According to Sandy

Last week, February3rd/4th, the lovely planet Venus, (ruler of Libra and Taurus) gracefully floated into the 10^th sign of the Zodiac – Capricorn.  This Earth sign is noted for its affinity to business – ambition, authority, practicality- ruled by boundary maven planet, Saturn.

Where does loving, romantic, social, creative Venus fit into all this? I don’t know. But, when I let my imagination run, I can envision high finance maneuvers done with a gentle nudge rather than an aggressive corporate hammer.  If your workplace has been akin to a battlefield lately, the planet of love could bring harmony, a willingness to listen to another point of view.  No doubt, greed will still be “good”, but maybe there will be more sharing, a generosity of spirit. Nice possibility?

However, don’t expect miracles, this will only last for a few weeks because on March 1, Venus transits into adventurous Aquarius.  (Hmmm, Venus into the rebellious Air sign? –  interesting, but, that’s a whole other story.)

On Friday February 4, 2011, the Moon is in creative, intuitive Pisces. The 12^th sign of the Zodiac is ruled by sensitive, impressionable Neptune.  Keep escapist moves to a minimum.  Focus on what is true.

The mood will change by Sunday afternoon when the Moon settles into Mars ruled, high energy Aries for 2 ½ days. Use this Fire sign’s natural combustion to start the week in a non combative good way.

Have an art and music filled Weekend!

Gong Hay Fat Choi – Happy Lunar New Year!

Time to perk up!  On Friday morning, January 28^th, the Moon will bounce into optimistic, jovial Sagittarius for a 2 day visit.  Thoughts turn to travel and adventure – fun. Get out and about, see people. Lucky Jupiter rules this Fire sign and lovely Venus remains in Sag (until February 3^rd) so take a chance on romance?

Early on Sunday morning, the Moon marches into the “all about business” Earth sign Capricorn. The 10^th sign of the Zodiac has a duty, responsibility and  authoritarian focus.  It’s all good.

Have a delightful weekend!

The planets continue to move! On January 25/26, 2011, Saturn, which has been in the Air sign Libra off and on since January 2010, will stop and appear to go  backwards in the sky until June 12, 2011. Retrograde periods, regardless of the planet, invites “re” activities – re consideration, re evaluation, etc. With Saturn, it is all about boundaries, “life lessons”, discipline, and responsibility. You can use the time to review the usual Libra themes, partnerships, relationships, social networks – are they strong, are they real? Does anything need extra work or just a little tweaking? There may be tension as you now take the time to notice what works/what doesn’t.

Those born with their Sun or Rising signs in Libra or have experienced a recent 30/60 year Saturn Return in this sign(the planet returns to the same place in your chart as at the time of birth every 30 years) may notice the effects. (For others, it will depend upon where the planet appears in your chart.)

The planet will stop again on June 12, 2011, reverse to Direct and remain in this Venus ruled sign until early 2012. Discovered in 1610 by Galileo, as I’ve written before, I think of Saturn sometimes as the Castor Oil of the planet world.  Ancient Astrologers considered it a malefic, but recently, a more  positive spin, such as a bringer of reality bites, etc. , has been attributed to it–like medicine that tastes awful, but does you good, eventually. (Ugh)

Librans will still do the charming, social thing, but perhaps will cut out ways of being, or people, that no longer contribute to their well being. (Is that cutting the wheat from the chaff or something?)

It’s baaack!  Jupiter, the luck and abundance planet went forward into Fire sign Aries on 1/22/11. It was in this aggressive, impulsive sign for a few months in 2010 and then went Retrograde into watery Pisces. It turned around entering Aries again and will remain until 6/4/11.

Jupiter wants and is ready for “more” of anything (think excess). Aries, ruled by Mars, is the 1^st sign of the Zodiac and “first” is what it wants to be in everything. Speculation, feelings of good fortune can get out of hand. Restraint may be hard to come by.

Jupiter (big plans),  Aries (volatility) can lead to all kinds of risks, but also achievement. Some “Of course it will work! it can’t fail” ideas work out very well.

Although this is especially significant for those with an Aries Sun or Ascendant, the impact and influence of Jupiter’s placement for everyone else depends upon where (what House) it is transiting now and where it was placed in a chart at the time of birth.

Early evening, on Friday January 21, the Moon moves into pragmatic Earth sign Virgo.  There may be increased feelings of responsibility, duty and service. You may notice an inclination to critically focus on details, no matter how small – which might be an irritant to others, but things will get done! (Remember to delegate.)

Catalogue the CD collection, write those “to do” lists for next week, re caulk the bath tub- work hard, be industrious, be picky, but it is the weekend – have some fun.

Afternoon on Sunday, the mood changes as the Moon glides into relationship loving Libra – personal or professional, the desire to meet for lunch/cocktails will be high. May be a good time to discuss the projects you worked on and get support?  (How is the bath room makeover working for ya?)

Have a great weekend!

On Thursday, January 20, the Sun group hugs its way into adventure loving, independent, “outside the box” Aquarius (5:19AM Eastern / 2:19AM Pacific). Some get confused since the symbol for the 11^th sign of the Zodiac is the “Water Bearer”, but this is definitely an Air sign ruled by unpredictable, unconventional, change loving Uranus. Communication is key.

Aquarians tend to be more intellectual than emotional, with a concern for others that is authentic and matter of fact. A stubborn, people oriented sign, it is about “We/Us” rather than “I/Me”.  They care, they are involved and can be pretty determined to find resolutions to issues that touch them. Regardless of your birthday, we can all tap into those vibrations as the Sun intensifies this sign’s traits.

Taking risks, being on the edge, or ledge, is often part of their way of being in the world – sounds intense, but it’s done with humor. Aquarians are great to have around – which makes great sense.  If you’re going to spend time enrolling people into saving the world with you, you might as well have fun doing it.

The action packed, high energy planet Mars entered Aquarius on January 15, 2011.  As it transits this group focused sign, take advantage of all that power – volunteer, organize a community, find a cause, leave some place better than you found it. Enjoy the interaction.

*Aquarius = Gemstone: Blue Tiger’s Eye / Power color: Ultramarine blue

Wednesday Januarty19^th, finds us with a Full Moon in the nurturing, sensitive Water sign of Cancer at 4:21PM Eastern/ 1:21 PM Pacific. About an hour later, the Moon shifts into regal, Fiery Leo, however, the “Full” energy remains for approximately  10 days.

So, as a “New” Moon is best for beginning projects- starting something new, implementation of ideas – the “Full” phase (Moon opposes the Sun in the sky, as it  “wanes”) is optimum for finalization.

Clearing out the old, gives space for the new. Gather and tie up any loose ends of projects begun during the New and first quarters, finishing touches and crystallization are best done during the 3rd and 4th quarters.  The cycle begins again at the next New Moon phase – February 2nd.

BTW: Cancer traits are highlighted –  taking care of people,  feelings and emotions are on the surface, moods can run you.

IDK (“I don’t know” in texting speech :)) what you’ve got planned for this Friday January 14^th, but with a Taurus Moon you could start your weekend stubborn and determined. The Taurus Bull is always a good way to get things done.

This 2^nd sign of the Zodiac, ruled by lovely Venus, also loves the sensual, so romance, good food are not bad to add to the agenda.

Saturday and Sunday will be run by Gemini’s duality – multi tasking, talking, writing. Ruled by fleet footed  Mercury, this Air sign can be a little flighty and distracted, so think before you speak or push “send” on that email or text.  Be social, juggle those inevitable communications, flit around, have fun.

Regardless of whatever you get into – have a terrific weekend!

Friday evening January 7^th, the Moon floats into Pisces and remains for the entire weekend. This sensitive Water sign can give us vibrant dreams, imaginings, relaxing of boundaries and put us in the mood to escape. Generally, this can all be fine, but not so much if reality loses anchor.

Neptune, planet ruler of this 12^th Zodiac sign, can infuse us with feelings of vulnerability and compassion, blur edges and fog 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, less confused.

Paint something, draw something, write something, compose something- with Pisces, creativity is supported.

(Monday brings the sharp, energetic, impulsive Aries Moon.)