-- Newsletter --

Volume 10, September 2006

 

Welcome to September. Lots going on this month. With Pluto having been reclassified, Saturn currently in opposition to Neptune, and two Eclipses (sometimes we get three in one month), there’s much to discuss. I was tempted to talk some about John Mark Karr’s chart, but he’s gotten enough press, right?

 

Note: For those of you from Pennsylvania that don’t know your birth time, I have added a link at the bottom of my web site so you can download a form from the PA Department of Health (Vital Records). Submitting this form along with $10 and a clear request for your birth time gives you your best chance of discovering what time you were born. You can click here for the form:  http://www.starself.com/birthtime

 

 

Well, we have all this hoopla over Pluto being declassified now as a “Dwarf Planet” status. Whatever. It’s still Pluto, and Pluto is still the big butt-kicker of the zodiac. Period. This very well may symbolize a meaningful turning point in the function of Pluto. Likewise, the time of discovery of the planets has consistently coincided with major events on earth that reflected the nature of the planet. See Richard Tarnas’ epic book on the subject, “Cosmos and Psyche”. Therefore it surprised me to hear that the fine American Astrologer, Robert Hand, didn’t think that the demotion of Pluto was meaningful. I have to respectfully disagree.  In accord with Tarnas, why would we have notable experiences on our planet happen to coincide with the time we “discovered” it? The planet was there all along. Likewise, it seems to me, intuitively, that this major change in Pluto’s status will come to be seen as symbolically significant. How? Well, since Pluto rules the Unconscious among other things, perhaps the “U” in the Collective Unconscious has been “demoted” to a lower-case “u”. Just maybe the great schism that was once the Unconscious has narrowed. Have we evolved to the point where our own unconscious minds are not so mysterious and unreachable anymore?

 

On another topic, as was stated in the past few issues, Saturn’s opposition to Neptune (sitting on the U.S. chart’s Moon in Aquarius) was going to bring the U.S. to a position (Saturn) of wanting to stop or limit the seepage (Neptune) of illegal aliens into the country. On 8/23 Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Washington reporters: “The Catch-and-release' era of illegal immigration is over.” Now, nearly all non-Mexican illegal immigrants caught sneaking into the United States are being held until they can be returned to their home countries. Saturn is at work indeed. Is it too late?

 

 

 

 

We celebrate Virgo this month

 

 

 

 

9/4 Pluto goes direct (forward) – So now he goes direct? Who cares now that he isn’t a planet anymore? Merely a “Planetoid” or “Dwarf Planet.” They would do it to Pluto while his back was turned, eh? Sounds very much like a trick Pluto would do actually. We’re not going to notice much from this change of direction, unless of course, it’s pivoting on a sensitive point in your chart, in which case you need not worry anymore anyhow because all astrologers are removing Pluto from all of their charts --- Not.

 

 

9/6 Venus enters Virgo

2:15am  

Affections chill

 

 

 

 

(These dates are approximate)

 

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)  Your unconscious mind is stirring. This is not an energy you are used to. The past keeps bugging you. Rams don’t like this. They much prefer to get on with things. This is a symbol that you need to slow down and give some attention to your need for solace and reflection. You can’t always “Ram On” like McCartney sang about. Sometimes you need to chill and get in line with your Higher Power. Taking a temporary back seat now will benefit you, your instincts will only sharpen even more. You knew you could be better, right?

 

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) This is a time for you to bust free with your friends. Also, you’ve waited too long and have been too patient. Now is the time to go for what you’ve been dreaming about. There will be plenty of time later for you to nail things down. Time is ripe for you to toss your cap high into the air and graduate towards what you’ve always wanted. Focusing your bull energy on group projects is also highly encouraged. This is one time that you really must deal with that “C”-word, change, even though you typically hate it. Dang nab it.

 

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Look out. As if you needed an excuse to ride that big wave. This is your big chance to get free of that restrictive job (at least somewhat) and try on another role in life. Always eager for new experiences, the Twins are now ready to break free. A perfect time for launching self-employment projects, consulting services or simply new breakthroughs at work. Uranus urges you to try something new - to stand alone and be unique. This is a cakewalk for the Third Sign. Try not to trip over your own two feet from all the excitement.

 

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22) At this time you will be challenged to come up with your own ideas and philosophies. While it’s been somewhat comfortable, albeit sometimes stifling, to echo sentiments you’ve always heard around the home. Now you must come up with your own thoughts. You are one of 4 leaders in the Zodiac (along with Aries, Libra, and Capricorn). Show everyone that you’re not just a bundle of feelings. You have smarts and instinct too. If you would just come out of your protective shell a little more often you wouldn’t be having to prove it now.

 

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) You have been patient long enough. And generous too. Now, you need to lay the cards on the table with your partner(s). You have stifled too many good roars for a while now in the name of keeping the peace. Now you’ve had it. You need to proclaim that this jungle is yours and state what you need. You must also be willing to back it up, which you usually are. Appease, but only to a point. Even in relationships, you must still have your domain to rule. It’s important. After all, you ain’t seen nothing till you’ve seen an angry Lioness.

 

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Fastidious, yes. Honest, yes. Hard-working, yes. Comfortable in relationships, no.

And now with the Uranian urge to break free and further your independence, what gives? For all the signs this should not be seen as a time to break free from someone unless that person truly is restrictive. It’s much more important that we focus our energies now on standing tall and being independent regardless of what other’s may think. Skilled at what you do, you usually take responsibility for yourself. The trick now is not to panic and try to accomplish too much. You Virgins need to have fun now. And don’t work at it either.

 

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) You have an urge now to get yourself together. You have been all to willing to allow Venus to lull you into complacency. You will be relieved to feel the clarity of these Uranian energies as you get head-strong (you are the idea-leader) and come up with a new program or plan for self-improvement. Whether this is related to health issues or learning a new job skill, look to this month as a major beginning for taking personal inventory and do inner housecleaning. Use this time to improve you – tend to your relationships afterwards.

 

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Now is the time to come out from undercover and let it loose. It is time to express yourself, take a chance and go out on a limb. That business venture you’ve been considering may finally have found its time. You are the passionate one, but you are often like a pressure-cooker due to being so cautious and even paranoid. Now you get new faith in yourself and are fed up with slow-developing plans. Go for it; your passions will take you far. Even if you end up creating a new Soap Opera you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

 

 

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Not that you need an excuse to express your feelings… Uranus in your 4^th Solar House impels you to break free from self-imposed emotional limitations. Sag now has the opportunity to become even more liberated. If you have had a family member trying to keep you down, look out – twang - one less arrow in the quiver. Seriously, this is your time to find constructive freedom from your nest, whatever that may be. You should have a much easier time of this than most other signs. In fact, typical Sage advise, don’t go overboard.

 

 

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) The Goat sparkles now with new ideas. It’s time to write, to explore, and to entertain new concepts. You really must toss aside traditional ideas now and then, or else risk the fate of a well-used statue. Sparks of ideas and intuition abound as Uranus is very comfortable in your Solar third house. Your problem will be as always: not allowing creation to simply unfold. You can’t control or limit this one. Far from it. Uranian energy is anti-Saturnian energy, your ruler. Saturn congeals; Uranus explodes into novel creation. Translation: allow the chaos for now: “Pardon our dirt as we expand our old digs. We'll have a new exciting menu in the aftermath.”

 

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Well, well, well, this is like painting an electric-blue wall electric-blue. Your ruler Uranus speaks. But this time he speaks from your Solar second house. You should have no problem with this one but it is time to assert your own hard earned self worth. Don’t be taken in by other’s guilt trips (as if you could.) Now is the time for you to shine and let all know what you’ve known since day one – it doesn’t matter what others think of you - it’s what you think of yourself. Like preaching to the choir.

 

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Always the best for last. Uranus gives you a huge boost. You have such a tendency to yield to other’s wishes. Now the impetus is to put yourself first. This planet won’t always be here or else you can wait another 81 years. Take advantage of the strong sense of self that it gives you. You need a strong ego to get there. Piscean symbols like Jesus and Buddha weren’t wimps. Like Ram Dass said, “In order to be someone, you first have to be somebody, then you can be nobody. And then you can be anybody you want.”

 

9/16 Venus opposes Uranus

1:00am

Affections flux wildly

 

 

 

He preferred passing other riders while going UP the Alps. That certainly would be my strategy too.

 

9/22 Solar Eclipse 29 Virgo 20’ 7:45am – close to square to Pluto. Don’t let this one fool you. Not only does it come on the heels of the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces and after Pluto’s having been reclassified… This Virgo Eclipse which usually encourages us to clean up our act will have added passion thrown in. This feeling could go on the whole second half of September, i.e., one where you “just can’t stand the mess any more.” That is literal as well as figurative. What a perfect time for housecleaning (both inner and outer) and yard sales.

 

 

9/23 Sun enters Libra, 12:04am – Relax. We need this one. Amid all this intensity, the soothing feel of Venusian Libra brings a welcome change. It won’t be real noticeable, as it’s energies are mild. Nevertheless, the focus needs to shift to appreciating your relationships. Treat yourself, have a fattening dessert.

 

 

 

9/24 Jupiter squares Neptune for the final time – This has been the sleeper all year. Astute Astro-gazers have noted that this combo which has been traveling at a right-angle to each other since February has been hugely responsible for much spiritual growth on the planet. Psychics abound now; people are developing their intuitive skills at an unheard of rate. Inspiration has grown – faith in our Inner Source. These are the two planets that have puffed us up. Hopefully the latest Saturn opposition hasn’t brought down the house of Tarot Cards. I like the energies of this one because it will encourage us once again after the sobering 8/31 transit. Keep the faith.

 

9/26 Jack LaLanne turns 92 – Yes, he’s STILL going strong. My goodness, who would ever guess that a Libra could do so many pushups? What can inspire a man to be so incredibly fit for so long? How about Moon in Capricorn opposite Saturn and Pluto, all making a T-square to the Sun. The emphasized Saturn gives him the stamina. Remember Libra is a Cardinal Air sign which translates as “idea leader”. Even though he’s always coaching us physically, his primary focus is mental (air).

 

 

He declared that his two simple rules of nutrition are: "If man made it, don't eat it; if it tastes good, spit it out." He often says, "I can not afford to die, it will ruin my image."

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/30 Venus enters Libra

6:02am

Affections thaw

 

 

 

-The planets reflect the color spectrum, and in order: Mars-red, Jupiter-orange, Saturn-yellow, Uranus-green, Neptune-blue. pluto doesn’t count.

-Ceres, our largest asteroid, once a planet, was also declassified to “Dwarf Planet” status a while back.

-If you had a really, really, really, really, big bath tub, Saturn would float in it.

-Deceased Rock lead singer for Queen, Freddie Mercury’s, middle name was Pluto.

-Virgo is the only sign represented by a female.

-The word “eclipse” comes from the Greek for “to vanish.”

 

 

 

Dear Kid Astro, “I’ll never learn all of this complex stuff, yet, how can I learn to use astrology to help me in my life?” You don’t have to become a serious student for it to benefit you. Start by having your chart done by a qualified professional and have them explain to you about your main energies. It’s easy to learn more about your Moon placement (emotional nature), rising sign, etc. Once you have a basic idea about how your birth chart is aligned it will help you understand your energies which may be conflicting. Many books and web sites are readily available for further reading on the subject. Besides this newsletter, many others are available on the web that continually explain the transits. Transits are the position of the planets at any given time compared to your birth chart. They symbolize what is “happening” to your chart. Keeping a special eye on Mars is also a very good idea as it is often the “instigator” in one’s chart and makes things happen. One important key to astrology is that when you encounter a complex principle that seems beyond you, simply let it go for now. Gradually you’ll be surprised to see how much you have learned. Don’t put much stock in the daily Horrorscopes in the newspaper.

 

 

 

Next month we ask Kid Astro:  Since I have free will, how can Astrology still “work?”

 

 

 

 

  S.P.A.C.E. News

 

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Astrology Consortium for Enlightenment (S.P.A.C.E.) will next meet on Sunday, September 24th. Monthly meetings are held on the last Sunday of each month at 10:00am. These meetings take place South of South Hills Village in a private home just off of Rt. 19. All interested in Astrology are welcome. Call (724)622-8079 for details.

 

 

 

 

 

Void              Void 

Date  Starts      Ends 

----  ------   -------

9/02  3:49am - 10:34am   BE ESPECIALLY ALERT

9/04 10:24am -  2:15pm   TO DAYS IN RED,

9/06  5:29am -  2:56pm   THE MOON IS VOID

9/08  5:02am -  2:23pm   MOST OF WORK-DAY

9/10  4:52am -  2:30pm

9/12  4:58pm -  4:59pm

9/14 12:00pm - 10:53pm

9/16  8:31pm -  8:15am (next day)

9/19  8:16am -  8:07pm

9/22  7:45am -  9:06am

9/24 10:11am -  9:54pm

9/27  1:32am -  9:16am

9/29  4:45pm -  6:01pm

 

 

Void-of-Course Moons are periods every few days anywhere from a few minutes to several hours where you are discouraged from launching projects. It’s kind of like sailing a boat and there just isn’t any wind. For more information on this subject, visit my earlier newsletter: www.starself.com/newsletter2.html

Access my complete 2006 Void Moon table at: www.starself.com/rxvoidmoon.html

Access all past articles and newsletters at: www.starself.com/articlesnews.html

Free birth chart calculations are available at: http://www.alabe.com/freechart/

A free do-it-yourself Astrology program is available at: http://www.magitech.com/~cruiser1/astrolog.htm

The PA Dept. of Vital Records form for ordering your birth time/birth certificate is at: www.starself.com/birthtime      

Remember, if you have any intriguing or humorous stories about Mercury’s Retrograde periods, feel free to email them to mercuryrx@starself.com (anonymously if you prefer.)

 

Make sure to stay in touch with my web site at: www.starself.com and as always:

 

“May the planets be with you as you find your Starself!”

 

Rick