// Sydney at 5:35am on Tuesday June 23rd 2009, the Moon in her own sign, Cancer, meets fiery Sun at 1 deg 30. Exactly 1/2 degree away, in opposition, Pluto lumbers into position in Capricorn to do some real usurping of power.  Somewhere in the Universe, parents are uniting with teachers to oppose bureacrats, staff are staging quiet rebellions against toxic bosses, and you… yes, what will you do? It’s a new start but not a new idea. Something that’s been brewing in your noggin for ages. Time to own it, start it, finish...

// Thank the stars this full moon (see June 2009 Stars)  at 17 degrees Gemini/Sag Saturn is currently in Virgo  squares off Saturn at 17 Virgo. For the first time since Saturn went back direct in mid-May (it had been retrograde since late December) I have felt Saturn’s discipline, structure and (in Virgo) need for routine kicking in.    This week has been more focussed on health (Virgo rules 6th house of health and routine), going to the gym, eating my veggies and generally paying the piper for 5-6 months of general sloth. And...

// All times are given in Sydney Australia times - GMT +10 hours. Mars leaves Aries and enters Taurus on June 1st at 7:18am Immediately the heated frustration from Mercury retrograde communication muckups cools, and an earthy grounded energy focusses on achieving practical comfort ensues. On June 4th at 2:36pm, Mars 2 degrees Taurus trines Pluto at 2 degrees Capricorn - great for solid comfortable progress, just make sure you reward yourself with home cooking and quality wines. Taurus and Capricorn both know how to wine and dine themselves...

// click for full size Susan Boyle’s birthdate (latest data) is 1 April 1961 at 9:50am in Scotland.  What is immediately apparent is that Susan Boyle has a full moon chart. Her sun is in Aries, demanding she lead groups (11th house) opposing her Libran moon, in harmonious, creative 5th house. The demands of her creativity versus the demands of the group. Both are squared by Mars (ruler of the Aries sun). That’s a lot of power.  Gemini ascendants tend to show two sides of their personality within quick succession. The chart...

// New Moon May 24 at 3 Gemini A lot of power for those with planets in the early degrees of air signs. This new moon at 3 Gemini energizes the North Node at nearly 2 degrees Aquarius, forcing a group breaking free or moving into new territory to discuss and cogitate on the nature of change, communication and what is odd or eccentric. If you have a 2-3 degree air watch for amusing offbeat events or get-togethers. Fire be warned - this is not a configuration that suits “me me me”! Enquire about others, listen in groups, you don’t...

// On May 28th 2009, at 6:05am AEST Australia, Jupiter conjuncts Neptune at 26 degrees Aquarius. Also at 26 degrees Aquarius is Chiron, the healer. Besides these three at 26 degrees Aquarius, is Mars at 26 degrees Aries. Mars will mostly add energy for a quick change to the whole configuration. Jupiter makes big, huge in fact, any thing that comes across it’s path. And there is nebulous Neptune, minding her own business right on that path. Aquarians are not particularly orthodox in their interactions so expect major exposures of strange...

// I thought I would share my favourite podcasts - astrology shows I listen to while working, on my iPod or on the PC. This week in Astrology Benjamin Bernstein of It’s All Good Astrology has a great weekly podcast called “this week in Astrology.  He and SpiritSong (wishing them the best) give great insights. Gemini Awakenings Kathryn Andren & Joseph Mina are from Hawaii and I think there podcast is every Full Moon. Here’s the archive of past ones. CosmicWeather.com Kelly Lee Phipps is amusing and informative. They...

// I am so sad to hear of the death of Liam Neeson’s wife and mother of two children, actress Natasha Richardson. She comes from a “royal” family of wonderful actors. I thought she might be an Sag with Aries moon, but no. Mars in Leo is very involved in dramatic exhibitions, and Sun/Mercury in Taurus is lovely for voice and movement. Venus in Aries - this lady did not hold back on her favor or irritation. Saturn in Aquarius meant a considerable struggle to remain aloof and focussed on the group benefit rather than personal...

// A fascinating insight into the artist David Hockney’s chart over at Learning Curve on the Ecliptic: I’m not sure how I’ve managed to avoid David Hockney in the Arty-Farty series ’til now - a “Yorkie”, like me. He was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK on 9 July 1937. Cancerian influence is prominent in his chart, Sun and Mercury conjoined are in Cancer along with Pluto. If he was born before 6am then Moon also would have been in Cancer. It’s interesting that so many of his paintings feature water...

// Sarah Brightman Birth Chart Sorry for the delay in posting, the eclipse and mercury retrograde hit hard but all is well now on Planet StarSparkles. I was watching a DVD of Sarah Brightman performing in Las Vegas - Harem. Convinced by her hair , cat like walk, dramatic movements and lots of Sun imagery that she was a Leo, I made a bet with the others sitting on the sofa watching. I won! Not only that but I picked Taurus as a secondary influence. She has a Taurus moon - Venus/Taurus rules the throat and voice. A life lived large and in...