Mercury Trine Pluto | Mars Trine North Node and Sextile South Node - words are our superpower

Imagine a Dream by Benjamin Haley

The Moon is void until 12:16PM EST so this could be a good morning to sleep in. Too late for me, I've been wide-eyed since 3 a.m. - yikes!

After its void, the Moon moves into organized Virgo, so good energy for paperwork, day to day issues, taking care of our health, pets and service to others.

With Mars making nice with the Nodes of destiny today, this is another good day to take action. The Aquarius/Leo polarity has us stepping away from 'group think' (usually not the actual group), emotional detachment and anything too trendy. There is support and smoothest sailing for actions toward our heart's calling and the space we are meant to shine - where is Leo is your natal chart? Where is your Sun? What action can you take to step onto the main stage of your own life? How can you be uniquely yourself? The world is calling!

Mercury (in Taurus) is trining (brakes off) Pluto (retrograde in Capricorn). This aspect allows Mercury in Taurus's already thorough communication/thinking/ideas to really go deep. With Pluto retrograde this could involve an old situation.

If something needs to be researched - this is your day. If an important email needs to be written/sent - this is your day (wait for that Virgo Moon after lunch though if you need something to come of it). If you need to be convincing (avoid manipulation - stick with the facts) - this is your day. If you need to communicate with powerful people or step into your own power role via communication - this is your day.

Words are powerful now, so choose them carefully. They really can move mountains.

xo all

Mars Sextile Uranus | unusual actions can pay off ....

the biggest risk by xetobyte

Today Mars (action, initiative) makes nice with "out-of-the-box" Uranus.  

Unexpected actions create opportunity (sextile).

Mars is always testing his courage (ask your Aries friends about this - also check the Aries house in your natal chart to see where you are required to be brave in this lifetime).

Left all to himself, Mars would likely move us from the frying pan into the fire again and again. Life would be exciting and ... probably very short. Even fiery people with lots of Martian energy have other planetary placements to cool things down.

This week, with Mars sitting at the head of the Kite I wrote about HERE - we are all sort of leading with this energy. If something felt a little bit too risky last week, this could be the week when taking action will pay off. This doesn't have to be some gigantic move (although for some it will be).

Others will be taking action, too, that creates opportunities for them. Keep this in mind. Mars is a personal planet - our future is in our own hands with this one.

And remember we still have the Mars/Saturn opposition I've talked about since last week - us pushing against limits or outside energy pushing our limits - we have this opposition every 2 1/2 years and can feel it for a couple weeks. We have one more week to be working with this challenging energy.

Today's sextile could be an opportunity to help us with this. Maybe the answer to whatever is limiting us (or to whatever situation is pushing our limits) can be found "outside-the-box". Try something different. Take a new action.

This is excellent problem solving energy!

Here's a word salad to stir your brain into action today (note this will not replace your green salad lunch) : Mars - initiative, action, anger, fire (take care with fire today, the world doesn't need our explosive anger either), passion, drive, determination, aggression, confidence, young male energy and Uranus - rebellious, unexpected, sudden, the internet, groups, invention, surprise, disruption, liberation, freedom.

Besides that Kite, we also have the Sun sextiling Vesta today - this one is about trusting and honoring ourselves; holding our own lives sacred. There is also opportunity (sextile) here and this aspect fits in nicely with the Kite's energy today.

Today's energy isn't about talking ourselves into something risky, or putting ourselves in danger. Yes, we might meet a handsome nurse at the hospital, but we'll still be in the hospital. We are not all Mars, we have other planetary energies to help us navigate this.

This is about having the courage to test our courage somehow.

It is 'feel the fear and do it anyway' energy. The test isn't about the outcome. With Mars, the test never is. It's about having the courage to take the test in the first place. If we act - we win. Our courage muscles are bigger for next time and we know from the sextiles now (opportunities) if our actions appear to fall flat - there is something opportunistic that comes from facing our fear and moving forward.

Just keep the action within a range that is most likely to avoid hospitalization (unless you really, really want to meet that handsome nurse).

We also have Mercury (communication, conversation, ideas) trining (brakes off) Juno (partnership). This is good energy to have that conversation you need to have with a partner. There is agreement here. This is the energy to come together through our words.

Which brings us back full circle to that handsome nurse ..... good luck! xo all

Grand Fire Trine KITE | up first ... Mars opposes Saturn, limits

waiting for wind by Pis 7li

I didn't get a chance to write a weekly yesterday, but dailies will probably work better this week anyway since we have a rare Kite formation in the skies now. A Kite is a Grand Trine (this one is a Grand Fire Trine) with a planet at the end (Mars). Since Mars is at the top of the Kite (the focal point of all of this) we will track him as the week moves along.

Kites present lots of opportunity but the energy can be fairly easy to squander - we'll keep our "eye on the prize" by tracking Mars as we move through this one!

There is opportunity here so make the MOST of the things that come up.

We start the week with that opposition between Mars (in Gemini) and Saturn (in Sagittarius) that we talked about last week hitting its exact degree. Saturn is the stop sign. Mars, in multi-tasking Gemini, has multiple choices, but they are choices we are forced (Saturn) to deal with. With Saturn it is always about doing the work and living up to our responsibilities - nothing else really matters to Saturn. 

We have Mars wanting to go wide in "all-over-the-place" Gemini and a retrograde Saturn requiring us (Saturn always wins here) to go deep. 

There is a "what we resist persists" angle to whatever is happening. Mars (anger, energy, initiative) is restricted somehow. Maybe we want to do this thing, but we haven't yet finished this other thing and we have to finish that first. Maybe something is stop and go. Maybe we have to control our impulses (and temper). There are limits.

The only way through this is doing what we have to do, doing our Saturn - trust me on this one - I have this opposition in my natal chart. Saturn always wins. Take responsible (Saturn) action (Mars) with whatever comes up now.

This could also be a finish line (of sorts) where medals are given out for the work we have done and for the work we should have done we see the medals go in other directions ... we could have felt most of this last week or it could play out more this week.

After getting past Saturn (the end is never really the end) Mars will sextile (opportunity) Uranus (unexpected) then trine the South Node in Aquarius and sextile the North Node in Leo, then Venus (the other part of this Kite) trines (brakes off) Saturn, then Mars squares Chiron (ouch) then Venus conjuncts Uranus trining the North Node. This all happens between now and Saturday!

AND then Mars moves into touchy-feely security conscious Cancer and we start feeling every move we make - this can be challenging for action oriented people.

I'll flesh this out more tomorrow. Our annual Memorial Day parade - the one I was sure would be rained out and so didn't prepare for - is back on and I need to clean my house!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - we are taking action - it's all about MARS. There is some outside opposition, some limits, what we resist persists. Wednesday is also about MERCURY - communication, ideas, making connections. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are all about VENUS - love, money, self-esteem, women, cooperation, balance.

And this all ties together (that Kite) as we get ready to fly!

xo all - back, tomorrow, enjoy your day!

New Moon in Gemini | questions, choices and new ideas - changing your mind

the ballad of gemini by sebastien tabuteaud

Strangely enough for a sign that is all about making connections, Gemini, today's New Moon isn't making any!

Gemini is all about the movement of information and ideas. Gemini is about choices and multiple anythings. The expressions "more than one way to skin a cat" and "kill two birds with one stone" make my point here - although in a most ghastly way

(for pete's sake who was doing all this cat skinning, bird stoning anyway - I don't even want to know where these expressions come from - although actually I will probably Google them since I do want to know now that I think about it since it's Gemini season and all and don't blame me if you Google this horror, too!).

There will be more than one thing to talk about now, more than one thing to do, more than one way forward. With no other planets making any aspects this Moon is all Gemini all of the time.

This is the first New Moon since the Nodes moved from Virgo/Pisces into Leo/Aquarius. And the Moon's closing aspect is a sextile (opportunity) to Uranus (anything can happen!).

Change can't be stopped folks! Information (and remember there is a quantity over quality thing happening now - use discretion, check things out) will be coming at us from all sources. We won't be bored for the next month that is certain. If you need a mental health break now and then - take it.

New Moons are times when we are literally in the dark. The Moon and Sun are together at the same degree. Then time moves on, the Moon becomes visible, a little more visible everyday. This is called waxing and is the two weeks of the month when things are naturally growing.

Ruled by Mercury and ruler of our 3rd house, Gemini rules our growth through the exchange of information, through contact with our immediate environment, through language. Gemini reigns over: the flow of information, technology, communication, our mental processes, conversations, stories, lies, our local community, our neighbors, our siblings, our transportation. This is all the stuff getting a do-over now and for the next 30 days and the 6 months through the Gemini Full Moon next winter.

Gemini is the first air sign of the astrological year - a sign of the mind, the archetype of the "teacher" - the storyteller. If you are a Gemini Sun sign this is basically the way you process life. As soon as you learn something, and you are naturally curious and learn alot of "somethings" - you simply must pass it on. Gemini has more to do with questions than answers. She has been mentally exploring and noticing stuff her entire life.

Gemini is perspective. What we notice becomes what we think about, what we talk about, what we act on. 

What we notice becomes who we are. 

It's a good time to notice what we are noticing. Of course, we would probably have to stop for a moment to do this and we won't be able to - because we will be so busy!

Geminis are actually supposed to know a hell of a lot of stuff that will never make them any money (unless they make it into the final rounds of Jeopardy) - this is the sign of curiosity.

Everyone has Gemini somewhere in their natal chart. Here is a little Gemini New Moon forecasting by sign based on Sun and Ascendants. If you know the house Gemini resides in your natal chart, use that, too. Have fun with it, see what fits and toss what doesn't. I am not here to transplant my thoughts into your head. Do your own thinking with this. Just knowing the theme can help you see what ideas can be seeded now. Follow your heart and that North Node in Leo!

It is Gemini season and we have the Sun, Moon and Mars in Gemini now - don't be afraid to change your mind, ask a question, make a new choice, look at fresh perspectives and new ideas, try new things, sign up for a class, teach a class, do something within your local neighborhood, call your sister (or brother or cousin), start that book, start that blog, open your mouth!

Also on Thursday, Venus (in Aries) is squaring Pluto (in Capricorn). We talked about this in the weekly. This aspect suggests power struggles within relationships particularly over love, money and self-esteem issues.

ARIES | ARIES RISING (Gemini 3rd house) - This New Moon is in your 3rd house. Maybe a conversation or new idea gets you thinking in a brand new direction. Venus squaring Pluto is about your career and public image sector. You could be feeling greater pressure to succeed - there could be tension now around some "cost" that you might or might not be willing to pay to get ahead. There could be a power play/manipulation going on here. Maybe there is another option?

TAURUS | TAURUS RISING (Gemini 2nd house) - This New Moon is in your 2nd house of the money you earn. Maybe there is a new conversation about your salary or information regarding your pricing structure that catches your eye (or ear). Maybe you get a new idea for earning more money. Remember our mantra for Gemini season: be flexible, think on your feet. Venus squaring Pluto is about something you don't want to look at regarding a love or money situation. Secrets create compulsions and obsessions - what are you hiding or what is being hidden from you? When something small happens and our reaction is over the top we know there is something underneath trying to be heard.

GEMINI | GEMINI RISING (Gemini 1st house) - This is YOUR New Moon! What new questions, ideas and choices are presenting themselves to you? You have more than one way forward and more than one fresh start to choose from. It's your fresh start energy - use it! Venus squaring Pluto is about your groups, teams or friendships. You could be dealing with power plays, jealousy, compulsion or manipulation. Keep yourself above board - avoid gossip. Keep things honest.

CANCER | CANCER RISING (Gemini 12th house) - This New Moon is in your 12th house of stuff happening behind the scenes. Maybe a new idea, some new information or conversation outside of your attention could develop into something later or it happens now and you hear about it later. Or maybe something or someone 'behind the scenes' needs your attention. Venus squaring Pluto in your career sector could generate competitiveness, manipulation or power plays. Your public image could be scrutinized. Maybe you are dealing with a conflict between your career and your personal relationship - it's the time to look at both sides of the situation. Know the answers are coming. Chances for advancement in your career are good now - just keep everything honest and know you are probably going to have to hustle. 

LEO | LEO RISING (Gemini 11th house)- This New Moon is in your 11th house of groups, friendships and opportunities. Maybe something new and exciting is starting in a public way. There are lots of conversations and communications with others. Venus squaring Pluto indicates some kind of pressure/lust for something that is hard to get. Maybe a work or health issue is challenging or standing in the way of what you really want to do regarding travel, higher education, media, publicity, publishing, legal issues or a higher commitment. Remember that Leo North Node - oxygen mask on your own face first now. What is your heart telling you?

VIRGO | VIRGO RISING (Gemini 10th house)- This New Moon is in your 10th house of career. Maybe a conversation, discussion or idea leads to a new job or business opportunity. This is a good time for a new beginning with something related to the public. Take action within the next 2 weeks and stay flexible. The sands are still shifting. Venus squaring Pluto indicates some kind of power play or insecurity regarding other people's resources - partner's money, debts, taxes, inheritance. Maybe a partner's commitment is questioned - remember this transit is opening us up to some intense feelings. Avoid over-reacting.

LIBRA | LIBRA RISING (Gemini 9th house) - This New Moon is in your 9th house of travel, foreign interests, media, publishing, legal issues, higher education, higher commitments, religion. Maybe a conversation, discussion or new idea opens up something in one of these areas. Maybe it's time to plan a trip or take/teach a new class. Venus squaring Pluto in your partnership house can bring up feelings of jealousy, manipulation or power issues. An imbalance within your relationship could come up to be worked through. Keep a cool head - that New Moon offers multiple ways forward. Look at both sides of the story. But wait, you are a Libra I don't have to tell you that!

SCORPIO | SCORPIO RISING (Gemini 8th house)- This New Moon is in your 8th house of other people's money/resources. Maybe a conversation, some information or a new idea offers a new way forward with that debts, tax, inheritance or partner's income issue. Or maybe something is hidden now and comes to light later. Stay flexible. There could be multiple fixes afoot. Venus squaring Pluto could usher in some intense moments regarding work, health, daily routine or pet issues. You could be pushed too far or be the one doing the pushing. Relax.

SAGITTARIUS | SAGITTARIUS RISING (Gemini 7th house) - This New Moon is in your 7th house of partnership. Maybe a new person comes into your life now or even more than one new person! Be out and about communicating and traveling locally. Venus squaring Pluto in your children, creativity, romance and fun sector could result in some kind of power play, manipulation or competition within these themes. Take a deep breath. Talk/think things through. Much can't be seen during a New Moon - you will know what to do when you know what to do.

CAPRICORN | CAPRICORN RISING (Gemini 6th house) - This New Moon is in your 6th house of work, health, pets and your daily routine. Focus on new information, ideas and communications within these themes. New beginnings at work or with a health or daily routine situation will require you to think on your feet, stay flexible and likely multi-task for awhile. Your sign rules the 10th house top of the heap - you've got this thing. Venus squaring Pluto could bring up stress within your family or bring a family situation to a head. You will probably want what you want. You need to stay flexible with this issue, too - everyone has their own ideas and everyone needs to be heard to feel valued. You might have to agree to disagree or wait for the answers to untangle themselves a bit or the right information could come rushing at you all at once. Either way the focus here will be on home and family issues.

AQUARIUS | AQUARIUS RISING (Gemini 5th house) - This New Moon is in your 5th house of creativity, children, romance and fun. Communication, information or new ideas within these themes could be just what the doctor ordered (notice how when writing by sign, I start to sound just like the old Sunday newspaper horoscope section ... or is there still a Sunday newspaper?). Venus squaring Pluto in your communications, mental arena could result in intense conversations, power plays and potential manipulation. Information/situations can be more important than they seems at first. Or conversely stuff that seems important could turn out to be the stuff that pulls you off your game. Pay attention. I know you are going in multiple mental directions at once but try your best to focus.

PISCES | PISCES RISING (Gemini 4th house) - This New Moon is in your 4th house of home and family. Conversations and information about home improvements, moves, family issues and home businesses can move something in a new direction now. It's OK to change your mind. Venus squaring Pluto will bring up financial/resources issues. Your earned income or the money you are spending/saving will be analyzed. Keep everything above board. Avoid power plays and competition. Trust (Pisces rules trust in a higher power!) that life always has your back. Your career/finances have been stressful for some time now - the end of all that is near, dear Pisces!

GEMINI NEW MOON AFFIRMATIONS

This is a great time for affirmations for Gemini themes - movement, flexibility, wit, communication, logic, social graces and ease, siblings, local issues, teaching/learning, mental anxiety, areas of life where you are seeing double or doing two things at once, our nervous system, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and our lungs.

AFFIRMATION TIPS: get into a good frame of mind - always make affirmations from a  positive place (meaning both happy and certain) - write your affirmations down by hand in script, speak them out loud - then release your attention from them knowing that your intention is known.  

Know what you seek is seeking you (Rumi). Know these things are already yours.

xo all

Mars Opposite Saturn | between a rock and a hard place

set me free by ashley mae
This transit is perfecting next Monday.

I was going to write about it later in the week, but in light of the Manchester bombing I thought I would write about it now.

Astrological transits (other than the Moon) have an impact for days (even weeks and months for outer planets transits to our natal planets) before and days after they reach an exact aspect.

There was quite a bit of tense astrology happening late Monday, but it isn't until you look at the chart for the city of Manchester itself you see the biggest challenges. I wish every town and city would employ an astrologer to track each area's transits. This wouldn't be fool-proof, obviously, but it might be helpful at times.

The chart for Manchester for the time of the bombing shows Mars (initiative, action, anger, war) opposing Saturn (structure, authority) in the first house (the city itself). The Mars/Saturn opposition (two malefic planets) is a violent signature. It can show up as bullying, anger, frustration and conflict. Mars squares Chiron (wound that can't be healed) in the 4th house of roots, home and family. Mars was conjunct the asteroid Chaos and square to Neptune. Neptune (loss). rules over events like music concerts (places of escape, places we lose ourselves, music - we have seen a Neptune signature before with nightclub shootings).

And, of course, with something happening "out of the blue" we would look to see what Uranus is doing - Uranus isn't about violence necessarily, but brings something sudden and unexpected. Uranus was conjunct the Moon with the Moon sitting on the IC (4th house cusp - home, roots - extremely important space of a chart). We also see Lilith and Eris (more and more Eris is showing up with a prominent placement in charts involving terrorism) conjunct Uranus and the IC - a "shocking, violent event that hits close to home".

Jupiter is the chart ruler and Jupiter rules religion and what is foreign and is retrograde now, so out of sorts. Venus (women) is opposite Jupiter. The murderer could have been focused on religion or felt foreign to the people he was hurting (Jupiter), maybe wanted to hurt women (Venus), maybe part of a larger structure or just looking to hurt society (Saturn), but it doesn't take astrology to guess at this.
  
(I wish the media would stop calling murderers 'terrorists' as if they had earned some kind of "title" through their actions the way a geologist or theologist or biologist would - language is power)

Moving forward this Mars/Saturn opposition is going to be building through Monday when it starts to unwind itself.

We have Mars (in Gemini) opposite Saturn (in Sagittarius).

(during the 9/11 attacks in the United States we had Mars in Gemini opposite Pluto in Sagittarius - again two malefic plants in the same signs)

Mars is action, initiative, aggression, anger and war. Gemini is thinking, communicating, fast moving, transportation, the local neighborhood, young people. Saturn rules authority, structure, rules, time. Sagittarius rules religion, anything foreign, higher thinking. The word salads do not look like anything remotely edible. At best I am seeing religious arguments or arguments with authority figures.

At the same time we have Venus (in Aries and answering to Mars) just coming out of that opposition to Jupiter we talked about last week about to make a hard square to Pluto and Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury are forming a Yod this weekend. We'll talk about this later. It is definitely not all bad - we have alot of good energy ahead, too.

Remember it's not that things are getting worse - they are just getting more visible. If you need to back away from the news DO THAT. Oxygen mask on your own face first now. Raising our own energy helps the collective in ways we cannot even imagine.

So use your astrology knowledge to help yourself. Keep the Mars/Saturn energy in mind, but don't dwell on it. Keep a cool head. Stay flexible. Get some exercise. Write something. Keep attuned to your local environment - pay attention to what is happening around you. The Moon is dark - reflect, meditate, send prayers to the people who are hurting now ... xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of May 22nd - sharpen your pencil

pencil girl by cetrobo

The start of Gemini season will mean a busy week for most people. This will probably also be another sensational news week!

Let's jump right in.

On Monday, we'll have the energy to get right down to work with an Aries Moon that has everyone focused on "action, action, action" and "me, me, me'". If you are presenting something to someone now make sure you focus on 'what's in it for them'. If you need a boost of courage, today is the day. The Moon makes nice with Venus early in the day - great energy for a fresh start with women, money, self-esteem, values and beauty issues. Balance, harmony, fairness will prevail.

Then around lunchtime the energy shifts (eat a light lunch, so you don't lose it). There is a whole John Wayne cowboy vibe to the rest of the day - people will be more willing to use force and go their own way to accomplish their goals. The Moon squares Pluto (in Capricorn) which is not such great energy for dealing with authority figures. There is tension around goals, structure and ambitions. Emotions can also be intense. More can be accomplished working alone today, especially in the afternoon. 

On Tuesday, the Moon moves into Taurus (where the Moon is exalted) focusing us in on money issues, purchases, what we value and what we own. In Taurus we want to stop and smell the roses. The Moon is only in Taurus a couple days every month and now that Taurus Sun season is behind us, it is important to use that nurturing energy in some way, so take some time - today and tomorrow - to relax, get outdoors, get your hands in some dirt, cook a nutritious meal, etc. This would also be the perfect day to get a massage.

The Moon is balsamic - it's a natural time for a monthly time out. 

On Wednesday, the Moon is making beautiful music with Neptune - good energy to make art, work with our imagination, healing, romance, spirituality, hospitals - stuff that is hidden and put away. Around noon the Moon trines (brakes off) Pluto - this is the time to work with those authority figures, goals, structures and ambitions. Emotions can still be intense but things will move smoother.

Remember Jupiter is retrograde for another couple weeks - we will have to work for our luck, the golden ticket is probably not going to fall out of that candy bar (so let's not kid ourselves that it's a good idea to eat five of them). And that's OK. It's alot easier to hold onto the stuff we have to earn anyway (plus Gene Wilder has passed on and it would just be us and the Oompa Loompas).

The Moon goes void at 3pm EST so maybe plan an early escape, save this time for routine work or at least don't start anything new in the afternoon - nothing will come of it.

On Thursday the Moon conjuncts the Sun in Gemini. The Gemini New Moon kicks off a two week growth period of choices with a focus on words, sales, meetings, writing, interviews, communications, conversations, local community activities, stuff with siblings and neighbors, our vehicles and electronics. Also the theme of your natal Gemini house.

Also on Thursday, Venus (in Aries) squares Pluto (in Capricorn). This is tension within our relationships - compulsion, power struggles, obsession. This is not the time to be possessive. Trust me on this one. I find Pluto squares usually bring up issues around fear of abandonment and we all get a bit more paranoid.

Try not to channel Glenn Close in that rabbit movie (I forget the name). If you meet someone new now the energy could be a bit like Fatal Attraction (that's it!), so prepare for fireworks, heartbreak and a likely hospitalization that requires stitches #kidding, #notkidding.

This is good energy for focus and powering though problems though. Just check that you are using your most awesome powers for good. No one will be a push-over today. So don't push. Nobody puts baby in a corner either, especially not Gemini. That New Moon in Gemini assures us there are multiple options. Look again. POST TO FOLLOW.

On Friday, Neptune (delusion, illusion) is squaring our Gemini New Moon so I wouldn't make any big decisions right now. The day will be busy with lots of communication and information. Check any impulsive behaviors in the p.m.

On Saturday the Cancer Moon takes over focusing all of us here in the USA on mom and apple pie and the long holiday weekend. There is some tense and important stuff this weekend that connects back to the beginning of this month. We'll talk about it later in the week!

NOTE this weekend with its first quarter Moon in Cancer is an excellent time to plant vegetables and flowers in the ground.

Remember we are in Gemini season now and Gemini rules the 3rd house of our immediate environment. It's a good time to think about how we deal with the stuff that is right in front of us. Do we see danger where there isn't any? Are we off in lalaland and not paying attention to actual snake pits?

Staying in the present moment (plus meditation and clean eating) keeps our instincts sharp. We are going to need them sharper than ever (think about that number two lead pencil we needed to have ready for those fill in the dot exams back in grade school) as we move into June, throughout the rest of the year and in the years ahead.

Gemini season is distracting. Make conscious choices and conscious moves now. We are being prepared for ever shifting grounds and increased uncertainty. Conscious action (and Gemini season) is good practice. We've got this thing.

It can be challenging to start new projects, and have things run smoothly, or move too far ahead with things in Gemini season because so much is in flux. It doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't do these things, definitely keep moving, just know that new information will probably come in that changes our perspective. Stay flexible. And open-minded. And sharpen your pencil.

xo all

Sun into Gemini | going WIDE and seeing double

flowers for a bed by kittysyellowjacket

The Sun moves into Gemini today where he will hang his hat until June 21st (summer solstice).

During Gemini season life gets busy - physically busy and mentally busy.

Do you know which house holds Gemini in your natal chart? A light is shone on that area of your life now. Multi-tasking skills will come in handy.

Gemini is the teacher who never stops learning - it is about the processing of information. Ruled by Mercury and ruler of our 3rd house of communications, thinking, ideas, early childhood education, our neighbors, local community, our siblings, transportation - you will recognize all these themes from when I am writing about Mercury!

Gemini is a mutable air sign (head cold are possible now as we move from earth to air, cue the vitamin C). Geminis are flexible.

The energy goes wide rather than deep. They want to look at, and learn about, and talk about and do - a little of this and that and the other thing.

Geminis are clever and very good with words. They can say one thing to one person and something else to someone else - they are changeable. Geminis can create the perfect blend of imagination, half-truths and logic making them sometimes less than totally truthful, but they are so freakin' fast and so freakin' funny we might not even notice. 

Their symbol is the twins and with Gemini things often come in twos.

My Sun is in my 3rd house (Gemini's house) in Aquarius ruled by Uranus (in my 10th house of career). With my "career" things almost always come in pairs. In my first job doing taxes I worked in two different offices, when I was in banking I managed two totally different departments at the same time, I once had carts in two different malls selling things in two different sizes and I now have two websites and two different jewelry lines both of which carry items that come in two different sizes. I am currently writing two books at the same time (have been for awhile, don't ask) and am renovating a vintage camper which I have in mind to house two different businesses. I could go on and on (but I won't, don't worry, I know you are busy now). This career "things come in pairs" thing hasn't translated into double the money - go figure.

Some of this may be a natural inability on my part to make a normal focused decision (of course my Mercury is also in my 3rd house), but most of it has just kind of happened. Sun in the 3rd house, house ruler in the 10th.

Anyhoo, with the Sun's move into Gemini things will not be quite so black and white as they were in Taurus. It's a time to be curious. Ask questions. Try different things. We've been going deep and now we want to go wide. 

Now that we have the North Node in Leo ruled by the Sun - we can use the Sun's monthly journey, over the next 18 months, to help us focus on our Leo path!

While the Sun is in Gemini is a good time to talk about what we are doing and what we are going to do. It's a good time to advertise. It's a good time to promote what we are doing. It's a good time to try something new focused on where our heart is leaning. It's a good time to read, learn, write and teach about what we love!

Our natal Gemini houses (where is Gemini in your natal chart?) is about to get very busy. Did I say that already?

It would be a good time to get familiar with the notepad on our phone to jot down info on the go - short conversations, notes, ideas, appointments, etc. Gemini is all about WORDS.

The fly in the ointment (yes, the fly is back) is that in Gemini quantity can rule over quality as thoroughness loses out to speed. That's OK for now - we've spent almost half the year bogged down in retrogrades - fast is the new slow. xo all 

Saturn trine Uranus, Venus opposite Jupiter, Sun square North Node | shifting energies!

learning to let go by Ashley Mae
We have lots of stuff happening today. The following is in no particular order - see if anything is helpful. 

Saturn (retrograde in Sagittarius) makes his second (of three) trines with Uranus.

If you have planets or points around 26 degrees of the cardinal signs - Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn - you have probably been feeling that Uranian urge for change, change, change! I will toss you some applicable word salads:

Something old (Saturn) is new again (Uranus). A good time for new (Uranus) structures/boundaries/rules (Saturn). Work (Saturn) for change (Uranus). Some kind of structure (Saturn) creates more freedom (Uranus). The old (Saturn) and new (Uranus) work together - remember trines are 'brakes off' periods when things flow. They are also easy to miss for exactly this reason. Pay attention. Also with trines we don't need to push - stuff falls together. With Saturn time is on our side as long as we are doing our work.

Anything contacting Uranus can give us itchy feet (and unexpected out of the blue situations). Now is a good time to work (Saturn) with the itch. Solid plans began now (Saturn rules time) can create big opportunities for change (Uranus). Remember our freshly minted North Node in Leo - what does your heart want? Which direction is your natural spotlight? Check your Leo and Sun houses for themes!

We had this transit on Christmas Eve (the itch started then, and yes, I know, that super strength hydro-cortisone cream isn't working - the only thing that will work is, surprise - CHANGING WHAT ISN'T WORKING) and we'll have another one in November. This is a three-parter. This is the part where Saturn is retrograde. And, if this isn't directly impacting our chart these transits could simply be the old and the new working together smoothly during these time-frames!

We have the Sun (in Taurus) squaring the North Node (in Leo). Squares are tension. There is something here about using what we already have as we walk toward the future that is stressful. Don't toss the baby out with the bathwater. Squares to the Nodes are turning points. We will note this date for our Leo/Aquarius journey ahead! Shifts are happening all around us and within us.

Venus (in Aries) is opposite Jupiter (retrograde in Libra) just as Venus starts covering new territory. That Venus retrograde (started March 4th) is finito. This can bring good news, maybe VERY good news. With Jupiter things can look better than they actually are BUT they can also be pretty good. This is about love or money or self-esteem. Don't overspend (writes the armchair astrologer about to do just that!).

Mars/Pluto inconjunct now could create some argumentative energy. There could be a power struggle or acting out of obsession. Small things can create big triggers for people with this aspect and over-reactions are possible. Keep a cool head.

That North Node in Leo for the next 18 months also means we need to be thinking/researching/acting for our heart health now. The physical and metaphysical work together! What does your heart need?

New portals are opening all around us this weekend.

Stuff is moving from the back burner to the front burner - we are moving forward, belly full of butterflies, grieving for the stuff that is over, unsure of what is ahead, still with more questions than answers - 18 months from now everything will be totally different, maybe even 6 months from now. We might have to feel the fear and do it anyway. We can't be worrying about what anybody else thinks and what other people are doing. We'll talk about this as we move through it.

xo all

awkward energies for us to deal with | revenge must be avoided - the way kings fall

hands III by duhitsmia

Today and tomorrow we are dealing with multiple inconjuncts. What are those song lyrics "the stars are stacked against you girl - get back in bed" - well that fits pretty well.

We have Saturn inconjunct the Sun, Chiron inconjunct the North Node, Jupiter inconjunct Neptune, Pluto inconjunct Mars and Juno inconjunct Mars. Inconjuncts represent crisis. Now remember crisis is both danger and opportunity. This is how we grow. Whatever we are dealing with here and obviously with so many crisis points at the same time many people will be affected and some will be dealing with multiple things - it will probably be best to let things be the way they are going to be.

Slow things down.

These are transits - they will pass. Big shifts coming on Friday and through the weekend!

We have Mercury in Taurus and the Sun in the late degrees of Taurus - it's time for a few deep breaths. Like, quite a few deep breaths. Like we'll turn ourselves into a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon (I'll be Lucy) with all the oxygen we will be sucking in. PLUS the Moon will be in Aquarius, along with the South Node for the first time in 18 years - this is alot to be happening.

Inconjuncts are awkward energies where it seems nothing is exactly right (or we can't do/say anything right). Maybe something gets postponed. Maybe we just have to make the best of something less than ideal. Partners will offer us difficult choices.

It's a good time to look at the reasons we are doing what we are doing or the reason we want what we want. Caught between a rock and a hard place might mean we are not seeing what is really happening clearly or our motives may be corrupted. We may think we are helping someone when we are really coming from a place of our own ego that isn't very helpful to them or us. 

TRUMP CHART UPDATE - Trump's chart is very active and very stressed.

Transitting Mars (moving through Gemini) just hit his natal Uranus (yesterday) and will hit his Sun next Wednesday. He is getting hit big time. The attacks (Mars) are unexpected (Uranus) to him (Sun). The attacks (Mars) bring unexpected (Uranus) things to light (Sun).

The North Node, now in Leo, is at the exact degree of his ascendant - this is BIGLY - also watch the 8th to the 16th of June when the North Node - destiny - connects with his natal Mars.

I've written before about how that North Node in Virgo (and Leo and Trump's ruling star Regulus moving into Virgo) helped his appeal with the common man since Virgo rules the common man. This was a key part of his appeal the last 18 months and it was in his first house (self) along with expansive (and lucky) Jupiter.

Now that the North Node has moved into Leo he starts to lose that "common man" appeal plus it will soon move from his 1st house (public) to his 12th house (private). Something could also come to light (Sun) involving his children (5th house ruled by Leo).

This is either Trump's last stand or a huge test of his destiny. And remember the U.S. chart is all mixed up with his now.

It is also VERY interesting to look at the fixed star Regulus.

Fixed stars move so slowly they appear to not move at all - hence the name 'fixed'. Regulus was at 28-29 degrees Leo when Trump was born - the exact degree of Trump's ascendant and conjunct his natal Uranus! - and has since moved into 0 degrees Virgo - the exact degree where the North Node was as it moved from Virgo into Leo last week.

You might remember the North Node (our collective way forward) changed signs last Tuesday, exactly two hours before Trump fired Comey. 

Regulus is an uber important star for Trump - fating him with fame and riches and making him a "king". This is the "royal star" of the Leo constellation.

In Bernadette Brady's Book of Fixed Stars it says, "he is the Heart of the Lion and associated with the angel Raphael (healing). Regulus can bring glory and leadership, but his weakness is revenge. Power gained through Regulus is reversed quite dramatically if revenge is taken. Then comes the fall."

If Comey's firing was about Trump taking revenge, Trump's destiny changes dramatically.

This "revenge must be avoided" thing applies to us, too.

xo all

Mercury back into Taurus with the North Node in Leo | well thought out decisions, plain language that speaks from the heart


monique 4 by MiZH

Mercury first moved into Taurus on March 31st. Then on April 9th, he stationed retrograde and started backtracking. He backtracked from Taurus into Aries until he stationed direct on May 3rd (still in Aries). He has been moving forward since then and today gets back into Taurus. He will start covering totally new ground on Sunday - remember he is still covering ground he walked before April 9th.

(and I'm throwing in all these dates, not to be confusing, but in case they ring any bells - jingle bells, church bells, bicycle bells, doorbells, cowbells, wedding bells - you get the idea)

Just imagine you are walking somewhere and you stop walking. You turn around and begin walking back the way you came. Then after a time you stop again and turn back around and walk forward again - back the way you were going in the first place. You can visualize that you will be covering ground you walked before for awhile until you get back to where you turned around in the first place. Simple, right?

Most people think of Mercury retrograde as the time he is backtracking, but the story is LARGER than that - his journey (inside us) actually takes us over situations and issues 3 times - we go forward, we go backward (doing the "re's") and then forward for one final time after we've had time to re-access, re-examine (whatever the situation calls for) whatever is happening.

This retrograde was in our Taurus/Aries natal houses. So some situation in our Aries house (since he moves into Taurus today and won't return to Aries for almost two years) is finished. 

Maybe it untangled with a bang when Mercury hit Uranus last Tuesday (and we'll know by the end of this week what all that was about!) but we might feel it now. Or maybe we'll feel it this weekend when Mercury finally starts covering new territory.

Now, for some people, with planets and points within the degrees Mercury traveled, this will be a big situation resolving itself in some way. For other people, they won't be able to put their finger on exactly what this has been about for them, but the retrograde has still worked its magic in smaller ways this time (not every retrograde is uber-important for every person).

The tricky part for us is Venus has been working her own retrograde story (within us) in almost the same spaces in our charts at almost the same time - this one involving a love and/or money situation.

The Venus story was about us figuring out what we really value now. It wraps now with our decisions and those decisions carry us into our next chapter.

In the meantime the North Node has shifted into Leo, so it's like the spaces Mercury and Venus come to at the end of their journeys are not the same spaces they left behind when they turned around.

We are all in uncharted territory. Even if our life, from the outside, looks exactly the same as it did back in January, everything has actually shifted because we are not the same people we were then and we are not on the same road anymore. This might sound overly dramatic, but I am actually under-reporting this! 

And we still have Saturn and Jupiter retrograde ...

Anyhoo, back to Mercury. He moves back into grounded Taurus now. This slows down communications and conversations and our thinking. That's OK. Snap decisions will be less snappy.

(snaps are highly over-rated anyway, am I right seamstresses, aren't buttons more practical?)

Those monkeys in our brain will quiet down now if we allow them to - imagine them quietly hanging in a tree, eating their bananas and watching the sunset. Maybe they eat so many bananas they tumble to the ground in a banana coma for the next few weeks - imagine whatever it takes to quiet those chatterers. They will not do us any good now. They are not needed. And don't worry about the little fellows, they will wake up as soon as Mercury moves into fast moving Gemini on June 6th. Until then, they nap.

Mercury in Taurus is the time to mentally recharge our batteries. Practical language will get our point across better than long winded sentences now. 

Here's my original post about this transit, just skip over the retrograde stuff. 

If something from the end of March comes back around now - we are better equipped to deal with it than we were then. We have thought it through. Our decisions can be made from this new grounded space where we are following our heart.

Remember that Leo North Node - communicate from your heart. If it doesn't work for us it doesn't work for anyone else either. xo all

do the right thing | Capricorn Moon

What you’re missing is that the path itself changes you.
 ... Julien Smith, The Flinch

portfolio by aufzehengehen

I didn't get the weekly written yesterday - not with all that "feet on the ottoman, being handfed grapes and fanned with the Sunday paper" style adoration I was receiving for Mother's Day (ahem).

I have a monthly look ahead a few posts back that covers this week a bit if you simply must peek today. And we'll do dailies. This is another big week. It doesn't seem right to just throw something up!

This is the week Venus (in Aries) finally hits new territory - we'll feel it! She is opposing Jupiter (retrograde in Libra) all week. The Sun is still in Taurus. Mercury moves back into Taurus tomorrow. Enjoy the Taurus folks! You don't want to rush it.

For today the Moon is in hardworking Capricorn. It has a closing square to Uranus and is then void tomorrow from approx 6:30AM to 2PM (any Uranus style surprises today won't amount to anything in the long run since they take us to that Void Moon tomorrow - also don't launch anything tomorrow morning that you need to amount to anything).

Today we need to be responsible. Hard work pays off. Keep the focus on goals and career. Do the right thing. Don't expect to be coddled now. Don't count on being let off the hook. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and he's stone cold sober.

Remember when we were kids and thought Santa was watching us in those days before Christmas - well that's the way to feel about Saturn during each month's Capricorn Moon!

The Capricorn energy could have us dealing with authority figures and stepping into our own authority. The early part of the day is flavored by Gemini - talks, meetings, sales, siblings, transportation, communication, emails. Later on the day is flavored by Pluto - deep emotions, transformation - maybe we just clean that hall closet. Stuff is purged.

xo all - back tomorrow - enjoy your Monday, another rockin' and rollin' week ahead!

Mars Trine Jupiter | no guts, no glory


Mars (in Gemini) trines (brakes off) Jupiter (retrograde in Libra) at 14 degrees.

Trines are easy aspects between planets and points. Things fall into place. Things work together.

Mars (action, independence, courage) trining Jupiter (expansion, luck) is a time when action makes us lucky. With Mars in Gemini and in mutual reception to Mercury (ruler of Gemini) in Aries (ruled by Mars) it could be our words that need to be bold. Humor works, too.

With Jupiter it is easy for things to be exaggerated - to look better than they are - but that's OK. Even if the light at the end of the tunnel is a train (it isn't) we can still use the light to see what's coming and get out of the way. It's the action that creates the win not the situation.

This is stable momentum we can use to move ourselves forward. Remember Jupiter is still retrograde in partnership oriented and balance loving Libra and Gemini offers multiple options and could scatter our energies - we need to focus. There is one best way forward now.

Instead of casting a wider net, we'll be better off spear fishing (and I don't like my analogy so much here, but I think it drives home the point - ouch). Get specific and take action.

Don't be afraid to try something new that is calling to your heart - yesterday's transit is still in play but now we add a little Jupiterian erergy and enthusiasm - "bigger is better" "do I feel lucky?" - action into the mix.

Be confident. We got this thing. xo all

Mars Square Neptune | Mercury Trine Saturn - think things through

full of butterflies by flowerpottt

Today we have Mars (in Gemini) squaring (tension) Neptune (in Pisces). This could feel like a push to take some kind of action that is unclear, that we are apathetic about or that squares our 'dream'.

With Mars in Gemini and Mercury in Aries - mutual reception and strengthening each other - this is the time to question/discuss/think about where all this is going. It's not a good time to let ourselves get "talked into" something. Boundaries can be needed now. Stuff that is hidden will be pushed into the open. Stick to the truth now.

Saturn and Jupiter are both still retrograde. Venus and Mercury are still covering old ground. We could be tired and this square could exacerbate that. Remember the way forward now is Leo. What does your heart say about this (our heart will need a say in all decisions now)?

With Mercury (in Aries) trining (brakes off ) Saturn (retrograde in Sagittarius) - sensible plans and actions move things forward. This transit can help us "say the right thing". It could be a good time to get advice from an older or more experienced person. With Mars and Mercury in mutual reception and that square to Neptune making things foggy this is not the best day to make an important decision unless our head, heart and gut are in agreement. Ask questions. Think things through. Get clearer.

xo all

Full Moon in Scorpio | truth bomb


portfolio by aufzehengehen

Late last night we had the final, of three, meetings between Uranus (sudden, unexpected, liberating) and Mercury (news, communication, information).

So here is the truth we haven't wanted to look at. And now we have to. The first of these meetings was on March 26th, so whatever is revealed now will relate back to that time frame.

(for those following U.S. politics, remember what I've said before - Uranus is Trump - #funny #notfunny)

Uranus's conjunction will make today's Full Moon in Scorpio even more illuminating.

Remember what Full Moons do - they bring something to light, they bring something to a conclusion.

At the same time Scorpio's ruler Pluto (in Capricorn) is trining the Sun (in Taurus). Trines take the brakes off - so whatever has been holding something back is removed. This could be a good thing if we are trying to move forward with something and a not so good thing if we have something to hide.

Scorpio Full Moons are excellent times for deep intimacy. They can also be painful - but know we are strong enough to face any truth/culmination that is revealed now. We have been prepared for it. The pain makes sure it gets our attention and that it evolves us - but let's not get stuck in it. Even pain can be comforting in its own warped way if it is familiar. So let's keep moving. We are strong enough to put down the false (but maybe comfortable) narrative we have been carrying. Our burden lightens.

Juno has stationed retrograde, just yesterday, right next to Pluto - loyalties are shifting, commitments are up for re-evaluation, power dynamics within relationships are tested.

Scorpio rules the 8th house of other people's resources. What does that make you think about now? This is Taurus season - all about what we own. This Full Moon shines a spotlight on what really belongs to us and what doesn't.

Scorpio rules deep transformation - what needs to shift? If you have planets or points near 20 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius you will probably feel this Full Moon energy the most. Resolve to be strong. There is a "meant to be" quality with the way this is all unfolding. Trust it.

For everyone - get outside and walk in it. This is excellent energy for things to come unstuck.

xo all

North Node into Leo | South Node into Aquarius - being visible

The skies shift today.

More immediately felt could be the Sun (in Taurus) trining (brakes off) Pluto (in Capricorn) at 19 degrees at the same time Juno (partnerships) stations retrograde at 18 degrees (in Capricorn).

Juno retrogrades have us re-looking at our relationships and commitments. In Capricorn, this could also be about our relationship to authority and to the power structures that support us.

Relationships and commitments are ripe for "re-structuring".

Juno stations at 18 degrees and Pluto is at 19 degrees. She doesn't quite meet up with the planet of transformation before she turns around. Whatever is happening here we (via she) aren't quite ready for this!

They finally catch up with each other in mid November. That's when the relationship transformation (Pluto) is confirmed. In the meantime, the next 6 months are a crucial period to figure this all out. Then in the fall, the power structures/allegiances shift. We had the Sun trining (brakes off) Juno yesterday, so much of this stuff will fall into place. In November, power will shift - major relationships/commitments can start, outdated/dead relationships will finish.

(since Capricorn rules government it will be interesting to see how much this transit factors into our current political machinations)

We also have the Nodes changing signs today.

Since the Nodes are points and not planets the energies are more collectively felt. On the other hand if we look at the North and South Nodes in our natal chart, and their houses, we will find how remarkably well just these two points mirror our entire story. Babies born for the next 18 months will carry these energies for their entire lives. And we all have a new "north star" to work with and new energies to release or transform.

My first astrology teacher said the North Node is unfamiliar space where we "make steady progress over time" and the South Node holds the familiar, comfortable tools we use to make that progress happen (it also stores the barbed wire and banana peels we use to trip ourselves up).

With the South Node in Aquarius and the North Node in Leo - we need to do Aquarius better so we can do Leo better.

And since our bodies are craving what is familiar (see the work of Candace Pert and others) the North Node can make us uncomfortable. That's OK, comfort can be over-rated anyway (except for right now during Taurus season - I even grocery shopped in slippers yesterday).

We will talk about this alot over the next 18 months.

For now, have a look at your natal chart (astro.com). Go to free horoscopes (top), natal chart. Look for not only your Leo/Aquarius polarity, but also the houses that hold your Sun and Uranus (the rulers of Leo and Aquarius) - let's say you have, like me, a 3rd house Sun and a 10th house Uranus - google 3rd house astrology then 10th house astrology - to see what themes those houses reflect, this will give you an idea of what you have to work with (and what stands in your way): Aquarius, and where you can make progress now: Uranus. Email me if you can't find this and I will tell you what houses to be looking at and what Leo/Aquarius polarity is in your chart.

Growth will come when we move from aloofness toward passion,

from an outsider to an insider perspective (this isn't about selling out or losing our own unique mindset, but watching from the sidelines isn't getting us anywhere, we need some skin in the game now),

from unique idea to creation, 

from the audience to the stage,

from being detached about an outcome to proud of what we have accomplished or attempted, 

from trauma, chaos and PTSD toward influence, effectiveness and leadership.

I read an article about Melania Trump's Instagram feed from before her husband was running for President. There is a certain mean spiritedness to the article I do not like, but the photographs and story they paint of Melania's "backseat" life are fascinating.

(will be interesting to see what she does with the next year and a half)

They sadly remind me a bit of my family album from when my daughter was younger. Not the chandeliers or skyscrapers though - ha!

For years I had thrown family photos into boxes and then a couple summers ago I took them all out to put them in albums. Seeing how few photos I was in was eye-opening, especially since I have so few photos of my own mother. I know I took alot of the photos but couldn't I have spent five minutes learning how to use the automatic timer or handed someone else the damn camera.

Lesson to all moms and grandmoms out there - we can learn alot from the millennials - get yourself in the damn picture! Get a selfie stick. Grab the kids. Whatever it takes.

I think this Leo North Node will be all about "photo-bombing" for me.

You can expect to see me everywhere.

I might even show up in your family photos ("Wait, is that Cat behind Aunt Dorothy at the family picnic? I didn't even know she liked tuna salad sandwiches.") - don't hate me for this.

I am just doing my part to move the collective forward by doing my "Leo".

I promise to comb my hair and check my teeth for poppy seeds first.

xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | a look ahead at the month of May - part ll

starry eyed by just a shadow left


The current week's forecast is HERE

OK, so let's finish this look at May before May finishes - ha!

Now, every single month has a theme and at some point every month the Moon will connect with Pluto (this is currently happening when the Moon moves goes through Capricorn each month since that's where Pluto has been since 2008) taking us to the depths of that month's theme. We get to the core of what the theme is about for us so we can bring it up to be worked with. This is the time each month when the month's theme comes together and becomes clear to us.

And yes, sometimes we just bury the damn thing again. We're not ready to deal with it. Keep in mind though that Pluto will be in Capricorn until 2023 and these excavations are monthly. We are going to waste a whole lot of shovels and we might miss the gold buried among the rubbish, if we never move on from the first pile .....

This month the Moon will be in Capricorn (early am on the 14th through dinner time on the 16th) - going over Pluto, digging deep into this month's agenda - at the same time Mercury moves into Taurus (May 15th).

So the start of this year's Mercury in Taurus season (May 15th through June 3rd) will coincide with the Moon connecting with Pluto. This will color our new Mercury season with May's theme and we will probably see things coming together in new ways after the middle of the month. Now remember Mercury is still covering ground he has walked before - here is a post I wrote back in the end of March about Mercury in Taurus - the general info is still applicable but we won't be hitting these degrees again. This is our last chance to get this stuff right before he moves on to Gemini in early June.

On May 17th/18th we are dealing with multiple inconjuncts. What are those song lyrics "the stars are stacked against you girl - get back in bed" - well that fits pretty well.

We have Saturn inconjunct the Sun, Chiron inconjunct the North Node, Jupiter inconjunct Neptune and Pluto inconjunct Mars. Inconjuncts represent crisis. Now remember crisis is both danger and opportunity. This is how we grow. Whatever we are dealing with here and obviously with so many crisis points at the same time many people will be affected and some will be dealing with multiple things - it will probably be best to let things be the way they are going to be.

Slow things down.

We have Mercury in Taurus and the Sun in the late degrees of Taurus - it's time for a few deep breaths. Like, quite a few deep breaths. Like we'll turn ourselves into a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon (I'll be Lucy) with all the oxygen we will be sucking in. PLUS the Moon will be in Aquarius, along with the South Node for the first time in 18 years - this is alot to be happening.

We'll talk about this next week.

On the 19th Saturn trines Uranus. We've been feeling this for a while, but here is when it becomes exact. This is about change, maybe even radical change, that leads to stability. Find new ways of doing old things. Connect with your dad. Connect with your grandson. This is the new and the old working together.

On May 20th the Sun enters Gemini and kicks off Gemini season - well, actually Mars did that already last month! Mars will oppose Saturn the next day, so there could be a stop sign here. In Gemini life will become more diverse. Our activities will speed up. We will be talking more. We will be communicating. Gemini is the one month of the year when multi-tasking actually works.

You can see why I said next week is a BIG week, too.

Then on May 25th we have a New Moon in Gemini. We have Venus conjunct Uranus. We'll talk about all the stuff in this post as we move through it. I started a May series and thought I might actually want to finish something I start around here once in a while. Keep everyone on their toes.

All in all May is a very creative month. Some things come unstuck. We aren't totally covering new ground with many things but we have more clarity now around what we want and what we have. There are some surprises and ups and downs. Our collective way forward shifts (Virgo to Leo) - imagine we are all on this road together and we come to a fork in the road and we all head thatta way TOGETHER. 

(no, we are not all holding hands and singing Kumbaya - sniffle - but the truth is there is really only one of us here - we rise and fall together folks, but you knew that already didn't you?)

xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of May 8th - pay attention to what is shifting

comet by just a shadow left

This is a BIG week. Yes, another one. Next week is big, too. Let's dig in.

On Monday, hit the ground running. Get to work. 

On Tuesday, the North Node moves from Virgo into Leo and the South Node moves from Pisces into Aquarius.

This kicks off a new 18 month cycle where we (as a collective) move toward our destiny by focusing on positive Leo expressions and themes and work through karma (again moving toward our destiny) by releasing and re-balancing completed and 'out of whack' Aquarius expressions and themes.

Our Leo (and Aquarius) natal houses get a renewed focus (in order for us to move our collective story forward) and because Leo is ruled by the Sun, the qualities of our natal Sun Sign are how we do this!

The space we find Leo (also the Sun) in our natal chart is where we are meant to "shine". It's where we are here to "take center stage" in some way.  

It's where we lead ... from our heart.

Ruled by the Sun, Leo truly is the king of the jungle. He is that proud, brave lion. Leo loves attention, applause and isn't shy about stepping into the limelight. In fact he must share his creativity with others and he isn't coy about wanting recognition. Not content to hide out in the chorus, center stage - and top billing - are where he needs to be. Now obviously, he (and we) can take this all a bit too far - Leo also rules greed and ego and arrogance. Some of that energy will rear its head, too, to be worked out. We'll deal with it. 

Leo rules our collective 5th house of creativity, generosity, children, fun, games and romance. Destiny will coax us in these directions by opening doors, windows, peepholes - whatever it takes!

Aquarius rules our collective 11th house of groups, the internet, charities, humanitarian causes, freedom, rebellion, astrology, invention. These are the areas ripe for release, karmic re-balancing (in favor of those 5th house activities), past life debts come due and past life credits are repaid.

For the last couple years I have been writing about crossing our T's and dotting our I's (Virgo!)- doing the thing that is right in front of us, prioritizing our health and the little things that take us to the big things.

Well, here come the big things. What have you been building? Big is the new big now. Yes, I'd say things are about to get BIGLY.

(that makes you nervous doesn't it - I can feel you squirming - it makes me nervous, too - maybe those butterflies have to grow in our bellies before we can release them into the world - yes, I know that's gross, retching up butterflies to save humanity - it's the only visual I've got right now, it's raining again here and I'm cranky)

Instead of the focus on the background nitty-gritty stuff we do - the focus will be on being brave enough to go a little bigger, to step into the limelight and take the center stage of our own life! Yes, our own stage. Don't worry we don't have to play Carnegie Hall - in fact Carnegie Hall rather insists that I don't! It's contractual. But there will be similar butterfly-producing events in our future. We won't be able to avoid them.

With Virgo it was most important to do a good job. In Leo, it's most important we bring our heart to the job we are doing and to be recognized for it.

This is a collective influence. We'll feel this in our individual lives in varying degrees, but we'll all find opportunities for a big old light to be lit on the thing we carry in our heart. Hiding in the crowd or staying emotionally detached or doing something for the good of the group isn't going to cut it.
 
We'll talk about this more over the next few months as we move through it.

We last had the Nodes in Leo/Aquarius between October 1998 and April 2000 and before that between January 1980 and September 1981 - if you had big changes during those periods (I know I did) you can, most likely, expect big changes within similar themes over the next 18 months, too!

The Nodes are hooked into a Grand Fire Trine until mid June with Uranus (in Aries) and Saturn (in Sagittarius) - this will get our Leo/Aquarius party off to a strong start.

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS SHIFTING.

Also on Tuesday the Sun (in Taurus) trines (brakes off) Pluto (in Capricorn). This is good energy for dealing with authority, stepping into a leadership role, diving deep into something financial or values related and for having greater control over our own life.

On Wednesday, we have a big old Full Moon in Scorpio- post to follow. Something comes to light. Something concludes - maybe something began around the time of the Scorpio New Moon last November. The Moon itself is all about going deep with love - maybe we need to let something go to get something that represents what we are really worth - maybe we finally figure out we are really grateful to have what we have. This is a really great Moon for a deep cleaning/cleansing, too - closets, emails, pores - you name it!

The 3rd Mercury/Uranus conjunction makes whatever is going on now even more BIGLY. There could be more surprises, unexpected news and information, and with Eris nearby, the potential for another round of arguments, jealous clashes and angry words.

Third times are powerful. A blunt truth can be delivered now and now we are finally ready to hear it. Unconventional ideas and innovative communications are also possible.

Whatever is changing now, whatever facts we are facing - the outcome of all this will bring more stability as long as we do what needs to be done. It will be obvious what needs to change. There is energetic support for getting on with it. So let's get on with it.

On Thursday, the Moon is void until 1pm EST, so don't start anything new in the morning or push forward with something you want something to come of.

On Thursday and Friday, Mars (in fast moving Gemini) trines Jupiter (still retrograde for a little while longer in Libra) and squares Neptune (in Pisces).

With Mars in "let's do it all" Gemini there could be multiple options with whatever is going on or whatever news we hear and we could have to move/decide quickly. There will probably be one best way forward if we can stay grounded (totally possible with the Sun in stable Taurus) and keep the rose colored glasses tucked inside the eyeglass case.

The action we take might be a bit challenging for us, but the results will be worth the effort. Focus. Go deep, not wide. Peaceful and balanced solutions are totally possible.

This energy is flowing pretty smoothly in that direction provided we aren't over-doing our Neptune - too much imagination, pie-in-the-sky, escape, chemical substances - you get the idea.

Lots of Mars energy this week, so it's a week to take action.

With Mercury (words, communication, ideas) caught between a rock and a hard place between Uranus (unexpected, sudden change, rebellion, revolution) and Eris (let me just say um - Carrie, pig's blood, prom night - get the picture?) it's not all love and light. We can expect some words we didn't see coming and they might not feel good. But this is our 3rd go at this. We've had the pebble. We've had the rock. If we're still standing in the line of fire to get the boulder we can't really blame Sissy Spacek, can we? xo all

Mercury Direct in Aries | answers

the way we come undone by vampire-zombie

Mercury stations direct today at 24 degrees Aries. Normally he/she takes a little time to get going, but being in Aries and conjunct Uranus, whatever has been stalled could start moving forward very quickly. News can be sudden and unexpected. Announcements will take us by surprise. Answers come now.

If we have been fence-sitting about something the pressure will increase to make a decision or circumstances will conspire to make it for us.

Now is the time to apply what we have learned over the past few weeks. So what have we learned over the past few weeks?

We are likely still dealing with an old situation (or something that stalled around April 9th), Mercury isn't covering totally new territory until May 22nd, but the momentum now will be on moving forward with it.

Mercury is direct and within 1 degree of change-maker Uranus and we have the first quarter Moon in Leo - if you have a new idea now or are given new information, you probably want to run with it.

All the personal planets are direct for the first time this year - it took us 1/3 of the year to get here, but here we are. Forward, ho.

xo all (drive safely and take extra care with fire and power tools)

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | a look ahead at the month of May - part l

I am still procrastinating looking too closely at the days much further ahead than May. The seeds of our future are planted now. Our power is in the now. So let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Plus any reader of my blog can tell you I lean toward negative thinking - more likely to write about the cloudy skies and pits of fire ants than the field of tulips I am standing in when I see these things.

And yes, it's good to know when to pack an umbrella and falling into a dark hole in the ground filled with biting insects doesn't sound all that cozy, especially during Taurus season, and maybe scanning for things like this does make us a little more safe and secure.

Maybe. Maybe not. I am pretty sure it takes our attention away from the tulips though ....

Anyhoo.

Let's take a sneak peak ahead at the month of May and see what kind of astro is kicking up.


(Each time I draw a Tarot card lately for the collective, which I do occasionally to get a feel of things, I get the two of swords. For anyone vaguely familiar with Tarot that's the card with the woman in a long white robe sitting on a stone bench in front of an ocean. We can see an island in the distance behind her and a waning crescent Moon in the sky. She is blindfolded and holding two large swords crossed over her heart/chest. To me this card usually signifies some sort of fence sitting. Our heart is blocked. There is something we don't want to look at. Our time is growing shorter and those swords look very heavy. It carries the energy of that frog in the pot .... ribbet.)

May is alot about MERCURY and also about SATURN and URANUS.

Let's start with Mercury.

He/she (Mercury is rather androgynous) stations direct tomorrow. It will take a couple days for her (and us) to get back to speed. Or maybe since he stations in Aries we will hit the ground running right out of the gate. It's hard to say.

Then she walks forward until May 21st when he gets to the space she turned around from on April 9th and finally on May 22nd he starts covering new territory (am I confusing you by flipping gender pronouns like this - well, good, staying on our toes for the small things is good practice for the bigger ones).

Mercury stations at 24 Aries. At the same time we have Uranus at 25 degrees Aries and Saturn at 26 degrees Sagittarius.

So, next week we will have a Grand Fire Trine, a Full Moon in deep, dark Scorpio and the North Node will move from grounded Virgo into fiery Leo. That's alot! The exciting part of 2017 is starting.

But let's stick with Mercury a little longer. Conversations, communications, ideas and information will be even more important than usual. Stay flexible. We don't want to dig in to a position too deeply that we become so entrenched we can't see any way out. The North Node, in Mercury ruled Virgo for just a few more days is squatting at zero degrees Virgo. Something is trying to get our attention. The stuff that comes up now will matter later.

With Uranus huddled up to Mercury - our thinking can change. That trine to stable Saturn tells me that changes in our thinking made now will provide us with more stability later. With that North Node (collective way forward) about to break into passionate and heart centered Leo - this is exactly the energy we need to break through our limiting thinking patterns. Remember we are set up to crave what is familiar not what is best for us.

Read/study something else. Talk to different people. Write the stuff down that catches our attention now.

With the South Node (what we are releasing) about to move into detached, group-oriented Aquarius it is time to THINK FOR OURSELVES. It's time to bring to the collective the very individual thing we are here to bring. Remember that flock that has been so important, well, maybe we are a bit lost in it now. Herd immunity works until it doesn't. And now it doesn't. That oxygen mask is going to have to go on our own face first for awhile. We are going to see what that feels like.

The world is maybe going to look a whole lot more selfish until we get our groove with this thing and figure out what stays and what goes, what works and what doesn't ..... trust the process.

Back on Thursday with part ll - xo all