If the organizers at the World Cup asked an astrologer for the best time for their tourney, they'd get two choices - Mars in flamboyant Leo or sporting Sagittarius. As luck would have it they landed smack amidst Mars in Leo, and the world is reveling in the colors of the teams, adoration of the fans and cockiness of the competitors. This week, though, Mars moves towards Saturn so games will be played more defensively and in general will be low scoring. Watch for surges of offense and goals starting June 18.

What does Mars moving towards Saturn mean for us? A similar difficulty in making the goal. Because assertion seems blocked or denied, some will give up in tiredness and frustration.  Those at the top of their game, though, can push through with tireless effort. Rising star Al Gore is a good example - he has Mars just separating from Saturn in Leo. He has experienced deep frustration in spending decades communicating the message about global warming to a cold ear both in Washington DC and the world at large, yet has continued to push on. Imagine giving a lecture 1000 times - that's the surge of Mars combined with the staying power of Saturn. And now as the sky echoes the position of these two planets at his birth (Mars conjunct Saturn in Leo will happen just a few months of life), he is again shining in the public eye. And yes, you've gotta see the movie!

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Before we're done with the twins, let's look at the Gemini chapter #3 of the Odyssey. Telemachus has sailed in search of news of his father to a nearby island. Athena urges the young Telemachus: "No more shyness, this is not the time! We sailed the seas for this, for news of your father." As they arrive King Nestor and his family are conducting a sacrificial feast to Poseidon. The son hands the offering cup to Athena in disguise and asks her to pray. Athena does this, then prince Telemachus asks Nestor for news of his father. Nestor tells his own roundabout war story, but says he doesn't know what happened to Odysseus. Menelaus across the way might know; head off by chariot in the morning. They spend the night and the next day make their way.

* The whole theme of the chapter is Telemachus going on a journey in search of news. Homer points this out right at the beginning in the voice of Athena (see quote above).

* Curiously Nestor and friends are conducting a feast to Poseidon and Athena is asked to pray. Remember that it is Poseidon who has caused so much trouble for Odysseus, so Athena and Poseidon are supposed to be dueling enemies. Homer doesn't come right out and say this, but implied is that Gemini can talk through their teeth when necessary.

* We know Gemini has a thing for conversation and Homer does too. Telemachus asks Nestor where his father is, and his long story is how Troy ended, how he got back, what happened to someone else, oh yes and by the way I don't know what happened to Odysseus but Menelaus might. Give Gemini a chance to talk and it will!

* We are more prone to make journeys in Gemini. Telemachus sails to Sparta, then goes to another part of the island by chariot. Just in case we miss this, Homer has Athena go off on a journey of her own to collect a debt.

* Telemachus makes friends with Nestor's son and together they visit Menelaus. Gemini makes friends easily.

The Odyssey series: check out Aries chapter #1 and Taurus chapter #2.

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I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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Star*Watch - More info here.

Sun * in Gemini. We seek out new information as we live to learn, explore and communicate. With the free flow of ideas we are more adaptable and consider other points of view. The twins want dialog, interaction, wits and play. The trap of the twins - too many ideas and sometimes no sleep because the mind can't stop. The Sun also has a special influence on Sundays, Wednesday nights and all Sun hours. For planetary days and hours at your location (highly recommended!), download freeware from ChronosXP.

Monday 6/12 * Moon in Capricorn, Mercury trine Uranus. Capricorn is known for the steady approach, but today's connection of thinker Mercury to rebel Uranus has our thoughts doing circus leaps. We easily innovate especially with technology to achieve our long term goals.

Tuesday 6/13 * Moon in Capricorn. Capricorn's symbol is the mountain goat, taking one step at a time towards the top. Thanks to Mars' influence on Saturn, we're bounding. We'll feel more push towards our goals, even if we're also aware of the difficulties of that very push.

Wednesday 6/14 * Moon in Aquarius. Moon in air signs always gets us thinking. With Uranus station Rx just 6 days away, conceptual breakthroughs come easy but so do unexpected surprises and frazzled nerves. Tonight we sense the go and the stop of Mars-Saturn, the pushing through the challenge. That's OK, we can take on a challenge.

Thursday 6/15 * Moon in Aquarius, Venus square Neptune. If you are sensing the difficult energy of the week, later this afternoon's a good time for a chill out - do whatever lightens your serious intensity.

Friday 6/16 * Moon in Pisces 9:05 am, Sun opposite Pluto. Hard aspects to Pluto are never the easiest, but with Pluto retrograde this won't be as tough as other aspects when Pluto is direct. Still we'll have a spotlight on our darkness, a face-off with the shadow. As if this weren't enough, a little later this morning Venus is conjunct Saturn by mirror point.  Those who watch will see - easy to feel the lack of love and pleasure. After 10:30 am, 2 toughies of the week down, just 1 to go Saturday night. The good news is that as Venus passes Saturn she'll really start to enjoy herself, a teen finally getting to kiss after the braces come off.

Saturday 6/17 * Moon in Pisces, Mars conjunct Saturn. Al Gore (who also has Mars conjunct Saturn in Leo) opens his film with "I feel like I've failed." Mars is assertion, especially for men; Saturn limits, denies, says No. And yet look at the tenacious will power to keep coming back. What do you do after the hard blow of a stolen election? "You make the best of it," he says.

Sunday 6/18 * Moon in Pisces, into Aries 11:55 am. Moon in Aries is always physical, and now with Mars past Saturn we might feel like a 10k run. Ahh, the joy of moving, let's go! Mars past Saturn is a an injured athlete who's now healed and ready to play. Confidence zooms.

Have a stellar week! 

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Cancer. Mercury slows down in the sign of deep. We'll be thinking with our feelings - intuitive, perceptive, more aware of internal processes. Mercury in Cancer through June 28, then back again July 10 through August 10 due to ***retrograde July 4 to July 28.*** Mercury influences Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Taurus. The lady of enjoyments in the most pleasure oriented of signs. Touch and smells, food and sex are what it's all about. Oh yes, and money, gotta have cash to afford the finer things. Though Venus in her home sign makes some satisfactions reliable, this time aspects to Saturn on June 4 and again and more powerfully on June 16 mean we can experience the painful lack of such pleasures around these dates. Venus in Taurus through June 23. Venus influences Fridays, Monday nights and all Venus hours.

Mars * in Leo. Men and other Mars folks in the sign of the lion - expect cock-sure braggadocio, self-expression, assertions of pride. Planets in Leo like to be noticed, so men will be dressing with flair. Yes we have drama, but the very best of Leo is courage. If someone crosses the lion or doesn't pay proper respects, watch out. Mars in Leo through July 22. Mars influences Tuesdays, Friday nights and all hours of Mars.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now retrograde, so some prosperity on hold while we pursue inner wisdom and riches. Jupiter in Scorpio blesses therapies, healing modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006. Jupiter influences Thursdays, Sunday nights and all Jupiter hours.

Saturn * in Leo. Now direct, so developments in some long term structures in life get moving again. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much; we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007. Saturn influences Saturdays, Tuesday nights and all Saturn hours.

Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are more prone to hostility. Ruler Mars in Leo means we advance by expressing, creating and having fun. Romance also boosts the lion's pride.

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus in Taurus means relationships can by stymied due to disconnect in resources or even disparity in sex drive.