Tag Archives: Capricorn

The Day of the Heavy Image: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 29
The Day of the Heavy Image | Order Your 2019-20 Taurus Reading | All Other Signs

Hold on to your moral compass as an anchor keeping you steady amid all weathers. It’s likely you can set an example for others by your actions; especially by delivering on any promises you make, and doing what you know to be right. This doesn’t require spectacular heroics nearly so much as making the best choices each day, in little matters as well as great. Remember also that the only person whose approval you need is you.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

As you begin the week, notice your workspace (the literal, physical way that space is set up), workflow, time management and general sense of responsibility. In what ways do these elements support recent changes in your experience? In what ways might they be starting to hold you back, or feel due for restructuring?

These could be priority themes of Saturn’s next four-and-a-half months or so: it stations retrograde today in Capricorn, suggesting a phase of review. Add in the ways you do and do not take authority in your life (such as over your decisions, feelings, and how you’ve gotten where you are now) to round out your exploration of what else you could build on your current foundations. That Saturn makes its apparent backward move closely conjunct the lunar South Node brings further emphasis to the notion of “what is comfortable but no longer truly serves you.” (Hmm… in that case, is it really even that comfortable anymore?)

Yes, the Sun in Taurus usually emphasizes things like long-held, comfortable routines and values. But the Sun’s encounter with Uranus last week may have provided some kind of shock or wake-up call to your system — whether bodily or some other type of system. If that offered new creative energy, chances are you’re now on the alert to continue channeling it. Or maybe you’re still searching for the outlet that feels right? Either way, today’s Pisces Moon should offer some imagination and intuitive sensitivity to help you get started.
— by Amanda Painter

Have you tried the Astrology Readings Channel?

Planet Waves offers readings for all the signs and rising signs. These readings are must-haves among a core group of people who love them, though perhaps you have not heard what Eric is doing. We’ve taken many readings from 2018 and put them on a 24-hour audio stream, which anyone can tune into. Whatever your sign, you will find it interesting no matter when you tune in. If you’re up late and want something soothing and informative to listen to, or if you’re curious about astrology, tune in here. No login is required.

The Day of Physical Substance: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 25
The Day of Physical Substance | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Taurus Reading | All Other Signs

Stay in touch with your emotional world. In the course of heading for your goal, be sure to leave some time for yourself to rest and renew. Think of it as similar to needing regular intervals of sleep; occasional winding down and taking it easy is a vital component of life. This is part of acknowledging that you are human, rather than a robot; and that you have intrinsic worth.
— By Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

With the Capricorn Moon moving through the Saturn-Pluto-Eris configuration, there could be an unconscious sense of pressure. By ‘unconscious’, I mean that the feeling is less likely to come to you as a clear thought, and probably won’t have an obvious, external cause. If you notice it, and give the sensation some conscious attention, it may be easier to own it and move with it over the course of the day (and it will move). Think in terms of taking responsibility for your emotions and reactions; and get the tasks that answer to an outside authority done first, if at all possible.

Bear in mind that the Mars-Neptune square is almost at full strength (it’s exact on Saturday). If you’re trying to hold seemingly contradictory positions on a matter, it might be getting a little frustrating — especially if you think you’re not able to just go for one or the other (or both) for some reason. Neptune’s presence in ever-slippery Pisces, however, is a reminder to be cautious and keep giving yourself reality-checks at every turn. This does not mean you cannot move forward; in fact, this square energy needs to be expressed one way or another, via actual action (which could be the act of communicating what you want). The idea is not to move or speak faster than your mind can keep up. Moving slowly and deliberately is still moving.
— By Amanda Painter

Have you tried the Astrology Readings Channel?

Planet Waves offers readings for all the signs and rising signs. These readings are must-haves among a core group of people who love them, though perhaps you have not heard what Eric is doing. We’ve taken many readings from 2018 and put them on a 24-hour audio stream, which anyone can tune into. Whatever your sign, you will find it interesting no matter when you tune in. If you’re up late and want something soothing and informative to listen to, or if you’re curious about astrology, tune in here. No login is required.

The Day of Serious Purpose: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 17
The Day of Serious Purpose | Order Your 2019-20 Aries Reading | All Other Signs

Pay attention to your environment, and to your emotional responses. Consider no form of information as inherently needless. The world around you is rich and vibrant, and is inviting you to share in its glories. You may be on the brink of realizing something that has previously been just out of your reach; once you obtain it, much is likely to make sense all of a sudden. Breathe the living air around you and let it kindle inspiration.
— By Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mercury moves into Aries today, which may pick up the pace of any ongoing mental meanderings. Aries tends to be a decisive placement for the planet of the mind and communication, though, which could help if you need to get a handle on your thought processes. Mercury here can also be prone to impulsive decisions, and can get frustrated with delays in addressing problems. Given that we’re heading for a Full Moon in Libra (in the last degree of that sign) on Friday morning, it’s worth noting that the Moon enters Libra shortly after Mercury enters Aries. So that’s kind of like a mental-level trial run of the Full Moon energy — and it’s a good reminder to stop and think before you speak.

Note that pushing the ‘pause’ button before you express yourself is not the same as bottling everything up. But it might mean the difference between throwing fuel on a fire that you did not realize was smoldering just below the surface. Libra Moons indicate a preference for harmony; sometimes to the detriment of direct self-expression. So today could feature one person taking a forthright and uncomplicated approach to a situation, and the other person involved trying to steer interactions with diplomacy. You might even find yourself switching between those two roles.

Another thought: as Mercury moves into contact with a few key minor objects early in Aries and Capricorn, track where your thoughts are being drawn. Do you feel like you’re searching for a point of action, leverage or pressure-release between who you are (or think you are) and the patterns of your family of origin? Is any of this material coming through as previously repressed sexual energy, or something about your sexuality that you prefer to keep secret? If you can find a way in the coming days to express whatever it is safely (which still might feel risky, daring or just plain scary in its vulnerability), you may discover that you don’t even have to say that much to enjoy a sense of relief and acceptance of yourself.
— By Amanda Painter

Have you tried the Astrology Readings Channel?

Planet Waves offers readings for all the signs and rising signs. These readings are must-haves among a core group of people who love them, though perhaps you have not heard what Eric is doing. We’ve taken many readings from 2018 and put them on a 24-hour audio stream, which anyone can tune into. Whatever your sign, you will find it interesting no matter when you tune in. If you’re up late and want something soothing and informative to listen to, or if you’re curious about astrology, tune in here. No login is required.

The Day of the Iconoclast: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 13
The Day of the Iconoclast | Order Your 2019-20 Aries Reading | All Other Signs

Be ready to lift your head above the parapet. Standing out takes courage, whether that’s being the first person to walk through previously untrodden territory; or perhaps the one who says what nobody else will. It cannot be done with the intention of simply making a noise. Yet if you have something that needs to be expressed, a point of view or a work of art uniquely your own, let the world see and hear.
— By Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

How can you simultaneously take care of yourself (and the other people, animals and things close to you) and stay engaged in the tumultuous changes happening in the world at large? Who are you in the face of these changes, and in the midst of the many changes you yourself may feel called to make? These might be the sorts of questions pushing into consciousness today, as the Aries Sun moves into exact alignment with the Pluto-Eris square (with Saturn and other change-related points and objects nearby). You may find that the more you can answer those questions through direct, non-digital contact with others, the more you’ll relieve any sense of tension that’s been brewing — at least, on the personal level. With the Moon in Leo harmonizing with other fire-sign planets, you may sense (or seek) a little extra purpose to your socializing today. Who in your world is sparking joy?
— By Amanda Painter

Have you tried the Astrology Readings Channel?

Planet Waves offers readings for all the signs and rising signs. These readings are must-haves among a core group of people who love them, though perhaps you have not heard what Eric is doing. We’ve taken many readings from 2018 and put them on a 24-hour audio stream, which anyone can tune into. Whatever your sign, you will find it interesting no matter when you tune in. If you’re up late and want something soothing and informative to listen to, or if you’re curious about astrology, tune in here. No login is required.

“Mystic Mountain,” a detail from the much more extensive Carina Nebula, which astronomers are studying the complicated physical processes that form new stars. Photo by NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

What We Birth Amidst the Chaos

By Amanda Painter

On Saturday, the Aries Sun slides right into the square between Pluto in Capricorn and Eris in Aries. As was written about at the beginning of the week, this is part of a long series of era-changing and defining aspects covering the last ten-plus years. Chances are you can see a substantial amount of the change, stress, growth and discovery in your own life in that span of time as a reflection of this astrology; this week’s rumblings may be stirring up some uncertainty and tension — possibly with deep roots, along with great creative potential.

“Mystic Mountain,” a detail from the much more extensive Carina Nebula, which astronomers are studying the complicated physical processes that form new stars. Photo by  NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

“Mystic Mountain,” a detail from the much more extensive Carina Nebula, via which astronomers are studying the complicated physical processes that form new stars. Photo by NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

One thing that could feel tricky about it, though, is getting a handle on how this energy is coming through for you personally.

Eris and Pluto move slowly; they tend to describe generational (or longer) processes.

Pluto, in particular, drives social (and, in Capricorn, institutional) evolution by breaking down what’s no longer functioning constructively. Eris adds a destabilizing factor: an element of chaos, subversion and (in its recent association with Uranus) provocation via the ways we define identity itself.

Another thing that might be challenging right now — yet easier to grasp — is the lingering effects of Mercury, and now Venus, moving through the focus-dissolving, imagination-distracting, and enticingly escapist field of Neptune in Pisces. Mercury is also still working through its post-retrograde shadow phase (it exits for new astrological turf on April 16). I’m hearing from a number of people comments about how this is still feeling a bit hiccup-y. It’s okay to continue taking things as slowly and deliberately as you need to.

Looking at Saturday’s chart, I noticed an interesting complement of minor objects in close contact with the Sun-Pluto-Eris aspect. I think they paint a fairly clear thematic picture, whether applied personally as you see fit, or culturally. I’m going to list them briefly.

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The Day of Excess: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 9
The Day of Excess | Order Your 2019-20 Aries Reading | All Other Signs

Employ your powers of reason and strategy to the utmost. You already have the passion, drive and willingness to work toward your goal. Now you just need to figure out how to get there efficiently and without having to take too many backward steps. A solid plan will be well worth the time and energy spent on careful crafting and double-checking details. Let your enthusiasm serve as fuel, without letting it run away with the process.
— By Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Small moves appear to count for a lot right now, particularly in the realms of sex, healing, teaching, being seen for who you are, and holding space for unorthodox relationships, desires and identities. So if you’re feeling tension around any of those topics, how might you express and release that energy just a little? It’s not that you can’t go bigger; it’s that you can probably accomplish more with less effort than you’d expect. The aspect pattern in question is the centaur Pholus (small cause, big effect) in Capricorn making a square to a triple conjunction of Vesta (holding space), Chiron (raising awareness) and Salacia (sex, especially if ‘scandalous’) in Aries.

If you’ve been actively trying to repress and ignore any tension related to one of these topics, how is that working out for you? Is it starting to come out sideways, or to feel even more overwhelming and messier already? Note that with Aries involved (a sign ruled by Mars), it would be wise to consider your anger, too. Do you have a safe place in which to express your anger and frustration (including sexual frustration)? Can you create one — such as shouting out in the woods alone, or asking a very grounded friend (or counselor) with good emotional boundaries to hold non-judgmental space, and to witness you as you rage? (Just remember not to direct your fury at your witness; that’s asking them to process your feelings for you, which is solely your job.)

We don’t have a lot of practice with this in Western culture, especially for men; and ranting on Twitter or Facebook does not count. If anger is not part of the equation for you, creating art, writing, ritual or masturbation could just as easily be part of your process. The idea is to find or create a space in which you can get to the root of whatever’s itching to be let out of the proverbial bottle. It might not turn out to be what you think it is; and that discovery could itself open the way to actual healing.
— By Amanda Painter

M100, known as a 'grand design' galaxy, is 56 million light-years away, and is similar to our Milky Way. Studies of variable stars in M100 have played an important role in determining the size and age of the Universe. Photo by NASA/ESA/Hubble.

They Can’t Shut Down the Cosmos

By Amanda Painter

We’re not quite at the midpoint between eclipses — that occurs Jan. 14 with the first quarter Moon. How are you doing with ‘looking where you want to be’? Are you feeling drawn to continue clearing out some space, or to initiate a project, or to dive into something? Are you feeling optimistic or frustrated (or something else entirely)?

M100, known as a 'grand design' galaxy, is 56 million light-years away, and is similar to our Milky Way. Studies of variable stars in M100 have played an important role in determining the size and age of the Universe. Photo by NASA/ESA/Hubble.

M100, known as a ‘grand design’ galaxy, is 56 million light-years away, and is similar to our Milky Way. Studies of variable stars in M100 have played an important role in determining the size and age of the Universe. Photo by NASA / ESA / Hubble.

I ask simply as a prompt for some reflection and self-assessment; a way of taking a barometric reading on your inner and outer environment. With all the major sign-ruling planets in direct motion — and therefore not ‘forcing’ introspection — it occurred to me these questions might be useful.

Did you watch Pres. Trump’s Oval Office address Tuesday night? I confess I did not, trusting that I could read all about it afterwards if needed, without subjecting myself to his toxic projections in real time. It’s challenging enough being surrounded by its effects as they ripple through the collective. But in researching some of the current astrological aspects, it occurred to me just how reflective his speech and government-by-tantrum are of the astrology.

The first aspect to really speak to me of this is tomorrow’s Sun-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. Now, on the level of your own personal life, you may experience this as another wave of deep cleaning and space clearing related to the recent eclipse — particularly regarding how you express or present yourself to the world. Or it could come through as the drive to get beneath the surface of something. Or perhaps as the need to repair a thing or situation that’s broken and needs radical changes to be able to continue.

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Small, Meaningful Moves

By Amanda Painter

We’re moving into the last half of Mercury’s current retrograde in Aries — and the contacts Mercury is making this week seem to be stirring things up for many people. If you’ve been feeling a sense of pressure lately, this astrology could be why.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

A combined square between Mercury in Aries and Mars and Saturn in Capricorn continues to be in effect today. Mercury square Mars was exact on Wednesday, and Mercury square Saturn is exact today — though they are really one event.

This aspect pattern is an image of tension — especially with Mercury in a hot, fiery, action-oriented sign, and its retrograde motion describing an inward direction (for at least some of that energy). If you’re feeling frustrated, you might notice how much of that energy is directed at yourself, versus how much of it you’re projecting (or unleashing) onto others.

Lots of people fall into negative thought loops when they have trouble expressing their anger and annoyance; that said, it’s also becoming more common for people to seek an outlet on social media. If that tends to be your go-to, you might notice whether people’s comments in response actually help you to transmute your frustration, or whether it serves to amplify it. There are reasons why social media is often referred to as an ‘echo chamber’ — though sometimes we do truly just need to say what we have to say and know that we’ve been heard and empathized with.

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