April - May 2005

Living by Starlight
AN ASTROLOGICAL NEWSLETTER
April - May 2005

AUTHOR'S NOTES:
This month begins with Mercury still in retrograde until April 12th. This retrograde has been a real doozy with lots of anecdotal tales involving travel and communications. Shortly after this aspect began, the Daily News misprinted the winning numbers in its contest and thousands of New Yorkers thought they had it made - winning from $10,000 - $100,000. In truth it was just a retrograde urban legend and there was no money waiting for them when they stormed the newspaper's office.
The price of oil is, as I have said time and time again, going to at least $100 a barrel. I began predicting the run up of this commodity on TV, in lectures and in this newsletter two years ago when it was trading in the mid thirties. The coming inflation is about a year later than I expected. I believe its delay is due to the constant manipulation of the interest rates and price of the dollar; as well as the huge amount of money sitting in our economy as a result of low inflation. Of course, once inflation begins to impact us that money will be worth much less than it is today. The astrological reason for this is simple: Pluto (ruler of dead things and anything hidden underground), rules oil (buried, dead dinosaurs). With Pluto transiting Sagittarius (ruler of all things expansive) the price of oil was bound to inflate, and will continue to do so. Once Pluto leaves this sign there may be an invention, discovery or other event that deflates the price of oil once again.

Pluto is also in opposition to America's Mars, which rules our 4th house of home. This aspect is doing two things. First, it is responsible for the violent feelings being projected towards our nation in the form of terrorist threats, etc. Second, it represents an increase in the internal struggle between the classes. With Pluto involved it was bound to be both underhanded and intense. Our corporate controlled government is about to pass two new laws: one will prevent many write-offs in a bankruptcy, especially to credit cards companies, and the other will limit the amount of money one can sue for malpractice and mental or physical distress. This is one more nail in the coffin of a balanced and fair nation. This Republican congress leans so far towards big business it essentially has become a tool of corporate America. Debtors will find themselves indentured servants for the rest of their lives. Those unfortunate enough to be a victim of accident, malpractice or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time will be without recourse to live a normal life. There will not be money to care for those victims and, once they use up the $250,000 cap set by congress, they will become wards of the state, essentially giving away all human rights including medical decisions. This has become the most frightening of scenarios; one unthinkable only a few years ago. The problems with the medical profession have grown so enormous and unsustainable that the entire industry is on the verge of collapse. The HMOs are corrupt and ill-conceived. Doctors can barely make a living after spending years and a fortune earning their degrees. Those patients without health insurance are at the mercy of the system, forced to pay thousands of dollars for the most mundane of mishaps. The drug companies pay so much money through lobbyists (another word for payola) that medicines are being put on the market without proper testing. God help you if you are a victim of the system once these new laws are passed. The argument is that limiting law suits will prevent a massive financial crisis for the industry; an industry that pays tens of millions of dollars to Senators, CEOs and stock holders, but doesn't feel obligated to be responsible for the consumer.

NEW MOON:
On Friday April 8th at 4:32 P.M. EST the New Moon falls at 19 degrees Aries 06 minutes. This is the first New Moon of the astrological New Year. Where last month's New Moon was most concerned with endings, this one is most concerned with beginnings. This is a wonderful opportunity to start a new project or approach an existing one with a fresh perspective. Don't be afraid to try something a little avant-garde. Although not as radical or outspoken as Aquarius Aries has the curiosity and impatience of a 12 year old and needs constant new input. Anything that has outlived its usefulness will show that fact quite clearly as we approach this month's Scorpio Full Moon on the 24th.

SUN SQUARES SATURN:
On Sunday April 10th at 8:36 A.M. EST this repressive and demanding aspect will complete. People will be a bit on edge, especially in the morning. It is followed by several negative aspects to the Moon during the day, so I wouldn't plan any major parties or important presentations. The relationship with the public will not be a smooth one, no matter who you are. Wait until Mercury goes direct on the 12th to communicate important matters. It is too close to the stationary motion of that planet to trust someone's comprehension.

VENUS TRINES PLUTO:
On Monday April 11th at 5:04 A.M. EST this productive aspect will complete. When Venus and Pluto are in positive connection to each other, issues of values and relationships become clearer, at least for a day or so. It is easier to see the deeper meaning behind ones motivation. Choices in love and money matters made now will be more realistic. This is a good aspect under which to make any financial plans for the future. Any relationship begun now will have a strong potential for longevity.

MERCURY GOES DIRECT:
Finally, on Tuesday April 12th at 3:46 A.M. EST the mischievous winged god begins its forward motion. After three weeks of the retrograde, everyone is frustrated and weary of delays and complications. Be careful for the first few days of this turn around. The world will seemingly begin to move quickly as we all attempt to play catch-up. It is on the reversals of direction that most accidents and miscommunications occur. Drive defensively and pay attention to details. Secrets are often exposed once this planet changes direction. Any documents drawn up during the retrograde will show their faults under direct scrutiny.

MARS CONJUNCTS NEPTUNE:
On Wednesday April 13th at 9:13 A.M. EST the planet of ego meets the grand illusionist. This is a difficult aspect as it tends to water down and confuse the Martian energy. This could be a day of lethargy, especially if it sets off a sensitive part of your chart. This is not a good day for direct confrontation or important decisions. The usual oomph isn't present and confusion, as well as a desire to avoid responsibility is rather strong. Wait a day or so before committing to a course of action. Try to avoid over indulgences, especially of alcohol or drugs. The body will not respond well to medications of any sort.

VENUS ENTERS TAURUS:
On Friday April 15th at 4:37 P.M. EST this planet enters the sign of its rulership. For the next few weeks we can expect a more sober and straight forward approach to love. Taurus is one of the most loyal and devoted of signs and with Venus traveling there, the desire for dependability takes precedent. Any coupling begun now will have a strong foundation and the potential for a faithful and supportive bond. Financial matters will also be handled with more care, as Venus also rules possessions and our attitude towards them. This would be a good time to invest in secure, long-term deals; not speculative ones.

THE SUN ENTERS TAURUS:
On Tuesday April 19th at 7:37 P.M. EST we enter the "fixed" part of spring. Taurus is an earth sign and the desire to build a foundation is in the undercurrent. Projects with an eye towards the future are most productive now. Taurus can be a bit lazy, and a spring-like lethargy often accompanies our journey through this sign. Stubbornness is also a trait associated with Taurus, but with vigilance you can avoid acting that way.

FULL MOON:
On Sunday April 24th at 6:06 A.M. EST the Moon is full at 4 degrees Scorpio 20 minutes. Give this Full Moon the respect it deserves. Try to avoid confrontations or dangerous situations. Scorpio likes to get to the bottom of things, and under this aspect many of us may do just that. Anything that has been felt but not shown may very well expose itself. Issues of partnership or joint ownership of something may come to a head.

MERCURY OPPOSES JUPITER:
On Thursday April 28th at 12:37 A.M. EST this wonderfully optimistic aspect occurs. For a day or so leading up to this, people should be more pleasant and outgoing than usual. This would be a good time to discuss anything that may be a little dicey. This aspect can smooth over a lot of rough spots. Social gatherings should be quite successful. If you are a writer this could be a very productive aspect for you, especially if it sets off a sensitive point in your 3rd house. If you are a performer you may want to take advantage of this energy to showcase your work; the public will be very receptive.

VENUS SQUARES NEPTUNE:
On Friday April 29th at 8:35 P.M. EST this most complicated aspect occurs. For a few days you can expect much confusion, especially where love is concerned. People simply do not know what they want, and will act accordingly. Watch your money; it tends to disappear when these two get together. Overindulgences in food, drink or drugs is common as well.

SUN SEXTILES URANUS:
On Saturday April 30th at 12:36 A.M. EST these two planets form a positive aspect. Strange events and ideas will flow. You should seek different solutions to your troubles while this is in orb. Sometimes we need a fresh outlook on things, and this will be a short period during which we can see a different view. Look for extraordinary or unusual activities in which to participate. The everyday will seem mundane and boring.

MARS ENTERS PISCES:
Also on Saturday April 30th at 10:58 P.M. EST the planet of ego enters the watery sign of the fish. There is a popular misconception that placing Mars in this sign will weaken it. It doesn't. It simply directs that Martian aggressive energy into different directions. Most famous sea battles have occurred while Mars, god of war, was in the water signs of Pisces and Cancer. On the personal level it makes people a bit more compassionate and perhaps visibly emotional. But there is still the ego behind every act of faith and charity. People born with this placement are often on a spiritual path of self-discovery. For a few weeks let's hope the whole world is.

VENUS SEXTILES SATURN:
On Tuesday May 3rd at 12:12 P.M. EST common sense takes over. But don't worry, it's a short lived aspect and shouldn't bother our self delusions too much. For a day or so there will be a more conservative approach to love and money. Any relationship begun with this aspect in the chart has a good chance of longevity, although it may lack some of the exuberance of other Venus aspects. We will all tend to be a bit more frugal and resourceful.

MERCURY SEXTILES NEPTUNE:
Also on Tuesday May 3rd at 1:56 P.M. EST another positive aspect is presented. This can be a very creative time, especially for writers and artists of all sorts. But everybody will feel the surge of intuition and creativity this brings with it. With these two aspects hitting so close together, today offers a wonderful opportunity to get things done in a constructive and useful fashion. But you must do something now or this will pass with little fanfare. The sextiles are passive energy that allows us the use of the combined force but doesn't push it upon us like the conjunction, opposition of square.

MERCURY SQUARES SATURN:
On Saturday May 7th at 1:54 A.M. EST this more difficult Mercury coupling occurs. For a day or so you can expect people to be short tempered and tense. You can also anticipate a difficult time communicating, and if you must confront someone try to postpone it until this passes. Although our thoughts will be more structured and focused than usual, people will have less enthusiasm and drive. This is a low energy day, best used for difficult mental tasks or things that require concentration.

SUN SQUARES NEPTUNE:
Also on Saturday May 7th at 9:28 P.M. EST this most confusing and, at times, debilitating aspect completes. Arriving at the Dark of the Moon as it does, this should be quite a low energy day or so. Don't push the envelope. If at all possible you should wait until the New Moon to attempt to accomplish anything that requires any force. People will not have their usual power and things could be quite confusing.

DARK OF THE MOON:
From Friday May 6th until the New Moon Sunday May 8th at 4:45 A.M. EST will be a particularly low energy period. Spend this time finishing up anything that is incomplete, don't try to initiate new projects on a waning moon, it just won't work out. Once the New Moon hits you begin new projects or attempt a new approach to an existing problem.

People often misunderstand this time of the month. If you have been living in a situation or involved in a relationship that is intolerable or has outlived its usefulness this would be the proper time to move on with your life. If you have been working on a project that is almost complete but you seem to lack the energy for the finality, you must push during these low energy days to end the matter once and for all. If you don't, when the New Moon arrives it will bring this "dead" energy along with it and conflict with the newer force being presented. Often people, ideas or situations remain long after they have outlived their usefulness in our lives. Each month we are offered a chance to clean house, so to speak. Take advantage of it by finalizing anything in your life that needs completion.

Below is a list of times this month when the Moon is Void of Course and neither important decisions nor purchases should be made during these periods. The Void of Course Moon is a time when we should try to center ourselves and deal with spiritual matters not materialistic ones. Any decisions made on the VC Moon will not turn out the way we had expected.

The Moon is Void of Course from the time it makes its last major aspect in a sign until it enters the next sign. For example, if the Moon squares Mars at 27 degrees Aries and then has no more aspects until it enters Taurus it will be Void of Course for three degrees or about 6 hours. The aspects used are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition.

All times are Eastern Daylight:

April 9th 1:59 A.M. -11:50 A.M.
April 11th 1:37 A.M. - 6:54 P.M.
April 14th 1:01 A.M. - 5:03 A.M.
April 16th 10:37 A.M. - 5:17 P.M.
April 19th 4:13 A.M. - 5:27 A.M.
April 21st 4:45 A.M. - 3:27 P.M.
April 23rd 12:46 P.M. - 10:25 P.M.
April 25th 8:24 P.M. - April 26th 2:46 A.M.
April 28th 2:02 A.M. - 5:33 A.M.
April 29th 6:00 P.M. - April 30th 7:54 A.M.
May 2nd 12:47 A.M. - 10:43 A.M.
May 4th 4:21 A.M. - 2:36 P.M.
May 6th 9:22 A.M. - 8:01 P.M.