StandStill Week

Late last August (30th) in the New York Times magazine, there was a "First Words" piece with the title "Standstill". In it the author, Sam Anderson, explores the two ancient Greek concepts of time; Chronos which is" the vast, inhuman, infinite stretch of time" (in other words the years, months, hours, etc.); and Kairos which is defined as a decisive moment- where "magic" happens and some event becomes charged with meaning. Kairos is god's time as it transcends Chronos with its calendars. This Kairos time event suddenly changes the whole picture; and is often remembered complete with emotional component many years later.  
 
Anderson goes on and helps us understand that we live with both concepts of time, but we crave and are addicted to Kairos-those magic moments when something happens which is so potent and so charged that we sense and can make sense out of the ordinary and humdrum. Living in perplexing times such as we do, these peak moments when Kairos intervenes helps us to make sense of at least a moment-if  understanding the whole era seems to daunting.

Standstill is defined in Websters as "a state in which all activity and motion is stopped".  Anderson wrote about learning to discern the "moments" whether it be in a political campaign, in an acceptance speech, a blunder on TV or in social media, where someone is "having a moment".  But who gets to decide whether this moment or that one has the Kairos quality of everything being at stake?  When does a significant moment (Kairos) just dissipate into Chronos time that grinding, monotonous, unglamorous time? Interesting questions without answers.

As astrologers or planetary cycles scientists we understand time (Chronos) by watching the planets cycling around the Sun.  Some planet orbits around the Sun are inside the Earth's and some are outside. Mercury orbits inside the Earth's and Mars orbits outside ours.  This week and for the next few weeks and months these two planets are doing a dance as observed from Earth which gives rise to the title of this blog and the New York Times article.

Mars the reddish planet began its retrograde pattern on the 17th, when from earth's perspective he came to a standstill, staying in one degree of the zodiac for the entire month. Usually Mars takes 3 weeks to go 15 degrees; in this part of the cycle it will take him 8 1/2 months to travel those same 15 degrees, appearing to go back and forth over the same area 3 times. That in itself is really all you need to know.  You may make decisions and plans on how to navigate and manifest your vision, only to have to change your direction, not once or twice but perhaps 3 times.  So advice--GO SLOWLY. 

Mars will appear in the east at sundown on the 22nd of May, rising as the Sun sets.  This is the 1/2 way mark. He is as bright in the sky as he gets and is at his closest pass to the Earth. (Please do not think Mars will look anything like a Full Moon). Around this time Mars slips back into Scorpio and we must get a handle on the true motives and passions that are driving us.  It might be gut wrenching work; some dirt and old baggage wants to come out and be exposed to the light. Scorpio demands intensity. You may find yourself going backwards, or returning to some work you have done before, or to someone you been with before.  It does not necessarily mean that that situation will continue on into the future.  It is not all unlikely that at the end of this Mars retrograde cycle June 28th-but final closing August 22nd when new territory is reached- that you will completely change your direction, goals and visions for the future.

At the same time Mercury is also at a standstill this week starting his retrograde cycle on Thursday the 28th.  He will take a long time to go 10 degrees, going back and forth over the same area of Taurus and moving more slowly that usual.  Taurus has to do with what has value to us-what we are worth what anything is worth to us, capital costs, hidden costs, and secret matters around money and property,or artistic valuations.
Expect these issues to come forth in your world and the world around you.

One more thing of great interest is that the Mercury station (standstill) at 23 Taurus this week is opposite the Mars station (standstill) on June 28th at 23 Scorpio.  That means that what is occurring this week (especially as regards finances) is and will be connecting again at the end of June. Whether you use your own resources or someone else's be sure you read the small print and have the whole picture.  Mercury can be a trickster especially in his retrograde phase, which lasts until May 22nd again.

Lastly, through this whole period of Mercury and Mars standstill and retrograde, when the planets themselves are behaving differently than the normal (both in direction and speed,) you might be more sensitive to experiencing those out of the normal personal Kairos moments, when the magic happens and the beauty of life is undeniable. 

Week of Wednesday the 22nd of October -Tuesday the 28th of October

Read your rising sign as well if you know it. 

The format of these blogs will be changing to a review of the most prominent weekly planetary activity with some current events synchronicity.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 22) – This is a big week. New Moon Solar Eclipse tomorrow at 5:57 PM EDT on the cusp of your 8th house of joint finances, wills, inheritances, taxes, monies from other people. Expect to begin to have to deal with any undisclosed, possibly acrimonious financial affairs.  When Mercury goes forward at 2:10 PM Saturday, the right person to talk to appears. Then Mars your ruler moves into Capricorn Sunday just before dawn, where it and you are in the best shape possible. No more exasperation but determination to work through the issues one at a time.

TAURUS (Apr 22- May 21) – Solar Eclipse New Moon tomorrow in Scorpio will affect you through your partners. Expect to see some movement in your partnership affairs, including negotiations and /or reconciliations, in the next days, months and years of your life, as eclipses ripple through time. Venus your ruler enters Scorpio at the same time making the desire for more of an intense interpersonal experience (even secretive and sexual) stronger. For the record Mercury apparently goes direct on Saturday afternoon so your renewed healthy habits or daily regime program will begin to pay off.  Expect a blissful afternoon on Monday. 

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21) – We have the Solar Eclipse New Moon igniting the 6th house of your chart at 5:57 PM tomorrow. This will bring with it the resurrecting of a dietary/healthy regime maybe long forgotten; or action towards inaugurating a new way to be of service. The month of the year when the Sun is going through the 6th is not really about having fun but rather about doing your duty, which in its own way can be fun. It is preparation time for a more public role so use the time to improve your daily efficiency. Good news too is that Mercury will apparently move forward again at 3:19 PM on Saturday.  You might feel stuck this week though, before that happens, as the times of Mercury’s turn around accompany a feeling of stalling; like I cannot get anything going; but anticipation of movement forward is being felt.

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22) – You are always mindful of who you ought to be caring for; and might be called upon to extend your arms to those others than family or your own group. The Solar Eclipse New Moon in Scorpio tomorrow begins new energy in regards your children or a lover or a creative project. Scorpio is the sign of passion, secrets, life's biggest transformations and intense desire. You can feel that about your children or lover; best to use it on your own secret artistic project or creative outlet. There might be a young person at home that you need to connect with and talk to. It has been on your mind.

LEO (Jul 22-Aug 20) – As long as you are truly being magnanimous you are living up to the inherent greatness of your sign. This week’s Solar Eclipse New Moon accentuates your home or domestic life and how you feel about yourself. This New Moon is in Scorpio, the sign that gives us the strongest manifestation of purpose. You are called to switchover any ostentation for a completely open and loving heart. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th feel the bliss and your dreamy, spiritual and selfless side.

VIRGO (Aug 20-Sep 21) – The mind is a terrible thing to waste as they say.  Your striving for perfection necessitates that you rearrange your thinking at this Solar Eclipse New Moon tomorrow in Scorpio, the sign of intense desire. In order to achieve your purpose, you must be so clear headed that your mental focus can cut into the heart of the matter. Your ruler moves forward on Saturday afternoon and so begins the slow slog to return to normal speed after a trip to Hades and the underground. Delight in coming to what is fair concerning your possessions or money.

LIBRA (Sep 21-Oct 19) – Acutely aware of what is right regarding rights and responsibilities in mutual relationships, you are being asked to deeply desire your own sense of self esteem and self worth at this Solar Eclipse New Moon tomorrow. Solar Eclipses are more significant and longer lasting new beginnings than regular New Moons. The universe wants us to get something quickly and alters our outward life in order for us to see the urgency. Your ruler Venus moves into Scorpio tomorrow afternoon too, awakening those innermost desires regarding how you want to earn a living, which needs to support your own self reliance and therefore self worth.

SCORPIO (Oct 19-Nov 21) – You certainly must be feeling exhausted after such a long journey these past few years with Saturn in your sign, then the  long passage of Mars in your 12th house of secrets and sufferings; followed by the long transit of Mercury through the same place.  This influence will finally leave November 9th when you can begin to talk about all the secrets and sufferings and releases you have been experiencing.  Saturn is beginning its descent into the next sign and you will experience a very deep sigh of relief on Christmas when he moves in Sagittarius.  Tomorrow there is a Solar Eclipse New Moon in Scorpio, with Venus. You can be feeling that the past trials through the years have brought you a deeper understanding of yourself and what an intense person you are; coupled with a profound sense that there is Divine Order not to be supplanted. If you are suddenly invited to socialize this weekend go and enjoy it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 21-Dec 21) - You might have made a new friend or have been thinking about it, or they about you. With Mercury moving forward on Saturday you both can be feeling the pull to move forward at the same time. The Solar Eclipse New Moon in Scorpio tomorrow is in your house of secrets emboldening that very private area of your chart.  Perhaps exhausted from all the aspiring and traveling recently, there might still be time for one more retreat or therapy session before the next push towards higher fulfillment that you desire, begins.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan 20) –The Solar Eclipse New Moon in Scorpio tomorrow in your house of friendships, goals, organizations –the most social area of the birth chart.  Expect to be surprised with a raise, or recognition that a long sort for goal or entrance into a club is within reach. Mars enters your sign on Sunday early morning and with Mercury’s apparent forward motion on Saturday and your ruler Saturn finally entering new ground the sails are set.  Get ready for a big shift at Christmas.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 19) – Your sense of the value of community over that of an individual is strong. In a funny way though this can lead to a diminishing of the power and uniqueness you see in each person you meet.  Aquarius is a fixed sign and can get stuck. The New Moon Solar Eclipse tomorrow in Scorpio asks you to desire to be seen as someone who is intensely passionate about transforming her outdated belief system so as not only to be content with just participation in the group, but through self discipline and inner reflection be open to fresh thinking. Mars entering your12th house of “that which holds you back” on Sunday and will highlight any inner work that needs to be done. You have until December 5th.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 21) –If everything might be taking longer than you’d like, you might blame Mercury, who in its apparent retrograde motion moves more slowly. Mercury goes direct Saturday afternoon and may mean that those persons, with whom you have been working, have finally gotten their financial act together and you can proceed. The Solar Eclipse New Moon in Scorpio tomorrow in your 9th house of travel, further education, courts, philosophy or meaning of life is asking you to focus on taking responsibility for your thinking and belief system as that determines what happens to you in your outer life; the consequences of our thoughts and actions cannot be avoided.

Week of Wednesday the 15th of October -Tuesday the 21st of October

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20) – We are between the Lunar Full Moon from last week and the Solar New Moon eclipse on the 23rd. In eclipse season, as it is called, sudden change is very likely (depending on your natal chart). Excitement and enterprise reign for you, coupled with a very realistic financial assessment about how much you can afford to spend or lose.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 21) – Have you fallen in love with someone at work? As we are in Eclipse season after the Full Moon of last week and before the New Moon of next week, we are betwixt and between; sudden shifts are very likely. It is best to wait and see what the gods have in mind before rushing into anything. Starting a friendship under an eclipse can have unanticipated consequences. 

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21) – The Sun meets Mercury tomorrow marking the ½ way point in the Mercury retrograde cycle. This is when the new information or decision comes to light.  The affairs you are concerned with are of a romantic nature, children, what you do for fun or your personal creativity.  Then Mercury meets Mars, Venus, Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter as the week unfolds. How very busy you are slowly going back over how best to enjoy yourself. Boredom is not your thing.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 20) – The Moon is in your sign as the week begins. Be prepared for some internal insecurity.  This week you have to integrate what has occurred in your life thus far in this Eclipse season-between the Full Moon from last week when affairs come to ahead and the New Moon next week when there is a new start. These are likely to be rather jolting-not necessarily in a bad way.  Look to making a financial commitment to the long term health and happiness of your progeny.

LEO (Jul 20-Aug 21) – Moon is in your sign Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 6:00 PM. Excitement and enterprise can be coupled with a fear of losing your home. The task is to do what must be done to expand and grow without having the folks at home wonder where you are. They are your foundation. Repair any leaks in the roof or any hurt feelings.

VIRGO (Aug 20-Sep 21) – Mercury is still retrograde during this week between eclipses. Thoughts are doing a redo –in your earned income sector. It is normal for this time in the cycle. What is not normal is that we are in eclipse season and freaky things can happen. Try not to judge or be critical at least out loud. Look to tomorrow around 4:40 PM to begin to get clarity. There should be some good news this week despite the eclipses and the retrograde.

LIBRA (Sep 21-Oct 20) – Stop worrying about money and look to the relationship to increase your self esteem which will bolster your bottom line. You are building on the good will of the community to also slowly increase your bank account. We are in “eclipse season” between the Lunar Full Moon of last week and the Solar New Moon next week; endings and beginnings. It is time to assimilate.  Eclipses are like light switches –change can happen that fast. (Look to last week’s Lunar Eclipse in your sign with the Supreme Court and gay marriage). 

SCORPIO (Oct 20-Nov 20) – You have been under pressure with Saturn in your sign and it seems to be increasing as Jupiter the planet of excess and growth is moving towards a hard angle with Saturn.  You want to be taken seriously but are thinking about doing something that seems childish and selfish. You are just toying with it now during this Eclipse season and Mercury retrograde. It will come back in the beginning of next August. What do you value? What do you want? You will not be able to keep that relationship secret forever.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 20-Dec 21) –Do you have any energy to travel and visit a foreign family or artistic group this week? Maybe you should buy tickets for a visiting dance troupe or see a new play to get inspired. Remember though there is Saturn who wants you to get real about too much gallivanting about for no purpose. There’s that voice inside which is telling you if you are kidding yourself or not.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan 20) – Having a one on one with your boss is favored this week, even though Mercury is still retrograde.  You might not come to any final conclusions just yet, but you will be able to express how best you feel your artistic talents can be useful to him/her. After the Lunar Eclipse of last week, a whole new world might have opened up.  Get ready for the Solar New Moon Eclipse next week.  The gods are awake.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 19) – You are caught in the horns of a dilemma between your partner who seems to be having all the fun and you feeling like a wet blanket. You can add the note of realism very important so the excess does not get out of hand.  Are you taking a trip this month –or taking a child to look at colleges? Is it stirring up any desires on your part?  

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 21) – Any new job or new opportunity in the service sector will require you to play the adviser role. Your morals and ethics will be tested. As we are between the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon last week, when issues come to a head and something gets exposed, and the Solar Eclipse New Moon next week, plus Mercury retrograde everything is in a state of flux. Win-win solutions should appear this week in your financial sector, if a kink appeared last week. You will have to have a balanced approach and get over any selfishness.

Week of Wednesday the 1st of October -Tuesday the 7th of October

Read your rising sign if you know it; or any other sign, as each of us has Aries, Taurus etc. someplace in our charts governing some aspect of our lives.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20) – Today is the 1st quarter Moon, the day when we see the Moon overhead at sundown. There is a push forward energy in the air, which you are good at, leading into next week’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. The weekend is tricky with Mercury stationing retrograde. You might have second thoughts about a financial commitment just made. If it does not feel right, you have time (3 weeks) to rethink  and rewrite better terms. 

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 21) – Any feelings of martyrdom that come up on Friday might push you to the limit over the weekend so that you can become your nemesis- a raging bull. Mercury the planet that governs what we think and say is making a station here too, to begin its 3 week retrograde period. You might not be quite ready for that relationship. There is still some self discipline to do. You will get back here again November 10th. No worries.

GEMINI (May 21- Jun 21) – Thank god you have these times off!! Mercury your ruler goes retrograde this weekend and the general feeling should be of exhaustion, retreat and hiatus. Stop whatever is going on between your ears for the next few weeks go back and do everything that begins with “re”..reorganize, redo, rewrite, redecorate, rework, etc..There might be a creative piece that you have dropped and need to return to; or a child needs additional attention. The weekend will be intense.

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 20) – First Quarter Moon this week-between the New Moon of last week and the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse of next week. You ought to be feeling the need to act on that new direction in your home life. With challenging Pluto involved this moving forward might be in a direction not of your liking, as it might upset your emotional centeredness.  Expect something to be revealed that you did not know was there, that needed to be aired and that causes you to rethink things at home.

LEO (Jul 20-Aug 22) –This is one of the 4 weeks of the year that your ruler the Sun runs into both Pluto (on Saturday) and Uranus (on Tuesday). Sudden power shifts are possible, as are eruptions of long and deeply held secrets or resentments; whose time has come to expose. With Mercury stationing retrograde also this weekend, these events will have to be processed slowly over the next 3 weeks. A new direction for growth within a relationship is possible but it will require you to think things through and trust your intuition.

VIRGO (Aug 22-Sep 21) – We are in a first quarter moon phase today which is very energizing as far as the monthly cycle goes-you might feel like a racehorse chomping at the bit.  However your ruler Mercury is stalling reminding you that there is something you forgot to include in last week’s new beginning. You have 3 weeks to remember, rethink, renegotiate the terms of that new partnership or endeavor that will increase your self esteem and hopefully your pocketbook. 

LIBRA (Sep 21-Oct 22) – Things cannot be more pleasant than those times, like now, when your ruler Venus and the North Node are in Libra (on top of the New Moon from last week); love and graciousness are in the air. The weekend gets a little bumpy with the Sun meeting the 2 big powerhouse planets whose role is to shakeup whatever part of us is stale. Mercury is also heading backwards for the next few weeks moving back into your sign to meet that beautiful Venus and the North Node on the 18th. The way forward will appear.

SCORPIO (Oct 22-Nov 22) – Mars is stirring up your finances house this week and moving into formation with  two other planets in fire signs. Your work life should be filled with great excitement and the potential for great success. The weekend is rough as Mercury begins its 3 week retrograde motion. Just when you thought you were ready to go public, there appears a fly in the ointment. Be cautious and read the fine print.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) – It is a great week to take a trip which your adventurous spirit loves; especially true since Mercury goes retrograde this weekend for the next 3 weeks. Give your mind and commerce a break. Your partner might be throwing you a curve ball (if you have one that is –being the freedom loving person that you are). All can be rethought or re-intuited on that yoga retreat. 

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan 20) – Your ruler Saturn is going over the same ground this week that was covered at the beginning of the year. Can you remember what was up for you then? Time is circular as the planets orbit around the Sun. At this First Quarter Moon week, heading into the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon next week, you ought to be ready to move ahead, especially as the Moon is in your sign today and tomorrow morning.  Caution and patience return over the weekend as affairs get disturbed both with Mercury beginning its backwards movement and the Sun meeting the two heavy planets where sudden power shifts are possible.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 20) – Friday and Saturday this week the Moon is in your sign; always a time of the month when we feel self assured. Mercury will start its 3 week retrograde motion Saturday at 1:00 PM. The intention to speak publicly will be thwarted. You will be back here again November 10th when the green light is on. Watch the fireworks this weekend. Unlock your hidden powerhouse.

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 21) – The Moon is in your sign Sunday and Monday and your innate wisdom with its calming peace and faith in the future will come in handy after this weekend. There could be some souls in your world set adrift by the major planetary activity over the weekend. We are heading into a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse next week, the Sun meets the two heavy planets which symbolize “the gods” being active in our lives and Mercury beginning its 3 week retrograde period. For you personally it could be the “start of something big” (and suddenly financially rewarding).