Cancer Ingress 2013 for the UK & Europe

With a moveable sign rising in the 2013 Aries ingress charts for the United Kingdom and Europe, it was obvious that the charts would be valid for three months only. In other words, from the 21^st of June, the Cancer-, Libra- and respectively the Capricorn ingress charts will have to be taken into account for further judgment.

On 21 June 2013, at 05:04UT, the Sun will be in 00*00 Cancer; the chart below, cast for London, shows the event:

We can see at a glance that the Ascendant ruler Moon, who was Lady of the Revolution for the first three months of 2013, is in her fall in Scorpio. This immediately rules her out as the new Lady of the Revolution for the time between 21 June and 22 September. Jupiter, Lord of the 10^th house is in his detriment and combust, which rules him out as well.

Looking at the planet exalted in Pisces, the sign on the 10^th house cusp, we see that it is Venus, essentially and accidentally dignified.  Therefore I propose that Venus will be the Lady of the Revolution, valid until the Libra ingress on 22 September 2013.

Venus is in tight conjunction with Mercury and bot planets are located in the first house. Bonatti tells us about this:

“Indeed if Venus were in the Ascendant … it signifies joy and gladness, and dancing, and the breaking up of battles, and especially the young women and men employing venereal practices …” (BA. P857*)

He continues:

“If Venus, in a revolution, were in the first, … then it signifies that men … will delight in edibles and drinking bouts, and they will be eager for living in a beautiful way …” (BA. p962)

Bonatti also describes Venus in Cancer, writing:

“And if Venus were in Cancer in a revolution of the year, … it signifies … peace between men in the western parts; and alleviation from things rendered and from tributes, more so than usual; and there will be a diminution of fevers and other illnesses, and heat will be diminished; and there will be rains …” (BA. P966)

Looking at our chart, we see that the Dragon’s Head is located in Scorpio. About this, Bonatti tells us:

“And if the Head were in Scorpio, Abu Ma’shar said it signifies good and joy in middle-class men, and evil and sorrow in great men; and it signifies wars and battles and wounds; a multiplication of fornication with deception.” (BA. P981).

It seems that most of the interpretation for this ingress is rather positive and the placement of the Dragon’s Head in the 5^th house adds to the general theme.

“If it were in the fifth, it signifies the fortune of children and from children, and their increase in good and joy, and freedom from contrary and displeasing things.“ (BA. P987)

Looking at fixed stars, we find that Achernar is on the MC. Ebertin writes in Die Bedeutung der Fixsterne:

“Well-placed, it promises happiness and success by giving good morals, faithful adherence to one’s religious beliefs or philosophical inclinations.” (BF. p63)

–

*All Bonatti quotes from: Guido Bonatti’s Book of Astronomy (BA), translation B Dykes, Cazimi Press, 2007

Lunar Eclipse 25 May 2013

On 25 May 2013 at 04:25UT, there will be an appulse lunar eclipse. This is the first eclipse of Saros series nr 150, which is composed of 71 eclipses and will last until 30 June 3275. The duration of this eclipse is 34 minutes.

The eclipse will be visually imperceptible due to the small entry into the penumbral shadow.

 

The chart below, cast for the location of Dublin, shows the event:

William Lilly tells us in his pamphlet on the judgment of the effects of solar and lunar eclipses:

“For when the place Eclipsed, or Eclipse itself, shall be in the Ascendant, the effects shall then begin in the 1, 2, 3, and 4. moneth next after the appearance of the Eclips, …”

To find out about the possible effects of this eclipse, we can turn to William Lilly again. He writes in his Annus Tenebrosus, or The Dark Year about a lunar eclipse with the Moon in the first Decanate of Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter:

“It threatens Incursions and Rapines of Enemies: fraudulent Negotiations, many Treatyes, violent Petitions, many Missivs, and much employment for Scribes and Secretaries.”

Jupiter is in his detriment in Gemini, which symbolises fraudulent actions, rudeness, carelessness and ignorance. He is conjunct Mercury, ruler of Gemini. Mercury is the trickster, adding his weight to any of the planets he is closely connected with. In this case he may symbolise a plethora of negotiations and treaties, just as suggested by Lilly.

On the mundane level, this eclipse should be of immediate effect throughout parts of Canada, as can be seen from the world map below. The line of angularity also shows that the eclipsed Moon will be on the Descendant throughout Ireland, France, Libya and other parts of Africa. In these places the effects of the lunar eclipse will be noticeable  by the end of this year, lasting into 2014.

(click on image to enlarge)

For readers, interested in the personal implications of this eclipse, it might be of interest what William Lilly has to say:

“… Eclipse is more dangerous or pernitious which shall be in the Horoscope or Ascendant of the birth; or which shall be in the degree Ascending in an Annuall Revolution: it portends unto the Native some ominous and mischievous action as unto his body and also in his vital substance.”

And further on:

“… who had in the Radix of his Nativity either the Sun or the Moon in that degree, or in the degree opposite … or in the like degrees … which signs are in Quadrate aspects to the former, or if the degree Culminating in any man’s Nativity was either [the degree of the eclipse or its opposite or square] or within one degree therof, the native did suffer more or less by the influence of this Eclips; according to the signification of the House of Heaven, wherein the Sun or the Moon was in at the Birth, and was either well fortified or aspected of the benevolent Planets, or ill aspected, or afflicted of the Malevolents.”

For this particular lunar eclipse that means that people with Sagittarius or Gemini  rising, either in their birth chart or in their Solar Return chart for 2013, will feel the influence stronger than others. Furthermore it should be noted if natal Sun or Moon are conjunct the eclipse point. If it should be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.

The Alchemical Crow and the Lunar Eclipse 25th April 2013

I am very pleased to introduce a new guest blogger, my colleague Helen Beers.

Helen has a Master of Arts in Cultural Astrology and Astronomy from the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David

If you would like to find out more about Helen, click here to go to her website.

As the tension preceding the lunar eclipse built yesterday, the sky over the Shropshire Marches was sullen, heavy and miserably oppressive. Under this, I spent the day in conversation with a range of people all feeling suffocated by a weight of restriction, disappointment and inevitable failure. Feelings ran along a continuum from enervating depression to deepest frustration. But a single problem connected them all. Everyone was hopelessly stuck and all were searching for a way to relieve their sense of doom. The lunar eclipse arrived and, with it, pictures which perfectly illustrated my sense of the day:

These came via my daughter who, living in Madrid, observed attempts to storm the Spanish Parliament from her office window. The demonstrators failed, politicians hid, police placed themselves in the middle and no-one got anywhere.

Today’s weather also offered a metaphor for my experience of the world. At times it was bright, sunny and inviting enough to draw me into it. But then black clouds would gust in carrying sharp, icy showers of punishing hailstones. Drawing on this to make sense of my feelings, I’d say that things aren’t as tense as they were in the hours before the eclipse. Nevertheless, today’s squalliness hasn’t banished the bitter discouragements of yesterday but, instead, defiantly scattered them so that efforts to catch and tidy them into neat piles are wasted. Translation: all the problems remain and are, if anything, less manageable.

But a funny thing happened this morning. I won’t place it into context yet but I’ll tell you that my little daughter was sitting very peacefully on the dining-room windowsill with the window pushed wide open. She was watching a crow – as she called it although it may have been a blackbird – and, then, this hopped onto the ledge and allowed her to stroke it for a moment before flitting away…

OK, so you’ll have noticed my natal chart above. This is to offer you a handle on the way I tick. It also allows you to see that Thursday’s lunar eclipse fell just three degrees from my natal first house Venus and transiting peregrine Saturn who presently afflicts her. I’d like you to remember that, in his proximity to the moon, he made a play for Eclipse Lord. He lost to Mars but he was still a powerful and malefic symbol. This means that, for me, the 25^th April 2013 lunar eclipse fatefully wove personal Saturnian and Venusian themes into the social fabric so that wider themes are now sewn into my destiny.

You’ll have your own ideas about Venus in Scorpio but I want to describe my experience of her. Her natural cool moistness is exaggerated in cold, wet, feminine, fixed Scorpio. What this means for me experientially is that world for me is the Garden of Eden. I see that our planet announces herself as a verdant oasis as she spins emerald-green and turquoise-blue in a twinkling void and I know that her womb, as Gaia, brought forth the gods, the Titans and the giants. This means that she, as the mother of all, has provided for us regardless of who we are and what we do for a living. And with these myths hardwired into my fruitful Scorpio Venus, in spite of what anyone tells me, I know that the universe has made full Venusian provision for me, you and everyone else.

However, this sense of universal abundance has been horribly tried since Saturn first arrived conjunct my Venus at Christmas. It’s not that I think Gaia no longer provides. It’s that her supply has been cordoned-off and privatised. Saturn (very cold and unhappily soggy in Scorpio) pitched up as a social force at his most miserly and carping. Nevertheless, he didn’t convince me at Christmas and he hasn’t convinced me now that the world is a desert. Even so, speaking metaphorically, he has frozen abundant crops so hard into the ground that only those with the most powerful blowtorches have access to them.

As you see, besides occupying my first house, Venus rules my ascendant, eighth and twelfth houses by domicile and my fifth through exultation. This means that I, my children, my creativity and my husband’s income are all threatened by icily murderous Scorpio Saturn. He, being natally fourth house and ruling the cusp, will raid my home (in both a narrow and a wider sense) and wreak lasting damage there. But that won’t be enough. Since his rulership by domicile also includes my third house, he’ll damage my community too. And, by exulting in my ascendant and twelfth house, he’ll use my own hand against me. Moreover, while he assists me as I dig my own grave he’ll provoke others to stab me in the back.

Well of course my Scorpio Venus might be most happily passive but she’s not one to capitulate, so she’s fighting back. This means that, even under Saturn’s onslaught, I’ve been thinking of ways to free up Gaia’s abundance. And one thing I’ve been doing is exploring alchemical solutions to the threat of Saturn on Venus. These are possible where Aristotle’s elemental scheme is accepted at face-value. Alchemical lore arising from this was that lead and gold have interior and exterior qualities which are the opposite of each other:  lead is cold and dry on the outside but hot, moist at its core while the opposite is true of gold. This means that they are elementally the same. Taken a step further, the common bases – sulphur (hot and dry), mercury (cold and moist) and salt (hot) – also have all these elements, albeit separately. But, if they were fused, all pecuniary issues could be solved at a stroke. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I understand that I’m talking about creating the Philosopher’s Stone which has never been done so I’m not filling my kitchen with alembics and stills just yet. Instead, I’ve been working with this metaphorically.

With this, Saturn and Venus in Scorpio are, between them, cold and wet. As such my Venus experiences Saturn as a blight of misery, envy and mistrust on my life. Where this transit is about me and my issues, I’m seeking to redress the balance by introducing the elements – heat and dryness – artificially. In other words, I’m working on my generosity, giving practical help where I can, leaving judgement to God and thereby playing a part in creating an environment of positivity. I’m not claiming that I’m wholly succeeding in my efforts. How can I? No alchemist anywhere has produced a universal panacea so I’m not kidding myself regarding success. But that’s not to say my efforts are a waste of time. I mean, speaking of transmuting lead to gold, who wouldn’t replace a Saturn on Venus transit with a sun on Venus conjunction if they could?

Anyway, shall I return to my daughter and the crow? Righto. In case you don’t know, there are seven stages in alchemical enlightenment which are symbolised by various images. In terms of spiritual transformation, birds – with the air for their domain – offer a metaphor since they fly heavenward as aspiring souls. Thus, they are reflective of a seeking for the divine as an inner experience and symbolise the loosening of material ties. So, in working with the idea of soul transformation, the crow offers a beginning metaphor for the alchemist as s/he turns inward to meditate. This first stage is the blackening where the waste matter of the alchemist is left behind as nigredo, or Caput Mortuum, which must be shed before the next stage – symbolised by the white swan – of inner light is possible. I think that’s enough alchemy to illustrate why my little daughter’s excitement at having brought a crow to her only through her silent invitation is precious and inspiring to me.

The events around the lunar eclipse have been divisive, fracturing, and have left many of us despairing in an abundant world. The stuckness that I’ve experienced in myself, in others and in the outside world means that we all know that something has to give. The appearance of the crow beside my daughter says to me leave the rubbish behind. Saturn on Venus and the fallen eclipse moon tell us that nigredo is to be found in the bad water of Scorpio. It’s also in greedy Taurus with combust Venus, the peregrine sun and detrimented Mars. But, as I’ve said, I’ve started with myself. By keeping the image of Gaia as the nurturing mother of us all, I’m working to balance the elements in my dealings with everyone I meet the best way I can. I’m not expecting to find the solution to the age-old search for the Philosopher’s Stone. But I’m giving it a try.

Solar Eclipse 10 May 2013

On 10 May 2013 there will be an annular solar eclipse. The Sun and the Moon will be in 19° 31’ Taurus. Astronomical information about this eclipse can be found here:*

(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

The astrological chart below, cast for New Delhi, shows the event.

In his Annus Tenebrosus, or the Dark Year, the famous 17th century astrologer William Lilly presents a method of eclipse delineation, including an interpretation of the effects of solar and lunar eclipses, occurring in each decanate of the Zodiac. As this solar eclipse takes place in the second decanate of Taurus, Lilly’s aphorism is as follows:

“it shows innumerable difficulties and many discommodities to Travellers, and to such as bear children many abortions …”

The  Lady of the eclipse is Venus and the ruler of the second decanate of Taurus is the Moon. Venus is peregrine and under the sunbeams, indicating that she is not in particularly great shape at the moment. Nevertheless, Lilly describes Venus being the ruler of an eclipse to be

“the fore-runner of a quiet peacable time upon earth”

I would propose that the general theme of this solar eclipse is the renewed effort of women to make their voices heard, highlighting their struggle towards equality and independence.

Venus is conjunct the fixed star Alcyone, the brightest star of the Pleiades. Since time immemorial the Pleiades have been associated with occurrences or agendas which make people weep. Often a great struggle is connected with the conjunction of a planet to the Pleiades, and according to Diana Rosenberg’s Secrets of the Ancient Skies:

“there are usually many journeys, and there may be exile, banishment, alienation, evacuation or imprisonment … [but] Eridanus, the Great River, washes away the tears of the past, clearing the way for a bright new future.” (p 214f)

Having a closer look at the Moon, who, according to Lilly, signifies “all common people” but “especially all manner of women”, we notice that she is essentially dignified by exaltation, triplicity and face. Due to the nature of a solar eclipse, the Moon is cazimi (precisely conjunct the Sun, which is highly beneficial) and also eclipses the Sun. This can be interpreted as a highly symbolic gesture, indicating a push towards positive change to unfold.

If we have a look at the eclipse’s path of angularity, we can see the following:

(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

We can see from the map, that the line of angularity runs through Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. In all of these countries, women experience problems regarding freedom of speech, restriction of education, matters of equality, and so forth. It seems though that the upcoming solar eclipse could indicate a change for the better. As an example of  the possible events that may be occurring, this article and video clip about Afghans marching for women’s rights on Valentine’s day 2013, may suffice:

One Billion Rising

As for the USA, the map of angularity clearly shows that the line of conjunction between the eclipse point and the Descendant runs through parts of the United States. This suggests that the agenda of women’s rights in general and questions about  the relations between the USA and countries with issues concerning the discrimination of women will become of importance by the end of 2013.

(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

For readers, interested in the personal implications of this eclipse, it might be of interest what William Lilly has to say:

“… Eclipse is more dangerous or pernitious which shall be in the Horoscope or Ascendant of the birth; or which shall be in the degree Ascending in an Annuall Revolution: it portends unto the Native some ominous and mischievous action as unto his body and also in his vital substance.”

And further on:

“… who had in the Radix of his Nativity either the Sun or the Moon in that degree, or in the degree opposite … or in the like degrees … which signs are in Quadrate aspects to the former, or if the degree Culminating in any man’s Nativity was either [the degree of the eclipse or its opposite or square] or within one degree thereof, the native did suffer more or less by the influence of this Eclips; according to the signification of the House of Heaven, wherein the Sun or the Moon was in at the Birth, and was either well fortified or aspected of the benevolent Planets, or ill aspected, or afflicted of the Malevolents.”

For this particular Solar eclipse that means that people with Taurus or Scorpio rising, either in their birth chart or in their solar return chart for 2012/13, will feel the influence stronger than others. Furthermore it should be noted if Sun or Moon are closely conjunct the Ascendant, Descendant or Midheaven. Should it be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.

–

*Source: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2013May10A.GIF

NEW UPDATE: Lunar Mansions Ephemeris for April – June 2013

To access the latest update of my Lunar Mansions Ephemeris, click on the image below:

Conclave and Papal Election

On 12 March 2013 at 17:35 CET, the Latin command extra omnes was issued, the room was cleared of all non-participants and all the entrances and exits of the Sistine Chapel were sealed. The cardinals were ready to elect a new pope.

The chart below, cast for this moment, shows the event:

(click on chart to enlarge)

It is understood that voting could begin immediately and the cardinals had the option to hold a single ballot on this day. We know that this first vote was unsuccessful and can therefore from now on expect two ballots per day until the new pope will be chosen.

Looking at the event chart above, we can see that Mercury is the ruler of the Ascendant and the 10^th house, which makes this chart highly significant. Jupiter is located in the 9^th house, another good indicator that the chart is radical and fit to be judged.

Mercury is also the natural ruler of communication and is seen as the messenger of the gods. He represents the intellect but also everything to do with business and commerce. Jupiter, on the other hand, is the natural signifcator religiosity and faith. He is also associated with the heavenly king and being an intermediary, symbolising the pope also. The 9th house is associated with knowledge and matters of faith and religion, an ideal placement for Jupiter indeed.

What immediately springs to mind is the fact that Mercury is highly debilitated. He is in his detriment and fall, retrograde and he is also located in the 6^th house of illness. Mercury is also squaring Jupiter in Gemini and we can see that they are in mutual reception by rulership and face. The problem here is that both planets are also in debility, indicating the problematic bigger issues, overshadowing this election. What seems to be certain is the fact that the new pope will have his work cut out to bring the Church back on track. I would conclude that debilitated Mercury indicates the problems of the Church, seen from the point of a business that needs to be run professionally and successfully (Mercury ruler of the 10th house). I also see the debilitated Jupiter as a pointer towards the faith of the new pope, which will certainly be tested to the limit, once he will be in power.

As for the duration of this conclave, looking at the signs at the angles, we can see that these are mutable. This indicates that the conclave will be of average length and therefore we should not expect very quick results. Mercury will be stationary direct on 17 March @20:03UT which could also be a turning point in the balloting and we may see white smoke over the Sistine Chapel around that time. Should the cardinals decide to vote for then new pope with Mercury still being retrograde, we may see the problems stemming from this action during the whole period of the new pope’s reign.

Lunar Eclipse 25 April 2013

On 25 April 2013 at 19:57UT, there will be a partial lunar eclipse. This eclipse belongs to Saros series nr. 112, which was born on 20 May 1859 and will last until 12 July 2139.

The graphic below shows the visibility of this lunar eclipse.

(click on image to enlarge)

(via http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2013-Fig01.pdf)

Astrologically speaking, the Moon will be in 05° 45’ Scorpio, opposing the Sun in 05° 45’ Taurus. The eclipsed Moon will be conjunct Saturn and the Sun will be conjunct Mars. Furthermore Mars will be conjunct fixed star Sheratan and the Ascendant will be conjunct fixed star Zuben Elgenubi, the Southern Claw of the Scorpion.

The chart below, cast for the location of London, shows the event:

(click on image to enlarge)

William Lilly tells us in his pamphlet on the judgment of the effects of solar and lunar eclipses:

“For when the place Eclipsed, or Eclipse itself, shall be in the Ascendant, the effects shall then begin in the 1, 2, 3, and 4. moneth next after the appearance of the Eclips, …”

To find out about the possible effects of this eclipse, we can turn to William Lilly again. He writes in his Annus Tenebrosus, or The Dark Year about a lunar eclipse with the Moon in the first Decanate of Scorpio, ruled by Mars:

“terrible Thunders, fearful Lightnings, many times Earthquakes, aboundance of destructive creatures in the waters.”.

Regular readers of my web log may also remember that I wrote in my article about the 2013 Aries ingress that, according to Bonatti, during the months after the Sun enters Aries,we could see “an abundance of waters or rains, and the increase of rivers and streams, and their flooding; the increase of cold.”

For more on the 2013 Aries Ingress, read my web log entry, here:

2013 Aries Ingress

A look at the map, showing the eclipse’s path of angularity, reveals that the Moon is close to the Ascendant during the eclipse in the region of the United Kingdom.

(click on image to enlarge)

Mars is ruler of the first Decanate of Scorpio, who is also Ascendant ruler, and also tightly opposing the eclipsed Moon. He is therefore of major importance, playing a key role at the time of the lunar eclipse. We can as well see that retrograde Saturn is conjunct the Moon, which highlights that both, greater and lesser malefic, are involved in this lunar eclipse.

Lilly says about Mars being the governor of an eclipse:

“[h]ee generally is the cause of corruption … he stirs up Wars, Seditions, intestine risings and tumults, imprisonment, banishment, … popular tumults, … moreover he portends Tertian Feavers, acute diseases, corruption of blood … In the ayr he stirs up extraordinary soultry blasts and great heat, … thunder, lightning, whirl-winds, immeasurable droughts. … Usually he excites mens minds to great rashness and fool-hardiness.”

I have already mentioned that the Ascendant will be conjunct fixed star Zuben Elgenubi, the Southern Claw of the Scorpion. This is a malevolent star of the nature of Saturn and Mars and it is associated with misfortune, treachery and sickness.

Also Mars will be conjunct fixed star Sheratan, in the “left Horn of the Ram.” In keeping with the nature of Mars and Saturn, it is associated with violence. Danger can come to those who act in a reckless, impetuous or careless manner.

Diana Rosenberg writes in her excellent Secrets of the ancient Skies about the Arabic Manzil al-Sharatain and the fixed star Sheratan, which is this lunar mansion’s determinant:

“Al-Sharatain was said to produce “whirlwinds” (tornadoes?); these stars were transited … in 1991 when several twisters, … reamed “Tornado Alley” from Wichita, KS to Red Rock, OK; in 1935 when a Category 5 hurricane hit the Florida Keys, [and] in 1996: the Mt Everest disaster: climbers descending from the summit were caught in a storm.” (SAS vol1, p144)

To find out about the duration of the effects the Lunar eclipse may have, we can turn to Lilly once more:

“[i]n an Eclipse of the Moon, so many hours as she is defective or suffers an Eclipse, so many moneths the Events thereby signified shall continue.”

In this case the lunar eclipse will last just over four hours and therefore we can expect the effects to last until the end of August 2013.

For readers, interested in the personal implications of this eclipse, it might be of interest what William Lilly has to say:

“… Eclipse is more dangerous or pernitious which shall be in the Horoscope or Ascendant of the birth; or which shall be in the degree Ascending in an Annuall Revolution: it portends unto the Native some ominous and mischievous action as unto his body and also in his vital substance.”

And further on:

“… who had in the Radix of his Nativity either the Sun or the Moon in that degree, or in the degree opposite … or in the like degrees … which signs are in Quadrate aspects to the former, or if the degree Culminating in any man’s Nativity was either [the degree of the eclipse or its opposite or square] or within one degree therof, the native did suffer more or less by the influence of this Eclips; according to the signification of the House of Heaven, wherein the Sun or the Moon was in at the Birth, and was either well fortified or aspected of the benevolent Planets, or ill aspected, or afflicted of the Malevolents.”

For this particular lunar eclipse that means that people with Scorpio or Taurus rising, either in their birth chart or in their Solar return chart for 2013, will feel the influence stronger than others. Furthermore it should be noted if natal Sun or Moon are conjunct the eclipse point. If it should be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.

–

UPDATE: My colleague Helen Beers writes about her experiences regarding the eclipse here:

The Alchemical Crow and the Lunar Eclipse 25th April 2013

Aries Ingress 2013 for United Kingdom, European Union and United States of America

On 20th March 2013 at 11:02 UT/06:02 EST the Sun will be in 00*00’ Aries. Traditional astrology states that a chart cast for the capital of a nation at the time the Sun enters Aries provides a detailed picture of the events occurring during the year or at least part of the year to follow. The ancients called this the Revolution of the Year of the World, but it is also known as the Solar Ingress.

As ingress charts are location specific, I will give an analysis of the 2013 solar ingress for Britain and the EU, followed by the ingress for the Unites States of America.

Shown above is the Aries ingress chart, cast for London, representing the United Kingdom. With a moveable sign rising, this chart will be valid for three months only. Thereafter, the Cancer-, Libra- and Capricorn ingress charts will have to be taken into account.

From the chart above, we can see that most of the planets are debilitated. Saturn is retrograde, Jupiter in detriment, Mars and Venus are combust, and Mercury is essentially debilitated by detriment and fall. Luna is essentially dignified by Rulership and face and is close to the Ascendant. Therefore I propose that the Moon will be the Lady of the Revolution, valid until the Cancer ingress on 21 June 2013.

Also of importance is the fact that the Moon is the Lady of the Ascendant, too.

Bonatti says about the Moon being in the domicile of the Lady of the Year:

“ [i]t signifies and abundance of waters or rains, and the increase of rivers and streams, and their flooding; the increase of cold; and the goodness of the disposition of men, and that they will rejoice in the good.” (BA p857)

With the Moon being the Lady of the Revolution, the main themes between March and June will be matters concerning the common people. We also find that the Moon is square Mars and trine Saturn, of which Bonatti says:

“If at some time it were to happen that the Moon … is the Lord of the Year … and one of the malefics were joined with it, and were to impede it by aspect or conjunction, the condition of the year and of the vulgar or common people will be weakened and made harsh if it were the Lord of the Year.” (BA p911)

Bonatti goes into more detail about this, writing:

“[I]f the Moon were the Lady of the Year or Revolution, … it signifies the good condition of the vulgar generally; and even the good condition of sailors and mothers, … and also gourmands or gluttons … and their way of life. If however she were impeded, it signifies the contrary of these things which I have said…” (BA p974)

and later on writes about the Moon in the 12^th house:

“Indeed in the twelfth, it signifies impediment and duress, and the instability of things, and quarrels and prisons from the direction of enemies.” (BA p978)

But not only the common people will suffer, there might be surprises waiting for the rulers, too. Looking at the placement of the Dragon’s Head in Scorpio, we find that:

“Abu Ma’shar said that it signifies … evil and sorrow in great men; and it signifies wars and battles and wounds …” (BA p981f)

It also seems that we will be in for more surprises regarding what may be hidden in our food, as the ingress chart shows Jupiter on the 12^th house cusp, which, according to Bonatti denotes that:

“[T]hat they [people] will be saddened by accidents which will come to them on the occasion of quadrupeds, and especially large animals, like horses, cows, and the like.” (BA p944)

What springs to mind as well is retrograde Saturn in the 5^th house of joy and pleasure, and Mercury in the 9^th house who is strongly debilitated.

The ingress chart for Europe, cast for Brussels, is nearly identical to the one cast for the United Kingdom. This leads us to believe that  more financial restrictions and continued economic hardship for most of the population, as indicated by Mercury can be expected for The United Kingdom and the European Union.

Shown here is the Aries ingress chart, cast for Washington and therefore representative for the United States of America. With a mutable sign rising, this chart is valid for six months and the Libra ingress chart will have to be taken into account thereafter.

Once again we see that the Moon is the Lady of the Revolution, but here the Moon is located in the 4th house. Just as we saw in the ingress chart for Europe, the fate of the common people will be of major concern during the next six month. Luna’s location in the 4^th house indicates that we are dealing with domestic issues and people’s estates, homes and resources in general. Furthermore, the Moon is aspecting Saturn in the 8th house and Mercury, who is essentially debilitated by Detriment and Fall, in the 12th house. Bonatti says about the placement of the Moon in the 4th house”

“[I]f it [the chart] were nocturnal, neither the beginning nor end will be praised; men’s affairs will be restricted, unless Jupiter were to work to the contrary.” (BA p976)

Taking into account that in this ingress chart Jupiter is the Lord of the Ascendant, we have to investigate Bonatti’s claim thoroughly. Here we find that Jupiter is in detriment and his dispositor is debilitated Mercury, who is located in the 12^th house, squaring Jupiter.

At least all is not bad, as it seems that the economic problems will cause tighter bonds between families. Bonatti says about Jupiter in the third house in ingress charts:

“And if he were in the third, it signifies good fortune from one brother to another, and between them; and men will rejoice because of their relatives, and especially younger ones, and first or older sisters.” (BA p943)

All quotes from: Guido Bonatti’s Book of Astronomy (BA), translation B Dykes, Cazimi Press, 2007

NEW UPDATE: Lunar Mansions Ephemeris for January – March 2013

To access the latest update of my Lunar Mansions Ephemeris, click on the image below:

2013 – An Astrological Preview

This is a general overview of what the astrology of 2013 will have to offer. Some of the events mentioned below may affect us globally or nationwide, whilst others may only affect us on an individual basis. If in doubt about any possible effects, the individual birth chart has to be consulted to achieve an accurate judgment of the level of influence.

For more information, you may watch this space for in-depth articles to be published during the year to come, or follow my daily updates on twitter. For personal requests, please see my list of Astrological Services or contact me via the Contact Page.

Retrograde Motion

Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be retrograde at times during 2013.

Mercury Rx

will delight us, as usual, with interrupted communication, malfunction or complete failure of computers and other electronic devices and general uncertainty and confusion concerning any contracts, legal documents or agreements.

Mercury will be retrograde

• in Pisces between 23 February and 17 March
• in Cancer between 26 June and 20 July
• in Scorpio between 21 October and 10 November

Venus Rx

in Capricorn will test our capability of emotional expression. Problematic areas, like the ability to give or to receive love will be coming under tight scrutiny.

Venus will be retrograde between

• 21 December and 1 February 2014

Jupiter Rx

in Gemini will remind us of his prudent side; with Jupiter’s help we are able to fulfil our potential but in his Rx phase, he demands that we obey the rules, follow our moral guidelines and show kindness and compassion.

Jupiter will be retrograde in Gemini

• until 30 January 2013

and in Cancer

• between 8 November and 7 March 2014

Although exalted in Cancer, retrograde Jupiter will bring a sober note to our search for philosophical or spiritual truth. In this introspective time, we may realise that intuitive insights are more valuable than any philosophical or religious dogma.

Saturn Rx

in Scorpio will give us a chance to re-evaluate what has become static and dogmatic in the past. It is likely that any unfinished but forgotten business will make an unexpected reappearance during this time, reminding us to bring old  issues to a close.

Saturn will be retrograde in Scorpio

• 19 February until 8 July

Out of Bounds

When Planets exceed the 23°27′ area of the Sun’s max declination, north or south, they are called “Out of Bounds.”

During these times, the OOB Planets will be out of the Sun’s control; therefore a heightened activity of all themes corresponding with the appropriate planets can be expected.

Mercury will be OOB between:

• 26 December 2012 and  14 January 2013
•  20 May and 13 June
• 31 October until 6 November
• 16 December until 8 January 2014

Venus will be OOB between:

• 24 May  and 18 June
• 10 October and 7 December

Mars will be OOB between:

• 29 June and 3 August

Sign Ingress

Jupiter will move into Cancer on 26 June, delivering a boost to all matters connected with home and family. Home comfort and security on all levels will become issues of major importance.

Noteworthy Transits

Jupiter will trine Saturn on 17 July and in his retrograde phase on 13 December, reminding us that patience, endurance and hard, steady work are at the basis of success in any domain.

Comet ISON

On 21 September 2012 05:15AM, a comet named ISON was discovered at the ISON-Kislovodsk observatory, Russia. It is believed that ISON may prove to be brighter than a full moon when it is set to appear by the end of 2013. For more about comet ISON, read my article here:

Between Darkness and Light – Comet ISON

Solar and Lunar Eclipses

Solar Eclipses

• Annular solar eclipse on 10 May in 19*31′ Taurus

This eclipse may be of importance to India, Russia and the USA. Also possibly important to Australia and Brazil.

• Total solar eclipse on 3 November in 11*15′ Scorpio

This eclipse may be of importance to the USA, but also Eastern Europe and Africa, particularly Libya.

Lunar Eclipses

• Partial lunar eclipse on 25 April, Moon in 5*45′ Scorpio, Sun in 5*45′ Taurus

This eclipse may turn out to be of importance for the United Kingdom.

• Appulse lunar eclipse on 25 May, Moon in 4*08′ Sagittarius, Sun in 4*08′ Gemini

This eclipse may turn out to be of importance to Canada and Europe.

• Appulse lunar eclipse on 18 October, Moon in 25*45′ Aries, Sun in 25*45′ Libra

This eclipse may turn out to be of importance to Canada and the United States of America.

Ingress Charts

Shown here is the Aries ingress chart, cast for London, representing the United Kingdom. With a moveable sign rising, this chart will be valid for four months. Thereafter, the Cancer-, Libra- and Capricorn ingress charts will have to be taken into account.

From the chart above, we can see that the Moon will be the Lady of the Revolution*, valid until the Cancer ingress on 21 June 2013. Main themes between March and June will be matters concerning the common people. The ingress chart shows Saturn Rx in the 5th house of joy and pleasure and a strongly debilitated Mercury. This indicates more financial restrictions and continued economic hardship for most of the population. A detailed analysis of the Cancer-, Libra- and Capricorn ingress charts will be posted on my web log in due course.

Shown below is the Aries ingress chart, cast for Brussels and therefore representative for the European Union. With a moveable sign rising, this chart will be valid for four months. Thereafter, the Cancer-, Libra- and Capricorn ingress charts will have to be taken into account.

Again we can see that the Moon will be the Lady of the Revolution*, valid until the Cancer ingress on 21 June 2013. Main themes between March and June will be matters concerning the common people, and just like for the United Kingdom, the main theme will be the tight financial situation. Here we will have to take a close look at the increasing monetary problems inside the Euro zone. A detailed analysis of the Cancer-, Libra- and Capricorn ingress charts for Europe will be posted on my web log in due course.

Shown here is the Aries ingress chart, cast for Washington and therefore representative for the United States of America. With a mutable sign rising, this chart is valid for six months and the Libra ingress chart will have to be taken into account thereafter.

Once again we see that the Moon will be Lady of the Revolution*, but here the Moon is located in the 4th house. This indicates that we are dealing with domestic issues and people’s estates, homes and resources in general. Furthermore, the Moon is aspecting Saturn in the 8th house and Mercury, who is essentially debilitated by Detriment and Fall, in the 12th house. Bonatti says about the placement of the Moon in the 4th house, that neither the beginning nor the end of the Revolution will be praised; men’s affairs will be restricted, and even persons will suffer detriment.

A detailed analysis of the Aries and the Libra ingress charts for the United States will be posted on my web log in due course.

–

*Footnote, answering the repeatedly asked question why the Moon is called the Lady of the Revolution.

The concept behind the judgment of ingress charts is as follows. Astrologically speaking, each new year begins at the moment the Sun passes 00 degrees Aries.  An astrological chart cast for this moment is called the Aries ingress chart, or the chart of the Solar Revolution. Depending on the zodiac sign on the Ascendant of this chart (also called rising sign), it is possible that the Aries ingress chart is valid for three, four, or twelve months. If the Aries ingress chart is valid for the next twelve month, the astrologer can follow certain rules and establish which planet will be what is called Lord or Lady of the Year. If the Aries ingress chart shows that it will be necessary to cast another ingress chart after three or six months, the individual rulers of the ingress charts, established by the astrologer, are called Lord or Lady of the Revolution (meaning the Revolution of the World Year). The nature of this planet, its position, strength, aspects, and so forth have to be judged to predict the mundane situation during the period in question of each individual country.