Archive for July, 2020

New Moon in Cancer — July 20, 2020, 17:33 UT

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020

The New Moon occurred at 28+ degrees of Cancer, in the home sign of the Moon. This was the second New Moon in Cancer this summer. The first was the solar eclipse on June 21, 2020. The current New Moon was exactly opposite Saturn in Capricorn. Also Saturn is in its own sign now. A planet is said to be at home in the sign that it rules, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it would work better there, but it is strong and comfortable at home.

In Capricorn in conjunction with Saturn is one of the most intriguing bodies in the group of centaurs, 10199 Chariklo. Chariklo was discovered in 1997 and named after the water nymph Chariclo, the wife of centaur Chiron. In Greek mythology nymphs were regarded as personifications of nature, and usually depicted as beautiful maidens. The name proposal came from astrologers.

Chariklo is the largest known centaur with its diameter of approximately 252 km. Its shape is probably elongated. The orbital period is almost 63 years. The orbits of the centaurs are typically eccentric, and they usually cross the orbits of one or more of the giant planets. The orbit of Chariklo is quite moderate. Chariklo orbits the Sun between Saturn and Uranus, grazing the orbit of Uranus.

In 2014 came the surprise; astronomers announced the discovery of two rings around Chariklo. It is the first minor planet known to have rings and the smallest known celestial body to have rings.

In the discovery chart of Chariklo, it amazingly forms a rare aspect pattern, the six pointed star, together with the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. Chariklo’s name means “Graceful Spinner”. Astrologically Chariklo represents compassion and devotion, and it is a supportive and nurturing energy.

The New Moon was in conjunction with 52975 Cyllarus, another centaur planet. Cyllarus was discovered in 1998 by American amateur astronomer Nichole Danzl and named from Greek mythology after the handsome and young centaur, who was loved by many. This name was also proposed by astrologers. Cyllarus was fatally wounded by a spear in the battle called the Centauromachy at the wedding party of Pirithous, the king of the Lapiths. Nobody knows who the striker was. One action led to another. Hylonome, the loving wife of Cyllarus then threw herself onto the same spear that had killed her partner.

The orbital period of 52975 Cyllarus is almost 133.5 years and its orbit crosses those of Uranus and Neptune. Cyllarus is faint and only about 70 kilometers in diameter. Cyllarus came to perihelion (the point in its orbit that is nearest to the Sun) in September 1989.

Devotion, love, despair, sacrifice and unexpected consequences are among the themes of Cyllarus. It reminds us that the decisions we make directly affect not just us but also other people around us.

The mythological centaurs were a group of troublemakers, who drank and brawled, and many of them died in a battle. A death of a centaur is a symbolic one. The centaurs represent shadow material in our consciousness. Change and growth can be reached through awareness. Centaur Chiron represents that awareness and healing. Chiron’s lineage was different from other centaurs. He was a great teacher and healer, the wisest of all the centaurs.

A week ago, on July 14, Mars conjoined Chiron at 9+ degrees of Aries. Mars is the ruler of Aries, so Mars is comfortably in its home sign, too. Mars is giving the courage and will that is needed in a crisis.

Last month I mentioned the recent naming of 541132 Leleākūhonua, an extreme trans-Neptunian object with the tremendous orbital period of over 30,000 years. At the moment Leleākūhonua is about two-and-a-half times farther out than Pluto’s current location, but approaching the Sun (coming to perihelion), and that is why the discovery was possible at all. The Hawaiian name compares its orbit to the flight of migratory birds and evokes a yearning to be near Earth. The ephemeris has now become available. The position of Leleākūhonua at the moment is at 10+ degrees of Aries. The conjunction of Mars and Chiron a week ago took place in conjunction with Leleākūhonua, and since the meeting happened so close with the naming, there seems to be some relation between the two incidents. The triple conjunction of Mars, Chiron and Leleākūhonua is still valid.

Full Moon in Capricorn / Penumbral Lunar Eclipse — July 05, 2020, 04:44 UT

Sunday, July 5th, 2020

The Full Moon in Capricorn is a penumbral lunar eclipse, the third eclipse of the summer. The Moon at 13+ degrees of Capricorn is opposite the Sun at 13+ degrees of Cancer. The Sun and the Moon are square to Chiron in Aries and in exact square to Elatus in Libra.

31824 Elatus is a centaur discovered in 1999. The orbital period is around 40 years. In Greek mythology Elatus was a centaur who used to pull up whole fir trees and use them as weapons. During the battle with Heracles, Elatus was killed by a poisoned arrow that passed through his arm and continued to wound Chiron in the knee, eventually leading to his death as well.

Examples of people with prominent Elatus:

Nostradamus (Dec. 14, 1503 – July 2, 1566), a French astronomer-astrologer, physician and seer, sometimes referred to as the “prophet of doom.” Nostradamus’s data is conflicting. He was born either on Dec. 14 or Dec. 21, 1503. The source for Dec. 14, 1503 is Oracles of Nostradamus by Charles A. Ward. – The Sun conjunct Elatus in the beginning of Capricorn.

Franz Mesmer (May 23, 1734 – March 5, 1815) was a German doctor with an interest in astronomy. He was a pioneer in the practice of hypnotism. He theorized the existence of “animal magnetism”, sometimes later referred to as mesmerism. Hypnosis is a technique derived from animal magnetism. – The Sun conjunct Elatus in Gemini.

Jeane Dixon (Jan. 5, 1904 – Jan. 25, 1997) was one of the best-known American self-proclaimed psychics and astrologers of the twentieth century. Dixon reportedly predicted the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. She was one of several astrologers who gave advice to Nancy Reagan. — The Sun conjunct Elatus in Capricorn.

Clyde Barrow (March 24, 1909 – May 23, 1934) was an American outlaw who travelled the central United States with his partner, Bonnie Parker, and their gang during the Great Depression, robbing and killing people. — The Sun conjunct Elatus in Aries.

Desmond Tutu (born Oct. 7, 1931) is a South African Anglican bishop and social rights activist. – The Sun conjunct Elatus in Libra.

Richie Havens (Jan. 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013) was an American folk rock musician. He opened the 1969 Woodstock rock festival, which was a major turning point in his career. He also devoted his energies to educating young people about ecological issues. — The Moon conjunct Elatus in Scorpio.

Billy Connolly (born Nov. 24, 1942) is a Scottish stand-up comedian, musician, actor and artist. He is known for his quirky sense of humor. In recent years he has established himself as an artist. He has said: “My art is about revealing myself.” – The Sun-Borasisi-Elatus-Venus conjunction in Sagittarius opposite Uranus in Gemini.

Stevie Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter, a member of Fleetwood Mac. – The Moon conjunct Elatus in Capricorn.

Lari Pittman (born Feb. 19, 1952) is a Colombian-American contemporary artist and painter whom critics have labelled one of the most influential artists of his generation. In 1985, Pittman was shot by a burglar at his studio, and this experience had an impact on his work and his determination to paint large-scale. – Triple conjunction of the Sun, Elatus and the North Node in Pisces.

Ron Jeremy (born March 12, 1953) is an American pornographic actor, filmmaker, actor, and stand-up comedian. – Triple conjunction of the Sun, Altjira and Elatus in Pisces.

Jackie Chan (born Apr. 7, 1954), is a Hong Kong martial artist, actor, stuntman, film director, action choreographer, screenwriter, producer, and singer. – The Sun conjunct Elatus in Aries.

Eddie Jobson (born Apr. 28, 1955) is an English keyboardist and violinist noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Roxy Music, Jethro Tull and Yes. He was also part of Frank Zappa’s band in 1976–77. – The Sun conjunct Elatus in Taurus.

Woody Harrelson (born July 23, 1961) is an American actor and playwright. He has received three Academy Award nominations. He received accolades for his role on the HBO series True Detective. Harrelson is an environmental activist and politically has identified himself as an anarchist. – The Sun-Elatus conjunction in Leo opposite Jupiter in Aquarius.

David Heyman (born July 26, 1961) is an English film producer and the founder of Heyday Films. He has produced the Harry Potter film adaptations. – The Sun-Elatus conjunction in Leo opposite Jupiter in Aquarius.

Whitney Houston (Aug. 9, 1963 – Feb. 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. She was cited as the most awarded female artist of all time by Guinness World Records and is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. – The Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Aries is trine to Sun-Elatus conjunction in Leo.

Valerie Plame (born Aug. 13, 1963), is an American writer, spy novelist, and former CIA officer. As the subject of the 2003 Plame affair, also known as the CIA leak scandal, Plame’s identity as a CIA officer was leaked to and subsequently published by Robert Novak of the Washington Post. — The Sun-Elatus conjunction in Leo opposite Saturn in Aquarius and trine to Jupiter in Aries.

Bong Joon-ho (born Sept. 14, 1969) is a South Korean Academy Award winning filmmaker. His films feature social themes and black humor. Parasite (2019) became the first South Korean film to receive Academy Award nominations, with Bong winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, making Parasite the first film not in English to win Best Picture. – The conjunction of the Sun, Pluto, Elatus, Pelion and the South Node in Virgo.

Adam Lambert (born Jan. 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He rose to fame in 2009 after finishing as runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol. Alongside his solo career, Lambert has collaborated with rock band Queen since 2011. – The Sun in Aquarius square Jupiter-Elatus conjunction in Scorpio.