According to Sandy

I really thought I was raising whatever back in the day when I graduated from “kitten” or “Cuban” heels to a 2 incher. Of course, seeing women prancing around on sky high stilettos today has put me in my place. I don’t /won’t wear them, but I think 6 inch needle heels are fierce and fascinating. The folks at the Brooklyn Museum think so too evidently. They’re putting on a show: ”Killer Heels: The Art of the High Heeled Shoe” until February 15, 2015.

“Killer Heels explores fashion’s most provocative accessory. From the high platform chopines of sixteenth-century Italy to the glamorous stilettos on today’s runways and red carpets, the exhibition looks at the high-heeled shoe’s rich and varied history and its enduring place in our popular imagination.”

Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe

Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York

Feeling beautiful, stubborn and material? It might be the vibrations of the Taurus Full Moon on Thursday November 6, 2014. This is a fixed, finance focused Earth sign guided by the elegant, luxury loving planet Venus. Whatever vibes are out there can all be put to good use. Indulge the sensual side, while monitoring investments. Share chocolate covered strawberries with the left hand, while tallying the checkbook with the right. It’s possible!

As always with a “Full” Moon, it’s a good time to finish what you’ve started. With the grounded Taurus influence, it makes sense to complete any money dealings and/or improvements to surroundings – beauty, comfort and safety. What do you value most? What do you need to do to have those things in your life, always?

*Taurus Full Moon: November 6, 2014 5:25 PM EST / 2:23 PM PST

As you know, the Moon changes signs about every 2 ½ days. A good thing, since we react to the Lunar orb’s energy as it is colored by the Zodiac sign of the day – keeps life interesting. And a Pisces Moon can certainly do that.

After the Moon glides into the 12^th sign of the Zodiac on Saturday, November 1, 2014, its sensitive, emotional vibrations will be felt the rest of the weekend. Because this vulnerable Water sign can give us vibrant dreams and imaginings, keep paper and pen handy to jot down any genius moments that may result. This can be great for creativity – paint something, draw something, write something.

Pisces planet ruler Neptune can also relax our boundaries, blur edges and fog over what is genuine. Do remain grounded and sober. If there is something important to be done, get a grip, focus and handle it, but if it can wait, hold off until things are clearer, less vague. (A sharp Aries Moon is next up on Monday morning.)

Happy Halloween Friday!        

The Lunar orb moves into sensitive, emotional, Water sign Scorpio on Thursday October 23, 2014 (along with the Sun). A “New” Moon and a Solar Eclipse, occurring in the same sign, makes the caution “hold on”, excellent advice – power and passion can go off the charts. Moderation works, aggression doesn’t always. Going deeper may reveal things that you don’t want to see or hear.

However, New Moons are great for beginnings, initiating plans. The 8th sign of the Zodiac gives us the power to be focused, persistent and determined. For the next 2 weeks, seize the opportunity and go after what you want.

*Scorpio New Moon: October 23, 2014- 5:57PM EST / 2:57PM PST

It may be a cool, brisk Fall day, but on October 23, 2014, the Scorpio Sun brings heat and sizzle. Potent, powerful, persistent, passionate OR, stubborn, secretive, sensitive, sensual. I couldn’t decide on which group of adjectives to use for the mysterious 8^th sign if the Zodiac, so I’ve decided that it isn’t an either / or decision. The depth and strength of this Water sign can handle all descriptions. “Watch out, hot plates coming through”. (Sorry, heard that once in a diner. It fits.)

Where does Scorpio, ruled by power and transformation planet Pluto, appear in your chart”, Sun sign, Ascendant, Moon? Regardless of the House placement, the 8^th sign of the Zodiac brings intensity and deep feeling to us all. Many times when confronted with an issue, there will only be either a yes or a no response – compromise is out of the question. “Maybe” will not be acceptable. It is black or white with no shades of grey. Especially now with Saturn, planet of discipline, perseverance, and boundaries, visiting until December 23, 2014, feelings of responsibility, the demand for real life, well defined positions, along with some hard edged decisions will be amped. Superficial skimming the surface, in conversation or action, just won’t do.

Note that deep and fierce stuff can lead to all sorts of “feelings” that you may not be prepared to confront. So, don’t be surprised if emotionality occasionally goes unchecked. Often, the resulting “overwhelm” may not quite match the situation. There is nothing wrong with using an internal pause button to give us a chance to think, rather than just react. We can accomplish a lot during this time using Scorpio’s power and focus. But also remember that laughter can be used as a balm to stabilize, bring things into perspective and lighten the atmosphere.  

BTW: Lovely, romantic Venus visits Scorpio from 10/24 thru 11/17/14. The transit should enhance sensuality, add lushness and perhaps soften seduction. And, because it is transiting this intense sign, actions and revelations will be serious – about what you value and especially how you value yourself.  The scope of the impact depends on where (which House) Scorpio falls in your particular chart.

*Gemstone: Topaz *Power color: Deep shades of red * Body Part: Reproductive system

*Sun into Scorpio: 10/23/14 – 4:57AM Pacific / 7:57 AM Eastern

The Moon will be in multi tasking Gemini on Saturday and Sunday. Ruled by flexible Mercury, the weekend will probably be all about communication of some kind. Twins, think Castor/Pollux, are the usual symbol for Gemini and its dual nature makes it a great time to do two things at once- scrabble and crossword, chat and charm, read and write, but remember to breathe – everything doesn’t have to happen at warp speed.

Try to hold off on the gossip, it can come back to bite you. If the temptation for verbal mischief is too great, see a movie, take a class. The winged planet is currently Retrograde, so be careful with personal interactions to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Instead of snark, be clever, be entertaining – with an Airy Gemini Moon, the options are endless  😎

Have a versatile weekend

This month’s Full Moon, a total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon), is in Fire sign Aries. The 1^st sign of the Zodiac is ruled by “Warrior” planet Mars. Combustible, physical and aggressive, this sign’s usual “in your face” traits will be intensified by the power of a “Full” phase and also by unpredictable transiting Uranus.  Even though currently retrograde, until 12/21/14, it still can be full of surprises and urges for revolution.

Do the suggested Full Moon things – finish up old projects, clarify any fuzzy ideas that keep hanging around (remember Mercury is Retrograde now, so this is a good time to review). Use the extra Aries energy and take action. By clearing out useless stuff, you create space for the “new” ideas, things, spaces, people. However, forceful Aries can be a little over the top sometimes. Don’t torch everything while trying to weed out the old, think things through before the ashes start to float around.

• Full Moon Aries– October 8, 2014: 6:51AM EDT / 3:51AM PDT

No need for us to be crazed and confused. We will get through it, again.

On Saturday, October 4, 2014, Mercury Retrograde begins in emotional, intense, “dig deeper” Scorpio. It may affect any investigations, secrets, mysteries you’ve been working on or cause communication gadget interruptions, etc. Make sure any data, information, details researched and uncovered are correct. Double check your sources while you back up the devices that you use to search and / or store. Being cautious can avoid any confusion, miscommunication, misunderstandings. Mercury’s backward motion begins in the passionate 8^th sign of the Zodiac, but will back up into relationship focused Libra on 10/10/14 until it stops and goes Direct again on 10/25/14. Don’t be surprised if people, places, events of the past return to haunt, bite or even please us. Watch what you write, be careful of what you say in order to lessen the possibility of negative impact as you interact with others.

“Retrograde” is the perfect time for “re” actions, such as, re invent, re write, re reread, revisit, renew. Use the next 3 weeks to 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? Are there any monetary, financial accounting mishaps? When Mercury goes Direct on October 25, things will gradually become clearer as the planet picks up speed. You’ll be able to go forward with anything you may have discovered. If you can, wait a few days after Mercury’s forward motion before signing contracts or agreements.

Good news! This is the 3^rd and final Retrograde Mercury of 2014! (next 1/21/15 – 2/11/15)

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 looks like a reverse motion from earth.

*Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio 10/4/14 – 1:02PM EDT / 10:02AM PDT

The Moon’s Zodiac sign position can set mood and energy. The Lunar orb is in its “New” phase (the Sun and the Moon are in the same sign) which means that Airy Libra’s traits intensify. So consider the social, charming, creative Libra New Moon on Tuesday / Wednesday a great time for making new friends, relationships, partners, contracts, etc. (Blind date? Speed networking/business card exchange party?) Regardless, seek balance and harmony.

The universe will support New Moon innovation for the next 10 days or so until the Moon is “Full” – which begins a period of finishing up, completing projects, etc.

*Libra New Moon – Sept 23, 2014 11:14PM PDT / Sept 24, 2014 2:14AM EDT

The Autumn Equinox arrives the same day as the Sun glides into Libra on Monday September 22, 2014. Relationships of all types are now in the forefront for the next few weeks – family, friends, marriages, business partners. It’s fun to be with people, to chat, flirt, cajole. The 7^th sign of the Zodiac, ruled by Venus, seeks cooperation, genial negotiations in both business and personal relationships.

Mercury, Communication planet ruler of chatty Gemini and analytical Virgo in Air sign Libra since 9/2/14, will remain until 9/28/14. It will return again on 10/11/14, until 10/25/14, while Mercury goes into its Retrograde period. (The backward motion will actually begin on 10/5/14 in Scorpio.) It should make for some clever, smart dinner conversation.

The Libra way is to see both sides of an issue before making decisions. However, seeking harmony by trying to be “fair” can sometimes lead to appearing indecisive. Or, using the “Pros/Cons” list method for making decisions can just strings 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!

As always, your experience of the Sun in a particular sign depends most upon where it appears in your chart, but a Libra Sun does set a mood to benefit us all. Edges can be smoothed off of some contentious interactions, they may soften and even be resolved. Libra wants to cast a glow of congeniality. It’s all about balance, socializing, networking, getting along.

*Libra Sun / Fall Equinox 9/22/14 – 10:29 PM Eastern / 7:29 PM Pacific

Gemstone: Aventurine * Power colors: Blues and violets * Body Part: Kidneys

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