Tag Archives: Eros

The Day of Idiosyncrasy: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Dec. 7
The Day of Idiosyncrasy | 2019-20 Sagittarius Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

You’re starting this new birthday year more profoundly aware of who you are, where you’ve been, and what past imprints must transform to get where you want to go. Old images of nurturance or support no longer suffice, and you know in your bones that self-worth is an inside job. A grounded, one-step-at-a-time approach to consolidating foundational security is your path of mastery.
— by Victoria Emory

If you have a Sagittarius Sun, rising sign or Moon and could use some insights on such real-life matters as work, relationships and career, your 2019-2020 Sagittarius Astrology Studio reading by Eric Francis will cover your ruling planet Jupiter’s conjunction to the Galactic Core, a preview of Jupiter in Capricorn, and many other potentially life-changing facets of your astrology.

Written in the Planets

Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow or ‘echo’ phase today. Meaning, it will finally enter new zodiac territory for the first time since Oct. 11. What a long, strange trip it’s been through the waters of Scorpio. How actively did you dive into yourself and explore? If you really went for it, did your investigation seem to mitigate the usual Mercury retrograde frustrations? What have you learned, and did you recover or regenerate anything there in the deep?

Also today, Venus and Eros in Capricorn make a harmonious aspect to Vesta in Taurus. If love and/or sex are on your agenda, your activities will benefit from an ability to be as tangible as possible about giving it the room it needs. Whether solo or partnered, this means literally creating a comfortable physical setting — as well as emotionally opening up the space within yourself to be fully present. Earth signs are tactile; listen to the messages your skin and bones (and other senses) are sending you. All of these ideas also hold true for any practical creative sparks you’re trying to stoke.
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of Extraction: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Dec. 6
The Day of Extraction | 2019-20 Sagittarius Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Steps you take to enhance financial security have the potential to generate results beyond what you’d imagine, and this is the year to direct efforts to do so. Avoid risking precious resources, or splurging on unnecessary expenses. Have fun, just don’t be reckless. Foster creative relationships through self-knowledge, i.e. honesty about your own emotional history. Value yourself and others will follow.
— by Victoria Emory

If you have a Sagittarius Sun, rising sign or Moon and could use some insights on such real-life matters as work, relationships and career, your 2019-2020 Sagittarius Astrology Studio reading by Eric Francis will cover your ruling planet Jupiter’s conjunction to the Galactic Core, a preview of Jupiter in Capricorn, and many other potentially life-changing facets of your astrology.

Written in the Planets

In the direction of the middle of Sagittarius lies a deep-space phenomenon called the Great Attractor. The Great Attractor (GA) is the focal point of a supercluster of about 100,000 galaxies stretched out over 520 million light years — and everything in our region of the universe seems to be contracting toward it (though overall, the universe is expanding). Today the Sun — emblem of conscious self-expression — aligns with the GA.

What goal, vision, or sense of faith and optimism is pulling you along currently? In what ways does it feel elusive, or like you’ll never finish chasing it? Trying to express it, whether through actions or words, could provoke strong reactions from others. Yet those reactions will likely slide past you or spur you on, rather than ruffle or dissuade you. Note also that figures and images from the dreamtime may mirror another side of this situation to you.

On a more mundane and less ethereal level, a Venus-Eros conjunction in Capricorn suggests that feelings of emotional, material or social security will foster arousal or your general Joie de vivre. “Traditional” turn-ons (whatever that means to you) are another good bet. A square between Pallas in Sagittarius and Orcus in Virgo describes a sense of tension in fulfilling a promise. What do you need to do to bring ‘the spirit of the law’ into better accord with ‘the letter of the law’? Chances are this will also align with that elusive vision that’s drawing you along.
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of Metamorphosis: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Nov. 10
The Day of Metamorphosis | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

Significant encounters this year could prove revelatory, and offer opportunities to explore aspects of your own psyche that prepare you to engage relationships on a more profound level. Material likely to arise includes attitudes around sexuality, devotion, spiritual wisdom and commitment. Keep your antennae tuned in this direction; there’s information you’re ready to receive that will open your eyes and expand your world. Initiation into some kind of higher understanding is possible.
— by Victoria Emory

Your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading for Scorpio Sun, rising and Moon signs addresses the current jolt to your relationships, as well as the profound thought transformation you’re going through. Eric considers some deep matters of self-identity and where that meets personal healing. Listen to Sample 1 or Sample 2.

Written in the Planets

Retrograde Mercury in Scorpio opposes the asteroid Vesta in Taurus today. Mercury in its current state describes some kind of deep review, reassessment or reinvestigation — with some potential topics being how your thoughts and less-expressed emotions influence each other, matters of sex and surrender, jealousy and possessiveness, or other deep, taboo and potentially transformative topics. Vesta currently appears to describe the ways you do or do not keep matters of your body, senses, health, material resources, sexuality and comfort central in your life.

With these two opposing each other, notice whether you’re in some kind of dialogue about which of these things you devote yourself (and resources) to; what gets sacrificed; and what you’ve been holding onto too tightly to count as either. Any of the themes mentioned could come through via an encounter with someone else. Which of you is playing the ‘space holder’ role, and which of you is playing the undercover sleuth? Is there an exchange to be negotiated between the two of you?

Note also that Ceres, an asteroid named for the goddess of the harvest, is conjunct Eros — named for the god of erotic love, who can also represent a less overtly sexual ‘life force’ energy in astrology. They’re in Sagittarius, a philosophical-yet-optimistic and adventurous sign. There are many ways to feed your soul, and many ways your spirit can nourish others. Today could be a good day to explore this realm.
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of the Borderline: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Nov. 8
The Day of the Borderline | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for pre-order | All Other Signs

You’re in a position of greater stability than you might realize, with support systems available to help you make considerable headway this year. Tap your wealth of emotional and intellectual resources to maximum advantage, to plow through work and get your world in order. Demands on your time may accelerate, but don’t sacrifice self-care; healthy routines are important. Emotional healing also emerges as a theme, possibly involving old abuse patterns and karma related to responsibility. Healing is ultimately and always an inside job, but guidance from trusted counselors can play a pivotal role.
— by Victoria Emory

Do you ever feel like your Scorpio Sun, rising sign or Moon gets a bad rap from astrologers? Eric Francis understands the potential held in your depths — and can walk you through how the planet Uranus in your relationship zone might be stirring things up. Pre-order your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading (offered now at its lowest price!) to move past the stereotypes, and meet your life at full strength.

Written in the Planets

How are you doing with things like errands and purchases, following through on certain trains of thought, or connecting with people via clear, straightforward communication? Mercury’s continuing retrograde through Scorpio could be slowing things down — for example, by requiring more than one attempt to get something simple accomplished. Can you see what caused you to stumble or detour the first time around, and learn from that experience?

Think of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio as being like scuba diving deep under the surface of the sea. It’s harder to see far ahead; there’s an extra sense of pressure; actions tend to result in exaggerated reactions, so it helps to go slowly and stay relaxed; communication is trickier and the stakes are higher, so it’s essential to be very clear and direct with your buddies. And when something goes wrong, the simple ability to stop, breathe, and think can be an actual lifesaver. Most dry land hiccups associated with Mercury retrograde are not life-and-death situations, but the same principles definitely apply.

In less soggy news, the asteroid Pallas enters Sagittarius this morning. This shifts its tone from one of an ‘asexual’ approach to sexual politics to something more like big-picture planning, the long-game (spiritually as well as politically), and perhaps a strangely rational form of optimism. Notice whether those around you start speaking about their ideals in a slightly different way. Other activity late in Sagittarius suggests some cosmic-level nourishment of your joie de vivre and what turns you on. Sometimes to give is also to receive.
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of High Voltage: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 16
The Day of High Voltage | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You’ve recently come a long way in terms of finding your feet in the world, and you may well go even further this year. Your charts suggest you’ll be able to tackle certain old challenges, which will help you release any situation in which you weren’t benefiting in a meaningful way, or were compromising too much. If some kind of collaboration is involved, you’ll either want to change the parameters or break away altogether. Make a rule that your autonomy and principles are not for sale.
— by Amy Elliott

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

Written in the Planets

If you’re sensing a need for excitement, new ideas or fresh stimulation, today’s square between Mercury in Leo and Uranus in Taurus describes that. It can also indicate feeling nervous or overwhelmed by surprises and disruptions, particularly if you have your mind set on your plans for the day going a certain way. Can you hang a little looser, and use the unexpected as sparks to your imagination instead? Either way, consider taking notes on your ideas the next couple days, since they may move quickly and might benefit from a careful review once your train of thought slows down some.

Mercury and Uranus are actually in a T-square formation with the minor planets Eros and Typhon in Scorpio. This looks like a reminder not to let your erotic urges — and any ‘darker’ emotions associated with them — scare you. Sexual energy is just life force energy, and is nothing to be ashamed of. You can use it playfully and creatively rather than simply feeling helplessly drawn into its intensity; today and the next couple days could offer unusual insights or ‘ah-ha’ moments about how to do this.
— by Amanda Painter


In These Times graphic

Aquarius Full Moon (and Friends)

By Amanda Painter

Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow phase this morning, freeing up thought patterns and communication just in time for today’s Full Moon in Aquarius. The Aquarius Moon opposes the Leo Sun and Venus at 8:29 am EDT (12:29:08 UTC), which means the aspect will be separating and the energy beginning to dissipate during the day.

Photo by Amanda Painter

A sunflower demonstrates the Golden Ratio; photo by Amanda Painter

That could translate into any seemingly stuck situations starting to resolve — though this appears to be a Full Moon with less of a conflict/tension signature compared to many other Full Moons.

This one looks more social, with the energy peak having come Wednesday night. Yet even as the Moon moves along from this opposition, the Sun and Venus will still be closely aligned — offering warm, heartfelt social vibes for a few days. Mercury finally treading new ground in Leo describes lively and possibly even dramatic communication of ideas — the bigger the audience, the better.

That said, if you’re in a funk or not feeling as social as everyone around you seems to be, there are elements in the Full Moon chart suggesting that a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach could be worth trying. That would be the asteroids Achilles (false confidence or false lack of confidence) and Icarus (a desire to escape restrictions, exuberance of youth; also potentially reckless actions) conjunct the Moon in Aquarius.

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The Day of the Symbolic Herald: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is July 26
The Day of the Symbolic Herald | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

You can accomplish big strides toward a particular goal this year if you connect with your passion and use it as fuel. As a fixed-sign native, you know how to keep the hearth burning for a long time. Working actively with your imagination and thinking laterally will very likely help you focus your attention where it’s needed. As you make progress, you may well find also that some deep emotional healing is taking place. Be sure to give this quest a priority space in your schedule.
— by Amy Elliott

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

Written in the Planets

Have you checked your jealousy meter lately? This might be a good time to take a reading; not only are the asteroid Juno (often a symbol of jealousy) and Mars moving in a conjunction in Leo, but they’re also opposite the asteroid Psyche in Aquarius. One way to read this relates to whether you feel like you’re getting adequate attention, recognition or inclusion by a particular group — especially if it seems like a recurring issue. Yet is the problem truly a lack of inclusion? Or is a sense of never being able to heal the feelings brought up by situations like this the thing that the universe is trying to point out? (Hint: if you are noticing that sensation, chances are it can be healed.)

Retrograde Mercury is also in an interesting position: conjunct the centaur Cyllarus in Cancer, and square Eros and Haumea in Libra. There seems to be something here about reviewing, re-living or re-feeling mental and emotional energy that might seem like it was wasted on something or someone; yet, at the same time, there’s a need to tap into and share one’s life force, creative energy or erotic energy, specifically in the process of generating new ‘life’ in some form.

Do those two sides of the equation balance each other, or do you feel torn inside? Is it feasible for you to lean into one side of the equation fully enough that it brings you to a new understanding of the other side? Squares are about energy needing to be expressed; with Mercury being the planet of communication, where do you feel tension regarding speaking to someone? What is it you need to say? True, more insight may arrive when Mercury stations on the 31st, but that does not mean you cannot use this time to move toward a clearer position. If taking this kind of action feels out of the norm for you, that could work particularly in your favor now.
— by Amanda Painter


COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

In These Times graphic

A boy from Honduras is shown being taken into custody by US Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico Border near Mission, Texas, June 12, 2018. Photo by John Moore

Caring in Action: the Cancer Eclipse

By Amanda Painter

Dear Friend and Reader:

Eric wrote at the beginning of the week about today’s Sun-Chiron square, and the collective healing needed to our inner masculine/yang sides. Then I looked at the chart for the July 2 Cancer New Moon and solar eclipse, and started thinking about the daily assaults on our empathy and capacity to care that are being made by the daily news.

Demonstrators gather to protest against the separation of immigrant families at the border in Austin, Texas, on June 14,  2018. Photo by Amanda Voisard / Statesman.com via AP

Demonstrators gather to protest against the separation of immigrant families at the border in Austin, Texas, on June 14, 2018. A year later, things are no better. Photo by Amanda Voisard / Statesman.com via AP

And it all cascaded together in my perception of what amounts to the ongoing psychological and physical torture of immigrant children separated from their families and being held in detention at the U.S. border. I’ll get to the astrology in a moment.

I’ve been seeing a lot about this in my Facebook feed and my email inbox. The strongest recurring theme, however, is an overwhelming sense of paralysis: not knowing what we can do; wondering ‘why isn’t anyone organizing a mass protest?’; asking ‘who is organizing something I can join with?’; feeling completely at a loss regarding which actions will help and which might actually make things worse.

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