Editor’s note: this is the full PW members’ edition, featuring your weekly horoscope by Amy Elliott, Create; and Eric’s Planet Waves FM program.

Dear Friend and Reader:

Are you looking around this week wondering if you can believe what you’re seeing? I know, I know: for many, this has become the expectation, not the surprise. Yet as we wind down toward the Virgo New Moon on Sunday, your perception of the environment — and how that influences your direct interactions and immediate relationships — could use some attention and discretion.

Protesters with the group Demand Justice, dressed in The Handmaid’s Tale costumes, send a silent message on Tuesday above the entrance to the Senate room where Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing is taking place. Photo by Win McNamee.

I say that because one of the most important aspects between now and the weekend (and even beyond) is the Sun in Virgo making its yearly opposition to Neptune (which itself is taking a leisurely stroll through Pisces).

This is an aspect of slippery perception: one that warns us to be wary of deception, both intentional and the accidental kind that comes with being distracted by surface impressions and glamour.

This week’s social media brouhaha over Nike’s choice to feature Colin Kaepernick as the face of its latest “Just Do It” ad campaign is one example. Kaepernick, you may recall, is the NFL quarterback who began the trend in 2016 of kneeling during the national anthem as a silent racial justice protest.

Now, on one side of the Nike ‘controversy’, there are people posting images of themselves burning their Nike gear or cutting the logo from it to protest Nike and Kaepernick on ‘patriotic’ grounds — seemingly oblivious to the fact that Nike already has their money. On the other side are people proclaiming their admiration and support for Nike (and Kaepernick, by extension) for their allegedly ‘courageous’ stand on racial justice and free speech.

Yet, on a third side, there are those who are looking through the glitz and emotional manipulation to focus on details most don’t want to bother with: as great as it is for a major corporation to promote a racial justice activist, Nike still commits questionable human rights practices (if not outright abuses) daily in their overseas factory sweatshops — factories that rely on the cheap labor of people of color.

On a more serious — if less glamorous — note, this week the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh began, amidst vocal protest and frustration. (Check Democracy Now’s ongoing coverage of the dire shenanigans.)

Nike’s “controversial” ad featuring quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Reasons why many are pushing for these proceedings to be postponed: Kavanaugh was nominated by a President who is currently under federal investigation; less than 15 hours before the hearing began on Tuesday, 42,000 documents from Kavanaugh’s time in the White House Counsel’s Office were essentially dumped on the Senate Judiciary Committee, leaving no time to read (let alone analyze) them; the Trump administration is also withholding more than another 100,000 pages of Kavanaugh’s records on the basis of presidential privilege.

Oh, and let’s not forget the GOP’s no-holds-barred stonewalling of Pres. Obama’s SCOTUS nominee, Merrick Garland, shortly before the end of his second term. And not least, Kavanaugh’s questionable stances on crucial matters like executive power (he allegedly is in favor of expanding it greatly), and cases like Roe v. Wade that have set Constitutional precedence.

Just in case everything seems hunky-dory in your personal life, these two cultural examples should give you an idea of how a Sun-Neptune opposition can be reflected in daily life. One’s powers of discrimination may be compromised. Things like contracts and negotiations can be especially important to scrutinize for possible deception. Confrontation might feel extra uncomfortable, but don’t act surreptitiously — it will likely just make things messier, and the confrontation will find you anyway.

On the positive side, according to noted astrologer Robert Hand, it’s possible for Sun opposite Neptune, in its highest expression, to come through as tremendous depth of feeling and spirituality, and great understanding for a partner. The tricky thing, of course, is that Western culture generally does not foster soul-level existence and expression. We human beings get tripped up by unclear emotions and muddy thinking even when there are no major aspects to Neptune. So something like the Sun in a sign ruled by Mercury, the planet of mind, opposing Neptune in a sign that’s already dreamy and emotional, calls for careful handling.

“Venus and Mars,” painting by Geraldine Arata. Not everything has to be conflict, competition or acquiescence. There’s also connection, communication and compromise.

Against the background of all that, a surprising number of interesting events are unfolding. Just today, for example, the asteroid Ceres moved into Libra, making an opposition to Chiron in Aries.

This has the potential to bring attention to how our relationships are (or are not) offering the sustenance we need to flourish as the individuals we are — and whether we offer similar nourishment to those we care about, as they struggle to figure out who they are. (Note that Ceres and Chiron are also in Aries Point territory, which heightens the personal impact of, and investment in, issues like the Kavanaugh hearing and the Kaepernick/Nike ad.)

Also today, Saturn stationed direct in very early Capricorn (also an Aries Point event; the first degree or so of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn all ring the ‘personal is political’ bell). I’ll be curious to see whether there’s a shift in the news events mentioned with this one: Saturn represents authority figures (among other things), and Capricorn can signify governments and big business. Whether forward progress looks they way we’d like it to is another question.

I’m also intrigued by today’s conjunction between Mercury, Pallas and the hypothetical point Transpluto in Virgo. This is a reminder not to let a too-narrow view or an over-focus on minute details prevent you from forming a strategic plan. Plans and strategies need to take in the broader picture and longer-term view (also known as creative vision) along with the nitty-gritty that’s currently at hand.

On Saturday, Venus in Libra squares Mars in Capricorn (exact at 4:38 pm EDT / 20:38:00 UTC). While this is a passionate aspect, it’s also one of tension and very different energies. If you feel yourself getting competitive, can you take a step back and consider things from a standpoint of mutual benefit instead? Note that if you are harboring unexpressed sexual energy or other tensions in a relationship, this aspect could push it to the forefront.

Full chart for the Virgo New Moon, opposite Neptune. Venus and Mars are still square, though “out of sign,” since Venus will have entered Scorpio several hours earlier. Note the trine between Pallas and Transpluto in Virgo and Uranus in Taurus; this could translate to an ability to use the unexpected for very deliberate and focused effect. View glyph key here.

Can you address what comes up and express it while still staying open emotionally? I suspect that might help to ease Venus’ move from Libra into Scorpio on Sunday (5:25 am EDT / 9:25:09 UTC).

Venus changes signs a little less than nine hours before the Sun and Moon make their conjunction for the Virgo New Moon, which is exact on Sunday at 2:01:26 pm EDT (18:01:22 UTC). Although there are several intriguing items in this chart, one in particular calls for mention: the Sun and Moon will be sextile Jupiter in Scorpio.

Jupiter in Scorpio has been interesting for many people I know, because it’s been emphasizing both ‘positive’ things and sub-surface issues that previously had been ignored. In Scorpio, this seems to often come through in matters of sex, money and various forms of deep transformation.

As Jupiter receives this sextile from the Moon and Sun in Virgo, it appears you’re being offered a helping hand in starting something new.

If you’re trying to materialize a plan for the future, this weekend would be a good time to review the details and then see the parts as the whole that they need to be for you to make progress. Both sextiles and Jupiter tend to reward efforts made to engage the energy actively. That said, both the Moon and Sun sextile Jupiter bode well for almost any kind of activity — especially the social kind.

Whether you gather with old friends or new friends, or take yourself out solo to a festival or museum or wherever, or even if circumstances dictate that your phone or computer is the only mode of connection that’s feasible, notice the quality of these interactions. Better yet, do your part to make them a little deeper, a little more present, maybe even a little more helpful than usual. Even in these times when seeing does not equate with believing, connecting with each other remains a central purpose of live on Earth.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Your Autumn Reading by Eric Francis
Empathy-Pathos: A Study in Venus Retrograde

Dear Friend and Reader:

This letter is to introduce the Planet Waves Autumn Reading, called Empathy-Pathos. This will be a study in Venus retrograde. We are offering all 12 signs currently for just $57.

Eric Francis.

This will go up soon to $67, and eventually $77. Early purchasers get the best price. I am planning to deliver the reading around the equinox, well ahead of Venus stationing retrograde.

Project Description

Mars retrograde has now ended, and Venus retrograde is about to begin. Spanning from Oct. 5 through Nov. 15, the retrograde will be in Scorpio (where Venus is supposedly not so happy) into Libra (where she is supposedly thrilled). To me, this describes many shades of empathy (the ability to resonate with another) and pathos (suffering, or passion, which come from the same root).

In this reading, I will review Mars retrograde and the recent eclipses, and open up the territory of Venus and its unusual way of resonating and emoting. We’ll explore approaches to the masculine and feminine attributes of Venus, as well as the introspective and expressive aspects of Venus through the retrograde process.

The retrograde begins with Venus square Mars, describing the prevailing tension and struggle with inhibition that characterize our time in history. From there, the journey is inward, to the source of whatever feelings you may be experiencing.

These will be audio readings, featuring music by Vision Quest. With apologies to those who were planning on video, I’m feeling a little over-exposed at the moment and will be better able to deliver this reading in spoken word format, without the distraction of visuals. I will, however, add an introductory video that illustrates both Venus and Mars retrograde, so you have that to work with.

The readings apply to Sun and rising sign, and will be 30 to 40 minutes each.

You may pre-order here.

If you would like to order by phone, call us at (845) 481-5616.

Thank you for your business, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

This Week on Planet Waves FM
Mars Direct Through Aquarius

Dear Friend and Listener:

This week’s Planet Waves FM [play edition here] begins with a discussion of Mars direct in Aquarius. Mars is now moving direct through the degrees where it was retrograde. This is not about a repeat but a re-framing of recent past events. You will be seeing the events of the summer from a new angle, having learned what you’ve learned.

Mr. Mackey, guidance counselor for South Park Elementary, and Miss Chokesondick, a teacher, discuss lesson plans for the sex education program. They make a cameo in this edition of Planet Waves FM.

In the second segment, I challenge the notion that John McCain was a war hero and question where there was anything heroic at all about the Vietnam War. Our obsession with lionizing McCain seems to be more about a coverup of the global tragedy that was Vietnam than it was about recognizing any actual accomplishments.

Tantra Studio is in two parts this week. I begin with talking about how, for us to make any progress on the issue of “consent,” we need to be easily conversant about sex, and its meaning. I look at how sex education can be considered controversial because talking about sex is a form of sex.

In the continuation, I consider a listener’s question about how we can know about what our partner is experiencing. I take a wide view of this, including the physical and psychic elements, and talk about erotic empathy, which is also called compersion.

Planet Waves FM is part of the Pacifica Radio Network, published by the nonprofit arm of Planet Waves, Chiron Return, Inc. Your contributions, small and large, help make this noncommercial program possible. You’re about to listen to an evening’s worth of unusual, intelligent discussion of sensitive issues — without commercial interruption.

I love that about this program. In three hours of television programming, you would be subjected to 45 minutes of insufferable, insulting ads. We leave that part out, and have our relationship directly with you.

If you value Planet Waves FM, please support our mission with a tax-deductible contribution.

Thank you kindly.

With love,

PS — I reference several resources, including my spoof on Antioch College rules of consent; an article on abstinence-only indoctrination; a page interpreting the song The Bewlay Brothers; and the video clip from South Park.

PPS — We did an interesting, beautiful Vision Quest recording session Saturday called The Story of the Mirror. The link takes you to an unpolished recording.

Who You Callin’ “Chicken”?

By Amanda Painter

Confession: I searched online and I scoured my back-up list of possible features, but I could not find any actual kangaroos holding court to accompany this week’s SCOTUS nominee hearings. So I think the most fitting thing I can offer you here today is: Pachelbel’s chicken.

Behold, as a very serious young man plays Johann Pachelbel’s eponymous canon (a wedding ceremony staple) on a rubber chicken with audio enhancement, overdubbed for that famous circular layering effect. The musician is one half of the self-described “classical comedy” duo TwoSet Violin, which is made up of Australian musicians Brett Yang and Eddy Chen. They formed in 2014 with the aim of inspiring young musicians through humor and “a relatable ‘imperfectness,’” backed by actual recital and while maintaining the integrity of classical music.

If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the cities they’re visiting on their crowd-funded world tour, you can catch their act live. No word whether they’ll be bringing the chicken.

Listen to Vision Quest on Live Stream

Planet Waves has an in-house music ensemble, called Vision Quest. We have a 38-hour loop of our music, which you can listen to any time. Included are finished pieces, rehearsals, live concerts, drum grooves, and spoken word recordings. I consider it a kind of musical divination. Click in randomly at different times of day and see what you discover.

Our Gifts to You: A Little Something Extra

Dear Friend and Reader:

It took me a long time to figure out what kind of gift to offer for new and returning subscribers. Tee shirts seemed too complicated; you need at least six sizes to get started, and not everyone wants a shirt. Tote bags are useful but kind of boring.

So I thought: journals. I love notebooks, and just about everything I write starts scribbled down on paper. I know my readers are a little old-fashioned, so this seemed like the perfect thing.

Black smaller, pink larger, embossed with the Planet Waves logo. There are a few hand painted sketchbooks left, with heavy, acid-free paper.

Then…I researched embossed journals for about six months. That’s how long it took. I requested or purchased samples of the best that suppliers had, and all kinds of stuff came floating in the door. It was more challenging than I imagined to find a nice one, though finally I did.

Everything had to be right: the paper, the lines, and how the book feels in your hands.

However, the one I selected was being discontinued. I ordered as many as we could reasonably afford. We now have two main options: small black ones, and larger pink ones (these are new).

Together, they are the approximate color of Good & Plenty candy. I am one of these people who loves anything pink (sweatshirts, nail polish, headbands, a hot pink Squier guitar that I gave to Zosha a few years ago). We also have a few hand-painted notebooks left, which are acid-free sketchbooks.

You can get an embossed notebook with any monthly, quarterly or yearly membership to Planet Waves. If, by the way, there’s a calling for hand-painted ones, I will make one more-or-less to your preferences (for those who sign up for a full-year Backstage Pass).

Continue reading this letter here.

Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

We published your extended monthly horoscopes for September on Thursday, Aug. 30. Your extended monthly horoscopes for August were published on Thursday, Aug. 9. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Mars has now been direct for over a week, though it doesn’t re-enter Aquarius until Monday evening, and will take a little while longer to retrace its steps completely. You may feel as if you’ve yet to emerge from the retrograde-phase headspace, or are perhaps unsure of what you have to show for the summer’s endeavors. Close partners could well be able to help, this week; sometimes it takes the benefit of another person’s eyes to see our own achievements clearly. Don’t be afraid to draw on that assistance, should you need some.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Human progress is often slow, including in our individual lives. This can feel quite frustrating, especially when we’re desperate to see some kind of payoff for our efforts. Yet this need not stop us from striving. Art is arguably best when created for its own sake, or as a spiritual gift of deep self-expression to the collective of souls around us (this also goes for ingenuity of any kind). With this approach, it helps to remember that if you have certain passions, talents and interests, it must be because you’re here to nurture, cultivate and share them with the world. If you’re having trouble trusting that idea, it may be time for a heart-to-heart with someone who always sees your gifts clearly.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may feel a sense of confusion or doubt this week relating to your career development or ambitions. It’s likely, however, that what you’re experiencing is a temporary revisit from a past episode of self-questioning. This can happen when one is on the threshold of a step up in life. Keep the faith. Hold on to what you know to be true, remember all your accomplishments up to this point, and understand you are more than capable of taking that leap forward. Persevering here could really bolster your self-esteem.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You may feel the urge to delve into creative projects, or possibly a course of study, over the next few days at least. Whatever else you have going on, be sure to set aside some time to investigate whatever piques your interest. The blessings of art and of self-development give a richness to life that it otherwise lacks, and you have every right to pursue those blessings; in a way, expanding your mind is as important as air and water. Forget what others might think: do what brings you joy, edification and a sense of freedom.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — When interacting with those close to us, it’s possible to become confused as to where we end and they begin. Expect some blurring of that line this week; be cautious about what you project onto others, and take note of how they project onto you. We all do this to a degree; less so as we grow to know ourselves, and discover that we are complete in ourselves. If things are getting a little intense somewhere in your life, it might be helpful to step back and examine the situation from a distance, while tuning in to what makes you ‘you’.

Happy Virgo New Moon!

How would you like to start your solar year with some of the most useful, most accessible, most empowering audio astrology available online? Your Tarot reading for the year (called the Virgo Tarot Studio) will be published later — but you’ll get both the astrology and the tarot for just $44 if you order today. Please be aware that the price will increase again when Eric publishes the tarot segment — order soon to receive the Virgo Astrology Studio (which includes the Tarot reading) at the current price.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Relationships of all sorts require boundaries; and as the Sun in your sign opposes Neptune, you may be inclined to strengthen yours. On the one hand, it’s always useful to know where you draw the line. On the other, it’s possible to be too rigid, and to hem oneself in with complicated sets of rules. Overthinking is a difficult habit to shake, and it can stifle creativity. Be prepared to flex and bend a little; if you try to confine yourself too much, you will only rebel. Leave plenty of room in your world for enjoyment and new experiences.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — This week even everyday life may have a touch of the surreal and magical to it. If you’re an artist, you might want to keep some tools of your trade close at hand; record any dreams you remember, also. The results of this will likely take some time to emerge, but it’s worth having patience with yourself, and with the universe, and letting things transpire as they become ready. Meanwhile, don’t forget to take care of your earthly vessel; there is no reason why you cannot eat, sleep and move around as normal.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — If you wish to understand those with a different point of view from yours, this requires a certain amount of empathy, open-mindedness and willingness to apply logic. There are often hidden reasons why we might take umbrage at someone or their stated opinion. If you find yourself reacting with unexpected animosity (or even passionate agreement), it helps to figure out why, and to remember you’re human rather than machine, meaning that it’s okay to feel emotions. Honor yourself by acknowledging them ingenuously.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Your sign has a close relationship with Chiron, who among his other exploits was a renowned healer. I’m wondering how far, and in what ways, you identify with that quality. There are many methods by which we can bring about healing in the world: from actually working in the medical professions, to smiling at strangers in the street, to endeavoring to improve the daily lives of those around us, and so on. This week’s astrology is inviting you to weave this association, by whatever means, more deeply into your existence.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — With so much going on in the world, anyone can be forgiven for feeling distrust in people or in the universe, and developing a case of the grumps. If you’re annoyed about something, however, it might help to give that some form of expression more concrete than occasional muttering under the breath. Venting your emotions in a safe manner might be a way to restore your faith in the cosmos and in your fellow humans, especially if there is someone to whom you can speak confidentially, and know they’ll listen with generosity.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Your sign is famous for its supposed ability to detach and set itself apart, though at present you might be finding that’s not quite the case. The desire for intimacy is there in all of us, to a greater or lesser extent, and it’s part of what makes us human, alive and in the flesh. Should you discover that you’re opening up to someone, or opening in a more general sense, try to avoid the temptation to shut that process down. You could learn a great deal about yourself and others by allowing a connection between you to flow freely.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — At present you might be feeling as if you’re something of a blank canvas, onto which others paint their ideas of you, and on which they see their own reflection. You’ve perhaps long felt like a conduit for the journeys of those with whom you come into contact. Yet you too have a story, which should not be set aside. However dearly held other people’s notions are, the only one who can truly describe your sentiments and thoughts is you. Don’t be afraid to be communicative in laying down your own narrative sequence.