Aries (March 20-April 19) — Events this week can revolutionize your life. But you must stay in the present to get the benefits. Most of humanity navigates by staring into the rearview mirror, by false hope, or by worry. You must look at your actual surroundings and your environment now, and size up what you see, hear and feel. This is more challenging than you might imagine. You’ll thrive by doing so. Astrology tells us that we’re in a moment like no other, and the most electrifying event in the sky — the rare Uranus-Eris conjunction, exact Friday — is happening right in your sign. If you’re experiencing this as a crisis, find the calm place within your center, and the information you need is right there. If you’re struggling, devoting yourself to healing as your first priority will help you. If you’re curious, thriving or feeling that itch to live, be bold and greet the world with an open heart.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Mars is now in your sign, which signifies strength, passion and integrity. Because we’re talking about Taurus, you’re being given cosmic consent to express yourself more openly. So much is happening in the depths of your heart and soul; and though it’s all deeply personal, you’re yearning for expression. This is not merely about words and pictures. Do something with your body: go to the top of a mountain, explore someplace unfamiliar, eat the food you love, and connect with the people you love. This is a reminder to scrap your weight-loss plan, set aside a time-consuming obligation, and live like it really matters. One esoteric fact is that Mars is now crossing over the discovery degree of Chiron. This is a reminder to express your individuality, and to remember that there’s deep healing in seeking the pleasure that you want.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury, your witty, gleaming, curious planet, enters Aries today, the sign where you meet the public. Other rather stunning activity is happening there as well. Spend as much time out of the house as possible. Introduce yourself to anyone you’re even vaguely curious about. You will meet some interesting people this week — people who may have a profound influence on your future. This will be especially true in group social situations. Remember one thing at all times: pay attention to who you’re talking to. Listen to what they say. Watch their face when they speak. Understand where they’re coming from, from a professional and personal standpoint. The connections run far and wide this week, and you’re not more than one degree of separation from anyone you want to meet. The only thing between you and connecting is that rarified state of being known as mindfulness.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — By all indications, you’re feeling good about yourself. You feel like you belong on the planet, and like you’re in your element. This will be true at home or wherever your travels may take you. In these moments, your life goes well — and your future has a way of opening up before your eyes. You do indeed have a future, and it’s more beautiful, creative and more lavishly interesting than you’ve imagined any time recently. If you’re going to work with a plan, let it be the kind that comes to you rather than the kind you cobble together. You can trust the flow of events; and the more trusting you are, and the less you worry, the better your life will flow. Your life story is indeed written in the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and right now, they are all shining on you. Walk in the light.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — This is the week to unravel any financial problems that you may be having: partnership matters, tax issues, banking questions, or anything involving investments. You can get to the bottom of the issue; you can get the facts you need to make some important decisions; and you can get the cooperation that you need. You, however, must take the leading role in all of this. You must set the goals and objectives, and know the outcome you want. You must trust your instincts, your intuition and, most of all, the facts of the situation. Where any matter of finances is in question, you want the hard numbers, not just approximations. You want to use multi-year comparisons. And remember that in a situation where sex and money are mixed, the financial questions must be attended to first. This is a top level of psychic hygiene. Honoring money is a matter of respect. Hold yourself and everyone else to that standard. Do not blink or retreat.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — It’s interesting how astrology charts often give the same theme over and over again — and for Virgo, as with many of the signs this week, finance and financial strategy come up boldly. Your solar chart is clear that you have all the resources you need, and that anything you lack, you can acquire. The thing to remember is that you don’t have to go it alone. If you have a clear, workable and realistic plan, others will collaborate with you on your goals. Included with this is a clear description of what you want, or what you’re trying to accomplish, and why. But don’t project this outside of yourself: you, personally, have the resources you need, particularly if we count as one of them your ability to conduct a sane, rational and respectful conversation. Being good with money is part of your karma. You’re a fair-minded and economical person, and you can afford to take some modest risks.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — This week begins with a conjunction between Jupiter and the Moon, which is setting things off in the right direction. Keep a positive attitude and maintain your sense of perspective at all times. That’s to say, know what matters and why; and know what matters less, or not at all, and why. The week concludes with the final conjunction of Uranus and Eris, in your opposite sign Aries. Events in your opposite sign influence relationships, and they also describe the total environment that surrounds you. And this environment is electrified, it’s revolutionary and it’s inviting you to participate directly in the changes and evolutionary process that the world is going through. No matter how strange, radical, interesting or ordinary your ideas may be, there is a place for you. Proceed with courage and a plan that you’re not afraid to throw out the moment you have a better one.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mars in your opposite sign Taurus is saying that the world is ready to meet you on your own terms. Or perhaps that would be better described as: you’re meeting people you can relate to, and who have some values common to your own. You’re looking into a kind of mirror under this astrology — one that reflects visuals, and emotions, and intentions. If you don’t like what you’re experiencing, change your mind and find a new level of vibration. Mars is the planet of desire, and under this astrology, you’re being summoned to be honest about what you want. If you experience even a trace of guilt, offer that up to healing — and proceed on the track of desire. Guilt is a problem, but it’s also a reminder that you need to go deeper and resolve something. For example, ask yourself what you’re feeling resentful about. You’re entitled to desire, if you remember that desire in itself is not a guarantee of gaining anything — just a physical clue that you might get it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — One thing that’s never written about Sagittarius is the depth of your emotional sensitivity. The brash and bold qualities of your sign cover up this fact, though they’re also a defense against it. You’re a visitor from a galaxy far, far away — though here on Earth, it helps to be a little vulnerable. This is the prerequisite for trust of any kind. Trust is the basis of relationships. And you must trust, in order to determine whether someone is trustworthy. You’re the one who has to ante up first, though. You must extend your goodwill, and then see how others respond. In any event, one thing I see in your charts is that a long-entangled emotional problem is working itself out. Yes, you’ve done this before, and you’ve only had partial results. Now you have the wisdom and the means to resolve this issue. But more important than anything, you are ready.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’re not really as conservative as you think. It’s true that on one level, Capricorn is all about tradition and propriety and integrity. And then there’s that part of you that wants to blow the world and its stuffy ways to bits. That’s about where we find you right now. You’ll feel a lot better if you stop worrying about what people think of you. Stop worrying about your image. It’s not that these things don’t matter, so much as that they’re always based on false perceptions, and trying to win the approval of mommy and daddy. Forget it. You’re an adult now, and their opinions not only don’t matter; worrying about them is like tying your shoelaces together and calling yourself well dressed. Every time you start worrying what someone will think, remind yourself to stop, and proceed like you’re the luckiest person in the world. You may well be.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it. This works for many things, but especially your financial resources. You must use those resources strategically. That’s to say, prioritize. Know what to pay first; purchase what you need before you purchase what you want; and as Peter Gabriel said, you have to know your plastic from your cash. Your solar chart reveals a high likelihood that, if you use your mind and your full-spectrum intelligence, you can not only solve some problems related to money, you can begin a new positive cycle and begin to rebuild your wealth. Yet you must allow no rosy-colored thinking to get in your way. Don’t allow yourself the supposed luxury of hopes and wishes. Be real, be realistic and focus on what is important. Yes, you’ve made some mistakes in the past. You don’t have to make them again; you can in fact learn from history, and learn well.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — On Tuesday, there’s an exact alignment of three points in your sign: Chiron, Pallas Athene and the Sun. This combines the healing gifts of Chiron with the wisdom of Pallas and the warmth and energy of the Sun. Or, said another way, you have some extra blessing when it comes to expressing yourself just as who you are. You can consider yourself free to be the person who you are inside. This may take some courage, but don’t overthink the matter. Chiron is the master of individuation, and the exception to the rule. Pallas Athene, for her part, is the master of the smooth political maneuver and the minimalistic but clever strategy. The Sun grants charm and charisma, especially when it’s in your sign. This is another way of saying you have nothing to worry about, as long as you pay attention. Also note: this is the kind of event that happens once in a lifetime. It’s actually that rare — and describes some correspondingly rare and beautiful event in your life.

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Aries (March 20-April 19) — With Venus retrograde in your sign, it would seem that the thing you need the most is to experience the world from the viewpoint of a close partner. In fact, I suggest you do a review of your exchanges the past year or so, and see if you can figure out what you’ve been missing. Rather than asking for additional information, use what you know; note what you’ve already observed and put the pieces together emotionally rather than intellectually. You will know you’re getting somewhere when you have that sensation of revelation and discovery, as if the lights are suddenly coming on. In the end, this is about your relationship to yourself: how you experience your feelings, what relevance other people have in your life, and what you want to share with them. You want relationships, but why? Venus retrograde, which began Saturday and ends April 15, will help you figure that out.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Most people you meet are totally opaque to themselves. They cannot see through their personality into some deeper manifestation of who they are. Some love the seeming mystery of this; others cannot be bothered. You now get a glorious opportunity to peer deep into your own psyche, and to catch up with some long-overdue discoveries. The idea of an ‘identity’ has often been challenging to you, because you know you cannot fit yourself into easy categories. You’re aware of your need to be an individual and not defined by your environment. Yet this often leaves you wondering where you fit in. The current planetary picture describes a scenario where the closer you come to accepting exactly who you are, the easier it will be to find the places not just where you fit, but where you truly belong.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Monday’s meeting of Mercury and the Sun is about doors opening for you, especially on the professional front. Your part in the deal is to knock on those doors. Your job is to place yourself where people can see you, and to talk about what you love to do. The way to impress potential employers and partners is not just with your vision; rather, you must demonstrate your ability to come through with results that meet their specifications. Your past history is enough to get you into the conversations you need to be in. From there, you must stay solidly in the present, and show that you’re able to listen carefully and understand the task at hand and where it fits into the wider pattern. For some it’s a too-tall order to be authoritative and respect authority at the same time. That, however, is what’s required.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Ask for a vision for the future and you’ll get one. Remember, though, that there are many possibilities, and they’re not all equal or equivalent. Therefore, I suggest you not settle for just one vision, or just one idea; keep pumping the well until you have many possibilities to choose from, to combine and to give you ideas for what else is possible. If you do this for a while, you’ll see that what you’re currently doing and what you’re currently thinking have plenty of room for expansion. You might also discover that you had some fantastic ideas in the past that deserve a fresh look. Pay special attention to the ones that seem beautiful but which may require too much change, commitment or time spent out of your comfort zone. You can, at least, afford to consider them for a while.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You can reach a positive resolution to a matter involving taxes, shared finances or some personal situation. But this will involve setting aside the seeming complexity of the scenario for an elegant solution that works for everyone. If you’re setting a goal, that’s the place to begin: not just with what works for you, but what will encompass the needs of everyone in the scenario. For this to happen, however, you must be working with all the true facts, and everyone must have their agenda on the table. You’re likely to be the one to facilitate this process. Here’s the thing to remember: you can only work with the willingness of others. You cannot overcome their unwillingness. Therefore, you must figure out what you want, and what everyone else wants, and then start building on the common ground. If others bring up differences, encourage them to talk about what they support and agree with.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — It’s not easy to tell where people are really coming from. By now you’ve figured this out. This is not about men or women, or whether relationships are sexual or not. It’s about people and the way that they tend to walk around in a haze of ambiguity and hesitation. Sometimes this is about avoidance. Other times it’s about low expectations of life. You have enough psychological insight to see the signs; now you must have the strength and integrity to put them together and figure out where people are really coming from. You’ll be able to discern this more from their actions than their words, and this will be an exercise in pattern recognition. However, it’s likely that you will hear one specific message in written or spoken form that helps you assemble the full scenario. Watch, listen, read — and think.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — If you’ve been having the feeling that the energy of your relationships is more like oil and water than a tropical fruit smoothie, this is for you. Don’t worry if someone seems to be pulling away from you, or questioning the future. Venus has recently stationed retrograde, and this is about introspection, and about sizing up the recent past. It’s time for a review, and for an assessment of the way events have developed (take this back to mid-2015 if you need a time frame). You must be honest about your role in the way things have developed. This might include having made some compromise early on, or having fallen for someone’s image rather than their substance. Take your time with this. Over the next month or so, the true colors will come out. You’ll figure out what you’re feeling, and that will make it easier to understand what others are feeling. A positive outcome is possible.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The idea to keep in mind is nourishment. Under the current influence of Venus retrograde, many relationships are getting a little shakeup. Everyone will have their own notions of what’s going on for them; I suggest you cast things in terms of food. First, do that literally: what’s the meal plan in your primary partnership or other important relationships? Who feeds whom? That’s your central metaphor; it will tell most of the story. Then transpose that into an emotional context. What interchanges feed you and which deplete you? What is the pattern? It would seem you’re concerned about the way that someone is so focused on their own needs and feelings that they don’t have time or resources for you. This may be true, though before you decide that, do a careful assessment of your own generosity — of spirit, with money and in the kitchen. Love is about nourishment, and if it’s not nourishing, it’s not love.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Approach-avoid behavior is often about guilt. It doesn’t usually look that way, because the approach seems affirmative and sincere, while the avoidance seems to have no connection to anything, or to something abstract. They are connected, however, by the person in whom this is happening. Start with yourself. Notice how you feel when you back off from someone or something that you want. This may be subtle: you’ll need to catch a glimpse of the sensations that are going on between the lines and below the surface. Is something too good, too creative, too much fun, or too self-indulgent? Does something you want seem like too big a risk? Or are you getting snagged on the responsibility and the commitment that come with real freedom? In truth it may not be any of these things. Guilt usually signs its name in invisible ink, if at all.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Some old family matters seem to be up for discussion, though make sure you have the issue right. Where you and your family of origin are concerned, the central question of your life is: in what ways did your existence threaten the egos of your early caregivers? You were a precocious child, which on one level impressed the people around you and on another seemed to demand their attention in a way that they didn’t quite know what to do with. Many people never give up on the struggle for their parents’ approval, no matter how old they are. This, in turn, translates into other circumstances. Which ones? Any situation where you lack the confidence to say or do what you want, or what you need. You simply must question why that happens, and not take any explanation that does not solve the problem. Of course, the inherent riddle of confidence is that at a certain point, you simply have to get over yourself. Keep in mind that you’re no longer a child.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Both the ancient and modern planets associated with your sign are in a rare state. Saturn, the ancient ruler, is conjunct the Galactic Core, which is subjecting you to an ongoing awakening that may leave you wondering whether it’s really happening. The Galactic Core is famous for brilliant revelations that later seem dubious, or which are forgotten. What you’re figuring out, though, is not as strange as it may seem, and it’s certainly worth remembering. As for the modern ruling planet, Uranus, this too is in a rare state: it’s conjunct Eris in Aries. This is a blend of the brilliant revelation, the shocking awakening and a genius invention of some kind. That invention is not a thing, it’s your life — and the recognition that your life is guided by your thoughts and your perceptions (which come from your thoughts). All in all, this is a moment of awakening like none other. It’s time to get up, make a fresh pot of coffee, and meet the dawn of a new day.

Pisces Birthdays 2017:
What Are You Here To Do?

“Your work has moved me. It has helped me to begin to understand what I have been through during this lifetime, and what I have come here to do. Planet Waves is like a place I always knew existed but could never find. Until now. I have wanted to write to you for some time but didn’t know what to say; tonight I just want to thank you, sincerely, for what you do, because it has changed my life.”

— Anna B.

Dear Friend and Reader:

What have you discovered, and where are you within the shifting context of your life, now that two eclipses have come and gone? Pisces is currently chock-full of planets and points that are likely enhancing your awareness and urging you to do something with what you are learning.

Your upcoming 2017 Pisces Birthday Reading will be an essential guide to sorting out your inner world and how it intersects with the rapidly changing world around you.

Your reading will include two audio segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), plus a tarot reading (either audio or video) and extended written description of your sign. You may download the audio portions and listen as many times as you like as the year progresses. Please note that the tarot portion may be ready after the astrology segments are released — and the reading’s price will increase when that happens.

If you have a Pisces Sun or ascendant (or would like to give a gift to someone who does), you can pre-order the 2017 Pisces Birthday Reading for the discounted pre-order price of $19.97.

In every audio birthday reading, Eric draws a clear connection between your present moment and environment, and long-term patterns that stretch into the past and into the future — and which influence your options. If you have a Pisces loved one, this audio reading will make a generous and inspiring gift.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. Your audio Pisces Birthday Reading is completely different from your written reading in the 2017 annual edition. Eric will record the Birthday Reading with the Sun in Pisces, giving a detailed, in-the-moment take on the most important parts of your astrology as they begin to unfold.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You know you need to rethink the whole money thing. Venus is retrograde in your house of finances and resources, which represents a question and a reminder to be impeccable about money. In the same house and sign, Uranus is making its last conjunction to Eris, which is about some kind of revolt, rebellion and reinvention. You might think you’re working through your ideas about money, but it’s much bigger than that. You are reinventing yourself and, in turn, that becomes your greatest resource. Therefore, observe yourself, understand yourself, and notice all the points where your self-concept (including self-esteem) meets up with financial reality. Two questions come to mind: what purpose do you serve, in a daily, active way; and what level of reality do you want to be on? What, specifically, do you want money for, and what relationship does that have to your stated values? In other words, what priorities do you want to finance, and why?

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Aries (March 20-April 19) — Yesterday’s eclipse in Pisces opened an inner doorway for you. This is a standout event, even on the scale of your current rapid phase of self-discovery. Now that this door is open, it will remain so, for as long as you keep using it. You have access through any inward-seeking practice such as meditation, art or spiritually grounded sex. There’s one more message that’s coming through, and it involves discerning the difference between need and desire. Most people tend to describe their desires as needs, since they’re easier to justify that way. I suggest you lean in the direction of desire, and learn to say the words “I want” without guilt. You actually have very few needs, and most of them are met. You will benefit from an honest relationship with wanting. It’s powerful for two reasons: first, it’s more direct and to the point. Second, if you want something that turns out to be unavailable or unreasonable, it will be easier to let it go.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Venus, Taurus planet number one, is slowing down for one of its unusual retrograde phases, which lasts from March 4 though April 15. This is a cool-off phase for you, and a time for reflection and review. It comes with a special message. Among its topics that are vital to the human spirit, Venus is about values, and this retrograde is about valuing your community. Specifically, it’s about truly appreciating a community that accepts you for who you truly are. You’re at a time in your life when you don’t need to pretend. At the same time you have mastered adapting to your environment without compromising who you are. Three cheers for maturity. Now you get to take this deeper, and maximize the other side of the equation: really bringing the best of who you are to your community, recognizing the unique role you have to play. That’s true even when you have your doubts.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You must stay on-message, especially where professional matters are concerned. By this, I mean that you would be wise to work from talking points, rather than ad-libbing it. There are rather significant aspects this week in your house of reputation, achievement and success. They are creative and inspiring combinations of planets — and they are slippery and a bit dreamy. To make the best use of these aspects, you must be well prepared and on time and must plan carefully what you’re going to say. You don’t need a script; you need to have your basic necessary discussion elements and main points together. Don’t veer too far from this, at the moment; obviously flexibility is a must, but keep yourself on a short leash when it comes to what you write and say. Remember: on-message, for effectiveness.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your work — that is, your real work — is a vital aspect of your life, your identity and your growth. Far from being the sign of hearth and home, your solar chart reveals you as ambitious, driven and someone who must fully inhabit your mission or your calling. Start with what you’re doing now, and do it with a brassy and bold sense of adventure. The more you assert yourself, the more unusual results you will get. Keep in mind that everything you do is part of a relationship, no matter how casual or formal, fleeting or long established. Therefore, work on the level of human contact, and remember the necessity for mutual service: the facets of life where real meaning manifests. Some of the best opportunities that emerge for you will take the form of mistakes, surprises, or positive advantages that come out of seeming conflict. For maximum benefit, you must assert yourself, and let the atoms of thought collide into new elements and compounds.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Within an intimate partnership, one door is closing and another is opening. The relationship in question will need to develop into its new form before you really understand what it is. I suggest, till then, that you refrain from labeling or attempting to define the rearranged circumstance. There is still plenty of fog that has to clear, and that will take some time. You’re learning to see your relationships beyond your rose-colored point of view. It will help if you keep your eye on the bank balance, and on matters of balance that involve sexuality in any form. Everyone involved must be willing to bring their whole truth to the discussion. Be aware of seemingly passive forms of deception, such as when you’re not provided with full disclosure and are expected not to care. There remains one additional question, which is what you do with the truth when you have it.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Any decision that you seem to make rapidly or unexpectedly was probably brewing for a long time. You might inquire with yourself as to how long. Look for the roots of the situation. Go back to the times of first meeting, of inception, or of any initial agreement that was made. Then plot the way forward; you’re likely to see a series of steppingstones you followed that got you to where you are today. If you start to encounter confusion, that’s a sign to persist. You cannot smooth out the surface of the water with a canoe paddle, but you can read your journals and old emails, and you can study photographs for information. Take your time with this research. Work more like a novelist than a lawyer, which is to say: the narrative counts for a great deal. You will gradually plot your way to a better place, even if you get blown off course every once in a while.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — I’m curious to hear from Libras and Libra rising what last week and the coming week have brought into your life. You’re living through astrology that’s pretty darned bold and brassy. It looks like you’re keeping the company of a mad genius who is equal parts magician, scientist and military strategist. You may wonder about your role in any or all of this; the group constellation that surrounds you seems to have a mind of its own. You may also feel like you’re getting drawn deeper into something that you don’t quite understand, and which bristles your desire for calm and balance. At the least, I suggest you let your current environment shock you into a new level of inner consciousness. It really has something to offer you — and I can all but assure you that you’re not getting drawn into anything. By all indications, you seem well intent on going your own way.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — If you seek understanding from an emotional rather than psychological level, what you’re trying to figure out will be more obvious. This is a matter of logic; that is, what kind of logic you use. Psychological logic is supposed to make sense; emotional logic gets a pass from that requirement. Let your eyes blur out from the figures before you, and gaze into the background. Feel your response as you allow yourself to be more vulnerable, more receptive, more willing to take the chance of resonating with emotions and desires that may take you into deeper water than you might trust. What you can trust is yourself.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — One way to look at cause and effect is as a linear series of steps. Another way is as a dynamic between ground and figure, or between an entity and its surrounding environment. We’re all familiar with the ‘one thing leads to another’ method. Ground and figure causation explores the environmental dynamics as the factor that leads to any manifestation. Your life right now is a study in your environment. This works many ways: from your immediate surroundings and how you experience them (currently a rather complex equation), to your social environment, to vast and wide questions of existence. Rather than trying to take things one step at a time and deduce how things got to be the way they are, consider how you respond to your environment and what you do to shape your environment. This requires slowing down and suspending the usual rules of logic. The question to ask is, “How am I a product of my surroundings?”

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Your life these days seems to be characterized by a struggle for mental clarity. Yet your solar chart suggests you ease back and listen to what your intuition tells you. If you are grappling with whether something is the right choice for you, you might try not reaching so far into the future. Study your present situation and how you feel about it. You seem to have discovered something over the weekend — a factor that was right before your eyes but that you somehow managed not to notice. It will be easy to forget, even if you have a revelation of some kind. Rather than trying to think things through, or prove them with your eyes, listen to the space around you; let your thoughts pulse like the sounds of waves rather than the sound of your fingers typing on a keyboard. You already know the truth; you just need to listen, and accept.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You must be careful what you say and what you write. This is a great week to set everything on a one-hour delay, or an overnight delay. It will be easy — very easy — to say things that you regret, particularly if you are angry. Deal with any anger first, and then figure out what to say, and to whom. Your words have the power of a weapon right now, and even in the coolest and calmest state of mind, you want to use that delicately and judiciously. A good policy is minimal force; subtle persuasion is preferable to the heavy-handed kind. What I suggest you do is look for the most efficient, effort-free way to make your point. Think like a pool player rather than a football player. There’s no need for a Hail Mary or to tackle anyone. Look for the angle that will sink the ball, nice and easy. Then aim carefully and measure your shot.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The full effects of Sunday’s solar eclipse in your sign will take a few days to settle in, though remember — you’re not drifting. Your life is on course, and you’ll stay on course for as long as you stay connected to your feelings. If you cut off from your own sensitivity, or if you try to override your intuition with logic, you’re likely to misguide yourself. You really know something when you know it in your body. Your mind and conscience will rarely disagree with what your body knows. I understand that there are many factors influencing you right now. Yet you have more influence over your life and your destiny than all of those factors combined. And you have the ability to make conscious choices and to use your resources wisely. One thing is for sure: you have much more available to you than you’re aware of, and are about to make a pretty amazing discovery: such as a missing file, a forgotten bank account, or some precious and valuable tool.

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Aries (March 20-April 19) — It’s time for cleaning closets. This is the perfect time of year, and the perfect time in your solar chart. I do mean the psychic and spiritual kinds of closets, but there’s no better way to get that started than picking a messy storage area in your home or apartment and digging it out. You’ll have a potent, palpable metaphor for how it feels to open up territory you avoided, and to go in and set things in order. Make decisions about what you want to keep, what you want to discard and what you want to pass forward. Start with something simple, like a desk drawer. Then move on to something more ambitious, like the refrigerator or your pantry. Think of everything you let go of as an offering. Sing your favorite mantra, or invent a little song including the words, “I am making space for better things in my life.” While you’re doing this, pay attention to what comes up for you emotionally. Slow down and feel what you’re doing. Notice your dreams. That’s where most psychic closet-cleaning actually takes place.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Even if you’re not one of those Taureans who is drawn to the performing arts, you’re aware of your public image. You know that how you present yourself influences how others see you, and you strive to do that impeccably. Get ready for an inversion of that idea. Notice the moments when you seem to slip up and are your unvarnished self, and it works out beautifully. Rather than paying attention to how you seem to appear to others, pay attention to how others actually respond to you: that’s the mystical stuff of social relationships that so often goes unobserved. Notice who looks at you and sees into you: there is a distinct feeling when someone peers past the surface and touches you on the watery level; you will feel that momentary burst of heat and daring. You can afford to throw all pretense to the wind, and show people your friendly face and true spirit.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Career breaks almost always come in unusual or unexpected ways. You can post your resume on Monster and search Craigslist all you want, though the moment of contact is most often an unscripted, spontaneous connection. You might encounter someone in an elevator or walk up to a person who looks interesting while you’re waiting in line to pay for your sandwich. It’s necessary to preserve a touch of formality, and to speak to others consistently with a blend of warmth and respect. Then make a habit of going off-script. Ask people what they do and what’s interesting about it. If someone’s wearing an interesting tie or scarf, mention it sincerely. Twenty years of soaking in the internet has done strange things to people and to society. One of the most helpful is that it’s made the human realm — that of eye contact, casual conversation and polite gestures like holding doors or picking up dropped items for people — a frontier of human potential.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Imagine you move to a beautiful condominium by the sea, though the day you arrive, a fog rolls in and obscures the horizon. Now imagine that you’ve lived with this cloudy view for years and then one day the clouds part and the blue sky appears before your eyes. You can see out to the curve of the Earth, and notice how the sky changes every day and even every hour. You see ships and airplanes coming and going. Your view of the outer horizon corresponds to your inner perspective: suddenly you feel like you’ve got a future, and you can even glimpse at what is possible. The fog is indeed clearing and your view of your life is getting clearer with each passing day. Learning is discovering that something is possible. The way to find out is to take one of your newly discovered ideas about what you want, and bring it into physical reality.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your beliefs about your relationships largely determine what you are. By beliefs I mean your ideas about what you owe people and what they owe you. Often this works for you, and your sense of service and ingratiation to others provides a focus for your life. You do, however, need to check in periodically and make sure that your current approach is taking in all the known facts. You need to make sure there’s some form of balance that’s appropriate to who you are now. Most of all, you need to review your recent life and make sure you’re being honest with the people around you, and that you’ve answered all of your questions about the veracity of others. Over the next week or so, questions are likely to arise, and those questions deserve answering. Those answers may be perfectly satisfactory, and you will feel better for having them. If they are anything but copacetic, it’s time for a patient, careful and most of all honest conversation.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your relationship life is complex at the moment — more so than it needs to be. Your life would be simpler were you committed to letting go of who and what is not working for you. It’s not a tragedy to move on from situations that you know, from extended experience, are not working. Neither is it any loss to let go of new situations that show signs of going off kilter. With any of these moves, though, it’s necessary to stop and ask yourself how exactly you got into such a situation again. Then you must make the requisite adjustments and decisions, and pay careful attention to who you let into your life, and notice how things go in the beginning: the first few meetings, the first time they come into your home, the first time you come into their home. Your astrology suggests you’re vulnerable to illusions, but the helpful response is to broaden your mind rather than to narrow it. Look for what is actually there, rather than what you want to see.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You should have no shortage of suitors or social opportunities at the moment, though how you feel about this is another question. In general it’s good to be welcoming of other humans who take an interest in you, though many people resent this, or take it the wrong way. It’s also true that people can be insensitive or needlessly assertive in their approach; you prefer some finesse, though obviously this is rare enough to find. At the moment, however, you seem to be ready to keep your own company and minimize your involvements with others. If you get this signal from yourself, I suggest you follow it. You might need to learn to say things like, “I don’t want to go out; I want to stay in tonight,” or, “I’m leaving my plans open all weekend and not committing to anything.” Trust me: this is not only socially acceptable, it’s absolutely essential that we learn to speak to one another this way, so that we can have space for ourselves when we need it — with no guilt.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Are relationships demanding more work than is necessary? I would say so. They also tend to become stagnant pretty quickly, which is not necessary. Part of the problem involves the inherent dishonesty of the dating process. First, it begins with the concept that this next person (whom you may have met three days ago) is your one-and-only-for-life. That has to go. Then, this thing called dating is like a job interview where you put forth all your strengths and hide your weaknesses. I have a suggestion for you, outlined boldly in your solar chart. It’s time to be real about sex, particularly with relationship partners and prospective ones. I suggest you be real about what you want (including your fantasies), what you’ve done and who you are. Yes, you will repel some people — which is exactly what you want. Fewer people will find you ‘acceptable’, which is precisely what you must do in order to find the ones you really, truly belong with.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Shadow implies light. One cannot exist without the other. At the moment, if you’re experiencing some darkness, you may be blocking your own light. In consciousness, that means fear and insecurity. You might have a sense that your safety is in some way threatened. Mainly, it’s threatened by your own apprehension about the future: remember that the primary thing consciousness experiences is itself. Therefore, you would be wise to understand that dynamic. And then you can go toward the light. This will take many forms other than the kind you might need sunglasses for. Your light is found in your motivation, in your inspiration, in your desire to serve and, most of all, in your curiosity. God does not appear as a thunderclap from the heavens. Rather, your inner voice speaks in your own spiritual language — and will never frighten you. Your true inner voice will lead you out of the darkness and into the light: so listen carefully.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Even under the best conditions, you must work to focus your mind. You speak to yourself in a language that other people don’t understand, and you use internal logic that may not make sense to others. It’s easy for you to get lost in your thoughts and in your imagination; and lately, you seem to be in a bit of psychic overload. This could be influencing anything from your overall state of organization, to your ability to form your thoughts into words that others can follow. One thing that would help you do this is to choose the order in which you want to do things, or say things. Aligning your thoughts with linear time will help, since most of what you have going on in your mind is a non-linearity. Use logic, and make sure you follow through into language, describing why something is meaningful and what that meaning is. Take on the burden of clear communication. You are the one who must make your ideas make sense — if you want to be understood.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Where financial matters are concerned, you must use your intuition, and then check your facts before you act on it. Or, you may compile all the facts you need, apply logic, and then finally check against your intuition. Neither intuition nor facts are sufficient on their own; using both and crosschecking one against the other is the way to cultivate the best information. You tend to over-emphasize intuition despite your passion for the mental sphere. I suggest you place the emphasis back on logic and fact-checking and really hang in with that, especially where money is at stake.

Aquarius and Pisces Birthdays: Eclipse Companions

“When there’s an eclipse on the horizon, every event or development becomes a step on the way into its vortex.”

— Eric Francis Coppolino on Feb. 13

Dear Friend and Reader:

We lately experienced a lunar eclipse in the relationship house for Aquarius; in a few days, we’ll get a solar eclipse in Pisces. We’re in The Eclipse Zone.

If you have your Sun, ascendant or even Moon in one of these two signs, how are you stepping into the vortex? Or to put it another way: where are you putting your attention and focus, and what are you noticing as you make those choices?

In every audio birthday reading, Eric draws a clear connection between your present moment and environment, and long-term patterns that stretch into the past and into the future — and which influence your options. So much potential is available to you every minute of every day. Yet with so much distraction and cultural chaos, it’s essential to have someone help you clarify what matters most — and what you can do about it.

If you’re a Pisces (or would like to give a gift to one), you can pre-order the 2017 Pisces Birthday Reading for the discounted pre-order price of $19.97.

This reading will include two audio segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), plus a tarot reading (either audio or video) and extended written description of your sign. You may download the audio portions and listen as many times as you like as the year progresses.

“I ordered my Sun sign and my Moon/ascendant (same sign). I was blown away by how accurate and useful the information was. I’m on my third reading and it’s turning out to be one of my most accurate astrology readings to date. If you’re on the fence about buying a reading, trust me, it’s high-quality information and outweighs three lattes, two beers, and a month of Netflix.”

— Stefani Quane

If you’re an Aquarius, good news: Your two audio astrology portions are available for instant access. (The tarot segment will publish a little later, and we’ll let you know when that’s ready.) You can still order the Aquarius Reading here for a discounted price; the price will increase again when Eric finishes the tarot portion.

As Eric wrote last week, “we’re in the pattern-clearing / pattern-setting zone of the cycle. Think of this as a time to clarify and refine your intentions, to which you commit by taking action.”

Are you ready to take some action?

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. You can listen to samples of the Aquarius Reading here and here — recorded as the lunar eclipse warmed up.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — If a door opens, go through that door. First, imagine that everyone and everything you encounter is a potential passageway to the future, into another life, into some new phase of your existence. If a door seems to close, be grateful that one phase of your life has ended and another has begun. Embrace the opportunity for change, which is the precursor to progress. This is a form of freedom that involves an active, co-creative relationship with the world you live in, rather than one in which you are constantly subject to forces beyond your control. At this moment you are being summoned to step up to full participation in your life. You are doing this in a time when it’s arguable that all hope is lost, when existence is nothing but chaotic and when greed seems to be ruling the day. Even if that is true, don’t let that stop you from doing what you want to do, and need to do.