August 2/3: Uranus retrograde in ecliptic conjunction to galaxy M74 emphasizes renovations, artistic and financial production, also violence and rebellion

     The retrograde station of a planet like Uranus is one of the most important events of the year from the astrological point of view, so it is always convenient to analyze it in depth... The events that arise around the Uranus retrograde station usually refer to changes or innovations that will be carried out and / or will manifest during the next six months. On January 3rd, 2018, Uranus will stop again, making its direct station and will resume its forward movement in the zodiac...

    In short,  Uranus' station is part of the background atmosphere that will prevail during the second part of 2017. This time, Uranus stops in ecliptic conjunction to M74, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. This galaxy is characterized by its great symmetry: we see it face-on, with its two arms perfectly delimited. This type of galaxies, which are referred to as of "Great Design" astronomically, are excellent astrological indicators for artistic and creative matters. This augurs a very good season for the arts, although the results may not be appreciated until the next Uranian station, in January 2018. In the case of Uranus, the planet of innovation, a revolutionary, avant-garde, experimental and breaking trend is expected. Breaking schemes that are already quite shattered...

     On the other hand, M74 is a very productive galaxy. Despite difficulties in observing it due to its low reflectivity,  images of M74 reveal a large number of young stars and star-forming nebulae in its spiral arms. This is an indicator of high productivity, activated through the Uranus station, which can have excellent effects if you have the right strategies, and this includes financial matters. Beyond the arts, anyone can benefit from this trend, especially if this productivity involves making renovations, changes that are to improve conditions. It doesn't matter if they are difficult! Doing them or starting them today or in the next few days will bring in the Uranian impulse of change, facilitating the process. Needless to say, trying to avoid change or trying to keep things as they are can be counterproductive. If something gets out of control, maybe it's because it was too controlled. Until now.

     In international matters, beyond the good effects on art, production and finance, Uranus' station on M74 can have an explosive effect ... Although only two supernovae have been detected in M74, which is relatively little in comparison to other galaxies, one of them is a hypernova, a gigantic explosion of an extremely large star. This symbolizes a tendency to explosive and potentially destructive situations. Therefore, it is necessary to foresee, personally, the consequences that may have to mobilize certain areas or make certain changes. In the collective arena, it is more difficult for this trend to manifest smoothly... It is more likely an indicator of more violence, which strengthens any elements opposed to governments in general. The environment is totally conducive to rebellion and drastic changes in politics. In some cases this will represent a liberating scheme, while in others it will simply exacerbate the climate of discord.

       The good thing is that, at least as individuals, we can decide how to use this tendency to apply it where it is convenient, and not just suffer from it unconsciously. Let's focus our energy on making pertinent changes, renewing to improve, and releasing our potential so that it can have the best effect on our projects.

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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July 26/27: Venus and Uranus make their retrograde station simultaneously in parallel to galaxy M49, releasing an erotic impulse to be sublimated in art and relationships

July 26/27: Venus and Uranus make their retrograde station in parallel to  galaxy M49.
      Within a few hours, two planets of the solar system do their retrograde station at the same declination, which means they are at the same distance from the Celestial Equator. This highly unusual event has a great significance at an astrological level, meaning a powerful blend of the principles of Venus and Uranus: love and harmony unite with freedom and originality. As if that wasn´t enough, the elliptical galaxy M49, located in the constellation Virgo, is also in parallel to both planets. M49, besides being a giant galaxy, is the brightest of the Virgo Cluster, and therefore its astrological association implies visibility, conspicuousness. So the original beauty of Venus and the originality of Uranus will hardly go unnoticed: definitely, we need to take care of it and use it positively.

       The Venusian impulse, full of love, beauty, eroticism and inspiration is left unrestricted by Uranus, and it is best to let it flow freely to refresh the situations we are involved in and give a harmonic overtone to our reality. From a psychological standpoint, the eroticism of Venus is easily sublimated, releasing psychic energy and allowing creativity to flow. The ideal is to channel this impulse through the arts, whether as creators or as  spectators, it doesn´t matter! Art in all its manifestations will certainly raise our level of experience... The point is to let ourselves be electrified and seduced by this trend, which may also make friendship,  romantic and sexual encounters memorable. Do not forget that Venus (eroticism) is born in mythology from Uranus´s genitals, which Saturn throws into the sea, fertilizing it. So this energy has many practical applications beyond mere sexuality...

     Since Venus is an indicator of human relations, they may also take an Uranian hue, unconventional, surprising and very liberating. Controlling, structured, conservative behaviors may cause interferences and problems. It is advisable to be open, with a spontaneous attitude, willing to experiment, that can be exciting and fun! The negative side of this trend, however, may show if we let our personal desires suffocate others. M49 has the tendency to swallow its neighboring galaxies, suggesting possessiveness, domineering attitudes and power games... the opposite of the Uranian tendency that seeks freedom! Financially, we have to be careful too, as there might be unpredictable changes in the economy, although it is possible to make investments and very good purchases if they are well-planned or reasoned. The thing to avoid is impulsive spending.

     It is therefore a good moment to love freely, to renew our emotional life and to break rigid patterns and relationships in our minds through art. Since there aren´t many options to do so during the year, we must take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity ...


Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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Uranus makes its direct station in parallel to galaxy M61, indicating a time of intense social revolution and a highly productive impulse

      In a time of deep crisis in our civilization, which can be read in the sky through the recent series of squares between Uranus and Pluto, would seem normal that there are moments when things are overflowing. They are small explosions, that, collected over several consecutive years, eventually cause profound changes in the social fabric and the course of history. The end of 2014 is marked by one of these times: Uranus stations direct in parallel to the hyper-energetic galaxy M61, located in the constellation Virgo.

      Any station of Uranus can match important events in the world, many of them spectacular accidents, but when it happens associated with a conflicting celestial body, the explosive trend is accentuated. Such is the case of the recent Uranus station, which is in parallel with M61, and indicates a season full of surprises, instability, drastic changes, confrontations, protests, and also a much-needed renovation, as in the case of the cuban economic embargo, which was obsolete.

      Consider the situation more closely: seven supernovae have been detected in M61. If a single one already represents drastic change and profound insights, seven supernovae create a sevenfold effect ... Definitely, things will not remain as they have been lately and although many renovations are positive and necessary, others may be abrupt and cause problems. As I mentioned in yesterday's article about the Solstice/New Moon, it is necessary to direct our energies toward new goals and objectives. And there is another factor in M61 that favors the emergence of new projects: it seems to be full of young stars, indicating a high degree of fertility and productivity.

       In short, new projects, started during this Christmas/New Year season, may prove to be particularly productive in the future. The destructive and confrontational aspect of Uranus may also release potentials from impediments and put them to work suddenly. Each person, depending on the position in which the Uranian station has in its individual chart, will experience in his/her own way this trend. However, it is clear that as a society we are all going through a time of crisis in which we must transcend schemes and recreate our civlization. Therefore, it is important to let flow in our personal lives new projects and release old landmarks. Resistance to change in areas that need renovation can then lead to situations out of control, which would be an indicator that you have to let go, release ...

      At the same time, many conflicivet, destructive and heartbreaking situations are happening in the world as we think about the Uranian station. Maybe we cannot change many of them, but what we certainly can change is our own attitude. And while the Uranian station M61 represents social instability, at the individual level represents a great opportunity to experience more freedom and renewal, as well as productivity, in the next six months.

      Once again: we must manage our energies wisely! Changes during this season will almost flow by themselves... We will have to dosify the seven supernovae of M61. We have one for each month and one extra! Please, do not try to use them all at once... Let's avoid cumbersome explosions.

     For now, I wish you a burst of creativity and productivity! Nothing better to start 2015.

    Happy holidays!

    Carlos Duarte
   Research Astrologer

July 17/18: Vesta, the Sun, Saturn and star cluster M93 release pressure in order to express individuality, while Uranus retrograde, star cluster M3 and galaxy M61 point to necessary renovations. The Grand Trine between Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune begins to remove prejudices that generate unrest

July 17/18: Vesta is conjunct star cluster M93, in parallel to the Sun, square Saturn, and at 150° from Neptune. Definitely, Vesta is today the busiest celestial body astrologically speaking. In particular, it becomes strengthened by the parallel with the Sun, a symbol of power and energy. Vesta represents a principle of personal integrity, of concentration in our activities, of devotion to a cause, whether spiritual or practical. These days, Vesta's square (distance 90 °) to Saturn, with whom she has an ambivalent relationship, gets to be very dramatical. In mythology, Saturn is her father, an overbearing authority figure. The square Saturn/Vesta represents the urgent need to break the psychological sense of duty to express one's individuality. This can occur in several ways, the more positive is to break conventions in order to express personal creativity, making new contributions that generate progress.

     But not all cases will have such an optimistic manifestation: it all depends on the particular situation and the amount of pressure that is actually present. If excessive pressure has been experienced in recent weeks, it's time to release, as we risk to create a liberation crisis that can cause drastic ruptures. Vesta is conjunct star cluster M93, in which most of the stars are of spectral type G and A,  indicating an enormous need for individual expression. Also, Vesta is in the expressive zodiac sign of Leo, Saturn is in the controlling sign of Scorpio, while the distance of 90° or square is an indicator of contrast and crisis.

     It is really necessary to let escape Vesta from the excessive control of duty, routine, responsibilities, rituals and conventions that do not allow a healthy expression of individuality. Whether we place ourselves on the side of Vesta or that of Saturn, we must let everyone freely express their initiative, because otherwise  relationships (mainly in the family and at work) will be affected by tensions, that, in some cases, will be dramatic and have irreversible consequences. The amount of rebellious attitudes will match the amount of control applied. During the rest of the week, it is best to release the pressure to allow others (or oneself) to express their own creativity, which can liberate valuable contributions... Get over with the feelings of guilt!

     The rebellious atmosphere is further accentuated by Uranus' retrograde station in opposition to star cluster M3 and in parallel to the particularly energetic galaxy M61. M3 is a very old cluster with a large number of variable stars, who are depleting their fuel: it denotes insecurity and outdated situations that need a renovation to keep going. Uranus in opposition to M3 indicates the need to overcome insecurity, and also the renewal process. The parallel with M61 helps a lot, too, because it is a tremendously energetic galaxy, where six supernovae have been detected, symbolically making M61 an intense transformation agent.

     In short: Uranus' station points to the the need to overcome insecurity or outdated situations through drastic changes and necessary renovations. The point is to avoid using excessive force to compensate for insecurity: relevant changes will flow by themselves once we have decided to implement them. Putting too much energy on this can cause discomfort, unexpected problems, unpleasant surprises, exaggerations and may adversely affect others. It is a time to overcome outdated situations, but in low doses: Uranus' station is strong during these days, but we actually have five months to implement the changes that this represents. Uranus retrograde ends on December 17, 2013. So... take it easy.

      As if this wasn´t enough for today, the long awaited Grand Trine in Water of three major planets reaches exactness: Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune form an equilateral triangle on their zodiacal positions, since they are located at 120° from each other. This configuration is unusual and indicates in theory an improvement (Jupiter) in difficult situations (Saturn and Neptune), since the trine or distance of 120° is considered a harmonic one. But let's look more closely at this configuration to better understand its symbolic meaning: Jupiter is in opposition to the Eagle Nebula (M16) and contra parallel star cluster M30. This mix indicates the need to revise conventions, personal or social, that generate conflict. M30 is a cluster with a gravitational core collapse, which is indicative of disagreements and confrontations. The stars within M30 frequently collide with each other. On the other hand, the Eagle Nebula (M16) is a nebula with a young star cluster and stars of very high temperature, being cataloged mostly in spectral type O which is a symbolic reference to cultural, religious, scientific or political ideas. And while the O-type stars emphasize the higher mind, they also enhance the prejudices derived from it with extremist attitudes ("I hold the truth")... Be careful with the way you manage your convictions! We must avoid exaggeration...

     In sum, Jupiter, M30 and M16 combined depict convictions that generate discomfort and confrontation, and the solutions, too. In this sense, Jupiter intervenes in the debate with a realistic approach and a sense of justice. But in negative circumstances, Jupiter's tendency to exaggeration can cause an overreaction and accentuate this discomfort, deepening prejudice and abuse instead of solving problems. We clearly need objectivity in an environment in which prejudice appears to outweigh practical needs. At a social issues and at international level, it is obvious that protests and crises will abound, but perhaps this is the only way in which solutions to certain problems can be found. Personally, we can handle today's trends (which will last until the weekend) in a conscious way, moving away from extreme attitudes and fanaticism. Moderation is a great solution in itself.

Carlos Duarte

Research Astrologer

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