Australian times as usual

Don’t let mercury going backwards worry you too much. Think of it as a time to tell people “no” and sit back and think. If you are asked to change course urgently, this is the time to practice your “I don’t think so” statements. It IS a great time to do research instead. Think of it as a holiday – don’t lurch into new ventures but grab a book or Google and start figuring out if it is actually the best thing for you to be doing with your time.

April May 2010 Mercury retrograde dates

• Mercury Retrograde at 12 degrees 37 TAURUS April 18 2010 2:06 PM
  Mercury Direct 2 degrees 40 TAURUS Wednesday, 12 May 2010 at 8:37:00 AM

September 2010 Mercury retrograde dates

• Mercury Retrograde 19 degrees 03 VIRGO Saturday, 21 August 2010 at 5:59:00 AM
  Mercury Direct 5 degrees 23 VIRGO Monday, 13 September 2010 at 9:09:00 AM

December 2010 Mercury retrograde dates

• Mercury Retrograde 5 degrees 56 CAPRICORN Friday, 10 December 2010 at 11:04:00 PM
  Mercury Direct 9 degrees 37 CAPRICORN Thursday, 30 December 2010 at 6:21:00 PM

For international/USA times try this link on FindYourFate.

In Australia, the full moon is in the early hours (3:39am) of Monday 1st March. In the rest of the world, it’s Sunday afternoon.

i’m not 100% sure what to think about it. Hardly surprising with Neptune/Mercury conjunct just around the corner in Aquarius.

But Jupiter conjunct Sun (and of course opposing the Moon in Virgo) should bring good luck to some. Particularly those who have been trying to see something clearly in spite of the smoke being blown their way.

Venus will make herself comfortable with Uranus soon. But it won’t last long. Tears before bedtime – Venus likes cuddles and warmth and sensuality. Uranus is like a lightning strike – nothing huggable about that!

Keep an eye on Mars – if there is a volatile someone in your life, they might go off like a firecracker soon!

I wonder what this all means for the Olympics?

When Mercury goes retrograde (backwards) through the sky 3x a year, it’s a beautiful time to down tools, stop striving, stop, refresh.  Things only go backward if you are still pushing – anything that breaks or fails over, particularly travel, could very well be telling you something. We are  meaning making machines….

The Dates (GMT) for Mercury Retrograde in 2010

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15 Jan Mercury turns direct 6 Capricorn
19 Apr Mercury turns retrograde 13 Taurus
11 May Mercury turns direct 3 Taurus
21 Aug Mercury turns retrograde 19 Virgo
12 Sep Mercury turns direct 5 Virgo
11 Dec Mercury turns retrograde 6 Capricorn
30 Dec Mercury turns direct 20 Sagittarius (from Skyscript)

Mercury retrograde is a good thing.

This is a follow on from Mercury retrograde 2009.

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 it. And pay the piper. Pluto in Capricorn always pays the Piper, on time, and with a tip.

• Aries – if you’ve been working hard and ignoring brewing issues at home, just try staying on that path!
• Taurus – Mars and Venus conjunct in your sign, a new moon in your 3rd house and Pluto in your 9th? Talk it over. And be prepared to dig and dig.
• Gemini - Balance your needs with those of a loved one please! Pleasure and pain too. What’s that you say? Yes you CAN listen as well as talk!
• Cancer – it’s all about you, love. And your love. What will you choose? A new comfortable start on your own, or a tall dark stranger who can show you the good life, outside of the kitchen/sofa?
• Leo – The south node is in direct aspect with the New Moon. Don’t let old habits pull you apart. Particularly dietary ones – you know that when the moon is in Cancer you eat comfort food. (12th house).
• Virgo – sorry about Saturn upsetting you, particularly as you of all signs like routine and fairness. But the old teacher is trining Mars/Venus conjunct in Taurus, so nice earthy activities will help throw off the recent gloom and depressions.
• Libra- new start in career will be faced down by skullduggery in or near the home. Now it’s time to shine, you wonder if you should. But if someone is holding you back, look to the children. What sort of role model do you really want to be, for them?
• Scorpio as you make your mark on the world, relationships are also heating up. Those Scorpios that like to be intense and focussed have a lot to choose from this month!
• Sag – lookin’ good! Geminis are interested, even the married ones, but try to live up to your own high ideals. Philosophy and morals are no good, if you don’t put them into practice.
• Capricorn – what happened? Pluto is gradually destroying your old life, that’s what happened. And the new moon with it’s conniptions with the nodes, and then Venus/Mars/Saturn playing on the same day will bring the finality of the changes. Try to view them with relief ok?
• Aquarius – Jupiter and Neptune are still conjunct at 26 degrees, in your sign. You too face changes, but in spite of being a fixed sign, you are enjoying this growth and new challenges. Wacky meets wackier. Thank you, you make the world an interesting place!
• Pisces – Uranus is also at 26 degrees, aspecting Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius. You too are exploring the stranger side of life. But it’s harder to flow right now, as you move from one reality to another.

As always, my readings are for Sydney times. If you are in London, that’s about 8:30pm the night before (Monday 22nd).  Please let me know how the weekend, and Mon/Tuesday works out for you – on Twitter or here!

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 it feels good. There is something about Saturn that makes feel happy that we have boundaries. 

I just hope it lasts. Luckily the 17th degree triggers off some gem/sag points for me, so I think it will. 

How about you? Has Saturn kicked in, started you lusting for broccoli, and gym classes? Have stalled activities, meant to bring some structure and routine to your life, started up again?

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 have to always shine. The same degree planets in earth and water will experience something between Fire’s disappointment at not being the centre of attention, and Air’s amusement at the oddness of it all.

All of this is building up to the spectacular Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in a few days time.

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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 and erratic behaviours. Politics, drugs, movie stars, major illnesses will hit the headlines.

If you have planets at 26 degrees, especially Aquarius, Leo, or Aries watch the antics of those around you. If you are involved in humanitarian, publishing, or performance art, that warning goes double. If you are living your truth, this will blow wide open any doors you have been trying to open. The more serendipitous or strange the connection, the bigger the change it will wrought in your life. Just remember: change is good. It keeps you moving.

There’s an element of trust to this change. If Saturn was involved or one of the other planets, I’d say “preparation” or “study” or “commonsense”. But with Jupiter/Neptune, it’s “trust”. Let go, go with it, keep moving, change is good,  live your dreams, dream your life, that’s all that Jupiter and Neptune meeting up in Aquarius want. And Chiron is there to heal the way.

Mercury is slowing down again getting ready to turn direct from it’s retrograde. Mercury retrograde ends on May 31st at 11:21 AM AEST, Australia.
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Australian times as usual:

• Mercury Retrograde 7 AQ 45 Jan 12 2009 2:42 AM
• Mercury Direct 21 CAP 44 Feb 1 2009 5:10 PM
• Mercury Retrograde 01 GEM 44 May 7 2009 3:00 PM
• Mercury Direct 22 TAURUS 52 May 31 2009 11:21 AM
• Mercury Retrograde 06 LIBRA 13 September 7 2009 11:13 PM
• Mercury Direct 21 CAP 47 Dec 27 2009 12:37 AM

The one that starts in a few days is going to be powerful. Jupiter, Uranus, Aquarius – Mercury backwards in an eclipse season will reveal more depth than you thought was possible. Expect BIG secrets to come out. Real shockers!

Sydney at Midnight, New Years Eve 2009

What will the year ahead bring for Australia?

With a horary chart like this one – actually it’s an event chart but never mind – it’s best to pay attention to the angles. Libra on the ascendant for Australians means a year of dealing with partnerships and allies.  Aries on the descendant brings a focus on war around partners. I think Iraq and bringing home our soldiers will be a huge focus. This is reinforced by The Sun in Capricorn at 10 degrees exactly on the nadir. Cancer rules the fourth house of home and is the exact reverse of Capricorn. There will be a public bringing home (to the fourth house) of those who are away. Capricorn on the nadir will probably also keep the focus on business and the economy at home. Australian exports may do surprisingly well, considering this is a global crisis.

Mercury conjunct Jupiter – expect a lot of news around media plus travel by our politicians. Again, allies and partners overseas may cause a lot of discussion.  I always look for a rule of three, and we have it here (Sun on Nadir, Mercury conjunct Jupiter, Libra ascendent).

Anyone else fed up with Saturn oppositie Uranus yet?

So what are the major aspects for 2009?

Here are the dates and times (Australian – AEST)

• Saturn retrogrades at 21 Virgo 46 on January 1st at 4:07am
• Jupiter enters Aquarius on January 6th at 1:40am
• New Moon eclipse at 6 Aquarius 29 on January 26th at 6:69pm – Australia Day!
• Saturn (retro) at 20 Virgo opposes Uranus at 20 Pisces on February 6th at around 8pm
• Full Moon eclipse at 20 Leo on February 10th at 12:30am
• Pluto retrogrades at 3 Capricorn on April 6 3:30am
• Saturrn goes direct at 14 Virgo May 17 at 12:06pm
• Jupiter/Neptune conjunction at 26 Aquarius on May 28 at 6:06am
• Neptune goes retrograde the next day, 26 Aquarius May 29th at 2:29pm
• Jupiter retrogrades 27 Aquarius June 16 at 6:50pm
• Uranus retrogrades at 26 Pisces on Jul 1 at 6:35pm

Then we enter the second eclipse season

• Full Moon eclipse at 16 Capricorn July 7th at 7:40pm
• Jupiter conjuncts Neptune again (both retrograde) at 26 Aquarius on July 10th at 7:12pm
• New Moon eclipse at 29 Cancer on July 22 at 12:35pm
• Full Moon eclipse at 13 aquarius on August 6th at 10:39pm
• Pluto direct again at the beginning of Capricorn ( 00Cap39) Sep 12 at 2:56pm
• Saturn (24 Virgo 42) opposes Uranus (24 Pisces 42) on September 15th at 10:51 pm
• Jupiter direct at 17 Aquarius on Oct 13 at 2:34pm
• Saturn enter Libra on October 30 at 3 AM
• Neptune goes direct at 23 Aquarius on November 5 at 4:09 AM
• Saturn (1 Libra 42)  squares Pluto (1 Cap 42) on November 16th at 1:19am
• Uranus direct at 22 Pisces on December 2 at 6:27am
• Jupiter and Neptune conjunct at 24 Aquarius 17 just bfore Christmas, December 21 at 6:50pm

There we have it, eclipses for 2009, a couple of major aspects this year and the retrogrades and direct motions of the outer planets.

In particular watch for Jupiter in Aquarius expanding dreams, fantasies and good old fashioned self deception all year – Jupiter conjuncts Neptune THREE times.  Saturn opposes Uranus twice – that’s a lot of Saturnian hard work thrown away on a Uranian whim.  I get the feeling that Pluto is on Uranus side  -wants to upset the status quo – and squares up to Saturn to show whose boss. Might be best to put structure on the backburner. The Saturn vs Uranus/Pluto combines with airyfairy Jupiter/Neptune means you can’t be sure what you are building is what is good for you anyway.  Don’t believe me? Check how Jupiter and Neptune meet in May and immediately start to head backwards.