July 9/10: The New Moon and the Cat's Eye Nebula focus on complex and refined situations, while star cluster M50, the Sun and Mercury confront ideas into practice. Venus, the Saturn Nebula and the Swan Nebula balance difficulties with warmth and vitality

July 9/10: This month's New Moon is conjunct the Cat's Eye Nebula. A New Moon marks the beginning of the monthly cycle, which basically concerns our daily lives and our emotions. At the start of any cycle is the seed that will develop later, so it is always interesting to check the prevailing conditions of that particular beginning. On this occasion, the Sun and the Moon meet in ecliptic conjunction the Cat's Eye Nebula, located in the constellation Draco. This nebula is actually a dying star, whose intricate structure and complex morphology suggests complicated situations that are difficult to understand and unravel. On the other hand, from a more positive approach, the Cat's Eye represents sophistication and refinement, that can be contemplated in all its grandeur in the fantastic images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

     Thus, we can expect the next month to unfold in a very complicated way if things are not kept simple and direct. We have to make a conscious effort to avoid tangling over what it is already complicated... However, to focus on simplicity can make us lose the real prospect of how things actually are. In any case, it is a month to find new approaches to complex situations. Understanding well their inner mechanisms can lead to solutions that fit them perfectly, like a key in a lock, which is hard to open if its complexity is not really grasped. In addition, this Sun/Moon cycle, which runs until August 6, can be helpful to manage and develop a refined, sophisticated, unique creativity, manifesting beauty and harmony in an original way. This is excellent for all types of artwork, personal or professional.


    The Sun conjunct Mercury retrograde and star cluster M50 shows the need to give practical application to our ideas, whether they consist of everyday issues or a refined philosophy. Mercury retrograde symbolizes the review or reconsideration of our ideas, while its conjunction with the Sun indicates the enormous force that our thinking will bear: handle it carefully. Star cluster M50 is composed mainly of B-type stars, of high temperature that strongly stimulates the mental plane. However, M50 has a lonely giant M type star, of low temperature, highly visible by the contrast of its red color with the blue of type B stars. M-type stars symbolize the material world, and thus, M50 represents the need to give practical application to ideals and convictions. If these do not work in practice, they must be corrected. In order to do this, of course, we must recognize our mistakes putting our ego aside. Holding rigidly to concepts without flexibility can be counterproductive today, or even humiliating.

     But this practical reconsideration of our own ideas can be very valuable, since it will actually show us  if our thinking is rooted on external reality or if it's just an abstract theory. It's a hard lesson to assimilate, but quite interesting for those in search of the truth... As the Sun is 150° from Juno, the asteroid of relationships and partners, this test may come from people nearby: spouse, friends, family or colleagues, which can be irritating in some cases. But it's better this way, as everything stays in a private context, avoiding public confrontations...

    Venus is square (at 90°) to the Lunar Nodes, and in opposition to the Saturn Nebula. This frequency affects mainly social relations, which must be approached with a relaxed attitude, avoiding ideological confrontations. The Saturn Nebula is another planetary nebula or dying star, located in the constellation Aquarius. It emits most of its energy in the ultraviolet frequency, and its temperature is very high (90,000 ° K!). This represents a very strong ideological bias, which must be balanced by the more mundane, realistic and enjoyable approach of Venus in the zodiac sign of Leo, which is in opposition. Both celestial bodies are at 90° to the Lunar Nodes, which represent the evolutionary scheme of our relations. Therefore, it is important not to take things too seriously and try to flow with a relaxed social and emotional approach.

         If some of you think that this approach is frivolous, keep in mind it may actually lighten some heavy circumstances, always present in this world at some point. On the one hand we have difficult, drastic situations, (the dying Saturn Nebula), and on the other hand we have harmony, warmth, vitality, love (Venus in Leo). It's a great time to give strength, vitality and harmony to those most needing it. Be generous with your resources and share them! The Lunar North Node in parallel to the Swan Nebula (M17), on the other hand, reveals that this process can be wonderful for artistic creation, as it is an extremely beautiful nebula. Within M17, a star cluster lies hidden, illuminating the nebula as if it were a lamp, making it glow with an unusual beauty. Thus, art and beauty can actually brighten dark corners of human existence, whether from a rehearsal room, from a workshop, from a public or private stage, or simply from the warmth of a hand that extends to share generously. Check this by yourself!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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September 6/7: Stellar cluster M69 and Pluto substantially change our priorities, while Jupiter and the Witch Head Nebula bring revelations, as revitalizing as uncomfortable. Mercury, Saturn and the Pencil Nebula put structure and pressure on the mind, while the Lunar Nodes aligned with the Hercules Cluster and the Pleiades revive the confrontation between the people and their governments around the world

September 6/7: Pluto is conjunct star cluster M69, at 60° from Chiron. This trend is active during the months of September and October 2012, and refers to regular changes in priorities or the personal value system. The issues that had not mattered much before, now come to the foreground, and vice versa. Some relationships, situations, projects or objects from the past may be restored and, while others have completed their function by now and do not have the value they had before. This process is slow and may involve significant changes, so you have to take it seriously and with calmness, as it is a prolonged transit, that requires time to develop. Cluster M69 represents an increased value of things because of its high metallicity. This process, in contact with Chiron, also involves investing energy in relationships, potentials, talents or interests to which we have devoted little or no time (because of our work, routine, circumstances, etc), but they are a substantial part of our lives. Do not let them remain in a latent state! It is time to bring them out for the benefit of all.

     Jupiter conjunct the Witch Head Nebula, at 45° from Venus and at 144° from Mars and giant stellar cluster Omega Centauri. The Witch Head Nebula is characterized by its introspective and revealing tendency. The transits of the planets and asteroids by its ecliptic longitude indicate interesting insights and psychoanalytic processes, within or without therapy. The transit of Jupiter through this nebula illuminates the background atmosphere of this week with important realizations and discoveries that come from research, whether personal or academic. Anyway, what we find in this process of introspection will be valuable to our progress or that of humanity. However, the biquintile (144°) to Mars and Omega Centauri indicates that such realizations may go against what the established social standard says. This suggests more adjustments, like those of the previous trend (Plutón/M69) but with a shorter duration. Internationally,  it indicates unpopular policies whose hidden motivations are brought to light, causing discomfort, controversy, and, of course, more changes.

     Mercury conjunct the Pencil Nebula and at 45° from Saturn is a trend that brings structure and order to the mind as well as to our practical work in everyday life. The Pencil Nebula is a cloud that is being compressed by a supernova wind, representing a strong external pressure. It's good to comply with the responsibilities and duties, but the trend, which is semisquare (45°) Saturn, can exaggerate the demands and discipline. This can lead to stress and depression, or to a negative interpretation of things, indicating also news and information blockages or negative interpretations in the social and political arena. Ideally, it is best to use this tendency to give a substantial structure to our activities, but without causing frustration or unnecessary stress. Control your mind and your words! (but not too much).

    The axis of the Lunar Nodes is aligned with the Hercules Cluster (M13) and the Pleiades cluster (M45). This revives the trend indicated by the Annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012, enhancing the opposition between the masses and the governments. The Pleiades are relatively young stars rotating at high speed, and thus represent new trends in the world that push for changes in society. Moreover, the Hercules Cluster represents the power of money, as it is the most abundant in stars of the northern hemisphere. If you want to know more about this eclipse and this opposition, which is still in effect (eclipses have an influence of approximately six months), chek the following article from the Galactic Guide:


http://galacticguidexxi.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-20th-annular-solar-eclipse-conjunct.html

       This trend will last approximately until September 14th, and although globally it emphasizes a clash between the people and the power of corporations and governments, it can be used at a personal level to pick up fresh ideas that we've had in the past and can be applied in the present. Financially, it's a good time to save and make investments or major purchases, gather resources, make collects, charities, or to do really good business with your work team.


     Carlos Duarte

     Astrologer Researcher

August 4/5: Venus, Pluto and Juno join the planetary nebula Hubble 5, transforming relationship formulas, Neptune and the Helix Nebula combine with the Lunar Nodes to have a revitalizing contact with the Universe

August 4/5: Venus is in contra parallel to Pluto, and in opposition to the planetary nebula Hubble 5. Venus and Pluto adjust to each other, making a much needed balance between diplomatic and dominant attitudes. Venusian harmony neutralizes any manipulation attempts by Pluto, as Venus, passing through the zodiacal sign of Gemini, brings a touch of lightness, quite necessary in relationships that have become very intense. The opposition of Venus to the planetary nebula Hubble 5 is significant, as this dying star expels its outer atmosphere into space, forming lobes of gas much like balloons being inflated. The supersonic winds arising from the central star hit the gas that was expulsed hundreds of years before, causing the electrons to collide with it and making it shine.

     This glow symbolizes astrologically an awareness that serves to clarify and understand issues that have caused friction in relationships, in the recent or distant past. Hubble 5 may, on the other hand, revive and give new strength to conflicts that had subsided, but this would only be the case in very unfavorable situations. The trend is rather to "deflate" problems in committed relationships, dissolving exaggeration and making the emotional atmosphere less tense. Under these contidions, understanding is possible, and in the best of cases, a true communion. This can be achieved, but we must take into account that Pluto is at 45° from Juno, and this is another indicator of stress in any close relationships, but especially married couples. On the other hand, this can also be an indicator of positive change and regeneration of obsolete or harmful attitudes. It depends on us if this energy is channeled it into power games or to changes that create new patterns of relationship. But for that, we have Venus' helping attitude in opposition to the nebula Hubble 5, don´t forget!

     Neptune is conjunct the Helix Nebula, square the Lunar Nodes. This trend is interesting and indicates the need to transcend personal or social thought patterns and open the mind to a more universal kind of perception. This sounds like something mystical, of course, but it also has a practical application, because it has to do with our personal interpretation of  the events and situations in which we get involved. It is necessary to avoid bias from personal experience and education as it will prove ineffective to explain or help in most situations, which require a more open mind and a wider vision. The dissolution of prejudice is represented by the Helix Nebula, located in the constellation of Aquarius, which is a dying star. By its appearance, it has sometimes been called "the Eye of God". Planetary Nebulae symbolically dissolve prejudices, but make stable situations go weaker and insecure. But they also have their good applications.

     In this case, the Helix Nebula is of great help, as it is conjunct Neptune, to detach or distance  temporarily from what we have learned so far. This represents in itself a great effort to overcome the personal ego: apparently, this is the evolutionary path that the stars show at this moment of 2012. In addition, the North Lunar Node is also making contact with the Helix Nebula, forming a potent parallel. We must offer, as a sacrifice, our blank mind to the Universe, which will certainly send us the key to the truth that can not reach us if we can not have mental flexibility. Therefore, it is good to express openness, flexibility, to meditate, to pray, to be in contact with the greatness of nature or with a higher knowledge, whether spiritual, scientific or artistic. This release of personal rigidity will give us a broader view and will make us recognize our small but important role in the place where all we know happens: the Universe. A wonderful, revitalizing feeling! Do not forget to open the channels to perceive it and let it flow, as this will be in effect for about two or three more weeks.

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer