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.

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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.

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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

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — There is a place for both rational and intuitive thinking: the discipline of astrology, for one, uses them both. Each likewise has its limitations. Pure logic risks being twisted as unspoken biases make themselves felt under the surface. Feeling-based methods potentially lead to delusion. Being able to apply either one judiciously helps balance these things out; and, as Dion Fortune noted, moderation tends to be what works, whereas extremes are where things go wrong. Aim to be measured in your judgments, and watch especially for mental pitfalls in the era of truthiness.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — If you read these pages frequently, you’re probably aware by now of some ramifications of having Uranus in your sign. While the constant new developments might well be causing you to feel somewhat bewildered, doubtful or annoyed from time to time, on the whole you seem to have a pretty firm grasp on what’s happening. In all probability, you’re more ahead of the game than you think. Focus on what you actually know about yourself in tangible, solid terms, and play to your strengths. Remember that you alone can be the centrifugal point in your own life. You can draw on that safely in moments of uncertainty.

Gemini Birthdays 2018-19:

Are You Ready to Emerge Full-Strength, Gemini?

“It has occurred to me before that your understanding of Gemini is quite extraordinarily precise and I meant to give you that feedback but never quite found the right moment. There is always such wealth of information in what you broadcast.”

— Alexandra Marx

Dear Gemini Friend and Reader:

What did you see by the Full Moon’s light on Tuesday? What are you feeling compelled to do, and what do you think about it? Tuesday’s astrology was just the tip of the iceberg; as Chiron and Jupiter make big moves this year, your personal and community relationships are set to evolve in unique and exciting ways.

Your solar year is getting off to quite a start in other ways, too, as Mars prepares to station retrograde in your fellow air sign Aquarius in less than a month. If you’re looking for an hour or more of Gemini-centered audio astrology to help you look ahead and stay on your toes throughout the next 12 months (or longer), I hope you’ll pre-order your 2018 Gemini Birthday Reading while it’s still at the lowest price.

“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

Eric will cover such topics as Chiron’s move from Pisces to Aries, Jupiter’s approach to your opposite sign Sagittarius, and much more. This valuable reading is designed to equip and empower you for your solar year ahead and well beyond — through two audio segments of at least 30 minutes each, an extended description of your sign, and access to last year’s reading.

At only $33 for all of that, this reading also makes a beautiful, useful gift for your favorite Gemini loved one. Please note that the price will increase as Eric gets ready to publish the reading, so don’t wait too long.

Wishing you a dynamic birthday season,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you prefer to place your order by phone, please feel free to contact us during Eastern business hours at (877) 453-8265, or (206) 567-4455 if you’re calling from outside the US.

P.P.S. Did you miss Eric’s written readings for the year ahead in the 2018 annual, The Art of Becoming? You can snap up BOTH your 2018 written reading for Gemini and the 2018 Gemini Birthday Audio for only $55 here. It’s an incredible deal for a wealth of nuanced, accessible, practical insight you can start using immediately.

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Gemini (May 20-June 21) — This week, some ground would appear to be shifting at your place of work: either someone is trying to deceive or manipulate, or goalposts are being moved; or you may simply be viewing your career path in a new light. Whichever is the case, at the core of who you are is a resilient, clever and flexible mind, which is capable of navigating any quick turns. It’s possible others will be looking to you for leadership and guidance; this may be an opportunity for you to show your mettle. If you do that, offer your skill in a way that’s truthful, and avoid simply playing the role of manager for its own sake.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — JP Sears’ brilliant satire series, Ultra Spiritual Life, perfectly captures the hypocrisy around wanting to appear profound or enlightened without actually dealing with one’s shadow or difficult emotions. Underlying this, there’s a fear of not being seen to conform to various social expectations of piety (in all senses of that loaded term). Yet the fact is that your spiritual path and beliefs are between you and whatever divine entities or other beings you subscribe to. Other people’s agendas are their business; no-one has the right to impose their own system on you.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The quest for identity and meaning is a perennial one, and it’s important to treat this matter with the nuance it deserves. Yet sometimes it can be helpful to answer the question of who you are by describing what you do — not just professionally, but in your community, or among your peer group, and in your daily interactions. What are you bringing to the table at this present moment? This is a part of your character that should be taken into account. Notice especially if it conflicts with narratives imposed by others; this is a point only you can truly resolve for yourself.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Make sure, this week, that your aspirations place you firmly at the center. You can be prone to crises of confidence, and thus to yield authority where others really have no business being in charge. You may also discover that you’ve been telling yourself a story, which is now being contradicted by facts that possibly emerged only recently. Though it takes a form of courage to accept a position of mastery over your own life, and the responsibility for ensuring things go well, this is what you need to do now. It’s necessary for your self-respect and personal integrity.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Acts of heroism as shown by Hollywood are usually of a somewhat glamorous quality, and often involve the use of an improbable superpower. Meanwhile, back on Earth, courage is generally rather more of a day-to-day affair. Most of us have good and noble intentions; carrying them out, and becoming the person we wish to be, means making small, everyday choices: being kind to someone, working on that long-term project, or saying how you really feel. You might not become an overnight viral superstar; but you can help make a better world, one piece at a time.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You could probably benefit from a more methodical or logical approach to your creative work, and to expressing yourself in it, this week. True, there’s something compelling and romantic about the idea of getting lost in one’s art. Sometimes that has to happen. Yet it’s also necessary that you hold sufficient focus and discipline to get something actually onto the page, or the canvas; and that you don’t burn yourself out. Make a point of taking care of your health, both physical and emotional. Time may be flying faster than ever, but you have more than you realize.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — A spotlight on your relationships this week suggests that you may become aware of a pattern from your early life that’s repeating in the present. Most of us do this to some degree, because the programming we receive as children is hard to shake off. The first step, however, is knowing about it. That makes it easier for you to recognize when certain buttons are being pushed, and how it’s happening. You might want to talk things over with your partner (or with someone else you trust); they may have valuable insights or ideas to share. Have the courage to open up and be vulnerable.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — It would seem there’s a lot going on around you at the moment. If you feel particularly agitated or confused, take the time to relax yourself before doing anything else. Your wellbeing is an important part of ensuring you can carry out whatever you need to do. It’s unlikely the world is going to end because you spent a few minutes meditating, or an extra half hour in the bath. Additionally, if you start to feel overwhelmed, organization and discipline will probably be your best friends; make a task list, set your priorities, and complete one thing at a time.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — One might describe the process you’ve undergone recently as akin to that symbolized by the Tower tarot card. You’ve been compelled to question many things you thought you knew, and to relinquish what no longer served you, even if it felt important. This is a tough assignment, and you may be proud of having weathered it. This week, look around you and notice what is there and what is absent. You’ll likely find that as you begin rebuilding, the resources that remain with you make a far more solid foundation than before. You can safely turn your gaze to where you’re headed.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You’re now reaching a point where you can begin to assess past events with increased clarity and impartiality. Much of this is about understanding when other people are projecting onto you, and refusing to own that material. Be as clear as possible in recognizing when this happens, and stand firm in that knowledge. Construct psychic or even physical boundaries if you need to. You’re not obliged to engage with anyone; certainly not people who are unwilling to listen or treat you with basic respect. It’s safe to trust your wisdom and your instincts; you know who you are.