The Sun and Moon are the two luminaries in our natal chart. While the Sun radiates its own light and energy the Moon reflects the light and energy of the Sun. The golden Sun is yang and active, creates our daylight and gives life to the solar system, whereas the Moon and her changing silvery face in the night sky is yin and receptive and controls the fluids of everything on Earth. And because the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, it moves through phases that change according to its relative position to the Sun.

The cycle starts with the New Moon, when the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun. This is the zero point, and the beginning of this 28-day cycle. From a barely perceptible sliver, the Moon grows (waxes) and builds to the Full Moon (opposing or 180° from the Sun), then wanes (decreases) until it finally disappears into another invisible New Moon. In astrology we recognise 8 phases of the Moon. Each phase lasts about three and a half days or 45 degrees, and everyone is born with the Moon in a particular phase. As the Moon rules the mind, the phase describes one’s mental focus and outlook. The cycle itself as the light increases and fades is like an awakening in consciousness, the changing tide or the life cycle of a plant.

To calculate your Moon phase, count the degrees anticlockwise from your Sun to your Moon.

New Moon: 0°– 44°59’
Keywords: beginning, winter
The seed is responding to nutrients; life is stirring in darkness; acting on instinct; immature, naïve, spontaneous, forward seeking; open to possibilities and new ideas

Crescent Moon: 45°–89°59’
Keywords: initiative, breakthrough
The sprout breaks through the earth; life is newly visible but also vulnerable; focus develops; weeding out unnecessary ideas; striving to achieve yet reluctant to leave the ‘nest’

1st Quarter Moon: 90°–134°59’
Keywords: growth, spring, crisis-in-action
A point of crisis and a time for action – forge forward, or die; the halfway point; leaves, stem and roots form; the unfurling of a plan; confidence builds; challenges encountered; work required

Gibbous Moon: 135°–179°59’
Keywords: perfection, analysis
The flower bud is visible; perfecting; plan is analysed and tweaked to achieve the imminent goal; work load reaches a peak; expectations are high; confidence is tested

Full Moon: 180°–224°59’
Keywords: objectivity, clarity, summer
In full flower as fruit forms; fulfillment phase; the goal is reached; imminent harvest; you reap what you have sown – rich pickings or rotten weeds; instinct gives way to consciousness; sun and moon oppose each other creating balance or instability

Disseminating Moon: 225°–269°59’
Keywords: harvest, sharing
Fruit ripens fully; distribution of the harvest; sharing with others; innate objectivity and conscious awareness; wise-one or know-it-all; publicist / reporter / teacher / philosopher

3rd Quarter Moon: 270°–314°59’
Keywords: decline, alchemy, autumn
The crop has withered; winding down; the fruits of labour are turned into wine and conserves, etc; dissatisfaction if the crop has failed; a crisis in consciousness; moving inwards, releasing worldly concerns; elimination begins

Balsamic Moon: 315°–359°59’
Keywords: passing, retreat, endings
End of the cycle; the soil is turned, the new seed is buried; let go of the old to make way for the new; a time of retreat and inward silence; bridge between past and future; karma is realised, synthesised and released; the guru

We are about to witness a Royal wedding, and somewhat of a fairytale, between a Prince and a commoner. What’s that? You say you didn’t get an invitation. Well don’t despair – the ceremony will be telecast across the globe.

In many ways the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton fulfils a promise made by William’s parents 30 years ago – also a marriage between a Prince and a commoner. But unlike Charles and Di, Wills and Kate are close in age, have known each other for a long time and have planets and points in common. They have a good foundation that bodes well for their compatibility and the longevity of the marriage.

The wedding is scheduled for 11am Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Here is the chart:

The wedding chart has the fixed sign of Leo on the Ascendant suggesting a stable union, which is reinforced by the ruling Sun (William) elevated and positively aspected to powerful Pluto. Sun in Taurus indicates that William will follow tradition and naturally defer to his grandmother (a Taurus). Natally William has a gentle Venus in Taurus, a sensitive Sun/Moon in Cancer, Saturn exalted in Libra and a benign Mars in Libra. He will not be making waves or changes to the status quo and will make an excellent husband.

Unlike Charles and Diana, William and Kate have known each other for a long time and allowed their relationship to develop slowly. Charles and Di did not know each other well and the synastry in their natal charts was not as good as the young couple. Being 30 years later, their wedding, like that of Charles and Diana, has Saturn in Libra. Saturn rules slow movement and careful planning so this new union starts on a better footing. Perhaps now the promise of a harmonious commitment (Saturn in Libra) will be fulfilled through William and Kate.

One of the keys to the breakdown of Charles and Di’s union was the harsh aspect between their natal Moons. The Moon rules needs and emotional ease and Diana felt greatly unloved and uncared for. In fact, Charles married her while he was in love with someone else … an obvious recipe for disaster. Their wedding was doomed from the outset. Wills and Kate share the Moon in Cancer – in rulership, sensitive, caring, inclusive and protective. William especially will want to shield Kate and keep their privacy intact.

Wills and Kate clearly love each other, and there are no ‘others’ on the scene. However, Venus in the wedding chart is in detriment and will not behave as well as it should. In fact Venus in Aries is lusty, aggressive and impulsive. The relationship could make news headlines for its unorthodox ways, and often. Hard to believe of a sensitive Cancer and sensible Capricorn but astro-synastry demands that all the planetary energies be played out. Kate may discover a wild side to her personality. Her own Venus in Aquarius relates well to this Venus so be surprised and delighted by the freshness she may bring. Venus rules the 11th (friends) and the 4th (home and family). It may be friends and family who betray secrets to the voracious media, lured by temptation and opportunity.

What saves Venus is Mars in Aries (in rulership), angular and astride Jupiter. This amplifies the power and strength of Mars, which also rules the Midheaven – their public persona. Despite the circulation of ‘dirt’ this couple will have innate dignity that will carry them through rough patches.

Another difficulty in the chart is the balsamic moon. It highlights the end of something – obviously bachelorhood and old friendships. William will find this easy but Kate may mourn the loss and feel a sense of abandonment. It is to be expected. Hopefully she will adjust quickly to the role. The wedding chart of Charles & Di also had a balsamic Moon and a debilitated Venus. Hmmm … but this chart isn’t ruled by a weak planet …. ahhhhh. A relief perhaps but difficult energy has a way of putting a spanner in the works.

William is a solstice baby with his Sun and Moon at 0 Cancer, born on a solar eclipse so his Moon is also in Cancer. He has a youthful freshness and an air of naiveté. Anyone born near an eclipse will make a significant mark on the planet before they leave it. Becoming King should do it ! But the eclipse suggests more – watch this space…

Addendum:
In centuries past, those in the line of succession were required to marry from a royal or noble family. These marriages were often arranged to form strategic alliances to strengthen the power or influence of the royal house. They did not take an individual’s personal feelings or preferences into consideration.
 
Note that during the latter half of 20th century it became more common for royals to marry for love and choose a commoner. Consequently, commoners joined the royal circle and had to become familiar with their arcane rites and rituals, as well as the stress of living their lives in the public eye subject to the relentless attention of the media. The commoner often finds ‘royal life’ difficult, but most eventually adapt, whereas the royal has been groomed for the role all their life.

Other examples include:
Prince Frederik of Denmark and Princess Mary (Donaldson) – married 14 May 2004
King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Princess Lalla Salma (Bennani) – 12 October 2001
King Abdullah of Jordan and Queen Rania (al Yassin) – 10 June 1993
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Maria Teresa (Mestre y Batista) – 14 February 1981
King Carl Gustav of Sweden and Queen Silvia (Sommerlath) – 19 June 1976
King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja (Haraldsen) – 29 August 1968
Emperor Akihito of Japan and Empress Michiko (Shoda) – 10 April 1959
Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Princess Grace (Kelly) – 18 April 1956

Well change is afoot, as if you didn’t notice. There is so much action on a global scale that it’s hard to know where to focus first. And it promises to get even more intense as the Nodes change sign. This is something they do every 18 months. Thursday 3 March at 12pm UT the Nodes moved from Capricorn/Cancer to Sagittarius/Gemini. The intensity around security and stability takes a back seat as communicating the truth becomes paramount. This is a “Wikileaks” bonanza energy – the truth will light up every newspaper, blog, screen and dial.

Sagittarius may have foot-in-mouth and tends to exaggerate but it is extremely honest and loyal. It’s counterpart Gemini has a tendency to scatter energy often having too many irons in the fire but with Sagittarian vision together they have the potential to realise big goals. Through the numerous connections and activities that fill up each day amazing opportunities will reveal themselves. The challenge is to pare away the excess and the unnecessary to get to the heart of the matter and don’t hesistate. The opportunities are short lived. And while detail threatens to cloud the bigger picture remember – it’s all in the detail.

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12:51pm NZST. Its epicentre was 10km SW of Christchurch at a depth of 5km

The force of this earthquake has created far more damage than the one they had in September and this time they have also had multiple fatalities. Their landmark Cathedral has lost its spire and many buildings have collapsed with people trapped inside. Already there are graphic images of the damage and injuries sustained from the quake, and aftershocks continue while the cameras roll.

This is the second quake Christchurch has endured within a 6 month period. The previous quake occurred 4 September 40km west of Christchurch at 4:35am when most people were at home asleep, and it occurred at a depth of 33km and therefore it caused less damage than today’s very shallow quake.

This is the chart for the recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.

What does the chart say about this quake?

We’re all watching Uranus and awaiting its ingress into Aries. However, right now it is squaring the Nodes – the Nodes are connected to fate and Uranus is always an indicator of change and upheaval. Hence with this configuration unexpected changes occur on all levels (physical to metaphysical). Certainly the uprisings in the Middle East are reflecting this. The Nodes are on the Cancer-Capricorn axis which deals with issues of security and structure. These will be disrupted and cleared aside by changes that bring chaos and confusion (Uranus in Pisces). With the part of Fortune exactly conjunct the North Node ther is even more reason to suspect events associated with this chart are extremely fated.

Venus is a regular feature in earthquake charts. She doesn’t always act as a benefic planet, at times unleashing her fury in ways that mimic Mars and Pluto. Venus is squaring the Moon-Saturn mipoint. This amplifies the terror of the situation, such as the number of powerful aftershocks. Many people will be very traumatised by their experience and will require help to process and cope with it.

The 4 January solar eclipse at 14 Capricorn sits at the midpoint of Venus and Pluto in this chart. The eclipse connects them in an explosive manner indicativve of events that are not welcomed and have catclysmic implactions.

When comparing the chart of the quake and that of New Zealand we can see that the Ascendant of the quake is conjunct the NZ Saturn-Uranus. Moon-Saturn opposes NZ Moon-Pluto. But the most obvious earthquake indicator is that of Venus conjunct NZ South Node, plus they have Sun-Mars conjunct – New Zealand is an earthquake zone and prone to ongoing volcanis activity. Add to that T Uranus squaring Venus-Node and T Mars-Neptune in sextile.

And in 2 weeks time NZ will have a Nodal inversion. There is surely more to follow.

Botany Bay
26 January 1788
5.23am
The rowboat reaches the shore and hoists the flag as the Aquarian Sun rises on the eastern horizon…

Australia
26 January 2011
8:32am
People wake to the peace that descends on a Nation having a day off…

Take a moment to stop and think. This was the day England claimed land that already had “owners”. The native people mourn this day while the invaders celebrate. It is indeed bittersweet and cause for reflection…

In 2011 focus on treating each other with mutual respect and remember that we are caretakers of the planet. We’re here for a short time and Earth graciously offers us respite, resources and recreation (amongst other things) during our stay. Reciprocate the gesture by giving back – offer respite, share resources, be playful with each other, and tend the land as your own body. The recent floods remind us the mother nature really is in charge here.

This sentiment is reflected in the Solar Return chart.
- the Moon sits high on the Midheaven in Libra: an easy-going, laid-back attitude
- Mars in Aquarius on the Ascendant: being independent and detached from what’s going on around us
- Solar Return Sun in the 11th: group activities (conj Mars) eg. a military BBQ with fireworks (Aquarius)
- Jupiter/Uranus in 1st: unexpected events, exciting new possibilites, a revolutionary stance

Please feel free to add your comments and observations