July 2009

PLANET REPORT: July will be an unusual month because we have three eclipses occurring between now and early August as well as pairings of planets that blend well together to promote harmony. On one side of the fence, eclipses generally stir up changes that seemingly arrive without warning and therefore put us out of our comfort zone, particularly when they directly connect to points in our personal charts. They indicate that life will be erratic and unpredictable and are seen as omens that something is at a turning point. Because they are so much stronger than the usual new or full moons the effects can last for up to six months. There is subtle difference with this season of eclipses though because they are now shifting to a new series of signs – from mutable to cardinal – signs that are very active, immediate, physical and outwardly obvious. Life will happen quickly and suddenly during these periods. This shift to cardinal will mean that Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra will feel the effects more strongly when they occur over the next two years. Breaking it down even further, for July’s eclipses people born between the 4th to the 8th and the 21st to the 24th of these signs will experience them even more directly. Having said that, Saturn and Uranus will give a huge helping hand to get through this period without too much stress; Saturn in particular will provide stability. There is a harmony in the way change happens and it’s almost as if we know that what is happening is actually good for us so we go with the flow of events. Also here to smooth things over are Venus and Mars in verbal Gemini from the 5th (Venus) and then the 12th (Mars) - this coupling will help to disperse the emotional build-up by bringing plenty of opportunity to talk in close relationships. In cerebral Gemini, their energy will be more intellectual than passionate making this is a great time to negotiate, share ideas or brainstorm with others. Two heads are definitely better than one now. Somehow, we understand things so much more than at other times and this helps to get the message across without too much drama (except around the 22nd when inhibitions take over.) The end of the month will be action-packed with lots of interesting events and people colouring the otherwise emotional month – with the eclipses occurring in the Moon’s own sign, Cancer, feelings will always be just below the surface. The Full Moon occurs on July 7th at 9:23pm in Capricorn (NZT)(lunar eclipse). Here we discover that emotions will tend to come from a calculated and strategic angle so we need to be careful with other people’s needs and feelings. We may reign in our reactions or mask our real feelings but by the New Moon of the 22nd at 2:26pm in Cancer (NZT) there will be an exciting set of events that allow expression and action. Busy Mercury will precede the Full Moon by moving through Cancer and setting the groundwork. This will incline our thinking patterns to lean towards emotions and feelings rather than logic. Take care to formulate words carefully. Jupiter and Neptune continue to move together creating an idealistic pair that will look for the good in any situation or relationships and it would be wise to double check everything you are involved in or with.

ARIES: Lunar activity this month turns the wheel of fortune between the realms of home, family, property, parents and your past on one side and your career, trade, profession, parents or public standing on the other. There is a balancing act between these segments of your life this month. The lunar eclipse at Full Moon on the 7th will occur on the career side of the wheel bringing changes that have been building up for quite some time. Life will seem to happen suddenly but in reality you will probably be very aware that things were always likely to reach a head. Look back to late March for clues on what might transpire now. Rest assured that there is plenty of support from the rest of the cosmos that, while bringing lots of meetings or correspondence, will also give you a new structure to work with. The New Moon on the 22nd brings an unusual sense of freedom and fresh ways to express yourself. Around the 7th an opportunity will also appear to increase your earnings, savings or assets.

TAURUS: Make the most of Venus and Mars in your sign to put as much energy into personal endeavours as possible. From the 5th, Venus shifts into Gemini and Mars follows suit on the 12th. It’s quite rare but very sexy to have these two planets travelling together and when it is in one’s own sign, it signifies a time when things are more likely to work out when due diligence is applied. Miracles may not happen but certainly this is a good time to ground your life and make it authentic. After the 5th, the emphasis will be on money, security, earnings, possessions and your ability or capacity to save or increase your net worth so that life is more comfortable in the long run. There may be special letters or meetings now and it could be that a particular man or woman is central to your financial life and that discussions are already under way. The eclipses this month offer long term stability if you are willing to put in the effort.

GEMINI: Mercury moved into Cancer and into your financial sphere on the 4th so all those ideas that were floating around in June can now take root. You will certainly be filled with passion once Venus and Mars move into your sign from the 5th. Avoid doing anything that is spurred on by emotional attachment unless all the figures add up as the lunar activity is particularly turbulent. You will receive clues or signs of how viable a project is around the Full Moon of the 7th when a joint venture reaches a conclusion and by the New Moon it should be all systems go. There will be a sudden rush of events or energy to propel you into a new phase then. Change is in the air and you will discover the long term benefits of what takes place now over the next six months. July will be a very active, exciting month where you focus on personal issues such as your health and wellbeing or your immediate environment.

CANCER: Your ruler, the Moon, is involved in a series of eclipses this month making your feelings swell so that they lie just below the surface of your everyday interactions. Everything you do now will be tempered by how you feel and your reactions are likely to be quicker than usual. Try to count to ten and remember that Saturn offers very real avenues and connections that will help you to structure your thinking into constructive patterns with definite outcomes – patience is the name of the game. You may even enjoy the ideas or criticisms that an older person or someone who is born around December/January suggests. It is all about following the guidelines and testing and measuring. In about six months you will begin to see the fruits of what is taking place now.

LEO: Since your ruler the Sun is always involved with the New and Full Moon each month, July will be an exceptional month due to the lunar and solar eclipses that occur on the 7th and 22nd respectively. The Full Moon of the 7th falls in your sphere of work and health and indicates that changes that began about six months ago will come to a conclusion that will put you on a solid financial footing. The New Moon of the 22nd will illuminate a private part of yourself that will continue to grow over the next six months and you may find that you develop interests or relationships that you prefer to conduct in private. On the other hand, secrets may come to light now and what transpires will lead to new dreams that involve expanding your consciousness or gathering more experience.

VIRGO: With your ruler Mercury shifting into Cancer on the 4th, the focus shifts to friends from the past and your emotional attachments to groups, teams, bands and social networks. There is a great sense of camaraderie and feeling of belonging but it won’t be until the 22nd that you can move ahead with common goals or personal hopes and wishes. Events then may suddenly take off and you could be surprised at the unusual twists that occur. In the meantime, there are good times to be had with children, lovers or projects that require an element of luck or taking a punt. And something that began six months ago may reach a conclusion that brings personal stability and a greater sense of ease and confidence about what you are doing.

LIBRA: The Full Moon on the 7th brings to a conclusion projects, setups and events that began about six months ago in your life direction sphere. The New Moon of the 22nd will see something begin that will take six months to come to fruition in this area. Despite the lunar activity, your ruler, Venus, travels side by side with Mars so that any disruptions will be minimised and change can be followed through with ease. In your sphere of joint finances, assets and business, sudden breakthroughs will come early in the month leading to a lighter set of activities that involve travel, education, your philosophies and beliefs, or publishing by the end. A time when you feel curious about the world, you can learn so much from others who enter your sphere who have the knowledge, expertise or experience. Behind the scenes, there is good support, perhaps from benefactor or someone you have not been aware until now.

SCORPIO: Your ruler Mars has been moving with sexy Venus through your area of relationships bringing passion and strong feelings over the past month but now Venus moves ahead of Mars into Gemini and into your sphere of shared finances and property. In Gemini, delicate discussions that have been locked in a stalemate will begin to manifest in a physical way with payments coming through or agreements being reached with other people over loans or property. Taxes, insurance, claims or settlements are all part of this picture. The Full Moon of the 7th results in an ending to a situation that began six months ago within your travel, educational or philosophical area and some of you may find that the world of publishing or publicity will be in focus.

SAGITTARIUS: Your home, family and domestic life will be shaken up in a nice way towards the end of the month and what transpires then may hold subtle clues to the new 12-year cycle that will begin next January. This is a good time to set realistic goals in light of what financial issues arise with the Full Moon of the 7th, which will paint a very realistic picture of what you can work with in the coming months. This is a great time to develop new dreams for the future but try to keep them in context. A health issue may come to an end now and once Venus and then Mars move into your relationship zone, you will be more than willing to team up or cuddle up with someone who is intellectually alluring.

CAPRICORN: With the Full Moon falling in your sign and forming an eclipse on the 7th, this is an unusual month where abrupt change leads to stronger foundations. You may feel as if events are moving too fast but try to go with the flow by bringing a long-standing situation to a close – this is likely anyway. Stability and knowing which direction you are finally heading in will be the result. Saturn in your house of travel, education, dreams and beliefs gives you a clue as to what to look for in the larger picture of your life. Around the Full Moon there will be a sudden opportunity to move forward in a situation involving your home and family and this will require thinking and acting in a new way. In the second half of July work, health and your day to day routine will look brighter and be much more fun.

AQUARIUS: It won’t be until the Full Moon in August that a complete picture will form that will allow you to move forward in a personal situation that will bring intense interactions with others. The outcome will likely be a new set of structures if you are willing to conform to other people’s ideas, especially with regard to shared finances, property or business matters. By the New Moon of the 22nd this matter will be at the tail end of its current format and on the brink of change. There may be a surprising financial twist of events that could come out of sudden discussions or a turn in negotiations, but double check facts and figures to ensure that everything tallies up. There is room for error early in the month with oversights that lead to a false sense of security.

PISCES: You have reason to feel optimistic deep down inside with the lovely Jupiter/Neptune conjunction falling very close to your own sign. A new cycle of activity begins in January and with only six months left of a twelve-year era, you will certainly be aware that something is on the brink of change. Clues begin to emerge this month but you will need to be very aware of your inner life or what may be taking place behind the scenes; you may also encounter people or places from the past that put events into perspective so that you can put memories to rest. Lunar activity this month triggers off your hopes and dreams sector as well as highlighting friendships and your social activities and/or child-centred activities or situations. Despite changes that catch you off-guard there is a sense of stability underlying the unexpected behaviour or decisions.

June Astrology Forecast

With Venus travelling through sensual Taurus from the 6th, there is an emphasis on the senses - sight, sound, taste and touch. A great month for beginning activities and moving forward in practical matters that require deep roots.

JUNE PLANET REPORT: A lively and interesting month where we can take a breather! As soon as June begins we find Mercury paused as it changes to forward direction in Taurus. Having been out of phase since May 7th, while this will certainly stimulate anything that has been delayed during this time, the sign of the Bull is a very slow-mover so progress will occur in its own good time. The Full Moon in Sag on the 8th at 06:13am squares Saturn reiterating that things will slowly take shape. Mars is also poised on the threshold of Taurus, ahead of Venus who moves into her own sign Taurus on the 6th. Even though Venus will remain here until July 5th, between the 6th and the 15th she will be in her own terms lending her potency to attending to the material side of life (from money and finance to sustenance, creature comforts and basic needs). As a health watch, we will need to be alert to sore throats, laryngitis and tonsillitis. Singing can give our voices a good workout! Once Mercury moves from the dense materialism of earthy Taurus and into thinking Gemini on the 14th, life will speed up. Two inner planets will occupy signs of dignity (meaning they will be in the signs that they govern) making the second half of June a great time to invest time, money and energy into the areas of life that are represented by these planets on an individual basis. The important Solstice also occurs on the 21st at 5:47pm when the Sun enters fertile Cancer, just before the most fertile New Moon of the year on the 23rd at 07:36am in Cancer. This combination will herald an in rush of intense cosmic energy that can be tapped into for the next quarter. In opposition to Pluto, the power of passion can make tremendous waves. Looking at the first part of June, life is always interesting when Mercury makes a station and it will be around this time when all that has taken place since April 23rd will start to fall into place. Hopefully the details have been sorted through and we have taken heed of what has come to light so that an appropriate course of action can be taken. After the 15th, the Gemini connection will mean that communication means everything. The written or spoken word becomes powerful so deal with facts carefully and whilst looking at everything from all sides is beneficial, try to remain focused rather scattered all over the place. Life happens in two’s and three’s, making everything seem like a multiple-choice quiz. Venus and Mars are the relating planets and because they move very closely together, the pacts and agreements we have with other people will need to be honoured, scrutinised or adjusted. When the crescent can be seen in the late June skies (29th) a new phase begins in the next quarter of the seasonal year. Activities can be started that will have very fertile beginnings.

ARIES: June is money month! From the 6th there will be three planets traversing this area of your chart. This suggests that it’s time to consolidate fiscal matters, ask for a raise, initiate projects, grow assets or pay back loans. You can also take satisfaction that it has been through your own blood, sweat and tears that results are now springing forth. For some Rams, a sibling, an aunt, uncle or neighbour may also play a part in what transpires now. Whatever the situation, communication is the key to everything and what you say in early June will have results or consequences in the second half of the month. Buying and selling is favoured at this time. Avoid pushing boulders uphill though and have patience as all good things take time; once Mercury zips into Gemini on the 14th, life will move along quickly. If you want to see something grow deep roots then diligence and thoroughness are the name of the game.

TAURUS: With your ruler Venus in her own sign from the 6th, you have everything going for you this month. Take the smooth, gracious way, going around challenging situations and people rather than confronting them. Mars in your sign will tend to bring out your assertive side leading to confrontations with people who have been in the background of your life. Curious revelations may take place but check facts as gossip can get out of hand. Venus will help in the form of a protective ally or simply because you are in a stronger position. Creativity may be at an all time high now and you may be attracted to activities that involve texture, colour, sound, taste or the arts. A sensual month, you could delight in buying new clothes or furnishings for your house or room. It’s the kind of month when you spot something in a shop window that leads to a whole revamp of your bedroom, lounge or wardrobe. Hopefully, you have already had time to come up with new concepts. The longer you take at anything, the more thorough and confident you will feel. There may be lots of financial paperwork to take care of from mid-June.

GEMINI: Happy birthday Gemini! There are lots of nice little bundles of planets gathering during your solar month. In particular is Mercury your ruler turning to direct motion as soon as June begins. Whatever you are involved with will receive a power boost as Mercury revs his engines ready for takeoff. However, whilst the take-off might be quick, the actual journey of what you have been doing behind the scenes will be a slow and thorough one but it will be from now that you will gain understanding. And even though you find yourself thrust into all sorts of activities and situations that draw you out of yourself, whatever is taking place behind closed doors or in private will have greater drawing power. Mars and Venus, the relationship planets, are travelling hand in hand together through the confidential area of your chart bringing to light secrets and hidden matters. The New Moon of the 23rd augurs a very fertile window to plant new financial projects; however, wait until the crescent appears on the 27th to initiate.

CANCER: Your birthday year begins at the Solstice on June 21st at 5:47pm. Your annual New Moon follows shortly after on the 23rd but it will take until the 27th before life gets moving in new directions for the next quarter of the year. Look for the crescent in the sky for your cue. From the 6th Venus in your friendship and group zone highlights an important relationship that has been forming over the past few months, perhaps via your career or a parent or through a public event. You might have high hopes for this liaison and it is likely that you will spend quite a bit of time with this person during the next month, which gives you time to develop something meaningful and based on mutual needs. On another level, this is a great time to invest energy and resources into your hopes and wishes and personal dreams that are distinct from professional aims. From the 14th there are private discussions taking place or you may find you have lots of paperwork that requires solitude. This phase will help clear the decks for your birthday year.

LEO: A career issue or work relationship may require joining forces for a period of study or travel in June. While you may not feel comfortable with the disruption to your routine the time and energy you put in this month will lead to the setting down of roots in the professional arena for some. For others, interacting closely with a parent could lead to changes in your life direction or lifestyle. Mercury turning direct in this area as the month begins also suggests that changes are on the horizon and that these changes have been taking place since mid April. Working on the land, real estate or farming may be signified with the earthy planets currently moving through your professional sphere. Relationships of all kinds enter a period of review once Jupiter turns retrograde on the 15th. This signifies that it could be time to take a new tack in a situation that has been going along at an erratic pace but again time is of the essence and it may take until October to end up on the same page as each other.

VIRGO: Your ruler Mercury is on the turn making the beginning of June a busy time when all that has been taking place since mid-April comes together. In Taurus, you need to attend to tasks in a practical and orderly manner even when there seems to be an urgency to wrap up negotiations or contracts – it can’t hurt to give the finer details a double check. In your sphere of learning and long distances, you may return to a module of study that began earlier in the year or you may renew a connection with people at a distance. Publishing or publicity may also yield results now so hopefully you have everything in place and facts and statistics all worked out. From the 14th, career and life direction will become emphasised and again discussions and paperwork will be pronounced. The Full Moon of the 8th may bring a certain amount of frustration in the home zone or with a child or creative endeavour but by the New Moon a wish may be ready to come true. Wait until the 27th to get cracking on personal hopes for the future.

LIBRA: The emphasis is on shared finances, property and resources as June begins. You will find yourself working closely with someone who has a shared interest in a mortgage, tax, insurance, claim or settlement issue, and discussions and research should prove fruitful if you are prepared to be dogged and determined. It’s all about negotiating and budgeting and creating a practical base from which to increase or keep your money or assets. From the 14th, the emphasis shifts to the bigger picture in your life and you may be considering travelling or expanding public awareness of your product or skills. This is also a good time to research what is available educationally or to brush up on a subject that you have already undertaken. Refreshing your knowledge will certainly help to further your lifestyle. The New Moon of the 23rd is a fertile time to put energy into your career, parents, authority figures or general life direction.

SCORPIO: With such a big emphasis on your opposite sign Taurus, June is the month to join forces with someone whom you work with or is prominent in your everyday life. A partnership may be hand and this could prove very fertile if you can agree to a working pact between the 6th and the 15th when Venus will be particularly powerful. A sense of frustration may surround a friendship or group endeavour but try to rise up above the petty details and see the big picture. From the 14th, Mercury moves into his own sign Gemini and into your shared resources, assets and finances sector. This will be a time filled with discussions, forms and contracts and something that was on the verge of beginning in the first two weeks of May will now take better shape and you can spend the time from the 14th focussing on details. Keep your focus on the facts at hand as there will be a tendency to be get distracted by the many different opinions and advice that are on offer. The Full Moon of the 8th highlights secrets and activities that are going on in the background and there may be a sense of dismay or frustration but try to keep focussed on the bigger picture rather than getting too despondent. The New Moon of the 23rd highlights travel and education as well as your emotional life and how it connects to your belief system and by then you will have risen above the obstacles earlier in the month.

SAGITTARIUS: You may not achieve everything at breakneck speed at work, but joining forces with someone can certainly make life more pleasant. A nice working relationship may develop and you will be in good company. For others, an employee, tenant or tradesperson may become the rock that you depend upon to complete a task or project. With their practical nature, this person will ensure that a thorough job gets done but you will need to be patient since they take pride in using systems and going by the book. Take care with health this month. Sore throats and the neck area are vulnerable. Doing too much of a good thing can also make your system sluggish. Get out and about in the fresh air to clear your system. From the 15th there is a change of tide in the realm of siblings and neighbours, your communications and in any discussions. If you have been working on brilliant new concepts, a manuscript, an important letter, or if you need to research a large project this augurs a time when you will internalise your ideas and allow them to develop on an inner level. Your annual Full Moon occurs on the 8th highlights your career, a parent or life direction.

CAPRICORN: The Full Moon on the 8th highlights issues, people and places at a distance. Travel plans may tend to go awry due to a restrictive situation that will delay putting the big picture into place. For some of you, the same might be said for publishing ventures, importing, exporting or learning. For others, dreams or philosophical beliefs may throw you off kilter until you understand the reasoning behind what is taking place. On the other side of the cosmos, the realm of children, love, romance, your social life, and all the pleasant things that one does in their spare time will receive a powerful boost from Venus as she travels with Mars through this area. Some of you may be delighted with a pregnancy while others will delight in the progress or company of a child. Creatively, this is an excellent time to work diligently on artistic pursuits. Investments and speculation are also favoured but take care with advice and research your interests. This is the half way point of your solar year making this a great time to take stock. The New Moon of the 23rd will be significant for relationships and dealings with other people.

AQUARIUS: The home front is where all the action takes place for Water Bearers this month. With Mercury turning direct as June begins, a situation that has been delayed will slowly begin to make progress and by the 6th, there will be a visitor or family member who plays a starring role. Life can be fun now - you just need patience with the earthy, slow moving people around you. Property sales or renovations will move into a new phase so if you have been involved in negotiations or want to complete a sale, June is the month when this will happen. You will need to sort out finances though as the Full Moon of the 8th highlights money that is tied to other people, whether a finance company, current or ex-partner, inland revenue or credit card providers. There may be some aspect of your balance sheet that does not sit right. Look at the finer details and make sure everything is structured properly. This may be a time to consolidate and streamline projects that were put into action six months ago. From the 14th your house of pleasures, children, romance, investments and speculation are all favoured. Communication, research and your use of agile thinking are all very important then.

PISCES: Writing, research, communication, siblings, neighbours, short trips and your immediate environment are all highlighted in a positive sense this month. Life will move forward slowly but surely during the month of June. You will be able to focus properly on a property, domestic or family-related project that began in the first weeks of May from the 14th when Mercury moves back into this area. Jupiter, your ruler, turns retrograde on the 15th in the area of the hidden but since it is close to Neptune, a planet that inspires, you will realise just how much protection, support and internal resilience you truly have on your side despite the feelings that you are somehow set apart from your objectives. A time of magical thinking, you will become aware of people, attitudes or activities that you had not been previously. This will last until the end of 2009 and this special event will be related to your career, trade, a parent or your general life direction. By year end, you will literally be amazed at how much things have changed before your very eyes. Setbacks at the Full Moon on the 8th reveal what you need to restructure, reorganise or review.

Astrological Report for May 2009

The hustle and bustle of the marketplace slows as Mercury turns retrograde on the 8th. Commercial activity is likely to undergo yet another review phase. Avoid beginning anything new until all the facts are in.

PLANET REPORT: As soon as quicksilver Mercury zips into his own sign Gemini (May 2nd) where he loves to hang out and play, he immediately turns to retrograde direction (May 8th) and heads back toward grounded Taurus. In Taurus, he will take up residence from May 15th to June 15th (NZT). The full moon in intense Scorpio on the 9th at 4:03pm (NZT)will bring hidden agendas and emotions to the surface so the first part of May is likely to be full of passion and strong feelings as well as twists and turns that make life very interesting. Having endured the slow, plodding energy of Taurus since April 11th, like an excited child who is looking forward to going out to play but gets called back to finish off his duties, Mercury’s abrupt u-turn on the 8th will create a cross-current of energy that disrupts the smooth flow of events. This will impact profoundly on our ideas and activities, especially negotiations, communications and anything that requires clear thought, water tight contracts or solid facts. Transport and travel plans could easily unravel now so it is the wise traveler who has plan B at the ready, double checks all arrangements and has back up copies of important documents – insurance is a must for anything this month. In everyday situations, leave home in plenty of time to reach your destination due to detours and delays and have a spare set of keys and other essentials to hand just in case. Mercury is the trickster and it is amazing how things can become mislaid, delayed or complicated. However, this is a great time to reconnect with paperwork, people and projects from the past. From the 15th, industrious Mercury will be forced to function at a snail’s pace when he travels back into thorough, cautious Taurus and this will be when we discover loopholes and potholes that were overlooked during April. June 1st (NZT) will be when Mercury will resume normal reception and this could prove a potent day so aim for this date to act; otherwise wait until after June 15th. A few days after the new moon of the 25th at 00:12am (NZT) occurring in Mercury’s sign, Gemini, will be the time we should sit up and take notice of what is happening around us: discussions, offers and other projects and activities that require agile mental input will be forming and starting to gather pace; watch the tiny details then. Saturn, also in Mercury’s sign, turns direct for the last time in Virgo on May 18th and this means that we are now on the home stretch before it moves out of analytical Virgo and into Libra on October 30th (Saturn has been splitting hairs in Virgo since September 2007). We can finally begin to balance our perspective from then. On a bigger level, Jupiter inches closer to Neptune forming an extended first of three magical conjunctions on May 28th. The second will be July 10th and December 21st. Aim for the high road and reach for the stars (whilst remaining realistic in the current environment) Venus travelling with Mars throughout May and June will bring interesting partnerships that are full of passion and vigour. This is the month to team up rather than go it alone!

ARIES: May is the month for love! With the passion planets Venus and Mars pulsing through your sign until June, this is a great time to push yourself forward or call in your favours. You never know, joining up with someone special could have a financial spin off in June. Other people are bound to sit up and take notice of you now and you don’t even have to do anything special to get their attention. You are in the mood for adventure and if it wasn’t for Mercury turning retrograde in your zone of short trips, neighbours, siblings and making your general communications quite chaotic, this would be the best month for taking off on a trip with a loved one. If you are travelling, get the car tuned or itineraries triple checked rather than leaving things to chance. Information travels thick and fast but don’t believe everything you read, hear or see. Take gossip with a pinch of salt otherwise you may find that the wrong things reach the wrong ears.

TAURUS: Your ruler Venus rides side-saddle with Mars in passionate Aries right up until July and this promises a private life that is positively humming in May. Whatever you do this month will have results or consequences in the second half of June when you emerge from your self-imposed cocoon; put as much energy and effort as you can into worthwhile pursuits. Your placid nature is unusually exuberant now so use caution in secret matters if you don’t want to reveal your cards. Channel your energies into charity work, behind the scenes activities or improving health. A wonderful career opportunity will take until December to work through and the only thing stopping you is the breadth of your imagination. Mercury in your fiscal sphere on the other hand cautions you to take your time and wait for the true cost of something to reveal itself. You may have to look at several scenarios before you can truly arrive at a balanced figure.

GEMINI: With your ruler Mercury giving out weird signals, May is a month when you need to bide your time and wait for further developments to be revealed in June. Communications are very important and you will find that what you begin now will go into a gestation stage for the next three weeks - it’s the wise Gemini who can spot the tide turning and pulls back. Take your time and avoid taking too many opinions on board that are based on hearsay. A project or arrangement with two friends looks enticing but something will make you change your mind at the last moment. It’s all food for thought though and there are some great ideas floating around. Your annual New Moon occurs just as your birthday year begins on the 25th so this will be the best time to think concretely about the next twelve months. There is a lot to be attended to behind the scenes and in your private life before you can move forward with confidence. A travel, educational, publishing or philosophical activity will take until December to work out but once it does this could prove to be a magical experience.

CANCER: With Venus and Mars doing a rhumba in your career and life direction sphere there are plenty of people and issues to deal with and there may even be a rush-rush atmosphere going on here. Some of you may team up with a friend to either begin a new business or promote a special product. Great, but do bear in mind that Mercury is going off air on the 8th and will re-enter your friendship zone on the 15th. You may discover that where there is urgency now, this will dissipate and morph into something else after June 1st. Whether you are in business or not, you may have more knowledge or experience than a friend, team member or acquaintance and it seems you will be taking someone under your wing. This lack of experience could lead to later indecision so avoid making too many firm commitments. An activity could commence in your private life or behind the scenes that while it will be all consuming this week, will take until mid-June to really take flight but in the meantime you can iron out all the wrinkles. Work on visualizing a magical outcome for money that is borrowed or lent.

LEO: April was filled with questions about career, lifestyle and parents and a doubtful situation may become even more doubtful when Mercury re-enters Taurus on the 15th. Early May sees Mercury moving out of your groups, friends, hopes and wishes zone indicating that a new situation may need to go into hibernation for three or four weeks before it can take root. Concentrate instead on expanding your experiences with a loved one or partner who is also focused on a travel, educational or publishing venture. You may even find that the two of you are asking the same life questions and that you have so much in common, it’s uncanny. Visiting someone at a distance or receiving a visitor from abroad may also be on the stars providing a nice diversion from the more public areas of your life. A marriage may be announced this month or a partnership issue that will take until December to put firmly into place.

VIRGO: Your ruler Mercury goes retro from May 8th until June 1st so this month will be one of those months when everything seems to happen at once and yet you would be wise to take things in your stride rather than being pressured to make a decision. This applies especially to career, lifestyle, parents or educational or travel-related issues. What you learn this month will ground your thinking and encourage you to be very thorough in the future so go with the flow and look forward to June when the pieces fall into place. This is a great month to work through financial or asset-related topics and in your enthusiasm you will want to make new inroads when it comes to shuffling your commitments around. Mars and Venus traveling through this area together will encourage other people to assist you as much as they can so work hard on all those matters involving taxes, loans, mortgages, credit card debt, claims or settlements.

LIBRA: A travel, educational or philosophical issue will undergo a rapid series of alterations as the month begins. Mercury turns in this sector on May 8th bringing a series of bumps in the road that while interesting can also delay or disrupt a smooth journey. After the 15th, you will return to a financial or property matter that was the centre of your attention in April. There is a big emphasis on relationship issues so perhaps there are joint financial matters to discuss. Do a thorough job of examining all the details and while you will want to settle an outstanding balance, you also need to allow leeway for changes later, especially around the full moon of the 9th when your earnings sphere is highlighted. With passionate Venus and Mars traveling as a duo through your relationship zone this is the month to summon your famous Libran sense of harmony and balance rather than allowing your feathers to become ruffled. A fantastic month to indulge in romance, creativity or child-related activities, you will have three chances this year to create magic in one or all of these areas.

SCORPIO: Your annual full moon on the 9th marks the halfway point of your solar year and highlights your image, style, appearance or general attitude to life. Something is bound to reach a culmination in the first weeks of May but try as hard as you can to leave options open due to Mercury turning retro around the same time. Re-entering your relationship zone on the 15th, there will be a need to rethink all those arrangements and agreements that you thought you had sealed. Relationships at work look set to be very interesting too this month and you may find you team up with someone who is as passionate as yourself about a pet project. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish as an energetic team. Others may find that health or exercise improves dramatically when the two of you decide on a special regime – a healthy sense of competition is evident in whatever you do on day-to-day level. At home, between late May, July and December there is sure to be a wonderful arrival or addition to the family. Other Scorpio folk may even find their dream home or find the means to renovate or add on!

SAGITTARIUS: With your ruler Jupiter teaming up with mystical Neptune from late May and then again in July and December, the remainder of 2009 is set to hold special experiences that will come in three stages. While May is not the month to begin anything but rather to map out and analyse, you can help get the magic going by visualizing and dreaming of what you would like to achieve or do in an ideal world. Until then, May is a funny month because you will be focusing on a partnership issue that is less than clear cut and there are still plenty of facts to come to light. Wait until the end of May to seal any deals or put your trust in a newcomer. Take care of your physical wellbeing too as there will be a return to a medical or health concern. On a romantic note, this is a fantastic month to play and have fun. There is someone special to share your moments of leisure or to team up with creatively. There could even be a child who inspires you to create something very special.

CAPRICORN: Saturn, your ruler, turns direct on May 18th and will commence the last leg of his journey through Virgo. In your sphere of the big picture in your life, you have been on a steep learning curve where there has been little room to take shortcuts. You have had it quite tough when it comes to mapping out a clear cut picture but hopefully by June you will have arrived at a sensible game plan after dealing with all those tiny details. From October, you will be in a prime position to rebuild a career or restructure your lifestyle and the more you put in now, the better the results then. There are still delays to face during May though so this is not the month to rush through anything that will be life-changing, especially at work or with a health matter. The more thorough you are now, the better the results later. At home, life is heating up and some of you may even be considering moving in with someone who is as passionate about home and family as you are.

AQUARIUS: Your ancient ruler Saturn turns direct on May 18th so a shift occurs this month that will relate to a long-standing joint financial issue. With Mercury turning retro on the 8th, this is the month to really concentrate on how you can boost your earnings so that loans, taxes, credit cards or assets can be attended to with much more ease than has been possible. A dream can actually come true this year with regard to your earning power and this will become progressively achievable over late May, July and December. Use the reflective feel of May to truly look at all sides of your game plan and you may discover some little gem you had completely overlooked. Use your famous logic to look at all sides of the puzzle now. Short trips are possible this month with someone special; or a neighbourly get-together could be the way you meet a very forthright person who you click with on an intellectual level. After the 15th, you will need to return to a domestic or family matter.

PISCES: Your private life is brimming with a special feeling that will continue to grow over the months July and December. Anything that has been hidden or behind the scenes will become more obvious and manageable but it will be the power of your own insight that will have the greatest impact on those evasive people or issues. Your whole life direction will slowly change this year and the only thing stopping you will be your imagination and belief in yourself. Financially, there is a powerful alignment with someone who shares the same passion about a property, financial or business activity but this will require a thorough examination of the facts and a great business plan. Wait until June to really set sail and in the meantime draw up an outline of what you hope to achieve. A relationship or partnership issue will begin to move ahead from 18th and you can rest assured you are now on the final leg of this difficult period that began back in September 2007.

Horary: Where Is The Missing Kitten

The Cutest of Horaries! Where Is The Missing Kitten?

Time: 6:45pm
Date: 28th April 2009
Place: Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Lat: 40S55 Long: 175E01
Time Zone: -12:00
Asc: 04 Sag MC 10 Leo

In the midst of cooking dinner last night, our doorbell rang. It was the next door neighbour asking if she could look around our property as her newly acquired little kitten was found to be missing and she was very stressed as it was so young and fragile. For some reason, she thought it had found its way outside and could possibly have been on our property. Of course we gave her permission to look around but we were cooking and also about to go out and could not help with the search. We left her to it and carried on with dinner. About fifteen minutes later, a male companion (I am not sure what the relationship is to each other e.g. brother, friend, partner) appeared at the window not realising that the female owner had already asked us to look in our garden. As we were discussing where it could be, my partner noticed his little pocket light, and because it was pitch black outside and our garden quite big, offered to lend him our torch. It was at that point that the male neighbour said they had looked everywhere and that our garden was the last resort so I noted the time he made this comment and duly set up a chart once dinner was cooked and eaten.

Due to the need to rush out to an appointment, I could only give a cursory glance at the chart and because it was an “urgent” situation, I simply looked at the sixth house of small pets. Aha, immediately it could be seen that the 6th House was very active with lots of strong clues! Aries was on the cusp and Mars was in the 5th very strong in its own sign Aries. Hmm, the cat seemed to be strong despite being so young and apparently lost outside but was there some connection to the neighbour’s two children with Mars being in the 5th as it was? Was it near their playthings? The next clues were the Sun and Mercury embedded very cosily in intercepted Taurus in the sixth and Venus, the dispositor, conjunct Mars in her fall in Aries. Was it perhaps low down on the ground somewhere in the garden near something that the children played with or something that was used for entertaining purposes? I gave the neighbours all the these clues as it was better than grasping onto nothing and then rushed off to the appointment. As we drove off, we could see the poor neighbour searching very glumly with the torch down the street in the pouring rain.

When we got home an hour later, my daughter couldn’t wait to tell us that the neighbour had come over thanking us so very, very much as she had found the little kitten all safe and sound in the middle of one of the children’s beds which is low to the ground and surrounded by their toys! She had gone back home and searched the areas that had anything to do with the children and there it was sound asleep!

With more time to look at the chart this morning, out of curiosity, I wondered how astrology would fit into the solving of the mystery and lo and behold, Saturn was the ruler of their 3rd House of neighbours. It was posited in the 11th House at 15 degrees of Virgo – the exact degree of my Virgo Sun! The Moon, as co-significator, in the 7th was applying to their significator Jupiter in the 4th, the area of the inside of their home and the end of the matter.

Astrological Report for April 2009

April's menu is full of spice and there's a need to go with the flow as events come out of nowhere around mid-month. Adopt a cautious attitude whilst savouring all the variety that life has to offer

PLANET REPORT: Tension mounts as Mars first opposes restrictive Saturn on the 5th, bringing situations to a crescendo, and then closes in on revolutionary Uranus on the 16th, sparking off a rather unusual two-year cycle. This simultaneously held back but high voltage set of aspects is likely to be very obvious for those people who have mid-month birthdays in March, June, September and December but Virgoans and Pisceans will feel particularly singled out! Have patience dear people as this is one of the harder months of the year but will soon pass. Try to strike a delicate balance when sudden and unexpected events propel us into new directions of activity since it will be hard to know where this change will lead to with Mars in a fugitive, free-floating state in Pisces. From the 24th on-the-run Mars finds a safe harbour in its own sign Aries and that’s when we will see an inkling of a pattern emerging and the results of what has taken place in early April. Enthusiasm and optimism are sure to rise by month’s end. Until then this can be a highly creative mix where we can put an inventive touch on our lives and interests but there is also the chance that we can act without really considering the consequences simply because we are trying to invoke change in the stale situations signified by Saturn on the 5th. And since we are hotwired emotionally and will find it difficult to buffer ourselves against stress, tiredness and fatigue, we can easily find ourselves acting or reacting harshly or rashly. Try to relax and pull back as much as possible. Physical - but carefully undertaken - exercise is a top priority since internal energy can build up and pool too quickly thereby providing fuel for any outbursts or conflicts; there could also be an increase in addictive behaviour and its costly consequences. Like attracts like now and if we are feeling a certain way chances are we will draw people and situations that will provide the outlet so try to mould and shape thoughts in a positive direction despite the adversities. Venus in Mars’ sign Aries moves into Pisces on the 11th and turns direct on the 18th – this signifies that unfinished business resurfaces from the 11th and a turning point occurs on the 18th; however we need to wait for Venus to gather her strength once more. Lunar activity is gentle this month thank goodness - the Full Moon on the 10th at 2:57am (NZT) in the sign of balance and compromise, Libra, trines Jupiter and is supportive of positive thinking and humanitarian ideals. The New Moon on the 25th (NZT) in Taurus at 3:24pm is a very fertile lunation and a great time for planting seeds that will take deeply in the future. The trick is to keep on nurturing and caring despite the upheavals and restrictions earlier in the month.

ARIES: Wow, what a lot of action in your sign as your birthday year takes hold Aries. Happy birthday! And even though a new cycle has commenced with the last New Moon in your sign on March 27th, it will be from April 23rd, when Mars moves into his own sign, that energy and vitality truly arrives. In the meantime, there is a lot of old ground to cover in relationships and your personal health and wellbeing as well as fiscal matters before you can move ahead. It’s all about what you value and treasure in your life in terms of time and energy and of going over issues and putting them to rest once and for all. This will be further accentuated around the Full Moon of the 10th when a delicate relationship issue comes to a head – avoid making too many judgements and long term decisions then but do resolve to find ways to tackle complications. While this month will tend to be volatile and cramped, on a personal level you can afford to be highly creative in your attitude.

TAURUS: The last month of your birthday year has once again arrived and with your personal New Moon occurring on the 25th and the Sun moving into your sign at 10:45am on the 20th, this is the month to work diligently behind the scenes in preparation for the new beginnings that will soon become apparent. Mercury moves into your sign on the 10th and this bodes well for thinking and calculating as well as communicating ideas that have been incubating over the past month. Wait until after the 25th to implement plans but even then it could take until June to really get going as May will be the month to finish old business before money and work matters can truly be ironed out. Leave a wide berth in distracting friendship or group issues around the 16th when disruptions and odd situations arise. Stand back and be reserved in your judgement as there will be more facts that come to light and an unusual twist around the 16th. It’s a time of allowing space and letting people be themselves! A travel issue will take a new road by the 25th.

GEMINI: April is a wobbly month with all sorts of potholes within your family and career sectors. Use this time wisely to sort the wheat from the chafe as unexpected factors wash your carefully laid plans into the sea of confusion that is around this month. Try to be as clear as you possibly can rather than leaving others to second guess; by the same token make sure you are on the same page as others and have clearly understood their intentions or needs. And above all count to ten when reacting to people who orbit within your career or parental spheres as this is very much a short-fuse month and yet things need to change for the better. It’s the way the change occurs that is of significance and around the 16th there will be evidence of what and how this will take place. The biggest dilemma now is that we may all tend to react to restrictive situations in a revolutionary way thereby undoing all the good work that has taken place so far, even if this is not evident on the surface.

CANCER: A sea change happens this month with regard to publicity ventures, travel, an educational pursuit or your beliefs and ideologies when unexpected events occur in the lead up to the 16th that shake your worldview. These events, people or situations that appear - seemingly out of nowhere - will be a learning experience that could lead to a career turnaround from the 23rd. You will certainly be reassessing your values and trying different creative approaches from the 11th but it may be wise to wait a little bit longer before confirming a course of action. A brother, sister, aunt, uncle or close neighbour could bring news that changes everything around the 5th; or it could be that everything hinges on an important letter, email, text, fax or phone call at this time - better to prepare for the most practical of responses to a pressing issue than expect everything to fall into place easily. Life is very complicated now so easy answers are few and far between. That’s why it is important to take the adjustments around the 16th very slowly.

LEO: The world of travel, education, publishing and publicity is very important to you now as that will be your key to the future but after the 11th you will need to revisit a property, business or finance issue that has even longer term repercussions. Ever so slowly you are building or rebuilding your fiscal life but this month there are other people or parties to consider so agreements and bargains need to be struck with great care. It’s all in the details Leo so take your time and read the fine print as there is too much room for confusion when situations take a sudden turn. At the same time, concentrate on the opportunities that could arise from the people you meet during the course of your professional life because by the New Moon of the 25th life will take off in fertile directions both professionally and in your public life. After the 24th you can return to the bigger picture.

VIRGO: Like Pisces, your sign is in the direct firing line of the restrictive but disruptive qualities that Saturn, Mars and Uranus will play out between each other during the first half of April, especially around the 5th and the 16th. It’s been a long haul having sombre Saturn trawl through your sign since September 2007 but the end is in sight and there are only six more months to endure before he moves into Libra (though there will be some unfinished business to tie up between April and July 2010). This month it will be very important to keep the longer term picture in mind as April will be one of those months where turning points and realities will seem to become obvious. But because there’s a danger that you are developing tunnel vision due to the length of time you have been involved in a certain project, situation or relationship it is important that you accept nothing at face value if you sense something is not quite right in an important liaison. It could be that the people you are involved with are shaping your perceptions from their standpoint or agendas or simply because of the stresses in your life and either way it is important that you proceed with cautious steps.

LIBRA: You are at the half-way point of your birthday year already Libra so this is the ideal time to take stock of how life has been shaping up since last October. Your personal Full Moon occurs on the 10th and this brings many conclusions to personal situations as well highlighting the state of play of your health and well-being. For some of you, the workplace will be the area where dramas and conflicts reveal the weak spots that we are all discovering at some area of our lives, and you may be taken by surprise at just what is happening here. Some developments could purely be a reaction to the stresses of big work loads but in other cases there may be a real reason to work through issues as calmly as possible. For stay-at-home Librans, the daily grind could prove just as exhausting as a full time job but without the pay, appreciation or kudos and for either scenario – work or home - it is important now to take time to simply “be” without doing. Step back and look at the confusion from a distance.

SCORPIO: If you are involved in an on-going situation with a child, an investment or creative project that hinges on a group effort - or even sports or leisure activities - then you could find that April brings unique twists and turns that throw you off balance. Proceed with caution rather than laying down one set of rules after another in an attempt to control a situation that is quickly turning to custard. It will be hard – especially around the 5th and the 16th - but pulling back and allowing a breathing space will be much better than charging in full steam ahead as this will only result in the opposite of what you are trying to achieve. This is an insecure month for a lot of signs and it may not always be obvious what is going on in people’s lives and minds. You can find out so much more with good communication and an open mind. From the 18th the tide will slowly begin to turn so that by May life will be that much more transparent. The New Moon of the 25th will also be significant and a relationship, pact or agreement will head off in a new direction.

SAGITTARIUS: You walk a fine line this month between domestic and professional life but it will be home where your attentions should be concentrated as this is where the major disruptions will come from. An on-going issue with a family member, boarder, tenant or landlord - or if you are selling, buying or renting - will come to a head around the 5th and the 18th when a very wobbly set of aspects threatens to upset the apple cart. Being the outspoken and direct person that you are, you will need to muster a heap of self-control to ward off any collisions with key people. With all the astro activity arising from a Water sign (Pisces), take care with anything around the home that has to do with water. From running a bath to using the pool or if there are plumbing issues, forgetfulness could lead to expensive repairs or be the icing on the cake when you are already stretched for time as deadlines and other pressures loom. Keep an eye on the big picture as this will soon pass just like any other crisis; and this is actually a great time to end matters even though emotions will run high. The Full Moon on the 10th will be somewhat helpful but the New Moon of the 25th will bring new activity at work or in health.

CAPRICORN: You have a lot to consider when it comes to a property sale, a house move, or a tenant or boarder issue, and the dynamics this month will be turned up a notch or two. Take especial care if you want to give someone a piece of your mind, especially if it’s in the written form since there could be unexpected repercussions. Take your time or take a walk before you commit anything to paper now and if you must do it, then word your thoughts carefully. With the stifling aspects that are affecting all of us, it’s hard to keep an eye on the bigger picture but all this tension will eventually pass and that’s when you will be glad you held back. By month’s end the New Moon of the 25th will shine a light on the realm of children, romance, creativity, or on a leisure pursuit or hobby that could prove productive so inject as much energy then into any or all of these areas then.

AQUARIUS: Money, money, money! It’s what makes the world go around but this month it is what will drive you to distraction if you continue to try to push square pegs into round holes. Stretched to the max, this is definitely a time to pull back and conserve your own resources while you wait for a second or third party to give their opinion, verdict or offer around the 5th. A claim, settlement or offer may have you dangling by a thread. By the 16th sudden changes will propel you in new directions anyway freeing up space on your financial hard drive so that fresh beginnings can take hold, especially at month’s end when the New Moon highlights property, home and family matters. It’s all a matter of compacting situations that have been dragging on too long but this requires a delicate approach and implementing strategies in a carefully balanced manner.

PISCES: April will be a very interesting month for all of us but most especially for Pisceans and Virgoans! Mars in your sign until the 23rd will bring a series of events, people, feelings or situations that will be both challenging but life-changing. The first challenge will occur around the 5th when a friend or foe will figure prominently and it will be very important to strike a balance between the pair of you; at the very least keep back judgements until more information comes to light. By the 16th the picture will change dramatically and you may find that a complete breakaway to pursue your own course of action is what you really want to do. This will be an extremely testing time in all relationships but most especially the intimate one to one connections that make your life what it is. It is important for everyone to allow space to work through issues otherwise the tension will increase. There is unfinished business to attend to from the 11th so financial affairs will have to put be on the back burner as you attend to health and wellbeing.

March Astrological Forecast

There will be significant twists and turns in relationships, creativity and business ventures until April 18th. Revisit the past and finish up old business and put new ventures on the back burner

MARCH PLANET REPORT: March will prove to be a fated month in relationships, creativity and money. As a very weak Venus in go-get 'em Aries does an uncommon, once-in-18 months turn to retrograde direction on March 7th we may find ourselves going into damage control when sudden twists and turns in relationships, business or creativity play havoc with our sensibilities. We may feel full of adrenaline but have narrow options for releasing our energies constructively; this is a period of internalisation rather than outward action. Romantic or platonic, professional or playful, we will enter into a vulnerable period where the ability to be assertive yet diplomatic and gracious becomes very important - feelings are extra sensitive but it becomes difficult to express what we need to communicate. The result is that we are highly-reactive and taut. This translates into imposing manners or actions. Remaining in this backward, muted state until April 18th, people and activities from the past may resurface and we could find ourselves attending to unfinished business - the best kind of business to be attending to in March because new ventures are likely to be fraught with disputes or contrariness. Venus highlights the balance of give and take and our feelings of love and being loved; she is the yardstick by which we measure our pain or gain in our interactions with others and from our material security. If we are involved in important negotiations, we may find all sorts of differing viewpoints or unexpected obstacles slow down the rate of progress unless there is willingness to compromise. Mars, ruler of Aries, travels through Pisces from the 15th adding confusion and sensitivity; however, this is a good month to take time out and dream a little. Aries birthday year begins at 00:45am on the 21st (Autumn Equinox) and Mercury joins the Sun and Venus on the 9th. This creates urgency in situations that really require forethought and patience. The Full Moon of the 11th highlights the bigger economic picture and brings a climax to situations that have been present since last September. The New Moon of the 27th is very significant as it highlights the theme of relationships and communication - the trick is to avoid the intensity that Pluto could trigger when we encounter blocks and obstacles.

ARIES: The spotlight is on Aries folk this month, not just because your birth time begins at the Autumn Equinox on the 21st at 00:45am but because Venus, the planet of relationships and interactions, is poised to turn to apparent backward direction on the 7th. This indicates a major review period for many Rams that will last until April 18th. This will be a time when you will be very aware of your personal world, your physical wellbeing, appearance and how you perceive those around you and vice versa. As this phase takes hold you are likely to feel confusion or a lack of energy and this can translate into sensitivity and quick reaction times. There are many sides to Venus - from laidback and indulgent to feisty and warrior like - so it will all depend on what is happening on a personal level. In Aries, there is a chance that the assertive side of your nature will emerge, especially if you have issues that are lurking just around the corner. Wait until later in the month when this energy will be more settled and Mercury has entered Aries (26th) and your personal New Moon will take hold (27th).

TAURUS: Your normally unflappable ruler Venus is in an uncommon state of flux from the 7th making March a time to take things easy and review any situations that have come unstuck. You will need to take a disciplined approach and steel yourself against Venus' tendency to overindulge and do all the wrong things as there is a laidback side to her that can encourage a larger appetite than usual. She can also bring on a spell of laziness or a lack or energy which means that important projects can run out of steam quite quickly. If you are creative, you may find your usual sources of inspiration dry up too, or you may simply feel like disappearing and doing something completely different - that's why this month is great for kicking back and waiting. Financially, it may be best to wait until mid-April to make decisions on new activities. It is better to research and dig deep than it is to make decisions based on emotions. People from the past may reappear now or you may find you take a trip down memory lane.

GEMINI: Friendships, acquaintances, groups, bands and team members all become highly significant now with Venus turning to backward direction in this area from the 7th. Your hopes and wishes are also highlighted and this could be a good time to resurrect those dreams that have been pushed to the back of your must-achieve list. Suddenly you may be filled with a burning desire to revisit a past aspect of your life in order to understand where you are now, and the result may be a revised but passion-filled list of ideas that you can implement as the year goes by. Wait until April 18th to begin anything but in the meantime have fun doing your research. People on the other hand are likely to be changeable or centred on their own concerns; the best way to handle this is to work together rather than react with impatience. Career and your public profile become important from the 9th and there may be a need to explain a situation that is anything but clear cut. Around the Full Moon of the 11th try to keep things simple despite a natural inclination to expect or give complicated explanations. It's best to keep a low profile and go with the flow of unexpected changes in the first part of March.

CANCER: Everyone will be feeling the strangeness of life during March, especially during the first half when Venus does a U-turn and brings a change of tide in recent developments. The crazy-making Full Moon on the 11th is likely to rock many boats but for Cancerians there may be unexpected spin-offs - you just need to be on the look out for that opportunity that can pass through your life without you even realising it. If you are too wrapped up emotionally in personal situations you will lose sight of the bigger picture. Professionally or parentally, there are changes afoot that will require a concerted effort in the art of patience; again, it could be timely to review arrangements and agreements that may no longer hold water. This could be a time to learn the art of diplomacy since your dealings with others are likely to be fraught with indecision and changes of direction. Educational or travel prospects are also likely to go through a period of doubt so be sure to double check your ideas and take care before you speak. In April you will be given the chance to apply your knowledge.

LEO: For some Lions there arises a need to revise travel or educational activities since well-laid plans can sudden go awry or some aspects are not the way you thought they were initially. People and places outside of your usual territory are highlighted now but there appears to be a twist to situations that could delay plans - this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise in the long term but in the short term there will be a flurry of rearrangements to be made. Travellers should double check all arrangements and bookings and get reconfirmation before leaving - or, leave plenty of time for fowl-ups. For others, great discussions revolving around philosophical or religious views are also possible and if you can keep an impartial point of view you can learn a great deal that will lead to a broadened outlook in the future - it's all about compromise rather than pushing beliefs and ideas uphill. For others still, publishing or web-based ventures may also need to be revised and this is a great time to research and put your ideas together for implementing after April 18th. The Full Moon of the 11th will pack a punch that will shake us all out of any inertia so this is a month to be prepared to change tack at the last moment.

VIRGO: Life is full of surprises this month and for Virgo folk, there may come a need to revise finances in relation to other people and their sudden whims or changes of heart and situation. Sorting through money and property issues is important now anyway but this will need to be done with care and due diligence - things may not be as clear cut as they seem, especially from the 15th when the puzzling behaviour of others creates confusion. Avoid change for change's sake or through running out of patience while you wait for others - which may happen around the Full Moon of the 11th when unpredictable events will catch us all off-guard. However, some change will come from other people and you may have little choice but to go along with the flow of events in relationships and relevant agreements. Keep in mind that everything will change again further down the track. Your busy work and daily schedules will quieten down after the 15th when Mars moves into your other people zone.

LIBRA: Your ruler Venus is not only turning to backward motion on the 7th but it is also travelling through your opposite sign Aries - a place where it tends to bring out the combative side out of your normally diplomatic nature. The trick is to fight only for those aspects of your life that you feel are truly threatened rather than reacting out of impatience or because you expected more. The Full Moon of the 11th will reveal to everyone that expectations need to be scaled down anyway so the line of least resistance is the best way to conserve energy. Another trick now is to wait for developments to take on a life of their own, run their course and then reveal the true nature of events after April 18th. From the 21st you enter into the second half of your birthday year and this can be a time of low energy and a natural desire to conduct a stock-take of the past six months. Work and health take on importance after the 15th so be prepared for a sudden rush of tasks. Organisation is the key word for March.

SCORPIO: Revise work and health matters during March as sudden changes in patterns will be evident and there will be a need to apply the brakes to the way you have been conducting tasks or dealing with physical issues such as medication, diet or exercise. Whilst this turn in the tide will create confusion as you adjust or make sense of where to from here, eventually life will reveal the underlying issues and then decisions can be made. However this will become evident after April 18th when life resumes a normal course so hunker down for a particularly lengthy period of indecision or hesitation. Prepare for this period with good organisation and an open mind, especially after the 15th, when your ruler Mars transits into Pisces and emphasises the confusion that we will all be experiencing. On no account should hasty decisions be made around the 11th when the Full Moon forces unexpected situations to a climax. The New Moon of the 27th will provide a space to discuss concerns but again forcing issues is better left for another time.

SAGITTARIUS: Children, romance and creative ventures are highlighted in March but there will be a need to go over the ground that has been recently established, perhaps revising certain situations and adjusting to changing needs as more insights arise that were not obvious before. Self-expression is particularly important so have or allow space to speak and lay the facts on the line in a matter-of-fact but non-combative way. Hobbies and leisure time activities are also highlighted in the same manner for Archers and patience is the order of the day in whatever you do. If you are counting the score, there will be some confusion over what the finally tally is and this will be open to interpretation until April. Home life will be affected by events around the Full Moon of the 11th and a level head will be needed to deal with unexpected people or dilemmas that crop up then. By the New Moon of the 27th you will be ready to embark on a fresh course of action but keep the lines of communication flowing freely.

CAPRICORN: Venus is on the turn through your home and family sphere until April 18th highlighting all the little nuances that exist between family members or in shared living arrangements. It will be amazing who and what pops up now and if there is a time when old skeletons resurface with a passion, it will be now! For those of you who are buying, selling or moving, this may be a time when previously hidden facts can suddenly make an appearance. If you are redecorating, be absolutely certain that you can live with your decorating choices during this phase - research and browse but try to delay starting until April when your aesthetic side is back in synch. Take care with art especially. On a relating level, this is a sensitive time when all sorts of feelings come up that have their origins in the past; and despite the discomfort of reliving everything all over again, you will find that in the long run you will clear the path for your bigger life direction. The Full Moon of the 11th presents an interesting polarity in beliefs and mindsets and you will need to strike a careful balance in communications. Siblings and neighbours could play an interesting role this month.

AQUARIUS: Mars shifts out of your sign on the 15th making life a little less robust than it has been since half the planets in the sky have taken up residency in your sign! Destiny certainly seems to be at work this year and as we head into a wobbly Full Moon on the 11th, there will be amazing conclusions to the first chapter of a situation that is likely to go on for some time in your finances and material security sector. Other people will play a big role so it's important to find the middle ground if you have made significant headway recently in a deadlock situation. Venus retrograde in your communication zone says that compromise and balance is the key to striking a bargain or agreement. Take time to think things through without pressure from other people so that you can connect with what is truly shaping your thought patterns. Anything you feel particularly passionate about requires deeper understanding. You may be surprised at what you discover.

PISCES: March is the month to proceed with extra care and diligence in any major purchases. You will either find the bargain of a lifetime or pay too much for something. Venus is about striking a balance and this can only happen when the facts and figures are perfectly clear or if you know the value of something through prior experience or research. The same can be said for wage negotiations or if you are exploring your true worth when exchanging time and energy for money. Mercury shifts into your sign on the 9th paving the way for communications that are not always accurate and because Mercury is followed by Mars on the 15th you could be prompted into taking action when you should really pull back and assess life. March is great though for turning up the passion in physical pursuits but try to count to ten when it comes to pushing for a desired outcome, especially since the Full Moon of the 11th may prompt extreme reaction.

February Astrological Report

An action prone month that, while highly creative, will be given to flights of fancy and possible confusion. Use cool, clear logic and do things slightly different

FEBRUARY’S PLANET REPORT: Mercury is stationery as February begins and poised to turn direct on the 1st bringing about a very interesting and extremely active start to the month. It may take until mid-February for life to settle and to really take advantage of what has transpired during the past three weeks but at least the facts and figures are emerging and calculations and judgements can be worked on with more certainty. The solar eclipse at New Moon on January 26th ushered in all sorts of unexpected distractions, awakening events or hurried decisions. Whatever began then will culminate at the lunar eclipse at Full Moon on February 10th at 03:50am but will continue to vibrate until August’s Full Moon. February’s creative and somewhat imaginative but also murky Full Moon occurring in royal Leo and opposing nebulous Neptune on the 10th means we need to keep a watchful eye on events as they develop and take extreme care when dealing with issues that involve pride and high emotional stakes – there’s a tendency to gloss over facts, distort the truth or be dazzled by someone or something. From the 15th Mercury’s ability to rationalise and communicate will be somewhat restored when it moves into logical Aquarius and communication and thought processes kick into action again. Mars blazes a cool trail through Aquarius from the 5th sparking off adventurous plans and helping to put into action the exuberant Jupiter ideals that will formulate over the next twelve months. This will be a year of amazing discoveries and digital revolution and life will be geared up to make everything move much quicker and more efficiently than usual. It is also the year of the humanitarian and how we can assist those people or communities to keep abreast of these rapidly changing times. Royal families around the world may be part and parcel of the changing landscape this year. Pisces - your birthday time begins at 01:47am on the 19th but it will be after the 25th that you get your green light and your year truly commences. Venus transits through Aries from the 3rd making a lovely aspect to Mars on Valentine’s Day suggesting a romantic day where doing something completely different will appeal to the more adventurous types and could make all the difference to flagging relationships. February will tend to be a “karmic” month where we get what we need rather than what we want but it will take some time to see where the benefits of what is occurring lie. Despite this, there are golden opportunities around mid-month to expand on a social and intellectual level and to really make a difference to the community spirit. Because we are in eclipse season life will tend to work out in unexpected ways.

ARIES: Mars shifts out of Capricorn and into Aquarius and your zone of hopes and dreams on the 5th. An activating influence, this could be a good time to take another look at what goals and personal achievements are best for your long-term future. People figure largely in this picture too despite the emotional content of the last New Moon on Jan 26th and there will be key friends and associates who can help you to formulate or revive ideas. Communication is important – pay attention to the conversations and facts that are poring in at a very fast rate as there will be nuggets of information that you will find useful. The Full Moon of the 10th highlights children and young people, romance and creativity but it would be a wise Ram who takes what happens with a grain of salt. With Neptune creating a smoke and mirror effect over affairs this month, avoid investing in hare-brained or unlikely schemes that appear glamorous at first glance. There is a lot happening now that is good for the soul.

TAURUS: Taureans may be finding the going exciting but tough with the sudden u-turns that are occurring in work and parental matters but rest assured that so much good will come out of what happens now. You have such a down-to-earth view of the world that change can be disconcerting. It’s all a matter of following the zig-zag to see where the path will lead rather than resisting what is taking place or basing decisions on assumptions. Having said that, so much will remain up in the air until mid-month when the Full Moon on the 10th brings a certain reality home to roost. In the meantime, do your homework and avoid making decisions that are based on events or activities that are happening in the home or with family as there is a lot more to these situations than meets the eye. Cloudy thinking or an issue of pride will bring out emotions that are anything but logical so wait for this stormy phase to pass before acting. Your ruler Venus makes a lovely aspect to Mars around Valentine’s Day so for attached or seeking Taureans this is the perfect time to consolidate or initiate an important relationship. And whether it is a romance or a financial activity, you can make good investments in the second half of February. It might not seem it but what takes place this month will be very fortuitous in hindsight.

GEMINI: You are learning about certain activities and subjects at an amazing rate. Even if you are not formally involved in education you will be picking things up by osmosis. The result will be following up on an idea or stepping beyond your normal boundaries and expanding out intp the world in some way. Via the internet, books or physical travel, faces and places at a distance hold an almost mystical appeal and will definitely rub off into your everyday life. Publishing ventures or educational prospects look great for the year ahead so take a look at what is available and put yourself out there. As February begins, your ruler Mercury turns direct so life should take a more predictable course where finances and other people’s assets, property or money are concerned – hopefully you have done your homework and checked and rechecked your calculations and have a clearer picture than previously. Watch the Full Moon on the 10th, which is a lunar eclipse, as there is a tendency for all of us to glamorise or dismiss certain people or activities.

CANCER: The lunar activity (solar and lunar eclipses) at the recent New Moon and coming Full Moon on the 10th may be turning your emotions inside out but underneath it all there is something happening that will help you to further yourself or expand on a financial level in the long term. From the 1st, life will begin to resume a straighter - if not less predictable course - in an important relationship with a loved one or even an opponent, so lie low until you can sense your way through the minefield of emotions. It could all just be a matter of communicating as honestly and clearly as you can so try to keep assumptions aside. The mysteriousness of the Full Moon on the 10th may make you wobbly-kneed or extra sensitive so avoid people who can bring out your vulnerabilities. If you sense any underlying feelings or motives that are not particularly clear then it would be advisable to wait for this period to pass before proceeding to the next stage. Above all keep your own motivations and ideas as above board as possible as Neptune has a way of revealing what is really going on.

LEO: Despite the high-energy planetary patterns that are at work in your opposite sign Aquarius, there is a lot going on that will do you the world of good in the long run. Relationships – past or present – whether romantic, platonic or adversarial - will be particularly fortuitous, and headway can be made to make or break your liaisons for the better. Jupiter signals that it is time to make a clean sweep this year but it may take until after the Full Moon of the 10th to really set sail. At that time mixed emotions and signals will keep you guessing but as long as you avoid making rash decisions or jumping the gun you will be fine. Eclipses have a way of clearing the dross and whilst they may rouse feelings they also get rid of excess emotional baggage that keeps new energy from entering one’s life. Whatever began in late January/early February will be relevant until August so prepare for the long haul when it comes to partnering or opponents. From the 15th you will return to a discussion that began in January and this time the details and facts should be clearer than they were.

VIRGO: Your ruler Mercury resumes course on the very first day of February so the wild ride that you experienced during January will begin to settle into a more predictable pattern. There will still be a few twists and turns on the rollercoaster and much will still be up in the air until the second half of the month but at least your creative urges have been stimulated and you will soon be applying an artist’s touch to your everyday work and living routine. Issues with children and young people will resolve themselves so that by the 15th you will be free to put all your intellectual energy into work and health matters. Unusual results or treatments may be evident then too. Saturn in your sign creates tension for the second time running (the first was October/November 2008) but you will be more accustomed to dealing with variables and unforeseen obstacles and challenges. Inventive is the catchphrase for February and what transpires now is actually very good for your overall wellbeing.

LIBRA: The end of matters is signified where you are locked into negotiations or discussions with significant family members or over real estate or home issues. From new flatmates or boarders to a parent or purchaser, you need to clarify the finer details and make sure you are all on the same page, especially if things have been going on for some time. After the 15th you can relax into the new 12-year cycle of recreation that has begun and that will last all year. Creative ventures get a huge injection of inventive mental energy and you will find it hard to resist the urge to get cracking on a new project. Children will also fit into this picture somewhere along the line for some of you. For others, romantically and socially you will find yourself involved with someone who operates on very similar mental levels. Be alert though for potential pitfalls that can become long term problems around the Full Moon of the 10th. There’s a murky tendency then that could obscure problems that become apparent later.

SCORPIO: After a busy year of moving around and being out and about, home is where the heart is in 2009. With the amazing build up of planets in Aquarius, you will find that soulful experiences are to be had right on your own doorstep or in the heart of your own family. This is the year to upgrade, redecorate or expand your living quarters or even add to your portfolio – a very exciting option if you want to enter the real estate market. January was a catch-up month and you spent a lot of time on the phone or writing emails and letters but as February begins - and provided you have done a thorough analysis of deals, quotes and negotiations - there should be little to hold you back. Even if you are only in the market for a lick of paint, this is the year to make your surroundings as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. From gadgets to garages, big or small, you will feel a strong need to alter something within the home base. A breakthrough with a parent is also possible for some of you and situations that have been of concern have a good chance of being resolved now. If possible wait until after the Full Moon of the 10th which is too fanciful to truly see the practical details. If you can try to stretch things out so that activities are begun by the New Moon of the 25th.

SAGITTARIUS: Communication is the biggest tool in your bag of tricks this year and whatever you say or write has the best chance of making an impact on your immediate environment. It simply takes time and patience to present your proposals. Sharpen your interpretative skills so that you can read your surroundings and the people within it. Your interest will be piqued by anything technological too, and you may find all sorts of new ways to use information in an electronically packaged form. Certainly this is a year to take short courses to get up to speed with software or systems. Languages might also appeal now and you will be amazed at the rapid strides you make in a very short time. If you can wait until the second half of February to commit to one particular method or school of thought, you will avoid the pitfalls that the solar eclipse might reveal to you around the 10th. In the meantime, you can continue to work on presentation and how you might approach the people who matter to you most. For some reason, how you appear to others makes you stand out in your own particular way this year. From the 5th, you will be biting at the bit to get cracking on ideas.

CAPRICORN: January was a month of rapid changes and unusual ideas and anything that began then is likely to go through a period of adjustment as February rolls around. It is quite likely that what seemed a good idea last month will appear quite differently in the cold light of day this month and that this process will take until the 15th to play itself out. Hopefully you have not committed to anything without a clause that allows for change and also that you have done a thorough assessment of whatever you want to initiate. While Mercury – the planet of ideas and plans - has been affecting all of us, for Goats it is even more important to be vigilant and alert as this fast little mover has been moving backward through your sign and is usually quite mischievous when it is going through these quirky little phases. Thorough research and delaying decision-making is the key to handling this energy so that you can uncover hidden details. Financially, 2009 is a great year for taking up opportunities to earn more, become independent or simply cash in on your own talents and assets.

AQUARIUS: Happy birthday Aquarius! February is likely to be another amazing month, especially after the 15th when Mercury moves back into your sign and you have a second chance to pick up the slack in a new idea or venture that began back in January. Mars moves into your sign on the 5th and this really puts the fuel into your rocket – whatever you do now will last the whole year long so make the most of opportunities. Hopefully you will be prepared for lift off having done your homework and waited to sign on the dotted line in big deals or negotiations. Travelling to expand yourself and your activities is also likely now and this may be undertaken with associates or friends who will play a huge role in your life this year. You will certainly have lots of company in your ventures and have the generous support of key people from your social circles. If you can wait until after the Full Moon of the 15th which will be like a wet blanket, then even better. A new financial beginning commences on the 25th when the New Moon brings a dream-like opportunity. Your innovative thinking and ability to rationalise will be at an all time high this year and you can afford to be experimental.

PISCES: Your birthday month commences when the Sun moves into Pisces on the 19th at 01:47am. 2009 is a year of winding down before a fresh 12-month cycle begins in 2010 - you have probably already seen signs of this in some areas of your life over the past month. Highly creative, this is a year to set tasks for your unconscious mind to work on so that by the time 2010 rolls around you will have fully formed ideas and projects to launch yourself into. As hidden as these ideas may appear to be right now try to be patient when you feel nothing is happening because without a doubt this will be when the most work is taking place on an inner level. Like a dog chewing on a bone and then burying it for a time in the future when it can be dug up and rediscovered all over again, your inner self will be hard at work coming up with all sorts of inventive schemes. You can help this process along by doing things behind the scenes that are completely different to what you have done before.