Mercury enters storm September 9, Retrograde September 17 2015: Mercury turns direct again October 9, is clear of storm October 13 2015

Shiny blue Mercury sign on black . Stock Vector - 24012082
Copyright : dvarg

Mercury Retrograde… we hear and see this quite a bit in and out of the astrology world…. and sometimes Mercury gets a bad wrap when he goes retro… but it’s not all bad.. :)  When Mercury goes retrograde it would appear from our Earth’s prospective that Mercury is moving backwards….. hmmm no wonder he can cause some confusion…  Yet, if we can “respect” Mercury while he is in this position by applying the “rules” that fit with this circumstance, we can come out of this period with a smile instead of a frown… :) 

The “rules” are as follows… 

  • Pay attention to and do as many things possible with the two letters RE in front of the word… for example… REnovate: REdocorate: REdo: REcreate: REnew: 
  • Try not to begin any new projects: 
  • Might not be a good time to start a new relationship
  • May be a good time to renew a relationship (depending on personal chart data)
  • Try not to sign important documents. Exception renewing a mortgage, but be very careful about the small print. 
  • If you need to sign important papers, make sure you understand everything, if you don’t ask questions. 
  • Mistakes in communications and messages are highly likely during this period, so read and REread before you sign or commit. 
  • Expect delays in communications or in getting your questions answered. 
  • Expect misunderstandings in communications
  • Have patience when communicating
  • Have patience when waiting for a reply or an answer
  • New plans made during this time may not work out as planned or may need to be REdone at a later date

When Mercury is said to be in “storm” he is moving very slowly, the effects of the Mercury Retrograde will apply to a slightly lesser degree.

Mercury Turns Direct October 9 2015:

We can begin to look ahead now, communications should run more smoothly and we may feel “excited” about the future. However, keep in mind not everything will go as planned, as Mercury is still in his “storm” until the 13th. 

The 3rd 2015 Mercury Retrograde, “storm” and when it turns direct dates are below.

  • Mercury enters its “storm” on September 9th 2015 {Write down new ideas with date and time they occurred, when Mercury is “back on track” go through them and discard the ones you know will not work, then see what you can do with the rest :)}
  • He goes Retrograde on September 17th:
  • Mercury turns direct on October 9th:
  • Mercury is clear of its storm October 13th:

 

©Greta McKenzie Astrology 08/31/2015

From our inbox to you from Earth Sky News… Moon, Venus and Jupiter align October 7, 8 and 9 2015…

From our inbox to you from Earth Sky News… Moon, Venus and Jupiter align October 7, 8 and 9 2015

Planets over the nebulae in space.  Stock Photo - 44449974
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Vadim Sadovski

Moon, Venus and Jupiter align before dawn

Watch a great morning drama on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, as the waning moon slides toward the sunrise, past the brightest planets.

How close to sending people to Mars?

There’s now a target date of 2030 for a manned mission to Mars.  How close are we to becoming Martians?

Mars Curiosity rover sends a postcard

If you want to imagine standing on the surface of the Red Planet … look at this spectacular image taken about a month ago.

This date in science:  First planet found orbiting sunlike star

It was 20 years ago today. The planet is designated 51 Pegasi b.

October 2015 guide to the five visible planets

Bright Venus and Jupiter – and fainter Mars – shine close together before dawn. Mercury joins in mid-month. Saturn is the lone evening planet.
Shop the EarthSky Store today!
Astronomy tools and gifts for all ages and levels of expertise.

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you… From About.com Paganism/Wicca… On Samhain (Halloween) Traditions & Customs

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you… From About.com Paganism/Wicca… On Samhain (Halloween) Traditions & Customs

Samhain Traditions & Customs
Samhain is coming up on October 31 for our northern hemisphere readers, and this is the season of the witches’ new year! Let’s take a few minutes to look at the traditions behind modern Samhain celebrations, a brief history, and some of the many questions that Pagans today have about reconciling the spiritual celebration of Samhain with the more secular aspects of Halloween.

If you’re one of our southern hemisphere readers, Beltane is right around the corner – be sure to scroll down to the link with Beltane customs and traditions!

Samhain History  
Samhain is known by most folks as Halloween, but for many modern Pagans it’s considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us, marking the dark time of the year. It’s a good time to contact the spirit world with a seance, because it’s the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. Let’s look at the history behind the season.

Read More: 

Modern Pagans and Samhain  
Here at About Paganism, we get a lot of extra reader mail this time of year. Here are some of our most popular topics, regarding how we as Pagans can interact with the non-Pagans in our lives during the Samhain season.

Reader FAQ: Pagans and Halloween
Samhain: Nope, Not a God
Are Green-Skinned Witch Decorations Offensive?

Where Are All the Vampires?

Read More

Traditions of the Samhain Season  
Interested in learning about some of the traditions behind the celebrations of the late harvest? Find out why Samhain is important, learn why black cats are considered unlucky, how trick-or-treating became so popular and more!

Bat Magic and Legends
Black Cats
Cailleach Bheur, the Hag
Caring for Our Dead
Chrysanthemum Folklore & Magic
Death and Dying by guest author Ray Buckland
Deities of Death
Magical, Mysterious Spiders
Mexico’s Day of the Dead
Jack o’Lanterns
Nut Crack Night
Owl Folklore and Legends
Samhain Superstitions
Tricks or Treats?
Woolly Bear Caterpillars & Winter Weather Forecasts
9 Spooky Poems for Samhain
The 12 Days of Samhain Song

Read More: 

have a very safe and fabulous halloween… :)

Halloween postcard Stock Photo - 42849261
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Rossella Apostoli

The Moon & Astrology; how it affects our daily life: Transiting Moon In Leo October 2015

The Moon and Astrology

How it affects our daily lives… 

In astrology, the moon is connected to our emotions and reactions… how we are feeling on a given day may well be influenced by the sign that is visiting the moon… Each sign stays with the moon for up to 2.5 days…. :) 

The Moon Void-off-Course: 

There are times throughout the month when the moon is not fully immersed in any sign… this is when we say the moon is Void off Course… and when this occurs, we may feel “foggy” and “unfocused” … We may not be sure how we are truly feeling about a situation or a person…. Therefore it is not recommended that we make long-term commitments or important decision’s while the moon is Void off Course…. However there are 4 signs in the zodiac which may prove positive during the Void-off-Course moon… 

Good for Void-Off-Course Moon:

These v/c signs may prove to be quite productive times.

  • Cancer
  • Taurus
  • Sagittarius
  • Pisces…

Opportunity Periods  (thanks to astrologer Jim Shawvan):

There are other periods throughout the month that are known as opportunity periods, when it can prove to be a positive time for most people, however if you have challenging aspects happening within your own chart you may not be able to make use of opportunity periods. 

Thanks to Jim Shawvan present day astrologer, William Lilly 17th century astrologer and Llewellyn’s Daily Planetary Guide for opportunity periods.

Present Moon Sign/Phase/House:

Portrait of blonde girl representing Leo zodiac sign Stock Vector - 35595804
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : kakigori
  • Date: October 6 to 8 2015
  • Moon Sign: Leo 4:31 am (ET) 1:31 am (PT) 
  • Moon Phase: 4th
  • Void-off-Course: October 7 @ 5:10 pm (ET) 2:10 pm (PT) to 3:50 pm (ET) 12:50 pm (PT). Leo Moon v/c is not one of the 4 “good signs”
  • House(s): 10th & 11th: 10th house of responsibility, career, social standing. 11 th house of friends, groups, team and humanitarian work.
  • Opportunity Period: October 6 @4:31 am (ET) 1:31 am (PT) to October 7 @ 5:10 pm (ET) 2:10 pm (PT)

What does it all mean?

  • The Leo Moon Loves Drama, so be warned… 
  • The Leo Moon loves to noticed and recognized, so be prepared to “pump up” your loved ones and if you happened to have a Leo influence in yourself, be aware of how you may be going about getting recognized or appreciated… If you play your cards right this could be a positive time when you get to be where you need to be.
  • Try not to be overly “vain” and be prepared for drama at any-time from any direction
  • Try not to over react and if it’s not you doing the over reacting, try not to get caught up in the drama, or to encourage the over reactor
  • It’s a good time to check out the local talent, take in a down town show, get starry-eyed with your lover, or perhaps look for a new one, as romance is high on the priority ladder during this time. 
  • Might prove positive for hair cuts, make overs. 
  • In the 10th house: For some of us focus will be on our jobs and career’s, and this may be a positive time for folk who are looking for work, so stay open to possibilities and watch for opportunities. Behave while in social/business situations. Those who have families may need to keep their work at work, when it comes to family time. 
  • In the 11th house. (moves into the 11th house @ 7:52 am Sept 9) Joining in with group or team work can feel totally natural now, even to those of us who are more of the solitary types. Charity fund raiser and events can appeal to the general public, making this a good time to set up such events. 
  • This moon period will affect everyone, but more so those who have the following in their charts: And those who have a strong Capricorn or Aquarius placement in their charts. 
    • Moon in Leo:
    • Sun in Leo:  
    • Moon in Aquarius
    • Sun in Aquarius
    • Moon in the 10th house
    • Moon in the 11th house
    • Moon in the 5th house 
    • Aspects to the moon, Sun or Uranus

     

copyright: Greta McKenzie Astrology, 09/29/2015

The Moon and Astrology: How it affects our daily life… Transiting Moon in Cancer… October 2015:

The Moon and Astrology

&

HOW IT AFFECTS OUR DAILY LIVES… 

In astrology, the moon is connected to our emotions and reactions… how we are feeling on a given day may well be influenced by the sign that is visiting the moon… Each sign stays with the moon for up to 2.5 days…. :) 

The Moon Void-off-Course: 

There are times throughout the month when the moon isn’t fully immersed in any sign… this is when we say the moon is Void off Course… and when this occurs, we may feel “foggy” and “unfocused” … We may not be sure how we are truly feeling about a situation or a person…. Therefore it is not recommended that we make long-term commitments or important decision’s while the moon is Void off Course…. However there are 4 signs in the zodiac which may prove positive during the Void-off-Course moon… 

Good for Void-Off-Course Moon:

These v/c signs may prove to be quite productive times.

  • Cancer
  • Taurus
  • Sagittarius
  • Pisces…

Opportunity Periods  (thanks to astrologer Jim Shawvan):

There are other periods throughout the month that are known as opportunity periods, when it can prove to be a positive time for most people, however if you have challenging aspects happening within your own chart you may not be able to make use of opportunity periods. 

Thanks to Jim Shawvan present day astrologer, William Lilly 17th century astrologer and Llewellyn’s Daily Planetary Guide for opportunity periods.

Present Moon Sign/Phase/House:

Portrait of red haired girl representing Cancer zodiac sign Stock Vector - 35595803
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : kakigori
  • Date: October 3 to 6 2015
  • Moon Sign: Cancer @ 8:22 pm (ET): 5:22 pm (PT)
  • Moon Phase: 3rd
  • Void-off-Course: September 5th 7:04 pm (ET) 4:04 pm (PT) to September 6 @ 1:40 pm (ET):  10:40 am (PT)
  • House(s): 9th & 10th: 9th house of travel and higher learning. House of ambition, career and organizing. 
  • Opportunity Period: October 5th 7:05 am (ET) 4:05 am (PT) to October 6th @ 4:31 am (ET) 1:31 am (PT). Keep following through on your plans already in motion. 

What does it all mean?

  • The moon is happy in the sign of Cancer because she rules here. Being sympathetic towards the worries of others is easier, we are more empathetic now. 
  • We can be more nurturing when there is a cancer moon
  • Domestic chores and responsibilities may be easier to do now, in fact some of us may be very happy making our home comfortable and safe
  • Cooking may be fun to do now,  so go ahead and try out that new recipe
  • The more emotionally sensitive of us, may take offense or feel slighted or more vulnerable during the Cancer moon… Caution is advised though, check your facts before you “accuse”. 
  • Some of us may feel needy, while others of us are happy to be the cuddler, helping our loved ones feel secure and in deed needed. Caution is advised that some of us can go over board on the needy thing during this moon period, so be careful if you don’t want to “scare” someone off… 
  • It’s a time for cuddles, caring, good food and just plain old lovings… :) Enjoy..
  • In the 9th house: A good time to learn something new, continue learning a new subject or working on a project… if you have been working hard of late, take a few hours out to enjoy yourself before the moon slips into the 10th house.
  • In the 10th house: Good for getting down to business, organizing or dealing with property issues. Don’t forget to smile and have a little bit of fun too… “all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy” ;)
  • This moon sign will have more of an effect on those who have the following in their charts. 
  • Moon in Cancer: (these folk may really feel the influence of the moon, emotions may be close to the surface)
  • Ascendant in Cancer:
  • Sun in Cancer:
  • Sun in Capricorn
  • Moon in the 4th, 9th 10th house:
  • Aspects to the Moon or Capricorn

 

 

 Copyright Greta McKenzie Astrology 09/29/2015