According to Sandy

Last week, February3rd/4th, the lovely planet Venus, (ruler of Libra and Taurus) gracefully floated into the 10^th sign of the Zodiac – Capricorn.  This Earth sign is noted for its affinity to business – ambition, authority, practicality- ruled by boundary maven planet, Saturn.

Where does loving, romantic, social, creative Venus fit into all this? I don’t know. But, when I let my imagination run, I can envision high finance maneuvers done with a gentle nudge rather than an aggressive corporate hammer.  If your workplace has been akin to a battlefield lately, the planet of love could bring harmony, a willingness to listen to another point of view.  No doubt, greed will still be “good”, but maybe there will be more sharing, a generosity of spirit. Nice possibility?

However, don’t expect miracles, this will only last for a few weeks because on March 1, Venus transits into adventurous Aquarius.  (Hmmm, Venus into the rebellious Air sign? –  interesting, but, that’s a whole other story.)

Wednesday February 2, gives us a friendly, unconventional Aquarius New Moon (9:31PM East / 6:31PM Pacific). For a Moon to be considered “New”, both Sun and Moon are in the same sign, adding power and possibilities to this lunar phase along with intensifying the sign’s traits.

Power and possibilities for this Uranus ruled Air sign usually involves something to do with groups, something revolutionary- or both. Regardless, it will speak to Aquarian independence and love of the different.

A walk on the wild side (with lots of friends?) Remember, moderation works.

The Winter Solstice coincides with the arrival of the Capricorn Sun on December 21^st (6:39PM East/ 3:39PM West). This Earth sign, ruled by Saturn, is grounded, likes boundaries and loves being in charge.

Regardless of our birthday, we may all feel some ambitious, “being the Boss” Capricorn vibes until January 20, 2011 when we move into Aquarius, so please note that feisty, in your face Mars is visiting Capricorn until January 15^th. Be careful with others as you tell them what to do. You can be authoritative  with honey, rather than vinegar. Watch your temper.

No need to have a system let down after all the holiday spirits. Capricorn can keep us busy, accomplished and sensible. Re-goal yourself (I made this word up), tune up career moves and organize whatever needs to be shaped up. It can be done.

BUT, don’t get bogged down by being too tight, too rigid and/or too cautious.  Relax, remember that you have a sense of humor – use it.

BTW:  “The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, the term is also a turning point to midwinter or the first day of winter…The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days.” (per WikiPedia)

Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Jupiter are busy changing signs, changing direction -from Retrograde (backwards) to Direct (forwards) – and thereby changing planet relationships/connections in our Astrology charts. As always, changing lanes just means paying attention. Never a dull…!

*Communications planet Mercury moved into Sagittarius on 11/8 (Mars is already there). We should notice a sharpening of thought, a quickness of new ideas, an alertness to new opportunities. Take advantage of the possibility of the adventure factor in both thought and deed.

*Imaginative planet Neptune went Direct in Aquarius 11/6.  Compassion, giving of self, sensitivity, creativity are traits of this slow moving planet but we must be clear to always distinguish illusion from real. Feelings, reaching out to others – admirable, but, don’t be taken in. And, face what ever it is, escapism will just delay goals.

*Lucky planet Jupiter goes Direct on 11/18 in Pisces. Jupiter lives up to its size, it is the largest of our planets and generates “large” thinking. Bigger is better, optimism blossoms, abundance is a “why not”. Expansion, movement for stalled projects will be noticed, especially as Jupiter reaches  full of energy Aries in late January 2011. This can be fun, watch extravagance.

*Romance/ Finance planet Venus goes Direct in its own sign of Libra on 11/18. Relationships, contracts, money decisions were reviewed hopefully during the Retrograde period and now we are ready to take action on any decisions made. (Finally, marriages are good to go!)

*Warrior planet Mars, already in Sagittarius since 10/27 – gives energy along with the sharpness of Mercury to this already active, bright sign. Adventure, risk taking, cleverness, discussions – can be fun times while getting things done. Watch what you say – be kind.

All the above will affect us differently, how strongly we are influenced depends on the individual chart. As always, it’s all good.

The Friday morning October 15^th Moon gives us an opportunity to let go of convention, do some “out of the box” thinking, focus on the welfare of others and be a little rebellious.

Aquarius has a stubborn streak (it is one of three “Fixed” signs of the Zodiac, along with Taurus and Scorpio) and is ruled by the unpredictable planet Uranus. It’s all about independence, sudden changes of direction, etc. Relax, go with the flow. Give more attention to another Aquarian trait which is contributing to the universe in some way.  Groups, other people and their causes are a natural concern.

Prepare for the unexpected. Not a bad way to spend a weekend- be spontaneous, share yourself. Enjoy!

FYI :  Moon will shift Sunday night into imaginative Pisces- art, music, creativity – but keep it real.

With Mercury now going forward in the work and service sign of Virgo, Friday 9/17 is the perfect day to use the Earthy Capricorn Moon and its business focused energy.  It brings out the “boss” in us – a perfect time to assign tasks, give directions, take charge, act on those plans set aside during the Retrograde period.

From duty bound stoic to irreverent rebel – Saturday and Sunday 9/18 and 9/19 will be under the vibe of the unpredictable, freedom loving Air sign of Aquarius.  An Aquarius Moon can put you in the mood to do something unplanned, spontaneous.  No restrictions.  (Hmmm.  OK, but always in moderation.)

A Full Moon glows in the 11^th sign of Aquarius on Sunday July 25^th, at 6:37PM EDT/ 3:37PM PDT. (The Leo Sun is opposite the Aquarius Moon = Full Moon.)

We will feel the influences of friendly, unconventional Aquarius more intensely than a usual 2½ day Moon transit. A stubborn, people oriented, cause infused sign, it is about the “We/Us” rather than the “I/Me”.

This Air sign is ruled by unpredictable, freedom loving, change craving Uranus.  Intellectual rather than emotional, the concern for others that is part of the Aquarian personality is authentic and matter of fact. Volunteer, find a cause, leave a place better than you found it.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, at “Full” phase, the Moon is “waning”, on its way to the 3rd and 4th quarters, therefore, it is a good time to clean up and finish old projects. (The best time to create, start new things is from the beginning of a “New Moon” phase thru the 2nd quarter – “waxing”.)

On Friday evening 6/25/10, the Moon moved into authoritarian Capricorn for the entire weekend.  And today, Saturday 6/26, the Moon not only becomes “Full”, but there will also be a “Lunar Eclipse”.

I still insist that Full Moons are not the Universes way of giving us an excuse to act out/ freak out, however, a Lunar Eclipse can be intense. All that emotional Moon energy is amped to a higher level.

Since Saturn ruled Capricorn needs to be businesslike and in charge, don’t go overboard during this time. Be nice to your employees, decide on what you want to get done, what you want to accomplish and stick to it. No need to go into “Myth of Sisyphus” mode. Don’t take all the duties of the world on your shoulders. You don’t have to sign off on everything. Loosen up, stop grinding your teeth, the world is not ending (at least not this weekend).

By Monday morning the Moon will be in innovative, unpredictable Aquarius. (Unplanned events are favored.)

Full Moon: Happens when the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs (Sun/ Cancer – Moon/Capricorn)

Lunar Eclipse:  “A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth such that the earth blocks the sun’s rays from striking the moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse.” Per Wikipedia

The Moon changes signs about every 2 1/2 days . Out of the peppy Fire sign Sagittarius – next stop the serious, organized Earth sign Capricorn.  You can use the new energy to focus, accomplish, complete and be in charge!

Next, the Moon will move into the innovative, free spirit Air sign of Aquarius in the early morning of Wednesday 4/7/10. Expect the unexpected.