Aries (March 20-April 19) — Your next step is what we might call the real work. Recent events have set free a kind of inspiration that you rarely experience, and a push in the direction you want to go. Now, it’s time to attend to the practical realities of turning ideas and feelings into something tangible that will provide a place to live and work, food to eat, and a purpose to serve. Over the next week or two, you may experience a series of events that help you tune and refine your plan, though the real learning and the real refinement are all in the actual expression of what you want to do. You know enough theory; you have all the concepts you need. Be sure to persist in the face of any negative or contrary opinions. Understand that what you do is part of who you are, and must be welcome in any relationship.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You may be walking a kind of tightrope between what you simply must express, and what you’re afraid people will think. Creative expression is never without risks. Anything that does not in some way shake up awareness, cause a little stir or raise a few questions is entirely too dull to be considered relevant. This would apply to any aspect of your life where your inner world in some way intersects with the community around you. You don’t need to aspire to be controversial; rather, take any discussion, including seemingly negative reviews, as a positive sign. The thing to remember is that there is no compromising who you are. You may be able to have your concepts of appropriateness for different situations. That’s different from anyone expecting you to change for their benefit. You can, however, change to suit your own needs and desires; that’s your choice.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may be wondering what exactly you need to say, and the answer may be nothing. From the look of your solar chart, you’re still figuring out how you feel about a situation involving your family, your household or some very old matter that you’re aching to resolve. If you pay close attention to what comes out over the next 10 days, you’ll be able to move beyond this. Yet right now, you may be too overwhelmed with your feelings or with your own opinion to see the truly salient facts for what they are. The facts are all you need, unclouded by opinion or interpretation. This may not be as easy as it would seem, particularly if you’re angry or hurt. Yet getting over those things are included in the healing process; to dwell on them is a trap. As for the facts, try asking five different people what they think happened, and take notes.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Lately I’ve been suggesting that the astrology associated with Cancer as your Sun or rising sign is about writing. This not only remains true; the effect is even stronger now, as Mercury retrograde builds to a peak. There would seem to be a specific subject, message or theme that you have to develop, whether this is personal writing, a practical project or art for its own sake. A series of unusual events this week and next will compel you to tap into your deepest talent and personal resources to say what you need to say. You will also be persuasive at convincing people that you need more money, whether this is a fundraising project, crowd sourcing, grant writing or a discussion with your boss. You must start by feeling your own value, and then assessing carefully whether the people around you actually notice that quality you have. That’s the most important operative information.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — It’s already been a week since the total solar eclipse. Yet the degree where the eclipse happened, the next-to-last degree of Leo, will be the scene of some significant events during the next week or so. Most notably, Mercury retrogrades into Leo and forms a conjunction to Mars. This happens just as the Full Moon peaks and then Mercury stations direct. The setup is perfect for asking yourself about your motives, and considering whether you think they’re legit. If you’re not asking yourself about what’s driving you, it’s likely to do so in an unconscious way; for example, as self-sabotage, or as anger that just goes off randomly and without a specific focus. You are too powerful for such nonsense. The way to honor your power is to know yourself, and seek to understand yourself more deeply every day. Act on what you learn, and sincerely make amends where necessary.

“Your readings are soothing, grounding and remarkably spot on, especially in times like these. I very much appreciate you and your work.” — Alison

Last week’s total solar eclipse is about to be followed by Mercury stationing direct in the same degree. If you’re Virgo Sun, Moon or rising, that likely means the effects of the eclipse are still developing for you. What will you make of this profound energy? Your 2017-18 Birthday Reading by Eric Francis will contain insightful and accurate guidance that you can use to understand your personal gifts and ignite your potential.

Your birthday reading will include two audio segments of astrology and an additional Tarot reading — well over an hour of top-quality interpretation, delivered in a friendly and accessible way.

“I don’t think I have read anything so achingly beautiful in my whole life as this Virgo reading.”

— Rev. Jody Lotito Levine

Pre-order your Virgo birthday reading today while it’s still at the lowest price. This reading also makes an excellent gift for the Virgo in your life.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You’re about to experience the most interesting effects of Mercury retrograde and the solar eclipse. Many things come together over the next week, meaning that you’ll see patterns you may have entirely missed until now. So, in honor of that you might focus on noticing the way the different elements of your life story form constellations. Who, for example, is appearing from the past, and what are you learning when they show up? Are you carrying around old grievances, or are you letting them go? Don’t take your anger too seriously. There is, however, one thing that may actually be troubling you, even though you haven’t given it a name yet. If you tap into your deeper anger, you will know it, and that’s the time to make a point of resolving the matter. Pay specific attention to any way that parents or parent-figures show up, particularly as those with intractable opinions. Among other things, you simply must be more flexible than that.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The hotspot in your chart is that fine line between public and private. It’s a confusing and even chaotic place these days. We’re constantly being assured how secure our confidential data is; at the same time identifying data is hacked all the time, and we chronicle our lives in public forums. This is a metaphor for your mind at the moment. You tend to keep things private, but this just doesn’t seem to work, or work in your favor. Needing to maintain secrecy is stressful, to the point where it’s really worth asking why you even want certain kinds of privacy. At the same time, you’ll benefit from asking why you want people to know certain facts about you. If you work this territory consciously, you will gain the benefit of establishing much more practical boundaries, which are associated with the purpose that they serve. This will work, if you remember that all boundaries are temporary.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — No one thing determines your reputation. Anything that seems to do so, and also seems to be based on one event, perception or belief, reaches beyond the situation in many directions. In any event, you’re the one who must keep an open mind, and take a balanced view of yourself. Others cannot do this for you. The only viewpoint that can influence you in a deep way is your own. This is the time to step back from being your own worst critic, whatever aspect of your life you happen to be judging. There’s a little joke in here: once you’re able to view yourself with some equanimity, you’ll see how funny it was that you could have ever judged yourself. Until then, you might be struggling. You will find peace of mind, not through asking to be forgiven, but rather through asking to learn forgiveness — and practicing a little more every day.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — It will soon be time to take your professional or career plans up a few notches — but not quite yet. Rather than taking action, make a list of your goals, and organize them in order of your priorities. Then, consider the steps you would take to meet each one of them. Most significantly, spot the ways in which taking one action will advance your efforts toward two or more objectives at once. Rather than have a fixed strategy, follow along with the play-by-play of your own life for the last week or so of Mercury retrograde, and notice all the amazing things you learn. The real kicker will be figuring out how you would do something vitally important, if you entirely disregarded the negative expectations that seem to be coming from one of your parents. This may be an influence from the distant past, or as recently as yesterday; it’s still influencing you, though you’re in an excellent position to see this for what it is, and set yourself free.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — What seems to be an ethical matter actually boils down to a distressing lack of vision. The question is not whether what you’re thinking, or wanting, is “right” or “wrong.” The issue, if there is one, is really about whether your life is interesting enough. You seem to be looking down the wrong end of your binoculars, when what you really need is a wide-angle lens. You need perspective and some distance on the situation, and more than anything, to approach your own life with a sense of humor. Remember that true intelligence is flexible and has a light touch. It’s less about final judgments and more about noticing how events are flowing now, and in what direction you’re headed. Be open to information that might lead you to change your mind, shift your perspective or cause you to refocus your priorities. This is a conscious act, fueled by curiosity.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — For the next 10 days, you’ll need to be both conscious and cautious around financial matters, contracts, shared resources and tax issues. The planets are describing a situation where you need more information than you currently have. You also must be cautious of certain facts that are incorrect, and of disinformation that’s in some way designed to confuse or deceive you. You can drill in all you want, though there are certain bits of data that will only come out in their own good time. That, it would seem, is related to the final days of Mercury retrograde coupled with the Full Moon. Meanwhile, it would be wise to reserve judgment on any people and situations that are still clouded with mystery, which seem stuck or where you sense you’re not being treated fairly. By all means prepare yourself with whatever information is available, though there’s plenty more to come.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — If you’re not quite able to make sense of your relationships, you might console yourself with remembering how few people can. Take a step back and take in a much wider picture than you may be doing now. You also don’t need any pressure directing you toward an outcome; there are times for that, though now happens not to be one of them. Among your human interactions, the most meaningful and available are, at the moment, connected to the work that you do. You’re likely to be in one of the more productive, fulfilling and interesting phases of your professional life. You’ll enhance that by experimenting with where new ideas can enter your creative life. There’s rich potential in anything that seems to go wrong or get bungled, or where confusion is a factor. When you get to the point of a question, or where you’re facing the unknown, hold that pose for a while, and pay careful attention to what you notice.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Thomas Edison, inventor of the phonograph, the light bulb and cinema, said that genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. You’re doing better than that on the inspiration scale, and need to invest your energy into persistence, determination and gumption. Gumption is a great concept, and you would benefit from cultivating it: shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. Your success is not dependent upon everything going right. Rather, it will be based upon how you handle challenges, and your willingness to rise to the occasion. That means focusing, prioritizing and working as much as you have to work, as well as you can, until you are making headway. Set reasonable goals, attain them, and move on to the next set. Remember your partly expressed ideas and half-finished projects that can be dusted off and developed, and which will turn out brilliantly, if you keep the perspiration flowing and listen to those inspired messages.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Is it even possible to feel safe on the planet at this time? Even under the best conditions, life on Earth is tenuous, dangerous and there are no guarantees. Your sense of safety and belonging are closely related, and they stem from staying close to your purpose. By ‘close to’, I mean expressing, exercising and focusing your specific callings, and making no excuses why you cannot. There’s no safety in holding back. It builds neither confidence nor competence. You need both, so it’s time to take the dive even if you don’t think you’re ready; it’s time to squeeze the juice even if you don’t think you have any (you do). Most of all, teach yourself how not to hesitate, by practicing every day. If you want to trust your abilities and indeed yourself, you must continually cross over that place where you tend to get stuck, till the seeming barrier is gone.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You seem to be obsessed over some event that happened in the past. It might even help you to get to the bottom of your question, though you don’t need to work so hard, or to distract yourself from what needs to be taken care of today. You will get the information, the solution or the resolution that you’re after. Yet you would be wise to ask yourself how you think the discovery you seek would benefit you. It’s OK if you don’t have an answer. Pursuits or quests often start with one motive or necessity and end up another place entirely — and this may be one of them. Here’s a clue from your astrology: within the coming 24 hours, you’ll have information you want. You may not notice it; you may not believe it; you may miss its significance. All these are good reasons to keep an open mind, to listen carefully and, most of all, to read carefully.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If you’re seeking cool and calm, you’re unlikely to have much of it. If you’re seeking adventure, you’re likely to have plenty, particularly in the form of self-discovery. Let go of being convinced of who you are. Rather, be open to new levels of understanding, which will be coupled with deeper levels of respect for yourself. Any such discovery would likely come with the stunned sensation that you didn’t really have a clue. The other effect could be a cascade of decisions that you know you need to rethink or revise, based on new information or a new understanding you have about yourself. This will come with some sense of urgency or the bona fide recognition that you must live up to your actual value in the world. Remember these words from A Course in Miracles: Every decision you make stems from what you think you are.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You have incredible potential, but have yet to devote to yourself fully. You’re driven forward, and at the same time, seem to have an odd attachment to the past, or to your ideas from the past. Step one in rising above your foundations is to recognize this when it happens. Notice when your expectations are specifically based on what you’ve done before, or what has happened to you before. This is the snag, and it’s one that’s taken for granted nearly all the time. Yes, it’s true that “the past is the best way to predict the future,” though that’s the thing you must get beyond. If you want to accomplish what is unprecedented, you’ll need to do what’s never been done. So in a sense, the past becomes the record you plan to break, the mistake you’re not going to make again, or the activation of what was previously latent potential. You will like living this way.

Attention Virgo: Just one day after Monday’s exciting total solar eclipse, the Sun moves into your sign — bringing that energy signature front and center into your life, while it’s still fresh. Its effects will continue to reverberate and develop for months to come, interacting with a whole host of astrology central to your year ahead. Eric will be covering all the most compelling areas of your life in your upcoming 2017 Virgo Birthday Reading: relationships, career, creativity, family, healing and more. You’re invited to pre-order it now, while it’s at its lowest price.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You’ll have a better idea what is happening, and what just happened, when the Sun enters your sign Tuesday evening. Still, it will take a few weeks to scope out your situation, with most of the relevant information coming when your ruling planet Mercury stations direct on Sept. 5. Events at that time will clarify the entire subject of Monday’s total solar eclipse in the most sensitive area of your solar chart. Until then, you may feel like you have to live with partial information or a sense of lingering mystery, though you can put that to work for productive reasons. There is indeed something important that’s demanding a review. It’s likely to pertain to a highly cherished goal or professional objective. The question may be: are you willing to involve yourself totally in what you want to achieve? You cannot be fully committed part of the time.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Allow your maternal instincts to guide you, to motivate you, and to calibrate your ethics. This means to be guided by the lunar principle rather than the solar. Both are necessary, though the world is currently being fried in solar radiation and a toxic version of the masculine principle: conquer at all costs. The lunar principle chooses to love and to nourish as a matter of grounded physical and emotional necessity. It’s about taking care of anyone young, vulnerable, hungry or cold. You might take this as your mission for the next year or two — or for as long as you live. You may be called to serve in seemingly random or fated ways. Be open to these opportunities; do what you can to set aside the feeling of inconvenience, open your heart and do what you can. You will inspire others to get involved. The message of today’s eclipse is to boldly lead by example.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — It’s time to wholly abandon the notion of ‘power’ as you previously thought of it. Monday’s total eclipse of the Sun occurs in an angle of your chart associated with all kinds of influence, authority, organization, and accountability. Some confuse that with power in the executive sense; it could certainly show up that way. Yet the eclipse is describing your forming a whole new relationship with these subjects. At the heart of the matter is understanding the way that your parents wielded their authority over you, because that was your model. Did you have a say? Could you influence the flow of events? Most significantly, what was the balance among the people around you; for example, how did your parents work out their power-sharing agreements? You will learn much from understanding these dynamics, including many things that you need to forget. And you’ll see just what you need to address in more sane and equitable ways.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — One of the core questions in the life of any Sagittarius concerns the details versus the big picture. You’re a big-picture person until you need things to go absolutely, positively correctly — at which point you morph into Micromanager-in-Chief. This works as long as you’re aware of the seeming dichotomy. The sign Virgo plays prominently in your astrology, as a standing feature of your chart, and particularly now, as the once-in-a-lifetime eclipse streaks across the American continent. It is indeed time to emphasize the details, though you must never lose track of what they add up to. An artist installing a large mosaic must focus on each individual tile or stone, though the final vision must be kept in mind, and infused into every tiny piece of the whole. This will take practice, and it will take devotion. You may discover a whole new approach to the big picture versus the details: there is no conflict.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The theme of your life is justice and fairness. You must equate yourself with these things, as ideas and as necessities. First and foremost, this involves shared finances. Total identification is essential: you are the model, the source and the inspiration for all that is right and true. That may mean making some adjustments: for example, listening more carefully, to the point of breaking a sweat when you figure out where someone is coming from. Yet the most meaningful thing you can do is see the folly and the fallacy of jealousy. To the extent that this is part of your character, you are debilitated in your ability to be fair. This also impinges on your ability to be honest, since jealousy requires concealment. Let go of your tendency to keep score in your relationships, and devote yourself to giving more than you receive. There will be other phases of your life; other modes in which you exist; for now, this is a crucial layer of your growth to master and embody.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Monday’s now-infamous eclipse of the Sun occurs in the relationship angle of your chart. The Moon and the Sun meet up in Leo, your 7th solar house. This imparts two messages: one is wiping the slate clean. Another is an opening up to new possibilities. Yet there’s a process being described by Mercury retrograde in another important relationship house, the 8th. This is where you work out the details: the financial contract, the sexual agreements, and the secrets that you share. Before you go on, it will be necessary to resolve some old business. This doesn’t need to take a long time, but it requires your full attention. It may be about an existing relationship, though it’s more likely to address a pattern you’re becoming aware of. That awareness is your first prerequisite; next you must want to have things be different; then you must act on that desire, which mostly describes how you speak to others, and the expectations that you have.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You are here on a mission. It’s not an easy one, but it’s certainly a meaningful one. Being on a mission is different from being on vacation, or being an explorer. The miracle of this phase of your life is that you’re learning to coordinate the various aspects of your purpose: recognizing it, for one thing, and taking it seriously, for another. In our time of total chaos and confusion, this may seem more difficult than it really is. You start by getting out of your own way. You continue by surrounding yourself with cooperative people, and only cooperative people. Then you persist, day by day. In the end, your whole experience of life, of your work, of your mission and ultimately of your success — however you define it — comes back to self-respect. You may know this; you will really, truly get it when Chiron leaves your sign and enters Aries next year. Pull this aspect of things into focus now. It will pay astonishing dividends.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — So what are you doing with your freedom? I mean really doing, with your creative freedom, your relationship freedom, your ability to move around the planet and to associate with anyone you want? What’s on your list that you hesitate to act upon, and what gives you pause? Finally, what’s standing between you and your ability to choose? It might amaze you how little seeming security you trade for how much lost opportunity. Now it’s time to trade some of your false confidence for some actual curiosity and adventure. What are you waiting for? You’re being called over and over again, and you’re jumping in place. If you’re even vaguely deterred by what others might think, forget it. The opinions of others matter less than ever, as they should. This applies to any fear of others judging how uninhibited you are, how sexual, how strange, how talented or not — just forget it.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You’re in an excellent negotiating position, as long as you don’t get obsessed with being a good boy or a good girl. At a certain point you must exceed the perceived expectations of parent-figures, particularly (in the instance of your current circumstances) any father figures. Give them a new job. Shift the relationship. Let yourself out: let them see how beautiful and intense you are, and get that out of the way. Once you can live without feeling like you have to hide your beauty, you’ll have more energy and far more self-assurance. You don’t need to hide your passion, your longing for life or your need to make your own decisions. It’s the hiding that burns up your energy. It’s your negative expectation that prevents you from coming into yourself and living fully. At a certain point, all father figures must know exactly who you are.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — It’s time to dig into the corners of your home and clear out the clutter, the old vibes, the dust and the dust bunnies. Wash the curtains, clean the rugs and organize the closets one at a time. Mercury is retrograde in your 4th house — your living space — and Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home, is involved. That means your efforts at refreshing your home space will be met with divine blessing and, if you persist, will be rewarded by creative breakthroughs. However, if you can avoid it, don’t think of the goal; get into the process of vacuuming and using as much Dr. Bronner’s soap for as many purposes as you can (skip the cleaning chemicals — soap and hot water is the best exorcist of the past). Know that you are taking part in a divine ritual that will turn your home or studio into an ashram devoted to your talents and creative ambitions.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This is the time to assess your resources: all of them, beginning with the fact that you’re alive at this distinctly strange time in history. Then consider every talent, every idea, the space you live in or have access to, the tools of your trade and, most significantly, your friends and supporters. Do a total inventory. It’s time to take full ownership of who you are, what you’ve developed within yourself, and what you have available to use. The astrological occasion is unusual activity in your 2nd solar house, Leo. The 2nd house is resources; Leo is the gold standard. You have quite a bit available to you, and the question is, are you aware of it all, and have you connected it to your aspirations and intentions? Now is the time to get these things into alignment and make efficient use of them; or, said another way, to use what you have and what you know.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Mars and the Sun are streaking through your sign, on course for a rare total solar eclipse that takes place Monday, Aug. 21. You would have to be living in a cave under a rock on another planet not to know about this, though you may have questions about what it means for you. Simply stated, it’s time to take hold of your life and live as if it’s your own. If you’re tuning into the astrology, you’ll probably feel a bit daunted by the possibilities and also by your desire to stretch, grow and, in general, change things up. You had best think big, since it’s rare to have this kind of leverage point, where you can actually attain a degree of progress that truly makes a difference. The more you cooperate, the more creative and less destructive this will feel. Yet no matter what there is the necessary component of letting go of elements of the past — which you will not miss.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Mercury is retrograde in your sign, which indicates that this is a time of review, repair and reorganization. Yet, you’ll discover there’s a lot more happening if you’re willing to fully engage the process of dealing with the past, in whatever form it might be lingering in your life. That could include a relationship that needs to be resolved; it could involve some financial cleanup, or potentially a creative or career project. Whatever element of the past we may be hinting at, set about the process of working it through. Make it a priority and stick with it, prioritizing it over any social or recreational plans that you may have. Of course, get out and have fun; but make sure that you have the kind of fun, and company, that nourishes rather than depletes you — and set that as a conscious priority. It’s time for all the parts of your life to work together.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Your public image is one thing; your social reality is another. Image is, by definition, a kind of illusion. The people you have contact with, share with, learn from and explore life with are the real thing. And that real thing is evolving rapidly right now: new people are coming into your life, and previous ones are departing. This is part of a much deeper revamp of your desire, your dreams and your sense of purpose. And on the deepest level, this is about you and nobody else: decisions that only you can make, because only you know what they are. The vital thing is that you respect your own desire to become whatever it is you want to become — and that you not hesitate on decisions. I hear from Libras all the time about how they just cannot decide. What I’m here to tell you is that this is a skill you learn through practice, and that now is a particularly rich moment to engage your intentions.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — It’s astonishing how many people are still worried what mommy and daddy think. That extends to all forms of surrogate parents, such as partners, the government, bosses and even children. There’s a reason for this. To liberate yourself from all those influences is to take responsibility for your choices, and for your successes, and your failures. Once it matters not what power others seem to hold over you, you’re on your own; that’s the cost of living on your own terms. This may seem lonely at first, until you figure out that companionship is not about control or being controlled. In fact, neither is leadership. You’re entering a time in your life when everything must be entirely voluntary, which means abandoning the charade that it’s somehow not. You may think you have loyalty to people, though that is meaningless unless you have fidelity to your own purpose and reason for being.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You’re experiencing a series of openings, which will require you to be flexible and to exercise both your talents and your options. Decisions you make now will influence your life for years to come, and the most significant of those is how you feel about yourself. Your most important choice in this lifetime is to focus on your purpose. If you seem to be lacking information about what that purpose is, you need to pay closer attention to yourself. Personal meaning is not about being pulled by external forces, though they may seem to have an influence. It’s about feeling your own inner movement as a source of guidance. The question is not what should you have faith in, but what do you already trust? If you’re wondering where to go, ask yourself where you’ve always wanted to go. Remember that the ‘external world’ is symbolic. It represents things that already exist within you, and that get all of their meaning exclusively from you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — It may seem impossible to get on the same page as someone close to you, even though the mutual desire is there. The thing that must happen is an objective conversation about where everyone is at, with no thought of money, jealousy, the in-laws or, for that matter, the outlaws. The discussion had best be cool, factual and held someplace besides the bedroom. It needs to be a private space, since sensitive subject matter will come up, though it should have a neutral feeling: a quiet or closed restaurant, a hotel room, or any space where there are relatively few past impressions. This conversation must be about what is important to everyone, now. Then once that’s on the table, you discuss the potential points of agreement, and the points of departure. Once you know that, you will know exactly what to do. Remember: the future is unwritten, if you’re not bogged in secrets.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Next week’s eclipse in your opposite sign Leo describes a total reassessment of your relationships, and your ideas about them. Every wheel is in spin, every variable is in play; though, most of all, you get an opportunity to clear the stage of your life and create something new. There’s enough energy in your environment that you’ll see the possibilities before you engage with them. Doing so is not the full activation of destiny. You get to experiment; failure to notice this is a fallacy that has a lot of momentum right now; that is, the idea that every choice is permanent; that accepting a date to coffee is a lifetime commitment. The true state of the world is transient. Once you can dance with that, you can explore some exciting possibilities, and gauge whether and in what ways they affirm your existence and your pleasures. The world is opening up for you; greet it not with fear, but with love and respect.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Mercury retrograde in your house of relationships is like watching a movie of your entire past — recognizing that it’s an illusion of light. It has only the substance you grant to it. It’s evident that, as you assess your history, you will see the possibilities for the choices you might make. Vesta’s presence in this house is urging that you not worry about making final decisions, but rather that you hold open space for the possibilities. You have not lived out many of your most exciting potentials; you don’t even know what they are at this point. Yet you’re soon to find out, particularly if you live not for relationships but for the sake of existence itself. That always means existence now, which will flow into life as you want it to be. Notice the people who are obsessed with the past, with nostalgia, and other forms of “the way things once were.” There are plenty of them, and you need influences other than those who would choose to live using the rearview mirror as their divining oracle. The frontier ahead is far more exciting.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Most people will do nearly anything to be part of a group, which leads to some dangerous possibilities. Many of them are psychological and spiritual, though it’s clear that people will do things as part of a group that they would never do as individuals. The time has come to stand apart from certain people in your life, and the things that they do. You are well beyond the point of needing either conformity or approval from your peers when you express your personal intentions and desires. What you want to do would indeed be curtailed or hemmed in by seeking approval, whether you seek different forms of relationships, expressing yourself as an artist, or doing what feels right as a lover. If you want to get out of the habit of looking for validation, today’s eclipse will be a boon.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You may have some experiences this week that will help you see through a group dynamic that’s taken shape in your life. Any activity that involves what feels like a ‘family’ will help you clarify your early experiences and how they have shaped you as an adult. The moment you’re aware of the connections, you will be on top of whatever game is implicated, and you may make a discovery that will serve you for a lifetime. Remember that when people get involved in groups, they tend to subjugate their individuality, and as a result do things they would never otherwise do. If you spot this tendency in yourself, that’s the time to raise your awareness and to start making decisions. There may be considerable pressure to do what’s not right for you, though this is nothing compared to the rewards of living with integrity.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — If you say less, you will be saying more. It’s your natural tendency to give the longer version of the story, and to provide the background information too. This is especially true with the Sun and Mars in your house of communicating. However, your ruling planet Mercury is slowing down, and you would be well advised to focus your message and to say only what is necessary. This way, you’ll have greater impact. If you must say a lot, put it in writing, and don’t publish it right away. Spoken words have a tendency to disappear, which gives them relatively little impact. The written word is an enduring thing, though this would rightly be in some form other than tweets or other social media posts. You do indeed have something to say, and you deserve the opportunity to make it count.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Venus in your sign is inviting you to immerse yourself in the best that life has to offer. We’re in the season of eclipses — a lunar eclipse occurs today, and a solar eclipse is coming soon. Eclipses help you break old habits and establish new ones. That’s an invitation to spend your time doing as much of what you love as you can. Do the things you rarely seem to have time for, but which you know nourish you. Speaking of nourishment, any habits around food that you cultivate now have a much greater chance of becoming established. One message coming from your solar chart is to eat as many meals at home as you can. This will save you money, reduce your intake of unwholesome ingredients, and help ground you in your home — which for one born under your sign is essential.

Leo Birthdays 2017:

Entering the Leo Birthday Eclipse Zone“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 Jones

Dear Friend and Reader:

If you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon, I want to ask you something: How are you feeling about your vision for your life, and in what ways are you ready to take action toward it? What do you want to make room for, and what are you ready to leave behind?

With a partial lunar eclipse on Monday in your opposite sign Aquarius (your relationship sign), the door opens to one stage of potential transition.

In two weeks, on Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse in Leo signals the second stage of whatever life-shifting process you’re engaged in.

The reverberations from these two eclipses will keep rippling out and developing through the next six to twelve months — and Eric’s 2017 Leo Birthday Reading is designed to guide you through it all.

This is a unique year for you, Leo. In addition to these eclipses (and the double New Moons in your sign this month), Eric plans to discuss such astrological heavyweights as Chiron finishing up its journey through your 8th house; ever-surprising Uranus; and Saturn leaving your fellow fire sign, Sagittarius — plus more.

Are you navigating changes in your relationships or family paradigm? Do you find yourself at a career crossroads? Are you seeking clarity, encouragement and new perspectives on your creativity, self-esteem, sexuality or healing process? You’ll find ideas and reassurance in this reading.

“The past few years have been very difficult on many levels and it has been the readings I get through you that keep me going. Always, absolutely right on, every one of them.”

— Rhonda

Your reading is now priced at $44, and we’ve just published the first astrology segment; so you’ll want to order your 2017 Leo Reading very soon — before the price increases again.

I’m excited to see what you do with this year, Leo, and I hope you are, too. And remember: if you love a Leo, let them know: give them the gift of their special Leo Reading this year.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you’re new to Planet Waves and Eric’s audio readings, I’d like to offer a special gift: listen to last year’s Leo Reading for free, to review your year (and Eric’s accuracy) before you make the quantum leap forward.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Monday there is an eclipse of the Moon in the angle of your chart that describes your relationships, and the environment that surrounds you. Suddenly it seems that environment is changing in significant ways. Mostly this will come in the form of letting go of old friends and getting some new ones. It’s essential to go through this every once in a while, especially if your goals, your sense of purpose, or your idea of who you are becoming are changing. Essentially, you need friends who are not threatened by your willingness to change and grow. There’s no way to overstate this necessity. You are indeed evolving rapidly; and having people around you who in some way object or are made nervous by that fact is a perfect way to thwart your own progress. If someone really cares about you, they will honor your need to grow.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — This is an interesting week in the history of Virgo. Mercury, your ruling planet, is about to station retrograde in your sign. This happens Saturday, Aug. 12, though the effect will be full strength through the week. What’s so original is that Mercury is making a long conjunction to Vesta, a beautiful and complex asteroid whose themes of service and devotion relate to your sign. Two themes emerge: one is about holding space for the right thing to happen. You don’t have to make it happen; your role will be to facilitate. This may mean serving as a translator in a moment of sensitive communications at a time of confusion and misunderstanding. Without taking sides, serve the role of keeping the channels open and clear. Second, there’s something personal here about how your relationships happen. One keynote of Vesta is unusual relationship patterns. Most of the seemingly normal things that people do are not really for you; and if you can accept that fact, you get to experience your own distinct and unique form of beauty in love and bonding.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — It’s been a while since anyone figured out that feeding the people is a key to bonding, cooperation and respect. That’s what your charts are about this week. Venus, the Libra planet, is crossing your 10th house of responsibility and authority, which for you is the sign Cancer. You are a caregiver in any leadership role, though particularly this week — with Venus conjunct Ceres, the goddess of food — you must look after your flock. Figure out a way to actually provide food for the people you work with, whether your colleagues or those who report to you. Bring food, order some in, or take people out to a meal — whatever works for you, as long as you’re the one who is doing the nurturing. With food comes a conversation, and with Mercury in such interesting form (see Virgo), there will be plenty to talk about. Focus on making the world a better place, starting here and now.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mars and the Sun continue to streak across the most visible area of your solar chart this week, while a lunar eclipse is about to happen in one of the most private areas. In old-school thinking, this is a reminder that you must balance devotion to your professional life and your personal life. I would offer another idea, which is that you must be the same person in private spaces as you are in public. You cannot divide your character, despite the popular perception that this is possible. You are one person, living one life. Your inner truth and your outer truth are one thing. Therefore, toss aside all excuse-making, and anything designed to enhance your image, and be absolutely sincere in all that you do. You will gain strength by revealing your vulnerabilities. And you will go deeper into this rarefied thing known as integrity, which is the very substance of life.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — This week, Mercury stations retrograde in the angle of your chart associated with accountability, responsibility and leadership. This is an indicator to take things slowly and in incremental steps. You need to be aware that you’re not working with full information, which is typical of the week that Mercury stations retrograde or direct. There’s always some key data that will be shaken out of the cosmos, and you need to pause major decisions until you have a grasp on what that is. You may feel like you’re acting in a sincere and noble way, only to discover you did the opposite of what was necessary. Take this approach through the whole Mercury retrograde — the really interesting information comes to light at the very end of the process, during the first week of September. It will be worth doing this, even if it seems inconvenient. Both your reputation and the common good are at stake. So: one calm, calculated day at a time.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Belief is fragile, and it verges on useless. Why is that? Believing something tends to extinguish the quest for truth. What’s worse, most beliefs are of themselves not based on reality, on facts, or even on accurate perceptions. This week, Mercury stations retrograde in the angle of your chart associated with religion, spirituality and all processes of learning. You have Virgo in this angle, which describes your tendency to want the details before you offer your trust. That would be a wholesome approach to life this week. Let yourself ask the big questions. Don’t be in a hurry to have answers; let the mystery stand, and feel the strength that doing so gives you. Your quest through the Earthly plane of existence is driven by your questions, and it’s suspended by accepting false answers. A new phase of your quest begins this week. Be bold and stay hot on the trail…of whatever you may seek.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Monday there’s an eclipse of the Moon in your sign. This may influence several facets of your life, though none more than your commitment to the work that you do. You are inspired to do good work because you care. You know that money is a relatively small influence for you, though you need to be mindful of cash flow. So make sure that you’re doing what you love to do, just in case you have to do a lot more of it. The other aspect of existence covered by this eclipse is your overall health and wellbeing. You simply must commit to this as a way of life. You must eat real food, drink pure water (coffee and soft drinks do not count) and get actual rest on a nightly basis. This is about longevity, and it’s also about efficiency. If you work yourself into exhaustion, your efficiency goes down; and if you’re well rested and prepared, it increases rather dramatically. You know all of this. Put it to good use.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There’s a mysterious angle of every chart, called the 12th house. This is the zone of the chart that covers parallel realities, like dreams and experiences on drugs; it includes cinema and any form of illusion; and if we look to Vedic astrology (the kind practiced in India), the 12th covers “the pleasures of the bed.” Today there is an eclipse in this area of your chart, which will stir up your deepest desires, your fantasies, and maybe some psychological clutter that you’ll want to look at before you toss it in the dustbin. Fortunately, at the same time, Venus is moving through Cancer, which is encouraging you to take a physical and emotional approach to your desires, rather than just sending some saucy texts. Let yourself out of your container. Let yourself be the physical, sensuous, erotic person that you are. If you make yourself available to people you trust, everyone will benefit.