Category: Evolutionary Astrology

There is a correlation between our inner being and the vast universe. Evolutionary Astrology illuminates your current life Soul-intent while analyzing and reviewing past life gifts and blockages. Because the Soul is the most profound level of our being, it produces the widest and most meaningful context for direction in our lives. As the old saying goes, you can’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you have been. I provide the “a ha” moments as you uncover subconscious blockages and bring latent gifts to life. No matter how many times we reincarnate we are never the same person again – make the most of each life – live a life that is most in tuned with the universe and nourishes your soul most deeply.

The Tale of Two Leo Presidents

Two recent Presidents were born under the Sun Sign of Leo. But just to show you how little the Sun Sign means to a full chart analysis let’s look at these two men, President Clinton and President Obama to see how that Leo energy manifests in their chart.

First, President Clinton whose birthday is later this week. His Leo Sun is in the eleventh house, the house of group and social interactions – well yes, he does excel at that, don’t you think? However, look at his first house, the house of personality. It is opened by Libra – the sign that demands interaction with other people  – it is a people sign and Libra rising people can even exhibit co-dependent traits. Libra loves human interaction! Mars right on the ascendant! Holy Cow – the god of war – the raw energy of Mars also in the sign of “other” – and one degree away from his rising sign.  I have to make myself heard and seen not only in a crowd but to everyone. Love me please, love me! (Chiron also in the first,  the wounded warrior shows how much he really needs to be love and accepted by others.)

Neptune sits on Mars – well you know Neptune – the obfuscater – that helps that President well shall we say distort his version of things from time to time! Adding Venus to the mix – the goddess of love and romance – oh let’s not rehash that. You get the picture.

All in all he has a stellium – more than 5 planets and asteroids in Libra in or bordering the first house. Even if his talent was in shoe sales and not politics he would be the town’s best known, most affable and most avuncular show salesman. He can’t help it. Is a a person who needs people.

President Obama, also a Leo Sun, has a vastly different first house. His rising sign is not people loving, people needing Libra, but aloof and cool Aquarius. Aquarius loves all Mankind but he isn’t too interested in getting down and dirty with people every day – he feels your pain but doesn’t want to learn too much about it. Where Libra is all about other – Aquarius is a very cerebral, very detached sign – they are smarter than the average bear – know what needs to be done and expect everyone to just do it without any fuss or muss. 
His Sun is in the 6th house the house of work and service. So he firmly believes if he keeps his head down and keeps working the noise will dissipate. Unfortunately, the noise of opposition  is too determined to just go away but since they are illogical to the Aquarius mind he just doesn’t imagine that he has to address them as serious. 
President Obama’s South Node is in the first house – and like Clinton, the Chiron, wound issue. (I wonder how many people who carry a deep wound in the first turn to politics for acceptance?) So he is carrying a lot of deep issues inside him that are just below the surface – which again translate to caution.
To Leo’s – two Presidents – vastly different men!

Grand Cross – Drama or Just Awakening?

I am feeling annoyed…not terribly annoyed because I am in Maine taking in the breezes, the lobster and ocean air – but as annoyed as one can be in this situation.The reason for my consternation is the talk about the coming of the April 23 grand cross. As you might recall I went heard two speakers weave a tale of horror and destruction that will occur when this grand cross occurs; i.e., the EU will fail, our dollar will be gone, mass economic and political upheaval will occur and a new world order will arise from the gloom! 

A grand cross is when four planets are in opposition to each other. In this case we will have retrograded Pluto in Capricorn opposing Jupiter in Cancer and Uranus in Aries opposing Mars in Libra. These planets will be in cardinal signs. There are three kinds of signs, mutable, cardinal and fixed. The mutable signs are easy going – go along and get along, The fixed signs have more stubborn in nature and cardinals are the movers the shakers, the doers. Hence, the doom and gloom – the god of War, the god of expansion, the god of quick change and the god of slow change all pulling against each other and in cardinal signs – each grasping for their piece of the pie!

Any type of cross, square or opposition is a difficult time but not always horrible – without them we would not have change – not have awakenings. Someone with a birth chart overloaded with “positive” aspects can have a rather boring and unfulfilled life because they have no mountains to climb. I keep thinking what are these gloomy astrologers going to tell people born on April 23, 2014 – OH you will have a terrible life? Instead of seeing this time as a nightmare I am hoping that people will throw off the old ways and say we are tired of waiting around – we want to move forward! Cardinal signs want action. Perhaps people will be tired of stalemates and do-nothing politicians and those who want to bring our country back into the Stone Age. 

I am not saying there won’t be some violence – there could be an aspect of “taking it to the street.” Bad things could happen at that time but I am not comfortable with saying the only result will be total destruction of the social order. 

Change is not always easy but let’s use it as a time to break bonds, break stalemates and demand the end to inertia. Energy release is energy release – it is up to us to make it constructive and not destructive. Let’s not paint an ending before we have even started and let’s encourage people to use a rough time to yield a positive outcome!

A Royal Tizzy

Oh my, it seems some people in the astrological community have their royal panties in a wad over the royal baby! Is he a Cancer Sun or Leo Sun – it is a topic that is quite the sticky wicket. The new Prince George of Cambridge had the dastardly audacity to be born on a day that the Sun moves from one sign to another and at just about the exact moment the deed was being done. On July 22 the Sun moves from Cancer to Leo – earlier in the day it is at 29 degrees Cancer and later it tips into 0 Leo. 
Do please pardon me as I partake in a wee bit of astrological esoterica. There are many different house systems that astrologers use; some use units of time to divide the sky into 12 houses and some use degrees of distance. I know it would be “loverly” if we could all get along and there be one standard system but life is messy. I like Koch and Porphyry myself but there is also Placidus and a few others. The differences are minuscule and usually unnoticed unless someone is born on the razor’s edge. (For we Yanks it is sort of like a Presidential election in Florida.)
The little imp was born at 4:24 PM London time. When I heard the news I jumped on the computer and cast a chart in Koch which showed the Sun at 0 Leo Sun. I went with it and wrote my blog entry for the day which was placed here and on another site.  You would have thought I said that kid was the direct reincarnation of Oliver Cromwell! No, no I heard from some sources – he is 29 degrees Cancer, you fool. He is a Cancer Sun like his father and his late grandmother Diana – he is of the Cancerian line and at 29 degrees which is a very karmic placement we have family karma… Diana karma! He must be a Cancer Sun you silly wench!
Sorry but I don’t do astrology to make cute stories fit. I remember 30 years ago when astrologers were running stories about Diana and Charles and how “wonderful” the marriage would be. I was looking at those charts saying HUH – this is going to suck. (I have published the article I wrote then on the blog.) Yes it is romantic and it is what people want to hear but if it isn’t true I am not writing it!

 I have since run the baby’s chart in 2 other house systems and they show 0 Leo. The funny thing is – the really funny thing is folks – in karmic astrology your Sun sign doesn’t amount to a pile of fish and chips. Unless it is aspecting one of the nodes or Pluto or doing something similarly earth shattering it really isn’t that key. I have done many a chart interpretation with very little reference to the Sun sign. Sun sign astrology is a Western construct that has done a lot of confuse and bewilder people – sort of like the question, “what does the Queen put in that purse?”

Besides the kid is dripping in Cancerian influence – his Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Lilith and Pallas Athena are all in Cancer so he will be touchy-feely enough for everyone. So let’s have a spot of tea, a crumpet or two and relax – all very Cancerian things to do by the way. 

Full Moon Royal Baby – Born to Bring Change!

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I get a strong feeling from his chart that the new royal baby is going to use his Capricorn Moon to brood over the power and luxury he was born into and then, when he takes control of the throne, and with that force of his incredible 7thhouse – modernizes, changes and brings his country into the new century in a way that is remembered for a very long time.  

The new British royal baby boy who was born today at 4:24 PM London time just shy of a total full Moon. Had he waited a few more hours it would have been complete but with the Moon just 2 degrees away from Aquarius and the Sun already 0 degrees Leo – well it is close enough. 

We consider the Moon “full” when it appears totally lit and round.  This is because it is the furthest from the Sun and is out of the grasp of the its rays. The Moon is always “full” we just can’t see it when the sunlight is normally hogging a lot of the space.

Full Moon babies sometimes have a hard time connecting to their  emotions. Expressing their emotions, understanding them, feeling and channeling them will all be hurdles to conquer. During those times when the Moon goes “full” every month, if it is a constellation that activates his Natal Moon, he is going to be a bit off kilter for a day or so. 

I find it interesting that his Moon is in Capricorn. Capricorn Moon people are more serious and might even be prone to depression and with his Moon squaring Saturn I would alert the family to watch for depression and because the Moon is in the 2nd house of self-worth he might have to learn that he is “worthy” of the office he has been assigned to a birth. Still a monarch with a serious Capricorn Moon will serve him better than a more loosey-goosey Aquarius Moon. 

Speaking of Saturn – what issues is he going to have with daddy? He has Saturn right on the North Node – which again makes him more serious but also makes him more prone to have daddy issues.

However, that Saturn North Node placement is even more important in light of his profession! Follow me here.
Nodally speaking, he has his past life indicator of the South Node in Taurus in the 5th house and his North Node – where he should be going to in this life – in Scorpio in the 11th.  He shares that placement with such luminaries as Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln – not too shabby.  Taurus South Node people are comfortable relying on their physical self – they withhold, withstand and are as stubborn as all get-out. His Venus (ruler of Taurus) is in Virgo – so you want someone who gets a goal in his head and never budges – well watch this baby as he grows! No one will get him off course!

Scorpio 11th house North Node people are fulfilled when they bring about some great social change. Now back to Saturn on the North Node. Saturn represents all male authority structures – like say a 1000 year old monarchy for instance!  He will fulfill his North Node if he stubbornly sticks to his guns and brings about vast and lasting change to the monarchy.

Like his late grandmother Diana, the baby has Sagittarius rising. This is good for several reasons. Sag. rising people are outgoing, athletic, inquisitive and good at people skills. The ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter and his is right in the middle of a powerful stellium in the 7thhouse. In his 7th house, the house of intimate and contractual relations, Jupiter is joined by Mars, Mercury, Lilith and Pallas Athena all in the compassionate water sign of Cancer. This is where he will excel, with leading people by his action and his words – to take up the causes of the down-trodden or showing people how they can help and nurture people.
Pluto is still in retrograde and his is again on that tricky 2nd house – so he is going to work hard on feeling that he is doing something to earn his position. As long as he doesn’t beat himself up that should be OK.

The retrograde that I find really funny is Uranus in the 4th. That is an indicator of being born into a unique and rather odd family and having an interesting and even difficult childhood. Well , yeah we can all see that can’t we?

Grand Cross 2014 – Doomsday???

I recently attended a seminar on the astrology and the chart of the United States. As I mentioned before, the US is coming into its first Pluto Return as a nation and Pluto is a planet that “makes you an offer you can’t refuse – change or else!” With Pluto in our 2nd house of wealth, resources and financial stability it is no wonder that we are experience in great trauma around the banking industry, jobs and savings. When Pluto finally reaches the closest point with our natal Pluto around 2021 we will have undergone a major change in these areas. However, the question that begs is, what kind of change will that be?

Two of the speakers at this seminar, spent their entire segments painting a dire picture of effects of the April 23, 2014 grand cross. A grand cross is when four planets are in opposition to each other. In this case we will have retrograded Pluto in Capricorn opposing Jupiter in Cancer and Uranus in Aries opposing Mars in Libra. These planets will be in cardinal signs. There are three kinds of signs, mutable, cardinal and fixed. The mutable signs are easy going – go along and get along, The fixed signs have more stubborn in nature and cardinals are the movers the shakers, the doers. Hence, the doom and gloom – the god of War, the god of expansion, the god of quick change and the god of slow change all pulling against each other and in cardinal signs – each grasping for their piece of the pie!

Among the predictions are the collapse of the EU, the fall of the dollar, massive rioting in Spain, Greece and Syria and a new social order rising out of the economic disaster this cross will bring.

I don’t know I am a bit skeptical. I mean Y2K, the Mayans – haven’t we been doomed and gloomed before?  I will say that with Mars in the 2nd and Uranus in the 8th we can see some big movement by the 99 percent against the power of the 1 percent and some major economic upheaval..but is that always a bad thing? Yes, there could be some riots, there could be some economic issues but do I see the total collapse of the Western economic system? I don’t think so.

We have been in a Uranus Pluto square for months and that will continue – which is why nothing has gotten done anywhere for a long time. Jupiter’s expansion will break that energy. So something will happen – and it could be something big but they will have to go a little further to convince me to start hiding my pennies in the mattress.

Saturn in Scorpio – on the USA Chart

Last time I spoke about Pluto and the Pluto return America is about to undergo. There will be more on that and the Grand Cross of 2014 later but this week I promised a look at Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn moved into Scorpio on October 20, 2012 and will remain there until December 23, 2014. (It will retrograde back in for a few months June – September 2015.)

Saturn is called the task master of the zodiac. It makes us color within the lines. Generally considered a malefic planet, we often forget that without Saturn we would live in timeless anarchy. In medical astrology Saturn controls the bones and teeth. Indeed, where would we bewithout Saturn?

With it’s turn in Scorpio, Saturn will make us delve deeply into the houses it transits rooting out secrets and bringing the hidden to light.

“Natally the United States has Saturn in Libra in the 10th house (the house of government and authority and the natural house for Saturn) conjunct the asteroid Juno, the goddess of loyalty. It is no wonder we are known for stability but also for our tendency to tell others how to run their governments (Libra loves to meddle.)  Right now, transiting Saturn is on our 11th house, the house of social contacts and interactions, conjunct another asteroid, Ceres, the mother nurturer. If that weren’t enough, Saturn by progression (how it has progressed since our birth) is also in the 11th and conjunct the Moon.

I see two manifestations of this placement. The first is the sudden acceptance of gay marriage both by the public and more surprisingly the Supreme Court. What was hidden is now socially acceptable – what is a better way to express Scorpio – and Saturn in the 11th  brings that to public social and government arena.

The other manifestation is sadder, that is the Trayvon Martin  death and verdict. To date the verdict has brought people out of their homes and onto the streets in mostly peaceful protests to say this is no longer acceptable – a young black man’s life has value and he can’t be targeted. The racial secrets must be brought to the surface in a public arena. Hopefully, these protests will be turned into political action. Then there will be some long lasting value to this death.

Pluto Return for USA

I have to admit I didn’t “feel it” this 4th of July…it was a pretty quiet day and I didn’t even think to put my flag out, something I do every year. Things have been in overdrive for me lately but there was something more. I just wasn’t in the mood to celebrate.
It got me thinking of our country and the general sense of ennui so many of us have. We can’t get anything done, the infrastructure is falling apart, we are at least ten years behind in cell phone technology, our immigration policy sucks, we are letting other countries beat us at renewable energy and all we hear about are fat old men talking about women’s bodies and people’s sex lives. 
Then it hit me. Pluto is in Capricorn. American was “born” the last time Pluto was in Capricorn, we are in our Pluto return which will hit its apex in 2020. Any “return” of a slow planet is big because that energy returns to where it was at birth and asks the question, what have you done with yourself since I last visited. People never experience a Pluto return unless they are Methuselah’s grandfather. It takes over 250 years for Pluto to walk around the Sun. Any return is a time of stress, of reassessment
Of course, when the planet hit Capricorn in 2008, it did what we expected – cause big change in the structure of society like the banking system. Secrets of the rich and powerful were uncovered (i.e. Penn State, Catholic Church.) It also caused some other troubling changes such as the corporate personhood.  Pluto brings change and Capricorn deals with authority, government – the fabric of society. 
So what does this mean for the country as Pluto grinds through Capricorn? Frankly I don’t think anyone knows. I have read several articles on the subject. There are the requisite number of “the sky will fall and we will all go back to a nature-based people: America will be no more” articles. I expected that. Astrology has its fair share of alarmists.
My personal take is that government secrets will continue to come out and there will be more scandals and secrets. While I don’t think America will be no more, I do think it will be a vastly different place in 2024 – aware finally that we wasted almost 2 decades appeasing the lunatic right while the world marched on and we will realize what most already know – we are no longer number one.
Pluto was retrograded when America was born – perhaps we will right that backwards movement. Maybe our government will be more responsive to the people not just the rich ones? Perhaps we will head into Pluto Aquarius with a real sense of what is important and work together to catch up what we lost when asleep. I can always hope….

Next time – what does Saturn in Scorpio mean to the US?

Ken Cuccinelli – Full of Surprises

We have a hum-dinger of an off year gubernatorial election in Virginia this year. Sadly, Virginia has a bad record in off year elections – mostly because those of us in North don’t like to vote in off year elections and the results are often disastrous. This year could have the same results this year if we don’t muster the votes in the North.

The Republican nominee is Ken Cuccinelli who is as right wing tea party as they come. You know the type, the government should be out of your life except if you are female then it should be in your life, your body and every decision you can even conceive of making. (And yes I used that word on purpose.)

I wondered what made this creature tick astrologically and frankly assumed that he had an Aries south node – you know I do – I am – you follow – and that is it and no more. Silly me – you know what they say about assuming? He is actually the opposite – A Libra South Node. Libra? The co-dependent, super-people person sign of Libra? Was my eyesight going?

Even though we don’t know the birth time, the S Node will remain the same throughout the day so it really doesn’t matter. Yes indeed, he is coming from a Libra existence. What also caught my eye is his current Mercury Mars in Cancer -the sign of the caring mother. This can only mean one thing to me  – as odd as it seems he really believes the nonsense he is slinging!

With his South Node conjunct the Moon and Pallas all in Libra he is emotionally invested in taking up the cause of meddling into everyone’s personal life (Libra.) With Libra’s ruler, Venus, in the sign of the kingly Leo – he is stubbornly attached to this past life persona. Add in all of that mother energy of Cancer – he really thinks he is helping people! Argh

It doesn’t help that Cancer and Libra are Cardinal signs – the sign of the doer – the achiever.

He has a predominance of Cardinal -and fixed signs  -stubborn leadership energy – this guy isn’t going away and heave help Virginia if he gets any more power.  There will be no limits to his Libra meddling.

Jupiter Stew with a Dash of Turmeric

I was honored to be asked to write an article for the International Academy of Astrology Newsletter.  IF you want to use the ingress of Jupiter into Cancer this week for your health check it out
Rerinted from International Academy of Astrology July 2013 Newsletter
IAA newsletter
July 2013
Cancer Ingress Newsletter
Jupiter Stew with a Dash of Turmeric
Using the Ingress of Jupiter in Cancer to Heal Liver Inflammation
By Joan Porte

The Summer Solstice is fast upon us with promise of revitalizing our bodies with the healthy fruits and vegetables of the season. This month the universe gives us a double dose of healing opportunities when Jupiter ingresses into Cancer on June 25, 2013 at 9:40 p.m. EDT.

In medical astrology, Jupiter, the largest planet, has reign over the liver, the largest internal organ. Among the liver’s many tasks is cleansing our blood. It turns food into nutrients and fat-soluble toxins into ones that are water-soluble and easily eliminated.

Medical science is just beginning to understand the effects of long-term, low grade inflammation. What is known is when the liver is beaten down by chemicals, environmental toxins, alcohol, processed, sugary and fatty foods it slows down and the toxins and fat remain imbedded in our body.

There are several things to do to restore an inflamed liver. As an astrologer and avid home cook, I am a big believer in using the Zodiac as a guide to healing foods. What better time to care for the long abused American liver than when its ruling planet, Jupiter, wanders through the motherly nurturing sign of Cancer for the next 13 months?

As Jupiter moves from house-to-house it would be wise to nurture the anti-inflammatory response with recipes that appeal to the sign energetically connected to that house.

Aries and the first house exude the heat of Mars and a bit of Aries spice is a good tool in the battle against inflammation. Use this time to make a plan of action for your fight and fuel yourself with some good Mars food like a Spicy Tomato Gazpacho Soup.

When Jupiter moves into the second house Taurus’ call may be telling you that it is too hard to stay healthy and it is time for some indulgence regardless of the health cost. Don’t fight the temptation – appease it. Tomatoes Stuffed with Artichokes and Feta has the mouth feel so craved and the healthy vegetables will still help keep you on track.

The third house Jupiter ingress is a perfect time to use Mercury’s mental talents to further study the new medical research on the inflammatory response. The trickster doesn’t have a lot of time for time-consuming foods so keep a lot of my healthy Cold Broccoli and Olive salad on hand. It is quick, delicious and always ready when the impatience of Mercury urges you to run out for some fat-laden fast food.

Now there are no excuses when Jupiter moves into Cancer’s home, the fourth house: you have to give your diet a lot of love and attention now. My friend Diane has a wonderful recipe that she makes in honor of her grandmother called Gram’s Cranberry Pie – how Cancerian is that? It is full of love, grandmotherly tenderness and cranberries which are a great antioxidant.

You can hear Leo’s roar as you head into the Fifth House and this is another time when you may want to throw caution to the wind and over-indulge. Rely, instead, on that Leo pride in their body to keep you on course. Acorn Squash with Apples, Figs and Grapes is a true anti-inflammatory dish and, if served in a fancy bowl, will allow you to envision yourself royalty.

OK Jupiter in Cancer in the 6th house, the house of healing and care for the body; do you need a better excuse to get healthy? While you have to pay attention to your health now, you don’t have to suffer any deprivation. Pasta Primavera is a great 6th house dish and you don’t have to be a natal Virgo to love the Eggplant, Tomato and Mozzarella Stacks and some healthy seafood Cioppino.

The Libran socialization that energizes the 7th house can make you want to spend too many hours over some nachos and beer with friends. But with little effort you can make a full Smorgasbord to share. Try Chicken Pesto Sandwiches and Mediterranean Salad Sandwiches with lean, skinless chicken; sun dried tomatoes and pesto loaded with basil.

If you haven’t revised you’re eating habits you will now – Scorpio and the 8th house demand change, a death to the old self. What better way to celebrate the new you with a traditional Mexican Day of the Dead food make out of healthy pumpkin, Calabeza en Tacha?

When Jupiter is in the 9th appeal to the Sagittarius wanderlust with a Vegetable Moroccan Tagine. It is full of chick peas, tomatoes, carrots and other vegetables. The original recipe calls for a base of cous cous but grains can hinder the immune system so try a bed of quinoa instead.

Serve a Capricorn Cabbage Soup. The heartiness of the cabbage appeals to the strong and steady goat. With Jupiter in the 10th you will appease the cravings for filling foods with this vegetable-laden broth that is perfect for a cold Capricorn night.

Throw caution to the wind when Jupiter hits the 11th house for it is time for quirky Aquarius energy to take over. Try something with a unique twist that is also good to share with the many friends this house brings, like Pollack with Berry Prosecco Sauce. The blueberries and fish are healthy and the Prosecco makes it a bit more fun.

With Jupiter’s swims into the 12th house Pisces it can bring up old emotions triggering bad eating habits. Make some crispy Kale with Scallions and Ginger for a zingy delicious taste to fuel you and get ready for Jupiter’s move into Leo. Just remember what Cancer has taught you when Leo fuels you appetite!

Bon Appetite.

NOTE:
These recipes and many more specifically directed to the health of each sign can be found in Joan’s book Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook.
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It’s only a Super Moon……

but it isn’t floating in a cardboard sky…. For those of us on the East Coast the Super Moon will be at its height at 6:32 AM on June 23 (of course to see it check it out on the night of the 22nd when it is dark.)
The Moon will be in Capricorn in the 6th house conjunct Pluto. This is an odd placement frankly. Pluto conjunct the Moon is a time for emotional changes – but the Moon is going to be in very unemotional Capricorn in a house that vibrates to Virgo – another tamped down Earth sign (at least for East Coast folks). I can see folks having this internal emotional explosions! Or, hopefully, people quietly working on their emotional issues.

The best advice I would give is to see how your emotions might be affecting your health (6th house) and how you can get them more in control.

In any case – enjoy the view – and let’s hope it doesn’t rain – or do anything else…you know how the Moon loves to mess with the tides and the weather….