Category Archives: About astrology

Saturday Extra! Lunar Eclipse Debriefing

comet-lulin2.jpgWe’re now out of the inter-eclipse period. Thank goddess for that!

The past week and a half has been very rough for me. I wish I could tell you what’s happening, because it tracks 100-percent with the eclipses. I can’t provide any details, unfortunately, because it is important that I keep my personal life extremely private right now.

Because of these events, I haven’t been able to respond to the many comments you’ve posted, mostly on the weekly forecast. Some of them are astounding, and I have felt deep sympathy and compassion, even though you might not have thought so because of my silence.

Although we’re out of the inter-eclipse period and the Aquarius-Leo series of eclipses is over, the issues raised during this series are still playing out for me, so I assume that this also may be true for others. It’s hard to know whether it will take another two weeks or 30 days or perhaps even longer. This is typical of eclipses, and since we also had two eclipses in a new series prior to the lunar eclipse in Aquarius on August 5, it’s hard to know which energies are in play and which are dominant.

I’d like to throw in another complicating factor, and that is Comet Lulin, which was conjunct the Sun on July 6, just a day before the lunar eclipse in Capricorn. That eclipse, as you may recall, was the first in the new series of eclipses in Capricorn and Cancer.

I had forgotten all about Comet Lulin until about a week ago, when he (she?) suddenly popped into my head. I am sure that this visitor came with a message or perhaps with a new set of “instructions” for us. Lulin is still inside the orbit of Jupiter and will remain there until February 2010, which tells me that he is still very much an influence. The mysterious retrograde motion of his orbit puzzled astronomers, who have never seen this before. Moreover, unlike other comets, Lulin is roughly following the ecliptic, which is the path that the planets take.

When Comet Lulin first came to the attention of the mainstream media in January, the Oscars were imminent and also were making headlines. One of the major contenders was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, in which the main character is born old and ages backward. One of the taglines for the film was, “Life can only be understood backward; it must lived forward.” The hero has a love interest, and they can connect romantically only during the period in which they are the same age. At that point, his beloved says, “We’re almost the same age, meeting in the middle.” (You can read more about Comet Lulin in a post I wrote earlier this year.)

It’s still hard to draw any conclusions at this time, except to say that we are still processing the information of this highly unusual visitor and may be for some time to come. If anyone has any ideas, post them here and let’s get a discussion going (keeping in mind that my participation may be limited).

As always, wishing you all much love and strength of heart,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Comet Lulin on Feb. 21, 2009. Photo by Conrad Pope of Kelly, NC.

Ask Real Astrologers: Which Horoscope Is More Accurate?

This week’s question comes from Dee in New Zealand:

In my boyfriend’s chart, the recent eclipse in Cancer fell in his fifth house. When reading some horoscopes for that week, I noticed that for Virgo, the eclipse was apparently in the eleventh house, and it was Pisces whose fifth house would be activated.

Now I am a bit confused as to how the houses work and wondering whether it would be more accurate to attribute a Pisces horoscope for him. I realize the beginning of his fifth house is at the end of Gemini, but when you look at it, most of the fifth house is taken up by Cancer. So is Cancer in his fifth or is Gemini his fifth house “ruler?” Or both? And does that mean both Virgo and Pisces horoscopes would be accurate? I have really got myself confused over this one and hope you even understand my question!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Oh, yes, Dee, we understand your question! It made me chuckle, actually, because Neith and I have written a lot about why Sun sign horoscopes are of limited usefulness. Your boyfriend’s chart is a perfect example.

As you note, your friend is a Virgo. In astrology, we say that Virgo is his Sun sign, because the Sun was moving through the sign of Virgo at the time of his birth. However, we also have a Rising sign (or Ascendant), which is the sign that was on the eastern horizon at the moment we were born. In your friend’s case, that was 28 degrees Aquarius.

The horoscopes you read in newspapers, magazines, and online are written by Sun sign, not Rising sign. So for your Virgo boyfriend, the astrologer puts 0 degrees Virgo on the Ascendant, 0 degrees Libra on the cusp of the second house, 0 degrees Scorpio on the cusp of the third house, and so forth. Sun sign astrologers have different techniques for writing horoscopes, but the most popular method is to look at transits to the solar houses. In my opinion, this is usually not very accurate, and it leaves astrology open to very valid criticism.

Even though your boyfriend is a Rising Aquarius, his first house is taken up mostly by Pisces, and that’s why his chart appears to be more like a Pisces, and he will get the most out of Sun sign horoscopes if he reads for Pisces. This won’t be 100-percent foolproof, but he may get pretty good results a lot of the time.

If you’re interested, you can find out more about Sun sign horoscopes in an article in my archive.

I hope this clears up some of your confusion, Dee, and thanks for the really great question!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Dee, thankfully you do have a birth time for your Virgo, because that clarifies matters considerably. This is also a great opportunity for you to learn more about how astrology works.

Another way to double-check which house is activated by the eclipse is to review what the dominant themes in his life are right now. The fifth house traditionally is associated with Leo, so we’re talking children, creativity, romantic encounters, and the desire to enjoy life a little.

It is so easy to get lost in the forest of details with astrology that one is often further ahead to stay with the simplest explanation. My rule of thumb is always to check to see if a transiting planet forms an aspect of two degrees or less to natal planets, the Ascendant or the Midheaven. If there aren’t any aspects, then relax!

This has been a very busy eclipse season, and naturally the most dramatic events are those being reported on various astrological blogs. Do keep in mind there are millions of folks around the world whose lives were not disrupted at all.

Remember to have fun with your study of astrology, Dee! It has a lot to offer just about anyone.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Weekly Forecast August 3: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius

Solar Eclipse in the Cook Island, see credit belowWell, this is my big week, with a lunar eclipse exactly on my Sun at 13 degrees Aquarius on Wednesday. Over the past year, I’ve been alternatively dreading and anticipating this moment, hoping that something would shift to bump me up a notch.

Anyone with the Sun, Moon, or Ascendant within five degrees of this eclipse is likely to experience sudden or sweeping changes. An eclipse on Venus or Mars will be noticeable, too.

Even if this eclipse doesn’t touch any of your personal planets or chart angles, a situation or relationship that has dominated your life in the past year and a half will come to closure or resolution now. That’s because this is the last eclipse in a series in Aquarius and Leo, which began in February 2008. Wherever Aquarius and Leo fall in your natal chart, that’s where you can expect to experience a final chapter. I wrote about this in a Saturday Extra! column on July 11. Also, for more information on this Full Moon eclipse, check out Neith’s excellent post (we skipped last week’s Q&A in order to get it to you as soon as possible).

Wednesday’s Full Moon may have an entirely different meaning for you, in that it brings to fullness the energy of the powerful solar eclipse on July 21 at 29 degrees Cancer. If you didn’t notice anything in particular then, you may feel the effects now. Admittedly, there’s so much going on in the sky that it’s hard to tell which celestial phenomena are associated with particular events in your life (notice that I didn’t write “caused”). If you’re confused and want to know more, I highly recommend a session with your favorite consulting astrologer.

Whether this lunar eclipse or the previous solar eclipse is the bigger influence for you, you may be feeling the effects already. In 1990, the last time we had eclipses at these degrees, I started feeling the lunar eclipse two months in advance, and those events reverberated into my life for a good year afterward. It should be noted, however, that the lunar eclipse at 13 degrees Aquarius in 1990 was not the last one in a series, so events continued to unfold as the eclipses in Aquarius and Leo progressed into 1991. Perhaps this eclipse will be the last chapter to more than one book, kind of like the gripping conclusion of the Harry Potter series.

So, enough about eclipses! There are other things happening this week, too, although they pale in comparison. On Monday, Mercury in Virgo trines Pluto in Capricorn. Virgo is one of Mercury’s two home signs, although it can make a nitpicker out of the Messenger. Fortunately, this easy trine aspect lends itself toward constructive criticism, and Pluto in Cap will get right on the job and fix whatever needs repair, whether it’s your garden fence or a ding in your self-esteem.

After being eclipsed by the Sun on Wednesday, the Moon spends Thursday carrying that energy to Neptune & Co., all of whom are retrograde I’ve written a lot about the healing potential of this triple conjunction. Since they’re all going back, we might expect a final chapter in a healing process than began sometime in the past 18 months. Or, you might have been working on issues from the distant past. Again, to understand how this energy is active in your life, look at which house in your natal chart Neptune is currently occupying.

On Friday, Mercury sextiles Venus. Once again, the nitpicking tendencies of Mercury in Virgo are softened by an easy aspect. Venus in Cancer is receptive, and so this combination is good for discussing potentially upsetting issues in a sensitive and caring way. Remember, you don’t need a sledgehammer when a simple tap will suffice. Moreover, the Moon in Pisces on Friday and Saturday make it easy to empathize with others. Being kind was never so easy, so take every opportunity to open your heart.

Much love and courage to all, see you on the other side.
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The “solar eclipse of the century,” July 21, 2009. Alan Dyer, who was on a cruise ship sailing in the Northern Cook Islands, captured this amazing image at the peak of the event. You can see more images by Alan and other eclipse chasers on SpaceWeather.com.

Saturday Extra! The Lunar Eclipse and LD 50

road-ahead.jpgAs many of you know, next Wednesday’s lunar eclipse falls exactly on my Sun at 13 degrees Aquarius. Being an astrologer doesn’t ease the jitters. I have to tell you, I’m very anxious.

When I counsel clients, I ask whether they can recall what happened at the last eclipse in whatever position we’re concerned about. Eclipse cycles run every 19 years, so in my case and for anyone who has personal planets near this degree of Aquarius and Leo, we want to look at significant events around Aug. 5, 1990.

I was in a committed relationship that year with the man I considered the love of my life. We were both reporters in Washington, D.C., and were rubbing elbows with high-level government officials. In June, his father died unexpectedly of a heart attack. His mother was dying of cancer and had been at home, with his father as her primary caretaker. His death threw everything into turmoil, and we left our jobs and moved to the West Coast.

His mother died two months later. For the better part of a year afterward, we were both in shock and totally disoriented. Finding work was hard, and we made ends meet largely with the help of long-time friends and neighbors of his parents. My ex grew up there, so he was at least on his home turf. I was completely out of my element, and after a “power career” was stunned to find my worth measured by how well I cooked, kept house, and hunted for bargains.

All of the hardship notwithstanding, moving to California changed my life for the better in ways I would not understand until several years later. If there’s a moral to the story, that’s probably it. We have to take it on faith that we’re heading in the right direction, and if we insist on going down the wrong road come hell or high water, course correction typically is very painful.

“How painful?” is the question I’m asking myself now. In scientific research, there’s a test called the LD-50, used to determine the level of toxicity required to kill half the test subjects, usually rats or mice. I’ve often joked about being a guinea pig in the cosmic lab, and in these last few days before another critical eclipse, I’m wondering whether the dose of life will be lethal or whether, once again, I’ll manage to live through it.

It’s said that knowledge is power, but knowledge is only half the equation. For it to be any good, you have to know how to apply it. That’s why astrology is a lifelong study. No matter how good we get, there’s always more to know. It’s also pretty much a given that we are too close to our own issues to be objective.

Before I end, I’d just like to thank you all again for being a part of our fledgling community and for sharing your stories. I wish I could share more with you about what’s happening for me, but I am not able at this time, and I can’t even tell you why not. And no, I am not having a sign-change operation to turn me into a Scorpio!

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The road to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Photo by Natacha Pisarenko for The Associated Press, 2009.

Weekly Forecast July 27: Venus Enters Cancer

Venus in CancerThank goddess this is our last week of the inter-eclipse period. I’m on pins and needles, as I know many of you are, although I also sense that the overall energy has calmed down quite a bit since the big solar eclipse on July 21.

Speaking of the goddess, Venus is a major player in this week’s astrological lineup. She trines Jupiter and Chiron on Monday and Neptune on Tuesday. If you’ve identified a core wound and are going through an intense healing process, talking or writing about it will help, as you’ll realize that you are very definitely not alone. Your situation may be unique, but deep healing is hard work and takes a lot of courage, no matter what your circumstances, and we’re all in the same boat.

Venus goes on to square Uranus later in the day on Tuesday. Whenever Uranus is involved in an aspect, the outcome is hard to predict, but at least any surprises that come your way should be in the pleasant category. For example, if a certain someone expressed serious romantic interest, I might go into medical shock, but I’d be thrilled nonetheless.

On Thursday and Friday, it’s Mercury’s turn to have a go at Neptune & Co., this time as an opposition from Leo. Some things just have to be said. Hopefully you set up a foundation for love and respect early in the week so that you can address unresolved issues in a positive and productive manner. Mercury in Leo can devolve into “all about me,” but you also can use it to stay on the moral high ground by sticking to “I” statements rather than confrontational “you” phrases. Use this technique with sincerity, and you just might get the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

However, if those talks go south, Venus may save the day again when she enters Cancer on Friday. In tender, emotional Cancer, Venus can be the nurturer. The pitfall to watch for here is thinking that you’re doing something for someone else’s good when you’re really just trying to get them to do whatever is convenient for you. True nurturing makes it possible for others to grow into their own shoes, not the ones you think look good on them.

Manipulative tactics may take over this weekend, especially in intimate relationships. Venus opposes Pluto on Saturday, with the Moon in Capricorn joining the party on Sunday. Recklessly playing with another’s heart just to get them into bed is not nice and will boomerang on you eventually. If you really must have someone (or something) so badly that you can’t be honest and upfront, do some serious soul-searching. Likewise, if you find yourself going along with someone else’s manipulation of you because you just have to have him or her, take a time out and think about what’s going on.

Staying detached will be hard this weekend, but I’ve found that I can use obsessive episodes to learn something important about myself. If you find yourself obsessing, ask yourself what you really want. Do you need it? Why? What will happen if you don’t get it?

You might decide you’d rather spend much of the weekend in solitude. Not a bad idea, given that the first half of next week will be a tense build-up to a lunar eclipse, the last in the Aquarius-Leo series. Neith will have more later this week, so stay tuned for the exciting conclusion …

Love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: This photo was taken last year at the Old Port of Montreal. The stunt was sponsored by a local radio station to raise money for the Quebec Breast Cancer Society. Cancer, the astrological sign, rules the belly and breasts. Photo by Christinne Muschi for REUTERS.

Saturday Extra!Heard on the Street

tristan-and-isolde.jpgI heard the most amazing story yesterday, and I want to share it with you, both as inspiration and as an illustration of the kind of healing I believe is taking place in these astrologically potent times.

An older couple, I’d say in their late 50s, married many years ago and after four years of marriage and one child, got a divorce. They both went their separate ways. She stayed in the Pacific Northwest, while he traveled the world, made a fortune, married again, and bought a palatial home in an idyllic tropical location. But they remained on friendly terms and stayed in touch over the years.

Last year, his wife got cancer, and he spent many months caring for her and watching her die. He was devastated, and his life felt meaningless. Old illnesses began to plague him. His ex-wife, who was dating another man, nevertheless helped him through at every step of the way.

Earlier this year, her family was getting together for a reunion. He happened to be in the area, transporting his wife’s belongings to their children. He stopped by, and the flame reignited. As it so happened, her boyfriend had been killed in an accident, and she was now single and available again.

They are more in love than ever. Their eyes went from sparkling for each other to wet with tears as they recounted all the seemingly bizarre coincidences that brought them back together. She is going to move to his home, where he is planning to build a studio for her to explore her artistic talent. Their wedding will be at a secret, sacred spot. With his health much improved, he is going to retire and work on creative projects as well. I suspect they also will be taking long walks hand-in-hand on the beach, watching the sun set.

What amazed me all the more was that this man, while not a corporate type, was a what-you-see-is-what-you get type. He obviously has some psychic powers and was aware of them at an early age, but his career was in traditional fields for men.

I believe we are going to hear more and more stories like this in the next few years. With Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune in conjunction, deep healing of old wounds is taking place, and this includes rifts between men and women. I’ve written often that the separation between the divine feminine and divine masculine is one of the most critical wounds that beings on the earth plane have suffered, and healing it will have widespread implications for all of us. Other aspects are producing a synergistic effect, including the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune and the opposition between Saturn and Uranus.

If any of you have stories to tell about deep healing, I’d love to hear them. Unfortunately, I can’t share my own very private story in these pages, but I can tell you that it is big, and it goes to my very core.

Much love and many blessings to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Tristan and Isolde, by Edmond Blair Leighton, 1902. The source of this tragic love story is very old, and the tale holds clues about the ancient wound that separated the divine feminine and masculine.

Ask Real Astrologers: Am I Doomed to Suffer in Love?

This week’s question comes from Jessica in Florida:

What is coming my way as far as finding meaningful and truthful lasting relationship(s)? I’ve read that Venus in Libra in the twelfth house indicates suffering in love. I just feel I’ve had enough and I’m tired of getting worked up for nothing and staying past the “discard by” date. I know there are certain issues I have not fully let go of and I am still working on them, but if being alone is the answer then I’d rather accept it and find meaning in something else.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Jessica, Venus is important in your chart because she rules both Libra and Taurus, your rising sign and Moon respectively. However, in my experience, there is no particular stigma attached to having Venus in the twelfth house. It just makes those energies less visible to others. Venus enjoys being in Libra, but with Saturn squaring her, she is more subdued and formal – definitely not the pastel version.

With Neptune opposing your Moon, it’s very likely you have met your fair share of people who have turned out to be something other than promised. The odd thing about Neptune aspects that is we tend to overlook them and forget how profound an impact they have on us and our lives. Neptune-Moon aspects natally make it very easy for others to project their expectations on the native and avoid seeing the real person standing in front of them. I recommend getting a second opinion from a neutral party whose judgment you have learned to trust over time regarding potential partners.

You are also in the midst of your Chiron return, which will be over by the end of this year. Since Chiron is part of a T-square with your Sun and Uranus, this is an especially important event, with the potential to finally initiate healing of old wounds in the area of self image and self-esteem.

My suggestion would be to concentrate on nurturing and healing the child within, Jessica, in order to allow the woman you are now to be her most authentic self. Take it from someone with Chiron conjunct the Sun in Libra . . . all the work you do on yourself will pay off in improved relationships with others.

Best wishes on this journey of discovery!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Jessica, there is no question that relationships are a major life issue for you, with Libra Rising, seventh-house Moon, and Venus conjunct your lunar North Node, a point that indicates our destiny or where we find fulfillment. That said, it doesn’t take an astrologer to tell you that working through personal issues first is a very wise move and will help ensure that each new romantic encounter is more meaningful and truthful than the last.

As for what’s coming up, the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction that Neith and I have been writing about for many months is taking place in your fifth house, which is the area of the chart associated with love and romance. Jupiter and Neptune can be a hugely delusional combination, but since you’re already aware of this tendency, this transit instead might bring a soul mate into your life. Now, I always caution my clients about wishing for a soul mate, as you may end up working harder than you did alone! But that may indeed be the next step for you. If you have to go through a couple more relationships as learning experiences, don’t be discouraged. At some point, you have to stop reading books about swimming techniques and just jump in the water!

It may help for your intense Scorpio personality to try to let go of control over the outcome. A “successful” relationship for you may not be one that ends in marriage or cohabitation, but one in which you learn and grow. I’ve had several relationships like that, and while the endings were always hard, I gained more than I lost.

Hang in there and keep doing the work. It always pays off.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Real Astrologers Weekly Poll: Two down, one to go!

Yesterday’s solar eclipse at 29 degrees Cancer was the second of three eclipses in July and early August. We’re on rapidly shifting ground, and these eclipses are so significant that we may feel them for days and even months to come. Still, we thought we’d check in with you to see what effects, if any, you may be experiencing so far.

Online Surveys & Market Research

As usual, feel free to leave detailed comments, along with your Sun and Rising signs and, if you know it, the houses in your natal chart where the eclipses are taking place.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Photo by Yang Lei for Xinhua/The Associated Press.

Weekly Forecast July 20: Solar Eclipse in Cancer, Sun Enters Leo

Total eclipse of the sun, Aug. 1, 2008 See image credit below.Meltdown alert! If you’re not already well on your way…

This is going to be a defining week for many of us, with a total eclipse of the Sun at 29 degrees Cancer on Tuesday (Wednesday in the Eastern Hemisphere). The fourth sign of the zodiac is cardinal water, which, among other things, may bring a spontaneous burst of tears. For some, the flood is long overdue and will release feelings that have been pent-up behind the dam for years. Maybe even for millennia.

As a double Aquarius (Sun and Rising), I’m not naturally comfortable with strong feelings. It took me many years to realize that feelings are our barometer. They let us know whether we’re on the right course, whether we’re getting what we want and need. If not, why not? Many years ago, I read some words of wisdom that have stuck with me: Often what we’re most afraid of is what we most need.

The Sun and Moon are just a degree from Leo, the sign of the heart and of courage. So be brave. Don’t fear whatever comes up. Let it flow. Have that meltdown — in a safe place, of course, and with someone(s) you trust. If that someone is yourself only, then do it alone. That’s usually what works best for me, anyway.

Getting real can be a challenge, especially in our complex modern world, where we contort ourselves to fit into everyone else’s boxes. We still may need to do what others want, but making that choice consciously and willfully is more empowering than pretending that everything is OK when it’s not. When the Moon blocks the light of the Sun, it’s off with the blinders.

Emotional earthquakes shift us onto new ground. Something may have to end, but my guess is that most of you will make breakthroughs and experience some dramatic new beginnings. Neith and I both have been writing a lot over the past few weeks about how this new series of eclipses will affect you. But within the next two weeks, you should have a pretty good idea, even if you’re new to astrology and don’t know how to read your own chart.

If you haven’t read Neith’s New Moon report, check it out. She has a lot more to say about this.

There is other news this week, although nothing nearly as significant as a total solar eclipse in the final degree of a sign. On Monday, Mercury in Leo sextiles Mars in Gemini. This is a very social aspect, but in itself isn’t very deep. Normally, I’d recommend keeping things light and easy, but of course that isn’t going to be possible with an eclipse just a day away. If you’re with a close friend or relative, try to get to the heart of the matter rather than dancing around it. Be mindful, too, of how you may be manipulating another person to get what you want. Being honest takes courage, but it also has its rewards.

A few hours before Tuesday’s eclipse, Venus squares Saturn. Unfortunately, this can be an isolating influence, and it won’t make it any easier to relate to others on a heart level. Again, my best advice is to have the courage to be real, at least with those who are important to you. With everyone else, maintaining polite distance may be the best strategy this week. It’s what we normally consider “professional” behavior and entirely appropriate. I’m not suggesting you should wear your heart on your sleeve with just anyone.

On Wednesday, Jupiter conjoins Chiron, which is a bit anticlimactic but not insignificant. The drama may get our immediate attention, but there are strong undercurrents of spiritual growth and healing. Later in the day, the Sun enters Leo, his home sign, where he shines the brightest. We’re still in an inter-eclipse period, though, and so we may feel a bit subdued for awhile as events shake out.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Total eclipse of the Sun on Aug. 1, 2008, by Miloslav Druckmuller. This stunning image was featured on NASA’s Astrology Picture of the Day.

Ask Real Astrologers: How Will Eclipses Affect a Cancer Midheaven?

This week’s question comes from Chelsea in New York:

Capricorn rules my IC and Cancer rules my Midheaven. What does this eclipse mean for me? As a side note, I read somewhere that Libras and Libra ascendants would be likely to get pregnant this year. Have you heard anything about this? If so, why is it, and when are the most fertile times? I’m trying to avoid it, personally.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Chelsea, you were born in a landmark year in which Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were all conjunct in Capricorn. You also have Venus in Capricorn. As you know, this stellium is clustered on your IC, which is one of four critical chart angles. Since your Rising Sign is Libra, you are a poster child for the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), all of whom are going to feel this new series of eclipses very powerfully.

As I explained in last Saturday’s Extra! post, how you’re affected by eclipses depends on the houses in your natal chart in which the eclipses fall. When the cusp of the house is in the mid-degrees of a sign, as yours are, then four houses instead of just two can be involved. In your case, these are the third, fourth, ninth, and tenth. This makes for a very broad range of possibilities, without even considering all those fourth house planets and the square to your Ascendant and Descendant. For accurate details, I strongly recommend a complete transit reading with an experienced professional astrologer.

As to your side question, I’m guessing that you found this prediction in a Sun sign horoscope. Sun sign astrologers cast horoscopes using 0 degrees of your Sun sign on the Ascendant, with successive signs each assigned to the next house. This means that for all Libras, your horoscope would be cast using 0 degrees Libra as your Rising Sign, with 0 degrees Scorpio on the cusp of the second house, 0 degrees Sagittarius on the third, and so forth.

Using this technique, 0 degrees Aquarius would be on the cusp of the fifth house for Libra. Jupiter currently is in Aquarius, and transiting Jupiter in the fifth house is often a major indicator of pregnancy. This happens only once every 12 years, so obviously not all pregnancies occur when Jupiter is in this position in your natal chart. But it is considered to be a lucky transit, so if you’re trying to get pregnant, doing so with Jupiter in your fifth house can bring you success.

Some Sun sign astrologers also suggest that you read for your Rising sign, which can be very accurate as long as your Ascendant is in the early degrees of a sign. If not, you get mixed results.

Do let stay in touch as the next couple of years progress and let us know how the eclipses are treating you! Thanks for writing, and best of luck to you!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Chelsea, even though your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant are in air and fire signs, your chart is predominately in feminine earth signs, including your chart ruler, Venus. If you have been reading up on Aquarius and wondering why the descriptions don’t particularly resonate with you, it’s because you have seven of ten planets in water and earth signs. Although Aquarius is called the Water Bearer, it’s actually an air sign and operates completely differently from water and earth. This leads me to believe that you will have little problem relating to both the lunar eclipse of July 7 and the solar eclipse on July 21, which are in earth and water signs.

If you are being called on to make decisions about conflicts between your career and your home at this time, my suggestion would be to pay special attention to your feelings rather than attempting to use logic and reason. Yes, this can be tough for a person with Sun and Mercury conjunct in an intellectual air sign. That said, Rising Libra is exceptionally good at seeking compromises and coming to sound decisions.

Another classic interpretation of a Full Moon in the fourth and tenth houses, especially with the Sun in the tenth and the Moon in the fourth, is finding oneself caught between parental demands. Having two New Moons falling at the top of your chart leads me to feel it is your public life and/or your father seeking your time and energy at this time.

Best wishes in finding your way during this eventful period, Chelsea.

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