According to Sandy

“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”.)

The 2nd sign of the Zodiac, Taurus, has the Bull as its symbol. – for a good reason. Often unwavering in beliefs, holding on after others have dropped the tug rope, just remember to “let go” when obstinacy is no longer useful. However, it is ruled by the lovely, romantic planet Venus, giving fixed, Earth sign Taurus several other ways to go. It can make us determined, practical and dependable, but it’s also a lover of beauty, good food and luxury. Loved ones are treated to poetry, music and gourmet restaurants, while getting a lecture on avoiding financial pot holes – nice mix.

For the next few weeks we can tap into those Taurean traits of strength and determination so that we solidify and complete the projects started during the high energy of the Aries Sun. Watch out for a tendency to be overcautious – don’t miss an opportunity out of fear or an unwillingness to move. Widen vision? Take a chance? Before the “no”, take another look.

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 used, and how “luxury” is considered. “Change” is the operative word.

BTW – Uranus stays about 7 years in each sign, so it can have an impact.  Closer planets, like Venus, Mercury, Mars, transit for only a few months.

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

* Sun into Taurus, Saturday 4/20/19 – 4:55 AM EDT / 1:55 AM PDT

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

A Full Moon will be in classy, relationship focused Libra on Friday, April 19, 2019.  This Air sign is ruled by the lovely Venus and hopefully this will make us more inclined to cooperate with partners, seek balance and calm in negotiations.

Its great time to do all of the above while being super social, beautifying both ourselves and our surroundings at the same time. It may help us tune out/tone down any negative, angry voices out there (or in our heads). Charm and beauty – always a good antidote.

As I’ve mentioned in this space before, a ”Full” Moon phase packs power and can give our thoughts clarity. It starts the “waning” or decreasing, of the Lunar orb, a good time to gather 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 next “New” Moon – Taurus on 5/4/19.

*Libra Full Moon 4/19/19 ~  7:12 AM EDT / 4:12 AM PDT

The ambitious intentions of a playwright resulted in the impressive, and enjoyable, “August Wilson Century Cycle” box set. It consists of a play for every decade of the 20^th century that would chronicle some part of the black experience in America. 

Through the use of his great ear for dialogue, Wilson (1945 – 2005) was able to give us some insight into the daily life – both struggles and triumphs – of an assortment of universal characters that his audience could easily recognize.

An amazing undertaking, but, his huge vision was realized and it resulted in 2 Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony award and many other accolades. He accomplished a lot doing what he loved to do and perhaps more importantly, August Wilson left a powerful body of work that will be read and performed for years to come. Dreaming big has rewards of all kinds.

All 10 of August Wilson’s plays are collected in hard cover with a nice presentation box.  Each has an introduction by an actor, director or writer familiar with his work

In 2005, August Wilson completed the ten-play cycle:

• 1900s – Gem of the Ocean (2003)
• 1910s – Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (1984)
• 1920s – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (1982)
• 1930s – The Piano Lesson (1986) – Pulitzer Prize
• 1940s – Seven Guitars (1995)
• 1950s – Fences (1985) – Pulitzer Prize
• 1960s – Two Trains Running (1990)
• 1970s – Jitney (1982)
• 1980s – King Hedley II (2001)
• 1990s – Radio Golf (2005)

Looking for someone special, that reliable partner, the other side of your coin? A buddy? A sidekick? A trustworthy accountant?

“Hey, what’s your sign?” – may not be as old school as you think. Zodiac signs are grouped from Aries to Pisces – all 12 have a “partner”. Either you will find spending time with a person from the other sign tangy and energizing or there may be a need for tender attention and compromise.

Sun Signs are listed below with their direct opposites. Consider them the other side of your Astrology coin, the other half of your puzzle:

Aries: March 21-April 19 (Energetic, Impulsive)  and

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22 (Charming, Social)

Taurus: April 20-May 21 (Solid, Responsible, Patient)  and

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21 (Intense, Deep Connections)

Gemini: May 22-June 20 (Changeable, Communicator, Versatile)  and

Sagittarius Nov 22-Dec 21 (Adventurous, Enthusiastic, Optimistic)

Cancer: June 21-July 22 (Family Oriented, Emotional)  and

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19 (Authority Figure, Disciplined, Traditional)

Leo: July 23- Aug 22 (Pride, Fun Loving, Generous)  and

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18 (Unpredictable, Freedom loving)

Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22 (Practical, Responsible, Service)  and

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20: (Dreamer, Sensitive)

On Friday night, March 29, 2019, (until Sunday evening) an Aquarius Moon will give power and possibilities to our group actions this weekend. The Uranus ruled Air sign wants us involved with humanitarian issues. So, contribute to the universe in some way, make a difference. Be part of a team.

Regardless of what’s going on, it will speak to the Aquarian need for independence – the love of the radical and the different. Prepare for the unexpected. Be spontaneous, share yourself.

Enjoy!

It happened on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Spring (Vernal Equinox), the Moon was beautiful and Full in charming, relationship focused Air sign Libra and the Sun had completed its transit of all 12 signs, ready to start the cycle anew in high energy Aries, the 1st sign of the Zodiac.

The Equinox brings a new astrological year with new chances to shine. A Full Moon is time to finish up any odds and ends so that we go forward with a clean slate and Spring is a great time for beginnings, start ups, what to plant, etc. We should keep our eyes open for any opportunities on the horizon.

Aries is “out front”, physical, impulsive, prone to rushing and risk taking. We can bungee jump off that mountain of ideas and projects that has been stewing all winter. The universe will support. However, let’s be active with purpose and focus rather than act just because we’re bored. Think a project through and complete it. But, don’t forget to have fun. Spring has sprung and everyone can use a little bit of controlled craziness every once in awhile.

As always, those most affected have the Sun and/or Rising sign in Aries, but the rest of us will still feel the feisty vibes somewhere in our lives depending upon where the Fire sign appears in our chart.

Aries Sun* Spring Equinox – 12:16 PM EDT / 9:16 AM PDT

Libra Full Moon – 9:43 PM EDT / 6:43 PM PDT

~ Gemstone: Garnet * Power Color: Fiery Red * Body Part: Face

FYI – March 20^th is also designated as “International Astrology Day”. Always observed on the Equinox, it is a celebration of the ancient art of Astrology.

The Moon settles into sensitive, sensual Scorpio for the weekend on Saturday morning, February 23, 2019. When the Moon is in the 8^th sign of the Zodiac, we can be focused and intense. Going after whom or what we want is just the way it has to be. No obstacle too high, no stone buried too deep. Secrets are not safe from this Pluto ruled Water sign. Some feathers may be ruffled, but the impulse to drill down and get to the bottom of whatever will be hard to deny.

Have a super weekend of passion and discovery!

From Saturday morning, January 12, 2019, until early Monday, the Moon will be in feisty, Aries. Aries is a Fire sign, ruled by the warrior planet Mars and when the Lunar orb transits this 1^st sign of the Zodiac, we feel braver, more physical, more “up for anything”. Depending upon what the “anything” is, it could be the best of times or the most precarious of times.

Aries is great for the physical rather than the cerebral – a good time to initiate, take charge, be first.  Just think actions thru and go for it – do something exciting, do something different. But make no rash moves, curb any “in your face”, “won’t back down” reactions. Power down occasionally so that loved ones don’t feel that they’re in the presence of a bulldozer. (Keep the flame thrower in the closet.) Have fun and be nice.

Have a dynamic weekend!