Miami Astrology

“I have just turned 43 and am currently residing in Miami. I [want to] pursue relocating to Canada with my daughter (from a previous marriage), and my husband who is a Canadian citizen. We have it in our goal to reach Canadian territory by December of this year and would like to know what my birth chart reveals in this manner. Would December of 2009 seem right for this move?” – Jane

Thanks for writing in Jane. Relocation is a popular topic in astrology and there are many ways of determining where and when to go. For the purposes of this column I’ll keep it simple and look at a few of your transits and progressions for later this year.

As I’ve noted before, astrology is good at describing conditions and not necessarily outcomes. A weatherman can predict rain for tomorrow, but he can’t say if you’ll get wet or not- going outside is up to you. In your case, Jane, it sounds like you already have the outcome in mind (moving to Canada) and want some assurance that the conditions will support your decision.

Looking at your progressions and transits for December I would say that, yes, the time does look right for making a move. A person’s natal chart will always be the same, so to account for how one changes, and describe the experiences encountered that enable those changes, astrology employs transits and progressions.

Transits match the current placement of the planets to those in your natal chart. For example, as of this writing the planet Saturn is located at 15 degrees of Virgo. If your natal chart has planets at this degree, or in aspect to this degree, then we could reasonably say that your current conditions are going to include increased responsibility, duty, or hard work.

Progressions assign a day for a year of life and give us the broad landscape of one’s life. They also help to describe the inner conditions and responses of the person. For example, when your progressed Moon moves into the 12th house then you may find yourself feeling more introspective, meditative, or confined. Astrolology is not only a symbolic language but a tool to determine timing through the study of cycles. We can describe the conditions and give an approximate time to expect them. Thus, having the correct birth time is critical for accurate timing of changes and events.

The first set of progressions in Jane’s chart (Jane’s Charts) describe conditions that will be ideal for releasing the past, a home, or female relative. Soon after, in early November, the conditions will be open for pursuing a new direction, participating in lots of activity, and asserting oneself. The first is the progressed Moon quincunx her natal Moon (home, family, mother); and the second is the progressed Moon conjunct natal Mars (action, activity, assertiveness). Selling a home and severing old ties, then putting ones energy into packing up a house and moving certainly fit these conditions.

In late November transiting Neptune makes a stressful aspect to Jane’s midheaven and describes a time when there’s confusion around how she is seen by others. Since she’s considering moving out of the country she may have issues around paperwork or passports. The particular aspect betwen these points says that it will be a stressful time but that patience is the best course of action.

Mid-December brings the transit of Uranus, planet of change, through Jane’s 9th house and passing over her natal Saturn-Mercury pair and opposing her natal Moon. Last minute doubts will be replaced by an excitement for change and new experiences. This coincides with the date Jane suggested (December 2009) so it sounds as though she’s putting these astrological conditions to good use!

The last progression I’ll note occurs in early January, 2010. Jane’s progressed Sun will meet up with her natal North Node. The meaning of the North Node is enough to fill a book, but in this context it represents new people, new groups, and new situations. Jane will be experiencing conditions that bring her into contact with new groups of people. This sounds like what happens after one moves to a new place and finds she must meet new people and create new social networks.

Jane, all of this sounds very positive for making your move in December. I do want to tell you about one important planetary condition: Jupiter, the planet of travel and expanding one’s horizons, will be retrograde from June 15 to October 12, so use that period to review, recalculate and reimagine the upcoming move. You may not feel like you’re making any progress during this time, but once Jupiter rolls forward in October you’ll feel a real sense of movement begin to happen. Jane, I wish you the best of luck in your move! Do keep us posted.

Every month the universe offers us a new moon as a way of getting in sync with the natural cycles in our world.  Like a surfer who knows when to catch a wave in order to ride its crest, the new moon is a signal that the time is ripe for action and for increasing our chances for optimal results.

Astrologically these new moons can be seen as an invitation for making plans to use the lunar energy for your benefit. This month the new moon will also be a solar eclipse- an extra powerful new moon that acts like an invitation you can’t refuse. A regular new moon is like mom setting out dinner. A new moon eclipse is like an Italian mother who grabs your plate and says “Mange’! – EAT!”

The new moon occurs on January 26th, 2009 at 2:55 am (EST) at 6 degrees and 30 minutes of Aquarius. The constellation of Aquarius is the water- bearer, however Aquarius is not a water sign but an air sign. What he’s pouring out of his jug is the collective consciousness on mankind- for Aquarius is the sign who perceives, embraces, and shares the progressive ideas that move group consciousness into the future.  Read the rest of this entry »

In astrology the Moon is a symbol for our changing moods, reactions, and ability to connect with the outer world. When we observe the moon over the course of the month, half the time it’s between the Sun and the Earth and the other half it’s between the Earth and the outer planets- so it’s a symbol for the connection between our inner world and the outer world.

The Moon moves through all of the signs of the Zodiac over the course of a month. As it moves through the signs it is also making aspects to the various planets. For example, when the Moon moves through Pisces it will (as of this writing) be making an aspect called an opposition to Saturn, which is in Virgo (remember that Virgo and Pisces are on opposites sides of the sky). The Moon moves through one sign in about two and a half days and between the time of its last aspect to one of the planets but before moving into the next sign it’s said to be “void of course.” A void of course Moon can last a few seconds, minutes, or a half a day or more; and it occurs a few times each week. Read the rest of this entry »

In our study of cycles we know there are 8 phases; the four major phases include the new moons (beginnings) and first quarter moon (action) and full moon (fulfillment). The last major phase  before the end of the cycle is the last quarter moon. 

Re-orientation is the keyword for the last quarter moon. The lunar month is now three-quarters over. The current cycle/pattern is reaching a conclusion before the next pattern/cycle begins. Re-orientation means to “find ones position again” lending to its place within a cycle and not along a linear plane. 

The Moon is our emotional and experiential self. Transits of the moon around the chart are transitory and fast moving, and, because it is a short cycle, they tends to describe our habits (the Moon rules our habits and reactions to life). Habits are the things we tend to repeat in shorter, more regular cycles, unlike, say,  our career or relationship cycles.

During the new moon we set our intentions- plant the seed. At the first quarter moon action is taken- things begin to flower. At the full moon we experience a culmination- fruit bearing. Now, at the last quarter phase, is the time to re-orient. That which was produced at the full stage must now be turned under and let go of, so that it can become part of the next cycle. This corresponds to a farmer turning over his soil after the harvest; on a soul level it’s our ability to recognize and be aware of ourselves and make the necessary adjustments for the future. We “turn over”  the lessons of the month in our mind and integreate them into our psyche.

It’s surrendering now with the knowledge of eventual return. It can be a bitter-sweet time when we begin to let go of the past and immediately before we settle into our hibernation until the next cycle begins.