Number 65

 August sees the final eclipse in the current eclipse season with a penumbral lunar eclipse on August 6.Many people - myself included - have found this energy quite exhausting as we have been living ‘between the worlds’. This energy will begin to wane after the eclipse but we still have some high voltage retrograde energy to contend with as  Jupiter, Chiron, Uranus Neptune and Pluto all remain retrograde, emphasizing the process of review.

 On Saturday September 12 I am offering my annual Chart Calculation Workshop. Please ring or email if you would like more information about this day.

 Blessings

Christine

 Christine Rothwell

' 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com

 Contents

1. August  Overview
2. 2009 Astrology Classes.

·        Beginner’s / First Year on Thursday nights

·        Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·        Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

3. Consultations and Gift Certificates

1.    August Overview

 Jupiter, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all continue their retrograde motion, emphasizing the process of review and reflection that has been a prominent feature of the last couple of months. The retrograde motion of the planets is a geocentric or earth based phenomenon that means the planets look as if they are moving backwards from our vantage point here on Mother Earth.

 As the planets appear to move contrary to their normal pattern they symbolize a shift in how we may experience their energies; they can offer us a new angle or perspective on our patterns and beliefs. Obstacles may suggest that you are operating from an old paradigm that is no longer congruent with the person who have become or are in the process of becoming! So, if things are slowing down in some area of your life, or you are feeling blocked or frustrated, see if you can sit quietly and discover a new way forward that is more compatible with your inner truth and core self.   

The possibility for illumination around these blocks is particularly potent at the times when the retrograding planet opposes the Sun. This month sees both Jupiter and Neptune reaching the climax of their retrograde cycles when they are at the closest point to the earth for 2009. This brings the energies and processes that they symbolize much closer to consciousness so we can develop greater clarity regarding our Jupiter and Neptune functions. The opposition has the potential to be illuminating or explosive!

On August 13 the Sun opposes Jupiter, heralding the key moment in Jupiter’s retrograde cycle. We have the capacity to gain greater clarity and consciousness about how we are utilizing the Jupiterian principle of growth and expansion, especially regards the affairs of the house where Jupiter is currently transiting. Issues about faith, hope, optimism and confidence [or the lack of] may come to a head. This transit can be quite deflating if we have been inflated; but it also challenges us to put our ego [Sun] out of the picture and see things in the cold, clear light of reality and adjust our hopes and visions accordingly. We can gain insight into what blocks our growth and this can lead to new plans. Try not to over-react or blame others for your situation, this will just inflame the situation.

August 18 sees the Sun oppose Neptune, again heralding the key moment in the retrograde cycle of Neptune. This alignment offers us potential illumination or disintegration. With Neptune at its closest point to Earth for this year we have the opportunity to review our dreams, ideals, visions, spirituality and may also be confronted with our illusions, delusions, escape patterns / addictions and co-dependency. If the victim archetype emerges, give thanks for the opportunity to see it so clearly, try not to fall into the blame game [not for too long anyhow] and see how you can empower this part of yourself. It could be a great time to have some energy work to work with whatever comes up.

The Full Moon on August 6 is a Lunar Eclipse and the last eclipse in this current cycle. The eclipse effect is caused by the Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon. Lunar Eclipses are usually visible anywhere it is dark but this eclipse [and the one last month] is an Appulse or Penumbral Lunar Eclipses so there will not be much to see, even in those parts of the world that are experiencing night time as the Earth’s shadow will only subtly dim the Moon’s light. Eclipses only occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon align and the more exact this alignment is, the more visible is the eclipse effect. This eclipse falls 13 degrees away from the moon’s nodes so the Moon is only partially shadowed by the Earth.

• Lunar Eclipse at 10.54 a.m.

• 13 degrees Aquarius 43 minutes 

 Lunar eclipses tend to be more emotional and internal than solar eclipses. They stir up whatever is simmering in our subconscious and invite us to reflect and see things from another more objective [solar] perspective. Sometimes this may lead to the desire to act, but more often they are potent times for insight and illumination. 

Lunar Eclipses [and all full moons] highlight a sign and house polarity as the Moon opposes the Sun. This eclipse falls in the Leo / Aquarius polarity and asks us reflect on how we balance these two energies. The Leo archetype encompasses the performer and the monarch [King and Queen] while the Aquarian archetype includes the rebel, the reformer, the humanitarian and the social worker. Leo’s challenge is to master the ego while the Aquarian challenge is to be a vehicle for reform and social change. This eclipse is asking us to find a way to balance our personal, ego based needs with those of others... friends, local community or the wider global community. 

The middle two weeks of the month will see Mars squaring the Saturn / Uranus opposition with the two peak dates being August 11 and August 19. The Saturn / Uranus opposition began last November and sees the forces of change, democracy, equality and universal brother/sisterhood [Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius] clashing with Saturn [the ruler of Capricorn], the status quo, tradition, conservatism, fear and rigidity. Transiting Mars will act as a catalyst for this configuration and challenge us to find ways to assert our self that are neither autocratic and dictatorial [negative Saturn] nor impulsive and contrary [negative Uranus]. Saturn invites us to claim our authority [internal as well as external] without becoming the tyrant or the victim while Uranus invites us to find new solutions and avoid acting out or running away.

This t-square alignment with Mars, Saturn and Uranus will be prominent in the New Moon chart on August 20, bringing these issues into focus once more as Saturn and Uranus approach their third exact alignment in September. More on this next month.

The New Moon on August 20 heralds the Sun’s ingress into the sign of Leo. The New Moon marks the beginning of the lunar cycle. The energy is strong, extroverted and focused making this a powerful time to activate your Warrior energy and set intentions, start new projects, initiate change and focus your energy on a specific goal The most powerful time is close to the New Moon, especially in the first three days of the cycle. This is the time to make resolutions and begin new projects, especially regards all things Leonine such as your need to shine and feel special, personal creativity and romance.  

This New Moon opposes the big triple conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune, emphasizing the key concern of the August 6 Lunar Eclipse. How can I balance the needs of my ego to shine and be noticed [Sun / Moon in Leo] with my need to surrender my ego for both my own personal, spiritual benefit as well as the greater good [ Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius]. We could also see this alignment as inviting us to personalize [Sun/ Moon in Leo] the spiritual and healing potential of the triple conjunction. ____________________________________________________________

 Blessings

Christine Rothwell

  

Courses, Workshops and Classes

 Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for a brochure.