Mercury in Leo and Virgo 2011

Mercury - Sanskrit name Buddha

Let’s examine Mercury’s path through the signs of Leo and Virgo, and it’s potential effects on life collectively.  Mercury’s journey through these two zodiacal signs began on July 20th, 2011 and will conclude on October 10th, 2011.

Mercury went retrograde in Leo on August 4th, 2011. 

Retrograde status brings out the more difficult side of Mercury in Leo.  From August 4th through August 16th, one’s mind may be moving too fast.  One may be easily confused by exaggerated promises. (However, if you feel it’s appropriate to take advantage of people through exaggerated promises, this is the time for you!) People may find difficulties through lack of attention to detail. One may also find that they are caught up in false pride, and arrogance about what they think they know.  So resist this influence and use your intentional ability to not make quick decisions, and be sure to reflect on what you’ve heard, and only take action when you completely clear about the right course.  Regular meditation will help.

Mercury re-enters Cancer as it goes retrograde on August 16th, 2011 until August 27th, 2011, when it goes forward again August 27th, 2011.

Mercury moving retrograde through Cancer can increase one’s intuitive capacity, but it can also make one overwhelmed by the emotional difficulties of others, that we are able to sense intuitively. Often the thoughts and the emotions are too intertwined to make good decisions. It’s best not to make decisions when in an emotional state now, or out of fear or attachment. It’s hard to get to the root of problems at this time, because we are often identified with the emotion that the problem causes, rather than seeing the problem clearly.  If you have any of these tendencies,  or have an inability to detach from your emotions, it’s best not to make any big decisions until Mercury moves back into Leo.

Mercury re-enters Leo on September 5th, 2011.

Leo - Sanskrit Name Simha

Mercury is a planet of communication, movement and commerce. Leo is a fixed (stubborn) sign of showmanship, royalty, and admiration.  As the natural 5th sign of the zodiac, Leo also represents the mind, and spiritual practices.  From July 20th through August 4th, this shows a time of positive expression of our thoughts and beliefs. It is a time for sharing that which is important to us, and being understood. The mind is more articulate and also more attuned to the masses, so we have a greater capacity for influencing the world around us through clear intentions, and consistent follow through. Our decision making capacity is increased as is our ability to share those decisions with others in a way in which they will understand the value of those decisions. (Mercury is also aspected by Jupiter in Aries during this transit, which brings out the more high minded philosophical aspect of the planet. This is a great time for mantra practice and devotional spiritual practices involving the chanting, and scriptural recitation.)

Mercury enters Virgo on September 22nd, 2011. Mercury tenets Virgo with the Sun, Venus and Saturn, until October 4th, 2011.

Virgo - Sanskrit Name Kanya

Mercury now comes home to its own sign of Virgo. Only to find it’s been occupied by the Sun, Venus and Saturn.  Happily, Venus and Saturn are natural friends of Mercury. Analytical, organizational, and thinking abilities are now focused and precise. Any activity that requires systematic, stable yet adaptable attention to detail and organization is advised. Mercury is exalted (the highest manifestation of its qualities) in Virgo, and this peaks around October 2nd, when it is at its highest point of strength. Writing, communicating, astrology, teaching, working with numbers and money are all advised during this time. Saturn gives Mercury focus and determination to succeed in logical, linearly minded endeavors. Venus gives Mercury a touch of right brain intuition and the ability to understand the wholistic summation of all the parts. Planning your life, the year ahead, a new business venture, or anything that takes long range mental capacity and intention is good to plan and begin during this time.

Finally Mercury leaves Virgo on October 10th, 2011.

Note: We have to remember, that planets have basic indications based on their nature. However, based on our individual charts they can represent different things. For example, for a Leo Ascendant or Leo Moon Sign, Mercury represents finances predominantly.  For a Pisces Ascendant or Pisces Moon Sign it can represent, our emotional states, home, and our partners in life. To fully understand the influences of a planets transit, we need to synthesize their general characteristics on a collective level (as described above) with the individual characteristics of our personal indications within the horoscope.

Jupiter in Aries 2011

As of this moment, Jupiter is at 15 degrees of Aries. He has been in Aries since, May 5th, 2011.  He will stay in this position until May 17th, 2012.

Jupiter Guru is in Aries

(The sanskrit names for Jupiter is Guru, and Aries is Mesha.)

15 degrees is the very middle of the sign, and shows the strongest placement for a planet to have an influence on the horoscope.

Aries is a masculine, movable, fire sign, ruled by Mars.  Jupiter transiting this position, combines energies of Mars and Jupiter. Mars = energy, and Jupiter = abundance, abundance on all levels from financial to vitality to enjoyment. This combination is a variation of what we could call a Guru Mangala Yoga.  It creates enthusiasm, vitality, optimism, and a strong will to succeed and move forward, overcoming obstacles. This can help a person strive to attain leadership roles, or to increase their education. If Jupiter is a friend to your ascendant or moon sign, and is well placed in your natal chart, this is an excellent time to tap into that added burst of life created by this combination and to take your life in a new direction, or build upon your past successes.

This can also be a spiritually uplifting time, and a good time to learn from your teachers or father figures in your life.  For women, this is a good time

for your husbands.

If Jupiter is not a friend to your ascendant or moon sign, you may find that you spend your wealth too quickly, before you even get it. There could be negative turn outs to legal proceedings, or someone might be mismanaging your funds. This can also show an intrusion of the father into your daily routine, or you might have to spend more time with father to take care of him. For women, husbands might be costing you a lot right now.

Jupiter is a friend to the signs of Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

Jupiter is not a friend to Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius.

(Keep in mind, that there are layers upon layers of influences within one’s chart. And usually there is a mixture of good and bad influences. To find out how planets and transits affect you in astrology, you can either pay attention to how your life proceeds as the planets move, or you can have someone interpret your chart.)

 

Ketu Taurus Rahu Scorpio 2011

There’s been some debate about when Rahu and Ketu change signs this year.  I’ve been using the Mean Node, which says it happens on June 8th, 2011.  Many others have used the True Node, which has the change of signs set for this morning.

Here is a description of the differences that I found on a forum…

“The Moon’s Nodes are the points where the orbit of the Moon crosses the plane of the ecliptic (the plane of the ecliptic is the path that the planets travel around the Sun). Where that orbit crosses from South (below the ecliptic) to North (above the ecliptic) is called the North Node, and the opposite crossing is the South Node.

Before there were computers, astrologers had to manually calculate the positions of all the points on a chart by “interpolating” from astronomical tables that showed the positions once each day. So for example, if your Moon was in 2 degrees Aries at Midnight before you were born and 14 degrees Aries at Midnight after you were born, it moved 12 degrees in 24 hours, or about half a degree per hour. Then if you were born at 8 o’clock in the morning, you could figure that the Moon had moved 4 degrees since midnight (8 hours times half a degree = 4 degrees), so your Moon would be at 6 degrees Aries (2 degrees at midnight from the ephemeris plu 4 degrees that it moved in the 8 hours until you were born).

Now this method of figuring where the planet is at any given tim between one midnight and the next midnight works perfectly as long as the planet moves

Ketu, The South Node of the Moon

at a constant rate of speed. But if it speeds up and slows down over the course of the day, then this way of calculating only gives you the average (“mean”) motion per hour … in the example above, the moon might actually move a little bit more than half a degree one hour and a little bit less than half a degree the next hour … so what you are calculating is really the position according to the planet’s Mean (average) motion rather than its True (exact) motion over those particular hours.

In practice, the motion of all the planets (and the Moon) is regular enough that the difference between the True and Mean positions is so slight as to be

virtually identical. The Moons nodes, however, do speed up and slow down enough during the day that there is a tiny but measurable difference between the Mean and True positions. Before computers, it was impossible to calculate the True position of the nodes without spending hours at celestial mechanics equations, so the Mean nodes were always used. Now that computers are commonplace, the True nodes can be calculated.

However, since the Mean nodes were used for thousands of years, many astrologers still prefer to use that method even though it is a tiny bit inaccurate. That’s the only difference between the True and Mean North Nodes. The difference is usually so small that it’s not worth worrying about (unless you’re a Virgo! ) Hope this helps.”

While I’m all for using the actual position, which is one reason I like Vedic Astrology so much, because it is sidereal, but it may be that the information provided about Rahu and Ketu as it moves through the signs, in light of the old texts, might reflect the Mean Node, since that is the information they had to work with.

Jupiter 2011

We have spoken of Saturn. Now let us turn our attention to Jupiter in 2011.

Jupiter began 2011 in Pisces

 

The rising sign for 2011 is Sagittarius. This constellation is ruled by Jupiter. The qualities of Sagittarius are that of idealism, fairness, striving for freedom, aspiring, humanitarian, and both physically and mentally vigorous. This is a strong sign.

Within Sagittarius in the horoscope for 2011 is Rahu, Sun, and Mars. These are very outgoing planets. They show ambition, drive, and potentially over zealous willfulness. The Sun and Mars are both good friends with Jupiter, and so while these planets can be overbearing from the egoic standpoint, the fact that they are in Sagittarius, a sign of higher knowledge and philosophy, shows a strength towards being true to our selves. Having Rahu in Sagittarius with the Sun and Mars, does show some uncomfortableness along the way. Rahu is the pioneer, and the outcaste, and so may bring about some discontent from others, as we learn to move into our truer more dynamic selves.

Sagittarius is the Rising Sign for 2011

Jupiter is in the fourth house of this chart, in its own sign of Pisces. It is only at 2 degrees. This shows its youthfulness and dynamism comingforth as the year faces the challenges of growing up, and growing into wisdom, while learning to have a steady vision and solid ethic towards service.  Saturn’s gaze from the 10th house will make sure that the potential for growth is well contained, and doesn’t turn into a spoiled exuberance that quickly blows itself out.  Being true to our selves this year is not about the personality, but for the whole of humanity.

Jupiter is at 2 degrees of Pisces at the Beginning of 2011

Jupiter in the fourth house (emotions, home and family life) gives support from the family, and from our spiritual heart. As we grow through the year, we may need to turn to our families (those people whom we are deeply connected to) for support, wisdom, and guidance. Also, taking the time to cultivate family-like ties will do well.  We will find healing and strength both within our families, and by turning within to our inner heart often.

 

Saturn as Ruler of the 2nd and 3rd Houses in the 10th House

(The 2011 chart we are using is posted here: http://ashevillevedicastrology.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/2011-astrology/)

One unfavorable placement of the Ruler of the 2nd in the 10th, is having trouble maintaining support from partners, or being a supportive partner. Since, from the chart for 2011, Ketu is in the 7th house (house of partners) this is supported.  Ketu can also create instability in relationships.  On a positive note, that can provide a positive opportunity to transform relationships into either a purer or healed form. This depends on how you work with it.

Saturn ruling the 3rd house, and being in the 10th, this shows a slow and stable growth of careers involving technology: internet, computers.  It also shows an interest in old (Saturn) forms of art, expression, and speaking.

Also…

If in the past you have had great success with short distance travels, being a public speaker, artist, editor, musician or sales person, this will be a good year for you. If you have had difficulty, you may find that your renewed efforts in these fields fall flat. Why? Because some planets work well for some people, and not so well for others. It depends on your astrological horoscope as to how they function. Without a thorough analysis of the horoscope, you can simply refer to your past experiences. They will give you a good indication.

More to come…

 

Saturn in the New Year

Saturn’s Astrological Influence 2011 – Work, service, and the spiritual source of peace of mind.

On New Year’s Eve, I decided to create the astrological chart for 2011, based on the moment the Sun met the horizon for the East Coast. The first astrological energy that drew my attention was Saturn’s dominance in Virgo, the 10^th house, the house of work, vocation and purpose.   The first portion of this writing will deal specifically with Saturn’s influence on the collective consciousness.  Through out the month of January, I will also be discussing all the planetary influences for 2011 and how they weave together to understand the tapestry of the year ahead.

In Saturn's Shadow

Saturn is the teacher, the disciplinarian, the hard worker. He represents suffering, obstacles, and delays. Emotionally, Saturn’s energy creates lethargy, depression, doubts and despair. On the positive side, Saturn is also the planet of structure, form, commitment, dedication, steadfastness, discipline, organization, control, and good time management.

It is said, that when Saturn is angry with you, he will take everything away from you. When he is pleased with you, he can grant you a kingdom.

Now, Saturn’s influence on 2011 shows that, if we are caught in the grips of past negative conditioning about our innovativeness and ability to move forward, we may find our careers, vocations, and purpose marked by setbacks and blockages. We may continue try to excel and succeed in ways that are no longer appropriate to our current situations. Saturn is reigning in our forward momentum, because, just maybe, the forward direction we’ve been going, is no longer appropriate.

The positive power of Saturn is cautious and thoughtful. By being driven within to reevaluate our actions and our sense of self, space is created.  Letting this space and stillness unfold, which can seem painful to people who are not much interested in reflection and wisdom, is necessary to find the right course through the sea of life.

What is recommended to work positively under the gaze of Saturn?

To take note of those areas of your career, work, vocation and purpose that seem to be coming up against walls and set backs. Take time to reflect on your actions. Are there simpler, more regular disciplined actions you could be taking that would keep your work momentum flowing forward? Saturn loves discipline and simplicity. One small disciplined step, rather than a haphazard explosion of uncontrolled energy in the work arena, will give far greater strides throughout the year.  In the realms of Saturn, slow and steady wins the game.  Reflect on regular duties or actions you can take in career, and commit to a regular schedule of attending to these tasks on a defined schedule.

Saturn also has a direct effect on our mental and emotional nature. Check back in three days for information on how to positively work with Saturn’s influence to encourage peacefulness and faith during the year 2011…

2011 and A Year of Learning from Saturn

It’s 2011! While on retreat at Center for Spiritual Awareness of Georgia, over New Year’s Weekend, I thought it might be helpful to take a look at the birth chart for the year ahead. This chart was created from the moment the Sun and the ascendant degree aligned.

Vedic Astrology Horoscope for 2011 as seen from the East Coast

Over the next several posts I’ll be reviewing the planetary energies of this astrological horoscope and how we can work with it in a useful way throughout the year. We will begin with Saturn’s dominance in the 10th house of this chart, which is Virgo.

Note: Always remember, that the planetary movements through the sky can only seriously affect you, if your own horoscope, or inner consciousness, has the triggers necessary to create a situation. The planets do affect all ego identified individuals, but the extent depends upon a proper assessment and understanding of our own inner astrology characteristics.