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The month kicks off with a New Moon in Scorpio on November 1st, encouraging you to dive deep into your emotions. This Moon carries a seductive and mysterious energy. You'll feel compelled to understand intimacy, identify what's missing in your life, and address any qualities that seem out of balance.
There are many things to look forward to in the month of October. From the dual influence of both Libra and Scorpio season and their influence on the month, to the significant Libra Solar Eclipse, and October’s cosmic energies and planetary transits, this month’s energy supports decision-making, personal growth, and emotional clarity.
This is also a time when we embrace the mysticism and mythology of the Halloween season when the veil between the physical world and spiritual realm thins. “It has been told that the veil thins as the autumn leaves and things of nature seem to go back into the earth and therefore leaving a larger space for higher consciousness to occur. It's a time of quieting down our busy lives and our minds so that we may become more in tune with our higher selves and the divine (sentinelandenterprise.com).”
Libra Season & The October Solar Eclipse
Ushered in by the Fall Equinox, October begins with Libra’s harmonious influence, setting the tone for reflection on relationships, balance, and decision-making. As an Air sign ruled by Venus, Libra encourages us to weigh different perspectives, fostering a sense of unity and understanding in our interaction
The Libra Solar Eclipse on October 2, 2024, marks a pivotal moment for relationship dynamics, urging us to reevaluate connections and embrace compromise. This annular eclipse, visible in South America, brings a unique "ring of fire" formation, symbolizing clarity and transformation for everyone regardless of location.
This Solar Eclipse occurs at the South Node of the Moon. The South Node represents our natural born gifts and talents, past life matters, and our limiting beliefs and habits. This particular eclipse is focused on relationships, cultivating harmony in our lives, and bringing new perspectives regarding our interactions with others.
Overall, these next 6 months are a time to work on relationships and to recognize our partners as teammates. Learn to make peace with any negative feelings that have occurred toward those you are in any type of relationship with. Establish more harmony, balance and order in your life, and recognize the value of partnerships. This eclipse brings an open and creative energy into all of our relationships.
Deepening Connections: Venus in Scorpio Trine Saturn
From October 4th through the 10th, Venus in Scorpio forms a trine with Saturn in Pisces, promoting deeper emotional connections and meaningful discussions. This is an ideal period to strengthen your relationships through open and compassionate communication. Whether it's a romantic partner or a close friend, this transit encourages honesty, introspection, and a more profound understanding of emotional needs. Reflect on how you can create a more harmonious balance between supporting your relationship commitments and honoring your own needs and boundaries.
Energetic Shifts: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Pluto
Mid-month, we experience some tension with Mercury in Libra squaring Mars in Cancer on October 6th. This aspect can create some tension and may lead to misunderstandings, irritability, and impulsive reactions, but by practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques, as well as some physical energy to release energy, you can navigate this time with grace.
Shortly after, Venus harmonizes with Mars on October 8th, restoring balance and supporting emotional and creative expression in relationships. This is a wonderful transit for dating, friendship, and companionship, as well as for passion and sexual intimacy. It brings you more in touch with your creative side so use this to get your messages across to others in a unifying way.
Jupiter’s retrograde in Gemini on October 9th shifts focus toward self-reflection and philosophical contemplation, offering a window for personal growth. Jupiter is a very spiritual and faith driven planet. During this period, leading up to Jupiter stationing direct on February 4, 2025, you may find yourself reflecting deeply on life's profound questions, pondering the principles that guide you, and envisioning your dreams, major projects, and future aspirations.
The Moon enters her First Quarter phase on October 10th. This is the moment to clarify your intentions from the Solar Eclipse and begin actively pursuing your goals. With the Moon in Capricorn, you’ll be supported by determination, commitment, and a practical mindset. Leverage these qualities to start implementing your plans and establish clear boundaries. Stay grounded in reality and create a time-frame for working toward your long-term objectives.
Meanwhile, Pluto’s direct motion on October 11th wraps up its transformative journey in Capricorn, setting the stage for lasting changes and urging us to bring hidden truths to light. Pluto’s stay in Capricorn will be brief before it transitions into Aquarius on November 19th, where it will remain until 2043. What did you accomplish during this retrograde? Were you able to self-reflect enough to finally bring whatever has hidden in the dark into the light? With Pluto now direct and moving into the progressive and socially conscious sign of Aquarius, it is time to begin the transformation and take action on any revelations garnered during that time period and revolutionize important elements in your life.
On October 13th, Mercury enters Scorpio, heightening your intellectual sharpness and observational skills. This is an ideal time for research, delving deep into information, investigating, and trusting your intuition. Be creative and resourceful as you seek to uncover the core of a puzzling situation. You'll find yourself mentally probing for truth and hidden motives in conversations and other scenarios. It's a potent period for revealing many concealed truths.
On October 15th, Venus in Scorpio will trine Neptune in Pisces. The Goddess of Love in the highly passionate sign of Scorpio, harmoniously blending with Neptune, can create some truly erotic and romantic moments with your partner in a very emotional and spiritual way. This combination creates a lovely opening in the heart center.
Powerful Transformations: Full Moon in Aries
The Full Moon in Aries on October 17th brings an assertive, bold energy, highlighting personal achievement and healing deep-seated emotional wounds. This is all about opening your eyes to your life’s purpose, but still being able to recognize you will come across problems and set-backs while getting there. Allow this Full Moon to shine her light on your direction and to also provide the pioneering spirit and motivation to pursue it.
With square aspects to Chiron, Pluto, and Mars, this Full Moon is a time of emotional intensity, urging us to confront past hurts and move toward healing and empowerment. This period asks us to balance our personal needs with our relationships, fostering both independence and unity.
With each of these squares, passions and emotions run high and at times may feel overwhelming. These emotions want to teach us about letting go of these old wounds. Emotional power struggles may occur, so express your needs and boundaries with absolute clarity. As you move through this intense period, make sure you practice self-care. Explore your emotions gently, spend time in nature, and engage in an activity that is a healthy outlet for all of this emotional intensity.
Enter Scorpio Season
Scorpio season begins on October 22nd, shifting the energy to a deeper, more introspective focus. Known for its transformative power, Scorpio invites us to explore our subconscious, confront fears, and pursue spiritual renewal. This season is ideal for diving into personal desires, forging stronger emotional connections, and embracing vulnerability in a way that fosters growth.
You can use this energy in several ways. Ask yourself what you most desire. Connect with others in a more intimate and meaningful way. You may want to merge with your partner in a deeper way, increasing your level of sensual intimacy and commitment. Or you may want to share your inner secrets with your closest friend and allow yourself to open up and be vulnerable without fear of being hurt. It is a great time to dive into deep conversations and have those discussion we most fear.
Last Quarter Moon, Mars, and Uranus
On October 24th, the Last Quarter Moon in Leo invites a period of reflection and evaluation. Following the Full Moon, you've likely gained clarity on what truly matters. Now, it's time to assess the past, acknowledge lingering issues, and let go of anything that no longer serves your highest good. This lunar phase offers the opportunity to use past experiences as catalysts for deep soul transformation.
On the same day, Mars forms a sextile with Uranus, energizing you with a rebellious and revolutionary spirit. You're likely craving change and variety, eager to embrace fresh ideas and new possibilities. Open yourself to exciting, perhaps even daring experiences, and surround yourself with people who are innovative and shaping the future. This transit will invigorate you with the thrill of what's possible.
Halloween Transits
We close the month by celebrating Halloween or Samhain on the 31st. While it may not be filled with spine-chilling frights, this time is more about connecting with your spiritual and mystical side. With Mercury in Scorpio forming a trine to Neptune in Pisces, your intuition and imagination will be heightened. If you're embracing the Halloween spirit, use this transit to create captivating visual displays for those trick-or-treaters.
The true gift of this aspect lies in the opportunity to tap into your creativity and imagination. How will this resonate with you on a spiritual level? Could you channel your inner self-expression into something that bridges the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds? Quiet the mental chatter, unplug from social media, and allow yourself to listen to your intuition and the beauty of silence—see where it leads you.
Closing Thoughts
As we move through October’s cosmic transitions, the planetary influences offer powerful opportunities for self-reflection, transformation, and connection. The balance between Libra’s harmonious energy and Scorpio’s intensity invites us to reflect on our relationships, confront deep emotions, and take steps toward personal evolution. Whether through the lens of a transformative Solar Eclipse or the introspection of a Full Moon, October’s celestial events guide us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. Embrace the mysticism of the month, tap into your spiritual side, and let October’s cosmic energies inspire your journey toward growth, balance, and deeper connection.
September has always had a magical feel to me. The oppressive heat and humidity of summer have cooled off, giving way to perfect weather—temperatures hovering at just the right level, no humidity, cloudless sunny skies, and cool evenings. This is the liminal space of perfection before fall weather sets in and the days start to grow shorter.
This period is more than just a seasonal shift; it's also packed with significant astrological events that promise to influence every aspect of your life. From Uranus going retrograde in Taurus to a Super Full Moon in Pisces, the cosmos is stirring, and you don't want to miss out on the opportunities these transits offer.
Kicking off the month Uranus turns retrograde in Taurus. From September 1st through the remainder of the year, until it finally stations direct on January 30,2025, this retrograde will push you to reassess the areas of your life tied to Taurus in your birth chart.
Uranus is in its fall or least comfortable position in Taurus. Uranus is all about change, rebellion, stirring things up, and freedom. Taurus wants security, dependability, and resists change. Uranus wants evolution and progress. Taurus is all about upholding tradition. As you can see, they are total opposites in nature. Expect to see disruption and changes in the area of your life where Taurus is in your birth chart. During this retrograde, be prepared to reevaluate how you relate to that area of life and how you can make authentic and positive changes while still honoring yourself, your values and your self-worth. This is about finding your freedom and creating inner change.
At the same time, Pluto re-enters Capricorn for the last time before its final move into Aquarius on November 19, 2024. Pluto is an extremely powerful planet associated with transformation, power, control, and the unconscious. It governs the processes of death and rebirth, symbolizing the need to let go of what no longer serves us to make way for new growth. As the planet takes his last breath in the sign of Capricorn, reflect on what this may mean for you personally. What needs to be released so that you can follow your soul’s journey toward personal empowerment? What uncomfortable truths will you have to acknowledge in order to align yourself with your soul’s journey toward empowerment.
On September 2nd, there is a New Moon in Virgo. The New Moon phase is all about new beginnings, new ideas, and fresh starts. Virgo’s meticulous energy will help you ground your ideas and set structured goals for the next six months. Virgo provides you with the instincts to streamline, organize, and perfect your thoughts and objectives in an orderly manner for your highest good.
However, with Mars also squaring Neptune on this date, the path forward may seem unclear. Whatever new path forward you are considering, it may feel very hazy or confusing right now. You may actually struggle a bit with your New Moon intentions. Mars is the planet that wants to charge full speed ahead, while Neptune likes to play with our subconscious and cause us to have doubts. She is famous for creating uncertainty and making us question the reliability of our thoughts and actions. Don't rush; instead, move slowly and lean on your intuition to guide you through this hazy period.
Adding to the confusion, Mars enters the sign of Cancer on September 4th until November 4th. When Mars is in Cancer, this planet is said to be in its “fall.” This is the most difficult placement for Mars. The warrior planet finds himself in an emotional and nurturing environment, which can be challenging. However, it can bring in a nurturing energy in a very protective way. There is a mama bear quality to this combination. Use this time to channel Mars' energy into home improvement projects or nurturing your relationships. Be mindful, though—this transit could stir up protective instincts that might lead to misunderstandings.
Mercury, the planet of communication, enters its home sign of Virgo on September 8th. Unlike a planet in “fall,” when a planet is in rulership, it is at its most fluid, authentic and most powerful representation. Mercury will be in Virgo until September 25th so take advantage of the power it will bring to the areas of communication and your intellect. This is an ideal time to sharpen your organizational skills, express yourself clearly, and engage in detailed analysis.
Mercury in Virgo is a wonderful transit to have as the Moon enters her 1st Quarter phase on September 11th. Now is the time to get off square one and really get going with things. This is an ideal time to sharpen your organizational skills, express yourself clearly, and engage in detailed analysis. Mercury in Virgo will help you see things more clearly and you can now take decisive action with the ideas that started to percolate during the New Moon phase.
From September 14th until the 21st, Venus in Libra forms a harmonious trine with Jupiter in Gemini. This alignment brings a wave of good fortune, love, and growth opportunities. Whether it's in your romantic life or financial matters, keep an open heart and mind for the blessings that come your way. Overall, remain open to feelings of enthusiasm, joy, and a positive outlook on life.
On September 17th, a Super Full Moon will occur in Pisces, making this event particularly special as it coincides with a partial lunar eclipse. During a partial eclipse, only a portion of the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. This offers us a unique opportunity to tap into the spiritual and emotional insights that often accompany a lunar eclipse. With the Moon in Pisces, a sign known for its deep spirituality, creativity, imagination, and intuition, and conjunct with Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, these revelations are likely to be especially profound.
This Moon carries the polarity between Pisces and Virgo, which reflects the elemental energies of earth and water. The combination of these elements can ground your spiritual energy and intuition, making it possible to use these talents in more practical ways as well as providing a deeper connection to the physical world and Mother Earth. Using a disciplined approach during this Full Moon is suggested through guided mediations and by incorporating more practical applications when using your creativity and imagination in manifesting your visions. One of the goals of a Full Moon and lunar eclipse is to release anything that you have outgrown or is no longer useful for your growth. There is a greater connection to the Universe and Source energy during this time so allow yourself to be guided on the path where you need to be.
As Mercury in Virgo opposes Saturn in Pisces on September 18th, you may feel a wave of self-criticism or doubt. Instead of letting negativity drag you down, use this transit to practice self-compassion and focus on finding solutions to anything that comes up that threatens your state of being. Remember that Saturn’s lessons, though tough, are ultimately designed to help you grow.
September 22nd marks the Fall Equinox and the Sun’s entry into Libra, signaling a time of balance and reflection. The Equinox is a powerful time for inner work, gratitude, and preparing for the symbolic death and rebirth that autumn represents. Use this energy to release the old and make space for new growth as you transition into the quieter, introspective season ahead. Meditation and other inner work is beneficial in order for you to make room inside yourself for growth and transformation.
As Venus moves into Scorpio on the same day as the Equinox, expect your relationships to intensify. When Venus is in the sign of Scorpio, you can experience some intense emotions, passions, and desires. Scorpio’s passionate energy can bring about deep emotional bonds but also stir feelings of possessiveness or jealousy. Reflect on where these emotions stem from and whether they are justified, or simply a result of Scorpio’s influence.
On September 24th, the Moon will be in her Last Quarter phase. As the Full Moon's energy wanes, focus on closing old chapters and preparing for new cycles. It is time to review, reevaluate and reorganize in order to make room for the next new stage of development. It is important to close the last chapter, leave behind the things no longer relevant, and see what still can be useful for our future endeavors.
On September 26th, Mercury leaves Virgo and enters Libra, bringing a more diplomatic and balanced approach to communication. While this transit can make decision-making challenging due to Libra’s tendency to see all sides, it also offers an excellent opportunity to improve your communication skills. We don’t want to hurt or offend anyone, and we want to use our words to be supportive of others, but we also don’t want to be people pleasing to the extent that we stifle our own voice. There are many ways to communicate with others. Being in agreement is only one of them. It is okay to have opposing beliefs and opinions. Just make sure your delivery is done with respect and understanding of other feelings. Strive for harmony in your interactions while respecting differing opinions.
The month ends with a Sun-Mercury conjunction in Libra on September 30th. This means that both of these planets are in the sign of Libra and for this short time are blending their energies together. There is a quality of intimacy and power between the two signs. This alignment enhances your mental clarity and confidence, making it an ideal time to make decisions and set goals. With communication flowing smoothly, trust your intellect and intuition to guide you as you close out September and look ahead to the future.
As September unfolds, these cosmic shifts offer a powerful opportunity for growth, reflection, and transformation. By staying attuned to the energies of the planets and their transits, you can navigate this month with greater clarity and intention. Whether you’re embracing new beginnings under the Virgo New Moon, deepening connections during Venus’s journey through Scorpio, or seeking balance with the Fall Equinox, remember that each moment is a step on your path to personal and spiritual evolution.
As we step into the heart of summer, the cosmos brings us a significant celestial event: Mercury retrograde in Virgo, starting on August 5th and lasting until August 27th. This period, known for its astrological significance, invites us to pause, reflect, and reassess our plans and strategies. Here’s how you can make the most of this introspective time.
Understanding Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
Mercury, the planet of communication, technology, and travel, goes retrograde three to four times a year. When Mercury retrogrades, it appears to move backward in the sky, signaling a time for us to slow down and revisit unfinished business. This particular retrograde in Virgo, a sign known for its attention to detail and analytical nature, enhances the focus on organization, efficiency, and thorough review.
Why You Should Pause and Reflect
During Mercury retrograde, it’s wise to hit the pause button on new ventures and major decisions. Here’s why:
Clarity and Insight: Use this time to gain clarity on existing projects and plans. Virgo’s meticulous energy supports detailed analysis and reflection.
Avoid Miscommunication: Mercury rules communication, and during its retrograde, misunderstandings and misinterpretations are more likely. Take extra care with emails, contracts, and important conversations.
Revisit and Revise: This is an excellent period to revisit old projects or ideas that were put on hold. With a fresh perspective, you may find new solutions and improved strategies.
How to Harness the Energy of Mercury Retrograde
Reflect on Your Goals: Take a step back and review your goals. Are they aligned with your current path? Are there adjustments that need to be made?
Reassess Strategies: Evaluate your strategies for achieving your dreams. Virgo’s energy will help you see where you can streamline and optimize your efforts.
Reconnect with Past Projects: Look at past projects that didn’t come to fruition. With renewed focus and a better plan, these can be revitalized and brought to completion.
Practical Tips for Navigating This Retrograde
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation and journaling to stay grounded and centered.
Back Up Data: Ensure that your digital data is backed up to avoid any tech mishaps.
Double-Check Plans: Verify travel plans and appointments, as delays and changes are common during this time.
Communicate Clearly: Be clear and concise in your communications to minimize misunderstandings.
Embrace the Pause for Growth
Rather than viewing Mercury retrograde as a disruptive force, see it as an opportunity for growth. This cosmic event serves as a wake-up call to slow down, reassess, and refine our approaches. By embracing this time for reflection, we can emerge with stronger, more effective plans that truly align with our highest aspirations.
Conclusion
Mercury retrograde in Virgo is a powerful period for introspection and improvement. From August 5th to August 27th, take advantage of this cosmic pause to review, revise, and rejuvenate your goals and plans. Embrace the clarity and insight that this time offers, and you’ll find yourself better prepared to move forward with renewed purpose and determination.
We are heading into the last hurrah of summer. We begin the month of August with the fiery energy of Leo before settling down to the more practical and efficient earth energy of Virgo when the Sun changes sign on August 22nd. I thought it would be interesting to reflect on how we can use the dynamic energy of Leo to our full advantage before focusing on slowing down and anticipating the details of the routines and daily needs that come with the end of August.
Where do you still need to increase your confidence and get noticed or recognized for what you have set out to do during this summer? Are you close to accomplishing your goals? Have you committed to showing up for yourself and creating more visibility for your projects?
As we move closer to August 22nd when Virgo will steer the ship, think of the ways in which you can best serve yourself and others. What do you need to pay attention to and where can you stream-line your life? Do you need to pay more attention to your health and wellness after a summer of travel and indulging?
The Universe provides clues about the direction of energies and how to navigate every month with the planetary transits. It is always so interesting to me how they move in tandem with the energy of the signs.
On August 4th we will have a New Moon in Leo to give us that push forward. This New Moon is providing us with creativity and the ability to use our personal self-expression in matters of the heart, our passions, and also romance and connection. It is a time to let the Universe know what your intentions are in moving toward the Full Moon phase in the next couple of weeks. What is it that you really desire? Are you ready to step into the spotlight? What energy can you bring to the table for the highest good of not only your own needs but those of others?
On the same day, Venus enters the sign of Virgo. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, personal values, and our pursuit of harmony and happiness. When Venus enters the sign of Virgo, all of these qualities are expressed in more practical forms. You may find yourself expressing your love in ways that make others feel special and cared for. If you are looking to strengthen your bond with a partner, this is a wonderful time to do that. This transit promotes mutual respect, understanding, and faithfulness, and being an earth sign, quite a fair amount of sensuality.
The third retrograde of the summer occurs on August 5th. Mercury goes retrograde in the sign of Virgo until August 27th. During this time, I would suggest taking a break from moving forward with any new plans you have in the works. Until Mercury stations direct once again on the 27th, take those 3 weeks (give or take a week on either side) to slow down and review your thoughts and the plans you are making for the future. Reflect on the best ways to really make your dreams work. Perhaps revisit attempts on similar projects that were started in the past that you didn’t finish or that didn’t pan out. Return to those ideas with renewed focus and a better plan for completion. This is a period with an emphasis on more reflection and less action. Look at this as a wake-up call designed to slow us down and give us the opportunity to do some things over in a different way. Embrace this time to see things from a different perspective, reassess your strategies, and use it as a tool for growth.
On August 7th, the Sun in Leo is in a sextile to Jupiter in Gemini. A sextile aspect is always one of opportunity, but it must be acted upon to produce any talents or benefits available. This is a pretty short connection between these planets, about a week, so if you are presented with an opportunity or situation during this time that could expand your life in ways that you want it to develop, I would suggest having faith in the process and taking advantage of what is being presented to you.
As the lunar cycle progresses, on August 12th the Moon moves into her 1st Quarter phase in Scorpio. This is the time in the lunar cycle when we start to develop and fine-tune our thoughts, ideas, and intentions that occurred during the New Moon. Things really start to gel at this point. However, be aware that during the 1st Quarter phase, the Moon is in a square aspect to the Sun. A Leo Sun is an extremely strong position since it is in the sign of its rulership. So, you may feel passionately led to develop your dreams in a very creative way, yet have a deep knowing that there are things from the past that need to be unearthed, acknowledged, and worked on as well. It is important to check in with yourself and make sure as you develop your intentions, that you are on the right track and in balance with your goals.
Mars connects with Jupiter in a conjunction aspect on August 14th. What does this mean when the fiery planet of Mars blends his energy with optimistic and expansive Jupiter? Well, for the next 2 weeks you feel like you can conquer anything. You will feel courageous and enthusiastic about all areas of your life. You may feel very adventurous and have the desire to travel during this time to broaden your horizons. Or you may feel extremely confident about your goals and will want to go full steam ahead. This is a very empowering energy, which is great, but do not overestimate. Try to keep a balance between your vitality and a self-awareness of the reality of life.
On August 15th, Mars connects with Saturn in a square aspect which cools things down a notch. Saturn is cautious and wants us to be responsible and have discipline. Also, remember that Saturn is in its retrograde station right now. You’ve got all this positive steam building up with the Mars/Jupiter conjunction, you want to go faster and be more brave than ever. But now Saturn is telling you to put the brakes on a bit. During this time, before plunging ahead, re-evaluate your personal, professional and social decisions, before moving forward. Just take some time to slow down and decide if your activities are in your best interest and then see what comes to light.
August 19th is a day of intense alignments; Jupiter is square Saturn, Saturn is in opposition to Venus, the Sun is square Uranus, and to top it all off there is a Full Moon in Aquarius. Let’s look at this transit by transit.
1. Jupiter square Saturn: optimism and abundance vs. structure and limitations. A good way to look at this transit is to combine hard work with faith and creativity. You may be very motivated to achieve at this time, but could run into some barriers. Recognize that there may be some limits that occur at the moment, but open your mind to how you can work around those limits and make adjustments to your beliefs and perspectives.
2. Saturn opposite Venus: structure and limitations vs. harmony and love. Don’t be surprised during this transit if you experience some hardship in gaining the love and appreciation from your partner or others who are important to you. Take some time for yourself to reflect on what you want and expect in this area of life and work on your own self-development and values. This will bring more clarity to what is in your highest good.
3. Sun square Uranus: usually we see sudden changes in ourselves emerging in different ways during this transit. You may feel a need for more independence or freedom during this time, or an urge to rebel against the mundane or norms of your life. Take time to process what is encouraging these feelings and how you can align with your true self through new opportunities.
4. Full Moon in Aquarius: this Moon is in line with the Sun/Uranus transit in the respect that it is calling you to embrace your uniqueness, to think outside the box, and open your heart in how you can help others in a humanitarian or societal level. It is about finding your place in the world.
Because the points of opposition are between the Leo Sun and Aquarius Moon, it may be time to decide how you are going to let go of some self-centered qualities and learn to be of service to others. Leo and Aquarius are both leaders, so perhaps using your personal leadership qualities to aid society instead of purely supporting personal ambitions. Aquarius can learn from Leo how to look at more individual needs instead of the big picture all the time. Overall, the Full Moon is allowing you to see everything leading up to this point fully illuminated and to see both sides of any given situation. You can satisfy both the need for personal expression and the need to serve others.
On August 22nd, the Sun enters Virgo. The sign of Virgo is an earth sign and is known for having a very grounded and practical energy. Take advantage of the Sun’s month long stay in Virgo to use this energy in the most efficient way as possible. After all, Virgo is known as the organizational genius of the zodiac. This is the perfect progression of the signs. As the Sun leaves the dynamic and radiant Leo, it is time to take those creative ideas and focus on finding practical outlets for them and concentrate on the details. It may not sound exciting, but it is a great time to organize your daily routines and responsibilities. Give some thought of how you can best be of service to others both personally and professionally. You actually may feel better energetically during this time by having put structures in place. This would also be a good time to make any medical appointments you have been putting off and to adjust your health and wellness routines if you feel your diet and exercise routines have suffered over the busy summer months.
On August 26th, the Moon moves into her Last Quarter phase. This phase is the half-way point between the Full Moon and the New Moon. We have hopefully realized what is important post the Full Moon which occurred on the 19th. It is now time to reevaluate and reorganize our philosophies and belief system. It is time to again make room for the new and to re-invest in what may still be valuable in anticipation of the New Moon which is rapidly approaching on September 2nd. Use that Virgo energy to help you take care of things you have been putting off. Clean up the clutter both emotionally and physically, complete any unfinished paperwork, catch up on daily chores, and most importantly let go of any negativity or things not in your highest good.
On August 28th, Mercury stations direct. Yes! This particular retrograde is over, but give yourself another week to get through the shadow period. You’ll find your communication skills improving with fewer crossed wires, and you can begin to create momentum again on projects, goals, and relationships because hopefully during retrograde you were able to slow down and reassess, revise, and rethink your approach to whatever area of life this retrograde was affecting.
Venus then enters Libra on August 29th as the month comes to a close. This is a lovely way to end August. Venus is in her rulership in Libra. She is very comfortable and has full access to the highest expressions of the sign. You can take advantage of this energy for a little over 3 weeks before it moves into Scorpio on September 23rd. You can expect a great deal of harmony and love to enter your orbit while Venus is moving through this sign. Reach out to an old friend, nurture your connections to those you are close to, allow your romantic nature to flow, and embrace the beauty of everything that enters your life.
August offers a rich tapestry of astrological events, each presenting unique opportunities for growth and transformation. By aligning with these cosmic energies, you can navigate the month with greater awareness and intention.
July is the second month of summer and the beginning of what was commonly known as the “dog days of summer.” I used to think this was a reference to the intense heat of mid-summer, which was not fit for a dog, creating feelings of lethargy.
I’ve come to find out that this term actually refers to a particularly bright star that rises and sets with the Sun during this time of the year and is known as Sirius or the Dog Star. This star is responsible for the expression “dog days.” It is also extremely interesting to note that Sirius was the name of the dog of Orion, the mythical hunter, who has his own constellation, and reinforces the Dog Star’s association with dogs. The Dog Star is the second brightest star that can be seen by the naked eye, so take a look up at the night sky between July 3rd and August 11th to see this shining star.
Let’s take a look at what is happening during this sultry month of July. On July 2nd, Neptune Retrograde begins. We now have two planets, Saturn and Neptune, in retrograde motion and both in the sign of Pisces. Saturn stationed retrograde on June 29th until November 15th, and Neptune is retrograde in her own sign until December 7th. What does this mean and how do we move through this with a higher awareness?
First of all, Saturn represents perseverance, discipline, and following the rules. This is the planet that sets boundaries and limitations. He shows us where we need to be responsible and make mature decisions in our life.
Pisces is the sign of compassion, intuition, and spirituality. This a very watery and imaginative energy. When Saturn is in this sign, it can create situations in which you are less confident, perhaps even a bit fearful and self-conscious about making the right decisions. However, what Saturn really is encouraging us to do is become serious about what we have been dreaming of and to use that powerful Pisces intuition to lead us forward. To embrace the softer and more sensitive energy of Pisces as you plan your next move.
What we need to do during the Saturn Retrograde period is connect more deeply to the areas of intuition, spirituality, imagination, and creativity that Pisces brings to the table. It can allow us to bring more structure and idealism into these areas of life. This is the time to re-evaluate our personal ambitions, as well as our professional and social decisions, so that we can restructure and rebuild the things that are no longer serving us. We have the time to slow down, reflect, and decide if our activities are working in our best interest or if we should change direction. We need to take a look at our past behavior and our past decisions and see what comes to light so that we can bring our actions into balance and make things right in our life. As Neptune closely follows Saturn in retrograde motion, there is a continuation of the themes of introspection and reflection concerning our lives. Since Neptune is the ruling planet of Pisces, he can express himself to the fullest. He loves being in this sign and feels completely comfortable and in harmony with this energy.
Here’s the thing about this trickster Neptune. Yes, this is a very compassionate, spiritual, and inspiration planet. However, Neptune is also famous for creating illusion, self-delusion, and fantasy. This is an extremely watery planet that can sometimes cloud our minds with a mist, creating uncertain thoughts and misunderstood perceptions.
At times he encourages us to put on our rose-colored glasses so that we don’t have to face things or see things as they really are. It is a protection mechanism for when the realism of life is too harsh. As far as the spiritual component, for many of us, spirituality and our spiritual beliefs are often hidden, yet Neptune is the planet that provides us with faith in all we cannot see or touch. This is the work of Neptune. He gives us our imagination, creativity, sensitivity and governs our dreams.
The interesting thing that happens during a Neptune retrograde is that you will see things more realistically and with greater awareness. Almost as if a veil has been lifted. It will be easier for you to see situations more clearly. This time period encourages you to view the most difficult aspects about yourself, your life, and your relationships with others, with no blinders on.
During this time, it is particularly important to stay true to yourself, trust your instincts, and follow your intuition. Your intuition will never steer you wrong. Neptune’s retrograde inspires creativity and helps you to better understand your hopes and dreams.
Throughout this time period, I encourage everyone to delve into the more hidden characteristics of self and engage in strengthening your spiritual side by starting a solid meditation practice, take classes that interest you in more metaphysical areas of life, take part in intuitive healing energy work, spiritual counseling or retreats, or gaining clarity through soul guidance. These types of activities will greatly help you weather both the Neptune and Saturn retrogrades.
Mercury moves into the sign of Leo on July 2nd as well. Mercury will remain in this sign until July 25th. This combination brings a dramatic flair to our communication style. We become more confident in our thoughts and in how we are planning our next/next. Take advantage of this energy by communicating from your place of truth. Leo is the sign of creativity, so do not be shy about envisioning what you want in the grandest way possible. The details can come later.
On July 5th there will be a New Moon in Cancer. The Moon is in her rulership in Cancer, so expect your emotions to be heightened during this New Moon. You may be feeling extra emotional or extra sensitive, or your feelings may see-saw a bit. However, this is a wonderful time to build close and meaningful relationships, not only with your family but also with others who you are in personal, professional, or business partnerships with. Issues of sharing, partnership, cooperation, and compromise are highlighted during this New Moon. This is when we envision how we would like our relationships or partnerships to grow and what we would like to create in this area of life. Tune into your inner self by meditating on your wishes or write in your journal about what you would like to generate in terms of personal relationships. Reassess your personal needs and work through issues of your own individuality and those of the important others in your life.
Adding to the energy of this particular Moon, Venus then conjuncts the Moon on July 6th. Venus brings in a lovely, calm, harmonious element with this transit. It can provide you with the ability to connect on a deeper level with others, and at the same time, allow you to explore your own emotional world and understand how to navigate relationships through understanding and compassion.
Then on July 13th we become better equipped to understand what we need to do to move ahead with our New Moon intentions when the Moon transits into Libra and the 1st quarter lunar phase. This is the phase when the Moon is in a square aspect to the Sun. Some see a square aspect as a negative time, but really this is the time of great vitality. It is a very energizing time to get things going and start to take decisive action. You may not have all the moving parts in place, but you begin to put your energy into it. Usually 2 days before and 2 days after this phase you will feel an expansion of this energy for growth and development. This is the turning point when things start to develop significantly. Use your intuition when establishing the groundwork of whatever it is you are doing. Be courageous and take at least one fearless step forward in the process.
On July 20th, Mars, the planet of action, assertiveness, ambition, and drive enters the sign of Gemini. This energy takes us straight through the summer until September 4th. This combination will help you to advance forward on your journey. It brings vitality to the mind, providing you with a ton of ideas and the ability to stay active and engaged with your plans as we move toward the Full Moon. You may find you have very strong opinions and a creativity that helps you in communicating your truth to others and is a great time to plan and strategize for those future goals. Just make sure to keep your focus where it needs to be because Mars in this sign can cause you to scatter your energy in too many directions.
Right on schedule, the Moon moves into her Full phase on July 21st. This is a Capricorn Full Moon. I love how the Universe works. When the Moon is in Capricorn it brings a stability to our emotional life. We want less drama and will be more cautious with our personal attachments. It also brings awareness of what we have achieved or are about to achieve during this lunation cycle. We are provided with focus and self-discipline and an ability to see all with complete illumination.
Here is the most amazing part. This is the 2nd Full Moon in a row in the sign of Capricorn this summer. Yes, on June 21st the Full Moon was in Capricorn and now on July 21st the same. This is a really rare occurrence. Each brings a different flavor and energy to the cycle. The June Full Moon occurred at the beginning of Cancer Season, and the July Full Moon occurs at the end of Cancer Season. The June Full Moon was at the first degree of Capricorn, while this July Full Moon falls at the last degree of the sign. This suggests a mastery of the knowledge being imparted to us and what we are supposed to have learned as a result. We have been given the opportunity to do some deep work here and to learn about the responsibilities we have to both ourselves and to others. If we can understand ourselves with compassion on a deep level, it then allows us to share that truth with others and perhaps help them with their own healing journey.
During this time period, make self-care a priority. Commit to a daily practice of reflection or meditation, be productive in your daily routines, honor your emotions and learn to listen to what your mind, body, and soul need. Take the opportunity to release anything that is keeping you from your true purpose and remember what your goals and wishes were at the beginning of this entire process.
September has arrived bringing with it the Fall Equinox. Just as there is a Spring Equinox in March marking the official arrival of spring, there is also the Fall Equinox marking the arrival of autumn. This occurs on September 23rd at the same time that the Sun enters Libra, the sign of balance, equality, and harmony.
The Equinox comes from the Latin, meaning “equal” and “night.” Equal parts light and dark. As we progress from the Fall Equinox, we see the days become shorter and nightfall occurring earlier. This is a tipping point in the Earth’s cycle when the Moon begins to outdistance the Sun. The Moon has been chasing the Sun since spring and finally overtakes it during this time. This dance will continue until the Winter Solstice in December, when the days will slowly start to grow longer until we once again reach the Spring Equinox in March.
This cycle is the basis of the mythological story of Persephone and Demeter. As the story goes, Demeter is the Earth Mother Goddess who reigns over all of nature, ruling over grains, crops, harvest, all of agriculture, and the fertility of the earth. Demeter becomes impregnated by Zeus, who later becomes her husband, and she gives birth to her daughter Persephone, Goddess of Fertility and Spring.
Persephone was a beautiful Goddess and the love of her mother’s life. One day as Persephone is playing in a meadow, she is kidnapped, (with the helping hand of Zeus) by Haides, God of the Underworld, thereby making her Haides’ bride. When Demeter hears of the kidnapping she is distraught and heartbroken. She searches for her throughout the world until finally discovering Persephone’s fate. When she learns that Zeus had actually been a part of her precious daughter’s abduction, she becomes furious and refuses to let the Earth bear fruit, remain fertile, or flourish, until her daughter is returned. This results in Earth becoming a barren wasteland, plunging it into great famine where nothing will grow, causing humans to die. She tells Zeus that it will remain this way until he has Persephone returned to her.
Zeus consents in order to prevent disaster and commands Haides to return Persephone to her mother. However, it is a bit too late, as Persephone has already eaten the food from the Underworld, making it impossible for her to return to her mother forever. A deal is then made that Persephone will divide the year between her mother and her husband, which explains the seasonal cycle. Demeter does not allow warmth or growth of any kind while Persephone is gone, but when she returns home we see the joy, hope, and renewal that she brings with her. Her annual return to the earth brings the flowering of the meadows and forests, the growth of new grains, the promise of the regeneration of life. Herein lies the nature of the seasons and the death and rebirth cycle of nature.
With the beginning of the autumn season, we experience a slower pace as the earth tilts away from the Sun. It is a time of turning inward and surrendering to the symbolic death/rebirth phase. It’s all about releasing, moving, transforming. Meditation and other inner work is beneficial in order for you to make room inside yourself for growth and transformation. It is a time of practicing gratitude and reflecting on all you have achieved since the Spring Equinox and through the bounty of summer that will sustain you through the winter. Allow your intuition and emotions to emerge so that you can tap into your creativity and dreams for the future when you can again start a new chapter in your life come the next Spring Equinox.
The Moon that appears and is associated with the Fall Equinox is called the Harvest Moon and occurs closest to the start of autumn. It dates back to the time when farmers depended on the light of the bright Full Moon to harvest their crops late into the night. This is the first Full Moon after the Equinox and is special because at this time the interval from one moonrise to the next becomes shorter. It carries the energy of endings.
Since this Full Moon is in the sign of Aries, it carries the polarity between Aries and Libra. The goal is to find balance between the Aries Moon and Libra Sun. In other words, in finding balance between self and your relationship with others. This polarity teaches lessons about valuing your independence while keeping in mind your commitments to others. Since Aries is a very reactionary, passionate and assertive sign, learning to pause and listen before reacting is very important. Include some of the Libra qualities of compromise, cooperation and diplomacy in order to have more successful relationships and life experiences.
In order to understand how this Full Moon will affect you, it is helpful to know which area of life will be most influenced by this Moon/Sun polarity. Below is a brief insight for each zodiac sign.
YOUR HARVEST MOON HOROSCOPE:
ARIES Your state of mind during this phase is to put yourself first. It is all about asserting your independence, power, and authority. However, try to find a way to create balance between your needs and understanding the needs of other important people in your life. The challenge for you will be learning the art of collaboration and cooperation with others at this time.
TAURUS The Moon is in the house of the subconscious where you will be focused on your inner life and more spiritual pursuits. This is a time for dreams, reflection, and inspiration. Schedule some down time, including some self-care activities, and learn how to trust your intuition and passions.
GEMINI Visions that you have for your future goals are solidifying. Let the Harvest Moon guide you in planning your next best steps so that you can reap the most bounty from them. Because you tend to lose interest in things quickly, allow the Moon to illuminate what is true for you and allow yourself to see things clearly. This also shines light on the people you surround yourself with and allows you to decide on those you want to connect with and groups you want to be involved with.
CANCER The Harvest Moon is in your 10th house of career, profession, and public recognition. This is the time to get serious about whether or not you are happy in your life path and professional direction. Allow this Moon to illuminate what you should be doing in your life. This is a good time to obtain guidance regarding new opportunities within your current position or looking at a whole new career sector.
LEO The future is unknown and you have to rely on your personal beliefs and philosophies. However, this Full Moon might just have you questioning your belief systems. A mentor or teacher could go a long way in helping you to shine a light on a new path or encourage a new journey toward enlightenment or new dream. Or YOU may be the role model for inspiring or leading others by example.
VIRGO The Harvest Moon is moving through your house of deep transformations, encouraging you to release whatever has been dragging you down and prohibiting you from having a fulfilling and powerful life not only of your own, but also within your intimate relationships. This is the last of the relationship houses and this house deals with maintaining your relationships, not beginning them. Use this time to dive deep into your soul, allowing the light of the Full Moon to guide you toward powerful self-discovery regarding your needs which can lead to healing, rebirth, and renewal of what you want and need in all facets of your life.
LIBRA The Moon is transiting your natural home, the 7th house. In fact, this is the beginning of a super important period for all Libras as the eclipse axis shifted into Aries/Libra in July. Therefore, during the next 18 months be prepared for some major transformations in your life associated with relationships and how you relate to others. You can expect this particular Full Moon to begin shedding light on all relationships both personal and business. Begin to assess all one on one connections and take the opportunity to improve your relationships in some way.
SCORPIO This Full Moon is moving through your 6th house, shining a light on things that could include your health and wellness, issues in the work environment or with work colleagues, or a project that is nearing completion. Your true feelings regarding anything involving these activities will be illuminated and will help you to see the benefits of being able to work towards a job goal, a health and fitness goal, or a lifestyle habit. Use this time to make positive changes to your routines or get started on an exercise or nutrition program that you’ve been thinking about.
SAGITTARIUS The Full Moon is shining her light in your 5th house. This is the area of life that is all about the things that bring you joy and encourages you to use your creativity and self-expression. You will want to have fun during this time so put yourself out there. Creatively express yourself in some way. If you are looking to begin a new romance, try an online dating site. Plan an adventurous trip abroad. Whatever you love to do, do more of it within reason. You don’t want to go overboard, but you will definitely find the things that you love to do illuminated at this time.
CAPRICORN This Full Moon is effecting your foundational security bringing feelings regarding home, family, and emotional safety to the surface. One of the issues that may rise to the surface is the quality of your home life. Have you been spending too much time at work? Do you need to find balance between your work life and your family time? Is there a renovation project that you need to finish? Is there a family issue that needs to be healed? These are all questions that may come up at this time in order for you to strengthen your sense of belonging.
AQUARIUS The Harvest Moon is illuminating something that is occurring in your community. You may feel a certain need to teach or communicate to others what you think and feel about the situation. This is a time to think, observe, and learn regarding what is happening here and decide how you can improve on your skill sets to help find balance in the situation. During this time period, it is also important for you to get caught up on the mundane chores you have neglected over the past couple of weeks like paying bills, clutter clearing, or responding to general correspondences and communications.
PISCES The Full Moon is shining light on your self-worth and what it is that you value, as well as your financial sector. If you have been assessing your budget and deciding on a major purchase, something you have been saving for or something which could be considered a splurge item, now may be the time to allow yourself to move forward on it. The most important thing is to allow self-awareness about what is truly of value to you and what it is that reinforces your sense of foundational security.
I was going to write one of my standard monthly articles focusing on Spring, new beginnings, and April astrological happenings when another idea came to me. Yes, April is the time of new beginnings, and the New Moon on April 20th is actually the first Solar Eclipse of the year; however, I also have a new beginning in my life and thought it would be fun to share a little something different.
My husband and I adopted an adorable 10 week old standard poodle puppy who we named Cassie. We lost our beloved 12 year old female standard poodle Roxie last March. Since then, our 4 year old male standard Charlie, my husband, and myself have been feeling the loss. I believe it was written in the stars how we came to have this sweet girl arrive in our life. But that’s a story for another day.
This little girl is a Capricorn, born on December 27, 2022. Of course, I began to look at her personality and behavior to get an idea of how easy or difficult training would be, what her energy would look like, and how sensitive she would be to our energy and what we expect of her. I also began to think that other dog lovers and dog owners would find this interesting as well in understanding their own furry children.
Reflecting on Roxie’s personality, she was born on July 2nd and therefore was the water sign Cancer. She certainly lived up to this sign’s definition of sensitive, intuitive and very complex. She managed to hide her illness from us until it was too late because she was such a sweet little soul and didn’t want to reveal any cause for alarm. Cancer dogs do not have a bad bone in their body. But on the other side, she could also be prone to anxiety and worry, and if she didn’t want to listen, she could be extremely obstinate. All in all, she was strongly attached to her home and loved her secure surroundings and family beyond measure.
Charlie is a Pisces which is also a water sign. A Pisces dog is even more sensitive than Cancer. Extremely intuitive and loving. Very mellow and happy to just be where his family is. With Cancer, when feelings get hurt, Roxie would go off on her own and pout. With Charlie, he just retreats within himself. These two got along famously because they intuitively understood each other and knew when to be together and when to back off. They shared the gift of emotions which enabled them to understand each other In a rather unique way. And because Cancer is a nurturing sign, she made a great companion for the kind and caring sign of Pisces.
Now what happens when you mix the Capricorn earth sign which is our newbie, Cassie, with the Pisces water sign of Charlie? I think she will definitely have a nice grounding effect on Charlie, hopefully bringing more confidence to his nature. And Charlie will provide a quiet and calm energy needed by a Capricorn dog. Capricorn dogs don’t do well with hyperactive energy.
Here are descriptions of the zodiac signs as they show up in your dog’s personality.
ARIES – March 21 – April 19: If your pet was born between March 21 – April 19, he/she will have an Aries personality. Expect this pup to have a confident, strong-willed, and assertive demeanor. He/she will definitely have their own mind and will want to do things their own way. Be prepared for lots of activity, playing, and running around. As long as you keep them happy with lots of play initiative, they will be an awesome addition to the family. And if you have always wanted to do agility training with your pup, this is the personality that would love it.
TAURUS – April 20 – May 20: Good luck to those of you who have a dog with a Taurus personality. He/she will be headstrong and stubborn, which can make it somewhat difficult when trying to train or control. Plan on having tons of yummy treats to entice them into doing what you want them to. If you plan on taking your pet on trips, this could prove difficult in that this is a dog personality that absolutely does not like any change in his/her routine. But on a positive note, this dog loves to be loved, cuddled and pampered, and is the perfect companion for long walks in nature.
GEMINI – May 21 – June 20: If you’ve got a dog with a Gemini personality, this is a pet that can literally outsmart you. Ruled by Mercury, they are curious, intelligent and mischievous. Take this one to the dog park as this type is very sociable and loves to mingle. A Gemini pup should be in a fenced in yard because they are notorious escape artists. Always with their nose to the ground to gather more information which can take them to places unknown.
CANCER – JUNE 21 – JULY 22: If you are looking for a warm-hearted, loving, devoted companion, this is the zodiac personality for you. Cancer pups become very attached to their families and can’t bear to be away from home. So, if you travel, plan on having a pet nanny stay at your house as opposed to a kennel. Cancer dogs also make awesome service animals as they have a level of compassion that tunes into the person who needs them.
LEO – July 23 – August 22: All the world’s a stage and this furry friend wants to be front and center. They love attention and don’t mind being brushed and pampered to look their best. A Leo personality is also very loyal and very protective of the people they love. This is a very courageous animal who would probably step in the middle of anything or anyone trying to be aggressive to a member of their tribe.
.VIRGO – August 23 – September 22: Also ruled by Mercury, this is a very intelligent and dedicated dog. If you are looking for a service dog, this personality would be perfect. They love having a job to do and are very attached to their routines. They are also very dutiful and make excellent guard dogs. This is also a very hygienic pup who likes his/her personal space to be clean and would rather explode than create a mess in their bed or living space.
LIBRA – September 23 – October 22: Gorgeous to look at and sweet as can be. A Libra pet is very well-balanced. They want to snuggle and love on everyone in their family without picking a favorite. They don’t like being left alone, so having another pet would be wonderful for this sign. Be aware during training that they can be a bit ADD as a Libra pup can be easily distracted. Please be patient with these tender hearted souls. Their feelings can be hurt easily if you speak harshly. They need lots of repetition and gentle positive reinforcement.
SCORPIO – October 23 – November 21: This is an extremely loyal and dedicated personality and they will often attach themselves to one specific person in the household. It may take some time to gain their trust, but once you do you’ve got a friend for life. They are extremely perceptive and can sniff out anything or anyone who is inauthentic. When they look you in the eye, it is intense. They seem to really understand who you are and will let you know when they are ready to trust you. The Scorpio pup enjoys puzzle toys where he/she can investigate and keep his/her mind active.
SAGITTARIUS – November 22 – December 21: The pup with a Sagittarius soul is friendly, adventurous, comical and absolutely does not like being restrained in any way. Be prepared to let this one off leash to run free and explore all the sights and smells that nature has to offer (safely of course). They are happiest being outside, so if you love outdoor activities, hiking and traveling, this is the companion for you. Because this is a very freedom loving personality, keep a watchful eye on them so they don’t wander off in their quest for adventure. As for training, let them know what is expected of them and they will give you 100%.
CAPRICORN – December 22 – January 19: Dogs with the Capricorn personality are serious minded and calm, but also smart and good-natured and eager to please. They are the natural workers of the zodiac, so expect your pup to be the star of his/her training class. They are quick learners and don’t forget once they are taught a task. The training technique that works best for this sign is positive reinforcement. They respond much better to rewards than being yelled at for mistakes. They inherently really want to do the right thing. This sweet soul prefers to sit back and observe before jumping into the mix. Make sure you give him/her a good challenge and new tricks to learn every now and then to give a sense of achievement.
AQUARIUS – January 20 – February 18: Aquarian dogs are quite unique little characters. They are not really cuddly and overly affectionate but are super social and love to make friends. You can recognize this little rebel at the dog-park as the one not following the others but leading the chase. This is also the one dog with a social consciousness wanting to help people and other animals. If you have ever seen a dog rescuing someone from a burning building or from drowning in a lake, you have just witnessed an Aquarian dream.
PISCES – February 19 – March 20: If your dog is a Pisces you have an extremely sensitive and highly intuitive companion. They can pick up the vibe in the room or the energy of other people before you have a chance to take anything in at all. If your pup takes an instant dislike to someone, that is the only caution sign you will need to stay away from that person. They are happiest with their chosen person or people and will be attached like Velcro to your side. These personalities are the most gentle, kind and loving of the pet world. If you are looking for a soulmate who will listen to you, provide you comfort, and follow you from room to room, this is the one for you.
The month begins with Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, exiting the sign of Aquarius and entering Pisces. Mercury, the mythological messenger, will leave behind the energy of Aquarius which has been fast-paced, logical and unconventional, and allow us the time to process things in a more deeply, introspective, and compassionate manner.
When Mercury enters Pisces on March the 2nd, be prepared to experience a more imaginative and dreamy mind-set. Your words don’t just come from you, they come through you. There is a sense of intuition associated with this combination. Lean into this energy for the next couple of weeks so that you can take advantage of the perceptive and creative nature that comes through having Mercury in Pisces.
By March the 18th, Mercury will move out of Pisces and into the sign of Aries where communication, learning, and ideas are again expressed in more passionate, innovative, and direct ways. You may be able to initiate into action some of the creative thoughts that you had when Mercury was in Pisces. However, be aware that listening may not be your strongest gift during the time that Mercury is moving through Aries. You may have to remind yourself that it is important to listen to other people’s points of view in order for you to learn to see things from different perspectives.
Also, during this first week of March, from the 1st through the 6th, the Moon will be in her Waxing Gibbous phase. This is a week to prepare for the Full Moon which is right around the corner. Mercury in the sign of Pisces will be quite helpful in quieting your mind so that you can concentrate on areas of self-development and self-awareness. You can begin to devote time reflecting on the ways you want to improve your life, your work, and your relationships. Focus on the best ways you can progress and grow.
The Full Moon will then occur on March 7th in the sign of Virgo, which is the sign ruled by Mercury. A Full Moon in Virgo reminds us of the importance of being useful and of service to others. You may be in a situation that requires you to mentor another person. Or you just may feel your happiest being busy with your day-to-day routines and organizing life for yourself and others in your family or work environment. Even though you feel amazing being able to help others, be sure you set boundaries so that your good intentions are not taken advantage of.
At the exact same time, a major change is happening when Saturn leaves Aquarius and enters a 2 year transit through the sign of Pisces. How in the world does the “Father of the Zodiac” behave in the watery and compassionate sign of Pisces? Saturn is the strict and authoritative father figure who makes the rules and sets our curfews. He provides structure and boundaries. Teaches us about responsibility and forces us to have discipline and order in our lives. Saturn Is practical and anchored in reality.
Pisces on the other hand is ruled by the planet Neptune. The planet that represents spirituality, dreams and fantasy, imagination, and our capacity for compassion and sensitivity.
So, what can we expect to see as Saturn spends the next 2 years in this sign? Possibly some great things can come out of this. For instance, on a societal level, the way this country looks at and deals with mental health issues. Perhaps the powers that be will get more serious regarding these matters by taking a closer look at what could be beneficial for those struggling to stay emotionally and mentally stable by passing legislation making it easier and more affordable for people to get the help they need in terms of therapy and in-house treatment. Other areas that may come to the surface could be making greater strides in the legalization of cannabis, or perhaps some greater rules and regulations around social media, or maybe something as simple as creating less confusion in your own personal life. Allowing your eyes to be wide open to friends, lovers, your career, or wherever you have the tendency to view things through “rose-colored glasses.”
I highly recommend that you take a look at the area of life in your chart where this transit will be moving during these next 2 years. This will help you to see where you need to be more responsible and to understand the importance of learning everything you are capable of in this area of life. To know and recognize boundaries and to develop discipline and structure. If you don’t know how to do this, contact me or another trusted astrologer for help in breaking it all down.
Venus enters Taurus on March 16th and will be here until April 10th. Venus is in her rulership in this sign which means that she is very comfortable and happy here and has full access to all of the sensual and earthly pleasures that Taurus has to offer. What this means for us is that it is an opportunity for us to do more of the things that we love. To be open and aware of what we are drawn to and to let ourselves enjoy the things that bring us pleasure. Venus puts us more in touch with the beauty of the world around us, as well as the beauty within ourselves. For these next few weeks allow Venus to set the stage for what makes you happy, to allow yourself to appreciate what you view as beautiful, and to open yourself to love, affection, and reigniting the fire within your close relationships.
Again, I suggest taking a look at which house Venus will be transiting in your own chart so that you can see where the emphasis will be in attracting what you want. It may also help you to realize that what you wanted a year ago, may not be what you desire now. It can help you define what you want and what it is that will make you happy.
March 20th signals the start of an amazing week of new beginnings and also a major planetary shift which may be THE most important one of the year and beyond.
On March 20th, we welcome the Spring Equinox. At the same time, the Sun enters Aries. Both the Equinox and the Sun transiting into Aries marks the official arrival of spring and the astrological new year. With this comes the anticipation of what each day will bring and creates hope and excitement that new beginnings could possibly be around every corner. Pay attention to the area of life where your light seems to shine. Look closely at what is going on in your life and where you may possibly be able to find a new purpose in what you are doing.
The very next day, we have the New Moon also in the sign of Aries. New Moons are always about new beginnings and when you factor in the timing with the Equinox, this New Moon is really encouraging everyone to put on their creativity hats, decide on the seeds you want to plant for the year, and be courageous. This is an absolutely magical time for setting intentions for your year. Make your wishes and visualize seeing your dreams come to fruition. This would be an absolutely perfect time to tune into your inner self by meditating on your wishes, then journal about what you want to create. Continue this practice throughout the year for the best results.
Let’s end by looking at that major planetary shift that is happening on March 23rd. For the first time since 2008, the planet Pluto is changing signs and transiting into the sign of Aquarius. This won’t take place all at once. Yes, it begins on March 23rd, but will swing back out into Capricorn on June 11th. It then transits back to Aquarius in January of 2024 until September 1, 2024, then finally moves back into Aquarius permanently on November 19, 2024, for the next two decades. This will be important to remember as we continue to understand the importance of this shift.
Pluto is the planet of death and rebirth, regeneration, transformation. In Greek Mythology, Pluto was Hades the Lord of the Underworld. This is an extremely powerful planet and symbolizes our personal power. He represents the power of shattering and reconstruction. Every time you have been betrayed, lied to, deceived, or had your emotions crushed, Pluto is the planet that gives you the power to go to the depths of hell and come back stronger. This energy is about forcing intense issues into the light for the purpose of self-transformation and soul renewal, hopefully emerging more enlightened and clearer having learned powerful lessons.
On a personal level, wherever Pluto is transiting in your chart is where you will see ongoing change and probably the most profound transformations in your life. Try to use this energy to guide you through your deepest issues without fear, but with a curiosity of how to come out on the other side a more enlightened being. I say, embrace your power and “don’t fear the reaper.” Whatever is supposed to happen will happen for your greatest good. Wherever there is a death, there is a rebirth.
When we look at how it will shift our world collectively, as Pluto leaves Capricorn and moves into Aquarius, it signals perhaps the end of the rules and structures that have bound our society in terms of social and governmental structures. I think we can all agree that we have been witnessing the collapse of these things as we have always known them. And these changes will not be happening suddenly. It will be a slow and painful process until Pluto stops moving backward and forward and finally settles down in November of 2024. We probably will witness many ups and downs and transformations, not seeing the total fall-out or change until after Pluto has made his final move.
When Pluto enters Aquarius, we can expect to see a new era in terms of societal ideals, hopefully in the transformation of humanitarianism and social justice for the better. Probably many changes involving science and technology. But, it could also indicate some type of revolution. Aquarius is known for not only being innovative and progressive, but also for breaking the rules. In its best outcome, I’m hoping for a more cooperative society. Where we finally understand what works and what doesn’t. When people finally see the inequality and injustice that still exists in our society and we finally make strides to right any imbalances.
Since February is typically the month that we associate with all things related to love and romance, it is only fitting that this month’s article is dedicated to the planet of love and beauty in all of her forms – Venus.
Venus is the planetary ruler of both Taurus and Libra. Venus represents the core essence of the feminine. The Goddess of Love and Beauty. In her earlier origins, she was worshipped as a nature goddess and mother of all on-going creation. She is the embodiment of grace, harmony and beauty, cultivating these attributes through the arts and through her diplomacy and charm. She symbolizes how we attract the things that we love and value, and through her energy, we determine the things we appreciate. Venus expresses what makes us feel good and is inspired when we are in partnership and romantic situations.
The human impulse is to connect with others, and Venus is the planet that helps us form relationships. Her primary function is love in all its forms. But make no mistake, she is also a rejecting planet, having no problem discriminating with whom she forms attachments and who she doesn’t. This is the goddess who taught the lessons of sexuality, desire, and the affections we arouse in others, as well as sorrow, loss, and rejection in love.
In the birth chart, wherever Venus is located, can indicate how we attract the people and things that we love and value, as well as our aesthetic tastes. It shows where we anchor our values.
Since Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, this means this planet also rules 2 different houses in the zodiac. The 2nd house is home to Taurus, and the 7th house is home to Libra. The 2nd house is the House of Self Worth. It represents our financial and psychological resources. It rules our personal money, resources, possessions, and personal values. It shows our self-esteem or lack of, and the things that we find of value.
The 7th house is known as the House of Relationships. It rules marriage, partnerships (both personal and business), cooperation, and our open enemies. It represents pretty much all significant one to one relationships which could include those such as therapist/client, attorney/client, or business partners. It is also about learning how to strike a balance, learn diplomacy, and learn how to collaborate with others.
Venus transits into the sign of Pisces the day after Valentine’s Day on February 15th.
Venus is in her exaltation in this compassionate and dreamy water sign. This is an especially lovely placement for Venus. When we say that a planet is exalted in a sign, what we are saying is that the planet, in this case Venus, feels comfortable and welcomed in this signs. It's an easy fit and creates an atmosphere where the signs foster the expression of the planets. A comfortable and easy expression of sensuality and beauty is experienced when Venus is in Pisces...Pisces' romantic and sensitive ways foster Venus' need for beauty and sensuality.
Leaving the sign of Aquarius and moving into Pisces provides a softening of the Venus energy, however, Venus loses some of her more independent attitudes about love. In Aquarius, this Venusian energy was more free-spirited, open-minded, and romantic interests were piqued by more intellectual communication with an unexpected or unusual person.
Venus in Pisces is very dreamy and romantic. Just be aware that this combination can fog up your judgment when you are looking at someone special. It is so easy to believe in love at first sight, so take things slow and make sure you are not falling in love with an illusion or what you want this person to be. But being idealistic is also a good thing and allows you to experience love in its most clear and deep form.
Aside from romance, Venus in Pisces can provide an amazingly vivid and creative imagination that seems almost other worldly. If you are an artist or any type of creative, this time period could be the beginning of something special.
In fact, Venus is in a conjunction aspect with Neptune at this time as well. Neptune is the ruling planet of Pisces which makes this connection even more special in terms of creativity and imagination. If you are an artist, you could find yourself channeling your inner visions into your work very easily. Your senses, inspiration, and intuition will also be heightened during this time. Within your personal relationships, you feel drawn to making even deeper connections.
All in all, during this transit, take advantage of and keep your eyes open for new romantic encounters, strengthen meaningful friendships, look for ways to connect to all things beautiful, trust your inspiration and creative urges, learn to find your own value and self-worth, and be your most harmonious and generous self.
Since Venus helps to define our relationship with others, and also with the beautiful things in life, let’s take a look at what each zodiac sign can expect from transiting Venus during this time period.
VENUS THROUGH THE SIGNS
ARIES – March 21 – April 19
Venus is transiting through a very private sector in your chart. Your affections will most likely take place secretly behind closed doors, possibly indicating a clandestine love affair, or if not an actual affair, private feelings of attraction or longing. During this time period, you may also find yourself connecting more to your imagination, spirituality, and artistic urges. As Venus moves into the 1st house later in the month, your love energy becomes more enthusiastic and “out-there.” Look for or act on new romantic relationships, or if you are already in one, concentrate on making that bond stronger.
TAURUS – April 20 – May 20
With Venus transiting through your 11th house, your focus is in finding pleasure and connecting with friends or social groups who share like-minded interests in the arts, music or other forms of creative expression. Because of your positive nature at this time, you’ll find that you will attract positive people around you. In the area of romance/love, you are looking for that special person who shares the same interests as you, so this would be a great way to meet someone new. Don’t expect fireworks and passion at this point. It is not where you’re at. It’s more about starting slow and building a mental rapport first or perhaps seeing a friend in a whole new way and building from there.
GEMINI – May 21 – June 20
During this time period, you are likely to find yourself shining within your career or professional life, especially if you are involved in the arts or beauty industry. You are also at your most charming and friendly now, which has those in authority sitting up to take notice. Your reputation right now brings social opportunities through your career sector giving you more opportunities to socialize and network. In terms of romance, you will be attracted to someone who has their act together in their career or has a respectable social reputation.
CANCER – JUNE 21 – JULY 22
Freedom, travel, learning and adventure is where your quest for harmony and happiness lie this month. You are looking for fun and romance in new and exciting places. You could very well meet someone while traveling to a new and culturally different place. If you do meet someone new at this point in time, it is more likely to be someone of a different background or educational level who can expand your horizons. You will feel a strong connection within yourself between your creative and artistic senses, your higher mind, and having new experiences that allow you to learn and teach others what you’ve learned.
LEO – July 23 – August 22
Venus is transiting your 8th house. Love that happens during this period is deep, transformative, and sexual. But, it is more than sexual. It is about true intimacy. Digging deep into those psychological recesses. There is a strong need to be truly intimate with someone. Anyone or anything that comes across as superficial just won’t do it for you. In addition, there is a connection between sharing power and finances as well, where finances could get a boost through your partner or family.
VIRGO – August 23 – September 22
Venus is transiting through your 7th house which is one of the houses ruled by Venus. This indicates a strong connection to relationships and partnerships this month. Relationships or partnerships started under this transit are meaningful and lasting. You’ll have a desire to be in a committed relationship or to make a commitment. This is the real deal. In regard to other partnerships, either personal or business, this is a good time to consider collaborations, negotiations, and compromises.
LIBRA – September 23 – October 22
Your love language during this time period is through your service to others. It is about showing how you feel through small acts of kindness. It is possible that if you are looking for love, you may find it in the work environment where there may be more social interactions happening at this time. What you can be sure of is that relationships at work will be very harmonious and you will most likely get more appreciation than usual.
SCORPIO – October 23 – November 21
With Venus transiting your 5th house, be prepared to feel your inner child flow through you and to experience a period of creative self-expression. And most importantly, since the 5th House is the house of love, romance and sexual encounters, this is great time to begin dating someone new. This is a time of playful romance. Nothing heavy or serious. Just a time when you enjoy the excitement and pleasure of meeting new people and exploring the dating world..
SAGITTARIUS – November 22 – December 21
The emphasis this month is on the love and appreciation for your home and family. This transit brings up feelings of wanting to create a warm, cozy and safe retreat for yourself and your loved ones. This is the type of love that is speaking to you now. Don’t be surprised if you jump into a home redecorating project to design the perfect space to regenerate your energy and strength and nourish your emotional soul.
CAPRICORN – December 22 – January 19
With Venus transiting your 3rd house, you are looking for that special someone who can stimulate your mind and inspire you on an intellectual level. You want more than good looks and sex. You want someone who you can carry on meaningful and interesting conversations with on a variety of subjects. You may just meet that person in your own neighborhood, local coffee shop, or some type of community project or course.
AQUARIUS – January 20 – February 18
Venus is in your 2nd house which is more about reassessing your worth and what is of value to you. You want to have more foundational and financial security during this time period and spending money on physical things that make you feel good is one way that you compensate. Any relationship that you attract now will be one that makes you feel secure, stable and will increase your self-esteem.
PISCES – February 19 – March 20
Venus is bringing the attention all on you. You will feel like making the effort to take extra good care of yourself. Maybe a new hair style, going for a massage or facial, getting extra rest, treating yourself to that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. It is all about self-love. This also makes it an excellent time to find love because you are more confident, charming, and a pleasure to be around. The new you becomes an attraction magnet.
