Solar Eclipse in Scorpio

The total solar eclipse of Nov. 13 at 22 Scorpio (a water sign) might also correspond with extreme weather. This lunation is a so-called SuperMoon event as the Moon is near perigee, the point in it's orbit closest to the earth, where it can amplify the tidal forces, etc. Mars, traditional ruler of Scorpio, is out of bounds by declination (measured north and south of the equator)- so tending to wild extremes. Chiron- representative of the wounded healer archetype, is stationary-direct Nov. 14. And retrograde Mercury (collective mind) re-enters Scorpio also on Nov. 14.

NASA: Total Solar Eclipse of November 13

The Nov. 13 solar eclipse in Scorpio belongs to Saros series 133 which began with it's parent eclipse July 13, 1219 at 27 Cancer. NASA: Saros Series 133

From United States

The angular eclipse conjoins Mercury, which rules the 4th house of weather in NYC, and the prominence of the Moons Nodes suggest the lunation is powerfully focused at this location.

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Quote of the Day: If you watch life it is ridiculous, and if you can laugh at yourself, that is the last boundary line. Beyond that begins the wordless experience of silence. But the laughter of a person observing their own antics also has a different quality. Laughing at others is a little cruel - there is some violence hidden in it - but laughing at oneself is a great awakening. ~Osho

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Astrologers Predict the 2012 Election: Roundup
The Political Astrology Blog

The Red Spider Nebula

From Images 108

Oh what a tangled web a planetary nebula can weave. The Red Spider Planetary Nebula shows the complex structure that can result when a normal star ejects its outer gases and becomes a white dwarf star. Officially tagged NGC 6537, this two-lobed symmetric planetary nebula houses one of the hottest white dwarfs ever observed, probably as part of a binary star system. Internal winds emanating from the central stars, visible in the center, have been measured in excess of 1000 kilometers per second. These winds expand the nebula, flow along the nebula's walls, and cause waves of hot gas and dust to collide. Atoms caught in these colliding shocks radiate light shown in the above representative-color picture by the Hubble Space Telescope. The Red Spider Nebula lies toward the constellation of the Archer (Sagittarius). It's distance is not well known but has been estimated by some to be about 4,000 light-years. (APOD)

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Interesting article from astro-meteorologist Ken Ring: The Full Moon and Hurricane Sandy

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George Lakoff for the Huffington Post: Global Warming Systemically Caused Hurricane Sandy

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NASA Warned New York About Hurricane Danger Six Years Ago

Full Moon in Taurus

The big news related to todays Taurus Full Moon is Hurricane Sandy swirling through the Atlantic Ocean en route to what forecasters expect to be a devastating landfall in New Jersey. Sundays 7.7 earthquake off the coast of Canada featured the exact Mars-Jupiter opposition exactly on the horizon of it's epicenter- Jupiter was rising and Mars setting. Jupiter is thus enlarging and amplifying the forceful energy of Mars in spirited Sagittarius- as Mars is activating Jupiter in airy Gemini, i.e. winds.

If we cast the Full Moon chart for New York City we have this Mars-180-Jupiter forming a mutable grand cross with the Ascendant-Descendant axis. Full Moon Ascendant = 16 Pisces = Mars 16 Sagittarius = Jupiter 15 Gemini. While the 2012 solar return for New York City (Jan. 1, 1898- consolidation of the 5 boroughs) has the solar return Ascendant at 8 Cancer -180- Pluto 7 Capricorn, and Midheaven = 16 Pisces -180- Mars 20 Virgo. So both Mars and Pluto angular in the return chart suggest extreme, super-human power- and the Full Moon Ascendant (-90-Mars & Jupiter) falls at the same degree of NYC's return Midheaven (16 Pisces). All in all, the indications reflect that the US east coast will take a major hit from hurricane Sandy in the form of high winds, torrential rain, storm surges and flooding intensified by the Full Moon.

From California & San Francisco

Here in San Francisco, the exalted Taurus Full Moon is bringing an all together different energy. The Full Moon itself conjoins the root chakra-foundational 4th house cusp, with the Sun-0-Saturn in Scorpio on our local Midheaven. The Sun-Saturn combo represents a kind of focused determination at best, while a Taurus Moon revels in pleasurable contentment. The Full Moon chart's 5th house of sports has the two most positive influences linked to it- Jupiter's in the 5th and Venus (now dignified in Libra) rules the 5th. Last night the SF Giants won their second World Series in 3 years, and jubilation erupted across the City. Besides the thousands of fans roaming the streets, there were honking cars driving around filled with screaming fans waving Giants flags.

Generally speaking, it's the nature of Scorpio to encounter it's desires and attachments, while the Taurean impulse is to seek a durable security that involves at least some material resources. The Taurus-Scorpio axis is loosely related to the 2nd-8th house axis of the horoscope, which refers to the dynamic of finding balance between our money and values, and the money and values of others. This polarity is highlighted by the Full Moon in Taurus.

A Halo for NGC 6164

From Images 108

Beautiful emission nebula NGC 6164 was created by a rare, hot, luminous O-type star, some 40 times as massive as the Sun. Seen at the center of the cosmic cloud, the star is a mere 3 to 4 million years old. In another three to four million years the massive star will end its life in a supernova explosion. Spanning around 4 light-years, the nebula itself has a bipolar symmetry. That makes it similar in appearance to more familiar planetary nebulae - the gaseous shrouds surrounding dying sun-like stars. Also like many planetary nebulae, NGC 6164 has been found to have an extensive, faint halo, revealed in this deep telescopic image of the region. Expanding into the surrounding interstellar medium, the material in the halo is likely from an earlier active phase of the O star. The gorgeous skyscape is a composite of narrow-band image data highlighting the glowing gas, and broad-band data of the surrounding starfield. NGC 6164 is 4,200 light-years away in the southern constellation of Norma. (APOD-Image: Don Goldman)

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Oct. 27 Tweet~ Transiting Neptune will station-direct on November 11 at 0 Pisces 22- exactly squaring the May 20 solar eclipse at 0 Gemini 21.

Stellar Insights Astrology

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A Few Links

Astrologer Michele Adler has written a comprehensive article on the Nov. 13 total solar eclipse @ 22 Scorpio. The 21-22 Scorpio Arc and the Eclipse of November 13, 2012

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Robert Bast posted an interesting piece on the possible connection between lunar eclipses and earthquakes. I've been projecting for several years, the greater than average probability of a major quake here in California around the lunar eclipse of Nov. 28 @ 7 Gemini. This projection is based on other relevant mundane charts too- especially the 2012 Aries ingress with 6 Scorpio on the Ascendant in Sacramento and SF, as transiting Saturn will cross 6 Scorpio in late Nov. However, the Los Angeles area also appears primed for seismic activity, based on various astrological factors. Survive 2012

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I have a few positive reviews from clients on Yelp to share, in case you may be thinking about booking a consultation with me.
Reviews for Stellar Insights Astrology

~Namaste~

Major solar flare erupts from the sun

Interesting that Mondays solar flare occurred coincidentally with the Suns entry into potent Scorpio.

From SPACE.com:
"The sun unleased a powerful solar flare late Monday (Oct. 22), releasing waves of radiation into space that have already caused a short radio blackout on Earth.

The flare erupted from the sunspot AR 11598 (short for Active Region 11598), and reached peak brightness at 11:22 p.m. EDT (0322 GMT this morning, Oct. 23), according to scientists working on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), a space telescope that constantly monitors the sun with high-definition cameras. It ranked as an X1.8 solar flare, one of the strongest types of solar flares, according to the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) run by NOAA and the National Weather Service.

The same sunspot produced three strong flares before this one in just the two days since it became visible from Earth's perspective. "This means more flares are probably in the offing, and they will become increasingly Earth-directed as the sunspot turns toward our planet in the days ahead," astronomer Tony Phillips wrote on Spaceweather.com, a website that tracks skywatching and space weather events.

Solar flares are caused when magnetic activity ramps up in certain patches, called sunspots, on the surface of our star. Scientists measure the strength of solar flares in terms of energy classes, with X-class flares the most powerful sun storms. Moderate flares rank as class M storms and can supercharge Earth's northern lights displays when aimed at our planet. Class C solar flares are the weakest of the bunch and have little effect on Earth. [Photos: Sunspots on Earth's Closest Star]

Monday's solar flare was captured in photos and video by SDO, and appears as a bright white flash coming off the sun. The flare was a short-lived type of solar eruption called an impulsive flare (as opposed to the other type, called a gradual flare).

"Impulsive flares aren't generally associated with severe space weather, and additionally, this region is still several days away from directly facing Earth from center disk," SWPC officials wrote. "Nonetheless, the potential for continued activity remains, so stay tuned for updates as Region 1598 makes its way across the visible disk."

Solar flares often release bubbles of charged plasma (called coronal mass ejections) into space that, when they impact Earth, can cause geomagnetic storms that disrupt radio communications and power grids and create especially beautiful displays of the northern and southern lights (auroras). This flare, however, did not unleash a coronal mass ejection, so it is predicted to cause little disruption on Earth and no special auroras. Its powerful radiation was enough, though, to briefly disrupt radios here last night.

The sun is getting more and more active lately as it approaches an expected peak of magnetic activity in 2013. This activity naturally waxes and wanes on an 11-year weather pattern. The sun's current cycle is called Solar Cycle 24."
Fox News Science

The Sun enters Scorpio

The Sun moves into the sign of Scorpio tonight at 5:14 pm, PDT. And the Uranus-Pluto square which reflects the trendng revolutionary and regenerative changes to outworn structures, may directly inform events in SF and California for the next month. Generally speaking, the annual passage of the Sun through Scorpio marks the time of harvest, All Hallows Eve, and the Mexican celebration known as Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). The process of death, rebirth, and renewal is associated with Scorpio- signified by both a Scorpion and Eagle.

The tight opposition between Mars (lord of Scorpio) and Jupiter reflects the positive spirit of successful enterprise- or overly aggressive expansionism.

The SF Giants play a do-or-die (Scorpio) game tonight with the St. Louis Cardinals. Go Giants!

Deborah Houlding on Scorpio the Scorpion: Skyscript

Two Months 'Til Doomsday? Mayan Apocalypse Set for Dec. 21

By Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience.com – Sun, Oct 21, 2012

"Not all apocalypse believers think the Mayan Apocalypse will bring fire and brimstone, or extinguish life on Earth. According to John Hoopes, a scholar of Maya history at the University of Kansas, many believers see the day as a time of spiritual transformation."
Read More

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Beautiful images...
National Geographic Daily News:
New Pictures: Planetary Nebulae Shine in X-Ray Vision

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Breaking news of interest to those of us working at forecasting earthquakes.

From todays BBC News-
L'Aquila quake: Italy scientists guilty of manslaughter

"Six Italian scientists and an ex-government official have been sentenced to six years in prison over the 2009 deadly earthquake in L'Aquila.

A regional court found them guilty of multiple manslaughter.

Prosecutors had said the defendants gave a falsely reassuring statement before the quake after studying tremors that had shaken the city.

The defence had argued that there was no way to predict major earthquakes even in a seismically active area.

The 6.3 magnitude quake devastated the city and killed 309 people."

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And another earthquake-related story from the Huffington Post:
Spain Earthquake, Drilling Wells Linked In New Study Of Lorca Tragedy

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A thoughtful article about the nature of what we actually do as astrologers.

Is Astrology Divination and Does it Matter?
by Geoffrey Cornelius

"My subject today is the subtle question of whether astrology is divination. I assume most of you saw Thomas Moore give the keynote address yesterday. Moore surprised many in the audience when he expressed praise for the divinatory aspect of astrology. He said that astrologers should realize that we divine, and should not proceed in the direction of using astrology as a type of reading or inference from cosmic influences. Perhaps only someone with some distance from astrology, someone who loves its symbols but isn't a horoscopic artist, is able to see our practice clearly. Many of us, however, do not like the suggestion of divination because that would undermine the objectivity of our practice. In my view, it's that very objectification of the experience of astrology that binds us - and blinds us.

Divination is a word that is often loosely used to mean a type of intuition. The highest processes of what we do in any art or science involve this wonderful intuitive capacity. Put that way, we could all agree, "Fine, astrology is divination, but so what?" My purpose here today is to raise the "so what?" You might not like some of the things I have to say. This is still useful because it's important that you think this through and are able to say why you don't like it; then we'll get more clarity on the nature of our astrology."
Read More-> CURA

Zodiacal Light and Milky Way

From Images 108

Ghostly apparitions of two fundamental planes in planet Earth's sky span this October all-sky view. The scene was captured from a lakeside campsite under dark skies in northern Maine, USA. In it, the plane of our Milky Way Galaxy arcs above faint airglow along the horizon. Zodiacal light, a band of dust scattering sunlight along the solar system's ecliptic plane, stretches almost horizontally across the wide field and intersects the Milky way near a point marked by bright planet Jupiter. Right of Jupiter, past the Pleiades star cluster, is the brightening of the Zodiacal band known as the Gegenschein, also visible to the eye on that dark night. Begirt with many a blazing star and rising above the distant mountains, Orion the hunter is reflected in the lake's calm waters. (Image Credit & Copyright: Babak Tafreshi)

ORIONID METEOR SHOWER

What's up in space

From SpaceWeather:
ORIONID METEOR SHOWER--TODAY! Earth is passing through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, source of the annual Orionid meteor shower. Forecasters expect ~25 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Oct. 21st. No matter where you live, the best time to look is during the dark hours before sunrise on Sunday morning. Observers in both hemispheres can see this shower.
Read More

Current Events

SFGate.com : Stunning meteor lights up California sky
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A streaking fireball lit up California skies and stunned stargazers Wednesday night, and professional observers say more meteors are on the way.

The exploding streak was visible over the San Francisco Bay area and other parts of Northern California, and there were also reports of a loud boom.

"It looked like a plane crash or rocket," said Philip Terzian, an amateur astronomer who happened to photograph the meteor while atop a ridge around Palo Alto.

Terzian had gathered there with a group of other astronomy enthusiasts.

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Oct. 19 Tweet~ JDepp launched his own book imprint with publishing house HarperCollins as Tr. NNode -0- natal Venus (26 Taurus), ruler of MC and 3rd house.

Explanation: The transiting North Node of the Moon tends to bring increase to a natal planet or point. And in Johnny Depp's birth chart, his Venus is strong by sign (Taurus) and angular placement- in the 10th house of career & profession. Interestingly, Venus conjoins the fixed star Algol Beta Persei, the Medusa's Head (26 Taurus), linked to the intense and dark power of the feminine. As Venus is associated with creativity, we would expect Johnny's to be well-placed. And as the sign Libra (also Venus-ruled) falls on the 3rd house cusp (reading and writing), the activation of natal Venus corresponds perfectly with his new venture in book publishing. Johnny Depp's natal chart

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Demetra George is one of my favorite astrologers these days as she is actively working on synthesizing modern and traditional techniques- which is exactly what I want to do.
Saturn in Scorpio: Transits and Time Lords

Black Sun

From Images 108

Does this strange dark ball look somehow familiar? If so, that might be because it is our Sun. In the above image, a detailed solar view was captured originally in a very specific color of red light, then rendered in black and white, and then color inverted. Once complete, the resulting image was added to a starfield, then also color inverted. Visible in the above image of the Sun are long light filaments, dark active regions, prominences peaking around the edge, and a moving carpet of hot gas. The surface of our Sun has become a particularly busy place over the past two years because it is now nearing Solar Maximum, the time when its surface magnetic field is wound up the most. Besides an active Sun being so picturesque, the plasma expelled can also become picturesque when it impacts the Earth's magnetosphere and creates auroras. (APOD)

October 15 New Moon in Libra

Today (Oct. 13) and tomorrow we're in the dark or balsamic phase of the lunar cycle where the Moon is not visible. This phase, which is the final preparation for the Oct. 15 New Moon @ 22.32 Libra (5:04 am, PDT) has an affinity with Pisces and the 12th house. The drive to establish common ground and deal with others fairly in the spirit of cooperation is one we associate with the sign of Libra, signified by the Scales. Of course, it's Libra's nature to seek relationships, as we can only truly know ourselves reflected in the mirror of another person.

From California & San Francisco

The potential to actualize the Libran urge to merge in perfect harmony, is partly hampered by the fact that Venus, lord of Libra, is now placed in perfectionist Virgo. We strive for perfection in life knowing it's an illusive ideal. The shadow side of archetypal Virgo is being way too picky and critical.

Monday's Libra New Moon conjoins the benefic star Spica Alpha Virginis, the wheat "spike" in the left hand of the Maiden in the constellation of Virgo. "According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Venus and Mars; and, to Alvidas, of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. It gives success, renown, riches, a sweet disposition, love of art and science, unscrupulousness, unfruitfulness and injustice to innocence." [Vivian Robson]

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This is an interesting news story, given that Mercury is stationary-retrograde on the exact day of the 2012 Presidential election.
Will The Election Results Cause Massive Riots To Erupt All Over America?

Aurora over Earth

From Images 108

North America at night is easy to recognize in this view of our fair planet from orbit, acquired by the Suomi-NPP satellite on October 8. The spectacular waves of visible light emission rolling above the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario in the upper half of the frame are the Aurora Borealis or northern lights. Encircling the poles and extending to lower latitudes, impressive aurorae seen during the past few days are due to strong geomagnetic storms. The storms were triggered by a solar coronal mass ejection on October 4/5, impacting Earth's magnetosphere some three days later. The curtains of light, shining well over 100 kilometers above the surface, are formed as charged particles accelerated in the magnetosphere excite oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere. (APOD)

Nauset Light Star Trails

From Images 108

In myth, Atlas holds up the heavens, but in this scene they seem to pivot around a lighthouse beacon. Photographed with a camera fixed to a tripod, the well-planned 30 minute exposure records star trails in the northern sky, reflecting the daily rotation of planet Earth. Hidden behind the top of the prominent Nauset Lighthouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, the North Celestial Pole is at the center of all the star trail arcs. Making a complete circle, 360 degrees, in 24 hours, the star trail arcs cover 15 degrees each hour or 7.5 degrees in thirty minutes. Foreground lighting is courtesy of September 23rd's first quarter moonlight. (APOD)

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Todays Tweet~ The waning Moon is catching up to bright Venus in the pre-dawn sky. And Jupiter is also visible further in the west.

Final 3 Full Moons of 2012

The last 3 Full Moons of 2012 with their Native American names.

Oct. 29, 3:49 a.m. EDT – Full Hunter’s Moon.With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the foxes and other animals that have come out to glean and can be caught for a Thanksgiving banquet after the harvest.

The Full Hunter's Moon: October's Moon Guide

Nov. 28, 9:46 a.m. EST --Full Beaver Moon. Now it is time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Full Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. This full moon is also called the Frosty Moon. Since the moon arrives at apogee less than six hours later, this will also be the smallest full moon of 2012. In terms of apparent size, it will appear 12 percent smaller than the full moon of May 5. There is also a penumbral lunar eclipse with this full moon; observers in the western parts of the U.S. and Canada might notice the upper part of the moon appearing slightly darker as 92 percent of the moon’s diameter becomes immersed in the fainter penumbral shadow of Earth.

Dec. 28, 5:21 a.m. EST -- Full Cold Moon. December is usually considered the month that the winter cold begins to fasten its grip. It is also called the Full Long Night Moonsince nights are at their longest and darkest. The term "Long Night Moon" is a doubly appropriate name because the mid-winter night is indeed long and the moon hangs above the horizon for a long time. The mid-winter full moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun. (SPACE.com)

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3 Links of Interest:

1. Did NASA's Voyager 1 Spacecraft Just Exit the Solar System?
"It will be another giant leap for mankind when NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft becomes the first manmade object to venture past the solar system's edge and into the uncharted territory of interstellar space. But did this giant leap already occur?"
Read More @ SPACE.com

2. Speed of Universe's Expansion Measured Better Than Ever
"The universe just got a new speeding ticket.

The most precise measurement ever made of the speed of the universe's expansion is in, thanks to NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, and it's a doozy. Space itself is pulling apart at the seams, expanding at a rate of 74.3 plus or minus 2.1 kilometers (46.2 plus or minus 1.3 miles) per second per megaparsec (a megaparsec is roughly 3 million light-years)."
Read More @ Scientific American

3. How solar storms create the Northern Lights
The solar storms that create the Northern Lights that have been seen this week are being studied by scientists in the Arctic to see why they disrupt satellite navigation systems.

Flares from the Sun interact with the upper atmosphere and can distort the signals from global positioning satellites, affecting measurements by tens of metres.

The research project is under way at a remote observatory in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the High Arctic.

Professor Dag Lorentzen explained to the BBC's science editor David Shukman how solar storms affected the Earth's magnetic field to create the aurora borealis
BBC News video

Observing the Galactic Center

Teck telescopes on Mauna Kea, Hawaii observing the galactic center

From Images 108

The widespread notion that the 2012 winter solstice Sun will align with the Galactic Center is incorrect. But the winter solstice Sun has been roughly aligning with the Galactic Equator, which is the equator of the Milky Way galaxy. According to master astronomer Jean Meeus the exact alignment occurred in May 1998. The Galactic Center is located at the center of the Milky Way, in the direction of the constellations Sagittarius, Ophiuchus, and Scorpius. It was believed and recently proven, that there's a supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center of our galaxy, on the order of 4 million solar masses.

One might think of the Galactic Center as the Sun of our Sun, and the probable source of most of the gravitational energy present in our galaxy. Two years after the discovery of Pluto in 1930, Karl Jansky, a Bell Telephone Laboratories engineer, found that a partial source of static affecting overseas telephone lines, came from the center of our Milky Galaxy at 26 degrees of Sagittarius. And then in the late 60's, astronomers finally honed in on the GC (Galactic Center) with radio and infrared instruments. They were amazed by the immense energies radiating from this source at many frequencies. According to "Astrophysical Directions" by Michael and Margaret Erlewine, energy emerges from the GC over 2 entire degrees of longitude near the last degrees of Sagittarius.

Because of the phenomena known as the precession of the equinoxes, caused by a subtle wobble in the earth's rotational axis, the GC and fixed stars move forward about one degree of celestial longitude every 72 years. So the Galactic Center is currently located at 27 degrees of the sign Sagittarius in the tropical zodiac.

The Secret Language of Astrology

Book Review: The Secret Language of Astrology

Astrologers frequently encounter a problem – a friend or client is curious about astrology and wants to know more, but isn’t ready for serious study.

Where can the curious find a good book to help them get a taste of this ancient discipline? With Roy Gillett’s new book, The Secret Language of Astrology, the problem is solved.
Read More-> Astrology News Service (ANS)

Quote of the Day

Though we can't always see it at the time,
if we look upon events with some perspective,
we see things always happen for our best interests.
We are always being guided in a way
better than we know ourselves. ~Swami Satchidananda

Aurora and Fireball Over Norway

From Images 108

What's happening behind that mountain? A convergence of variable sky spectacles. One night in mid-September near Tromsø, Norway, high red aurora could be seen shimmering through lower green aurora in a way that created a striking and somewhat unusual violet glow. Suddenly, though, the sky flashed with the brightest fireball the astrophotographer had ever seen, as a small pebble from outer space violently crashed into the Earth's atmosphere. The glow illuminated the distant mountain peak known as Otertinden of the Lyngen Alps. The bright meteor, which coincidently disappeared behind the same mountain, was also reflected in the foreground Signalelva River. Although you might consider yourself lucky to see either an aurora or a bright meteor, pictures of them together have been recorded several times previously. (APOD)

Stellar Insights ~ Early October 2012

We made it through the incendiary Harvest Full Moon in Aries without disaster, and now it's time to start adjusting to the prolonged activation of the Scorpio archetype. Mars- traditional lord of Scorpio has been conjunct the Moons North Node which tends to increase and amplify whatever it contacts. And although the Scorpion is primed to sting, we can use that same energy constructively by channeling emotional intensity into passionate action. Win-win situations are always best.

Jupiter is stationary-retrograde from Oct. 4 until Jan. 30, 2013. And the urge to grow and expand requires a process of review or going back over in preparation for a more outward manifestation of the Jupiterean energy when it finally shifts forward. This week we might be feeling some hopeful optimism related to the station, as planets are concentrated in their influence when they change directions. In working with clients, it appears that major events often correspond precisely with the station dates. But this week the picture is more complex as Saturn moves from Libra into Scorpio on Oct. 5.

Saturn has been transiting Libra since Oct. 29, 2009. And since Saturn is exalted in Libra, like an honored guest here, it's entry into dark Scorpio is somewhat daunting. Many unsustainable relationships (Libra) ended or had their integrity challenged during the last 2 and a half years. Astrologically, Saturn refers to the process of maturation, being responsible, and taking care of business- building something through hard work. Once we are born into the world of form and limitations, Saturn is like a teacher and mentor. The planet of checks and balances will reflect developmental pressure. Tough love is Saturnian. We mostly enjoy learning but not always being taught. And Saturn gets a bad rap by simply calling for us to step up our game, as does Scorpio for it's cunning or hidden agenda.

Scorpio might be the most misunderstood sign, and shadow projections muddy the deep waters wherein the Scorpion lives. The penetrating quality of Scorpio reflects it's nature as a fixed water sign. Fixed signs are known both for their endurance and stubbornness (i.e. resistance to change), while the water element represents emotions and psychic energies. The magnetism, sexual or otherwise, that we attribute to Scorpio derives from it's capacity to hold energy in check and sublimate when required. Protection and perseverance are paramount to this sign, similar to Cancer the Crab in that regard. Scorpio's will fight when attacked but otherwise prefer to keep to themselves.

Traditionally, the red planet Mars rules Scorpio, but in modern astrology Pluto- lord of the underworld is considered the astrological ruler of the 8th sign. Pluto definitely has an affinity with Scorpio, but it was only discovered in 1930 around the time of the great depression, the rise of fascism and the Nazi's- and the development of nuclear power/energy. (Pluto = plutonium.) However, Mars is the true ruler of Scorpio, although Pluto has an affinity.

Waxing philosophically, as this astrologer tends to do- it's important to have ethical integrity when dealing with personal and business matters, as this determines both our our happiness and that of others. Emotional honesty is essential, as well as compassion for the suffering of our fellow beings. When we have the right attitude, everything is less complicated- there are no hidden agendas. Fear comes from a basic lack of trust. Facing our personal and collective shadow responsibly, we can live happily and fulfill our true purpose. This might be one of the most significant lessons during the period informed by Saturn's transit through the sign of the Scorpion (Oct. 5, 2012 - Dec. 23, 2014).

*The planetary shifts this week are:
Venus into Virgo (October 2-29)
Saturn into Scorpio (October 5- December 23, 2014)
Mercury into Scorpio (October 5-29)
Mars into Sagittarius (October 6- November 17)
Jupiter turns retrograde (October 4-January 30)

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Astrologer Steven Forrest on Spooky Saturn in Scorpio

Is The End of Monsanto Near?

Is The End of Monsanto Near? Prop 37 Succeeding as Nations Ban GMO Crops

"Is the end of Monsanto within reach? It has certainly been a rough couple of weeks for the mega corporation as the real dangers surrounding GMOs are being brought to the attention of consumers on a global scale like never before. It all started with the monumental French study finding a serious link between the consumption of Monsanto’s Roundup-drenched GMOs and massive tumors. Being called the ‘most thorough’ research ever published on the real health effects of GMOs, the study led to even larger victories.

After the study not only did France call for a potential worldwide ban on GMOs pending the results of their in-depth analysis, but Russia’s major consumer rights organization announced a ban on both the importation and use of Monsanto’s GMO corn."
Read More

I could not find a founding date for Monsanto, but according to Wikipedia the company was founded sometime during 1901 in St. Louis, MO. Monsanto's birth eclipse is the total solar eclipse of May 17, 1901 at 26 Taurus 34 that conjoined the most evil, violent, and dangerous star in the heavens- Algol Beta Persei, the Medusa's Head. And this powerful eclipse fell on the Moons South Node (or Dragon's Tail) which acts like a drain, drawing energy in and down. Furthermore, Monsanto's birth eclipse occurred in the 4th house of land and agriculture.

Currently, the transiting South Node of the Moon (26 Taurus 47) is activating the sensitive degree of this 1901 eclipse (26 Taurus 34), and the intense solar eclipse (21 Scorpio 56) of Nov. 13, 2012 will hit the birth eclipse North Node (22 Scorpio 35) of manifest destiny.

Free the seeds, and stop messing with Mother Nature.

From United States

The Helix Nebula

From Images 108

A mere seven hundred light years from Earth, in the constellation Aquarius, a sun-like star is dying. Its last few thousand years have produced the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), a well studied and nearby example of a Planetary Nebula, typical of this final phase of stellar evolution. A total of 58 hours of exposure time have gone in to creating this deep view of the nebula. Accumulating narrow band data from emission lines of hydrogen atoms in red and and oxygen atoms in blue-green hues, it shows remarkable details of the Helix's brighter inner region, about 3 light-years across, but also follows fainter outer halo features that give the nebula a span of well over six light-years. The white dot at the Helix's center is this Planetary Nebula's hot, central star. A simple looking nebula at first glance, the Helix is now understood to have a surprisingly complex geometry. (APOD)

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Return to Antikythera: Divers revisit wreck where ancient computer found
Article & Video-> theguardian

Heads Up! The Writer's Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts ~ October 2012

Happy October. We somehow survived that zinger of a full moon that
ended last month. It that didn't kick-start your independent spirit,
troublesome or no, I don't know what will. Now we get to do a lot of
it all over again, only different. Way different.

October 1 is a Monday, the Moon's day. Remember to make this a month
to be good to people, and to appreciate when they're good to you.
There are many reasons for this, to be explained later. The Moon will
be moving into Taurus for the evening. This makes it easier to
appreciate the good things in life.

Tue Oct 02 the Moon is in Taurus all day. Venus changes signs and
enters Virgo at day's end. Enjoy this last blast of glamour before
beauty become more sensible. Venus is now pass through the domain of
Mercury. Maybe we can write some extra lovely stuff with this.

Wed Oct 03 the Moon is Taurus all day again. Venus exactly opposes
Neptune. Beauty and fantasy may relate in all the usual ways. We have
Wednesdays of the Moon in fixed signs, for the first two weeks. The
second half of the month, the Moon shifts to mutable signs. Take
advantage of these first two Wednesdays to be virtuously stubborn
about work that's important to you.

Thu Oct 04 the Moon moves into Gemini. We have today, Friday, and
through Saturday afternoon to focus on mercurial, communicative,
expressive efforts. Personally, I rarely get a great word count
produced at this time, but often I make connections and make progress
on other writerly fronts. Jupiter goes stationary retrograde early
today. Have you noticed it slowing down, getting stronger? Good luck
may be a bit more subtle and slow-going for a while.

Fri Oct 05 the Moon is in restless Gemini when Mercury and Saturn form
an exact conjunction in the very last degree of Libra. Pay attention,
as this is also the very center degree of the Via Combusta. Speak,
write, and think with care. The least little thing might come back to
bite you big time. Only fifty minutes later, Mercury moves on and
enters the sign of Scorpio. Why this should feel like a relief is hard
to describe, but in some ways it is. Ten hours later, Saturn changes
signs and enters Scorpio. It’s a serious world, inside and out. You
don't have to get grim, but at least respect serious issues.
Thirty-five minutes later, the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Gemini. It's
about time for a break from all this Scorpio stuff. (I say this with
affection, since I have a natal Moon in Scorpio.)

Sat Oct 06 the Moon is in its home sign Cancer when Mars changes signs
and enters Sagittarius. Mars is riding high these days, with both
Mercury and Saturn in Mars-ruled Scorpio, and with Mars getting to
hang out in a fire sign. Have an energized but under control kind of
weekend. There will no doubt be things to write about after the fact.

Wed Oct 10 the Moon is in glorious Leo all day. Just as the day
begins, Mercury forms a sextile to Pluto. This can brighten (and
deepen) a Wednesday that otherwise might have been mostly lightweight
fun. Or heck, write comedy (so long as you do it seriously, I
suppose).

Fri Oct 12 the Moon conjuncts Venus in Virgo. Do some serious
editing or make corrections with a loving gentle touch. Venus will be
in Virgo almost all month, but that's all right. by the time we get
used to it, it'll be over.

Sun Oct 14 the Moon is in Libra all day. What's notable about today,
though, is that tomorrow is the New Moon. That makes today an
automatic Heads Up, be it the Sun's day of the week or not. Be wise
and cautious, health, travel, and social-wise.

Mon Oct 15 gives us the New Moon at 22 Libra. Start something with
social implications. You don't have to instantly release it out into
the cold cruel world. Twelve hours later, the Moon moves into Scorpio.
They say that the Moon freezes in Scorpio, and it might be true. Two
hours after that, the Moon conjuncts Saturn. It's hard to imagine the
Moon being much colder than this. Write your most unforgiving stuff.
You can burn it later (unless the wrong people find it first).

Tue Oct 16 the Moon is in Scorpio when Venus and Jupiter form an exact
square. These two planets are considered the lesser and greater
benefics, the bringers of good things and good luck. Not agreeing on
what is good can be a fantastic plot complication. (For example, I
love it when the murderer says ," but I did it for you.") Late in the
day, the Moon conjuncts Mercury in Scorpio. Think and feel serious, if
only briefly. It was only twelve days ago that Mercury and Saturn were
conjunct. Now the Moon needs a full day to travel from one planet to
the next. Yes, Mercury is fast and Saturn is slow.

Wed Oct 17 the Moon is in Sagittarius all day. Be generous with your
time, although it might eat into your writing schedule. Sagittarius is
that special.

Thu Oct 18 the Moon is still in Sagittarius all day and conjuncts Mars
early in the day. This can be a generous, lucky Jupiter sort of day,
with both the Moon and Mars together in Jupiter's home sign. Do
something good with it.

Sat Oct 20 the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn. If social
obligations prevent you from being serious about your work, you can
still respect it and respect the work of others.

Sun Oct 21 the Moon spends most of the day void of course in
Capricorn, shifting into Aquarius near end of day. More important,
perhaps, is that the Sun is in the last degree of the sign of Libra.
That does not mean that today is the last sweet gentle Venus-ruled day
before the Sun enters serious no-nonsense Mar-s ruled Scorpio. No,
no, no. We are deep in the heart of the Via Combusta, the Fiery Road.
It's a good idea to to watch our p's and q's, our step, and our
manners for a few days. Tread lightly through these highly
manipulative, even duplicitous atmospheres. Ulterior motives may
abound, some suffering from the illusion of being part of some good
work. And who knows but in the end perhaps that's how it may turn out.
Meanwhile, be careful.

Mon Oct 22 the Moon is in cool collected Aquarius when the Sun moves
out of Libra and enters Scorpio the Scorpion. We get a month of a
Mars-ruled Sun, promising a lot of heat and passion, much of it
directed at very bottom-line things. It's a month to get real,
especially about our work.

Wed Oct 24 the Moon enters Pisces and fifty minutes later conjuncts
Neptune. Yes, Neptune has retrograded back to 00 Pisces. If you feel
as Medea does and think that sometimes too much reality can drive a
person crazy, well, today is the day to write gushy surrealistic
poetry and blast that romantic French classical music while you write.
Just imagining that is making me smile.

Thu Oct 25 the Moon is in Pisces all day, and this could be lucky as
well as touchy since traditional astrologers believe that Jupiter
rules Pisces. . The Sun conjuncts Saturn today, so respect and
authority will be big all day long. Not only should you be respectful
of authority, but don't be stunned if you are regarded with more
authority than you're used to receiving. Maybe it's a good day to sell
something important.

Fri Oct 26 the Moon conjuncts Uranus in Aries. This may be a day to
loosen the tie, let the hair down, have that extra drink and confess
something substantial to someone you care about and who cares about
you. You can do this in writing, of course, but it is Friday so it
might be fun to actually do it in person.

Sun Oct 28 the Moon is void of course in Aries when Mars exactly
opposes Jupiter. This does not mean that you have to work against
yourself or your own best interests. Eight minutes later, Venus leaves
the sign of Virgo and goes to her nocturnal home sign of Libra. Don't
use this as an excuse to lose your editing momentum. By day's end,
Mercury changes signs and enters Sagittarius. Bigger thoughts may
flicker and spring to life.

Mon Oct 29 is the Full Moon at 06 Taurus. Not only is Taurus way
different than Aries, but there's no Uranus conjunction to deal with.
Work with the conviction that being practical and being comfortable do
not have to compete with one another.

Wed Oct 31 is Halloween. You may not write ghost stories, but we all
have stories, experiences, and memories that involve people from the
past, some of them from our own recent past. Midday, the Moon enters
Gemini. How cool for us writers and artists who network and create to
have the month come to an end on Mercury's day of the week, with the
Moon in Mercury's diurnal home sign. Make the most of it.

In a lot of ways, last month was a lot about Uranus. And this month
was all about Mars. Mars can be good. Mars can be passion, energy,
self-motivation, strong self-esteem when the world is doing everything
in its power to grind our little hearts into dust. We don't have let
that happen. We can fight back. We can do it in a brilliant noble way,
too, seeing that Mars is in Sagittarius. Nothing can stop us. Nothing.
We can give up, of course, but nothing else can stop us. Hear that,
Scorpio? You like it, too, don't you, Scorpio?

Write on!

Heads Up!

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