The Sun and Mercury are each in Capricorn most of the month. Mars is in Virgo, Jupiter is in Taurus, and Pluto is in Capricorn. The Capricorn time of year is the time of getting back to work and routine after the holiday season. With such strong earth placements, January 2012 is especially so. It’s an opportunity to get squared away and get the year off to a good start.

Mars turns retrograde* on January 23. Mars normally spends a couple of months transiting a sign. In this case, with the retrograde cycle, Mars is in Virgo from November 10, 2011, to July 3, 2012 (eight months instead of the usual two). Mars relates to what we desire and how we go after it, including our ways of asserting ourselves, and matters of temper. Mars retrograde periods are good time for reexamining those drives and our methods of pursuing them.

On a practical level, it’s often more difficult to accomplish things while Mars is in retrograde. You may notice similarity with Mercury retrograde periods, as there may be false starts, delays and redoing things. Mars is currently in meticulous, order-loving Virgo. Be conscientious and discerning without wasting energy trying to make things more perfect than they need to be. Initiate any projects you are planning, before the Mars station on January 23. Mars will backtrack its orbit until April 13.

In the background all month is a positive trine alignment of Saturn and Neptune. This denotes balance between practicality and idealism, vision put into positive manifestation. Saturn will turn retrograde before reaching exact trine, so they won’t be exact until later, but they are within 1º of orb from December 23 until February 16. They will be exactly trine on October 11, 2012. Solar Fire © astrology software’s interpretation of the potential for this alignment, which will be affecting us from roughly Winter solstice until mid-February is as follows:
This a good time for achieving success in your creative and spiritual pursuits. You have just the right balance between discipline and creativity. Your intuitive abilities are heightened, and yet at the same time your common sense is well in place. As a result you are able to make wise decisions. You may also find yourself reassessing your life and gaining inner understanding before moving forward in a new direction.

WEEK BY WEEK:
December 25 – 31: The most significant influence this week is Jupiter turning direct on Sunday, as noted just above. This should be a positive time of grounding, well-being and abundance in the material realm. Be calm, steady and confident, and comfortable in your world.

On Wednesday-Thursday the Sun is conjunct Pluto. Hidden problems and matters needing transformation are likely to come to the fore; it’s time to face issues and make any needed changes.At the end of the week Mercury in Sagittarius squares Mars in Virgo. Mercury square Mars always has the potential to bring out conflicts and differences in opinion, in part because we tend to be thinking and speaking with energy and some abruptness. May any differences lead to productive discussion and enlightenment. Remember to think things through and to express yourself tactfully. Mars has been in Virgo all month, supporting a climate of striving for perfection but also bringing out critical attention to detail. Aspire to the best, but be tolerant when we and others fall short of ultimate perfection.

January 1 – 7: On Friday and Saturday Mercury in the late degrees of Sagittarius is in positive alignment with both Saturn and Neptune, which are in positive trine to one another as described in the overview. That should help us synthesize practicality and imagination.

It’s likely to be a busy week, as we are headed toward Full Moon on Sunday, January 8.

January 8 – 14: Mercury enters Capricorn in the wee hours Sunday morning. We’ll be more structured in our thought and communication over the next three weeks or so. Mercury was in positive alignment with Saturn and Neptune on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday around noon, Mercury trines Jupiter, enhancing communication and broadening our perspective. In the afternoon Mercury squares disruptive Uranus. People would rather speak their minds and maybe shock people or raise their awareness of different perspectives, than harmonize, collaborate or synthesize viewpoints.

Energy and emotions are high as we come to Full Moon, just past midnight Sunday night (12:30 a.m. MST). The “Sabian Symbol” for the Moon’s degree (19th degree of Cancer) is “a fragile miss, representative of old blood, is wed in a marriage ceremony by a priest to an eager youth of the new order.” The older is neither to be overthrown nor zealously preserved, but blended with new possibilities. You may note echoes of such a theme in the national news, as Venus will be on the fourth house cusp, representing home, tradition and roots, at the time of Full Moon in Washington. In Albuquerque, the Moon in Cancer will be almost directly overhead, opposite the Sun in Capricorn, which will be on the fourth house cusp. Capricorn is associated with tradition and established ways, and we may notice themes of new growth trending us out of our status quo way of being and identifying our selves or local culture and community.

As we get past the energy peak of the Full Moon, the middle of the week appears rather unremarkable. On Thursday the Sun trines Mars, energizing us a bit. At the same time Venus trines Saturn and is conjunct dreamy Neptune. Best potential is that we can be both realistic and idealistic about relationships, values and esthetics. There could also be deep conversations, hopefully focused on discovery and insight rather than confrontation, as Mercury is conjunct probing Pluto on Thursday and Friday. It’s possible all these alignments could synthesize harmoniously, with energy, positive relationship and readiness to look below the surface in a healing fashion. All this culminates on Thursday and Friday.

Venus enters Pisces, where it is “exalted” in the sign of tenderness, romance and compassion, ‘round Friday midnight, and on Saturday Venus will be sextile expansive Jupiter, a mildly positive alignment supporting happy relating and fun occasions.

January 15 – 21: This week we are approaching the Mars “station”.* Energy levels may be rather high, and you may feel revved up. Some people will likely be volatile, impulsive and confrontational. With Mars in Virgo there’s a tendency to nitpick and spin wheels over minor details. Drive carefully, with awareness that other drivers may be impulsive and unpredictable.

Crises and problems are especially likely on Thursday and Friday, as the Sun will be square Saturn, planet of obstacles. Sun enters Aquarius on Friday, and Venus sextiles Neptune. We’ll lighten up, smooth out a bit.
On Saturday the Sun will be sextile Uranus and square Jupiter. On the positive, this could confer flexibility and generosity, though when Jupiter is in the picture we sometimes tend to go to excess.

We’re coming up to New Moon on Sunday the 22nd, and Mars turns retrograde on the 23rd. Wrap up old projects and launch new ones this week, before that Mars station.

January 22 – 28: New Moon comes late Sunday night, 12:39 a.m. MST. Use Monday to take care of any pressing business and get projects running. Mars turns retrograde at 5:54 p.m. MST on Monday.

Midweek is fairly uneventful and gives an opportunity to settle down from the Mars station. Mercury squares Saturn on Thursday and Friday, bringing the possibility of misunderstandings and missed communications. By Saturday Mercury is in favorable alignment with Uranus, supporting breakthroughs. Later Saturday Mercury squares Jupiter, expanding communication and getting things upbeat and back on track.

January 29 – February 4: This is a fairly quiet week. Venus is opposite Mars on Wednesday. That’s said to spark both attractions and conflicts. On Friday Neptune enters Pisces, it’s own sign, where it will remain for approximately fourteen years. Speculations for this period include increased intuition and spiritual attunement, on the personal level, and advances in our knowledge and exploration of deep space and also the deep oceans. When Neptune ventured into Pisces in 2011, planned development of mini-submarines for deep water exploration was announced by.

February Preview: Full Moon comes on February 7. New Moon comes February 21. Mars is retrograde all month, slowing activity a bit. It could be a fairly quiet month.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.
Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.
Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001
E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

Uranus turns direct on December 9. That’s an indication of lots of changes afoot in the world and in our lives. When Uranus is retrograde, we’re laying the groundwork for needed changes and liberations, which tend to move forward as Uranus turns direct and resumes apparent forward motion.

The Uranus station coincides with a Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse which comes seven hours later, early on December 10. In Washington Venus will be just rising, which may be beneficial. InAlbuquerquethe Moon in eclipse will be setting as the Sun rises, potentially an awesome sight.

Mercury turned retrograde* on November 23, appearing to backtrack its orbit. Mercury turns direct on December 13. Matters will move forward more easily with the return to direct motion.

Winter Solstice is December 21, marking our entry into winter and the Sun’s ingress into Capricorn. The Sun will be in alignment with Uranus, and with Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter, an unusual circumstance with generally positive potential.

Jupiter turns direct on December 25. When Jupiter is retrograde, it seems that luck and ease and expansiveness are in short supply, and the bounce comes back when Jupiter turns direct. The economy, our moods and everything else should become more buoyant as we come up to this station.

Mars normally spends a couple of months in each sign, and the sign indicates how we are tending to use our energy. Mars is in meticulous, discerning, diligent Virgo all month. This may help us to accomplish a great deal, with high standards of achievement. We can also tend to demand a lot from ourselves and others. Use the energy to work to high standards, and remember to take it all lightly, with compassion, understanding and good humor.

WEEK BY WEEK:

November 27 – December 3: Venus is trine Jupiter on Sunday, an indication of happy relationships and pleasant social times. Monday and Tuesday are unmarked by special influences. The Moon is waxing, making this a good time to move things along, keeping in mind that Mercury is retrograde and matters may need a bit of patience and deliberation to compensate for the natural tendency for daily matters to drift or run into delays. Remember that Mercury retrograde periods are good for catching up on loose ends and clearing the decks for the coming Mercury direct period.

Venus is conjunct Pluto on Wednesday and Thursday. That can bring buried issues to light. The Sun is square Mars on Thursday and Friday; an indication that impatience and irritability can lead us into conflict and confrontation, and haste can make us prone to accidents. Take it easy.

The Moon is void of course from 11:06 a.m. MST on Friday until 6:51 p.m. on Saturday. Moon v.o.c. periods are well used for rest and meditation. It may be time for some down time. Moon v.o.c. periods seem to be even more unfocussed when Mercury is also retrograde, as it is now.

December 4 – 10: Mercury in retrograde will be conjunct the Sun on Sunday. This marks the midpoint of the retrograde period. I often notice that little breakthroughs may be possible at this time.

Venus is trine Mars on Monday morning. This will add a little bit of harmony to the day on Sunday and Monday.

The most significant matter is that Uranus turns direct on Friday night. Expect lots of change this week, some of it surprising and unexpected. Be flexible, consider what changes you are ready to put into place. Go with less structure. Adapt to what pops up. It will get you out of your rut and on to liberating new developments.

The Uranus station is accentuated by the Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon which comes at dawn on Saturday. This total eclipse is visible in the central and westernUnited States. InAlbuquerque, the Moon in maximum eclipse will be setting as the Sun rises. Maximum eclipse is 7:31 am MST; official Full Moon is 7:36 am. This could be quite a show. The eclipse adds to the feeling that things are popping.

December 11 – 17: This week could bring gradual improvements into our daily living. We’re past the high energy of the Uranus station and the Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon.  Mercury turns direct on Tuesday evening, 6:43 p.m. MST. It’s not like flipping a switch; matters will have been gradually straightening out toward the end of the retrograde, and improvements will continue. It may take until Mercury completes its “prograde” and returns to the location it occupied when it turned retrograde before everything is back on track. That will be New Year’s Day.

Saturday evening may be rather quiet or have its subdued aspects, considering that it’s the Saturday before Christmas Eve. Venus is coming into square to Saturn, and responsibilities, duties or worries may be in counterpoint to Venus’s benefic and sociable influence.

December 18 – 24: Venus is square Saturn early Sunday morning. Though ‘tis the season of holiday joy, many of us will feel weighty concerns, maybe just the pressure of holiday activities. This is the time to attend to the work of the holidays.

On Monday the Sun is sextile Saturn, a steadying influence. This is a good day for organized, productive activity. Venus is at the very last degree of disciplined Capricorn (ruled by Saturn); carrying through on relationship and social responsibilities comes naturally.

Tuesday is lighter. Perhaps we’re feeling more up to speed on things and can enjoy the holiday season. Venus enters sociable, humanitarian, group-oriented Aquarius ‘round noon – less sense of duties, more sense of freedom. The Sun is sextileNeptune, bringing forth empathy, attunement and flow. Toward evening, Venus squares Jupiter, an aspect denoting pleasure, affection and indulgence (also extravagance, overindulgence and emotional excess, but let’s not go there). Also on Tuesday evening, Venus is sextile Uranus, a light but lovely aspect denoting openness, novelty and affectionate or artistic expression and appreciation. Tuesday has the possibility of being a very nice day.

Winter Solstice arrives, Wednesday evening, 10:30 p.m. Mountain time. For one thing, this is a turning of the season, passing from autumn into winter. It’s the Sun’s entry into the practical earth sign Capricorn after the ebullience of its passage through Sagittarius, ruled by expansive Jupiter. At this particular winter solstice, the Sun is square Uranus, planet of change, revolution and also chaos and the unexpected. As orderly as Capricorn likes to be, Uranus is in fiery Aries and things are just not orderly and measured. However, the Sun is also in a positive pattern with Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. Saturn is at the end of Libra, soon to enter Scorpio, and it is sextile the Sun, a steadying influence. So there’s Saturn, then 60 degrees forward is the Sun at 0º Capricorn, then 60º past the Sun is Neptune at the end of Aquarius, almost into Pisces, and it is trine Saturn and sextile the Sun. Then, 60º past Neptune is Jupiter at 0º of Taurus, and it is opposite Saturn, trine the Sun, and sextileNeptune, a great synergy. This is a potentially very integrative alignment that may help us to knit together in the midst of a goodly amount of chaos and change currently going along in the world. Hold that thought, and affirm good things as you end your evening this Solstice night.

On Thursday you may see both sides of the Solstice’s signature described here. The Sun is exactly trine ease-producing Jupiter early in the morning. In the afternoon, Sun squares Uranus, planet of the unexpected.

On Friday we’re winding down toward New Moon, a good time to take a breath and think of where we are and things to come over the next four weeks.

New Moon comes Saturday, 11:06 a.m. MST. The New Moon chart contains the same solar alignments as the Solstice chart, Sun square Uranus, and also trine Jupiter, sextile Saturn and sextile Neptune. Change, expansion and growth, steady effort and progress, and vision and understanding. Affirm all these things for yourself and the world as you look to the month ahead. The “Sabian symbol” for the degree of the Sun and Moon at New Moon is “: The human soul receptive to growth and understanding.” That is a positive indication for the coming four weeks, I believe.

Also note that this whole week has also been influenced by the approaching Jupiter station.* Jupiter is at the first degree of the earth sign Taurus, and it turns direct on Sunday, December 25. There’s the potential for positive benefits and growth in the material aspects of life and society over the coming months. This should certainly support our own individual, and the collective, economic recovery.

December 25 – 31: The most significant influence this week is Jupiter turning direct on Sunday, as noted just above. This should be a positive time of grounding, well-being and abundance in the material realm. Be calm, steady and confident, and comfortable in your world.

On Wednesday-Thursday the Sun is conjunct Pluto. Hidden problems and matters needing transformation are likely to come to the fore; it’s time to face issues and make any needed changes.

At the end of the week Mercury in Sagittarius squares Mars in Virgo. Mercury square Mars always has the potential to bring out conflicts and differences in opinion, in part because we tend to be thinking and speaking with energy and some abruptness. May any differences lead to productive discussion and enlightenment. Remember to think things through and to express yourself tactfully. Mars has been in Virgo all month, supporting a climate of striving for perfection but also bringing out critical attention to detail. Aspire to the best, but be tolerant when we and others fall short of ultimate perfection.

January Preview: Mars continues in Virgo all month, see remarks on Mars in Virgo in the overview for December and in the paragraph just previous to this one. Mars will turn retrograde on January 23, appearing to backtrack its orbit until April 13. Mars relates to what we desire and how we go after it. Mars retrograde periods are good time for reexamining those drives and our methods of pursuing them. On a practical level, it’s often more difficult to accomplish things while Mars is in retrograde. We should certainly do our best to initiate any projects we are planning, before the Mars station on January 23. And we should remember to be just meticulous enough with Mars in Virgo, and not fritter away our energy trying to make things more perfect than they need to be. Keep this principle in mind, for Mars is in Virgo from November 10, 2011, to July 3, 2012, (eight months instead of the usual two) a lengthy period to contemplate these lessons.

The Sun, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto will each be in earth signs for all or part of the month. We may really succeed in getting down to business in the New Year. This could be a good year to make New Year’s resolutions and go about following through on them.

In the background all month is a positive trine alignment of Saturn and Neptune. This denotes balance between practicality and idealism, vision put into positive manifestation. Saturn will turn retrograde before reaching exact trine, so they won’t be exact until later, but they are within 1º of orb from December 23 until February 16. They will be exactly trine on October 11, 2012. Solar Fire © astrology software’s interpretation of the potential for this alignment, which will be affecting us from roughly Winter solstice until mid-February is as follows:

This a good time for achieving success in your creative and spiritual pursuits. You have just the right balance between discipline and creativity. Your intuitive abilities are heightened, and yet at the same time your common sense is well in place. As a result you are able to make wise decisions. You may also find yourself reassessing your life and gaining inner understanding before moving forward in a new direction.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits.  A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion.  Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s.  Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts.  When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized.  The cycle looks like this.  The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally.  As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place.  Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde.  Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months.  Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated.  Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl.  It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business.  Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to.  Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct.  If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day.  Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned.  Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities.  The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone.  I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations.  I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions.  Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.

Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer   (505) 255-5001

E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

We’re in the Scorpio time of year, a time when deeper feelings and issues get stirred up. However Mercury and Venus enter Sagittarius on November 2, helping us keep things in perspective, keep the big picture in mind. Sagittarius is easygoing and philosophical, a nice balance to Scorpio. The Sun will enter Sagittarius on November 22.

Neptune will turn direct* on November 9. Neptune stations can be times when matters are confusing or unclear. Paradoxically, if you seek clarity and truth, things usually become clear. At any Neptune station, matters can seem to kind of drift, float along without much direction, no matter how much you try to steer them forward. This tends to be so for at least a week before and after the actual station.

Full Moon comes November 10. The Full Moon chart for Washington, DC, which influences our country as a whole, and government in particular, features Pluto directly overhead. That could indicate crisis and pressure. In Albuquerque, the chart has a very different feel, and it is also worth particular notice, with Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius directly overhead, Neptune just rising, and Mars just setting. Pluto at the Midheaven in the Washington Full Moon chart signals some things coming to a head, even more than the general expectations for Full Moon time. Fortunately other indicators in the chart show a potential for very promising new beginnings, and this applies universally, not just in Washington.

The New Moon following this Full Moon is a Solar Eclipse, which adds extra potency to the new cycle. That partial Solar Eclipse comes on Thanksgiving night. It will not provide a show in the United States, though it may be felt, nonetheless, depending on how strongly it aligns with your personal chart.

Mercury turns retrograde* on November 23, appearing to backtrack its orbit until December 13. Get your holiday preparations under way early, before the retrograde.

WEEK BY WEEK:
October 30-November 5: The first part of the week could have its moody moments. Mercury and Venus are transiting the late degrees of Scorpio. Mercury and Venus are square Neptune on Monday. This could be a good year to put romance and fantasy (or trickery) into any costuming or decorating you’re doing for Halloween.

From Wednesday on, things are lighter, easier. Mercury and Venus enter ebullient Sagittarius Wednesday morning, immediately coming into trine with Uranus, which brings novelty, easy change, unexpected positive developments, insights, positive connections, relationships moving in new directions. Expect to be a little bit lucky. Let it be easy.
Generally this is a rather low key week. On Saturday the Moon is void of course** all day. Take it easy.

November 6 – 12: This is quite a week. Neptune turns direct ‘round noon on Wednesday, and this affects us for at least a week or two on either side of the station. At Neptune stations, some matters can seem to be in a fog, not moving along no matter how much you expect them to proceed as usual. As I noted in the November overview, some matters can be particularly unclear; however, if you really seek clarity, it often emerges and can be quite liberating. Make every effort to see clearly this week; don’t just ride along on your hopes and assumptions. As for matters moving along, this may be a good week to remember the grace of being patient and going with the flow.

This last statement may be particularly applicable especially at the beginning of the week. Mars, planet of energy, initiative and action, will be opposite Neptune on Sunday and Monday. Energy is easily dissipated, and confusions and misunderstandings or misperceptions are rampant. Add to that the fact that Mars is in the last degree of flamboyant Leo, and the possibility arises that any misperceptions will be rather dramatic. Remember, this is only a transit; it is not the drama of the year, though in some quarters it may seem otherwise. (By the way, Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday. Expect an unusual number of missed connections from that annual event.)

So, we start the week with a Mars-Neptune opposition, and Neptune turns direct on Wednesday. Then comes Full Moon, at 1:16 pm MST on Wednesday. This is the Full Moon I warned you about in the November overview. Pluto is directly overhead in Washington. Pluto is a planet of crisis and transformation. You never know what kind. Tensions could be high, with efforts to turn situations around of course on the forefront. There is the possibility of major disruptions. Watch this and see what happens. Also featured in the Full Moon chart, regardless of location, is Mars at the very end of Leo, making for flamboyant excesses without much effectiveness, in part because it is still moving out of the opposition to Neptune. On the bright side, Mercury is conjunct Venus in Sagittarius, helping to keep optimism and vision at the forefront, with only a little exaggeration and excess verbosity.

I sometimes note the “Sabian Symbol” for the degree of the Moon in a Full Moon chart or the Sun and Moon in a New Moon chart, if the symbol seems especially striking. This is such a time. The Sabian Symbol for the degree of the Full Moon is, “A new continent is rising out of the ocean.” Lynda Hill, in her book The Sabian Symbols as an Oracle, says that this degree indicates eruption, disruption, followed by new opportunity, a fresh new arena of opportunity coming out of nowhere. With Pluto overhead in Washington, indicating pressure and potential turning points in our national affairs, this Sabian Symbol seems a validation of positive potential and new opportunity. Again, here’s an opportunity to see astrology at work. Will there be anything notable? Sometimes you see obvious correlations, other times not so much.

As noted in the overview, the Full Moon chart as cast for Albuquerque is quite interesting. Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius will be directly overhead, promoting positive, affable communication and pleasant interaction. Neptune will be just rising, and Mars just setting. That could bring out the confusion, drama and dissipated energy of the Mars-Neptune opposition. At best we are unfocused but happy, kind of a wild goose chase or a comedy of errors. At worst it’s a big mix-up with lots of rash behavior.

Mars enters Virgo Thursday evening. We’ll be inclined to work humbly and diligently with exacting attention to detail for the next couple of months. After all the influences for this week, with Mars opposite Neptune, the Neptune station, and Full Moon, we can expect things to move rather slowly on Friday morning. The Moon will be void of course** from 9:27 a.m. MST until 1:10 p.m. Friday afternoon and Saturday are on a more even keel, with nothing notable, astrologically speaking.

November 13 – 19: This week seems to be fairly free of astrological milestones. We’re past Full Moon, and there is only one planetary alignment, a trine of Mars to Jupiter exact on Wednesday. Mars is action, Jupiter is ease and expansion. Mars trine Jupiter supports easy and successful activities, good timing and good will.

Keep in mind that Mercury will turn retrograde* on Wednesday November 23, the day before Thanksgiving. Use this week to get all your affairs in order and projects started, as well as getting holiday shopping and preparations under way. Complete reservations for travel and other activities you are planning for this month and next.

November 20 – 26: This is a busy week, with Thanksgiving as the high point. On Sunday the Sun is square Neptune, exact just after the noon hour. We’ll likely be a little out of focus, slow getting the day going. Have a list, a plan for the day if you need to get things accomplished. Or, just take it easy and catch your errands in mid-afternoon. You or others may be moody or dealing with emotional matters, as the Sun is at the end of Scorpio. The Sun will enter buoyant Sagittarius Tuesday morning.

There are several minor positive planetary alignments at midweek. Venus is sextile Saturn on Monday and Tuesday, supporting smooth interactions and dependability of friends and social arrangements. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Sun is trine Uranus. That alignment supports flexibility and novelty in our daily doings. Mars is also trine Pluto on Tuesday and Wednesday, helping us to cut through red tape and get things done effectively.

Mercury turns retrograde* around midnight on Wednesday, so be sure to use the positive and easy alignments of this week to really get your daily affairs in order and your holiday preparations under way, including travel reservations, before the retrograde. The rest of the week is still early enough in the Mercury retrograde to complete anything not done by Wednesday midnight.

Thanksgiving Day is blessed with a sextile of Venus to Neptune, a harmonious aspect supporting ease and understanding in relationship. This is the last day before New Moon, usually an indicator that things are fairly quiet. New Moon comes ‘round midnight on Thanksgiving, at 11:10 p.m. Mountain time. This New Moon is a partial Solar Eclipse. It will not be visible in the United States, and in fact will only be visible in extreme southern latitudes, the tip of South Africa, New Zealand and Antarctica. Eclipses seem to be catalysts for change, to the extent that they affect our individual charts.
The New Moon/Solar Eclipse chart is not especially noteworthy. The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus are in buoyant Sagittarius. On one hand that can indicate general good spirits; on the other hand, that can indicate impulsiveness and the voicing of strong opinions. The Sabian Symbol for the degree of the Sun and Moon is, “the ocean covered with whitecaps.” Lynda Hill refers to this as things whipped up into a froth over nothing important. Take any upsets in stride.
In Albuquerque, Neptune will be just setting at the time of the eclipse. This could indicate confusion and unclear relationship situations. If you thought you knew where things stood and now it’s not so clear, go with the flow and patiently seek clarity.

On Saturday Venus is square Uranus, an indication that we need freshness and novelty in our relationship routines. Social arrangements may fall through, and it may be best to leave your time and plans unstructured. Venus is coming into trine to Jupiter; everything will work out happily.

November 27 – December 3: Venus is trine Jupiter on Sunday, an indication of happy relationships and pleasant social times. Monday and Tuesday are unmarked by special influences. The Moon is waxing, making this a good time to move things along, keeping in mind that Mercury is retrograde and matters may need a bit of patience and deliberation to compensate for the natural tendency for daily matters to drift or run into delays. Remember that Mercury retrograde periods are good for catching up on loose ends and clearing the decks for the coming Mercury direct period.

Venus is conjunct Pluto on Wednesday and Thursday. That can bring buried issues to light. The Sun is square Mars on Thursday and Friday; an indication that impatience and irritability can lead us into conflict and confrontation, and haste can make us prone to accidents. Take it easy.

The Moon is void of course from 11:06 a.m. MST on Friday until 6:51 p.m. on Saturday. Moon v.o.c. periods are well used for rest and meditation. It may be time for some down time. Moon v.o.c. periods seem to be even more unfocussed when Mercury is also retrograde, as it is now.

December Preview: December should be an active month, with three planets turning direct,* a Lunar Eclipse, and Winter Solstice.
Uranus turns direct on December 9. That’s an indication of lots of changes afoot in the world and in our lives. When Uranus is retrograde, we’re laying the groundwork for needed changes and liberations, which tend to move forward as Uranus turns direct and resumes apparent forward motion.
The Uranus station coincides with a Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse which comes seven hours later, early on December 10. In Washington Venus will be just rising, which may be beneficial. In Albuquerque the Moon in eclipse will be setting as the Sun rises, potentially an awesome sight.
Mercury turns direct on December 13. Matters will move forward more easily.
Winter Solstice is December 21, marking our entry into winter and the Sun’s ingress into Capricorn.
Jupiter turns direct on December 25. When Jupiter is retrograde, it seems that luck and ease and expansiveness are in short supply, and the bounce comes back when Jupiter turns direct. The economy, our moods and everything else should become more buoyant as we come up to this station.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.
Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001
E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

Well, sometimes the reliability of astrology surprises me. In the September forecast, which was posted well into the month, I wrote about the approachingsquareofUranusand Pluto. Though these planets will not be in exact square until next June, because these planets are in early degrees of the cardinal signs, the square is already coloring evolutions and events because they show up strongly in the equinox and solstice charts. I wrote that this square is the “first quarter” point in a 125-year cycle that began in the mid- to late-1960’s, and reflected on the revolutionary energy that was afoot in those times.

This year has certainly brought forth revolutions all across the Arab world. But I was recalling the 1960’s and the riots and demonstrations by a number of movements, and musing that I really hadn’t seen that this time around, thus far. I also noted, but did not write about, the September 27 New Moon. The chart for that New Moon, as cast for WashingtonDC, which purports to describe trends for the nation, featured Pluto at the very bottom of the chart. Pluto symbolizes deep, powerful change, upheaval. The bottom of the chart (the IC or 4^th house cusp) denotes the foundations, the base, the roots. In mundane astrology, the astrology of larger world events, the fourth house represents the foundation of society, the common people, and opposition to the government. I thought of writing something about that placement of Pluto, but couldn’t think of anything to write that would not sound ominous. I was wondering what kind of mass upheaval might be possible, really couldn’t imagine such a thing, so didn’t mention it. In retrospect, I wish I had. I am of course thinking of Occupy Wall Street, the uprising of regular people, first in this country and now abroad, against corporate greed, social inequality, and other grievances, that appears to have come out of nowhere. But it’s right there in the charts. The challenge to the astrologer is to know what to expect out of a vast array of possibilities, and to have the courage to go out on a limb and say something, if for no other reason than as an exploration of our craft.

Aside from the big picture Uranus-Pluto trends, the day to day influences of the month look pretty good. The only exact alignment among the outer planets is a trine of Jupiter and Pluto at the end of October. That alignment is generally beneficial and to be looked forward to.

At the beginning of October the Sun, Mercury and Venus are all in Libra, sign of balance and harmony. One by one those planets enter Scorpio, associated with deep stirrings and exposing and transforming that which needs renewal. I’d say the sooner you start working on matters, the better. Full Moon comes on October 11. New Moon is October 26. On October 28 Jupiter trines Pluto, generally an indication of opportunities for positive transformations.

WEEK BY WEEK:

September 25-October 1: The Sun and Mercury will oppose Uranus on Sunday and Monday, keeping things up in the air. New Moon comes early Tuesday morning, 5:09 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Moon are even more tightly square to Pluto than at Equinox, and the opposition to Uranus remains strong as well. This is a good time to let go of expectations and be in the flow. Let things go differently than planned (as I have this month, filing my forecast later than planned or expected). Permit yourself to experiment. If challenging situations are coming to light, be thankful that you know about them and can address them.

Venus appears close to Saturn in the New Moon chart. This may be a time of testing relationships, when there is more work and less fun, and all the challenges are coming up without the warm fuzzies to make it all seem good. This is a test; this is only a test, unless it is really time for something to come to its natural end.

October 2-8: This week starts off with asquare ofMars and Jupiter on Sunday afternoon. Mars-Jupiter combinations produce expansive action. This could be positive, successful taking initiative, could be spending money, could be overextending, but it is not about playing small.

On Thursday afternoon Mercury is conjunct Saturn. This is a good time to tackle tasks that require concentration and attention to structure and detail, but even simple tasks can be tedious or beset with problems or delays. On Friday and Saturday Venus is in the late degrees of its own sign Libra and is in positive trine alignment with gentle, romanticNeptune. This is a good follow-up to the Mercury-Saturn conjunction which can be quite serious and possibly marked by frustrations or inhibitions, as Venus in Libra trineNeptunecan be quite sweet, romantic and attuned to grace and beauty. Love, sociability and the arts are favored.

October 9-15: The Moon was void of course all day on Sunday, a good time to take it easy. Venus is newly in Scorpio, having made the transition from Libra to Scorpio around midnight Saturday night. We’ll feel more deeply, relate more intensely over the remainder of the month, and we may tend to brood over little details, fume over slights, generally be more intense about all our relationships.

Full Moon comes Tuesday evening, 8:06 pm MDT. Sun is conjunct Saturn, and the Moon, which is always opposite the Sun at Full Moon, is also opposite Saturn. Saturn often figures as limitation or delay, but it also gives form and stability and is long-lasting, enduring. As Saturn is in Libra, associated with relationships and with beauty and love, the brighter side of Saturn may show to advantage. Saturn, with its love of form and order, is said to be “exalted” in Libra, meaning that it functions well there. I personally have found this Full Moon to be a time of appreciating enduring relationships and the people I rely on, and who trust and appreciate and rely on me. The Sun-Saturn conjunction is exact on Thursday.

At this Full Moon, Chiron was directly overhead inWashington. Chiron often shows up as feeling the pain of our wounds and hurts, of that which needs healing, and having the opportunity to work toward that healing. May that be so for this nation; it is sorely needed.

Over the days from Tuesday through Thursday, Mercury is trineNeptune, enhancing understanding and gentleness in our communications and interactions, and Venus is sextile Pluto, deepening our relating. On Thursday morning Mercury enters Scorpio; it’s time to attend with more depth and seriousness to the matters we are contemplating or discussing, while being mindful that it’s easy to be overly serious while Mercury is in Scorpio. Mercury and Venus both will enter light-hearted, philosophical Sagittarius on November 2.

Friday could be a lovely day, capping the influences of midweek with an opposition of Venus and Jupiter in late afternoon. I think of any Venus-Jupiter contact as bringing bounty of love, pleasure and sociability, and perhaps indulgence and extravagance.

October 16-22: All the planetary alignments this week are easy and supportive, and also rather mild or subtle in their influence. On Sunday Mercury is sextile Pluto, good for deep thought and powerful communication. On Monday Mercury is opposite Jupiter. That expands communication and can mean there is a lot of it going on – phone calls, emails, chance encounters. The only caution is to edit yourself a bit, keeping communication focused, and to state things realistically, as Mercury-Jupiter supports lots and lots of talk, optimism, and perhaps a tendency to promise more than one can readily deliver, but it’s great fun.

Midweek appears to be fairly free of special influences. The Sun is trineNeptuneon Friday and Saturday, a subtle influence supporting empathy, understanding and gentleness.

October 23-29: Sun enters Scorpio ‘round noon on Sunday; Mercury and Venus are already in Scorpio. Scorpio is a sensitive water sign, ruled by Pluto, planet of depth and intensity. We’ll naturally be more introspective, more sensitive, more ready to look deeply at matters that we may have glossed over up until now. It’s a great time for some self examination and taking a closer look at your life and connections You should know the cautions by now – don’t brood or go to extremes, just constructively address your life with a goal of positive transformation. Enough putting things off, make the changes you need.

At the beginning of the week we are in the “dark of Moon” period before New Moon and the beginning of a new monthly cycle, making this time even more suitable for withdrawing a bit from outward concerns to focus inward.

New Moon comes on Wednesday, 1:56 p.m. Mountain time. Mars is sextile Saturn in the Full Moon chart, indicating the potential for steady application of effort, and patient assertiveness. Mercury is conjunct Venus, typically an indicator for diplomacy, tact and charm, but both are square Mars, which can bring out passions and conflict, though the Mars alignment with Saturn helps us temper our tempers. So, to sum up, there may be some irritations this week, but we can persevere, speaking our minds with respect and consideration, and the overall outcome will likely be positive and transformative. This combination of influences continues through to at least Friday. Maintain your focus and composure. These days have a lot of potential, don’t waste it.

Also, over this week, Jupiter is coming into trine with Pluto. Jupiter is expansive, Pluto brings transformation. I find that Jupiter-Pluto alignments bring opportunities for positive change, often unexpectedly. Suddenly you may realize that the opportunity you’ve been wishing for is right there and you can take the step you’ve been meaning to take for a long while. Good timing and possibly chance encounters can figure in this. Be on the lookout. This may not a huge thing, but Jupiter trine Pluto does ease us through some stuff, and provide some opportunities and little or big gifts. The Jupiter-Pluto trine is exact Friday morning, 10:46a.m.MountainTime. For extra punch, the Sun is opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto later in the day Friday, bringing more power to the positive potential of the Jupiter-Pluto alignment.

October 30-November 5: The first part of the week could have its moody moments. Mercury and Venus are transiting the late degrees of Scorpio. Mercury and Venus are squareNeptune on Monday. This could be a good year to put romance and fantasy (or trickery) into any costuming or decorating you’re doing for Halloween.

From Wednesday on, things are lighter, easier. Mercury and Venus enter ebullient Sagittarius Wednesday morning, immediately coming into trine with Uranus, which brings novelty, easy change, unexpected positive developments, insights, positive connections, relationships moving in new directions. Expect to be a little bit lucky. Let it be easy.

Generally this is a rather low key week. On Saturday the Moon is void of course** all day. Take it easy.

November Preview: Neptune will turn direct* on November 9.Neptune stations can be times when matters are confusing or unclear. Paradoxically, if you seek clarity and truth, things usually become clear.

 Full Moon comes November 10, bringing some issues to a head. Mercury turns retrograde* on November 23, until December 13. Get your holiday preparations under way early, before the retrograde.

There’s a partial Solar Eclipse on November 24. It will not provide a show in theUnited States, though it may be felt, nonetheless, depending on how strongly it aligns with your personal chart.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits.  A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion.  Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s.  Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts.  When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized.  The cycle looks like this.  The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally.  As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place.  Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde.  Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months.  Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated.  Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl.  It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business.  Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to.  Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct.  If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day.  Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned.  Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities.  The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone.  I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations.  I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions.  Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.

Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer   (505) 255-5001

E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

This forecast is more of a retrospective of the month, as the Pluto station and the general rush of life have overtaken this astrologer. The week of August 28-September 3 is quoted as written for the August forecast. The influences of the later weeks are summarized, written on September 21 & 22.

The buzz has been building for over a year, regarding thesquareofUranusand Pluto. These two planets will be exactly square, 90 degrees apart, a total of 5 times between June 24, 2012 and April 21, 2014. This dovetails with the buzz about December of 2012 that has been on its own trajectory for a couple of years. Uranus and Pluto have a cycle that is measured from one conjunction of Uranus and Pluto until the next, approximately 125 years. The quarter points of the cycle are considered critical times in that cycle. The last conjunction was in the mid to late 1960’s, truly a time of widespread revolutions, in consciousness, and in many groups calling for equality and freedom. Now the cycle is coming up to its first quarter phase, and once again those energies are surging. It sometimes appears to me that social order is disintegrating and we are all in danger from individuals and groups acting recklessly and without regard for consequences.

The first exact square is not until next June, but Uranus and Pluto are currently less than 2 degrees from the exact square, and they are at the beginning of the cardinal signs of Aries and Capricorn, which means that at each equinox and solstice, when the Sun enters one of the four cardinal signs, there is an alignment of the Sun with Uranus and Pluto. The astrological conditions at the equinox or solstice set the tone for the coming three months. Uranus represents revolution and breaking of old forms; Pluto signifies deep, powerful change. You saw it in the 1960’s, and this is the next phase.

WEEK BY WEEK:

August 28-September 3: New Moon comes Sunday evening, 9:04 p.m. MDT. The New Moon chart is rather positive. The Sun and Moon are conjunct Venus in Virgo, the phrase “Whistle while you work” comes to mind. It could be a good time to settle in to create beauty, order and efficiency in your surroundings. Sun, Moon and Venus are trine Pluto, good for clearing out and rebuilding, and the New Moon chart influences us all month. Mars is moving out of the square to Saturn; there may be a sense of moving out of stagnation, picking up momentum.

This is the week Jupiter is stationary, turning retrograde*. Jupiter’s positive, optimistic, expansive energy is at a peak. Use it wisely and for lasting benefit; avoid overextending. The station occurs over night between Monday and Tuesday. Venus is trine Jupiter the night before, bringing positive light to relationship interactions. The Sun will trine Jupiter later in the week, on Friday night. It should be a positive day and evening, characterized by a bit of ease and by ebullience. Savor the week; it is free from complications.

September 4-10: General influences for this week are rather quiet. The Moon was increasing but not yet full, and Mercury was picking up speed and regaining ground lost during the recent retrograde. Mercury turned direct on August 26. It completed its “prograde,” returning to the point where it had turned retrograde, on September 9. We are now officially past the Mercury retrograde cycle.

September 11-17: Full Moon occurred at 3:27 a.m. Monday morning. There are some positive alignments in the Full Moon chart, including a grand trine in earth signs, a stabilizing influence. The “Sabian Symbol” for the Moon’s degree is “a table set for an evening meal,” which to me speaks of sustenance and community. May it be a balancing influence in the midst of the Pluto station, which occurred on Friday of this week.

Pluto stations bring all kinds of hidden things to light, where they can be dealt with and remedied. This particular Pluto station and the period around it seem to be coinciding with health issues, some of them very serious, in my immediate circles. In my personal life there has been a flurry of renewal in my physical house, three separate significant home improvement projects and general clean-up and repairs. I hope all your clean-ups and renewals are going well, with a minimum of crisis.

September 18-24: This week is colored by the continuing influence of the Pluto station, which was exact on September 16, and by Autumnal Equinox, which comes on Friday the 23^rd.

In between, Venus opposed Uranus (on September 17) and squared Pluto on Sunday, September 18. For me, I was concerned with activities around a wonderful wedding celebration (Venus), and encountered an unusual number of snafus (Uranus and Pluto) in the process.

You may feel a restoration of confidence this week. Mars moved from sensitive Cancer into confident and expressive Leo Sunday evening.

Equinox arrives early Friday morning, 3:05 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Mercury will be opposite Uranus and square Pluto, coming into exact alignment over the next several days, up to Wednesday, September 28. This stirs up the energy for change and revolution and cleaning things up, with intensity both positive and at times painful. Your challenge is to bring things to light and deal with them, making positive changes without overdoing the intensity. The Moon will be conjunct Mars in Leo, in positive alignment with Uranus, in the Equinox chart. This favors bold and confident action leading to liberation. Take this as an encouragement to take positive steps to transform your life and live with greater freedom and aliveness. Let the several days at the end of this week and the early part of next week unfold naturally, and go with the flow. There may be numerous deviations from the script, and that can be beneficial.

September 25-October 1: The Sun and Mercury will oppose Uranus on Sunday and Monday, keeping things up in the air. New Moon comes early Tuesday morning, 5:09 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Moon are even more tightly square to Pluto than at Equinox, and the opposition to Uranus remains strong as well. This is a good time to let go of expectations and be in the flow. Let things go differently than planned (as I have this month, filing my forecast later than planned or expected). Permit yourself to experiment. If challenging situations are coming to light, be thankful that you know about them and can address them.

Venus appears close to Saturn in the New Moon chart. This may be a time of testing relationships, when there is more work and less fun, and all the challenges are coming up without the warm fuzzies to make it all seem good. This is a test; this is only a test, unless it is really time for something to come to its natural end.

October Preview: The month looks pretty good. The only alignment among the outer planets is a trine of Jupiter and Pluto at the end of October. That is generally beneficial and to be looked forward to. At the beginning of October the Sun, Mercury and Venus are all in Libra, sign of balance and harmony. One by one those planets enter Scorpio, associated with deep stirrings and dredging up that which needs renewal. I’d say the sooner you start working on matters, the better. Full Moon comes on October 11. New Moon is October 26. On October 28 Jupiter trines Pluto, generally an indication of opportunities for positive transformations.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits.  A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion.  Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s.  Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts.  When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized.  The cycle looks like this.  The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally.  As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place.  Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde.  Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months.  Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated.  Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl.  It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business.  Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to.  Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct.  If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day.  Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned.  Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities.  The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone.  I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations.  I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions.  Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.

Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer   (505) 255-5001

E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

The Sun and Venus are in sunny Leo most of this month. Leo is a sign associated with play, creativity, self-expression and leadership. This is the last, fun month of summer, time for us to get our quota of fun and play before fall. Let your inner child come out to play, and don’t forget to take turns.

Mercury will be retrograde* August 2-26. You know what to do by now. If you don’t, see the footnote below.

Jupiter turns retrograde August 30. Jupiter represents expansiveness and optimism. Jupiter retrograde periods are often times when we have less forward momentum and instead consolidate material gains and expansion initiated while Jupiter was direct. It’s a good time to devote some attention to inner growth and preparation. Jupiter will turn direct Christmas Day.

As I complete this forecast on August 6, I am feeling pretty discouraged by the latest wrangle about the debt ceiling and Congress’s failure to step up and deal with the situation until great harm had been done to the economy, national morale, and our standing in the world. I am not politically astute by any reckoning. What I can do is look at our national horoscope, cast for July 4, 1776. There are a couple of speculative birth times widely used by astrologers, and I use the Gemini rising chart. What I see in our nation’s current influences is this. Saturn, planet of limitation, is at 12 degrees of Libra squaring the Sun at 12 degrees of Cancer. The square was exact yesterday, August 5. When I went on line this morning, I read that the U. S. has lost its AAA bond rating. Saturn is the planet of harsh reality and results of our actions.

Pluto, planet of crisis, testing, breakdown and rebirth, is opposite our nation’s Jupiter, which represents abundance, confidence and prosperity. This is a real test. Pluto stays in fairly close opposition to Jupiter through November, as Pluto is currently retrograde, and will turn direct in mid-September, making the last opposition to Jupiter on November 15. Solar Fire © astrological software gives this interpretation for this transit:

“Transiting Pluto Opposition Radix Jupiter During this time you will find it difficult to achieve your goals. It may be that you lack the confidence or energy needed to help you achieve your aims, or perhaps others will stand in your way. You should be wary of anyone appearing in the guise of guru or priest, particularly the established church. You would also be wise to avoid legal battles during this transit, as they could prove very difficult under the influence of this energy.”

Mind Mercury retrograde and be glad that your chart is probably not as beset with difficulties as our collective national chart, which of course affects all of us.

WEEK BY WEEK:

July 31-August 6: The first part of the week, in particular, may be pretty high energy, active. There’s the natural buoyancy of the new lunar cycle that began Saturday. Also, Mars is in the last degrees of mobile, multi-tasking Gemini. And Mercury is about to turn retrograde. As you know, when a planet is at its station, turning retrograde or direct, it’s energy seems to be magnified. Mercury is the planet of communication and mobility, and Mercury stations seem to be times when a lot is happening, even before the frenzy created by astrologically savvy people trying to get things going before the retrograde.

Added to that, Venus is trine Uranus on Sunday, which supports people connecting and being out and about engaging in pleasurable activities. On Sunday and Monday the Sun is square expansive Jupiter, which supports our stepping out into the world in a larger way. So, Sunday through Tuesday may run pretty smoothly, with lots of positive activity and fun.

Mercury turns retrograde at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday evening. However, you can probably get away with doing a few things you didn’t get to before the retrograde, for the next 3-4 days without having those things too much impacted by the retrograde.

Mars enters Cancer way before dawn on Wednesday. Some of the scatteredness of Mars in Gemini dissipates. Mars is on a “cardinal point” one of the quarter-points of the zodiac, a degree with extra power and emphasis, so there may still be a lot of activity, it’s just not so scattered and multi-directional. The cardinal points are associated with happenings in the world at large, so there may be even more conflict and conflagrations in addition to what we’re already seeing lately. Mars in Cancer is conducive to activity associated with preserving and protecting and conserving. Make your home more comfortable and secure, do repairs and work in the garden.

Mars will be in Cancer until mid-September. Mars is the planet of assertiveness. When it is in watery, sensitive, protective Cancer, we may shy away from direct assertion. It’s nice to tone down a bit, but there’s a danger we’ll fail to stand up where we need to, or that we’ll resort to manipulation and roundabout approaches rather than just laying our cards on the table. Also, we can be overly protective, and defensive.

That’s for the whole six weeks Mars is in Cancer, and probably more so as the weeks pass. On Wednesday of this week, however, Mars in Cancer is trine to Neptune, and that is great for kindness, nurturing and empathy. On Thursday Mercury is sextile Mars, which helps us speak up in a positive manner.

Other happenings and aspects for the end of the week are generally positive or neutral. Neptune passes back into Aquarius on Thursday. Venus will be square Jupiter on Thursday and Friday, exact Thursday evening. This is a minor alignment, but it favors love, pleasure and happiness. Also on Thursday and Friday, the Sun is sextile Saturn, an alignment that is grounding and stabilizing.

August 7-13: Mercury retrogrades from Virgo back into Leo very early Monday. Mercury opposite Neptune, exact Monday morning, indicates some confusion, miscommunications, things misplaced. Everyone tends to be a little bit erratic, explosive or impatient the first days of the week, as Mars is squaring Uranus, exact on Tuesday. Accidents and mishaps are a little more likely, especially for males. Here’s a concept. How about driving within the speed limit just for this week. Mars is also opposite Pluto at mid-week, exact on Wednesday, that can bring out even more willfulness and a little propensity to power struggles and battles of the will. This configuration of Mars, Uranus and Pluto in a “T-square” alignment can be pretty explosive. Lots of people will be fed up and ready to break free, regardless of consequences. Choose your revolutions with some forethought. Don’t be surprised if there are fires or explosions in the news.

This is the week leading up to Full Moon on Saturday. Try to maintain balance and perspective. Mercury retrograde will have its input, too, spinning things off course a bit. In addition, the Moon will be void of course** from mid-afternoon (2:34 p.m. MDT) Wednesday until late evening (9:47 p.m.) on Thursday.

Full Moon comes at 12:57 p.m. MDT on Saturday. At Full Moon the Sun will be conjunct Venus in Leo, with Mercury close by. At best, that could bring out an air of magnanimity and generosity, which could do wonders for the political climate. Or, it could lead to more displays of ego. In your own life, this Full Moon could be a good time to embrace magnanimity, do some entertaining, generally be a great person and enjoy the summer.

August 14-20: We’re in the time of coasting just past Full Moon. Energy is still high, and this is a good time to move forward any goals and agenda you have set for the month. Of course this is tempered by the continuing Mercury retrograde. On Monday and Tuesday the Moon is void of course** all of both days, from 2:21 a.m. MDT on Monday until 6:01 MDT on Tuesday. The Sun, Mercury and Venus are all conjunct one another Tuesday morning. That alignment should promote generally harmonious communications and interactions, though the v.o.c., along with Mercury retrograde, may hinder concrete accomplishment.

Mars will be sextile Jupiter on Thursday. That’s fairly minor, but it promotes positive energy and successful actions. This is probably the most favorable day this week as far as initiating or accomplishing tasks goes.

August 21-27: This is the week we complete the current Lunar cycle, winding down to New Moon on Sunday, August 28. It’s also the last few days of the Mercury retrograde. Mercury turns direct Friday afternoon.

There are several little developments to note this week. Venus is opposite Neptune on Sunday morning, good for a laid back Sunday. Venus enters Virgo at 4:11 p.m. MDT. Time to tidy up, get ready for the week, and put things in order. The Sun comes opposite Neptune on Monday, and indication that things may drift a bit, with the possibility of confusions or misunderstandings. The Sun enters Virgo on before dawn on Tuesday. There’s a natural trend to get down to business, as with Venus’s entry into Virgo on Sunday.

Mars is square Saturn, exact early Thursday morning. That’s delays and blocked efforts, and it especially affects males. This whole week, especially Wednesday and Thursday, there is a propensity for frustrations, obstacles, thwarted intentions and conflicts with authority. You might as well hold off on new projects and anything that isn’t moving, until Friday, when Mercury will be turning direct. Better yet, wait until the following Monday, after the Sunday evening New Moon.

August 28-September 3: New Moon comes Sunday evening, 9:04 p.m. MDT. The New Moon chart is rather positive. The Sun and Moon are conjunct Venus in Virgo; the phrase “Whistle while you work” comes to mind. It could be a good time to settle in to create beauty, order and efficiency in your surroundings. Sun, Moon and Venus are trine Pluto, good for clearing out and rebuilding, and remember, the New Moon chart influences us all month. Mars is moving out of the square to Saturn; there may be a sense of moving out of stagnation, picking up momentum.

This is the week Jupiter is stationary, turning retrograde*. Jupiter’s positive, optimistic, expansive energy is at a peak. Use it wisely and for lasting benefit; avoid overextending. The station occurs over night between Monday and Tuesday. Venus is trine Jupiter the night before, bringing positive light to relationship interactions. The Sun will trine Jupiter later in the week, on Friday night. It should be a positive day and evening, characterized by a bit of ease and by ebullience. Savor the week; it is free from complications.

September Preview: The Sun is in Virgo most of the month. September is the natural time of getting back to work after summer fun. School is back in session, and people are gearing up for autumn. Autumnal Equinox is September 23. Pluto turns direct on the 16th. Pluto stations tend to bring issues to the fore, where they can be addressed. September is a great time for us to get our lives in improved order.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts.

When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

 **Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone.

I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions.

Be in touch! Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends. Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001 E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

This may be a quieter month than June, which had Eclipses at its beginning, middle and end, two planetary stations, and Summer Solstice. Of course the July 1 Solar Eclipse addressed in the discussion for the week of June 26-July 2 begins the month, and that can be a catalyst to changes in awareness and sometimes in circumstances, especially as the Uranus station is coming up.

Uranus will turn retrograde* on July 9, bringing a surge of changes to culmination before a period of a few months during which we incorporate those changes into our lives. Expect some declarations of independence, breakouts and breakthroughs, and unexpected developments, from the first of the month until at least mid-July.

Full Moon comes on July 14 and may trigger some of those changes just mentioned. This is the Cancer time of year, often a time when family concerns, reunions and family visits are part of the mix. Make that a positive time.

Sun enters confident, expressive Leo on July 22, leading us into mid-summer, a time of enjoyment, play, and, for many of us, vacations and travel.

New Moon comes ‘round noon on July 30. It’s a good time to launch new projects, especially since Mercury turns retrograde* on August 2.

There are quite a few days this month when the Moon will be void of course** much or all of the day. These include July 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,10,12, 17 and 29. There are other times when the Moon is void for a few hours, but these are days to particularly watch, as matters seem to drift a bit during a v.o.c.

Mars is in Gemini all month. We tend to be mobile and communicative and covering a lot of territory without necessarily a lot of follow-through. This is a great time to be in touch with people, including those you always mean to phone but don’t get around to it.

Jupiter is newly in Taurus. This is a great placement for building in the material sense, whether this means physical structures or your bank account. It’s a good time to get finances in order.

WEEK BY WEEK:

June 26-July 2: On Sunday and Monday we should allow for the unexpected and a few challenges. The Sun will square Uranus, planet of the unexpected, willfulness and independence, early Sunday morning. Each of us may need to express our individuality all at once. Taking time alone may be a good solution. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Sun is opposite Pluto. For one thing, we will tend to want control of our lives, which can lead to opposing wills. For another, hidden issues and problems may be coming to light. Make positive transformation your goal, and take things lightly.

The Moon “occults” Venus late Wednesday night, peaking at 11:33 p.m. MDT. That is, the Moon will cross in front of Venus, hiding it from view. This is similar to an Eclipse in that one body blocks another from view. I’m not sure what this might portend, but one obvious guess is that it might support shifts and changes in relationships and relationship consciousness. If you’ve wanted to change any patterns in your relationships, this might be a good night to affirm that and seek a new beginning. This is especially so because we are in the quiet and introspective “dark of Moon” time before New Moon, and the New Moon just happens to be more potent because its a Solar Eclipse. Because this Solar Eclipse occurs at night in the continental United States, there will be nothing to observe in the sky, though it is still a good time to effect changes in consciousness.

The Solar Eclipse/New Moon comes very early Friday morning, 2:54 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Moon will be in Cancer, square to Saturn and opposite Pluto. The sign Cancer is sensitive, emotional, and vulnerable. Saturn and Pluto in alignment can indicate hindrances and struggles, exacerbated by the sensitivity of the Sun and Moon in Cancer. It may be a time to stop and attend to our emotional natures. This is especially likely, as Mercury is at the end of Cancer, which brings out vulnerabilities even more.

Mercury enters Leo ‘round midnight on Friday. We’ll wake up Saturday feeling sunnier, regardless of the weather.

July 3-9: The most important thing to be aware of this week is that Uranus is turning retrograde* on Saturday. As you know by now, or will learn by referring to the footnote, planets at their “stations,” turning retrograde or direct, seem to be magnified in their influence. Uranus is a planet of change, a shatterer of forms. When Uranus energy is high, as it is now, there can be chaos, unexpected developments, or just scattered energy and lack of focus. Depending on how strongly Uranus is affecting your chart at this time, you may be restless, longing for change, wanting to break out of static or outmoded forms in your life.

Many people will be making changes around this time, changing jobs, moving, ending relationships, and breaking up routines. Even if your life seems to be immune from such patterns, you’ll likely see it happening around you and you may be affected by others’ changes. Once we are 3 or 4 weeks past the station, we will be in a phase of digesting and incorporating changes made at and prior to the station, while Uranus was direct, and making new changes will be more difficult until Uranus once again turns direct in early December.

Give some thought this week to how you would benefit from change in your life, whether it is breaking old patterns, trying something new, or simply clearing clutter or refreshing your surroundings or your wardrobe. Take some significant direction to further those possibilities; you will benefit from it.

Aside from the Uranus station, it is good to note that the Moon will be void of course from 10:26 a.m. Sunday morning until 7:15 p.m. Monday evening. This holiday weekend would probably be good for just kicking back, as productivity and accomplishment will be hampered by the v.o.c.

The Moon is void again, from 6:19 p.m. on Tuesday until 9:54 p.m. on Wednesday, then all day Friday, from 12:29 a.m. until 12:31 a.m. Saturday.

Regardless of the Uranus station and the multiple v.o.c.’s, there are several significant, though rather minor, astrological alignments and events this week.

Sunday may be a rather mobile but unsettled day, as Venus is in the last degree of Gemini. It’s easy to flit about from thing to thing, maybe catch up on phone calls and emails, without much deep connection. Venus enters warm, sentimental, emotional Cancer Sunday evening, and we will tend to draw closer to loved ones in the coming weeks.

On Monday the Moon is v.o.c. all day, and Venus trines Neptune while Mercury trines Uranus. The Venus-Neptune alignment lends empathy and understanding to our relationship connections (remember that Venus is now in Cancer). Mercury trine Uranus supports surprising, innovative conversations, inventive thinking and bright ideas.

On Tuesday Mercury squares Jupiter. This could bring prolific communication, and it particularly supports optimism, expansive ideas and focusing on the big picture. However, this can amount to a lot of big ideas and lots and lots of talking. Reign it in a bit and make things more realistic and concrete.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mars will be in positive trine alignment with Saturn. This balances the Mercury-Jupiter square a bit, as it supports steady application of effort, disciplined action. The Moon is void all day Wednesday, however, meaning that some things may take a day or two longer than expected to come together.

Jupiter will trine Pluto this week, exact Thursday morning. This is a significant, beneficial alignment that helps us pull things together, brings positive luck, and supports breakthroughs and successful action. Look for opportunity and seize it. It may just be a break in your schedule that allows you to do something you’ve wanted to do but not had the time.

Thursday and Friday may be a bit tough on relationships. Venus squares Uranus on Thursday. It’s easy to notice the limitations our relationship commitments present in our lives, and to want a break in routine if not a full breakaway. On Friday Venus is opposite Pluto, and that can dredge up unresolved issues. It is probably a good idea to give one another and ourselves a little space, and to address or at least notice any areas that need resolution.

Venus will be sextile Jupiter on Friday, exact in the evening, and that can help smooth out irritations and give a little pleasure. Mercury is sextile Saturn on Friday and Saturday, and that supports clear and practical communication.

All this is leading up to Uranus turning retrograde on Saturday, though any changes going on may come into focus before or after that particular day. Still, allow Saturday to be what it is. Don’t have a highly scheduled agenda, but rather take it as it comes, play it by ear.

July 10-16: The Moon is v.o.c.** all day on Sunday. This will be a rather moody day for many of us, as the Sun is in vulnerable Cancer and the Moon is in Scorpio. Balance that water energy with some earth – get going and make some concrete accomplishments, v.o.c. or not.

On Monday the Moon is in Sagittarius, and “on course, ” and Mercury is sextile Mars. This could be an active day with brisk, effective communication. Use the day to good advantage. On Tuesday the Moon is void of course all day (from 6:21 a.m. until 8:14 a.m. the following day), and Venus is square Saturn, meaning that there are a few obstacles and cancellations, appointments missed, and relationships and social engagements seeming like they’re all responsibility and no fun.

On Wednesday the Moon is in Capricorn, good for productivity, though the Venus-Saturn square is still operative, making for all work and no play.

The high point of this week is Full Moon, which comes late Thursday night, actually 12:40 a.m. MDT Friday morning. With the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Capricorn, you may feel pulled between emotional responses and practical considerations. On Friday the Moon is void of course until 2:30 p.m. Saturday is more “normal,” with no special features.

July 17-23: This may be a rather quiet week, more free from complications than some we’ve experienced. We’re just past Full Moon and are carrying out the possibilities and projects developed over the past couple of weeks. The Moon will be void of course all day Sunday, from 6:23 a.m. until 11:13 p.m. MDT. There are no planetary aspects this week. The Sun is passing through the late degrees of sensitive, sentimental, family-oriented Cancer. You could dedicate some of your time and attention to attending to these areas of your life, being with loved ones, making home more comfortable, planning family or community gatherings. Tend your garden, and cook some delicious food.

The Sun enters the playful, creative fire sign Leo late Friday evening. I often feel rather emotionally vulnerable during the Sun’s passage through the end of Cancer, and our entry into Leo feels like a relief as my confidence returns. Come Saturday, we’ll be ready for a month of play, creativity and self-expression. Plan some parties and pleasure excursions, and make time for your creative outlets, as well as for play and enjoyment.

July 24-30: We’re in the “dark of Moon” period, the quiet time before New Moon, which comes ‘round noontime on Saturday. This is a good time to wrap up unfinished business, rest and plan ahead for the coming lunar cycle. However, we are in the last few days before Mercury turns retrograde* on August 2, so we need to go ahead and get those projects started, make purchases and contacts, and sign agreements before the retro slows things down and sends us on a few delays and detours.

Venus at the end of Cancer, which brings out the more clingy and sentimental sides of our natures. Spend time making your home more comfortable and connecting with family, friends and loved ones. Venus enters Leo Thursday morning. We tend to be more demonstrative with Venus in Leo; also more extravagant and more flamboyant. Expect more parties and play. Keep a watch on your wallet over the next four weeks, as it is easy to spend money on fun and finery.

Mercury is in the last degrees of Leo this week. Mercury in Leo is great for creative expression and for supporting our confidence so that we make audacious (or bodacious) plans. Particularly when Mercury is at the end of Leo, our confidence may be so enhanced that we turn into egotistical boors, going on and on about our greatness and our grand life and our grand plans. You may not be prone to this, but you may notice hot air emitting in your vicinity. Nonetheless, edit yourself just a bit. Mercury enters modest, meticulous Virgo right around noon on Thursday, and we will naturally turn to work and practical matters. The time Mercury is in Virgo is perfect for the planning that helps us bring into manifestation the plans hatched while Mercury was in Leo.

Two things about Mercury. Since Neptune is presently in the first degree of dreamy Pisces, Mercury will immediately be opposite Neptune as it enters Virgo. This can bring in elements of confusion or unclarity in ideas but particularly in interpersonal communication. Mercury’s presence in analytical Virgo will help us clear things up, or help marry realism and practicality with idealistic vision. This opposition is strongest on Thursday and Friday.

The second thing about Mercury is the impending Mercury retrograde, which begins Tuesday evening, August 2. Keep doing your pre-retrograde activities this week, getting projects started, glitches resolved, software installed, agreements finalized.

The one planetary aspect this week, other than the Mercury-Neptune opposition, is a trine of the Sun to Uranus around midday on Wednesday. This is a minor influence that supports easy innovation, inspiration and breakthroughs.

The Moon will be void of course from 5:03 p.m. on Thursday until just past midnight Friday night, so let this last part of the “dark of Moon” period be fairly quiet, a time of meditation, rest and clearing the decks for New Moon/new beginnings.

New Moon comes at 12:40 p.m. MDT on Saturday. Take at least a few actions this weekend to get the coming month’s activities and projects rolling. New Moon is good for that anyway, and with Mercury ready to retrograde, it’s important and beneficial.

July 31-August 5: The first part of the week, in particular, may be pretty high energy, active. There’s the natural buoyancy of the new lunar cycle that began Saturday. Also, Mars is in the last degrees of mobile, multi-tasking Gemini. And Mercury is about to turn retrograde. As you know, when a planet is at its station, turning retrograde or direct, it’s energy seems to be magnified. Mercury is the planet of communication and mobility, and Mercury stations seem to be times when a lot is happening, even before the frenzy created by astrologically savvy people trying to get things going before the station. Added to that, Venus is trine Uranus on Sunday, which supports people connecting and being out and about engaging in pleasurable activities. On Sunday and Monday the Sun is square expansive Jupiter, which supports our stepping out into the world in a larger way. So, Sunday through Tuesday may run pretty smoothly, with lots of positive activity and fun.

Mercury turns retrograde at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday evening. However, you can probably get away with doing a few things you didn’t get to before the retrograde, for the next 3-4 days without having those things too much impacted by the retrograde.

Mars enters Cancer way before dawn on Wednesday. Some of the scatteredness of Mars in Gemini dissipates. Mars is on a “cardinal point” one of the quarter-points of the zodiac, a degree with extra power and emphasis, so there may still be a lot of activity, it’s just not so scattered and multi-directional. The cardinal points are associated with happenings in the world at large, so there may be even more conflict and conflagrations in addition to what we’re already seeing lately.

Mars in Cancer is conducive to activity associated with preserving and protecting and conserving. Make your home more comfortable and secure, do repairs and work in the garden. Mars will be in Cancer until mid-September. Mars is the planet of assertiveness. When it is in watery, sensitive, protective Cancer, we may shy away from direct assertion. It’s nice to tone down a bit, but there’s a danger we’ll fail to stand up where we need to, or that we’ll resort to manipulation and roundabout approaches rather than just laying our cards on the table. Also, we can be overly protective, and defensive.

That’s for the whole six weeks Mars is in Cancer, and probably more so as the weeks pass. On Wednesday of this week, however, Mars in Cancer is trine to Neptune, and that is great for kindness, nurturing and empathy. On Thursday Mercury is sextile Mars, which helps us speak up in a positive manner.

Other happenings and aspects for the end of the week are generally positive or neutral. Neptune passes back into Aquarius on Thursday, as noted in the August preview, below. Venus will be square Jupiter on Thursday and Friday, exact Thursday evening. This is a minor alignment, but it favors love, pleasure and happiness. Also on Thursday and Friday, the Sun is sextile Saturn, an alignment that is grounding and stabilizing.

August Preview: Mercury will be retrograde* August 2-26. You know what to do by now. If you don’t, see the footnote below.

Jupiter turns retrograde August 30. The summer may have brought a flush of material expansion and economic recovery, which may lose some of its forward momentum and enter a consolidation phase during the retrograde. Jupiter will turn direct Christmas Day.

Neptune has been newly in Pisces, the sign it rules and where it functions most comfortably, since April. Neptune turned retrograde at the beginning of June, and it will slip back into Aquarius on August 4. This may not be especially noticeable in human events, but it’s good to know these things nonetheless. Neptune will re-enter Pisces early next February, where it will remain another 13 years, until 2025. My guess for Neptune in Pisces is that there will be increased focus on psychic development and on our capacity for empathy and compassion, including charitable activity and volunteerism, and that we will see exploration of the deep oceans and deep space, as Pisces relates to worlds beyond the realm of normal consciousness and awareness.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch! Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends. Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001 E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net

June will be a busy month, astrologically speaking. The month begins and ends with Solar Eclipses – a partial Solar Eclipse on June 1, and a partial Solar Eclipse on July 1, with a total Lunar Eclipse at mid-month, on June 15. Eclipses seem to go with shifts and changes, sometimes changes in consciousness, sometimes changes in the outer world.

Neptuneturns retrograde on June 3, meaning that the couple of weeks before and around that time may be filled with confusion, spaciness, and lack of clarity about what is going on.

Not to worry, Saturn turns direct a week later, on June 12. This will be a time of plenty of reality. Latent problems, unresolved issues and tasks not done will be up for review. It’s time to deal with them; they will likely resolve. This may also be a time when work is culminating and results of our labor are clearly seen.

April and May were notable for a large number of planets in fire signs. In June, more planets are in earth and air signs, signifying practicality and intellect, or pragmatic, down to earth thought and communication. Jupiter remains in fiery Aries at the beginning of June, but it enters earthy Taurus on June 4. That may help economic matters.

Summer Solstice comes on June 21, carrying us into summer.

The month starts out eventfully, with the Solar Eclipse on June 1, theNeptunestation on June 3, and. Jupiter entering Taurus on June 4. These are addressed below in the forecast for May 29-June 4.

WEEK BY WEEK:

May 29-June 4: Most of us will have Monday off for Memorial Day. On Tuesday the Moon goes void of course at 9:37 a.m. MDT and remains void until 5:56 p.m. Get your workday and week well started, first thing. This week is likely to get off to a slow start regardless. It’s the slow time before the New Moon/Solar Eclipse Wednesday afternoon.

The Eclipse is exact at 3:03 p.m. MDT on Wednesday. This is a partial eclipse, visible in eastern Asia, northernAlaska, northernCanada,Greenland,Icelandand northernScandinavia, so readers of this post likely won’t be seeing it. Eclipses are good times for endings and new beginnings, and for changes in our awareness.

This particular Eclipse is rather interesting. I sometimes refer to the “Sabian Symbol” for the degree of the Sun or Moon at the time of New or Full Moon, or an Eclipse. At this Eclipse the Sun and Moon will be at the twelfth degree of Gemini, for which the Sabian Symbol is, “A black slave girl demands her rights of her mistress.” If these symbols carry weight, we might notice situations in which people or groups are demanding their rights.

InWashington, expansive Jupiter will be just on the cusp of the seventh house, signifying other nations, at the moment of maximum eclipse. Jupiter could bring support from allies, or it could be another over the top Jupiter story.  InAlbuquerquewhere this post originates, Saturn will be rising, Uranus will be setting, and Pluto will be at the very bottom of the chart. I don’t know what may be up, but it bears watching.

Keep in mind that this is the week Neptune turns retrograde.* This will have been affecting us for a week or two coming up to the actual “station,” when the planet appears to be stationary before appearing to move backward for a few months.

Neptunewill turn retrograde 1:28 a.m. MDT Friday morning. Many things will be nebulous, unclear or misunderstood around this time, though there will be moments of insight, and many lovely visions and possibilities will inspire us. These will need the reality/feasibility check once the station has passed.

I find that if we seek the truth it may be seen; if not, it’s easy to go along in a muddle or on a cloud.

Jupiter enters Taurus on June 4. That should help us get grounded.

June 5-11: There is one important planetary alignment this week, a sextile of Jupiter and Neptune on Wednesday evening. That is a gentle alignment that supports insight, spirituality, empathy and understanding. It’s more likely to bring gentle insights than earthshaking revelations, but it can be a help.

Otherwise, the week is mainly notable for several void of course Moon** periods. The first v.o.c. comes on Tuesday and runs from 9:27 a.m. to 1:33 p.m. MDT. Mercury will be trine Saturn a little after the v.o.c. ends, helping the day stay on track or get back on track with practical thinking and clear plans and clear communication.

On Thursday the Moon is void of course most of the day, from 2:13 a.m. until 4:31 p.m. MDT, and Saturday is about the same, with a v.o.c. that runs from 2:04 a.m. until 6:33 p.m. It’s good to have projects under way, or routine tasks to do during v.o.c. periods, as ventures begun under a v.o.c. tend to meander or have outcomes other than as planned.

Venus is transiting the late degrees of Taurus through Thursday. Relationships and social life revolve around loyalty, comfort and predictability. Venus enters Gemini early Friday morning, which supports more sociability, parties, and being out and about. Venus is squaringNeptuneon Thursday and Friday, though, which brings out romanticism and idealism in our expectations of others. Wait and see if it’s as grand as it seems.

We’re approaching the Saturn station, which brings up all the sober issues that were bound to come up. Anything we’ve been letting slide pops up now, and things that we’ve been working hard on culminate as well. This may be a time when we feel weary or discouraged. Step up and deal with whatever’s coming up.

June 12-18: Saturn turns direct Sunday evening. See the paragraph just preceding this, and remarks in the overview for the month. This is an important time of dealing with issues and putting our lives in order. The effort is worth it. There are a couple of minor influences on Sunday that help with communication and insights, and fortunate contacts. These could help with any challenges you may be working through.

Another thing about the Saturn station. Saturn is in Libra, which relates to the realm of relationships, both important primary relationships and partnerships, and our general way of relating with people. This is a time to step up in these areas. If you could improve on your relationship skills and habits, do it. If there are relationship issues that need to be addressed, do that. The result will be better relationships. Some relationships will be ending around this time; others will become more solid.

The Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon comes on Wednesday, exact around 2:14 p.m. MDT. This eclipse will not be visible in theUnited States, but we may feel its intensity nonetheless as various matters come to a head. Full Moons and especially eclipses can be turning points.  This Full Moon/Eclipse time may be characterized by lots of communication, interactions, comings and goings, as Sun is in Gemini, Moon is in Sagittarius, and Mercury is at the last degree of Gemini. (When a planet is at the end of a sign, the qualities of the sign seem to be very well developed, perhaps exaggerated.) Gemini and Sagittarius are restless, mental, inquisitive and mobile. Lots may be happening, albeit in a rather scattered manner.

Most of the planetary alignments at the time of the Eclipse are pretty positive. Mercury enters Cancer a little after noon on Thursday, and will be trineNeptunethat evening. That makes for easy communication, empathy, imagination and insight. Mercury will be sextile Jupiter Friday afternoon, further supporting insight and easy communication. Venus is trine to Saturn, exact Friday evening. That emphasizes steady, reliable relationships. All in all, these are good background influences for a Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse.

On Saturday Mercury squares unpredictable, maverick Uranus, and on Sunday Mercury will be opposite deep, probing Pluto.  There may be some extraordinary profound conversations that delve into new territory. And some communications may be shocking, probing, out of bounds or off the wall. Make the most of the constructive opportunities and feel free to skip the ones that are headed out into the weeds.

June 19-25: On Sunday Mercury is opposite Pluto. This is an opportunity for deep thinking and deep conversation. Mercury opposite Pluto can also manifest as manipulation or verbal conflict.

Monday may have its slow moments. Mars is in the last degree of Taurus, and matters may move slowly if at all. Mars enters mobile Gemini Monday evening, and things speed up.

Tuesday is Summer Solstice; the Sun enters Cancer at 11:17 a.m. MDT. The Solstice chart features a grand cross alignment in which Mercury is opposite to Pluto, and square to Saturn and to Uranus, which are opposite one another. Communications may be difficult and prone to misunderstandings.

ThesquareofMercuryto Saturn is exact a little after noon on Tuesday, making communication a little stilted; and Mars is squareNeptune, exact in the evening. Our minds are slow, and our energy is easily dissipated. Males in particular may experience confusion or lethargy. Time to chill out for a bit; that’s what this square is good for.

The remainder of the week flows a little more easily. The Sun trinesNeptuneon Wednesday, conducive to understanding and insight, though the Moon is void of course** all day, limiting accomplishment. Sun is sextile Jupiter on Saturday, indicating ease and good timing, though there are also elements of the unexpected – the Sun is entering a square to Uranus.

June 26-July 2: On Sunday and Monday we should allow for the unexpected and a few challenges. The Sun will square Uranus, planet of the unexpected, willfulness and independence, early Sunday morning. Each of us may need to express our individuality all at once. Taking time alone may be a good solution. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Sun is opposite Pluto. For one thing, we will tend to want control of our lives, which can lead to opposing wills. For another, hidden issues and problems may be coming to light. Make positive transformation your goal, and take things lightly.

The Moon “occults” Venus late Wednesday night, peaking at 11:33 p.m. MDT. That is, the Moon will cross in front of Venus, hiding it from view. This is similar to an Eclipse in that one body blocks another from view. I’m not sure what this might portend, but one obvious guess is that it might support shifts and changes in relationships and relationship consciousness. If you’ve wanted to change any patterns in your relationships, this might be a good night to affirm that and seek a new beginning. This is especially so because we are in the quiet and introspective “dark of Moon” time before New Moon, and the New Moon just happens to be more potent because its a Solar Eclipse. Because this Solar Eclipse occurs at night in the continentalUnited States, there will be nothing to observe in the sky, though it is still a good time to effect changes in consciousness.

The Solar Eclipse/New Moon comes very early Friday morning, 2:54 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Moon will be in Cancer, square to Saturn and opposite Pluto. The sign Cancer is sensitive, emotional, vulnerable. Saturn and Pluto in alignment can indicate hindrances and struggles, exacerbated by the sensitivity of the Sun and Moon in Cancer. It may be a time to stop and attend to our emotional natures. This is especially likely, as Mercury is at the end of Cancer, which brings out vulnerabilities even more.

Mercury enters Leo ‘round midnight on Friday. We’ll wake up feeling more sunny, regardless of the weather.

July Preview: This may be a quieter month than June, which had Eclipses at its beginning, middle and end, two planetary stations, and Summer Solstice. Of course the July 1 Solar Eclipse addressed in the discussion just above begins the month, and that can be a catalyst to changes in awareness and sometimes in circumstances, especially as the Uranus station is coming up.

Uranus will turn retrograde* on July 9, bringing a surge of changes to culmination before a period of a few months during which we incorporate those changes into our lives. Expect some declarations of independence, breakouts and breakthroughs, and unexpected developments from the first of the month until at least mid-July.

Full Moon comes on July 14 and may trigger some of those changes just mentioned. This is the Cancer time of year, often a time when family concerns, reunions and family visits are part of the mix. Make that a positive time.

Sun enters confident, expressive Leo on July 22, leading us into mid-summer, a time of enjoyment, play, and, for many of us, vacations and travel.

New Moon comes ‘round noon on July 30. It’s a good time to launch new beginnings, especially since Mercury turns retrograde* on August 2.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits.  A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion.  Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s.  Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts.  When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized.  The cycle looks like this.  The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally.  As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place.  Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde.  Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months.  Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated.  Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl.  It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business.  Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to.  Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct.  If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day.  Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned.  Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities.  The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone.  I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations.  I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions.  Be in touch!

MAY 2011

Though this is the time when the Sun is in grounded, down to earth Taurus, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are all in fiery Aries. You may be feeling that fire energy as restlessness and impatience, or noticing that others are impatient or irritable. Fire and earth placements can be a very productive combination. Channel the energy into positive outlets.

We started the month with a New Moon around midnight on Monday, May 2. The chart for the New Moon influences us until the next New Moon, 29 days later. This New Moon features those five planets in Aries, including a conjunction of Mercury and Venus, and a Mars-Jupiter conjunction.

Mercury is conjunct Venus from the beginning of May up until around the 20^th. Mercury conjunct Venus would normally support harmonious relationship and consideration and diplomacy in our communication. However, these planets are in Aries, supporting fiery, passionate verbal expression. The Mars-Jupiter conjunction can indicate successful activity, and also daring and bravado. Appreciate your feelings of strength, boldness and confidence. Apply the balance of Saturn in Libra, which is opposite some of these Aries planets, and balance your assertiveness, fire and warmth with awareness of others.

Mercury has just come out of retrograde and is moving more slowly than usual, and at about the same speed as Venus, so that it remains conjunct Venus up until around May 20. This is certainly out of the ordinary, and worth observing. See how much you notice the Mercury-Venus emphasis on relationship, how much you feel the fire of these placements being in Aries, and how those influences combine. I’ve been blunt and outspoken at times, and I’ve been yelled at quite a lot by people less fair and considerate than myself. (Is this going around?)

Full Moon comes on May 17. By that time Mercury, Venus and Mars will be conjunct in Taurus. Though Mercury conjunct Venus in Taurus could be expected to reflect amiable communication, Mars in the mix adds stubbornness and flares of temper. At Full Moon, the Sun will be in Taurus conjunct the star Algol, known for intense emotional outbursts, and the Moon will be opposite, in Scorpio. Expect this to be an especially emotional Full Moon time, a time when many of us will feel pulled between intense emotions and the desire to maintain stability. Express your feelings while keeping your head about you.

Venus will be exactly conjunct Mars on May 23. This conjunction is generally considered an indicator of romance and passion, likely to mark a time of beginning new relationships and of renewal in existing relationships. Venus and Mars will be in steady, down to earth Taurus, in positive alignment with powerful Pluto. This indicates positive potential for relationships in general.

Though there’s still a lot of fire in the astrological weather, and a few Mars alignments, May could turn out to be a little more toned down overall, after a couple of fiery and eventful months in March and April.

In early June, Jupiter will enter Taurus, which should support material progress and economic benefits.

WEEK BY WEEK:

May 1-7:

Sunday will be a quiet and relatively uneventful day. The Moon will be void of course** from 9:20 a.m. until a couple of minutes before midnight MDT. Moon v.o.c. is generally an indicator that not much will be accomplished, other than routine matters. This is also the dark of Moon quiet time before New Moon, which comes late Monday night.

New Moon comes a little past midnight Monday night. This week will be good for getting projects started. The Sun in Taurus along with those several planets in Aries can be productive if you harness the fire to your purposes.

The Moon is void of course** all day on Tuesday, up until 11:09 a.m. MDT on Wednesday. The Moon is then “on course for a while, before another v.o.c. on Friday that runs from 2:12 p.m. until 8:32 p.m. MDT. Saturday is blessedly uncomplicated.

May 8-14:

The Moon is in Cancer, the sign associated with mothers and nurturing, on Mother’s Day. Remember and appreciate your mother and others who have nurtured you. Make this a day of nurturing.

Mercury will be conjunct Venus in Aries on Sunday and Monday. See above for comments on the combination of that sweet, loving Venus energy with fiery Aries. Could be ardent, could be quite vocal about likes and dislikes. Venus will be conjunct Jupiter, in Aries, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Jupiter is the planet of largess; think big love, strong feelings. Some people will have big spats, most of which will turn out all right.

Mars will be at the end of Aries at the beginning of the week, entering Taurus late Tuesday night. Expect some excesses of fiery energy before Mars enters stable Taurus. Mars will be sextile Neptune on Wednesday and Thursday. That adds grace and sensitivity to our movements and actions.

At week’s end, Mercury and Venus are in the late degrees of Aries. Expect more passion, more impatience. Channel the energy.

May 15-21:

Mercury and Venus enter Taurus Sunday afternoon. Mars entered Taurus last Wednesday. The time of up to five planets in Aries is past, and now there are four planets in Taurus.

As noted in the overview Mercury and Venus are conjunct one another for the first three weeks of May. Venus comes into exact conjunction with Mercury on Monday, and both are sextile gentle Neptune. This is likely especially beneficial as we come up to Full Moon on Tuesday.

Full Moon in Scorpio comes at 8:09 a.m. MDT on Tuesday. As I wrote in the overview for May, the Sun is in Taurus, conjunct the star Algol, which has a reputation for upheavals and drastic events, opposite the Moon in Scorpio. There will be emotional surges, possibly some eruptions. I always find the Full Moon in Scorpio (opposite Sun in Taurus) to be a time when I feel a lot of emotion yet want to maintain stability.

At week’s end, Mercury will be conjunct Mars, in Taurus, trine Pluto. Mercury conjunct Mars supports strong expression of ideas. Taurus is a fixed sign, so don’t expect a lot of shifting of viewpoints. This is probably a good alignment for focus on practical matters, particularly getting to the bottom of issues and solving problems. This alignment is in effect at least from Thursday through Saturday, peaking on Friday.

The Sun has been lumbering through the late degrees of Taurus, a time in the year when it seems to me that everything moves slowly. The Sun enters Gemini before dawn on Saturday morning. You may feel the difference, things lighter, more flexible. On Saturday the Sun is coming into square to dreamy Neptune. Make it an easy day with an easy agenda or none.

May 22-28:

The Sun is square Neptune on Sunday, a good day to go to soft focus, drift and dream. Confusing circumstances are par for the course.

But wait! Venus is conjunct Mars Sunday night/Monday morning (2:27 a.m. MDT). This conjunction is the start of a relationship cycle and often accompanies the beginning of new relationships or renewal in existing ones. This could be a significant time in personal relationships.

The Sun will be sextile Uranus on Tuesday-Wednesday. This alignment often signals a chance to make small but positive changes.

On Wednesday the Moon will go void of course at 12:15 p.m. MDT, and it will remain v.o.c. until 6:36 p.m. the following day, Thursday. Have your projects up and running beforehand and carry them forward during the v.o.c. Things begun during a v.o.c. often go other than as planned.

May 29-June 4:

Most of us will have Monday off for Memorial Day. On Tuesday the Moon goes void of course at 9:37 a.m. MDT and remains void until 5:56 p.m. Get your workday and week well started, first thing. This week is likely to get off to a slow start regardless. It’s the slow time before the New Moon/Solar Eclipse Wednesday afternoon.

The Eclipse is exact at 3:03 p.m. MDT on Wednesday. This is a partial eclipse, visible in eastern Asia, northern Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland and northern Scandinavia, so readers of this post likely won’t be seeing it. Eclipses are good times for endings and new beginnings, and for changes in our awareness.

This particular Eclipse is rather interesting. I sometimes refer to the “Sabian Symbol” for the degree of the Sun or Moon at the time of New or Full Moon, or an Eclipse. At this Eclipse the Sun and Moon will be at the twelfth degree of Gemini, for which the Sabian Symbol is, “A black slave girl demands her rights of her mistress.” If these symbols carry weight, we might notice situations in which people or groups are demanding their rights.

In Washington, expansive Jupiter will be just on the cusp of the seventh house, signifying other nations, at the moment of maximum eclipse. Jupiter could bring support from allies, or it could be another over the top Jupiter story. In Albuquerque where this post originates, Saturn will be rising, Uranus will be setting, and Pluto will be at the very bottom of the chart. I don’t know what may be up, but it bears watching.

Keep in mind that this is the week Neptune turns retrograde.* This will have been affecting us for a week or two coming up to the actual “station,” when the planet appears to be stationary before appearing to move backward for a few months.

Neptune will turn retrograde 1:28 a.m. MDT Friday morning. Many things will be nebulous, unclear or misunderstood around this time, though there will be moments of insight, and many lovely visions and possibilities will inspire us. These will need the reality/feasibility check once the station has passed.

I find that if we seek the truth it may be seen; if not, it’s easy to go along in a muddle or on a cloud.

Jupiter enters Taurus on June 4. That should help us get grounded.

June Preview:

June will be a rather busy month, astrologically speaking, with one outer planet ingress, two Eclipses, two planetary stations*, and Summer Solstice.

The month begins with a Solar Eclipse on June 1. On Friday, June 3 Neptune will turn retrograde. Jupiter enters Taurus on June 4. These are addressed in the forecast for May 29-June 4.

At mid-month, on June 12, Saturn will turn direct. This will be a time of plenty of reality. Latent problems, unresolved issues and tasks not done will be up for review. It’s time to deal with them; they will likely resolve. Three days later, on June 15, comes a Lunar Eclipse. This will occur during daytime in the United States and will not be visible here, though it will be total.

Summer Solstice comes on June 21, carrying us into summer.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch!

Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends.

Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001

E-mail:

sstars@thuntek.net

Mars entered Aries on April 1, joining the Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus, which were already in Aries. There was quite an energy-laden New Moon in Aries on April 3, featuring Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus in Aries. At that time, Mars was conjunct Uranus at the beginning of Aries, an alignment which can be quite volatile.

Mercury will be retrograde* until April 23, increasing the propensity for miscommunications and snafus of all sorts.

Neptune entered Pisces on April 4. Neptune spends about fourteen years in a sign, so this is significant. Neptune in Pisces might be a rather good thing, since Neptune has an affinity with Pisces, is considered its “ruling” planet. One would expect Neptune to work well in Pisces. Empathy, compassion, intuition, psychic development might be more a part of our regular life. Pisces signifies worlds beyond the realm of ordinary consciousness. This also extends to physical worlds beyond the usual boundaries. Think of deep seas and deep space.

The paragraph above was included in my March Cosmic Weather Report. On April 5, the day after Neptune entered Pisces, Sir Richard Branson unveiled a new single-person submarine that he said will be used to explore the deepest parts of the world’s oceans.

In the March forecast I wrote that on March 28, Jupiter would be opposite Saturn. Saturn puts restraints on Jupiter’s expansive energy. The budget battle in Congress that threatened shutdown of the federal government exemplified that opposition. The multiple planets in Aries are evident in the fiery nature of the discourse.

A small by-product of Uranus entering Aries and Neptune entering Pisces is that there are more lengthy void of course** Moon periods. V.o.c. periods occur every couple of days when the Moon has made its last aspect in a sign, and the Moon is v.o.c. until the Moon enters the following sign. (See the footnote for implications of the v.o.c.) When we had outer planets at the very ends of signs, the Moon would aspect those planets and then shortly thereafter enter the next sign. Now these periods will be much more variable in length, depending on the locations of the faster-moving inner planets. April 11, April 21, and April 26 are dates when the Moon will be void just about all day, from morning until late night. The Moon will be void of course for nearly two days, from 1:52 p.m. MDT on the 27^th until 11:33 a.m. on the 29^th. This v.o.c. activity (or inactivity would be more accurate) is in addition to Mercury being retrograde until April 23,which throws our daily interactions and communications a little off course. Be patient.

Energy may be a little diffuse near the end of the work week. Mars will be in the last degrees of nebulous Pisces. This can be a catch-all time of cleaning up loose ends and being a jack of all trades, which could be good, as this is the time before New Moon. Mars enters Aries Friday evening, adding another burst of energy and impulsiveness to the astrological weather. New Moon comes Sunday morning, April 3, 8:32 am MDT. This is the notable New Moon with Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus in fiery Aries, and Mars and Uranus in close conjunction. Though I am inclined to add words of caution about impulsiveness in not just your own actions but the actions of others, I also see that there is great power and energy in this New Moon. Use it well. This really could be a time of extraordinary new beginnings, projects launched, daring steps taken, changes made that have been a long time coming.

These are not ordinary times. They are extraordinary times. That calls for us to be extraordinary in response.

April 3-9:

The week began with New Moon Sunday morning in which Sun, Moon, Mars, Uranus, Jupiter and Mercury were all in fiery Aries. Mars and Uranus were exactly conjunct Sunday afternoon. In the March forecast I remarked on the high fire danger in New Mexico, relating it to the preponderance of planets in fiery Aries. Mars conjunct Uranus in Aries is certainly an explosive or incendiary combination that has many implications for events and personal behavior, but also operates on the literal level. On Saturday, April 2, my partner and I drove by the Sevilleta fire, near Socorro, just as the fire was getting started. On Sunday there were news reports of fires in the foothills outside Albuquerque and near Santa Fe, in addition to the Sevilleta fire, which was at 1000 acres. In the next day or two, fires were beginning in the Ruidoso area. So this was the start of the week that began with the much anticipated Aries New Moon and Mars-Uranus conjunction.On Monday Neptune entered Pisces, a sign it had not been in since 1862. On Wednesday the Sun was conjunct Jupiter. Sun-Jupiter tends to be mostly beneficial, though Jupiter is a planet of excess. I certainly noticed fiery behavior around me. And the forest fires in New Mexico have continued to proliferate.

All week is colored by the Pluto station* on Saturday. When a planet is stationary its energy is greatly magnified. Pluto is a planet of intensity and deep stirrings, with the potential for tidal waves of emotion and also for powerful transformation. I rarely find Pluto stations comfortable, though there is the potential for moments of truth and powerful turning points. My advice is to face issues and do what needs to be done, without unnecessary extremes.

April 10-16:

This week starts out with a bang, as did the previous week. Mars will square Pluto on Monday afternoon. The planet of energy, assertiveness and anger conjunct the planet of extremes can bring out some drastic behavior on the individual level. Mercury will be conjunct Jupiter Monday evening. Expect some over the top statements and bombastic and prolific communication. Try to measure your words. Express yourself, but edit and don’t run off at the mouth to your own detriment. Monday is one of those all day Moon void of course* days. With Mercury retrograde and Moon v.o.c. you should set moderate agendas for the day, gather your resources, and get the week on track on Tuesday. Moon is v.o.c. from 6:05 a.m. MDT until 9:37 p.m.On Wednesday the Moon will be v.o.c. from a couple of minutes before 1:00 p.m. until ‘round midnight. On Friday the moon is v.o.c. from 2:39 p.m. MDT until about 1 a.m. on Saturday. This week is the run-up to April 15, Tax Day. Try to have your returns in order and in the mail as early as possible.

This is also the week leading to Full Moon on Sunday, April 18. Many issues will be coming up. Try to have reserves of time and emotional energy for dealing with life as well as taxes.

April 17-23:

Full Moon comes Sunday evening, exact at 8:44 p.m. MDT. Sun will be in fiery and self-focussed Aries, Moon in Libra, sign of fairness and balance. Try to balance personal concerns with the needs and considerations of others in your life.Mars in Aries will be coming into opposition with Saturn in Libra as the week begins. Keep balance and fairness as goals. Mars opposite Saturn is often an indicator of blocked efforts, delays, conflicts with the rules and status quo, and run-ins with authority figures. Avoid fender benders and speeding tickets. Exacerbating the frustrating potential of the Mars-Saturn opposition is a conjunction of Mercury and Mars, in Aries, strongly affecting the first three days of the week. Mercury conjunct Mars incites us to hot-headed communications, not the most enhancing aspect when we already feel fed up with the limitations hemming us in. Be patient and diplomatic as possible. If you must say something, say it as harmoniously as possible.

On Wednesday the Sun moves from Aries into the earth sign Taurus. This will help us channel energy into practical outlets, and it helps us to be calm, patient and steady in our efforts. Venus enters Aries Wednesday evening, bringing the number of planets in Aries back up to five (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus.)

Moon will be v.o.c.** from just before 11 a.m. Thursday until 4:24 a.m. Friday morning. Venus will be conjunct Uranus Friday evening. This is a time to allow freedom and novelty in relationships and social interactions. If things are not unfolding according to plan, go with it. Something exciting may ensue.

Mercury turns direct before dawn Saturday morning. Any miscommunications and delays or derailments of plans should be starting to turn around. Some of it may take a couple of weeks, until May 10, when Mercury completes its “prograde” and returns to the point at which it turned retrograde.

April 24-30:

The week begins with Easter Sunday, which is often a time that I experience as happy and uplifting, with its celebration of springtime and renewal.This week is not especially eventful, astrologically speaking. The Moon will be void of course until noon MDT on Easter Sunday, and again on Tuesday from 5:28 a.m. until 10:57 p.m., then from 1:52 p.m. on Wednesday until 11:33 a.m. on Friday, approximately 46 hours!

A few relationship issues or strained interactions may come up this week. Venus will square Pluto on Wednesday and oppose Saturn on Saturday. The former alignment can bring issues to the surface and the latter may bring disappointments and delays to personal relationships and social activities. Your own company may be the safest bet on Saturday. However, Mars will be conjunct Jupiter on Saturday, supporting successes and positive outcomes. That may smooth over the Venus-Saturn opposition. One of those times when things don’t go according to plan but they turn out okay anyway.

May Preview:

The month begins with a New Moon around midnight on Tuesday, May 2. This New Moon features five planets in Aries. Mercury will be conjunct Venus, supporting passionate verbal expression. Mars will be conjunct Jupiter. That can reflect successful activity, and also daring and bravado, possibly in excess. Exercise some reason and good judgment.By the time of Full Moon on May 17, Mercury, Venus and Mars will be conjunct in Taurus. I think of expression of love, passion and some anger with that combination. At that Full Moon, the Sun will be in Taurus conjunct the star Algol, known for intense emotional outbursts, and the Moon will be opposite, in Scorpio. Expect this to be an especially emotional Full Moon time, a time when many of us will feel pulled between intense emotions and the desire to maintain stability. Express your feelings while keeping your head about you.

Venus will be conjunct Mars on May 23. This conjunction is generally considered to mark a time of beginning new relationships, and of renewal in existing relationships. Venus and Mars will be in steady, down to earth Taurus, in positive alignment with powerful Pluto. This indicates positive potential for relationships in general.

With the Taurus influences, May could be a time when we stabilize a bit after rather intense times in March and April.

*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.

Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.

**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.

I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch!

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Just be sure to include my name and contact information:

Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001

E-mail:

sstars@thuntek.net

 

 

 

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