Jupiter Conjunct Uranus...

starts on May 31 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on June 8 at 9.27pm in Kilmore, leaves on June 18.  Jupiter and Uranus both at 0 degrees and 17 minutes of Aries.

If you haven't seen any action yet in terms of Uranus, then this conjunction is likely to see the first bolts of lightning hit us all!

Jupiter tends to magnify whatever it touches so having it connect through a conjunction, and in the fiery and impulsive sign of Aries seems to be a bit like having an open can of petrol sitting next to an angle-grinder throwing off sparks just to see what happens (and throwing a lit match into the mixture)!

Depending on your own birth chart you may experience sudden changes, opportunities, news, etc... or you could experience this energy through another person in your life.  Regardless of how this energy comes to you, just fasten your seatbelt for a roller coaster ride!

As usual you can look to see where this conjunction  falls in your birth chart (and which houses are ruled by Jupiter - ones with Sagittairus or Pisces on the cusp; and Uranus - one with Aquarius on the cusp, to get a feel for what or who may be putting your life into warp speed!

If you have personal planets or points in Aries then you are likely to be especially sensitive to this energy.

Saturn goes Direct...

today in Kilmore at 4.08am.

Saturn starts it's forward motion today - this suggests that the Saturn stuff we have all been dealing with again since this planet returned to Virgo on April 8 should now begin to be resolved once and for all.

It's as though we have all had to return to a past situation since then that we thought had been settled, this matter is likely to be something or someone we would rather leave behind, but alas, we all have our situations that demand attention and resolution!  The good news is that we should see resolution over the next few weeks - especially when Saturn moves back into Libra at the end of July: finally leaving these matters behind us!

However, as Saturn begins to turn around, it will take a little while for it to build up a normal speed, so it may take a week or so to see results while this happens.

Good luck!

Those of you with personal planets and/or points in Virgo may be especially sensitive to this energy.

Uranus enters Aries...

today in Kilmore at 11.44am.

If you have every watched lightning working within a storm you can get a feel for what Uranus is about. You don't know whether it will actually happen, if it does then you don't know when, where or how it will hit!  This planet also reminds me of 'The Tower' card in the tarot.

Uranus moving from the subtle sign of Pisces into the more dynamic and fiery sign of Aries suggests that our 'lightning strikes' will tend to hit more frequently than they have and perhaps be a bit bigger too!  This planet will stay in Aries until the middle of August this year but will return in full force next year for about 7 years.  So, this is a taste of what to expect.

By looking at which house has Aries on the cusp you can get a feel for where life is about to hit warp speed... and for where to 'expect the unexpected'.

If you have personal planets or points Aries then you will most likely feel this energy in a particularly powerful way.

Full Moon in Sagittiarus...

today in Kilmore at 9.07am.

The time around a Full Moon is usual one of realisation, emotions running high, and illumination.  By looking at where this lunation falls in your birth chart you may be able to get a feel for what or who will be the focus for you around this period of time.

Looking at the Sun/Moon in the chart I feel that Chiron will be playing an especially big part in what is happening for all of us because it is squaring the Sun/Moon axis and forming a T-Square which it is in charge of.

To me, this suggests that we have the opportunity to recognise where we carry pain/wounds from our past: by becoming more conscious about them, we can then move forwards and start the healing process.  Because the energies involved are in mutable signs, I also get the feeling that change will be easier than usual for us all to be able to be healed from the past.

Chart for Nostrodamus...

At our last Astrology Discussion Groups we looked at the chart for this well known figure - you can see it to your left.

The first thing I noticed was that a lot of the planets were angular, giving them a lot of power to be expressed in ways that everyone can see.  In this case the Sun is especially important because it is conjunct the MC.

The ruler of the chart, Mars (ruler of the Ascendant), is angular and conjunct Saturn and Jupiter... what a combination!  He must have felt as though he was always moving through life with both his brakes AND accelerator on at the same time.  This stellium also trines the Scorpio Moon in the 8th house.  The strong 4th house emphasis and the Scorpio Moon in the 8th all suggest a deep sensitivity and connection with the emotional undercurrents around him and his interest in the occult (secret knowledge).  Obviously, Neptune opposing his Mars helps with promoting this sensitivity!

Obviously there is a lot more to a chart than mentioned here, but it does give you some food for thought.  I would love to hear what you think or pick up in the chart of Nostradamus.

Jupiter Opposing Retrograde Saturn...

starts on May 18 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 23 at 3.36pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 29.  Jupiter at 27 degrees and 52 minutes of Pisces, retrograde Saturn at 27 degrees and 52 minutes of Virgo.

Wow, what a combination!  Jupiter the planet of expansion, good times and growth at loggerheads with Saturn, the planet associated with 'shrinking', responsibility and slowing down... what can this mean?

The opposition is usually an aspect associated with reaching a major turning point in the areas and relationships represented by the planets involved.  This relates particularly to a matter that began when the two planets were last conjunct (in this case Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct way back in May 2000 at about 20/21 degrees of  Taurus).  For many people this would have been a very stressful time as we all wrestled with what goes (Saturn) and what stays (Jupiter).

So, this is a period of looking back to what was going on back in May 2000 and seeing what we have learnt (or haven't!) from the experiences around us then.  This is our opportunity to either continue on the same path if it is proving successful, or for moving in another direction in order to improve the situation.  This is where the tension arises... where do we go forward (Jupiter), and where do we cut back (Saturn)?

By looking to the symbolism of each planet within your own birth chart, you may get some clues.  For example, but looking at which house Saturn is in and which houses are ruled by him (ones with Capricorn or Aquarius on the cusp), you can get a feel where you may need to wind things down a bit or restructure them: just be careful not to cut out too much.   The house with Jupiter in it and the houses it rules (ones with Sagittarius or Pisces on the cusp), are the areas where you are more likely to need to move forward, as long as you don't overdo things!

If you have personal planets or points in Virgo and/or Pisces then you are likely to be especially sensitive to these themes.

Venus Opposing Retrograde Pluto...

starts on May 23 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 24 at 1.15pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 25.  Venus at 4 degrees and 53 minutes of Cancer, retrograde Pluto at 4 degrees and 53 minutes of Capricorn.

Venus and Pluto in opposition can be quite an intense combination, especially with Venus travelling through the sensitive and emotional sign of Cancer.  As usual though, the opposition represents the opportunity to look at a certain relationship or situation objectively and to reach a turning point with it: most probably that came into your life when Venus and Pluto were conjunct last time back in November 2008 at 29 degrees of Sagittarius.

By looking at where the conjunction happened and the symbolism associated with it, you may get a feel for what is important now by looking at the symbolism associated with the opposition.  As usual look to see where these aspects fall in terms of the houses involved, and also which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp), and by Pluto (one with Scorpio on the cusp).

Those of you with personal planets or points in Cancer or Capricorn may be especially sensitive to this transit.

Sun enters Gemini...

today in Kilmore at 1.34pm.

The shift of the Sun into a different sign means that for all of us that it will be shining it's illuminating beams into different areas of our lives, and different people in them as well.

By looking at which house has Gemini on the cusp you can get a feel for where your focus will be during the next few weeks while the Sun travels through this sign.  For example, if you have Gemini on the cusp of your 2nd house you may need to review what is truly important to you, your values, and your finances. 

Issues/people represented by the house with Leo on the cusp may show more 'Gemini' qualities than usual - ie, you can expect changes, adaptability and more communication than usual about them.

Venus enters Cancer...

today in Kilmore at 11.05am.

Venus moving from the changeable and talkative Gemini, into the emotional and motivated sign of Cancer suggests that the people and situations represented by this planet will also become more emotionally drive and motivated to change.

For example, if you have Taurus or Libra on your second house cusp, then you will probably be more motivated than usual to earn money, possibly in order to spoil your family!

If you have personal planets and/or points in Cancer then this is likely to be a lovely time for you... apart from a few minor hiccups when Venus connects with the outer planets through hard aspect.

Venus Trine Neptune...

starts on May 18 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 19 at 8.12am in Kilmore, leaves on May 20.  Venus at 28 degrees and 39 minutes of Gemini, Neptune at 28 degrees and 39 minutes of Aquarius.

Venus, the planet of enjoyment and pleasure connecting with the sublime and subtle Neptune is a lovely combination to have and gives us all a small period of respite from some of the harsher energies around us right now.

The areas life life and people represented by both Venus and Neptune look as though they should work more smoothly (the trine) than usual and make progress with each other.  Look to see where they both are in terms of their house position; and of course which houses are ruled by them in order to get a feel for what or who is being blessed at the moment!  Venus rules Taurus and Libra, Neptune rules Sagittarius (by traditional rulership) and Pisces.

If you have personal planets in Gemini or Aquarius then you are likely to benefit from this transit more than others - lucky you!

Venus Square Uranus....

starts on May 19 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 20 at 5.41am in Kilmore, leaves on May 21.  Venus at 29 degrees and 43 minutes of Gemini, Uranus at 29 degrees and 43 minutes of Pisces.

Venus, the planet of our values, relationships and pleasure connecting with Uranus by square is sure to put a bit of an unexpected 'electricity' into the people and situations represented by her in your birth chart.  This energy is only around for a couple of days so it probably won't be anything earth-shattering, but just surprising!

Uranus represents the rebel, or things just not going as you think they should... for me it's a bit like trying to kick a football - I never know which direction and how far it will go (especially when it bounces!).

So, by looking at where this transit is happening in your birth chart and which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp), and Uranus (one with Aquarius on the cusp), you can get a feel for what or who may be bouncing erratically into or out of your life!

Sun Square Neptune...

starts on May 19 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 20 at 4.14am in Kilmore, leaves on May 21.  Sun at 28 degrees and 39 minutes of Taurus, Neptune at 28 degrees and 39 minutes of Aquarius.

Imagine driving through a thick fog and naively thinking that putting your high beam on will help you see more clearly... this is a bit of what this transit may be like: the thick fog is Neptune, and the high beam is the Sun!  It seems that an area of our life or a certain person (Neptune) is the scene for confusion, lack of clarity and/or even deception.  However hard we try to look at it clearly (Sun) it seems that we make it worse by trying too hard!  The square aspect suggests that a turning point is going to be reached though... it seems that the best approach is to stick to facts.

As usual look at which houses the planets are travelling through in order to get a feel for where the 'fog' is (Neptune) and where you may be looking too hard (Sun).  Also look at the houses ruled by Neptune (one with Pisces on the cusp, and the Sun (one with Leo on the cusp).

If you have personal planets/points in Taurus and/or Aquarius then you may be especially prone to 'foggy' vision!

Sun Trine Retrograde Saturn...

starts on May 18 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 19 at 10.27am in Kilmore, leaves on May 20.  Sun at 27 degrees and 56 minutes of Taurus, retrograde Saturn at 27 degrees and 56 minutes of Virgo.

Retrograde Saturn is just about sitting still, in preparation for turning around and moving direct later this month.  Symbolically, this stoppage suggests that the situations and people represented by Saturn are at a standstill or may seem as though they are not making any progress or changes at all.  Hang in there though, it's as though whatever or whoever is involved is in the act of processing recent developments, and preparing to turn around and move forward again.

The Sun illuminates whatever it touches, and the trine to Saturn suggests that we have the opportunity to see what is happening now and to understand it a little better without our ego concerns getting the better of us.  This trine can also mean that the people and situations represented by the Sun will work well with the ones represented by Saturn.  Look to see where this trine is happening to get a feel, and also look to see which houses are ruled by the Sun (one with Leo on the cusp), and Saturn (ones with Capricorn or Aquarius on the cusp), to get a feel for what and/or who may be involved.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Taurus or Virgo then this transit is likely to be especially important to you.

Mercury Trine Retrograde Pluto...

starts on May 18 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 20 at 4.47am in Kilmore, leaves on May 21.  Mercury at 4 degrees and 58 minutes of Taurus, retrograde Pluto at 4 degrees and 58 minutes of Capricorn.

In my last post about Retrograde Mercury trining retrograde Pluto here, on May 3 you can read up on this same aspect and what it is likely to have meant... the difference now being that Mercury is direct.

The difference this time around is that we have a chance to solidify and be able to trust the information and changes that come to us now... particularly the ones associated with Mercury.  Look to see which house Mercury is travelling through and also which ones are ruled by it (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusps), in order to get a feel for what or who Mercury represents in your birth chart.

Venus Square Retrograde Saturn...

starts on May 17 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 18 at 6.18pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 19.  Venus at 27 degrees and 57 minutes of Gemini, retrograde Saturn at 27 degrees and 57 minutes of Virgo.

Retrograde Saturn back in Virgo for a little while suggests that we all have loose ends to work on in whatever areas of life are represented by him in your birth chart as he travels along his route.  Venus represents pleasure, fun and enjoyment in general, as well as how we attract these things/people into our lives.

The square aspect between these two planets suggests a period of tension and adjustment: the square usually represents a cross-road being reached in the areas and relationships represented by the symbolism of these planets within your birth chart.  Since this is a closing square, it seems that there needs to be a shift in attitude for progress to be made.

In order to get a feel for where these themes are personally important to you look to see which houses the planets are travelling through and also look to see which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp), and Saturn (ones with Capricorn or Aquarius on the cusp).

If you have personal planets and/or points in Gemini and/or Virgo then you are likely to be more sensitive than others to this transit.

Venus Square Jupiter...

starts on May 16 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 17 at 8.57pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 18.  Venus at 26 degrees and 53 minutes of Gemini, Jupiter at 26 degrees and 53 minutes of Pisces.

Both Venus and Jupiter are planets known as 'benefics', as in they tend to bring the good things and people into our lives and/or attention.  However, too much of anything or anyone can sometimes NOT be a good thing!

Because the aspect between these two planets is a stressful one, it does suggest that there are areas of our lives where we may be overdoing things, or perhaps people represented by them are taking more than they are giving right now.

As usual, you can look to see where this aspect is falling within your birth chart, and also which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp) and Jupiter (ones with Sagittarius or Pisces on the cusp).

If you have personal planets or points in Gemini or Pisces, then you are likely to feel this energy more strongly than others.

New Moon in Taurus...

today in Kilmore at 11.04am.  New Moon at 23 degrees and 9 minutes of Taurus.

Taurus seems to be more accented than usual right now, with the recent forward motion of Mercury in this sign, and now a New Moon, and chance for a fresh start in the areas and relationships represented by this sign in your chart.  Mars is also squaring this sign right now, further energising our Taurus stuff into action!

The New Moon period is an important one for making a fresh start in the areas and relationships represented by the house in which the lunation falls.  The square to Neptune suggests that we will need to be careful of confusion or even deception, whilst the trine to retrograde Saturn suggests help in stabilising this new start.... if you are unsure of how to deal with Neptune situations/people as represented in your birth chart, I would look to Saturn for a dose of reality and a bit of structure.  As mentioned earlier, Mars is squaring this lunation, a very energetic combination, suggesting that there may be an ego clash (or two!) that will need to be handled carefully.

If you have personal planets or points in Taurus then this is likely to be a powerful opportunity for you to make a fresh start in your life.  The recent frustrations represents by Mercury retrograde and also Mars squaring Taurus stuff are almost over, and this New Moon is likely to be just the thing you need!

Mercury goes Direct...

today at 8.27am in Kilmore.  Mercury at 2 degrees and 39 minutes of Taurus.

Having Taurus Rising all I can say is... 'YIPPEE'!  Mercury retrograde, Mars being retrograde recently, plus other energies in the sky have all contributed to misunderstandings and ego flare ups over recent months for all of us in different ways.

Mercury moving forward now, and Mars also moving at normal speed now, suggest that a clearer understanding of situations and people represented by this planet is coming.  Look to see which houses are ruled by Mercury (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp), and also to which house it is travelling through.

As you will see in future posts, the New Moon coming up and also Saturn starting to move forward again in a few weeks, combined with the moving forward of Mercury all contribute to life in general improving!

If you have personal planets and/or points in Taurus, then you will most likely feel this energy shift as especially prominent.

Aleister Crowley...

at one of our previous Astrology Discussion groups run, our mystery chart was Aleister Crowley.  The birth chart can be seen at the left - if you want to see it more clearly just click on it.

According to Wikipedia Crowley:

Crowley... was an influential English occultist and ceremonial magician....

Crowley was also a hedonist, bisexual, recreational drug experimenter and social critic. In may of these roles he was in revolt against the moral and religious values of his time.

Looking at the birth chart you can see that Crowley has Uranus very late in the 1st house on the cusp of the 2nd house - this would suggest is 'revolt against the moral... values of his times'.  Uranus is about being 'shocking' and being on the 1st/2nd house cusp would suggest an unconventional character who has 'shocking' values.  To support this you can see that Mercury squares this Uranus so he is likely to communicate his unique viewpoints to others in a way that isn't exactly diplomatic (even with his Sun/Venus conjunction!).

The Saturn opposing this Uranus also suggests the need to break down the established ways of doing things and the conflict he had with the values of others (7th/8th houses).

Crowley's hedonist ways, I feel, are suggested by the ruler of the chart (Leo Rising = Sun) approaching a conjunction to Venus, the planet of pleasure and good times - anything taken too far can be a bad thing!

Obviously there is a lot more to look at and many ways to interpret the symbolism within a birth chart... these are just some starting thoughts.

Sun Square Mars...

starts on May 3 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 4 at 11.09pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 6.  Sun at 13 degrees and 58 minutes of Taurus, Mars at 13 degrees and 58 minutes of Leo.

Oh boy, what a combination... both the Sun and Mars represent ego energies and the square aspect suggests that egos will be clashing during this time!  This is particularly potent since both are in stubborn fixed signs so it seem that something or someone in our lives will be digging their heels in extra deep!

On top of this we have Mercury currently retrograde... yep, in stubborn old Taurus as well.  I think this is important for the current Sun/Mars aspect because it will make it easier to jump to conclusions though not taking in information correctly (or being told part of a story), and then getting our egos out of joint.

I feel a positive way to use the current energy is to take your time in making a move, keep an open mind, and question the motives of people who try to push a certain scenario that doesn't gel well with you.

As usual it is important to check where this transit is happening in order to get a feel for what or who may be at odds.  Also look to see which houses are ruled by the Sun (ones with Leo on or in them), and Mars (ones with Aries and/or Scorpio).  If you have personal planets or points in Taurus and/or Leo then this transit is likely to be particularly important for you and represents a cross-road being reached.

Retrograde Mercury Trine Retrograde Pluto...

starts on May 2 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on May 3 at 10.01pm in Kilmore, leaves on May 5.  Retrograde Mercury at 5 degrees and 14 minutes of Taurus, retrograde Pluto at 5 degrees and 14 minutes of Capricorn.

Mercury and Pluto connected by the trine bodes well for gaining a better, deeper understanding of a complex person or situation.  Both planets retrograde suggest that we all have the opportunity to go back to a person or situation from the past in order to gain this better understanding and to make progress through this (even if it is after Mercury turns direct!).

By looking at where this aspect falls and which houses are ruled by Mercury (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp), and Pluto (ones with Scorpio on the cusp), you get a feel for where your opportunities are.  If you have personal planets and/or points Taurus and/or Capricorn, then you are likely to feel this transit more strongly than others.