According to Sandy

Friday February 18, 2011 provides early morning mood changes. (Just in case I haven’t been clear in my weekend update Astrology posts, my premise is that as the Moon changes signs, so do our moods, our energy and often how we act/react in the day to day.) The Moon will be in “Full” power at 3:36AM Eastern/12:26AM Pacific in generous, ”let’s have fun” Fire sign Leo. A Full Moon phase is good for wrapping things up, finishing what began at the time of the New Moon. The effects will last for a few days even as the Lunar orb changes to the next sign.

About an hour later the same day, the Moon moves into service oriented, practical Virgo – from upbeat Leo to the conscientious, discriminating Earth sign – we can handle it. Take advantage of the Full phase’s continued influence by using this Mercury ruled sign’s cleverness and penchant for detail. You can get stuff done.

And finally, early on Sunday 4:39AM Eastern/1:39AM Pacific, way before Brunch time, a Libra Moon makes us social, agreeable and decorous. Have people over or meet someplace nice, make both yourself and your home attractive. There is a lot to be said for beautiful things to lift spirits and ease the settling of any disputes.

Be flexible, go with the flow, have a varied Weekend!

(BTW- the Sun doesn’t move into Pisces, the 12^th sign of the Zodiac, until Friday evening 2/18 – which is why the Moon is Full in Leo while the Sun is exactly opposite in Aquarius in the morning. When the luminaries are opposite each other – the Moon is “Full”)

Early evening, on Friday January 21, the Moon moves into pragmatic Earth sign Virgo.  There may be increased feelings of responsibility, duty and service. You may notice an inclination to critically focus on details, no matter how small – which might be an irritant to others, but things will get done! (Remember to delegate.)

Catalogue the CD collection, write those “to do” lists for next week, re caulk the bath tub- work hard, be industrious, be picky, but it is the weekend – have some fun.

Afternoon on Sunday, the mood changes as the Moon glides into relationship loving Libra – personal or professional, the desire to meet for lunch/cocktails will be high. May be a good time to discuss the projects you worked on and get support?  (How is the bath room makeover working for ya?)

Have a great weekend!

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.

Venus, the planet of love (and finances), ruler of both Taurus and Libra, began its backward move in the sky on Thursday October 8, 2010 while in Scorpio.

Making note of Venus Retrograde can be useful since this planet only goes backward every year and a half (unlike Mercury which is at least 3 times per year) – we pay attention. How does it affect us? As always, it depends specifically on the individual chart, but the influence will be felt by all.

Venus rules the 2^nd House in the Astrology chart: what we value/how we really feel about money, love and relationships, possessions. Retrograde motion can cause confusion and uncertainty so this is always a good opportunity to review, realign, re evaluate, reconsider and with Venus it’s no different.

Look over finances (What budget?) re think contracts, think about THE relationship, (Is it a love that will last forever? Do you want it to? Has the intensity changed? Do you need to re assure someone about your undying…?). By the time Venus goes forward again on November 18, in its home sign of Libra, some questions will be answered, a course of action will be clearer, etc.

Just hold off taking action during the actual Retrograde period if you can. Venus going Direct will lend its support to your decisions.  For instance: A- Do you really want to buy that?  B- A wedding date after November 18 may lessen any “Bridezilla/Groomzilla” happenings 🙂

Okay – start your engines, another New Moon phase occurs on Thursday October 7^th. “New” happens each month when the Sun and the Moon are in the same sign. It is a great time for beginnings.

Our 2 Luminaries will be together in the Air sign Libra.  Libra traits are intensified and “New” in this social sign can mean new friends, relationships, partners, contracts, etc. (Blind date? Speed networking/business card exchange party?) Regardless of what, there will be charm and cooperation.

Saturn is currently spending a 2 year visit in Libra. This planet brings boundaries, discipline and structure.  It may constrict some of the natural Libra relaxed ease with people, but it can also give strength and focus – not  to give in to an opposing  point of view just to be agreeable.

For about the next 2 weeks, take advantage of the energy and meet someone, create something “New”.

Saturn will finally reach Libra again on 7/21/10. This planet went retrograde into Virgo in January and reversed course in May. It has inched its way forward back into the 7^th sign of the Zodiac.

Discovered in 1610 by Galileo, I think of Saturn sometimes as the Castor Oil of the planet world.  Ancient Astrologers considered it a malefic, but recently, a more  positive spin, such as a bringer of life lessons, responsibility, etc. , has been attributed to it–like medicine that tastes awful, but does you good, eventually. (Ugh)

It is now the Libran’s turn, Birth Signs and Ascendants, to experience the planet for grownups.  Saturn (transit lasts until 2011) can change this gracious, relationship sign from an indecisive, social coquette to a serious seeker of commitment.  Everything must still be lovely and beautiful, partnerships will be highlighted, but with an underlying base of steel mesh, focus, ambition.

This is about boundaries, “reality”, discipline, karma. Yes, there is a heaviness as it transits a sign, but you can get a lot done with Saturn’s “duty bound” attitude, it just isn’t always fun.

BTW: If you have experienced a recent 30/60 year Saturn Return in Libra (the planet returns to the same place in your chart as at the time of birth every 30 years) you may notice the effects too.

The Moon in Virgo on Friday June 18^th just might add oomph to the influences being felt from this Mercury ruled sign.  Since Mars and Saturn are already lined up in the steady, efficient, “let’s get real” Earth sign, an addition of Moon energy gives an uptick to Virgo concerns on health, nutrition, work. (Are there things that need to be looked at/worked on? Take care of it now.)

Early Saturday morning, June 19^th, we go into partnership loving, luxury loving, understanding-both-sides- now loving Libra!  I think Libra weekends just ooze charm, cooperation, social interactions– a party?

Have a great weekend! (On Monday we’ll get back to serious with the Scorpio Moon)

Reminder: Saturn began its Retrograde journey in the sign of Libra on January 13, 2010. It has now backed its way into Virgo. Those born with their Sun or Rising signs in Virgo or have experienced a recent 30/60 year Saturn Return in this sign(the planet returns to the same place in your chart as at the time of birth every 30 years) may notice the effects.

This planet is about boundaries, “reality”, discipline, responsibility. Any light, easy, exuberance you were feeling before might be a little hard to find sometimes, but, you can get a lot done with Saturn’s “duty bound” attitude, it just isn’t always fun.  You can use the time to review the usual Virgo themes of health regimens and work habits.  The traits of practicality, analysis and service may be enhanced.

Saturn continues backward into Virgo until May 30, 2010, it will then stop and go forward again, over the same Virgo territory, not reaching Libra, the sign where it all started, until July 22.

Then it will be Libra’s turn to feel the effects of the planet for grownups.  Saturn in Libra (transit lasts until 2011) can change this relationship sign from an indecisive social coquette to a serious seeker of commitment.  Everything must still be lovely and beautiful for the Libran, but with an underlying base of steel mesh- focus, ambition.

There was a full Moon in Libra on 3/29/10. The Moon will remain in this sign until Wednesday 5:18am PDT/ 8:13am EDT, so we will continue to feel the effects of this sign’s “put yourself on people” energy.  Smile and be social.  No werewolf worries!

Libra Moons can make us cooperative, social, charming and there may be an urge to beautify. This is a good time to buy something pretty, redecorate something (home or self) or ask important questions – a raise? 🙂 Saturn, planet of boundaries and responsibility, is also in Libra now and will do its best to curb any excess tendencies.

Venus (planet of love & relationships), ruler of both Taurus and Libra, is very comfy when the Moon is in one of its signs – go out and be with people.

FYI : As always, a Full or 3^rd quarter Moon denotes the start of the “waning” Moon phase (the Sun & Moon are opposite each other) – use this time to clear out old things, or even ways of thinking, to make space for  the ‘New” coming in.