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I have a diagnosis! 

The antibody tests came back positive for Graves disease, a common hyperthyroid disease. 

From the Mayo Clinic:

Graves’ disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the hormone thyroxine.

The abnormal immune response can affect the tissue behind your eyes as well as parts of your skin. The higher thyroxine level in Graves’ disease can greatly increase your body’s metabolic rate, leading to host of health problems.

Graves’ disease is rarely life-threatening. Although it may develop at any age and in either men or women, Graves’ disease is more common in women and usually begins after age 20.

There’s no way to stop your immune system from attacking your thyroid gland, but treatments for Graves’ disease can ease symptoms and decrease the production of thyroxine.

What causes Grave disease, from the American Thyroid Association:

Graves disease is triggered by some process in the body’s immune system, which normally protects us from foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system destroys foreign invaders with substances called antibodies produced by blood cells known as lymphocytes.

Many people inherit an immune system that can cause problems. Their lymphocytes make antibodies against their own tissues that stimulate or damage them. In Graves disease antibodies bind to the surface of thyroid cells and stimulate those cells to overproduce thyroid hormones. This results in an overactive thyroid.

Physicians have long suspected that severe emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, can set off Graves’ disease in some patients. Dr. Graves himself commented on stressful events in his patients’ lives that came several months before the development of hyperthyroidism. However, many patients who develop Graves disease report no stress in their lives.

I knew about stress being a trigger for hyperthyroidism and had already figured out when this may have developed.   I’m going back to the first of this year when Jupiter was opposing my sun and stress was a big theme for me.  That was a 5th house and 11th house aspect.  My children and my hopes and wishes were influenced.  In addition, Jupiter is exalted in Cancer so it is weak in Capricorn and the full benefits of this expansive planet are withheld.   I knew it would be a challenging time because I also had my progressed moon opposing my sun (exact) which can cause stress and disappointments.  I didn’t imagine the move would be easy as we had relocated three years before and I remembered clearly the work and stress involved.  At the same time I had transiting Saturn Retrograde (limits, ruler of  6th house of health, pets and routines) conjunct natal Pluto (governing my home and 8th house issues) opposing my natal Jupiter  in the 8th house of finance, transformations and death issues. 

My husband changed jobs in September and I stayed behind until the kids finished out the semester at school.  He came home at Christmas and we relocated the first week of January 2008.   We moved 650 miles with 2 teenagers 30,000 pounds, 3 cars, 3 dogs and 4 cats.  That alone was enough stress for a lifetime.  

I drove 12 hours and cried on and off with my daughter who was in love, broken hearted and leaving that relationship behind.  I had a good dose of Saturn’s fear hovering over me too and worried a lot.  Ashton was 19 and not happy to be relocating again.  At that age I’m sure a lot of parents would be concerned about having to leave a child behind.  To top it off my husband told me right before our relocation that his colleague was transferring and his 19 year old daughter refused to go with them.  Boy, that didn’t help me sleep any better.   Ashton is responsible, but I also know she’s her own person, hard working an independent.  I’m her mother, I cared about what she was going through and I knew it was hard.  She turned the station every time Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie came on the radio and went to tears.  Gosh, that was a sad time and one long drive.  

I did not see this house before we purchased it.  My trip to choose between the three best homes that my husband found was cancelled.  There was an unforeseen issue arise with my daughters great grandmother the weekend before our trip.  Not only was it upsetting to hear that my daughters Aunt was auctioning off Granny’s estate, but no-one called to let us know.  It was actually a friend that emailed me about what was going on.   I sent Allen to the auction to bid on the items promised to Ashton, items that were rightfully her fathers had he been alive at the time.  My sister also went to the auction and bought Keith’s baby pictures for Ashton after spotting some in frames on a table.  Granny has been a part of my life for 27 years; we were always close and our relationship did not change in the 18 years after Keith passed on.  I made sure that Ashton spent time with her great grandmother as they were always very close as well.  Ashton’s family on her father’s side was small to begin with; she is one of three left, Granny (89 yrs.) and her Aunt.  Our relationship with Keith’s sister did change as our lives moved in different directions.   So it was an emotionally charged weekend at our house when we heard the news from another source about how selfish and secretive her Aunt had been and how she completely disregarded her deceased brother’s child that was an young adult herself now.  

I asked Allen to choose the best house.  No matter what I asked about in the pictures, he had the right answers, “there was nothing wrong with the house.”  We had planned to have it painted, but I had no idea that the walls needed sanding too!  My painter thought that the home was wallpapered at one time and the sheetrock was torn up when it was removed.  The owner decided to camouflage the damage by painting everything chocolate brown.  Did Allen see it?  Nope.  I could see it in the pictures.  I was not happy about the house for a number of reasons. 

We moved in and within three days my dog had rat poison and was on an I.V at the emergency vet clinic for intestinal hemorrhaging.  That same weekend that Chloe was at the vet my cat Abbey went outside and never came home.  If you’ve ever so much as liked a cat, she would have stolen your heart as she did ours.  Every time I walked in the door I expected her to be home…that was 11 months ago.  I created a horary chart for her which foretold of her health being comprised in the neighborhood.  I thought I was reading too much into it so I waited it out and expected her to come home.  A week went by when I contacted a pet psychic that suggested I leave the door open, so I did.  The front door, three nights in a row with a book under the door, leaving enough room for her to slip through.   We posted fliers all over, added her to a lost pet database and ran an ad in the newspaper for two months. 

After three weeks I contacted a horary specialist, someone who wasn’t close to the situation and could be more objective.  My heart sank when I opened the chart.  The chart analysis:  Lost her life to coyotes in the neighborhood.  The reading was done a week after I spoke with a man down the street about Abbey and he told me that he hoped coyotes didn’t get her because he shot at some trying to get his dogs two weeks before!  Talk about getting the city girl mentality beaten out of me!  I fell into a bit of a depression.  Well, I did a lot of crying and then some.  I was grieving for the cat I adopted after seeing her in a dream, the only one that looked her at the Humane Society, the one I waited three weeks for until she was big enough to go home, the one we all loved for 18 months…I was devastated.  I still go to tears sometimes driving through the neighborhood. 

The next month our first utility bill came in and I was shocked by the amount.  Allen said, “Well, you can’t leave the front door open in January.”   “Three nights cost us this?”  I don’t think so.  I called the utility company and the average bill was close to what I had in my hand.  We had the unit checked and not only was the filter lying on the floor at the bottom of the unit, it was as black as charcoal, just like the coils.  Six thousand dollars later and we are enjoying the new heat and air conditioner that we had installed six weeks after buying the home!  Mercury was not retrograde during the purchase of the home and yes, we did have a home inspection.  Saturn was conjunct Pluto in my 2nd house, depleting our funds because of this real estate transaction (Pluto governs my home sector) and is a financial planet.  We put a lot of money in the house after buying it and we didn’t plan on having to do anything except painting it our own colors.  Some of my friends have asked about Mercury being retrograde because we’ve had our share of problems for a home that’s only ten years old.  When we’re finished it’s going to make someone a really nice house!  We’re having cherry floors installed throughout the upstairs soon.   I hate thinking about the mess and work involved, but we’ll enjoy them while we’re here. 

There is something else that I should mention about eclipse contacts to my chart.  I was not enthusiastic about the idea of moving back to the city I left 18 years ago when my first husband was a victim of a car jacking.  In 1990 my first husband took a job transfer to this area.  We were here six months when he died.  Ashton was a baby and we had no family or friends so I moved back home to family.   I never thought I would come back and I had no desire to.  I was hoping for the Carolinas!   The same eclipse series that relocated us then repeated itself in August 2007.  Allen changed jobs and left in September; we moved the household in January 2008.   So here I am 18 years later, in the same area, for the same reason as back in 1990.  The months before we moved in 1990 lead to my cat dying of a feline infectious disease and my dog died after getting hit by a van when the neighbor kids got their ball from our yard and left the gate open.   This time around Chloe had rat poison and Abbey disappeared, although it was after my move.  When I say I’ve come full circle, there is no denying the truth in that. 

Chloe, stained pink from mulch.

I just bet that the move and the first three months of this year qualify for enough stress to trigger hyperthyroidism. 

By Spring everything was falling into place.  Ashton went to work in February; her theater teacher took interest in her and put her in a production at the time.  I kept telling her to hang on until March.  That there were going to be new friends come into her life and she would feel better.  Little did I know that those friends were in a theater production and one of them was going to be her next boyfriend.  She was happier, which meant I was happier.  Chloe did make a quick recovery and the major issues with the house were behind us.  I went back to work and started feeling better about everything.  

Ricky and Ashton, I love this guy!

In my last post I mentioned that the transiting moon would be at 29 Cancer during my next appointment.  This is part of my post.

“My next appointment is Nov. 17, the day after the sun squares the August 16 lunar eclipse.  The transiting moon will be at 29 Cancer in my natal 12th house of hospitals, something hidden, and the last house in my chart suggesting the end of something.  The symbol for the moon is “A Greek Muse weighing newborn twins in golden scales.”  This relates to weighing two issues, balance, comparisons and similarities, the pros and cons of more than one issue and decision making.”

The stars never lie.  I have two separate issues and either one or a combination of both may be contributing to my rapid hair loss.  My testosterone levels were six times higher than what is normal for a woman my age.  High testosterone in woman can cause similar symptoms as hyperthyroidism which includes hair loss.  Allen said the Olympics wouldn’t accept me because they’d swear I was taking steroids.  I’m just glad I didn’t grow a beard!

I’m taking Tapazole for the thyroid and something to bring my testosterone levels down.  I’ll go back in January for new tests to see if this is working for me.  I’m not real happy about Mercury retrograde at the time of my appointment, but it always seems to be retrograde when I have a health issue. 

I love my Endocrinologist!  He discussed everything I had read about concerning Graves disease and Hyperthyroidism.  He listens and asks if I have any questions.  He wants me to try medicine first and give me a chance to go into remission.  I was happy to hear that because once the thyroid gland is removed or destroyed with radioactive iodine, a person will have to take medicine for life.  This way I have the opportunity to heal on my own.  We are not certain about the testosterone at this point.  It’s possible that those levels are elevated because of the Graves, but we’ll know more in January. 

I asked him about the nodule.  I told him that I knew the cold nodule wouldn’t cause the hyper-functioning thyroid and while they are often benign that is it the cold nodules that can sometimes be cancerous.  He said I was right and within 5 minutes he was doing and ultrasound and taking pictures.  The nodule is 1cm so it’s too small at this point to biopsy therefore we will watch and wait. 

We did discuss that the trigger for Graves is often stress.  I told him that I’m an astrologer and have very little stress, but the move and everything that followed was challenging.  I mentioned that I already knew that we would be discussing two separate issues, that I had posted that on my blog, but the testosterone was a surprise.  He flipped open my chart and said he remembered that about me and we started talking astrology.  He said he was fascinated by astrology even though he doesn’t understand it and that science had no explanation of why it works, but he knows it does work.  He then shared several stories about some of his patients that had near death experiences and came back.  One of his patients had diabetes and his circulation was so poor that his legs turned black.  He had a heart attack, died and came back with his legs completely healed.  He said he saw it with his own eyes! 

He asked what I knew about Leo’s.  I asked his birthday and told him that he had an eclipse to his sun in August.  I asked what happened 18 ½ years ago that changed his life and what similar themes were going on now.  His son was born then and his son just went away to college this fall.  I could see that he was moved by that.  He seemed very surprised to hear about the eclipse and the similar issues.  He wrote down his birth information on his prescription pad and sent me home with it. 

My doctors sun is conjunct my North Node exact.  He was the help promised to me when the eclipse in August was conjunct my Venus/North Node.  When the north node is eclipsed it carry’s the energy of Jupiter and may bring someone into your life that will be beneficial to you.  Celeste Teal, in her new book Lunar Nodes writes that the Sun/North Node is a future oriented relationship.  Also that the relationship is improved in one of the persons is male.  I can understand that given the Sun represents important men in ones life.  She also states that there is often a fatherly role taken on by one of the persons and the benefits are that of the houses occupied by the North Node and the houses occupied by the sun.  His sun resides in his 10th house of authority figures, conjunct Uranus.  That has the makings of a great doctor.  For me this is the 12th house of hospitals although my Node could be read conjunct my Leo Ascendant ruling my overall vitality.  His Sun (specialist) also conjuncts my Venus (thyroid gland) and is probably why I like him so much.  The Sun conjunct Venus can mean an instant attraction between two people.  Using Synastry, our charts are very compatible for a doctor patient relationship. 

I’ve lost a lot more hair since posting my pictures, but I’m hoping this medicine will slow it down now.  Jan. 26, 2009 Solar Eclipse at 7 Aquarius conjunct my natal Saturn, ruler of my 6th in the 6th house of health.  The transiting north node will conjunct my Saturn/South node.  I’m hoping that eclipse is the beginning of renewed health as it will be close to the time my new test results come back. 

Yesterday was pretty relaxed considering how anxious I’ve been to meet with the Endocrinologist.  Allen took off from work to take me to my appointment, which I was glad of by the time we arrived.  I’m still not familiar with a large part of this area and it turned out to be a pretty big hospital. 

I stayed in my robe all morning and goofed off on the internet.  I had my fill of coffee, did some writing, nothing much just waiting for the time to go by.   I can’t remember Allen and I speaking other than him asking if I wanted him to make me some breakfast about 7:30 and later me telling him I was ready to go about 12:30.  Couldn’t have been more perfect! lol

My affirmation for yesterday was – It’s time to let go of my old beliefs about how relationships are suppose to be – I Can Do It, desk calendar by Louise Hay . 

That affirmation made me think about how Allen tells me to let people do their jobs.  I’m one that likes to be on top of things, called bossy a few times when I was younger and not always patient with the Moon/Mars conjunction at the top of my chart.  I’m much more seasoned as I age, but I still want control over everything that’s important in my life.  I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.  Lesson for yesterday – give up some control and allow the benefits of a relationship to come into my experience. 

We didn’t have to wait long and I was called back to the exam room.  I had given the nurse a two page history report of symptoms, beginning 4 years ago to present date.  Some may have been relevant, some not, but I asked her to put it in my file.   I had my vital signs taken and the doctor came in within a few minutes.  No waiting was a surprise! 

I liked his face as soon as I saw him.  A tall slender man with male pattern baldness, olive complexion, dark eyes and by his last name I forgot to ask if he was from Brazil.  When he came into the office he had a nice smile, shook our hands and asked how I found him.  I told him about the other doctor not having room to schedule me until 2009 so I found him on the internet. He questioned if it was through the American Thyroid Association, I nodded and he seemed pleased.  He took a seat and began reading my personal history which made me feel good because he was taking a few minutes to read and listen to what I had to say.  

He addressed several questions that I would have asked.  He was on top of every question I asked as well.  He talked about my symptoms in comparison to the reports and the scans.  There was too much of a difference in my blood work and the symptoms I have now, so he ordered new blood work.  My test reports are at least seven weeks old, my worst symptoms and accelerated hair loss began after the tests. 

He did talk to me about thyroid disease, what my options are and how he would rather try hormone replacement for a year before he would suggest surgery, or radioactive iodine ablation to kill the thyroid gland.  He said that would only result in me having to take medicine the rest of my life.  I’m glad I did a lot of reading about thyroid disease beforehand; it benefited me having a thorough understanding of what was going on.  I was also happy that he’s not a doctor that would immediately rush into surgery or ablation as both of those treatments have concerned me.

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He promised me he would not let me go bald.  He even ran his fingers through my hair!  It was a sign and I knew he really cared about what I was going through!  He did say that my hair felt just like hair that has been affected by the thyroid, thin and fine.  He also mentioned that if and when I go on hormone replacement that I could lose more hair for another month or two until we get my hormone levels to where they should be.  I hope not, but I will also take proactive measures nutritionally and through other areas of wellness from massage to meditation and visualizing myself with a healthy head of hair.    He promised that once my levels are stable that the hair will grow back. He did say that I’m also not allowed to blame him if I gain weight.  I already knew that hyperthyroid usually results in under active thyroid after treatment.  The only way to control it is to slow hormone production down; in doing so the metabolism slows too.   I’ll cross that bridge if I get there.

He seemed open to nutritional healing and alternative methods of wellness.  I had concerns about iodine in my diet and he said I could have some table salt but to stay away from kelp and supplements that contain high amounts of iodine. 

I forgot to ask about the nodule!   He said the reports state it’s a cold nodule which means it did not take up any iodine when I had the scans, but thyroid nodules usually do not cause symptoms.  Next appointment I will ask the size as I know when they are small most times they are watched.   From what I have read, cold nodules require biopsy so I will be sure to address this as well.  It does sound like I have two separate thyroid issues going on at once, or two findings.  Before any diagnosis he needs the new test results. 

Before the end of our visit I asked him about my eyes.  I told him that I had some recent pictures taken and my eyes looked different to me.  I saw that in pictures from my stepson’s wedding in early July and some photos taken in September which were worse.  My eyes looked so different in the pictures that I told my daughter she better not let me wear that eye shadow again!  It was a pale frost on the top lid, although it was subtle, it just seemed to make my eyes pop out.  I thought I should know better, at my age I should always wear a matte finish.  So when I mentioned this to the doctor he pointed at a chart on the wall and said, “Yes, you do have the appearance of Graves disease.”   Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.  Graves Ophthalmology is a condition associated with Graves disease, it may also called thyroid eye disease.  Graves disease and thyroid eye disease are related, but they are separate issues for the patient.  In order to determine whether someone has Graves disease, an antibody test is needed.  

Even though I’ve had to retake blood tests and have to wait another two weeks, I feel much better having this man on my side.  Jeannie, a website visitor and friend, wrote and asked about Jupiter transiting my 6th house.  She said she found a great doctor when Jupiter transited her 6th.  Yes, Jupiter officially entered my 6th house Oct. 10 and I do feel like this Endocrinologist was a God send from the Universe. 

So, no definite diagnosis or treatment plan at this time.  My next appointment is Nov. 17, the day after the sun squares the August 16 lunar eclipse.  The transiting moon will be at 29 Cancer in my natal 12th house of hospitals, something hidden, and the last house in my chart suggesting the end of something.  The symbol for the moon is “A Greek Muse weighing newborn twins in golden scales.”  This relates to weighing two issues, balance, comparisons and similarities, the pros and cons of more than one issue and decision making.  

I remain optimistic and I’m only washing my hair every three days now!

Special thanks to the people that reached out to me during this difficult time.  Jeannie,  Raquel, Judie, Arianna, Jen, Skye, Kathleen, Beth and Carleta.  While this thyroid issue and hair loss is not the worst thing that could happen to me, your emails meant a lot and your story and/or information you’ve shared have been appreciated.  I wish you all blessings and good health.  ~ Cornelia

My previous posting was a copy of the text from my August 2008 forecasts.  You may want to drop down and read that as a guide to what this eclipse season may hold for you.  In November there may be more activity related to the August eclipses as the sun squares the eclipse degree on Nov. 1 and Nov. 16.  The days surrounding these dates may bring developments for those whose charts were influenced by an August eclipse. 

I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you my own experience due to these recent eclipses to my own chart.  I’ll keep it simple, then I’ll break it down a little further if I can manage to keep my thoughts in check.  Yes, I have some difficulty with scattered thinking right now. 

When looking for the expression of an eclipse in your own chart, the first thing you would do is look at the birth chart to see if the eclipse is conjunct or in opposition to planets in your chart.  The orb, or distance between the eclipse and your natal planet should be kept tight, within 2 - 3 degrees for the most obvious influence. 

Some astrologers take the analysis further and look for the eclipse forming other major aspects such as the square, or may look to progressed chart if the natal chart isn’t influenced.  I have done this myself.  While this may help to define what areas or issues will be impacted, it may or may not be an accurate measure of predictability. 

All eclipses have the potential for bringing some sort of crisis whether lunar or solar.  A solar eclipse is a high powered new moon that will bring something to light that can not be avoided or ignored. 

The August solar eclipse at 10 Leo was conjunct my natal Venus (13 Leo) on my 14 Leo Ascendant and my 10 Leo north node.  The eclipse conjunct my Ascendant/Venus/north node opposed my natal Saturn/south node conjunction in my 6th house of work methods and health.

A solar eclipse on the Ascendant can bring issues of the physical body, the ego, identity and spirit to light. An eclipsed Venus can bring issues up surrounding beauty, pleasure, the ability to attract finances or gifts and can also concern Venus ruled body parts or health matters related to the neck or throat. 

The north and south node in our charts have to do with our soul lessons in this lifetime.  The north node carries the energy of Jupiter and is regarded as being good and helpful, whereas the south node carries the energy of Saturn, which we all know as a more weighted or challenging planet.   An eclipse to the north node or south nodes may seem fated.

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The ruler of that eclipse was transiting Mercury.  If the solar eclipse had no planets within the allowable distance of the sun and moon, the eclipse would have been ruled by the sun, ruler of the sign the eclipse was in - Leo.  Since transiting Mercury was also conjunct the solar eclipse, Mercury became ruler and Mercury’s influences would be felt. 

When Mercury is prominent as it was having rulership of the eclipse, one can expect news, documents, agreements, thinking and communications to become part of the experience as these are Mercury related themes.  One should also look to the birth chart for the sectors ruled by Mercury. 

Mercury rules my 2nd house of income, values and self worth, as well as my 3rd house of communications, news, and thinking and my 11th house of friends, groups and aspirations.  Each of these houses govern more than I’ve mentioned here.  I have listed these issues specifically as they are more relevant to my experience.

The August 2008 eclipses carry similar energy threads as the last eclipses in the series.  Both eclipses in August of 1990 impacted my chart in a big way so it’s not unusual to note some similarities now. 

While discussing the eclipses with friends I had mentioned that I had some concerns about my current husband’s health because he works long hours, often under stressful conditions.  I lost my first husband in September 1990; he was a victim of a random act of violence on his way home from work.  We had relocated just six months before his death due to a career change for him so his new job was very important at the time.  

I had no fear of something tragic happening this year, although I felt that my current husband’s career and health may be influenced.  I was right about his health and the career influences are still unfolding. 

Allen had recently changed jobs and while he’s still doing what he has always done, he’s in a new field so he’s spent this year learning a lot about this new industry.  He put on some weight this year which was hard to comprehend given his activity level, especially at work, and he hasn’t really changed what he eats.  He wasn’t recuperating as quickly as before, also having some muscles soreness and his knees started bothering him.  He has his progressed moon in Capricorn so it’s not unusual to feel health issues related to the sign - Capricorn rules the knees.  He had his annual check up in late August and found out his testosterone was low and he was hypothyroid.  Hypothyroidism is a common under active thyroid condition which can influence weight gain, low energy and muscle soreness and a long list of other symptoms that many people experience.  The doctor called after his test results were in and he was given medication for both issues and tells me he feels better now than he has in a long time. 

In discussing the eclipse with a few people I also mentioned that it could influence my work and my health. That statement was based solely on the eclipse conjunction to Venus opposing Saturn in my 6th house of health and work methods. 

My thoughts were that I may have some kind of disappointment with a female (Venus) related to work (Saturn).  I had the disappointments as anticipated although it did come as a surprise.   I set up my auto responder for the first time in two years and told the people that write frequently that I needed a break from email.  It’s not just friends met through the website that write, but I get several questions everyday.  I do free mini readings, full length consultations; I answer astrology questions, send free reports to people that are having financial difficulties and send free charts to those that have trouble determining their rising sign.  There are hundreds of people from all over the world that I have assisted in some manner because they asked a question or had a pressing concern.  And when a report order comes in, almost every order also gets a free report and a free birth chart.  So when I set the auto responder several women took it personally as though I had singled them out even though I tried to assure them that the responder was for me and not about them.  The responder was set after I was diagnosed hyperthyroid and in the first stages of feeling the symptoms. In order to answer the call to take care of my health it meant eliminating how much time I spend on the computer.  My concerns didn’t seem to matter to these people, they took my email all wrong so I was left disappointed in some long time relationships that I had established through the website.  It actually hurt my feelings as this was important to me and my circumstances which relate to my own health.  And guess when I set the auto responder and upset so many people?  Sept. 24, the day Mercury went retrograde, bringing misunderstandings and difficult communications.  And what does Mercury rule in my chart?  Friends, communications and my values.

I also thought finances (Venus) may be cut back with the opposition to Saturn and with Mercury ruling my second house and conjunct the eclipse so that also seemed likely.  I think everyone is feeling the financial influences in some area, either because business has slowed or because costs of daily living expenses are rising.   I feel it too, although it hasn’t become a concern at this point because I have more important things on my mind that money can’t buy. 

I also had my annual check up with blood work in September.

While at the doctors office my blood pressure was elevated.  Since the blood pressure cup squeezed my arm so tight, released the pressure and squeezed it again until my face turned red I figured no wonder it was so elevated!  The doctor comes in and hands me blood pressure medicine to which I almost laughed telling her, “Uh, I don’t have high blood pressure.”  It was such a surprise that I was in disbelief, especially since one reading would prompt her to put me on BP medicine.  What the heck?  She said, “Fine” and put the medicine back in her pocket.  I walked out of the office that day and thought to myself that this is typical eclipse in Leo, ruling the heart.  Next visit surely my blood pressure would be lower because this was merely one reading. 

I’ve always had some concern about diabetes because my mother had it bad.  I started a Low Carb diet in June as mentioned in the post about my son’s weight loss and lost quite a bit of weight myself.  I have never had more willpower and determination in my life when it comes to eating healthy which I believe it is Saturn’s influence in my chart.  My progressed moon is passing through Capricorn.  I recently I started feeling better than I have in the last four years as I continue to eliminate sugars and starches from my diet and plan on eating this way the rest of my life.  I started my low carb plan when my progressed moon moved into my 6th house of health.  Did I plan that?  No, it was the right time for me.   June 1st was a magic number for me as every other time I tried to stay on a healthy eating plan I always failed early on, or I would cheat and have something I shouldn’t have.  This always resulted in some weight loss and gaining it back or no success at all.

In August I started noticing hair loss, more than what was normal for me.  At the time I related it to being normal shedding.  There was a day I clearing remember standing in the bathroom brushing my hair and I thought, “Gosh, my hair hasn’t fallen out like this since Keith died.”  Ta-Da!  In the fall of 1990, after the last eclipse in this series when I lost a tremendous amount of hair after the stress of my first husbands death.  I wasn’t under any particular stress recently, other than overwork which is typical with Saturn in the natal 6th house so I figure it would resolve itself.

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Over a week passed and I didn’t receive a letter on my blood work nor did anyone call.  Mercury was retrograde now so I made the call and asked about my tests.  My first question was about my cholesterol levels as my last check up showed borderline high cholesterol.  The nurse told me that my levels were low and the doctor was really pleased.  “Ahh, my diet, good deal.”   Then she tells me that the doctor wants me to come back in, that they need to draw more blood because my tests show hyperthyroid.  I thought that sounded crazy, if anything I had an under active thyroid although I knew very little about the difference between hyper and hypo at the time.  I remember reading the symptoms of hypothyroid when I was feeling poorly in 2006 and asked my doctor in Illinois to check mine which she did and she told me it was fine.  The entire time I wondered why I felt so bad, but as time went on I did seem to regain my energy.  

The light goes off again!  This wasn’t a blood sugar issue; it was another Venus ruled issue, the thyroid gland! 

I really didn’t feel any different at the time, but I did go back to give more blood.  While I was there my blood pressure was still elevated so she came back with the blood pressure medicine and I accepted it.  She also told me that I needed to have thyroid scans to find out the cause of why my hormone levels were elevated.  She set me up for thyroid scans the first week of October and said she would have the report back within a few days. 

With Mercury still retrograde it was no big surprise that no-one called so again I made the call the next week.  The doctor gets on the phone and tells me I have a nodule so she’s faxed my report to an endocrinologist.  She said if they didn’t call me then I should give them a call and schedule an appointment.  ”Surely they will call, I have a nodule on my thyroid.” 

My hair started thinning rapidly by this time too which I discovered through Google searches is related to an under active or over active thyroid.  Only now it was falling out in the shower, falling out twice as much when I brushed, there was hair on my clothes all the time, hanging from my sleeves when I washed the dishes, in my bra when I changed clothes and sometimes down in my underwear! 

No-one called me during Mercury retrograde so I made the call and told the receptionist that I needed an appointment and that they have my scans and reports.  She put me through to an answering service and they were supposed to call me back with an appointment.  She told me that they would look at my scans and call, which I thought was rather strange, that’s the doctor’s job to look at my scans.  This went on a few days and on Oct. 16, the day after Mercury stationed direct I got through to a different person.  And it just so happened to be my lunar return, the day the transiting moon conjuncts my own natal moon.  Emotions usually run high this day or you may feel under the weather or possibly run down.  I told receptionist that I needed an appointment and I had been waiting for them to look at my scans and call.  Guess what she said?  She didn’t know who I spoke with but they didn’t have to look at my scans, then she went on to schedule me for 2009!  I told her I wouldn’t have any bangs left in 2009 and couldn’t they please fit me in?  She found one opening for late December with a different doctor…I was devastated!  I told her I would call back.  I got on the phone and called my doctor, I told the nurse I was losing my hair fast and needed to see someone else and the receptionist said, “We don’t know anyone else.”  I hung up the phone and put my head in my hands and cried… 

By now the hair loss was my greatest concern and no matter how much I tried not to think about my hair as it was all so consuming.   I was having other symptoms of hyperthyroid.  My thinking was scattered and I found it difficult to concentrate (Mercury influence).  I had that in September too, but it was getting worse as the weeks went by.  Looking back over Septembers forecasts I can’t ever remember saying “this new moon” six times in a single paragraph and they were extremely difficult for me to get on paper. 

I began having hand tremors and mouth tremors where my mouth trembled as though I was terribly frightened, more Mercury.  I thought I might be having heart palpations because my heart would jump in my chest, Leo rules the heart.  I started feeling as though I had extreme anxiety and I would awake in the morning with my jaws clenched tight and had been grinding my teeth in the night.  Transiting Uranus square my natal Mercury can rattle ones nerves.  I could live with all of it as long as my hair would just stop falling out!  Don’t mess with a Leo risings hair!

Once I had my emotions in check I went online looking for another endocrinologist in my area.  Living in a city where the University Hospital is widely known, I would go there if I have too and who knows, I may end up there anyway.  I found a doctor and made the call.  They were able to schedule me for Nov. 3rd - the day I had marked on my calendar already for news related to any health issue I might experience!  The same day the transiting moon conjuncts Jupiter in my health house and trines Saturn conjunct my progressed ascendant.  There are some challenging aspects that day involving Venus and Saturn to name two, but I am hopeful that this doctor will help me.

My progressed moon is currently passing through my 6th house Capricorn.   The progressed moon is the fasted moving luminary, moving through each sign in the progressed chart an average of 12 degrees each year and spending approximately 2 ½ years on average in each sign.  This particular moon phase couldn’t go by fast enough for me!  This has been one of the most notable progressed moon phases I can remember in a long time. 

When your moon moves through Capricorn you can bet you’ll feel Saturn’s influence.  Since my progressed moon moved into Capricorn I’ve been much more cautious, a little more reserved than a typical Leo rising and I have been more concerned with my health and well being, the influence of it’s recent passage into my 6th house. 

While a Capricorn progressed moon brings with it determination to make career progress, added emphasizes on efficiency, productivity and structure, for me it has been more health oriented with Capricorn ruling my health house.  No matter where the moon is in your progressed chart right now, you will feel the expression of the sign and house it is in.

Saturn is currently transiting over my progressed Ascendant as I write this post and Saturn is the decanate (secondary ruler) of my progressed Ascendant.  So I’m feeling Saturn on my progressed Ascendant, in regards to my progressed moon and concerning my health and work methods because Saturn has rulership of this area of my birth chart.  I have had experiences in other areas due to my progressions, but that’s another post entirely, as is progressed moon phases and the nodes in the birth chart.   One thing I will say is that Saturn tends to bring fear, and it has done a fair job of bringing that to my experience as well.  That said, I remain hopeful that the endocrinologist came help me resolve this thyroid issue and in doing so will stop the hair loss.

I’ve recently found out something else that could have contributed to my rapid hair loss.  Those radioactive iodine thyroid scans that I had the first of October can also trigger or worse hyperthyroid symptoms!  I was told to have the scans, but no-one mentioned worsening of the symptoms.  I’ll have to attribute this lack of communication to Mercury retrograde because this whole ordeal has left me angry with my medical doctor and the health care system. 

I give thanks for early diagnosis.  At least I didn’t go to the doctor complaining of hair loss and the doctor chalked it up to stress.  This has happened to thousands of women.

What am I doing now as I wait for my appointment to see the Endocrinologist?  Well, I’ve done quite a bit of research on thyroid disease so that I’m better informed.  I’ve been in contact with Elaine Moore, author of seven books on thyroid and autoimmune disease.  She also thinks my suspicions about being hypothyroid in 2006 are probably correct.  If a person is hypothyroid long enough and goes undiagnosed they will become hyper. 

I’m taking additional supplements to help with the hair loss.  I take a whole foods multi-vitamin, Evening Primrose oil, Biotin, CoQ10, B-complex, and I’m drinking Camilla tea, high in anti-oxidants. The best diet for any thyroid condition is a low carb diet, eliminating refined sugar and processed foods.  This has been my diet since June. 

I’ve started weekly therapeutic massage.  My sessions include sound healing through tuning forks and singing bowls as well as Reiki.  This is by far the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.  Next week I have a 1 ½ hour session which I’m really looking forward to.  

This post was difficult to write, mostly due to symptoms that I have related to anxiety and brain fog or scattered thinking.  Once I start feeling myself again I hope to write a post on how to pinpoint autoimmune disease in a chart as well as a progressed moon article.  Until then I will update this blog after my appointment on Nov. 3, 2008. 

I’ve lost 50% of my hair at this point.  For someone who always had thick hair it’s been a devastating experience.  I’m thankful that I have long hair and bangs that I can pull forward to camouflage the balding scalp.  When I look directly at the front of my hair I can now see my scalp half way back on my head.

The pictures below were taken a few days ago.  I’ve lost more hair since, but as you can see I have obvious hair loss. 

I’d like to add something about Mercury retrograde during my wait for the results and my appointment.  A friend said she thinks I was meant to go to the doctor I found.  Yes,  I mentioned this exact comment to my family.  After the weeks of delays, once I found the doctor that could see me in November I believed that the reason I was delayed was because this was the only way to direct me to this person.  For everything that happens there is a reason. 

Yes, it’s possible for many individuals that November will hold some promise of this past Augusts eclipses.  I have pasted below the main text from my forecast for those eclipses with the dates when developments are likely.  While some people have already had some experience due to the impact of the eclipse on their chart, November may also highlight something related to the eclipse as the Sun will square the eclipse degree. 

Aug 1, 2008, Total Solar Eclipse 10° Leo for all signs.

This eclipse belongs to Saros Series #126.  It is not visible from the United States.  It starts in northern Canada, passes the North Pole, into Northern Russia and south east into China. In Britain it will be visible as a partial eclipse.  (Source: NASA eclipse page)

Each Saros cycle repeats itself approximately every 18 years 9 - 11 days, however the eclipse will have moved approximately 10 degrees through the zodiac.  Therefore, the last eclipse in this series which occurred July 22, 1990 at 29° Cancer has moved 10 degrees to 10° Leo this month. 

If the 1990 eclipse in this series changed your life, it is not likely that the same events will occur during this eclipse.  There could be a similar theme that arises due to the saros series having a similar nature.  An example: You got your first job in 1990; this eclipse could find you changing directions in your career.  Or, you had your first child; this eclipse may find your child starting college or getting married.  The theme of career or children will stand out among other things.  If you are old enough, think back to that time and what significant event happened in your life as a result of that eclipse.  Some of the same issues or energy may color your present circumstances due to this eclipse which will have a lasting effect on your direction. 

Additionally, we want to look at when the last eclipse occurred at 10° Leo for other clues as to how you respond to eclipse activity if you have a planet near this degree.  Even if you do not have your birth time, you can still find clues in the nature of the planet being influenced.  The last eclipses to occur in Leo were in 1999 and 2000.  Jan 31, 1999 (lunar) and July 31, 2000 (solar) we had an eclipse within orb of this eclipse degree in Leo.  Those Leo eclipses were of a different saros series and contain different energy threads than the eclipse season we are going through now. Nevertheless, previous eclipses to planets or angles in your chart may provide telling signs of what will manifest and how you handle the energy presented. 

Hosting an eclipse in the fire sign of Leo will touch all of the fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries) in some respect and these signs will feel the power of this eclipse to some extent. If you have planets in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius between 6-13 degrees, these planets should be considered sensitive points in your chart.  The same applies to the angles of your chart.  If your 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house cusp is 6-13 degrees of the fire signs it is likely that you will feel the influence of the eclipse.  While opinions may vary as to how tight the orb should be kept, I believe any planet within 4 degrees of the eclipse will awaken to the energy. There are several charts in my research (my own included) where planets were influenced by an eclipse up to 7 degrees. 

The general rules for the duration of a solar eclipse is that the energy effects your circumstances one year for ever hour of the eclipses duration, up to 3 ½ years.  Astrological research has shown that an eclipse can change a life permanently. Another rule is that eclipses last from one solar eclipse to the next solar eclipse or lunar eclipse to lunar eclipse. For forecasting purposes, the life span of this solar eclipse in Leo will last until the next solar eclipse Jan. 26, 2009, although it may be activated by future transits for several more years. 

While eclipse energy is often felt within a month on either side of the eclipse, there are hot spots they may trigger events related to the eclipse.  Those hot spot dates are when the sun squares the eclipse degree Nov 1, 2008, although you may hear something a within a few days on either side of this date.  Then when the sun opposes the eclipse Jan 28/29, 2009 (just 3 days after our next solar eclipse). 

Each eclipse has a ruler, the planet ruling the sign where the eclipse falls.  Should there be another planet within 3 degrees of the luminaries (sun or moon) that planet becomes the ruler of the eclipse.  Mercury will conjunct this solar eclipse and its influence will likely be expressed through paperwork, documents, agreements, contracts, or some form of news.  

All eclipses, whether solar or lunar have the potential to change your circumstances.  They are expressed through a crisis of some sort.  Often times a new beginning involves letting go of something from the past, whether it be a person, a relationship, an object, or behavior.  If this eclipse is conjunct or in opposition to a planet in your natal chart you should expect those planets to become sensitized to the energy.  The houses that the planet rules in your chart will be influenced as well and issues that involve those houses will come up for review. This eclipse will have a power rating of a triple new moon and the message that it carries will have a positive outcome in your life even if you don’t see this during the transitional phase.

This is a new moon which points to fresh starts, new opportunities, and exciting new possibilities. The universe pours its energy into the house of this Solar Eclipse and will show itself in your outward circumstances. In other words, the eclipse will change something in your life that will be apparent for all to see.

The Universe has a way of moving us forward in our lives to a point where we become a better version of ourselves.  The process can be easy or difficult; it really depends on how you handle what develops.  Trust that whatever comes up is important for you as you are evolving into the person you were destined to become.  

August 16, 2008 Partial Lunar Eclipse 25° Aquarius for all signs. 

This eclipse belongs to saros series 138. Visible over most of Asia, Australasia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Although only a partial eclipse, this eclipse should be quite spectacular. (Source: NASA eclipse page)

The last eclipse in this saros series occurred Aug. 6, 1990 at 14 Aquarius.  This eclipse has moved 10 degrees further along the zodiacal longitude, therefore if the last eclipse in this series was felt in your life, this eclipse would be much different unless you have natal planets conjunct or opposite the sun in Leo or the full moon in Aquarius.  Natal planets or angles within 4 degrees of 25 degrees of the fixed signs, Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius and Leo may also become sensitive to the lunar eclipse energy. 

Let’s look at when we had our last eclipse at or near 25 Aquarius in order to help judge how your chart responds to this series of eclipses.  Feb 16, 1999 a solar eclipse in Aquarius within orb of our current eclipse.  Something that began then may end now.  Looking back at previous eclipses to your chart is merely a tool to help judge corresponding eclipse activity to your chart.  The energy that each individual saros series contains is presented in past and future eclipses of the same series.  The saros cycle and the energy is contains carries more weight.

Do not be misled by anyone who suggests a partial eclipse to have less impact than a total eclipse.  They have obviously never experienced one to planets or angles in their chart.  The last partial eclipse in this series changed my life, my future, my family, my home, my status, my spiritual awareness and led me to my study of astrology. It was mentioned on my Your Astrologer page.  The last year has proven to me that I have come full circle in 18 years with many similar themes and underlying cosmic currents.  You may sense similarities in your life as well.

I’ve mentioned that solar eclipses influence your outward circumstances, areas that are obvious.  Lunar eclipses tend to influence relationship matters and when they touch and important planet or angle in your chart, they too may change your circumstances which would be obvious to others.  Single or attached; your relationship with something or someone could change soon.  Just as our monthly full moon touches us inwardly and emotionally and points to the culmination of a particular relationship or event, a lunar eclipse does the same although it is much more powerful. 

The rules for the duration of this lunar eclipse are that the life span is equal to one month for every hour of the eclipse, lasting up to 6 months.  This Lunar eclipse at 25 Aquarius will last 3 hrs 9 min which suggests that you will know how this eclipse will unfold by the time the sun squares the eclipse degree Nov 15/16, 2008 although the energy is active a few days before and after these dates.  Six months takes us to the next lunar eclipse Feb 9, 2009.

My own eclipse story is coming soon. 

 My sister said this recent picture of Evan made her cry because she hasn’t seen this boy smile since he was little.  I get that.

A dear reader wrote and asked how Evan was doing.  I wanted to update those of you that have seen the picture of my son and read the post about him going off to weight loss camp. 

It’s been over a year and a lot happened since last summer.  My husband changed jobs and we relocated during Evan’s first year in high school.  He did lose 16 lbs at camp but put the weight right back on plus 20 lbs.  He didn’t complain about bullying in the new school, but there were a few incidents that he mentioned where someone said something that hurt his feelings. 

By the time school was out for summer I was really concerned that he would never take the weight off and his weight would continue to climb.  He went out of town in late May to visit his Dad and spend time with an old friend from his pre-school years.  Evan and Charles are still friends after 10 years and a separation of 3 ½ years with 650 miles between them.  I find that amazing sometimes!

I had lost 10-15 lbs during our relocation, but by Spring I felt it creeping back on.  The weight loss was not from dieting, it was mostly stress related due to a number of issues I had at the time.  I started a low carb diet on June 1st and lost 15 pounds within the first two weeks and you could really see it in my face.  My daughter made the trip to pick up Evan and bring him home about the third week of June and she told him on the drive home about my success.  She and her boyfriend really played up how well I was doing because they knew when he saw me that perhaps that would help him make the decision to start a low carb lifestyle as well. 

He walked in the house, gave me a hug and I asked if he was ready to do this with me and he agreed.  I assured him he would not feel deprived or hungry as I would do the cooking and I was experimenting with low carb recipes.  We were going to limit our starch and sugar, but we would eat well.  First up, “try these low carb cream cheese muffins I made.”

Evan has lost more than 40 lbs as of today.  I’m not sure of the exact number as I write this.  He is a new and improved version of himself and I couldn’t be happier for him!  No mother wants to see her child feel bad about themselves and be bullied at school because of their weight; it was painful to go through for both of us. 

He use to walk with his shoulders slumped and his head down, often kind of dragging his feet.  No matter how many times I asked him to stand up straight and hold his head up, the bigger issue was self esteem.  He didn’t smile much, especially around other people, most likely from not wanting to draw attention to himself.  Now he laughs and smiles daily.  He has the best sense of humor and a mind like a sponge so you can bet if he watches the comedy channel he’ll share every joke with you.  He admitted a few days ago that he hasn’t been this happy since he was 7 or 8 years old, about the time he started gaining weight. 

He has a myspace and has been posting pictures daily of his new friends – a group of five or six kids he hangs around with at school.  I can’t ever remember him having more than one friend at school and it was usually the other kid that was also picked on.  He has over 200 anime videos on youtube and was #79 most viewed in Japan a couple of weeks ago.  People were leaving very nice comments and he told me it made him feel important.  We all need to feel important.  Evans life has changed because of his weight loss; he’s happy and more confident in his own skin.  The best thing I ever did for Evan was start living a low carb lifestyle for myself.  

The picture you see is of my two children taken in late May when my daughter graduated from high school. 

This story is about my son Evan and transiting Saturn.   Evan has childhood asthma and has been taking steroids since he was 2 years old.  He was a very thin child until he was about 8 years old at which time is face started filling out.  When I look back at the pictures of him he looks like he was sick because he was so skinny and he had the classic dark circles under his eyes that so many asthmatics have.  Although at the time all I could see was my precious little boy.  He walked early and was very active, another reason he didn’t have any baby fat.  When he did start gaining weight I remember taking him to visit my Mom who was very ill at the time.  She looked over at him and said, “Every time I see you, you get prettier and prettier.”  I knew she meant that his cheeks were getting round.  My mom was German so round cheeks meant a healthy child in her eyes.   

Evan was born with one kidney in his abdomen and has been unable to participate in sports programs and he has to be careful of any falls or blows to the abdominal area.  We had our share of emergency room visits early on, which is how we discovered the kidney problem in the first place at around the age of two.  By the time he reached adolescence he was overweight.  Some of the weight gain may have been the result of taking steroids… so the doctor suggested.  We moved long distance from family and childhood friends when he was 11, so most of the weight came from emotional eating and an inactive lifestyle over the last 3 years.  Then there was the bullying in the school, not only did they have a new kid to pick on, but he was also overweight which gave these bullies more ammunition for name calling.  I promise you this issue was addressed at school and with Evan often.  It got so bad that I wrote Dr. Phil and he called and invited us on the show.  This is another long story so I will stop here.  No kid that finds comfort in food is going to loose weight under the kind of pressure he had to endure.   This all happened his first year in school here when transiting Saturn was conjunct his sun. 

This past May Evan had his annual check-up and had gained more weight over the last year.  He will start high school soon and while I have been told by his sister (Ashton) that the hitting may stop due to increased security, the name calling only gets worse.  One evening shortly after Evan’s physical I expressed concern to Ashton about his weight.  We talked about how loosing weight would help his self esteem and might just help him hold his head higher this year.  It hurt me to see him walk into school holding his head down as though it would shield him from the terrible things the kids would say, or perhaps no one would notice him because he wouldn’t look them in the eyes.    Ashton suggested that I send him to a weight loss camp for kids which totally freaked me out!  After getting over my initial shock of her suggestion, thinking she was referring to some type of boot camp for kids, she told me that there are fun camps for kids that also address health and weight issues.  We did an online search and found one close to our area.  I did some research and had Evan look over the website.  He said he would like to go as long as it didn’t interfere with a trip he had planned in June, so we signed him up for the July session which would last for a full month. 

School was out the last week of May in our area.  He spent a couple of weeks home and took a trip to visit his dad and spend time in our old neighborhood with friends.  I’ve always said that you can’t go back to where you’ve already been, but Evan has been able to maintain friendships from his early childhood regardless of the 600 miles that separates them.  He loves going back because they still do the things they always did together even though they have grown up so much in the last few years.  And he stays active the entire time swimming, jumping on the trampoline, playing Dance Dance Revolution and spending hours on roller skates at the all night skate center.   He came home from his trip having only 3 days for last minute shopping and packing for the month long camp.  The director told me not to worry about him getting homesick because most of the kids that miss home are the same kids that don’t want to leave.  He seemed very excited to go and thought it was ridiculous that I would send him with stationary and stamps to write home during their no call periods.  Once he was unpacked and his bunk was made I could see that he was ready to meet the new kids in his cabin and it was time for me to leave.   The first week was no call week and to my surprise I did receive a letter which I have copied below.

Hi Mom  The camp is alright, but a couple of the kids are assholes.  I wanted to know if my skates came in.  How is Ashton, Allen, the animals and you?  I would be a lot happier in my own room.  I miss you all.  There wasn’t enough time in between Alabama and camp.  Love Evan 

I cried!  By the time I received the letter the kids were given their cell phones in the evening to make calls.  He said he had a boy in his cabin that was picking on him.  When I told him to tell his counselor he told me that he did, but the counselor told him to handle his own problems.  My husband and daughter told me not to worry about it, that Evan needs to learn to get along with everyone and he needs to learn to stand up for himself.  I assure you that although I worry I don’t baby him nor do I interfere or try to fix his problems for him.  I am his mother; I do talk to him about finding a solution to his problems.  I sure didn’t expect him to have to live with boys that were going to be a pick on him; especially since I was reassured that such behavior wasn’t tolerated at all.  There were many more phone calls, some days were better than others, but the one thing that stayed constant was his telling me that I didn’t know what it was like living with a bunch of strangers.  He was right, I didn’t know and I wouldn’t want to know because I like my own space, I always have.    Three days before graduation he called crying, almost begging me to come get him.  He said he just wanted to come home.  I tried to console him, but he wouldn’t have it.  I even mentioned that he just had a full moon which was why he was so emotional.  He told me to “knock it off.”    The full moon fell in his 12th house of isolation and opposed his natal sun.  I finally told him to talk to the camp director and tell her he wanted to leave.  Once he did this she could call me to come pick him up…I figured she was better at handling the situation from her end.  As soon as we hung up the phone Ashton and Allen quickly told me that I better not go get him, that he can stick it out 3 more days.  They were telling me that this experience was good for Evan, how much he was going to learn and how this was going to make something out of him.  I snapped back defending my child of course, reminding them about how many young men think they are ready for the military until they get there and they call home crying for someone to come get them!  I’ve known several in my life.  Why does a 14 year old have to be as strong?  He turned 14 just a week before at camp, the first birthday he was ever away from home.  I knew that he must have felt so alone in the world when I hung up the phone that day, it really hurt me deeply.  I knew that full moon had a lot to do with his emotions and I just wanted those last three days to fly by so he could come home.  I never heard from the camp director and the next 2 days were no call dates because they were preparing for graduation.   

The night before graduation I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited to see him.  I also wanted to find some dates to share with my husband and my daughter so they could better understand that Evan didn’t bring what was happening on himself, but that this was part of an astrological aspect that we all go through.    You may already know how difficult a Saturn return can be when it conjuncts your sun at around the age of 29 - 30, but how many of us remember transiting Saturn square natal Saturn at age 7 and the opposition to our natal Saturn at age 14?  It’s easy to forget those years by the time you reach adulthood. These years do vary a little because of Saturn’s retrograde motion, but they always carry the theme of having to grow up.   

Evan had transiting Saturn square his natal Saturn in the spring of 2001, just before he turned 8 years old.  My mother, his nearest and closest grandparent died from cancer at that time.   As Saturn was approaching the square my Mom spent a lot of time in our home as my sister and I tried to share in the responsibility of taking care of her.  Mom stayed in Evan’s room and he was very worried that she would die in his bed.  She was very sick at the time.  Saturn rules over our fears too as well as his 12th house of hospitals and confinement.  It’s easy to see how hard this first square would have been so frightening to a 7 year old.  I was scared too!  I was very close to my mother. I never imagined having to watch her decline, nor did I ever imagine having to live my life without her in it and I was an adult. 

 It was just over a week ago that Evan called from camp wanting to come home.  I gathered that the kids were really stressed by some of what Evan told me.  After all they were nearing the end of their session and some of those children had been away from home for 8 weeks as they were there for 2 sessions.  They did participate in several fun activities, but there was the mile runs uphill in the heat everyday.  They were all trying to beat their record time and their successes were recorded on a daily bases.  And there were the exercise and nutrition classes.  Their friends back home were sleeping late and not having to follow a strict regime.  They were all there for the same reason…to loose weight and learn to make better choices in their life.   I was certain the newness and excitement had worn off and the pressure was building.  It was pretty clear when Evan said that I don’t understand how some of the kids make it so hard for other kids to go on. 

Transiting Saturn in Evans 7th house of relationships with other people was opposing his natal Saturn in his 1st house of identity.  This is the “me verses you” aspect, the “I am verses you are” aspect and in Evans case, the “you are reflecting what I am not, so stop and be like me.”  The novice astrologer can interpret this however they wish.  Transiting Saturn in the 7th house always brings lessons about cooperation with others no matter what the age. 

Remember those dates I found for my husband and my daughter?  The dates were when they each had the last transiting Saturn opposition to their natal Saturn.  I gave them these dates to think on as we made the drive to graduation.  I knew that my family didn’t have to understand any astrology whatsoever as long as I had those dates and they would see what Evan was going through in a whole new light.  You should have seen their faces!   For my husband it was when he divorced after 27 years of marriage and he went through what he calls a “dark period”.  For my daughter it was the month that we announced we were getting married and moving 600 miles away from her friends.  The months that followed were a time of packing her belongings, relocating and starting a new school in her 10th grade year. 

Great news!  He lost 16 pounds and is doing fantastic at home!  I’m watching fat and counting calories too!  If I ever needed a reason to eat right, I have one now!  I had hoped that my progressed moon in the 5th house would help my creativity, but it became clear while Evan was away that this will be a time of greater responsibility to my children.  Graduation day hosted a grand trine in fire signs so Evan was in his element that day.  Nevertheless he didn’t waste anytime saying his good byes and putting his stuff in the car!    

The picture was taken with his sister at graduation August 4.   

I have had so little time to visit this blog, but I decided to post the most asked question that I have received in July.  Now I can just send a link as a reply!

First you should know what house in your birth chart the New moon will fall in.  You should know the issues governed by each house in your chart.  Just a few keywords will help tremendously.  If there are any planets in your chart that will conjunct the new moon you should make a note of them.  The conjunct is when planets are very close, or almost sitting on top of one another.  If you have Venus at 18 degrees Cancer, the new moon at 21 degrees Cancer will conjunct your natal Venus.  The conjunct is a powerful aspect where both planets become sensitized.  If the new of full moon conjuncts a natal planet, you should know what house that planet governs in your natal chart.  There are other aspects that should be considered, but we are looking at possible influences.   

After emailing a reader as to what type of issues relate to a new moon in the 4th house, they mentioned that I stated the issue of the new moon may have been around a while.  They wanted to know how long the issue had been around.  Since the last new moon about a month ago or, since the last full moon 2 weeks ago?  

Sometimes the issue has been around since the last new moon; sometimes the issue at the new moon relates to the last full moon.  Many times you will have the new and full moon at work together. 

I have found that the best way to study the effects of any new and full moon is to take notes.  I have been doing this for years.  You know yourself better than anyone.  Once you get the hang of this you can do it for the people you are close to in your life.  I see the moon at work in my children’s lives too.  As you will see by my example below, there may be so many things come up that it will be harder to remember them down the road if I didn’t take notes. 

Example:

April 17 new moon Aries - conjunct my Midheaven, 10th house. 

I had a list of things I wanted to add to the site, but hadn’t found the time. Within 10 days (April 27th) I had my list together and was emailing my web designer.

May 2nd full moon Scorpio - my 4th house conjunct natal Neptune.

Receive a note from web designer of cost for work and that she was ready to start.
Work begins on site with 4 days of full moon – ending to my wait. 
No hot water at home – the gas lines were out in our area (Neptune/water/gas)
AC went out in the house same day – discovered water on the floor (4th house property/water) 
A customer kept me busy looking for a purchase she made through the site.  After extensive searching and contacting paypal, she sent me a note that she made a mistake. (career/10th)

As you can see, I had home and career issues.  The home issues concerned the full moon, the career issues were the opposite house where the sun highlights matters in my birth chart. 

And it works for your sun sign too…

As a Cancer sun sign, the moon was in Scorpio…Cancers 5th house of children and opposes the sun in Taurus, bringing issues to “light” concerning the 11th house of friends and associates. 

A short time after the customer issue was resolved I received a call from a friend that another dear friend of mine had passed away.  She was like a grandmother to me, we shared flowers and gardened together…my kids loved her; she was kind and generous with them growing up. 

Transiting Venus (female) was conjunct Transiting Mercury (news), both were conjunct my natal Mercury in the 11th house of friends.   Mercury rules my 11th house of friendship. 

I also spent time with my daughters (5th) boyfriends mother (11th) explaining how I was against my daughter driving to Florida (18hrs) for a vacation (5th) on the beach after a recent back injury.   The issue was a long car ride and Mercury rules over transportation issues and cars.

I was very sad to hear that Madalon had died and called my husband at work.  He reminded me that just the night before I said if anything ever happened to Madalon that I hope Ruth would call.  It was Ruth that called. 

This was an exceptional psychic week for me too and the moon was conjunct my natal Neptune.  Neptune rules the psychic, in opposition to my moon it had an impact on my intuition as well.  I was receiving energy that week that made my hair stand on end all over my body.  If you are psychic, you know what I’m talking about.  

In addition, this full moon opposed my natal Mars, ruler of my 9th house of long distance concerns.  The call came from 600 miles away.  The issue with my daughter driving to Florida was also 9th house.   It was too far. 

This was a powerful full moon for me in many respects. 

May 11th, 9 days after the full moon, the work for website is complete.  I’m thinking the website concerns are behind me know.

May 16th New Moon conjunct my natal Mars in the 10th. 
More career issues!  These are related to the 9th house as the new moon conjuncts my natal Mars ruler of my 9th.  So now I am communicating with people at a distance trying to resolve an internet issue.

I start getting red in the face (Mars) with my hosting provider and seriously consider moving the site.  The website is down every 20 minutes for several days.  I contact support, the answer I was given for the trouble I was experiencing wasn’t sufficient!  More Mars, it’s my site!  I want the 99.9 % uptime I have been promised!   I buy a dedicated ip thinking it could help, nothing changes.   I shop for a new hosting service.  Merideth was going out of town for the weekend, but agreed to move the site the following week.  I’m anxious to do so!

May 22nd - I receive a notice from my hosting provider that they are going to move my site to another server because the one I was on was “performing below quality standards”.  Within a few days the website was transferred and the entire career/10th house issue was finally over.  The work was complete and the site was running smoothly again.  It took just over a month to complete a 10th house new moon that began in April and my life was also colored by the full moon in between. 

I hope something here helps you to pinpoint the effects of a new or full moon.

Many happy moons to you! Cornelia

Click on the image for full view

The heavenly bodies will form a grand trine between the fire signs in April.  This powerful and harmonious astrological influence brings you inspiration, the courage to move stumbling blocks, and the ambition to carry out your goals.  It began in March with Venus in Aries, the Suns transit of Aries in April, followed by Mercury, and finally transiting Mars in Aries through June.  The Fire Grand Trine is self expressive, creative, spontaneous and inspiring.  You won’t be held back by fear or insecurities for your faith in yourself will be strong and your belief in your abilities will be unshakable.  You’ll be willing to seek adventure and take risks because your confidence and enthusiasm will be high. 

In addition, a more powerful aspect that the heavenly bodies will form is called a Kite. Three planets are in trine aspect and two planets sextile - all are harmonious, two planets in opposition, normally difficult, however when part of the Kite, the planets in trine and sextile assist and bring ease to the normally difficult opposition.  In doing so they help to direct and drive you to take hold of an important opportunity. 

People with a Kite in their charts are called “High Flyers.”  Each of us will have the opportunity to find a successful outcome to the area of our charts where the Kite will influence.   Stability, ability, transformation, expansion, courage, and accomplishment are keywords related to this heavenly configuration.  The planets will move in and out of this aspect until the first part of June.  Maintain a positive outlook on any difficulties that may arise and always look for the best possible outcome as opposed to the worst case scenario.   

I wish you all a wonderful month of progress! Cornelia

 Hello All, I thought you might enjoy reading this article that Mary sent me. Her link is in the Blog Roll.

HOW TO PREDICT WITH YOUR PERSONAL CHART

By Mary MacLean 

The completion of Saturn’s last retrograde thru the constellation of Leo is the signal for re-examining our recent course of action and also preparing for Saturn’s forward motion nearing the end of cycle thru Leo.  This last six months of Saturn’s transit thru Leo brings about the promise from the beginning of the transit back in August of 2005.   The rule is that the last six months of the Saturn transit brings in the fulfillment of your desires from Saturn’s initial intro into Leo. Think back, what were you trying to accomplish at that time?  Did you want a new house? Boyfriend?  Promotion?  Change your career?  These are just some of the everyday things that some people look to change in their lives.  Your choice can be more intense depending on Saturn’s promise in your birth chart.    In the months leading up to our current transits, you may have noticed repeating a situation or two.  This is due to the retrograde motion of Saturn. Retrograde means to go backwards, while the planets never really go backwards they seem to appear like they do from our stand point. Saturn is now retrograde and in the throws of the last six months transit thru Leo.  How far you have you come since August of 2005.  Saturn’s customary transit has the effect of testing the structures you have built in some area of your chart. 

As I look forward to the next six months, three things stand out.  First, the Full Moon Eclipse on March 3, 2007 takes place at 13 degrees of Virgo and second, the New Moon Eclipse on March 18, 2007 at 28 degrees of Pisces will take us through to the end of July. Third, Saturn goes direct in April at 18 degrees of Leo.  If you keep a day timer or journal, it will be easy to see the goals you set for yourself.  This is where it all starts to happen.  It will start with the unexpected changes that come with the Full Moon Eclipse and end with the goals you set with the New Moon Eclipse.   This is followed by the direct motion of Saturn in April and finalizes your intentions to further your aspirations. It seems as though we are ready to again take a step forward in our lives.   In the past twenty-four months we have slowly but surely moved forward in redefining a particular area in our chart.  For all of you who know what the houses are and where they are in your chart, this next paragraph may be a little redundant for you.  

If your rising sign is Aries, Saturn has been transiting your 5th house of Creativity and love affairs.  Has the relationship with your children, love affairs and entertainment have been put to the test lately.  One thing is for sure and that is that Saturn never leaves an area of the chart weakened.  By the time it is done, you will have a solid foundation to build on for the future. 

Taurus rising has Saturn transiting the 4th house of home and core issues.  This position of Saturn emphasizes your inner foundations as well as your physical home. You will find yourself trying to reaffirm belief structures that you have built your life on.  This can be a little testy.

Gemini rising finds Saturn transiting the 3rd house of Communication and community.  I find that this transit of the third house redefines how you cover your butt.  I have to snicker at that because during this transit it’s possible for your job to move, you may need to commute, and brothers and sisters need more attention.

Cancer rising finds Saturn coursing thru the 2nd house of personal finances and love. This is where you decide what you want.  This will solidify your personal finances and values.  After Saturn is done here you will have a great idea of who you really are and what you desire and/or need.

Leo rising with Saturn transiting the 1st house is probably the most important transit I can think of.  Initially it is all about the new 28 year you are about to enter.  The 1st house is the beginning of this great cycle.  You will leave all your old emotional and psychological baggage at the door or take it with you for the next 28 years.  The choice will be yours.  Your personality and how others see you will change as you grow into this next cycle.  This is where you start anew.  

Virgo rising finds Saturn going thru the 12th house of the past and subconscious.  You may think this might be a soulful but quiet period but alas, this is where you are so fed up with the emotional baggage that you have been sporting around for so long that you review and relinquish it to the past.  This is a time of letting go, it’s easier to write than to do but those are the facts. 

Libra, Saturn has been transiting the 11th house for you and redefining friendships, goals and group affiliations.  You will find yourself pushing forward with new goals.  The possibility of you making new friends or enlisting old friends in your current quest is par for your course.

Scorpio, with Saturn in your 10th house making a 90 degree angle to your 1st house this has not been your easiest couple of years.  Career is the center of your life at this time and working hard has been part of it all.  You have made some decisions on your current career status and what you want for yourself in the future.  The path is clear all you have to do is do it….

Sag, Saturn has been mulling around in your 9th house of legal matters, publishing, foreign affairs and philosophy.  I like this house because it is a mental house and requires that you engage in your thoughts.  Whatever the subject is you will be engaged mentally and emotionally.   This is you do what you say and not procrastinate.  Since this is the prelude to Saturn in the 10th house you will notice you are climbing to the top of career matters. It is no mistake that you are on a course to achieve a pinnacle.

Capricorn, Saturn is your ruling planet and when it is found in the 8th house of partnership finances and other people’s money, you can be sure your money will be affected. This can be taxes, inherititance, and mortgage money or partnership funds.  Mainly it’s all about money.  This transit solidify’s your income from others. 

Aquarius, with Saturn transiting your 7th house of partnership you may find yourself redefining your needs in your partnerships.  This can be a difficult time for some people as it involves another person or persons.  During this transit you are apt to rewrite your agreements with others.  This is a time of self discovery, where you see your needs change.

Pisces you will find Saturn transiting your 6th house of everyday work and health.  This transit develops a work schedule, or health schedule that works well for you.  It may take a while to figure it out but nothing happens overnight.  We all have 6th house needs and this is where you find out what they are.  Next it’s just a small leap to make it happen.  

For all of you who are not familiar with the houses and meanings I will give you a shortened view of where the eclipses will fall in your chart.  You will need your natal chart in front of you for this.  The other instruction I would give you is to take note of any natal planets that are conjunct or in opposition to the eclipse, by at the most 3 degrees on either side.  These will be very important in understanding the changes. 

The Eclipse will take on the energy of the conjunct planet.

Identifying the house that the Full Moon Eclipse takes place in will give you the area to look at for changes.   If the Full Moon Eclipse is conjunct, or in opposition to a natal planet, your interest will be more personal and effects are more direct.  If the area is without a natal planet, just that area of the chart will be affected.  In this case, the Full Moon Eclipse is in opposition to the transiting planet of Uranus, giving this eclipse an unexpected change in circumstances.  If conjunct the Sun or Moon, you can rest assured that this will need all of your attention.   I may have oversimplified finding the Eclipse on your chart as not too many people have 0 degrees of a sign on the cusp.   You will have to look at the degrees on the house cusps to accurately find your area of interest.

 The first thing to identify is The Full Moon Eclipse and the New Moon Eclipse.  Find 13 degrees of Virgo in your chart. For instance, if you have an Aries rising, 13 degrees of Virgo will land in your sixth house of health and everyday work.  This will bring an issue to the forefront of your life that needs a careful examination.  Full Moon Eclipses are extremely emotional changes that show up and alter the area of your life where they land.   In the 6th house this is the area of everyday work and health.  You may encounter an unexpected change in these areas. 

Taurus rising and the Full Moon Eclipse will land in your 5th house of creativity and a produce a spontaneous creative insight…

Gemini rising-The Full Moon Eclipse is found in your 4th house of home and core issues promise unexpected changes in the home.  This is important as it is one of the primary houses and can be very personal to you.  Home, naturally is where you live, but it is also the place deep inside you where your deepest issues and resolves reside.  Also remember if you make a change to your home, you are also making changes to your core issues.

Cancer rising-The Full Moon Eclipse is found in your 3rd house of communications engaging your mind and your close environment. 

Leo rising finds the Full Moon Eclipse in the 2nd house of personal finances and love giving rise to changes in love and money.

Virgo rising finds The Full Moon Eclipse in the 1st house of initiation, action and personality; generally how you would appear to the outside world.  Manifesting mega personal movement is a possibility or maybe the time of change in terms of personality or hair color, which ever you decide.

Libra rising examines The Full Moon Eclipse in the 12th house of the past and subconscious.  Usually, this is the house of hidden matters; however, with a Full Moon Eclipse, maybe not hidden for long. The opposition from Uranus in the 6th can bring health issues to the forefront.

Scorpio rising finds the Full Moon Eclipse in the 11th house of goals, hopes and dreams.  There is also a creative instinct that is part of this equation.

Sag rising finds the Full Moon Eclipse in the 10th house of career.  When I say career, I mean the many hats we wear, or labels we have.  When the Full Moon Eclipse lands in the 10th house, it can mean an unexpected change in career, in labeling, or just being known by a different label.

Capricorn rising has the Full Moon Eclipse in the 9th house of philosophy, legal matters, education and foreign affairs. This is a mental house as well as a spiritual house; therefore, issues in response to this Eclipse can show up as unexpected changes to any one of the above subjects. This house usually requires some mental gymnastics.

Aquarius rising finds the Full Moon Eclipse in the 8th house of partnerships resources and other people’s money.  This is also the house of sex, death and taxes.  Mainly, this has to do with others- Usually, this is referring to finances from another person or company. IRS, mortgages and money owed to you for a service or situation. Any changes in these areas are unexpected.

Pisces rising finds the Full Moon Eclipse in the 7th house of partnerships- business or personal.  This can be important as it refers to our emotional relationships as well as business.  Partnerships, especially personal partnerships are an important area for all of us and unexpected changes in this area can translate into a decision making festival.

The end result of any aspect depends on the natal promise in the birth chart. The promise in your birth chart is your natal chart and aspect to your natal planets. The aspects, they make at your birth, will tell you how a situation unfolds.  If one of the planets in your natal chart is being aspect by an Eclipse point or transit, the result will be the same as the natal energy.  If it is part of a trine then there will be an ease in the change.  If it is part of a square or opposition, it can be stressful.

Next, you will have to find the New Moon Eclipse in your chart as that will tell you where the current challenges of this eclipse will be experienced.  The New Moon Eclipse gives us the area we will be working in for the next six months.  When the Eclipse is conjunct or in opposition to a natal planet, the change will be quite personal for you.  The New Moon Eclipse the Sun conjunct denotes a big change in your personal life. The conjunction to the Moon often denotes home or career changes. Mercury’s conjunction to the Eclipse point delivers a constant stream of challenging communication that needs to be either spoken or learned or communicated in some way. Venus’s conjunction or opposition to the Eclipse brings about challenges concerning love affairs and/or money matters. Mars conjunct or in opposition to the Eclipse point signals action, assertiveness and challenges that deal with personal energy. Jupiter always deals with expansion unless it couples with Saturn. Jupiter involves challenges that deal with expansion in what ever area it resides. Money and travel are also in Jupiter realm.  Saturn’s conjunction or opposition are challenges that deal with responsibility.  (Taking responsibility with the conjunction and giving up responsibility with the opposition.) Uranus conjunction and opposition is always about eccentricity, freedom and unexpected desires.  You will always be surprised with Uranus in aspect to the eclipse.  Neptune’s conjunction or opposition is always about illusion, or more, exactly confusion.  Confusion and illusion are two sides of the same coin. This eclipse produces a generous amount of confusion or illusion.  Pluto conjunction or opposition to the eclipse demands change almost immediately, also, it can be challenging for just that reason alone. Pluto always seems to bring with it an intense time and in some cases passionate experience.

Now that you have seen the coming challenges, the next point to find is where Saturn will go direct.  You must locate 18 degrees of Leo in your natal chart. The house that this is located in is where you are currently redefining yourself. Saturn went retrograde at 25 degrees of Leo and will return to 18 degrees before it will go direct on April 17th, 2007 and pass the point at which it went retrograde. Think back to late August and early September of 2006.  Imagine that when Saturn goes direct we will be reliving that time, only now there will not be a retrograde and everything that we have learned in the retrograde period will enable us to make a knowledgeable decision about the future. 

Actually, all the degrees past 25 degrees of Leo are outcome degrees.  What do I mean by that?  When Saturn passes the point where it went retrograde, situations that began at that time now resolve. This is double duty time.  Not only does this direct motion conclude the previous Saturn retrograde but it also finalizes the total transit of Saturn in Leo completing a cycle that began 2 ½ years ago.

Now I know this is asking a lot if you are a novice at Astrology, so get close to someone who knows a little more and work together on this. Find a star study pal.

If you track these three points, you will know where you are going and when you will get there. There is definitely more to it than this but these are the high points.  Good Luck

Mary MacLean FEB, 2007
MARYMACLEAN@MARYMACLEAN.NET

It has been a long time since I added a post.  It seems that most of my sites readers write me directly, which makes it easier to stay away.  Maybe I should just backtrack to October when I quit writing horoscopes for a while. 

On Friday, Oct. 13th of all days, I woke up feeling a little better after having had a virus.  I went to the bathroom and as I passed the mirror I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  Now, I’m not as cute as I use to be, but that particular morning, all I could say to myself was, “You look like hell.”  So, I continued on with my usual routine of letting my dogs outside and pouring myself a cup of coffee.  Most mornings I wouldn’t take a sip until I went downstairs to check my email.  As I put the cup to my mouth something didn’t seem right.  I went to take my first drink and the coffee seemed to run off of the side of my mouth and down my chin.  I knew that it was not clumsiness, but my mouth!  I headed for the bathroom mirror and understood immediately why I looked so bad; the entire right side of my face was paralyzed!  Ok…now I’m wondering what the heck is going on?  I headed for the bedroom, sat down on the side of my bed and thought about calling my husband at work.  No!  I couldn’t do that yet, not until I call my doctor.  So, now I’m really worried. What if I had a stroke?  People of all ages have strokes.  What if I had one in the night?  Why didn’t I wake up?  Should I have woken up if I had a stroke?  Two minutes later I’m on the phone trying to get in to see my doctor.  The nurse asked what was wrong, and I replied, “I don’t know, my face is paralyzed.”  Needless to say, they saw me right away.

So, I told my doctor about having the virus and that I had begun to feel better.  That on Wednesday I actually felt so good that I was cleaning my