Category Archives: Forecasts

Weekly Forecast July 14: Venus in Leo, Full Moon in Capricorn

The Rokeby Venus, by Diego VelazquezThis week, we begin feeling the emphasis of Leo in preparation for next month’s eclipses.

Venus entered Leo last Saturday and this Saturday, July 19, will be opposed by the Moon in Aquarius, which will carry her energy to Neptune, Chiron, and the lunar North Node. The planet of love and beauty will have just passed the South Node at the New Moon solar eclipse on August 1. When Mars crossed the South Node last month, I wrote about reopening old wounds to let out the toxins. Now it’s up to the healing power of love to make us whole again.

Many of the popular self-help books emphasize self-love, and in my opinion a lot of it goes overboard into narcissism and the delusion of not needing others. We are all interdependent and need each other, and we need love and intimacy. But there’s no doubt that we attract healthier, more fulfilling relationships if we love ourselves. And you can’t love yourself completely until you know yourself. Luxurious baths and herbal tea are nice, but sit down with a journal and write about your deepest truth. What are you most afraid of? What gives you the most joy?

Body image is an important part of the equation, and that’s where Venus in Leo comes in. Not everyone is blessed with a movie-star figure. Actually, many celebrities aren’t even so blessed, but either know how to work with what they’ve got or resort to modern technology, some of which is way beyond the means of the rest of us.

Still, the best way to be attractive on the outside is to radiate the confidence that comes with self-knowledge and to move through life with an open heart. That is the message of Venus in Leo.

There’s also a Full Moon this week, which will mark the culmination of whatever you started two weeks ago at the New Moon. Although the Moon is in her detriment in Capricorn, the Sea Goat is a feminine sign and represents physical structure and the manifestation of disembodied energies into physical reality. Neith will have more on this Full Moon in a post on Tuesday.

Otherwise, it’s a fairly smooth week. Mercury forms a sextile to Saturn on Monday and Mars on Tuesday, helping us to apply ourselves mentally and put thoughts into practical action. Mars is separating from Saturn, putting that heavy energy behind us, and Saturn still is far enough from the opposition to Uranus that we’re not on edge yet. The Sun’s trine to Uranus on Monday is stimulating and may bring a welcome break in your beginning-of-the-week routine. It’s also a great time for self-discoveries that surprise and, hopefully, delight you.

Mercury opposes Jupiter in Capricorn on Saturday, suggesting an opportunity to see how well we’re doing with our material goals. If you’ve stretched too far beyond your limits, now is a good time to balance the books and formulate a more conservative financial strategy.

Pay attention to events this weekend, as they should provide you with a major clue regarding how next month’s eclipses will manifest in your life.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Venus at her Mirror, also called the Rokeby Venus, by Diego Velazquez, c. 1647-51. National Gallery, London.

Weekly Forecast July 7: Mars conjunct Saturn

Mars, by VelazquezIf you’re feeling a sense of foreboding, you’re not imagining things. With Mars and Saturn just a couple of degrees from conjunct, a heavy energy is playing out in our lives.

Considered by ancient astrologers as malefic, Mars and Saturn conjoin every two years. The last conjunction was at 8 degrees Leo on June 17, 2006. This Thursday, they’ll meet at 5 degrees Virgo.

Although this aspect is scary, there is also reason to be optimistic. Saturn limits and constrains, while Mars is about action and movement. Even in Virgo, an earth sign, the Mars force can break down barriers. He may not do it in the most graceful or sensitive way, and the results may be extremely uncomfortable, but at least you won’t be stuck anymore. I like to use the analogy of your foot being asleep after you’ve been sitting still for too long. When you get up and the blood returns, the pain can literally knock you down. But at least you know your foot is still alive.

Where you feel this aspect the most depends on where you have 5 degrees Virgo in your chart. For example, if it’s in your seventh house, you’re feeling the pain in a significant relationship. In your sixth house, you may be faced with an obstacle at work, and so forth. The Moon is in Virgo today (July 6), and conjoins both Mars and Saturn. The conflicts you find yourself in today provide clues to what may come about when Mars and Saturn meet on Thursday.

The time on the West Coast of the United States will be 11:11 a.m., a significant number in the art of numerology. I’m hoping for a breakthrough in a difficult challenge I’m facing, and I’ve been trying to do the work. Indeed, hard work may be another outcome of this energy. Neith just reported to me that she’s overwhelmed with harvesting and preserving – both very Virgo activities – because weather anomalies have resulted in several crops ripening at once.

The rest of the week is fairly tame by comparison. On Wednesday, the Sun opposes Jupiter, who’s retrograde and in his fall in Capricorn. Sun-Jupiter aspects often correspond to overindulgence, but I don’t think that will happen here. If anything, we may be able judge our limits. Knowing your limits can be tricky, and knowing when to push beyond them even more problematic.

Early Thursday, Mercury opposes Pluto, providing a rare opportunity to see the deeper truth behind events. At 29 degrees Sagittarius, Pluto is still in a relatively close trine with Mars and Saturn, and once Mercury enters Cancer later in the day, he’ll be approaching a sextile with Mars and Saturn. The trine and sextile are harmonious energies, so I believe that the insights we gain earlier in the day may contribute directly to the breakthrough I mentioned above.

On Saturday, Venus enters Leo. It’s time to get your hair done and admire your gorgeous self. Practice sincere flattery. Stroke someone’s ego, and allow someone to adore you.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image:  Mars at Rest, by Diego Velazquez, c. 1640, Museo del Prado.

Weekly Forecast June 30: New Moon in Cancer, Mars enters Virgo

Nurturing and healing are this week’s themes, with Mars entering health-conscious Virgo on Tuesday and the New Moon in Cancer on Wednesday (Thursday for those of you in the Eastern Hemisphere).

This is a good week for staying home and working around the house. Organizing and cleaning are favored. Internal housecleaning is a good idea, too, especially if you’ve let your diet slip. I know I have, and Wednesday’s New Moon in Cancer falls in my sixth house, the best New Moon of the year to start a successful health regime. I’m looking forward to live juice and lots of fresh veggies.

Before moving into the sign of the Virgin, Mars forms a harmonious trine with Pluto. Mars and Pluto are co-rulers of Scorpio, and both planets are in masculine fire signs, representing the life force, which goes hand in hand with sexual desire. This aspect is the perfect set-up for Mars in Virgo.

In the sign of the Virgin, Mars is concerned with sexual health. Sexual desire is a measure of our overall energy level. When it is suppressed or denied, our well-being is damaged, and our systems are thrown out of balance. Some people get seriously ill as a consequence.

Mars also is about action, and Virgo is the sign of hard work and service to humanity. Virgo also is into details. So don’t put off the boring tasks around the home, garden, or office. Once they’re done and out of the way, you’ll feel better.

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, which currently is in Gemini, the other sign he rules. On Tuesday, the Moon in Gemini conjoins Mercury, just as the Messenger is about to move of his post-retrograde shadow phase and as he approaches an edgy square with Uranus. The Moon often acts as a trigger, so don’t be surprised by events mid-week that you normally would experience during a Mercury retrograde period. These could include missed phone calls, misunderstandings, computer problems, lost checks, and so forth.

Wednesday’s New Moon in Cancer could be moody, and you might get flashes of your worst fears. Don’t try to shove unpleasant feelings back down, but explore them to learn more about yourself. The wide sextile of this New Moon to Mars and Saturn in Virgo will provide some grounding. You can find out more about this potent New Moon in the previous post by Neith.

On Thursday, Venus opposes Jupiter (late Wednesday on the Pacific Coast of the United States and points west), which will bring out tendencies to overindulge, especially in comfort food. We need it after what we’ve been through. Just don’t do anything with lasting consequences, like squandering your rent money on clothes or unnecessary household items.

Thursday through Sunday, Mercury trines the conjunction of Chiron, the North Node, and Neptune in Aquarius. This will be a powerful time to talk about your healing process with another person, especially if that person was a catalyst.

Sunday’s Venus-Uranus trine could bring a surprise encounter with a love interest or a female friend. Mutual understanding and support will part of the package, so enjoy it.

Later in the day, the Moon enters Virgo and conjoins first Mars, then Saturn, setting the state for next Thursday’s Mars-Saturn conjunction. Stayed tuned for more next week …

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

New Moon in Cancer, July 2-3

Portland Japanese Garden strolling pondThe New Moon on July 2 (July 3 in the Eastern Hemisphere) falls at 11° Cancer and represents a major sea change from the New Moon in Aries right after the spring equinox.

Even though the New Moon in Aries was a fiery one, Mars, ruler of Aries, was still in Cancer, bringing a balance between the polarities. Now the balance has shifted to the feminine or “negative” polarity, and we are being asked to learn about the strength found in yielding rather than in aggression.

Ceres, lady of the seasons and natural cycles, conjoins the Sun and Moon with Venus drawn in to form a stellium in Cancer. With Ceres amplifying Cancer’s natural urge to mother and protect the innocents, we may find ourselves devoting time to caring for family members and following up on all issues related to the care and well-being of children in general. Uranus in Pisces is widely trine the Cancer stellium, reminding us to give others space to grow and change and become their authentic selves.

Jupiter in Capricorn is exactly opposite Venus in Cancer, and as oppositions are about bringing balance into being, this is a classic situation where we may find ourselves pulled between pushing ahead in our careers and still finding time to devote to our home and family. A new love interest could be a big distraction on the job at this time, too.

Thankfully, Mercury is now direct in Gemini and trine Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius, encouraging creative ways to heal old wounds with kindness directed not only toward others but toward our own sore places. However, Uranus just turned retrograde in Pisces and is squaring Mercury, so be prepared for the occasional miscommunication . . .

Another significant event is Mars entering Virgo and closing in on Saturn in Virgo. This conjunction will be exact on July 10 at 5° Virgo and for those of you who have planets and chart angles close to this degree, be prepared for frustration. Fortunately, Mars will move past Saturn fairly quickly and release the energy. This is one of those times when we will be forced to stop and think about what we’re doing before taking action, no bad thing in my opinion.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, A Chinese woman nursing a baby with a message,” and the keyword is MATERIALIZATION. This Sabian symbol ties in beautifully with the astrology of this New Moon, reinforcing the directive to nurture our inner beings to help us find our way to our higher good. In practical terms, this is an excellent time for a mini-vacation away from the frantic pace of our daily lives. A simple idea is to take a relaxing bath with candles, scented oils, and your favorite soothing music playing in the background.

This is particularly powerful time to feed and water what we wish to materialize in our lives, because the usual sense of gestation engendered in a New Moon is supported by the sign, cardinal Cancer, and the conjunction with nurturing Ceres and creative Venus conjoining the Moon. Taking time to quiet the busy mind in whatever manner works best for you can be very fruitful in the long run!

Libra loves beautyposted by Neith . . .

This beautiful image of a  Japanese garden comes from the Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, OR. Please visit their website:  Portland Japanese Garden

Weekly Forecast June 23: Sun in Cancer, Uranus Retrograde

Neith's irisThe general tone is overall a lot more relaxed this week, with the Sun in homebody Cancer, Uranus turning retrograde, and not a whole lot else going on. Finally, we can catch our collective breath.

The week begins with the Moon in Aquarius, conjunct Neptune and opposite Mars. We may get a brief revisit of issues or events that cropped up during last week’s Mars-Neptune opposition. As Mars was approaching opposition to Neptune last weekend, I spilled an entire pot of piping hot clam chowder on myself. Fortunately, I was wearing an apron and didn’t get burned. I also heard a report of a fire onboard a boat last weekend. Just try to be careful and keep your mind on what you’re doing.

Mercury is direct but still a little slow at the beginning of the week, and he’s in the post-retrograde shadow period until July 4. I’m getting reports that some of you are still having difficulties with communications problems that began in the pre-retrograde shadow phase. I hate to have to report this, but you may have to endure some mild-to-moderate frustration for another couple of weeks. Astro-Twitter, which began having problems in the shadow phase, still isn’t back up and running, so I’m using this as our “canary in the mine” (Neith’s line; I can’t take credit for it).

On Tuesday, the Sun in Cancer sextiles Saturn in Virgo, emphasizing service and health-related issues, especially regarding diet and the food supply. Watch the headlines for news involving these topics.

The Moon conjoins Uranus in Pisces on Wednesday, the day before Uranus turns retrograde. Aquarius, Rising Aquarius, and Rising Pisces will feel this, along with anyone who has transiting Uranus at a critical point in their charts. Things to look for will be a drop or wild fluctuations in your energy level. I always tell my clients to monitor their caffeine and alcohol intake during this shift, because it may affect you differently than it usually does.

Once Uranus turns retrograde, all of the outer planets except Saturn will be in retreat until early September, when Jupiter and Pluto return direct. Because the outer planets spend so much of the year retrograde, it’s not an uncommon event for several of them to retrograde at once, so I don’t see much significance in this, in and of itself. That said, if you have more than one outer planet in aspect to personal planets or key chart points, you might want to consider getting a transit reading. Neith and I both do them.

May we all have a restful week…

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image:  Photo by Neith. Irises have a long history in symbolism and are associated with death, particularly with transporting women’s souls to the afterlife. Irises are a main feature in the 14th key of the Tarot, which corresponds to Sagittarius.

Summer Solstice June 20, 2008

mid-summer evening light

The summer solstice is the moment when the Sun enters Cancer. It’s the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; the longest night in the Southern Hemisphere.

A chart cast for this moment gives us a sense of the tone for the next six months. Because Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the aspects to the Moon in the solstice chart are important. Here, we find the Moon in late Capricorn widely conjunct Jupiter. The Moon is also part of a Yod with Mars in Leo at the apex. Uranus in Pisces is sextile the Moon and is the other planet forming the base of the Yod. The base planets combine to give us innovation and optimism, somewhat at odds with the energetic element in flamboyant Leo. Pursuing creative projects is encouraged, but at the same time, waiting for definitive results before going public is also recommended.

Mars also opposes Neptune, and this aspect underlines the possibility that we will be less than clear about our goals and desires. Neptune can be very high-minded while at the same time being a little weak in the facts department. With Pluto back in Sagittarius and widely trine Mars, the urge to push ahead will be great. Be very careful to double-check all pertinent information before moving ahead with plans.

On the positive side, we have a lovely sextile between Venus, Ceres, and the Sun in Cancer and Saturn in Virgo. Healing, nurturing, and promoting healthy lifestyle changes are all favored and well worth putting energy behind now. Thankfully that rascal Mercury is direct in Gemini, giving mental clarity a boost.

Overall, the path most likely to bring good fortune is to stay with a modest approach rather then trumpeting one’s virtues to all and sundry. There is support for thoughtful, creative ventures benefiting the group as a whole rather than the individual. Being kind is always a good practice and usually generates goodwill. Remember to take time to nurture yourself, too.

Libra loves beautyposted by Neith . . .

Our poll will appear next week . . .

Full Moon in Sagittarius, June 18-19, 2008

Full Moon in JuneThe Full Moon at 28 degrees Sagittarius on June 18 is a powerful one, as it occurs in conjunction with Pluto, recently returned to the sign of the Archer on his retrograde path. Whether on a personal or global scale, the Full Moon-Pluto conjunction ushers in a time of change for many of us, especially those with key planets or chart angles in the late mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces).

Uranus in Pisces forms a T-square with the Full Moon axis, emphasizing the need to clear away the deadwood from our lives. Mars in Leo is still close to the South Node and opposes Chiron and Neptune on the North Node. This ties into the cleansing theme, but because the elements are in harmony with the Full Moon, we may be able to exercise some grace in the manner we choose to do our “housecleaning.”

With fire and air leading the way, there is bound to be lots of discussion of what needs to happen. Jupiter and Saturn are in earth signs, so we have some grounding available but not as much as we had during the Full Moons in May. Be aware that our time for talking will come to an end by the next Full Moon in Capricorn on July 18, when Mars will be in incisive Virgo instead of playful Leo and actions will speak louder than words.

Because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the minor aspects he is making with the nodal axis may prove to have more impact than usual. Jupiter in Capricorn is semi-sextile the North Node and Chiron in Aquarius and inconjunct Mars on the South Node. My intuitive sense says beware of pride and hubris and focus on taking care of business in a matter-of-fact manner.

Venus and Ceres are conjunct in nurturing Cancer and, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, are heralds for the summer solstice on June 20-21. These two powerful symbols of the feminine archetypes in Cancer remind us to acknowledge and cherish that side of ourselves and nurture it in our loved ones. We can take this one step further and pay our respect and appreciation for the bounties of the natural world, too.

The Sabian Symbols for 28 Gemini, a man declared bankrupt, and 28 Sagittarius, a bridge over a beautiful stream, have keywords of “deliverance” and “conservation.” We are offered support during a time of sacrifice and a means of connection between the past and the future. The caution here is to avoid the risk taking associated with the Pluto in Sagittarius years and to appreciate enduring elements of value from the past.

One of the most important things to keep in mind during this Full Moon is that this is the last time Pluto in Sagittarius will play a role in a lunation. The next time we see a Gemini-Sagittarius lunation in late November, Pluto will have moved back into Capricorn for the duration. Re-examine your ethics and ideals now and choose what’s best for you consciously, because our “grasshopper” days are ending and the “ants” will be taking over with Capricorn.

Libra loves beautyposted by Neith . . .

This photo was actually taken June 2007 of the Full Moon in Sagittarius.

Weekly Forecast June 16: Sagittarius Full Moon and Mercury Direct!

Solstice at Stonehenge There’s a lot going on this week, and while we initially may feel disoriented and even a bit sore, we’ll be feeling more settled and comfortable by the weekend.

Mercury is slowing down (that’s what it looks like from down here, anyway) in preparation for returning direct on Thursday. Expect all Mercury ruled activities – including communications, commerce, and traffic flow – to be slow all week. If you need to have an important discussion with someone, hold off until the weekend.

Normally, the Full Moon in Sagittarius would be a time for exchanging big ideas and setting lofty goals, but with Mercury at a dead stop, the energy of this Full Moon will be more subdued. That’s not a bad thing, though. The Moon’s conjunction with the Galactic Core and Pluto (now back in Sagittarius) likely means that we’ll be “beamed” from a higher place, and if we’re too busy talking, we won’t hear the incoming messages. Neith will have more about this lunation shortly.

A few hours before the Full Moon on Wednesday, Venus enters Cancer, with the Sun following on Friday, the Summer Solstice. I was up at 5:30 this morning, unable to sleep because it seemed like the day was in full swing already. These long days are so amazing and such a blessing after the dismal winters we have up here in the northern latitudes. Our readers in Canada, Ireland, and the UK know exactly what I mean (there are lots of you!).

Mars remains on the South Node, opposite Chiron and Neptune. There’s a huge opportunity for healing here, individually and collectively. However, dredging up old stuff is almost always painful, and we may feel tired as the processing takes place. My past two posts on The Pisces Chronicles have addressed this subject. If you haven’t already joined the discussion, come on over. I’d really like to hear how everyone is experiencing this extremely rare transit.

Before entering Cancer, both Venus and the Sun will oppose Pluto, who’s now back in Sagittarius. Both of these oppositions are about power struggles, in different ways. Venus-Pluto transits often correspond to manipulation through sex, while the Sun and Pluto can bring confrontation in general. Not all confrontation is bad, however, as it can clear the air and clarify where you stand with another person. It’s also good for making deep inner changes, so in that regard, it could help us reorient ourselves following our individual and collective healing process.

After all of this, the shift to Cancer will be a welcome relief, like coming home to rest and recuperate after intensive surgery. And once Mercury is direct, we won’t have to waste so much energy on stop-and-go, but can start moving steadily forward.

I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for a little R&R.

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

Image: The Sun rising over Stonehenge on the summer solstice, June 21, 2005. Photo © Andrew Dunn.

Weekly Forecast June 9: Pluto Back in Sagittarius, Friday the 13th

Twin Geminis Ashley and Mary-Kate OlsenI’m feeling all jumbled up, and I’m getting reports that others are, too. It’s hard to maintain our balance when planetary energies are this chaotic.

The week starts out well enough, with Venus conjunct the Sun in Gemini. We feel the love and want to express it, but with Mercury retrograde, our attempts may be clumsy at best. At worst, they backfire, and the person on the receiving end may hear something quite different from what we intended.

The Moon in nitpicky Virgo won’t help. “You could stand to lose a few pounds, but I love you anyway” and similar backhanded compliments obviously aren’t going to go over very well. Resist the urge to be critical, and instead channel that Virgo attention to detail into getting your work week off to an organized start. You’ll be glad you did, especially if you’re on an emotional roller coaster.

Mercury just passed the halfway point through his retrograde cycle and, as Jeff Kishner noted on Astro-Twitter, it’s getting “suckier” by the day. Speaking of which, Twitter appears to have fixed everything but the flash badge, and we can’t get Astro-Twitter back up without it. I can still see your twitters, though, so go ahead and post. Ironically, Neith and I figured out that Twitter was launched during Mercury retrograde. No wonder they’re experiencing so many technical difficulties.

The Chiron/North Node/Neptune conjunction remains active, and this week it will be triggered by planets in Gemini. Self-image and ego both get a boost on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Venus and then the Sun trine Chiron. On Friday and Saturday, Venus and the Sun trine Neptune. Merging with a romantic partner is a powerful experience, and it will be even more positive if we go in with a good sense of who we are.

Friday is the 13th, of course, which is a little eerie, but only because we’re programmed that way. Friday is named for Venus – Freya in the Norse mythology for which our days of the week are named, and the number 13 was sacred in ancient Earth religions. Somehow, we’ve got to retrain ourselves to think of this day as exceptionally lucky!

Also on Friday, Pluto returns to Sagittarius, where he’ll stay until November 26. This is the biggest news of the week. Most people won’t feel this transit individually, but we’ll see the effects on a social and political level. Pluto’s entry into Capricorn in January brought some bad news, especially in global financial markets, and so we should get a brief reprieve, just in time for summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Neith and I both will be writing more about this on our blogs, Neith.net and The Pisces Chronicles.

Sunday is Father’s Day, and there is an intense buildup of energy as Mars conjoins the lunar South Node, exactly opposite Chiron and Neptune on the North Node. Mars rules cutting implements and surgery, and he also represents the universal masculine. Individually and collectively, it’s time to open up old wounds that are deeply embedded in our psyches and to allow toxic energy to drain out. Healing “father issues” could be a common theme.

I’ll have an in-depth post about this on PiChron in a few days for anyone who’s interested. Meanwhile, remember to breathe, and give yourself all the space you need to heal. If you need extra rest, take it and don’t agonize over what’s not getting done. It’ll still be there next week.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Remember, if you need help sorting through challenging life events, Neith and I are here to help. Check out our exclusive forecasts and synastry readings. 

Image: Happy birthday to Gemini twins Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, who celebrate their 22nd birthday this Friday.

Weekly Forecast June 1: New Moon with Mercury Retrograde

Mercury enters his second week of retrograde motion this week as we head into a new lunar cycle.

The New Moon on Tuesday falls at 13 degrees Gemini, just a degree from the point at which Mercury will return direct on June 19. Since Mercury rules this New Moon, you may have to wait a couple of weeks to see any real effects. By then, the Moon will be full and conjunct the Galactic Core, no less. Unfortunately, knowing that positive changes are on the way may not help you keep your cool, as Gemini isn’t known for patience.

It does, however, like to be entertained, so deal with your frustrations by seeing a good movie. Go for a light and fluffy romantic comedy – better still if you own it and won’t have to stand in line or risk a late fee because something unexpected comes up that prevents you from getting the DVD back to the video store on time.

For more on the New Moon, check out the excellent analysis that Neith posted on Saturday.

Meanwhile, I’m hearing about healing crises of all kinds this week, a manifestation of the triple retrograde of Chiron, Mercury, and Neptune. This is powerful medicine, and it tastes awful. You can read more about it in my new post on The Pisces Chronicles.

Venus, Mercury and Cupid

As for Mercury, the little bugger, he’s wreaking havoc in classic retrograde style. Twitter is overloaded, my replacement ATM card didn’t arrive before the old one expired, the bank’s customer service line wasn’t answering, and my last paycheck from my old job got sent to the wrong place. Paperwork for my new job is stuck in bureaucratic purgatory. The ferry system is down yet another boat, so there will be long lines to get off the south end of Vashon for the next two weeks.

There will be plenty more where that came from, so do keep in mind my usual Mercury retrograde caveats: give yourself extra time to travel and accomplish tasks, be prepared to get put on hold and wait in line, keep a close watch on keys and credit cards, and be clear in all of your communications. If there’s a mix-up, don’t bother trying to figure out who’s to blame. Forgive, forget, and move on.

We’ll get some help with the latter courtesy of Venus. On Friday, she forms a snappy sextile with Mars. Sparks ignite when the universal feminine contacts the universal masculine. Whether you’ve got your eye on someone or are single and looking, check out where these two are in your chart. The Sun sextiles Mars mid-week, giving us an energy boost and getting Mars in the mood for his hot date.

Both the Sun and Mercury will conjoin Venus this weekend, providing small opportunities to clear the static and get a good connection. This also would be an ideal time to say “I’m sorry.” It’s amazing how far those two little words will go, and they don’t cost a thing.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Need help making sense of your life? Check out our exclusive forecasts, or contact me for a telephone reading.

Image: Venus, Mercury and Cupid, by Nicolas Chaperon, 1612-1654 (Musée du Louvre, Paris).