Dear Friend and Reader:

Here is your overview for the week. Saturday we passed through the Capricorn New Moon, and are now in the very beginning phases of the new lunar cycle. The Moon is in Aquarius as of Sunday afternoon and all through Monday and Tuesday.

Mercury is retrograde, and has ingressed Capricorn. It’s now moving into an alignment with Pallas Athene, the asteroid associated with law, strategy, politics and daddy issues.

Photo by Eric Francis.

With regard to the latter, it would be wise to recognize your adult prerogative and power rather than submitting yourself to various forms of paralysis associated with the ways in which children lack the ability to influence the flow of events, or their own destiny. It may help to remind yourself, “I am not a child.”

The retrograde, though, may serve to remind you of places where you’ve given up your autonomy or had it taken from you. There is a reclaiming of that autonomy that’s illustrated in the alignment of Mercury and Pallas. Typically, that involves becoming hip to the politics of your environment, and how the politics of your early environment were compromising to your sense of your own power.

The idea of politics at its best is about getting what you want without resorting to brute force. That might come in the form of negotiation. In order to negotiate, it helps to know what influence you actually have — and not over-estimate it. You need to know what you’re willing to offer, what you’re willing to give up and what you’re willing to receive. Then from there, you would engage in a conscious dialog about attaining your goal — keeping the goals of the other fellow in mind. Mercury retrograde suggests taking a in innovative approach, but since this is Capricorn, just a little.

Meanwhile, the astrology seems to be illustrating yet another intriguing week in the presidential race. The presence of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are symbols of the two different concepts of reality that are competing for acceptance not just in the American psyche but that of the wider world.

Mars is currently in Scorpio, moving slowly as it approaches a station retrograde in a few months. Mars will be spending a lot of time in its feminine, nocturnal sign this year (that would be Scorpio), a reminder that female strength can be accessed through the libido. Listen to the chatter and gossip of the world for a moment and it would seem that women are merely the passive victims of sex and sexuality; Mars in Scorpio is urging a review of that idea.

Mars is drawing on the energy of Pisces, as it’s moving into a long trine with Neptune, Chiron and other points there — so we have an illustration of harmony between two of the signs that go together the very best, and which can create much mutual benefit for everyone. That would come in the form of passion, creativity and desire — go with the flow.

Venus has just made a conjunction to Saturn, exact the day before the New Moon. It’s now moving through Sagittarius and is conjunct the Great Attractor. It’s true that in our society and just about every other one, female is allegedly controversial and seems to be a polarizing influence. Respond how you will, call it what you will, female is a force of nature that’s here to stay, so we may as well make friends with it — that is, all of us; males and females and everything, and everyone, in between.

Here is your horoscope for the week.

Lovingly,

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You’re in a position to shape the life of a close partner, and there are several possible ways you can do that. You have actual power in this situation, and you’re driven by passion. Now, let it be passion for the right thing happening. This situation is not really about you; it’s about someone else. You are clearly involved and you have an interest in the outcome, but don’t let that get in the way of your sense of fairness. You could be influenced by envy, and you may have to consciously address or sidestep your own challenging emotions. Fortunately you know how to let things go, though there is always a temptation to cling. Remember that loving someone means supporting their happiness, if it means anything at all.

 

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You seem to have come to an understanding with an intimate partner recently, perhaps after plenty of negotiation or wrangling. That is a positive development, and you can trust the outcome. In the process, something else has happened: you’ve discovered your true strength. It’s not about money, sex or beauty, but rather about a spiritual connection that you possess. By that I mean that your roots go deep. You know right from wrong, and you tend to act on that knowledge. The people in your life rely on you for this, and the closer you are to them, the more they do. Setting an example is the most important form of leadership, and this is something all relationships need. The more you do this, the easier it will be.

 

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — It’s time to think with a clear strategy. Certain plans didn’t work out the way you intended, though better things are possible. I suggest you plot out the path to three different outcomes, rather than just the obvious one, or the one you want the most. Consider each step you must take. Your charts suggest you would benefit from consulting with someone more experienced in this particular subject than you are. Do this before you actually need their assistance or guidance. With Mercury, the Gemini planet, moving in retrograde motion for the next couple of weeks, prevention is worth a lot more than a cure. Yet on a happier note, planning for different positive outcomes will ensure that one of them works out brilliantly.

 

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — So much is happening in the relationship angle of your chart that you may not be able to make heads or tails out of what people are thinking. Give the scenario a couple of weeks to develop, and observe what people actually do, rather than what they say they’re going to do. This will save you time, energy and distraction. Know what issues belong to others, and let them work out what is theirs. There are many positive ways you can invest your resources, and you don’t need anyone else’s help or permission. Your solar chart suggests you have some excellent ideas that it’s time to develop, and you will get results if you do. As someone wise once pointed out, writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the chair.

 

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Have you ever had the experience of typing the wrong word, but it turned out to be better than the one you were planning? Or autocorrect coming up with something so funny you use it? That’s the way I suggest you live for the next few weeks. Trust that the little things that go wrong will provide information or lead you to interesting places. If you find something odd in a file, see if it contains an idea. If you make a wrong turn and end up somewhere unexpected, notice where you are and see if there’s anything you might discover. Coworkers will be a source of information as well; trust that anyone might come up with the winning strategy, no matter how much or how little they are supposed to know.

 

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Every impulse described by your solar chart is saying it’s time to express yourself. Yet at the same time it seems you’re resisting, or hesitating mentally, as if you’re not convinced. Looked at another way, you might not want to take a certain kind of chance, perhaps because you’re concerned what others might find out about you. I would encourage you to set that aside and focus on what you will discover about yourself. There is plenty. You are doing a fine job of unraveling resistance that has held you back in the past — particularly an avoidance of your own best ideas, and the things that give you the most pleasure. The actual risk you need to take is being absolutely real with yourself. This will pay off.

 

 

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The choice you face is not between saying too much or too little; rather, it’s about admitting you’re a person with feelings and authentic concerns. Society puts immense pressure on people not to feel too much. Detached and nonchalant are considered cool, but that does not translate to warm-blooded human. If you ask honestly why you tend to doubt yourself, you will likely come up with an answer that helps you resolve the question. Currently, your self-esteem seems to be invested in a relationship. Like many, you might feel that your value comes from someone else expressing their care for you. Yet your true worth comes from a much deeper place, and it does not involve any other person in the world.

 

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Jealousy is one of those emotions that’s considered normal even if it’s obviously toxic. Maybe it’s normal, but that doesn’t make it helpful. Is it inevitable? I don’t think so. With Mars, the Scorpio planet, currently in your sign, you have a lot of energy, drive and passion — and better still, you have the conscious ability to decide what you want to do with it. It’s fair to say that you cannot control others, but you can be a profound and positive influence on their lives. So let your mantra be, “Let the right thing happen.” Meanwhile, the most important person you are influencing is yourself. You’re in a rare moment of clarity when you get to decide how you feel and what your feelings mean. I suggest you choose consciously.

 

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — There’s no question that you deserve love, though recent events may have challenged your faith. Yet the deeper experience you’re seeking is trust, which is so often what we mean when we say love. Put in those terms, everything is clearer. This not only involves ‘special’ people and situations, but rather everyone, and your relationship to your own life. Ultimately, you must trust yourself first. Think of it this way: In the end, you must have faith in your decision to trust others — and that’s actually about you. Strive to become the most solid person in your life. Be the person you depend on, and be your own best friend. Once you do that for a while, it will be much easier to see where you stand with others.

 

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — What seems like a lucky break is really a blessing. There is an important difference: luck is not a reflection on your character. A blessing is something you’re more likely to receive as a cosmic gesture for a job well done, or for maintaining your integrity. You’re being called upon to do something daring, which is to think for yourself. You may have to go against common wisdom or the opinions of others. You may need to stand your ground, or decide a debate is not on the agenda. Yet it will be helpful if you carefully consider all sides of the equation rather than dig in. Observe the situation from other angles. Be open to new information. Most of all, listen carefully and be grateful for whatever advantage comes your way.

 

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Nearly anyone who succeeds defies the expectations of others, even the experts. Most of the truly innovative things that we now take for granted were thought of as silly, irrelevant or a false rumor (the airplane, for example). Many commodities that power society were first treated as useless waste products (gasoline, for example). Therefore, you don’t need the endorsement of anyone with special qualifications. Rather, cultivate faith in yourself, and the special contribution that you know you want to make. You see the problem clearly, and you can see the solution just as well. Now you must go through the process of working out the details, slowly and carefully. Make friends with people who will support you merely because they like you. So often this makes the world go ‘round.

 

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Let your accomplishments speak for themselves, at least for the next week or so. You have plenty to be proud of, and you’re doing something that is rare enough to find these days: you’re taking responsibility for your own life. In the ‘new paradigm’ of leadership that is emerging with the new generation, this is the essential missing element that must be included, and you at least are convinced this is true. If you want to have power, it helps considerably if you don’t give yours away. You are remarkably close to finding the winning formula that has eluded you for a long time. Listen to people who have specific knowledge, and don’t waste time trying to sell yourself. Rather, be yourself, and do what you do best.