March 29/30 : Venus and the Owl Nebula (M97) favor introspection in relationships, while Mars , the star Eta Carina and the Wild Duck Cluster stimulate material prosperity and egocentric behavior

March 29/30 : Venus in opposition to the Owl Nebula (M97) and square Saturn. This astrological combination symbolizes the opportunity to find enriching insight in relationships. Venus combines her diplomatic abilities and desire for companionship with the intellectual and revealing personality of the Owl Nebula. M97 is actually a dying star, or planetary nebula, whose appearance, with two holes at its poles, gives it the appearance of the head of an owl. This nebula has a star of very high temperature at its center, which acts through the intellect and the higher mind. It also has a portion that can be considered a reflection nebula, which reflects, as in a mirror, the light of the central star, which in terms of human experience suggests introspection and revelations...

     Therefore, this weekend is great for sharing experiences, intuitions, dreams, emotions, and discuss about them in deep, intimate conversations, which will certainly bring important insights which will help clarify situations difficult to understand... Having good company will be of great help to this process, so this is not a weekend for superficial relationships... This is reinforced by the square between Venus and Saturn in the zodiac sign of Scorpio, which suggests seriousness, and encourages scientific and psychoanalytic research. By the way, since Venus also rules art, this process can be expressed through  participating in artistic events (theater, cinema, dance, literature, music, photography... etc.). This will bring to light ideas that will make us reflect and expand our own consciousness and see the world in which we live with broader knowledge, and wisdom.

     Venus, with all this introspection, connects to another planet that rather relates to the material world. It makes a trine (120° angle) with Mars, which is still retrograde. But this weekend, the red planet will be in  ecliptic conjunction with peculiar giant star Eta Carinae, and parallel to the Wild Duck Cluster (M11). This astrological combination suggests the generation of wealth and prosperity, for two reasons: Eta Carinae, (one of the biggest stars in the galaxy) is very bright in the infrared spectrum (frequency related to the material world) and the fact that M11 is extremely rich in stars (it has over 2,900 !).

     In this way, Mars, helped and encouraged by the introspection of Venus, can activate and boost our productivity and be of benefit to the flow of prosperity. In its negative expression, Mars can reflect selfish behaviors, since Eta Carinae, out of its gigantic size and unstable character, may represent a selfish, explosive and dominant behavior. In the international arena, it is possible that this is reflecting aggressive, war-like trends, but on a personal level we can tame this energy by directing it to where it will be most beneficial, fertilizing our material life by boosting our talents and resources. Try not to overdo, however, especially when spending money!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

Visit the Galactic Guide on Facebook and Twitter:

http://www.facebook.com/GalacticGuide

http://twitter.com/galacticguide

August 15/16: The Sun conjunct the Owl Nebula (M97) promotes research and introspection, while Mercury, Vesta and Geminga focus the mind in silence. Ceres, Pluto and star cluster M29 modify attitudes to release great ideas

August 15/16: The Sun is conjunct the Owl Nebula (M97), and contra parallel the Eagle Nebula (M16). This configuration points to an excellent day for research of all kinds, especially in personal psychology and relationships, but also in practical, everyday issues. The Owl Nebula is a planetary nebula, i.e. a dying star that expels its atmosphere into space. The Owl has two main characteristics: the extremely high temperature of its central star (100,000 ° K!), and the blue reflection nebula around, since the expelled material largely reflects the light from the star. This represents an emphasis on the higher mind and an introspection process, respectively. Therefore, it is a good time to look into our psyche for answers, either about ourselves or others.

     The Sun is also contra parallel to the Eagle Nebula (M16), and this indicates that this introspection can be used to renew strongly held beliefs or traditions that may hinder the development of the present circumstances. In many cases there will be powerful and transformative insights. And while it is necessary to update the information we have about our personal past or historical trends, intense ideological confrontations are likely, so it's best not to argue about controversial issues in science, politics, arts or spirituality. In any case, if connected with this frequency, you better invest your energies in an objective investigation, emotionally detached.

     Asteroid Ceres is located at 135° from Pluto, and in ecliptic opposition to star cluster M29. This represents the need to find support to promote ideas, projects, visions that have been hidden or blocked by difficulties. It's time to overcome obstacles for talent and good ideas through the releasing of patterns of behavior and external conditions that produce such blockages. M29 is a relatively small star cluster in the constellation Cygnus, whose stars shine quite brightly. But their light  is strongly polarized by an interfering cloud of cosmic dust: it represents blockages, difficulties. Ceres' opposition to M29 means overcoming these obstacles through a supportive attitude, and the aspect with Pluto implies a radical, profound, change. In the worst of cases, as always with Ceres/Pluto combinations, there may be losses in order to change, but if this is addressed properly, the transformation will be positive. And as this slow process goes on, as this trend will last until the beginning of next week, we'll have to let go all kinds of emotions associated with frustration, releasing them so we can approach things in a brand new way, fresh and optimistic.

      Mercury is parallel to Vesta and Geminga. This indicates the need to concentrate the mind on specific targets shutting out external distractions that can disrupt the process. Geminga, as we have mentioned in other articles of the Galactic Guide, is a pulsar or neutron star (remnant of a supernova explosion) which is silent on radio waves. This implies a low profile, quiet mental activity. And for working large projects or elaborated ideas, it is best not to manifest much of them until their gestation is complete. Of course there are many things one may think but they should not be expressed to avoid problems. In silence, we are likely to achieve more, because the energy will be channeled into the creative mind, avoiding publicity on something that is not yet ready to be manifested. In practical terms: discretion is the best strategy. Don't speak unless it is really necessary! On the other hand, this trend may indicate expression problems and communication difficulties, especially if people manifests a closed mind and an  elitist attitude, to which it is better not to insist. But we won't need to remain silent for a long time, since this trend lasts only about 24 hours ... Use it positively!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

Visit the Galactic Guide on Facebook and Twitter:

http://www.facebook.com/GalacticGuide

http://twitter.com/galacticguide

August 14/15: Pluto combines with the Sun and the Owl Nebula intensifying the higher mind and taking ideas to dangerous extremes. But the contra parallel to Ceres indicates the start of a cycle of regeneration

August 14/15: Pluto is placed at 135° from the Sun and the Owl Nebula (M97). The annual transit of the Sun conjunct to the Owl Nebula happens between August 13 and 14. This symbolizes a particular intensity on the higher mind: people born around these dates need to find transcendant explanations for their questions, but sometimes this leads to extremist positions. This time, the Sun/M97 transit of 2012 is involved also an aspect of 135° (sesquisquare) to Pluto, which takes the tendency to radical thoughts even further. This is great for study or research, which may be the motivation for many substantial changes. To make the best of this trend, use it in areas that require improvement, updating, thus renewing structures and providing maintenance to aging infrastructure.

     This can include your own mind, it is time to change ideas, convictions or principles that may no longer work properly at a practical level. On the other hand, an opinionated attitude, taken to an extreme, can lead to try to eliminate or control all or does not agree with it. This is dangerous because it implies strong confrontations with people of different ideologies. Avoid sterile and exhausting discussions, the work is within oneself. If the transformation comes from within, the effect will be reflected on the outside without having to push anything ...

     But the plutonian action does not end here ... Pluto is contra parallel to Ceres and star cluster M44, a relationship that is intense mythologically and psychologically, and refers to the ability to regenerate situations, entering a reconstructive or resurgence stage. If you have areas where there has been a drastic change, this combination can be very useful. Obviously, this regenerative process can take time, but this transit can activate it, and be the starting point for a significant resurrection. This can happen in finance as well as in emotional, spiritual or intellectual issues. It is a time to resume communication with distant people and give new life to a positive exchange.

     Further, this Pluto/Ceres combination enhances the sense of loss: avoid theft by distraction or carelessness. It also indicates a moment to drop attitudes of mourning and detachment to enter a renaissance stage, in which the pain, emptiness and sorrow give way to a more optimistic impulse, hopeful and positive. Ceres joins with M44, a star cluster that enhances expressiveness, to show a gentle attitude that balances, even momentarily, the effects of a troubled world, which is indifferent, cruel. It is an opportunity to let flow through our actions the protective attitudes and productive force of Mother Nature (represented by Ceres). ...

     Visit the Galactic Guide on Facebook and Twitter too! We will be discussing other astrological trends as the influence of the Owl Nebula (M97) and the parallel of Juno and the Great Orion Nebula (M42), among other interesting topics of astrology deep space ...

http://www.facebook.com/GalacticGuide

http://twitter.com/galacticguide

    Good luck with -intense- Pluto!

    Carlos Duarte

    Research Astrologer...

August 15th: The Owl Nebula reveals resources that are depleted, but the Sun, Venus and Ceres come to the rescue bringing strength and expanding horizons

August 15th:  The Sun conjunct Venus and the Owl Nebula (M97), in contraparallel to Ceres. The Owl Nebula is a dying star with an associated nebula in the constellation Ursa Major. It means, among other things, depletion of resources. The transit of the Sun, Venus and Ceres making contact with M97 indicates the need to supply areas where something is needed: in the kitchen, in the workshop, at the office, in the gas tank... You can also compensate a poor nutrition with a good diet, taking care of areas that have been abandoned, sharing your wealth; wheter small or big, generously share with those in need. Material supplies, while being the most urgent, are not the only ones that can be shared. The Owl Nebula also stimulates strongly philosophy, science, culture and trascendent thinking, so you can also enrich your spirit by cultivating it and expanding your mental horizon as well as others'.