Aries (March 20-April 19) — There’s a psychological aspect to everything; and if you’re paying attention, you won’t miss it. Better still, you’ll benefit from the insight into what others around you are thinking and feeling; this will relate to what you are thinking and feeling. You need a concept of motivation that does not automatically involve suspicion. It’s a modern mental crisis that many people assume everyone may be up to something sinister and that we are, at the same time, incapable of discerning what’s really going on. Ponder that for a moment and it may start to seem like a knot that can never be untangled. The bottom line is that you need to trust yourself, which means trusting your observations and assessments of people. Cultivate a calibrated response: that is, dependable inner references that certain feelings and observations mean something, and that others mean something else. Then, leave yourself room to be wrong.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — If you remember that your intent is to serve as an agent of healing and service (said another way, love put into action), it will be obvious what decisions to make when the time comes. Once you understand the purpose of your presence, your role will be obvious. You could serve yourself and your situation well by pausing and considering just what that is. You have a role to play; perhaps an important one, which only you can do. You were called into your current situation for significant reasons; and as you connect with them, you’re likely to call forth a stream of vivid memories and what might feel like past-life knowledge. You cannot put this onto your resume, though you can consider it in context. Some of your high-aptitude areas include organizing groups of people, coexisting peacefully with technology, and a rare form of emotional intelligence that’s stable and dependable.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may become privy to sensitive information over the next few days. This could provide you with a financial advantage, or leverage over someone you know. Proceed with caution; think carefully how you use any such data, and don’t hesitate to stash it in a folder in your mind. You can, however, safely use the information to guide your own decisions, and to inform your understanding of people, without saying anything. You may indeed have something at stake, though study the situation and you’ll see you don’t need to make an announcement. If you discover something that’s directly related to the public interest, that’s another matter entirely. If that is true, you need to proceed with special care, and get the advice of someone who has considerable experience handling such matters. Don’t just blow the whistle. Understand all the potential implications first.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — What is good for you will be good for others. It may take some experimentation to see that what’s good for others is also probably helpful to you. At least you’re in a position to help define some common ground, and then work to build agreements there. The current state of the world is that just about everyone is camped out in one camp or another, thinking they have nothing in common with any other faction. The most serious issue with this situation is that it’s not based in truth. As humans living on the planet, we have nearly everything in common with one another. Not only do you know this; it means something to you. Once you’re at that stage, it’s relatively easy to act on it. It would be wonderful if humanity as a group could tap into its collective survival instinct. As a representative of the Divine Mother, you can help guide things that way.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — If you proceed with a clear plan for work this week, you will accomplish things that far exceeded what you thought were your abilities — something likely to persist for many months. This will teach you not to trust your doubts so much. I know this can be a fine line, and certain factors of your chart suggest it’s been difficult to muster up your full confidence. The issue, as it shows up in your solar chart, is that lately, you tend toward self-criticism, a little more than is helpful. You don’t need to do this. It’s not making you a “better person.” You can try an experiment, though — based on an aspect in your chart that’s exact this week. When you want to do something courageous, and you take the first steps, what do you experience? Is your self-criticism a reaction connected to your desire to be bold, creative, sexual or adventurous? If so, you can let go of it.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — This week’s total eclipse of the Moon takes place in the most mysterious angle of your solar chart, this unusual place called the 12th house. You might think of this as the secret room in your chart, where you keep all of your regrets, your secret desires, and your forgotten dreams. The eclipse will open a door for you, which will help you at once purge any dark emotions you may be holding on to, and also connect with your deepest vision for yourself. If you feel those emotions come up, do your best not to stuff them down. Acknowledge what you’re experiencing, and call in the Inner Light to dispel the darkness. Say it just like that: “I call upon the inner light of my mind and offer my [fear, regret, guilt, whatever] back to the universe. I am sincere, I am clear and I am whole.” Then stand back and allow.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — What you think others think about you says a lot about how you think of yourself. And once you know that, you can start asking questions. For example, where did you get those ideas? If you read them like tarot cards, what do they say about your thought process? How does your perception align, or conflict, with what you know from factual data — for example, the gratitude that people express to you? One of the most dangerous facets of consciousness is projection. It’s vital that you learn how to recognize this, and adjust your thinking. It’s also not as hard as it seems, if you keep asking yourself what is real and what is not. Make it into a game. The people who love you really and truly love you. Yes, there are those who would instigate doubt, but once you know that, you can gently sidestep their influence.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your sign is one of those most obsessed with psychology, trying to ascertain people’s motives, and to understand their responses. Your solar chart suggests this has been at a peak lately. You’ve probably been turning this onto yourself lately, and I have a couple of suggestions to make it easier, and to give you some objectivity. When you hear yourself speak, do you usually talk about the past, or the present? Seen one way, that’s all the psychology and all the spirituality you need. If you vigilantly watch that one particular binary, you’ll have a lot of information to work with. Second, what do you think is funny? Do you laugh at things said that are at someone else’s expense? Here’s a very short summary of the psychology of laughter: Bottom line, we laugh when we feel like some danger is gone. That never needs to be at the expense of another.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Mars moving through your birth sign would normally be read as a selfish impulse. Mars is usually shamelessly self-serving. However, it’s also approaching a conjunction to Vesta, an asteroid representing devotion and self-sacrifice. Under Mars-Vesta, your flame of love and kindness is burning bright. Allow yourself the freedom to be passionate. You can also turn that down a little, and focus on the task at hand. Just beware if you ever feel yourself getting cold; that’s the one risk of Mars-Vesta. And if you notice that, pause, contemplate how you feel and reconnect with love, passion and devotion. On the other side of this, monitor your relationship to the idea of sacrifice. That’s the most cautionary note of Vesta. Doing what’s right, you may give something up — though it won’t feel like a sacrifice. It will feel more like a gesture of offering. Proceed in that spirit.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, with Mercury in your sign making aspects to the most powerful planets in the sky: Chiron, Uranus, Pluto and Eris, all within a few days. This is one way to say there’s been a lot on your mind. You’ve probably made some important decisions, and you’re wondering when and how to act on them. You can afford to coast a little on this; the operative fact is that you know what you want, what you need to do, and why. You don’t want to act until you feel the direct inner guidance to do so, which will feel like momentum. It will feel like a wave rising within you, and that wave will carry your will, and whatever action you take will be easy. In the end, this is a matter of values. You know you’re beyond investing yourself where your values are not in alignment — and that where there is an alignment, that’s the foundation of a sane, honest way of life.

Aquarius Birthdays 2018:

Pointing Yourself into the Eclipses

“Thank you. I’ve been a fan for a few years and always feel nourished by every reading — my own and others. This particular reading hit home and felt like a swoop of fresh air pointing me home. Thank you again.”

— Elaine Sonne

Dear Aquarius Sun or Aquarius Rising Reader:

Some of the most noteworthy astrological events of this year relate directly to your sign. Whether this is exciting to you or slightly intimidating, you can consider yourself fortunate: Eric will be covering the unique opportunities and challenges these events may bring you in his usual grounded, reassuring, inspiring and perspective-shifting way in your 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading.

Eric Francis.

Among the events influencing your year are both of your ruling planets in new signs: Saturn entered Capricorn — the ‘hidden area’ of your chart — in December; and Uranus moves into fellow fixed sign Taurus in May.

As your inner landscape and outer environment take on a new flavor, Eric will be guiding through it all. Also of particular note: in just a few days we get the first of two eclipses involving your sign.

The Jan. 31 Leo Full Moon will oppose the Aquarius Sun for a lunar eclipse; then on Feb. 15, the Aquarius New Moon will also be a partial solar eclipse. Translation: your solar year is getting off to a potentially potent start, the effects of which will ripple out for months to come. Using his signature blend of astrological experience, therapy training, life coaching, and motivational speaking, Eric will cover these major changes to the sky (along with subtler points) in your upcoming reading.

When you pre-order your 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading, you’ll lock in the lowest price we offer on two segments of astrology (each at least 30 minutes long) plus a tarot reading for 2018. You can listen to this reading as many times as you like throughout the year — to check your progress, or to receive a little extra encouragement, insight and empowerment to tackle whatever’s come your way.

“I am listening to it again now, and there are so many more gems coming to me. Profound, deep and so thought provoking…inspired!”

— Rhonda Benson

Please note that the price increases as Eric nears publication, and then increases again.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. The 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading is distinctly different from the Aquarius written reading available in the upcoming Art of Becoming annual project. It covers your key astrology in a different format and emphasis, capitalizing on Eric’s more intuitive, improvisational skills. The Birthday Reading also makes a fantastic gift for a loved one!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — This week, there’s a Full Moon eclipse in your opposite sign Leo. Think of this as a tune-up of your relationships, particularly on the emotional level. It might feel like a pressure release, as if two spaces with different atmospheric pressures are being equalized. This will help you catch your breath and ease some of the stress that’s been silently building, much of which is described by the eclipse. Two weeks later, the Moon comes back around and forms a conjunction to the Sun, in your sign — that’s an eclipse in your sign. At that point, you’ll have an opportunity for a personal reckoning of some kind: an assessment of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Let this inner discussion encompass every aspect of your life. However, there’s no rush at the moment; when eclipses are in the vicinity, the thing to do is to steer your craft gently downstream, flowing with the current.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This week’s eclipse of the Moon will remind you that you need to invest your creative energy in endeavors that fully support you back. You tend to give everything to what you commit yourself to and, as a Pisces, sometimes you forget to send an invoice. Think of this in terms of food. The effort you put into tilling the ground, and the seeds you plant, must ultimately feed you, and leave you enough to plan for the future. It’s one thing to let your talent shine out, and that’s one of your specialties. You will do that no matter what endeavor you choose. Now you must hold your own on making sure the refrigerator is full, that the bills are paid and, most of all, that you stay healthy in the process. The health piece is essential; without that, you have very little. Therefore, support your own strength. Support your growth. This is really possible.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — If you find yourself making a mistake you’ve already made, particularly at work, pause and reconsider your actions. You may not know until you start to see some negative effect, though the sooner you draw back, the better. The most important thing to remember this week is that your words have impact, particularly in a professional context. It will serve you well to be respectful, to the point of being a bit courtly. Take a formal approach; stand up when someone important enters the room, shake hands, be polite and strive to make less of an impression, not more of one. As the week progresses, you will be booming out at 50,000 watts, and what you whisper, people will carry across the airwaves. As the evil genius Frank Luntz said, it’s not what you say — it’s what people hear.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You have the ability to bring people together, and you probably have good reason to as well. Put the two together, and have a real meeting of the minds. In person would be much preferable, even if these are one-on-one meetings. If that’s not possible, meet in real-time, such as by video conference. You will want to stay a few steps ahead of the game this week, so make sure you’re watching trends as they develop, listening to gossip without saying anything, and keeping your eyes on the horizon. You can act on factors you’re aware of without revealing to others what’s motivating you. These very days can bring out your best leadership qualities, which you have in abundance but rarely get to use. Even if you don’t think this is your style, give it a try. You will learn something about yourself.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may have a tendency to overreact this week, so moderate your responses to the situations you encounter. If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions, pause and step back. A little detachment will go a long way. A variety of factors could lead you to feel like a powerless child in the presence of all-powerful adults. That’s not true. Your ability to take some distance and observe matters with a touch of objectivity will be helpful. So, too, will your ability to communicate. There is no situation in which you don’t have the right to ask questions or assert your needs. If you have an opinion and feel uneasy about stating it, that’s probably a good reason to do so. Most power dynamics are in your mind. Remind yourself of the many ways you actually have power, particularly over your own affairs.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You will need to be patient with people, particularly in intimate or partnership situations. If you find yourself reacting to someone (for example, if they keep making the same mistake), that’s the time to slow down and take a different approach. As the week develops, you might notice that certain individuals are pushy, argumentative or seem determined to convince you something is true by writing it on your body with a tattoo needle. Rather than push back, the thing to do is dance with them. Play along rather than resist. This may take conscious thought on your part, though once you start to move with the energy, you’ll notice that you’re successfully de-escalating the situation and can then turn it to everyone’s advantage, starting with your own. There is plenty of room for mutual gain. You just need to see the opportunity, and work well with the human factor.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You might rid yourself of the idea that people are equal, and instead, work consciously with power imbalances. This is not a slight on your idealism, just a practical suggestion that will help everyone be at their best. All people have power differentials, whether we’re talking about the ability to do calculus or bench press or wealth or a skill at strategizing. Who is good at what? You may attract people who far exceed your abilities in certain areas, and you can work with them. You are gifted in ways that others are not, and you can make those assets available to others. Usually these differences are overlooked, or are the subject of jealous competition. They can also be a source of strength. In physics, voltage is also called “potential difference.” The greater the difference, the more voltage you can have.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You’re heading into an unusual week that will be distinguished by a creative breakthrough, probably related to business. This is about something obvious, something that was always there, only suddenly it’s appearing in a prominent way. If you already know what this is, focus your thoughts sooner rather than later. Work out some of the details in advance. Once this idea picks up, there will be work to do, and time will be of the essence. So, too, will accuracy. The creative potential needs some substantiation, and a meticulous approach even if things must move quickly. Look back over the past and notice what errors you’ve made more than once. Those are entirely avoidable in the future, if you’re aware of the history. Most of that seems to involve lack of imagination, something that’s easily remedied.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — An important family matter is on the horizon, and this may be the week you finally resolve the issue. Your solar chart describes two competing tendencies. One is to get wrapped up in the situation. The other is to be ahead of, and a little bit above, the situation, and therefore to be available as a facilitator. You can use the aspects that describe your getting drawn in, but for something better: gaining an understanding, particularly of elements rooted in the past. You’ll be much more helpful if you’re not emotionally invested, and you have the power to do that. This will allow you to guide people to being on the same level; that is, to see eye-to-eye and maybe even hear one another out. However, as the week progresses, the lure of jumping into the fray will increase. Beware of temptation.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You need to be so careful with your words this week that you develop a new relationship to them. The most important thing you can do is slow down. Interpose delays between what you feel, what you think and what you express. You may feel righteous, and who knows, you may even be right. Yet you won’t help the situation any if you repel others with what you say, or incorrectly demonstrate that you don’t have a clue. You actually do have a significant understanding, though it won’t be till Wednesday’s meeting of Mercury and Pluto that your thoughts fully come into focus. Once they do, you will understand and feel something so strongly that you will want to stop the movie and make sure it sinks in fully. Therefore, pause, listen, rethink and revise. And hold your fire.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You may be called upon to make a financial commitment of some kind, though if you can at all avoid it, don’t sign anything before Thursday. There’s plenty of information that will come out over the next few days, information that you need. As this astrology develops, you’ll also become more keenly aware of your value to whatever organization you’re serving, and can work your relationship grounded in the mutual financial realities. There’s no need for urgency, only for deeper thought. The more intimately you are connected with your purpose, the more closely you can bring that into someone else’s purpose (that’s the idea of a contract or agreement). Remember that this is about partnership. For that to work, it has to work for everyone. And that is certainly possible — in ways that will reveal themselves in the near future.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Your solar chart this week is a study in understanding the mistakes you make repeatedly, and how you can avoid doing so. This calls for careful self-reflection, and you may find yourself mixed up in one such error before you decide it’s time to hit the brakes: and better sooner rather than later. Here’s something you may not have considered, which is the context of your family. It would seem that the kinds of problems you run into involve in some way trying to please your family, such as attempting to meet their expectations. This may go back a long way; so far, in fact, that it’s considered a normal and natural part of tribal law in your family, despite the obvious problems. And further, you may feel that you’ll be opening Pandora’s box if you try to shift things — all the more reason to do so.

Aquarius Birthdays 2018:

A Reading from Someone Who Understands Aquarians

“My takeaway from the Aquarius reading is a sense of PEACE. You really do UNDERSTAND what Aquarians are going through these days (and yes, because you do understand and explain the issues I am going through so well). Yes: you are an honorary Aquarian.”

— Eileen

Dear Friend and Reader:

I know at least a couple of Aquarians who’ve dealt with major difficulties this year. I’m not sure how widespread that has actually been among those with an Aquarius Sun or Aquarius rising, but I suspect it has a lot to do with Chiron wrapping up its journey through Pisces: your house of what you value, including your body, your money, your talents and your self-esteem.

This year Chiron begins to move into Aries. This will shift the focus of your learning and healing agenda, and hopefully provide a little relief.

Chiron is not the only planet changing signs this year, however: Saturn is newly in Capricorn, and later this spring Uranus will enter Taurus. These shifts hold very specific changes for you: both in terms of your inner reality, and in terms of the overall environment you interact with.

Using his signature blend of astrological experience, therapy training, life coaching, and motivational speaking, Eric will cover these major changes to the sky (along with subtler points) in your upcoming 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading.

Recorded in pro-quality audio, you’ll receive two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) and a tarot reading for the year ahead, plus an extended description of your sign. But what you really get is practical, accessible inspiration that will help you find a more empowering perspective on challenges, and the confidence to say yes to opportunities.

“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

Please note that when you pre-order your 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading, you will secure the lowest price we offer –just $33. The price increases as Eric nears publication, and then increases again.

The Sun enters your sign this Friday, Aquarius — I wish you a happy birthday season, and much joyful use of your reading.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. The 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading is distinctly different from the Aquarius written reading available in the upcoming Art of Becoming annual project. It covers your key astrology in a different format and emphasis, capitalizing on Eric’s more intuitive, improvisational skills. The Birthday Reading also makes a fantastic gift for a loved one!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — The Sun and Venus are in your sign, and you’re probably feeling a lot better than you have in weeks or even months. You know that positive changes are on the horizon; there’s excitement in the air. A forthcoming total eclipse of the Moon in your opposite sign Leo occurs on Jan. 31, and that’s an invitation to look at a relationship situation. In fact, it’s an opportunity to consider the total environment of your relationships, and see what they have in common. Questions to ask yourself might involve whether any given relationship is good for you, and if not, what about that relationship reflects your total environment. For the next week or two, you have the ability to make changes that might otherwise seem impossible. Use this time well, to choose what you want, and to un-choose what you do not want.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Take a conservative approach to what you say in public this week. Public means on any platform you have, from Instagram to a network television program to what you say in the presence of any group. By conservative, I mainly mean reserved and thoughtful. You cannot demonstrate too much evidence of consideration and deliberation. Aspects describe a kind of sixth-sense about what’s happening in the public sphere, which will be useful for both social and business purposes (and for you, these are often closely related). Underlying all of this is the fact that you have impact on your environment, and you want to use that impact consciously. That means proceeding with awareness of what you say and why you say it. You won’t get to take your words back; you may or may not get an immediate response. That does not confirm or deny anything. In any event, be precise.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This week’s New Moon in the career and reputation angle of your solar chart will bring some reminder of what you can achieve, if you set your mind to it. Yet there are other elements in your chart that are reminding you to emphasize the collaborative aspects of any form of success. You have the potential to be one of those rare few people who can get along with a boss to the degree that you’re a collaborator. That makes you management material. For you, an element of this is understanding how to express your individuality in a professional environment, and where to draw the line on what you compromise. This is not as complicated as it’s often made out to be. If your values are in harmony with those of the organization and people you serve, it’s even easier. The solution to the puzzle is you get to do some combination of what you excel at, and what needs to be done.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Beliefs you held in the past are not automatically valid, but they are potentially so. You’ve entered a period of sorting out what is true for you and what is not; which ideas serve you and which do not. Be glad you’ll be moving on from many presumptions that have outgrown their use, or that never actually served a purpose. You get to be the arbiter of what is true, for you, and what is not. That does leave an open question: what if you’re wrong? This is why it helps to be open-minded. There are people around you, both those who are knowledgeable and those who have strong opinions. You can only benefit from listening to their ideas, considering them and evolving some new points of view — particularly if they’re people you disagree with. One of the themes of this new phase of your life is growth through learning. There’s no teacher like one you disagree with. And that might even be temporary.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Your chart looks like an all-night meeting of union bosses with top management in an effort to avert a strike. Every agreement seems up for renegotiation. That may be true, though you really must focus on what matters the most. There are many small matters you can compromise on, and several large ones that you cannot. By now you know the difference. However, if this is a business situation, don’t let on too soon what you’re willing to forego. What doesn’t matter much to you might be really important to someone else. If, however, this is a personal situation, you need to be more forthcoming and play your cards face-up from the beginning of the discussion. And you must ask others to do the same thing. It would appear that something has gone on way too long, and you must make a decision one way or the other.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — With six planets currently in your opposite sign, Capricorn, there’s no shortage of people in your life. One question is, what are they all doing there? Is everyone playing their appropriate role? Another question is, who’s in your life for the sole purpose of companionship? You need one or two people who are near you only because they like to be; your presence is their gain, and their presence is your gain. Consider the many people around you at the moment and ask if there’s anyone who fits this description. The relationship will probably not involve financial transactions; it will be a volunteer gig. You’ll have a much better picture of who is who after Tuesday’s New Moon helps clear the air. In this new era of your life, where personal relationships are such a high priority, it’s essential that you be able to assess the motives and agendas of the people close to you.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your work life is busier than a flower shop before Valentine’s Day, though you must be careful not to burn out. You can do this by enforcing downtime, though you’re not the kind of person who likes to stop working before everything is done. Therefore, you must have your priorities, and be better at planning them. One thing that will help is being a little bit ahead of all tasks you know are imminent. Even if you have a paragraph of notes about what you need to get done and how you might do it, you’ll find that it happens easier when the time comes. The further ahead you stay, the easier your work life will be, and the easier it will be to stay in balance. Monday and Tuesday, ahead of the Capricorn New Moon, work on things you need to wrap up, bring to a conclusion or otherwise get off your desk. Then start again on Wednesday morning with a new list of priorities.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You may feel like your time is too scarce to take any kind of risks or to experiment with a creative leap, though that’s exactly what’s likely to work the best. If you’re trying to solve several problems at once, you might just discover that one solution applies to many of them. When everything is so compressed, you can save yourself time by looking for patterns in the seeming chaos. Does one particular theme keep coming up repeatedly? Another question to ask yourself is: have I solved this problem already? You might set this as the primary screen on your phone, so you’re reminded constantly. Meanwhile, don’t miss the creative opportunity at the center of the cyclone swirling around you. The planets have all swarmed into the house in your chart usually associated with gambling, art, sex and romance. If you take a playful approach and keep your sense of humor, you’ll work wonders.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Don’t worry too much if things seem to be going out of control where a family or household matter is concerned. You’re somewhat above the fray, and current developments are unlikely to impact your life negatively. However, you might continue your project of creating some boundaries and a degree of emotional distance from people who struggle to keep their act together. You will feel well guided by having your priorities in order, which at the moment means taking care of money first. At this point in your life, next month’s rent, next week’s groceries and one fun night out should not even be a consideration. You can do a lot better than that, if you make financial solvency and success top-level priorities. Emotional independence and financial independence are closely related. You have your own feelings. You need your own money, your own schedule and your own room.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Set high goals this week, even some you would love to accomplish but which seem impossible based on your current skills and resources. Your chart describes a straight line from your intentions to the means to make them happen. But the way you set the plan in motion is by taking action. This is not about planning, or planning to plan, or considering a proposal to contemplate something. Choose something you actually want to do, and do it. It could be artistic, professional, or deeply intimate. You might want to overcome a fear or an insecurity. You might have an interest in a person. All that matters is that it matter to you, and that you muster up the courage to dare. Right now most of society is caught in a head-trip, or basking gleefully in their anxieties. You of all people have the power to get over yourself, and you of all people will love that you did.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Vesta, perhaps the most profound asteroid, has just entered your sign. This indicates a special mission of some kind, which may relate to a way you help certain individuals in your life. Vesta puts an unusual filter in front of relationships, which often translates into understanding how you can serve others rather than how they can serve you. Look for all the aspects of your life that will benefit from your devotion, which is an approach to service that genuinely can be called spiritual. It matters less what you do and more the approach you take to doing it. Set aside the drive for personal gain and you will help make improvements in the lives of people around you. Wherever something is going wrong, commit yourself to holding open the space for the right thing to happen. Just your awareness will have a positive impact on whatever you perceive; and carefully chosen, selected actions will make a true difference.

Get instant access to your Capricorn birthday reading when you order it here.

Capricorn Audio Birthday Reading is Ready!

Dear Friend and Reader:

Your Capricorn birthday reading is now published. It’s about 70 minutes in length, in two sessions. This is your birthday audio — an entirely different reading from The Art of Becoming, which will be ready in January.

You are living in extraordinary times, as a Capricorn or Cap rising. There’s been nothing quite like this in your sign since the early 1990s, when the Uranus-Neptune connection passed through town. That was a while ago — and what you’re now working with is just as significant.

At the moment, the Sun, Venus, Saturn and Pluto are in your sign, which is building to a series of major events that peak in 2020. That may seem like a long way off, though time marches on. The presence of Saturn, the ruling planet of Capricorn, is a reminder to tend to your growth, shore up your foundations, and take your place in the world.

Saturn in your sign is helping ground you in your real priorities.

In this reading, I focus on several key points of development, though none is as important as your relationship to your family, and your family history. For all you want to do in life, all the ways you want to succeed, and solidify your process of self-actualization: the family connection is essential.

This relates directly to your most intimate partnerships, because they’re based on an emotional foundation that was laid in childhood. I provide specific information about how to work with these elements, and how to engage in productive self-therapy (it’s not always so useful, but it can be).

Your reading includes access to last year’s recording, plus your 2017 written reading (from The Book of Your Life), and a tarot reading that will arrive in about a month (maybe more, maybe less).

You can get instant access when you order the reading here for just $44. We will increase the price further when the Tarot section is published.

This reading is also included with the Backstage Pass. If you’re not a BSP member, you can upgrade and extend your current subscription, and the Capricorn reading will be included.

Thank you for being a Planet Waves customer.

With love,

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — This week, a rare alignment between Jupiter in Scorpio and Pluto in your birth sign presents some unusual opportunity for success. You’ve had a taste of this the past week to 10 days, and you may already be on a roll. Think in terms of what biologists call a symbiotic relationship. What works for you must work for others, and what works for them will work for you. If you find yourself in a competitive environment, where one person’s loss is another’s gain, you definitely want to shift that, because that’s far from the spirit of your chart. Make sure you’re not the one competing, or believing that there’s some shortage of resources or potential. There is no lack — there’s plenty to go around. However, your clarity of mind, your honest intentions and your sincere choices make all the difference. Just remind yourself regularly: another person’s lack or loss is never your gain.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — A rather unusual collection of planets in Capricorn has you in a rather unusual state of mind. Your dreams will best reveal what’s going on in the hidden aspects of your life. Pay attention to what they’re telling you, remembering that every figure and object in every dream is actually another symbol for you. If you dream of a tiger, you’re the tiger. If you dream of a construction project, you’re the thing being built, and the one doing the building. This astrology may be pushing up your anxiety level. Rather than suppress any fear or concerns, make an inventory of what they are, preferably on paper, so you can come back to it. Keeping written notes will also serve your dream work. Whatever you may be feeling, your mind is bubbling over with potential, and you have plenty of energy. Get clear with yourself, focus yourself and commit to learning, and this week alone you’ll get the gains of five years of therapy.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Keep yourself and your projects where people can see you. Do this no matter how busy you may be. Keep putting your best work into the public eye, and put your body where you can have face-to-face conversations in a social setting. You don’t need a specific goal or agenda for doing this. Just be sincere, have a good time, and trust the topics of conversation that come up. If you’re in a room full of people, do your best to meet every single one of them, and check the vibes. The deepest harmony you can feel with someone is on the spiritual level — that ultimately means a mutual understanding of the purpose of life. There’s no way to fake this meaningfully; and don’t accept imitations or substitutes. When you are making contact with someone, you will know it and feel it. And the most likely place to make that contact is outside your home, where people gather specifically for a social purpose.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — It’s time to set your own definition of success, and start working for it right now. The chances are, though, that you’ve already made considerable progress, and what you now need to do is to refine your methods, eliminate any goals that you don’t intend to pursue, and keep your focus. A matter of partnership is crucial; while the person may or may not be a sexual partner, there must be chemistry between you and whomever you work with — chemistry that is cellular, hormonal and pheromonal. By that I mean simpatico and sublime, where you work for the same goal in an intuitive way. In the absence of that, pursue your interests with gusto and see who shows up, wanting to play and participate, for its own sake, and for your sake. You’re working on something that can change the world in some way — if not the big, wide world, then the cosmos of whatever field you’re involved with. You’re onto something real.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — David Byrne, one of the mighty ones born under your sign, penned the lines, “Years ago who would believe it’s true? / Goes to show what a little faith can do.” The core lesson of this time in your life is having faith in yourself. Nobody would suspect you otherwise, though you know the truth of the matter. This goes deeper than self-confidence, to the core essence of your purpose for living. One key to this is to connect with your purpose in everything that you do. Purpose goes beyond any one activity, idea, or belief. You possess your core purpose at all times, in all places and with all people. That is useful: you can take it with you everywhere you go, and put it to work no matter what you do. If nothing special is ringing a bell, consider that this is about the life of your soul. Soul is not a thing; it’s a verb. It’s a process by which you integrate the spiritual essence of your being into the rest of your being. Do what feels right, and participate fully in your own existence.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may feel like there’s so much going on around you, it’s impossible to keep track of it, much less exert any control. That’s one side of the story. The other side of the story is to remember that you’re bigger than all of it combined: you are more than the sum total of all the separate elements of your life, or any one of them. Matters of finance and business partnership are a top priority, though you can afford to stand back a little, and propose the ideas that you want to manifest. You can afford to observe, and intervene right when you think you need to. However, the one thing you must do is to be observant. You really have to pay attention to the details and to the positions of others, which means conversing with them throughout whatever process is going on. Your ability to shape the outcome is manifested not through power but through influence, which means ideas, a vision, and seeing the scenario from the widest, and highest, possible viewpoint.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This week’s astonishing astrology — an alignment of Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto — is all over the sex and relationship houses in your solar chart. You get a blend of teenage passion with the intensity of a commitment that is really working. This is fun and somewhat wild astrology, though it’s also deep, and it could be daunting. However, you can summon your courage, as if you’re on a diving board and you really want to jump into the water headfirst, and you know the water is deep enough, and you know you can dive, and you can swim, and it’s just a little much — and then you’re happy you did it because you really needed to. The thing you want to avoid is people you have actual conflict with: bad vibes, bad karma, a negative history or any need to deceive anyone. Those are exactly, precisely the people you don’t want to be involved with.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You are done planning and pondering; it’s time to start doing, by which I mean doing what you know you want and need to do. You have leverage right now, which will be helpful, though you don’t need much. Lean into the challenges you are facing just a little and you’ll see how much power the weight of your mind and your intentions carries. Efficiency is essential, which means placing your emphasis on ideas; and where labor is involved, using the concept of leverage. Be certain to balance your creative efforts with proper rest, recreation and nutrition. You don’t need to become a health guru; you only need to take care of yourself sufficiently well to stay in balance, and keep your stress level down. Where your work seems to conflict with relationships, make sure you consider both sides of the equation. What is the actual source of the seeming conflict?

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You must be naughty if you want to do the right thing. That means that in order to truly serve your happiness and your growth (personal, creative or whatever), you will need to break some rules, violate some taboos and do some things you think people will disapprove of. Negative emotions such as guilt, embarrassment, fear, or shame can serve as an invitation. Rather than assume they point to the ‘wrong thing’, try the assumption that they point the way to what will serve you the best. I’m not making this up, by the way — this is very old wisdom, though not exactly well understood or overplayed these days. Taboo is a veil over the truth; it’s a scrim thrown over your creativity; and it’s a social control device that serves no purpose in your life. You have a lot of mojo running right now. You don’t need any holy types of people, or holy voices in your mind, stopping your fun.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — This week you’re likely to discover just how much you have, or don’t have, in common with family members or those you share your household with. You are growing in your own direction, and you need to do your own thing. One of the overarching themes of a long phase of your life is cultivating bona fide emotional independence, or you could say, getting a life. It’s easy to go from one type of family system of control to another. It’s easy to transform being trapped in one kind of environment to being stuck in another. Your goal now is to shift that whole paradigm and set yourself free — free enough to make decisions without the meekest thought of needing to ask permission. Nobody should be walking into your private space without knocking, or anything of the kind. Borrowing from the nearly forgotten author Virginia Woolf, you need a room of your own.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Have you considered that fear stops you from doing what you want to do? I know that as a Scorpio, you’re supposed to be the first in line to walk on hot coals, the first out of the airplane door on the skydiving trip, or to suggest that the dentist hold the Novocain. But what’s your relationship to fear, really? Do you say what you need to say? Do you feel what you need to feel? Do you admit what you actually know? You’re well past the point of being able to hide who you are, and at the moment, you’ve probably figured out there’s no point trying. Now you might direct your efforts into the other direction: do exactly what might intimidate you. Say what you want to say, not what you think people want to hear. More than anything, admit what you know, and put your knowledge to work for your own benefit. You will have many such opportunities this week.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Recently a Sagittarius friend said she was interested in having a source of “passive income.” That’s the kind where the checks allegedly come rolling in like interest accrued on a trust fund. This, ostensibly, would be used to support her creative interests. It took me a couple of weeks pondering to see the problem with this theory. When you’re at your best, there’s nothing passive about you. You need passionate income. You need to be well paid for what you love to do, and/or what you do the very best (there’s a relationship between them; if not, it would be wise to develop one). You will succeed financially to the degree you’re wholly engaged with your values and your priorities. Rather than farm out the income aspect of work, it’s essential that you marry it to the creative aspect, generating a reaction that, once it gets going, is difficult to stop.

Capricorn Audio Birthday Reading is Ready!

Dear Friend and Reader:

Last week, I recorded your Capricorn birthday reading. It’s about 70 minutes in length, in two sessions. This is your birthday audio — an entirely different reading from The Art of Becoming, which will be ready in January.

You are living in extraordinary times, as a Capricorn or Cap rising. There’s been nothing quite like this in your sign since the early 1990s, when the Uranus-Neptune connection passed through town. That was a while ago — and what you’re now working with is just as significant.

At the moment, the Sun, Venus, Saturn and Pluto are in your sign, which is building to a series of major events that peak in 2020. That may seem like a long way off, though time marches on. The presence of Saturn, the ruling planet of Capricorn, is a reminder to tend to your growth, shore up your foundations, and take your place in the world.

Saturn in your sign is helping ground you in your real priorities.

In this reading, I focus on several key points of development, though none is as important as your relationship to your family, and your family history. For all you want to do in life, all the ways you want to succeed, and solidify your process of self-actualization: the family connection is essential.

This relates directly to your most intimate partnerships, because they’re based on an emotional foundation that was laid in childhood. I provide specific information about how to work with these elements, and how to engage in productive self-therapy (it’s not always so useful, but it can be).

Your reading includes access to last year’s recording, plus your 2017 written reading (from The Book of Your Life), and a tarot reading that will arrive in about a month (maybe more, maybe less).

You can get instant access when you order the reading here for just $44. We will increase the price further when the Tarot section is published.

This reading is also included with the Backstage Pass. If you’re not a BSP member, you can upgrade and extend your current subscription, and the Capricorn reading will be included.

Thank you for being a Planet Waves customer.

With love,

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Your sign is somewhat famous for a priggish attitude toward sex. That’s funny, since you’re probably one of the more sexual people you know, even if you veil that with proper attire and an insistence on seeming prim, at nearly any cost (including resisting fun that might appear in any way untoward, or revealing your true desire). It’s time to throw that approach and all the theories that support it into a bonfire. It’s time to ask yourself who you were trying to impress, and then decide that you don’t care. More than that, it’s essential you recognize the ways in which people blame others for their own impulse to restrain themselves with morality; i.e., what would mother think? If you really want to go there, though, ask yourself that very question. If she had a porthole into your life, she might be shocked for a moment, and then have a very, very different reaction — as will you.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Are you experiencing fear, or desire? Something is definitely moving within you. You seem ready to release yourself from an old emotional bond of some kind, as if you discovered some beautiful aspect of yourself trapped in a dusty old cellar. What is that part of you, what’s this cellar, and who put you there? This is old material; you may be reversing something that was done to an ancestor many generations ago. This may have been repeated through the years, and inflicted directly on you — or not. Whatever the case, you’re ready to set something free from deep in that realm known as the unconscious. Step one in doing so is to make it conscious — to fully awaken to whatever this feeling, need, fear or desire is. The second is to give yourself a push, in the direction where you feel the most energy is contained. You need access to that energy, and to get it, you must go to it: it won’t just come to you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — If you’ve wanted to go public with something, this could be the week. There’s some genuine harmony between what you are thinking and feeling, and what has suddenly become publicly acceptable. What could this be about? The range of possibilities spans from sharing something with your friends that you’ve long kept secret (a kind of coming out) to revealing a project you’ve been working on for years. It might be a statement you need to make, something you’ve written that you want to share, or artwork nobody has seen. This could be anything that is currently something in your personal world that wants to find a home in some wider community — including you announcing your existence in some way. So, consider the possibilities. Don’t worry if what you do, or who you are, is good enough. Take the chance and let yourself be known, seen and recognized.