Anne Massey’s astrology blog

Mercury retrograde

Friday, January 8th, 2010 | Current Planetary trends, astrology basics | No Comments

Mercury became a morning star on Monday and will move direct Friday the 15th. Mercury retrograde is the best known phenomenom in astrology. Mercury has been retrograde this go-around since December 26. We quickly learn that we should not sign contracts and other important documents during these times. We should not buy vehicles and any equipment that has wiring. Mercury rules over all kinds of connections in astrology. This week I have had several discussions about Mercury retrograde—facts and myths. Remember that Mercury is also in charge of trivia! › Continue reading

Saturn in Libra

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 | Astrology for You, Current Planetary trends | No Comments

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”— John Quincy Adams

Saturn is the last planet visible to the naked eye. The seasons on Saturn last about 7.5 years—on August 11, 2009 there was an Equinox on Saturn. I would assume Autumn seeing that Saturn is in the autumnal signs now. The picture I have used here was taken by Cassini at our Equinox in September 2009.

New images reveal that there are mountains on the rings of Saturn. These are as high as some of the peaks in the Rocky Mountains, which are 4800 kilometres in length and stretch from New Mexico via Montana, Utah, and Colorado to British Columbia and Alberta. I always remember a drive through Colorado and the awe of seeing the majestic mountains; and I don’t ever tire at looking at the mountains here in British Columbia. The scientists are calculating that the mountains on the rings of Saturn are up to four kilometres high (that’s about 2.5 miles). See the images at http://ciclops.org/ir_index/118/Cassini_In_Orbit.  In astrology rocks and mountains belong to Saturn; it is fascinating that there are actual mountains up there. It makes me wonder what the ancient astrologers/astronomers knew that we are now rediscovering through science and space exploration.

Saturn is the greater malefic in astrology, and many of the concepts we hear associated with Saturn are not pleasant. However, there are tons of positive concepts as well. I happen to like Saturn; it is prominent in my chart, so I really don’t have a choice. Saturn is moving into its sign of exaltation—Libra on October 29, 2009. Seeing that it is my birthday, I am thinking of it as a present. Planets gain strength when they move through the sign of their exaltation. › Continue reading

Mars Story 2009-2010

Thursday, October 15th, 2009 | Astrology for You, Current Planetary trends | No Comments

Timeline: October 16, 2009-June 6, 2010

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.”—Confucius, philosopher and teacher

Mars overview

Some years bring many unusual planetary events, others less so. We now have a year of Pluto in Capricorn under our belts and know that these are exceptional times. This energy stays with us until 2023 (and a little while as a rerun in 2024). Just in case we missed something the first go around. Everything repeats in some form in our lifetime and there are eras that played out with similar themes, our recollection of these is naturally limited. It would be difficult to live our lives if we recalled everything from this one. It would be almost impossible if we recalled previous lives in detail.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — Albert Einstein. That quote contains the essence of the Mars-energy, we need to find new ways to do things and eliminate the ones that have not yielded the desired results. With Mars in Leo, we have the opportunity to connect with our personal creative spark, think ‘outside the box’—to be innovative. › Continue reading

Mercury Rx

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 | Astrology for You, Current Planetary trends | 3 Comments

Mercury is in Libra August 25 to September 17, and in Virgo the rest of the month; Mercury is retrograde September 6-29, 2009. This particular Mercury period August - mid-October involves work/chores and public services and relationships/negotiations, promising many twists and turns, reneging of promises after September 6, things simply begin to go in the opposite direction. › Continue reading

Sun moves into Leo

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 | Astrology for You, Current Planetary trends | No Comments

The Sun moves into Leo July 22, 2009 at 9:36 PDT, following an eclipse on July 21, 2009. I am writing on the day of the solar eclipse, I have had a few emails from colleagues who talk about the impact of the eclipses—I personally have never been able to predict what an eclipse will bring to an individual, have predicted a few forest fires, etc. I think of eclipses as timers, we might choose to finally ask our girlfriend to marry us; suggest that we move in together; decide to return to school despite the financial hardship and even choose to move countries, I moved to Canada back 1990 with the same eclipse that is taking place. A family member became engaged after about a decade of dating; someone else I know is planning a wedding after dating her fellow for over 10 years; my cousin made a trip of a lifetime back home after a 40 year absence, another family member is changing careers and going back to school, another found a career opportunity of a lifetime… in short ECLIPSES! Read about the month and the horoscopes for each sign at www.astrologicallyspeaking.com/Leo2009.htm

“When people shake their heads because we are living in a restless age, ask them how they would like to live in stationary one, and do without change.” — George Bernard Shaw

Interest and mortgage rates in Canada

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 | Ask Anne, Current Planetary trends, Financial Cycles | No Comments

I have had several emails from readers asking for my thoughts on whether these are still on the way down. The short answer is NO. Interest earned on regular savings accounts and even terms is exceptionally low, and this won’t change in the short term. I don’t expect significant increase in interest paid until Jupiter reaches its exaltation sign of Cancer in five years. Banks and credit unions are imposing an extra percentage point on lines of credit — the bank of Canada rate of .25% did not reduce lending rates in direct proportion. The five year fixed rate reached bottom a week ago and is already on its way up. The shorter term rates remain low for now. The axis of the nodes of the Moon is one of the things I watch. These will shift August 21. From that point on I expect that the rates begin a slow climb upward. I think that July and the first three weeks of August are the ideal time to review your mortgage, consolidate loans and take advantage of the rates that haven’t been this low for several decades. In the so-called recession proof areas, real estate is now fetching asking price; it is becoming a seller’s market, which suggests that the bargains are over. At the end of October, Saturn which represents structures, limitations and business, moves into its exaltation sign of Libra. Saturn rules the North Node in Capricorn, so what is just and fair becomes the theme. A realistic value will be assessed and charged. Saturn returns to Virgo for three months in April 2010, which may bring some reduced real estate on the market. In British Columbia, this is likely to be properties created for the Winter Olympics.

Summer Solstice

Thursday, June 18th, 2009 | Canadian Politics, Current Planetary trends, Mundane astrology | No Comments

The Summer Solstice takes place June 20, 2009 22:46 PDT. The direction changes, now the days begin to grow shorter until the Autumnal Equinox, when day and night are of equal length. The solstices and equinoxes are pivotal — our direction changes. Naturally this plays out more strongly in the mundane world of politics and the current dramas.

When writing an analysis about the current planetary weather I am looking at probabilities. When I write for the signs it is directed at the Sun sign only. Personal horoscopes however are rather complex in comparison and offer more specific information. I do think that many horoscopes are valuable, because they can provide information about the natural cycles in our lives. They cannot give detailed information specific to you.

The Sun is in Cancer until July 22, 2009, at 9:36 PDT, the Sun moves into Leo. The universal themes associated with the sign of Cancer are home, family, heritage and retreat from the hustle and bustle of life.
I chose to cast this Solstice chart for Washington, DC the seat of the US government, because it is one of the astrological tools to look at the season in terms of the USA. › Continue reading

Summer Elections in Canada

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 | Canadian Politics, Current Planetary trends | 4 Comments

As a voter I cringe at the idea of yet another federal election, but then I am not alone, according to a recent poll 75 percent of Canadians do not want to have nor pay for yet another election, where we will send the same message—a minority government for the party in power. The bottom line is that the result of a summer election would be that the conservatives get a few more candidates in. I think that with the current planetary weather and so much ‘fixity’ in the stars we would choose the ‘devil’ we know… I have studied the charts for Ignatieff, Harper, Layton and even Duceppe and the chart for Canada over the past six months. As I talked about in my previous posts, the two men have much in common; both have a Taurus Sun, Aquarius Moon, and Jupiter in Scorpio. Ignatieff is on the left side and Harper on the right. Ignatieff is the philosopher and Harper clearly an economist—both are realistic about what is possible. The timing is not great for Ignatieff to win an election at this point; I am sure he knows this. › Continue reading

Overnight Success Susan Boyle

Monday, June 1st, 2009 | Current Planetary trends, Venus stories | No Comments

Imagine living 48 years in relative obscurity and then two months of unprecedented fame and attention. In March when Susan Boyle made headlines across the globe and her performance made history on You Tube, I wrote about her chart, and came to the conclusion that she would get a record deal but would not win. The press and media love to sensationalize the life of people—they have become increasingly invasive, aggressive. News comes to us in sound bites, headlines intended to sell advertising or copy. Even Canadian National News broadcasts have followed her sensational rise to fame, I learnt about her second place on the evening news and the next day (May 31) CTVs national news broadcast advised the audience that Susan had checked into a London clinic. From the same source I also heard that she had checked into a hotel to escape the media the night prior to the finale. How do you cope with such dramatic, sudden rise to fame—this kind of popularity typically belongs to the rich and famous, who usually have had some time to adjust to it, find a publicity person and advisors to help cope with the media. From a perspective of astrology, Susan’s birth certificate was almost instantly available on the web. We can instantly find out what is going on with her by googling her name. The latest is that she has reportedly suffering from mental exhaustion. Other than the press, who would be surprised? › Continue reading

Here we go again

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 | Astrology for You, Current Planetary trends, Mundane astrology | 4 Comments

This Mercury period follows a Venus retrograde period—and Venus has been Aries forever it seems— which all began after the first Mercury retrograde period in January. Some things are in a holding pattern and what is moving ahead may not be what we planned. Mercury will spend 116 days in air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) and 163 days in earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) this year, leaving the other six signs 86 days. So once again, the planet of communication, Mercury, is about to turn retrograde. Happens every four months, but we all hear about it and it is one astro-event we like to blame when we lose things, communication goes awry or our flight is delayed. There is much more to Mercury than meets the eye or ear as the case may be. Mercury is elemental, meaning that each year an element is emphasized. 2009 is a transition from Air of thoughts and ideas into Earth of practical application—rolling up our sleeves and getting stuff done. › Continue reading

Tags: mercury, mercury retrograde, venus