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As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
The Coup Has Failed & Now the U.S. Is Looking to Wage War: Venezuelan Foreign Minister Speaks Out
Venezuela’s opposition is calling on the United States and allied nations to consider using military force to topple the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is heading to Bogotá, Colombia, today to meet with regional leaders and Venezuela’s self-proclaimed president, opposition leader Juan Guaidó. The meeting follows a dramatic weekend that saw the Venezuelan military blocking the delivery of so-called humanitarian aid from entering the country at the Colombian and Brazilian borders. At least four people died, and hundreds were injured, after clashes broke out between forces loyal to Maduro and supporters of the opposition. The United Nations, the Red Cross and other relief organizations have refused to work with the U.S. on delivering aid to Venezuela, which they say is politically motivated. Venezuela has allowed aid to be flown in from Russia and from some international organizations, but it has refused to allow in aid from the United States, describing it as a Trojan horse for an eventual U.S. invasion. On Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro’s days in office are numbered. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza is interviewed, who has recently held secret talks with Trump’s special envoy Elliott Abrams.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
As far as I can tell, most of what we do in relationships involves compensating for some sense of our ‘self’ being missing or incomplete. That’s why after a while we notice that we ‘don’t quite feel ourselves’ in the relationship, or that we’re not who we want to be; then we get restless and leave the relationship in order to ‘be’ that self. In many ways your whole life has been a quest to go beyond this: to not just define but to actually experience yourself as a whole person, capable of relating to another whole person. What you may not have factored in is that generations of conditioning have led to what you’ve been overcoming. In this conditioning, so common to the human experience, we’re taught to be self-sacrificing before we have the experience of self-actualizing. Events this month will shine some light on your distant past, and that of your family, so that you can see the origins of your tendencies. You may make discoveries about what happened to ancestors, about the folklore through the line of women that has shaped your experience of life, and of certain facts about your gestation that formed you into who you are, and what you are now outgrowing. Note that all of these discoveries will come with a factor of ‘plausible deniability’. The truth will be easy to evade, and equally possible to embrace, if you are willing. By now, you are surely able.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
Aries (March 20-April 19) — Following a little turbulence in the past week, you may now be experiencing the welcome sensation of reaching familiar turf. There’s still a good deal happening, and you will probably soon need to head out once more into unknown territory. After all, a comfort zone is not meant for staying in permanently. You’d feel cooped up, as if you never ventured outside your physical home. In reality, it’s much more a place to return to after a long and informative adventure in the wilderness. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Compared with the past week, you should begin to feel significantly lighter as time progresses. There may still be some encounters to unpack; however, on the whole the atmosphere will probably seem a good deal more congenial. Try to make time for leisure and social activities if you need to get away from the usual routines, even if you enact only very basic changes. You might benefit from the fresh surroundings, and from coming out of yourself a little more, if only for an hour or two. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — During the next few weeks, you’ll have an opportunity to review your recent achievements and career moves, and tie up any loose ends, before moving forward to the next phase of fulfilling your goals. As you do this, make honesty your watchword. Be determinedly accurate in everything you say and do, as much as possible. Honor any promises; and when looking back, take a realistic view about how far you’ve come, including the substantial positives. This will stand you in good stead for oncoming endeavors. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Persevere in spite of whatever you perceive as blocking or hindering your path. The chances are any real obstacles are a lot less formidable than they seem. Fear exaggerates and can also create mirages, which is all the more reason not to let it dictate your actions. If you’re facing an actual puzzle at this moment, take it step by step, and if necessary get other perspectives on the matter. If, however, you’re looking at a potential tangle at some future time, first focus on getting there. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Be wary of assigning blame or ascribing meaning in any situation where the truth is not wholly clear, which means most scenarios. These days, where any challenge arises, there is a general tendency to look outward for explanations and solutions rather than inward. It may be worth deliberately taking the opposite approach for a while — begin by considering your responsibilities, and surveying your inner landscape. This should be useful in helping you overcome any difficulties and move onward. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You may soon need to commence a process of re-evaluating how you conduct yourself in your most intimate relationships; in particular, whether and where you might hold back from sharing your truth with loved ones. It’s natural to want to give a favorable impression of ourselves that we think will be well-received; however, stuffing down feelings and thoughts invariably leads to trouble further down the line. You need to be wholly yourself all the time, with no compromises or half-measures. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — If your daily routine seems lately to be erring on the side of all work and no play, make an effort to fix that this week, even if only with small changes. Give yourself space to relax and stretch out, and more room for activities you know you’ll find fun, as well as anything you really want to try. Notice any sensations of guilt or fear you experience when doing so. Analyzing such emotions and releasing them will probably free up some energy. If you feel relief, that’s likely to be a sign of progress. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — At this time of year you can generally look forward to making some creative or innovative leaps; and right now the wind is decidedly behind you, especially for any endeavor that involves collaboration. The dynamic may become intense at times, and you’ll need people around you with whom cooperation involves mutual advancement, as opposed to everyone pursuing their own private agenda. Spend time with those who bring out your best qualities, and in a space where you can focus naturally. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Remember that ultimately you have free will. Your life is not a pre-programmed course, laid out by some divine hand or by movements from the past; you can change direction pretty much whenever you see fit. This, of course, entails responsibility — for understanding the situation, and for making appropriate choices, as well as mending any mistakes. Be cautious of any temptation to give up some measure of your liberty; ultimately you need to be in control of your life, and anything less is inadequate. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Although much of the action and tension of our present era is happening in your sign, you’ve played host to Pluto for long enough that you’re likely better able than most to cope with the rolls and pitches. That said, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, reach out and ask for help. You may be strong and resourceful, but you are not superhuman, nor are you expected to be. Check in with loved ones occasionally, and make sure you take the time and space you need to refresh and restore yourself. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Being human necessarily limits one’s perspective; the alternative would probably render us effectively unable to function. That said, this week you may well have an opportunity to broaden your point of view in some ways. Keep an open mind if you are challenged in a discussion or by an event, and do your utmost to give genuine consideration to the ideas of others. In any conflict where values are at stake, aim to take the high road. At the very least, you stand to gain useful wisdom. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Pay close attention this week to any indication that you’re expected to follow a specific route, or take a particular point of view. This may well involve a situation that’s more complex than it appears at first sight, and you will likely therefore need the space to determine what you actually think or feel. Be wary likewise of automatically taking a polar opposite perspective in the spirit of rebellion; the key here is to carve out your unique path, which may take more effort but is necessary for aligning with reason. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.
On its face, this week’s astrology looks relatively quiet. And yet, personally, I can’t seem to shake this feeling of being rather overwhelmed, or on edge; maybe it’s just because I have not been sleeping enough and am juggling a couple projects, but I suspect some of the background energy I’m running is related to Uranus hanging out in that last degree of Aries for what seems like an eternity. Hopefully you’re having an easier time of it.
Photo by Amanda Painter.
We have just over another week before Uranus finally enters Taurus on March 6. Later that same day is the Pisces New Moon. And the day before that, on March 5, Mercury will station retrograde in Pisces.
In other words, we’re winding down a lunar cycle; a major planet is gearing up to leave a high-energy sign; and the planet of the mind is starting to apply the brakes in a sign known for being highly sensitive to psychic and emotional energy.
If you think about it, that perfectly describes a potentially challenging mix of urgency and waning (or compromised) energy.
How much time do you spend thinking about your family of origin? And what do you think about? Next, how much time do you spend on your self-development? And for the real question: can you share all facets of your personal growth with your family? Do they know the nuances or even the broad strokes of how you live and grow, of your spiritual, emotional, relational and sexual quest? Where do you hold back? And what if you were to share everything with them? Your response to this question will reveal much about your inner relationship. Those ‘withholds’ — the things you don’t want certain people to know — are part of an inner reality that you’re experiencing through other people. There is actually something to be said for having no secrets, particularly on those things that are absolutely central to your existence. You would not be concerned that anyone would think you’re weird or inappropriate if you did not have any reservations of your own. Where you have those reservations are likely to be places you’re holding back from yourself, or not fully comfortable with who you are. Whatever you may choose to share with others, recognize that full acceptance of yourself means having no secrets from others, nor veiling your motives, or your desires. This is not nearly as radical as it may seem.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
Mercury in Scorpio has been stirring up what may be your deepest fear — that the world cannot be quantified or even assessed with any precision. Matters of truth and lies have lately seemed to slip around in a frightening way, and it’s been difficult to assess where certain individuals are really coming from. I suggest you respond to both yourself and what seems like your outer circumstances patiently. The two are far more closely related than you can see now, though this may still take a few more days to figure out. You might want to make up your mind about what role anger really plays in your life; not the role you want it to have, but the role it really has.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
This Is Not Humanitarian Aid: A Maduro Critic in Venezuela Slams U.S. Plan to Push Regime Change
Democracy Now! goes to Caracas, Venezuela, for an update on the escalating standoff between President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader and self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó. Guaidó claims he is preparing to deliver humanitarian aid from the Colombian border Saturday. Maduro has rejected the plan, saying the effort is part of a broader attempt to overthrow his regime. This comes as Trump’s special envoy to Venezuela and right-wing hawk, Elliott Abrams, is leading a U.S. delegation traveling by military aircraft to the Colombian border, supposedly to help deliver the aid. The United Nations, the Red Cross and other relief organizations have refused to work with the U.S. on delivering that aid to Venezuela, which they say is politically motivated. Venezuelan sociologist Edgardo Lander is interviewed. He is a member of the Citizen’s Platform in Defense of the Constitution. “This certainly is not humanitarian aid, and it’s not oriented with any humanitarian aims,” Lander says. “This is clearly a coup carried out by the United States government with its allies, with the Lima Group and the extreme right wing in Venezuela.”
“The Green Book: Guide to Freedom”: How African Americans Safely Navigated Jim Crow America
The Academy Awards take place this weekend, and one of the top contenders is the movie “Green Book,” which has renewed interest in the history of “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” So today Democracy Now! looks at a remarkable new documentary called “The Green Book: Guide to Freedom,” that offers a real look at the history of a travel guide that helped African Americans safely navigate Jim Crow America. The film premieres Monday on the Smithsonian Channel and details the violence, insults and discrimination black travelers faced on the road, as well as the pride and sense of community they felt in the safe spaces they created around the country, in the form of restaurants, hotels and vacation retreats. Featured are excerpts and an interview with writer and director Yoruba Richen, professor in the documentary program in the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.