On Monday Pluto turns direct. Unlike Mercury’s about-turn when travel and communications spring back to normal, the effect of slow mover like Pluto changing direction has vast implications on world affairs and, indeed, our own lives. When a planet is about to change direction it appears to “stand still” or as we astrologers say, it is stationary, and its effects are amplified.
Pluto’s powers of transformation are thus far greater. You can test out this theory by observing current world events and those in your own lives. Should Pluto be hovering around a planet or point in your natal chart, this is a period in which you are likely to feel the effects of any changes or “transformation” much more acutely.There should also be a link between the events of mid-to-late April when Pluto headed into retrograde and now.
To name but three: on and around 22nd April, James Comey’s revelatory memoir A Higher Loyalty was published and Rudy Giuliani joined Trump’s legal team; Meghan, then merely a fiancée, made history by speaking at the Commonwealth Youth Forum. Enjoy a week of reckonings and revelations.
As you can tell from your individual forecasts September goes out on a challenging note. And that challenging note is issued by a T-square involving the full moon on the Aries-Libra axis squared by Saturn. Full moons occur every 28 days and together with the new moon create that familiar cycle of endings and beginnings.
But some full moon endings are more powerful than others, as is this. Not quite on the cardinal points but near, regimes and chapters hit the buffers, in some cases in spectacular style. In Great Britain, the Tory party and Theresa May will have to weather some very uncertain weather during the forthcoming annual conference, which opens in Birmingham on the 30th, and it seems someone or something has to go.
Our Libran Prime Minister may be dangerously near her sell-by date, and Brexit requires major surgery. Hopefully, this astro-scape will provide the necessary fuel to set the country on a firmer, stronger course.
On Sunday the 23rd at 02:55 CET, the sun will enter Libra marking the autumn equinox. As you may know from the many times I have covered the equinoxes and solstices, astrology has a Northern Hemisphere bias due to its development in ancient Sumer and Greece. So, as all of you in sunny Australia, South Africa and South America celebrate the arrival of spring, we in the North are in mists and mellow fruitfulness mode. But wherever we live the Sun now enters Libra and we celebrate all things Vensuian.
Love, partnership, fairness, balance and justice. Of course, what many people forget is that Libra is a Cardinal sign and all the Cardinals (Aries, Cancer and Capricorn) are movers and shakers. They just move and shake in different ways. So, Libra’s graces provide a distraction from its distinctly ambitious heart.
Think for a moment of Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu and on behalf of the female of the species Margaret Thatcher and Selina Williams. Fighters and champions all. Babies born this week will have a Mars-Uranus square in their horoscopes, which will give even the sweetest most diplomatic Libran an unpredictable, volatile and iconoclastic streak. They’ll be a handful. A darling, beautiful handful.
It is hard to believe that seventeen years have passed since planes flown by terrorists plunged into the Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and onto a lonely field in Pennsylvania. Three thousand people died on that day, America’s darkest hour. I remember that day all too well because my husband was sitting on an American Airlines’ plane bound for London.
It was waiting at Newark for take-off at 8:30 am but delayed due to a minor technical problem. A little after 9:45 my husband joined a growing chorus of concern about a plume of smoke billowing into the bright blue sky from Manhattan. Fifteen minutes later all passengers were ordered back into the terminal. My husband spent the next week on Long Island waiting for his baggage.
He was one of the lucky ones. There remain a lot of what-ifs about the journey that flight might have been about to take… This Tuesday the anniversary will be marked as usual at Ground Zero with a four-minute silence, although the emphasis is no longer so much on who was lost and how but on the strength and resilience of the people of the United States. God bless America.
On 6 September majestic Saturn turns direct after spending some four months on a retrograde journey through the early degrees of Capricorn. Unlike Mercury’s change of motion there may be no sudden righting of wrongs since Saturn’s movement is slow and laboured – a little like its character – but it does coincide with the “getting back to business” theme of this period of the year. In the Northern hemisphere the kids go back to school after the long summer break, and with so many businesses in Europe closed during August, commerce too is getting back on track.
Saturn is both Chronos, the god of time and Kronos, the Titan – father of Zeus. Quite when the two mythical lords became intermingled lies deep in the mists of time itself, but depictions of Kronos (the god of agriculture) carrying a scythe and Chronos portrayed as Old Father Time go back over two millennia. In astrology Saturn has much to do with time. Its 29-year orbit divides into seven-year cycles, reflecting the passage of time, the seven ages of man. Saturn has to do with things coming together in time and the consequences of one’s actions – karma. As Saturn turns direct it is trine both Mercury (Virgo) and Uranus (Taurus) forming a perfect Grand Trine in earth signs.
This suggests the problems encountered, the struggles experienced and the karma faced on its retrograde journey can be resolved. It isn’t easy treating Saturn like a good friend. He’s more of a frenemy. But when we accept the trials and tribulations we encounter on a transit of this planet, learn from them and become stronger, he is worthy of a grudging respect.
During the past three months Mars has been on a retrograde journey, which may explain why you appear to have been taking one step forward and two back. This trend is about to be reversed since Mars gets back on track this week. And, in tandem, you should soon discover why you’ve been frustrated in one or more of your endeavours. There’s a reason for everything… It is said that projects begun on a retrograde Mars rarely come to fruition; it is also said that whoever starts a fight on a retrograde Mars never wins.
I can find many exceptions to these “rules” but what I would say is that actions taken on a retrograde Mars often have unexpected consequences. The great White Paper on Brexit was published on 12 July, and within three days of its publication was declared dead in the water by many.
Certainly, the chaos and conflict that is the Brexit negotiation has become significantly worse during Mars’ backward march. It remains to be seen if all things Brexit start to improve now. After all, in a mere six months Britain will depart the European Union with or without a deal.
On Thursday, the Sun enters the sign of Virgo giving me an opportunity to talk about this remarkable and often deeply misunderstood sign. Self-deprecating Virgos have a tendency to apologize for belonging to this sign and it is fascinating that many of my clients with Virgo rising insist that there is some doubt over their birth time because they are far more Libran. Well, there is some astronomical truth to this argument.
Virgo is the second-largest constellation and due to the effects of precession the first point of Libra now actually occurs within the borders of Virgo. But I say embrace the Virgin! This is a noble sign, resonating with the themes of service and selflessness. Virgos are some of the most intelligent, hard-working and witty people in the zodiac. And, let’s face it, someone has to tell us when we’re going wrong, why and what to do about it. We should never forget that Virgo contains the brightest star in the night sky – Spica – and if we take the time to seek out the constellation this star is a beautiful thing to behold.
Something of a metaphor for the sign itself. Look beyond the appearance of this unassuming sign and you’ll see its bright and lasting beauty.
It’s always a relief when Mercury gets back on a normal course, but what emerges in the aftermath in the way of missed messages can be an embarrassment at best and a real problem at worst. Then again, good news that was held back or misdirected could appear, and fears that something had turned pear-shaped may prove to be as wrong as wrong could be. Every astrological coin has two sides. Being born with a retrograde Mercury is not the life impediment that you might think. It doesn’t mean you are destined to be two steps behind everyone else and rarely able to make a decision without having to go back on it.
Not at all. People with a retrograde Mercury are neither slow nor stupid. And I speak as one myself. What do I do? I write, I communicate and I travel extensively. A retrograde Mercury can inspire an interest in history and a liking for research. People with retrograde Mercury like to connect the dots and look into the whys and wherefores behind situations. A retrograde Mercury is more reflective. Yes, there will be individuals born under a retrograde Mercury whose thinking functions are impaired or whose ability to move is limited, but the finger of blame cannot be pointed at this planet’s motion at the time of birth. You are born at a moment in time that reflects precisely who you are.
In the cosmic code will be your history and your potential in this life. That we are born with disabilities and must therefore struggle to fulfil our potential is not the fault of one planet heading in the wrong direction. So, all you retrograde Mercury’s out there. I salute you. We are part of a great team.
Saturday marks the end of a short season of eclipses, and since it is a solar eclipse that familiar theme of new beginnings is etched upon it. Since this is only a partial eclipse there is no place on earth that will experience day turning to night in a matter of minutes, but if you live in the following areas you will be able to see the sun with a slice taken out of it! Canada, Greenland, Scotland, Scandinavia (with the exception of Denmark) most of Russia and the most eastern parts of the Far East. Just because this is a partial eclipse does not mean its effect in astrological terms is muted.
Not at all. All Leos, but especially those celebrating birthdays on Friday and Saturday, can expect to be opening up a new chapter either immediately or in the near future.
And should this eclipse fall on a planet or point in your own chart, you can expect changes in one or more areas of life. Eclipses change the dynamics of situations, so either before the 11th or after that date a breakthrough may well occur. Nonetheless, eclipses are capricious things, and they can bring with them upsets and crises. Hang onto your hats!
The one plus about getting older is you have years of experience behind you. This does not prevent our being knocked off our perches when those out-of-the-blue developments happen but it does mean as a senior you can see a lot more ways to overcome a setback. And I am reminded of this week. Mars continues to be at odds with Uranus, so the astrological climate continues to be volatile.
Put Mercury’s retrograde passage into the mix and you have a recipe for accidents, upsets and U-turns. Clearly, there is nothing you can do about the weather or actions taken by official bodies, or indeed people who have mischief in mind, but it will pay us to be more observant about our surroundings and hold back from making a costly mistake in the heat of frustration. These same influences can, of course, synchronize with the best of surprises and breakthroughs - can being the operative word.
I would, however, recommend adopting one of my great philosophies in life: expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
July ends in a firework display, figuratively speaking. A total lunar eclipse conjunct Mars squaring Uranus, the revolutionary of the planets, is enough to light up our lives in the best of ways or generate some pretty incendiary situations. All full moons set the stage for an ending, but when they are eclipsed you get endings with knobs on.
I have spent some time in my newsletters discussing the possible effects of this series of eclipses on the Leo-Aquarius axis, and although there is always a wait-and-see element to an eclipse of any description, this particular axis has an exceedingly royal flavour. There are certainly changes going on in the corridors of Windsor Castle, and there will be other European monarchies in a state of flux, however, it may take until the early part of 2019 and the last eclipse in this series to discover quite what.
On Sunday, the Sun enters Leo, although if you live in Australia or the Far East it will arrive in this sign on Monday. This is why knowing your time of birth and where you were born is so crucial. Before 22hrs 01 BST (British Summer Time) you’ll be a Cancerian but at one minute past ten you’re a Leo! There is no such thing as being “born on the cusp”: you’re either one sign or the other. Of course, the waters can get a little muddied if you happen to have Venus and Mercury in the next-door-neighbour sign, or any other personal planets or points there, but given that the Sun is your power tool, astrologically speaking, the sign it is in has a huge bearing on who you are and how you carve out your life path. I often describe a sun-sign as a nationality: you belong to a certain nation and share many of the mores and manners of that nation with your fellow countrymen.
I mean, if you describe someone as “terribly British” or “typically French” we’d all get the picture. And so it is with your sun sign. You share many of the characteristics of that sign with millions upon millions of people, yet you are your own unique self. Cancer and Leo could not be more different: Cancer is a water sign, emotionally driven and emotionally complex, while Leo is a fire sign, a go-getter, a sign that wears its heart on its sleeve.
Five years ago, Prince George came into the world on the day the Sun moved from Cancer to Leo. At 16hrs 24 the Sun was in the final degree and the final minute of Cancer; roughly 30 minutes later and he’d have been born a Leo. And if you take an interest in the young prince’s development, you can already see that he is thoughtful, sensitive and a tad shy, qualities entirely reflective of his Cancerian Sun, although if you asked his parents what sign of the zodiac he is, they’d probably say, “Oh, he was born on the cusp…”
In your individual forecasts this week I have referred to the solar eclipse in Cancer, and I am already preparing for the emails that will arrive asking me why this eclipse is important when it is only a partial eclipse. Experience is all. Over the years I have tracked the impact of eclipses on world affairs and individual lives, and even if an eclipse is partial or annular it still packs a powerful punch. The solar eclipse of the 13th is given extra weight because it is at the opposite point in the zodiac from Pluto.
And a Sun/Moon-Pluto opposition inspires transformation or bust! Push has come to shove in no uncertain terms. The timeline of an eclipse is the one factor that is difficult to gauge, but events such as the continuing eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii – an eruption which is devastating the surrounding area and creating a new landscape (I would call that transformational) - is one such example. This solar eclipse squares Great Britain’s Ascendant-descendant axis, so it will be interesting to see if this stirs up any demands for a second referendum on Brexit or a power grab by members of the tory party.
Donald Trump’s Venus-Saturn conjunction is a but a degree away from this solar eclipse so he is another candidate for a transformational experience. Although, one would have to say, the new normal in the White House is transformational!
Many people are baffled by the need to have a time of birth when setting up a horoscope. Why is it so important? The time you were born sets the whole horoscope wheel in motion: the sign rising at birth designates the first of the twelve houses so now the Sun, Moon and the planets fall in specific areas which makes a difference to their interpretation. Plus, accurate positions of the planets can be ascertained and the angles between them properly identified. To give you some idea of how important a time of birth is, I was recently asked (via a Single Question) whether a relationship really “had legs” and that the man in question was true to his word.
Without a time of birth I was lost: the Moon changed from Gemini to Cancer during the course of the evening and only if the Moon was in Cancer forging connections to my client’s Moon, Venus and Jupiter was the otherwise stressful nature of the relationship relieved.
I urged my client to establish the time of birth for her lover, so that my belief the relationship would cause her heartache might be mitigated. Which indeed turned out to be the case. Her lover’s Moon was in Cancer making perfect and beautiful sense of the whole relationship. As with so many things in life timing is crucial.
You may remember a couple of weeks ago I talked about getting your ducks in a row because of a series of Saturn aspects was set to peak in the last week of June. Well, here we are in that very week, and, as you can see from your individual forecasts, it is a tough one, even if what happens serves an excellent purpose. The full moon is conjunct Saturn taking us back to the very start of the year when a similar set of influences was in place.
Cancer and the Moon have a lot to do with the past, so many of us will have that experience of the past coming back to haunt us. Although, on the positive side, our good karma may well come back to gift us now. There are realities to be faced in late June, both on the collective and individual front.
It may be that some of the forecasts, say for the economy, are overly gloomy, but far better we err on the side of caution and cut our coats according to our cloth. If we are to avoid greater problems further down the line, action needs to be taken now. This is not the time to believe everything will come right in the end. What is broken needs fixing.
The Sun enters the sign of Cancer at 11:08 am BST on Thursday, 21st June. It is the summer solstice, and here in Great Britain, celebrated with a Druid ceremony at Stonehenge. No matter how advanced a society we may be in terms of technology and science, that moment when the sun rises and a brilliant shaft of light forces its way through the stone arch is spine-chilling; it stirs something deep within your soul. In pagan times the Sun’s arrival at the highest point in the sky – or to be more technical, the sun, in its apparent journey along the ecliptic, reaches its northernmost point - was celebrated in style: bonfires would be lit, maypoles danced around - all such rituals aimed at inspiring and celebrating fertility.
And indeed, such rituals are still in place today, especially in Scandinavia where the warmth and light of the summer is so precious. Some of you will already know that I moved to Wells in Somerset in April, which is not a million miles from Stonehenge, and during the house-hunting in February and March and many, many times since then I have driven past this ancient site, which sits anachronistically by the side of a major artery, the A 303.
And it never fails to thrill me. We all have busy lives, but I recommend taking a moment out this week, to reflect on our ancient past and replenish out spiritual selves. It’ll feel good, I promise you.
It is summer here in the UK and the countryside is singing. The trees are clothed in rich greens, Cow’s Parsley nodding and waving by the roadside and the fields full of golden rapeseed. You know there’s a but coming, don’t you. Saturn. Mid-way through June and the first of a series of important Saturn aspects occurs. And Saturn has the effect of appearing on our horizons as a big black cloud blocking out the sun. Metaphors aside, with a little over a week to go before the summer solstice when the sun is at its highest point, reality is pressing in. As I have mentioned before on these pages, whenever I wake up grumpy – and I promise you, I’m not a grumpy sort of person – I turn to my ephemeris to see what Saturn is up to.
It’s always there in pride of place, whether it is directly on a planet or point in my own chart or forming a hard aspect in transit. The next thing I do is ask myself what I am avoiding, what I don’t want to do.
And sure enough that issue will pop up into my mind. Then, it’s simply a matter of dealing with it. That’s what Saturn demands. Do what must be done. In the last week of June there will be a full moon conjunct Saturn, which is by far the most important and challenging of the current wave of transits. So, if you do nothing else this week, bring that arduous task to the forefront, deal with that situation you’re avoiding. I assure you, as June goes out, you’ll be oh-so-glad you did.
That phrase: it’s complicated covers a multitude of sins. These days we use it when there are just so many aspects to a situation that to try to get to the bottom of it requires a huge amount of effort and articulation. Saying it’s complicated is an easy way to get out of dealing with something you’d rather not. The many diverse aspects in the current astro-scape do indeed make it complicated, but if I am pressed to explain what I mean by that I’d say: for some it’s going to be a week of achievement and celebration; for others, a catalogue of unexpected and possibly mysterious developments. While Venus and Pluto are at odds, so too are the Sun, Mercury and Neptune, which is why the nature of events runs the gamut from amazing to seriously aggravating.
Always with Neptune there is mystery and confusion, magic and mayhem, and always with Pluto there is passion and intensity. However, Neptune and Pluto are perfectly aligned, suggesting that out of struggle comes peace. We can look around the world and find evidence of this process at work, but, perhaps more importantly, it is also working in our individual lives: no matter how good everything may look on the outside, there is turmoil within.
As I write this Hello! I’m reminded of the opening words of M. Scott Peck’s seminal work The Road Less Travelled: life is difficult. Once we’ve got this under our belt all the great and good things that happen to us – and they do – are all the more appreciated for our pains.
I have just finished writing another book, Astrology in the Workplace, which will be out later this year. Like most writers, it is important to have feedback – obviously, only of the most positive kind – while you’re beavering away on your laptop.
Since this is a book based on sun signs I would hand out the relevant parts to people of a certain sign and those of their partners. You may be interested to know that time and time again I would have the response: “Well, that’s not really what I’m like, but you’ve got my husband spot on.
Have you been wiring us?” You see, it seems we really cannot see ourselves as others see us.
After last week’s Uranian hurricane we have a complete change of scene. Neptune and Jupiter are in charge, encouraging the peace process and certainly the ability to see the best in people and situations. On Monday, the Sun enters Gemini placing the emphasis on a whole new sector of your solar chart. And, of course, for Mercury’s people an entire year’s cycle begins on their birthday. Many people assume Gemini is a light and fluffy air sign, but it is far from that.
In myth Mercury aka Hermes ferried the souls of the dead to the underworld, Pluto’s realm. And there is an esoteric connection between the two planets, for Pluto is the upper octave of Mercury.
In consequence there is a dark underbelly to this sign. Something you may have figured out for yourselves if you’ve ever betrayed a Geminian or tried to get the better of one. These are some of the smartest people in the zodiac, which is why you find so many of them in politics, finance, journalism, psychology, intelligence and science.
There is only one thing to talk about this week: Uranus’ arrival in Taurus. Uranus has spent the last seven years turning Arians’ lives upside down, and it’s about to do the same for Team Taurus. Uranus is the rebel of the planets: its principle is revolution and change. And given Prince Harry and Meghan are holding their wedding this week that theme of the new and the different will be as present in the celebrations as in their lives as a couple. What makes Uranus’ entry into Taurus an even more powerful event is that Mars arrives in Aquarius at almost the same moment, forming a 90-degree angle of tension between the two planets.
Yes, this aspect breeds excitement and the extraordinary but there is also the potential for upset and controversy, even an element of danger and violence.
While Windsor Castle may be the setting for a fantastic firework display, fireworks of a whole other variety could be erupting in far off corners of the world. Uranus is leaving Aries and entering Taurus in a blaze of glory.
Finally! Jupiter gets to take part in the astrological conversation. This is one of two good news planets in the solar system – Venus is the other – which is why it is known as the Greater Benefic. Mid-week, the Sun will precisely oppose Jupiter, bringing a positive dynamism to events. Taken on its own, this is an aspect of great good fortune: it breeds generosity and success, joy and celebration.
And, if it is your birthday this week, this fortunate influence will preside over you during the coming year. Just whether you will be in line for Jupiter’s offerings depends on your individual natal chart, but if you are an early-to mid-October Scorpio, early February Aquarius or an early August Leo, something good is in the works. This fortunate opposition is a little too soon to bring its magic to the royal wedding, but then again, maybe Harry and Meghan have enough magic going for them already.
The week opens on a full moon, although if you are west of Greenwich you’ll be looking at that great globe in the sky on Sunday night. Either way full moons inspire closure. This full moon is in Scorpio, a sign that strikes fear into the hearts of many, most usually those who have nothing in this redoubtable water sign, so I thought I would take the opportunity to look at the immensely positive aspects of a Moon in Scorpio. Passion, commitment, endurance, resilience and resourcefulness are some of the attributes of a Scorpio Moon.
If you want something done, especially something that requires guts, go get someone with a Moon in Scorpio – he or she will do the unpleasant jobs other people would rather not – and they’ll do the job with grit and a good heart. They push themselves to extremes.
Moon in Scorpio people also have a great sense of irony and a wicked sense of humour, and their sexual magnetism is legendary!! Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Mila Kunis, Steven Spielberg, Eddie Murphy, Snoop Dog and Miles Davis are some of the names in the hall of fame with a Scorpio moon. And just in case you were wondering where your trust astrologer’s Moon is, yes, you guessed it – Scorpio.
I for one am going to be glad to see the back of April. It’s been one difficult alignment after another, and although excellent events have taken place, there has been considerable turmoil. This week sports a Mercury-Saturn square and a Mars-Pluto conjunction, so we’re not yet out of the woods, whether in terms of our individual circumstances or world events.
It’s going to be a tough week. Saturn now in retrograde is squaring Mercury for a second time this month, so it may help to look at events that occurred on or around April 5th to see whether or not they are impacting a current situation.
In September Saturn will turn direct and square Mercury for a third time (23rd) linking all three periods of time. And, as I often say with hard Saturn aspects: what goes around comes around. Acting with integrity and honesty has never been more important.
So what can you expect from a 🌑new moon in Aries conjunct Uranus? The unexpected and the inconvenient. And even Astrolutely isn’t immune to such a transit, which is why your forecasts did not appear as usual. I like to point a finger at Uranus when electronic glitches occur, but we learn from our mistakes and put in firewalls, so going forward it should be smooth sailing. In your individual forecasts this week you’ll notice there are indications of wake-up calls, turn-arounds and surprises, the reason being that very Sun-Moon-Uranus conjunction plus, both Saturn and Pluto turn retrograde.
You only have to look at the truly dreadful situation in Syria and the inability of western nations to act effectively for fear of making matters ten times worse, to understand why we individually may be facing events in our own lives that render us impotent. The planetary alignments aren’t causing any of this; they are reflecting the times we live in, and under such stars we have to look at the consequences of our actions before we leap in and try to fix the problem.
A question that often comes up is: do two people born at the same time on the same date in the same place share the exact same destiny? The answer is no. What they share are the tools with which to carve out their destiny. They are two totally different individuals with a different karma. Your unremembered past will have a part to play in how you respond to the events in your life and what you make of your challenges and your gifts.Twins, for instance, can be radically different in personality even though there may only be minutes between them at birth.
Each one will make conscious and unconscious choices throughout life, although in many instances they will encounter similar events at the same time. There are many case studies performed on twins separated at birth that reveal they marry at the same time, have children at the same time, experience difficulties and successes at the same time.
So, the timing of key events will match, as, indeed they will with unrelated individuals born at the same moment in time.We are all unique. We have free will. We may share sun signs, have matching horoscopes, but we do not experience life in the same way.
Saturn has been our constant companion for the past week, and will continue to dog our tracks for the rest of the next. I’m already prepared for my lesson in Saturnian stoicism – I’ll be packing up my home of twenty-five years, and placing all my belongings in storage until our new home becomes available. And those of you who’ve moved house will know what an incredibly challenging experience that is on both a physical and emotional level.
I read my own stars for the week ahead, which advised me there was “no need for tantrums”… So, tantrums aside, Saturn is awfully hard work, really unpleasant medicine, but O how good it is when we’ve done the right thing and measured up to this harsh taskmaster of the planetary team. Looking out on the world’s stage, events are sure to reflect the theme of serious business, and with Mercury still in retrograde, many of them will have their roots in the past or will have consequences we cannot imagine in the future.
Easter is a little early this year, due to the way the date for the festival is calculated. The Council of Nicaea (352 CE) established that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. And this year, that full moon falls on 31 March. It makes a certain sense that whatever the actual date of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we should celebrate it when the Sun is in Aries, given that His epithet is the Lamb of God.
Like most Christian festivals, Easter supplants a much earlier, pagan festival, on this occasion the arrival of spring. Lots of the fun things about Easter are culled from the festival of Eostre, the great northern goddess of love and fertility whose symbol was a rabbit or hare. (Now you know where the Easter Bunny hails from.) The egg was a symbol of fertility and life, hence the tradition of exchanging chocolate Easter eggs.
And even those hot-cross buns have their origins in distant times, when the cross represented the rebirth of the world after winter. I have to say that our stars are not in celebratory mood this Easter. Saturday’s full moon is squared by Saturn, and with Mercury in retrograde, at best we will be plunged into a world of nostalgia but at worst, frustrated in our efforts to get where we want to go. Happy Easter!
It’s that wonderful time of year when my heart sings: spring has officially arrived. After a long, long winter of discontent, I can hardly wait to smell the daffodils. (Actually, daffodils have no smell, but they look cheerful.) On 20th March at 16:17 GMT, the Sun enters Aries. It is the Vernal Equinox: day and night are of equal length; they will be equal south of the equator too, but this half of the world will be entering autumn with winter to follow.
As I never tire of explaining, astrology has a northern hemisphere bias due to astrology’s roots lying in ancient Sumer (Iraq) and Egypt and Greece. The whole zodiac kicks off with Aries and its go-getting, youthful and fearless nature. Even if you have no planets or points in this feisty fire sign, over the next 30 days new beginnings could and should be made.
Kate and William’s third child will be born with the Sun in Aries, so he or she will find a kindred spirit in Leo George but with Taurean Charlotte, not so much. The signs on either side of your Sun sign are totally different and not always compatible. So, let’s raise our glasses and give three cheers for Aries!
Beware the ides of March! This was the warning to Julius Caesar uttered by a soothsayer in Shakespeare’s play of the same name. Julius Caesar was indeed assassinated on that date. While the ides of March sounds rather mysterious, in Ancient Rome the ides merely indicated the middle of the month – the kalends being the 1st and the nones the 7th.
(Shakespeare knew how to up the dramatic effect of a situation by a clever turn of phrase.) The ides of each month were sacred to Jupiter, the Romans’ supreme deity, and on the 15th of March the high priest would lead the “Ides sheep” in procession along the Via Sacra to the Capitolene Hill where it would be sacrificed. These days we may prefer to have roast lamb on 15th March. In 2018 there are no astrological bells and whistles on the famous date, although it will still be under the shadow of a Venus-Saturn square, which can cast a rather grey gloom over life.
And with the Spring Statement due on the 13th, the economic outlook for Great Britain may not be as bright as we hope.
For as long as I can remember there has been been much discussion in astrological circles about retrograde planets – how this changes their influence – and consensus is hard to find. When Mercury turns retrograde we invariably see the effects immediately: people don’t return our calls, meetings are cancelled and breakdowns, not only of communications, seem to be a daily occurrence. Almost all astrologers agree on this one. This week mighty Jupiter turns retrograde, and until the 10th July will work its way back over old Scorpio ground.
Like all retrograde planets, there will be opportunities to rework plans and to reconsider decisions. And this is especially relevant for those of you born under the sign of Scorpio. Sometimes you have to go back before you can go forward! In mundane astrology Jupiter represents the judiciary, the church, academia, foreign relations, politics and the economy, so under this planet’s retrograde cycle we can expect an undermining of confidence and a backward step or two particularly in these areas.
Fears about the economy may grow, court judgements could be overturned and politicians who were sacked or fell from grace, could be returned to power or at least back in the headlines. Once Saturn also begins its retrograde passage (18th April) that undermining of confidence will be even more pronounced. This is not a cause to panic, more to observe signs and signals of disease in various institutions.
If your world like mine has fuzzy edges around it at the moment, blame Neptune. For the third week in a row, this divine yet deceptive planet is in high profile. On Friday, the full moon in Virgo is closely opposed to Neptune, so if your news feeds are full of reports about weird goings-on, don’t be surprised.
I would like to think that upon aspects like these consciousness is being raised, and that we will all be able to take a more elevated view of events, but more often than not we experience Neptune’s underbelly, which plunges us into a world that is chaotic and illusory. So, my advice to you for the week ahead is to treat rumours with a pinch of salt and get everything in writing.
And if you are in two minds about anything, hold that thought!
Will we ever get out of Neptune country? This week both Mercury and Venus hook up to this most mystical and muddly of planets, so periodic reality checks are mandatory for us all. Years ago, a client came to see me complaining that she had reached at a crossroads but had no idea which way to go. She was a math professor but keen to develop her mediumship skills.
(Quite the dilemma.) While I was explaining the action of Neptune on her Sun and Mid-heaven, which tends to inspire crises of indecision, her eyes lit up and she told me a dream she had had that night. She was driving through a forest; it was foggy and dark. She put on the headlights, but it didn’t seem to help. So, she got out of her car, lifted the bonnet, and to her surprise found the headlights were shining into the car’s interior. And, of course, the message was there.
Her questions could only be answered by going deep inside herself. Whatever the week brings in the world “out there” in terms of chaos and confusion and true romance, a little time spent in contemplation and reflection can only help.
Two weeks ago we experienced a total lunar eclipse in Leo and on the 15th there will be a solar eclipse in Aquarius: they form part of the same series that began in August 2016 and will finish in January, 2019. Thursday’s is a partial eclipse, so it will appear as if a scoop has been taken from the sun, and it will only be visible in southern parts of the globe – Antarctica and the south of South America.
This may be only a partial eclipse suggesting it is only of minor importance, but in my book all eclipses are game changers.It probably hasn’t escaped notice for many of you that it is Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, and with that solar eclipse taking place a matter of hours later there could be some huge romantic developments for some members of the zodiac, especially if the eclipse falls anywhere in your natal chart.
New beginnings with knobs on!
One of the questions that frequently pops up in my mail-bag and at my talks is why astrologers differ in their opinions on a certain alignment or a particular horoscope. If astrology is a science, shouldn’t there be only one accepted interpretation? This is a multi-tiered question. The movements of the planets in our solar system are a matter of scientific fact, and a horoscope is erected using precise calculations. But interpreting what they mean is where astrologers depart from astronomers, and astrology becomes an art, not a science.
And in the same way that artists painting the exact same subject will emerge with entirely contrasting interpretations of that subject so too do astrologers see things rather differently. Some astrologers will place greater importance on one astrological feature; some astrologers incorporate asteroids and Arabian parts; there are astrologers who use the sidereal system (based on the constellations) and those who use the tropical system (based on the seasons).
And then there are the different house systems and the various schools of astrology. And, of course, there are the vast list of effects of any one astrological factor. As I mentioned recently on my home page, one man’s Pluto-Uranus devastation is another man’s breakthrough. One thing I can say categorically is that working with astrology on a daily basis for over thirty years, experience is the greatest teacher; no text book, no video, no tutor is a substitute for direct experience.
We have a real treat in store on the 31st – a total lunar eclipse. And this is a special one because it will be a super moon, and therefore larger and more impressive to view. The moon in the night sky will be entirely absorbed by the Earth’s umbral shadow, and you’ll need to be on the night side of the Earth to see it. The eclipse begins at 23:48 UT (30th) and peaks at around 01:28 UT on the 31st. Astrologically speaking this is the fifth eclipse on the Leo-Aquarius axis since the cycle began in August, 2016.
I have spent time in my newsletters talking about this cycle and relating it to major events in royal circles. We are a few months away from Harry and Meghan’s wedding in mid-May, which is certainly one part of the picture, but I expect there will be other developments that will reflect this hugely significant eclipse. You don’t have to be a Leo or an Aquarian for this eclipse to have an impact on your life, and if you’ve been in something of a rut for rather too long, expect to be ejected any day soon!
We’re back in the realm of Pluto and Uranus this week, courtesy of planet Mercury. And whenever these two outer planets get a look in we need to be prepared to dig deep and rid ourselves of stuff we simply don’t need. I would recommend a spring clean – and this you can do for real by eliminating the dust and debris and accumulated rubbish in your homes, the work place or wherever appropriate.
By performing a physical heave-ho the mind gets to work on eliminating a whole lot of other clutter. Still, January has been a rough month for a lot of us, and although we may have gained more than we lost – certainly in terms of experience – we’re probably looking forward to a better February.
And the prospects are quite bright. Onward and upward, people!
The astrological mood changes as both the Sun and Venus move into the sign of Aquarius. Not only is a change of sign a portent of the new and the different but also Wednesday’s new moon. Aquarius is known as the Water Bearer, which is confusing since it is not a water sign but an air sign. And air is all about ideas and possibilities; the theory of things as opposed to their practical application.
What also adds to the confusion is that Aquarius is a Fixed sign, and therefore attached to its opinions and somewhat difficult to budge. Plus, it is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus: the former being the reactionary of the solar system and the latter the revolutionary. This may explain why Aquarians are some of the most fascinating yet quirky people in the zodiac. As the Sun and Venus wend their way through Aquarius we all have an opportunity to explore the properties of this sign, so if you find yourself reaching for the science channel or buddying up with people from all walks of life and exploring new worlds, you’ll know you’ve been bitten by the Aquarian bug.
Well, it had to happen. Uranus and Pluto have been keeping a low profile for a few weeks and now they’re back to remind us that nothing stays the same forever. Yes, this is a tough old week, but when the going gets tough that’s when we deliver of our best. At least in my book. Just recently I’ve been seeing clients who are working through one of the most difficult passages of their lives.
Now, this may not reflect the general trend because people tend to reach out to me when they have problems, not when life is singing along, but under this astrological canopy any pressures are likely to become even greater. And this is a trend we are likely to observe in global terms as well as our personal lives.In order not to become overwhelmed by the extent of any difficulties, it is essential to take one problem at a time – the most pressing one.
That way we work steadily through the forest, and eventually we come out the other side. As always with challenging influences there are upsides, and should you need to get rid of an obstacle in the way of your hopes and dreams, you have the equivalent of ten tons of TNT.
At last! A bit of joy on the astrological horizon. Mars and Jupiter come together? to remind us that whatever the state of the nation, whatever the upsets, the difficulties and the dire straits we find ourselves in, the human spirit is inextinguishable. The opening to the New Year has much to recommend it.
Even the full moon in Cancer, which can bring simmering situations to boiling point, has a part to play in marking the end of one year and the beginning of another. And with Uranus turning direct on Tuesday, a fresh start is well and truly writ in our stars. In your forecasts for the year ahead I have emphasized the importance of mind over matter.
How we see a situation is pivotal as to how it works out; change our perception and we change outcomes. And, given these influences at the start of 2018, we have the perfect opportunity to test out this hypothesis.
Happy New Year to you all!
If you’ve ever done any gardening you’ll know it’s pointless pulling out a weed without its roots – it will simply grow back again. And this is something of a metaphor for life at the moment. A problem or issue requires dealing with at its very core. No frills. No maybes. No next weeks. People will respect you for taking a tough line, and even if your actions cause you some discomfort you will respect yourself.
There is always a point at which you say, enough is enough, and this could well be that point. Mercury-Pluto aspects can be very therapeutic: they get rid of unnecessary baggage and clear a path forward.
During each year that Saturn is transiting your sign there will be four points at which a reckoning of some description will be due. The last occurred in late June and the next this week. And you may find that the events of late June will be relevant to those of the end of September. As always with Saturn there are no soft edges to developments: things are black and white, real and solid.
You get to see what works and what doesn’t; who is for you and who is against. And armed with that knowledge you can move forward. There is no reason why this cannot be a successful period of 2018, but it is more likely you will see where you have gone wrong and what needs to be fixed or abandoned.
Saturn’s transit of your sign during the next couple of years will bring many successes but also the occasional setback, and for many Capricorns both are on offer in late September. You’re going to discover whether a relationship has what it takes to last the years or if a personal or professional situation is workable.
It is time for change and for arriving at conclusions. You won’t be able to predict certain people’s behaviour now or the outcome of meetings and discussions, so although you need to be armed with facts and figures, you’ll also need to be able to perform a U-turn or some other radical move on the hoof.
Mars exits your sign taking off some of the pressure, although to a certain extent it is you yourself who has been pushing the pace. Now you can relax a little and see where all your efforts have taken you. There is a strong astrological focus on people, places and projects at a distance, whether this translates literally as travel and things of an international nature or in terms of time: you are busy creating plans for the future.
While it is important to know your limits it is just as important to set the bar high: that way you can exceed your own expectations. You may not have a firm platform just yet, but if you have a vision, let that be your lodestar.
Raise the flag! On Thursday, ruler, Saturn turns direct and with the arrival of Mercury in fellow earth sign, Virgo, an angle of harmony is presiding over your life. Make the most of this configuration by making a move intended to broaden your life horizons. This advice could be taken literally in that you travel to a distant location, or at least somewhere previously unknown to you, or it may be that you are poised to expand your knowledge, experience or skills.
Even the sensible, rational, practical Goat has dreams, and you are being urged to follow them at this time. All right, maybe you haven’t got all your ducks in a row, but far better you leave port for dream harbour when you have these fair trade winds behind you.
Acquiring distance and perspective is your task for the week ahead. This you can do by physically journeying to a distant place or, more important, by seeing one or more situations in their wider context. It is tempting to keep on working in the same way on a project or to deal with a difficulty in the fashion you have resolved problems in the past, but you are missing a vital aspect of a situation which will make a positive difference to the outcome.
Take a break, walk away from an ongoing dialogue, stop endlessly churning the matter around in your head and wait for that epiphany. The solution has been hiding in plain sight.
Saturn’s journey through your sign is still in its early stages so as yet you may not have reaped your rewards. But efforts put in, good karma put out, and sure enough, that day will come. And it may well be today, or to be precise, some time this week. There could be a positive development linked to a long-term project or good news about an overseas situation, and if you’re travelling far or talking business to people at a distance, you have the force behind you.
And even if you reach the end of the week with nothing to celebrate, steps you have taken should take you where you want to go. One last word: if someone is determined on a certain action, don’t fight him or her. Give someone enough rope…
Mars slips back into your sign for a couple of weeks, so if you suddenly start to feel antsy and a tad impatient, you’ll know why. Mars, is retrograde at the moment, so there is some advantage in going back over old ground, whether for personal or professional reasons. Perhaps a negotiation was incomplete or maybe you sense there is a little more life in a situation you abandoned.
If so, this would be a good moment to resurrect it. Mercury returns to normal speed over the weekend, but as far as travel and communications go it may take a little longer for the going to become exactly smooth sailing.
Venus reaches the Mid-heaven of your solar chart beginning a month-long period when getting ahead is at a premium. Certainly, throughout August you should put out feelers in regard to your career and mainstream ambitions. And for some Capricorns a job or promotion will come out of your August stars. This week Venus angles Saturn in your sign, and while this may produce a contract or a solid promise, for some there could be less than positive developments.
There is not a lot you can do when fate has taken its course, but once the dust has settled you will be able to see you have options. You may even have cause to say: it was all for the best.
The words gambling and Capricorn rarely appear in the same sentence. The celestial Goat wants guarantees and facts and figures before taking any kind of leap of faith. However, all successful people have taken risks in order to get to the top, and maybe this is the moment to make an investment in your future happiness.
Only you can judge whether a risk is worthwhile, but if you’ve considered the odds and you’re tired of the same-old-same-old, follow your instincts. By contrast, the astrological climate is a tad volatile, and what might normally have been a spirited discussion could turn into a serious argy-bargy.
Since August 2016 there have been a series of eclipses on the financial axis of your solar chart, which in some cases has meant unexpected gains and in others unanticipated losses. So, with yet another eclipse to come on Friday, now is the time to get all your financial ducks in a row, whether you are about to make a huge investment or put in buffers against a potential cash-flow crisis.
The Capricorn Goat is a sensible creature, so whatever comes or goes – and in whatever department of life – maintain your balance. Mercury turns retrograde on Thursday and by late August what is currently in a state of uncertainty could be resolved very nicely.
The Capricorn Goat is a hard-working creature, but that doesn’t mean you cannot take a break or indulge in pleasurable activities. And in this astro-scape you should be taking advantage of the fun things in life. All right, maybe there are demands on your time and finances, but you’ll be surprised how much easier all those pressures seem when you’ve relaxed and found your funny bone.
Then again, the astrological climate is perfect for mixing business with pleasure, and for some Capricorns an idea hatched in a distant place with friends and/or family could turn into a profitable venture.
A solar eclipse in the area of relationships signals a change in the status quo of a working or romantic partnership. It could be time to formalize an association, whether by marriage or some other kind of contract, or an event external to the relationship could inspire changes within it. All change is good, as they say, even if at the time it doesn’t feel that way.
Pluto’s slow process of transformation is affecting many Capricorns, particularly those born in mid-January, so this is just another point when events, either of your making or beyond your control, adjust your life trajectory. It should be a week of powerful epiphanies.
You are a strong sign, one capable of relying solely on yourself, however, occasionally other people’s opinions and support can be of great benefit. Take the time to talk through a situation with someone who is unbiased, and you may find you have a solution to a matter that has been bothering you for a while. Given the solar eclipse coming up and the Sun-Pluto opposition, getting your ducks in a row is imperative.
It may be that a welcome breakthrough is on its way or a long-planned event intended to change your life is poised to take place, but such astrological factors tend to portend out of the blue scenarios, sometimes wonderful, at other times, not so much.
In early January a full moon took place on the axis of relationships: half way through 2018 and we have a repeat performance, only in reverse – this time instead of the Sun in your sign it is the Moon. Aside from another key moment in the unfolding story of a relationship, this full moon offers you an opportunity to experience closure.
This you can do by finally accepting a relationship is over or putting the seal on a love affair, say by marriage or engagement. Saturn is also part of the equation, which may cause a dip in the happiness barometer, but you’re a natural when it comes to taking the rough with the smooth.
Back in January Mercury hooked up to Pluto in your sign inspiring you to make an important decision – certainly events in January had the capacity to open your eyes to both the reality of and the possibilities within events. Now Mercury opposes Pluto either revealing the result of any actions you took then or enabling you to revisit a situation.
Mid-July is going to supply yet another moment of truth, so if the writing is on the wall don’t leave it any longer before making your move. This is not a “bad” astro-scape, but it is powerful. What is not advised is papering over the cracks and hoping against hope that something will come right in the end. The situation needs surgery!
No one would describe a Mercury-Saturn opposition as fun on sticks, but it does have purpose. And since this opposition is taking place on the relationship axis, that purpose may be to do with a love and/or a relationship. On the one hand, making a formal agreement such as marriage is right up Saturn’s street, as would the signing of any kind of long-term contract, but the joyless nature of this aspect can also throw a blanket over what was once a relationship full of fiery passion.
Don’t drape the crepe just yet, Capricorn: as I often say, relationships have seasons and winter always gives way to spring. A thought that could well apply to other situations that are currently causing angst.
Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the kitchen along comes Pluto to awaken you to a new reality. There is nothing to say this new reality won’t be absolutely fabulous, but you know this “planet” well by now and it’s always best to prepare for the unexpected and the inconvenient.
The plus factor about this week’s stars is that Venus is involved and something good always happens on this planet’s watch. You may have to wait to discover your nugget of gold, but for most Capricorns it will become evident as the week goes by that something has indeed changed for the better.
Venus is roughly half-way through her transit of the relationship zone and she is forging beautiful links to both Jupiter and Neptune. This configuration will bless any important development taking place now, and, of course, if you want to set something in motion, what are you waiting for? It is also time for some Capricorns to put the past behind them in the sense of mourning a past relationship or nurturing grievances about someone who has hurt you.
Don’t allow the past to prevent you from finding happiness and success in new directions and with different people.
Venus is currently at the opposite point in the zodiac from Saturn, which may explain why you are feeling less than positive about life in general and a relationship in particular. However, once past the weekend, things should start to look a lot brighter. Then again, this same influence is very useful should you want to formalize a working or romantic relationship.
Sometimes we feel grumpy for no reason at all, but I suspect if you make an effort to locate the reason you’ll find it. Turn this Saturn aspect into a strength by meeting that difficulty and dealing with a situation you’d rather avoid. Bring that “monster” into the light.
Uranus and good fortune do not always go hand in hand, but this quirky planet now enters an area of your solar chart where it can do you many favours. Over the next few years you could develop your entrepreneurial talents, stand in the spotlight or release a hitherto unseen side of yourself; you will be better able to ride over the rough patches of life and more open to going with the flow.
In a nutshell, you will feel liberated. When this process of release occurs it will be sudden and unexpected, although it may take time to reach that point, but if you are a Christmas Cappy the key to your prison cell is within arms’ reach.
You may already have reason to thank Pluto for eliminating a situation that was draining you financially and/or emotionally, but if you have been struggling for a while, you could be on the verge of a breakthrough. A challenging meeting can go in your favour and a negative can be turned into a positive.
Even if you experience a rejection or an endeavour cannot go forward as planned, there is room for negotiation. Do not let your true feelings show, but produce counter proposals and remain confident. While the week as whole is volatile, Sunday packs the most powerful punch.
Pluto is a prominent figure on your astrological landscape at the moment, which may explain why you’re having to dig deep for answers or feeling somewhat overwhelmed by circumstances. You are a patient, sensible individual and now is not the time to lose your sense of proportion: what is currently in a state of flux will settle down, and when it does the situation will be in a very different shape.
By contrast, some Capricorns are experiencing great success and seeing their lives transformed in welcome ways. That’s the thing about Pluto, sometimes you’re plunged into the deeps and at others transported to the stars.
Mars has its pluses when it moves through your sign: it gives you courage, energy and drive; it also inspires arguments and upsets. Now Mars hooks up to Pluto bringing a situation to a tipping point. This combination will enable you to eliminate items and practices that have outlived their usefulness and provide a launchpad for new projects and associations, so its purpose is entirely to your benefit.
However, it may not seem so at the time. What is meant to be will be, and accepting events rather than resisting them will make the whole business of transformation easier.
On the 18th ruler, Saturn, heads into retrograde motion and will go over old ground for the next four or so months, so watch with interest what happens at this time. There may be no dramatic event, perhaps not even a ripple on your smooth pond of life, but if you sense a situation is turning in another direction, keep monitoring it.
This would be an excellent moment for a re-think. Maybe you made a decision under duress and have now had the time to see alternatives – and this could be behind someone else’s change of heart. Pluto in your sign also turns retrograde adding to the overall theme of reflection and retreat.
Sun-Pluto aspects provide opportunities for you to clear the decks and start over, whether you do so in a small, practical way or you undergo a major purge. Only you will know what is necessary at this point in the year, but with Mercury also turning direct, information reaching you could inspire you to take a course of action that is long overdue.
There is plenty to recommend this astro-scape, especially if you are ready to make a radical move: what you don’t want to do is ignore any red flags in the belief that the situation will change in a positive way without your intervention.
Last week, if you remember, I made a connection between this period of the year and last Christmas/New Year, and this trend continues this week. With Mercury in retrograde you can rethink former decisions and go back to people and situations with a view to their helping any current dilemma. It is possible you are working hard to complete a project or bureaucracy is tying you up in knots, but whatever the delays and the inconveniences, they will not last forever.
You are the zodiac’s rock. Now is not the time to crumble but to remain in place until the wind has changed, Which it surely will.
At Christmas last year, the Sun angled Saturn in your sign; now it forges a 90-degree aspect, not only taking you back to that time and the events that occurred then but also giving you an opportunity to re-strategize. Some Capricorns will be ending a phase of their lives and a new chapter will be opening while others will feel compelled to make long-awaited changes.
Easter, of course, is a time when families gather together and other celebrations take place, and while there is plenty of joy in this astro-scape, there is also a hint of melancholy. Tears of happiness, hopefully, but whatever the reason for strong emotions, once they are over it’s back to business.
These next couple of weeks contain some of the most significant alignments of the year, so even if life seems pretty flat as you read your forecast, this may change. Perhaps, however, you are already aware that a situation is at make-or-break point: if so, use those remarkable powers of strategy you have, and start making a plan B.
Even if you don’t need it you will have acquired knowledge which can be put to good use in time to come. On Friday the combination of retrograde Mercury and a powerful link between Venus and Pluto could prove dynamite, whether you experience a welcome release or face the prospect of a major rethink.
Venus is currently moving through the area of home and family, which may explain why you’re looking at your four-square walls and wondering whether a paint job might improve matters. (When Venus meets Saturn you tend to focus on flaws and failings.) The point is, however, that while brightening up your surroundings will make a difference, the reason you are feeling less than happy with where you are, almost certainly has nothing to do with fading wall-paper.
Focus on what is really not right and by the end of the month you should have been able to turn difficulties into dynamic action.
Put on your thinking cap and prepare to talk the talk. Saturn will be in pride of place during the next ten days, which, on the plus side, will enable you to set a plan in motion and/or see a situation done and dusted. On the down side, an obstacle to your progress could appear, causing you to doubt the future of an enterprise or an association.
Certainly, this is not the time to ignore a distress signal of any sort, nor to put off an undesired action or discussion in the hopes that it won’t be necessary. What is not sorted now will be twice as difficult to resolve by the end of the month.
The Capricorn Goat likes to be on solid ground but in order to chart a successful course this week find yourself a wet suit and prepare to wade in at the deep end. Your compass, usually set for reality, will be completely off, and you’re going to have to rely on your senses and your intuition to get places. In some instances this is going to prove quite literal: your journey will necessitate a detour, but for most it is a metaphor for the events you encounter.
Trust that gut of yours and if you see a red or green light, don’t spend time questioning it: act on the understanding that you are being guided. In time you will find everything worked for the best.
As one of the most pragmatic signs of the zodiac, allowing your inner muse to prevail could prove more than helpful this week. You can be exceptionally perceptive when you override your natural inclination for facts and figures. Your ideas should be well-received and people sympathetic to your cause.
Indeed, should you have made little progress on a matter and become discouraged, now is the time to reboot your efforts. As always, when the cosmos is behind you, you’ll get somewhere! Romance is in the mix too, in a few cases because someone you believed had little interest in you now makes a move.
Finances could benefit from Thursday’s solar eclipse. This eclipse begins a new cycle for money and self-worth – the latter having more to do with the value you place on yourself. For some Capricorns mid-to-late February helps you increase your income and add to your bank balance; for others this same period provides proof that you are loved and appreciated.
Then again, sometimes eclipses can pull the rug out from beneath our feet; even so, the purpose behind any unexpected dilemma is to divert you from a course that would in the end be wrong for you. Some things we can change; some things we can’t. It’s up to you to decide which is appropriate now.
Just because the planets are in harmony does not always mean all wrongs are turned to rights, but it helps. A situation that has been bothering you could show signs of improvement and someone who has been a little remote could be in touch. You could just wait and see how accurate this prediction turns out to be or you might do the sensible thing and strike while the iron is hot.
In other words, there is almost certainly something you could do to encourage change in a situation of concern. Courage breeds success, and even if you don’t get the desired result immediately you will have risen in certain people’s estimation.
There could be a large sum of money going out or coming in. Hopefully, it is the latter and you’ll be feeling rich or at least rich in spirit as February kicks off. Wednesday’s total lunar eclipse highlights the financial axis of your solar chart, making late-January-early-to-mid-February a key period for money matters. It’s not always easy to follow the law of prosperity – give and you’ll get back; feel rich and you’ll be rich – especially when you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel, but eclipses always change the status-quo and this therefore is a positive astral event, even if you must wait a few more weeks to see its promise fulfilled.
Mercury’s transit of your sign helps you form plans and communicate your ideas; it also encourages you to travel and reach out to people - activities which may have dominated much of January. However, Mercury now hooks up to Pluto and Uranus making the going a lot more unpredictable. It could be the weather; it could be developments in other people’s lives or it could be an unexpected dilemma at your end, but finding an instant solution may not be possible.
Pluto and Uranus change the status quo and in the process often reveal something about which you had no knowledge. This could be a welcome revelation or quite the reverse, but you cannot rewind the tape. A new path must be forged.
If the past two weeks have given you much to think about, here come some influences that will set recent events in a positive light and enable you to make a fresh start. A new moon in Capricorn, up close and personal to Venus, puts you in a loving light and opens up a new pathway. Add to this a brilliant connection between Pluto in your sign and magnificent Jupiter and those things you set in motion should take you far.
You tend to take a while to reach a decision – you like your ducks in a row – but once again I am urging you to go with what you’ve got, even if some of those ducks are still in the weeds.
Well, it had to happen. Back to reality with a bump. Uranus, Saturn and Pluto have gathered together to remind you that nothing in life is free: all things come with a cost. For some Capricorns this is indeed a week of financial realities, for others it is getting back into the real world after the Christmas bonanza and not enjoying the experience.
And for a few celestial Goats developments during the course of this week will not please at all. You might choose these influences to support a difficult decision that needs to be made or they could provide the fuel to begin a challenging process. Fun this week is not, but it is full of purpose.
You are getting a full blast of Saturnian reality, probably in a good way. Saturn has been in your sign for a mere nine days but Tuesday’s full moon in opposition to this mighty planet will bring out its potential to set your life on a solid footing.
This is an excellent time to make short and long-term plans and to discuss your hopes and dreams with those you love. On the other hand, it is an equally good time to end commitments and activities that are draining your resources and patently not taking you where you wish to go. Reality does not have to be a painful thing but a spur to your success and happiness.
Make those New Year’s resolutions a reality.
October opens on a powerful note. Information reaching you could change your view on an individual or a situation, and for some Geminis a plan may have to be abandoned or taken right back to the drawing board and reworked. This could be no bad thing, however, because what you will end up with will be far, far better. Certainly, this looks to be a week of stops and starts and one where your patience could be sorely tried.
By contrast, if you’re ready to put your whole weight behind something, these stars will give you all the rocket power you need, although you will need to make sure that everything at core level is what it should be.
Get your practical hat on and expect to be the voice of reason. People are likely to prove hard work and trying to jolly them along may only make things worse. Do your best. Don’t fuss. And keep reminding yourself that next week will be a whole other story. On the plus side, you may be able to get signatures on paper and put a long-drawn out situation to bed.
It is Saturn holding sway this week, and although this planet is at its best presiding over endeavours that require focus, precision, facts and figures, it does tend to bring the temperature down to a little above freezing point. Put another way, you get a chance to see what love in a cold climate is like.
There is a stop-go quality to this week’s influences. On the one hand, Uranus is inspiring ground-breaking actions but on the other Saturn is urging restraint. It’s akin to driving with the hand brake on and the accelerator pressed down hard. There’s a lot of noise but you don’t get very far! You will have to check the authenticity of offers and statements before you put your signature to them, yet making too much of a song and dance about the details could kill a deal.
Likewise, allowing past disappointments to hold you back could be to deny yourself happiness and success, whether with a business opportunity or a romance. If it feels right, go for it.
Suspend disbelief and let your imagination soar. Neptune and Uranus could take you on a wild ride, whether in terms of what comes out of left field or because you knowingly head into new and untrammelled territory. On the other hand, you should also be aware that you may not be seeing the whole picture: someone could be painting an overflattering portrait of a situation or even deliberately omitting facts and figures.
And if you’re tempted to sever a connection or bring a sudden end to an arrangement, think twice before you do so. Not only could there be unforeseen consequences but you yourself may wish to change your mind in the future.
It’s complicated. This is no time to judge a situation by its appearance. You need unbiased advice and a string of facts and figures to back up anything important to your personal and professional future. Over the next few weeks information may well come to light that could make a big difference to how things look today.
Finances are in the frame, and should you be waiting for confirmation on a business deal or a loan, you won’t have much longer to wait. A decision has almost certainly been made: it’s just going to take a little longer to reach you. Choose the weekend for a romantic idyll but not for a no holds barred discussion.
Communication is always your strongest suit but August has been a funny month. Not perhaps ha-ha funny but peculiar funny, and instead of your usual ability to talk people into and out of situations, circumstances have had the upper hand. And even if August’s events have mostly gone your way, it is always good to know when you should put your ideas out there.
And this is just such a week. Especially where work is concerned, being in touch with people who could ease or speed your passage is recommended, and putting together a business plan or some other kind of proposal could prove timely.
There are three full moons each year that hold more significance than the rest, and Sunday’s is one of them. Flanking the life direction axis and connecting to both Uranus and Saturn, it may well have the effect of ending a period of anxiety and doubt and opening up a new path. If you are moving home or considering such a change in the future, this full moon could make that hope a reality.
And a similar theme could apply to your career and standing in the world. In most circumstances these influences will be welcome and enjoyable, but with Pluto also in the mix some Geminis could feel they have lost more than they have gained. Give it time.
Thankfully, Mercury gets back on track over the weekend so this season of delays and detours, whether with travel or communications, is all but at an end. However, it will still behove you to carry out the usual precautions – continuing to check that everyone is on the same page with arrangements in hand and leaving plenty of time for journeys.
On other point to remember is that once Mercury is heading in the right direction, information that has been held back or missed its mark is likely to surface. So, don’t assume because you haven’t heard from certain people that everything is as it should be.
Are you on the move or going around in ever decreasing circles? With more than one planet currently on a retrograde journey you could be experiencing an unnecessary amount of delays and no-shows. If you cannot get through to someone or you have not received an item you were hoping for, aside from performing the usual checks, the better course of action may be to leave it alone.
As long as you have done the right thing and providing you have proof of your actions, trying to get other people to play their part is a waste of time. Save yourself the stress and enjoy a little downtime. All good things come together in time.
Should you be travelling don’t be surprised if you’re going by the pretty route. Not only is travel chief, Mercury on a go-slow but Uranus is centre stage creating potholes and necessitating three-point turns. Technology is particularly vulnerable in such an astro-scape, so if you rely on gadgets, gismos and the internet to aid your course, please have a back-up plan.
And much the same could be said for meetings and discussions. Things are likely to get very heated and differences of opinion can soon turn into major upsets. Is there an upside? Well, if you’re looking for excitement and enjoy being challenged, you’re going to be in your element.
On Thursday, Mercury, your ruling planet, swings into retrograde, slowing down the wheels of commerce and grid-locking the information highway. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but by mid-week you need to get all your messages sent and whatever ducks you require in a row. Until late August, certain people will be off the radar and getting from A to B a little more complicated.
Add to this a total lunar eclipse (Friday) and you have a recipe for melt-downs of one sort or another. Of course, these influences do have their upside, and some Geminis are going to be having the time of their lives. This is a week with a difference.
Not everything is quite as it seems. Now, where have you heard that before? Almost always when Neptune is a key player. Which is the case at the moment. Avoid having too many plates spinning. Not only is it hard to keep your eye on all of them but a) you could miss something that would make a positive difference to your existence or b) you run the risk of slipping on a banana skin.
Focus on priorities, and unless something is written in black and white do not buy into it. By contrast, if you’re ready for some serious romance, indulge, Gemini, indulge.
A solar eclipse in the zone of self-worth has two most likely outcomes: either you’ll be on the receiving end of a super bonus or the rug will be pulled out from beneath you. Then again, you could be making a large purchase intended to add to your financial portfolio or paying for an expense you had not bargained for. Money and self-worth are interlinked: when our self-esteem is high other people respond in kind, and when confidence is low, we seem to get few breaks and not enough appreciation – financial and otherwise.
This is not the time to take up arms against those who may have underestimated you, but to go back to your desk and figure out how to turn an obstacle into an opportunity.
Divine inspiration is a wonderful thing, so if you have a sudden inclination to make a certain move, obey it. Technically, the areas of career and finance are in the frame here, so any hunches regarding work and money could prove particularly potent. Clearly, this would not be the time to invest every penny you have in a speculative venture but faith-backed action could inspire extremely positive results.
Taking a chance on love is another theme for the week, especially if the use of the written word is involved. Maybe penning a poem is a little too much work, but a sweet little message from the heart could be all it takes to move a relationship forward.
The cosmos is out of sorts, so for once you can blame any less than welcome events on your stars. However, it’s not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens. With this in mind, if something you were looking forward to is cancelled or someone pours cold water on your hopes, remind yourself that there’s always tomorrow, and what currently looks very grey could soon look nice and pink.
Especially where finances or your good name are concerned, before you defend yourself or argue your case, make sure you have not unintentionally made an error. And if you find you have, fall on your sword and do what you can to right the wrong.
Neptune has a part to play in the astrological narrative. Inspiration could be flowing, love could be in abundance and your sympathy easily won by a hard-luck story. Then again, confusion could reign and people may let you down. With this in mind, make sure you know the facts before you set off on a wild goose chase.
There is also a chance that a previously solid project develops a flaw or that someone who was once an enthusiastic partner or backer, appears to have gone cold. This may not be the end of the story; nonetheless, you should make sure you are protected.
What could be nicer than a new moon in your sign? One accompanied by a Venus-Uranus aspect, that’s what. Talk about a fresh start, and possibly one that comes completely out of the blue. One size does not fit all, of course, and for a few Geminis this week of promise will instead produce an event that knocks you back a pace.
However, sometimes we need that kick start from the universe because unknowingly we were headed in completely the wrong direction, and what we thought was gold is in reality tin. The weekend’s events may well give rise to a serious discussion, but one that sets a situation in stone.
On a good day, Neptune inspires beautiful things, but on a bad day confusion reigns. Normally, you are the most logical of signs, able to leave emotion out of the equation and reach good decisions. But that skill could desert you this week. It could be that the voice of your hopes or fears is drowning out the reality or it may be that other people are spinning yarns and tying you up in knots.
But for a few Geminis this astro-scape is about love. If you have been thinking of leaving a relationship for another, push may have come to shove. You can only go with your heart.
Tuesday’s full moon cuts across the relationship axis helping you reach a conclusion. Now, this can imply you are ready to bring a matter to a close, but it can also mean you are able to make a decision. Whether for business, romance, pleasure or future plans, this is the right time to set things in stone.
With Venus in perfect harmony with Neptune and Jupiter, there is both a protective and loving influence surrounding your affairs. Whether you are already happy about a situation or quite the reverse, something positive will come out of it.
On Monday, the Sun enters Gemini bringing the sunshine back into life, or at least taking you out of the woods of the twelfth house where you may have felt a little left out of the loop and not quite your wonderful self. Some figure work is required this week, whether you need to establish your overall financial position or negotiate a deal.
You’ll probably be facing a tough customer or two, so don’t try to blag your way through a meeting; deal only in the currency of facts. Should you feel you have lost out in some way, this is only a temporary state of affairs: go back to the drawing board and rework your ideas. It’s all about timing.
You may not notice any significant developments, but something is taking shape under wraps. At the very least, this week’s innovative aspects will inspire some new thinking, and once you look at situations in a different way they change. Uranus is an unpredictable entity and with its link to Mars in the area of far horizons, you may have to build in some last-moment changes to travel plans or some other project that has long-term or long-distance aspects.
On Saturday, Venus enters the area of finance and self-esteem all set to give you a boost during the coming four weeks.
It may be difficult to judge a situation correctly, so don’t be in too much of a hurry to reach a decision. There may be considerable mileage in letting things play out for a little while longer. Jupiter and Pluto are leading figures on the astrological landscape, so if things are good they’re going be off the chart, and if they’re bad… well, there’s always next year.
Finances are once again in the spotlight with some Geminis making a large investment in their future and others working hard to resolve a monetary quandary. Think long-term, not short-term.
The passage of the Sun through the twelfth house marks a four-week period when things of the mind and the spirit are to the fore. More rest should be taken in order for the unconscious mind to inform you in dreams and intuitions of aspects of situations that you are not seeing. You may also be a little more vulnerable to coughs, colds and sneezies, so any health issues should be addressed.
Feelings you have should be noted but conclusions you are drawing should be kept to yourself until you have more proof they are valid. If people are putting you under pressure for a decision, continue to refuse. Sometimes that kind of pressure is a signal that all is not well.
Beautiful Venus enters Gemini with the intention of making life sweeter. She may even do wonders for your love life. This planet will take four weeks to transit your sign, so even if this week doesn’t produce the magic, keep up the faith. Indeed, the prevailing alignments are challenging to say the least, so if you’re already sensing a situation is at a critical point, use that clever mind of yours to prepare the ground.
This may involve getting in first before someone else does or it may mean you need to make a hard decision as to whether or not to continue with a project or an association.
Variety is the spice of life to Gemini, and it doesn’t get more varied than this. Or maybe random is a better word. Change, the unexpected and the unusual all come courtesy of Uranus, so if you’ve been wanting to make over a part of your existence or at least input a few minor changes, the green light is on. Some Geminis may not be able to do anything about the actions other people take now, but what should help is knowing that those actions will lead to benefits in the future.
What you don’t want to do is rattle people’s chains in the belief it will motivate them to do what you want. You’re almost certainly going to come off worst.
It could be difficult to keep a matter light and open-ended: we’re in Pluto country this week and that means getting in deep. This planet is slowly making its way through the area of financial and sexual exchange, so while some Geminis are facing major monetary challenges others are in the deeps with a love affair. Commitment can be difficult for Gemini, but once you’ve overcome your fears and doubts and plunged in head first you may be surprised how well you take to it.
Whether you are making a large purchase or reaching a serious decision involving finances, this is no time for half-measures: you’re either all in or all out. And the same advice applies to an affair of the heart.
Saturn is in full force this week, so any fantasies will be revealed for what they are and you will know where you stand with certain individuals. Saturn is currently moving through the zone of financial and emotional exchange, enabling you to set projects and associations on a secure footing.
However, if there are any cracks in your financial planning or fissures deep in a relationship this planet will eke them out and you ignore them at your peril. Well, maybe peril is too strong a word, but far better you attend to a red flag now than leave the situation to get worse and worse.
Friendships and collaborations remain under the astro-spotlight, and given that this is Easter week you could have places to go and big projects to pull off. A Venus-Uranus conjunction and a full moon could make for some exciting and certainly unusual developments, yet with Saturn in the mix boundaries of one sort or another will be necessary.
You can have too much of a good thing; and minor disagreements can get out of hand. Indeed, not everyone is going to be easy to deal with and even if you can restrain your enthusiasm you cannot control mother nature. Moderation in all things…
If you’re planning any major financial transactions aim to complete them before the 23rd when Mercury turns retrograde. It’s not that deals will be blighted after this time; more that you’ll be going via the pretty route. And finances may not be the only aspect of life that becomes a little more convoluted after the 23rd.
Affairs of the heart could also turn into a tangled web, although a pause for reflection could prove to be a blessing rather than a curse. This is by no means an easy week, and even if you find yourself sailing through, you will be encountering others who are completely at sea. Cut them some slack.
You won’t be able to see Saturday’s new moon but its presence announces a new cycle, in most cases regarding personal or professional ambitions. Perhaps you already know you will be starting a new job or a new position in the near future; maybe you have meetings in the diary intended to help you make progress with your future, but whatever the current reality, new influences are set to come in over the next couple of weeks.
A challenging link between Venus and Saturn could interfere with what is otherwise an optimistic forecast, and if someone rains on your parade, don’t let it get to you. The sun will soon be out again.
If you’ve been in a muddle over a matter, particularly one related to your career, you should be able to establish some facts and figures over the next ten days. It will be important to look at the downside of any offers or developments, because with Saturn in the frame there are sure to be some negatives, and it may take longer than everyone thinks to reach the finishing line.
Take note of any subtle or not so subtle signs and signals since they could help you shore up any weaknesses in your position. What you don’t want to do is leave yourself without enough resources to cover an unexpected delay or unanticipated development.
Friday’s full moon is one of the more important for you this year, so if you have any choice in the matter endeavour to bring a project to a close and/or to sign off on those things that have done their day. Neptune is in the mix, which adds a spritz of moon dust to events, although some Geminis may instead experience a disappointment.
If this turns out to be you, remind yourself that appearances can be very deceptive and what is currently looking rather bleak could turn out to be anything but. With this in mind, avoid making a knee-jerk response: you may end up with a pulled hamstring!
Mysteriouser and mysteriouser… As often with Neptune in our midst things don’t add up, and even with the Gemini gift for logic trying to make sense of situations can be a challenge. This is probably not the best week to make a decision regarding your long-term future, so if at all possible you should hold off until the second week of March.
Clearly, if you have a deadline to meet you’re going to have to meet it, but at least make the effort to do a back-ground search on people or companies you are about to do business with. As always, there is a plus to Neptune and if you’re currently experiencing a soul to soul connection, enjoy every single second.
This is not the most straightforward of weeks. Mars and Neptune are at cross purposes so your arrows of desire may miss their targets, especially if they are spurred by anger or frustration. If a situation you were not expecting arises out of nowhere, avoid a knee-jerk response. Check the facts and play for time.
Add to this a solar eclipse in the area of long range communications, and should that situation involve people or places far away, you will need to be even more circumspect. Positive developments can come out of such an astro-scape; even so you will need to tread carefully and think of the long-term consequences.
Mars has only just entered the area of relating so you may not have realized that certain people have you on their list. Now, that list could be a must-see-more-of list or a hit list, but either way do not underestimate people’s ability to pursue you for your charms or tackle you because you represent a threat.
Jupiter is also on top form this week, which could translate as a feather in your cap career-wise or work you had not anticipated coming your way. This might not be the most productive phase of 2018 but it has potential. So, if you have aspirations and believe in yourself, go strut your stuff.
One month down; eleven to go; and the best is yet to come. Remind yourself of these words in the event that this late-January-early-February period proves to be something of a bumpy ride. Eclipses are the stuff of shock and awe, often in a good way but occasionally you’ll be sent onto the naughty step and urged to rethink a situation.
This eclipse falls on the axis of travel and communications, so an unexpected journey could be on the menu in the next few weeks or you may receive information that alters your personal or professional horizons. Don’t be tempted to rush through a process: take your time; likewise, if you’re under pressure don’t take a risk.
Gemini usually prefers to keep conversations light and to give people plenty of room to breathe, however, events this week could take you into the deeps. Some Geminis may be dealing with a complex financial matter; others may find themselves in deep discussion about a relationship. Either way, this is no time to skate the surface of an issue; either you need some real answers or other people do.
Perhaps you are facing a fleet of bills and heavy financial demands or maybe a relationship has reached a crossroads: whatever the situation, deal with it now and do not defer a decision.
Pluto has been a long-term resident in the zone of financial relations, so you may have already received a monetary bonus or, by contrast, seen your income change, perhaps in a less than welcome way. Pluto now harmoniously aligns with fortunate Jupiter setting the stage for a promising financial arrangement or a development that requires you radically rethink your fiscal situation.
On the one hand, this is a good time to form a business or financial partnership and, on the other, a period in which an honest evaluation of where you are money-wise is mandatory. And, of course, there could be other aspects of life which would benefit from a radical review.
It is possible that the week will pass with nothing of note to record in your journal; on the other hand, it may turn out to be the week that opened a whole new page of your life book. Saturn, Pluto and Uranus combine to make the going a tad hairy, and you’ll need to handle other people with kid gloves since they too will be subject to the same transformational influences.
Great and good things can come out of such configurations, but it is always wise to prepare for problems. The area of financial relations is in the main frame, which suggests a close look at your monetary situation is a good start.
Less is more. I know you’ve heard that before but whether it applies to snapping up a great bargain in the sales or realizing that you don’t need extravagant gestures to make you happy, a great truth lies in that simple statement. Tuesday’s full moon cuts across the financial axis of your solar chart so keeping an eye on your monetary situation is paramount – that way you’ll be in great shape for the end of the month when all those bills start to arrive. Gemini, of course, is quite the financial wizard so perhaps this advice should be directed instead at an affair of the heart.
Maybe someone needs a little more of your undivided attention.