According to Sandy

It’s also the Fall Equinox, but it’s still all about relationships. On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, the Sun moves into Air sign Libra and whether you call it “Fall” or “Autumn”, (in the Northern Hemisphere), it is an “Equinox” – equal day / equal night. Balance – interactions, both business and personal, cooperation, genial negotiations will be in the forefront for the next few weeks. Good things in life are sought after due to the influences of lovely planet ruler Venus – romance, music, delicious food, beauty and hospitality. Even if it isn’t your Sun or Rising, the 7th sign of the Zodiac will still cast a glow.

We may also experience some effects of the planets transiting Libra at this time:

Mercury ~ 8/31/21 – 11/6/21: should amp up our chats, tweets, and texts, with cleverness and charm. (Long stay due to the Communication planet’s Retrograde period)

~ Mercury Retrograde  9/27 – 10/17:  Back up your devices. Pay attention to details. Read contracts carefully.  Avoid snafus, hurt feelings etc – read it over before hitting “send”.

Mars ~ 9/15/21  10/30/21: normally prone to action and impulsiveness, the Warrior planet’s usual aggressiveness is muted and softened.

The Libra way is to see both sides of an issue before making decisions. Seeking harmony by trying to be “fair” can sometimes lead to appearing wishy-washy. Using the “Pros/Cons” list method for making decisions can just draw the selection process out. Be aware that important action can be stalled by over think. Paying attention to instinct and being honest will give a more direct line to a choice. Don’t hesitate to show your spine when needed (some may be surprised when the Libra inner tensile strength is revealed), you’ll still be loved!

My suggestion for anything Libran is always: meet fun folks somewhere beautiful for brunch and / or cocktails. Enjoy being with others!

*~* Libra Sun * Autumn Equinox 9/22/21 ~ 3:21 PM EDT / 12:21 PM PDT

Gemstone: Aventurine * Power Colors: Blues & Violets * Body Part: Kidneys

FYI:  The Scale (signifying balance) is Libra’s Astrology symbol. All other Zodiac signs are either people or animals.

Up next: Scorpio!

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The Sun moves into Virgo on Sunday Aug. 22, 2021. This is a chance to settle down 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, its planet ruler, Virgo’s cleverness can liven up situations when you least expect it.

Communication planet Mercury has been transiting the sign since August 12 (until the 30^th). Spoken, written or tweeted, language is sharper and snappier. Can be fun, just don’t hurt anyone’s feelings – especially since combative, belligerent Mars began a visit on July 30 and remains thru September 15, 2021.

Earth sign Virgo insists that attention be paid to the details, “the nitty-gritty” (is that term still being used?). However, being overly critical and picky, “sweating the small stuff”, “not seeing the forest for the trees”, suffering bouts of “analysis paralysis” will often get in the way of plans for improvements and / or  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  😉

Do those lovely Virgo things instead – be useful, bring calm & order, create a plan for better diet & fitness, be a contribution, be a solution.

If you want to work better/ want better work, put together the little building blocks needed to create something substantial. Now is a great time to get it done (whatever “it” is).

Virgo Sun ~ 8/22/21:   5:35 PM EDT / 2:35 PM PDT

*Gemstone: Carnelian * Power color: Deep green * Body Part: Bowels

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On Saturday & Sunday, 8/14 & 8/15/21, the Moon is on fire in sensitive, sensual Scorpio. When in the 8^th sign of the Zodiac, the Lunar Orb wants us focused and INTENSE.

Going after what or whom you want is just the way it has to be. No obstacle too high, no stone buried too deep. Use Scorpio’s passionate, seductive energy wisely.

Is there anything you want to find out? Search for anyone? Uncover a mystery? A Scorpio Moon provides the determination and willfulness to discover and handle truths. Secrets are not safe from this Mars (traditional) / Pluto (modern) ruled Water sign. No hiding or skimming the surface allowed. Some feathers may be ruffled, but the impulse to drill down and get to the bottom of whatever will be hard to deny.

Feel the power this weekend!

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This weekend, 8/7 & 8/8, the Leo Moon entertains us. It will reach its New phase on Sunday. (Both luminaries in the same sign = “New Moon”. The Sun moved into generous, enthusiastic Fire sign Leo on July 22, 2021) The time is great to use the flirty, creative vibrations natural to the 5^th sign off the Zodiac to start a project, enroll a special someone in your life, and / or do an awesome performance. Take all the Solar driven joy and confidence and have fun with any melodrama that might ensue. (Drama doesn’t always have to be a hissy fit.)

This active, initiating New Moon energy lasts for approx 10 days until the Aquarius Full Moon on 8/22/21 (“Full”-  Lunar Orb is illuminated by the Sun ~ best to finalize & complete projects).

~ Leo New Moon:  8/8/21 – 9:50AM EDT / 6:50AM PDT

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The Sun moves into Leo, the Fire sign it rules, on Thursday July 22, 2021. The stage is set. The lights are lit.  Showtime!

The 5^th sign of the Zodiac is upbeat, dramatic and drawn to the spotlight. It shines and heats the creative, fun and love areas of life. Expect things to be livelier for the duration, regardless of your actual birth date. (Don’t be surprised if there are sudden, unexplained cravings for sparklers, sequins and confetti. Just go with it.)

~ Venus – 6/28 – 7/23/21

Just to add to the love, Venus the planet of romance moved into Leo in June . Beautify self and surroundings – be royal but in moderation. Money will be very easy to throw around, ignore the urge to show off. People will be drawn to you regardless.

~ Mars – 6/12 – 7/30/21

Adding to the energy will be aggressive “Warrior” Mars in Leo. Overly confident and perhaps impatient for attention, we may be more willing to take risks to be first in the spotlight which can make us reckless.

*Sun into Leo: July 22, 2021 * 10:26AM EDT / 7:26AM PDT

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

(Next up – Virgo Sun 8/22/21)

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).

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We can greet the Summer Solstice, on Sunday June 20, 2021, with a frozen, delicious treat under a large Sun hat.

Besides being the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it also means the Sun has moved into the sign of Cancer, the Moon ruled 4^th sign of the Zodiac. This Water sign can make us more emotional, moody, restless and sensitive, but, family, friends, “taking care” is the comfort place. Regardless of Sun sign, we can still take advantage of Cancer’s kind, protective and nurturing influences.

Don’t let your sensitive antennae wilt in the summer heat. Heightened awareness can provide useful information about people, places, and things. Feel what you feel and pay attention to your instincts. However, if taking in too much unsettling information from the universe, don’t over indulge in the hope that an extra scoop of Ben & Jerry’s or another spoonful of hot fudge on that banana split will make things better. Change the scenery. Change the mood. Know what is best for you – food, people, situations, etc. Don’t be afraid to let go of what doesn’t work.

~ Cancer Sun / Summer Solstice (Sun in 1^st degree of Cancer): June 20, 2021 –  11:32 AM EDT / 8:32 AM PDT

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

~Summer Is Here ~ I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

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On Thursday, May 20, 2021, the Sun entered the third sign of the Zodiac. It is Gemini season until Jun 20 – when the Summer Solstice begins (Sun into Cancer). Gemini has the “twins” as its Astrology symbol, (Castor & Pollux), and we will want to double the fun regardless of our actual birth sign. Wanting / needing to be in 2 places at once can be fun, doing 2 things at the same time will be an “of course” – duality rules. Let the multi – tasking begin!

This Air sign, ruled by Mercury the communication planet, urges us to be with people – tweet, Face book, text or have an old fashioned “face to face”. Learn something new, create, chat too much, gossip too much and don’t forget travel, whether it be real or arm chair, the search for greener grass will be enticing.

~ Fleet footed Mercury transits Gemini from 5/5 – 7/12.  It’s about being clever, being quick. It will be Retrograde (it appears to move backwards in the sky) beginning 5/29 until 6/21 which may cause confusion & some snafus. Collect your thoughts, watch what you say or write. Don’t be careless or sloppy while interacting with others.

~ Venus, planet of love and beauty, will be in Gemini from 5/10 to 6/3. It can bring out our social best and gentle some of that Gemini verbal snarkiness.

This can be such a good time, but also exhausting. Rather than rush around feeling overwhelmed or scattered, hit the pause button occasionally to re focus. Deliver on promises. Complete a task, then go on to what’s next. Half done is half accomplished.

~ Gemini Sun:  5/20/21 – 3:37 PM EDT / 12:37 PM PDT

*Gemstone: Pearl or Agate * Power Color: Yellow * Body Part: Hands

~* June 7^th – Prince’s Birthday (Also my niece, Cybel) *~

Mercury (the planet of communications, transportation, education, gadgets, manual dexterity, etc.) has been Retrograde in Gemini, the Air sign it rules, since 5/29. The planet will stop motion and go Direct again on 6/22. It won’t get up to speed for about 7 days, so continue to be careful when dealing with anything Mercury handles. Back up your stuff! Read carefully if you must sign something and pay attention.

My usual suggestions for Mercury Retrograde time are:  review, re invent, re write, re read, revisit, renew, re think. Take another look at past decisions or old projects that may have been dropped and forgotten. Does an idea deserve another chance, another go round? Was anything missed? Don’t be surprised if someone shows up unexpectedly out of the past.

BTW: 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.

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May 15 & May 16 could be a weekend of emotional mood swings, creativity and / or over the top hospitality as the Moon settles into Cancer, the emotional, caring Water sign it rules. The 4^th sign of the Zodiac can make us sensitive & feeling vulnerable. Avoid cultivating & harvesting dark thoughts. (They will pass, so there’s no need to self medicate with food).

Rather than looking for hurt feelings – your own or anyone else’s – unleash the inner artist. Create anything beautiful for family & friends. Cook something delicious and set a pretty table. It’s the perfect outlet for all that “nurture” driven Cancer energy. Delight your posse & make them comfortable and full. You’ll enjoy it.

Have the best weekend possible!

Stay safe. Stay well.

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The Sun moves into tenacious, talented & tasteful Taurus on Monday April 19, 2021. The second sign of the Zodiac has the stubborn Bull as its Zodiac symbol – for a good reason. Often unwavering in beliefs, there may be a tendency to hold on even after others have dropped the tug rope. Just remember to “let go” when obstinacy no longer works.

However, Taurus is ruled by the lovely, romantic planet Venus. This Earth sign has several other traits. It can be practical and grounded, but it’s also a lover of beauty, good food and financial acuity. Loved ones are treated to poetry, music and gourmet restaurants, while getting a lecture on avoiding economic pot holes – nice mix.

~ Planet ruler Venus visits Taurus 4/14 – 5/10.  Beautification of self / surroundings and gourmet concerns may be intensified

~ Clever, communication planet Mercury transits Taurus from 4/20 – until 5/5.  Interactions are steadied and grounded. Discussions about security and safety are brought forward.

~ Also, Uranus, planet of unexpected change and rejection of the status quo has been in Taurus since March 2019 and will remain until 2026. Don’t be surprised if there are sudden shifts in how finances are handled, how sensuality is expressed, how food is approached, and how “luxury” is interpreted. “Change” is the operative word.

Taurus:  *Gemstone: Rose Quartz * Power color: Soft rose-pink* Body Part: Neck

* Sun into Taurus, Mon 4/19/21 – 4:33 PM EDT / 1:33 PM PDT

**As always, those most affected have the Sun and/or Rising sign in Taurus, but the rest of us will still feel the stabilizing influences somewhere in our lives depending upon where this Earth sign appears in the birth chart.

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