Typecasting – Sorting Our Astrological Planets to Type

In the field of astrology all planetary bodies are sorted by type. There are the inner

planets: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars.  Although the Sun is a star and the Moon, our satellite, they are considered planetary bodies in astrology.  There are also outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  

Inner planets all have one feature in common.  It takes them less than two years to complete their respective orbits.  Yes, we orbit the Sun, but remember that astrology is what’s happening in the Heavens from Earth’s perspective.  Inner planets are also called ‘personal planets.’  Their influence over us is much different from the outer bank of planets simply because inner planets bebop through our signs much more frequently.

Their are two types of outer planets as well: Transitional planets and generational planets.  Jupiter and Saturn are transitional bodies, while Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are generational.  Jupiter, the planet of optimism, success, and generosity; i.e. the Santa Claus Planet, completes its orbit roughly every twelve years. This confident giant transits signs at the rate of one per year and astrologers look here for our opportunities to develop and become successful. Saturn, on the other hand, takes approximately twenty-nine and a half years to circle the Zodiac.  Saturn is where our lifetime achievement award is housed.  While Jupiter offers a closeup of our opportunities, Saturn shows us what we’ve accomplished and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.  Saturn is about rules, responsibilities, self-discipline and lasting achievement.  It’s also about the journey towards our goals and how we overcome obstacles to gain self-respect and security.

The notorious Saturn Return occurs about every thirty years

for each of us as Saturn returns to our birth sign.  During Saturn Return we are offered special challenges that are meant to move our lives forward and help us attain the things we yearn for whether we’ve admitted their existence or not.  Saturn Returns are pivot points in our lives.  We can make extraordinary advancements and set off in entirely new directions during its influence.

Generational planets are the slowest moving planets of all

and because their transits are so lengthy, their influence colors an entire generation.  Uranus take eighty-four years to complete an orbit – Neptune, 165 years.  Pluto is the winner for being last.  Its orbit takes 248 years.  Uranus transits at the rate of seven years per sign.  Neptune takes thirteen and three-quarters years to move from sign to sign, but Pluto takes an astounding twenty and two-thirds years to cross each sign.  Pluto’s influence in a particular sign is felt from cradle to adulthood, while Neptune’s reach only extends to adolescence.  Uranus carries a more rhythmic cycle of a seven year transit per sign.  Perhaps that’s the origins of the term, ‘seven year itch.’ After all, Uranus is the planet originality and unexpected change.  While Uranus challenges authority, Neptune relates to the mystical and Pluto assists in our transformation.

Astrology is a vast and complex system for analyzing the positions of heavenly bodies and the patterns of their influence on our lives.  Just when you think you’ve gotten a handle on what it really means, you turn the page in a book and discover a whole other level that has to be considered – but then again, that’s life, isn’t it?

LADY ORACLE

Full Cold Moon in Gemini, December 17, 2013 - “Party in the House”

# 6 The Lovers, is tarot's association for
Gemini.  This depiction is from Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the divine Tarot"©

December’s Full Cold Moon in Gemini should be called, “The Party Moon.”  Sociable Gemini joins party hound Sagittarius and the wild rumpus begins.  Okay, maybe not that wild, but this month’s Full Cold Moon (No need to explain that name, is there?) is everything fun, frolicking and social.  

Gemini is an air sign in the

Mercury's tarot card, #1, The Magician
from "Wizard's Tarot"© by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen

mutable (changeable) modality. This simply means that because the sign of Gemini falls at the end of a season rather than at the beginning, (cardinal) or in the middle (fixed), some of its traits shift with the changing astral and seasonal influences.  Our Twins govern the third house of the Zodiac where we keep our knowledge, our habitat (neighborhood) and the relationships we don’t choose, like siblings, or neighbors. The third house, and therefore Gemini, are ruled by the planet Mercury, governor of intellect and communication.  All this makes next week the optimum time to network and socialize.  Your ideas will be easier to convey to others and in turn, other people will have an easier time envisioning how your concept works for their world.

Sun in Sagittarius opposes Moon in Gemini, creating this

#14, Temperance represents
Sagittarius - from Barbara Moore and
Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©

month’s Full Cold Moon.  Sagittarius and Gemini love a good party and they help us naturally gravitate to where the action is.  While both of these signs enjoy the continual stimulation of new events, Gemini holds a duality that can cause its quick laughter and quicker wit to turn dark in the blink of an eye.  Luckily, Sagittarius prevents The Twins from indulging in too much emotional analysis, or too many mood swings.

We have Uranus in Aires turning stationary direct on the 17th as well.  Stationary refers to the illusion that a planet remains in place before it appears to reverse its orbit.  Prior to retrograde we have ‘stationary retrograde’ and when the planet turns direct again we have, ‘stationary direct.’  Uranus works well with Mercury’s thought process, making us ask the deeper questions (which Sagittarius likes).  You can expect a couple of ‘a-ha’ moments before the end of the month.  Consider it partying with a purpose.  

#10 The Wheel shows us Jupiter's
generous nature in the "Steampunk Tarot"©
 depiction

Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, continues to exert its expansive influence for the Full Moon.  The Santa Claus planet goes sesquiquadrate  (a rather touchy aspect of 135 degrees and quite a mouthful) with Neptune on the 17th .  Although this is a lesser aspect than a trine, or sextile, it still introduces the element of dreams and wishes into the Full Moon fix.  Holiday magic. Neptune is the planet of dreams and dreamers.  Jupiter may drop some unexpected sugarplums in your lap this season.  Just be careful not to let a mistletoe moment go to your head.

This is a fun, high-energy moon that helps us manifest the goals we set in motion at the beginning of this month.  Consider December’s Full Moon a holiday gift from the Universe.  Enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Co-hosting The Moment radio show with the always wonderful, Marion Douglas today at noon, PST!  Here's a link to the show and you can listen anytime!

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September 5, 2013, New Moon in Virgo – Tidying Up

Tarot's #9, The Hermit is Virgo's card
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©
Let's hear it for internal dialogue

The great thing about a New Moon is that it offers us a chance to retool our goals, take stock of our feelings towards others and consider our own relationship to the Universe as well.  Heady stuff – and if you think that’s a lot of work for one little New Moon, you’re right.  Cheer up, though.  This month’s New Moon occurs in practical, detail oriented Virgo (thirteen degrees and 4 minutes) on September 5th, at 4:36 a.m. PDT.  

In order for a new moon to occur, the Sun and the Moon must be conjunct (same place at the same time) in a particular sign.  Conjunct planets (or bodies) share the strongest aspect in Astrology, which is why New Moons pack such a punch. Virgo’s attention to detail and love of order gives all of us the urge to organize our lives and our personal spaces a bit more than usual around the 5th.  We will want to haul away the clutter in our lives – in the living spaces as much as in our minds – so that we can analyze what’s truly essential to us in terms of achieving our goals.

Virgo makes us want to take everything apart, examine it all,

The archetype Brigid, or Inspiration from
Amy Sophia Marashinsky and Hrana Janto's
"The Goddess Oracle"© Great deck!

then reassemble the components in a more efficient, stream-lined manner. Mercury, Virgo’s ruling planet, is home from the road right now, telling us to engage our mind so that we are both precise and methodical as we examine the pieces of our world. This isn’t merely about identifying problems. New Moon in Virgo wants to help you find your solutions.  As always, Mercury is the master communicator.  Look for meaningful internal dialogue during this New Moon.

The Autumn Equinox occurs on September 22nd.  This month’s New Moon offers us a wonderful chance to clean house, mentally, spiritually, creatively and physically (Hmmmm, just of like a tarot deck, huh?) before the season changes.  Make it fun.  Gather up your old magazines (if you’re not totally digital yet), clear out the clutter, vacuum, dust and do your floors. The energetic influence of the New Moon runs for about three days.  You’ve got time.  Use sage and cedar smudges to lighten the energetic load in your personal space, then set your intentions and meditate on them while burning your favorite incense.  

"The Sacred Circle Tarot"© by Anna Franklin and
Paul Mason, hold a decidedly more masculine energy -
helpful for Circle of Friends meditative readings

This is a great time to read you tarot cards to gain insight into the energy surrounding you.  Try the Goddess Oracle deck (female archetypes), or Sacred Circle Tarot (more masculine) and my Circle of Friends spread (see: Circle of Friends) New Moons are also about balance.  Set the stage and give yourself the opportunity to find yours.

LADY ORACLE 

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Astrological Trends for May, 2013 - “Eclipses, Meteors and Squares, Oh My!”

May is jam packed with cosmic activity this month: Two eclipses, a meteor shower and a full on square between Uranus and Pluto. Right out of the gate we’ll notice that Taurus is holding a planetary rager with ‘A’ list guests. The Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all hanging out with the bull for the first half of the month and on May 4th and 5th, we receive a visit from the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. 

Your ideas and sense of purpose germinated under the Aries Sun and Taurus’ ability to focus and maintain a steady pace make things take root this month.  The last quarter moon on May 2nd is in Aquarius. Stay the course. No drifting off on tangents.  Finish up the projects you began in April using fiery Aries (tarot’s Wands) energy. You can follow Aquarius’ different drum another day. Watch out for possessiveness when it comes to marking your territory during the first half of May. Remember, you have two ears and one mouth. Use them equally.  Mercury’s wonderful grounding energy will assist you in more open communications if you’ll let it.  Also, Mercury helps you to see further down the road and to plan for the long term reward. The Taurus/Mercury mix is not about what’s new and innovative, but more about common sense, as well as the tried and true.  

Venus urges you to express your affection with more than just words this month. Be romantic.  Use thoughtful gestures that show the people in your life how much you appreciate them. One note of caution: There’s still that air of possessiveness that must be acknowledged and restrained. Don’t get creepy.  Stay balanced in your relationships and watch out for the green-eyed monster. (No, not Mothra) Venus is the first to leave Taurus’ party on May 9th, just as the New Moon arrives.  Finding our natural rhythms may be easier said than done with Saturn in Scorpio seated in opposition to our New Moon in Taurus. Make no sudden moves or big decisions.  Hold your course steady just a few more days.

The New Moon on the 9th leads us into our first eclipse of the month.  Eclipses ramp up the power level and this one is no exception. We’ll experience an Annular Solar Eclipse (Moon’s apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun and makes the Sun look like a ring) on May 10th. This eclipse will be visible only to the Southern Hemisphere, but the power surge is planetary. Use it. The Uranus/Pluto power build up continues until the square becomes exact on May 20th.  More on that later.

Mars stays with Taurus for the entire month, but instead of the aggressive, no holds barred energy we’ve come to expect from Mars, we’ll feel a more focused, contemplative energy - a direct result of associating with patient, methodical (tarot’s Pentacles) Taurus. Where the first half of the month has been all about staying focused on our commitments, the second half of the month is more fun loving.  On May 25th we’ll have a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse leading us straight into the Full Moon on the 28th. I’ll be cover more on May’s events in up coming blogs.  For right now simply enjoy your ability to focus and work on your long-term goals.

LADY ORACLE

Here's a link to NASA's annular solar eclipse on May 10th

New Moon in Aries - April 10, 2013

A Fool, a High Priestess and an Empress walk into a Tower one night.  Stop me if you’ve heard this one.  On April 10th we have a new moon in Aries.  In my previous blog, “Astrological Trends for April, 2013,” (see post below) I discussed the astrological players on the field.  To recap, we have Venus, Mars, Uranus, the Moon and the Sun currently in Aries, where they’ll remain through this new moon.  

In tarot, The Fool represents Uranus (Seriously.  I didn’t make that up.), The High Priestess is the Moon, The Empress is Venus and The Tower is Mars.  New moons are about fresh starts, a theme we will see repeated throughout this month.  The Moon itself, corresponds with the element of water.  Water represents emotions and spiritual energy. This is why every new moon we have the opportunity to rework the emotional subtext of our lives.

Aries, the Ram makes passion run strong on the 10th.  Aries, the element of fire, demands action (suit of Wands), whether you’re starting a new relationship, or rekindling an existing one. However, The Emperor rules Aries, which means there are rules for love that must be followed.  The biggest romance rule this new moon is that you get what you give.  April 10, 2013 adds up to #11, or Justice.  This card is about fairness, but there is also a karmic inference in the meaning.  What you put out, you will get back, so be forewarned.

The Empress, ruled by Venus, is about abundant flow and the act of creation.  Couple her card with Aries’ wand energy, toss in the intuition of the High Priestess and carefully fold in the Fool’s new beginning to refine and set your goals on the 10th.  The Tower, ruled by Mars, promises a change in the wind - not necessarily a destructive one.  Channel Mars’ energy to kick-start the process of manifesting your goals and desires during the new moon period.  Make them appear in your reality.  Perceive it, achieve it.   Most of all, use this planetary energy to enrich your life.  That’s what a fresh start is for.

LADY ORACLE

Full Moon, March 27, 2013 - "The Worm Turns"

March’s Full Worm Moon occurs of Wednesday, March 27th at 2:27 a.m. PST.  This particular Full Moon derives its name from the spring thaw which allows worms to move to the surface to be devoured by robins. Is anyone else having a Wes Craven moment with this?  Perhaps Robin Moon would be a more picturesque name, but somewhere in the annals of time someone thought worms should be given their due.  I’m biased having been born and raised in Vermont, but I like the other name for March’s Full Moon - the Sap Moon.  It sound’s much more appetizing than Worm Moon.  As the weather warms in March the tree sap runs and this is the time of year for tapping maple trees.  It’s a truly amazing process and one you should check out on YouTube.

This year, our Sap Moon occurs in Libra.  Libra carries a lovely equity energy and has a strict policy of maintaining fairness and balance in just about everything.  Very harmonious - accept when you happen to have the Sun in Aries and three, count ‘em three, planets aligned within the same sign.  Venus, Uranus and Mars will be joining our Sun and hanging out in Aries in opposition to our Full Moon in Libra.  These planets will also be squaring Pluto.  What does this mean is simple language?  We have a relationship moon on the 27th and Libra, who is fair and balanced will be overpowered by Aries energy.  The Sun in Aries receives a super charge from a visit by Mars, its ruler and Venus, the relationship planet.  

Aries energy is based on self-interest.  First sign, first in line.  In terms of a relationship, that means making certain your needs are not only met, but that they come first.  There’s only one, first place in a relationship and there will be two people vying for the top spot during the Full Moon period.  You can see the problem.  The days leading up to the 27th and the few afterward may take all your communications skills, candor and ability to compromise to negotiate with your partner.  While you’re elbowing for position to have your own needs met, it’s crucial to remember that everyone’s needs are valid in a relationship.  One partner’s needs should never be considered more important than the needs of the other partner.  For your own sake this Full Moon, learn the difference between importance and immediacy.  Also remember the four Cs of relationships: Commitment, compassion, consideration and compromise.  

LADY ORACLE

March New Moon In Pisces - It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Everybody in the solar system wants to party with Pisces this New Moon.  Who can blame them? Pisces carries a wonderful, dreamy, creative energy that helps us envision possibilities.  There are six celestial bodies visiting Pisces right now:  The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Neptune.  That's a lot of company for one sign.  Better break out another bag of chips.  This New Moon, occurring on March 11th, at 3:51 PDT, is all about relaxing, surrendering control and going with the flow.

Pisces carries yin, or indirect feminine energy. Therefore it's not surprising that in terms of tarot numerology, the date, March 11, 2013 reduces to Major Arcana's #2, The High Priestess.  As an aspect of the Divine Feminine, our High Priestess represents unconscious thought and the intuitive process.  The next couple of days will be a good time to withdraw from outside influences and access your own intuition. Just remember to keep it light.

New Moons begin a fresh emotional cycle and the theme for March's New Moon in mutable Pisces is staying in the moment.  You'll find that it's particularly helpful to spend time in meditation, or meditative pursuits such as yoga, gardening, dance, or even basic coloring.  These sorts of activities cue both our mind and body to stay flexible, to refrain from judgment and to stop attaching ourselves to outcomes that really have nothing to do with us.

The Pisces New Moon invites us to come and play.  It reminds us that life is sometimes about silly, inconsequential things that give us joy.  We all need to take a break from our serious side every now and then.  Today's New Moon offers us that opportunity.  Accept the invitation and ask yourself, "What would Jimmy Buffet do?"


LADY ORACLE