Aries (March 20-April 19) — This is the week to take stock of yourself. Your accounting process might range from an actual review of your bank and credit card balances, to an investigation of what you’ve learned so far this year. Life has been a whirlwind, especially for those born under your sign. Now, although time spins on, you have a moment to reflect. Pausing and looking back is not a luxury. There’s vital information that you actually need, which is likely to respond only to your active inquiry. So keep your mind on and your curiosity busy, and start doing things like sorting out the mail, investigating what’s found its way into your wallet, and making sure all your paperwork in the glove box is in order. Nobody else has an interest in these questions like you do — and you will indeed be interested in what you find.

Aries Birthdays 2017:

Discovery, Initiation, Beginning: A Reading for Your Year

“Venus retrograding into Pisces is the most beautiful image of inviting someone into your inner sanctuary. This is indeed an initiation: a point of beginning. The discovery that you make in this process will shape the course of your relationships, which means a lot when you consider that everything, and everyone, to whom you relate is a relationship.”

— Eric Francis Coppolino, speaking to Aries at the beginning of this year

Dear Friend and Reader:

What do you define as your “inner sanctuary”? Who do you feel called to invite there, and are you willing to meet yourself there now that Venus has moved from your sign into Pisces?

If you are curious about the integration of your inner and outer selves, I hope you’ll check out Eric’s 2017 Aries Birthday Reading, which he’ll be recording for you soon. The reading comprises two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), plus a tarot reading for the year and extended written sign description.

But what you’ll truly find in this reading is inspiration, motivation, support and perspective — just what you need to make this year dynamic and to take advantage of the growth opportunities that come your way.

“Your reading has given direction and meaning on how to proceed, to learn and move forward in these difficult, unsettling times and at the same time, inspiring me to tap into limitless creative gifts. Thank you, Eric; from my heart to your heart, I send you deep abiding gratitude for your penetrating insight and your deep caring concern, with which you carry out your mission for all of us!”

— Ann Cortese, B.S., M.P.S.

You can pre-order your 2017 Aries Birthday Reading here — suitable for Aries Sun, rising and Moon. Note that the price will increase when the reading publishes.

Wishing you another incredible trip around the Sun,

Amanda Painter

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — A constellation of rare events influencing you and your relationships takes place this week, which may spark up your curiosity about the distant past. In particular, you’re likely to make a series of discoveries centered around your emotional life that reveal why things were a certain way. While most people you know are content either to pave over the past or to dig in and camp out there, you can afford neither of those two seeming luxuries. What you need, though, you can afford: and that is peace of mind, based on resolving some lingering issues that have been gradually eroding your trust in yourself. This is because you’re still blaming yourself for events that, though you may have had a hand in them, were really the product of everyone involved, and also of the much wider environment. You were involved — but there was a heck of a lot more.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury stations retrograde Monday, signaling a self-discovery that may change your life. Learning something about who you are, or who you no longer are, and then acting on it, is one of the most dependable ways to grow and evolve. I suggest, though, that you allow this discovery process to extend all the way through the end of Mercury retrograde, on May 3. Take things gradually, and do something rare for our era: when you learn something, put it into the context of the other knowledge you’re gaining. Keep your sense of context. Each day will bring new levels of understanding, and there’s something special happening with your life purposes and sense of mission. This has been a challenging aspect of your life the past few years, but your purpose is not an aspect of your life; it’s more like the thing itself. Feel carefully for what feels right, and what does not. Relevant information is on its way — from inside you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — It’s been a wild and exciting ride for you professionally the past few months. And though you need a little R&R, the adventure is about to continue, as the Sun moves through the rather energized career and reputation angle of your chart. You may not feel like you can handle more responsibility, but just as the last few rounds have compelled you to reorganize and align your priorities, so too will events of the coming week. This really is the name of the tune: prioritization. Ask yourself what really matters, and break out the reasons why. Notice what you devote yourself to, without any special coaxing or prodding. There’s something here about slipping into what you really know you want to do, for all the right reasons. Listen to the ideas of people you respect, and count the possibility that their dissent is a form of affirmation.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Take any delays in your professional plans as an opportunity to rethink what you’re doing. In these times, it’s essential that you not be stuck in old or outdated plans. If the planets are any indication, you’re craving work that comes with the human touch. Speaking of, you might set aside any intense activity in the professional realm and invest your time and energy into private matters. Close partners, especially anyone with whom you may share a bedroom, will appreciate your devotion to the most sensitive matters of relationship. Make yourself available, and express in words that you’re open to conversations that have been eluding the relationship. Here’s a suggestion — make sure you’re 100% sober; even a glass of wine can distort your emotions; and it’s better to discuss sex anywhere but in bed (such as the kitchen table, or the living room).

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Relationship matters come into focus this week. While you may have one agenda, that thing known as ‘the universe’ may seem to have another. Your charts describe you trying to stabilize a situation, while they also describe a shakeup. Matters of finance and those of emotion need to be given equal emphasis. They should be treated separately, and also seen in the context of any common ground they share. The financial question may involve whether everyone is paying their fair share, or feels like they’re being treated equitably. Are expenses being shared proportionally to income? Regarding the emotional piece, the question seems to involve some baggage from the past that’s a holdover from previous relationships. Don’t blame current partners for what others did to you — and if you know someone’s weakness, do your best not to be exceptionally sensitive. A mutual commitment to healing will go a long way toward that end.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Trust and vulnerability are the most important qualities of love. There are others, though they can only flow in a space of sincere openness. If you’re working on your relationship, or your desire to be in one, this is the place to start. However, this is predicated on something else: being comfortable with yourself. Being close to another person is like seeing yourself through a magnifying glass. All of your traits and characteristics, the ones you like and the ones you don’t, can be blown up to what seems like larger-than-life scale. You can start by being forgiving, in an even-handed way: that is, of yourself and of others. And you must be willing to do your own healing work; in other words, to attend to your known issues, and any you discover. This is not the usual way to conduct relationships, for a good reason: it takes actual awareness and work to live this way. However, the time has arrived.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Sex in our society remains a fascination, a curiosity, a source of pain, something to gossip about, something to exploit, a suspicious activity, something inappropriate or undesirable, or even something special. In other words, sex (as presented publicly, and often as experienced privately) is everything except normal. If you’re going through a sexual awakening, I suggest you keep the ‘normal’ bit right where you can see it, experience it and talk about it openly. At first this may seem awkward, particularly with all the guilt, secrets and silence that are heaped around this most natural of human experiences. This is the first step in reclaiming your sexuality from various shades of ownership and expectation — the very things that kill relationships, so it’s a worthwhile cause. Just don’t let any initial awkwardness stop you. Explore until sex emerges as what it really is: beautiful and ordinary.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — If you stay aware of your feelings, you’ll be more in harmony with the world you live in. That’s because the world around you is experienced, perceived and colored by your feelings. It matters less what they are and more that you experience yourself honestly. This will remove a barrier between you and everyone around you; that, in turn, will open up your potential and your options. Slow down the movie until you meet your experience on the level of a poet or mystic: in full color, soaking in your emotions. You may discover a key to life if you practice that kind of mindfulness over the next week or so, as the distinctly Sagittarian planet Chiron merges its energy with Venus. This is more than a sensory trip: it’s about grounding in your existence: on a planet, next to a star, in a galaxy.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Though you crave expressing yourself, it’s never quite easy. You seek perfection of your message and your ideas, though the lines seem to blur, and the colors and ideas melt into one another. Yet if you focus your mind and put your favorite creative tool into your hands (be it a pen, a camera, a paintbrush or a musical instrument) you may discover that your abilities are suddenly more accessible than ever. This is not an accident and it’s not luck; it’s about long preparation, and an alignment with your reality. This experience involves your relationship to the sign Pisces, where there’s some truly unusual cosmic activity at the moment and through the week. Give yourself all the space and time you need, or that you can muster, because anything truly creative wants to find its own space and its own rhythm. And remember, never judge your own performance.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don’t always assume you’re right. Though this may be annoying, you’ll appreciate the exercise because you’ll come closer to reality. It always helps you to be flexible. Structure and form, you have. An organized system of logic, you’re aware of and you can use when you need to. Change is something you expect but then often resist, which is why being open-minded is so vital to your happiness and your wellbeing. The overarching theme of your charts at the moment is healing any residual issues (or an overt crisis) of self-esteem. You may never feel that you measure up. But the question, if you ask it, might be: who is doing the measuring? And what is the metric? Both logic and intuition would likely tell you that comparison is irrelevant, though you cannot ‘not compare’; you can only live organically in your truth. Practice self-acceptance and you may make the pleasant discovery that it’s easier to grow and change from there.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This is a momentous time in your life, though you may not know it. Of course, you might indeed be noticing how your inner world is opening up to you. You could be experiencing the activation of your potential. You may also be seeing your limits, and noticing how far you have to go, in order to have the life that you want. Don’t be deceived by your doubts. Remember all those times when you turned out to be much closer to answers, to fulfillment and to breakthroughs than you thought you were. Remember the times you’ve given up, only to find that your desires were in fact alive and that existence was aware of you and responding to you. We’re just days away from the meeting of Venus and Chiron in your birth sign, which is happening over the next week and cannot happen again until 2062 (in somewhat reduced form). Stay close to yourself, and close to your experiences, and close to what you want. Brush off your doubts, and remind yourself that you’re alive.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — There are times when you must leave a situation be, and accept it as it is, and there may be such a scenario in your life. You’ve done plenty to help someone, or to resolve something in your life that’s taken great patience. Consider giving things a rest, which means not exerting so much effort. Shift your emphasis to more inwardly oriented matters in your life. This alone will help you re-focus your conscious thought process and your deeper emotional process. After a few days, you’ll notice that your priorities have changed. One benefit will be an activation of the serenity prayer: you’ll see the difference between what you can control, and what you cannot. There are some important priorities that are calling for your attention; make a list of what you’ve neglected over the past few weeks, and you’ll see what they are.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Keep your head and get enough rest. Mercury, the planet of mind, technology and communications, has quietly slipped into your sign, where it will go retrograde on April 9. You may be noticing beginning effects of that, mainly in the form of things seeming to unravel faster than you can keep them organized. It’s not easy to be patient under these circumstances, though remember that you cannot smooth out the surface of water with a canoe paddle. You’ll only churn it up. Again and again, the stars are relating the message of prioritization. Remember what’s important and why it’s important and then respond accordingly. One thing to push up the list of what matters the most is food. Avoid what you know is not helpful, and focus on what is helpful. You know the difference, on this topic and many others.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — If you’re not understanding something, try stating it in different language: look for other words, or rewrite your sentences. One method I use is to translate explanations of complex matters into language that would be understandable to a teenager. This will make them clearer for you, since what you really need is to reveal your mental process to yourself, so you know what you’re actually thinking. Break your ideas down into steps, so that you can examine your logic and see your assumptions for what they are. You want to make as few of those as possible; if you guess without knowing you’re guessing, you’re almost certain to be wrong. If you know you’re guessing you can raise your odds to 50/50, and if you use actual fact-based thought and logic, you’ll probably get it right.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You may find yourself in a situation where you must intervene on behalf of justice. That is, you may encounter a scenario where you realize you’re the one who must make the right thing happen. You’ll know this because nobody else is available, and you know what to do. The world would be a better place if more people just stopped to help one another. This is rarely a matter of time or of resources; it’s more about mental attention and taking the risk of caring. You’re in a pretty good place right now — certainly well off enough to be supportive of others. And the funny thing is, when you need help, you’ll often get it asking someone who is poor or who is busy. Being human is about making space in your heart for other humans, particularly the ones you don’t owe anything to. Critters count too.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You’ve been eager to make progress in your career, particularly getting your name out there, and making sure you’re properly compensated. You’re likely to be doing much better than you think; however, you’re also at a stage where you have to slow down and consider your business plans. Most of this involves messaging: what is the message you’re sending, for example, with your CV or resume, your web page, your social media and so on? You must be 100% in accord with whatever ideas you’re delivering; it’s fair to say, you must become your message or let it become you. Once you commit to this, you’ll probably undergo a rapid series of revisions, as part of your process of gaining clarity. This will be fruitful, especially if you don’t rush matters and give yourself space and time to think about what you want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Let your plans fall into place. That means giving your mind a rest, and to some extent, allowing what you’ve set in motion to take its course. If there are some elements of your design scheme that don’t work out, check in with yourself: are they what you really wanted? Or do they not quite fit? Extend just a little trust that the right thing will happen. By the right thing, I mean what’s in alignment with who you are becoming. You’ve been through many changes over the past few seasons, most of them associated with what you might call an evolutionary process. You’re growing, and this has churned up a little chaos in your life. This has been necessary, even though you still must deal with some aftermath and debris. Now, you’re getting information about how to tidy up and refine this process. Easy does it.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Over the weekend, Venus retrograded from Aries into Pisces. The main influence of this change is taking the emphasis off a relationship (potentially, a past relationship). This is reminding you to take care of your own emotional needs rather than expecting anyone else to do it for you. If you can do that for a while, you’ll be guided closer to the heart of the matter; closer to your true necessities. In reality, they don’t involve other people. Your state of mind, your overall health, and your relationship to your work are much more important right now. Once you have some of that sorted out, you’ll have more resources to share with others. Your relationship experiences will be more creative and more focused on pleasure once you have met your responsibilities to yourself. Once you’ve done that, you may notice that some people no longer fit in your life, which would count for progress.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — This week we come back to the theme of sexual healing, which has been prominent in your charts all year and for a good deal before. If there ever was a holistic idea — that is, something that relates to everything else — this is the one. Our culture’s hang-ups about sex merely emphasize every other issue, particularly the one about being a whole person. Turns out it’s incredibly convenient to plug up sexuality, and in effect throw a dam in front of all of your potential. Removing that dam, in turn, opens the way for all other forms of progress. And this is a big responsibility: that whole thing about really being who you are. Then there’s one other not-so-minor point: fear of judgment. At a certain point you must accept that the opinions of others do not matter. What matters is that you’re real with yourself about who you are, what you feel and what you want.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The Sun in Aries is encouraging you to take some creative and romantic risks. That means doing things that are fun and exciting but where the outcome is not certain. I’m not talking about danger, though only you know whether your seatbelt is fastened when you drive, and whether you’re sober. Assuming that you’re clear-headed and acting responsibly, you have plenty of space to experiment, and to do so boldly. The world in its current form is obsessed with safety, most of which is a head-trip. The safety most people are really after is about protecting their fragile ego, which I suggest you throw to the four winds. Your ego is the very thing you want to go beyond if you want to be an artist, lover or adventurer. That’s helpful because art, love and adventure will teach you who you really are.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Looking at your solar chart, it would seem that you’re seeking security at all costs — and that’s probably way too expensive. More likely, any real progress will come from a jolt to your reality. You’re the best person to deliver this, by making choices that honor your actual desires rather than the ones that are designed to preserve your stability. If you have the feeling that big changes are coming, be the one who initiates those changes rather than bracing for them to happen to you. You’ve been luring yourself into new adventures for a long time. If you notice that you’re in “approach and avoid” mode, perhaps consider that it’s about a guilt complex of some kind. The nature of guilt is resentment. Who do you resent and why? And how is that helping you get what you want?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — This is a good time to check in with some of your relatives — your parents and grandparents in particular, if they’re available. If they’re in the realm of departed ancestors, you can still tune in, and let them know you’re doing well, and ask them what suggestions they have for you. Either way, you want to cast these people as supportive. I know this can be tricky, as many people feel undermined by their families or, at best, hamstrung. Yet the moment you are honest about wanting your independence, you can make that fact known. You don’t need permission and you don’t need direct cooperation. You need to state, to whom it may concern, that you’re an independent person and that you’re ready to go your own way. Attachment to the past and embracing the present and the future don’t exactly work well together. Yet you don’t owe them anything, particularly your freedom.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Venus, a planet intimately connected to the sign Pisces, is now retrograde, meaning that it’s passing between the Earth and the Sun. The retrograde started in Aries, which has described all the emphasis on money in your life over the past month or so. Now, Venus has worked its way back into Pisces, which describes the theme of your life coming back to deeply personal, spiritual, creative and emotional material. You’ve done your bit on the financial end for now; you know that you have to take care of yourself and be responsible with your money. Now, you can take care of yourself in other ways — ways that you’re likely to be longing for. You have many reasons to do this; though, ultimately, you don’t need to justify being happy, fulfilled or at peace with yourself. Remember that.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Monday’s New Moon in your sign is a turning point. It’s as if you can finally set yourself free of the emotional mire that you’ve been wading through the past month or two. You’ll move forward without much need to look back, though I would propose one question before doing so: who were you trying to impress? Can you identify a psychological motive beneath that impulse? Look in the direction of your father, who might turn up in any male figure currently populating your life. You don’t need to impress anyone, though don’t pretend that the need is not in you. Be real with yourself and you’ll unravel this quickly. The main thing that holds people back from embracing the future is being snagged in the past. Being honest with yourself is the way to unravel that. You can do it, but it seems that more than anything, you want to do it.

Aries Birthdays 2017:

A Reading From Someone Who Sees All of You

“You really understand the complexity hidden behind the often-talked-about Aries traits and speak about them in such a way that I can see myself as I am now, while also beginning to understand how I might be able to grow and change in order to one day proudly wear those ram horns in a positive manner!”

— Beth Reineke, on last year’s Aries Birthday Reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

If you have an Aries Sun, rising sign or Moon, the world needs your beautiful ability to take positive action more than ever. Thank you for being you, and for being willing to get things started — whether it’s a new level of deep personal inquiry, a physical activity, or some kind of art or social activism that connects your individual life to the people around you.

With Venus currently still retrograde in your sign (it will slide back into Pisces soon, then will visit you again), this is an ideal time to pre-order your 2017 Aries Birthday Reading.

Initially, you’ll receive two audio astrology segments (at least 30 minutes each) once Eric has recorded them. A little while after those have been released, we’ll let you know that the tarot segment is ready. You’ll also receive an extended written description of your sign. Note that you get the best price the earlier you pre-order.

“As always, thanks so much for your presence and your work. Your readings have been spot on for me and I have followed you for a long, long time.”

— Mary Hart, Aries

Eric creates these readings specifically to ease your concerns, point you in the direction of your highest potential and motivate you in the midst of these truly trying times. If you’d like to have access to a dependable resource you can listen to as many times as you wish throughout the year, I hope you’ll pre-order your upcoming Aries Birthday Reading while it’s still at the lowest price we offer.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — There’s so much going on in the recesses of your mind. Taurus is one of the most restless signs of the zodiac, and this is an especially restless moment for you. You need to express this energy, and Mars in your sign is saying to work it out physically. That can include climbing mountains, walking, gardening, going to the gym, splitting wood, yoga, sex, or anything that gets you to express yourself in the physical world. This will work even better for you than it usually does, because there’s a direct connection between what you have going on in the deep recesses of your mind (mental, psychic and emotional movement) and processing those feelings through your body. The one thing not to do is judge whatever turns up. Right now there’s no bad or good. For your purposes, it’s all the same: a feeling is a feeling.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — This has been a particularly wild couple of months, leading into a wild past week. Now would be a good time to slow down and begin a review process. Work from the most recent interesting development (which looks like it was over the weekend) and trace your way back to the beginning of the year. Pay attention to what happened, but also notice how you responded to what happened at the time, and how you feel about it now. The difference will be striking. One thing we can say with reasonable certainty is that this year has done wonders for your confidence. For some reason it’s easier to be you, however that manifests, especially around other people. You no longer have the need to feel self-conscious, but there’s something else. You’ve settled into yourself. You no longer have ‘an image’ and ‘a real you’. Somehow you’ve woven yourself together into one seamless being. Now keep practicing that and get stronger and stronger at it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Recent weeks have arrived with some unexpected professional developments: improvements in your status, your pay grade and your sense of mission. There may have been some surreal moments scattered in. Yet you might be wondering if they’re really real: if these are lasting changes, or whether you’ll be back to the same-old. Monday’s New Moon in your career and reputation angle will be reassuring. There’s no going back from here. You will suddenly see everything that’s happened in its context, and it will make sense. The thing to do now is to build from here. However, rather than building upward — that is, being aspirational, reaching for new achievements or more visibility — build downward. Take care of your home. Feather your nest, including your sleeping area, tidying up your wardrobe and upgrading everything you can when it comes to food. You’ve accomplished quite enough for the moment: now’s the time to enjoy what you’ve created.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Hold to a steady course. Whatever revelations came out over the weekend, or whatever challenged your beliefs, or showed you some amazing new potential, hold steady. Persist in what you’re doing. Don’t be distracted by any bright, shiny objects, or by any notion that you could be doing something more glamorous. You certainly could be. It would also be less meaningful. Yet the road you’re currently on encompasses many of the possibilities that you want but don’t see yourself having available now. Indeed, it does so in much better ways, more solid, more dependable and based on your integrity. That’s the thing to keep your mind on: doing the right thing for the right reason. Regarding a question of shared finances, the planets advise to stick to your plans for all these same reasons. Don’t be lured by any promise of seemingly easy money. You have more honorable motives.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — However you think you did in the last round of financial negotiations, persist in your mission for an equitable arrangement. Such is possible, without too much compromise. You like your affairs to be stable, though more to the point, you like to believe that other people are comprehensible and fair-minded. Sadly, this is not always the case, though you’ve learned something recently that will give you an edge or an advantage. Where money matters are concerned, it’s not who you know — it’s what you know. But you must think strategically and understand the agenda of whomever you’re dealing with. You have something of value, and everyone knows it. So, be smart, be gentle and, most of all, be persuasive. Stick to the facts, and a little psychology.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You may be trying really, really hard to figure someone out. Don’t put so much effort into it. You’re trying to understand someone’s internal logic using your notion of what’s sensible. All you need to do is translate the universe into their point of view. They make perfect sense to themselves, from where they’re coming from, and all you have to do is figure out where that is and what they have on their mind. Think of it as a puzzle. Imagine you’re a novelist and this person is a perplexing character in your book and you just have to understand them. Alternatively, you could just live with the mystery for a while, as long as you remember not to take it personally. It’s not personal, meaning that whatever they have going on is not about you. That alone should help set you free.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Do what you can to settle your nerves and get some rest. Your chart has been electrifying lately, like you wrote a novel or shot a movie over the weekend. Now you need some relaxation, some comfort food and an Epsom salt bath and you’ll be ready to take on the world once again. This is going to be a big few months where your professional life is concerned. But the planets are cautioning you to keep yourself in balance so that you can be maximally effective. You might declare that your primary goal is to not burn out, which means ratcheting back your social ambitions one or two clicks. You absolutely must feed your creativity with recreation; but make sure that it’s the nourishing kind, with intelligent people rather than those who drain you. Pace yourself, pace your work, and take care of yourself like you’re a prized racehorse.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Please remember what inspired you and filled you with creative light over the past week or so, particularly the past weekend. Do everything you can to keep those ideas and, in particular, that feeling in your heart and mind. Creative ideas on the level you’ve been experiencing them are often fleeting. But if you get busy now, and let nothing stop you, you will engage the process of manifesting your vision. A rare alignment involving many factors — including the Galactic Core (rarely used by astrologers) — reveals that what you do now can plant the seeds of creation and quality of life for years to come. Indeed, you may have already reached the turning point you’ve wanted to find for so long, though you won’t know unless you actively cultivate your ideas and weave your dreams.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You may not be getting outer results; for example, as obvious career advances or opportunities. Yet you are indeed making progress, building your talent and, most of all, becoming the person you have aspired to be. Focus your growth inwardly for now. Don’t worry about whether you’re recognized for what you do. Rather, recognize and invest in your own talent and your own potential. Do what you do with a focus on quality and integrity. Strive to be a master of your particular craft on the level of your own competence. Before long, you will get the recognition you deserve; and when that time comes, it’s essential that you be confident in yourself. Trusting your abilities has nothing to do with pretending, or with how you’re perceived. It’s an inner state of being that you can indeed attain.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — There’s such a thing as faith. Before I try to define it, let’s agree that it has nothing to do with hope. It has nothing to do with belief. It’s not about proof, or assurance in any form. It’s not about being cocky or self-assured. Faith is a state of mind where you connect to your actual potential, with a calm, subtle certainty. As such, it transcends doubt. Indeed, it’s a state where doubt is reduced to a meek whisper, if it exists at all. And from there, you proceed with doing what you know you need to do, or genuinely want to do. Being clear in your priorities helps a lot. That’s not easy in this world of so many distractions and so many options, most of which are false roads. You can, therefore, start by asking yourself what genuinely matters the most to you, and letting that one thing be your guide.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Monday’s New Moon takes place in the financial sector of your chart. This happens just once a year, and now is the time. Over the past few weeks, you’ve had many experiences that have each taught you something about money and how to handle it. You may feel like you’ve been winning, or like you’ve been making mistakes, or perhaps a little of both. The important thing is that you be fully conscious of what you’ve learned and really get that into your mind and your body. In the world as it is today, the most important single fact about earning a living is knowing your function and fulfilling it. Initially, financial results may have no part in the discussion: being true to your calling is first and foremost. From there, it’s easier to see where you have a value to others. Be clear about one thing: ideally, your goal is to have others benefit from what you do as much as you do.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — The Sun enters your sign today, beginning the astrological year and a new season of your life. When equinox arrives, a surge of energy is released, which even the grass, the trees and the critters experience. Humans are growing less in touch with the passing seasons, though I suggest you get more in touch. The equinox will breathe energy into what’s already an extraordinary moment for you, with many developments brewing in your life. There are two plots developing. One appears to be taking you back to a past relationship or important phase of your life. Another seems to be propelling you into the future. These scenarios may not look related, though over the next few weeks, you can trust that the elements will come together. No matter what seems to be happening, remember that there’s just one story after all, which is your life.

Aries Birthdays 2017:

Happy Equinox! What Will You Begin, Aries?

“You helped me immeasurably as I change and change and grow, and change some more. What a time!”

— Linsey, on her recent Birthday Reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

This is an unusual time for Aries — well, for everybody, really. But anyone with an Aries Sun, rising sign or Moon has likely been feeling the standout aspect of this era in very personal and dramatic ways.

I’m referring to the Uranus-Eris conjunction, which made its third and last exact contact (in this century) on Friday — just three days before the Sun reaches your sign for today’s equinox. Both Uranus-Eris and the Aries equinox signal the beginning of a new cycle.

But a cycle of what?

You have some choice about what to do with this energy, and what you begin with it. And you can be sure Eric will be looking far enough ahead in your upcoming Aries Birthday Reading to help you fill in the blanks if you’re feeling unsure.

As he put it recently:

“My job is to help you make the most of these transits. I’m also here to ease your concerns, point you in the direction of your highest potential and do what I can to motivate you. We live in truly trying times. So much is being asked of us. It’s not easy to live under these conditions.”

Eric adds:

“I have something for you; not only will it help you feel more positive, but it will provide you with a dependable resource every time you listen to it. If nothing else, you’ll get more than an hour of thoughtful, calming meditation and excellent music. Then in a little while, you’ll also get a tarot card reading (my original speciality).”

You can pre-order your 2017 Aries Birthday Reading here for only $19.97.

Initially, you’ll receive two audio astrology segments (at least 30 minutes each). A little while after those are ready, we’ll let you know that the tarot segment is ready. Note that you get the best price the earlier you pre-order.

Thank you for traveling with us, and I wish you a healthy and loving year.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Mars in your sign represents energy, commitment and some force motivating you to live fully. Feel every cell in your body. Notice your moods and your desires consciously. Get in touch with your passion and with your anger. Taurus has a reputation for trying to suppress both, and at the moment, the planets are suggesting that you stay with your feelings. Long ago, a Taurus friend revealed what I believe is the secret to happiness for those born under your sign: take care of your physical needs first, and all else will follow. That means taking care of food, water, sleep and other things related to your body. Practice this with the devotion of yoga. Speaking of: with Mars in the neighborhood, physical activity is a necessity. It does not matter what kind: dancing, martial arts or walking up a mountain. You will discover a formula for happiness.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Your life may be relatively calm now, though over the next week or so, the pace of activity, events and social contacts will be picking up considerably. You may think you’re busy now; however, I suggest you ease back and take some quiet time, out of the limelight. Sort out your personal priorities, speak to your closest friends, and make some decisions about what’s important to you. Once the pace picks up, you’ll have the sensation that there’s no time to think. If you know that in advance, you’ll know what you want and what you don’t want when various opportunities present themselves. And there’s no question about it: that will be happening. When you meet new friends and find yourself on unexpected adventures, your old friends and quiet spaces of retreat become more important than ever. Treasure them, and remind yourself that they’re there.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The Sun’s ingress into Aries early Monday puts you into the spotlight. Aries is your 10th solar house — the house of reputation, achievement and responsibility. Remember how hard you’ve worked to earn your reputation. Remind yourself that you’ve accomplished some brilliant and even unlikely things. And keep in mind that all of this puts you in a position of responsibility. You’re finally at a point where you see this as a privilege and not a burden. Part of why the world is in such dire straits is that so few people are willing to be accountable. I’m not sure what the resistance is, but that’s not your problem. Check over your work, make your decisions carefully and remember that your life influences and even impacts the lives of others. Your life is better for knowing and honoring this. Cancer is the sign of the family and the brood. You’re one of the adults in the room.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — For the past month, the Sun has been inching its way through Pisces, which for you is the sign of shared finances, emotional bonding, sexual passion and the place where all these things meet. From the look of your solar chart, this has been a somewhat complicated few weeks, where you’ve had to sort out various situations that really did need honesty and clarity. Now the Sun has entered your fellow fire sign Aries, moving into an angle of your chart where you are free to leave all that behind. Moreover, you can turn your mind and your aspirations toward some future possibilities that have been patiently waiting for you. The world has become a much bigger place while you were taking care of other things, and you have some beautiful possibilities waiting for you. Don’t worry about what to choose: that will be obvious when the time comes.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — If we track the movement of the Virgo planet #1, Mercury, one thing is clear: you are determined to find your independence and your individuality. Most people want this on some level. What holds them back, though, are perceived needs that they think only others can meet. You won’t know if something is actually a need until you experiment living without it for a while; and finally you’re free to do that. You have enough basis for comparison to see that when it comes to meeting your actual needs, there’s something inefficient about relationships the way you’ve been doing them. For example, it’s not that helpful for people to heap expectations onto one another. It’s not useful to subvert your desires to protect someone’s insecurities. You know that you must take up the challenge of your own healing process, and engage with others who are consciously willing to do so.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — It’s somewhat humorous the extent to which Librans value peace, quiet and a sense of balance — and the universe seems to be delivering anything but these things to you now. Your world is a busy place lately. There are many days when everything seems to happen at once. This is a truth of our lives. You, however, possess the intelligence to know that you have a true need for space and time to yourself. Use your wits and your leadership skills to arrange this for yourself. Do not ask permission; rather, get cooperation. Be bold about this. Make sure any responsibilities are covered for some time every day — weekday and weekend — and give yourself a break. Remind yourself how much tying up of loose ends you do for everyone. Pass some responsibility onto those who will benefit from just a smidge of self-reliance. Then declare yourself free to do nothing but read a book or look out the window, even for an hour. Regularly.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Don’t fall for the line that Americans (or whoever) work too much. For you, work is where you find your identity. This is one of those Scorpio facts that you never hear mentioned. Work is profoundly important to you, and consequently you must have something to do every day that is 1) not boring and 2) actually meaningful, relevant and helpful to others. The net result will be that you’ll feel more solid in who you are; you will feel more real; you will live with purpose. More than overwork being an issue in our society, it’s the lack of meaning that’s the actual problem. And you have the solution: this I can tell from the extraordinary activity in Aries, the work and wellness angle of your chart. Refuse to cling to old routines and old habits. Keep awake and alert. What you want is looking right at you, and is within your reach.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Right underneath any pressure or burden you may feel is some extraordinary potential. This is akin to the Sun being blocked by the clouds; it’s still there — you just can’t feel it at full intensity. The clouds, though, are in your mind, and you have the power to clear them; to see through them; to disregard them entirely and proceed anyway. There’s a bold and beautiful light shining through you. Of all the signs, you possess the most direct spiritual connection, so strong that at times you must deny its existence. It’s time to stop doing that. Moreover, you’re now free to recognize that you are the agent of manifestation of the universe’s will. This is not so outgoing a role as one might think; the work is mostly done within, through seeking deep inner contact with your source, and making all of your decisions based on what you learn.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The Sun’s ingress into Aries will be highlighting family-related matters, and will focus attention on your household. This region of your chart, called the 4th solar house, is also connected to emotional security. You’ve got a lot going on in this house — the conjunction of Uranus and Eris, the forthcoming meeting of the Sun and Venus, and Mercury doing many interesting things. You cannot find your stability in clinging to the past, or to the idea of security. You need a much wider sense of what it means to feel grounded and confident living on the planet. Let’s start with an intangible resource: your intelligence. You can feel safe because you’re smart and sensitive. But like all resources, you must use this wisely and with discretion. Use your brains to notice the gaps in your knowledge; ask the right questions; formulate the answers carefully. And please, try to let go of that habit of outsmarting yourself.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — When you’re overwhelmed with data, there’s actually something you can do. Rather than trying to analyze all of it, experiment with pattern recognition. This is a low-energy approach to analysis, which mostly involves observation. Rather than putting your mind into four-wheel drive, relax and watch the events, ideas, information and people go by. Look at the statistics, if you have some, and notice the most basic trends: what’s growing, what’s shrinking, and where the energy is tending to flow. You might think of this as metadata, which reveals far more than the government wants you to know. From this analysis, you’ll be able to spot some issues you can respond to without much work. The thing not to do is “go by your gut.” You need actual grist for the mill. You need good data going in, so you get useful results on the other end.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This is a rather interesting time for you financially. In another example of the “what they didn’t tell you about your sign” files (or what they got totally wrong), Pisces is, by all rights, the master of finance of the zodiac. This has conditions, though, all of which may be met at the moment. For one thing, you must take the initiative and set financial stability or a certain level of wealth as a goal. For another, you must use your abundant creativity, tempering it with logic and what you’ve learned from experience. And rather than wanting money as a primary objective, you’re the sensitive spiritual type: you must connect it to some larger purpose that you’re here to fulfill. Money for its own sake is useless and often toxic. Money connected to a purpose is energy that can get a result that benefits you and the world around you at the same time — and that’s what you live for.