SPRING 98

THE BEST TIMES TO TRAVEL
by Gayle Larkin-Geffner

Your natal chart indicates whether travel will be beneficial, difficult, extensive, dangerous, for pleasure or business.

For example, if your natal Sun is in the 9th house of long distance travel, it is likely you might travel abroad or even live in a foreign country. Unless the Sun or ruler of the 9th has very challenging aspects your journeying will more than likely be beneficial. You could meet people on your journeys whom you may not meet at home. Pluto in this house could bring travel situations that change your outlook on life, even transform its course.

Everyone has times which are more beneficial for travel than others. Here are a few travel tips.

As a general rule, it is wise not to travel when the lunar nodes are square or conjunct the Sun. During these transits (usually four times a year) there are more accidents, more natural disasters and more violence -- depending on the astrological sign of this occurrence. A perfect example of the perils of traveling at these times is in mid-August, 1997 through almost the end of September, 1997 when the Sun was in Virgo. Los Angeles had an inordinate amount of freeway traffic accidents and almost daily traffic problems; a Caribbean volcano was constantly erupting; even the Russian space station experienced great difficulty; and, of course, there was the tragic accident that killed Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Fayed.

Travel is especially dangerous when the Nodes are in an earth sign and hit a crucial part of your chart. But, if other areas of your horoscope indicate that this is a good time to travel, you may come through it unscathed.

If you travel when Mercury is retrograde, you can expect delays, lost luggage or minor changes in your plans, no matter how carefully you made your travel arrangements.

A travel tip that could prove helpful is if you take a vacation for your birthday and are away on the date of your solar return, you should do your solar return chart for that place. Changing the location of your solar return can greatly alter what is in store for you that year. For example, if your career is lagging and you pick a destination which puts the Sun in your 10th house (career), or perhaps Jupiter is in your 10th, you should be able to take advantage of business opportunities that come your way. You just have to watch what planets (as well as their aspects) move into other houses, and determine if the change of location creates difficulties elsewhere in your chart.

If you plan a trip to a foreign country, another consideration is to look to your 9th house as the 1st house of your chart. Your 10th house would be the 2nd house of money for your trip and you can determine how much money you will probably spend on the journey. For example, with Venus in your 10th (2nd from the 9th, money for your trip), you may spend quite a bit on luxury items in your travels.

If you look at your 3rd house, which is the 7th of marriage, you can see how you will get along with your spouse. For example, if Mars is there, you may experience tension, but if Venus were there you could experience a wonderful, loving time.

Your natal 6th is the 10th house of the trip and you could tell from it how the trip may affect your career or business. If there are no planets in this house, your career or business may not be affected one way or the other and all would go well.

I feel that transits are the best way to gauge a vacation. Some people are just not lucky travelers and always seem to attract problems. It is obvious in their natal charts and using transits is the best way to plan a trip so they will have a problem free, good time.

The Sun transiting the 3rd house is beneficial for "getting away" from the daily grind -- for a short trip or one involving business communication. Mercury in the 9th house increases your desire to see foreign countries and experience different ways of life. Be careful of any aspect to Mars vis a vis possible accidents or conflict. If Mars is well aspected you will have plenty of energy and will most likely enjoy yourself. If Mars transits the 9th or 12th houses (especially the 12th) and there has been, or is potential political unrest in the area you are traveling, you may be in a precarious situation so you must be very careful.

Both Venus and Jupiter transiting the 9th house indicate good times to travel for pleasure, beauty and culture. A trip when either of these planets transit the 3rd or 9th houses can lead to self-understanding as well as the understanding of others. This is one of the nicest times to travel. These planets in either the 3rd or 9th, or ruling them can lead to overspending on luxurious accommodations, the best restaurants, etc.

Lunar transits indicate great times to go home for a visit and can indicate a time of healing for you and your family.

Uranus transits to the 3rd or 9th house obviously lead to the unexpected, whether a short or long distance trip. If Uranus is not difficultly aspected, it can bring a lot of fun. Impulsiveness may create problems when Uranus has challenging aspects. You can also expect delays, unusual problems, and you must be ready to roll with the punches. If you can do that, your trip will be exciting.

If Pluto transits the 3rd or 9th houses (and since it moves so slowly, it will seem like it's there forever and is a general condition of your travel) take we, especially in foreign countries (9th house) where being detained by officials could be a problem. If Pluto is well aspected or the balance of your chart is beneficial, Pluto can lead to new perspectives and ideas (3rd house) and circumstances which create major changes in your philosophy and maybe even your direction in life (9th house).

You must take into consideration the aspect made by transits to determine potential benefits or problems. However, I am a firm believer in knowing what the universe may offer and then proceeding with care in what you desire to do, including travel. Astrology is an aid and in no way should inhibit what you choose to do and where you choose to go. Check your chart, take care where need be and enjoy your next vacation.

Gayle Lakin-Geffner is a native Californian, born in Los Angeles. With a Bachelor of Arts in History, she is a certified paralegal in both Corporations and Litigation, and works full time for a law firm. A member of AFA and AFAN, Gayle has been a part-time astrologer for 20 years. Her articles have been published in an Australian Astrological quarterly newsletter and she is co-author of her self-published book, "Astrology at a Glance". The book is available through co-author Barbara Harkins, PO Box 957, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240