Today's Astrology Forecast | August 24, 2019 - doing things together, taking care of the stuff we care about, starting that new diet/health routine, coming together through service, love is a verb

The Moon is in busy and communicative Gemini now. We are nurtured through information, through humor, through words, teaching and story-telling through commerce, our local community and our siblings. 

She will oppose Jupiter at 1:53PM EDT (watch that urge to splurge) and square a retrograde Neptune at 7:17PM EDT, finally going void off an opportunistic sextile to ruler Mercury at 2:58AM EDT. Not the best Saturday-socializing energy.

The big news today is we have Venus meeting Mars at 4 degrees Virgo while squaring Ceres in Sagittarius.

Mars (action, passion, anger, our dynamic masculine energy) and Venus (attraction, love, money, balance, our receptive feminine energy) meet about every two years and start a new cycle together.

Does this new cycle in fussy Virgo mean men and women (really our masculine and feminine energies, but this sometimes does play out as men and women) will be picking each other apart for the next couple years? Or coming together to find practical solutions? Fixing what is fixable?

We love each other (and ourselves) - through taking care of business/a beloved pet/the bottom line/sweeping the floor/fixing the place up. We do the work together. We come together through service. The one who has our back will be the one who picks up the drying cloth and takes care of the dishes. We have our own back by doing the same thing.

For the next two years LOVE IS A VERB.

When the God of War and the Goddess of Love meet - the warring factions inside of us and outside of us (what we want and what we have to do to get what we want) come into HARMONY. This cycle, and it kicks off now, will be about taking care of the details, tending to the quality of something, the stuff we take care of on a daily basis, our health.

Excellent energy to start a new health regime.

To get organized. To clean up our mess and keep it cleaned up.

I see the potential for more people to fall in love with co-workers (the people you spend your day-to-day time with)!

That square to Ceres makes me think there is still tension/frustration here that is outside our control. This could be a season of life situation (something ending/something starting), disagreements over how to nurture/grow something, maybe some authority over us that ties our hands somehow.

Virgo is practical and realistic energy. It does what needs to be done. If we focus on THIS now, on this thing that is right in front of us - we can move mountains over the next few weeks.

For today - doing it together is the way to go. We will be able to see the ways we undermine ourselves, maybe by thinking "we can do this better" or "this is the way it should be done". Let that go. Also let's try weeding out any thinking/feeling that makes "the authority, or something outside our control" an enemy/adversary - this is the surest path to never getting our own hands on the steering wheel.

xo all

Heads up the Moon will be void most of the day tomorrow. 

photo by the talented Indie Child 19

Today's Astrology Forecast | August 22, 2019 - coming out of the closet, commitments, what our heart needs, let's stop blaming/regretting the past or what we don't have, choices, decisions, iron your shirt, showing up ready or not

The Moon continues her journey through Taurus (a space she LOVES)

- she will trine Saturn at 4:57AM EDT (our resources and goals in sync, flow with authority, mastering our emotions), square Mercury at 9:22AM EDT (stressful conversations around money/resources, frustration), sextile Neptune at 11:22AM EDT (dreams, spirituality, that behind the scenes agenda, healing, hospitals, art, escape) and finally go VOID at 5:32PM EDT off a trine to Pluto (solid manifestation energy, transformation, power). Other than that testy square with Mercury early in the day, the Moon does pretty well today in Taurus.

The big news today is the Yod (finger of God - so we'll pay attention) between the South Node, Neptune and Mercury - pointing at Mercury with Mercury inconjunct Neptune exact. At the same time the Sun, at the very end of Leo and so very powerful in his home sign, meets Juno (relationships, partnerships, commitment).

The Sun meeting Juno in fiery Leo speaks of a time when maybe we are bringing a relationship/commitment out into the light.  

Maybe what our heart wants/needs from other people has become clear to us.

On the other hand Juno, philandering Jupiter's long suffering wife (not that she always sat idly by and let him do whatever he wanted, but she almost certainly looked the other way at times to preserve the relationship and her position), meeting the light could force us to acknowledge - maybe publicly in Leo, but at least to our own egos - a space in our lives where we are avoiding dealing with something (maybe our own heart) in order to preserve a relationship/position.

Coming at the same time as the Yod from Neptune/South Node to Mercury (in Leo) might suggest confusion, blaming something in the past for keeping us stuck now, wanting to avoid the truth - whatever this is, Mercury is the focal point - we see the problems, we see our options, we have creative ideas. We see the ways our avoidance of looking at /dealing with something back THEN has brought us to THIS PUBLIC MOMENT.

Taking responsibility for where we find ourselves NOW will open up an incredible flow of opportunities/choices.

Blaming/shaming/regretting the past will keep us stuck in this endless loop.

We may have to show up when we aren't ready to show up and that's OK!

Let's iron our shirt and show the f*ck up!

This is the last day of the Sun in Leo (his home sign) - we have the Moon exalted in Taurus, Saturn in his home sign, Jupiter in his home sign (and direct!) and Neptune in his home sign. Mars and Venus are in Virgo encouraging us to make hay by focusing on the nitty-gritty details.

Sometimes we think we are waiting for life to make a move when life has already tossed the ball to us. The Moon will move into Gemini tonight - more choices, more chatter, more BUSY - life is complicated and messy and that's part of the fun of it all or at least part of the point of it all. Keep in mind that Finger of God pointed to Mercury in loud and proud Leo - what needs to be SAID/decided? How is the past or maybe our exhaustion/need to escape/an addiction fueling the conversation? What needs to change?

Can we learn from the past AND move on from it?

Of course we can!

We aren't the people we were a few years or even a few minutes ago.

By tomorrow the only planet left in Leo will be Mercury - courageous thinking, believing in ourselves, knowing what is in our hearts. By tomorrow, with oodles of Virgo energy encouraging practical action - Mercury will be all the Leo we need.

xo

Let's use this last day of the Sun in Leo to love a little harder and shine a little brighter!

photo by the talented Jalmelbarra

Today's Astrology Forecast | August 21, 2019 - wanting what makes the most sense/cents, an afternoon shocker, optimistic thinking, good news, always that fly in the ointment

The Moon is in Taurus now - the sign of her exaltation.

We are nurtured through security and comfort for the next couple days. She will trine Mars (in let's get this thing organized Virgo) at 4:32AM EDT and hook up with a retrograde Uranus at 1:33PM EDT, so expect the unexpected this afternoon.

Venus, ruler of Taurus, moves into grounded and practical Virgo. While Mercury, ruler of Virgo trines Jupiter and inconjuncts Saturn.

Mercury's trine to Jupiter (newly direct and encouraging us toward new opportunities) encourages optimistic thinking. Probably we are thinking BIG. Good news could come in or just the right information. That inconjunct to a retrograde Saturn keeps us grounded in reality/our feet to the fire with something - maybe an old responsibility/commitment that needs to be wrapped up.

Venus into Virgo - she will meet Mars here later in the week - means Virgos and Virgo Risings get more attractive - both easier on the eye and it becomes easier for them to attract what they want/need. ALL of our natal Virgo houses get more attractive, too. Our natal Venuses become more practical. 

Venus isn't buying the flashy stuff she was into in Leo. Now she wants quality. Now she wants it to last and she wants it to make sense/cents.

Here's where we put the time into fixing what isn't working IF it's worth the effort. 

Over the next few weeks - she will be in Virgo until September 14th - we will be going over what we love/want/have with a more critical eye. What gets to stay and what has to go. Keep in mind that critical eye can become just plain critical - everyone's standards can get over the top. Perfectionism is one of Virgo's calling cards, so let's watch for it and not expect too much from other people, and from ourselves.

We will love (Venus) having things organized and efficient (Virgo) and having Mars, here, too, means we will take the actions needed to make this happen. Loving (Venus) and caring for our precious pets (Virgo) can play a bigger role in our lives now, too, as well as service to other people and our daily work. Venus in Virgo wants us to love the stuff we do everyday. What part of our daily routine needs an upgrade?

It's the little things now that count the most now. Focus on the details. One step in front of the other.

Make a list of what needs to be done and start crossing things off - sometimes I put things on the list I have already done, so I can start out with some things already crossed off. Virgo rules service, so helping others is helping ourselves - just don't take this too far either. Door mats are not needed in the Age of Aquarius (selfish jerks aren't needed either).

The Sun is at the end of Leo - this is where it was two years ago when we had that big Eclipse. Something is ending/evolving. Leo brings the drama, but the other energies will keep things more down-to-earth. Move toward what makes the most sense/cents (Venus in Virgo) and what feels good (Moon in Taurus) AND enjoy the end of summer (Leo season) - have some fun, too!

xo all

photo by the amazing ankazhuravleva

Today's Astrology Forecast | August 20, 2019 - if at first we don't succeed ....

Our Aries Moon squares powerful Pluto early this morning EDT

(anger, power plays, tension or frustration with authority, focused tunnel-vision type efforting)

then moves into her monthly Waxing Trine with the Sun - this month Aries/Leo - a few hours later. This one will be more to our liking - our actions/passions maybe involving a creative project/children/romance/recreation move along more smoothly.

It looks like those early struggles/focus pays off later in the day!

The Moon goes Void shortly after midnight EDT off a lovely trine to Venus and then moves into Venus-ruled Taurus (the sign of the Moon's exaltation) at 12:37AM EDT where we will find ourselves seeking nourishment through mother nature, our money and resources, the human touch that feels like love and connecting with what is around us for the next couple days.

The Moon is in "let's get moving" Aries. The Sun and Venus are about to pull up stakes and exit big-hearted and fun-loving Leo. Mercury is moving toward her inconjunct with Saturn and trine to Jupiter - lots of choices, but one giant sticking point, too. Venus is moving toward Mars (note they won't join forces in fiery and passionate Leo, but in more earthy and practical Virgo - that says alot).

Big picture - we are shedding the stuff that no longer serves us living a truly authentic life. Jupiter is in Sag testing our faith and Saturn is in Capricorn holding our feet to the fire. The karmic chickens are coming home to roost. Slightly smaller picture - we are heading into Virgo season, a time for "check ups" - our health, habits, work, service, pets, to-do lists. When Saturn moves forward next month, the stuff we are doing now - not cutting any corners, being responsible, taking care of what we missed - is going to pay off for us.

Today's motto - keep trying. Move this thing forward. And have some fun - Leo season (sniffle) is nearly over ....

xo all

photo by the amazing oprisco

Today's Astrology Forecast | August 19, 2019 - showy displays of connection, two hands are better than one, nourished by action, beginner's luck, that brick wall, seeing the way forward

The Moon moved into fiery Aries last night, so now we are emotionally nurtured through what we are starting, our actions, physical movement, our passion, our courage, our initiatives, through the company of men - for the next couple days.

She will trine Mercury at 11:41AM EDT (this is new understandings, a light on new information, be brave/say what is on your mind) and square Saturn - the brick wall - at 5:55PM EDT (frustration./tension between the old and the new, the rules and what we want to start, probably not a totally new situation) and finally just three minutes later she trines Jupiter (expansion/optimism gets us past the frustration, focus on something new, we are pushing through that resistance). We could be very persuasive. Have some beginner's luck.

We (or other people) could anger easily or get frustrated easily or give up easily with the Aries Moon squaring Saturn. Saturn wants his say and will have it. But Jupiter is direct and Saturn is still retrograde. There is something new here when we get past this block. The blue skies are up THERE.

Now the Moon is in her 3rd quarter (waning) so for best results we are finishing something up, releasing, letting go of things in preparation for next week's New Moon.

Venus (finishing up in Leo) is going to trine Pallas (finishing up in Libra) and then hook up with partnership-focused Juno. This is VERY GOOD relationship energy. In fiery Leo, she brings the fire/enthusiasm/passion to Pallas's balanced and diplomatic strategies - then meets Juno for a solid agreement. We can do more TOGETHER now. Alliances/contracts are made public.

For BIG PICTURE stuff - there is also a semi-square (building challenge) between Jupiter and Saturn, both strong in their home signs, but only one, Jupiter, is direct. This is the last aspect they will make before they meet in Capricorn at the end of 2020.

This is us, looking toward that bigger/bolder story (Jupiter), but Saturn is still holding our feet to the fire with this old commitment/old rules/maybe something we don't have that is limiting our future/maybe the thing that needs to end.

I see this as the necessary energy that keeps us from going too far-too fast, prevents us from jumping from the frying pan into the fire. From getting the opportunity and then blowing it because we don't know what we are doing or don't have enough resources to keep it going. We have to trust a greater power's divine timing with this situation. We need time to get our ducks in a row.

While Saturn is still retrograde (one more month) we have to do what needs to be done. Don't let dad get home and find the house trashed and the dog starving in the backyard. We have to keep things above-board - walking a straight line/playing by the rules. We have to live up to our commitments/responsibilities. We don't have to kill ourselves with this. Some commitments need to go. We have done enough. Which is which? Follow your heart. Find your way home.

What do we need for this bigger/bolder life? More money? How are we spending our money? More knowledge/credentials? How do you get that? Figure out what you need to do. Then get on with doing it. That is your job.

xo all

photo by the talented bittersweetvenom

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | week of August 19, 2019 - VIRGO!, coming back to Earth, get to work, get healthy, get organized, it doesn't have to be perfect but it does have to be done well, no corner cutting, one step at a time

SUNDAY - Mars into Virgo
WEDNESDAY - Venus into Virgo, Mercury trine Jupiter, Mercury inconjunct Saturn
FRIDAY -Sun into Virgo
SATURDAY - Venus conjunct Mars, both inconjunct Chiron

On SUNDAY, Mars exits fiery Leo for grounded and practical Virgo. Our movement forward is best done in a Virgo manner. This means practical, precise steps focused on what is right in front of us.

Mars in Virgo can be excellent for productivity (by the time of the Pisces Full Moon on September 14th we are not going to believe how much we have accomplished and THEN  we can rest!) and it can also run entirely off course with perfectionism.

The good things about Mars in Virgo is our ability to organize, to be productive, to focus on the details and what needs doing right now; the next step. Since Virgo is a service sign, the actions we take that help us will most naturally help other people. Mars in Virgo can really clean up the mess and improve the situation. The wheat is separated from the chaff - yes maybe rather ruthlessly, this is Mars we are talking about. But in the end we are left with the wheat or whatever it is we need to grow the wheat. Either way the superfluous sh*t is gone.

On the other hand if we let fiery Mars get out of control in pious Virgo territory we could have a bigger mess on our hands even though everything looks all clean and sparkly. Mars can get very pissed off here if everything doesn't meet his exacting standards of perfection. So let's not go there. We could find ourselves taking action toward some quite impossible something or other. If everything has to fall precisely into place for something to work out - well, Mars in Virgo is the man for the job - on the other hand he doesn't see the big picture - just the details right in front of him - and can toil rather tirelessly with not much to show

(of course this 'not much to show' thing isn't taking into account the muscles we are building and experience for next time, let's not discount it, sometimes without the things that don't work out we would never get to the things that do).

If we find ourselves, or someone else, demanding an impossible to meet goal or impossibly high standards of perfection we will know we have veered off course here. Mars has run amok.

Mostly Mars in Virgo is an excellent transit for reality based progress and with Virgo trining that Cappy pile-up - things should really move forward.

The stuff we have been sitting on and didn't know which way to go with will become clearer day by day as we move through the rest of this month and into mid-September.

On TUESDAY, Venus follows her man Mars into Virgo (they meet on Saturday, so we are really starting to move toward a time when what we want and what we do to get what we want are working together BIG time).

Our Virgo house get a visit from the lovely Venus. Virgo Suns and Ascendants get more attractive - both easier on the eye and able to attract what they want. Our natal Virgo houses get more attractive, too.

Venus rules our love, money, self-esteem, values, relationships, women, beauty, our resources, attracting what we want - all areas are subjected to Virgo's keen focus and attention to detail now.

We will be analyzing what we want and what we have. We will be analyzing our relationships. Venus in Virgo works.

The problems will stand out. We won't be able to miss them. And since what we focus on grows, sometimes things get worse before they get better during this transit. But this is excellent energy to fix what needs fixing and accept (or eliminate) what just isn't fixable. Venus in Virgo is about loving the details of something, enjoying the work, appreciating the craftsmanship and complexity of something or someone or some situation - Virgo can't miss those, and choosing not to dwell on them.

Relationships are challenging right now anyway. Mega. The male/female dynamics playing out and re-balancing themselves in the collective are playing out in our own homes/lives, too. This isn't a man/woman thing, it's impacting ALL our relationships.

Also on Tuesday, Mercury trines lucky Jupiter. This is good news. Optimistic conversations and expansive ideas and thinking. At the same time she/he is inconjuncting Saturn, so we need to stay realistic (Virgo will help) the rules/limits/responsibilities/or thing that is ending is STILL part of the conversation - and that's OK.

There is something better out there and we KNOW it.

On FRIDAY, the Sun moves into Virgo - now we have three of the four inner planets in Virgo. We are all burning Virgo fuel. Virgos and Virgo risings are on fire. Stuff is getting done. Virgo rules our daily activities, our work, our health, our pets - we are focused on our routine/on cleaning up the mess/on getting our lives organized. Any space in our life where we get to decide what stays and what goes is a good space to be working in now. Think closets and inboxes. And then use that trine to Jupiter  (remember Mercury RULES Virgo) and think EVEN BIGGER.

On SATURDAY, Venus meets Mars - what we want and what we have to do to get it are working together now. This is good news - a new Mars/Venus cycle in grounded "let's build this thing" Virgo - where stuff actually gets done! Here is where putting one foot in front of the other and doing the RIGHT thing will move us on a new path toward what we want!

Since they are both inconjunct (rock and hard place) to hurting/healing Chiron - maybe something isn't quite fixable/do-able exactly as we want it. Let's not get so focused on getting it perfect we never get it off the ground or finished.

This is an excellent week to get healthy. To get organized. To get alot done. Next week's stellium in Virgo during a New Moon is really going to help us take practical action and it's going to support and be supported by all the Capricorn stuff the next couple years is circling around.

Make a list. Take things one at a time. Don't get distracted by overwhelm or perfectionism. Just let one step follow another. Get up early. Get it done.

Mars, Venus and the Sun will all trine (brakes off) the Galactic Center (seat of creation/center of our Milky Way Galaxy) at the end of last week/beginning of this week as they exit Leo. These are "lightbulb" moments/breakthroughs (after all the wth are we going to do - we get it!) that put us on our path to our highest good/our natural spotlight/what our heart wants.

Before Saturn moves direct in the middle of September we want to have our ducks in a row! This week and especially after the New Moon next week are primo duck-lining-up times.

Back with the dailies where we look at the Moon and some big-picture stuff.

xo all

photo by the talented quadratiges