Tag Archives: Mars

Photo by Amanda Painter.

Three Leo Aspects and Mercury Direct in Cancer

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By Amanda Painter

Mercury stationed direct last night in late Cancer, just after the Leo New Moon. It will take a few days for Mercury to sort itself out, though, and it’ll be another couple of weeks before it clears where it was retrograde. So your patience and sense of humor could still be handy companions for a while yet.

Frisbee players and a wee onlooker at Higgins Beach, Scarborough, Maine. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Three Frisbee players and a wee onlooker at Higgins Beach, Scarborough, Maine. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Partly this is because Mercury will stay in the same degree where it stationed for a few days — it takes a while to get back up to its typical apparent speed — which means it’s in extended contact with Eris in Aries and Haumea in Libra, forming a T-square.

Another factor in the overall astrological environment is a square between Venus in Leo and Uranus in Taurus, exact tomorrow, and a couple of other Leo aspects. I’ll get to those in a moment.

For now, has anything of particular interest emerged for you yesterday or today? As in, did you discover or realize something about yourself, or did someone tell you a key piece of new information, or did your intuition about a situation get confirmed or contradicted?

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The Day Of the Tangible Presence: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 30
The Day of the Tangible Presence | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

You are making discoveries about yourself — feelings, desires, inclinations that you might previously have set aside or not been fully aware of. Recent events or sudden changes may have precipitated these revelations, though they are no less genuine for that. Often we learn about ourselves through our reactions to external movements. It would be advisable to avoid any kind of self-judgment during this process; hold space for yourself and allow your understanding to develop without restriction.
— 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

Just one more day after today, and then Mercury stations direct in late Cancer (overnight Wednesday into Thursday). How much patience, humor and resilience can you bring to your day, no matter what goes wrong or gets delayed or misunderstood? What do you need to say to someone — and if you’re holding back, why is that? What do you need to admit to yourself? And how are you feeling about it all?

Note that Mars is in a conjunction to the asteroid Juno in Leo, and together they are squaring the asteroid Vesta in Taurus. This could describe some kind of frustration or jealousy in a relationship (particularly sexual) — as well as the potential to work too aggressively to get intimate needs met, or to push past or downplay them to soothe a bruised ego. Any feelings of powerlessness in such a situation could likely exacerbate things, which emphasizes the importance of ’emotional intelligence’ as described by Mercury in Cancer.

That is, the more you are able to see and articulate your feelings and thoughts honestly to yourself, the easier it may be to share them with those close to you without undue force. Neptune in Pisces is also aspecting Mars, Juno and Vesta. It appears to offer the creativity needed to hold space for expressing these feelings with steadiness, empathy and maybe even some higher-vibe vision. Just be aware that this could take continual small adjustments as hopes and expectations are revealed for what they are: an ideal, but not reality. We human beings disappoint each other all the time; but in dealing squarely with ‘what is’, sometimes we open the way wider for what could be.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Winner: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 28
The Day of the Winner | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

If certain friendships or associations are giving you pause, one method of obtaining clarity is to consider the net effect on you as a person. This doesn’t simply mean whether or not you’re happier — though that is an important factor. It’s also: are the people in question helping or hindering your progress toward self-actualization? Do you bring out the best in one another? Do you challenge one another, or stay firmly in your comfort zone? Considering these points will probably offer useful clues.
— 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

You know that old Cheap Trick song that goes, “I want you to want me / I need you to need me”? There’s a particular aspect pattern currently that appears to describe desires like these (Mars conjunct Juno in Leo, square Vesta in Taurus). Yet it also speaks of the ability to recognize and claim fully all that you truly possess already. In other words, you don’t need someone else’s life force to warm you when you’ve tended your own flame persistently.

That said, it can sure feel nice to bask in another’s warmth; the difference here seems to come down to that idea of ‘need’. Is it a genuine need, or is it about trying to sooth a wounded ego? Can you offer to someone else what you desire and need, with no expectation of reciprocation, as an exercise in showing yourself that you have it in you after all?

For immediate attention: Mercury is entering its ‘storm’ phase prior to stationing direct Wednesday night into Thursday. This is your reminder to be on high alert — which really means extra patience with disruptions and the apparent miscommunications or flakiness of others. Come to think of it, you may be wise to extend that same patience to yourself. It takes two to tango, as they say; but it only takes one of those dancers spacing out for a moment to trip up the whole dance for all involved.

Learning to recover gracefully is all part of the process — as is being as honest as possible with yourself (and those close to you) if you need to stop the dance, change the steps, try a different song, and so on. The more proactive you can be with such changes in your routines, the easier it should be to make discoveries that open up into new, exciting options. The most important thing you can do, if you’re feeling restless, is to be conscious about figuring out what you need to do to free and channel that energy. Trying to stuff and ignore such urges could lead to accidents — but it doesn’t have to.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Symbolic Herald: Birthdays and Planet News

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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

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Where We Are Now

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By Amanda Painter

Tuesday evening the second of this season’s two eclipses came and went with the Capricorn Full Moon. On an immediate, practical level, I noticed this event arrived in a way that highlighted or seemed to exacerbate situations with a distinctly Mercury retrograde flavor. I’ve heard from a number of people in the last several days who’ve been wondering why they’ve felt a little ‘off’, down, thwarted or disempowered, and so on.

Seaweed pointing the way; photo by Amanda Painter.

Seaweed pointing the way; photo by Amanda Painter.

Does any of that describe your experience at all?

Collectively, we’ve been through a lot this year; Mars moving through Cancer and igniting a couple different aspect patterns — and the global events illustrating that astrology — was followed immediately by Mercury stationing retrograde. Add in these eclipses, and it has been a lot to handle.

Yet any astrology, no matter what in your life it describes or coincides with, is a reminder to notice consciously and integrate what you’re learning — particularly about yourself, but also about the people around you, your relationships with them, and your overall environment. So, regarding the last two weeks and the two eclipses bookending that span of time: what did you learn?

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The Day of the Rising Tide: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 16
The Day of the Rising Tide | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

Today’s lunar eclipse marks an unusually important year for you in terms of your personal growth, your maturity in relating to others, and your aspiration toward fulfilling your ideals. Tensions may play out in certain relationships, or within yourself, though this likely represents vital matters being brought to a head. As we change, so necessarily do our interactions and dynamics with others. Ultimately, you need honest people around you who’ll have your back.

Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading — now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

Tonight’s Full Moon and partial lunar eclipse occurs in late Capricorn, opposite the Cancer Sun, at 5:38 pm EDT (21:38:06 UTC). This brings to a close the two-week zone between eclipses this season. However, whatever these events signify or describe in your life may be only beginning to take shape. So you might want to consider observing today carefully: your feelings and thoughts; your interactions with others; new information that arrives; things you realize have run their course. How consciously can you go about everything you do today? What are you giving your time, energy and attention, and does it match your greater intentions and priorities?

You can read a little more about this event here, and you can refer also to yesterday’s Written in the Planets. Bear in mind also that typical Full Moon tensions could be afoot, particularly in situations that feel stuck or locked down, or where emotions are complex. Even though the effects of eclipses can take months to manifest, once the Full Moon begins separating, some room might open up in which movement toward resolution of the immediate circumstances can begin.

It’s also worth noting that the Moon and Sun are square Eris in Aries and the object Haumea in Libra. This could describe needing to make a choice between self-serving actions that may cause chaos (for yourself and for others), and acts of creation that could bring some balance to your relationships. If you’re noticing these themes in your life, can you honestly assess which way you’re leaning? Mars in Leo making an aspect to the minor planet Albion in Taurus appears to describe the courage to cross a threshold, if you’re willing to take the steps necessary.
— by Amanda Painter

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

New in the Special Readings Series
Magnum Opus on Eclipses, Now Through Late 2020

Eric’s new 90-minute discussion of all things related to eclipses, in any sign — with a focus on Cancer and Capricorn eclipses, from the current pair through 2020 — is available now for instant access. Part audio reading, part astrology class, it offers you a lot of help processing the solar eclipse on July 2 and the lunar eclipse on July 16, and features original music. Hear it as part of the 2019-2020 Astrology Studio for Cancer, or purchase the Eclipses Reading separately for only $33.

The Day of Passive-Active Duality: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 10
The Day of Passive-Active Duality | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

In anything you do, you may notice there is a difficult way, and an easier way. By difficult, I mean running into obstacles that make no sense. How do you handle them? Do you go back toward the obstacle, or do you go in another direction? Think of this as the difference between the past and the future. In any choice you make, which way are you headed? Here is the thing: there are certain elements in your life that you are really, truly done with. Know what they are, and be bold about choosing something else — something alive and fresh.
— by Eric Francis

Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading — now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

A few hours after the Moon enters Scorpio today at about 5:28 am EDT (9:28:29 UTC), it makes its way into a T-square formation with Mars in Leo and Uranus in Taurus. You may notice an extra edge (perhaps sexual) or depth of emotion this afternoon, possibly related to any restlessness you’re feeling this week. Mars aspects tend to be palpable on the approach (the square to Uranus is exact tomorrow), so you may already be experiencing it.

If you’re yearning for freedom in some form, see if you can channel that impulse away from outright rebellion and into a more deliberate process of ongoing creative change. Also keep tabs on perceived threats to your ego, since the potential for explosive reactions is higher with this aspect. With Mercury newly retrograde in Leo — and still in contact with Mars and Uranus — you’re on double alert to be careful and thoughtful with all forms of communication. It may be harder with real-time, in person conversations to press your internal pause button if needed. You’d be amazed, though, at the centering power of a couple deep breaths in such moments.
— by Amanda Painter

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

New in the Special Readings Series
Magnum Opus on Eclipses, Now Through Late 2020

Eric’s new 90-minute discussion of all things related to eclipses, in any sign — with a focus on Cancer and Capricorn eclipses, from the current pair through 2020 — is available now for instant access. Part audio reading, part astrology class, it offers you a lot of help processing the solar eclipse on July 2 and the lunar eclipse on July 16, and features original music. Hear it as part of the 2019-2020 Astrology Studio for Cancer, or purchase the Eclipses Reading separately for only $33.

The Day of the Dark Pragmatist: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 8
The Day of the Dark Pragmatist | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

You are edging closer to something you want, something genuinely important. Yet you need to watch your bearings. That’s a navigational term, which means know your position, your course and your speed. Check these regularly. You may be driven by financial motivation to a degree that does not work for you, and that’s one of the most important things to keep tabs on. Where money is concerned, know how much you need and why. Make sure the basics are taken care of first. And in all of your dealings, be impeccably honest. In the long run, it will pay.
— by Eric Francis

Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading — now available for instant access.

Written in the Planets

Retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to Mars in Leo is exact today, though chances are you’ve noticed its influence already. That might be coming through as heightened mental and physical energy in its more constructive manifestation, such as the ability to focus on a project and persist until it’s done.

However, if you’ve been trying to navigate defensiveness, competitiveness, egos (yours or someone else’s) and similar, it may help to take step back from whatever’s firing you up. Continuing to push at someone is unlikely to bring an enjoyable outcome, though friendly debate could be extra spirited. That said, today’s Libra Moon offers a ‘make peace, not war’ vibe that may help to balance out hotter influences, as long as you stay honest in your efforts at diplomacy.

Venus in Cancer is making aspects to Chiron in Aries and Uranus in Taurus. Are you feeling inwardly conflicted about something or someone (including, but not limited to, who you are and how you love)? You might find that the more unusual, creative or unexpected option for how to deal with it offers you the best opportunity to move forward. It could also provide a more authentic sense of contact with your core values, even if it seems out of habit. Your most stimulating friends, lovers, and ‘not your typical Monday’ social situations are worth seeking out today — just do so knowing that transit and communication will require your full attention.
— by Amanda Painter

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

New in the Special Readings Series
Magnum Opus on Eclipses, Now Through Late 2020

Eric’s new 90-minute discussion of all things related to eclipses, in any sign — with a focus on Cancer and Capricorn eclipses, from the current pair through 2020 — is available now for instant access. Part audio reading, part astrology class, it offers you a lot of help processing the solar eclipse on July 2 and the lunar eclipse on July 16, and features original music. Hear it as part of the 2019-2020 Astrology Studio for Cancer, or purchase the Eclipses Reading separately for only $33.