Category Archives: About astrology

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Does This Relationship Feel Fated?

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

I’m curious to know if there’s an important significance to having one person’s first house fall in the other person’s seventh and vice versa? My Ascendant falls in my boyfriend’s seventh house (conjunct his Saturn). While the degree of his Ascendant actually falls in my sixth house, the degree of my Descendant is intercepted in his first house. I don’t know what this means, but it seems like this should be significant. Our relationship feels highly “fated” to me.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Maya, the synastry aspects most associated with the feeling a relationship is “fated to be” are conjunctions involving the Saturn, Moon’s Nodes, and the Vertex. My personal preference is to keep the orbs small for all three of these – only two to three degrees as a general rule. These aspects usually ask us to pay attention and learn some things about ourselves via the relationship.

We are familiar with Saturn’s lessons of taking responsibility, being reliable, etc. Often, Saturn in synastry will bring us face to face with our insecurities, asking us to deal with them. As I’ve said before, hard aspects to Saturn are very common in lasting partnerships.

The Moon’s Nodes and the Vertex in synastry inform us of a potentially transformative interaction. Frequently, partners with synastry aspects to these points comment that they feel a sense of recognition and familiarity. Something else that can come into play is a deepening feeling of obligation over time, particularly if one person does all the giving, receiving little in return.

It’s also very common to see a combination of sweet and sour aspects in synastry – lovely Mars-Venus aspects along with kisses from Jupiter to sweeten the deal and make us want to stay around, backed up with the “fated” aspects. Other factors in our natal charts and in the synastry can help us determine our tolerance for accelerated personal growth. There is a very good reason Saturn is exalted in Libra, the sign of relating to others, because there is no better way to learn and grow than through actively participating in a long-term, committed partnership.

Good luck with this one, Maya!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Maya, this is a great question. You are right to suspect that flipped Ascendants and Descendants are significant in synastry charts. Alone, this isn’t enough to indicate an enduring relationship or a karmic connection, but if other aspects support it, it is certainly a major source of attraction. There’s a sort of mirroring effect, and often we look for partners that mirror who we are.

Technically, you and your boyfriend do not have flipped Ascendants and Descendants, because, as you note, his Ascendant and Descendant fall in your sixth and twelfth houses, respectively. But your Ascendant and Descendant do fall in his seventh and first houses, and this is not a bad aspect to have, either.

The “Big Three” markers in any birth chart are the Sun, Ascendant, and Moon. When any of these are in a partner’s first or seventh houses, you feel a connection, and these configurations often are present in the synastry charts of committed couples as well as in the charts of long-term friends. As I mentioned above, there must also be other factors present in the synastry chart to indicate a strong romantic relationship.

Wishing you both much love and courage, and thanks for writing.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. We are getting some really great questions but unfortunately can’t use many of them, as they are missing information. If you’d like us to consider your question for this column, you must include your day, month (spelled out), year, and place of birth, and time if you know it. If you don’t, indicate “time unknown.” Also, we must have your current location. This is not optional. Thanks!

Real Astrologers Poll: Do You Plan by the Moon?

Phases of the Moon, by Michael MyersNeith’s lunation reports are the most popular posts on Real Astrologers, which makes us wonder whether our readers actually plan according to the phases of the Moon. Take our poll, and then if you haven’t read it already, check out Neith’s post on Thursday’s Full Moon in Libra.

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Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Composite of the Moon over four days, by Michael Myers. Check out Michael’s website for more great photos!

Weekly Forecast April 6: Full Moon in Libra, Venus in Pisces

Sleeping Beauty by Maxfield ParrishVenus is at the forefront of this week’s astrological news, and already I’m seeing subtle signs of transitioning into a “higher vibration,” in New Age speak.

Venus, of course, is the planet of love. There are many kinds of love, some of which aren’t really love at all. True love is inextricably linked with higher consciousness, and with Venus heading back into Pisces this week, I see a huge opening for any of us who are ready to jump up a level. I’ll write more about this below, but first let’s have a look at the week’s aspects.

The Mars-Saturn opposition, which was exact on April 4, continues to reverberate in the first part of this week as the Moon conjoins Saturn in Virgo on Monday and then opposes Mars and Uranus on Tuesday. The headlines over the weekend were rife with fatal shootings. My bus never showed up on Friday afternoon because the driver allegedly was assaulted. Mount Redoubt, which had been quiet all week, erupted on Saturday. On Sunday, North Korea launched a rocket it says was for peaceful purposes but that the international community charges was for testing long-range nuclear capability. This event most certainly is going to have consequences, especially as Mars approaches conjunction with Uranus on April 15.

But perhaps diplomacy will prevail, with Mercury entering Taurus on Thursday, half an hour before the Full Moon in Libra. Both Taurus and Libra are ruled by Venus. Whereas Taurus represents the sensual side of Venus, Libra symbolizes peace and reconciliation. Fortunately, there has been a lot of that in the news lately, too. As usual, Neith will enlighten us further about the Full Moon, so watch this space for her update in a day or two.

On Friday, the Sun in Aries forms a dynamic sextile with Jupiter in Aquarius, with the Big Guy making his final approach to conjunction with Chiron and Neptune. Here we see more healing energy being channeled into the collective, with the potential for huge breakthroughs. Pay attention on Friday when Mercury trines Pluto, and you will see precisely how this background energy is affecting you personally. If you’re a fairly evolved soul, you’ll feel it internally more than externally, but often there is an immediate reaction in our outer world when we change on a personal level.

Also on Saturday, Venus re-enters Pisces, where she’ll remain at 29 degrees for nearly two weeks. During that time, she’ll conjoin Mars, who has another two and half weeks to go in Pisces.

I’m watching this conjunction closely, as 29 Pisces is the omega, the final degree of the zodiac, sometimes called the “weeping degree” (some astrologers refer to the last degree of any sign as the weeping degree). Despite the potential for suffering, I also see this conjunction as holding much potential for resolution, especially since it feeds into the greater energy pattern that has dominated the sky for weeks. As I’ve mentioned before, that’s the mutual reception between Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius.

It’s generally accepted that Uranus represents individual freedom and remaining true to oneself at all costs, while Neptune is about dissolution of the ego and merging into the collective. However, Uranus also represents synthesis, and this is, I believe, the key to reconciling what would appear to be mutually exclusive goals. Not only can we fit seamlessly into the collective as fully realized individuals, but the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. There is real magic and healing here, and I’m excited to see where it’s leading.

Although she’ll be in the final degree of Pisces, Venus is exalted in Pisces, and she’ll be feeding into higher love of Neptune. Some see this love as spiritual and therefore unsullied by bodily desires, but this is unfortunate. It’s well-established that sex can be a vehicle to higher consciousness, and that is what makes it sacred. As I see it, the conjunction of Mars and Venus under current astrological conditions creates a huge window for a jump in consciousness through intimate love relationships.

Not to be neglected, Ceres turns direct on Sunday. For me, the jury is still out about the meaning of Ceres in individual and mundane charts, so I continue to observe and record. As always, if anyone has thoughts about this, please leave a comment.

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

Image: Sleeping Beauty, by Maxfield Parrish, 1912. In some ways, Venus will be “sleeping” as she stations for two weeks at 29 degrees Pisces. We might imagine a kiss from Mars waking her up as they both move forward into fiery Aries.

Ask Real Astrologers: Too Many Transits – HELP!

This week’s question comes from Tonya in British Columbia, Canada:

I’m confused about transits. I know I am going through several bad ones right now and I don’t know which way is up. However, how can you tell WHICH actual transit is most impactful on a chart? When they look like they are all enmeshed and tangled up with each other, none of them make much sense. Some must have more energy or “get to you” more than others. Which ones should I be most alert to right now?

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Tonya, you are starting into a major life cycle now: transiting Uranus opposing natal Uranus. I see this as setting the underlying theme for approximately the next year for you. Because you have Uranus conjunct your Sun and Pluto natally, this will be an especially transformative experience – Libra speak for one heck of a ride!

Mars is your chart ruler and as I know from personal experience, his transits to the natal chart can be attention getting. Right now Mars is moving through your fourth house and will be conjoining Uranus there on April 15. Between now and then Mars will be opposing your Sun and Pluto as well as opposing Saturn in the sky on Saturday, April 4. The issues surrounding your feelings about your home, old habit patterns based on childhood experiences and sense of security are bound to be stirred up during this period.

Because this is part of the Uranus opposing Uranus cycle, don’t be too surprised to find yourself making choices that seem out of step with how you have been living. Deciding to relocate to somewhere far from your current locale is possible, perhaps due to an opportunity to take a position in another part of the world. Uranus always pushes us to break out of our old patterns and try something new and different – perhaps more in tune with our most authentic selves.

My suggestion would be at least entertain these possibilities because what might appear unrealistic at first glance may hold the keys to helping you realize dreams you thought had no hope of becoming reality. Sometimes we need to take a risk to be rewarded. Take heart and go for it!

Good luck and many blessings on this journey!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Tonya, you aren’t the only one who’s confused! Predicting the effects of multiple transits is one of the most difficult tasks an astrologer faces.

In general, the transits we feel the most are those involving outer planets in aspect to personal planets and chart angles. We tend to feel conjunctions, oppositions, and squares the most. Sextiles and trines typically bring opportunities, but it’s up to us to act, so these transits often pass by without notice. The inconjunct (150 degree angle, more precisely called the quincunx) can be challenging, but the effects aren’t always obvious.

If two outer planets are in aspect to each other and are activating a key personal planet or chart point, the impact is going to be felt more strongly, but it’s harder to predict. This is even more true if you have more than one planet or chart point involved, as you do. No wonder you are confused!

Looking at your chart, we see two major oppositions, both with several planets involved. First, Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune are opposite your natal Jupiter and Venus and square your Ascendant/Descendant. Second, the Saturn-Uranus opposition is taking place on your natal conjunction of the Sun, Pluto, and Uranus.

At first glance, I would give more significance to the second transit, because it involves your Sun-Pluto conjunction, which is a powerful focal point in your chart. But due to the peculiar relationship between Uranus and Neptune, both of these transits are related, and so we need to take a more holistic approach. As I’ve observed charts over the past several months, the theme that’s emerging is that huge, unprecedented opportunities for growth and healing are occurring as we face a situation that we know is outdated and needs to be changed but that we just can’t seem to shake loose from. We are forming a new template of reality, but getting there may require sticking with the old system a little longer until we can see clearly what isn’t working and why. The wisdom that comes out of this exercise will carry us into the new way of being.

Many people I know are in complicated situations right now, which I see as a reflection of this confounding set of planetary interactions.

Hang in there, Tonya, and thanks for writing!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. We are getting some really great questions but unfortunately can’t use many of them, as they are missing information. If you’d like us to consider your question for this column, you must include your day, month (spelled out), year, and place of birth, and time if you know it. If you don’t, indicate “time unknown.” Also, we must have your current location. This is not optional. Thanks!

Real Astrologer’s Poll: Feeling any effects of the waxing Mars-Saturn opposition?

On Saturday, Mars in Pisces will be exactly opposite Saturn in Virgo, and the pressure is building. The Moon in Gemini squared both ends of this opposition early in the week, adding her two cents. If you have lots of Aries, Scorpio, or many aspects to Mars natally, this might be a frustrating week.

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Yes, Libra is an air signposted by Neith . . . Continue reading

Weekly Forecast March 30: Mars-Saturn Opposition

Photo by Lothar Slabon for Agence France-PresseWe’re coming up on April 1, and I strongly encourage you to play as many good-natured practical jokes as you can, because dead-serious planetary transits at the end of the week aren’t going to make us feel much like fooling around.

The week starts out on a bright enough note, with the Sun and Mercury in a snappy conjunction in Aries. Last week I wrote about the dominant underlying energy of Neptune and Uranus in mutual reception. That pattern remains active for most of this week, but at least we’re not lost in a fog. It’s so frustrating when you just know you’re onto something, but you can’t explain it to anyone else without sounding like a total nutcase! With the Sun and Mercury in Aries, we can clarify the ideas that come to us, and we know what to do to begin to act on them.

We ought to come up with some pretty good April Fool’s jokes, too.

Of course, Venus is still retrograde in Aries as well, and she’s now in the second half of her reverse course. Friends are reporting an increase in events that we’d typically experience with Mercury retrograde. I’m attributing these to Venus. Personally, I’ve renewed ties with a couple of friends I lost touch with. This also can happen when Mercury is retrograde, but love and friendship are clearly within the realm of Venus. These have been happy occurrences. I hope you all are experiencing some of this, too.

I’m feeling antsy, though, as Venus is going to square Pluto on Friday, the day before Pluto turns retrograde. The dance between these two is not unlike the tango, in which one person is entirely under the control of the other. If you’ve got a romantic date set up for this weekend, you may want to do some serious soul-searching ahead of time. What do you want the outcome to be? Be honest with yourself. It’s OK to want something purely for your own selfish interests. But how you go about getting it is another matter. I know that I don’t need to lecture you on what not to do. Likewise, if you’re sure of what you want, you will be less likely to allow the other person to manipulate or control you (unless you’re into that sort of thing).

On Saturday, Pluto turns retrograde at 3°18′ Capricorn and will return to 0°40′ Capricorn before stationing direct on September 11. You will feel this the most if you have personal planets or chart angles at 0 to 3 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). Otherwise, this transit probably won’t even register on your radar screen.

However, most of us are going to feel the Mars-Saturn opposition in one way or another. The opposition is exact on Saturday, but Mars transits are felt a week before and after, and this one is going to be all the more powerful, because Mars also is in a waxing conjunction with Uranus, which will be exact on April 15.

I have to tell you that I will sleep a lot better after this opposition-conjunction is behind us. Mars typically doesn’t create trouble where there isn’t any, but if there’s a bomb waiting to go off anywhere, he’ll happily light the fuse. With so many hotspots in the world right now, there’s no telling what could blow up — literally or figuratively — in the next two weeks.

I’ve got my eye on the G-20 summit in London this week, as well as a couple of literal hotspots, Mount Redoubt in Alaska and the undersea volcano off the coast of Tonga. I chose the latter as this week’s image, as it nicely illustrates the combination of Mars in Pisces opposite Saturn in Virgo — fire, water, and double earth.

Just remember that when times are difficult, we have opportunities to rise to the occasion and show what we’re made of. Most of us are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. Tough times are much less fearsome if we have confidence in our ability to weather the storm.

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

Image: An undersea volcano erupted off the coast of Tonga on March 18, producing a magnitude 7.6 earthquake but posing no immediate threat to the island. This volcano and Mount Redoubt in Alaska are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Photo by Lothar Slabon for Agence France-Presse.

Saturday Extra: Is There a Connection Between Pluto and Genius?

Loose Hair by Frida KahloPluto has a well-deserved association with negative behaviors such as obsession, manipulation, and power struggles. But are these traits always bad?

Obsession often precedes acts of genius such as a great work of art or an invention that benefits the collective. These are examples of how Pluto can work through us in a positive way. However, when people manipulate others, often for “their own good,” we see Pluto’s dark side. The type of aspect Pluto makes to personal planets and angles, either natally or by transit, provides clues about how this powerful force will manifest in an individual.

The conjunction brings a deeper intensification of the qualities of the sign in which it is found. When Pluto conjoins a planet or angle, the intensity is exponentially greater. Here is the possibility for either end of the spectrum, from genius inventor to heavy duty manipulator. As with all conjunctions, it is difficult to get perspective on our behavior, because we’re just too close to the situation. Feedback from a friend or loved one can be very helpful or the start of battle royal.

Those with Pluto in a sextile or trine with personal planets or angles have the best chance to manage your obsessions and to be productive without your desire to pursue a specific path taking over your life. You can spend time deeply involved in the act of creation and yet still remember to stop and make dinner for their family. The intensity and drive is softened by the harmony found between the signs and elements involved.

If you have an opposition with Pluto, there are a couple of different ways this can go. Often with the opposition, it can be a person or situation outside ourselves who will brings demands and expectations into our lives. The key to any opposition is keeping in mind that the signs and elements are always compatible, and if confrontation is avoided, then dialogue is possible. Working with a Pluto person can be very challenging but also very rewarding, because they will be very tenacious in pursuit of your mutual goals. However, if there are escalating confrontations between you due to differences in expectations, and stepping back and detaching does not work, then you may need to completely remove yourself from the situation – a totally Plutonian option.

Of all the aspects to work with, a square between Pluto and personal planets is the most difficult and yet the one holding the greatest potential for clarity and growth. It can fuel great creativity and the most persistent obsessions. If the energy generated by this aspect can be channeled into creativity of one kind or another, great things are possible. For example, Pluto square Mercury is wonderful for writers, because they will just keep working until they get it right.

If you have Pluto aspecting personal planets or angles natally, you become accustomed to handling these over time, but Pluto transits can be very unsettling for those with no natal Pluto influences. Typically, Pluto transits are in effect on and off for four to five years.

Many of us are feeling Pluto’s energy intensely as he stations in preparation to turn retrograde on April 4 at 3°18′ Capricorn. Letting go of attachment to a specific outcome is sanity, because that opens the door for the universe to bless us.

Libra hates Venus Rxposted by Neith . . .

Image: This is Frida Kahlo’s painting, “Loose Hair.” She had a very tight conjunction of Venus and Pluto in Gemini square to Saturn in Pisces, and her genius is undeniable as was the pain she lived with every day.

Ask Real Astrologers: Will His Pluto Transit Wreck Our Marriage?

This week’s question comes from Cathy in the Philippines:

My question is basically about my marriage. I’ve been told my husband [has] a devastating Pluto transit going on in his chart and that it may very well get worse for our relationship … Will the stars be able to say if a permanent separation is possible? What’s the best way for ME to deal with this transit vis-a-vis my own? I’ve actually not had a look at my own transits in comparison to his.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Well, Cathy, we don’t have to look very far to see that there’s a lot going on in your life!

In your natal chart, you have a tight square between Pluto and Saturn, and these currently are being activated by transiting Pluto, which also happens to be on your lunar North Node. The New Moon in Aries yesterday formed the last leg to make a grand cardinal cross.

To translate, you are at a crossroads at which there are many changes ahead for you. The New Moon suggests that these will be positive new beginnings, although there’s a lot of heavy energy playing out in your life right now, so I don’t expect you’re feeling anything like “excitement about new adventures” and all that. By the looks of it, you may feel backed into a corner and forced to accept circumstances that you would not have wanted, given a choice.

At the same time, transiting Saturn has just passed over your Sun and is squaring your Moon in Sagittarius. Challenging Saturn-Moon transits can make us feel depressed, isolated, and alone, even if it isn’t the case, although unfortunately sometimes a key relationship does end under this influence.

On the bright side, Jupiter is making a nice trine to your natal Venus-Uranus conjunction and also to your Ascendant. I think this will bring you some relief. If your husband decides to leave, it looks to me like you will find someone else very quickly.

Other than that, I am not going to comment on his chart, as ultimately you don’t have any control over what he does or doesn’t do with his heavy Pluto transit. All you can control is your response to your own transits, and you have all you can handle without trying to look after him, too.

Although you are going through a hard time, I believe you are going to come out of this very well, and you will look back and see that the events happening now were necessary to get you to a better, happier place.

I wish you much love and courage.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Cathy, with your Libra Rising, having a partner is very important to you, and you obviously take holding up your end of the bargain seriously. However, Venus, Libra’s ruler, is tucked away in your twelfth house conjunct Uranus and blessing you with a naturally independent streak, as does your Sagittarius Moon.

As Pat noted, Pluto is exactly opposing your Saturn in Cancer now. Your Saturn is also conjunct your husband’s Venus, giving us a great example of how conjunctions in synastry affect both parties. The Saturn-Venus conjunction likes being married, and having Pluto opposing this conjunction is not comfortable in any sense. Pluto cares nothing whatsoever for conventions and is intent on slowing transforming your views in this regard.

You have an agreeable sextile between your Saturn in Cancer and Mars in Taurus, reinforcing the side of you that likes routine and keeping things simple. Combine this with Rising Libra’s well-known fondness for not rocking the boat, and it’s easy to see why you may feel split down the middle right now.

Something I’ve found to be a good rule of thumb for evaluating if you have made a good choice for yourself is if the dominant feeling is one of relief. My hunch is that once you have come to a decision, you will be surprised at how much clearer you feel. The last week in May might be a good time to watch out for fireworks, when Mars in Aries crosses your Descendant and conjoins your husband’s Mercury-Moon.

Good luck and be well, Cathy.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. We are getting some really great questions but unfortunately can’t use many of them, as they are missing information. If you’d like us to consider your question for this column, you must include your day, month (spelled out), year, and place of birth, and time if you know it. If you don’t, indicate “time unknown.” Also, we must have your current location. This is not optional. Thanks!

Real Astrologer’s Poll: Do Transits Justify Inconsiderate Behavior?

As astrologers, we often get calls from clients who are trying to understand the behavior of a friend or romantic partner.

Sometimes the situations are trivial. The friend said something totally insensitive, and it turned out that Mercury was retrograde. You know that I always counsel forgiving and forgetting, as otherwise intelligent people say and do stupid things when Mercury is retrograde.

But what about more serious circumstances? Let’s say your significant other comes home one day, says he (or she) has been living a lie, needs space to go find himself, and is moving out. You consult your astrologer and find out that Pluto is crossing his Ascendant. Or what if you find out that your partner has been having an affair behind your back? You look at his chart and see that Neptune is exactly square his Moon.

Would you forgive these behaviors if you knew that a difficult planetary transit was behind it?

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Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Weekly Forecast March 23: New Moon in Aries

Spring in London (see image credit below).It would seem that with so much focus on Aries this week, we should feel an energy shift. However, I’m not banking on it.

Despite appearances, we’re still solidly in the Aquarius-Pisces field, and those of you who have been reporting jitters probably won’t feel a whole lot different this week. Some circumstances may change, and there likely will be some interesting new developments at the New Moon. But overall, I believe we’re heading in the same direction we’ve been going for quite some time, and we’ll continue on this route for the foreseeable future.

Why do I say this, when we’ve got a New Moon, plus Mercury and Venus all in Aries this week? Aries is ruled by Mars, and Mars is still in Pisces, where he’ll remain until April 22. Venus is heading back into Pisces, too, where she’ll spend nearly two weeks at the fateful 29th degree as she ends her retrograde phase and returns direct.

For all of this week, the dominant energy is the mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius. These two normally have very different agendas, but when they’re in each other’s signs, they’re forced to get to know each other and work together. This influence is at work in world affairs all the way down to our private lives. It’s perhaps easiest to detect in the news headlines, but if you look, you’ll find its imprint in your personal affairs as well.

Generally speaking, we’re struggling to maintain our individual presence and need to express what’s in our hearts while merging into a collective that may need something different from us than what we’d like to contribute. Think of it as a giant potluck. If everyone is asked to bring their best dish and they all are terrific bakers, we’d get nothing but dessert. That might sound fun, but a steady diet of sweets would make us all fat and sick. Some among the bakers are going to have to stretch and expand their repertoire.

Typically this is what happens in tough economic times. To stay employed, you may need to get a job doing something you don’t particularly like but that’s in demand. If you have a creative talent that you absolutely have to express, you may have to do it on the side until times are better. Although this might sound depressing, fitting into the collective in a different way could have lots of benefits for us personally that are hard to imagine right now.

Short-term aspects this week include a Sun-Pluto square on Monday. We’ll feel this edgy influence throughout the work week and possibly into the weekend. It’s normal to want to be left alone to do as we please, but this aspect demands that you account for your behavior and maybe your beliefs. Whatever you can’t justify, you will need to change. There won’t be any point in blaming anyone. This is a way to get you to make necessary changes. If you’re on the right track and doing the work, then this aspect shouldn’t register as much more than a blip on your radar screen.

On Wednesday, Mercury enters Aries, which should get us out of the fog zone, thank goddess. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a devil of a time staying focused. Turning thoughts into action should be easier now.

Thursday is the New Moon, in tight conjunction with retrograde Venus and a wide conjunction with Mercury. Neith will have more late tomorrow or early Tuesday, so watch this space for her full report.

The Sun conjoins Venus on Friday, and then Mercury crosses paths with the wayward planet of love on Saturday. President Obama is getting ready for a big diplomatic tour of Europe — hardly surprising, given that Venus was exactly on the Ascendant in Washington at the Aries ingress (Sun’s entrance into Aries). Let’s hope the talks don’t break down … although I can’t say I’m feeling terribly positive about this.

In our personal lives, we’ll have a chance to renew and strengthen old ties, but we’ll have to be ready for heavy doses of understanding and compromise. It won’t do any good to revive neglected relationships if you don’t plan on doing anything differently this time around.

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

Image: Power of association — daffodils, the quintessential sign of spring, in front of Big Ben, the quintessential symbol of London. Photo by Shaun Curry for Agence France-Presse.