Living on Maui and being part of the Civilian Emergency Response Team on the island I had an exciting Saturday with the big tsunami threatening our islands. After all it wasn’t so bad, our harbor and airport which is the lifeline of our island and connection to the outer world with food and gas was spared of major destruction. Yeah…somebody has built the airport close to the water to make sure a bad tsunami really cuts us off.

It was an amazing feeling driving down the hill to my place of assembly to wait for orders of the Civil Defense Department. Even if I have been trained how to respond to emergency and disasters – a little- it seemed like those things always happen to others in China or Chile. I have never been touched by total destruction myself in my life. My adrenals were working over time and I was prayer that we will be spared by the worst, which we were thank God.

It made me realize how interconnected we all are and we are all facing amazing and challenging changes and forces beyond our control. And beside the celestial dance of the planets representing the ruling forces of the universe I am commenting on every week, I thought it was time to take a deeper look this week into the bigger picture of what the heck is going on. It is called the big T-square!

There is much talk in the astrological community about the T- square between the planets of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto because of its deep and transforming impact we feel it already has for all of us.

The Saturn opposition to Uranus with 5 exact contacts

•    on 11/04/08 at 19 Virgo (Saturn) -Pisces (Uranus)
•    on 2/5/09 at 20 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 09/15/09 at 25 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 4/24/2010 at 29 Virgo-Pisces
•    on 7/26/2010 at 1 Libra-Aries

This will be intermingled with a square to Pluto who is in early Capricorn and in the process of squaring transiting Saturn three times.

•    The first square occurred on Nov. 15, 2009, at 1 Libra
•    The second was on Jan. 31, 2010, at 4 Libra.
•    The third is on Aug. 21, 2010 at 3 Libra.

There is a global impact of all this which shows as a major cultural turning point, challenge and start into an unraveling of structures in our society we all have dreaded since the financial markets meltdown started and the economy started to fall apart on us. It has become obvious that the manipulation of the economy for the advantage of a few has started an avalanche and revelation of dysfunction of our corporate world and politics. But it is also the environmental issues and earth changes we are not able to ignore anymore with El Niño, earthquakes, melting of the ice at the poles, changes in the magnetic field and weather pattern around the world.

This has a very personal impact on each one of us as an individual and we are called to action with adjustments in our personal lives. We are living in a time of tremendous potential of change for the better because the old is obviously not working and each one of us is called to be part of that transformation of the Phoenix out of Ashes.

Your personal power lies in your own choices and adaptation with circumstances and the answer to the question:

What Can You Do for Your Own Balance?

Wherever the early degrees of Libra and Capricorn fall in your chart and the connecting aspects to your planets you will feel personally challenged and called to grow into more clarity (Saturn) while building and re-negotiating your place in relation to others (Libra), allow rebirth (Pluto) of a new YOU with the dissolving of old beliefs and values (Uranus).

Consciousness is the key to keep your own balance and works as an antidote to fear and anxieties. You can find ways to focus on solutions instead of problems, you can use proper tools helping to raise your personal frequency and align with the highest potential of the astrological constellations.
There are many tools which are appropriate to help that inner process and I believe the use of Quartz Crystals and the Herkimer Diamond are especially beneficial for the current astrological trends.

Astrology Gives You an Advantage

In ancient times the planets were perceived as gods and goddesses which is a perspective I find very helpful. Planets are symbolizing the universal laws and principles that shape life in a wide variety of all its expressions. In your personal quest of finding forms and implementing those principles into your life you usually become more and more versatile, flexible and successful in finding more joyful ways of higher expressions of those principles.
For me astrology is an elegant way to become more conscious of myself in the magnificence of life in its ever changing cycles and rhythms.

Saturn: The Conservative Pragmatist

Capricorn is a feminine earth sign ruled by Saturn. Their home is the 10th House—Public Image, Career, & Destiny.

As you move through the zodiac you will notice that the qualities of the signs reflect a process of evolution from self-centered toward greater social consciousness and responsibility. Saturn is associated with social order (rules, laws), duty, concrete reality, and the material world.

Capricorns or people with a strong Saturn influence seek to be in visible positions of power and prestige in society. Their high degree of organization, discipline, ambition, and intelligence make them perfect as leaders of organizations of all types, in government, business, and the military. Their conservative values and black-and-white thinking can make them inflexible with respect to morality.

The Dark Side of Capricorn and Saturn

Because Capricorns are so driven, self-disciplined, and controlling, it is hard for them to relax into the benevolence of life, trusting the flow of life and its ultimate goodness. Due to the rule of Saturn, there is an element of contraction and fear that urges to be continually in action and in control. With Saturn it is important to take time out of your busy lives and allow time for relaxation, introspection, and inner peace. This is even more important with Saturn transits because they challenge our status quo and force us into introspection to gain clarity to enable us to take clear action and make enlightened choices.

Bringing Light into the Darkness

It is especially helpful to support yourself during Saturn transits with practicing some form of meditation, Tai Chi, or yoga to slow down your mental activity and anxiety. Meditation with gemstones, especially Crystal Quartz are appealing in their practical nature—it’s simply a matter of lying down and placing one or several stones on your body.

Healing Gemstones

Gemstones can by your allies for healing and balance because they represent the most balanced, light filled, highest vibrational representative of the planetary principles we have easy access to. They touch us through their beauty and perfection, their radiant colors, magically born in the womb of unimaginable heat and pressure within Mother Earth. They are ancient beings filled with consciousness of the Mineral Kingdom.

Crystal Quartz Is a Saturn Stone & Your Guide to Higher States of Consciousness [1]

Crystal Quartz is the perfect stone to bring consciousness and light into our lives, helping us to gain clarity, insight, and a higher perspective on life. It is an amazingly versatile stone and can be used as a container and enhancer for inner work with visualizations, affirmations, raise our frequency and inner connection to the divine.

Crystal Quartz is one of the true birthstones of Capricorn and the Herkimer Diamond of Libra. Quartz is one of the most common and well-known crystals in the world, found virtually everywhere on the planet.

Crystal Quartz: The Manifestation of Light

Crystal Quartz is the manifestation of light, clarity, concentration, and perfect crystallization, a metaphor for our own search for perfection. If you examine a single crystal you will see that as it grows it becomes more and more clearly developed and defined toward the tip. You can also see the six sides of the crystal, corresponding to the first six chakras in the body, with the tip of the crystal corresponding to the crown chakra. In this way Quartz is a perfect mirror for our own process of growth as we move from confused or unenlightened to a state of increasing awareness and clarity on our path to higher consciousness.

I have written three other articles about crystals and their amazing qualities:
1. Using Quartz Crystals and the Law of Attraction
2. Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Crystal Quartz and Its Practical
3. The Herkimer Diamond – a Double Terminated Crystal

The Herkimer Diamond – Saturn, Uranus and Pluto

I have suggested the Herkimer Diamond before because it is one of the most amazing gemstones able to support our inner growth towards balance between the polarities because it is a double terminated crystal. I believe the Herkimer Diamond is a must have gemstone in these turbulent times because of its pacifying qualities for Saturn’s, Uranus’ and Pluto’s turbulent energies.

With the Herkimer we can find an easier way towards inner peace and balance in our own heart. He helps raising our frequency and consciousness finding the Middle Path. This stone is also keeping us safe from electro smog weakening our energy field in front of the computer, which we are all exposed to. Because it is made of crystal it is enhancing our consciousness with more clarity, focus, concentration and brings white light into our aura. It is a stone of true wonders and you can read more about it in other articles I have written.

As people we need to focus on what we want, more then onto what is wrong. What is wrong is just the starting point of where we want to go. Keep that vision as a guiding light in front of you. We are the creators of our own reality and that is where our power lives. Energy goes where your focus is. Keep that better world in your mind, heart and soul and align yourself with that the best way you can.

As you can tell, I am very passionate about the potential of healing gems and all the different applications of those enchanting allies to raise your frequency for more balance and joy.

I wish you an enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones and looking at them in a new way! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Shakti Carola Navran is originally from Germany, living in Maui, Hawaii, is a professional jeweler, astrologer and author with a lifelong spiritual journey; she has been crafting personalized Soul Jewelry since 1977. In her book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul she teaches you about how to read your personal horoscope and blue print for your life. You will be able to balance yourself in your most important areas with your 12 main healing gemstones; you could call your true birthstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul. You can sign up for her free weekly Astrological Weather Report.
Article Source

A natal birth chart, also referred to as a birth chart or a natal chart, is a horoscope or astrological chart that is drawn from the exact time of a person’s birth, and it give a revealing glimpse into a person’s character by analyzing the position of the planets and the astrological houses during the time of birth along with the person’s astrological sign.

The three main components of a natal birth chart are the signs, the planets, and the houses. The signs is the 12-fold cycle of the zodiac and describe a circular rhythm and is one of the more popular aspects of astrology. The planets refer to the sun and the moon and the other planetary bodies in the solar system. And the houses will show where an energy could be expressing itself or where a certain tone is received in the field of human experience. As stated by mountainastrologer.com, “The planets show what is happening, the signs show how it’s happening, and the houses show where it’s happening.”

The Signs

We are all familiar with the 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These signs are basically areas in the constellation where the planets pass through in a course of time. Where the planets are tell a lot about a person’s character. When a chart says that “Venus is in Leo,” it means that Venus was on that sign on the time of birth, and when it says “at 15 degrees of Leo,” Venus passed about halfway through that part of the sky associated with that particular zodiac sign. All planets will pass through all the signs.

The 12 signs have an influence on a person all the time, and the energies of the 12 signs are present at the time of birth in various ways.

The Planets

Each planet in the birth natal chart represents a function in a person’s personality. They are grouped into two categories: personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) and outer planets (Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto).

To get an idea of what each planet represents, here’s a general description. In the personal planets, the Sun represents a person’s basic identity, their purpose and will to exist. The moon, reflecting the light of the Sun, is the container of life experiences. It is a person’s way of being or a way of relating to life that would feel natural comfortable. The moon does not represent emotions but is connected to it and the memories attached to these emotions.

Mercury relates to a person’s ability to perceive to and relate with individuals and objects other than themselves, which makes connected with communication, symbols, and language. Venus is the part that gives feedback about what is comfortable or not, what that person enjoys; it is an indicator of what a person values and appreciates. Mars functions to as upon the desires and needs as described by Venus; it represents action and the use of will.

In the outer planets, Jupiter represents growth and the ability of a person to integrate into society; it represents the person’s life path. Saturn represents responsibilities, the rules a person establishes, the necessary restrictions imposed for the growth of one’s consciousness. Uranus represents the ability of one to break through new levels of understanding or consciousness, gaining insights from life’s difficulties and problems. Neptune represents a person’s ideals and imagination, the breaking of psychic boundaries and bringing about a sense of harmony with the universe. And Pluto represents change and inner growth, the kind of change that starts deep in a person, touching upon sensitive psychological areas.

The Houses

Mountainastrologer.com states that the houses are the frame of reference through which a person can identify the planet’s positions against the background of the zodiacs. The 12 houses similar with the 12 signs of the zodiac. Elbertwade.com provides a very concise description for each house. The first house refers to the outer self, the second house refers to wealth, the third house refers to the worldly mind or to explorations and research of all kind, and the fourth house refers to family and security.

The fifth house refers to the expressions of the mind or creativity, the sixth house refers to responsibility, the seventh house refers to relationships with other people, and the eighth house refers to desire motivations and their intensity.

The ninth house refers to the higher mind or religious and philosophical ideas, the tenth house refers to career choices and a person’s potentials, the eleventh house refers to social life or community, and the twelfth house refers to hidden limitations or all those we go through to make our dreams a reality.

And those were the basic components of a natal birth chart and overview on each component to understand how it all works. Individually, it doesn’t seem to make much sense, but once all these three components are analyzed together, it will give a person a very revealing glimpse into their character.

For more information on natal birth chart, please go to: http://www.babybirthchart.com/natal-charts/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/understanding-the-meaning-of-a-birth-natal-chart-1439784.html

Just The Basics by Wiccame

This is a cut corners, crash course in astrology. Before we’re finished, I want you to understand more about real, bona fide, astrology than 90% of the rest of the population does. (Although, you’ll probably gain just enough understanding to make you dangerous.) You might want to bookmark this page, since there might be more here than you can comfortably digest at a single sitting.

Sun Sign Astrology?

Almost everyone knows what their “astrological Sun sign” is from reading the daily horoscopes in the newspaper. Sun Sign Astrology is just the tip of a huge iceberg. What most folks don’t realize is that at the moment of a person’s birth – in real, bona fide, astrology each of the planets in our solar system has a correlation with regard to the human personality depending on:

What Zodiac Sign the planet is in

How the different planets “aspect” or “connect” with each other

And what house the planet is in.

Geez! We’ve barely just gotten started – and we’ve already got four major concepts going here:

I – Planets – raw energy (these are the Verbs of Astrology)

II – Zodiac Signs – patterns of energy (these are the Adverbs of Astrology) you know – the twelve signs, Aries – Pisces

III – Aspects – these are different connections between the planets

IV – Houses – where the energy/patterns (planets/signs) take place

So astrologers attempt the difficult task of cohesively pulling together and synthesizing the ways that the planets, signs, aspects, and houses in a person’s birth chart all work together to form a whole. We look for major repeated themes in the birth chart. And we look for a thousand other “things” that aren’t part of a cut corners, crash course in astrology.

I – Planets (and Points)

For some unknown, unfathomable, mysterious reason – the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in our solar system have a mystical “correspondence” with the internal makeup of the human psyche.

Why this is so – I’m basically clueless…. I suppose most unknown, unfathomable mysteries are destined to remain unknown, unfathomable mysteries (and stubbornly refuse to be pinned down by our teeny, tiny human brains)…That’s why they’re called unfathomable.

Along with these 10 planets, there are several other “points” on the birth chart that are also muy importante (very important). However, in a Crash Course, we only have to include a special point called “the Ascendant.” (Sometimes also called the Rising Sign.)

The Big Three

Of all the many planets and/or points in the birth chart – there are three planets and/or points that are the very most important to get a handle on. These three most important planets and/or points are the Moon, the Sun, and the Ascendant.

The Rest Of The Planets Are Important Modifiers

Personal Planets

Mercury – communication, intelligence, thought, ideas
Venus – relating abilities, pleasure, enjoyment, values
Mars – assertiveness, getting what you want, survival
Social Planets
Jupiter – expansion, beneficent, jovial, opportunity, religious
Saturn – restriction, limitations, structure, learning hard lessons
Generational Planets
(most important to individual personality as they form aspects to the other planets, the Ascendant, and the houses they fall in)
Uranus – independent, electricity, shock, inventive, detachment
Neptune – dependent, foggy, romantic, misty, mystical, magnetic, imagination
Pluto – intensity, hidden, invisible, transformation, eros, erotic
In a nutshell:
the Moon symbolizes – where we’ve already been (instincts)
the Sun symbolizes – where we’re going in the future (heart and identity)
and the Ascendant symbolizes – how we’re going to get there (outer behaviors).
The Three Most Important Points On A Birth Chart:
The Ascendant The Ascendant is also sometimes known as the “Rising Sign” – and to add to your confusion… the Ascendant is not a physical celestial body or planet.
The Ascendant (or Rising Sign) is the Zodiac sign which was rising on the horizon at the exact moment of your birth. The Ascendant represents the exact dawning of your life on planet Earth. It’s the part of the Sky that came to meet and greet you at the exact moment of your birth.
The Ascendant aids us in answering the question: “who am I in this world?” The Ascendant acts as an “I am filter” through which we process all of our life experiences… The Ascendant acts as a protector and a mask (yet it’s much more than simply a mask). The Ascendant reflects how we allow the world at large to “see” us…. it reflects our outward behaviors and personality that people first see when getting to know us.
On our own personal “hero’s journey,” the Ascendant takes on the very nature of “the quest.” The outer behaviors of the Ascendant set the “stage” of our story. And the Ascendant is “the Guide” on our personal Quest! The fast moving point of the Ascendant cycles through all 12 of the Zodiac Signs within the course of a single day. And because the Ascendant is such a fast moving point on the chart – it’s the main reason why astrologers need to know the exact time and place of your birth.

The Ascendant also determines the house placements in the birth chart. Some astrologers are big into the Ascendant determining physical characteristics – I’m not convinced. (An interesting aside note: in one of her books, Liz Greene mentions that the Midheaven is often more important in determining physical characteristics…. Don’t worry…. If you stop off at the Castle before leaving this section, then you’ll be introduced to the Midheaven)
The Moon – in the birth chart, the Moon reflects where we find our greatest source of emotional security and feel the safest. The Moon is the most important point during the “growing up” years. Paradoxically, the Moon symbolizes both our “inner mother” and our “inner child.” As an adult, whenever we’re scared or find ourselves “cornered in a tight spot” – the Moon contains our “bag of tricks,” our inheritance, our instincts which we unconsciously fall back on to save ourselves in stressful times of trouble.
Remember all those stories where the young hero starting out on a quest is given something to protect him/her by their mother? The thing given is usually a magic ring, cloak, potion, etc.?
The item Mom (Moon) gives the young hero is very often something that once belonged to the hero’s father. It’s a part of the hero’s inheritance. And when the hero gets caught in a really tight spot – the hero then gets out this gift which miraculously “saves the hero’s bacon….”
The Sun – in the birth chart – reflects our sense of identity, self-expression, source of creativity, and how we shine best. The Sun normally gains in importance and strength as we grow older and develop a clearer sense of who we are as an individual. Fact is, though…. some folks never effectively express their Sun Sign energy (regardless of what the Daily Horoscope versions of astrology say). Some folks get stuck in only identifying with their Ascendant and/or Moon.
The Sun is the focal point of our Hero’s Journey! In order to feel totally alive… the Sun is the “inner hero,” that over the course of a life-time, we must learn how to consciously give energy and expression to.
Summing Up:
The Ascendant is the Guide on our personal quest. (outer behaviors)
The Moon is the Inheritance (the bag of tricks containing a magic ring or potion) which saves the hero in those times of grave danger. (instincts)
And the Sun is the Hero of our quest. (heart and identity)
Remember… the Moon is where we’re been, the Sun is where we’re going, and the Ascendant is how we get there. (be sure to check out “The Castle” when you come to it. It’ll help clarify all this.)
Ascendant, Sun, Moon… Most important?
I’m often asked, “okay…. okay…. , BUT, Dr Z, IF you had to narrow it down – which one is truly the most important of the three? The Ascendant, the Sun, or the Moon?”
I don’t have to narrow it down!
The Sun, the Moon, and the Ascendant are all very, very important in their own particular way….
Here’s something you might find interesting…. in Greek Mythology, the Titan god Hyperion (he above) and the Titan goddess Theia (the divine) conceived three children:
Helios — the god of the Sun
Selene — the goddess of the Moon
and Eos — the goddess of the morning (dawn)
These three celestial children of the Titans were, however, considered to be subject to all the other gods and goddesses of the Greek Pantheon.
II – Zodiac Signs
as described by the Elements and Modes
Moving on, we come to the Signs of the Zodiac (which most folks are at least semi-familiar with)… Sure…. you most likely know the Zodiac Sign of your birth Sun – but where is the Ascendant, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto? Don’t go into shock – but in your birth chart – each of the different planets (and points) mentioned in Section One are most normally located in several of the different Zodiac signs. The Zodiac Sign of a particular planet in your birth chart will modify how the raw energy of the planet is expressed in your life.
At the very heart and soul of the twelve Zodiac signs are what are called the Elements and Modes. A lot of folks, including myself, mistakenly ignore(d) the Elements and Modes when first starting out. However, ignoring the Elements and Modes is a huge mistake – because the Elements and Modes are responsible for determining the basic qualities and characteristics of the twelve Zodiac signs.
The twelve Zodiac signs are divided up into different cyclic combinations of the Elements and Modes.

We will have lots of emotional turmoil with so much Moon activity this weekend.
In astrology there are many relevant aspect connections between the planets in your personal chart as well as in the actual daily astrology. This article is an astrological update and forecast of the planetary weather in the heavens for September 4 to 6, 2009. But at the same time if you have the same specific aspect connection in your own horoscope you will be able to deepen your understanding with this material.

The Saturn Opposition to Uranus
The Saturn/ Uranus opposition is one of the culprits for the changes we are being forced into these days. There will be 5 oppositions with these two with the last one in 2015. The first one started off with a bang on September 15, 08 when they also were in square to Pluto and with a Full Moon as well. Our economy was diving down the drain and revealed long inherent problems. The election was under the influence of these two, paving the way for a historical change in political leadership, electing the first president of color in this country where prejudice is still prevalent. The need for change was so obvious and the hope for a better future high. Let us have a look at both planets and what they represent!

Saturn
Saturn was the mythological father of Zeus (the king of the gods) and the Roman god of agriculture. Because agriculture led to the foundation of human society, Saturn is associated with social order. Saturn is a father figure, but not necessarily a benevolent one. He is associated with restrictions, limitations, and fear. But those qualities have their purpose, as they call us to examine those self-imposed limitations within ourselves and free ourselves from them. This is a highly practical, unemotional planet, associated with concrete reality, material things, rules and laws, and authority. Saturn is not a creative influence; rather it reminds us of our duty to act responsibly to maintain the established social order, and to develop self-discipline for order in our life and to persist during times of hardship. Those qualities, in turn, are associated with ambition and careers.

Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius and the tenth House representing public image, career, and destiny and the elevens House of friends and vision. In the body Saturn rules the bones, skin, and spleen.

Uranus
While order and balance are important in the world, the other side of that coin, change and evolution into greater love, freedom, and well-being for all, is just as important. Human society cannot evolve and expand unless there are individuals who challenge the established order. An odd fact about Uranus is that it boldly dares to rotate on its side, thereby breaking with convention, and indeed Uranus is highly unconventional and always ready to challenge things as they are. Uranus is a progressive humanitarian and visionary who has no special respect for authority. He would rather exert his will over authority in his idealistic quest for freedom, justice, and opportunity for weaker members of society.

Uranus is the opposite of Brother Saturn: where Saturn is concerned with limitations, Uranus rules our expansive, creative intelligence, calling us to inspired thought and action, and to uniqueness rather than conformity. Those qualities derive from our connection with the universal intelligence. Change is a keyword for Uranus, always change for the better, and the faster the better, toward an expanded life and the higher realms of consciousness. The Uranus principles describe our greatest leaders and role models. Revolutionary is not too strong a term for Uranus.

Uranus represents a very strong intellect, and intellect combined with ingenuity makes for great discoveries in the sciences and the most impressive artistic creations. Uranus rules Aquarius and, together with Saturn, the elevens House of friends, revolution and vision. In the body Uranus rules the nervous system, mental disorders, and pituitary gland.

Change is in the Air
As you can see these two are siblings of very different nature, they want very different things but are eternal partners in the ebb and flow of establishing a structure and tearing it down to make space for a new one. They are carrying the wisdom of impermanence for us. Life is change, always growing and expanding! If you have Capricorn or Aquarius or strong aspects with Saturn or Uranus in your chart you would do better by consciously allowing those waves of change and renewal happening in your life without putting up a fight. The struggle and fighting against the inevitable changes is what is at the biggest root of suffering.

Allowing what is — has been the message of many spiritual traditions. We always start our journey from where we are no matter where we are going. Without pushing against what is our energy will be available to align with our desires, intentions and goals.

Full Moon in Pisces is activating this Opposition
When the Moon is connected with any other planet it brings in high emotions and instinctive reactivity. The Moon here in this constellation is bringing up emotions between guilt and rebellion and having to choose between established limitations and liberation. Uranus wants the feeling of autonomy and Saturn wants safety, reliability and proven structures.

Moon Dashes into Aries
Saturday evening we will have a fresh start with Moon in Aries, ready to be moving again through all the different stations of the zodiac. Aries always promises a clean slate and new beginning, invigorates and inspires active participation in life.

Moon Opposition Mercury
Sunday morning our feelings in the belly are in friction with our thoughts in our head. Head versus belly, it will be interesting to see who will be the more impactful one for you. Do you think first before you act or react? Or do you usually let everything out the way you feel it without considerations?

Moon Square Mars
Mars is very competitive, easy to anger and reacts impulsively to outer threats. Be aware of the transiting nature of your feelings and do not take them too seriously. Also this will pass!

Take a Moment
I want to invite you to close your eyes for a moment and sense yourself. What is the area in your life that needs fresh energy? Where has your life become stagnant and stale? Do you feel bored? Are you settling for safety in a bad situation because changing it is too intimidating?

I have been there, holding out in relationships far too long because I was not yet ready for a new and fresh start. I am not telling you to throw the baby out with the bathwater! I just want you to become aware of the looming challenges of change ahead of you. Consciousness is the key!

A friend once told me that life is always moving on. When the apple is ripe it will fall off the tree. The same applies to changes in our life! When the time is ready it will happen. We can ready ourselves for the coming change by becoming as aware and conscious of what is going on in our life. When we resist change we will suffer and get banged up in the inevitable process. Obviously astrology can be of big help for this process and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

For me astrology is an open invitation to understand more about the truth in the universal flow and use it to align myself to take advantage for a fuller, more successful and joyful life. The gemstone for today is the Moonstone, to help ease tension and emotional turmoil, one of my favorites. I think everybody should own a chunk of Moonstone. You can get pretty big pieces for still reasonable prices.

Moonstone for Balance
–The Moonstone is one of the most feminine gems we have. I am especially fascinated by the Rainbow Moonstone and its qualities. This stone represents the high priestess from Avalon, the carrier and teacher of mysteries, the caring sister and the nourishing mother. The Rainbow Moonstone nourishes and balances the emotional system. It soothes our hurts and wounds. Its mysterious beauty speaks to our unconscious. It transmits peace and connects us with the eternal wisdom of the heart and with the essence of who we are. It connects us with our feminine side, a receptive state rather than constant action: it can help us reconnect with a state of relaxation. This is a place that is nurtured by our soul and guides us toward wisdom and the unfolding of our highest capacities and resources.

The Moonstone is also a wonderful companion for our male friends, husbands, and lovers. It brings to males an element of the female spirit and helps them to connect more with their feelings without fearing them. It gives the warrior a heart with gentle feelings. Give the man in your life a big chunk of stone to carry in his pocket or to wear as a pendant over his heart.—(taken from my book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

If you like my astrological musings I invite you to find more on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog for a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. As you can tell I am also very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as tools to help to align and balance our flow. In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul I teach you about astrology and how to read your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you then can take steps to support yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.

I hope you enjoyed this post, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

“Wandering Stars”

Seen from the Earth the planets may appear tiny and insignificant. And yet humans have always been fascinated by these bodies that appear as points of light in the night sky, and wondered about their movement through the heavens. The ancient Greeks noticed that some lights in the sky stayed in the same place in relation to each other—those are the stars in the constellations—while others moved around the sky in the course of the year. The Greeks called these moving lights asteres planetes, or “wandering stars.”

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star and is large enough to have its own gravity. It was only in the 17th century that Galileo determined that Earth is part of a system of planets that revolve around our Sun. Ours is not the only solar system—at least 70 systems of planets revolving around stars have been discovered just in our own galaxy. Scientists believe there are more than 100 billion galaxies in the universe!

As currently defined by scientists, there are eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Ceres and Pluto, which are important in astrology, are considered dwarf planets. There are other small heavenly bodies, such as Chiron, that have an important role in astrology.

Everything Is Part of the Universal Energy Field

The most remote true planet in our solar system is Neptune, which is 2.68 billion miles from Earth. How can something that is so far away have an effect on life here on Earth? It is because all things in the universe are part of one and the same energy field. Events in one part of the universe radiate outward and eventually their energy reaches the far corners of the universe. Nothing is independent of this web of energy.

Again and again in astrology you will be reminded of the interrelation among all things in the universe. Everything in the universe—including human beings—consists of energy, and energy fields interact with one another.

“As Above, So Below”

Astrology also teaches that events, patterns, and relationships are repeated throughout the universe, from the macrocosm to the microcosm. It is easy to see the similarity between electrons swirling around the nucleus of an atom, and planets revolving around the sun. Both are energy systems held together by attractions among the elements of the system.

This relation between the macrocosm and the microcosm is expressed as “As above, so below.” In modern astrology the movements of the planets and the relations among them are used as analogies to understand life on Earth.

The Planets in Antiquity

The planets played an important role in early mythology and religion and were thought to be divine beings. The names of the planets (except for Earth, which was not understood as a planet by the ancients) come from Greek and Roman mythology. The Greeks, Romans, and later cultures associated each planet with a specific god. For example, the planet Venus is associated with the Roman goddess Venus, corresponding to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. That ancient association with the deities heavily influences the interpretation of the planet Venus in modern astrology.

The Planets in Modern Astrology

Astrology is derived from ancient knowledge and beliefs, but it has evolved over time as our understanding of the universe and of life has evolved. The modern understanding of the influence of the planets relates to how we conceptualize the human psyche, as consisting of basic drives and impulses. Those aspects of the psyche or personality are influenced by the characteristics of each planet and also by the movement of the planets through the 12 signs and houses (spheres of life) during the astrological year.

The planets relate to each other as part of the same great energy system (the solar system). As they change their position, the angles they form in relation to each other change. Those angles are called aspects. The aspect between two planets changes how each body’s energy is manifested.

The Celestial Drama

It should come as no surprise that some people’s lives—perhaps your own?—are full of drama. Photos taken by the Hubble telescope reveal that the cosmos is full of drama—whirling galaxies racing through space at thousands of miles an hour and sometimes even colliding, exploding stars, planets racing around their stars. And yet the reverse is also true: there is tremendous order and beauty in the universe. Remember: “As above, so below.” There is a relation between the cosmic drama and beauty, and the drama and beauty of our lives.

It can help you understand astrology to conceive of the events within our own Solar System as a dramatic play with a stage, actors, and a story. The planets are the main characters in this drama. Their stage is constantly turning, so that from where you are seated in the audience, each month you see one play ending and another beginning as the year moves through the twelve signs of the zodiac. The same actors—the planets—are present on each of the twelve stages, but their role changes with each new play, or sign. So, for example, the Moon in Aries will have a different impact than the Moon in Capricorn. And the Moon at the beginning of Aries will be different from the Moon at the end of Aries.

Each planet has its own unique characteristics, like a personality. Taken together, the planets span the whole gamut of personality, both the light and dark sides, conscious and unconscious, from the lower self to the higher self. By learning about the personality aspects of the planets you can use astrology to understand the forces at work in your own personality and to direct your life energy. So there is a way to manage all that drama!

In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul I teach you about how to read your horoscope and how to find the main themes in your chart. Then you will be able to balance yourself with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.

You can find me at http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfdiscovery.com .

You can also visit me at the Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal, astrological forces and inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life. Healing gemstones are suggested as tools to balance and come into alignment with the cosmic flow and can be used to create custom designed soul jewelry.

I hope you enjoyed this look into the mysterious planets and their interconnectedness with us.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran, astrologer, jeweler and author

NEXT: Descriptions of the astrological principles of the individual planets.

Shakti Carola Navran (from Maui, Hawaii), a professional jeweler, astrologer and author with a lifelong spiritual journey, has been crafting personalized Soul Jewelry since 1977.
Her book Jewelry & Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul. Find out more about it at:
http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfdiscovery.com
http://jewelryandgemsforselfdiscovery.com/blog/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/astrological-planets-other-heavenly-bodies-part-1-1001920.html