Sun Enters Gemini, Makes Many New Friends

Listen to the new Planet Waves FM tonight at this link.
Dear Friend and Reader:

The Sun enters Gemini tonight at 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC May 21). Gemini is the third sign of the spring season, a mutable air sign. Mutability is the energy of transition; spring is melting into summer; and, down under, autumn is melting into winter. When the cardinal sign takes over (the next one being Cancer), there is a surge of energy and a new season begins. For now, we have 30 more days of the days getting longer, at least up north.

Twin poppies growing under a Gemini Sun in Brighton, U.K. Photo by Dominic Alves.

When the Sun arrives in Gemini, it will make aspects to a bunch of planets and points that are located early in their respective signs. These include Chiron in Aries, Uranus in Taurus, Venus in Cancer, Transpluto in Virgo, M87 (a massive galaxy) in Libra, Pholus and Quaoar in Capricorn, and Mars in Aquarius.

If there's an opportunity for the world to change overnight, this might be the opening. However, this would have to follow the guides presented by the Gemini Sun, which are to maintain a balanced perspective and an actual dialogue, and to do your best to get along with yourself and with others.

The Sun's new transit will highlight three of the most significant conditions of the spring and summer, which include the nascent transits of Uranus across Taurus and Chiron across Aries. Even one outer planet sign change can shift the energy palpably; we have more than that, particularly if you count Pholus and Quaoar in early Capricorn.

These are factors that will make a compelling case to deal with the relationship between family, corporations and government. Capricorn covers all three environments, though Pholus (a centaur) and Quaoar (one of the major discoveries in the Kuiper Belt, near Pluto) both specifically address family constellation issues and generational issues. Pholus adds the theme of substance dependency and abuse.

Substances does not just mean drugs and alcohol. I would consider certain psychic properties to be every bit as addictive and damaging as abusing something like alcohol, and the more insidious for being less obvious. By mental habits I mean things like jealousy, deception, self-deception and various shades of sabotage. Particularly here in the relatively wealthy Western world, we need to raise the level of our priorities.

As the Sun makes its many aspects over the next week or so, we will get a tour of what is possible, what we need to consider, and see some options for choices that we need to make. Please keep your eyes open and your ears on.

Note on readings: the Capricorn and Aquarius tarot readings are done. I will soon move out the remaining few. The Taurus birthday reading is done and ready. As usual, it felt like good work doing it -- a message I could not deliver at any other place and time; it's good for Taurus rising and Moon as well.

With love,
Tonight on Planet Waves FM The Greatest Day of My Life (so far)

Dear Friend and Listener:

I begin tonight's edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here] with a tribute to Eric McLuhan, who died on Friday while he was traveling in Bogota, Colombia. He was down there for the opening ceremonies of a doctoral program at University de la Sabana. I tell the story of the one day that I spent with Eric, in Manhattan last autumn.

I also read the chart for the Sun ingressing Gemini, which it does a little later tonight, and give a reading of Mars retrograde in Aquarius and Capricorn, which begins in late June.

Our musical guest is U2, and I take you on a tour of some of their work, spanning from October to mid-career through Achtung Baby and their work with Brian Eno under the moniker Passengers. I include a detailed reading of Bono's charts -- one of my more detailed celebrity readings ever.

In the tantra section, I talk about masturbation as a way to finding our sexual sanity here in our age of confusion, aggression and compromised boundaries.

Planet Waves FM is sponsored by your generous donations and memberships to Chiron Return, the nonprofit corporation that publishes the program. Chiron's only corporate sponsor is Planet Waves, so your memberships to Planet Waves count as well.

Thank you for tuning in.

With love,

Chiron in Aries: The Challenge of Individuating

Dear Friend and Reader:

Chiron is now in Aries, for the first time since 1977. This is about the quest for individuality in the most deeply personal way: the cultivation and growth of your soul. There are challenges associated with doing this, which I plan to address eloquently and in a way that you will find reassuring and helpful.

Eric Francis at his video desk, in Kingston, NY.

Chiron in Aries is good news for those who love learning about themselves, growing and living in a way that is fully committed to who you are. Following up on The Art of Becoming 2018 annual edition, I'm honored to offer you The Sacred Space of Self spring reading.

The Sacred Space of Self will come in the form of 12 video presentations, each approximately half an hour in length. These readings will apply to Sun sign, Moon sign and rising sign. They are offered as a package, and will interlink with and support one another. 

One topic I will focus on is the special challenge of growing and evolving when you're involved in an intimate relationship -- and your partner is not growing as fast as you are, or does not want to.

The Sacred Space of Self will cover Chiron's transition into Aries over the next nine months. I will also look back at Chiron in Pisces, which began in 2010. I will give a detailed reading of Mars retrograde in Aquarius (June 26-Aug. 27). And I will introduce Uranus entering Taurus. (NOTE: In the Midyear Reading over the summer, I'll further develop Uranus in Taurus, and give a detailed reading of Venus retrograde in Scorpio.)

Delivery is projected for the month of May. Given the complexity of the project, there's no way to give a better estimate, but May (as early as possible) seems doable.

Pricing Policy: Please Read Carefully

First, this is one purchase per household. You may share with your significant other and relatives. This reading will contain useful information for both adults and children.

Planet Waves products are introduced at the lowest price, and then we increase gradually. We are introducing all 12 signs of The Sacred Space of Self for $66, which is $5.50 per sign. Soon after, we will increase to $77, then $88, and then, right before publication, $99. Once we publish, the final price will be $111. If you want the best bargain (nearly half price), please purchase early!

You may pre-order The Sacred Space of Self here.

Thank you for your business, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

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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.

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Honest, Reliable Astrology: Join Planet Waves


Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

We published your extended monthly horoscopes for May on Thursday, April 26. Your extended monthly horoscopes for April were published on Thursday, March 29. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) -- You may feel as though you've stepped into some kind of unusual social situation that you just don't understand. You may feel like you're in over your head, or that elements from the past are driving you more than what is immediately in your environment. Yet you must maintain your confidence, while at the same time remaining aware of your perceived weaknesses. Pay special attention to any bad advice that may have come from your mother, or any attempt she may be making to control your life (whether or not she is in-body). Some of this may focus on an aspect of your sexuality that you're concerned will, sooner or later, emerge into the light, at which time it must be confronted. Don't spend your time waiting. Deal with your most intimate issues directly. Practice radical honesty (a book by that title is worth reading) with yourself first, then with others. Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Mercury is cautioning you against exaggeration in any form. State matters in their most basic and elemental way, leaving out the emotional content. That may not be easy, though it will help if you make a list of the known facts, the suspected facts, and what you're certain you do not know. Once you organize your thinking in a way that subjects things to logic, you will have a much clearer view of your situation. Financial matters are a high priority, though not so much as you may think. What's more critical is that you spot the errors in your thinking, and do what you can to correct them, which is what the straightforward analysis I've suggested will probably accomplish relatively easily and painlessly. And once you've attained a state of clarity, be certain that you update your files regularly, and keep a flexible point of view. Nothing stays the same for long these days.
Reach For Clarity With Your Gemini Birthday Reading

"I am very happy with my purchase of the Gemini report. It speaks volumes to me. I truly do appreciate the time and consideration you've put into it. Your work has always offered me food for thought, options to consider and clarity when needed. Thank you very much for what you do and how you present it."
-- Victoria Bouet

Dear Friend and Reader:

With so many outer planets transitioning into new signs, many people are feeling confused and uncertain of what will happen next. As a Gemini, you may be more comfortable with change than most: you understand that your best bet is to work with the turns in the road. Yet it helps to have a map; and there's a handy one available in Eric's forthcoming 2018-19 Gemini Birthday Reading.

Eric will cover such topics as Chiron's move from Pisces to Aries, Jupiter's approach to your opposite sign Sagittarius, and much more. This valuable reading is designed to equip and empower you for your solar year ahead and well beyond.

"I am so happy to receive the guidance from these readings. The ability to view my life from this lens makes it so much easier for me to understand and accept certain views that are uncomfortable for those around me."
-- Kristin W.

Your 2018-19 Birthday Reading is designed to be clear, focused and user-friendly. It will comprise two pro-quality audio segments of at least 30 minutes each, along with access to last year's reading and an extended description of your sign.

You can get all of this for our fantastic pre-order price of just $33; note that the price will increase as we get closer to publication. This reading also makes an excellent gift for the Gemini in your life.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

P.S. If you prefer to place your order by phone, please feel free to contact us during Eastern business hours on (877) 453-8265, or (206) 567-4455 if you're calling from outside the US.

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Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- For you, at this moment, the truth is a matter of survival; especially professionally. Any short-term gain that may be had by frosting over some gritty aspects of reality will not serve you well, or serve you for long. You don't need to spill your guts, though you do need to account for all of the available facts, and do so in a way that you're prepared to support, and vouch for. Most days it seems the world has gone into the post-truth, post fact phase of evolution, though sooner or later there is accountability. The Sun entering your sign late Sunday puts a spotlight on you, making you more visible than usual and connecting you with many people in an unusual way. You're about to discover that everyone is connected to everyone else; and that there is, in truth, just one topic of conversation that must be addressed. It seems like more, but that's not true. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- At all times, check in with your inner kid. For some people, he or she is deep beneath the surface. For you, your kid is likely to be right where you can see, feel and speak with. This facet of your being is not necessarily the one to make decisions, but it is someone whose opinion you should value on any topic. When I say child, I don't mean impetuous child, but rather one who looks at the world more honestly than adults do; someone who is capable of being impressed, and also incredulous. Someone capable of curiosity, and of being real with others, and not worried what the consequences might be. Your child is probably in some kind of face-to-face relationship with your inner parent; though, in psychological terms, the inner parent is the least dependable, least reliable and least honest facet of the psyche. Trust your kid. Follow your curiosity. Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- The Sun has entered the friendliest and most social angle of your solar chart, which is Gemini. As this happens, you may find yourself in the midst of about 10 different conversations you were not expecting to be in, and some that you have no desire to be in. However, you will also be in a fantastic negotiating position, particularly if you take the approach that you're interested in every facet of the story. Don't do this randomly or casually, only in situations where you're truly committed and have some personal investment. It's a helpful way to work out conflict, should that bubble to the surface. And where you must make decisions, take every opportunity to slow down the process and gather information from every available source. Information is your friend; knowledge is in actual fact power. You are responsible for what you know, and for what you don't know. So, find out. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- The Sun has entered the most visible angle of your chart: your solar 10th house, Gemini. This is your power angle; your reputation; and your ability to occupy two careers or professions at once. What's so interesting is how many other planets there are in the very early degrees of the signs. This is something that influences everyone, though I'll offer some details here. The Sun will be making aspects to Chiron, Uranus, Pallas, Venus, Transpluto, Typhon, Pholus and Mars; all within about 48 hours (through Wednesday). That is a lot of activity. Your ability to handle many things at once, and to process a vast amount of mental data, will come in handy. The place you want to stay grounded is on the level of earth and water: the feminine elements. You will be spending lots of time 'in your head', and you need to spend some time in water, near water, in nature and with critters. Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Venus and Pallas Athene are encouraging you to take charge; though you need to know which approach to take, with whom. All in all, the theme is friendly, though the difference is how much emotion to bring into the conversation. Some people will need a more matter of fact, brass tacks approach; others will need a little more coddling or seduction. Regardless, you can get what you want, though you must be aware that there are many moving parts, and the game board has been rearranged somewhat radically since where things were at even just two weeks ago; very little that applied then applies today. So you must do your homework, update your files, and make sure that in all respects you're dealing with the most recent information. I was going to say recent and relevant, though certain factors that seem trivial could prove to be deeply meaningful. So take it all into account. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- There are certain people who just cannot stop lying; to make sure you're not one of them, hold yourself to a high level of truth in all that you say and all that you write. Yet there's another side to this, which is what you accept as truth into your mind. Fraud and deception is a game that requires two players: a deceiver, and a believer. For a while, the believer is absolved of responsibility, since fraud is a self-concealing crime. However, at a certain point you will be working with enough information that you can easily assemble the parts and pieces, and align the layers. Pause before you make any decisions that are irreversible. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- Actions have consequences, and you must be aware of when you're being tempted to do something that is out of alignment with your personal truth. Don't even bother. Walk the other way. Forget about how much money, sex or paradise you may be offered, or may seem available if you do this thing. Forget it. Stick to truth, justice and your personal constitution. That's where the far greater rewards are to be found, whether spiritual or material -- and for you, they are closely related. Yet it's always wise to remember that yours is an economy that runs on love and not on money, particularly now. That's where to put your emphasis: on who and what you care about. If someone is close to you, draw them close, take care of them, share what you have, and allow an exchange to happen. Not online robotic fun, but in-person, human fun. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- Many factors in your environment will seem to provoke you, though it's your option what to do. Much depends on whether you're able to relax, explore and experiment. The alternative to that would be attempting to control, withhold, or suppress your energy. This is, in a sense, a test of whether you place a kind of false morality above your natural desire to live. You may be experiencing this as a titanic battle, though it's between "sides" of a debate that do not exist. You are one unified entity. You don't need reasons to allow yourself to be creative and breathe. You are alive. That is reason enough. What you might question are any reasons you've given yourself to hold back, to resist or to delay having the fun that you want to have. By fun, I don't just mean the transient kind. I mean the life purpose, fulfill your dharma kind. If you are afraid, I would ask, what are you afraid of? Does it exist? Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Mars in your sign suggests that you are in possession of considerable power: you can throw lightning bolts if you want. What matters is the feeling behind them: is it passion, or aggression? Is it a friendly feeling, or a hostile one? Are you intending to create or destroy? You can do any of those things, and it's imperative on you to choose. Yet these are decisions not often made; they happen on what some people call the unconscious level, and that rarely leads to much that is constructive. As your power increases, so too does your level and intensity of awareness. You must be aware from moment to moment, and decide from moment to moment. As the next few weeks progress, this will evolve from being important to urgent to mandatory; so you may as well tune in sooner rather than later, and claim full possession of your strength as a matter of daily living. Because it is. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You may feel uncertain whether to stay at home or go someplace, though you can do some of both. The Sun has just entered your solar 4th house, your private and most secure space; and you will feel better if you tend to, take care of, and spend time at home. However, Jupiter is also in your 9th house of travel, making a spectacular aspect to Neptune. So in a sense it does not matter what you do, as long as you have fun doing it. And remember the credo of all true travelers, which is wherever you go, you find yourself there. Your inner theme these days is getting clear about the true nature of fear, and how it originates inside of you. It's difficult (but understandable) when you place the source of fear outside of yourself. Yes, there are factors in your environment that you must deal with, though that's the point: how you address them largely determines what they are, and what they become, which is to say, what you are, and what you become.

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