Friday, December 03, 2010

December 2010

PLANET REPORT: December contains a mixed bag of goodies that requires patience and trust in the powers that be that there are great changes ahead despite the slowing down, delays and last ditch attempts to grab control this month (the 14th is a day that is loaded with cloak-and-dagger style politics, passion and power ploys). Just as Uranus is biting at the bit to get on with his last foray in Pisces when he turns direct on December 6th, Mercury drags on the undertow and settles into the approach path of his retrograde phase between the 11th and 30th. Mercury’s deceleration in Capricorn puts the dampers on just when we feel like we are on the verge of moving into new territories, but this is one last chance to truly structure, strategise and economise our lives so that we can start 2011 with the bare essentials. When he gets together with Mars and Pluto on the 14th, it will be hard to resist the urge to defend and define our territory. Less shackled by the material world, as 2011 wears on we will lust after adventure and freedom once we hit the open road in March so hang in there and avoid the control trap. After being in Pisces since 2003, Uranus has great adventures ahead when he travels into Aries on March 12th and a fast and furious seven year era begins. As early as January 23rd, Jupiter will get the ball of change rolling so it’s a blessing in disguise that we have the holiday delays to create the space to plan. Alongside the Mercury retro holding pattern, a lunar eclipse at Full Moon in Gemini on the 21st will divide thoughts and ideas and break apart emotionally-based thinking patterns. Communication is the key to bridging the gap so that we can connect to our emotions and put feelings into words. Gemini is famous for splitting emotions from thoughts so an eclipse here means that it’s important to avoid rationalising or justifying actions in an intellectual way. If not, the solar eclipse at New Moon on January 4th in Capricorn will bring us back inside the boundary lines of our emotions. The bigger shifts in global consciousness mark March 29th as a key date for world economies. Thankfully, this “balancing-up” cosmic event that relates back to May 2000 when this cycle began will be short and sharp. Those born in the first few days of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will experience the direct effects of these shifts and are probably already in the throes of inner and outer change that began last June. Six months ago we caught a glimpse of what is going to be on offer in the coming months when both Jupiter and Uranus stood just inside the threshold of Aries. The summer solstice occurs on the 22nd at 12:40pm and will be a potent marking point for the next three months. Release the negative fears and worries then!

ARIES: December is complicated but it’s the last stretch of bumpy ground before Jupiter hits your sign on January 4th. The key is in the ignition and it will be all systems go from January 22nd so make use of December’s turbulence and pot holes to shake out the nuts and bolts that need replacing in professional issues (which are likely to be plentiful)! Mars fires up the engine from December 8th but by the 14th that atmosphere is thick with intrigue! So many secrets and behind the scenes activities are unearthed that you will be amazed at the timing as you prepare to change course in the future - you could be very glad you discovered a thing or two before ploughing ahead with life-changing decisions that could very well change your mind or attitude toward a particular venture or person. Communication and information is everything now since there is an eclipse in your communication zone on December 21st. Again, home and profession will be affected by the information or concepts that come to light. Keep your mind wide open.

TAURUS: Your sights are set on the bigger picture this month and even if you have to rethink some of these ideas or ideals, you have the right conceptual foundations in place for 2011. It’s all just a matter of tweaking the details in a publishing venture, your website, an educational, cultural, or travel project as previously hidden information comes to light. And there’s enough information to fill a book or two. Financially, other people’s resources, assets and money will be need to be sorted and structured so that the way is clear to move into the next phase. December may be full of delays and emotional issues, intrigues and interesting scenarios but what you learn will clear the air and pave the way for fascinating changes to your belief about people and places. 2011 is going to a journey of inner discovery and of reaching back into the past for answers to today’s issues.

GEMINI: Mercury, your ruler, changes direction on the 11th and won’t follow a straight trajectory until the 30th. This means, despite the irresistible desire to control situations around the 14th, letting issues rest and allowing life to shape itself as information comes along. Your zone of shared financial resources, assets and money will go through a series of loops bringing you face to face with the important people in your life. Can you avoid the deeper undercurrents that are pulling all of us into the void mid-month? Perhaps this is the moment of truth as this is a month for discussing, delving and divining both your own and a significant other’s thoughts and feelings. The eclipse on the 21st brings all this and much more to a conclusion. Freedom becomes the driving force of decisions made now. Avoid letting the concrete set until you are absolutely sure, which should be around mid-January.

CANCER: December is one of those wobbly months where eclipses dot the scenery like emotional landmines. Keep your cool as you ponder deeper issues that can no longer be avoided. A big question mark hangs over you and whether to carry on with a relationship that consistently brings up repeating themes and issues. Around the 14th, deep discussions or hidden information could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back but keep going with the flow until at least New Year’s Eve before signing, saying goodbye or searching for something new. There is still a solar eclipse at New Moon on January 4th to contend with and this will be when new directions are staked out. Whether you both take the same road, or part ways, is a matter of personal desire and just how much everyone is willing to compromise, cooperate or collaborate with each other. Not long now until Jupiter creates a whole new ball game in your professional and public life. Circle January 23rd as the beginning point!

LEO: Being ruled by the Sun, the eclipses of December 21st and January 4th create a distinct end and beginning point in matters involving children, creativity, a venture that involves a risk or two, your everyday world, health and even pets. All of these matters will have a double underline beneath them when Mercury does his three-monthly U-turn across these zones between December 11th and 30th. The eclipses will stamp a sense of permanent change across these areas. Welcome what happens because clearing out the deadwood will ensure that new elements can take hold and you will be free to pursue the open vistas that lie in wait throughout 2011. Passion is at an all time high this month and you can achieve the high ideals that you crave in intimate relationships and situations. You are also encouraged by children and their development creating a win-win atmosphere that leads to better parenting and interactions with off-spring or younger people. Draw out the best in a son or daughter who is ready to open up and share their thoughts.

VIRGO: Mercury’s up to his old tricks again from the 11th, turning things around just when you thought it was safe to move forward. And despite the uneasiness, you’ll be grateful for the mini-WikiLeaks scenario that empowers you to make the right decisions. Information is power now! If you have big-ticket property deals, try to avoid signing anything until after New Year if you can’t get it wrapped up the 11th. Presents also need to be wrapped up and under the tree - or hidden away - well before then too. Mercury retro phases are notorious for mistakes. On the other hand, you may decide to streamline festive giving and instead conclude that getting together is more fulfilling. And even though you are bursting to get on with the next instalment of a project, you are lucky that Christmas and the holiday season buys you time to digest information that will surface, especially around the 14th. It’s time for heart-to-hearts, investigations and research with family, home and child-related projects. Hopefully, this marks the end of a long saga.

LIBRA: You’re still busy getting through the flotsam and jetsam that washed up while your ruler Venus was retrograde in October and November. December finds you back at the beginning of a compelling financial situation that you now know a lot more about. December still carries potent issues that require deep thought especially in relation to family, shared living, parents or shifting, renovating or buying. Digging deep doesn’t just apply to your physical foundations but to anything from your childhood to the present day and everything in between. Old issues can surface now, especially around the 14th, and then again on January 4th when cosmic pressure points set off all sorts of issues that you thought were dead and buried. Keep your Libran logic working for you rather than get tangled up in the emotional complexities. Communication and keeping sight of the big picture is the key to successfully navigating this sensitive month. A whole new ballgame starts from late January!

SCORPIO: Keep within your budget and work on streamlining financial or business budgets at least until January when you will have all the facts and figures that you need to plan ahead. Allow for necessary big-ticket items by keeping smaller purchases to a minimum. Your ruler Mars has grand financial designs to work with up until the 8th and once he moves into Capricorn it will be time to put the thinking cap on to structure and materialise these plans. Think like an accountant, visualise like an entrepreneur and act like a technician! Use the delays and uncertainties to step back and look at the big picture rather than give into doubt and worry. And even though the week leading up to the 14th will be intense and passionate but very restrained, by the 19th you will be able to see beyond the control issues and into the future. Emotions will overshadow logic at the lunar eclipse at Full Moon on the 21st but this helps to clear old thinking patterns that affect attitudes and behaviour.

SAGITTARIUS: Happy birthday Sag! It’s all systems go as you rev into action with the New Moon in your sign on the 6th. As the month opens you’ve got self-improvement projects on the boil, perhaps because you’ve turned the calendar and realised there are only three weeks till Christmas. There are houses, gardens and shopping to get done in such a short time. Don’t worry you’ll manage it all by starting at the beginning! Firstly though try to get the shopping out of the way so that you avoid the classic Mercury retro tendency (from the 11th) to buy all the wrong things, or to find that they don’t work. This is definitely a month to plan ahead financially and see beyond the gift-giving into the exciting future that begins in late January when your ruler Jupiter moves into fellow-fire sign Aries on the 23rd. Communication is the key to avoiding emotional issues at the lunar eclipse in your relating zone on the 21st. Try to see past the trivialities then.

CAPRICORN: As you head toward your birthday month, which starts at the solstice on the 23rd, you will have to strive hard to balance all aspects of your life. There’s an intense concentration of energy in your sign as well as Mercury following a crazy course from the 11th so keep everything open and relaxed. This makes December the perfect month to take stock before your personal and global New Year begins. You’re up close and totally immersed in personal issues that must be dealt with, as well as your sense of control, but the trick to getting through this phase is to let events and developments flow before sealing the envelope. Karmic issues require attention and they will keep coming back until understanding or resolution can be achieved. Hopefully, December will be the month when you give it one last shot before heading into the wild blue yonder of 2011. An eclipse on January 4th occurs in your sign and this will be the marking point for the next six months.

AQUARIUS: Being a group-oriented person, you are way better at dealing with the team, band, club or network as a whole than you are on a one-to-one basis. December is a month when all your social talents will be brought to the surface despite the need to attend to intensely private issues around the 14th. And even though you are needed by your associates and mates there is something about situations that arise that require a wait and see approach. You’ve got so much happening behind the scenes that require a zen-like approach to deal with the karmic implications that are attached to them. For this reason, you need to save your energy for the secrets and intrigues that others might not be aware of. By mid-January, we will be on the straight and narrow but until then deal with issues as they occur but avoid setting agreements, commitments or collaborations in concrete until you have all the facts. Gather and scrutinise details and then act in January.

PISCES: Even though you are winding down the working year, there are professional or life-direction issues that will become obvious as December wears on. Something that was almost signed and sealed will suddenly go through a series of changes that will compel you to think ahead to the bigger picture of 2011. Visualise, plan and strategise as well as look at the big picture of the coming year but try to avoid making hard and fast decisions until all the facts are to hand (once the working year begins again). With a retrograde and two eclipses looming over the holiday season, this is a time to watch and wait while giving the impression you are moving toward a resolution or decision. Issues around who holds the reins, wears the trousers or wields the stick could backfire if vision is too narrow-sighted. Around the 14th friends, team and band mates or associates will push the envelope as hard as they can but again back off until you can see what the real motivation is. A cold-shoulder approach could really mask Insecurity and fear. Life is changing and an era is about to come to an end.

Friday, November 05, 2010

November 2010

PLANET REPORT: There’s a window of opportunity from the 19th-30th to wind projects, ideas and lifestyle changes up to their maximum voltage. Venus and Jupiter both do a u-turn and return to the right side of the road on the 19th, but there are still a lot of speed bumps to get over before they hit the open highway in January. Venus is happy, strong and optimistic in the light of a new day but by the 30th will be an unhappy Persephone when passing once more through the desolate marshes of Scorpio. A long detour, it will take until January 8th to pass through this emotionally, swampy place, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The added bonus is that we know the terrain and who and what to avoid! Returning to Scorpio, unfinished business from July-November will begin to solidify in whatever way, shape or form life has convoluted into during the past 10 weeks. During November, look at negotiations, pacts, deals, financial and relationship issues during the open, sunny stage (before the 30th) rather than keeping feelings in the dark only to emerge over the next eight weeks. Clarify, cleanse and clear-up the distortions and warps that travelling backwards tends to induce. Neptune, weaver of dreams and illusions, turns direct for the second to last time in Aquarius (he’s been here since the late 1990’s). In approximately one year’s time Neptune will move into like-minded Pisces, marking the beginning of a new generation and a whole new set of dreams to look forward to. There’s going to be a strange sense of being on the edge of something during the next 12 months making this a time to reweave ideals and dispel illusions. Gladiator Mars spars his way confidently through idealistic Sagittarius until December 8th (and even though it’s a much shorter run, I always watch these transits as they are linked to the extended Mars in Sag journey between February-September 2001). Aim for the stars, keep sight of aspirations, uphold ideals but be brave enough to know which ones to toss by the wayside. Mercury increases optimism and encourages that Christmassy feel when it transits into Sag on the 9th but there’s a double-edged sword to contend with between the 16-18th. The Sun also does its best to dispel the trials and tribulations of another year when it too passes into Sag on the 22nd at 11:16pm. The intense New Moon of the 6th in Scorpio leads us into the light of the fertile Full Moon in Taurus on the 22nd. Shining happily in the sky in spite of the bumpy journey ahead for Venus, this Full Moon says that we can take hold of the strength within to sustain and build a secure future.

ARIES: Filled with a huge sense of optimism, you discover that there are bigger and better territories to conquer – mentally or physically - in November and this will follow through in December. There are still many financial speed-bumps to get over that make life hard to budget for but by the 19th it all turns around. The facts and figures stop jiggling and you can now arrange the pages of this chapter in the context of your life. Late January is when the real adventure begins for many Aries so hang in there and use the next ten weeks to arrange, finish up and sort out the aspects of your life that are in their last gasps. Aim higher, think harder and travel further, if not physically then in your mind via learning channels such as libraries, the internet, books and even people who are confident, robust and extremely well-travelled and versed in your chosen subjects. There is change just around the corner so while some aspects of your life, such as money, bog you down, look ahead to January-March, which will be action-packed months.

TAURUS: November is a big, if not passionate, month for Taureans, especially those with a major theme, thread or train of thought to weave, discuss or develop with the important people in your life. It appears that everyone feels strongly about their point of view so there may be those who challenge, block or make life difficult. After the middle of the month, feelings give way to a more relaxed atmosphere that encourages compromise. The biggest breakthrough since September, the last weeks of November foster a willingness to bring opposing ideas, feelings or values into the open. It is only when we find ourselves second-guessing others or being afraid to speak up do problems arise. Standing out of one’s own way can help too! Clear communication can restore your state of mind and bring a balanced perspective. There’s also a big emphasis on shared assets, money and resources as well as a claim, settlement, tax issue or involvement with lending institutions that can be modified, clarified or resolved. By your annual Full Moon on the 22nd, projects that have been in the pipeline since May are brought to a full circle.

GEMINI: A very active month for Gemini folk, it will be all too easy to get into a war of words when it comes to writing letters, sending text messages, firing off emails or making phone calls in November if you don’t count to ten first. While stress levels are high, commitment is hard to come by and airy-fairy attitudes highly irritating, there are ways to resolve situations. Someone will be looking for hard and fast answers, or something that gets said matter-of-factly turns into a reason to defend a position, reputation or viewpoint. Underneath it all is a desire to eke out the truth so pinning down the object of your interest – in romance, friendship or business – may be the best way. Having a heart to heart rather than avoiding the situation will clear the air quickly. The Full Moon of the 22nd is an excellent time to invite someone to dinner or take them out to lunch. Closure of events over the past six months - and in particular the last ten weeks when so much information has come to light – would be a nice way to head into the festive season.

CANCER: While the 19th is the pivotal date for all signs with its openings and lucky breaks, Cancerians benefit most by researching, working through and then pushing to get important projects, deals or assignments neatly packaged by December. The backtracking and detours then in your other people zone, makes late-November a time to eke out information, get a commitment or gain emotional input before you hit speed-bumps or others change their mind. If there is anything that requires a signature, from the 19th is the best time to let the ink dry. Passion has been an over-riding emotion over the past ten weeks and for some of you, your emotional stakes have been invested in love, while for others, a creative venture has wrung every ounce of inspiration, time and energy. For others still, children have required huge doses of your support and attention. If it is means a lot to you, then take steps to ensure it all lasts. Aim for the lovely Full Moon on the 22nd to enjoy the good things in life and review your personal achievements.

LEO: Now that the Christmas and holiday season is just around the corner, you suddenly realise how much needs to be done around the house. There’s a wonderful focus on fun too and some of you may even decide to host festivities at your house or throw a party for the New Year. Think carefully about this Leo because everything changes in December and what seemed like a good idea now, could seem monumental to pull off then. Why not have a pre-Christmas get together this month while your energy levels are high. On another level, if you are moving, or have been trying to buy or sell a house for some time, then everything could fall neatly into place this month. At the very least, having more options to choose from gives you hope for the future. This is an important month for children too. Encouraging them to aim high in a sports or creative venture could be all they need to take off. Put pen to paper from the 8th – a letter, email, article or book – the words will flow straight from the heart.

VIRGO: A big and busy month for Virgo folk now that Mars and then Mercury move toward active spots in your chart. November 20th will be the most active day for discussing, texting, writing and thinking when not only will your ideas and proposals be acceptable to others but there may be a surprise bonus thrown in. While this will happen in your family and home zone, your career, public life and reputation will also be in full swing. High activity times also mean high-stress times so try to deal with one thing at time rather than multi-task. Better to be master of what you are doing than a Jack who never completes anything. Quick off the mark, you will baulk at delays, interruptions or setbacks but try to be patient with slower paced people or find will yourself with a mutiny on your hands on the 26th-27th. Co-operation is what you need. The gorgeous Full Moon of the 22nd in sister-sign Taurus signals a beautiful completion of a learning experience that began six months ago. Fully utilise the power of advertising, the net or travel and academia.

LIBRA: It’s been a frustratingly slow 10 weeks but rest assured that from the 8th the intensity dies down and by the 19th, it will be full steam ahead. Ducking and diving through the murky swamp of Scorpio, Venus is back in your sign from November 8th. It’s been a long road from August 8th where this journey began. And while life turns a very sweet corner on the 19th you will have to be quick with putting your best efforts in where promotion, health and lifestyle changes are concerned as this will make all the difference from November 30th-January 8th. December is a very tricky month but if all the muck has been cleared up from the underbelly of your financial life, you will have a clean slate to approach income, business and property situations. If you are a writer, blogger or work in media, up until December 6th you will have plenty of intellectual stamina to say what you want very clearly. Short trips to intriguing places are also very possible. The Full Moon of the 22nd peaks nicely in your other people’s money, assets and resources sphere, so crunch numbers carefully.

SCORPIO: Your aura precedes you and your allure is at an all time high during November. This is the month to revamp everything from your clothes, hair, make-up and image to improving your employment profile, starting a Facebook page or overhauling your website. It’s all about you (or your business or profession) and your image as you head into a new solar year. While it’s best to wait till the second half to launch new projects, your annual New Moon marks the beginning of an active month where there are plenty of chances to turn things around. It’s bumpy in December so steam ahead with plans now. Venus has been pacing your sign since September 8th making the past 10 weeks interesting but uncertain. November 8th-30th there are sudden turnarounds, opportunities and lucky breaks in romance or creative ventures, but you will have to socialise, mix and mingle to meet potential associates, friends or mates. There’s a huge temptation to spend money in November so set a budget and stick to it.

SAGITTARIUS: Mars is in your sign until December 8th so your birthday year gets off to a flying start from the 22nd. It gets even better when your ruler Jupiter turns to direct motion – along with Venus – on the 19th. While Mars will provide thrust and propulsion, wait until Jupiter turns direct before powering ahead with self-improvement plans. Jupiter – the planet of profits and presents – has been out of action since mid-July. You’ll find it hard to sit on your hands but things can work out even better if you can keep to physical tasks and leave lifestyle decisions until November 19th. If you are on the lookout for a new home, or if you have been trying to sell a property, dreams may come true then. There are definitely more options opening up and this makes you feel optimistic and able to plan for the future. Once Jupiter and Venus move forward, try to power-pack as much as you can into the period of the 19th-30th. December is a decidedly difficult month with many sea-changes making life uncertain. Christmas shop in November but keep big-ticket purchases until after the 19th.

CAPRICORN: With Mercury – the planet of commerce and transactions – going out of tune in your sign on December 11th, November is the month to get as much as you can done in terms of your Christmas preparations. There is an easy-going flow to life now where suddenly you can find the time in your busy schedule to meet with friends, make new acquaintances or put energy into charities or causes. In fact, you may be approached from all sides to assist with fundraising or collections. If you are involved with teams, bands or clubs, you will thoroughly enjoy the social pleasure of mixing and mingling. From the 19th, make the big lifestyle decisions that have been suspended for so long. Sudden opportunities, offers or openings will present themselves then and you may be spoilt for choice. In the bigger scheme of your life, Pluto travelling with the Node in your sign brings direct karmic experiences that, if recognised for what they are, can help you work through unresolved issues that lift the weight from your shoulders. What happens now is good for you.

AQUARIUS: It never rains but pours! This time it’s your career zone that becomes a juggling act and while you may be stressed at the beginning of the month, by the 19th you’ll be amazed at how easily it all falls into place. There’s a crowd around the top of your chart and what seems like a certainty can suddenly change after some thought or clarification. Be pro-active in goals and under no circumstances should you accept “no” for an answer. Friends, groups, bands, clubs and teams become highly animated in your life as do causes, charities and fundraisers. It’s crowded out there in the land of raising money but your cause is sure to stand out now if you put extra effort in and offer something in return. There’s also a change in your personal financial life after the 19th, which is the best time to pack in Christmas shopping. December’s loopholes and potholes make planning and action difficult so try to wrap up projects and end-of-year activities in November. November is also a month of great healing and resolution.

PISCES: Woo-hoo! Your ruler Jupiter finally turns direct on November 19th signalling the last leg of a year-long self-development phase. Between now and January 22nd, you’ve got time to give yourself a good going-over in terms of setting new goals and looking toward the opening 12-year cycle. November contains many hidden gems that suddenly come to light but like any treasure hunt, you have to be looking and be prepared to dig a little – not only with attitude but also the right tools. Learning, teaching and an open mind are the best tools possible to have in your bag of tricks. Venus also turns around on the same day (19th) in your shared assets and resources sector so where you have had difficulty balancing the books, suddenly the numbers line up like magic. Mars on your career and reputation zone also means this is a time to focus on specifics rather than spread yourself too far and wide. Aim high but start at the bottom and work your way up. Actions may speak just as loudly as words around the 20th so think before you speak or act but always remain optimistic.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

October 2010

PLANET REPORT: With vixen Venus now deeply immersed in smouldering Scorpio and about to turn to a rare retrograde motion on the 8th (this only happens every 18th months), the hidden, intriguing and more than spicy aspects of our lives, loves and longings are also about to take a turn. Delightfully sensuous, but also a bit too intense for some people, all sorts of unbidden thoughts, situations and desires can burst forth this month! It might be better to control this exotic energy by adding an air of anticipation to existing relationships and pre-arranging special trysts, tete-a-tetes and tantalisers to spice up the private hours. We often forget the need to be sensual during these busy times so we have 13 weeks to flame the inner embers! Travelling alongside Venus is masculine Mars (strong, virile and healthy in his own sign Scorpio), lending us contained energy to power-charge relationships so that they can withstand the rise and fall, rocking and rolling of emotion that will undulate through October and November. With the apparent change in orbit on the 8th (and a New Moon in Libra on the same day), Venus will act like a release valve opening the floodgates that allow taboo emotions to swamp our thoughts. Unacknowledged feelings and desires can warp into a Pandora’s Box of unhealthy resentment so sharing insights and working together to consciously create chemistry and excitement is a good starting point – either that, or come to the conclusion that this is what is missing! Because Scorpio is a Fixed sign, there’s also a tendency to want permanence and stability despite the undercurrents that make life interesting, so if commitment is sought after - but not attained - then all sorts of issues will spring up around this central dilemma. For some, this can be a make or break period in relationships. Since we have until January for this energy to play itself out, we may need to bend the rules and try to be more flexible and less stubborn or indignant and just see where the flow leads us rather than make hard or fast decisions – there are so many variables to emerge. Outside of close relationships, long-standing feuds can become highly flammable too since Scorpio is a sign that stores and files grievances for good-keeping! As long as Venus has Mars there to guide her she will be fine but once her escort leaves her side (28th), she will be left to deal with the murkier aspects that she would rather not have to deal with. Early in the month, we can sow seeds that will take root so that the meaningful interactions can withstand the scrutiny that may come about between now and November 19th, when Venus turns direct. Also ruling money and the material world this will be a month of uncertainty and changing values that won’t settle down until the second half of November. If at all possible, aim to wrap up work in progress before October 8th otherwise avoid beginning projects between the October 8th and November 17th but instead work through all the nuances, variables and details so that you are in a strong position to begin later in the month. Mercury joins Venus in Scorpio on the 21st ahead of the Sun on the 24th paving the way to truly identify and talk about the issues that have been thrown up. The New Moon on the 8th and in Venus’ sign, Libra, kick-starts our awareness of our interactions. By the Full Moon of the 23rd (02:38pm), we will have reached some decision to hatch, match or despatch projects, plans or relationships. From then until November 17th, we can work through the change.

ARIES: Forget your lust for rich man’s gold, all that you need is in your soul - wise lyrics to describe Venus sashaying through your zone of other people’s money until January 7th. Since late September your relationship to debt, credit, taxes, a mortgage, claim, settlement, payout or inheritance has been intensified but on November 18th the pressure, delays, glitches or power plays ease off. And while this might not be soul-destroying stuff or as intense as the War of the Roses (the battles or the movie), the roller-coaster of emotion, driven by your own or other people’s money, their attitude towards your security, and your shared resources and possessions in common, will be enough to make you want to discard all worldly possessions. Venus in Scorpio is all about the passion and desire you have invested with other people - it’s how you use this passion that will make all the difference. In October, it will seem complicated - and you’re right, it is - so try to leave off making major decisions until November when feelings clear long enough to talk about and think through the more taboo aspects of these issues. By December one or all of these matters will be done and dusted so that by January you will be filled with a sense of moving on. And while not every Ram will have material possessions to divide, share or halve, happy Rams can use the powerhouse of passion to generate your own luck. This is a brilliant time to invest in research, learn from someone who has already grasped these principles or simply invest your feelings and physical energy in the areas that you really want to work to your advantage. Your annual Full Moon on the 23rd brings around issues that have been circling for six months.

TAURUS: Stop! In the name of love because even though your ruler, love-child Venus, slows to a stand-still and turns around on October 8th and you find yourself rehashing the emotional complexities of the previous month or so, by November 18th you’ll begin to emerge from the sea of love with more insight than you had before. As she rolls her hips and sashays through sexy, passionate Scorpio – your opposite sign - the overall mood until January 7th will resemble that of an irate Latin lover. Pleading and cajoling one minute, demanding and sulky the next, if there is a time when passions run red hot (for good or bad), it is now. And it can be anyone – fiancĂ©, friend or foe – and it can be about anything – money, manners or marriage - there will be no stone left unturned. By November 8th a little balance will be restored and from December, you can drag out the repair kit. The issues in October are the hot-spot though, when the real dilemmas or differences began to emerge. Issues require that you delve more deeply than you have for sometime into relationships, motivations and intentions. The green-eyed monster may need taming too but once you are presented with evidence or can establish a sense of trust, there are many reasons to keep working at what you have already established.

GEMINI: Over the next three months you may feel as if you are auditioning for a James Bond movie with all the secret intrigues and unspoken vibes spicing up your working hours and transforming routine tasks into sensual, danger-filled events. By the water cooler, in the boardroom, on the shop floor, during rehearsals, directing trades-people or standing in line, you’ll never know what is going to happen each day as you tumble out of bed. Your everyday relationships will take on a life of their own and whatever type of chemistry there is between you, every sentence may be loaded with meaning. Lust, love, obsession, revenge or simply a shared passion, everything will be magnified 100% and whether it’s the chemistry between you or because you have been thrown together to make the best of a situation you find yourselves in, it’s the intensity that drives the engine. That’s the positive side! The negative is getting tangled up in webs that will be hard to extricate yourself from and a wise Twin will choose his partners, tasks and projects with care. Better to get worked up about projects, people and dilemmas that require focused input than focus on projects, people or dilemmas that get you worked up! Mars enters your opposite sign Sagittarius on the 28th and this is sure to ignite the intellectual side of your relationship even further. Looks at the big picture then!

CANCER: There may be 50 ways to leave your lover but there are only a handful of ways to keep them and over the next three months, you will be sailing in a leaky love boat that will reach shore by mid-January. In November, the New Moon of the 8th drives home the issues around lust and love that reared up during October but by the 18th you’ll find yourself whistling Jealous Guy and – depending on who is doing the leaving and keeping - trying to make amends or elicit an apology. Your feelings run deep dear Crab but you tend to get overwhelmed by your insecurities and your dreams of the past so if something comes along that challenges your sense of intimacy, you react with a passion that is equally overwhelming. You’ve got until January 6th to patch or despatch the relationship, so keep in mind that any decisions made during October and up until November 18th will probably be reversed as there are so many variables to work through. Like a Hollywood handprint, avoid sealing your fate until you have passed the cooling down stage – you may just find that your relationship is better for the heavy dose of passion. Children also come under the same banner, so if relationships are not where you energy is focused, then a son, daughter, niece, nephew or some other young person could be a source of dogged consternation. Appealing to the emotions may work but time is the greatest healer as its tender hands even out feelings and make experiences less intense. Their secretiveness may be masking deeper insecurities. Sports, hobbies and creative pursuits may also be drenched in the intriguing energy that October holds.

LEO: Blood is thicker than water and as October opens, you can be forgiven for thinking that it is so thick it is turning to sludge. And you might never listen to We Are Family in quite the same way once you have worked through the wicked web that will be woven in October by the complicated family intricacies that are surfacing. It will take a while but when Venus backs up into Libra on November 7th, something or someone eases its charming way between you helping you to restore some sanity. From the barbeque to the baptism, the wedding to the weekend gathering, the christening to Christmas arrangements, there’s something about the family members interact with each other that brings hidden passions, agendas, memories and desires to the surface. Because it will take until January 7th to bring an end to these matters once and for all, be patient, determined and flexible to make the whole scenario easier on your system. By the 28th, Mars will have moved into far-sighted Sagittarius and into your zone of fun – a welcome relief from the dramatics on the home front. An intellectual pursuit, places and people at a distance are all highlighted by the New and Full Moon cycle this month. What happens then will also help to balance out your perspective.

VIRGO: Dallas, Dynasty or Desperate Housewives, the goings-on in your neighbourhood could provide fertile material for a new soap opera. And that might not be a bad idea with all the activity that is going on in your house of writing, communicating and thinking. Even your Facebook wall, inbox or cell phone can develop lusty threads of exchange. Also the zone of your brothers and sisters (if you have them) and other relatives, means that sibling or family rivalry could provide even more fodder for a script that contains all the right ingredients for a sinister who-dunnit or fact-finding mission. Sit back and let them play it all out, let the gossip swipe back and forth – by November 18th, the truth will emerge and you can sit back and quite cheerfully say “I told you so..” Out of sight, but not out of mind, if you are a writer, even without the neighbourly or technological intrigues, your thought processes are operating on extremely complicated levels between October and January. Measuring and weighing up facts and figures by the fathom-full, you understand that it’s how words, data and details are strung together to make a comprehensive, understandable whole that counts. Leave nothing to chance and make notes of dates, times and conversations, jot down random thoughts and keep a diary to refer to – somehow the log keep you may prove important at some point in future.

LIBRA: If you need a break in the weather, this is the month when the cosmos will provide it! A trickle can turn into a downpour during October since your ruler, sexy Venus, will be too-ing and fro-ing in alluring Scorpio for the next 13 weeks. This is bound to spice up your life in more ways than you can count on one hand. There are issues – big and small – that centre around money, security and what you value in life and your passion is so great to earn and save more that you will strive to overcome the things that keep you from pursuing goals. At the same time, this can get complicated and requires fancy footwork! It can be anything from getting the wolves off your back to paying off a mortgage or credit card so that you can start from scratch in 2011. Since this cosmic dynamic affects all of us, then it’s safe to say that we all feel passionate about something this month Libra - it’s just that for you, the winning wheel stopped on your fiscal sphere and that’s where you should focus so that by January you are free to pursue new relationships that lead to marriage, business or friendship deals, arrangements and pacts that herald a brand new cycle in this area. October opens with Saturn putting the hard word on you but by your annual New Moon on the 8th, you will adjust to the idea that something is changing. The Full Moon of the 23rd brings you full circle to finalise, complete or surrender plans, setups and lifestyle decisions that began six months ago.

SCORPIO: Your image this month is that of a smouldering sex symbol! With both Venus and Mars in your sign nearly all month, your sex appeal simply oozes out of you and if you are looking to mix your chemistry with someone else’s, then chances are this is the month to put yourself out there! Attached or single, this is also the month to spice up your life and, whether you are working or playing, introduce something a little more exotic and sensual into your activities - this will stop the intense energy from turning into dissatisfaction which can turn into a storm of feelings if there is no release. With the Herculean sense of energy that you possess now, you can also get things shaking and moving; however, it would be best to avoid making decisions that can be put off until mid-November where possible. Instead spend your time researching and delving into as many files, folders and fact-finding missions as you can. If you can’t, then locate the weak spots that could prove troublesome later and have some kind of protection plan in place. Health-wise, you should have plenty of slow-burning energy to keep you going in projects that require intense input but do remember to keep hydrated with the right kind of fluids. If you like to socialise, then you are more likely to accidentally overindulge with your current ability to withstand the long hours that some functions could require.

SAGITTARIUS: What you do in secret, behind closed doors or in the privacy of your own fantasies, would be fascinating to others if only they knew! Sigmund Freud would have a field day! With smitten Mars chasing and then overcoming saucy, provocative Venus in Scorpio in your house of secrets, there are bound to be one or two intrigues and amorous Mills and Boon-type adventures happening behind the scenes. There is also an element of danger so you need to be very sure that what you do does not jeopardise your value systems, relationships or reputation. Once Mars moves into your sign on the 28th, a lot can come to light and if the truth is going to hurt, then it’s best to tread water very carefully! Because Venus is treading a rare but somewhat aimless path until January, we can take the wrong turn if we are not vigilant and conscious of how things can turn out. This applies on all sorts levels so whether you’re in the boardroom, the bedroom or behind the scenes, be scrupulous in your dealings with magnetic situations or people. Friends, associates, fellow members and comrades appear older and wiser and from the New Moon, you might realise that their advice holds the key to balance. By the 23rd, there could be a clash of wills with a lover, child or creative colleague that brings a fiery conclusion to a situation that began six months ago.

CAPRICORN: After Scorpio, Capricorn is the next sexiest sign in the zodiac so once Mars cuddles up to Venus in Scorpio in your zone of companions, comrades and cohorts, you may just find that what is currently an easy-going, cruisy friendship suddenly develops into something so much deeper. How far you want to take this depends on your personal situation and whether you feel this will jeopardise what you already have but it’s the intensity of chemistry that stirs something deep within you. One of you will take the high road by the 28th leaving the other to follow their own path so this will be when the passion dies down slowly but surely. The New Moon (8th) and the Full Moon (23rd) splice across your chart in the areas of home, family and life direction and as October opens, the emphasis is definitely on your career, trade, profession, reputation and public image, or, more privately, one of your parents. Saturn seems to be making sure that you are on the right track by placing tests in your way that come in the form of bosses or some other authority figure, or by underlining your obligations to a parent.

AQUARIUS: Just when you were getting into the swim of things where your trade or career is concerned, along comes Miss Venus Retrograde to throw a spanner in the works from the 8th! From office politics to the outer world where you might find yourself on display, there are intriguing dilemmas to stir up the passionate side of your normally cool nature. Your boss or some other person above you in the pecking order may seem to have an ulterior motive that gets your suspicions working overtime, but try to remain on guard and in control until things become clearer. This situation will play itself out over the next 18 weeks and the last thing you want is to make assumptions that you find have no basis in fact. Life is definitely putting you through a learning curve this month and until you come out the other side of this tangled web, you won’t be able to see the wood for the trees. The New Moon of the 8th is on your side though and brings just the right people or news from afar that puts things into a balanced perspective. The Full Moon on the 23rd may also brings news but this time closer to home that concludes a communication project, sibling or neighbourly issue or brings a learning experience to a conclusion.

PISCES: Just looking at travel photos is enough to send you into a fit of yearning and deep desire to get away from it all, and perhaps something inspires you to think about booking a romantic holiday to some place across water or that is surrounded by water. On the other hand, you may find yourself connecting with someone you met on a previous holiday and that the passions are re-ignited all over again, only more intensely this time. For Pisces who have booked their tickets, please be sure to check that all arrangements are as they should be because with Venus travelling an aimless path in your house of relocation, you could find that something has been lost in translation. You may even find yourself in a place full of mystery and intrigue where it is hard to trust anyone! Grounded Pisces might relish sinking their teeth into a philosophical or publishing project and that this involves a significant other where you give each other mutual support. This phase will last until January but the hotspots occur between October 8th and November 17th. The New Moon on the 8th and the Full Moon on the 23rd both point to urgent financial issues that need to be resolved this month. By month’s end, you will be aiming at the stars and expanding on new career possibilities.

Monday, September 06, 2010

September 2010

PLANET REPORT: Efficient Mercury, retrograde in its own domain, Virgo, as the month begins, and a New Moon also in Virgo on the 8th creates a neat little space in time to get organised as the seasonal change takes place and the last quarter of the year kicks in. Not long and another year will be over! Don the thinking caps, put pen to paper, get talking, meeting and researching, or haul out the cleaning, painting or mechanical gear. Once you get started on the too hard basket, it will be easy to plough through the jobs so that everything is back in place and ready to go. And not only is it a matter of thinking like a craftsman or a technician, it’s also a matter of having the right tools and equipment - no point trying to prune one’s life with blunt hedge clippers! Nervous Mercury likes neat lists and straight lines and because October’s cosmic map looks a lot more intense, a well-researched platform to work from will be a great starting point when things get complicated. On the 13th, Mercury will turn direct in aspect to powerful Pluto, which also changes direction on the 14th. The power of the thought will be magnified tenfold by mid-month – the world turns to black and white with the concentration of energy - and by focusing on the one or two projects that are urgent, we can imbue as much passion as we can into what we want to achieve physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Without being too one-eyed, knowledge is power, and the more facts and figures we have to work with, or the strategies, schemes and statistics that we can project and plan with, the better prepared we can be to make a decision. The key though is that we work with facts and not just because we’ve got something set in concrete mentally. Do away with the “she’ll be right” mode of thinking too, expend energy on the details. If we’ve been finding it hard to focus due to the complex nature of projects and setups, thought processes that have been blocked or locked can now be released with a little bit of work; jemmy the door and look for another angle to shift perception. It’s important to keep plugging away until the subconscious mind starts yielding to other thoughts. The celestial mantra this month should be: thoughts are things – what you think, so you create. On the 9th, Jupiter returns to Pisces for one last look around before moving out into the world for next 12 years come January. Still very close to Uranus, we will be surprised at the flotsam and jetsam that float to the surface as the past melts into exactly that, the past. We are in a closing 12-year cycle and this means that issues need to be faced so that movement into the next phase can happen easily (the next instalment begins in January 2011). Venus begins a very long sojourn in Scorpio on the 9th and Mars also in Scorpio will spice up life from the 15th. Venus turning to a much rarer retrograde cycle on October 8th, and moving contrary to Mars in the same sign all month, our relationships will deeply affect our relationship toward the individual areas of our lives that this transit will influence. Remaining in Scorpio until January 8th, learning to control passion, desire and other darker feelings will be the key to successfully manoeuvring this tricky phase. The Spring Equinox marks the next quarter on the 23rd at 3:10pm, the same day that the fiery, somewhat loose cannon that is the Full Moon on the 23rd underlines the fact that we are on the precipice of a new journey into uncharted areas. At zero degrees of Aries, though the Fool needs to slow down and temper his actions with wisdom and good judgement, he needs to keep moving forward.

ARIES: With this month's Full Moon occurring at the very first degree of your
sign on the 23rd, this month promises to be a cracker! Loud, proud and
boisterous in the lead-up to the Full Moon, it's a month to be very aware of
your surroundings and to be extra conscious of the impulsive nature of your
sign. You like to confront life head on but will this achieve anything now
beyond getting a headache? Maybe it's better to take the serene path and avoid
the "it's complicated" trap! And with Mercury turning direct on the 13th in
Virgo and a New Moon also in Virgo on the 8th both in your health zone, your
wellbeing is definitely in the cosmic spotlight. The celestial doctor says take
care of health and hygiene, rest up and increase exercise and vitamin intake.
This same area rules your everyday routine at home and at work, so co-workers,
colleagues and the people you deal with daily will also be in a "let's clean up"
frame of mind. Ideas, remedies, systems and solutions will be as varied as the
people who suggest them but this makes for interesting challenges. The trick is to
have fun rather than becoming pedantic and critical. Ruled by the same area of
your chart, remember to attend to the comfort and needs of your pooch, parrot or
puss.

TAURUS: A son or daughter, or topics related to young people or child-related
issues, can be discussed with more certainty when Mercury, the planet of
communications turns around in this area on the 13th. Open and honest, your
approach will make all the difference to their receptiveness. On the other hand,
achievements in sports or creative ventures could be the talking point either
for a child or your own hobbies. October could prove a very tricky month with
your ruler Venus moving through opposite sign Scorpio from September 9th and
then retrograde from October 8th in the realm of your relationships and
agreements. This is a rare pattern for Venus and can bring up all sorts of
issues with friend and foe alike. The atmosphere can change from Romeo and
Juliet to Cathy and Heathcliff in a matter of moments. Use the sharp mental
acumen of Mercury this month to thoroughly investigate all the facts so that your
thinking and vision are crystal clear. The last thing you will want is to walk
into a verbal landmine with issues that can trip you up if you are not armed
with all the angles, facts and figures that are required. From the 9th, there is
one last return to matters that involve your social network and the people who
help you shape your personal goals. From January, it will be a whole new ball
altogether.

GEMINI: That cooped up, irritable feeling will pass by mid-month when your ruler Mercury resumes normal direction on the 13th. In the meantime, work off excess
mental energy by getting physical! A change-of-season domestic clean-up will
give you a new lease on life, even if the lease on your current property needs
to end or be renewed. If you are buying or selling real estate, or simply
beginning a new tenancy, be sure to cast your eagle-eye over the contract and
put, or get, all verbal promises in writing. Only when all the right places have
been ticked proceed to go. There is no time like Mercury retrograde to create
situations that come back to haunt everyone involved but this will only become
evident further down the time-line. The nicely spicy romantic combination of
Venus and Mars that has charged you up during August and the first weeks of
September will move into your health and work zone from the 9th and 15th
respectively. Shifting from cerebral playful Libra to dark and brooding Scorpio
this could mean storm clouds forming over the tea-room or tea-towels as you go
about your daily tasks. Step back from the intensity and turn it into a passion to systemise and order.

CANCER: If you inadvertently stumble across information during a tete-a-tete over the hedge with the neighbour, a chin-wag with the local shopkeeper or a coffee with a sibling, wait until Mercury has gone direct on the 13th before relying on, acting upon or spreading what you have heard. Because our powers of criticism are heightened now and we are more sensitive to the faults of others, we could seize upon what we hear too quickly. Discrimination is the keyword because it may not be that the information is incorrect but the way it is presented that creates the wrong impression. It’s all in the angle or opinion of who you are talking to that makes the difference so remain open-minded until the facts have verified themselves. This is a busy month for meetings, conversations, short trips and paperwork. Contract signing, car buying, looking through classified ads or sitting tests and exams are also foremost in your mind but with the tricky double-talk of Mercury, continue researching and asking questions until the second half of September. In the meantime, Venus spices up your love life from the 9th (in a rare orbit that will continue until January 2011) but when Mars moves into the same area on the 15th, there will be more than a dash of flavour added to the romance cooking pot. Cupid is definitely on the prowl in your chart this month! Hold back on the intense passion though and allow space for a potential relationship to develop. Not looking for love? This same passion is still available and you can channel the immense and intense creative impulses into the art, sports or hobbies that you are crazy about. Pregnancy - or the children you already have or are connected to - also come under the same umbrella. The Full Moon of the 23rd brings a career or domestic issue to a culmination.

LEO: Your cash situation, a major purchase or the resources that you naturally rely upon are going through a series of loops that won’t straighten out until later in the month. With his usual delaying tactics, Mercury, the cosmic secretary, is really just tricking you into getting your financial act together before you can move onward and upward. These delays give you time to punch numbers, conduct research (as opposed to crossing your fingers that it will work) on a potential purchase or smarten up the thought processes so that you can use a more discriminating approach to activities you hope will bring you greater security. There’s more than a storm in a teacup about to arrive on your domestic doorstep in the form of Venus on the 9th (and she will be here on an extended stay that lasts until January) and Mars on the 15th. In Scorpio, Mars is the stronger planet that gets things done but Venus will have a tendency to bring the muck to the surface in familiar relationships or money matters connected to the home or family. It might be hard to hold back your feelings toward relatives or visitors but if you can find common ground without letting each of your pet passions or peeves get in the way, you can share whatever brings you together in a positive way. The black and white approach is an easy trap to fall into if there is a need to defend one’s position but there’s a lot more to this situation that won’t be understood until much later in the year. The Full Moon on the 23rd brings an academic, international or publishing project to a head, wrapping up six months of planning or discussion.

VIRGO: Happy birthday Virgo! On whatever date your birthday falls this month, each and every one of you will have your very own planet, Mercury, in a starring role in the coming year’s forecast. This means a greater sense of discrimination in the things you do, the tasks you take on and the people you hang out with, of analytical abilities that help you screen and order your life, and the desire to sharpen your mental tools and work on communication skills. All of these faculties are fantastic traits for starting a new job, beginning or building a business or veering down a new path in life. For people born before the 13th, you will experience a series of cosmic leaps and bounds that will set you back and propel you forward, while the rest will experience a jet propulsion thrust of mental energy that you can use to develop whatever area of life Mercury falls in. An astrologer can figure what that area will be based on your birth time, but even without this knowledge you can probably pick up on the one or two things that are going to be really important during the next twelve months. In the meantime, this is the month to recondition your mental capacities, clean up your physical act with exercise and diet, as well as your environment, so that there is energy and lots of airy space to ground your ideas and concepts. Some of you may have completed a very long apprenticeship in an activity or project that has been only a hobby until now – you may suddenly find you have turned into a professional who knows what they are talking about and who knows, you may actually get paid! Your relationship to your neighbourhood, siblings or local environment will become quite intense too once Venus (9th) then Mars (15th) bull-doze their way into these spheres and it’s all a matter of using powerful words wisely. This will be an extended phase that will last until January and your mind will go from one extreme to the other and back again before situations, projects and plans can be worked through. The Full Moon on the 23rd brings a financial matter to a conclusion.

LIBRA: Since the Full Moon on the 23rd occurs in your opposite sign Aries and on the cusp of your relationship zone just as your birth month begins, this will be an interesting month as far as friends, fraternities, foes or family are concerned. There’s been a build up in this area that began approximately six months ago – can you look back at that time and see what relationship issues came into being or were significant for some reason? Whatever it is, there will be an emotional culmination by month’s end. And despite the high energy that other people create or foster, there is also a meditative flavour to this month where time alone can provide a sense of healing that leads to a more discriminating and analytical outlook. And whether you do this formally by taking up yoga or meditation classes for instance or informally by studying your dreams, working with a counsellor or simply reflecting on life, it’s your inner voice that counts. Behind the scenes there is so much to be aware of, from people to your own sense of security and a chance to harness the power of thought as shaped by your unconscious mind. Whether you realise how you are shaped by your past, or how you shape your own future, it all comes down to awareness of these unseen processes. The clinical attitude of Mercury in Virgo could help you cut the negative ties that keep you bound to the past. On a material level, from the 9th and then the 15th, your relationship to money, to your earning power or to your general sense of security steps up a notch or two. This is a very active phase when you will put as much energy into using your own resources in more empowering ways but is a process that may take until January to work through.

SCORPIO: The last quarter of the year looks set to be intense, dramatic and ultimately empowering if you can use the condensed energy of Venus and Mars in your sign in a positive, fulfilling way. Placing the focus on the relationship you have not only with others but with yourself and your immediate environment, Mars will give strength, stamina and resilience despite the odds, while Venus will bring beauty, grace and charm. Venus though is not as happy in Scorpio as Mars so there can be a downside in that she can become a little insecure and needy, and will require buckets of reassurance from those around her. While Mars will bowl through your sign from the 15th until October 28th bringing the gift of determination and self-assurance, once Venus is left behind by herself to travel backward and forward until January 8th (which is a very long time for a planet that normally has a very straightforward orbit), she may tend to magnify situations if there is any hint of insecurity. Working on any issues that Venus may drag up ahead of time will minimise the impact of negative reactions in relationships. You will certainly be in the spotlight for many varied reasons and may become very conscious of your image and appearance but it would be advisable to stay away from changing your looks, clothes or hair too dramatically. The New Moon on the 8th brings a fresh start to friendships and networking while the Full Moon on the 23rd brings an amazing stroke of luck.

SAGITTARIUS: The first half of September may be deceivingly quiet but from the 13th a complete turnaround in your professional, parental and public image zone will take place. A New Moon in this area on the 8th kicks off this process and as the Moon grows she will push up the new growth that is just below the surface. The devil is in the details so pay close attention to any professional contracts you may be thinking of signing and hold off from sealing deals in concrete until after the 13th. Choose and use words wisely and methodically to avoid having agreements coming back to haunt you - there’s a sense of accountability to this cosmic energy that will be remembered in the months ahead but there is still too much up in the air to know how life will pan out. Circle the 19th as a very special date because that is when Jupiter, your ruler, will join with Uranus in a series of very rare meetings that will culminate next January. Like a huge celestial lottery, you just never know what is going to land on your doorstep and this news could relate to children, home, family and your whole domestic set up as it ties in with your self-expression. The crazy Full Moon of the 23rd also brings a child-related or romantic issue to a culmination, or you may find yourself out on the town celebrating the stroke of genius or luck from Jupiter.

CAPRICORN: The four compass points of your chart swing wildly in the second half of September while the beginning is like the calm before the storm. There is a veritable melting pot of events, people and situations to look forward to that, while the pace will be frenetic, will also bring excitement, anticipation and possibly something to celebrate. As Mercury backtracks over the area that rules the bigger questions you are asking about travel, higher learning, publishing or even a philosophical belief, and a New Moon in this area on the 8th, it’s a wise Goat who is willing to hang on until the 13th before making hard and fast decisions. As we come out of the dark phase, news or information you receive before the 13th could throw a whole new light on your arrangements, itinerary or selection saving time, money and effort. Research, dig around and compare your options until then. There’s a crazy Full Moon on the 23rd that will spark a frenzy of activity with relatives or in connection with your home base. And even though it might seem that this issue is a culmination of events that began six months ago there is still another chapter to be played out next January. This could involve good timing, a stroke of luck or an unexpected development that frees you up in the long run. Being flexible is the key. On another level, how you relate to your peers, friends, club or team mates and wider social circles will become increasingly important in the coming months as you will be relying on their resourcefulness and input, however, you will have to put in a concerted effort during September. Romance or an intense relationship could develop unexpectedly out of the casual links that you forge.

AQUARIUS: With Venus and Mars moving in tandem through the top or your chart and the area that relates to your professional and public profile from the 9th and 15th and then throughout October, this is the time to invest in relationships that will help you promote your cause or scale the ladder of your chosen trade, career or job. Passion is the fashion and the more you invest in yourself, the more others will be willing to jump on your bandwagon with as much vigour as you are willing to put in. It will not always be plain sailing as everyone’s values will be individual but if compromises can be made, a plan can be patched together. It’s all about relationships and the balance of give and take for the rest of 2010 and again the path of events may follow a zig-zag course until November. Financially, there is some surprising news on the way when Jupiter moves back into your security and money zone to persuade Uranus to give you a break that could prove lucky in more ways than one. It is how you perceive luck that makes the difference – it could be the sequence of events that leads you to somewhere new further down the line rather than cold hard cash. The Full Moon of the 23rd adds even more action and drama to this scenario and will help you create a new mindset that is much more open and receptive as you put a certain situation, project or activity to rest. While you wait for the action to show up, use the diligent energy to put your accounts into order during the first half of September.

PISCES: Being the dream-weaver that you are, you will be pleased to note that Jupiter re-enters your sign for another fling with Uranus on the 19th. This combination will create an unearthly atmosphere because so many possibilities emerge that just don’t seem possible at other times! This is especially so for people born in the last days of Pisces who will feel their world rocking and swaying. And even though the 9th is the day that Jupiter knocks on your back door, it will be the 19th that he actually joins with Uranus to create a crackling set of events, people and situations that will propel you into the future. The Full Moon on the 23rd also adds to this surreal mix when something that has been active during the last six months comes to a conclusion, releasing the energy and freeing you up. Be aware that this phase will help you review your life and that it won’t be until next January that it all comes together. In the meantime, Venus and Mars will be travelling through the area that describes your higher mind. This means that you will grow intensely aware of the relationship you have with books, academia, places at a distance and even with God. And while this area is usually an expansive one that takes in experiences and places beyond the everyday, the manner in which you tap into one or all of these areas will be focused and determined. The people you meet whilst traversing this physical, intellectual or spiritual terrain can show you something about relying on resources that you already have but that can be enhanced by sharing with others.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

August 2010

PLANET REPORT: Astrologers have circled August on their calendars as the standout month of 2010 because this is when Mars enters the cosmic sparring ring that currently contains four outer planets that are in a highly-excitable angle to each other. Astrologers have put both red flags and bright lights all around August as they hum and ha over how the energy – with the potential to be both hugely optimistic and inspiring and hugely pessimistic and fearful – will manifest. While one end of the see-saw is up, the other will be down and the trick is to grab something from each end and find a perfect balance in the middle! We need to act rather than become paralysed by indecision and doubt but we need to act with wisdom and foresight so that new structures can be built on solid ground. These long talked about (since late 2008) formations between the outer, slower moving planets will certainly be charged up by the quicker moving inner planets – Mars who entered Libra on July 30th (NZT) and smacks straight into Saturn and Uranus then Jupiter and Pluto, and Venus who glides into Libra on the 7th (NZT) again rousing the gang of four. On top of this we have Mercury, while not directly connected to the patterns, turning retrograde in the sign of perfection, Virgo, on the 21st. All these signals suggest that the inner planets will bring everything onto a conscious playing field and though it will be in the lap of the gods exactly how the grand plan will play itself out over time, this will be a period of unpredictable and swiftly changing landscapes where we have the chance to respect the awesome power that is life. And whether it’s from up high, down low or from somewhere in the middle, there will be plenty of drama and karma. Every action will have a reaction that follows on very quickly. The sensitivity of the planetary richter scale is such that so much can be unleashed that can propel us forward - for good or bad - into a new era and so we must act with extreme caution by taking the time to tick off the cosmic checklist as we proceed with life-changing decisions and experiences with greater consciousness. It’s all in how we balance feelings, thoughts, the material world and the spiritual realms and with Saturn now in the sign of Libra, any imbalances will need to be swiftly righted. Managing strong emotions - from outrage to optimism to awe - will also impact on the outcome of events and situations but all of these feelings can be put to good use if we can channel and contain them in the context of the bigger picture. With five planets retrograde by the end of the month we have to pause and take a deep breath before surging forward. Creating plenty of space will help bring about positive consequences and outcomes after November which is when the planets resume direct motion. In the meantime with so many planets are dallying, stomping and sliding around the early degrees of the action signs Aries, Libra and Capricorn, there is little doubt that many areas of our lives, both personally and globally, will give ground and transform into something completely new this year. Occurring in instalments, it will take until March 2011 for this scenario to work itself out so keep an eye on the bigger picture and realise that delays or changes in August are part of a larger story. With Mercury following a zig-zag path as it turns retrograde on the 21st (NZT) until September 12th (NZT) we need to take extreme care with commercial activities by thoroughly checking the small details whilst remaining open to the adventures that have begun. Other dates to watch are when Jupiter, who is now retrograde, squares Pluto on the 3rd and opposes Saturn on the 18th. Saturn and Pluto in turn square each other on the 21st just as Saturn who, as the month begins, separates from one last opposition to Uranus (which moves back into Pisces on the 14th) ending a very long period of financial instability and emotional insecurity that now needs to be rebuilt. August's New Moon occurs on the 10th at 17 degrees of Leo at 3:09pm and the Full Moon occurs on the 25th at 5:06am in Pisces. Virgo's birthday time begins at 5:28pm on the 23rd giving a practical slant that helps to smooth the tension that Pluto is under.

ARIES: Joining the amazing formations that are occurring in the heavens right now, your ruler Mars entered its opposite sign Libra on July 30th. This means that as August opens your whole sense of being will be highly sensitized and receptive to what others are saying or doing on a professional and private level. You are currently in a brand new 12-year cycle that is establishing itself in your sign and because Mars’ active nature will animate your interactions, bringing to life whatever has been under discussion or swirling around in your thoughts, this is a month when everything comes to life. From here on in, you will have to deal with the issues you have in common with other people and even though some of this will be stressful and tense, you will also find that a weight is lifted from your shoulders as they also deal with issues that pave the way for fairness and balance between you in the long run. Professional changes could be part of this process that will take until November and then March to work through.

TAURUS: Your ruler Venus joins Saturn and Mars in Libra on the 7th. This cosmic mixture occurs in your sphere of work, health and everyday routine and will activate any issues, thoughts or feelings with regard to co-workers, people you deal with on a medical level or if you are overseeing a physical project. It will also highlight on the job learning experiences or with the responsibilities that are starting to flow in. Everything needs reformatting and restructuring as this new cycle in your daily life begins and hopefully Venus’ presence will help you gain a balanced perspective. The trouble lies in the distractions that your private life brings at the moment and because what you are doing there is confidential, it is difficult to marry your outer life with the inner without opening a Pandora’s Box of problems within each area. Hopefully, once the Sun moves into sister-sign Virgo on the 23rd joining Mercury who will slow life down as it turns retrograde on the 21st you will find space to come up with creative ideas.

GEMINI: Mercury turns retrograde in its own sign Virgo on the 21st and in your family, home and domestic sector making August a month of strange twists, turns, snarls and delays that will add to the larger cosmic complications. This suggests that the first half of August is a time to pay attention to your to-do list and get super-organized with details. If big projects can’t be wrapped up by the 21st then it’s best to put them on the back burner. After that, things will tend to go awry and commitment hard to come by. The positive side to this is that you will see much more clearly than you do at other times and this can help you avoid mistakes. Keep plans open and have an alternative up your sleeve! There will be a hundred and one details to attend to and a massive amount of information or communications to make sense of. If you are renovating, moving, expecting family or just doing a massive spring clean, you will probably find that even though life does not stick to a tight schedule, you will have heaps of fun trying to achieve what you set out to do. The bigger picture of your finances might involve some unusual changes too this month as friends or group associations as well as the realm of children enters a bizarre period of activity however all will be revealed later in the year..

CANCER: The three other cardinal signs – Libra, Capricorn and Aries – are experiencing massive changes as six planets traverse across the early degrees of all three. And even though there are no planets currently in Cancer, the angle of the planets will still impact across the four most important areas of your life – you, your family and home, your partnerships and relationships, your professional life, parents and public reputation. Unique changes will occur here that, while stressful as they occur, will lead to a bigger view of your life in the long run. Saturn at the lowest point of your chart will be like an anchor that prevents you from breaking free to pursue those visionary goals that haunt your dreams at night, however, events in August will trigger an undercurrent that will help you gain balance and build solid structures for the coming months. This process will take until March 2011 to achieve so take heart and enjoy slowing down.

LEO: Happy birthday Leo! Your personal year has an amazing series of patterns and planetary partnerships that will mark the coming 12 months as totally unique if you can go with the flow of all the exciting turning points that are all around you. Your thinking and communications as well as long distance travel or connections are the areas that will experience the most changes as you come across amazing people, places, facts and figures that inspire you with the realization that there is so much more to life than your everyday environment. Even if you don’t physically travel, you can still learn a terrific amount about the world via people, books or movies that open up new worlds. Financially, this is a month to pay attention to the facts, figures and details of important transactions, but if you are thinking of buying a big ticket item, just make sure everything is as it seems and that you truly have a need for whatever it is. The practical nature of Mercury in Virgo this month can make even the most extravagant Lion think again!

VIRGO: Oops, your ruler Mercury turns retrograde on the 21st - just before your birthday year begins! This is a signal to sit up and pay extra-special attention to whatever is happening on a personal level because events and people now will have a direct impact on your life in the coming months. As if the bigger stuff is not enough! If you can, try to have negotiations, agreements and plans stitched up by mid-August to avoid changes or hassles further down the line. Financially, this is a big month where you need to move very slowly and thoroughly, avoiding the temptation to take pot luck or gloss over the more difficult details. A major financial restructure is at hand and this requires a delicate touch so that everything is balanced correctly. Exciting ventures are on the brink of manifestation and while this requires an entrepreneur’s vision, you also need to see with the precision of an accountant. Intense is one way to describe a child who has a black and white view of the world, or perhaps a love interest or hobby that you are pursuing has an all or nothing feel to it.

LIBRA: It’s complicated! August is such a big month for you Librans that it’s difficult knowing where to begin! Not only has a fresh 29-year cycle started (look back to 1979 to 1982 for clues) with Saturn now firmly entrenched in your sign but Mars (July 31st) and then your ruler Venus (7th) decide to spice up the party! Well, it’s more like a formal dinner party than a full-on rage, but whichever way you look at it, you are the host and there is so much to be gained from considering how you interact with others. Conscious of the image you are trying to project (responsible, reliable) the wildly exciting Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in your relationships sphere are like the unruly gatecrashers who promise to turn up the volume and get everything humming. The only thing is that with both planets retrograde until November and December you are likely to turn the exciting people away until you are sure that their presence will have something positive to contribute to your life or image. Unless you look at the bigger picture and longer term, you are likely to miss the fact that no matter what creed, colour, race or belief system they have, everyone has a role to play in your life this year. And don’t forget to check the cellar where the family members or living companions are hiding out – there are some interesting dynamics at play and these are sure to surface now. Be conscious and careful as the month begins!

SCORPIO: As August begins, your ruler Mars has finally caught up with sensible Saturn who has just moved into the very private area of your chart that governs health, wellbeing, big institutions and people and places that are tucked out of public view. With Mars and Venus activating this area, this could mean taking a very serious approach and applying the brakes to take time out to truly survey the landscape of your private life. By attending to things like health or people who are behind the scenes, you will get this fresh 29-year cycle clear of the flotsam and jetsam that is sure to float to the surface. You have been focused on friends, acquaintances and the groups of people you have mixed with for the last 2-3 years and now that this difficult energy is on the wane, it could be time to regroup your energy and connect with the inner you. August is tricky as so many planets, including Mercury on the 21st, are moving against the tide so this means waiting for the backwash to settle before moving ahead. Keep your eye on the bigger picture that will unfold between now and next March.

SAGITTARIUS: Your social and love life have truly stepped up a notch or two with radical Uranus and expansive Jupiter bringing this area to life over the past few weeks. And even though it’s highly enjoyable after the seriousness of the past 2-3 years, Saturn, who is on the far side of town, calls for a more balanced approach to the way you juggle friends, acquaintances and your social network. Events now are a reminder to keep sight of your long term aspirations that are distinct to your career as you have a wonderful chance to carve out a special niche for yourself. Creatively you have a ton of energy but during August you need to regroup and take a step back. Uranus moves back into your domestic sphere on the 14th with one final chapter needing to be written as far as family and home is concerned. This could result in making a clean break further down the track where radical changes can be implemented but for now you need to see what motivates you and why. You are currently undergoing a personal revolution that involves children, romance and creativity and this will take until March 2011 to work through.

CAPRICORN: Life can be so exciting this year with all the planetary formations influencing your sign however August is the month when we can all benefit from stepping back and surveying the lie of the land. With so many planets – including Mercury on the 21st - moving in a backward direction, and action planet Mars activating the bigger patterns, this is a time of being aware of the undercurrents. For Goats this will be especially true as far as your professional life is concerned because serious decisions need to be made now that will affect the coming years. Sudden changes in your home and family life will have a big impact on what direction you ultimately follow and it will be this month where you can get a better idea of how these domestic issues will shape up. Your intense desire to truly make yourself over can somehow cloud the real issues so pull back and let events and people show their true colours. Take heart that despite the seeming difficulties this month there is a bigger process at hand that will take until March 2011 to work through and that the best is yet to come!

AQUARIUS: Your mind is working at full speed this year and it is so easy for you to dream up new ideas or communicate them to other people. Now that you are half-way through your birthday year, August is the month to take stock and restructure your thoughts. By talking to teachers, gurus and guides before going any further on this bigger journey of self-discovery, you will gain useful advice that will help you in the months leading to up March 2011 when this cycle will be firmly established. Saturn puts the brakes on our ability to act with precision in the opening weeks of August but if we can look past the frustration that this causes and see that this gives us time to rethink and restructure, we can avoid expending energy needlessly. Mercury also throws a spanner in the works in the second half of August when a financial matter that involves shared resources needs to be dealt with. This could be anything from taxes to settlements and the most important thing is dealing with the details and being clear and precise. The New Moon of the 10th falls in your other people sector so work with this date to clear the decks.

PISCES: Uranus dips back into your sign on the 14th followed by a Full Moon in Pisces on the 25th. Affecting only late-born Pisces, there is one final chapter in a long-running saga to tidy up. After March 2011 you won’t have Uranus back in your sign in this lifetime. If you have avoided a financial issue that you have been dreading or putting off, August is the month to tackle it head on. And even if you have the tidiest books in the zodiac, you can still benefit from reviewing your insurance policies, wills, retirement plans or whatever issues you have that involve second and third parties. Venus, Mars and Saturn are all very active in this area of your chart and there is a natural inclination now to attend to this sort of housekeeping. On another level, work and health are very important areas to be aware of. Mercury turning retrograde on the 21st signals a review of routines and practices.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

July 2010

PLANET REPORT: After Saturn transited into Libra between October 2009 and April 2010 (ending a mean and lean two year stint in Virgo) a new phase tentatively began that gave us a glimpse of things to come in the second half of 2010. In April, Saturn backed out of Libra and returned to Virgo to tie up the loose ends within events, situations, people and projects that had begun since September 2007. On July 22nd, Saturn moves back into Libra where he will remain in a much more active role until October 2012. Giving full attention to the laws of balance, we now enter into a new world order and an active phase of natural correction where unfairness and inequality will become glaringly obvious. Saturn is the icing on the cake when he opposes Uranus in the last of five oppositions on July 27th, and is in turn opposed for the second time by Jupiter in August, as both planets turn retrograde themselves on the 6th and 24th respectively. This suggests one final event that will integrate the old with the new as we move forward. Expansive Jupiter and revolutionary Uranus both have unfinished business of their own to attend to in Pisces between August, September and January and March 20011 respectively so this means that Saturn will act as a cosmic scout going ahead of the group and setting up new structures and rules for the new period of global activity that lies ahead of us. But while trying to carve out his niche, Saturn still has newly arrived Pluto in Capricorn, and also with unfinished business, to contend with in August so, like a landmine that has been forgotten over time, we will see a resurfacing of issues from late 2009 that will need to be dealt with. Issues of power and control will manifest as Jupiter trips the collective unconscious into action on the July 25th and then Saturn takes up the gauntlet on August 22nd. Greater empowerment will result as awareness of hidden activities or agendas comes to light. A solar eclipse on the 12th at the New Moon in Cancer at 07:42am in aspect to Mars brings the gift of discrimination and diligence in all that we do as he also bumps into Saturn and creates the space, time and place to act with precision and to analyse and dissect before setting forth. The most fertile New Moons of the year, the eclipse suggests there are hidden issues that will come to light as the month wears on but which might not culminate until January 2011.

ARIES: July is a complicated month for all of us but because Jupiter and Uranus have both recently moved into your sign kicking off two brand new cycles personally and globally, there now comes the need to return to issues, people and places that have been prominent over the past few years. Putting the fresh twists and initiatives on hold until January and March 2011 when they will take root and start showing signs of growth, it’s time to come back to earth and focus on the details of work issues, the intricacies of a health matter as well as the running of your day to day life during July. This will help you streamline and become much more efficient when future opportunities start to manifest by 2011. The New Moon of the 12th, which is also a solar eclipse, signals a fresh start within your home and family life, and even if some of the events and situations are fraught with birthing pains, at least you will be clearing the decks for the new you that will emerge during the first half of 2011. Because Pluto, at the top of your chart and therefore strongly placed, is active during July and August, pull back from power struggles with either parents or influential people while quietly holding your own position.

TAURUS: Your ruler Venus travelling through Leo and your home zone is proud and haughty as July opens creating heat between family members, or your passion to rise as you tackle domestic issues. When Venus shifts into Virgo and your sphere of children, hobbies, romance and speculation on the 10th, your inner critic will surface so that you can work on hobby-related activities with more precision. Whether it is a sports or an artistic pursuit, you can pinpoint weaknesses and draw up a game plan to strengthen your act in the future. It’s so complicated! You have so much going on in your private world that it is difficult to concentrate on outer issues with clarity but relax and go with the flow, which appears to turn backward on the 6th and 24th. Saturn lumbering into your work and health sphere on the 22nd suggests that it is time to get very serious about balancing your diet and exercise regime. The same can be said for work and your co-workers, who will have a lot of influence over your feelings and strategies in the coming two years. Someone who is good-looking, but with a spine of steel and who may be born around October, has the biggest impact on your day to day life, pay attention to what they say. The New Moon is particularly potent on the 12th so be alert to anything and anyone who pushes you in a certain direction.

GEMINI: Your thoughts revolve around money and security in July as well as the excitement around friends and associates who are going to feature very strongly in the coming months. Once Jupiter and Uranus turn back toward your sphere of life direction, profession, parents or public image you will need to return to one or all of these matters that have evolved over the last few years so that this long chapter in your life can be closed once and for all. This process may take until January and March 2011 to work through but the long term results will be a huge sense of relief and a growing sense of freedom because you will be aiming for goals that are distinct from your career. Nothing is clear cut for any of us right now but listening to that tiny voice within that something is on the verge of changing will give you something to propel yourself into clearing up old issues. A son, daughter or someone else’s child or children will become one of your primary concerns once Saturn moves into the area of your chart that rules young people, and some of you may be dealing with pregnancy or adoption as a realistic solution. Your hobbies and spare time activities can also be a source of productive possibilities.

CANCER: The solar eclipse (New Moon) on the 12th smack bang in your sign underlines the amazing cosmic changes that are flowing through all our lives during the second half of 2010; and even if you feel taut and tense and less than amazing, rest assured that in time you will become aware of the opportunities on offer – hindsight is always 20/20. Attitude makes all the difference, as well as taking full responsibility for where you find yourself in life, so open yourself up and take a good look at how you can do things differently with family, home and all things domestic. If you can take on the karmic load, then you will be well positioned to move closer to your goals to travel, learn or publicise your wares with a free conscience. By January and March, you can achieve a 180 turnaround. Saturn enters the foundation of your chart and the zone that has to do with your living arrangements and family sphere on the 22nd suggesting that over the coming two years you will face situations where you learn to balance the responsibilities that arise from your natural association with loved ones or the people you co-habit with.

LEO: With Venus travelling through your sign as July begins, you have twelve days to present yourself to others so that you can capitalise on your abilities, wares and ideas and turn them into cold hard cash as your birthday year takes hold on the 22nd. Your money zone has been heavily guarded by Saturn who will move out of this area and into your thinking zone (also on the 22nd) leaving you free to earn, spend or save money without all the worries of the past two years. A solar eclipse on the 12th in the area of your chart that is hidden away from others suggests that there are still some issues lingering from the past that can be addressed now, however, it could take a good six months to weave your way through the complications. By January and March 2011, these people and issues can be put firmly behind you. With the 22nd being a pivotal date, it’s time to rearrange your thinking along more practical lines as the coming two years are going to be very serious indeed. By grounding your mind and restructuring your ideas you can arrive at a well-balanced space where you can approach writing projects, tests or communications with a clear and purposeful mindset. This in turn will help you move forward with travel plans, educational goals or publishing ventures in 2011. Lay good foundations now and remain realistic by taking everything one step at a time.

VIRGO: The financial sector of your chart is going through a revolution right now and with events and situations changing quickly day by day, it could be hard to get a handle on exactly how your accounts department will balance up in the end. This is definitely a time to look to the future and take a risk but you also need to remain mindful of overstepping the mark. Good advice will be worth its weight in gold, the only problem that remains is recognising who knows what they are talking about and whether their advice benefits you or them, whether it’s opinion or fact. Other people and organisations seem to be pivotal to your decision-making process but rather than be swept along by their ideas, suggestions or proposals, you will sleep well at night knowing you have done your research thoroughly rather than leaving it to chance. Of course, embracing the element of risk is what we all need now otherwise we would never move far in life so use Mars’ energy in your sign to crunch the numbers and carry out a diligence test without ending up with analysis paralysis. If it all gets too complicated at month’s end, pull back and let the intensity pass before making a firm commitment.

LIBRA: Welcome Saturn back to your sign on the 22nd! Nestling in for a long, two-year stay in the area of your chart that rules how other people see you, this is the month to take stock of yourself and take a realistic approach to relationships and the question of give and take. Getting serious about life is generally what Saturn’s message tends to hammer home, and though this means taking a cautious route where sensibility rules, in the end you will attract like-minded people that you can build a future with. By oh what a conflict as Jupiter and Uranus, two planets that are the polar opposites to cautious Saturn are travelling through your other people zone bringing wild attractions and exciting propositions; it’s a case of old versus new, exciting versus practical. Remember, your sign is the sign of balance so what better challenge than to equalise this dilemma and find a middle-ground between the flash and the trash, commitment and fun during the second half of 2010. As long as your eyes are open and you are concerned about the long term and rely on yourself for happiness, then you can have your cake and eat it too.

SCORPIO: We live in very interesting times where opposing forces clash against one another and life seems chaotic and full of choices. Somehow, somewhere it all ends up falling into a neat package and we move into a new phase of living. For your sign, these changes will tend to happen around you (unless your personal chart has a planet or two that is in the degrees where all the cosmic action is taking place) and this puts you in a less stressful position where you can be of assistance to others (but without being imposed upon or giving your power away). For Scorpios, the area of work and your day-to-day living processes are where little changes make a huge difference to your comfort levels and the flow of your routine. This is the year to experiment with the unknown and do things a little differently; and whether it’s trying out a new department or technique at work, or investigating new medical devices or remedies, you could strike gold by making a shift to the left or right. You won’t know how things will pan out until January or March 2011 but you will certainly have lots of fun experimenting and being open to fresh ideas that could lead to a totally different way of living. Apply the brakes as you turn the corner at month’s end.

SAGITTARIUS: Your ruler Jupiter is in with a great crowd at the moment and even though he turns to backward direction on the 24th in difficult aspect to power-hungry Pluto, there are still plenty of reasons to get up with an off-to-work-we-go attitude each morning. Each day is completely different to the next and this is how life will be over the coming months so that by early 2011 the twists and turns of 2010 will have carved out a new niche that leaves you free and easy. Until then your home life and domestic situation needs to run through a series of laps before the atmosphere settles into a calm routine – this situation has been going on for quite some time and has just about run its course. The solar eclipse on the 12th suggests that it’s time to work on shared financial or business matters while the opportunity presents itself and by getting advice from someone you trust, your progress in terms of career and reputation can move forward. In the long run, the attention will eventually come back to children, your spare time activities, romance or creative pursuits. Something as simple as making an educational choice for your child could relieve you of bigger stresses that you did not realise were such a big issue. Avoid complications and commitments at month’s end when push comes to shove in an important project or situation.

CAPRICORN: It’s complicated! That’s the catchphrase for life in the second half of 2010. There are so many choices and decisions to make now that the plug has been pulled from the stagnancy of the past two years. And with your ruler Saturn finally settling down into Libra on the 22nd, it’s time to get serious about where you are actually going in life and looking at ways at how you are going to get there; for those who are already there, it’s a matter of where-to from here and what are you going to do with all the knowledge and experience you have acquired recently. Reaching the highest point in your chart, Saturn says that it is time to draw up a long-term plan, to structure your decision making process and to allow others to guide you. In Libra, moving onward and upward always involves other people so if this can’t be done on your own steam, you will find that there will be teachers, guides, bosses, parents and other people who will see to it that you keep your nose to the grindstone so that a balance can be achieved between career and home, personal needs and public demands. July is tricky with an eclipse in your relationship area on the 12th bringing issues out into the open but if you can work through these situations over the next six months, you will land in a very nice place where anything is possible.

AQUARIUS: It has been fun experimenting with new ideas and communicating in a completely different way but there are money matters to take care of before the way is clear. Jupiter and Uranus head back toward this area on the 6th and 24th so even though you may think that the new energy is starting evaporate, rest assured that your new-found style will only go into hibernation while you clear up past business matters. By January and March 2011, the mental stimulation will all come back in a completely different package. Saturn lends a helping hand though by making you realise that higher education, travel, meeting with people from different backgrounds and cultures will actually help you structure your bigger thoughts in a much more balanced way. It’s time to step out of the mould, taking the best of what you know and interweaving it with what you are presented with in the outer world. Somehow this will help with fiscal matters and bring a surprise or two in September that will lead to a wealth of freedom further down the line. Analyse, dissect and research all options in the latter half of July.

PISCES: Your ruler Jupiter does an about turn on the 24th and begins its journey back toward your sign reaching it in September. This means that any recently found excitement for money-making projects may seem to wane a little and if so it is very important that you keep at it because by January and March 2011 you will be back in the driver’s seat with even more options at your disposal. July will be funny month where we need to take the reins of what began in June but without steering too hard for outcomes which are not quite ready to manifest. Saturn moves out of your partnership zone – relieving you of any stress, boredom or issues that have been around for the past two years – and into your other people’s money zone. This will require a restructuring of assets, insurances, taxes or mortgages so that financially you arrive at a fair and equitable place. Mars catches up to Saturn at month’s end and this means applying the brakes before you proceed to go and collect $200. Look at your investments with a shrewd eye and realise that Park Lane is not the always the best card to be holding. Downsize or streamline so that you can build your collection back up again by going for cards that have great cashflow rather than just prestige.