Vital Life-Giving Ideas In A Time Of Profound Change

Written By Eric Francis |

February is the month that Neptune enters Pisces, where it will be until 2025. Outer planet transits have a way of coloring the whole world, and all of perception. Nobody alive has ever experienced Neptune in Pisces, though we got a little taste of it last year when it made its first tentative visit. The Neptune in Aquarius transit from the late 1990s until right now immersed us, over our heads, in the technological world. In 1998, you might have checked your email. Today, we live in “the cloud.” You might connect to the network on five different devices in the course of a day. Neptune in Pisces seems poised to bring a softer tone to the world; a more spiritual vibration that connects us without the electronics. It is the last of the major 2012 planetary transits to settle into place in time for the big event.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

What at first seems like routine news may turn out to be more meaningful. Therefore, I suggest you think in terms of the implications of what you learn, and the possibilities of what it might represent for you. You seem to be pushing for big changes, or they seem to be calling to you. Anything you learn, any information that comes your way, has the power to lead to new ideas, and thus may represent a turning point. You will have to listen; pay attention to the details. There are two distinct sides to any news that may seem strange or jarring, and I am not saying this as a truism. Look for the silver lining and keep thinking in that direction. It is not a side benefit; it is the whole point.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

Remember your negotiation skills. I only remind you because negotiation is not in vogue these days–making demands is; typically, in the style of all or nothing. Given that nobody needs it all, but nothing is not suffice, keep in mind that the essence of negotiation is making sure everyone gets the basics covered. You can afford to think with a little more foresight than necessary. Devise a way of consciously prioritizing. And you will have to be the one who rises above any atmosphere (or perceived intention) of less than pleasant psychology. Part of being a professional is contributing to reducing tensions. The question is, “What if everyone acted this way?” Many people don’t realize it but they are waiting for someone else to set a good example–you’re that example.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

You seem to be at the mercy of what a partner is experiencing–and you probably think you have little influence over the outcome. The more appropriate thing to wonder is whether you want any influence, and if so, what. The situation seems clearly designed as something you need to adapt to, which is another way of saying you’re dealing with a force larger than yourself. What you experience may seem like you’ve reached a turning point in a relationship, but in truth you’ve arrived at a point of no return in your own life–and the relationship is just a reflection of that. Remember the Serenity Prayer, and remember the most important part is the wisdom to know the difference–and I would add: then you must use that information well.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Pay attention to what aspects of a relationship or partnership situation are working, and which are not. You don’t want to wait around to find out what happens when you’ve got all the information you need. Meanwhile, there are ways you can contribute toward a positive outcome. Much of what you’re dealing with are your “hidden tendencies” coming to the surface—tendencies, I would imagine, you would let go of, if you could. The time has come to evaluate everything you say and do on the basis of whether it adds or detracts from your quality of life and your quality of work. Many factors are compelling, you to rise to the occasion of your life, as it is today–not how it was yesterday, or how you wanted it to be 10 years ago.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

You need to strike a balance in a relationship situation between idealism and cynicism. That would come in the form of “none of the above” or in a compromise between the two. Rather, a spirit of working from common ground, common values and a shared vision will help you make the most of your situation. Give this a week or two to work itself out, as your emotions are currently under the influence of projection. When Neptune leaves your opposite sign early this month, you will gain a more realistic perspective, and more breathing room. To sum up, you have made a long series of compromises; it’s now time to begin reversing them, though this will not happen overnight. It may take years, but it will help immensely if you know the specifics of what you’re working with.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

There should be a word for “fear of depth,” or perhaps paranoia connected to curiosity. Anyway, neither will be particularly helpful right now and either could become detrimental. Therefore, go deep, and encourage your curiosity. You’ve been on a project the past few years of gradually letting go of your inhibitions. Now is an excellent moment to take advantage of what you’ve learned, and go deeper to experience something new. Your sense of adventure may be mingled with questions about whether you’re exceeding your boundaries; or, some code of decency you’re being held to but nobody had the courtesy to inform you of. There are no actual rules and regulations, and to the extent if there were, Pluto–currently your best friend–has taken care of them. All you need are basic ethics and your “common” sense.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

How far will you go for love? Perhaps too far–however, the dream you’re following will soon lead you to a new feeling, emotional experience or depth of healing. This may feel like going down the rabbit hole, but unlike the one Alice discovered, the dimension you’re entering makes more sense and is better suited to your nature than the brainy abstraction (or odd psychological tension) of the past few days or weeks. The theme of your life shifts clearly and somewhat boldly in the direction of healing, though what you may have forgotten is the extent to which that involves imagination and creativity, rather than some kind of technique. Both you–and your relationships–need space that is reflective, sensual and creative, rather than adorned with too many ideas or chilly intellect.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

You may notice an odd sensation in your life, as your ruling planet Mars slows down to a retrograde. This may feel like the soundtrack is out of alignment with the frames of the movie, or the air is getting thick. Take the cue and slow down. This is not the time to blaze forward, but rather, for a careful reassessment. Mars retrograde lasts between Jan. 23 and April 13–giving you a chance to look back on the past two years, and prepare for the astonishing events of mid-2012. Take this opportunity to work out any hang-ups, disagreements or conflict over the most important thing you can do with your mind–deciding what you want. Remember, you don’t have to make all your decisions at once. You have some time–use it consciously.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

You’re about to have an opportunity to develop your financial resources; to either make money, get a gig, or tap into some existing resource. The key to financial success, for you, is grounding. You don’t necessarily like the “material” world, and you know there’s more to life than that–but when it comes to money or wealth in any form, your success will come from a practical, planned-out, and in some ways traditional approach. As the next few days develop, I suggest you take any conversations slowly and patiently, particularly with bosses or clients. Small successes can lead to much larger ones, though you must take things one step at a time, no matter how brilliant or innovative an idea or proposal might be. Make no assumptions, and keep a close eye on the timing of commitments.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Any secrets you may be keeping from yourself will soon come to light–and you may wonder what the hush was about. What you’re about to discover–either about yourself, or something deeply meaningful to you–has the power to shift your perception of life and thus the path of your life. Often seemingly little revelations are forgotten as fast as they emerge; it’s time to recognize the power of an idea. Ideas are like seeds and not everyone recognizes the value of these. In the present case, we’re talking about an idea equivalent to an heirloom seed. It will need to be cultivated, which takes time, patience and continuity. The initial excitement of possession must develop into something more mature–focusing on continuity and respect for the growth of living creatures.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You are certainly getting a tour of the light, the dark, the beautiful and the beastly. While I could be philosophical and say it’s all part of the kaleidoscope of human experience, I am sure you would rather have life be simpler. I know you’re getting exhausted spending your days experiencing the kinds of extremes that have characterized the past few months. You are at the end of a long, challenging phase of existence–a phase that began in the late 1990’s. You will recognize this more clearly once it’s over—which by the way, happens in early February, around the time of your birthday. Being a long phase there will not be an abrupt transition; tune in quietly and you will feel the subtle motion, ephemeral though it may be.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

One thing I know from living through a lot of astrology is that when Venus enters your birth sign, that’s good. It’s a moment of appreciating the finer things in life, and having them within reach. In a sense they always are; we’re often too busy or distracted to notice. But this is a special moment, as Venus makes a conjunction to Neptune and then ingresses Pisces. Then, Neptune enters your birth sign. No matter how fast you may be going at the moment, or what challenges you face, this is a moment to slow down and make space for “who” and “what” you want most. Share your abundance with others you care about. Within the madness of life, so much of it unnecessary, take a long moment and feel how beautiful your existence can be.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

Vital, Life-Giving Ideas In A Time Of Profound Change

Written by Eric Francis |

The Sun and Moon recently made a conjunction in early Capricorn, which sets the tone for January: old ideas, traditions and concepts are being challenged, which creates a vacuum–-and therefore the need for new ideas to take their place. This event likely arrived with a global crisis (minor or major) that will reveal how much can go wrong, and how careful and attentive response means a lot. On Jan. 9, the Cancer Full Moon calls this into focus; something that was elusive is now obvious. Mars stations retrograde in Virgo on Jan. 23. The retrograde lasts through April 13, though we will be experiencing after-effects through early July. Remember that the details count, errors count, and the times we are living in demand a real measure of impeccability.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

You’re discovering the value of taking care of your health, in terms of the details rather than the broad strokes or general goals. Among the larger themes, however, it’s clear that your habit of pushing yourself too hard seems to be coming to an abrupt halt. I suggest you be grateful for any minor problems that will serve as wakeup calls or call your attention to more important issues. Focus on your relationship to food, and by that I mean scrutinizing every bite that you put in your mouth. In the midst of a moment of awakening that is encompassing all areas of your life, it’s imperative that you turn general goals into highly specific ones. The moment you identify something general you have as an objective, come up with three specific ways to make it real.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

You’re limited only by what you believe, and most of the time your beliefs belong to someone else. To resolve this riddle, you would have to take two steps. One is figuring out what your beliefs are, and the second is figuring out where they came from. One way to identify a belief is to identify a limit that you experience. You seem to be involved in a struggle that involves creative risk-taking, or taking any risks at all. You could ask yourself how far you want to take hesitating to express your ideas or your desires. The problem seems to be not that you avoid taking large risks, but rather that you avoid the ideas that might lead you to experiment. Can an idea be dangerous? The answer is yes, but the real question is: to whom?

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

You may find yourself getting mixed up in something larger than you bargained for, and you may have a corresponding idea that there’s no turning back. You seem to have put considerable thought into your choice to make a commitment, without necessarily realizing the ways in which you would have to take some significant steps in your personal growth in order to come through. However, commitments always involve others, and I suggest you open up a clear, authentic conversation with the person you’re involved with–no doubt someone you consider more powerful or influential than yourself. You still have time to get to a point of absolute clarity about your agenda and theirs, and to work out any differences or misunderstandings in advance of taking the next step. However, this will take actual honesty and careful listening.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

It’s time to get a grip on your insecurities. They may have worked for you for a while, but the risks of dragging around what amount to psychic shackles are increasing regularly. In other words, hesitation or doubt that may have lacked an obvious effect in the past could become much more costly now. Life is a process of trial and error, but that’s another way of saying that it’s about using what you learn. One question seems to be how soon you do that, once you’re in possession of vital information. Which leads to another point: what constitutes vital? For the next few weeks, assume that anything anyone says to you is potentially meaningful. Then scrutinize their opinion, look more deeply at the issue and make a conscious decision how much it means to you–and what you want to do about it.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

Now is the time to clear up any lingering secrets you may be keeping from someone, which would include withholds or convenient misunderstandings. What you reveal now will serve the purpose of healing, while what you delay or avoid discussing will have undue power to cause problems in the future. You may be in a situation where you are discovering so much about yourself that you haven’t said that you don’t know what to include in the conversation. I suggest beginning with any withholds that you’re aware of as such, or clarifying any known misunderstandings created by how you’ve presented yourself in the past. You know the time has come to live more transparently. What is nice about the current moment is that others are well poised to get used to that idea.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

How do you correct what you perceive needs improvement in yourself? It’s an admirable goal to be a better person, though you need a gentle way to determine how that might look in real life. Growth is not a process of scrutiny but rather creativity. Instead of eliminating a bad habit, try creating a better one. Instead of quitting a job you don’t like, set some new goals for yourself that allow you to grow into a better employment situation. Transitioning from scrutiny to creativity can be challenging, especially when your list of things to “work through” keeps getting longer. I would propose that one event around mid-month shows you how easy it can be. One way to describe the difference is that scrutiny is like planning to make decisions, and creativity is about taking action.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

Creativity is a practical thing. There’s a rumor that creative people are flooded with inspiration and overflowing with the desire to express it. I would say that most people perceived as creative are actually pragmatists. Yes, it’s necessary to have ideas before you set about applying them, but the second step counts for more than the first. Your task this month is to explore the balance between the two, which is another way of saying: apply your ideas where you think they will make a difference. That difference could be improving the view of the wall from your bathtub, or it could be about creating something that serves many people. Lurking deep beneath the ocean of your astrology is an obsession with service. You’re at a point in life where what you do has to count for something.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

How far can you see into the future? The answer is you’ll see a lot further if you’re not depending on the opinions of others as a source of information. You might be especially sensitive to the people around you as reference points, but chances are they are stuck on the small points and glossing over the more significant ones. You could go a long way by asking yourself how useful the past is as a predictor of the future. Trends analysts usually say the past is the best indicator of the future, and a visionary would say the past is the very worst. For you, the past is providing an excellent reference point for what it’s necessary to go beyond. This really is as simple as the equation: “That only worked so well. It’s time to try something new.”

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

There comes that point where intelligence only goes as far as your emotional connection to whatever you’re thinking about. I don’t mean emoting over an idea but rather being able to sense the implications of something you’re considering, while you’re considering it. You’re having a lot of ideas about your goals and objectives, and your charts warn that you might lose contact with what you’re thinking. It will help if you slow down and consider your plans more thoughtfully, and recognize that every action has implications that go far beyond what you’re immediately aware of. You cannot see all of those implications, but you can feel whether something is right or wrong for you. It’s time to trust that information, and to use it wisely.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

You are becoming the embodiment of an idea. Though some would say this is dangerous, I would say it’s about being real. You don’t need to be an evangelist; you merely need to allow something that is truly meaningful to you, to actually change you. What good are ideas otherwise? You might perform an experiment to determine whether something is a ‘real’ idea or a puff of thought that has no energy behind it. A real idea will feel something like, “If this is true, then I am a different person.” Different would pertain to what attracts you or what you find to be unacceptable or totally revolting. As the next few months progress and many new, unusual experiences come your way, discernment is going to become your most important tool. And this is something you must do with every cell in your body.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A very old story is drawing to a close. The transition you’re making is one that you will look back on as a turning point for the rest of your life. You can think of it as the time when you finally got it that you have to be honest with yourself; and by extension, when you figured out that honesty is the one thing on which any viable relationship is predicated. You have the advantage right now of someone close to you who is especially gifted at living in a transparent way. Lately this is something they have done with fixed determination to something they have relaxed into as a sensible way of life, even though it may feel uncomfortable at times. That feeling won’t last long; the truth is what it is, and is worthy of respect.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You may feel you’ve survived without something essential for a long time–in truth, for too long. It has not helped that this something, whatever it is, feels like it can be found in abundance everyplace but where you are. You have made contact with this missing element recently; enough to have a clue that fulfillment is possible. The best thing you can do for yourself right now is to be open to receive. This will call for a conscious approach to existence, so you can notice the many ways you’ve gotten used to not having this certain something that you know is essential to your existence. Take the lid off of your cup, so that the cosmic water can fill it up. Step into the light, were you can see more easily. When you breathe, feel the air rushing into your lungs.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

VITAL, LIFE-GIVING IDEAS IN A TIME OF PROFOUND CHANGE

Written by Eric Francis |

The month begins between two eclipses. We had a partial eclipse of the Sun on Nov. 25, and now we’re heading for an especially potent total eclipse of the Moon in Gemini on Dec. 10. This won’t be visible from most of North America, but we’ll feel it as an acceleration of time, and polarization in our human encounters. People may seem especially opinionated, and others may exploit ordinary differences in viewpoints to advance their own cause. You don’t have to get caught in the game. Pay attention to what is happening behind the scenes. There is another story entirely, which involves escaping from the conspiracy of fools–the tendency of so many people to make the same mistakes over and over again. Note that Mercury, now retrograde, will station direct in Sagittarius on Dec. 13.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

Much of the time, people do a fine job helping one another avoid any form of healing process. At other times they agree to support one another’s growth, wellbeing and resolving their pain. I suggest you choose which side of this equation you’re going to encounter in the people around you. That will mean two things: knowing who has the agenda of not getting better, and then choosing your healing partners carefully. What exactly is a healing partner? It’s someone in your life whose primary purpose is to facilitate your process, be they a friend or a practitioner of some kind. It’s a relationship dedicated to improvement of your life on the deepest level. Make up your mind who you want, and choose the people most likely to give you that.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

Many artists are hard on themselves, but perfectionism and creative flow are two different things. Sorting out the difference is one of your new long-term projects. Since there’s no such thing as ‘perfect’ you might want to question the value of an ism that’s based on a nonexistent state of being. The alternative would be embracing the idea that your life, and all you create, is work in progress. The breakthrough level is making contact with your motives to create at all. When you get there, you’ll feel the raw power that drives the impulse to shape, design or create the world around you. That corresponds to the drive to shape and create yourself, and this is a passionate impulse. Remember how much you love life. Remember that you were born, and how you are free to influence your environment.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

Mercury, your ruling planet, is retrograde in your opposite sign right now, which means that your role in a partnership matter is under special focus. Whatever the situation, whoever seems to be “at fault” and whatever the apparent cause of the current developments, remember: you’re not working with full information at this point. Do not rush to judgment, or come to any conclusions. You will know a lot more mid-month when Mercury stations direct and the rest of the facts come out–particularly the ones you had no clue even existed. You will need to be patient, put up with the suspense and make a lot of room for misunderstanding (especially of those who simply do not get where you’re coming from). Arguing your case will only make it worse. People need to figure out certain things for themselves, and they will.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

There is plenty about yourself that you don’t know, and it’s likely that you’re going to make some unusual discoveries over the next few weeks. I trust that what you find out will help you make peace with something that has long been a source of confusion and irritation, if only for having made so little sense for so long. I think you’ll be surprised how obvious the truth turned out to be. This may have been something you’ve known for a long time, and if so, that does not reduce its value. Your recognition of what is so, and what it means to you, is what really matters. With this persistent issue out of the way, you will have a lot more energy to invest in a goal or desire that for some reason you have not been able to act on.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

The lucky break you’re about to get in a career matter has very little to do with luck and lots to do with your devotion to and obsession with preparation. True, it may seem like luck when so many factors begin working in your favor, but consider how long you’ve persisted on this quest and how many times you’ve tried to get it right. As you know, the key to your success actually is in how you conduct your relationships. There would be no point to talent, to knowledge or to experience without a way to share these things with others, and that has been your primary focus. Things have taken a little longer than if you were a professional conqueror, but your success would be nowhere near as meaningful.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

Mars has entered your birth sign, where it will be for the next eight months–a long time for Mars to spend in one sign. There will be many psychological facets to this transit, but the most significant for you is gaining an understanding of one of Virgo’s most famous qualities–self-criticism. If that habit helped you, it would not need so much in the way of critique, but my sense is that it’s outdone its use. Yet you may need to figure this out palpably for yourself. I’m talking about something that is violent rather than evaluative or reflective. That is to say, the thing you need to understand is self-attack, not your ability to reflect honestly on who you are or what you do. While you’re figuring this out, easy does it.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

Events this month will feel like foreshadowing in a novel–little clues and hints of what is developing in your life. The challenge is to notice them when you feel them, and make use of the information. Certain clues you’re getting now will make a lot more sense come next June. The theme is making contact with what I will reluctantly call your higher purpose. This may not be a particular activity, but rather a sense of contact with the ‘real you’ that has an otherworldly quality. This is a beautiful feeling when you notice it, and though it’s not necessarily coming in at full-energy right now, you’re getting a taste of the energy–which might feel like the sensation of being absolutely sure you belong on the planet at this moment.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

The key to your success right now is not being afraid to be unpopular, while not doing anything special that would make you be that way. You have to assert your will and your intentions in a delicate environment. Now, it always seems that way, and part of what you’re learning is diplomacy. But this is a special case. It takes integrity to assert your will or your viewpoint in the face of those who might have some other position, but it’s vital that you not let those other viewpoints deter you. This is a matter of integrity, and that is the way to proceed. Know all sides of the issues involved. Be prepared with the facts. And remember that people are more likely to respond to your emotional tenor than the information you present. Be correct, and be mellow about it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

Be mindful of the effects you have on others. And be mindful that the effects you seem to have may not all be coming from you. That said, I suggest you be especially observant, especially for all the things that go unsaid in human affairs. You don’t know what people are thinking about you when the lights are off and they’re under the covers. But there will be clues: the particular look in someone’s eyes, the tone of their voice, the way they influence a conversation to help you feel good about yourself. Don’t take any of this for granted, or take it casually. There are people who truly care about you, and at least one of them is making his or her presence known in ways that will be too subtle for most mortals to appreciate.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Explore the power of love. That’s the benefit of letting go of fear, which is something that for some reason seems to be happening to you right now. Of course, you might let go of fear right after you feel a bunch of it blow through town, but sometimes that’s how it goes. Let everything that you feel remind you that love is what gets the job done here in the human dimension. Love is what focuses your awareness, and makes you a person worth noticing. It’s what draws people to you, and what ensures that you have the resources you need for a solid life. Contrary to popular belief it’s not hard work–unless that work is done with love. This has always been your career ambition. Now you can let it take over your life.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You are going through some kind of transition that’s calling you into the public eye. I suggest you embrace this willingly. You don’t need to be a star or even an extrovert to have a presence in the world. And you don’t need to do much asserting yourself to have a presence in the world. You merely need to get out of the house and be present where you are. Do yourself a favor and stay about five drinks behind the crowd. You need your full faculties available, and you need to be conscious what you say to whom. I’m not suggesting you be quiet, but rather that you focus on the conversation you’re in with some precision. Let your presence speak more than your words–and remember that your presence is more like a laser than a flashlight.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is the moment to take some territory in your professional life, which is another way of saying making an impression on the world with your talent. This has already begun to happen over the past few weeks; things you did that barely seemed to get noticed in the past are now finally getting attention. Here’s the thing, as my old therapist Joe Trusso likes to remind people, don’t judge your performance. Just do what you do, and go onto the next thing. I would add that you have no way of knowing just how many people, or who in particular, your work is influencing. That means the imperative has to be on quality. Tune your instrument every time you play. Keep your focus, project yourself clearly and know your song well before you start singing.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

On November 12th and 13th, the Granlibakken Conference Center and Lodge in Tahoe City hosted the annual Lake Tahoe’s Women’s Wellness Weekend, “an event fusing Eastern tradition with Western practices to offer you balance, rejuvenation and well-being.” There were over 130 registrants, and more than 20 health-focused businesses involved in the event.

Healthy Beginnings Magazine was invited to join the event as well. We were able to attend as participants, enjoying the conference from a “healthy woman” perspective, as opposed to just having our magazine blinders on.

The conference began on Saturday, November 12th, however we arrived the evening before. We were able to settle into our accommodations and get ready for the coming weekend; which, began on an early note. Attendees could choose to join a morning session of yoga, or a friendly 5k fun-run, both at 7:15 am. Exercise is a wonderful way to get your body going, and the mental juices flowing.

Our breakfast provided a well-balanced array of hot and cold items, including slow-cooked oatmeal, omelets, muffins, fruit, yogurt, cereal, bread, bagels and more. The tables filled up, but the food and coffee were constantly replenished.

After breakfast, the first speaker was scheduled to begin at 8:45 am. Dr. Amy Vail, Psy. D, spoke about a “mindful life.” She asked us to think about how we are not true to ourselves; and to find the things that distract us in our daily lives. These are elements of destruction, in regards to our personal foundation.

She went on to discuss how you can find power within yourself by taking responsibility for your life, 100 percent of the time. Let go of the past and stop blaming. Moving forward, ask “what” questions, in order to find answers, instead of using “why” questions, which typically produce defensive excuses.

“Love begins with really showing up and being present,” Dr. Vail said. She believes that if we all “turn up the light” within ourselves, we can change the world, as “one candle can light up other candles, without dimming its own light.”

Dr. Vail was enthusiastic, funny and kept us engaged. It was a great starting point for the conference, as she helped create excitement and energy among the audience. From that point forward, the conference continued to impress me. There were speakers each hour, all covering topics concerning their ex- pertise.

Oncologist Ahrin Koppel spoke about prevention and the ad- vancement of breast health. Naturopath Stephanie Riley spoke on supporting your immune system, highlighting the importance of G.I. tract health. From there, attendees were able to choose a class, including astrology and health, Zumba and Ki Gong.

Again, the lunch Granlibakken provided was well-rounded and nourishing. As we ate, we received a presentation from Jill Whisler, a registered dietician. She covered weight topics, and using nutrition to heal, as well as nourish the body. She challenged us to look at how we are eating, and why we eat the way we do. It’s truly astonishing to think that most of us do not even ingest one “whole” food a day, meaning an apple or carrots, something that is not processed.

After lunch, Carolyn Willette, RN, discussed heart disease, the number one killer among women. We heard from Naturopath Christina Campbell, ND, as she talked about empowering

healthy aging, throughout the decades. She provided a list of potential supplements to aid in nourishing a woman’s aging body.

Last, but not least, Dinny Evans spoke on finding a spiritual path to physical well-being. She demonstrated her point through a worksheet she provided on “Radical Forgiveness.” It is the idea that nothing happens “to” you, but rather “for” you. It’s letting go of fear, and changing your mindset. If you can forgive, you will not forget, but rather empower yourself with the knowledge you gain from this process. At that point, the negative cycles end and your life can move in a happier and healthier direc- tion. It was the perfect ending to our day. It was uplifting and spiritually moving.

Some of us made our way to the social event, where we noshed on cheese, crackers and fruit, and drank our antioxidant-filled red wine. We were also able to meet with vendors, along with some of the speakers from the day. The Ki Gong instructor, Dr. Tim Schroeder, DC, offered his children’s book, “The Legend of Eagle Rock,” an inspirational book for all. My children now have a copy.

It was off to bed at a reasonable time, as the next day began in the same fashion. Pilates, if you chose to attend, breakfast and then the first speaker of the day: Robert Ayers, Financial Consultant and Astrologer. He spoke on financially surviving in the tough economic times we are currently facing, and will face for years to come.

The topic seemed heavy at 9 am, but I was on the edge of my seat during his entire talk. He did not have fancy, digi- tized accompaniments during his presentation, however it was not needed. The content was powerful and easily driven

home with his silver-tongued speech. One of his main points, “preservation of capital,” made perfect sense. We, individually and collectively, need to get back to the basics, and preserve what we already have. We need to look at life from a creative perspective and reposition ourselves, aligning with our true purpose in life.

After Mr. Ayers, we listened to Dr. Gregory Tirdel, MD, a local sleep specialist. He was funny and captivating, and talked about the many facets of insomnia. “It’s not about the pill,” Dr. Tirdel stated many times. I found hope in his statement, as not all western-educated medical doctors use the same mantra.

From there, we heard from Carla McClure, L.Ac, on the cycle systems within our bodies, from a Traditional Chinese Medical perspective. It was interesting and informative; she provided an abundance of references. The last speaker of the day, and of the conference, was Dr. Lily Kuehne, DC. She spoke on Vitality, and how to achieve it.

Our day ended with a health fair, filled with information, prod- ucts and fitness classes. I had a quick session of acupuncture and spoke to several speakers from our conference. Although I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the conference, and where it was held, I was ready to bring my weekend to an end. Even though my body relaxed, my brain needed to download, and then rest.

I am so grateful to have attended this event. It was well worth the drive, time and effort needed to plan this trip. Although I am well-versed in the healthy lifestyle niche, I gained knowledge and good connections through this event. It is definitely on my to-do list for next year!

ASTROLOGICAL OUTLOOK

Vital, Life-Giving Ideas In A Time Of Profound Change

Written by Eric Francis |

November is the month when the Sun moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius. As autumn develops, the theme evolves from the deepest emotional and sexual consciousness (flavored by Days of the Dead in early November) to the most etheric, global and cosmic. Yet the concepts of these two signs contain one another. Scorpio and Sagittarius present us with an essential diagram of the human experience, representing the two seeming polarities of what we long for. Scorpio endorses desire, which we find within ourselves and ultimately fulfill within ourselves. Sagittarius reminds us that the most cosmic experiences are often the most grounded ones. We can find the truth of God contemplating the Galactic Core or gazing at a flower. What all of this has in common is how we experience our awareness. Whether we experience something as emotional, erotic, mysterious or natural is all about how we experience ourselves–and this can change from moment to moment.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

After a phase of experimenting with your expressive passions, you reach an inner fork in the road: you can direct your creativity into a focused project or vocation, or you can get lost in your doubts and self-criticism. While I’m not a big fan of dichotomies, this one seems to contain some truth, at least this far: you cannot be too self-critical and still be free to express your passions. Self-reflective is one thing. Self-aware is closely related. It’s necessary to be able to critique your work without criticizing yourself. You seem determined to make some practical use of your passions, and to keep yourself busy with what actually matters to you. You can do that, though it’s going to take a mix of effort and flow, thought and intuition, motivation and attention to detail.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

You may feel like you’re right near potential that you cannot quite access. This might be in the form of having limited options or feeling like you’re boxed into the circumstances in your life. Yet there is something obvious you may be missing, which is that in any given moment, no matter what you’re doing, you have the privilege and the ability to express your quest. You may not think you do; you may have the idea that you’re not free till you make your great escape. That itself is a kind of trap. Your freedom of existence and creativity is contained in your daily activity. Yet to get there you have to make a decision to think of two things that usually seem separate or unrelated as the same thing, then explore how that feels.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

You are in an unusual position to experience the world as the people who are close to you do. This is not the usual mirror effect of relationships but rather the sensation of a world opening. Remember to define the word ‘relationship’ as broadly as you can, remembering that human encounters are as diverse as the people we have them with. Connecting with people is not about getting married or hooking up or doing business–it’s vital to be open to any possibility, and greet the many people you encounter with a sense of potential and openness to adventure. That means keeping an open mind, and using your freedom to adapt to the people and circumstances that surround you. You don’t need an agenda, though your authentic curiosity will come in handy every day.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You need a lot of freedom around your work, and this is the time to take it. You know you’re not the type to sit in an office, so if you find yourself in one, do your best to get out as much as you can, on whatever excuse or project you can think of. If you’re self-employed, experiment with the most creative aspects of what you do, and then as the month progresses, work out of the house as much as possible. Your mind will be happier and your ideas will flow better. This is the time of year when you can connect to your infinite source of creativity. Many have wondered where you get your energy, and whatever the answer to that question may be, these are the months when you connect to your source, refill your well and guide the abundant activity of the month toward your highest vision.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

Expression is the opposite of depression. Keep telling yourself that. You may not be depressed, but approximately two-thirds of the world seems to be–and it has a way of being contagious. At the moment you’re especially empathic and absorbent. You can feel just about anything anyone else is feeling, which is good for them. But when the Sun enters your fellow fire sign Sagittarius in a few weeks, you’re going to feel like a galaxy of ideas you want to share with the world. I suggest you start sooner rather than later. Clear a table and make space in your mind; make space in your life as best you can in this busy world, because a wave of visionary creative passion is on its way. This is yours to explore and enjoy, however you can.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

You need to learn the art of evaluation. All kinds of spiritual and psychological paths decry the toxin of judgment, but we don’t get much information about what to do after that. Virgo is famous for its self-critical nature, and you’re now beginning an extended phase of your life when you may be tempted to go there even more than usual. So I suggest that you create alternatives that give you a constructive use of that drive, giving you something useful to do with the energy. Along with this, I suggest you truly explore the concept of being open-minded. Like many things, it’s easier said than done, but more valuable than you may realize. One cannot really think, unless they are open-minded. Since you’ll be thinking a lot about yourself, it will help to do that in the gentlest, most self-supportive way.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

This has been a rather interesting few weeks in your experience of (and study of) your relationships. I trust that you’ve left one concept behind–grafting yourself permanently to another person for the rest of your life. Obviously you’re someone to whom commitment is deeply important. You believe in fidelity and you thrive on trust. But that is different than the idea of absolute permanence. You have, at least, begun to ask yourself real questions about what it means to be an autonomous, independent person. I would suggest that only such a person is in a good position to relate to someone else in an authentic way. Now and for the foreseeable future, you could say that the theme of your relationships is ‘love is freedom’.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

You’re at your most magnetic right now. The Scopophobia of the world is melting away and most days it will be more obvious that you’re the sensitive, passionate person you know yourself to be. That said, I suggest you remain picky about who your friends are. Fortunately, there will be a self-selection process working for you: the more authentic you are, the more you’ll attract the right people and repel the ones you don’t want. But don’t be too harsh on others; they may not seem to have your sharp wits or your notorious insight into psychology, but there will be certain days when you are feeling especially judgmental of the people around you. Everyone has their positive attributes, and one of yours is being able to notice that.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

This is the time of year when you feel the calling to the astonishing adventures for which you came to this Earth. As the Sun moves through your sign, you feel many of your deepest longings and sense of cosmic connection. If you cannot go on a worldly adventure now, make plans to do so. You’re being called places; orient on them, collect information, make friends with people who live there. Make time in your schedule at the next possible moment. Set aside some money. Meanwhile, the deeper adventure involves the possibilities for your incarnation on our planet at this time. You came here with a purpose, whether it was to accomplish certain things, to learn, to have fun, or to serve. Connect with that mission now. Give yourself permission to let it be real.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

You will get a lot further if you give up caring what other people think about you, but that’s another way of saying that self-acceptance is the key to success and happiness. You tend to be a private person, but you must also live with a sense of transparency that can be unnerving. In truth all you can really do is be comfortable within your own skin, though that’s a learned skill. Here is a clue: there are a number of people who factor prominently in your life right now, and you don’t feel the same way about any of them. If you practice objectivity, which basically means accepting them for who they are without judgment, you’re really offering yourself a space of belonging in the world at the same time. Said another way, the more freedom you give people to be themselves, the more you will feel to be yourself.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You may be on an odd emotional edge where what you desire as your greatest success also feels the most dangerous. As you approach an accomplishment or take on new responsibilities, you may have this lurking sense that disaster is looming. You won’t be able to tell if it’s your intuition or a bit of paranoia, but I would suggest that the closer you get to that feeling, the more effective you’re being at working toward a deeply cherished goal. While this sensation is especially poignant for you now, many people experience this sensation–and in running from it, avoid actually accomplishing what they set out to do. Progress demands a measure of uncertainty, and if you can dance with that, you can do anything.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

I’m not sure if you have an erotic vision–that is, a dream of how your sexuality would be ideally–but if you do, this is the month to take a real step toward making it real. It would help if you state your ideas outright. This may feel radical; you may have the sense that nobody else will understand. What matters most is that you understand what you want. Why you want it is not so important; I suggest you connect your desire to direct ideas and visualizations. Then, see who and what comes your way, and the influence this has on the relationship experiences you have. What’s never said often enough about Pisces is that sex is your true religion, that is, where you seek your God-source. This idea is cosmologically and biologically accurate. It’s only judgment that gets in the way.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

Women’s Wellness Weekend at Granlibakken

Nestled into the hillside above Tahoe City, and bursting with European charm, the scenic 74-acre Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge (http://www.granlibakken.com) offers a unique venue with all the amenities of larger resorts.

As part of Granlibakken’s commitment to health & wellness, the annual Lake Tahoe Women’s Wellness Weekend–a long standing community event in Tahoe City–will now be hosted by Granlibakken, November 12-13, 2011 (http://www.granlibakken.com/wellness.php). The event fuses Eastern tradition with Western practices to offer a balanced weekend of information, inspiration, activities, food and wine.

Hosting events is Granlibakken’s forte. The schedule for the Women’s Wellness Weekend starts with optional exercise activities including a 5k fun run or a one mile nature walk through the perimeter of Granlibakken’s hillside forest. Breakfast is followed by an opening “jump-start” talk by respected Psychologist Amy Vail. Seminars on Saturday include breast health, environmental health, nutrition, healthy aging and empowering exercise activities (optional).  Choose between Ki Gong, a form of gentle exercise using breathing, posture and meditation:  Restorative Yoga, or a special class ref: Astrology/Health. Lunch is provided and flows into further talks throughout the afternoon. Saturday evening finishes with wine and shopping. Go for a new experience and have your astrological chart read by Robert Ayres (additional charge).

Festivities on Sunday include optional exercise classes of Cross-fit, Pilates and yoga with discussion classes and a health fair. Enjoy breakfast, followed by classes on finances for your future, acupuncture, chiropractic and skin care. The afternoon includes an interactive health fair including gait analysis, makeup artists, body fat testing, skin screenings, mani and pedi stations and much more. Blood lab readings are available and must be signed up for in advance (additional charge). For the adventurous women, attend the Zumba Party Sunday afternoon!

Registration is only $99.00. To register, please visit Granlibakken’s homepage and click “make a reservation.” Click “conference” and use the information: “www” as your login and password.

Grab a girlfriend and stay for $138.50/person double occupancy per person per night (rate includes conference fee).

It was only natural for Granlibakken to bring the Women’s Wellness Weekend to its Resort. As an event center, you’ll find unequaled personal service, latest technology, multi-function meeting space, a full service kitchen, an on-site day spa and seasonal activities.

Make the Women’s Wellness Weekend a retreat and visit the holistic Lighthouse Day Spa (http://lighthousespa.com/granlibakken/granlibakken.php) on property. Try any one of their relaxing body treatments or wellness packages–Blissful Retreat, a 60 minute sinus and head clarifying hot stone massage; Tahoe Sampler, a 30 minute massage, facial and body wrap; Renewal, a 60 minute massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. Holistic packages include Ayurveda health consultations designed to create inner balance by providing insights into diet, herbs, aromatherapy, meditation and breathing techniques.

Along with the day spa, Granlibakken has been the anticipated choice for groups seeking affordable events and unique venues for four to 400 people. The resort boasts a multi-functional retreat center. In particular, medical organization and technology companies have utilized Granlibakken to come up with their next big idea. On-site recreation includes hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, and a ropes course for teambuilding, seasonal ski lift and sled hill. The convenient location near Tahoe City offers a plethora of shopping, dining and recreation.

Enjoy Lake Tahoe style and book your spot for the Women’s Wellness Weekend!

For more info, contact Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge at (530) 581-7307 or (800) 543-3221.

VITAL, LIFE-GIVING IDEAS IN A TIME OF PROFOUND CHANGE

Written By Eric Francis |

This month is dominated by Aries and Libra–the polarity of “I am/we are.” This astrology peaks with the Aries Full Moon of Oct. 11. Inside of our relationship dramas, sagas and desires, our DNA and hormones are humming along, giving us instructions to reproduce the species. And at the same time, there is an epic political battle being waged between men and women, involving who controls reproduction. “Anti-government” and “anti-regulation” activists make one exception: the uterus. This standoff is illustrated by two little-known planets that the Full Moon aligns with exactly: Aries Moon conjunct Bienor (the strong man of Greek mythology) and the Libra Sun conjunct Haumea, a Hawaiian fertility goddess. We could look at this another way: who controls creativity? If you don’t take over the creative process within yourself, someone is going to do it for you.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

You might want to pause and ask yourself what you’re trying to prove. There is little you can accomplish by conquering anything or anyone, and plenty of damage you can do. While you seem to be past the emotional restrictions and frustrations that dominated your summer months, it would be unwise to overcompensate in the other direction. Therefore, I suggest you tamp down any competitive feelings and establish harmony with your environment. People around you will be eager to return the favor. If you push the limits in any situation, you’re likely to encounter a boundary of some kind; notice if it happens, and revise your approach. You might experiment with things like negotiation, using a more creative method (rather than confrontational) and understating rather than exaggerating.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

You may be feeling out of your element, but be gentle with others when you feel inclined to blame them for your feelings. There is an easy solution–that’s likely to be the one you think is too “easy.” But that’s the whole idea: there is a relatively simple and direct approach to what may seem like a complicated or exaggerated emotional situation. Meanwhile, I suggest you do what you can to keep your emotions in perspective. Ask yourself how important something really is before you make a big deal out of it. Don’t look for conflict where there is none to be found. If you look for the common ground you share with others, you’re likely to find it, and that in turn is likely to lead to some rewarding episodes of unexpected growth.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

If you have an intuitive feeling, follow it. It may be an idea, or it may be a caution of some kind; if you think something is worth doing, it probably is. If you have an uneasy feeling about going somewhere, or doing something, I suggest you take that under advisement. You may run into a situation where the decision you want to make ruffles the feathers of someone because it’s based on no special information other than what your own inner senses are telling you. Then you’ll have to pause and determine whether you want to have the approval of someone for doing what is wrong for you–or whether you want to miss an opportunity that you know is right. You’ve been here before; you’ve already decided this one.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This is an unusual time in your professional life, and aspects this month seem ready to demonstrate just how true that statement is. There are many open doors, and the world’s prevailing state of strangeness, confusion and even chaos can work entirely to your advantage. The one thing to be mindful for is false lack of confidence. There used to be a concept called false confidence, but that seems to be the prevailing state of affairs on the planet. It’s also possible to lack faith in yourself when it’s the most obvious thing you should have. The only way to find out if you’re really capable of something is to try and see if you can do it. This includes taking concrete steps to improve your income. You have the talent. You also have the guts.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

You may encounter a mental block when trying to solve a problem, and if that happens, I suggest you take a more disciplined approach to your work. There is something to be said for applying yourself to a project every day, even perhaps several at the same time. Many have discovered the benefits of discipline in turning creative energy into something tangible and useful. Energy is the one thing you have right now. Focusing your efforts in a way that may seem businesslike or “un-artistic” will help you bring in a new vision, one that you’ll be able to sustain yourself with for many years. That’s not going to happen automatically. You cannot catch lightning in a bottle, but you can definitely gather your thoughts and get yourself onto a new level of creative potential.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

You know best what is good for your health–the key will be listening to yourself, and following your own advice. We all know how diligently people ignore precisely these things; I don’t suggest you do that. Remember that the most important dimension of health involves your mind. Meanwhile, you may be in a relationship situation that is causing an unnecessary stir in your life. That’s something to watch as well, making sure that you’re not engaging a tradeoff of sex for chaos. You have the potential for an extremely interesting sexual journey in these years of your life. It can be something that nourishes you, keeps you young and serves to liberate you. If something is demanding too much time, money or energy, I suggest you really ask yourself whether it’s worth it.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

You’re likely to show up as the voice of reason and the example of maturity in a close personal situation. This is nothing new, but you may have the feeling that someone has an advantage over you based exclusively on brute strength. That may be true temporarily, but it’s not going to last long. You have the advantage of persistence, discipline and a sense of balance. Make sure you keep your flexibility. The one risk you run is backing yourself into a corner, closing off your options or taking too hard of a line. You can afford to take a mellow approach to existence, and give any situation a chance to play out in its own way. Remember, no matter how hot under the collar anyone may be, or is trying to make you, time is on your side.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

The thing you think is bothering you isn’t–but something else is. You seem nervous with how visible you are, and how far out on a limb you have to go to hold things together. It’s as if the people who actually hold responsibility don’t want to back you up, even though you’ve been left to do their bidding. If you suspect you’ve been set up to take the heat for something, you’re probably correct about that. The question is, how can you shift responsibility back to where it belongs? The first step will be by taking no heroic measures to set things right. It will take some chutzpah to let things fall apart, but if you stick to your actual responsibilities and don’t take on anything extra, the truth will be obvious when the cookie crumbles.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

You must not take a short-sighted approach to long-term plans. However, it would seem like something you’ve wanted to do for a long time is ready to happen, right now. Before you take action, make sure that this opportunity really does match up with the ambitions you’ve been stating for months or years. Once you set things into motion, they’re likely to stay that way, and take on a life of their own. And more people than you will be drawn into the process. It seems you’re on the brink of a decision, so be clear about what you need to know in order to make the choice that is right for you. Once you understand that, the next step is to take the leap–or to walk away from the matter entirely. Be sure that your choices are aligned with your motives. Hesitating will no longer work.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

I cannot explain your apparent lack of confidence on something that really should be simple–but maybe you can. What I can tell you is that the core issue is emotional (rather than practical). You may have this idea that your identity is not sufficiently stable to take on the kinds of challenges that are being presented to you. But what exactly do you think builds your sense of identity, your confidence or strength to stand up to the challenges and opportunities of existence? That would be direct experience. At a certain point it’s necessary to reach beyond what you’ve done in the past, so that you can do something new, or something that exceeds what you thought were your prior limitations. And when you do that, your ideas about ‘security’ must play second fiddle to the fact of being alive.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Life is not a matter of theory–but the great thing about theory is how manageable it is, compared to what actually happens. What actually happens is different than what you might fear happening (that, too, is a matter of theory). That all said, it seems to be time for you to spark up some actual movement in your life, and your next step should be according to some kind of structured plan. I don’t mean a 100-page business plan; five or six possible steps thought through carefully and written in your notebook would be adequate. Those are different than what will actually happen, but at this stage I suggest you work with a mix of about 10 percent theory, 85 percent action and a dash of faith that you’re doing the right thing.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

By several measures, you’re in a phase of re-evaluating the events of this very eventful year, and are considering your various plans for the future. That said, there is something that is demanding your attention now. While others are taking a by-the-books approach, presented with this opportunity, you seem more inclined to take a chance and do things your own way. Get used to the fact that there is no certainty, even though others around you are acting as if there is. It’s precisely the uncertainty factor that is working to your best advantage. You have the gift of flexibility as well, though I will suggest this: you don’t have to work as hard as you think to create one particular goal. You need to apply the right thought and the right effort, but no more.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

VITAL, LIFE-GIVING IDEAS IN A TIME OF PROFOUND CHANGE

Written by Eric Francis |

The Virgo New Moon in late August sets the tone for September. The Sun and Moon align with two different goddesses–one being Venus (the bright planet that will soon be visible in the evening sky) and the other being Isis (an asteroid, and the alignment is precise). There is a receptive, intelligent energy in the air, use it wisely; listen before you speak and remember to keep your mind in the on position. Mercury has just finished being retrograde (that began August 2) and will take until mid-month to work out. I suggest you still be cautious with investments, purchases and commitments for another week or two. The Full Moon is the 12th of the month and equinox is the 23rd.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

So much of life comes back to confidence, and this may be the thing you seem to be lacking the most. A series of trials have left you wondering what you’re really capable of, and why the world seems to resist your best efforts. But I would ask–are you really doing that badly? Have recent setbacks set you back at all, or have they firmed up your commitment and desire to proceed? I suggest you focus on the work at hand rather than worrying about the score of the game as you imagine it to be. A little extra effort, embarked on with faith and a sense of service, will lead to some increasing momentum of success. This will in turn give you the sense of progress that you’ve been missing. Trusting yourself is a conscious act.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

I think you need to figure out how much of life is an experiment. It’s not based on a formula, and relatively little is about confirmed knowledge. This may uproot your preconceived ideas about any situation you find yourself in, which would be a healthy step in the direction of an actual encounter with the unknown. It’s not until you admit you’re in such an encounter that you can actually learn something. Not knowing is the predecessor of learning. So work on your mental flexibility, and catch yourself when you’re either obsessing over, or disappointed by, expectations. Notice when you’re curious, and better still, notice how good it feels to act on your curiosity. Pay attention to what happens when you do.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

The creation of ideas is not an especially neat process. There is a lot of trial and error involved, and it’s not just theoretical. You seem to be coming through a phase of making up your mind about something close to your heart. You may regret expending so much emotional energy; you may feel like you weren’t fair to others, nor to yourself. The reason for that is you were trying to think with your feelings, when the situation called for rational thought–and it still does. I suggest you take one clear step at a time. Proceed with the sensation of reassembling something about yourself that has come apart. You might want to start with where you live. Cleaning and organizing your home will be a grounding experience.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

The confidence we get from aggression is similar to the feeling of being a fantastic driver when you’re drunk. Therefore, I suggest you cultivate your confidence some other way, for example, by listening and thinking. I realize this is not macho, but then, neither are you. The moment you open up to your feelings, you’re likely to be aware of a sense of injury that’s been following you around for a while. You can’t defend yourself against this, but you can take in the wisdom and humility that it has to offer. We would have little need for growth, were there not something to grow out of, and more meaningfully, something to grow into. The story of your life, in a phrase, is balancing your intellect with your feelings. They don’t have to conflict, but that’s a premise, you have to challenge yourself.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

Perhaps if we weren’t taught to judge ourselves from the first days of our lives, we might actually know when we’re doing it. I suggest that you figure this out: become vigilant about when you’re scrutinizing yourself, particularly if you notice it’s becoming obsessive. You might want to pause and ask yourself a simple question: is what I’m telling myself true? Do these ‘facts’ check out? Negative emotions and mental patterns tend to be a cover-up for something else; that something may be a quality about yourself you feel will threaten others. I suggest you bring out that aspect of yourself and share it boldly with the world. Take the chance. If you notice yourself experiencing fear, address that directly.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

You can afford to let go of your doubts. You would also be wise to toss the notion that your reality has no validity, until others say you fit in with theirs. That’s never going to work as a metric, unless you’re going for network television. Indeed, you may need to rub up against others who don’t share your views until you work your way into different territory. If you haven’t already figured this out, I suggest that you do this water-styled rather than fire-styled. Be gently persistent, rather than demanding. Approach people and situations where potential disagreements exist from a cool place rather than a hot one. Be calm and direct; the heat you’re carrying will do the work from the inside.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

If you look deeper than the surface, you will figure out how good your life really is. That’s the key. Developments taking place now are like seeds being planted for some of the benefits and improvements you want to make the most dearly, and these will require patience. It’s true that from the outside, or judging from certain day-to-day affairs in recent weeks, you might not think you’re getting very far. If you look at any one aspect of your existence, it might not match what the advertisement promised. However, I can assure you that you’re making progress toward any goal you can name specifically. And as someone once wrote, you will soon discover how many small things add up to a lot.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

You cannot push your faith or your beliefs on others, and you don’t have to. You seem to have learned this the hard way the past month or so, but you still have good opportunities to take the information on board. It’s not a far stretch to consider that you might do so only if you doubt yourself, but I’m wondering what the source of those doubts might be. The mere act of comparing yourself to others, such as assessing who is more successful, will lead to doubt no matter what the outcome of your assessment. If you try to blame someone for your shortcomings, you may be right, but that won’t help. Whatever you may feel, I can pretty much assure you that people in your environment look up to you. That might not be so meaningful if they didn’t have good reasons for doing so.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

Not long ago, a career meant you stayed with one company nearly forever, ending up with a gold watch, a retirement and a pension. Now the key to a career is adaptability, and being able to move as quickly as your environment–perhaps even a little faster. Information comes from two places, your external environment and what your mind assembles and creates from what you take in. In planning your next move, I suggest you look in a diversity of places for your information. But you are the missing link that makes it meaningful. You are the one who notices what the information adds up to, and you decide the value that it has for you. This is an intuitive leap. There may not be direct sources to which you can footnote your observations, though I suggest you do your best.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

This latest bout with unusual internal pressure is starting to wane with the summer heat. I wish I could explain in a few words the diversity of ways that you’re trying to burst open, but the key is understanding that you’re experiencing the drive to change as pressure, and potentially as a state verging on crisis. At the moment that condition is easing off, and you have more flexibility and freedom. I suggest you stretch into that a little, but remain mindful of the changes you want to make, and the actions you want to take to get there. At the moment you have an easy opening to fulfill one of your most precious long-term plans. It may not be the thing you want to do the most now, but I suggest you take the opportunity while you have it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

The more you work out the details of a shared arrangement, the better it will work for you. So focus on the fine points, but mostly, focus on the overall goal and notice how you’re getting there. I suggest you maintain a method of going a little at a time, for all forms of progress–including the human contact element, the way you negotiate potential differences, and how you take them as creative opportunities. Remember that the key is incremental progress, and seeing where the aspects of a situation relate to one another. This is different from a sweeping kind of solution, or the sense of dramatically jumping to a new level, lending itself to covering the subtle points much more consciously.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Pay attention to who you meet this month; follow up with anyone who seems interesting. I say this recognizing that you may have come through an unstable or unpredictable phase in your relationships, but at least it wasn’t lacking for adventure–and you have plenty of that mojo left. What your charts suggest is that a new point of contact is opening up with someone. It’s the take-it-gently kind of association, so maintain a balance between keeping your focus and taking a laidback approach. I suggest that you know who you’re talking to at all times, and if you don’t know, find out. Your curiosity will be regarded as sincere interest, and your emotional openness as availability. Listen and feel for these same qualities in others.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

Vital, Life-Giving Ideas In A Time Of Profound Change

Written By: Eric Francis |

Mercury is retrograde through nearly all of August, from the 2nd to the 26th. The theme of this retrograde is: pay attention to what matters. The retrograde begins in Virgo, and then Mercury walks back into mid-Leo. Along the way, Mercury is making aspects that resemble a movie projector coming in and out of focus. One reminder is–figure out what matters, and when you don’t know, pause. Early in the retrograde, there is a temptation to rebel against something, though you may be working with incomplete or incorrect information. Rather than stage an insurrection against someone who has your best interests at heart, who is devoted to you and helpful, I suggest you take your time and make sure you know what you’re talking about.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

If you don’t feel like getting dragged into all kinds of emotional dramas this month, I suggest you proceed slowly and carefully. Make sure you know who has what agenda–and closer to the point, make sure you know your agenda. One potential trap for you is falling prey to your own insecurity, then over-reading into something you don’t understand, which turns out to be based on your own confusion and misunderstanding. It would benefit you greatly to look at your life, and the world around you, through the widest possible lens. Try to see the whole picture, so that you’re less inclined to take things personally when they’re not directed at you. You will have one occasion after the next to realize that what’s happening in your environment is not all about you–which will come as a great relief.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

This is a time to stretch, to open up new territory in your life, and most of all to widen your circle of friends. You are changing; it’s time to surround yourself with people who reflect the ways in which you’re growing. Whatever your social role has been in the past (group coordinator, token shy person, the reasonable one) you’re likely to be taking on a new position among the people who are closest to you. To many you will seem like you’re becoming a revolutionary by refusing to put up with the same ridiculous social rules you might have thought were wonderful just a year ago. Don’t make excuses for why you want to take more liberty. Remember, anyone you think deserves to be impressed is unlikely to be worth the effort.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

You know it’s time to make some changes at home, but in truth there is no rush. Make sure you understand what you want to rearrange and why; and carefully consider your options for doing so. You may discover somewhat larger goals than redecorating; you seem to be reaching a psychological limit of some kind. But over the next month, you will be able to see your situation a number of different ways. What seems so dire today may seem a lot less important a month from now, but by then you will have clarified what it is you want to accomplish. Let the impulse phase pass; pay attention to what you keep telling yourself you want to change.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Mars enters your sign the first week of the month, which will provide plenty of energy for you to pursue your goals. But I have a few words of temperance and caution, one of which is to make a special effort to get along with women. By that I mean, stand your ground but avoid unnecessary conflicts. Generally you will see people go to one extreme or the other–for example, push people around for the sake of it (not a good idea this month) or back down when they really need to stand their ground. Part of growing involves making sure that you hold open the space to be yourself with the people around you–no matter how powerful they make themselves out to be, or how influential you may perceive them as being.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

What seems to be a financial issue is likely to be nothing of the kind. It may start there, but once you get past the illusion that money is the actual matter, or that money sets a limit of some kind, you’re likely to discover that you have many more options and a lot more freedom than you previously thought. Life really is a matter of deciding what is important to you and then being determined to make it happen. Reciting the mantra of a bad economy or bad job market does not create opportunity; it merely blinds you to it. If you find yourself giving yourself negative messages (which are often excuses for not daring to make an effort), there’s always time to stop, think and decide what you really want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

How can you be sure if a loved one is telling you the truth? Or similarly, how can you be certain that someone you’re interested in is worth the effort? The answer is that it usually takes some time, making conscious observations and then checking your perceptions. Most of the time when we go wrong with someone else, we ignored information that would have served us well. We learn things about people over time, and we don’t use it–and this counts for both the ways in which people reveal themselves to be deceptive, or alternately, loving and supportive. In the immortal words of my old therapist Joe, the thing to do is use what you know. Don’t pretend; don’t ignore; track your thinking and test whether you were noticing the obvious, and whether you’re putting it to work.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

This is a beautifully ambitious moment for you, but timing is everything. You might not be able to act on your plans immediately, for a number of reasons (unusual delays, everyone is out of town, the so-and-so business doesn’t do anything in August, etc.). That said, you will want to be ready when the time comes to take action, so no matter how sleepy or disorganized ‘the world’ seems to be this month, make sure you’re getting your ideas in order, and using your time to understand your most authentic goals. That said, you may find yourself encountering unusual opportunities over the next few weeks, and I suggest you be open to them. But please don’t sign anything or make any big promises until Mercury stations direct on Aug. 26, preferably holding off till a few days later. Till then, count everything as a bold experiment.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

This is going to be an interesting month–promise. Your life will be full of intrigue, surprises and challenges, but I suggest you practice a little healthy detachment. It’s possible to have experiences without getting caught up in them; it’s possible to meet and experience people without getting overly involved. Be cautious of any form of negativity that creates attachment. This is one of the most alluring, dangerous emotional traps going. If you find yourself in an emotional environment that’s not healthy, make a decision and move on. The more you do that, the easier it will be to open up to the flow of positive energy. Intensity, by itself, is not a ‘good’ thing, but it can be an addictive one. Love is gentler, easier and more nourishing. Keep deciding which you really want, and you’re likely to have more of it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

You don’t need to set your professional goals aside–you just need to know what they are, which will tell you where you actually stand. You’re doing a lot better than you think: you’ve made more progress than you think, and attained more visibility than you’ve noticed–if such is meaningful to you. There is an aspect of your design scheme that needs to be reviewed, the basis for which is making sure you’re not trying to live up to your parents’ expectations, or compensate for their perceived failures. Let them free, and set yourself free. They have no place in the life that you’re living now. What you may discover is some of your most annoying hang-ups are not actually yours, and when you discover that, you’re never far from letting them go entirely. You just need to want to.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

You may feel like you’ve met your match–but I suggest leaving fantasies of combat, confrontation or even competition out of your diet. There are two main influences driving you now–one is somewhat aggressive (which may feel like someone is being aggressive with you) and the other is about mellowing out. You’ve been wound a little tightly lately, and you can afford to relax. I don’t just mean relax and take a day off; I mean relax your mind, and your approach to existence. Any time you feel yourself trying to plan out your whole life, or get control over every situation, remember, you have alternatives. They’re not substitutes–they are better possibilities than pretending to have power that you don’t have. The opposite to control is exploring your options. You have many.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Take a breath; the pressure you’ve been under for the past few years is over. Part of what you were addressing was the constant demand of circumstance. Now, you have the option to focus your energy inwardly. In fact it’s more than an option–it’s a basic necessity of growth, because from this point on, your growth will develop from the inside out. This method doesn’t work for everyone, I know. Most people need to be bullied by their external environment, by people close to them or by encountering worldly limits in order to have the courage to make changes. This is not a luxury you need; in fact it’s not a luxury at all. The more you cultivate and develop inwardly, which includes facing your fears, the more the world will hold out for you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is a creative, experimental time for you–and that includes exploring your erotic nature. But how do you explore in a way that’s responsible? How do you address guilt, fear and other forms of negativity? The answer is yes. You are able to respond (that’s what responsible means) and it’s possible to call negativity what it is. Ask yourself: what emotion do you elect to lead the way? I nominate curiosity, with creativity as campaign manager. Let your curiosity guide you. It is okay to want to know who someone is, how something feels, or to discover how you’ll grow or change as a result of having a certain experience. It’s okay to have that experience rather than just think about it. You’re under no obligation to be a prisoner of fear, and you have plenty of passion to share.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

vital, life-giving ideas in a time of profound change

Written By Eric Francis |

July begins with the third of three eclipses, and it is an impressive one. You may be aware that the influential planets Saturn, Uranus and Pluto are arranged in what is called a T-square (three planets at right angles). This has been going on for a while–well over a year, in fact–and from time to time, it is “activated” by other influences. That’s precisely what happens with the July 1 eclipse of the Sun in Cancer. It fills in the “missing leg” and we get what’s called a grand square. We can expect some exaggerated news events, and some exaggerated emotions. But from the look of the charts, they will pass as quickly as they sprung up. Beware of getting caught in any drama–your own or that of anyone else, particularly involving family. Other aspects are highly supportive of those with a positive attitude.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

It’s one thing to be spontaneous;
it’s another to be reactive or impulsive. There is a fine line between the two right now. What side of that line you land on seems
to involve where you place your priorities. This is the time to ask yourself: what really matters? If you are in reaction to something, run that question past the conscious part of your mind. If something is meaningless or trivial, treat it that way. If something has actual consequences, meaning or potential, treat it with respect and give it time and space to develop. Certain events may seem beyond your control in the early part of the month, but they are certainly not beyond your influence. One
of the most meaningful things you can do is set limits and boundaries, particularly on your own emotions. Be cool, and evaluate the influence of the past on anything you might be
experiencing now.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

The many benefits of experience, of learning and even this elusive thing called “good fortune” do not come automatically; we have to make them real, take advantage of what we have available to us, and make the most of our lives as a matter of will. This sums up your situation right now. Yes, we live in times when it’s necessary to breathe consciously, make decisions every time we eat, and even to choose the way we feel as a matter of moment-to-moment awareness. This process will work on the largest scale you can imagine–or the deepest. Jupiter is in your sign now, and it’s aligned with some of the most potent forces known to astrology. Learn to handle your own mind skillfully; learn to see the opportunity in everything. The potential to make the most of your life is right with you, and in you–but it’s up to you to perceive it accurately, and to use the decision points you encounter as ways of bringing your potential to fruition.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

Powerful influences of the past may still be lingering around your awareness, or be present in your life. These influences, strange as they may be, present the opportunity to encounter them consciously, and to resolve anything from the past you’ve left hanging. They may range from powerful emotions of love and attraction to feelings of anger or resentment. Indeed, you may be mystified at how things that seem to exist in the distant past have such potency in your life in the present. The short explanation: this is how perception works, until we take over and update our minds. We do have the capability to ignore what from our back files is calling for our attention, and we have the capability to resolve it and free up our energy. Many people live their lives dragged down by the past. I know you don’t want to, and I’m here to tell you it’s not necessary.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

A partial solar eclipse in your sign on July 1 may have you reassessing very nearly everything and everyone in your life. The key to doing this productively is to see yourself as something other than boxed into your circumstances. Most of the factors that seem so influential lost their power many months ago; you’re just realizing it now. More to the point, you’re being invited to see your immediate opportunities for what they are, and to use the creative force of your mind to see them as authentic. You’re past the point where it’s even vaguely productive to doubt yourself. You may be confronted by how many people you care about invest their creative energy doubting themselves, and I suggest you look to them as an example of what you don’t want to be. Then, quickly look for examples and inspiration of what you do want to be, and by that I mostly mean look within.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

Over the next week or two you’re likely to notice that your fears were exaggerated, based mostly on information you were missing. It is ignorant to think that ignorance is bliss. Knowledge may not, in itself, be blissful, but it can help us focus our reasoning abilities and see what we’re actually confronting and what our real potential is. Most of what you’ve been concerned about is emotionally driven. When you get your mind into the act, you tend to see things a lot more realistically. But at the moment, you need to assess information carefully; some factors are much smaller than they seem, and others are much more useful than they seem. Therefore, think, but think carefully, adjusting your mental process as you go.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

One sure way to find out whether your sexuality is your own is to try to do something you want with it. It’s one thing to think we’re totally in control of our desires and our pleasure as long as we follow the rules that everyone else has set for us, and to which we have tacitly agreed. But once we step outside of those rules and experiment with our ability to make choices, we get a reality check. Part of how we get by in the world is telling ourselves we’re free. How we actually get free is by experimenting with what we want, and consciously engaging whatever comes up as a result. If you don’t feel ready to experiment in the real world, try doing so in your imagination. Let yourself think, want, need or indulge anything or anyone you want, and then observe your responses. One last item, under the general heading of ‘reality check’: what do you feel confident telling others? Why or why not?

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

In this world, we tend to work for our achievements. But when they arrive, often it seems like some circumstance we had no clue about or could not have predicted influences what we accomplished–or rather, like we would have seen it had we been paying attention. Your role now is to notice those “unforeseen” factors, use them to your best advantage. You may get caught by surprise, but even then you’ll still benefit from a little advanced preparation–and mostly from being open to some unusual form of success. However, I suggest you not think of success as something you work for as much as prepare yourself for. This is a moment to reap the rewards of what you’ve built on, and part of your preparation means being open to recognition, visibility and willingness to take some chances–kind of like you’ve been doing lately, but from a deeper place.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

Belief systems are dangerous things, mostly because we don’t see them for what they are. We tend to think that “we believe what is true because it’s true,” rather than we think something is true because it’s part of a pattern that we adopted. There is an easy way to test this theory. Identify one of your assumptions. This might take some thought, but find something you believe is true, then check it out. Determine how right or wrong your belief was. Once you do that a few times, you may decide you had better test every assumption that you make, particularly if it involves what you think of as a “belief.” Every time you hear yourself say that word, pause and ask yourself what you really mean.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

Jupiter, your home planet (the gorgeous, enormous orange and yellow one with 63 moons) has taken up residence in Taurus for the next year. This will help you solidify and stabilize your plans, your finances and get clear about your desires. You may feel less ambitious, less hot to burst into the next phase of your life, and cooler in general. But from the aspects Jupiter is now making, I trust that you can see that you have the potential to make some excellent decisions in the next few months. The thing is, these will be deep decisions, and therefore ones that affect your life. Remember to look for the place where the outcome you want the most fits the thing that works best in the world around you. It is a fact that your personal constellation aligns with the greater movements of the cosmos. Feel gently for that opening.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

An eclipse in your opposite sign, Cancer, may be giving you the feeling that you are at the mercy of the fates. You may have a knot in your stomach that you cannot control what anyone else feels, what they want, or how they respond to you. You will feel better when you embrace this lack of control; by better, I mean you will feel emotionally free, and free to move around in the world without the constant sense of an emotional burden. The people around you are giving you the opportunity to put that emotional burden down. You may on some level equate this with abandonment; it is nothing of the sort. Indeed, this moment is about you learning to embrace rather than abandon yourself. When you make this one simple choice, you will feel much more secure in your relationships.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Do you ever have the feeling that people are holding out on you, as in not telling you what they know and what you should find out? It’s not usually intentional. Social conventions prevent us from saying too much to others; the emphasis on “mind your own beeswax” gets in the way of “please don’t hesitate to tell me what I need to know.” So, while you may feel like you get some news too late, actually, it’s right on time, to be useful, as long as you don’t fret over not knowing it sooner. Then, you can adjust your own standards for what you want to be told in advance, as well as what you diplomatically mention to others. Remember, these are situations where the messenger isn’t always appreciated, but you at least can afford to honor reality for what it is. Thank people for keeping it real.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You have a lot of, and I do mean mucho, creative energy available. The more you use it, the more you will have. This is contrary to the usual laws of the Earth where the more you use, or give, something, the less of it you have. Everyone benefits from what you are offering, and the more you go full-spectrum, the more benefit you will create. This works personally for you as well. The best way for you to get into abundance consciousness is to be generous with yourself, put energy into what you have passion for, make sure people know what you’re up to and keep one eye focused on peace and justice at all times. You have every reason to have faith, and every reason to let go of the lack of faith that has been so irritating for so much of your life.

The Above is not meant to be taken as medical advice. you should always consult your
health care professional.

Eric Francis, the founder and editor of Planet Waves, is an astrologer and investigative journalist. It’s an unlikely combination of professions, but one that allows him to translate his unique perspective into practical and affirming astrology that truly helps his readers make sense of the complexity and potential we all face in our daily lives. This extraordinary career path has taken Eric through the pages of many newspapers as a horoscope writer, including the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, plus numerous other venues. Eric is here to help you use astrology from the soul-level outward. Astrology reveals deeply personal information about all of us, and it’s the meeting place where individual lives contact the world. Eric does his part to keep that meeting point warm and well illuminated.

Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net

Written By Eric Francis |

Water is becoming the dominant element in the charts, as the Sun moves through Cancer, and particularly as we’ve experienced a solar eclipse in Cancer on July 1. This reminds us of what I think of as the most significant personal theme of our times, which is emotional healing.

This is illustrated most vividly by Chiron in Pisces, a relatively new influence that I’ve mentioned a few times. Pisces and the other water signs are the realm of feelings, emotions and the imagination. If we look honestly at how these things are contaminated, it starts to get disturbing. The truth is there are many influences competing for control of our feelings, and that control is not positive. It’s easier to make people feel bad, and when someone succeeds at doing that, they tend to get control.

I was reading one of those commercial health websites the other day and found a kind of slideshow about all the things you shouldn’t eat if you don’t want to “bust your diet.” The program included descriptions of numerous items containing a pile of both salt and sugar, such as big, fluffy cups of “coffee.” I wrote to a friend about this, who explained something called sensory-specific satiety. By adding both sugar and salt, people’s taste buds are basically tricked into never reaching a satiation point–they want to keep eating and eating.  That’s why you’ll find a ton of sugar in salty products and a ton of salt in sweet products. It keeps people munching–and this is hooked right into the emotions. Sugar and salt both influence the emotions, as does the experience of desire, attempting to fulfill that desire and then going back for more when you feel like you don’t have enough.

We could add all the influences of media, designed by focus groups, script writers, editors and directors, to get us to feel a certain way and thus respond by taking action. So all day long we are infiltrated by primarily emotional sensations designed to get us to act. Even before the Internet, people in the Western world were exposed to some 4,500 advertisements a day.

Then there are the drugs we’re prescribed or self-prescribe for everything from migraines to depression. All of these influence how we feel. Then there are the entertainment products we ingest willingly.

All of this is in the realm of Pisces. The first thing that Chiron does is bring awareness, calling our attention to an environment or situation. Chiron in Pisces is telling us that it’s time to beware of all of these influences and how they affect us. We might avoid the whole conversation because once you start, there is no end in sight; there are so many sources of emotional infiltration that it might seem like you could never deal with them all. However, Chiron in Pisces presents us with both the occasion and the responsibility to be aware. That awareness would embrace everything that influences how you feel, and everything that you choose specifically to influence how you feel.

You might consider the new basis for everything you eat, drink or allow into your mind as being: how does this make me feel? This counts for raising awareness, and it counts for a lot. You don’t need to plunge in and change everything under the influence of Chiron; only that you touch the edge, admit the subject matter and respond to what you find out. You might say that Chiron is about making adult decisions about what we know affects us. Yet one way that Chiron works is that the longer we ignore it, the more the stakes go up.

One thing we face when confronting emotional situations is lack of confidence (which is itself often an emotional condition). In terms of confidence, an eclipse in Cancer (on July 1, though having an influence for at least the next six months) is a two-edged experience. On the one hand it’s pushing us into new territory. Eclipses are measured in cycles that go for many centuries, and this is the first event in a brand-new cycle–one that’s never happened before. So that can be intimidating, and it can invite us to enter unknown territory willingly, perhaps with some curiosity. Things to think about with an eclipse in Cancer include: what do I think of as risky, and is that realistic? What do I do for the sake of safety, and does that help me or hurt me?

There are many influences in this chart about stepping out of the things that have held us captive since childhood. You would be amazed who is still dealing with the same things that stripped them of their confidence, or trying to please their parents, well into their 50’s and 60’s. To begin to escape these traps, we first need to notice we’re in them; then, at least, it’s possible to consider another possibility. You have options, and you have the power of choice. As you experiment with that, you will discover that it’s really true.

Eric Francis, the founder and editor of Planet Waves, is an astrologer and investigative journalist. It’s an unlikely combination of professions, but one that allows him to translate his unique perspective into practical and affirming astrology that truly helps his readers make sense of the complexity and potential we all face in our daily lives. This extraordinary career path has taken Eric through the pages of many newspapers as a horoscope writer, including the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, plus numerous other venues. Eric is here to help you use astrology from the soul-level outward. Astrology reveals deeply personal information about all of us, and it’s the meeting place where individual lives contact the world. Eric does his part to keep that meeting point warm and well illuminated.

Eric Francis is the author of the Planet Waves column, available by subscription at PlanetWaves.net

ASTROLOGICAL OUTLOOK

vital, life-giving ideas in a time of profound change

Written By Eric Francis |

June is the solstice – the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.  It’s one of the biggest turning points of the year, and how quickly it arrives.  Here up north, it seems like just yesterday that we were snowed under by perpetual winter.  As the Sun moves into the sign Cancer on June 21, it immediately aspects five outer planets–in order: Neptune, Uranus, Chiron, Pluto and Saturn. While we could say this represents yet another wakeup call, this one looks more like taking a step toward openly shining out for who you are.  Some influences will provoke you, and others feel more like an open flow of inspiration.  If you allow one to lead to another, you’ll make many discoveries, in particular how flexible your creativity can be.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

You’re going to learn how to feel safe amidst all of the unpredictability of your life; that’s a given. To do that, your concept of ‘safe’ has to change. From one perspective, safe means free from any sense of threat, change, disturbance or instability. Yet that’s not what your chart is about at the moment. It’s about learning to hold your center even as you’re confronted by inner upheaval, complex relationship situations, high goals and deep aspirations. Most people would rather sit on the couch and chill. You don’t have this option. Safe for you translates to adaptable, aware and one who takes pleasure in rising to the occasion of life. Yes, somewhere in there is making sure that you have a home base. But it’s a place to advance from, more than it’s a place to retreat to.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

You seem to be having a kind of psychological crisis over your finances, without recognizing how much you have going for you. Money is the tool and not the goal; you are the thing of worth, rather than it. The crisis involves having several sets of values going at the same time. You can make this work for you, say, by having a set of ideas that relate to separate situations in your life. It can just as easily become a source of conflict, where priorities from one aspect of your life, or time in your life, conflict with something more important. Indeed, of all the issues on which you tend to be divided against yourself, money is first among them. I suggest you take this opportunity to reconcile your values systems. You don’t need two. You need one.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

Love and anger are often presumed to be bedmates, but one excludes the other. When anger is present, how is there room for love? When love is present, anger fades from importance and disappears into forgiveness. Remember that as you move through life this month. Remember as you consider whether you have “divided feelings” about someone. It’s more likely that your feelings about yourself are in conflict, and you’re missing something obvious about someone you know you care about. It would seem that you’re not quite noticing someone’s benevolence because you’re only seeing your own feelings. I suggest you apply logic to the situation: if you have concerns about someone, look at their track record. Look for actual evidence of their intentions. Ask if your outdated ideas about life are clouding how you see the world now. They don’t have to.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This is the moment to meet life face to face, at full strength. I don’t mean that in terms of drama and conflict, but rather as making contact with your inspiration, with your highest goals and with how deeply certain individuals in your life influence you. Remind yourself how much you influence the people around you–open your eyes and you’ll see that this is obvious. Think of all of these potentials, not as externals but rather as extensions of yourself. Your creativity is a magnet for human contact. Your passion will drive your success. Your ideas will inspire your whole life–and many people around you. Your happiness is not yours alone. As you improve your life and follow your heart, many around you will see and be inspired by that light. Start with happiness and then focus on cooperation.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

Think of yourself as a good luck magnet and that’s what you’re likely to be. This works for you, and for anyone you associate with. There’s a protective quality about you, and some element that has the ability to manifest good is a kind of rare fortune. This is not a passive thing about you; rather, there is something in the active process of your thinking, observing and synthesizing facts that adds up to much more than is obvious on its face. Work with that–let’s call it the intuitive factor. There will be times that you just know something, or a method, or a solution; you’ll have ideas that seem to come from nowhere special. You don’t need to account the source to anything more than an open mind and loving intentions. It’s not an accident that those things get actual results.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

You say you don’t like too much public exposure, but I suggest you grease yourself in SPF and take your place in the spotlight. What you have going for you is a communication gift–the ability to express or explain in clear language something that others have a hard time getting out. You can not only see, but integrate, both sides of a seeming polarity. You can do this because you know you embrace within yourself the opposites that others perceive as inevitable. This has something to do with gender; it has something to do with acknowledging that you’re not at odds with the world around you, but rather an integral part of it. These things are easy for you to see, and you often take that fact for granted. It’s a lot more challenging for others–and you have the ability to make it clear.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

Saturn has been in your sign for a while, and it’s been retrograde for most of the year. You may feel as if plenty of life has passed you by. It hasn’t, and now that Saturn is returning to direct motion, you don’t need to catch up. What it would be very good to do is let go of certain elements of the past that you’re holding onto. I’m talking about the ones that you haven’t noticed. They might show up as traditions or rituals; they might appear as nostalgia or a tense relationship to change. Clearly, you want to make progress, and progress is about updating your files and living in the present. You’ll have many opportunities to do that in the coming weeks, and if at any time you’re experiencing confusion or struggle, bring yourself into the actual moment in which you’re standing. That is where your power is.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

Suddenly, a relationship is showing a lot of promise. Looked at another way, you have many options, and you may not want to limit yourself. Those are not contradictory values. Indeed, the idea that they conflict is the value that gets in the way of everything else. Be on the lookout for any situation that has the mark of ‘do or die’. Beware of any circumstance where you might think, “if I do that, then this is the inevitable result.” The chances are you want that result but are afraid to admit it to yourself. Your charts suggest that you have impressive attractive power. Like many people, that can worry you, if you wonder: what if I act on a possibility and then live to regret it? That is what I would call starting from a place of regret, when adventure is the very thing that is calling you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

What attracts you to someone? This is often a complicated issue. There seem to be two distinct ways your mind perceives desirability. One is mental clarity, a kind of gymnastic talent of the intellect. You’re definitely someone for whom the brain is a sex organ. The other quality that draws you in is nourishment and compassion. Now, while mental agility has its place, your point of sexual contact is more typically the nourishment attribute. But is that still true today? At least ask the question. These days you are at a kind of maximum compatibility with others. You can relate to people on many different levels, and there seems to be no shortage of people available to exchange energy. You’ve long lived your life based on identifying what you need. Now is the time to notice and act on what you want.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Notice the influence that you have on people. I’m not suggesting you accept my theory on its face; I’m proposing that you observe people, and listen to what they say about how they feel about you–and why. As for the ones who don’t say anything, observe them carefully and listen between the lines. At the moment, and for the foreseeable future, you’re a kind of evolutionary flywheel, with momentum that can carry many people along. Yet to appreciate the full benefit of that, I suggest you notice the special intensity of your growth process now, and how many people are trying to plug into your energy to get a little of what they think they lack themselves. Be flexible. Let go of your opinions based on what has happened before. This is actually a new moment in history.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Treat your life as a wild experiment. Figure out what that notion might have meant to you right up until this moment, and then devise a way to go over that little hump. The experiment of your life is about stretching who you are. That’s a question of gender; it’s a question of what you say, and exploring the impact that it has on people; and it’s about stretching your idea of what you think of as fun. Things that you were sure would be fun for others but could never be fun for you might seem especially attractive. There’s a little something about swinging both ways. In the background of your experiment is a shift in attitude about what you think is possible. The experiences in relationships that seemed improbable, impossible or out of your league, are suddenly looking pretty real. They might even be.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Keep your energy flowing. Whether it’s with physical activity or some kind of especially strenuous mental exercise, keep moving. You may encounter resistance. Pisces, the most ethereal sign, has a natural antipathy to anything that is physical, and what is rational can take some getting used to. Push both of them a little more every day. Stretch your potential. Feel yourself make progress, and observe all of your emotional inconsistencies as you work through them. By the end of the month, I propose that you’ll have the distinct feeling that great things are possible–greater than you ever imagined. If there is one factor on which your success depends, it’s accepting parts of you that seem to be in opposition. They’re not, really–they have the same goal, but they do things different ways.

THE ABOVE IS NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995.

Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net.

All Health is Holistic Health

Written By Eric Francis |

When the Sun makes its way into the sign Cancer later in the month, it’s going to be in harmony with Chiron and Neptune in Pisces. That’s a water-to-water aspect–a trine. The way we would say this in “astro-talk” is, “Sun trine Neptune and Chiron.” Trines open up a flow, and where Neptune and the water signs are involved, that means the flow of emotions. Where Chiron is involved, that means emotional healing. And with Chiron, healing always begins with raising awareness.

Our society and many of us, as individuals, invest quite a lot of energy into figuring out how not to feel. It’s true that a lot comes at us every day, and if you open your eyes to the world, one of the first things you might notice is a world in pain. Is it really possible to feel, in that environment? Well, I would ask another question–is it really possible to suppress feeling, as you bear witness to the struggle of life in our benighted world?

Ideally, witnessing the struggle would inspire compassion, and that in turn would lead to taking care of oneself and of others. You could say this is the ultimate challenge we face as seemingly “separate” humans.

The realm of Pisces, which can be visionary, is usually the place that the shut-down energy is processed through. That would be our obsession with entertainment, image, glamour and substances that are designed specifically to shut us down. I am speaking mainly of alcohol and antidepressants. Now, I’m not a teetotaler, and I recognize that there are times when psychiatric meds can be vitally important.

Consider the Lake Superior-sized vat of liquor that is consumed on the planet every single day, around the clock, and just ask yourself why. Imagine the millions of people getting on the road drunk. There is something underneath all of that. It might be the need to loosen up; it might be the need to drown out the pain of life; in any event, many feelings are concealed.

Or, consider how antidepressants don’t actually work to resolve any of our problems, and most people taking them know they would do a lot better in therapy. Of course, in our time of history, therapy is considered confrontational. It takes time. It’s supposedly expensive. But mostly, I think it’s daunting to consider all that we have not considered.

Emotional healing almost always proceeds in layers. At first, what we find as we proceed through them might not feel good, and that’s a pretty big deterrent to many people; the goal of life, we are told many places, is to feel good. That, for sure, is the long term goal of emotional healing. Getting started, I think we might need to add other inspirations, such as more honest communication with people around us, access to our creativity, and getting in touch with the will and energy necessary to improve our lives. Yes, that’s about feeling better, but it’s not quite swinging on a hammock in the Bahamas.

I have said before that one of the deepest needs the world faces is for the acknowledgment of emotional healing. Most of the pain in the world, whether it’s in politics, business, relationships or our inner relationship, comes from unresolved emotional issues. The first and most useful step is admitting the need for healing.

Where Chiron (or any of the related centaur planets) is involved, there is a pointer to ancestral material. That means that many of the themes that would come up in a healing process are multigenerational. With the Sun in the sign Cancer, we have a clue to look on the maternal side of our lineage: that is, on our mother’s side of the family. It may seem inconceivable that we are carrying the emotional weight of our great-grandmother, but once you start exploring your personal material–or as any practitioner can tell you–it starts to seem really obvious.

With the Sun trine Neptune and Chiron, the flow is open to healing, to honesty and to imagination. A trine represents a fragile situation, or a potential that we must consciously put to use with daily practice. But it’s there if we want it. And if enough of us do, gradually we will begin to turn the tide.

ASTROLOGICAL OUTLOOK

Vital, Life-giving Ideas in a Time of Profound Change

Written By Eric Francis |

May. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, May is the season of Beltane, also known as Midspring holiday. The theme is love and abundance, explored consciously as part of our relationship to the planet. No matter how weird things may get on Earth, we are still in a relationship to the planet, and Beltane is the time to take that in a positive and creative direction. The timing is when the Sun reaches the midpoint of Taurus, usually on May 5. It’s a tipping point in the year, a moment of concentrated energy to set intentions and manifest what you want for the coming seasons and through the inevitable winter. This year, we have the Taurus New Moon two days ahead of Beltane, so if I were the astrologer to the High Priestess, I would be suggesting Beltane celebrations begin the evening of May 2 and continue through the week. Some traditions take the whole month, and the festival is known as The May. There is a lot of fire in the Beltane chart–the Sun is in Taurus and many other planets are in Aries.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

You may still be feeling hesitant from the recent retrograde of Mercury in your sign, but the winds of fortune are strong against your back. You can afford to act on your confidence, as long as you’re proceeding with sincerity. You have so much drive and passion those are the last things you need to concern yourself with. The idea is to make sure you’re pursuing your heart’s desire. The time has arrived to be absolutely real–no faking, no delaying your true priorities, only moving from an authentic space. You may be thinking, “how do I know what I really want?” I would say: you do know. If you set aside all your excuses, all your rationalizations, and you don’t let your mother make your decisions for you (overtly, or covertly), you will be on solid ground with yourself.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

Many factors seem to be influencing you–if only you knew what they were. But what if you knew? What if you could see through all your doubts and seeming confusion? Stop and listen to yourself. If your inner monologue has been louder than usual, listen to what that voice is saying. Literally, what do the words mean, and what do the images you’re seeing show you? It may seem overly simple, but “knowing thyself” actually does involve witnessing the contents of your awareness. The key is slowing down long enough to size up what is helpful, what is destructive, and giving yourself a moment to make a choice what to respond to. By choice, I mean a mentally oriented decision rather than being pushed or pulled by your emotions.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

You go through phases of searching for your own identity among the people around you; and after what you’ve been through the past month, I am guessing you’ve figured out that it doesn’t quite work. Besides which, it’s likely that the people you care about are looking to you for some idea of how to maintain their stability in our uncertain times. You actually have a better sense about yourself than most of them have about themselves. How could this be? You’re more accustomed than others to dealing with the many possibilities of who you are. You know that a human mind is complex, and you embrace that complexity. You also know that there are no guaranteed outcomes, and your comfort level with uncertainty feeds your self-awareness.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This continues to be a vital time for emphasizing your professional goals. By goals I mean what you discover at the intersection of “I am” and “I do.” You can add to that “I want.” It takes a few different factors to make a goal worth pursuing: a sense of identifying with the goal; a love of the activity; and the desire to make it happen, or to invest yourself. Most folks run into problems because what they think of as their goals don’t meet any of the criteria here; it’s possible to fudge and make excuses, but they don’t actually get the job done. Even meeting one would be helpful, though with the planets being what they are, I suggest you go for total authenticity. As you’ve figured out, a learning curve is involved, and this is a very good sign.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)

What is possible? Ask yourself that question, and listen to your answer. That will reveal your state of mind. If you want to know who can support you in your goals, ask them what they think is possible and, rather than trying to convince them of anything, listen to what they say. Some people live for yes, and some live for no. Some live for maybe, and others for maybe not. It’s true that if you study the pages of The New York Times or watch CNN for an hour, you may not feel like you have any reasons for optimism. Despite the prevailing doom and gloom of our era, we’re in a moment of rich potential. Part of what is feeding that potential is the chaos. True enough, it takes a special kind of person to see the possibilities when many merely see loss and devastation. Just keep your faith that a new world will arise from what is left of the old one–and part of how that will happen is the vision that you’re offering.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)

What is an asset and what is a liability? This is the main question you have to ask yourself. I can give you a clue that you’ve probably mixed up a few of these–certain things you thought were helpful are not so helpful and other things you thought were harmful are turning out to be pretty good assets. This is not so much a matter of perception as it is about correcting misperception. Yet there’s also another little issue, which is that most of the time we actually don’t evaluate our lives on the basis of what helps and what hurts. When we apply that question consciously, real information is forthcoming. The deeper question would then be, why are so many people attached to what hurts them, and how are you doing letting go of those things?

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)

No matter how much energy is coming toward you, flexibility is the key to keeping your balance. It’s true that you’re under a lot of pressure–more than you thought you could handle. But it’s not merely pressure; you’re being offered energy, opportunity, love and friendship. You’ve got an opportunity to participate in the world like you’ve hardly ever had before. The thing about participation is that it tends to draw in your full involvement. While many would think they are “giving up their life,” I would say that the one sure way to have a life is to be involved. Here, we come back to the question of balance, which for you means flexibility. Having options is a prelude to making choices. And one decision leads to the next.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)

Rest is important, but there are activities more restful than sleep. That’s a good thing, because your life has nothing if not activity at the moment. Notice that some things you do nourish you and some deplete you. Have you started to see a pattern, which is which? If you were to apply one criterion to evaluating everything in your life, this is the one. But let’s define “nourish.” I would include things that expand your capacity for achievement; desires that stoke your ambition to do good work; experiences that challenge your idea of who you are; activities that fill up your time in a productive way, and nudge out the things you don’t like to do, or that don’t serve you. What nourishes you may make you a bit uncomfortable–but only a little, and only at first.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)

The theme of this phase of your life is stretching your creative capacity. I think that to some extent, everyone wants to be creative, but you may be experiencing this as a kind of extreme restlessness that you cannot quite ground. A little focus will go a long way. Don’t worry about meeting your “full potential.” Rather, if you have to take out the trash, do it in an interesting way. If you have any kind of assignment at all, figure out a way to take pleasure in the work and do it as artfully as you can. Meantime, pay attention to the ideas that are percolating out of you, and when you feel a juicy one, explore and experiment with it. Take a chance. Allow yourself the space to do something unusual, and keep going till it takes on a life of its own.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

You may need to toss all your ideas of safety or sanity, but what do you do with all of the stress? If it’s coming out of your psyche in ways that are painful or disruptive and offer you nothing in return, I suggest you make some decisions about how you direct your energy. It may be time for a change, and by that I mean a significant change. One thing your chart is saying is that the past is not what it used to be, and it barely exists at all. What exists for sure is the way you can direct yourself into the future, and this looks like one crucial goal that you may be resisting. Any idea what that might be? Is there something you dearly want to achieve, but you’re having a little denial attack about? Focus on that goal and you’ll likely feel a heck of a lot safer on the planet.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Stay grounded, whatever that means to you. That mind of yours has a lot of activity and adventure running around in it–a bit much to leave you with a feeling of settling into any consistent ideas. In fact the nice thing about your ideas is that they are pushing you out of your comfort zone. Your grounding can come from tuning into a commitment that is truly meaningful to you, and orienting on that. It’s an idea that feels like home, or feels like a solid and meaningful place to gather your emotions. It could be a person, or a relationship. It could be your physical space, or your desire to create a solid home for yourself. Remember that this would best be a container for your abundant energy, rather than a place to barricade external influences away from you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is an excellent time to get your financial life in order, and by in order, I mean beginning with a clear concept of the abundance and prosperity that you want. In case you haven’t figured it out, it’s a lot easier to create wealth when you’re not busy talking it down. Having enough is entirely unrelated to greed. Enjoying a glass of wine does not make someone an alcoholic. Be clear with yourself about your ideas here. Recognize when a prejudice is entering the picture, such as the notion that money corrupts someone. The only thing that can corrupt anyone is their own values, so if you proceed from understanding what is important to you and appreciating why that is so, you will have a guiding principle that will be truly useful as you realize just how resourceful you are.

THE ABOVE IS NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

Eric Francis Coppolino, founder and editor of Planet Waves, is a professional astrologer and journalist. A pioneer in the field of new planet discoveries, he has worked with clients and written about astrology for wide audiences since 1995. Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net.

CHIRON FILES

ALL HEALTH IS HOLISTIC

Neptune entered Pisces a couple of weeks ago, joining Chiron in that sign. This is the full activation of Pisces, and combined, these transits are shifting the background of our lives. There may be other effects, which will be more or less subtle, depending on your relationship to your intuition, your emotional body and your creativity.

This is the first time Neptune has entered Pisces since 1847, that is, long before the Civil War. So this development is news. Neptune, discovered in 1846, is considered to be the modern ruling planet of Pisces (the traditional ruling planet is Jupiter, which still counts). So for our time, this is significant. No living person has been through this transit; we are actually the first to experience something.

What would that something be? Many have noticed that we’ve been growing more clairvoyant over the past few decades. Does anyone remember back when it was taboo to mention clairvoyance, as if it were the equivalent of admitting to Devil worship? Now it’s considered normal, if only because so many people experience it directly, or know someone who does. At least once in their lives, just about everyone has had a dream that gave a glimpse of the future.

From the first day, Chiron in Pisces emphasized the need for healing the ocean; BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill began within hours of it arriving. Neptune’s arrival has been synchronous with the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which is having profound effects on water as well. Yet both of these seem to be metaphors for the prevailing emotional state of humanity.

Chiron is calling for awareness, and Neptune is calling for cleansing; we need both. Many people flee to “spiritual” solutions without recognizing that what they’re processing is much closer to the human realm. With healing on the level of water, it’s necessary to do the flush gradually. There are no fast solutions, though adding awareness is a very good first step, and adding water is an excellent second step.

My take is that this involves drinking more water, and at the same time, cutting back on toxic substances in our diets and medicine cabinets. Every time you take a pharmaceutical product, I suggest you read the label and run the product through Google, looking for un-advertised effects. You might be surprised what you find.

You may start noticing an increase or distinctive change in your dreaming patterns. For example, someone who never remembers his or her dreams might notice they’re remembering them vividly.

Pisces has subtler frequencies, and these are often connected to imagery. We are bombarded with toxic images through news, advertising and cinema. Often, this is violent and manipulative–and it takes a toll both on wellbeing and creativity. I think we would all be a lot more emotionally stable without advertising, and we would have a better sense of who we are. Indeed, if advertising promotes instability, the root is likely to be in getting us to doubt and even hate ourselves.

With these Pisces factors being so strong, and lasting for so long (Chiron for eight years and Neptune for more than 12 years) we need to pay attention to these influences, and choose healthy inflows in this watery realm. This choice of what we take in is one of the most basic elements of emotional healing. Often, the more basic issue is being able to choose to let go of a toxic influence. How many times have you heard, or experienced, that one? The person who is in the damaging relationship or job, but cannot leave; for some reason they don’t understand?

Then there is the Piscean theme of creativity. One sad fact of childhood is that the naturally spontaneous, precocious quality of children is gradually supplanted with adult versions of rationality. We may not think we miss our creativity; we may think that it is okay to let others do this for us; but I think that secretly or not, everyone craves being an expressive person.

With all of this, Pisces is an invitation to express yourself; and this isn’t just a recreational indulgence. As my old therapist Joe is fond of saying, expression is the opposite of depression.

Eric Francis is the author of the Planet Waves column, available by subscription at PlanetWaves.net.