Jupiter and tonight's Full Moon

Space Weather News for May 31, 2007


BLUE MOON & JUPITER: According to folklore, tonight's Full Moon over North America is a "Blue Moon" because it is the second full Moon in a calendar month. If you go outside to look at the Blue Moon, you'll see it has a companion: Jupiter. All night long, the giant planet will be located right beside the Moon. You can see the bright pair with the naked eye, or for a real treat, scan them with a backyard telescope. The moons of Jupiter, lunar mountains and craters, and the Great Red Spot are surprisingly easy to see.

A REAL BLUE MOON! Blue Moons are supposed to be absurd, but on May 21st, the Moon over Hungary really did turn blue. Onlookers describe it as a "unique and unforgettable" experience.

Visit SpaceWeather.com to view photos of the display and to learn what caused it.

Blue Moon? Au contraire, says NPR and Kelley Beatty, editor of Night Sky magazine, and executive editor of Sky and Telescope.

NPR has the scoop on why this isn't really a Blue Moon and what one really is--and how the mistake has been passed down since 1946.

Still it should be a lovely sight--jolly guru Jupiter hanging out with the Full Moon!

And here's my own Full Moon May 31: an ape riding a wolf post at Jude's Threshold which you may wish to check out.

Greg Stewart has a great post on Georgia's recent court case where a mother attempted to have the Harry Potter books banned from shelves--although she admits she's never read a sentence.

Check out Greg's God does not want you to read this book you naughty monkeys! Avert your naughty monkey eyes from the page!

I kid, but what gets me is that this Puritan attitude toward banning books that contain witchery or occult matters in no way addresses the fact that children have a natural interest in magical things--and banning anything naturally makes it more alluring!

Children can recognize the difference between make-believe and the real world--especially if their parents do, too.

evict the "Bush Democrats" in 2008

Our Country, Our Capitol Hill, Our Tax Money:

Evict all 59 of 'em who voted for Bush's war May 10--evict the "Bush Dems" in the 2008 primaries and find candidates to replace them--or be one yourself.

Here's a map of all 59 of the varmints (which includes my own, John Barrow, who went to Washington a D and soon voted as an R--to "keep his job") Democratic Primary 2008 so see if yours is sleeping with the warmongerers and profiteers.

phone marks replace earmarks!

SLOP from Washington--"bureaucratic slight of hand--backdoor pork barreling"--even Harry Reid is doing it!

They're replacing earmarks with phone marks--$$requests which don't have to be written down as earmarks did! So much for a cleaner, transparent Congress.

(This I overheard on PBS's MarketPlace just now--had to post it until I can find out more. They never learn on the Hill, do they? No, because they're all grunting at the same pig trough.)

Today in 1660: King Charles II restored

FACT OF THE DAY from The Scotsman:


King Charles II is restored to the English throne today in 1660. He had previously been crowned King of Scotland on 1 January 1651 and had attempted to reunite the kingdoms by attacking Cromwellian forces in England. This led to a resounding defeat at the Battle of Worcester where, according to legend, he hid in the 'Royal Oak' until the coast was clear. Upon restoration, Charles acknowledged his thanks to his Scottish soldiers by making The Royal Scots the first regular regiment of the modern British Army.

To read more about Scotland's past visit heritage.scotsman.com while pondering Great Britain's current separation anxieties as history repeats.

Looking at the natal chart of Charles II (June 8, 1630 NS) we see that his resoration to the throne occurred at his Saturn Return, age 30.

After his father, Charles I's beheading (Jan 30, 1649), Charles II spent nine years in exile and when the English people had had their craw full of Cromwell's "protectorate" (he died in 1658) they invited Charlie back to the throne.

(Apparently the political tradition of naming things the opposite of what they are or do is as olde as yon hills...the olde 'lipsticke on a pig' ploy.)

Charles II's rule is considered the most licentious of the British monarchy yet he presided over major events as well: two wars with the Dutch, the Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the passage of the Habeas Corpus Act, among others. A busy yet naughty boy who produced no legitimate heirs.

Charles died of Bright's disease in 1685, age 54, a hedonist monarch whose n Sun's symbol in Adriano Carelli's The 360 Degrees of the Zodiac applies quite well:

"9Gem": "An enthroned queen holding in one hand the Earth's gold surmounted by the cross; in the other, her scepter"...fond of riddles and chess, and a ruler born.

Sheehan: 5 acres in Crawford Texas, anyone?

Camp Casey is for sale--Cindy Sheehan is giving up leadership of the anti-war movement on behalf of a country she feels killed her son Casey and which is "beholden to and run by a war machine that even controls what we think."

Sheehan's conclusions on the so-called two-party system match my own--that the system is "corrupt" and "rapidly descending into, with nary a check or balance: a fascist corporate wasteland," as she writes on Dailykos with her Niobe (asteroid, keywords: the grieving mother) energy still intact whether she continues leading or not.

"It's Up to You Now": Sheehan Quits.

When I peeked at her chart this morning it was no surprise to see that her 10th house Uranus (6Leo05) and Pluto (28Leo48) are being visited by restrictive and controlling Saturn...and Uranus/Pluto are all about transformation and revolution, quite the opposite of Saturn's energy.

Uranus/Pluto = Saturn: self-will; egotism; exposure to extreme pressure from others; toppled from position; separation.

This gives a different perspective on her simply 'giving up' leadership of the anti-war movement yet we know that astrology may describe our actions or what's going on in the environment...or both. And tr Neptune--today at 23AQ--has been in its opposition dance with Saturn and has opposed Sheehan's Uranus/Pluto midpoint as well...

Uranus/Pluto = Neptune: unfulfilled wishes; fatigue; nervous disease; the knowledge of human nature.

Understandably she's all wumped out and needs a year or two of seclusion and rest plus 2008 is her Chiron Return year--and a triple one at that from Feb to Nov.

And perhaps the Sabian Symbol (MEJ version) of her natal Ascendant describes her best:

"26Lib": "An eagle and a large white dove turning one into the other."

She has spoken and yelled truth to power for our country and now it's someone else's turn. I hope they do as well.

Full Moon May 31

Since I spent a considerable chunk of time today writing Full Moon May 31: An Ape Riding a Wolf, will you understand if I point you in that direction?

The degree for Friday night's upcoming Full Moon ("11Sag" over the White House at 9:03 pm edt) puts one in mind of Paul Wolfowitz, I agree, but please check out Jude's Threshold for more info relating to current events and the New Millenium's totalitarian leanings...just follow the above link, if you will.

Chavez pulls plug on TV station at midnight

A Venezuelan TV Station to Shut at Midnight

Synchronistically when I was looking at the midnight chart for Caracas just now, rising was "1Sag": "A Grand army of the Republic campfire" degree. At midnight in Caracas tonight when Chavez determined that RCTV would shut down (for broadcasting against him, of course), "1Sag" is at MC, the WHY, or Aspiration Point of the endeavor.

"1Sag": REMINISCENCE...this Sabian Symbol speaks of the inner strength by which (man) may sustain himself at critical points in his affairs...he regrasps each special potentiality of his being.

pos: accomplishment through the cultivation and preservation of enduring ties with others;

neg/shdow side: superficial idleness and unhealthy veneration for the past.


Hugo hearts George?

No? The little sulphur-infused stage play at the UN was for real? Puh!

Perhaps Chavez is trying to cultivate and preserve ties to Bush, whose natal IC (Foundation) is being visited now by this same Saturn/Pluto...it would be two devils taking one to know one, if you're askin'.

Midnight in Caracas: the harsh, cruel Saturn/Pluto midpoint will be at 23Lib+ and conjunct the Moon (and Spica (potential for brilliance), and Arcturus (a different approach)...Moon = the public; publicity; propaganda; changes...the Moon is often a trigger or a timer.

Saturn/Pluto = Moon: emotional coldness; renunciation; giving up giving; melancholy; the tragic destiny of a woman.

It was the legendary Sybil Leek who wrote that when the earth is in a warming cycle, the world shifts toward totalitarianism.

How correct she was.

U.S. military interventions 1890--1999

This chart for the US invasion of Hawaii, with tr Sun at MC conj US n Pluto (power; transformation; death) is the one I use for the start of the US military's fascination with invading and overthrowing something. As you see, the invasion--the sugar-grab--occurred just after the third Great Conjunction of Neptune and Pluto of 1891-1892, defining the Generation of Materialism of the pillaging robber and energy barons who still hold the purse strings in their claws. (Once you gain by hook or crook you become the crook with the hook.) These days, Neptune and Pluto are at the septile phase of their Cycle, a karmic stage where what has been sown must be reaped. Now using the Invasion of Hawaii chart doesn't count battles with native peoples through the years although you'll find the battle of Wounded Knee (Chiron = wound; knee = Saturn) on this list: U.S. Military Interventions 1890-1999 which was sent to me by Alex D'Atria at Astrology Communications Media. This post's timing is 'off' this evening with Memorial Day being tomorrow--and I certainly don't intend to disrespect our valiant troops who follow at times in the dark due to plutocratic leadership--but I want to give some notes on this chart which relate to more current times. The Balsamic phase of the Sun and Moon is so often when the sneakiest things are perpetrated...hidden at the dark of the Moon. As I said, the US natal Pluto is being triggered by tr Sun--why I've used the midday chart. Here are the midpoint pictures for this pile-up at the Public Status/Career Point (MC = The Goal or Aspiration): Sun/Pluto = MC: striving for power and control; upset and change to adopt new perspectives; power games with important consequences; Sun/MC ("the Goal") = Pluto: violent attainment of one's aims; desire to take the lead by use of force; the realization of extraordinary and unusual plans; success; a tragic destiny; Pluto/MC = Sun: the desire for power and authority. The invasion occurred during the 2 South Solar Eclipse Series: 2S = great gains through involvement with unusual group endeavors. This Eclipse has also manifested in 1910, 1928, 1946, 1964, 1982, Dec 15, 2000 (4Cap14 conj the Pluto/Chiron midpoint in the invasion chart 1893.) It's so very often instructive to look at the Initial Eclipse in a Series for more info and this one began: Apr 17, 991 (OS), Sun/Moon 1Tau47 (opposite the NWO's n Sun, btw, 1993, when Uranus and Neptune had their Great Conjunction); Pluto/Chiron 4Cap26; Venus at Aries Point; NN 14Lib24, conj US n Saturn (authority; control)...(Predictive Astrology, Bernadette Brady.) Now which little future politicians were born during this Series thus having it as their Pre-natal Eclipse Series (PE)? At least three that I know of--and all three seem intent on never really going away: Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, and Hillary Clinton--fyi. Mars/Saturn: As you know, the harmful, destructive energy of the Mars/Saturn combo is one of the most difficult points in any chart. In the chart above, tr Mars/Saturn conjuncts US n Sun and opposes the Moon 14Cap04 (the Moon would have opposed US n Sun prior to noon that day, a culmination stage for national US ego issues--and perhaps a timing device for politicians who use Astrology--and let's not assume Reagan was the only one!): Mars/Saturn = Sun: the inability to meet all demands or to master all situations; death of members of the male population; physical threat; sense of loss; eking it out; Mars/Sat = Moon: feelings about losing something; death of members of the female population; depression; lack of courage; weakness of will. With Fixed Star Schedir rising, keyword: The Queen, I assume that the Sun represents the invaders while the Moon represents the population under invasion--and Hawaii's Queen who was toppled that day by the US military. The US sugar industry was so gratified! Now it's 2007 and the chess game continues with stalemates abounding...we know that a 'first' event chart may be used to define all subsequent events of the sort because everything is connected: past, present, and future...it's all about cycles and stages, isn't it? In Astrology we constantly see it expressed that how a thing begins is how it ends. Or if you prefer, the end is in the beginning--unless something truly extraordinary happens. Since this is basically the same concept as reap what you sow, it would take a miracle to turn the ship of America around from her disasterous course so long ago embarked upon and which we're now seeing played out in the Middle East. Crusading and invading--but on both sides, not just the US's! Yet if you read the list of US invasions given above, you may rightly wonder what it would take to rock the boat without capsizing her entirely. My saddest feeling is that I long ago gave up the assumption (nurtured through my growing up in America) that the elite ruling class gives a hoot for sustaining America--because capsizing her is just what they signed on for and they have no intention of ever letting go the reins of power and wealth. That's why the most unpopular president in US history is still infesting our White House...and shoe-horning that cuss out the door would take a miracle. Update 9 pm: just found this from Information Clearing House: Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq about "regime change" being US foreign policy for over 110 years. That's what she said.

Rachel Carson May 27, 1907

Early this morning, marine biologist, teacher, and writer Rachel Carson (the reason we have an EPA) had her 100th Solar Return, which is when the Sun returns to its natal position. This may occur within a day of the actual birthdate, as you see.

For sixteen years Carson worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service so she could support her widowed mother and other family members. Her testimony on Capitol Hill led Pres. John F. Kennedy to form the EPA because of her consistent efforts to sound the alarm on DDT and other chemical pesticides--which she accurately termed bio-cides--and which continue to affect--to poison--our environment and our health today--from our children to our honey bees and beyond.

Rachel Carson's natal Sun Gem/Moon Sag personality blend gave her an excellent writing ability--she made science accessible and beautiful to the layman--and her love of travel (Sag Moon) was handy for a marine biologist's journeys.

Airy/Fiery Sun Gem/Moon Sag is an intellectual combo, with a deep curiosity and an ability to communicate flamboyantly. There may be an emotional immaturity residing within this eternal student and a healthy helping of the scholar.

Outspoken, with a love of ancient learning, this blend is friendly, yet impatient, enthusiastic and restless. It's a very romantic combination in spite of her being denigrated in her lifetime as a "frustrated spinster" by detractors who wanted to undermine her message, her warnings, and her science.

This blend's Images for Integration: The Pied Piper leads his merry band of youths to the amphitheater on the hill for an afternoon of music lessons, philosophical teachings and baseball...A young man goes abroad to attend university and becomes a foreign correspondent.

This Sun/Moon blend is shared natally with poet and philosopher Kathleen Raine, who said:

"As a child I became a confirmed believer in the ancient gods simply because as between the reality of fact and the reality of myth, I chose myth...myth is the truth of fact, not fact the truth of myth."

Appropriate quote for our current Saturn/Neptune opposition (their last exact opposition June 25, 2007), don't you think? 2007's science (Saturn; facts; realism) is being heartily challenged by nebulous, veiling Neptune's deceptions and illusions in order to obfuscate certain scoundrels' actions and culpabilities--same as in Carson's day with their campaign against her dire message which threatened their bottom line!


If you missed Living On Earth today you can listen to the broadcast or read Living On Earth: Rachel Carson on their website. This LOE feature tells of the FBI dossier on Carson--it's all redacted (blacked out)--with the exception of one word: RUSSIA ! Back in those days, the Cold War was raging (and being spun) so it was enough simply to be linked with the USSR--however tenuously or off-handedly--to undermine anyone's credibility. Ye olde propaganda campaign...or so they thought.

Thing is, the direness of her warnings and predictions were soon so patently obvious that it must've been difficult to sway all but the most partisan industry types and high-handed tycoons with their bucket-carriers, for she took on industry, government, and science all at once. A female David vs Goliath.

As I studied her day-of-death chart (April 14, 1964; age 56) from cancer, I couldn't help wondering if her work with chemicals had anything to do with triggering her illness. Know what I mean?

Carson's marvelous, pioneering books, Silent Spring (1962) and The Sea Around Us (1951) are always in print, still timely, plus Silent Spring is currently ranked 1,113 on Amazon!

Natal Pluto trine Chiron:

Pluto is the link between our solar system and the galactic realms while Chiron links the inner planets with the transpersonal (outer) planets and is the primary ruler of ecology. This potent trine along with her n Pluto in Gemini--and in Gem's house, the 3rd--gave her great categorizing and ordering ability, and her Saturn in Pisces (Pisces = the sea! fish!) in 12th house (also associated with the collective unconscious and the ocean) conj ASC is the signature of the scientist.

And the collective unconscious relates to Cetus, the Whale for good measure--the story (or some would say, archetypal myth) of Jonah who had to speak out the truth.

The link above to Silent Spring puts the commemorative edition practically in your grasp with its 130+ full-color illustrations from all over the globe...from phosphorescent shrimp to whales and giant squids!

Yes, all who know me know that I'm partial to the fishies, and you may view the proof at Dreamyfish Art if you wish. Must be that Saturn/Neptune influence of having n Sun Cap/Moon Pisces which inspires Saturn's botanical renderings within oceanic Neptune's illusive dreams...