December 2011

PLANET REPORT: The nicest thing about December, apart from three planets turning direct, is that the New Moon will occur at 07:08am on Christmas Day. Like a present lying wrapped under the tree full of potential and possibility, this practical Capricorn New Moon trines Jupiter in the sign of the Moon’s exaltation, Taurus, just as Jupiter itself turns direct. Jupiter has been travelling in apparent backward motion since late August but now that it has once again returned to - and will turn around at - the beginning of Taurus, we will be able to forge ahead in those areas that relate to our hopes for the future, especially on financial and material levels.

The seeds that were sown between June and late August can now grow to generous proportions if we have followed all the practical clues that have been strewn across our paths. If we have ignored the clues though, then we might find we have bitten off more than we can chew or that opportunities have passed us by. This phase gives us a second chance to give it all we’ve got. We have until June 2012 to make the most of the grounding energy of Taurus.

On the other side of the sky, Mercury, while in its detriment, is also in Jupiter’s sign and turns direct on the 14th – shortly after revolutionary Uranus also turns direct. Up until the 14th, while we need to prepare for the festive season, we need to keep in mind that life is in a state of flux and that what we thought were plans set in concrete suddenly turn to mush. This phase will take skilful planning and sidestepping around unusual and sometimes crazy developments. The whoosh of energy from the 10th-14th though creates a lovely window in time to examine, ponder, philosophise about and sketch a broad outline for 2012.

There is no rush though because Mars’ unusually long journey through detail-oriented Virgo during the first half of 2012 will be a painstaking, perfection-seeking, almost pedantic experience. Mars normally operates on full speed, barely slowing down to give way when obstacles stand in the way, however on January 24th Mars will come to an apparent standstill and then begin a languorous journey back through the skies until April 14th when he resumes forward direction.

As December gives way to January, between January and April, we need to be prepared to shilly-shally and stumble through events that don’t appear to make sense at first glance. We need to proceed with much more caution and diligence than usual. Look at life events, projects and ideas with an appraising eye – let the critic within come forth – and avoid making a move until all the details are in place (probably not until after April). Pay solid attention to detail despite the urge to throw caution to the wind as the holiday festivities begin. We may be plagued by a vague sense of unease if we leave important facts and figures till later.

It’s a tall ask but because Mercury is out of action until December 14th, if we can squeeze in as much activity as we can into that last week before Christmas, we will certainly feel much better having tied up as many loose threads as possible. Keep all receipts for gifts as Mercury is notorious for items not working properly or for giving the same gifts as others. Avoid big ticket expenditure until after the 14th as well!

The Full Moon of the 11th is a total lunar eclipse in the sign of communications and general movement of mind and body, Gemini. It’s a balance between delicate emotions and razor sharp thoughts and we might find ourselves spoiling the festive cheer by over-reacting. A highly strung energy, try to slow down and think carefully before saying or doing anything.

The Solstice occurs when the Sun travels into Capricorn on the 22nd at 6:31pm.  

ARIES: With Uranus turning around in your sign and your ruler, Mars, going off air on January 24th, the period after December 14th represents a great window in time to get your spiritual, physical and emotional housework completed before the energy turns into something more complicated. On the Boxing Day, Jupiter turns around in your finance zone and the things in life that you value best of all. Something that began last June can now move into the next phase and once the New Moon occurs on Christmas Day, you will gain a whole new perspective. Work on health and your well-being over 2012 as that is one area that will be in the spotlight in the first six months. Mercury retrograding in your long distances, academia, publishing and beliefs sector will throw up a few spanners that clog the wheels of progress but inspite of this, you will gain a good perspective on what to strive for in 2012.

TAURUS: Jupiter turns around in your sign on Boxing Day and what a wonderful gift to begin 2012 with. Between then and June, you will be handed all the opportunities in the world to stretch yourself further than ever before. Somehow, it is a lot easier to achieve, expand and grow when Jupiter is in one’s own sign, but it does require effort and a willingness to your roll sleeves up and pitch in. Your ruler, Venus, moves into Aquarius on the 21st and this brings out the quirkiness in other people who are unable to commit to long term strategies with you. As hard as it is to understand, give them space to think and do their own thing. From January 24th, you will enter into strange but productive period in the area of romance, children and spare time activities. There is something about one or all of these areas that requires a perfectionist’s touch. Working on the small details is where you will make a breakthrough so that by July, a child, a lover or a hobby has been thoroughly dealt with or plotted out.

GEMINI: It may feel as if life is conspiring against you but it’s really just a build up of planetary energy that needs expression. For a start, your ruler Mercury is retrograde in your opposite sign Sagittarius. This instantly creates a communication issue or of thoughts that run counter to other people’s ideas. It will pay to be flexible but not so flexible that plans, projects and proposals run into chaos later on due to the lack of cohesion. The eclipse in your sign at Full Moon on the 11th suggests steering away from delicate subjects that are likely to cause words to fly. This is a very sensitive time and hair-trigger reactions are on the rise as the month wears on. Luckily, Jupiter is turning around in an area that suggest inner tranquillity and of having worked on issues that could be hotspots at any other time. Expand yourself intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically so that you can pass through difficulties with barely a flinch.

CANCER: The second half of December is always a tricky time for Crabs as this is the half-way point of your solar year and is usually a time of low vitality. It’s lucky for you that you get to experience this in your own time and at your own pace away from the pressure of your working life. Since you are ruled by the Moon, the lunar eclipse on the 11th also suggests that emotions are going be a fragile balancing act but that by the New Moon on Christmas Day, you will be ready to make resolutions and plans for 2012. It’s great that Jupiter is returning to life on Boxing Day after being out of action since late August. For you this represents a solid opportunity to return to a project or idea that you started developing between June and August. This could be a situation with a friend, band or team mate, or someone who orbits in your social activities. It could also relate to personal dreams and hopes that are distinct from your professional life. It may be time to dust down those old goals. What is there in the back of your life that can be revived and examined in 2012? Watch out for Uranus bearing unexpected gifts on a professional level around the 10th.

LEO: With super Jupiter turning around at the top of your chart on Boxing Day, you can be forgiven for continuing to think about your professional and public life long after everyone has logged off for the year. There are amazing things to look forward to once the year commences as far as your career, trade or job is concerned. This area also relates to one’s mother so for others it could be a parental issue that will soon move into the next phase. Startling developments may also occur when you log on. It could be something like a new website, blog or e-book that you have been working on that will also go through unexpected changes. Having said all that, if peace is what you are after this holiday period, then it looks like you may have to defer your time off! Mars is going to be looping around in your financial zone from January 24th so this is a good month to think ahead and use your coin wisely. You may decide to take on the services of a professional book-keeper or accountant where previously there hadn’t been any need. Whichever way, it’s the balancing of books that will matter in the first six months of 2012.

VIRGO: Mars continues to move through your sign ploughing up the turf so that you can plant seeds after April 2012. His extended stay in Virgo is going to have a big impact on a lot of signs but Gemini, Sag, Virgo and Pisces in particular will be feeling the heat, and this means beginning the year in a cautious fashion. Lucky for you that you have Jupiter on your side turning direct on Boxing Day as this will give you a cushion to fall back on when the obstacles and challenges start to appear from January 24th. In the meantime, you also have to contend with your ruler Mercury being retrograde until December 14th and a lunar eclipse on the 11th – both of these factors impact on the same signs. This suggests a highly strung energy that requires inner calm to deal with. Other people are likely to push buttons and create waves but if you know what is happening, you can keep the stress at bay by not reacting.

LIBRA: Across from your sign Uranus turns direct on the 10th and this rush of energy will create surprising waves and ripples within important one to one relationships. Unexpected developments that will take issues that began last July to the next phase could catch you off-guard if you haven’t been keeping watch on the undercurrents. This could spell a make or break time, but it could also mean that there is much more space to live and love. Some things are not as unexpected as they seem so in some respects you will know deep down that this is the way it should be. You have so much going on in your inner life that will take until next July to work through that you could be quite happy to retreat into your inner sanctum. There is a lot of work to be done but as early as April you will feel much healthier spiritually, mentally, intellectually and physically. People and events from the past may also come back, either into your consciousness or literally, and it will be surprising how strong their hold has been. The New Moon on Christmas Day could mean that a domestic issue finally resolves itself.

SCORPIO: As with Aries, your shared ruler, Mars, is going to do a series of backward flips in Virgo between January 24th and April 14th suggesting an unusually long phase of analysing, critiquing and restructuring that will last until July. Virgo is an intellectual sign that is concerned with the health of wherever it is situated in one’s chart, and this means that your world of friendships, acquaintances, club and team chums will be up for scrutiny in one way or another. This area also relates to your personal hopes and wishes that are distinct from your career and it may well be time to draw up a new game plan that will make you feel much better on an inner level. It could also be that the health of a friend brings out the nurse within you, or you may embark on a get fit regime where you encourage each other to reach your goals. On Boxing Day, Jupiter turns around in your opposite sign Scorpio launching important relationships to another level. Something that was evident last June but then faded into the background will come forward with gusto.

SAGITTARIUS: You will be pleased to know that your ruler Jupiter is on the move on December 26th. In June, it moved into a new sign, Taurus, heralding a new phase in work and health for all Archers. However, in late August things slowed right down when Jupiter went retrograde. As 2012 opens, life is once again humming along in the right direction. Mercury is also in your sign and retrograde as December opens but from the 14th it will also be travelling in a straight line. From then, you have a brilliant opportunity to get your working life back into order, clear the desks for the New Year as well as renew your vitality and take steps to increase your wellbeing. This is definitely a month to make resolutions and prepare a flexible plan because by January 24th Mars in Virgo will loop around in your career zone bringing delays and challenges that will help you create the perfect game plan in the long run. The Full Moon on the 11th is a lunar eclipse in your opposite Gemini in your zone of relationships. This brings sensitivity to all communications that can easily get lost in translation. Keep as cool as a cucumber and try to think about issues before reacting.

CAPRICORN: Happy birthday Capricorn folk! There’s a lovely New Moon in your sign smack bang on Christmas Day at 07:08am and that’s when your New Year will officially start. In a lovely aspect to Jupiter, there are hidden opportunities that will reveal themselves as 2012 kicks in. Children, romance or sports or leisure time activities are in the spotlight so make the most of it. Before that though, Mercury is off air and creating all kinds of mayhem in communication until December 14th. In your zone of confidential and private matters, there is something about the conversations you have with others that draws out your inner thoughts and you need to be prepared to think before you speak. Sudden changes in domestic arrangements may strike around the 10th. Mars will be looping around in your zone of travel, academia and publishing from January 24th and this suggests that time and energy needs to be placed on these areas right up until July 2012.

AQUARIUS: If you are selling, buying or moving house, your best opportunities may come over the Christmas/New Year period. This is when super Jupiter turns around in your home zone amping everything up to the next level. As December begins, use the time up until the 14th to research lifestyle changes in as much detail as possible so that when Jupiter moves forward you are in a strong position to re-launch yourself. There’s a tendency in the first two weeks for communications to become confused and this means we need to double check everything and take extra care with documents and information. In the longer term, Mars is staying for much longer than he usually does in any given area in our charts, for you he will be looping around in your zone of business, finance or property matters that you have in common with other people. Take your time and check everything and everyone out thoroughly.   

PISCES: December is a sensitive month for Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Piscean folk. With Mercury creating stress within our thought patterns, and a lunar eclipse in Gemini on the 11th, it won’t be until the latter part of the month that you will be able to sink into enjoying the holiday period. It’s hard to think straight in the first two weeks of December, and even harder to get straight answers from others, so there’s a real need to slow right down and think carefully in areas that can’t be put off. Your ruler Jupiter turns direct on Boxing Day and this gift from heaven is a solid base from which to spring into 2012. On January 24th, Mars reaches a pivotal point in a phase that will last until July 2012. Carving out the way in key relationships, other people will play a large part in your affairs in the coming months. Agreements and discussions will need to be examined and re-examined many times before a decision can be reached. Take your time and realise that criticism is sometimes a defence mechanism.  

November 2011

PLANET REPORT: Live life as creatively as possible in November! This mindset will provide the antidote to the confusion and uncertainty that will punctuate the weird and wonderful days ahead of the festive season. It will be a colourful journey but there are perils that we need to be alert to as our energy slumps and decision-making abilities stutter.

Right up until December 11th - when the second of two eclipses across Gemini and Sagittarius pass – look at life as an exotic marketplace in a land where the language is hard to understand and where the sights and sounds overwhelm the senses. The colourful characters, situations and events that emerge this month will provide a tempting array of gaudy trinkets that look like the real deal but should be viewed with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. As Mars opposes a turning Neptune on the 10th, glance sideways but keep going from anything and anyone who comes bearing gifts! Accept very little at face value unless you are absolutely sure or you have consulted the travel guide; better yet wait until you have got to a safe vantage point in December before accepting, or making, offers, deals and decisions. The glamour can hide a multitude of underlying problems.

It is also possible to be lured by the opium den of addiction to situations and substances that prolong a myth or give a false sense of reality. Like any high, we have to come down at some point. This is a landing spot month where we would be better to fill our days with carefully selected activities to avoid the deflation or disappointment of high expectations. The Cup is on the mantelpiece and now we need to take stock of the future. Mars moves into Virgo on the 11th and will remain here until early July 2012 - an unusually long time for this faster moving planet. In Virgo, there is a massive clean up ahead physically, mentally and spiritually so check for signs and signals of what requires a healthy dose of cosmic Janola in the coming months.

In the marketplace of life, November contains a lot of haggling to get the best out of dubious situations. Decisions concerning major lifestyle changes are complicated by the tricky details, or the tricksters who cross our path especially when Mercury turns retrograde on the 24th. Until the 14th, take leave and take stock. The fertile Taurus Full Moon on the 11th at 9:17am signals a shift in energy and a climax of matters that began six months ago and, luckily, creates a cautious, practical streak to cope with the general vagueness and wobbliness of this month. However, life will get more emotional by the eclipse at New Moon in Sag on the 25th at 7:11pm which adds fuel to the fire of agitated emotions but also brings an unexpected release so that we can move into 2012 with a refreshed outlook. This phase will be great for looking at the bigger canvas and into the future, and for sorting what needs sorting rather than adding to the pile that the festive season brings. The Sun shifts into Sagittarius at 05:09am on the 23rd.

ARIES: With your ruler Mars shifting into Virgo for an unusually long time from November 11th until July 2012, November is the beginning of a major clean up in your life. Not only is Mars in the sign of cosmic housekeeping but it will travel through the zone of your day-to-day routine, your health and work zone during this extended period. Be a step ahead of the current by looking closely at how diet, exercise and general consumption of the good and bad affects your mind, body and spirit. There will be periods of long hours spent working at gruelling tasks but if you pace yourself, you can achieve so much in the coming months. At work, you might decide to hone your skills or work through issues with co-workers. Around the 10th it is very important to be clear and concise about issues. Communication is very important this month, especially by month’s end when Mercury turns retrograde.

TAURUS: In December, Jupiter will resume normal operation in your sign and you can move into the next phase of self-development and personal growth. Until then, navigating the unusually charged atmosphere of November is the name of the game. At least Mercury and Venus move out of opposite sign Scorpio on the 2nd and 3rd relieving you of the pressure that other people have been placing on you but your annual Full Moon wraps up a six month phase on the 11th. Mars also moves into a favourable position for your sign on the 11th, remaining here for the next 8 months; and while this might not be plain sailing in the area of children, romance or creativity, if you focus on the details and avoid critiquing situations, you will find constructive solutions. This is the month to attend to financial or business matters that involve second parties.

GEMINI: With your ruler going off air on the 24th in opposite sign Sagittarius as well as two eclipses darkening the cosmic doorway on November 25th and December 11th across your sign, the next six weeks are appropriate for clearing up and cleaning out. In major relationships there may be issues that have been simmering below the surface that will emerge and, if so, it is best to work with these situations with good communication and rapport. There will be a general sensitivity this month and it may be all too easy to react before thinking. Mars moving into Virgo packs of a bit of a punch over the next 8 months and for Gemini it will slowly, but surely, spring clean the proverbial cobwebs from home and family dynamics. And though this is not a particularly fun transit, you do have the chance to perfect, polish or finish off a project, renovation or move. You will also learn the art of patience with the people you live with. Organisation is the key and having a plan. The trick is in knowing that Virgo energy tends to get anxious when there is a lack of structure.

CANCER: An interesting month ahead with lunar activity creating a bit of a roller coaster, and strange feelings, situations and people gathering on the sidelines of your financial sector. Get second or third opinions if you are involved with major wheeling and dealing as what you see, hear or read might not be what you get in the long term. The same is true in reverse too: be aboveboard and honest in all your dealings because there are loose seams that could unravel now. Even though the signs that the coming eclipses fall in do not impact immediately upon your own, the fact that you are ruled by the Moon means you have a greater sensitivity to what takes place in the sky this month. Over the course of the next 6 weeks your life may revolve around visits to the dentist or doctor but welcome this as a chance to get on top. Needless to say, this is a month to be precious about your wellbeing. Mentally, you are shifting into a longer period of concentration where communication or the written or spoken word becomes extremely important. The devil is in the details now. But go for gold!

LEO: From the 11th Mars shifts out of your own sign and into your financial zone for an extended period that will take you up to July 2012. On the same day at Full Moon lights up your career sphere and brings a culmination to professional projects that might have begun six months ago. This Full Moon also highlights the bigger issues that have been developing since June. November is a crossroads month where you need to be very aware but also cautious about making big changes too quickly. By the middle of the month we enter into an uncertain phase where it might be better to take a wait and see approach. Focus instead on personal goals, friendships and networking circles as well as children, lovers and the activities you do in your spare time. While the conditions are ripe for bringing issues to the surface, December is the better month to act. Be especially vigilant about the fine print and ask lots of questions! Research is the trick up your sleeve.

VIRGO: Mars’ arrival in your sign is nothing unusual in itself but because it will be looping around and moving back and forth over a period of 8 months, this suggests a long period of focusing upon your physical, mental and spiritual needs. It is also a time for developing confidence and leadership skills that will bring success in the future. As with any retrograde, some of life’s lessons come from trial and error, and while annoying or difficult will mean you can speak from experience. Virgo is the sign of perfection and Mars is the planet of doing; this translates into doing perfectly, whether a skill, diet or project. As it leaves Leo, Mars will oppose Neptune on the 10th and this may highlight hidden issues that will grow in complexity over the coming months. Your ruler Mercury turning around on the 24th in your home zone until December 11th gives you space to clear the home of unfinished projects and prepare for the festive season and 2012. Avoid big decisions about furnishings, electronics or renovating or agreements with family, flatmates and other people who might impact upon your life, until December 14th.

LIBRA: As Mars moves into a very private sphere in your chart for a full 8 months on the 11th, it’s what happens behind the scenes that matters most. Whether it’s a spiritual journey where you consult your inner oracle or whether you take the advice of someone who can throw light on the future, you are concerned with developing and perfecting a deeper part of yourself. Perhaps a situation with a friend that occurs around the 10th will draw out your inner sage and make you more aware of how in control you really are. On the other hand, health is also covered by this zone and you may become more aware of how diet, exercise and sleep affect your day to day performance. With lunar activity highlighting your knowledge zone, you may decide to seek information from places further afield than you usually do. Communications and how you think are very important this month and for some this will relate to study, while for others what you read or hear will have a profound effect. All in all, soak everything up but wait until after December 11th to put theory into practice.

SCORPIO: Happy birthday Scorpio! As your new year takes place, you will be glad to hear that Mars moves from a difficult angle to your sign to a place that takes the spotlight off you so that you can relax a little more. However, do be aware of the time around the 11th when an awkward situation surfaces. Rather than act on what transpires, it is better to hold off making big decisions until the fog lifts and you can see the lay of the land. All might not be as it appears so make no commitment to anyone or anything. Shifting into your zone of friends and your personal dreams, you have a full 8 months to focus on a special group of people, or perfect conditions so that you can achieve a unique goal. The trick is to raise your expectations each time you overcome each hurdle. It will be a slow journey and there is no rush. On the 24th, Mercury goes walkabout until December 14th in your sphere of finances. This is the perfect time to adjust your values, budgets and earning ability, and, most importantly adjust spending. Avoid making big ticket purchases without thorough research.

SAGITTARIUS: A big month is November! Circle the 10-11th as a turning point where everything cosmic leads to the eclipses that fall across the Gemini-Sagittarius axis. Your annual New Moon occurs on the 25th but because it happens to be an eclipse (that will lead to a second eclipse on December 11th) there are changes afoot that could catch you off-guard. On top of that, Mars reaches the pinnacle of your chart on the 11th and will remain in your life direction zone for a full 8 months. This whole scenario in a snapshot suggests that right up until July 2012 you will be in “perfection” mode – perfecting skills, talents or a role – whether you are a parent or CEO – or simply polishing your public profile. It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and to look at the tiniest of details within the context of the bigger picture. Mercury also goes retro in your sign from the 24th until December 14th so it could take a while before your birthday year springs into action. Review, revise and recharge!

CAPRICORN: Knowing that it takes sweat and hard work to make it, you will be one of the few signs that can grasp the essence of Mars in Virgo. Tackling the tiniest of details will come easily to you but you have to be careful not to allow this to degenerate into nitpicking, otherwise, the seams can come undone just when the fabric is taking shape. Patience is another virtue of yours once you have got over the initial rush of wanting something. This is good because you have 8 months to cut out the pattern and stitch it all together. That’s the period up until July 2012. In the short term, November contains a brilliant Taurus Full Moon on the 11th that will finally bring about a resolution in a romantic or child-related issue however the New Moon following that is an eclipse in Sagittarius that will bring hidden issues to the surface. Whatever bubbles up will provide clues to the much bigger picture that is taking shape. What transpires then will culminate around the Full Moon of December 11th bringing changes to a work situation and the day to day running of your life.

AQUARIUS: If you have been having a hard time of it lately with other people, you will be glad to hear that Mars will be moving out of your opposite sign Leo on the 11th and that relationships will lose some of the heat that may have been evident. As it leaves though there will be a gnarly opposition to Neptune, which is turning direct in your own sign. November is complicated to say the least, and most astrologers would suggest leaving big decisions or purchases until well into December. And though the passion may cool to more manageable levels, the 11th is the beginning of an 8 month stint that will focus on assets, money, property and business that you have in common with second and third parties. This can be anything from taxes to insurance to the division of shared resources. Cool as a cucumber, you have a few months to work through this process so take your time and avoid being pushed or pushing for results.

PISCES: November is a tricky month for Pisces with so many cosmic events occurring at difficult angles to your sign but it can also be highly creative if you have the right mindset. Easier said than done I know, but if you can take the road of least resistance by not making big decisions that could affect you in the long run, you can coast through this phase with only a case of internal irritability that can easily be worked off. An eclipse on both ends of Mercury retrograde serve to jiggle life up and severely test your patience. Again this leaves space to review the current state of affairs in your life direction and home zones. By December 11th-14th you will get a much better idea of the broader layout of these areas so that you can move into the festive season with a set of revamped ideas. The longer term brings relationship issues – from love to professional – to the fore. The trick is avoiding falling into the sweating the small stuff trap and use this time to etch out the details of agreements, arrangements and proposals.

Spring/Fall 2011

TWISTED SOUTH SPRING/FALL 2011 ARIES: Feeling the heat? Or lack of it? After the complicated reversals that made August a weird and wacky month where a child, a lover or a creative project was concerned, September finds your chart pumping with emotional adrenaline. A move, a conflict or a change in domestic line-up means your home-life is like an obstacle course. Perhaps it’s time to ditch time-wasting attitudes, people or activities and save your sanity. The New Moon on the 27th is a relationship biggie. Catching the four corners of your chart in one foul swoop, use words wisely where professional and personal situations demand action, an explanation or a result. Power plays or generational shifts can have far-reaching effects. Right through to November 11th, your social calendar is lit up like a flashing neon sign. Just like Mick Jagger, you will be dancing in the streets with sexy, flashy and very proud people. TAURUS: Don’t let the sting of the Scorpio New Moon on October 26th distract you from the great strides you have made since early June and the opportunities, openings and occasions that will bring wide open roads after December. There’s still plenty of mileage left in Jupiter’s travels through your sign and once he turns direct in December, you will be recognise the gems and treasures that are stashed along the road. Be thorough, patient and above all prepared to come back inside the line if you have gone too far. A lucky break, a chance meeting or a decision made at the right time may be all that you need to hit the highway again. Being prepared, polishing your act and holding on to the passion are your special tools. Like a stone skimming across a clear lake, what takes place in July and October 2011 will ripple through to March 2012. GEMINI: Look to the poet in your heart for guidance Gemini. Over the next 3 months, protective power comes from the part of your chart that is concealed from view. This area speaks of wisdom that can only come from inner growth and a relaxed calmness that evolves as you come to terms with your past and who you really are. Turn on the inner light Gemini! Entice the monsters out from under your bed and chase away the ghosts that lurk in dark corners; you will find that there really is nothing to fear once everything is dumped on the floor. Prepare now for a complete makeover and bookmark June 2012 as the beginning of a bright new 12-year cycle that you want to be ready for. Starting with the New Moon on September 27th, write, speak and think your way through the closing down of the last 12 years. CANCER: Whatever happens in the world around you, it’s your friends and close partnerships that anchor you in the here and now. Put your trust in someone. Caught up by planets standing tall at the cardinal directions of your chart, once Mars moves out of your sign on September 19th, the conflicts, combats or contradictions that have made life a pain in proverbial will give way to focusing on what you value most. Right up until November 10th it’s time to pull your resources out of the hat and put on a great show. Polishing and honing your skills, talents and knowledge will make climbing the social, public or professional ladder so much easier; being authentic is what counts so write your life’s signature tune now. Technical information, ideas and conversations with a sibling, neighbour or even the music shop owner will drive you to focus on the smaller details in late November. LEO: Between September 18 and November 10th, the spotlight is on you sweet Leo when Mars turns into your sign. Like a big brass band rolling down the main street, you can hardly live in exile during this lively, up-tempo time. The beat and rhythm of your life attracts fans, friends and foes alike because what takes place now will be eyebrow-raising to say the least. Pumped and primed, get ahead by listening and following the beat of the cosmic drum. There are signs, signals and sensations that will provide the cues. Yes, others may think you are over the top but come November 5th, there will be lots of work to get done and your enthusiasm will be second to none. Focus on the details after November 11th in financial matters. Your accountant or bank manager may be asking questions if your accounts are anything but balanced and healthy. VIRGO: As flame-haired Fall arrives, your birth month finds you busy sweeping up the leaves of your life and making tidy piles of what to keep and what to throw out. With both Mercury and Venus travelling through your sign in September, right up until the 26th, you’re buzzing with ideas, making notes, calling on others and in an analytical, clean up frame of mind. Your travel, big picture and cultural department begin to take off after months of planning, projecting and preparation; however it won’t be until March that the true results can be tracked and traced. Make connections, check out the competition and do as much as you can to self-promote your talents, wares and services – the internet will be your biggest and best tool. Your down-to-earth approach pulls in the punters and because you have woven a neat trail behind you, they know they are onto a trustworthy ally. LIBRA: With voluptuous Venus burlesquing through your sign until September 16th, you’ve got that loving feeling written all over your chart. If ever there was a time to wow your audience, it will be in these first two weeks. Your personal New Moon on September 27th provides the mental energy to put pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard or lyrics to the tune. And in October – happy birthday Libra – Jupiter will provide a way to settle a bill, reduce a debt or send you a gift from someone who has had you in mind for a long time. Whatever else, your home life is entering a peaceful era. You won’t be out of the forest until March but what happens in October will certainly give you a calmer state of mind. The Full Moon of the 12th affects you directly when events that may have begun last April come to a head. SCORPIO: Life happens at odd angles with sharp edges until November 12th and this means playing your scales cautiously. Tinker around with the roles that your life asks of you and then decide which is the most authentic. Professionally or publicly, one wrong note will send the rest of your band into a spin and if the people who hire and fire wake up on the wrong side of bed one day, situations can escalate. The second in a three-part instalment of cosmic stepping stones, this is the time to show the VIPs in your professional circles your expertise, attitude and reputation but do it with understated confidence. Be proud without appearing smug, ambitious without appearing ruthless. By next March, you will reap the results. The New Moon of October 23rd kick starts your birthday year while the Full Moon of November 11 brings a culmination. SAGITTARIUS: There’s an eclipse darkening the doorway to Sagittarius on November 5th. This means October is likely to be a month that leads to the new beginnings that will take shape from November. It’s lucky that your ruler Jupiter is linking with Pluto for the second in a three-part trilogy of aspects that will culminate in March. This provides an invisible cloak around you that can shield you from the slings and arrows. Dig deep within and look for the gems and treasures that will soon be needed. Using your own resources is so much better than waiting for luck to cross your path or relying on others to produce the goods. So much will change between now and December but if you are prepared and aware you can navigate the waves with ease. From November 3rd to 27th Venus butters your bread on both sides so make hay while the sun shines. CAPRICORN: With the cosmic cross currents catching up the four quarters of your life – you, your home, family, relationships and life direction – there will be people who push you to make decisions or take action. Up until September 20th someone who is very emotional about a personal issue will want to push the envelope where an agreement or tangled situation is concerned. Whatever takes place will lead to reviewing what you share between you – money, assets, property – up until November 11th. This could be a good time to restructure loans, debts, claims, settlements or anything else that involves two signatures. The Full Moon on the 12th underscores your living arrangements and how they help or hinder your career or public reputation. Make decisions slowly because what appears to be a challenge may turn out to be just what you need to reassess the mounting responsibilities. Life on the road could appear very appealing! AQUARIUS: Jupiter in your home zone releases the second song from a three-part score that takes place over July and October 2011 and culminates in March 2012. It won’t be until very close to Christmas that your family and living quarters will enter into a new groove where a shift, renovation or rearrangement brings more stability and more space to move. Creatively, home is where most of your inspiration comes from, and whether it’s because you need to do something drastic or because you live in the perfect environment, there’s an inner poet, writer or artist who is subtly emerging. There is also something about your past that can be put to rest now and for some of you deep healing such as breaking away from an old addiction can happen at all levels. From November 9th, dreams and visions hold mysterious clues that point the way forward into a mystical future. PISCES: In February 2012 your modern ruler Neptune slips quietly into your own sign heralding not only a new era in your personal life but a whole new generation of babies who will be born with the mystical and mythical qualities of the sign of the Fish. On November 9th, Neptune turns around and resumes its last direct motion over the final leg of Aquarius. Emerging out of the darkness of your very private sphere of the past and inner self, as you work your way toward February, many aspects of your personal life will morph into another expression of who you are. You might freak out at the lack of boundaries and unusual experiences of this disorientating transit but with this comes the valuable insights that

October 2011

October 2011 PLANET REPORT: Even though Mars is spluttering back into action in Leo after wading out of marshy Cancer on September 19th, the skirmish that comes with radical, non-conforming Uranus this week, will have Venus, Mercury and the Sun tip-toeing around practical, cautious Saturn by the Full Moon on the 12th. The mood in October will be fairly serious because Saturn tends to clip the wings on any emotion or activity that ignores the rules, if there are too many risks involved, or that have been neglected for too long. After the explosive, unexpected close to September, we should expect this month to be a reality check time. With the unusual events and hidden potholes, defensive driving is the way to navigate October. Until the 9th, Venus is strong in her own sign, Libra. Highlighting all relationships (business, love, professional), it’s all about the power of two, and of working in tandem with others - it becomes a team effort. The hotspot is the Full Moon in Aries on the 12th, which will test and push the emotional limits in relationships even further. This is a fork-in-the-road month that leads to a cosmic full stop to activities that are no longer productive, satisfying or worthwhile on the 12th. As we head toward this Full Moon, and with so many planets in Libra, we will be very aware of the need to cement the shifting goal posts in relationships so that boundaries are clear-cut. Once Venus and Mercury slip into intense Scorpio on the 9th and 13th respectively, and with Mars in a Fixed sign, the atmosphere will gradually become less flexible as the month wears on. Old habits die hard, and if we want to avoid deadlocks with people in business or in love, then discussions, agreements, pacts and arrangements should be approached with an open mind and mountains of tact and diplomacy while remaining aware of our own viewpoint. Globally, this will be a big month on the financial markets due to lunar activity connecting with Saturn and Jupiter - the economic indicators of the cosmos. It all started at the end of September, builds to a climax at the Full Moon of the 12th and by the New Moon in Scorpio on the 27th at 08:57am we will be off on a new cycle of activity. The message at New Moon is to scale back and avoid over-stepping the mark. Use resources that been proven over time. The Sun shifts into Scorpio on the 24th at 07:31am. ARIES: The cosmic tension builds across Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn this month. With the volatile energy that Uranus tends to bring into the mix, this is a time to be conscious and cautious just when you want to do things on a grand scale. Whether events explode, backfire or simply stress you out, try and take things slowly before jumping to conclusions. Your annual Full Moon on the 12th will bring an ending that might not match your hopes. Pluto at the highest point in your chart can also bring momentous shifts in your public profile that will be far-reaching but you need to scale back expectations or actions so that by the New Moon, you can take advantage of the opportunity to use other people’s resources and connections. TAURUS: Jupiter in your sign is squared by Mars as October begins so life will be extreme and certainly over the top. Eyebrow raising or temper flaring situations will test your patience and new-found resolve. It’s important to remain calm and let the storm take you without adding more fuel to the fire. October is a stressful month where people, events and situations flow quickly through our lives but things dampen down by month’s end when the energy becomes more subtle and less obvious. If you are aware of the currents, you can navigate the slipstream. Life is always about challenges that test who you are as a person and where you are at in terms of intellectual, emotional or spiritual learning. Jupiter is the greatest teacher but Saturn brings the physical hurdles. GEMINI: You can hide away while others are throwing their hands up in despair. It’s chaos until at least mid-month but the good news is that your sign is out of the firing line (bar having any personal planets in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn). Take note of what is going on in your private space though – in your mind, your soul, your work or bedroom – because there is inner change occurring that will manifest in certain conversations, or be triggered by an email, text or Facebook entry. From this there could come an avalanche of issues, thoughts or exchanges. A neighbour or sibling could be involved, or try to involve you, in projects, plans or peeves that you are better staying in the background of. Around the Full Moon of the 12th a radical friend or cause reaches the end of a particular road. CANCER: There’s quite a crowd of planets in your home zone as October begins. And whether they are around the dinner table, at a family gathering, visiting or living with you, there are new boundaries and realities to be set in concrete. For some this may involve parents, the family home, or shared living arrangements. The Full Moon of the 12th will splice across your public versus personal, career versus family zones so that decisions made in one area will affect the other. Needless to say, it’s a month of being cautious and considerate unless you have no qualms about who you are and what you stand for. Uranus, the revolutionary, threw a spanner in the works at the end of September by bringing an unexpected development that you will have to sort through in October. Avoid any situations that involve friends and money, business and pleasure as the month begins. LEO: With Mars charging through your sign and through October this is the month to put yourself out there and work hard to build a name or brand. The public is likely to take notice of what you do now, however insignificant you may think something seems at first. If you are involved with publishing or teaching, this is an interesting month because there are many different angles to an idea or concept and other people will want to have input. Balance is the key to the radical thoughts or situations that manifested at the end of September. Around the Full Moon, an educational or travel-related issue reaches a point where a decision has to be made once and for all. Be thorough and practical about this process. Act only when your research backs up your ideas. VIRGO: There are decisions to make regarding a question over your earnings, investments and cash-flow situation. Strict Saturn has been in this zone since late 2009 which means there are structures being forged that will shape a whole new chapter in this area. In October, with the annual visitation of the Sun, Mercury and Venus in this area, and a Full Moon on the 12th, it seems a new stage is being reached in whatever began back then. This is stock-take month where you crunch the numbers and decide what you value most – job satisfaction with a long term view or immediate cash-flow. Play it slowly and carefully rather than changing tack mid-course. Store what you learn this month in the back of your mind for future reference. LIBRA: Happy birthday Libran folks! Your year ahead is going to be filled with all kinds of experiences that will be like a roller-coaster of sights, sounds, people and events that will open the door to mighty changes on the home-front and radical shifts in relationships that will lead to a fresh outlook and greater self-expression. Yes, life is serious with Saturn still in your sign for another year, but it’s nothing that you won’t already have had to tackle so far. As long as you take the practical, structured route and live within your means, the new, mature you that is being shaped underneath will emerge by this time next year. The Full Moon on the 12th is directly opposite your sign and will bring a relationship question to a conclusion resulting in new rules being written. Not the easiest of months but what happens now leads to another chapter. SCORPIO: Mars soars at the top of your chart throughout October putting you in the limelight where the attention of your peers, bosses, parents or simply the people who are in your professional or public orbit will take more notice of your activities, achievements or presence. This is the last month of your birthday year and what better time to clean out the dusty corners as you get ready to start again. October is complicated by many things as the cosmic energy reaches a critical stage for the larger social changes. This means an event-filled month where unusual developments occur. There could be a private gathering of people, or perhaps you are working behind the scenes on projects that will soon be revealed. Try to get professional activities sorted because there will be an extended focus on friends and social circles in the coming months when your ruler spends 8 months in Virgo. SAGITTARIUS: Friends and friendships are in the spotlight during the first half of October. A reshuffle or rethink may be on the cards as you either share in a common experience, or the roads that you are both on go in opposite directions. It’s all about being practical and realistic, and it’s also about truth and honesty. Making travel plans, or sketching out an educational itinerary will give you hope for the future. Keep in mind that between November 2011 and July 2012 Mars will be spending an extremely long time in your career, life direction, public and parental zone and that over October, you would be wise to plan ahead for the delays or apparent setbacks that will see you gain new technical skills for either your job or when handling delicate situations. CAPRICORN: Like Aries, Cancer and Libra, your sign contains a lot of cosmic energy that was activated at the end of September. Experiences now are intense because the planets are passing through the very core of your chart that signifies who you are in relation to your family, your relationships and your life direction. Summon up that practical, realistic streak that you possess and start carving out a new set of rules and erecting new foundations. Be honest and resolute and you will find new avenues will start to appear as you discover your own resources as well as revel in a different kind of freedom. October is the month to focus on your life-direction, a parent or professional issue or project. You might squirm in the spotlight but situations now will somehow place you at the forefront of your public life. The Full Moon in Aries on the 12th is significant for closures and bringing a chapter of your domestic or family life to a close. AQUARIUS: October will be a big learning curve in balancing up your belief systems against your earlier conditioning or for what you have always held true in your life. Saturn, your ruler, is currently passing through this area and will be there for at least another year. He is always about bringing new realities into one’s consciousness and because he is in your area of higher learning and the inner planets are highlighting this in October, you will get a crash course of how these beliefs, or experiences with the wider world, are shaping up. On another note, relationships are very animated this month and if there are burning issues that require action, discussion or consideration October is the month when this is likely to take place. This is also a month to get financials into order. Mars will soon be spending an extended stay in this area and highlights a drawn-out situation. PISCES: The first half of October is all about finances and getting your books, accounts and debts into order. Saturn has been in your shared resources zone for some time now and there is still another year to go. In October, the Sun, Mercury and Venus will also be in this area and with the New Moon at the end of September signalling a fresh chapter, it’s time to restructure and wipe the slate clean for the next six months. In November, Mars will enter your relationships zone for an unusually long time – until July 2012 – and this means there will be issues, situations and agreements that will require time, energy and expertise to develop. If the rest of your life is in order, you will be able to give relationships all your attention. Getting down to the nitty-gritty with others will be important during the coming months so if there are big issues, you will fare better if you prepare yourself now.

September 2011

PLANET REPORT: The wheels of industry go clickety-clack with busy Mercury en-route to its own sign, Virgo, on the 9th. September is the month to spring-clean the home, sort out the desk, prepare the garden, cleanse the body or boost the mind – all this despite energy levels and activities being all over the place!

The strong cosmic desire for order and to start over makes it easy to attend to the mental and physical house-keeping that has built up. Our tools are sharp, our reflexes are quick and our brainpower boosted. From the 9th-26th the devil is in the details, and in the fine-print, so cross-check, punctuate and use proper grammar in all dealings. By the Libran New Moon of the 27th there will some gnarly issues to contend with as we move into the next seasonal quarter but these can be easily overcome with foresight and determination.

Mars continues to play havoc with life’s timetables and itineraries until he moves into Leo on the 20th; however, station-master Mercury, accompanied by the Sun and Venus in Virgo, over-ride this chaos by being in strict control of schedules and of the organisation and planning of projects, plans and setups. With the Equinox coming up, and Venus, Moon and Mercury also at zero degrees south, begin at the beginning and systematically work into the middle of the metaphorical room. By the end of the month, we will be glad, and proud, of what we have sorted, avoided or achieved amidst the chaos!

Making the most of the analytical nature of Virgo to file, sort, analyse, discuss and calculate means that instead of being thrown for a loop, we will be prepared in situations that require lateral and logical thinking, correct information and an accurate assessment. This is especially true around the 1st-2nd and the 18th-20th when an effort to consider the broader context of life will pay dividends.

Jupiter, the planet of the larger social complexities that govern the world, turned to retrograde direction on August 30th suggesting that complex social and economical issues will go through a period of incubation as we reassess the financial implications that have arisen since early June. Pluto, by contrast, stations direct on the 17th and from then the roots will be exposed in situations that have been hidden from view. How any restructuring has taken place, both in the corporate world and in our own private enterprises, will now become evident. Let’s hope it’s for the better because these roots have well and truly taken root.

Even-handed Venus in her own sign Libra from the 15th seeks balance and redress and might become a bit of a control freak around the 18th-20th. This is because she is passionate - but level headed - about what she wants in relationships. She is very concerned about the fairness and rightness of situations that have become unbalanced. Needless to say, we should focus on the important issues that can make or break our interactions.

The Pisces Full Moon on the 12th at 9:28pm (NZT +12hrs GMT)is highly idealistic and special. Free from interference from other planets, we can take our hands off the steering wheel and simply enjoy life for a short time. The New Moon in Libra on the 27th at 11:10pm on the other hand, suggests we trust in the decisions we make that can lead to opportunities as long as we avoid pushing our own agendas on other people.

ARIES: After the 20th, your vitality, health, drive and energy should resume to the levels you are famous for. Your ruler Mars has been playing havoc with your life since it entered Cancer on August 3rd making this a particularly difficult time both in your home life and general wellbeing. It’s a good thing you have a steely willpower and can withstand the knocks and challenges. Once Mars reaches Leo on the 20th there will be plenty of room for fun and games as well as more time to spend with the people you love to spoil – or who love to spoil you! A major lifestyle or career change is on the cards once Pluto turns direct on the 17th. No surprises, these changes have been brewing since April. Address relationships as you head into the halfway point of your solar year.

TAURUS: Hold on to that determination to take your life to the next level. With Jupiter’s u-turn on August 30th, you may feel as if the reins of control are slipping out of your hands. Stand to one side of the road rather than returning to the place in the past that you are moving away from. The period between now and late-December will be a testing time only if you lose sight of the big picture and the fact that it’s time to review your life from a philosophical standpoint. By January, you will be propelled into the next chapter so continue to plough the fields without expecting instant results. Mars moves into your domestic zone on the 20th and this suggests some friction with flatmates, family or people who are important to your living arrangements. You may feel indignant but it’s best to keep calm under the circumstances.

GEMINI: Now that your ruler Mercury is back on track, your timetable can also return to normal. Disruptions that have been out of the ordinary made life exciting over the past month and perhaps you can head into a new season in a fresh new way now. If you are a Gemini on a learning curve, tests and assignments can now be completed and may be very creative indeed. And whether you are going for your licence or are a fully fledged driver, cars, short journeys or a lot more running around than usual made August a busy month. From the 9th, your attention will turn to home and domestic matters. As a new season takes hold this is a great month to review living arrangements, make plans to either move or refresh your home, or simply clear the cobwebs. Spend time reviewing your private life as you move into a new financial stage.

CANCER: With Mars in your sign until the 20th, there is some way to go before your direction is known and the chaos subsides into great ways to earn, save or invest hard-earned cash. Until then it might be difficult to wind the emotional threads of your life back into place. You might as well go with the flow of events and feelings which lead to a lovely Full Moon on the 12th in sister-sign Pisces. Conditions are ideal to get away from it all, spend time with someone special or bring a special dream or ideal to a conclusion, especially if it involves people or places at a distance. The Equinox on the 23rd shifts your life into the new quarter and you may find that this brings some serious considerations to mull over in October. An intense relationship, possibly with a Scorpio, also moves into another phase while a friendship needs space to grow.

LEO: Despite the inner turmoil you may have experienced over August and will continue to do so in the first three weeks of September, you will feel your zest for life returning to full power once Mars moves into your very own sign on the 20th. How the mighty lion will roar then! Up until then, it would be best to prepare for a new two-year stage in your life to begin. Beginning with finances, this may be the month to analyse what you truly value in life and to draw up a plan to wipe the slate clean and set new goals. The analytical power that is available to all of us right now may not be particularly fun but it will help in powering up your levels of enthusiasm simply because you are looking at life from a new angle. The goalposts in your career or life direction sector may seem to move this month but if you are patient, by next January you will be amazed at how much you can achieve with determination.

VIRGO: Happy birthday Virgo! From the 9th your new year truly gains ground and the power of positive thinking will be remarkable. The good news is that there is plenty going on that will stimulate the old brain cells. A conversation, article or letter may provide a turning point as valuable information surfaces that you can turn into an opportunity. This is definitely the month to network and circulate. The Pisces Full Moon of the 12th is indeed magical so be sure to take up invitations around this time. Something that began six months ago may also come full circle. Travel and educational plans as well as a rekindled interest in spiritual or religious subjects may need to be digested and mulled over before resurfacing again with a lot more certainty next January. On the other hand, you will see how the power of love can move mountains with a child that you have been working with over the past few months.

LIBRA: As your birthday year comes into view on the calendar, as early as the 15th you will sense that something new is just around the corner. That’s when sweet Venus moves into your own sign paving the way for the Sun on the 23rd (9:26pm). The second half of September is your own special time and you may find that pre-celebration celebrations are in order. There are two hotspots of intense passion though where you feel very strongly about what’s at stake. Between the 18-20th and then again at your own Full Moon on the 27th. You may feel as if someone or something is stealing your joy but if you can keep your positive frame of mind, you will ride your way through any clashes of wills in the home or with family. Friends and social networks become dynamic areas where you can work together to create a strong defence force. Review loans, lines of credit, tax issues or any situations that involve second and third parties. By next January, you will have a clean sheet to work from.

SCORPIO: Mars, your ruler, is heading toward the toppermost of your chart so that by the 20th all the ingredients are there for putting a career plan into action or a lifestyle change into place. August was a crazy month for many people and this will continue up until the 20th with Mars travelling through your travel and learning zone. Even if you are not in formal classes, life will be teaching you a heck of a lot about bringing order to chaotic situations that do not follow a trusted path. It is important that you communicate with friends and associates because it will be the details that need to be considered in any major changes this month. This is particularly true in major relationships and agreements which need to be considered carefully until late December.

SAGITTARIUS: September is the month to review diet and work practices so that by January you have a whole new schedule or regime. Always keep in mind the practical, nutritional or financial benefits or costs that are involved and you will find the decision process so much easier. This is not the time to take shortcuts or the easy route as all good things take time and effort. As the month wears on, there will be discussions and details that need ironing out before you know exactly where you stand with long-term career or lifestyle setups – pay attention to the fine print and smaller details. Mars brings enthusiasm and vitality when he shifts into your travel and academia zone on the 20th and you will suddenly feel excited about the prospect of seeing people and places at a distance.

CAPRICORN: Pluto in your sign turns direct on the 17th dropping clues that a new phase in your self-development is at hand. Experiencing life first hand is what life is all about with this intense planet in your sign and great physical changes can transform your appearance or attitude. You have to dig deep to find the treasure though! Mars continues to move through opposite sign Cancer until the 20th and you will need to weave an erratic course through emotional relationships. Remaining cool and calm will be your greatest defence mechanism. After the 20th, shared assets, resources and money need a shakeup but hopefully you have covered lots of ground during August and can simply implement new plans. Look at the details of the big picture when it comes to education, publishing or travel rather than just the outline because so much can turn into a reality in the coming weeks.

AQUARIUS: Batten down the hatches in relationships and prepare for any hot topics to become even hotter once Mars moves into this area on the 20th. You can battle it out, or you can work together with pride. It all depends on what is at stake and how much slack you are willing to give someone. Review your domestic situation too as there are issues that need to simmer quietly until January. Pushing for answers, decisions or action where a move, change or addition to the home is concerned could make a huge difference to the outcome - and your stress levels. September is the month to iron out all those little details and make sure the t’s are crossed the i’s are dotted in agreements or plans which will become obvious from the 9th. The Full Moon of the 27th brings closure to an issue which affects the larger complexities of your life – the wider territories of your life are where you will find intellectual balance.

PISCES: Your ruler Jupiter is now travelling backward and will remain that way until late December. If you have been inspired to tackle a writing project that has a good chance of being published, now is the time to review and revise not only the content but also a publishing strategy. You are one of the few signs to go with the flow of Mars’ erratic performance in Cancer. Churning up feelings and stirring up the grit from the bottom of the ocean, you know how to make use of whatever gets thrown up. Once Mercury moves into opposite sign Virgo on the 9th, a relationship moves into a discussion phase where details and facts become important to both of you. Your annual Full Moon on the 12th brings something to a nice conclusion. Settlements and claims, or tax, loan or mortgage issues need to be attended to from the 15th. Figures will probably balance nicely after that time.

August 2011

PLANET REPORT: What a messy month! The larger-than-life implications of the New Moon on July 31st in Leo will shift and shape over the first two weeks of August only to leap out of the bushes in unexpected ways at the Aquarian Full Moon on the 14th. Mid-month is rife with ambushes!

Leave your life itinerary flexible by taking the forks in the road as they come and remembering to pause at the give way signs. With Mercury retrograde in its own sign Virgo on the 3rd, there is no certainty of the route that events will take and, in some instances, we may even end up at the beginning again, or where we least expect.

Heavy traffic and danger signals congest life from the 11th when an active grand-cross forms in the sky. Mars packs a punch at calculating Pluto, resists Uranus’ radical ways and tears against Saturn’s restrictive rules. Circle mid-month as August’s cosmic road-rage hotspot when defensive driving or choosing alternative routes can protect us from taking risks or becoming involved in dubious situations. Be extremely cautious and aware of deep-seated or hidden feelings that can emerge at the slightest provocation. We cannot avoid what fate dishes up but we can certainly try to keep out of dubious emotional neighbourhoods.

With financial planets, Venus and Jupiter, tangled up with both the New and Full Moon, there is a heavy emphasis on the material world and our interconnectedness both globally and personally; as we are already aware, there is a huge emphasis on economic stability and global debt and it will be now that we can see how far gone the whole scenario is. Jupiter, being the loose cannon, doubles the risk of over- or under-estimating situations or missing the mark completely.

In its own sign Virgo, Mercury turns retrograde as soon as we turn the page on the calendar. Standing still on the first degree of Virgo on the 3rd and then heading back into Leo on the 8th, it’s time to break apart the big picture to a piece by piece analysis. We won’t be able to put it all back together again until Mercury returns to detail-conscious Virgo on September 9th but we can begin the process of sorting our lives into laundry piles ready to be cleaned, compartmentalised or cast off. Once Mercury travels back into Leo and opposes dream-weaver, Neptune, in its last foray in Aquarius in our lifetime from the 5th, the rose-tinted glow that has coloured our lives since 1998 will begin to become more transparent. Not only will Mercury oppose Neptune between the 6-11th but Venus and the Sun will also add their protests between the 20-24th. This is likely to be a month of interesting revelations.

Despite all this, the Full Moon on the 20th brings unexpected opportunities to deal with karmic situations as long as there is a desire to give as much as we expect to receive. The month ends with a New Moon in Virgo on the 29th helping us to empower our emotions with healthy thoughts and a desire to be of service to others. Virgo’s birthday year begins when the Sun travels into Virgo at 11:22pm on the 23rd.

ARIES: A volatile month for Rams since your ruler is up to mischief. You may need to take a breather and slow down the pace of your lives because there will be enough cosmic events firing your life up to last a lifetime. Pent-up energy and emotions can overtake practical considerations from mid-month so find ways to deal with situations, or simply side-step them until emotions die down. Changes to work schedules, contracts or tasks will take until September to work through but in the meantime find creative ways to tackle a situation with a child, romance or with projects where you have invested lots of time and energy. There is a review process happening in these areas that needs attention. Leisure time activities such as hobbies and sports also come under this umbrella.

TAURUS: Jupiter brings lots of bountiful things when travelling through one’s own sign but sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. Starting with the New Moon on July 31st, August will be a month when you discover just where you have over-extended or expected too much. With Mercury turning around in Virgo, take a cautious, practical approach in situations where there is the risk of promising or taking on more than you can handle in the future. Very little is cut and dried until after September 9th but you can take a watchful approach and avoid too many temptations. A letter, email, phone call or text could produce a powerful response mid-month and may involve a legal situation. Again, react with a clear-head with the knowledge that nothing is set in concrete until September.

GEMINI: Now that Mars moves out of your sign and into Cancer on the 3rd, you will feel less pressure to perform and instead feel the weightlessness of lifting a karmic load. Last month was all about changing bad habits and intricate situations that have held you back for too long. Like an elastic band, you can now bend and flex as your life takes shape. August is a bit of a landmine though and with your ruler, Mercury, now out of synch, it is best if you can take a mental holiday and instead look for creative ways to tackle existing projects and setups. Mid-month the planetary energy goes off with a bang and this is likely to impact on your pay-packet, a loan, inheritance, friends and children. Use your logical approach to handle the emotions that are part and parcel of what takes place. The New Moon on the 29th will bring positive change.

CANCER: It’s another wobbly month for Cancerians. Mars moves into your sign on the 3rd but immediately makes a beeline for Uranus, Pluto and Saturn - in that order - so that by mid-month, one thing has lead to another! As long as you can keep emotions in check, these dilemmas, obstacles and power plays can be minimised, if not eradicated. The Leo energy could tend to drag ego into the mix and this is when trouble follows. The magnanimous approach with a touch of chivalry can help calm down situations that require a two-way approach. Review anything that is in writing. From contracts to drafts to letters, there are certain details that need a fine tooth comb. From the 8th, leave this to one side and focus on your financial affairs. A new phase has commenced here but there are still one or two technical points to straighten out.

LEO: The New Moon that occurred on the last day of July gives the green light to your fresh birthday cycle. As August begins, you will probably find yourself in either a sweet, or a sticky, situation, depending on how your affairs have developed over the past year. And with Jupiter at the top of your chart showering praise, kudos or situations where you find yourself in a prominent position, it will be around this New Moon that you discover just how much you have taken on. Keep your wits about you if you are forced to make promises that you cannot keep! Also, scale down your expectations and tone down over-confidence. August is filled is pot-holes that show where repairs need to be made. You are more in danger of over-valuing or over-rating certain people or jobs, or even your own abilities, and all that is required is an objective approach. The Full Moon brings closure to a long-standing relationship issue.

VIRGO: Mercury, your ruler, turns retrograde in your very own sign on the 3rd throwing you for six just when you thought life was at last following a straight trajectory. It won’t be until after September 9th that you can truly work through the obstacles and the roundabout way of tackling issues, tasks and projects that is happening now. Whilst you may tear your hair out, just remember that these funny little phases often throw up timely information, facts and details, or events, situations and people that you might not have discovered any other way. August will be an awkward month all round and for you there may a friend or acquaintance who raises many questions and situations that will prompt a review of your finances, love life, children or work practices. Your birthday month begins on the 23rd at 11:22pm with your personal New Moon leading the way on the 29th. It will be after September 9th that things really start to fall into place.

LIBRA: Like Aries, Cancer and Capricorn, the road in August road is pitted with detours, flat tyres, crazy drivers and other hair-raising conditions. Of course, this is strictly in the proverbial sense but if you look at August as a journey rather than another month on the calendar, you will heighten your awareness of the people, places, situations and challenges that will cross your path. It won’t be the easiest of months because the cosmic energy has been building for some time and some situations just need to be dealt with. The trick is to keep emotionally involved but emotionally level. Acknowledging the feelings of other people, such as a boss, a parent or someone in your public vicinity, whilst keeping sight of your own objectives and needs, will lessen any reactions or outbursts. Mid-month onward is particularly tricky but if you changed repetitive patterns last month, you should be able to handle these issues.

SCORPIO: Your ruler Mars, moves into your zone of travel, academia, publishing and belief system on the 3rd making August a month that highlights the big wide world and people and places at a distance. By itself, this would be okay but because Mars will bump into the big guns of the zodiac – Uranus, Pluto and Saturn – there are likely to be complications that won’t be easy to sort out. If you are travelling or planning a trip, there are bound to be intense emotional issues that are either attached to arrangements, or that will crop up on the way. Good communication is the first step to any challenges, the second is to make sure you have good insurance and back up plans, and the third is to keep to the safest route. With Mercury also out of synch, there may be unforeseen financial complications or professional details to iron out before you can hit the highway. All in all, this is not the easiest of months but at least you are a dab hand at navigating tricky situations.

SAGITTARIUS: Since your ruler Jupiter is involved with the New Moon that August begins with, you will find you have a heap of projects, tasks and arrangements to sort through. The month begins with a juggling act between trips or courses that have to be woven into an already busy schedule. Jupiter is currently in your zone of learning on the job, as well as health and wellbeing so it may seem as if you are burning the candle at both ends trying to keep it all together. As the month wears on, it doesn’t really get any easier because Mercury and Mars are both making complicated connections with other planets and this is bound to bring even more challenges by mid-month. The trick is to focus on the most important tasks and issues at hand and keep drama to a minimum. Financial or property matters are likely to take centre stage and this might throw your personal goals into the background as you have to find the time, energy and money to deal with expenses that fall outside of your normal budget. Keep everything loose and flexible because nothing can be set in concrete till September.

CAPRICORN: Just like Aries, Cancer and Libra, August is a month when the four corners of your chart are ready to go off like a fireworks display. With so many planets creating a cross formation in all four signs, this is a month to walk carefully and be conscious of any issues which are likely to erupt. Hair-trigger responses happen when things have been pushed to one side but are building anyway. Mercury is out of range from the 3rd – the same day Mars travels into your relationship zone – so what takes place is an open-ended situation. Remain flexible even if it seems as if there is no way to change the course of events as life is likely to take a course of its own. After September 9th, the channels of communication become clear again. In the meantime, attend to all the minor details that often get overlooked. By the New Moon on the 29th, you will find ways to transform sticky situations.

AQUARIUS: Mercury moves back into your zone of relationships on the 3rd reviving discussions that may be in progress within the important relationships in your life. Whatever took place during July will be the focus of August’s activities but remember that there are no guarantees that what you agree upon will stick so keep an open mind until you have all the information – especially if anything relates to financial or property matters. Mid-month brings work-related issues may be quite emotional. There may be something lurking in the shadows that you are only half aware of that may spring out at you. Secrets, confidential matters or what takes place behind closed doors is likely to surface and it might be an idea to keep this area under constant surveillance. The free publicity might not be something you had in mind! The New Moon of July 31st is of great significance in a relationship issue and will lead to a culmination at Full Moon on August 14th.

PISCES: With most of the planets working at cross purposes with each other this month, you will be glad to hear that this is the perfect month to escape town! Turn the obstacles involving children, friends and financial matters into a creative project where you find the perfect solution. Even despite the emotional complications, there is bound to be an opportunity to solve longer-standing conflicts. Mercury turns around in your opposite sign Virgo on the 3rd making this a sensitive month where communications and agreements are concerned with other people. Try to avoid signing and sealing anything during August because there is so much more to come to light after September 9th and some of this will be very tricky indeed. Instead, turn August into a month to clean up and clear out your work space, office or filing cabinets as well as cupboards and other areas that are due for an overhaul. Answers may come while your hands are busy so use creative thinking to throw a new slant on life.

Twist-O-Scopes Summer Edition: June to August 2011

TWISTED SOUTH MAGAZINE

www.twistedsouth.com

SUMMER 2011

Written by Tracey Rizvi

ARIES: Life continues to be full of complex riffs but there’s a very simple tune to listen out for this summer and that’s Super-Jupiter’s entry into your money zone on June 4th. The bringer of plenty, this cosmic gardener will till the fertile soil right up until June 2012. It all depends on what you sow but this is your once-in-12-year chance to plant acorns that will surely turn into oaks. Open the tool-shed and examine the values, resources, talents and connections you’ve made over the last year and then set to work weeding your financial garden to make room for crops that keep will on producing once the hard work is done. Money is often linked to power and confidence and once you start seeing results and numbers stacking up, you will feel so sexy knowing that you’re finally able to direct your own your financial future. Like a sensuous summer afternoon, take life slowly.

TAURUS: This is it Taurus! You may not have been consciously aware of it, but once it starts, you’ll realise that the little itch you’ve been feeling in the soles of your feet has been the prelude to full-blown wanderlust. Look back to the beginning of this millennium to see what experiences, events or situations shaped the cycle that is closing. From June 4th, when Jupiter enters your sign for a whole 12 months, a new circle of events begins and many doors will slip back to reveal gloriously rich pastures that are now on your side of the fence. Your view of the world has been defined by what is around you but now there are very real ways broaden your mind, body and spirit. Take it at your own pace with your super-heightened senses on full alert for physical experiences that invite total engagement, commitment and passion.

GEMINI: Growing from the inside out is Jupiter’s message when he moves into your secret-self zone from June 4th. Over the next twelve months you will be preparing your life from behind the stage curtains that will go up in June 2012 when a new 12-year era commences in your sign. Right now though your flighty nature will be tamed and you will be quite content to work privately on inner issues that have their roots in the past. Yoga, therapy, meditation are just some of the positive ways you can etch deep changes slowly into your life. Developing good habits and routines is another. Since you like to view the world from an intellectual perspective, it could be time to get involved physically and connect your mind to your body and heart. Jupiter in Taurus is an extremely sensuous but practical combination. The eclipses in June will shift many attitudes.

CANCER: With three eclipses in a row (June 1st and 16; July 1st) your nerves may stretched and your emotions spilling all over the place just as your birthday year begins. But with the strong bonds that are being forged within your social circles, a friend, an associate, or even a band, club or team member whose rock-solid presence and broad shoulders is right there, you will make it across the rough terrain. Maybe it’s time to dust off those old dreams and hopes that are distinct from your career because that’s where the biggest opportunities lie now. Look within your social circle for opportunities even though it won’t be until late in the year that you will be able to see results, rewards or reconciliations from what takes place during the summer months. It’s all about your health in June, relationships in July and money in July and August.

LEO: If ever there was a time to capitalise on your fame, infamy, credentials or reputation, June 4th to June 2012 are the months to step into the spotlight and stake your claim or territory, or nail your name on the door. You’ve got 12 months to show the world and results won’t start to appear until the end of the year but there are great things happening on a larger scale, despite the emotional landmines to navigate around over summer. Great results require time, money and energy as well as patience, determination and will but the outcome can be extremely lucrative. What happened back in 1990/2000 that you might learn from Jupiter’s new 12-year spin? As the saying goes, however tall the mountain, there is always a road. Keep this in mind as you strive to rise up and over the obstacles of the past few years.

VIRGO: The next twelve months are about relationships, partnerships, agreements, pacts and deals that take joint projects, promises or positions to the next level. Whether it’s sharing a common vision, ideal or belief, starting up or moving a business overseas or interstate, getting married, or relocating because of your partner’s job, you welcome the sense of expansion. From June 4th, Jupiter moves into your zone of wider and brighter - but more secure – territories. It will be a gradual process becoming accustomed to shifting mental and physical barriers but once you can see the bigger picture, you won’t be able to resist making a move. For single Virgins, there’s just as much desire to expand your knowledge and skill base, or to move to a place where relationships can flourish. Watch for landmines on June 1st, 16th, July 1st. By your New Moon on August 29th, you’ll be ready to move.

LIBRA: The swift turn-around of long term setups and situations that you had with other people prior to June, will shift again over the summer months. From the 4th, sharing the spoils of business, financial or property-related ventures or agreements becomes easier to do. The start of a big new 12-year cycle in your zone of shared assets and finances means it will become easier to view the bigger picture in a practical, no-nonsense way. The fact that you are wasting money, energy and time fighting over the division, handling or future of what you own or share with others becomes crystal clear and this makes it easier to let go or simply agree with each other. On the other hand, exciting new partnerships go from the first flush to setting down practical agreements with each other. It’s a big time ahead for joint ventures so take practical advice where you can.

SCORPIO: A marriage, a pregnancy, a birth, the signing of a document or an extra-special announcement could be in the stars for Scorpios over the next year. As the summer months gently bathe you in Jupiter’s special glow from your relationship and partnership zone, a casual liaison can develop into a duet where you cover everything from philosophies, politics or parties to being totally passionate about a creative or financial project with great potential to grow. Whatever the circumstances, it’s the sealing and cementing of a relationship that will make the rest fall into place. It could also be a very creative collaboration where you can bounce ideas off each other, or perhaps one of you is the banker and the other is the baker.

SAGITTARIUS: Life is about to get a whole lot busier so tune your guitar, practice your scales, update your resume, or whatever talent you may possess, and take to the streets! From June 4th, it’s time to make your dreams a reality. Jupiter will be the cosmic talent scout who holds the key to work opportunities and savvy connections in whatever industry you work in right up until June 2012. You can’t afford to sit back and wait for life to knock on your door though – it can happen but only if you have put in the groundwork and the right people know where to find you. Your health is so important too because Jupiter is all about the big things in life and as a lover of everything that can be consumed, can easily expand the waistline. Work hard to resist temptations and keep yourself in tip top shape.

CAPRICORN: Let’s get the party started Capricorn! When Jupiter moves into your party zone from June 4th, it’s time to lighten up from all those career and life direction decisions and take to life’s dance floor. It’s all about balance and putting the song back into your heart! If you are single, you can suddenly find yourself face to face with your future partner – whether it’s at the art gallery, a play, a friend’s party or at the club – you just never know unless you are there. For others, there are still as many reasons to celebrate in the coming 12 months – a pregnancy, a birth, a creative coup, a sporting achievement, an investment, or even a son’s or daughter’s graduation into the next level of their life. Yes, the bigger, life-changing dilemmas will still be there but somehow it all becomes that much easier to win friends and influence people.

AQUARIUS: Life continues to be a learning curve that will bring rewards in the long run. Saturn’s presence in the bigger picture zone of your chart means it’s easy to keep your eyes on those distant horizons. You know now that short term thrills are a thing of the past but you’re happy about that because you can see the progress that patience and determination brings. Big Jupiter moves into your home zone from June 4th so this means larger and brighter spaces on the domestic front. Whether you upgrade, renovate, decorate or extend your current premises to make more room, home is where the heart is in the coming twelve months. And if you can’t go to the party, then bring the party to you! Your home swells with visitors from distant places, extended family visits or reunions with people from the past. You are the perfect host this summer.

PISCES: The floodgates are opening and you’ve bucketfuls of inspirational ideas to write, sing or talk about in the coming 12 months - it could feel as if you finally know why you have been put on planet Earth! With gentle Neptune coming back home to your own sign, you are now in a very mystical and mysterious phase that you will quickly adjust to even if it feels slightly psychedelic to begin with. Go with the flow and let the purple haze wash over you. Couple Neptune with Jupiter in practical, patient Taurus cruising through your thinking zone from June 4th, you have a potential-filled, inspiring combination that is yours for the taking. The power of thought can also heal the surfacing wounds of battles past as you enter into this new age of magical thinking. The trick will be separating fantasy from fact and recognising which ideas to run with.