Mercury Storm, and Sun Aligns with Uranus-Eris Conjunction

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Dear Friend and Reader:

We're rolling into another interesting week, having left some rough astrology behind us. Let's cover that first. Over the weekend, the Moon passed through the Capricorn stellium, currently consisting of centaur Pholus, asteroid Vesta, and planets Saturn, Mars and Pluto.

If you think of Capricorn as trying to structure and contain things, imagine how it would feel with high-output planets like Pholus, Mars and Pluto aboard. The other two -- Vesta and Saturn -- both describe containers of some kind, so at least there's some balance indicated. Yet the Capricorn Moon can be reactive, especially when conjunct the hotter planets; and it can be depressive in proximity to Saturn.

Moon's ingress into Aquarius early Monday morning. It's just passed by a stellium in Capricorn, consisting of (top to bottom), Pholus, Vesta, Saturn, Mars, Lunar Apogee and Pluto. Chart cast by Io Sprite, an animation program created by Time Cycles Research.

After the Moon was done with aspects to objects in Capricorn, it made squares to Eris and Uranus, in that order. It will move onto Aquarius at 2:50 am EDT (06:50 UTC) Monday morning, which will feel like an emotional bubble bursting (if you're awake).

The central item of the week, though, is Mercury slowing down to direct motion. The station-direct is Sunday, April 15 at 5:21 am EDT (09:21 UTC). That means that we'll be in Mercury's storm phase much of the week, as it decreases in daily motion and aligns to turn direct.

The retrograde goes back to March 22, shortly after the spring equinox. If the new season hasn't come roaring in, we have an image for that in the astrology.

When Mercury is stationing direct, let everyone else make the mistakes -- unless you know that one will negatively impact you, and you have the power to correct it in advance. For your part, take everything slowly and where possible, for best results, delay major decisions and purchases until Mercury is well underway in direct motion. Things to do or decide before the station-direct can flip into reverse on you.

Mercury will station direct with the Moon in Aries, shortly before the Aries New Moon. This New Moon will be nested in the midst of the Uranus-Eris conjunction, a rare event that will call forth a new manifestation of that energy.

For background, Uranus and Eris are in their once-per-century conjunction, which has been the dominant force in our astrology since about 2011 (when Uranus entered Aries). These conjunctions have a wide orb of influence -- they can have notable, distinct effects for a decade. However, as this is the first meeting of Uranus and Eris since the 2005 discovery of Eris, it's the first time this is happening consciously.

(I am one of those minor-planet astrologers who believes that it matters whether a planet has been identified and discovered. It's of course possible to read a planet's position going back centuries, once it is known to exist; however, in my experience, "before discovery" is somewhat different from "after discovery." The difference is consciousness.)

So, to sum up, we are headed into the Aries New Moon as Mercury changes directions, with the New Moon and Mercury s/d happening within a few hours of one another. The Sun's conjunction to Uranus-Eris, the New Moon tucked into the conjunction, and Mercury stationing direct -- all around the same time -- will work together to wipe the cosmic slate clean and let the springtime begin in earnest.

Note, two days after the New Moon and Mercury direct, Chiron enters Aries for the first time in a couple of generations. You may read about that here.

With love,

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The Unique Role of Planet Waves




New Excerpts From The Art of Becoming -- All Signs

"Wow -- what a reading! I have been struggling for years trying to find that part of me, the one with drive, ambition, fearless aspirations, vision and a mission. Where has this person gone to? Why is everything I do being sabotaged or not manifesting? Now it all makes sense with Sagittarius! The disappearing, going missing, being waylaid. After this reading, I feel renewed, energized and hopeful. This came at a perfect time. Grazie mille Eric -- you hit it on the head again!!"

-- Nanci, on the Capricorn Art of Becoming reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

The Art of Becoming, our inspiring 2018 annual edition, has generated a lot of feedback like Nanci's. Eric's ability to help readers find the best in themselves is one of the qualities our customers and subscribers value the most about our work. This year's annual is no exception.

Click the links below for a snapshot of what this delightful edition contains, with brand-new excerpts from each of the written readings. We recommend you order all 12 signs here in order to benefit from the best value; you may choose your individual signs here.

Navigate directly to your sign preview:

ARIES | TAURUS | GEMINI | CANCER | LEO | VIRGO
LIBRA | SCORPIO | SAGITTARIUS | CAPRICORN | AQUARIUS | PISCES
With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

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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.

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Four Winds Almanac Now Includes Daily Horoscope

Planet Waves publishes a nifty daily astrology newsletter called the Four Winds Report. Designed as a fast read arriving early in the morning, we're now trying an experiment -- we're including the daily horoscope for everyone.

Were it not for horoscopes, I wouldn't be an astrologer. It was the Patric Walker daily that convinced me there was actually something to astrology, and I got my basic education studying his column each day in the New York Post.

I pack a lot of energy into each sign's 50-word write up. Part of the value of astrology is the timing, and daily allows for precision, as well as chronicling a narrative day by day.

Your almanac also includes information about Mayan astrology (long count and short count dates), several formats of the current date (including Hebrew and Islamic), a daily birthday reading, and special discounts on products and services.

Best of all, we take no outside advertising.

Sign up free here. Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscopes for April were published on Thursday, March 29. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for March on Thursday, Feb. 22. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign. Dear Friend and Reader:

I've finished the Aries reading, and thought I would share a few short notes. Sometimes I go into the reading with a loose plan, and then something new comes through. That happened here.

I began with a discussion of the "inner life," which has pretty much been eviscerated from our contemporary existence -- turned inside out by being inundated with electronic media. This shows up for Aries as Uranus having been in your birth sign for seven years, along with the many events involving Uranus (seven passes of the Uranus-Pluto square, three of Uranus conjunct Eris, and others).

Yet while this was going on, Chiron was present in your 12th house, providing a point of inner orientation, which was indispensable. Chiron in Pisces offers direct spiritual access; and for you, a tap into the inner light.

Now Chiron, fresh with all that energy, is going to infuse itself into Aries, and bring this soul growth up and out into the conscious level of your personality awareness.

Soon after this happens, Uranus leaves your sign and enters Taurus, which will ground you in your body, cool off that Uranian energy, and give you a break from the relentless pressure you've been under.

The other angle of your chart that's unusually active is your career house, Capricorn -- where, last night, Mars and Saturn were still in a conjunction.

Based on this and other factors, I describe the unusual openings that will be available to you, allowing you to both challenge existing norms and authority, and to work with these things to further your own ends. The reading is about 80 minutes in two parts. I have not added music yet; I will do that soon. I felt it was more important to get it into your hands.

You may get instant access here. For more options, please go to this link. You can also purchase by phone by calling us at (845) 481-5616.

It's been excellent to do this work for you.

With love,

PS -- Here is access to last year's audio reading, and last year's written reading from The Book of Your Life.

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Aries (March 20-April 19) -- You don't need to make the same mistakes twice or three times. It's far better to make new mistakes, because this demonstrates that you're learning from the old ones, and gives you some evidence that you're stretching into new territory. And that new territory will be exciting, unpredictable and an adventure -- just like you love your life to be. Looked at one way, the world is in a fragile state where everyone is freaked out that just about anything could happen. Looked at another way: all bets are off, the rules are suspended, reality is full of wormholes, and just about anything can lead to anything. You can, in fact, get there from here, though you will most probably end up somewhere other than where you planned. This week will bring something of a wild tour of reality and its many possibilities. Keep your schedule loose and your mind open. Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Venus, the Taurus planet, is now in your sign, which happens for just a few weeks every year. This is an invitation to connect with your love of luxury and comfort, whether that means eating in your very favorite restaurant three times in one week, or getting a new set of bed sheets. The deeper experience is about enjoying your life without any guilt. This is not easy. We live in such a way that there's always something more to do. It's like owning a farm, only more abstract; since much of what we feel pressured to do can wait, or doesn't need to happen at all. Taking pleasure in your existence, taking time for yourself (every hour counts), and granting yourself some freedom, are commitments for you. It's the difference between your life living you, and you living your life. You may encounter how challenging this is, at the same time as a revolutionary spirit rises in your heart. Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- We have one more week of Mercury retrograde. In some ways, it will be a less ridiculous week than last, which was adorned by Mercury getting mixed up in the path of Mars and Saturn in Capricorn. Thankfully that whole affair only happens once, though I suggest taking careful notes on what you learned, specifically for that reason. This week comes with another type of intrigue, beginning with Mercury slowing down to its station-direct position (which occurs Sunday, April 15). While this is going on, the Sun passes through the Uranus-Eris conjunction -- that once-in-a-lifetime astrological sigil of our extremely weird era in history. The Sun will align with Eris on Friday, April 13, and with Uranus on the following Wednesday, April 18. The net effect here is that we're all going to get a concentrated revelation about what it means to be alive at this time in history. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- If you're the kind of person who fancies yourself having a career, mission or vocation rather than just a job, this will be an exciting week. Action in the casino of life is moving fast. Several games are going on at the same time. New plans and goals are arising before you, and you're able to set previous aspirations aside. It seems like you want to do something different, or do what you currently do in a whole new way. Either of these works -- it's your choice, and you'll feel guided one way or the other. This is the week to push your luck, a little or a lot. Aim for something higher than you think you can achieve. Place a bet on some seemingly impossible odds. Be bold about being yourself: fly that freak flag and smile warmly at everyone who wishes they could. Then do what you want, and what you must. Make your presence known, particularly with the top dog. Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- You're making a choice between the past and the future, whether you recognize it or not. This is a week of reorienting. And that means focusing on what you want. The planet involved is Venus, which has reached a balancing point with elements in your sign and your opposite sign (the lunar nodes). You have the energy of a tipping point to work with; and since the focus is Venus, that means desire. This can be a real area of conflict for many people, who don't feel it's their prerogative to ask for what they want. You may also feel that it's too soon to commit, with so many parts of your life in motion, and the world in such an unkempt state. However, that has nothing to do with what you want, particularly what your life mission is. Here's the thing about one's true calling or vocation. It's not subject to style. It's an inherent part of you, if you choose to notice, and to respond. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- Mercury is continuing to move retrograde in the region of your chart that addresses shared financial matters, contractual matters and sex. Yes, those are all in the same house, and it's one where you tend to seek your identity (Aries and the 8th solar house). You may be feeling an odd mix of confident and edgy. You may be wishing you understood your most intimate situations better, and why you're in them. I suggest you collect your questions, and let them stand, without trying too hard to answer them. In fact, let them multiply, as the Sun continues to move through this region of your chart, and Mercury slows down and stations direct. There is clarity coming, in the form of Chiron (a planet with deep resonance to Virgo) entering Aries on April 17. The most likely effect of that event is to take you deeper: to help you ask better questions, and to seek more relevant answers. Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Your relationships may be hot or a hot mess at the moment. Your best role will be to see your part in everything you're experiencing. Mercury retrograde is about to make a conjunction with Hebe, an asteroid that's about enabling behavior and which represents the "drama triangle," represented as a martini glass. Yes, there is such a symbol. Unraveling anything even vaguely codependent is about seeing your role in the process, and altering that first. The trap is trying to change, or even understand, someone else, apart from acknowledging what they say and what they do. So you may as well start with that. The thing is, keep it on the most basic level: don't seek to understand motives, which is almost always a pretense; and the spiritual level need go no further than forgiveness. Your most necessary role is to live your own life, and to take care of yourself. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- It may be difficult for you to focus on your work these days, though you need to muster up some extra discipline and focus. You might not get as much done as you want to every day; the most important thing will be attending to one or two top priorities and making sure those happen. Be sure to evaluate in the morning when you start work, and then again with enough time at the end of the day to take action on anything you may have overlooked. Keep a schedule and make sure that you're running 15 minutes ahead of all appointments. Then, do your best. There will definitely be some surprises at work this week; however, nearly all of them will have either the quality of setting you free from some idea or routine that you're not interested in keeping, or jolting you into a creative solution to a problem that seemed impossible to solve. Don't sweat the small stuff. Focus on the big stuff. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- Few question the role that sex plays in their lives. Driven by pleasure seeking and the desire for contact, sexuality is often fraught with conflict. Its source is rarely seen for what it is -- and the payback, in terms of pleasure and contact actually attained, often falls subject to the law of diminishing returns. We all deserve better than this. You deserve better than this. Your solar chart this week is a setup for a series of discoveries and revelations about your desire nature. This will tie into your creative life. For example, one question that might arise is: do your sexual relationships support you as an artist, or do they detract? Do they provide energy and inspiration, or distraction? If you're an artist in any form, you want the partner or the lover who thinks that's hot: who loves that you're an actor, or the sound of you practicing bass, or that your hands are always covered in paint. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- The tensions of the past week may have left their emotional mark on you, and you may be feeling a little shaky. Yet in an odd way, you've found some strength and built some confidence, if only you'll tap into it. This may feel like a razor's-edge kind of thing. The bottom line is your autonomy: your ability to assert your desire, to make decisions and overall to be real with yourself. This may cause you some insecurity on what I think of as the tribal level of Capricorn -- the way you are drawn to identify with family or a group as your primary means of seeking your identity. Now that is being challenged. You may be seeing the ways that you don't fit in. You may, at the same time, be feeling uncertain about invoking the power of making your own decisions. Yet the bottom line truth is: nobody can make your decisions for you, and you can never actually conform to someone's expectations. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- There are some deep forces at work in your life, and in your psyche. You may not have control over them, though you have some room for how you choose to respond. It does not help that everything seems to be occurring behind a scrim or a veil, where you can't even perceive most of what's taking place. Yet you do have the ability to perceive what's in your own mind, as long as you're aware of where it's happening. It will help if you stay in contact with supportive people, particularly ones who know you intimately. Also, writing will help. It's an activity that's naturally introspective, and will keep your focus inward, where it needs to be. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Mars, Saturn, Pluto and other planets moving through your 11th house of public contact and exposure may be stirring the pot for you socially. In our tribalized world, there hardly seems to be a "safe" space except among one's own group, though even that is so heavily conditional that in the end, everyone has to go their own way -- or so it would seem, where true friendship is not a factor. And that is the matter at hand. There are many false uses of the word friend, and common and accepted manifestations such as a frenemy. You don't need any of those in your life. You have actual friends, people whose trust you've earned, and who have earned your trust. That is your foundation: the trust itself. The most important thing in all of this is that you be your own friend, and that you trust yourself. Then, this makes it possible to expand into the world around you from a place of fidelity and strength.

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