Tag Archives: Chaos

The Day of Current Taste: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 21
The Day of Current Taste | Order 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio | You can also pre-order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

You’re likely to be busy this year, possibly spending a significant amount of effort on a longstanding project. This may well require some grit and determination, and a little chutzpah here and there; yet you can cover a lot of ground. Faith in your own powers is an important, and often underestimated, contributor to success. Likewise, knowing that you’re getting helpful advice from others, as opposed to added confusion. Choose your companions and confidantes wisely.
— by Amy Elliott

If your Sun, Moon or rising sign is Virgo, you are heading into a most unusual solar year, set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. Eric lays it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio, now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces make their exact square today. Although they’ll remain within an influential distance from each other for a while yet, you may find over the next few weeks that you’re able to sense the ground beneath your feet a little more solidly. This weekend, though, things could still feel rather floaty, kind of indistinct, surprisingly optimistic, or extra expressive in a vague-yet-charming way.

Note also today that the late-Gemini Moon squares the late-Virgo Sun for the last quarter Moon — incidentally, the last Moon phase before the Sun enters Libra on Monday for the equinox. Minor planets and points in contact with the Sun and Moon include: Bacchus conjunct the Sun in Virgo; Chaos conjunct the Moon in Gemini; and Cupido (Uranian point), the Galactic Core, Pholus and Ixion in Sagittarius.

One thing this appears to describe is an opportunity to start again almost from ‘nothing’ with a second chance of some kind. It could be one that allows you to make a more ethical choice, or may relate to freeing yourself from something, or is in response to a higher calling or broader cooperative and creative partnership.

There’s also a reminder here to watch your intake of alcohol and other mind-altering substances through the weekend. This has been an ongoing caution for the last few weeks as Jupiter and Neptune have moved into position, and now the last quarter Moon is highlighting it again. There are other ways to get free — whether creatively, spiritually, mentally or physically — at a time when something in your life may be ready for restructuring, and for more balanced forms of inspiration.
— by Amanda Painter


My readings offer a place of refuge, an opportunity to suspend self-judgment, and my careful reading of the charts. I offer you reasons to be motivated, and strategies for handling the strange complexity of society at this time. To this work, I bring all of what I have learned as a journalist, editor, astrologer, spiritual student and man of the world; and I offer it to you for an affordable price. Read more here.

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The Day of Fine Appearance: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 19
The Day of Fine Appearance | Order 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio | You can also pre-order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Pretty much anything is possible with enough devotion and passion driving you. The dream, the desire, are just the beginning; though they also provide the motivation to keep going when you need it the most. What’s important is that they are sincere. That is, you’re pursuing your own plans, rather than what you’re told or expected to follow. With enough determination, you can sculpt a whole new way of being from the raw materials of the present.
— by Amy Elliott

If your Sun, Moon or rising sign is Virgo, you are heading into a most unusual solar year, set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. Eric lays it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio, now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

Mars in Virgo making a supportive aspect to Pluto in Capricorn today describes the willingness to work for what you want. If you’re experiencing a Thursday slump to your workweek, or if you have a project that got bogged down recently, this could be a good day to re-start your engines. Is there anything you’ve been trying to do but have lacked the right opportunity for?

Note that the Virgo Sun is moving into a square with the centaur Ixion and the Galactic Core in Sagittarius (Chaos in Gemini makes it a T-square). What actually serves your highest good, and by extension the highest good for all? It appears that a sense of tension might exist around this question, namely in the form of feeling like there’s a second chance to get something ‘right’. Can you let yourself off the hook if you feel like you got it ‘wrong’ the first time?

Self-criticism, especially in the form of guilt or shame, can easily get in the way of one’s ability to feel ‘worthy’ of trying again. But it’s never too late to make adjustments to your inner compass, and to orient more closely on ethical choices. It still might not feel easy, but it’s always your birthright to choose differently for yourself — and to learn from your mistakes, heal, and grow.
— by Amanda Painter


My readings offer a place of refuge, an opportunity to suspend self-judgment, and my careful reading of the charts. I offer you reasons to be motivated, and strategies for handling the strange complexity of society at this time. To this work, I bring all of what I have learned as a journalist, editor, astrologer, spiritual student and man of the world; and I offer it to you for an affordable price. Read more here.

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Saturn Direct and Jupiter square Neptune — Or: What You’ve Learned Over Summer Vacation

By Amanda Painter

Saturn is now in direct motion in Capricorn, as of Wednesday; this begins the final approach to its conjunction with Pluto in January. On Saturday, Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces will complete their last of three exact squares this year. Both of these events seem to ask: what have you been learning about yourself?

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The Day of the Fearless Crusader: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 12
The Day of the Fearless Crusader Order 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Remember that your primary relationship is really with yourself, and fulfillment in every other kind of setting comes much more easily if you can give yourself love. This may sound a little counterintuitive, because society teaches us that we are lacking, and that self-acceptance is allegedly arrogance. Yet in truth, embracing who you are is an important aspect of your wellbeing. Love is not a zero-sum game; it’s more like music. The more you practice on your own, the more you have to offer to others.
— by Amy Elliott

If your Sun, Moon or rising sign is Virgo, you are heading into a most unusual solar year, set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. Eric lays it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio, now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

While you might not actually have the Golden Touch right now, you may in fact be able to create some ‘luck’ for yourself today. Yet that’s unlikely to come through impulsive risk-taking, and more through intelligent foresight and planning, with Mars in Virgo making a square to Jupiter in Sagittarius.

Running off with a “so crazy it just might work!” idea could be enticing, and the thought might be just the boost you need to take some initial steps. But Neptune’s proximity to Mars and Jupiter is likely having a slight dissipating effect on what is usually a high-energy aspect. That might actually be for the best. Patient persistence appears to be the more conducive option this week.

Are you experiencing any déjà vu regarding self-critical thoughts or speaking critically to someone else? Mercury and Venus are in a T-square with Ixion and the Galactic Core in Sagittarius, and the asteroid Chaos in Gemini. One of the silver linings to feeling like you keep repeating the same lessons is that each time is an opportunity to make a different choice — one that’s focused on things like ethical behavior, empathy, alignment with dharma, or the highest good of all concerned. That does not always feel fun in the moment. But there appears to be an opportunity to imagine that you’re in the space before all decisions — before any guilt or shame entered into your thinking. From that primordial (or less compromised) mindset, what could you do?

Final note: we’re getting close to the Pisces Full Moon, which is early on Saturday. The Moon enters Pisces today. Keep tabs on any interpersonal situations that are feeling edgy, extra sensitive, or just plain unclear. Gently inquiring about matters is likely better than trying to pin the other person down, though another couple days of patience could be all that’s needed.
— by Amanda Painter


My readings offer a place of refuge, an opportunity to suspend self-judgment, and my careful reading of the charts. I offer you reasons to be motivated, and strategies for handling the strange complexity of society at this time. To this work, I bring all of what I have learned as a journalist, editor, astrologer, spiritual student and man of the world; and I offer it to you for an affordable price. Read more here.

Now available for instant access!

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The Day of Dramatic Choice: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 11
The Day of Dramatic Choice | Order 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Like other people, you are ever changing and evolving, and you can’t be expected to remain exactly the same for any length of time. The same goes for the structure of your daily life — your work, your habits, your schedules — which you build around yourself, and have the power to reshape. If you want to change something, if you decide to set your feet on a particular path and are determined to put in the requisite level of effort, there is ultimately very little that could stop you.
— by Amy Elliott

If your Sun, Moon or rising sign is Virgo, you are heading into a most unusual solar year, set up to do the thing Virgo is designed for: integrate the elements of your being, find your direction and purpose, and act on it. Eric lays it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio, now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

The unusual thought, emotion or impression could be what helps you to get un-stuck in some way today. It may relate to a plan you’ve become emotionally attached to, or to some ‘conventional wisdom’ that does not go deep enough to be useful; or could be an intuitive hint about what’s going on beneath the surface of a situation. The aspect I’m looking at here is an opposition between the asteroid Pallas in Scorpio and Uranus in Taurus, while the Moon travels through Aquarius today.

Bear in mind this is happening against the backdrop of the Virgo-Pisces oppositions that are calling the major tune lately, all square Jupiter in Sagittarius. So if an eccentric, innovative or non-habitual insight comes your way, it’s likely advisable to apply it gradually. Understand it might require some tweaking down the line, as new information becomes known.

Venus is also making interesting aspects of its own. Notice if some kind of second chance is making an appearance. Possible realms where it might emerge could include (but are not limited to): love, friendship, work and work relationships, service, finances, material possessions, and your values around any of these things. Remember that it’s never too late to make a more ethical choice, or one that serves more than your own interests (maybe even the common good). Also, sometimes being in the mystery of not knowing, or of multiple options, is a more productive and less stressful place than committing to something you know does not feel right. Ultimately, honesty is the most liberating action of all.
— by Amanda Painter


My readings offer a place of refuge, an opportunity to suspend self-judgment, and my careful reading of the charts. I offer you reasons to be motivated, and strategies for handling the strange complexity of society at this time. To this work, I bring all of what I have learned as a journalist, editor, astrologer, spiritual student and man of the world; and I offer it to you for an affordable price. Read more here.

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Photo by Amanda Painter

Photographic Proof: Mars and the Sagittarius Full Moon

By Amanda Painter

As you may be aware, we’re in the thick of Mars in Cancer making “the” aspects of the season (and of the year): oppositions to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, which themselves are headed toward a stunning conjunction in January. We’re also building up to a Full Moon in Sagittarius on Monday that appears to carry some profound themes.

Photo by Amanda Painter

Photo by Amanda Painter

Speaking broadly, that’s a lot of energy looking for a way out, and it’s likely to find its expression in your relationships with other people. The Mars aspects indicate navigating the difference between empowered interactions and power struggles — with a layer of karma-fueled growth pointing toward new territory. The Full Moon, taking place on the ‘mental/spiritual’ spectrum, also carries its own karmic twist, which you may be able to apply to your relationships.

First, a refresher of the Mars aspects. Tomorrow (Friday), Mars makes an exact trine to Neptune in Pisces and makes its exact opposition to Saturn in Capricorn; on Wednesday, June 19, Mars opposes Pluto and heads toward Eris. All of these aspects have been in effect and growing in strength for a number of days already; you may find it useful to review Eric’s coverage of the themes from earlier in the week.

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The Day of the Popular Eye: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 1
The Day of the Popular Eye | Order Your 2019-20 Gemini Reading | All Other Signs

Today’s Moon-Venus meeting on your birthday is an invitation to let your light shine: to be seen for your beauty, without hesitation. Don’t hide yourself away; engage with the world on your own terms. The opportunities you have will be the ones that you take. You are the person who activates your own potential, by your choices and by your actions. Growth does not need to be fraught with resistance; there are, at times, easy openings to what you want, though you must be the one who consciously chooses to push the door open, or to set out in a new direction based on your own desire.
— by Eric Francis

Written in the Planets

Notice today if anything seems to point your thoughts toward the early origins of a particular belief. Beliefs tend to be emotion-based, and yet we generally articulate them in the language of fact and rationality. Mercury’s conjunction to the asteroid Chaos today in Gemini suggests multivalenced creative thought is possible, especially in a kind of primordial way: that state before things evolve into their full shape. Yet Mercury and Chaos are also square Borasisi in Pisces: a suggestion that your need to express these ideas (in speech, action or some form of creation) could be at odds with some long-held belief — one that may actually represent a fiction of some kind. What happens to your perspective on this belief in the process?

Meanwhile, Mars in Cancer is making a square to the asteroid Pallas in Libra. This could describe some kind of emotional reaction against a more ‘political’ or diplomatic way of relating to people that you think you’re supposed to use, especially to please them. In other words, pay attention to any need to push against someone or something in a way that indicates you’re not standing in your power as an adult. Can you express yourself directly, from a place of balance, without the full emotional charge? It’s not the same as being diplomatic, because you’d still be saying and doing what you really mean, but it’s less likely to scuttle out sideways like an angry young crab.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis just recorded new videos for all 12 signs, specifically investigating Mars interacting with some of astrology’s most influential planets this season? His Call the Astrologer readings are available individually or as a 12-sign set to share with your loved ones. Check out samples here and here.

The Day of Materialized Fantasy: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is May 6
The Day of Materialized Fantasy | Order Your 2019-20 Taurus Reading | All Other Signs

Hold true to your deepest values, which means understanding them and yourself as fully as possible, along with using them as guides. Keeping your focus here will almost certainly enable you to see your forward path in far greater clarity. You can dispense with diversions and distractions that you might now recognize as such. This should help you get out of your own way, and make it much easier for you to reach your most important goals.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mercury enters Taurus today — a placement that favors learning from experiences and travel. Do you have any plans of that sort during the next couple weeks? The planet of mind, communication and transit is moving swiftly right now, and will slide into Gemini (along with the Sun) on May 21. In the meantime, you might also notice the ways vision and touch influence your perception and thinking; this looks like a good time to get artsy.

A slow and deliberate mode of thought and communication also marks Mercury in Taurus. With Uranus still just inside the doorway of this sign, however, it’s possible that mouths could move faster than brains can fully consider, in certain situations. That said, if an innovative idea strikes you, can you move with it while it’s still fresh and exciting, rather than mulling it until the moment’s gone by? Mars conjunct the asteroid Chaos in Gemini could enhance motivation and mobility with particularly fertile-yet-unformed conditions in work and creative settings right now.
— by Amanda Painter