Back to the Drawing Board: Mars Retrograde in Cancer

What's on your drawing board?

A half-finished rough sketch of how you wanted life to be?
We sigh and groan when we're told we have to get back to it, but isn't everything begun at the drawing board?

Mars, the planet of 'Place your Energy HERE', 'I WANT this' and 'Let's make it happen NOW' is turning retrograde tomorrow (November 15) until well into January, to give us a second chance, a second go, another reason and opportunity to go BACK to our drawing board to see if what we're creating and working on is really what we want.

Mars will be moving through Cancer, the sign that relates to a number of things:

Your Home, Family, Domestic Situation: Can we say repairs? How about some home improvement. It's likely. Anger? You betcha, if someone can't be a little more patient. Clearing the air is no doubt the best way to go here. But do louder voices really help people hear? Smoke alarms and fire alarms are either going off, being checked (make it a point), or else someone is burning toast or throwing gas on their furniture because they're 'done'. Either way, heat, aggression and a lot of energy suddenly is sucked into everyones home space, their private domain where no one else can see what's going on. Oh, the things said and done between now and January in homes across the world...

Your Roots and Past
A heck of a lot of reviewing pulls us back to repeat or relive facets of our life story that we're particularly pained over, or proud of. The choice is yours. If it worked well, by all means try it again. If it caused stress, then back off. For everyone's sake. You can get angry about what happened to you back then, but why bother? if anything, channel anger into improving your present situation.

Your Emotions
Digestion problems or stomach complaints now could be a sign of emotional indigestion - being unable to deal with your feelings. Mars retrograding back through such a sensitive sign gives us all a chance to release volatile feelings. Emotions aren't pretty, but who said they were meant to be? Volcanic eruptions of anger, roadrage, the desire to kill kill kill, or self-inflicted wounds on ourselves or on those closest to us are all ways of using mars retrograde. The message is - anger is a fire we can feed, try to stifle or let burn warmly and toast marshmallows over. Using anger to achieve something less destructive is a great idea, especially now.

Okay, so you're angry. great. You tapped into something that doesn't make you happy. mars Retrograde has bestowed its gift to you. Now what?

1. Make amends, clear up the crap, move on.
2. Put all irritation and angst into a plan to improve your situation.
3. Do something good for yourself.
4. Realize you may just be fighting your own guilt, anxiety, inabilities, mistakes, behavior through someone else.
5. Know this too shall pass, have your say then go off and find something useful to do.

Mars, the bringer of War could see a turnaround in military plans. No one 'wins' any war. Maybe retrograde mars will bring a few home explosions as the anger is turned BACK on the propagator.

Since the US is a Cancer country, it's likely we'll see a show of more warrior themes, attacks, anger, bloodshed or violence.

Let me ask you this:

How are things in YOUR home?
When I say home i don't just mean your house, apt, flat, box, dungeon or wherever else you may call home. I'm talking YOU - your skin, your soul. How are things deep within you?

That's a marker for what you'll get involved in with mars Retrograde. If you're repressing anger, something at home may explode or need fixing. If you feel comfortable, you escape from the pains others who are repressing may face. Your HOME is a strong indicator of how much internal peace you have.

Mars relates to:

Anger - so we'll be tested during retrograde, on how well we use our anger, how easily irritable we are, how unkind we can be when we're pissed off, and how we tend to make matters worse by responding to them in this mode. In Cancer, a sign known for its 'sideways' moves, we get to play out an entire period of MAJOR PASSIVE AGGRESSION - my advice, if you're pissed off, tell us. if you bottle it up, you make it worse for everyone. Our emotional trigger points are HOT this period.

Assertion - can you stand your ground? Do confrontations make you freak out or can you handle them in a way that not only establishes your rights, but also allows others room to have their say too? Are you defending your own interests in a healthy way or backing off and letting others dominate space?

Action - retrogrades often pull energy inside of us, so LOOK (and FEEL) before you leap - this is the planetary cycle of WHOOPS - impulsive and impatient actions that can't be taken back or undone. We can however regroup and reformulate our mission, our plan of attack (Mars loves a plan and even more so, an attack).

Response-ability

How well do you respond to 'bad vibes' - annoying people, things, situations or incidents? How do you react when someone accuses you of something, or calls you names or treats you with disrespect? Do we REACT or RESPOND (reacting means to re-act, to act AGAIN repeating a learned knee-jerk reaction) whilst responding is just that - replying, not replaying.

Retrograde Mars will give us a chance to see how we all act and react or respond. Call it our responsibility (response ability) that governs how our lives play out. Chances are pretty high that when you get wrapped up in something ugly, that you're playing some energy game with another of similar vibration (angry people attract angry/triggering people). It's energetics. How will you respond with what you're faced with during this time?

Sex & Desire - What will you do to get what you want? How much do you want? Is sexual frustration masked as irritability and a short fuse (when it comes to fuses, size doesn't matter...). is your desire a problem, as opposed to the NOT getting what you want. Are you pushing for something that is pushing you away or uninterested? Retrograde Mars asks us to reformulate our desires - as it could turn out you don't REALY want what you have become so used to fighting for or chasing....


Launching things
From getting up in the morning, to starting a company to throwing a party, everything has a launch. A beginning. Mars as the impetus behind movement, could reflect a few frustrations and upsets in getting something off the ground. Again, if emotions aren't fully engaged, now is the time when you'll likely be faced with enough delays and blocks or disappointments to help you refocus and relax more (hopefully). Once you let up, energy frees up. Remember that this cycle.

Mars and Health
Mars relates to heat - skin rashes, temperatures, burns. Mars relates to Bangs - cuts, bruises, bumps, wounds, bleeding. Mars relates to adrenalin - adrenal glands, muscles. Mars relates to the Head - headstrong, headfirst, head wounds, headaches.

Retrograde we may see some old symptoms reappear, and in Cancer the sign of the chest and stomach, problems in these areas would reflect an emotional imbalance. Don't eat when angry. Don't comfort eat. Chest issues could reflect a lack of proper self nurturing (we hug people to our breasts, we feed through our breasts, we emotionally keep our feelings close to our chest or need to get things off our chest.
See the connections?

That's a wrap here. Enjoy slowing down. We need to. Follow feelings to their natural conclusion - back to the past, and back to their source. You.

You are in control of your Emotional Experience in this lifetime.

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Enjoy!

Love,
Neil

Dancing in the flames: New Moon in Scorpio

Our current lunar phase of new beginnings (the New Moon) is the sign of endings (Scorpio), and the sign of Transformation, moving from one state to another. Nothing is allowed to stagnate now at this New Moon, and how can we have a new beginning if we don't take care of the old stuff hanging around?

Something needs to die now, and the New Moon will bring about the energy to allow for a chapter change. Just as midwives help us birth something, we now need those who can aid us in letting go - who teaches us this? So now, look to play this role in others lives and for others to appear to help you with this process yourself.

Ah, there's an important word now: process. All is a process - don't expect to magically let go of everything that has to leave now. It's our nature to hold on, to dig our nails in to retain some sense of a status quo in our lives, but this new Moon shows it's tough to do that. Something has to go, something has to change, something has to die and be reborn. So accepting that something has to change, is the first step to embracing the theme of this current lunar cycle.

This New Moon:

Realize what's keeping you chained to pain, and give it up
Look at your addiction to the dark side
Begin some recycling scheme
Clear out things you no longer, use, value, need, like Be open to intimacy and going deeper
Seek support, give support, pool resources, talents
Face your shadow
Shed a skin and don't look back
Realize your power of choice
Watch horror movies, and notice the symbolism of facing your fear/demons Investigate, research, uncover, probe
Ask for a loan, extend credit, seek financial advice/support
Accept it's OVER
Use passion to move mountains
Take your anger, rage, jealousy, hatred and channel it into something positive in your life
Enjoy sex with a soul connection
Learn Tantra
Try Kundalini Yoga
Visit a sex shop, indulge in erotica, discover your hidden desires
Accept and embrace your Power - power 'is', it's what you do with it that matters most
Undergo hypnosis, surgery, counseling
Talk about taboos
Order the Karmic Insight and Past Life Report (to detail what you're carrying with you from other lives that maybe tripping you up still. Buy thse two and choose a third FREE under the current special). See samples here.
Cast a spell or perform a ritual to enhance your power and release negativity


New Moon square Chiron
Are we really emotionally wounded or is it just an excuse to lick our wounds and hide from society, friends or connecting? Sulking is a sign you're not being honest about how you feel. If anything, we get to reprogram our own mothering instincts again now. We get to parent ourselves now - ask yourself in each and every moment 'Am I comfortable', 'Do I feel okay about this'. If not - why not? And what will you do to regain emotional ground once more. Is an old habit ready to die? Will you let it?

New Moon square Neptune
Don't kid yourself into thinking you've moved on from certain lessons by ignoring them or avoiding them. They still may carry a charge - and basically, if you're even SEEING an ounce of an old karmic lessons, the residue is still around. The question becomes - how much emotional energy will you invest in it as this may ignite it once more. Cutting ties is good if it involves forgiveness within. Addictions may arise once more now - are you running away from doing what you know you need to do (and keep saying you will do?) Enjoy a time out, just don't disappear for good.

New Moon trine Mars and Uranus
The impetus (Mars) and freedom (Uranus) to turn in a new direction is here so grab it. Who cares if it's new ground and there IS no permanent comfort (don't seek that in this lunar cycle, or you'll be left wanting. Each moment holds a conflict between keeping things the same (however crappy) or shaking free. Stay flexible, and don't give up if things don't go according to plan (whose plan?). it's time to free yourself - changing any area of your life that has become Boring. Simple as that. If you're fed up with it - CHANGE IT BY CHANGING YOUR INTERACTION WITH IT. Perspective, involvement, even fantasies surrounding it.

CHANGE IT BY CHANGING YOUR INTERACTION WITH IT. Our Mantra for this lunar phase.

So, at this New Moon we get to ask ourselves:

Are we truly ready to give up the pain of our past & present?
Are we willing to try a new approach?
Do we have an open mind?
Can we risk losing a comfort zone that wasn't THAT comfy to begin with?
Are we willing to replace stagnation
with new energies and new experiences?

Prepare for the death of one way, and the birth of a new path, a new possibility and a new power.

See you on the other side - with the shocking new hairstyle or job, or whatever else you're ready to ring the changes with. Let me know where your own personal zaniness comes forth!

Love,
Neil

Visit me at Illume Gallery..

If you're in Los Angeles this week, you have to check out Illume Gallery. A peaceful magical oasis in the heart of a city that never stops. I'll be there.

Walls lined with hand-crafted exquisite salt lamps from the Himalayan mountains, Illume is such an amazing experience, and you'll want to take some of the energy home with you.

If you visit during this week and next you can meet me in person (I'll be helping at the Gallery Wednesday Nov 7 and Thursday Nov 8). I'll also be here next week too, I'll let you know after this weekend.

Even if we don't have a chance to meet in person (you can schedule a Reading when we meet or just pop in to say hi and breathe in some of the amazing energy here), then you owe it to yourself to visit anytime you can. You'll see why.

You can also take a piece of the energy here home with you if you live out of state (or country) at the Illume Gallery website.

Enjoy - and hope to see you there!

Love,
Neil

November Special: Buy 2 Reports, choose a Third Free!

For November, you can order Two Reports and choose another one completely free.

Since October has been an intense time for most, and November we head towards a retrograde Mars cycle, we could all use some guidance, light relief and some fun!

Recommendations:

The Transit Report - if you need help working out what is going on and why? And cycles that are upcoming for you personally. Read more.

The Karmic Insight Report - if you wonder why certain aspects of your life keep repeating and what you're still 'working on' from the past (this life and others).
Also highlights gifts and strengths. See sample.

The Full Natal Report - is a mammoth read, over 80 pages packed with info on why you are the way you are, why you chose this particular life and all the ins and quirky outs of your personality and path. Check it out.

The Solar Return Report - if you just had a birthday or have one soon, and want to know what the entire next 12 months is all about for you. Take a look.

They are all awesome for various reasons and purposes.

Choose from the full selection here

Enjoy!

Love,
Neil

Retrograde in Retrospect

Mercury Retrograde is over.

In Scorpio, it's been quite an intense time for many of us, so this is a short review, as a last look at this particular retrograde cycle. Normally I get to enjoy a time out of sorts, a recuperation and a way of catching up with myself which has been afforded me in a number of ways = but how do you take a time out when many others are going through the tailspins usually associated with Mercury in Retrograde?

Balance as always is a key, and to keep a reminder close by mentally or physically that all we meet, is but a fragment of ourselves, lost of forgotten but ever close at hand to remind us of who we could be, who we were, who we will be/may be, and who we can be if we choose to move with our flow rather than against it.

"Going with the flow" is always the Mercury Retrograde theme, even if you:

lose your home as many did in California (with the onslaught of forest fires), even if you lose your best friend (a friend of mine received word her friend had been killed by a drunk driver yesterday), even if family sees you as a destructive force by continuing on your own way shining light in areas others would rather not touch (as in my case this month and many others I have witnessed), even if you lose a job (as another friend did after losing one previous to that, through no fault of his own), even if you lost your voice (as some Scorpios did), even if you missed a deadline because you realized you were a week out of whack (as another friend did, losng a major assignment), even if you lose power and all technical devices along with your workload (as I did two days back while on a call to Amsterdam)....

Losing....

Giving something up. A Scorpio theme. By hook or by crook, Scorpio is a theme of letting go. BY force, or by choice. What did you lose, I wonder? What didn't work out as you would have LIKED this past three weeks?

Other highlights I found amusing (and annoying all the same) were:

The electrical piano a friend so kindly sent me from overseas (to reignite my love of playing and beauty in creating music, since my old piano I kissed goodbye in England) arrived under Retrograde and would not work. Talks with the company did no good, customer service was useless. I gave up. And then, on a day when I really had no desire to try and figure it all out, a few mouse clicks and MAGIC - the thing worked.


The electrical outage that cut off the last portion of a reading I was giving to a friend in Amsterdam that took out my building and the rest of my block plunging us all into an abyss (yet creating a magical peaceful vibe with no buzzing, no music just the sound of our hearts beating).

The reverse decision of a magazine to publish my column that was already ready to go and all completed, based on an "editorial" issue.

The Writers Strike here in Los Angeles that could land everyone without their daily dose of TV escapism (unless there are re=runs...how Retrograde, huh?)

The near strike of the trash collectors out here which would have been a very stinky mess.

The talks of strikes in the postal services here and in England, a very common thing under Mercury (mail deliveries) Retrograde.

I am sure there are countless more. The main theme I've seen lately has been a major trawling of our minds (Scorpio) into dark places. Our own psyche and that of those whose lives we share and who share our own. Dark times are interesting places to find light - inner light. And retrograde planets, by their inner retrograde motion, are the pathways that lead us to that which is hidden inside.

As we move back on track with Mercury, don't allow the lessons learned, and the experiences gathered during the past 3 weeks be forgotten as timely reminders that it's our duty as spirits-living-human=lives to know that greater forces are always at work, and that loss really could be an opportunity for something greater, if only we can let our egos stop demanding full compliance. Why do we fear so much a loss of power, when we are immensely powerful beings?

Breathe. Sigh. Relax.
And give yourself another couple of weeks to feel you're finally out of the tunnel, free of the forest, and back on the open roads once more.

Take one last look back now, salute, smile and hey - if you're reading this - you made it! You're still alive, hanging on and that is one amazingly frigging cool thing, especially with the cosmic tides the way they have been lately.

Welcome back! It's great to be sharing this wonderfully wacky journey with you.

Love,
Neil

P>S The picture above is of the 5 of Cups, in the Tarot Deck (Rider-Waite), the symbol of loss, disappointment, but also "water under the bridge" and the remains of something beautiful that has and never will be lost, once we shift our attention.

Following your Financial Flow: Taurus Full Moon

What do you value?

If you're not exactly sure, then look at what you:



* Spend money on
* Spend your time doing
* Get deeply involved in
* Do to earn money
* Surround yourself with
* Do with no compensation because you adore doing it
* Like having, enjoying, being

These things show us, (whether we agree with them or not) what we actually VALUE. And yes, they can be out of whack with what we 'claim' to value in life.

The Taurus Full Moon (Oct 25/26) opens a dialogue between our conscious and unconscious on what it is that we actually do value and if our values are aligned with our soul.

Where are you at materially? Is having little freeing you to pursue more "spiritual" goals? Is being "spiritual" going without financially? Is money "evil" or just another form of energy? Can you be rich spiritually and STILL have a comfy bank balance? What do you owe? Are you being honest or manipulating people out of their possessions?

Taurus is about money, but it goes deeper than that. It's about self-worth. The amont of comfort in your life RIGHT NOW is in direct proportion to how much comfort you feel able to handle. Maybe the things that bother you are in place (by you) to keep you from being too apathetic (if I have to struggle to survive, I can't be lazy..".
it's worth a thought.

Prosperity Consciousness: is happy with what it has, enjoys quality, knows that price tags don't mean a thing but will happily spend fully on what feels good. Knows that the Universe is limitless and that as fruit trees continue to shed apples, money going out will return, because they are using it to create and enjoy beauty and aren't withholding - from themselves OR others. Money is another form of energy - like hugs, or kisses. It's enjoyed, created to be enjoyed, allowed to come in and spent on continuing the cycle. It's not always about money though - it's just a sense of feeling rich no matter what, and money is a reflection of this. They are happy with whatever they have, they are full. They always are.

Poverity COnsciousnes: feels there is a limited supply so must hold on, save, scrimp and be "practical". Luxuries are a waste of money. Things have to be worked hard for. Others have more so in order to gain more, they have to withhold and protect what they have and give out little, in order to save it and make it grow. They worry it's all going to come to an end and they'll become homeless, or foodless so they live with the fear and therefore the need to safeguard and never FULLY enjoy what they have - as it may leave at any time. They feel lighter and cleaner having less, even though they may claim to want more.


Which one are you living in tune with most of the time? Since this forms the basis for most of your interaction with the materialisty (taurus) of this earth plane (and this lunar phase) it's time to get back in tune with what feels good to you.

At this Full Moon some good ideas:

Celebrate your soul's vehicle - your body
Eat well - cook a gourmet meal, bake bread, a cake, make muffins, make it a FEAST!
Save something - bargain hunt, sale shop, go for quality not quantity, but don't pay full price!
Count what you have - add up numbers, balance your checkbook, clear debts
Know what you have, and the decide what you want and need
HUG! Friends, family, strangers, anyone who'll let you! In return you'll be hugged. Give a massage or go get one.
Be sexual - enjoy everything about your body, and give up guilt
Value everything you do - after all it's an extension of you.
Do what makes you feel good
Sing - Taurus connects to the throat chakra and thyroid
Paint - Taurus is the sign of Art
Go Camping, hiking, for a walk in the park, to the beach, rock climbing, have a food or mud fight (Taurus is the sign of Nature)
Light scented candles, brew coffee, cuddle up under a blanket or with a teddy bear, burn incense, wear silk pajamas, listen to amazing music (taurus is the sign of indulging the senses)

With this Full Moon opposing Mercury and the Sun in Scorpio - it's time to stop dwelling on destruction, and to focus on the renewal of nutrients and new fertile soil (like the aftermath of a volcano) in which to plant new seeds of comfort.

As fires continue to rage on here in Los Angeles, a cleansing and a clearing is taking place. In Taurus, though, most of this will be a renewal (Scorpio) of priority and values (Taurus) as much that is material and financial (Taurus) is lost (Scorpio).

Under this Full moon - who would you be, and how would you be if you had all your possessions taken from you? It's worth a thought. Who are you when you strip it all away and who/how do you want to be?

In Beauty and Comfort no matter what,
Neil

Here we go - Stern Saturn affecting our Virgo Healthcare

As predicted previously in this blog, Saturn's passage into Virgo means strict and harder laws in the healthcare systems. The BBC reported today seriously tougher new laws to be imposed in England that include:

* Smokers having to buy permits to smoke and showing them when buying tobacco.

* Companies with more than 500 employees would be required to designate an hour in the working day as the "exercise hour" and to provide facilities to enable workers to take exercise.

* Food manufacturers would be banned from adding salt to processed foods
Handing out free fruit to primary school children each day

* Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, is considering sending parents details of their children's weight measurements at the ages of 5 and 10. This is so that parents can make an assessment as to whether their kids are becoming obese.


SATURN is Authority, the Lawmaker and in Virgo, he's coming in the form of a health-inspector in various areas of your life (if he's in your 10th house of your personal chart he'll inspect how well you're taking care of business, if in your 4th House how well you're situated at home, your 2nd house how well you're balancing your checkbook and so forth.

I'll keep you posted on this one. I gotta get to my 50 crunches. More soon.

Love and heavy panting (from work...Saturn in Virgo is no picnic!)
Neil

Mercury Retrograde and your Computer....

If your computer HASN'T frozen, crashed, wiped something, or decided to stop working, and if you've been lucky to avoid shipping errors in things you ordered online, and if you haven't spent part of this week screaming into your computer at someone or something, then you're one of the lucky ones who somehow is Mercury Retrograde-proof (or so it would seem).

For the rest of us, who aren't quite so lucky, enjoy this video from comedian Eddie Izzard which I stumbled across today, during the period when this is more fitting than ever.

Your Personal Cycles - and why your life is on repeat?

Since it's Mercury Retrograde, you may be wondering where you're actually 'at' in your Personal Cycles. Is Mars (the planet of aggression) in your 7th House of Relationships causing you to want to lunge at anyone in passing distance? Is Mercury actually Retrograding back through your 2nd House of Finance causing you to forget to pay a bill (or wind up landing a second job you'd almost given up on)? With around 12 planetary placements and 12 houses there's a lot of combinations and possibilities.

To help you during Retrograde, I'm offering the awesome Transit Report to help you work out where you're at in the story of your life - including smaller short-term transits and bigger picture ones too. You'll find out what you should, could and will be focusing on. A personal weather map of sorts.

And I'm also adding the Karmic Insight Report if you haven't yet seen yours - which details situations and energies you've been dealing with from other lifetimes. Could your 'repeat mode' situation actually be karmic in nature. Most likely.

Enjoy these two Reports - they're on offer at the site for $40 together. Grab them, read them, absorb them and free yourself from sticky situations that are old, pointless, boring yet somehow addictive.

Check them out here.

Mercury Retrograde will help free you from a past of your own choosing if we use its time period well. May this be one step towards that goal.

Any questions, comments or stories as always drop me a line and let me know how you're getting on at Neil@NewWorldAstrology.com.

Listen in to my Chicago radio appearance

Here's the audio on my Windy City podcast appearance in Chicago - covering a little of Mercury Retrograde, Saturn's sign shift, and taking some of your caller questions.

Enjoy the show!

It's that time again: Mercury Retrograde (in Scorpio)

The Basics on Mercury Retrograde for those who aren't "in the know" astrologically. Don't worry, you soon will be. Welcome to the 'we now know about Mercury Retrograde Camp!


YES:

Communciation goes weird if you push ahead too fast or far
Computers have issues - back-up disks
Travel gets tangled - back-up plans, check tickets
Paperwork has errors
Phonecalls are missed or incorrect
Written work needs checking
Signing things gives u a result that isn't what you expected when Mercury goes Direct again
People don't understand, mishear, don't listen are late or disaagreeable

BUT:

You can go BACK on the past and reevaluate
Visiting old haunts is worthwhile
Reconnecting with people is needed
Resolving old matters works to our advantage and is easier
Clearing up space and our heads help
Revisiting ANYTHING for a second go is a great idea
Going backwards for a bit works out
Taking a time out helps you
Finding things lost is much easier

In Scorpio, Mercury Retrograde asks us to root around in our basements (literal or metaphorical) to see what's no longer of any use, and also what strengths we may have forgotten about. It's a time to put debts to rest by paying them back or forgiving them and writing them off.

We need a mental clean sweep as it were, dusting the Halloween cobwebs out of our heads, mouths and eyes.

How you perceive things is a reflection of your innermost beliefs and thoughts about yourself. We get to work on these now in the next 3 weeks.

Sexual questions, issues arise, along with investment queries - is our money using us or are we stuck in the fear of not having enough? Is the shadow of debt hanging over us? Are we being shady and secretive and manipulating out of insecurity?

Our ONLY power now is in how we choose to perceive things. And in how we react to events. Redefining our relation to our pasts is inevitable during Mercury Retrograde periods.

Mercury is retrograde, appearing to move backward, 2-3 times a year. Mercury retrograde times call for you to recheck everything, anticipate and plan ahead, and to relearn lessons unlearned since the last Mercury retrograde cycle. It is a good time for review and completing ongoing projects. It is NOT a time to start something new. Mercury energies involve the mind, mental processes, communication, travel, speaking, and writing. The Retrograde symbol is "Rx", the same symbol on all medical prescriptions! Physicians until the 15th century had to also be astrologers before they could practice medicine. Plan ahead for these times. So you can do preventive maintenance and schedule, here are the common things that occur, the things Mercury retrograde times are notorious for:

*

Communications go awry - phone calls, letters, emails, faxes, conversations are delayed, misinterpreted, blocked. Recheck everything like appointment times, spelling, wording, the words you say.
*

Anticipate detours - memory lapses, confusion, failing to listen, failing to confirm, negotiation failures, changing of plans.
*

Avoid signing documents, contracts if possible. You can wait 3 weeks, hopefully.
*

Expect travel delays, car trouble, delayed plane schedules, reservations that suddenly becoming "missing", transportation difficulties of all kinds.
*

Expect problems with messages, books, letters, magazines, documents, neighbors and the near environment.
*

BACK up your computer files! This is the time the screen goes blank and there is nothing there!
*

Expect the phone lines, cable lines, power lines to have problems.

Steven Forrest, author of The Inner Sky, describes Mercury retrograde well: “Mercury retrograde…isn’t ‘bad’, - it just takes some planning to cooperate with the energies. It’s meant to be spent assimilating experiences, reviewing the past, and redoing, in general. Matter of fact, if you really want to get the most out of a Mercury retrograde, confine your activities as much as possible to those that have “re” attached to the beginning of the word. Re-schedule appointments, repair vehicles, return to the past, re-write documents and agreements, etc.

So that's the skinny on this period. It lasts 3 weeks. Slow down. Catch up. And let me know here how it's all shaping up for you.

Breathe!

Love,
Neil

Mercury's about to go retrograde.....

.....at 9pm on Oct 11. More on that tomorrow. For now - please don't be like me and buy an MP3 player (or other technology goods) that was incomplete and will have to be returned. You've been warned!

Resolution or Retribution? New Moon in Libra (Oct 10)

Libra New Moons put the emphasis on our people skills. How harmonious are your relationships? Is the peace and quiet really the calm before the storm; would a face-to-face clear the air. Storms create the freshest air afterwards, and the magic we're seeking could be found at the tail end of conflict. It seems that with peace-loving Libra, it always, somehow, somewhere, comes down to conflict. Peace-War. War-Peace. And in today's world, the themes are likely to be clear, obvious and ridiculously predictable.

The New Moon in Libra says Play Fair. Without that the game is lopsided it's over before it's begun. No one wins any karmic points by cheating (and I don't mean in the relationship sense). Politeness and civility are necessary tools to 'getting by' on Earth. We're all animals looking for food if we don't follow one simple Law - treat people as you treat yourself.

Hmm...but hang on, could this be why we have relationship problems still? If we don't respect or even like ourselves how can we like someone else? What we see in others this new moon is a clear indication of ourselves - as partners (business and personal) reflect issues we ourselves are tackling. Remember - it's not"why are they doing this or not doing that", that is the problem, it's 'why have I brought this into my life and why am I fighting this battle?'

Singles: It's a fantastic time to work out what you need to balance out in yourself. Calm, quiet and stable? Throw some crazy energy into your life. Reverse it. Turn it on its head. Extroverts spend more time analyzing your own feelings and asking for opinions and guidance. Introverts, get out and connect with more people, or just be around them. Balance out depression with a daily dose of humor. Balance out time-wasting superficiality with some serious study.

Couples: Time to renew vows, or celebrate your togetherness by seeing how far you have come, and planting new seeds for new directions to grow together. What new bonds can you create? Any projects, plans, ideas you can work on as a team? Stop fighting against each other and work together. Is it time to let others into your world or keep them at bay and salvage some alone-time together.
Relationship questions abound at this New Moon - is so-and-so staying with Mike. Is Sheila breaking up with Matt? How do Tom and Tyler remain so committed after all these years? Weddings, divorces, engagements, mergers, deal-makes-and-breaks are all headline news this weekend and for the couple of weeks following. Celebrity land I am sure will be abuzz as always at this time.

New rules in your current connections are also likely to pop up - what are your relationship terms, your business working partnership contract terms? Who does what, gets what and wants what? It's time to negotiate.

The deeper questions are: are you seeking someone to fulfil something in your life that's "missing". If so, you'll keep on chasing your tail - or bring someone in who seems to fulfill your every need, until you discover they are only playing a role in your life that you cast them in "strong, supportive savior" or "fun and feel-good firecracker". Roles are roles - and unauthentic.

This Libra New Moon:

Reach an agreement
Charm your way ahead with sincere smiles and genuine flattery
Don't underestimate the Power of Appearances
Enjoy a dash of vanity
Bring more beauty in - whatever that means to you
Calm down - peace begins when you let go of conflict (inner and outer)
Agree to disagree
Find common ground, build bridges
Team up with people you resonate with instead of forcing others into boxes of your creation
Weigh up the pros and cons
Mediate - when faced with two options, create or choose a third
Refuse to take sides For or Against.
Fence Sit for a while
Start a new relationship - go on a date, agree to a business deal, handshake, merger, joint effort
Remember it takes two to tango - so dance or sit it out
Find a partner - to go to the gym with, go dancing/shopping/sitting/thinking with
Enjoy company anywhere, anytime
Flirt - everyone loves a Lover
Beautify at least one part of your life - your kitchen, bedroom, your office desk, a wall, your closet, yourself ( can we say 'makeover'?).
Use symmetry, balance, harmony in all your work and in all you do
Refuse to bow to others pressure, anger or aggression
Watch out for unnecessary people-pleasing - if need be, smile and draw a line


This New Moon is aided by the planets Jupiter and Neptune which bring many new relationships and chances to create/enjoy/share/experience beauty in our lives and in the world at large -if you're open to it. And more 'soul' whatever this means to you - that part of yourself that knows there's more to life than the basics.

Notice a hungering for more romance, music, luxury, harmony. That shows you're in the swing of things here on Planet Earth. This is your marker of progress right now too - and a sign to get back on track if you're experiencing the opposite sign of Aries with its aggression and war.

Ahhh. Relax!

Love,
Neil

If you like my work...

...and you're a regular visitor here (or a newbie - Welcome!) then please take a nanosecond out and give me a thumbs up at this new site.

I could become the new Astrologer and I'd love the forum to connect to more enlightened souls such as yourself (is that sucking up? I'm just being nice!) who are interested in this material.

So if you've enjoyed my work over the years, then check out the 2007-2008 Saturn forecasts for your sign here and give me a thumbs up (and hopefully not a middle finger). Just click the symbol here:



Thanks Team! Happy New Moon by the way - look out for more on this soon!

Much Love from LA,

Luxury, Love, Beauty and Balance: New Moon in Libra (Oct 10)

Stay tuned!

Busting out !- Jupiter squares Uranus

Today, we witness a major Astrological Alignment. The last time Jupiter squared Uranus was on Jan 23 2007 and it's back. it's a biggie so here again is the lowdown:


Expansive, over-the-top and greener-pastures Jupiter squares off against freedom-fighter, rebellious and status-quo-shifting Uranus.

Feeling a pull to break free? Congratulations, you're feeling the almighty showdown between these two boisterous and big planets. Jupiter wants better things, Uranus wants to do it differently. Jupiter wants to better the world, so does Uranus, but both have different opinions. More is better, screams Jupiter. Out with the old in with the New, hollers Uranus.

Socially, it's a time of unrest and upheaval - intensified under this alignment. Culture (Jupiter) clashes (Uranus) are inevitable. We're trying to free ourselves (Uranus) from the clutches of repressive religion (Jupiter) uneducated education (Jupiter rules knowledge) and intellectual arrogance (Jupiter likes to claim it owns the Truth).

Some possible manifestations:

Religious exile - people abandon their previous beliefs, members of the church quit, resign or are fired, or change faiths altogether, or else abandon their faith entirely!

Educational exile - teachers do the same thing as the priests as mentioned above. Strikes or at least a shakeup in how the educational system works. Could there be the introduction of shocking new ways to teach people or more spiritual and metaphysical instruction (quantum physics, psychic information, Astrology etc?)

Racism - earlier in January when this aspect broke last we heard breaking news stories of this on mainstream media (Uranus rules television, radio and the broadcast media in general) on shows like Big Brother in England where contestants got into a name-calling racist brawl. Our prejudice (Jupiter) is exposed as being anything but humanitarian (Uranus).

New Gay Laws - Uranus relates to the 'deviant' and the things most of society feels go against what it 'stands for'. Anything that goes against the grain and is 'different'. So homosexuality would fit the bill here, and since Jupiter relates to Law, we could see more challenges (since this is a square aspect of tension) and a greater push for more social equality and liberation. Uranus/Jupiter could see overseas (Jupiter) marriage or at least civil partnerships (Jupiter).
Could immigration laws be ready to be revamped to allow for more fairness and social acceptance? Here's hoping.

Travel Innovation: new ways to travel - and more technology within travel (biometrics, eye scanners, fingerprints etc). Faster and speedier ways to get from A to B. Could this be the beginning of those 2 hour planes from LA to Australia? Or how about teleportation? Travel gets a little crazier so look out for diversions, new routes and perhaps more efficiency - but don't hold your breathe, it always comes with a cost. Hopefully it's not one of freedom or privacy?

Electrifying Inventions - some larger than life ideas, ideals and philosophies. Listen up for some big words, hotshot ideas and some 'here's the solution' remarks from people who big mouths who love to spout hot air. Big words, bright ideas.

Illuminated Thought - the Eureka! Aha! moments of life. Some amazing intuitions that channel their way into our heads, downloaded from the great beyond. There are truly some tripped out ideas floating around now. Will you be the one with the next multi-billion dollar idea or a solution to a major world issue?


Both Jupiter and Uranus are unruly energies so things are very unstable right now. Cultural ideologies can bring us together or tear us further apart now. The Truth in one area of life can separate us and divide us if it claims other ideas aren't truth. Let's face it - Truth is subjective and depends on your point of view. Everyone sees things differently.

What law are you standing for and is it accepting of everyone as a whole or selective?
Are you beliefs purely rebellious with no real purpose?
Are you seeking to better your life or merely rock the boat?

The world has to answer these questions now. Things get larger than life, and pretty crazy at times now. Social issues get blown out of proportion but we do get one benefit now: to see where we're become so enamored of our version of the truth we've forgotten we're connected.

So this next few weeks, take a look around and within your own life.

Are we playing or playing witness to the Separatist Idiot of the Global Village?

Horary Astrology Predictions: Britney, her kids and career

Far be it for me to nose into others businesses (I have Scorpio Rising so i value privacy) I have recently been studying Horary Astrology and it's a great tool to use for prediction. Technical, but worthy of some study. I am giving one a shot here for those who asked me to dive a little deeper.
Personally I do not know Britney Spears, and if you stop here Brit, I just wanna say the best to you on your current spiritual transformations. Being in the spotlight does put a lot of extra weight on already weary shoulders.

So the horary question is to see how things will shape up for her, her kid situation and her career. This is what i got:


Britney is represented by the 7th House (the person being asked about) ruled by traditional Jupiter, who is found in Sag (very strong placement) in the 9th House (double whammy, this is where it belongs). I truly believe seeing this, that she's just pushing pushing pushing for something new. She's BORED! She wants to try new things, be a new person, she's destroying the image everyone has of her. They are WRONG. An example of an Aquarius Moon rebelling against even her own image. Fun stuff. No one sees the cosmic joke here I guess, but maybe Britney is having the last laugh when it comes to her career choices.

Since she's represented by Pisces in the Chart though, there is a little bit of spacy, driftiness, which could account for the escapism, drugs, drink etc. And with her ruler in the 9th House she is more inclined to take off and travel the world than want to stay put and deal with drama and details.

The flip side is that she'll wage a major legal war soon if she's not brewing one already. 9th House, jupiter and Sag relates to legal cases. Also she may wheel out a book as it's publishing. Her story? Or is she going to sue her company, managers or K Fed?

Jupiter is soon to square to the Moon (another major factor in a Horary chart to analyze the situation) in her 6th House (employees) so it's possible it's a management company legal issue that is brewing already. Either that or a doctor or health practitioner (6th house rules health). And after this, the Moon will apply to an opposition with Uranus - there is a dramatic face off upcoming it seems. Overthrowing the status quo again, is her health or work about to take a major new direction?

Her Children would be represented by the 5th House (kids) from her house which would be Cancer, (ruled by the Moon). Since the Moon is about to square Jupiter and oppose Uranus, there is likely to be some form of fight or legal dispute over this. And a decision could be overturned - perhaps she'll be given custody again sooner than we think. Since the aspect between the planets representing her (Jupiter) and her kids (Moon) is applying (coming together) this does show them being brought back together. However, it's a square aspect so there is likely to be tension in the process. SO i wonder what deal they'll work out. She won't be kept from her kids.

Now her career would be the 4th House of this chart. And there is Pluto. Death and Rebirth. More raunchy? Is she about to do a Madonna and bring out the sexual vibes? It's dark and brooding, political too. Or is she going to jack it all in? Is it Pluto crash and burn? All possibilities. Pluto separating from an opposition to Mars in her 4th House shows a setback due to family conflicts that just passed (we know all about this) and she's just passed a Puto trine to her 6th house Saturn in her 6th which is a turnout in her health and work focus. Detox, purification.

I do wonder about the Libra Sun in her 7th. Surely this is a relationship issue that underlies all of this? The Sun about to apply to her Jupiter and Neptune could show a major relationship development. This woman is not staying single for long I don't think. Is it a Leo or Libra guy? Strong possibilities, I don't know everyone's sign so let me know if you do. I don't know enough Horary Astrology to describe the 'other' guy. he's Virgo in appearance (clean cut but yet his ruler is in Scorpio so there's a dark edge to him -is this K Fed again or someone else?) He's a charmer with a great smile but keeps a lot of his personality behind his mask.

We'll see. I'll leave it here and feel free to post comments or your own opinions. This is my first Horary Analysis, maybe the future ones will be more detailed!

POST-SCRIPT: After completing this analysis, I saw on the news her new album was entitled Blackout. Highly symbolic when you think of Pluto in her Career House.

In answer to your questions - Britney's Analysis

Progressed Chart

Britney's progressed chart saw Pluto (death, rebirth, transformation) cross her Libra Ascendant (beauty). I don't recall when she shaved her head but a total transformation in appearance (1st House) and a darker slant on how she is seen by others (1st House) in the media. Libra is all about looks, Pluto however, is all about extremes and often, the loss of something.

Transit Rundown

Taking a look at her current cycles we see Saturn leaving her 11th House of social interaction to wade into the deeper waters of the 12th House. Often this is a period of aloneness, vanishing from the radar. Perhaps she'll decide to vanish for a little while ready for her resurrection when Saturn hits her 1st House again at the end of 2009. Saturn rules her 4th house of family and foundation so its passage through the 12th house (resolution) is sure to be a time when she'll have to check herself into some form of spiritual rehab, in order to cleanse away psychic 'stuff' she's amassed that block her from her soul.

Between now and December, Saturn will be squaring her Sun (as one of you mentioned) which happens to all of us twice a year and is a test of progress, of our resolve and strength. Energy is depleted and we feel up against a brick wall. With Saturn in her 12th by then, it's sure to be a troubling spiritual issue. The 12th house is escapism, addictions, self-undoing as many older Astrologers used to say, so she'll be tested to see if she can work through troubling inner issues without giving up, quitting, opting out or checking out. Release is what her soul seeks and Saturn will make sure she gives something ip. the 12th house is a form of sacrifice. What will she renounce?

As the year ends Saturn retrogrades back out of her 12th into her 11th which may give the illusion of a rebirth but there is still more work to be done. So I suspect we'll hear more news and Dec and Jan roll around on her continued progress (or lack thereof as judgmental souls would have it).

By March 2008, Pluto moves to her IC (the 4th House cusp) and the lowest part of her chart relating to again her home, family and foundations. A death of one way of life, old habits, possibly a death within the family, would be a major psychic shift for her, an give her a reason to change her life from the ground up. So yes, she's about to transform but in April Pluto goes retrograde so she'll have a lot of 'going over the past' to face in order to allow herself to move on.

Some of you asked about her reputation. Cancer rules her Midheaven (our career status, how the world views us) and that's ruled by the Moon (the most changeable force in Astrology). Cancer is the sign of the USA so it's no wonder she was so well received here (bush is a Cancer too in case you wondered) but as the Moon shows its emotional fickleness, the public's opinion (ruled by the Moon also) changes from day to day. We love you, we condemn you. Bush and Britney both.

Interestingly enough, Cancer relates to parenting, mothering, nurturing. Since Cancer is on her Midheaven, this is how everyone will remember Britney - for how good of a Mom she was or how bad. Again, the public does love to talk, but no wonder she was help us as a sign of parenting, and publicly discussed as to her role as a Mom.

Chiron, the wounded healer, as been trampling over her birth Moon (in her 5th house of children) so it's no surprise the wounds she's received were the loss of her kids. But this was no real loss, since it her healing of her own wounded inner child (which I suspect is more the issue here) proves to be the biggest gift of all in order for her to reconnect with her kids once more.

Aquarius Moon's Moms (again, the USA has an Aquarius Moon so we have here a singer and a country both making headlines news for the way it's treating the innocent...interesting eh?) And again, her 'strange parenting' is very Aquarius Moon. So be it. She's a free spirit and of course, liberated, 'new age' parenting is the way to go here. Britney is just being Britney when it comes to her kids.

By October, Chiron stops retrograding over her Moon, easing up the tension on her heart and soul and the stress of the entire children custody situation. You may find it of interest that Neptune (drugs, alcohol) has been moving through her 5th House also, underlining the reason for her custody loss - her drug use and testing and so forth.


I'll post a HORARY Chart which is a predictive tool many Astrologers use. I'll attempt my own interpretation although this a technical science I myself haven't spent that long mastering. For those interested there are many Horary Astrologers out there, and it's worth a look. Maybe I'll post more of these if you're interested.

LIsten what I have to say about your sign

Listen to what I have to say about your sign at these older audio clips.

Click here.

Enjoy!
Neil

Now Available: The Centaur Report

I'm proud to unveil a new Report on offer now: The Centaur Report.

It's a pretty nifty little Report if I say so myself. I was interested in reading what it said about myself (always a good test) and found it quite refreshing. A lot of fun and something new and unique for seasoned Astrologers and something fascinating and insightful for those of us who have no knowledge of the subject.

Check out the sample at the site and order your own. It's just $15 so you won't break the bank as you break the boundaries of your knowledge of yourself.

Enjoy this new one!

Love,
Neil

Britney and her 8th House Loss

Solar Charts are useful tools though many Astrologers don't use them.

The theory is simple. 12 signs. 12 houses. 12 months.
Which House are you finding friction and focus right now?
It all depends on your birth sign.


Find your sign below and count it as 1, then keep counting forward and back to the beginning until you reach Cancer. Thta's your current Mars initiation House. It measn "mars is in this house". Mars - aggression, focus, effort, energy, heat, impatience, and what you HAVE to focus on now, without any choice but to get to grips with this House.



Cancer - Leo - Virgo - Libra - Scorpio - Sagittarius - Capricorn - Aquarius - Pisces - Aries - Taurus - Gemini

More on your own House Initiation here courtesy of Cafe Astrology.

Mars just stomped into Cancer so:

if you're a Libra, if you follow the order you're now in House 10 (friction forcing career storms)
if you're a Scorpio you're finding friction in House 9 (which is why you have an insane desire to learn and do new things)
Sagittarians are in House 8 (a house of endings and chapter changes).


Britney Spears I noticed (A Sagittarius) is not only experiencing the last of her Pluto cycle (death, rebirth, loss, transformation - can we say husband and hair?) but she is currently in her 8th House Mars Initiation.

Aggression, Anger, Energy directed to: 8th House = death, loss, transition, transformation.

And the top news story today on her is that she has lost custody of her kids.

Each House has an initiation and if we can't 'pass' the test by choice, we'll pass it by life forcing us into situations where we'll experience it. In the 8th House, Britney had to kill off parts of her life path that were not fueling her soul growth. Perhaps the loss of her children is a major part now in her continual soul transformation.


More on the Solar Houses soon.

Love,
Neil

Aggressive Mothering: Mars moves into Cancer

Fights with your Mom? Family friction? Home Improvement Projects? Smoke alarms going off? Stomach problems? A Crabby and Emotional public? Needy, clingy feelings and vibes? An aggressive roomie or tenant? Something bubbling away inside or or beneath you?

Whether it's you or someone else, keep an eye open for these beauties now that Mars the planet of aggression moved into Cancer, sign of the home, mom, family and personal space.

Not that it's all negative - this is a great time to MAKE YOURSELF COMFY. To be your own mom and to make sure your nurturing skills aren't turning into a smothering or control compaign. That's what the game calls for now - energy (mars) directed into your personal energy space (Cancer).

Everyone is fierce about having their needs met now. And they'll fight you for their right to personal territory. Just you watch - overstep someones emotional safe space and you'll get to hear about it this month. It's the protective mother hen type of month.

Keep an eye on your emotions - aggression and anger could be signs you're not following your feelings or looking after yourself. Walking into other people's emotional minefields is unwise. At least step back and realize it's no one's job to make you feel safe. That's your own choice.

Take out stress on fix it projects, cuddling and making some kick-ass meals for yourself. Baking, anyone?

Passive Aggressiveness rules the day, so if you have something to say, say it, stop tucking it inside your belly or you'll wind up with digestion issues! And no one likes the air polluted with the 'No i'm fine, but I'm going to sit and stew so you KNOW I'm not fine' vibes. Sulkers - stop it!

Enjoy making your home a little more homey and your inner comfort (in your own skin) a priority now. And if you come across any Cancerians on your travels, don't piss them off coz they are no mood to mess.

Your Astro-warning alert system,
Neil

Sexual Subliminals & Mental Minefields: Mercury enters Scorpio

Sex on the brain?
Thinking about Halloween?
Talking about murder, death, destruction?
Pondering someone' secret motives?

Course you are. Mercury the mental messenger just flew into Scorpio, donned its X-ray machine and lie detector and is sniffing the shadows for signs of life. I'm sure you are too.
Mental energies become very deep now - if you're not analyzing your dreams you're performing psychic surgery on something or someone to find out how much you can trust it, or to find out how it really works.

Mercury shows what we're thinking about and chances are the news media (and our heads) are gonna be full of the dark depths of this season - masks, corruption, big money deals, debt, revenge, jealousy, addictions and Sex sex sex sex sex.

Who's not thinking, talking or wondering about sex stuff? Okay so as humans we spend most of the time thinking about it anyway, but with mercury now in Scorpio it's probably gonna rear its (ugly/filthy/dirty/sassy/lovely depending on your viewpoint) head again and again.

If you're confident with the "dark" side of life, you'll be confident when the light gets thrown on it this month. When we get to search the hidden corners of our psyche.

Dive deep, explore uncharted realms. Do a little self-therapy. Clear out mental cobwebs. Burn eucalyptus oil which I've been doing of late to clear your mind and soothe your overactive brain.

Trust yourself. We have no real control over anyone.
Get back to research, read occult books. Watch thrillers.
Dare to think or talk about taboos.
Rise above your own shadow.

Yes, it's a shady, subliminal time. But since sex is one of the most powerful forces around (ask any Scorpio) no wonder most societies have major issues with it still, (stamping it out, saying its 'bad') and no wonder religion tries to turn us away from it (control a person's personal power and you have them by them the sensitive parts, pun intended).

Astrology has always given people a chance to empower themselves. Maybe it's time to research more of it yourself (or Wicca, witchcraft, other energy work or things people told you were 'scary, wrong, evil'). Own a Tarot deck? investigate. These are all tools. You do the work but they all help in the process of awakening your latest intuition.

Animals are all still psychic. So are we. But who turned us away from trusting our own cosmic radar?

Enjoy an early Halloween and whatever hidden things you uncover.
Neil

Befriending Inner foes: Full Moon in Aries! (Sep 25)

This Wednesday the Full Moon lands in the sign of Aries - war, aggression, assertiveness, action, initiation, inspiring us to pioneer old ground or to walk away from old lives and creating new beginnings out of the tattered remains of yesterdays soul-cleansing fires.

As the first sign of the zodiac wheel, Aries is the starter, the Fire Starter I guess you could say (since that's its element) but under a Full Moon things reach a completion, a culmination and we receive word from the Universe in the form of a progress report.

Full Moons remind us to 'let go' in areas where we're overdoing, overstriving and otherwise resisting the flow of cosmic energy in our lives. A new beginning is hard, when we're caught up in yesterday's shadows. So this week we look both forward (Aries) and backwards (Full Moon) separating old paths with new trails yet to be blazed.

We can help this along by following a few of these suggestions, tailor made for this particular lunar phase this week:

Work on Anger Management Issues - should anger ever BE managed? If not - all hell can break loose, or we end up in all-out war. But repressing it does us no good. Work out a way to meet your needs head-on and confront obstacles with courage, confidence and total honesty.

Let go of the need to be first - people push, people shove, they cut you off on roads and they are impatient and self-centered. This weekend, let them be. Save yourself a headache!

Give up selfishness - sometimes your needs can't be met by anyone else but you. That's life so accept it.

Go kickboxing, play squash/tennis - anything that's high energy and aggressive or fast.
Pump Iron - Aries loves raw energy and a show of macho. Push your limits just know when to quit.

Chill out - is it worth getting so heated over?

Burn something - in a safe environment, but try a Full Moon Fire Ritual - on Friday, burn things that symbolize what you're trying to move away from or let go of. Works wonders.

Quit banging your head against a brick wall. Find another way.

DO something - Aries Full Moons ask for energy and drive, committed to achieving a task. Knock down a wall, build something, go for a jog, work out, wrestle, buy a punchbag, scream, sing a rock song at karaoke, start 18 new projects and alternate between them all.

Burn off calories, then you won't be so easy to trigger. A relaxed body/mind is harder to agitate!

Cut hair, do face treatments - Full Moons are good times to cut hair (to grow back slower). Aries relates to the Head so prune crazy hair, give yourself a facial. Legend has it that cutting hair can release stagnant energy some cultures say resided in hair. Look back and notice your haircuts after a breakup, or breakdown? It released old energy. perhaps it's time for another makeover?!

In short - stop thinking, feeling and analyzing and wondering. Just Do It!

Full Moons pull liquids on the planet and within our bodies, making us more emotional and touchy. It'd be easy to get into a fight under Aries energy this week but it's a waste of good raw energy. Remember energy is directed where our conscious will is focused. Save it or squander it, the choice is ours.

Raw energy is sexy - that's why Mars, the ruling planet associated with Aries is about Drive and Desire. Conquering something becomes a theme this weekend - we NEED a fight, we NEED a challenge, we NEED something to win over, we NEED something to put ourselves against. Moons show emotional needs. Aries energy is driven and goal oriented and won't be denied!

We all turn into Stone Age men and women - back in the primal days of the Universal Fire. Separating ourselves out from the fold, showing how brave we are. These days, fights are taken to sports arenas or worse, into the fields of cities, town and villages, or into the home and family, the originator of all future 'fight-plans' and 'fight patterns'.

Find your 'beef', uncover the roots of your anger and dispute, and resolve to resolve it by the only means possible - facing it. What you do when you confront it is up to you but in the handling the issue, lies the possible resolution.

Remember, inactivity is also an action. Anger has a time and a place - and we shouldn't shy from it. It's not un-spiritual to get mad, says the Aries Full Moon. It's emotional and human. But it is raw untapped and untamed power from within that bubbles out in such moments, a spark from a much greater fire. A passionate seething cauldron of emotional power we can use to further our lives and create something greater, from the friction caused by seeing something that reflects less than we could be. That after all, is the basis of every fight - both within and without - seeing ourselves or another, being less than we (or they, in our perception) could be.


Mars and Pluto are at odds with this Full Moon and are the ruling planets of the sign of Aries so the need to confront ourselves increases, if not, we'll be faced with plenty of people whom we can cast in our inner conflicts, and wind up staging them outside ourselves, in the form of more war, ravaging, rape, conquest and destruction. The choice is yours - fight the inner battle, or see it explode outside?

Go forth, warriors. Fight the good fight, or better still - face off with inner demons and remove all reasons to fight, by befriending the foes within!

Love,
Neil

Your Saturn Survival Guide!

With Karmic Saturn in a new sign, a new Karmic Lesson is upon us. In one area of our lives in particular, Saturn demands we tighten up, smarten up, straight up and work extra hard for the rewards we desire.

Where is that for you?

I've teamed up with Astrologers Kim Falconer & Mystic Medusa to offer you 12,000 + words of sign by sign usable, jargon-free info for turning Saturn through Virgo into an astute and supportive astro-influence.


Saturnalia will help you leverage the energy of this transit to bring you the most creative and productive results. It will also give you insights into what others--friends, spouse, partner, lovers--are experiencing. Get Saturn working for you!

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Saturn Salutes,
Neil

My September Forecasts

Sadly, Dot Magazine is closing its doors after two years so you can catch the last of the forecasts there by pointing your mouse here.

Enjoy!

Taking out the trash....Pluto goes Direct (Sep 7)

Pluto Direct (Rx since March 31, 2007)

September 7

26:18 Sagittarius

Eastern: 10:54 am

Pacific: 7:54 pm

Since March 31, Pluto the planet of death, rebirth, regeneration and transformation has been moving retrograde (backwards) and tomorrow moves direct (back to normal) once more.

In Sagittarius, who hasn't had their beliefs challenged? Who hasn't been questioning whether this philosophy or that idea or concept is valid, accurate, real or true? Who hasn't been forced to be completely honest to themselves and be forced to learn most painful lessons when veering from the course we know in our heart is the right one for us?

This phase of inner resurrection comes to a form of completion during this next Pluto cycle. It does mean that some chapters will inevitably close with a finality you've not experienced til well before March 2007. Remember when you could be done and really mean it? Remember when endings meant you could pick up the pieces and carry on? Recent days and months have seen old issues haunt us still ("but i thought I had learned that!") or else fragments from a half-forgitten (or repressed) past came back to poke and prod us into dealing with them once again.

Darkness hasn't waned around us, it just went into hiding. Now, when Pluto turns direct again we get a surge of power, collectively, to deal with the dark, and turn out the old so that we can celebrate a renewed sense of self, spirit and soul.

On the simple level, Pluto will allow for a parting of the ways in some area of your life (look to the House Pluto is currently passing through). Very briefly though (contact me for more depth as always):

Aries can destroy all others codes of conduct and finally follow their own custom-made belief system.
Taurus can realize that power often comes from what we choose not to do than what we actually manifest.
Gemini can find their own strength or manipulation mirrored back to them through other people who come or go now.
Cancer can clean up the mess by seeing once and for all which parts no longer work in the whole of their life picture.
Leo can find the power of play acting instead of playing games in order to feel truly loved and appreciated.
Virgo can find safety and security on changing ground knowing that home is a sense of self, not a physical thing or place.
Libra can tune their mind into only things they desire and no longer give power to shadows of possibilities.
Scorpio can ground their new-found self belief and self worth into projects of power that further their financial and personal wealth.
Sagittarius can be proud of the spiritual weight lost of late and how aloneness was needed to accomplish the cleanse.
Capricorn can release the toxins accumulated to date and complete a cycle of collecting all things that block us from our true spiritual core.
Aquarius can free themselves from old dreams that haunt but no longer satisfy and mix with those who have a purpose and a power to reform instead of rebel for its own sake.
Pisces can stand strong knowing that power is being given to them as a reward for following Universal Law and using, not abusing, the responsibilities issued to them of late.

Pluto asks us to give up siding with things, people, places, energies, attitudes, beliefs, opinions, lifestyles or relationships that no longer give us a sense of healthy power, deep passion, intense and loyal vibrations and that sink us further into haunted and dark places.

Release the meany energy in your own life under what can be a major detox period if you allow what's rotting, rotten, falling or fallen to fade and phase out of your life.

How can you be reborn to a new life
if you too scared to let your old self die?

Pull the plug!
Neil

Seriously Simple: Saturn moves into Virgo

Saturn just moved into Virgo.

It's time to get serious - about simplifying things. In the next 2.5 yr period look for personal changes surrounding:

A new improved schedule - are you waking up earlier, later - what are you doing daily? Is it a healthy habit or hindering your health?

A new fitness program - more herbs, less carbs or sugar? More natural? Yoga? A new gym? Stretching for breakfast? Or will your body finally send you a message to show you're living out of harmony with your true Nature?

Work and Job shifts - as you begin to see how to serve through your own special vocation. Are you a slave to a corporation or following a course that feels good and helps people? Do you care about what you're providing? Is quality more important or are you just clocking in?


On the bigger scale - the health industry undergoes a major reevaluation. Hospitals, Vitamins, natural remedies and procedures. New health advances and major setbacks and new rules and regulations in the mentioned fields.

Workers rights are hit, as are unions. Service industries get a wake-up call to what's not working. Management needs to reshuffle and new handbooks issued to all staff members with new (but improved?) policies.

More on this soon - for now, it's time to clean up. Your act, your bedroom, your daily schedule, your health, your body, your mind.

Simplify.
Streamline.
Shape up.

Rolling up his own sleeves with ya,
Neil

Calling all Leo's & Virgos!

Newsflash!


Saturn is about to move out of Leo (as the Lion's breathe a major sigh of relief after the past 2.5 years) and into Virgo (as the Virgins hide under their not-as-dust-free-as-it-could-be bed.

Everyone will be affected by the transition of Karmic Saturn into the new sign. I'll have more on this soon, but for now:

Virgos - get working on cleaning up your life, because soon you'll be faced with less choice in the matter. You feel it coming - a need to tighten things up and get back on track.

Leo - finish off what you've been working on for the past 2.5 years - Saturn will pay you handsomely for all your hard work, so don't give up yet, you're nearly there. And things will improve soon enough.

The rest of us - stay tuned for more. But in all aspects of life, this new phase will concern your Job Situation, your Health Picture, your relationship to your co-workers and your Daily Schedule. Yes, they're all set to change.

For now - enjoy the final days of Saturn in Leo - schedule in some playtime for goodness sake!

Love,
Neil