Sun into Libra

Autumn Equinox takes place on Monday, September 22nd at 8:44 A.M.. On September 9th Pluto turned direct and pulled up a lot of old residual emotional energy for people. That and the full Pisces moon on September 15th gave us an opportunity to do some deep heart clearing in preparation for this very important change of season. This autumn will take us through the Sun cycles of Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius, will include 2008’s final Mercury retrograde, and will see Neptune and Uranus turning direct and Pluto entering Capricorn, a cycle it has not transited since 1762-1778.   

This year’s Libra cycle will host the last of 2008’s Mercury retrogrades (September 24th - October 15th).  Mercury greatly influences communication and information, and its retrograde cycles are ideal for reviews and revisions.  Have you noticed that this year all of the Mercury retrogrades have taken place during the Sun’s passage through air signs while Mercury has also been in air signs?  Libra, symbolized by the scales, strengthens the mind’s ability to weigh all of the facts. Ruled by Venus’s loving energy, Libra deeply desires balance and above all, harmony, so invites us to stand in the other person’s shoes and to consider all points of view. And look what just happens to be taking place at during this Libra Mercury retrograde cycle.

First presidential debate:
Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Vice presidential debate:
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Second presidential debate:
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Third presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Libra’s unrelenting quest for truth, justice and ultimately peace will permeate the air and psyche of the American voter.  Under these intellectually alert astrological conditions, 2008’s debates will give the candidates the chance to define and articulate their positions more clearly and voters the opportunity to scrutinize these statements most keenly. And with Mercury’s penchant for bringing information from the past to light, who knows what stories from a candidate’s past might surface sometime between September 24th and October 15th?  

In terms of what has become this year’s most important political issue, the economy, we will continue to be forced to face the cold, hard facts.  Jupiter went direct in staunch pragmatic Capricorn on September 7th and Saturn is still making his uncompromising way through detailed Virgo.  Add the previously mentioned Mercury retrograde to the mix, and more information about the mismanagement of our financial system and institutions is highly likely to emerge.  In the end, Libra’s judicious approach to the “fuzzy math” will tee us up perfectly for the life-and-death energies of the Scorpio cycle and Election Day. 

So, as seismic shifts take place around us and the campaign for the White House intensifies, remember that astrology is a tool of empowerment.  It reassures us that everything runs in cycles and is ever-changing.  If some of the headlines are hitting a little too close to home, you can take comfort in the ancient and wise adage that “this too shall pass.”  Astrology vividly describes the conditions influencing our lives and shaping our world and explains the options available to us at any given time.  Enlightened with this knowledge, we are in a better position to calculate, consider and decide.

In part two of this three part-series I’ll take a close look at the astrology of Election Day 2008, relish in all things intense and Scorpion and add more planetary perspective on the activities of the large outer planets.  They are the ones doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes, subtly and slowly reshaping our reality.  Some of these revolutionary changes begin this Autumn. And did I mention that a certain pair of websites are having

Remarkable as it is to realize, we are nearly halfway through 2008. On June 20th the Sun shifts into Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice. Presently the large outer planets Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto are retrograde, and on June 27th Uranus joins them. The Sun, Venus and Mercury are all heading out of the intense mental energy of air sign Gemini into watery Cancer. Planetary fireworks are around the corner with August’s eclipses (the 1st and 16th), and tangible options are being made ready to manifest once the Sun moves into earthy Virgo and Jupiter and Pluto turn direct in early September. This year’s passage of the Sun through intuitive and nurturing Cancer is our Cosmic opportunity to chill. Introspection, reflection and ease are the order of the days to come. In embracing the energies and insights of the forthcoming conditions, we are very likely to access the pearls of personal wisdom that will inform the eventful times to follow. Relax and receive.

First, on the significance of so many of the influential outer planets being retrograde simultaneously, most people understand retrogrades through their experience with Mercury, who can be quite the prankster with gadgets and timetables when he goes backwards. He goes direct on June 19th, and fortunately for all of us, having most of the powerful outer planets retrograde for the next several months does not mean that we are going to have to keep rescheduling appointments, replacing tech toys and leaving voicemail messages. Each of these planets has its own unique attributes and they are quite different from those of familiar Mercury. The pertinent aspect of retrograde energy that will be helpful to keep in mind is that it pertains to a time of review. We get to go over things. The retrogrades of the immense outer planets suggest that it will be the big picture aspects of life that we deal with at this time. Fellow heavy weight and taskmaster Saturn, though direct, will also contribute amply to this no stone left unturned process because it is moving through meticulous Virgo. For the resistant and impatient, this could prove to be a very challenging time. For the openhearted and receptive, the “answers” will be generously given. These truths will be empowering and will create a profound sense of peace. Issues that may have been troubling us for months can be laid to rest, for good. And decisions taken at this time can come with the greatest serenity. This is why listening to one’s inner knowing with trust and openness during the Sun’s journey through caregiving Cancer is so important. The path to tranquility and joy can truly be revealed to us.

On August 1st we begin the next set of eclipses. While these will be especially significant for Leos and Aquarians, they alter things for all of us. Eclipses shed light. And this time, as the Sun will be in attention-demanding Leo, the realities they illuminate will simply be impossible to ignore. If we allow our deeper wisdom to emerge during this season of Cancer, the eclipse energies can be harnessed and directed in support of our intentions and Purpose, so long as those are in alignment with the Higher Heart and Divine Will. On September 7th generous Jupiter, still in pragmatic Capricorn, will go direct, and on September 8th Pluto, now in spiritually sensitive Pisces, will also go direct, enabling some of those bigger pieces of the puzzle to fall into place in the physical plane. So as we initiate this summer season with Cardinal Cancer, know that cosmic reality checks will continue as often as the solutions to problems will appear.

Earlier this Spring, through her work with author and teacher Eckhart Tolle, Oprah laid some solid groundwork in the collective cultural conscience for the days on the horizon. For ten weeks she and Tolle taught millions of people throughout the planet how to experience and practice more presence. Whether you participated in the online event or read �

I think they are hummingbirds, little brown ones who sing a lot. Ten days after putting out a bird feeder they finally showed up this morning. I was beginning to wonder about the whole bird feeder thing. How do they figure it out? Do they run surveillance for a little while to make sure that it’s not a trap run by ingenious felines? Were my sunflower seeds too stale after day one? Too soggy after the weekend rain? Had some bitchy food critic trashed us on opening day? Were there trendy dieters here in Hollywood for whom sunflower seeds were the new carbs? No. For whatever reason they discovered it today. Then they started texting their friends, because all day long lots of them kept dropping by to munch. I’m pretty sure I even heard one say “Mira” as his three friends quickly swooped in for the spread. He would only give his first name as Paco and asked not to be photographed.

The past few months have been rough. The Veterinarian says that that my cat Boris has a swollen lymph node and IBD. Last night was another long one. The prescription food that he had been able to absorb only two weeks ago passed right through his thinning body. The formerly affectionately dubbed “Chubbers” did his best to make it to the box at least three times. I filled his bowl with fresh water afterwards so he could replenish his lost fluid. Sometime in the small hours I had an overdue cry as I wondered if this morning would be the one I’d have to bring him back to the Vet’s office for good.

I’m doing my best to prepare myself and being frank about the matter. I won’t use euphemisms like “putting him to sleep.” I’m clear that he won’t “wake up.” “Putting him to death” is a little harsh and “putting him down” isn’t really right either. It will come. I’m working up “Amazing Grace” with the simple hope that I’ll be able to play him from this world into the next with the sweetness of my harp. That theory assumes that I won’t be a total blubbering basket case when his time comes.

Fate spared him today. Dr. G. had jury duty. Not knowing what to feed him, I went to Whole Foods for the cleanest turkey I could find. My thinking is that if these are his last days, he’s not going to have to eat health cat food, something that I can only imagine to taste like cardboard if it’s anything like health people food. And with the sober awareness that he may not be here when it arrives next week, I placed a small order for venison. Research shows that it helps in some cases of IBD.


With the hummingbirds to visit on this mild sunny day, he and his brother Nicholas, who can’t figure out why they’re getting Christmas food at the end of May, seemed to have had a good time. Boris blew off his morning nap entirely, opting to spend the time excitedly watching the birds through the screen door, making that funny sound cats make when they see flying prey. For me, it was a gift to see him happy and lively and the two of them together and alive. Instead of retreating to my bedroom as has been his custom of late, he took his afternoon nap on the papasan chair in the brightly lit den where he could be close to those birds. It was good to see him in his usual napping spot. I can’t recall how many days or weeks it’s been since I saw him there. And this evening he rests on the new cable box. I think that he likes the heat from it. And while the thought of a round of his diarrhea into the Time Warner gadget concerns me a little, I don’t really care. He doesn’t like the heating pad and I just want him to be comfortable. We’re taking it one thing at a time. Thanks to whoever sent the hummingbirds.