Steven Forrest: The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life For beginning astrology students who want to go beyond sun signs to understand their chart. For intermediate and advanced students who want to cut through information overload and gain a broader perspective on a chart. Forrest's approach forms the core of my own practice. I can't praise this book enough.
Erin Sullivan: Astrology Of Midlife And Aging Intelligent examination of astrology's "generations", from the "Greatest Generation", to the baby boomers, to Generation X and beyond. Explains how each generation is unique, and what makes each one tick, from an astrological perspective.
Barbara Clow: Liquid Light Of Sex Explains the most significant life passages (Saturn Return, Uranus Opposition, Chiron Return) in a clear, readable way. A useful appendix gives approximate dates of these passages by birth month and year.
Linda Goodman: Linda Goodman's Sun Signs Dated, annoyingly sexist and oh so 70's, but a really fun read. In spite of its flaws, this classic still offers insightful information for every sign.
Brady: Predictive Astrology P An impressive and thorough textbook on transits, progressions and returns. Must-read for the serious student of astrology.
Astronomy
Chet Raymo: An Intimate Look at the Night Sky A lovely look at the sky throughout the year. Mixing mythology and astronomy, Raymo guides the reader to search for each season's most easily found astronomical highlights, including the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Dava Sobel: Planets A comprehensive, technical, but imaginatively written survey of each planet in our solar system. Understanding the scientific nature of each planet can truly inform your astrological investigations. I'm listening to it on CD. Sometimes it's tough going, but I still recommend it.
Predictive astrology uses two major techniques: transits and
progressions. Transits trace the planets' actual movements, while
progressions are a theoretical technique, a way of "aging" a chart
using, for instance, a day for a year.
It takes 27 years for the
Progressed Moon to move around our charts and "return" to its natal
position. That means that at age 27, we experience a sort of emotional
coming of age. For some, our inner clock around this time tells us
that it's time to grow up; to move away from being a child of our
parents and into being a parent in our own right.
At age 54,we
experience our Second Progressed Lunar Return, an even deeper emotional
maturing. The Moon in astrology is the symbol of The Mother. Around
this time, many women are experiencing menopause, becoming free from
the responsibility of child-bearing, and free from old emotional habits
that are not truly our own.
Our children
are growing older and becoming more independent. We can take a careful
look around at our lives, and renew our emotional commitments based
upon choice rather than upon necessity or the expectations of society.
For some, this may mean a deepening of bonds with our spouse or
significant other. For others, it may mean a more difficult
examination of whether a relationship is truly satisfying. For singles
(and for all of us), it could mean a new commitment or return to
heart-stirrings from an earlier time of life - a time of renewal.
Mark your calendars
- Mercury Retrograde is coming! During these time periods, astrology
tells us at avoid activities such as signing
important contracts, launching brochures or promotional materials,
doing a major mailing - any matter where communication is absolutely
essential. We're to expect delays with travel, computers, all forms of
communication... cell phones dropping calls at the worst possible time,
faxes not arriving when they should, the printer copies your
documents all wrong.
But does Mercury Retrograde have to be this way?
On
the one hand, I have many clients who feel the chaos quite viscerally,
and are careful to manage their activities during this time, checking
and double checking everything.
Other people, myself included,
are barely aware that Mercury is retrograde. We walk blithely through
our days, taking out mortgages, granting interviews, and sending out
important communications without a care in the world.
As I've
observed in my years as an astrologer, folks have different
sensitivities to different energies. The shorter astronomical
passages, in particular, vary as to how strongly they'll make
themselves felt. Mercury is retrograde for a short duration, and thus
has a shorter time to make its impression. Not everyone will
experience it so strongly.
Same thing for the full moons, or the
eclipses. Some of my clients will call me up, pulling their hair out,
crying, "What's going on out there? When will it stop?" Others will
experience these times as nothing but a pleasant interlude.
The
reasons for this are probably found in your chart. Those with a strong
sensitivity to Mercury Retrograde may have prominent Gemini, Mercury or
third house influences. Those reeling from a particular eclipse or full moon are probably receiving a strong transit to a sensitive natal point.
Best advice? Notice Mercury Retrograde, and mark it on your calendar if you notice a big influence. But use it as a tool,
like a weather report. After all, YOU determine your future.
Astrology fleshes out and makes sense of what's happening, and offers
guidance, a dose of realism, and a dose of hope. ~Carole Gaudet, CompleteAstrologer.com
Aries is known for courage and initiative. The Ram seeks out a challenge, and constantly tests himself. Wishing you had some of that metal? Never fear - we all have a bit of Aries somewhere in our souls.
In your own birth chart, look for the Aries symbol in the outer
ring, where the numbers on a clock would go. It looks just like the Ram's horns.
Now, notice how your birth chart is divided into 12 pie pieces, or
"houses". The twelve o'clock position on the wheel corresponds to the
tenth house. (Confusingly, the houses actually begin at 9:00, and
progress counter clockwise, but don't worry about that.)
At what "time" does Aries fall in your chart?
Aries at 1:00 (Ninth House): You're an independent thinker and have a take-no-prisoners philosophy of life. Travel fires you up.
Aries at 2:00 (Eighth House): You seek a passionate,
fiery bond with a lover, with lots of fireworks and drama. With this
placement, there is no lack of steam in your love life.
Aries at 3:00 (Seventh House): You're drawn to an
Aries
type of lover: someone who will stand their ground in a relationship
and doesn't mind a few fireworks now and then. You're looking for
someone active, fun and on the go.
Aries at 4:00 (Sixth House): You resist boring daily routines. You've just got to shake things up in your daily life.You understand the importance of regular physical activity - no one gets between you and your workout.
Aries at 5:00 (Fifth House): In romance, you love the thrill of the chase. In sports, watch out. You are competitive and play to win.
(Can't find Aries in your birth chart? Need a free birth chart for
you or a friend? Email me: Carole@CompleteAstrologer.com, or visit CompleteAstrologer.com for the low-down.)
Aries at 6:00 (Fourth House): Your parents
were independent, and encouraged the same qualities in you. You love
adventure - you need it! Like it says in the old song, "the road is
your middle name".
Aries at 7:00 (Third House): Quick to make up your mind - then just as quick to change it. Exceedingly bright, chatty, lover of conversation.Time with you is a verbal delight.
Aries at 8:00 (Second House): Generous with your
wallet, impatient with setting careful goals and pursuing them step by
step - you'd rather cut to the chase and start off at the finish line. Lucky you, though - you've got self confidence in spades, which balances out your lack of patience. Aries at 9:00 (First House): You've got Aries (and
probably many other signs as well) in its natural home. You're
an "Aries Rising". While your sun sign may be different, people see you as Aries - see our
10 favorite qualities above! This isn't the "real" you, but you've
got a strong Aries influence. Use it and love it.
Aries at 10:00 (Twelfth House): Spiritually, you
walk a razor's edge. In your spiritual life, you strike a balance
between a fresh, clean beginning - and a sense of culmination of all
that has come before.
Aries at 11:00 (Eleventh House): Your friends are
Aries
types: energetic, hot-headed, passionate, friendly, and just a little
bit self-centered. But they'll give you the shirt off their backs in a
second, if you ask. Or, in friendships, you may be a bit like this
yourself.
Aries at 12:00 (Tenth House): Aries is on your
"mid-heaven", the most public point in your chart. You're a natural
born entrepreneur. You've got the courage, enthusiasm and savvy to be
your own boss, and creative fields are just perfect for you. Just be
sure to finish what you start, career-wise.
Quickie astrology like this is fun, but of course, no astrological
placement can be read in isolation. A gifted astrologer looks at your
chart in its entirety to provide a true analysis.
Spring
is here! Life is literally thrusting up out of the cold earth, from
nowhere, it seems, and taking hold. To do this requires an enormous
burst of physical energy and courage. The courage to stand your ground
and say, "Here I am, this place is mine." It's enlightened
self-interest, divine self-centeredness. Without it, there would be no
life.
Remember
that scene from "Philadelphia", with Tom Hanks, wasted from AIDS,
telling Denzel Washington about his favorite opera aria? "I am life... I am divine. I am the god...
that comes down from the heavens, and makes of the Earth a heaven. I am
love!... I am love."
Taking our stand on the earth. Defying the odds, come what may, with unstoppable faith. This is the energy of Aries. Do we need it right now, in these dark times? You betcha.
10 Things We Love About Aries...
1. You are one of the most optimistic, forthright and independent
signs of the zodiac. Guileless and honest, you exude innocence and
idealistic faith.
2. In spite of all that apparent self-confidence, you have a soft
spot, and need approval and pats on the back just as much, if not more,
than other sun signs.
3. You embody "the audacity of hope", with unbelievable optimism in
the face of all odds. As you demonstrate over and over, optimism is a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
4.
If optimism isn't enough, you bring unparalleled strength and endurance
into the mix. Ruled by Mars, the warrior planet, you have the ability
to overcome physical, emotional and financial challenges - that would
leave the rest of us flying the white flag - in pursuit of your goals.
5.
You're a natural-born entrepreneur, bursting with initiative and
independence. With raw courage, savvy and determination, you shine
when working for yourself or heading up your own company.
6. As a parent, you shower your children with affection. You can
often be found racing around outside with the kids, and as they get
older, you're coaching sports teams, keeping up with them on the ski
slopes, or listening to and appreciating their music.
7. As a lover, you're charismatic and charming. You love the
thrill of the chase, and you seek to keep that excitement alive even in
marriage or a committed relationship.
8. You're one of the three signs symbolized by a horned animal, along with Taurus the Bull and Capricorn the Goat. That means lusty and passionate. Your lovers are the lucky ones.
9. As a friend, you're incredibly upbeat and positive, with a ready
smile and two tickets to go sky diving - almost exhausting to the rest
of us mere mortals.
10. In marriage, you've got a wee bit of a temper, and must learn to
curb those fireworks before they do lasting damage. The good news is
that you quickly come around and are often the first to apologize after
an argument - but you must learn to give your spouse a chance to
recover.
Thanks to Larry Miller for the cool photo of the statue of Aries.
Spring is here! Life is literally thrusting up out of the cold earth, from nowhere, it seems, and taking hold. To do this requires an enormous burst of physical energy and courage. The courage to stand your ground and say, "Here I am, this place is mine." It's enlightened self-interest, divine self-centeredness. Without it, there would be no life.
Remember that scene from "Philadelphia", with Tom Hanks, wasted from AIDS, telling Denzel Washington about his favorite opera aria? "I am life... I am divine. I am the god...
that comes down from the heavens, and makes of the Earth a heaven. I am
love!... I am love."
Taking our stand on the earth. Defying the odds, come what may, with unstoppable faith. This is the energy of Aries. Do we need it right now, in these dark times? You betcha.
In this issue:
I. 10 Things We Love About Aries
II. Some Aries for the Rest of Us
III. The Complete Forecast: Mercury Retrograde Dates for 2010
IV. The Complete Tutorial: Progressed Lunar Return at Age 54
I. Happy Birthday, Aries! Ten Things We Completely Love About You . . .
1. You are one of the most optimistic, forthright and independent signs of the zodiac. Guileless and honest, you exude innocence and idealistic faith, winning others to your cause.
2. In spite of all that apparent self-confidence, you have a soft spot, and need approval and pats on the back just as much, if not more, than other sun signs.
3. You embody "the audacity of hope", with unbelievable optimism in the face of all odds. As you demonstrate over and over, optimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
4. If optimism isn't enough, you bring unparalleled strength and endurance into the mix. Ruled by Mars, the warrior planet, you have the ability to overcome physical, emotional and financial challenges - that would leave the rest of us flying the white flag - in pursuit of your goals.
5. You're a natural-born entrepreneur, bursting with initiative and independence. With raw courage, savvy and determination, you shine when working for yourself or heading up your own company.
6. As a parent, you shower your children with affection. You can often be found racing around outside with the kids, and as they get older, you're coaching sports teams, keeping up with them on the ski slopes, or listening to and appreciating their music.
7. As a lover, you're charismatic and charming. You love the thrill of the chase, and you seek to keep that excitement alive even in marriage or a committed relationship.
8. You're one of the three signs symbolized by a horned animal, along with Taurus the Bull and Capricorn the Goat. That means lusty and passionate. Your lovers are the lucky ones.
9. As a friend, you're incredibly upbeat and positive, with a ready smile and two tickets to go sky diving - almost exhausting to the rest of us mere mortals.
10. In marriage, you've got a wee bit of a temper, and must learn to curb those fireworks before they do lasting damage. The good news is that you quickly come around and are often the first to apologize after an argument - but you must learn to give your spouse a chance to recover.
Curious about the other signs of the zodiac? Visit CompleteAstrologer.com for more "10 Things We Love About..." _____________________________________________________________________________
II. And Now, Some Aries For The Rest Of Us...
Want a dose of the Ram for yourself? None of us would be complete without a bit of Aries somewhere in our souls.
In your own birth chart, look for the Aries symbol in the outer
ring, where the numbers on a clock would go. It looks just like the Ram's horns.
Now, notice how your birth chart is divided into 12 pie pieces, or
"houses". The twelve o'clock position on the wheel corresponds to the
tenth house. (Confusingly, the houses actually begin at 9:00, and
progress counter clockwise, but don't worry about that.)
At what "time" does Aries fall in your chart?
Aries at 1:00 (Ninth House): You're an independent thinker and have a take-no-prisoners philosophy of life. Travel fires you up.
Aries at 2:00 (Eighth House): You seek a passionate, fiery bond with a lover, with lots of fireworks and drama. With this placement, there is no lack of steam in your love life.
Aries at 3:00 (Seventh House): You're drawn to an Aries
type of lover: someone who will stand their ground in a relationship and doesn't mind a few fireworks now and then. You're looking for someone active, fun and on the go.
Aries at 4:00 (Sixth House): You resist boring daily routines. You've just got to shake things up in your daily life.You understand the importance of regular physical activity - no one gets between you and your workout.
Aries at 5:00 (Fifth House): In romance, you love the thrill of the chase. In sports, watch out. You are competitive and play to win.
Aries at 6:00 (Fourth House): Your parents
were independent, and encouraged the same qualities in you. You love adventure - you need it! Like it says in the old song, "the road is your middle name".
Aries at 7:00 (Third House): Quick to make up your mind - then just as quick to change it. Exceedingly bright, chatty, lover of conversation.Time with you is a verbal delight.
Aries at 8:00 (Second House): Generous with your wallet, impatient with setting careful goals and pursuing them step by step - you'd rather cut to the chase and start off at the finish line. Lucky you, though - you've got self confidence in spades, which balances out your lack of patience. Aries at 9:00 (First House): You've got Aries (and
probably many other signs as well) in its natural home. You're
an "Aries Rising". While your sun sign may be different, people see you as Aries - see our
10 favorite qualities above! This isn't the "real" you, but you've
got a strong Aries influence. Use it and love it.
Aries at 10:00 (Twelfth House): Spiritually, you walk a razor's edge. In your spiritual life, you strike a balance between a fresh, clean beginning - and a sense of culmination of all that has come before.
Aries at 11:00 (Eleventh House): Your friends are Aries
types: energetic, hot-headed, passionate, friendly, and just a little bit self-centered. But they'll give you the shirt off their backs in a second, if you ask. Or, in friendships, you may be a bit like this yourself.
Aries at 12:00 (Tenth House): Aries is on your
"midheaven", the most public point in your chart. You're a natural born entrepreneur. You've got the courage, enthusiasm and savvy to be your own boss, and creative fields are just perfect for you. Just be sure to finish what you start, career-wise.
Quickie astrology like this is fun, but of course, no astrological
placement can be read in isolation. A gifted astrologer looks at your
chart in its entirety to provide a true analysis.
(Can't find Aries in your birth chart? Need a free birth chart for
you or a friend? Email me: Carole@CompleteAstrologer.com, or visit CompleteAstrologer.com for the low-down.)
Got a question for the Complete Astrologer? Email me at
Carole@CompleteAstrologer.com. Each month, I'll select one question to
answer - yours could be next!
III. The Complete Forecast: Mercury Retrograde Dates for 2010:
January 1 - January 14
April 18 - May 10
August 20 - September 11
December 10 - December 29
Mark your calendars - Mercury Retrograde is coming! During these time periods, astrology tells us at avoid activities such as signing
important contracts, launching brochures or promotional materials,
doing a major mailing - any matter where communication is absolutely essential. We're to expect delays with travel, computers, all forms of
communication... cell phones dropping calls at the worst possible time,
faxes not arriving when they should, the printer copies your
documents all wrong.
But does Mercury Retrograde have to be this way?
On the one hand, I have many clients who feel the chaos quite viscerally, and are careful to manage their activities during this time, checking and double checking everything.
Other people, myself included, are barely aware that Mercury is retrograde. We walk blithely through our days, taking out mortgages, granting interviews, and sending out important communications without a care in the world.
As I've observed in my years as an astrologer, folks have different sensitivities to different energies. The shorter astronomical passages, in particular, vary as to how strongly they'll make themselves felt. Mercury is retrograde for a short duration, and thus has a shorter time to make its impression. Not everyone will experience it so strongly.
Same thing for the full moons, or the eclipses. Some of my clients will call me up, pulling their hair out, crying, "What's going on out there? When will it stop?" Others will experience these times as nothing but a pleasant interlude.
The reasons for this are probably found in your chart. Those with a strong sensitivity to Mercury Retrograde may have prominent Gemini, Mercury or third house influences. Those reeling from a particular eclipse or full moon are probably receiving a strong transit to a sensitive natal point.
Best advice? Notice Mercury Retrograde, and mark it on your calendar if you notice a big influence. But use it as a tool, like a weather report. After all, YOU determine your future. Astrology fleshes out and makes sense of what's happening, and offers guidance, a dose of realism, and a dose of hope. ~Carole Gaudet, CompleteAstrologer.com
IV. The Complete Tutorial: Progressed Lunar Return at Age 54
Predictive astrology uses two major techniques: transits and progressions. Transits trace the planets' actual movements, while progressions are a theoretical technique, a way of "aging" a chart using, for instance, a day for a year.
It takes 27 years for the Progressed Moon to move around our charts and "return" to its natal position. That means that at age 27, we experience a sort of emotional coming of age. For some, our inner clock around this time tells us that it's time to grow up; to move away from being a child of our parents and into being a parent in our own right.
At age 54, we experience our Second Progressed Lunar Return, an even deeper emotional maturing. The Moon in astrology is the symbol of The Mother. Around this time, many women are experiencing menopause, becoming free from the responsibility of child-bearing, and free from old emotional habits that are not truly our own.
Our children
are growing older and becoming more independent. We can take a careful look around at our lives, and renew our emotional commitments based upon choice rather than upon necessity or the expectations of society. For some, this may mean a deepening of bonds with our spouse or significant other. For others, it may mean a more difficult examination of whether a relationship is truly satisfying. For singles (and for all of us), it could mean a new commitment or return to heart-stirrings from an earlier time of life - a time of renewal.
It's been a while since I've sent out this newsletter. During that time, my astrology work (as well as my freelance copy writing work, found at CaroleGaudet.com) has grown exponentially, and I've learned much about what's on the minds of my many clients and friends, and what kind of information really speaks to you, and serves you.
I'm returning now to deliver this newsletter to you in a new format - quarterly as opposed to monthly, with fewer pieces. I'll be expanding into Facebook soon, where you can follow me to keep up with astrological happenings more frequently. As always, my goal as the Complete Astrologer is to weed out the extraneous garbage and deliver the most pertinent and useful information. That's why I'm "complete" - you could think of me as the "one-stop" astrologer.
I feel enormous gratitude to everyone who has shared their astrological path with me, and I look forward to continuing the journey.
VI. Easy Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
Email Carole@CompleteAstrologer.com with "subscribe" or
"unsubscribe" in the subject line. You can cancel your subscription or
come back at any time. I handle all email myself - there is never a risk of spam, guaranteed.
Woodstock Astrologer Carole Gaudet Helps Clients Find Wisdom In the Stars
by Anne Clemens
Photographs by Medora Hebert
For a lot of people, the word "astrologer" evokes an image of a caftan-clad seer peering through a crystal ball. What probably doesn't come to mind is a former environmental lawyer and mother of two reading mathematically-calculated charts at her dining room table.
Woodstock resident and astrologer Carole Gaudet, forty-five, wants to demystify astrology and put a different face to the term. "I'm trying to share its beauty, wisdom, the sense of balance it brings," Carole says, "and the fun and magic of it."
According to Carole, who recently turned her lifelong passion into a profession when she launched her Complete Astrologer business and website in 2007, the biggest misconception people have about astrology "is that they're going to hear something bad, like they're about to have seven years bad luck, financial disaster, or an illness."
This interpretation of astrology is based on superstition, what people commonly see in the movies, or read in the daily horoscopes. "There's that scene in so many movies where the protagonist consults a psychic, and the psychic sees some terrible omen, like Saturn crossing the Moon. Or, the Death card comes up in a tarot reading. People think readings are creepy, and full of bad news," Gaudet says.
She elaborates,"I practice evolutionary astrology, which focuses on the inner work of our heart and soul, not the specific comings and goings of our lives." It's not about "fortune telling," when someone might meet the love of their life or win the lottery. Instead, she explains, "It clarifies our makeup (emotional, mental, spiritual, psychological) and predicts inner events, what we are naturally drawn to do."
Carole helps her clients answer questions such as: Who am I? Why am I here? What lessons are the difficult times in my life trying to teach me? What gifts are the easier times in my life trying to offer? Evolutionary astrology assumes that individuals have free will and complete freedom to choose their own paths.
Carole's interest in astrology began at age twelve, when a boyfriend gave her a book on the topic. "I ate it up," she recalls, and she continued to feed her interest through further reading. While she found many of the texts on astrology arcane and hard to get through, she was entranced by the mysticism and poetry in astrology's symbolism.
Almost immediately, she started applying her new-found knowledge. During school birthday announcements in her hometown of Topsfield, Mass., she copied each name, consulted her books at home, and thought about whether each person fit their sun sign. She never shared this information with anyone, but "I still have the lists of names in my old diaries that I kept in junior high school."
Earning a law degree from Northwestern University Law School (1992) and a master's degree in environmental law from Vermont Law School (1993), Carole practiced law for a short time, before opting to stay home after her son and daughter were born.
By the time her children entered elementary school, Carole was divorced and ready to seek new professional ventures.
Wanting to use her education as an environmental lawyer, but not practice law, she decided to be a freelance copywriter specializing in renewable energy. At the same time, she understood that this was her chance to take her interest in astrology to another level, a skill she had continued to hone throughout adulthood by reading friends' charts. She thought, "If I don't go public with this weird talent of mine now, I'll never be motivated and desperate enough to try it some other time."
Carole's own chart pointed toward the need for her to expand beyond the confines of convention. "Advertising my astrology work was not an easy thing to do," Carole admits. "When I tell people I'm an astrologer, I get my share of eye-rolling, and I can understand why."
Carole offers in-depth individual birth chart and tarot card readings, but can also scale back her sessions to accommodate small house parties of about six guests. A birth chart shows the placement of each planet at the moment of birth - a person's unique footprint. Using the date, year,. time and place of birth, Carole researches a client's soul path, gifts and challenges, and life's work. Sessions cover issues that have been with the person for a lifetime, as well as more current concerns.
Carole's clients run the gamut from teachers to shop owners to inventors, and from grade school kids (accompanied by a parent) to seniors. Client Gerry Sandweiss, a professional photographer from Woodstock, credits Carole with being able to "distill a lot of information and make it accessible to the person who is not a student of astrology."
Whe Frances McManus, a reflexologist and yoga instructor from White River Junciton, had Carole read her cards, she was deciding whether to pursue a new business partnership. "I wasn't going to alter my life based on the reading," Frances says. "But it was like someone holding my hand while I made that decision."
For Carole, one of the most rewarding aspects of her job are those Aha! moments that can happen during readings. She explains, "I'll be describing an intense, challenging dynamic I see in a chart. For instance, a person might be having a difficult time balancing her desire for precision with a wild creative ability. Then suddenly she'll say, "Yes! That's my problem exactly! Now, what do I do about it?" I love those moments, because I can describe the upside of that dynamic within a person, and help them realize that it can just as easily be flipped into a positive quality," she says.
"I'm trying to help people live better lives and make better decisions from their hearts," she continues. "I help them live through painful or difficult periods with dignity and courage, so they can come through these times having learned and grown."
And what about her own future?
"Because astrology is a symbolic system, I'll always be able to go deeper with it," she says. "With age comes wisdom, which will only help me become more useful to my clients, as I gain life experience that puts their paths into context."
In layperson's terms, Carole adds with a smile, "I could do this forever."
Carole Gaudet, Complete Astrologer Astrology And Tarot For The Upper Valley And Beyond
January 11 - February 2 May 7 - May 31 September 7 - September 29 December 26 - January 14
Mark your calendars - the technological and communications nightmare of Mercury Retrograde is coming! Activities to avoid: signing important contracts, launching brochures or promotional materials, doing a major mailing - anything where you don't want communication to be screwed up. Expects delays with travel, computers, all forms of communication... cell phones dropping calls at the worst possible time, faxes not getting there when they should, the printer copies your documents all wrong.
So what is Mercury Retrograde good for? Hunkering down in your office and getting caught up on old business. Reviewing those piles of materials that you've been waiting to get around to. Or taking a day off from the office and doing some deeper, inner searching to reflect. Are you headed in the direction you want to be, from a larger, spiritual perspective? The universe hands us these times so that we can catch our collective breath, relax, and recharge. Take advantage.
Virgo's are known for their desire for excellence through service, and industry in the quest for that goal, but we're all born with a little Virgo
somewhere in our souls. The place where Virgo falls in your chart indicates the area of your life where you desire to perfect some talent or gift, and offer it to others as a service to a greater good beyond your own interests.
In your own birth chart, look for the Virgo symbol in the outer
ring, where the numbers on a clock would go. It looks like an M with a third hump.
Now, notice how your birth chart is divided into 12 pie pieces, or
"houses". The twelve o'clock position on the wheel corresponds to the
tenth house. (Confusingly, the houses actually begin at 9:00, and
progress counter clockwise, but don't worry about that.)
At what "time" does Virgo fall in your chart?
Virgo at 1:00 (Ninth House): You love study and are
organized and dedicated to your own education. You have the heart of
an international aid worker - you care deeply about the less fortunate
people in the world.
Virgo at 2:00 (Eighth House): When you think about
your own mortality, and the reasons why you are here, you are
startlingly practical. You face your own mortality through being fully
grounded in the present - a powerful balance and approach to life.
Virgo at 3:00 (Seventh House): You're drawn to a
Virgo
type of lover: reserved, tasteful, disliking anything crass or crude.
You express your love verbally, through sweet whispers or love
letters.
Virgo at 4:00 (Sixth House): You've got Virgo (and
probably many other signs, as well) in its natural home. You're
disciplined and hardworking during the on-the-job portion of the day.
You're careful about health and diet.
Virgo at 5:00 (Fifth House): With children or a
romantic prospect, you are responsible, helpful and dependable. You
show your love through actions, not words or showy displays.
Virgo at 6:00 (Fourth House): One or more of your parents may have been a Virgo type - practical, organized, hardworking, and sometimes critical.
Virgo at 7:00 (Third House): You are a careful
speaker and thinker, extremely verbal and articulate, and have a knack
for writing. Can you say "organized mind"? Those of us with Pisces
here would kill for what you've got.
Virgo at 8:00 (Second House): You take a practical,
sensible approach to finances. This is one of the best placements for
financial stability, if not unimaginable wealth.
Virgo at 9:00 (First House): You're
a "Virgo Rising". Your outward, social style is like Virgo - see our
10 favorite qualities above! While this isn't the "real" you, you've
got a strong Virgo influence. Use it and love it.
Virgo at 10:00 (Twelfth House): You balance two
opposites in your spiritual life. You bring a groundedness to
spirituality, but it may be hard for you to let your ego boundaries
dissolve in practices such as meditation.
Virgo at 11:00 (Eleventh House): You are drawn to
Virgo types of causes. You may have a deep environmental ethos, or be
interested in natural health and healing.
Virgo at 12:00 (Tenth House): Virgo is on your
"midheaven", the most public point in your chart. Natural career
fields: health care, writing, computers, working with animals,
handwork, or any service-oriented field.
Quickie astrology like this is fun, but of course, no astrological
placement can be read in isolation. A gifted astrologer looks at your
chart in its entirety to provide a true analysis.
Can't find Virgo in your birth chart? Need a free birth chart for
you or a friend? Email me: Carole AT CompleteAstrologer DOT com, for the low-down.
Leo's are known for their individuality and flair, but we're all born with a little Leo
somewhere in our souls. The place where Leo falls in your chart indicates the area of your life where you must express your own personal style. It shows where you radiate confidence, and are a bit of a diva.
In your own birth chart, look for the Leo symbol in the outer
ring, where the numbers on a clock would go. It looks like an upside
down U with a curlicue thingy, reminiscent of the Lion's mane.
Now, notice how your birth chart is divided into 12 pie pieces, or
"houses". The twelve o'clock position on the wheel corresponds to the
tenth house. (Confusingly, the houses actually begin at 9:00, and
progress counter clockwise, but don't worry about that.)
At what "time" does Leo fall in your chart?
Leo at 1:00 (Ninth House): Travel, education and study feed your need for excitement and mental challenge.
Leo at 2:00 (Eighth House): You seek a passionate, fiery bond with a lover, with lots of fireworks and drama.
Leo at 3:00 (Seventh House): You're drawn to a Leo
type of lover: flamboyant, extroverted, the life of the party and the
king or queen of all he or she surveys. Don't let the bluster fool you
- inside, there's a baby lion cub who just wants to be loved.
Leo at 4:00 (Sixth House): You are supremely healthy
and strong, although you have bouts of laziness. You'd rather be a
boss - and a successful and beloved one - than an employee.
Leo at 5:00 (Fifth House): You've got Leo (and
probably many other signs as well) in its natural home. You bring just
the right attitude to romance and fun. You are light-hearted, playful,
and optimistic.
Leo at 6:00 (Fourth House): Lucky you - your parents
emphasized play, spontaneity and creative self-expression when you were
a child. While one or more parent may have been a bit of a force,
there was no shortage of love in your home.
Leo at 7:00 (Third House): While you may be somewhat set in your opinions, you learn with gusto, eating up news and facts with zest.
Leo at 8:00 (Second House): You prefer to live like a king - with the surroundings to show for it. You are lavishly generous with your possessions. Leo at 9:00 (First House): You're
a "Leo Rising". Your outward, social style is like Leo - see our
10 favorite qualities above! While this isn't the "real" you, you've
got a strong Leo influence. Use it and love it.
Leo at 10:00 (Twelfth House): Whatever your
spiritual leanings, your beliefs are trusting and childlike - no
depressing nihilism for you. Your self-undoing may be over confidence.
Leo at 11:00 (Eleventh House): Your friends are Leo
types: divas, artistes, stars. You like to associate with groups of
creative, artsy friends. Or, in friendships, you may be a bit of a
diva yourself.
Leo at 12:00 (Tenth House): Leo is on your
"midheaven", the most public point in your chart. Natural career fields: sports, acting, fashion, and anything creative.
Quickie astrology like this is fun, but of course, no astrological
placement can be read in isolation. A gifted astrologer looks at your
chart in its entirety to provide a true analysis.
Can't find Leo in your birth chart? Need a free birth chart for
you or a friend? Email me: Carole AT CompleteAstrologer DOT com.
In late summer, the pace is quickening. The harvest is coming in fast and
furious, demanding our hard work and attention to detail for the good
of the community. In agrarian times, if a harvest included even one or
two rotten pieces, it could potentially destroy the whole crop, leaving
us without food for the long, hard winter. Hence, the need for purity,
precision, and careful, devoted work, in harmony with the earth and in
service to a larger good. This is the energy of Virgo.
Ten Things We Love About Virgo
I usually try to keep my "10 Things" lists short and pithy. But with
Virgo, I can't. First of all, with your penetrating practicality,
you'll see right through any glib character sketches. Second, because
you tend to be self-critical, you Virgos will focus only on the dark
side.
My Virgo clients constantly bemoan their astrological heritage -
hating the "picky, critical" image that has been unfairly foisted upon
them. So here's some extended Virgo Revisionism - it's time for us to
understand the true beauty and value of this sign. Stand proud,
Virgo! Here's what we love about you...
1. You are, by far, the most productive sign of the zodiac. You
run circles around the rest of us. While we're still rubbing the sleep
from our eyes, you've already made breakfast, run a mile, done your
yoga routine, put the finishing touches on a 5-year strategic plan for
your company, and repaired the plumbing in the bathroom.
2. You constantly seek to improve yourself, and to offer your gift
to the world in a spirit of service. Remember that joke about what the
three wise men would have brought if they were women?
"They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts, and there would be Peace On Earth." That'sVirgo.
3. In spite of your accomplishments and utter capability for any
task in front of you, you are unpretentious and humble, wanting only to
be of service to things you care about, whether loved ones or a cause.
Humility combined with constant striving for excellence = a dynamic,
constantly growing human being.
4. As a friend, you're generous, concerned and helpful, but you
won't hold our hands constantly. You're plenty willing to provide a
good, honest, verbal kick in the butt, just when we need it most.
5. We're not fooled by the "virgin" thing - Virgo quests for
purity of spirit, not sexual prudishness. As a lover, you are
certainly reserved, refined, and need some wooing. But once a lover
has earned your trust, you are earthy and sensual.
6. As a spouse, you are considerate, gentle, careful, and willing
to work hard to for marriage and home. You treat your partner with
respect and dignity - no ugly scenes for you. But your spouse had
better be buttoned up and freshly pressed - fingernails trimmed, please
- to keep you contented.
7. As a parent, you'll help the children with homework,
plant a vegetable garden so that they can have the satisfaction of
tending it, and organize birthday parties and vacations. For you,
actions speak louder than words, and you teach by quiet example.
8. You're the craftsman of the zodiac, excelling in all things done
by hand. Knitting and all forms of handwork, painting, woodworking,
pottery... if it's both functional and beautiful, it was probably made
by you.
9. OK, we'll admit it - you're analytical, bordering on critical,
but is this a bad thing? Take a look at how much crap is foisted upon
us from the Internet and other forms of media, and how much garbage
we're constantly exerted to buy. Our earth, our attention, our planet
are drowning in excess. Like never before, we need your ability to cut
through all this noise and direct us to what is truly important. Do
you hear me, all you Virgos out there? It's worth repeating: Like never before, we need your quality of discernment.
10. As one of the three earth signs, you are practical and
down-to-earth. Yet, as one of the four mutable signs, you are a
visionary, leading us on to the next thing, assuring us that it's ok to
let go of the past. A practical visionary - exactly how Chogyam
Trungpa, one of the west's greatest teachers of Tibetan Buddhism,
described "balance". What's not to love? Thank you, Virgo, for being
you.
