An APOLOGY and a REQUEST

A very handsome and kind gentleman of Santa Fe alerted me to a situation I was not aware of that started on April 15, 2013.  He sent me a letter and it was returned to him.  He requested my current address by e-mail and, being an optimist, he sent the letter again.  It came back to him again with a yellow strip on it stating “Joy Archer has moved and left no forwarding address.”  I was bewildered to say the least.

I sincerely apologize to the various clients who had their mail also returned without my knowledge for more than 8 months.  I received some e-mail requests for my “current” address from clients when I knew they had my address.  It would be very helpful if you could let me know by my e-mail joyarcher3@juno.com  if that happened to you.  Your kind checks are very useful in keeping the cupboard stocked with chocolate and macadamia nuts, not to mention books and new software.  I realized in the future I could dispense with the USPS by using my Joy Archer PayPal Account.

So I went to the local Post Office and inquired of the reason for the non- delivery of my mail.  Jeff, the Supervisor, informed me they would put a notice on my sorting box.  He admitted the regular carrier was out for surgery for about three weeks and various substitute carriers were delivering my mail.  So I encouraged my friend in Santa Fe to give it a go for the third time.  Well, it came back to him in record time with the same yellow sticker on it.  So I called the Post Office on the morning of Saturday, December 14, and asked for help.  The lady said Jeff was outside putting chains on the trucks and would call me back.  There was no call back from anyone.  So on the morning of December 16, I went to the Post Office and spoke to Jeff.  He realized that the letter was returned in record time which meant the notice was originated from the “notification system”.  It didn’t even arrive at this Post Office.  So he checked the system and told me it was entered into the system on April 15, 2013.  He claimed that the regular carrier entered it because “mail was left in my box for several days and neighbors had told him Joy Archer had moved.”

It has been said that people who so often lie that soon they are the only ones fooled!

To help you understand the total nonsense of his story you should be aware that I have a “nom de plume” or pen name” which is Joy Archer.  Only 118 people have my maiden last name in the USA and it is very difficult to pronounce or spell properly.  In the 1960’s my clients often took 15 minutes to write a check.  I realized I needed a name that they could spell and remember.  I confess I took the “Archer” from a most delightful and intelligent lady I met when I was 20 years old.  She was one of the first kindergarten teachers in New York City.  I met her when she was 91 years old and greatly enjoyed hearing her many tales of her long life.  She spoke of the difficulty of getting onto the trolleys in Manhattan with the big hooped skirts they wore shortly after the Civil War.  Many of her students lived in poverty and seldom had any contact with nature so she had a floor to ceiling aviary built in the center of their classroom.  The birds never failed to delight her students.  She was in a train wreck and her head was injured and scared so badly that she lost most of her hair. I have a list of my hero and heroines and she is very high on my list.  I felt I could not steal her entire name so I had to come up with a new first name.  So I decided on “Joy” in hopes that I would be able to shoot it into the hearts of my clients.  People do not seek out counselors of any sort unless they are having troubles.  Troubles come in many sized and shapes.  I like to think of myself as a “professional weight lifter!”  I aim to lift the hearts and spirits of my clients!!

So the bottom line indicates that if Joy Archer moved, I had to have moved too.  So that Monday I asked to speak with the regular carrier when he returned to work on the following Monday in hopes of getting to the truth.  On Wednesday, December 18 I had to mail my last present to Arizona.  I noticed that the Postmaster of the town of about 19,500 people was walking behind the three counters.  I requested to speak with her.  She inquired of my concern and I told her.  She said she would check into the matter and meet me by the Dutch wooden door.  I waited a very long time.  Then a man with a cane entered the Post Office and you could hear him breathing from several feet away.  He came to the Dutch door and rang a bell.  She immediately opened the top part of the door and helped him.  She could not ignore me any longer because I was there patiently waiting.
Her version of what happened was even more preperrostes!  She and Jeff obviously did not have time to compare notes.  She claimed she put the notice of the move in the system “because I requested her to do so”.  I was shocked at such nonsense.  So she repeated the same excuse two more times and they quickly left claiming she was due at a meeting – most likely lunch!!  I have been receiving her lies for the past two years about the reason my mail box is full of letters addressed to strange names for two years. They all have to be more than 3 years old.  I knew the name of the man who lived here before me and it seldom showed in my box, probably because he died.  More than 6 times I have had 4 pieces of mail in my box with a different name on each letter.  One would be addressed to me and the other three names would all be different.  Wondered if they thought I was running a boarding home or a “cat house”!

I have lived here for more than two years.  I came from Arizona for the trees, green, moderate cost of living, and no arsenic in the water.  Wherever there was mining there will be heavy metals in the underground water.  Most of my life I lived in my own home.  That just means you pay rent to a mortgage company or a bank but you have to pay for the repairs.  After enduring in Arizona two different Property Management Companies from HELL it is almost like heaven here.  I live in a beautiful brick home built by my landlord who is a living Saint!  Also his repairmen are just so cute!!

So it is clear that someone in this small town, really a bedroom of Springfield, Missouri, which I fondly call “Dog-Patch”, does not think it is big enough to have a resident astrologer.  They did not have my maiden name move to parts unknown.  Prejudice is the child of ignorance!  I was told this town was the Headquarters of the KKK of Missouri.  So I will be able to roast some marshmallows if those burning crosses appear on my front yard!

If you lie as often the Postmaster does you would think she would be more skillful at it!  I thought it was a “Federal Crime” if you knowingly mess with someone’s mail.  The matter is being investigated at this time.
 
At least I don’t have to wear a “Scarlet A or a Yellow Star” on my chest yet! Stay tuned for more Soap Opera Live!

Yes Virginia, I mean Gary, There Is a Planet Called Pluto

You can bet the farm that Pluto would never be mistaken as Santa Claus!

Pluto was discovered by Clyde W. Tombough on February 18, 1930.  Clyde had just turned 24 on February 4.  Clyde served the USA with a distinguished career as an astronomer and professor and died at the age of 90. Clyde was employed at the Observatory that was built by Percival Lowell, of Boston, in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was on top of “Mars Hill”. When discovered Pluto was at 17 Cancer 46’ retrograde.  Pluto was conjunct the USA natal Sun at 13 Cancer 17’.  In the USA natal chart Pluto was at 27 Capricorn 34’ retrograde and in opposition to Mercury at 24 Cancer 13’ retrograde.  Today Pluto is at 8 Capricorn 59’ retrograde and will go direct on September 20.  Since it takes Pluto approximately 248 years to circle our Sun it will return to where it was in the USA natal chart on February 22, 2022.  Sure hope we are still a united Nation.  It was a serendipity event when my youngest daughter and I arrived by auto in Flagstaff on the 50^th anniversary of the discovery of Pluto, February, 18, 1980. 

Shortly after the discovery of Pluto, in June of 1930, Uranus, in Aries, was in square to Pluto in Cancer.  This adverse aspect was in effect until 1937.  Think “Depression”, “Dust Bowl” and the birth of the Nazi Party in Germany.

It was several years later on October 10, 1965 that Uranus and Pluto were exactly conjunct at 17 Virgo 10’.  Naturally they were within range of the conjunction for most of the 1960’s which spawned the Hippie generation as well as the Vietnam War Quagmire.  Then in May 2009 Uranus moved into range of the square to Pluto in early Capricorn.  These two very heavy duty planets will be making major mischief because of their adverse exchange of energy until 2018.  Since this square is in Cardinal signs there will be many changes with political implications worldwide.  There tends to be a large sudden lose of life when these two planets are in square aspect.  Uranus is like lightening. Uranus destroys without notice and since it is in Aries a fire sign, much of that destruction will be caused by fire, natural fire, volcanic fire, and the firing of guns.  When Uranus is square with Mars, a planet that takes approximate 2 years to go around the Sun, it is even more destructive with life on this planet.  There is always danger of suicide if Mars and Uranus are in adverse aspect in the natal chart.  A gun is the usual weapon of choice.

When Galle discovered Neptune on September 23, 1846 in Berlin it was predicted by Adams and Leverrier that there would be another planet beyond Neptune. Their calculations were later found out to be incorrect but Pluto was still out there in the cold just waiting for Clyde’s sharp eyes. When discovered, Neptune was at 25 Aquarius 53’ retrograde.  Neptune was exactly conjunct Saturn, 25 Aquarius 8’ retrograde. That is very telling because of the very strange political movements (Saturn) which soon arose across our planet and the deception by lies (Neptune) brought much hardship to such large groups of people. When discovered, Neptune was conjunct Saturn and they were also closely conjunct the Moon in the USA chart of July 4, 1776.  This does not bode well for the women of America. People in authority (Saturn) are prone to lie a bit (Neptune) in order to keep that glass ceiling firmly in place.  

Uranus the first of the three “Outer Planet” was discovered on March 13, 1781 at 24 Gemini 27’ and was the only planet of the three that was moving in direct motion when discovered.  Note that Uranus, a revolution prone planet, was discovered right after the American Revolution which was quickly followed by the French Revolution and also a Revolution in Italy.  It was very unsettled times for the people on planet Earth.  It is of interest that when Uranus was discovered it was conjunct Mars in the USA chart.  Maybe that explains the unrelenting love of guns in the USA which results in our country having the highest number of deaths due to hand guns in the world.  Not to mention the many mass shootings by any yokel with a gun and a grudge that is way too common in the USA.

There are many different times of the day on July 4, 1778 chosen for the various USA charts but there is really no substantial proof behind any of them.  Therefore the Ascendant or the placement of the planets in houses can not be known with any certainty.  But mostly all astrologers do agree on July 4, 1776 even though it is noted by Harry S Truman, a well read student of history, that the Declaration of Independence was actually presented on July 2, 1776 to the Continental Congress.  The first person to sign it was on July 4, but the final signer was months later. 

Uranus and Pluto’s plane of the equator is at almost right angles to the plane of its orbit.  Pluto can be seen with an amateur telescope but you have to be born lucky with very sharp eyes.  Due to Pluto’s eccentric orbit it was closer to the Sun than Neptune from January, 1979 to February 11, 1999. Pluto is smaller than our Moon and 6 other moons in our solar system.  Yet Pluto has a Moon called Charon, the ferryman of the dead across the river Acheron.  Pluto also has two tiny moons that were discovered in late 2005 by the Hubble Space telescope.

Now Pluto is classified as a “dwarf planet” after a very tight vote in Prague on August, 24, 2006 at the 26^th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union.  But I will guarantee that if transiting Pluto is aspecting any of your planets with a conjunction, square, or opposition you will know it.  Though they call it a “dwarf” it is a mighty powerful dwarf. The adjective that comes to mind with Pluto is RUTHLESS!  If Pluto is strong or especially harshly aspected in someone’s chart they tend to become a “Control Freak”!

Fritz Brunhubner, an excellent German Astrologer, was the first to give comprehensive work on the new Planet named Pluto in 1933. “Pluto” is a maroon hardcover with 94 typewriter pages.  It was a very good start.
I sharply differ with his political view. Today I would highly recommend Isabel Hickey’s book, “Astrology, A Cosmic Science”.  She originally published a booklet on Pluto in 1977 and that information is now in the book mentioned above.  Another excellent source about Pluto is Steven Forrest’s book “The Book of Pluto” published in 1994.  Rex E. Bills wrote a very useful book for any astrologer. It should be in every astrologer’s library. It is “The Rulership Book” published in 1971, where you will find 12 pages of just what are the concerns ruled by Pluto.

When I started to study Astrology in this life there were no computers.  We had to purchase the Die Deutsche Ephemerides from Germany because at that time they were best mathematicians. A talent in math was required to be an astrologer.  Today the math is completed much faster and precise by the computer.  The interpretation or diagnoses of the chart is still best from an experienced astrologer. Though Pluto was discovered in 1930 it was not listed in the Ephemeris until Volume V which was for 1961 to 1970.  Then in 1974 Lynne Palmer published a “Pluto Ephemeris 1900-2000” with daily positions which was a tremendous help.  I highly recommend any book written by Lynne.

Pluto rules the underworld and death.  Mining and oil come from below the ground and usually makes someone very rich.  Where do you think the term “Plutocrat” came from? Since oil is a liquid it shares the rulership with Neptune.  Pluto can indicate REALLY BIG MONEY.  Sometimes it is obtained ligetimetly but more frequently it is the result of organized or unorganized crime.

Some astrology books soft peddle death and turn it in to “transformation” but it is still death or ending of the physical body, of a habit, a belief system, of a leader of a county, or of a partnership. When Pluto is involved in anything I can grantee it will not be pretty. Pluto is a malefic in the greatest form.

Archer’s Parting Shot:  There are people who hide their LOVE          from you, and people who hide their HATE from you.  You would be wise to stay away from both!  Credit to Mignon McLaughlin

ECLIPSES OF THE SUN & MOON

Most people have seen an eclipse of the Sun or Moon.  You can only see an eclipse of the Sun during daylight hours.  You can only see an eclipse of the Moon at night.  Eclipses can only happen at new moons and full moons.  Now was that news to you?

The word “eclipse” pertains to any obscuration of light. An eclipse of the Sun by the Moon can be a full, partial, or annular eclipse.  A planet or star can also be eclipsed by another celestial body.  When a new Moon or Full Moon intersects the lunar nodes there will be an eclipse.  These two “Lights” do that twice a year about six months apart.  They just happen to look like they are in conjunction as seen from the earth. In reality they are only in a straight line with the earth.

A full eclipse is rarer then a partial or annular eclipse and it was the most feared in ancient history.  The one who was most worried in Ancient Egypt was the King or ruler. In Egypt there was a tradition that a total eclipse demanded the installment of a new king.  The ruler represented the Sun on earth and when it disappeared in daylight it was an ominous omen that the King or Pharaoh would also die.  This total darkness during the day had to occur over the city that was the seat of power of the ruler.  Such an eclipse has a maximum path of 200 miles in width on the earth. This was the ritual regicide that was practiced in ancient Egypt.  Sometime an Apis bull would be killed in the King’s place and he would live to continue his rule.  This was a special sacred black bull with a triangle of white on its forehead.  Such an eclipse caused the only woman to rule in Ancient Egypt.  Hatshepsut, the wife of Thutmose III’s father, ascended the throne as king in 1478 BC.  The father of Thutmose III died quite young and Thutmose was born of a commoner.  She and Thutmose III’s co-regency lasted possibly for 22 years.  And then he continued to reign for at least 32 more years.  There is a very beautiful temple dedicated to Hatshepsut who even wore a false beard as a symbol of authority.

The Astrologer-Priests who studied the skies constantly were concerned mainly with mundane astrology.  That would be concerns of the Pharos or ruler, weather, agriculture, and when to go to war. The timing of the flooding of the Nile was especially important.  This was told in advance by the rising of certain fixed stars before the Sun at dawn.  Astrology was not available for the working class person.  It is not known for certain that they could predict the arrival of a total solar eclipse.  Today computers can date past eclipses as well as predict far into the future where and when on earth any eclipses will appear.  Eclipses tend to go in series, some long and some short.

Solar Eclipses are far more important than Lunar eclipses.  That is because the Sun sends light, and many other forms of energy to our planet.  Without the sunlight on our planet, we would all die.  It is an interruption of very important life supporting energy.  The Moon is actually a mirror of the Sun and does not generate its own light.  It also acts as a mirror in the heavens carrying the energy of its last planetary conjunction until it conjuncts the next planet in the heavens.  The Moon being a symbol of the common man and of the masses has a very different meaning than the Sun has in astrology.  Look at your natal chart and note which planet your natal moon touched last and note which planet your natal moon will conjunct next in your chart.  These planets will reveal a lot about what you think about large crowds of people or society in general.  Naturally the aspects to your natal Moon will also be an important factor.

This year there was a Solar Eclipse on 9 May at 19 Taurus 31.  It was an annular eclipse with duration of 6 minutes and 3 seconds.   That is well above average for length of time.  It could be seen from northern Australia to eastern Pacific off Ecuador where it ended at sunset.  This covered a large chunk of the “Ring of Fire” so there should be an uptick in volcano activity on the rim of the Pacific Ocean.  Also there tend to be larger earthquakes close to the path of any total solar eclipse.

The last total solar eclipse visible in the lower 48 States of the USA was on 16 February, 1980.  I remember many of my friends went to the Pacific Northwest to see it.  Then just a few months later Mt. St. Helens blew her top.  As a Native American said, “Little Sister will blow her stack and then Grandfather will wipe the land clear to the sea.”  If you haven’t traveled in the Northwest, Little Sister is Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier is Grandfather.
My favorite is Mt. Hood who has year-round a beautiful triangular white top.  You can see it while smelling all the beautiful roses at the test rose garden in Portland, Oregon.

The next total solar total eclipse visible in the lower 48 States of the USA will be 21 August 2017.  It will pass over Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, northern Missouri and the Maximum eclipse will be over southern Illinois and then cross South Carolina before meeting the sunset in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa.  Prediction is not my main interest as an astrologer.  Helping people find their life paths and seeing the gifts they were born with in this life is my main focus.  But I would be willing to bet even money that the earth above the New Madrid fault may rock and roll a bit quite shortly after that eclipse!

On Thursday, 25 April, there was a partial Lunar Eclipse at 5 degrees Scorpio which is conjunct Saturn at 8 degrees Scorpio.  It could not be seen in North America.  The Annular Solar Eclipse on May 9th at 19 degrees of Taurus could be seen by people in Hawaii, Central Pacific, Australia, and Indonesia.  Then on 25 May 2013 there will be a Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon at 4 degrees Sagittarius 08 minutes.  It can be seen from the Americas, western Africa, and southwestern Europe.  Since only 4% of the Moon’s diameter will be shadowed, the moon will be only very slightly dimmed.  The eclipses of the Moon are not regarded as important in ancient or modern astrology.  Since I don’t care to put my readers to sleep I will save the coming two eclipses in October and November until another blog.  Also I will write how eclipses interact with your natal chart.

Archer’s parting shot: AFFAIRS are just as disillusioning as marriage, and much LESS RESTFUL!   

 

 

 

VOC = Void of Course of Moon

On January 3^rd the Moon was “Void of Course” during most of the daylight hours.  “Void of Course” means that the Moon would not make another major aspect with the Sun or a planet until it moved into the next Zodiac Sign, Libra.  At this time it is wise to avoid making important decisions or starting any new project. This is a time you may feel “at sea” or unconnected.  There is often a vague sense of hidden trouble in the wind.  Actions started during Void of Course Moon will often go in unexpected directions and what you buy often has to be returned due to defects.  It is not a time to travel for business or start a new job.

During a Void of Course Moon it is best to “don’t push the river”.  It is a time for meditation and looking within to discover what are your motives behind your actions.  What are your goals?  It is a good time for routine activities and cleaning up and finishing what had already been started.  It is a time for spiritual concerns and not materialistic concerns. Once the Moon enters the next sign you can return to business as normal.

I want to remind my readers that this information is based on Western Astrology which is traced back in history through Britain, Roman, Greek, to the Chaldeans in the Middle East.  The “Three Kings” of Christmas were Chaldean Astrologers from the East.  It is common belief that there were more than three but it is clear they had three symbolic gifts for the Christ child.  The degrees of the Zodiac are different than found in Sidereal or Vedic Astrology.

Since the first of this year there has been many more entire days of VOC.  This is unusual and  the reason for this is that the three slowest moving planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, the outer generational planets, all have been in the first decadents of the Zodiac Signs.  Right now Saturn is going retrograde also in the first decant of Scorpio at 8 degrees. Saturn will go forward at 4 degree Scorpio in early July.  Later today the Sun will move into Taurus and tomorrow Mars will move into Taurus.  These two have been hanging together for more than a week which is indivicate of the very ugly recent news.  Jupiter at 15 degrees Gemini is the leading planet in any Sign. Therefore the Moon will be VOC  after traveling just one half of a Sign.  An abundance of VOC will continue in May. It should end in June because Jupiter shifts into 5^th gear and will enter Cancer on June 26th.  Mercury and Venus which hang out with the Sun will aid in decreasing the VOC time for at least one half of the month.

In order to know when the Moon is Void of Course I recommend you own a wonderful calendar called “Celestial Influences 2013” by Jim Maynard.  I have used his calendars for more than 36 years.  Jim hangs out in southern Oregon and can be ordered at www.QuicksilverProductions.com.
His calendars come in purse and regular wall size.  The one with red print on the cover is for the Eastern time zone and the yellow print is for the Pacific time zone. I use the Spiral week-at-a- glance engagement calendar because it has both Pacific and Eastern time for each day.  I just subtract or add for clients who live in Mountain or Central time.  It is simply the very best  Astrology Calendar on planet Earth!  Jim did not beat me at arm wrestling in order for me to write this!

If there are no requests for a different topic, my next article will explain the importance of Solar and Lunar Eclipses.  The larger earthquakes tend to happen close to these events which occur twice a year six months apart.  They occur near the Moon Nodes. Next Thursday, April 25th,  there is a Lunar Eclipse at 5 degrees Scorpio which is conjunct Saturn at 8 degrees Scorpio.  Just pull the covers up over your head and don’t go anywhere!    It can not be seen in North America.  The Solar Eclipse follows on May 9th at 19 degrees of Taurus.  Heads up for the people in Hawaii, Central Pacific, Australia, and Indonesia concerning this Solar Eclipse.

Archer’s Parting Shot:  I have never known an astrologer who ever owned a car named Saturn or Eclipse!!!

SATURN RETROGRADE

This is dedicated to Gary who has been very patient waiting for the answer to his question about the meaning of Saturn retrograde.  Gary can out race any dolphin while swimming.  I actually think he taught the dolphins all they know about swimming!

All of the planets go retrograde which in Latin means to “step backwards”. It is only an apparent going backwards because all of the planets are moving in orbits of different sizes and at different rates of speed.  They appear  to move in the opposite direction for a time as viewed against  the backdrop of Earth where most of us live.  They will appear  to be in reverse direction too when viewed against the backdrop of the Fixed Stars.

The Sun is a star and the Moon is a satellite so they do not go retrograde.  Therefore the people with the Sun and Moon as their ruler tend to have an easier time of it.  They just sit and eat chocolate all day and party all night!

Mercury goes retrograde the most often and Venus the least.  Saturn is an outer planet from the earth and it went retrograde on February 19, 2013.  Because it moves so slowly compared to Mercury and Venus, which are inner planets, Saturn is conjunct one degree of the Zodiac for several days.  It was at 11 degrees Scorpio from January 25 to March 15, 2013.  If your natal Sun or Moon was at the degree of the Zodiac you may have felt like you were carrying a mighty heavy load, called Christmas bills.  Seriously your health can be affected if you don't eat wisely or get a proper amount of sleep. Saturn will go direct in motion on July 8, 2013 from 4 degrees Scorpio. Some astrologers believe that the disruption will last until Saturn reaches the degree it was when it went retrograde in February: 11 degrees Scorpio 32 minutes which would be on October 15, 2013.  Placidus de Tito, 1603-1668, thought that retrograde planets caused disease.  He believed that people with more than the usual amount of retrograde planets in their natal chart would be very sickly. His math was not correct in his house system either!  Some of the older astrologers said that the most trouble was caused when Saturn was almost stationary at the beginning and the end of the retrograde period.  Modern astrologers regard retrograde motion to having a delaying influence and a test of your patience.  Some modern astrologers believe that retrograde planets affect your subconscious mind much more than your conscious mind. I would pay more attention to a retrograde Saturn in a horary chart, especially if it was the ruler of the chart or in the 7th house of the chart.  In that case nothing will come of the matter of question. I also would not pour a foundation of a house or building when Saturn is going retrograde. This can be a time when your self confidence wanes and your life may become cluttered with delays and difficulties.  You may find yourself falling back and punting more than usual.

A 1971 wonderful book by Rex E. Bills lists 21 pages with two columns of what Saturn rules.  Just a few are “the Establishment”, leaders, limitation, Karma, discipline, ambition, the rules, cold weather, fear, selfish motives, pessimism ,depression,  seriousness, anxiety, perseverance, and conventionality.  Saturn delays, inhibits and restricts and it focuses on the material.  Some of the people who have Saturn as the ruler of their natal Ascendant, or their Sun or Moon in Capricorn or Aquarius are  “born old and become younger as they grow to a ripe old age.” Saturn rules “science” which counts, weighs, sorts and lists that which can only perceived by our 5 senses.  That is why mathematics is regarded as the only pure science.  Math is also the same in all cultures and languages.  That is why it is often used to leave messages to future cultures.

Saturn’s rings have been noted for many years.  Saturn is known for setting boundaries.  It sets limits, like “Tough Love”.  Saturn religions are ones that say “Thou shalt NOT”  kill, lie, play cards, dance, steal: just insert your favorite!  In contrast, Jupiter religions say “Love one another”!  The Jupiter religions focus on a positive reaction to life and the respect and preserving of all forms of life.

The favorite excuse from a saturnine person is “We have always done it this way.”  If it wasn’t for the genius that Uranus gifts the human race with, we would still be in the horse and buggy age or even worse!
Many Thanks to Gary for this information.
Keep your comments and questions coming!  Love from Joy

2013 SPRING EQUINOX, MARCH 20

Early on Wednesday morning the Sun will enter Aries at 7:02 AM, EDT.  It is one of the four major days of the year in the Western calendar.  By throwing a chart for the Capitol of any Country an astrologer can see what is in store for the next 3 months for that Country.  Therefore the chart used is for the District of Columbia, 077W02'13" and 38N42'33", at the White House which is the dwelling place of the leader of the United States.

There are five planets in Water Signs.  That is 50% in the drink! Three planets are Fire, plus the Ascendant.  One planet each are in Air and Earth.  But the Midheaven is in Earth also.  There is a noticeable lack of balance in the elements.  Emotions will lead over mind with that much water. All of the planets are also on the eastern half of the chart (on the left) except retrograde Saturn which is found in the 7th house, the house of partnerships and open enemies.  When Saturn is going retrograde is acts more like the other “society” planet, Jupiter.  So there may be some accord that should bring benefit to the masses of society, indicated by Saturn’s trine to the Moon. Saturn and Moon forms a Grand Trine with Neptune/Mercury.  But the benefit may be only temporary because the “devil is in the details”.

Naturally the Sun will be at 00 degrees Aries as it will be every year. But is weakened by being in the 12^th House of Hidden Enemies.  The Sun is conjunct Venus in Pisces which moderates the troubles waiting in the wings.  That is the only aspect made to Venus.  So money and love may be rationed the next three months.  This could result in money being tighter than Wall Street would like and also higher than usual gas prices. The Sun is also conjunct Mars and Uranus.  Now that is a recipe for sudden trouble most likely with guns and/or military armaments.  I pray the Secret Service is extra alert for the safety of our leaders in the next three months but especially the next two weeks. Pluto conjunct the Midheaven in Capricorn and square Uranus and Mars just adds to the very dangerous mix and indicated the trouble will be in public view.

Mercury is conjunct Neptune which will make for fuzzy thinking in regard to hopes for the future if not out and out deliberate deception by some of our so called “friends”.  This conjunction will continue to make mishaps and mayhem on our oceans and rivers more common than usual.  The fishermen will have a tough season this Spring.

With Pluto opposition the Moon and square Mars/  Uranus there will be an increase in deaths, especially each time the Moon travels through the first decante (first 10 degrees) of the Sign of Libra.  That will fill in the empty hole of the
T-square of Pluto, Mars/Uranus and the Moon in the Equinox chart and turn it into a “Grand Cross”.  That usually brings trouble in Spades!

Our “ground time” on planet Earth is brief, no exceptions.  For some it is briefer than others so I suggest everyone treasure each day and if possible make at least someone smile or better yet, laugh each day. 

Please don’t overdose on jelly beans at the end of March!!!

Wishing your beautiful flowers and happiness this Spring.  Love from Joy Archer

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Sunday, March 17^th, is the day many people all over the earth celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The Illinois River has been turned green in honor of this Irish Saint.  I remember the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago that featured Senator Ted Kennedy.  There is much more than a river of green beer served in many bars across the world.
Does Guinness come in green?

The Sun is always in Pisces on St. Patrick’s Day but the Moon is variable and this Sunday evening it will be conjunct Jupiter at 9 degrees Gemini.  That means people (Moon indicates the public) will be in a jovial and talkative mood Sunday evening.  Green beer has been known to loosen the tongue!  The negative is there will be a fair share of extensive blarney because the Moon and Jupiter are also square the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune in early Pisces.  That means that if he proposes marriage to you, don’t start picking out bridesmaids!

Barbara G, Walker stated on page 140 in her book “Man Made God” published in 2010 that a Roman city-god called Petra, or Pater Liber assimilated to the Mithraic pater partum (Father of Fathers), whose title was evidently corrupted into papa, then “pope”.  Thought I would throw that in since we just got a brand new one yesterday.  It is a bit unsettling that he was elected on a void of course Moon and with Mercury Retrograde.  Hope he lasts longer than the last one who planned on “cleaning house”, Pope John Paul I in 1978.

Other variations on this Roman deity was Patricius (Patrick) who later became the nominal patron saint of Ireland and who mythical autobiography was another pious fraud, written 400 years after the saint was supposed to have lived.  Walker claimed the Church was motivated by the desire to earn money from the credulous lay people. Maybe some pub owners had a hand in it too!  The bit about driving out all the snakes from Ireland was also false.  There never were snakes in Ireland because they were probably allergic to the peat in the native soil.  St. Patrick may be a phony or commercial saint who is treated by Catholic scholars with amused tolerance.  But I can solve that problem.  My grandfather was named “Patrick”. Also was my beloved elder brother, his son, and his grandson who was born to his beautiful daughter Kathleen who also married a Patrick.  I graciously volunteer any or all of them to fill the role as a the real St. Patrick!  They would all qualify as a Saint!  I confess Patrick and Joseph are my two favorite male names.

Remember that it is very common knowledge that all Irish females are BEAUTIFUL, HAVE GREAT PERSONALITIES, EXTREMELY WITTY, VERY SEXY, TREMENDOUS LOVERS, MASTERFUL COOKS, JUST DYNAMIC IN EVERYTHING THEY DO and are EXTREMELY HUMBLE!!!
A toast to you all from Joy

NEW MOON IN PISCES

A few minutes ago the Moon was conjunct the Sun at 21 degrees Pisces which resulted in a New Moon.  What makes this New Moon most interesting is that five of ten planets (The Sun is really a star and the Moon is a satellite but are lumped together with the 8 planets for convenience) are in just 30 degrees, the Sign of Pisces.  Since Saturn is currently at 11 degrees of Scorpio that makes six of the ten planets in water Signs.   This arrangement makes for a very lopsided chart.  Added to this very large watery mix is the Yod aspect between Saturn, 11/Scorpio and Pluto, 11/Capricorn, and Jupiter at 8/Gemini. 

Most major earthquakes have a hard aspect involving Neptune and/or Uranus.  With this crowd of planets in Pisces there most likely will be some large earthquakes near or in the oceans.  Tsunamis are a strong possibility in the next 2 weeks.  The majority of sorrowful stories in the news the next 30 days will definitely involve water.

Just to make things interesting Mars is at 29 degrees Pisces and within 8 degrees of a conjunction with Uranus at 7 degrees Aries. When those two planets are together it is a very volatile combination of energy. The conjunction will be exact on March 22, Good Friday for the Christians.  Unfortunately there will be major explosions most likely in the Middle East on March 21 and 22.

The New Moon chart for Washington DC shows how this affects the USA.  Mercury is going retrograde at 7 Pisces and is conjunct Neptune at 3 degrees Pisces.  Mercury goes forward on March 18 at 5 degrees Pisces.  These two planets fall into the 7^th House, the house of partnerships and open enemies.  This is a red flag of much deceit with both our allies and our open enemies.  North Korea and Iran will be caught in their own lies after Mercury goes direct.  What makes this conjunction extremely dangerous is that Jupiter at 8 degrees Gemini is squaring this conjunction.  This indicates there is a lot of misrepresenting about the solvency of money markets of our Allies, our so called “Friends”.

The next article will be about the Spring Equinox.  It is when the Sun enters Aries at 7:02 AM EDT on March 20.

VENUS RETROGRADE

Venus is called an “inner” planet because it is between Earth and the Sun. Mercury is the other “inner” planet and it is the planet that goes retrograde the most often in a year, usually three times for approximately 3 weeks.
Of all of the planets Venus goes retrograde the least.  Because of their position in our solar system, Venus and Mercury can never be farther than two Signs away from the Sun.  There are actually some so called “astrology” books that place the Sun in Taurus and Venus in Capricorn.  That is a blatant tip that an astrology imposter wrote the book.  Just like the so called Astrologer on Coast-to-coast radio show that told a “call in” (probably his brother in law) who complained about difficulties in his life at the age of 42, the “Astrologer” said he was experiences his “Saturn Return”.  Any real astrologer just had to laugh!

Venus is the name of the Roman goddess of beauty and also the name of a great American woman tennis player!   Venus is associated with love, beauty, and the power of attraction and persuasion.  People with a strong Venus in their chart are usually very sociable.  Venus's astrological twin is Mars, who is an outer planet and represents energetic energy, pursues, outgoing, and how someone expresses their sex drive.

Venus is also known as the “Morning Star”.  That is when Venus rises before the Sun.  This was the time to go to war in many Native tribes of the Americas.  They were not allowed to go to war when Venus appeared in the evening sky after the Sun set and she was the “Evening Star”.  She is the second brightest item in our sky at night after the Moon.  Look in your chart and see where she is in your chart.  Maybe this explains why there are “hawks” and “doves” concerning war.  Maybe it explains why some of us are “night people” and some are “day people”?  Now that is something to ponder! 

Venus is the “Ruler” of Taurus, a feminine Sign and Libra, a masculine Sign.  Taurus is the natural 2^nd house which rules your property, cattle, homes, cars, boats, possessions, money, jewels, and stocks and bonds.  Libra is the natural 7^th house which rules your  marriage or business partnerships, any person who gives you consul like a lawyer, doctor, psychologist, or astrologer. In short, Venus rules your material goods and partnerships.

Therefore if Venus is retrograde in your natal chart you will have some difficulties with money and your love life until it goes direct in your progressed chart.  It indicates you did not handle these areas very ethetically in your past lives.  It means you will have lessons to learn about handling material goods and partnerships in this life. 

The Sign and House placement of Venus in your natal chart will reveal what you love and how you relate to others.  Aspects to Venus will also reveal if you in the main friendly and kind or standoffish and selfish.  The aspect your Venus makes to your partner’s Mars is very important in revealing if you would be compatible for a long term relationship such as marriage.  If your natal Venus aspects your natal Uranus, you may tend to fall in love instantly about every 3 months, and then fall out of love just as suddenly.

Now for the “no-no’s” when Venus is going retrograde in the heavens. It is definitely not a time to “fall in love”, (anytime you fall you tend to hurt yourself!) or get married.  If you do it most likely will not last very long.  It is not a time to buy new homes, property, stocks and bonds, clothes, jewelry, art, or any beauty items.  It is definitely not a time to change your hair style or color.  If you do buy clothes, they most likely will just hang in your closet and talk to each other.  Everyone has no doubt asked themselves at least a few times, “Why did I ever buy that?”

To buy clothes you just love, do it when the “Lights” (Sun and Moon) are in the Signs of Taurus, Leo, and Libra.  It is most likely that Venus is in the same Sign as the Sun so you are bound to find the perfect item.  It is easy to check an ephemeris for these occasions.  It would be wise for dress shops to note these occasions and have a “Special Sale of Beauty”.

Isabel M. Hickey wrote “Astrology, A Cosmic Science”.  It is my favorite Western Astrology book.  If you have an interest in Western Astrology, without a great desire to become an astrologer, this is the ONLY astrology book you need to buy.  Isabel said that if a person is cold and unloving they will most likely have money problems too!  Open up your heart and give of your time, attention, food, drink, and shelter to others. It will result in you never being in extreme need of material goods. 
It is wise to remember, “What you own, owns you”! 
Compassion & kindness is the perfect religion. 
Expressing your gratitude is the perfect prayer.

WHAT DOES MERCURY RETROGRADE MEAN?

Thank you for your timely question Julia.  Mercury just went retrograde for the 1st time in 2013 early Saturday morning at 4:41 AM, EST.  It will be retrograde until St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 at 4:03 PM, EDST.  It goes retrograde approximately 3 times a year.  In 2013 it goes retrograde on June 26 and forward on July 20, and the third time on October 21 and forward on November 10.

Retrograde is from the Latin which means to step backwards.  According to Webster’s fine dictionary: “retrograde” means moving or tending backward.  In Astrology it means having a direction of motion opposite to that of the earth or of the planets around the sun.   It refers to only an apparent backward motion of all the planets in their orbits.  It is due to the different speeds of the planets in relation to our position on the Earth.  It is similar to two airplanes of two different speeds passing each other in the air.  A jet would make a single engine Cessna look like it was going backward.

The Sun and Moon NEVER GO RETROGRADE.  Therefore the people born with their Sun in Cancer or Leo will never have the ruler of their Sun Sign going retrograde.  This is a bit of an advantage.

From ancient times Mercury was called the “Messenger” of the Gods.  He is NOT the one who creates the message, just the one who delivers it.  So when it looks like he is going backwards in motion many messages on planet Earth tend to come through garbled.   It will affect all forms of the written and spoken words.  For example the choosing of a new Pope will be unusually difficult.

Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo so anyone who has their natal Sun in those two Signs are usually more affected by Mercury retrograde than others.  They may feel like their mind is muddled without any use of drugs. If you Moon, Ascendant, or Midheaven is in either of those two Signs you will also be affected.  Your health should be watched if your Ascendant is in Gemini or Virgo. Your career should we approached with extra care if your Midheaven is in either of those two Signs.  Read and re-read any e-mail you send at work.  Do nothing in haste in regard to words. 

Mercury rules the mind, communications, the lungs and intestines, all forms of travel: car, bicycle, train, plane, and ship and much more.  Since Mercury is currently going retrograde in the Zodiac sign of Pisces which is water, there will be more accidents with shipping and/or bridges in the next three weeks.  Snow and ice are actually H2O so be prepared!  Troublemaker Saturn is in Scorpio which is fixed water, read that as ice.

It is best if you can avoid doing the following in the next three weeks.  Don’t start new projects, review old ones and make adjustments. Don’t sign contracts because there will often be hidden flaws.  If you do sign it most likely will need to be renegotiated after Mercury goes forward.  It is not a time to open a new business that deals with deliveries, trucks, fleets of cars or planes.  If you can avoid it don’t buy electrical equipment or cars or trucks.  Congress will have difficulty.  They will not meet their deadline.  X-rays will often be misread.  Ironically, the symbol for retrograde is very similar to the symbol for a prescription drug.  If you need the drug go for it, but far too many prescription drugs do harm to your body or the wrong prescription is ordered. Yes, the Doctors do actually make mistakes!  Your body is alive and natural.  It did not come from a test tube so what comes out of a test tube very often is toxic to your body.

Expect delays in all forms of travel the next 3 weeks. Don’t travel unless it is just necessary for your job.  While traveling be extra alert for the unexpected.  Decisions made during the next three weeks will often have to be adjusted once Mercury goes direct.

I would also not recommend you get married because that is a legal agreement.  Venus also goes retrograde but not as often as Mercury.  When Venue is retrograde it is NOT A TIME TO FALL IN LOVE OR GET MARRIED.  But that is a topic for another blog.

The following is a list of some things that are USEFUL or GOOD to do while Mercury is going retrograde.  It is a good time for meditation, dreaming, and wishing what you would like to change in your life.  The time for action is after Mercury goes direct.  It is a good time to proof read your past actions.  It is a time to sort and pitch what is just clutter in your life.  That may even include some people or jobs!  It is good to reflect on your past endeavors and take stock if the outcome was worth your effort in time and/or money or a pound of flesh!  Maybe a new direction is warranted. Wait to implement any new plans after Mercury is forward in motion. 

Many thanks to Julia!

Some Knights Are Better Than Others!

I would like my readers to know that I am a Western Astrologer.  There are five other major studies of Astrology, Arabian, Chinese, Judaic, Tibetan and Vedic.  I have twice studied Vedic at the urging of friends.  There were various reasons I stayed with Western Astrology but the main one was it ignores the three outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.   When any of these three come to a conjunction by transit in your natal chart you will have a most interesting time. I do believe if the practitioner is competent in any of these forms of Astrology they can help you understand yourself.

It should be obvious to most that we live in a dual world.  On this planet  you will fine positive and negative, yang and yin, male and female, Sun and Moon, Mars and Venus, light and dark, day and night.  Many more examples are possible.  It should also be obvious to most that each human is born with both male and female traits.  I have never seen a chart for a male who did not have a Venus and a Moon in it.  And in all of the charts I did for females there was always a Mars and Sun.  Mars and Sun are concerned with action, power, and aggression. Venus and Moon are concerned with your values, idea of beauty, nurturing and preserving live.

People seek partnerships for many different reasons, some conscious and some unconscious.  The more you are consciously aware of what you want in a partner the more likely you will find it.  Some are addicted to excitement while others desire harmony in their relationships.  Deceit is rampant in our world but the most dangerous deceit is when you deceive yourself.  Self deception is bound to bring emotional, mental, and often physical suffering.  Some people are happy with “one night of passion” and others are looking for a lifetime partner.  There are many, many reasons for getting together unfortunately, some admirable and some not so admirable. Sometime these reasons do not lead to happiness for one or both partners.

Understanding and knowing yourself is what astrology is all about. Carl Jung, the Swiss Physiatrist, studied successful marriages by using astrology and discovered that the most happy couples were found when the Sun of the husband was conjunct the Moon in the woman’s chart.  The next happiest couples were when the Moon in the Man’s chart was conjunct the Sun in the woman’s chart.  They were happy but he noted that the woman “wore the pants” or in plain English, she was the dominant partner.  Now this was the last century!  There has been more recent happiness studies that show of married women and men and unmarried women and men, the most happy were in the following order the married man, then the unmarried woman and then the unmarried man and the least happy was the married woman.
That study belies the cartoons of the shotgun in the back of the man and bride in front of the “Preacher or Judge”.  Men benefit from married life while women don’t tend to benefit much from married life.  A married woman’s work load increases while a man’s workload at home decreases.

I strongly recommend that before you call the “Preacher” and make it legal you ought to know some fundamental astrological things about your intended partner.   For easy physical and emotionally happy relationships Mars in the man’s chart should be in easy aspect  by Sign, (conjunction, sextile  and trine) and not necessarily by “degree”, with the Venus in the woman’s chart.  The woman’s Mars should be in easy aspect with Venus in the Man’s chart.  This is very good for sexual compatibility and gratification on the part of both partners because Desires by Mars are easily received by Venus.
Most people probably already realize you can  have sex minutes out of the day, not counting  Viagra!  You actually have to talk to one another if you are living in the same home.  So mental rapport is very desirable in a partner.  It is often more important to a woman than the typical “John Wayne” type male.  If the same easy aspects by Sign, (conjunction, sextile, & trine) not  by degree, are found between the couple’s Mercury there will be mental compatibility.  They will have something to talk about and look forward to doing together in the future which may even be 50 years down the road.  They will tend to have common interests and values.  Mercury rules your mind in Astrology and is neutral.  Mercury does not have a twin or opposite like Sun & Moon, Mars & Venus, Jupiter & Saturn. 

This is why I state in one of the articles on my website that if two people share the same “passion” or “interest” in something before they met, they will often stay together for life. That interest does not include their children.  No doubt it is helpful if both wanted children but children have been known to grow up and move to a very distant city, accidentally or on purpose!  And it is very rare that different generations (every 25 years) like the same music!

It is also very important that the Moon in one chart should be in easy aspect by Sign, and not necessarily by degree, to the Moon in the other person’s chart.  This is because the Moon and it’s aspects in any chart indicate the “habits” of the person.  If the aspects are easy these two people will respond to daily problems in the same way. When habits clash, especially when one partner is insecure, things can quickly blow up into a major problem.  An insecure partner will often try to dictate the dress, diet, or friends of the other partner.  Control freaks are very insecure!
I remember of a dear friend whose parents and the parents of her partner were born in Italy. One was from the north and the other was from the southern part of Italy.  One was raised eating the salad before the meal and the other was raised eating the salad after the meal.  This caused  major arguments in the first years of their marriage.  To an outsider it was just amusing but not so to the couple.  I was lucky enough to meet the parents of the wife and they were both just DELIGHTFUL!  So you can see how important habits can be when two people live in the same abode.

Now if EXCITEMENT is your aim then I would review the above three areas: (sexual relationship=Mars & Venus, mental compatibility= Mercury), and daily habits= Moon) and use the same planets with the aspects that often cause stress or the gnashing of teeth, (square, opposition, and quincunx).  If you are hocked on excitement and don’t mind irritation in your life then go for it.  But be forewarned, it is the one with Mars, the aggressor, who will go outside the relationship to find a more receptive Venus.  This is usually the male in the partnership and is the major cause of divorce.  Women who stray out of marriage usually have a rather cold partner and are in need of a warming breeze.  Unfortunately they often leap before they look and end up needing their lawyer’s services again.  There is a common saying that you should keep the phone number of your lawyer if you marry before two years after the divorce of a spouse.  This is because  you may have  a problem with relationships in general.  If you did not look within and address your problems then you may have a new face beside you but you still have the same old problems.  You really can’t run away from yourself no matter how far you travel.

I confess that I have been married once.  This was before I even knew astrology existed.  I read the newspaper daily in those college days but to my knowledge it didn’t have a “Horror-scope” column.  The information presented in this article would have been very useful.  In 18 years of marriage I was never once asked “Where I would like to vacation?”   That was just one minor problem.  Once you taste freedom, like chocolate, it is very hard to not crave it.  I often say to get a laugh, “I was married once, now I just lease.”  A magnet on my refrigerator says, “My secret fantasy is having two men, one for cooking and one for cleaning!” - make that an Italian for cooking and a Dane for cleaning!
Actually if a fellow who could cook came my way with two Birman kittens in one hand and a computer driven 10 inch telescope in the other hand I just might follow him anywhere!!!
Wishing you much Love, Happiness and a bit of Fun everyday!
Joy Archer