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.