June 17/18: The Sun and nebula M78 reveal through reflection, while Pallas, Pluto and star cluster M21 boost new projects...

Junio17/18: The Sun is conjunct reflection nebula M78, which means that, in the next 48 hours, introspective, intuitive, and psychoanalytic qualities are enhanced. M78 is in the constellation of Orion, and reflects the bluish light of 2 B-type stars that lie within it. These stars have a symbolic association with the intellect and the higher mind. It is therefore an excellent time to explore within ourselves, uniting reason and intuition to investigate, to inquire and to get answers. The general atmosphere is suited for psychoanalysis, to consult oracles, to have and analyze dreams that are as revealing as intriguing. It's a great day to meditate and listen to what the body and the unconscious may be telling us. The downside of this is that it produces so much passivity due to excessive mental reflection... Those who connect with this trend probably will lack decision, dynamism and activity. You may have to wait for another time to act, but also check the other current trends, as they can be highly dynamic...

     Pallas is at 150° from Pluto and in opposition to star cluster M92. This represents strategies made to transform areas resistant to change. Palas represents strategies while Pluto's specialty is deep changes.  M92 is a cluster with very few variable stars, symbolizing stability. M92 has also a very low metallicity, implying relatively little conversion of its chemical elements into more sophisticated ones. Thus, cluster M92 is conservative, resistant to change, and this obviously has to be updated occasionally, as the universal law is perpetual change. Apparently this is one of those times when we have to change behaviors or situations that have resisted modifications in a while. But this cannot be done overnight, and that is exactly the role of Pallas in this astrological mix: we must design strategies to implement changes. It's time to design the best way to renew areas and ideas that hurt our development, even if at other times they have fostered it. This trend lasts all week, so there are several days to plan.

      On the other hand, Mars is sextile Uranus and contra paralel to star cluster M21. This mix is also quite energetic and can be complementary to the first (Sun/M78). M21 is a very young cluster, just 4 million years old, which in cosmic terms, is a baby. Its B-type stars represent bright but incipient ideas. Mars is in contra parallel to M21, compensating for this lack of experience with lots of energy and dynamism. In other words, it is a good time to energize emerging projects and make them advance. An additional incentive for experimentation can be indicated by the sextile to Uranus. It's good to try different possibilities and find new options for what we have in mind. The trend lasts about 5 days, so we have several days to jumpstart ideas that are worthwhile, if we want to boost them strongly. Beware of impulsivity, though!

     We also have another interesting mix to start the week: Mercury is at 135° from Neptune, in parallel to the Crab Nebula (M1) and in opposition to the Ring Nebula (M57). This complex mix of nebulae and planets can lead to strong insights whose goal would be to acquire a more objective view of reality, dissipating confusion or evasion. Things go like this: the Ring Nebula is a dying star that we see from one of its poles. This means an extremist view, which is balanced by Mercury, a "double planet", as it has a very hot side and the other is very cold. Mercury sees things from two angles or two ends, which represents a rational pursuit of objectivity. This fits well with balanced, objective ideas or attitudes rather than the extremist ones so well symbolized by M57.

     But this objectivity should serve to acquire a more realistic view, breaking confusion or idealized images of people and situations. What we've been avoiding for fear, uncertainty or dismissal is shown just like it is right before our eyes. There won't be a better option than consciously opening our minds to reality, there is no more escape. Mercury is also in parallel to the Crab Nebula (M1), a supernova explosion in the constellation Taurus, and this may provoke shocking realizations which will make radical changes in the way we see things. In some cases, the shock may cause a momentary crisis. But do not use that energy to complain or lament... After acknowledging facts in their right dimension, it is best to use the awareness as an incentive to acquire objectivity and clarify confusing situations and ideas with  defined and balanced actions.

     So we expect a week with introspection and objectivity, experimentation and fundamental changes ... Good luck!

Carlos Duarte

Research Astrologer

July 10th: Jupiter, Ceres and star cluster M80 balance confrontational and controlling relationships with acceptance and protection. Uranus and Chiron emphasize freedom, while the Sun in parallel to the Crab Nebula indicates drastic changes and powerful insights

     July 10th: Jupiter is conjunct Ceres and in opposition to star cluster M80. This astrological combination represents an opportunity to balance a stressful, controlling, confrontational environment with loving protection and special attention to deficiencies or needs that have been overlooked. M80 is a very compact star cluster, within which the stars are subjected to a very strong gravitational pressure. This symbolizes a strong control coming either from the partner, friends, family, labor relations, society or institutions.

       This control often ignores the real needs of individuals, and the opposition of Jupiter and Ceres represents precisely the attention to aspects of our lives that are normally relegated to the background. M80 means also confrontational relationships, stress, war-like attitudes, and that is because the gravitational pull is so strong that many stars have collided with each other. Today is therefore a good moment to get out of the conventional control and show affection, solidarity, unconditional acceptance, generously sharing our resources to soften the effects of over-controlling behaviors. Be yourself and let others be themselves!

     Internationally, it is obvious that this represents a social need to escape the control of dominant governments and put the emphasis on the real needs of people, especially the marginalized sectors of society. This can also symbolize an economy that is free from restrictions, as well as investment incentives. Whether at a macro level or in our individual finances, the Jupiter/Ceres conjunction reveals an abundance that comes to compensate controlled budgets, so today it is possible to make significant investments without worrying about things going out of balance.

     The emphasis on freedom is further emphasized with another trend: Uranus and Chiron in contra parallel. This is a strong mix that greatly strengthens the need for independence and to go our own way, without guidance or guidelines established. No one learns with somebody else's head, and this applies  very well to this trend, which is ideal to explore, experiment and seek new experiences in which we do write the script. The least we can do, is to change our routine! And being more spontaneous, too.

     But the icing on the cake is the Sun in parallel to the Crab Nebula and at 135° from the North Lunar Node. The Crab Nebula (or M1) is a supernova or star explosion (actually, the highly energetic remains) in the constellation Taurus. This obviously indicates a tendency to drastic shifts, explosive situations and profound insights that may result in irreversible changes. At an international level, for example, this represents moments of violence, because Mars is also involved in an aspect of 60° with the North Lunar Node... Therefore, it is best to think things twice before acting on impulse, because once things said or done, there's no turning back. And while this energy will help to perform difficult or seemengly impossible tasks, it is best not to move anything if you do not want to spend excessive time fixing unexpected problems. In most cases it is best to hold back and channel this change internally, seeing things in depth, well beyond the surface. The resulting insights may point out clearly the direction to follow in the near future ... or even in the long term.

June 14th: The Sun and the Crab Nebula help to manifest independence and personal projects, but they can also disrupt relationships

June 14th: The Sun conjunct the Crab Nebula and at 150° from Juno. Every year in June, the Sun makes its ecliptic transit conjunct the Crab Nebula (M1), another of the powerful supernovae that have been so trendy lately ... This represents a very large amount of energy available, but it needs to be properly directed. Where?

     The Sun squares today the midpoint Uranus/Chiron, indicating that the free, creative, independent, side of Chiron, will be emphasized. Quite unlike its saturnine side, dealing with a father hat rejects him, and represented by a restrictive society in which he does not feel integrated. It is therefore a great day to follow ou own individual path putting the emphasis on areas of our life that we usually keep in the background. Chiron represents the desire to learn, and this, coupled with the large amount of energy that  the Crab Nebula symbolizes, indicates open learning opportunities, whether in school, at home, with a book, meditating, on the computer or the great academy that is everyday life.    

     In some cases, this tendency can manifest as a strong rejection, because the expressions of independence can be disturbing to people nearby, as indicated by the asteroid Juno at 150° degrees from the Sun. Juno, the asteroid of relationships and marriage, being in the zodiacal sign of Scorpio, has a somewhat controlling tendency, yet there exists the emotional need to trust the people she cares of. Chiron/Uranus, manifested explosively with fuel from both the Sun and the Crab Nebula, is not exactly what Juno would consider pleasant company. So this symbolizes surprises and disagreements with the people around in general. Some because they are expressing their individuality, and others, they seek a supportive and empathetic response.  

     Arguments can be avoided with a little bit of flexibility and conscience. Knowing that such an astrological trend is in effect, we can just let everyone live their individuality, but also take care not to harm or disturb others too. A good challenge ... By the way, the midpoint Uranus/Chiron is now located in ecliptic conjunction with the Cartwheel Galaxy, one of the most visually striking examples of galaxy collision in the present Universe. Another good reason to measure the impact we can have on others, and also the one that others may have on us, too ... We must protect ourselves.

Good luck with your impacts! We'll analyze the resulting craters here at another time! ;)

March 28th: Venus and the Crab Nebula indicate drastic changes; the Sun and the Antennae Galaxy indicate the need to measure the impact of our relationships

March 28th: Venus in parallel to the Crab Nebula (M1) and at 135° from Pluto. This combination may coincide with drastic changes in relationships and explosive situations, attempts to manipulate and disagreements. This will certainly cause major shifts, but not all of them are bad. If you are consious of this trend, it is possible to direct  this energy constructively changing your position on circumstances. If things do not change, then you can change your attitude and particularly your expectations. It will be liberating. It can be a good day for shopping and major investment, but only if carefully planned, because otherwise, it is possibe to waste resources and have capital leaks, which should be avoided. The Sun is in opposition to the Antennae Galaxy, actually a pair of galaxies that have been deformed by their mutual contact. The same can happen today, so it is advisable to select properly the people with whom we interact. Seek only the company of compatible people, otherwise there may be undesirable influences.