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Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/15/2011 and the Weekend: Stormy Weather

Happy Tax Day! For today, more of the same discerning, perfecting Virgo energy at your disposal (see yesterday’s forecast for details) — though best put to use in the AM, especially on the West Coast. Moon goes void at 4:49PM EDT/1:49PM PDT, suggesting that things performed during that time will be of no consequence. You could consider closing up shop early and enjoying the good vibe suggested by an indulgent connection between Moon and loving Venus.

Moon enters people-pleasing Libra at 2:59AM EDT and is knocked around by the planetary heavies all day. First Uranus, then Pluto, then Mars…and by 11:17PM wet blanket Saturn may want to call the whole thing off, unless someone gets serious about something. I expect plenty of jolts in the headlines.

In your own personal world, follow the advice of this New Moon cycle and Mercury retrograde: count to ten before snapping someone’s head off. Channel the abundance of energy into something productively creative and/or physical…with the key word being “productive.” You could even go shopping productively, as there’s no Moon void during business hours all weekend.

Sunday the lunar connections are likely to foster exuberance (yay!) or exaggeration or ego-aggrandizement (boo!). We’re warming up for the Full Moon — exact at 10:44PM EDT. Sun in Aries opposed by Moon in Libra suggests a reality check in our relationships, as in getting real about expectations vs. ability to deliver on certain promises That theme is sure to play out in the news this week, and I have a hunch we’ll see more headlines concerning what some, including Senator Barbara Boxer, are calling the “War on Women.” http://stopthewaronwomen.com/boxer

A dominant pattern over the next few days (exact on Monday AM) is a fierce opposition between aggressive Mars in Aries and controlling Saturn in Libra. At its best, this aspect is determined to blast through obstacles. At its worst, it can manifest as a clash between hot and cold (stormy weather, anyone?), and frustration, especially by those subjected to someone’s militant philosophy or actions. If you need an important favor from someone, you might do better waiting a few days. Oh…and about that “stormy weather”: this Full Moon is the third Super Moon in a row, which also suggests the potential for wacky weather  — consider yourself advised.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 4/13/2011

Well, whaddaya know? Another day of Moon in sunny, playful, regal Leo (never mind the stormy weather here in New York). No ragged, jagged aspects to the Moon that might upset any Royal Highness, either. Enjoy the sense of balance; be patient with whatever bugaboos Mercury retrograde may toss your way, and be prepared to shift into “chill” mode when Moon goes void at 3:38PM EDT…entering meticulous Virgo at 2:40AM EDT.

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/14/2011

Moon enters the discriminating sign of Virgo at 2:40AM EDT, suggesting two days of especially perfect Mercury retrograde energy. Making things perfect, precise and correct is what Virgo loves to do.  Mercury retrograde suggests we REview, REpair and REorganize. REvise. Use the Moon-Mercury combo to get it right!

Whatever you choose to do today, it may have a more sensitive, intuitive or artistic flair. Why? Moon makes a connection to nebulous Neptune in the early AM (note your dreams), and Venus, planet of social expression, art, beauty and money, is running wild in the ethereal sign of Pisces. Organization turned into an art form? Why not? Enjoy the relative calm in planetary activity; there will be plenty of activity to write about over the weekend.

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 4/12/2011: Benicio Del Toro

Nothing like Moon in sunny, playful Leo to lift our spirits today after yesterday’s looong void in security-conscious Cancer, coupled with a brutal Mars-Pluto square. And a Moon void. During Mercury retrograde. Explosive? Edgy? Weird twists? Accidents? Yes — all of the above in the headlines: a bomb in Belarus, more quakes and elevated crises in Japan, an incident at a nuclear power plant in the US, and continued bickering over resources among our fearless leaders in Washington. And from the field, several reports of feeling cranky and having to count to ten lest a co-worker’s head be bitten off. Whew!

And then…out of nowhere…this headline on the home page of the New York Times: “Benito Del Toro Impregnates Rod Stewart’s Daughter, Not That We Care About Her, But Only Who Her Father Is” http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/04/11/arts/entertainment-us-beniciodeltoro.html?hp  Brutal!  Dear Grey Lady, has the digital age driven you to this? How you must have held your nose whilst delicately penning this opening line, “Noted Hollywood lothario Benicio Del Toro is to become a father for the first time after a fling with one of Rod Stewart’s daughters, a spokeswoman for the actor said on Monday.” Why oh why is this front page news? Let’s consult the astrological rule book: if they’re in the news, the horoscope is hot. What’s going on with Benicio Del Toro?

Born Feb 19, 1967 in San Turce, Puerto Rico (time unknown), Del Toro has a complicated horoscope. Sun in Pisces, with Moon probably in Gemini (need to inform, entertain, be clever, intense and scintillating), and likely in a challenging configuration with Venus (social expression), Saturn (control), disruptive Uranus and emotionally intense Pluto. So we know right away there are going to be issues with the mother, which carry forward into Del Toro’s adult relationships. We also see a likely active sexual profile, one that could well fit a man described as “someone who obsessively seduces and deceives women,” i.e., a “lothario.” Concurrently we see another pattern between Venus, expansive Jupiter and nebulous Neptune that suggests great sensitivity and emotional self-sufficiency. This second pattern functions subconsciously as a defense against relationship. Why does Del Toro need to keep people at a emotional distance? When we look at events in the early home, upsets are suggested between the ages of 4-6, culminating at age 9. What happened? I don’t have an answer for ages 4-6 (though I would certainly ask him in a consultation), but at age 9, Del Toro’s mother died.

All right, but why is he making news NOW? Del Toro, yes. Nameless impregnated woman, no. We see Saturn (controls, structure, father issues) in the horoscope at 28 Pisces, on the Aries Point. Fascinating! Regular readers of this forecast will remember that planets at this point are driven to attract prominence. And you may also remember that we’ve had a number of planets, including expansive Jupiter and disruptive Uranus, trigger that point since January! And for Del Toro, those triggers affected issues in his life related to control, structure and father. And thanks to nebulous Neptune sitting on Del Toro’s Sun in Pisces now through 2012, he will likely be quite bewildered by the sudden disruption (he may win a particularly inspired role in a film, too — but that’s another area of his life).

Enjoy the day with Moon in Leo, free of challenging aspects. Eat. Play. Love. Moon goes void again at 3:58PM EDT — so if it has to ship, do it today.

Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 4/11/11: Pluto square Mars; Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Glenn Beck & Donald Trump

Waking up Monday to the challenge of the First Quarter Moon, exact at 8:05AM EDT. Where has your willful heart taken you over the past eight days? Hopefully it has been your heart leading you — not your big, fat ego, which is always a possibility with so much me-me-me Aries energy flying around. Need to make an adjustment? Your big ideas for the next step in your strategy may not have quite the impact today because just as you realize the challenge to your agenda (that’s how First Quarter Moons function), the Moon goes void for the rest of the business day — until 11:37PM EDT. And don’t forget that Mercury is still retrograde, suggesting brilliant ideas that occur to you now may not be so brilliant upon review once Mercury turns direct. Not that the day won’t have its share of excitement and drama, though you are well-advised not to engage in ego spats and power plays. First of all, perceived slights are likely “sound and fury, signifying nothing.” But that doesn’t mean they won’t have an especially brutal charge. That’s the flavor of the potent challenge between ruthless Pluto and trigger-happy Mars I wrote about last week, exact today at 4:39PM EDT.

When Mars and Pluto square off, the effects are usually felt a few days before. Bloody, violent, explosive, brutality, news from underground — these are likely elements to be anticipated in the headlines. And over the past few days, we’ve seen violence in the most unlikely places:  a deadly explosion of fireworks stored in an underground facility in Hawaii, a shooting rampage at a mall in the Netherlands that left seven people dead http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/04/11/2724s631272.htm …even the subject of the theater review published in today’s NY Times was entitled, “We’re Gonna Die” — also reviewed in the New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2011/04/11/110411gonb_GOAT_notebook_als  More evidence of cosmic black humor: China fights back and releases its assessment of human rights violations — in the US http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/10/c_13822179.htm  Brutal! On the other hand, if you’re…say…a professional athlete, you can use this intensely physical energy to your advantage…

OK, a quick look at some departing media figures, as requested by a dear Reader. Will we see a pattern here? Remember the astrological rule; if they’re making headlines, the horoscope is “hot”. For Katie Couric, soon to be leaving CBS (Jan 7, 1957 Arlington VA, time unknown): disruptive Uranus at the attention-demanding (and getting!) Aries Point making exact contact with Jupiter, ruling expansion — this suggests a big break. Connections from Saturn (structure) to Uranus (disruption) suggest change, as does a connection from nebulous Neptune (rules television, film) to Pluto (resistance is futile). Matt Lauer (12/30/57 in NY, NY) is planning to leave the TODAY show when his contract expires in December 2012 — which is perfect timing, Matt! By then ruthless Pluto will be sitting right on top your Capricorn Sun, squared by disruptive Uranus. You’ll be oh-so-ready for a big change; in fact, it’s likely you will not have a choice — so plan for it now! It’ll be interesting to compare where Matt and Meredith Viera (also born 12/30 — but in 1953 in East Providence, RI) are in 2013, because they both have their Sun at 8 degrees of Capricorn and will be experiencing those intense Pluto-Uranus transits at the same time! Why might Meredith be leaving in September of 2011 instead of 2012? How about disruptive Uranus bringing excitement and change to Meredith’s life by challenging her Mercury and Venus (two important planets in the horoscope of a TV journalist/presenter) at that attention-demanding Aries Point? And finally, Glenn Beck — also leaving his TV home — born Feb 10 1964 in Everett, WA. Would you believe: transiting Uranus challenging his Venus at the Aries Point, similar to Meredith’s horoscope; that was exact in March, when I believe Beck’s departure was first announced. 

As for Donald Trump, a media figure who is not departing anytime soon: born Jun 14, 1946 at 10:54AM in Queens, NY — and acting a bit strange lately, if you follow the headlines. He’s got nebulous Neptune exactly opposing his Leo rising sign right now (you knew it was Leo, didn’t you)  – suggesting puzzling behavior and confusion over one’s identity. We can look forward to more of the same from Mr. Trump all through 2011.

What’s going on in your horoscope?

P.S. — As of Feb 10, 2012, Matt Lauer is in negotiations to extend his contract. He’s now willing to stay on at Today for $30 million a year — up from his current salary of $17 million — and transiting Pluto has just conjoined his Capricorn Sun — suggesting empowerment. Transiting Uranus (sudden change based on a pressing need to assert one’s individuality) joins the pattern in June.  Will NBC pony up the dough to keep the one and only Matt Lauer?

Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/7/2011: Jolly Good News!

Moving into Hour 30 of a Moon void in Taurus (with seven more hours to go) and under the influence of today’s exuberant Sun-Jupiter (cosmic sugar daddy) connection as I write today’s forecast. I’ll use that as an excuse to the dear reader who asked for an astrological take on the upcoming upheavals/departures of certain media figures: Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, et al. Let me address that tomorrow. For now, I’d rather share some jolly headlines in synch with today’s jolly astrological patterns.

Exhibit A: Mercury retrograde is a superb time to clean out closets, get organized and REexamine projects from the past. Just ask the lady who found a big fat winning lottery ticket (from January) in a purse she decided to clean out last week: “Ga. Woman Cleans Purse, Finds Winning Ticket” http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/04/06/us/AP-US-ODD-Purse-Cleaning-Jackpot.html?_r=1&hp That exuberant Sun-Jupiter connection probably helped, too — I would love to see how it influenced her unique horoscope.

Exhibit B: Bold, innovative, pioneering, persistent action aligned with integrity and purity of heart — check out this fun, inspiring manifestation of potential suggested by this New Moon in Aries (see Monday’s forecast for details on the New Moon). “Regina Mayer, German Teen, Teaches Cow to Hurdle” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/06/cow-jump-regina-mayer_n_845617.html And of course it would make news with the Moon in Taurus (the bull!).

Make you smile? Good!

Note your dreams this AM. Nebulous Neptune might take you on some far-out trip as it makes a connection to Moon at 7:32AM EDT, ten minutes after Moon buzzes into chatty, information junkie Gemini. Inspiration and innovative communication?  So use it to further your New Moon agenda. Perhaps there’s someone you haven’t spoken with in a long time who can help you train that cow to jump.

Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/8/2011 and the Weekend

A supportive connection from controlling Saturn grounds the distracted energy of today’s Moon in information-junkie Gemini. If you’re revising or reviewing, that’s good for business! Moon goes void at 10:24PM EDT, doesn’t enter Cancer until 5:02PM EDT on Saturday. No impulse shopping at yard sales; save it for Sunday. Chill — or get thee to a gym.

Saturday is notable for two aspects: a sharp connection between Sun and Mercury retrograde in Aries encourages impulsive thoughts and actions (do you see a challenge here, given the Moon void?). Better to use that energy for brainstorming or reorganizing, as opposed to taking decisive action. Meanwhile, ruthless Pluto in make-it-happen Capricorn goes retrograde at 4:49AM, where it will continue to tear down and/or empower those of us with a planet between 4 and 8 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.If you were born four to eight days into those signs, you can count yourself in that category. You’re up for a major change of perspective for all of 2011. (If you don’t know where the rest of your planets are, isn’t now the time to find out?) Consult your local astrologer for details.

In world events, we’ll be revisiting issues concerning energy resources, news from underground and our infrastructure. Moon in Cancer needs emotional security. Staying close to home and enjoying the comforts therein isn’t a bad strategy for the rest of the weekend. Be especially mindful on Sunday, as the Moon (and thus our emotional response) will be sorely challenged by combative Mars, ruthless Pluto and restrictive Saturn. Please don’t pick a fight, especially with Pluto challenging Mars in a potentially brutal and explosive clash on Monday afternoon (but we’ve been under that influence for a few days already — isn’t that right, John Boehner: “No Accord in Budget Talks…etc”http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/us/politics/08congress.html?hp) And by the way, NATO isn’t apologizing for its deadly airstrikes on rebel forces in Libya, either http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/world/africa/09libya.html?hp So there. Nyah. (sigh)

Moon is void of course during business hours on Monday — 8:05AM – 11:37PM EDT — FYI. More anon, including that promised look at those departing media figures….thanks for your patience, dear reader…

Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 4/5/2011: Obama, Scalia and More

Why do things happen when they do, according to astrology? Your horoscope is a map of a moment in time — the moment, presumably, when you took your first breath. That map (you could also call it a pattern — or even a software program for the soul) does not change. But the planets keep moving, and as as they move, they connect with planets and points in your horoscope. Imagine a cue ball striking other balls on a pool table. The cue ball is a transiting planet — one that is moving. The other balls are planets in your horoscope — not moving. Got that? So when those balls on the table are being triggered by transiting planets/cue balls, the horoscope is “hot” and  things happen.

For example, last Tuesday a man presumably on his way to work was issued a ticket after rear-ending another car stopped in traffic. This man, born Mar 11, 1936 @ 8:55PM in Trenton, NJ, had his natal Mars in impulsive, impatient Aries triggered by last Monday’s Jupiter – Saturn opposition. This suggests frustration or delays in efforts to expand or move forward, directly connected to his 3rd house of short journeys.  The man’s Mercury (mind, communication, travel) is currently under the influence of nebulous Neptune, perhaps clouding his usual sharp focus. Transiting Mercury was stationary retrograde almost exactly opposite his Libra Ascendant and Pluto in Cancer.  There’s more, but that’s enough to suggest a potentially explosive release of energy projected in a public one-on-one encounter, as a result of unfocused thinking and impatient and/or aggressive actions curbed by certain controls, such as two tons of steel blocking one’s path. Such was the case with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/30/news/la-pn-scalia-traffic-ticket-20110330 Fascinating!

Meanwhile, rumors that Barack Obama would announce his campaign for re-election on Monday had me flummoxed. Launch a major initiative during a void of course Moon? But…why? I was therefore surprised to receive an official announcement email from his campaign committee time-stamped 4:13AM — two hours before the void began. Hmmm…interesting.  Do you remember a few weeks ago, when Obama ordered our military forces into Libya, I observed that the top of Obama’s horoscope (which has to do with career, status and reputation) was being challenged by a square from nebulous Neptune, suggesting confusion and/or illusion in those areas of his life. Others may find his actions bewildering — or inspiring; Obama may be struggling to present a clearly defined picture, but somehow the message is diluted and/or dissolved. Would you believe that the chart for 4:13AM 4/4/2011 in Washington DC shows this EXACT aspect: Neptune challenging this top of the chart!! Coincidence or conspiracy?

Finally, this tidbit: Steven L. Newman, CEO of Transocean Ltd., the company that co-produced last April’s Mercury retrograde disaster (the Deepwater Horizon oil spill), might well benefit from an astrologer on his staff. Apparently unaware of the likely effects of Mercury retrograde in impatient, impulsive Aries, last week Newman proudly announced…oh, let me just quote the opening line of the CNN article. Warning! May cause spit takes:

“The owner of the Gulf of Mexico oil rig that exploded last year, killing 11 workers and leading to what has been called the worst oil spill ever, said Monday that calling 2010 its “best year” in safety “may have been insensitive.”

But surely not as insensitive as Newman’s reported $200,000 salary increase. Did I just hear you mutter, “that’s not FAIR!”  (see yesterday’s forecast) Congratulations, you’re reflecting perfectly Saturn’s current journey through Libra.  http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/04/gulf.spill.bonuses/index.html?hpt=T2

Bottom line: in a Mercury retrograde, especially THIS Mercury retrograde, silence can be a very good friend.

Tuesday dawns with some lunar traction in Taurus, a sign that needs to establish material security by giving form to — and organizing — ideas. No void Moon on a work day — woo-hoo! This can be a wonderfully productive day, buoyed by an optimistic, expansive connection between the Sun and jolly Jupiter, the cosmic sugar daddy. Buy a few lottery tickets, especially if you’re celebrating a birthday this week or if you have a planet at 16-17 degrees of Aries. Hey, you never know. And definitely get it done today, as opposed to Wednesday, because the Moon goes void again Tuesday at 7:02PM EDT…and doesn’t enter Gemini until 7:22AM EDT Thursday.

Tomorrow, a look at the horoscope of Governor Paul LePage, currently employed by the people of the State of Maine. To the readers who made this request several days ago, thanks for your patience.

Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 4/6/2011: Governor Paul LePage of Maine

A bit of bright news Tuesday: Moon in Taurus, which is driven to build material security and establish form, appears to have coincided with Japan’s successful (for now) effort to stop the leak of radioactive water into the ocean; they plugged it  with a mixture of liquid glass they hoped would take form. Meanwhile, no such luck at building security in the US. Here, there was much talk of a government shutdown as Congress and the President appear to be unable to collectively agree on a reasonable budget. Will it happen? Perhaps.

Strikes and other disruptions of service are common happenings during Mercury retrograde. And the closer we get to Monday’s intense challenge between Mars and Pluto, the nastier the power plays are likely to be. We had a government shutdown back in 1995, courtesy of an impasse between President Clinton and Newt Gingrich http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_1995Interesting to note that disruptive Uranus was exactly conjunct (at the same place as) ruthless Pluto in the US horoscope at that time. Evidence shows that when Uranus and Pluto connect, life is turned upside down. So here’s a head’s up: Uranus and Pluto will both be squaring the Sun in the US chart in 2014. Whatever disruption we experience now will likely pale in comparison to the upheaval we will experience in 2014.

I promised readers in Maine that I’d look at Governor Paul LePage (10/9/48 in Lewiston ME, time unknown), who certainly has been attracting attention for being a…maverick. He can’t help but do that, as rebel Uranus at 0 Cancer is running wild in his horoscope, and is currently challenged by transiting Uranus in Aries. Also running wild is pugnacious Mars, planet of action, and in LePage’s case, Mars functions more like “a gun with a cork in the barrel.”  LePage is a people-oriented Libra with Moon in “make it happen” Capricorn, as in not now, but RIGHT NOW. In describing this combination, astrologer Noel Tyl writes:”…’people manager’…boldness, arrogance and even ruthlessness. Methods are sharp and shrewd. The challenge is to preserve group opinion needed for peace and secure growth.”  Perhaps someone will send the governor an anonymous fax about that.

LePage had a very tough childhood: oldest of 18 kids, impoverished home and an allegedly abusive father. He left home at age 11; the timing of this event — and the likely cause — is clear as day in the horoscope. More on his early life here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_LePage  What might he have carried into his adult relationships from his harsh childhood experience? Let’s just say he has some issues. And in case you haven’t seen the latest installment of LePage’s decision to remove a mural depicting Maine workers from the Maine Department of…Labor, do check it out  http://www.pressherald.com/news/US-Labor-Dept-steps-into-Maine-mural-dispute-.html

As I write,  we’re in another Moon void period — no lunar aspects at all until 7:22AM EDT on Thursday. Enjoy the rudderless enthusiasm likely generated by the exact conjunction between Sun and expansive Jupiter at 4PM EDT Wednesday. If you can play today, then do so — get a massage, listen to music, have some good food. But oh, the bombast we are likely to see in the headlines…

Astro-logical Forecast for Sunday and Monday, 4/3-4/2011: New Moon in Aries; Neptune in Pisces

Lots to cover today: New Moon in Aries, Neptune entering Pisces and the usual daily guidance. So much that I’ll just note for the record that news of violence, uprisings, upsets at the nuclear power plants in Japan and new significant seismic activity did make the headlines as anticipated, along with these weird accidents: two skydivers collide in mid-air and are killed http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/04/one-of-two-skydivers-killed-in-mid-air-collision-had-made-17000-jumps.html; Southwest Airlines grounds planes after a fuselage ruptures during a flight on Friday and this intriguing item: a Mercury retrograde REvisit of a mysterious plane crash that happened in 2009 , “Parts from Air France Crash Discovered in Atlantic” http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/04/03/world/europe/AP-EU-France-Brazil-Plane-Crash.html?_r=1&hp

In your own personal world what people, projects and other issues from the past are coming up for REview during this Mercury retrograde period? This is a perfect time to REconnect!

The chart for the New Moon at 14 degrees of Aries (4/3/2011 at 10:33AM EDT) has six planets in this impulsive, pioneering, courageous sign: Sun, Moon and expansive Jupiter in a tight connection, fostering optimism (a positive manifestation) and self-aggrandizement (a negative manifestation); Mars, planet of action in an equally tight connection with disruptive, brilliant Uranus, suggesting sudden flashes of impulsive action or genius that turn the status quo on its head; and Mercury, not connected to any other planet, suggesting a month of impulsive, pioneering and/or reckless words, thoughts and movements that will command our attention. Nebulous Neptune also runs wild in the chart, suggesting the potential for visionary (the positive) or fanatical (the negative) to also pull focus in a really big way.  Venus and Pluto are in a supportive connection, suggesting powerful and deeply felt social expression — an extremely useful aspect to have if your agenda involves the arts.

Aries is the first sign, and as Aries energy expresses itself, that’s what it needs to do: be first! It is the symbolic baby of the zodiac, and yet its ruling planet is Mars, the Roman god of war. At its best, Aries is known for taking the lead in fighting for what it believes in — the more impossible, the better — with an innocence and purity of heart that is inspiring and disarming. At its worst, Aries can be utterly self-absorbed, dangerously unaware and still persist in fighting to prove its superiority. Note that this New Moon is exactly opposed by Saturn, planet of necessary control, in the sign of Libra, representing fairness, diplomacy, justice and the “other,” suggesting that the big, bold steps you are encouraged to envision, must be taken with integrity and purity of heart. Without this higher consciousness, your plans may be met by frustrating controls from others who will not appreciate your quest for world domination.

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon at 14 Aries is “a serpent coiled near a man and a woman,” suggesting the power of kundalini energy that lies dormant in each of us, waiting for the time to be awakened. Kundalini is sexual/creative energy expressed with spiritual consciousness that takes a physical, and unfortunately sometimes base experience to a mind-blowing new level. “Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am” words and actions are not advised,  though we can anticipate plenty of headlines this month featuring self-absorbed and/or unaware types who fail to consider — or outright dismiss —  the “other” in their actions. And there will be consequences for those types, as in howling protests from others of, “that’s not fair!!.”

Don’t let this happen to you. Think big. Be bold — with integrity. Take advantage of Mercury being retrograde in Aries to aggressively research and develop your plans now. Embrace the concept that patience is a virtue. Plan a strategy for the long haul. Yes, the urge to act is strong right now –and  you’ll need to do something constructive with all that energy. Instead of starting a war, try kickboxing!

Monday begins with  Moon void of course in Aries at 6:04AM EDT until 7:46PM EDT. If you experienced a spacey, floaty and/or mildly irritating quality last Thursday and Friday, you may experience another full day of it today, even with that impulsive Aries Moon. Try to chill if you can. Or devote some hours to brainstorming on your strategy — hold off on taking action. Tuesday is a more conducive day for moving in a straight line and “business as usual” than Monday and Wednesday, too, when Moon will again be void for an entire work day.

Meanwhile, at 9:36AM EDT, nebulous Neptune embarks on a four-month test-drive through its home sign of Pisces. Neptune energy can be challenging for people who live in a material world, as Neptune tends to dissolve whatever it touches. It doesn’t strike with a lightning bolt, like Uranus, or blow things to smithereens, purging and/or transforming, like Pluto. Its effects are much more subtle, but no less powerful. A few key words for Neptune:  intangible forms (wireless communication including film, photography, telepathy, intuition, spirituality, rarefied art forms, including music), oil, dreams, drugs, blood, alcohol, poisons, viruses, water, oceans, seafood.   A few key words for Pisces: surrender, empathy, compassion, collective consciousness, belief, martyr, saint. It takes about 14 years for Neptune to travel through one sign of the zodiac; the last time Neptune entered Pisces was in 1847.

Thanks to astrologer Steffan Vanel for bringing my attention to a post by astrologer Adrian Duncan noting some key developments during Neptune’s last transit through Pisces in the mid-19th Century –check it out for clues to themes we are likely to see returning during the next 14 years:

“This was the period when Charles Dickens wrote his novels of social realism, and social democratic demonstrations shook the capitals of Europe. This was also a time when painters like Renoir, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet made their impressionist paintings, expanding the world of fantasy and imagination. On the scientific front Darwin’s theory of evolution completely undermined Christian tradition. The first photographs were taken, ultimately leading to the coming world of the movies. Anesthetics were used for the first time in hospitals. Opium became a socially acceptable drug. The accepted reality of the day was undermined and new spiritual, emotional and political realities took form.”

On this first day of Neptune in Pisces, here in the US you can join any one of thousands of “social democratic demonstrations” rallying for workers’ rights on aptly named “We Are One Day” (I could not make this up if I tried) — look here for a rally near you: http://local.we-r-1.org/weareone/events/show/686  More on what Sun signs are personally affected by Neptune’s shift into Pisces later in the week; for now I’ll close with the following encore presentation: