Aries (March 20-April 19) — Nobility is often thought of as a privileged social status to which one is born. For you especially, the concept of nobility means much more. It’s a state of mind. It’s also a way of behaving. It would appear as if your sense of nobility is very strong. Even though you may not be explicitly asked to do so, the skies imply that you would be well advised to build on that particular strength in your character even more. Begin with the time-honored maxim that one should be noble in proportion to the degree one is privileged. Then, count the privileges, entitlements, blessings and powers that you have realized or exercised in recent months. Finally, raise the level of your noble conduct appropriately, so as to create a balance in how you influence your world. If you can do just that, the world will respond to leave you feeling more balanced in turn. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — There’s an old saying that one should gamble only what one can afford to lose. Now is a good time for you to remember that. While you have just entered a period when it is good to be optimistic, be aware of the borderline between that and recklessness. You may, however, leverage what appears to be a two-to-three-week ‘window’ of optimism currently opening for you. Do this by keeping two objective intellectual guidelines in mind to balance any undertaking of risk you have a good feeling about. First, stay constantly aware of being able not only to afford, but to contentedly accept, the consequences if the best possible outcome does not accrue. Next, be just as realistic about what you stand to gain if everything turns out exactly the way you want it to, should you literally or figuratively decide to roll the dice. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — There is a potential and substantial creative achievement inside of you waiting to come out. Interestingly, it is not only your inner environment that needs attention so that your creation can be realized. What you have between you and the manifestation of a masterpiece is thus a two-fold task. You might think of it as doing on one level and not doing on the other. Fortunately, there is nobody with a greater aptitude than you at managing two parallel but related strategies. To begin with, actively attend to the physical space (either home or studio) where you compose. That probably means less clutter and more air. Follow up by taking the pressure off yourself. While still holding a clear vision of your objective, relax regularly in your own way toward a state of inner peace, even temporarily, and see what flows out of its own accord. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Craving satisfaction? You can get it. The key is to be willing to find it in more than just one way. If you are not receiving appropriate recognition or reward for what you have already achieved, be open to starting a new chapter or journey that has the potential to provide satisfaction as part of the process, rather than as an end result. It will not be necessary for you to initiate on a grand scale. After all, satisfaction is a personal need, not a public accomplishment. For that reason alone, allow yourself to follow up on whatever piques your interest or whets your curiosity without getting invested in a particular outcome. Give yourself a chance to try and err. Explore for exploration’s sake. This is not to say that you should be aimless. What you might want to aim for, however, is a feeling more than a thing. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You do not rule the world. Perhaps you should, but that’s not the issue for you now. At this time, it is less necessary for you to spread your influence, and more important for you to expand your appreciation of how influential you already are. If you will stop and think about it, there are small but significant recent examples of people deferring to you as never before. It is almost as if you have come of age somehow, and claimed a place among peers who were previously elders. Now, your task is to own and care for your new level of status as if it is a proud possession. Don’t abuse it. Keep it clean and polished. Display it. Stake out the ground that is now properly and duly yours so you can both stretch out within it and invite others to share it. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Unlike some people, you are probably not well suited to keep out of sight and exercise power from behind the scenes. It’s more becoming for you to be out front so that others can associate a face with the words that move them to action. It’s more powerful for you to shake things up by setting a clear example. To the extent that you have been recently flying below the radar (to consolidate gains, to organize after a change or just to keep out of the way), you might now want to consider coming back among us again soon. You know there are many who respect and want to hear your thoughts. More importantly, you also know the downside of leaving a vacuum either where you physically were or where you existed in the minds of others. It’s time for you to catch up with us, and us with you. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Happy Birthday, Virgo: I Got You an Eclipse for Your Reading!

How powerful it is to have this description of my interaction in the world reflected back to me. The reading really does help me increase my ability to focus and act with integrity as I start yet another chapter in my life. Thank you!” — Fiona

Dear Reader with Virgo Sun, Rising or Moon:

This morning, Sept. 1, there was a stunning annular solar eclipse in your sign — the kind of eclipse that creates a ‘ring of fire’ (sunlight) around the Moon’s silhouette. It was visible from Madagascar and Central Africa; luckily, you didn’t have to see it in person to use this event astrologically in your life.

Photo of an annular solar eclipse by Donald Chan/Reuters.

Step one, of course, is to pay attention to the opportunities, patterns and unexpected insights or synchronicities that pop up this week and during the next couple. Step two: try to do what you love, as an exercise in setting new, productive and pleasurable patterns.

Step three: order your 2016-17 Virgo Birthday Reading today, still available at the pre-order price of $19.97.

Last night, Eric released the audio portions of the Virgo reading, which are now available for instant access — offering the in-depth, long-term context for the eclipse and its direct impact on anyone with a strong Virgo signature in their natal chart.

More than that, he walks you through additional major astrology with a focus on how it could affect such areas as your relationships, career goals, finances, creativity and personal healing journey.

Two segments of the reading are audio files of 30 at least minutes each (ready now!). Your tarot reading using the Voyager Tarot by James Wanless, and any summary thoughts by Eric, will be out shortly in video format. All parts of the reading can be watched multiple times throughout the year (and beyond), in case you need a refresher.

“Thanks, EFC and all of the wonderful folks at Planet Waves, for your thoughtful medicine to soothe the weary soul!
— Elizabeth, after listening to the 2016-17 Virgo audio segments last night

Life on planet Earth these days is psychologically challenging, even for someone with Mercury as their strong ruling planet. If you feel like you’re standing in your own personal ‘ring of fire’ lately, find a ray of light and relief with the 2016-17 Virgo Birthday Reading.

Yours & truly,
Amanda Painter
Planet Waves Astrology Editor

P.S. Eric’s readings make heartfelt and truly useful gifts for loved ones. Give your favorite Virgo the gift of a Birthday Reading.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Infatuation is a word and a concept for you to be aware of during the next month or so. It’s distinctly possible that somebody will become infatuated with you in the next four weeks. It is somewhat less probable (but still within the realm of possibility) that you will come to be infatuated with someone else. Either way, you should also be aware that the skies above imply your appropriate response will be to exercise a balanced mix of authentic compassion and strong boundaries. Compassion is distinguished from empathy, sympathy and other similar feelings by not being judgmental. Contrary to common opinion, boundaries are best employed not to keep others out, but to keep you functioning at your best — which is to say, within your own limits. Infatuation is no small or shallow thing. It comes from deep within. Match that depth and all will be well. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Whether or not you do the right thing is often a very personal matter. Many are the decisions that remain between you and yourself. In many ways, that’s a good thing, allowing you room to make mistakes and needing only to forgive yourself and learn something from the experience should you find your choices somehow wanting. At this time, and for the foreseeable future, however, you will not be able to avoid having at least some of your judgments and decisions witnessed by those with whom you must continue to share your life in some way. It’s almost as if you are about to go through a period when you will be obliged to show how fair and wise you are capable of being. Someday, it may be the turn of those now watching to judge you. Therefore, do yourself the greatest favor possible and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — It would seem as though there is some mirroring going on (or about to happen) in your life. What form these reciprocal reflections take will depend on who you are. One way or another, however, you will either somehow be seeing yourself in others, or they will somehow see themselves in you. Should you begin to have such a set of experiences, remember that the reflections are most likely subjective. That is, they’ll say more about what is going on inside you (or inside the other person seeing the reflection) than with the party or parties being so perceived. Therefore, don’t assume that somebody is anything like you just because they remind you of yourself. By the same token, don’t take it too seriously if somebody else says you remind them of themselves. Rather, take any such incidents as evidence that the word ‘familiar’ implies a profound possibility of the true interrelatedness of all human beings. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — By now you should at least be starting to see in yourself some of what others have seen in you over the last seven or eight years. It has undoubtedly been a long, strange trip for you during those years. You may have wondered what kept some old friends faithful in spite of your testing their loyalty. You also may have mused upon what attracted some new friends to you even when you were feeling anything but attractive. Now, the perspective of your most recent decade should finally be opening your eyes to the greater, wider worth and importance of your life. Perhaps you have been avoiding seeing it. On the other hand, you could have been earnestly seeking it. Either way, a larger truth about you is finally becoming available to you. Let that truth inspire you to take the best care of yourself that you possibly can from here on out. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Unlike the deepest point in the ocean, the deepest mysteries have no bottom. One layer is peeled back only to reveal another, without end. The subject of bottomless mysteries might very well be of interest to you at this time. That’s because you are probably facing several questions or situations that have not yet resolved themselves with certainty. In addition, there is also a good chance that you will never have an answer for at least one of those questions or situations. Even so, in the absence of a sense of completion you must still go on living from day to day. How do you carry on indefinitely without a sense of closure? As you find your way through doing so, consider having faith in what works for you. When in doubt, rely on the revolutionary idea that the proof you seek lies within, unless or until you may learn otherwise. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Relationships with other individuals differ from those you have with groups, institutions or the world as a whole. If it’s just a question of what goes on between you and another consenting adult, the two of you are accorded a great deal of freedom. Even so, many pairs, partners and other types of couples never even think to explore that freedom. Many pairings are mediated, formed, shaped and finally determined by expectations and rules taken in from the outside. There is now the distinct possibility that at least one of your one-to-one relationships can be among the few that do things differently. Of course in order to refresh, renew or re-balance a partnership entirely from scratch requires that one of you start the conversation. If you see a chance to open negotiations aimed at creating a brave, new private world of thoroughly mutual satisfaction, start slowly and gently, but at least start. — by Len Wallick. For your Eric Francis horoscope this week, please see this link.