United States – Open for business again, but only delaying the pain.

Yesterday, the United States dodged a flying bullet as in congress they agreed to pass a new budget to allow the country to function again. In the past 3 weeks the United States had been in lockdown and as a result thousands of government workers were effectively prevented from going to work as national services, monuments and national parks were shut down. Nobody was getting paid and a yet bigger hurdle was looming as the debt ceiling would have been reached today 17th October. Had that deadline passed then effectively the US would have been unable to borrow money to pay it’s bills, however the US Administrators struck a late deal to raise the US debt ceiling once again. As I see it, this agreement is only delaying the moment when the United States will really have to face the truth about it’s financial position.

Mars conjunct Regulus – A test of strength and resolve.

This connection is active now and is effective until 16th October 2013. It occurs at 00:01 degrees Virgo

Mars is now in contact with the Royal Persian star, Regulus, one of the most prominent and important stars in the night sky. Regulus known as the “Watcher of the North” sits at the heart of the constellation of Leo the Lion and is very much concerned with success through one’s honour and the way you act. With Regulus you must fight the good fight to achieve your aims and if you do so fairly and squarely then riches will follow, but you will face a nemesis who or which will test your resolve. The test here is one of not biting back when you are criticized or someone does something wrong to you. If you carry out any kind of retribution then in time all of what you have achieved will be lost.

Mars is the planet of action and force and you will have to take positive steps right now to proceed in the direction that you wish to go, so it really is time to take the bull by the horns. This is a great time for sports and games and for exerting one’s energy. Any action-based activity will be enjoyed and can provide you with fulfilment and enjoyment, especially as this aspect is applying. Once the exact connection is made and Mars moves into Virgo tomorrow, then you can focus on how you do thing and getting things precise and correct rather then putting on a show as Mars in Leo wants to do.

Now I said that there is a nemesis with any connection to Regulus and Mars’ nemesis this time around will be in the form of a nasty opposition to Neptune. This aspect saps your strength and your ability to act in an effective manner and it may also be working behind the scenes to thwart your best interests. Neptune will show deception and deceit towards you and will confuse things too and only if you can forgive and forget and not be provoked by what is working against you will you be able to make the very best that Mars conjunct Regulus can offer.

In the US, I feel a game of brinkmanship going on as the financial shutdown grinds through into a third week. Will President Obama keep his cool and not try to take out some kind of revenge of the Republicans who keep delaying and upsetting his desire to set a budget? This is his personal test right now especially with Regulus and Mars connection in his 7th house of one to one relationships and that of open enemies. I think that he will have to keep his dignity to get the agreements that he and the US so desire and need. If he does then he can move forward confidently. If he reacts in the wrong manner then great losses may befall him.

Lunar Eclipse 18th October 2013 – Stepping forward boldly, but blindfolded.

We are coming now into the Eclipse season again, a time when the Full Moon and New Moons become Lunar and Solar Eclipses as the Sun and Moon come into alignment. The first of these is a Lunar Eclipse on the 18th October 2013, one which this time occurs in Aries at 25:45 degrees.

Venus conjunct Agena – Sacrificing today in order to benefit tomorrow.

This conjunction start to form on 1st October and will be active the next day too. It occurs at 23:59 degrees Scorpio.

Agena is the second star in Centaurus (the other is Toliman) and this constellation highlights the story of the Centaurs, Chiron & Pholos. The story goes that Hercules who, after drinking too much wine, accidentally wounded Chiron thinking that he was under attack from them. Chiron was the immortal to the two Centaurs and so this injury condemned him to a life of pain and suffering. As Pholos was pulling out Hercules’ arrow from the foot of Chiron, he grazed himself with the tip of the arrow also causing a mortal wound. Pholos was able to die, and Chiron gave away his immortality to Prometheus so that he could die too.

This star is thus tied to the idea of healing and the sacrifices you make in order to improve your situation or to encourage growth, either by yourself or collectively. Chiron gave away his everyday life and Agena empowers you to attend to those same routine things in life, so that you can attain success. This is a star where the mundane, everyday things in life are important.

With Venus joining up with Agena we certainly have a social side to this combination as she brings people together. The more materialistic element of Venus in giving up something, to gain far greater riches in the future does resonate with me as well. The other philosophers Ptolemy and Ebertein say that this star is beneficial, bringing honour, friendship, morality and health. Ebertein also says that when combined with Venus, this star has a really sensual side to it. Robson says of this combination that it is artistic and poetical, strongly passionate and encourages rash friendships with women!! Those sensual passions will be there especially tomorrow as Venus will also be in a tight square with Mars; this will be an actively creative day too.

This connection last occurred on 10th and 11th December last year and around the world on those days Mario Monti, the Italian Prime Minister was stepping down, the Maltese Government collapsed as a budget was thrown out by parliament and the Mali Government resigned en-mass too. There were strikes by health care workers in Madrid, airport workers in Germany and the UK government set out plans to legalise gay marriage.

You can see the themes of sacrifice and relationships through the world events last year, so I wonder what will happen this time? Will American law-makers hold out in the budget disagreement forcing a shutdown of many government services in the US, or will they back down at the last minute? I say they will find some sort of compromise for the greater good of all Americans. Here in the UK we have a Post Office strike looming and the Italian government is in crisis again. This is because Venus rules the Italian chart, and at this point in her cycle Venus squares the Italian natal Venus and opposes Pluto at the same time.