According to Sandy

The Virgo Sun started spreading its influence on Saturday August 22, 2020 regardless of Astrological sign. The 6^th sign of the Zodiac makes us a little more grounded, practical, efficient and responsible. This Earth sign (of health, hard work and service) also lets us know that it really is all about the details, details, details. But don’t think being conscientious has to mean “dull”. With quick witted Mercury as its planet ruler, Virgo’s cleverness can liven up situations when you least expect it. 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 insists attention be paid, but, being over critical and picky, “sweating the small stuff”, “not seeing the forest for the trees”, suffering bouts of “paralysis analysis” will just get in the way and slow you down from making improvements and 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  😉

Instead, do evolved Virgo things – be useful, bring calm & order, create a plan for better safety, diet & fitness, be a contribution, take care.

~ Sun Into Virgo: 8/22/20  – 11:45 AM EDT * 8:45 AM PDT

*Gemstone: Carnelian * Power color: Deep green * Body Part: Bowels (Cleansing the system for good health)

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On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the Moon meets up with the Sun in Leo. When next to the Sun, the Lunar orb is in its “New” phase. This can be great for beginnings – take it as a sign of encouragement to start something (good!) in the next few days.

Use the dramatic, ambitious, enthusiastic vibrations natural to the 5^th sign off the Zodiac to brainstorm, enroll a special someone in your life, do a sparkling presentation or an audition. Also, Leo’s Solar driven joy and confidence bodes well for the opportunity to have fun with any melodrama that might ensue. (Drama doesn’t always have to be a hissy fit.)

This active, initiating energy lasts for approx 2 weeks until the next Full Moon on 9/1/20 (a good time to then finalize, complete projects).

*Leo New Moon:  8/18/20 – 10:42 PM EDT / 7:42 PM PDT

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The Moon sits comfortably in the sign it rules from Friday afternoon,  8/14, until Sunday evening, 8/16. Cancer domesticity has its merits, make yourself, and anyone who happens to Zoom by comfortable. Kindness and grace can be so soothing for everyone even while distancing.

The 4^th sign of the Zodiac is sensitive and emotional. It can mean a few days of mood swings and feeling vulnerable. Avoid cultivating and harvesting dark thoughts. They will pass, so there’s no need to self medicate (over eat).

Use Cancer’s natural creativity instead and have a warm, loving weekend!

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The Sun Sashays into Leo, the Zodiac sign it rules, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. With the Sun King up front, don’t be surprised if there are sudden, unexplained cravings for sparklers, sequins and confetti. Just go with it. We may all feel strong, upbeat, magnanimous, a bit more dramatic and drawn to the spotlight regardless of our actual Astrology sign. Leo doesn’t understand shyness and we are urged to seek attention, to be colorfully creative and just to be full of lion’s pride. As the Sun settles into this regal Fire sign, expect to have some fun for the duration of its stay.

Mercury, the Communication planet, transits Leo from 8/6 to 8/21/2020. Verbal and written interactions can become livelier and snappier. Go ahead and be brilliant but share the space. Let someone else get a word in – it’s not all about you (for real!).

Glow and be warmed as the solar presence heats the talent, self confidence and love segments of life. Great time to step up and step out – graciously ooze that Leo charm and you will be looked at, admired, loved.

Enjoy the spotlight!

*Sun into Leo: July 22, 2020 * 4:37AM EDT / 1:37AM PDT

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

(Next up – Virgo Sun 8/22/20)

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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The Moon will be in Water sign Cancer on Saturday morning 7/18/20 remaining until Monday. Both the Moon and the 4^th sign of the Zodiac are about “emotions”. How might that show up during the weekend? It could be a few days of prickly mood swings – super sensitive and unusual feelings of vulnerability or, worrying about family and friends. (Avoid cultivating and harvesting dark thoughts. They will pass, so there’s no need to self medicate by over eating). Instead, let’s choose Cancer’s creative and hospitality traits this weekend.

The natural nurturing and domesticity of this sign may not  possibly be fully expressed since entertaining/ meeting / greeting, etc. is discouraged at this time.  But, we can still use Cancer’s kindness and grace to welcome, to sooth and to make comfy loved ones at a distance – Skype, Zoom, or over a balcony. (Have a digital  backyard BBQ?)

Stay safe. Stay well.

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The annual event will be different this year. After 22 years of welcoming children and adults to their wide selections of events in person, the 2020 HBF will be “virtual”.

~ “HBF2020 will be live-streamed on Facebook Live, with simultaneous links to YouTube, Instagram Live, QBR.com, Harlembookfair.com, CAOTtv.com” 

~ “Multi-platform broadcasting: The Harlem Book Fair will be available where online readers go for their information. New readers; new audiences”

~ “Your favorite books, authors, and most compelling issues presented directly to your device.” 

22nd Annual Harlem Book Fair

Saturday, July 18, 2020

“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local
and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy
awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American
literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment,
and community cooperation.“

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The Moon will be in aggressive, high octane Aries Saturday and Sunday, 7/11 and 7/12/20. When the Lunar orb is in the 1^st sign of the Zodiac, which is ruled by warrior planet Mars, we feel braver, more physical, and more “up for anything”. Depending upon what that “anything” is, could be the best of times or the most precarious of times.

Aries = energy and you probably won’t want to sit around for too long in one place. Take advantage of the urge for action and movement – do something exciting, do something different, do something positive. Keep cool, keep the peace, keep the flame thrower in the closet.

Take care of yourselves.

FYI ~ Mercury finally ends Retrograde and goes “Direct” on 7/12. (Phones and laptops should start working seamlessly again)  😉 It may take a few days. Continue to pay attention to the details.

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A Full Moon is considered a good time to finish what was started during the time of the previous “New” Moon. The Full Moon visits Earth sign Capricorn on Saturday and Sunday 7/4 & 7/5. This could be a productive weekend!

Ruled by Saturn, the planet of boundaries and life lessons (not always fun, but can be maturing), a Capricorn Moon can be a time of business focused, deliberate movement. The 10^th sign of the Zodiac brings out the “administrator” in us – to move with purpose, to organize and to accomplish. Being ambitious is not a negative. Like everything else, it depends on how it’s handled.

*Reminder: Mercury, still in Cancer, is Retrograde until 7/12/20. While achieving & accomplishing this weekend, continue to jump all over the details. AND, verify, verify, verify!

FYI: “Warrior” planet Mars has moved into Aries, one of the signs it rules (Scorpio is the other.)  Stay calm, cool & sane. The often impatient, “front of the line” 1^st sign of the Zodiac loves action – aggressive, ready to move. Stay out of the way of those who don’t seem to have a pause or rest button (including yourself).

BTW:

~ Our last New Moon, 6/20 & 6/21, was in the sign of Cancer, along with the Sun

~ The round, gorgeous Capricorn Full Moon glows while opposite the Cancer Sun. Beautiful.

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The Sun moving into Cancer, the 4^th sign of the Zodiac, on June 20, 2020, also means the arrival of the Northern Hemisphere’s Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Water sign Cancer may be emotional, moody, restless and sensitive, but, family, friends, taking care is the focus. 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. Don’t be afraid to let go of what doesn’t work.

Communication planet Mercury transits sensitive Cancer from 5/29 until 8/5/20. Don’t be surprised if interactions are more emotionally revealing than usual. Also, Mercury will be Retrograde for the 2^nd time this year beginning June 17 PDT (9: 59PM) / June 18 EDT (12:59AM) thru July 12, 2020. People may be testy and super sensitive due to misunderstanding and / or missed cues, so be careful with what you write or speak.  Seemingly innocent exchanges can start out great and then slide so far downhill that everyone winds up feeling “wounded”.

As Cancer’s protective and sympathetic “homey” energy reigns, use it – enjoy the love along with the frozen yogurt (or Ice Cream). Whatever you do, make your Summer as great as you can!

~ Cancer Sun / Summer Solstice (Sun in 1^st degree of Cancer): June 20, 2020 ~  5:44 PM EDT / 2:44 PM PDT

(And, New Moon in Cancer 6/20 11:02 PM PDT / 6/21 2:02 AM EDT)

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

Mercury will be Retrograde for the 2^nd time this year beginning June 17 PDT (9:59PM) / June 18 EDT (12:59AM) thru July 12, 2020. The often perplexing effect of Mercury, while it appears to go backwards in the sky, may be noticed a few days before it stops and reverses. So, I think it is best that we prepare early – back up all that stuff. Check those balances! Before hitting “send”, read over that tweet or email! Pay attention to travel directions!

This time Mercury is in the 4^th sign of the Zodiac, Water sign Cancer, ruled by the Moon. Mercury is not only the planet of Communication (reading, writing, chatting) but also, short trips, siblings, education, and information. Emotional, moody Cancer is concerned with family, friends and enjoys taking care. Watch what you say or write to those close to you. Be clear and precise, try not to leave room for misinterpretation. We can do without hurt feelings and confusion around the dinner table. Keep things simple and uncomplicated as you live your life (it never stops regardless of whether a planet goes backward or forward). It will cut down on any snafus or “hot messes” that may arise.

Regardless of your Sun sign, my cautions are always the same:

Get your facts, along with your ducks, in a row – verify, verify, verify. Use Retrograde time to do “re” things – review, reread, re evaluate, regroup, re charge. Project creation would be best delayed if possible – if not, be meticulous, be careful. (Jump all over the details.)

We will survive Mercury Retrograde. Again!

~ * ~ FYI: 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.

(Next up *Oct 13 – Nov 3)