Aries (March 20-April 19) — Your ruler Mars is in the process of re-entering Capricorn for the final two weeks of its retrograde phase. It’s likely that what you’ve been learning from these recent months has been woven into your consciousness gradually, one thread at a time. You may already be starting to see a pattern coalescing. Stay with it, and err on the side of seeking as much information as possible. This is a valuable opportunity to consider many things from an unusual perspective. When the tide turns around the end of the month, you’ll probably be able to put this knowledge to swift and creative use.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Nostalgia for the past is often accompanied by a hazy memory for certain details, usually the drawbacks of the era in question. Familiar things can feel safe, and you might be tempted to revisit a time when things were simpler. Yet there are reasons why you’ve moved forward, which you can call to mind if the present seems a little challenging. You’ve also changed within yourself, such that if you did somehow manage to return to the way things were, you would likely be chafing at the restraints. You’ve come far, and eventually you’ll be able to see and measure that distance clearly.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You’ve been gifted recently with a certain eloquence that’s unusual even for you. One of the ways you can make the most of that, this week, is by practicing expressing your deeper emotions as a form of sharing yourself. There are, of course, certain people in the world who would prefer not to discuss any such thing. However, there will surely be others very willing to listen; and at any rate you’ll be setting an example for everyone. Genuine vulnerability seems to be avoided these days unless it can be exploited for reality TV. You can remind people what it actually means.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Whatever you might currently be aiming for or seeking to change, you have perhaps by now caught a glimpse of how achieving that would look. With two inner planet retrogrades still in the works, meaningful progress will probably take time; but keep a hold of your vision, and have patience, and you’ll hopefully see a difference soon enough. One thing you could do in the meantime is to invest in others, whether in terms of energy, funds or moral support. There is a certain similarity between generosity in giving and openness to receiving; not that reward ought to be a motive. You can help anyway.

Leo Birthdays 2018-19:

Your ‘Birthday Reading’ Under a Whole New Name

“My Birthday Reading was expansive and mind-blowing, and absolutely on the money in everything. You helped me immeasurably as I change and change and grow, and change some more. What a time!”

— Linsey

Dear Friend and Reader:

How have you been faring throughout the series of eclipses? Could you use a little more insight into what you’ve encountered and how to best navigate your options?

Eric has been using his relaxed schedule well, and recorded your annual Leo audio reading last week. He’s calling it the Leo Astrology Studio — and you still get more than an hour of audio astrology, plus custom-selected music.

As you’d expect, Eric does a careful reading of the series of three eclipses we’ve been experiencing including the solar eclipse in Cancer, the lunar eclipse in Aquarius, and the Aug. 11 solar eclipse in your birth sign. He works with the whole pattern together, and with the events individually, and also demystifies several of the other major planetary transits affecting your sign.

“Astounding. My Leo Sun, Aquarius Moon, Chiron in Pisces…Reeling!”

— Barbara

Best of all: if you order your reading now, you’ll also get Eric’s signature tarot reading for your sign, when it’s available. At a later date, the astrology segments and the tarot segments will be separated and sold individually; so it’s to your advantage to order sooner rather than later.

Plus, now that the astrology portions are published, we’ll be raising the price shortly.

If you’re new to Eric’s audio readings (or you’re just curious), you can listen to a brief sample of the reading here. Remember, it’s not too late to show your favorite Leo you care by giving them their Leo Astrology Studio as a birthday gift! They’ll get instant access when you place your order.

Wishing you well,

Amanda Painter

P.S. Since the first eclipse of the series was in Cancer, you might find some additional useful perspective in the Cancer Astrology Studio reading. We’re offering Leo+Cancer at a special combo rate of $66.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You’re experiencing the opportunity to see yourself as the center of your own universe. This is an important sensation for everyone to undergo, especially given the common tendency to place someone else in that seat — whether consciously or not. That is rather like handing another person your car keys and asking them to drive you wherever they want. Ultimately, putting yourself in the driver’s seat is about your freedom to express your natural gifts and character, particularly in art and spirituality, and to live honestly. The powerful light of your soul cannot in reality be hidden from the world for very long.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — In the past few weeks you’ve been in company with some profound ideas, which seem to be shedding light on a rather knotty issue you’re tackling. Even if your efforts have dredged up material you’d prefer to be rid of, this is a sign of progress. At this stage you’ll want to keep going and trust that soon you’ll reach the other side. As first Mercury, then Mars, station direct, what you’ve accomplished should begin to piece together and form a picture. Be patient as you wait for the image to become recognizable. When it does, you’ll likely see that the uncertainty was worthwhile.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — It would appear you’re undergoing a process of simplifying your social life. Perhaps you’re moving it away from the nebulous faux astral plane of the internet, back into the real world of phone calls and in-person meetings. You may be choosing to spend more time with honest, kindly people who are not too cool to show their appreciation of you. Either change must be to your benefit. You have no truck with fakery or illusion these days, and quite right, too. Seek out genuine, sincere people whose friendship with you has deepened, or promises to, over time. Very little else means anything.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Our culture is such as to encourage people, at least some of the time, to worry more about their self-image than actually developing or rectifying mistakes. True, it can be embarrassing to admit one is a flawed human creature after all, rather than a paragon of virtue — especially since the absolutism of the present age quite happily excoriates people for their imperfections. Yet admitting that there’s room for improvement in all of us is part of honest living. Admitting it to yourself, at least, means you can focus on the growth most crucial to you, without reference to anyone else.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You seem to be approaching the concluding stages of a project that involves significant changes in your spiritual world. As Mercury and Mars turn direct in the coming weeks, you’ll likely find you have a deeper understanding of certain truths about the cosmos, for example, or a fresh perspective on your roots. A part of all this would appear to include the existence of love as a fundamental force. The chances are you can find a practical use for at least some of this wisdom, even if that means simply passing it on to others, or expressing it in kindness or a form of service.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The sky in astrology, like the human species, is in a state of constant evolution. It’s rare that any situation remains the same for very long, and certainly not eternally. Likewise, how people feel within themselves tends to change over time also. All of this said, if you find yourself in circumstances that seem to be either longterm or consistently repeating, recognize the power you have either to make the best of things, or to make alterations that increase your comfort. If there seems to be a pattern of some kind, gather information on it. What emerges could well help you look at things differently.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Since our culture and media are packed to the rafters with romantic stories and tropes, it’s perfectly natural for us in a sense to project wishes and desires onto our prospective partners. When the person in question isn’t the same as the fantasy being we created, we can experience disillusionment and disappointment. Understanding that we do this is a part of our maturing process. Breaking that habit, or at least recognizing its existence, is a way of taking back the power of our own self-fulfillment. You’re discovering this strength within you now. Keep that knowledge in mind.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There are some concepts we cannot, at least as yet, prove the truth of, such as the existence (or non-existence) of deities. When it comes to belief, therefore, there is a lot of flexibility on such matters. Other ideas, though, have real-world applicability, which means that what you believe can affect how you might treat others, or how you go about your daily life. It helps if your approach to such matters is therefore discerning, practical and sensible. This is especially the case regarding your wellbeing and your concept of service. Know when you need to back off from daily cares, and make sure you can.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — The creative process involves a good deal more thought and effort than is sometimes portrayed. It’s not merely a case of waiting for the divine light to descend and bless you with inspiration. Even Archimedes’ legendary cry of ‘eureka’, which he supposedly uttered on discovering fluid displacement, was at least partly the result of training his mind to notice such things. Genius is something that’s gained or developed gradually. Planning your steps, organizing your time well and working on your present project as often as you reasonably can is the surest way to reach it, even if the eventual breakthrough is not what you expect.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — It’s necessary from time to time to revisit the territory of the past, or to retrace your steps, in order to work out snags. When this happens, frustration is a usual response, especially in our culture where we want everything to move ahead constantly, often at a frenetic pace. Yet, however reasonable your emotion, remember that you can get past it and work around any delays that do arise. Every longterm effort has similar phases. You need not see these as the result of wasted labor; try to perceive them as a way to consolidate the foundations of what you intend to build when the gears are ready to shift.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — One of your greatest gifts is versatility. You have the knack for adapting to pretty much any environment that presents itself, and for getting along with all kinds of people. One useful point to remember is that this ability depends largely on your willingness to keep an open mind, and also your curiosity; both can be cultivated through education and practice. Let these encourage you to enter unfamiliar situations and expand your horizons at least a little, especially if inexperience is the only thing really stopping you. Consider this an opportunity for adventure, for learning, or for personal growth.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — A lot of people get into trouble financially simply because they don’t know the extent or limits of their funds. If you’re not clear on your own circumstances, this would probably be an excellent time to find out, particularly if you’re considering committing substantial resources to anything. If you find accounts challenging to understand, get hold of someone who can help, whether a professional or a trusted friend. Have them explain to you exactly what is available and what, if anything, you owe. The more you know, the more thoroughly you can plan ahead, and it’ll likewise be far easier to avoid spending too much.

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 is now retrograde in your sign, and on Friday, July 27, there was a total lunar eclipse in your opposite sign (and relationship zone) Aquarius.

But that’s not all! Soon, 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 newly published 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.

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 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, plus custom-selected music by Vision Quest, the Planet Waves musical ensemble.

“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) — As a personal quality, intelligence seems increasingly underrated. Currently, thanks to the tribal character of modern social discourse, there’s a tendency to distrust those whose abilities set them apart from the group. Forget all of that and don’t allow it to trouble you. You have a unique purpose on the earth, and the skill to meet whatever challenges may come is within your reach. You don’t need anyone’s permission to cultivate and make use of your resources, or to aspire toward further learning and greater achievements in your chosen field. Value both the person you are now and the one you are becoming.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Certain feelings and past scenarios we’ve not quite dealt with can have a habit of returning to visit us from time to time. If that happens, remember that you’re not alone in this experience, and also that you’ve come through all the challenges you previously faced. Human beings are far more resilient than we often give ourselves credit for; being a mutable sign native, you have this gift in spades. If something of this sort emerges, resist the urge to shove it back under the metaphorical carpet; rather, treat this as an opportunity to find a lasting and positive resolution. You will reach the other end if you keep going.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Your ruler Venus has newly entered your birth sign, which may invest you with a certain irresistible charm this week. You might plan to spend time around friends and in your general social milieu, where you tend to shine. Leave behind any temptation to doubt yourself, or to hold back if you have some fun lined up. Just make sure it’s the sort you’re really going to enjoy; a variety of people will likely be drawn to you, so you can be discerning about who you actually want to hang out with. It might also be a good idea to avoid intoxication to a level where you start to lose control of your faculties, though that’s really a useful rule at any time.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Be careful not to hold on to resentment for its own sake. The longer you maintain it, the more energy it leeches. This isn’t to say that grudges are never justified; rather, they tend to get in the way of healing when one is safe from any return of unpleasantness. In particular, this week’s astrology is suggesting that it may be practical to consider moving on from a prior conflict, so as to orient yourself spiritually in the present, rather than the past. You might also bear in mind that our memories are nearly always subjective and incomplete, especially regarding events of long ago. Turn your thoughts to the future.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Spiritual systems aren’t often associated with practicality, although I imagine in your case there would need to be at least some groundedness in common sense or realism. There’s also an attraction in simplicity. Note that over time our beliefs, and the rituals and habits we derive from them, can increase in complexity to the extent that they become less serviceable and less in tune with their original purpose or intention. That happens individually as well as collectively, and it’s why examining your spiritual framework from time to time can be helpful, so as to allow it to evolve alongside you. Don’t be afraid to consider that possibility.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — In order to reach maturity (which is the ongoing process of self-actualization), it is necessary to confront unfamiliar challenges, thus gaining in confidence and independence. That is naturally easier said than done; and some situations can be frightening when encountered for the first time. Yet growth follows on the heels of each experience. If you’re faced with a scenario this week that seems less than ideal, try meeting it boldly. Dare to dare. This doesn’t automatically require rushing in headlong or acting recklessly, however. You can take stock, make sensible decisions, and move forward one step at a time.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If you’re not quite certain of your next steps, especially where a relationship is concerned, there should be no problem with you taking a little time and getting your bearings. Above all do not force yourself into any entanglement, for any reason. There should be enough of an understanding between you and a partner to foster mutual trust. Listen to your intuition regarding this, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if there’s something you need to know. People who sincerely care about you will respect all of this, and give you the room to move at your own pace. If someone expresses frustration, ask yourself why.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Reviewing and re-organizing your daily routine involves a number of factors. The big overall question, of course, is whether your plans work for you. Included in that is the consideration of efficiency: to borrow from Occam’s razor, the simplest solution is usually the right one, so ponder where you might remove or reduce steps. Another factor is whether you have, or can access, the resources to carry all this through. Luckily, this process is unlikely to establish traditions that are set in stone and last until they become superstitions. You’re free to experiment, to change direction and to take as long as you need.

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) — Act protectively, not defensively. Offer the benefit of your awareness and resources to anyone who may need them, particularly young people. Your survival instincts are running strong right now, and you can do plenty to secure your boundaries, feather your nest, and work toward your greater wellbeing. Yet you may also expand that into a kind of “protectorate” of anyone who comes into your sphere. What you cannot do is protect people from their own folly, self-destruction or delusion. If you observe that is what’s happening, you might consider not investing your resources, emotional or otherwise. Attempting to save people from themselves is, in itself, self-destructive on the part of the rescuer. Yet you can at all times act in your own best interests, and you can make it known that you’re available to anyone who chooses to be responsible to themselves. That, however, must be your bottom line.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You must say what you mean and mean what you say, as your words will have impact on both you and the world around you. This is often forgotten in the Twitter Age, where the majestic power of the alphabet has been degraded and cheapened. It’s up to you to make sure that every paragraph, sentence, word and letter count. You have it in you. You are, at heart, an efficient, cautious, yet also creative being. And you have something on your mind, and whatever that is can have an influence on your environment. Yet the real beneficiary of one who makes a clear statement of their ideas is whoever dares to do so. The way you know that writing is real is because it in some way changes the writer. For you that will mean deepening your feelings, tuning yourself into your local environment more keenly, and associating only with people you deem responsible. The stakes are high.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Be careful who you get into financial arrangements with. You need a vetting process that lasts anywhere from 90 days to a year. That may seem like a long time, though it’s not. If you’re talking about marriage, the process would need to last at least two years — one full Mars cycle, so you know that you’ve experienced at least one instance of every kind of disagreement you can have. With Mars retrograde in Aquarius, the thing to be mindful of is the bottom-line relationship to existence: what you might call the meaning of life. The place to start that process is to gain some understanding of why you’re alive. Many people struggle with this, though it’s a high priority. It’s not something discovered by theoretical pondering but rather through direct experience. Think of it this way: what do your experiences mean to you? What do the people in life mean to you? What do you make, and why do you make it? That is the meaning of your life.

Cancer Birthdays 2018:

The Best of Both Worlds: Birthday Audio and Written Annual

“The Birthday Reading was expansive and mind-blowing, and absolutely on the money in everything. You helped me immeasurably as I change and change and grow, and change some more. What a time! Thank you so much. You are one of a kind.”

— Linsey

Dear Reader with Cancer Sun, Rising or Moon:

Did you miss this year’s annual during its discounted phase, but now find yourself deeply in need of some in-depth astrological insight about yourself and your world? Do you appreciate the way your mind receives information differently depending on whether it’s in writing or in audio/video form?

If so, you’re in luck: we’re now offering the 2018 Birthday Reading for Cancer in combination with your 2018 Cancer written annual reading in The Art of Becoming.

It’s the best of both worlds: a full book-chapter’s worth of Eric’s best writing on the overarching themes your sign is working with this year (and beyond — plus some recent context); paired with a fresh, in-the-moment take on how that’s shaping up (recorded in two pro-quality audio segments).

If that sounds exactly like what you need right now to sort through the chaos of the world and get yourself re-oriented on what matters most, I hope you’ll take advantage of this combo offer here.

The timing couldn’t be better: with next week’s New Moon also a (very) partial solar eclipse in your sign, we’re about to enter a particularly sensitive time of the year — one where having the best possible astrological, motivational, troubleshooting, potential-seeing readings could be really useful. If you’ve ever gotten one of Eric’s readings before, you know this is what he specializes in — using friendly, down-to-earth language you can use right away.

“Each year I purchase the annual readings and each time I find myself understanding the depth of it precisely when I need it (or right in the midst of the unfolding), so that I can navigate the energies and alignments in a way that feels right, makes sense and moves me forward.”

— Winter Clark, on the Art of Becoming annual readings

When you order your 2018 Birthday Reading combined with your 2018 Cancer annual reading, you’ll get access to the written portion immediately. Then, as soon as Eric records the birthday audio segments, we’ll email to let you know they’re ready.

This is quite a year, Cancer. I wish you all the best in flowing with all that it offers.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you have any questions about this combo offer, please email us at cs@planetwaves.net — or call us at (845) 481-5616. If you leave a message we will get right back to you.

P.P.S. You can also pre-order your 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading on its own, for only $33 — the lowest price we offer before it publishes.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Thursday’s New Moon eclipse in your birth sign is exactly opposite Pluto in Capricorn. This chart has two main features: one important matter or relationship you must focus on, and many things you need to be aware of but leave to themselves. All that stuff off to the side might seem compelling. It might seem dramatic. It’s likely to include a cast of characters who have no idea what is good for them; some may be delusional, and you need to not let yourself be sidetracked by their antics. You have, on the other hand, a perfect alignment that will help you move heaven and earth — and make some important changes you have been working toward for a long time: potentially going back 10 years. What you’re experiencing now is a culmination of that process (symbolized by Pluto in your opposite sign Capricorn). You might say you’re going to do a lot of catching up with yourself in a short time.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Most of the work you have to do is what might be described as inner work. There may be some outer manifestation, though that’s secondary to the awakening you’re going through, and the choices you’ll be making as a result of it. The thing about inner work is that for many, it’s often elusive, lacking tangible form or substance, or words to describe it. And frequently, the interior described is itself nebulous, and difficult to access. This week’s partial eclipse of the Sun is taking the opposite approach: there is specificity; there’s substance; there is illumination of your inner realm. Yet with that may also come what A Course in Miracles calls “the fear to look within.” This fear is based on the premise that what one will find, if one looks within, is darkness and judgment. Yet what if the opposite were true? What if you looked inside yourself, and discovered that you are made of love, and that love is your only reality?

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Art has the power to transcend social and political strife like few things can. Nobody fully understands this property, though we’ve all seen it in action. Whether we’re talking about a novel that changed the consciousness of a population (Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Grapes of Wrath), an artist who made AIDS awareness friendly and accessible (Keith Haring), or a musical that transcends racial and cultural barriers (Hamilton), the creative process is a transcendent power, and is a force for healing. If you seek to change the world in some way, you might try art rather than politics. This does not mean turning art into a political statement. Rather, you would create art in response to what you feel, or what you witness. The creative process must come first. Beauty and integrity must precede your message, and you must strive to allow your work to change you, before anyone else will change. I reckon you’ve been waiting for this moment a long time.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Make your important decisions in accord with how you want to be known, going forward. This is about more than your reputation, which in our era exists mostly in the commercial realm. This is something bigger: it’s about what you’re known for creating, which is an extension of the deepest vision of who you are. Indeed, your creations are an extension of you, in a way similar to how parents create children. And just as children grow up to live independent lives, so too do your creations, and the results of your work. All you can do is put as much integrity and love into them at the time you have the chance to influence them, especially at the beginning. And even then, things don’t go perfectly. Even if there would seem to be some disturbances around you, trust that your core message has come through. That is another way of saying to trust that who you are comes through your work; you are the message. You set your own example.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — At the heart of any spiritual project or mission must be love and forgiveness. When those are present, there is no need for morality, and there is nothing to teach, and there is nothing to learn. The problem is that love and forgiveness contradict every value of the capitalist system in which we live, which is inherently based on isolation, scarcity, competition and, worst yet, deception. Love and forgiveness are about mutually shared interests, not separate ones. Love is about truth and truth alone. The question you may face is how to bring these values more fully into your lived reality, when you must be a creature of the world. And that is where the spiritual life must evolve into a direct relationship to what you might call “the living information.” This comes through most strongly when you are committed to love and forgiveness as a way of life. This is an act of faith. And through that act of faith, you discover something called soul.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — So much chaos and controversy surround the realm of sexuality, it’s amazing anyone on the planet has a single positive erotic experience their entire life. Yet you long for this. Your sign may be the most exotic of all, in terms of your sense that you’re not “from here.” Whether that is a metaphor or something more tangible, eroticism is one of your ways of finding home on our planet. It’s one your deepest sources of emotional nourishment. This week’s partial solar eclipse is in this region of your chart, the sign Cancer, which represents mother’s milk, breakfast in bed, your home and very the coziest spot in it, and your style of lovemaking. See if you can filter out all the noise and madness that surround something so natural. See if you can go beyond the economic interests, meaning anywhere that money might infiltrate the erotic realm. See if you can find a way for what is loving and natural to be just that.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You have a more profound impact on others than you may imagine. The effect of this is to draw you more deeply into your relationships than you may feel safe or comfortable going; and through the mirror effect, you may only notice the depth to which you experience people, rather than how they experience you. It will help you, and the people close to you, to tune in to the effect you have on others. Now for the challenge: what if, for example, someone you care about deeply is a hot mess, and claiming that this is somehow about you? Well, now you have a boundary question of the first order. You might start by taking the claim at face value, and inquiring whether it has any validity. Then, consider the person’s personal history prior to your arrival in their life, and see if you can detect any patterns. You have the ability to work this out. Remember how much of life and of happiness depends upon one’s agenda.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Pluto’s position in your solar chart is driving you deeper into your journey of inner awareness. Yet you’ve reached a point where your experience is making contact with some practical matters of health and wellbeing, and that is where your solar chart stands at the time of Thursday’s eclipse. This is a moment of contact, where you’ll be able to recognize ways you can make specific changes to the patterns of your life — adjustments that, with Mars retrograde, have no doubt been in process for a while. What you’ve experienced is composed of many individual decisions, yet it goes much deeper. Life patterns exist on many levels, from behaviors (for example, what you eat, and where) to drives (why you crave certain foods) to something more existential (your relationship to nourishment). You are in a position to thread the needle on all of these at once, though it will help if you’re responsive to your desire to do so; and make a choice to let go of resistance, to the degree that you can. A little willingness will go a long way.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You’re a pleasure-seeking being. It would be wholesome of you to remember that, and also to remember that we live in a culture that is, at the moment, having a love affair with a kind of neo-Puritanism. One question you’re working with is the extent to which you’re willing to allow cultural dictates to drive your choices, influence your desires, and externally impose a moral code on you. There’s another way to see this, as well: Pluto’s movement through Capricorn has created the illusion of control and, at the same time, it’s created an opening through which you have a direct path of self-expression. While you might think that this is a crack in the structure of society, the actual potential is within you; you cannot seek it outside yourself. Yet you can navigate the world both through social choices and being fully conscious of your state of mind wherever you are. Notice the ways that your emotional state and your mentality open certain things to perception and to availability.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — The key to your successful handling of Mars retrograde will be not overreacting — to anything. This is not easy, as you are a natural born fighter, and you like to stand up for what is right. With your ruling planet retrograde in Aquarius, you will be feeling no reservations about standing out from the crowd, going against the grain, or even being unpopular. However, you must be strategic about this. If you encounter something that angers you, particularly if it involves some form of hypocrisy, you will come up with a better response if you give yourself time to consider it. You might really need to carry around an apple, and if you feel the temptation to speak, bite into it, and chew for long enough to turn around and walk away. Then, think it over. Avoid arguing in public, even if it’s a reasonable substitute to tearing off someone’s head.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Be cautious of anyone who claims to be a soothsayer, prophet or alchemist. They may have no clue what they’re talking about. It would be helpful, overall, to avoid omens of any kind, and proceed on the basis of logic, strategy and verified data. This would hold true, in particular, for any family or household situation, or when your personal security seems jeopardized. You must be precise in your understandings, rather than predictive. You also don’t have to hold up the sky where a family matter is concerned; rather, be aware of the situation, and spend two or three times the duration you feel is necessary to get the facts (if, indeed, you choose to be involved). Meanwhile, there are plenty of ways you can be supportive. Make sure all the basics are covered, at work or at home. Wind the clock, do the dishes, and pass along any important phone messages.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — As the week develops, you may be inclined to engage with someone in writing. By engage, I mean fight. This will be risky because anyone you take on is unlikely to be telling the truth, and is certainly not telling the whole truth. Therefore, your efforts are likely to be misguided, and your words could be used against you in the future. What comes to the surface on Wednesday will be abundantly revealing, and provide confirmation that holding your fire was the best policy. That revelation will also help some of your long-range plans, though you will want to hold off making major decisions until Mars stations direct in late August. By major decision, I mean anything irrevocable, where something is truly at stake. It’s a similar situation as this week: you will need the information you gain over the next seven weeks, without which you lack the solid grounds for any decision.

Cancer Birthdays 2018:

Step into Your Year, and Step into Yourself

“Thank you — I can’t even begin to explain how this resonates!!!”

— Andrea Hogan Finn

Dear Friend and Reader:

With the Cancer Sun heading into a grand trine with Jupiter in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces this week, how will you use that energy? Will you swirl around in your dreams and emotions, or will you use your empathy and vision to take the lead in your life somehow?

No matter which way things go for you this week, your 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading will have you covered for the rest of your solar year. Eric brings his most empowering perspective to these readings, offering you tips, constructive questions and proactive ways to get yourself pointed in the right direction for whatever develops this year — all in friendly, accessible language.

“Eric’s readings have helped me so much over the years, to overcome insecurities, difficulties and hard times. His readings have helped steer me through some of the roughest days and beyond. I have appreciated his calming, positive and practical counsel. I am amazed at his ability to do what he does.”

— Mici B.

When you pre-order your Cancer Birthday Reading, you’ll receive two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), access to last year’s birthday reading, an extended description of your sign, and online access to the chart Eric used — all for only $33 when you pre-order prior to publishing.

Once the reading is ready, the price will increase — so I definitely encourage you to pre-order sooner rather than later. We’ll email you when it’s ready, and then you can listen to it as many times as you like throughout the year.

With Saturn affecting your relationships, Chiron urging you to step up in your self-understanding, and Uranus lighting up your zone of career, calling and public reputation, this is shaping up to be a year like no other. It makes sense to have an astrologer like no other by your side.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. Your Cancer loved ones deserve astrological guidance that is grounded, practical, inspirational and reassuring, too — give them their 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading as a gift.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Keep making course corrections in real time, based on the latest available data. Making a series of small adjustments is better than making any large change, especially if you cannot easily reverse it. Mars moving retrograde through Aquarius is reminding you to address your various scenarios with people one at a time, as individuals, rather than as a group. In any matter of negotiation, work one-on-one. Have in-person conversations, rather than email, and do not conduct any important business by group chat or email. That will give rise to exactly the kind of conflicts and confusion that you’re trying to avoid — problems born entirely of the internet. Over the next week to 10 days, the Sun will make aspects to both Neptune and Pluto, which is a reminder that you’re dealing with forces seemingly greater than yourself. That is not true, though your strength and power stem from being a straight arrow, aimed carefully at its mark.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — If there is an antagonist in your environment — a person or situation whose primary role is to irritate you — steer clear of that person or scene. It’s vital that you not voluntarily engage with them. Mercury in your sign is working up to an opposition to retrograde Mars. This is exact Thursday, and it represents some situation coming to a head. Proceed with care, and do your best to know who you are dealing with at all times. Don’t reveal any information voluntarily; make sure you ask questions, and verify the answers you get before accepting them. If any discussion involves an intimate partner, you must be gentle rather than pushy, and listen more than you speak. Rather than making any accusations, listen for consistency and sincerity. This would be good policy any day of the year, though it’s particularly relevant now.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your home planet Mercury is moving through the most sensitive angle of your solar chart, which is drawing your attention inward. That’s the right direction to focus; listen carefully to the messages of your own psyche. However, this kind of inner awareness is in short supply at the moment, and many people have no idea what it is. The best way to describe it is something akin to meditation, where you sit in silence and listen to your inner voice, without judging what you hear. There’s also a necessary element of reducing your emphasis on messages from the outer world, and placing your priority on focusing on your own understanding. This will entail being especially honest with yourself, particularly about what you know and do not know; and how you know what you think you know. While it is possible for others to deceive us, the truth is that most deception is self-inflicted.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Do not force anything to make sense; rather, sort out your thoughts and first see if you can determine what you are thinking. There’s a handy tool you can use: language. Focus on words. Notice whether they make sense; consider whether the words you use, or that anyone uses, correctly describe the thing or the situation they are intended to represent. Many factors of contemporary life are contributing to a reckless and careless approach to language, as if words don’t have actual meaning, or as if anything can mean anything. So notice when meaning seems to drift, slip, or morph. Notice when you or anyone changes the story. Pay particular attention to how you describe sexual feelings and experiences, or your feelings about them. Are you coming from a place of injury, or are you coming from a place of strength and alignment with yourself? The words you choose will reveal that. When in doubt, refer to the dictionary.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — It’s sometimes shocking the extent to which people live in the past. Don’t be even vaguely afraid to admit that you’re doing this, when you notice it. The problem, though, is that the mental environment tends to be invisible, and it seems natural or even sensible to be stuck in some previous version of reality. You will notice when things seem to go wrong: when there is a ripple, a wrinkle or an aberration of some kind. It could be an error you make; it could be a disagreement that you have with someone. Should something like that occur, consider it in the framework of whether it was brought on by mistaking some past fact or condition for something relevant today. It’s also possible, though less so, that leaping to a future conclusion prior to it manifesting is the root of the situation. Check carefully. Honor the flow of time. Know where you are, and where you’re headed.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Leadership means taking care of people. That means feeding them, being sensitive to their feelings, and taking the time to help them however you can. This works on every level, whether in your family situation, among friends or, most significantly, at work. Too often, work is where people check their souls at the door. You must not only bring your soul to work every day; you must honor the spiritual existence and the human condition of everyone you work with. This is equally for you as it is for anyone else; it is a situation where there are no separate interests possible. This of course violates every rule of the modern world, where we’re told that separate, competing interests are the only kind that exist. However, you might consider that there is a higher law in operation in your life. Look for the win-win in every scenario; consider that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The world is holding up a brighter reflection than you’ve been accustomed to in recent months. Sometimes this is unpleasant, if you don’t feel like you can live up to the happiness that you perceive in others. Yet you need something to aspire to. Think of contentment as a skill, like cooking or riding a bicycle. It is learnable, though this is a form of learning that calls for unlearning old patterns and replacing them with new ones. The kinds of patterns I’m describing involve your tendency to judge yourself. That, in turn, is related to your desire to be part of something larger than yourself, which you may think is about being like others, or acceptable to them. Yet that never works, or at least not if you want to be a happy and creative person rather than a device integrated into a system. Being who you truly are, and challenging people to accept you, is the order of the day.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — As you’ve probably read, Mars is retrograde in your birth sign, something that has not happened since 1971. This astrology has many themes, though one of them is about discovering who you are. That idea is thrown around a lot in spiritual circles, and billions of dollars have changed hands over the years, based on promises that self-actualization can be taught. One thing to consider is the importance of conflict in the process of gaining self-awareness. You don’t need to pick fights, only to study the dynamics of your interactions consciously. Notice what you learn about yourself when there is friction between you and others. The other thing to verify is what happens when you desire someone or something. How do you respond, and how do others respond, in any given situation? When people object to who and what you want, how do you react?

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Be bold about living your life with all your cards facing up. You don’t have as much to hide as you think, and you may have yet to discover the strength of living out loud. There are thresholds involved in doing this, one of which is observing what it is that you might want to conceal, and moreover why. One of your summer projects is discovering the many ways in which you’ve been pressured into many of the feelings that you have, particularly about yourself — and the ways you’ve internalized that conditioning. It’s your privilege to decide how you feel about yourself, and how you feel about everyone and everything. In other times and places it was better understood that that only you can set yourself free, and at the same time, only you can hold yourself down and back. Of course, you are interacting with the external world. But ultimately, you are the mediator of your own reality.

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