Of Meteors and Religion

In this week's edition of Planet Waves FM, I look at the symbols associated with the meteor striking Russia, the asteroid flyby, lightning striking St. Peter's Basilica twice and the Roman earthquake -- all in the aftermath of the pope's resignation.

My main theme seems to be: what do we do with what we've been learning about the atrocities of the Roman Catholic church? How do we assess the damage and where do we begin the healing process?

I also go over the upcoming confluence of astrology: the Sun conjunct Neptune in Pisces, Mercury stationing retrograde in Pisces and the Virgo Full Moon square Jupiter. In true Mercury retrograde (in Pisces) fashion I have a few extra details to include -- though I do cover the basic territory at the top of the program.

Our musical guest is Britt Arnesen, a recording artist originating in Alaska and now living in Montana. She is a force of nature, a magnificent singer, a talented guitar and banjo player and a great writer. Yes, Ms. Arnesen has it all, and she spent today in the recording studio working on her new CD.

You can find her on the Internet here, at her 907Britt website.

Here is her Facebook page.

One thing I neglected to do is read the meteor strike chart. That was silly; here is the rather striking chart. This whole pope deal has been all about the centaurs Pholus and Nessus. Well, they are ALL OVER this chart -- Pholus as the highest planet, and Nessus rising in a conjunction with the Sun.





Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes

The March monthly extended horoscopes are published below in this issue. The February monthly horoscope was published Friday, Jan. 25. Inner Space for February was published Tuesday, Jan. 29; the March Inner Space will be published Tuesday, Feb. 26. We published the Moonshine Horoscope for the Virgo Full Moon on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Pisces Birthdays: Within, Without

There are two simultaneous trends in your solar chart right now. Many factors are guiding you within, including Mercury retrograde and a diversity of planets square your ruling planet Jupiter. This is prompting some soul searching, as well as reaching within for your best ideas and the motives that connect to them. It will be the connection of these two things that keeps you 'in gear' and driving forward, making progress through the year. Yet the Full Moon is seeking some form of expression in the world, and the concentration of planets in your sign is making you into a kind of magnet. So there may be tension between inner and outer reality, though as I suggested rather emphatically in LISTEN, the imperative is for you to honor your introverted, introspective side -- the one where you make contact with the you nobody else knows. This is the inner space where you're in alignment with yourself and the sources of your ideas and energy. I am not suggesting that you become a recluse -- indeed, getting out a bit more will be a lot of fun and more interesting than usual, since you're more visible than usual. I am saying honor your inner self and you will feel stronger and be much happier. Note to Pisces and Pisces rising readers: Your birthday reading will now be ready Monday, if all goes well. We are offering it for pre-sale and will tell you when it's done.

Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope for March 2013 (standing in for Planet Waves Weekly #939) | By Eric Francis
Aries (March 20-April 19) -- Confidence is everything on this planet -- if you want to do things, that is. I know there is wisdom in insecurity (borrowing an idea from Alan Watts), and that humility is a necessary ingredient of trust and truly being human. Yet these things must feed confidence rather than erode it. At a certain point, you must take action, and that works best from a place of faith and trust in yourself. I am not talking about swagger, but rather a hunch that you're doing the right thing by trying, rather than knowing that there will be a perfect outcome. Making peace with the uncertain outcome is a big part of the confidence or trust that I'm describing. You have many reasons for that trust, but it's time to go beyond any form of rationalizing or mentally establishing your validity. Connect with the feeling of substance within you. I reckon that sensation will be pretty strong, perhaps stronger than ever, if you allow yourself to tune in. Don't distract yourself with appearances, particularly with any form of glamour. There's an old expression -- don't let your confidence come from your feet. The place you want it to come from is your heart, and it will, if that is where you focus. Feel the fullness of your soul, the richness of your imagination and the hyper-charged sense of potential. Then get ready to take your first step on a journey that's likely to lead you in an entirely new direction.


Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- You have more friends than you imagine, and 'friend' is not a word I like to use casually. I mean that many people are available to you, they are looking out for your interests, and they like and respect you. I suggest you tune into that ocean of goodwill and give yourself permission to participate in a more direct way. You also have more dreams and desires than you may imagine, though considering them may have the effect of escorting you out of what you have previously thought of as your comfort zone. The current astrology is an invitation to come out of just that zone, and to find not a fixed point of stability. You're being invited to move, to dance, to encounter something different every time you tune into your senses. The idea 'psychic mobility' comes to mind. Yet you could easily be overwhelmed by the kaleidoscopic possibilities. In the midst of them all is one particularly interesting undercurrent that is drawing you into your deepest desires. All the other stuff still exists -- then there is your awareness of the one idea, experience or person that you want the most. It might manifest as an attraction, a curiosity or some kind of introspective journey that does not involve an activity or another person. Yet ultimately, your life is not about 'the world' or your friends or your potentials -- it's about how you experience them, and choose from among them. Now that you have options, you can set priorities and have a lot of fun.


Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- This could be one of the most interesting moments in your 'professional life', though you might want to drop the first word in that phrase if you want to understand it more clearly. I know that there is plenty of counseling to 'keep your work and your life separate' and about 'how you should not mix business and pleasure' and most of all to keep your work and personal relationships separate. These ideas might work for some people who are not really living, and who are not desiring a life wherein they express their true existence in their daily activities. I've been listening for a while and what I hear is most people yearning, craving, sometimes positively mad to spend their time doing something meaningful, creative, productive and loving. That is exactly what is calling you now. I suggest you start modestly. Do not think in terms of an end destination -- that's the old method, the one that almost always goes stagnant. As you may know, Mercury will be retrograde the first half of the month. And it will be retrograde in the house associated with your professional activities and reputation. I can sum that up briefly: you're here to do your thing in your way -- which may be different from the way you thought of in the past and certainly different from what others have expected of you. Therefore, if you feel inclined to do things differently, to follow an intuition and to go against the grain, that is the way to go.


Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- More is going on behind the scenes than you may recognize, and you may be feeling this as anxiety, potential or a mixture of both. Your charts have a sense of mystery to them, of something that is soon to emerge -- and it will, soon enough, and when it does you will be ready for the changes. I suggest you refrain from making too many plans. If you're going to address the future, stick to a very few of the most meaningful things you want to do or create, including some travel plans around which I suggest you organize your time. Get clear where you want to go and why you want to go there, organize your ideas about time around them, and then start to put your plans into action after the Sun changes signs to Aries later in the month. A few long-distance trips you take this year can have a profound influence on your perspective. If possible, try to include one trip overseas or to a country other than where you live now. Travel is the kind of experience for which there is no substitute. Nothing can show you what a journey can: immersing yourself in a foreign culture, seeing people and places you've never seen before, and looking back at your life from that point of view. Meanwhile, consider the places you've always wanted to go, and develop your short list of potential destinations. The chances are you know exactly where you would go, if you could go anywhere.


Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- You're fully invested in what you are doing -- and if not, now is the time to give yourself that freedom. This is about depth, and it's about connecting with others who have a similar sense of mission or similar vision. You're being invited into a collaboration or 'conspiracy' of some kind, and it will be most pleasurable if you bring your full attention and true willingness. Indeed, your whole life may be vibrating with this feeling right now. This is very much a matter of relationship; most of life is, though when people join for a purpose, that can be especially meaningful and beautiful. Unlike most people, you don't need to worry about losing yourself in your relationships, at least not now; your sense of who you are is too strong for that. I would remind you how this fear can and does keep many people from doing what they feel called to do, which is the fear of 'getting lost' in that very thing. Make contact with when this may have influenced you in the past, when you were far less steady on your feet. Free from that anxiety, the collaboration you take part in may have a 'it's time to change the world' feeling to it. Remember, that's exactly what you're doing, even if in subtle ways. What you believe may challenge what others believe, though I would remind you that you're not alone in your passion. And what others may think of you is far less meaningful than what you know to be true.


Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- You could easily be overwhelmed by the astrology that seems to be making you the focus of attention, or drawing others to you as if you're some kind of human attractor beam. You might feel an urge to resist or rebel against this, preferring instead to maintain your sanctity. I would encourage you to do nothing of the kind, but instead to pass through this creatively rich territory willingly, absorbing the nutrients, the experiences and the diversity of the people around you. Indulging in the pleasure of people and of life is often a matter of trust as much as it is of willingness. Many miss out on numerous one-time opportunities due to their unexamined fear, which can be mistakenly thought of as 'not being ready'. It's true that you often prefer to keep a lower profile and have your life be less chaotic than you think it would be were you to open yourself fully to existence. I suggest, however, that you ask yourself sincerely whether this policy has served you well. Now is the time to advance rather than retreat. It's the time to relate, even though you always have the option of being a hermit. You may worry that some aspect of your purity will be compromised by doing this, which is exactly the point. You are creatively fertile, and some potent creative forces are willing to fertilize with you. When that happens, something new will be born -- something in you and in the world.


Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- You're the one who brings people together. Though you may not recognize this, many see you in a kind of authority role. You tend to be so soft-spoken or at least careful that this fact might surprise you. Yet you're a stabilizing force for those around you. This is a special kind of leadership. It involves respecting what is becoming known as healing process, and availability for service. This is different from being 'self sacrificing'. Indeed it is everything but a sacrifice; mutual gift would be a better description. Yet at times this can be demanding, and it's necessary to maintain your equilibrium. This is not the same as a perfect balance; Equilibrium is about staying in contact with who you are, even when you cannot fully express those aspects of yourself. That means staying in communication with yourself, monitoring your feelings and being aware of your own needs. I would strongly suggest you take care of yourself, by which I don't mean long, luxurious spa treatments but rather making sure you get enough rest when possible, eat actual food and maintain your physical space. Make sure you devote some time to other interests at least every couple of days. This is all in service of something larger. You are being called upon to fulfill some truly profound aspect of your purpose, and there's really no way to tell where it will lead you, except to say deeper into yourself. I would offer one thought, courtesy of A Course in Miracles: everyone teaches, and teaches all the time.


Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- What are you worried about? I mean what exactly? Make a list; spell it out. Nobody has to see this list. Include not just your worst nightmares but also what you might think of as personal anxiety, such as about how you're perceived by the world. Next, what do you want to experience or create? I don't mean accomplish -- I mean dive into for its own sake, to celebrate the beauty of existence? Make a list of those things as well. Question one, which list is longer? Question two, do your fears have any connection at all to why you're hesitating on certain, or all, of your desires? There seems to be some tension between your anxiety and your creativity, though it's not exactly rational. The issue seems to be bound up in your self-image -- what will people think of you if they know you did or wanted to do this or that really fun thing? I would go so far as to say that most of your actually debilitating fears are connected to how you think people will perceive you, if they only knew. In my philosophy of art and growth, that's exactly where to pitch your tent -- in the spot where you fear others would be most likely to look at you askance. You don't know if they will, and if they do, it's most likely because you're the one who will dare. Yet here's a clue: there really isn't a 'they'. This is all about you.


Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- To what extent are you allowing your relationships to be dictated or even influenced by your family? This includes your early childhood situation, as well as what these people seem to believe is right for you. One manifestation could be the 'relationship for security' equation, which might translate to the one who has money, or the nice appearance, but which has nothing to do with what you actually want. I suggest you sort out your own need for feeling safe from your need or desire to be in relationships to others. Having the right company can help you feel more grounded, though it's better if that is not the one thing you depend on for a sense of feeling safe or belonging on the planet. Meanwhile, there is this potential matter of how you relate to the expectations of others, and what you perceive as their expectations (whether 'positive' or 'negative'). This situation will summon you to awaken to emotionally-rooted values that guide your life. You may get your buttons pushed, and if you do, I suggest you stop and listen to what is coming up for you, and notice who was involved. The purpose of all this seems to be to get you to pay attention to what you really want, and to claim what is right for you. You are under no obligation to relive anyone else's past, or your own for that matter. This can be a significant challenge, though it's one to face boldly if you want to have happy and healthy relationships.


Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- I suggest you investigate the ways you may be blocking people from participating in your life. I'll give a few potential examples. One might be alcohol. This is a substance that starts off social and has a way of ending up isolating people. Another is a sense of inferiority or not being able to stand up to the perceived power or authority of others. Another is not being able to state your needs, or feeling like for some reason you cannot do so. This, in turn, may involve suppressed anger or a self-esteem struggle. Usually we think that expressing anger or refraining from 'bothering' others with our needs is enhancing contact. Yet I think that an authentic exchange on the level of necessity is much better for enhancing contact. Honesty has a benefit all its own -- it's the substance of intimacy. If you state an honest need or desire and notice how someone responds, you find out where you stand with them, which is information that will benefit you. I suggest you notice when you find yourself thinking that you would rather not know where you stand with someone, which could fall under the general heading of denial. There is a way out of insecurity, emotional struggle and what is commonly called lack of self-esteem -- and that begins with acknowledging what is so. When you do that, you can open up to a whole new level of contact. As someone once wrote, "only the truth is erotic."



Note to Aquarius and Aquarius rising readers: Your birthday reading is ready. I cover entirely new territory from what I did in LISTEN, the 2013 annual edition. I review the ways in which Aquarius itself has been changing and evolving. I describe your process of discovering your sense of mission; of opening up your inner life; and relationships based on creative exploration first and 'commitment' second. It's two sessions of astrology plus tarot, with an extended description of your sign coming soon -- and access to last year's reading so that you can verify my accuracy. You can get instant access here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- You're going through a process of exploring your depths and your shadow side, all as part of a search for something within yourself. It looks almost as if you're searching for self-respect in spite of something, some feeling or idea to the contrary. Yet is this really an approach that you have to take? At a certain point, you must accept and claim your own assets, despite any doubts about yourself that you may have. You will use what you have going for you, despite whatever you might think you lack. While this is not strictly a matter of self-esteem, a habit of doubting or even questioning yourself can in fact block your awareness of your gifts. This is really a choice of whether to focus your awareness on a sense of loss or doubt, or on the incredible wealth you have access to within yourself. If you're not aware of that wealth, let me be the first to tell you it's there, and it's available. You have access to resources -- creative, emotional, financial and many other kinds. Some may belong to others, some may belong to you, some are collective resources. The most precious among them is your ability to feel your worth on a planet where so much is not valued, where so much is plundered and where everything seems to be running out. Having a lot in a time of scarcity could be intimidating, you might want to check in and see if that thought form is influencing you in any way.


Hello Pisces! Your 2013 birthday reading is almost ready. I plan to have it done Monday, in time for the Full Moon. We are making the report available for pre-order now. If you purchase early, we will let you know the moment it's ready. Here is the link. Thank you! -- Eric Francis

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You're a magnet for attention right now, and you may have a feeling of confidence that is truly unusual for you. It's fair to say that you have the power to create yourself into anything that you want, as long as you can envision it in some tangible form. So I suggest you practice that vision, amidst much other activity surrounding you and within yourself. Regardless of who may be drawn your way, and how strongly you may feel about others, I would encourage you to practice the yoga that your primary relationship is with yourself. This will facilitate a kind of strength and stability that will make it much easier to keep your relationships with others in context, and to actually be present for the people you care about so much. Which leads to a nice way to sum up the theme: your life right now is not about being occupied or busy or involved; your life is about being present, as much as you can, all the time, if you can. You have some truly stunning opportunities and shall we say potential that is becoming ripe and ready. When you make contact with that potential, you will unfold in ways you might have known were possible but may have never suspected were actually real. On occasion of which, I will leave you with a few words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction."