Author Archives: Eric Francis Coppolino

About Eric Francis Coppolino

Lives in Kingston, friend of critters, etc.

From the Bubbly to the Gritty

Monday’s Libra Equinox chart contains two plot lines that converge at this crucial turning point of the year.

Planet Waves

Analemma by Anthony Ayiomamitis, at the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth, Greece. Full caption here.

Since early January, we’ve been under the influence of Jupiter square Neptune. This unusual event — Jupiter in its native sign Sagittarius, and Neptune in its sign of modern rulership, Pisces — has been like living in a bubble.

Jupiter square Neptune happens about every eight years, though it’s the sign placements of the planets this particular time around that make it unusually nebulous.

The Jupiter-Neptune square has that bubble-like feeling, of being in a separate reality where it’s not easy to tell what is real from what is not; what is worth doing from what is worth letting go of; what is idealistic and what is truly helpful.

You might not have even known you were there — that’s one of those Neptune things.

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Monday Morning Horoscope #195 for Sept. 23, 2019

Aries

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You need to frame your reality in terms of how hurt, offended, or uncomfortable you feel. Chiron in your sign will, at times, have a tendency to emphasize the most challenging elements of your awareness. Then you may be inclined to “identify with” them. The thing is, you would need to have something better, more interesting or more useful to identify with, as an alternative. Or, you would need to get bored or annoyed with emphasis on the negative. On one level this is a matter of emotional attachment. On another, it’s a matter of framing. A close partner may have a better idea for how to understand your reality: a better, more humane frame in which to conceive of yourself. This may come through direct participation in the relationship, or you may be offered an example of a more compassionate way to think of your reality. It is time for an upgrade. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — The way to evaluate everything is, first, based on its beauty and elegance. A sense of order and organization will serve you well. Mostly this will be visual, but ultimately how all your senses make you feel. Apply this to work, to physical environments and to people. Feng shui is about energy flow, and also about the organization and presentation of physical space. Notice this wherever you go, whatever you do, and in how you present yourself. This is about more than appearances. It is about more than the visual sense alone; I am talking about noticing your relationship to your environment, what it does to you, and what you do to it. The relationship is more dynamic (mutually influential) than you may recognize. You are emitting plenty of energy, thought and feeling, and you’re ultra-sensitive to your surroundings. Tune in and useful information will come to you. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — The Sun joins Mercury and Venus in your 5th house — the one about pleasure, play and adventure. Most people use the potential of this house for entertainment and diversion. I suggest you do something more substantial and nourishing, and do something creative that challenges you. If your chart means anything, your whole being is calling out for a way to express beauty and ideas. This is the opposite of being a consumer. Rather, the thing you will thrive on is some experience of changing the world in some small way, by expressing yourself. You still might be in the mood for domestic maintenance — digging in and cleaning, and that would be good use of this energy, as long as the result is a more beautiful place. But at the moment, the full spectrum of earthly delights is summoning your attention. Choose what you want the very most. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You will feel more grounded, balanced and even-keeled when the Sun enters Libra on Monday. You will have many opportunities to tidy things up, resolve old business and tie up the loose ends. It will be much easier to make a decision that has been nagging at you for a few weeks. This is likely to be about setting yourself free of the small details and seeing (and feeling) the bigger scenario for what it is. The message of the planets, as I see it, is to think holistically. Consider your whole situation, the direction of your life, and what you want to create, and ask yourself what facilitates the creation of that environment. It’s important to recognize that the world seems to be descending into deeper chaos by the day, though most of this is mental and emotional rather than physical and tangible. Your reality begins and ends with you. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — If you have something to say, then say it. You’ve been thinking about it long enough. The open question is how you would express your thought or idea, and you have a lot of possibilities. If the matter is personal, then a one-on-one conversation is probably the most appropriate. Take a gentle approach, and one where you do one third of the speaking and two-thirds of the listening. If your statement is some a public or community comment or artistic expression, consider the best vehicle of expression. Think about how you want your message to be received. Consider the idea you are conveying but mostly, consider the way you want your recipient to feel when the message is delivered. Some feelings are best conveyed in paint and others in audio. Sometimes a photograph works, and sometimes video is better suited. Take up the role of the person receiving the message and test the different approaches. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Virgo

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You may feel like you have a lot of priorities to get in order, though that will be easier if you have a guiding principle. For example, if you want to have more free time, then you start by eliminating anything unnecessary from your schedule. If you want to have more money, you eliminate needless costs (of which there are many) and find ways to enhance your income. In both of these scenarios, there is a guiding principle around which you organize your decisions. Problems may arise when you have a conflict; for example, you want to do more and also have more free time. Notice when that is happening; you will be able to tell because you feel the strife within you. That’s the time to step back a little and do some meta evaluation. You might go to the level of need rather than of desire. Part of evolving spiritually means being able to make a determination between the two. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Planet Waves

Astrology Studio for Libra: Short Pre-sale!

It’s not easy feeling safe these days; it’s not easy feeling like you belong anywhere, though astrology has some ideas for you. You’re invited to the pre-sale for the Libra reading, which will be ready Monday evening. Therefore, the $33 pre-sale price will last about 24 hours. This reading will cover your process of grounding yourself in the wild world of the Digital Age. You need some physical reality, and my reading of your chart will suggest where to look for it: primarily at home. I will have much to say about stabilizing your relationships in the chaos of the internet, getting some traction in your career, and most of all, how to frame your own reality.

Pre-order price is $33. Increases to $44 Monday night and $55 on Friday. Reading includes an hour-plus astrology session, a tarot session and a special astrology extra, Self and Society.


Libra

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The Sun enters your sign Monday, at long last. This happens in a conjunction with the asteroid Bacchus (the Roman rendition of Dionysus). He is not just about grapes and wine; the deeper concept is liberation. So the question to ask in this season of your birthday is, what sets you free? Be mindful of the ways that relationships in particular do or do not liberate you. Do you find yourself entering a maze of confusion when you’re with someone, or are you lifted out of the labyrinth? We live in a time when people wear their injuries on their sleeve, but often don’t do anything about healing them. So one factor to evaluate is whether people are more attracted to their pain or to their healing process — and what your role is in either case. You might ask yourself the same question, in part based on what you see reflected back to you in your most intimate relationships. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You may be figuring out that the only thing you actually have power over is your mind — and even that seems to have a life of its own. And if that is true, you would be well-served to become more familiar with that quality, which is in truth your inner life. The more you emphasize others and what they do, the less you will feel in control of your experience. The more you draw your awareness inward, the easier it will be for you to coexist with everyone — especially with yourself. To that end, you may use any friction that manifests in your social or intimate interaction as a guide to your inner life. This is a kind of mind experiment. What role do you see people playing? Who do the various actors and actresses in your life represent? If you were writing the script, what would you have them say? Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — This week brings the Libra equinox, which is a rather bold invitation for you to re-emerge as a social being. On a subtler level, something else is happening: Jupiter has completed its square to Neptune (which happens about once every eight years, and rarely with Jupiter in your sign). This will result in a gradual clearing of the air, a potential increase in your ability to think straight. The could you have been surrounded by is some form of delusion, illusion or confusion, and you may have spent considerable time wondering how you even got there. That question is still worth a good think-through, but significantly, where to go from here is the more important matter. However, that starts with recognizing exactly where you are and what you are doing. Many people allow themselves to be confused or deceived because it seemingly offers a pass from confronting actual existence: your potential, your problems, your life. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The planets in your sign are beginning to move in direct motion. Saturn has resumed forward progress; Pluto is soon to follow. Gradually, these planets will reach critical mass, culminating in their conjunction this coming Jan. 12. Said simply, the time has come to take action, in particular, to act on the decisions you made long ago. You have had time to work out your plans and to consider your options, and the bell is now ringing. Start with the most elementary practical matters first. Yes, there is deeper material; there are true matters of growth, and of making contact with the core layers of your being. Yet the practical choices you make will lead you out of where you do not belong, and to where you do belong. What counts as “spiritual” is not a separate matter. It is related to everyone and every experience. Soul is not a thing; it is not a destination. It is a process involving absolute honesty, and you are beholden to it whether you want to be or not. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — An inner shift is taking place; you may have noticed it. It might have felt like part of your brain squirmed into place; or perhaps you had a dream that symbolized some kind of release from bondage. Yet this is only the beginning; you have many more steps to take along this journey. You are working your way toward inner reconciliation, which might be said of the whole human race, though you are in a moment of special focus. The key to your freedom is refusing to accept that you are a victim of circumstances, particularly of your family. There’s plenty else to be victimized by, which is advertised on television and the internet, and you don’t want any part of it. That very thing is what got you and many of the people around you into the situation you are in. It may be that you are the first and perhaps only person in your immediate sphere who will be responding to this particular calling; you may face considerable pressure to accept your supposed lot in life. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You are beginning to see the light of day on a number of crucial issues that will in many ways shape your future. Yet you are the one doing the shaping, and before you make any decisions you cannot easily reverse, you must be as certain as you can that you’re seeing matters as they are. And you must be equally confident that you know your own mind, and your own feelings. But more than that, you must know what you want. That is the thing to focus on. I don’t mean this in some intermediate sense of the idea; I mean what you actually, ultimately, and sincerely want for yourself. You are in a rare moment of gaining awareness at the same time your horizons are opening up. Be aware that this may come with a measure of fear, which is (in our current environment) a “natural” response to experiencing your potential. Yet this is upon you, and the moment of decision is approaching. Meanwhile, it would be wise to bide your time and use it well. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

From One Conjunction to Another

Dear Friend and Reader:

My phone rang at 7:30 this morning. I was up making breakfast for my canines. It was a potential client, planning a career move at about age 50. He has his Sun in Aquarius, and was talking about his plans for late 2020. He knew that there was about to be big activity in his sign around that time.

Saturn-Pluto conjunction of Jan. 12, 2020, is a more complex alignment, additionally involving Mercury, Ceres, the Sun, Jupiter, the South Node and Pholus. Mars in Sagittarius is involved. Link to full chart.

As he described his various plans and preparations, he kept saying, “Everything is happening so fast” — as in his new career was engaging before he had completed his commitments to his current one. I was curious about that, and checked when Saturn (which has been in Capricorn since late 2017) would enter Aquarius, and was reminded that it makes its first ingress on March 21, 2020, just after the Aries equinox.

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Under Pressure: Pisces Full Moon Conjunct Neptune

Sketch of Jupiter and its moons from Galileo’s notebook, the night of Dec. 27-28, 1612. He noted the existence of Neptune, but recorded it as a star; you can see it off to the left side of the drawing. Such began the history of Neptune manifesting and unmanifesting, till it was finally officially noted to exist in 1846.

Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re now experiencing a Full Moon conjunct Neptune in Pisces. The aspect is exact Saturday morning at 12:33 am EDT (9:33 pm Friday PDT, 5:33 am Saturday in London, 2:33 pm in Sydney).

This is a complex chart for a number of reasons, most of which include many aspects to Neptune in Pisces, the distant ice giant planet discovered in the age of the telegraph, with an orbit of 164 years.

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Monday Morning Horoscope #192 for Sept. 2, 2019

Aries

Aries (March 20-April 19) — If you want to take better care of yourself, start with your awareness. Notice how food (any and all food) makes you feel. Notice whether you feel warm or cool in a room, and pay attention to how the air feels and smells. This is the kind of basic feedback you need, which will lead to taking steps that help you feel better. Notice things like whether you’re bored or angry (they are related). Basically, I am proposing that you create a yoga of paying attention, and then responding to what you observe. More than you need “life/work balance,” it will help if you know when to slow down, when to stop, when to rest, and when to get some sunlight into your eyes. You might also take the opportunity to stay up all night and make dinner at 3 am. Your chart is packed with such diversity of potential that you may feel called in every direction at once. Well, you can’t go in all of them at the same time, but you can run through your various desires and try things one or two at a time, and keep moving. This is a great time to soak in the possibilities of your own existence. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Art is an experiment, sex is an experiment, and anything worth doing entails a risk: if only that it might not work out. Yet life is not about accumulated gain or loss; it is about experience. And such is never perfect or predictable; that’s the whole point. I suggest you proceed in the spirit of exploration and wonder, and not worry what your audience thinks of you. Rather, do something that is rarely done, and that is to study your environment. If that includes your audience, study it (or them, if you prefer) as entirely apart from you. Feel where you are, in time, and in place. Notice the currents and trends of the digital sphere as if you’re an anthropologist or sociologist, remembering that at this point what you actually are is an artist. By that I mean someone who does not shut down or numb out when the stimulation gets too intense. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Do you feel safe? When and where? What is your criteria? What is your threshold for feeling unsafe? I have a feeling you may be suppressing both sensations: thinking you’re perfectly fine when something is troubling you, and feeling threatened when there is nothing in your environment that would harm you. Most of safety and lack of safety is a mental phenomenon, which you may experience as emotional if you don’t give yourself words to describe your experience. Therefore, if you’re noticing any feelings along this spectrum of security, describe to yourself what is happening and you will start to get deeper insight and even some mastery over it. Pay special attention to physical spaces; that is, the four walls that surround you at any time. Most significantly, notice how you feel in your own home, and why. Incidentally, who are all these people who keep showing up? Make sure they stay out in the living room unless invited in anywhere else. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Though this has probably never been written in an astrology book, yours is one of the signs most inclined to literacy and to deep thought. Yes, you are more than a cuddly little ball of emotion. The intellectual, introspective angle of your chart is lit up right now. It’s likely ideas are flying through your mind, and you can trust that at least some of them are worth developing. What you would benefit from is organizing yourself like an airport, and getting those airplanes onto the ground. You only need minimal structure: a few words in a notebook, or a one-paragraph rough draft, will be enough to get you started. The other part of this is reading. You may be the type to devour books, and if you are, slow down. Take a thoughtful approach to something interesting, even a few pages of something that engages you more deeply than on the level of story. You are on the shore of a development process; there is something being born in your life and in your mind. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You are much clearer about several important issues than you were one week ago, and you can trust that the deliberation process will continue. Based on your astrology, I have two suggestions. One is to be cautious about the notion that you might be doing something for the sake of a commitment or a relationship. For quite a while, the central issue in your life has involved being faithful to your commitment to yourself. This whole concept gets lost in various notions of egotism, selfishness, narcissism and the like, which do not apply to you and certainly not to your current situation. The thing you are being called to do is to manage your priorities in a way that works for you; until then, nothing you do can really work for anyone else. The other matter involves how you manage your doubts. I suggest you not be deterred by any self-questioning that you may do, but rather engage in it willingly, and with curiosity, and as cheerfully as you can. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Planet Waves

The Virgo Astrology Studio reading is now available for instant access. Here is a short sample. Eric discusses the Virgo New Moon, Neptune in your opposite sign, Chiron in Aries and more. He connects some hard-to-pin-down elements of your life to your rare astrology, and to your quest for a more fulfilling sense of purpose.

We’ve also included Self and Society, Eric’s special reading on Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. The Astrology Studio recordings make an ideal gift for loved ones.


Virgo

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Last week’s astonishing New Moon in your birth sign has set off one or perhaps many chains of events, and these will keep going for a while. What you can rest assured of is that you are entering many new life cycles at once, which means many old things are ending. The background of your astrology, or perhaps the ground itself, has been the gradually building conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. The purpose of that is to break up the big chunks of karma so you can actually process them, make use of them, or otherwise dispose of them. Now you have a gush of energy coming through your sign, and this is all that’s necessary to get things moving along. Whether you like what is happening now or not, the benefits of your current experiences will be tangible, and will not take long to manifest. You are, basically, setting yourself free from many old tales and fables, and more than that, the legacy of your parents and family. Keep that party going. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You may as well make different mistakes from ones you’ve made in the past. Making the same errors over and over gets boring. At least when something new goes wrong, you have evidence that you’re conducting an actual experiment; that you’re trying something different. And you also have the chance to quickly adapt and make corrections, because thanks to something new happening, your attention is focused and your interest is high. As for past mistakes, it helps to learn from them, and it is possible, unless you’re determined not to. That all said, Venus is moving into opposition with Neptune this week, so you want to both dream big and be a little skeptical when it comes down to making an investment in something, be it financial or emotional. Particularly where business is concerned, focus on the pragmatic level: the actual numbers, the schedule, and whether the bills have been paid. Then go back to making music, art and love like a banshee. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Everyone is some shade of public figure these days, whether you use Instagram or are a realtor whose picture is shown on ads placed in supermarket shopping carts. You will have a lot of fun in the social spheres this week, though you want to stay a few drinks behind the crowd and the breathalyzer. In the alternate, you may eschew the whole going out thing and hole up somewhere and paint, draw, read or write. Yet there is real benefit these days in being out and among people. Our social skills are being atrophied, and people have a false sense of compassion fatigue. You will learn interesting things outside of the house, where a few people are gathered. I suggest you stick to quiet spaces where you don’t have to raise your voice to be heard, or strain to hear. Keep people talking by asking what may seem like trivial questions, then listen between the lines. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Your astrology this week will have you craving peak experiences. That might be fun, though you will want some containment. Know where the edge is, so you don’t fall off the stage. If you plan to drink, stay home or stay the night. You would be wise not to make decisions under the influence of alcohol or other substances, but you might certainly come to a realization or two; these you will probably forget, if you don’t write them down. In the midst of whatever you’re experiencing, the thing you want to do is use your ears. Most people don’t listen, anywhere beyond hearing the words. I suggest you hear the words, and then repeat them to yourself several times until you internalize their meaning. What words exactly? Any that are spoken to you. In other ways, your hearing will serve you well as a means of testing the vibe. Listen like a dog, who gets the meaning from the tone of the speaker’s voice. Don’t be spooked by thunder. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You might take a break from your present situation and consider your possibilities for the future. It will arrive faster than you may be expecting. Get at least as far as having some notion of what you want to do and where you want to be, even if you’re not certain yet; you’re not making a commitment by entertaining the possibilities. And there are quite a few of them in your awareness. One thing I would suggest is that to consider a potential does not mean finalizing the plan. Yet neither is it idle thought, wishing or fantasizing. You have some definite ideas. Some of them may seem distant or a little exotic compared to what you are now doing, and have done in the past, though they all have a pragmatic enough angle to give them the three legs of a tripod on the ground. You will need to work out schemes and details and specifics and all that, but now is not the time. Now is the time to dream a little bigger and a lot bolder. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Keep digging, dusting, shoveling and filling trash bags, even if only for an hour a day. When you clean a closet or a drawer, drag everything out and put back only what you really want. This will be easier and more efficient. Don’t go one item at a time or you won’t feel like you’re making any progress. This is a metaphor for your mind. Put everything on the table or on the page: your desires, your fears, you needs, your hopes, your dreams. Next look at it all and sort it out, then move on to the next thing. That said, there may be some interesting discussions in the very human realm of commitment, finances and sexuality. You and/or a partner may be tempted to go into analysis mode. Keep your feelings in your body, and use your ears. There are some things that can never be understood, much less analyzed. Many forms of communication must occur on the physical and sensory level, rather than being translated into the metaphor of words. That said, in your current state of being, poetry works better than prose. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Keep your filters up. There are a lot of people buzzing around and a diversity of situations in play. Some individuals may seem wonderful, one or two may seem aggressive, others perplexing. You will be unlikely to distinguish what is real and what is not, what is helpful and what is not, at first blush. That is why you need to be discerning. I’m not saying wear a tee-shirt that says SKEPTIC, or even to let on that you’re in any doubt. Neither of these things may be true of you. Yet rather than make or accept commitments, listen to what people say, notice your own intentions, and make an appointment to continue the conversation in the near future. Under the current astrology, the thing you can stoke without hesitation is your vision for your life and in particular, your work. Usually grand visions are scaled down and made more modest, but they can start great and you work from there. Skip any disappointment; life is an experiment and a growth process. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope for September 2019

Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope for September 2019 (#1259) | By Eric Francis
Aries

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Self-care is your top priority no matter how busy you may be. In fact the more you have going on, the more you need to focus on your inner needs, your basic nourishment, and giving yourself time to replenish the well. We live in an age when the theme is to exploit every resource till it’s depleted, and push every system until it breaks. That does not work in the human world, and it’s time to remind yourself that you have limits — and these must be honored. It may seem like a cliché to say that if you have your health, you have everything you need, though it’s ultimately the bottom line. You may be getting the message that your work is your top priority (all that action in Capricorn, at the top of your chart, and in Virgo, your house of activity and service). Yet this is set within the context of being a living creature that depends on food, water, rest and companionship. The world is growing more complex by the day, to the point where chaos theory is the only way to get a handle on things. That’s a fancy way of saying “pattern recognition.” To do that, your mind must be in a relaxed state. You need some empty space and available bandwidth to have an idea or to notice the solution to a problem when it comes to you. The problem is we’re forgetting about these things: relaxed state, empty space, available bandwidth. You must remember, and rediscover, if necessary.

It is in times of the greatest change that the most progress is possible — and we’re in such an era. If you need help getting a grip, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, could be the lifeline you need to align with yourself.
Taurus

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — It’s time for a more creative approach to everything. This calls for a combination of observation and originality: working like an inventor. Such an approach defies everything we’re pushed into being, feeling and thinking at this moment in history. Notice the way everything is being reduced to an algorithm, or a mindless routine. You are not a script, a processor or a machine, and the challenges you are confronting are distinctly human. When you open up your bottle of truth and smell it, you must be turned on. Craving, desire, curiosity, and delight in experience are the feelings to follow and to encourage. On the other side of this equation is identifying everything that qualifies as a belief. The Taurus mind has a strong tendency to get wrapped up in religiosity, whether we’re talking about politics, style, creativity or existence itself. When you notice yourself believing something, trace the idea as close to its origin as you can. Rather than assume it’s correct or true, phrase it as a question, and argue both sides of the issue. Large, sweeping concepts, principles or convictions are not flexible or adaptable enough to be of any service in your present environment. One other thought: there is the solitary aspect to creativity, and there is the relational one. You want others around who you can bounce ideas around with. Too much seriousness will not serve; a sense of play is essential.

The 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, consists of 12 astrology sessions that will help you see where the stress points are, and where you can direct your energy and resources for some peace of mind and the results you want to get.
Gemini

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You are in a time of renewal. Currently this means concluding matters that must come to an end before it’s possible for you to begin anything new. Start with the easy stuff: wrap up any nearly complete project, or divest yourself of it. This is a skill that needs to be learned, taught and practiced. I can go as far as telling you that there is such a thing as closure, and it’s not about pretending. Mostly, it’s about making a decision and sticking with it. There is also the element of understanding the nature of your commitments, and knowing when a promise is kept, a job is done, or a goal is unattainable. Then, everything that follows is based on that knowledge. There is no “going back.” This involves a conscious relationship with the passage of time, and that implies death. The current state of society and of many individual minds is to hold everything in a state of limbo, where there is neither closure nor completion. In that state of being, the vital force — the life force in any form — slowly drips away. This is the state of being when the future never seems to arrive. You can help yourself by beginning with endings. Go through your physical space and remove everything that has expired, or that is useless, in the way, or otherwise gathering dust. Continue by resolving a few matters with friends, relatives or associates that are keeping you perpetually on hold. The feeling connected with these projects will be edgy, a little daring, slightly unfamiliar.

Feel deeper peace of mind, balance and a sense of influence over your affairs. Using the techniques of spiritual practice, therapy and astrological counseling, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, will help you focus on yourself, your priorities and your needs.
Cancer

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You have plenty on your mind. Most of it is irrelevant, and you would be wise not to talk about it, act on it, or let it burden you. Yet in the mix of it all, there would seem to be something you want and need to express, to learn, or to master. Keep this a private matter for now. Yes, in the age of spewing everything out of one’s pocket computer/camera/phone, it’s arguable that there is no such thing as private. Find your way back to that space, or perhaps get there for the first time. It feels a little like you’re sitting in a room and nobody else but you exists. And as much as you might seek someone else for validation or even verification of your existence, you do not. Instead, using the strength of your mind and your ability to control your physical spaces, you compel your frame of reference to be internal. Older people will remember this, and it will feel good. Younger people need to learn, or be taught, or discover, what this is — and it may feel daunting, frightening, uncertain. It’s the feeling of “nobody knows I’m here but me.” There may be a kind of uncomfortable silence that you think needs to be filled. Note, I am not talking about sitting upright on a wooden floor in total silence for two weeks. You can go to a remote location in your city where nobody will find you, and write or draw in a paper notebook. You can play an instrument. You can sit in the back of a library and read a physical book. For this to work, leave all devices elsewhere.

It is in times of the greatest change that the most progress is possible — and we’re in such an era. If you need help getting a grip, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, could be the lifeline you need to align with yourself.
Leo

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Set your priorities in order. That means knowing what comes first: the one thing above all else. This may take some thought and deliberation; but then, you may go right to the answer (and even if you do, apply some true contemplation to make sure you’ve got it right). Once you are aware of your first agenda item, the others will fall into place. You will have a better idea what to do every day, because you have acknowledged what is the most necessary or urgent. You will have an organizing principle. There is no right answer; you must decide. We are talking about things on a higher order, not a lower one. You might make the determination based on an external deadline you must meet. It might be something that has been troubling you for a long time, which you know you have to accomplish or resolve. The challenge is that you seem to have many pressing concerns, yet they are not all equal. Something among them will stand out. You may notice a pattern: all things influencing your mental health; all things influencing your body; all matters of your diet; the way you structure your time toward any one of these particular ends. Note, based on other factors in your chart, the most important matter is likely to skew in a direction akin to what I have mentioned. The top item will go to the level of the structure of your life, and that will help determine the content and your approach. Yet you must identify what it is, and act on it.

The 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, consists of 12 astrology sessions that will help you see where the stress points are, and where you can direct your energy and resources for some peace of mind and the results you want to get.
Virgo

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — What is happening now will be clearer once the Moon opposes the Virgo Sun in about two weeks. However, we can begin with one idea: the events and developments in your world are about you, not about someone else. A good mantra for you now would be, “It’s not about him/her/them. It’s about me.” I am not suggesting that you be “selfish” as much as I am proposing that you center your experience on your own existence, and not use others as an excuse or foil. If you hear yourself placing a relationship as a major factor in a decision you’re making, pause and reflect. If you are worried about someone else’s feelings, take a step back and look at that carefully. These are likely to be excuses you are using to subvert your own power of decision. In that condition, you cannot be true to others, or take care of their needs — and to do so might be to avoid your own important agenda. Similarly, ensure you make everything in your life work for you. If you’re doing something out of a sense of duty or responsibility, learn how to do it better as a matter of self-improvement and experience. With Neptune in your opposite sign Pisces, you must proceed with caution in all matters where relationships are concerned. It’s not easy for you to see what is real and what is not. And you can no longer invest yourself in others as an “unconscious” means of finding out who you are.

Feel deeper peace of mind, balance and a sense of influence over your affairs. Using the techniques of spiritual practice, therapy and astrological counseling, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, will help you focus on yourself, your priorities and your needs.

My individual sign readings are designed to be a source of motivation and inspiration: they’re about what is right with you. I talk about how to best use your resources and your abilities, and making peace with who you are and what you want.

Planet Waves

In These Times Autumn Reading by Eric Francis
Individual Signs: Astrology That’s Better Than Therapy.

Dear Friend and Reader:

You might have noticed that the world is in upheaval, which is both coming from, and feeding into, personal challenges: that out of control, crazy feeling of what the holy heck is happening and where is this all going and what am I doing? This will be the theme of my Autumn Reading, called In These Times — which I am about to begin recording.

Although I conceive of this project as a set of 12 interrelated segments, I realize that some people prefer to focus only on the one or two signs they resonate with most strongly. To accommodate that preference, I am now opening up the pre-order phase for individual signs of In These Times.

This option tends to be particularly useful if you’d like to give the reading as a gift to a friend, relative or colleague — which many of our customers do.

“Uncanny. Wow. Totally on point. So much so, I bought readings for my daughter, cousin and a friend as gifts.”

— Glinda W., on the 2019 Spring Readings

My individual sign readings are designed to be a source of motivation and inspiration: they’re about what is right with you. I talk about how to best use your resources and your abilities, and making peace with who you are and what you want.

And you can still purchase the full set of all 12 signs for $99 (final price upon publication will be $111). Costing less than half a therapy session for all 12, these readings will point you toward your source of guidance, comfort and sanity. I will take a light touch covering the intense Capricorn astrology, and the current Virgo astrology, tailored for each of the signs.

Delivery is anticipated for early September.

In These Times is included with the Backstage Pass and the Galaxy Pass. If you upgrade, it will come with your new membership. If you have one of those levels, please consider extending the reading as a gift to someone who needs it.

Thank you for your purchase, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

eric

PS — You may place your order by phone, by calling (206) 567-4455. If someone does not answer we will call you back promptly, next day at the latest.


Libra

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Quite a lot is about to happen, though at the moment you might feel like you’re trapped in a bubble, or in a soundproof room where nobody can hear or see you. This is the “world apart” feeling of the 12th house, which for you is Virgo, where all of the personal planets are currently placed. You won’t be there for long, though time may seem to slow down while you are in this particular state of mind. I suggest you take advantage of your situation, and do just that: take a breath. Assess your life. It’s clear from your astrology that you feel as if your life is built on shifting foundations, or maybe in an earthquake zone. In the silence, you may be able to hear or feel where the rattling is coming from. The state of the world is affecting you particularly strongly, and directly. That means, in part, the mental and emotional condition of so many people who seem to be giving up, but who don’t know how to. From where you are, you have plenty of room to experiment. Few would even notice that’s what you’re doing. Test the boundaries of your commitments and your relationships. Experiment with how you present yourself to the world, and see how you feel — and observe whether anyone even notices. More than anything, admit to yourself how you feel and what you want. Remember those two elements, as often as you can: how you feel, and what you want. Write it on the mirror.

It is in times of the greatest change that the most progress is possible — and we’re in such an era. If you need help getting a grip, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, could be the lifeline you need to align with yourself.
Scorpio

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — What is good and what is not: do you need anyone to explain that to you? Well, you may need to explain to yourself why there is so much confusion, and why, at times, you may get confused. There is an underlying matter: if someone thinks that the ends justify the means, then anything goes. If someone thinks there are plenty of people in the world, and therefore they are expendable, then anything goes. If someone thinks the world is here to serve them, rather than there being a mutual relationship, then it’s easy to pull out the stops. Therefore, much depends on your underlying philosophy of life. Much depends on who and what you think people are: specific individuals, and humanity in general. While you are discerning person, it will be helpful if you consciously step back from being judgmental. Discrimination usually takes place in a blind spot. Therefore, make the effort to be accepting, sincere and vulnerable, in private situations, but especially in public ones. Be real with people; let your face reveal your state of mind and your emotions. Other factors in your chart suggest that you are reticent to speak, and to admit your reality to others. You may fear what someone will do with anything they learn. Yet take note that the truth always comes out. You may have some sway over how you are perceived today, though not in the long run. Simply put, you are who you are, and you only waste precious time by trying to be anyone else. Therefore, admit what is real, and be yourself at all times and in all places.

The 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, consists of 12 astrology sessions that will help you see where the stress points are, and where you can direct your energy and resources for some peace of mind and the results you want to get.
Sagittarius

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Jupiter in your birth sign or rising sign is making its way toward Neptune in Pisces. We are all about to experience the Jupiter-Neptune square, and you are about to experience it in an especially personal way. The message of this transit is to be honest about your feelings. A domestic situation has been troubling you more than you’ve been willing to let on to yourself. The reason for your state of “self-concealment” (which translates to denial) is that admission of your most basic feelings would likely be followed by the recognition that you need to act on them. That, in turn, could entail considerable inconvenience and emotional upset. Yet this is a matter of whether you are willing to live the truth as you perceive it. The question I suggest you ask yourself is whether the situation as it stands today is helping you, and whether you can sustain it for much longer. You might also ask yourself the source of any hesitation. Ultimately, taking action on your situation and your feelings is the admission of your personal truth; the truth is not an abstract thing — it is the most compelling thing. Even so, here is the deeper question: what else is going on? What is this really about? There would seem to be some underlying layer that you may not want to get to. Yet not only has the time arrived; you are in a rare position to identify and resolve something that would otherwise be very difficult to pin down or act upon. Let one sane response lead to another.

Feel deeper peace of mind, balance and a sense of influence over your affairs. Using the techniques of spiritual practice, therapy and astrological counseling, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, will help you focus on yourself, your priorities and your needs.
Capricorn

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The clock is slowly ticking on the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in your birth sign or rising sign. Though this takes place in January, you are on notice now to take care of unfinished business as a top priority. That includes finding closure on important personal matters that have hung around for too long: unfulfilled promises, unspoken truths, unresolved conflicts, and all other matters you know are holding you back. Here is the crux of the situation: holding onto the past will keep you there. Letting go of the past is not a matter of marching on, pretending nothing happened. It is, rather, about coming to closure, so that you reclaim your life as your own — as a whole person. On one level, the effect of Saturn conjunct Pluto can be seen as destructive or disruptive. Yet it is an event of such momentous significance that this cannot be the ultimate message. You are advanced enough to know that you must clear a way for the future by actually coming to terms with the past. This conjunction signifies the power for you to do what every spiritual path claims to point toward: transcending or “breaking through” the ego, thanks to the power of your soul. Yet remember: neither your ego nor your soul is a thing. Ego is essentially a thought-form constructed mainly of denial. Soul is a growth process that you take from lifetime to lifetime. At the moment, your growth process is coming into contact with your denial; and usually, growth is the stronger element — but you can still derail that if you want. Ultimately, nothing happens without your consent. Therefore, choose wisely what you agree to and what you do not.

It is in times of the greatest change that the most progress is possible — and we’re in such an era. If you need help getting a grip, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, could be the lifeline you need to align with yourself.
Aquarius

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may feel like your circumstances are over your head, beyond your abilities or outside your control. Now you get to test any such theories, and test your mettle as well. It is true that we seem to live in times of wrenching change, and to be experiencing events that make no sense and that we do not understand. Yet you are what is changing more than anything else. Your psychic and emotional structure is experiencing much greater tectonic forces than is society. You are being forced to confront your fears, your hidden dimension, and what may feel like your past karma (it remains to be seen whose it is, in actual fact). Within the sphere of your own consciousness, what’s happening to you counts for more than what is happening around you. Growth is rarely easy, and it tends to be experienced in the face of what feels like the inevitable. Often there must be a confrontation, if only because change is so inconvenient. Yet it is now up to you to make the most of it. Even though you may feel pushed and confronted, it is your destiny to discover your true strength, your deepest abilities and what I will reluctantly call your power. Far from some form of magic or titanic strength, that would be the power of decision. In just over a year’s time, the mighty planet Saturn returns to your birth sign (and its other sign of rulership). Lay hold of every opportunity to take charge of your affairs, know when you must accept that you cannot and (as is often misattributed to St. Francis) have the wisdom to know the difference.

The 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, consists of 12 astrology sessions that will help you see where the stress points are, and where you can direct your energy and resources for some peace of mind and the results you want to get.
Pisces

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Borrowing from the philosopher and playwright Seneca, when you don’t know what harbor you’re sailing for, no wind is the right wind. Ah, but when you know — and you soon will — you will see that there is a strong gust at your back, guiding and even pushing you into the future. This is about Jupiter in Sagittarius, which this month makes its last contact with Neptune in your birth sign or rising sign. This will help you resolve many lingering questions. Sagittarius represents your aspirations and your desire to accomplish meaningful things, even great ones. It’s also about your professional activities, which have been a little bogged down as of late. I was reading up on Jupiter in the first interesting astrology book I’ve come across in a long time, from way back in 1945 by the Rev. Dr. Marc Edmund Jones. He said that Jupiter is about “deeper participation in experience, as compared with the more simple continuance in existence.” You need adventure in your professional life, not a job. You need a vocation — a calling — not a career. This is just in time, as a crack is opening up in society, and you are nimble enough to go through. Pay attention to this fissure or fault line as it moves, shakes and opens up. That is your invitation and in a sense your destination. What to many others is an annoyance, an inconvenience or some form of social tragedy is your greatest resource. Yet to take advantage of this, you must participate boldly in your own life, and that of society.

Feel deeper peace of mind, balance and a sense of influence over your affairs. Using the techniques of spiritual practice, therapy and astrological counseling, the 2019 Autumn Reading, In These Times, will help you focus on yourself, your priorities and your needs.

There is Hope for Humanity

Dear Friend and Reader:

Decades into my project of studying the planets, I’ve figured out that the story never resolves. The cycles describe many potential points of resolution, but it rarely seems to happen. When it does, those few truly determined people are the ones who make it happen.

Fractal image by Pixabay.

Studying the planets means studying people and what they do; the issue is coming from the human realm, not the astrological or the symbolic.

One of my approaches to the horoscope column and my recorded readings is to find the point of resolution. I look at the planets, and I identify the pattern and the potential courses of action. Then I describe the way through, and forward. This is always based on action that you must take — not something that will happen to you.

Continue reading

Monday Morning Horoscope #191 for August 26, 2019

Aries

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You have many facets to your nature, and you’re in a position to experience several of them now. Yet where you look, where you seek your information, and which experiences you explore, all matter. The region of your life to search for understanding is the everyday, rather than the unusual. Therefore, you need only look right where you are, not the past, not the future, and not some remote location or concept of your life. What do you actually do? What do you like doing? Most significantly, your astrology is asking the question: whom do you serve? Bob Dylan was right: you gotta serve somebody. And you’re tied into the karma of whoever, or whatever that is; whatever purpose that is. So what you’re really asking yourself is why. Notably, this is not a question you can pose to any other person and get a relevant answer. You can only ask yourself. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — From every angle, your astrology is calling on you to burst free: of your routines, of your ideas, of your ideologies, and of your expectations. While you’re at it, set yourself free from the scourge of seriousness. It’s not that life is but a joke, but rather you must approach the conditions of your own growth, and the circumstances of the world, with a light heart. Heaviness is not going to get you anywhere right now, and as Robert Anton Wilson taught us, convictions make convicts. So take it light, and use a creative approach to your own existence. You can afford to take some chance you might not ordinarily take, meaning allowing yourself to use a creative approach to a problem. The truth or idea you seek exceeds concepts. Nobody could write a song with all the music theory in the world (and nothing else). Anyone could write one without it. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Monitor your anxiety level as the next week or two proceed. Notice what in your environment provokes you, and then see if you can figure out why it’s irrelevant; why the problem is about something else. Notice whether what you’re experiencing is mental or emotional. Notice whether you feel better alone or with others, or if this varies from situation to situation. Drink more water and see how you feel then. You will need to keep experimenting under the astrology you’re going through, which includes asking the same question many different ways till it lends itself to some kind of interesting answer. It would seem, though, that the most pressing issue is: what are you trying to resolve? Directly related is, what do you need to clear out of your way? This also includes asking yourself about who does, and who does not, belong in your environment. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Make every effort to get along with your neighbors. Perhaps you already do, though you can be (or seem) self-absorbed at times, and give the impression that you don’t care. The way to demonstrate that others make a difference is to engage in communication about the details of life, the small things that rarely seem to matter, and most of all, ideas. You have a brilliant analytical mind, though one potential problem you face at the moment is going down the wormhole of minutiae, rather than seeing the clean, elegant lines of concepts. Practice translating your thoughts and feelings into a form that others can understand. You may be overwhelmed with mental activity, or data coming in so fast you cannot handle it. The tool you will want to use is pattern recognition. Rather than analyze every single detail, look for topics and ideas, and the shapes that they form. When in doubt, listen to music, preferably instrumental. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your life at this time is all about your priorities. What is really important to you? This is the most obvious question in life, and one that is too rarely asked. Yet it’s the only question at the moment, subordinating all others. This may require some sorting out. When doing that, it helps to have a guiding principle, which would best be: what is it that harms you, and what is it that helps you? What about your existence is beneficial to others, and what is not? The answers will be pretty simple, when you’re onto them. Despite appearances, there will not be a lot of layers to your result; and you’re experienced enough to know what is helpful. However, when you come across something that is a temporary expedient, put it in a special category. Those are potential traps, because they might seem beneficial in the short run, but will not be over the course of time. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Planet Waves
You are heading into a most unusual solar year: with Venus, Mars, Juno and the Sun in your sign, you’re set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. This is an astrology reading followed by a tarot reading, which will come a few weeks later. Pre-order now for $44.

Virgo

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — We are now experiencing one of the most impressive Virgo alignments in many years. A New Moon is approaching consisting of the Moon and Sun joined by Mercury, a Chiron-like point called Transpluto, plus Venus, Mars and asteroid Juno. Here is the question: do you live your life in pieces, or do you live as one being? Are there some circumstances where aspects of you are not welcome, and others where they are? There is a virtue to being who you are, all the time. Sure, presentation matters. You will probably want to wear a black tie for the black tie dinner. But you’re still yourself, despite the circumstances, setting or costume called for. While “whether to be real” is often cast as a matter open to debate, ultimately, you cannot be anyone other than yourself, so the real question is, why try? Well, you might not feel like you know what to say or what to do. And being real might feel like jumping off a cliff. But you’ll still be standing right where you are. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Planets are gathered in a place called your 12th solar house — Virgo. Even if you know your rising sign and it’s not Libra, you want to know about this; you want to track your solar chart (and this also serves, if Libra is your rising sign). This may feel like a whole lot of pressure, as if the room you’re in were being submerged under an ocean or a lake. Everything is dry, but your ears experience the compression. It might be difficult to sleep, since your environment doesn’t seem the same as it usually does. You could feel there is some vast mystery at the center of your life, to which you are somehow not privy. The answer to these mysteries is found by turning your awareness inward. Listen to yourself, which means to your dreams, and follow the winding thread of your imagination. There may appear to be too much to track, though this is an illusion. I suggest starting with the notion that there is one thing you need to know, which will reveal itself in an odd and unexpected place and time. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The first politician I ever worked for was a guy named Bob Hayden, of Buffalo, NY. That’s a good story in itself but I always recall one thing he said on the way to an event: stay three drinks behind the crowd. Now, I rarely drink in public but I love the strategic wisdom of that idea. You can apply it to more than alcohol. You’re in a position where you can move around certain social circles that may usually be sealed off from access. If you find yourself there, make sure you listen. Speak only enough to get people talking. Be yourself; that’s disarming. If you get cocktail sauce on your blouse, just continue the conversation and let the dry cleaner take care of it. If you have to exchange information with someone, scribble on a napkin or scrap of paper; leave your phone in the car. And as I was saying, your phone — leave it in the car. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You have a lot of goals; a lot of things you want to do; many more things you’re capable of. You may not know what to choose. You may be feeling whelmed or overwhelmed or maybe a little underwhelmed. Anyway, your options are not on the internet. They are in real life, with real people, who have eyes that you can see and a voice you can hear and you may be able to smell their cologne or perfume or breath. When you shake their hand, it will be warm or cool or sweaty or dry; it may be limp or they may squeeze you. At this time, though, I suggest you follow what I consider to be my first rule of investigative journalism: let your assignments choose you. This is not about taking a passive role. It’s about being receptive and attractive. You will know when the right person, thing, idea, or opportunity knocks on your door. It will mysteriously sound like a bell. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You cannot really plan the future. But you can look in its direction; you can consider the possibilities; you can set some wide goals for yourself. Most of all, you can describe your vision. This is a personal exercise, not for publication; do not click “share” and do not expect anyone to click “like.” In fact, keep it out of digital form, unless it’s a voice memo to yourself. There is a lot in your life that is changing. There is a lot that seems to be caving in, giving way, or yielding to the presence of time. That is going to create space and bandwidth you can use. So while you’re going through all this Saturn conjunct Pluto stuff, and I know there is plenty, invest yourself in imagining what is possible. First, do this in a few broad strokes, and then fill in the details. Use pencil, so you can erase any mistakes, but first look at whatever you put onto the paper. Today it may seem like a doodle. In a few weeks, you will see the shapes and the patterns; you will get the message. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Our lives are about what we exchange. That means being willing to offer yourself, and being willing to receive others. Often exchange seems to be about things of value, though really, a material object of any kind is a token of one’s self. So keep it on that level. It does seem that the real crisis is about receiving what is freely offered. Many people who are the “taker” kind struggle to accept what is offered with kindness. Others who are the “giver” kind have a difficult time receiving what is sent their way out of generosity. Here’s one clue though: once given, the destiny of a gift is no longer in the purview of the giver. Nobody should ask, “How do you like it?” We have all heard the phrase “forgive and forget.” I would say, give and forget — though more to the point, receive, and remember. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Planets and the Sun have gathered in your opposite sign Virgo. Note the ways your total environment is changing as this happens. Circumstances are presenting you with options. You’re being reminded that you are not as isolated as you’ve felt under the long influence of Neptune in your sign. And it seems as if people are coming to you rather than you having to go to them. Yet Neptune presents a vulnerability and an opening that can be exploited. So pay attention to what you see, feel, say, do and most of all hear. I suggest you make no commitments merely by way of the internet, but rather keep your contacts solid and on the physical plane. And while Neptune presents an opening that others may be able to exploit, it also presents aggressors with a hazard. Be aware that the floor is slippery around you, and that you have the ability to shape-shift or even disappear if you need to. Use these powers judiciously; accept and embrace that you carry some true protection. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.