According to Sandy

Listened again to “The Ultimate Luther Vandross“. It contains great classics from the 80’s and 90’s that are still staples of “soul”, “smooth listening” radio stations around the country: “A House Is Not A Home”, “Power of Love”, “Here and Now”, “Superstar”, “Give Me the Reason”, “Never Too Much”, “Dance With My Father” (which won the Grammy for “Song of the Year” 2004).

Starting off as a back up and commercial jingles singer, Vandross’ solo career began in 1981 with the hit album “Never Too Much”. He went on to win 8 Grammys and sell 25 million CDs.

Saw him only once in concert, but, like the rest of the audience was in the “Luther” zone throughout his terrific performance. Warm, personable and soooo talented, you were pulled right in and ya loved it.

BTW: There are of course several of his clips on youtube. You might even be able to find complete CDs.

However you do it, expect brilliant listening!

Saturday and Sunday, 15 & 16th of August, 2015, the Moon will be in Virgo the 6th sign of the Zodiac. There is a mood shift from the playful, sunny, “I” oriented Leo Moon of the last few days into the health and service oriented Earth sign. Well, it won’t be sequins and glitter, but, we can be practical and organized. Make the most of it.

You may notice an inclination to analyze, to focus on the small stuff, no matter how tiny. (This might be an irritant to others, but things will get done – correctly!) So, write those “to do” lists, re caulk the bath tub, be industrious. Your mind will be sharp and no detail will be missed. Just try not to be too fussy or critical – after all it is the weekend.

Both luminaries in the same sign means = “New Moon”. The Sun moved into ambitious, generous, enthusiastic Leo on July 22, 2015 and on Friday August 14th, the Moon will also be in the same regal Fire sign. Since this particular Moon phase is always great for beginnings, take it as a sign of encouragement to start something in the next few days. Solar driven joy and confidence bodes well for an active, energetic, creative time. Have fun with any melodrama that might ensue.  (Drama doesn’t always have to be a hissy fit.)

This initiating energy lasts for approx 10 days until the Full Moon (finalize, complete projects). As the Zodiac sign changes, a different part of your chart (life) will be impacted. Next up on Saturday morning, Virgo – health, work, service.

Leo New Moon: 8/14/15 – 10:53AM EDT / 7:53AM PDT

On Saturday and Sunday, 8/8 and 8/9/15, the Moon will be in multi-tasking, Air sign Gemini. We’ll be searching for people to listen to us, read us or both. We got something to say! Ruled by Communication planet Mercury, the 3^rd sign of the Zodiac’s symbol, twins (think Castor/Pollux), is indicative of its dual nature, which can make it a great time to do two things at once – scrabble and crossword, chat and charm, read and write.

The urge to exchange ideas and thoughts, or just gossip, will be strong. Instead of snark, be clever, be smart, be entertaining. Have fun, spread knowledge – teach something, learn something – enjoy the youthful energy that is particularly Gemini. 

Have a versatile weekend!

Independent, unconventional, Air sign Aquarius gives us a Full Moon on Friday July 31, 2015. Since this is the 2nd round, lunar orb in the same month, it’s called a “Blue Moon”. (The previous Full Moon was in Capricorn on July 01, 2015. The next will be in 2018.) The humanitarian, 11th sign of the Zodiac encourages spontaneous change, community activism, group fun with a purpose and just contribution in general.

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” Moon in 2 weeks.

Aquarius Blue Moon: 7/31/15 – 6:43 AM EDT * 3:43 AM PDT

Good day Sunshine as we all experience the generous, attention seeking, creative and full of a lion’s pride Leo energy for the next few weeks. The Sun will be in the Fire sign that it rules until 8/23/15. Upbeat, dramatic and drawn to the spotlight, when the Sun struts into this regal Fire sign, regardless of your actual birth date, expect to have some fun for the duration of its stay. (Don’t be surprised if there are sudden, unexplained cravings for sparklers, sequins and confetti. Just go with it.)

Relationship interactions may become livelier and more colorful due to communication planet Mercury’s transit of the the 5^th sign of the Zodiac beginning 7/22/15 until 8/8/15. Remember to share the conversation, let someone else get a word in – it’s not all about you.

Planet Jupiter, big in size and attitude, will remain in Leo until August 11, 2015. Feelings of confidence, good fortune and largess are all traits associated with this planet and when it visits Leo, about every 12 years, the possibilities for optimism and creativity are endless. Wherever it appears in your chart, focus will be on Jupiter’s themes of expansion, bigger is better, etc. Money will be very easy to throw around, so rein in the urge to show off. People will be drawn to you regardless.

This can be a joyful, full of yourself time!

Sun into Leo: July 22, 2015 * 11:31PM EDT / 8:31PM PDT

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

**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).

Every month, when both luminaries, Sun and Moon, are in the same sign, the Moon is designated as “New”. Since the Lunar orb rules emotional, nurturing, Water sign Cancer, the energy is in full caring, helicopter mode. Don’t be surprised if you have urges to cook, fluff pillows, press cold damp cloths on heated brows. People can still be made “comfy” during hot, humid weather.

As always when the Moon is “New”, being inventive and creative is highlighted. So, be that with those that you are taking care of and feeding – new recipes to fill tummies without heaviness? new ways to keep friends and family hydrated and cool? (Invent a slushy flavor combination! )

Cancer New Moon July 15, 2015 – 9:24 PM EDT / 6:24 PM PDT

On Wednesday July 1, the Sun is in Cancer, the Lunar orb is lit up in the opposite sign, Capricorn– it’s that Full Moon time again! This matters to us why? Contrary to popular folklore, a round Moon is not a time for werewolf/Vampire reveals, but it is a good time to tap into its “finish what you started” energy. So, handle what needs to be done. Complete any projects that have been hanging over your head.

The Zodiac sign that houses the “Full” phase has its traits and characteristics heightened for a few weeks. The Saturn ruled, Earth sign Capricorn is about status, authority, duty and work.

The basics: Ambition as a ways to support yourself and family – now and in the future. Career means what – to you? Success means what – to you? Are your actions and strategies producing the financial results wanted? Think about it. (If there are any changes or innovations that need to be done, wait until the “New” Moon on July 15th. Its energy works well for creation and beginnings.)

*Capricorn Full Moon: 7/1/15 – 5:11AM EDT / 2:11AM PDT

“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancin’ in the streets”. The Sun takes beach umbrellas, flip flops and lemonade into the Moon ruled 4^th sign of the Zodiac. Along with the Cancer Sun, comes the Summer Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) – our longest day of the year. This 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 Sun sign might be different, but, you can still take advantage of some of Cancer’s influences.

Don’t let your antennae wilt in the summer heat. Heightened awareness can provide useful information about people, places, things. Feel what you feel, pay attention to your instincts and if feeling a little blue, don’t over indulge hoping that it will make things better. Change the scenery and the mood will probably change too eventually. Know what is best for you – with both food and people. As kind and sympathetic Cancer’s “homey” energy reigns, use it – enjoy the love along with the ice cream.

Mars will be transiting Cancer from 6/25/15 to 8/9/15. Needless to say, the aggressive, straight ahead “Warrior” planet, is not comfortable in non confrontational, side stepping Cancer, but the nurturing impulse could get fierce! Watch grouchiness. If questioned or asked to explain, don’t assume that it’s an attack – people may just want to know more.

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

*Sun in 1^st degree of Cancer, June 21, 2015 – 12:38 PM EDT / 9:39 AM PDT Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere

Hey! The year is already half over – what are you going to create during the rest of 2015?

(Next up, Leo Sun 7/22/15)

At last, Mercury Retrograde in Gemini is over, the Air sign it rules. The communication planet is gaining forward speed and we are able to get traction on tech, transportation, information plans, etc. A perfect time to implement ideas that have been percolating or launch stuck projects in these areas. There will be a New Moon in this flexible, versatile 3^rd Zodiac sign on June 16, 2015.

The Moon is considered “New” when the Sun and Moon are in the same Astrology sign. We are urged to begin, initiate and create. We will want to teach, learn, share thoughts, feelings, stories at length regardless of who wants to listen. So get your facts straight. (Short and sweet works best sometimes. And remember, silence is a form of communication too  😎 )

6/16/15 Gemini New Moon: 10:05 AM EDT / 7:05 AM PDT