Astrological Forecasts with a Traditional Twist

The Bottle Should Break!

The Costa Concordia Friday 13th

At about 2 hours after the sun had dropped into the Mediterranean Sea,  the Costa Concordia, set sail from  Citiavecchio, about 80 kilometers west of Rome, on what it thought was a routine voyage, but on this, Friday the 13^th,  things would be anything but routine. Instead the ship would run aground, leading at least 5 unlucky souls to their death,  17 missing and thousands cold and stranded.  What happened on that fateful night, we can only speculate. Astrologers believe that every ending is based upon single beginning. Therefore, ancients were very careful to pay very close attention to every little detail of birth, because they came to believe that the very first moment of holds within it, the seeds of future. It is on this basis, that astrology is based. The very first moment is so important to some Vedic astrologers, that they will pay more attention to an omen than the actual natal chart!

Indeed, omens are so deeply ingrained in the human psyche that even those who scoff at astrology, often cannot help but react when an omen smacks them in the face. Such is the case of the Unlucky Costa Concordia. Many do know that in New York, the home of tall skyscrapers, a 13th floor rarely, if at all, exists,  so strong the superstition in building a 13th floor, but the Costa Concordia, did heed this urban tradition, and housed 13 decks, along with 13 bars, which given the Venus conjoined with Neptune, as we will see, perhaps was not such a good idea.

We do not know what time the Costa Concordia was initially launched on September 2^nd, 2005, As you know, that it is customary, just before a ship takes her first plunge into the sea, to christen her by breaking a bottle of champagne on her side - for good luck!!  Listen to the moaning as the bottle refuses to break!

So what happened in the last few hours of Friday the 13^th of January,  to  bring this massive skyscraper of a ship to her side, on the tiny Giglio Island ? We can only speculate. However, astrologers know that cruise ship’s future, for better, or for worse, was already noted by the angels, with that first splash the Costa Concordia made at approximately 7pm, local time, when she left the harbor of Citavechhio and headed out to sea.

William Lilly and the ancients drew out precise instructions for shipping with the first house representing the ship and all who sail in her.

Looking at the first house, we see that partying sign of Leo rises, we can assume that there was a festive and upbeat atmosphere on the ship, when it set sail. Such a playful feeling that some astute passengers were keen to notice that there were no safety drills as are the normal procedures. This casual attitude at launch is the first sign that those on board are in harm’s way because their ruler, the Sun  is placed in one of the weakest sector of the chart, the house of illness, known as the 6^th house.  In general, the Sun has to do with all things royal. And we could say that those onboard represented the crème de la crème of society, and is very descriptive of a ship filled with the upper echelon of society,  dressed to the ‘nines’ and enjoying themselves to the fullest, but so placed completely in the dark as to the dangers that lurked just ahead. At about 9:15 pm,  ”we heard a crash. Glasses and plates fell down and we went out of the dining room and we were told it wasn’t anything dangerous” according to Gert Hammer, 65 , told The Associated Press she was eating her first course, when the ship lurched to its side.

Even though the ship had run aground, passengers were told it was but a minor electrical error. Notice the Moon conjoined to Mars in the 3rd house, a clear sign of a big whopper!! Also notice that the ancients said that because the angle of the 6th house did not divide evenly into the circle, that it could not ’see’ and was thus a ‘blind’ house. And indeed, with the passengers were kept ‘in the dark’ about what was really going on for another 45 minutes when the power went off and chaos erupted. And again indicative of that Moon and Mars combo in the house of communications, in many cases, passengers said authorities contradicted one another, telling them one thing and then reversing course.

The Sun is also the natural representative of royalty, on a ship, it will have a lot to say about the methods of the the top brass on board,  specifically the captain. It also insinuates that the captain might have been very slow to react because we notice the Sun is at hard angle to planet of  death,  Saturn.  If this were not enough, looking to the section denoting the captain, we see the very stubborn Taurus astride the cusp of the captain’s house, the tenth sector. This makes the ever handsome and charming, Venus the captain’s planetary emissary. Notice, Venus is in the house of others, the seventh, specifically with Neptune, the planet of illusion.  Where Neptune goes, drugs, and alcohol, all too often follow. Also, Taurus, being both fixed and earthy, is the most stubborn of the signs, on the house of the captain. Hit the following link, and you can hear (albeit in beautiful Italian),  Captain Francesco Schettino, tell tgcom24, that the ship impacted a rock, ‘that was not marked. ‘

We do not know for certain, but some have said that the captain of the vessel was seen leaving the ship before the people had been evacuated! At this time, the captain claimed there should have been water where the rock was! Although, the villagers of Giglio claim they had never seen the ship come so close to the island before. At this time Captain Schettino is in custody, and could face manslaughter charges.

One of the great teachers of the Art of Astrology, Linea Van Horn will be giving us the ‘nitty gritty’ on the often confusing Galactic Center, which,  in San Francisco, on January 12th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Cut through the morass of 2012 misinformation. Learn to recognize the visible astronomical event that defines this era: something every astrologer should know! This presentation includes a clear description of the 26,000 year precession cycle, and the significant alignment occurring during our lifetimes. We’ll see how the Mayans foresaw this moment in time and calibrated their calendar to it. Included in this inspiring, image-rich presentation are suggestions to help you thrive during these momentous days.

Linea Van Horn, Astrologer at Large, is a Certified Astrologer through NCGR-PAA. She has studied astrology since 1984 and has been a professional, full time astrologer since 1998. She is the founder and President of the thriving San Francisco Astrological Society, serves as the Education Director of the San Francisco Chapter of NCGR and is on the NCGR Board of Examiners. She was employed at astrology.com from 1998 – 2005 and as the Content Manager for The Astrologer, Inc. from 2005 – 2009. Linea currently devotes herself full time to teaching and mentoring, writing, consulting, and blogging in San Francisco. She can be reached at her website http://astrologeratlarge.com

“Linea Van Horn is a Teacher’s Teacher!” -Dorothy J. Kovach

Thursday January 12, 2012

Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA.

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM, Building C, Room C-210

for more information:

http://ncgrsanfrancisco.org/2012.html

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

January 2012

Happy New Year!  Jupiter is no longer retrograde and few things shine brighter or higher in the sky than Jupiter.  May this be a beautiful, benevolent year when we are happy to be good luck for each other.  It also promises to be a very mercurial year, in that Mercury participates fully in the dance with all the planets.  May we be prolific and widely appreciated for the good work we do.

Let’s start at the beginning.  The Moon is in Aries on Sunday, the Sun’s day, January 01.  Be willing to shine all year, even on days when enthusiasm sags.  Heads Up in all good ways.

Mon Jan 02 the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Taurus.  Look for good luck to share with other people.

Wed Jan 04 the Moon is in Taurus all day.  Love your work and make it gorgeous.

Thu Jan 05 the Moon enters Gemini and gives us from now till Saturday night to write with the best.  Start the year strong and don’t hold back.

Sat Jan 07, with the Moon still in Gemini, Mercury sextiles Saturn,  Be a little more careful with your words, because they’re powerful.  Seven hours later Mercury then sextiles Neptune. Relax and be a bit more fanciful.  These aspects carry extra punch because Mercury is in the final degrees of Sagittarius.  Think big while you can.   Midday, the Moon opposes Mercury, then goes void of course until the Moon enters Cancer an hour or so later. What you say and write and will be noticed.  By end of day, Mercury leaves Sagittarius and enters the hardworking sign of Capricorn.  Tomorrow things will sound more constrained and serious.

Sun Jan 08 the Moon is in its home sign Cancer when Mercury trines Jupiter.  Be generous with your ideas.  Five hours later Mercury squares Uranus.  Be constructively self-critical and make some discoveries.  Late that night comes the Full Moon at 18 Cancer.  Make this a month to work on projects of meaning and substance.

Wed Man 11 the Moon is in Leo all day.  Be proud of what you do, and enjoy the process.

Thu Jan 12 the Moon is in Virgo (Mercury’s nocturnal homesign) when the Moon and Mercury trine one another.  People may be able to help you out with some plot problem, if only by real-life example.  Two hours later the Moon trines Pluto.  If your day (or your work) lacked drama or depth, here it is.  In the evening, the Sun trines Mars.  Heads Up.  Mars is in Virgo and is slowing down in preparation for going retrograde.  Don’t get confused; get systematic and observant.  Heads Up.

Fri Jan 13 — yes, Friday the 13th –  the Moon is in Virgo when Mercury conjuncts Pluto.  Drama and depth are not going to intimate you today.  A slow powerful Mars is in Virgo, on your mercurial side, so be strong.  Heads Up anyway.  Two hours later Venus conjuncts Neptune (in the final degrees of Aquarius).  This can be a pleasant break, but don’t float away on it.  In the afternoon the Moon conjuncts Mars. Work along, if not in high gear then in some stronger lower gear.  Late in the evening, Venus changes signs and moves into Pisces.  There may be a lot of hard-nosed, pragmatic energy out in the world, but there are also a lot of soft hearts in hiding.  Know your audience.

Mon Jan 16 the Moon conjuncts Saturn in the end of Libra.  Heads Up.  Be good to people, and let them be good to you.

Wed Jan 18 the Moon enters Sagittarius in the second half of the day.  If you had an introverted morning, there’s time to reach out and recover.  Be energetic.

Thu Jan 19 the Moon is in Sagittarius when the Sun squares Saturn. Heads Up in a good way.  Pause and think about if what you’re doing is actually what you think you want to be doing.  Saturn is in the final degree of Libra, right the heart of the Via Combusta.  Saturn can be harsh enough without turning manipulative. Take the solid constructive qualities of Saturn and Libra, then pour some serious golden Sun on them.  It’s the last day of the month when the Sun is in Capricorn and is a guest in Saturn’s house.  The Sun and Saturn are in tight communication right now.  See what you see.  Heads Up.

Fri Jan 20  the Moon is still in generous expansive Sagittarius when the Sun changes signs and moves into Aquarius.  Traditionally, Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, but it’s nothing like Capricorn.  Look for the world to be bigger, more inclusive, and perhaps less severe and demanding.  This is no excuse for sloppiness, of course. Heads Up.

Sat Jan 21 the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn.  Stay calm and have a peaceful weekend. That night, the Sun squares Jupiter.  If you’ve been overdoing anything, this can moderate things and bring some remedy.  It’s also the day before the New Moon.  Major Heads Up.  Think safety, routine caution, and a little extra loving care.

Sun Jan 22 the Moon conjuncts Mercury in the last third (the third decanate) of Capricorn.  Think dark serious thoughts if you must, or write them.  Hey, it worked for Stephen King.  Before end of day is the New Moon at 02 Aquarius.  Dream big dreams and tomorrow begin something noble and bigger than yourself.

Mon Jan 23 the Moon is in Aquarius when Mercury trines Mars.  Don’t get impatient with yourself.  Give yourself all the time you need to think things through and do them with full force, to completion.  This evening Mars goes stationary retrograde at 23 Virgo.  Heads Up.  A lot of good work can be done with this placement. If you don’t like Mars in Virgo, remember that Mars is now a guest  in Mercury’s house.  Besides, you have from now till the middle of April to change your mind and see the good side.  Heads Up.  It’s also the Chinese New Year, Year of the Dragon!  Luck, Health, Love, and Joy!

Wed Jan 25 the Moon conjuncts Neptune and goes void of course for about forty minutes until entering Pisces.  If you needed a dreamy Wednesday to do some dreamy writing, this may be it.  The first two Wednesdays this month were in fixed signs, but that’s slipped into these last two Wednesdays in mutable signs.  Relax a bit, get a fresh cup of tea, maybe a cookie.  Mind those crumbs on the keyboard.  It’s good to remember to be human, even at work.

Thu Jan 26 the Moon conjuncts Venus in Pisces in the morning.  At night, the Moon opposes Mars, who is retrograde and hunched down in Virgo. Venus will be in Pisces for only twelve days before moving on into Aries.  Aries, we all know, is ruled by Mars, who is camping out in Virgo.  This can be the stuff of excellent frustrated romance, if that’s your thing.

Fri Jan 27 the Moon is void of course in Pisces when Mercury squares Saturn.  Don’t be too harsh on yourself, your work, or on others.  Take the kernels of truth as constructive criticism and this too shall pass. In nine short hours Mercury will be released from Saturn’s domain of Capricorn and enter Aquarius to join the Sun in a more comfortable, less uncompromising environment.  True, modern astrology gives Aquarius to be the home of Uranus, but really, aren’t things wild enough already?  Just my opinion right now, of course.  Later in the day the Moon enters Aries and and conjuncts the rebellious Uranus.  If you need more wildness, the sky is happy to oblige.

Sat Jan 28 the Moon is in Aries all day.  Mercury sextiles Uranus in the late morning, an aspect that’s always glad to provide wild and crazy ideas, and perhaps some good entertainment.  In the evening, Mercury squares Jupiter.  You could also be very entertaining by cheerfully catching your own minor blunders and displaying some of your charming modesty.  Writers and artists wear many hats, do we not?  And it’s our sincerity that lets the world allow us to live.  Heads Up.

Mon Jan 30 the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Taurus.  We end the month with the same lucky conjunction that started it.

Stay focused on what is working and be persistent.  Be grateful for the Mars retrograde, exercise a bit more care in the physical realm, and avoid any silly needless accidents (which, really, are almost all of them).  We do not have to run full throttle all the time, no matter the hype we hear.  Somebody wrote that hype, didn’t they?

Have a fantastic start to a grand year!  Heads Up!

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

December 2011

Happy December.  As the solar year wanes, the holiday season kicks in.  Mercury is retrograde for the first two weeks, so social interactions may be a bit more scrambled than usual, but that can be considered part of the fun.  Resolve to enjoy this month!

Thu Dec 01 we begin the month with the Moon conjuncting Neptune in the end of Aquarius, then going void of course.   Dreams are rarely as strong as they are now.  Two and a half hours later Venus exactly conjuncts Pluto.  Keep the level of excitement under control, except perhaps in your works of fiction.  An hour after this, the Moon enters the sign of Pisces.  Sensitivity peaks, but remember, Mercury is retrograde so don’t get maudlin.

Fri Dec 02 the Moon is in Pisces all day.  In the very early morning, the Sun exactly squares Mars.  Heads Up.  You don’t have to be impatient with yourself.

Sat Dec 03 the Moon enters Aries, and conjuncts Uranus an hour and twenty minutes later.  The Moon will be in Aries until Tuesday morning, so feel independent and make time to work on some of your own stuff. (continue reading…)

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

November 2011

Happy November!   Autumn and the closing of the year is upon us with its usual vengeance.

We start on a Tuesday (the day of the week ruled by Mars) with the Moon void of course in Capricorn.  It’s easy to work hard on something already started.  In the wee small hours Mercury exactly squares Neptune.  You may dream dissatisfaction, but on waking things will be fine.  Before dawn, the Moon enters Aquarius.  Enjoy a focused day.

Wed  Nov 02 the Moon is in Aquarius all day.  Work with a clear mind.  In the early hours, Venus changes signs and enters the expansive and uplifting sign of Sagittarius.  This will lighten anyone’s mood.  Eight hours later, in the late morning, Mercury leaves Scorpio behind to enter Sagittarius.  You can be serious in a bigger, less brutal way.

Thu Nov 03 the Moon is in Aquarius when Venus trines Uranus in the wee smalls.  Dabble with some small quaint experiment.  Six hours later Mercury trines Uranus.    Dabble more cleverly.  As Mercury and Venus slowly perfect their conjunction, we’ll see these mirrored aspects get closer together in time.  That night, the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Aquarius, then goes void of course.  Dream your to-do list for tomorrow.

Fri Nov 04 the Moon enters Pisces.  Five  hours later, the Moon squares Mercury, and thirty-one minutes later, the Moon squares Venus.  Note that it happens to Mercury first, as Mercury is still catching up with Venus.  The gap is closing fast, though.  Emotions may be near the surface.  Write something romantic.

Sun Nov 06 the Moon conjuncts Uranus in Aries.  Surprise yourself with an abnormally busy weekend.

Mon Nov 07 the Moon is in Aries when Mars exactly opposes Neptune.  Write with extra deliberation because you can make unusually strong impressions today.   (continue reading…)

Heads Up!The Writer’s Astrological Almanac
by Kathy Watts
October 2011

Happy October!  Where is this year going?
We start on Saturday (Saturn’s day of the week) with the Moon in Sagittarius.  Think society, adventure, and yes, publication!  Think this all month long.  Not quite a couple hours after midnight, the Moon trines Uranus.  You could discover something useful in a dream.  Midmorning, the Moon trines Mars.  Have a lively weekend and still get things done.
Sun Oct 02 the Moon is still in Sagittarius when Mars exactly squares Jupiter.  It’s okay to decide that some other project is more important.
Mon Oct 03 the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn.  This gets the work week off to a smart start.
Wed Oct 05 the Moon enters Aquarius in the early morning.  Three out of four Wednesdays this month will see the Moon in a fixed sign.  Make up your mind, and don’t be distracted from your work.
Thu Oct 06 the Moon is still in Aquarius when Mercury exactly conjuncts Saturn.  Aquarius is traditionally ruled by Saturn, so look forward to a day at a slower pace with fewer mistakes.
Fri Oct 07 the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Aquarius, then goes void of course.  Maybe it’s better to be social and let people inspire you.

(continue reading…)

Happy Autumnal Equinox.  Go balance something.

Seriously.  This is one of the two days of the year when there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, everywhere, all over the world.  (The other day, of course, is the vernal equinox, the first day of spring.)

On the first day of autumn, the Sun crosses the celestial equator, heading south.  The Sun rises exactly due east on the horizon, and sets due west.  Go out and look.  Be careful driving, though, because a lot of streets run due east-west, and you could get sun-blinded at sunrise or sunset.  If you’re familiar with the neighborhoods, of course, you already know this.

It also means that in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are getting shorter and the nights longer.  Being a hardcore stargazer, it pleases me to think of the nights getting longer.

This year the Moon is in the tropical sign Leo when the Sun reaches 0 degrees Libra.  In 1999, though, we had the Moon in mid-Pisces when the Sun entered Libra.  Had the Moon been nearer the end of Pisces, or at 0 degrees Aries, we would’ve had a full moon to go with the autumnal equinox.  This was close enough, though, that (in the San Francisco area at least), if you went outside at sunset you’d see the new risen Full Moon.  If you faced north (or south, I don’t care) and reached out your arms, you could “hold” the setting sun in one hand and “hold” the Full Moon in the other.  Now that’s balance!

Checking the ephemeris, it seems we won’t have another autumnal equinox Sun and (almost) Full Moon until September 2018.  For the Sun and Moon to (almost) repeat their positions in 19 years tells me that the Metonic Cycle is involved (something we normally only think about in terms of eclipses).

Enjoy having a little extra balance in the world, if only for a day!

Heads Up!
The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

September 2011
This month begins on a Thursday (Jupiter’s day of the week)
with the Moon in Libra, entering Scorpio by early afternoon.
I take that as a trend for the month, beginning smoothly
with big plans, and ramping up as the days go by. Let’s see
how much we can get done!

Fri Sep 02 the Moon is in Scorpio when the Sun exactly
trines Jupiter. Keep your eye on the big project and don’t
get complacent if it’s going well.

Tue Sep 06 the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn. We see
this at least once a month, but it’s good for getting work
done (especially today, on a Mars day) if we can stay calm
enough to do it.

Wed Sep 07 the Moon is in Capricorn all day. It’s another
month of Wednesdays with the Moon in a cardinal sign. Start
things, but don’t let them languish. The Moon makes an
opposition to Mars in midafternoon, then goes void of
course. If you decide on a major rewrite of something, be
brave but not manic. (continue reading…)

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

August 2011

Happy August.  It’s a hot month, in more ways than one, very Mars and Mercury heavy.  This year is just buzzing by.

Aug 01 is a Monday, the day of the Moon, with the Moon entering Virgo.  The Moon conjuncts an almost stationary Mercury.  Tomorrow Mercury goes retrograde.  Heads Up.  Whatever your personal retrograde preparation ritual may be, remember to calm your mind and look forward to a chance to do some quality retrospection, editing, and revising.  Four hours later the Sun exactly squares Jupiter.  This is a good time to evaluate your use of time and other resources, and to rein in any excesses or lavish indulgences.  You don’t have to go to extremes and give up all good and fun things, though.

Tue Aug 02 the Moon is void of course in Virgo when Mercury goes stationary retrograde.  Mercury will be retrograde for almost the entire month of August.  This is a prolonged Heads Up.  I suggest that we learn to love it and resolve to make good use of it. (continue reading…)

July 2011

by Kathy Watts

We are not lacking for excitement and entertainment this July. If it feels like eclipse season is never going to end, you’re not imagining it. We start off with a New Moon and Solar eclipse on day one, for the second month in a row. This year we get four partial solar eclipses (in January, June, July, and November) and only two lunar eclipses. This is powerful stuff, less in the personal realm, more in the events of the outer world. Stay calm and watch the show from a safe place! (continue reading…)