Mars conjunct Vindemiatrix - Shaking the vine to gather the fruit

This connection is now active until 30th December and occurs at 10:08 degrees Libra

Mars is now moving through the stars of the constellation of Virgo and it is hooking up with Vindemiatrix. This star has two nicknames. The first is the "Grape Picker or Gatherer", of course connected to harvest time and the collection of grapes before pressing. This star does have connections to gathering and collecting, and often those with planet conjunctions to this star do have this trait in their personality for gathering things, collecting items and reaping what one has sown. The other nickname for Vindemiatrix is a bit more sinister, as it is known as the Widow Maker". Tradition says that one can lose one's partner or spouse in unfortunate circumstances if there is a connection to this star.

Mars does bring energy to this star and you may be very interested in gaining knowledge and bits of information now, finding out what is going on around you; this conjunction promotes research and getting to the truth. Mars is an aggressive influence as well and it increases the likelihood of conflict between those with different ideas, beliefs or cultures.

With Mars inconjunct to Chiron at the moment, square to Pluto and opposing Uranus, any disputes in your life could become nasty and very hurtful, especially if you are diametrically opposed to the ideas that someone else has. As for the "Widow Maker" tag, I don't think that this star realistically will see the death of a partner, but it could help facilitate the break up of a relationship, especially as Venus is retrograde and we are all naturally reviewing those partnerships we have in our lives...

Ethnic tensions plague South Sudan

Back to the Astrology, I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. I have been saying that the dangerous degrees on any chart at the moment are 10-12 degrees of most signs as they are in range of Pluto, Uranus and Mars which is starting to slow a little now and this leads me onto the country of South Sudan.

New Moon in Capricorn 1st Jan 2014 – A New Year bringing a statement of intent.

A new Moon for a new year, that’s appropriate, isn’t it? Well as we end 2013 and enter 2014 we do start with a brand shiny new Moon and wow, this is a beauty!! This new Moon lays down a marker for 2014, and if you felt that last year was a miserable one, and many of us know this to be true, then the planetary formation here on offer to ring in the New Year can give you a lift and a potential to kick start to get your life back into action. If this is the way that you mean to go on in 2014, then strap in, buckle up and get ready to turn the keys to start the engine.

Mars conjunct Diadem - Being unselfish and making sacrifices.

This connection is starting to come into contact right now and will last until 28th December 2013 - it occurs at 09.09 degrees Libra.

Mars the planet of force and action is now coming into contact with the star Diadem in the constellation of the woman's crown, Coma Berenices. This star is connected to feminine strength and the people who work quietly and patiently for the benefit of a group or a company without getting any recognition, an influence of sacrificing yourself on behalf of others.

Mars as it makes this exact connection will be forming a t-square with Pluto and Uranus and it joining this star says to me that somewhere in the world the little people or those who normally stay out of sight, the workers and the ordinary people will start to vent their anger and frustration against controls imposed against them. Women of note may be very much in the news now, those with power or those who oppose it. We may also find that intimate secrets might be exposed by this conjunction connected to the t-square, there could be accidents and rescues might occur too.

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving and this influence is one of giving without wanting to get anything back in return. If everyone did this, the world would be a much better place. At this wonderful and festive time of year, maybe this planet star connection is giving us a little reminder of what is really important...??