mars
When the Sun and Mars square up we can expect to receive a welcome energy boost and find renewed vigour and courage to pursue our goals, but this gift comes with conditions. The Sun is in optimistic, risk-taking Sagittarius but Mars is in the cautious, pedantic, less confident sign of Virgo. Being competitive just for the sake of winning (and boosting your ego) is not the best approach during this transit. Instead choose to act in a way that helps others, not just your-self. Also try to think things out carefully and check all the details before proceeding especially so because Mercury is currently retrograde and hovering very close to the Sun.
This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.

December 5: Venus trines Mars
After the intensity of Venus conjunct Pluto, this pleasant trine between Venus and Mars should be a welcome relief. It’s a time to rebalance your emotions and send out the ‘olive branch’ if things need smoothing over with your loved one. Doing something nice for someone you care about is a great way to make the most of the energies now.
This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.

December 9: Uranus turns direct
Uranus has been retrograde since July and now finally starts to move forward again. Whenever, Uranus is activated the motto is to ‘expect the unexpected’. It’s not easy to plan for surprises, but at least it can help reduce the shock factor if you are open to change and ready to be flexible. In fact, this turn around can really help you to let go of the past and move forward into your future with a renewed sense of hope. Embrace change, be open to new possibilities and this can be an exciting time. More so, if you are currently experiencing a Uranus transit.
You are having a Uranus transit – which can last up to a year - if you have planets or angles in the very early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or even if you have planets or angles in the last degree of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com.) Click on the link for more on how to cope/get the best out of your Uranus transit.

December 10: Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
A Lunar Eclipse is an extra special Full Moon. Expect relationships to come under the spotlight and be prepared to receive new information about just about anything. This is a good time for finding out exactly where you stand and using that new information to progress with plans and goals that have felt like they were never going to move forward. The fact that Mercury turns direct the day after and Uranus turns direct the day before will help add momentum to that moving forward feeling. Although, with Uranus in the mix, don’t forget to expect the unexpected (see above).

As this is a Gemini Eclipse, charge your cellphone and check your email, because you may receive the news that you have been waiting for. If you do, be ready to act quickly! This is also a great time for getting out and about and socialising, so polish off those party shoes!
Under a Lunar Eclipse things tend to peak, to come to a head, and often something you no longer need will come to an end, so that you can begin anew. This is especially so if the Eclipse touches your chart. This Eclipse affects you directly if you have planets or angles between 17 and 19 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls between December 8 and 11, this could be potentially life changing year ahead for you.

December 13: Mercury in Sagittarius turns direct

What a relief that Mercury, the planet that rules postage, turns around just in time to send out those Christmas packages!
Communication should become easier all round now. Decisions can finally be reached and acted upon, which is great if you're the organised type who wants to plan for the new year ahead. Bear in mind though that Mercury will be in the 'shadow' of its retrograde until December 31, so it won't be until then that all things Mecurial (communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiations, contractual issues and general to-ing and fro-ing) really pick up momentum. Save the longer term planning until then, to be on the safe side. An Eclipse a few days before Mercury direct and Uranus' renewed forward motion (see above), will also help us to make the most of the opportunity to let go of the past and plan for an exciting future.
Mercury turned retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 13 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31. Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 8, 2012.

Summary of December's Alignments
December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto
December 2: Sun square Mars
December 5: Venus trine Mars

December 9: Uranus turns Direct
December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini

December 13: Mercury turns Direct
December 18: Venus squares Saturn (coming in Part 2)

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius (coming in Part 2)

December 21: Venus squares Jupiter (coming in Part 2)

December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

The Sun into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere)

December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus (coming in Part 2)

December 24: New Moon in Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

December 25: Jupiter stations Retrograde (coming in Part 2)

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto
With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Come back soon for part 2 of December's astrological picture, or better still, subscribe below to receive Astroair Astrology direct to your inbox. Astroair will never pass on your details to a third party.

Astrology for November (Part 2)

2011-11-18T16:08:00.001Z

Welcome to part 2 of Astroair’s preview of this month’s main celestial events. I hope November has been good to you so far.

Mercury and Venus have now settled into idealistic, philosophical Sag and are joined by the Sun on the 22^nd, closely followed by a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th. Action planet Mars, however, is bucking the Sagittarian trend, by entering analytic Virgo for a long stay. For more click here.

November 20: Sun Squares Neptune

The Sun’s final cosmic gift before it moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius is a tense square to mystical Neptune.

Whenever Neptune touches the Sun by square, we are invited to question our goals. Is what we are trying to achieve worthy of us, or are we merely trying to feed our ego? Perhaps you experience an ego disappointment now, but remember that sometimes we need to let our ego dissolve so we can get back to the root of what we really need and who we really are.

If you have been doing too much, this is a time (including a day either side of the 20^th) when you could feel wiped out. Listen to what your body and intuition is telling you and take a rest if you can.

Paying extra attention to your dreams and fantasies can provide you with deep insights, because these are helpful energies for connecting with the collective unconscious. However, be careful if your urge to escape from yourself/your ego involves indulging in drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances or activities.

November 22: Sun Enters Sagittarius

There's a sense of spirit and adventure when the Sun’s in the fiery sign of Sagittarius. However, unlike the pioneering 'me first' spirit of Aries and the fiercely loyal but ego-centric 'look at me' fire of Leo, the Sagittarian fire quest is one which takes this sign above and beyond, pushing further onwards and upwards in its search for meaning and its vision of the future.

Sagittarius is the great explorer of the zodiac, reaching out to far flung places, of the world and of the mind. Represented by the Centaur it is the only sign with a mythical creature as its glyph, reminding us that he will go as far as the heavens themselves in order to complete his quest. As the saying goes: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!

Yes, Sagittarius can seem foolhardy or slapdash or downright irresponsible, but what the rest of us sometimes forget is that Sag always has one foot in the future and one eye on the big picture. This panoramic view means that he very often misses the finer details of what's right in front of him, but on the whole this big picture approach tends to work well for Sagittarius. After all, somebody must hold the grand vision for the rest of us.

With jovial Jupiter as its ruler, Sagittarius often seems blessed with good luck, but maybe it's just that he simply gets away with things more easily than the rest of us. Perhaps we let him get away with it because we understand that Sag is one of the most generous and forgiving signs and therefore forgive him all the more easily because of that.

Oh and they’re never shy to speak up. Click here to read what some very famous Sagittarians have to say for themselves.

November 22: Sun Trine Uranus and Mars Trine Pluto

The first thing the Sun does in Sag is form a fire trine to Uranus in Aries on the 23^rd. This alignment offers us the opportunity to think big, to revolutionise our thinking, to find new ways of doing things. There’s a renewed sense of optimism and enthusiasm about the future if you choose to tap into it. Think outside the box and expect the unexpected.

At the same time Mars in Virgo makes an earth trine to Pluto in Capricorn. This is a gentle reminder to think about and plan for the practical realities before you jump headfirst into anything. This alignment provides the impetus to get the job done, whatever the job may be. Tangible results are your reward if you’re willing to invest enough hard graft into your mission.

November 24: Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius

For my money, Mercury retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that has a bark worse than its bite. It is though, worth taking extra care when doing ‘mercurial’ things during the retrograde. This includes all types of communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiation and general to-ing and fro-ing. The common advice is to think twice, double check everything and avoid signing any important contracts, if possible. As this is a Sagittarian Mercury retrograde, we should also be mindful of opening our mouths without thinking first as Sag can be very tactless at times. Overall, I think this retrograde can make us a bit clumsy (physically and mentally), so take extra care. Legal issues could drag on or get re-dragged up now. Long distance travel may cause a few hiccups and study revision might be in order for some.

Mercury turns retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 14 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31.

November 25 (24 in PST time): New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)

This month’s New Moon is a powerful one because it’s a partial solar eclipse. All New Moons represent a fresh start, the beginning of a new cycle, but none more so than an eclipsed one. So what wisdom can we hope to gain from this Sagittarius eclipse? First of all the Sun and Moon are in good company, because communication planet Mercury (freshly retrograde), love planet Venus and the karmic North Node are also in the sign of the wise, expansive, ‘see the bigger perspective’ Archer. Perhaps we are being urged to think bigger, to put our faith and love in something bigger than ourselves? Maybe we are reminded that as one phase ends, another is waiting to start? It is up to us, individually and as a collective to ensure that the fresh start is a positive one.

The eclipse occurs at 2 degrees and 36 minute of Sagittarius, so if you have planets or points at 0-4 degrees of Sagittarius or Gemini, the eclipse makes a direct contact with your chart and you may feel it more strongly (get your chart at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls on 24^th or 25^th November, this could be a very significant year for you. For more on eclipses see Working withEclipses.

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (then squares Uranus and trines Jupiter)

Somehow, Venus in Capricorn doesn’t sound like a very cuddly, affectionate placement does it? Remember though, that Capricorn is one of the sensuous earth signs. While Venus in Capricorn’s affection is given cautiously, when it is given, it’s serious, genuine and for keeps.

When Venus squares impulsive Uranus on the 27^th, the urge may be to detach yourself from relationship commitment. But before you turn cold on the one you love, try injecting a little excitement into things, it might be just the boost you need. With Jupiter in super sensual Taurus making a trine to Venus at the same time, it should be easier to inject a bit of playful physicality into your love life to counteract the more serious side of things. This trine is also positive for financial partnerships, but with Uranus in the mix, things could get a little unpredictable. Staying practical and down to earth and maintaining a good sense of humour should see you through nicely.

Venus is in Capricorn until December 20.

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius
November 2: Mercury Enters Sagittarius
November 9: Neptune Direct
November 10: Chiron Direct
November 10/11: Mars Enters Virgo
November 16: Mars trines Jupiter
See Part 1 for the above alignments:
http://mandilockley.blogspot.com/2011/11/astrology-for-november-part-1.html
November 20: Sun squares Neptune
November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius
November 23: Sun trines Uranus
November 23: Mars trines Pluto
November 24: Mercury stations retrograde
November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)
November 26: Venus enters Capricorn
November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

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Uranus-Pluto and Our Changing World

2011-11-06T11:47:00.000Z

Change is a fact of life, both on the personal and the collective level. This is an undeniable truth. Yet all too often when change comes, instead of accepting it, we resist, dig in our heels and work our asses off to restore the status quo and get back to business as usual, even if the status quo clearly isn’t working for us anymore. To date, this has been the response to the global economic crisis, but the more the force of inevitable change is resisted, the deeper we’ll fall into the abyss.

Those who follow the motions and patterns of the planets have a reliable and useful perspective from which to observe the world and the changes that occur within it. This is because, through history, astrologers have observed that certain planetary patterns and alignments coincide with certain themes and events playing out in history*. From this knowledge comes a useful tool for predicting when and where change is coming and what form that change might take. If we look at the alignments that are coinciding with the current global economic crisis, a very telling picture emerges, a picture indicating that we are undergoing a long process of deep, disruptive, but necessary transformation.

Despite all the warning signs of the ‘credit crunch’ which followed years of easy credit, questionable practices in the financial sector and the build up of massive personal and national debts, in 2008 the world was shocked by the collapse/near collapse of some of the globe’s biggest financial institutions. Shoring them up with public money ultimately meant that, in the main, those institutions and those that run them (part of the 1%, as defined by the Occupy Movement) were free to carry on with business as usual. Meanwhile, the 99% (the world’s ordinary people) were presented with the bill. Recession set in, followed by slow, almost stagnant recovery, high unemployment, state implemented austerity measures, heavily indebted governments and the near certainty of double dip recession.

Also in 2008, Pluto moved out of the sign of Sagittarius and into the sign of Capricorn, where it will stay until 2023. Pluto moves slowly, taking 248 years to return to the same spot in the sky, so when Pluto changes signs it’s a big deal and we can reliably predict that collective change will occur, according to the themes symbolised by the sign Pluto is in.

Don’t let Pluto’s demotion to dwarf planet fool you, Plutonic change is dark and dirty and takes no prisoners. It involves a purging of that which has outstayed its welcome. It is the cosmic transformer which deals with issues that are above and beyond our personal will. It does this by unearthing our collective shadows and making us face our primal fears. If we don’t embrace Plutonic change it will take us by force.

So what are the themes of Pluto in Capricorn? First a brief summary of the themes of Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008): this period was about growth without sufficient boundaries, controls or accountability. It was about overconfidence and the spread of globalism. We heard a lot about economic buoyancy, boom and bubbles while Pluto was in Sagittarius. Pluto was trying to warn us that bubbles eventually burst (such as the dotcom bubble which began in 1995 and dramatically burst in 2000) and that under our current capitalist system a boom always comes before a bust. Global free market capitalism was spiralling out of control. Pluto’s sign also reflects who we collectively choose as our enemies. With Sagittarius symbolising the foreign, it’s not surprising that our biggest real or perceived threat was the foreign terrorist. This fear had us take our eye off enemies closer to home. Under Pluto in Capricorn these ‘enemies’ have been exposed.

Pluto in Capricorn symbolises the shadow side of corporations, imbedded societal structures, governments, plutocrats and authority figures (the 1%). These are the new ‘enemies’. These are the systems that need to change and transform. If they do not change on their own, or do not change fast enough or deeply enough, they will be forced to change and much (more) global suffering will be inevitable. The boom and the bubbles of 1995-2008 have gone for good. Growth has been stopped in its tracks and the bust has well and truly arrived. Those who currently hold all the power are doing everything they can to uphold the status quo and get things back to the Pluto in Sagittarius days. Well, I have a message for them. Pluto in Sagittarius is not coming back, at least not in our lifetime. Rather than growth without boundaries, Pluto in Capricorn is all about boundaries and about accountability and accepting responsibility for our mistakes. Collectively, we must act with extreme caution, for Pluto in Capricorn heaps upon us the full might of karma for our actions. It also speaks of the boundaries of nations, a topic very much currently to the fore with the Greece/Eurozone crisis.

Pluto in Capricorn is also about resistance and we can clearly see how the 1% are resisting the inevitable collapse of the current model of capitalism. They lack the motivation to see another way because they simply don’t want things to change, they can’t see how they will profit from doing things differently. They will not give up their power easily.

The 99% though, can use the power of resistance to say no, to question and to oppose, to suggest an alternative. The 99% can be a powerful vehicle for positive collective transformation.

Since 2007 an exciting, powerful and incredibly disruptive planetary alignment has been forming. Rebellious Uranus has been squaring up to Pluto in Capricorn. Uranus’ energies have been compared to those of the mythical Prometheus, who stole the fire from the gods and gave it to man. Combined with Pluto, Uranus ignites revolutionary impulses and upsets the status quo. This planetary combination has been associated with mass rebellion against the establishment, revolutions, civil rights movements and radical social and political change. Below is a list of events that coincided with some of the Uranus-Pluto alignments of the past. Reading through the lists you will see the same themes occurring again and again, building through time:

The 1643-1654 alignment: the English Revolution, part of a wave of revolutions and rebellions across Europe; the emergence of the radical Puritans, the Roundheads, the Levellers and the Quakers; the forced abdication and execution of Charles I.

1787-1798: the French Revolution; the earliest emergence of modern feminism (Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication on the Right of Women); in the US, France and Britain, the first widespread calls for the abolition of slavery, along with the Haitian slave revolution and the freeing of slaves in the French colonies.

1816-1824: revolutions across much of South and Latin America including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Venezuela; revolutions and revolts in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France.

1845-1856: revolutionary uprisings in most European capitals (1848-49) including Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Budapest, Prague; the abrupt overthrow of a number of governments throughout Europe; Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (The Communist Manifesto); upheavals in China; Japan, India and the Ottoman Empire; the emergence of the women’s suffrage movement in the US; the peak of abolitionist activism in the US; Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Thoreau’s influential essay On the Duty of Civil Disobedience.

1896-1907: the founding of the major socialist parties in England, the US, Russia and France; the beginnings of modern Communism; the emergence of the militant women’s movement (Emmeline Pankhurst); Booker T. Washington’s calls for social and educational reform for blacks; the Boxer Revolution in China; the Russian Revolution of 1905; the emergence of Lenin and Trotsky; the founding of independence movements including the World Zionist Organisation and Sinn Fein; the influential political writings of Leo Tolstoy; Gandhi’s struggle for Indian Rights in South Africa (his methods influenced by the writings of Tolstoy and Thoreau).

1928-1937: the Spanish Civil War; a global upsurge in radical socialist movements; the empowerment of labour unions in the US; economic upheavals including the Great Depression, which informed new economic theories, most notably Keynesian economics which informed much western economic decision making up until the late seventies; the protest music of Woody Guthrie and co. which went on to inspire the protest music of Dylan etc. during the next major Uranus-Pluto alignment.

1960-1972: the evolution of radical socialism; the non-violent civil disobedience movements employed by Martin Luther King and the anti-war protests ( inspired by Gandhi); the widespread emergence of the women’s lib movement (Millett, Greer, Lessing, Steinem); the culmination of the black civil rights movement in the US (Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X and the Civil Rights Acts of 1965 and 1968); the resistance activities of Nelson Mandela and the ANC in South Africa; the rising popularity of Marxist revolutionary leaders and their ideas including Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Ho Chi Minh; Mao’s Little Red Book.

The ongoing 2007-2020 alignment (exact between 2012-15): a resurgence in Keynesian economic theory in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/8 (which advocates active monetary and fiscal policy making by the government in order to stabilize the economy); the Arab Spring including revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and ongoing civil uprisings in other countries including Bahrain, Syria^]and Yemen; a wave of strikes, riots, protests and civil unrest throughout Europe and the US; the global Occupy Movement, advocating peaceful protest, a new manifestation of the non-violent civil disobedience movements that occurred under previous alignments.

So what’s next? This is only the beginning for the current Uranus-Pluto alignment, which doesn’t make its first exact connection until June 2012. Between now and 2020, the planetary alignments indicate that we are likely to see the economic situation getting worse if the same-old, same-old solutions are applied.

I predict that, in response, the Occupy Movement will grow and develop, with other movements springing up worldwide. New and existing radical political groups (from both ends of the political spectrum) are likely to grow in voice and influence, but in particular there will be a new interest in radical socialism. More revolutions and mass uprising are inevitable, not ruling out European countries such as Greece, Spain, Italy or even the UK. Friction between European countries is also more than possible, caused by tensions over the EU’s role as a central controlling force. I will not be surprised if the Euro collapses by or before 2020. The EU as a body will look very different, as more and more EU countries reclaim their national independence. Overall, cries for a fair, just, democratic world will be so loud it will not be possible to ignore them.

We should expect the unexpected and rule out nothing, even that which currently seems impossible. The only inevitability is that by the time 2020 comes around our world will be a very different place. To get there in good shape, we need to break free from the old way of doing things. Those in power are refusing to let go, but they do not seem to realise they are sailing on the proverbial Titanic. When the ship goes down, it is up to the 99% to seize the opportunity to replace the old with a new society, based on true democracy and fairness. We must continue to build democratic communities from the grassroots up, to provide a positive model for the years to come. At the same time, we need to do whatever we can to free the world’s precious resources from corporate control and demand collective ownership of the earth we walk upon.

*This phenomenon follows the ancient Greek Neo-Platonic idea that the same patterns are reproduced at all levels, from the largest (the macrocosm or universe-level) down to the smallest level (the microcosm).

References: historical correlations from Cosmos and Psyche, Intimations of New World View, Chapter 4. Author: Professor Richard Tarnas. Published by Viking Penguin, 2006.

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

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Astrology for November ~ Part 1

2011-11-01T11:01:00.002Z

Welcome to November, that time of the year when (in the Northern hemisphere), the nights are long and the days are short. The Sun is in the deep, probing, mysterious sign of Scorpio, making it easy to believe that the veil between the worlds is thin at this time of year...

...However, from early November, Mercury and Venus move into idealistic, philosophical Sagittarius, that more open sign. These pave the way for the Sun’s move into Sag on the 22^nd and a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th.

November 2: Venus and Mercury enter Sagittarius

Venus in Sagittarius promotes generosity, enthusiasm and free-spiritedness in all our relationships. After the seductive, mysteriousness of Venus in Scorpio, Venus is now demanding openness and a full on expression of your affection for that special someone.

Mercury in Sagittarius is the truth-saying placement. Sometimes you can be too honest and direct under this transit, so don’t forget to consider the other person’s feelings before opening your mouth! It’s a time for broad mindedness, idealistic thinking and grand notions.

Use Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius to open up and tell your special someone exactly how you feel about them because now is not the time to keep them guessing! Plan a romantic adventure, connect with others who share your beliefs or debate with those who hold differing beliefs. Explore new ways of connecting on all levels, intellectually, emotionally and romantically.

Venus is in Sagittarius until November 26

Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 2012 (this is a longer than usual transit because Mercury is retrograde from November 24 to December 14.

November 9 and 10: Neptune and Chiron turn direct

On June 3, Neptune in Pisces turned retrograde, moving back into Aquarius in August. On November 9, it starts to move forward once again and will re-enter Pisces in early February 2012.

Chiron in Pisces, which also turned retrograde in June, moves forwards from 0 degrees Pisces on November 10.

If you have planets or angles anywhere between 27 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) and 1-2 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), these two planets turning around at the same time will touch your chart, so you should be able to feel the Piscean/Neptunian/Chironic themes playing out in your life quite strongly now and in the weeks/months to follow. (By the way, you can get your chart for free at www.alabe.com)

These themes include a heightened awareness of compassion, suffering and empathy; a desire to indulge in escapism and fantasy; feeling wiped out; feeling deceived, disillusioned or disappointed; feeling ‘lost at sea’; boundary issues; heightened imagination; a deeper appreciation of art and music; spiritual and mystical experiences; creative inspiration; increased sensitivity on any level; feeling under the weather; emotional healing experiences; maverick urges, possibly unfocussed. Because Chiron and Neptune have been travelling closely in tandem since 2010 (and have been widely conjunct since 2007), these feelings may have been bubbling under for some time. Now though, is the time to pay some attention to them and consider what they are trying to tell you about yourself and where you are at in your life.

This is a time to learn that your (perceived) weaknesses, can in fact be your strengths, because by facing your ‘weaknesses’ over the last year or more, you have become wise and have a gift to share with the world. It’s also a time to pay extra attention to your dreams and fantasies. Perhaps they can help point the way forward if you’re feeling the urge to dive beneath surface reality and enrich your life with deeper, more meaningful experiences? Remember, we have almost three more months of Neptune in Aquarius, the sign of community, brotherhood, humanitarianism and rebellion, so these themes will also come to the fore now for final resolution, if you are ready and willing to submit to the call to help.

For more on the themes of Chiron in Pisces, see Chiron in Pisces: Water Over Rocks and for an explanation of the themes of Neptune in Pisces, see Neptune in Pisces Miscellanea.

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

A Full Moon, because it is an opposition aspect, strives for balance. In order to find the balance, we must first seek to common ground. What Scorpio (the Sun’s sign) and Taurus (the Moon’s sign) have in common are a concern with money, control, possession and sexuality. In essence, Taurus and Scorpio oppositions ask us to balance what we desire and what we are attached to on the emotional level with what we feel we need and what we work hard to keep and maintain on the physical material level.

We all need to feel emotionally and materially secure, but perhaps we are feeling insecure in these areas under this Full Moon. Because Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs, our response may be to cling on very tight to what, or who, we’ve got. This is the point where we can tip over into the shadow side of Taurus and Scorpio – fiscal and emotional miserliness, manipulative behaviour and a stubborn resistance to any kind of change, even good change.

During this bright Moon, remember that what we truly own will never leave us, so we don’t need to cling. If our roots are solid, we can allow branches to sway a little in the winds of change. We may even learn to enjoy the experience and the lessons it can bring.

This Full Moon also coincides with Neptune and Chiron moving direct and Mars' move into Virgo. Read the write ups on these - above and below - as this Full Moon is sure to highlight their themes.

*November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

Mars leaves the proud, dramatic and often overbearing sign of Leo and enters the steadier, quieter sign of Virgo. Mars in Virgo urges us to put our energy into practical and useful tasks. It invites us to think twice about indulging in rash and reckless behaviour and allow ourselves the time to carefully mull over exactly how we should put our plans into action. On the downside, Mars in Virgo energy can make us over-critical and perfectionist, so try to find a balance between just going for it and taking time to work out whether the end result will be worth it.

Because Mars turns retrograde in Virgo between February and April 2012, this is an especially long transit, lasting until early July 2012. This makes it a great time to focus on working towards longer terms goals. List out everything you want to achieve. It’s easy to scatter and splinter your energies with Mars in Virgo, so when you have that list, you would be well advised to cross off a number – if not most - of those goals, so you can focus on the important ones. The discriminating nature of Mars in Virgo should help you make up decide which ones are important.

While Mars is in Virgo, your exercise routine should focus on improving your all round health (rather than on achieving the ‘body beautiful’). Punishing, ‘no pain, no gain’ exercise is not the way forward now. Instead, focus on work-outs that benefit the mind as well as the body, such as yoga, pilates and tai chi. Balance good exercise with healthy food and rest. This is a good Mars sign for those of you who would like to lose a little weight through sensible, manageable lifestyle changes.

Virgo is also the sign of service and helpfulness. Small acts of kindness and support really can add up to make a huge difference. Something to ponder on and act upon during Mars’ tenure in Virgo.

Mars is in Virgo until July 3 2012 and is retrograde in Virgo from January 24 to April 14 2012.

November 16: Mars trines Jupiter

Re-read the above piece about Mars entering Virgo... this easy trine between Mars and Jupiter in practical Taurus provides just the positive boost you need to get those Mars in Virgo goals off the ground and the staying power to follow through.

November's astro-action

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius

November 2: Mercury enters Sagittarius

November 9: Neptune turns direct

November 10: Chiron turns direct

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

November 16: Mars in Virgo trine Jupiter in Taurus

November 20: Sun squares Neptune (coming in part 2)

November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius (coming in part 2)

November 23: Sun trines Uranus (coming in part 2)

November 23: Mars trines Pluto (coming in part 2)

November 24: Mercury stations retrograde (coming in part 2)

November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius, a partial Solar Eclipse (coming in part 2)

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (coming in part 2)

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter (coming in part 2)

*Where two dates are given, use the earlier date in US times zones and the later date in European/Asian time zones.

Wishing you a very healthy and happy November. Come back mid month for Part 2 of November’s update or better still, subscribe below to receive it in your inbox.

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Click for Void of Course Moon Times for November

Click for November’s Moon Phases

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Astrology for October Part 2 ~ Dark Hours

2011-10-14T11:50:00.000+01:00

Happy Halloween and Happy Samhain!

Before diving into part two of October’s Astrological happenings, I'll take a step back to consider the background canvas against which these temporal events are occurring.

The big one is Uranus square Pluto and the themes this represents are playing out dramatically in the world, as anyone who follows current affairs will know.

Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn symbolises rebellious impulses; hot-headed behavior; sudden and shocking events; anti-establishment feelings; the demand for freedom and respect; issues of control and responsibility; spontaneous uprisings; collective and individual crisis on any level. A serious questioning of power structures and authority is indicated.

Deep and radical changes are occurring in our world at large and in our own personal lives. Do we embrace the radical and disruptive changes we face or do we use our energy to try to hold back the change and maintain the status quo? My personal feeling is that while change can be scary and difficult and while it often involves painful losses, we cause ourselves more suffering in the long run by resisting the inevitable. By making a conscious choice to let go of the past, to concede where we have no control and embrace the future, we place ourselves in a better position to welcome change that is positive, freeing and less traumatic than the alternative. There is one thing that is certain and that is the unpredictability of the future over the next few years. Instead of adding up your losses, count your blessings, stay strong, and be true to your heart. To paraphrase the old saying, be the change you want to see in the world.

As I discussed in Part 1, mid October marks the beginning of a new Sun-Saturn cycle, with Sun Conjunct Saturn in Libra. The two conjoin roughly once a year and mark a time for setting clear, achievable goals for the year ahead. The starting point for setting those goals should be where you are right now. This is not about pipe dreams, it’s about taking responsibility for your future and setting for yourself some boundaries of normalcy, even as the world goes crazy around you.

October 14 to 17: Venus and Mercury in Scorpio oppose Jupiter in Taurus

This planetary pattern (Venus with Jupiter on the 14^th and Mercury with Jupiter on the 17^th) invites us to be expansive, extravagant, adventurous and broadminded. This could be tempting, but rather than overindulging and overspending, your time would be better spent thinking about your spending. Are you spending within your means? Are you spending too much to please others and is it resources? Of course, it’s not all about the money, this alignment can also bring a generous dose of passion into your life. Are you ready? As if that’s not enough, secrets could be revealed on or around the 17^th!

October 21: Sun trine Neptune

OK, so have things been getting a bit too real for you lately? Well, just in time for the weekend, Sun trine Neptune is perfect for allowing yourself a little bit of escapism. Pile on the glamour and hit the town with your friends, indulge in a romantic evening with your lover or lose yourself in something creative, poetic or artistic. Enjoy it while it lasts because this Sun-Neptune energy comes with a slight warning not to overindulge or mix fantasy with reality. If you do, you could find yourself headed back down to earth with a bump on Monday morning!

October 23: Sun into Scorpio

Happy birthday to all you lovely Scorpios out there.

Scorpio is one of the emotional water signs. In Pisces water runs freely, but is at risk of becoming tainted because it flows indiscriminately. In Cancer water is contained and used resourcefully, but is at risk of becoming stagnant if held for too long. In Scorpio, water is held in solid form, as ice. As such, it is not easily accessible, but once thawed, is pure and crystal clear. So, while Scorpio is a cool customer, he holds the power to transform that which is dark and dirty into that which is cleansing and healing. Read more….

Click for some wonderfully insightful quotes from some very famous Scorpios. Here are a couple to whet your appetite:

Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?
Prince Charles, Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Taurus

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.

Roseanne Barr, Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Gemini

October 26: New Moon in Scorpio

The New Moon is the darkest time of the lunar cycle, when Lady Luna disappears from our sky. Of course this is merely an illusion, she is there we just can’t see her. This reminds me of Scorpio’s ruler Pluto who, in mythology, must wear a helmet of invisibility whenever he surfaces from the Underworld. Unseen he does his work, so that when we finally see the results of his actions, they arrive in the form of dramatic changes that we come to realise were always inevitable. Scorpio operates in a similar way and its realm is our deepest emotions. Scorpio invites us to scour the hidden depths of our feelings, often taking us to places we would normally shy away from, especially during the dark Scorpio Moon. When the Moon starts to wax back into the light, it can show us our deepest and the darkest emotional detritus, offering it up for cleansing and healing. The medicine might taste bitter, but we'll know it’s good for us.

This New Moon opposes Jupiter in Taurus and sextiles Pluto, picking up on the ongoing Jupiter-Pluto trines (see below for more)...

October 28: Jupiter trine Pluto

This is the second of three trines between Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. The first was in July this year and the final one will be in May next year.

This planetary combination can bring optimism or all too easily its opposite, pessimism. At best, this alignment can bring inspiration and a powerful affirmation of self belief. On the world stage, it is has been reflected in the excessive faith and optimism our governments have placed in the concept of future economic growth. We can now see that this ‘let’s get back to business as usual’ approach hasn’t worked and we are headed towards a worse financial crisis than the previous. Individually and as a collective, we need to transform our old beliefs and put our faith in something new because we can’t simply carry on as we have been doing. As this alignment connects to the Scorpio New Moon, it’s time to ask if our old desires still serve us, or do we need to fundamentally change our approach. When our goals are more fully aligned with what we truly need in the here and now, then perhaps we can better embrace our future, wherever that may take us.

October 29: Sun opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto

The Sun makes its exact alignment with the ongoing Jupiter Pluto trines. See above for details.

October 31: Venus square Neptune

This alignment invokes a yearning for bliss which often manifests as a desire for escapism and a retreat into fantasy. We want to feel at one with others, so these energies tend to be projected onto our closest relationships. We want things to be ideal and are tempted to slip on rose tinted spectacles. Enjoy it while it lasts, but remember that you would quickly get bored with your perfect knight (or princess). If you think about it, It’s the flaws and quirks that make our close ones interesting and loveable.

Summary of October's Astrology:

October 2: Mars square Jupiter
October 6: Mercury conjunct Saturn
October 7: Venus trine Neptune
October 8: Venus into Scorpio
October 11/12: Full Moon in Aries
October 13: Sun conjunct Saturn
October 13: Mercury into Scorpio
October 14: Venus opposes Jupiter
October 17: Venus opposes Mercury
October 21: Sun trines Neptune
October 23: Sun into Scorpio
October 26: New Moon in Scorpio
October 28: Jupiter trine Pluto
October 29: Sun opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto
October 31: Venus square Neptune

Click for Void of Course Moon Times for October

Click for October’s Moon Phases

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Transits of 'Imprisonment' and 'Liberation'

2011-10-10T10:47:00.001+01:00

The reversal of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito’s conviction for the murder of Meredith Kercher was a story which gripped and polarised the public and the media. Whether the pair really had anything to do with the murder we may perhaps never know and that’s not a subject I’m going to speculate about here. When fascinated me about their story is how the timing for the original conviction, the appeal and their eventual release key in to the timing of major outer planet alignments, namely Saturn Square Pluto, Saturn opposite Uranus and the incoming Uranus Square Pluto. Both Sollecito and Knox have had these alignments touching their charts by transit, with Knox in particular experiencing them very strongly.

What intrigued me even more were the parallels between what happened to them while Saturn, Pluto and Uranus transited their charts and what happened to me while the same transiting planets were touching my own chart. No, I haven’t been convicted, imprisoned, retried and then acquitted of any crime, nor have I had my personal life and character hauled over the coals for all the world to see, but what I did experience with these transits was similar on the psychological and emotional level. Feeling trapped (imprisoned) by external circumstances apparently beyond my control, a sense of ‘fighting back’ and eventually, release and freedom.

By making this analogy, I hope to demonstrate how the themes we associate with outer planet transits to our natal planets can manifest in our lives on so many different levels... From the most literal, external, public events to processes and feelings that occur at the most private and inner level. Often of course, they manifest on many different levels at once and fortunately for most of us, they are not nearly as dramatic or public as the Knox and Sollecito case.

On 4^th December 2009, Knox and Sollecito were convicted of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. This conviction occurred very close to Saturn’s first exact square to Pluto at 2 degrees Libra and Capricorn in November 2009. Saturn and Pluto’s next exact alignment was at the end of January 2010 at 4 degrees of Libra and Capricorn. For both of them, Saturn and Pluto were transiting personal planets in their charts.

Saturn-Pluto transits can seem, at least on the psychological level, to take away our freedom and our free will. In the case of Knox and Sollecito, the loss of freedom was literal. In fact, losses on any level can occur under this transit. It tends to be a time of forced change, fear, pressure, negativity, crisis, restriction and a psychological journey to the underworld. We may feel that invisible forces are working against us, that we are fighting for survival on some level. Even as our personal power is taken away, we need to find the strength to carry on, to work hard and then even harder to face and banish our demons. For this we need courage, strength and staying power. We need to tap into inner and outer resources to help us through. Readers with planets or angles at 1-5 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and/or Capricorn are likely to identify with some of these themes if they look back over the last couple of years or so (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com).

The charts below show how the Saturn and Pluto square picked up on personal planets in Knox and Sollecito's birth charts. Knox has Venus at 4 degrees of Cancer, so just after the conviction transiting Pluto was exactly opposing her Venus, with Saturn squaring her Venus. She also has Mercury conjunct Venus, with Neptune in early Capricorn opposing from the public seventh house. The Moon’s Nodes, in early Aries and Libra, complete a dynamic, but no doubt stressful cardinal grand cross. With Pluto and Saturn transiting this grand cross it’s not surprising that she has been called a liar, a manipulator, a seductress, violent, perverted and a she-devil, but imagine having to face your demons when the world is naming you as the demon!

Click to enlarge

Sollecito has his Sun at 5 degrees Aries squaring Neptune at 1 Capricorn, within orb of the Saturn-Pluto squares of late 2009 and spring/summer 2010. While he has attracted less attention than Knox, the Saturn-Pluto transit to his Sun and Neptune is telling. Was he a victim in all this or was he deceiving everyone when he proclaimed his innocence? It’s hard to tell with that Sun-Neptune square, except to mention that it is reasonable to expect martyrdom on some level, or at least the sacrifice of the ego, with this aspect, especially so because both the Sun and Neptune are angular in his chart.

Click to enlarge

For myself, I have Sun in the eighth house at 4 degrees Capricorn, which meant that for most of 2009, transiting Pluto was in orb of conjunction with my Sun, with its first exact hit in January 2010. Transiting Saturn was in orb of a square to my Sun from late 2009 through autumn 2010, with the first hit in December 2009. What happened to me? Well, a change in personal circumstances beyond my control meant that I felt trapped in an unhappy situation both literally and emotionally. Any attempt to get myself out of the situation seemed blocked at every turn and I felt like a rat in a maze. I won’t go into great detail, except to say that it was all very eighth house on every level! Friends will testify that during this time I would often say that my situation felt like a prison sentence, but that I wasn’t sure what my crime had been!

We all know that in life nothing is forever and like life, transits are temporal. With Saturn-Pluto transits, there is, thankfully, a light at the end of the tunnel, with the eventual promise of empowerment and emancipation, but not before a lot of hard work and a lot of seemingly endless patience.

Sollecito and Knox‘s legal teams filed appeals against their convictions in April 2010 and the appeal process began in December 2010. It was during the time between the filing of the appeal and the actual appeal that the Saturn-Pluto squares and the ongoing, status-quo upsetting Saturn-Uranus oppositions formed what has been widely dubbed by astrologers as the cardinal climax – a t-square in the early cardinal planets that had been building since 2008 and has come to symbolise shocks, changes, intense challenges, restriction, losses and hard, hard work. Its most obvious manifestation has been in dramatic change of fortune in the world’s economies, the effects of which have filtered down into the lives of individuals everywhere, but overall, these aspects have been reflected in individuals’ lives in many different ways and on many different levels.

Whatever the manifestation, I’m proposing that it was accompanied by these feelings of entrapment and imprisonment that I have described, along with the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself and in many ways out of your control. Despite this, many of us have emerged much stronger and more resourceful, even as we find our material circumstances reduced.

So, for those of you still feeling trapped and repressed, where and when is the release? Let’s look again at the charts of Knox and Sollecito.

They won their appeal against their murder conviction and were freed on October 3^rd 2011. By now, Saturn has moved out of the picture, with the much anticipated Uranus-Pluto square forming. On the day of their release, Uranus was at 2 Aries and Pluto at 5 Capricorn, connecting with the cardinal planets in their charts very closely. Under Uranus-Pluto moving aspects we demand freedom, we question authority, we don’t accept the letter of the law and we won’t tolerate being controlled. We want to feel free to do what we want to do and we want to make a difference.

Knox’s father summed up Saturn-Pluto followed by Uranus-Pluto perfectly, "she's almost kind of reborn in a way. I mean, living for four years inside a concrete and steel, you know, prison, and now being able to kind of just look around, smell the air and - and just do what she wants to do, hopefully when she wants to do it, it makes a huge difference." (quote from cbsnews.com)

For myself, after a year or more of Saturn and Pluto transiting my Sun, I had the first squares from Uranus to my Sun in May this year. Around the time of the second hit, a surprising event happened that changed everything for me. As I sit here writing, I am looking forward to the next few months leading up the third and final square of transiting Uranus to my Sun, with Uranus is also making a series of sextiles to my MC and 10^th house Aquarius planets. I am now in a position where I feel free do whatever I want with my life. Yes, there has been much upheaval and masses of change, but finally my appeal has been heard and I have been released from my psychological prison. I still don’t know what my crime was, but that doesn’t matter, because what I do now know is that I have the inner resources to cope with an uncertain future and it doesn’t matter that I can’t control everything. All that matters is that I use my time and energy wisely from now on and follow my heart.

Readers, have you experienced similar feelings and events over the last couple of years or so? How are things now?

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Chart data from Astrodatabank.

A note to subscribers: an apology that at the end of Astrology for October there was an error in the text for Venus and Mercury opposing Jupiter. This has now been corrected:

http://mandilockley.blogspot.com/2011/10/astrology-for-october-golden.html

Astrology for October ~ Golden Opportunities

2011-10-01T08:17:00.001+01:00

Welcome to October, that wonderful month which for me is always about endings and fresh starts. Especially so this year, as I finished my 'day job' yesterday. The future is uncertain, but very exciting. October is also one of the most beautiful months as here in the northern hemisphere, the leaves turn every imaginable shade of gold and red, giving us a magnificent display before they fall. This year, the start of October brings unseasonable hot weather, with the mercury set to hit 30 degrees here in London today! A perfect day to go to a wedding, although I'm having to rethink my outfit, which involves knitwear!!! I hope you enjoy October folks.

October 2: Mars in Leo squares Jupiter in Taurus

October kicks off in dynamic fashion with passionate Mars squaring up to expansive Jupiter. This is a good time for following your heart and embarking on an exciting adventure. One note of caution… Try not to overstretch yourself by taking on too much and watch you don’t overindulge or overspend on luxuries! Use the energies of this alignment in a more positive way by setting goals for self improvement or embarking on initiatives to improve the lot of others.

October 6: Mercury in Libra conjuncts Saturn in Libra

When Mercury lines up with Saturn it signals a time to pay attention to how you communicate. Be as clear as you can with others if you don’t want to be misunderstood and be honest in your dealings. If you don’t play fair now, you could well be found out…you’ve been warned! The key to working this energy is to slow down, discipline your mind and approach tasks systematically. Give your brain a workout by playing word games, memory games or quizzes.

October 7: Venus in Libra trines Neptune in Aquarius

Love is in the air when romantic Venus makes this easy trine alignment with dreamy, ethereal Neptune. Call me a mood killer, but it’s probably more about the yearning for romance than actual romance, so don’t be disappointed if that knight in shining armor turns out to be a bit tardy! Still, if you’re lucky enough to know your soul mate then hook up with them now! If not, then sweet times can still be had, so long as you realize that eventually you’ll have to wake up from the dream.

October 8: Venus enters Scorpio

Things can get heavy when love planet Venus moves into intense Scorpio. Obsession, compulsion, passion and extreme emotions are the realms of this placement. The urge is to connect deeply with others, but trust issues could get in the way. Perhaps you feel that others are keeping secrets from you or maybe you’re keeping secrets from them. At its most positive, Venus in Scorpio is about the power of love to transform and heal, at a deep and long lasting level.

Venus is in Scorpio until November 2^nd.

October 11/12 (depending on your time zone): Full Moon in Aries

The Sun in relationship-oriented Libra faces off against the Moon in self focused Aries today. It’s a good time to think about how you balance what you want out of your relationships with what you need for yourself. Feelings tend to run high at the Full Moon, so rows and conflicts are a possibility, but really, all everyone is looking for is a way to connect and get along. Remembering this can help prevent bad feelings escalating. On the plus side, it’s a pretty good Full Moon for partying thanks to a nice aspect between Venus and Jupiter. Another good reason not to fall out with your loved ones!

The bigger picture of this Full Moon is the conjunction of the Sun and Saturn in Libra. When these two planets join up in the same part of the sky (which occurs approximately once a year), it’s the start of a new cycle, so this Full Moon is a great time for setting realistic goals for the year ahead. For more insight see below….

October 13: Sun in Libra conjuncts Saturn in Libra

This alignment doesn’t sound like much fun. The image it evokes is a shadow falling across

the brightness of the Sun. But, with the glare toned down, can’t we better see things are they really are? This is the gift of this alignment if you are ready to accept it. You can really get a good understanding of what you are truly capable of under this aspect. This will help you set clear goals for the coming twelve months. This line up could also make you aware of your limitations. Using this realization wisely, without falling into self doubt is the key. This is Saturn so remember that hard work and self discipline is how you’ll succeed. This isn’t a time for risk taking and cutting corners.

October 13: Mercury enters Scorpio

There’ll be no tolerance for title tattle and small talk when Mercury moves into Scorpio. The
planet of communication in this sign demands that we ponder deep and meaningful matters. Probing deeply into any subject that you’re passionate about is a great way to work with Mercury in Scorpio, as it’s the perfect energy for research and even for a bit of crafty detective work! The downside is that we can get stubbornly stuck in our own mindset. Try to remember that there are other points of view and that these are valid too!

Mercury is in Scorpio until November 2^nd.

October 14 to 17: Venus and Mercury in Scorpio oppose Jupiter in Taurus

This planetary pattern (Venus with Jupiter on the 14^th and Mercury with Jupiter on the 17^th) invites us to be expansive, extravagant, adventurous and broadminded. This could be tempting, but rather than overindulging and overspending, your time would be better spent thinking about your spending. Are you spending within your means? Are you spending too much to please others and is it worth it? Of course, it’s not all about the money… This alignment can also bring a generous dose of passion into your life. Are you ready? As if that’s not enough, secrets could be revealed on or around the 17^th. Intriguing!

Summary of October's Astrology:

October 2: Mars square Jupiter

October 6: Mercury conjunct Saturn
October 7: Venus trine Neptune
October 8: Venus into Scorpio
October 11/12: Full Moon in Aries
October 13: Sun conjunct Saturn
October 13: Mercury into Scorpio
October 14: Venus opposes Jupiter
October 17: Venus opposes Mercury
October 21: Sun trines Neptune details in part two
October 23: Sun into Scorpio details in part two
October 26: New Moon in Scorpio details in part two
October 28: Jupiter trine Pluto details in part two
October 29: Sun opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto details in part two
October 31: Venus square Neptune details in part two

Click for Void of Course Moon Times for October

Click for October’s Moon Phases

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Astrology for September Part Two ~ Equinox

2011-09-20T09:48:00.000+01:00

Here’s part two of September’s astrological action…. (click here for part one)


The Sun viewed from the International Space Station. Image Credit: NASA

September 23: Sun Enters Libra

As the Sun moves into Libra, let’s take a moment to ponder the deeper meaning of the sign of the scales.

At the heart of Libra lies a deep need for companionship and affection. A Libran soul will suffer greatly when this is denied. The scales of Libra symbolize the constant adjustments and compromises a Libran soul feels compelled to make in order to fulfill its needs.

A naive Libra soul will swing between extremes before it finds its place of equilibrium and balance. On the one hand, Libra will selfishly pursue approval and appreciation through relationship at all costs and on the other side, the Libra soul will carelessly give itself away in order to please and placate others in the hope of being loved.

On its journey, Libra often unconsciously seeks out conflict just so it can cast itself as peacemaker. But, as the evolving Libra soul learns to be true to itself and hold its inner light steady and balanced, the need to create discord or place itself in the midst of others’ conflict, gradually falls away. In learning to rise above conflict, Libra understands that all of life is connected and interrelated. From this vantage point Libra is able to hold itself in perfect equilibrium and in so doing creates a space of harmony and peace that can truly help and serve others. Then, the Libra soul quickly realizes that it doesn’t have to experience tension and discord in order to experience relationship. The give and take of companionship and affection will come naturally and effortlessly from a place of love and light and Libra will have learned the lesson of brotherhood and the true meaning of peace.

You can consider yourself strongly Libran if you have Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Libra, or if you three or more other planets or points in Libra. Get your free chart at www.alabe.com

Reference: Astrology, The Sacred Science by Joan Hodgson

The Sun is in Libra until October 23.

September 23: The Autumnal Equinox*

The passage of the Sun into Libra also marks the Autumnal Equinox, one of two days in the year when day and night are of equal length. This is a great day to set your intentions for the next three months to come, taking you right up the solstice in December.

To give you a few pointers, here’s a summary of some of the energies carried within the Equinox chart (set for the moment the Sun enters Libra):

- The desire to express creativity

- The need for attention and drama

- Impulsive actions

- Insensitivity to the feelings of others, the need to consider others, the art of compromise

- Acting without thinking vs. thinking before acting

- Rebellious thoughts and behaviors

- Thinking about freedom

- Rising to challenges

- Issues of power and control

- Applying self discipline to goals

Major aspects in the Equinox chart are: Moon conjunct Mars in Leo; Sun in Libra (widely) conjunct Mercury in Virgo; Sun and Mercury opposite Uranus and square Pluto.

*Vernal Equinox in the southern hemisphere.

September 25: Mercury Enters Libra

Mercury in Libra invites us to communicate with charm, intelligence and diplomacy. It asks us to appreciate the beauty of language and the powerful effect our words can have. Language can be used to create harmony and happiness or it can be used to sow discord and fear.

What effect do your words have on others? Take some time during Mercury in Libra to consider this question. What are you saying about yourself when you communicate? How do you express your opinions? Do you act according to the values you express?

Try to see the opposing point of view. Practice being impartial. Perfect the art of being fair and balanced in your thinking and in your interactions with others.

Mercury is in Libra until October 13.

September 27: New Moon in Libra

This is an intense and very important New Moon because it hooks up with the ongoing Uranus in Aries–Pluto in Capricorn square.

Generally speaking, this Uranus-Pluto alignment symbolizes rebellious impulses; reckless, hot-headed behavior; sudden events; spontaneous actions; the demand for freedom; issues of respect, control and responsibility; a serious questioning of power and authority; the call for deep and radical change.

These themes have been playing out in the collective and will continue to do so in the years to come. They are also playing out more and more in the lives of individuals, in particular those who have planets or points between three and nine degrees of the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.

This New Moon in Libra forms a t-square with Uranus and Pluto, highlighting and intensifying the themes described above, personalizing them. As all astrology students quickly learn, a t-square is a very dynamic aspect pattern which signifies conflict and important personal issues that are brought to our attention over and again until we deal with them. The aim is for resolution and ultimately, personal growth.

What issues might come up during this New Moon? Here are a few that spring to mind:

- The need for a fresh start

- The resolve to find a new perspective on an old problem

- Healing old relationship issues

- Dealing with events and/or emotions that turn your world upside down

- Learning to cooperate with others in order to reach your goals

- Sharing fairly on all levels – work, responsibility, power, gains

- Thinking hard about what to do next with your life

- Facing deep compulsions and desires

- Finding the right balance between the old and the new

- Intensity on any level, a rejection of the superficial, looking for deeper meaning

- Balancing negativity and pessimism with positivity and optimism

- Facing challenges head on

As well as in your personal life, look for all of the above themes playing out on the world stage over the coming three months or so, especially as this New Moon falls so close to the Equinox.

Remember though, that New Moons are planning, thinking, seeding times. The time for action is once the intensity of the New Moon has passed. Therefore, this is a good time to slow down and go within. For more on the Moon’s phases and how to work with them see http://www.mandilockley.com/moon_phases.html

This New Moon, give yourself some mental space to clear and rebalance your mind. Ignore that constant chatter in your brain – the monkey mind – at least for a little while. This can be achieved by meditation, or if meditation doesn’t do it for you, by indulging yourself fully in your favorite music piece. The trick is not to let your mind lock into an idea or get fixed on your worries. If this happens, just acknowledge it and release it. I always visualize my worries in the basket of a hot air balloon, floating away into the distant sky, released into the clouds.

September 29/30: Venus Conjunct Saturn in Libra

September checks out with Venus conjunct Saturn in Libra. The planet of love and affection meeting the planet of fear, caution and obstacles doesn’t sound like a great combination does it? But, according to the rules of traditional astrology, both Venus in Saturn are very comfortable in Libra and very happy to receive each other in these signs.

So how best to use these potentially positive energies? Well, this isn’t about romantic meetings that dreams are made of. Sorry, it’s more of a reality check! It favors serious, longer term relationships. It’s about commitment, overcoming relationship fears, feeling more secure together, taking responsibility for each other.

And remember, Saturn doesn’t give away love for free - you have to work at it!

Summary of September’s Main Events

September 8/9: Mercury Enters Virgo

September 12: Full Moon in Pisces

September 14: Venus Enters Libra

September 16: Pluto Turns Direct

September 17: Venus opposes Uranus

September 18: Venus squares Pluto

September18 /19: Mars Enters Leo

September 23: Sun Enters Libra

September 23: The Equinox

September 25: Mercury Enters Libra

September 26: Sun opposes Uranus

September 27: New Moon in Libra

September 28: Sun Conjunct Mercury and Square Pluto

September 29/30: Venus Conjunct Saturn

Click for September's Moon Phases

Click for Void of Course Moon times for September

Note: where two dates are shown, the event occurs on the later date in western times zones such as American Eastern Time and Pacific Time and the earlier date in eastern times zones such as GMT.

With love,

Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

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Astrology for September ~ Lists and Wishes

2011-09-02T14:17:00.000+01:00

September is one of my favorite months. The weather mellows and it’s a time to enjoy the fruits of the soil under the Harvest Moon. Here’s a sneak preview of September’s astro-action…

September 8/9: Mercury Enters Virgo ~ Make a List

Mercury feels right at home in organized, analytical Virgo. This is a great time for a pre-winter clean out – mentally and physically. Or if you’re below the Equator, it’s a good excuse for a spring clean. Make yourself a healthy brew of herbal tea, sit down and prepare a list of all the things you need to do over the next few weeks in preparation for the new season to come. This is also a useful Mercury placement for dealing with life’s little niggles in a practical, matter of fact kind of way, no messing. Be wary, though, of getting so caught up in the small details that you can’t see the wood for the trees and get stressed out! Stop once in a while, get out in nature, take a few deep breaths and remember that there’s always a bigger picture right under your nose.

Mercury is in Virgo until September 25.

September 12: Full Moon in Pisces ~ Make a Wish

So, you made your list under Mercury in Virgo and you’re methodically ploughing through your tasks, crossing them off one by one. Very satisfying, but then you get the feeling that something’s missing. What is it? Could it be magic? Yes, under this Pisces Full Moon it’s time to make a wish and put your faith in the unknown. It’s an opportunity to check that the practical, material path you’re following also allows room for the spiritual and ethereal side of life. Practical hard work might feed the belly, but connecting with something bigger than yourself will feed the soul. This is the Harvest Moon, so whatever you believe in spiritually, it’s a time to give thanks and set your spiritual intentions for the next month.

Of course, it’s not all about ‘me, me, me’ with Pisces or with Virgo. While Mercury in Virgo (and the Virgo New Moon in late August) are great for giving practical help to others, this Pisces Full Moon speaks of the need to show compassion to our fellow beings. Enjoy the Full Moon.

The Full Moon falls at 19 Pisces 17(Moon) and 19 Virgo 17 (Sun).

For all of September’s Moon phases, see http://www.mandilockley.com/moon_phases.html

September 14: Venus Enters Libra ~ Correcting the Balance

Libra is one of Venus’ favorite signs. This placement is all about relationships, socializing, happy compromise, getting along with others, the nice things in life, fairness and balance. We should be in for a nice time, but Venus makes a couple of tough connections with Uranus and Pluto on the 17^th and 18^th. These aspects suggest challenges around the things (listed above) that Venus in Libra symbolizes. This is a time to think about what and who you commit to and why. It also presents an opportunity to look deeply into your own motivations and those of others in all your relationships and social interactions. Is the balance right? By the time Venus conjoins Saturn on the 30^th you should be able to take responsibility and work through any remaining issues. Then you can emerge into October feeling much more secure in your relationships.

Venus is in Libra until October 8/9

September 16: Pluto Turns Direct ~ Powerful Turnarounds

Pluto has been retrograde (appearing to move backwards through the zodiac) since April and now finally turns around. As Pluto spends over 40% of its time retrograde, it’s not worth getting in a big lather over. It is, though, worth noting the dates when it actually changes direction, because these tend to bring powerful and intense energies. Pluto turns around at 4 degrees, 53 minutes of Capricorn, so if you have planets and angles at 4-5 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and/or Capricorn, this turnaround represents a significant transit for you (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). As I mentioned in my retrograde Pluto write up in April, a deep review of your emotional and material life could be called for, as well as dealing with issues around power and control and self-sabotaging habits. Pluto transits are not easy, but in the final analysis they can signal the start of positive change. See Notes From A Pluto transit for a personal account of what a Pluto transit can be like.

In world astrology Pluto represents big business, plutocrats, the infrastructure and administration of government, power and the abuse of power, taboos, the super wealthy and the buried riches of the earth, including oil and plutonium and nuclear energy. It’s always worth watching the news for Pluto themes a week or so either side of the turn around. If you remember, back in April, a major issue in the news was the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan following the devastating earthquake. The handling of the disaster led to the resignation of the Prime Minister there.

September 18 /19: Mars Enters Leo ~ Brave Heart

Mars in Leo has a much better ring to it than Mars in Cancer. In Leo, Mars asserts itself proudly, warmly, from the heart. Its expression can be dramatic, self-seeking and proud. If the will is too stubborn and self-centred, this can lead to problems, especially if Mars in Leo doesn’t feel like he’s getting the rewards he feels he deserves for his unquestionable prowess! Then Mars in Leo can become pushy, overbearing and domineering. At best though, the natural confidence of Mars in Leo is shared generously and expressed with tremendous creative flair and positive vitality. Enjoy basking in the warm heart of Mars in Leo. It’s a great placement for going for what you want, with charm and good grace.

Mars is in Leo until November 10/11.

Summary of September’s Main Events

September 8/9: Mercury Enters Virgo

September 12: Full Moon in Pisces

September 14: Venus Enters Libra

September 16: Pluto Turns Direct

September 17: Venus opposes Uranus

September 18: Venus squares Pluto

September 18 /19: Mars Enters Leo

September 23: Sun Enters Libra - coming in Part 2

September 25: Mercury Enters Libra - coming in Part 2

September 26: Sun opposes Uranus - coming in Part 2

September 27: News Moon in Libra - coming in Part 2

September 28: Sun Conjunct Mercury and Square Pluto - coming in Part 2

September 30: Venus Conjunct Saturn

Click for September's Moon Phases

Click for Void of Course Moon times for September

Note: where two dates are shown, the event occurs on the later date in western times zones such as EDT and PDT and the earlier date in eastern times zones such as GMT.

With love,

Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

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Astrology for August Part 2 ~ Calmer, Cleaner, Humbler

2011-08-15T12:12:00.001+01:00

August’s astro-preview is split into two parts. A summary list of all August’s events is included at the end of each post. Click to read Part 1

Leo Constellation

August 16/17: Sun, Mercury and Venus Collide

Well, not exactly a collision but a conjunction, meaning that the three planets occupy the same section of the night sky, in the constellation of Leo.

These planets coming together in Leo speak about courage, creativity, drama, recognition and pride, as well what we hold dearest in our hearts and in our minds. Coming straight of the back of the Aquarius Full Moon adds to the drama and intensity of this triple conjunction and Mercury retrograde urges us to review our ideals.

Are we idealistically clinging on to old, worn out mindsets? When we relate to others are we truly sharing, giving of ourselves, or are we only thinking of what we can get out of the partnership? Are we channeling our creative energies in the right direction? Where in our lives do we truly need to be courageous now? Do we unrealistically expect our relationships to be perfect?

Giving some thought to these questions now, could help us when sensitive, self-protective Mars in Cancer squares up to stern, relationship focused Saturn in Libra on the 25th. This is a less comfortable alignment, which could easily put us on the defensive when it comes to issues around our closest relationships and our family ties. On the plus side, this square can help blast away any confusion and unworkable idealism, giving us patience and discipline to work through our issues.

August 21: Venus in Virgo

After Venus in Leo comes a much quieter energy. With Venus in Virgo, the affection is in the details, not in the grand gestures. You and your loved ones will now be able to take a step back from the drama of the last few weeks. Forget hearts and roses and consider the small things you do for each other that really show that you care. The husband who cooks dinner and clears up when you’re feeling tired, the friend who always calls when she says she will and the workmate who knows you’re having a bad day, but instead of making a big deal of it, simply brings you a coffee and a sympathetic smile.

Venus is in Virgo until September 15.

August 23: Sun in Virgo

Just a couple of days after Venus moves into Virgo, the Sun follows suit. Here’s something I wrote a couple of years ago about Virgo, A Celebration of Virgo:

Quiet, hardworking, critical, modest, exacting, discriminating, dissecting, modest, humble, lacking in confidence are some of the common words and phrases used to describe Virgo. Not very exciting is it? Why not? Perhaps it’s because it comes right after Leo in the Zodiac. Any sign would seem humble after Leo, would it not?

Imagine a scene in the playground, two young lads practicing their goal scoring skills:
Little Bobby Leo, as he kicks the ball straight through the goal posts: Yes!!!! I’m ace!!!! The best!!!! I’m gonna be the next Beckham or Ronaldo!!!!
Little Jimmy Virgo, carefully lining up his ball for his shot: Quiet Bobby, I’m trying to concentrate. He shoots, the ball goes in. Hey, I’m getting good at this, a bit more practice and I might make the school team.

Humble? Not really. Realistic, hardworking, practical, yes! You see, Virgo is an Earth sign. Earth signs say it like it is, they say I am what I am, and just like their other Earth cousins, Taurus and Capricorn and they just get on with it, without any of that Leo hubris or drama.

Perhaps part of the reason for Virgo’s bad press is that it rules the 6th house of the zodiac. The 6th house, traditionally, is malefic (‘bad’). It is the house of service, toil, chores, servants, subordinates, of small and humble things. It is also the house of illness and infirmity. Doesn’t sound like much fun does it?

Of all the concepts from the above list, I think the only one that Virgo should own and embrace is service. Service does not have to mean subordination. After all, when you strip away the power and the ego, what are our politicians and spiritual leaders if they are not servants? Of course, we have to hope that they are servants to a higher cause, for the greater good, but seen this way, there is nothing humble about it. It is a huge responsibility, a responsibility worthy of any Virgo.

However, Virgo, like the other Mutable signs (Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces) must beware of spreading themselves too thin, scattering their energies and splintering off in too many directions.

On the world stage, it's finally time for the Pluto in Virgo* generation (Barack Obama and UK PM in waiting, David Cameron – note: David Cameron is now the UK PM) to take the reins from the Pluto in Leo* bunch (George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown) and clean up the messes they have made, ready for future, fair and just, Pluto in Libra* leaders.

So for now, if you have Sun in Virgo (or otherwise have strong Virgo in your horoscope) you're in very good company. Stand up, borrow a little bit of that Leo pride, courage and confidence and get busy. You are wonderful and the world needs you!

*The Pluto in Leo generation was born between 1938 and 1956. The Pluto in Virgo generation was born between 1957 and 1971 and the Pluto in Libra generation between 1972 and 1984. The start and end dates are approximate because Pluto tends to go back and forth before it settles into a new sign.

Click to read what some well known Virgos have to say for themselves

Sun in Virgo until September 23.

August 25: Mars Square Saturn

See August 16/17.

August 26: Mercury in Leo turns Direct

Mercury turns around at 19 degrees of Leo. Did you use the Mercury Retrograde period wisely? Even though it’s out of Retrograde it will still be in the shadow of its retrograde - going forward through the zodiac degrees it previously went backwards through - until September 10, so some of Mercury Retrograde’s themes and issues could drag on until then.

Mercury turned Retrograde in Virgo on August 2/3. It re-entered Leo on August 7/8. It turns direct on August 26 and re-enters Virgo on September 8/9 where it stays until September 25.

August 29: Virgo New Moon

A Virgo New Moon is a good time to consider what and whom we serve. Is it, or they, worthy of our time and our energy? Is what we do for others healthy for everyone or is it a one-sided arrangement? Are we respecting the boundaries of those who serve us? This New Moon, at five degrees of Virgo, makes a Grand Trine with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn, making this a fortuitous lunation for dealing with practical matters, reviewing routines and kicking any unhealthy habits.

Mostly, a New Moon is a planning time, not an action time, but the thinking you do and the decision you make now will prepare you for the action that needs to be taken around the time of the First Quarter Moon on September 4/5 and the dynamic Full Moon in Aries on September 12th

Click for details of all of August’s Moon phases

August 30: Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus

Jupiter, the planet of growth and reward, has been in earthy, sensual, materialistic Taurus since early June and now turns Retrograde, signaling a time to review what we have learnt and discovered over the last couple of months.

Usually, Jupiter is about outward growth, where we seek to be rewarded out in the wide world. When retrograde though, Jupiter rewards inner growth and encourages us to contemplate and review our personal philosophy, beliefs and ethics. In Taurus, we are invited to consider our relationship to the physical world, nature and sensuality. We are asked to look deeply into our attitude to wealth, money and luxury. Is our need for comfort and sensation making us wasteful and over-materialistic? Is our over-consumption showing on our bodies? Would a simpler existence be healthier for ourselves and our environment? How will it help us spiritually to look for a new perspective on what we think we need and want out of life?

Jupiter entered Taurus in June 4, 2011. It turns retrograde at 10 degrees of Taurus on August 30. It turns direct on December 26 at one degree of Taurus and remains in Taurus until June 2012.

Summary of August’s Main Events

August 2: Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo
August 3: Mars enters Cancer and trines Neptune
August 4: Retrograde Neptune revisits Aquarius
August 7/8: Retrograde Mercury re-enters Leo and opposes Neptune
August 9: Mars square Uranus
August 10: Mars opposes Pluto
August 13: Aquarius Full Moon
August 16: Conjunction of Sun, Mercury and Venus
August 21: Venus enters Virgo
August 22: Sun opposes Neptune
August 23: Sun enters Virgo
August 25: Mars square Saturn
August 26: Mercury turns Direct
August 29: Virgo New Moon
August 30: Jupiter in Taurus retrograde.

Click for August's Moon Phases
Click for Void of Course Moon times for August

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

The Riots and Why I Still Love London

2011-08-11T12:34:00.001+01:00

Police helicopters? The wail of Sirens? Just another Saturday night in North London I thought, as I rolled over in bed to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. On Sunday morning I woke to the shocking news that just a mile away, in Tottenham High Road, a protest against the police shooting of Mark Duggan had spiraled into violence, arson and looting.

With a sense of shock, I watched the footage on TV. Around lunchtime, I headed up to the nearby Wood Green shopping centre, to pick up a paper and browse the clothing stores, unaware that while police were trying to contain the riots a mile away, local thugs had looted and vandalized the area. Some of the photos of what I saw illustrate this post. My overwhelming feeling was deep upset at the mindless, pointless destruction of my neighborhood.

As you have most likely heard, the violence quickly spread across the capital, peaking on Monday in the worst night of disorder in London in living memory. Meanwhile, there was rioting and looting in other English towns and cities, carrying on through Tuesday evening.

‘Why’ is the question on everyone’s lips. Based on UK riots in the eighties, the recipe seems to be: a spell of hot sticky weather + plus real or perceived injustice at the hands of the police (usually a death) + a background of recession/joblessness/government cuts + a Tory government. While there may be reasons, however, there can be no excuses for the actions of the kids who went out onto the streets causing terror within communities.

Because I’m an astrologer, my natural reaction is to check the skies for planetary alignments that reflect events playing out in the world.

The astrological backdrop is the square alignment of Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn.

The themes of this alignment include rebellious impulses; reckless, hot-headed behavior; sudden and shocking events; anti-establishment feelings; the demand for freedom and respect; issues of control and responsibility; spontaneous uprisings; collective and individual crisis on any level. A serious questioning of power structures and authority is indicated. The call is for deep and radical changes in the structure of society and the way it is governed. By force, if necessary. In short, we are looking at a potentially protracted period of discontent, followed by/coinciding with, slow and profound social and political change.

Past alignments of Uranus and Pluto coincided with the French Revolution of the 18th Century and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s which saw mass anti war protests; great strides in the women’s and black civil rights movements and increased social and sexual freedoms. It’s not all bad, Uranus-Pluto alignments are also associated with exciting times of cultural and technological innovation; social empowerment; positivity and freedom and new, progressive leaders rising from the grass roots and/or the intelligentsia. Under this alignment, we are already seeing pro-democracy uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria and many other places, a series of events widely dubbed the Arab Spring.

Uranus and Pluto don’t form an exact square until summer 2012, with the first of seven exact alignments lasting until 2015. However, as they get ever closer, it’s plain to see how their themes are playing out more and more obviously in the collective. Indeed, for the purpose of mundane (collective) astrology, this alignment has been one to watch since 2007 and will continue to be in evidence through to 2020 (allowing the standard 10 degree orb). From this perspective, Saturn in Libra is still connecting to Uranus in Pluto, forming a planetary alignment widely dubbed as the Cardinal Climax. (I wrote extensively on this alignment last year, click on the link to read more.)

click to enlarge

With such dramatic events as we have been witnessing in the UK, we need to look for a planetary trigger? What is connecting to Uranus-Pluto that might symbolize what’s been happening? Above is the chart set for the time widely quoted as the start of the violence on Saturday evening.

Mars, newly in Cancer had moved into alignment with Saturn, Uranus and Pluto forming a Cardinal Grand Cross. Just the shape of the cross in the chart suggests a back and forth ping-pong of intense energy. In cardinal signs, this energy tends to be fast to respond, quick to react and create friction.

Lately though, a Cardinal Grand Cross happens every time a fast moving planet hits the early degrees of Cancer. The Sun has recently been there, so has Mercury and Venus. The Moon hits those degrees once a month.

So why would Mars trigger this violence? Well, Mars is the planet of war and aggression, of the urge to action, of angry young men. More significantly, in Cancer, Mars is said be in its ‘Fall’, in the sign it finds most difficult to inhabit, making it more difficult for individuals and the collective to assert themselves in a healthy and positive way. Mars lining up with Saturn, Uranus and Pluto is not a recipe for peace and calm, but for blow-ups, misdirected anger and aggression. In collective astrology, Cancer is associated with our domestic situation, our home turf. It is perhaps ironic that after years of collective paranoia about foreign terrorists (symbolized by Pluto’s tenancy in Sagittarius until 2008) the destruction has come from our home grown young people, crapping on their own doorstep, if you’ll excuse my vernacular.

Astrologer Theodore White told me that Mars is currently Out of Bounds. I won’t go into a technical explanation of Out of Bounds (you can Google it), but symbolically, it means that Mars is wild, out of control, it has free reign to do what ever it wants to do, outside the normal bounds of behavior. Folks I’m not making this up!

Notice also the South Node. It’s in House 4 at the bottom part of the chart. House 4 symbolizes our home turf, our roots and the past. Similarly, the South Node represents past patterns that we fall back into. Astrologer Martin Davis adroitly observed that this placement of South Node, symbolizes the revisiting of past hurts, referring to the 1985 Tottenham riots, also triggered by tension between the local community and the police. The fact that at that time Uranus and Pluto were in a tense semi-square alignment, aptly demonstrates how the cycle of these collective events synchronizes with the cyclical nature of the planetary alignments.

I could go into more detail and look at more of the astrology, but I think that’s enough.

The title of this post is Why I still Love London. Here are my reasons.

London is one of the safest capital cities in the world. I have never (except for a few nights this week) felt afraid to go out after dark. We are a resilient people. As the troubles spread, so did the community spirit.

While social networking was blamed for making coordination amongst the rioters easy, soon it was being used to bring people together. Instead of coming out onto the streets with weapons and face masks, people came out in force with bin liners and brooms to collectively clean up their streets. A fitting image for a Retrograde Mercury just moving out of helpful, hygienic Virgo back into brave, proud Leo. Let’s clean up and re-claim our streets was the new battle cry!

Instead of thinking that it’s someone else’s problem or responsibility, people put up strangers in their own homes after they had lost everything to arson and looting. Bus drivers carried on working, despite the dangers (and despite Mercury retrograde!) to make sure that Londoners could get to work. There has been a massive wave of compassion for the injured Malaysian student Mohd Asyraf Haziq robbed by youths pretending that they were helping him. A Twitter campaign, #dosomethingniceforasyraf, is raising money to help his family fly over to visit him in hospital.

The positive side of Mars in Cancer has come out. Pauline Pearce, a Hackney woman was filmed bravely taking on the riotiers and expressing her disgust over what was going on in her neighborhood. Her actions demonstrate that sometimes anger is justified if used positively (click on her name to see the remarkable video if you haven't already). As the days went by, more and more ordinary people were out on the streets protecting their own communities and businesses, taking collective responsibility.

As Mars moved closer to its exact opposition with Pluto (an alignment associated with deep rage and violence), we also saw the positive side of this opposition. The holidaying politicians finally came home and all police leave was cancelled. Mass deployment of officers the likes of which I have never seen, seem to have restored calm. Mars of course symbolizes the police and with Pluto in Capricorn, the force and authority of the police. I would like to salute their tireless hard work.

More generally, Londoners are friendlier, more considerate. They are talking to each other on buses and in shops, asking after each other. There’s a feeling of pulling together, of business as usual, of not letting this beat us.

There’s even an anti-riot tea movement. (FYI, it’s about staying home and drinking tea and nothing to do with the tea party movement in the US.) It’s started selling tea to raise funds to help victims of the riots.

Now that’s the London - the Britain - I know and love.

As a P.S. here’s a brief look at the UK chart, with the relevant transits of the riot chart drawn in. Note how close the Cardinal Grand Cross is to the angles of the chart (marked in red). Indeed, as the Uranus-Pluto squares become exact, it falls very close indeed to the angles of the UK chart. This is the just the start for the UK. I am not a doom and gloom astrologer and not given to making predictions, but one thing is for sure, we now need to begin the process of restructuring our society and moving forward with the profound social and political changes that accompany significant Uranus-Pluto alignments. We have now had too many warning signals to ignore – the banking crisis, the recession, bankrupt countries, stock market crashes, unemployment, not to mention numerous instances of abuse of power coming to light, which in the UK includes the MPs expenses scandal and the hacking scandal, which not only implicated the media, but exposed immoral, maybe illegal practices, within government and police institutions.

click to enlarge

With love, keep safe.
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

The Goddesses are Coming ~ Up Close with Vesta

2011-08-02T18:38:00.001+01:00

Vesta sizes up. Credit: Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/JAXA/ESA

This week, NASA published some remarkable close up photos of the asteroid Vesta.

It’s part of NASA’s Dawn Mission, which is orbiting in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Next stop Ceres. Ceres and Vesta are what they call protoplanets and by studying them, the mission hopes to uncover new insights into the birth of our solar system.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/
UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA

You can read all about the mission at http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/

Both Ceres and Vesta are well known to astrologers. Along with Juno and Pallas Athena they are the Asteroid Goddesses, profoundly feminine energies amongst a group of planets that for the most part are named for the western masculine mythological tradition. Slowly though, the tables are turning, as new bodies are being named for female deities including Eris, after the Greek goddess of strife and discord and Sedna, in honor of the Inuit goddess of the sea.

And now that Vesta and eventually Ceres are finally showing us their beautiful faces, close up and personal, what does this mean for the feminine? As an astrologer, I believe that what happens in the skies (whether naturally or by human intervention) is reflected in the collective. So yes, I do hope that the emerging prominence of these female named objects will be reflected in a rebalancing of the masculine and feminine energies of our world. Goddess knows we need it. Oh and I’m not necessarily speaking gender here, I’m thinking more in terms of our general values - intuition, caring, sensitivity, compassion, how we care for our lovely planet and for all the human beings and creatures that walk upon it.

Vesta in Mythology

In Roman mythology, Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home and family. Her priestesses, known as the Vestal Virgins, were responsible for keeping the sacred flame alive, considered essential to the security and continuance of Rome. The Vestal Virgins took a strict vow of sexual chastity, but in return enjoyed status and privilege in Roman society. However, it is believed that earlier versions of Vesta’s priestesses (in pre-Hellenic Greece) participated in sacred sexual rites, said to symbolise the eternal sacred flame. Perhaps this is why Vesta has been associated with both the signs of Virgo (chastity/modesty/service) and Scorpio (passion/sexual energy/control).

Vesta in Astrology

In astrology, Vesta symbolises the sacred flame, the divine spark we carry within. In our birth chart, Vesta – by sign, house and aspect - symbolises whatever gives us a fire in our belly, our raw ambitions. She also speaks of the service and devotion we must apply to our passions in order to keep them alive and use them to create something useful and secure. So sexual energy, dedicated service and fiery devotion are all good key phrases for Vesta. Overall, I think Vesta symbolises that little part of ourselves that we must own and not give away, our spirit. She also, I intuit, has something to say about how we feel about our home and family and in particular symbolises the family rituals and habits that tend to become ‘sacred’ within family groups.

For further reading, see Asteroid Goddesses by Demetra George
You can get a free birth chart which includes Vesta at Astro.com http://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi
You can find out Vesta’s zodiac position for today, or any given date, at http://www.serennu.com/. Serennu also lists the positions of other asteroids, centaurs, fixed stars and trans-neptunian objects.

Explore your own Vesta

If you do a google search you will quickly and easily find some basic interpretations for your Vesta by sign and house, but why not DIY. Simply scribble down some key phrases for Vesta with the key phrases for the sign and house and then do a bit of word play….

For example here are a few quickly put together ideas for Vesta in Cancer in the Second House.
Gives of oneself sexually only when one feels secure and valued…
Devotes oneself to nurturing and healing, ambition directed towards making money from it…
Dedicates a lot of energy towards building a secure income by caring for others…
Intuitive abilities and sensitivity are assets that should be nurtured and protected…

What about your Vesta?

With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

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August Astrology Part 1 ~ Drama Revisited

2011-08-01T09:39:00.003+01:00

August’s astro-preview is split into two parts. A summary list of all August’s events is included at the end of each post. Click to read part two.

July 30: New Moon in Leo

August begins off the back of a Leo New Moon on July 30. The Sun remains in Leo until August 23.

Here are some quotes from some very well known Leos Mick Jagger’s is my particular favorite.

This classic song sums up the month of Leo for me: Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer by Nat King Cole, a legend clearly named after his Saturn and Neptune in Leo.

August 2/3: Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo

Mercury has been in Virgo since July 28, urging us to think logically, critically, analytically and to use our words, minds and hands to be helpful.

On August 2 or 3rd (depending on your time zone), the trickster planet turns retrograde. While we’ve come to expect glitches in communication, travel and technology while Mercury is retrograde, there’s no need be fearful. The world won’t stop, just remember that the devil is in the detail, so check, double check and re-check all arrangements now. It’s also a good time to review and reorganize old information. For example, I am planning to create an easy to use database of all my blog posts and articles, a perfect activity for a backward facing Mercury in Virgo.

On August 7/8 Mercury rolls back into Leo. Expect the themes and dramas of July to revisit us - dramatic communication, creative flair. At worst, stubbornness or childish tantrums. At best, humor, warmth, affection and heart.

And boy was July dramatic. In my preview of July's astrology, published on July 1, I predicted "stories about attention seeking big heads, dramatic announcements and heroic tales of courage while Mercury is in Leo. Kings, Queens and leaders could all be in the spotlight now". So what happened? Well, it was on July 4 that the News of the World phone hacking scandal finally blew up, after the revelation that the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler had been hacked. A number of high profile leaders resigned their posts and the paper was shut down. With Mercury retrograde, expect new evidence and more raking over old ground in this story. Where were the heroes? MP Tom Watson, who played a key role in bringing the scandal out into the open was one, along with the Guardian newspaper's reporting throughout. Attention seeking behavior included wannabe comic Jonnie Marbles throwing a foam pie at Rupert Murdoch at the parliamentary committee hearing. Also the horrific killing spree of Norwegian fascist Anders Behring Breivik. These men believed that they were doing something heroic, although any decent minded person would disagree with that analysis, especially in the case of Breivik. Finally, one of the key images of the scandal was the voluminous flame hair of Rebekah Brooks. Very Leo!

Mercury will turn Retrograde in Virgo on August 2/3. It re-enters Leo on August 7/8. It turns direct on August 26 and re-enters Virgo on September 8/9 where it stays until September 25.

August 3: Mars enters Cancer

Protection and security are primary concerns of Mars in Cancer, so actions tend to be influenced by those issues when Mars is in the sign of the crab. Cancer is also very intuitive, so having Mars here sees more of us acting on our hunches. The danger is that Mars in Cancer encourages hypersensitivity and over reaction. Take a deep breath before going on the defensive now. The sensitive side of Mars in Cancer is bound to come out when, on August 3, it trines Neptune in Pisces. Acting with compassion and empathy is well starred.

Cancer might be an emotional watery sign, but it is also a dynamic cardinal sign. Its get up and go energy can be unstoppable when activated. I would certainly want someone with Mars in Cancer to protect me if I was in trouble!

Moving into a cardinal sign means that Mars will be very active during August, forming dynamic aspects with Uranus and Pluto on August 9/10 and Saturn on August 25. Be prepared for challenges to present themselves on or around those dates and don’t be shocked if around the 9–10th there’s rebellious feeling in the air. To make the most out of that energy, try to use it with creativity, positivity and compassion.

Mars is in Cancer until September 19.

August 4: Retrograde Neptune revisits Aquarius

Neptune tipped his trident into watery Pisces on April 4, after 14 years in airy Aquarius. Neptune in Pisces invites us – individually and collectively – to explore things like compassion, empathy, philanthropy, suffering, idealism, spirituality and sacrifice. Before settling into Pisces though, he takes one final flight back into Aquarius. The next few months are a time to contemplate those Neptune in Pisces themes and think about how you can spread the word and make them work for the good of all humanity (Aquarius).

Neptune retrogrades back into Aquarius on August 5, re-entering Pisces on February 3, 2012, after which it will stay in Pisces until 2026.

August 13: Aquarius Full Moon

I love Full Moon times there is so much energy in the air. Sometimes it’s good, fun energy and sometimes the energy is a little crazy as things come to a head and pop. What’s best about a Full Moon I think, apart from the fact that it’s a beautiful astronomical event, is that it highlights the common issues of the two opposing signs the Sun and Moon fall in.

Now we are drawn to pay homage to the Leo-Aquarius axis (or continuum, as astrology Joyce Mason so aptly expresses it). Together, Leo and Aquarius symbolize the urge to balance the individual need for personal gain and acclaim with the collective responsibility to abide by rules set to benefit all of society (and if you think rules are not very Aquarian, pause to remember that Aquarius’ ancient ruler is none other than stern father Saturn).

Aquarius will never deny Leo’s right to be king, but will absolutely insist that the king serves his people with integrity and honesty. Teamwork and delegation of authority is everything to Aquarius and selfish greed is just not acceptable. Aquarius teaches that it is through serving the group, the community, the team, our friends, that we gain the honor and significance that is so crucial to Leo.

Conversely, Leo teaches Aquarius that sometimes you have to take the lead if the cause is important enough. Somebody has to stand up for the masses, rebel against the status quo and shake the system up, if there is to be any chance of a lasting change for the better and what better than Aquarian energy to do this!

On a personal level, look for help from the groups you belong to (your community, your team, your friendship circle etc) during this Full Moon for clues about what might need to be addressed or released in your life right now, then seize your power, remembering to act in a way that will benefit your community, whilst still honoring your own unique, highly individual needs.

Most of all - have some fun. Happy Full Moon.

Summary of August’s Main Events

August 2: Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo
August 3: Mars enters Cancer and trines Neptune
August 4: Retrograde Neptune revisits Aquarius
August 7/8: Retrograde Mercury re-enters Leo and opposes Neptune
August 9: Mars square Uranus
August 10: Mars opposes Pluto
August 13: Aquarius Full Moon
August 16: Conjunction of Sun, Mercury and Venus
August 21: Venus enters Virgo
August 22: Sun opposes Neptune
August 23: Sun enters Virgo
August 25: Mars square Saturn
August 26: Mercury turns Direct
August 29: Virgo New Moon
August 30: Jupiter in Taurus retrograde.

Click for August's Moon Phases
Click for Void of Course Moon times for August

Get Part 2 of August Astrology delivered directly to your inbox:

NOTE: *Where two dates are given, the event occurs on the earlier date in American time zones and on the later date in European time zones. This is due only to time differences on the clock, in reality the event occurs simultaneously everywhere.
With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

2011-07-29T09:06:00.000+01:00

An old classic from Nat King Cole.

A perfect accompaniment to the Leo New Moon on July 30.

"Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer"

Enjoy!

You'll wish that summer could always be here....

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Amy Winehouse, the 27 Club & the Secondary Progressed Moon Cycle

2011-07-25T11:21:00.004+01:00

The astrological blog-o-sphere is awash with opinion about the astrological measurements that symbolise the tragic early death of singer Amy Winehouse. Her death at 27 puts her in the infamous ‘27 Club’ a well documented group of wild creative geniuses who left this planet at the same age. The group includes Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.

Astrologically, age 27 is associated with the first progressed lunar return – the time when the secondary progressed Moon returns to its natal position. Amy had a progressed lunar return just six months ago.

Earlier this year I wrote a detailed article about the progressed lunar cycle - a cycle of emotional maturity. The article also explores the relationship between the progressed lunar return and the Saturn return which closely follows it:

“The transition from the Child phase to the Adult phase occurs around the age of 27-28, when the secondary progress (SP) Moon returns to its natal position and conjuncts the natal Moon. It is not until we have experienced our first full SP Moon cycle, closely followed by our first Saturn return, that we can truly understand our own emotional needs and get to grips with our place in the world in relation to others. While the Saturn return brings hard work, crisis and the need to let go of the material safety net of our childhood, the first SP Lunar Return, which precedes it, represents a major emotional initiation. We must work to remove the emotional crutches of childhood in order to move into our future. Along the way, we must lose our innocence, but in so doing we become emotionally mature in order to allow ourselves to experience emotional fulfilment and stability in the future”. Read the full article here

To leave around the time of the first progressed lunar return and before the first Saturn return suggests a subconscious reluctance to grow up, an inability to come into full maturity. On the other hand, when we consider the early fame and talent of those in the ‘27 Club’, we could hypothesise that they had simply done all they needed to do, on a spiritual level. They had created their legacy and it was time to move on.

On a karmic level, we could say that having completed one full cycle, these souls had reached a ‘break clause’ in their soul contract which they opted to exercise. I think this hypothesis is supported by the fact that 27 is also marked by the nodal half return, another karmic time point on our journey through incarnation.

One final observation…Amy has an Out of Bounds Moon, a measurement she shares with Kurt Cobain. Steven Forrest has done some fine work on the Out of Bounds Moon. Some of the characteristics he associates with the OOB Moon are: bold, groundbreaking genius; criminal (or alleged criminal) behaviour; zany characters; ‘nice’ outlaws and finally, choosing to leave early, which Forrest describes as a “tendency to walk away from situations which more conventional individuals might consider prestigious or desirable. Voluntarily, they exile themselves from success as it would be defined at the tribal level”. In the case of Winehouse and Cobain, the early exit was at its most extreme and irreversible.

You can read Forrest’s fascinating article on the Out of Bounds Moon here. The article also explains what the Out of Bounds Moon is and how to calculate it.

I could go into a detailed analysis of Winehouse’s chart and the transits for her day of death, but I am not in the habit of doing ‘death predictions’, even after the fact. If you want to look at her chart for yourself, astrologer Frank C Clifford has recently published data, as follows:

Amy Jade Winehouse, R.I.P. Born 14 September 1983, 22:25 GDT, Enfield, London, England. Source: From Winehouse's mother to a mutual friend of astrologer Margaret Zelinski. RR: A.

Alternatively you will find a wealth of articles on other astrology blogs. http://www.astrodispatch.com/ publishes most of the best.

There is also a whole website dedicated to the astrology of the Club of 27

Comic actor Russell Brand, a friend of Amy's, has written an honest, sincere and moving article about Amy and the nature of addiction. He also relates how at 27 he went into recovery from his own addictions and turned his life around: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/24/russell-brand-amy-winehouse-woman

See also: The 27's, the Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll, by Eric Segalstad and Josh Hunter. Astrologer Rob Tillett contributed some of the astrological observations to the book.

Rest in Peace Amy, you will be missed.

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

A note: If you are about to experience your first SP lunar return or you have an Out of Bounds Moon, this does not mean that you may die. The people discussed above are rare souls indeed and do not reflect tangible possibilities for the rest of us. I would also like to add that this article is not intended to romantise the lifestyle choices that this group of people made. If you are having problems with drugs, alcholol or have other addictions, Astroair urges you to please seek help.

Here again is the link to my article about the Secondary Progressed Moon cycle: http://www.radicalvirgo.com/2011/04/emotional-maturity-secondary-progressed.html

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Astrology for July ~ Pt. 3 The Lion and the Maiden

2011-07-22T07:25:00.000+01:00

My astro-preview this month is split into three parts, published a few days apart. A summary list of all July’s events and links is included at the end of each post. Click for Part 1 and Part 2

July 22/23*: Sun enters Leo

The Sun is out and proud! In loyal Leo, the Sun leads by the heart and it’s time to express yourself with pride, vitality and warmth. This is a great Sun placement for anyone who wants to be noticed and enjoys a sense of drama. If you’re going to do it, do it large while the Sun is in Leo! The Sun in Leo also stimulates our creative energy, along with our innate magnanimity. What could possibly go wrong with the Sun in this lovely sign? Well, watch out for childish behaviour, stubbornness and excessive ego/arrogance when the Sun is in Leo. Instead, remind yourself of the lessons of Leo - to lead honourably, to behave generously, to live life creatively and dramatically and to shine without leaving others in the shade.

Enjoy the Sun in Leo and a happy birthday to all you Lions out there! Here are some quotes from some very well known Leos.

The Sun will be in Leo until August 23.

July 28: Venus enters Leo

Venus the planet of love and affection joins the Sun in Leo. This placement urges us to express our affections with warmth and enthusiasm. Venus in Leo needs to remember though that there are two people in every relationship and it’s not appropriate for one partner to take up all the emotional space, there needs to be space for both partners to feel and express themselves. On the upside, Venus in Leo gives affection generously and enthusiastically and receives affection with good grace and an open heart. Most of all, Venus in Leo is a highly creative and sociable placement which urges us, through our relationships, to bring our inner child out to play. Enjoy!

Venus will be in Leo until August 21

July 28: Mercury enters Virgo

Mercury feels right at home in the exacting sign of Virgo. This is a time to think logically, critically, analytically and to use our words, minds and hands to be helpful and provide service to others. The energies for this Virgo placement are great for paying attention to detail, thinking things through with a healthy does of scepticism and communicating in a matter of fact, down to earth way. This can also be a humbling placement for Mercury, but perhaps that’s a good thing to counteract the ego centric energies of Sun and Venus in Leo. Just be careful of not being overly negative, taking on too much or losing sight of the bigger picture.

It would be wise to tackle anything complex or detailed and to have any difficult conversations before Mercury in Virgo turns retrograde in early August.

Mercury will turn Retrograde in Virgo on August 2/3. It re-enters Leo on August 7/8. It turns direct on August 26 and re-enters Virgo on September 8/9 where it stays until September 25.

July 30: New Moon in Leo ~ Lions in the Shade

The New Moon is the dark time of the month. This New Moon is in Leo, the sign that loves the brightness of the Sun, so what happens when you put Leo in the shadows? Well, simply put, the Lion takes a nap. He might be the king of the jungle, but he’s lazy at heart and can’t be in the spotlight all of the time!

For all of us - but particularly those with the Sun or Moon (or to a lesser extent other planets and angles) at 6-8 degrees of Leo or Aquarius - this New Moon is a time to recharge our batteries. Enough of work already, it’s time to rest and it’s time to play. Indulging in any kind of play now, in the widest sense of the word, is a great way to stimulate your inner child and get those creative juices running for the month ahead.

If you do anything this New Moon, make sure you do it with pride, warmth, confidence and generosity. Make those lions proud.

Summary of July’s Main Events

July 1: Eclipsed New Moon at 9 degrees Cancer
July 1/2*: Mercury enters Leo
July 3/4*: Venus enters Cancer
July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde at 5 degrees Aries
July 13: Venus in Cancer square Saturn in Libra (11 degrees)
July 14/15*: Full Moon at 22 degrees Capricorn
July 22/23*: Sun enters Leo
July 28: Venus enters Leo
July 28: Mercury enters Virgo
July 30: New Moon at 7 degrees Leo

Click for Void of Course Moon times for July

Click for Astroair’s three month Solstice Forecast

NOTE: *Where two dates are given, the event occurs on the earlier date in American time zones and on the later date in European time zones. This is due only to time differences on the clock, in reality the event occurs simultaneously everywhere. In the summary of July’s events the degrees have been rounded up or down to the nearest degree.

With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Will David Cameron Survive the News of the World Scandal?

2011-07-19T15:15:00.001+01:00

i newspaper headline 19 July '11

As I write, calls for British Prime Minister David Cameron to quit or at the very least apologise over his part in the News International crisis are growing. The criticism is centred around Cameron’s appointment of disgraced former News of the World editor Andy Coulson to a government advisory position. Coulson resigned this post earlier this year and has since been arrested over the phone hacking scandal. Betting odds on Cameron resigning were yesterday slashed from 100/1 to 8/1.

Why is Cameron in such a dangerous position now? Well, the two most senior officers in the Metropolitan police resigned yesterday over the scandal, specifically over the Met’s appointment of former News of the World journo Neil Wallis. Wallis has also since been arrested over the hacking scandal. So the question is, if that is enough to bring down two Met chiefs, why not Cameron, whose appointment of Coulson seems just as dodgy as the Met’s hiring of Wallis?

Let’s take a look at the charts. Below is a tri-wheel. In the centre is the UK 1801 chart, Cameron’s chart is in the middle, and around the outside are the transits for tomorrow when Cameron will be back in parliament. (Tri-wheels can look at bit busy, so the individual charts are posted at the end.)

Click to enlarge

The first striking thing is that Cameron’s Venus in Libra falls exactly on the UK’s Ascendant. The ASC and first house is arguably the most important point in a country chart, because it represents the country and its inhabitants as a whole.

With a Libra ASC and first house, the UK prides itself on its fair and just society, as well as on its diplomacy, its negotiating expertise and its ability to get along with other countries. Simply put, the UK wants to be liked, it aims to please. With Cameron’s Venus so tightly conjunct the UK ASC and because Venus is highly dignified in Libra by ruler-ship, it is easy and natural for Cameron to channel and represent these positive UK ‘qualities’.

Cameron’s Sun in Libra also falls in the UK’s first house and this is where the picture gets more difficult for him. Traditionally, the Sun in Libra is in its fall. Planets in their fall are said to feel uncomfortable and weak, with reduced power to assert themselves. The Sun in Libra therefore needs the support of others to achieve its goals. We can see how Cameron has made the most of his networks to gain power, starting off with an Eton/Oxbridge education, a combination that is still a ticket to power, if you can afford it. Even before the hacking scandal blew up, there were rumblings about Cameron’s background amongst certain sectors when he announced his government austerity measures (severe cuts in jobs and services). They asked whether a man of his privilege could have any understanding of the ordinary concerns of the ordinary citizens he represents.

Now, during this hacking scandal, we are learning more about the other networks that have helped Cameron into power, notably, his personal friendships with influential News International executives and the ill judged role he gave to Coulson, who had resigned from the News of the World way back in 2007 over phone hacking. It has also been implied by commentators that News International dropped any residual support of the Labour party by its tabloids before the 2010 general election because Labour didn’t back Murdoch’s BskyB bid. It is rumored that the conservatives were more willing to support the deal so the papers went with them. It can’t be underestimated how influential the newspapers still are when it comes to elections in the UK.

Now these relationships, and others, so carefully nurtured by Cameron are starting to fall apart. Often, when a planet is in its fall, there is a humbling experience when those factors or people who ‘propped up’ the planet start to fall away. This is certainly what is happening now.

What of the transits? Well this is where it gets very interesting. Transiting Saturn is moving through the crucial 1st house in the charts of both the UK and David Cameron. Transiting Saturn is urging us, as a nation, as well as urging Cameron personally, to see reality as it really is. It is asking us to take responsibility for our actions and address wrongdoings. With Saturn you get out what you put in and if what you put in is criminal or immoral or not in the best interests of the collective, Saturn will not let you get away with it. Saturn transits also teach us lessons and ask us to restructure aspects of ourselves, or in this context, to restructure our media, government and police force. In Libra, Saturn also speaks about how we handle our relationships and about justice and the law. Transiting Saturn has already made two hits on Cameron’s Sun and will make the final hit in early September. Cameron needs to put things right. He cannot get away with cutting corners, fudging or not telling ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth’. Lies will be exposed.

This is dramatically underlined by the relationship of the UK chart and Cameron’s chart to the moving Uranus-Pluto square. The challenging alignments of these two planets are associated with huge and often revolutionary changes in society, culture and politics. They symbolize energy for change and revolution. They bring shocks, breakdowns, breakthroughs and seemingly sudden, but far reaching events that alter everything. This is a long transit. We are already feeling it quite obviously in the collective even though it’s yet to make an exact hit. The first of seven hits comes in June 2012 and the final hit will be in March 2015. The rounded up cardinal degrees for the exact alignments are 8, 7, 11, 9, 14, 13 and 15. Notice how the first four hit the angles of the UK chart. Notice also how the Uranus-Pluto square will form a t-square with Cameron’s Venus and then his Sun, giving him a mega-transit that will last until 2015!

Whether he ‘survives’ this scandal or not, there seems little doubt that the fate of the UK is tied up with the fate of Cameron. Uranus-Pluto can mean a metaphorical ‘sudden death’ in this context, but on the other hand, Pluto is the survivor. I wouldn’t like to make a call either way on whether Cameron will lose his office, except to say that I will not be totally surprised if he does go as a direct or indirect result of this mess, if not immediately, but further down the line. Perhaps he will charm his way through the Uranus-Pluto transit to his Venus, but then fall when it hits his debilitated Sun in Libra?

Time will tell us the fate of Cameron and his government, but will the UK establishment ever be the same again? For myself, I very much hope that things will change for the better. Or maybe after the hacking scandal has blown over and few heads have conveniently rolled, we will go back to ‘business as usual’ at UK plc, like we did after the banking crisis and the parliamentary expenses scandal. For all our sakes, I truly hope that this is not the case.

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/
Related posts:
No More Secrets, Pluto in Capricorn
The Lid Comes Off the Jar, Pholus, the Murdoch’s and the News of the World Scandal

Click to enlarge

The Lid Comes off the Jar ~ Pholus, the Murdochs and the NoW Scandal

2011-07-15T21:32:00.003+01:00

Watching news coverage of Rupert Murdoch’s personal apology to the Dowler family this evening, the reporter likened the whole News of the World scandal to the lid coming off the jar as the revelations continue to unfold in the phone hacking scandal.

The lid coming off the jar reminded me of Melanie Reinhart’s description of the centaur Pholus. It was no surprise then to discover that Murdoch is having a Pholus transit. Pholus is currently positioned at 14 Sagittarius 38 retrograde. Sagittarius of course is the sign of internationalism and publishing. Transiting Pholus is squaring Murdoch’s natal Mercury (news, communication, information) at 15 Pisces 56. Yes indeed, the lid has come off the jar, as the world finally understands exactly what went on at his News International business and possibly beyond.

Zane B Stein describes Pholus as “like a pressure release, akin to shaking up a bottle of Pepsi on a hot day, and promptly opening it. It's just that the stuff keeps coming out. A genie coming out of a bottle is perhaps a better metaphor, but that, too, comes with the sense of materialization. Pholus has a quality of opening the door to the infinite. Depending on the door, that may or may not be helpful, or seem helpful, but it is what it is and when Pholus has become active, it's necessary to get out of denial and work with the energy consciously.”

You can easily draw your own conclusion about how the themes of Pholus are reflected in this massive current news story. Stein goes on to say that Pholus, “is the Centaur of fast-moving changes, or rapid transformations.”

Stein also explains how Pholus’ orbit crosses that of both Uranus (shocks, revolutionary energy, breakdowns and breakthroughs) and Neptune (media, deception, scandals). Therefore, it’s safe to assume that Pholus picks up and carries the energies of both planets as it moves through the zodiac and we can easily see those themes here.

Robert von Heeren adds that Pholus is "the catalyst and provider for a landslide-like change (in history for example) and turning points....in some cases, Pholus activity represents or instigates situations in which something gets out and you cannot get it back in, such as when riots begin and the government cannot stop them, or you make one change and it cascades into a series of other developments. This same quality also gives Pholus experiences the quality of a leap to a new level.”

Perhaps we can add that Murdoch’s natal Mercury, in its fall in Pisces, has made self deception and a loss of touch with the reality of a situation an easy space for his mindset to end up in and with that Mercury on his IC, opposing his MC, it's all tied up with his roots, where he came from and how he has expressed himself through his career. Now, with Pholus charging up that Mercury, it’s all coming out, in the most public of ways.

What about Murdoch’s natal Pholus? At just short of 6 degrees of Capricorn, its conjunct his Ascendant (ego, identity), at 2 Capricorn and opposite his Jupiter (again, publishing and internationalism) at 10 Capricorn in his ‘relationship with the public’ 7^th house.

Another quality given to Pholus is that is symbolises anything that involves three generations. The whole News International affair centres around Rupert Murdoch and his son James, Chief Executive of News Corporation, which oversees News International. That’s two generations. The third? Well, today, when Murdoch Snr. personally apologised to the Dowler family, he is reported as saying that the News of the World’s actions were not the standard set by his journalist father. Remember, his natal Mercury on the IC (roots, father) is receiving a transit from Pholus. We can easily surmise that Murdoch can imagine his father telling him how ashamed he is by what has happened.

James Murdoch, born on 13 December 1972 in Wimbledon London (source Wikipedia) has three planets in Sagittarius (Sun, Mercury and Neptune), the sign that Pholus is currently transiting. More remarkably, transiting Pholus is currently opposing his Saturn (authority, lessons, karma, taking responsibility, father issues) at 16 Gemini 44. Natally, Murdoch Jnr. Has Pholus at 1 Pisces 47, tightly square his natal Mercury at 0 Sagittarius 29.

The lid really has come off the jar in a nuclear reaction type fashion and the astrology is strongly suggesting that these two men, the mastheads at the front of the whole saga, must take responsibility and try to right the wrongs of the past, not just their own personal wrongs, but the crimes and misdemeanours of their whole tribe of news makers.

With love,

Mandi

http://www.mandilockley.com/

Pholus info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholus_(astrology)

Special thanks to http://www.serrenu.com/ for the Pholus ephemeris.

Chart data for Rupert Murdoch from http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Murdoch%2C_Rupert

http://www.zanestein.com/chiron.htm

Additional research: www.bbc.co.uk/news

No More Secrets ~ Pluto in Capricorn

2011-07-07T16:12:00.002+01:00

It seems there can no longer be any secrets.

Yesterday’s Evening Standard opinion piece began, “This is an age of institutional and professional crisis”. As an astrologer I would add, “This is the age of Pluto in Capricorn”.

Since the God of the Underworld moved into the sign of corporate business, authority figures, politics, and working practices, revelation after revelation has been dug up and exposed to the light. It’s been hard even to keep up with developments, but here are a few notable examples.

In 2008, just as Pluto was dipping its toe in Capricorn and the expansive, bloated, globalising Pluto in Sagittarius era was concluding, "the financial sector was rocked to its foundations by global nemesis". That’s another quote from The Evening Standard. I couldn’t phrase it myself with more Pluto in Capricorn gusto! The upshot was that the financial world got so high on profiting from reckless lending that they forgot to notice when there was nothing left to lend. I don’t need to point out, dear reader, that we are all still paying the price several years later.

In 2009, the wealth management business of Bernard Madoff was exposed as a fraudulent Ponzi scheme. Thousands of investors lost billions of dollars. 73 year old Madoff was convicted to 150 years in prison. I’m guessing he’ll have to finish his sentence in Hades’ realm.

Sir Peter Viggers' Duck Island

Also in 2009, the UK parliamentary expenses scandal “swept through the Palace of Westminster like a cleansing fire” when the Daily Telegraph published details of controversial expenses claims. The scandal led to the resignation of a number of high profile politicians. Subsequently, a handful of MPs/former MPs and Peers have faced criminal charges, guilty verdicts and custodial sentences. Many more made a gesture of paying back some of the taxpayer money they had erroneously claimed as expenses. Some of the most notorious examples of fraudulent or inappropriate expense claims included numerous unnecessary second homes, a duck island, the cost of maintaining a moat and porn movie rentals.

Now, this week, we are in the midst of the latest and the worst episode in the News of the World phone hacking scandal. The heinous practices of the tabloid rag were first exposed in 2005 following intrusion into the private lives of the Royals, leading to two criminal prosecutions. Then, in July 2009 the story resurfaced when The Guardian newspaper alleged that over 3,000 celebrities, politicians and other public figures had been hacked. It was also alleged that NoW paid off some of the victims to avoid legal action.

Remember, for most of 2008 and 2009, Pluto was on or around the revelatory Aries Point, the point at zero degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) where the private becomes public and the personal becomes political. Well, Pluto at 0 Capricorn certainly didn’t disappoint on that score!

Also in late 2008 and through to mid 2010, we were in the midst of a series of status quo shaking Saturn and Uranus oppositions. These oppositions, the half way peak of the current Saturn-Uranus cycle, symbolized a societal crisis point and the collective urge for change. Out with the old, in with the new was the rallying cry. In the US, it was Barack Obama who answered the call, becoming America’s first black president. In the UK it was out with Labour and in with a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

In late 2009, Saturn dipped his scythe into Libra and began a sequence of dynamic and stressful squares with Pluto. The information dredged up under Pluto in Capricorn’s energies met the energies of harsh but fair Saturn in Libra. Out came the scales of justice and the purging began. In fact, it was in Feb 2010, just days after the second exact hit of this aspect that it was announced that a number of individuals would face criminal charges in the parliamentary expenses scandal. All of them were convicted.

Sienna Miller, phone
hacking victim

Back to the hacking scandal and it now seems clear that Pluto isn’t through with the News of the World. The story has been rumbling on and refusing to go away since the 2009 Guardian allegations and has slowly been building momentum. That said, the general public seemed quite ambivalent about tales of celebrities being hacked, perhaps because they understood the mutually dependent relationship between celebs and the tabloids in the PR driven fame game.

Everything changed this week. The tipping point in public and media opinion came when it was revealed that the mobile phone of murdered teenager Milly Dowler was hacked and messages deleted, giving her family false hope that she was still alive. It’s also been revealed that this was by no means a one off. The bereaved families of other murder victims and terrorist attack victims were also hacked. More names are being added to the list daily. Advertisers are pulling out of NoW faster than you can blink.

What is also shocking is that these hackings go back at least as far as 2002. Furthermore, the evidence of this week’s revelations was unearthed way back in 2005/2006. Why was it sat upon for so long? What was the true nature of the relationship between NoW and the Metropolitan Police? Already, it’s been alleged that NoW paid the Met for stories. Did the NoW editors of the day really know nothing about what was going on at the paper they were in charge of, as they claim? What about NoW’s relationship with government? Certainly, two former NoW editors who were at the helm when the alleged hackings took place have been closely linked with the Prime Minister David Cameron.

The News of the World is ultimately owned by media plutocrat Rupert Murdoch. It will be interesting to see how he comes out of all this and what becomes of his takeover bid for BSkyB, a dealing facing ever growing mass public protest. Transiting Pluto has already completed a series of conjunctions to Murdoch’s Capricorn Ascendant, but it seems that Pluto is not through with him yet. (Astrodatabank)

Click on the link for a timeline of how this story has unfolded.
For the BBC’s Q&A, click here

The words heinous, disgusting, repulsive and shocking have all been used extensively to describe the NoW scandal. These are very Uranian words. Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries are rumbling ever closer to their first exact square next year. In fact, they have been close enough to count as ‘in aspect’ for some time now, for the purposes of mundane (world) astrology anyhow. Uranus-Pluto is the revolutionary, everything must change, nothing will be the same again aspect. Just look at what has been unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa.

This powerful Uranus-Pluto square alignment, the first major crisis point for this planetary cycle since their world shaking mid-sixties conjunction, takes us right through to 2015. What we are seeing now is merely the tip of a very large iceberg. When Uranus and Pluto find their momentum, no government or corporate ship will be unsinkable. If you’ve anything to hide, you’d better find out where the lifejackets are kept.

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Astrology for July ~ Pt. 2 Backwards and Full

2011-07-05T08:47:00.001+01:00

My astro-preview this month is split into three parts, published a few days apart. A summary list of all July’s events and links is included at the end of each post. Click for Pt. 1

July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde ~ The Storm Breaks

The Retrograde period for any planet symbolises a time when the energies and urges the planet represents go inwards, slow down and come up for review.

What does this mean for intense, rebellious, freedom loving Uranus?

A burst of exciting, electrifying energy is likely when Uranus goes retrograde, preceded by a sense of frustration as it slows down before turning. It’s a bit like the feeling when the sky feels dark and heavy and you know a storm is coming. Dramatic change is in the air. When the storm breaks there’s a big sense of relief and awe as the heavens open up and crack with lightning.

Uranus turns retrograde at 04Ari34 and turns direct on 10 Dec 2011 at 00Ari39. If you have planet or angles between zero and four degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) you will get the second hit of a Uranus transit while Uranus is retrograde. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com)

Under a Uranus transit things suddenly become clearer. The urge for freedom, to break out of a rut seems intense. Change is coming over the horizon, but you don’t quite know what that change will look like or when exactly it will arrive, but you hope that clear blue skies will follow the storm. You may feel inspired and energetic about embracing the new and full of inventive ideas. Expect the unexpected under a Uranus transit! During this retrograde second hit of your transit you may feel that old ground is being re-covered or you might feel frustrated that change and freedom is coming too slowly. Don’t rush to make all or nothing changes now, but do claim some space and a little extra freedom for yourself though, this is important for finding and holding a clear perspective on all the craziness that may be going on around you.

For more on Uranus transits, have a look at my recent post about Good News Uranus Transits here and also see Uranus in Aries Transits
Tuning into the Sky God: I love synchronicity and as I started to write this slot about Uranus a storm broke and as I finish the storm is passing and I can glimpse a little bit of blue sky beyond the clouds.

July 14/15*: Full Moon in Capricorn

In Capricorn, this Full Moon brings to a head issues associated with the sign of the sea goat, whose goal is to cross every raging torrent and conquer every mountain top, little by little, steady as he goes. Yes, Capricorn is the upwardly mobile organizer-administrator of the zodiac, the practical, ‘get things done’ type, driven by ambition and the need to progress.

The Capricorn Moon opposes the Cancer Sun. Oppositions invite us to see the other side of things and to find a balance between the opposing urges of the two signs involved. With Capricorn and Cancer, the need to balance work life and home/family life could crop up. With more of us working longer and harder to provide for ourselves and our families, our ability to hold things in equilibrium needs addressing. While we need to be financially secure (Capricorn), we also need to remember that emotional security (Cancer) is just as important.

Venus Square Saturn: Ultimately Full Moons, being oppositions, are about relationships. Because this Full Moon is accompanied by a square between Venus in protective, sensitive Cancer square Saturn in partnership focussed Libra, it’s reasonable to expect that our relationships could feel tested during this Full Moon and the few days leading up to it. Perhaps it’s time for us to consider setting some healthy boundaries in all our partnerships.

This Full Moon will be particularly relevant if you have planets or angles around 22 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra. Venus square Saturn (exact on July 13) will be relevant to you if you have planets or angles around 11 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra.

Summary of July’s Main Events

July 1: Eclipsed New Moon at 9 degrees Cancer
July 1/2*: Mercury enters Leo
July 3/4*: Venus enters Cancer
July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde at 5 degrees Aries
July 13: Venus in Cancer square Saturn in Libra (11 degrees)
July 14/15*: Full Moon at 22 degrees Capricorn
July 22/23*: Sun enters Leo
July 28: Venus enters Leo
July 28: Mercury enters Virgo
July 30: New Moon at 7 degrees Leo

Click for Void of Course Moon times for July
Click for Astroair’s three month Solstice Forecast

NOTE: *Where two dates are given, the event occurs on the earlier date in American time zones and on the later date in European time zones. This is due only to time differences on the clock, in reality the event occurs simultaneously everywhere. In the summary of July’s events the degrees have been rounded up or down to the nearest degree.

Picture credit: Nasa

With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Astrology for July (Update 1 - Eclipse)

2011-07-01T14:19:00.000+01:00

As an experiment (well, I am having a Uranus transit) my astro-preview this month will be split into three parts, published a few days apart. This is because I’ve decided it’s best to publish a few bite size chunks rather than one long post. Let me know if you disagree. A summary list of all July’s events will be included at the end of each post.

July 1: Cancer New Moon ~ An Eclipse in a Shell

July kicks off with the Sun in sensitive, nurturing Cancer conjunct Moon in Cancer, for an Eclipsed New Moon on the first of the month. Solar Eclipses are times of endings, when something is literally eclipsed. Inherent in endings though are fresh starts and new beginnings, so when something ends it can often be a very positive thing. For example, a marriage marks the end of single life and a long awaited retirement means the end of working life and a new taste of freedom.

Because Solar Eclipses are basically New Moons with a bit of extra pizzazz, similar themes apply. Use this Eclipse time to rest, pause and plan. It’s even OK to retreat into your shell a little bit during this Cancer eclipse, to seek comfort and security at home or around those you are closest to.

This eclipse falls at 9 degrees of Cancer, so will be most relevant to those of you who have a planet or angle between seven and eleven degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). The effect of an Eclipse falling closely in aspect to one of your planets or an angle can last several months. Because eclipses fall in exactly the same sign and degree every 19 years, it’s worth looking back to see what was going on in your life back then, because it could offer you some clues about what this current eclipse means to you personally.

This Eclipse hooks into the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto cardinal t-square, with Saturn at 11 Libra, Uranus at 5 Aries and Pluto at 6 Capricorn. This means that if this eclipse touches one or more of your planets or angles, you are in the midst of, or on the brink of, one or more important transits. I recommend you browse through the articles from last year’s Cardinal T-Square blog-a-thon, which offer plenty of insight, resources, coping mechanisms and healing tips for the transits of Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. Please note that orbs are traditionally very tight for transits to natal planets and points. Allow a maximum of two degrees either side.

This is the third eclipse within the last month – see June Astrology ~ Welcome to Eclipse Season for more on the two June eclipses. See also Working with Eclipses for some handy tips on unravelling what your Eclipse transit might mean for you.

July 1/2*: Mercury enters Leo ~ Dramatic Cat

Less than 24 hours after the Eclipse, Mercury, the messenger of the gods, moves out of Cancer and into Leo. What message does this carry for us? In Leo, Mercury communicates with drama and creative flair. It can be given to stubborn or childish tantrums, but at best, this is a Mercury placement that urges us to communicate with humour, warmth and affection. Leo is also a great Mercury sign for intuition, for listening with your heart as well as your head.

It’s a fun game of mine to watch/read the news for stories that reflect the current Mercury placement, especially when Mercury’s in a fire sign. Look out for stories about attention seeking big heads, dramatic announcements and heroic tales of courage while Mercury is in Leo. Kings, Queens and leaders could all be in the spotlight now and expect issues of pride and respect to come up.

Mercury will be in Leo until July 28. It then re-enters Leo on August 7/8 when retrograde. It turns direct on August 26 in Leo and re-enters Virgo on September 8/9 where it stays until September 25.

July 3/4*: Venus enters Cancer ~ Sweet Nothings

When relationship planet Venus moves from Gemini to Cancer, there should be less talking and more holding hands and hugging. Venus in Cancer urges us to express our affection with sensitivity, to give comfort to our loved ones to make them feel safe and secure.

Venus in Cancer easily absorbs the feeling and moods of others, which is why this placement can sometimes feel overly protective. We can easily feel a little crabby when Venus is in this watery sign. Overcome this by putting some effort into nurturing your loved one. A tender caress, a few loving sweet words or a nice home cooked meal are good ways to show your love and appreciation when Venus is in Cancer.

Venus will be in Cancer until July 28.

Summary of July’s Main Events

July 1: Eclipsed New Moon at 9 degrees Cancer
July 1/2*: Mercury enters Leo
July 3/4*: Venus enters Cancer
July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde at 5 degrees Aries
July 13: Venus in Cancer square Saturn in Libra (11 degrees)
July 14/15*: Full Moon at 22 degrees Capricorn
July 22/23*: Sun enters Leo
July 28: Venus enters Leo
July 28: Mercury enters Virgo
July 30: New Moon at 7 degrees Leo

Click for Void of Course Moon times for July

Click for Astroair’s three month Solstice Forecast

NOTE: *Where two dates are given, the event occurs on the earlier date in American time zones and on the later date in European time zones. This is due only to time differences on the clock, in reality the event occurs simultaneously everywhere. In the summary of July’s events the degrees have been rounded up or down to the nearest degree.

With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Planetary Postcards

2011-06-25T11:20:00.000+01:00

I picked up these wonderful postcards at Out of this World a fantastic Science-Fiction exhibition at The British Library....

From Jules Verne, The Moon Voyage 1876

Cover of sheet music for A Signal from Mars a march and a two step inspired by the interception of radio signals believed to have come from Mars.

Illustration by Frank R Paul of Life on Mercury from Fantastic Adventures 1939.
The postcard says Mercury, being dangerously near the Sun, is a planet of terrific heat. Life, says science, can only exist in insect form.

Cover of Across the Zodiac by Edwin Pallander, 1896

Solstice Forecast

2011-06-19T18:18:00.001+01:00

What will the next three months bring? Change or business as usual? Summer of discontent or calm before the storm?

The Sun’s yearly ingress into Cancer marks the June Solstice (summer in the northern hemisphere, winter in the south).

Solstice charts, along with Equinox charts, are considered to reflect the energies of the upcoming three months.

The Solstice chart below is set for London, for the moment the Sun moves into Cancer on June 21. However, the planetary aspects, degrees and sign placements will not change if you relocate the chart, (only the angles and house positions change), so they are relevant anywhere. So this review of the Solstice looks at the general aspects and planet positions, as they would apply anywhere in the world and also looks at a few things as they relate specifically to the UK.

In the Solstice chart, the Sun forms a cardinal grand cross, involving Mercury, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto. (I am allowing orbs of up to ten degrees here, which is the standard in mundane (world) astrology – for natal transits the orbs would be no more than 2-3 degrees).

Click to enlarge

You’ve probably spotted that the Sun is picking up on the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto cardinal t-square that had us all in a lather last year. But don’t forget that every Solstice or Equinox chart since late 2009 has had the Sun in aspect to that t-square, because by their very nature, these charts feature the Sun at 0 degrees of one of the cardinal signs. So, business as usual? Well yes in a way, the next few months will see the nerve-racking ping-pong game of crisis-action-reaction running on and on, through the economic, political and ecological crises currently being playing out throughout the world.

What is interesting is that this is the last Solstice or Equinox chart where the Sun hooks into a conjunction, square or opposition with Saturn. In mundane astrology, Saturn rules the housing marking, industry in general and how the laws of the land are enforced and administered, so we can expect any of these issues to be aired quite extensively by our leaders in the upcoming three months.

By the time of the Libra Equinox ingress in September, Saturn will have moved out of orb, so the Sun will be in a t-square with just Uranus and Pluto, the two planets edging ever closer to their first exact square since the 1930’s. Uranus is about social rebellion and revolution, freedom, progress, technological advances and Pluto is about power struggles, control, resources, anything in society that is hidden, taboo or buried and along with Neptune, it rules oil. Already we can see Uranus-Pluto themes playing out throughout the North Africa and the Middle East. It will be interesting to see how things develop on that front once cautious, restricting, relationship-oriented Saturn in Libra moves out of the t-square.

But we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.

This Solstice chart sees two slower moving planets in new signs since the Aries Equinox in April - Jupiter in Taurus and Neptune in Pisces conjunct Chiron in Pisces.

Jupiter’s overriding principle is expansion and growth, so in Taurus, we will see issues of bodily growth (the obesity issue) and a spotlight on our society’s values and attitudes towards security. Are we consuming too much (physically and economically)? Does this really make us feel secure as a society? Do we really need all those luxuries to have a safe and comfortable life? Have we been squandering our natural resources? Already, our intensive farming methods are coming into question yet again, over the e-coli crisis which has been spreading across Europe through an as yet unidentified food source. It also asks us to rethink the way food is transported. Perhaps Jupiter in Taurus will see further growth in the burgeoning industry for locally grown seasonal produce?

Jupiter is also about higher education and with it falling in money and values oriented Taurus, we will be forced to question the value we put on higher education, as the row over massive hikes in university fees in the UK rumbles on. Should we let go of the ideal of higher education for all and let university degrees fall back into the exclusive domain of the wealthy and the privileged? A trine from Pluto in Capricorn in the 2nd house, underscores the intensity of this issue, highlighting the need for a new perspective on the whole issue. Expect this to become a tense party political issue as this summer rolls on and the new academic year edges closer.

Another topic that could come up again in the UK now that Jupiter is in Taurus is the controversial issue of airport expansion. Many plans for new runways and new airports across the UK were dropped because of the recession, but perhaps some of the plans will be picked up on again during the next year. Expect huge and popular protests from environmental groups if they do.

Neptune in Pisces has already seen some manifestations. A recent report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy said that despite the trillions spent by governments around the world on the “war on drugs”, drug usage has not fallen and drug related crime has skyrocketed. The report calls for governments to consider legalising some drugs, and the de-criminalisation of drug users.

The debate this has opened up will no doubt run and run. Already, in the UK, the charity Release (which campaigns for changes in the drugs laws in the UK) has written to the Prime Minister “calling for a review of the current drug policies, with a view to decriminalisation of possession for all drugs. This letter has been signed by leading QC's, three former Chief Constables, academics, politicians and high profile celebrities.”

Neptune in Pisces falls in the 12^th House of the Solstice chart for the UK, so we can expect the debate here to centre around the burden that illegal drug use places on our prison and healthcare systems. With the Moon (the mood of the population) widely conjunct Neptune, this issue is bound to pull at the nation’s sympathies. It is interesting to note that Neptune makes an easy trine aspect to the Sun (Prime Minister/Government), so it will be fascinating to see what they does with this issue. Will the government easily win the public around and get its way on this issue? Or will the public feel deceived (Moon-Neptune, Pisces, 12^th house)?

Also in the UK, National Health Service reforms are being planned by the government. Already, the reform plans have been changed following criticism. Again, this issues falls under Neptune conjunct Moon in Pisces trine Sun. Will the government eventually get its way? Perhaps we shouldn’t discount a tight square from Mars in Gemini in the third house. Both sides of debate will compete to get their voices heard on this issue, with the danger of an aggressive propaganda campaign on both sides.

Finally, as the Uranus-Pluto square rumbles ever closer to its first exact square in 2012, more strike action, protest and rebellion is on the way, “union leaders are threatening the biggest wave of strikes since 1926, after the government unveiled proposals for public sector employees to work longer and pay more for less generous entitlements in retirement.” I think it’s fascinating that Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn, both speak about concerns about ageing and retirement. Already, the government opposition party (symbolised by Mars in Gemini here) are warning the unions that they will play into the hands of the government if they strike, suggesting that the government will use the strikes as propaganda (Neptune in Pisces) to convince the public (the Moon) that the strikers and unions are to blame for the slow economic recovery. Expect this confused argument to heat up over the summer. (news source: BBC).

I do hope you enjoy this season, whatever it brings. Take a step back now and again and view things from the wider perspective....cherish the gift of insight that astrology brings.

With love,

Mandihttp://www.mandilockley.com/

Solstice/Equinox 101: There are two Solstices and the two Equinoxes each year. These important power points occur as the Sun enters one of the cardinal signs of the zodiac - Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn and astrologers use the charts for these events to make predictions for the following three months ahead.
The first Equinox of the year occurs when the Sun moves into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, around March 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. At an Equinox, day and night are of equal length.
The first Solstice occurs when the Sun moves into Cancer around June 21. In the Northern Hemisphere the Solstice marks midsummer, the longest day of the year and in the Southern Hemisphere it marks midwinter, the shortest day of the year.
The second Equinox, around September 21, when the Sun moves into Libra, marks the start of autumn in the N. Hemisphere and the start of spring in the S. Hemisphere.
Finally, the second Solstice of the year occurs around December 21 when the Sun moves into Capricorn, marking the shortest day (midwinter) in the N. Hemisphere and longest day (midsummer) in the S. Hemisphere. The further away from the Equator you are located the more pronounced the Equinoxes will be. For example, very Northern locations will experience twenty-four hour darkness at the winter Solstice and twenty-four hour sunlight at the summer Solstice. If you are located very near to the Equator, day and night are more or less of equal length all year round.
The Solstices and Equinoxes have been important and much celebrated festival days for many thousands of years and are today still celebrated by modern Wiccans, Pagans and Druids.
Stonehenge image from: http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/summer-solstice-tour.htm

The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge near Salisbury, England is a major focal point for celebrating the summer Solstice, with thousands gathering each year to watch the Solstice sunrise align with the stones.