Big Sky Astrology Podcast

065 | Mars, Uranus, and Revisiting the US Pluto Return

April and Jen take an astrological look at the events of January 6 here in the U.S., including Pluto inching ever closer to its 2022 return in the U.S. chart. And as Inauguration Day approaches, we give some side-eye to the unpredictable combination of Mars and Uranus, and a Taurus First Quarter Moon overflowing with tension. In other news, Sun enters Aquarius and joins up with Saturn; plus Mars and Jupiter face off (again). Plus: honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
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00:30 – April and Jen, recording on Jan. 11 for this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day episode, break down the astrology of the siege on the US Capitol - with Mars at the very end of Aries - and another big week on tap. And while we’re at it…
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03:26 – …Are recent events here in the US uncovering more of the US Pluto Return, peeking out from under the blanket fort? (See Episode 29, Neptune Washing Over All, and the US Pluto Return for our first discussion on this topic.)
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05:18 – The Sun enters Aquarius (Jan. 19), so grab your favorite group of people and work together toward a long-range goal! Plus, between Feb. 9-11, six planets will be in Aquarius! (To hear all about why Charlie Brown is on Team Aquarius, revisit Episode 9, It's Aquarius Season, Charlie Brown! To learn more about the stellium, visit the late, great Donna Cunningham’s website… and to find her two-part eBook on the subject, visit here and here. And to get a copy of our exclusive Solstice episode, where we cover this, just contribute $5 for a year of Solstice/Equinox episodes!)
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09:46 – Mars conjoins Uranus at 6.44 Taurus on Inauguration Day in the US (Jan. 20)! (BTW, Inauguration Day changed from March to January in 1937.) This meet-up happens on the Sabian symbol, “A woman of Samaria,” a biblical story that speaks of reaching out to someone with different beliefs than you.
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11:58 – ** MOONWATCH! ** ​ Also on Inauguration Day, we have a powerful First Quarter Moon at 1.02 Taurus (Jan. 20) on the symbol, “An electrical storm.” The Sun sits in Aquarius, “An unexpected thunderstorm” – two evocative symbols with a lot of tense energy in the chart.
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14:15 – Mars, at 7.59 Taurus, squares Jupiter in Aquarius (Jan. 22). Are we pushing the limits too much? This is the last of 3 opening squares in a cycle that began March 20 (Episode 17, Saturn in Aquarius: All in This Together). The other 2 squares were Aug. 4 (Episode 37, Full Moon in Aquarius & Many Happy (Solar) Returns) and Oct. 18 (Episode 52, A Scorpio Season of Long Shadows & Fellowship).
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17:09 – The Sun gets squished into a container as it meets Saturn at 4.20 Aquarius (Jan. 23) on the Sabian symbol, “A council of ancestors.” Who are people in your life that have some wisdom to offer you?
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20:34 – Helpful info to cope with stress, incoming: a free 8-week Science of Happiness course from UC-Berkeley that offers practical tips on living a meaningful life, articles on 7 Ways to Stop Negative Thoughts & 10 Coping Strategies for Anxiety, and some useful podcast episodes from Brene Brown & the Science of Happiness. (FYI, we don’t get any $$ from sharing this; just take them if they feel right to you!)
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20:53 – April’s quote of the week, “We don’t grow wise just because we grow old.” Perhaps the Sun/Saturn aspect is urging us to try to gain wisdom this week, even in difficult times. Who is your “council of ancestors” that you feel a connection to, and who can you learn from, regardless of age?
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23:28 – Thanks, podpals! If you’re so moved, please give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a kind review. This episode is made possible by Podathon donors KAREN CAROTHERS and SARA MCNEIL! Thank you, Karen & Sara, for contributing to our Podathon! And if any other dear listeners haven’t had the chance to donate, please kick in $5 or more and we’ll send you an invitation to our upcoming special solstice/equinox episodes! Hugs to you this week!

064 | Capricorn New Moon: We’ve Got You Covered!

*Regular listeners know that April & Jen record a week in advance. This episode was recorded two days before the siege on the US Capitol, so there is no reference to the unfolding events.*
April and Jen cover the week’s astronews, including a Capricorn New Moon with a strongly Plutonian flavor. Mars makes the last of three frustrating squares to Saturn, and Jupiter squares Uranus, setting up what is arguably the most important planetary signature of 2021: Saturn squaring Uranus. Also, Venus sends a hug to Uranus, and Mercury joins Jupiter for the big square to Uranus. Plus: two words, friends: blanket fort!
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – From beneath a blanket fort, there was much rejoicing: The BSA Podcast has reached 50,000 downloads! THANK YOU, dear listeners!
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03:07 – Getting a big idea or an innovative insight? Mercury joins up with Jupiter at 5.15 Aquarius (Jan. 11), grabbing small bits of information and little scraps of data along the way. Jupiter takes all of this and makes it into one ginormous quilt! (Blankets are our theme this episode!)
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05:15 – ** MOONWATCH! ** ​ We have a powerful, transformative New Moon at 23.13 Capricorn (Jan. 12) on the Sabian symbol, “A woman entering a convent.” This is a contemplative symbol that might be helpful as you initiate new plans and project into the future: What do you really want? (Picture yourself at the end of 2021; what would need to happen for you to look back and say, “My life was transformed this year”?) This New Moon is conjunct Pluto; it’s a dark time of the cycle but bright with the promise of deep change and potentiality.
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11:25 – Mercury, at 6.43 Aquarius, squares Uranus in Taurus (Jan. 12), and acts a bit like a retrograde; know that things might go awry with communications, electronics, and scheduling. And head’s up: Mercury enters the shadow period this week (Jan. 15) and has an upcoming retrograde beginning Jan. 30. This is the end of a cycle that began in April 2020 – what was happening for you then?
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14:24 – Mars, grazing in the pasture of 3.04 Taurus, squares Saturn in Aquarius (Jan. 13), on the symbol, “The rainbow’s pot of gold.” This is a lovely symbol for a transit that is typically characterized by people being entrenched in their own positions and not yielding to each other; extreme stubbornness is oftentimes the message of this one. (Mars echoes the April 2020 New Moon, which is when we first discussed this symbol, in Episode 22, Taurus New Moon and Venus Gone Wild. Also, this is the last of 3 Mars/Saturn squares; for more, revisit late August’s Episode 40, Mars vs. Saturn, Virgo vs. Sagittarius, April vs. Gravity and late September’s Episode 49, Saturn & Pluto Leave the Station.)
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19:30 – Venus, at 6.43 Capricorn, makes a trine to Uranus (Jan. 13) the day before Uranus stations direct (Jan. 14). Stations of outer planets can be disruptive and, particularly in the case of Uranus, unpredictable. Venus is on the intriguing symbol, “A veiled prophet of power.”  Where does our power lie in relationships and in financial matters? If we’re feeling empowered, then generally a trine to Uranus is a nice influence and a good time to make needed changes.
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24:36 – The Sun conjuncts Pluto at 24.38 Cap (Jan. 14), signaling a consolidation of personal and professional power; we shine by achieving, and by standing in our power. Interestingly, the Sabian symbol is about a “rug dealer” and the art of negotiation. If someone is working on behalf of the collective, do the ends justify the means?
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29:17 – Be awkward, brave, and kind, and let your quirkiness out! Jupiter, at 6.43 Aquarius, squares Uranus (Jan. 17). Are you willing to stand apart from the crowd to fulfill your dreams? This square is bringing to a close a cycle that began in June 2010!
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35:20 – Will you still listen to our podcast when we’re 64? If you’re so moved, please give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a kind review. This episode is made possible by Podathon donors GINNY EVANS and OCTOBER CRIFASI! Thank you, Ginny & October, for contributing to our Podathon! And if any other dear listeners haven’t had the chance to donate, please chuck $5 or more our way and we’ll send you an invitation to our upcoming special solstice/equinox episodes! Off we go… or should we say, that’s a wrap! 😉

063 | Mars Enters Taurus (And There Was Much Rejoicing!)

April and Jen welcome the first full week of 2021 and pin this episode to their vision boards! Several planets enter new signs and fresh territory this week, including the long-awaited transition of Mars from Aries to Taurus. Mercury gets focused with Pluto, enters Aquarius, and gets energized by Mars and organized with Saturn. And while we may be full of plans for the new year, a Libra Last Quarter Moon encourages us to first look to the past. Plus: personal planets, eagles, bathroom books, and icicles!
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – April and Jen invite you to create a vision board – or maybe destroy one? Whatever suits your fancy! What’s your vision for 2021? Does it include eagles? (And yes, there is a Philadelphia Eagles football team! Also, now you know why we don’t host a sports show!)
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04:16 – Let’s get down to brass tacks: Mercury joins Pluto (Jan. 4) at 24.19 Capricorn, inviting us to focus, do research, or perhaps investigate something. The ruler is Saturn in Aquarius, giving us long-range planning abilities. (And the Faunabelle Tarot card for the magician is the coyote!)
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07:32 – ** MOONWATCH! ** ​ The Last Quarter Moon (LQM) at 17 Libra is on the Sabian symbol, “A retired sea captain” (Jan. 6). LQMs always allow for finishing things up and a period of evaluation. This point connects us to the lunar phase family that began in October 2018 on the symbol, “A boat landing washed away,” which speaks to beginning anew when something is taken away. But this sea captain has overcome some obstacles, and asks us: How can we improve upon what was started not only 3 weeks ago, but also back in fall of 2018?
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11:24 – Venus in Sagittarius is the ruler of this LQM, which is an energetic chart, rife with tense aspects - including with Mars, who is ending his sojourn through Aries. Perhaps this is a good place to start the New Year, suggesting we take action as we wrap up and consider not just the past 30 days, but also this long go-get-‘em Mars cycle that began at the end of June!
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14:07 – And there was much rejoicing: Mars saunters into Taurus (Jan. 6 – Mar. 3)! As Mars slows down and stabilizes, it’s a good time to get traction on new projects. And don’t be fooled: Although this is the sign of Mars’s detriment, it’s a hefty placement, having a long fuse and measured pace.
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18:16 – Venus enters Capricorn (Jan. 8), embracing the elegance of functional forms and the simplicity of well-made, useful items with clean lines, and high cost-per-wear value! It’s a great time to balance your checkbook, create a blueprint, and savor the bare-bones elegance of things.
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22:30 – Venus, at 1.15 Capricorn, trines Mars in Taurus (Jan. 9), a fertile time for romance, as there is a physical component to this transit. It’s also a good time to enjoy natural, simple beauty – build a little rock wall in your garden or a snow fort in your yard!
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24:57 – Mercury enters Aquarius (Jan 8), looking to the future, and bringing a third personal planet into a new sign! Tangent of the week: What are personal planets? (Revisit one of our most popular episodes - Episode 8, Saturn and Pluto Need a Party - to hear more about this transit, and as a bonus you’ll get to hear our first Bob Ross reference!)
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29:33 – Mercury, at 1 Aquarius, squares Mars in Taurus (Jan. 8) on the symbol, “An old adobe mission.” Mars sits on, “A clear mountain stream,” perhaps instructing us to pause for a moment at the “mountain stream” before moving on to the next “mission.” Is your well-intentioned “mission” as good for others as you think it is? And take heed: This transit can be connected to losing one’s temper and being easily triggered. (Oops! The “old adobe mission” symbol was in Episode 19, Jupiter Meets Pluto: Two Thumbs…Up? back on March 31 – not the Saturn-in-Aquarius one.)
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32:22 – Mercury conjuncts Saturn (Jan. 9) on the symbol for 3 Aquarius, “A deserter from the navy.” This speaks to wanting to cut bait, yet this meeting usually speaks of tenacity, brainpower, getting organized, and sticking with things that are tedious. Connecting it to last week’s lessons around letting go, perhaps this is about pondering: What is worth putting your energy behind? We can’t do everything, after all.
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36:47 – Thanks for listening, dear listeners! If you enjoy the show and listen on Apple, would you please do us a favor and write us a happy review for BSA on Apple Podcasts? This episode is made possible by Podathon donors ELIZABETH SCHULTZ and BOBBIE GALION! Thank you, Elizabeth & Bobbie, for contributing to our Podathon! And remember, to gain access to that exclusive Solstice episode that we recently released, please pitch in $5 or more. (You’ll get a year’s worth of bonus episodes!) Now excuse us, while we go grab our (eco-friendly!) air freshener. Happy spritzing!

062 | Cancer Full Moon & Buh-Bye 2020!

April and Jen release 2020 back into the wild with a discussion of the Cancer Full Moon, roots and family, and 5-year plans. Also, Venus meets with the South Node and Neptune, inviting us to let go of whatever limits our dreams. And Mercury totes its giant shopping bag of ideas into a bright new 2021 and the wise tutelage of Neptune, who has been teaching us (forever) about going with the flow. Plus: trading cards, brand new planners, and we wave buh-bye to 2020!
It’s not too late! Contribute $5 or more and you’ll gain access to a year’s worth of Equinox & Solstice episodes, which includes our recent Solstice episode and a sneak peek at the upcoming 3 months!
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – April and Jen ponder their New Year’s resolutions as they project 5 years into the future. What are your hopes and dreams? Plus, does anybody really know what time it is? (Perhaps it’s time to catch April’s guest appearance on the Dr. Pat Show!)
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03:55 – This week’s Moonwatch segment is brought to you by our lovely non-imaginary sponsor, Faunabelle Tarot!! We’re pleased to promote these gorgeous cards – do check out their Kickstarter Preview which launched on Dec. 19th! Let’s help make this wonderful dream a reality!
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07:37 – ** MOONWATCH! ** The last Full Moon of 2020 occurs Dec. 29 at 8.53 Cancer, bringing to mind what was started 2 weeks ago (at the monthly New Moon), 6 months ago (at the Cancer New Moon), and July 2019 (at the Cancer Solar Eclipse that began this lunar phase family). Is there a thread connecting all of these points in time? This Full Moon asks us to remember: What are your roots? Who do you call family? What are the things that really matter to you? And, how can you balance all of that with Capricorn’s worldly ambition?
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11:59 – This Full Moon’s last aspect in its sign is a contentious square to Mars. So the energy of this Full Moon chart is already headed toward eventual fisticuffs, as we struggle to determine: How strongly secured are we to our emotional foundations?
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14:39 – Venus joins up with the South Node in Sagittarius (Dec. 31), offering us an opportunity to let go of the things that don’t matter, so that we can travel more lightly and more freely.
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16:01 – Venus, at 18.26 Sagittarius, squares Neptune in Pisces (Dec. 30) on the Sabian symbol, “Pelicans changing their habitat.” Neptune is on, “A master instructing his pupil.” Are you looking at your relationships, money, and values realistically? Or are you wanting to “change habitat” because you’re with someone who thinks it’s their job to “instruct you”? (Review Episode 59, A Volcanic Virgo Last Quarter Moon & Mercury Runs Amok, when the Sun and Mercury both squared Neptune.)
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19:53 – We checked the ephemeris and noticed that Neptune has been (and continues to be) on the Sabian symbol, “A master instructing his pupil” for over 3 months (Oct. 3, 2020 – Jan. 23, 2021)! Is there somebody in your life teaching you something important about compassion, or reality, or giving you a new sense of spiritual purpose? And, what can you believe in when things seem difficult? (We first talked about this symbol in Episode 51, Libra New Moon: Symmetry Schmemmetry! Or give Episode 57, Learning from Neptune, Giving Thanks, & Our One-Year Podiversary! a try.)
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23:58 – Mercury rings in the New Year at 18.28 Capricorn and sextiles Neptune (Jan 1) on the symbol, “A child of about five with a huge shopping bag.” And Neptune continues to instruct us. Sure, we have our plans and tasks and resolutions… but aren’t we also learning how to go with the flow? (Jupiter was also on this point in Episode 51, Libra New Moon: Symmetry Schmemmetry! if you’d like to hear more about that.)
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28:06 – Many thanks for a great podcasting year, dear listeners! We so appreciate you! If you enjoy the show and listen on Apple, would you please do us a favor and write us a happy review for BSA on Apple Podcasts? This episode is made possible by Podathon donors BANA HAQ and STEPHANIE WILSON! Thank you, Bana & Stephanie, for contributing to our Podathon! And remember, to gain access to that exclusive Solstice episode that we recently released, please pitch in $5 or more. (You’ll get a year’s worth of bonus episodes!) Buh-bye, 2020!

061 | The Great Conjunction of Jupiter & Saturn: We Feel Bloated!

April and Jen are thrilled to welcome the week we’ve all been waiting for! It’s rare that the Capricorn Solstice takes a back seat to anything else in the sky, but Jupiter’s meet-up with Saturn in Aquarius takes the prize! Fighting for that honor as well is a Mars/Pluto square that would claim the headline in any ordinary week. All of this, plus a feisty Aries First Quarter Moon, Uranian inspiration, and the limbo!
It’s not too late! Contribute $5 or more and you’ll gain access to the extra-special, super-secret Solstice episode! But wait, there’s more! Order now and you’ll also receive a full year’s worth of Solstice/Equinox episodes! PLUS you’ll enjoy a full set of Ginsu knives!* (*Note: Ginsu knives not included!)
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – April and Jen don their Charlie Brown shirts for a big week on deck! Jen has been making April say three good things about herself for a full year, since Episode 4, The Capricorn Solstice Is Frequently Sunny in Minneapolis. Maybe you’d like to hear more about the Capricorn Solstice from one year ago? (To learn about the Charlie Brown reference, listen to Episode 9, It's Aquarius Season, Charlie Brown!)
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03:11 – The Solstice is when the Sun does the limbo, right? No wait, that’s wrong! It’s when the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn, initiating winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere (Dec. 21, 2:03 am PST). Thinking about your New Year’s resolutions? (If you yearn for a full episode solely for the Solstice, consider becoming a patron of the podcast! For a mere $5 or more, you’ll become a BSA podpal, earn our warm thanks, AND receive a year’s worth of Solstice/Equinox episodes! Win-win!)
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06:52 – The moment we’ve all been waiting for: Jupiter conjuncts Saturn in Aquarius (Dec. 21, 10:20 a.m. PST) for the first time since 1405. Listen to the difference between Great Conjunctions (Jupiter/Saturn meet-ups) in earth vs. air signs; each cycle lasts about 200 years. As we enter a new era of Great Conjunctions in air signs, look for advancements in communications and innovations. (Revisit to Episode 17, Saturn in Aquarius: All in This Together to hear more about this topic!)
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10:37 – What does the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction mean for you? Find 0° Aquarius in your birth chart. What house is it in? Do you have planet near 0° of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, or Scorpio? That’s your clue. (Don’t know how to find that? Here's April's helpful post.) Jupiter rules expansion, Saturn rules structure, and when the two come together there’s a lot of tension. We’ll likely see a more digital- and online-based economy, and further adjustment to the changes that technology has brought to society as a whole.
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13:27 – This week’s Moonwatch segment is brought to you by our very first non-imaginary sponsor, Faunabelle Tarot!! We’re pleased to promote these gorgeous cards – do check out their Kickstarter which launched on Dec. 19th! Let’s help make this wonderful dream a reality!
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16:00 – ** MOONWATCH! ** The Aries First Quarter Moon (Dec. 21, 3:41 PM PST) occurs 0.34 Aries, which is also the Solstice Point. This event brings the energy of action around the Solstice, happening on the same day, allowing for forward motion. Might the cosmos be encouraging us to act on some things that we’ve been planning or thinking about? This FQM also triggers last summer’s Solar Eclipse at the Summer Solstice – what was happening for you then, as well as around March 24, 2020, when we had the first critical moment in this lunar phase family?
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19:25 – Mars, at 23.55 Aries, squares Pluto in Capricorn (Dec. 23). The planet of war and the exertion of personal will is on the Sabian symbol, “An open window and a net curtain blowing into a cornucopia.” The planet of death and rebirth sits on, “A woman entering a convent.” Such beautiful and peaceful symbols for such a problematic aspect! Instead of feeling crushed under those forces, we are being offered the opportunity to use our personal energy and will in the service of something larger than ourselves. (This story began on March 22/23 with the conjunction. Another reason to revisit to Episode 17, Saturn in Aquarius: All in This Together – you can hear more about this topic!) This is the third and final square in this series. (To hear about the other two, go to Episode 38, Taurus Last Quarter Moon – but wait, there’s S’more! and Episode 50, The Grand Cross: Wheel! Of! Fortune!)
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24:08 – Mercury, at 6.53 of Capricorn, trines Uranus in Taurus (Dec. 24). The Sun follows in the communication planet’s footsteps, and also trines Uranus (Dec. 27). How can you get inspired, as we approach the end of 2020?
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28:15 – Many thanks, dear listeners! If you’d like to support us at no cost to you, please kindly give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a happy review (and perhaps we will read it on air)! This episode is made possible by Podathon donors DEBRA NEHRING and SUZANNE O’CLAIR! Thank you, Debra & Suzanne, for contributing to our Podathon! Remember, to gain access to that exclusive Solstice episode that we just released, please pitch in $5 or more! (You’ll get a year’s worth of bonus episodes!) Thanks, podpals!

060 | Sagittarius Solar Eclipse and Coins in the Couch

April and Jen groove their way into this busy week, when 5 planets will change signs - we’re looking at you Mercury in Capricorn, Venus in Sagittarius, Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius, and (next Monday) the Sun in Cap! The Sagittarius New Moon/Solar Eclipse invites us to make meaning of the world; Venus sends Jupiter and Saturn a parting gift on their way to Aquarius; and the Sun and Mercury cut a rug with Mars… what could go wrong? (#kiddingnotkidding) Plus: loose change, fresh eyes, and our first non-imaginary sponsor!
Order a personalized Followed by a Moonshadow eclipse report! Use the exclusive podcast-listener discount code of BSASBS at checkout to get $5 off through Dec. 21, 2020! You’re welcome!
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – April and Jen will send out an email to our podcast donors next weekend with instructions regarding the upcoming extra-special, super-secret Solstice episode. If you haven’t received an email by next Monday the 21st, do check your spam folder! Interested in accessing that important content? Contribute $5 or more and you’ll get our big thanks AND a year’s worth of Solstice/Equinox episodes! Win-win!
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04:50 – This week’s Moonwatch segment is brought to you by our very first non-imaginary sponsor, Faunabelle Tarot!! We’re pleased to promote these gorgeous cards – do check out their Kickstarter Preview which launches on Dec. 19th!
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07:56 – ** MOONWATCH! ** It’s our last eclipse of 2020: A New Moon Solar Eclipse at 23°08’ Sagittarius (Dec. 14) on the joyous Sabian symbol, “A bluebird standing at the door of the house.” This eclipse is on the South Node – change comes from releasing and letting go. In Sag, we are asked to rethink how we make meaning of the world. Past eclipses at this degree include June 2011, Dec. 2001, June 1992, June 1984, and Dec. 1982. What echoes back to you from those times? Is there an old, unhelpful narrative running through your head? Is it time to let go of that story? (To find the house where the eclipse falls in your birth chart, here's April's helpful post. And here’s info to find out if the eclipse is visible where you live.)
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12:44 – Venus, at 29° Scorpio, sextiles Jupiter in Capricorn (Dec. 14) and then Saturn (Dec. 15), bringing opportunities for enhanced status and being drawn into our calling. How can you serve the world? What’s your gift? There’s an opportunity to take something with you that you’ve been learning over the past couple of years. (And don’t forget to order your personalized copy of the Followed by a Moonshadow eclipse report – use code BSASBS for $5 off through Dec. 21!)
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18:04 – Mercury, at 21° Sagittarius, trines Mars in Aries on Dec. 14. Tell it like it is, but always remember to practice kindness as well! Are you able to do both?.
19:29 – Neptune is still square the Lunar Nodes in the eclipse chart. To hear more about that transit, revisit Episode 57, Learning from Neptune, Giving Thanks, & Our One-Year Podiversary!
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20:13 – Venus enters Sagittarius on Dec. 15 and will be there until Jan. 8, 2021. It’s time to enjoy the unfamiliar - perhaps look at something you see every day with fresh eyes. Can we enlarge our perspective on what’s already around us by cultivating beginner’s mind?
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23:50 – Jupiter AND Saturn move into Aquarius this week, setting the stage for next week’s ginormous conjunction! First up: What happens when Saturn, the planet of structures and boundaries, enters the sign of rebellion, the future, hopes and dreams, and social justice and civil liberties. Take note, fixed signs: It’s time to experience some growth! (Helpful past episodes include Episode 9, It's Aquarius Season, Charlie Brown! and Episode 17, Saturn in Aquarius: All in This Together.)
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29:27 – Jupiter enters Aquarius on Dec. 19, and April is having a Jupiter return! She shares it with a former president who presided over a time of similar economic challenges during their last mutual Jupiter return. Jupiter symbolizes growth, expansion, and big-picture thinking, and Aquarius is a sign that is forward-thinking and not afraid to change the status quo. Nothing happens overnight, though; outer planets move slowly, and change takes time.
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34:20 – Mercury makes a superior conjunction to the Sun at 28°42’ Sagittarius (Dec. 19). This particular transit in this particular sign reminds us to pause before speaking. Maybe try journaling (quietly and to yourself) instead of insisting that you know everything about everything?
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36:46 – Mercury enters Capricorn on Dec. 20 and will be there through Jan. 8, 2021. This is a great transit to make plans, resolutions, and schedules for the coming year, especially related to your professional life. (Revisit Episode 5, Unboxing Eclipses to hear more about Mercury in Cap – and it’s also a helpful one to learn about eclipses!)
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41:52 – Many thanks, dear listeners! If you’d like to support us at no cost to you, please kindly give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a happy review (and perhaps we will read it on air)! This episode is brought to you by Podathon donors TAMMY DASCHUK and HEATHER CASHMAN! Thank you, Tammy & Heather, for contributing to our Podathon! Remember that next week we have that big December Solstice! To receive our exclusive Solstice content, please donate $5 or more and we’ll invite you to hear that episode, as well as a year of solstice/equinox episodes! Now it’s time to go look for loose change in the couch!

059 | A Volcanic Virgo Last Quarter Moon, & Mercury Runs Amok

In an episode that will live in infamy, April and a very throaty Jen discuss this week’s Last Quarter Moon in Virgo! Also: The Sun and Mercury aspect Neptune, signaling a crisis of confidence and identity; Mercury is both out-of-bounds AND in Sagittarius, which should be as good for communication as it sounds; Venus grants a New Moon wish; and the Sun energizes Mars en route to next week’s Solar Eclipse! All of this, plus: 12th house transits, pelicans, and Zambonis!
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00:30 – Someone’s under the weather this week, but the podcast must go on! Is it Deep Throat? Brenda Vaccaro? Or did someone just have too many good cups of coffee?
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02:07 – ** MOONWATCH! ** It’s a Last Quarter Moon at 16.22 Virgo on a date that will live in infamy (Dec. 7). The Moon is on the Sabian symbol, “A volcano in eruption.” And the Sun sits on 17 Sagittarius, “An Easter sunrise service.” Virgo, an earth sign, can be surprisingly volatile when angry; some say the sign is associated with Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. The symbols taken together indicate something new that’s born of disaster and calamity. (Take note: This triggers the June 5, 2020 Lunar Eclipse point. Listen to Episode 28, Eclipses and Nodes: Why be Mean when you can be True? for more on that.)
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07:15 – The Sun at 18.11 Sagittarius squares Neptune in Pisces (Dec. 9), which speaks to a crisis of self-confidence and sense of purpose. How confident do you feel in who you are?  
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08:49 – Four days later, Mercury follows in the Sun’s footsteps to square Neptune on the same degrees (Dec. 13). In this square, the cosmic messenger struggles to define the self. Have you been floundering with how to tell your story?
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09:44 – Mercury goes out of bounds (Dec. 12 – Jan. 4), all unsupervised and breaking the rules. If someone goes on a rant during this time, maybe just ignore them if you can! And, it might be helpful to think carefully before you speak! On the plus side, this is a good time to do innovative thinking. (To hear more about out-of-bounds planets – and to hear Jen’s lovely parents – listen to Episode 22, Taurus New Moon and Venus Gone Wild.)
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12:23 – For the Neptune square, the Sun and Mercury occupy 19 Sagittarius, “Pelicans moving their habitat.” And the god of the sea has been on 19 Pisces for the past 2 weeks, on “A master instructing his pupil.” It’s time to let go of the parts of the story that no longer serve us, as we still learn from Neptune, who tells us what those parts are. What needs releasing? Maybe the Buddhist concept of non-attachment could be helpful as you examine your inner narrative.
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14:29 – Venus, at 23.31 Scorpio, sextiles Pluto in Capricorn (Dec. 10), offering an opportunity to attract power to oneself. Venus is on the symbol “Crowds coming down the mountain to listen to one man,” which was also the degree of the recent Scorpio New Moon! Is a wish we made then going to be granted? (To hear more, scurry on over to Episode 55, Scorpio New Moon: Rolling in It!)
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16:32 – The Sun trines Mars at 19.39 Aries (Dec. 10), and then moves on to align with the South Node (Dec. 11) at 19.56 Sag – which sets us up for the Solar Eclipse that arrives on Dec. 14! Change may be incoming to help us let go of things! We are leaving one journey behind and entertaining options for the road going forward.
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17:53 – The Sabian symbols are both wintry: 20 Sag is “Men cutting through ice.” And 20 Aries is “A young girl feeding birds in winter.” Both speak of survival in harsh seasons. Is the blade related to ice fishing, creating ice sculptures, or ice skating? (And important info for you, friends: Fodor’s Travel placed the St. Paul Winter Carnival in its top spot of America’s coolest winter festivals, which is really just one more reason April should move to Minne-snow-ta; yes, a zamboni has a blade; Jen’s not sure how she forget the fabulous MN ice palaces?!; and finally, to hear April & Jen wax poetic about their favorite Bill Murray movie, visit Episode 10, Neptune and the Zen of Groundhog Day.)
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23:18 – Many thanks, dear listeners! If you’d like to support us at no cost to you, please kindly give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a happy review (and perhaps we will read it on air)! This episode is brought to you by Podathon donors SARA FRIESEN and PENN GREGORY! Thank you, Sara & Penn, for contributing to our Podathon! Remember that we have a big December Solstice coming up in a couple of weeks - to receive our exclusive Solstice content, please please pitch in $5 or more and we’ll invite you to a year’s worth of solstice/equinox episodes! Thanks thanks thanks! (*Jen scurries off to find her throat lozenges*)

058 | Gemini Lunar Eclipse and the Amazing Eclipse Maven

April and Jen communicate all the juicy details about this week’s Gemini Full Moon lunar eclipse and herald the beginning of a new eclipse season! Meanwhile, Mercury (planetary ruler of Gemini) oversees the eclipse from his perch at the end of Scorpio before leaping into Sagittarius. A highlight this week? Venus in Scorpio + Neptune in Pisces = true love. Plus: funnels, big shoulder pads, and noodles!
Order a personalized Followed by a Moonshadow eclipse report! Scroll down for a handy discount code!
Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases!
To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.
Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website!
Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology
Read a full transcript of this episode.
Episode links:
00:30 – How’s everyone doing? And who else likes noodling around?
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02:42 – ** MOONWATCH! ** It’s eclipse season! This week we welcome the last Lunar Eclipse of 2020, which is also a Full Moon at 8°38’ Gemini (Nov. 30). Lunar eclipses are often about changes in relationship – have you taken a particular path as far as it can go? The Gemini/Sag axis is about information, learning, and ideas. It is generally more impactful if you have planets/points between 4°38’ and 12°38’ of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces. (Do check out where on Earth this eclipse is happening; perhaps you can see it from your city! And, to find the house where the eclipse falls in your birth chart, here's April's helpful post!)
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08:23 – Other eclipses near 8 Gemini occurred on: May 30 1984 (Solar), Nov. 29 1993 (Lunar), May 31 2003 (Solar), June 1 2011 (Solar), and Nov. 28 2012 (Lunar). What themes have been playing out for you? Also, go back to June 3 2019, because that’s when this lunar phase family began. (Don’t forget to read April’s book, The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology!)
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12:26 – Mercury is the ruler of this eclipse; does this eclipse have a Scorpio flavor? (Review Episode 5, Unboxing Eclipses to hear more about eclipses! And make sure to order your copy of April’s personalized Followed by a Moonshadow eclipse report!) Podcast listeners can use this code at checkout to get $5 off: BSASBS.
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15:08 – Paving the way: Mercury sextiles Saturn at 28°23’ Scorpio/Capricorn (Nov. 30). Saturn is packing his bags to head into Aquarius soon, and this handshake happens at the anaretic degree. There has been a lot of earth energy throughout 2020… air is incoming in a few weeks! Mercury in Scorpio is a magical placement; your request might be granted, but first you must ask… and always remember the three essential prayers!
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20:10 – Mercury bounds into Sagittarius (Dec. 1), communicating in a more frank, open, cheerful, and opinionated way. Beware thinking you know everything!
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23:13 – Venus, at 18°10’ Scorpio, trines Neptune in Pisces (Dec. 5/6). This is a symbiotic relationship: Venus brings Neptune back from La-La Land, while Neptune offers Venus some hope and gentleness. (April’s Saints & Suckers: Neptune in Relationship class is available for rent or for purchase if you’d like to learn more.)
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27:24 – Many thanks, dear listeners! If you’d like to support us at no cost to you, please kindly give us a 5-star rating, subscribe wherever you listen, and/or give us a happy review (and perhaps we will read it on air)! This episode is brought to you by Podathon donors SHEILA LIM and ANNA NORDH! Thank you, Sheila & Anna, for contributing to our Podathon! Remember that we have a big December Solstice coming up in less than a month - to receive our exclusive Solstice content, please please pitch in $5 or more and we’ll invite you to a year’s worth of solstice/equinox episodes! Happy eclipse to you!