Aries (March 20-April 19) — It would be pleasant if reputations were actually based on the things we say and do, as opposed to the sometimes-unjustified opinions that people can form. Gossip is rife and rational thinking is, by contrast, at a premium. None of that should prevent anyone from living their life honestly. What others perceive or believe is usually beyond our reach and almost always beside the point. Be true to your own values first and foremost.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Aligning with the next phase of your career path may take its time, but don’t let yourself sink into a stupor. Rest is invaluable and you must use it when you need to rebuild your strength; but once refreshed, keep going. If the main point you wish to gain is proving elusive, do something else for now that may help you get there, even if indirectly. Clear out some clutter. Learn an auxiliary skill, or test your memory. Your innate gifts must be backed up by concrete effort.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury’s ongoing retrograde journey is inviting you to turn your receivers inward, to listen to the flow of your soul and the dreams of your secret heart. This concept may well terrify any Gemini, but actually you’re probably far more capable of intuitive insights than you realize. Yet what if you don’t quite trust that your intuition is a valid part of you? For starters, don’t try to stereotype or caricature yourself. Acknowledging your real character is one step on the path to fuller self-acceptance.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — A common thread of several philosophies is “everything in moderation.” This doesn’t just refer to food, alcohol, Facebook or whatever. It means that when we do anything impulsively or excessively, the results will usually be chaotic. Try to interpose a pause between feeling and action this week. You might consider that moderation also means a work-life balance: ideally, you’ll have a reminder of that handy where you can see it.

Leo Birthdays 2018-19:

Eclipses, Retrogrades and You — Oh My!

“For what it’s worth: never heard anything so right on, dead on, aligned with what I am looking at, aware of, dealing with, leaning into — especially professionally and emotionally. I can’t even list them all — so many subtle angles and aspects that all resonate and add up. Affirming experiences, potentials, challenges. To a T. Wow. Will be getting these transcribed so I can read them over and over.”

— Robyn Landis, on a previous birthday reading

Dear Reader with Leo Sun, Rising or Moon:

Big things are happening in your sign right now. Can you sense it? Are you feeling energized and excited, on edge, perplexed, stuck, like you’re right in the sweet spot of your flow, or just plain curious?

Remember last year’s big eclipse in your sign? Smile — you have more coming! Photo by Amanda Painter on Aug. 21, 2017.

Any of those responses (and more) would make total sense: Mercury stationed retrograde in your sign early Thursday morning. And on Friday, July 27, there was a total lunar eclipse in your opposite sign (and relationship zone) Aquarius.

But that’s not all! In less than two weeks, we’ll get a partial solar eclipse on Aug. 11 — in the same part of Leo where a storied eclipse took place in August of 1999.

Your solar year is getting off to a dynamic start — and the events and energy of these weeks will ripple out, develop and influence your life for the next six to twelve months. That’s why no matter when you listen to your upcoming 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading, you’re sure to discover a wealth of helpful and inspiring insights you’ll be able to get to work with right away.

You should be aware that since Eric is taking a dearly needed and hard-earned sabbatical for a few weeks, your Leo Birthday reading will likely be delivered a little later than usual — so we thank you tremendously for your patience, and your faith in Eric’s ability to deliver a professional and spiritually clear reading as soon as he’s recharged.

As part of our gratitude to you, all purchasers of the 2018 Leo Birthday Reading will also receive the Leo chapter of the Art of Becoming, Eric’s stunning 2018 written annual readings.

If you’re new to Planet Waves and Eric’s audio readings, you’re invited to listen to last year’s reading as a gift. The 2017 Great American Eclipse occurred in your sign last year, and it has been reverberating ever since — so listening to your 2017 reading is sure to help you review your year and get oriented on what’s to come.

When you pre-order your 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading, you’ll receive access to two audio segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) and an extended description of your sign when the reading publishes — all for just $33 (the price will increase when the reading is ready).

“Planet Waves has been crucial for me lately as I navigate this topsy-turvy landscape; life is in transition on so many levels and it’s been an incredible resource in my life, especially now.”

— Ronny K.

Thank you again for your patience, faith, and for being a valued Planet Waves customer in these wild times.

Wishing you an excellent eclipse season,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you have any questions or prefer to order by phone, please call us at (845) 481-5616; you can also email us at cs@planetwaves.net. And don’t forget: the 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading makes a fantastic gift.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Since there is so much going on in the sky during this extraordinary month, you’ll benefit from making sure the people you associate with can nurture and sustain you. In turn, you should feel able to support them and contribute to a generally peaceful environment. Whether given or received by you, the ideal form of love is trusting and unconditional. Your natural generosity is an excellent basis for teaching this by example.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — There is a growing body of people who discount, on principle, the existence of any paranormal phenomena. Since you’re reading your horoscope, it’s unlikely that you’re among them; though you might well have a healthy store of skepticism. At this moment, however, you’d benefit from attending to your intuition, which appears to be more potent than usual. It’s an irrevocable part of you, in any case; accept it, and treat it with respect.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Young ladies of the early 19th century were expected to cultivate “accomplishments,” such as playing an instrument, singing or drawing, that they could trot out during parties, usually to gain marriageability points. At least in some ways, we have now moved on from that period, so it’s possible to practice art for art’s sake, and to gain in skill for your own fulfillment rather than to impress someone else. To that end, consider quality as more important than quantity.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The past is not the present. Nostalgia pretty much requires as a compulsory ingredient an ability to gloss over less-pleasant memories. If you’re feeling at all sentimental about past glories, or you seem to be stuck in old ways because of habit or tradition, one way to turn this around is to acknowledge the grime of bygone days as well as the gold. Be honest with yourself about that, and you may soon recognize that you’ve moved forward, and that it’s a good thing, too.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Your ruler Jupiter, having stationed direct not long ago, is beginning to recover the ground it walked back, and to move toward your sign at last. You may be experiencing this as if waking out of a long sleep. Don’t rush yourself. Listen to your body and your feelings. If you’re troubled by an apparent lack of progress, remember that slower, gentler phases, like the tides, have a purpose and a place. These usually reveal themselves at the right moment.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If a project is worth doing, it’s worth taking time over. Trying to force yourself to produce a result because you want something to show for your labors is unlikely to bring you anything except a bunch of false starts and wasted energy. Your value as a human being is inherent and independent of anything you create, and ultimately it doesn’t matter how prolific or otherwise you are: the key thing is doing what you love, and loving what you do.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If our distant ancestors somehow appeared in the present day, you can pretty much guarantee that they’d find our lives incomprehensible. To some extent, the same is true of our parents. Some social changes, after all, don’t take very long; and right now the world seems to be moving faster than ever. All this is to say that you don’t need to take the judgment of a parent, or any authority figure, as gospel. Your opinion is the one that really counts.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Some people who profess to be spiritual really give the concept a bad name (and JP Sears, for one, does an excellent job of satirizing them). Yet faith that’s sincere and loving can involve some thorough benefits in terms of healing and strengthening. Perhaps more clearly than most, you know that we humans are complex and holistic creatures, with a need to nourish our souls as well as our bodies. Keep the mystic in you well fed this week.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — A particular theme exemplified by the astrological houses deals with the story of how and where we merge our identity with other people and with groups, and where we emerge into our separate selves. One way of accomplishing the latter is to work on something creative, or a project that’s uniquely yours and expresses a part of you. Should you feel unsure of where society ends and you begin, experimenting with artistic ideas is a way to help you establish that line. Don’t worry if you’ve not explored this previously, or are concerned about making mistakes. Give yourself the room, and the time, you need to play around trying different techniques. Show the world who you really are, and do so proudly.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Though your sign has a well-known reputation for being wary of change, Uranus in your sign may be firing your imagination to the extent that you seemingly can’t get enough movement. Enjoy learning to surf the waves. Remember, though, that the celestial innovator is visiting you for seven years; so you don’t need to undergo a complete transformation all at once. Note also that in order to make successful progress you need to know in which direction you want to shift, and set goals. With two inner planets retrograde together as of July 26, it’s a good moment to check in with those details and firm them up a little — and to ensure you’re getting to relax and kick back now and then. Everyone needs at least some downtime.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury’s retrograde phase in your house of communication (beginning this Thursday) might feel as if you’re unusually tongue-tied. Yet something deeper is going on. Part of this may manifest in giving voice to feelings or desires you might long have held back, buried in the depths of your mind. You could also find yourself speaking some profound truths. Don’t be alarmed if the words take time to come: let them flow as they will. It’s the quality of the message that counts, and the present eclipse season suggests that you have something to say that could resonate through the cosmos. Don’t be afraid to try to express any thoughts that arise. They will have come to you because you have the power to articulate them, however long that takes.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The coming month’s astrology for your sign touches on the theme of resources, and of resourcefulness. Increasing one’s wealth may be a means of likewise increasing one’s security; however, it’s also helpful to make the most of what’s there now. It would seem you have more at hand than you realize: not simply of financial means, necessarily, but of energy, friendships and occupations as well. Try to find ways in which you can draw on what is already available, as opposed to seeking out new objects. Read the books currently on your shelf. Spend time with people you know love you. You might also try making your money go further, though not to the point of stinginess; rather as a way to help you enjoy your present possessions more thoroughly.

Leo Birthdays 2018-19:

Leo Eclipses, Part Two: A Year for the Books

“I love your readings! I just finished listening to the first reading. You include the history of what is leading up to the now, and its influence operating in the now, and how my actions now can affect my future! Your readings have a depth and character to them that creates a deeper context and meaning that actually helps this old lady see that I am indeed self-manifesting and self-actualizing and moving forward, feeding my inner kid! I am doing something bigger and better and bolder than in the past and harnessing energy to create a more real me. Thank you!”

— Bobbie Kithcart, on a previous Leo reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

The Sun has now entered Leo: the heart of Northern Hemisphere summer. Over the next four weeks, we’ll experience an eclipse in Leo and an eclipse in Leo’s “relationship zone,” Aquarius. These will be key events covered in your upcoming 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading.

If you have your Sun, rising sign or Moon in Leo, this is big news for you. Eclipses are key pattern-setting times, and often present us with unusual opportunities or a sense of moving through a span of compressed time.

Where are you at right now with your most deeply held goals and visions? What has clearly run its course in your life and can be safely let go to lighten your load as you travel onward?

Note also that Uranus is in your house of career calling and reputation, and he’s starting to shake things up. Meanwhile, Chiron the awareness-raiser is in your fellow fire sign Aries — your house of spiritual development, higher education and long-distance travel.

This is shaping up to be quite a year for you, Leos! Eric will be covering all the most important themes of your relationships, career, growth, healing and much more in your Leo Birthday Reading, which you can pre-order here. If you’re in need of an astrologically focused life coach, spiritual guide and ‘little bird’ on your shoulder, this reading could be just what you’re looking for.

“Thanks for reassuring this Leo, who is having a year “for the books”! You get to the core of things.”

— Barbara Peaslee

When you pre-order this hour-plus audio reading early, you secure the lowest price Planet Waves offers on these accessible insights and motivating perspectives that will empower you to really live your life — just $33. As the reading nears publication, the price will increase.

Remember, you can download your audio reading (which comes in two segments of 30 minutes or more) and listen to it as many times as you like throughout the year. You’ll also get access to last year’s reading, an extended description of your sign, and the chart Eric used in the reading.

Wishing you a most excellent solar year,

Amanda Painter

P.S. Eric’s Birthday Readings make heartfelt, truly helpful gifts — pre-order it for your Leo loved one today!

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The lunar eclipse marking the beginning of your birthday month is pretty exceptional astrology, potentially rivaling last year’s momentous eclipse at the very end of your sign. The current event is encouraging you to shine like the star at the heart of our solar system, which rules your sign, and is symbolic of the gift you have of leadership and of example. Naturally, standing in your power will not please everyone. Envy of others’ success and the temptation to bring down those who become too strong are both rife in our culture. Forget these things; you have no time to waste on the pettiness of others. Focus on yourself, and on embodying the person you always knew you could be.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — During the course of the next few weeks, you could find yourself questioning many of the beliefs you held about who you are; possibly some new knowledge will find its way to you, giving you fresh insights. It would seem you have untapped reserves of power that you can suddenly see more clearly, and you’re learning what you’re truly capable of. The sensations may be a little discomfiting at first, but sit with these feelings for a while and curb any tendency you have to judge yourself for any reason. Refrain also from the temptation to bury the emotional content of your discoveries in routines or habits. You need to face the unmasked, unfettered glory of your potential, without fear.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Your understanding of where you are, in terms of your personal growth or in the outer world, can be enhanced in the next few weeks by paying attention to your spiritual calling, imagination and ideals. You’re gaining in self-knowledge, which is an essential part of exploring the world around you. In fact, your focus for a while may need to be on recognizing where your inner realm and the divine intersect with the environment you can see. Or, to borrow from Shakespeare, to discover “tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, / Sermons in stones, and good in everything.” There are many places and forms that can evoke this sort of love, helping to strengthen and activate the values you hold most deeply.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You have the innate skills you need to further your career goals. What might not be completely abundant right now is specific information. Therefore, for the next few weeks, make a point of listening and take time to do some quiet research. Be sure to focus on verifiable and applicable facts, rather than hearsay or speculation, especially where office politics might be involved. Use what you learn to help you consider your overall direction, and note who is likely to support you in your aims. One last: be clear with yourself about seeking what is truly fulfilling for you; don’t be tempted to reach for lower-hanging fruit than your abilities merit, and above all make sure it passes muster ethically.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The next month or so will likely afford you an opportunity to get in contact with your inner compass with unusual clarity and concreteness. Much communication in this realm tends to be rather nebulous or difficult to parse. The trick will be to let the message develop in its own time. With Mars retrograde and Mercury about to be, the information may well appear in parts, or drip through gradually. At the end of August both planets will be direct, the present eclipse season will be over, and you should have a much more decisive picture. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for clues and concentrate on making the most of each day, not forgetting to make room for fun and relaxation.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Retrograde phases are usually a time of turning within, retracing steps and reviewing past progress. By all means consider how far you’ve come in the past few months — there have certainly been some changes in your understanding, to say the least. The thing to avoid is getting back into former habits, or stuck in a groove. Now that you seem to be more keenly aware of the effects of particular early life experiences, you can resolve to spend all the rest of your days unhindered by them. Treat any occasional stumbling as a teaching moment. Keeping an eye on your progress, such as through journaling, could be a helpful way to ensure you haven’t wandered into a puddle of molasses, or to extricate yourself if you do.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You’ve known some challenging moments in recent times, to say the least; but the lunar eclipse in your sign this week is bringing some much-needed sunlight into your life. It won’t work if your blinds are shut tight, however, so roll them up and let the warmth flood in. Better still, venture outside and spend time in places and in company that helps you fall in love with the world again. Your sign is thought of by some as detached; but you understand that in reality your heart holds room for more than most. You know how to love unconditionally and generously in a way that perhaps no-one else really does. That means you have an example to offer to the rest of us. Be unabashed about it.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There is a very specific kind of healing that comes with true, devoted service; a benediction that unblocks the barriers we erect between our human and divine selves. We are all, to a certain extent, creatures of habit; and when our carefully built lives are shaken up, it can feel like being adrift. The act of service is like an anchor; the purpose inherent within it is like the North Star and the constellations pointing the way. Hold on to what you know to be true. Hold on to the true North within your mind, that which guides you impeccably when every external measure seems to change or fail. You know yourself best of all, and you know the worth and the beauty of your mission on this planet. What else truly matters?

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Self-discovery is ultimately a process of trial and error; while society as it is now seems loath to forgive the latter part of that formula, false starts and restarts are a factor in being human. You are outside your comfort zone and feeling your way around this unfamiliar territory; this is how people grow. Consider any blunders or scrapes as learning experiences. Also, note that the answer to the question of who you are cannot be crowd-sourced. Friends, family, lovers and the spider in the corner of the ceiling can offer their thoughts, and you can by all means listen; remember, though, that you have the casting vote.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Everyone has creativity, however that manifests, and it seems you’re about to take some steps forward in claiming and expressing yours. The astrology of this week and the next in particular is offering you a special forum in which you can bring your love of beauty into the world in an especially tangible and immediate way. One possible medium for this is writing; another could involve moving your body. On one level, this may be a culmination of years of growth, at least some of which will have been about learning to be unashamed of who you are. Let your light shine, and stand in it proudly.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — If you’re noticing any form of challenge with bringing your ideas into manifestation — that is, getting concrete results — you may need to revise a certain process. This would seem to involve letting go of a particular habit of thought or communication, which is somehow holding you back from expressing the full splendor of your vision. If you don’t see a way at present to realize a specific concept, I suggest you don’t sweat it too much, or try to push the river. Any needed revelations will likely emerge during the next few weeks; be patient with yourself and let your mind work in its own time.

Cancer Birthdays 2018:

How to Celebrate Your Eclipse with Planet Waves

Dear Friend and Reader:

Thursday night there was a partial solar eclipse in your sign — opposite Pluto. And while the accompanying eclipses in the next month happen in Leo and Aquarius, you’ll be getting more eclipses in your sign (and in your relationship sign, Capricorn) next year.

I know you’ll want to be in a good position to make the most of those events. What better way to prepare than with your 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading?

Eric always designs these audio readings to look well into the future, which makes them ideal for repeated listening over the course of several months.

Right now, you’re being called to step up and step into your life in new ways. I’m sure you can feel it, though it can be hard to trust that calling at times. If you need some immediate guidance, I hope you’ll consider pre-ordering your Birthday Reading in combination with this year’s written annual reading for Cancer. You’ll get instant access to the written part, and we’ll email you as soon as the audio reading is ready.

If you already have The Art of Becoming (this year’s annual) for Cancer, you can pre-order your 2018 Birthday reading on its own.

The price of your Birthday Reading increases when it publishes — so I do recommend pre-ordering it soon to secure the discounted price of $33.

What better time to commit to the growth and healing of your relationships, your career, your family, your creativity, your spirit, your sexuality and more than immediately following an eclipse opposite Pluto, the profound planet of change? Whether you have a Cancer Sun, rising sign or Moon, this looks like an auspicious time to commit more deeply to these processes.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The season of eclipses in your birth sign, which comes around approximately once every nine years, began last week. This is likely to be an important period of transformation in your understanding of yourself and your closest relationships. We often inadvertently imbibe ideas from our elders (and those in our present lives who represent them) who had particular views on who we were, and who we should be. The current set of eclipses may give you a way to subvert what might feel like an immovable diktat. There is no such thing; as an adult, you have ultimate control of your personal narrative. Find the one that’s real.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Over the next week or two, you would probably benefit from putting forth your best, in a behavioral sense. Treat everyone you meet as if they might one day be your boss, because at some stage you’re likely to run across at least one person on whom you’ll want to make a good impression. Keep your communications as gentle and polite as possible; if you wish to persuade anyone of anything, try doing it with kindness. Taking an inflexible position means that others are just as likely to be unmoved. Instead, be prepared to listen and be open to what you hear. It’s an important ability, and will undoubtedly distinguish you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Next week’s eclipse on July 27, in the most private house in your chart, takes place with your ruler Mercury having just stationed retrograde in the same region. This points to a powerful shake-up that has the potential to move some deep material; possibly you’ve already glimpsed the extent to which you can transform your way of thinking. Keep going. You may have to revisit some difficult former experiences in order to understand them in a new light; yet this is a means of extricating yourself from their influence in a way you might not have known before, and thus becoming free to go on with the business of actually living.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — To say the least, you may be starting to experience some broad changes in perspective regarding your career path. This is one of those times at which you are most sensitive to messages from the unseen realms, so pay attention to what comes to you in dreams, as well as in flights of fancy. Yet at the heart of this shift is the basic truth that your job cannot simply be something you do for pay. Ultimately, you need a profession that inspires and encourages you to develop the skills that mean the most to you, to a level of artistry. There are various ways of making that happen, and you’re discovering some of them now.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mars retrograde has precipitated something of an internal revolution for you, helping you to see and understand alternative perspectives to beliefs you have perhaps held firm for a long time. This may feel unsettling; however, it’s a process vital to personal growth for anyone. As the eclipse zone prepares to move into your place of spirituality and higher learning, give yourself the space to change your viewpoint — especially in the direction of greater compassion and of thinking in more dimensions. You may find whole new ways of being that you hadn’t previously considered, or possibly even imagined.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Recent weeks (or possibly months) may have felt unusually intense for you, such that you might feel challenged to recount your experiences in a meaningful way. Yet it’s worth trying, especially with friends you trust. Even if what you have to say sounds unbelievable to you, those who know you well are aware you don’t make things up or exaggerate too wildly. Naturally, it will help if you talk while in possession of your faculties; preferably entirely sober. You need the relief of letting go any inhibitions you might be harboring of your own free will. Those who love you best will surely listen and offer their support.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If you have a particular ambition that’s close to your heart just now, you may be anxious to view your chances in what you consider a realistic light. Yet, if the fulfillment of your aim requires movement from you, it’s important that you allow yourself to dream and imagine in as wide a field as possible. You can trust your sense of caution; the effort needs to go into keeping up your spirits. Draw on whatever resources you have available, including the encouragement of those you love best, and the guidance of your inner compass. Be determined that you will succeed, and success should not be too long in coming.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Recent experiences may have you feeling as if you’re being rebuilt from the ground up, to put it mildly. Yet this transformation is giving you the opportunity to celebrate the person you’re becoming. It’s almost as if you’re enjoying a new romance, but with yourself. In fact, it might be a good idea to respond to yourself as you would to a new lover. Get in a good deal of ‘you’ time. Go to favorite places, or where you’ve never been but really want to see. Perhaps take in some fine food and wine. Above all, simply be willing to love yourself — and to receive the abundance others are offering, also.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You don’t need to think of the concept of seeking pleasure and fun as an impossible or hopelessly extravagant luxury. We all need these things in our lives. While some will no doubt turn pale with horror at the very thought, you can get busy eating, drinking and being merry. In case you actually need an excuse, remember that most people are brought up amid a miasma of existential guilt and shame. Accepting your right to enjoy life is a way of hacking that code, and paving the way for a more reasonable way of being. Loving life means loving all that lives; and there is nothing the world needs more of at this moment.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Your ruling planet Mars stations retrograde this week in Aquarius: the sign of groups, collective thought and the human mind in general. Particularly for you, this likely relates to your place within your community, whatever you consider that to be, and the influence of your friendships. Amid the roar of the crowd, however, you are learning to embrace more fully what it means to be unique. Mars retrograde will probably help you reflect on precisely where it is that you end and your social world begins, and whether or not it would be helpful to shift or strengthen that line. — by Amy Elliott

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Uranus in your sign has begun to work its magic, as if opening up a bunch of formerly hidden doors. Over the summer, Mars retrograde will add its own flavor to this process, causing you to look again at specific ambitions or plans for the future. In the same way that you plant seeds with enough space around them so the roots and branches can spread, you need to consider whether your current path offers you sufficient room to develop and spread your wings. By the end of August, you may have an altogether different idea of what sufficient room actually means. — by Amy Elliott

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Belief can be a useful part of how we make sense of the world, because there are necessarily many things we don’t know. However, reviewing one’s beliefs should be an ongoing task, especially when confronted with any information that seems to cause discomfort. Mars is now inviting you to re-examine your beliefs at the most fundamental level. This is particularly true at the point where such ideas tend to become dogmas, which in turn can hold back your evolution. Consider this open season on everything that is not an established or verified fact. Curiosity can set you free. — by Amy Elliott

Cancer Birthdays 2018:

Embarking on Your Actual Path of Discovery

“One property of your sign is that it makes you a pioneer and a leader, at least potentially, when you do the work that you take the most seriously, or that’s the nearest to your heart. It also turns out that your work is where you can do your most effective self-exploration. It’s an actual path of discovery.”

— Eric Francis in The Art of Becoming, your 2018 annual reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

If you have a Cancer Sun, Cancer rising or a Cancer Moon, you’ve likely figured out one essential truth about yourself, alluded to by the quote above: you have what it takes to be a leader in the things that matter most to you. This doesn’t mean you need to be ‘the boss’; but it does mean that you’re an ideal candidate to do something meaningful — for yourself, for those you care about most, and for your wider world.

If you’re not entirely sure what your next steps need to be along that path, you can count on your upcoming 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading to contain some excellent ideas.

Saturn, Uranus and Chiron are all in signs with direct and special relationships with your own. Life is on the move. And 2018 is looking like your time to shine: Saturn, Uranus and Chiron are occupying some of the more public and relational zones of your chart.

Eric will be covering what this year’s big planetary moves mean for your relationships, work life, impact on your wider community, deepest calling, family and ancestral patterns, and more. Not only that, but eclipses are on the way: primarily along the axis that describes what you value and your self-esteem (Leo) and your relationship to money and sexuality (Aquarius).

“Ah Eric — just listened to your reading. I was moved to tears by your closing words. Your passion, deep care and love always shine through; and you have the gift of all great teachers, of making one feel that one is being personally addressed, respected and taken care of.”

— Liz Glanville

Your two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) come with an extended description of your sign and access to last year’s reading. When you pre-order your full Cancer Birthday Reading early, you’ll lock in the discounted price of $33. The price increases when the reading publishes.

If you could use a friendly, calm, motivating voice this year, you’ll find it in this reading. Eric does his best to use plain language, and always brings the best of his decades of astrological, therapeutic and spiritual training to these readings.

Wishing you a beautiful start to your birthday season,

Amanda Painter

P.S. This reading will make a thoughtful gift for any of your Cancer loved ones.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — In your continual process of becoming, sometimes it’s necessary to review your commitments. You’ll probably be doing just that over the next couple months, as you take a fresh look at your relationship with the rest of the world, and the people within it. What might have seemed essential to your life previously may no longer be so today; a change in career trajectory, location or friendships might be coming due. This is unlikely to be a decision for today, or this week, so don’t rush it; simply observe what happens as time passes, and you may well reach a natural conclusion eventually. — by Amy Elliott

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Mars stationing retrograde in your opposite sign is likely to give you some pause for thought concerning your intimate relationships, including to yourself and your desires. Just at present, you may be particularly aware of the kinds of fantasies that usually reside in the back of your mind. For a moment, take the view that anything is possible, and that partners are both able and willing to hold space for your feelings. What could you then discuss with them? What might you ask for? Once you contemplate these ideas, you may realize that they are not so terribly far from what is real and possible. — by Amy Elliott

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You are probably very much aware that the business of constructing a better world isn’t usually accomplished within a few days, or even a few months. It’s something people do every day; not merely in the voting booths, but in town halls, on the streets and (which can sometimes be overlooked) within themselves. So long as you are serving a cause you can truly get behind, it’s important also that you feel stimulated and inspired. This can come down simply to the arrangement of your daily work. In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to review and, if necessary, overhaul all these routines. — by Amy Elliott

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The forthcoming Mars retrograde will on some level have you reconsidering what it is you ultimately desire. You may already have experienced surprises on this score, especially if what you thought you wanted turned out to have been influenced by former authority figures. Now you’re much more comfortable in your own skin, and can really take the reins. Start by recognizing what brings you pleasure and makes you feel good about yourself; how you can best exercise your creative gifts; how you can do a job that doesn’t feel like work. Patterns and ideas will likely follow. — by Amy Elliott

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your classical ruler Mars is about to change direction in the region that for you relates to home, safety and security, among other things. This signals that you’re likely to be pondering the question of what precisely makes you feel safe and, perhaps, what really constitutes risk. The way things are going, we’ll eventually all end up in self-contained rooms surrounded by antibacterial agents and Virtual Reality, so that we don’t have to go outside and do icky stuff like interacting with real people. As the next few weeks progress, grant yourself permission to go forth and seek fun and adventure. — by Amy Elliott

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — As a society, we have yet to master assertive communication, which is really another way of saying adult communication. Many people involved in conversations are either trying to push their own agenda, or are so involved on an emotional level that they struggle to apply reason. You have a knack for speaking the truth, and for being open-minded enough to listen effectively. What this coming Mars retrograde is likely to teach you is how to get your message across better. In those areas where your understanding might need an injection of fresh ideas, you could well receive that, too. — by Amy Elliott

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — This summer, your self-esteem is due to undergo a reconstruction of sorts. You’ll have the chance to dissolve, once and for all, a lingering issue of self-doubt that originates in some past event, and to which you really need not pay one iota of attention. You have plenty of resources, and plenty of personal gifts. I would make a special effort to banish any thought of needing to rely on, or compare yourself to, someone else. Instead, focus on the unique beauty of your mind, and the various ways you express it. If need be, display your accomplishments where you can see them. — by Amy Elliott

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Mars is about to station retrograde in your sign for the first time in over four decades. Its rarity alone makes this an event of some importance, and an opportunity for you to bring about considerable changes in terms of your personal identity, and the way you view yourself and your place in the world. The only thing that can hinder you is if you allow self-doubt to prevail. Banish the idea that there is any goal you cannot accomplish. You’re about to discover that any boundaries in your mind regarding how far you can grow, however solid they seem, can be swept aside like a curtain. — by Amy Elliott

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You likely expend a good deal of your energy taking care of other people (and probably critters). Sometimes that can feel like a never-ending task, however fulfilling you generally find it. Mars retrograde in the most sensitive place in your chart will probably call attention to your need for rest, and your need to receive care as well as offering it. Take as much time and space as possible to recharge, and allow the kindness of your closest friends to nourish your body and soul. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative and state your needs. Those who love you are more than willing to answer the call. — by Amy Elliott