World News 2014
by Sherrynne Dalby ©

All your planetary data for 2014 is here now

Planetary stations , Void of Course Moon , Moon phases and Planet Ingresses for 2014 plus Moon Planting Guide

Star Parenting by Sherrynne Dalby - available now in all leading book stores -publisher Allen and Unwin -

Australian astrology offers a unique southern hemisphere perspective, where the constellations appear inverted compared to traditional northern interpretations. This shift influences how astrologers down under read planetary placements, with emphasis on the chart's spatial orientation. Local practitioners often blend classical techniques with regional observations, creating a distinctive approach that resonates with the landscape and seasonal rhythms found across the continent, from coastal cities to the vast interior plains where clear night skies have long guided human reflection.

Tracking planetary ingresses forms the backbone of astrological forecasting, marking the moments when a planet moves from one zodiac sign into another. These transitions shift the collective tone, opening chapters of new energy and closing others. Astrologers watch them closely because ingresses color the weeks surrounding their exact dates, often activating natal chart points and prompting both personal reflection and broader social conversations about direction, motivation, and the changing quality of experience over time.

Lunar phases carry rhythmic significance in astrological practice, guiding gardeners, meditators, and anyone attuned to cyclical living. The new moon invites intention setting, while the full moon traditionally marks culmination and release. Between these poles, the waxing and waning crescents and gibbous phases carry their own subtle energies. Many Australians incorporate lunar awareness into daily routines, finding that tracking the moon's journey through the signs offers a steady, grounding reference point amid life's unpredictable currents.

Planetary stations occur when a planet appears to pause in the sky before changing direction, turning either retrograde or direct. These moments are considered astrologically potent, intensifying the themes associated with that planet. Mercury retrograde periods draw particular attention, often associated with communication slowdowns, technology quirks, and opportunities for review. Outer planet stations happen less frequently but carry longer-lasting influence, reshaping collective priorities and encouraging reconsideration of long-held assumptions about progress and purpose.

Void of course moon periods refer to the span when the moon makes no more applying aspects before leaving its current sign. Traditionally considered less productive for launching new ventures, these intervals are favored instead for routine tasks, reflection, and creative wandering. Many astrologers recommend postponing important decisions until the moon enters the next sign, allowing intentions to form under clearer cosmic conditions rather than amid the uncertainty that void periods can introduce.

Electional astrology is the art of choosing auspicious moments to begin important endeavors, from business launches to conversations and travel. Practitioners analyze upcoming planetary alignments, seeking windows where supportive aspects dominate and challenging contacts are minimized. This ancient application of astrology treats time itself as a substance that can be selected with care, much like choosing the right soil and season for planting, reflecting humanity's long relationship with cycles, intention, and the desire to work in harmony with larger forces.

Venus transits draw attention because Venus moves slowly enough through the zodiac that its sign changes mark notable shifts in relational and aesthetic themes. When Venus transits fire signs, warmth and spontaneity flavor interactions; through earth signs, attention turns to stability and sensory pleasure. Astrologers track these transits against natal charts to understand how collective tastes, social dynamics, and personal values evolve, offering a lens on the quieter undercurrents that shape how people connect and what they find beautiful.

Sun sign horoscopes remain the most familiar entry point into astrology for many readers, offering a monthly glance at general tendencies. While deliberately broad, they serve as invitations to consider larger themes at play, encouraging readers to look beyond daily concerns. Australian horoscope writers often reference the southern hemisphere seasonal context, acknowledging that Aries season coincides with autumn cooling and Libra season aligns with spring blooming, weaving local experience into archetypal interpretation.

Retrograde periods invite a collective pause, asking people to revisit, revise, and reconsider rather than push forward with full force. While modern culture often treats retrogrades as something to dread, traditional astrology frames them as essential phases of integration. Mercury retrogrades are the most frequent, Venus and Mars occur less often, and the outer planets retrograde for nearly half the year. Each offers its own lesson, and learning to work with retrograde energy becomes a skill in patience and inward attention.

Star parenting is an emerging conversation within astrological communities, exploring how parents might use chart awareness to support their children's development. Rather than predicting outcomes, the approach emphasizes understanding temperamental tendencies, communication styles, and emotional needs reflected in a child's natal chart. Parents drawn to this perspective often find it complements intuition, offering language for patterns they sense intuitively and creating space for more compassionate, individualized responses to the unfolding personality of a growing young person.

Benedict XVI resigns 2013
by Sherrynne Dalby ©

Election 2013
by Sherrynne Dalby ©

World News 2013
by Sherrynne Dalby ©

Serialised story of the greates ship of her time and
why we are still fascinated with the tale.

Venus transits the Sun
June 5 2012