Dear Friend and Reader:

We have a fantastic interview on Planet Waves FM planned for tonight, and some great columns today on the Planet Waves blog to keep your astrological appetite sated and keep you curious.

Planet Waves writer Enceno Macy embraces his mom just after his release from prison last month. Photo by Eric Francis.

Eric’s broadcast of Planet Waves FM this week features a special long-awaited interview with Enceno Macy. Enceno has been writing engaging articles for Planet Waves from within the prison system for the last three years. Almost six weeks ago, on April 5, he was finally released from prison.

Eric traveled across the country to welcome him, document the event, and speak with Enceno first hand about his experiences.

I’ve already listened to the interview, and guarantee you’ll be moved by this young man’s story, in his own voice. Eric’s interview with Enceno will post to the blog by 8 pm EDT (possibly earlier).

In Monday’s Daily Astrology post, Eric gave us a useful heads up on the rather slippery, diffuse square between Venus and Neptune that may have you feeling a little unsure of how you feel and what to do about it (checking any impulses may help).

Today’s Daily Astrology looks at some aspects the Moon is making from Cancer, the sign it rules. You may find that your moods shift frequently today and tomorrow, but there are tools available to you as you navigate your emotional waters.

Later today on the Planet Waves blog, Len Wallick offers his take on Wednesday’s “sparkly” ingress of Gemini by Mercury; that will post at noon. Also, if you missed Sarah Taylor’s Weekend Tarot Reading or Elisa Novick’s latest missive from France while on her Thriving Planet tour, they both offer wonderful insights for you to consider.

Yours and truly,

Amanda Painter

Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re working carefully to sort out the charts and factual data on yesterday’s bombing of the Boston Marathon. The chart for the event has Neptune close to the horizon — there is a haze surrounding this event. Try to see and feel your way through that, to something more nourishing.

This is obviously an upsetting situation, on every level, from empathizing with the people who were hurt and killed, to the fact that the event yesterday was dedicated to the Sandy Hook school shooting victims, to the disruption of the awesome tradition of the Boston Marathon.

Eric Francis. Photo by Johanna.

There is the sensation that this could happen anywhere. Many are experiencing pain and confusion. One typical response will be to shut down; another will be to succumb to fear.

Subjecting ourselves to toxic imagery over and over only spreads the poison. I would encourage you to keep your perspective. You may be the one person who actually has some of that, and can offer your support to people who need help being stabilized. Try not to let them knock you off balance.

The news media has no story right now, so there is little point filling your mind with the same video tape shown over and over. There have been no actual developments since the initial incident. The allegedly big news today is that authorities have asked for people to provide copies of any digital images they might have.

And before this happened, there was movement on a number of important issues, from the background check to immigration reform, lame as those proposals were. The discussions were actually happening.

I’ll be working on the story all week, and will share what I’ve learned so far in an edition of Planet Waves FM that will probably be posted tonight. Please check our blog for that update.

Early this morning, Amanda posted a beautiful article in response to what happened in Boston.

I posted some preliminary astrology notes along with the chart, at this link. If you would like to have a look at the charts yourself, I have pulled together an interesting set, which you may download free (and share with others).

Monday’s Daily Astrology post on the blog covered the latest astrological shifts on a more personal level. Mercury entered Aries over the weekend, and is making for quick minds that want to act on their ideas. Venus, in Taurus as of Monday, is offering some much-needed grounding. The Sun will join Venus in Taurus on Friday, helping to swing the balance a little further toward the sensual, the receptive and something more grounded.

We do not have a horoscope for you today; Tuesday, April 23, we’ll be sending out Genevieve Hathaway’s Moonshine horoscope for the Scorpio Full Moon. I do suggest you review your April monthly horoscope — which covers the Aries alignment that we’re in the midst of right now.

We’ll see you Friday with an edition covering the events at the Boston Marathon and what they mean in a larger context.

Lovingly,

Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re very excited to announce that Eric has just completed the 2013 Invocation of Spring 12-sign audio report. As an astrologer, Eric has one of the freshest, no-holds-barred perspectives on sex and relationships. And with eclipses approaching this season on the sensual, passionate Taurus-Scorpio axis, this is the time to tap into Eric’s insight on how you can work with the incredible energy heating up in this department.

Early spring pussy willows at dawn. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Since it’s a 12-sign product, that means you can listen to your rising and Moon signs in addition to your Sun sign — plus those of your loved ones (and any potential partners or playmates) — for just $24.95 here.

Tonight on Planet Waves FM, Eric will cover the forthcoming Aries New Moon and its relationship to the brewing tensions with North Korea. This will include a look at the Nuclear Axis chart. Planet Waves FM generally posts to the blog by 8 pm Eastern (often earlier).

Also on the blog, Monday we covered the Sun-Pluto square and how it’s working in tandem with the Jupiter-Chiron square this week to help you clear some ground in your life. The idea is to address what is necessary first.

Today’s Daily Astrology post considers the last quarter Moon overnight tonight into Wednesday morning, and how it’s doing its part to move you along this week. Again, Pluto is closely involved: between now and that quarter Moon, there’s an eclipse-like event involving the Capricorn Moon and Pluto. It’s called an occultation, and they’ve been happening every month for the last year (and will continue for a few months more). Len Wallick will have his own take on the last quarter Moon ready on the blog around noon today.

Finally, if you’ve been reading Planet Waves for at least a year, you know that April Fool’s Day is a very special holiday for us. Don’t miss our stunning, exclusive expose of Pope Francis — “the Party Pope” — here.

Yours and truly,

Amanda Painter