Aries (March 20-April 19) — You must trust your intuition this week. No matter what other sources of information you have — and you should have plenty of them — in the end, your final choice must be about acting on what you deeply understand to be right. This is as obvious as magnetism. You might actually experiment with magnets and remind yourself what this feels like: opposite poles attract, the same pole repels — and this is as easy to feel as hot or cold, wet or dry. It’s true there are nuances and subtle points to the situation, and these need to be taken into account. Yet, in the end, a decision must be made; and you are the one to make it. One thing you’re divorcing yourself from is the need to be popular, or seen to be trendy. Following, joining, or any form of true believership is especially toxic these days.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — For you, a creative approach usually begins with the details. Some like to sketch their idea in broad strokes. Some like to use a drafting pencil. Just be aware that any idea you come up with will go through many revisions, so you can hang loose and keep your ideas flowing. With Uranus in your birth sign, the unexpected is your best friend. You might experience a revelation as a flash of light, which will give you a glimpse of a possible future. Look carefully and remember the details, and don’t expect that particular light to come back on. You will get one opportunity to look and to see. Turn your head from left to right and notice what is on the periphery of your vision. Then, take special care to begin manifesting your intentions immediately. Whatever you discover this week will expire sooner than you think if you don’t put it into tangible form.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Sunday and Monday, the Sun in your sign is aligned with the core of our galaxy. I recently read a description of galactic energy by an astrologer I trust, who said it relates to Ray IV in the Theosophical system: “Harmony through conflict.” That means being present on Earth, amidst all the insanity and madness, and creating something beautiful. The time to focus on what is loving, what is true, and what is necessary is precisely the time that you may be feeling the most tension or doubt. Step up to the challenge. Use your abundant talent, particularly your unusual gift for self-expression, and create beauty in all that you do. You can consider your life an art project, treating everything more or less equally as a canvas to paint on, as stone to sculpt or, most likely, as a story to tell us.

Cancer Birthdays 2018:

On this Solstice Like No Other, What Do You Want?

“I felt deeply connected to much of the reading, both the current moment (turning point), and the historical energy (Pluto in Capricorn). Indeed it has been an intense and deeply revealing time in my relationship life.”

— Jennifer Cobb, Backstage Pass member, on the 2017 Cancer Birthday Reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re almost at the Cancer solstice — which means we’re almost at your birthday! And this year, the cosmos has some special gifts for you, which you’ll hear all about in your 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading.

First of all, there’s a unique opposition between Venus and Mars on the solstice (June 21). But even more importantly, Mars will be stationing retrograde just five days after the Sun enters your sign — setting in motion an intriguing journey.

On top of that, the major planets Saturn, Uranus and Chiron are all in signs with direct and special relationships with your own. Life is on the move. And even though people always joke about those born under your sign moving sideways and retreating into a shell, the truth is 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.

As always, Eric will bring his insights to you in accessible language designed to empower, motivate and reassure you all at the same time. Sure, there may be challenges; but you of all people know that the awkwardness of growth always results in a fuller, more capable version of you.

“I have just listened to your Part 1 and Part 2 readings and I am amazed at how accurate it has been. Like you have a telescope watching me shed a skin and transform into a totally changed person in the last 10 years.”

— Pauline J.

You’ll get at least an hour of audio astrology (divided into two parts), access to last year’s reading, and an extended description of your sign — which you can access as many times as you like, for as long as you need — all for only $33. But please note: we offer the best price on these readings early. When Eric nears publishing it, the price increases.

I hope you’ll take advantage of the discounted price and pre-order your 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading soon. Here comes the Sun!

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. Eric designs these readings to be useful for anyone with Cancer rising or a Cancer Moon, too — not just a Cancer Sun. And it makes a beautiful gift for any of your Cancer loved ones.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — We are now in the final approach to the summer solstice, when the Sun enters your birth sign. This is the longest day of the year, and that fact has something to do with you. You were born at the noontime of the solar year, and you have it in you to live boldly, and to live for purposes beyond your own personal needs. You will be getting information as if by chance over the next few days; and, as the Sun makes its opposition to the Galactic Core from Sunday into Monday, you may find yourself having insights that you know will make your life easier. Keep a pad and pencil handy, and write clearly. The thing about the galactic door is that it closes as easily as it opens, and it does not leave a paper trail. You have to do that yourself, and these will be ideas well worth knowing and using.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You need to find a balance between being spontaneous and being consistent. This is easily enough done, if you understand where you need to apply one method or the other, and then add a dash of the opposite. For example, certain elements of your relationships require that you keep all of your promises; yet there is almost always room for negotiation and a fresh approach. Professional situations may call for constant dependability and consistency, yet benefit from trying a bold idea that’s never been attempted locally. The way you’ll know doing something different is the right idea is that it will only seem a little unusual, a bit interesting, or like you’ve never heard of anything quite like it before — and still make sense. In most areas of your life, you thrive on consistency. That will still work brilliantly, as long as you experiment on a regular basis.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You’ve gone through a good few options trying to solve a particular problem, or get a result on some project where you’ve got a leadership role. If you haven’t had the results you want, now is the time to dust off the options you were saving for last. They won’t be valid for long, and you currently have an opening to try something unusual. Here are a few tips, though. The most important factor in this equation is your devotion, so what works is likely to be an extension of what you have already been doing. That, or it will depend on what you’ve learned so far. Second, less effort, energy, influence or input is preferable to using more. It’s a little like adding salt to broth: start with a little, and then if necessary add a little more. The idea with salt is you want just barely enough to do the job. You don’t want salt soup. Whatever it is you’re using is more potent than you think, and will have effects beyond what you’re anticipating.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — When the goal of relationships is stability, many factors can shake them up. If you allow space for your intimate experiences to bend, flex and be transient, you may find that they flow more smoothly and are less subject to the various surprise factors of the world. This approach is not an easy one at first; though, in the end, you will discover that it’s really all about going with the flow. Accept the fact that people grow and evolve. Accept that you change, and that the seasons change. In any event, a development this week that may seem to change your plans contains a gift. Take any opportunity to focus inwardly rather than on another person. You are far more independent than you imagine yourself to be, and the key to your happiness will be experiencing your freedom with compassion for yourself and for others.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The whole world is struggling to feel safe now, even people who are facing no specific threat of danger. We might well ask where this is coming from and what we can do about it. These are themes it will help you to focus on, at the most personal level. One of the most significant elements of what “Scorpio” means is that there’s a deep integration of your mental patterns and your emotions. Sometimes it’s difficult for you to tell the difference, as they morph into one another so seamlessly. Yet this calls for extra discernment, which you now have access to with Mars slowing down to a station-retrograde, conjunct the South Node. When you identify a pattern, notice how it manifests first, as a mental or emotional phenomenon. Then find the counterpart. If something is an idea, find and consider the corresponding emotion. If something shows up as an emotion, identify the corresponding idea. This will make it easier to morph, adapt and grow.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You have an opportunity to complete something that you left unfinished earlier in the year. Not only that; you have the extra resources you need to get it done. I suggest you take a minimalist approach. Plenty has changed since you set down whatever this project is, and — if you size that up — you will see that the effort will not be nearly as daunting as it seemed earlier in the year. It would seem that most of your focus would be best invested in gaining an understanding of where you stand, particularly in the context of previous generations who faced something similar and just could not pull it off. You are not them; you don’t have their debilities, and you have many extra abilities and resources that they never even dreamed of. Most significantly, you know yourself a lot better, or you have the specific goal of doing so. That is the key.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’re in the midst of a much deeper re-evaluation of yourself than you may imagine. It will become easier to see once Mars stations retrograde later this month, though the process is well underway. The focus is your 2nd house, which covers three themes, mainly: your perception of your talents and resources; your self-esteem; and your available cash. Think of these things not only as being related, but potentially as one and the same thing. Work on one and you are working on another. The focus right now is on unlearning. You were taught many things about yourself — most of them by example before you were old enough to filter it out — that simply were not true. So you must go on a hunt for all those things. You don’t need to look for love; only for the thoughts, ideas and habits that block your awareness of love’s presence.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You have two main learning processes in motion, at the moment. One is an incremental reassessment and re-evaluation, of a particularly intense kind, that spans the second half of the year. Then you have going on the kind of growth that comes in jolts, sometimes by surprise, often arriving in unexpected ways. Both are related to the same process, which is about challenging what you take for granted. This will push you to the edge of your confidence, and to the outer limits of your comfort zone. That’s just where you want to be, hanging around on the edges of your reality, and venturing into the unknown any chance you get. Sometimes you will be drawn there, sometimes you will get lost and end up there, and sometimes you will be pushed. So you may as well hang out with all that is unfamiliar, and learn to love the feeling because being in this place offers you so much.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The Sun is about to move into the area of your solar chart associated with pleasure and play, which I reckon will not just come as good news, but come with good news. You can take this approach and apply it to your whole life. You’re in a position where you can have fun doing just about everything. The way to do that is to take a creative approach to whatever you’ve got going on. If there are some areas of your life that don’t respond to a creative approach, particularly certain matters associated with what you think of as your job, you need to push that; or you may want to consider being in a different line of work. Doing this will require creativity, which you have in abundance all the time — and especially now. And you might take as your mantra something my Aunt Josie loved to say: Nothing attempted, nothing gained.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Honor the science of communication. This week’s New Moon in Gemini takes place in the angle of your chart associated with written and verbal expression. That you have Gemini there is a blessing, as this grants you the ability to focus your ideas, if you apply the discipline and the muscle. Yet more than that is a quality of inventiveness and refinement; an approach that involves at least as much science as does baking. That means taking a methodical approach: using a method, which would need to include the usual idea to draft, then to revise and rewrite. Also, it would be helpful if you made a review of recent mistakes you’ve made, and figure out how not to make those again, as it does seem possible that you’ll repeat an error if you don’t make a conscious effort not to. Take your time, and choose your moment.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Money is energy; and at this stage of your life, you will get back what you put in. Be aware that you will need to make some kind of up-front investment, which means some of your resources engaged in whatever system you design. However, you’re looking for some efficiency here, less like that of a car and more like that of a bicycle. So you might focus on that subject in particular. One example comes from the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane. Their first task was figuring out how to make the perfect glider, which they flew like a kite, using only wind power. Once they had that, the next step was to figure out how to power it. Yet the thing had to stay up on its own first. This is what I mean by efficiency. Also, you have made enough mistakes to write a book; so at least inventory those and exploit them for everything they are worth.

Gemini Birthdays 2018-19:

Final Days for Lowest Price on Your Gemini Reading

“All I can say is I am so — stoked. Not only are you giving us a reading, but a teaching that is invaluable. Thank you so very much Eric. You rock!!!”

— Anna Marie Davis

Dear Gemini Friend and Reader:

Now that the Spring Reading is complete, Eric intends to record your 2018-19 Gemini Birthday Reading within a short time. Once we publish that, we’ll increase the price — so be sure to pre-order soon to lock in the best value.

These readings are an excellent resource: a creative invitation to learn about yourself in these wild times, and a well of information about what’s going on around you that you can draw from again and again. You’ll want to secure your copy of this reading as a toolkit for your year ahead.

“Thank you so so much Eric. ‘Wow’ is all I can say. You are truly amazing at what you do. In gratitude & much love.”

— A.Z.

Your Gemini birthday reading will consist of two 30-minute astrology segments, packed with details about the ensuing 12 months — plus goodies such as access to last year’s reading.

Eric’s technique makes his readings relevant to anyone with Gemini Sun, Moon or rising, allowing him to speak to you as if personally. He delivers the reading in a friendly and accessible way, without compromising on accuracy or quality.

You may pre-order your 2018-19 Gemini Reading here for just $33. This reading also makes for a unique and lasting birthday gift for the special Gemini in your life.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

P.S. If you’ve not yet purchased your chapter-length written reading in The Art of Becoming, you can get this along with your birthday recordings for $55 — a significant savings.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Wednesday’s New Moon in your birth sign is like a hub that connects many seemingly separate people, events and things. So you might serve as this hub, and see what comes to you, who passes by your house, who visits, what parade comes marching down your street. This will have some of the strongest effects as Venus changes signs, which will give your words and ideas tremendous impact and appeal. In many different ways this seems to be the message written in the sky. Yet with Mars getting ready to station retrograde (June 26-Aug. 27), you will need to use your power and strength to take a view that is not considered popular and may not be understood. Hence, you’re being called to refine your talent as a communicator, which means being balanced both in the use of your brain, and the composition and delivery of your message.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You are about to be introduced to a supply of ideas and energy that seems endless, from a source you cannot really identify. Don’t worry about the mystical details; rather, tap into the goodness. Note that Mercury in your sign will be square Chiron, so you may not necessarily feel positive about your own intelligence; this is an illusion. How you see yourself is largely determined by what mirror you look into. However, take note of any self-judgments that come along with a surge of awareness or strength. This is the kind of inner conflict that causes many people to back down from their own mental and creative gifts. The inner conflict you might feel is the very thing you must engage and work through, rise above and, more than anything, tap the power of. The tension you may be feeling is not the thing it seems like at first; rather, it’s the necessary precondition of true creativity.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — When Venus enters your sign on Wednesday, it aligns with a cluster of minor planets, though one in particular stands out: Varuna, the great equalizer. The message is that we are all equal in the eyes of love; you are the messenger. And the way you will deliver this wisdom is through your actions rather than through your words. Demonstrate who you are with the love in your heart. Be certain to infuse that with the desire to serve others; that is the ultimate expression of love, particularly how we need it with the world as it is today. That service could come in the form of listening, and providing a secure space for someone who feels threatened. It could also come in the form of material generosity, which is best offered one-to-one rather than via a six-digit code you text someplace. Emphasize the human connection.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You love to know the theory behind everything. That gives you a form of mental power, though don’t stop there. Yes, keep track of what seems to be happening behind the scenes, though watch the outer world as well — and consider the two in context of one another. Pay particular attention in the intersection where secrets or taboo subjects meet up with public consciousness. This is a thin membrane where all kinds of strange things happen, and where truth and fiction can seem indistinguishable. Therefore, you must withhold judgment and observe, until your observations challenge some previously held beliefs, at least two or three times. As your perspective shifts, you will gradually begin to follow the common threads. There will be ideas that repeat in unusual places and odd ways. You might seek to disprove something, and establish its validity. Keep an open mind.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Amidst much other activity, Venus is about to move from Cancer to Leo. Happening at the same time as the Gemini New Moon on Wednesday, this is one of several signs that your world is broadening; and that your view on life must follow suit. There is a metaphor from photography that illustrates your astrology. In one style of picture taking, the artist uses a wide-angle lens, and gets in close to the subject. This shows both the figure and the ground; the topic at hand, and the wider context. There is detail available, and there is framing that makes the detail meaningful. This is the perspective you need to have. When you’re uncertain what you see (or as one master said, when you don’t like your pictures) get closer to the action. Walk right up to what you’re thinking about. Engage with the person you think you disagree with. You will find your common ground.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — This week’s New Moon takes place in your solar 8th house, the one associated with a long litany of taboos and family secrets. The 8th house also describes some of your deepest desires, and you have Gemini on this house. That is an illustration of your desire to confront and engage with your twin soul, and the urgency that sexual bonding has had in your life (and probably still has). You are now being given an opportunity to confront a mental or emotional block. People love these things, and love to turn them into screaming controversies. However, you are responsible for the contents of your thoughts, your feelings and your desires. If you are dealing with a hang-up of some kind, address it honestly, and skip the part about what people did to you to make you this way. Whatever that may have been, this is your personal territory; your spiritual property.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — A variety of events describe you in a process of making deep discoveries about yourself. Not every Sagittarius courageously carries the torch of truth, though I credit you with being willing to go places within yourself that might easily freak out other people. That may be happening now, as a partner, lover or love interest is having an encounter with the limits of their ideas, and their emotional capacity. There is nothing you can do to stretch their ability to think or feel. You can hold space, and you can remind yourself that whatever they may be going through has little to do with you. This can be challenging to grasp, especially if a wider and older issue is being processed through the immediate experience of a relationship that you are in. Give people time and space to figure out what is really about them; and continue your own process of inner investigation.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You could empty a room today by saying that one’s sexual confidence is directly related to their overall confidence; and that sexual maturity is an indication of one’s overall maturity. Yet, whether the room is empty or not, the point is worth your consideration, especially as you come to terms with some of your deepest fears. You possess the power of creation. When power is disowned, it tends to run wild. When power is denied or suppressed, it tends to turn toxic, and turn on its owner. And when power is fully claimed, one enters a relationship with it; takes responsibility; and must therefore engage in what can seem like a moral or ethical struggle. Here is a clue: You are not doing this to gain someone’s approval, be it a particular individual (parent, lover, friend) or a group (your family, your “tribe,” your colleagues). Your growth is your business. You are responsible for your integrity; or, said another way, nobody else is.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — The process of Mars retrograde in your sign is well underway, though not at full intensity yet. This is such a vital process in your life and your growth I suggest you take the deep-knowledge approach to the matter. For the past week, Mars has been moving slowly through your sign, close to the Moon’s south node, a point called Ketu. This suggests that the first order of business connected to Mars retrograde will be some reckoning of the past with the present. You will know that you are making decisions when you start to adjust patterns and habits in your life. Some of these may seem to happen for you, as old arrangements crumble and you are set free from rigid entanglements. I suggest you take any freedom this process offers sooner rather than later, to establish your new patterns more closely on your own terms. You are past the time when your life can be dictated by others, or lived according to their preferences. Now is your big chance.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You can invent your way out of any situation, any mistake, any perplexing circumstance. But to do that, two things are necessary. One is that you take a methodical and systematic approach. This does not need to be on the level of astrophysics; more like a dedicated hobby, where you plan what you do, and do everything for a reason. Another involves seeing the connections, following them, and gradually understanding them. Think of this as a weaving process, where you follow the threads over time, work with the strands of truth and incrementally come to see the whole scenario for what it is. It will help if you think of life as a mystery to be solved rather than a game to be won. As Mars turns to retrograde movement later in the month, that mystery will focus increasingly on you. What you are after is to understand the ways that you have internalized the structures and rules of society, and limit yourself in ways that are just not necessary.