Wednesday, August 31, 2005 (updated) Thanks for the two day break. It's that waning time of the Moon and your Cancer rising blogger is feeling a bit introspective. We are approaching an eventful New Moon, exact Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8:45 pm CED. In the days between now and then, we have the exact opposition of the Sun (in Virgo) and Uranus (the planet of surprises and inventions) in Pisces. This should shake the cosmic tree, particularly with everything else going on astrologically and otherwise. This would include the approaching conjunction of Venus to Jupiter in Libra, exact Sept. 1, which is to say, in full effect right now. This is an event that is occurring close to the South Node of the Moon, the point in the chart associated with history and the effects of the past. As such, it may be part of an older story, representing a reunion of some kind, or the benefits of past effort. This may include the benefits of a skill, knowledge or wisdom that can be put to judicious use now. Everything about this conjunction -- a meeting of the two "benefic" planets in one of the most positively oriented signs -- needs to be handled with a bit of prudence and an attitude of careful observation as events develop over the next two months, which include an eclipse of the Sun in Libra just over a month from today (Oct. 3). It is just around that point (on Oct. 1) that Mars turns to retrograde motion for about 12 weeks. Mars, now moving slowly, very slowly, through Taurus, is certainly making itself felt in people's lives, though there are many possible effects and they are not all "negative." Mars remaining in one sign for a long time (as it does once every two years; the last one was Pisces, in the summer of 2003) places great emphasis on that sign. Taurus is the region of wealth, financial security, comfort and self-esteem. This emphasis may come in as questions, reform projects or events with which we collaborate to shape the path of our lives. We are already in the retrograde effect, as Mars now occupies degrees wherein it will be moving backwards. In all, it's a time to keep complications to a minimum, to keep discussions above the boards, and to keep a handle on where the people around you are coming from. Last is the New Moon itself. Between now and Saturday, we are in the extreme waning phase of the Moon; this morning was probably the last time the Moon was visible as a thin crescent in the predawn sky. The Moon entered Leo on Wednesday morning (for just all time zones except Australia, when it was Wednesday evening). This event still has the Sun in a fairly close opposition to Uranus, so it could be a kind of cosmic trigger of both personal and collective events. Many other aspects suggest that we are in a stable, dependable enough time of history to proceed with some combination of caution and determination. Happy Birthday, Virgo! You may finally figure out that your beauty and love are the real riches that you give the world, and if you do, you will be a lot happier. You have learned so much, yet there remains a little piece of self-knowledge that seems to be hiding from you -- and if you want to find it, you're going to need to look, within. You have every reason to give up the voices that have offered their criticism of who you are for so long, and this, too, is a decision you need to make. It starts with the awareness that you owe people nothing, and they owe you nothing. (This is the short version of the Birthday Report. The full version is available to Planet Waves Weekly subscribers.)     e PS -- John Writes: Enjoyed and found useful your interpretation of the new moon, Sun/Uranus opposition, Venus/Jupiter conjunction, etc.  Thanks! I’m curious that you didn’t mention Pluto going direct Sept. 2. Ah yes. I have noticed a tendency to miss outer planet stations, though I do keep seeing that one in the ephemeris, and it's interesting how it clusters right in with the Venus-Jupiter event, the New Moon and much else besides. Jupiter is stationing direct in a friendly aspect to that Jupiter-Venus arrangement. We are certainly living in Sagittarian times, Pluto-styled; it would seem that world beat music has given way to world beat gunfire. Let's hope there's a breakthrough in the peace process, if there even is a peace process.