Life on Mars


Eerie skies and drought grass turned my whole world golden tonight.  
It felt like life on Mars…even my cappuccino cream cat turned golden in the light.

The fall blooming clematis vine you see here at the bottom is about the only thing growing in my yard, except for my garden, which I am watering.  My gardener freak father gave me cuttings from his clematis years ago, and it now covers nearly my entire chain link fence.
Mars (cuttings) from my father (Saturn) for a fragrant garden (Venus/Libra).

How are you all doing with Mars conjunct Saturn..?
Workhorses ?
No pain, no gain ?

I have promised myself I would go to bed early tonight.  Wouldn’t lay bets on that, though.  The Mars / Saturn conjunction in Libra above us is activating my natal Mercury.  Mars trines Saturn in my natal and my progressed Mars is exalted (and conjunct Moon – so I feel like working)  in Capricorn. 

See what I mean ?!!  MarsMarsMars

Plus Grand Air Trine: Moon / Venus / Saturn + Mars – so I am writing, probably will for hours.  

Friday 3rd
Moon into Pisces 8:58am CST,USA

Tuesday 7th
Venus into Cancer 8:43am, CST, USA

Wednesday 8th
Mercury stations direct 1’26” Leo 12:40am, CST, USA

*ding* second round

Venus slides into touchie – feelie Cancer and a T-square ! 
Uranus Rx at 8’17” Aries squares both Pluto at 7’21” Capricorn and newborn Cancer Venus ~> while Venus opposes Pluto Rx.

In english for non- astro folks, presto-change -o metamorphosis regarding love, money, creative juices, feelings, home are all coming into intense focus at the same time communication matters are shifting sands…!

Mercury energies are buzzing and setting off buzzers – the change – up in energies around stations are always more keenly felt !  Mercury will then begin closing a trine to Uranus Rx – you have mail !

Who knows what, though ?!?  Uranus Rx is a total and I do mean total wildcard.
Things are about to get really interesting !

T- square tension lives in your Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.  Any planets between 3-13 degrees are going to be feeling the heat.  Metamorph baby !
Venus will feel better to early Scorps, less so for early Libra.

Leo Mercury will station direct in trine to North Node of Destiny in Sagittarius also at one degree ( N Node is nearly into Scorp ! ).  
Fire much, lol !?
Early Sagittarius is a sweet spot for talking/ thinking it out, while early Scorp planets will begin to feel the communications get tense.

All this while Mars is conjunct Saturn.
All while Mars + Saturn trine Neptune and Chiron in Pisces.
:::::::::::::::

This is some s
erious work hard and heal well astro.

Dive in !  and be ready to bob & weave, baby !
gneissmoonastrology.net

Lughnasadh


NinfeAde

Lughnasadh
Also called August Eve, Harvest Home, Feast of Bread, Festival of the Green Corn is named for Lugh, an Irish solar god.  This is the time of Earth’s sorrowing Autumn, solar light is lessening and the nights are growing longer.

Lughnasadh, (Lammas or loaf – mass is from the anglo-saxon hlaefmass, or loaf festival) is the first of three harvests; others following are Mabon and Samhain. Traditionally celebrated on August 1st, it astrologically falls at 15 degrees Leo.

Harvest is beginning, crops are ripening, and the gathering of food is celebrated with gratitude.
Southern hemisphere celebrates Imbolc and the light of the Sun returning, while in the northern hemisphere Lughnasadh is celebrated as the sun’s light begins to lessen.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ceres (Roman for Demeter, also the root word of cereal) the Goddess of Grain was the Great Earth Mother of Persephone.  When Hades abducted Persephone to the underworld, Ceres searched the world, grieving for her lost daughter.  Ceres failed to nurture the grain and crops withered and died.  While Ceres grieved, the world fell into hunger until Zeus intervened, ordering Hades to return Persephone.

Hades did so, but first tricked Persephone into eating a bite of mystical pomegranate, which meant she was forced to return to the underworld for a portion of each year.  It is in these months that winter blankets the world and foliage goes dormant.

Interestingly, Ceres is traditionally connected with Henna, Sicily which at 931m above sea level, is the highest Italian province capital.  It has earned the nicknames “belvedere” (panoramic viewpoint) and “ombelico” (navel) of Sicily.  It is said to be the site of Persephone’s abduction to the underworld and the site of Ceres’ most ancient Sanctuary.  (wiki)
Highest point to search from, navel of Sicily – sounds like a searching mother to me..!

Ceres in the natal chart indicates loss, grief, searching, and wrath – but Ceres also indicates  joy, transformation, rebirth and the return of something lost.  Ceres is a place of interaction with the earth – where you can ground your wayward energies and nurture yourself.  Ceres is where you are both mother and mothered, it is where you nurture, and also where your growth is nurtured by others.

peace
gneissmoonastrology.net

ENGAGE !

Wednesday August 1
Full Moon in Aquarius 10:27pm CST, USA

Wednesday August 8
Mercury stations direct 12:4am CST, USA

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mercury, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron are ALL retrograde at Aquarius Full Moon, proceed with caution in matters of communication, signing any and all contracts as well as buying computers, stereos or other large purchases.  May as well wait until a few days after Mercury turns direct and the energies settle down a bit.  Times near stations tend to be felt even more than the entire retrograde itself.  Artists read all the fine print before signing – Mercury is opposite this Aquarius Full Moon in the sign of creative Leo !
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Be aware that creativity is at a high as well as intuition and sparks of mental images : ideas springing to life now may grow into large fruitful projects with care and willpower !
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Read both your Sun and Rising Sign…
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aries:  Aspirations are getting infusions of fresh full moon blood – creative communiques are incoming from unusual sectors enhancing relationships of all kinds.  Controls set to communicate intuitively as career undergoes a massive overhaul to reflect the true creative you.

Taurus:  Career path is illuminated as philosophies are re-designed to bring more peace of mind into your waking life.  Foundations of health and daily routines are under construction while creativity and positive solutions are in your pocket.  Follow your daydreams – they will lead you to surprising solutions and your highest happiest self.

Gemini:  Expansive philosophies and intellectual pursuits are leading the way to the powerful new you that is emerging.  Creative progress is off the scale as thoughts rush in from all sectors of the universal grid and consciousness.  Journal, publish or wax poetic, you are a shining light, a beacon !

Cancer:  Metamorphosis is underway at the soul level, radical ideas blaze trails in career and finance.  Others see the powerful new you as your psyche is beautifully re-vamped from the inside out.  Unusual messages incoming regarding career paths. Follow your instincts – they are golden – create the life you desire !

Leo:  Magnetically attracting everyone – friends, partners and intellectuals seek you out.  Your positive new outlook reflects the visionary ideas and radical new philosophies and intellectual pursuits unfolding within.  Daily routines get a healthy re-boot to include  more fun and frolic.

Virgo:  Perceptions sharpen on daily responsibilities and career.  Creative passions are overhauled to include balance between personal power given and taken.  New friends in career field step up to offer support and guidance.  Unusual messages incoming that transform and reshape long-held beliefs.

Libra:  Fun and creative mojo is highlighted while incoming messages from friends and partners open paths to new goals and more team players.   Home life and surrounds get a major overhaul.  Your competitive edge regarding longterm creative projects is strong and your newfound powerful self -image is pumped !  

Scorpio: Feelings about home and security are in the spotlight as interesting offers / ideas rush in allowing radical changes in career and daily routines.  Soul mine the past for hidden strengths – use them to solve current issues – finding creative solutions from the deep psyche is primo. 

Sagittarius:  Spotlight on communications as money altitudes / attitudes and peace of mind get an overhaul.  Power thrust behind goals and aspirations is off the charts while surprise messages are incoming sending creative flow to expansive new horizons.  Relationships of all kinds are enhanced while you attract and reflect kindness and creativity to all you meet.

Capricorn:  Wants, needs and peace of mind are highlighted as insights gained from family reset your personal powers back into to high gear.  Creativity is a lush part of your daily routine while forward thrust is warp speed in career and business.  Your self-image gets a much needed reboot and overhaul – the future is ripe and you know it !

Aquarius:  Incoming messages from close allies deliver new info that re-awakens shiny self image and gets the creative juices flowing.  New relationship horizons unfold at warp speed – aiming at learning new skills is super on target at the mo – past gets a reboot !

Pisces:  Peace of mind and balance comes through tapping into dreams and artistic mind meanderings that enrich your daily happiness.  Start by loving up everyday surrounds go gung -ho on positive self-image: set personal space to chill.  Be your own best friend : goals re-purposed, you metamorph and conquer !

blessed be !
peace
gneissmoonastrology.net

outerspacetripping

Moon in Sagittarius !
So breezy and light, I love it  ~>

Scorpio void moon was a killer for me, definitely revelation station.

In my progs Venus is squeezed between Uranus and Pluto ! YeOuch ! and in a tug of war (opposite) Saturn.  For non astro folks, that means my creativity, money love and work is getting the knock-down drag & shake out.  Uranus going Rx applying to prog Saturn in ick aspects (square Moon conj Mars in progs as well) made it obvious.
Time / work mgt. issues !  Saturn is the body, Saturn is work.

I have been working far too much – really trying to juggle what has amounted to – two full time jobs – be coherent and correct is something that is mentally (my natal Saturn is Rx in 3) and physically impossible for me. 

Sometimes saying I can’t can be a lifesaver.  Rock climbers have to know not only the capabilities of their equipment, but also their personal limitations. In my case, Saturn in Libra has been about respecting my body and its limits – I am making Venusian friends, new friends with time and workload – meaning work limits, time management, respect for balance etc…

Cap rising, Toro Moon, Virgo Sun…is a bit stubborn about the workload. My groovy galpal said to me a couple of days ago, “I have made 5 hideous mistakes this week !”  My reply, ” Oh, so we’re neighbors ?!”  Hey what is the point of being on earth if we don’t try…?…and sometimes that means crash & burn.  The most important thing is getting back up and getting back in the game.

Grand Fire trine / kite with Moon (feelings) opposite Jupiter (hope, expansion) as I write this.  It is good to have hope, to feel hope.  To those out there who feel hopeless, I have been there, I have lived there, and I sometimes still visit, but I do not unpack my bags and move in.  I take stock, become grateful, and lighten up – shift perspective.

Lately, I have not been following my intuition, I have tried plowing right through and working even though I know I am tired and need to re-charge, regenerate.
Sleep – ffs !
Feed my own soul, and have some fun.

Five retrogrades and a monster void moon in Scorpio it takes for me to finally get this.

I have gained some groovy Scorpy Moon insights, though.

 A friend mentioned she always takes off jewelry before readings, and wondered if anyone else did too.  Many responded yes, and I do as well.  Just always ‘felt’ right.  In addition, I always wash my hands, face and brush my teeth before readings and energy sessions.  Virgo stellium, ya know. hahaa  We like things nice and neat.  I also change into loose comfy clothing, because not only does my body heat increase, but I likely have candles burning, so it is a bit hotter in the room.

Another thing, all the tarot readings I have posted here are set to the intention to provide positive guidance for all my readers whenever they read it.  If I do address something globally in the reading, it often will reveal itself to have personal significance to someone reading it too.  Meaning the macro of the reading can switch hit and go micro – personal – as well.  Pretty groovy huh ?

I often ‘get things’ beforehand – knowledge I haven’t encountered yet.  I was drawing the Cho Ku Rei symbol before I even learned what it was.

When the Qi vamp from work would approach, I would be drawing this symbol sending it off – bouncing the icky vibe right back to where it came from.  It worked.

Cho Ku Rei is the power symbol – it cleanses, purifies and protects.  It is associated with the physical body and can be used to amp up the auric sheild.

I was trading readings with a new friend a couple of nights ago (first lightning & rain in ages – while we talked).   While doing her chart and going into visualization metaphor mode, into my brain popped a mental image to describe Pluto.  It would not have been one of my usual choices, but for some reason it seemed apt.  Turns out it was the one image  that resonated with her – nothing else would have hit the nail as accurately.

I consider myself open, Neptuner is a sponge after all, but I have been told repeatedly I have big boundaries.  That comes with being a Capricorn rising – Saturn rules building foundations, walls etc.. Capricorns are mystical seagoats – despite hardships they keep going. Capricorns have a faith and hope that is unlike frisky Sagittarius hope.  It is another kind of hope – faith all in life is a learning experience, the universe will right itself through karma, school of hard knocks, making your own luck, preparation meets opportunity – that sort of thing.

Love, work, money, partnership, relationships with others has been on all our plates with Saturn in Libra, but maybe less obvious  is the relationship we have with ourselves.  Saturn has been repeatedly knocking me off the cliff – teaching me how to find personal work balance in Libra.
Got it !
Finally got it !

I will let this be my last thought arrow into space ~>

Edgar Cayce described incarnations on the Saturn plane between lives as the “Great Changer’, a way to reform and renew – start over from scratch.  So if a soul screws up their Earth experience bigtime, they get sent to purgatory at Saturn School, according to Cayce. Yipe. the thought boggles.
…since we reincarnated into Earth school to learn lessons and evolve quickly  while in the physical realm…

What if Saturn could be considered the higher octave of Earth ?

Yes I realize astrology is geocentric, and Saturn is a social, not a transpersonal planet, but I like the idea of octaves, and thinking in octaves.
Curious thought for outer spacetrippers….

peace
gneissmoonastrology.net

Leo Lovelight

Moon is in Scorpio

Trine
Neptune Rx and Chiron Rx
In Pisces 

Mine your soul – tap your deepest feelings
whip UP your own brand
of spiritual healing

Inner still Waters
trine
Cosmic Sea Waters

go with your feelings – INtuition is sharp
5 retrogrades are looking within

Mercury Rx and Leo Sun
Trine Uranus Rx
and North Node

Feed your electric soul
your heart
create your thoughts with positive faith
possibilities are power

Boldly Captain your own Moon ship
through
deep Scorpio waters

YOU chart YOUR course
feel your way

Mentally Map
then Manifest

Venus trine Saturn
and
quintile Uranus Rx

Working thoughts and crafting balance
pride of journey and self
Leo Lovelight

a zing of courage & light of positive fire
from unexpected quarters

Neon Hopper brings
Fast Forward progress
and a
Light in Dark Places

::::::::::::::::

namaste
peace & progress
gneissmoonastrology.net 

Solarific Science Explosion

seaspell

The sun’s magnetic poles rotate one full cycle over a 22 year time frame.
Moon feels, fluctuates, adapts, pretty shiny orb yadda yadda –

Hello

Sun fluctuates too respect.
Astrological Sun rules Leo, the heart.

Polar reversal takes place every 11 years during the sunspot, flares and solar storm maximum cycle.  Every 11 years, the magnetic poles of the sun point toward the equator.  When this happens, the electromagnetic flow at (sunspots drift toward) the equator becomes much stronger.  Below, the uniform blue (north) and yellow (south)regions near the poles reveal the orientation of the Sun’s underlying dipole magnetic field.   We are currently over three years into Cycle 24.

Why and how does this happen ?
The trailing polarity flux from bipolar active regions drifts toward the pole to produce polar fields. The polar reversal occurs when sufficient flux from a new cycle has reached the pole to neutralize the remnant flux of opposite polarity from the previous cycle.  Flux accumulates at the Sun’s poles until, at the height of solar maximum, the
magnetic poles change polarity and begin to grow in a new direction.
Extensive read here for science geeks.

Here is the Sun now  via SOHO – realtime.

More on Sun cycles below…

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

As if Moon conjunct Mars and now nearly Saturn wasn’t making us cranky enough, we are also under a proton warning. 

About 2,000 geomagnetic storms happen in every 11-year solar cycle – but proton events > 10 (+9) are more rare – they vary from 0 – 8 events per solar cycle.
Past proton events.

As of this post: Latest Alert: Jul 24 1857 UTC EXTENDED WARNING: Proton 10MeV Integral Flux above 10pfu expected 
The flux proton levels are still at a elevated level, just below the threshold
for the >=10MeV as a consequence of the CME eruption early in the morning of
July 23. This means that we are still geomagnetically connected with the
source/CME.  SIDE, Belgium

What you say ?
Proton ( positively charged – click here for why negative is good – sage smudging, and electrical thunderstorms via my very first post ) shock waves are associated with coronal mass ejections, though not necessarily (click for current graph – no magnetic storms) magnetic in nature. Interplanetary Shockspotter here.

10 MeV = Ten million electron volts yowsa

See why the protons are worth mentioning – we will feel it !… Maybe chalk it up to Uranus square Pluto or Moon conjunct Mars – Saturn.  Protons are uncomfortable, increased blood pressure, aggression, serotonin levels.  Nervous tension.  Girl cat was especially touchy this eve.  Plus severe drought across the US.
We are feeling it BIGTIME.

Here is a page for red alert warnings.
In addition you can always go to the sidebar to NOAA- Space Weather Now.

Here is a record of proton shocks from 2000 – 2005.

Here is the last two weeks – note the 10+ peaks.  Not as high as the 10 (+6) above, yet getting up there, nonetheless.  Click here for updates on the latest 48 hours of solar flare activity – basically like the chart below only fresh.

You are wondering what is a proton event exactly…? 
Me too.  (in depth Solar Proton Event wiki)

A solar proton event (or proton storm) occurs when protons emitted by the Sun become accelerated to very high energies either close to the Sun during a solar flare or in interplanetary space by the shocks associated with coronal mass ejections.

These high energy protons cause several effects. They can penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field and cause ionization in the ionosphere. They (reportedly – GMAstro) only enter the atmosphere near north pole, south pole, and South Atlantic magnetic anomaly.

What is South Atlantic magnetic anomaly ?  It is where the Earth’s magnetic field is the weakest. (see map below)  
Who knew ?  Not me – fascinating !

Ye Gads, I see an astrocartography analysis bender in my Sun conjunct Uranus Pluto future.  Plus, weak magnetics – do people weigh less and jump higher too… hmmm..? That could be an arthritic plus or minus, I suppose, plus maybe baseballs go farther…?… compasses spin wildly..?  the mind boggles…hmmm…ok – getting distracted…sorry

South Atlantic magnetic anomaly

Basically the effect is similar to auroral events, the difference being that electrons and not protons are involved. They can penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field and cause ionization in the ionosphere.  Energetic solar protons are also a significant radiation hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.  In addition they wack out radio signals, but not necessarily the electrical grids, which are only sensitive to fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field.

What is the ionosphere exactly ?

The ionosphere is comprised of portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation.   In the thermosphere, the atmosphere is so thin that free electronsokay, how Uranian is THAT ? – can exist for short periods of time before they are captured by a nearby positive ion. The number of these free electrons is sufficient to affect radio propagation.

The thermosphere is ionized and contains a plasma which is referred to as the ionosphere. In a plasma, the negative free electrons  and the positive ions  are attracted to each other by the electromagnetic force, but they are too energetic to stay fixed together in an electrically neutral molecule. 

Too energetic – fascinating – drawn together, but no neutrality. 
Fixed by attraction, yet not bound.  cool.

Can you see this in your natal chart oppositions ? 
I soOo do in mine.
Same wavelength, opposite viewpoints.

Toro Moon opp Scorp Neptuner.
Exalted vs. most highly aspected. 
sheesh.

Okay, so check this out:
During magnetically quiet days of solar maximum periods, the diurnal (daytime) ionosphere has both increased ionization and is thicker, compared to the nighttime for non – auroral latitudes.  The reverse is true during the solar minimum.

In high latitudes, nighttime thickness of the ionosphere is higher compared to the daytime for both solar phases.

The atmosphere adjusts for the incoming solar energy and storms.  neatO.

Interestingly peak ionosphere thickness is pre-sunrise and post sunset.
(source for above)

Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have a neutral charge, and electrons have a negative charge.

When these charges are out of balance, an atom becomes either positively or negatively charged.  The switch between one type of charge and the other allows electrons to flow from one atom to another. This flow of electrons, or a negative charge, is what we call electricity.

Exactly why the sunrise and sunset are so magickal – full of possibilities & electricity !

I’m not buying we don’t feel the protons through the atmosphere bit, obviously.  If proton storms change and whack out radiowaves, they change and whack out life forms on the planet surface too.  So step up the sage smudging, the candles and humidity in your environs just to safe – feels good anyway.

Gonna Virgo – out and go from macro to the micro bit: human electrical health: Click.

The most common human ion is Calcium.

Calcium is not only the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth’s crust, but it is also the fifth-most-abundant dissolved ion in seawater.
Wow.  Who knew ?  Not me !  Saturnrox, lol. 

Bone is the body’s major mineral storage site.  Calcium storage inside our cells accumulate ions, releases them when needed.  This calcium storage includes mitochondria.  Mitochondria are sometimes described as “cellular power plants” because they generate chemical energy.  Human mitochondrial DNA is inherited solely from the mother.
How is that for Moon conjunct Saturn ?

:::::::::::::::::

So now onto Solar cycles, why I started writing this novella in the first place.
Solar Maximum Sunspot Official Numbers NOAA

Sunspot peaks
Feb 1906 – 64.2
Aug 1917 – 105.4
April 1928 – 78.1
April 1937 – 119.2
May 1947 – 151.8
March 1958 – 201.3
Nov 1968 – 110.6
Dec 1979 – 164.5
July 1989 – 158.5
March 2000 – 120.8

I have been wanting to study up on solar cycles for months and months – finally doing it.

I have Sun conjunct Uranus (magnetics) Pluto and I was thinking solar cycles would be evident in my life.

I got my answer.
My answer is yes.

In ’68 I was too young to remember, will have to ask my Mom what was going on.  I know around ’79 I got yanked into several years of moving and changing schools every few months or so.  (Toro Moon in 4 hates that, btw.)  Around ’89 second Sagittarian  relationship hit the skids – heartbreakingly stellar crash and burn, I didn’t eat or sleep for weeks.  You can see it coming, 2000 wasn’t any better, years of major stress induced illness.

I am curious if you notice anything unusual during solar maximums.
Please comment either way.  If you have made it this far you deserve a science geek medal and a heartfelt thank you for reading my self-indulgent solar magnetic energies post.
Thank you.
xo
peace
Gneiss Moon
gneissmoonastrology.net

ps. It is late, and I need sleep – I will look up world history with the dates and edit with more info at a later time.  I did find this link fascinating – stock market and solar cycles, via John Hampson.
cya

magicks in the air

Enchanted Map Tarot

Quickie reading for Mercury and Uranus retrograde
Octaves of communication
Intention: insight and positive direction

Coming to life: Mercury Rx
Shedding old skins, growth, new life to old dreams
manifestation – show up to your own life

Wizard of Awareness: Uranus Rx
Neutral observation of life: outer and inner
 step back observe from a distance
‘wear the world as a loose garment’
It’s ALL good.

Spirit Card: Magical Shape Shifter
pay attention to those who cross your path today
they are here to help and aid you in your
spiritual journey
:::::::
blessed be
gneissmoonastrology.net