Tag Archives: sex

The Day of Taken Opportunity: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is July 13
The Day of Taken Opportunity | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

Confront your challenges and problems head on. There is no point sidestepping them, or bobbing and weaving, or pretending they’re not there. Your challenges are what build you up, even if there are moments when they seem to tear you down. In the end, this process makes you a more solid person, connected to your inner truth, and courageous enough to speak the truth to anyone. Make sure your ears are open as well. Not everything everyone says contains vital wisdom, but it just might, and it’s worth listening.
— 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

Limitations, supposed ‘rules’, and your own past could be creating some friction with your innate sense of what really turns you on today — thanks to a square between Saturn in Capricorn and Eros in Libra. This could apply very literally to sex, especially if you still have parental voices that chime in and enforce your inhibitions whenever the potential for erotic adventure appears. (Another take: an urge to buck the ‘detachment’ rules around hookup culture.) Or, it might describe something more like The Man crowding your artistic joie de vivre, or some other authoritarian hindrance to your Life Force. Yes, we all have adult responsibilities we must fulfill, but be careful to discern those from guilt trips that aren’t really about you at all.

The Moon cruising by Jupiter in Sagittarius today describes an expanded urge to be free, play and enjoy a few of your favorite things. That should help to balance the Saturn thing to a degree — though focusing your indulgences in a few select, high-priority areas will likely carry the greatest long-term benefit.

If you’re feeling depressed, stressed or in some way stuck under someone else’s thumb, can you see where you’re empowered to make some changes that will benefit both you and everyone else involved? Chances are such an opportunity exists, though it might not become visible until after the situation breaks down in some way. Chaotic as it might feel at first, there’s no telling what unexpected corners might birth a solution if you’re willing to see what’s being revealed — and if you’re committed to not playing games.
— 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

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.

The Day of Imaginative Revelations: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is July 7
The Day of Imaginative Revelations | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

Give the past its place, but not too much of one. Give it enough of a voice that you learn from your experiences. Be sure to claim the knowledge and wisdom you’ve gained. Check in with people you’ve known a long time, if you want to check whether something you’re thinking of, planning or about to do is realistic. And above all else, be strategic with money. You do not need to spend a lot to get the results you want, and it’s likely you could do with spending a whole lot less. As wise old Ben Franklin supposedly said, a penny saved is a penny earned.
— 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

Mercury stations retrograde in Leo today at 7:14 pm EDT (23:14:20 UTC). It will appear to backtrack into Cancer on July 19, and then finally stations direct on July 31 (or Aug. 1, depending on your time zone). Mercury’s tone in these two signs — Leo and Cancer — suggests you may find yourself reviewing things like how your pride and emotional sensitivity can influence your thinking (or have done so in the past). And by “influence” I mean hijack, sometimes in grand style.

To have Mercury stationing retrograde in a conjunction with Mars in Leo heightens this potential, particularly where matters of ego, over-identification with ideas, and entitlement come into play. You might watch for whether any information or insight along these lines rings a bell right around the time of the exact station. Consider imposing a delay on any emails, text messages or phone calls that deal with sensitive, reactive or potentially inflammatory matters, especially for the next several days. Depending on how the retrograde unfolds for you, you may wish to keep that protocol for the entire process. As always, if you can avoid making any major purchases or repairs for the next three weeks or so, it could save you some hassle. Usually a workaround can be found.

Venus in aspect to some objects early in the cardinal signs appears to be pushing the issue of how you feel about certain matters of sex (notably the more secretive or supposedly scandalous), and how — or whether — you speak about them. Are you facing familial taboos and associated internalized judgment? Is this just a matter of becoming willing to stand out as an individual, or is there a genuine need to understand your situation logically and keep some balance? Notice particularly if you seem to be sentimentalizing sex or relationships at the expense of your true desires and turn-ons, or in contradiction of apparent facts. Why would you feel compelled to do that?


Partial Lunar Eclipse: Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by <a href=

Anthony Ayiomamitis.” width=”900″ height=”489″ /> 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.

Today is The Day of Stamina: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 26
The Day of Stamina | Order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

You seem impatient to reach a new phase in your professional life, though it would help to ensure you follow all the necessary steps. If you want to fit into a specific role but don’t yet have the qualifications needed, get the training, or apprentice yourself to someone who will teach you and answer your questions. You are never too old to learn new skills, and few prizes worth gaining require zero effort. Set aside any preconceptions you have of how things ‘should’ be, though your enthusiasm can serve as an excellent source of fuel to drive you onward.
— by Amy Elliott
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading

Written in the Planets

Our current sky appears to be describing a particular idea a few ways: who we are in our sexual identity, how we express that, and the ways that such a personal matter has taken on out-sized political significance in Western culture. Astrologically, these ideas are described by the Cancer Sun (consciousness and self-expression) square Chiron (awareness, healing) and Salacia (sexual secrets and ‘scandalous’ material) in Aries, in a T-square with Eros in Libra (what turns you on, in any sense).

It’s worth bearing in mind that while the sign Cancer has that spark of initiative all the cardinal signs are known for, there can also be an element of indirectness to it. Think of the way crabs run sideways for an image of how that can work. Many people go to great pains in order to sidestep any kind of direct acknowledgement and overt embodiment of such topics as their most private sexual longings and leanings, their deepest wounds to identity, and even any kind of passionate excitement or curiosity (gotta be cool and ironic, right?). You can probably see the potential for tension here, even if you’re not feeling it yourself.

If you are feeling tension around these themes, communication — at least of the verbal sort — could feel less vulnerable after Mercury enters Leo later tonight, at 8:19 pm EDT / 00:19:17 UTC Thursday. You don’t need to be dramatic to claim your right to be who you are; even small experiments in self-expression could feel bold and get results.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich 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 the Blissful Wizard: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 24
The Day of the Blissful Wizard | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

If you want to be trusted, first resolve to be trustworthy. That means knowing what you want and how you feel, and expressing that honestly with everyone. You will earn other people’s confidence as they notice you being consistent and handling challenges with maturity. You don’t have to get it right all the time — just keep aiming in the direction you need to go, and be prepared to admit to and repair any errors or oversights along the way without being told. Such an ethos is a sure sign of responsibility.
— by Amy Elliott
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading

Written in the Planets

Notice whether anyone you interact with today is reflecting familiar familial patterns back to you. This could be especially prominent in the workplace, but any situation with another person has the potential. The Cancer Sun is opposite a minor planet called Quaoar, an indigenous creation deity associated with dancing the other deities into existence. You might think in terms of rhythm: how have your ancestors ‘danced’ through life? Do you recognize any of the steps happening around you?

Venus in Gemini is also exactly square Neptune in Pisces today, with Saturn in Capricorn in contact with both. If you can see the relationship between your spiritual and material needs, what do you need to do to build your life on both equally? How is your innate idealism helping you along, and in what ways is it a distraction or a red herring?

If you’re feeling inclined to lots of fantasizing, and those fantasies center on a partner or someone you have your eye on, be aware there’s real potential to over-idealize them currently. Do a reality check; pay attention any time you’re tempted to gloss over their statements about who they really are and what they really want. Notice whether your ideas about them match up with what they say and with their actions. You have the potential to make some breakthroughs in your understanding if you’re realistic about what you’re doing. That could require continual small adjustments.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich 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 Interpersonal Enchantment: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 23
The Day of Interpersonal Enchantment | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

Success in any form — whether personal, professional or in some abstract sense of the word — usually calls for a bold approach. The message of your solar chart this year is fearlessness about being different. Often concern around standing out is one of those lurking debilities that most people never overcome. Yet it’s inevitable that you will, so you may as well get over yourself sooner rather than later. You’re not like the other kids. Cash in on that fact.
— by Eric Francis Coppolino
Hear Eric describe the impressive eclipses involving your Sun sign or rising sign in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading

Written in the Planets

Do you feel like getting physical, or do you just wanna flirt with someone? Is ‘the usual’ a total turnoff today, and are you in the mood for adventure, the unusual, or the unexpected? Would a part of you be perfectly content engaging in these urges from the comfort of your own home? While the Sun newly in Cancer speaks to the homebody option, a couple of other aspects are putting a spin on what you may feel like doing there.

For one thing, today’s Venus-Jupiter opposition could contribute to just hanging out, laying back, and indulging in whatever’s enjoyable (with Neptune in Pisces adding to the daydream believer / armchair traveler vibe). Yet Venus and Jupiter are in signs that are pretty mentally active and crave stimulation: Gemini and Sagittarius. This ups the conversational potential (and the likelihood of flirtation), along with the need to seek new experiences.

“New experiences” is also a theme of today’s Vesta-Uranus conjunction in Taurus. This aspect feels more intimately personal and less broadly social than Venus-Jupiter, though as Eric wrote this week, “Vesta conjunct Uranus is a revolutionary aspect. The time has come to question sexual conventions and expectations, which so often lead to dark, unloving places. In the spirit of Uranus, every person has their individual sexual orientation and ‘identity’ — which means their distinct journey.”

Even if you’re not quite up for a full-on revolution in your bedroom (much less your psyche), you may consider staying open to surprises — whether in the form of unexpectedly enjoyable physical sensations, an urge to disrupt a long-held sexual habit, or a sudden shift or question about your core values around sex, relationships or your body. Maybe this is something you feel like talking about; maybe it’s something you prefer to hold close to the vest and mull for a while. Either way, you can hold space for yourself to find out.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis recorded insight-rich 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 Worldly Rapture: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 21
The Day of Worldly Rapture | Order Your 2019-20 Gemini Reading | Pre-order Your 2019-20 Cancer Reading | All Other Signs

By now you’ve figured out that it’s essential to direct your energy in productive and creative ways rather than in aggressive ones. Yet the line between the two approaches to the use of energy can be difficult to see if you’re in a negative space. So it would be fair to say that creative and productive means positive and friendly. Let your curiosity and sense of humor lead you forward, and try new approaches — one at a time, long enough to see if they work.
— by Eric Francis Coppolino
Hear Eric speak about your year in-depth in your 2019-20 Gemini Astrology Studio Reading — or in your 2019-20 Cancer Astrology Studio Reading

Written in the Planets

Today is the solstice: the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (shortest in the Southern Hemisphere), heralded by the Sun entering the sign Cancer. This year’s solstice chart looks potent: it combines the recent confrontational Mars astrology with the ‘personal is political’ message that comes with major activity in the early cardinal signs.

Certain minor planets bring in the question of how you relate to your familial and ancestral baggage and patterning; other factors seem to be steering us toward the need to align more precisely with what truly enlivens us. Remember that the care you offer has the potential to ripple out widely — as do your more emotionally defensive reactions. Which kind of chain reaction would you prefer to set in motion?

Meanwhile, a conjunction of the asteroid Vesta and Uranus in Taurus appears to speak of revolutionizing your approach to sexual relationships; that is, in a way that allows you to choose what is most authentic to you. Which might not look like how others do relationships, at least not from the outside.

Venus in Gemini is in aspect to Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces into next week. Are you feeling compelled to seek new experiences, or just to lie back and daydream about them? If you’re feeling generous (or even just a little ‘spendy’), you’ll likely have a better experience with your giving if done through some kind of structure rather than just trying to help on your own. The idea is to keep perspective on your expectations for recognition and reciprocation; a little research about the recipient and the avenue of assistance is another safeguard.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis has 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 Financial Security: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is June 18
The Day of Financial Security | Order Your 2019-20 Gemini Reading | All Other Signs

Your life must become an exercise in claiming your power back rather than giving it away. Sadly, for most people, these are just words. You will, however, know that you have an opportunity to do either of these things when you feel yourself unable to speak or make a decision, and you’re wondering why that is. When you assess the situation honestly, you will notice that someone else has influence, control or authority where they should not, and that’s when it’s time to speak up — clearly, not loudly.
— by Eric Francis Coppolino
Hear Eric speak about your year in-depth in your 2019-20 Gemini Astrology Studio Reading.

Written in the Planets

Mercury makes its conjunction to Mars today in Cancer, opposite Pluto in Capricorn (exact tomorrow), and chances are you’ve been feeling it one way or another. Pluto can represent power and change; it can signify the need to let go of what’s not working — a kind of metaphorical death; and in combination with certain planets it can also come through as compelling, hormone-level lust. On a good day, Mercury and Mars in combination can describe a very energized mind that can accomplish much.

Yet Mercury-Mars can also get very competitive, defensive and irritable, and often represents an ego too closely identified with everything a person thinks, says and believes. That spells combativeness; and Mars opposite Pluto tends to be a blueprint for power struggles. If you feel like you’re experiencing any of these dynamics in projected form — that is, someone else is defensive and combative even if you are not — you’ll want to be especially careful to avoid potentially dangerous situations today.

Conflict may pop up internally as well as externally, with a square between Venus in Gemini and Nessus in Pisces speaking to that possibility. If you’ve been holding two different stories in mind regarding a relationship, love in general, or your overall emotional reality, it may be wise to watch your boundaries. Are you sure you know which story is running the show? Squares signify something needing to be expressed; this one in particular suggests that an awareness of past patterns and their consequences will be helpful in that. Meanwhile, a Saturn-Neptune aspect indicates that if you engage in serious thought, especially in support of your higher ideals, it’s best not to take yourself too seriously. Given the overall astrological picture right now, a hearty sense of humor and humility could go a long way no matter what your situation.
— by Amanda Painter

Did you know that Eric Francis has 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.