Moon's Node conjunct the Great Attractor

“Over the next days the Lunar North Node comes to align with the enigmatic Great Attractor. This amazing “thing” is one of the most powerful pulling influences in deep space. It radiates in every energy spectrum and is one of the most gravitationally potent objects in the Universe. It’s gravitational effects actually bend light around the Great Attractor such that it can be seen behind. The symbolic imagery is when one stands on tip toes wanting to know what looms over the next horizon…The Node to the Great Attractor refreshes life mission statements.”
~Philip Sedgwick Cosmic Blip ~ 28 Oct 2011

As the Moon's North or Ascending Node pertains to manifest destiny both personally and collectively, while the Great Attractor is a higher source of energy and information- we would think this contact between the two is meaningful to the spirit of our times (Zeitgeist).

My understanding is that the Great Attractor is located around 14 Sagittarius, and the transiting Node does not reach that degree until late Dec. 2011. So this powerful alignment may actually be in effect through the end of the year.

Interestingly, the heliocentric Nodes of the planet Uranus are currently on the 14 Gemini-Sagittarius axis. And these Nodes carry the radical, revolutionary, and brilliantly innovative energy of Uranus 'the Awakener'.

Transiting Mercury and Venus are now moving through the aspiring sign of Sagittarius together, and they align with the Great Attractor (and the Nodes of Uranus) Nov. 13-14.

The Sabian symbol for 14 Sagittarius, "A vast panorama of sand and time is unfolding; the pyramids and sphinx in their glory rise before the eye." (Lynda Hill)

Blain Bovee on 14 Sagittarius: The Pyramids and the Sphinx
"ESP...

Sagittarius 14 suggests the challenge to understand deep mysteries, enigmas though extra-sensory abilities.

There are strong motifs concerning the throat, plus an uncanny affinity with all things feline.

The flow of sense through this series of Sagittarius degrees suggests an acute awareness of chthonic realms... the realms of the dead. This is not necessarily a 'dark' vibration though, but it does suggest something is 'present' that is hidden. You could simply be especially suited to pick up information , messages, and feelings from extra-ordinary realms if you have a placement in Sagittarius 14."
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Image of the Great Attractor

From Images 108

"Galaxies dot the sky like jewels in the direction of a mass so large it is known simply as the Great Attractor. The galaxies pictured above are part of a cluster of galaxies called ACO 3627 near the center of the Great Attractor. Previously, this cluster of galaxies, also known as the Norma Cluster, was largely unstudied because dust in the disk of our own Galaxy obscured much of its light. The Great Attractor is a diffuse mass concentration fully 250 million light-years away, but so large it pulls our own Milky Way Galaxy and millions of others galaxies towards it. Many of the galaxies in ACO 3627 are slowly heading towards collisions with each other."

How Astrologers Contributed to the Information Age

By Donna Woodwell:
Time Zone Data Collected by Astrologers to Produce Accurate Birth Charts is Now Being Used by Information Industry Giants

"When you pick up your smart phone and scroll through any app that allows you to select your time zone – you’re holding a piece of technology that was made possible, in part, by the research of astrologers.

Yes, you read that right: astrologers.

Knowing the precise time in a given location is a key ingredient in casting an astrological chart. For most of history, timekeeping has been a local affair – when the Sun was directly overhead it was “noon” and clocks were set accordingly. However, with the advent of mass transit and mass communication came the need to standardize timekeeping. An international convention met in 1884 to set the international dateline and establish 24 global time zones.

Since then, how individual countries and cities have related to this global timekeeping tapestry has been an ever-evolving system. Consider Daylight Saving Time, how regions on the border of time zones shift their temporal allegiance, adding leap seconds and other changes and a picture of the complexity of the question “What time is it?” emerges.

To keep up with these changes, astrologers have done what they have always done – they keep records. Over the decades, hundreds of astrologers have shared their data with one another. In the pre-Internet days, they contributed to periodicals like the Mercury Hour, to the collection efforts of individual astrologers such as Doris Chase Doane, or through astrological organizations like the American Federation of Astrologers. Astrologers used these sources as references for determining birth time when calculating charts by hand.

Then in 1978, Neil Michelsen’s company ACS Publications released the American Atlas (followed in 1985 by the International Atlas.) Astrological researcher and programmer Thomas G. Shanks combined the materials from earlier astrologers with data from national railway schedules and other public sources, as well as his educated guesswork, to create the most comprehensive single source for time zone information available at that time.

Meanwhile, with the advent of the information age, computer networks rapidly grew in complexity. Programmers of computer operating systems also recognized the need to have access to accurate information on time zone changes for desktop computers, transportation systems, banks, commerce and more.

In the late 1980s a group of programmers and researchers, including Arthur David Olson and Paul Eggert, began to collaborate to create a standardized time zone database optimized for the needs of the information age. Although their time zone database (also known as the tz database) has an original database structure and a large number of volunteers who update and improve the database, when it was first established one of its sources for time zone data was the Thomas Shanks astrological atlases.

The September 2011 lawsuit filed by Astrolabe, the current owner of the ACS database, against the organizers of the tz database, claims that the use of data from the ACS tables in the tz database infringes on ACS’s copyright. Touching as it does on issues of intellectual property and copyright law, the case will be a matter for the courts to decide.

Regardless of the outcome, the fascinating footnote in the history of the information age remains: Data collected over decades by astrologers in order to produce accurate birth charts became a building block of time zone calculations used by modern information giants such as IBM, Apple, Google and others. Not since the days when astrological ephemerides of planetary positions were used by scientists to demonstrate that the Earth moves around the Sun has data collected by astrologers played such a role in the evolution of technology.

That the practice of astrology impacts society in such deep and unexpected ways is something of which astrologers can certainly be proud."

The Friends of Astrology Library contributed to this story.

The Value of Astrology

Tony Howard interviews Richard Tarnas, the author of Cosmos and Psyche and The Passion of the Western Mind about the impact of his work, the value of astrology, and the rightful place of astrology in the cultural dialogue. Vimeo

Ghost of the Cepheus Flare

From Images 108

Spooky shapes seem to haunt this starry expanse, drifting through the night in the royal constellation Cepheus. Of course, the shapes are cosmic dust clouds faintly visible in dimly reflected starlight. Far from your own neighborhood on planet Earth, they lurk at the edge of the Cepheus Flare molecular cloud complex some 1,200 light-years away. Over 2 light-years across the ghostly nebula and relatively isolated Bok globule, also known as vdB 141 or Sh2-136, is near the center of the field. The core of the dark cloud on the right is collapsing and is likely a binary star system in the early stages of formation.

Quote of the Day: "Corn and grain, corn and grain, All that falls shall rise again."
~Wiccan Harvest Chant

2011 World Series

"The 2011 World Series will go to the wire after one of the most stunning comebacks in baseball history.

The St Louis Cardinals, trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, were twice down to their last strike but somehow managed to fight back against the Texas Rangers to ultimately win 10-9. Those comebacks in the ninth and 10th innings paved the way for David Freese to score a walk-off home run in the 11th before an ecstatic home crowd.

Game Seven starts at 0100 BST Saturday.

The Cardinals, aiming to win their 11th World Series title and their first since 2006, were on the back foot for most of Game Six, a truly enthralling match which will be remembered for years to come as one of the finest ever played."
BBC News

Looking at the astrology simply- I think the St. Louis Cardinal's will win their 11th World Series title tonight. As Mars, the planetary significator of sports, entered the fiery, robust sign of Leo on Sept. 18- lucky Jupiter, the Greater Benefic, rose in St. Louis, Missouri. And the Part of Fortune was 26 Leo. 5 days later, the Fall season began at the Libra solar ingress with the Ascendant in St. Louis at 26 Leo- the same degree as the Leo Mars ingress Part of Fortune. So based on this quick read, the Cardinals will be victorious in game 7 and flying high.

From United States

Oct. 29: Cardinals in 11th Heaven After World Series Triumph

October Auroras

A jovial day for sure, with the Sun -180- Jupiter, and Moon in Sagittarius. Cheers!

From Images 108

As northern hemisphere nights grow longer, October is a good month for spotting auroras, or even other eerie apparitions after dark. And this week the night sky did not disappoint. On October 24th a solar coronal mass ejection impacted planet Earth's magnetosphere triggering far ranging auroral displays. On that night, this dramatic silhouette against deep red and beautiful green curtains of shimmering light was captured near Whitby, Ontario, Canada. But auroras were reported even farther south, in US states like Alabama, Kansas, and Oklahoma at latitudes rarely haunted by the northern lights. Well above 100 kilometers, at the highest altitudes infused by the auroral glow, the red color comes from the excitation of oxygen atoms.

Quote of the Day: "These are the soul's changes. I don't believe in ageing. I believe in forever altering one's aspect to the sun. Hence my optimism." ~Virginia Woolf

Scorpio New Moon Quotes

"In short, we cannot grow, we cannot achieve authentic discovery, and our eyes cannot be cleansed to the truly beautiful possibilities of life, if we simply live a neutral existence." ~Armstrong Williams

“The serpent if it wants to become the dragon must eat itself.” ~Francis Bacon

"The authentic self is the soul made visible." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Rings and Moon's of Saturn

From Images 108

A fourth moon is visible on the above image if you look hard enough. First -- and furthest in the background -- is Titan, the largest moon of Saturn and one of the larger moons in the Solar System. The dark feature across the top of this perpetually cloudy world is the north polar hood. The next most obvious moon is bright Dione, visible in the foreground, complete with craters and long ice cliffs. Jutting in from the left are several of Saturn's expansive rings, including Saturn's A ring featuring the dark Encke Gap. On the far right, just outside the rings, is Pandora, a moon only 80-kilometers across that helps shepherd Saturn's F ring. The fourth moon? If you look closely in the Encke Gap you'll find a speck that is actually Pan. Although one of Saturn's smallest moons at 35-kilometers across, Pan is massive enough to help keep the Encke gap relatively free of ring particles.

A Shamanic Look at the Turning of the Ages

By Daniel Giamario, edited by Cayelin K Castell:

"Nearing the end of this millennium there is much speculation about the so-called “end times.” Catastrophes, apocalypses, various end points of cultural calendars, as well as world renewal and oncoming Golden Ages are common themes. In an astrological context this is often referred to as the beginning of the Aquarian Age.

Within this century, literally scores of scenarios have developed claiming conclusive dating for the beginning of the Aquarian Age. The question of when the Aquarian Age actually begins is a highly interesting field of inquiry, and worthy of several entire books. However, I prefer to investigate a larger context, which can answer questions and raise issues that renders the timing of the “Aquarian Age” moot. I believe shamanic methodology demonstrates that humanity is exactly at the end and beginning of an entire 26,000 year cycle (with 1997-1998 as the center point).

The longest cycle in the natural world that can be apprehended by the human senses, in a single lifetime, is the 26,000 year cycle marked by the precession of the equinoxes and solstices. This phenomenon is caused by the interaction of the twenty-three-and-a-half degree tilt of the Earth’s axis (creating the seasons) and the wobble of the Earth’s axis (causing entirely different stars to mark “North” over the 26,000 year cycle, among other things). The interaction of the tilt and wobble of the Earth’s axis causes the solstice and equinox points to move backwards or precess one degree every seventy-two years through the zodiac."
Continued...

New Moon in Scorpio Oct. 26

Tomorrow's New Moon in Scorpio perfects 12:57 pm (PDT) at the 3rd degree of Scorpio.
Skyscript: Scorpio the Scorpion

Until then, we are in the dark or Balsamic phase of the lunar cycle, which is akin to the Winter phase of the solar year. A time to pull back, reflect, and go within- in preparation for the birth of a new cycle of life at the New Moon.
The Balsamic Phase of the Moon

Quote of the Day: "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." ~Socrates

Enjoy.

Jupiter at Opposition

From Dominic Ford's Astronomy News:
Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:33 UTC
Sun -180- Jupiter

Jupiter will be well placed for observation, lying in the constellation Aries, well above the horizon for much of the night. Regardless of your location, Jupiter will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight, local time, an optimal positioning that occurs when it makes its closest approach to the point in the sky directly opposite to the Sun – an event termed opposition, the exact moment of which will be 01:33 UTC. Since the Sun reaches its greatest distance below the horizon at midnight, the point opposite to it is highest in the sky at the same time.

At around the same time that Jupiter passes opposition, it also makes its closest approach to the Earth – termed its perigee – making it appear at its brightest and largest in the night sky. This happens because when Jupiter lies opposite to the Sun in the night sky, the Solar System is lined up so that Jupiter, the Earth and the Sun lie in a straight line with the Earth in the middle, on the same side of the Sun as Jupiter. In practice, however, Jupiter orbits much further out in the Solar System than the Earth – at an average distance from the Sun of 5.20 AU as compared to the Earth's average distance of 1 AU – and so its angular size does not vary much as it cycles between opposition and solar conjunction.

On this occasion, Jupiter will lie at a distance of 3.97 AU, and its disk will measure 48.56 arcsec in diameter, shining at magnitude -2.9. Even at its closest approach to the Earth, however, it is not possible to distinguish it as more than a star-like point of light with the naked eye, though a simple pair of binoculars are sufficient to reveal it as a disk of light with accompanying system of moons. Over the weeks following its opposition, Jupiter will reach its highest point in the sky four minutes earlier each night, gradually receding from the pre-dawn morning sky whilst remaining visible in the evening sky for a few months.

Waterfall Nebula

From Images 108

What created the Waterfall Nebula? No one knows. The structure seen in the region of NGC 1999 in the Great Orion Molecular Cloud complex is one of the more mysterious structures yet found on the sky. Designated HH-222, the elongated gaseous stream stretches about ten light years and emits an unusual array of colors. One hypothesis is that the gas filament results from the wind from a young star impacting a nearby molecular cloud. That would not explain, however, why the Waterfall and fainter streams all appear to converge on a bright but unusual non thermal radio source located toward the upper left of the curving structure. Another hypothesis is that the unusual radio source originates from a binary system containing a hot white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole, and that the Waterfall is just a jet from this energetic system. Such systems, though, are typically strong X-rays emitters, and no X-rays have been detected. For now, this case remains unsolved. Perhaps well-chosen future observations and clever deductive reasoning will unlock the true origin of this enigmatic wisp in the future.

Jupiter's Clouds from New Horizons

From Images 108

The New Horizons spacecraft took some stunning images of Jupiter on its way out to Pluto. Famous for its Great Red Spot, Jupiter is also known for its regular, equatorial cloud bands, visible through even modest sized telescopes. The above image, horizontally compressed, was taken in 2007 near Jupiter's terminator and shows the Jovian giant's wide diversity of cloud patterns. On the far left are clouds closest to Jupiter's South Pole. Here turbulent whirlpools and swirls are seen in a dark region, dubbed a belt, that rings the planet. Even light colored regions, called zones, show tremendous structure, complete with complex wave patterns. The energy that drives these waves surely comes from below. New Horizons is the fastest space probe ever launched, has now passed the orbits of Saturn and Uranus and is on track to reach Pluto in 2015.

Strong Earthquake Rocks Turkey

"A strong quake has shattered buildings near the Turkish city of Van, killing at least 138 people and trapping an unknown number under rubble. Casualties are reported to be particularly high in the town of Ercis, close to the Iranian border, where dozens of buildings fell.

Reports spoke of thousands of residents running screaming in the streets. Fears rose of a death toll in the hundreds as rescuers worked into the night to find survivors.

Turkey is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits on major geological fault lines. Two earthquakes in 1999 with a magnitude of more than 7 killed almost 20,000 people in densely populated parts of the north-west of the country." (BBC News)

Transiting Pluto (extremes & upheavals) stationed-retrograde Apr. 9 at 7.30 Capricorn, in opposition to Turkey's natal Ascendant (7.47 Cancer -0- Pluto 12.20 Cancer) and square it's 4th house (weather & earthquakes) Mars (violence & accidents). And the July 1 partial solar eclipse (9.12 Cancer) hit Turkey's Ascendant and squared natal Mars. This eclipse was conjunct the Midheaven in Van, Turkey, with Pluto near the IC (an earthquake signature in itself), Saturn rising, and Uranus setting. Then on Sept. 27, the eclipse Ascendant (4.45 Libra), MC-IC axis, and Turkey's 4th house Mars (7.23 Libra) were strongly activated by a powerful New Moon (4 Libra).

From Mundane Charts

Interestingly- if we direct the July 1 solar eclipse Moon (9 Cancer) one degree per day (114 days later) it's now at 3 Scorpio, which is the exact degree of the Oct. 26 SuperMoon (3 Scorpio).

July 1 Solar Eclipse & Sept. 27 Libra New Moon

From Mundane Charts

Republic of Turkey

Jupiter Near Opposition

From Images 108

On October 29 (UT), Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, will be at opposition, opposite the Sun in planet Earth's sky, shining brightly and rising as the Sun sets. That configuration results in Jupiter's almost annual closest approach to planet Earth, so near opposition the gas giant offers earthbound telescopes stunning views of its stormy, banded atmosphere and large Galilean moons. This sharp snapshot of Jupiter was captured on October 13 with the 1 meter telescope at the Pic Du Midi mountain top observatory in the French Pyrenees. North is up in the image that shows off oval shaped vortices and planet girdling dark belts and light zones. Also seen in remarkable detail, Jupiter's icy Ganymede, the solar system's largest moon, is emerging from behind the planet (top) while volcanic Io enters the frame near the lower left edge.

Gaddafi's Pre-natal Eclipses

The two eclipses preceeding Muammar Gaddafi's birth in June 1942 were both recently activated by lunations. The Mar. 3, 1942 total lunar eclipse at 11.47 Virgo has it's antiscion (shadow/mirror point) at 18.12 Aries. And the Full Moon of Oct. 12, 2011 = 18.24 Aries! But not only that- the eclipse Midheaven in Sirte, Libya, was 1.50 Libra, and transiting Uranus (sudden shocks) is 1.38 Aries conjunct the eclipse IC, which signifies 'the beginning and end of life'.

From Mundane Charts

The partial solar eclipse (25.45 Pisces) of Mar. 17, 1942 has it's antiscion at 4.14 Libra. And the New Moon of Sept. 27 occurred at exactly 4 Libra!

From Mundane Charts

These examples are further confirmation of the importance of antiscia, and lunations as timing factors.

Gaddafi's Demise

Deposed Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi was killed today at approximately 1:30 pm (EET), in the northern City of Sirte. Transiting Mars (attacks & violence) was exactly (2' orb) on the critical Uranus/Pluto (midpoint). Reinhold Ebertin has for this planetary picture, "Fanaticism, an act of violence, the mania of destruction, a stage of precipitation. 'The stage of bending or breaking.' Injury, accident."

From Mundane Charts

The demise of Gaddafi is the main event linked with the activation of the most important midpoint (Uranus/Pluto) of our present moment. But Mars is also hitting the transiting Saturn/Node (midpoint), which seems more related to the fate of the Libyan people. Ebertin has for Mars = Saturn/Nodes, "The desire to gain release from emotional depression, and suffering through others."

Mars Retrograde in Virgo

The red planet Mars goes retrograde about every 26 months, the most infrequent of all the planets. And this time round, Mars will be in the pragmatic sign of Virgo for an extended sojourn from Nov. 11, 2011 until July 3, 2012.

Mars enters it's shadow period on Nov. 19, 2011 when it first reaches 4 Virgo, the point where it stations-direct on Apr. 13-14, 2012. Mars actually goes retrograde Jan. 23-24, 2012, at the 23rd degree of Virgo. The natal house in one's chart where Virgo resides is the area of life most subject to the influence of Mars going back and forth- plus the houses ruled by Mars, i.e. with Aries and Scorpio on the cusp.

Generally speaking, we may find during a Mars retrograde period, that our approach to self-assertion, conflict, and expressing anger, often requires review, re-evaluation, and possible revisions- in order to more fully actualize our strength, courage, and power.

Whatever your circumstances, Mars retrograde is an opportunity to pull-back, regroup, and meet the challenges in your life more effectively. It's a time to examine and rework the way you express, experience, and integrate the archetypal energy of Mars. But in this case, we have the yang force of Mars in the yin sign of Virgo the Maiden, wherein the drive to act is less impulsive and more prudent- inclined to produce practical results. Productive work and fruitful labor are emphasized- along with the need to refine our modus operandi.

The 2011 Capricorn Ingress Mars
Mars occupies the 17th degree of Virgo in the 2011 Capricorn solar ingress chart/Winter Solstice. The Uranus-Pluto conjunction of Oct. 9, 1965 that birthed the current cycle of evolutionary revolution now at it's first quarter phase (waxing Uranus-Pluto square), fell at 17 Virgo. (Mercury was 16-17 Virgo {Mercury ruled} coincidentally with the start of the Occupy Wall Street protest.) And Mars will retrograde back over 16-17 Virgo in late Feb. 2012, and then transits these degrees again the first week of June. (Interestingly, the rare and nearly perfect alignment of June 5-6 between the Sun, Venus, and Earth, has Venus at 16 Gemini square Mars at 16 Virgo. When Venus passes directly between Earth and the Sun, it will look like a small dot moving slowly across the face of the Sun. This is the last such transit of Venus to occur in our lifetimes.)

Mars (23 Virgo) is near the Midheaven (21 Virgo) in Jerusalem, Israel, as it stations-retrograde on Jan. 24, 2012, with the Ascendant (9 Sagittarius) conjunct the royal red star Antares- the rival Mars. But the close trine between Mercury (lord of Virgo) and Mars, favors the flow of information, communication, and the realization of ideas or plans. This particular station of Mars also highlights the U.S. natal (7/4/1776) Mars-Neptune square, which reflects both the nation's tendency to actively promote it's ideals, as well as it's often misguided (NE) aggressive energy (MA).

From Mundane Charts

The 2012 Aries solar ingress (Vernal Equinox) that sets the tone for the astrological new year, features retrograde Mars (7-8 Virgo) in a grand mutable square with the Moon's Nodes, Luna, and Neptune. But this grand cross may require the lunar eclipse (7 Gemini) of Nov. 28, 2012 to trigger/activate it's dormant potency. The involvement of retrograde Mars in the major world aspect that augurs in 2012, suggests it will probably play a key role in subsequent events during the year.

World Transits 2000-2020

An excellent overview by astro-historian Richard Tarnas:
Archai Journal

Archetypal Astrological Analysis of Japan's Earthquake/Tsunami by R.Tarnas:
YouTube

OccupyWallStreet & Uranus-Pluto

Enthusiastic astrologer Barbara Goldsmith shares her thoughts on current and future protests/riots, that are arising synchronistically with the epic Uranus-Pluto square over the next 5 or so years.
YouTube

Barbara Goldsmith on The Age of Aquarius: audio download

The Scorpion's New Moon

The Oct. 26/27 SuperMoon(Moon near perigee) in Scorpio, will highlight the regenerative and growth-oriented Jupiter-Pluto trine, which is a stabilizing factor at the moment. The earthy nature (Taurus & Capricorn) of this productive aspect may provide grounding for the intensity of our aspirations, and supports the drive to influence- if indeed we use our influence wisely.

The opportunistic sextile between Scorpio's ruler, Mars, and disciplined Saturn, suggests the ability to work effectively and with greater concentration. While the Sun-Mars mutual reception until Nov. 11 mirrors the inclination of creative spirit and assertive-drive to act in concert with each other. Energy, vitality, and vigorous activity is thereby furthered.

A SuperMoon in itself, is generally a portent of heightened lunar influence and tidal extremes. This New Moon falls on the Midheaven in San Francisco and Seattle, even as Luna's fateful Nodes are angular(powerful) at Bangkok, Thailand, where epic flooding is a national crisis.

The New Moon of late October marks the end of the harvest which corresponds annually with Samhain, Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The cosmic snake is shedding it's old skin, and the celestial phoenix is rising from the ashes. Death, rebirth, and renewal are archetypal themes of Scorpio, signified by the Eagle or Scorpion. As the forces of dark ascend in the natural world, the reflective nature of the human soul deepens during this time of year. Emotional depth and authenticity are trending.

From Images 108

"An era can be said to end when its basic illusions are exhausted." ~playwright Arthur Miller

Venus Transit

From Images 108

"Throughout the ages, stories with certain basic themes have recurred over and over, in widely disparate cultures; emerging like the goddess Venus from the sea of our unconscious." ~Joan D. Vinge

Transit of Venus .org

Star Trails at La Palma

From Images 108

Colorful star trails arc across the night in this surreal timelapse skyscape from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the Canary island of La Palma. A reflection of the Earth's daily rotation on its axis, the star trails are also reflected in one of a pair of 17 meter diameter, multi-mirrored MAGIC telescopes. The MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov) telescope itself is intended to detect gamma rays - photons with over 100 billion times the energy of visible light. As the high energy gamma rays impact the upper atmosphere they produce air showers of high-energy particles. A fast camera monitoring the multi-mirrored surface records in detail brief flashes of optical light, called Cherenkov light, created by the air shower particles Astronomers can then ultimately relate the optical flashes to cosmic sources of extreme gamma-rays.

Nepal Bus Accident

"At least 43 people were killed when a bus veered off a mountain road into a river in eastern Nepal, police say. Other passengers are missing after the accident in remote Sindhuli district, about 62 miles from Kathmandu.

The bus swerved on an unfinished stretch of road, lost control and plummeted 300 metres into the Sunkosi river, police told the AFP news agency.

Buses are often overcrowded in Nepal and accidents on poorly maintained mountain roads are common."

We are having a discussion this morning on the Satvargas list about their methods of prediction. As I'm not well schooled in Vedic astrology, I need to get up to speed. But our western system is equally effective imho, when it comes to personal or mundane astrology. And I've found lunations to work well as timing factors- but often in hindsight, because it's difficult to track every location that may be affected.

The chart for the Oct. 12 Aries Full Moon that opposed Saturn, has a clear accident signature, with the Ascendant lord Mars (violence-accidents) on the Midheaven in Nepal's Sindhuli district, and square the Scorpio Ascendant which it rules. The Full Moon falls in the malefic 6th house, with the Sun and Saturn (lord of the 3rd house- transportation) placed in the malefic 12th house.

From Mundane Charts

As a general rule, the malefic or difficult houses in a horoscope are the 12th, 6th, and 8th- but not necessarily in that order.

Mundane Charts Rectified Through Vedic Astrology: SATVARGAS

Plane Crash in Papua New Guinea

"A plane carrying 32 people has crashed in Papua New Guinea, causing a number of deaths. The Accident Investigation Commission said the Airlines PNG Dash-8 was flying from Lae to Madang when it crashed 20km south of Madang around 5pm (8am GMT).

"There were 32 people on board and there are some survivors and some fatalities," spokesman Sid O'Toole told AFP news agency. He also said there had been "adverse weather around the area at the time". BBC News

The Oct. 12 Aries Full Moon -180- Saturn aligned with the local meridian and squared the horizon in Madang, Papua New Guinea, near the site of today's plane crash. Apparently, Saturn can still be a malefic influence even in the sign of it's exaltation (Libra).

From Mundane Charts

Saturn and Ficino

From Images 108

"Saturn seems to have impressed the seal of melancholy on me from the beginning."
~Marsilio Ficino

Saturn-Eris Opposition and Japan

I am admittedly behind the curve in working with the newly discovered Centaurs, dwarf planets, plutoids, SDO's (Scattered Disk Objects), and TNO's (TransNeptunian Objects)- but the opposition between Saturn and the dwarf planet Eris in late October seems worth mentioning here. Eris (at 19 Aries) was discovered (or an earlier discovery made public) on Jan. 5, 2005 (10 days after the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake-tsunami), and it's highly elliptical orbit around the Sun takes 560 years.

Eris was named after the Greek goddess of strife, striving, and discord. She was also the sister of Ares, the Greek god of war, or Mars in Roman mythology. But the planet Mars is also associated with passionate action, drive, initiative, and courageous endeavor- not just conflict. Astronomer Mike Brown, who discovered Eris, said he named it so because of the discord surrounding the demotion of Pluto as a planet. Eris also has a moon now named Dysnomia after the the daughter of Eris. Dysnomia is known as the spirit of lawlessness.

Astute astrologer Philip Sedgwick gives some preliminary keywords for Eris:
 
Positive - liberation from addictions to success or status, clear priorities regarding matters of love and money, finally getting you can't take it with you and applying full resourcefulness in life, recognition of the potency of one's energy and life force, clear sense of the sacred marriages: spirit to body, self to Creator, between soulful companions, personal sense of emergence.
 
Negative - greed, workaholism, believe that you must take over for God, general sense of being forsaken, condemned or abandoned, lack of spiritual regard for life, superficial, status oriented.
 
Mundane: promises and vows (both kept and broken), elections and election fraud, intervention by higher powers (troubleshooters, authorities, deity or God), using chaos and disruption as a method of reorganization - i.e., dumping a closet onto the floor, then reorganizing, things that overturn, the scales of justice, battles, disputes, famine, fightings, lawlessness (attributed to her moon, Dysnomia), lies, manslayings, murders, oath, oblivion, quarrels - and the last word therein, sorrows and toil, contention, rivalry, loved the spilling of blood on the battlefield, the fifth day of the month, gluttony, gloating, the nurse of war, women wearing men’s uniforms (sports players, women in the military, astronauts)
 
Ceremonial: capitulation ceremonies, vows to create order from chaos, intent to right wrongdoing, abundance ceremonies
 
Lunar body contributing to keywords: Dysnomia.

We have an opportunity to observe the effects of Eris in opposition to Saturn around the Scorpio New Moon of Oct. 26-27. Perhaps the chart for this lunation will help to identify the places where the Eris-Saturn aspect is likely to manifest. Interestingly, the Eris-180-Saturn is powerfully focused in Tokyo by angularity, where it straddles the horizon and squares the meridian at the Scorpio New Moon. So we would expect to see events in Japan that resonate in some way to the Saturn-Eris archetypes, as this lunar cycle unfolds.

From Mundane Charts

The Bubble Nebula

From Images 108

"There is no better boat than a horoscope to help one cross over the sea of life."  ~Varaha Mihira

Massive Oil Spill Spoils Tauranga, NZ

"A massive oil spill from the stricken cargo ship off the coast of Tauranga has become New Zealand's worst ever maritime environmental disaster.

Environment Minister Nick Smith this afternoon said oil had poured out of a new puncture in the Rena at "fivefold" the rate it had in the days after the ship grounded on Astrolabe Reef. He said significant amounts of oil would start washing up on beaches around Mt Maunganui from tomorrow and into the coming weeks.

The "tragic" spill was inevitable since the Rena grounded carrying 1700 tonnes of oil at 2:20am last Wednesday, he said.

He promised the Government would hold those who were responsible for the grounding to account." nzherald.co.nz

Neptune (the seas; oil and leaks) is rising in Tauranga, New Zealand at the Oct. 12 Aries Full Moon that opposes Saturn (hardships). And Saturn rules the Full Moon chart's Ascendant.

From Mundane Charts

According to this news story, the Rena went aground Oct. 5 at 2:20 am. The Ascendant for the crash chart is 9 Cancer -180- Pluto (extremes) and square Uranus (sudden shocks). Luna, ruler of the Ascendant, was applying to a square with stern Saturn.

July 1, 2011 partial solar eclipse @ Tauranga, NZ

From Mundane Charts

The July 1, 2011 partial solar eclipse at 9 Cancer (part of a grand cross with Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto) sensitized that zodiacal degree. And the cargo ship Rena hit ground with 9 Cancer on the eastern horizon, i.e. rising. The similarity between the chart angles for the Aries Full Moon and those for July's solar eclipse is striking.

Sunrise over Argentina

"Time is the substance from which I am made. Time is a river which carries me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger that devours me, but I am the tiger; it is a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire." ~Jorge Luis Borges

From Images 108

Astrology News Service

About

In the 20th century, astrology experienced a Renaissance.

The metaphysical exploration of the 1960s, the development of psychology and mythology as disciplines and the independent scholarly inquiry into the ancient roots of “the cosmic science” have all brought astrology into wider public consciousness. In fact, a 2003 Harris poll, demonstrates increasing public interest in astrology among younger generations. While 31 percent of the public overall believes in astrology that includes 43 percent of those aged 25 to 29 but only 17 percent of those aged 65 and over.

Nevertheless, despite these advances misinformation and misconceptions about astrology still persist in the public consciousness. So in 2010, major astrology organizations including the International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR), the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR), the Association for Astrological Networking (AFAN), and the American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) began a discussion about the need to proactively improve astrology’s image by educating the public about astrology’s believability and value to society. The organizations agreed to work together to create the Astrology News Service (ANS), a non-profit news and information agency for the astrological community. In 2011, the Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA) joined the ANS.

Astrology News Service

John Major Jenkins Interview

John Major Jenkins, author of Maya Cosmogenesis 2012, is considered an authority on the Mayan calendar and the projected end-date of it's 13 Baktun Cycle(Long Count) on the 2012 Winter Solstice, when the Sun aligns with the dark rift of the Milky Way galaxy- i.e. the Galactic Alignment.
YouTube

JMJ's website: Alignment 2012

From Images 108

Carl Calleman & the Great World Ages:
"In this last post of my series on the Mayan calendar, I’ll cover Carl Calleman’s interpretation of the calendar.  In contrast to how John Major Jenkins’s work focuses on the astronomical aspects of the Mayan calendar and how it measures long periods of time, Calleman views the calendar strictly from the perspective of consciousness.  He asserts that the calendar is not about measuring time, but rather the evolution of consciousness.

While Jenkins has proved the calendar’s connection to astronomical cycles, I believe that Calleman, through his focus, shows how the calendar maps the evolution of consciousness.  Both men are simply looking at different aspects of the same thing.

As paradoxical as it may seem, it is not necessary to discount the work of either.  In fact, I encourage you to let go of preconceived ideas of rightness and wrongness and see if you can hold a space for embracing the consciousness-expanding views of both men."
read more->The Awakening Shift

 

From Libra to Scorpio

The energetic shift from Libra's airy ideals of fairness and equality, to the dark and intensely emotional terrain traversed by Scorpio the Scorpion, is indeed a dramatic one. And this stark transition begins Oct. 8 (PDT) when Venus, having recently emerged from the rays of the setting Sun to shine as the evening star, enters the muddy waters of Scorpio- followed by Mercury on Oct. 13, and then the Sun Oct. 23.

Graceful Venus is out of her element in Scorpio, which in turn will determine the nature of Saturn's hard work in Libra (Venus ruled), where the planet of checks and balances has brought a reckoning to relationships with flaws or weaknesses we can no longer ignore. But whereas Libra is more than happy to make nice, even when things are out of sorts, Scorpio demands authenticity or nothing- so prepare accordingly.

The Oct. 11 Aries Full Moon highlights Saturn in Libra and the sense of gravity and responsibility we share with others, whereas Aries is driven to get on with it asap. "Native tribes called this the Full Hunters' Moon: With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it's now time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, as well as other animals, which can be caught for a Thanksgiving banquet after the harvest. Since the moon arrives at apogee about 10 hours later, this will also be the smallest full moon of 2011. In terms of apparent size, it will appear 12.3 percent smaller than the full moon of Mar. 19." (SPACE.com)

On Oct. 13, Mercury's move into Scorpio adds depth and focus to minds aimed at getting to the heart of the matter, and uncovering hidden agendas. But taken to an extreme, suspicion runs rampant and harsh words may cause harm.

Radical Uranus the awakener moves back over the equator(0 south declination), and conjoins the Midheaven in Kabul, Afghanistan simultaneously at 5:48 pm (GMT) Oct. 16. When Uranus ('uranium') crossed the equator at 0 north on Apr. 9, 2011, it was also rising in Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan. (Uranus entered fiery Aries Mar. 12, JST.) The erratic and often shocking Uranian energy could shake up planet earth this October- although Afghanistan appears to be one focal point. Moreover, the financial markets have historically suffered disruptions in the month of October.

Sol's annual passage through the sign of the Scorpion corresponds with the ascension of the dark over the light forces, and the holiday's of Samhain, Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos(Day of the Dead) at the end of harvest time. Death, rebirth, and renewal, are core themes of Scorpio. The mutual reception between the Sun and Mars (until Nov. 10) inclines the creative spirit and the will to act effectively in unison, with potentially great results.

The Oct. 26 New Moon at the 3rd degree of Scorpio dynamically ushers in the energy of this sign.

Jupiter trine Pluto on the 28th has an influence for some days before and after it's exact aspect. The earth sign emphasis suggests a short respite from financial fear, wherein a glimmer of hopefulness can sooth the collective sense of crisis, at least for awhile.

"October is a symphony of permanence and change." ~Bonaro W. Overstreet

Black Swans and Uranus

By Robert Gover

"The term "Black Swan" is used to describe events which are unpredictable, have a tremendous impact, and are rationalized only after the fact.

In economics, great depressions and stock market panics are viewed as Black Swan events. For instance, at the time of the stock market crash of October 1929, there was no known logical reason why stocks should crash and keep going down and down and down and then lead into the greatest depression to that point in history. It was a Black Swan event because nothing in the past pointed to its possibility.

"Go ask your portfolio manager for his definition of risk, and odds are that he will supply you with a measure that excludes the possibility of the Black Swan— hence one that has no better predictive value for assessing the total risks than astrology…" (1)

Actually, astrology may offer the clearest and most incisive way to explain Black Swan events in the economic realm, as I will show in this article. Western astrologers will recognize in Black Swan events the influence of Uranus."
read more-> Economic & Planetary Cycles

Jupiter is star of October skies

By Michael Hotka For the Enterprise

Jupiter shines like a beacon in the evening skies of October.
Rising in the eastern sky about an hour after sunset as the month begins, find Jupiter shining at a bright magnitude of -2.9. Jupiter reaches opposition on Oct. 28, which means it rises in the eastern sky exactly at the same time as the Sun sets in the western sky. On the evening of Oct. 13, find the waxing gibbous Moon just to the left of Jupiter.

Venus shines low in the western sky during October. Shining brilliantly at a magnitude of -3.9, Venus will be the brightest celestial object in this part of the sky, making it easy to spot. Venus sets about 30 minutes after the Sun in early October, and will be above the western horizon a full hour after the Sun sets by the end of the month.

Mars rises about 1 a.m. in the eastern sky for early-morning sky watchers. Just before morning twilight begins, find the red planet shining at a dimmer magnitude of +1.3. On the mornings of the first few days of October, Mars will be in the Beehive Open Cluster. Using binoculars, you will see Mars among the many stars of this open cluster. On the morning of Oct. 21, find a waning crescent Moon just to the right of Mars.

Southern Lights

From Images 108

Six Full Moon's at the 18th Degree

Interestingly, the next 6 Full Moon's are all at the 18th degree of their respective signs. So if you have a natal planet or angle at 18 degrees, it will be activated by one of these Full Moons.

Oct. 11, 2011: Full Moon @ 18 Aries 24.

Nov. 10, 2011: Full Moon @ 18 Taurus 05.

Dec. 10, 2011: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse @ 18 Gemini 11.

Jan. 9, 2012: Full Moon @ 18 Cancer 26.

Feb. 7, 2012: Full Moon @ 18 Leo 32.

Mar. 8, 2012: Full Moon @ 18 Virgo 13.

Undergoing Difficult Transits

Astrologer Dena DeCastro discusses the reality of undergoing difficult transits, and strategies for presenting them to clients.
Episode 53 podcast

Algol Visible in Tonight's Sky

Perhaps the eclipsing nature of Algol Beta Persei has something to do with it's malefic associations in astrology. This binary star is generally considered the most evil and violent of all, and is often prominent in the horoscopes for disasters and tragic events. Algol's currently located about 26 degrees of Taurus in the tropical zodiac.

A great article by fixed star expert Diana Rosenberg: Medusa's Head

From EarthSky October 5:
"Will you be able to see the “demon” star in the constellation Perseus the Hero tonight? Yesterday’s chart showed you how to use the constellation Cassiopeia to locate Perseus in the northeast in the evening sky.

The brightest star in Perseus is Alpha Persei, whose proper name is Mirfak, pronounced MEER-fak.

Meanwhile, the best-known star in this constellation is Beta Persei, or Algol, pronounced AL-gul. The name Algol comes from an Arabic term for “head of the ghoul” or “head of the demon.” Algol is a very interesting star. It’s known to vary in brightness in a way that’s extremely regular. The cycle lasts exactly 2 days, 20 hours and 49 minutes. For a few hours during the cycle, Algol’s brightness falls far below normal, then returns to normal. All the while, the star remains visible to the eye. In fact, Algol is predicted to reach minimal brightness tonight, at 8:57 p.m. Central Daylight Time.

Algol’s brightness variation is not due to some special quality of a single star. Instead, this is a multiple star system, where one star regularly passes in front of another as seen from our earthly perspective. Thus Algol is what’s called an “eclipsing variable star.” Thousands of these stars are known, but Algol is perhaps the most famous of this class because its periodic dip in brightness can be seen with the eye alone, and because the cycle is relatively short.

The ancient stargazers had no knowledge of multiple star systems, but possibly they did notice this star’s brightness change. Perhaps the brightness change is why, throughout parts of the ancient world, the star Algol was associated with demons or monsters. The Greeks and Romans identified the star with the Head of Medusa, a fearful monster with snakes in place of hair. The star has also been called the Ghoul Star.

Northern states see Perseus by nightfall or early evening. Observers in the southern states may have to wait till mid-evening to catch Perseus and the “demon” star in the northeast sky."

Aboriginal Astronomy

Does the unearthing of an "Aboriginal “Stonehenge” change the history of astronomy?
BBC - Discovery - podcast

Alma Telescope Begins Study of Cosmic Dawn

From BBC News:
"One of the 21st Century's grand scientific undertakings has begun its quest to view the "Cosmic Dawn".

The Atacama large milllimetre/submillimetre array (Alma) in Chile is the largest, most complex telescope ever built. Alma's purpose is to study processes occurring a few hundred million years after the formation of the Universe when the first stars began to shine. It's work should help explain why the cosmos looks the way it does today.

One of Alma's scientific operations astronomers, Dr Diego Garcia, said that the effective switching on of the giant telescope ushered in a "new golden age of astronomy".
read more->

The American Revolution & Uranus-Pluto

The Occupy Wall Street protest movement which began Sept. 17 could be the match that lights the fire of an American revolution linked to the formative Uranus-Pluto square. This epic planetary alignment was sharply focused in the US capital at the 9/27 Libra New Moon. But perhaps more importantly- the transiting Uranus/Pluto (midpoint) is activating the 1965 Uranus-Pluto seed chart that reflects the core ideas and energies of this mundane cycle now at it's 'crisis of action' phase- the waxing square.

The first of the mid 60's three Uranus-Pluto conjunctions fell at 17 Virgo on Oct. 11, 1965. (The Ascendant in Washington, DC = 18.53 Aquarius.) Transiting Mercury, the messenger, conjoined 17 Virgo on Sept. 18, 2011 as the Occupy Wall Street protest started. Also this month, was the Sept. 29 Venus-Saturn conjunction that hit the antiscion (shadow/mirror point) of Saturn's 10/11/65 position, and Saturn rules the 1965 Uranus-0-Pluto chart Ascendant (19 Aquarius).

From United States

The Oct. 11, 2011 Aries Full Moon opposes Saturn ('checks and balances') in Libra the Scales, the sign of social justice. And interestingly, this Full Moon corresponds with the Sun's annual return to it's Oct. 11, 1965 position. (Full Moon Uranus/Pluto = 18.29 Aquarius.) Since Pluto only recently went direct, while Uranus is retrograde until the Dec. 10 lunar eclipse, their powerful midpoint is moving slowly backward toward President Obama's Ascendant- but will not exactly conjunct. President Barack Obama's (Aug. 4, 1961, 7:24 pm, Honolulu) natal Ascendant = 18.09 Aquarius.

As an astrological principle, Uranus/Pluto represents "The process of transformation. The collapse of the old order of things, the construction of the new. Revolution." (Reinhold Ebertin) Therefore, President Obama with his Ascendant at 18 Aquarius, is a major player in the massive changes and radical upheaval informed by the current Uranus-Pluto square. And it definitely looks like the spirit of revolution has finally awakened here in the good old US of A.

Transiting Mars reaching 18 Leo (-180- 18 Aquarius) on Oct. 20 is a timing factor for important mundane events linked to the Uranus-Pluto world aspect.

Wall Street Protest Starting to Look Like Egypt: Washington's Blog

Uranus-Pluto and Global Transformation: Steven Forrest video

Official Statement from Occupy Wall Street- this statement was voted on and approved by the general assembly of protesters at Liberty Square: Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.

They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.

They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.

They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.

They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.

They have sold our privacy as a commodity.

They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.

They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.

They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.

They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.

They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.

They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.

They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.

They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.

They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.

They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.

They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!