Dear Friend and Reader:

THIS WEEK — We have one more full week of Mercury retrograde. This process, which began Tuesday, Jan. 5, ends Monday, Jan. 25. The last week of Mercury retrograde can present some challenges. For example, you might want to take action or make a decision before you’re ready.

Three playful arctic wolves — basically, big, wild dogs from the north — at the Toronto Zoo. Photo by Scott Fleming/Flickr.

You might think you know something when it turns out there is more information coming. One of the most distinct properties of Mercury retrograde ending is making a discovery. So take your time, be patient, and let that revelation come at just the right moment.

Aspects this week are all about honest conversation. Many of the signs describe this as being about the most intimate aspects of life. If you answer this calling, and practice sincerity, a kind of magic is possible. Barriers between people can melt. You can discover things about yourself that you would never have imagined, particularly creative talents that surprise you.

The Sun changes signs to Aquarius on Wednesday. This shifts the emphasis from work-related matters to a lighter social environment. But as far as work is concerned, group efforts are favored over individual ones. Learn to put your mind together with those of other smart people and come up with the best ideas, and the best solutions.

Here is your horoscope for the week.

Lovingly,

Vision Quest Update: From the Inner Chamber

Dear Friend and Reader:

Vision Quest is my 2016 annual astrology reading, covering all of the signs and rising signs. The written interpretations were published two weeks ago, and the audio readings are now well underway.

What is different about this year’s annual is the time I’m taking to do it. I retooled the schedule, allowing myself two months to write the chapter-length, book-quality readings that just published. Now, I’m taking the month of January to do the audio interpretations, which go deeper into the astrology, covering additional topics and adding new insights.

Sample rune reading from Vision Quest.

I’m also offering an artifact/rune reading for each of the signs, which takes us off the grid of astrology and into a more primal realm of symbolism. I am using tools such as power animals, minerals and ancient artifacts to illustrate and elaborate these recordings. All art will be presented with a high-resolution option for printing as an altar piece or background screen.

All of the audio readings come with custom-created music by the Vision Quest ensemble, and those who purchase all 12 signs get a double CD download included free. These tracks include meditation music, drum grooves and ambient music.

No matter how many online readings you’ve had, you will discover that this work exceeds them all, in quality, texture and relevance of theme.

Vision Quest is not so much Sun-sign readings as it is a set of contemporary, immediately relevant spiritual tools, based solidly in astrology.

Taken together, the project is like a weekend-long workshop with a book-length volume of writing to go with it (5,000 words per sign), complete with original art and music. It is designed to be imbibed slowly, and to have lasting relevance.

I cover aspects into 2017, though more accurately they address a key turning point in personal and social history. I’m aware from many reader comments that readings in this 17-year series have a perennial quality, lasting for years. If you want to experiment with that, you may travel back in time and explore all of the prior editions at no cost.

How am I able to do your readings without your natal chart? Ahhh, that’s something of a mystery. Let’s say that I’ve found a way into astrology that bypasses the natal chart and goes to the level of collective soul.

Reader comments on the 2016 readings have been extraordinary and heartfelt.

Symbols come in many forms, including numbers, shapes and minerals. These help expand the story told by astrology. All photos will have a high-res option.

D.H. wrote in recently, “I am an Aries with Cancer rising and a Gemini moon, and I have to say that the Cancer reading resonates very, very strongly with me (I have not yet enjoyed the Gemini reading).”

She continued, “Thank you, Eric, for helping with the order/chaos and leadership themes. I do feel that this Cancer reading was written specifically for me. I am still working on integrating it with the Aries reading, but I suspect that is what the journey is about at this point in my life. Maybe I will have to call on you at some point for a personalized reading once you get all the audio files done and have a well-earned rest.”

Dorothy Rodriguez wrote, “Eric, your gifts are priceless to me. Everything you wrote immediately resonated within and opened me to lay claim to needed changes and so much more.”

She continued, “You’ve created this beautiful model with your annuals: the readings, art and music — loved it all and deeply moved by the impact of it. Really looking forward to the audio/artifact readings! Sure to be a treasure to turn to again and again. Thank you, Eric, for your work, and to all of your staff who help to bring such insight, beauty and guidance every day.”

Anna Marie wrote to me and said, “I just finished listening to your reading, teaching the solar house system, and re-reading the Vision Quest for Gemini. All I can say is I am so stoked. Not only are you giving us a reading, but a teaching that is invaluable. Thank you so very much, Eric. You rock!”

My readers and clients say it better than I ever could. I invite you to sign up at the still-discounted price prior to publishing the audio readings (expected before Imbolc, in late January or soon after). You can access all 12 here, or individual signs here.

With love, your astrologer,

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Be mindful of jealous emotions this week. They can disguise themselves a few different ways, including ‘scorekeeping’ in relationships, as well as various shades of control drama. Note: you might not be the one who is feeling these emotions; they may be projected onto you. Either way, you’re in a position to take the discussion to where it really wants to go, which is the heat and passion that will reveal itself when you and a partner are honest with one another. Jealousy or any intense feeling would not be possible were there not some potent energy in the relationship. The key to amorous bliss is expressing it in a way that is humane and friendly, and which recognizes that people in fact have free will and the ability to choose.

 

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Be cautious when mixing life’s most sensitive topics — finances and sex — with alcohol or any other substance. There’s a place and time for everything, and some great potential combinations to experiment with. However, there’s a word of caution in your solar chart, suggesting that you want to keep control of your wits and your ability to make clear decisions. At the same time, there’s an indication you might want to push a few limits. That could turn out to be excellent fun, as long as you know where your boundaries are. If you can’t talk about something openly, then it’s probably not a good idea to do it. That said, open sharing on these deep themes of life could lead to a spiritual awakening, or a profound personal revelation.

 

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You may be cooking up a strategy to keep certain secrets hidden away, though it’s clear that you want to reveal yourself. If you’re working with a plan, perhaps let it be a conscious way to handle self-disclosure. People tend to smother themselves in what they don’t want to say, particularly if it involves their family background. One of the themes of your life is learning how to regain your power, or perhaps even to gain it for the first time. I suggest you reveal your secrets to people on a need-to-know basis. Understand exactly why you want someone to know something about you, and discuss the subject on that basis alone. If you’re uncertain about anything, give it a week, until Mercury grants a new level of inner clarity.

 

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If there is some burning subject you want to discuss with a partner, I suggest you not push the issue. Rather, let the natural momentum of growth and change bring the subject out naturally. You are likely to be correct if you feel there’s something someone else knows, that you’re supposed to know. This could be personal or it could involve business. The topic may not be ready for a conversation yet. Until then, there’s no actual need to have this information, and the most vital thing you want is to preserve trust with this person.  The best way to do that is simply to trust. That means making as few demands as possible, and not fixating on any one topic emotionally or mentally. Rather, do that thing you do so well — ride with the tide.

 

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Be mindful of the decisions you make at work for the next few days, and take your time deciding on your agenda. This really is a scenario insisting that you plan your work and then work your plan, or measure twice and cut once. You’re likely to be feeling the pressure to make a decision, yet without complete information. And you might think that whatever it is has to happen as soon as possible. Actually, it can wait, and if you insert a few delays or strategic pauses in the action, you will discover things that completely change the scenario. Meanwhile, quietly gather facts and figures, and learn where people are coming from without revealing your viewpoint yet. Your knowledge will become power, and the situation may mysteriously resolve itself.

 

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your family taught you many things, and some of them were not true. By things, I mean things about yourself. This includes certain ways you were taught you had to behave (or else), which you may now be discovering were merely options. The next seven days could shape up to be a time of discovering and reclaiming your passion, and your right to have fun. You’ve been working at unraveling an overly serious side of yourself for quite a while now, and it looks like you’re about to be handed a missing piece. I would add these ingredients to the cake: keep laughing at yourself, and drink a lot of water. If you’re reaching for humility, remember: it’s similar to humor and humidity.

 

 

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Love is spiritual. In fact, it’s the only thing that is. You may be figuring out that love is freedom. This is one of those facts that everyone knows and just about everyone forgets. It’s now up to you to remember. Here’s how you know you’re actually going in that direction: you will feel some anxiety or guilt. That’s the trip wire that’s supposed to snare you. Now that you know it’s there, step gently over it and keep going. You can be free with others, though the most important gesture you can make is being liberated within yourself. That means feeling what you want, writing what you want, going where you want to go and believing what you want to believe. Practice doing that and you’ll steadily build your confidence.

 

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mars is now magnificently placed in your sign, which is like the stars saying you’re feeling what it means to be the real you. Yet that entity is a work in progress. It’s easy to get stuck in an image or concept of yourself, especially if it seems to offer you something safe. Right now, however, daring is the theme of your life. Deep desire is your birthright. You might say this is a rare moment when you claim possession of your destiny and make a decision that might have otherwise seemed impossible. You’re being invited to dream out loud to yourself, and to consider what you want no matter how impractical it may seem. Along the way, I suggest you devote yourself to solving one problem that’s larger than yourself, as a gift to the world.

 

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Be impeccable with money this week. First of all, know how much you have at all times. Be aware of your resources, financial and otherwise. This is a core element in your ongoing process of learning self-esteem. Some people are born respecting themselves and some take it way too far. You need a realistic point of view, which means acknowledging your own competence, considering what you’ve accomplished, and recognizing that you’re a helpful person. No matter who may be involved, respect is something that is earned. As you work with that process internally, you will discover that people around you treat you with greater confidence. Whether you strive for this or not, you are setting an example for many other people. Remember that basic truth every day.

 

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You have a rare moment to consider your relationship to your father. In a sense this holds a key to your happiness, because so many of the rules and restrictions of life are held in that one relationship. You don’t necessarily need to pick up the phone or write a letter, but you can. The real quest is for understanding. Deeper still, your quest is for a clear conscience. If anything is troubling you about any of your past actions, now is the time to bring it to the surface. You may admit that you could have done better, yet you may also figure out that you didn’t do anything wrong; that it was all a mind game. And you might try this: as you meet men, look at them and quietly say to yourself, “This person is not my father.”

 

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may be in a situation where you need to take charge, though I suggest you do this in subtle ways. Now is not the time to declare yourself the boss of anyone or anything, or to manipulate events — that will likely backfire. Yet you could well be the person through whom the creative solution comes. You could be the person who solves the riddle, or who makes the budget work out when nobody else could. Here is a clue: do this slowly. Take your time. Focus on getting the question right, and the answer is more likely to come to you. Or rather, the answer will come from you. One discovery you’re in the process of making is that just about any information or ideas of real importance bubbles up from inside of you.

 

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Have faith. Have faith in the process of your life, in your friends, in your perseverance — and most of all, have faith in yourself. I don’t mean hope or idle wishes — I mean the quiet, inner confidence that you are doing the right thing, and that you’re in the right place and time. If nothing else, this will relieve your mind of needless worry, which will in turn open up your creative flow. Be mindful of how you direct your energy. I know it’s often easier said than done, but keep your thoughts, actions and expectations positive. Whatever you do, affirm the beauty of life. Think of this as a kind of yoga practice. This is the state of mind you will want to be in for some life-changing discovery that you’re about to make.