I am doing research into the Mars cycle—claimed to be the one that drives astrologers ‘bonkers’—too late, I hear you thinking. Mars just finished 8 months in Leo today. Mars will be travelling through Virgo-Leo in the course of the next 15 months and then will spend 236 days in Virgo, beginning September 18, 2011. We think of the rhythm of Mars as about 5-7 weeks through a sign, when in fact it is about eight months in one sign (often two signs share this approx. 8-month period) and the remaining 17 months split between eleven signs. Mars also seems to have a preference over the signs, spends the least time in Aquarius, Aries and Pisces, and most in Leo and Virgo. This is the analysis based on 300 years of data. Will let you know what it is once I have plugged in additional centuries.

The last time Mars spent this long in Leo was October 1962-June 1963. Those of us older are able to reflect on what was going on in the world during that time and also what was going on in our personal lives. The themes tend to play out again and again, but no astrological configuration repeats in exactly the same form ever; thus there are changes. We also learn something during each period and have new lessons the next time. Late 1994-through May 1995 Mars was in Leo for about six months, which provides us with a more recent walk down memory lane. The point I am making is that this is 15-year cycle and the exceptional length of time repeats seldom. Mars is now moving closer to us. When something is closer to us, we are less able to avoid the energy it represents. Mars is about our motivation and our actions—we now have the luxury of staying motivated with one concept at length.

The quote I chose for this review captures the essence of Mars retrograde beautifully: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — Albert Einstein

Our lives are compartmentalized into twelve basic areas by astrology. Those twelve areas are self, money, daily commutes and communication, home/family, creativity/children/romance, work/chores/health; partners/relationships in general, shared resources/endings/transformation, foreign travel/expanding your horizons, career/reputation/status, friends/aspirations/rewards, and subconscious/spirituality/isolation.

We can look at this from the perspective of the Sun each year, and apply it to any of the planetary transits. Each year, the Sun travels through all of the Zodiacal signs. Your own sign marks your birthday, and the one month each year when you are likely to make fresh new choices and resolutions for yourself. During that month people around you pay you extra attention. It is our ‘what do I want’-month. The month that follows brings the attention on your money and values, it is the natural time to create a budget, balance what you bring in with what goes out. If you know your ascending sign you can look at that as the first month to get more clues. The third month is about our daily life, schedules, cars, dealings with neighbours and communication; thus we tend to spend more time on these issues during the month the Sun is in the third sign after your own. That own sign is number 1. The fourth month is about family and home. The fifth is about month about children, romance and creative endeavours—things seem to flow with ease, regardless of what is going on. The sixth month following your month of birth brings work and health matters to the forefront—it’s all in the details at that time. The seventh month, which begins six months after your birthday, is about relating and relationships. The eighth month is about shared resources and shared issues—an ideal time for investigating the means to accomplish something. The ninth month is about travel, exploration and finding ways to expand your horizons; relatives might factor in prominently during that time. The tenth month is about career and your accomplishments; bosses, parents and other authority figures may play an active role. The eleventh month is about friends, groups and about your wishes and aspirations—excellent time to make plans for your new year around the corner. The twelfth month, the month prior to your next birthday is a time to rest, to finish projects and find new activities in order to recharge your internal batteries. To read the entire review for Mars in Leo www.astrologicallyspeaking.com/Mars2009-10.htm

Copyright Anne Massey, October 2009

Coming soon to your life and to a life near you: Saturn in Libra, check out my review at www.astrologicallyspeaking.com

The retrograde dates are not ideal for beginning or committing to something new, if it was in the works prior to the dates that becomes a mute point. If travelling, ensure that you have appropriate insurance. Be a little more flexible when appointments and meeting dates are moved. Keep receipts for purchases handy for the ‘return season’. I always avoid major purchases during that time.

Those stations are at 6°Libra 13′ for the retrograde one and 21°Virgo 37′ for the direct station. Mercury conjunct Sun occurs at 27°Virgo 35′. 21°Virgo has been a rather active degree for about a year now. Saturn stationed at that degree and in 2010 that same degree will be one of the direct stations of Mercury. Virgo keeps us busy, I have been running on all eight cylinders for the past couple of weeks, and note that this always happens when something stations on my Vesta at 27°Virgo.

Beginning late 2009, we will experience Mercury in an Earth sign at length. Mercury will be in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn for 242 days between December 5, 09 and February 3, 2011. The other signs get approximately 14-18 days each between the 60+ days periods.

The current Mercury period is preparing us for our own kind of busyness and practical application of our own skills and talents. Find your earth houses and you will know what you are dealing with in your everyday life. Stick to the basic keywords for the houses, and use the commonalities between the groups of three. Houses 1, 5, and 9 are the houses of life-enthusiasm and inspiration emanates from these three places. Houses 2, 6 and 10 are about the practical matters in life-money, work and accomplishments. Houses 3, 7 and 11 are about relating and the three remaining ones 4, 8, and 12 are about endings-transitions to new ventures and dealing with concepts that touch our emotions.

Read more on my blog www.annemassey.ca and my website www.astrologicallyspeaking.com. My annual at a Glance laminate is available. See my websites for more information

Anne Massey is a professional astrologer, to book your consultation email Anne or call 604-888-9552. Details about consultations available on my sites.

Evaluating planetary transits at any given period of time gives us insight into general global trends and the mood and tenor of the environment at hand. In observing the current transit of Venus which runs through the end of May, we can see an unusually powerful influence which merits our attention.

Venus entered Pisces on the 27^th of January 2009. Normally Venus stays in one sign for about 30 days. In this instance Venus will be in Pisces for four months, until the 30^th of May 2009. Venus is exalted when it transits Pisces and generally gives positive and powerful results.  However when Venus goes retrograde in March it gives debilitated results, and further, during retrograde when it gets combust, most of the fine qualities of Venus like feelings, affections, love, and so forth are dramatically diminished. 

Generally speaking, the influence of Venus will be very much in evidence during this transit bringing enhanced influence in the areas of wealth and comfort.  This is because, during this unusual transit, Venus, powerful in its exalted sign, goes retrograde combust, which gives extreme results, bringing dramatic loss and gains in the area of finances.  Aside from its potential for problems in economics, when Venus goes retrograde and combust it also creates a significant dampening affect in the area of relationships.  The influence of the Venus retrograde combust begins to be felt well before March 7; you can say it is there even at the beginning of the Venus transit, and continues long past its transit in Pisces. 

These particular themes are further underscored by the current transit of Jupiter and Saturn which also brings challenges in the areas mentioned above.  The transit of Jupiter and Saturn continues until the end of 2009. 

Throughout the Venus transit it will bring an enhancement of spiritual values, the affect of which will be felt long thereafter.

Venus transit in Pisces comes in contact initially with Poorvabhadra Nakshastra ruled by the Jupiter, then it moves into Uttarabhadra ruled by Saturn on the 31^st of January. Thereafter it enters into Revati Nakshastra ruled by Mercury on the 18^th of February. It continues moving back and forth through Uttarabhadra and Ravati until the transit ends May 30^th.

Given the current financial environment we are particularly interested to note what influence Venus will have on current economic trends.  Essentially, the Venus transit introduces a certain amount of imbalance in the areas related to money and wealth.  Venus in this position can bring the loss of money, increased expenditure, or, on the other hand, the opportunity to gain unusual amounts of money, often more than expected.  How this is expressed, and to what degree depends on the individual’s chart.

As one might expect, the Venus transit promotes its orb of influence in all areas of beauty and creativity. Thus, gradually, in the coming year, despite the somber economic environment, there will be, in the area of design, a heightened sense of color, design, decoration, and fashion; all these aspects are uplifted and improved. During this period, that part of society that is not affected by the financial woes suffered by many will have a greater interest in fashion, beauty and health and beauty procedures including plastic surgery and so forth.  They may be reluctant to show this interest, but the Venus influence will be expressing itself this way, none-the-less.

Venus becomes retrograde on the 6^th of March at 21° Pisces and continues to retrograde until the 17^th of April.  It then becomes direct at 5° Pisces in the constellation of Saturn and enters Mercury constellation on the 20^th of May and remains there until the 30^th of May 2009.

During retrograde Venus it comes in contact with Sun and gets combust. When Venus gets combust with the Sun, it is what you could describe as burnt by the rays of the Sun. Venus is not a friend of Sun, nor Sun a friend of Venus; they influence each other in a process called combustion which is not harmonizing of each other’s influence.  Rather, each planet affects the other in a kind of mutual conflict which especially affects Venus in diminishing its altruistic influence.  Essentially, in Venus combust Sun, the Sun’s fiery nature alters Venus aspects such that its expression in the area of love, affection and feelings in general is moderated and significantly diminished.

People tend to be very much attached to the planet Venus because of its influence on relationships and love.  During the retrograde combust transit, (Venus crossing the Sun), there will be a significant moderating influence which effectively diminishes the intensity and grip of emotional attachments connected with love, relationships and marriage. The intensity of feelings can be reduced in all these relationships. Although this is often the case, those relationships which are strong and well-grounded will not be so much affected.

This combust affect is created, generally speaking, because the Sun effectively burns out the emotional sensitivity of the Venus thereby causing a gradual reduction in the degree of attachment people experience in their emotional relationships.  Because of this influence, Venus will slowly promote feelings of independence and self-dependence among both men and women, but especially women.  In some cases it brings detachment and may result in separation or divorce.  Therefore it is recommended that one be cautious about getting into conflicts with one’s partners during this period.

Venus is an artist and therefore it supports all manner of art and creativity.  Depending on the position of Venus in the chart of a particular individual, the combust retrograde transit has the power to increase creative expression and creative talents.  The individuals who are affected will experience increased joy from their creativity whilst they will have an awareness of a reduction in intensity in the areas of relationships and attachment, thereby increasing their spirit of independence.  This ultimately enables such people to have an increased social presence in social activities.  In effect, you will be able to observe within the overall society, people will become more active than before.  An increase of social activities will take place which will ultimately be good for the community at large.

Overall, the transit of Venus when it goes retrograde will bring a lessening of emotional attachment in relationships which can be observed on a broad scale and will definitely result in increased discord amongst famous or celebrity couples. In some of these cases there will be highly publicized divorces. Although this will be due to the retrograde Venus of this period, sometimes the final result may not manifest immediately. Rather, the influences that come into play during the months ahead may, in some cases, not reach a culmination for up to 2 ½ years.  This Venus is a very powerful influence which carries implications or effect for a significant period of time.

The indications discussed thus far triggered by the Venus retrograde combustion and eclipse creates an affect that will last for one full year although the far-reaching influence of this trigger will continue to be felt for years to come.

Venus is referred to as guru of the demons, meaning the domain of Venus is that of spiritual guide to the mortals, (whereas Jupiter is spiritual guide of the gods). A guru does not distinguish between people, as all are individuals to be treated equally with benefic grace.  With this idea in mind, the current unusual transit of Venus ushers forth a period of enhanced activity in the area of spiritual growth and awareness of the common people even, at times, if there was a lack of interest in the past.

During this period we can anticipate the growth of philosophical and spiritual practices, and the desire amongst people to evolve to greater heights in terms of their spiritual awareness.  Although ones spiritual practices are a private affair, this influence will bear fruit over a period of time which will be observed as a general evolution of consciousness.  Even though it is a slow process, many people will be involved in turning their attention in the direction of spiritual values.

Copyright Chakrapani Ullal 2009

 www.vedicastrology.com

www.chakrapani.com

For your interest, the solar eclipse of January 25-26^th falls into the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan, Albireo is  fixed star in Cygnus and is  also known as the ‘ Song of  Dying Swan’. Our beautiful swans are falling so ill, as wildlife experts try to save them. The swans and the universe have a message for us: “Please stop what you are doing, please change…be aware,” as all living things depend upon humanity’s willingness to give our planet a chance, to give peace a chance, to save our beautiful planet and all that lives on it. 

The lunar eclipse and full moon in Leo occurs on February 9^th,   6:49am PST at 21 degrees Leo. (If you have any planets, points, or other space objects at 21 degrees in your chart, you will know something is going on!).  The earth will move between the sun and the moon, and cast its shadow on the moon, therefore blocking it from our vision. The moon reflects our emotional nature, the emotional body, and all things to do with the moon, family, the past, women, care giving, the public, and our homes, thus bringing emotions up from the past to be revisited and healed.  We may feel some edginess, and know things just don’t seem to be going our way. We can’t ignore our misplaced values and priorities. Maybe there is hope that we can become unified, focusing on humanitarianism, our animal kingdom, and environmental issues. After all, it seems to me that children, the sick, the less fortunate and our animals are issues of far greater priority… than big bonus cheques, and lavish spending!  Also, pastimes like gambling, stocks, and sports will perhaps take the heat of this fiery sign. Eclipses are also known to bring erratic weather patterns, thunder, lightning, floods, and earthquakes.

Mercury has been retrograde since January 11^th; we often feel the effects of Mercury R about a week before it actually changes direction… It has been causing much havoc, with sudden events, communications foul ups, confusion and mix ups in social and technical events, it prompts us to take stock of our values and priorities. This is a time for transportation strikes, mishaps, and aeronautic events, such as the Hudson River landing, a saving grace orchestrated by the skilled and intelligent Pilot Chesley Sullenberger. Aquarius and especially Mercury in Aquarius brings on flashes of intellect, intuition and brilliance. Aquarius also has a message for us: things with wings – airplanes and birds are in the spotlight, and nothing is impossible. Here is a perfect example of how eclipses can bring forth very difficult and dangerous experiences, but also have been seen to bring about ultimate moments of karmic success and sometimes miracles!  Pilot Scully was up to its tests of Aquarius. He deserves the applause. President Obama, who represents the Archetype of the Aquarian water bearer, (see below), has now been sworn in twice! Here is another example of an eclipse bringing a person with extraordinary talent and charisma, who is riding on the wings of Aquarius, and also richly blessed with the flashing inspirational, intelligent and sometimes genius mind of those influenced by the Aquarian sign and the planet Uranus. He has had the vision to rise above the chaos and strive to bring about order in a world needing change and transformation. Obama’s Pluto is at 6 degrees of Virgo, and inconjunct to this eclipse point… meaning an adjustment needs to be made. Yes, this is certainly what we need.

Mercury will go direct on January 31^st – February 1st at 21’45″ degrees in Capricorn, and keep in mind it takes Mercury a few days before its back to normal speed.

In March Venus is stepping back from mars as she starts her retrograde motion on March 6^th at 15 degrees Aries. You will probably start to feel her pulling away about March 1^st, as she begins to slow her speed in preparation for her about turn. 

On March 23, the North Node moves into 7 degrees Aquarius which symbolically means   ‘the emergence of global man”; the emergence of new mutations according to the great rhythms of the cosmos. (Reference, The Sabian symbols, Dane Rudhyar) and also refers to someone or something which hits at the truth of life, something universal. (Reference, Degrees of the Zodiac, Donna Henson) 

The Archetype of Aquarius and President Obama 

Aquarius is best known in mythology as the ‘Water Bearer’.

 Aquarius was once was, and I suppose still is known as a handsome young youth called Ganymede. He was the son of Tros, the first King of Troy and lived in Crete by Mount Ida. One day while Ganymede was working in the fields, Zeus cast his eyes upon him and immediately fell in love. He kidnapped him by turning into Aquila the Eagle and flew down, grabbed him and took him into the heavens to become the cupbearer to the Gods. The constellation known as the Crater is sometimes referred to as this cup, and after reading the mythology of this constellation, one may consider ‘the cup’ as the Holy Grail… the spiritual wine or elixir of the philosophers’ stone. Ganymede’s position was to pour wine for the Gods. Today, persons who relate to this archetype are those we see ‘pouring spirit (the waters of Aquarius) on humanity.’

Copyright Dawn Muncaster January 2009

Visit Dawn’s website at www.dawnastrology.com

Venus typically spends about three weeks in a sign. Every 18 months, she breaks this rule. In 2009, Venus will be in Aries from February 2 until April 22 and again from April 23-until June 6. She will also spend extra time in Pisces: 42 days. January 3 until February 2 and April 11-23, 2009. Venus will be retrograde March 6-April 17. Read the article by choosing to

Throughout February Venus is brilliant in the sky shortly after sunset for about 2-3 hours. Venus is approaching Earth and when something is closest to us it has a bigger impact than something at a great distance-it feels personal. The Venus in Aries themes repeat from the Spring of 2001, 1993, 1985, 1977, etc. Deduct 8 years to get the other years, typically there are 13 periods involving a sign over a 100-year period.

Rx station at 15° Aries 28; New Venus at 7° Aries 16′ and the Direct station at 29° Pisces 12′

The major theme for times when Venus moves backwards, retracing her steps in the sky, is re-evaluation. The question posed is ‘do you love it?’ Astrologically Speaking we can look at what ‘it’ is by assessing where Venus in your personal chart during these 156 days, by area of life and in her relationship with other energies in your horoscope. If Venus is travelling through the first house it is about you, your attitude and vitality. The question you might find yourself pondering is whether you are living up to your own expectations. Do you like who you have become and what you are doing with your life? Naturally, if one of those degrees—the stationary ones or the New Venus degree—happen to be conjunct your Ascendant the themes are even more personal as now it directly linked to your identity, actions and approach to life.

The second house is one of the easiest to delineate, it is about money and what we happen to value. It is time to re-evaluate what you do with money, how you earn it and what you feel you are worth both in practical terms but also in terms of feeling appreciated. I like to keep it simple with houses; typically we can nail the essence with the most common themes in each house. The third house is associated with communication, our thought processes and travel. You can readily find the words on most websites and any beginner astrology book. The essence of the Venus cycle is that once every eight years we find ourselves dealing with similar types of issues until we learn to appreciate the concepts these contain.

The dates listed above give us specifics in timing, and the dates from prior years give us periods which tend to link together by personal themes in our lives. In 2001, I had Venus in my third house for four months and learned web design; I launched the Guild site with the Venus direct station that spring. In 1993 I decided to go back to school and refresh my accounting skills. In 1985 I began to teach full-time at a corporation. In 1977 I decided to move to Australia-all highly significant events and all rather descriptive of third house. I have my Moon in that house at 11°Aries. Any potential influence becomes stronger when a personal planet is involved. The strongest is of course a conjunction, then the opposition and a square. This however needs to be to the significant degrees. This time those are 15°Aries 28′, 7°Aries 16′ and 29°Pisces12′-the first one is the retrograde station and the last one is the direct station. The one in the middle is the New Venus; the orb you may ask, I think 2 degrees is more than enough. The cycle moves backwards in the sign, thus in 2001 the New Venus was about 9°Aries and the direct station about 1°Aries. In terms of now, if you have a planet at 13-15 Aries, 5-7 Aries or 27-29 Pisces you are likely to remember this Spring.

I think that the planet that is at the stationary degrees of Venus or at the conjunction-the New Venus-degree defines how and with which tools you will work the event/issue in your life and that the house very clearly defines what kind of event or issue you are most likely to have. Venus may delay but she does not deny, remember that if you find yourself fretting over something you thought you should have.

On a political front it may be interesting to watch what happens this Spring in Canada as we have 17°Aries 22′ on the Ascendant based on the midnight chart on July 1, 1867, which means that Venus will remain in the 12^th house of our national chart until May. The retrograde station is on our Neptune. In political terms the 12^th house contains meetings behind the scenes, institutions and the power behind the throne. Canada held elections in 2004 with Venus Rx in Gemini and 2006 with Venus Rx in Capricorn-don’t expect elections now but what is the potential deception? Venus rules money and our interactions with the World in the national chart. In 2001 Chrétien was the Prime Minister and Clark was calling Chrétien to step down as prime minister until a public inquiry looks into whether he violated the conflict-of-interest guidelines governing members of Parliament. We might have zero interest rate decreed by the bank of Canada; we are at 1% currently.

I will be writing about Canadian politics on my blog; it is a fascinating break from writing about natal charts—less need to be cognizant of emotions.

© Anne Massey, January 18, 2009

PS. I would love to hear your Venus stories, drop me an email

For more astrological commentary and journalism, check out my blog at www.annemassey.ca

PS2. I posted more commentary on Venus in Aries on my blog www.annemassey.ca today–February 6, 2009.