According to Sandy

I call them the “Big 10”. Yes, there are only 8 “planets” (Pluto was classified as a “planet” again in January 2018″ after being labeled  “dwarf” in 2006), but the 2 luminaries – Sun and Moon – are always included when discussing Astrology.

Planets are the spark plugs in an Astrology chart. They each have a job to do as they energize the many facets of an individual’s personality and life. In addition, a planet is said to have “rulership” of a particular sign (it will be at its happiest and most potent energy when transiting there – fully expressed).

The Planets are listed below along with their Zodiac sign rulerships and duties:

Sun * Leo: Life force, self expression

Moon * Cancer: Emotions, sub conscious, nurturing

Mercury * Gemini and Virgo: Communication (when Mercury goes retrograde, we need to watch what we say and write), transportation, education

Venus * Taurus and Libra: Love, beauty and how we view/value ourselves and money

Mars * Aries: Action, conflict, sexuality

Jupiter * Sagittarius: Expansion, recreation, philosophy

Saturn * Capricorn:  Discipline, boundaries, authority

Uranus * Aquarius: Change, the unconventional, extremes

Neptune * Pisces: Spirituality, dreams, illusion

Pluto * Scorpio: Unconscious, breaking down and rebuilding, secrets

The location of a planet in a birth chart – its House placement, its Astrology Sign – can influence how we act / respond in particular areas of our lives as they currently transit and move around our chart today. 

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Some people may get confused about their Astrology birth sign because they were born on the edges of a Sun sign’s duration – 28, 30, or 31 days, at the very beginning or at the very end of the Solar stay.

Aries: March 21-April 19

Taurus: April 20-May 21

Gemini: May 22-June 20

Cancer: June 21-July 22

Leo: July 23- Aug 22

Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21

Sagittarius: Nov 22-Dec 21

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20

Just to add to the fun, the start / end dates of a Sun Sign’s duration may “calendar travel” from year to year. The Astrological sign changeover can be anywhere from the 18^th to the 23^rd of the month. The Earth’s rotation actually determines the start dates of a sign – not the Sun. The dates can vary depending on when a leap year occurs.

Regardless of date of birth, you have a Sun Sign (only 1!). If you were born on a Zodiac sign transition day, you just need to have complete birth info – specific time/place/date- to really find out which one is yours.

The Sun Sign is the light reflecting the self.  How we behave when our backs are to the wall, pressed, fight or flight situations, etc. As complex people, we radiate several lights – perhaps just not all at the same time.

~ * ~ As the world turns ~ * ~

The Sun flows from one Zodiac sign to another. Since the Earth wobbles, it takes slightly more than 365 days — actually 365 + 1/4 days. Because of this, our calendars must be adjusted to compensate for this difference.

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Chakras ~ seven Hindu energy centers of the body, beginning at the base of the spine to the top of the head, that assist us in our flow thru life. The theory is that “balanced” Chakras lead to a balanced, fully expressed life experience = good health. Expressions such as, “cleansing” or “unblocking” refers to re aligning ourselves with what our bodies are telling us. Interesting.

(There are many online sites that provide the “how to”s.)

Below are the 7 Chakra points with their energy centers, colors and gemstones:

1- Root: Base of the spine (survival issues)/ Red – Garnet

2- Spleen: Below the navel (emotions) /Orange- Carnelian

3- Solar Plexus: Above the navel (our energy center)/Yellow – Citrine

4- Heart:  Chest (Love for others)/ Green – Aventurine

5- Throat: Base of the throat (inner voice) / Blue – Turquoise

6- Brow:  Third eye (knowing) / Blue Indigo- Lapis

7- Crown: Top of head (healing energy) / Purple – Amethyst

BTW: While traveling in Egypt, our esteemed guide shared that the 7 Chakras correspond to the Sacred Temples along the Nile:

1- Aswan (Root)

2- Kom Ombo/ Edfu (Spleen)

3- Dendera, Luxor (Solar Plexus)

4- Abydos (Heart)

5- Saqqara (Throat)

6- Giza (Brow)

7- Heliopolis (Crown)

Valentine’s Day ~ Tuesday, February 14, 2023, doesn’t  have to be about flowers and candy. (Although it really is nice to give & receive.) It can also be about acknowledging delightful partnerships, a special someone, a “match”.

Remember that after work party, bar pick up line from  years ago – “Hey, what’s your sign?”. It didn’t always result in a “you complete me” hookup, but,  it’s a great question if looking for “interesting” company. Astrology signs are grouped from Aries to Pisces – all 12 have a partner. Does it mean that the sign opposite yours is your “soul mate” – not necessarily, but, there may be undeniable heat, attraction and fun.

Sun Signs are listed below with their direct opposites in the Zodiac. Either you will find spending time with the other sign tangy and energizing or the relationship may need compromise and patience, but, generally, consider them the other side of your coin, another piece of the “couple” puzzle:

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

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

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

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

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Gemini: May 22-June 20 (Logical, Communicative, Versatile) and

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

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

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

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

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

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Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22 (Analytical, Service/Work Focused) and

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

Happy Valentine’s Day!

May there be lots of XOXOs for you & your partner, regardless of Sun Sign.

Champagne & Chocolates for everyone!

(My “Disclaimer”  ~  Of course there are other factors that create great couples, but, I thought I would give romance an Astrological slant!)

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The very best for us in 2022

An article by Fred Kaplan, “1959: Sex, Jazz, and Datsuns” featured in a past issue of New York Magazine determines that 1959 was an important year for music, politics, world dynamics, social issues, and the arts.  The 60’s might have gotten more press, but, 1959 was the year of change, innovation, out of the box thinking.

The magazine piece is based on Kaplan’s book, “1959: The Year Everything Changed”.  He presents his examples of some of the greatest happenings of this special year and they include:

*Actor turned director John Cassavetes was perhaps the first “Indie” filmmaker with his partly improvised script for his movie “Shadows”.

*Completion of the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, changed the NYC sky line on the upper East Side.

*The first micro chip introduced by Texas Instruments.

*The release of the Miles Davis album (they were albums then) “Kinda Blue” (considered by many to be best jazz recording ever).

*Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro invited to NYC and staying at the St Teresa Hotel in Harlem.

*The emergence of Malcolm X and his conversations on race and politics.

(What were you doing in 1959?)

On Friday, New Years Eve, the Moon will move into Sagittarius, 5:21PM West/ 8:27PM East, just in time for the 2011 ball drop, fireworks, happy smooches. This fire sign shouldn’t disappoint. Upbeat, uptempo, optimistic vibes will be out there to elevate our mood.

2011 – a blank slate, an empty canvas, can be exciting. We can fill our empty calendars with fresh events and big plans. Acknowledge our accomplishments and triumphs from 2010 and those that supported us thru them.  Say “thank you”. Celebrate. Choose joy.

On Sunday evening as the Moon moves into Earthly Capricorn, we can use this sign’s ambition and structure to start the year with focus and purpose.

December 17^th has the possibilities of being a loving, luxurious Friday or a stubborn, determined one. Just depends. Earth sign Taurus Moon speaks to beauty, sensuality and also the obstinate bull in us. Hmmmm, which way to go?

The Saturday evening Moon sends us into the fast talking, project juggling, change loving world of Gemini. Duality is the key word– yes, we can often do 2 things at once, but no, it doesn’t go well all the time. Be versatile and focused – it can work.

Have a lovely, obstinate,  chatty weekend!

The final Mercury Retrograde of 2010 began on December 10th in the Earth sign of Capricorn. The Communication planet continues its backward moves until December 29^th West Coast/ 30^th East Coast.

It will stop motion in Capricorn, back into Sagittarius on December 19th and continue until it reverses to Direct at the end of the month. (it will move forward and reach Capricorn again on January 13, 2011)

Mercury is all about writing and speaking. Also, transportation, types of movement, how we deal with variety.  Capricorn is the 10^th sign of the Zodiac and is associated with career, ambition and duty.  Since Mercury Retrograde can often cause confusion, misunderstandings, snafus – my suggestion is to rethink, re plan, revisit communications that are business and/or responsibility related.  Are there any “being in charge” details that need to be looked at again, points sharpened, thoughts explained more clearly. Tighten up a resume, go over job interview skills, review details of any scheduled appointments. (Catch an error and “save face”.)

This is the Holiday season and Mercury will eventually back into upbeat Sagittarius, the sign of “more”. This can be great fun, but, with all the busyness, have you overlooked any details? Be organized. Make sure those toys have the batteries needed. Don’t book a flight to Paris,Texas when you actually made plans to meet friends at the Eiffel Tower. (No disrespect to Texas intended). Misreading a bank balance can fog the reality that 10 bottles of champagne is more manageable than a case?

As always, where Mercury appears in the individual chart determines what part of life is most affected by the planet’s Retrograde motion, but regardless, being careful and mindful of pitfalls is a good thing. Delay major plans if you can until after the 1^st of the year.

Friday December 3^rd begins with the Moon in sensitive, passionate Scorpio.  The usual themes for this intense Water sign apply.  Deep feelings, determined and focused action can all be part of the Scorpio Moon transit.

However, you will notice a mood shift as the Moon enters Sagittarius on Saturday and culminates in the Fire sign’s New Moon phase on Sunday. Abundance, fun, largest is best, far reaching ideas, etc. are all part of this Jupiter ruled Zodiac sign.

Launch, create, kick-off, manifest – the New Moon is a great time to start something, especially with the optimistic, good luck Sag vibe.  Of course success isn’t guaranteed, you still gotta do the work, but the universe and lunar energy will support you – which is nothing to sneeze at. Take advantage, work it – but, don’t get too cocky, its all in the details.

Have a big, productive weekend!

FYI = The Moon is “New” when its in the same sign as the Sun (Sun entered Sagittarius on 11/22/10).  Even though the Moon will go on to another sign (Capricorn on Monday afternoon), the supportive “New” energy lasts for approximately 10 days.