According to Sandy

Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8, 2019, will find us in the serious embrace of a Capricorn Moon. Ruled by Saturn, the planet of boundaries and life lessons (not always fun, but can be maturing), the 10^th sign of the Zodiac has upwardly mobile yearnings. It can bring out the “administrator” in us – a perfect time to organize, assign tasks, take charge and move with purpose. See this as an opportunity to sharpen your business acumen. Are your strategies, actions producing the results you want? Being an ambitious over achiever is not a negative. Like everything else, it depends on how it’s handled.

Have a successfully productive weekend, but don’t forget to smile and say “thank you” while telling everyone what to do.

On August 30, 2019, the Sun and the Moon are both in Virgo. When the luminaries are in the same Zodiac sign, the Moon is in its “New” phase. A New Moon is a great time to start something – big or small. Since it is ruled by communication planet Mercury, analytical Virgo’s written and verbal skills enhance our interactions.

The practical Earth sign will be even more powerful as 3 planets join the Sun & Moon. All will have their influences over Virgo concerns of work, health & service:

~ Mars 8/18 – 10/4 * Brave, energetic

~ Venus 8/21 – 9/15 * Down to earth romance

~ Mercury 8/29 – 9/14 * Quick & clever

Also, take advantage of Virgo’s natural “I’ll handle it” approach to take a look at fitness and nutrition. Are there things to be improved – diet, exercise? Don’t spend too much time being critical of yourself. New plans, new ideas – take care of needed changes now.

*Virgo New Moon:  8/30/19 6:37 AM EDT / 3:37 AM PDT

The Virgo Sun on Aug. 23, 2019, gives us a chance to settle down, take stock (after all the Leo sparkle and flash). Think: grounded, practical, dependable and efficient. The 6^th sign of the Zodiac is about work, service and health. But don’t think being conscientious has to mean “dull”. With quick witted Mercury as its planet ruler, Virgo’s cleverness can liven up situations when you least expect it.

Earth sign Virgo wants us to pay attention to the details! But, being over critical and picky, “sweating the small stuff”, not “seeing the forest for the trees”, suffering bouts of “paralysis analysis” will just get in the way and slow you down from making improvements and organizing messes. Friends, family & co-workers may resent relentless corrections no matter how “helpful” or how good the intention. Don’t get on their nerves  😉

Instead, do evolved Virgo things – be useful, bring calm & order, create a plan for better diet & fitness, be a contribution, take care.

~ Sun Into Virgo: 8/23 – 6:02 AM EDT * 3:02 AM PDT

*Gemstone: Carnelian * Power Color: Deep green * Body Part: Bowels (Cleansing the system for good health)

**BTW: The date when the Sun transits into a sign can fluctuate year to year – from the 19th to the 23rd. If born on one of these days, you are considered a cusp baby.  But regardless, there is only one Sun sign in an Astrology chart (however, the individual will often exhibit a combo of characteristics from both signs – the one ending / the one beginning).

On Thursday, August 15, 2019, the Full Moon will be in the unconventional, humanitarian, 11^th sign of the Zodiac. Aquarius encourages spontaneous change, community activism, group fun with a purpose and just contribution in general. Before jumping to the front lines, pause and reflect – is the issue real for you, or is the response automatic / knee jerk.  “No Justice, No Peace” – (Love it)

Just a reminder – a”Full” Moon phase packs power and can give our thoughts clarity. It starts the “waning” or decreasing period, on its way to the 3rd and 4th quarters. This can be a great time to gather and tally results or confront the useless – clean up old projects, get rid of outmoded thought patterns and attitudes in order to clear the way for the “New”.  (New Moon in Virgo 8/30/19)

*Aquarius Full Moon: 8/15/19 ~ 8:29 AM EDT * 5:29 AM PDT

(Originally posted in 2012)

I always get excited when Ms Morrison graces us with a new book. Just released this week, her latest is “Home”, which centers on a man’s two most life battering experiences – while a soldier during the Korean War and growing up in the South in the 50’s. 

Ms Morrison, now 81, has such a fantastical, spiritual approach to her characters and plot, but she’s also got “edge”. She can set a tone, paint a picture, capture identifiable feeling/emotion and describe events so clearly and with such poetry that it makes you laugh or, it makes you cry. There are some passages in her much acclaimed book “Beloved” that are so painful that your throat clutches and closes.  Her “truth”, cloaked in make believe, is sometimes difficult to handle – sort of a ground glass in the oatmeal type of thing. You feel it.

I think she is amazing and a real gift. “Home”, by Toni Morrison

FYI – “Beloved” won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 and Ms Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.) 

On Wednesday, July 31, 2019, the Sun is in Leo (since 7/22) and the Moon begins a transit on the same day. Both luminaries in the same sign means “New Moon”. This can be great for beginnings – take it as a sign of encouragement to start something in the next few days.

Use the often dramatic, ambitious, enthusiastic vibrations natural to the 5^th sign off the Zodiac to initiate a project, enroll a special someone in your life, do a sparkling presentation or audition. Also, Leo’s solar driven joy and confidence bodes well for the opportunity to have fun with any melodrama that might ensue. (Drama doesn’t always have to be a hissy fit.)

This active, initiating energy lasts for approx 10 days until the Full Moon in Aquarius on 8/15/19 (a good time to then finalize, complete projects).

*Leo New Moon:  7/31/19 – 11:12 PM EDT / 8:12 PM PDT

The Sun moves into Leo on Monday July 22, 2019. It rules the 5^th sign of the Zodiac and we can tell regardless of our actual Astrology sign. With the influence of the “Sun King”, we are upbeat, magnanimous, a bit more dramatic, colorfully creative and drawn to the spotlight. Leo doesn’t get shyness. As the Sun struts through this regal Fire sign, the potential for having fun and drama ramps up.

Adding to the energy will be aggressive “Warrior” Mars transiting Leo from 7/2 to 8/18/19. Overly confident and perhaps impatient for attention, we may take risks. Remember, there is a difference between risk and reckless. (Check the parachute before attempting the longest free fall airplane drop in the Guinness Book of Records. Verify the distance between drop height & ground. Only preen for the close up once safely on the ground.)

Lifting the sparkle and shine experience of a Leo Sun is a Venus visit, 7/28 to 8/21/19. The planet of love brings even more warmth, beauty and love of “luxe”.

Verbal and written interactions can become livelier and sharper due to Communication planet Mercury’s Leo transit from 8/12/to 8/29/2019. Share the conversation, let someone else get a word in – it’s not all about you.

Enjoy the spotlight!

*Sun into Leo: July 22, 2019 * 10:51PM EDT / 7:51 PM PDT

**Gemstone – Tiger’s Eye *Power colors- Gold, orange (Sun colors) * Body Part – Heart (…of a lion!)

(Next up – Virgo Sun 8/23/19)

~ BTW: The date when the Sun transits into a sign can fluctuate year to year – from the 19th to the 23rd. If born on one of these days, you are considered a cusp baby – close to two signs- but regardless, there is only one Sun sign in an Astrology chart  (however, the individual will often exhibit a combo of characteristics from both signs).

On Sunday, July 7, 2019, Mercury, the planet of communications, education, travel / transportation and small gadgets, went Retrograde in generous, expansive, theatrical Leo. Possibilities of snafus, confusion, dead batteries, mis directed messages and getting on the wrong bus, etc. are possible. However, life will go on. I just think it best to be careful about it!

Ruled by the Sun, Leo energy, sparkle and leadership is a natural, however, with backwards Mercury, waiting a few beats so that thoughts can be reviewed and organized before jumping in front of that microphone may be a good idea. We should pay attention as we speak, write, perform. Contract signings, innovations, new investments should be delayed if possible and certainly not attempted until after close scrutiny.

During its reverse transit, it will reach sensitive Cancer, the 4^th sign of the Zodiac on 7/19. Mercury will go Direct (forward) again on 7/31 and move back into Leo on 8/12/19. During the Cancer visit, personal interactions may be unclear and misdirected. Be mindful of unconscious, snarky communication with family and friends, the 4th sign’s domain.

As I’ve said before in this space, Mercury Retrograde is always a good time to make plans and exercise all those “re” actions: re evaluate, rewrite, re assess, re acquaint, re address. Take time to pause and reflect – can’t hurt.

~ Mercury Retrograde:  7/7/19 * 7:15 PM EDT / 4:15 AM PDT

* FYI: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. Planets only move forward, however, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it can look like a reverse motion from earth.

(Next Mercury Retrograde will be 10/31/19 in Water sign Scorpio)

“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancin’ in the streets”.

On Friday, June 21, 2019, the Sun brought beach umbrellas, flip flops and frozen delicious treats as it moved into the Moon ruled, 4^th sign of the Zodiac – Cancer.

Along with the Cancer Sun, came the Summer Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) – our longest day of the year.

This nurturing, caring Water sign tends to be emotional, moody, restless and sensitive, but regardless, friends and family (real or created), will be an important focus. Your own personal Astrological sign might be different, but, you can still take advantage of Cancer’s warm & comfy influences.

Communication planet Mercury will be Retrograde in Cancer from 7/19 until 8/1/19 and remains until it continues Direct into Leo on 8/12. (The complete Backward transit lasts 7/7/19 to 7/31/19.) People may be testy and super sensitive, due to misunderstandings, missed cues, etc. so be careful with what you write or speak. Seemingly innocent interactions can start out great and then escalate into a hot mess – everyone winds up feeling “wounded”.

~ Cancer Sun / Summer Solstice (Sun in 1^st degree of Cancer): June 21, 2019 ~  11:54 AM EDT / 38:54 AM PDT

*Gemstone – Emerald * Power colors- silver, pale gray (Moon colors) *Body Part – Breasts

Hey! The year is already half over – what are you going to create during the rest of 2019?

Time to perk up! Early Saturday morning, the Moon bounced into optimistic, jovial Sagittarius and remains until it reaches Full Moon stage on Monday 6/17/19. Get out and about, see people. Travel, adventure and risk will look sooooo  appealing.

Lucky planet Jupiter rules this Fire sign and we can all feel a bit more upbeat and energetic. With Sagittarius, we have a sense that “of course good things can happen” with a willingness to go for miracles. Take advantage of the vibe, work it – but, don’t get too cocky, pay attention to the details. Stay grounded. Stay safe.

*Full Moon in Sagittarius: June 17th, 4:31 AM EDT / 1:31 AM PDT

~ BTW: At “Full” phase, the Moon is “waning”, on its way to the 3rd and 4th quarters, therefore, it is a good time to snip loose ends, clean up and finalize old projects. (The best time to create, start, plant new things is from the beginning of a “New Moon” phase thru the 2nd quarter – “waxing”.)