Living with the Stars

Nothing marks the changing of the seasons like the New Moon in Gemini.    The degree at which the new moon occurs in this zodiac sign changes from year to year, but once in every 19 years, the Moon and the Sun will meet at the same degree. This year's New Moon occurs at 9 degrees Gemini, just like it did on the 31st May in 2003. The fixed star Aldebaran (follower in Arabic, as it 'follows' the Pleaides cluster) is mentioned many times in the Bible, and is called 'the watcher of the East' aka one of the four archangels, St.Michael. This archangel is a protector to all who call upon him.  Speaking of protectors, note that Mars the Warrior and Jupiter (usually known for not doing anything in small measures) are both in Aries, and very close to each other in terms of zodiacal degree. Aries is not a peace loving sign; it loves action, and what with Mercury at 26 degrees Taurus, where Medusa resides (and the mythology of her beheading), ask yourself, what is it that needs

  Today's lunar eclipse is also a Full Moon, and it is happening in the zodiac sign of Scorpio. Full Moons occur when the Sun is opposite the Moon and therefore we can surmise that  Sun is currently transiting the sign of Taurus. Hence, the sun throws all its light onto the moon, which then reflects it to Earth. Enter the Moon's Nodes: This is where the Moon's orbital path crosses the ecliptic (the equator projected out into space).  A full moon elipse can only occur when the Moon is within 15 degrees of the lunar nodes. If it is exactly on the nodal point, then the eclipse is a total one.  Added to that is the fact that the Moon's orbital path is not circular, but elliptical. This means that there are times when the Moon is closer to Earth than at other times. Today is such a day - so apart from a total Full Moon eclipse, this Full Moon is also at perigee (closer to Earth) and therefore will appear bigger. (image credit:Nasa) A whole lot has been written about solar ec