J Astrology & Lunar Living

Venus in Aries 2012

2012-02-06T15:33:00.000-08:00

Venus Advances through Aries February 8 - March 4, 2012

Venus, the planet of romance, beauty,relationships and finances, is moving into the zodiac sign that helpsus in regards to our individuality, courage and motivation. Aries isa Cardinal Fire influence, helping us to feel a sense of drive,enthusiasm, and even some sense of leadership. With the level ofenthusiasm that Venus in Aries produces, we may end up beingimpatient and possibly, over reacting to any given situation. Wereally are not going to miss a beat if we pause for a moment to thinkabout consequences and possibilities. One piece of the equation willinvolve our own sense of emotional security.

While Venus transits Aries, wedefinitely know how to turn on the charm. We will seem to gravitatetowards experiences that appease our desires for sensuality, beautyand romance. We just seem to want everything around us to bepleasurable. Everyone seems to be in this same pleasure seeking mode,so attraction will definitely not be an issue. This is a good timeto invest in the stock market on cosmetic companies since so manyindividuals, both men and women, will be wanting to look their bestand join in on the self-indulging scene. This is a time where moneyflows more freely. We are more likely to be granted a raise at workwhile Venus transits Aries, and we are also more like to spend morethan we can really afford.

Individuals with Venus in Aries arequick to find love interests. How long that interest is sustained istotally up to them since they sometimes fall out of love as soon asthe newness wears off. The Aries Venus person should seek outpartners who are dynamic and energetic who can quickly sense what todo when the relationship starts to grow a bit stale. Aries Venuspeople are the ones who truly stand out in a crowd as they tend to beblessed with extra charm and attractiveness. On the downside, becauseof their natural beauty and style, they may sometimes lean towardsnarcissism if the come to expect that they are better than everyoneelse. More often than not, they just want to please their friends andlove interests. Their desire for affection and love is a strongattractable feature that can't be denied.

Some well known people with Venus inAries

Abraham Lincoln

Albert Einstein

Bob Marley

Chaz (Chastity) Bono

Debra Winger

Elizabeth Taylor

George Clooney

Harry Belafonte

Harry Houdini

Hugh Downs

Jack Nicholson

Janet Jackson

Jennifer Aniston

Johnny Cash

Liza Minnelli

Mariah Carey

Marilyn Monroe

Martha Graham

Matt Dillon

Melissa Etheridge

Mia Farrow

Nat King Cole

Rene Zellweger

Rhianna

Robert Downey Jr.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Shaquille O'Neal

Sigmund Freud

Stevie Wonder

Retrograde Mars in Virgo 2012

2012-01-16T19:40:00.000-08:00

Prior to writing about the 2012 Mars Retrograde transit through the sign of Virgo, I did a bit of research online. I figure that there is absolutely no reason to write a whole long article when there is great information already available. And there are several pieces that I will be referring you to at the end of this piece as well as referencing within. Let's start right off with the points I want you to be aware of first.

Mars Land Rover - Retro Style

Recommendations

As always, Rob Tillett does a great job describing the whys and whats about Mars retrograde. If you need more information about just what it is, I recommend the "Astrology on the Web" site (first link at the bottom of the piece). A significant key piece of information there is that when Mars IS transiting retrograde, it is passing closer to the Earth, generating more sparks than usual. Another important piece of information to remember, as pointed out in the article, is the fact that Mars "does not react well to being held back, or... (gasp!) going backwards!"

Lynn Koiner does a great job of explaining how Mars retrograde has a tendency of depleting our normal vitality. As she points out, when we try to initiate a new plan while Mars is retrograde, we end up losing out. While Mars retrograde is not like Mercury's retrograde of "redo" and "replenish," it is still very "reactive." Take the time to read Lynn's piece to get a better understanding of what to expect.

Wendy Guy at Evolving Door also has a great article about Mars retrograde. It has some awesome suggestions of how to work productively throughout the Mars retrograde transit.

One more article that I feel is worth a mention is Chad Woodward's piece on the Kosmic Mind Blog. While some of it will feel like a bit of a repeat of the first three articles that I have mentioned, it is chocked full of additional information that is very relevant. Besides, a bit of Mars retrograde repeat can't hurt anyone! It can only help to confirm the message about being diligent and cautious!

Perspective

This next short piece of information will also feel a lot like a repeat, and it is. But keep reading to the end of the paragraph, because you may just learn something extra. Remember that Mars is not really moving backward at all. It is an illusion based on the transit of Mars in relation to the Earth and Sun. This retrograde is from a Geocentric Earth perspective. When we look at the Heliocentric (Mars in relation to the Sun) we discover that the Mars' retrograde is gone, and Mars is transiting in a totally different sign (at least for a while). This is information that you won't find in the other articles. The Helio Mars transit can be used to help us coordinate our activities while the Geo Mars appears to be moving retrograde.

On January 24, the Helio Mars will be in Leo and the Sun (Geo) from the Earth will be in Aquarius. It is believed that the Helio Mars in Leo adds an intensity to the Virgo retrograde Mars. There is a passion for correct protocol as well as being the first one with the right answer or, as the very least, not embarrassing ourselves with an incorrect reply. Responses from others tend to be forceful, causing us to feel uncomfortable or even fearful of what is to come. The Helio Mars transit in Leo will end on February 1, 2012. Then, Helio Mars will transit in Virgo along with the Mars retrograde transit. This will make for a fairly easy ride until the Sun moves into Pisces on March 20. Then, Watch Out! Health and psychological issues are likely to crop up. We may end up attracting rude or aggressive people into our lives. We simply may not have a realistic perspective of ourselves or our situations. Because of this, we are inclined to try to put off decisions until later. Unfortunately, that choice to postpone ends up, most likely, to be the wrong choice. Shortly before the Mars retrograde ends, the Helio Mars moves into Libra on April 9, 2012. We are more prone to voicing our opinions hastily before realizing that we have just squashed an important opportunity or alienated an individual who may have been in a position to help. For the last five days of the retrograde, we can make use of the Helio Libra influence by being more inclusive of everyone and work within the team instead of "over" the team, for a sense of cohesiveness.

Health Matters

Mars retrograde in Virgo can have an overall impact on our health, particularly in regards to our intestines. We may feel a bit sluggish during this retrograde; healthy foods and exercise are important components to surviving this transit. Mars doesn't want us to take the "easy way" during the retrograde transit and we are more likely to suffer the consequences if we don't stay active.

Aspects in Retrograde

Additionally, we should look at the various transiting aspects that Mars will form during the duration of the retrograde transit. Starting with the beginning of the retrograde, January 24, Mars and Mercury will be forming a trine. Mercury will still be in Capricorn. Mercury rules over the sign of Virgo. For the start of the retrograde, we are likely to feel quite optimistic. If we use this as a starting point to test out some new ideas, we should feel rather productive.

The end of January into the first few days of February, Mars and Venus will form an opposition while Venus transits through Pisces. Relationships and finances are likely to boil over with angry altercations possible. Although it will be difficult to do, we really will benefit by taking long walks, going to the gym or generally finding some way to clear our heads through exercise and possibly some soothing music to calm our jangled nerves.

On February 21, Mercury will start forming an opposition to Mars for several days. Again, another good time to work out to relieve the stress. The thoughts we have in our heads are not likely to go well if we decide to verbalize them.

March 1, the Sun will oppose Mars for a few days. Another period of frustration, particularly with ourselves and our current situations.

Then, a nice reprieve for a few days starting March 11, when Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto form an Earth Grand Trine. If we choose to include Chiron in Pisces, we will see the Kite Aspect Pattern for a few days. This is the time to look for opportunities and productive shifts in perception. Again, think of this as a potential testing period to get our ideas in the works to see if they can actually survive beyond the test run. This is also a great period of time to get some of our medical concerns checked out.

The last significant aspect before Mars ends the retrograde transit will be a T-square. April 5, Venus in Gemini will square Mars along with Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. That means that Mars has moved to the point of opposing Neptune and Chiron. If we are typically creative in nature, we are likely to feel wiped clean of our usual talents and artistic skills. The talents are not lost. We just need to slow down and ease out of this retrograde. The retrograde of Mars will station on April 14, 2012.

Mars will be at its closest point to Earth the first week of March (March 3 - 5) for this particular orbit around the Sun. Hopefully, I have given you some extra food for thought that can help you navigate through this Mars retrograde successfully.

Born with Mars in Virgo Retrograde?

I also want to recognize that small population of people who were born with a placement of Mars retrograde in Virgo. I have included a table with the Mars in Retrograde transits through Virgo from the past at the bottom of this article.

Those of you born with Mars in the Mutable Earth sign of Virgo; you tend to put significant energy into organizing your practical and tangible affairs. You are the ardent worker who finds your best success when working in an organized and systematic manner. Regardless of the economy or your fiscal situation, somehow you always manage to pay your bills and provide the basic necessities of life. Ambitious and even a bit arrogant, but in a behind the scenes fashion. Stubborn with the ability to detach your emotions from the outcomes. You may be demeaning or demanding of both yourself, and others. Check that behavior at the door when ever possible. It's neither necessary nor essential in finding success. You may be perceived as calculating, clever, ingenious and passionately determined. Where your downfall tends to rest is in the fine details. You have a habit of focusing too much attention on the minutia. You are considered to be a cool cucumber in the sex department. In reality, you love the exotic, erotic and mentally tantalizing facets of sex. The puritan version of the "virgin," you are not! You just have the ability to keep a tight reign over your rapturous emotions. You should avoid a tendency to worry or feel extreme guilt when the actions of others drive you into expressing anger and frustration. Let it go, and move on to the next situation. However, if it becomes a repeating pattern, then it's time to investigate the underlying root cause of the aggravations.

If you were born with Mars retrograde in Virgo, then you will quickly fall into a stride during this transit. It may almost feel uncomfortably "normal" for you. Hey, I bet you didn't expect that!

Just a Little More!

The average number of days that any Mars retrograde will last is 75 days. The shortest number of days of the Mars retrograde transit is while Mars retrogrades through Aquarius and/or Pisces, usually about 59 days while the longest transits in retrograde are while Mars retrogrades through Leo and/or Virgo, usually lasting about 80 days. So, yes, this Mars retrograde will be one of the longer of the transits.

If you are interested in learning which celebrities have Virgo Mars in retrograde, send me a quick email through the contact page on lunarliving.org I was surprised to learn how many athletes have a retrograde Virgo Mars!

Links to Articles:

Time periods when Mars was retrograde in Virgo.
1997~ March 8 - April 27	1965~ January 28 - April 19	1933~ January 20 - April 11
1995~ January 2 - 22	1950~ March 28 - May 3
1980~ January 16 - Mar 11	1948~ January 8 - Feb 12	1918~ February 25 - April 25
*Please note that some Mars in Virgo retrograde periods are considerably shorter than others. The short spans are the result of the retrograde initiating or regressing into a different sign (Libra or Leo, respectively).

Venus in Pisces 2012

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Venus Paces through Pisces January 14, 2012 - February 7, 2012

Venus, the planet of balance, value,aesthetics and partnerships in the zodiac sign that helps us todefine the past, hidden friends or enemies, and secrecy can developinto quite the mystery. Pisces is the Mutable Water sign influencingthe ties that bind and bond us when Venus is involved. Fantasies ofromance and money can cause us to make some disastrous choices. We dobetter if we put aside our own gratifications and focus on helpingout a friend or loved one. Just don't do it with the expectation of aquick payback. Actions for the betterment of another, without spiteor malice, may not be as simple as it seems. Venus' influence wantseverything to be fair and just, while Pisces totally fuels thoseelusive effusive affairs of the heart.

While Venus is transiting Pisces, thereis always the potential for a secret romance or a mystery admirer.Additionally, we may discover more about the ones we love. In therealm of finance, money takes on a different significance,particularly if there's a charitable, spiritual or emotionalconnection. We need to be more aware of our own reasonings in ourpersonal decisions for our joy and happiness to manifest. We may hideour true feelings for wanting or giving affection to protect ourfantasy of the ideal.

Individuals born with Venus in Piscestends to be compassionate. Those who have been repeatedly hurt overtime as a result of their selfless compassion may be less willing toexpress their passion when initiating into a new relationship, inhopes that the lover will eventually see into their soul. They maylove another "from afar" in an effort to protect theromantic vision or the love fantasy. The Venus in Pisces person maydesire a "need to be needed" relationship. They tend to beextremely romantic due to their intuitive nature. When they meet theright person, their love is beyond devotion and selfless; it isalmost sacred. It is not uncommon for Venus in Pisces individuals tobe exceptionally talented with their sensitive imaginations thatallow them to plummet into the depths of romance and beauty.

Some famous individuals with Venus inPisces:

Barbra Streisand

Billie Holiday

Charles Dickens

Christian Dior

Dakota Fanning

Diana Ross

Drew Barrymore

Edgar Allen Poe

Emmylou Harris

Erik Estrada

Francis F Coppola

George Harrison

George Washington

Hans Grimm

Hugh Hefner

Jason Bateman

John Travolta

Julian Lennon

Kurt Cobain

Martin Luther King

Marvin Gaye

Michelle Pfeiffer

Penelope Cruz

Rod Stewart

Ronald Reagan

Shirley MacLaine

Sidney Poitier

Tom Brokaw

Tom Selleck

Vincent Van Gogh

Venus Transit Updates

2011-12-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

This past year, I initiated a series of Venus transit information for the twelve zodiac signs. I have completed the series and will be republishing them here with updated transit dates for the future. The older ones are set back into the queue for next year. If you are looking for ones that you know were posted in the past but seem to have vanished, they are not totally gone, they will be reissued in the near future. The entire series is available at "Astrology Home's" Basic Astrology Information. Thanks!

Venus in Aquarius 2011/2012

2011-12-18T15:27:00.001-08:00

Venus Accelerates through Aquarius December 20, 2011 - January 13, 2012

Venus, the planet of balance, harmony,beauty, friendship and resources, when transiting in Aquarius, helpsus out with social connections and career worth. Aquarius is theFixed Air sign. We develop a stronger analytical outlook in therealm of science, as well as areas of humanitarianism. The socialties created at this time are the ones that boost our careers and cansupport our ventures. Aquarius is the sign of vision andoriginality. We feel as though we can almost touch the future, hencewe strive to anticipate how it will be and how it should be.

While Venus transits Aquarius, ourcollection of friends become more significant to us. For some of us,all our close friends can be counted on one hand. But, with Aquarius,we recognize that we have many friends, from the friendly store clerkwho chat with on a regular basis, to the friends we acquire in thevarious clubs and organizations we belong to. These are the friendswho help us to feel in touch within our communities. Aquarius has abit of a restless spirit vibrating through it's influence. At times,we are likely to feel antsy, if events or situations don't move alongquickly enough. The Aquarian energy is frequently associated withideas that are radical and extreme, however, it can also be connectedto the inspirational and trend-setting changes that happen on aregular basis.

Individuals with Venus in Aquarius tendto be bubbly, enthusiastic and easy to be around. They are notinclined to show their emotions to others until they feel as thoughthey will not be judged for displaying their feelings. Romantically,some of their loves may feel "short changed" since they arenot always emotionally involved in the game of "love." Theywill tend to analyze their relationships with both friends andlovers. The Aquarius Venus loves a sense of freedom to exploreintellectually, friendships and their creative interests. If a lovertries to dissuade them from their treasured activities, lack ofsupport will not be well received. They are the most likely of allthe signs to walk away from an argument first. The Venus in Aquariusis steeped with desires for a better future. They may not be the bestat managing their financial resources. On the other hand, money doesnot always feel all that important. As long as they don't forget thatthe present is the reality to be dealt with first, their hopes forthe future are likely to be realized.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Aquarius

Alec Baldwin

Bruce Willis

Carmen Miranda

Carole King

Cybill Shepherd

Dick Van Dyke

Donny Osmond

Ellen DeGeneres

Elton John

Glenn Close

Franklin D Roosevelt

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Isaac Newton

Jack Lemmon

Janis Joplin

Jessica Biel

Mel Gibson

Nick Nolte

Nicolas Cage

Oprah Winfrey

Paris Hilton

Richard Dean Anderson

Ricky Martin

Sammy Davis Jr

Sharon Stone

Taylor Swift

Vanessa Williams

Vanna White

Wolfgang A. Mozart

Yoko Ono

Venus in Capricorn 2011

2011-11-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

Venus Transits Capricorn November 26 - December 19, 2011

Venus, the planet of value, friends, partnerships and beauty is shifting into the zodiac sign that helps us to define status, big goals and strategic plans. There is also a sense of aged-wisdom found within the sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is an Earth Cardinal influence, helping us to feel a sense of practicality within our leadership. We also discover unusual beauty outside of the bold statements and societal perceptions of ideal. Appearances of wealth and success are frequently associated with the Venus in Capricorn transit although there is significantly more to it than simply want and desire.

The Venus in Capricorn transit influences all of us by encouraging us to be better, to improve our sense of worth or our reputation. It is no surprise that the New Year resolution occurs during the sign of the Solar Capricorn transit. We are able to clearly see what the problems are, and we are ready to move forward to actually fix the issues. On the other hand, the fix is never quick and easy, and despite our determination while we are being influenced with the Capricorn energies, it is short lived, and once the planets have moved past Capricorn, we are right back to our old practices that don't truly resolve the problems.

Some of the difficult issues that we encounter with Venus in Capricorn is an unrealistic perspective to an ideal/goal that we would like to attain. We can see the problem, we can see where we need to go with fixing it, but we can't quite come to terms with the "necessary" for the fix. We push, but when reality pushes back, we may be a bit too quick to start looking for a new solution.

Individuals born with Venus in Capricorn can appear to be more serious within their relationships with others. There tends to be a shy, reserved trait but it usually is due to their desire to control their emotions so that their outward expressions are not presented as weak or insecure. The individual does not like to deal with the hurt and vulnerability that is frequently associated with romance. They also tend to keep their financial matters very private to minimize the likelihood of public scrutiny. Unfortunately, trying to hide from these situations does not prevent uncomfortable situations from occurring for the Venus in Capricorn. Perhaps one of the most cruel features of the Capricorn Venus is that when their attempts to protect themselves fail, they internalize the pain, frequently causing them to suffer more than necessary.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Capricorn

Tyra Banks
Marisa Berenson
Jeff Bridges
Dick Cavett
Miley Cyrus
Danny DeVito
Walt Disney
Mikhail Gorbachev
Daryl Hannah
Rock Hudson
Joan of Arc
Naomi Judd
Diane Keaton
Kennedy: Caroline, John F. Jrs. & Robert
Taylor Lautner
Toni Morrison
Dolly Parton
Brad Pitt
Presley: Elvis & Lisa Marie
Molly Ringwald
Chanda Rubin
Frank Sinatra
Britney Jean Spears
Betty White
Elijah Wood

Venus in Sagittarius 2011

2011-11-01T01:11:00.000-07:00

Venus Streaks through Sagittarius November 2 - November 25, 2011

Venus, the planet of relationships, good friends, monetary gain and beauty in the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius becomes fearless and adventurous. Travel, exploration and carefree attitudes are likely to be on the program now. We also may not be able to keep from tripping on our tongues as we blurt out exactly how we feel. While we may not be quite as intuitive as we were while Venus was in Scorpio, we do feel wiser and more cultured. We may also be more open to diversity and cultural differences. Financially, we are likely to splurge more than we should. But, how else are we going to travel the world without spending the inheritance.

The Venus in Sagittarius craves openness as well as awareness. Yet, despite the innate desire for love, the connection between lovers may not always be smooth. Our gusto could come across more as slapstick silliness. But laughter is a good release, bringing out different opportunities to appeal to others who share similar taste in humor. The restless Sagittarius energy could be unsettling for those who feel the need for power and control within relationships. The transition from Scorpio influences to Sagittarius influences could lead to some rocky confrontations.

The unflattering nature of Venus in Sagittarius is the somewhat crass or devil-may-care attitudes that can surface. People are less concerned about how others perceive their actions, taking on a "take it or leave it" stance.

Individuals born with Venus in Sagittarius are inclined to be more "happy go lucky" in love and money matters. They lean towards being quite popular, enthusiastic, outgoing and social. However, a sense of fairness is also important. They are not easily drawn into intrigue and mystery. They typically want honest interactions without deception or manipulation. They generally like their freedom to travel and learn. They are the more adventurous group in the zodiac and don't take kindly to being told what they can, or cannot do in life.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Sagittarius

Al Capone
Alan Alda
Angela Lansbury
Cleopatra
Christina Aguilera
David Bowie
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jane Fonda
Jimi Hendrix
Jonas Salk
Jude Law
Kevin Costner
Maria Shriver
Mark Twain
Roseanne Barr
Sally Field
Sammy Sosa
Suzanne Somers
Whoppi Goldberg

Venus in Scorpio 2011

2011-10-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Venus Strikes a pose in Scorpio October 9 - November 1, 2011

When Venus transits Scorpio, the passion within our relationships increases exponentially. Trying to satiate the lust that can be associated with Venus' trip through Scorpio is not easy. The characteristics from the planet of affection, beauty and money in the fixed element sign of Scorpio runs considerably deeper than in any other sign. Interestingly enough, despite the intensity, we also appear more aloof and distant until we feel a sense of trust. Scorpio is also associated with finances, but having more to do with loans, trusts and owing rather than money earned. Scorpio is better known for the hidden, mysterious under-currents of life.

The desire of Venus in Scorpio is a sense of integrity as well as intrigue. Superficial associations will never be satisfactory, however, the political field for the influence and status is sometimes connected with Venus in Scorpio. It's that power and control feature of Scorpio that can quickly be lured into politics. Be alert; there can also be layers of jealousy and revenge that can catch us off guard. There always seems to be a catch within any relationship when Venus transits Scorpio. While loyalty and integrity are a high priority, the expectation is that when it is given, it must also be received.

Individuals born with Venus in Scorpio are especially romantic and passionate. But they are also very upfront and sincere about their feelings within the relationship. They tend to be very knowledgeable about specific subjects. They are frequently interested in the psychological nature of others because they seem to have an intuitive understanding of human thought processes. They sometimes have a difficult time with finances until they come to understand that money is not an "entitlement" but a resource that is to be earned and respected. They may not have a large number of friends, but the friends they choose to be around have earned the Venus in Scorpio seal of approval.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Scorpio

Bette Midler
Bill Gates
Carl Sagan
Chris Evert
Demi Moore
Denzel Washington
Goldie Hawn
Heidi Montag
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Jana Novotna
Jodie Foster
Keith Richards
Leonardo DiCaprio
Marie Antoinette
Patty Duke
Shawn Kemp
Sigourney Weaver
Ted Bundy
Winona Ryder

Venus in Libra 2011

2011-09-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

Venus Lingers in Libra September 15 - October 8, 2011

When Venus transits Libra, the concept of interpersonal relationship is highlighted. Venus is the ruler of Libra and while most of us attribute Venus and Libra with Love, there is quite a bit more to the sign and the planet. Libra's also well known for balance and harmony, legal negotiations, business transactions, partnerships and monetary equality. In a nutshell, Libra is renowned for egalitarianism. Connections made while Venus is in Libra are less productive when the events are steeped in hierarchy or disharmony.

The Venus in Libra desire is for comfort and beauty. If money must be spent in order to attain that desire, then the amount will not be the deterrent. There is also the penchant for romance, and all the trappings that go with the rituals of love. However, love making may not be as important as the feelings of sensuality that lead up to the event. The same could hold true while trying to woo a business partnership. The energy that goes into the formation of the partnership feels so much more significant than the actual finalization of the business deal.

The cold side of the Libran Venus is the sometime haughty, "better than thee" attitude that can come through. Even though the belief of being "equal" is the precedence, the airy energies can sometime undo that as we become too indecisive or dive too deep into the game of equalization, forgetting that we are dealing with human emotions, as well. We will still need to make decisions and take actions regardless of whether others feel it is fair.

Individuals who are born with Venus in Libra tend to be very popular with the opposite sex. They are considered to be more affectionate and romantic within their relationships. They are drawn to marriage and partnerships which value them as an equal decision-maker. They don't like to be ruled over by others. They also don't like environments where there is a lot of strife or discord. Because they are drawn to romance and marriage, they are more likely to enter into these partnerships earlier in life than their peers. They are likely to feel more complete when walking through life within a relationship. They are also likely to be a natural mediator, trying to balance the outcomes of quarrels between others. Unfortunately, their desire for harmony does not always play out well within their own relationships.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Libra:

Nick Jonas
Jada Pinkett-Smith
Will Smith
Charlie Sheen
Woody Allen
Lance Armstrong
Kobe Bryant
Prince Charles
Prince Harry
Hillary Duff
John Edwards
Richard Gere
Shelley Long
Henry Winkler
Grace Kelly
Georgia O'Keeffe
River Phoenix

Venus in Virgo 2011

2011-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Venus Vaults through Virgo - August 21 - September 15, 2011

Venus, the planet of partnerships, value, good friends, income and beauty in the communal Mutable Earth sign of Virgo becomes articulate and concise. The unbridled affection that we felt with Venus in Leo is likely to be constricted now as Venus in Virgo can be considerably more discriminating in taste. We are more likely to refine our desires now, to seek out just the right person to fall in love with. Despite the change of attitude, the passion of Venus in Virgo is still quite intense! However, we may become so overly cautious that we not only narrow the playing field, but we also cast aside some of our best potentials. For some reason, we seem to focus more on the minor character flaws rather than looking at the overall person. Sitting around reading romance novels is certainly no substitute for real love.

We are more inclined to throw our energy into our business matters in an effort to get these affairs in tip-top shape. We are more likely to promote humanitarian concepts now as we feel a need to demonstrate our talents in ways to help others. We are no longer concerned with getting all the attention focused on ourselves, preferring to let the limelight shine on someone else.

Individuals who are born with Venus in Virgo are, quite possibly, reserved in the love department but have a keen awareness of money, value, ethics and loyalty. They are likely to have a flair for teaching, writing, and business analysis. They may not give their heart away to just anyone. That special someone will have to work hard to earn their respect and attention. They are drawn to people who treat them special. They need to be careful of the dubious con who plays with their heartstrings in an effort to take something important from them. Their love and affection comes across as mysterious to many, who make false assumptions about the best way to win their heart.

Some famous individuals with Venus in Virgo:

Anne Bancroft
Antonio Banderas
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Colin Firth
Eminem
Halle Berry
Heather Locklear
Helen Hayes
J.K. Rowling
Jennifer Lopez
John Lennon
Julia Child
Julia Roberts
Kate Winslet

Lily Tomlin
Lucille Ball
Magic Johnson
Mick Jagger
Patrick Swayze
Penny Marshall
Robert de Niro
Robert Redford
Robin Williams
Sarah Ferguson
Scout Willis
Sean Penn
Sigourney Weaver
Spencer Pratt

Retrograde Mercury August 2 - August 26, 2011

2011-08-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

Mercury, like all the other planets that orbit the Sun, will be appearing to retrograde motion starting late in the day on August 2 for the western hemisphere and early in the morning on August 3 for the majority of the eastern hemisphere. Although Mercury starts the retrograde in Virgo, five days after retrograde begins, Mercury will egress Virgo for Leo.

Initially, the retrograde may bring about issues that develop as a result of missing the details. We could forget to pick someone up from the airport, or walk off leaving something of value on the counter. Initiating contracts or negotiations could simply backfire or blow up before it ever being finalized. After Mercury is in Leo, the energy shifts to having issues with creativity, romance and risk-taking. Finding new ways to express our creative side could end up as a reward, if this energy is dealt with correctly. Don't focus on the progress. Instead, let whatever culminates stand as is, until Mercury stations direct. Re-evaluate after August 26 to determine whether the project or situation is feasible.

Other dates to be aware of are the shadows on either side of the retrograde. The preshadow of Mercury's retrograde was July 15 to August 2. The postshadow will be August 26 to September 9. These are great times to gear up in preparation before and then wind down or clean up after the retrograde.

Another interesting perspective for the Mercury retrograde is where the Mercury transit is from the Heliocentric perspective as opposed to just the geocentric one. While Geo Mercury is transiting backward in Virgo, Helio Mercury will be in Capricorn. When we blend the two energies together, we can fuse the reduced analytical feature of Mercury's retrograde with the power driven workaholic Capricorn. This may well be a time of purging and cleaning. When Geo Mercury is back into Leo, the Helio Mercury will be in Aquarius until August 18 and then Pisces until August 25. The Aquarius influence will likely add in a layer of friendship with freedom. There could be a few sudden shifts in relationships. Not always in a negative way, but more "in a new way." The Helio Mercury in Pisces along with Mercury retrograde in Leo is likely to encourage us to pursue the pleasures of life. For some, it may be the guilty pleasures, while for others, it could be the simple pleasures. Either way, enjoyment is the main goal.

Regardless of where the Mercury retrograde transit moves through your chart, be prepared to re-do, re-think, re-group and re-strain. To learn more about Mercury's Retrograde, read the article in the Astrology section of Lunar Living.

Moon Sign Compatibility

2011-07-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

A new website designed around Lunar Living's Moon Match page has been started up and promises to become quite popular. The Love Signs of the Moon has a bit more mystery than the Sun Signs since the Moon's a bit harder to track. New tools have been added to help find the Moon Sign, plus a Solar Signs, Lunar Signs and Rising (Ascendant) compatibility page has been added to provide a bit more information about relationship building. Check out the site at http://www.moonmatch.me/ Yes, that's truly the URL: MoonMatch (dot) Me! Check it out and enjoy :)

Declinations of the Grand Square - 2010

2010-08-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

In my article on JAstrology I speak about declinations of the planets being in critical areas of the Zodiac. One way to show you this is by creating a declination chart (graph) that shows the Moon's transit Out of Bounds at the top of the graph (for Cancer), Pluto as the bottom of the graph (for Capricorn) and the other planets all tightly grouped in the middle around the equator. Although the Equator would seemingly indicate all the planets being in the same sign, it is the dividing point for the North and South declinations. The North is the equator to the Tropic of Cancer and all the signs from Aries to Virgo. The South is from the equator to the Tropic of Capricorn and all the sign from Libra to Pisces. The signs on either side of the zero declination (aka equator) are Pisces, Aries, Virgo and Libra. At the opposing ends of the declination are the degrees of Tropic (and beyond). The degrees of Tropic are 23 deg 27 min. Anytime planets exceed 23.27, then the planet is considered to be Out of Bounds (OOB) by declination. The OOB energies vary depending upon the planet, but it typically indicates a sense of vulnerability.

Fiery Tidal Wave - Grand Cross 2010

2010-08-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

The impact of the Grand Cross this month could feel like we are being hit with the force of a tsunami. With seven planets in the rare mix of energies (ten squares and seven oppositions), the majority of the planets will be in tight alignments in Cardinal modalities that we are likely to feel the need to react spontaneously to any dire event. There are several planet alignments in this Grand Square that might encourage us to act with controlling choices causing significant damage on the victims of our wrath. Or, we may be the victims with serious consequences. Each of us should use preventive measures, safety precautions and stay attentive to our environments as we move through this Grand Square (Cross) influence on August 5, 6 and 7th. Read more at Jastrology.

Just a Jiffy Jupiter Jaunt

2010-06-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

For approximately two months, Jupiter will transit into Aries and then stop (well, figuratively) to retrograde back over the first three degrees of Aries and right back into Pisces (on September 8/9). Prior to the retrograde motion in July, Jupiter will be forming a conjunction with Uranus in Aries (Oh My!). Should we expect "expanded shock" this summer? Read more about this transit at Jastrology.com

Uranus is Officially in Aries

2010-05-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

That's what the ephemeris has informed me; the Uranus transit has finally found the cusp of Aries and is proceeding to revisit the sign for the first time in approximately 65 years! Beginning on March 31, 1927, Uranus began a transit of Aries and finalized that transit on March 28, 1935. Of course, at the beginning and end of the transit, there were short periods of ingress/egress across the cusps. But, essentially, we can basically mark these dates as the beginning and end. This current Uranus transit of Aries begins today, and will effectively leave Aries on March 6, 2019.

The biggest question is "what should we expect" of Uranus in Aries. There is no simple answer to this. I believe that we can expect to experience unusual leaders. There's the strong possibility that leaders who have been perceived as a bit loony and have been on the sidelines of the political arena, are more likely to make a stronger presence. Inventions pertaining to military strength or war are likely to draw our attention. Aggressive communications and/or messages are more likely to command our attention, as well.

Looking back to the last Uranus in Aries transit, some notable events are:

1928 - In England, Penicillin was discovered as an antibiotic, home pregnancy tests were being introduced in France, a sliced bread maker and bubble gum was introduced in the US and Amelia Earhart was the first woman to pilot a plane across the Atlantic Ocean.

1929 - The first car radio was developed by Motorola, the Graf Zeppelin - German airship completed a trip around the world, the first phone booths were introduced in London, and the soft drink 7-up was invented. Over 200,000 people died world-wide from an epidemic of influenza and the Wall Street Crash in late October marked the beginning of the great Depression.

1930 - The discovery of the planet Pluto, frozen food sold commercially in the US, sticky tape was invented and the jet engine was introduced in England. Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly from England to Australia, the US tightened regulations to make liquor illegal, Mahatma Gandhi was arrested for organizing a peaceful revolt in India, unemployment was impacting the world economy and over 1300 banks failed in the US.

1931 - Television was becoming a mainstay for those who could afford it as more transmitter towers were made available for broadcasting, the electric razor and nylon stockings were invented in the US, and the aerosol can was invented in Norway. The Empire Sate building was completed, the unemployment rate in the US reached over 8 million of the 122 million US inhabitants, while the state of Nevada voted to legalize all types of gambling as a resource for taxable revenue. The City of Chicago ran out of funds for its schools and did not pay the teachers for approximately two months. Another 1000+ US banks failed. Australia established independence from Great Britain.

1932 - Despite the economic decline, inventions and technology continued such as the radio telescope, the Polaroid camera and the parking meter in the US. BBC television begin in England. Unemployment in the US jumped to over 13 million while most companies in the US cut their employees' wages by 30% or cut back the number of hours an employee was allowed to work. The Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles, California and the Winter Olympics were in Lake Placid, New York.

1933 - Unemployment in the US and Great Britain had swelled to over 25%, plus there was also a health crisis in the US as people could not afford medical treatments. Tuberculosis, Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria affected large sectors across the US. Russia was dealing with an epidemic of Typhus. In an effort to raise national morale, the US president began using radio broadcasts known as the "fireside chat" to talk with the public. The drive-in movie was introduced in the US as well as the chocolate chip cookie and the Monopoly board game.

1934 - Unemployment rates dropped to 22% in the US but weather conditions destroyed many crops and farm land across the US. Forceful (aggressive?) leadership changes occurred in Brazil, Bolivia and Germany.

If we look back in time, we can see some similarities to our current global situations. Health, finances, weather and leadership are just as important now as they were 70 years ago. Can we avoid some of the same devastating pitfalls? Truthfully, that may not be known until 2019-2020.

Astrology Terms - Glossary

2010-05-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

The Moon Tracks Astrology Blog now includes a list of frequently used astrology terms for the articles posted on that blog as well as on the Moon Tracks Astrology Calendar site. It is a nice little resource for the sometimes confusing terms that astrologists/astrologers tend to use when writing pieces pertaining to the planetary influences of astrology.

Check it out. I bet that it will have some terms you don't know, forgotten about, or at the very least, haven't heard for a while.

Be well,

Solar Eclipse - Lunar Eclipse - Conjunctions to Planets

2009-06-26T01:58:00.000-07:00

The Solar Eclipses and Lunar Eclipses have a tendency to bring a shift of power to our lives, particularly when the eclipse forms a tight conjunction to an important placement within our chart. We know that we will feel the influence the most when we note an orb of 5 degrees or less between the Eclipse transit to our natal planet.
[Read more...]

Let's Begin with Easy Astrology

2009-03-17T15:08:00.001-07:00

There are always so many different places to start when it comes to learning Astrology. There are also many different flavors of Astrology. I'll be focusing on the more traditional Western style of Astrology using the Tropical Placidus calculations. Right off the bat, I've introduced a phrase that you probably have never heard of.

So that we don't get too far off the learning track, I'll use a "nutshell" description of Tropical and Placidus. The basic concept of the Tropical Zodiac is that we use Aries as the beginning point of the series of the astrological signs by attaching Aries the "moving target" of the spring equinox (fall equinox for the southern hemisphere). The date and time of the beginning of spring becomes the Aries Point, or 0 degrees of Aries. The Tropical Zodiac can also be referred to as the Hipparchus Zodiac or Modern Zodiac using the beginning point and the ending point of the Equinox and Solstice for each season to calculate the degrees and minutes of each Zodiac Sign . Another popular zodiac calculation is the Sidereal Zodiac frequently used in Vedic Astrology. Tropical Zodiac and Sidereal Zodiac use different methods of computation. Placidus is a house system that is popular with some astrologists using the Tropical Zodiac or Western Astrology. Another popular house system is Koch and Equal. Each House system has its set of fans for a variety of reasons, but we won't go down that path just yet.

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed yet? Shake it off. For now, we really only need to be looking at the twelve signs of the zodiac. Then we'll add in the planets. After that, we'll move to the Houses. From there, we'll investigate Chart Patterns and Aspects. To stay on task, I'm going to be using Joann Hampar's book, "Astrology for beginners." This book will take us through the first four levels of learning about Astrology and learning how to read your (and others') charts. Just remember that we will be focusing on using the Tropical Zodiac and the Placidus House System.

Below is a table of the most basic and elementary information about each sign. The characteristics of the signs will be included on the lesson plan within the chartroom.

Zodiac Signs	Glyph / Icon	*Solar Sign Dates(Apprx.)**	Element	Quality	Key Phrase	Ruler
Aries	image-aries	3/21 – 4/19	Fire	Cardinal	I am	Mars
Taurus	image-taurus	4/20 – 5/20	Earth	Fixed	I have	Venus
Gemini	image-gemini	5/21 – 6/21	Air	Mutable	I think	Mercury
Cancer	image-cancer	6/22 – 7/22	Water	Cardinal	I feel	Moon
Leo	image-leo	7/23 – 8/22	Fire	Fixed	I will	Sun
Virgo	image-virgo	8/23 – 9/22	Earth	Mutable	I analyze	Mercury
Libra	image-libra	9/23 – 10/23	Air	Cardinal	I balance	Venus
Scorpio	image-scorpio	10/24 – 11/22	Water	Fixed	I desire	Mars/Pluto
Sagittarius	image-sagittarius	11/23 – 12/21	Fire	Mutable	I understand	Jupiter
Capricorn	image-capricorn	12/22 – 1/20	Earth	Cardinal	I utilize	Saturn
Aquarius	image-aquarius	1/21 – 2/18	Air	Fixed	I know	Uranus
Pisces	image-pisces	2/19 – 3/20	Water	Mutable	I believe	Jupiter

* NOTE: The beginning and ending dates of the solar signs are approximate. The time and date are defined by the beginning/ending of the equinoxes and the solstices.

J Astrology

New Astrology Website

2009-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

As an adjunct to Lunar Living Astrology, I'm developing an astrology website focusing on learning western astrological techniques, JAstrology.

As the site develops, I'll add more information here.

Be well,

J