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Lunar Eclipse Intensity Sweetened by Venus-Jupiter Trine
Mars Enters Libra
Mercury Conjoins Saturn and Sun Opposes Neptune
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
The Purpose Driven Presidency
On Saturday Night, Rick Warren, the pastor and best selling author of The Purpose-Driven Life: What Am I Here For? will moderate the first major debate between presumptive presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. The debate, which takes place on the day of lunar eclipse will surely have Americans on the edge of their seats. And speaking of “edge” the sextile from transiting Mars to Obama’s midheaven will probably give him the upper hand.
Alan Wolfe of The New Republic said that Rick Warren is “leading an effort to focus the attention of Christian conservatives on questions of social justice.”
John Edwards - Let’s Leave Him and His Family Alone
Enough already. Is it admirable that John Edwards was cheating on his cancer-stricken champion of a wife Elizabeth, and is probably the father of the baby girl born to Rielle Humter (nee Lisa Druck)? No.
But I am disgusted with what highly educated professional journalists spend their time on. So many powerful men cheat. It doesn’t make it right, and as a woman, I personally don’t like it. But it’s none of my business. I absolutely cringed watching Bob Woodruff’s interview on Nightline. Is this what he survived his near-death ordeal for?
For the record, Edwards, the former presidential hopeful (who has both the Sun and Moon in Gemini with Cancer rising), shares his June 10th birthday with 2008’s other famously scandalized Democrat: former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer. The Mars/Saturn conjunction on July 10th squared Edwards’ Moon exactly and Uranus has been squaring his Sun all year. As we all know, Saturn will catch up soon to make the second half of ’08 less comfy for Edwards than he is now. June 10th natives seem to find themselves in impossible situations. They’re gifted, brilliant, but restless to a fault. Publisher and colorful raconteur Robert Maxwell, who drowned at age 68 amidst mounting evidence of gross financial misconduct, was born on June 10th in 1923. Legendary singer-actress Judy Garland who struggled unsuccessfully to overcome her many demons was born on June 10, 1922. Somewhere Over the Rainbow indeed.
Aging Leos? Nah!
Believe it or not, this week, the perennial Material Girl of the ‘80’s, Madonna, turns 50 (on the lunar eclipse of August 16th), actor Robert DeNiro turns 65 (August 17th), and former President Bill Clinton turns 62 on August 19th, eight days before his appearance at the Democratic Convention in Denver.
The ever-controversial 42nd US President has been invited by Barack Obama to grace the stage and is scheduled to speak before the vice presidential nominee on Wednesday, August 27th. This appearance could not have been more astrologically perfect: It coincides with Clinton’s Mars-Return at five degrees of Libra, and I hereby go on record stating that the strength of that celestial event will serve to redeem the comeback kid from his multiple slip ups of this political season. Bill will rise to the occasion and channel the magnetic and charismatic democratic prince that galloped his way into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue sixteen years ago.
Though most pundits are certain that Hillary is about as likely to be chosen for the VP slot as Paris Hilton (who surprised us with her video response to McCain’s moronic commercial that compared Obama’s celebrity to that of Hilton and Britney Spears), one pundit, Tommy Christopher of “Political Machine” on the web, says that the dream team is alive and well and that Obama will surprise us with picking Clinton as his running mate. At least that’s what he said a week ago. Today though, it was announced that Hillary’s name will be placed in nomination at the convention so that her backers can feel counted, and she can officially release her delegates to Obama. Those who mistrust the Clintons wonder if a coup is in the works? The aspects that week are tense, competitive, and highly combustible.
Hillary as VP would delight many and probably guarantee an Obama victory, but most are now leaning towards Indiana’s Senator Evan Bayh or Delaware’s Senator Joe Biden (I think it will be Biden). Bayh, is a Capricorn, born on Dec 26, 1955. He has Saturn at 28 degrees of Scorpio on Obama’s midheaven, the exact degree of Biden’s Scorpio Sun (Biden was born on Nov 20, 1942). Will Obama go for the Sun or for Saturn? As is so often the case, contenders for the same spot share similar degrees of the zodiac, making these contests so tough to call. (Romney, Clinton, Obama, and Biden all have 18-23 degrees of Virgo-Pisces activated in November by the Saturn-Uranus opposition on Election Day).
The Sabian Symbol for the eclipse at 25 Aquarius (opposite and on Obama’s Uranus at 25 Leo) is: “A butterfly with the right wing more perfectly formed”. Sometimes these symbols are quite literal. I sure hope it doesn’t mean that the GOP (right wing) is better organized than anyone thought! Here is Lynda Hill’s “Sabian take” on 25 Aquarius/Leo.
Chart: Lunar Eclipse Aquarius
Click for larger view
Aug 14: Moon in Capricorn v/c @ 1:09 pm, enters Aquarius @ 6:56 am
Aug 15: Sun opp Neptune @ 3:53 am; Mercury conj. Saturn @ 4 pm
Aug 16: Lunar Eclipse @ 5:16 pm; Venus Trine Jupiter @ 8:16 pm
Aug 17: Moon v/c @ 1:14 am, enters Pisces @ 3:46 am
Mars square Pluto @ 2:12 am
Mercury trine Jupiter @ 9:23 pm
Aug 19: Moon v/c @ 7:41 am, enters Aries @ 10:10 am
Mars enters Libra @ 6:03 am
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, a time of disconnect until
the Moon enters the next sign
ARIES: Lunar Eclipse or not, refrain from loony behavior on the 15th and 16th no matter what. You need your wits about you to seize the day when Venus and Jupiter align on said eclipse to offer support. Those planetary good guys all but guarantee that your wildest professional dreams can and will come true. Mars enters your 7th house of social affairs and committed relationships. Someone you love may need fighting for. Don’t be blasé about those terms of endearment or a business partnership that will serve you in the long run.
TAURUS: Venus and Jupiter align beautifully to pump the volume big time. So even though the Full Moon-Lunar Eclipse will change the balance of power between home and career, it could also help you out by showing the door to some bodies who have over-stayed their welcome. Time to reclaim your space, your power, and act on the dreams you put on hold for way too long.
GEMINI: The Lunar Eclipse will shed light on a friend from overseas (or hundreds of miles away) and reveal them to be well-meaning but not as solvent or dependable as you’d hoped. Love means accepting people as they are, and perhaps at this juncture, reassigning their importance in your life to a lesser role. Mercury and Saturn conjoin in your 4th house and urge serious attention to family matters and all the nooks and crannies you’ve let slide of late. Clean those cobwebs (literally and figuratively) before they get the better of you.
CANCER: The Lunar Eclipse forces attention in your money houses and it’s in your best interest to re-examine all paper work, tax returns, and the solvency of your financial institution. Get hold of an impartial expert and take what they say to heart: You may not be seeing things clearly on your own. The Moon-Mars opposition on the 19th doesn’t have to erupt into a show down between your blood relatives and professional factions of your life. For the next six weeks, use diplomacy with family every step of the way.
LEO: Hello Darling! Love is blind but why must you be? Keep your glasses on and/or a gifted seeing-eye dog handy, if you catch my drift. Where romance is concerned, enjoy all you want but for heaven’s sake, look where you’re going. That goes for all partnerships as well. An offer that sounds too good to be true, probably is. But it’s not all B.S. The positive flow between Venus, Jupiter and your midheaven can be compared to a gold rush: Sift through what’s offered and extract the valuables.
VIRGO: A sibling who has been nothing but trouble in the past may surprise you with very helpful advice or an unwavering presence just when you need it. And you thought your many kindnesses to them were a complete waste, Hah! A transformation at home prepares you for a financial battle that you can and will win over the next six weeks. Clear your head, gather your thoughts, stake your claim, and accept nothing less than what you deserve.
LIBRA: Mars enters your first house and lifts you out of the doldrums of the past six weeks but not before one final confrontation with an outer (or inner) demon that you must conquer before moving forward. Where and with whom have you been spending your precious time and energy? Have they been worth the investment? It may be time to withdraw your troops and reinvest elsewhere, at least for the time being. True friendships will withstand this and all other tests. Be confident.
SCORPIO: A showdown between players in your professional life and your family is highlighted by the eclipse. And while you have to earn a living and your ambition is for the most part healthy, pay attention to what you learn about yourself as this week’s drama unfolds. Life is always a balancing act filled with many tests along the way. Your ruling planets, Mars and Pluto square off on the 16th and 17th. Stay out of any fights and if you sense one coming look the other way. Mars enters 12th house for six weeks of fun-filled soul-searching. Enjoy J
SAGITTARIUS: Some serious cutbacks at work that have been in discussion for a while must be made now and if they affect you directly, it’s for the good in the long run. There is no need for you to worry, as Venus in your 10th house makes a very elegant trine aspect to your ruler, Jupiter, in your second house of finance. Take some time to shape up a workable budget for yourself: It’s the equivalent of going on a diet that looks bad on paper, but makes you feel so good. Your superiors do appreciate your work and won’t forget you when things get better.
CAPRICORN: Mercury, the planet of communication and clarity of thought meets up with your ruler Saturn in your ninth house of philosophy, religion, and legal affairs. Efficiency and prudence are the keys to your getting through a rough spot, but none of the above need be implemented with cruelty to be effective. On the contrary, the kinder you are, the more likely that the cooperation you need desperately now will be forthcoming and with no resentment. Mars enters your 10th house on the 19th, and it’s full speed ahead on a new professional venture that stalled in the Fall of ’06.
AQUARIUS: The Lunar Eclipse spaces you out big time on the 16th and while the buzz is exhilarating it could deem you incompetent for a 24 hour period. Defer to a partner on all important decisions and let someone else do the driving. Get all work done by Aug 14th and hang the “Gone Fishing” sign on the door stating that you’ll return on the 18th. Everyone’s entitled to a lost weekend every so often. Now it’s your turn.
PISCES: The big struggle this week is for you to remain conscious while so much is going on in those invisible but oh so powerful inner planes of yours. Without getting too mystical, give voice to your guides (or angels) who are working overtime on your behalf. What are they trying to say? And in the real world, there’s much to be grateful for. No gift is tiny. If a friend buys you a cup of coffee, or a stranger offers you a handkerchief when you need it, recognize it (and them) as a blessing. It guarantees that the good stuff keeps coming.