The event of the week occurs on Monday as Jupiter the great benefic goes retrograde in the sign of Aquarius at 3:51 AM. Jupiter will remain retrograde until October 12^th. Frequent readers of this blog will remember that retrograde planets tend to work in an “inner” way. Since Jupiter is the planet of philosophy, higher understanding, luck, gambling, and expansion, when it goes retrograde so does its energy. Often times, this retrograde will create self doubt about our lives and our futures. We can use this time beneficially to explore new meanings for ourselves, and to figure out what really has meaning for us. Many times this can happen by events occurring in our lives, which get us to explore deeper meanings in our lives. In many ways, we are not being honest with where we are at the moment, and Jupiter being retrograde will force us to see areas where we may have blinded ourselves to reality.

Turn your eyes towards Wednesday as all the major planetary aspects occur on this day. The Sun in Gemini will trine Jupiter, Neptune, and Chiron in Aquarius which allows us to open up to our social groups and society in a manner that makes us feel more comfortable with ourselves. We may find ourselves more “alive” and shining brightly in social groups and situations, so schedule in some time with friends or your support groups, because you can find the day rather rewarding.

Also, the Sun on Wednesday will square Uranus. This aspect is tricky and tends to bring forth surprises especially on a global level. Circumstances and situations can change on a dime, and often when we are not looking. This aspect is similar to the “Tower” card in the Tarot, as it forces us to change our beliefs about things we believed to be real or true. Since this is a waxing square, past family problems which have slowly been building can erupt during this time. However, what remain are new ideas that are more innovative and defined.

This aspect, even though it is considered positive, often propels us to prove ourselves and exercise power.  In my experience this can be as harmful as it is helpful.  How many times have you found it easy to go down a destructive course, only to realize we have run off the track and smacked ourselves against the “dead ends” of life?   Mars sextile Pluto can be the gasoline that ignites the flames that throws us off the track!   We should attempt to check our motivations before we proceed, and understand that we can be quite unreasonable and expect a lot from ourselves.

The saving grace for today is the Moon’s transit through controlled Capricorn may help to limit the explosive tendencies of the Mars/Pluto aspect.   Capricorn Moons are disciplined and endures through most circumstances.   You may experience a strong sense of responsibility towards others, while you reach for a sense of structure and security in your life.  So, as you see the train stop at the gate, the Capricorn moon gives us the ability to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, while taking one step forward at a time.

For years, I have struggled with the prospect of making astrology more mainstream and understandable.  We have made enormous progress in the industry, but still astrology remains the unwanted stepchild of the arcane sciences.  Why?  Perhaps this is one of the manifestations of Pluto transit through Sagittarius or perhaps the mutual reception of Uranus and Neptune, both of which are grasping for the perfect vision (Uranus in Pisces) of group idealisms (Neptune in Aquarius).  In a struggling world we often seek the divine and those who speak a “spiritual language” to help assuage our angst and disappointments with life.

Pluto (planet of death, transformation, and regeneration) has now moved out of visionary Sagittarius, and entered into structured Capricorn, and I already sense a change.  More people are consulting me about the “why” rather than the “when”.   The hurting, lonely, angry, and tired are now seeking solutions rather than band-aids.   Many are seeking “practical” (Capricorn) tools of transformation (Pluto) that will facilitate permanent change.

One of the tolls we can use to create permanent change is attempting to understand the patterns at work in the universe at the current time.   Although understanding universal patterns is not mutually exclusive of astrology, the cosmic science does provide a vast wealth of information if we can utilize it.  Astrology can provide us with a “plan” that we can utilize to make better choices, and to assist us in making better decisions to navigate through the storms in our life.  Out of the desire to assist others understand the energies available, I have decided to create the “Cosmic Weather Forecast”. 

Every day, you will be able to check the energies that are available to you.  You can use this energy, for self understanding by comparing the current transits (daily movements of the planets) to your natal horoscope.  If you do not have a natal horoscope, you can simply email me your birthday (date, time, and place of birth) and I will get you a copy.  You can learn valuable information about your chart by using the internet spirit guide available to everyone – his name is Google!   I believe that you will find “astrology” as fascinating as I do – and what do you have to lose?  Now, on with your forecast.

The Sun continues to move through social Aquarius, and the Moon moves into impulsive quick tempered Aries.  Aquarius to Aries is a 60 degree angle, or a sextile in aspect terms.  Sextiles provide us with opportunities.  You may find your mind filled with quick and energetic hunches that may be “sparks” to follow in the future.  Also, we can begin to feel the urge to become more social with a need to be surrounded by family and friends.  

On the Kabbalistic front, we find ourselves at the close of the week and the end of one energy cycle and the beginning of another.  One of the messages that the Zohar (primary text of Kabbalah) provides us with is the importance of self understanding and being connected to the light (consciousness).  Often we see random events as “separated” from us, especially if they are not to our liking.   This cuts us off psychically from the energy of the moment, and the reason we have experienced the random event.    Realize that every event that occurs in our lives is not random, yet energy created to help expand our growth and spiritual connection no matter how big or small it may be.

—

Curious about future relationships?  Money matters?  Your Career?   Find out how you can get a reading from Storm Cestavani, and discover what lies in your future today.

Unexpected events from the past may resurface over the next few days.  The opportunity for us is to begin the healing process and come to terms with situations and circumstances which may have wound us in the past.   The Moon being in fluid Pisces provides us with the healing energy to get beyond our past problems and circumstances.  Take this time to breathe in the experience and release it as the sell by date has expired.   You can begin living your life once again!

Meanwhile, the Kabbalistic energy available to us speaks volumes to those that are new in spirituality.  Yes, we have all been there.   When we become new to spirituality, there is a natural tendency in us to try to change everything about us.   We begin to hide our negative tendencies and habits, yet the problem is our negative thoughts remain.   As we grow spiritually our thoughts and actions begin to match our words, and this is a process that everyone on a spiritual path goes through.   Hiding ‘who you really are’ is not spirituality, changing ‘who you really are’ is.   The spiritual journey is ‘what is’ important, not spiritual perfection!

—–

Curious about future relationships?  Money Matters? Career?   Contact Storm Cestavani for your own private reading. 

In solar eclipses, the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on the terrestrial surface.

In an annular eclipse, a tiny shift in distance that results from celestial mechanics means the Moon does not completely cover the Sun’s face, as it does in a total eclipse.

Instead, for those directly under the alignment, the Moon covers most of the Sun’s surface, and a ring-like crown of solar light blazes from the edge of the disk.

For those watching from the fringe of the track, the Sun is partially obscured, as if a bite has been taken out of it.

According to veteran NASA eclipse-watcher Fred Espenak, the total eclipse track will run from west to east on Monday from 0606 GMT to 0952 GMT.

It will traverse the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia before petering out just short of Mindanao, the Philippines.

The partial eclipse will be seen in a much wider swathe, including the southern third of Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Southeast India, Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

It will be the only annular solar eclipse this year. The last was on 7 February, 2007, and after Monday, the next one will be on 15 January, 2010.

The big event for eclipse junkies this year is on July 22, when a total solar eclipse will be visible from India and China, the world’s two most populous countries.

Astrological Articles:

The Eclipse of January 25-26, 2009 In Aquarius

Chinese New Year Eclipse

Solar Eclipse:  Sabian Symbol Stylez

Starcats:  Eclipses, The Prenatal Eclipse, and Captain Sully

The celebration of the New Year is a time honored tradition.  In fact, its roots are actually derived from the Judaic customs of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah.   During this period, the religious custom is to reflect on one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.   The process is to reflect upon self improvement annually.  We have simplified this process and summed it up as New Year’s Resolutions.  However, Astrology never sees anything as a one day process.  In fact, it views life as movement and a continuous flow of growth and maturation of consciousness.

So, what does Astrology tell us about the New Year’s Resolution?   According to J. Lee Lehman in her, “Book of Rulerships,” the word ‘resolute’ is ruled by the Sun.   The Sun is the center of consciousness within the individual.  It is our center, and what makes each of us different and unique.   The Moon in astrology is the ruler of change.   She reflects the flow of our day to day life, and is one of the primary planets of timing in many astrological traditions.   The relationship between the Sun and the Moon is how we measure time on the astrological level.  This process is called a lunation.

Each month the Sun and Moon goes through several stages.  For the purpose of this article the focus will be on the major moon phases.  Each phase represents a different and unique part of the monthly process.

So, what astrological sign is the best to break old habits?   According to the 12-step recovery movement, it takes approximately 28 days (a lunation cycle) to break a habit or an addiction.  Since we are concerned with resolutions or breaking negative habits we must direct ourselves astrologically to the earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) as these are the signs concerned with our senses and physical life.   Most resolutions are concerned with giving up something unhealthy such as quitting smoking, losing weight, abstaining from alcohol, giving up chocolate and candy or any other behavior that the social milieu deems as unacceptable or unhealthy.   In essence, our resolutions are based on social codes or morals.  The sign that rules social codes and morals is Capricorn.  So, we can use this Capricorn (interesting that New Year’s Day falls under this sign) lunation to successfully focus on resolutions and letting go of behaviors we wish to let go of.  The Capricorn lunation cycle began on December 27, 2008 when the Sun and Moon conjoined in the sign of Capricorn.   It comes to its conclusion on January 26, 2009 (day of the Solar Eclipse) when the Sun and Moon conjoin in Aquarius.  We are currently in the last phase of this process, which is the energy period of turning away from the old or things we wish to let go of, and beginning to envision a life free of old habits. 

Storm’s Lunar Phase Action Guide:

New Moon:    This is the initial phase or seed level.   When making resolutions it is best to have a plan, and the best way to incorporate a plan is for you to write it down.   Make a list of all the things you wish to change in your life.   During this phase, you can put down many different potential resolutions.  Do you wish to lose weight?  Do you want to spend less money?   Do you want to eat healthier foods?   It is my belief that writing things down create a relationship with the areas of your life that you would like to change.  According to Kabbalah, the eye is the most powerful organ in the human body, because it is the transmitter of information.  Writing things down is the first process in letting something go or giving something up.

First Quarter Moon:  This phase is about action.   Let’s make a plan!   For example, you plan to stop smoking.  How do you plan to go about this?   Are you going to stop cold turkey or are you going to use patches?   In addition, research (Google is an all powerful spirit guide) ideas to help you stick to your goal.   Use this for each of the areas that you wish to quit.

Full Moon:   This is the structure building phase.  Look at your list and your action plan.  Which one of these areas of your life do you wish to let go of?   I believe that to be successful at letting things go is to work at one thing at a time.   Make your choice!

Last Quarter Moon:  In astrology, this is considered the crisis in consciousness phase.   This is a time to turn away from the old unworkable structures and preparing to focus on the new.  I believe that this is another action phase.   During this phase (approx 6-9 days) you make your change.  You begin to become resolute, and you take all the information that you have used in the aforementioned steps, and apply them to your plan.  Be gentle with yourself, and remember the famous recovery phrase,  “One Day At A Time.” 

We all have areas of our lives we wish to change and work on.  However, many of us find it difficult to point to the calendar and vow to quit on a certain day.   Understanding that there is an astrological period where we can let go of the old and embrace the new is a comfort to many, who sincerely wish to make changes.   Focus on the area of your life you wish to change and use this energy cycle to finally succeed.   You have 7 more days – you can do it!

Did you know that the biblical Moses was born from the union of an illicit affair?   Oh, the scandal!  According to Kabbalistic sources, a man named Amram married Jochebed, who was his aunt.   Moses, of course was their son, and born of this union.   Based on our modern rules of social structure, you would think that Moses would be limited to do anything.   People tend to remain trapped in their circumstances.

So, I am sure you are asking, what the secret meaning behind this?   Have we stepped into “The Jerry Springer Show -4000 BC?”?

Kabbalah teaches that everything written in the Torah has a deeper meaning than simply the story presented to us in the Old Testament.   By discovering the hidden meanings we can use this information to change and transform our lives.

In essence, there is a very powerful meaning in this text.  First, we know that Moses is a very righteous and important individual in Judeo Christian literature.   The Kabbalists teach that Moses was born to help us overcome our personal bondage.  Secondly, the message is that no matter what we are born out of, we can rise above our “circumstances” to become spiritual giants.   Even though Moses is born out of a negative circumstance he rises above it.   How many times have we felt that we were limited because of who we are?  Where we were born?  Our financial limitations?

This week we are given the power to rise above our limitations.   How do you do this?   You simply attempt to walk a spiritual path, and the rest comes on its own.  Considering that Mercury is currently in retrograde (revisit) and approaching a conjunction with beneficial Jupiter, we can use the current energy to expand (Jupiter) our minds (Mercury) and make choices and decisions on how to better ourselves.   Take a look at differences that you want to make in your life. Is there something that you want to pursue, yet you have delayed?   Do you want a better job?  Do you want to take courses to expand your current educational skills?   Do you wish to make more money?   We can use the power of this conjunction to spark the energy necessary to move forward into our future.   Reflection is our modern Moses, it gives us the power to rise above anything.

———

Storm Cestavani is the host of “The Storm Cestavani Show,” which airs every Thursday at 11pm

Every time Mercury goes retrograde, I am amazed at the amount of panic that pervades the masses.   People scatter in a whirlwind of cancelling plans, checking electronic devices, and worry about potential trips and impending loss of luggage.  I find it quite infectious, as even “I” recently cancelled a project of mine when I realized it began after the trickster decided to change motion.  Needless to say,  “The Big Bad Wolf,” is back!

Since the purpose of my Synergy columns is to enrich our lives and make the most of the energy available to us, I am going to “attempt” to describe Mercury retrogrades constructive meaning and how we can use this period for our greater good, rather than being controlled by its distractions.    Mercury begins its retrograde trek at 07 Aquarius and will travel all the way back to 21 Capricorn, which is where he was located on Christmas Day.  This is known as the shadow period or a precursor of what is time come.  Usually the themes that are invoked during Mercury retrograde will begin to make their appearances during this period.  Take some time to analyze what was going on during the holidays and if any themes kept reoccurring.

In its most productive use, the key word to use during Mercury Retrograde is reflection.   We can use the particular energy that is available to us now to take a deeper look at our lives.   We can make mental (Mercury) notes (Mercury) about where we see ourselves and what path we wish to take in the future.  What changes have you considered making, but have put off?    Is there any direction you would like to see your life head in?   Anything you wish to pursue?   The retrograde period is a time for thinking and deep “inner” analysis, but NOT a period of action.  We can begin to act on our reflections when Mercury moves out of its 2^nd shadow period on February 22^nd.

Finally, we all need a period in our lives where we can quiet our minds, and ask ourselves serious questions about our place in the world.  Mercury Retrograde provides us the opportunity to achieve this.  Considering Mercury Retrogrades 3-4X per year implies how important it is for us to “slow down” as the demands of life seem to make us busier and busier.    I will not promise that your toaster will not break, or unexpected car repairs will not occur.  I can’t even promise you that your luggage will be found after it is misplaced at the airport.  However, I can promise that taking the time to use Mercury Retrograde in a positive and healthy manner will help you begin “Enjoying Everyday Life”.