All About Aries Zodiac Sign: Understanding an Aries

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun’s entrance into the sign of Aries heralds the beginning of spring.

This phenomena generally occurs on the 20th of March. We see this time as a sign of new beginnings. Indeed, Aries is the sign of firsts.

It is considered the first sign of the zodiac, and in keeping with the normal birth process, it represents the part of the body that emerges first from the womb, that of the head.

It is therefore noted for its qualities associated with this part of the body that it rules. Aries is considered to be headstrong, it likes to get ahead, it likes to be at the head of any project in which they are involved. They tend to be fond of head gear, such as hats and other protective head coverings.

Aries is arguably the most independent sign of the zodiac. They have no problem being alone and are gifted when it comes to inspiring and motivating others. It is aggressive, forceful, competitive and can be comfortable in contests or battles.

Aries is the sign of the warrior and who better to hold that position than someone who is willing to charge head first into battle. They have a strong sense of adventure, they love diving into new settings and trying new things on for size.

With their tendency to be headstrong and impatient, they are known for suffering abrasions such as cuts, especially to the head. Planets in the sign of Aries can also portend problems with the head such as headaches, head accidents and head injuries.

Being the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is very much the child. They are spontaneous, impulsive, impatient, they know what they want and have no compunctions about voicing their preferences. Although they are very good at initiating, they are not the best at following up and following through unless there are planets in fixed signs in the chart, such as their neighbor, Taurus.

They are not easily influenced by those around them since they tend to have their own agenda and are bent on accomplishing their own goals. They don’t take kindly to being told what to do by others. At times they can be downright bossy. When raising an Aries child, sometimes it’s best to use reverse psychology on them.

They are more likely to go for an idea if it is either their own or if the seed is planted in their minds in such a way that they come to believe the idea is truly theirs and not that of someone else. So they will be well served to learn how to consider the needs and suggestions of others so as not to come across overly self-centered and self-serving.

Aries is fond of the heat, the sun and any elements that mirror those, such as warm colors. They particularly like the color red, as this sign is ruled by the planet of Mars which is known for its red hue. They burn a lot of energy and therefore need a good bit of protein in their diet, as well as iron.

They can be fond of spicy food and owing to their impulsive and impatient nature, are not adverse to living on foods that can be eaten on the spot, such as a piece of fruit or popcorn.

The symbol for Aries can be likened to a flame bursting forth from a base. Two almost semi-circles emanate from the base and can be viewed as the shape that would be formed if one were to draw lines up from the nose and outlining the eyebrows.

On a professional level, they can use their leadership skills as heads of companies, as independent business owners, or professions that get to the root cause of issues, such as psychiatrists or psychologists. But since they are so independent and prefer to carve their own path, they are more likely to make their own decisions about their careers.

The Sun is said to be exalted in this sign, meaning that the Sun works best in this sign compared to all others. Being the body that represents the life force and the spirit, the Sun feels a strong sense of confidence in this sign.

Venus is in her detriment here because she exhibits too much of a love of self and not enough compassion for others. Saturn is said to be in its fall in this sign because Saturn represents rules, time, limits and structure.

Aries, being the proverbial child of the zodiac, abhors the notion of waiting or operating under the auspices of the regimes set down by anyone other than themselves.

 

All About Aries Zodiac Sign: Understanding an Aries

Help understanding Aries Zodiac Sign. Do you have an Aries friend or male that you want to understand? Get help and tips understating an Aries man or woman.

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

The Meaning of the Aspects in Astrology

The Meaning of the Aspects in Astrology

 

One of the important components that astrologers consider when looking at an astrological chart is what is called the “aspects.” In plain English, the aspects are essentially the angular relationship of one planet to another. Through observation, astrologers have found that when planets sit at various angles to one another, this creates a relationship between the planets.

Primarily the Astrological aspects that we look at are those that are multiples of 30 degrees. Or another way of looking at this is to take the 360 degrees of a circle and divide it by various integers ranging from 1 to 12. Some aspects are considered favorable, others stressful. They are also classified according to what are called the major aspects, which are the conjunction, the trine, the square and the opposition and then the minor aspects, such as the sextile, semi-sextile, and inconjunct or quincunx.Astrological aspect

Astrologers allow a specified orb for these aspects to be in play, with the variance depending on how strong the aspect is as well as the planets involved. If the sun or moon are involved in an aspect, the orb can be a bit larger, due to the strength of those two planets. Some astrologers also give Jupiter a wider orb since it is so large.

 

Astrology: What are Aspects?

The Major Astrology Aspects

Astrological aspect

 

The Conjunction. When two planets are anywhere from 0-10 degrees apart from one another, this cis alled a conjunction. Very simply, the energies of the two planets are merged together, so it’s as if they are fused together. If the nature of the two planets are compatible with each other, this is a favorable aspect. But if they are polar opposites of each other, this can be challenging. Probably the most difficult planet to have conjunct another would be Saturn, since Saturn has a tendency to inhibit or restrict the output of the planets surrounding it.

It is commonly thought that if a planet is too close to the sun, the sun can burn out the energy of the other planet, thereby robbing that other planet of its ability to express itself. Of particular significance is the aspect called cazimi, which is when a planet is within 17 minutes of the sun and therefore at the heart of the sun.

The Stellium: When more than two planets are conjunct each other, this is called a stellium. It’s as though all the planets involved are joined together, essentially acting as one. If one of these planets is triggered by a transit or a progression, each of the planets involved in the stellium will be similarly impacted. Think of it as a train going down the tracks. If a part of the train gets hit, the cars in front as well as in back that are hooked together, will all feel the impact.

The Trine: This aspect occurs when two planets are 120 degrees apart. It is derived by dividing the 360 degrees of the circle by three, therefore giving the trinity. This is arguably the most favorable of all aspects and assures a smooth flow of energy between the planets involved. It imparts ease and harmony and sometimes a sense of luck. The action is fluid and the natures of the planets involved find it easy to work together. If two planets are at the same degree but in two different signs of the same element, they are in trine to one another. The orb for this aspect is 8 degrees.

The Grand Trine: This aspect occurs when there are three planets each in trine to one another. If you were to draw a line connecting each one, it would create a triangle. This is considered to be extremely favorable and confers many a blessing upon the native whose chart contains this aspect. The person may be very talented in his or her field, with their talents coming very easily to them. It’s as if they were born to do what they are gifted to do and can manifest their talents with considerable ease. It is important, however, that the native that possesses this sort of aspect does not take this gift for granted. They must be careful not to “kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”

The Square: This aspect occurs when two planets sit 90 degrees apart from one another. Two planets at the same degree but in two signs of the same quality, (cardinal, fixed or mutable) are in square to each other. This is a difficult aspect because the nature of the signs are in conflict with each other. They work at cross purposes and therefore have difficulty satisfying the needs of both signs. There is the sense that if one part of the personality is being satisfied, that it essentially excludes the possibility that other sides can also be satisfied as well. Generally the stresses are more internal versus external. In other words, these are conflicts within the person themselves, rather than a conflict that arises between the native and someone else. So it’s more like the person with this aspect has such divergent needs within their own personality that they feel like they are working against themselves. It can create stress or tension and stands in the way of making things happen with ease. The orb for this aspect is 8 degrees.

The Opposition: This aspect occurs when two planets sit 180 degrees apart from one another. Just as it sounds, the impact of this aspect arises because two sides of the native’s personality are looking for two totally differing goals. The native may feel a sense of frustration that they have needs or goals which seem to require an unworkable compromise. The frustration can also arise because of a perception that others are standing in the way of the native achieving their own goals. An example of an opposition could be as follows: a person is highly independent and loves the whole idea of being able to call their own shots and not having to answer to other people. At the same time, they may be in a relationship, which therefore requires them to bend or compromise in order to maintain the relationship. So they feel as though they are trapped in the relationship, because by being in it, it therefore impedes their ability to be the sole decision maker and to be able to maintain their sense of independence. They could project their frustration onto the other person in the relationship, as if the other person is solely responsible for the native’s inability to be independent, when in fact the native is the one, themselves, who has consciously committed themselves to the relationship in the first place. The orb for this aspect is 8-10 degrees.

The Grand Square: This configuration occurs when there are four planets each in square to each other, thereby creating four squares as well as two oppositions. This is arguably the most difficult of the all the possible alignments within a chart. The native may feel as though they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. If they plant a seed in one direction, there is a sense that there is an inherent impediment to the seed having any chance of sprouting and coming to life. The person may feel as though they are hitting their head up against a brick wall.

The difficulty of this influence can range, depending on the quality of the signs in which the grand square is posited. A grand square in fixed signs could be viewed as the most difficult, because there seems to be no way out. There is a the sense that you’re chasing your own tail. An example would be a person who is starting out in life with no job experience and are looking to get a job. Whatever job they apply for, they are told that they need experience in order to get a job. How do you get experience under your belt if no one is willing to give you a chance to prove yourself and allow you to at least get your foot in the door?

The cardinal grand square is somewhat less difficult because the native at least has the breathing room to plant a seed. It may not be planted in the most fertile of soils and may therefore undergo significant challenges for the seed to come to fruition, but at least the seed does get planted. Its strength will be severely tested to see if the seed is hardy enough to overcome obstacles that will inhibit its growth. But, if indeed it is hardy, it will find a way to survive and overcome the odds.

The mutable grand square is the least stressful, potentially speaking, because the greatest challenge tends to lie in the dilemma of choice. There are so many different options or possibilities as to how and where the seeds are planted, so many divergent talents that can be applied, that the challenge lies in deciding which options are most workable. And then once the decision is made, the next challenge that arises is that of following up and following through with the chosen path. There is a danger of being too dispersed or too distracted.

The T-Square: This configuration occurs when there are three squares connected to each other but the fourth sign that would create the grand square is empty. It is sort of like a three legged table which one missing leg on the fourth corner. This aspect is challenging because, like the grand square, there is a perception that there is no way out. However, a saving grace can be found in pinpointing that empty point. Very often it is possible to overcome the trials and tribulations of this aspect by activating that missing point. Like the table with the missing leg, once that missing point is realized, it can ease the challenges posed by the active three squares.

The Minor Astrology Aspects:

Astrological aspect

 

The Sextile: This is a 60 degree aspect and occurs when there are planets at the same degree and two signs apart. It is half of a trine and therefore is considered a favorable aspect, but is not as powerful as the trine, itself. This aspect imparts talents which are available to the native, but it requires that the native be fully cognizant of them and is willing to take action to put them into motion. The talents won’t materialize as easily as they would with a trine so the native can’t really rest on their laurels. It imparts a high degree of curiosity, a quick mind and an ability to work with diverse aspects of information, as well as a keen ability to communicate ideas to others. It also gives the native strong socializing skills, with an ability to integrate themselves into various groups settings and view fellow human beings with a strong sense of objectivity. The orb is 2 degrees.

The Semi-Sextile: This is a 30 degree aspect and occurs when two planets are in the same degree and one sign apart. It is therefore half of a sextile. It imparts a sense of value and appreciation, pragmatic strengths, as well as subtle psychic talents that can be utilized when appreciated as such. The orb is 1 degree.

The Inconjunct or Quincunx: This is a 150 degree aspect and occurs when two planets are in the same degree and five signs apart. Some astrologers, including this author, view this is as more than a minor aspect. It is classically considered to be an aspect of adjustment as well as one that can indicate health issues. Lessons of selflessness are found under this aspect and encourage the native to be of service to others without any expectation of reward. It can also be an aspect which imparts lessons associated with joining forces with others and recognizing how one’s talents can merge with others to create a stronger potential than if one were to simply strike out on their own. In most schools of thought the orb is 6 degrees.

 

What are Aspects in Astrology?

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

Mercury Retrograde February-March 2013

Mercury Retrograde February-March 2013. Learn how Mercury Retrograde will impact all twelve signs of the zodiac.

Below are the dates for Mercury Retrograde February-March 2013

Mercury Pre-Shadow~ February 8, 2013

Mercury Turns Retrograde ~ February 23, 2013

Mercury Goes Direct ~ March 17, 2013

Mercury Post Shadow~ April 7, 2013

 

 

February Mercury Retrograde for Aries

We all have things that trip us up. Call it your inner demons or simply things you would rather just avoid. With Mercury going retrograde in your solar twelfth House, the House of self-undoing, this is a great time to look those issues squarely in the eye and contemplate how best to deal with them.

Use your imagination. Indulge in a little fantasy. Take time to meditate and let your guardian angels offer up suggestions. If you need time to be alone and think things through, give yourself that permission. If none of this applies to you, then direct your thoughts toward those who are isolated.

Reach out to them in words and deeds. Offer them inspiration. You never know when a few words of explanation of your own path can act as a mirror to others. People may resonate with what you’re saying even though they may never tell you directly how your ideas have impacted them.

Yes, you thrive on the immediate, such as impulses and spontaneous feedback. You may not get these things, but the potential reverberation of your expression is limitless. Selfless thoughts will set you free..

February Mercury Retrograde for Taurus

Put yourself in the shoes of others, be they friends, colleagues or the masses at large. Express your empathy and let them know that even though you may not have experienced exactly what they are going through at this moment, you can still relate to them.

Offer yourself up as a sounding board. You need not necessarily provide a perfect solution to a given dilemma, but sometimes just knowing that you are there means a lot to those in your circle.

Be willing to share stories of circumstances that are similar to these folks and let them know how you managed to work things out. The point is not to toot your own horn or gather sympathy or praise. Rather, the point is to act as a reflector so that others can see themselves in you.

Mercury will be moving retrograde in your solar eleventh House of friends and colleagues, so it will be no surprise if long lost chums find a way to reconnect. Reach out to those as well. They aren’t the only ones who need to take the initiative. If you’ve been mulling over the idea of connecting or reconnecting with groups and causes, it just might be the time to give this serious consideration.

February Mercury Retrograde for Gemini

This retrograde could prove to be a rather challenging one for you. The reason for this lies in the fact that both you and the sign that Mercury is traversing are both what are called mutable signs.

In other words, they are both changeable, adaptable, and versatile. This may sound like a good thing on the surface and in some ways the flexibility of both could work to your benefit. However, Pisces is a sign that takes action based on feelings and imagination, rather than facts and logic.

Like you, it has an ability to be so diversified that it can become a bit too scattered. There may be way too many irons in the fire, so the dilemma becomes, which do you address? Where should your priorities lie? Your best bet is to do your best to tell your logical brain to take a back seat.

Instead, let your impressions and your psychic instincts guide you. Since this cycle takes place in your solar tenth House, you could find those to whom you answer to present a challenge. They may not be doing the best job of communicating directly with you.

Their language could seem a bit foreign or they may seem off in their own universe. Let them know you very much need and want to understand, so ask for clarification. They may need to draw you a picture rather than put ideas in words. Absorb yourself in their visions.

February Mercury Retrograde for Cancer

You know the expression, “You learn something new everyday?” Well, that expression applies to you during this cycle but with a possible spin on the whole concept. Since a retrograde is all about going back and re-doing, this is a great time to go back and re-learn.

Maybe you’re in the mood for a refresher course. Something that you used to know like the back of your hand doesn’t seem to roll off your tongue as readily as it used to.
Or, with all the changes in technology these days, you may have the sense that you need to understand how to apply the knowledge that you learned a while back, to new means of communicating. Being the proverbial “home-body” that you are, you could be feeling hesitant about venturing to parts unknown.

Not to worry. The universe has that covered. How about an online course? All the knowledge you need is right there and you can learn while adorned in your favorite pajamas. Another way to make good use of this cycle is to reconnect with those at a distance to you.

In fact, the farther away these folks are, the better. You might just be pleasantly surprised to find that those you contact, have been wondering about you as well and just hadn’t gotten around to taking action.

February Mercury Retrograde for Leo

Those who know you will attest to the fact that you can be direct and to the point. You wear your heart on your shirtsleeve and happily admit to being a hopeless romantic.
There’s no way the universe will expect you to change your stripes, but based on where Mercury will be traveling in your chart, your means of expression might be ripe for a temporary adjustment.

The winged messenger is traversing your eighth House, which keeps things a bit under wraps. So rather than come right out with a song and a dance as a means of getting your message across, it might serve you well to take a slightly different approach.

Maybe you want to pull that certain person aside and let them know you would prefer a little alone time with them. There are things you can say in private that are more appropriately received than if they are done under the glaring lights of the stage.

And if you find yourself thinking about relationships that are now a thing of the past, there’s no harm in letting your subconscious mind return to those times.

Perhaps there are some goodies that you took from it, that can help you in your present day relationships. Let your private voices lead you to those sensitive moments.

February Mercury Retrograde for Virgo

There’s no arguing with the fact that your knowledge base is impressive, to say the least. You know what you know like the back of your hand and few can claim the same bragging rights.

But, let’s face it. We can’t all be an expert in everything. And that’s why there are people around you who will gladly offer their guidance should you need a second opinion on something, or even a first.

And the nice thing about a retrograde is that you don’t necessarily have to look very far for the people who will serve you best. Just take a look at your database of past contacts and you should find the perfect person you need to guide you along the way.
Yes, with the retrograde, they may have changed their number or location, but that doesn’t make them any less reachable. It just means you need to dig a little deeper to see where they’ve landed. If you happen to be in a relationship, it will be important to keep the lines of communication wide open.

There may be some subtle issues coming to the surface that need to be resolved. The other party may allude to things but might not come right out and say anything, so ask for clarity before jumping to conclusions.

February Mercury Retrograde for Libra

If you read the standard description of your sign, you’ll no doubt find a reference to the notion of sitting on the fence, being indecisive, weighing ideas from here to kingdom come.

At times this can be true. However, it is also true that once you make up your mind and dive in, there’s no holding you back. You put your all into your endeavors, as if nothing else exists.

Right now the area of focus for you is your work. You may feel as though you are addicted it, as if it’s your reason for being. And in keeping with the retrograde, it might just be that you have to go back and rework some of the very things that have been capturing your attention.

This is a great time to go back and analyze past works and figure out if there’s a way to put a different spin on things. Let your imagination take you where you need to go. Nothing is hard and fast right now. On the contrary, everything is very fluid and in a state of flux.

On a practical level, communication with co-workers could be a bit muddy. It might take extra effort to figure out the point they’re trying to make. And some you rely on just might not be available. They, too, could be bogged down by Mercury’s shenanigans. So be patient and understanding.

February Mercury Retrograde for Scorpio

Being of what is called in astrological terms a “fixed” sign, once you make up your mind about something, there’s no stopping you. You’ll move heaven and earth to realize your goals. Right now those goals have a lot to do with your areas of passion.

This can include people near and dear to your heart or hobbies that you simply can’t do without. If it’s the latter, it might be time to pull one of those out of the closet. You’ve been visualizing for some time now, just how you’d go about tackling or reworking something that was relegated to the back burner.

So follow those gut instincts and dust off the cobwebs. Your creative mind won’t stop churning until you’ve put those ideas to to work. And if there’s someone on your mind who just seems to haunt you, it’s time to let them know how much they tickle your fancy.

You don’t have to come right out and say it. Sometimes the subtle approach has a more effective impact than hitting someone over the head with the cold hard truth. Think back to your childhood. There may be some tried and true tactics that worked then and can still work now.

February Mercury Retrograde for Sagittarius

You are one of the three fire signs of the zodiac and yours happens to be of the mutable variety, which means you are flexible and adaptable. As is common with this element, telling it like it is comes with great ease to you.

To many, this is an admirable quality. However, the sign in which Mercury is traversing right now happens to be one that is most sensitive, emotionally speaking. The least little glance or inflection can easily be misconstrued and as a result, feelings can be hurt.

The happy-go-lucky side of you might just be of the mindset that it doesn’t really matter, you’re not responsible for how other people react to you. But the reality is that their reactions could have consequences concerning the way people now view you.
They may be harkening back to a time when they felt they weren’t being truly heard or understood, and are therefore hesitant to go back and re-live those experiences. So, if you see people shying away from you, it might be that they feel as though they have a bulls eye on them, and just don’t feel like being a target once again.

You can’t go back and change the past, but you can adjust the way you communicate with people in the present. Lace your communications with an understanding tone. If you want to make a joke, make it about yourself rather than the other person. You’re in a position to win back over a renewed member of your extended family.

February Mercury Retrograde for Capricorn

Being the sign of the mountain goat, your job is that of scaling the mountain tops and making your way to the peak. To say that you are goal oriented is an understatement. You can be organized and efficient to a fault.

The rules of the game come naturally to you, and you know how to operate within given parameters. At times you even determine what the parameters are for others. Right now it might serve you well to lighten up on some of those rules by which you operate.

Mercury is now in the loosey-goosey sign of Pisces and this sign is not all that fond of structure. After all, this is is the sign of the fishes. Think about it. When is the last time you ever saw a fish swim in a straight line?

They still manage to get where they need to go, but they don’t necessarily take the most direct route. So when you’re out and about, take time to be flexible. Take a look at what’s around the corner, even if that place wasn’t on your initial agenda. You never know. What you need, just might be lurking in the most unusual places.

February Mercury Retrograde for Aquarius

Your sign is described as the water bearer, so it would only make sense to conclude that yours is a water sign. But, ironically, such is not the case. You are actually an air sign, one that is logical, rational, objective and highly intuitive.

These days the planet of Mercury is inhabiting your neighboring sign of Pisces, which is indeed, a water sign. These folks pride themselves in their creativity and imagination. They are sensitive, dreamy and selfless. It’s actually very possible that you might have a planet or two in this sign, so you can easily relate to these tendencies.

And with Mercury moving through your second House of economics, this is an ideal time to apply your creative imagination to your financial picture. Perhaps you’re ready to reexamine your budget. If so, go for it. But in so doing, remember that there’s more than one way to look at figures. There is such a thing as creative financing and this might just be the time for you to work said magic.

If there’s something you’ve been dreaming about that you’d like to purchase, invest in, or accomplish, get busy with the number crunching. A little re-working may just pay dividends and help you accomplish a goal that you thought would only reside in your dreams.

February Mercury Retrograde for Pisces

Tag, you’re it! Mercury is now in your sign and will be moving retrograde in it as well. Get ready to rethink your life’s plan. You’ve got quite the vivid imagination and there’s a chance that there are some things you have purposefully placed on the back burner.

It’s now time to bring those things back to the front and give them another look. What you thought might have been a thing of the past, is now ripe for being reconfigured to fit quite nicely into your present and your future.

Just remember that while Mercury is retrograde, it’s a great time to toss ideas around, but it might not be the perfect time to decide on your exact game plan. So give yourself permission to be experimental for the time being.

Once Mercury is direct in mid March, you’ll likely have settled on just the options that will be most workable in the long run. In the meantime, when you’re communicating with those in your midst, be prepared to find different ways of expressing yourself. You may know that what you are saying makes sense, but the recipients may look like they are sporting serious questions marks.

 

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

Astrology: The 12 Houses And Their Meaning

The Astrological Houses

When an astrologer looks at an astrological chart, they are looking at various components of the chart. One of those happens to be what is called the Houses.

A chart is plotted on a circle which is referred to as “the wheel” and within the wheel, sit twelve Houses.

The Houses represent various environments of life and in theory, any possible environment of one’s life can be found within one of the twelve Houses.

Obviously each House represents numerous possible environments. Listed below are the traditional arenas of life described by each of the Houses.

So now, when you hear about a planet residing in or transiting through a House, you’ll have an idea of the particular reference.

First House:

The sign on the cusp of the first House, also known as the ascendant, is often referred to as the “rising sign”, as it is the sign on the eastern horizon at the time of birth. The ascendant or rising sign represents how one comes across to other people, both in their general approach to a given situation as well as physical appearance. So it relates, in part, to one’s health, one’s general disposition, how a person carries themselves, and their opinion of themselves.

Second House:

This is the House of assets and resources. It represents our money, how we earn it, how we spend it. Additionally, it represents what we have that is valuable to the outside world. This doesn’t just mean what we possess, but what we have internally that we can offer to to others, that others perceive as valuable.

Third House:

This House represents short distance journeys, primarily those that can be accomplished within less than a day’s travel. In ancient times, travel took much longer so it’s important that we put things into perspective regarding how we travel now, compared to travel eons ago. Therefore this House refers to travel that is fairly regional, such as within neighboring states. It is associated with traffic and methods of transportation. It also refers to our neighbors, our siblings, how we communicate as well as the messages we share, the process of learning, writing and speaking and sharing information. It is associated with journalism, magazines, books, literature in general, libraries, news, newspapers, post offices, radio and radio stations, reporters, lower education, such as primary or secondary education.

Fourth House:

This is the House of our home, our roots, our heritage, our family and our parents. Both the fourth House and the tenth House are considered the parental axis. In some circles of thought, the fourth House cusp represents the father in a female’s chart and the mother of a male’s chart and vice versa for the tenth House. This is also considered the midnight portion of the chart, since this is where the sun resides during the late evening hours from about 10 pm to midnight. Therefore it is also referred to the midnight of life, as in the years of life prior to death. Being the lowest of all the Houses and essentially hidden from view, it is considered to be private, It is also considered to be the outcome of a matter.

Fifth House:

This is the House of children, pregnancy, romance, the celebration of life, the theater, entertainment, adornment, gambling, hobbies, creative talents, our desire to be on stage and to be recognized,

Sixth House:

This House represents our daily routines, employment, co-workers, service and those who provides services such as laborers. It is also associated with health, parts of the body that may be vulnerable to health problems, our diet, and therefore food.

Seventh House:

This is considered the House of the “not self” and therefore represents those with whom we interact on a regular basis. So it represents partners, be they business or marital, those with whom we consult, such as counselors or experts outside our own area of specialization. It is associated with contracts, legal matters, opponents in a legal matter or in a competition such as an election. Therefore it is considered the House of open enemies.

Eighth House:

This House is often referred to as the House of sex, inheritance and death, all of which are accurate. It rules other peoples’ money, such as the finances of our partner, taxes, insurance, all of which fall under the category of shared resources. It rules any matters associated with death, such as the manner in which a person dies, wills, inheritances and undertakers. It also represents surgeons and surgery as well as the outcome of lawsuits. This astrologer also suspects that this House is associated with the process of psychotherapy and the subconscious as well as dreams, because this is the House naturally ruled by Scorpio, which represents things that are hidden from view. Classically dreams are considered ninth House matters and psychotherapy is considered to fall under the rulership of Aquarius and Uranus.

Ninth House:

This is the House of long distance matters such as long distance travel, which is travel beyond one state, as well as foreign travel and foreign countries. Occupations associated with travel also come under this House’s rulership, such as travel agents, ticketing agents, and the like, as well as imports and exports. It also rules higher education, colleges and universities, our philosophical belief systems, our religious beliefs and our faith. Law, attorneys and judges also fall under this category, as does the field of publishing. Broadcasting, marketing and promotions also fall under this House, in this astrologer’s humble opinion.

Tenth House:

This House represents career, business, the court of law, bosses and decision makers or essentially those to whom one answers, authority figures, government officials, royalty, parents and especially the father in a male’s chart and the mother in a female’s chart. It also represents your fame, honors and recognition, worldly attainment, status, reputation.

Eleventh House:

This House is associated with our social life. It represents groups, associations, clubs, society, friends and colleagues, politics, one’s ideals and desires, and income from business.

Twelfth House:

Like Neptune, the natural ruler of this House, the categories associated with this arena are somewhat illusive. Classically it is considered the House of behind the scenes activities, hospitals, prisons and imprisonment, institutions, self undoing, how we become our own worst enemy, charitable institutions, crime and criminals, drugs and drug addiction, seclusion and places associated with seclusion such as monasteries, nunneries, and the like, meditation and reflection, the occult. It represents secrets and those involved in secrets, such as private investigators, secret affairs, secret names. This astrologer also feels that our guardian angels fall under this category, as they are hidden from view and help us gain perspective on our paths.

 

Astrology: The 12 Houses And Their Meaning

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

Astrology: The Planets

When astrologers analyze an astrological chart, they are looking at much more than just the position of the sun at the time of a person’s birth. In fact, they look at every planet in our solar system with respect to the sign each planet inhabits as well as each house the planets occupy. Additionally, astrologers look at the angular relationship of each planet to one another, which is what are called aspects. It could be argued that much of astrology is a study of the geometric relationships of planets to one another.

What is the significance of the planets in an astrological chart? In a nutshell, the components of an astrological chart can be viewed similarly to the components of a dramatic play. In a play we have the actors on the stage, the personality they take on for that play, we have the plot and the setting. The planets are analogous to the actors on the stage. Each planet represents a different human component of our being, with the inner and faster moving planets, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars, being classified as the personal planets, whereas the outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, representing bigger picture issues. These are considered to be the generational planets because the outer-most planets move so slowly that they remain in a given sign for longer periods of time and therefore etch their impact on clusters of generations.

The Sun:

At the center of the solar system, the sun is the body around which all planets revolve. It is the giver of life and therefore represents our spirit and our life force. It imparts vitality on a physical level and helps to define the nature of our spirit. Without the sun, we would cease to exist as humans, and eventually all life forces as we know them would cease to exist as well. Think about how we behave based on the sun’s position. When the sun is shining we tend to feel more optimistic, upbeat and hopeful. We feel more motivated to get out and about and soak up the vitality of the sun’s rays. People who live in extreme geographical regions must make adjustments to their routine in order to accommodate the absence of the sun’s rays. Those who live in places like Alaska and the arctics find they benefit from creating artificial sunlight in order to ward off Season Affective Disorder. People who are described as optimistic are often referred to as having a sunny disposition. But when we have a deficit of the sun’s light, we tend to feel gloomy, despondent and sad. So the sun in a person’s chart describes their innate disposition. It describes how we define ourselves and what makes us tick. It tells us what makes us come alive and what we need to do in order to feel we are vital.

The sun changes signs approximately every thirty days, but does not enter a new sign on exactly the same calendar day of every year. It can make its entrance into a new sign anywhere from the 18^th of the month to as late as the 24^th of month. Therefore, if you were born on what is called the cusp of a sign, you are well advised to have an astrologer cast your chart so that you know the exact sign in which the sun was sitting at the moment of your birth. The sun rules Leo and is ideally placed in Aries, does not operate well in Libra or Aquarius.

The Moon:

The Moon represents many things, astrologically speaking. It is the celestial body associated with fertility, having a 28 day cycle, similar to the female menstrual system. With respect to the signs of the zodiac, it rules the water sign of Cancer, and hence is closely associated with moods, emotions, feelings and our maternal instincts. It talks about our relationship with our mother and our mother’s side of the family, our ability to nurture and how we relate to the public. As you probably know, it is also associated with the tides. It is the most fleeting of all the bodies in our solar system, moving anywhere from 12 to 14 degrees a day, changing signs every two and a half days. It is therefore fickle, changeable and moody. The moon is feminine and relates to things related to women. A common term associated with the moon is that of “void of course.” When the moon has made the last aspect or angle that it will make before leaving a sign, it is said to be void of course because it is no longer making a connection. The popular interpretation of this position suggests that nothing will come of matters initiated during this time, therefore it is best to stick with the matter at hand and not plant any seeds, as they will not come to fruition. The moon operates best in Taurus and is less effective in Scorpio and Capricorn.

Mercury:

This planet is called the Messenger God. It is responsible for the transport of objects and ideas from one point to another and is also associated with any devices that do the same, such as pipes, tubes, wires, computers, telephones or any other communication or transportation devices or processes. It is intellectual, objective, logical, detached and factual. Its rate of motion can vary somewhat, depending on whether it is speeding up or slowing down, but essentially moves about a degree a day. Mercury moves backwards, or retrograde, approximately every four months for a period of about three weeks. This is a time to anticipate glitches in communication and transportation, but is also a good time for reviewing the past and reconnecting with those from you past. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, operates best in Aquarius and is less effective in Leo, Pisces and Sagittarius.

Venus:

Venus is all about love, beauty and affection. It tells us what and who we love, what makes us content, what we value and appreciate. It is associated with art, music and the aesthetics of life. It is passive, feminine, and prone to a touch of laziness. It, too, moves retrograde, as do all the planets, but it does so about every 19 months and stays retrograde for about 41 days. This is a time to review our value systems and our priorities. Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, operates best in Pisces and is less effective in Aries, Virgo and Scorpio.

Mars:

Mars is the god of war. It is aggressive, combative, competitive and physical. It represents our urge to get things done, to be productive and is very energetic. It is the planet of force and relates to cutting, surgery, the cutting knife as well as violence. Being the red planet, it is associated with this color. It can take anywhere from about 40 days to a little over seven months to traverse a sign, depending upon whether it is direct or retrograde. It goes retrograde about every other year and stays retrograde for about two and a half months. Mars rules Aries and co-rules Scorpio, operates best in Capricorn and is less effective in Cancer and Libra.

Jupiter:

This is the largest body in our solar system and is therefore associated with largess, abundance, wealth, expansion, freedom, optimism, joviality, generosity and long distance travel. It is the planet many love to love due to its benevolence, however, it is known for being excessive and of course, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Jupiter moves through a sign in a year’s time, moves retrograde about every thirteen months and remains so for about four months. Jupiter rules Sagittarius, operates very well in Cancer and is less effective in Gemini and Capricorn.

Saturn:

This is the planet that many people dread because it represents karma, lessons discipline, structure, authority figures, the father and the father’s side of the family as well as delays. There are no shortcuts where Saturn is involved. It forces you to face the music, learn the lessons and be responsible. It is necessary and represents such things as our skeletal system, government, rules and regulations, traffic lights, essentially that which places limits on things. It takes about two and half years to move through a sign, moves retrograde about every thirteen months for a duration of about five months. Saturn rules Capricorn, operates best in Libra and is less effective in Aries and Cancer.

Uranus:

The farther out the planets are from the sun, the slower they move and are therefore considered the generational planets, because they remain in a sign for a much longer period of time. This particular planet is associated with innovation, inevitable and sudden change, ingenuity, breaking the mold and rebelliousness. It is anything but conformist, preferring to look at things differently and try that which is new and different on for size and is unpredictable. It takes about eight years to completely move through a sign, moving retrograde about once a year for about five months. Uranus rules Aquarius, co-rules Capricorn and is most effective in Scorpio, less effective in Taurus.

Neptune:

Like the fog, Neptune is illusive. You can’t contain it, you can’t quite see through it, and in many ways it is hard to put your finger on it. Neptune is illusive, visionary, spiritual, idealistic, dreamy, unrealistic, psychic, highly sensitive, receptive, and in some ways inspirational. At worst it is addictive, deceptive, eroding, obsessive and weird. Neptune rules Pisces, operates best in Leo and is less effective in Virgo and Aquarius. It takes Neptune about 14 years to completely traverse a sign, moving retrograde about once a year and remains retrograde for about five months.

Pluto:

The planet of the underworld, the underground and that which is hidden from view. Pluto represents death and rebirth, transformation and regeneration. Like Scorpio, the sign it rules, it is intense, private, secretive, seductive, strategic, powerful and passionate. It is procreative, subconscious, undermining and can be violent. Pluto operates best in Aquarius, is less effective in Taurus and Leo, remains in a sign for twenty years, moves retrograde once a year and remains retrograde for about five months.

 

Astrology: The Planets

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

Free Weekly Horoscope January 14 – 20 2013

 

Free Weekly Horoscope January 14 – 20 2013

 

ARIES

Your week begins on a bit of a low-keyed note as the moon occupies the sign prior to yours, Pisces, the sign of the fishes. Your best bet is to allow yourself ample down time both Monday and Tuesday, as the moon will occupy your solar twelfth House. You’re well positioned to commune with your inner voices, your spirit guides, and guardian angels. This is a great time to tie up loose ends in preparation for Wednesday, when the moon enters your sign.

Wednesday through Friday you’ll be on top of your game and more than ready to plant new seeds. Put your financial house in order Saturday and Sunday and expect a more social cycle to begin on Saturday as both the Sun and Mercury enter Aquarius and therefore your solar eleventh House. Your friends are eager to share time with you for the next several weeks.

TAURUS

With the moon occupying your eleventh House both Monday and Tuesday, you’ll be quite the social butterfly. This is a great time to get together with friends, colleagues or any groups with whom you have regular contact.

Expect folks to be quite sensitive and receptive to psychic impressions, so keep your feelers out. Wednesday through Friday will have a totally different feel as the moon will occupy your solar twelfth House. The chances are you’ll be ready to crawl into a bit of a shell and simply retreat from the bombardment of the outside world.

You’ll be fine listening to those inner voices and putting plans together for the days to follow. Expect to feel more in control as the moon occupies your sign over the weekend. Starting Saturday, both the Sun and Mercury move into Aquarius, where they’ll reside for the next several weeks, so it will be easy to focus on career issues.

GEMINI

If you’re feeling a little scattered at the beginning of the week, it’s not your imagination. The moon will be occupying the sign of Pisces, which happens to be a mutable sign, just like yours.

Therefore, you’ll probably feel as though you have more irons in the fire than even you, the consummate juggler, can handle. So pace yourself. Wednesday through Friday will be custom made for you to get out and about and do what you do best, which is be the social butterfly.

Reserve the weekend for private time, now that the moon occupies your solar twelfth House. Curl up with a good book and just soak up the peace and quiet. You need time to unwind and gear up for the week ahead.

Start directing your attention to people and places at a distance starting Saturday, when the Sun and Mercury head into Aquarius and therefore your solar ninth House of foreign affairs.

CANCER

The week begins with you feeling as though you’re back in school, thanks to the moon in Pisces and therefore your solar ninth House of long distance matters and education.

Not only will you feel better informed both Monday and Tuesday but you’ll find it easy to communicate your feelings on these days as well, as the cosmic mood is strongly empathetic.

Mutual understanding comes naturally to you these days. The remainder of the week is ideal for focusing on your professional goals as the moon occupies Aries and therefore your solar tenth House of career.

These will be good days for planting seeds and allowing your aggressive side to take over. With both the Sun and Mercury entering Aquarius on Saturday, start paying closer attention to gut instincts, dreams and passions. Reserve the weekend for social time. Friends are more than ready to spend time with you and yours.

LEO

Passions will be difficult to ignore as the week begins. You’ll be so tuned in to what others are bringing to the table, that it will be virtually impossible to ignore.
Whatever vibes you’re picking up on, rest assured this is not your imagination, even if they seem a bit illusive. Shift your attention to those anywhere but close to home throughout the remainder of the week.

The chemistry between you and others should be easy and free flowing, now that the moon occupies the fellow fire sign of Aries. Risk taking is a snap, not to mention invoking humor. As of Saturday, you’ll need to adjust your focus toward the interpersonal realm.
Both the Sun and Mercury now occupy your solar seventh House, so be prepared to listen to those around you and also solicit feedback when needed. Be careful over the weekend when it comes to digging in your heels. The vibe is pretty stubborn and the chances of others budging is fairly slim.

VIRGO

The week begins with the moon in your opposing sign of Pisces, which therefore suggests you need to be open to suggestion. Solar seventh House energy makes it easy for you to absorb what others are trying to convey to you and also makes it easy to be on the receiving end of feedback.

So open up the door to interpersonal connections. As the moon shifts into Aries for the remainder of the week, you’ll need to step out of your planning nature and allow the spontaneous to be part of the equation. So just plan to be spontaneous and you’ll be just fine.

Saturday the mood shifts to the productivity center of your being. The sun and Mercury are now occupying your solar sixth House, giving you permission to move into list-making mode. The weekend should go smoothly, compliments of the moon in the fellow earth sign of Taurus. Slow but sure will win the race.

LIBRA

Your week begins with you paying close attention to that proverbial “to-do” list, what with the moon inhabiting your solar sixth House. If there’s something health related that seems to bugging you, go ahead and address those issues both Monday and Tuesday.
The remainder of the week is custom designed for you to do what you do best, which is to share your life with those closest to you. This is the perfect time for a little give and take, so if you need to share your insights with anyone in particular these days will be ideal.

Once Saturday rolls around, both the Sun and Mercury start occupying the fellow air sign of Aquarius. Objectivity is now in abundance and for you in particular, these planets assist in your dealings with your loved ones. Pay close attention to dreams and other subconscious leanings over the weekend. Take notes!

SCORPIO

Your creative talents will be on display at the opening of the week as the moon traverses your solar fifth House. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back and give yourself all the credit you deserve.

Showing your loved ones how you feel will flow without difficulty, as emotions run strong both Monday and Tuesday. The remainder of the week should be devoted to your normal routine, with you taking charge at a moment’s notice.

This is great time to motivate those with whom you work, since you’re gifted at reading others and sensing their needs. As Saturday rolls around, you’ll need to take a more measured approach and consider the benefits of compromise.

As both Mercury and the sun start to occupy the mutually fixed sign of the water bearer, the mood is more deliberate and less flexible. Somebody will have to flinch if progress is going to be made, so why not you? Look to partners for input during the course of the weekend.

SAGITTARIUS

As the week begins, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of choice. So many options to choose from and thus the quandary of how to fit them all in. Be aware that the mood is on the sensitive side, so the direct approach that you’re accustomed to might need to be enacted with a grain of salt.

Feathers can be ruffled very easily. The remainder of the week will be a horse of a totally different color. The Aries moon makes it easy for folks to handle the heads on approach, so you can get away with firing those shots over the bow.

Start checking out your local stomping grounds as the weekend approaches. There’s more activity under your nose than you might realize. Just be patient over the weekend. The pace is a bit slower than what you would consider your norm.

CAPRICORN

Focus on expressing yourself as the week opens. With the moon now in your solar third House, your verbal skills are worthy of recognition. This placement also imparts restlessness Monday and Tuesday, so you’ll have no difficulty covering a good bit of regional ground.

The remainder of the week gives you the feeling that you’re at home, now matter where you happen to light. Be aware that the moon will be in the impulsive sign of Aries those days, which means that your game plan may be subject to change.

It’s not always mandatory to play completely by the book. The temperament becomes more predictable over the weekend’s Taurus moon. Between that and planets now moving into your solar second House, you’ll be ready to shift your attention to financial matters.

AQUARIUS

You have an uncanny ability to understand financial matters and these talents will be put to good use as the week opens. Both Monday and Tuesday are great for exercising your economic instincts, even if it requires a little imagination on your part.

Plan to focus your attention on your literary and expressive talents the remainder of the week. You’ve got plenty to say and you’ll be in the perfect mood to get your ideas across. You’ll have much to celebrate once the weekend rolls around and both the sun and Mercury start traipsing through your sign.

The world begins to understand you with immense clarity, so start putting those brilliant observations out there for all the world to consume. However, you’ll need to be very tolerant of the conservative folks on the planet over the weekend. They may not be as open-minded as you’d prefer.

PISCES

The week begins with the moon in your sign, giving you all the room you need to put your feelings out on the table. For those who know you well, you might even be able to get away with non-verbal communication, since your ability to express yourself will be most obvious just by the vibes you’re emitting.

Sometimes just a look or a gesture will do the trick. How fun! The rest of the week gives you cosmic permission to promote your gifts. Do not hesitate to emphasize to the rest of the world the extent of your talents.

There’s no need to sell yourself short. So hold your head high and stick to your guns. As the weekend rolls around, start pacing yourself. A couple of bodies are now occupying your solar twelfth House, which suggests you need a bit more time to regroup. But take time to get out and about over the weekend. There are a lot of events taking place that will stimulate the sensual side of your being.

 

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

Mercury Retrograde November 2012

Mercury Retrograde November 2012. Learn how  Mercury Retrograde will impact all twelve signs of the zodiac.

Below are the Mercury Retrograde dates for November 2012

Mercury Pre-Shadow~October 18-November 5, 2012

Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius~November 6-13, 2012

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio~November 14-25, 2012

Mercury Direct in Scorpio: November 26, 2012

Mercury Post Shadow~November 27-December 14, 2012

 

November Mercury Retrograde for Aries

This retrograde will hit on several fronts since Mercury will occupy two different signs along the way.

As Mercury enters its shadow on the 18^th of October, start paying attention to financial issues such as loans, taxes, inheritances or any matters associated with insurance. This could be a sign of things to come during the Scorpio portion of the retrograde in November. When dealing with others, note body language and take your cues from what you sense rather than what is being said.

Starting the 29^th of October, become leery of making travel plans and start monitoring communications with people at a significant distance. By the time Mercury is retrograde on the 6^th of November, the effects are in full swing and long distance connections of all sorts start coming under serious scrutiny. If at all possible, avoid lengthy travel altogether. If you have no choice in the matter, expect last minute delays and adjustments to your schedule. Be prepared for transportation glitches such as problems with rental cars, making connections and reservations that don’t seem to exist. Have a backup plan at the ready just in case and double check agendas and packing lists before heading out. Traveling to places you’ve been before might be a little easier than going somewhere new.

Between the 14^th and 25^th of November, expect those financial issues that started bugging you in October to become a more obvious thorn in your side. Avoid making decisions regarding loans or insurance matters during this time but feel free to do your research, with the expectation of moving forward once Mercury has done so on the 26^th of November.

Matters that were addressed during your travels may have to be revisited again starting the 11^th of December.

November Mercury Retrograde for Taurus

As soon as Mercury enters its shadow on the 18^th of October, pay close attention to communication with partners, business or marital. Expect them, as well as counterparts, to become less communicative or less certain about where they stand. The trick is that they may not show it on the surface, since Mercury will be in the secretive sign of Scorpio. You may be able to pick up on an undercurrent, but that’s about it. Keep this diligence going through the 5^th of November.

Also during this time, monitor any sort of negotiations. Don’t hold your breath in the expectation that current negotiations are automatically going to result in an agreement. Both sides are really better off if they use this window to get a feel for the other side. Some poking and prodding will be in order. But, be cautious as to how much you reveal right off the bat. Keep some of your cards hidden.

Starting the 29^th of October, shift your attention to financial matters, primarily those dealing with loans, debts, taxes and insurance. By the 6^th of November, you may come to the conclusion that these issues may require further research. Something could easily be out of proportion suggesting that you may be overpaying somewhere. Use the entire retrograde to do your research and cast the net as wide as possible. Don’t be satisfied with just one or two sources of information. There’s the possibility that the best results come from people more distant from you.

From the 14^th of November until Mercury goes direct on the 26^th of November, redirect your attention to partnerships and contractual negotiations. Both of these areas are once again more vulnerable. Don’t push partners to make decisions. Give them time to do their own soul searching, with the expectation that they’ll be ready to take a stand once Mercury goes direct on the 26^th of November. With respect to contracts, nothing is set in stone. Continue with the notion that you’re still feeling things out, so remain cautious. Don’t be surprised if negotiations break down or someone backs out. If that happens, it’s probably for the best in the long run. If the other side is going to return to the table, it will happen shortly after Mercury goes forward on the 26^th of November.

November Mercury Retrograde for Gemini

This Mercury retrograde cycle will impact your Sixth and Seventh Houses, bringing several areas of your life into question. Starting with the 18^th of October, you may get the feeling that your daily routine is anything but routine. Scheduling becomes increasingly more tentative, so don’t assume that any plans you make are hard and fast. This applies to your working environment as well. Coworkers show signs that they, too, are feeling the effects, causing potential disruptions and possible delays in getting projects off the ground. Take this as a sign that some things may have to be put on the back burner, and instead, use this time to edit and fine tune whatever is currently on your plate. Expect to have to read between the lines when dealing with people who are in a position to provide assistance to you. They may seem unwilling or unable to answer probing questions.

Scheduling is not the only thing coming under attack. Logistics and technology may also be vulnerable. Machinery could show signs of being uncooperative or cranky, in which case watch closely. If it doesn’t break down during the shadow, it’s still iffy during the course of the retrograde, with particular emphasis on the 14^th through the 25^th of November. Start doing your homework in the event a backup will be needed. And speaking of backup, do it religiously with respect to home and work computers. Mercury is an equal opportunity attacker. Guard against viruses as well.

As of the 30^th of October, shift your attention to partnerships. Expect to see signs of breakdowns in communication between you and those you deal with on a regular basis. Of particular concern is other peoples’ sense of proportion. They may have a tendency to exaggerate, or to be going way out on a limb. Idealism or over optimism could be to blame. This becomes even more apparent once Mercury is retrograde and will likely remain this way at least through 13^th of November. Similar precautions also apply to any sort of negotiations. The other side may be overly optimistic regarding their current circumstances, only to realize they’re off track. Look at this as a time to get a sense of where the other side stands, but if at all possible don’t seal anything until Mercury goes forward on the 26^th of November. The period of the 13^th through the 30^th of December is even more preferable for signing contracts.

The 11^th of November through the 25^th will be the time to shift your attention back to the productivity sector of your life. Schedules are most vulnerable, as are all facets of technology. Expect improvements from the 26^th of November forward.

November Mercury Retrograde for Cancer

Childhood memories start speaking to you as Mercury enters its shadow on the 18^th of October. This could be triggered by mere circumstance or by other children in your midst. If you’re involved in creative projects, perhaps these memories can play a role in your approach to them. People from your romantic past are more likely to make contact from the 18^th through the 28^th of October. If you’re in a romance, this is a great time to reminisce and return to places that trigger good memories.

Refocus your attention to your work starting the 29^th of October. Expect Mercury to start playing his tricks on machinery of all sorts, including computers. Don’t lull yourself into a false sense of security. Instead, employ as many safeguards as possible. Back up your computers as often as humanly possible and be grateful if no glitches take place from then through the 26^th of November.

No later than the 6^th of November, expect schedules to be thrown off, causing delays in getting work completed. Rather than start anything new, work on existing projects, with an eye on working out any kinks. Be sure that more than one other person reviews work product before final submission. Don’t be surprised if some projects don’t make the cut until anywhere from the 26^th of November until as late as the 11^th of December.

Pay close attention to health related issues from the end of October until at least the middle November. This is not the ideal time for undergoing testing or elective procedures. Test results are apt to be inconclusive at best, requiring them to be redone. Aberrant results, especially on the high side, are more likely, so don’t read too much in to results that seem totally off track.

Between the 14^th and the 24^th of November, shift your focus back to romantic relationships. Guard against drawing conclusions based solely on assumptions. Talk things through if the other party is willing. Be patient. It might take until shortly after Mercury goes forward on the 26^th of November before misunderstandings can be resolved. You can also use this time to pull old projects out of the closet and resurrect them. There seems to be an emotional investment that makes this process worth while. These projects could easily be on the road to completion by the middle of December.

November Mercury Retrograde for Leo

Keep an eye on machinery at home starting the 18^th of October. Expect to see signs of things close to breaking down and need of repair or replacement. You’re probably not out of the woods until at least late November, so be diligent and consider yourself lucky if nothing goes on the blink. Pay particular attention to anything underground, such as pipes, as well as plumbing issues and problems with things in the basement. Water related problems are also more likely during this time, especially stagnant water.

Around the 29^th of October, pay more attention to your relationship with romantic partners. Communication could become somewhat problematic, so be careful not to read too much into something that could be perfectly innocent. This is also a good time to reconnect with people from past relationships, not necessarily for purposes of reigniting them, but more so for just a friendly catch up. If children are part of your life, be cognizant of their mindset and be sure they’re being realistic. There’s a big temptation to blow things out of proportion through the 13^th of November, giving you a rather distorted view of reality.

Starting the 14^th of November, redirect your attention to the home front and your relationship with family members. From then until the 25^th of November, you can anticipate misunderstandings to crop up, especially if everyone involved is reading the between the lines rather than confirming hunches. Also look for old issues to resurface, underscoring the fact that folks have yet to let go of issues that continue to gnaw at them. Do your best to nip this in the bud so it doesn’t continue to resurface time after time.

A constructive use of this cycle from the 14^th through the 25^th of November is to analyze logistics in the home. Look at the feasibility of rearranging various items, particularly those of an electrical nature. This is not the time to make the actual changes, but it is good for poking around and giving it serious consideration. Once Mercury goes direct on the 26^th of November, you can move forward safely with improved logistics.

November Mercury Retrograde for Virgo

Your curiosity intensifies starting the 6^th of October, escalating throughout the rest of the month. Information gleaned between the 18^th and 28^th of October needs to be set aside for further review. The findings could be suspicious or there could be more to them than what meets the eye. Anything that you put in writing during this period must also be scrutinized and might be subject to revision, possibly between the 14^th and 25^th of November. Pay attention to mechanical issues that start cropping up during this time. Moans and groans could be a sign that something is about to peter out. This includes computers as well as vehicles, so stay alert and do your detective work as soon as something sounds odd. Although Mercury isn’t quite retrograde yet, travel could also start getting tricky. Be on guard for an occasional delay and try to avoid making travel plans that would affect most of the month of November. Chances are that if you try to set something up, it will have to be adjusted before the event takes place. Also be on guard regarding everyday communications. Confirm assumptions and taking nothing for granted. If you interact with siblings, your communication with them could also come under fire or they may be changing their minds about something previously decided.

Around the 30^th of October, your attention shifts to the domestic arena. Watch your communication with family members. There may be a basic disagreement in the way they see things versus the way you do, particularly with respect to the enormity of issues or regarding philosophical views. This is also the time when machinery in and around the home starts to seriously give way. What might have started out as threats, now becomes promises. Watch yourself around recreational areas, playgrounds, athletic or gaming equipment.

On the 14^th of November, Mercury moves back into your Third House, impacting travel and all forms of communication, including data that is coming and going. If at all possible, limit the amount of traveling you do. Localized travel is the type most likely to give you headaches, so when you’re out running errands, be alert. Make sure you take with you what you need and double check before heading out. While out and about, keep your wits about you. You will have a tendency to leave things behind, making it necessary to backtrack. Any information that comes across your view must now be thoroughly scrutinized. Nothing can be left to chance, so it’s best you approach this cycle with the assumption that something is askew and it’s your assignment to sniff out the problem areas.

You can’t back up your computer enough during this portion of the retrograde either. Better safe than sorry. Also, if you’re shipping or receiving important packages, make sure they are insured and tracked.

Once Mercury goes forward on the 26^th of November, you’re in good shape to let information fly and most machinery should start behaving. If something didn’t make it to its chosen destination during the retrograde, it could still return to you during the post-shadow phase.

November Mercury Retrograde for Libra

Starting the 6^th of October, you’re mentally focused on personal finances. As Mercury sets foot in his shadow on the 18^th of October, you may feel that financial information is somewhat subject to question. Follow gut instincts urging you to dig deeper. Look under nooks and crannies. Be persistent. The work you do now could pay off when Mercury returns to Scorpio on the 14^th of November.

On the 30^th of October, the sign of Sagittarius temporarily hosts Mercury, bringing travel into question. From now until the 14^th of November, expect a few glitches to crop up. The problems intensify as Mercury goes retrograde on the 6^th of November. Delays and rescheduling are common at this time, causing you to be alert and flexible. When you’re in the process of planning any travels, be moderate in your estimation of what can realistically be accomplished. In its fondness for thinking big, Sagittarius has a tendency to get carried away. During the course of your travels, don’t be surprised if logistical problems have to be addressed. Adjustments in travel arrangements, accommodations and scheduling become more likely.

During this cycle of the 30^th of October through the 14^th of November, pay attention to your communication with others. There may be a tendency to speak in broad terms or generalities, with a greater chance of misunderstanding the underlying point. Colloquialisms can also throw you off, so don’t be shy about asking for explanations. This is also a great time to review copy, with the intention of it being finalized by the time Mercury goes forward. If it must be sooner, check and double check. And either way, have it reviewed by several sets of eyes.

As Mercury revisits Scorpio on the 14^th of November, redirect your focus to the financial arena. Take another look at your findings from late October and consider adjustments in strategy. Try to avoid making major financial decisions or purchases until Mercury goes forward on the 26^th of November. This is an ideal time to really dig and get the answers you need. If you’re looking for a job, be sure you do your homework on what you’re truly worth before agreeing naively to salary and perks. Agreements are best completed after Mercury moves forward.

November Mercury Retrograde for Scorpio

Since Mercury enters his shadow in your sign and moves retrograde in it during the latter half of its retrograde phase, you’re going to have to be on your toes from the pre-shadow through the post-shadow periods. Assume that Murphy’s Law rules the day, and you’ll be off to a perfect start. Keep your eyes on any and all forms of communication. Look for errors, implications, innuendos, and downright falsehoods. You’re actually at your best when forced to assume your detective mode, so none of this should prove off-putting. Just consider it a great challenge.

You’ll of course need to pay attention to the mechanical portion of your life also. Being the messenger God, Mercury not only rules the verbal and written message,but also the transport side of life. After all, he is the winged messenger. Expect your vehicle to come under attack, as well as your computer, cell phone, or any other electronic devices. It doesn’t matter if they’re old or not. A glitch or two will likely be the norm. Remember that Mercury influences connecting devices, like chords, switches, wires, pipes, and tubes. And when he’s in Scorpio, he’s more likely to impact things that are hidden, buried, underground or difficult to exhume. Such will therefore be the case at least as early as the 18^th of October and possibly as early as the 6^th, when he enters Scorpio. Since he revisits your sign when he’s retrograde from the 14^th through the 25^th of November, that’s when he’s even more likely to wreak havoc. Even though he’ll go direct on the 26^th of November, you may still experience some backlash through the 10^th of December, after which point he departs your sign.

In the interest of the commonly held philosophy by astrologers that forewarned is forearmed, make note of how you’re impacted during this particular retrograde cycle. Mercury will be inhabiting your sign during its retrograde cycle in 2013 and partially in 2014, so you it will be helpful to be aware of the games it likes to play on you.

During the Sagittarian portion of Mercury’s retrograde cycle, including the pre-shadow phase, watch your finances. Purchasing electronics is not the best of ideas, nor is it advised that you purchase anything related to travel, athletics or gaming. If you’ve got the itch, use this time to do your research. Hold off until at least the 26^th of November when Mercury is direct, or even better, wait until the latter half of December when both he and Venus are in your Second House of Finances.

November Mercury Retrograde for Sagittarius

You folks, as well as your neighboring Scorpions, are essentially in a very similar boat. Mercury will be occupying your sign during portions of the shadow periods as well as the retrograde.

Between the 6^th and 29^th of October, you are better served by keeping information to yourself and mulling it over. Your game plan during this time is premature and not ready for prime time. Pay attention to information you glean as a result of innocent eavesdropping between the 18^th and 29^th of October. That information will be of interest down the road. Tuck it away.

No later than the 29^th of October, be on the alert during the normal course of daily affairs. Mercury is now in your sign, but in his shadow, and backtracking is on his agenda very soon. You may get the feeling that logistics you’re attempting to put in place, seem slow to materialize. This becomes even more pronounced as Mercury indeed makes an about face on the 6^th of November. If you’re not on your toes by now, it’s almost too late. Assume that anything is up for grabs. Be it the way you communicate with others, your vehicle, your computer or any other electronic gadget, they’re all an easy target for Mercury right now. Other than that, assume nothing. This is the time when you want to check and double check. If you’re talking to someone and they look at you as though you just landed from Mars, slow down and regroup. Make sure people really understand what you’re saying. Even if it sounds redundant, have them repeat it back to you, so you’re assured everyone is on the same page. Check the veracity of information you receive before believing it and putting it back out there. If you feel tentative about making decisions, you’re probably wise to hold off. Chances are you’re flying blind right now. Hold off at least until Mercury goes direct on the 26^th of November before making any major life decisions. Even then, it could take until the 11^th of December when he’s in your sign, before you feel on sound footing again.

Car problems are extremely common when Mercury is in your sign, not to mention transportation issues in general. Expect delays and extra juggling of logistics and be grateful if you make it through relatively unscathed.

Between the 14^th of November and the 10^th of December, Mercury will occupy your Twelfth House of Seclusion again. Revert back to that contemplative mode and indulge in your own inner searching. This is a definite change of pace for you, since you’re usually perky and happily out and about. Give yourself permission to be in the searching mode and not necessarily have all the answers at your fingertips for the time being. Once Mercury is back in your sign again on the 11^th of December, you’ll be ready to communicate your thoughts with greater ease.

November Mercury Retrograde for Capricorn

Starting the 6^th of October, you and your chums feel compelled to reveal your deepest, darkest secrets. Information dug up between the 18^th and the 29^th of October will be the topic of conversation again in times to come. Friends from your past start popping into the picture around the time Mercury heads into his shadow on the 18^th of October. This will be the case through virtually the end of the month, giving you a taste of things to follow in late November.

No later than the 18^th of October, think before you speak, especially when you’re in social settings. It might be more prudent to sit back and listen to what other people are saying, as opposed to revealing your own hand. If you open your mouth, be prepared for your words to come back and bite you. When you are more than confident of what you’re saying, get to the heart of the matter and avoid sarcasm. It can too easily be taken the wrong way, and that too, could come back around.

On the 30^th of October, Mercury hides out in your Twelfth House of Seclusion. Get used to this feeling, because it will take place again the latter half of December. This is now the time when you want to commune with just yourself, your thoughts and your inner voices. No one else is allowed in and no else really needs to know what you’re thinking. It’s private, for one, and for another, you’re feeling your way around your thoughts right now. If you need to go into seclusion, so be it. Applaud yourself for doing so. The need becomes even more blatant as Mercury goes retrograde on the 6^th of November, and persists through the 13^th of November.

By the 14^th of November you’ll be ready to let your friends know you’re still alive, if they haven’t already sent out a search party themselves. They’ll be anxious to reconnect up until the middle of December, at which time you may do another brief disappearing act. From the middle of November through at least the 26^th, people you haven’t talked to in forever start crawling back out of the woodwork again. Don’t even bother guessing. That just spoils the surprise!

November Mercury Retrograde for Aquarius

Starting around the 6^th of October, you get the feeling that your bosses are speaking in riddles. They don’t seem to be coming right out and saying what they mean, causing you to have to read between the lines. This becomes even more apparent around the 18^th of October as Mercury enters his shadow. Take note of underlying themes that begin to surface and stick them in the back of your gray matter for future retrieval. However, you may also find that these same people become slightly less available to you­a trend which resurfaces in late November. Just go about your business, some of which could entail your own little scavenger hunt of information.

You’ll find your social circle more compelling as of the 30^th of October. Friends current and past are now ready to get the low down and have fun in the process. And of course no good Mercury retrograde would be complete without someone totally out of the blue finding their way to you. This phenomena should be particularly strong during this particular phase since Mercury in Sagittarius is so far reaching.

In social settings, be cognizant of how you express yourself. You may be around people who don’t quite get your vernacular or your sense of humor. Judge your audience before throwing something out from left field. Expect this theme to permeate the atmosphere from the last of October through the 13^th of November.

As of the 14^th of November, your professional communications become vulnerable again. Be very careful when exchanging information with any decision makers, and again, don’t be surprised if they are less than available or responsive. Their hands could be tied for the time being, thanks to Mercury. This trend should start straightening itself out around the 26^th of November when Mercury goes direct. If you’re in the hunt for a job, this is a great time to discreetly contact past employers, be it for references or referrals. They’ll be happy to hear from you.

November Mercury Retrograde for Pisces

Portions of this retrograde will work to your benefit, others not so much. As Mercury enters Scorpio on the 6^th of October, expect to be in touch with people at a good distance from your home base of operation–the farther the better. By the 18^th of October, some of the communications you’re engaging in start feeling familiar, as if you’ve had this conversation before. Even people you know you don’t know start sounding very familiar to you. This could be a pleasant sign of things to come. Watch this trend through the 29^th of October.

Starting the 30^th of October, shift your focus to your relationship with anyone running the show. This could be bosses or managers with whom you interact. Here is where things start feeling a little uncomfortable. Your individual styles differ broadly. Their sense of humor or their way of looking at the world could be totally different from yours. The good news is they aren’t so totally entrenched in their way of looking at things that they aren’t somewhat receptive to your view. But, you won’t win your argument by getting emotional. You will, however, win the argument if you’re sensitive to the other party. It’s almost like killing them with kindness. They can’t help but listen.

No later than the 6^th of November when Mercury is actually retrograde, be as diligent as possible in monitoring how you communicate with anyone in charge. The odds are strong that wires will get crossed. Assume nothing and verify as much as possible before moving forward. If you don’t confirm, get ready for some serious workarounds. Maintain this attitude from the 6^th through at least the 13^th of November.

 

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

What is Mercury retrograde and why should I care?

What is Mercury retrograde?

Every planet in our solar system has both a forward or “direct” motion and a backward or “retrograde” motion. When a planet is retrograde, it appears to be going backward in relationship to the earth. The closer a planet is to the sun, the more rapid its rate of motion. Since Mercury is the closest of all planets, its rate of motion is the fastest, hence its moniker as the fleet-footed one, also known as the winged messenger.

Approximately every four months, Mercury moves retrograde, traveling backward for a period of about 21 days. The path of its backward travel is called the shadow. So, as Mercury is moving forward prior to its retrograde motion, it is considered to be in its shadow when it enters the portion of the zodiac that will be retraced. Similarly, once Mercury moves forward again, it is considered to be in its shadow until it leaves the path that it has just retraced.

Mercury’s job is that of transporting anything from ideas to things, so it therefore rules or influences anyone or anything involved in this process. A list of what Mercury rules is provided below. During the retrograde phase, the process of transporting becomes hampered, so one can expect logistical glitches, delays, errors, and miscommunication. It is therefore imperative that, when involving yourself with the processes assigned to Mercury, you be extra vigilant and anticipate problems.

What is a productive use of Mercury Retrograde?

This is a great time to go back and re-do, rearrange, reorganize, take a refresher course, edit, and fine tune. Often people find themselves cleaning out drawers, filing cabinets, closets and the like – stumbling upon things from the past they had forgotten about but may find useful in the days to come. People from the past tend to reappear and things lost while Mercury was direct are likely to pop back up again. If that little voice in the back of your mind brings up a name from your past, take it as a signal and reconnect with them.

Be proactive. Confirm details associated with appointments, such as time and specific location. (Saying “We’ll meet at the local Waffle House” won’t do – confirm which Waffle House.) Be sure to bring with you everything you will need for your outing. Don’t leave something behind, such as your cell phone, important notes or receipts. When leaving a message with someone, have them repeat the details back to you. Never make assumptions that details are correct during a Mercury retrograde. You may have to backtrack and reschedule plans, so be flexible.

What are things to be look out for during Mercury retrograde?

This is the proverbial Murphy’s Law cycle: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Expect computer glitches, mechanical problems, delayed or erroneous information, problems with pipes, tubes, wires – essentially anything whose job it is to transport objects from one place to another. This is not a time to start anything new or sign contracts, nor is it a time to undergo elective surgery, with the possible exception of repairing a problem caused by a previous surgery. Labor strikes are not unusual during the cycle. Sometimes they are settled right before Mercury goes direct. If not, they probably won’t reach a settlement until Mercury has gone forward again. Tests performed during this time may have to be redone, either because the results were inconclusive, the tests were lost, or were somehow damaged. Mail and package deliveries can experience problems and delays; parts ordered may arrive late or the wrong part may have been sent.

Be explicit when conducting any sort of business where a potential glitch is possible. If you are shipping something out during Mercury retrograde, purchase insurance and have it tracked. Save all receipts associated with purchases, and preferably make no major purchases, especially if buying something associated with Mercury, such as a computer, a car, an appliance – anything with a pipe, tube, wire, or computer chip.

Accidents are also more common, especially affecting anything dual in the body, such as eyes, arms, fingers, hands, toes, lungs. If Mercury is retrograde in your sun sign or the signs preceding or following your sun sign, pay extra close attention, because you are more likely to feel the effects of that particular cycle.

The Shadow knows!

During the shadow period leading up to Mercury retrograde it is not unusual to feel the impending effects of the retrograde. Depending on where Mercury is in your chart, you may experience more problems during the shadow period than the actual retrograde itself. If you were born with Mercury retrograde, you may find this an exceptionally constructive time, as if you’re back in your element. The important thing is to start anticipating the effects of Mercury once the shadow has begun. Once Mercury has gone direct but is still in its shadow, expect fallout – returned mail, the package you were waiting for finally arrives, the test results you were awaiting finally come back with clear result.

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By: Kathryn Silverton, Astrologer

Organization of Professional Astrologers
Planetary Perceptions

www.planetaryperceptions.com

What is Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury Retrograde is upon us once more. Entering retrogradation on Saturday, July 14, 2012, Mercury will later turn direct on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

What is a Mercury Retrograde?

 

The earth turns on its own axis. Too, while turning on its own axis, it revolves around the Sun. The zodiac is a stationary belt that encircles the earth. We relate other planets to earth through their positions to the zodiac belt that surrounds earth. This imaginary belt is made up of 12-zodiac signs.

When Mercury appears to be traveling “backwards” in terms of the forward order of the zodiac signs, it is said to be retrograde. Planetary paths are not circles, per se, but ellipses.

Second Chances & Do-Over’s!!!

Three to four times a year, we enter another Mercury Retrograde (Mercury Rx) period. This is a time for pausing, stopping to catch your breath, for doing things over and for second chances. It is a period for review, for reconsideration and for learning from past mistakes.

 

What does the Mercury Retrograde Affect?

 

On the side of caution, this is a time for safe and sane driving habits, for taking care of your motor vehicles and for scheduling repair work.

You will want to be careful with communications of all kinds, including speech, mail, email and the written word. Make sure you say what you mean. Look for ways to correct, adjust, revamp, reschedule, repeat and refurbish.

Mercury Rx gives you the time you need to catch your breath, to revitalize, to reclaim and to nurture and nourish projects special to your heart. It can also be a time for improving relationships, for starting over and for recommitting.

Mercury Rx most often affects the house in your horoscope where the current Mercury is transiting. It also affects communication, short distance travel, some family matters, snail-mail, email, telephone calls, cell phone calls, electronic equipment, motorized vehicles and motorized equipment. It affects technology in general and conversations in particular. Think before you speak and make sure you are being understood and that you understand. Ask questions. Give explanations. Slow down. Take your time.

How do you survive a retrograde Mercury?

 

When negatively aspected in your personal horoscope, Mercury Rx will bring challenges, delays or reversals in one or more areas of your life. Your fax machine could break down and need repair, for example, or a preplanned trip to visit loved ones could be postponed or altered in some way. You may find that the postal service delivers your neighbor’s mail to you by accident or that you receive someone else’s bill, in your name, by mistake. This is a good time to get needed repairs, alterations or to change your mind.

When positively aspected in your personal horoscope, Mercury Rx will be a time period wherein you can catch up with your life and you will be able to get a lot of things done that had heretofore been problematic for you. Often, you can iron out any wrinkles in your life and gain understanding or insight with someone with whom you have had relationship difficulties. Mercury Rx will give you the opportunity to reexamine things and to chart out new paths or enlist the aid of others. You can mentor or be mentored. You can change directions or cancel something altogether.

You will function best during any Mercury Rx period, no matter how the aspects impact your life, by staying open-minded, by taking a breather and reflecting on your life and circumstances, and by being willing to change, manage or revise. Your free will and your ability to analyze and discern your choices in life will always be your greatest allies.

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By: Robbi Dyer, Astrologer & Mystic

Alcyone Diversified LLC

http://www.-opra-alcyone.com (opening soon)

Can Planets Affect Your Portfolio?

Investments are a bet on the future. Could that future be foretold through complex readings of our solar system? And if it can, what do the stars say about the economy in 2012?

J.P. Morgan once famously said that millionaires don’t need astrologers, but billionaires do. Are we in charge of the economic matters on earth, or are invisible forces “out there” shaping the economic and social outcomes of individual nations?

J.P. Morgan thought there was more to the market than timing, and he used astrologers to help guide him in that timing in his businesses and investments. He’s not alone.

Raymond Merriman has been at this for more than 30 years. His Michigan based company, MMA Cycles has over 7,000 subscribers, many of them from well-known investment banks and broker-dealers. They’re portfolio managers, certified financial planners and heads of trading firms primarily from New York, Chicago, Tokyo to Zurich. Some know a thing or two about astrology. Others are looking for a little extra-terrestrial advice.

“They come for my analysis on various markets based on planetary cycles, pattern recognition and geocosmic market turning points,” he said. “Most of them all understand the market, but they don’t have this kind of edge on market timing.”

Analysts like Merriman use complex planetary charts to decipher where an economy, or investment, is heading. It’s approach, like fundamental or technical analysis, can be either top down — a big picture look at the whole economy — or bottom up — which examines an individual company.

To do that kind of research, analysts need the company or country’s birth date in order to see where the planets were traveling through the solar system, and through which constellations, at the time. The people who do this kind of work call themselves astrological economists or financial astrologists. The work they do is not comparable to the garden variety horoscope.

 

full article at Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/02/20/can-planets-affect-your-portfolio/

 

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