Sunday, August 9, 2009, a joint presentation was given by Doris Rhoades and Audria Gebhardt. Doris began the presentation with a transparency of a chart for that day and discussed current transits. She emphasized the fact that the Moon represents reflective moods and the masses on a large scale. The Moon conjuncting Mars that day was discussed, indicating a potential for a short temper and/or moodiness. Doris also discussed the fact that if retrograde Mercury makes an aspect to one's natal chart, the individual may feel more of an effect during the Mercury retrograde period. Doris discussed all planets in the chart for the day, giving examples of interpretation as to how each planet may express as a transit. Doris also led a lively question-and-answer session regarding individual charts. Doris mentioned that the current Saturn opposition to Uranus is like a Mexican standoff with the status quo being Saturn and Uranus representing change. Doris also indicated that Saturn transiting the natal Ascendant, first house, or Sun gives an opportunity for growth because of the challenges thrown into one's path.
Audria Gebhardt gave a presentation on Planetary Cycles. Audria started with a 100-year chart that she made and posted on the wall, showing at what age each transiting planet would make a square, opposition, or conjunction (each planet's return to the natal position) to itself. All had consistent cycles except for Pluto, because of its erratic elliptical orbit. Pluto's first—and only—square to itself is between the age of 36 for those born with Pluto in the last degrees of Virgo, to 59 years of age for those born with Pluto in early degrees of Cancer.
The Sun and Moon were discussed, showing their consistent cycles to illustrate the other planetary cycles. The Moon was discussed first as her cycle of 28 days is experienced monthly. The Moon spends approximately 60 hours in each sign as she moves through the zodiac, starting with the New Moon when the Sun and Moon are conjunct. Seven days after the New Moon is the First (waxing) Quarter which can feel like a time of adjustment, as the Sun and Moon are squaring each other. Fourteen days after the New Moon is the opposition of the Sun and Moon, which is the Full Moon, a time of sensitivity and high emotions to the extent that some police departments beef up their forces at that time. Twenty-one days after the New Moon is the waning, or last, Quarter Moon, which can feel like a time of adjustment on an inner level.
The Sun's entry into the cardinal signs marks the beginning of our seasons. Seasons have been celebrated down through the ages as shown by their sacred holidays and prehistoric monuments. (Stonehenge was built as a marker showing where the Sun rises at Spring Equinox each year.) Audria discussed being aware of the Sun's transiting location, as it activates each house and each planet it contacts at the same time every year.
When presenting each planetary cycle and its length, Audria gave astronomical data showing the number of days for a planet's orbit compared to the astrological length of time for the planet to transit all twelve signs, as Mercury and Venus are the only two planets whose orbits differ in length from their transit times around the chart. Mercury has an 88-day cycle orbiting the Sun, whereas it takes 359 days to transit a chart and return to its natal position. Venus has a 225-day orbit, but it has a 294-day transit to return to its natal position. Mars has a two-year cycle; every other year, Mars returns to where it was at birth. Jupiter has a 12-year cycle, Saturn has a 28- to 30-year cycle, Uranus has an 85-year cycle, and Neptune has a 165-year cycle. Pluto's transit through a sign can vary from as many as 27 years when it was transiting Cancer (1912–1939) to as few as 12 years when it was transiting Scorpio (1983–1995). Pluto's current transit through Capricorn started in 2008 and will end in 2024. Audria completed her lecture by discussing when each Pluto generation, from Cancer (1912 to 1939) to Pluto's current sign of Capricorn (2008 to 2024), has experienced and will experience the first square from transiting Pluto to their natal Pluto. A handout of all the planetary cycles is available by contacting Audria.
The books Audria used as reference are: The Outer Planets & Their Cycles by Liz Greene, Astrological Cycles and the Life Crisis Periods by John Townley and Cycles of Becoming by Alexander Ruperti.
by Audria Gebhardt
Bulletin of the AAStL, Vol. 19, No. 3
November / December 2009
Audria Gebhardt is a 30+ year student of astrology. She has been a member of AASTL for approximately 30 years and has served in several board positions including past and current President. Being the Sagittarian that she is, Audria is a strong advocate for the best educational programs we can have at AAStL, including giving lectures. Audria wants everyone at AAStL to enjoy learning about astrology as much as she continues to enjoy it. Besides astrology, Audria is interested in metaphysics, art, music (she plays the harmonica and belongs to Gateway Harmonica Club), health, and healing and is currently a massage therapist.
Doris Rhoades has studied astrology her entire life, beginning in St. Louis at the urging of her mother, who introduced her to prominent local astrolgoers who encouraged her study. She has held multiple posts with AAStL over several years, including her current position as Vice-President and Education Chair, and continues to be a practicing astrologer. She and her husband of 61 years raised five sons. She has practiced astrology from coast to coast in her lifetime.Outside of her family, Doris has long enjoyed photography and painting.
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