Mars enters Libra...

today in Kilmore at 9.46am.

The naturally volatile and energetic planet Mars moving from the earthy, practical and flexible sign of Virgo into the airy and diplomatic sign of Libra is an interesting and challenging position for this planet.

Mars usually likes to rush into things, and the natural expression of this energy is one where there is action first, thought later!   However, while it is travelling through Libra, it seems that there will be a need to rein in the natural impulsiveness associated with this planet in speech, actions and thoughts. 

Anyway, Mars still energises whatever it touches... so look to see which house it is travelling through and which one has Libra on the cusp to get a feel for what or who is about to need a bit more attention than usual.  Also look to see which house has Aries or Scorpio on the cusp to get a feel for what or who is shifting gears (moving from the Virgo to the Libran energy).

If you have personal planets and/or points in Libra then you can expect a lot more activity in your life and the need to learning the difference between aggression and assertion!  Sometimes there is a very fine line between the two.

Mercury Trine Retrograde Pluto...

starts on July 30 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 30 at 8.04pm in Kilmore, leaves on July 31.  Mercury at 3 degrees and 17 minutes of Virgo, retrograde Pluto at 3 degrees and 17 minutes of Capricorn.

Mercury represents the style in which we connect and communicate with the world around us, whilst Pluto is associated with depth and emotions, as well as uncovering the 'truth'.  The trine aspect is an easygoing one that generally helps the energies work together productively and removes barriers to progress that were a problem in the past.

By looking at where this aspect is falling in your birth chart you can get a feel for what and/or who may be flowing more smoothly than usual and where you can expect progress.  You can also get a feel for where you can gain a deeper rapport and understanding that goes beyond simple logic.

Also look to which houses are ruled by Mercury (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp) and Pluto (one with Scorpio on the cusp) to get a feel for where you can expect progress.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Virgo and/or Capricorn you may be more sensitive than others to this transit.

Mars Conjunct Saturn...

stars on July 29 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 31 in Kilmore at 6.07pm, leaves on August 2.  Both at 0 degrees and 49 minutes of Libra.

A conjunction is generally the end of something old, and the beginning of something new.  This could be an attitude, a job, a relationship, a new understanding, etc, etc, etc... depending on where it falls in your birth chart and which houses are ruled by Mars (ones with Aries or Scorpio on the cusp) and Saturn (ones with Capricorn or Aquarius on the cusp).

Mars generally likes to work quickly, while Saturn likes to take his time... the combination can be extremely irritating and frustrating... however, it is excellent for paying attention to detail and working meticulously at something.  Again, look to see where it is to get an idea of what or may be involved.

If you have personal points and/or planets in Libra, then you may be especially sensitive to this aspect.

Mars Opposing Retrograde Uranus...

starts on July 29 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 30 at 11.31pm in Kilmore, leaves on August 1.  Mars at 0 degrees and 20 minutes of Libra, retrograde Uranus at 0 degrees and 20 minutes of Aries.

Wow, what a combination... this is a bit like trying to combine a lit match with petrol without creating a destructive explosion!  The trick here is to consider how close you want to get the match to the petrol... and also to think about how much petrol there is.

Mars energises whatever it touches and adds a boost to progress, whilst Uranus represents the unexpected, unusual and sudden twists and turns of life and sometimes fate.  The opposition is an energetic aspect, adding fuel to this fire, and also represents a major turning point that is achieved by being objective about the people and situations represented by these planets in your birth chart.  These may relate to a person or situation that entered your life or became prominent when Mars and Uranus were last conjunct back around the middle of April 2009 at about 24 degrees of Pisces.

This is an opportunity to make quick progress with a long-standing situation, the trick is not to 'blow everything up'!  It is likely that this will be a volatile, but productive time.

As usual, look to see where this aspect is falling in your birth chart and which houses are ruled by Mars (ones with Aries or Scorpio on the cusp), and Uranus (one with Aquarius on the cusp) in order to get a feel for what and/or who is ready for a revolutionary turning point!

If you have personal planets and/or points in Aries or Libra, this is likely to be an important time for you.

Mercury enters Virgo...

today in Kilmore at 7.43am.

Mercury loves being in Virgo... since it rules this sign!  To me, this suggests that the people and situations represented by this planet will be more comfortable than usual and easy to deal with because of this.

In a general sense, Mercury represents our thinking, our ability to connect with the world around us - therefore communication, writing, phone calls, etc.  It also represents youth and also change.


So, by looking at which house Mercury is travelling through you can get a feel for where you can expect change and/or news.  Also look to see which houses are ruled by this planet (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp) to see where you can expect people and/or situations represented by them, to be more comfortable and easier to deal with.  News and/or changes around them are also likely.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Virgo then you can expect a busier period than usual while Mercury travels through this sign.

Full Moon in Aquarius...

today in Kilmore at 11.37am at 2 degrees and 59 minutes of Aquarius.

The period around a Full Moon is usually one of heightened emotions and awareness - particularly regarding or involved the people and areas of life represented by where the Full Moon falls in our birth charts.

Compared to the other lunations and eclipses we have had lately, this is a lovely and easy Full Moon with the sextiles/trines from Saturn and Jupiter/Uranus making it feel as though we will see at least some benefit to the struggles we have all faced over the past 6 months or so!

As usual, look to see where this Full Moon falls in your birth chart to get a feel for where your focus is likely to be!

Mercury Opposing Retrograde Neptune...

starts on July 26 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 26 at 8.03pm in Kilmore, leaves on July 27.  Mercury at 27 degrees and 57 minutes of Leo, retrograde Neptune at 27 degrees and 57 minutes of Aquarius.

Mercury, the planet of communication, information and connecting with the world around us in contact with the emotional, caring and nebulous Neptune through the opposition can be a bit like trying to shine a beam of light through thick fog!

The good news is that the opposition usually indicates a major turning point in a relationship or situation that began or was prominent when Mercury and Neptune were last conjunct late in February 2010 at about 26 degrees of Aquarius.

As usual, look to see where this aspect is happening in your birth chart and which houses Mercury (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp) and Neptune (one with Pisces on the cusp) rule in order to get a feel for what or who may be involved in some confusion right now.

If you have personal planets or points in Leo or Aquarius then you may be more sensitive than others to this energy.

Sun Trine Retrograde Jupiter...

starts on July 25 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 26 at 9.30pm in Kilmore, leaves on July 27.  Sun at 3 degrees and 23 degrees of Leo, retrograde Jupiter at 3 degrees and 23 minutes of Aries.

Like the Sun/Uranus trine... this is also a fabulous energy combination!

As I have mentioned in other posts, the Sun highlights whatever it touches... a bit like a beam of light coming out of the Sun, and reaching into the darkness and bringing to light something that the beam touches on.  In this case the beam of light is landing nicely on Jupiter!

Jupiter is associated with growth, opportunity and apparent luck... so the Sun is likely to be showing us where our opportunities are at this point in our lives.  By looking at where these planets are we can get a feel for what or who is bringing us joy and/or growth.

Also look to the houses ruled by the Sun (one with Leo on the cusp), and Jupiter (ones with Sagittarius or Pisces on the cusp) to get more information.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Aries or Leo then you are likely to feel this lovely energy more strongly than others!

Jupiter goes Retrograde...

today in Kilmore at 10.03pm.  Jupiter at 3 degrees and 24 minutes of Aries.

Jupiter has been zipping through the sky at an amazing rate this year... perhaps leaving Pisces people feeling a bit ripped off in terms of the short visit this planet made to their sign earlier this year.  The good new is that as of today, it is heading back to this sign.

Anyway, getting back to this planet turning around and going back to where it came from, symbolically it suggests that the people and situations represented by Jupiter will need to go back to a previous state for a while.  Sometimes this can be frustrating or annoying, however, in most cases it ends up being a blessing (Jupiter!) in disguise.  Jupiter is, after all, the planet associated with luck, growth and opportunity: the fact that it is going back can mean that we get a second chance at something that we thought we had missed out on.

So, look to see which house Jupiter is travelling through and which houses are ruled by him (ones with Sagittarius or Pisces on the cusp) in order to get a feel for where you may get a second chance!

Sun Trine Retrograde Uranus...

starts on July 22 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 23 at 8.06pm in Kilmore, leaves on July 24.  Sun at 0 degrees and 28 minutes of Leo, retrograde Uranus at 0 degrees and 28 minutes of Aries.

This is a lovely, easy-going connection between the Sun and Uranus... and is likely to highlight and bring to our attention to silver-lining that Uranus has brought into our lives recently.

The Sun tends to highlight whatever it touches, and the connection between it and Uranus suggests that for one reason or another you will need to focus on the themes and people represented by Uranus in your birth chart.  The trine aspect tends to remove barriers to progress, so it seems that whatever or whoever is represented by the Sun, will help to make progress with our Uranus stuff.

As usual, look to see which houses these planets are in, and which houses they rule (Sun = Leo on the cusp, Uranus = Aquarius on the cusp) in order to get a feel for where you can expect nice surprises or unexpected progress.

If you have personal planets or points in Leo or Aries, then you may be more sensitive than others to this transit.

Sun enters Leo...

today in Kilmore at 8.21am.

The move of the Sun into a different sign is always something to pay attention to, because it symbolically suggests a change in focus... it's as if the Sun will be casting it's light onto new areas and people in our lives.

With the move of our Sun from the emotional and family-oriented sign of Cancer, into the fiery and fixed sign of Leo we can expect that the people and situations represented by it to become more stable (sometimes stubborn!), and in need of inspiration and stimulation.  Loyalty may also be stronger than usual.

For example, if you have Leo on the cusp of your 3rd House a sibling, cousin and/or neighbour may become less emotional and more stable, even stubborn than they have been over the last few weeks.  Alternatively, it may be your thinking that is less emotional, but you may be less likely to change your mind about something while the Sun travels through Leo.

Saturn enters Libra...

today in Kilmore at 1.10am.

Saturn changes from the flexible, and earth sign of Virgo into the airy and go-getting sign of Libra now and will be in this sign until late 2012.  It made a brief visit from late October 2009 until early April 2010, so by looking at what was prominent in your life back then you may get a feel for what or who is likely to be a focus for you again during this return visit.

This planet is known for hard work, restructuring, being conservative, and is associated with maturity or 'being old'.  Of course, Saturn represents much more, but these keywords will give you an idea of the feel for what it is associated with.

Look at which house Saturn is travelling through and which has Libra on the cusp to see which areas of life may be a strong focus over the next couple of years and that will require long-term planning and thinking.  The houses that have Capricorn and/or Aquarius on the cusp may also be affected by this shift in signs, and suggest that the people and situations represented by them are likely to become more prominent and ready to be more balanced (Libra) and have more initiative than usual (Libra is a cardinal sign).

Those of you with personal planets and/or points in Libra may feel the move of Saturn into Libra more powerfully than others.

Saturn Opposing Retrograde Uranus...

starts on July 16 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 27 at 3.07am in Kilmore, leaves on August 5.  Saturn at 0 degrees and 25 minutes of Libra, retrograde Uranus at 0 degrees and 25 minutes of Aries.

This is last of a series of 5 oppositions between these two outer planets - yippee!  My last post on it is here.

The difference between the first four, and this last opposition, is that this time around it is happening in the cardinal signs which are much more energetic and likely to be experienced in an outer and more physical way than when they happened in the mutable signs of Virgo/Pisces.  There is an added element of instability since this opposition occurs at 0 degrees of Aries/Libra, which also activates the other outer planetary energies and aspects that are currently so prominent (Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, Pluto squaring this conjunction).

Saturn represents the tried, true and tested and is a conservative energy, whilst Uranus represents the need to break free, new technology, being eccentric and that lightning bolt out of the blue that shakes things up.  The opposition is a highly energetic aspect and tends to represent conflict, but new awareness, and action.

I tend to look at oppositions as a bit of a see-saw ride, it is a bit of a balancing act getting the ride to be stable.  In the case of this opposition it's a bit like Saturn is sitting on his end of the see-saw without moving an inch and is sitting very still, Uranus is sliding along his end of the see-saw relentlessly and is jumping up and down as well... destabilising the whole thing! (Jupiter is egging Uranus on too... !)

The trick to balancing these two energies is to let Uranus have a bit of a squirm, but with the wisdom and guidance of Saturn giving some boundaries.  Remember not to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

By looking at which houses this opposition falls in you will get a feel for what, or who, needs careful balancing.  As usual, also look to see which houses are ruled by Saturn (one with Capricorn on the cusp) and Uranus (one with Aquarius on the cusp) to get more detail.

If you have personal planets and/or points (especially in the very early degrees) of Aries and/or Libra, then you are likely to feel this energy as particularly powerful.

Venus Trine Retrograde Pluto...

starts on July 13 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 14 at 3.55am in Kilmore, leaves on July 15.  Venus at 3 degrees and 39 minutes of Virgo, retrograde Pluto at 3 degrees and 39 minutes of Capricorn.

Venus, the planet of relationships, pleasure and socialising connecting with Pluto, the planet associated with depth, emotions and transformation through the easy-going trine bodes well for the situations and relationships represented by these energies in your birth chart.

It seems that this combination offers the opportunity to deepen ties with a certain person, or to improve your understanding of the areas of life or situations represented by these planets.

As usual, look to see which houses these planets are in and which ones they ruled to get a feel for what or who may be involved.  Venus rules the houses with Taurus/Libra on the cusps, Pluto rules the house with Scorpio on it.

If you have personal planets or points in Virgo or Capricorn then you are likely to be more sensitive than others to this energy.

New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Cancer...

today in Kilmore at 5.40am at 19 degrees and 23 minutes of Cancer.

Compared to the last eclipse (the lunar one), this one is a walk in the park!  Eclipses generally bring a period of 'illumination' to the areas and relationships represented by the houses involved.

The Solar Eclipse is also a New Moon, so represents an extra powerful opportunity to make a fresh start in the areas of life represented by the house it falls in.  The sextile from Mars is very helpful, but suggests a bit of elbow-grease will be needed to get things off the ground.

Being in the sign of Cancer, suggests that we will have the motivation we need to make this fresh start, and that 'security' may be part of the reason for making changes now.

Mercury Trine Jupiter...

starts on July 11 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 11 at 6.13pm in Kilmore, leaves on July 12.  Mercury at 3 degrees and 9 minutes of Leo, Jupiter at 3 degrees and 9 minutes of Aries.

Mercury, the planet of communication and the way we think, connecting with the optimistic and expansive Jupiter through the easy-going trine bodes well for everyone!  It seems that we all need a bit of good news, or at least feeling as though we are understood - and this trine promises to bring this to us now.

Also, by looking at where these planets are in terms of houses, and which ones are ruled by them (Mercury = house cusps with Gemini or Virgo on them, Jupiter = house cusps with Sagittairus or Pisces on the cusp) you can get a feel for which areas of life are likely to go smoothly, or which people should be happier and/or more co-operative than usual.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Aries or Leo then you may feel these energies more strongly than others.

Venus enters Virgo...

today at 9.32pm in Kilmore.

Venus, the planet associated with our relating skills, pleasure and luck moving from the fiery and outgoing Leo into the more mellow, practical and earthy sign of Virgo is a huge shift in focus for this planet.  It seems that all of a sudden the people and situations represented by this planet in our birth charts will move from being extravagent to practical!

So if we look to see which house Venus is travelling through it seems that we will be luckier than usual with the people and situations represented by them. 

By looking to see which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp), we can see which areas of life, and people, are likely to shift from being fixed, pleasure-seeking and/or stubborn and move more towards being practical, helpful and/or flexible.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Virgo, then you are likely to experience a period of relative ease and harmony.

Mercury enters Leo...

at 2.29am in Kilmore.

The move of Mercury from the emotional and family oriented sign of Cancer into the more fiery and stubborn sign of Leo suggests a change in the way we are thinking and perhaps dealing with the areas of life and people represented by this planet in our birth chart.

Mercury represents change, but also the way we connect and communicate with the world, and people around us.  Being in a fire sign now and for the next few weeks, Mercury suggests that we are more likely than usual to speak up and need to express ourselves... being in a fixed sign, it seems that we are more likely to stick to our guns, but also be more stubborn and less likely to compromise.  This can be a good thing, but also create difficulties if we take it too far!

By looking at where Mercury is in your birth chart, and which houses are ruled by it (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp), you can get a feel for where you or someone else, may need to speak up; and also where being determined or even stubborn may be a theme.

If you have personal points or planets in Leo then you can expect the next few weeks to be busier than usual, since Mercury tends to speed things up.

Mercury Trine Retrograde Uranus...

starts on July 9 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact on July 10 at 9.45am in Kilmore, leaves on July 10.  Mercury at 0 degrees and 35 minutes of Leo, retrograde Uranus at 0 degrees and 35 minutes of Aries.

Both Mercury and Uranus tend to act quickly, and both being in fire signs also suggests high speed.  Mercury represents the way we connect to the world around us, and also how we collect 'data'.  Uranus represents something or someone unusual, unexpected and/or eccentric.  The trine is a lovely connection between these two planets, suggesting a positive and flowing development between the people and/or areas of life represented by these two energies in your birth chart.

So this trine between Mercury and Uranus suggests a positive, possibly unexpected or unusual, development or new coming to you about or involving the people and situations represented by these planets in your birth chart.  Look to see where this trine is falling to get a feel for what or who may be involved.  Also look to see which houses are ruled by Mercury (ones with Gemini or Virgo on the cusp), and Uranus (one with Aquarius on the cusp).

If you have personal planets and/or points in Aries or Leo then you may be more sensitive that others to this transit.

Venus Opposing Retrograde Neptune...

starts on July 8 (using a 1 degree orb), is exact July 9 at 9.55am in Kilmore, leaves on July 10.  Venus at 28 degrees and 19 minutes of Leo, retrograde Neptune at 28 degrees and 19 minutes of Aquarius.

Let's all put our rose-coloured glasses on! Yippee!! Venus and Neptune together brings this urge on at some level for all of us... some more than others.

Venus is known as the pleasure planet, and Neptune is associated with the need to escape from reality: both symbolise artistic trends and creativity.  The opposition represents a turning point in a person or situation that began when the two planets were last conjunct (early in March 2010 at 25 degrees of Pisces).

If you keep your vision clear and expectations realistic this can be a lovely energy to have in terms of relationships and creativity.  By looking at where this aspect is falling in your birth chart and which houses are ruled by Venus (ones with Taurus or Libra on the cusp) and Neptune (one with Pisces on the cusp), you can get a feel for where you could experience this energy.

Those of you with personal planets and/or points in Leo or Aquarius may be more sensitive to this energy than others.

Uranus goes Retrograde...

today in Kilmore at 2.48am.  Uranus at 0 degrees and 35 minutes of Aries.

Uranus moved into Aries on May 28 and has been crawling along this zero degree of Aries since then... for a planet that acts with lightning speed, it does move along at a snail's pace!

As it turns around to go back to where it came from, symbolically it can mean that the people and situations represented by Uranus will do the same.  So look to see which house Uranus is travelling through and which house is ruled by it in order to get a feel for where you can expect retreat, and probably a return to calm!  Uranus rules Aquarius in modern astrology so look to see which house cusp this sign is on.

If you have personal planets and/or points in Aries then you are likely to feel this shift more strongly than others.

Workshop: Introduction to Astrology

If you are interested in coming along to this workshop it is being held on Sunday, August 8 from 10am - 3pm in Lancefield, Victoria (Australia).  The registration form is here and the cost is $40.