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It's Mercury Retrograde Time in September and October
by Guest astrologer: Alicia Katz Pollock

This September, the inner planets Venus, Mars and Mercury travel together in Libra, inspiring positive social connection. Jupiter in Capricorn trines with Saturn in Virgo, and is considered a strong, fortuitous foundation.
While Mercury is retrograde from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15, avoid any heavy conversations about your relationship, as communicating accurately and for the highest good will be challenging.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
You're going to find it tough to delegate right now. Are you guiding those around you to a higher goal, or are you trying to force others to adopt to your own views of how to get it done? In other words, it's not them, it's you. The best thing you can do is to give the other person your full commitment and loyalty, and you'll get the results you're after. Reflection and behind-the-scenes activity will help you strike a balance.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Time to chill out. You can quit wondering if people think you're pretty, or if they like you. They don't. Just kidding! In fact, they think you're beautiful inside and out, and they're glad to have you in their lives. It's your own insecurities that are keeping you from really seeing that about yourself. The finger of God is going to point to you in mid-September, and you'll have some indisputable proof. If you can fall in love with yourself, in October when someone heaven-sent turns their attention your way, you'll be able to let your defenses down.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
Gather as much information as you can about an emotional situation and help people talk about what they are feeling. This is a time for you to listen to what everyone else is saying and feeling, and to shift your attention away from yourself. Your opinion doesn't matter right now! You may feel like you're compromising yourself by not speaking, but your contribution will be for the highest good. In fact, as you successfully help those around you share their insights, you'll grow and evolve.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Right now you need to nurture and be nurtured, and to safely and freely express your emotions. If you have scars that have never healed, you've got people around you to support you. However, the key word here is "safely." You are not free to unload your pain on anyone, and especially not to be passive/aggressive. Life isn't fair. This is a time for integrity, honesty and mature judgment. Once you let go of this baggage, your relationships with your loved ones will no longer be a struggle between your head and your heart.

Leo (July 23 - August 22)
In September, your feelings of alienation and isolation will cause you to want to make a commitment, but reflect deeply before you act. Be careful not to over-express your emotions - you may actually cause drama where there needn't be any! Your passion for what's possible can cause you to not see the situation for what it is: a normal natural cycle that ebbs and flows. Use sound ethics and maintain your dignity as you proceed. Ironically, at the end of October you may find yourself in the opposite situation, looking for breathing room.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
In September, Uranus in Pisces will oppose your Sun conjunct Saturn, so a storm is coming. If you haven't yet learned your lessons in living, look out for lightning strikes that will in turn split your life into pieces and force you to grow and change. If you have already been working on getting your life in order, then you're going to see a rainbow now that your storm is ending. An issue to pay special attention to: Do you always have to be right? Equality, compromise and appreciation will go a long way toward deepening your relationships.

Libra (September 23 - October 23)
The first few weeks of September will be the perfect time to gab, scheme and dream with your best buddies. Commiserate, solve each other's problems, bask in the love of your friends. Let those conversations steep like a warm cup of tea in your hand for a few weeks until October's Mercury retrograde is over, though - if you wait patiently until you've become infused with your ponderings before sharing your plan, you'll be able to present a refined, articulate proposal that will inspire those around you.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)
Have you seen the Austin Powers movies? Every time he says, "Do I make you horny, baby?" and grins with those awful teeth, I simultaneously cringe and crack up: how can a man so out of touch be such a powerful object of desire? Your autumn will be kind of like that - you're looking for someone to slather, but you may misread the situation, or your passion will turn off the fireworks instead of igniting them. And getting jealous won't help things, even if the pathos is fun.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)
Pluto has been in Sag since 1995, and it finally will leave you alone this November. But on its way out, it will knock you around just a bit more. Pay close attention to detail and have an open heart during this last opportunity to learn and grow. On September 19 and October 16 you'll actually experience moments of complete inner peace and stability. Savor those epiphanies and carry those experiences with you.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)
Although you're usually most comfortable behind the scenes, the second week in September brings you an unusually auspicious opportunity to bestow your talents to help a cause succeed. Volunteer your time. Offer your advice. Bring stability to a chaotic situation. While you'll have to let yourself be noticed, bask in the appreciation because you will really make a difference during an important time.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19)
Normally you cherish your eccentricity, but this autumn you find yourself affecting aloofness when you'd rather get to know others better. Be yourself - your creative spark is not only inspirational, but will help you break through your habit of feeling alienated. At the end of October, clear the air with your mother - if you're carrying baggage from your childhood that's keeping you from being authentic with people, this is the perfect time to let go and escape your limits. In addition, take on two daily actions, one for your health and one for the environment.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)
Uranus in Pisces continues to be an overwhelming healing influence in your life. The winds of change continue to blow, and you have years to go. Change is what you make it, and every problem is an opportunity. This season these changes will directly influence your relationships, so bring intention and dignity to your own transformation.

Alicia Katz Pollock is the artist and visionary behind Wandering Star Astrology Chart Jewelry, and the media director for the Oregon Astrological Association. Her astrology necklaces and bracelets are wearable, readable, mathematically accurate horoscopes, and are found at www.wstardesigns.com.

by Roxana Muise 

The sixth anniversary of 9/11 is coming up, however there is another date you may find interesting.

September 9, 2007 equates numerologically to 9-9-9. Ninth month, ninth day, 2007=a nine year (2+7=9) the whole thing adds up to 27, which, added together =9. This is the first 9/9/9 day since 1998 (every 9 years).

A calendar date (just like a clock time) is an arbitrary number, supported by mass consciousness. The western calendar is used for business, economics and government, and also by western religions. In the Pythagorean number/numerology system, the number 9 is a number of completion, conversion and transformation. It is a number associated with the finishing up of old patterns and projects, in preparation to a different path.

Because mass consciousness supports this concept, we may all use the principle in our lives. And so, wherever you are, when the clock reads 9:09 AM on 9/9/2007**, the collective consciousness of our world will support you in a ceremony of endings. Plan ahead of time to focus on a project that you need to complete. Set up the chart ahead of time and compare it with your natal chart to see the possibilities for how you can consciously use those energies in your own life.

Each of the Arabic numerals denotes a sequential part of the life process. In numerology, we add numbers of items or issues (i.e. names, places, dates) to describe the part of the process with which we are dealing. However, nine is a number that is invisible - it does not contribute in a visible, corporeal manner. Number 9 is symbolic and intangible. It is a carrier, like a womb - or a catalyst, like an enzyme, or an intermediary, like a relationship. Nine has a symbiotic relationship with 8, which can offer the hope of successful action, or the perfection of the current level of involvement. When we reach nine, the perception is that we are faced with choice. Do we wish to advance to the next level or retreat and repeat the lesson to perhaps do it better? Since we cannot exactly repeat the past, we may become entangled in a repeating loop, where the concept is the same but there are different props and characters in our play.

Eight lays the groundwork for advancement. Look at the degrees of the eighth harmonic of a circle: 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315. Each of these number groupings add up to nine. In harmonic astrology, the eighth is the harmonic of action, a sub harmonic of the fourth - decision points (90 degrees). After we take action, we expect transformation, or a different outcome. If you doubt this, look at the work within Cosmobiology (Reinhold Ebertin), Uranian (Martha Taub), and Harmonic astrology (John Addey). Depth of personal interpretation is found in Vedic (many), Medical (Eileen Nauman), and even Sidereal astrology (witness the works of Garth Allen and Cyril Fagan). These charts are known as ninth derivative, novien, or navamsa (which means number 9 in Sanskrit). It is said that 9 contains the values of all the numerals. Add the number groupings of the ninth harmonic aspects: 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280, 320, and 360. Interesting what is revealed: 280=1, 200=2, 120=3, 40=4, 320=5, 240=6, 160=7, 80=8, and 360=9.

In order for change to take place, an interruption of the old patterns is essential. This can take place by physical means, such as a transiting eclipse or occultation (such as the Moon occulting Saturn on September 9th) which momentarily cuts off the energy path from the eclipsed body. The principle of number is non- physical, and consciousness may be single, unique to an individual; or it may be shared consciousness, beliefs agreed upon unconsciously by many people. Such transformative changes are not always decisions made with awareness. How much better it might be to improve our awareness of shared beliefs.

And if you really wish to follow this thread, examine the mutual aspects between the 9/9/9 chart and your own natal. Then look within and beyond those charts by calculating the ninth harmonic of that local 9/9/9 chart. And while you are printing out all these charts, why not look at your own ninth harmonic chart, and/or the United States chart, etc.

I did, and found some fascinating areas for personal research.

By the way, transformation is one of the primary keywords for Pluto, previously known as our Solar system's ninth planet.

** You might also look at charts for 9:09 PM, and include the dates 9/18/2007 and 9/27/2007. Whatever consciousness supports avails us of tools for self-discovery and understanding.

by Roxana Muise

March was named for Mars, the great Roman warrior god, son of Juno and Jupiter. This was an appropriate association, for in the ancient world of the Mediterranean, the third month was known for its intense and tempestuous weather. The inner theme of March deals with developing wisdom and compassion, and finding one's life path. The search for self is associated with Venus in a series sequence with Mars. It is a solitary process that initially precludes association with others. Venus is esteemed in Pisces, and is connected with our inner values. This searching process is a lonely path, and requires a building of stamina and the development of inner strength. Mars rules the next sign, Aries which begins in mid-month, and is associated with courage and stamina, thus filling those needs in the process. March's gemstones. The Pisces gem of March is Aquamarine (a type of beryl). The word, aquamarine comes from the Latin "aqua" which means water and "mare" which means sea, because it looks like sea water. Aquamarines were once thought to originate in the jewel caskets of the sirens of the sea. They were sacred to the Roman sea god, Neptune. Greek sailors of the 3rd century BC adopted these gems, and used them as amulets dedicated to their equivalent god, Poseidon that would bring them prosperity and safety against all ills associated with sea voyages.

The Aries gem of March is the bloodstone, also known as the heliotrope, which means the "turning of the Sun." This refers to the equinoctial movement of the Sun into the northern hemisphere. In the Christian tradition, concomitant with the season of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the bloodstone, a deep green jasper with crimson spots, reminds the faithful of the blood of the Christ spilled at Golgotha by a Roman soldier's spear. The stone is said to hold a divine power to stop hemorrhaging, and was widely used in folk medicine to stop nosebleeds and cure wasting diseases. The bloodstone was employed in rituals at the time of eclipses to invoke invisibility, and a polished bloodstone was used by Pliny, the Elder as a mirror with which to safely view Solar eclipses. It is said to also have been a part of the Breastplate of St. Patrick, as a part of the ritual that he used to shape-shift himself and his monks into deer when they were pursued and persecuted by King Loegaire's troops. The stone was used as an amulet by the Gnostics to prolong life, and in thumb rings (the Mars digit) by the Egyptians, to sustain courage. March first is St. David's Day, patron of Glastonbury and Wales, an ascetic monk and bishop of the 6th century, also known as "Aquaticus", because he drank only water, and used water as a body purifier. The early March Sun is in Pisces, a water sign associated with spiritual interests.

March 1 is also the World Day of Prayer, which dates back to the 19th century Christian women of the United States and Canada in support of women's involvement in the missions. Over the years this idea has grown and been accepted by many countries and many religions. Bishop Diadochus, spiritual writer of the 5th century was the first Christian to teach that repeated prayer led to inner stillness. The "Jesus Prayer", as some call it was a very short prayer acknowledging God, and offering a petition for mercy. The practice of repeated prayer is used in many religions with the use of prayer beads or prayer ropes, and becomes a powerful ritual. Repeatable verbal patterns are a factor that joins many religions and spiritual practices.

Albert Einstein was also born on March 1, 1879 at 11:30 AM LMT in Ulm, Germany with his Sun in Pisces, his Moon out of bounds to the south in Sagittarius, and his Venus in Aries. Einstein was born with 8 different quintile family aspects (seven of his planets and both Lunar Nodes are involved), including Venus to the North Node, and the Moon to Jupiter. Venus and the Sun at his death on April 18, 1955 had switched signs with those in his natal, with Transit Venus conjoining his Natal Sun. Venus, which is exalted in Pisces shows great affinity with the number 5.

The number three is sacred to March, the third month. The triangle, being the most stable of all figures, is used in many religions to signify strength and to symbolize the unity of the three basic attributes of their beliefs. The triple-goddess in pagan beliefs and mythology is used to signify the three stages in the process of life: fertility, nurturance and wisdom. In Jewish folklore, it symbolizes closing of the circle of wisdom: in one story, the Jewish elder, Mordecai recognized 3 principles of faith from out of the mouths of 3 young boys: "fear not, speak the truth, and God will protect", a possible root connection to the symbolism of the three sacred monkeys: "hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil". Christian symbolism is woven into our culture in many ways. The Lenten cycle has constant reminders of the Holy Trinity, such as cloverleaf rolls, and the lowly `pretzel' (the German word for "little arms"), a tiny three lobed loaf of bread, representing crossed arms. In the 4th century, one was eaten each day of Lent, as a symbol of, and accompanying prayer, fasting, and pious works. In other religions of the past, the Sacred Trinity was composed of Father, Mother, and the Fruit of their Union.

March 8th is International Women's Day, and March is Women's History Month.

March 13 this year is the day of an annular Lunar eclipse at 24:15 Virgo, at 336 PM PST and 6:36 PM EST. Symbolism associated with a Lunar eclipse deals with first finding the ability to gain perspective, and second to use the eclipse's interruption of Solar energy to support us in breaking habits and releasing patterns that no longer serve our paths. The discernment of Moon in Virgo, symbol of a pure state of evolving feminine energy shows us how to channel the reflected spiritual energy of the Pisces Sun. One of the key uses of the full Moon is to make informed choices, holding at arms length the pressures that kept us bound in the close relationships at the new Moon.

Jewish festival of Purim begins the evening of March 13 the eve of the 14th day of Adar in their Lunar calendar. It is a joyous time, celebrating Queen Esther's victorious intercession in an ancient plot to kill Persian Jews. The theme of Purim is a clever use of the law, aimed at the goal of the triumph of good over evil. March 17. St Patrick's death is commemorated on March 17. St. Patrick, who converted to Christianity in fifth century Ireland, used the locally abundant shamrocks to teach the lessons of the Trinity. He made use of an ancient Gaelic invocation called the Lorica, or the Breastplate. The Lorica has been used by many over the centuries as a magical invocation of Divine energy, and reflects the presumption of astrology being accepted and used throughout early centuries. The Lorica is filled with astrological symbolism: St. Patrick's Lorica
"I arise to-day - Through the strength of heaven;
Light of Sun, - Radiance of Moon,
Splendour of fire, - Speed of Lightning,
Swiftness of wind, - Depth of sea,
Stability of earth, - Firmness of rock.
I arise today - In acceptance of the Three,
Supported by the One."

John Chapman, who was born on September 26, 1774 near Leominister, MA (with his Moon approaching a quintile to his Venus) is associated with the pentangle. He was affectionately known as Johnny Appleseed, and his life's work was to journey through the wilderness between the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, south of the Great Lakes, planting apple seeds. He died March 18, 1845 near Fort Wayne, IN (with the transiting Moon and Venus in an approaching biquintile, and the transiting Venus exactly on his natal South Node) after planting millions of apple seeds. Both charts contain many quintile family aspects. March contains the beginning of spring, and is known as the month of hope. When an apple is cut open horizontally, the apple seeds form a five-pointed star. Five is the number of hope, and is evident in many forms to remind us to be filled with hope, such as the five fingers of the hand, the 23rd psalm (2+3=5), the Salep Root, an herb, the root of which grows in the form of a hand, the magical pentagram, and the perfect harmony and proportion of Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man.

The Vernal Equinox is on March 20 this year. Equinox means "equal night", and is the moment when the Sun crosses the equator in the juncture between the dark and light halves of the year, when the days and nights are equal. It is the midpoint between the Solstices (the turning points of the Sun's yearly motion). The Sun leaves the dark water sign (Pisces), and enters the bright fire sign (Aries). It is a day of honor for Iduna, or Idunn (A Scandinavian goddess), the equivalent of the Greek Hebe. This goddess is the spring symbol of the triple goddess, and was charged with supplying youth and strength to the rest of the gods and goddesses by providing them with the ambrosia and nectar of immortality. She is the maiden form of Hera, whose name means "Our Lady", who was the primary goddess before the advent of patriarchal gods. This is also the day that Sri Ushas, (Hindu goddess of the Dawn) is honored. Aries, associated with Mars is linked with the metal, iron. "He who knows what iron is, knows the attributes of Mars. He who knows Mars, knows the qualities of iron." ∑ Paracelsus. Nick Kollerstrom in his book, "The Metal-Planet Relationship" reminds us that iron is what gives Mars its red color, and also supplies that color to the blood cells that transport oxygen to our organs. It gives us courage and strength and the tools of civilization: combustion and weapons and the tools that made possible the industrial revolution, and contributed to the extension of the human life span.

Palm Sunday is March 19 this year. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Current ceremonies include the blessing of the palms, the ashes of which are used on next year's Good Friday to symbolize the passion and sacrifice of the Crucifixion. This also brings to mind the story of the Phoenix rising and being recreated from its own ashes. The palm tree stands for hope in the future (The date palm was the tree of life in the Babylonian Garden of Eden story). The Hebrew word for the palm tree is Tamar, their name for the goddess, Ashtaroth. Lent has its parallel in the 40 days of abstinence, thanksgiving, and petition for healing and mercy that precedes the pagan festival of Astarte (aka Ashtoreth, Ishtar, Innana, Venus), a dual goddess. Astarte/Innana was a healer, famous for saving and regenerating a palm tree torn from the Garden of Eden by a great flood. Statues of Venus are often shown holding dates. Venus Hesperus (Venus of the vespers), the goddess of the evening star of love, desire, and fecundity was different from the fire-goddess of the morning star of war and battle (Herald of the sunrise) The Venus position attending Easter 2006 rising before the Sun is Venus Lucifer, engaged in the process of building new values and instilling them where they can be most visible and most effective. Venus' stations form 5-pointed stars in the heavens in her 8-year cycle (5+3=8). The quintile family (the zodiac divided by 5) is associated with genius and facility.

The number 5 is special also to March 23 (2+3=5), Buddhist Magha Puja Day, when Buddhists gather together to affirm their 5 Precepts: Respect for Life; Respect for personal property; Respect for personal relationships; Respect for truth; and Respect for mental and physical well-being - cornerstone of Buddhism.

In the Christian religion, The Annunciation, March 25th celebrates the unconcealing of the mission of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the angel Gabriel announced that she would give birth to the Savior. In the British Church, it is called Lady Day, and commemorates the philanthropic works of twelfth century Lady Mabella Tichborne, who overcame great physical odds just before her death, to make sure that the poor were annually provided for. Known as the "Tichborne Dole," her wishes are carried out to this day. In some of the nature religions, Invocations are made on March 25th to many of the major goddesses: e.g., Isis, Venus, Tara, and Persephone, to bring enlightenment to women in support of their paths and purpose' in life.

March 28 is the date of the Buddhist celebrations of Quan Yin, goddess of mercy, wisdom, healing and compassion. She was a holy woman, an ascended master who gave up her earned Buddhic state to help bring enlightenment to all of humanity. March 29 this year marks a total Solar eclipse at 8:35 Aries, at 2:16 AM PST and 5:16 AM EST. Eclipses unite/align the longitudinal cycles with the declinational cycles. The Sun and Moon at Solar eclipses match the same degrees longitudinally, and are parallel in declination. Lunar eclipses align opposing degrees of longitude and are contra-parallel in declination. This unity in the sign of new beginnings gives us a vision of hope. The symbolism of the 9th degree of Aries states:
"A Crystal Gazer: keynote the development of an inner realization of organic wholeness. The crystal sphere symbolizes wholeness. Within this sphere images take form. These images may reveal future events, but more significantly they picture "the situation as a whole" ˆ the situation which the clairvoyant is meant to interpret. The nascent mental faculties operating through still- dominant emotions (or collective incentives) act as a centralizing and whole-making power. What the intelligence perceives in its concentration is the function of every inner impulse and outer event in the open field of a "personality" still unclouded by egoism. At the fourth stage of the 5-fold sequence the new technique required for the development of individualized consciousness is revealed: concentrated attention."

An Astrological Mandala, by Dane Rudhyar, Vintage Books, NY, 1974, page 56

Rudhyar, was born Daniel Chenneviere, March 23, 1895, Paris, France, 12:32:40 AM UT, rectified to 12:42 AM. His Sun and Venus were both in Aries, ruled by his Mars, which joined Jupiter on either side of the Sun's north declinational boundary, symbolizing his multi-talented accomplishments in astrology and the arts (music and painting). His Aquarian Moon gave him insights into the future, and his Mercury was in mutual reception with either Jupiter or Neptune (his Mercurial mind synchronized with both planets dealing with philosophy in both rulership systems). He would have been 111 years young this month.