Lynn Hayes: June 2006 Archives

Skywatch, the monthly astrological forecast for July is now posted on my website. An excerpt:

As July begins, the difficult patterns of the June cycles are behind us, but with five planets in retrograde motion (Jupiter, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), we are still looking backward to make sense of it all. When planets appear to move backward from our perspective here on earth, the issues associated with that planet become more pronounced and require greater attention. When Mercury turns retrograde on July 5, there will be six planets retrograde which is a rare event! Mercury retrograde periods come with their own challenges (see this article for more details), but with this number of retrograde planets we may feel somewhat stuck and find it difficult to move forward.

Since Venus left the grounded sign of Taurus for Gemini in late June, no planets have been in earth signs and therefore there has been little earth energy available to us. In early July there is a strong fire and air influence, creating much dialogue and a flurry of activity, but without an anchor to lend a sense of practicality to our endeavors. The combination of the lack of earth energy combined with the retrograding outer planets may make it difficult for us to find our footing. When Jupiter (retrograde since March 4th) turns direct on July 6 we will begin to encounter more opportunities and possibilities.

read more... --------

Today I'm working on the July Skywatch article, so watch for that to be posted tomorrow as well.

Meanwhile, I found this interesting article covering the attack of one galaxy by its neighbor that sounded eerily apropo of what is happening in the middle east, including this quote:

When galaxies interact, it’s never a pretty picture. But it can be a source of rebirth and renewal. The tidal forces between galaxies cause huge clouds of gas and dust to compact, creating nurseries of giant, hot stars....

Life is not easy, even for galaxies. Some indeed get so close to their neighbours that they get rather distorted. But such encounters between galaxies have another effect: they spawn new generations of stars.

This is the lesson of Pluto and transformation if we can maintain a longer view when confronted with stress and tension. --------

Thanks to Astrococktail's news section for this tidbit:

"What's Your Sign? Design," a show premiering at 9 p.m. Saturday, looks to the zodiac to bring harmony to star-crossed couples, roommates and homeowners. Hosted by Steven Lee, the show features interior designer Nicole Facciuto and astrologer Greg Tufaro, all Manhattanites, and who together will demonstrate that the solution to decorating dilemmas may lie in making your space more Aries than airy, adding pieces of Pisces or letting your inner Leo roar.

Each week, Tufaro reads the chart of each household member, based on his or her date, time and location of birth and maps a customized chart. Facciuto listens for style clues as Tufaro breaks down each individual's likes and dislikes, based on planetary positions in the charts, highlighting the shared traits between the signs they're dealing with and looking for elements that will please and balance everyone. Then, armed with a $2,000 budget, the team creates a plan for a 48-hour makeover.

Malverne resident Colleen Brady, ... was ready to take the challenge. "Danny and I are both Geminis, which was something that they found interesting, because, although we have the same sign, we have two completely different personalities. Danny ... has been in theater since he was 7, and I can't sing."

This to me is great, because it sounds like the show will point out that real astrology is about so much more than sun signs. However, it appears that design using astrology is not universally effective:

Indeed, Facciuto says most participants "really love" the results. "It's funny," she says, "because in the shows where someone didn't love it, it was either we completely missed the board -- you know, you can't win 'em all -- or one person liked it and the other didn't."

Still, it's very exciting to see real astrologers casting real charts and demonstrating to millions of viewers what astrology really can do. As Facciuto, the designer said: ""I was skeptical. "But it's almost like astrology goes into your core and pulls out what you never even thought you knew you'd like."

Last night Israeli forces stormed into southern Gaza, attacking three bridges and knocking out a power plant in an effort to force the release of an Israeli soldier who had been kidnapped by Palestinian militants. Ironically, yesterday Hamas and Fatah (the two Palestinian political factions) came to an agreement on a shared political platform which formally recognizes the State of Israel. It's doubtful, though, that last night's attack will secure the peace process.

The astrological chart for Israel (from astrodatabank) shows the Sun in the fixed sign of Taurus in square (challenging aspect) to Mars (warfare and aggression) in Leo. In mundane astrology, the Sun represents the spirit of the nation, and Taurus is focused in security and peace. A fixed sign, Taurus can be stubborn like the Bull by which it is symbolized, and does not easily adapt to the ideas of others. The square of Mars to the Sun shows a combative nature, and Mars in the royal sign of Leo can be arrogant and prideful. Chiron forms a T-square to the Mars/Sun opposition: the Sun is opposed by Chiron (the wounded healer), indicating a persistent healing crisis in the life of the nation that will pressure it to continually align with the truth. In the individual, failure to make this alignment results in chronic disease, and the same can be said of countries. Chiron also makes a square to Mars, indicating that an imbalance of aggression and the failure to create healthy boundaries will lead to great pain.

Four planets fall in Leo in the Israeli chart: Moon, Pluto, Saturn and Mars. Leo is the sign of self-oriented expression, and the Moon in Leo demands appreciation and recognition. Conjunct Pluto as it is in this chart, the Moon is constantly under pressure to prove its worth. The conjunction of Saturn and Pluto is a challenging one in any chart: Saturn strives for stability and practicality, it is the planet that inspires building something lasting. Pluto, on the other hand, demands authenticity and breaks down structures that are not for the highest good. The combination of these two planets generally requires a letting go of our own plans (Saturn) and a willingness to open up to the possibilities of transformation (Pluto). Resistance to this process leads to a constant crisis and breakdown of the structures we work hard to establish.

Israel's beginning as a state was marked by constant conflict that mirrored this inner complex, and this latest conflict was stimulated by the passage of combative Mars over the Saturn/Pluto combination in the Israeli chart.

Also present in the Israeli chart is the opposition between Uranus (radical ideas and change) to Jupiter (philosophy, meaning, expansion). Uranus is the idealist - the Utopian humanitarian where humans live together in brotherhood. However, Uranus ate his children, and has been known to destroy that which doesn't fit into his ideals. Jupiter is the philosopher, the ideologue, the creator of theology and shared ideals. When two planets are in challenging aspect to each other, like the opposition, we tend to see the more negative manifestations of these planets, resulting in a self-righteous (Jupiter) desire for Utopia and the willingness to break through and destroy any obstacles in its path.

Currently Israel is undergoing transits to both the Leo planets and the Uranus/Jupiter opposition. Transiting Saturn began passing over the Moon in the chart of Israel last year and is moving into position to hit the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in the chart. The period of July and August will be extremely difficult for Israel as transiting Saturn applies pressure and restrictions on its ability to achieve its objectives.

On a larger scale, transiting Pluto last year began a pass over the natal Jupiter/Uranus combination in the chart of Israel, planting the seeds of transformation that led to Israel's pullout from Gaza. Pluto is currently retrograding back over this sensitive point and will make a station (appear to stand still) right on the Uranus point of the chart, creating culture wars within Israel (probably resulting from increased military activity from Saturn). Pluto will remain at this point through early November, at which point it will move into position to conjunct Jupiter. This is a long-range planetary cycle that will continue throughout the end of next year.

There is no doubt that we are in a cycle of global transformation and change that is leading up to the Uranus/Pluto square of 2010-2013. However, we cannot allow ourselve to sink into fear. FEAR can be explained as False Evidence Appearing Real, and we need to always step back and look at the bigger picture of what we are really doing here on planet Earth. As individuals we can make tremendous a difference in the world around us just by making small changes in ourselves and our own environment.

You can read this article on the National Ledger site (turn on your popup blocker!). I'm going to post today on the escalating violence in Israel instead. --------

Art by Lynette HensleyPluto turned retrograde (appeared to move backward) at the end of March, and as it slowed down before changing direction (the "stationary retrograde period") the issue of secrecy regained prominence with the disclosure that the National Security...

My husband's favorite TV channel is the Weather Channel. He loves to watch the changing patterns of the radar, and attempt to predict what the weather will be that day. In North Carolina, weather forecasts are notoriously inaccurate, and I...

We are currently experiencing the second phase of the Jupiter/Saturn cycle, an event which will conclude in September. Jupiter represents expansion, freedom, our search for meaning; Saturn rules conventional morality, social and governmental structures. Over the past week as reported...

The New Moon occurs in the emotional and family-oriented sign of Cancer at 12:05 pm EST, June 25. During the New Moon, the Sun and Moon (the solar conscious principle and the lunar unconscious principle) are conjunct in the sky...

Lindsey Lohan is an extremely gifted young actress; blessed with good looks, brains and talent she began modeling at the age of three. She acted in over 60 television commercials, and achieved early success at the age of twelve in...

cartoon from Dorking LabsThe astrology of a nation's leader influences the life of that nation, and in the case of a United States president the whole world is affected as well. You may find it useful to review this article...

Artwork from Bergsma.comThe Sun enters the water sign of Cancer (the crab) this morning, harkening the first day of summer. If you watch the way crabs move on the beach, you'll notice that they are cautious and sidle up to...

The Summer Solstice, the time of the longest day, will occur in the northern hemisphere on June 21 at 7:26 am EST (according to the US Naval Observatory) when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. By current...

Here in the American South we have our own set of symbology:OKRA (Dec 22 - Jan 20)Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his...

Paul McCartney famously turns 64 today, encouraging reminiscences of the early Beatles and their song from nearly 40 years ago that wondered, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64." After nearly a lifetime with...

Tiger Woods is widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. --------...

"Horses Rearing Under Lightning & Stars," by Jim Zuckerman.from Corbis.Uranus is the revolutionary; it tends to foster rebellion and strives for equality. Revolutionary fervor is high this month as Uranus applies pressure for a New Order to be created. The...

These quotes are from a very interesting, but fairly technical, article by Douglas Boyd entitled "Inner-active Psychological Astrology" (courtesy of the Starcats site)."Only after I had familiarized myself with alchemy did I realize that the unconscious is a process, and...

Barbara Palliser has a great post today explaining the rising energy of the big planetary configurations in June:"Can you feel that energy building? There's a focusing of awareness, a sharpening of attention. It's like the moments before the curtain rises...

"Storm on Jupiter" by Regina van der PoelNasa reports that two of the biggest storms of the solar system are getting ready to converge as they pass by each other. Scientists speculate that these storms will affect each other to...

Astrologers all over the country are scratching their heads today because Karl Rove has escaped indictment. Capitol Hill Blue says,It's now known that Rove had discussed Plame's CIA employment with conservative columnist Robert Novak, who exposed her identity less than...

Because of Chiron's unusual orbit, it often hooks up with one planet with which it dances over a long period of time. Between 1952 (before Chiron's discovery in 1977) and 1986, Chiron opposed Uranus a total of 41 times....

Woodcut from Adam McLean's Alchemy site With the final hit of the opposition between Saturn and Chiron approaching, I thought it would useful to delve more deeply into these two planets over the next few days, beginning with the work...

Jude at Stars Over Washington has another view of the Full. Moon as it relates to the current US events, pointing out a kite formation tied to a (wide) Grand Trine. This formation is a little wider than I would...

from The ProphetAnd a man said, "Speak to us of Self-Knowledge." And he answered, saying: Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights. But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge. You...

The Moon will be full in Sagittarius tomorrow, June 11, at 2:03 pm EST. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is optimistic, adventurous, and driven to find meaning in life. For that reason it rules religion and theology, and with the Moon...

My sister has a wonderful expression: resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. If Ann Coulter, conservative right wing so-called pundit, absorbs even a fraction of the poison she spews out, I fear for...

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, self-proclaimed head of Al Qaeda in Iraq, was killed today in an air strike jointly conducted by Iraqi and US forces. Al-Zarqawi was born in Jordan and was one of the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan that with Osama...

Everyone is asking me to do the chart of this new life, and although I do have a fascination for celebrities and people in the news I am much less interested in the potentiality of a newborn child. It's the...

Forbes has an interesting video from Arch Crawford, another astrologer specializing in financial advice (although in his case he is more of a financial expert specializing in astrological advice). You'll notice if you watch the video (requires a highspeed connection)...

Robert Wilkinson offers an in-depth analysis of Rove's chart. He goes into quite a bit of detail on Rove's transits over the next few months:Lots of legal activity in Karl's immediate future, due to begin this week and intensify the...

Fiery Mars entered fiery Leo yesterday and begins moving towards a conjunction with the cold reality of Saturn. Meanwhile, Saturn and Chiron (wounding and healing) are very close to their final conjunction in a series that began in 2003, and...

Elsa had a link the other day to a site called Astrococktail that has a great collection of news links with astrological connections. From that site I found a link to the works of Chrichton Miller, who speculates that the...

Rumors are swirling around Washington that Karl Rove has already been indicted, but Capitol Hill Blue reports that an investigator denies this claim. This report also says that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has had Rove in his sights from the...

For a preview of what's ahead in June, visit the latest Skywatch article that I just posted last night. And here are some links to other blogs you are sure to find interesting:Jeffrey offers up a smorgasbord of interesting articles...

Jill has tagged me for this game, and because she's my sister I can't ignore her so I'll go ahead and join in the fun. I generally find planetary information much more interesting than me, so I'll include a bit...