Weekly NewsScope for March 21, 2005

Periodically, each of the planets except the Sun and Moon goes through a phase known as retrograde motion. From the Earth's perspective, the planet appears to be going backwards, and during this time everything that resonates with the retrograde planet is symbolically held back or re-evaluated. Over this past weekend three celestial bodies changed direction: Mercury, Saturn, and the asteroid Ceres.

Mercury retrograde is one of the most famous astrological cycles. It lasts three weeks, during which time communications and transportation systems tend to go haywire. Documents, memos, and essential information can be misunderstood, lost or re-formulated. It's not a good time to sign contracts, since situations are fluid and changing. It is a good time to re-think, re-write, meditate, strategize, and re-assess.

Saturn has been retrograde since November and is now turning direct in the family-oriented sign of Cancer. Saturn here has been pushing individuals to re-work their kinship ties. Family squabbles have opened up old wounds, and some of these have been aired and resolved, while others remain disconnected and unworkable. Now that Saturn is direct, most people know where they stand with their parents, children, and siblings.

Over the weekend, the asteroid Ceres turned retrograde in Scorpio. Ceres is naturally associated with major life passages as well as eating disorders. The importance of Ceres* can be seen in Terri Schiavo's case, since she was born with Ceres in Scorpio, and in the same degree area where Ceres is now turning retrograde. Altogether, these three reversing course simultaneously mark an historic transition point.

A critically-brain damaged woman** had her feeding tube removed last Thursday, which doctors say will likely lead to her death within two weeks. Terri Schiavo had a heart attack on February 25, 1990 and has been in a coma ever since. Her situation, precariously balanced between life and death for the last 15 years, has become a political, religious, and judicial hot potato.

Terri Schiavo was born with her Sagittarius Sun (December 3, 1963; Philadelphia, PA; time unknown) closely aspecting several outer planets, some stressfully and some beneficially. Her Sun forms a harmonious trine to Jupiter, a connection which generally provides plenty of enthusiasm for life and a strong ethical sense of right and wrong. From this fortunate aspect Terri has found a wide range of support that extends all the way to the U.S. Congress.

Her Sun also closely squares Uranus and Pluto on one side and Chiron on the other, a psychologically stressful dynamic which led to a crippling eating disorder and her heart attack. These planets can also be seen as representing the strong pulls from opposing groups, each fighting for the right to decide Terri's fate. By transit, these three planets were all making hard aspects to her horoscope on February 25, 1990.

Although Terri's life-sustaining tube was removed, the current transits suggest that this story is not yet finished, which is characteristic of retrograde Mercury. Especially noteworthy is transiting Uranus, which is heading into her Sun-Uranus-Pluto-Chiron configuration (technically called a T-Square). Transiting Uranus won't reach this critical degree area until May, long past her allotted survival phase without a feeding tube. The fight for Terri's life is just beginning....

Enduring rocker Rod Stewart went down on one knee during a romantic Paris break recently to ask long-time girlfriend Penny Lancaster to marry him. The 6'1" model readily agreed by accepting the $75,000 diamond engagement ring. The wedding is tentatively scheduled for December, but first Stewart must finalize his divorce from model Rachel Hunter who is seeking a major chunk of his $150 million fortune.

Rod Stewart was born with his Sun and Mars in patient, ambitious Capricorn (January 10, 1945; 1:17 am; Highgate, England), rather serious placements that aren't self-evident since he has the charming sign of Libra Rising. His ruling planet is Venus, which is exalted in Pisces and aspects all four of the outer planets, a magnetic placement that attracts some of the most beautiful women in the world.

Complicating Stewart's love life is Mars opposite Saturn, a dynamic associated with anger, frustration, and problems with aggression. This difficult polarity most often gets played out through relationship confrontations, especially since Mars rules his seventh house of partners. Stewart decided to make a commitment now because transiting Saturn is turning direct while exactly opposing his Sun.

Penny Lancaster (March 15, 1971) has Juno, the marriage asteroid, in Gemini, exactly aligned with Stewart's Uranus. The change in her relationship status, from girlfriend to fiancee, can be seen in transiting Uranus's approaching square to her Juno and his Uranus. However, Uranus is notorious for bringing unexpected developments, so watch closely as Uranus turns retrograde in June while squaring this shared critical point.

* Advanced astrologers will note that Ceres is turning retrograde at 25º Scorpio while exactly squaring the U.S. Moon at 25º Aquarius, accounting for the public's interest (Moon) with this feeding tube as a life/death issue (Ceres).