Category Archives: Ask Our Readers

Ask Our Readers: Vanity Check

The Bridesmaid by Sir John Everett MillaisVenus recently went through a retrograde period, and while we wrote a lot about the effect on relationships and finances, we’re wondering whether anyone noticed any of the lighter effects of the planet of love and beauty.

Neith started it all by musing about whether the mode of Venus in the natal chart affects a person’s choice of hairstyle and how often they change looks. Does it matter if Venus is in a fixed, mutable, or cardinal sign? Or do other influences in the chart overrule this factor?

“Me, I have Venus in mutable Sagittarius in the first house, so my hair style has changed frequently over the years,” Neith says. “It’s gone from very long to very short and everything in between. I’ve played with curls, straight, different shades of blonde and highlights only.”

However, she knows a woman who hasn’t changed her hair style or color since she was in college . . . over 30 years ago. She has Venus in fixed Taurus. Both of Neith’s sisters have Venus in a cardinal sign, one in Capricorn and the other in Libra. They seem to have consistently chosen attractive but low-maintenance styles.

“I wouldn’t exactly call my style low-maintenance, and I am willing to work a little — mostly because I have to, with this baby fine hair,” Pat says. The keyword for Capricorn is, “I use,” and Pat is definitely all for using the help of technology, provided it comes from responsible companies that don’t harm the environment or test on animals.

To refresh your memory, the cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn; fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius; and mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

So is there a link between the mode of Venus and hairstyles? What do you think?

Image: The Bridesmaid by Sir John Everett Millais, 1851. We’ve seen hair like this in the 80’s as well as the late 60’s, early 70’s. Many a Venus in Leo would die for hair like this!

Ask Our Readers: Tracking the Mars-Uranus Conjunction

We’ve received several comments on our weekly forecast about how things are going for you this week. For the most part, we’re seeing jitters and a high level of discomfort.

It was pretty much a given that tensions would rise with Somali pirates, who now are threatening to go after American ships and kill their crew. This is one of those situations that could escalate into a far more serious situation than imagined, which is entirely in keeping with the unpredictable nature of Uranus transits.

Meanwhile, North Korea is defying international pressure to back off developing nuclear weapons. At the same time, Iran has indicated that it would like to work with the international community on the same subject. Go figure.

On the personal level, I took some steps to mitigate my computer problems, and I’m at least able to type an entire post without interruption. But this is just a band-aid, and I’ll need to find a longer-term solution.

I’ve written many times, and it bears repeating, that it’s hard to determine which astrological marker is making itself felt in any given situation, especially when there’s so much going on at once. Venus is stationed in preparation to return direct on Friday, and several people have commented to me over the past six weeks that they’ve been experiencing situations that we would expect with retrograde Mercury. So my Internet connectivity problems probably are more related to that, while the overheating and sudden shutdowns are clearly a Mars-Uranus issue.

What’s happening for you? We’re particularly interested in knowing what develops as Mars separates from Uranus. In our experience, events tend to flare up the most after direct Mars contact — unlike the Full Moon, for example, which we tend to feel more strongly as the opposition between Sun and Moon builds.

As you describe what’s happening, remind us of your Sun and Rising signs, and tell us which house in your natal chart the Mars-Uranus conjunction falls, if you know it. For me, it’s early in the second house, so I’m on pins and needles regarding finances, but I also know that this doesn’t necessarily mean a sudden catastrophe. It could as easily be a sudden windfall. I’ll let you know, and please do the same!

A big hug to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Saturday Extra: Thanks for Sharing

Saturday is the end of the week, and so this seems like a good time to look back at some our reader polls and make a few observations.

In our most recent poll, we asked whether you plan by the phases of the Moon. This is one of the simplest uses of astrology, and your answers reveal that most of you are aware of this tool and use it, at least some of the time.

As you may know, Real Astrologers celebrated its first year earlier this month. We definitely considered the phase of the Moon in the timing of our launch (and our Web host, InMotion, nicely humored us, right down to the minute). Would we have been as successful if we hadn’t done so? There’s no way to know the answer to that. But we most certainly have had a stellar first year, with 165,000 page views and still climbing. Our readership spans 120 countries on six continents.

The posts that consistently generate the most page views are Neith’s lunation reports, so it’s not surprising that you are tuned into the lunar cycle. On a day-to-day basis, the Moon’s influence typically is fleeting and not very strong, but if you pay attention, you likely will notice a correlation between events in your life and the New or Full Moon in a sensitive place in your chart.

On April 1, we asked how you were experiencing the Mars-Saturn opposition. Most of you didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, which was a surprise. There were a lot of shootings in the news that weekend, along with an eruption of Mount Redoubt and, a few days later, a devastating earthquake in Italy. But overall, it passed without a global catastrophe or personal trauma for our readers.

Unfortunately, it appears that the Mars-Uranus conjunction is going to be far more disruptive. Already, we’re seeing drama on the high seas as Somali pirates use hostages, including an American merchant marine captain, to ensure their escape from international authorities. It’s hard to imagine how this standoff isn’t going to end badly for someone. Of course, we’ll ask you what’s going on in your life personally in our next poll.

In our poll on March 25, we asked whether you’d forgive someone for bad behavior if they were experiencing a difficult astrological transit. I have to say that I was taken aback by the response. An overwhelming majority of you said no. A lot has been written about the power of forgiveness to heal, and most of us doing spiritual work know this. But are we putting it into practice? Perhaps this is a topic that needs more exploration.

Going back one more week, to March 18, I asked you to vote for the astrological aspect that may have been underlying a friend’s head injury. This was admittedly a tough call, as there was so much going on in his chart. However, the majority of you gave the most weight to transiting Mars, and this was my conclusion, too. Still, I couldn’t help thinking that this guy also just needed a good knock on the head.

Thank you to everyone who has voted in our Wednesday polls. As Neith and I have both said many times, your feedback helps make us better astrologers, and we’re all enriched by the experience.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Our Readers: Venus Retrograde Time Again

Psyche at the Throne of VenusWe all know about Mercury retrograde. But what can we expect when Venus, planet of love and beauty, turns her back on us?

Fortunately, Venus only goes retrograde every couple of years like her partner Mars, instead of three times a year like Mercury or once a year like the rest of the gang. However, this time around she’ll be in Aries, not her happy place, for most of the retrograde period, March 6-April 17.

The impact of any given Venus retrograde varies widely from individual to individual. I’m betting if this retrograde is taking place in your first house, you will notice it! Those of us with a strong Venusian element in our charts — for example, Sun, Moon, Venus or Ascendant in Libra or Taurus — are more likely to catch the downdraft of Venus moving in reverse.

The two most important factors to consider in determining how Venus retrograde in Aries will affect you are where Aries falls in your chart and whether Venus is conjunct, square, or opposite any natal planets. For example, Venus will turn retrograde in my fifth house, exactly opposite my Libra Moon in my eleventh house. Since I’m a very married person, it will be creative projects that will need lots of “do overs” — such as dyeing some wool yarn to match color samples for a very particular client. Groan. You factor in the opposition to the Moon and, yes, my client is a woman!

Some general rules for the time Venus is retrograde: avoid impulse buying, be prepared to take a second or third look at any new lovers, don’t schedule cosmetic procedures, and stay away from the Easter candy aisle ‘cause all that chocolate is sure to look extra delicious right now.

What is a Venus retrograde good for? In this instance, it may tone down the Aries desire to burn bridges as fast as they are crossed and allow more time to evaluate a person or situation. As with all retrograde periods, we can use the time to finish up projects, particularly artistic and creative endeavors under Venus’s aegis. This is a great time to go on retreat to someplace calm and beautiful to restore one’s inner being and get back in touch with what is truly valuable to us. Most of us live in a fast-paced world and need the occasional reminder to slow down and breathe; Venus moving slowly in reverse offers this opportunity.

What about you? Got any big plans for Venus retrograde? Tell us about it!

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Image: Psyche at the Throne of Venus, by Matthew Edward Hale, 1883. I selected this image because Venus looks so wonderfully bitchy — a perfect expression of Venus retrograde in Aries.

Ask Our Readers: Fallout From the Eclipse To Report?

The New Moon eclipse at 6 degrees Aquarius is behind us now but like a stone dropped in a pond, the affects are starting to cause ripples for many of us. Where it fell in your chart and what, if any, natal planets and aspect patterns were triggered are places to start looking for results.

Keep in mind we are also juggling the incoming Saturn-Uranus opposition at 20 degrees Virgo-Pisces exact in about a week, so for some of us it’s been more of a cascade than a single event. The eclipse conjoined the cusp of my third house and the web cam I ordered arrived and immediately turned into a huge distraction. At the same time, I had to drop all that and follow my Aries spouse to town to get his pickup truck worked (another in a series of interruptions courtesy of having Uranus in Pisces in the fourth). Between needing to devote time to my astrology work and the challenge of attempting to do that working at home, I’m beginning to feel like a darn tennis ball being slammed from one side of the court to the other.

Pat, who had the eclipse take place in her first house, wrenched her back on her day job attempting to move something too heavy and awkward, so she is moving very gingerly right now.

Anyone else have a tale to tell about their trials and tribulations of juggling the eclipse and Saturn-Uranus? By the way, today and tomorrow the Moon is in Pisces and will conjoin Uranus and oppose Saturn, so expect more little surprises!

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Ask Our Readers: What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the New Year?

The coming year is astrologically charged, with Saturn and Uranus in a continued opposition, Venus retrograde, and six eclipses. The latter is especially rare and indicates that 2009 will be a highly significant year.

In this week’s reader survey, we’d like to know what your hopes, wishes, and fears for the coming year are. We decided not to make it a poll, because we didn’t want to limit the broad range of possible answers.

Personally, I’m looking forward to sweeping changes in my personal life, with the continue series of eclipses in Aquarius and Leo, which fall in my first house of self and seventh house of personal relationships. My love life started picking up within two weeks of the first eclipse of this series last February and heated up over the summer, only to crash and burn at the lunar eclipse in mid-August. I’ve been picking up the pieces ever since, and there are new developments that look promising as we head into the next eclipse pair in late January and early February.

The Saturn-Uranus opposition is taking place in my second and eighth houses, so I expect continued challenges and breakthroughs in my financial situation as well. I’m sure something unexpected will happen, and I can’t even begin to guess what it might be.

As for the world at large, I do have some anxiety there, and I don’t believe we are going to get too far into 2009 before all hell breaks loose. For those who have been hoping for change, we are going to get it, and it may fall into the “careful what you wish for” category.

What I most wish for in 2009 is that many more people will experience a spiritual awakening.

And, of course, I wish you much love and many blessings for the New Year!

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Yes, the Saturn-Uranus opposition is going to continue to get my attention, too, since Saturn remains in my tenth house and Uranus in my fourth. So far it’s been all about meeting obligations and remembering everything has to be done in the correct order with attention to detail – yes, Virgo in action. Uranus keeps stirring up my home life, much to my Libra Moon’s distress.

For all of us Venus-ruled Libra and Taurus folks, a Venus retrograde is always something to take note of, and Venus will be retrograde in Aries from March 6 to April 17. The last time Venus went retrograde a couple of years ago, I sure noticed it. It was similar to a Mercury retrograde but in matters related to love, creativity, etc. We love to get feedback on these events and will keep you posted as they arrive on the scene.

Don’t forget (as if you could) this will be Pluto’s first full year in Capricorn and if you haven’t noticed, frugal living is coming back in style everywhere we look. We can still enjoy life, just not in the same manner we had become accustomed to over the past 15-plus years.

Stay alert and practice kindness to others and yourself. Have a wonderful and exciting 2009.

Libra with Scorpio risingNeith

Ask Our Readers: Crazy Enough For You?

As we approach the Full Moon on December 12, Sun and Mars in Sagittarius are triggering the opposition of Saturn and Uranus — all in mutable signs — creating lots of tension down here on planet Earth.

Because the Sun-Mars conjunction is in my first house, this celestial event is directly affecting my body. Last weekend my overstressed right wrist gave out and I’m wearing one of those ubiquitous carpal tunnel braces most of the time. Saturn is in my tenth house opposing Uranus in my fourth, and both are squaring the Sun-Mars in my first. Between attempting to keep up with my workload, which involves lots of time typing, knitting a sweater for the granddaughter for Xmas and still finding time to walk my dog (a very Sagittarius form of exercise according to Pat), something had to give!

Here’s hoping once we move past the Full Moon and the pressure backs off some, we’ll all be able to catch our collective breath. So how’s it going out there for the rest of you?

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Ask Our Readers: Oh, To Be a Sagittarius

When the Sun joins Mars in Sagittarius on Friday, many of us will heave a collective sigh of relief to be leaving the angst and intensity of Scorpio behind for another cycle.

Don’t get me wrong, I am quite comfortable with Scorpio, but there is something about this particular shift in energy that says it is time to lighten up and enjoy life a little more. It could have something to do with my first-house Venus in Sagittarius, who always sparkles this time of year. Or maybe it’s because one of my favorite U.S. holidays is coming up here, Thanksgiving, which happens to be the Sagittarius holiday (Christmas falls under the aegis of Capricorn). The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by a mix of peoples from the Old World and the New coming together to share food, friendship, and an all-around good time, in true Sagittarius fashion.

Pat and I have Sagittarius Rising in our composite chart, and I’ve noticed that many of our readers have the Sun or Ascendant in the sign of the Archer. We’d love to know how you experience your Sagittarius side. Anyone else with planets and chart angles in Sag, please chime in!

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Ask Our Readers: The Saturn-Uranus Opposition

Next Tuesday (November 4), the first of five Saturn-Uranus oppositions will be exact at 18° on the Virgo-Pisces axis. I’ve received a sharp reminder that this is an aspect to be reckoned with.

A few days ago, a routine delivery of heating oil turned into a huge mess in short order. We are now in the process of cleanup, and a complete return to normalcy has yet to be determined. In my chart, Uranus is transiting my fourth house and Saturn my tenth, and the opposition is triggering my natal Mars-Uranus inconjunct.

So, anyone else starting to see the effects of this opposition in their charts and lives?

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I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all the truly amazing stories you have been willing to share about Pluto transits and the subsequent profound rearranging of your lives. Part of the reason Pat and I started Real Astrologers was to provide an opportunity for this kind of sharing, because this is how we all learn more about ourselves and astrology.

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .