Mars In Scorpio: We Get What We Want

Intensity. Focus. Strategy. Passion.

These are our keywords from now through October as Mars steams his way through Scorpio. The universe gives us the green light to get a little obsessive, possessive.

What do you want?

Go for it.

Leo Season: The Number One Stunner

The world revolves around the Sun. Better yet, the world revolves around Leo--astrologically ruled by the Sun. If you've ever been around a Leo influenced (Sun, Moon, or Ascendant) guy or gal--you know that no matter where they are, what they're doing or who they're with they COMMAND attention.

Ruling the zodiac's Fifth House of Creativity, Romance, & Fun; it's said that Leo's are natural born leaders and entertainers. On the low end of the scale these characteristics translate to stubborn, fussy drama kings and queens; however on the high end, Leo's are creatively gifted, fearless men and women capable of adding a little sunshine to everyone's day.

Wherever Leo falls in in our chart (and yes, we all have a little Lion in us all) is where we choose to live out our lives as loudly, playfully, and FIERCELY as possible.




Happy Solar Return Leo! I dedicate this Leo inspired theme to you:


 P.S. I have reason to believe Kanye is a Leo rising. What do you think?

Cosmic Update: What's Goin' On?

It's been a little while since I last updated you all on key planetary transits and what they mean for us. You can get all the nitty, gritty below. Of course, this is just a general overview of what to expect. For deeper insight on how these transits specifically affect you, speak with an astrologer (That's me!).

 7/3/12-8/23/12: Mars In Libra 

You ever hear the saying "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? Well, this great piece of wisdom certainly comes to mind when I think of the planet of aggression (and ruler of Aries) plowing his way through the sign of relationship and diplomacy. Except, since this is Libra we're talking about, Aries' opposing sign, we can almost guarantee that Mars won't be doing any plowing through here...maybe a nice jaunt? This is the time where if we want to get our way, we're going to have to use a little charm and finesse to get it. I mean, that really is the most REASONABLE way to do it, isn't it?

7/13/12-12/13/12: Uranus Retrograde in Aries 

Uranus. Ruler of Aquarius and known to be in charge of all things rebellious, unexpected, wacky, and experimental (science and technology fall under this umbrella too) has been transiting the sign of war and "me, me, me!" since 2011 causing all sorts of upsets (remember Arab Spring?) around the globe. Now as with any retrograding planet, The Universe offers us a second opportunity of sorts to master the area of life that said planet is touching. For many of us, wherever Uranus is passing through in our charts--it usually marks a time of immediate change. Harnessing Uranian energy, especially while in the sign of Aries, means that wherever in our lives we need a dose of freedom, we go there BOLDLY--without guilt or fear of judgement. By the time Uranus moves direct, the norm as we know it will be oh so passé.

 7/14/12-8/7/12: Mercury Retrograde in Leo 

 What do you get when you mix the planet of communication with the fiery starpower of Leo? BIG talk and even bigger ideas. Mercury transiting Leo is a time when it's okay to toot your own horn as The Lion brings out the showstopper in us all. However, during this retrograde period the focus is going to be less about dazzling the crowd and more about creating thoughts and words of substance--something we can stand confidently behind with pride. In my experience, Mercury retrogrades are notorious for miscommunications. Emails and snail mail get lost, electronics go "boom!", typos run rampant, and things that we thought or said with certainty lose their conviction once the retrograde period is over. This is the time to make sure whatever info we are sending out is as clear and thorough as possible. We can get back to stuntin' later.


Now until 10/5/12: Saturn Finishes Its Tour of Libra 

Lordy, Lordy. Where do I start? At the risk of echoing what's already been said by others about this transit (which has been in effect since October 2009), let me just say that for many of us having the planet of responsibility, limitation, and reality transit through the sign of partnerships has been a critical lesson in the amount of care, committment, and courage needed to maintain the relationships that mean the most to us. Through this transit many of us saw (or experienced) relationships restructured, renewed, or falter altogether. For example, my Libra sun brother is marrying his longtime girlfriend while a good friend of mine with a Capricorn rising (Libra tensely aspects Cap) saw her marriage fall apart after just one year. And those are just two examples. As Saturn rules Capricorn--and Capricorn is all about building and capitalizing on hard work done, in Libra our Saturn lesson has been discovering that REAL (a Saturn keyword) relationships require a solid FOUNDATION (another keyword!) on which to thrive. We are learining that it takes more than sexual chemistry, a few common interests, or even the fear of being alone to make a relationship WORK (keyword!). For some of us this has meant a shift in our values and in some cases, our resources. When Saturn makes its move into Scorpio in mid-October, we will get the opportunity to further strengthen the connections that have survived Saturn in Libra...or bury them entirely.

Gemini Season Revisited: What’s the Good Word?

Yes, I know. Gemini Season has technically ended. However, we’ve had lots of planetary activity happening with the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter all making their rounds through the sign of The Twins. Before the season officially started I had wanted to write one post that encapsulated the energy of Gemini. Instead I wrote two posts, one on Venus Retrograde and the other on the Solar Eclipse. Not a bad move considering Gemini is all about multiplicity; still with all this activity taking place, I wanted to do something a little bigger (blame it on the Sag in me).

Then Jupiter came along. (Ha-ha! See what I did there?)

Anyway, when Jupiter moved into Gemini I was all set to blog on it but I was blocked. Maybe it was my Aquarian Moon rebelling against regurgitating what was already said or maybe, it was because Jupiter is said to be in its ‘detriment’ in Gemini—not exactly functioning at its best capacity. Whatever the reason, it wasn’t until I did something Gemini-like that the light went on. 

A few nights ago, I went down to Brooklyn to attend the Zodiac Lounge, a monthly astrology-infused forum hosted by expert astrologer Samuel F. Reynolds. I went looking to get some new info, to learn, to circulate with folk I had never met before within a relatively short trip from my neighborhood (that’s Gemini!).  The centerpiece of the evening was Sam’s presentation on the genius of Gemini. While Sam lauded Geminis for their gift in bridging gaps between seemingly unrelated worlds, he also spoke about their potential for rigidity and gossip. Here is where I found just what I needed.

Thanks to Sam’s insight plus some rather interesting exchanges that I’ve had within the past few weeks, it occurred to me that the transit of Jupiter in Gemini (and essentially the season of Gemini) is not only about exploration/networking but it’s also about engaging a filter. As a swell of information tumbles in at lightning speed we are being asked to think critically about how much of it we are willing to accept as truth. What do we believe? Who do we believe? Further, do we have any valuable info of our own to add, or are we too heavily focused on fluff? Is the information we're exchanging credible?

Now is a good time to sort it all out.

Neptune Retrograde in Pisces: Turn Your High Beams On

Neptune plays a major part in my birth chart. Natally, my sun, Venus, and Neptune are conjunct or rather, “attached” to each other. Well, essentially all planets are more or less attached to one another in a birth chart; whether by conjunction, opposition, square, trine, etc. as these attachments (or aspects, as they are formally called) show how the planets get along with each other. In my case, these three planets function sort of like hip-hop’s A Tribe Called Quest (you know, sans bitter feud).*  By astrological definition, this aspect in my chart makes me Neptunian and with Pisces (the zodiac sign associated with old Nep) being on my natal 8^th House cusp, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I attract lots and lots of Neptunians too (even if I don’t want to).**

Who or what exactly is a Neptunian? Folks like me where the planet is prominent in their chart, those born under the Sun, Moon, or Rising sign of Pisces, those with major planets in the 12th house, the intuitives and the creatives, the dreamers, the healers, the escapists and the illusionists, the victims and the saviors—and yes, there is a little Neptune in us all. However, how we choose to express this energy is what makes all the difference. Ruling the 12^th House of Dreams, Spirituality, and Self-Undoing; Neptune is an idealist, a true romantic. Where ever she (the planet represents a feminine energy) touches us, either at the natal point or by transit, we become totally unconcerned with boundaries and harsh realism. Neptune softens our consciousness; she takes the edge off. As such, we either find ourselves in a state of bliss or in a hazy confusion. 

When Neptune moved long term into its home sign of Pisces in  February 2012 after a 14-year transit in Aquarius, many in the astrological community heralded this shift as a much needed softening of the human collective.  If Neptune in Aquarius made our wildest dreams come true with the development of the internet, social media, fancy gadgets that in effect kept us plugged-in, then Neptune in Pisces is here to help us unplug. Spirituality, compassion, and optimism become paramount, as does the potential for escapism, self-delusion, and gullibility.  With the retrograde, we are being asked to review the space that Neptune occupies in our lives (look to your birth chart to find out where). Are we dreaming big enough or too big? Is it compassion we feel or are we playing savior? Do we trust our intuition or ignore it?  Are we seeing the people and situations in our lives as they really are or how we want them to be? Overall, how do we get our head and heart to successfully coincide? From now until November 10, 2012 the answers to these questions will be crucial.

As you mull it all over, watch this Piscean themed vid:

*My partner, Jason Fleming-El aka Sagittarian Mind, is sure to be happy that I used a hip-hop reference to explain an  astrological term.  Like, he’s gonna marry me after this and whatnot.

** Kidding. Sort of.

Mars In Virgo: So Much Work To Do

I don’t know if it’s due to Mars transiting the detail-oriented sign of Virgo but lately I have been hyper aware of public griping. Whether it’s a Facebook status, a Twitter post, or a good old face-to-face conversation, it seems people are perpetually annoyed or angry about SOMETHING. Now, I’m not saying that complaints, valid or otherwise, should be bottled up and ignored (we know that never really works anyway) or that we should suddenly become Shiny Happy People (that won’t necessarily work either) but what I AM saying is that lately, I've been wondering if there is a way that we can better use our energies. Can we cure what ails us?

Mars, the DO planet; the planet of action, aggression, sex drive, desire and determination has been moving through Virgo since November 2011, where it will remain until July 2012. Ruled by Mercury  and ruling the astrological 6^th House of  Health & Hygiene, Work, and Everyday Functions (also known as The Mundane), Virgo—on the low end side—is known to be a fussy, nitpicky, mostly dissatisfied Earth sign hell bent on keeping the rest of us on strict routine and regimen. However, when operating in its most positive form, Virgo acts as our personal trainer, our physician, our editor and personal assistant; helping us to cut the crap. Virgo essentially helps us to get (and keep) our shit together.  Virgo gets us structured, organized, and operating like well-oiled beasts of service and duty. (Cue “Soldier of Love”.) There’s hardly a problem that Virgo can’t fix with its penchant for objectivity, analysis, and quick wit.

So, what happens when we pair the planet of doing with the sign of efficiency? We get the opportunity to become the change we seek. Don’t like something? Fix it. Come up with a solution; BE the solution.  To paraphrase a quote from the animated series Adventure Time, Mars in Virgo says “We are the antidote, bruh.” Yes loves, it’s time to get off our high-horse, our asses, et al. and get to work…for the sake of yours and mine.

Lunar Eclipse In Sagittarius: Bigger & Deffer

Def (dĕf) :
adj. Slang, def·fer, def·fest.
1. Excellent; first-rate.

Today's lunar eclipse in Sagittarius, which follows last month's solar eclipse in Gemini, continues the most recent eclipse trend on the Gemini-Sagittarius axis that began back in early 2010.  As Gem and Sag rule the zodiac's 3rd and 9th Houses (respectively) of communication, education, and travel; eclipses in these signs tend to push us toward expanding ourselves out of our immediate environment and into the unknown with the aim of learning something new.

Representing the elements of Air (Gemini) and Fire (Sagittarius), this dynamic team is most concerned with What's Out There. Their (or should I say OUR?) mission is to journey out into the world and mingle--to confer and congregate with those of various cultures, backgrounds, and expertise, to LEARN--then to bring back and share what they (I mean, WE) have learned from such experiences. Over the next six months, you will find that this too will be your mission in order to take your career, relationships, and overall self-development to the next phase. Yes, it's time to shake it up, darlings (it was getting a little musty In There, no?).

As always, when it comes to the way the Universe works, the key is for us not to become stagnant or complacent...the world is just too big to do so; there is way too much to do, see, and learn. This is the Gem-Sag mantra! Through travel, communication, and education we expand ourselves; we GROW. We become bigger and deffer, wiser, improved...and that's the point, is it not?

Solar Eclipse in Gemini: Electric Feel

Yesterday's solar eclipse, as most eclipses, came to shake things up. Add the legendary changeability of Gemini and you've got a HUGE shakeup.

Since Gemini rules over communication and abhors anything passe, look for changes surrounding how you think and communicate over the next six months. Got an idea for something fresh and innovative? Show it to the world! Is it high time to let go of an old way of thinking? Do it!

Now is  also the time to grow your network and look to others to help you get where you need to go (Gemini also rules the area in our lives that houses siblings and neighbors. NETWORK. NETWORK. NETWORK!).

Oh, and watch this: 

Feels kinda Gemini-like, no?

Venus Retrograde: What's It Worth To You?

Venus, the planet representing beauty, self-esteem, money, material possessions, love, and relationships has been in retrograde in Gemini since May 15th and will continue to do so until June 27th. Planets in retrograde always bring opportunities to re-examine and revamp a way of thinking or doing something that may keep us from living life at the height of being. In other words, it’s probably broke and we need to fix it. 

Okay, so what is “it”? That “It” will be anything having to do with Venus-ruled areas as mentioned above. As Venus is the natural ruler of Libra and Taurus (the two signs most concerned with one-on-one relationships and material wealth), over the next few weeks the question of the moment for many of us will be “what’s it worth?” Has a key relationship (romantic or not) turned out to be more than we bargained for? Is there a relationship in our lives worth saving? What about our relationship with ourselves? Do we think we’re really good enough? (I mean, really, really?) And what about our relationship to our bank accounts? Does it match the lifestyle we want to lead? If not, can it? With Venus currently in Gemini, the sign of communication, our responsibility is to ensure that we are having the right conversations with ourselves and those in our network to get the answers to these questions; then, in typical Geminian fashion, applying what we have learned.

In my own life, I’ve already been feeling the effects of this retrograde by being forced (I’ve been ignoring the proverbial knock at the door for quite some time now) to majorly restructure my spending habits (starting with my high-ass monthly cell phone bill) and to rethink my relationship to money. In addition, with Venus currently transiting my 10th house of career and public image, part of my concern around finances has to do with whether or not I warrant opportunities that will sufficiently pay me for not only my talents (am I good enough?) but also for doing the (creative) things that make me happy (do I deserve it?). 

In the coming weeks, the universe will be providing us all with the time needed to catch up on our homework. I have an idea about what my lesson is, what's yours?

Full Moon in Scorpio: Rolling In the Deep

Scorpio wants to annihilate you. 

Well, not YOU per se but rather the you that you think you are…in fact, who are YOU, really? Scorpio wants to get the bottom of it—into the deep, dark parts of you where you hold onto stuff; like fears and feelings and ambitions and...OBSESSIONS. 

Scorpio wants your secrets, it’s OK, bare your soul. Show Scorpio where you’ve been hiding. No? Well you have got to come out sooner or later. Yes, you. The REAL you--the shrewd, fearless, passionate, dirty, sexy you. Scorpio wants the unrelenting you--the you that wants what it wants and won't stop to get it. Have you your strategy? Scorpio can help with that. It will stay up into the wee hours to plot with you on how to decimate the competition. Scorpio wants to break the weak links--it wants to rid you of the habits, the people, the situations you seemingly thought you needed, but don't. Yes, Scorpio WILL shift the landscape. You WILL be transformed. You're not afraid...are you?

 ***

Full Moon in Scorpio (May 5th) asks us to finally face our fears and to eliminate the outmoded energy in our lives that keeps us back. At the New Moon in Taurus just a few weeks ago we set intentions to create something new, to put something in motion that will progress us to the next level in our lives. Now, this moon asks that we actually make this happen by taking the courage to own and exert our power, to embody what we seek.

Essentially, you are being asked to be the best you there is. Go, ahead, you can do it.

Taurus Season: Planting the Seeds

Happy Birthday, Taurus!

The sun has officially begun its tour of Taurus where it will remain up until around May 21st. For many of us Taurus energy represents the areas of our lives where we seek out and create physical comfort, as Taurus represents an earthy, palpable kind of mojo. Taurus wants to give you something you can feel--something you can hold on to (cue Bilal please )--like the stem of a Riedel wine glass, the curve of a hip or a shoulder, a moral code, a Basquiat, a homemade meal.

Artwork by Taurus phenom,  Marthalicia

I think it's fitting we get a New Moon in Taurus on April 21st to kick of this season. Coming in right after Aries, Taurus sits near the beginning of the zodiac, providing a stabilization or continuity to the fresh, regenerative energy brought in from its fire sign cousin. In keeping with the theme of newness and fresh beginnings (think springtime!), the New Moon combined with Taurean energy adds a favorable element to the cosmic mix creating the perfect time for us all to plant seeds for our next initiative.

And since this is Taurus we are talking about, that initiative should be something to boost our resources (financial, physical, etc.)--something we can build steadily over time and enjoy in this material world. If we use the power of this New Moon to set our intentions into action, we should begin to see results of our labor in a relatively short period of time. The seeds that have been planted will bloom.

A Little Applause?

Actually, I have been quite grateful and humbled by the feedback I have received from prior clients. With their permission, I've decided to share a little of it with you.

"Your astrology reading was really insightful. She helped me to identify patterns and reactions that were natural for my birthchart, and also helped me think about how I could use these insights to the best of my ability. I really appreciated how thorough and accurate the reading was, and still refer to it this day!"---Kelly 

 

"A hovering problem that seemed to have no ending finally was resolved in myself after speaking with you.  You have brought me peace of mind countless times with your knowledge and insight. Honestly if it weren't for your advice and clear understanding of astrological charts I would still be in a tangled, messy situation. I have recommended you to friends who are in a crossroads in their lives as well. You are definitely a person that has made a major change possible in my life. Thank you!" ---Corinne

All I can say is that I am truly glad and honored to be have been able to support these ladies in their self-development. Woot! Woot!

A yo, Astrology

 Borrowing from The Clipse, I'd like to share the following:

"Hot damn! It's a new day! ...(woooooo....wooooo)"

Ok, so after much encouragement from my peers (they tell me I have a real knack for this), I have decided to go public with my astrology readings. UPDATE: To better meet the needs of my clientele I have added more services. Please see the Astrology Services section on the right-hand side of the site for more info.

Why, astrology you ask? Because very simply put, astrology is an ancient study that follows the patterns and energies created by The Universe to explain what takes place on lil' ol' Earth--"as above, so below." And oh yeah, it WORKS. How so, you ask? Well to answer that let's consider the following:

What astrology CANNOT do for you:

• Cause anything to happen to you
• Override your free will
• Dictate your future
• Help you win the lottery (ha ha! you know I had to add that in there)

What astrology CAN do for you:

• Empower you to take responsibility for your actions and your life
• Help you to improve your relationships, romantic and otherwise
• Help you to overcome obstacles and live your purpose
• Provide you with tools to beat negative thinking and habits

From the minute that we are born, The Universe provides us with a blueprint (known as a birth chart in astrological terms) that goes beyond our basic Sun signs (Aries, Virgo, Scorpio, etc.) to provide us with context and meaning regarding our life's challenges as well as our life's mission. Even if you know very little about astrology, I can show you how to use it as a tool to empower your life and manifest your vision.

Any information you provide me is kept confidential. My readings are objective and are designed to give you the information you need to make educated choices. Ultimately, whatever choices you decide to make after a reading are exactly that, YOUR choices. Always.

So, that being said--let's get crackin' shall we?