Doing What You Must: Participating With Purpose Dear Friend and Reader: Although the particulars will vary between individuals and among communities (both in-the-flesh and online), we seem to be in a moment of rich awareness and potential for participating with purpose. Issues like the standoff at Standing Rock and post-election developments are commingling with people's usual end-of-year charitable giving habits and, of course, both religious and secular ideas about the spirit of compassion inherent in Christmas. Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, if you're in the U.S. (among other countries), you're surrounded by its themes.
First of all, the Sun is always in Sagittarius this time of year, which highlights many themes around philosophy, religion, how we perceive and respond to humanity, and even the heightened urge to socialize despite the shortening days. Between Friday and Saturday, the Sagittarius Sun makes a pair of aspects (really one event) to two major planets, Jupiter and Saturn. A handful of other planets within range add some extra flavor. First, the Sun will make a sextile to Jupiter in Libra (exact at 4:39 pm EST / 21:39 UTC Friday). Sextiles are harmonious aspects that offer their full benefit when we actively work the energy. According to astrologer Isabel Hickey, Sun-Jupiter sextiles provide a useful boost for almost any activity. Astrologer Robert Hand notes that this aspect can particularly strengthen the desire to participate in something larger than yourself. While that could apply to any group activity, consider the signs involved and the actual cultural environment you're in. With both Libra and Sagittarius attuned to issues of justice, consider whether that thing "larger than yourself" might have to do with an organized effort to right a wrong, to help marginalized voices get heard or simply to provide some assistance to those who are struggling. What about Saturn in this picture? The Sun will conjoin Saturn in Sagittarius at 6:51 am EST Saturday (11:51 UTC). Saturn has a reputation for being 'the heavy': for representing internal or external restrictions, including an authority figure that may seem to 'limit' you. Yet Saturn also represents structure and foundations. As such, it can signal strength and persistence (think about how your skeleton, associated with Saturn, holds you up).
Yes, Saturn can sometimes feel isolating or low-energy, but generally the antidote to that is to focus on what you must do and get working. So what is it you feel that you 'must' do at this time? It could be as mundane as getting your house cleaned for guests or getting your holiday shopping done. It could be that, given the influence of Sagittarius, you feel drawn to explore and apply your personal philosophical or religious beliefs. Or perhaps the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn are pointing you clearly in the direction of some matter of social justice and civic participation. Note that this astrology is not about a guilt-trip. Although you may have obligations to others that you need to fulfill, Jupiter's presence looks like it could mitigate any potential sense of dread around that. If you can, focus on where you are most deeply drawn to help out, or on the people from whom you would like to learn. In anything you need to follow through on, tie up or accomplish, consider how good it will feel to have it off your plate. Throughout Friday, the Moon will be traveling through mid-to-late Aries. Not only does that mean some inspired, fiery harmony with the Sun, it also may tune you into the ongoing ways that many of this year's most surprising events are developing. The Moon will pass through the Uranus-Eris conjunction in Aries, the 'sign of our times', which the Sun (and Saturn) are in a loose aspect to. A couple of the things I mentioned in the opening paragraph fit this description; I suspect you can think of others that get you fired up. Finally, the Sun and Saturn are roughly square Chiron in Pisces. However you choose to use this energy -- whatever cause you get involved in, whatever responsibilities you fulfill -- there's the potential for a new level of awareness. That emotional or spiritual awareness might not be entirely comfortable, but it could very well help you to heal something along the way that you've been grappling with. Like I said, this moment is rich. Yours & truly,  Amanda Painter Planet Waves Astrology Editor Planet Waves (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday and Thursday evening in Kingston, New York, by Planet Waves, Inc. Core community membership: $197/year. Editor and Publisher: Eric Francis Coppolino. Web Developer: Anatoly Ryzhenko. Special Project Designer: Lizanne Webb. Finance: Jonathan McCarthy. Astrology Editor: Amanda Painter. Astrology Fact Checker: Len Wallick. Copy Editor and Fact Checker: Jessica Keet. Eric's Assistant: Gale Jazylo. Client Services: Amy Elliott. Media Consultant: Andrew Ellis Marshall McLuhan. Music Director: Daniel Sternstein. Additional Research, Writing and Opinions: Amy Jacobs, Cindy Ragusa and Carol van Strum.
 Beyond the Internet: Your Future is Real The Book of Your Life 2017 Readings Dear Friend and Reader: This has been a challenging year. Everyone is feeling it. We all need a break. Change is catching up with us fast -- with each of us as individuals, and with the grand experiment of modern society: that is, of freedom and of responsibility. Astrology describes this beautifully -- for those who are interested. Astrology is big enough to encompass anything, particularly if contemporary methods and planets are used. Best of all, astrology reaches into who you are as a person, and helps you see your options.
Using a past era as a comparison: were this the 1960s, we would be in December 1965. So much seems to have happened; very nearly everything has yet to happen. Where will you be positioned as these radical transformations take hold? You have things you want to do with your life. You want to keep your peace of mind and deepen your inner relationship. You want to do your bit to take care of the world -- the world that the young people in your life will inherit from us. I'm right here with you. My goal is to prepare you for the passage of time, so that you can make the most of your life. Each year (going back to 1999), I write an annual extended reading for all 12 Sun, Moon and rising signs. This year, that reading will be called The Book of Your Life (or What The Astrologer Said). Unlike past years, this will be exclusively in writing; I am striving for simplicity and clarity. Read more...   JP Sears offering his inverted logic, with the Dave Matthews Band’s “Don’t Drink the Water” in the background. Image: video still.
Taking an Ultra-Spiritual Stand By Amanda Painter Had this crossed my path before last week's issue was done, it would have been perfect; it's still too perfect not to include this week: Ultra-Spiritual guru JP Sears explains Standing Rock in one of his brilliantly satirical videos. In this 46th episode of The Ultra-Spiritual Life, Sears describes the situation of the "poor, oppressed oil companies" -- and the "strong-arming" Native Americans with the "brutality" of their prayers -- with his tongue firmly in cheek: "I mean, do you even know how dangerous prayers can be? They're dangerous enough that I think it's a loophole that the First Amendment guarantees people the right to pray. And peaceful assembly. Attacking and arresting people who are praying is the only way to keep society safe from the brute force of prayer." It's been difficult to find any humor in the situation out in North Dakota. Sears gets that the best way to do that is to stand everything on its head; for example, likening Enbridge's record of oil spills to the Cubs winning the World Series in October. Trust me: it's worth hearing. The full absurdity of how oil companies are running roughshod over this planet, and especially over tribal and publicly held lands, is clearer than the water the Standing Rock Sioux are trying to protect. A hearty thanks to JP Sears for finding a way to get the point across with a feather rather than an anvil.  This Week on Planet Waves FM Success at Standing Rock and the Astrology of 2017 Dear Friend and Listener: In this week's edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here], I take a second look at the chart for Monday's evacuation deadline at Standing Rock.
In the second segment, I look closely at the astrology of 2017, even glimpsing as far ahead as 2020. You'll hear fresh takes on Pluto in Capricorn, the Uranus-Eris conjunction, Saturn in Sagittarius, and the Chiron-Pholus square. In the second two segments, I dive deep into the subject of Tantra. What is it? How far back do its origins go? What's it really about? Why would one want to experiment with this way of life, and how do you do it? I give my own description in the third segment and in the fourth, resume reading from the 1974 book Tantra: The Indian Cult of Ecstasy by Philip Rawson. Speaking of the early 1970s, my musical guest is Pink Floyd, with selections from their 1972 album Obscured by Clouds. This is the record that immediately preceded Dark Side of the Moon, one of the bestselling records of all time. [Get Obscured by Clouds on iTunes or Amazon.] What did the band sound like underneath all those computer-generated effects? Obscured by Clouds lets you hear just that. It's one of my favorite works from the backstreets of that era. Planet Waves FM is sponsored by your membership to Planet Waves. We offer subscriptions and memberships for every need and every budget. If you're interested in The Book of Your Life, the 2017 annual edition of Planet Waves, scroll down for that introduction. Thanks for tuning in. With love, 
  Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes We published your extended monthly horoscope for December on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Your extended monthly horoscope for November was published on Thursday, Oct. 27. We published the Moonshine horoscope for the Sagittarius New Moon, by Len Wallick, on Thursday, Dec. 1. Your Moonshine horoscope for the Scorpio New Moon was published Thursday, Nov. 3. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign. Short Monthly Horoscope for December 2016, #1129 | By Eric Francis
        2016-17 Sagittarius Birthdays
Your Own Personal Journey, Sagittarius-Style
"Great audio as usual. Thank you for brightening my little attic rooms with your lights, Eric!"Dear Friend and Reader: What potential does your next year hold? Are you starting to set your intentions and envision what you want, or are you feeling desperate for a sign that your life can get better?
If you could use someone to shine some light in your life, look no further. To remind yourself of just how heartening and empowering these readings are, you're invited to listen to last year's Sagittarius reading as a gift from us. Check Eric's accuracy, and chart out just how far you've come this past year. "About a week ago I went back and listened to last year's Sag report and was blown away by how it seemed to describe my personal journey." -- Sagittarius customer via email The price for the new reading is only $24.97 for two segments of nuanced, yet accessible, audio astrology and a vibrant, intuitive tarot reading -- but it will increase at least once more when it fully publishes. This reading works for Sagittarius Sun, Moon and rising folks, and makes an amazing gift. You may pre-order it here. Yours & truly, Amanda Painter Planet Waves Astrology Editor    
To unsubscribe, click here. To unsubscribe from all future Planet Waves emails, please write to cs@planetwaves.net Copyright © 2016 by Planet Waves, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other copyrights may apply. >> Some images used under Fair Use or Creative Commons attribution. |
