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BALSAMIC PHASE

The Balsamic Phase is the relationship of two planets moving around the Sun at different speeds. When a more quickly orbiting planet trails a planet with a slower orbit and appears to "catch up" with the slower body, and the planets are within 45 degrees of one another in their orbital cycles, astrologers say that the faster moving planet is in its Balsamic Phase.

The most common example of this involves the Sun and the Moon. Each of these bodies moves in orbit at its own speed. Most often, these two planets circulate around the solar system without paying much attention to one another. The Moon moves more quickly than the Sun. At the point in their orbits when the Moon appears to be chasing the Sun (the faster coming up behind the slower of the two), and they are within 45 degrees of one another, the Moon is in its Balsamic Phase.

The Moon Balsamic Phase is the most common balsamic occurrence of all the planets. Moon Balsamic Phase lasts about three and a half days and it occurs every month. This is the only Balsamic Phase we will study, as the Balsamic Phases of the other planets (particularly the outer planets) are sometimes such rare occurrences that they are almost insignificant in modern Astrology due to their great distance from the Sun.

The significance of the Balsamic Phase in your chart means that you are coming to an end of a cycle. A person who has this positioning of the planets in their natal chart is embarking upon new beginnings. They are in the midst of celebrating the wisdom and strength they've gained after completing a strenuous series of lessons. They have come of age and reached a new level of understanding. The specifics of these accomplishments are based on which two planets are involved in the Balsamic Phase and in which House and Sign of the Zodiac the planets appear.

A planet in the Balsamic Phase in your birth chart means that you have mastered the characteristics of that planet. You are sage, having gained knowledge and learned valuable lessons. You are overcoming the issues of the planets involved. A Balsamic Phase planet is a sign of great knowledge. You are growing, quickly responding and ready to move on.

If you'd like to know if any planets are in the Balsamic Phase on your birth chart, take a look at astrology.com's ChartShop and view your free chart wheel.

Moon Balsamic Phase

If you are fortunate enough to have Moon Balsamic Phase in your natal chart, it is often an indication of a very interesting and deep person. You have many past life connections and the people you are closest with now you have known before. Still, you are in the process of resolving many of the old issues. The people you meet help you to achieve the closure you seek. Your roots and your destiny are very important to you, and you never move too far forward without keeping one eye on your past. Friends think of you as a good listener because of your deep level of understanding and complex thoughts.

You are here on a mission and there is little in this lifetime to keep you from achieving your goals. Rich with a strong sense of purpose, you are willing to make a sacrifice for society, humanity or a great cause that you believe in. At times, your actions can even be perceived as revolutionary.

Balsamic Phase
Critical Degrees
Outer Planets
Saturn