Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of January 17th - here comes the sun .... in wintry Aquarius - uncertainty, second thoughts, expect the unexpected through the rest of January

marina by bubbleguN-oo

Another intense week. Mercury is still retrograde until the 25th, when he stations direct and begins to move forward once again. The route a retrograde Mercury journeys this week, a direct Mercury will travel next week! So whatever happens now might un-happen or switch on us next week. Take things slow. Expect the unexpected.

With Jupiter also retrograde and hanging out with the North Node of our collective fate this is a big transition period - new jobs, relationships, people and spaces moving on, death and birth.  

Opportunities to connect and re-connect with people and situations continue.

On MONDAY we have a cozy Taurus Moon trining (brakes off) Mercury (retrograde in Capricorn) and sextiling Chiron - let's be patient with ourselves and others and give people the benefit of the doubt. This would also be good energy for healing rifts by making amends and accepting others' apologies.

Venus in Sagittarius squares the North Node and Jupiter in Virgo. There is some kind of tension that requires us to change something about a financial, love or values situation. Maybe something we have outgrown needs to be released. Maybe something we haven't yet grown into comes up close and personal a little earlier than we expected. Virgo asks if maybe we already have enough on our plate right now. Follow what is unfolding here. One step at a time. Even good things can get overdone with this energy.

The best use of Venus square Jupiter energy might be to socialize and have fun (if you can play hookey or if you have the day off for Martin Luther King Day maybe just do that). Don't go shopping and overspend though or eat the entire box of Krispy Kremes.

If we are determined to work, Mars in Scorpio (trine Neptune) could see our most productive actions focused on Scorpio (other people's money, sex, death, birth) and/or Neptune (creativity, healing, stuff that is hidden, research, spirituality) themes.

aquarius magnetic locket by polarity

TUESDAY'S Gemini Moon is great for communication, talks, and the flow of ideas - there is an aspect to Neptune that could make things a little fuzzy or sad maybe - stay focused on the present moment. Neptune is quelled with meditation (or try coloring or long quiet walks in a familiar space) although Gemini's buzz will make quiet-time a little more difficult than usual. Another good day for research.

On WEDNESDAY the Sun moves into Aquarius and we all start burning the fuel of the genius/rebel/criminal. Here we take those Capricorn rules and see them not as they are, but as they could be.

Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian. It rules the time of year our ancestors ventured out into the cold to check on their neighbors. It can also be the space in our chart where we over-give and wear ourselves out. As we move from the grounded energy of Capricorn into Aquarius air it is also a good time to get sick - and especially come down with a head cold. Do whatever it is you do to bolster your immune system.

(at the recommendation of a friend I started putting 3-4 drops of garlic oil in each ear at the first signs of a cold - hubs says it's like sleeping with a pizza, poor fella - in addition to taking vitamin C every couple hours that day and 4 drops of oil of oregano in a tall glass of water - it seems to work very well)

Aquarius sun season is a good time to say yes to social obligations and activities - just stay hydrated and wash your hands :)

Stuff gets complicated beginning Wednesday when Mercury begins a two week long conversation with Uranus (change, rebellion, revolution) and Pluto (transformation).

First he squares Uranus in Aries pulling us back to the Uranus/Pluto square (freedom vs control, stability vs revolution). On Friday, Mercury joins Pluto. Direct confrontations can create permanent endings. Or maybe something just ends. If we commit to something now, it can also be pretty solidly fixed and we might want to adjust it next week when Mercury is direct, so if big decisions, purchases, deals, etc can be pushed out a couple weeks when we have our bearings and can tell where the chips have fallen, that might be better.

Remember the way through is still Virgo - small, measured steps will get us where we need to be. Whatever happens - matters of security and freedom will likely be overwhelming.

(if you are like me you might have started to work with some of these aspects last week, and of course, we will revisit them next week when Mercury goes direct and makes his way through these degrees ... again!)

Venus enters Capricorn on Saturday - love, money, our values - we get serious. We have a Full Moon in Leo on Saturday - this one culminates the New Moon from August 2014 so something from that time finishes up or with all this retrograde energy is back in play somehow - the Ferguson police shooting of Michael Brown/ state of emergency declared there, Robin Williams suicide, stock market decline, ISIL airstrikes, the shooting of Cecil the lion - whatever was happening in our own personal lives the summer before last .....

I'll do a Full Moon post later in the week. xo all

your creative business and the astrological generations | feeding your customer's Pluto - Part II

blossom by aaron mcpolin

Part I about the Leo and Cancer generations is here

Next we have the Pluto in Virgo generation (born 1958-1971).

This is the generation charged with transforming work (computers), health, and habits. These dates roughly correspond to what the media calls Generation X (the slackers?!, NOT).

This is a very self-critical, detail oriented group; a large part of this generation born into the energy of the tumultuous 60's have both Pluto and Uranus (sudden change, genius, rebellion) in the same sign and house since they were traveling together in those days. This makes some area of their lives especially volatile and challenging. Many were also born with Neptune (spirituality, escape, drugs) in Scorpio (potential self-destruction) and a smaller number (1964-1967) with Saturn (road blocks, control) in Pisces (see Neptune above) tossing an extra dragon or two at them to be tamed, befriended or succumbed to.

There was an article in the Guardian recently about the high death rates from suicide, alcoholism, depression and drug use (findings knocked the Princeton researchers 'off their chairs') in this age group. Astrologically, some of the reasons are glaringly obvious. Pluto and Uranus conjunct in Virgo is very likely to bring digestive problems, allergies or immune system issues - we are learning more everyday about gut health and the gut/brain connection with researchers finding there are very real connections between depression and the bacteria we have and don't have in our stomachs. Neptune in Scorpio could be escape leading to self-destruction and Saturn in Pisces a very real need to escape! Toss in the fact they live in the U.S. where Virgo themes are way out of whack - too much work, poor diets, healthcare driven by the drug industry and we have a recipe for some very real, and yes painful, transformations.

Virgo is the sign of the worker, the servant, the craftsman, precision, idealism, the perfectionist. Virgos gain dignity and self-respect from being good at something that is of use to other people. Virgo searches for the tiny torn thread, the inconsistency, the stuff that is glossed over by others - always seeing the flaw, the space for improvement. This generation can "see" reality (maybe a little too well, too much reality can be a rather despairing space to carry!), but has a harder time "accepting" it. They can fall into an idealistic trap - wanting things to be just so and things never living up - that they can appear the opposite of idealistic!

If your creative business services this group - think about some of these Virgo buzzwords. What do they need/want now?

If you have a product based business this is the generation who will appreciate your product's value, it's attention to detail and the skill needed to produce it. Think quality. This generation is tasked to roll up their sleeves and create the future in an increasingly eco-focused, multicultural and technology addicted world. Things involving these buzzwords in some way will likely appeal to them.

Anything that helps them relax, enjoy, appreciate, forgive (especially themselves) will appeal, too.

Pluto and Virgo are health focused; the first generation to embrace gyms and turn activewear into everyday wear. This isn't about staying young forever like Pluto in Leo - this is more about staying healthy and functionable. So anything that helps them keep on working will appeal to them.

They are middle-aged now and having been tasked with a lifetime of noticing everything that is "wrong" and with a second lifetime of work still ahead of them (no retirement for these folks like their parents had - sorry Virgos) many are tired, so anything that feels like a "reboot" or "reprieve" or "relaxation" will appeal, too.

(I am using alot of Mercury retrograde buzzwords but this makes perfect sense since Mercury rules Virgo!)

The Pluto in Libra (1971-1984) generation is here to transform the Libra themes of relationship, balance and partnership. The first generation to grow up with mostly divorced parents and mostly working mothers, they coupled up early and embraced Facebook friendships and texting. They carry the lessons of fairness, cooperation and compromise; the ability to walk in the other person's shoes. Justice. Beauty.

Libra is the sign of the arts and Pluto in Libra's ability to be in 'relationship' with everything gives them a strong connection with art and music. As youngsters they often found connection with others through these areas and probably still label themselves and others by musical and artistic styles and tastes.

Libra rules balance. Unlike the previous generation they will most often prioritize relationships and partners over their work. They will seek out balance and fairness. They might attract the opposite so it/and they/and us (universal energy) can be transformed.

If your creative business services this group - think about some of these Libra buzzwords. What do they need/want now?

Many in this generation are raising young children now. People raising young children often spend more money on their children than themselves and you could focus your business on the kids, of course with Libra's ability to see both sides of an issue and flipflop with the best of them - they will soon be asking themselves, "hey what about me?" and need to splurge on themselves once in a while, too - so your business could be about the 'splurge'.

What would someone who prioritizes relationships, art, music and balance need when raising young children or splurging on themselves? Where does your work/business come in? What can you offer here? Remember these people are hands on creative and often have limited budgets - maybe think DIY kits and budget friendly anytime classes.

This generation wants things to be beautiful. They love Pinterest and Instagram. They connect with others through beauty and art and music. This is where they will be looking. With so much clamoring for their attention, you will need to stand out. This generation likes balanced relationships between equals something to keep in mind if you are a coach or teacher.

Up next post the Pluto in Scorpio and Pluto in Sagittarius generations and your creative business.

NOTE - this series is about generations and generalities. The house placement of Pluto for each individual person has an important influence, too and isn't covered here. And we are all connected so the energy each individual carries impacts all of us.

risks and rewards ....

bowie owl by shannon ott

Venus (in big picture Sagittarius) trines Uranus (in passionate/action oriented Aries) at 16 degrees.

Venus rules love, money, our values, art, beauty, balance and women - she attracts. She also rules people with Taurus and Libra rising (although in different ways). Venus in our natal chart shows us how we can attract what we want, shows men their natural partner, shows us the space we need to feel balanced, what we need to feel loved.

Uranus rules "new", surprise, the unexpected, technology, large groups, the future, creative genius - his job is to break rules and demolish existing structures and paradigms; to get us where we need to be in the fastest way possible. He also rules the sign of Aquarius. Uranus in our natal chart is the space where we need to break the rules, chart our own path, function without social approval (no thumbs up or likes for us here). Uranus shows us what authorities we are determined to challenge, who we will offend and even where we will receive our most misleading advice. (I'm pretty sure being an Aquarius - I'm in your chart somewhere doing exactly this :)

Trines are happy, easy aspects. The energy today and tomorrow is ripe for attracting what we want by doing something in a new and unexpected way. Love, money - what we truly value - may be suddenly exposed. The ordinary becomes the extra-ordinary. Who knows where we might travel this year, if we stop caring what others think?

xo all

(Note - Bowie was an Aquarius rising, ruled by Uranus) My favorite Bowie song, played this one about 10,000 times one summer ....

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of January 11th - back in the driver's seat, positive progress and reading smoke signals

drive by simsalabima

Everything old is new again ....thank you New Moon in Capricorn! Still time to set your New Moon intentions. This one is in the Capricorn house of permanent changes, so changes we make before the first quarter Moon on the 16th will have excellent sticking power.

Our Sun in Capricorn trines (brakes off) benevolent and lucky Jupiter (recently retrograde in Virgo) on Wednesday and then trines the North Node of Fate (also in Virgo) on Thursday. The Sun is then conjunct Mercury (retrograde in Capricorn) and trining Jupiter and the North Node. This week could feel pretty damn good. Maybe we'll all win the Powerball!

While these influences are exact mid-week, we may feel them as early as Monday.

With Mercury's retrograde (especially in sober and all-business Capricorn) coaxing us to take a second look, to make a correction, to ask that question again - this alignment is the perfect opportunity to get it right this time. 

Venus is now in harmony with Uranus giving us a very real opportunity for something/someone we thought was over or something we thought we missed out on to come back around again. So, although for brand new opportunities this is the time to take our time, for past opportunities or things or people that we were maybe disillusioned with or thought we were finished with, well, maybe we'll decide to give it another go-round or maybe this will at least be a good chance to clear the air and energy, so we can all move on. Either way it's a win.

Being sober and taking care of business will play a large role in any success now but there is also an element of "luck" with right time/right place situations. Any luck or opportunity will manifest because preparation has met inspiration has met right timing! It will be what we do with the information/work that is right in front of us that makes us "lucky". Water signs (Sun and Rising) can be especially lucky with money now.

Some things may appear to just fall right into place. Yes, even during Mercury Retrograde this happens sometimes :)

Sometimes there's a little twist first. Like maybe the house we want falls through, but then suddenly the house we wanted last year, the one we really wanted in the first place is suddenly available again. Or maybe a person or situation from the past turns back up at precisely the right time to get us thinking, and moving, in a new and better direction. Maybe a mistake we find while we are re-checking one thing (that costs us money) leads us to discover another mistake that will save us a bundle.

The profit/advantage to us may or may not be immediately apparent - it may show up later on. Maybe when Mercury stations direct at the end of January or maybe when Jupiter stations direct in early May.

Both Virgo and Capricorn are earth signs. So there's a need now for work, practicality and a focus on the small stuff (yes, still - we're ready for this, right). We may not be able to move forward from where we are now, but we can rework old information or redo something. Earth signs are about making things real. The stuff being re-rooted/re-routed now will lead to actual physical changes and material manifestations. Where is your Capricorn house again? What were your New Moon intentions?

This is the time/space that can put us back in the driver's seat or at least reconfirm/illuminate why we started down this particular road in the first place.

Note - the Moon is void all day Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (expect some wonkiness, best times for practiced, productive work) . This week's energy will also bring any pre-holiday chickens home to roost - so whatever we pushed off our to-do lists then will have to be pulled out to be taken care of now. Bills, too (ouch).

xo all

New Moon in Capricorn | Saturday & Sunday - what we're made of (and no, it's not sugar and spice and everything nice)

shock by just a shadow left

When the Sun and the Moon are in the same space, as they are this weekend, all possibilities are on the table.

We have so much happening now - Mercury has moved back into Capricorn. Venus and Saturn are joined in Sagittarius. Jupiter is retracing his earlier steps in Virgo. The Sun and the Moon are having a party.

(although in Capricorn this party probably looks more like an all-night study session or late night at the office where they toss you a slice of cold pizza and some strong coffee and sternly advise you to keep working)

Uranus squares (what we resist persists). Jupiter trines (be wary of over-confidence). Chiron sextiles (and heals).

So, what might all this look like? Maybe we become aware of what we have and what we don't have. With so much energy encharged with looking behind us, maybe we second guess ourselves. Maybe the more decisive among us, just cut their losses and move on. For the rest of us, we see the chances we have missed (ouch) and the choices we have left. Or maybe we don't see any choices. But we will.

For now we just handle what we have to handle. We take care of business.

Maybe we realize we have been asking for too little and secretly hoping more will just fall into our lap .... in Capricorn's ability to withstand we can lose our knowing that we don't always have to settle.

My grandmother always said, "where there is a will, there is a way." 

Well, with Capricorn there is a will.

Capricorn is the sign that rules our public image, our career, our accomplishments, our ambition, our ability to hold the course and just keep going (still winter for most of us right folks?).

Even with a New Moon there are multiple celestial indicators that a new beginning now will not run smoothly. That's OK, we are not afraid of a little choppy water - we'll just take our time with this. There is no rush.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn so we channel this energy - we use common sense, we get organized, we do things in an efficient way, we make responsible decisions, we keep our word, we think quality over quantity, we get up early (yes, I just want to sleep, too - next week will be better, I promise), we do the thing that is right in front of us.

For years, I have believed the pareto principle - that 80/20 thing, that 20% of the work produces 80% of the results, 80% of the sales come from 20% of the customers, yada yada. The idea that we have to have all this superfluous stuff, and energy expended, to get to the good stuff. I am willing to rethink this. Just because someone called it a "principle" and gave it a lovely Italian name doesn't mean it has to be true anymore and wear us all out. Maybe it's time to cut out what isn't clearly working instead of working on the assumption that it gets us something somewhere else.

We will all be looking at how much we are working and how much we are making and getting out of it and have to show for it - this isn't all about money. But it is about money, too.

We don't want to clutter up our life with loose ends now. We take care of our physical body (Jupiter is in Virgo until next summer - this is the best time in years to get real results from prioritizing our health). This isn't work til we drop stuff - nothing in the universe supports us hurting ourselves ever.

This is first chakra security stuff. Capricorn rules bones, skin and joints.

So if we are not getting what we need from relationships or activities that we spend considerable amounts of time on, our body and mind (depression is here, too) will tell us now. 

First center physical issues like fatigue, skin problems and joint pain that are ignored (ie we don't look at what we are getting back from what we are giving our energy and time to) lead to worse stuff like arthritis, allergies and autoimmune problems. This is an excellent time to create new routines for physical stuff.

If we know an area of our life that can use a Capricorn overhaul - that's certainly where this energy is meant to be used. 

We can wait until Mercury is direct later in the month to make our move, but we can plan our movements now. Mercury retrograde is great for rethinking and planning! Mars will be retrograde in Scorpio for a few months, Jupiter is retrograde now - we have to just go ahead and work with the times we are in. 

If now is when we feel the dissatisfaction, then now is the time the solution is available.

MONTHLY AFFIRMATION TIPS:

Some Capricorn new moon affirmation areas to think about: security, time, self-discipline, your brand and image, ambition, opportunity, goals, delegation, releasing control, father figures, reputation, your bones, knees, skin and joints

Some I will be working with include (note - these are from last year, this year I am going to be more specific - think Virgo precision since that's where expansive and lucky Jupiter is hanging out!):

1. I easily recognize, welcome and enjoy the work that leads to success.
2. I receive and enjoy positive recognition for my work.
3. I easily set personal and work boundaries that create time for me to do the things I love to do
- I shoot for 10 (see Jan Spiller's site for some ideas with these - she calls them monthly wishes, if wishes feels right to you and better than the word affirmation use that)

Get grounded - we're in an earth sign now, so this should be easier - always make affirmations from a  positive place (positive meaning certain) - write your affirmations down by hand in cursive, we want the letters all connecting and flowing together, speak them out loud. I used to write my affirmations on strips of paper and put them into a bowl of rice so I can mix them around every now and then with my fingers if things got stagnant - then release your attention from them knowing that your intention is known.

Lately I have been burning mine and releasing the ashes into moving water. I feel a little more connected with the finality of the results when I do this. Yes, you can flush them, but try to get outside!

Know these things are already yours. xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | week of January 4th - freedom vs. control, mercury retrograde - part lll

the game by vi mark

I cannot believe this week has taken three long posts just to list all the aspects. If you are having a baby this week ... well, he or she is going to be carrying some very big energy!

Good luck to the new mommies and daddies out there with that :)

See part I and part II 

We are in the Balsamic Moon Phase (here's a post on Jess's blog about that) so if you are not feeling the New Year "go-go-go, hit the ground running, fresh start thing" use this time to rest. You can't really go wrong with the Moons.

OK, back to this week- today we have the Sun conjunct Pluto at 15 degrees Capricorn. This feels like some kind of relentless ambition or a light thrown on some area of power. Whatever this is it is getting us ready for the New Moon in Capricorn at the end of the week.

On Thursday, Jupiter stations retrograde (yes, another retrograde planet).

This takes us back to the October 12th New Moon when Jupiter first entered the space he is about to retrace. You might remember we had a Jupiter/Pluto trine - a fresh start, wealth and abundance energy. I don't talk about that kind of thing very often (it's the whole glass half empty thing I think), so when I do, and I did, you might take notice!

There is a test with this transit (Moon square Jupiter) re: self control. We don't want to get over confident with this energy. Greed, extravagance are no-go's here. Remember, Jupiter is in Virgo - small, measured steps, just do the work. If something kicked off for you in mid October, this is your chance (through early May) to get all your ducks in a row with it.

Jupiter is stationing retrograde on the North Node of Fate and he is traveling with the Node of Fate for all of January and most of February! This is about connecting us with our fate. Since he is retrograde these connections may involve people, places and activities from our past. This will be about our work, health, daily routine or pets since the North Node (and Jupiter) are in Virgo (work, health, routine). Mercury will also be trining Jupiter during this transit (plus he is the ruler of Virgo!) - a VERY positive aspect. Check your natal chart for 22-24 degrees Virgo to see where this connection with fate will come from for you. 23 Virgo sits on the cusp on my 10th and 11th houses - so for me this will come through work (10th house) or a friend (11 house) - if you would like me to check for you, just let me know!

We'll talk more about this as we move through the winter, but let's keep our eyes, ears, minds and especially our hearts open. We don't necessarily have to say yes to every opportunity presented now, but we definitely want to take a phone number or business card!

I am going to do a 2016 year ahead post next - I have had a few people ask me for kind of an overview of the energies and also wanting to know when things are going to get 'back to normal'. The second part is easy because there is no 'back to normal' - life has reset for all of us.

It's like we've moved from the Serta perfect sleeper to the water bed - we just have to roll with it now even as our head bumps against the wall and we roll awake every time our partner takes a deep breath - that old mattress is sitting at the bottom of the garbage dump with two years worth of empty Hungry Man dinner boxes lying on top of it.

The mutable signs will feel this year the strongest. And with 4 Mercury retrogrades in earth signs in 2016, lots of physical changes to people's lives will be happening. Spring will be nuts. The way through everything is still Virgo .... we've got that part down .... 2016 will be a year of sobriety - we are all going to need a clear head for this one. xo all