Category Archives: Ask Real Astrologers

Ask Real Astrologers: Soul Mates or Karmic Mates?

Looking for Answers My recent Q&A column on soul mates elicited several similar questions, so I’m taking two of them together this week:

I was with my ex for a year but was having doubts and questioning my relationship with him and saw it falling apart. I’m not sure whether he was in my life for a reason, of which I was to learn and keeping growing from, or more of a spiritual growth as I become more aware. I have never felt such deep, devoted love from him, but I do love him so much, from the heart. Could you give me insight on where things are at? Should we be together, or do we need to move on?  ~ Samantha in Hampshire, England

I’ve connected to a man via the internet on a deeply emotional and open channel. I have, however, started to think that what we may have thought to be a romantic connection is actually more a karmic or soul journey. Are you able to connect any dots looking at both our charts? I’m still a novice when it comes to chart reading so would really appreciate any insights you may have.  ~ Sarah in South Africa

Love and spiritual growth go hand-in-hand. It’s no coincidence that more and more people are asking about deep, soul unions as humanity experiences a leap in consciousness. Once again, I will attempt to address what I consider to be one of the most burning issues of our time.

Samantha, there are definite sparks in the synastry chart with the gentleman whose birth data you provided, as well as some of the classic markers for a karmic connection. For example, your Moon is conjunct his lunar North Node, a major indicator of a karmic relationship. There are some positive aspects for a long-term commitment, too, notably his Sun in a tight trine to your Saturn.

However, there are a lot of problem areas in this chart, and it’s readily apparent why you were questioning the relationship. The biggest problem I see is that his Saturn is dead on your Ascendant. This suggests that you were carrying a heavy burden in this relationship, and not by your choice. The burden may have weighed you down so much that it sapped your spirit and sucked the life out of you. Sometimes we agree to carry a karmic burden for another person, but it’s a tough road to follow.

Another problem is that I don’t see much emotional fulfillment in this relationship for you. The love you feel is coming from you. That may be a source of joy, but love needs to be nurtured and fed, or it can’t survive. The fact that you feel such love and devotion is a victory. Not everyone has the capacity to love, so it is a wonderful gift when we are able to feel it so deeply. Spiritual growth and expanding consciousness require an open heart. It appears that this man did that for you, and now it’s time to move on.

Sarah, the first thing that jumps out at me in your chart with your Internet love interest is that his Sun and your Moon are quite close. This is a strong indication of a romantic relationship, and there are other indicators as well. You also have some strong karmic markers, as well as some signs of physical chemistry.

On the not-so-positive side, you have a Venus-Neptune conjunction, and that is a big, red flag that you need to keep your expectations in check, and it sounds like you are. Since his Sun and Saturn are conjunct, that also means your Moon and his Saturn are very close, and this sometimes inhibits the free flow of affection. Or, it’s possible that he’ll get cold feet and not want to meet after all.

I dabbled in Internet dating off and on, so I know the power of the mind connection. Internet attractions can be very emotional and, surprisingly, very sexually stimulating. However, everything changes when you meet in person and begin interacting on a regular basis. I always tell my clients who are having Internet relationships to meet as soon as you possibly can. And, while I hate to be a party pooper, I also tell them to keep their expectations low. Many people do marry after meeting on the Internet, but far more end up disappointed.

You are right to be cautious, Sarah, but I would give this one a chance and see how it goes. There is clearly a karmic lesson involved, and that, at least, is worth exploring further.

For anyone who’s interested, I offer a comprehensive synastry report, with an emphasis on soul connections, since so many people are asking about it these days. Whether you just met or have been married for some time, having your chart done can help you identify where you’ll have the easiest connection and where you may experience some challenges.

Thank you both for writing. I wish you much courage on your journey to love.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. I do read all of your questions, although I am sorry that I can’t answer them all. If you need immediate guidance or in-depth advice, please contact me for a private consultation. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Is This a Bad Time for a Career Move?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Kinja in San Francisco, Calif.:

After having a bad experience in a new job that lasted from November 2009 to February 2010, I started thinking perhaps I should look into other career options. … Is this just a bad time to try new career moves for me? Should I just stick with what I have been doing in the last couple of years?

First of all, Kinja, thank you for resubmitting your question using the e-mail submission form. My Mercury in Capricorn needs to keep the files in order!

As you rightly noted in your e-mail, Neptune currently is opposite your natal Saturn. Because you have Saturn near the Midheaven, this also means that Neptune is on your IC. In effect, you’re getting a double dose of Neptune on your career, so it’s no wonder you’ve had such a difficult time of it lately.

Neptune is a dissolving agent. Just as the relentless pounding of waves wears away rocky cliffs, Neptune transits can break down structures in our lives. An old order is falling away so that something new can take its place. The problem is that the “something new” isn’t immediately apparent. In the meantime, you can feel aimless and disoriented.

Remember, too, that Neptune has been indirectly linked to the Saturn-Uranus opposition of the past two years via an inconjunct with Saturn and mutual reception with Uranus in Pisces. Saturn has been in your tenth house of career, which normally is a good time to achieve professional goals. However, with Uranus in opposition, every time you’ve tried to establish yourself, the rug has been pulled out from under you.

Even if you tried to move into a different career, you probably wouldn’t be much more successful than you’ve been recently, and Neptune transits tend to cloud our judgment and distort our sense of reality. Unfortunately, the outer planets move through the chart slowly, and so these transits last for several months.

In any case, I’m advising my clients not to initiate new ventures until the middle of September, when the cardinal T-square will start to dissipate. Events this summer may take on a life of their own, and if you’re flexible and open to change, you can jump on opportunities that might not be available to you if you’ve already committed to another course of action.

It sounds to me as though something really good is trying to break through in your life. The fog of Neptune may be a blessing in disguise, as it’s forcing you to let go of attachment to a particular outcome so that you can embrace a radically different way of being.

You obviously have a good grasp of astrology, but I always recommend a professional reading, if possible. There are lots of good astrologers in the San Francisco area, and I do readings by phone.

Best of luck to you Kinja, and thanks again for writing.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. I do read all of your questions, although I am sorry that I can’t answer them all. If you need immediate guidance or in-depth advice, please contact me for a private consultation. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Are We Meant To Be Together?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Pam in Florida:

I believe I am in a karmic relationship with a man I am in love with. He is married, although nothing has happened between us and we are only friends. I worked with him and grew to love his soul, and the love I feel is very deep, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I think he feels it, too, although he’s never said anything, but I can tell by the way he looks in my eyes. When the connection happened for me it was absolutely undeniable and I, too, felt like I met “the one.” Am I correct, or is he here only to aid in my growth?

Pam, you’re by no means in a unique situation. This is a question I get asked constantly, and I don’t believe it’s any coincidence that so many people are having this experience at the same time.

Something seems to have shifted in 1999, when we had a powerful eclipse accompanied by a grand fixed cross. Since that time, many of my clients and some of my friends have met a “soul mate” and, as a result, experienced a profound spiritual awakening. For a few people, it happened more than once. In several cases, the soul mate was married or committed to someone else.

So far, none of these people has ended up in a permanent, long-term relationship with the awakener, leading me to conclude that the purpose of these meetings is, as you say, to aid in our spiritual growth.

You didn’t supply the birth data for your love interest, but I am pretty sure it would show a karmic connection, as you clearly are having a karmic experience as a result of this meeting. Without your love interest’s data, it’s hard to know for sure, but I do see a couple of markers in your chart for growth, and so I’m inclined to say that this really is the purpose of your meeting.

Specifically, you have Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in the twelfth house, in a lovely trine with your eighth house Sun in Sagittarius. In addition, transiting Pluto is conjunct your natal Jupiter. Taken together, these transits suggest that you are ripe for a sudden leap in conscious awareness and a spiritual transformation. Embrace it!

As to why so many of us are experiencing an evolution in consciousness through a love experience, it’s not so hard to imagine. I touched on it in a Saturday Extra! post last week. It appears that the planetary shift in progress involves a realignment to bring the divine masculine and divine feminine energies into balance, but there’s a gap we need to bridge before we can unify the polarities. Humanity is a powerful expression of the divine mind, and therefore, I see this collective experience of connecting with an opposite as a sign that we are crossing the bridge.

Thanks for writing, Pam. My wish for you and for everyone is that we connect with that “perfect” other and move forward on our evolutionary path.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” I do read all of your questions, although I am sorry that I can’t answer them all or respond as quickly as you need. If you’d like immediate guidance and in-depth advice, please contact me for a private consultation. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: What Is My Best Choice of Career?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Christoper in Louisville, Kentucky:

Excluding social work (which would require a Master’s Degree – I don’t want to go back to school now), what career would give me the most social status and satisfaction, as indicated by my natal astrology and current transits? My first college degree is in Liberal Arts and my second is in Accounting.

I am getting a lot of career questions these days, and this is a great one, Christopher. Astrology is a useful tool to help determine a suitable career, both in terms of personal satisfaction and material rewards. You obviously know this, or you wouldn’t have asked.

Unfortunately, you didn’t provide a birth time, which is absolutely necessary for an accurate, in-depth career report. But that’s quite alright, because you unintentionally helped me make a point, which is that this type of analysis is a major undertaking with many factors to take into consideration. For example, we’d want to look at the house, sign, and aspects to your natal Saturn, the house and aspects of your Sun, and the sign and position of your tenth house ruler, to name a few.

If you don’t know your birth time, we still can make some observations, but the conclusions will be less reliable.

There is a lot of information out there about career choices by Sun sign. This does work some of the time. I know several Virgo accountants, a few Aries policemen, a couple of Taurus musicians, and a Sagittarius travel agent. But just as you can’t determine astrological compatibility by Sun sign alone, your best career choices are far more complex, too.

So, with all these caveats out of the way, there are a few things I can tell you, Christopher.

First, you have a tight sextile between your Sun and Saturn, indicating that you will find success through sustained effort and hard work. You are responsible and orderly, which might suggest some type of management position, depending on the house positions of your Sun and Saturn. I would also note that Venus in Pisces conjunct Chiron does suggest some type of social work or work in women’s health. This might not be financially lucrative, but it would give you a great deal of satisfaction. The timing for going back to school is something we could determine through house transits — which, again, requires a birth time.

The second thing that jumps out at me is that your natal Jupiter is at 1 degree Aries. This means that your Jupiter is being activated by the cardinal T-square and especially by Saturn in Libra. When we’re going through a Saturn-Jupiter opposition, which happens every 29 years or so, we may find that our opportunities for career advancement are limited. Patience is required, but that’s often what’s most lacking. It’s usually not a good time to start down a new path, but often it’s when life hands us a big course correction. You may find that by fall, a new pathway is lighted for you.

Thanks for writing, Christopher, and best of luck to you.

I’d like to encourage you all to keep sending your questions. I’m sorry I can’t answer them all, but I do read every one of them. If you’re in need of immediate guidance and in-depth advice, please consider contacting me for a private consultation. I do individual forecasts as well as relationship counseling. For career consulations, I offer a few different options, depending on your budget and how much information you want. For clients outside the United States who would like a live reading, I have Skype and Gmail video chat. If you would like more information or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

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

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Is the Cardinal T-Square All Bad?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Stephanie in Springfield, Missouri:

I have read with much interest the predictions being made concerning the state of the world and individuals, with the T-square this summer. I have been expecting my life to become increasingly troubled or stressed, when in fact things are going better than they have for a number of years and keep improving! Am I an odd exception to what’s going on, or are others slated as I seem to be, to not only survive these times but thrive? I hear so much about possible negatives in store and not much about positives. Are there incredible positives coming out of the planetary movements in the coming years?

Great question, Stephanie. As I wrote in a column last month, some people actually may do quite well under this astrological influence, especially people with a lot of cardinal energy in their charts. These folks need action and may have felt stuck during periods over the past several years when we were in fixed energy patterns. They also tend to feel directionless during mutable periods. If you have a lot of cardinal energy in your chart, you likely will welcome the movement that is happening now, even if events are disruptive at times.

Stephanie, note that you do have three cardinal planets, including your Aries Sun, and so you are more than ready to get moving. Fortunately for you, none of these planets is in an early degree of the cardinal signs, nor do you have any chart angles at these degrees. People with personal planets or chart points in early cardinal degrees may have a little more action than they can cope with right now.

A quick look at your chart shows that you don’t even have a hard aspect from any of the T-square planets to personal planets or chart angles. Further, your Scorpio Ascendant also puts transiting Saturn in your tenth house, which is a good place for the career planet. Even in tumultuous times, you’re at the peak of your career, indicated by Saturn’s position at the top of your chart.

You also recently experienced the transit of Jupiter over your natal Moon, which usually is a positive time. Jupiter and Uranus are moving through your fourth house, which may yet provide a few surprises but they could be quite wonderful.

In short, you are out of the line of fire. No doubt, there are others who share your good fortune, so you aren’t alone. It’s quite possible that my perspective is skewed, as most of my clients right now are coming to me because they are experiencing serious challenges, and in most cases, the T-square is complicating matters for them. Also, the majority of questions I’m receiving for this column are from readers whose lives are being impacted in some way by the T-square. If they aren’t being directly challenged, their loved ones are having a hard time.

In any case, you do raise a good point, Stephanie, and I’m glad to be able to pass on your observation to others. I wish you continuing good fortune. Be sure to spread it around!

As I’ve noted before, I’m getting a lot of questions and am not able to answer them all, nor can I answer them fast enough or in the detail that some of you need. If you’re in need of immediate guidance and in-depth advice, please contact me for a private consultation. I do individual forecasts as well as relationship counseling. If you’re outside the United States and would like a live reading, I have Skype and Gmail video chat.

Hang in there, everyone!

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Terrified by the Cardinal T-Square, Help!

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Alison in London, England:

I’ve had my chart done by an astrologer for this summer and I’m now terrified. The exact words were, “Imagine the worst and then more!” So, as you can imagine, I’m really concerned and am wondering if it’s just me this is all going to affect and if there is anything I can do to avoid it. I am a real optimist normally and love change and action, but somehow this is all giving me a real sinking feeling. Help!

Alison, first let me say that I’m sorry you had this experience with astrology. The point of having your chart done shouldn’t be to scare the s%!# out of you. When we see difficult transits coming up — and you do have them — we need to stop, take a deep breath, and ask how we can prepare.

Before I comment on that, though, I’d like to reassure you that the events of this summer are affecting the entire world, not just you. The cardinal T-square, which at times will be a grand cross, is something we haven’t witnessed on this planet since history began. It’s big, and already it’s translating into sweeping events such as the BP oil spew, the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and global financial crises, to name a few. And we’re just getting started…

As for avoiding the effects, that won’t be possible or even desirable. I believe that many of the challenges and conflicts we’ll find ourselves in this summer will help us grow and evolve. We’re on the threshold of bumping up to the next level of human consciousness. The stresses on the planet and on humanity demand that we stop doing business as usual and find new ways of thinking and being. This is our challenge collectively and as individuals.

As for your personal chart, I’m guessing the reason your astrologer made such a dire prediction is that you have a Sun-Mars conjunction in the early degrees of Capricorn, with Mercury and Venus not far away. Pluto currently is moving through the early degrees of Capricorn, and when the planets shift into position this summer, he’ll be at the apex of the cardinal T-square, with Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn in a square. In early August, Venus and Mars will join this powerful alignment.

Simply put, you’re in the thick of the action. However, this isn’t really news. You’ve had Pluto transiting your natal Mars for more than a year already, and we’ve even had two rounds of the Saturn-Pluto square, which occurred in mid-November 2009 and early February of this year. So you’ve already taken a few hits and survived.

Now, there is no doubt that this summer’s aspects are going to be even more intense, and there could be bigger challenges in your life, possibly related to your health or job. However, it’s not a given that something “bad” is going to happen. It may simply be a case of your being forced to make some very big changes in your life, and change by definition can cause us distress, as humans tend to fear the unknown.

Keep in mind that Pluto transits are the worst when we attempt to hang onto people and situations that no longer serve our best interests. Things can really backfire if you try to control others to do your bidding when they would rather not.

I wish you lots of courage, Alison. Please stay in touch and let us know how it goes, OK?

Before I go, I’d like to note once again that I’m getting many questions these days, no doubt because you all are worried about how astrological events this summer will play out for you. It is a difficult time for everyone. I can answer some of your questions here, but if you’re in need of immediate guidance and detailed advice, please contact me for a private consultation. I do individual forecasts as well as relationship counseling. If you’re outside the United States and would like a live reading, I have Skype and Gmail video chat.

Hang in there, everyone!

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Doesn’t Astro-Compatibility Work?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Joyce in Houston, Texas:

I am an Aquarius female. The ‘stars’ say that I am compatible with Libra men. But my relationships with this sign always end up going wrong. What is the problem? We just don’t fit. It makes me believe this astrology is all wrong. Even with Aries, I just don’t connect. They are argumentative, combative, and always have to have the last word. Who I connect with most are Virgo men. Go figure.

Joyce, I love getting questions like this, and I about fell off my chair laughing over your comment about Aries — no offense to Rams. I’ll explain in a minute why you annoy her so much.

First, let me say that there simply is no way to determine astrological compatibility by Sun sign alone. This is so important that I’m going to repeat it:

There is no way to determine astrological compatibility by Sun sign.

So forget this business of Aquarius gets along with Libra and Gemini. As a fellow Aquarian, I can tell you that Libra is not my first choice for a romantic partner, either.

Astrological compatibility is actually quite a complicated affair. There are two popular techniques, the composite method and synastry.

The composite uses midpoints between each planet in the two individual natal charts to create one new relationship chart. Synastry involves comparing the positions of the planets, houses, and some mathematical points in the first person’s chart with those in the second person’s chart. I use synastry almost exclusively in my compatibility reports.

Joyce, the first thing we have to do is to look at your natal chart. You were born early in the morning, making you a Rising Capricorn. Your Moon is in early Gemini, your Venus is in Capricorn, and your Mars is in Scorpio. The Moon tells us how you relate to another person emotionally. Venus and Mars, the love planets, tell us what pleases you, how you give and receive affection, and what turns you on in bed.

Aries and Libra conflict with your Capricorn Venus and Ascendant. Moreover, your Saturn is in Libra, and that means that an Aries or Libra Sun, depending on the degree, could be in direct conflict with your Saturn. An Aries Sun opposite your Saturn in Libra definitely would rub you the wrong way, unless he had other qualities that were so enticing that you could forgive his always having the last word . . . say, if he had Mars in Virgo.

In your natal chart, Virgo makes up most of the eighth house, which is the sector pertaining to primal passion and animal magnetism. When a partner’s key planets (Sun or Mars, for instance) fall in your eighth house, you find him very sexy! In addition, Virgo forms a harmonious trine with your Ascendant and your Venus in Capricorn. Planets past 10 degrees of Virgo work better for you; otherwise they clash with your Gemini Moon.

Of the two Libra gentlemen whose birth data you supplied, I’m guessing that the first had a certain amount of sex appeal, but the arguments got to be too much, and there was a constant undercurrent of power struggles. Still, it might have had some possibilities. The second guy has more red flags than China.

I hope that revives your faith in astrological compatibility, Joyce. Done right, it can identify where a couple connects the best and where they need to work. More and more people are asking me these days about karmic connections, and synastry is quite handy for this, as well.

For those of you who have sent questions and still haven’t seen an answer, I get dozens of questions a week and am very sorry that I can’t answer them all. I try to pick a good cross section, and I tend to pick questions that other readers may identify with. I’d like to reiterate that if you are facing serious challenges and need personal guidance, please consider contacting me for a private consultation.

Keep those e-mails coming!
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: What Changes Will Uranus in Aries Bring?

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Ellen in British Columbia, Canada:

The subtle surprises and wonderful changes that I’m experiencing now, will they intensify with Uranus in Aries, and what advice can you give me that will help me through this bumpy period? (Yes I will be wearing a seat belt and a helmet.)

Ellen, as you correctly noted in your message to me, your Ascendant is 24 degrees Aries. So although Uranus is in Aries as of yesterday (May 27), he will not enter your first house until 2016, at which point the seat belt and helmet will be required gear.

This is definitely a case in which knowing your chart can help you plan. Most people only know their Sun sign, although these days, more and more people know their Rising signs and even Moon signs, which of course is very gratifying for us astrologers!

Unfortunately, that means that when you read an online horoscope, you can end up confused. Even the good ones sometimes make general statements about what a planet entering your sign means, when it really depends on the degree. As I explained in a recent column on cardinal signs, degree does matter in this cardinal T-square.

That said, your Midheaven and IC (the cusps of the tenth and fourth houses) are 11 degrees Capricorn and Cancer. So as the planets in cardinal signs move toward these degrees, you may notice some developments in your career and home life.

Also, we’re currently in a series of eclipses in Capricorn and Cancer, and this may be the driving influence in those bumps you’re feeling. The solar eclipse on July 11 will be in your fourth house, which rules home and family, and it will be in a square with your Ascendant and Descendant, which could put some pressure on your close relationships.

On the bright side, Jupiter is about to enter Aries as well, and he moves much faster than Uranus. It takes him only about a year to move through an entire sign, so you’ll have some of Jupiter’s protection beginning next year.

That’s not to say you aren’t feeling any effects of Uranus in Aries at all. Those subtle surprises may be an expression of Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in your twelfth house. Transits through this house do tend to be less noticeable, but, as you point out, they can be quite wonderful, too.

I hope that helps make sense for you, Ellen, and thanks for writing.

In general, I’d like to repeat that we’re all going through changes as the cardinal T-square builds toward a peak in early August. The questions coming into my box for this column are increasing in number and desperation. Some of the messages I’ve received are truly heartbreaking. This configuration of planets is far too complex, and there are way too many variables, for me to be able to tell you in a few short paragraphs how it will affect your entire life. If you are facing serious challenges and need guidance, please consider contacting me for a personal consultation.

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

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: What’s Ahead for Us Cardinal People?

Looking for AnswersI’m addressing two questions together this week, since they essentially are asking the same thing.

Libra is in my ninth and tenth house, and my first house is Capricorn. Over the past 15 months I have fallen on hard times and in the past few weeks things have picked up. What I don’t understand is this T “zone” and what it means. I was hoping that you could explain a little. — Kaye, Las Vegas, Nev.

I read about all the T-squares and cardinal stuff occurring. I am concerned and confused about my whole life — relationship, business, etc., because I am primarily cardinal. How does this affect individuals like me with all this square stuff during this timing? — “Henry,” Cotopaxi, Colo.

Kaye and Henry, before I answer your questions, let me clear up some of the confusion by explaining what a cardinal T-square is.

The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into three qualities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. A T-square occurs when planets occupy three signs within one quality. If all four signs are occupied, then it’s called a grand cross.

Since Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, there has been a build-up of planets in the cardinal signs. We are approaching a powerful T-square in 2010 and 2011, with Pluto at the apex. Uranus and Jupiter are about to enter Aries, and they will oppose Saturn in Libra this summer (Saturn is currently retrograde back in Virgo). There will be some periods this year and next when the early degrees of Cancer also are activated, and so the T-square then becomes a grand cross.

As I wrote in a recent article on the cardinal build-up of 2010 and 2011, such alignments are rare, and when they occur, dramatic events unfold here on Earth. The nature of cardinal energy is dynamic and very active, which is why astrologers are warning of sweeping change ahead.

Anyone with personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) or chart angles (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, and IC) in the early degrees of the cardinal signs will be particularly touched by this planetary pattern in the sky. And that may be just as well, because cardinal people need action, and you haven’t been getting nearly enough in the past several years. To the contrary, many of you have been feeling very stuck.

Kaye and Henry, you are among the many “cardinal people” who will be heavily affected by this configuration. Some of what develops for you will be surprisingly positive, even though the breadth of the changes may cause you a lot of stress.

Kaye, as you correctly stated, your Ascendant is not Capricorn, but as a late Rising Sagittarius, you have a first house that is almost entirely Capricorn. That means your seventh house is Cancer. As you noted, you have Libra on the Midheaven. The apex of the T-square, Pluto, currently is moving through your first house. I’m guessing that things started to break down in your life when Pluto crossed your Ascendant in late 2006. You are going through a sweeping transformation.

A big factor in this year’s cardinal buildup is the eclipse series in Capricorn and Cancer. When they fall in our first and seventh houses, as they do for you, Kaye, it may suddenly feel as though something or someone else has taken control of our lives and is pushing us in a particular direction. While this may seem like too much disruption all at once, it gets you to a new place a lot faster. You just have to grit your teeth and withstand the G-force.

Believe it or not, you are approaching a career peak, which will happen toward the end of this year or the middle of 2011.

Henry, as a late-degree Rising Cancer, you won’t feel the deep personal impact that Kaye is experiencing. Rather, you will notice this buildup most in your career and home life. With Uranus and Jupiter about to cross your Midheaven, there is the potential for a sudden professional opportunity.

However, at the same time, you may face restrictions in your home life, or a situation with your home and family may come into direct conflict with your career. These constraints will continue for a couple of years, so you may have to put up with less-than-desirable living arrangements in order to advance your professional standing. Try to keep in mind during these challenges that you are working toward building a more-solid foundation under your life.

Thanks you both for writing. Have courage, and let us know how it goes.

I’d like to add that just about everyone is going to feel the effects of this T-square, even if it’s not as disruptive as the changes that people like Kaye and Henry are going through. While I am able to answer some of your questions in this column, it can’t be a substitute for a complete reading. If you are facing serious challenges that affect all areas of your life and need guidance, please contact me for a private consultation. Others have taken the leap and were very happy they did.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

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Ask Real Astrologers: Double Pluto Transit Brings Intense Urges

Looking for AnswersThis week’s question comes from Karen in Alberta, Canada:

I just turned 45 and am feeling the strongest urges from within (my soul) to get a move on, to change, to evolve, to make use of my time and gifts. Yet, I’m feeling guilty about leaving my husband, who is not interested in anything spiritual or educational. I am happy in the moment but feel the push to go. What is going on?

Karen, you’ve got way too much going on in your chart for me to respond to it all here. Indeed, you could be a poster child for the cardinal T-square, which I will address in more detail in next week’s column. All four of your chart angles are in cardinal signs, with the Midheaven at 4 degrees Capricorn. Your Moon is at 5 degrees Cap.

Currently, Pluto is transiting these degrees. Pluto on your Moon is extremely disruptive emotionally, and it’s why you are feeling such strong stirrings in your soul. Moreover, with Pluto on the Midheaven, you are questioning the entire direction of your life. This is natural.

Both of these Pluto transits are marked by sweeping changes in a person’s life, including the breakdown of situations that no longer serve you and the end of unfulfilling relationships. Do not try to force any changes, but remain as open as possible to this powerful experience and let it take you to a new place. Also, try to understand the metamorphosis taking place within yourself first, and then address external circumstances.

I normally don’t reveal the questioner’s age, but since you mentioned it, I will comment that you were born during the last Saturn-Uranus opposition, which took place in the mid-1960s amid extreme political and social upheaval. You and others born in this time period are intimately familiar with that feeling of having one foot on the gas pedal and the other on the brakes. Or, put another way, whenever you attempt to spread your wings and fly, there always seems to be something holding you back.

I strongly urge you to get a thorough astrological reading. I do consultations over the phone, but if you’d rather work with someone in person, check your locale for a competent professional who can guide you through this period of intense change.

I realize that this is a stressful time for you. However, you’re standing at an open door to many new opportunities, and that is very exciting. Best of luck to you, and keep us posted.

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Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact me, or I won’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth,