Feb 25, 2013 Full Moon in Virgo = job losses?

Today’s post at Stars Over Washington gives details and a view of the horoscope of February 25, 2013′s Full Moon in Virgo, sign of jobs, work, service, and health, with the chart set for the Capitol Building, Washington DC.

And as you know, various services in the US are due for interruption and more job losses are predicted because of ‘sequestration’ cuts which are likely to be implemented beginning March 1st unless Congress lifts itself up and shows more wisdom in financial matters than they’ve demonstrated so far. Such are the Machiavellian tactics of Washington politicians egged on by their wealthy billionaire backers against We the People as they plan austerity for us, more riches bwo tax breaks for them!

On Monday February 25th, congress members skulk back to the Capitol Building after their week-long vacation under the rays of a Virgo Full Moon which perfects on Monday at 3:26 pm est and colors this congressional session.

Implications of the Full Moon’s Sun Pisces-Moon Virgo Water-Earth blend of energies (mud-stuck yet practical, swamped by duties they should have already met) may be interesting to note: ‘analysis and synthesis, nervous and fretful, large-minded but good with details, devoted servants with refined tastes’. This blend denotes a confrontation (Full Moon = culmination, and awareness of relationship dynamics) between intuition and reason with Pisces unable to stand much reality, and Virgo all for making clear-eyed assessments and finding practical solutions (though what Congress is actually ‘devoted’ to seems suspect.)

A caution for this session of Congress which begins with a Virgo Full Moon, is to avoid perfectionism and an overly critical attitude toward others along with a tendency to allow emotions and rationality to clash–for it’s difficult to distinguish between them.

In Sun Sign-Moon Sign, the Harveys give interesting Images for Integration to describe the Sun Pisces-Moon Virgo pair of energies: “Small events bring enormous consequences…Faith and reason shake hands.”

Perhaps the best advice for everyone–very much including our political miscreants and radicals about to bring our financial matters to a halt–comes from famed psychologist Roberto Assagioli who was born under the influences of the Sun Pisces-Moon Virgo blend and observed that:

“Without forgiveness life is governed by…an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.”

Hmm…wise advice for Washington DC, isn’t it?

Update 2/27/13: please click on Comments to read an update to this post and do leave your own remarks if you wish! jc

Inauguration 2013: Sun AQ-Moon Gemini

Re: President Barack Obama’s second Inauguration, a private Oath of Office to be taken on Sunday January 20, 2013 and the public Oath taken on Monday January 21, 2013 (since January 20th falls on a Sunday.)

On my Political Astrology blog, Stars Over Washington, you’ll find on display astro-notes with both Inauguration 2013 horoscopes set for the Capitol Building Washington DC (where else?)

For my wonderful WordPress blog, I have a few astro-notes concerning both days because the president’s private Oath will be sworn under the rays of Sun Aquarius-Moon Taurus (Air-Earth = practical idealism) but there’s a different mood on Monday with Sun AQ-Moon Gemini (Air-Air = natural communicator.) Let’s consider both blends if you’re willing!

Now you know that in Mundane Astrology, Sun = the leader, or, the president, and Moon = the people, or, the public. Plus, Sun represents the conscious mind, Moon the unconscious; Sun = male, Moon = female. It’s all about energy and with Sun-Moon blends, it’s the combination of energies that tells more than simply Sun or Moon signs can divulge on their own.

Jan 20, 2013 noon est, when the previous presidential term officially ends and the new administration begins:

Sun AQ-Moon Tau is a level-headed, capable, friendly, ambitious, and entrepreneurial combination that harmoniously unites the emotional nature with intellectual power. Conflicts may result from love of home and comfort vying against future-oriented insights. It’s a good blend for a leader for it inspires confidence in others through reliability and an ability to debate issues rationally.

Two famous folk who share Sun AQ-Moon Tau natally are included with a quote from each:

“A hungry man is not a free man.” –Adlai E. Stevenson

“Only by transcending the everyday, by seeing human life in larger terms, can the individual escape the slow strangulation of permanent errors.” –E.G. Price

The blend’s “Image for Integration” given by Charles & Suzi Harvey in their book Sun Sign-Moon Sign is more than a little revealing of the direction society is being sent and of the president who will continue to man the helm for four more years, much to the dismay of his political opponents:

“The resident caretaker of a ‘New Age’ community sips his Beaujolais as he systematically does the year’s accounts.”

Monday January 21, 2013 Sun AQ-Moon Gem changes to a lighter tone with the public mood turned excitably Geminian. This breezy blend is progressive unlike a Taurean flavored Moon with Taurus being ‘the preserver’; a strong social conscience is indicated along with wit and a philosophical bent though the combo’s flexibility mixes with a stubborn streak provided by the Fixed (rigid) energy of Aquarius.

Emotionally naive, this blend denotes detachment which is shown on one level by a carefree nonchalance. Being drawn to ‘New Age’ thinking tallies with yesterday’s Aquarian-Taurean energies for changing the world seems a distinct possibility; communicating radical ideas goes along with journalistic interests, plus, public relations is a natural field of endeavor along with the high tech devices that seem so necessary in today’s social networking and mobile blogging world.

The innate charm, friendliness, and sociability of Monday’s blend should enhance our nation’s inaugural celebrations, balls, and parties perfectly!

Sun AQ-Moon Gem is shared natally by social activist Saul Alinsky (!), comedian Jack Benny, “wise man”
Elihu Root, and Thomas Paine who helpfully informed us that, “The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately.”

(Especially on Capitol Hill these days though ‘the sublime’ too often goes missing entirely–jc.)

There are two “Images for Integration” for Sun AQ-Moon Gem which apply quite well to Inauguration 2013 and the second one amazes me with its aptness to the president and his Inaugural Address, I think. See if you agree:

“A child in a balloon drifts over the city reporting back by portable phone on all below…A white blackbird charms the garden with its song.” (Harveys.)

Happy Inauguration Day, Everyone!

Astro-Notes: 113th Congress’ natal horoscope

Update 1/1/13: the natal horoscope of 2013′ s 113th Congress is in process of being recalculated due to the swearing-in now being set for January 4th, not January 3rd as I had previously heard and posted on. Please check with Stars Over Washington over the next two days where I will display asap a fresh horoscope of the new Congress. Please pardon the inconvenience! Jude

Update2: January 3rd has been cited again. Maybe I’ll put off posting a Jan 4th horoscope until the 113th swears in–whenever that turns out to be. jc

Original post begins here:

If you’re familiar with Mundane or Political Astrology, you know that the Sun signifies the president in the US, or more generally, leaders and leadership.

Having published today’s post at Stars Over Washington concerning the 113th Congress, it just occurred to me that I neglected to describe one of the new Congress’ important midpoint pictures involving the Sun and the Neptune/North Node midpoint, with its potentials for scandals, glamorization of national ideals, drug policies that ignore important concerns, spies or terrorists on villainous missions, and/or inadequate medical care and/or hospital systems. (Munkasey.)

So here is the picture thus created by nebulous, obfuscating Neptune and NN (contacts, meetings, encounters, and future direction):

Neptune-NN = Sun: a determination to be original (Munkasey); seeking contacts, or else feeling misunderstood (Tyl); feeling disappointed or let down by others (Ebertin.)

If you wish, click for more info on the 113th Congress and a view of its natal horoscope with details for the 113th convenes on January 3, 2013 at noon est. You’ll see that that there are two Angular midpoints–one rising (ASC = 113th Congress) and one at Mc (The Goal)–which you may wish to consider if you haven’t already.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

On 11.27.12 a Venus and Saturn rendevous

Perhaps you’ve heard of what promises to be a lovely cosmic display at dawn on Tuesday November 27, 2012 as Venus and Saturn rendevous in the heavens.

Plus, click for info on the tango of Venus-Saturn-Sun occurring on December 21, 2012 that ties in with the often-touted, much-heralded Winter Solstice 2012 which times a very rare galactic alignment.

Naturally, I had to check a Tropical horoscope to find the degree that Venus and Saturn meet at dawn on November 27th so that we may consider its *Sabian Symbol (word picture) for a few evolutionary details. Setting the chart for the White House (should old habits be forgot?), Venus clocks in at 6 Scorpio 44 at dawn while slower Saturn has reached 6Sco14 in the Zodiac.

Actually their astrological conjunction will be exact on November 26, 2012 at 8:19 pm est @ 6Sco11:07 during the Mercury Station Direct @ 18Sco10:13 which will occur 2 hours 31 minutes prior to the Venus-Saturn conjunction. As you know, ‘voting’ Mercury turned Rx on Election Day 2012 and we’ve seen several states with contested outcomes and recounts which should be completely settled very soon with Mercury moving forward.

Lovely Venus and Old Man Saturn

Now you either know or can easily find details of what a Venus-Saturn pairing means astrologically but since I tend to focus on Political Astrology, I’ll add here what expert astrologer Michael Munkasey says about the duo’s combined energies in Politics and Business according to the Hegelian Dialectic; my feeling is that, as with midpoint pictures, any, all, or none may apply at various times:

“Thesis: Restrictions on wealth or income; law enforcement avoiding difficult or cumbersome issues; changes forced on enterprise by new social, artistic, or musical values; building the value of the enterprise.

Antithesis: Restrictions on the way society is able to function; elderly people in the enterprise who have artistic tendencies; a law enforcement bureau which derives pleasure from restricting the movement of people.”

(Source: Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets.)

Hmmm…let’s not get onto the level of the “fiscal cliff” or tax cuts expiring debate in Washington DC in this brief post but the above potential does makes me wonder if the Venus-Saturn rendevous has anything to do with current workers’ strikes in the US and the upper management that will most probably clamp down on them.

Ex: protests continue with Wal-Mart workers intent on striking on Black Friday, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the US.

*Venus-Saturn’s ’7 Scorpio’ = “Deep Sea Divers”; keyword: INVOLVEMENT. Themes include “a challenge to self-refinement” and “Self-fulfillment (is) through an ever-increasing interest in day-by-day problems.”

Marc Edmund Jones, in his book The Sabian Symbols in Astrology adds the negative expression of ’7 Scorpio’ as: “fundamentally unsocial instincts and a resort to wholly absurd escapism.”

Seems to me our ‘survival of the fittest’ society already has way too many of those of a Social Darwinian mindset with ‘fundamentally unsocial instincts” toward their fellow man!

So, on that rather grumpious note, I’ll close with a Happy Thanksgiving to any and all in the US! And yes, let’s remember our displaced Hurricane Sandy victims by contributing if and all we can.

Did you know that Staten Island’s Dr. Atlas Foundation is a great way to donate? Here’s a link to the organization’s Twitter feed.

Nov 6 Mercury Station Rx and Nov 2012 Solar Eclipse

The following text is an un-edited re-publish by its author Jude Cowell and orginally appeared on my Political Astrology blog, Stars Over Washington; this may be the first time in all my blogging years that I’ve republished an entire article of my own:

A Solar Eclipse in intense Scorpio marks November 2012 Elections

by Jude Cowell

As you know, Scorpio is a karmic (reap-what’s-sown) sign and one must act on the up’n'up in order to make any real progress when a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio manifests. Intensity and force are provided by Scorpio’s ruler and sub-ruler, Mars and Pluto, which are most formidable when their energies act in tandem and together, often supply a karmic “something you were always meant to do” feeling. And with Scorpio, an image of political “snake oil” is typically applied.

With all eclipses behaving in Uranian fashion as ‘wild cards of the Universe’ and thus having a reputation for uncovering even the darkest of secrets, we may expect November 2012 to be revelatory for its unmasking of Scorpionic secrets with a distinct potential for betrayals and suspicion that, when used in political propaganda, may have the effect of swaying voters in one direction or another. Some of us may even resort to ‘opting out’ and staying home on November 6 but this would be a a very bad mistake, folks, because that’s what undermining factions want Americans to do. Plus, remember how neocon warmongers simply crowed over the beauty of Afghanistan and Iraq holding “democratic” elections under George Bush? Well then, even though US elections are rigged, let’s not give them up so easily for they same so’n'sos ought to be crowing for our democratic process, don’t you think?

The Solar Eclipse of November 2012

The month of November 2012 is notable not only for America’s hugely important presidential and congressional elections (November 6, with voting planet Mercury Stationary that very day @4Sag18 and turning retrograde at 6:03 pm est–is this the electorate ‘turning back’ to President Obama?), but for its 15 North Solar Eclipse @21Sco56 on November 13. This eclipse occurs close enough to Nov 6 be the Solar Eclipse of Election Day 2012 (within two weeks), with its theme of ‘joy through commitment.’ (Brady.) Well, I don’t like to type this out loud but with Mercury turning Rx on November 6, we may expect that results are disputed and that deciding outcomes may drag on, possibly until mid-December when a forward Mercury reaches and moves beyond its shadow degree of 4Sag18.

Please Pass the Turkey and the Lunar Eclipse

Though Thanksgiving Day is early this year (Nov 22), a busy November brings a second cosmic event–an almost-Thanksgiving Lunar Eclipse on November 28 @6Gem36 with the Sun falling into the happier Sagittarian zone of the Zodiac. The Moon is near transit Jupiter 11Gem54 Rx with US natal Uranus 8Gem55 stimulated. (Moon-Jupiter = US n Uranus: confidence; expectation of reward. –Tyl.) However, you’ll note that the Lunar Eclipse ruler, Mercury, is Direct @18Sco24–approaching the Nov 13 Solar Eclipse degree, but the Sun’s ruler, Jupiter, is Rx, another indicator of delays and hindrances relating to leadership (Sun-Jupiter), and potentially to money, support, bankers, and other corporatists (Jupiter.)

Also, this Lunar Eclipse is significant for being one of 2012′s close-to-Earth Supermoons, as defined by master astrologer Richard Nolle.

Another Factor about November 6′s Mercury Retrograde Station

Though Mercury trines technology inventor Uranus Rx @5Ari09–voting machine glitches made easy? or, easily solved?), its Rx Station strongly opposes President Obama’s natal Moon in Gemini (Moon = ‘reigning need’–Tyl), an indicator that his plans and schedules are in a something of a bind, and that Mr. Obama will be confronted with conflicting opinions regarding his re-election. Someone may have a change (Mercury) of heart (Moon)–whether for the incumbent president or against him remains to be seen but Mercurial young people may be of special note, and obviously reporters and journalists will be in the mix. Personally, I wouldn’t rule out the Chamber of Commerce (Mercury) playing what is perhaps the largest role in opposing the president for they seem determined to do so.

At any rate, his re-election progress is blocked and will be obstructed again once Mercury retraces its path to 1-2-3-4 Sag and opposes natal Moon. Before long, President Obama’s goals will once again be implemented from the White House Oval Office after the dust and deceptions of Election Day 2012 settle.

At least until noon est January 21, 2013 Capitol Building Washington DC

Rising once agin are the mid-degrees of Venus-ruled Taurus, a money sign with an underbelly of greed, intolerance, bigotry, racism, overindulgence, laziness, sloth, and a stubborn will that bashes against all comers. If you know anyone with a large streak of Taurus showing in their personalities, you know the sort of archetypal figure I describe here! jc (last paragraph added as an update 10.11.12)

Romney like Reagan: an armer of rebels?

Styling himself as Reaganesque, candidate Mitt Romney is spouting off about wanting to arm Syrian rebels ‘who share our values’ which reminds me of the hot water President Ronald Reagan got himself into for arming Iranian rebels (arms-for-hostages, aka, Irangate) and then repeatedly lying about it from TV screens across America.

Both Romney and Reagan were born with Jupiter (how we relate to others) in Scorpio, a money sign of Big Business, Secrets, and Betrayals, and we know that having expansive Jupiter in the Mars-Pluto-ruled sign makes for a materialistic viewpoint, over-optimism, and a ruthless striving for possessions.

Plus, Jupiter in Scorpio craves pleasure and tends to overrate its abilities but hopefully if Mitt is placed into the Oval Office, he won’t follow Reagan’s example when it comes to shady arms-dealing.

And in case you’re curious about the two personalities debating one another on October 11, 2012 (VP Joseph Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan) you may wish to check out a few astro-notes I posted today using their natal Sun-Moon blends!

Happy 4th of July 2012! plus Autumn EQ 2012′s Sun Lib-Moon Sag! (updated))

UPDATE 9.19.12: well, DNC 2012 did quite well after all with no major funding problems in sight that I could detect. One stand-out speech was that of former Governor Jennifer Granholm whose on-point call-outs roused the delegates with slogans like, “In Romney’s world, the cars get the elevator–and the workers get the shaft!” (paraphrased, but you undoubtedly catch her meaning.)

This week, the news is all about Mitt Romney being secretly captured calling 47% of his fellow Americans “dependent on government” and other demeaning remarks concerning our characters. But if you’re like me, his arguments–presented to $50,000-a-plate donors at a millionaire’s home on May 15, 2012–ring false and out-of-touch but they do reveal what the GOP candidate and his wealthy cronies like to tell themselves about those they consider beneath them. And as usual, Mr. Romney told the people he was speaking to the bromides he knew they wanted to hear.

Such a smarmy Pisces is Mitt!

Born with Sun, Mercury, and Mars in the sign of the Two Fishes, he’s not very choosy about how he creates his wealth and doesn’t mind using deception and victimization, two of the sign’s negative traits, to step over others in his quest for status and riches.

As for his 47% discussion, the current Solar Eclipse (May 20, 2012) in Gemini (sign of communications, speeches, and telephone recordings!) has uncovered a private view of a secretive and cocooned man, just as eclipses so often do…with a ‘peep-eye’!

Actually, Current TV’s The Young Turks is providing excellent coverage of Mitt’s Misses and political coverage in general, if you haven’t checked out the channel which also airs programs hosted by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the irreverant and hilarious Stephanie Miller, DC journalist Bill Press, and more.

Well, I’ll hush for now and return you to my original July 4th post which begins here, with no edits other than the one you just read:

It’s been a while since I moseyed here to my WordPress blog for good reason: setting up and composing my first-ever Political Astrology newsletter, Stars Over Washington Monthly, has kept me hoppin’. Electronically delivered quarterly, this effort covers 3 months in each issue with what I plan to be more indepth articles than have typically appeared on my blog Stars Over Washington since October 2005.

And once the shock of the tech glitches encountered while setting up the first issue (July-August-September 2012) have faded, I hope to concentrate more fully on the newsletter’s astrological and political content, and topics of national concern beginning with issue 2 (Oct-Nov-Dec 2012.)

The first issue includes (as you might imagine!) horoscopes of America’s Solar Return 2012, occurring tomorrow on Independence Day as the Sun returns to its position on July 4, 1776 (using our 5:10 pm LMT chart) and America reaches her 236th birthday, President Barack Obama’s own Solar Return 2012 of August 4, his 51st birthday (with his Chiron Return, a five-fer, in tow), and of course Autumn Equinox 2012 on September 22, when the Sun clocks in at 00Lib00:00, the Midheaven (MC) angle in our nation’s natal horoscope (5:10 pm, 00Lib53, give or take a few moments depending on your Astrology software program.)

Other topics include RNC and DNC 2012, the prominent September 29th Full Moon, plus, a handy Lunations List for the quarter is provided, a feature I plan to include in each issue with planetary links to important horoscopes (USA, the president’s, etc.)

Of interest to Campaign 2012 and America’s future direction, the MC in the Autumn EQ 2012 horoscope shows President Obama’s natal Uranus leaning forward upon the season’s Career and Public Status angle for all the world to see, along with his natal NN, a joining or Jupiterian point. No, this one astrological factor cannot be considered conclusive for an Obama win on November 6, 2012 but it’s certainly a futuristic hint of progressive Uranian proportions when added to the Equinox Sun conjunct America’s natal MC where it shines brightly each year as it spotlights November elections!

(Note: Uranus/NN = MC: professional recognition; teamwork paying off–Tyl; seeking stimulating ideas from others; sudden recognition of a joint goal–Ebertin.)

Now let’s peek at the Sun Libra-Moon Sagittarius combo of Autumn EQ 2012 (info not included in SOWM’s issue 1!), an Air-Fire blend denoting a season of grand rhetoric, exciting ideas, bluster and ‘live wire’ energies (such as with sudden storms and the lamentable power outages during raging hot weather, along with Campaign 2012 speeches, gaffes, and propaganda.)

Air-Fire is a visionary combo but may detach from deeper emotional connections, something both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have been accused of. My thought is that in such high-profile positions of extreme celebrity and visibility, this tendency is a necessary and useful talent! The signs of Libra and Sagittarius are sextile (60 degr) and thus opportunities arise…Venus and Jupiter are the signs’ rulers and when working together may bring widened horizons, lots of travel, and many enthusiastic ideas and plans.

Autumn EQ 2012′s Sun Lib-Moon Sag (Moon 27Sag21) indicates a populist flair for persuasion and publicity, perfect for Campaign 2012 activities. This combo describes those who are able to juggle several things at once, and who may fall into the ‘workaholic’ category. This is a “calm yet restless” blend with foresight (BHO’s natal Uranus at MC?), high idealism, and humorous wit. A “missionary zeal” may be noted though this trait may certainly describe Mormon Mitt Romney (though most of it sounds more like Mr. Obama.)

An ability to tune into the collective Zeitgeist supplies knowledge of “where things are going and what needs to be done”; an independent yet romantic nature is implied by this combination and a tendency to bypass protocol may be in evidence though cautions are not to over-stretch oneself or over-estimate one’s capacities, and to avoid being blind to one’s deeper motives (cautions for us all!)

Sun Lib-Moon Sag is shared natally by historian Bruce Catton, Christopher Reeve, Sean Lennon, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Oct 20, 1955), Bob Geldof, and humorist Art Buchwald who wrote,

“I explained to him that I had simple tastes and didn’t want anything ostentatious, no matter what it cost me.”

(Wonder if it’s true that preparations for DNC 2012 are under financial restrictions due to lack of donations?)

To close, this blend has two “Images for Integration” of conscious mind (Sun) and unconscious mind (Moon–blend together for best results!) as described by Charles and Suzi Harvey in their excellent book, Sun Sign-Moon Sign:

“Bob Geldof spins Band Aid out of the air to help famine-stricken Africa…An educationalist creates a Palace of Discovery to feed and stimulate young minds.”

Both Images seem to relate to topics on the presidential campaign trail having to do with education in the US, and with increasing poverty and what to do about it–tax the poor who have no turnips or broccoli to spare (a la the GOP, Paul Ryan, and Mitt Romney), or use taxpayer resources of the US government to provide relief for our people. On November 6th, we’ll attempt to show by our votes which vision of America we hold dear: the cold-hearted Darwinian model of survival-of-the-fittest, or America as a nation who cares for her people when they need her the most.

~:~

If you’re interested in Political Astrology, please navigate to Stars Over Washington and click on the link on top of the sidebar to sign up for a 3-month subscription ($18US) beginning with July-Aug-Sep 2012–thanks! jc

Viewing Tips for Venus Transit June 5 2012

Now this is handy:

Space Weather News for June 5, 2012

TRANSIT OF VENUS: The historic 2012 Transit of Venus commences today, June 5th, at 3:09 pm Pacific Daylight Time (22:09 UT). Spaceweather.com is covering the event with observing tips, a real-time photo gallery, and links to live webcasts from around the world. Extraordinary photos of Venus taken during the hours leading up to the transit are also featured on today’s edition of SpaceWeather News.

SOLAR WIND: A stream of high-speed solar wind is buffeting Earth’s magnetic field, stirring geomagnetic activity around the poles. NOAA forecasters estimate a better-than-even chance of high-latitude geomagnetic storms during the next 24 hours.

Aurora alerts are available from SpaceWeather (text) and SpaceWeather (voice).

Fabulous! Thanks, SpaceWeather.

~:~

For some Astrology info concerning Venus Transit 2012, you may wish to check out Horoscope of Venus Transit 2012: Equal Pay for Women, a Recall Vote, and a Queen where you may view the Transit’s horoscope set for Washington DC, my former city of residence.

Oh, and guess what? Megan Funk has alerted me to a smashingly good resource for all comet and asteroid buffs, Find the Data: Comets and Asteroids, so do check it out as you please!

Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012 = Sun Gem-Moon Gem

Over at Julie Demboski’s Astrology we are advised to Take Shelter, Be Ready for the weekend of May 18-20, 2012 and as you know, the Cosmos will put on a brilliant display on May 20th with a Solar Eclipse @ 00Gem21.

Perhaps some astro-notes on the Sun-Moon blend of the eclipse may interest you since it’s a double Air combination of energies (mental) and you’re obviously intellectually advanced if you follow Astrology!

Plus, with all the social and systemic unrest in financial markets and governments, it seems notable to me that Sun Gemini-Moon Gemini is the natal personality blend of none other than John Maynard Keynes who informed us that, “Ideas shape the course of history.” I’ll add two more quotes from famous people who share the blend at the end of this post, one of which relates to the social ‘wedge issues’ that Republicans are attempting to divert public attention–and votes–toward during Campaign 2012. Well, the tactic worked for them before, right?

Sun Gem-Moon Gem denotes lots of nervous energy in the Collective as Summer 2012 heats up with impatience toward the emotions of others, and there is a multitude of role-playing, game-playing, lateral thinking, and fast talking (some of which may be duplicitous–Gemini) in evidence. Criticism, analysis, cutting remarks, contradiction, and mimicking of others will be used or experienced with some people being desperate for rational control of our minds.

Lively, friendly gatherings are preferred, yet self-absorption is indulged in, and double standards are on the Gem-Gem menu for the next 6 months under the rays of this Solar Eclipse. Other themes include the usual Mercurial ones: trade, commmerce, travel, communications, and modes of thinking along with computer-related matters; teaching and learning are prominent and in the news, with ‘news’ being a province of Mercury as well.

In the realm of Politics (and Political Astrology), a sextile from Neptune in early Pisces affects both Sun and Moon and we find that leaders (Sun) may use their talents to confuse people by giving fragmented information which divides our attention to various ‘pieces’ of the puzzle rather than to the whole picture; a politician–or his staff members–may be successful in providing only the info that throws the best light upon the politician or party. (What else is new, right?)

Simultaneously, nebulous Neptune’s effect on the Moon (the people; the public) indicates that we must guard against these obfuscations, delusions, and illusions if we wish to avoid being ensnared in the fantasy of false reality. One aid for this is to take time to research (Mercury!) deeply and consider other opinions so that we see beyond superficial ideas and attitudes since surface appearances seldom tell the full–or true–tale of any matter or issue. Yes, half-truths are the handiest and most-often believed tools for deception.

Compassion and empathy will be felt (and needed) by many yet religious leaders may be the very culprits who mislead, exploit, and misdirect us–Mercury rules the eclipse and two of Mercury’s archetypes are The Thief and The Trickster.

Beware too much indulgence in negative escapism which weakens the mind and body such as alcohol and other drugs, or whatever suppresses your truest and deepest emotions (movies, TV, sex, etc.) A respite from duties is fine, of course, but 24/7 avoidance of responsibilities will come back to haunt–it’s usually better to deal with reality before it deals with you in a harsher way.

Expect partisan ‘dog whistles’ and ideological code words and catch phrases to continue to be used in abundance through the summer as Campaign 2012 grinds on; also indicated are: refined feelings, instability (Gemini, a Mutable sign), indolence, lying, strange influences, inner visions, and far-reaching wishes which make for a mentally challenging, stimulating Solar Eclipse influence, and with Mercury ruling Young People, the Occupy Movement gains momentum and takes its place in the news again though some ‘eclipsing’ such as police action is to be expected as The Establishment (Saturn) fights back against social change.

All this being said, we must remember that all eclipses, both Solar and Lunar, are considered ‘wild cards of the Universe’ so it’s impossible to say precisely what unexpected events may occur but quirky disruptor Uranus most closely describes eclipse energy. Where 00Gem21 appears in your natal chart and how the degree aspects your planets and points determine how you will be personally affected. (See Julie’s advice linked above!)

Now here are quotes from two Sun Gem-Moon Gem folk that demonstrate some of the Geminian energies and mindsets we’ll experience with the May 20, 2012 Solar Eclipse:

“One of my chief regrets during my years in the theater is that I couldn’t sit in the audience and watch me.”

–John Barrymore

“As I grow older and older

and totter towards the tomb

I find that I care less and less

Who goes to bed with whom.”

Well put, Dorothy Sayers!

A Lyrid Meteor weekend! April 21-22, 2012

It’s a cosmic weekend everyone!

Space Weather News for April 21, 2012

LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The annual Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend on the night of April 21-22 when Earth passes through a stream of debris from ancient Comet Thatcher. Usually the shower is mild (10-20 meteors per hour) but unmapped filaments of dust in the comet’s tail sometimes trigger outbursts ten times stronger.

This year’s peak coincides with a new Moon, so lunar interference will not be a problem.  The promise of a good display has prompted NASA to plan an unusual 3D meteor photography experiment combining observations from the ground, a research balloon, and the International Space Station. 

More information, observing tips, and live audio from a meteor radar are available on today’s edition of http://SpaceWeather.com

~:~

As yes, the Dark of the Moon is a great time for sky watching for the New Moon on April 21, 2012 perfects at 3:18 am EDT at 1 Taurus 35…’2Tau’ = “An Electrical Storm” so wherever you are there may be Uranian bolts lighting up the clouds! 

You’ll find New Moon info and Political Astrology, too, at Stars Over Washington if you so wish:

http://www.starsoverwashington.com

 

~:~

The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, Marc Edmund Jones