JUPITER moves into Aries today, May 8, 2011

JUPITER, the great benefic, just moved this morning at 2:40 a.m. Mountain time, from its own sign of Pisces, into Aries, a friend’s sign.  This still bodes well for Sagittarians and Pisces, the signs ruled by Jupiter.

May has been a very eventful month, astrologically. The lunar nodes RAHU and KETU just moved on May 3rd. This provides some good relief for our Gemini and Sagittarius friends (rising or Moon signs, especially, and to some degree Sun signs), as they are now free of the year and a half transit of Ketu over Gemini and Rahu over Sagittarius. 

RAHU moved into Scorpio and KETU moved into Taurus, their signs of debilitation. This will be an 18 month transit. If you are feeling some new mood swings or getting obsessed in unusual ways…now you know why, Scorpios and Taureans!  This could be an excellent time to have a reading with me to learn methods of coping with this transit.

On Tuesday night, May 10th, Mercury and Venus joins Jupiter and the Sun (exalted in Aries) in this sign of new beginnings.  So we will experience another “planetary pile up in one sign”. 

This will an exciting time of some intensity, mostly positive, for those with Aries moon, Ascendant or Sun signs.  If you were planning to start a new enterprise, it could be an wonderful time for this, but it’s best to contact me for a “Muhurta” (special event chart) to make sure you also get the best time of day to start your project, new business, or marriage.

PLANETS Pile Up in PISCES

Pisces – the sign of Old Souls and mysticism, of wisdom and emotional healing

“That which comes last, comes solid” is an old expression, meant to encourage those of us who have had to have the patience of a saint to endure through the load of Karma that we optimistically put on our plates, prior to this incarnation.  “Pay off your past, before you can invest in your future” is a nice quote I heard on a CNN finance program today. The same applies to the strategy that many of us old souls agreed to in terms of the blueprint for this lifetime, when it comes to dealing with our Karma. It’s rather like “finish your vegetables, and clean your plate before you can have any dessert.”  Getting the “hard parts” out of the way first, we determined in advance, would make the happiness and relief that comes afterward so much more appreciated.

Currently we have the Sun, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter all sitting in the water sign of Pisces. Jupiter is very happy here, in his own sign…and in this high dignity helps give a “neecha bhanga yoga” (relief from debilitation) to Mercury, as this is his sign of Debilitation.  Mercury will actually exit Pisces and enter Aries on March 28th, but it goes retrograde March 30th (until April 23rd).  Mercury thus will backtrack into Pisces on April 2nd and remain there until May 10th. This happy Jupiter is very beneficial to Sagittarians and Pisces rising and Moon signs.

MARS just entered Pisces on Friday morning, March 25th, and will remain in his friend’s sign until May 3rd, on which date Mars enters his own sign of Aries.

Benefic VENUS will join the group in Pisces – its sign of Exaltation – on April 15th. It is most happy in this sign and will remain here until May 10th, giving yet another Neecha bhanga yoga to the debilitated Mercury. All in all, this Mercury transit through Pisces should not be so bad for him, even though it is his sign of debilitation. That is good news for all Virgo and Gemini Ascendants or Moon sign people, the signs ruled by Mercury.

Even the Moon joins the cast of planets in Pisces at the end of the day April 28th, for a two and a half day transit through this sign.  Let us hope that the fortunate line up of so many planets in Pisces, will bless our planet with a greater degree of peace and harmony than we have seen in some time, and create peace in the hearts of so many who are currently undergoing conditions of war and strife.

NAMASTE, Mary, from the Sunshine Corner

MARS combust the Sun; Saturn is retrograde

MARS COMBUST THE SUN

One of the biggest planetary events creating a stir of problematic energy at the current time is the fact that Mars and the Sun are traveling so closely together.  We refer to this as “Mars being Combust the Sun.” For days now, they have been traveling either at the very same degree, or within one degree of each other. Ouch! While both are in the sign of Capricorn, where Mars is in its Exaltation status, the extreme “heat” of the Sun serves to make it very much of a “crispy critter”, thus it cannot deliver its good qualities of energy and action.  This also has an actual POSITIVE result, I believe.  Mars is the “Commander in Chief” in the line up of planets used in the Vedic Astrology system.  On the world scene, the fact that the Egyptian army has not charged in to interrupt the big demonstrations, and continues to resist perpetrating any major harm on its citizens, could be reflected in the planet Mars not having any power to “act” right now.

On the individual level, those with either Scorpio or Aries Ascendant or Moons, will feel the heat the most, as Mars rules their birth charts. So will Capricorn Rising and Moon signs, as this dance is going on in their first house of self and body. Cancerians can feel the combustion too, mostly in the relationship area of their lives, as Capricorn is their 7th house of marriage and partnership.   The combust condition will continue for an unusually long time, 11/27/10 – 4/25/11, so there may be some excessive restlessness, irritability or more quarrelsomeness than normal during this time, primarily for the signs just mentioned.  At least the two planets will not be running at the same degree, during this entire period. To see how this transit affects YOU, please contact me for a personal reading, at 303-473-9393.

SATURN RETROGRADE from January 25th until June 12th, 2011

Saturn is traveling through Virgo, a friend’s sign. It becomes more powerful to deliver the things it stands for, whenever it is retrograde. It will remain in this sign until 11/14/2011, at which time it will enter Libra for 2.5 years, its sign of exaltation.  As usual with astrology, there is some “good news/bad news” to its current state.  If we consider some of the things Saturn represents: the working class, servants, seniors, agriculture, law enforcement, duty, responsbility, perhaps we shall see some strengthening of the rights of workers, etc. during this period. Saturn is receiving a beneficial aspect now too, from benefic Jupiter, strong in its own sign of Pisces. The rights or the poor and working class are certainly in the forefront of the news right now, in several countries.

VENUS is transitting Sagittarius now, with malefic, passionate Rahu.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Venus will be in this sign from 1/29 – 2/24/2011.  Since Rahu “seizes and let’s go”, there can be plenty of intense romantic feelings, especially for Sagittarians now, but watch out for the sudden letting go feature! 

 Wishing you much happiness and planetary bliss, From the Sunshine Corner, Mary Stevenson. www.vedicstarcharts.com

2011- planet changes in January

Let’s start 2011 with some good news:  MERCURY WENT DIRECT on December 30th (in the wee hours), so communications can flow more easily now. This is especially good news for those with either Virgo or Gemini Ascendants or Moon signs. But it does go combust the Sun again on January 4th.

 

VENUS - planet of beauty, love and affection, luxuries, comforts and desires just moved into Scorpio today, Jan. 1st (until Jan. 29th, when it will move into Sagittarius), so it’s your time to feel affectionate and attractive, Scorpio Ascendants and Moon sign people!

The New Moon on January 4th will play host to a partial solar eclipse, visible in Europe, Africa and Central Asia, so those areas will experience more the brunt of this traditionally-viewed omen of challenges to come.

January 7th — features a couple of interesting changes. Mercury will move back into Sagittarius, after having backed up all the way into Scorpio during its retrograde motion. This is helpful to our “Sag” friends in the areas of work, business and partnerships. 

A greater blessing to Sagittarius Ascendants and Moon sign folks is getting Mars OFF of their backs the same day, January 7th, where its transit with malefic Rahu since November 29, 2010, has been detrimental to your peace of mind!  Mars moves next into Capricorn, its sign of exaltation.  Capricorns will feel driven, ambitious, “energized”, and focused more than ever on their goals.  Just be careful to avoid excessive irritation, anger or impatience during this transit which goes until February 15th.

Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius, goes retrograde on January 25th, until June 12th. It remains in Virgo, a friend’s sign until November 14th, until moving into Libra, where it is exalted. Both during the retrograde condition, and then when it moves into Libra, this planet will be very strong indeed. Everything ruled by Saturn should get emphasized or strengthened: the Law, structure, hard work and the working class, rules and regulations.

Enjoy the new year and may the planets bring you many blessings!  From the Sunshine Corner, Mary

 

Planetary Transits – very intense now

Feeling the Challenges?

Are you ready to hear the litany of challenging transits going on, which seem to be affecting most everyone in one form or another? Okay, here goes!

1. Mercury is retrograde, from December 10th, until the wee hours of December 30th.  Most of you understand that this puts a cramp on all types of communications. Please read about those effects in my previously posted blog articles below.

2.  Mercury is sitting in Sagittarius, conjunct with malefics Rahu (north node of the Moon, which seizes and lets go), and Mars.

3.  Not an easy time for our Sagittarius Ascendants or Moon sign friends! This past Saturday, December 11th, Mars and Rahu were conjunct to the very same degree. Just traveling together, they can cause mayhem and chaos.  On a global or national level (some pandits believe the USA has a Sagittarius Ascendant), that could be anything from acts of war, terrorism or violent weather, etc.  On an individual level, it can indicate extreme restlessness, irritability, or if one’s dashas (personal planetary cycles) supported it …worse health problems, anything that affects the head or brain of a Sagittarius Ascendant (like strokes, but we hope not!)  Mars will stay in this sign with Rahu, until January 7, 2011.

4.  Now Mars has advanced enough to catch up with the retrograding Mercury, so those two are now in “planetary war”, i.e. within one degree of each other.   Well, they have just finished that war, a couple of hours ago. During the past couple of days, it would not have been very comfortable for anyone ruled by Mercury, i.e. the Virgo and Gemini Rising or Moon sign people.  Both Mercury and Mars are combust the Sun as well (i.e. traveling too close, so “feeling the heat”!) Mercury just went combust today.

5.  The Sun joins those 3 planets in Sagittarius Wednedsday evening, December 15th.  So things will heat up even more for our Sag friends, although, this Sun represents the 9th house of good luck and good fortune for them, so can bring solutions and more of a sense of personal power, too. This will be a one month transit.

6. We are also building up to the Full Moon on December 21, 2010, yes this occurs on the Winter Solstice, accompanied by a Total Lunar Eclipse in the sign of Gemini. Malefic Ketu, the south node of the Moon, will be trying to “swallow” the moon and put out the light of this luminary, so as usual, that is not an auspicious occurence. Cancer Ascendants and moon sign folks, take note, as this eclipse will occur in your 12th house of loss and expenditure. It is also a house of Enlightenment or spiritual development, so best to stick with your spiritual practices of meditation, japa, seva, yoga, or some inward focus, on this date.

As usual, if you wish to have a more detailed understanding of how these celestial events are affecting your own birthchart and your life, please contact me for a personal 90 minute reading. I’ve kept my prices at the same low $150 for 12 years now, and do record the session for you. 303-473-9393. Namaste, Mary, from the Sunshine Corner

2011 Periods of Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde periods (not good for signing contracts or making any type of agreements):

Dec. 10 – Dec. 30, 2010 is the last period of this in 2010.

2011 Period of Mercury Retrograde (please see previous posts as to those affects)

 

March 30 – April 23, 2011

August 2 – 26, 2011

November 24 – December 13, 2011

SIX eclipses will occur in 2011

There will be 4 partial solar eclipses and 2 lunar eclipses in 2011. That is two more than usual! ☼

A very good site to see the path of visibility for each eclipse is NASA’s: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/

These occur on the following dates: 

January 4th – solar eclipse, in Sagittarius

June 1st – solar eclipse, in Taurus

June 15th – Total lunar eclipse, in Scorpio (early a.m. in the USA)

July 1st – solar eclipse, in Gemini (in the southern hemisphere)

November 25 – solar eclipse, in Scorpio

December 10th -Total lunar eclipse, in Taurus

Please note that in the tradition of Vedic Astrology, eclipses are inauspicious.

It is deemed unwise to be viewing such a celestial event, or let any of the light of the Luminary being eclipsed fall upon one’s body.  Especially expectant mothers are advised to avoid eclipses! The best thing to do is be inside, reading spiritual texts, meditating, and also not consuming food during the eclipse period. The lingering effects of eclipses are felt more in the locations on Earth where they are actually visible.

The Vedic Chart of the 9/06/10 Fire Near Boulder,CO

   In the Vedic Astrology chart for that date and time, Saturn rules the 4th house of homes/property and sits in the 12th house of LOSS, hemmed in by malefics, i.e. fiery Mars in the 1st house and the Sun (a mild malefic) on the other side  in the 11th house with Mercury, Lord of the 12th. Of course both Mars and the Sun are enemies to Saturn.

    I’m glad most people got their horses out. I have not heard reports of any pets deaths, but we cannot help but wonder about the wildlife, too. It is probable that benefic Jupiter’s aspect (strong, in its on sign now) on Saturn, may have saved the animals and many of the homes that were saved, actually.

   The Ascendant of this chart is Libra, an Air sign. Libra, and the planets sitting in this first house, Mars with Venus, Lord of the chart, were also getting an aspect from malefic Ketu, positioned in the Air Sign Gemini, in the Ardra nakshatra. The symbol of Ardra is the tear drop and this lunar constellation is often associated with pain.  Ketu from this position was capable of inflicting more damage on the situation, and even something tricky.  Perhaps the cause of the fire is reflected by this astrological influence as well, as the local rumors are that some RV vehicle hit a propane tank up in the Gold Hill area.

   The Ascendant was 0 degrees, 24 minutes of Libra; Mars was 0 degrees, 30 minutes into Libra, so both were in Sandhi, i.e. “the gap”, a condition that gives weakness or shaky condition either a planet or a rising sign. Both were in the Nakshatra of Chita, whose Lord is MARS, and this lunar constellation is in the Rakshasa (demon) group. Nakshtras are divided into either rakshasa, human or deva groupings. The negative qualities of Ketu were stronger due to sitting in this Rakshasa constellation. 

  There were 8 of us in a hiking group that day and we saw the huge plume of smoke billowing high in the sky at approximately 10:30 a.m.  I posted the 2 photos I took of that on Facebook that day.  The winds were incredibly ferocious that morning and in fact put an end to our hiking plans.  So the condition of “the air” (i.e. fierce winds) served to burst the calamitous fire into many locations, carrying embers all over.

  The air was polluted by this sudden, unexpected event (Ketu influence) and the wind whipped the fire and smoke to run in many directions, I understand.  That Mars (representing fire and accidents) was just barely into this air sign Libra, right on the degree of the Ascendant speaks volumes to me, as well.  To me, it is like this sign was “overwhelmed” by a disturbed Mars, made even more tricky by Ketu’s aspect!  Ketu represents hindrance and degradation.

The Latest Planet Changes – Much News on Transits!

The Sunshine Corner is glad to update you on the astrological movements.

We are just getting over the effects of the total Solar Eclipse which occurred on July 11, 2010.  This event took place in the sign of Gemini, in the Vedic system, which uses the Sidereal Zodiac.  Fortunately it was not visible here in America, so the impact would not be so great for us as the places in which it was visible: the South Pacific Ocean, Cook Islands, Easter Island, southern South America, southern Chile and Argentina, parts of Antarctica.  Still, the effects of an eclipse can last for 2 weeks…some Jyotishis say, even longer.

 Mars/Saturn planetary war! When planets are within one degree of each other, they are “at war.” To the victor belong the spoils? These two arch enemies were indeed “at it” from early morning 7/29/10 until just prior to 4 a.m. MDT on 8/02/10.  Did anyone else feel that roughness?? We think so…based on the number of clients calling me during that period!

 Venus/Saturn planetary war! This one just began prior to noon today, 8/07/10, MDT. It will last until about 2 p.m. on 8/09/10.  Therefore, more uncomfortable “dust-ups” in the Cosmos! Which of course, the energy thereof affects all of us.

 Venus just moved into Virgo (joining Mars and Saturn there) on 8/01/10. This is the sign of debilitation for benefic Venus, where it feels the weakest and therefore has less power than normal to deliver its gifts. Creativity, comforts, luxuries, pleasures can all be diminished during this time…not to mention during its “war time” with Saturn!

Jupiter to the rescue!!! The great benefic Jupiter is quite strong in its own sign of Pisces now.  It went into retrograde motion on July 23rd, making it even more powerful. This condition will last all the way till 11/18/10. (It will back up into Aquarius from 11/01 until 12/05, by the way).  Right now, while in Pisces, Jupiter is casting its beneficial glance or “aspect” upon the sign of Virgo and all those passing through there: Saturn, Mars, debilitated Venus, and thus “holding them in check” so to speak. Whew, that’s a relief!  In other words, things could be worse.

 Sun enters Leo on 8/16/10 for one month… this is its own sign, in which it feels very strong.  Those with Leo Ascendants or Moon signs will feel empowered at this time and “strutting their stuff”…beware mere mortals, of this King of the Cosmic Jungle if he or she roars in your direction now!

 MERCURY RETROGRADE: from 8/20 – 9/12/10.  This time Mercury will be in the sign of Leo when it goes retrograde. As usual, expect communication snags, delays, gaffes and aggravating scenarios.  Sorry, but we get 3 to 4 of these periods each year, and this one is very close at hand! Please read my previous blog descriptions of what a Retrograde transit of this planet can do for us and how all equipment having to do with communication can likewise be affected.

Mercury will be combust the Sun (traveling too close for comfort) from 8/27 – 9/10/10 as well….therefore, tactfulness and diplomacy may be even MORE out the window, due to this “double whammy” situation. Easy does it, my friends, and let’s all try to “think before we speak”…or in this age of emails, texts, twitter and facebook….before we write!

 September 5, 2010 is a good day for two reasons: Mars moves into Libra and thus away from the sign its enemy Saturn will remain in for some time….and Saturn will be back to the degree it had reached before going retrograde some time ago. PROGRESS in all things ruled by Saturn can finally be expected…including the solution to the BP oil well leak in the Gulf.

Please contact me here, in the Sunshine Corner, if you have any questions. May the Light of all the best stars guide you, all the way home.

MERCURY now in Gemini; Partial Lunar Eclipse June 26, 2010

MERCURY moved into its own sign of Gemini on Tuesday, June 22nd at approximately 10 a.m. MST.  Those with Gemini or Virgo Ascendants or Moon signs will feel especially happy about this.  For Geminis, it will increase your sense of well-being, personal power and physical health, and attract more friends and supporters to you.

This transit strengthens clarity in communication for everyone, of course, but Geminis may be more talkative than ever.  Which is saying a lot, we know! LOL.

For Virgos, Mercury (which is the ruling planet for the signs of Virgo and Gemini) will be crossing your 10th house now, where it will bring wonderful support from Nature for your personal power, career, reputation and actions.

But Mercury has also been combust the Sun (traveling a bit too close) since June 16th, so those ruled by Mercury could also still get a little too quickly irritated or cross. Patience is the key here, as Mercury won’t get out of the combustion state until July 10th.  Since Mercury also governs the intellect, let us hope that those in decision-making positions, will be more astute in their choices, during this transit, which lasts until July 6th.

LUNAR ECLIPSE – June 26, 2010

This will be a partial eclipse, visible in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Malaysia and Asia, as well as Hawaii, Mexico and central American, and parts of the USA. Online sources say that the best view will be from the Pacific states, in our country. The only thing, according to the ancient Jyotishes, we really should NOT view eclipses!

They were and are considered inauspicious as either one of the two malefic planets Rahu or Ketu is trying to “put out the light” of one of the luminaries of our solar system, the Sun or the Moon.  In this case, it is Rahu trying to gobble up the Moon!

Rahu entered the sign of Sagittarius on November 2, 2009, for its 18 month journey there.  The nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu are actually just mathematical points in the sky. Rahu is the north node and represents the “head” of the cosmic serpent, and Ketu is the south node, representing the tail of the serpent. Neither are very pleasant to deal with “up close and personal.” The Moon joins Rahu there June 25th and reaches close proximity with Rahu for the eclipse event on June 26th.

The traditional instructions from the Vedic Science point of view are to NOT look at the eclipsed planet; don’t be outdoors and let the light of the eclipsed Moon fall over you. Avoid eating for the duration of the eclipse period and it’s better to just be reading some scripture at that point.

Throughout many native cultures there has long been an association between these celestial occurences (comets, as well as eclipses). Oftentimes in the past, just subsequent to an eclipse, they would experience either a sudden war (like a sneak attack), or death of a beloved ruler, for example. 

Moon also represents mind and emotions in Vedic Astrology, so when it feels afflicted by the energy of malefic Rahu, that condition can cause pressure or uncertainty in the area of your chart ruled by the Moon.  Cancer Ascendants or Moon signs need to be especially sensitive to these influences now, as the Moon rules your chart.