Category Archives: Saturday Extra!

Uranus in Aries: Acting To Change the World

Uranus, ruler of electricity. Power lines extend from Grand Coulee Dam into the far distance. ©Pat Paquette.

Uranus, the planet we associate with rebellion, innovation, and change, is in Aries as of Thursday, May 27. We won’t get far into pioneering territory before he turns retrograde and returns to Pisces for several months, but we’ll have a chance to explore and experiment.

Simply put, Pisces is about dreaming, imagining, and reflecting. Aries is about doing. We’ve had seven years to reflect on our dreams and visions for the future, how we want our world to be. Uranus in Aries now asks, “So what are you going to do about it?”

Pisces is, among other things, about our beliefs. Ruled by Neptune, Pisces can be wonderfully imaginative and spiritual or totally delusional. Blind faith falls within this category. There are many forms of blind faith. Usually we think of it in terms of organized religion, but it can apply equally to blind faith in our government, blind faith in our societal values, and blind faith in our political and economic system.

How many people do you know who say they have faith in the system, just not the current elected officials who are running it? At some point, we’re going to need to realize that it just isn’t working, and then what?

The 29th degree of every sign is sensitive, but this is particularly true for the 29th degree of Pisces, the last degree of the zodiac and known as the “weeping degree.” Venus stationed there last year after a retrograde period in Aries, sensitizing this degree even further. It was a special moment in time, when Susan Boyle created an overnight sensation with a song about a broken dream.

As Uranus crossed 29 degrees Pisces, protests were rampant in the euro zone, and oil gushed unchecked into the Gulf of Mexico from BP’s well a mile under the surface. What beliefs are we being asked to sacrifice? If you don’t have an answer yet, you’ll know by March 11, 2011, when Uranus re-enters Aries for a seven-year stint, much of which will be in a politically volatile square with Pluto in Capricorn.

In the ingress chart set for Washington D.C., Ceres is rising, conjunct Pluto and square Uranus, Jupiter and Saturn. This suggests that the biggest issue for the United States will involve the environment. Set for Brussels, the ingress chart has 13 Aries on the Ascendant, with Ceres and Pluto on the Midheaven. This also suggests issues of food supply and an impending environmental crisis.

As much as we’d like to blame BP for this disaster and force them to pay, that will not solve the underlying problem. The way the scenario is playing out, BP may be sacrificed (but more likely not) so that oil drilling and the obscene profits being reaped by oil companies at the expense of the environment can go forward unimpeded. If you watched President Obama’s press conference on May 27, you know this to be true. He said BP would pay, but offshore oil drilling would continue.

We are dependent on fossil fuels, period. And exploiting fossil fuels has dire environmental consequences. That is a fact. We are addicted and disempowered. How will we reclaim that power and remake the world according to our vision of love, joy, and abundance? Is it even possible? Should we even try? Or should we adjust our beliefs to be more “realistic?” Should we accept that we can’t meet our material needs without lasting, long-term damage to our food chain and life-support system? Will we keep searching for some technological fix (also the realm of Uranus) to make it possible to have all of this and a clean environment, too? When, exactly, can we expect that to happen?

Uranus in Aries requires us to act, and I would add that we’re at a point in the evolution of human consciousness when it’s imperative that we act in accordance with our values. Some people will take this as their cue to participate in mass demonstrations. That’s not inappropriate, and it’s probably inevitable. For the next five years, Uranus will remain in a close square with Pluto, suggesting massive political unrest. As I mentioned above, this unrest is likely to be related to the breakdown of the environment and food supply chain.

However, limiting your actions to political protests is a bit like going to church on Sunday and then acting wantonly the rest of the week, without regard to whether you’re being kind and maintaining your integrity. Acting must include changing our fundamental beliefs to shift into a different way of living and being.

This can’t happen overnight. But it’s something to start working on while we’re working to change the world.

Saturday Extra: The Cardinal T-Square and Immigration Law

Riot police at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix. Photo by Ross D. Franklin for The Associated Press.

Arizona’s new illegal-immigration law and the protests it unleashed stand out as an early indicator of how events will unfold during the cardinal T-square of 2010 and 2011.

Gov. Jan Brewer signed the law on April 23, just as Saturn and Uranus were approaching exact opposition in Virgo and Pisces, the fourth contact since November 2008. It is scheduled to go into effect in late July or early August, right around the fifth and last opposition of Saturn and Uranus on July 26.

By that time, both planets will be in early cardinal signs, in a tight square with Pluto. We can expect more protests, possibly more violent, and the federal government likely will intervene as well.

Of course, Mercury also was retrograde at the signing, and that makes it more likely that there will be changes, if the law isn’t repealed altogether. But even if it is, powerful forces have been set in motion that will continue to play out until 2012 and beyond.

The new law makes it a punishable crime to be in the United States illegally and gives police in Arizona the power to stop and question people they suspect of being illegal immigrants. The backlash was swift and severe. According to news reports, protestors stormed the state capitol and drew comparisons with Nazi Germany.

Gov. Brewer, a Republican in a historically conservative state, said the law was needed because the federal government wasn’t doing enough to fight illegal immigration and lawlessness along the border with Mexico. Other states are considering similar measures.

The Obama administration reportedly is considering a legal challenge. Many civil rights groups also are threatening to sue, saying that the law will lead to racial profiling and harassment of Hispanics and anyone who looks like one. From there, it’s only one step to legal authority to stop anyone, for any reason or no reason at all. If it seems like we’re on a slippery slope toward a police state (many people argue that we’re already there), it’s not just paranoia.

Once Saturn and Uranus move into action-oriented cardinal signs this summer and form a close square with Pluto, the playing field will expand. It’s likely that the federal government will intervene at that time. In a T-square, the planet at the apex takes the “heat.” Pluto will be squared not just by Saturn and Uranus, but simultaneously by Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. Immigration and legal issues fall under the provenance of Jupiter, which was approaching conjunction with Uranus when the law was signed.

But what does Pluto in Capricorn represent? The “conventional” interpretation is that it’s about Big Government and Big Business. If so, the situation in Arizona — as well as other protests breaking out around the world — may be an early test of this power.

That said, we must take care in connecting the various astrological players in this unfolding celestial drama to earthly counterparts. For example, it’s tempting to assign Uranus to the Democrats and Saturn to the Republicans, but that would be an error in our thinking. The planets in signs represent forces of nature, which express themselves through humans and through the Earth herself.

Here’s something else to think about: As long as Pluto is checked by Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Aries, we may be under surveillance but not under totalitarian control. That could well change in 2012, when Saturn enters Scorpio and begins to “cooperate” with Pluto, through both a friendly sextile and mutual reception.

At that point, the people may be on their own to battle the combined forces of business and government, and our definitions of “conservative” and “liberal” may become totally meaningless.

Pat

Saturday Extra! Chasing Nibiru

Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal showing stars, planets, and signs of the zodiac. Note the Pleiades in the upper right corner.

Rossa’s question last week about the possibility of a brown dwarf in our solar system raised the subject of Nibiru, which, depending on whom you talk to, is the still-to-be-discovered Planet X, a planet on a doomsday collision course with Earth, or home to extraterrestrials.

In an attempt to discover how these stories started, I did a little digging and found some interesting facts about Nibiru, which is mentioned in ancient Sumerian astronomical texts. And therein lies the rub. The texts are confusing, and, of course, that leaves the door wide open to interpretation, some of them quite fanciful.

What fascinated me most was the description of Nibiru as a crossing point or gateway. This suggests that Nibiru was not an actual body, but a location in space or perhaps some kind of a time marker. Even when Sumerian astronomers refer to Nibiru as “Marduk’s star,” they simply may be noting the location of one of the five known planets (Marduk was a god in the Sumerian mythology and probably linked with one of the planets and perhaps a constellation, just as we associate Jupiter and Sagittarius).

Part of the problem, as I see it, is that the Sumerians often wrote in poetic language filled with symbolism, not necessarily to be taken literally. Further, Sumerian language scholars tend not to be well-versed in astrology and don’t understand what they’re reading. They can translate the words, but the resulting text makes no sense.

I would love to see a detailed study of these texts performed by someone skilled both in astrology and ancient Sumerian languages. If there is no one on the planet with that skill set, then a collaboration would be the next-best solution. But that is highly unlikely, as academics are among the first people to dismiss astrology as superstitious pseudoscience.

Think of the knowledge we’re missing because of this prejudice.

Pat

Saturday Extra: Saturn Square Pluto and Relationship Pitfalls

This topic just won’t leave me alone. New thoughts keep creeping up from the depths of my twelfth-house Mercury in Scorpio and asking to be shared, perhaps because controlling behaviors (Pluto) can devastate our one-on-one relationships (Libra).

The second exact square between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn takes place January 31, another reason this subject in on my mind. Pluto in Capricorn has a strong need to be seen as the top dog in any given situation, while Saturn in Libra keeps reminding him of the importance of fairness and equity. The potential for conflict between these ideas is quite apparent. If we insist on being in control, it is darn hard to practice fairness and equity, isn’t it?

The beauty of the square between planets is how sharply the qualities of the signs involved are brought into focus. Supporting the potential for clarity with the current Saturn-Pluto square in Libra and Capricorn is the fact Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler, is exalted in Libra. Most of us who have worked with modifying behaviors know how important it is to be patient and forgiving of ourselves, because it is a process, often taking many years of vigilance – how Saturn is that! Pluto offers us the strength to go deep, deep into the dark corners of our beings and turn on the lights. From personal experience, I know how what appeared to be a huge monster in the dark can be reduced to something manageable in the light. Truly.

Often the tricky part is not learning to see controlling behaviors in others, but acknowledging it in ourselves. It’s time to look in the mirror, into our own eyes and say, “Yes, I did and do behave like that.” That is the first step. For those of us with Pluto dominating our charts, the next step is often the need to dig around in our emotional basements and figure out why we are driven to control our interactions with others. This is an ongoing, often frustrating but ultimately freeing experience. One of the best sources for help in this area can be found at Donna Cunningham’s blog, Sky Writer. She has many resources listed on her sidebar worth exploring.

Between now and August 21, when Saturn and Pluto meet for their third and final square, we will have plenty of reminders and opportunities to learn more about this topic. In other words, it is not going away any time soon. Fun, huh?! :::grin:::

posted by Diane . . .

Image: I couldn’t resist the obvious metaphor of the return of the light on a winter’s dawn and the new beginnings possible after lighting up the dark places within each of us.

Saturday Extra! Some Thoughts on Right Use of Astrology

Image: Timed exposure of the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini for Agence France-Presse.

With Mars retrograde in my seventh house and Mercury still not out of post-retrograde shadow, I’m constantly reminded of the “right use” of astrology.

For many people, astrology is a method of predicting what will happen to them. For sure, an astrologer can detect patterns and predict some events or, at least, a range of possibilities. But this is a limited use of a powerful tool that can do so much more.

If you’re a regular visitor here, you know that I’m a big proponent of using astrology to identify the energy currents flowing through our material world at any given time. It’s akin to predicting the weather. When we know that a high-risk period is on the way, we can choose to adjust our behavior accordingly.

For example, although it’s rarely a good idea to blurt out uncensored thoughts and react to situations without thinking first, such behavior can have far-reaching consequences during retrograde periods and some planetary transits. Having a difficult discussion while Mercury is retrograde can permanently damage a relationship.

It takes restraint, and it takes work. The planets can’t do that part for us. They are indicators, that’s all. And yes, when Mars is in my seventh house, opposite my Sun, there is going to be a real temptation to get in a heated argument, but approached with the right frame of mind, this type of discussion can be highly productive.

In a consultation this week, I was looking at the synastry of two people and noticed an aspect indicating a severe barrier to communications that, without attention, could cause the relationship to collapse. I explained that it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that this aspect was a deal-breaker and would lead to arguments, but that both people had a choice of maintaining awareness and working on good communications, or of ignoring the problem until it was too late.

Ultimately, this approach to astrology is empowering. It gives you the power to be proactive, and it helps you prepare for situations in which you may have to react quickly.

Even for me, the astrologer, it’s always good to have this reminder from time to time, and so I pass it on to you in the hopes that it will help you find more happiness and fulfillment.

Much love and many blessings,
Pat

Saturday Extra! 2010: The Year of Living Spiritually

For years, astrologers have been writing about what a big year 2010 is going to be. Well, now it’s here. So what are we going to do about it?

“Do about it?” you might ask. “What’s to do? It’s not as though we can do anything about planetary transits.”

True enough. But there is plenty we can do, and time’s a-wasting.

If you’ve kept up here and on other astrology blogs, you know that the defining quality of 2010 is the cardinal T-square, which briefly becomes a cardinal grand cross mid-year. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. These are the initiators of change. In short, it needs action. No sitting around talking about it or researching it to death. As the Nike ad says, “Just Do It!”

Diane had a great post on New Year’s Day on the meaning for each of us personally. As a cardinal sign living with a heavily cardinal partner, she is well-versed in this type of energy!

As 2010 begins, we have two outer planets in cardinal signs, Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn. The Sun, Venus, and Mercury also are in Capricorn, along with the lunar North Node, which determines the signs and timing of eclipses. As it so happened, we had a lunar eclipse in Cancer on New Year’s Eve. That means we experienced a very brief cardinal T-square, a taste of things to come.

Saturn will go back into Virgo in April, but he returns to Libra on July 21. In the meantime, both Jupiter and Uranus enter Aries, and the Sun enters Cancer at the solstice, with a lunar eclipse in early Capricorn on June 26 and a solar eclipse in Cancer on July 11. It’s a veritable windmill of change.

Exactly what those changes will be, who knows? Who could have predicted 9/11 and the far-reaching consequences? In the next few years, we are likely to witness mass upheaval that could be political, social, ecological, geological, or inter-planetary — maybe all of the above. It’s just as likely that we could experience major breakthroughs in consciousness and spirituality, perhaps as a result of global crises.

Now, back to the question of what you can do …

I believe that the biggest change any of us can make as individuals is to start living more spiritually. By that, I don’t mean sitting in a lotus position for 20 minutes a day or joining a drumming circle. My definition of “spiritual” is learning to recognize and work with the invisible energies that are constantly flowing through the material realm.

Astrology is one of the best tools we have to identify these energies. In my forecast every week, I tell you what the planets are doing and interpret how these celestial indicators can manifest in our daily lives. I also give you information on how to work with them, especially the more difficult transits such as we’re experiencing right now with Mercury and Mars both retrograde.

For example, when Mercury is retrograde, we know that there’s a higher risk of miscommunications. Yet, knowing this isn’t enough. It’s up to you to adjust your behavior and expectations accordingly.

Once you begin to work with these unseen energies, your manner of interacting with the world and everyone in it will begin to change. We can repeat over and over that we’re all connected, but it’s another matter to feel it deeply in your soul. If you don’t, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a failure. You just need to learn, and that takes practice. I often liken it to learning to ride a bike.

I also would encourage you to simplify your life to the extent possible. Much of what comes will be outside our control, but we’ll be better able to respond if we’re more flexible. It’s a personal belief of mine that we are better able to tap into the realm of the unmanifest if we lighten our material load. But that’s another topic for another day.

In the meantime, I wish you a New Year filled with wonder and love.
Pat

P.S. I’ve been working on this video for two days, no thanks to Mercury Rx. That whirring noise is the dysfunctional fan in my laptop. There’s nothing I can do about it for now, but I’m investigating some potential fixes.

Welcome to 2010 – A Cardinal Year

When Saturn moved into the cardinal sign of Libra last fall, joining Pluto in cardinal Capricorn, it signaled the beginning of the shift to cardinal dominance of the outer planets. By mid-year 2010, both Jupiter and Uranus will spend some time in the most cardinal sign of all, Aries, before moving back into Pisces one last time.

What does this mean? For one thing, taking action will be the preferred mode of response as opposed to the endless discussions of the years when both Saturn and Pluto were in the mutable signs, Virgo and Sagittarius, along with Uranus in Pisces. My very Aries spouse will always chose to do something, even if it’s wrong, over sitting around talking about it. I happen to go along with this, because both my Sun and Moon are in Libra, and one of my pet peeves is listening to people moan about what’s wrong with their lives but refusing to take one step in any direction to change their situation.

All of you with your Sun in Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn will understand the need for prompt action. Even if your chart has plenty in fixed and mutable signs, in your heart of hearts, you understand why doing something is better than doing nothing. Gemini folk likely will be happy, too, because anything new and different is OK in their book. The same could be said of Sagittarius, as they are generally open to new experiences.

It’s the fixed signs who could be thrown the most by this shift – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius – because they are not crazy about changes of any sort unless they have direct control over it. Don’t be surprised if you hear grumbling from that contingent.

The other two mutable signs, Virgo and Pisces, may wish everyone would have given more time to discussion, especially meticulous, earthy Virgo, but they tend to be adaptable and, like their mutable Gemini cousins, enjoy watching change unfold. Another factor is that all the mutable people got hit pretty hard during the years Saturn was in Virgo opposing Uranus in Pisces, and having the focus shift away from them may be a relief. (Note: There is one final opposition on April 26, 2010, between Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces at 28°.)

The number of planets in cardinal signs will ebb and flow over the course of 2010, but we may as well get accustomed to this energy, because 2011 will bring Jupiter and Uranus in Aries, Saturn in Libra, and Pluto in Capricorn. My take is that where we saw grumbling in dissatisfaction before, we will see people taking direct action from here forward. We all need to sharpen our listening skills and be prepared to respond quickly or suffer the consequences!

Good fortune and bon voyage!

posted by Neith . . .

Image: Transition zone. Pat shot this photo recently on a rainy day at Ocean Shores, WA. There is something very special about the transition zone where the ocean meets the land — one of my favorite places to walk ever. This image also is a reminder that change is random and uncontrollable, yet it is constant and the one thing we can count on. Photo by Pat Paquette, all rights reserved.

Saturday Extra! Oh, What a Time for Mercury Retrograde

My HP Pavilion prefers hanging out with lemons, since it is one.

The day after Christmas is the biggest gift return day of the year. With Mercury stationed retrograde, I don’t even want to think about the lines at customer service.

Not even the promise of after-Christmas sales could lure me anywhere near a shopping mall today — especially not with Mercury stationed retrograde. The lines will be long and traffic gnarled beyond the usual stop-and-go. And with Mars now retrograde, you can bet that tempers are going to flare. Already I’ve heard several reports of honking horns, squealing tires, and cutting in line.

Retailers desperate to end the year solidly in the black are offering great deals on their entire stock. I know you’ll be tempted, but remember that Mercury retrograde is not the time to make major purchases. The exception will be if you’re replacing something that’s broken. Even though “return” starts with an “re” — activities normally acceptable during Mercury retrograde — I’d wait until the middle of January to exchange unwanted gifts.

As many of you know, my laptop went belly up a few weeks ago. It wasn’t even three years old. I didn’t have control over the purchase, as a third party helped me purchase and program it for some contract work I was doing at the time. I begged them not to order while Mercury was retrograde, but I was talking to a wall. They thought I was being ridiculous.

Predictably, I’ve had nothing but problems with this machine. It wasn’t delivered on-time. The programming was screwed up. Programs that were supposed to have been installed weren’t, or there were errors. There were connectivity issues. I was tearing my hair out and burst into tears of frustration more than once. (Apparently I wasn’t alone; others who bought the first machines using Vista were similarly upset.)

When I took my computer to the repair shop, the technician rolled his eyes the instant he saw the make and model number. My HP Pavilion evidently is one of a few series made in 2007 that was recalled due to problems with the motherboard. Fortunately, here in the Seattle area, I was able to find a shop with the special equipment required for the delicate repair, but problems apparently remain, and the prognosis isn’t good.

I’ll probably need a new laptop sometime in the next year. If you do succumb to the deep discounts in the next few weeks, at least don’t buy any electronic equipment. If you do, keep all the receipts and opt for the extended warranty. The extra cost will be well worth it.

I’ll have more in my weekly forecast. In the meantime, I hope you can enjoy a quiet holiday weekend and find some of the joy and peace of the season.

Pat

Saturday Extra! Going Retro with Mars in Leo

Leg warmers I’ve been invited to a birthday party this evening with an 80s theme. How ironic to have a party with a retro theme, the night before Mars turns retrograde in Leo, the party sign that loves flash and glitter.

What’s more, Mars is opposite Jupiter, lord of everything big and over-the-top. That pretty much sums up fashion in the 80s … which, as I recently discovered, has made a dreaded comeback.

I searched for some astrological reason that we might be returning to the years of Ronald Reagan, supply side economics, Big Oil, and big hair. Maybe Jupiter conjunct Neptune? Beats me. I did find out that Mars in Leo was opposed to Jupiter in Aquarius in 1985. The opposition was exact at 11 degrees on August 11, with Mars direct and Jupiter retrograde. Could that be significant? I’ll have to think about it, after I’ve figured out what to wear tonight.

Part of the deal is that everyone has to come in 80s attire. Never mind that the birthday girl is turning 30 and probably doesn’t remember much of the 80s.

Then, neither do I. In an attempt to keep my life simple and uncluttered, I have not saved a single item of clothing from the 80s. Heck, I barely remember what I wore back then. As a 20-something, I should have been following all the latest trends. I can say with certainty that I never owned a pair of leg warmers, fishnet stockings, or jewelry with crosses. I did, however, wear large earrings and gargantuan shoulder pads (they balanced out my wide butt), and I was thoroughly guilty of big hair and blue eye shadow.

Since that was what actually what I wore, I decided to start there for my party costume. My first stop was Granny’s Attic, the place to shop on Vashon, where we’ve got this recycle thing down. There are two shops on Vashon where you can buy new clothing and three thrift shops. On any given Saturday, Granny’s has a long line at the cash register, which isn’t true for most retail stores these days.

For $5.50, I found a warm-up jacket in pale yellow parachute silk with big, puffy shoulder pads. I put it on and howled. It just screams 80s. I came home all smug and happy … until I started thinking about what to wear with it. It probably came with matching parachute pants, and the original buyer might have dressed it up with heels or down with Reeboks.

Reeboks! Yes, I had a pair of those, the high-tops with the Velcro straps. They still make them, and you can buy them online. I ordered a pair and kept my fingers crossed that they’d arrive on time and would fit. You know, Mercury in shadow, Mars about to go retrograde. It’s enough to make an astrologer bite off all her nails before painting them torrid fuchsia.

I envisioned leggings and a short jean skirt to cover my hips. Since the 80s are allegedly back, I figured I could just walk into Nordstrom and find legwarmers. Meanwhile, I researched the hair and makeup. For that, I Googled Dallas, Dynasty, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. Flame red spikes are out of the question, but a couple of twisted bandanas and a lot of mousse and hairspray should do the trick. Oh, and I’ll need an eye shadow duo in blue and orange, and “wet look” lip gloss.

With my list in hand, I ventured into the city. There wasn’t a pair of legwarmers to be had anywhere. No skirt, either. Lots of leggings. I tried them on alone. No, no, no. After three hours of shopping and a four-hour roundtrip commute, I came home with a pair of large leopard-print hoop earrings and a couple of bracelets.

A week went by, and I was starting to panic. Rather than leggings and a skirt, I thought about a Plan B: tapered jeans and slouch socks. I ventured into the city again. Two hours and two dozen pairs of jeans later, I found a pair that fit. Almost. They’re too short, but I’ll just roll them up and show off my vintage shoes.

Legs and butt covered, I shifted to cosmetics. In the past two years, I’ve bought a couple of eyeliner pencils and some Burt’s Bees colored lip balm. All of the makeup I own fits into a four-by-six-inch pouch. I went to three separate stores, none of which had exactly what I needed. Exasperated, eyes glazed over, I had to make a decision or I’d miss the last bus to the ferry.

It was late when I got home, but I just had to see how everything looked together. As I was pushing back the elasticized sleeves on the jacket, I heard a rip. The fragile fabric was torn in two spots near the elbow, and when I inspected it more closely, discovered that the fabric casing over the elastic was disintegrating!

I spent part of yesterday back at our thrift stores, looking for alternatives, but nothing worked. So, I told myself, I will go the party with a disintegrating jacket, and that’s that. I’ll bet no one even will notice.

I also told myself that there was a lesson here and even more irony. The 80s were about rabid consumption. Like everyone else in that era, I spent money freely and carelessly. I had more stuff than space to put it. I worked long hours and wrecked my health to make money so I could buy even more stuff. Life was cluttered and complicated. It’s no wonder that 80s fashion reflected that.

To accessorize my $5 “bargain” jacket, I’d spent nearly $150, even though I was very selective and bought everything on sale.

I took a deep breath and made sure I wrote my abundance check when I got home. I also vowed that, after the party, I will give the extraneous makeup to some friend’s teenagers and donate my unwanted clothes to Granny’s, which gives the proceeds to the health center to help cover the costs of treating uninsured residents. This is a much better economic model, and one that I can feel good about supporting.

Wishing you a holiday season full of all the things that really matter,
Pat

P.S. Photos on Monday!

Image: What I won’t be wearing! But, hey, if I’d started searching early enough, I could have ordered a pair online. There’s nothing you can’t get on the Internet. These go for $16 from American Apparel.

Saturday Extra! Holiday Planning with Mercury Retrograde

Blizzard in the UK As most of you know, another Mercury retrograde period will be upon us soon, just in time to mess with the best-laid holiday plans.

With Mars also about to go into reverse, the typical delays and frustrations that vex us while Mercury is retrograde could cause temper tantrums and emotional meltdowns everywhere. The holidays are stressful enough as it is, and I’m sorry to have to report that this season may be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Fortunately, since you know about this in advance, you can take some measures to mitigate the worst effects of Mercury retrograde. Indeed, all of you seem to be aware of this already. According to our Wednesday poll, the majority of you are planning to get your shopping and mailing done early, before Mercury and Mars go retrograde and turn all the UPS trucks into pumpkins.

As for holiday shopping and other daily activities, the usual caveats apply and then some. Be absolutely sure to buy all big-ticket items early this month. Hopefully, you even took advantage of all those Black Friday specials and have most of your major shopping out of the way. Electronic devices in particular need to be purchased while Mercury is direct. Watches, a popular gift item, also should be purchased now, as should cars and auto accessories – anything that has to do with transportation.

Most companies don’t make hiring decisions at this time of year, and they may put off important new business until after the first of the year. That will be problematic, as Mercury will be retrograde until January 15. If you get a new job opportunity, hopefully you’ll be able to stall signing the contract until then.

The effects of Mars retrograde are a bit harder to deal with and will take some mindfulness to counter. First of all, we all will need to make a sincere effort to communicate clearly, and when the inevitable breakdowns occur, we will have to resist the urge to blame the other person. Even if it seems like the other person was insensitive or not paying attention, respond with love and kindness, and be willing to forgive and forget. If the person in question really is malicious or intentionally showing you disrespect, that will come out again later, and you can deal with it then.

I’ll have more on Mercury in my weekly forecast on Monday. In the meantime, I wish you all much love and abundance.

Pat

RealAstrologers

The astrology of world affairs, human evolution, the future, and the state of the universe.