There have been some major planetary shifts recently. Saturn moved into Virgo and out of Leo on September 2nd. Saturn will get as far as 8° Virgo before it goes retrograde in mid December. Then it will move back to the first degree of Virgo before it goes direct again in the beginning of May 08. So the early degrees of Virgo get the full Saturn effect; the opportunity to focus on what outmoded life structures have served their purpose and now need to be discarded.

Saturn encourages us to adopt and hone certain skills that are badly needed to make the rest of what we're trying to accomplish work. Usually this is something that is key to our success but, for some reason or other, it's something we've been avoiding or have an aversion to. Saturn points out our weaknesses and urges, even forces, us to cultivate these neglected qualities.

Saturn in Virgo encourages awareness and discipline in dietary and health issues; all aspects of healing; quiet, dedicated service and patient, consistent effort that builds slowly towards its goal. Saturn in Virgo indicates a time when resources are limited and we have to make due with less.

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Mars entered Cancer on September 8, 2007. Mars is moving very slowly in October as it prepares to go retrograde on November 15th, when it does it's station in 12° of Cancer. Instead of its usual quick trip through the sign (Mars usually spends about 6 weeks in a sign), it will be in Cancer through early May 08. Actually, Mars retrogrades all the way back to 24° of Gemini before it goes direct again on January 30th, so it will be back in the sign of the Twins in January and February.

Mars is considered to be in its fall in Cancer. It's aggressive action doesn't work well in the emotional sign of Cancer, though it is found in the charts of such prominent musicians as Mozart, Brahms, Albinoni, George Gershwin, Arturo Toscanini and Igor Kipnis; famous writers like Lord Byron, Coleridge, Balzac, Pablo Neruda and D H Lawrence; and artists, Tintoretto, Picasso, Kandinsky and Maxfield Parrish. Mars in Cancer finds it hard to take direct action and tends to move sideways towards it's goal, like a crab's oblique motion.

Mars in Cancer will be sextiling Saturn three times from October to March, increasing stamina, discipline and the ability to deal with harsh or restrictive conditions.

Mars' retrograde will be taking it back to oppose Pluto two more times (the first opposition was on Sept 21st). Mars will oppose Pluto once more in Gemini/Sagittarius and then the final pass will be in 0° of Cancer/Capricorn (3/7/08), not long after Pluto has moved into Capricorn (1/26/08).