Aries (March 20-April 19) — Power is peace within. However much your attention gets drawn to what’s coming at you from ‘outside’, keep this deceptively simple axiom in mind. The more real you are with yourself, the more accepting of where you are in your process, the greater your capacity to act and respond in ways that serve both you and others. The marked shift into the second half of the astrological year becomes more palpable this week. For you, that’s likely to be felt in terms of your relational environment, professional development, and values, security and resources — yours, and those you share with key associates. A transition period is concluding in your professional sphere. Gradually, changes you may have contemplated for months should become easier to implement. Partners of whatever sort appear to be directly involved, and inventive solutions or compromise may be easier to arrive at than you realize. Remember: you are the hub of the wheel. To stay centered, dance with the music and breathe.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — The confluence of factors shifting into gear this week has Work-Life Balance written all over it. Demands on your time or on the job are set to accelerate, and you’re primed to accomplish as much as you can. This coincides with an uptick in your relational sphere. That might include increased communications related to work, while personal relationships also call for attention. You’re generally pretty good at going with the flow. But if you find yourself growing increasingly frustrated in days ahead, pause. Stuffing dissatisfaction will exacerbate the potential for nervous irritability or explosive encounters. Clarify for yourself what you want, and why you want it. If you feel conflicted between satisfying others’ expectations and the need to do your own thing, that’s a conversation worth having. You’re insightful and compassionate enough to respect where they’re coming from, even as your own needs are transforming. Cut through overwhelm by identifying priorities. Make sure self-care is among them.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Joy is an essential nutrient, and you could use a supplement. Creative expression of some kind is one way to fill that requirement. Play in any form that stimulates your imagination and inner vitality, or a bit of romance, will do the trick. Here’s a permission slip, if you need one: it’s good for your nerves. Mercury’s recent sign change will sharpen your mind like a stiletto, and you may be extremely focused on mental work in coming weeks. That same influence also has the potential for generating anxiety, however. Treat yourself like a finely tuned instrument: don’t tighten the strings too much. Other aspects moving into position could exacerbate vague fears or feelings of constraint. Yet your inner child is ready and eager to help out; loosen the reins enough to let it. Remember what’s it’s like to feel special? Get out, see friends and have some fun — your body will thank you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The wheel of this year has turned, and the volume in several areas of your chart will turn up a notch. With conscious awareness, you can leverage pressure to your advantage, but you’ll need to intentionally, and honestly, feel into what’s moving within the depths of your psyche. You could act out patterns or attitudes from the past without realizing it. These tie in somehow with weighty relationship issues that you know call for closure. On the mundane level, work that’s directed toward your living space will serve a dual purpose. One: channeling energy into improving your base of operations, and clearing literal clutter, can symbolically open a gateway toward emotional healing. Two: you’re entering a cycle of emphasis on self-expression. The more room you free up, physically and psychically, the more easily thoughts and creative impulses flow. Let yourself turn inward and regroup. A gentle regard for your private process will pave the way for improved relations all around.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The Observer Effect in quantum physics demonstrates that the mere presence of an observer affects that which is observed. The mind is not a wholly internal affair; it plays a role in determining what we perceive ‘out there’, and which trajectories we activate. Food for thought, as your mental forces are about to launch into warp speed. You might notice a dual focus clicking into gear. On the one hand, your day-to-day pace and need to express ideas is set for ‘Intense’. Work obligations may generate stress that you can minimize by weighing your honest, subjective responses. You’re not powerless in the face of demands, and your primary obligation must be to yourself. As busy as you soon may be, a period of intellectual withdrawal of some kind is also beginning. Working through elements of the past could play a role. Your words have amplified power now. Observe your inner response before speaking, to avoid a potential speedbump just up ahead.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your analytical and expressive prowess is shifting into high gear. At the same time, your focus on values, resources and security will intensify. Discern your bedrock requirements as distinct from desires, and where they might overlap. It’s hard to write The Great American Novel while working 9 to 5. If creative projects you’ve had in mind have been shoved down the priority list, don’t discount what could be a soul-level need for artistic fulfillment. If you’ve been anxious about a relationship with a financial component, consider opening that up for discussion. Insecurities tend to fester and multiply when left unexpressed. Your ruling planet Mercury will be in the zone of your chart most conducive to its expression for nine weeks. A high-voltage current will accelerate your mental tempo, and you should be able to convey exactly what’s necessary, with profound impact now. Words are your tools. Use them wisely. Just don’t let nervous tension lead you to waste them on what you cannot take back.

In These Times — 2019 Autumn Reading

How do we confront this dual problem of premeditated decay of society, and the inner issue of needing the strength to take some meaningful action? Where do we start? As in few other times, this calls for a response from a spiritual place: of deep caring and responsibility; the quest for honest connection above all else.

It has called forth all of my knowledge, experience and wisdom to do this work. I have proceeded in the spirit of therapy, knowing that most people do not or will not go. That spirit first involves seeking refuge, becoming aware of your situation, ordering your priorities, and then making choices. But the single most important factor of therapy — and of old school spiritual mentorship — is not giving answers, but helping the client find them for themselves. What I have to offer you are 12 readings of approximately one hour each, which use astrology to address the matter: the one about how to orient yourself to make the most of the difficult and challenging times we are in.

All 12 signs are currently $111. I am keeping that price low to encourage having access to all of the work. Individual readings are $44 for the first and $22 for each additional.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Get ready for your close-up. This week of this season of this year has money riding on it. You’re emerging in a personal renaissance, and it’s time to step up, gather your courage and dare to ‘be for yourself’, to borrow from Hillel. For years, what you’ve relied on in terms of home, family or foundational security has undergone demolition. Complex gears shifting in your chart point to the essential need to initiate bold strategies for reconstruction. The evolutionary potential in this leg of your journey is greater self-confidence than you’ve ever known. The challenge is conquering old fear patterns and making peace with the past. Your tools are innovation, adaptation and unwavering commitment to your vision. Sustained emphasis on negotiating values and resources will call for your special blend of tenacity and diplomacy. Desire itself generates power and kick-starts creation. Let that momentum propel you. Jupiter’s light at the end of the tunnel will shine soon enough.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your tribe has a reputation for instinctively seeking the truth; picking up clues and following whatever dark and winding trails may lead there. To ‘pierce the veil’ holds power. And possibly danger. The sheer intensity of the experience is alluring enough. When the mystery is yourself, the stakes are even higher. Dynamics affecting your chart indicate your readiness to investigate seriously how you’ve constructed your approach to the world. This learning process has been ongoing; now you’re prepared for more advanced teachings. The mirror held up by your relational environment may offer surprises, in terms of how you identify yourself with reference to others. Cleansing the doors of perception can be a messy job. But you’re not the type to be satisfied with superficial answers. As your solar year wraps up, look with new eyes at attitudes and assumptions you’ve taken for granted. Your inner, psychic depths are active now. Remember to remember your dreams; they could be especially revealing.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The quest to reconcile long-term goals with nuts and bolts necessities enters a new phase this week. Mercury, planet of cognition and expression, enters the most private inner sanctum of your chart, for an extended tour. A door to deeper self-knowledge opens. The more you “make the unconscious conscious,” the less at the mercy of external events you’ll feel. Motivations and imprints you’ve responded to without realizing it should be easier to grasp. Obviously, this is invaluable for charting your course. You might be more withdrawn for a while; inclined to keep thoughts to yourself. Just don’t withhold communication that’s actually necessary, as Mercury’s influence overlaps with a period of amped-up social engagement. This could be work-related, with groups or colleagues who share your ideals and can help further your objectives. Balancing the need for introspection with your drive to push ahead is the challenge. Remember, you’re playing the long game here: restructuring key facets of your material world.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — To undergo a change of form: that’s been your task for over a decade. It’s confronted you with aspects of your psyche that most avoid at all costs. You’ve been challenged to rise from the ashes of self-concepts you’ve outgrown. Daunting stuff, but consider all you’ve been through as the path to your highest destiny. This week marks a turning point along that trajectory. An opportunity is at hand to examine more closely how you want to express yourself in the world, and to fine-tune your approach. You can achieve a great deal professionally now, and the more you work independently, the less friction you’ll encounter. You’re entering a high-visibility zone; what you say and do will be “on the record,” so bear that in mind. Inspired, creative solutions are possible, but you’ll need to play well with others to get there. An extended review of your overall goals, and the ideals behind them, also commences now. Don’t be afraid to seek counsel from those you trust.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Astrophysicists say dark matter makes up 85% of the physical universe. But it’s invisible. We only can only measure its effect on what we see. That’s how the most influential astrology of our time impacts your chart. Massive tectonic plates are shifting deep underground, in the most buried regions of your psyche. But you might pick up clues about what’s transforming in there over the coming days. Most people aren’t especially conscious of how their beliefs shape their experience. But pay attention to any friction that registers with respect to concepts you encounter, such as challenges to your world-view or to your assumptions. This might arise in an educational setting of some kind. If an idea makes you uncomfortable but you’re not sure why, look deeper. Another note to listen for may come via your public role. Career-related plans, perhaps communications in professional settings, will dominate much of your attention for a while. Challenges between your public persona and radical changes at home could prompt awakenings.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There is struggle, and there’s intent. Aspirations dear to your soul may have felt increasingly remote, but that fog is clearing and you seem to be waking up to an urgency to move forward. Conflict around financing your goals may register high on your emotional radar in days ahead. Dig deeper and you’ll discover that the matter is one of confidence. Where there’s desire, there’s power. That’s the flipside of fear. You’re well-positioned to question insecurities now, and to integrate what you discover. This will help you to dismantle patterns that have held you back. More than anyone, you understand the role of belief in creating experience. It’s time to air out your mind. Break up routines that keep your thought patterns locked into place. Inspiration is stalking you, so make yourself available. Feed your spirit: visit the bookstore or museum, or look into a subject that you’ve thought of but just haven’t gotten to. This prepares the ground for your work that lies ahead.