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"The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them." — Albert Einstein
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To read your horoscope for 2006 click on these links: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces.
Can one person make a difference in the grand scheme of things? This year the slow moving planets and significant planetary stations take place in transpersonal signs, the one exception is Saturn in the highly individualistic sign of Leo. The pattern seems to indicate that each of us individually has a huge impact in what could be. Yes, it takes painstaking effort to implement change with all the fixed energy associated with the world wheel. What do you think you could contribute on a personal note to improve the world?
Another background theme is the emphasis on the elements of water and earth this year. These are the two feminine elements, which nurture and nourish. This suggests that we need to look after what we have rather than begin too many new enterprises. Here is a picture featuring the two feminine elements, lest we forget how powerful the element of water can be. I visited Niagara Falls in 2005 (in the image), the roar of the water drowned out other sounds.
Throughout 2006, we have a fixed cross pattern in the sky. There are breaks here and there where it is not quite as tense in energy. We have already experienced this on and off during 2005 so it does not feel new and fresh. The word fixed is associated with the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. All of these signs are stubborn, inflexible and love possessive pronouns—mine and ours in particular. Neptune of illusion is in Aquarius for several years to come. Mars will have spent half a year in Taurus by mid-February (his norm is six weeks per sign). Jupiter of expansion and luck will spend 13 months in Scorpio (October 2005-November 2006) and Saturn of contraction and responsibility moved into Leo in the Summer of 2005 for about two years.
It's a gold rush year, think of the Klondike . The value of gold is climbing up and we may catch that fever. This is a marathon of a year, the tortoise rather than the rabbit will win the race. It's important to pace yourself, we do not to get to sprint there and rest. We need to learn to go at a steady pace in order to complete whatever we set in motion over the long Mars in Taurus period.
Leo and Aquarius might get a bigger taste of those limitations and obstacles with the intent of learning to focus on new solutions. Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces—have a little extra luck on their side. Pisces and Capricorn have some delightful times in February. Life kicks up a notch for Gemini in February. Aries and Libra might wonder what everyone else is fussing about. For Virgo and Taurus it's a mixed bag, learning to roll with punches but with solid progress, after Mars moves into Gemini it isn't so personal.
• The Nodes of the Moon - The Needle of the Compass
• Mercury in Water - Emotional Attachment
• Venus - Value and Time
• Mars in Taurus
• The four Eclipses - The Timers in the Zodiac
• List of Stations
"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Venus moves with precision through the Zodiac. Her meetings with the Sun take place only in five out of the twelve zodiacal signs; Aries, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio and Capricorn. These five signs have hosted these meetings for several decades now. Through mid-January, Venus is completing her Evening Star phase; on January 13, Venus has her 'meeting' with the Sun and begins her nine-month morning star phase. This also begins an eight-year cycle in Capricorn. In 2010 there is a Full Venus in Capricorn at the same degree—23°Capricorn40'. If your birthday is two days either side of January 13, this promises to be a year of positive changes.
The Full Venus for 2006 takes place at 4°Scorpio11' on the 27th of October. This one echoes the New Venus of Halloween 2002. If your birthday is two days either side of October 27, this promises to be a spectacular year. You can readily reflect back to the same dates at four-year intervals.
This year begins with Venus retrograde in Capricorn. It has been so since Christmas Day and continues until February 3. As I mentioned in last year's column this repeats from 1997-98 and 1989-90. Each of the five Venus cycles is akin to the hundred-year sleep in fairy tales. When the cycle connects with our charts, we have profound revelations and changes in our lives. This one is personal for people who have planets at 1°Aquarius, 23-24°Capricorn and 16°. Your Sun is at 1°Aquarius if you were born the day after the Sun moved into Aquarius. Your Sun is at 23-24°Capricorn if you were born January 12-14 and at 16°Capricorn if you were born January 7.
During these Venus times, we have weeks on end to ponder whether we are happy and content with an area of our lives. For Capricorn the question is most personal; are you happy with who you have become, what you do and how you interact with the world.
Capricorn is a sign of tradition and likes it when things are done in a manner society expects. If you ask for something you need to finish off with please; when you get something you say thank you and if you made a 'blunder' you immediately say excuse me. A little simplified, but just to illustrate the point. Capricorn can be the scorekeeper of the Zodiac, merits and demerits each get a column. In terms of the pearly gates, we are told that Saint Peter will be on hand to check over our accomplishments and shortcomings.
The individual horoscopes will address your area based on your Sun sign. The question Venus asks is do you love it? The detailed commentary on this phenomenon in last year's column--click here to review it.
Incidentally, my manuscript on Venus is in the hands of the publisher, Llewellyn, and once I find out the publishing dates, you'll be the first to know. My prediction leans toward the autumn of this year, however, realistically 2007 looks more likely in light of how the publishing companies operate. On the 21st of December I had word that the book will be in the Fall 2006 catalogue. So one prediction worked.
Mercury weaves and zigzags through the Zodiac rapidly. He speeds around the Sun once every 88 days, which is the number of keys in a Piano. We associate this number with harmony or the scale of sounds perceptible to the human ear. Mercury plays different tunes and repeats his cycle with a unique pattern while tracing a six-pointed star around the Sun. We are now amidst a period where the element of water is emphasized.
We have learned to pay attention to the retrograde periods, when things tend to go awry, especially with communication, travel and merchandising—the three key concepts that Mercury rules.
What to avoid in a nutshell: Signing contracts, entering into partnerships and buying equipment with wiring
Quick advice:
- Make a copy of your data—paper or disk
- Keep receipts together somewhere safe
- Opt for extended warranty for purchases, which come with wiring
- Be prepared for delays with payments, correspondence
- Keep Virus Protection current—these seem to increase during retrograde periods
- Be prepared to clarify your words more than once
- Don't trust rumours and do not feed them
- Take care of MAINTENANCE of appliances, computers etc.
Water is silent unless agitated—we cannot truly control this element. It is invisible unless contained or contrasted by another element, and when placed in a container it evaporates over time. Frozen water is immobile, boiling water scolds while it steams up. Our emotions are much the same difficult or impossible to control. Water is not harmless, we can witness its force as a tidal wave or the rapidly flowing river that over time erodes rock and polishes the roughest surface smooth. We cannot stop water—it flows around obstacles. Water takes different shapes, the babbling brook, the mist in the air, the gently falling rain, the downpour of rain and frozen rain, the still pond, the raging ocean, tidal waves, and the force of the falls. We can harness the power of water, but like air, this is a difficult element to control.
This time we get five water periods, which repeat from, 2000-01. We had the ideations of Air, the pragmatic work of Earth, the inspiration of Fire and now with Water, we get to look at how it makes us feel. No matter how great an idea, unless we feel emotionally comfortable with it, we cannot act on it.
Pisces is like the deep ocean, filled with information from the rivers and other waterways that terminate here. In the story of the little Mermaid, she becomes foam in the ocean to be washed away. In the Ocean, we unite. Pisces is the sign we associate with intuition, faith, and our fears. The months when Mercury is in this sign of his detriment, mere logic will not work, we need to develop faith and learn to trust our insights. Our world functions on 'facts and figures', logic and practical action. Now we are asked to explore a side of our innate nature that does not seem to fit well into the equation—the function of Mercury to do deductive reasoning.
Cancer is the tides of the Ocean, water that moves and washes away even the hardest earthy rock and mountainside. Cardinal signs are the action-oriented ones. We associate the Moon and Cancer with mother and nurture, but there is a more to this sign. How are your emotional security needs met in the area of your life represent by the house with Cancer on the cusp? Are you comfortable with how life is flowing in this area? Cancer is the sign that likes familiarity, and does not like to enter into any new setting without scouting out what is in it.
Scorpio is like the deep well, hidden water in the deep, dark parts of the forest—here we enter the realm of deep intimacy and commitment. Scorpio can also be represented by stagnant water, such as pond with its hidden bottom buried underneath sludge and vegetation, branches and debris. Perhaps it is that undercurrent that we cannot see—just the elusive ripple on the surface of the otherwise still water. Septic tanks and sewer systems are Scorpionic; there is an element that does not belong mixed in with the water. Scorpio's task is to eliminate, purge, clean and re-emerge stronger without the elements that do not belong. Scorpio is about letting go, and the process tends to be intense as it takes on the element of life and death. What is it we need to eliminate from our thinking, and daily routines?
With each elemental cycle, linked areas of our life represented by the houses come into play. Trinity of the elements, which are joined by trines, joins these. Trines are not action aspects, leaving us personal choice. The role of Mercury, just like any other planet, is to make us think and rationalize differently. If we do not engage in that activity there tend to be more events that are external. Mercury brings unadulterated information; we garble it and form our own perceptions.
The Mercury cycle of 7 years is one quarter of the Saturn cycle. It is also the duration Uranus spends in one sign. At age seven, we typically start real school. The progressed Moon travels through one quarter of the Zodiac in seven years. We talk about Mercury as the celestial messenger—heavenly courier—who takes messages from the gods and goddesses to each other. There were seven originally, our week is divided to seven and Mercury has his 7-year cycle. Is it not magical how the numbers and times link each together?
• Mercury in Pisces February 8-April 12, 2006
• Mercury retrograde March 2-25, 2006
• Mercury Rx Station 26°Pisces55'; March 2, 2006 2:29 PST
• Sun conjunct Mercury Rx 21°Pisces23'; March 11, 2006 18:44 PST
• Mercury Direct Station 13°Pisces11'; March 25, 2006 5:42 PST
• Mercury in Cancer/Leo June 3-August 27, 2006
• June 3, 2006 4:21 PDT Mercury in Cancer until June 28—25 days
• June 28, 2006 12:57 PDT Mercury in Leo until July 10—12 days
• July 10, 2006 13:18 PDT Mercury Rx enters Cancer —31 days
• Aug 10, 2006 21:09 PDT Mercury in Leo until August 27—17 days
• Mercury retrograde July 4-28, 2006
• Mercury Rx Station 1°Leo 22'; July 4 12:33 PDT
• Sun conjunct Mercury Rx 25°Cancer 32'; July 18 0:07 PDT
• Mercury Direct Station 21°Cancer 1; July 28 17:39
• Mercury in Scorpio October 1 to December 7, 2006
• Mercury retrograde: October 28-November 17, 2006
• Mercury Rx Station 25°Scorpio 05' October 28 12:16 PDT
• Sun conjunct Mercury Rx 16°Scorpio 20'; November 8 13:30 PST
• Mercury Direct Station 9°Scorpio 4'; November 17 16:25 PST
The nodal axis shows where the eclipses will occur and has the role of showing us where we need to be headed. You will find that most astrologers use the words Dharma and Karma to illustrate the basic meaning of each end of this axis. I often see luck and obstacles also assigned to this pair. The Nodes are always an axis of two opposing signs and until mid-2006 that is Aries and Libra. Oppositions are closely linked to relationships, two polarized views and to the concept of compromise. Doubly so this time as the South Node is in the sign of Libra. Libra is the sign we know likes harmony, balance, equanimity, and cooperation. Aries on the other hand, is the sign we associate with spontaneity, the impulse to be a forerunner, the first even onto thin ice, and ACTION. Aries is linked to ME and Libra to WE. This year Aries and Libra individuals, in particular, will feel either a nudge toward the future and a slight realignment in their path toward it - (Aries) or be pulled back to revisit some of the issues or events from the past that were not completed at the time (Libra).
The eclipses last a moment, but two areas in our charts will be illuminated by this axis for the next year and a half. We need to learn independence, spontaneity and at some level create something new in the area of our charts (and lives) where the North Node in Aries is found. At the opposite end we need to let go, and learn to recognize and acknowledge innate talents we have not owned.
I like to refer to these as the needle of the compass; we each have a pair in our natal charts. As with the compass the one pointing to North shows us the direction in which we ought to be headed; we can stay focused on one guiding direction and find our way home. Our natal charts are a snapshot of the heavens at our birth, but the motion of the planets does not stop. The nodes are reflective of the path of the Sun, which astrologically represents our ego, our identity and show us how we need to be or become in order to live to our full potential. The Sun is a rational and logical facet of our identity. The other part of the nodes is linked to the Moon, which astrologically speaking, represents our instinctive reactions, emotions, memories and our innate habits. From this perspective the North Node is linked to the Sun and the South Node to the Moon. Karma, which means action (reaction) of the South Node, simply shows us that if we keep on doing what we have always done we cannot move forward. Life hands us issues whether we are prepared for them or not, and we cannot solve problems by using the same approach we did in order to create the issues in the first place.
When the nodal axis travels with Aries as the guiding direction, the individual emphasis is stronger than the relationship emphasis. Can we go it alone? Any opposition is always about relationships and compromise. In the south node we have our tools and skills. People born with an Aries North Node need to learn to stand on their own two feet, and be pioneering in an area of their lives defined by the house position. People born with a Libra North Node need to learn to share and cooperate, and to be in a relationship despite the innate need to be independent. At these turning point years when the order is reversed, there can be a lot of letting go of issues and things in our lives that serve little purpose in terms of personal growth. I will discuss this for each of the signs in the individual write ups.
In terms of the real estate markets, this nodal pairing will foster market growth and the mortgage rates (and interest rates) are going to start climbing up. The market peaks typically occur when the nodes are through Capricorn-Cancer, which will be in 46.5 months (starting late 2009). Think back to 1990-91 when mortgage rates were peaking above 10%. Real estate prices don't escalate as quickly as the interest rates. The latter part of the year might bring some good deals to be had for those in a position to seize them.
Generation X (1960's kids) might find this a turning point year as they are called to do more based on their unique perspective. The North Node will be in Pisces, which is the sign of the collective, during 2007 Uranus will be with the North Node. Perhaps some traditions have outlived their usefulness and big shifts begin to take place. The nodal axis shift is discussed in the individual horoscopes.
At
age 18.5, 37, 55.5 and 74 the nodes in transit (planets in the ever-changing
sky) return to the same position as they were at birth. These are the years
when we re-evaluate our direction in life. As we begin our adult lives around
our 18th birthday we need to decide what we are going to do with our lives.
At 37 the question is am I still headed in the right direction. At 55.5 we
are reviewing what we have done thus far and wondering if we are personally
feeling fulfilled with our efforts as we are in our elder years period. What
do we need to give back, what have learned that we could share with our community?
At age 9, 27.7, 46.5, and 64.7 we have the transit North Node on our natal South Node. The order is reversed. These are like the mid-terms of the previous set, we can quite clearly see what we have done so far, and this helps us reconnect with our direction. We can never go back, so regrets are wasted; we can only return to a changed set of circumstances. These tend to be turning point years, naturally there are other planetary configurations helping nudge us toward the right direction.
On February 17 Mars enters Gemini having spent six months in Taurus, a sign we link to material comforts and money for six months. Mars, astrologically speaking, represents our actions - think of all of the verbs (action words). In terms of personal charts (read lives), there will be one area where you have to expend energy with slower than usual progress and with persistence. Taurus is a stubborn sign, not ready to give up, so determination to follow through is strong.
Mars remains in one area of your chart for six months and propels you to take considered, sustainable and unwavering steps to improve that area of your life. What that area is for each sign will be discussed in the individual horoscopes for the year. To review a more detailed commentary in last year's column click here.
Every Year we have an average of four eclipses. These occur near the lunar Nodes, which moved onto the Aries-Libra Axis late 2004 and shift into Pisces-Virgo in June 2006. Solar eclipses take place at New Moon and Lunar Eclipses at Full Moon. North Node is linked to the Future and South Node to the past. This years eclipses repeat at the same degrees and dates from 1987.
Eclipses are the timers in our astrological toolbox. The point in the chart has been activated over an extended period of time — 18 years to be precise. Then along comes an eclipse to the point, and we reap what we have sown. The buzzer goes off on that timer or alarm clock; heads up what have you been doing? To get some clues for you personally, take a walk down memory lane to the year 1987, and to Springtime and early Autumn. What were the changes happening in your life, remember that with eclipses these are memorable ones.
Note that eclipses are neither negative nor positive; they are simply timers that sound an alarm to alert us to things we have done our best to ignore. Alternately they are timers to sound applause when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. However, if an eclipse is within 2 degrees of a personal point especially applying, ask yourself have you been paying attention to your well being? You can't go ignoring potential diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. indefinitely. Health matters aren't limited to the two I used in the previous sentence, rather I wanted to also show that those two ailments are treatable. Eclipses are sort of a wake up call. Unless these points are active in your chart and other previous planetary alignments have already brought issues close to the surface these may be a total non-event.
Timeline: March 14, 2006 - 24°Virgo 15 ' - Full Moon at the South Node
Pluto will be in square aspect with the luminaries at this eclipse adding a little bit of extra tension to this full Moon, which also happens to be an eclipse. Mercury will be in Pisces retrograde having formed an inferior conjunction (New Mercury cycle began) three days earlier. Have you been paying attention to those inner voices advising you to change something. This eclipse has some sting to it, but the intent is to remind us to follow inner guidance and listen to advice we have solicited. The intent of square aspects is to light a fire under our butts to get us to do something about it, rather than take the wait and see attitude.
Timeline: March 29, 2006 - 8°Aries 35' - New Moon at the North Node
It is also the degree of the Full Venus in March 2005 and the New Venus in 2001. In order to look ahead we need to reflect on the past. New Moon is associated with beginnings, trying out something new. However, life unfolds based on past actions. It might be time to take those 'projects' or commitments made at the earlier dates to a new level.
Timeline: September 7, 2006 - 15° Pisces 0' - Full Moon at the North Node
Uranus is involved in this eclipse. He loves to shout "surprise". He stations retrograde at this degree in July. The role of Uranus is to shock us out of complacency, to discover innovative ways of dealing with issues.
Timeline: September 22, 2006 - 29°Virgo 20'- New Moon at the South Node
I have no thoughts on this annular eclipse, other than to reiterate that we had one at this degree in September 1987. Looking at any component in isolation does not give us a full picture. In order to know what might be going on in your life, it is advisable that you consult with a professional astrologer.
All calculations for planetary changes, ingresses, stations, etc. made using Kepler 7.0. If you'd like to have more information about this incredible astrological program, drop me a line or call me as I am one of the distributors for this software. All times listed on this site use the 24-hour clock and reflect Pacific Time, which is -8hr of GMT. PST is -7 hrs from GMT.
If you are looking for more information about your year personally consider one of the two Solar Return Reports available online. These are written from your birthday to birthday. The one by Horacio Valescia is the most popular with my clients, the one by Mary Shea explains some of the astrologic behind the delineation. In addition I added a new predictive report by Gina Ronco on transits, which is like a personal horoscope, and I am getting a lot of requests from my clients for this one. There are also natal reports available for your child, yourself, your relationship and the latest addition is a Karmic Insight Report. The reports are insightful but cannot replace a personal consultion with an astrologer. To find more astrologers in British Columbia check out the listing at www.astrologyguild.com/resourcedirectory.htm.
Anne Massey, C.A.P. is a certified professional astrologer. For consultations with Anne phone 604-888-9552 or e-mail Anne at anne@astrologicallyspeaking.com.
Check out www.astrologyguild.com to find astrology talks, classes and several regular and 2006 columns.
© Anne Massey 2005 All Rights Reserved
1. The Nodes are mathematically derived points, the Mean Nodes move steadily backward, the true nodes also move direct. The True Nodes used by most astrologers in North America. A technical discussion of this can be found on the Swiss Ephemeris Website. - back to text.
© Anne Massey 2005
Anne Massey, CAP (ISAR) is a certified professional astrologer. For personal consultations with Anne call her office at 604-888-9552. More details on the services page. Note you can now purchase reports and charts via email or regular mail and pay for personal consultations using your credit card. The pricing and types of readings are listed on the services page.
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