Category Archives: Forecasts

Weekly Forecast March 15: New Moon in Pisces, Sun Enters Aries

Painting by Ferdinand Kulmer, 1993

Painting by Ferdinand Kulmer, 1993. Kulmer, a Croatian artist, was an Aquarius, born in 1925. When I first saw this work, I thought of the action of Aries coming out of a Pisces dreamscape, a fitting description of this week's shift.


The warp drive is about to engage, so fasten your seatbelts and hang on!

The New Moon in late Pisces is followed by the Sun’s entry into Aries, the beginning of a new astrological year. Mars, ruler of Aries, has just returned direct, freeing up the dynamic cardinal energy of the Ram to charge forward with urgency into new territory.

The week starts right out with the New Moon at 25 degrees Pisces, closely conjunct Mercury and Uranus, the planet of surprise and abrupt change. If you have personal planets or chart angles at this degree, an event out of the blue could change your life radically. This will be “bad” only if you tend to fight change and try to keep things the way they are. Otherwise, events could be disruptive but ultimately to your benefit.

Even if this New Moon doesn’t hit a sensitive spot in your chart, you probably will experience some form of quick change, although not as sweeping. The window for new opportunities will be wide open from Monday’s New Moon to the Sun-Uranus conjunction on Wednesday.

The Moon enters Aries on Tuesday and paves the way emotionally for Mercury’s entry into the sign of the Ram on Wednesday and the Sun’s arrival on Saturday, which is the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and International Astrology Day.

With Saturn and Pluto square in early degrees of Libra and Capricorn, planets in early Aries form a cardinal T-square, the astrological configuration most conducive to action and swift change. Diane and I have written quite a bit about the cardinal energy that is building in 2010 and 2011, and we’re all on the edge of our seats waiting to see how this will play out, both in our individual lives and in the collective. Keep a close eye on what happens this week, as events now may provide some clues about the future.

Of course, the ongoing square between Saturn and Pluto also points to difficult challenges, but with the shift from contemplative Pisces to action-oriented Aries, we should have more energy to deal with the obstacles that block our path. This is all the more true given that planets in early Aries will trine Mars in the first degree of Leo. Mercury makes contact on Wednesday, and the Sun follows on Sunday. Moreover, the Sun and Mars will be in mutual reception (when each of two planets is in the sign ruled by the other).

New beginnings are springing up all over the place, and I think most of us will be happy with developments this week.

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

Weekly Forecast March 8: Mars Direct

Judith and Holofernes by Franz von Stuck

Judith and Holofernes, by Franz von Stuck, 1927. This biblical story has been painted by many artists over the centuries. What could more perfectly depict Venus in Aries? Mars is even sleeping, which is how astrologers often describe retrograde planets.

Finally, Mars turns direct this week. It feels like he has been retrograde forever.

Actually, it’s only been since Dec. 20, but when the planet of anger and aggression is out of sorts, time has a way of dragging. I’ve had him in my seventh house all this time, and he returns direct just a degree shy of my Descendant. Needless to say, I’ve had some challenges in the relationship department.

Mars also rules physical energy, so many of you may be feeling tired and beaten down. The effects for you individually depend on where Mars is transiting your natal chart, which house he rules, and whether he’s making aspects to natal planets.

With Venus newly arrived in Mars-ruled Aries, we can expect some fireworks in our close relationships, especially romantic partnerships. Venus is in her detriment in Aries, but fortunately she’s in a lovely trine with Mars, and both make contact with stabilizing Saturn. This gives me hope that any arguments and temper tantrums that may erupt will lead to productive discussions about what we can do to improve relationships with our partners. After all, conflict is often just an indication of an imbalance that needs to be corrected, and Saturn in Libra, even retrograde, is good for this.

If you find yourself in these circumstances, the first half of the week will be the most active. Venus opposes Saturn on Tuesday, with the Moon in Saturn-ruled Capricorn throwing more cold water on feelings of love and affection. You may be able to see through to the source of the problem, but try not to be overwhelmed to the point that you want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Mars turns direct on Wednesday. For a couple of days on either side, you may get absolutely nowhere. This could apply literally to your travels, or it could manifest as a conversation that keeps going ’round and ’round in a frustrating endless feedback loop. Should that happen to you, drop it and come back to the subject in a few days or, better still, a week. By that time, Mars will be creeping forward, and your discussion will be much more productive.

In the case of romantic partnerships, sexual fireworks will enter the picture, with Venus squaring Pluto on Thursday. This could complicate matters, or it could help resolve them. Many couples find their “solution” in the bedroom, and while Venus-Pluto aspects have a reputation for lust, they also carry the potential for a deep soul connection. Many times when we’re unhappy in a partnership, it’s because we lack the feeling of a strong connection. When it is restored, the relationship can move forward.

On Sunday, the Sun conjoins Mercury in Pisces, with the Moon in Pisces conjunct Jupiter. This is wonderful for sleeping in, resting, and connecting on deeper levels as we head into the New Moon in Pisces on Monday, March 15. For some, it will be a chance to find some much-needed quiet time and solitude. If you live in the United States, don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour!

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

Weekly Forecast March 1: Venus Trine Mars

Sunset in Pisces

Sunset in Pisces. A rare sunny day in February ends on the Washington Coast. Photo by James A. Weythman, all rights reserved.

This week is all about Venus … well, mostly about Venus. And that means love, desire, and what makes us happy will be major themes.

As the week begins, we’re still in the wake of Sunday’s Full Moon at 9 degrees Virgo, and the Moon has advanced into late Virgo, opposite Venus and Uranus in Pisces. Moon transits tend to be fleeting, and many of us may not notice them at all. Monday’s lunar transits may be an exception, however, thanks to the impending Venus-Uranus conjunction on Wednesday. Take note of developments in your love and social life on Monday, as you may get some advance news of what will happen when the love planet pairs up with the planet of surprises and sudden change.

Also on Monday, Mercury enters Pisces — great for creative work and leaps of the imagination, not so good for clear thinking and concise communications. On Monday and Tuesday, Mercury is at the apex of a Yod with Mars and Saturn, a position recently held by Venus, Jupiter, and the Sun. The difference this time is that Mars is stationing to return direct on March 10, and that makes him a more powerful influence. If your thinking is confused, if you don’t know where you’re headed or how to get there, you’re not alone. You may be forced this week to think out of the box in order to resolve a dispute or to find the solution to a problem that seems not to have one. Sometimes, all it takes is asking the right question.

Speaking of Mars, I’d like to point out that he is out of bounds until March 15. Planets are out of bounds when they travel north or south of the celestial latitude of the Sun at the solstices, and they tend to “misbehave,” just as the term suggests. The last time Mars was retrograde and out-of-bounds, a tiger leapt out of her cage at the San Francisco Zoo and mauled a young visitor to death before being shot and killed by zoo officials.

Obviously, conditions are different this time, but an out-of-bounds, stationing Mars should be handled with extreme care, especially in the sign of the Lion! Avoid provoking anyone, and stay out of harm’s way to the extent possible. Err on the side of caution and consideration.

On Wednesday, Venus meets up with Uranus, which for the most part should bring pleasant surprises. Any unpleasant fallout may be from our own failure to stay in touch with reality. Should a bit of luck come your way, jump on the opportunity, but spend the next week or so doing the math. Admittedly, this will be harder with Mercury in Pisces and Mars slowing down to a halt. Fortunately, we’ve got calculators.

On Sunday, Venus enters Aries, and it’s a whole different game. No longer warm, fuzzy, voluptuous, and chocolate-loving, the love goddess is demanding, hard-bodied, and very active. Right away, she forms a trine with Mars, just as he’s waking up out of a sound sleep. It’s kind of a reverse Sleeping Beauty story. Instead of the prince gently kissing the princess awake, the sleepy guy gets a whack on the head and an order to get his sorry ass out of bed.

I’m hoping this energy will propel couples everywhere to wake up and smell the coffee. Love doesn’t just “happen” all by itself. You have to work at it, and it takes two. Apologies and promises go only so far. At some point, words have to lead to action.

Speaking of all words and no action, Mercury conjoins Jupiter later in the day. If ever there was an aspect for solving all the world’s problems over a bottle of wine, this is it! If you do come up with some great ideas, write them down and come back to them later, after the glitter has settled. In the meantime, just enjoy the feeling.

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

Weekly Forecast February 22: Sun Conjunct Jupiter, Full Moon in Virgo

Pisces 'stellium'

Pisces 'stellium' and going for the gold. Goldfish in an aquarium at a market near Tehran, photo by Behrouz Mehri for Agence France-Presse.

The period between the New Moon on February 13 and the Full Moon on February 28 is an important one for our individual and collective healing.

Sorry if I sound like a broken record. Many people I know are doing deep healing work and, as a result, are entering new spiritual and emotional territory. It’s happening … quietly, in the background, without a lot of fanfare. But the implications are enormous, for us as individuals and for our collective society.

If you’re doing this kind of work, I know how hard it has been for you, and I know that you’ve felt like giving up many times. But I’m here to tell you to hang in there and keep working. It does appear that some rewards are on the way for your diligence.

Taking the week in order, the Sun sextiles Pluto on Tuesday, a positive aspect for getting to the source of problems in order to find real solutions. This applies especially to the collective, so watch the news headlines for breakthroughs in longstanding issues. It’s a good day for housecleaning, too, physically and emotionally. Having a clean environment supports our spiritual and emotional health. However, with Mars inconjunct both the Sun and Pluto, finding the energy to finish the job might be a challenge. Do as much as you can, do a little more beyond that, and then call it a day. If you’re embarking on a detox program, don’t be alarmed if you experience a severe energy drop.

The Moon is in her home sign of Cancer on Wednesday and Thursday. As long as Saturn and Pluto are in a square, the Moon in Cancer forms a brief cardinal T-square once a month. I wouldn’t consider this a big deal if it weren’t for the building cardinal energy this year, which will peak in July. Small changes mid-week may have deep long-term ramifications.

On Wednesday, the Moon trines the Pisces stellium of the Sun, Jupiter, and Venus, giving us a bit of sweetness and comfort. Just watch the calorie count, unless you’re one of those infuriating people who can inhale pizza and beer and not gain a pound.

The real action comes this weekend. On Saturday, Mercury conjoins Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius, all opposite the Moon in Leo. Healing often requires tears, and I suspect there will be a lot of weepy discussions and quiet grieving. You may need to set your ego aside more than once in order to break through to higher ground. This could pertain to your personal healing, or it may involve a relationship, your career, or something else you’ve been dealing with for the past several months. You probably won’t be at your most rational, and this is OK, provided you understand that.

Sunday is the Full Moon and the culmination of a process that began in earnest at the New Moon on February 14 but that has been ongoing for more than a year. I’d date it back to early February 2009, when there was a lunar eclipse opposite Neptune and Chiron.

As usual, Diane will have a complete report on the Full Moon, complete with Sabian symbols and her unique observations. Check back in a day or two.

In the meantime, wishing you all much love and courage,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Saturday Extra! Year of the Tiger

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Lanterns are the traditional decorations for the Chinese New Year. Also called the Spring Festival, the celebration goes on for two weeks and is marked by special foods, much as we celebrate the winter holidays. Photo by Alexander F. Yuan for The Associated Press.

With all the activity in the sky lately, I totally forgot about the Chinese New Year, which always begins at the New Moon in Aquarius.

As you probably know, this is the Year of the Tiger. In Chinese astrology, there are twelve signs, all animals. Each lunar year has an animal associated with it, along with one of five traditional Chinese elements. This year, the element is Metal.

What you may not know is that each of the Chinese animal signs has a counterpart in Western astrology. The Tiger is associated with Aquarius, and it’s no coincidence that traits associated with the Tiger mirror many of the characteristics of the Water Bearer. I’m not an expert in Chinese astrology. For the most part, I rely on Theodora Lau’s classic Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes. Here is what she says about the Metal Tiger:

He approaches his problems in a direct or even a radical way and is never in doubt about what he wants to accomplish. The problem is that he wants too much too soon. He tends to be overoptimistic about expected results.

When Metal is combined with his native lunar sign, it could produce a Tiger who is sudden, unorthodox and drastic in his actions. He is a person who is faithful only to himself and his desires, and doesn’t mind stepping on a few toes along the way. Easily stirred by both good and bad influences, this Tiger will tend to act independently, as he hates having to get permission for anything or having his freedom curtailed in any way.

The last time we had a year of the Metal Tiger was 1950. Among the events that year were the Korean War, construction of the hydrogen bomb, and the beginning of Sen. Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunts.

Tiger years traditionally are associated with social upheaval and sweeping change, events that Western astrologers associate with Uranus, the modern planetary ruler of Aquarius. Although Chinese astrologers don’t cast ingress charts as we do in the West, it’s interesting to note that the Year of the Tiger began with the New Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron. I fervently hope that the sweeping changes we experience this year have to do with healing and connecting with others to help bring about much-needed changes on the planet. Of course, this may not be easy or comfortable.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Congratulations and be prosperous!)
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Weekly Forecast February 15: Venus Conjunct Jupiter, Sun Enters Pisces

Plieades

If money washed up on the beach. Sand dollars are a lovely expression of Venus and Jupiter in Pisces. I didn't realize when I took the photo that there were seven "stars," like the Pleiades.

Last week’s potent healing energy continues into this week as we sail on the wake of Saturday’s New Moon.

The word “heal” comes from the same root as “whole.” Being whole is about accepting ourselves and others, with all of our imperfections. When challenges go on and on with no end in sight, it’s hard not to let them define us. For me, it helps to understand my life as a continuum and how I got where I am.

Self-acceptance is a powerful healer, although it can be a tricky process, as many people misunderstand and use self-acceptance as an excuse not do the work required to reach their full potential, as humans in the material realm and as spiritual beings.

Confronting past traumas, unhappy memories, or parts of ourselves we don’t like can be so painful that many people would rather keep them buried in a dark corner inside. In my work with clients, I’ve observed that repressed emotions are more powerful than those that are expressed, and if they aren’t dealt with, they can wreak all sorts of havoc in one’s life, leaving the individual feeling victimized. I’m not saying this is always the cause of our misery, but it can be the case, and more often than many people realize. My job as an astrologer is getting to the bottom of these issues to help my clients feel whole.

Many people I know have gone as far as they can with their individual work, and yet it still feels like something is “broken” or missing. I’ve been writing for years about the need to have a partner or a group to continue the work. With Neptune conjunct Chiron in Aquarius, we’re finding like-minded individuals to connect with, and this is another way that we feel whole. Also, more of us are coming to understand that when we do deep healing work on ourselves, we send healing energy back into the collective. Sometimes I feel that it’s the collective unconscious that’s demanding we do this hard work.

Neptune and Chiron remain in close conjunction throughout 2010. The alignment is exact on Wednesday (late Tuesday on the West Coast of the United States).

On Monday, Venus sextiles Pluto and Mars sextiles Saturn, both aspects that could be very productive. How this energy plays out remains to be seen, as we have not one but two Yods in play, with Venus and Mars at the apex. You may find that one or more areas of your life are moving forward, but with a lot of irritation and major challenges, some of which could be so difficult that you don’t think you’re getting anywhere at all. Don’t give up.

On Tuesday, Venus conjoins Jupiter, an annual occurrence that is always cause for celebration. These two are known for wealth and abundance. It’s often material, but it doesn’t have to be. You might experience an abundance of love and friendship or some other intangible stroke of good fortune that is no less important just because you can’t turn it on and off with a remote.

On Thursday, the Sun enters spiritual Pisces, where it will take the place at the apex of the Yod with Mars and Saturn. Being “spiritual” may not feel very practical, and in some cases, it’s a deterrent to more worldly pursuits. Living with integrity often requires material sacrifices, and this can feel uncomfortable or scary to those for whom security lies in material wealth. Finding balance should come easier with Saturn in Libra.

Friday gets my vote for most pleasant day of the week. The Moon will be in placid Taurus, sextile Venus and Jupiter. If you’ve got a date, it could be quite a memorable evening, for all the right reasons.

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

Weekly Forecast February 8: New Moon in Aquarius, Venus Enters Pisces

Happy Valentine's Day

All of the ingredients for a romantic Valentine's Day. Photo by Pat Paquette.

It’s Valentine’s Day next Sunday, and what a show the cosmos has in store for us. This week could be positively transformational.

However, it’s clear that we’re going to have to work for it, and there will be challenges and tests. Romantic partnerships in particular will be affected, and if you’ve been waiting to move up to the next level or to heal deep-seated issues between you and your partner, this promises to be a memorable week for love.

The week begins with a romantic conjunction of Venus and Neptune. Astrologers usually describe this as the “rose-colored glasses” aspect, and there is some risk of idealizing your partner. Well, why not? We delude ourselves about so many things when it comes to our loved ones, what’s wrong with a brief fantasy of perfection? Still, the point here is to love your partner, human failings and all. I’ll come back to this in a minute.

On Wednesday, Mercury enters Aquarius, the sign of his exaltation. If you’ve felt like life is moving too fast, hang onto your seat, because it’s going to get even faster now. Inspiration and new ideas come streaming in at the speed of light.

Also on Wednesday, Mars forms an inconjunct with Jupiter, activating a Yod with Mars and Saturn at the base and Venus and Jupiter at the apex. This is an extremely rare formation and very interesting, because Mars and Saturn are the malefics — the bad guys in astrology — while Venus and Jupiter are considered the benefics. Moreover, both Mars and Saturn are retrograde, the only two planets currently in reverse.

The conjunction of Venus and Jupiter is said to be the luckiest combination in astrology, and this is even more true in Pisces, as Venus is exalted in the sign of the Fishes, and Jupiter is its co-ruler. This is our call to higher love and opening our hearts to receive wealth and abundance. However, the Yod formation suggests a block of some kind, a “hump” to get over before all those good things flow to us.

Mars sextile Saturn is good for setting immediate ego gratification aside to accomplish difficult tasks. Since both planets are retrograde, we can’t expect to move mountains, but to make steady progress, a little at a time, until the job is done. It’s also likely that projects we undertake at this time have something to do with the past — clearing accumulated clutter, eliminating toxins from our bodies, and confronting tasks we’ve put off for months, if not years.

That sounds all well and good, but when we concentrate too much on work, what needs to be done, and “reality,” we shut the magic out of our lives. This isn’t intentional; indeed, I’d say it’s a negative side effect of modern industrialized societies. In order to go to work day after day and to live in crowded cities, we have to shut our sensitive, intuitive side down. After years of doing so, many people become desensitized, and it’s as though their minds have gone to sleep. Higher love can’t exist in such conditions.

There’s another inconjunct this week, between Mars in Leo and Pluto in Capricorn. This is a heavy handed combination that subjects the ego’s need for creative expression to oppressive authority. This suggests censorship to me and may be at the root of Google’s problem in China. The aspect peaks on Friday, and there will be a third and final round of it on April 10. Also on Friday, Mercury trines Saturn, a great aspect for finding a practical use for all those outlandish Aquarian ideas.

Mercury opposes Mars the following day, fueling arguments and creating breakdowns in communications. This seems like a small thing, but we need to be very careful with this one, given everything else that’s going on. Events this weekend could be overwhelming, and it won’t take much to get irritated with others. If you do get in an argument, hopefully it will be short-lived, as the New Moon is just a few hours later, and it holds much healing power.

At 25 degrees Aquarius, the New Moon will be tightly conjunct Neptune and Chiron. This is our cue to start anew by embracing our wounds. Earlier in the week, with Venus conjunct Neptune, we’re called upon to accept others, as they are. Now, we’re being called to accept and love ourselves. That’s more than just 80s Me-Decade psychobabble. Opening our hearts to love depends on it, and what better time is there to walk through the portal of love and healing than on Valentine’s Day?

Sunday’s aspect list is long, and I’ve covered most of it already. The one wildcard is Pluto. I just wrote of his inconjunct with Mars, but that means he’ll be sextile Venus and Jupiter, and that suggests an “out” of some kind. Maybe it’s about our true power as human beings, not just the illusion of power we get by sitting in the executive’s chair.

Wishing you nothing but true love,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Weekly Forecast February 1: Jupiter Inconjunct Saturn, Sextile Pluto

Photo by Dmitry Lovetsky for The Associated PressThis week is the Celtic cross-quarter day of Imbolc. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are noticeably longer, trees are budding, and there are early signs of spring.

It’s been a hard winter for many, and so the return of the light is a welcome relief. We’ll get a bit of a breather this week, too, with the Moon in Libra on Tuesday and Wednesday. One of her first contacts is with Saturn and Pluto, which some of you may feel as a brief period of melancholy or alienation, but it won’t last long, and it’s also a chance to reflect on committed relationships, an ongoing theme with Saturn in the sign of balanced give-and-take. And once that’s over, the Moon trines the Sun and Venus in Aquarius, a nice aspect for seizing the moment and enjoying a small surprise.

On Friday, Jupiter forms an inconjunct with Saturn. Inconjuncts are inherently uncomfortable, and something that happens later this week could make you squirm. Just remember that discomfort doesn’t always have a “real” external source. Sometimes it’s our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world at large that get us in trouble and hold us back.

Speaking of beliefs, it’s generally accepted in astrology that Jupiter is the Santa Claus of the solar system and that Saturn is the party pooper. Diane has written a lot about her experience with Jupiter as an amplifier, for better or for worse, and she appreciates the discipline embodied in Saturn.

We could argue that it’s Saturn who’s actually the Santa Claus. Saturn is the lord of time and the material universe and therefore has a role in everything that manifests into our lives. Saturn was revered by the Romans as a harvest deity, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Moerover, there are connections between the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia and customs associated with Christmas, including the exchange of gifts.

This is a good week to examine the process of how we can turn thoughts into reality. On Saturday, Jupiter sextiles Pluto, an aspect that contains powerful potential for wealth and abundance. For some of you, the result could be material, while others may feel it on an emotional level. Maybe you’ll experience both. I’ve often found that intense feelings attract people and material things into my life.

Also on Saturday, Mercury sextiles Uranus. The Messenger leaves the post-retrograde shadow period on Thursday, so he’ll be free to meet the planet of innovation and surprises in a new frame of mind. If the ideas seem to come in rapid-fire succession, grab a notebook or write on the back of an envelope — whatever you’ve got handy. Something you couldn’t get to work properly during the winter holidays should go smoothly now. This is especially true for electronic gadgets and anything to do with computers or the Internet. I’ve finally got the fan problem in my laptop resolved and will take another crack at video content soon. I’m also working on a short post on Nibiru (thanks again to Rossa for posing the question).

On Sunday, Venus conjoins Chiron and Neptune (next Monday in most parts of the world), paving the way for the New Moon on February 13. We’re approaching another extraordinary gateway for healing energies to enter our energy field, individually and collectively. I’m feeling it in positive ways and hope you are, too.

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

Image: God of Ice. It’s clearly not spring yet in St. Petersburg, Russia. I’d love to know who this figure is, but it sure looks like Saturn or Neptune. Photo by Dmitry Lovetsky for The Associated Press.

Weekly Forecast January 25: Venus Opposite Mars, Full Moon in Leo

Mars and Venus, by Sandro Botticelli

Mars and Venus, by Sandro Botticelli, c. 1485. Although there is much symbolism in this painting, the simple message is that love conquers all.

Most of this week will be a build-up to Saturday’s Full Moon in Leo. It’s going to be especially interesting to observe the effects of a Full Moon so close to an opposition of Venus and Mars.

Venus and Mars sometimes are referred to as the “cosmic lovers,” and this week they are opposed – she in freedom-loving Aquarius, and he in commanding Leo. The Sun and Moon can also represent male and female, and in this case, the feminine Moon will be aligned with masculine Mars, opposite feminine Venus and the masculine Sun.

Saturn, the planet of commitment, is retrograde, and he’s in Venus-ruled Libra. I have a feeling that there’s going to be a lot of reassessment this week, and those who perceive they are in a confining relationship are going to feel like rebelling. The response may not be pleasant, but it will create an opening to discuss more fairness, equality, and personal freedom in relationships.

Still, an opening is simply that; it’s an invitation to discussion and negotiation, not a guarantee of getting what you want. And you’ll need to keep your ego in check. On one hand, it will be easier with Mars retrograde, but the Sun is an ego planet, too, and with Sun and Venus in conjunction, she may be a little too “self-oriented” for her own good.

On Saturday, I wrote a short post about choosing how to respond in situations reflecting conflicting planetary energies. If you choose to defend your ego – including your ego’s need for an ill-defined concept of freedom – you could end up shooting yourself in the foot. Stop to think about what you’re defending and why. Is it just a need to be right, or is it something on which your survival depends?

If you can get past the ego issues, this configuration of planets could be wonderful for love and romance. For some, it could be very sexy.

Diane will have a complete report on this Full Moon on Tuesday or Wednesday, so check back then.

The only other significant aspect this week is the square between Saturn and Pluto, the second in a series of three. The square is exact on Sunday, but we’ll feel it all week, especially on Wednesday, when the Moon in Cancer forms a T-square with Saturn at the apex. You may feel a sense of sadness or powerlessness for a few hours.

Saturn and Pluto are outer planets and thus the square between them applies more to the collective than to individuals. But the Moon in Cancer throws personal consequences into the mix. When titans collide, innocent bystanders can get caught in the crossfire.

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

Weekly Forecast January 18: Sun and Venus Enter Aquarius

Venus in Aquarius

Venus in Aquarius, beauty through technology. Here I am in front of my new Verilux Clearwave skin treatment lamp, which uses red and blue light to heal problem skin.

Well, I’m sure glad last week is over. I know a lot of you are, too!

It was a wild ride, and now we’re evaluating the damage and cleaning up. For some, the turbulence was physical and unimaginably devastating. The entire nation of Haiti is stumbling out from under the rubble and tallying up the fatalities.

For others, the storm was primarily emotional, and we are cleaning up, too. Fortunately, the astrological outlook is sunny, and we’ll be able to get lots accomplished this week.

Diane and I have been working for the past two weeks on installing a new theme. Even though we stuck to research and testing while Mercury was retrograde, we nonetheless bumped into obstacles that seemed insurmountable. Then on Friday, after Mercury went direct, everything suddenly started falling into place.

In many ways, our new structure is a metaphor for the energy shift that has taken place and that will continue to ripple through our existence. Our old structure wasn’t working any longer, so we had to break it down and get a new one that is more evolved. The result: Not only do we look different on the outside, but we’re much more dynamic and powerful.

For example, we’re now able to support the Astrodienst widget that tells you the real-time position of the planets by sign and degree. Is that cool, or what?

Our new site also supports video, a more compelling and intimate way to communicate with our readers. Diane has posted an excellent video on Saturn in Libra. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it. I still have some fixes to make on my computer before I can record a video without that obnoxious whirring sound, so it will be a week or so before I can upload new video content.

We’ll be making a lot of other changes and also cleaning up the debris left behind by migrating to a new theme, so bear with us.

Speaking of changes, the cardinal energy subsides a bit this week, giving us a chance to breathe and catch up. Retrograde Saturn in Libra is moving back toward an exact square with Pluto in Capricorn, but Mercury is separating from close contact with these two heavyweights.

Meanwhile, both the Sun and Venus leave Capricorn this week and enter Aquarius, where they will make a lovely air trine with Saturn later in the week. Even if we still have a lot of work to do, we’ll get it done quickly and efficiently, and it might even be fun!

Of all the fixed signs, Aquarius is the least averse to change — in principle, anyway. Technology and innovation are keywords for Aquarius, along with rebellion and surprise. That seems somewhat contradictory with the fixed nature of the Water Bearer, who at times can be as stubborn as any Taurus (OK, OK, I admit it!).

As an Aquarius with Aquarius Rising, I have noted personally that, as much as
I want change, know I need it, and welcome it, actually incorporating the changes into my life can be a slow and frustrating process. There’s something about the underlying mental structure of Aquarius that is indeed quite fixed.

Aquarius also rules the collective, so this is a good time to contemplate our desire for change but seeming inability to make that giant leap getting us out of the rut of our beliefs and into a new paradigm.

The cardinal energy of the past few weeks is a great reminder that change often is imposed on us, and indeed, that’s often the only way we’ll make it. It can happen abruptly and entirely disrupt our lives. That’s one of the key differences between Pluto and Uranus. The former breaks things down over time, while the latter can do it suddenly and without warning.

Wishing you all much love. We’re all in this boat together.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat