In These Days, Do Not Play Dead

Dear Friend and Reader:

We're in the midst of the Days of the Dead (a Catholic celebration of departed souls that has pagan roots, and echoes in many ancient indigenous cultures), and I have a question: How does one honor one's ancestors when so much of what they helped to build is being dismantled, perverted, mocked and cut down?

View of October leaves from below; photo by Amanda Painter.

I'm not referring to past institutions that we've come to realize are systematically racist, sexist or in some other way oppressive; the process to recognize and dismantle those strikes me as being one of the reasons we're all here at this time.

I'm talking about cultural advances that were made to lift up and empower as many people as possible, and which now appear threatened. I'm referring to past cultural lessons about things like fascism, which many people seem to have forgotten or somehow never learned in the first place.

If you are someone who chooses this time of year to honor your deceased ancestors, how do you bring your meditation and ritual intention into action? How might you choose to connect the past and your place in your familial lineage with serving the highest good for all concerned?

I have a couple thoughts on that, especially this week, in view of the pointedly anti-Semitic murder of 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh, PA, synagogue (including one survivor of the Holocaust), and Pres. Trump's declaration that he intends to issue an executive order ending birthright citizenship (which is protected by the Constitution). Trump's refusal to denounce outright the violent actions of 'white nationalist' extremists, and his repeated, toxic, inflammatory language whipping up that demographic, is having visible -- and measurable -- effects.

Disturbingly, the U.S. is not the only country seeing a rise in right-wing extremism. Europe is experiencing its share; and earlier this week, Brazil elected Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right leader who has praised Brazil's former military dictatorship (which ended 33 years ago); has threatened to destroy, imprison or banish his political opponents; and who wants to open the Amazon rainforest to more agribusiness and mining.

People hold candles as they gather for a vigil in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Photo by Matt Rourke / AP.

All of this is unfolding against a shifting astrological backdrop that has been primarily focused on Scorpio. It's easy to associate Scorpio only with its darkness, sharpness and intensity and forget its higher nature.

As Aleister Crowley wrote, "the Scorpio becomes, under higher impulses, indefatigable in his desire to help mankind, and his coldness and insensibility to the sufferings of others is transmuted into devotion and self-sacrifice."

I myself know a few Scorpios who fit that description, and it is humbling to watch them in action. It's an inspiring model of behavior, and one upon which we need to shine the spotlight as often as possible -- as well as support with our voices and other resources, and emulate. This is not a time to sit quietly at home thinking, "Oh, other people are better at helping and taking action." Yet neither does that mean we all have to go all-out 100% of the time. As the famed street artist Bansky has noted, "If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit."

After all, the planets' movements are not always focused on constant push and confrontation and struggle. There are times of ease and receiving; brief lulls when you can catch your breath, regroup and integrate what's just happened.

We seem to be in one of those moments now, though major astrological events are in the works, and planets are in the process of changing signs. For example, in exactly one week Jupiter will leave Scorpio and enter a sign it rules, Sagittarius, where it will travel for about a year.

“President Trump, You are not welcome in Pittsburgh until you…” Protesters during Trump's hypocritical post-shooting visit to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Photo by Brendan Smialowski.

Additionally, just yesterday Mercury and Venus changed into their Halloween costumes. They'll stay in them longer than just one night, but not nearly as long as Jupiter will.

Yesterday morning, Mercury entered Sagittarius in direct motion -- though be aware that as of this past weekend, Mercury is in its pre-retrograde echo or shadow phase. (It stations retrograde on Nov. 16; the same day Venus will station direct). And yesterday afternoon (or evening, depending on your time zone), retrograde Venus backtracked into late Libra.

Mercury in Sagittarius may help you to foster a more optimistic outlook -- although, given all that's going on in the world, that could be quite a feat. I think of it less as a Pollyanna-style "Everything's great and will work out!" and more like an enhanced ability to see the point in giving something a try, with genuine curiosity, sincerity and an appreciation of the challenge. For those of us living in the U.S., with midterm elections on Nov. 6, I'd say tapping into this particular mental tone is crucial.

Bear in mind that Mercury in Sagittarius can be a little too direct in its speech, forgetting to pause beforehand to account for the possible impact of what's being said. You'll also want to notice if you start to become more concerned with people's attitudes than you are with the facts.

If you work as a public opinion pollster this could be very useful to you this week; for the rest of us, it's good to remember that "An attitude is not necessarily right merely because it is popular or prevailing," as astrologers Frances Sakoian and Louis Acker have written about this Mercury placement.

I'm curious to see what, if any, prevailing and popular attitudes shift or come to attention in a new way during Mercury's time in Sagittarius, especially while retrograde.

As for retrograde Venus, which made an exact opposition to Uranus yesterday (have you experienced any unexpected interpersonal tricks or treats this week?), it is now in Libra, a sign it rules. This is a more 'comfortable' sign for Venus, yet the state of being retrograde might mean that it expresses a little less directly than it normally would here. This could be more noticeable if someone's actions this week really threw you for a loop.

Even so, you may wish to keep your antennae tuned for a sense of greater emotional clarity on issues that have come up for you over the last month. Perhaps not a full-on 'a-ha' moment yet, but maybe a more intellectual or spiritual take on something that's been a primarily emotional experience thus far.

Venus in Libra is also famous for its dislike of injustice and 'uncouth' behavior. With such things seemingly rampant right now, the question becomes how to engage with them in a way that opens the door for improvement and justice, rather than simply turning away so as not to be bothered by it all. With Mars still making its way through group-focused Aquarius, I'm holding space for us all to come together to act for the common good in the next week. I'll be voting; if you are in the U.S. and eligible, I hope you will, too.

With love,

Amanda Painter

There's no turning back -- and we need just one thing

Dear Friend and Reader:

Life would be easier if more people used the full capacity of their minds. That goes for all of us. As we go deeper into this most unusual, challenging and potentially troubling phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most.

I'm getting ready to record and write the 21st annual edition of Planet Waves. I’ll be setting aside all but the most essential work to write what amounts to an astrological adventure novel.

That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves. How can we tap into our ability to find creative solutions to problems? How can we envision, design and create a better future than the one we seem to be heading for? How can we handle our personal growth in a way that is sensitive and efficient?

The answer is intelligence.

For the past 20 years, I've been offering annual readings that bring top-quality astrology direct to you for an affordable price. Recent editions, THE ART OF BECOMING and THE BOOK OF YOUR LIFE, have been remarkable bestsellers and helpful to my clients.

Tonight is the initial purchase offer for INTELLIGENCE, my 21st annual reading, published by Planet Waves. This letter contains important information about the discounted pre-order phase, which will be relatively brief compared to previous years. This is in part to avoid excessive email, to save staff effort, and to allow us to focus on what promises to be a truly exceptional annual edition.

Tonight we are offering a discounted purchase for all 12 signs, for Backstage Pass holders, Core Community members, and Horoscope Lover subscribers. For Galaxy Pass holders, the annual edition is included. Full price for all 12 signs, once the written portion is complete, will be $222. We are offering INTELLIGENCE at a substantial discount to readers of The Mountain Astrologer (see our ad on page 2).

Unlike in previous years, I plan to deliver RESET 2019, the first section of the reading, by New Year's Eve. Additional sections will follow in January and February, and there will be updates throughout the year. I will use written, audio and video formats, and the reading will feature an original soundtrack by Vision Quest.

Continue reading on the INTELLIGENCE homepage This Week on Planet Waves FM Down to the Wire

Dear Friend and Listener:

Last week, I ended the program with the song "Bombs" by Faithless, having no idea what was about to happen.

In this week's Planet Waves FM [play edition here], I reach out to all Scorpios and others who are feeling this Venus retrograde as some extreme experience of struggle, discomfort or weirdness. There's no rush; I take my time with that one.

In the second segment, I look at the news of the past week, which included a kind of hoax bomb campaign, a synagogue shooting, the president spouting his toxic word soup like Linda Blair spewing green pea soup in The Exorcist -- and most significantly, how to cope with this kind of dark intensity nearly all the time. You did not sign up to be a war correspondent, but you may feel like one.

I look at the chart of Neil Young, the consummate Scorpio (with an Aquarius Moon), and we feature some of his songs to illustrate who this truly unusual person is (chart is below, at full scale).

Planet Waves FM is published by Chiron Return, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, which is part of the Pacifica Radio Network. We are supported by your generous contributions, large and small, which are starting to add up each month and cover the costs of the program.

Thank you for your support. All contributions are fully tax-deductible if you live in the U.S. If you want to be a major donor and sponsor an entire project or staff member, you're welcome to contact me directly.

Chiron Return's projects include Planet Waves FM, The Gemstone File resource for activists and reporters, and the forthcoming Investigative Reporting from the Kitchen Table. The first class will be announced as I finish the annual edition (likely in late winter) and will be called "Reading the News."

Thanks for tuning in.

With love,

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No Time for Excuses
By Amanda Painter

Now, former Pres. Obama's years in office were not without their drawbacks and questionable decisions (ongoing wars and drone bombings, anyone?) but at least his presidency did not feel like a three-ring circus merged with a demolition derby on top of a toxic waste dump. Also, Obama has an actual sense of humor, including about himself.

What he doesn't have is time for your excuses not to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6, if you live in the U.S. and are eligible. He dismantles 7 common excuses in this short video. True, the video is aimed at younger voters, and that might not describe you. But still, if you hear an excuse you've been using lately, I hope you'll reconsider.

As Obama notes in the first segment, it's when you opt out of exercising your right to have a say in governance that you enable other people to step and fill that void, often questionably -- at all levels, from municipal to national. It's what many people in power are counting on. So let's throw a wrench in that agenda, shall we?
Listen to Vision Quest on Live Stream

Planet Waves has an in-house music ensemble, called Vision Quest. We have a 38-hour loop of our music, which you can listen to any time. Included are finished pieces, rehearsals, live concerts, drum grooves, and spoken word recordings. I consider it a kind of musical divination. Click in randomly at different times of day and see what you discover. Our Gifts to You: A Little Something Extra

Dear Friend and Reader:

It took me a long time to figure out what kind of gift to offer for new and returning subscribers. Tee shirts seemed too complicated; you need at least six sizes to get started, and not everyone wants a shirt. Tote bags are useful but kind of boring.

So I thought: journals. I love notebooks, and just about everything I write starts scribbled down on paper. I know my readers are a little old-fashioned, so this seemed like the perfect thing.

Black smaller, pink larger, embossed with the Planet Waves logo. There are a few hand painted sketchbooks left, with heavy, acid-free paper.

Then...I researched embossed journals for about six months. That's how long it took. I requested or purchased samples of the best that suppliers had, and all kinds of stuff came floating in the door. It was more challenging than I imagined to find a nice one, though finally I did.

Everything had to be right: the paper, the lines, and how the book feels in your hands.

However, the one I selected was being discontinued. I ordered as many as we could reasonably afford. We now have two main options: small black ones, and larger pink ones (these are new).

Together, they are the approximate color of Good & Plenty candy. I am one of these people who loves anything pink (sweatshirts, nail polish, headbands, a hot pink Squier guitar that I gave to Zosha a few years ago). We also have a few hand-painted notebooks left, which are acid-free sketchbooks.

You can get an embossed notebook with any monthly, quarterly or yearly membership to Planet Waves. If, by the way, there's a calling for hand-painted ones, I will make one more-or-less to your preferences (for those who sign up for a full-year Backstage Pass).

Continue reading this letter here.

Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscopes for October were published on Thursday, Oct. 11. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for September on Thursday, Aug. 30. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign.  Aries (March 20-April 19) -- It is becoming increasingly crucial that we don't place too many barriers between ourselves and the rest of humanity. Whatever you feel, whether it's elation or deep distress, or one of the infinite states in between, you don't have to put on a mask, especially with loved ones. If you think you need some form of support, don't hesitate to seek it from people you trust. In turn, you might be in a position to encourage similar transparency in those you care about most. We're all much better off if we look out for one another. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- You might be getting a sense that not everything is as it seems, or that something is foggy or unclear. It's likely there is information you don't yet have, though that will probably emerge over time. You may also feel as if someone close to you is not quite giving you the full picture. In the absence of anything more definite, it would perhaps be wisest to adopt a policy of trust. If there are new details to be revealed, they will transpire eventually; though if you have specific questions you might also try asking directly. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- Your ruler Mercury is now in shadow phase, though you have a couple of weeks before it stations retrograde. While this is an indicator that the pace may be starting to slow down for you, you don't exactly need to stop the clock and freeze yourself in time until it stations direct. Be wary of feeling inclined to do that if things don't quite happen at the speed you'd like. There is plenty of room for living your life regardless, and for continuing to broaden your horizons. Be open to possible new experiences this week. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Creative or self-expressive endeavors are likely to receive assistance from your more intuitive sensations and feelings. Pay attention to your dreams, and perhaps try not simply to record them but to consider in detail your emotions surrounding them. Playing word association games might help to draw out anything sitting below the surface. Notice when a smell or a strain of music produces a specific emotion or thought. Do what you can to recognize yourself as a cosmic being, and try to keep tuned in to your higher ideals. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- In part everyone is socialized to depend on others for approval, rather than trusting in ourselves and following a moral code we believe in. Yet eventually it becomes clear that if we don't appreciate ourselves, whatever we receive even from those we love best will not be enough to counteract the resulting self-doubt. You're getting a window into the fact that you must be your own best friend. Learn to state your needs openly, and to respect your own wishes and abilities, and you'll no longer need anyone's sanction.Get your full reading by Eric here.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- If you're experiencing a pattern of behavior or events, it's possible that something in your past will be key to unraveling that and moving beyond it. See if you can make specific connections, and then notice whatever memories emerge. Unlocking them is likely to be a significant help in breaking through any habits you need to release. As you do this, remember that whatever concerns your wellbeing is important, even if it appears trivial to you. Don't be tempted to keep sweeping these things under the carpet. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- One quality you value, which your sign traditionally possesses in abundance, is a sense of tolerance. You can be diplomatic even in trying circumstances, and find common ground with people who might seem undeserving of the effort, while not allowing anyone to cross the line or take advantage. This skill is becoming rarer and more difficult. There's a lot of fear and hostility about, so we need to make connections where we can, and show compassion and love where it's needed. Take pride in doing so, and do it courageously. Get your full reading by Eric here.

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Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- Thanks to many centuries of cultural influence by a religion that exhorts us all to be ashamed of existing, acceptance of who you are, faults and all, can be difficult at times. Remember that none of us is or ever can be perfect, and try not to be unduly hard on yourself. Even the shadow, to use Jungian terminology, has its gifts. We place far too much emphasis on 'repentance' and self-flagellation, and not nearly enough on recognizing the good and the sacred that exists within each of us, and celebrating it. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- With Jupiter entering your sign in just a week, you may be feeling under pressure to get things in order so that you have a clean slate. You don't need to rush, however, and certainly not to push yourself to exhaustion. Resist any temptation to compare your accomplishments with those of people around you, and instead recognize everything you've achieved in the past year, which amounts to something considerable. You've made real strides in learning to understand and trust yourself, and the fruits of that already show. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- Many people are apprehensive about the future on a national and global level; given the content of the news, they have reason to be, though if we consider the progress we've made over the centuries, things look rather more hopeful. You may take comfort in this, and in the fact that wherever fear exists, there is also bravery. One thing you can certainly rely on, however worried you are right now, is your determination and strength to maintain your principles, and to grow wiser and more attuned to the divine within you. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- This is a pretty pivotal time for you, though it may seem as if things are actually grinding to a halt, or even going backwards. Yet, just as with planets that are apparently retrograde, this seems really to be a simple matter of perspective. While there might be certain influences moving out of your life at present, consider that these could be factors you need to let go in order to make room for you to bring in new ones, which are designed to help you all the better. Let the changes play out, and see what's there when the dust clears. Get your full reading by Eric here.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- As the saying goes, trust in God but lock your car. Just now you are more than usually open to the promptings of universal fraternity, which is a beautiful thing indeed and not to be gainsaid, especially in the current environment of intolerance and hostility. However, you should not overlook common precautions. Certainly be willing to trust, but also be cautious about in whom and how far you place your faith. Keep yourself protected energetically; this may be counterintuitive, but it will help you maintain your sense of compassion. Get your full reading by Eric here.