Tag Archives: self-awareness

The Day of Seasoned Experience: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Aug. 22
The Day of Seasoned Experience | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You may be looking to make unusual moves with regard to your career. Or, said another way, something different from simply being promoted in a straight line, or from remaining in a conventional role. Possibly you have a particular calling in mind; alternatively, you just want to do work you can love. Either way, various opportunities could soon present themselves. Be aware of all your options, and look out for those that might be some way off the beaten track.
— 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.

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 will lay it all out in your 2019-2020 Virgo Astrology Studio.

Written in the Planets

How do you typically express your needs in love, sex or in any other type of intimate or affectionate relationship? This question could come into focus today, as the Sun occupies the kind-of-edgy last degree of its current sign (Leo), and makes a conjunction to the asteroid Juno. Do you generally offer what you hope to receive? Or do you tend to withhold generosity, or fail to ask for what you want out of pride and past wounds to your ego? Are you feeling impatient about any of this currently? With the Sun and Juno also making a trine to the centaur Pholus in Sagittarius, there’s potential for what you express today in this realm to have a ripple effect. Tomorrow the Sun enters Virgo: the last sign of Northern Hemisphere summer, and a symbol of the harvest. When you choose consciously what you’d prefer to reap, it should help clarify what you’d like to sow now with those closest to you.
— by Amanda Painter

It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

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Solar Virgo: What Will You Harvest?

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By Amanda Painter

Tomorrow the Sun enters Virgo, at 6:02 am EDT (10:01:52 UTC), and begins the last sign of the current season. Speaking as one living in the Northern Hemisphere, I am wondering where the hell summer has gone. I’m not quite ready for the cooler nights we’ve had lately where I live, or for the Sun to be setting closer to 7:30 than 8:30 in the evening. But ready or not, here we are — along with the benefits of this part of the season, namely the harvest.

Bumblebee on a bachelor’s button; photo by Amanda Painter.

Along with the literal harvest of vegetables, grains and fruits, the sheaves of wheat in the arms of the Virgo virgin also symbolize what Frances Sakoian and Louis Acker describe as “the wisdom that is harvested in the fields of experience.”

They add that one lesson of this sign is that “although the body must serve the mind, ultimately the mind must serve the spirit.”

I wonder if this idea about Virgo relates to its association with healing professions and processes — not simply in the sense of one part of Self being ‘in service’ to another part. But rather, in the sense that when we get those various parts of ourselves working together in such a relationship, healing occurs. With our own inner healing and harmony, we’re able to hold space for others to do the same and can model how it feels and what it looks like.

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The Day of the Standout: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 21
The Day of the Standout | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

If you’re in the mood to get things accomplished this year, you could well cover a lot of ground. The current conditions are ripe, firstly for big changes, and secondly for bringing ideas to life. A little enthusiasm will probably go a long way; so be bold, and focus on goals that carry real meaning for you. It may be advisable to take the view, in fact, that you can accomplish whatever you have a mind to. Actually, this is probably not too far from the truth.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

One of the first things astrologer Debbi Kempton-Smith says about Venus in Virgo is that it “sees sex as a healthy function, something one does in order to be a tension-free, well rounded-person.” This approach could feel particularly resonant this week: Venus enters Virgo today, on its way to a conjunction with Mars on Saturday. Often Venus-Mars conjunctions spell “sex” — and this one very well could, too. But there’s something about these ideas of “healthy” and “well-rounded” that is coming to the forefront of this week’s overall trajectory, and it looks more internally focused.

That is, rather than seeking out sex with somebody else, you might want to consider the ways you actually contain all of what you may seek — giver and receiver; active and passive; sensual and sexual; male and female. In any way that you tend to see yourself on one side of a polarity or dichotomy, see if you can find the place in yourself where the other half of the equation lives — without criticizing yourself for not seeing it before, or for not developing it, or for projecting it onto others. How can you bridge the gap and relieve some tension?

With the Moon moving through Taurus today and tomorrow, there’s some solid, relaxed emotional support that you can likely access most easily the more in touch you stay with your physical senses. What would feel good to your body?
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Cryptic Secret: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 20
The Day of the Cryptic Secret | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

Your need to express your uniqueness is a fundamental part of your being, as it is for everyone. It’ll help immensely if you give yourself the room to do so, and refuse to confine yourself to the narrow expectations of conventional society. You’d have trouble fitting into that particular box, anyway, and would soon be compelled to burst out and do your own thing. Don’t be afraid of causing a little turbulence here and there; you might consider it a service to the perpetually sleepy.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

A little is likely to go a long way today, in terms of demonstrating your affections (and in seeking such from others). Venus — still close to the Sun and Juno in Leo — has arrived in the last degree of its sign. That alone can have a sort of itchy, edgy or impatient quality. But Venus is also making a trine aspect to Pholus in Sagittarius. Trines are aspects of harmony, which may help soften things a tad — but Pholus is the object of ‘small cause, big effect’. So this looks like a reminder to keep the generosity of selfless giving — rather than what would boost your ego — at the heart of what’s lighting your fire.

The Leo Sun trine the Galactic Core in Sagittarius could help you to channel a broader ‘highest good for all concerned’ type of love into all the ways you express yourself today, though it will help if you set that intention consciously. The Aries Moon swings through to complete a brief grand fire trine tonight with the Sun and Galactic Core (and then does the same with Venus and Pholus). Do you feel inspired toward warmth and illumination, or are you feeling burned out by your impulses? Notice first, and then choose how to proceed.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of Startling Surprises: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 19
The Day of Startling Surprises | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

After some time spent clearing your forward path, this year you really seem to have the wind at your back. Whatever you begin is likely to take on a momentum of its own, with nominal help from you. However, the more aligned your vision is with meaning and purpose, and the more effort you put in to keep it going, the faster you should progress. A full tank of petrol is usually more effective when you know your route and don’t need to do any doubling back.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Do you tend to be forthright in making your affections known? If so, notice today whether you feel an increased need to know that your feelings and gifts are being received and reciprocated. If you tend to be subtler or indirect about your attractions and emotions toward others, it’s possible you’ll be inclined to make bolder displays — or might be more direct about your needs.

Venus making a conjunction to Juno in Leo today is what’s up. And while this is not likely to come through as competitiveness (that was Mars conjunct Juno in this sign), it does appear to describe an increase in wattage for both intimate relationships and uncoupled matters of the heart. In terms of sex, this may very well be a ‘give what you wish to receive’ aspect. The Moon moving through Aries today describes some additional heat and impulsivity — though it’s balanced by Mars in Virgo, which suggests a little extra relaxation might be needed if you’re planning any weeknight erotic exploration.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of Explosive Power: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 17
The Day of Explosive Power | The 2019-20 Virgo Astrology Studio can now be pre-ordered | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

You seem to be on the verge of completing a project or moving forward into the next phase of one, and at least part of the outcome may be uncertain, or subject to apparent chance. In some sense, however, this is true of all major decisions and actions we take; the future is unpredictable, and helping to create it takes courage. Focus on what you do know, the factors you can control for, and the strides you’ve already made. You are more than likely thoroughly prepared for whatever comes next.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

The Pisces Moon moves through the ongoing square between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces today. This may lend an extra-dreamy, wistful or imaginative tone to visions for the future that might already be based more in fantasy than in reality. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; you may find your intuition is heightened, or that you’re able to feel your way toward a more nuanced or creative understanding of how you could move forward.

Saturn is in contact with Neptune as well, after all — though drawing on its discipline and structuring capabilities will require conscious choice and action on your part. Depending on your personal tendencies and circumstances, that could be too much a stretch today, but that’s okay. There will be time to harness Saturn when the Moon’s in a more action-oriented sign, and chances are you’ll feel the shift.

For now, keep tabs on unexpected ideas and insights (preferably by documenting them), and don’t be surprised if you and those you’re with change your minds randomly. If that impacts pre-set commitments and promises, you may need to renegotiate them. Doing so is only fair, though guilt need not play a role. Clear boundaries make for healthy relationships (and can also be renegotiated), and should actually help the ongoing good vibes of the Leo Sun and Venus find the space they need to flourish and warm all. Particularly artsy or playful pursuits could feel good today.
— by Amanda Painter

It is difficult to feel good these days; it’s challenging to focus on your growth and self-care, or even to relax. We are pulled out of ourselves constantly, and often distracted from our core purposes. IN THESE TIMES, the Planet Waves autumn reading, will help.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Read more here.

The Day of High Voltage: Birthdays and Planet News

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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

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

The Day of Royal Command: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is Aug. 15
The Day of Royal Command | 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for instant access | All Other Signs

This is likely to be a pivotal moment for you, highlighted by an influential Full Moon on your birthday. You’ll probably find yourself with fresh motivation to focus on matters you might previously have begun to let slide, or able to clear certain hindrances that may have seemed immovable in the past. The choice of where and how to devote your energy is yours alone; you’ll therefore want to be sure you can voluntarily honor any commitment you make, through all weathers.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

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 it will be separating and the energy beginning to dissipate during the day. Yet even as the Moon moves along, the Sun and Venus will still be closely aligned — offering warm, heartfelt social vibes for a few days.

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. Sometimes we feel limited in how expressive we can be with others, or in who exactly we’re able to connect with. And while that can speak to concrete circumstances, often it’s just a matter of perception (and specifically, self-perception) that’s based more on past or internal emotional habits than on the present moment’s opportunities.

Showing up bodily in a specific physical space where others are gathered may help you to find the leverage needed to rise above perceived limitations (or to hold space for others to do so), and let a little friendliness shine out. Yet you can offer this to yourself, as well, by setting aside some time and space to do something kind, creative or playful for yourself. Whether solo or with others, these options are a form of love — ones that cost little to give, yet are priceless to receive.
— by Amanda Painter