Neptune enters Aquarius; Neptune plus Jupiter

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, Neptune will enter Aquarius in the Sidereal Zodiac. The outer planets creep along very slowly in the Heavens: the movement of Neptune into its new position will go on for a few weeks. In astrology a planet changing signs is considered weak; its energy is confused by being in a state of transition. Neptune's significations will be under stress for awhile. Since Neptune is the planet of Dreams, it can indicate Confusion in any case.
Pursuing Neptune in the Heavens is Jupiter, which has been slowly catching up to Neptune over the past several weeks. Jupiter will be conjunct Neptune when it too enters Aquarius in a couple of weeks, on Dec. 19. The planet of Truth, Wisdom and Hope combined with the planet of Dreams, Idealism, and Illusion leads to a Unrealistic Expectations. President Obama's astrology chart has his Ascendant at 24 degrees Capricorn, close to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. Many commentators have attacked his decisions re the Afghanistan situation as well as the Unemployment situation as being Unrealistic.
Meanwhile, Venus is still transiting through Scorpio for a couple more weeks. The planet of Romance, Young Females, and Celebrities transiting through the sign of Secrets continues to turn up scandalous stories re the romantic adventures of various famous people.

Mercury enters Sagittarius, Full Moon in Taurus, Mars opposite Obama's Ascendant

On Tuesday, December 1, Mercury will enter Sagittarius in the Sidereal Zodiac. Usually Mercury only spends 2 to 3 weeks in a sign, but this time Mercury will be in Sagittarius for over 2 months, until early February, because while in this sign Mercury will have a retrograde period (starting on Dec. 26). The significations of Sagittarius and Mercury will be combined: Mercury, the planet of the Rational Mind, speaks through Sagittarius, the sign of Subjective Truth. The result is everyone busy trying to promote their own point of view.
The Full Moon also falls on Tuesday night, Dec. 1 (early A.M. Wednesday, Dec. 2 for East Coast of USA). This Full Moon is strong at 16 degrees in Taurus. It is the culmination of the energies of the lunar month of Margashirsh. Note that the Moon in Taurus puts it in the 6th house of the astrology chart of the USA, the part of a country's chart that covers Defense, and the Military Forces. President Obama will give his decision on troops being sent to Afghanistan on this day.
Since this Full Moon is in the lunar sign Rohini, associated with Abundance, and simultaneously aspected by Venus opposite in Scorpio, we can expect the markets to recover (at least momentarily) from their dip at the end of the previous week.
Transiting through Cancer since early October, Mars will be opposite President Obama's natal Ascendant Degree (24 deg. Capricorn) at the end of the week (see: Barack Obama's astrology chart)The position of Mars opposite the Ascendant is considered a very conflict-prone transit. Mr. Obamas actions will cause controversy, and any decisions he makes this week (and next week) will be met with stiff opposition from many opponents.

Venus enters Scorpio

On Thursday, November 26, Venus leaves Libra and enters Scorpio. Venus will then escape the malefic "square" aspect of Mars, and be able to operate more freely.
Venus will be joining Mercury and Sun, already in Scorpio. The Energy of Scorpio is benefited, leading to more Investigations and Research during the rest of November.
This weekend, Saturday-Monday, the Moon transits through Capricorn, activating the Mars-Jupiter opposition, and increasing the energy of Actions (Mars) vs. Beliefs (Jupiter). Debates, etc. become more contentious. The difficulty of coming to Agreements is still a factor while Mars continues to give an inimical aspect to the planet of Agreements, Venus, until Venus changes signs late Thursday.
Meanwhile, Jupiter is getting closer and closer to Neptune at the end of Capricorn, combining the energy of Optimism (Jupiter) with the planet of Dreams (Neptune) leading to Unrealistic Expectations.

New Moon and Mercury in Scorpio

The New Moon will be on Monday, Nov. 16 in the 1st degree of Scorpio. This begins the lunar month of Mrigrasira. The energy of this month is considered good for Beginnings, especially Travel, and Initiating Spiritual Practice.
Contributing to the Lunar Month is the energy of Mercury, which entered Scorpio last Wednesday and will continue in this sign until the end of November. Mercury in Scorpio is good for Investigations, Research, and Scandals.
In the chart of the USA, the New Moon and Mercury are in the 12th house of Hidden Things, Foreign Lands, Conspiracies, Criminal Activity,etc. This part of the USA chart is already "turned on" by the Mars Dasha. So it is appropriate that there are various investigations going on in the USA during the coming weeks, and the likelihood of more scandals, revelations, etc.
Mars will be exactly Square to Venus this coming Thursday, November 19. The normally benefic energy of Venus in Libra is spoiled by this aspect; it makes coming to Agreements and Compromises difficult this week and next.
In President Obama's chart, Mars is conjunct his natal Sun, meanwhile moving into position opposite to his Ascendant Degree. He is simultaneously energized and presented with more challenges this week and next. Jupiter is conjunct Mr. Obama's Ascendant degree currently, with Venus transiting in his 10th house, protecting him from harm and making others well-disposed towards him despite his difficulties.
Jupiter the planet of Laws, as it is getting closer to Neptune the planet of Confusion, results in some confusing interpretation of Law, as in Attorney General Eric Holder's recent decision to move Guantanamo terrorists' trial to Civil Courts, and the ongoing confusion on how to proceed to trial with the mass murder at Ft. Hood.

Mars afflicts Venus and Jupiter

Venus and Jupiter are the two main Benefic Planets in Vedic Astrology. Venus is the planet of Aggreement; Jupiter is the planet of Truth and Wisdom.
Mars is a Natural Malefic: the planet of Conflict, Aggression, and War.
During most of November, Mars, from its position in the Zodiac in the sign Cancer, sends its influence to both Venus and Jupiter: to Venus via the 90 degree/ Square aspect, and to Jupiter by being opposite to it.
Therefore, the significations of Venus and Jupiter are suffering. It's harder to get at the Truth, and coming to Aggreements is almost impossible.
Jupiter is the planet of Beliefs and Religion. Mars is the planet of Aggression and Combat: more incidents (as have happened already) portraying this energy pattern are likely while the two planets oppose each other in the Heavens. Jupiter will finally escape the influence of Mars when it leaves Capricorn on December 19.
This weekend, starting Saturday Evening and lasting until Monday night, the Moon will be transiting through Cancer, adding more energy to Mars and its influence on Venus and Jupiter, increasing the potential for contentious debate in Congress, etc.
The Aspect of Mars on Venus and Jupiter becomes more exact, and stronger, as we proceed into the 3rd and 4th weeks of November.
Jupiter is also suffering from its proximity to Neptune, the planet of Dreams. Having the planet of Wisdom conjunct the planet of Illusion, while simultaneously being pounded on by Mars the planet of Haste and Aggression, is very unfavorable for making correct decisions. Therefore, the month of November can't be counted on for making progress.
Meanwhile, Saturn, planet of Structure and Established Order, is avoiding the current mess while in its position in Virgo, a sign favorable to it. Making use of Saturn's energy may be the solution: Best to be Cautious, Stick to Routines, Pay attention to the Details, and wait until after November for moving ahead.

Fulll Moon in Aries, Venus enters Libra, Nodes change Signs

The Full Moon will be Monday, November 2, at 16 degrees in Aries. This is the culmination of the energy of the lunar month of Kartika, however, the Full Moon this year will be in lunar sign Bharani. This is a rather volatile Full Moon with a lot of Mars energy in it: The Moon and Mars will be exchanging signs (Mars in Cancer the Moon's sign vs. Moon in Mars' sign Aries) and Mars will be in a 90 degree aspect to the axis of the Sun-Moon opposition. Emotional energy will be rather high.
Also on Monday, Venus will be changing signs, entering Libra. The day that a planet changes signs it's energies are weakened. Significations of Venus, such as Financial Markets, have been taking a beating lately, and that will likely continue on Monday. However, once Venus advances into Libra, its situation improves, since this is Venus's own sign. One problem is that while in Libra Venus will be receiving an unfriendly Square Aspect (90 degree) from Mars, which will continue to create conflicts and manifest as Difficulty coming to Compromise, Arguments, and Volatility in Markets. In the chart of the USA, Venus (along with Mercury and Sun) are in the 11th house, representing Congress. The inimical influence from Mars will make for a contentious month re coming to Agreement on Health Care Bill, etc. Venus will remain in Libra for most of November.
Rahu and Ketu, change signs this week. The Moon's Nodes (crossover points of the apparent paths of the Sun and Moon as seen from Earth) are given nearly the same status as planets in Vedic Astrology. They spend approximately 1 and 1/2 years in a sign. Rahu will be entering Sagittarius, while Ketu goes into Gemini. To learn more details on the effects of this important change, get the current issue of the Vedic Astrology Newsletter and/ or listen to this coming week's podcast.

Mercury and Venus in Parivatana Yoga

As of Saturday, Oct. 24, Mercury is in Libra. Meanwhile, Venus is still in Virgo until November 2. Since Mercury is the planetary ruler of Virgo, and Venus is the planetary ruler of Libra, these two planets are now in each other's signs. This combination is called a Parivatana Yoga in Vedic Astrology. The two planets are in a special relationship, which continues until Venus changes signs.
Venus is considered debilitated while in Virgo, i.e., the planet is Weak for producing results, and its significations are harmed. Previously, while Mercury and Venus were together in Virgo, Venus benefited by its association with exalted Mercury, which effectively cancelled the debilitation of Venus. This is now no longer the case, and Mercury and its significations will likewise suffer by being in a sign whose planetary lord (Venus) is ill-disposed.
Venus is a planet of Guidance, as is Jupiter, which is also currently debilitated while in Capricorn. With both planets of Guidance at a disadvantage, the potential for understanding and getting things right over the coming week is poor.
The situation is made worse by the influence of Mars, which from its position in Cancer, is opposite to Jupiter, and now simultaneously square to Mercury. Since Mercury is the planet of Communications, the Media will be even more antagonistic than usual, and can't be counted on for reliable information during the next three weeks while Mercury is in Libra.