Astrological Trends
2009
By: Ingrid Jeffries
“ Change happens not by trying to make yourself change, but by becoming conscious of what’s
not working.” Shakti Gawain
February
“As you focus on what is good about others you enable them to achieve it.”
In early February the days noticeably lengthen and we feel lighter with the Sun and Jupiter
conjoined in sparkling Aquarius. Mercury, the planet of communication and contracts, resumes
forward motion on 2/1 at 21 degrees of Capricorn, allowing us to wrap up business matters.
Uranus in Pisces tightly opposes Saturn in Virgo for much of the month, creating a conflict
between the future (Uranus) and the past (Saturn), particularly in the area of service (a Virgo /
Pisces theme). Venus, the planet of relationship, moves into pioneering and bold Aries on 2/4,
while Mars her paramour and the planet of vitality moves into social and freedom loving
Aquarius on 2/5. The month long sextile aspect between this planetary pair favors bold social
interaction and intense romantic encounters.
The Leo / Aquarius Full Moon annular eclipse occurs on 2/9 during our daylight hours, so we
won’t be able to see it. The Sun in Aquarius is joined with the planet of glamour and illusion,
Neptune, lending an element of the unreal to this lunation. Mercury joins the line up in
Aquarius on 2/14 creating an energetic emphasis of this innovative freedom loving planetary
power. On 2/19 the Sun moves in the sign of the fish, Pisces. With the ruling planets of Pisces
and Aquarius in mutual reception there is greater orientation towards being of altruistic social
service. This is the energy of the Christ or Bodhisattva that puts the well being of others
before his or her own.
The psychic Pisces New Moon occurs on 2/25 and is the perfect time to rally your friends and
associates around your favorite cause. Anything you want to begin now will be more
successful if it is a ‘team’ experience.
March
“ If you ask for guidance, trust the images that come into your mind.”
This month the plants march towards the Saturn / Uranus stand off. Pisceans may find
themselves pining for more carefree and predictable times, but as always their intuition is on
target and it is important to listen. On 3/6 Venus begins her biannual retrograde path retreating
from Aries back into Pisces on 4/12. When Venus is retrograde, old friends and/or lovers may
reenter one's life, financial returns are apt to be delayed and affection is more difficult to
receive and express. Beginning a new relationship, buying luxury items and investing in
objects of art or items of beauty is generally discouraged during Venus’s retrograde period.
This is the time to reassess ones values and expenditures of time, energy and money. Mercury
enters Pisces on 3/9; the same day the Sun opposes serious Saturn. Mercury in Pisces can be
somewhat scattered though highly creative. For the next two weeks the Sun and Mercury face
the taskmaster, Saturn, while embracing unpredictable Uranus. During this time, the best-laid
plans may go awry while the most interesting encounters can occur. This is a very good time to
practice ‘non-attachment’. The Virgo / Pisces Full Moon on 3/10 further highlights these
energies with the Moon conjunct Saturn opposing the Sun conjoined Uranus pitting the
practical against the zany. Mars moves into Pisces on 3/16 taking on the mantle of the sacred
warrior. This is a very spiritual placement for Mars and those born with it are often the
peacemakers.
The spring equinox occurs on 3/20 when the Sun enters Aries. This is a pioneering and
aggressive Sun sign, but the conjunction with retrograde Venus softens the Aries rough edges
this year. Mercury moves into this quick and spunky sign on 3/25, while the following day 3/26
brings us the spontaneous and action orientated Aries New Moon. This is the perfect day to do
something daring, to take a risk and follow your heart. In the sign of Aries it will never be
boring.
April
“Courage is not just one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point.”
Mercury the planet of communication and travel in Aries rises with the Sun, emphasizing its
importance this month. Hasty or ill-considered communications will not serve and can lead to
tremendous confusion. With Mars the planet of speed in spacey Pisces opposite Saturn, and
Mercury in emphasis, slow down and pay extra attention when you are behind the wheel.
Powerful planetoid Pluto in charge of irrevocable change begins retrograde motion on 4/3
allowing us to review and realign ourselves with the shifts we need to make in order for our
lives to adjust to changing times. Venus continues in retrograde motion until 4/17 moving back
through the early degrees of Aries and entering 29 Pisces on 4/11. This allows for excellent
magnetism through visionary energies. Focus on what you want and draw it to you, or open the
path before you and go after it in Aries style. Saturn the planet associated with responsibility,
accomplishment and evaluation, continues to move retrograde through the sign of Virgo
touching the lives of those with planets in mid degrees of the mutable signs until May.
Specifically, affecting those born in the first two weeks of September, March, June and
December. Mercury enters staid and practical Taurus on 4/9 just minutes before the Full Moon
lending the element of pragmatism to plans and projects. The Libra Full Moon occurs on 4/9 and
links into the creative Jupiter / Neptune conjunction in Aquarius, instilling a sense of greater
possibilities if one is willing to do the work needed. The Sun enters sensual Taurus on 4/19
linking with that powerhouse Pluto, for the next 5 days, allowing one to make headway with any
project that demands intense focus and perseverance. These potent energies are evident in
the Taurus New Moon of 4/24. With Venus just re-entering Aries joining Mars (who entered
Aries on 4/23) there is plenty of motivational energy to move mountains through the last week
of this month.
May
“Love transcends the self.”
May opens with Venus and Mars acting as morning stars, stimulating heart centered pioneering
action. The Sun is presently the sole Taurus influence as Mercury moves into gabby Gemini on
the 1st where he promptly turns retrograde on 5/6, to move back into practical Taurus on 5/15
where he stays for the rest of the month. The Jupiter and Neptune conjunction in Aquarius will
perfect on 5/23. The last time these two danced together in this sign was 1843. This influence,
which will be in operation most of the summer, is idealistic, humanitarian, and generous. Pluto
in Capricorn could have a transformative effect on collective attitudes towards wealth and
possessions. Perhaps it will once again be cool to be non-materialistic, and to share rather than
to own. The Scorpio Full Moon occurs on 5/9 and is the time of the Wesak celebrations.
Legend tells us that this is the time when Christ and Buddha reappear with legions of ascended
beings high in the Himalayas to bring a blessing of Love to Humanity. To find about more on
this celebration go to the “articles” page at www.NorthStarAstrology.net and look up Wesak.
Saturn the planet of discipline returns to direct motion at 15 degrees of purity and service
orientated Virgo, giving us our final push to address health and contribution issues before he
travels into the sign of Libra in November where he will remain until 2012. The Sun moves into
scintillating Gemini on 5/20 promoting a greater sense of curiosity and community. The Gemini
New Moon occurs on 5/24. This is a wonderful time to align with others to manifest your hopes
and wishes. Neptune the planet associated with compassion as well as illusion begins
retrograde motion on 5/29 allowing us to fine tune our dreams or spiral into delusion. Mercury
once again starts forward momentum on 5/31.
June
“A thousand mile journey begins with the first step.”
June opens with the fun loving Gemini Sun in a challenging aspect to Saturn the planet most
associated with work. Mars moves into steady Taurus providing the sustaining energy to
accomplish much this month. Mercury also in sensible Taurus challenges the Aquarian Jupiter /
Neptune conjunction stimulating us to further fine-tune our approach to manifesting our
ideals. The friendly Sagittarius Full Moon on 6/7 has serious and responsibility oriented Saturn
dampening this fire sign Moon’s style. Gatherings at this time favor productivity over
spontaneity. Venus joins Mercury and Mars in Taurus on 6/7. The planetary emphasis in earth
can be very driven to accomplish practical results and focus on fiscal sensibility. Mercury
moves into his home sign of Gemini on 6/15 stimulating greater creativity and innovation. On
this same day Jupiter the planet of expansion and optimism begins retrograde motion in
Aquarius allowing us to deepen and internalize our connection to the collective forces we align
with Love or Fear.
The summer Solstice occurs just before midnight on 6/20. The energies of this solstice chart
are focused on creating security and community connection. The Cancer New Moon occurs on
6/22 and is opposed by Pluto the planet of obsessions. Notice what your mind tends to
consistently focus on at this time, as there are deep clues to what you believe about your own
foundational security, which actually is more about your psychological / spiritual well being than
financial factors. Certainly, with Jupiter and Neptune continuing to be joined i the media
influence is very powerful this summer. Take note if its contribution is negative or positive and
be aware that the truth about things covered may not be entirely the “truth”.
