Editor’s note: this is the full PW members’ edition, featuring your weekly horoscopes, the Create feature, Planet Waves FM and more.
Dear Friend and Reader:
Amidst all the week’s typical news (White House contentiousness and Congressional budget-wrangling; a large earthquake in Taiwan; the tasteless use of a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., to sell trucks during the Superbowl; war and tragedy, and so on), one story caught my eye for its unique relationship to Aquarius themes. Thanks to cutting-edge DNA analysis, we now know that “Cheddar Man” — Britain’s oldest complete skeleton — had dark skin and blue eyes.
A model of Cheddar Man’s new facial reconstruction, from “The First Brit: Secrets Of The 10,000-year-old Man.” The news sparked a wave of cheesy puns and other related humor on Twitter this week.
Cheddar Man (not to be confused with the Cheeto-in-Chief; and named for the region in England where he was found, not for the cheese) was discovered in 1903. Researchers from London’s Natural History Museum more recently extracted the DNA from part of the skull near the ear, not knowing if they’d get any DNA at all.
According to the BBC, not only was there usable DNA, but “Cheddar Man has since yielded the highest coverage (a measure of the sequencing accuracy) for a genome from this period of European prehistory — known as the Mesolithic, or Middle Stone Age.”
It would seem that Cheddar Man was part of a wave of migrants who crossed into ancient Britain by walking over a long-gone land connection to mainland Europe some 11,000 years ago. This had followed a couple of waves of migration to and from Britain due to ice ages and thaws dating back 40,000 years.
It’s not entirely clear when or why light skin pigmentation developed in the region, but one thing is definitely clear: it’s time (past time, really) for modern humans to adjust our framework for considering skin color and what it means — or, rather, to reconsider whether it truly means anything at all.
Cheddar Man’s genome story is about as Aquarian as it could be: an unexpected development (Uranus, modern ruler of Aquarius) disrupts or challenges the previously crystallized ideas (Saturn, traditional ruler of Aquarius) of an elite group of people (shadow Aquarius), and offers a new understanding of the commonality and connection of all humanity (progressive Aquarius). Time will tell, but this story might even fit the pattern-shifting quality of these weeks between eclipses. The more we all make the individual effort to shift the pattern of our own thinking around this development, the greater the chances of it eventually being the case across the collective.
Special thanks to loyal Planet Waves reader Geoff Marsh for bringing this news item to my attention.
Using Sun-Jupiter to Regroup Between Eclipses
With yesterday’s last quarter Moon, we reached the midpoint between eclipses. In a week, on Feb. 15, there will be a partial solar eclipse with the New Moon in Aquarius. This means you’re still within the Eclipse Zone — though you might consider this next week a particularly good time for wrapping up any projects or tasks you’d like to get out of the way, to clear the path to where you want to be.
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Photo by Amanda Painter.
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In the next few days, some of the more prominent astrological highlights appear poised to help you along. The biggest of these is the Aquarius Sun making a square to Jupiter in Scorpio, exact Saturday just after 6:20 pm EST (23:21 UTC).
This is the latest in a series of astrological squares this week that have been urging you to take some direct action in various matters, both internal and external.
According to astrologer Robert Hand, Sun-Jupiter squares are generally very useful: they represent plenty of energy to get ahead — if you are disciplined about it, and avoid veering into excess. Hand also notes with this aspect that if you’re naturally cautious, a Sun-Jupiter square is likely to give you the inclination and ability to do more than usual. Meanwhile, if you tend to be overly optimistic, you might want to beware of biting off more than you can chew as the weekend approaches.
Yet with the Sun in the sign of groups, and Jupiter (the cosmic magnifier) in the sign of secrets, I also see a reminder to keep the pursuit of your goals completely above-board. Yes, there are times when it’s crucial to keep your dreams and plans to yourself (such as in the delicate initial incubation stage, when the wrong word from someone insensitive or envious could be the wet blanket that completely smothers your motivation and self-confidence). Yet there are also times when being secretive with others opens the way for a person to stray too far from his or her ethics.
That would be the point against which to measure your intention and actions. As long as you have some ways to check yourself for dishonesty, exaggeration and poor judgment — which might mean involving another person in the process — you should be able to use this energy to move toward your goals. As I’ve mentioned recently, keep looking where you want to be — but also look for the common ground with others.
Speaking of common ground: collective empathy, compassion and a sense of unity with all life should get a boost this weekend. Just two minutes before the Sun-Jupiter square, Venus enters Pisces (at 6:19 pm EST / 23:19 UTC).
See if you notice a little more softness, passion, sensitivity or affection begin to color your outlook and interactions. (Remember: although Venus is a receptive influence, you can also intentionally invite and offer these qualities if you’d like to cultivate and enjoy them more.)
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Partial chart for the Moon’s ingress into Capricorn Saturday night. The Moon and Pholus are in the first degree of Capricorn, near the bottom of the chart, with the bold “00” next to them. In the cluster of planets to the right, Venus is in the first degree of Pisces, with the bold “00” next to it. Jupiter in Scorpio (on the far-left) and the Sun (on the right) are square each other, with a bold “22” next to them. View glyph key here.
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About three hours after Venus enters Pisces, the Moon enters Capricorn (at 9:21 pm EST / 2:21 UTC Sunday). With the Moon at 1 Capricorn conjunct the centaur Pholus, and both objects sextile Venus in Pisces, we get an intriguing moment that looks ripe for initiating or moving forward with any kind of creative project — or gestures of love (especially something ‘traditional’, since Capricorn is involved). Remember that with Pholus in the picture, small moves count for a lot.
Between today and Saturday evening, we’ll have the Moon in Sagittarius. This could help boost your optimism if you feel like your momentum is flagging regarding certain goals.
You might also notice an urge to wiggle a little freer in your usual daily routines the next couple days — whether that means working remotely in a new cafe, having no set plan for the day, or indulging in some seasonal wanderlust. If big-picture visions call to you over the next couple days, see if you can hitch that to the wagon of Mercury in Aquarius, which offers steady and original thinking, and a mind for engaging group resources to serve a goal.
In the meantime, continue to watch for those unexpected opportunities and synchronicities. You never know when tying up a loose end could enable you to step through a doorway without tripping on your laces.
Yours & truly,
Amanda Painter
Readings Designed for Your Fullest Expression: Final Days at the Current Price
“I don’t think I have read anything so achingly beautiful in my whole life as this Virgo reading. I say this not out of drama, but rather out of the way it reads contextually in this particular moment, inviting me into the deep territory of full expression. Masterpiece! Equally terrifying and great fun! Much GRATITUDE. Big LOVE. XO”
— Rev. Jody Lotito Levine
“I’ve read Libra and Gemini; it’s brilliant, Eric. Great work: detailed, thoughtful, subtle! Thank you.”
— Catherine Pape
“There is no way I can begin to describe how spot on you are with this reading concerning the place I have been finding myself in over the few years and in particular from last year onwards. Very astutely described! You say something I literally keep thinking whenever I find myself among people. You are actually quoting a very frequent thought of mine. This is stunning.”
— Alexandra Marx
Dear Friend and Reader:
Astrology readings are only as good as the astrologer who creates them: to get a reading that is as empowering, detailed and sensitive as a personal consultation, you need an astrologer with a couple of decades of interpretation experience — plus a true sense of dharma. You need an astrologer whose worldview focuses on the potential to meet challenges, heal, and keep growing.
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And yet for a fraction of what it would cost you to get comparable detail in a personal consult, you can access one or more of the chapter-length written annual readings in the Art of Becoming. Choose individual signs, or snap up all 12 — so you can read your Sun sign and rising sign and the signs of loved ones.
I want you to know: we’ll be raising the prices for these readings very soon — before they publish: single signs will go up to $44.44 for the first sign and $33.33 for others; all 12 will cost $122.
Our longtime clients know these readings are worth this much and more; they also know it pays to pre-order the readings at the lowest prices.
We’re getting ready to release the first set of four signs this weekend, and more will be following shortly.
If you’re looking for a reading in written format that will be just as useful six months from now as it is in this moment, I hope you’ll partake of the Art of Becoming readings. Amidst the chaos of modern life, you are invited into the deep territory of your own full expression.
Yours & truly,
Amanda Painter
P.S. If you have any questions or need to discuss your options, please email us at cs@planetwaves.net — or call (845) 481-5616. Leave a message, including your number, and we’ll get back to you within a day or so.
It’s About the Bond
By Amanda Painter
Just when you might have needed some good news about men interacting with young girls: 60-Second Docs creates a one-minute documentary about Phil Morgese and the free workshops he’s created, in which he’s taught more than 300 dads how to help their daughters with their hair.
Morgese has been a single dad since his daughter, Emma, was a year old. As he describes, once Emma started to really care about her hair, he had to find a way through his frustration and figure out something that’s usually left to moms to take care of.
As Morgese acknowledges, it’s not about making perfect braids. It’s about fathers bonding with their daughters, and giving them healthy role models for how men can (and should) be in their lives. Sometimes disrupting social patterns can happen gently, and with love — through one-on-one interactions while in community.
This week on Planet Waves FM
Interview with Kasia Urbaniak
Dear Friend and Reader:
This week’s edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here] features Eric’s latest interview with Kasia Urbaniak, founder of The Academy, her increasingly popular training school for women. We first met Kasia last June, and her appearances have generated a lot of positive feedback from readers.
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Kasia Urbaniak.
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Kasia’s classes teach women to handle and express their inherent power in a way that our culture still, and to an absurd degree, does not. This is an important and neglected fact in our fight for equality. We are discouraged from being unabashedly ourselves. The Academy is helping to redress that imbalance, one woman at a time.
The interview also covers some interesting and arguably untrodden ground regarding interactions between women and men: as in previous interviews, Kasia brings unique ideas and has a knack for expressing what is too often left unsaid.
Music is by the wonderful Bjork.
Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to Chiron Return, Inc. so far. This is the first month that your donations have fully covered our studio rent. Please keep giving generously — we are grateful for all donations, whatever the amount. Eric will soon be announcing a weekend astrology workshop, so please keep an ear out for that.
Eric will be back Sunday night with another live show on Radio Kingston. Please tune in, and call in — we would love to hear from you.
With best wishes,
More About Kasia Urbaniak, This Week’s Guest
The New York Times and New York Magazine have both featured Kasia Urbaniak, whom you first met on Planet Waves FM last summer.
Kasia is a women’s empowerment trainer who skips the abstractions and uses a riding crop in her work. She teaches women how to have a clear yes and a clear no, teaching them the psychology of power, and how to remove their own inner blocks to their power.
From New York Magazine:
“Who has had unwanted sex?” Urbaniak asks the room. Nearly all the hands shoot up. “Yeah, see, what the fuck?” She says, shaking her head. “Annnndddd… Who has sucked a cock so you could get out of having sex?” she continues.
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Kasia Urbaniak.
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Most hands in the room dart back up, and a welcome ribbon of laughter ripples through the crowd. We could use a little levity. Urbaniak is a formidable presence, and when she first strode in, wearing thigh-high stiletto boots and a long black skirt with a slit, you could feel the room collectively hush.
Though Urbaniak hasn’t worked as a dominatrix full-time in years, she certainly still looks the part, and the philosophy, lingo, and general sense of playful eroticism that pervades everything the Academy does are all straight from the dungeon. Candelabras and dramatic bouquets of lilies are the de facto stage set; students are referred to as “mistresses” and in workshops sometimes dress in corsets and bondage gear; while teaching, Urbaniak wields a riding crop.
“You!” blurted out one young woman excitedly when Kasia asks why she’s here. There is a definite cult of personality thing going on between Urbaniak and many of her students, which is part of the appeal of the Academy. But her personal charisma (and the S&M vibe) serves as a gateway, not a crutch.
Listen to Eric’s first interview with Kasia here. You can read the New York Times interview here. We congratulate Kasia on her success.
Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes
We published your extended monthly horoscopes for February on Thursday, Jan. 25. Your extended monthly horoscopes for January were published on Thursday, Dec. 21. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign.
Aries (March 20-April 19) — We are perhaps used to thinking of self-love as either undeserved, indicating selfishness, or something that is outside our control. In reality, it most often comes as a result of daily effort, which requires sustained commitment. Many people receive from early teaching the concept that they are somehow inherently tainted. Without exception, that is bullshit. You are who you are, and to honor that is a beautiful thing indeed. This week, be openly yourself. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You’re likely developing a clearer idea of where you want to head next in terms of your career ambitions. Keep your ears open for any opportunity that strikes you as especially congenial; this will probably help you focus your direction, in the sense of understanding what you actually want. Further, don’t be afraid to accept the generosity or the support of others. If good things are being freely offered to you, they are almost certainly fully earned. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — What seems to be emerging currently for you is an awareness of where you need to be investing the greatest portion of your time. You’ve probably already made significant changes in favor of a more sustainable routine. You likely need to go still further; it’s vital that you be your own best friend if you are to prioritize the goals that are most important to you, and to honor your dharma. Don’t let anyone convince you that you should be doing anything else. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The gift of intuition is a part of your existence, and may be especially strong right now; so be sure to listen. You are gradually beginning to recognize whether the various members of your social circle are doing you good, or not; and any need to act accordingly. You bring an abundance of beauty to the world, and are best off associating with those who can help you and others to see it. Strive for the experiences that really count, and for the people you can depend on substantively. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — It’s true that our major relationships are often influenced by family patterns: we learn from how our parents treated us and how they interacted with each other, and that in turn tends to form our own behavior — at least to begin with. Yet a healthy partnership can work wonders in helping you to discard any script that does not serve either of you, and replace it with one that does. Someone who cares deeply about you may help you, this week, to do just that. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Venus entering one’s opposite sign may be considered the astrological signal that love is in the air. But for you, at this moment, that probably means more than simply getting together and having good times, or even making a commitment to someone. Love needs a purpose like a building needs a solid foundation; its expression is most beautiful and powerful when multiplied into a more universal compassion. Is it really worth settling for anything less? — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You might experience some changes in how you perceive your relationships. Something in you appears to be driving you to dig deeper and, perhaps, to consider whether you may want additional moral support from a loved one. It’s also possible that you need to check for any habit that might be causing you stress. A simple alteration in your routine could do much to help you relax and spend more quality time with those you love best. Also, don’t forget to have fun. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — This week may be a matter of striking a balance between getting in some serious playtime, on the one hand, and on the other taking space for deep diving into self-reflection. Both facets are likely to be essential in your present quest for growth, so it would help you to avoid passing judgment on either. Watch for any possible impulse to overreact or make a snap decision where really more time and thought is warranted. That’s almost certainly coming from below the surface. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Over the next month, your ruling planet Jupiter is preparing to station retrograde, which will give another dimension to the inner world that is now opening up for you. In the meantime, keep all possible communication channels open. You might consider your immediate surroundings as a laboratory in which you observe events from a somewhat detached perspective. Likewise, be transparent in your dealings with others. Now is the time to open your mind as fully as possible. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — One useful piece of the puzzle in improving self-esteem is knowing that early programming can effectively drive you to overlook the praise of friends and loved ones. This is true even if you know rationally that the compliment is earned. If you find yourself doing this, resolve to be proactive in paying attention to what has been said, and admitting its probability. Write it down somewhere you can refer to it again. Over time, and with practice, this gets easier. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Aquarius Birthdays 2018:
The Perfect Reading for Your Evolving Aquarian Life
“My takeaway from the Aquarius reading is a sense of PEACE. You really do UNDERSTAND what Aquarians are going through these days (and yes, because you do understand and explain the issues I am going through so well). Yes: you are an honorary Aquarian.”
— Eileen
Dear Reader with Aquarius Sun, Moon or Rising Sign:
When you look back on the last year (or listen to last year’s Aquarius Birthday reading), what do you notice most? Is it the difficulties you’ve struggled to overcome; or the new and creative ways you’ve approached life on your own terms; or the way you’ve interacted with those around you?
Life as an Aquarius is in the process of shifting: we’re between two eclipses that involve your sign; one of your ruling planets has changed signs (Saturn) and another one is gearing up to do so in May (Uranus). And Chiron is about to move into Aries, shifting the focus of your learning and healing agenda, and hopefully providing a little relief.
Both your inner experience and your outer reality are undergoing significant changes. Using his signature blend of astrological experience, therapy training, life coaching, and motivational speaking, Eric will cover these major changes to the sky (along with subtler points) in your upcoming 2018 Aquarius Birthday Reading.
You can still pre-order this reading for the lowest price we offer — you get two segments of astrology audio (at least 30 minutes each) plus a tarot reading for the year. It will be the perfect complement to your Art of Becoming annual reading (if you’ve ordered that, too): an intensive audio meditation you can download and listen to anytime, anywhere.
Wishing you a happy birthday season, and dynamic use of these eclipses.
Yours & truly,
Amanda Painter
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You will likely move further on your journey toward a better understanding of yourself by making a conscious decision to act in ways that honor who you are. This is somewhat about upholding the values you cherish. However, it would also seem that how you participate in your community and environment may provide you with an important clue to what’s going on behind the scenes. That area may feel mysterious, but the facts are available if you look for them. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — If you’ve been a bit out of sorts lately, this week you’ll probably start to feel decidedly more like yourself. This may be as simple as a change of the wind, which might make you wonder what on Earth all the fuss was about. That should become clearer as the Sun approaches your sign, and you’ll hopefully begin to see the pattern as the threads draw together. Remember that the main difference between weather and climate is roughly that between a day and a century. — by Amy Elliott. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.
Don’t forget to take advantage of this special gift: Eric’s Daily Horoscope can arrive in your mailbox by 7 am ET, containing great astrological guidance for all 12 signs. You can sign up with our compliments, though we welcome donations.
Those cheesy puns were definitely a bit on the crackers side.
Thank you for the mention, Amanda, it made my day. The title of one of your recent posts – “A little leverage, right when you need it” – sprang to mind when I first read the story, so I felt it appropriate to forward it.
Amazing this news should emerge in the same week that the Black Panthers movie is released (in Britain, at least). It’s definitely a SHOCK (Super Heroes Of Colour, Kids) of the Aquarian kind.
Keep on truckin’.
Yes, Geoff, I agree that the timing with the Black Panther movie is fascinating. I thought about mentioning that one. Though, to be honest, I have not had a chance to do much reading on reception of it in the Black community. I suspect there might be some nuance there to consider.
Apologies for putting the film title in the plural – I’m showing my age!
My warped sense of Aquarian humour tells me it would be a sad day indeed if there wasn’t a least one or two nuances for political activists to disapprove of in a Disney/Marvel Studios movie about a black superhero directed by a black director with black actors.
I have the impression that the actors and crew of this film had a lot more input into its racial credentials than has previously been the case with white-money movies. In a tv interview, director Ryan Coogler said that the cast was mostly black. I look forward to seeing the odd white face waiting on table, opening doors, and mopping up after a particularly mischievous and bloody disincarnation.