by Milky Way Maid
A Grand Cross is not the end of the world kind of aspect, but it a challenge. Fortunately, the cardinal signs rather like a challenge. As a personal reference, I once knew a first-degree Aries whose hobby was shopping and holding rummage sales. She often offered an item that was her personal challenge piece, by that I mean something that she challenged herself to sell. I recall one time it was a small Christmas tree, something so pathetic it was cute, in a Charlie Brown kind of way. She was eventually offered two dollars for it, and she had to force herself to not seem overly eager to take the money. So then once she sold that, she took on another challenge piece; I think it was a pair of black tiki god tumblers, the kind you sometimes get as a souvenir in theme restaurants.
Looking down the road at August, we find a Grand Cross forming in early degrees of the cardinal signs. On August 6, 2010 Uranus and Jupiter will be in Aries (at zero and three degrees, respectively); the Moon will be at three degrees of Cancer, opposing Pluto at three degrees of Capricorn, and then there is a trio of Mars, Saturn and Venus in Libra (at 5, 1 and zero degrees, respectively).
President Obama's natal Venus is at 2 degrees of Cancer, and in have natal Mars in an early degree of a cardinal sign, too. I will let you know how that plays out for me. I recall Saturn transits over that Mars which left me feeling extremely tired; had to make myself get plenty of sleep to cope with that one. Fortunately that was a short transit!
Possibly some of you know cardinal natives who are rather difficult to be around lately. Aries natives particularly did not like when Saturn first ventured into Libra, their opposite sign. Oh, do they hate when their way is blocked! Right now I have some Capricorn friends who have been going through some tough times; one has been dealing with a divorce and forced sale of his home, and another has been getting sporadic work. Please try to exercise your compassion muscles wherever you can.
Please also note that on Aug. 3, Jupiter squares Pluto, and the following day, Mars squares Pluto at three degrees Libra/Capricorn. Kaye Shinker of astrologicalinvesting dot com believes that the public (Moon) will be incensed that they have been hoodwinked by the Wall Street crooks. She feels that the scandals perpetrated by Bernie Madoff, Enron, Worldcom et al have been just the tip of the iceberg.
Astrologers all over cyberspace are weighing in with their predictions and interpretations. Maurice Fernandez says in his article, “Time of Radical Shift: A Look into the Coming Cycle” that “the situation heating up is like a piece of molten iron that can be beaten into a better form, personally and collectively.” Raye Mathis, writing in Venture Inward magazine, states that the cross is a time of great change when life is giving you a kick in the behind to force you to deal with the deep hole you have dug for yourself. She states that it is a time when one can re-create oneself and make deep inner changes.
What else might be affected by this Grand Cross? I have speculated that since Libra is the sign of marriage, and Jupiter rules law, and Uranus is the unusual or the shake-up, that same-sex marriage may be a burning issue this summer. Either same-sex marriage will become the law of the land or it will be outlawed. On a personal level, many of us may face trials in our marriages, and some may break up/separate (Uranus) or have a divorce finalized (Saturn).
Rather than sacrifice a long-term marriage that has been basically happy, it might be better to go off to separate retreats during this transit, to avoid saying terrible things that one cannot retract. Wait until after the transit has passed before making any final decisions on separating. Go to couples therapy afterward, or to a marriage enrichment weekend, to relearn how to reach each other emotionally.
Carl Jung described the cross as two pairs of opposites, which only meet at the center.
I am reminded of the sages of India, who point out that the only way to keep from getting unmercifully tossed off the spinning Wheel of life is to move toward the serene center, from which vantage point one may observe the maelstrom churning around you.
So again, try to keep the image of the spinning wheel of life in your mind's eye as all of us get tossed around this Grand Cross this summer. The center is the place to be. Whatever works for you to get tuned into your center is what you want to do plenty of. Some options: Meditation, craniosacral massage (or just using your still-point inducer), or going to a quiet nature preserve or a daily nature walk.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Mars' spiral ice caps finally explained
by Milky Way Maid
NASA has finally explained the puzzling fact of spiral formations in the polar ice caps of the planet Mars. These swirls were first discovered when Mariner 9 relayed images of the Martian poles almost 40 years ago. Now data from the Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter has been analyzed to reveal that it was most likely the wind that powered these designs.
According to the NASA news release:
June 16, 2010: Almost 40 years ago, NASA's Mariner 9 spacecraft relayed to Earth the first video images of Mars' northern polar ice cap, revealing a strange pattern of spiral swirls that has puzzled scientists ever since. Using new data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), researchers have finally uncovered the secrets of the troughs that snake through the ice cap like a spiraled maze.
Jack Holt of the University of Texas and his graduate student Isaac Smith used radar data from MRO's Shallow Subsurface Radar to crack the case. Examining the details of this new data set has laid open the ice cap's internal structure, revealing clues to the massive ice troughs' formation.
Apparently, the wind did it.
"Radar cross sections reveal layers of ice deposited throughout the ice cap's history," says Holt. "The size and shape of those layers indicate that wind has played a key role in creating and shaping the spiral troughs."
You can read the whole article at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/16jun_martianspirals/
NASA has finally explained the puzzling fact of spiral formations in the polar ice caps of the planet Mars. These swirls were first discovered when Mariner 9 relayed images of the Martian poles almost 40 years ago. Now data from the Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter has been analyzed to reveal that it was most likely the wind that powered these designs.
According to the NASA news release:
June 16, 2010: Almost 40 years ago, NASA's Mariner 9 spacecraft relayed to Earth the first video images of Mars' northern polar ice cap, revealing a strange pattern of spiral swirls that has puzzled scientists ever since. Using new data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), researchers have finally uncovered the secrets of the troughs that snake through the ice cap like a spiraled maze.
Jack Holt of the University of Texas and his graduate student Isaac Smith used radar data from MRO's Shallow Subsurface Radar to crack the case. Examining the details of this new data set has laid open the ice cap's internal structure, revealing clues to the massive ice troughs' formation.
Apparently, the wind did it.
"Radar cross sections reveal layers of ice deposited throughout the ice cap's history," says Holt. "The size and shape of those layers indicate that wind has played a key role in creating and shaping the spiral troughs."
You can read the whole article at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/16jun_martianspirals/
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Zodiac Signs and the Twelve Tribes of Israel; also the Babylonian Zodiac
by Milky Way Maid
If you doubted that the ancient Jewish people were ever astrologers, then this will give you something to think about. The twelve signs of the zodiac can be correlated with the twelve tribes of Israel. Check out the following list as derived from lines in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 49.
Aries- Gad, 'a troop shall press upon him; but he shall press upon their heel,' is Aries the Ram. Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, 'presses upon their heel' in the circular zodiac. Gad is described as “a warrior, chief of his army,” very apt for the sign ruled by warlike Mars.
Taurus- Issachar, 'a gelded donkey lying down in the cattle pens'. Personally, I am not sure how a donkey equates to a bull. But both are beasts of burden.
Gemini- Simeon and Levi, 'the brethren,' are Gemini, the Twins. (Note: Others place them in Pisces, as the two fishes.)
Cancer- Benjamin, 'ravening as a wolf, devouring his prey by morning, dividing the spoil at night,' is Cancer the Crab. Cancer may viewed here as either food-oriented, acquisitive, or both.
Leo- Judah, 'the lion's whelp,' is obviously Leo the Lion.
Virgo- Virgo is 'veiled,' and is correlated with Dinah, Jacob's daughter, who is described in Genesis 30:21.
Libra- Asher, 'the weigher of bread,' is Libra, the Scales or Balance.
Scorpio- Dan, 'a serpent in the way,' is Scorpio, who is variously pictured as a Scorpion, Snake, and Eagle. Llewellyn quotes Pike in regards to this sign: “Dan, bearing as his device a Scorpion, he compares to the Cerastes or horned Serpent, synonymous in astrological language with the vulture or pouncing eagle; and which bird was often substituted on the flag of Dan, in place of the venomous scorpion, on account of the terror which that reptile inspired, as the symbol of Typhon and his malign influences; wherefore the Eagle, as its paranatellon, that is, rising and setting at the same time with it, was naturally used in its stead.”
Sagittarius- Joseph, 'whose bow abides in strength,' is of course the sign of the archer Sagittarius.
Capricorn- Nephtali, 'a hind let loose,' is Capricorn the Goat.
Aquarius- Reuben, 'boiling over with water,' is Aquarius, who holds a vase or cup and pours out the waters of the New Age.
Pisces- Zebulon, 'who shall dwell at the beach of the sea,' is Pisces, the two Fishes. How many beachfront parks are named Zebulon? Oodles, that's how many.
The Llewellyn website, among others, has an article on the subject at http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/472 Llewellyn lists various correlations, some of which are based in descriptions in Deuteronomy rather than Genesis. But I rather prefer the list I have copied out and given to you readers above. For one thing, it logically gives two names for the Twins.
While I am at it I may as well tell you that the Babylonians had a list of 18 zodiac signs. Most of the 12 Greek constellations that make up the Zodiac that we know today, can be found in a “Babylonian star-list from the 7th century, known as the MUL.APIN, but which is thought by scholars to have been compiled around 1000 BCE. The list consists of 17 or 18 ecliptic constellations through which the Moon was seen to pass.” The Zodiacal constellations found in Greek astrology are among them, although six have different names. In The Origins of the Zodiac, Rupert Gleadow lists them as follows:
Zappu, meaning tuft of hair = Pleiades
Gud-an-na, meaning bull of heaven = Hyades
Sib-zi-an-na, meaning faithful shepherd of heaven = Orion
Sugi, meaning charioteer = Perseus
Gamlu, meaning scimitar = Auriga
Mas-tab-ba-gal-gal, meaning great twins = Gemini
Al-lul, meaning crab(?) = Praesepe
Ur-gu-la, meaning lion or lioness = Leo
Ab-sin, meaning furrow = Virgo
Zibanitu, meaning horn or scales = Libra
Gir-tab, meaning scorpion = Scorpio
Pa-bil-sag, meaning unknown = Sagittarius
Suhur-mas, meaning goat-fish = Capricorn
Gu-la, meaning giant(?) = Aquarius
Zibbati, meaning tails = Pisces
Sim-mah, meaning great swallow = southern fish
Anunitum, meaning a goddess = northern fish
Hunga or agru, meaning hireling = Aries
I might note that dividing the solar year by 18 signs gives roughly twenty days per sign. Gee, where have I seen a period of twenty days before? In the Mayan calendar system, which used a system of 20 days overlaid by another system of 13 in order to reconcile the solar and lunar years. Very interesting.
If you doubted that the ancient Jewish people were ever astrologers, then this will give you something to think about. The twelve signs of the zodiac can be correlated with the twelve tribes of Israel. Check out the following list as derived from lines in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 49.
Aries- Gad, 'a troop shall press upon him; but he shall press upon their heel,' is Aries the Ram. Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, 'presses upon their heel' in the circular zodiac. Gad is described as “a warrior, chief of his army,” very apt for the sign ruled by warlike Mars.
Taurus- Issachar, 'a gelded donkey lying down in the cattle pens'. Personally, I am not sure how a donkey equates to a bull. But both are beasts of burden.
Gemini- Simeon and Levi, 'the brethren,' are Gemini, the Twins. (Note: Others place them in Pisces, as the two fishes.)
Cancer- Benjamin, 'ravening as a wolf, devouring his prey by morning, dividing the spoil at night,' is Cancer the Crab. Cancer may viewed here as either food-oriented, acquisitive, or both.
Leo- Judah, 'the lion's whelp,' is obviously Leo the Lion.
Virgo- Virgo is 'veiled,' and is correlated with Dinah, Jacob's daughter, who is described in Genesis 30:21.
Libra- Asher, 'the weigher of bread,' is Libra, the Scales or Balance.
Scorpio- Dan, 'a serpent in the way,' is Scorpio, who is variously pictured as a Scorpion, Snake, and Eagle. Llewellyn quotes Pike in regards to this sign: “Dan, bearing as his device a Scorpion, he compares to the Cerastes or horned Serpent, synonymous in astrological language with the vulture or pouncing eagle; and which bird was often substituted on the flag of Dan, in place of the venomous scorpion, on account of the terror which that reptile inspired, as the symbol of Typhon and his malign influences; wherefore the Eagle, as its paranatellon, that is, rising and setting at the same time with it, was naturally used in its stead.”
Sagittarius- Joseph, 'whose bow abides in strength,' is of course the sign of the archer Sagittarius.
Capricorn- Nephtali, 'a hind let loose,' is Capricorn the Goat.
Aquarius- Reuben, 'boiling over with water,' is Aquarius, who holds a vase or cup and pours out the waters of the New Age.
Pisces- Zebulon, 'who shall dwell at the beach of the sea,' is Pisces, the two Fishes. How many beachfront parks are named Zebulon? Oodles, that's how many.
The Llewellyn website, among others, has an article on the subject at http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/472 Llewellyn lists various correlations, some of which are based in descriptions in Deuteronomy rather than Genesis. But I rather prefer the list I have copied out and given to you readers above. For one thing, it logically gives two names for the Twins.
While I am at it I may as well tell you that the Babylonians had a list of 18 zodiac signs. Most of the 12 Greek constellations that make up the Zodiac that we know today, can be found in a “Babylonian star-list from the 7th century, known as the MUL.APIN, but which is thought by scholars to have been compiled around 1000 BCE. The list consists of 17 or 18 ecliptic constellations through which the Moon was seen to pass.” The Zodiacal constellations found in Greek astrology are among them, although six have different names. In The Origins of the Zodiac, Rupert Gleadow lists them as follows:
Zappu, meaning tuft of hair = Pleiades
Gud-an-na, meaning bull of heaven = Hyades
Sib-zi-an-na, meaning faithful shepherd of heaven = Orion
Sugi, meaning charioteer = Perseus
Gamlu, meaning scimitar = Auriga
Mas-tab-ba-gal-gal, meaning great twins = Gemini
Al-lul, meaning crab(?) = Praesepe
Ur-gu-la, meaning lion or lioness = Leo
Ab-sin, meaning furrow = Virgo
Zibanitu, meaning horn or scales = Libra
Gir-tab, meaning scorpion = Scorpio
Pa-bil-sag, meaning unknown = Sagittarius
Suhur-mas, meaning goat-fish = Capricorn
Gu-la, meaning giant(?) = Aquarius
Zibbati, meaning tails = Pisces
Sim-mah, meaning great swallow = southern fish
Anunitum, meaning a goddess = northern fish
Hunga or agru, meaning hireling = Aries
I might note that dividing the solar year by 18 signs gives roughly twenty days per sign. Gee, where have I seen a period of twenty days before? In the Mayan calendar system, which used a system of 20 days overlaid by another system of 13 in order to reconcile the solar and lunar years. Very interesting.
Monday, May 31, 2010
by Milky Way Maid
Some weeks seem to belong to Venus, but this week belongs to Mercury.
Mercury at 27 degrees Taurus trines Saturn in Virgo at 7:14 pm on Tuesday. People with contacts to this aspect will be able to reason, concentrate, organize, and control themselves. You respect experience and can benefit from seeking advice from someone older or respected in a given field. On the other hand, Mercury is so close to Algol; don't talk yourself into jumping off a cliff with all the other lemmings.
Mercury in Taurus squares Neptune in Aquarius early Wednesday at 6:39 am. This is Mercury's last aspect before entering Gemini. Mercury is lost here, with fuzzy Neptune making him unsure of his facts, and unable to read his map. On the other hand, your sensitivity and intuition may be keen. If you feel a bit spacey, try a spritz of rosemary or peppermint to clear your head. Artists should by all means concentrate on their muse; the rest of us may have to scribble into our journals all the amazing thoughts that drift thru our heads.
Mercury enters its home sign of Gemini on Thursday at 1:41 am. Mercury here is much, much faster than in Taurus. Where before you may have had bosses hem and haw over what to do, while they consider the data, now they will snap out decisions in rapid-fire fashion. The downside of Mercury here is that there can be a whole lot of talking without any real communication, often getting bogged down in collecting trivia and rumor. But when a Gemini is able to focus, he/she can communicate with a great variety of people, and do so clearly and logically. They can also direct people to sources of information.
Jupiter enters Aries Sunday at 2:28 am. Have faith in your own path, and your leadership abilities will emerge. I once knew a first-degree Aries who rounded up neighbors for a block rummage every year; this was just one of her projects. Do you have anything in Aries that will be contacted by the Jupiter transit? If so, be prepared to get your ideas off the ground.
Mars enters Virgo Monday at 2:11 am. The downside of Mars in this sign is that Virgo always wants to be right all the time, and acknowledged as such. Virgo may also be too quick to criticize and judge; focus less on errors than on shaping students or staff to a desired quality level. The upside of Mars here is that Virgo is so good at assisting others to straighten out their lives, whether by showing them how to balance a checkbook, or resolving credit card addictions, or creating a schedule for personal progress. You'd have to check your intolerance of imperfection at the door, however.
A New Moon at 21 degrees, 24 minutes of Gemini arrives at 7:15 am Saturday. Start a newsletter, blog, or journal to capture every insight and factoid that crosses your mind. Resolve to improve personal communications with less talk and more of a personal connection.
Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also the sign of their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop. Also note: some aspects are exact on a weekend but may find opportunity for expression on the Friday or Monday nearest the exact aspect. Times given are in Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight Savings Time depending on the season.
ARIES - March 20-April 19 – The Moon is in Aries from 1:50 am Sunday till midday Tuesday. Not only does the Moon enter your sign Sunday, but so does ultra-lucky Jupiter. In addition, Moon conjunct Uranus provides inspiration. Mars enters your solar sixth house early Monday also, giving you more physical work to do, but also putting an accent on guarding your health. Squares to Pluto and Ceres in Capricorn motivate you with a challenge. How dare anyone tell you that you can't! The inconjunct from Jupiter to Mars on Monday gives you an opportunity to learn 'how-to' from a Virgo or Gemini type. A Mercury-Jupiter-Uranus sextile Thursday has you exploring exotic nooks in your own hometown.
TAURUS - April 20-May 20 – Jupiter enters your solar twelfth house on Sunday; someone close to you may be very lucky this year, or you may enjoy doing charity work at a hospital or attend retreats. The Moon is in Taurus from 11:41 am Tuesday till Thursday evening. Try not to 'lose your head' on Tuesday evening. A Mercury-Neptune square Wednesday morn makes for a fuzzy-headed commute; pay attention or miss your off-ramp. Mercury enters your second house of money on Thursday; yay, you may suddenly have two or more sources of income. Make hay while the sun shines, as they say.
GEMINI - May 21-June 20 – Mars squares your sign when it enters Virgo early Monday; there is an increased chance of arguments at home, but otherwise it just adds male energy and fire there. Fire up the grill, or add some cheery red accents in the living room, or start a family-only contest. The Moon is in Gemini from 6:11 pm Thursday till Saturday evening. Best day is probably Thursday night when a sextile to Jupiter makes you buoyant and lucky. A Mercury-Mars square on Friday morning favors debate; keep it constructive for best results. A Moon-Saturn square Saturday evening makes you feel put-upon, but use that disciplined energy to get a tough chore done.
CANCER - June 21-July 22 – Jupiter enters your solar tenth house of career on Sunday. Wow, and coupled with your ambition, it's 'look out, world, the Crab is on the move.' You can not only advance your own career, but also foster the development of proteges. The Moon is in Cancer from 9:50 pm Saturday through the weekend. Saturday night looks very exciting with a Moon square Jupiter-Uranus, though I can't promise you will hit a jackpot or anything.
LEO - July 23-Aug. 22 - Jupiter enters your solar ninth house of law, publishing, higher education and religion on Sunday. You may win a scholarship, get that manuscript approved or printed, win a legal decision, or embark on private study of comparative religions. On Wednesday, a Mercury-Neptune square can lead you to garble your speech in public appearances or interviews; make sure to rehearse answers.
VIRGO - Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Jupiter enters your solar eighth house of pooled funds, etc on Sunday. The year may bring a legacy, insurance (especially if it is free or at a bargain price), or your spouse may come into some funds. Best days this week are probably with Moon in Taurus, midday Tues-Thur. evening. Your Saturn is trine the Moon Thursday afternoon, helping you plow thru work efficiently. You may also find a mentor-type among your list of lawyer or professor contacts.
LIBRA - Sept. 23-Oct. 22 - Jupiter enters your solar seventh house of partners, marriage and the public on Sunday. Singles may get married or engaged this year, and people in any walk of life may get their turn in the spotlight. Best days this week come with moon in compatible Gemini Thur-Sat. A Moon-Mercury conjunction on Thursday pm puts emotion behind your words, and you are very persuasive. The New Moon in Gemini on Sat. puts the accent on your solar ninth house of law, publishing, college and religion. A square to Saturn Sat. puts you in a serious frame of mind, possibly with an idealistic bent.
SCORPIO - Oct. 23-Nov. 21 - Jupiter enters your solar sixth house of health and work on Sunday. You may land a good-paying job which you are glad to take even if it seems to utilize a lesser talent of yours. And with Jupiter, it can mean that your health (mental health included) is very good and your powers of recuperation strong; it can also bring the attention of doctors or exhaustion from overdoing. A Mercury-Neptune square Wednesday morn makes for a fuzzy-headed commute; pay attention or miss your off-ramp.
SAGITTARIUS - Nov. 22-Dec. 21 - Jupiter enters your solar fifth house on Sunday. Oh, the luckiest place to have old Jove. Reap profits in speculations, enjoy a long list of suitors, attend the highest level of cultural events and concerts. Best days this week have Moon in compatible Aries Sun. to mid-Tues. On Monday your spouse may introduce you to sympathetic lawyer, publisher or publisher.
CAPRICORN - Dec. 22-Jan. 19 - Jupiter enters your solar fourth house on Sunday. You may enlarge your home, host foreign travelers or students, or add to your family. Best days this week likely are the ones with Moon in Taurus, midday Tues-Thur. evening. Watch your wallet when Mercury in your solar fifth house squares Neptune in your second house on Wed; money can slip through your fingers while trying to impress a date or if speculating in stocks. Virgo's Saturn is trine the Moon in Taurus on Thursday afternoon, helping you plow thru work. You may also find a mentor-type among your list of lawyer or professor contacts.
AQUARIUS - Jan. 20-Feb. 17 - Jupiter enters your solar third house on Sunday. Your circle of acquaintances grow, especially if you go back to school. Sharing knowledge and stimulating your intellect bring enjoyment and rewards. Best days this week come with moon in compatible Gemini Thur-Sat. A Moon-Mercury conjunction on Thursday pm puts emotion behind your words, and you are very persuasive especially with romantic partners. The New Moon in Gemini on Sat. puts the accent on your solar fifth house of romance, fun, the arts, and children.
PISCES - Feb. 18-March 19 - Jupiter enters your solar second house of money on Sunday. This placement favors making lots of money especially if you work in a Jupiter-ruled field like law or medicine. Sometimes Jupiter merely protects your job in the face of cutbacks, when the economy is down. Mars enters your opposite sign early Monday; your significant other is either combative, or really hot-looking. You prefer the latter. On Saturday night, a Moon-Neptune trine touches your fourth house of home, luring you to poolside with or without a pool party to host.
Some weeks seem to belong to Venus, but this week belongs to Mercury.
Mercury at 27 degrees Taurus trines Saturn in Virgo at 7:14 pm on Tuesday. People with contacts to this aspect will be able to reason, concentrate, organize, and control themselves. You respect experience and can benefit from seeking advice from someone older or respected in a given field. On the other hand, Mercury is so close to Algol; don't talk yourself into jumping off a cliff with all the other lemmings.
Mercury in Taurus squares Neptune in Aquarius early Wednesday at 6:39 am. This is Mercury's last aspect before entering Gemini. Mercury is lost here, with fuzzy Neptune making him unsure of his facts, and unable to read his map. On the other hand, your sensitivity and intuition may be keen. If you feel a bit spacey, try a spritz of rosemary or peppermint to clear your head. Artists should by all means concentrate on their muse; the rest of us may have to scribble into our journals all the amazing thoughts that drift thru our heads.
Mercury enters its home sign of Gemini on Thursday at 1:41 am. Mercury here is much, much faster than in Taurus. Where before you may have had bosses hem and haw over what to do, while they consider the data, now they will snap out decisions in rapid-fire fashion. The downside of Mercury here is that there can be a whole lot of talking without any real communication, often getting bogged down in collecting trivia and rumor. But when a Gemini is able to focus, he/she can communicate with a great variety of people, and do so clearly and logically. They can also direct people to sources of information.
Jupiter enters Aries Sunday at 2:28 am. Have faith in your own path, and your leadership abilities will emerge. I once knew a first-degree Aries who rounded up neighbors for a block rummage every year; this was just one of her projects. Do you have anything in Aries that will be contacted by the Jupiter transit? If so, be prepared to get your ideas off the ground.
Mars enters Virgo Monday at 2:11 am. The downside of Mars in this sign is that Virgo always wants to be right all the time, and acknowledged as such. Virgo may also be too quick to criticize and judge; focus less on errors than on shaping students or staff to a desired quality level. The upside of Mars here is that Virgo is so good at assisting others to straighten out their lives, whether by showing them how to balance a checkbook, or resolving credit card addictions, or creating a schedule for personal progress. You'd have to check your intolerance of imperfection at the door, however.
A New Moon at 21 degrees, 24 minutes of Gemini arrives at 7:15 am Saturday. Start a newsletter, blog, or journal to capture every insight and factoid that crosses your mind. Resolve to improve personal communications with less talk and more of a personal connection.
Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also the sign of their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop. Also note: some aspects are exact on a weekend but may find opportunity for expression on the Friday or Monday nearest the exact aspect. Times given are in Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight Savings Time depending on the season.
ARIES - March 20-April 19 – The Moon is in Aries from 1:50 am Sunday till midday Tuesday. Not only does the Moon enter your sign Sunday, but so does ultra-lucky Jupiter. In addition, Moon conjunct Uranus provides inspiration. Mars enters your solar sixth house early Monday also, giving you more physical work to do, but also putting an accent on guarding your health. Squares to Pluto and Ceres in Capricorn motivate you with a challenge. How dare anyone tell you that you can't! The inconjunct from Jupiter to Mars on Monday gives you an opportunity to learn 'how-to' from a Virgo or Gemini type. A Mercury-Jupiter-Uranus sextile Thursday has you exploring exotic nooks in your own hometown.
TAURUS - April 20-May 20 – Jupiter enters your solar twelfth house on Sunday; someone close to you may be very lucky this year, or you may enjoy doing charity work at a hospital or attend retreats. The Moon is in Taurus from 11:41 am Tuesday till Thursday evening. Try not to 'lose your head' on Tuesday evening. A Mercury-Neptune square Wednesday morn makes for a fuzzy-headed commute; pay attention or miss your off-ramp. Mercury enters your second house of money on Thursday; yay, you may suddenly have two or more sources of income. Make hay while the sun shines, as they say.
GEMINI - May 21-June 20 – Mars squares your sign when it enters Virgo early Monday; there is an increased chance of arguments at home, but otherwise it just adds male energy and fire there. Fire up the grill, or add some cheery red accents in the living room, or start a family-only contest. The Moon is in Gemini from 6:11 pm Thursday till Saturday evening. Best day is probably Thursday night when a sextile to Jupiter makes you buoyant and lucky. A Mercury-Mars square on Friday morning favors debate; keep it constructive for best results. A Moon-Saturn square Saturday evening makes you feel put-upon, but use that disciplined energy to get a tough chore done.
CANCER - June 21-July 22 – Jupiter enters your solar tenth house of career on Sunday. Wow, and coupled with your ambition, it's 'look out, world, the Crab is on the move.' You can not only advance your own career, but also foster the development of proteges. The Moon is in Cancer from 9:50 pm Saturday through the weekend. Saturday night looks very exciting with a Moon square Jupiter-Uranus, though I can't promise you will hit a jackpot or anything.
LEO - July 23-Aug. 22 - Jupiter enters your solar ninth house of law, publishing, higher education and religion on Sunday. You may win a scholarship, get that manuscript approved or printed, win a legal decision, or embark on private study of comparative religions. On Wednesday, a Mercury-Neptune square can lead you to garble your speech in public appearances or interviews; make sure to rehearse answers.
VIRGO - Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Jupiter enters your solar eighth house of pooled funds, etc on Sunday. The year may bring a legacy, insurance (especially if it is free or at a bargain price), or your spouse may come into some funds. Best days this week are probably with Moon in Taurus, midday Tues-Thur. evening. Your Saturn is trine the Moon Thursday afternoon, helping you plow thru work efficiently. You may also find a mentor-type among your list of lawyer or professor contacts.
LIBRA - Sept. 23-Oct. 22 - Jupiter enters your solar seventh house of partners, marriage and the public on Sunday. Singles may get married or engaged this year, and people in any walk of life may get their turn in the spotlight. Best days this week come with moon in compatible Gemini Thur-Sat. A Moon-Mercury conjunction on Thursday pm puts emotion behind your words, and you are very persuasive. The New Moon in Gemini on Sat. puts the accent on your solar ninth house of law, publishing, college and religion. A square to Saturn Sat. puts you in a serious frame of mind, possibly with an idealistic bent.
SCORPIO - Oct. 23-Nov. 21 - Jupiter enters your solar sixth house of health and work on Sunday. You may land a good-paying job which you are glad to take even if it seems to utilize a lesser talent of yours. And with Jupiter, it can mean that your health (mental health included) is very good and your powers of recuperation strong; it can also bring the attention of doctors or exhaustion from overdoing. A Mercury-Neptune square Wednesday morn makes for a fuzzy-headed commute; pay attention or miss your off-ramp.
SAGITTARIUS - Nov. 22-Dec. 21 - Jupiter enters your solar fifth house on Sunday. Oh, the luckiest place to have old Jove. Reap profits in speculations, enjoy a long list of suitors, attend the highest level of cultural events and concerts. Best days this week have Moon in compatible Aries Sun. to mid-Tues. On Monday your spouse may introduce you to sympathetic lawyer, publisher or publisher.
CAPRICORN - Dec. 22-Jan. 19 - Jupiter enters your solar fourth house on Sunday. You may enlarge your home, host foreign travelers or students, or add to your family. Best days this week likely are the ones with Moon in Taurus, midday Tues-Thur. evening. Watch your wallet when Mercury in your solar fifth house squares Neptune in your second house on Wed; money can slip through your fingers while trying to impress a date or if speculating in stocks. Virgo's Saturn is trine the Moon in Taurus on Thursday afternoon, helping you plow thru work. You may also find a mentor-type among your list of lawyer or professor contacts.
AQUARIUS - Jan. 20-Feb. 17 - Jupiter enters your solar third house on Sunday. Your circle of acquaintances grow, especially if you go back to school. Sharing knowledge and stimulating your intellect bring enjoyment and rewards. Best days this week come with moon in compatible Gemini Thur-Sat. A Moon-Mercury conjunction on Thursday pm puts emotion behind your words, and you are very persuasive especially with romantic partners. The New Moon in Gemini on Sat. puts the accent on your solar fifth house of romance, fun, the arts, and children.
PISCES - Feb. 18-March 19 - Jupiter enters your solar second house of money on Sunday. This placement favors making lots of money especially if you work in a Jupiter-ruled field like law or medicine. Sometimes Jupiter merely protects your job in the face of cutbacks, when the economy is down. Mars enters your opposite sign early Monday; your significant other is either combative, or really hot-looking. You prefer the latter. On Saturday night, a Moon-Neptune trine touches your fourth house of home, luring you to poolside with or without a pool party to host.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Is the Taurus Bull Really an Auroch?
By Milky Way Maid
Recently I picked up an old novel called Sarum, about the long overview of southern British history centered on the cathedral town of Salisbury. One of the episodes in the more ancient segment was the hunting of an auroch.
An auroch was, according to bestuff.com, "The aurochs or urus (Bos primigenius) was a very large type of cattle that was prevalent in Europe until its extinction in 1627." It stood about two meters high at the shoulder; this was the height of a rare skeleton found in a Danish bog in 1905. The last of the breed died in Poland in 1627. The closest descendants of the auroch include the gaur, the bantang, the zebu, and Spanish fighting cattle. The horns were very distinctive, sweeping forward and up.
The description of the horns matches the traditional images of a Taurus bull, doesn't it?
The auroch is believed to be the ancestor of all domesticated cattle, which are much smaller in size. Attempts to breed a new aurochs from cattle with atavistic characteristics have not been a complete success. A herd was created, but the horns pointed to the sides like with a Texas longhorn, or a water buffalo. Also the colors were not accurate. The bulls were almost always black, and the cows were a reddish color. The recreated herd had more color variety.
The aurochs have been identified as the breed depicted in cave paintings from all over the world. Aurochs ranged from Britain, across Europe and into parts of China. A somewhat different variety was found in India.
Paste the URLs below to read more about this giant breed of cattle.
http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/aurochs.htm
Recently I picked up an old novel called Sarum, about the long overview of southern British history centered on the cathedral town of Salisbury. One of the episodes in the more ancient segment was the hunting of an auroch.
An auroch was, according to bestuff.com, "The aurochs or urus (Bos primigenius) was a very large type of cattle that was prevalent in Europe until its extinction in 1627." It stood about two meters high at the shoulder; this was the height of a rare skeleton found in a Danish bog in 1905. The last of the breed died in Poland in 1627. The closest descendants of the auroch include the gaur, the bantang, the zebu, and Spanish fighting cattle. The horns were very distinctive, sweeping forward and up.
The description of the horns matches the traditional images of a Taurus bull, doesn't it?
The auroch is believed to be the ancestor of all domesticated cattle, which are much smaller in size. Attempts to breed a new aurochs from cattle with atavistic characteristics have not been a complete success. A herd was created, but the horns pointed to the sides like with a Texas longhorn, or a water buffalo. Also the colors were not accurate. The bulls were almost always black, and the cows were a reddish color. The recreated herd had more color variety.
The aurochs have been identified as the breed depicted in cave paintings from all over the world. Aurochs ranged from Britain, across Europe and into parts of China. A somewhat different variety was found in India.
Paste the URLs below to read more about this giant breed of cattle.
http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/aurochs.htm
Friday, May 21, 2010
Jupiter Robbed of Belt in Broad Daylight; Planetary Police Have No Suspects
by Milky Way Maid, from actual news sources!
In what may have been a prank, the planet Jupiter's Southern Equatorial Belt (SEB) was 'disappeared' suddenly this week. The announcement of the missing belt was made by the British Astronomical Association's Jupiter Section on May 20.
There were no known witnesses, and no suspects are in custody. Jupiter himself, who is known as quite a jovial fellow, expressed no alarm at the loss of his belt, even though it is certain to cause untold embarrassment if his pants fall down.
“Oh, this sort of thing has happened many times before. The belt shows up again sooner or later, and no one is the worse for wear,” he said. “The last time was three years ago, and Saturn later returned it saying he needed it while his rings were invisible and he felt quite naked.”
Saturn denied taking the belt in this latest episode.
The Jupiter Section verified that the belt has had a checkered past, disappearing in 1973, 1989, 1993, and 2007. Astronomers remain mystified at the repeated disappearances.
However, it is my belief that these repeated thefts hint at a habitual kleptomaniac, and this perp may be in need of intensive therapy if apprehended.
Full story may be read at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/20may_loststripe/
In what may have been a prank, the planet Jupiter's Southern Equatorial Belt (SEB) was 'disappeared' suddenly this week. The announcement of the missing belt was made by the British Astronomical Association's Jupiter Section on May 20.
There were no known witnesses, and no suspects are in custody. Jupiter himself, who is known as quite a jovial fellow, expressed no alarm at the loss of his belt, even though it is certain to cause untold embarrassment if his pants fall down.
“Oh, this sort of thing has happened many times before. The belt shows up again sooner or later, and no one is the worse for wear,” he said. “The last time was three years ago, and Saturn later returned it saying he needed it while his rings were invisible and he felt quite naked.”
Saturn denied taking the belt in this latest episode.
The Jupiter Section verified that the belt has had a checkered past, disappearing in 1973, 1989, 1993, and 2007. Astronomers remain mystified at the repeated disappearances.
However, it is my belief that these repeated thefts hint at a habitual kleptomaniac, and this perp may be in need of intensive therapy if apprehended.
Full story may be read at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/20may_loststripe/
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Venus Can Also Mean 'Lost Money'
by Milky Way Maid
Venus, aka the lesser benefic, is often portrayed as the bestower of gifts, door prizes, compliments, flowers, sometimes cash, and other smallish 'feel-good' surprises. However, some transits of Venus can denote lost money. I am going to delineate one specific transit that can mean lost money, and that is when it contacts the critical degrees.
I was first put on the trail of this interpretation by a very experienced and locally-popular astrologer who was fond of using critical degrees for many of her forecasts. She maintained that the transit of Venus over critical degrees can denote losing money, especially if it contacted or made angles to other planets in your chart. For example, when the stock market crash began in September of 2008, both Mars and Venus were at 13 degrees Libra (a cardinal sign) and square Jupiter at 12 Capricorn (another cardinal sign). Jupiter magnified the effect of the other planets at the same degree. Neptune was also at a critical degree at 22 Aquarius, which possibly underscored the evaporation of material assets.
First, let me list the critical degrees. You may have heard of some of them before, such as zero degrees of the cardinal signs since they are world points. I list them all below.
THE CRITICAL DEGREES ARE:
Zero, 13 and 26 degrees of Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
8 and 22 degrees of Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)
4 and 17 degrees of Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)
Below is a list of dates in 2010 when Venus will contact a critical degree. Please check with your software to verify that these contacts are accurate for your locality. Eight degrees Scorpio is really gonna get hit at the end of the year because Venus goes retrograde; it will grind over 8 degrees Scorpio three times. So Scorpios, tighten your belts and keep your eyes peeled for scam artists and other slick characters.
JAN. 5, 13 degrees Capricorn. Jan. 15 at 26 degrees Capricorn. Jan. 25 at 8 Aquarius.
FEB. 5 at 22 Aquarius. Feb. 14 at 4 Pisces. Feb. 25 at 17 Pisces.
MARCH 7 at zero Aries. March 18 at 13 Aries. March 28 at 26 Aries.
APRIL 7 at 8 Taurus. April 18 at 22 Taurus. April 28 at 4 Gemini.
MAY 9 at 17 Gemini. May 20 at zero Cancer. May 31 at 13 Cancer.
JUNE 11 at 26 Cancer. June 21 at 8 Leo.
JULY 3 at 22 Leo. July 14 at 4 Virgo. July 26 at 17 Virgo.
AUG. 7 at zero Libra. Aug. 20 at 13 Libra.
SEPT. 3 at 26 Libra. Sept. 20 at 8 Scorpio.
OCT. 23-24 at 8 Scorpio (Venus is retrograde Oct. 8 to Nov. 18, 2010).
DEC 14 at 8 Scorpio. Dec. 30 at 22 Scorpio.
Venus, aka the lesser benefic, is often portrayed as the bestower of gifts, door prizes, compliments, flowers, sometimes cash, and other smallish 'feel-good' surprises. However, some transits of Venus can denote lost money. I am going to delineate one specific transit that can mean lost money, and that is when it contacts the critical degrees.
I was first put on the trail of this interpretation by a very experienced and locally-popular astrologer who was fond of using critical degrees for many of her forecasts. She maintained that the transit of Venus over critical degrees can denote losing money, especially if it contacted or made angles to other planets in your chart. For example, when the stock market crash began in September of 2008, both Mars and Venus were at 13 degrees Libra (a cardinal sign) and square Jupiter at 12 Capricorn (another cardinal sign). Jupiter magnified the effect of the other planets at the same degree. Neptune was also at a critical degree at 22 Aquarius, which possibly underscored the evaporation of material assets.
First, let me list the critical degrees. You may have heard of some of them before, such as zero degrees of the cardinal signs since they are world points. I list them all below.
THE CRITICAL DEGREES ARE:
Zero, 13 and 26 degrees of Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
8 and 22 degrees of Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)
4 and 17 degrees of Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)
Below is a list of dates in 2010 when Venus will contact a critical degree. Please check with your software to verify that these contacts are accurate for your locality. Eight degrees Scorpio is really gonna get hit at the end of the year because Venus goes retrograde; it will grind over 8 degrees Scorpio three times. So Scorpios, tighten your belts and keep your eyes peeled for scam artists and other slick characters.
JAN. 5, 13 degrees Capricorn. Jan. 15 at 26 degrees Capricorn. Jan. 25 at 8 Aquarius.
FEB. 5 at 22 Aquarius. Feb. 14 at 4 Pisces. Feb. 25 at 17 Pisces.
MARCH 7 at zero Aries. March 18 at 13 Aries. March 28 at 26 Aries.
APRIL 7 at 8 Taurus. April 18 at 22 Taurus. April 28 at 4 Gemini.
MAY 9 at 17 Gemini. May 20 at zero Cancer. May 31 at 13 Cancer.
JUNE 11 at 26 Cancer. June 21 at 8 Leo.
JULY 3 at 22 Leo. July 14 at 4 Virgo. July 26 at 17 Virgo.
AUG. 7 at zero Libra. Aug. 20 at 13 Libra.
SEPT. 3 at 26 Libra. Sept. 20 at 8 Scorpio.
OCT. 23-24 at 8 Scorpio (Venus is retrograde Oct. 8 to Nov. 18, 2010).
DEC 14 at 8 Scorpio. Dec. 30 at 22 Scorpio.
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