Tag Archives: 2012 annual

Astrology: Describing The Elements of Progress

Dear Friend and Reader:

Well — not including looking at these charts years in advance, I have been over the astrology for 2012 five times — forward, backward in three layers, and then forward again. I’ve studied the major planets, the asteroids and many of the new discoveries. I’ve gone over the charts for each of the Sun’s ingresses into the signs, as well as key major events such as Uranus square Pluto, the Venus transit of the Sun and the pattern of 29 eclipse-like events we have this year. The main results of this work are the astrology readings contained in the 2012 annual edition.

My kitchen table desk, where I have written and recorded nearly all of Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check. Those are the Voyager tarot cards to the right, and to the top left is Raphael’s Ephemeris, the one used (and published) by the Brits. Photo by Eric.

The audio presentations are done and ready, and I’m close to finishing the written interpretations. With any luck at all, I plan to have the readings available to those who have opted in by Monday night. I am on schedule to finish the written version of Pisces on Saturday, then I’ve given myself two days to go over the signs and tune up the language; plus the proofreading and production team will be putting the finishing touches on the website. Included are numerous articles, useful resources and the key charts for 2012. There’s also a blog that will track the events, astrological and worldly, as they develop.

Yes, 2012 is the year that the Mayan long count reaches the date 13.0.0.0.0. Nobody is really sure what this ‘means’. Yet I can tell you as a Western-styled astrologer that we are slipping into some extremely rare and exciting aspects, which really heat up in late May. The phase from now until late April is a time of preparation, evaluation and adjustment. Then the real excitement begins. What we saw in 2011 was just the warmup for much more interesting things to come.

Stepping outside of marketing presentations for this project, what I have done with the 2012 astrology is to personalize it for each of the Sun signs and the rising signs. I have meticulously gone through the aspects, and using my gift for developing detailed readings for the Sun signs and rising signs, presented the astrology to you in clear terms, covering the most important areas of your life.

Zoom H4n digital recording setup with popper stopper. In the background is the full archive (cassette and DAT) of Radio Navigator on WDST Radio Woodstock, 1996-1998.

I’ve prepared these readings recognizing the difficulties that many people are facing, as the pressures of life impact them, and as the world changes. I speak to what is a nearly universal desire to participate in the changes that are happening. And I speak to the fear of the unknown that so many people are facing — which relates to both a sense of something ominous, and some unusual potential.

The audio presentations are as motivational as they are informative. They are intended to get you going. Many people are fed up with the persistent negativity that surrounds us, and the sense that it’s impossible to make real progress as politicians fixate on the uterus and ignore the economy; as companies focus on profits and lay off workers; as banks hog cash and pay bonuses, but don’t lend money to small businesses.

I know — it’s chilly out there, in many more ways than these. However, I blow through all of that and get to the heart of how and why we can take advantage of the raw power and precise leverage offered by the aspects of 2012 and beyond. What we’re calling 2012 is a gateway to an extended era.

I have crafted this work to provide as much information, strategy and clear perspective as I can. I do my best not only to translate, but to put you in contact with your astrology, and your astrology in contact with you. Presented in both written and spoken format, these readings are designed to be accessible and to present the information in a way that will help you work with the incoming energies and, borrowing a phrase, to be in tune with the times.

I am looking forward to wrapping up this project over the weekend and putting it into your hands; you are welcome to avail yourself of my efforts with the subscriber discount. To all those who have signed up already — thank you for your business, and mostly for your trust in my work.

We will send a note out to those who have opted into the 2012 annual when the readings go live on Monday evening.

Lovingly,

Today Mercury conjoins the Galactic Center in late Sagittarius. On Saturday, Mercury simultaneously sextiles Saturn in late Libra and Neptune in late Aquarius, just before it ingresses Capricorn Sunday at 1:34 am EST. This will be the first time Mercury is in a sign other than Sagittarius since Nov. 2. Also this weekend, Venus is conjunct Nessus in Aquarius and square Sedna in Taurus. Pluto in Capricorn makes a sextile to Vesta in Pisces. Once Mercury enters Capricorn, it trines Jupiter in the first degree of Taurus and squares Uranus in the second degree of Aries. On Monday, Mercury sextiles Chiron in Pisces; Ceres squares the GC. The waxing Moon enters Cancer Sunday; Full Moon (Moon in Cancer opposite Sun in Capricorn) is Monday at 2:30 am EST. For a closer look at this weekend’s astrology, you may check out this article in the Daily Astrology series.

Monday the Moon is full in the sign Cancer, its home sign. This feels a little like a rising tide of emotions, in effect for days before it happens. At the same time, Mercury is now conjunct the Galactic Center in Sagittarius, which is not exactly given to clear thinking or an accurate sense of perspective. On this theme, Venus is approaching a conjunction to Neptune — one of those things that make it challenging to ground one’s emotions. Therefore, remaining thoughtful and cool is strictly in manual mode at the moment. The first thing to do is slow down, and be mindful of your thought process — in the face of impulses telling you to do the opposite. Simply put, you need to become aware of when you’re not actually thinking, but rather reacting or going into automatic mode. Doing this can mean the difference between getting it (whatever you’ve got going on) right or making significant mistakes; so thought and reflection count for time well spent.

You may find yourself in a state of constantly trying to adjust to relationship partners of the opposite sex, without ever quite finding a balance that feels right. This setup asks for negotiation — which means making sure both parties get their bases covered, rather than going for ‘all or nothing’. Venus is conjunct Nessus in Aquarius, forming a quincunx to Mars in Virgo. The nature of the quincunx, which is one sign off from an opposition, is that resolution of the tension is never quite attained. So instead of focusing on the end goal with an intimate partner, keep your eyes on the quality of the negotiations. That’s what matters. Mars in Virgo provides an energetic drive to serve, but could get demanding over details; step back and take a breath if so. Venus conjunct Nessus in Aquarius can be the use of sexual attraction as a weapon (often by women) perpetuating social patterns of abuse. That needs to stop, if we’re ever to have healthy relationships. Watch for this potential in your relationship negotiations, particularly in less formal environments. We have the opportunity to use Venus-Nessus to bring light to, and heal, cycles of abuse — no matter how subtle they are.

Rick Santorum ‘came from behind’ to ‘tie Mitt Romney’ in the Iowa Caucus held Tuesday night. Well, it wasn’t a tie, Romney won by eight votes after spending 18 times more money on his campaign than did Santorum. A former Pennsylvania governor, congressman and U.S. senator, Santorum sets the benchmark for social conservatism, being against birth control, abortion, gay sex, straight sex, pornography, ice cream sundaes and flying kites. Who the heck is this guy and why is he so confused? We have taken a look at his astrology in this article on Planet Waves.

Keith Little, one of the last remaining Navajo code talkers, died in Arizona Tuesday. He was one of about 400 Native Americans who was used during World War II to transmit secret tactical messages in a code based on the Navajo language. He was 87. The program was begun during WWI using the Choctaw language. Little’s family now hopes to carry out his dream of a museum near the Arizona-New Mexico border that also will hold wartime memorabilia and serve as a haven for veterans. Little was 17 when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, having no idea about the program. Their code helped confound the Japanese and win the war. “My motivation was to fight the enemy with a gun or whatever,” Little told The Associated Press in a July 2009 interview. “When I went into the Marine Corps… I knew nothing about the Navajo code. It was really astonishing to me to get to Camp Pendleton and there were a bunch of Navajos there, and they were working with a Navajo code.” No birth data was available for Little.

The mysterious blackbird deaths we reported at this time last year resumed in recent weeks — and then the U.S. Department of Agriculture admitted it is responsible for the mass poisoning of tens of millions of birds over the last several years. Natural News reported this week that it’s part of the USDA’s program called “Bye Bye Blackbird,” responsible for the deaths of birds (and many other animals) by intentional poisoning. Natural News published a spreadsheet that documented how many birds and other animals that the USDA killed, intentionally and unintentionally. At the time, Planet Waves reported based on several factors in the astrology that the chart pointed to a cause that was “corporate and/or involves the government.”

Meanwhile, a class action lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that the company is responsible for contaminated homes and schools near a chemical plant in Nitro, West Virginia, heads toward trial next week after mediation efforts failed, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Though Monsanto has created nothing but liability and pollution, it is rare for litigation against the company to go to trial — and interestingly, one of the most famous cases that the company lost involved Nitro. Residents of the town, where a Monsanto plant produced chemicals and herbicides for more than five decades, claim their properties were polluted by dioxins, a highly toxic class of chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases. The plant in Nitro produced, among other compounds, 2,4,5-T, an ingredient in the chemical defoliant Agent Orange, widely used in the Vietnam War. Dioxins are a contaminated byproduct of the manufacturing process. The lawsuit, filed in 2004, is seeking medical monitoring and regular testing for as many as 80,000 residents. A separate class action also is seeking damages. Nitro was also the scene of one of the worst dioxin incidents in the history of industry, reported previously in Planet Waves.

Finally, we now understand what Neptune in Aquarius (which ends Feb. 3 after some 14 years) was leading up to. It’s obvious, but like most things with Neptune we didn’t figure it out till later — information as a religious sacrament — and this is now official. BBC has reported that the Church of Kopimism has been recognized by the Swedish government. The church, founded by 19-year-old philosophy student Isak Gerson, claims that “kopyacting” — sharing information through copying — is akin to a religious service. The “spiritual leader” of the church said recognition was a “large step.” But others were less enthusiastic and said the church would do little to halt the global crackdown on piracy. The Swedish government agency Kammarkollegiet finally registered the Church of Kopimism as a religious organization shortly before Christmas, the group said. “We had to apply three times,” said Gustav Nipe, chairman of the organization. “For the Church of Kopimism, information is holy and copying is a sacrament. Information holds a value, in itself and in what it contains and the value multiplies through copying. Therefore copying is central for the organisation and its members,” he said in a statement.

An interview with Eric Francis was published in the December edition of The Artful Mind, the Massachusetts-based magazine. In the interview, Eric talks about how he writes astrology for his readers, his background in journalism, and other topics ranging from photography to music. “Astrology and newspaper reporting have always had a close relationship in my life,” he says. “I started studying astrology with high focus in 1994, at the peak of my investigative work. At the time I was unraveling how Monsanto, General Electric and Westinghouse had polluted the world with chemicals called PCBs and dioxins. This is heavy stuff, and I had been doing it full time for about three years when I discovered my passion for astrology.”

There is not a regular edition of Planet Waves FM this week. The latest installment of the Top Five Events of 2012 free audio series is a two-part podcast on the secrets of the Mayan calendar. Part One addresses the Mayan calendar systems and what day 13.0.0.0.0 on Dec. 21, 2012 might ‘mean’. It’s actually a critique on attempts to pin down the meaning of the day. Part Two is an interview with Carlos Cedillo, a daykeeper of the Mayan calendar. A forthcoming Part Three will include my own thoughts on the matter.

You can access both currently available parts of this latest installment — plus all previous Top Five Events podcasts — here. The first four installments cover Uranus square Pluto, the Venus transit of the Sun, planets entering water signs in 2012, and Mercury retrograde on Election Day. This entire audio series is part of Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check.— the 2012 annual edition of Planet Waves, which is also available for purchase by individual sign.

Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope for January 2012 included the written version of the Top Five Events of 2012 (available as audio here). This was the long written horoscope, with extended interpretations for each of the 12 signs. We also published the Inner Space for January 2012, a shorter horoscope that came out one week later. The February extended monthly horoscope will be published to subscribers on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 25. There will be just one issue that week — the long extended monthly and its introductory materials. There will be no Friday edition. If you are not a subscriber and want to receive all of the Planet Waves horoscopes, you can get a free trial subscription, or you may sign up for up to one year. If you regularly forward Planet Waves materials to friends or relatives, please purchase them a gift subscription. We offer special discounts if you want to sign up several of your friends — if you would like to take advantage of that please call Chelsea at (877) 453-8265 or email chelsea@planetwaves.net.

Friday, Jan. 6, 2012. Weekly Horoscope #886.| Eric’s Zodiac Sign Descriptions

Aries (March 20-April 19) — What at first seems like routine news may turn out to be a lot more meaningful than it seems on its face. Therefore, I suggest you think in terms of the implications of what you learn, and the possibilities of what it might represent for you. You seem to be pushing for big changes, or they seem to be calling out to you. Anything you learn, any information that comes your way, has the power to lead to a sequence of new ideas, and as such may represent a turning point. You will have to listen; you need to pay attention, in particular, to the details. There are two distinct sides to any news that may seem strange or jarring, and I am not saying this as a truism. Look quickly for the silver lining and keep thinking in that direction. It is not a side benefit; it seems to be the whole point.

Aries, your birth sign or rising sign, is getting a transit from the planet Uranus — which is a wild wakeup call, and a bold creative influence. I’ve recorded an hour of astrology and a tarot card reading for you. Learn more by visiting this page.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Remember your negotiation skills. I only remind you because negotiation is not in vogue these days — making demands is, typically in the style of all or nothing. Given that nobody really needs it all, but nothing does not suffice, keep in mind that the essence of negotiation is making sure that everyone gets the basics covered. You can afford to think with a little more foresight than what you might want or need right now. Devise a way of consciously prioritizing. And you will have to be the one who rises above any atmosphere (or perceived intention) of less than pleasant psychology. Part of being a professional is contributing to reducing tensions rather than escalating them. The question to ask is, ‘What if everyone acted this way?’ Many people don’t realize it but they are waiting for someone else to set a good example — you’re the one who would be that example.

I’ve recorded an hour of astrology and done a tarot reading especially for you. It’s information that will help with your relationships, your professional life and your personal growth. Visit this page to find out more.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — At the moment, you seem to be at the mercy of what a partner is going through — and you probably think you have little influence over the outcome. The more appropriate thing to be wondering about is whether you want any influence, and if you did, what exactly it would be. The situation seems more clearly designed as something you will have to adapt to, which is another way of saying you’re dealing with a force much larger than yourself. What you experience may seem on one level like you’ve reached a turning point in a relationship, but what’s really happening is that you’ve arrived at a point of no return in your own life — and the relationship is just a reflection of that. Remember the Serenity Prayer, and remember that the most important part of that is ‘the wisdom to know the difference’ — and I would add: then you have to use that information well.

Gemini is one of the most misunderstood signs — and as someone born under this sign, part of your role is to hold a mirror to the world. I’ve recorded an hour of audio for you, plus a 20-minute tarot reading. You can get access to these by visiting this page.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Pay close attention to what aspects of a relationship or partnership situation are working, and which are not. You don’t want to wait around to find out what happens when you’ve got all the information that you need. Meanwhile, there are ways that you can contribute affirmatively toward a positive outcome. Much of what you’re dealing with in one particular involvement are your ‘hidden tendencies’ coming to the surface — tendencies which I would imagine you would let go of, if you could. The time has come to evaluate everything you say and everything you do on the basis of whether it adds or detracts from your quality of life and your quality of work. Many factors are compelling you to rise to the occasion of your life, as it is today — not how it was yesterday, or how you wanted it to be 10 years ago.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You need to strike a balance in a relationship situation between idealism and cynicism. That balance would come in the form of ‘none of the above’, which is to say, not trying to form a compromise between the two. Rather, a spirit of working from common ground, common values and a shared vision for what is possible will help you make the most of your situation. I suggest you give this at least a week or two to work itself out, as your emotions are currently under the influence of some form of projection. When Neptune leaves your opposite sign early next month, you will gain a more realistic perspective, and a lot more breathing room. To sum up, you have made a long series of compromises that it’s now time to begin reversing, though this will not happen overnight. It may take years, but it will help immensely if you know the specifics of what you’re working with, and what you have gained along the way.

The 2011 Leo birthday report is 70 minutes of in-depth astrology plus a 20-minute tarot reading for you, exploring relationships, personal growth and your professional life. Visit this page for additional information.

Introducing the Planet Waves All Access Pass for 2012

Last year we offered an All Access Pass for subscribers who wanted access to everything we offer in a calendar year. The response from our All Access subscribers was overwhelmingly positive, and we are happy to once again offer one of our most popular products: the Planet Waves All Access Pass for 2012. One price gets you a subscription to the weeklies and all other products on Planetwaves.net through December of 2012.

Using one password for everything, which you choose yourself, you’ll have easy access to every product, including birthday reports and special audio recordings, weekly email service, the annual edition, and whatever additional projects we create. It’s a great discount on a year of our work.

We trust that this idea is a fun way to meet your needs, whether you use astrology for daily spiritual inspiration, therapeutic purposes or pragmatic decision-making. And it’s truly a valuable resource for students of Astrology.

With the All Access Pass you’ll receive:

– Tuesday/Friday Email editions of Planet Waves weekly content and horoscopes. Follow Eric’s weekly and monthly interpretations for all of 2012.

– All sign birthday/ascendant audio for 2012. This is almost like getting a personal consultation with Eric for yourself and any loved ones whose astrology you track. Each audio report includes a fresh perspective on current transits and how they extend into the future, along with a special tarot reading for that sign.

– Your choice of the 2012 or 2013 annual edition, all 12 signs. This book-length online publication includes written and audio segments, is accessible by password at any time, and always meets rave reviews by readers who refer to it throughout the year for its long-range, big-picture guidance.

For More Benefits of the All Access Pass, Visit This Page.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — There should be a word for ‘fear of depth’ or perhaps paranoia connected to curiosity. Anyway, neither of those will be particularly helpful right now and either could become a pretty big detriment. Therefore, go deep, and encourage your curiosity. You’ve been on a project the past few years of gradually letting go of your inhibitions. Now is an excellent moment to both take advantage of what you’ve learned, as well as to go deeper and experience something new. Your sense of adventure may be mingled with some questions about whether you’re exceeding your proper boundaries, or some code of decency you’re being held to but that nobody had the courtesy to inform you of. There are no actual rules and regulations, and to the extent there were, Pluto — currently your best friend — has taken care of them. All you need are basic ethics and your ‘common’ sense.

The 2011 Virgo birthday report is ready! I’ve recorded 70 minutes of astrology plus a tarot reading for you, exploring how you’re working through family material, your use of spirituality, some new energy in your relationships and your professional goals. Visit this page for additional information.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — How far will you go for love? You may be inclined to think that you’ll go too far — however, the dream you’re following will soon lead you to a new feeling, emotional experience or depth of healing. This may feel a little like going down the rabbit hole, but unlike the one that Alice discovered, the dimension you’re entering makes a lot more sense and is better suited to your nature than the brainy abstraction (or odd psychological tension) of the past few days or weeks. The theme of your life shifts clearly and somewhat boldly in the direction of healing, though what you may have forgotten is the extent to which that, for you, involves imagination and creativity, rather than some kind of technique. Both you — and your relationships — need space to move in, space that is reflective, sensual and creative, rather than adorned with too many ideas or chilly intellect.

Your Libra birthday audio for 2011 is finished. Created outside next to an open fire, this reading covers the astrology for your sign in about 70 minutes (looking at career, relationship, home life and the many influences to change you’re now experiencing). It also includes a Voyager tarot reading. Visit this link for additional information.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You may be noticing an odd sensation in your life, as your ruling planet Mars slows down to a retrograde. This may feel like the soundtrack is out of alignment with the frames of the movie, or like the air (or your mind) is getting a little thick. I suggest you take the cue and slow down. This is not the time to blaze forward, but rather, for a careful reassessment. Mars retrograde lasts between Jan. 23 and April 13 — which will give you a chance to look back on the past two years, and moreover, to prepare for the astonishing events of mid-2012. Take this opportunity to work out any hangups, disagreements or conflict over the most important thing you can do with your mind — deciding what you want. Remember, you don’t have to make all your decisions at once. You have some time, and I suggest you use it consciously.

Hello Scorpios! Your 2011 Birthday Report is ready. It’s about an hour of astrology, plus a 20-minute tarot reading. It’s hot with transformational energy. I focus on your ruling planet Mars, your imagination and desire nature, and a phase of solid achievement. Please check this page for more information.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You’re about to have an opportunity to develop your financial resources; that is to say, to either make money, get a gig, or tap into some existing resource that has more value than you think. The key to financial success, for you, is grounding. You don’t necessarily like ‘the material world’, and you know that there’s more to life than that — but when it comes to money or wealth in any form, your success will come from a practical, planned-out and in some ways traditional approach. As the next few days develop, I suggest you take any conversations slowly and patiently, particularly with bosses or clients. Small successes can lead to much larger ones, though you must take things one step at a time, no matter how brilliant or innovative an idea or proposal might be. Make no assumptions, and keep a close eye on the timing of commitments.

The Sagittarius 2011 Birthday Report is ready. It’s about an hour of astrology, plus a 20-minute tarot reading. Sagittarius is encoded with a sense of cosmic mystery, and the recent, hot eclipse activity in your sign will continue unfolding for the next 6-12 months as you journey. Visit this page for additional information.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Any secrets you may be keeping from yourself will soon come to light — and you may wonder what the hush was about. However, what you’re about to discover — either about yourself, or about something deeply meaningful to you — has the power to shift your perception of life — and that means, the path of your life. Most of the time seemingly little revelations are forgotten as fast as they emerge; it’s time for you to recognize the power of an idea. Now, the thing about ideas is that they are like seeds (and not everyone recognizes the value of these). In the present case, we’re talking about an idea equivalent to an heirloom seed. It will need to be cultivated and cared for, and this takes time, patience and continuity. The initial excitement of possessing the thing must develop into something more mature — with a focus on continuity and respect for the growth of living creatures.

Happy birthday! There will indeed be a Capricorn audio birthday report! Watch your email or check this space for additional information in the next edition.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You are certainly getting a tour of the light, the dark, the beautiful and the beastly. While I could be philosophical and say that it’s all part of the kaleidoscope of human experience, I am sure you would rather have your life be simpler. I know you’re getting exhausted with spending your days experiencing the kinds of extremes of existence that have characterized not only the past week but the past few months. You are at the end of a long, challenging phase of existence. By long I mean consider that what you’ve been living through is a phase that began in the late 1990s. You will recognize this a lot more clearly once it’s over — which by the way happens in early February, around the time of your birthday. Being a long phase there will not be an abrupt transition; tune in quietly and you will feel the subtle motion, ephemeral though it may be.

To pre-order Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check., your full-length 2012 reading including written and audio segments for Aquarius, please go to this link.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — One thing I know from living through a lot of astrology is that when Venus enters your birth sign, that’s good for you. It’s a moment of not only appreciating the finer things in life, but actually having them be within reach. In a sense they always are, and we’re often too busy or distracted to notice. But this is a special moment, as Venus makes a conjunction to Neptune and then ingresses Pisces, where it will be for a few weeks. Then, Neptune enters your birth sign. No matter how fast you may be going at the moment, or what challenges you may face, this is a moment to slow down and make space in your life for who and what you want the most. Share your abundance with others you care about. Within the madness of life, so much of it unnecessary, take a long moment and feel how beautiful your existence can be.

To pre-order Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check., your full-length 2012 reading including written and audio segments for Pisces, please go to this link.

Happy New Year — and Schedule Update

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Don’t miss Eric’s free audio presentation on the secrets of the Mayan Calendar. This image is of a Mayan stucco frieze from Placeres, Campeche. It’s displayed in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Photo by Wolfgang Sauber / Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friend and Reader:

Good Tuesday morning, and welcome to the first working week of 2012. So far so good.

This is the week of the year when I am wrapping up your annual readings (contained in Reality Check, the 2012 annual edition) and resuming regular publishing. Note, for subscribers and other publishing clients looking for the subscriber discount, here it is (that link takes you to the proper area).

The audio readings (each in three sections, about 90 minutes per sign, covering all of the major and some of the subtle events of 2012) are finished and ready. I have a bit more than four of the written readings to do, and I should be able to have those done Friday, if I keep everything else light this week. So what I can promise weekly subscribers for a Friday edition is, at least, a weekly horoscope. Any more and I’m pushing the annual edition schedule. So — look for a weekly horoscope on Friday morning. (In case you’re in Woodstock I’ll be at Taco Juan’s writing that.)

As for the annual: it will take us through the weekend to get the pages together, do the final edits, and tidy up any production details. So I anticipate that being ready Monday. This edition features not only your 2012 readings, but also articles by a diversity of writers, a resources area and a daily diary that is now running.

The Top Five Events of 2012 audio series (free to all readers) has been updated with a two-part series investigating the Mayan calendar and its significance. This features an interview with Mayan daykeeper Carlos Cedillo. There is one last part in this series forthcoming — my personal viewpoint on the turnover of the Mayan calendar.

I will see you Friday — and remember, Daily Astrology is running all week as well.

Lovingly,

Venus Transit of the Sun: Top Five Events of 2012

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Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re approaching a total eclipse of the Moon. This happens Saturday, and I’m pretty sure you can feel this as the frenzied state of acceleration that eclipses almost always bring. I cover this in the Planet Waves Monthly horoscope for December — maybe worth a second look, even if you read it two weeks ago when it came out. It’s all about the current eclipse pattern and how it is influencing you.

Photo by Elizabeth Joyce.

Saturday’s is the only total eclipse we’re going to have until this time next year, a total eclipse of the Sun on Nov. 13, 2012. Yet there are an astounding 29 eclipse-like events in 2012, which includes a cluster in May and June that is at the heart of the matter of 2012 astrology, and the topic of a special audio presentation today. (There were just nine eclipses and eclipse-like events in 2011, so the increase is by a factor of more than three-fold — one example of the many acceleration patterns associated with this highly unusual year).

As for the current astrology — there are two useful articles on the Daily Adventure series at Planet Waves. One is called A Gateway to Evolution, and the other is called The Great Attractor: Clearing the Way, which addresses today’s passage of the Sun over the Great Attractor and the North Node, a once-per-18-year alignment.

I am making steady progress on Revelation. Revolution. Reality Check. That’s the 2012 annual edition of Planet Waves, which includes readings for all 12 signs and rising signs. We’ve been receiving a huge number of emails asking where subscribers can sign up — you may use this link to pre-order at the discount price for subscribers.

Last week I began a series on the top five events of 2012, wherein I covered the Uranus-Pluto square (that link will take you to the audio). In today’s edition, I look at the Venus transit of the Sun on June 5, 2012 — a rare and beautiful event that is at the heart of 2012 astrology.

Avebury Henge. Photo by John Spivey / Wikimedia Commons.

It’s hard to believe that it was nearly eight years ago when I stood in Avebury Henge in England and watched with my own eyes as Venus traced a line across the Sun. It was amazing that I was in a part of the world where it was visible, and that I met someone who had the right equipment to watch it safely. I covered that in an article you may remember called Day Zero, wherein I consciously began the interval between one Venus transit of the Sun and the next. They come in pairs separated by eight years; these pairs in turn are always separated by more than a century.

On June 5, 2012 we will experience the second of the current pair. The Mayans were obsessed with the cycles of Venus, and this Venus event is something I am looking to closely for a real understanding of the processes deep in the psychology, healing and growth of the most important year of our lives. The transit takes place in Gemini, and is about the reconciling of opposites within us. That containing and embracing of inner polarities is one of the most human experiences of all, and will influence each of us in a different way. We all have Gemini in our charts, and we all use it differently; we are getting lots of help lately doing just that.

You can think of the Venus transit as the direct grounding of the truly unusual placements in the sign opposite from Gemini, which is Sagittarius. It’s as if some vast spiritual teaching is going to settle into our direct human experience.

This audio (use link to access recording) takes you through the utterly amazing month from May 20 through the Cancer solstice of 2012. Revelation. Revolution. Reality Check. considers the event for each of the 12 signs and rising signs, revealing how this rare, fascinating astrology is directly personally relevant to you.

See you with a regular edition Friday.

Lovingly,

Deep Sky Survey, and The Week of the Centaurs

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Dear Friend and Reader:

It was excellent to have a week to dive into the 2012 charts full-on, in preparation for writing Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check. I’ve been studying these horoscopes for years, looking for clues, writing many articles along the way and putting my discoveries together into a coherent theory. (Those articles are gathered together in an e-book called Light Bridge: The 25-Year Span). This time around I burrowed into the minor planets, using the full set available from the Serennu.com ephemeris. Note: I will probably lighten my schedule at least two more times through the end of the year to facilitate completing the annual edition on time.

Nessus, Deianira and Heracles photographed from a Pompeiian fresco, captured in an albumen print, circa 1865. Photo courtesy of Theresa Luttenegger.

Month by month, I carefully tracked the entire year, looking in detail at the moment the Sun entered each of the 12 signs of the zodiac, concluding with the winter solstice of 2012 — the day the Mayan calendar turns over. One of the challenges of astrology is organizing a lot of data into something coherent. That requires some focus.

My next step was to do a recording focusing on the events within each sign, which is my starting point for each of the Reality Check readings. I’m sure you’re aware that what happens in any one sign affects every other one. In order to keep my focus on the most personal experiences as a starting point, I stuck close to home, which provided a reading of the 2012 movements on the most immediate spiritual/psychological level.

I’ve said a few times that the Uranus-Pluto square (two slow-moving planets meeting at a right angle) is the most potent focal point of 2012, extending until the end of 2015 with effects well beyond. When you look closely at the square, a theme pops out: group dynamics and how we respond to them.

Here is how this works: When Uranus and Pluto are exactly 90 degrees apart (which they will be through most of the decade), you can divide that angle in half and find what’s called the midpoint. Both planets focus into the midpoint like a laser. It is in Aquarius, the sign where individuality and groups take turns as the dominant themes. This forms a dynamic, where group consciousness intersects with the individual will of people. Group dynamics are one of those slightly hidden facts of life that we have to deal with all the time, whether in families, the office or the friends we might go out with.

Do you ever notice how you feel like a different person when you’re in a group, and how that changes depending on who else is there, the purpose of the group and other factors? This experience is one of the main places where we gamble our integrity: where we stand out, or sell out.

Now, here is the catch: Right at the midpoint, there is a slow-moving planet called Nessus (expressed in astrological notation as Uranus/Pluto = Nessus). Nessus is a centaur, which means that it stands right at the line between wounding and healing. It pushes events, emotions and thoughts to the edge, where we can get really uncomfortable. All centaurs have the quality of bringing the truth to the surface.

On the most basic level, Nessus is a factor in the psychological environment. You could think of it as an intimidation factor, and in Aquarius it’s going to show up as some extreme pressure to conform — or the fear of what might happen if you refuse to do so. It might also represent the experience of the group itself, such as when a number of people who are reasonably nice individuals can turn into a caustic group. A particularly horrific demonstration of this is the Penn State coverup of child sexual abuse. The values of the group (‘protect Penn State football’) became the values of each of the individuals within the group. In this case the group included the district attorney who apparently buried the issue, right up to the judge who let the accused coach out on ridiculously low bail.

While the 2012 astrology is progressive and revolutionary, there is a catch: standing up to group dynamics as an individual, and participating in healthy groups in a productive way. There will be no escaping this — one way or the other, we will have to confront this issue. One key theme of the 2012 readings is understanding how this works for each of the signs: where it is most likely to express itself, and what you can do about it. Given that we really are in a position where we have to get together to solve our problems, we must know how to work with this energy.

The Week of Pholus

Another centaur planet is in the news right now — Pholus. I’ve adapted the following from Monday night’s daily edition of Planet Waves. I am aware that early Tuesday morning, this astrology began to manifest (among other ways) as the police clearing Occupy Wall Street out of Zuccotti Park in New York City. (Occupations in Oakland and Portland, Oregon were also cleared out this week.) Apart from the certified miracle that the occupation/protest lasted two months, this is a turning point for the worldwide movement that will have far-reaching effects as this extremely persistent movement is radicalized even more, and adapts new tactics. I will have more to say about this in Friday’s edition.

Heracles & the centaur Pholus, Athenian red-figure kylix from the 5th century BCE, Antikenmuseum und Sammlung Ludwig, Basel.

This week, all week, the astrology is dominated by the centaur planet Pholus. You may have never heard of Pholus, but you’ve felt its effects many times. It’s the thing at work when a small decision or action has an unexplainable, cascading effect where one thing leads to another to some unexpected — and large — result. When Pholus is in the picture, it’s vital to use the energy in your favor rather than have it work against you. As with all the centaur planets (the first of which was Chiron), the key to this is awareness.

Awareness — that elusive thing. Every spiritual or therapy tradition has a name for it: mindfulness, raising consciousness, focus, paying attention, coming out of a trance. Then there is real life. We live in a world where it’s considered okay to drive a car through a crowded city while simultaneously listening to the radio, drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. Nearly everything around us is designed to distract us or put us in a hypnotic state.

This is the week to drive (and only drive) while you’re driving, eat when you’re eating and read when you’re reading. Even if you’re an extremely talented multitasker, keep things down to a dull roar and really pay attention, because this week your actions will have effects. You can prevent things from going in unwholesome directions if you know this, and you can remind yourself that small moves mean a lot.

It’s also the week to proceed with intention. Either work on developing your vision, or stick to the one you’ve got. Sagittarius, where most of this astrology takes place, is a visionary sign, and the aspects are calling for clear focus and making conscious choices, as if what you decide actually matters. The chances are it matters far more than you think.

Chiron, left, instructs Achilles in the arts of warfare in this undated classical image.

In a moment we’ll provide the technicalities about this astrology, in case you’re curious. Two more points first. One is that on many accounts, the sky is lit up with centaur energy. For different reasons, Chiron, Pholus and Nessus are all activated right now. Centaur energy is edgy; it can have us feeling on edge, which is sometimes a double edge. There can be confusion between healing and wounding; there can be unusual fear or psychological material coming to the surface. Situations can be unusually reactive. Prepare for this in yourself, and expect it in the people around you.

Second point: one of the planets involved in the setup describes the absence of moral or ethical boundaries. Be especially cautious of anyone who professes that there is no difference between right and wrong, that ethics are inconvenient or that it doesn’t matter if this thing we’re doing hurts someone. We are in an extended moment when things really do matter, and matter a lot more than we may think.

The technical description of this astrology involves Venus and Mercury reaching the middle of Sagittarius. At the moment there are many slow-moving planets and points right there. These include Pholus, to which both Venus and Mercury will be making conjunctions; the North Node of the Moon, which has a feeling of amplifying karma; and the Great Attractor, which amplifies everything that comes into contact with it. So if Pholus is reactive, Pholus together with the North Node and the Great Attractor is several orders of magnitude more potent. I covered an earlier version of this alignment in the article The Chaos Generator.

Then add one last thing — a slow-moving Pluto-like planet called Ixion is in the planetary picture this week, big time. What’s especially interesting is that Ixion is the common ancestor of all the centaurs except for Chiron and Pholus, but this week he shows up directly in planetary form. That’s the piece cautioning about suspending morality and warning that you or others might be tempted to do so. One not-so-little problem we face on this plane of reality is not understanding karma. That is to say, we don’t tend to understand the relationship between cause and effect. Our actions have effects and what happens in the world has a cause. But most people pretend this connection does not exist. If there was ever a week to consider the reality of karma, this is the one.

For Planet Waves subscribers, I will see you Friday with a regular edition including my weekly astrology forecasts.

Lovingly,

P.S. For those with Scorpio Sun or rising — your birthday/rising sign report is done and available. We sent out a mailing last night — in case you missed it, here is a direct link.

The Most Important Year of Your Life

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Dear Friend and Reader:

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I would be doing some occasional rearranging of the publishing schedule to accommodate work on the 2012 annual edition of Planet Waves — Revolution. Revelation. Reality Check. We’ve arrived at the first such week; expect a few others. Regular editions of Planet Waves will resume next week.

Photo by Elizabeth Joyce.

There has never been a year in your life, nor will there ever be, like the one we’re approaching. Twenty-twelve will arrive with many life-changing events, and the astrology deserves all the attention we both can give it. I’ve been preparing for this moment for many years — and you can trust that I’m going to do my homework for this annual edition.

As I’m sure you’re overwhelmingly aware, we are deep into a phase of heightened and accelerated change. The much-fabled 2012 transition is now here. It doesn’t matter whether 2012 has a Mayan calendar root, whether it involves Uranus square Pluto or the extremely rare Venus event in June: the magnitude of this astrology and how it will influence us cannot be overstated. My annual edition breaks it down into three basic experiences for each of the 12 signs and rising signs:

Revelation. That means discovery. Material and information we were not expecting will come to the surface, at times rapidly. We will make discoveries about ourselves, our relationships and our society. Key decision points await you, but at this time so early in the process, it may be difficult to see what those decisions will be about. Here is where astrology can help provide a glance around the corner.

Revolution. We all talk about change. So many of us have been committed to inner growth and healing and outer social progress — going back years or even decades. You may have discovered that major changes are rarely possible. Yet the times, the causes and the conditions are all coming together this year. This is a time of revolutions — they’re not only possible but inevitable. The question is, what does this mean for you?

Reality Check. There will be more reality coming at us than most people have the stomach for. Yet when there is so much power in the air, one needs to check and balance oneself to keep on track. You’ll need to stay grounded, and have clear agreements with yourself about what matters the most. You will need to penetrate the layers of illusion that have delayed you or taken you off track. Things are moving so fast we need to do this on a constant basis.

In the 2012 annual edition, I provide you with the tools to work with all three factors.

Consider that we live in an era that will be studied by people far in the future. They will want to know not only what was happening, but what it was like to be here, what we perceived and what our options were. We have the incredible privilege of being present in this time. If you think life is intense, here is why: we are occupying and experiencing the moment of transition.

Every single person alive is going to be influenced by this astrology. If you’re in a body and on the planet, it’s not possible that you won’t be personally affected. There are many years when the astrology just sort of goes by. But this is astrology you will feel, experience and live through. The question is where and how; and how do you make the most of it?

Even if all you knew is that there’s a tremendous surge of transformation sweeping through the human environment, you would want to ask yourself: How do I catch this wave?

I ask for two reasons. One is to make the very most of it. Second is to have it manifest as something other than fear or chaos.

Astrology is more than a guidance tool. It’s a method you can use to influence the course of your life rather than merely being subject to what’s happening around you. Many people struggle to put themselves on track, or to attune to their own intentions — much less the world around them. The way I use astrology will give you tools to do both.

I’ve created this link for current subscribers and customers to pre-order the 2012 annual at a significant discount.

Meanwhile, I suggest you check your November monthly horoscope again — there is stuff in there you may not have noticed. Regular editions will resume next week. Please watch the Planet Waves daily blog, which Amanda and the writing team will be handling as we go through the Taurus Full Moon this week.

Lovingly,

Introducing a Weekly 2012 Diary by Eric Francis

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Dear Friend and Reader:

This thing called 2012 is approaching fast. We’ve got just one more season and we’re there. This is one of the most predicted-about times in human history. I can tell you that there will be a lot of unemployed prophets on Jan. 1, 2013. And I can tell you that the changes that do happen to society will be the ones that were right in front of us — but which we were not expecting. In honor of those changes, and our opportunity to use them creatively, for the next few months I will be using the Tuesday space to write a 2012 diary. [Note, even though our records show you’re not a subscriber to Planet Waves Weekly, we will be emailing the October monthly horoscope to you on Friday.]

What is the theme of 2012 as I see it? In a phrase, “Everything, All at Once.” We’ve had a few little tastes of that quality the past few years (especially in 2011); yet the story has just begun. This astrology will come in and out of focus, depending on the positions of other planets. It happens to be in high focus today, as the Libra New Moon makes an exact square to Pluto and a close opposition to Uranus. We are in what you might think of as a 2012 microcosm. [To read about that in detail, please check Soul, Form and Fear: New Moon Square Plutoon Planet Waves daily.]

At the heart of this is Uranus square Pluto, which is exact from 2012-2015. It’s been building for a long time and once we know what to look for, we’ll be able to see cultural manifestations going back five years. This aspect will influence you personally; it is affecting all of us. It could manifest emotionally as some form of obsession, the drive to participate, deep introspection — or as fear. One thing we need to learn through the 2012 astrology is how to keep fear, and the people who use it against others, in perspective. Mostly, this alignment is about the drive for progress.

Every change we’ve delayed, every place we’ve been stuck, every aspect of our lives that needs attention, the ways we feel summoned to get involved — all of these will come into focus in 2012, and stay there for at least three years. That’s a lot of material to cover. It will seem to rush on fast, and yet we must use well the time we have.

Many Decisions, Many Variables

A lot of this is about embracing decisions, and allowing for variables. We know how much we delay making changes because one change might lead to another, and another. Yet there seem to be so many variables right now. There is a way to go through this experience without getting overwhelmed, and my intention as an astrologer and writer is to help you see the way to do that.

This Tuesday weekly series will relate directly to the 2012 annual edition of Planet Waves. The annual edition, usually published the first week of January, is where you get your extended overview of the new year (last year’s was called Light Bridge; the year before was called Cosmic Confidential). Our annual is a comprehensive product, which many people depend upon for a bit of perspective and easy-to-understand astrology guidance.

Because of the extraordinary astrology of 2012, I am devoting extra time to doing this year’s edition. This new Tuesday series will serve two purposes: one being to keep you informed about this unusual astrology and related events; and the other being a place for me to create and develop the ideas that you’ll be reading about when the annual publishes in just a few short months.

Big astrological events mean something different to everyone. I will be counting on your feedback, ideas and wisdom to create this annual edition. You can write directly to me by replying to this email.

The Cycle Starting in 1965 Turns a Corner Now

The topic for today is: what is the relationship of 2012 astrology to the 1960s — and why should you care? Let’s take them one at a time.

The Rain in Spain — the 1960s were not all about protests and LSD. Among the less-tumultuous developments was a film production of My Fair Lady, adapted from a play by George Bernard Shaw. It won eight Academy Awards, including best picture, released shortly after the Beatles arrived in the United States.

On Oct. 9, 1965, there was a conjunction in mid-Virgo — Uranus conjunct Pluto. That was the epicenter of what we think of as “The Sixties.” Historians have tried for decades to explain what the 1960s were — and it would help if they had astrology. Let’s just say they were about a lot more than protests. They were a time of monumental change in every facet of life: technology, art, literature and music. The family structure of the 1940s and 1950s was totally rearranged. Sex roles began to change. There was a sexual revolution, with mixed results — but some real impact.

You could say that consciousness itself changed, and we’ve been living with that particular mental vibe ever since. As The Eagles so brilliantly said it, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” We are, however, about to do something other than check out or leave. We are going into the next phase of that cycle — Uranus square Pluto. It’s taken 46 years for Uranus and Pluto to move from a conjunction to a square. This is like the week that it takes the New Moon to become the quarter Moon, only it was nearly half a century. Think of all that has happened in those years.

When Uranus and Pluto get to the first quarter, the action begins again. It’s actually been happening for several years, but it’s been really obvious in 2011, whether you consider Arab Spring, the volatility of the financial markets, the political chaos, the sense of total overwhelm that is reminiscent of the Sixties. The times we are in will challenge you to be yourself fully, and to live the life that is right for you. Clinging will not work — making conscious and informed choices will work a lot better.

Astrologically, one big difference between the 1960s and now is that the conjunction was in the relatively mellow, intellectual, service-oriented sign Virgo. The square that we are approaching now reaches from Uranus in Aries to Pluto in Capricorn — super-high energy signs that are all about taking action. Uranus in Aries is about a stunning self-awakening. Pluto in Capricorn is about changes to the very roots of our society and its structure. Where the two intersect for you personally is a crucial meeting point. It’s where you need to be focusing your plans, your decisions and your concept for your life, even as everything is changing before your eyes.

One thing that most people don’t understand is that times of change and instability are the moments of the greatest potential. Yes, you have to be gutsier, apply your intelligence, and dare to take a few risks. You could say the possibilities are limitless, though closer to the point is that they are real — and the astrology points us directly to them. More next week.

Lovingly,

P.S. The October monthly horoscope will be published on Friday.

Looking Back on a Wild Year

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Dear Friend and Reader:

As we approach the end of another calendar year, we are also closer to 2012 — a year that has been predicted endlessly, and in a sense, lived before anyone has had a chance to get there. For the next few months I will be doing the 2012 annual edition of Planet Waves. As you know, there is big astrology coming — some of the biggest of our lifetimes.

Photo by Eric Francis.

I’m not quite settled on the title of this edition (it changes every year — last year it was Light Bridge and the year before Cosmic Confidential), but it’s likely to be something like “Reality Check.” We need one of those, with so many strange beliefs taking hold, so much conflict and so many predictions of doom going around. The 21st century got off to a rough start. We have time to get on the right track, especially as individuals. I’m not really an optimist, but rather someone who has faith in the power of human creativity.

In order to get the annual edition done smoothly and on time, I have two proposals, one of which is a request for your feedback about your own life. If you would take a few minutes, please tell me as much about your astrology as you know: your Sun sign, your year of birth and other details if you know them. This will help me check my previous work and develop angles to help you with your astrology through 2012 and beyond. What are some of the questions and issues you’ve been facing? What opportunities have come your way?

How are you guiding your life through the changes that are influencing so many people? Have you been impacted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by the changes on the planet? How have these events altered your life and influenced your values? Here is a big one: What is up with your kids (if you have any) and what are your concerns about the future of the world as it impacts them?

Second general theme is: What inner developments are you experiencing? By that I am referring to what most people think of as their spiritual life, their healing process or their growth. I’m curious what you’re aware of within yourself, what changes you’re going through and how you are experiencing your maturing process. Are you in therapy? Are you on a spiritual path? Are you using meds to help you cope? How do you define the terms ‘growth’ and ‘healing’?

I would encourage you to use these notes as a basic guide — please don’t try to cover them all, only what is most important to you. I don’t need a lot of writing, just a few salient observations (I can discern a lot from relatively little). I do need your Sun sign and year of birth, and other details that you know would help (such as your rising sign if you happen to know it). Please send your responses to feedback@planetwaves.net with the subject header “2011 Feedback.” I won’t have time to respond to every one personally, but I will read what you write to me. If I quote you because you’ve said something better than I ever could, it will be anonymously.

Last thing. The annual edition includes written and audio readings for all 12 signs, as well as articles by myself and others. It’s a big, beautiful, useful project, and to do it, I need to focus — which can be challenging while I’m working for you as a full-time journalist. I want to do this well: It’s going to be a big year, and that is saying a lot.

To help facilitate my work, I’m going to make a series of schedule adjustments over the next three months to give myself a little more time and space to do these readings. For example, some weeks I’ll combine Tuesday and Friday editions. Other weeks I will depend more on guest writers. In the tradition of ‘Planet Waves Weekly’ (the real name of this newsletter) there will be something for you every week. If you see me make an adjustment to the schedule, that’s why I’m doing it.

Meanwhile, please look for a pre-order announcement some time in the next couple of weeks. There will be two phases of pre-order — one for those who want to contribute a little extra to the project to help get us started, and then a second one for an advanced-sale discount.

I’ll see you with a regular issue Friday, and the October monthly horoscope next week.

Lovingly,