Tag Archives: Salacia

Friends, Benefits, and the Leo Full Moon

By Amanda Painter

We’re heading toward a Full Moon on Feb. 9, and Mercury stations retrograde one week later (on Feb. 16). That would be more than enough provocative energy on its own, but there are additional elements of the sky that will be sparking up the weekend.

Disco lion's mane or crystallized moonlight? Photo by Amanda Painter.

Disco lion’s mane or crystallized moonlight? Photo by Amanda Painter.

One of those elements gets cooking tomorrow: Venus enters Aries at 3:02 pm EST (20:02:17 UTC) Feb. 7. Venus in Aries (the sign of Self ruled by Mars) tends to be lusty and assertive, idealistic yet impulsive, charming but sometimes inconsiderate without realizing it.

So remember your empathy, especially if any interpersonal situations get confrontational or intense as the Full Moon builds.

Yet it’s the conjunction of Venus to Chiron and the object Salacia that really focuses the qualities of Venus in Aries. Salacia appears to relate to sexual maturity (particularly the lack thereof) and to the kinds of sexual activity that get people all flustered.

In the U.S. media at least, that seems to be anything taboo or ‘scandalous’. In your personal life, it might mean the same things — or simply your perception that certain facets of your desire and sexual activity could be seen that way. But aren’t those always the hottest fantasies?

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The Day of Confidence: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Dec. 5
The Day of Confidence | 2019-20 Sagittarius Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Opportunities to generate essential, material support in the coming year are indicated by Jupiter joining the planetary crowd in your zone of resources and security. Understand these will come wearing work clothes. Focus your efforts and practice delaying gratification. You’re playing the long game, here. Discipline is your key to creative satisfaction and joy.
— 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

After picking up on some deeper insights from Mercury in Scorpio in the wee hours, the Moon slides from Pisces to Aries this afternoon (around 2:44 pm EST / 19:44:20 UTC). With Mercury nearing the end of its post-retrograde echo or shadow phase, this contact describes some intuitive-level reminder of something you thought about or investigated in late October or early November. Info could come through a dream.

Aries Moons describe emotional impulses leading to action. Other objects in early Aries and Capricorn offer the themes and context for this. Namely, Chiron and Salacia in Aries bring in an element of sexual healing and identity integration; Pholus and Quaoar in Capricorn suggest some familial or ancestral material that you need to push against or integrate. Although the Moon will pass through these aspects fairly quickly, they set the tone for the last half of the day. How does it all connect to the broader project of applying your vision and faith to the practical tasks on your agenda?
— 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 Penetrating Gaze: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Oct. 9
The Day of the Penetrating Gaze | Order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

A particular project has now reached a point where the goal is in sight. You may be feeling some impatience to get there and move on, though it will help you to make sure all of the ground is covered. Rushing may cause you to retrace some steps, and in fact you have plenty of time — enough to take the scenic route and enjoy each stage of the journey. It might even be argued that having something to delight in, at regular intervals, is as important and useful for you as completing your mission.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have your Sun, Moon or rising sign in Libra? If so, Eric has much to say about stabilizing your relationships in the chaos of the internet, getting some traction in your career, and most of all, how to frame your own reality. in the 2019-2020 Libra Astrology Studio, now available for instant access. Check out the video preview for the reading here.

Written in the Planets

Is anything about yesterday or this morning feeling like someone’s confronting you with some facet of your sexuality that you tend not to show or express? Do you feel able to have the conversation? Or are you responding with defensiveness, or trying to glide over things without getting your hands dirty? With Mars in Libra opposing the minor planet Salacia (and Chiron) in Aries today, something along these lines could crop up.

Once the Moon enters Pisces just after noon EDT (16:05:04 UTC) you may find it’s easier to be introspective about things. Mercury’s making planetary contacts that suggest some complicated emotions could emerge into your awareness. Yet there also appears to be an opportunity to cross a threshold of some kind, in relation to these feelings and thoughts, if you’re willing to be present with them. That opportunity could come in the form of another person mirroring them back to you. The Pisces Moon suggests that art and music could be particularly useful in moving some of this energy in gentle, creative, and maybe even beautiful or soul-expanding ways — especially if you’re very specific about your intentions.
— by Amanda Painter


My autumn readings, called In These Times, 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.

In These Times is now available for instant access!

In These Times graphic

The Day of Patient Practice: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Sept. 26
The Day of Patient Practice | Pre-order pre-order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Opportunities to bring healing to old relationship patterns is a signature theme this year. The more willing you are to recognize your role, the more you’ll actualize this potential. Clues can be found in power dynamics, and any obsessive need you may feel to impress your point of view on others. It’s not always easy to observe your thoughts, but doing so is a key to unlocking facets of past imprinting that you’re ready to resolve. Your perception is particularly intense right now, and the more you turn that light inward, the freer you’ll feel.
— by Victoria Emory

Do you have your Sun, Moon or rising sign in Libra? If so, your sign is directly aligned with the single most significant astrological event beginning 2020. Eric will walk you through the most effective ways to approach your year in the 2019-2020 Libra Astrology Studio, now available for pre-order.

Written in the Planets

Today’s opposition between the Sun in Libra and Chiron in Aries may offer you a mirror of some kind today. Notice who arrives in your immediate sphere to show you some of your unresolved issues, perceived weaknesses or insecurities. This stuff could relate to your sense of purpose, identity and ability to take action, and could further trace back to what your father did or did not teach you about such things.

Chiron’s conjunction to Salacia potentially brings in the element of sex — especially facets of sex you prefer to keep ‘secret’, but which still form part of your holistic identity. Even if nobody else knows all about your desires and activities, it’s still a part of who you are and how you perceive yourself.

Whether or not the sexual identity theme emerges, pay attention to how you’re responding to those you encounter, particularly if any of these issues crop up. Are you seeing yourself in another person’s behaviors or attitudes? Is someone triggering reactions in you that you’d rather blame on ‘their shit’, but which actually illuminate something you need to address within yourself?

This looks like an important moment to move strongly towards honest self-expression in healing something. Just be aware that a square today between Mercury in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn could describe getting rather obsessive about a single thought; and that obsession — though fleeting — could manifest as trying to coerce someone to your point of view. Think inwardly instead. New depths of self-awareness are possible now, if you’re willing to look beneath your own surface.
— 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!

In These Times graphic

From the Sept. 20 Climate Strike; photo by Amanda Painter.

Libra New Moon: Tipping Points, Reconciliation and Relationships

By Amanda Painter

As I write this on Tuesday, the internet is blowing up over two things: 16-year-old Greta Thunberg’s impassioned speech to the UN, in which she spared nobody in her condemnation of leaders’ inaction to stem the climate catastrophe; and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that the U.S. House will open a formal impeachment inquiry against Pres. Trump. With the Sun on the Aries point — via the first degrees of Libra — and the Libra New Moon on Saturday still in that zone where personal and collective meet, this is fitting.

From the Sept. 20 Climate Strike; photo by Amanda Painter.

From the Sept. 20 Climate Strike; photo by Amanda Painter.

Libra’s hallmarks include balance, justice, initiative and — worth noting — the possibility for something to go either way. That’s the tricky thing about tipping points.

One would think that the tip would necessarily occur in the direction opposite to what has been experienced up until that moment. That might even be true for these two particular issues. Yet ‘the collective’ and the political machine seem to carry far more inertia than, say, personal tipping points.

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The Day of the Bold One: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is May 25
The Day of the Bold One | Order Your 2019-20 Gemini Reading | All Other Signs

Study the difference between a routine and a rut. The former can help enhance your freedom to move forward. If it starts turning into the latter, though, muster your plans of escape and find a way to break free, the sooner the better. You can cover a lot of ground in the coming months, and will benefit from keeping an open mind to the possibility and the refreshing nature of change, however disruptive it may seem at first glance. It will do you good.
— by Amy Elliott


Written in the Planets

Do you seem to be of two minds on a certain matter? As in, can you see both (or more) sides to an issue in a way that’s making it difficult to come to a decision? If so, you might feel a little internal tension today related to a commitment you made regarding the issue at hand. Particularly if you made the promise to yourself, it could be time to consider the details of that oath and do something to follow through on it.

As the Gemini Sun moves toward Sunday’s last quarter Moon, it makes a sextile to Salacia in Aries today. Is there any sexual material that was provoked or spotlighted by the May 18 Scorpio Full Moon that could use some resolution, expression, or the next phase of movement? There may be some traction here — an opportunity to dig into whatever you’ve been holding back from communicating. You don’t need to make it everyone’s business; just use your words where, and with whom, they have the potential to offer the greatest sense of wholeness and awareness.
— 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 Serial Epic: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is May 22
The Day of the Serial Epic | Order Your 2019-20 Taurus Reading | All Other Signs

Remember that you possess the right to an equal place at the table with your fellow humans. If you have something to say, say it clearly. If you have information to offer, share it. Too many are kept silent by a false sense of inadequacy, or fear of others’ reactions. By speaking out, you are giving an example of what can be done, and will surely inspire those around you. Take courage, and don’t hold back.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Mars in Cancer can be wonderfully protective; the thing is, that energy works its best when it’s used to protect loved ones in need of someone to stick up for them. When Mars gets into self-protective mode, it can be rather prone to overdoing it when those big crab claws come out. That brings us to today’s key Mars aspects: squares to Logos in Libra and Salacia in Aries (with a square to Chiron in Aries exact tomorrow). Squares manifest as internal tension, and respond well to taking action to address it.

Internal tension, given Mars’ current condition, could be a little tricky to handle. Consider also that sexual healing (a Chiron-Salacia theme) and how one conceptualizes one’s closest relationships (Logos in Libra) are pretty sensitive topics. Most people seem have something to feel defensive about in those departments. Yet, that sensation comes more from the pressures of family patterns and social expectations than from actually being ‘wrong’ in one’s desire, emotions, experience or relationships. What can you do today that’s expressive rather than defensive in any of these realms?

Do you know the difference? Think of it this way: being defensive is a way to push someone away without truly letting them know your pain, fears, worries or deepest desires. Expressing those feelings (in a non-aggressive way that can be received openly) tends to come with a feeling of vulnerability or risk — but can pay off big through increased intimacy with others and security in oneself.
— 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 Dutiful Overload: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is April 30
The Day of Dutiful Overload | Order Your 2019-20 Taurus Reading | All Other Signs

Watch for insights regarding your vocation or mission in the most profound and spiritual sense of those terms. You may experience a flash of intuition, which reveals a pattern underlying various events and features of your life. This is likely to be drawing you in a specific direction in terms of what to do next. Verifying whatever information you receive will be useful; meanwhile, keep your mind open, and leave room for more details to emerge gradually.
— By Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

With Venus and Vesta in Aries making a trine to Ceres in Sagittarius, there’s some serious goddess fire on tap. Your inner flame — be it creative, sexual or simply your joie de vivre — may feel like a warm, nourishing undercurrent to the day. Perhaps try tending to it directly (such as with some kind of solo activity, though sharing the love — or lust — might feel similarly enriching; just bear in mind that Venus in Aries can come on a bit strong).

If you want to take things to the proverbial next level, you might consider how this energy connects to your overall healing journey. The centaur Chiron is conjunct the asteroid Salacia today, focusing the issue one way or another. How is your awareness being drawn to some facet of your sexual experience, or your sense of identity as a sexual-yet-spiritual being? Notice your feelings about it, and take some notes or make some art in response. Chiron tends to reward documentation, and Aries is the sign of ‘get started’. So what are you waiting for?
— 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.