Mars Square Pluto...

today in Kilmore at 2.14am (Mars at 3 degrees of Aries and Pluto at 3 degrees of Capricorn).

Wow... this is likely to be quite an intense day or so as the planet of war in the fiery sign of Aries, clashes with the planet of transformation and intense emotions in the earthy and practical sign of Capricorn.

I think that what we can all expect is the change to work on something that brings up 'irrational' feelings that could threaten us at some level us, but also help us to do something about these feelings or situations that come up. Looking back to when Mars and Pluto where together may help us know which areas of life or the type of situations to expect: they were conjunct at the end of December 2008 in the first degree of Capricorn.

Mars being in Aries can also mean that we have the energy to make the changes to the Mars/Pluto start we made at the end of 2008 in order to be successful with this project, whatever it is (look to your own chart for clues).

Mercury Square Neptune...

today in Kilmore at 10.54am. Mercury is at 26 degrees of Taurus and Neptune is at 26 degrees of Aquarius.

Probably not the best day in the world to sign documents or make final decisions! Mercury is communication... both how we get our message across and how we take information in: mix this with Neptune who is well known in astrological circles for confusing things and things can get messy. The square suggests that we are challenged by what is really there, and that we are determined (fixed signs), to keep 'reality' as it is. The areas of life affected by this square are likely to be described by the houses involved.

On the other hand, maybe we are being too stubborn and 'fixed' in our thinking, and events will challenge (square) our reality? Maybe we need to incorporate some more Neptune (fantasy and creativity) into our lives?

I find Ignorance... offensive

Ignorance...
I get a bit annoyed by people who are quick to judge others without knowing all the facts, or who make judgements on other issues without getting a full picture of the entire situation...

New Moon in Taurus...

today in Kilmore at 1.23pm at 5 degrees of Taurus and 4 minutes.

The New Moon each month is like a mini fresh start for all of us, that is personalised by looking at where it falls in your birth chart. For example, if you have the New Moon happening in your second house this would be the best time of the year to review your finances and make the changes necessary in order for you to achieve your financial goals over the coming year.

Looking at the actual chart of the New Moon can give us a clue to how easy or difficult this process is likely to be, as well as looking at how the New Moon chart interacts with your own birth chart. Before you head starts to feel like exploding though, I think it's best to keep things pretty simple!

I just look at where the actual New Moon is happening, and then use the aspects this lunation makes within my birth chart, and also what is happening to the New Moon itself (rather than looking at everything).

This New Moon is enjoying a fabulous link through a trine to Pluto which (I think) gives it added staying power and the chance to transform something in our lives constructively. There is a square to the nodal axis which suggests an important turning point that has a fated quality, to the relationships in our lives.

I can explain

Well, Mars is in Aries and so is Venus and they are doing terrible things with Pluto at the moment (not to mention what they are doing to my birth chart!).

Venus re-enters Aries...

today at 5.18pm in Kilmore.

After a quick backwards visit to Pisces (Venus is happy in this sign so it's almost as if she dipped back into her energy pool in order to recharge herself!), this planet is now back in Aries where she went retrograde.

Now that she is back in Aries, we can all go back to our 'Venus in Aries' stuff that started on her first visit to this sign and work through them more successfuly. Venus won't be back where she started in Aries until late next month so it may take a while for us all to get back to that initial point and move forwards at full speed. Venus is moving very slowly still as she regains her composure and momentum after being retrograde.

Informative entry on Financial Astrology...

I found this article that may interest those of you interested in Financial Astrology. I don't know much about it myself, but found this article to be pretty good.

Enjoy!

The Astrology of Wine...

I found this short article online about a winemaker who incorporates astrology into the process of making wine... apparently the Moon in fire signs is important in this process.

My crazy imagination immediately brings to mind the following: Aries = a short burst of chilli flavour to the wine; Leo = a slow heat that simmers in your mouth for ages after having a sip of red; and Sagittarius = little bursts of heat that last for ages!

Sun Trine Retrograde Pluto...

today in Kilmore at 3.44pm (Sun at 3 degrees of Taurus and retrograde Pluto at 3 degrees of Capricorn).

This energy is lovely... it seems that some of the blockages we have all been experiencing in dealing with intensely emotional situations (Pluto), will get the help of the Sun through this trine in unblocking ourselves and situations that are at a stalemate. The Sun energises whatever it touches and in the slow but steady sign of Taurus, it looks like we have the chance to work on these situations slowly, but with tangible results.

Mercury Square Jupiter...

today in Kilmore at 10.53am. Mercury will be at 22 degrees of Taurus, and Jupiter will be at 22 degrees of Aquarius.

With Mercury representing our thinking and decision-making, the way we take information in and give it out combining with the planet that has difficulty with boundaries, it may be wise to avoid making permanent decisions now. It seems that we will all have the tendency to make unrealistic plans or not notice the fine print with this influence in our lives.

Look to your birth chart for further clues, but this energy is likely to be especially strong for those of you with a strong Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and/or Aquarius energy in your birth chart.

Mars enters Aries...

today in Kilmore at 11.44pm.

With Mars moving from the gentle Pisces into the fiery Aries sign, I think we will all be in a better position to work on the areas of our life that need energy, drive, enthusiasm and passion. Mars is very comfortable in this sign, so it's easier for him to be his natural, assertive self. Look to where Mars is prominent in your birth chart to see where this energy is likely to boost your energy levels and give you the strength that you need.

Sun enters Taurus...

today in Kilmore at 8.44am...

So, if someone you know has a baby at 8.43am then this child would be an Aries.... better make sure your watch/clock/mobile has the correct time on it!

Taurus is a sign that is earthy, stable (and stubborn!), sensual and practical... this is generally a good time to think about where you need to be practial, what needs stabilisation, what you can enjoy (within limits of course!), and just do what needs to be done. Taurus is ruled by Venus, so having the Sun light up this part of the sky isn't so bad :).

Venus goes direct...

today in Kilmore at 5.24am and at 29 degrees of Pisces and 12 minutes (YIPPEE!).

I've got Taurus Rising, so I am really glad that Venus is now moving in the right direction... kind of a metaphor for my life right now: the last few weeks have been a period of review of where things in general are going.

If you look to where Taurus and Libra are in your chart you can get an idea of which areas of your life you have had the chance to review recently, as well as where the natal and transiting Venus is. Venus is associated with relationships, values and finances so the themes are likely to incorporate at least one of these themes.

Mercury Trine Saturn...

today in Kilmore at 10.52am.

Wherever Saturn is in our chart is where we are all working hard at the details in our lives (Saturn is in Virgo). With Mercury Trining Saturn from Taurus, it seems that there is the opportunity to gain practical support in removing the barriers we have been experiencing... this could happen through something we read or are told (Mercury).

Mars Conjunct Uranus...

in Pisces yesterday in Kilmore at 8pm.

What a combination... both of these energies tend to be impatient at times, but are in the very flexible and patient sign of Pisces. It will certainly be interesting to see how this combination pans out in reality.

I would expect that sudden developments tied in with the general themes of the long-lasting current Saturn/Uranus opposition will test the stability and flexibility of that areas of life that are affected by this opposition. Any cracks in our structures (physical - or at any other relevant level), will show themselves.

New Aries Forecast...

If you are a person with Aries Rising or have your Sun in Aries you may be interested in reading your forecast for the next twelve months. You can read it here.

Retrograde Venus enters Pisces...

today at 10.47pm in Kilmore.

With Venus moving back from Aries into Pisces, this move suggests to me that we all have to take a step back regarding a person or situation that is valuable to us, in order to reassess its true importance. Moving back into Pisces means that Venus will be much stronger than in Aries, even if she does look like she is going backwards! Perhaps that is her secret strategy in order to get what she wants!!

Anyway, Venus moving back into Pisces gives us all the chance to go back a person or situation (particulalry one involving finances), and to have another chance at putting it right.

Mercury Trine Pluto...

today in Kilmore at 3.52pm.

With our thinking more stable and solid now (Mercury in Taurus), it looks like we will all be in a much better position to take a realistic (Taurus) look at whichever areas of our lives are being influenced by this planet now... the trine to Pluto suggests that blockages that we have experienced in the past to this powerful Pluto energy will be removed temporarily.

Intense insights and a deeper understanding of both the Mercury and Pluto aspects of our lives are indicated with this trine. The opportunity to transform our lives by a shift in attitude and our mental approach is here!

Mercury enters Taurus...

today in Kilmore at 12.21am.

After being in busy and fiery Aries, Mercury in Taurus may feel a bit 'slow' in comparison! Information and contact with others in general may take on a slow, but steady approach with information being more grounded in 'reality' and trustworthy than has been the case for some time.

Full Moon...

today at 12.56am in Kilmore.

I don't do much of this type of astrology but I'll have a look at the energies present in the Full Moon chart and see what I can make of it.

The first energy I notice is the Nodal axis on the Ascendant/Descent, which gives a fated quality and marks the importance of our associations... especially to our children and groups (Leo/Aquarius).

Angularity is important and the closet planet to an angle is Mercury at zero degrees of Taurus. This is in a different sign to that on the IC, so I'm not sure how this will effect the experience of this energy, if at all. Mercury at zero degrees suggest some instability or shift in gears of 5th and 8th house matters (Gemini and Virgo).

the other energy that is angular is the upcoming Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune conjunction... in Aquarius, at least giving some form or boundary to the nebulous Jupiter and Neptune combination! If you would like to share any comments please feel free to!

Pluto goes retrograde....

today in Kilmore at 3.35am (at 3 degrees of Capricorn and 18 minutes).

A planet apparently turning backwards always suggests that we all need to return to a situation or person that has unfinished business! Pluto moves so slowly that we may not even notice this happening... so keep an eye open for where Pluto is in your chart to have an idea of what needs to be reviewed.

Whatever it is, it is likely to be intense and transformationl - especially if it is touching on any of your planets/points in the birth chart.

Mars Opposing Saturn

... today at 10.55am in Kilmore.

Mars likes action and to be able to push ahead at whatever it is working on... while Saturn prefers to move along slowly and steadily... more like a snails pace but very thorough (especially in Virgo!). Oppositions relate to awareness and a turning point being reached.

The visual image I get is that of Mars hitting a brick wall (Saturn)!

If you look to where this opposition is happening in your birth chart you are likely to see where you are facing intense frustration as you try to push ahead in a certain direction... this frustration is likely to stem from a person or situation that you feel is holding you back or blocking your path.

Although obviously frustrating, it is important to take a look at why this happening, perhaps the path you have chosen is not right for you, or perhaps you should slow down and pay attention to the details and facts before rushing along on assumptions??? (Mars in Pisces).

I better go and have another look at my chart now.... lol!