Aries (March 20-April 19) — This week builds to its peak with the July 9 Full Moon in Capricorn, the sign that for you is associated with your professional ambitions and your reputation. Potent forces are at work: among them, the Moon is conjunct the distant and soulful planet Pluto. You’re approaching a turning point, beyond which it’s necessary to practice this elusive thing called ‘right livelihood’ with full devotion. What does that mean? I would say, doing work you’re willing to do for its own sake. It’s time to subtract yourself from situations that are purely financially motivated, and invest yourself in the ones that feed your soul, and that are designed to make the world a better place. You might think that’s not easy right now, but Pluto’s usual modus operandi is to commence with something modest, which develops into something with deeper and further reach. This is your point of departure.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — From one viewpoint, the story of your life going back many years is about you seeking to understand the relationship between the religious facets of your upbringing and your true spiritual connection to yourself and to existence. Taurus always gets intense assignments; it’s not a casual lifetime for anyone. If you love comfort and sensuality, it’s only a meek buffer between you and the profound growth work you’re called upon to do in this lifetime. This Full Moon describes you shedding part of your childhood husk. This is not your true inner child, but rather the conditioned personality level that you no longer need. Your bold, beautiful, actual inner kid is alive and well. If you feel you’re losing something, notice that you’re gaining awareness of something else. Your primary vehicle of growth is not psychology and it’s not spirituality. It’s allowing yourself to be sexually and creatively free.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — There’s one particular region of an astrology chart that represents the deepest and often most dramatic transformations. It’s called the 8th house. One enters the 8th in one form, and leaves not only in a different form but often substantially, inwardly changed. Material of the 8th house includes all that most people are the most afraid of, yet curious about, and inevitably drawn to. For example, it’s where one might explore the relationship between sex and death, which extends to all concepts of creation and destruction. You’re about to experience a Full Moon in this house, intensified by a conjunction to Pluto. The message is that you must be submissive to whatever you do with full intention, and to whomever you love with your body and soul. There is no going halfway, or living partially. To really be alive is to take the risk of offering yourself wholly and entirely to life.

Astrology can help you. In the right hands, astrology can provide you with a new perspective on your life. My readings are designed to help you consider all of your possibilities, your greatest potential, and to help you see your problems in a new light. I’m about to record the Cancer reading for you. If you order now, you’ll get the best pre-order price of $33. Shortly before publication, it’ll be $44 and then the final price will be $55. These readings condense 22 years of my counseling experience, nonstop reflection on the human condition and lots of excellent astrology. They are in plain talk, easy to follow, and paced gently. They are some of my best work; these readings are an invention. And you can have all the benefits. I plan to do this reading very soon — so get on board before the next two price increases. Here’s how to pre-order. If you’re seeking a private consultation, here’s that link.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Mysterious forces are at work in your world. You probably feel this, but have not given it a name yet. The effect may take several different forms, though behind them all is one process. It will be essential for you to navigate carefully, and take precautions to minimize the chance of mistakes. You’ll very likely begin this week in one phase of your life, and by Sunday, be in another phase. Between now and then, you’ll need to endure some tension, and not let it color your judgment. This will be crucial in the days late in the week leading up to the July 9 Full Moon in your opposite sign Capricorn. Take things one step at a time, and make your choices with the help of one or two trusted advisors. Do not broadcast your business. Be curious, and ask questions with the attitude of a child. Gently, the truth will unravel.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — For many weeks, you’ve been learning about a certain kind of devotion, where your own interests must stand entirely apart from something larger than you. We often see this in shadow form: people sucking up to power, or using work and projects to avoid intimacy. You are being drawn, as if by some invisible force, to offer yourself in seva, or selfless service. This is not altruism; it’s not about ‘doing good’. Rather, you’re being summoned to a soul-level calling, which is only growing deeper. This is not easy. Compelling influences are not merely calling you or guiding you, but are drawing you like a tractor beam that you cannot easily escape. The real question to ask is: why would you want to? Uncovering your true spiritual nature is not a walk in the garden; it’s about tending that garden, understanding that it’s something equal to or greater than you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your primary challenge in these strange days is to keep an open mind. This is not some abstract notion, or the willingness to try strawberry ice cream. It’s about embracing the struggle to see your prejudices for what they are, and being willing to change. Not change your viewpoint. Not change your opinion. Not modify your behavior or image. Rather, actually to grow, and bring your inner being into the world, through the crusty shell of the past. Face the fact that this involves a risk, perhaps many of them. Yet to the extent that would deter you, the thing at stake is facing your fears, and admitting your vulnerability. Assuming you have fears and feel vulnerable, that’s true whether you face them or not. Do you have any interest in being a smaller person than you really are? What is really at stake here?

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — If you want to succeed, temper your ambition, and focus on ethics. Focus on the integrity of your immediate community and your household. Of course, you would be doing this in a world where everyone understands why the mayor of a town would fire the ethics board. We watch people treat one another as disposable. We witness seemingly powerful people clinging to power, who are obviously an emotional mess, and who have no support at home. You get to play a different role in this lifetime, and in our times. Here’s the challenge: Ethics is not just about an idea, some concept of what is right. It’s about being emotionally integrated, so that you become your own friend rather than your own adversary. Ethics is about having the guts to confront your parents and other powerful people in your life. It means having the stones to confront the people who have hurt you.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Stand to your full stature. Over and over again, your solar chart says this is about the message you send to the world: the words that you use, the ideas you convey, and your willingness to engage in an honest dialog. Your words must come from a deep place, or you must be silent. That means when you speak or write, you say what you know to be true. This is not the current fashion: what’s in style is repeating unverified bullshit until it becomes this other kind of “true.” You will know you’re actually speaking the truth when you wrestle with your conscience; when you experience a bit of agony about what is right, and feel the impact that your words have on others, and on your whole community. People are looking to you as an example. Whether you’re correct or not on any given subject, you do not have a choice in that particular matter.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Money is too important. It has become, in our times, the meaning of life, the solution to all problems, and that which cleanses any sin. Sensitive people are getting sick of the stench. You know how much more there is to existence: you are in touch with this elusive thing called meaning. Later this week, an unusually powerful Full Moon takes place in the angle of your chart that addresses money, resources and values. You are getting the message, from both within and without, that it’s time to live for what you know to be true. That means actually having a standard of veracity and of corresponding conduct. But there is more. This unusual lunation comes with a discovery, or a breakthrough: you get to a new level of self-understanding, and of commitment. And that will give you the feeling of setting yourself free to live your life, your way.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Let others show you what you need to see. You seem to require proof; look at what they have to offer. Allow yourself to be guided out of your blind spot, which is both emotional and sensory. You want to succeed, though your current vision of success is a mirage. You need a better one, though you know that will take you through some profound changes, including giving up all the false ideas about yourself that you’ve been dragging around for lord knows how long. That will require vulnerability, which is not exactly your favorite pastime. Yet to come out of your shell, you must become that new thing born into the world. You cannot do this by projecting an image of yourself. You can only do it by bringing the substance of who you are into your environment, certain of one thing: you don’t know what will happen.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Beware the tyranny within. To do that, you must first see it for what it is, then stay one step ahead of your inner persecutor. The reason this takes guts is because you would need to take responsibility for how you feel. That would include understanding how you got to feel that way, which in turn will require you to actually understand what people did to you when you were younger. The inner persecutor is an installed device. One is not born with it. God or nature did not create it, like your eyes, heart or hands. To liberate yourself requires making the fine distinction between blame and responsibility. Blame is paralyzing; responsibility is the ability to respond. And this you have, if you maintain your inner awareness. That’s the thing. That’s the real struggle of our world right now: the fear to look within. You must be courageous.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You seem to be having a debut of some kind, an emergence into society. This is not merely a social affair, though. There’s an element of recognition, but there is more. What’s going on behind the scenes is a rearrangement of your power relationship with your community. There is such a thing. There are two levels: changes in the social structure around you; and a rearrangement of your thinking that both precipitates and adapts to these changes. So, you are both cause and result. We could sum this up in two words as confidence and maturity. You need both, and would be wise to consider them both separately and in the context of one another. Cultivating self-esteem is too vague a concept to describe what you’ve got going on. Rather, focus on its specific components. Confidence means with fidelity. Maturity means ripening. That’s enough to go by.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — There’s a clairvoyant quality to your chart at the moment, an opening to the subtle realms. This happens from time to time, as you’ve experienced personally. When it does, it’s necessary to mind your boundaries. You might want to avoid crowded taverns where there are a lot of inebriated people, since you don’t know what they’re carrying around with them. Mostly you will want to observe your own mind. Process fear quickly and efficiently — as fear, not as the presumption that what you are worried about is true. And pay attention to your dreams. Remember that in the first instance, all of your dreams are about you. They are a representation of your thoughts, feelings and life circumstances. It would be unwise to count them as ‘prophetic’ of anything other than your own psychology. Maintain full ownership.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — The more you reach into your feminine side, the more you’ll tap your masculinity. This works for any gender you might be — at the moment, they contain and enhance one another in a way that’s making you magnetic and appealing. The feeling is like walking on the surface of water, supported by the tension in your environment. You can feel things that others cannot feel, and are therefore noticing things that most others cannot perceive. Yet you’ll likely meet one or two people who you know are tuned in. You’ll notice an aliveness in their eyes and by their presence of mind. Listen to what they have to offer. You’re likely to get a whole other point of view on the very same thing you’re looking at. Meanwhile, you can trust one thing for sure: your path is guided.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Be mindful of your anger level this week. It can slip up on you when you’re not noticing, and suddenly you’re in over your head. Take the subtle cues, such as when you find yourself mildly annoyed by the same person or situation more than once. Pay attention to what you’re trying to put out of your mind. What’s really going on is that you’re actually feeling what’s important to you with some emotional intensity. You’ve gone past the level of opinion and are at the stage where you feel what matters in your guts. One thing is for sure: it’s more than about money, and you may be feeling some concern about the extent to which everything comes down to a financial issue. You don’t have to live that way. You’re more motivated by taking care of people than profiting from them.

Astrology can help you. In the right hands, astrology can provide you with a new perspective on your life. My readings are designed to help you consider all of your possibilities, your greatest potential, and to help you see your problems in a new light. I’m about to record the Cancer reading for you. If you order now, you’ll get the best pre-order price of $33. Shortly before publication, it’ll be $44 and then the final price will be $55. These readings condense 22 years of my counseling experience, nonstop reflection on the human condition and lots of excellent astrology. They are in plain talk, easy to follow, and paced gently. They are some of my best work; these readings are an invention. And you can have all the benefits. I plan to do this reading next week — earlier than usual, so get on board before the next two price increases. Here’s how to pre-order. If you’re seeking a private consultation, here’s that link.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This week’s Mercury-Mars conjunction in your birth sign will focus your efforts and help you maximize your motivation. You should know a few things. One is that your mind is going to be moving faster than the people around you; you’ll need to slow down and let them catch up. Second, your words will be more penetrating than you might imagine. Something you say off the cuff might be devastating to someone sensitive. So try to dial it back and use minimal power. Keep your words one level above a hint, and verify that people know what you’re talking about when you ask for something or make a comment. Last, you may be a bit extra-sensitive, so take a few precautions. Get enough rest, eat real food and drink extra water, because your engine is running hot.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — With the world in such a panicky state, it’s amazing anyone has any peace of mind at all. You may be walking a delicate edge this week, as you’re in a heightened state of emotional and psychological vulnerability. As long as you remember that, you’ll be able to handle it, and even use it productively. The real gift of this week’s aspects is the insight they bestow. You’ll be able to peer into the minds of others, and have an unusual level of clarity about yourself. Here’s the thing: Don’t assume you’re right. Phrase your observations as questions rather than as statements. You might even keep silent and let people reveal themselves. The thing to avoid is making any statements about how someone else feels, no matter how much insight you might have. However, empathy is always welcome.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — If you want to be effective, you must be willing to be unpopular. You don’t have to be caustic about this, or make a point of it. You only need to be willing to let others have their opinions, and possess the maturity to know that they don’t matter. This may be challenging with every last facet of life being driven by uninformed judgments. However, that’s also a reminder to compensate by having your facts, and being ready to refer to them whenever you need to. Remember to speak second and not first, and don’t provide proof unless you’re asked. You don’t need to show any cards; you merely need to be calmly and quietly correct. One other thing: if the going gets tense, you can rely on your sense of humor. Just never, ever make it personal.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Make sure you put as much energy into doing the work as you do supervising it. There are two main reasons. One is that you’re working with a vision, and though it’s clear to you, it may not translate into other minds. You want to get it right, so keep your hands on the project. Second, working with your colleagues or those who report to you will take off any edge of bossy that you might have this week, and that’s a risk worth avoiding. We’re in one of those moments when people are going to take things personally, even the new flavor of ginger ale in the soda machine. There’s a special reminder for parents: be especially sensitive to your kids this week. Really listen, feel, and listen some more. Everyone will be happier.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Take a scientific approach to every question. If you want to be stylish, get a lab coat and those fancy safety glasses you see on TV. But you don’t really need that; only to use logic where logic is called for. Break things down into steps. Do that rarified thing known as troubleshooting: the deductive process to figure out what the problem really is, as apart from what you think it might be. Then, you can actually solve it. All this counts for double because you may notice a good few people around you may be anything and everything but reasonable or rational, at the same time they’re absolutely convinced that they’re Mr. Spock. As long as you know this is going on, you won’t get caught in the mind game. Then, use a screwdriver on a screw, and a wrench on a bolt. Logical.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Keep financial discussions and sexual discussions separate. Both are likely to come up. They are part of a related issue; however, you must use your intelligence and keep them distinct, for the purposes of having sane and productive conversations. One thing I suggest is talking about money in the living room, and talking about sex at the kitchen table. Shift the usual settings for these conversations; in particular, away from the bedroom, and toward places they can happen on level ground. There is a risk that these discussions could get mired in all sorts of emotions, which would be confusing and not so productive. Also, it would be wise to attend to business in a businesslike way, and to do so before attending to pleasure. Then there will be plenty of time to work things out in bed.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Look for yourself, or some element of your own truth, in any person who approaches you with a thought, issue or question. Even if you have to stretch a little, consider the common ground you share with whoever is talking to you. That will go a long way toward defusing any tensions, ratcheting down any arguments, and shifting the conversation to a productive place. This is one of those weeks when anyone strong will need to express that through their sensitivity and empathy. Not everyone will be a neurotic mess, though; a few select individuals will be responding to this week’s unusual astrology as if it’s the coolest space weather we’ve ever had. Venus, the planet of love and pleasure, remains in your 5th solar house of pleasure, play, fun and games. Hang out with someone who knows how to keep it light.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Keep a grip on your competitive nature. It’s been decades (four, to be exact) since that New Games book came out, the one that taught us all how to play with a parachute at summer camp. You know, the kinds of games without a winner or loser, where the pleasure is getting everyone cooperating toward the same goal. We’re all pretty brainwashed that all activity has to be competitive, and that all games have to be zero sum games: that is, winner take all. You may find that the events of the week, particularly at work, give you the perfect opportunity to foster collaboration. You might say that it’s more fun and more productive, and you can also point out the various ways that competition is simply not working to get the desired result. Step one of the game: everyone agrees on what that will be.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Whether or not you have a summer vacation planned for this week, slow down and enjoy yourself. Do the bare minimum to keep the boss or the clients satiated for a few days, and have a little fun — a little, or a lot, more than usual. You are under some rare aspects at the moment, which are creating the perfect environment for anything related to pleasure, art, music and what some call romance. The key to maximizing your experience is not being attached; this is not about tomorrow, it’s about right now. What you’re experiencing may never happen again, certainly not in the same way, and that’s its special value. If you get the chance to do something you’ve never done before, or that you know only happens once, that’s the thing to do.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Make a point of recognizing the authority of others, particularly in subtle ways. Be cooperative, especially with partners and people you share your household with. Taking out the trash and doing the dishes grants considerable social standing, which in turn subverts power struggles. You alone can cultivate a sense of calm in your home life, which in turn will be helpful in every other facet of living, particularly where your professional aims and your prosperity are concerned. Said another way, your astrology is suggesting you build your life from the ground up, and from the inside out, for its own sake — and for the best results in your seemingly outer life. You may decide it’s amazing what can happen when you organize your affairs this particular way, and you see how far a little contentment can take you.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — This week’s Moon-Venus conjunction in your birth sign — right at the moment of the solstice — describes your graduation to a state of true self-confidence. Such is not a concept. It’s something you feel in your body, and take with you wherever you go. You’ll notice it in the way you sit and stand, the way you walk, and how you approach food and sex. I am describing a form of entitlement — you were born, and you’re entitled to feel alive and like you belong on the planet. That reaches into every detail of life because it emanates from your sensation of physical existence. In a most significant way, there’s something about finding your voice. Whether you’re a writer, a singer, or someone who wants to feel articulate at a social gathering, this will be a sweet season.

Dear Planet Waves Reader:

What if you could get a useful, relevant and best of all, understandable, astrology reading offering financial strategy, information about your relationships, and the place where the two meet? Forget how much it might cost. What if the information was really, really good?

My officemate Henrietta Saint Francis poses with the chart for the Gemini reading.

What if you were sure that, if you took a few moments and listened to the reading, and maybe listened through a second time, you would hear something that would shift your approach and help you solve some
nagging problems?

That’s what I’m offering with the newly minted Gemini audio reading for 2017-2018. It’s for everyone with Gemini in their chart: Sun, Moon, rising, Saturn or Chiron. It will work brilliantly for all of the air signs (including Libra and Aquarius). And the information is so rich and relevant, anyone at all will benefit from listening. [Audio preview here.]

Granted, this reading is not for everyone. It’s not for thoughtless people. It’s not for people who want “information” packed into their head in under five minutes. It’s not for you if you don’t like to
reflect on your life. It’s not for you if you’re in love with your problems or your self-defeating thoughts.

However, if you’re interested in growing, and raising your awareness, and using the miracle of astrology as a kind of thought lever that helps you open your inner doors, this reading is for you. If you want
something that will give you abundant ideas and stoke your creativity, this reading is for you.

If you’re open to being motivated, and shown your true strengths, this reading is for you. If you’re interested in seeing where your best advantages are, this reading is most assuredly for you.

Astrology is an interesting medium. One single thought that an astrologer offers can seem to turn the key in your mind, turning your thought process into a productive and self-affirming experience.

In your reading, I use the Gemini and Sagittarius tarot cards to describe Gemini relationship dynamics. Cards are from the Crowley tarot.

One seemingly little idea can offer you what you need, or give you the hint that resolves something that’s been bothering you for weeks, months or even years.

This reading contains the condensed knowledge from 22 years of consulting, teaching and writing, plus many lifetimes of study and practice.

The thing is, at ten or twenty times the cost, a private consultation with me might not offer you any more than this reading does — if you get the one thing you need. And it’s nearly certain that you will, if you’re listening carefully.

The planets speak to me, and I deliver the message to you: competently, with love, respectful of your time, and best of all, at a price that’s worth every penny. Click here to listen to an audio preview.

The Gemini reading is for everyone — especially if you’re any shade of Gemini. Get instant access here. The audio is playable on any device.

With love,

PS — I’ve prepared a four-minute audio preview of your reading. You may listen here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You seem to stand on the brink of an important choice, uncertain what to do. Drop all pretenses, and be resolutely who you are. This is a commitment that, to be real, must extend into every facet of your life, from the most casual conversations to the most serious; from your daily flirtations on social media to the preparation of your CV. Don’t just aspire to be real in all that you do; draw it out of yourself with bold gusto, and make no compromises. If you feel any anxiety that you’re overreaching or expressing too much desire, take a breath, point yourself forward, and carry on. One rare and beautiful quality of the moment is that your ability to change, grow and adapt is running at a peak. Use that for all it’s worth.

First Opportunity to Pre-Order: 2017 Cancer Birthday Reading

Do you have a Cancer Sun or Cancer rising sign? Your big month is just around the corner: next week, both the Sun and Mercury enter your sign — promising to extend your awareness and presence out into your world and deeper into yourself.

As one who tends to experience life as a series of cycles, having the Sun in Cancer usually indicates an upswing for you: a time to move ahead with who you are — even if you feel like you’re only beginning to discover that, or creating it as you go. What better way to catch the energy wave of this season’s astrology than by listening to your 2017 Cancer Birthday Reading?

As with all Planet Waves “birthday” readings, this will include two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), plus a tarot reading — including photos of the cards — which may arrive a little after the astrology segments are ready.

You can lock in the absolute lowest price offered on this reading by pre-ordering now, before Eric records and publishes it. You can also pre-order it as a gift for your favorite Cancer loved one.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The Sun and Mercury enter your sign this week within hours of one another. That’s a boost in your influence and confidence, and it will be significant. What will you do with it? I suggest you do the thing you’ve always known was right, whether you succeeded in the past or not; whether it was easy or not; whether you think it worked or not. This astrology is not about the peripherals, the conditions or the seeming limits you face; it’s about acting from your most deeply held values and sense of personal truth. That’s the most effective, and incidentally, safest and most harmonious way, to put this rare, gleaming astrology to work. There’s a reminder to process every perception and every decision both emotionally and mentally, preferably at the same time. What is real works on many levels.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — This week’s developments will go a long way toward easing your stress and any lingering anxiety. Mercury and the Sun join Mars in the most sensitive area of your chart (a trippy place called the 12th house). That will bring awareness and warmth where there was previously some odd, difficult-to-name concern. With your inner lights on, you can focus on your most cherished professional goal. I don’t mean an ordinary new job or promotion: I mean the thing you know you’re destined for. Remember that destiny is not usually like winning the lottery. Rather, it’s an invitation to aspire to what’s meaningful, which wholly depends on your courage, persistence and the use of all of your talent, all the time. As you begin, be prepared to start fresh every day, and put feeling into every stitch of effort.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Prosperity comes in many forms, and I suggest you note all that apply to you. This is coming in through every angle of your solar chart at the moment, ranging from having the material resources you need, to having the spiritual awareness to make them meaningful. There is a new sense of social ease, and the feeling of being seen and recognized. Therefore, don’t play small. Don’t shrink or hide or ever tell yourself that you don’t matter. Rather, engage with the world on equal terms. Notice others and observe them noticing you. Offer your viewpoint and accept the views of others. Indeed, the whole concept of prosperity is a morph between being open to receive, recognizing what you have, and using it well. Get all of those working and you’ll feel like the most fortunate person in the world.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — We all know how challenging it can be to maintain your stability and emotional security in the mist of a profound love affair or erotic tryst. Everything can seem to hinge on so much. Yet as the season turns this week, your solar chart reveals the depths to which you can offer yourself to others and at the same time feel strong, secure and loved. Let this extend into every area of your life, from the most private and intimate to the most public. You are who you are; the positive qualities that you possess radiate into the world around you, and can manifest in every area of your life. Therefore, stand up, and stand out. Be happy to be visible, let yourself be seen, and learn the fine art of being accepted for who you are.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your world continues to get wider, and you’re being invited to roam further from what you think is safe and secure. The further you step into the unfamiliar, the more at home you will feel. This idea spans everything from the restaurants you eat at, to the countries you want to visit, to the ideas you read about and consider. Your solar chart is swirling with a blend of spiritual growth, creative passion and sexual abundance: all you need to do is take a creative and slightly daring approach to existence. Say yes to people you want but might ordinarily say maybe to or avoid; trust that you have the passion and the awareness to meet other beautiful people on their level. There’s precious little time to waste in a human lifetime, especially in these rare and glorious days.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — This week is the solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s a turning point in the space-time continuum, a turning point for the culture, and it represents an especially positive development in your life. From the look of your solar chart, you’re going deeper into a commitment; your heart is leading the way and your mind is following — which is the right order. This is not the kind of commitment that involves signing on the dotted line. Rather, it’s the kind that comes with a deep personal transformation. You become ‘another person’ in the sense that there’s a clear before and after. There’s nothing contrived about this. You don’t make it happen; you feel it happening and you go with the feeling. Someone close to you may be taking a strong lead. All you need is trust.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Relationships are an experiment. Life is an experiment. Art had better be an experiment or it’s not even vaguely art, and sex is designed to be a creative adventure. Does any of this sound familiar, or does it sound like the impossible dream? It’s time to pull the curtains and open the windows and let in some new experiences of life. If you can throw away the habit of trying to make everyone fit into your preconceived concept of reality, you and the people around you will have what seems like incredible fun. You will, however, have to be accustomed to that odd feeling of unpredictability, which comes with the territory of actually living your life rather than living a plan. Beautiful things are waiting for you, if you open your eyes and open your mind to them.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — The past week put you through a kind of spiritual test, summoning your discipline and compelling you to fully embrace your responsibilities. The coming season will call upon you to be consistently productive, rather than moving in your usual cycles of devotion. Wake up every day and return to your central purpose. You have a job to do, and you’re the one who’s chosen your mission. Therefore, don’t worry about success. Don’t worry about your reputation. Most of all, don’t worry about your fears. Rather, step up to the challenges of life and do your very best work every single day. Resolve to do even better each and every morning. There are no laurels to rest on. Follow the example of those who do what they do for its own sake and for no other reason.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — On Tuesday, Mercury and the Sun enter the most creative and all-around exciting angle of your solar chart, your fellow water sign Cancer. This is the rising tide that will lift all the ships of your life: creative, erotic and whatever it is that makes you feel the most alive. The past month of the Sun in Gemini has helped you confront many of your worst insecurities. At the very least, you’ve mapped out what they are, though they’re unlikely to bother you much, particularly as you plunge into the finer things in life, in true Pisces style. Stay ahead of your work commitments so that you have plenty of time and flexibility to embark on any adventure you want, or to accept any invitation that feels appealing. There will be plenty of both.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Nearly everything about the world as we know it is designed to detach us from our feelings and our bodies. You could make a long list: technology, so-called food, many medications, the ocean of alcohol consumed daily, the obscene pace of our lives, and numerous other factors. On the other hand, everything in your solar chart right now is about connecting with your body and your feelings. Once you focus on doing that, you may be surprised how challenging it is at first — and how good it feels once you connect with yourself more consciously. Start with your dependable methods: your favorite forms of sensuality and most reliable connections to inspiration. Claiming the comforts of home will serve you well as the first thing to do. Spend some time there. Open the windows and tend to the plants.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Venus in your sign is here to help you tune up your sense of self and your presence in the world. These days, everyone is a public person, though few of us asked for that; you probably did not. It can be strange feeling so unmasked, vulnerable and subject to the critiques of others. Yet you’re now aligned with the world around you in a way that feeds you and teaches you who you are and what you want. You’re getting the hang of asserting yourself and not feeling guilty about it. Don’t worry if you break a sweat late at night wondering if you said the right thing, or were too pushy. The way to find out who you are is to venture into unknown and potentially inappropriate territory, and make some demands on your environment.

Gemini Birthdays and Rising Sign 2017

Welcome Home, Mercury!

Attention Geminis: Your ruling planet, Mercury, has finally come home to your sign. Celebrate by listening to last year’s Gemini reading, on us. Think of it as a ‘welcome home’ gift.

Once you’ve reviewed your last year and checked Eric’s accuracy, you can then pre-order your 2017 Gemini Birthday Reading for the lowest price Planet Waves offers. Eric will be recording this reading — two parts astrology, one part specialty tarot reading — in the near future. Please note: Eric plans to raise the price soon, and it will increase once again upon publication.

Whether you’re looking for greater focus and direction, a new perspective, some loving encouragement — or you need someone to hold a mirror up to your relationships, career options, healing goals and soul’s purpose — you’ll find that and more in this reading.

“Listening to an Eric Francis reading is very much like having an intimate conversation with a valued friend and mentor.”

— Nora Connaughton

Come home to your 2017 Planet Waves Gemini reading, and come home to yourself. (Note: this reading is not the same as the Involution spring reading.)

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury has joined the Sun in your birth sign, which is boosting your confidence and reminding you that you really do have something worthwhile to offer. However, through the week, Neptune makes what’s called a square aspect to Neptune, and when these influences join forces, you have to guard your integrity. The difference between truth and falsehood can blur. Since Mercury is your planet, you must focus your mind and be discerning. Use all of your intelligence all of the time, and don’t space out or pretend not to know things. It may be tempting to offer white lies or alibis, and this is one temptation that you need to resist boldly. There’s such a thing as reality, there’s such a thing as your personal truth, and you will be well served to keep them in alignment.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Many doors are opening for you now. This is partly due to your commitment to asserting yourself, and trusting your desires. Contrary to most moral theories, this is a much better way to guide yourself to do the right thing because, at least, it would be honest. Therefore, you can be a bit brassy, and guide your life with curiosity and chutzpah. You might ask, is that really a spiritual way to live? And I would say, you have to be real before you can be spiritual, and then you’ll discover that they’re the same thing. One thing you can trust is that you’re an empathetic person. You care about people. You want the best for the people you love, and you consider the world your family. That’s all beautiful, but don’t let it get in your way.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The Sun in Gemini continues to emphasize the feeling that you’re on public display. Yet you might also feel like no matter what you say or do, you’re bending the truth. You might have one or two harrowing moments where you feel like a phony. That’s natural enough. It’s difficult to feel like everything you say and do is subject to public evaluation, and it’s all too easy to get lost in the nonstop public relations effort that our lives have become. There is a truth of who you are, and that’s all you have to concern yourself with. If you discover that you’ve exaggerated something, correct yourself and move on. However, what the planets are describing is you putting yourself into the world and showing people how beautiful you are, and what you have to offer. You can trust that.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Mercury, the Virgo planet, is trekking across your house of reputation and achievement. This is a reminder that people are paying attention to you. It’s a reminder that your words count as much as your actions, and that both count for a lot. You may have one or more occasions where you can skew the facts or bend the truth to your advantage, though you must be careful doing so. It’s necessary to consider your reputation as an honest person who does the work for its own sake, rather than an opportunist. It would be better, in any such situation, to put off the discussion and return to it at some point at the end of the week when the scenario has cleared up a bit. Meanwhile, there’s plenty you can accomplish while being absolutely true to your word.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — If you’re in a position of leadership, you’ll be able to work miracles this week, and the key is listening. People you live and work with are likely to open up about their problems. Let them cry on your shoulder. This will build trust and give you insight into what motivates them, and what issues they have; then they will be much easier to coexist with in a productive way. In the end, our world is made of human experiences — not of corporations and governments and laws and rules. Everything ends up being experienced by people on the level of their body and their feelings. If you can remember that, you’ll step into your strength and power as someone who can help many people, move a few mountains, and make a better life for yourself in the process.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Be careful in financial transactions this week. That means reading the number on every one of those little debit card slips you sign. It means understanding any contracts someone hands you, and at the moment, delaying finalizing major commitments until next week. I say this because due to the square between Mercury and Neptune, involving your house of business and shared finances, it’s likely that you’re overlooking an important detail. Someone may be misrepresenting the facts, or you may be lost in your own wishful thinking and tendency to over-trust. Under current conditions, time is your ally. You must do your due diligence, and give people the time and space to reveal their agendas. This is not about mistrusting anyone. Rather, it’s about not trusting until you have solid reasons to do so. That means reasons, plural: at least three.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — This week, the Sun in Gemini forms a face-to-face meeting with Saturn in your sign, which may be a moment of truth in a relationship. Yet you have no need to fear the truth, only reason to welcome it. One thing to remember is that others may perceive you as being a bit stuck in your position. If anyone seems frustrated, take a more flexible posture and remind them that you’re open to the possibilities. That doesn’t commit you to anything except being considerate, which really means being willing to consider what they have to say. The thing you can trust is desire. Healthy relationships are held together by attraction, and if you feel that cosmic and biological force working its wonders, you’ll be reminded what you’re doing there in the first place. That’s your common ground.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If you’re feeling any form of emotional disturbance, remember, it’s just energy. Think of energy like waves on the beach. If you line your surfboard up with the incoming waves, you can take a very nice ride to the shore. If you get caught sideways in a wave, you can get dunked under the water. So the first thing to do is to feel the tides and the currents, and orient yourself appropriately. The Sun in Gemini aligns with some of the most potent, disruptive and potentially creative forces in the sky right now, and if you keep a positive attitude and remember what you want to accomplish, you’ll be unstoppable. Mars in Cancer, your relationship house, describes assertive people willing to help you. Align with them, work cooperatively, and you’ll be amazed at what you get done.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Lately, you’ve been under challenging, inspiring influences. Yet you’re in one of those phases where you discover that life is worth whatever struggle you’re thrown. This week, however, the planets align in such a way that describes an easing of your burdens. Your mind is on fire at the same time your discipline is at a peak, so you can put your excellent ideas to good use. If you’re developing a business, working on your career, or involved in an artistic endeavor, you will have good traction. Just make sure you emphasize your highest priorities. The only risk is getting distracted or sidetracked by things that don’t matter. Stick to what you know, from experience, is important, and focus on bringing already-evolved projects to completion. Once you do that, there will be plenty of time to experiment.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This is the week to clean up or resolve any lingering financial issues, and to go into high gear on bringing in cash. Money flows toward structure. Structure means organization, being on time, and knowing your priorities. Spend some time setting your agenda, keep your list out, and revise it as you accomplish things and discover new priorities. It’s been said that all wealth comes from the Earth; however, in our current environment, it seems like ideas are the source of abundance. You don’t need many of those: you need somewhere between one and three workable concepts or goals that you’re actually excited about. The leading actor in your chart these days is Mars in your house of passion, curiosity and erotic adventure. Stoke that fire and you’ll keep your energy moving, and get excellent, durable results.