Molly's Astrology

As many of you know, Hannah did the artwork for my 2007 calendar. I fell in love with her interpretation of Pisces. And she was kind enough to give me the original as a gift. Thank you Hannah! I had it framed, and it looks so cute. Real live framed artwork in my office!

Hannah has some more original Zodiac drawings for sale in her new online art shop. They are very nicely done in ink on good quality paper. I think they would make the neatest gifts. How about one for your honey?

Spring is coming! And we are so excited about it at casa de Node. Some of the early spring plants are coming in, the days are getting longer, and we are learning so much in our Master Gardener class. Monday’s class was about pruning, and it was so good. I got such an insight into pruning, that I will never look at a tree the same way again. (And I’m telling you, the world desperately needs more people who know how to properly prune trees.)

I know life for many of you, at the moment, is two scoops of crazy on a stick, with added nuts. Saturn is exactly opposite Neptune as I write this, at the end of February. When these two meet up, order meets chaos. Structure meets formlessness, and fantasy meets reality. Once March begins, the second of three passes is over, but the opposition still comes into play from time to time. Saturn first met up with Neptune in fall of 2006, when some scandals came up which eventually decided the midterm elections. Now the Congress is getting down to business and figuring out what the deal is. The second pass tends to be when we integrate, or digest the transit, when it grinds down whatever is going to be ground down. That’s where we were in February. Hopefully around the time of the third pass, we will start seeing a little shakin’ going on in D.C. The third pass is when the fog lifts, and the end result emerges. So June should be very interesting.

This timeframe applies universally. It frames the development of political situations like Congress, as well as more personal situations, such as something you’re involved in at work, or with a social group, or personal relationship.

The energy in March is going to feel a lot different than February. More optimistic, upbeat, creative, and constructive. Things move along faster, with less conflict. Obstacles give way to solutions, and a little effort brings movement to stuck places. This is the energy of a big trine coming in: Jupiter trine Saturn. This trine combines optimistic “big picture” ideas and visionary idealism (Jupiter in Sagittarius) with stability and practical creativity (Saturn in Leo). That’s why it’s such a productive time. I’m going to put it to good use, and I hope you will too!

But what about the stock market? The market slipped considerably on February 27. That’s interesting to me, because in 2006, when Jupiter squared Saturn, every astrologer I was reading expected the market to fall, but it didn’t— there was a steady bull market through the Fall. Now, as Jupiter trine Saturn approaches, something that is historically good for the market, the market falls. I wonder if the sheer volume of people who can trade in real time via the internet now has anything to do with that trend seeming to have reversed itself. A shift in basic market psychology, perhaps? Globalization? I have no idea. At any rate, the financial news should be interesting in March.

Jupiter trine Saturn lasts for an unusually long time. Because of the unique way these two planets are ‘doing the bump,’ they will repeat the trine a total of 5 times in 2007 and 2008. Two passes in fire signs (March and May 2007), and the final three in Capricorn and Virgo in 2008. So we may get the inspiration and motivation to create a big plan this spring, which we carry out in some form next year. Keep that in mind as you move toward your goals in the coming months.

March 1-9

So. Here we are at the beginning of March. Spring is in the air. In a few days, on March 3, there will be a Lunar Eclipse. Somewhere on Saturday, there will be a shadow on the Full Moon. We won’t see it here in the US, because the Moon will be under the horizon. But the energy is still potent. This Eclipse is in Virgo: getting organized, getting healthy, getting things done. Paungger and Poppe in their book Moon Time tell us, “Anything that you do in the two to three Virgo days for the digestion, the spleen and the pancreas has a doubly beneficial preventive and healing effect. With the exception of surgical operations carried out in this area¹.” At the time of the Full Moon, according to this book, our bodies are absorbing more, so it’s a time to be especially good to yourself. Give your body lots of what’s good for it, and less of what isn’t. Focus on bringing order out of chaos, without worry. That will be difficult for some, because this Eclipse connects with Uranus, and Uranus loves to shake things up. And Virgo loves to worry.

Whether or not you’re a Virgo, you have Virgo energy somewhere in your chart. What if this doesn’t turn out perfectly? What if my souffle flops? What if I don’t do it right? Give yourself a break from your inner critic, Virgo. Worry drains your energy. Keep in mind that Mercury is still retrograde, and that it will end next week, and be followed immediately by a trio of very good Venus transits. Yummy. The Sun will conjoin Uranus on Sunday and Monday, a couple of days when we feel charged up, nervous, rebellious, jumpy, or full of ideas. But it’s best not to make rash decisions or major software updates. Give the idea some time to develop and morph. Let Mercury change direction.

March 7-9, as the Jupiter Saturn trine creeps in, Venus in Aries will trine Jupiter in Sagittarius, then trine Saturn in Leo, forming a temporary fire grand trine— inspiring, motivational, idealistic. Venus will then sextile Neptune. This formation is known as a “kite.” A “kite” is a grand trine, plus a fourth planet opposing one of its points. The opposition adds some dynamic energy to a formation that normally symbolizes such ease, that there often is a waste of talent due to lack of motivation to use it. The opposition of Saturn and Neptune is the friction that gets this puppy moving. If you have been involved in a struggle between your idealism and the reality of a situation in your life, then this “kite” may bring some movement and positive development relating to that struggle.

But don’t go nuts with it just yet. Stay in a calm and centered frame of mind, as we are still subject to excessively idealistic or unrealistic thinking.

March 10-16

High energy. The Jupiter Saturn trine is at full power this week, and some other good transits line up for Friday. Friday is an especially good day for business and socializing, with so many good connections around Venus and Mercury. But there’s a quietness to it as well. It’s the dark of the Moon, the calm, visionary couple of days before the beginning of the new Lunar cycle on Sunday evening. That shouldn’t stop you from reaching out and connecting with others. And don’t forget to adjust your clock. Daylight time starts early this year.

Another note from Paungger and Poppe¹ here: just as the Full Moon is a time when the body is absorbing at its highest rate, at the time of the New Moon, the body is releasing and letting go. According to them— and my experience bears this out— this is the best time to quit addictions and bad habits, taper off medications, that kind of thing.

March 17-20

Months when we have Eclipses are always interesting. I always feel more inspired, more moved by the world around me, more significance to my intentions, actions and decisions. The Solar Eclipse on Sunday night happens in Pisces and connects with Pluto. This compels us into the underworld, bringing up stuff that is deeply rooted. Inner child issues, or issues dealing with escapism, addiction. Pisces asks us to connect to the spiritual truth around us, the universal love. Pluto often clears away any blockages to doing so. But when we open ourselves, the pain of the world can also enter, and we are forced to deal with any painful situations in our lives that we have tried to avoid, to sweep under the rug. Wherever you have Pisces in your chart, that’s where this potent clearing energy appears. Expect new developments to happen over the next six months, in the area of your life symbolized by the house in your birth chart that contains the degree of today’s Eclipse: 28 Pisces.

I notice a lot of folks getting sick around Eclipse time. Clearing type illnesses, usually, like colds, flu’s, food poisoning. Which are a transformational journey in and of themselves. So take care of yourself, and if you do find yourself going down for the count, cooperate with the forces that be, and take rest.

Venus entered Taurus on Saturday evening, and that should have calmed and grounded things somewhat. Venus, representing relationships, has been in high energy, competitive Aries, sign of the loner, for a while. When Venus is in Taurus, we’re all more likely to be in the mood for a good cuddle.

The Sun-Pluto square is exact on Monday evening, so be careful what fuses you light on Sunday and Monday. Everyone is feeling more vulnerable and exposed, a little more like hiding beneath a rock, or just wrapped up in their own thing. It’s an emotionally charged day. Compromise whenever possible, but there may be a time when it’s too important to back down. Choose your battles wisely.

March 20 is more open, with the Aries Moon re-creating that temporary “kite” that Venus formed last week. Happy Equinox! Blessed be.

March 21-26

Wednesday and Thursday, caution lights are flashing as Mars opposes Saturn. This is a reliable signal of frustration, irritability, headaches, and bad moods all around. Thursday especially, as the Moon squares the opposition, then turns v/c for the day, leaving us cranky, confused, unfocused. We tend to be more accident prone as well, so take things slowly, and be careful. Stick to routine, say a prayer for those caught up in the war. The upside is discipline. You may feel moved to tackle a tedious task and just get it done. But if you’re feeling worn out, move your most important projects and calls to Friday, if possible, after this low energy Mars-Saturn contact passes. Things should pick up pretty quickly after it does (at 3:33 pm EDT), as a positive Mars-Jupiter sextile follows immediately. You’ll probably start to feel more relaxed and upbeat by Thursday evening.

But we have one more hurdle to clear before the fog lifts: Mars conjunct Neptune, Saturday and Sunday. What do I want? Mars represents your desire, and Neptune is confusion. This is a good time to brainstorm, as Neptune brings intuitive perception and a new perspective. And there are plenty of good ideas around. But it’s a hard time to make a decision, as Neptune lacks clarity and focus.

Monday, the Moon goes void early, at 10:36 am EDT, and the void period doesn’t end until she enters Leo at 1:06 pm on Tuesday. We feel more spacey and disconnected, and things are more likely to veer off course, when the Moon is void of course. Your best bet is to stay centered and grounded, and stick to routine.

I’ll be celebrating 35 years on this nutty planet (and still kickin’) on Sunday and Monday, the 25 and 26th. My Solar return features a 12th house Sun, a 3rd house Cancer Moon, Jupiter in Sag trine Saturn, and a Taurean Venus conjunct the ascendant. Three planets in their own signs! Looks like an interesting year. I like the 8th house Jupiter trine Saturn, as it looks good for paying off debt and meeting other obligations, as well as forming close, healing relationships. And sex!! My natal chart sports serious, hardworking Saturn in the 8th house, so I think I might enjoy Jupiter’s more optimistic and expansive energy there for a while. Yeah, baby.

I could go on and on with my natal Moon in Leo about my own Solar return, but I think you have had enough of my Leoness for one forecast. Suffice to say, I welcome all your positive energy and blessings as I celebrate my 35th. I am grateful for all of you who read and comment on my newsletter, and call me for consultation. You give me a reason to write, a reason to feel important and appreciated, a deep sense of pride, and a deeply gratifying way of earning my livelihood. And if you have Leo in your chart, you know how satisfying that is. It’s what I have wanted all my life. Thank you for being a part of it.

March 27-30

We come into sharper focus as the Moon enters Leo early Tuesday afternoon. For the first time in a few weeks, skies are more or less mellow the last few days of March. Venus approaches a contact with Uranus, which is strongest in the evening and late night hours on Friday. It’s a friendly night for a first date, or a meeting of the minds. Check out the Intoxicated Zodiac (what a Uranus in Pisces idea!) and invite some friends over for cocktails.

Mark your calendar!

The best days in March for your top priority plans are March 6-8, 12-16, 20, 23.

Keep things simple on March 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25.

¹ Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe, Moon Time: the Art of Harmony with Nature and Lunar Cycles. 1996, Barnes & Noble Books.