It was not a riot. It was an uprising.
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Dear Friend and Reader:
Here is a short letter introducing tonight’s intriguing edition of Planet Waves FM. First, later in the program, my guest is a man named Mitch Horowitz, an author and presenter on the subject of the metaphysical and the history of the occult.
If Your Birthday is June 24
The Day of the Blissful Wizard | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs
If you want to be trusted, first resolve to be trustworthy. That means knowing what you want and how you feel, and expressing that honestly with everyone. You will earn other people’s confidence as they notice you being consistent and handling challenges with maturity. You don’t have to get it right all the time — just keep aiming in the direction you need to go, and be prepared to admit to and repair any errors or oversights along the way without being told. Such an ethos is a sure sign of responsibility.
— by Amy Elliott
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading
Written in the Planets
Notice whether anyone you interact with today is reflecting familiar familial patterns back to you. This could be especially prominent in the workplace, but any situation with another person has the potential. The Cancer Sun is opposite a minor planet called Quaoar, an indigenous creation deity associated with dancing the other deities into existence. You might think in terms of rhythm: how have your ancestors ‘danced’ through life? Do you recognize any of the steps happening around you?
Venus in Gemini is also exactly square Neptune in Pisces today, with Saturn in Capricorn in contact with both. If you can see the relationship between your spiritual and material needs, what do you need to do to build your life on both equally? How is your innate idealism helping you along, and in what ways is it a distraction or a red herring?
If you’re feeling inclined to lots of fantasizing, and those fantasies center on a partner or someone you have your eye on, be aware there’s real potential to over-idealize them currently. Do a reality check; pay attention any time you’re tempted to gloss over their statements about who they really are and what they really want. Notice whether your ideas about them match up with what they say and with their actions. You have the potential to make some breakthroughs in your understanding if you’re realistic about what you’re doing. That could require continual small adjustments.
— by Amanda Painter
Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich videos for all 12 signs, specifically investigating Mars interacting with some of astrology’s most influential planets this season? His Call the Astrologer readings are available individually or as a 12-sign set to share with your loved ones. Check out samples here and here.
If you involve yourself in the heavy details of what you expect from relationships or get too bogged down in struggling for equality in your exchanges, you’re likely to miss the possibilities of what the world is offering you right now. And they are many. There is at least one very significant direct gift being offered to you, though you’re not necessarily going to see it as such. Look closely please. You have many options as well. There is a way over, through and around every situation that may arise, particularly if it’s contractual or financial. Not a compromise, but an authentic win-win of the kind that’s not supposed to be possible.
Mars in Cancer is making some big-news aspects to many planets — particularly Saturn, Chiron, Pluto, and Eris. Eric has not covered these transits in any birthday reading or the INTELLIGENCE readings, but he just dove into 12 spirited, accessible, genuinely useful videos that put the movements of this key planet of desire, drive and aggression, into personalized context for you. These Spring Reading videos — titled Call the Astrologer! — are available for instant access in a 12-sign bundle, or by individual signs. You can see a video introduction here, and watch a sample video here.
Aries (March 20-April 19) — Acknowledge what the men in your life have been through: your father and grandfathers, your partners, your sons. There is a level of struggle men carry that I observe is not fully acknowledged, and which is often ridiculed. The injury to men is really an injury to the male side of the psyche for all of us. This counts for individuals and for society. I propose it’s time to take this seriously. I propose it’s time to bristle at the mention of “the patriarchy” and all its ills, and consider how we feel about, and think about, and treat, the men in our lives. This may be difficult in our age of nonstop propaganda, but with a little awareness raising, you can do it. Notice in yourself any craving for the attention of men, and how you relate to that feeling — and how you relate to men in its context. It’s the male aspect of your own being that needs love, attention and healing — from you. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Your role is to be of service. This is often confused with making a sacrifice, in a sense of the idea that’s not really helpful to anyone. When you offer yourself, the gift you are giving is something that must come through you rather than directly from you. There are several forms that may take, including an acknowledgement or confirmation being the thing that comes through. What you want to be vigilant about is guilt. It is unlikely to be related to the matter at hand, but rather a hangover from some distant situation that is lingering in your consciousness. The problem with guilt is how convincing it is. Yet its logic is always circular, or obverse: you feel this way, therefore you are wrong. If you can question that, you may start to peer through a veil that seems much thicker than it really is. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — One of the most significant themes of your life in this time of your history is understanding the power that certain others seem to hold over you. You can probably guess my next line: it is far less about them, and far more about you. Your emotional investments and involvements open the way for you to be what some call manipulated. And most of this comes through the process of your “self image” or “identity” (both of which are fictional). It will be through focusing your awareness on this process that you will set yourself free from this type of scenario, to the extent that it exists. I suggest you evaluate all situations where either sex or money, or both, are factors, and study the dynamics. There is one other thing. How do you present yourself to the public (however you think of that term)? Do you in any way manipulate who you are, to get a certain effect from others? Consider carefully. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You are in the process of claiming back something about yourself — and it may be so old you have no concept of the underlying reality. That does not matter, as long as you notice that, step by step, you are claiming your right to exist. This may seem like a strong statement, though that is ultimately what it comes down to. This week’s contact between the Sun and Chiron is an invitation to express something about yourself, in an honest, bold and gentle way. Yet you will know you’re doing it when you feel the tension, the ache and perhaps the pain of emerging from that space where you are a child subject to the unquestionable power and will of mother. This manifests as authority in every form, particularly the kind that makes no sense, and is essentially authority without responsibility. Your quest at this time in your life is to find the sweet spot where you access both of those as one thing. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Mercury arrives in your sign on Wednesday, which indicates a message. Start by receiving one rather than delivering one. However, the issue here is seeing the message randomly in everything. So I suggest you ask when you need information — and only count that as a valid response. There’s a guy on my street who likes to blurt out random things to people. Once I sensed the wisdom in some of his statements, I took my own approach. Now when I pass him, I say, “George, what’s the good word?” and he says something to me. When I open a fortune cookie, I make a conscious inquiry, and take the printed message as a potentially valid response. I do the same things when I read a horoscope column. Are you following me? Count as a message what you ask for information about. Not every bumper sticker contains a meaningful synchronicity. Be conscious what you take in as valid. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The realm of what you consider spiritual is far, far from what you were told was such as a young person. It may be so remote and removed that you can’t believe there is any connection between what you now recognize as being of a divine nature, and what was in some way pushed onto you previously — but alas! There is more to Heaven and Earth than those muggles tried to convince you was true. Yet in some sense there was a scant element of reality, muffled by all the baggage that adults tend to pack around anything they don’t understand or don’t have direct experience with. For you, this phase of your journey is about experience. Your quest is the quest to experience the world through young eyes. Let yourself be motivated by curiosity and thirst for life. More than humans need goodness, or nonexistent purity, we need to rekindle our craving for what we don’t already know. Understanding is another matter entirely. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Ask yourself honestly: who supports you, and who does not? Let’s use a boring concept to illustrate the point: percentiles. If someone helps you 51% and distracts or harms you 49%, that is not a winning bargain. I would say that you’re still not in good standing if you’re helped 80% and distracted or harmed 20%. Helpful people are only that. They may not be perfect; we are all human. Yet loving intention, and the focus on doing the correct thing for the right reasons, are basic to what you are seeking. You are in a position to accomplish something beautiful, new and unusual in these days. Yet to do this, you must have the support of your environment; and for that to happen, you need to cooperate fully, and be honest with yourself about the role others play in your life. For the next few days, take a neutral, nonjudgmental stance, and observe carefully what others do when you have a need, or they have a commitment to you to fulfill. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Make professional moves this week with care and caution, and focus on the human level. Listen carefully for signs of envy, jealousy or contempt — whether coming from you or someone else. If you notice any of these emotions coming from yourself, address them immediately. They are the result of values and expectations that are no longer valid for you (and in truth, never were). If you notice them from someone else, you will need to handle the matter gently, and in a way that does not require a blow for blow confrontation. Given that throwing down is currently the way of the world, and how the only thing that seems to matter is absolute power over other people, this will require you acting in a way that is contrary to your environment. Yet confrontation of the style I am describing wastes far more energy than it can possibly create, and runs contrary to your goals — which are in no way assured to be fulfilled. You will have to make that happen one small step at a time. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — What do you really have to do, and why do you have to do it? This will take some careful and reflective pondering. To get a sense of the bottom line, you will need to think slower, rather than faster. And you will benefit from the use of a calendar, so that you may structure time in a conscious way, and make the most of it. Currently there is a distortion that is leading you to believe everything has to happen fast, and that you owe things to people when you really do not. Once you have a handle on time, then evaluate your actual commitments to people, whether professional, social or emotional. I would propose that you need to relieve yourself of at least half of them or more. This will be efficient, since there are likely to be certain people or situations taking up more than their fair share of bandwidth — your bandwidth. Be meticulous, persistent and focused in making the changes. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You have just been through an odyssey you may not fully understand. This involved the passage of Mars through your opposite sign Cancer. Mars (nearly done with this transit) is the fast mover, playing off against several slow-moving developments in your sign. What happened over the past five or six weeks was a kind of test, designed to bring out the true nature of your underlying growth process. What exactly occurred during this time? Did it reveal any weaknesses, cracks, or points of immaturity that you need to address? Is there something from the past that you are now on notice you need to handle consciously and attentively? You have a finite amount of time to turn certain problems into solutions and opportunities. The first step is recognizing the problem so that it can be solved and turned to your advantage. Do not speculate. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Consider the possibility that you’re being driven by forces you don’t understand. To get that far, you would need to admit there may be something about you that defies your immediate comprehension, or that you have not noticed. Recent events at work, or related to your health (such as over the past four to six weeks), will give you a clue what this is about. You will need to do the detective work, and draw some inferences what might really be going on. That means “conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.” Then, subject your inferences to a little skepticism, and verify you have them right; look for other potential observations or outcomes. Consider scenarios where you give yourself the benefit of the doubt, and ones where you give others the benefit of the doubt. Then evaluate both, and see which makes more sense to a reasonable person. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The Sun moving through the most creative, curious and boldest angle of your solar chart is encouraging you to go forward, to try again, to give it (whatever it is) your very best. The Sun is retracing the path that was just taken by Mars, making aspects to a great many planets on what is called the cardinal cross (where most of the energy in your chart is contained). This will shine light on past events, as well as reveal new strategies, ideas and approaches to certain goals you cherish. While you may be inclined to think of these as related to business, I suggest you recast that and consider them creative opportunities. Art does not mean that you get to relax and let things happen, or let the good things come to you. Rather, art is risky, and it takes three times more energy than the usual day-to-day of the planet. Do you have it in you? I reckon so — but we will soon see. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.
This week the Sun, newly in Cancer, forms a square to Chiron in Aries. Sun-Chiron aspects suggest a discussion about the ways in which self-expression is damaged, stunted or actively resisted by forces in society and psyche.
Jim Morrison, Sun square Chiron poster child.
Sun square Chiron happens twice a year (the conjunction and opposition each happen once a year). The aspect on Thursday, June 27, is the second time for this Chiron in Aries cycle that the Sun has made a square to Chiron in Aries; the first was a year ago.
If you were listening to a client with Sun square Chiron, you might hear some version of the story about how their father was hobbled by some force they could not control: maybe they were really an inventor or an artist but were trapped in some other role in society because they had to work to pay the family bills.
The client would also be discussing their own experience. This is how charts work. A point like the Sun will often describe something about father, and then also describe how the owner of the chart experiences their own self-expression.
The Sun refers to what is often called the “masculine side.” Juan Revilla once wrote that the Sun in our chart is where we seek our glory. Take a close look at the Sun in your chart and ask yourself how you go about doing that.
If Your Birthday is June 23
The Day of Interpersonal Enchantment | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs
Success in any form — whether personal, professional or in some abstract sense of the word — usually calls for a bold approach. The message of your solar chart this year is fearlessness about being different. Often concern around standing out is one of those lurking debilities that most people never overcome. Yet it’s inevitable that you will, so you may as well get over yourself sooner rather than later. You’re not like the other kids. Cash in on that fact.
— by Eric Francis Coppolino
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading
Written in the Planets
Do you feel like getting physical, or do you just wanna flirt with someone? Is ‘the usual’ a total turnoff today, and are you in the mood for adventure, the unusual, or the unexpected? Would a part of you be perfectly content engaging in these urges from the comfort of your own home? While the Sun newly in Cancer speaks to the homebody option, a couple of other aspects are putting a spin on what you may feel like doing there.
For one thing, today’s Venus-Jupiter opposition could contribute to just hanging out, laying back, and indulging in whatever’s enjoyable (with Neptune in Pisces adding to the daydream believer / armchair traveler vibe). Yet Venus and Jupiter are in signs that are pretty mentally active and crave stimulation: Gemini and Sagittarius. This ups the conversational potential (and the likelihood of flirtation), along with the need to seek new experiences.
“New experiences” is also a theme of today’s Vesta-Uranus conjunction in Taurus. This aspect feels more intimately personal and less broadly social than Venus-Jupiter, though as Eric wrote this week, “Vesta conjunct Uranus is a revolutionary aspect. The time has come to question sexual conventions and expectations, which so often lead to dark, unloving places. In the spirit of Uranus, every person has their individual sexual orientation and ‘identity’ — which means their distinct journey.”
Even if you’re not quite up for a full-on revolution in your bedroom (much less your psyche), you may consider staying open to surprises — whether in the form of unexpectedly enjoyable physical sensations, an urge to disrupt a long-held sexual habit, or a sudden shift or question about your core values around sex, relationships or your body. Maybe this is something you feel like talking about; maybe it’s something you prefer to hold close to the vest and mull for a while. Either way, you can hold space for yourself to find out.
— by Amanda Painter
Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich videos for all 12 signs, specifically investigating Mars interacting with some of astrology’s most influential planets this season? His Call the Astrologer readings are available individually or as a 12-sign set to share with your loved ones. Check out samples here and here.
If God had made me an AQUARIUS (January 19-February 18) I would still be wondering what I was supposed to do with all of these amazing psychic and intellectual resources that I sometimes doubt exist because the world is so intent on doing things the stupid way when so much easier ways are available, and I would be wondering when I would get the courage to tell all the sleeping, miserable, enslaved, distraught, blind-folded and stuffy people of the world to get off their asses before I strike an enormous green match and do it for them. 1999 will be the year of my emerging leadership and being so free that everyone around me has no choice but to declare their absolute freedom.
Mars in Cancer is making some big-news aspects to many planets — particularly Saturn, Chiron, Pluto, and Eris. Eric has not covered these transits in any birthday reading or the INTELLIGENCE readings, but he just dove into 12 spirited, accessible, genuinely useful videos that put the movements of this key planet of desire, drive and aggression, into personalized context for you. These Spring Reading videos — titled Call the Astrologer! — are available for instant access in a 12-sign bundle, or by individual signs. You can see a video introduction here, and watch a sample video here.
If Your Birthday is June 22
The Day of Romantic Exaltation | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs
You’ve been through some unusual events the past year and a half, by which I mean on a lifetime scale. The thought of another year may be filling you with a sense of both optimism and some concern about repeat performances of some challenging situations. You are well past most of them, though one particular scenario involving your family will benefit from your sustained attention. Do not get dragged in; take it to therapy. It’s time to learn this lesson and move on.
— by Eric Francis Coppolino
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading
Written in the Planets
Myths involving both Mars and Eris don’t get a lot of airtime; usually we hear about Mars on his own (whether as fighter or wooer), and Eris on her own (sowing subversive discord with the golden apple that catalyzed the Trojan War). Yet Mars and Eris were siblings, and she is said to have accompanied him on the battlefield, which gives a major clue to their shared energy. Today the planet Mars in Cancer squares Eris in Aries, the final stage of this season’s often-challenging (and at times combative) Mars aspects.
Could this square be interpreted as a sort of sibling rivalry — possibly for someone’s attention? Do you feel as though some facet of yourself is jockeying to be expressed more strongly than another? Or like you have dual urges: to be direct and assertive on the one hand, and to be indirect and passive-aggressive on the other? Is some situation triggering a sense that your identity or security is being threatened?
Even though Mercury in Cancer is right in the thick of it, and also square Eris, it may hold a key to navigating these dynamics. Consider speaking in “I” statements about how you feel (not how someone else has “made you” feel), while staying sensitive to your environment — which includes the feelings of others.
With the Cancer Sun exactly opposite the centaur planet Pholus today, the ripple effects of how you present yourself in the world could reach far. The more you can think a few steps down the line in terms of possible consequences (or understand the sequence of events leading to your current position), the better position you’ll likely be no matter who you encounter or what the situation. A little empathy and understanding often go a long way, whether you offer it to another or to yourself — which, to be honest, can be a great starting point.
— by Amanda Painter
Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich videos for all 12 signs, specifically investigating Mars interacting with some of astrology’s most influential planets this season? His Call the Astrologer readings are available individually or as a 12-sign set to share with your loved ones. Check out samples here and here.