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