Solar Eclipse in Scorpio: Blood and Bone

October 23rd brings a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio, our last eclipse of 2014. As such, the Universe delivers us just what we need: a chance to purge the psychic garbage we've accumulated over the year so that we may step into a new one, fresh and clean. 

Solar Eclipses herald beginnings and through Scorpio we begin the next chapter of our lives by releasing what no longer feeds us, the stagnant, the weak pieces. As Scorpio is a sign fixated on security, we strip down to necessity--no BS. We only devote our full attention to that which touches us to the very core and keeps our hearts beating. If what you hold doesn't move your soul, let it go; keep moving.

Below are the areas where each sign will feel an urgent need to purge, renew, or transform.

Aries: Intimacy, Finances, Emotional Health

Taurus:  Partnerships, Marriage, 1 on 1 Relationships

Gemini: Health, Daily Routine, Work/Life Balance

Cancer: Romance, Creative Projects, Relationships with Children

Leo: Family Life, Dealings with the Past/Parents, Home/Real Estate

Virgo: Communication, Thought, Dealings with Neighbors/Siblings

Libra: Values, Self-esteem, Income

Scorpio:  Attitude, Appearance, Personal Magnetism

Sagittarius:  Dreams, Faith, Sanctuary 

Capricorn: Friendships, Aspirations, Affiliations

Aquarius: Career, Expertise, Reputation 

Pisces:  Travel, Education, Worldview/Perception

Pluto in Capricorn Goes Direct: Out of the Mud

Pluto in Capricorn comes out of retrograde today! After five months--finally! This is important as Pluto means power and Capricorn means structure and long term reward. If there’s a place in your life where you’ve been feeling powerless, unstable, stuck--Pluto direct gets the momentum going again so you can get out of that place. The stuck places unstick, unstuck, free. Thank God/Goddess.

Here are some of the areas where each sign can expect to feel this new energy :

Aries:  Career, Authority, Reputation

Taurus:  Perspective, Faith, Education

Gemini: Finances, Sex, Rebirth

Cancer:  Marriage, Partnership, 1 on 1 Relationships

Leo:  Health, Routine, Work

Virgo:  Love, Creativity, Birth/Children

Libra:  Family, Home, Letting Go of the Past

Scorpio:  Thought, Communication, Neighborhood/Siblings

Sagittarius:  Values, Self-esteem, Income

Capricorn:  Attitude, Appearance, Personal Magnetism

Aquarius:  Dreams, Intuition, Spirit

Pisces:  Friendship, Social Aquaintances, Aspirations

Mars In Sagittarius: Universal Soldier

Warrior planet Mars leaves #Scorpio for #Sagittarius today until October 25th. What can you do with Mars in Sagittarius? Believe in the impossible, aim for your target, and lay suckas to waste. You know, in a do-gooder kind of way.

Key (action) words for this transit: Believe. Journey. Expand. Inspire. Teach. Learn. Speak. Write. Party. Innovate. Do.

Cancer Season: Setting the Mood

It's fitting that the peak of vacation season coincides with the Sun's passage through Cancer (Summer Soltice), as the time for closing up shop, getting away, and relaxing with loved ones falls under The Crab's jurisdiction. If Gemini season was all about meetings, conferences, presentations, and press, then Cancer season is certainly about taking a much needed time out to catch our breath before Leo season bursts in to shove us back into the spotlight. Like Cancer, when we hit a sensory overload of too many people, places, and things it can make us easily susceptible to moodiness, irritation, and fatigue.

One of the things that I admire about Cancers (as with all water signs) is their ability to withdraw into a self-protective "shell" when their batteries need a recharge. They have no problem going off radar if the everyday world becomes too much. Ruled by the Moon and known as the zodiac's moodiest sign, Cancerian influenced people must have regular retreat or risk becoming chronically cranky.

Another thing that I love about Cancers is the way they often provide that same nurturing space to people that they love. Are you feeling tired, sad, hungry, overwhelmed? Leave it to Cancers to cocoon you up and nurse you back to health with their good food, warmth, and world-class hugs. No other sign in the zodiac does hugs better (Ok, Taurus, you too.)

As per usual, we have a lot going on in The Cosmos. We've had eclipses, New Moons, Full Moons, planets going retrograde (I see you, Mercury), as well as the recent grand cardinal cross and the Uranus-Pluto square. Many of us have been through a lot and will inevitably experience more. Life doesn't stop. However, it's during a time like Cancer season when we are called to remember how much of life we do influence by caring for ourselves and others. Happy Summer!

Gemini Season: Busy, Busy

Gemini season is in full swing. After what seemed like a relatively quiet winter/spring, June is gearing up to be one busy month. Since Gemini is the great Networker/Communicator/Media Personality, this is the time when we can usually expect our calendars to be jam packed with parties, events, launches, meetings, calls, webinars, workshops, and just about anything else that gathers and connects people together.

My schedule is nearly full. And as a Sagittarius sun/Aquarius Moon--I thrive on the busyness that Gemini provides. However, one thing I must be careful of is overcommitting myself. Overcommitting can be a problem (especially for Gemini) because too many obligations/interests can lead to flakiness. And bailing out at a time when others are counting on you is never a good look for all involved. So, stay busy friends, but know when to say when.

Full Moon in Scorpio: Roll, Roll, 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?

The Full Moon in Scorpio (May 14th) asks us to face our fears and to eliminate outmoded energy in our lives that holds us back. At the New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Taurus (back on April 29th), we were called to set intentions to create something new, to put something in motion that will progress and stabilize us. Now, this moon asks that we bring these intentions to completion and to step fully into the next phase.

This Full Moon comes tied to Saturn in Scorpio, which suggests the need for structure and permanence, which echoes the message of the Taurus eclipse. At the same time, Venus, the planet of love and money, will be synced up with Uranus in Aries and in a tough tie with Pluto in Capricorn, calling us to take an unflinchingly honest appraisal of our relationships with money and power. Since Scorpio is involved, we'll be ask to completely transform our approach to both.

Venus in Aries: Tough Love

When Venus first moved into tough-as-nails Aries on May 3rd, I wanted to write something about the call to fiery, passionate love--the kind of love we throw ourselves into with wild, reckless abandon--and for some of us this love is still relevant, still ripe for the taking but as it is, there are those of us who may be in the throes of "tough love." 

Tough love is complicated love. It's shaky ground, uncertain if this is for real love. It's walking the tricky path of where My Needs and Your Needs intersect love and trying to find a way on how to merge the two. Tough love is failing miserably at love and trying to work up the courage to try again. Tough love is getting down to the nitty-gritty, stripped down to the tacks, sober love. Tough love takes heart.

The world is full of people. Some of whom we meet, we fall for, put ourselves out on a limb for, and make an attempt to stand with them, courageously, in love. Sometimes this is tough. Sometimes, we are called to be tough; to either dig in and fight for love, or to concede in love and tap ourselves out. This is are some themes we'll contend with during this Venus transit (until May 29th), which comes on the heels of two Venus-infused, game changing eclipses (Libra, Taurus). And regardless of which choices we ultimately make, we'll be called to do it with heart.

April's Grand Cardinal Cross: Under Pressure

In astrology a Grand Cross is a fancy name for the tense energy created when four planets/bodies transit signs that share a difficult relationship. In this case it's Uranus in Aries, Pluto in Capricorn, Jupiter in Cancer, and Mars in Libra. While a facet of this energy has been brewing on and off since 2012 (largely with Uranus and Pluto), the pressure mounts again on April 22-23, reminding us that true progress isn't won without facing our fears (Pluto), drawing boundaries (Mars), venturing outside of what we know (Jupiter) and doing the unexpected (Uranus). Cardinal energy is bold, dynamic and almost impossible to ignore. Finding out where the Grand Cross lands in your birth chart will give you a leg up on how to go about next steps in your plan of action. This is especially important for those with major planets or angles in Capricorn, Libra, Cancer, or Aries.

April Showers: The Eclipses

 Lunar Eclipse in Libra, April 15

With a Lunar Eclipse there's a chapter in our lives that's about to come to a close or completion. With this eclipse in Libra, relationships will be at the forefront. For some of us, this may mean taking the next step in a partnership or choosing to do away with one all together. The big theme here will be around balance and reciprocation, as Libra is the sign of The Scales.

Solar Eclipse in Taurus, April 29

If Lunar Eclipses represent endings or completion, then Solar Eclipses represent beginnings and fresh starts. Through Taurus this comes by way of physical comfort/health, as Taurus represents an earthy, palpable kind of mojo. Taurus wants to give you something you can hold on to like cold, hard cash or a sound body. Resources will be a theme here; taking advantage of opportunities to build and maintain/protect them are the focus.

Keep in mind that emotions will be on high during this month. The days surrounding the eclipses tend to bring anxious energy. Take time to ground yourself in activities you enjoy, with people you enjoy, to take some of the edge off.

Lastly, on the eclipses--it's interesting to note that they both occur in signs represented by Venus, the planet of love and wealth. It seems the Universe wants to highlight our relationship to our own pleasure and self-worth. Is it healthy? Are we actively participating in fulfilling our desires or passively standing by? What would it take for each of us to create a pleasurable life? How many of us truly feel we deserve one? These are just a few questions to get your brains stirring, of course, knowing where the eclipses will transit your chart will help too. Those with major planets or angles in Libra, Aries, Scorpio, or Taurus should pay extra special attention.

P.S. You can use these major events to catapult yourself forward. How? Get my Eclipse Reading.

Venus in Pisces: Bewitched

Happy Venus in Pisces! (April 5-May 2) Creativity, fantasy, and allure abound while the planet of love makes her stop here. Will we be awash in true love or a thinly veiled guise of it? Keep intuition at the ready.

To celebrate, here's an excerpt from my Love, Sex, and Astrology guide describing Pisces Venus natives...

"Venus in Pisces:

This attributes of this Venus may very well be what mermaids are made of...and she pulls her bedmates in like one too. She's bewitching, enchanting--built with a compassionate nature and an uncanny sixth sense. She gets off on creating tailor made romantic liaisons that blur the lines of time and space. Easily addictive. Boys with this Venus placement are drawn to Piscean-like women who'll bring them a higher love."

 

New Moon in Aries: Fire in the Belly

Happy New Moon in #Aries! What would you like to create/initiate? How do you separate yourself from the pack? Do you recognize how awesome you really are? 

Aries is a leader, a motivator and a fierce warrior. As a Fire sign and the "firstborn" of the zodiac, Aries' power rests in its bold, assertive, and adventurous approach to life. Aries doesn't wait for the okay to take action. Aries IS the action; first row, front and center. Under this juicy, fertile energy of the new moon we are called to harness this power in the name of our own success and progress. We are called to show up for ourselves, to stand up for ourselves, to employ the courage needed to create the kind of life that we want. 

However, with this new moon joining up with Uranus in Aries and forming a tense aspect to Jupiter in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn, we will be reminded that true progress isn't won without facing our fears (Pluto), venturing outside of what we know (Jupiter) and doing the unexpected (Uranus). Since running themes are a major component to astrology, this moon gives us a preview of the kind of themes we will be dealing with in April due to the upcoming eclipses and Grand Cardinal Cross (an uneasy relationship between four planets). Those themes are change, upheaval, and transformation. 

Still, with Aries in the mix, the Universe will only provide the fuel necessary to feed the fire  in our bellies. 

Full Moon in Virgo: Get Sh*t Done

Happy Full Moon in Virgo! Full Moons represent the culmination of something already in the works. In Virgo, it's all about tying up the loose ends, getting down to the details and fine tuning a system. How's that health routine working for you? That diet? Is that budget saving you money? Have you tackled that cleaning/organizing project? What about that writing assignment? Ooh, baby! Today, we celebrate getting sh*t done. Check off that to-do list like a boss!

Full Moon in Cancer: Soul Food

The Full Moon in ‪#‎Cancer‬ this evening highlights the quality of our heart space. What have we been filling it with lately? Is it nourishing? Does it build strong bones and character? Does it make us feel good? As the sign that represents home and hearth, family, and tradition; Cancer is the commissioner of soul food, literally and figuratively speaking. Under this moon is a call to make space for and celebrate what feeds you. Eat up.

Mercury In Aquarius: Where's Your Head At?

Communication planet, Mercury, is in #Aquarius from now until the end of the month. Free thought, innovative ideas, and flashes of insight are supported now. What kind of genius will you share with the world?

New Moon in Capricorn: Make It Work

New Moon in #Capricorn on January 1st to kick off the New Year. #Capricorn is the sign associated with long term plans and goals, financial security, ambition, and structure. What are your 2014 resolutions? May they manifest under the blessings of this New Moon. And thank you all for your support and love throughout 2013. Have a happy, prosperous New Year! Xoxo

New Moon in Sagittarius: Light In the Shadow

I think many of my fellow Sagittarians will agree with me when I say that 2013 has largely been an introspective and emotionally "heavy" year for us. Many of us have found ourselves thrust into situations that demanded a serious investment of faith, patience, and in some cases, physical strength. Whatever challenges we may have brushed off with a raucous gathering of 90-11 friends or some other show of impulse/distraction have had to be met with long periods of solitude, meditation, tears, and the ability to put "no" in our otherwise exaggerated vocabularies. Recently, I joked to a Pisces friend that I've turned into a Scorpio (she laughed in agreement). No, we Sagittarians have not felt like our usual jovial, happy-go-lucky selves. The Universe has been asking that we try something different.

And this is not to say that those of us born under the influence of Sagittarius never experience pain or sadness. Much to the contrary of standard astrology, we do. We just make a conscious effort not to linger in said sadness. We recognize that at some point, unhappiness becomes a choice and as such, there are far too many roads to travel towards fulfillment to get stuck on just one. This is the Sagittarian way, and this evening's New Moon in Sagittarius aims to illuminate those roads, the paths on which we can tailor make our journey based on our own personal truths--the sum parts of ourselves that refuse to be denied, restricted, tamed, or hidden. What do you undeniably hold in your heart that's sorely in need of expression? What part of you needs to be set free?

This New Moon will not only spur a fresh, new cycle for Sagittarians but for anyone in need of some magic to break through whatever walls that have held them back. New Moons are gifts; like custom tailored reset buttons from the Cosmos that give us extra sticking power needed to successfully begin a new endeavor, relationship, journey, lifestyle, etc. Many of us, and not just Sagittarians, may be feeling that we've done enough of our bid in the shadows...we've sorted, sifted, and purged through enough of our shit. We're ready to step back into the light. Today, we get our chance.

Sagittarius Season: Shake Off Your Slumber

The sun moved into fiery Sagittarius on November 22nd, giving us just the right amount of snap, crackle, and pop we need to kick off the holidays. The intensity of Scorpio season may have had some of us feeling unusually tired or emotionally spent over the last month but fun loving Sag asks that we take time out to fill our spirits with some cheer. Big, hearty laughs and spontaneity are what the doctor ordered so here's a few tips below on how to get the most out of the Season of the Centaur. This is your month to lighten up.

Things to do now:
♐️ Sagittarius loves a party so rally up a few friends and get your karaoke-dance-game-holiday-special occasion celebration on.

♐️ Travel (especially to somewhere you've never been). Sagittarius is the sign that rules travel/ expansion. Feed your brain/spirit with a vacay.

♐️ Take a class/teach a class. Education is a big deal to Sag because what we learn and share with others, opens up a world of opportunity.

♐️ Honor your truth. Sagittarius never skimps on truth or freedom. So, be direct, follow your heart, and don't take no for an answer.

♐️ Do something new. Sagittarius knows boredom is a sure fire way to kill the soul so get out and get free ( for tips see above).

Sagittarius season ends December 21st.

*photo courtesy of Carolina Espinosa society6.com

Mercury Retrograde: Let's Take Some Time and Figure It Out

Since another Mercury retrograde is nearly upon us, I got to thinking that it would be a good idea to dedicate a blog post defining what Merc retro really means, as I imagine that if you're a bit out of the astro loop, hearing people (namely astrologers) talk about it can be kind of confusing.

About 3-4 times a year, Mercury--the planet that has rulership over communication and correspondence in astrology--goes "backwards" or retrograde for three weeks at a time. Now because of Mercury's correlation with writing, reading, speaking, thinking, travel (and vehicles), we'll find that doing these kinds of things during a retrograde period gets trickier and more difficult to do than in a non-retro period. It's during these times where:

•  Messages or words are more likely to be misconstrued or taken out of context
•  Emails, letters, text messages, etc. either get lost or disappear entirely
•  Event and travel plans hit all kinds of delays or get cancelled
• Machines like computers, cell phones, or cars break down and need repair or replacement
• Contracts or agreements get broken or renegotiated, people go back on their word
• People from our past (like ex lovers) seemingly pop up out of the blue

Okay, so now that we have a sense about what happens during a Mercury retrograde, let's discuss why...

We live in a world of movement and as such, time slows down for no one.  With all of this constant forward momentum, it can be tough sometimes to determine if the direction that we're moving in is the best one. This is where retrogrades come in. They act a little like time machines, helping us to go back and see where we've might have missed important information necessary for our progress and evolution. The goal is then to use the clues we've discovered to inform our future decision making process.

And since astrology is a system based on a the interpretation of symbols, I find that keywords help to drive home a point that a planet is "making." So, for Merc retro here's a list of keywords to consider to help keep frustration levels to a minimum:

Rest. Review. Repeat. Rethink. Re-plan. Renegotiate. Revisit. Repair. Reserve. Research. Re-read. Rewrite. Relaunch. Restructure. Remember. Reflect.

One last note: as you've probably figured out by now, Merc retro is not the time for beginning anything (or buying a gadget) that is brand spanking new. If anything new is started under the retrograde, we'll often be sorry about it later and feeling like we need to change our mind. If possible, wait for after the retrograde period  to act on any major idea or endeavor when clear thinking is better favored. Get it? Got it? Good.

October Scope 2013

It's Libra Season! Happy Birthday to the ladies and gents ( Libra moons and risings included) who teach the rest of us how to keep it classy. During Libra season (September 23rd to October 22nd) the emphasis is on harmony and beauty. How do we effectively balance our needs with the needs of others? Can we meet halfway? While we're at it, let's gussy ourselves up and hit the town in style. Rub shoulders. Crack the champagne. Galleries and galas. It's amor, darlings. Can you see it?

But wait! Is there someone trying to pull one over on us or keeping secrets we're not privy to? Or perhaps it's we who know all and are waiting for just the right moment to unleash our scathing tell-all? Communication planet Mercury has left the niceties of Libra for the deep and choppy waters (read: covert ops) of Scorpio, where it will be from now until December 4th.

Not much for idle chit-chat and small talk, Mercury in Scorpio aims for meatier, weightier, emotionally charged subjects that most would consider impolite or inappropriate to discuss. Mercury in Scorpio needs to bring the ugly things to the surface in order for us to acknowledge their presence and heal whatever wounds such ugliness may have caused. At this time, we may find that we hear or see things that we don't want...but must. This will be especially true when Mercury goes retrograde from Oct. 21st to Nov 9th when we will be asked to review, review, review! Mercury retrogrades are perfect for rethinking, reexamining, redoing, and renegotiating any prior agreements, commitments, projects or plans. Mercury retrogrades, however, are not perfect for starting anything new. For more info on how to navigate a Mercury Retrograde read my latest post.

On October 4th, we get a New Moon in Libra. Since Libra is associated with Venus, this New Moon will give us the opportunity to better set and execute intentions around establishing new relationships or finding love, improving existing relationships, and fattening our wallets. If there's an idea, plan, hope or wish that you've had around either, the Universe sends us some extra mojo to make it happen. Note that this moon will be in a tense connection with Uranus and Pluto which suggests that the success of our new endeavor will depend on how we currently see ourselves. We may ask do we have the courage, smarts, looks, or resources to pull it off? The answer of course, is yes, if we're willing to confront our fears and step out of our comfort zone.

On October 8th, we get a little reprieve from all of this emotional work when Venus steps out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius. Often billed as the life of the party Sagittarius pushes us to explore and indulge in anything that uplifts us. Just make sure to keep an eye on that purse or wallet as Venus in Sagittarius tends to overdo, overspend, overestimate...Have fun, take a risk but try not to literally go for broke. Remembering this advice will be especially important when Mars moves into Virgo on October 16th. Priding itself on discipline, usefulness, and details Mars in Virgo acts as a bit of an antithesis to Venus in Sagittarius, asking us to exercise the power of discernment when going after something we want. Venus in Sagittarius wants it all because she thinks bigger or more is better. Mars in Virgo asks first, is it necessary or is it useful? Mars in Virgo doesn't want to waste energy or time. As we all know of course, time is money.

Last but not least, eclipse season is upon us. On October 18th there will be an eclipse in Aries ready to shake, rattle and roll us up. Im kidding...sort of. Eclipses are potent, jarring, and at times largely overwhelming. Eclipses aim to wake us up from any self imposed slumber. If we've been feeling stuck or have been trying to hold on to something we no longer should, eclipses turn up the heat on us to get us to move. Because of their nature, eclipses can sometimes trigger events that are seemingly unfortunate or chaotic. Emotions are always on high around an eclipse. This is why it's important to engage in something (or be around people) that makes you feel grounded. This will help to avoid making any snap decisions or becoming (over)reactive.

Eclipses on the Aries/Libra axis always have to do with some sort of relationship, the paradigm of Me vs. We. Though eclipses affect us all differently, I believe the collective message of this eclipse will be around self-expression. Are we living authentically? Fearlessly? When we tell people "just be yourself" do we follow our own advice? Or, are we afraid to be who we really are because we fear judgement and ridicule? One thing to know is that Aries doesn't abide by anyone else's rules save its own. Aries lives by its own agenda. So Aries asks where in your life can you stand to be more badass? Where in your life do you need a little more...you?