Islamic Ruling on Horoscopes...

As with a lot of religions, believing in astrology or consulting an astrologer is a no-no. Go to this link to read the complete article recently publishing in the 'Saudi Gazette'.

Here is the leading paragraph:

NOT only is the practice of astrology Haraam, but also visiting an astrologer and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one’s horoscope are also forbidden. Since astrology is mainly used to predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortunetellers.

Sun moves into Pisces...

today in Kilmore at 11.46pm.

Whew... the move from Aquarius of the Sun means that some of the focus of this stellium will be eased: it also suggests that while the Sun is travelling through Pisces that we will all begin to see some of the ramifications of decisions, events and actions taken while the Sun was travelling through that stellium.

(By the way, Happy Birthday to you if are a Piscean!).

Mars conjunct Jupiter in (guess what!?).... Aquarius!

This aspect becomes exact today in Kilmore at 3.27am and is quite powerful.

The transit of Mars through this sign is accenting the recent eclipses, adding to the already powerful energy working through Aquarius already. Mars can act like a trigger for long-standing energies, like Jupiter, and give it a kick start into action: the conjunction of these two planets suggest to me that we will all have a better idea of where and how the transiting Jupiter will work for us through developments that come up now.

Conjunctions are something or someone new, so a new project, person or life situation is likely to be embodied by this energy. Looking at how and where these energies are playing out in your own chart will give you some clues as to where to look for this opportunity for a fresh and powerful new start.

Those of you with an interest in music may be interested in this article I found. I'm not musical myself so I don't feel like I can do it justice by trying to explain what it's about, but it does combine music and astrology.

Here is the opening paragraph:

By WALKER MEADE
CORRESPONDENT

Published: Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 7:26 a.m.

Two powerful musical visions of creation will share the stage for the fifth Masterworks concert of the Sarasota Orchestra season.

TICKETS

“The Four Seasons” and “The Planets” will be presented by the Sarasota Orchestra at 8 p.m. Satruday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets range from $32 to $82. 953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org.

The program includes Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” rich with images of the seasons of life; and Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” a dramatic evocation of our seven sister planets. Holst left out Earth because it is not associated with any sign of the Zodiac. (Pluto was unknown when “The Planets” was composed and is no longer considered a major planet.)

Holst, at the time of composition, had become fascinated with astrology and based the order and the characteristics of each planet on a book by astrologer Alan Leo. In fact, “Neptune, the Mystic,” is given the same title in both the book and the suite.

But the astonishing opening of “The Planets” belongs to “Mars, the Bringer of War.” And from the moment of the first thunder of martial timpani, a big-screen computer-animated odyssey is closely linked to what the audience hears.

Jupiter Conjunct North Node in Aquarius...

... I feel like I don't even need to mention that this conjunction happens in Aquarius: everything seems to be happening there at the moment!

Although many of us here in the southern part of Australia are suffering terribly through the bushfires, the message of this conjunction suggests and shows the immense, positive connections being made within the communities being affected by this tragedy.

For those of you not affected, this energy suggests that we all have the opportunity to forge positive and mutually beneficial ties with others. Look to your birth chart to see where it falls for clues on how to best utilise this lovely energy.

It becomes exact today.

Mercury enters Aquarius (again!)...

Mercury made a temporary entrance into Aquarius on Jan 1st or 2nd, depending on where you live... it only stayed there for a week or so before turning retrograde around January 11, and returning to Capricorn on January 22. It has stayed in that sign since then and went direct on February 2.

The return of this little planet to Aquarius further highlights the stellium in that zodiac sign and some of the intense activity in the areas represented by the houses affected in your own chart where Aquarius is.

Mercury is a busy little bee, and tends to stir up a lot of mental activity wherever it goes as well as picking the up the pace of life in the areas affected. With it returning to Aquarius it may be wise to look at what was happening with Mercury when it made the first entrance into this sign back at the beginning of January and look at how we can handle or communicate things better this time around.

Check your stars before you apply for that job! lol

Especially if you live in Austria... this article looks as hiring practices of an Austrian insurance company. A bit of the article is below for your info:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Good morning, star sign -- the Earth says hello: A British newspaper reports that an Austrian insurance company is being probed for discriminatory practices after it decided to hire people from only five out of the 12 astrological signs.

I'm a Cancerian Sun person, so missed out!

Sun Conjunct Neptune...

Feeling a bit lost, confused? Perhaps foggy? This may apply to you particularly if you have a strong Taurean, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarian chart (this conjunction takes place in the fixed sign of Aquarius).

This conjunction becomes exact today, perhaps making this day a good one for avoiding (good Neptune word), making any binding or permanent decisions. Good for escaping reality through reading, watching a movie, meditating, or doing whatever takes you temporarily off this planet!

Astrological Insight into Bushfires...

I must admit that the thought of the Lunar Eclipse being part of the bushfire picture did cross my mind and I mean to look into it once things settle down a bit... synchronicity beat me to it though, I found this article online and thought I'd share it with you.

The article begins with this paragraph:

The timing of the horrific fires in Australia coincidental to a penumbral eclipse of the Moon that peaks today appears to be significant. As I have been writing, we have experienced a shortage of the Fire element and a preponderance of Aquarius which is not only airy and dry, but also electrical in nature.

It is such a heartbreaking time with so many people suffering in my local community.... my heart goes out to them. As I type this the fires are still burning nearby, and I can hear the helicopters flying overhead to drop water on them in an attempt to put them out.

Bushfires...

The last few days have been hell here for so many people directly impacted on by the bushfires here in Kilmore and the surrounding areas.

My posts may be a bit disjointed over the next few days as I catch up with friends affected by these and hopefully be able to help others as well.

What a sad time.

Moon enters Virgo...

at 4.38pm in Kilmore.

Mmmmm, food, exercise, ORDER!! (or maybe the lack of it?)... these are themes that may be important now.

Lunar Eclipse... (Full Moon as well)...

today at 12.59am in Kilmore.

This eclipse falls on 20 degrees of Leo/20 degrees of Aquarius... if you have any significant points or planets at these degrees then this eclipse will be especially important for you.

Eclipses are an important time of 'illumination' and highlight the areas of life represented by where the eclipse touches your birth chart.

If you want the technical data and visibility info you can go here. People in Australia will be able to view it.

Moon enters Leo...

today at 3.43 in Kilmore.

Moon in Leo can be a fun time... since Leo is associated with children, enjoyment, fun and games.

As the Moon travels through this sign, however, it is joining in some pretty powerful energies by opposing the mega amounts of planets in the opposite sign of Aquarius. Also, the recent eclipses in the Leo/Aquarius polarity have energised these signs... as well as the recent entry of Mars in Aquarius.

Should be an interested few days!

Moon enters Cancer...

today at 3.06pm Kilmore time.

Mmmm, Cancer is the Moon's favourite sign so I would expect that emotionally people would be more balanced than usual and comfortable in the feelings that they are experiencing.

Good food, family and spending time where you feel secure and comfortable all spring to mind.

Mars enters Aquarius...

today at 2.55am in Kilmore.

Mars changing signs is always important because it means that our energy levels will change (and where we focus our energy on also changes).

The move from Capricorn to Aquarius means that the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) will be given a boost of energy that can be quite powerful and will need to be handled consciously. Aggression vs assertion will be a fine line for the fixed people!

Another thing to consider as Mars changes sign is that it will be joining the current line-up of Jupiter, the North Node, Sun, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius... suggesting that over the next few weeks as Mars moves over these points (apart from the Sun), that we will get an idea of where and how we will be using the energies available to us through these planets. Mars will also go over the recent eclipse points, energising the themes there as well.

Should be an interesting time!

Are you an Aquarian or do you have Aquarius Rising?

Then you MAY be happy to know that the new forecast for your sign has been posted here.

:)

Venus Square Pluto...

Wow.... this is likely to be pretty intense!

Venus represents our values and the way we connect with other people, while Pluto is intensely emotional and complex. Putting these two energies together in the cardinal signs is likely to help us make the changes we need to the way we relate to others and also the way we live our lives that expresses our value system.

Being a square relationship, I would think that the situations we face at this time would relate back to when Venus and Pluto were conjunct back in November 2008.

This aspect begins to form today, and will be exact tomorrow, then will gradually ease off and leave on the 7th.

Something fishy about this one... not really!

While crusing the web I found this blog entry about how the solar and lunar rhythms affect the fishing industry... very interesting. Here is a bit of it...

Much of the early research and understanding of solar and lunar influences was pioneered by John Alden Knight. In 1926 Knight began his studies of various influences that affect wildlife activity. This research resulted in his publication of tables that illustrated periods in each day of major activity and minor activity. To substantiate his research and theory, Knight analyzed data for over 200 record catches of fish. His analysis concluded that 90% of the catches were made while in the effect of the new moon and while in a "solunar period".

I hope you enjoy reading the rest of the entry!

I feel the earth, move, under my feet.... lol

With retrograde Saturn starting another opposition with about a week ago, it looks like we all have to go back to trying to stablise our Uranus energy, wherever it is in our charts... or maybe we have to loosen up Saturn!

This opposition becomes exact today and will be around until the middle of February: it is especially powerful for Virgo and Pisces people, and also for Gemini and Sagittarius.

Moon enters Gemini...

at 1.14pm in Kilmore today.

Gemini is a changeable, air sign suggesting that we will find it difficult to make our minds up about things in general. Great time for catching up with others, socialising and enjoying a bit of a chit-chat.

Venus enters Aries...

today at 2.41pm in Kilmore.

All you lovely Rams out there will love it when Venus, the planet of love, affection, fun and pleasure enters your sign today... she will be around for a few weeks so enjoy!

This is traditionally an excellent time to start a new relationship of any sort, start a new hobby, try a new look and generally just enjoy the things and people in life that bring you pleasure. This is not the best time for self-discipline though, so it's probably not the best time to start an excercise programme or diet!

Moon enters Taurus...

today at 9.09am in Kilmore...

Nice and steady is how I would describe Taurus... good time to work slowly but steadily and not to get pushy or be pushed around because we all tend to dig our heels in when the Moon travels through Taurus!

Good food and wine... mmmmmm!

Yippee... Mercury goes direct today...

at 6.10pm in Kilmore time!

This will happen at 21 Degrees and 45 minutes of Capricorn. Thankfully we can all start to see some improvement to life in general moving smoother than it has been - especially for Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Although it will take a few weeks for everything to move at top speed, at least they will start to move forwards now.