The Day of Startling Surprises: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 19
The Day of Startling Surprises | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

After some time spent clearing your forward path, this year you really seem to have the wind at your back. Whatever you begin is likely to take on a momentum of its own, with nominal help from you. However, the more aligned your vision is with meaning and purpose, and the more effort you put in to keep it going, the faster you should progress. A full tank of petrol is usually more effective when you know your route and don’t need to do any doubling back.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

Do you tend to be forthright in making your affections known? If so, notice today whether you feel an increased need to know that your feelings and gifts are being received and reciprocated. If you tend to be subtler or indirect about your attractions and emotions toward others, it’s possible you’ll be inclined to make bolder displays — or might be more direct about your needs.

Venus making a conjunction to Juno in Leo today is what’s up. And while this is not likely to come through as competitiveness (that was Mars conjunct Juno in this sign), it does appear to describe an increase in wattage for both intimate relationships and uncoupled matters of the heart. In terms of sex, this may very well be a ‘give what you wish to receive’ aspect. The Moon moving through Aries today describes some additional heat and impulsivity — though it’s balanced by Mars in Virgo, which suggests a little extra relaxation might be needed if you’re planning any weeknight erotic exploration.
— by Amanda Painter


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

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Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Monday, Aug 19, 2019

Today’s Oracle takes us to the Libra daily for May 29, 2018.

oracle

Your sign possesses one of the more adventurous minds of the zodiac, and also one most in need of discipline. However, the thing that would serve you now would be to free-associate, or to do a project like morning pages, where you write three pages a day for months, but don’t read them.


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

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Monday Morning Horoscope #190 for August 19, 2019

Aries

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This is always a productive time of year for you, and can be especially so, with Venus, Mars and the Sun moving through your work and productivity angle. You will have no problem keeping busy, though you will want to choose the projects you contribute to. Look for the connection between any one task and several of the goals or objectives you’re moving toward. The more connections any one task has to a few different points, the better. More significant, though, is how you feel when you’re involved. When you find that experience of being lost in your work, when the time leaps by and you look at the clock and it’s 3:30 am when a minute ago it was 10 pm, that’s the place to be. To that end, do what attracts you, what turns you on, what feels good when you’re involved. From there, one good idea will lead to another. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Notice how the concept of sharing has ended up in the recycling bin. What used to be called “the commons” has been replaced by vending machines. You might want to retrieve it and get it going in your local world. This is not specifically about you, though you may benefit. The subject is much larger than one person, though ideas always start with an individual. You’re in a position to facilitate something worthwhile, and that goes contrary to the prevailing (extremely annoying) environment of buy, sell, buy, sell. Yet you know the world belongs to all of us. You know that we are merely its stewards. There’s a benefit to tapping into this level of reality, which is true abundance. Yet you’re the leading candidate for getting things started, or better said, reviving an old idea whose time needs to come. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — More so now than ever, you must do what feels right. If you encounter resistance, delays, blockages or frustration, try doing something else. The order in which you do things is less important than engaging in activity that is satisfying and at least somewhat fruitful — and your home is a good place to start. Anything you can do to improve your living space will make you significantly happier. The areas to attend to first are things like cleaning, taking care of your plants, and your linens. Tackle any stagnant corners, piles, closets or storage areas, for example, under the kitchen sink. Get the energy moving. Wash the curtains — this kind of thing. The result will be a liberating sense of belonging in your own space, greater productivity and being ready for company to arrive. Cleaning and freshening physical space are a positively awesome vacation from the oppressive digital realm. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Words count now, and you can make them work for you. In fact, imagine the whole dictionary shaking and vibrating and wanting to jump into your mind, your notebook, your computer screen. The Sun’s entry into Virgo is your invitation, though there’s no need to delay. Venus and Mars are involved, so the feeling is sensuous, warm, and with some sexual tension in the mix. Follow your curiosity, and dance with the possibilities. I don’t know if writing turns you on; surely at least reading does, and in our times, engaging with a book is a full-on immersion of your senses. Yet you also seem to have a story to tell. You might be tempted to write about your experiences, though I suggest you point your pencil in the direction of what you want, and want to create. Be colorful and detailed and passionate in your description. See and feel your desires as vividly as you can. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your astrology is calling you to set your priorities in order. It’s easy to let this fall to the side, though it’s now on the level of a necessity. Consider your priorities as being in two main categories — wellbeing and finances. They are related, as there is often some need to allocate resources to taking care of yourself. Yet this is as likely to be about time and energy as it is about money. Even more than that, your commitment to your own cause is the essential motivating factor to stay in touch with. Pay attention to what you know drives you to act on your own behalf, and connect with that idea, feeling or emotion. You always have time to do the things that are important to you, and right now, there are some significant needs you must address — and you have all the necessary ingredients to make that happen. Just put them all together. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Planet Waves
You are heading into a most unusual solar year: with Venus, Mars, Juno and the Sun in your sign, you’re set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. This is an astrology reading followed by a tarot reading, which will come a few weeks later. Pre-order now for $44. Reading will be available on or about Aug. 23.

Virgo

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The Sun enters your sign in grand style this week, with the company of both Venus and Mars. This is the perfect image of Virgo, which can embody either sex, or neither sex, as you wish. This goes for any form of sex roles, or the emotions that are ascribed to them; and it goes for your organic response to the direct experience of being alive. If you are feeling anything but your most incredible vitality, pause and consider why that might be. Are you hesitating in any way? Are you actively resisting? There’s often a little fear in the experience of feeling fully incarnated and in possession of your existence. One of the ways you know you’re getting near the cusp of actually embodying being wholly alive is when that fear starts to bubble to the surface. You are in a position to exceed or violate the metes and bounds that supposedly define who you are. Once you do that, keep going. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Your imagination may be running wild for the next few weeks — and it will help you if you get out of your head and into the physical world. By all means stoke your fantasies and indulge in your mental pleasures, and then cross the bridge into reality with at least some of them. It’s true that all things related to the body are confused and distorted at the moment, and may be laced with fear and apprehension. You might feel embarrassed about allowing something out of the sanctity of your mind and into the wild world, where you must in some way interrelate with others. That is, however, the thing to do: for healing, for pleasure, and for growth. The inner and the outer worlds rarely align with perfect symmetry (really, never, but I never say never). So this is an experiment, one you may need to try a few times. Borrowing a line from The Beatles, all you need is trust. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You may care about your reputation, but there is little you can do about it, and little that you need to do. You are who you are, and how people perceive you is their business. Attending to the details of your presentation may make you feel better though they are unlikely to sway anyone. What you can focus on is feeling good, and being at home in your skin. These days that’s a revolutionary act. Any gesture of casting off the burden of image is a kind of revolt. This is mainly for the benefit of your own sanity; thinking you know what other people think is a hall of mirrors. Practice self-acceptance. Practice being who you are and saying what you think. Not everyone will like it. You will repel some of the right people. You will attract certain others. This will work pretty well, most of the time. It’s easier than obsessing over matters where you have no control. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Just in time for Jupiter’s recent return to direct motion, several helpful planets are crossing the midheaven angle of your solar chart — your fellow mutable sign Virgo. This is about stepping up and stepping out in the world. It’s also about attending to the details of your work, rather than leaving them to others. It’s true that Sagittarius has the reputation of not wanting to get bogged down in the technicalities, but that’s only one side of your nature. Another side wants total control. And though you can rarely have this, you can make sure that the connections are made, that your preferred language is used, and that you understand all of the commitments you’re involved with. Yet you must be cautious of overthinking matters, and getting so caught up in details that you lose the wide view and your sense of your goals. So make sure the two are connected, and be on the lookout for mistakes, miscommunications, and assumptions. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’re being confronted by so many challenges that it may seem impossible to see, or think about, the true scope of your existence. You may feel like you’re driven by responsibility that you can barely handle. Yet that is the state of mind you want to step out of, calmly and quietly, and consider the underlying purpose of what you are doing. Over the next week or so, you may be filled with the idea that you came here to learn, and you must persist in doing so. But what exactly are you learning for? Knowledge is rarely an end in itself. It needs a job, a direction, a mission. Only then is it relevant. Most of the useful knowledge you gain comes from experience and experimentation. Sure, you need some theory; but step by step, match what you’re experiencing to what you know from books, theories and other sources of ideas. The meeting of the two is what you want — and what you can most easily use for the greater good. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Your chart is under excellent aspects for connecting with others, though you don’t want to be a perfectionist about this. No contact you make with another person should have an end goal that you drive it toward. Desires are one thing; wanting certain experiences is fair game; but you would be wise to stay out of any form of “tie the knot” territory. Be open-minded, and keep an open heart. Be yourself and give people plenty of space to be themselves. Then, see if you can observe any points of intersection, of a sincere meeting, even if the subject matter is focused. Explore what works and grow from there. Be alert to your level of commitment to any situation, and see who sends you the message that they like you. Most of the world is oriented on going straight to the transaction these days. Nearly everything is seen in economic terms. Do what you can to get away from that. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The Sun, Venus and Mars are about to enter your 7th solar house: the one about relationships and partnerships. This will put you on the map, and it will shine a spotlight on certain people in your environment. Follow the light. Involve yourself with who and what is available. Try to get out of that habit of wanting what you cannot have, including people who treat you inconsistently or who always seem to be making up their mind. Move on to the next person or the next situation. There will be plenty, especially if you don’t clog up your own availability by distracting yourself with unproductive situations. We all need to acknowledge the extent to which this is a useless habit. In support of a new vision, notice who notices you. Notice who shows up. Respond positively when someone offers you something loving and affirming; reward affection and pass on the rest. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

Let’s Meet (Ourselves) in Virgo

This week’s astrology is marked by successive objects moving from Leo to Virgo — culminating in the Venus-Mars conjunction in early Virgo on Saturday. The overarching message appears to be one of integration: of your inner feminine and masculine, your receptive and active sides, your yin and yang tendencies. It’s not always clear how to do this, and seems to be getting more confusing for some people in today’s world, yet is clearly crucial.

Planet Waves

Pollinator on a wild chicory blossom; photo by Amanda Painter.

But first, let’s get oriented.

Mars left Leo and entered Virgo earlier today. Venus will follow suit on Wednesday.

On Friday, the Sun makes the same move, at 6:02 am EDT (10:01:52 UTC). This marks the beginning of the last phase of the current season (summer in the Northern Hemisphere, winter in the Southern Hemisphere), as we head toward the equinox in one month.

About four-and-a-half hours after the Sun enters Virgo on Friday, the Moon enters Gemini. And a little more than 20 minutes after that, the Gemini Moon squares the Virgo Sun for the last quarter Moon.

Late Friday night, the asteroid Juno also enters Virgo. Then on Saturday, Venus and Mars meet for their conjunction — which is exact at 1:04 pm EDT (17:04:25 UTC). Virgo is often described as a sign related to activities like service and teaching; astrologers frequently mention the healing and helping profession of nursing as stereotypical for people with strong Virgo signatures.

Coming at the end of Northern Hemisphere summer, this sign also relates to the harvest and to other forms of ‘gathering in’ that tend to occur this time of year.

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The Day of Endurance: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 18
The Day of Endurance | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

Gradually you are coming to view yourself and the ideals you cherish most in a new light, and with Mars changing signs early on your birthday, this is likely to be an ideal period for bolstering your self-confidence. As part of this, be wary of any mindset that involves variations on shame, embarrassment or self-doubt. Try exchanging these emotions for “I want to…” and “I can…” and see how that feels for you. It would help you to start with the understanding that nothing, in fact, is forbidden.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

Mars leaves Leo and enters Virgo today. This should offer some down-to-earth energy as you get focused on the workweek ahead or on household tasks. Mars in Virgo tends to be ingenious, practical and industrious, but also prone to over-focusing on details and non-essentials. Over the next three days Mars moves into a conjunction with a point called Transpluto in early Virgo, suggesting extra reason to guard against fussiness and narrowness of effort.

Mars will also be square Ceres in Sagittarius. That may describe all the nudge you need to balance your actions and mental energy, since it seems to describe the bigger picture of what feeds you spiritually — and what you can offer people that will nurture them, too. Mars in Virgo has an inclination to be very helpful toward others. Just ask those close to you whether they desire assistance in solving the puzzles of their lives; sometimes people just want a kind ear, or a hug, or a little warmly held space to sort themselves out.
— by Amanda Painter


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

In These Times graphic

Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Sunday, Aug 18, 2019

Today’s Oracle takes us to the Aquarius weekly for June 10, 2005.

oracle

You’re an idea person by nature but what you come up with this week would stun Edison. Ideas however are mere potentials so I suggest you take the time to develop things one or two stages over the next few weeks — and not delay starting this process. Put what you come up with in writing immediately and treat it like the precious thing it is. Then in a series of methodical successive steps bring the idea into focus. Consider who and what you would need to develop it including resources and an approximate timetable. The world that is your world is moving fast right now — and the future is closer than you think.


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

In These Times graphic

The Day of Explosive Power: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 17
The Day of Explosive Power | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You seem to be on the verge of completing a project or moving forward into the next phase of one, and at least part of the outcome may be uncertain, or subject to apparent chance. In some sense, however, this is true of all major decisions and actions we take; the future is unpredictable, and helping to create it takes courage. Focus on what you do know, the factors you can control for, and the strides you’ve already made. You are more than likely thoroughly prepared for whatever comes next.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

The Pisces Moon moves through the ongoing square between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces today. This may lend an extra-dreamy, wistful or imaginative tone to visions for the future that might already be based more in fantasy than in reality. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; you may find your intuition is heightened, or that you’re able to feel your way toward a more nuanced or creative understanding of how you could move forward.

Saturn is in contact with Neptune as well, after all — though drawing on its discipline and structuring capabilities will require conscious choice and action on your part. Depending on your personal tendencies and circumstances, that could be too much a stretch today, but that’s okay. There will be time to harness Saturn when the Moon’s in a more action-oriented sign, and chances are you’ll feel the shift.

For now, keep tabs on unexpected ideas and insights (preferably by documenting them), and don’t be surprised if you and those you’re with change your minds randomly. If that impacts pre-set commitments and promises, you may need to renegotiate them. Doing so is only fair, though guilt need not play a role. Clear boundaries make for healthy relationships (and can also be renegotiated), and should actually help the ongoing good vibes of the Leo Sun and Venus find the space they need to flourish and warm all. Particularly artsy or playful pursuits could feel good today.
— by Amanda Painter


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

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Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Saturday, Aug 17, 2019

Today’s Oracle takes us to the Cancer weekly for April 6, 2012.

oracle

Consider yourself a torch-bearer — not in the symbolic sense, but rather in the sense of someone who is carrying both energy and a visible light in the world. You may not be certain in the ways you’re doing that, though I assure you not only that you are, but also that you can do it more effectively. The key concept here is devotion — the force that moves you from within, with beautiful dependability. You may have to clear a lot of things out of the way to do this; certain things you want to do may lose priority as a result. Yet you’re able to focus your efforts on something that matters to you and to many other people. I would propose you’re doing a better job of this than you think, and that you have the opening to devote some of your energy to the things you’ve set aside. Make sure that one of these is the thing that’s supposed to be the number one priority to a Cancerian — your home.


It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

In These Times graphic