Gemini New Moon, Mars Retrograde

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

The Sun and Moon form a conjunction in Gemini at 3:43 pm EDT Wednesday. The retrograde happens in the context of many sign changes of outer planets (Chiron, Uranus, Pholus and others).

Mars represents individuality; and Aquarius represents the rules of society, which tend to ban individuals from expressing themselves, or make it frustrating to try. Mars, however, will not be contained. This dynamic, on one level, sets the group and the individual in opposition to one another.

'Earthrise 2.0', captured in 2015 by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, while taking a break from documenting the Moon's surface. Image by NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University.

Yet there are much wider forces that are conditioning groups of all kinds -- families, companies, tribes, cliques and so forth. Collectives of any sort are being shaped by deep, far-reaching processes of change.

The individuality that would seem to be coming from Mars also originates with Chiron in Aries (the ultimate maverick) and Uranus in Taurus (a revolution in values). With these aspects, you only get the potential for change, and the energy to make it happen; you don't get a guaranteed outcome.

You need to tap into the energy like the Sun, the wind and the rain, and harness it to get the desired result. It will help if you know what that is; and if you don't know, spend some time considering what you need. What are the ways that your life is too conditioned or restricted by any form of a group dynamic?

Mars retrograde is an opportunity to shuffle the social order and make some space between our thoughts for these new outer planet transits to take root.

As for the Gemini New Moon, it's square Urania in Pisces. Gemini is about communication, something that is not done so well here in the age of the internet, of bubbles, and of inflamed hyper-partisanship on everything from political party to one's brand of sunglasses.

Urania is about an invention, a method, or an intelligent approach; in this case, to communication. Yet Gemini reminds us of the extent to which our internal dynamics dominate all social dynamics. That is to say: for the most part, we take our relationships with ourselves and broadcast them to the world.

This places the emphasis of responsibility on understanding ourselves, and getting along with ourselves. Particularly within intimate relationships, this is crucial because the potential for projection is so present.

My impression is that our intimate relationships need to be re-framed as opportunities to help our partners to get along with themselves, rather than as an interpersonal dynamic where many people feel they have to fix one another.

I have much more in tonight's Planet Waves FM, accompanied by The Clash.

With love,

Tonight on Planet Waves FM Gemini New Moon and the Question of Suicide

Dear Friend and Listener:

In this week's edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here], I look first at the Gemini New Moon; we have included the chart below. 

Then I look at the New Moon in the context of the forthcoming Mars retrograde. That is about to become the thing that we notice the most. The ultimate Aquarius question of the where the individual meets the group is coming into focus.

Joe's 1966 Fender Telecaster.

This is happening under the influence of the internet and other electrical media, which tend to make everyone and everything more tribal -- all themes that apply to Aquarius. Yet Mars is about to assert itself, and this will not be as easy as shouting down or blocking someone whose views you don't like. 

With the remainder of the program, I discuss suicide. I've been asked to do the death charts of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, who both took their own lives last week. I am, however, reluctant to use astrology to peer into the motives, or the pain, of someone I don't know.

Instead, I take the matter in a personal form, and talk about you and me. And I look at how the problem of suicide masks the far wider problem of alienation, pain and loneliness. 

My musical guest is The Clash, focused on two albums only -- London Calling and Sandinista.

For those looking for my reading on the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy 50 years ago last week, please see this article.

Planet Waves FM is distributed without profit by Chiron Return, Inc., and is part of the nonprofit Pacifica Radio Network.

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Thank you for participating in what we do.

With love,


Mars Retrograde: A Rare Example of Astrology

Dear Friend and Reader:

You might say this is the perfect time for Mars retrograde in Aquarius. The energy patterns that are represented in the collective, archetypal version of this vitally important sign have indeed grown overbearing. We need some change; we need a rearrangement of our personal contracts.

Eric recording the Pisces Spring Reading video.

And most of all, there are many people who deeply need the opportunity to express themselves as individuals rather than as people whose only option is to follow the rules of the game. The whole purpose of growth, of the spiritual path, of self-actualization, is to be able to express yourself, as you are.

To that end, I have prepared a set of readings for you, in video format.

Taking my friendly, positive and clear-headed approach, I work through Mars retrograde for every sign and rising sign. And while I am at it, I cover the many sign changes of outer planets that we are experiencing now, particularly Chiron in Aries, Uranus in Taurus, and several points entering Capricorn at the same time.

The readings are available as a set, or as individual signs. We've prepared some sample videos -- you can see them here.

Are You Curious About Astrology?

Detail of the Leo Spring Reading chart, showing Mars retrograde on the right.

The astrology school thing is big business these days, often costing hundreds or thousands of dollars -- and being of questionable use. One thing I do in these readings is I leave all my notes in the margin, so you know how I am figuring out what to say, using my colorful hand-drawn charts to describe my interpretation process.

If you are studying astrology on any level, you will have nearly 12 hours of video for the cost of one of my classes. I share my ideas so you can borrow, revise, adapt or outright steal them.

Long ago, Melanie Reinhart described me as a "master of applied astrology." I took the compliment -- but more so I took it as a challenge, specifically to focus on making astrology real for you, and helping you learn how to apply it to your life.

If you watch these readings, you will be much better equipped to interpret your own transits and aspects, as I demonstrate an easygoing method for doing so, one that does not require a lot of book knowledge.

You get an excellent discount if you purchase as a set, or as individual signs. We've prepared some sample videos -- you can see them here.

Thank you for signing up, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

P.S. Don't forget to watch our other sample videos: we have a compilation of cardinal sign previews, or you can watch the entire video on Chiron transits here.

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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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Planet Waves Membership: A Gift of Inspiration



Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscopes for June were published on Thursday, May 24. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for May on Thursday, April 26. 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) -- Honor the science of communication. This week's New Moon in Gemini takes place in the angle of your chart associated with written and verbal expression. That you have Gemini there is a blessing, as this grants you the ability to focus your ideas, if you apply the discipline and the muscle. Yet more than that is a quality of inventiveness and refinement; an approach that involves at least as much science as does baking. That means taking a methodical approach: using a method, which would need to include the usual idea to draft, then to revise and rewrite. Also, it would be helpful if you made a review of recent mistakes you've made, and figure out how not to make those again, as it does seem possible that you'll repeat an error if you don't make a conscious effort not to. Take your time, and choose your moment. Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Money is energy; and at this stage of your life, you will get back what you put in. Be aware that you will need to make some kind of up-front investment, which means some of your resources engaged in whatever system you design. However, you're looking for some efficiency here, less like that of a car and more like that of a bicycle. So you might focus on that subject in particular. One example comes from the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane. Their first task was figuring out how to make the perfect glider, which they flew like a kite, using only wind power. Once they had that, the next step was to figure out how to power it. Yet the thing had to stay up on its own first. This is what I mean by efficiency. Also, you have made enough mistakes to write a book; so at least inventory those and exploit them for everything they are worth.
Gemini Birthdays 2018-19: Final Days for Lowest Price on Your Gemini Reading

"All I can say is I am so -- stoked. Not only are you giving us a reading, but a teaching that is invaluable. Thank you so very much Eric. You rock!!!"
-- Anna Marie Davis

Dear Gemini Friend and Reader:

Now that the Spring Reading is complete, Eric intends to record your 2018-19 Gemini Birthday Reading within a short time. Once we publish that, we'll increase the price -- so be sure to pre-order soon to lock in the best value.

These readings are an excellent resource: a creative invitation to learn about yourself in these wild times, and a well of information about what's going on around you that you can draw from again and again. You'll want to secure your copy of this reading as a toolkit for your year ahead.

"Thank you so so much Eric. 'Wow' is all I can say. You are truly amazing at what you do. In gratitude & much love."
-- A.Z.

Your Gemini birthday reading will consist of two 30-minute astrology segments, packed with details about the ensuing 12 months -- plus goodies such as access to last year's reading.

Eric's technique makes his readings relevant to anyone with Gemini Sun, Moon or rising, allowing him to speak to you as if personally. He delivers the reading in a friendly and accessible way, without compromising on accuracy or quality.

You may pre-order your 2018-19 Gemini Reading here for just $33. This reading also makes for a unique and lasting birthday gift for the special Gemini in your life.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

P.S. If you've not yet purchased your chapter-length written reading in The Art of Becoming, you can get this along with your birthday recordings for $55 -- a significant savings.

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Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- Wednesday's New Moon in your birth sign is like a hub that connects many seemingly separate people, events and things. So you might serve as this hub, and see what comes to you, who passes by your house, who visits, what parade comes marching down your street. This will have some of the strongest effects as Venus changes signs, which will give your words and ideas tremendous impact and appeal. In many different ways this seems to be the message written in the sky. Yet with Mars getting ready to station retrograde (June 26-Aug. 27), you will need to use your power and strength to take a view that is not considered popular and may not be understood. Hence, you're being called to refine your talent as a communicator, which means being balanced both in the use of your brain, and the composition and delivery of your message. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- You are about to be introduced to a supply of ideas and energy that seems endless, from a source you cannot really identify. Don't worry about the mystical details; rather, tap into the goodness. Note that Mercury in your sign will be square Chiron, so you may not necessarily feel positive about your own intelligence; this is an illusion. How you see yourself is largely determined by what mirror you look into. However, take note of any self-judgments that come along with a surge of awareness or strength. This is the kind of inner conflict that causes many people to back down from their own mental and creative gifts. The inner conflict you might feel is the very thing you must engage and work through, rise above and, more than anything, tap the power of. The tension you may be feeling is not the thing it seems like at first; rather, it's the necessary precondition of true creativity. Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- When Venus enters your sign on Wednesday, it aligns with a cluster of minor planets, though one in particular stands out: Varuna, the great equalizer. The message is that we are all equal in the eyes of love; you are the messenger. And the way you will deliver this wisdom is through your actions rather than through your words. Demonstrate who you are with the love in your heart. Be certain to infuse that with the desire to serve others; that is the ultimate expression of love, particularly how we need it with the world as it is today. That service could come in the form of listening, and providing a secure space for someone who feels threatened. It could also come in the form of material generosity, which is best offered one-to-one rather than via a six-digit code you text someplace. Emphasize the human connection. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- You love to know the theory behind everything. That gives you a form of mental power, though don't stop there. Yes, keep track of what seems to be happening behind the scenes, though watch the outer world as well -- and consider the two in context of one another. Pay particular attention in the intersection where secrets or taboo subjects meet up with public consciousness. This is a thin membrane where all kinds of strange things happen, and where truth and fiction can seem indistinguishable. Therefore, you must withhold judgment and observe, until your observations challenge some previously held beliefs, at least two or three times. As your perspective shifts, you will gradually begin to follow the common threads. There will be ideas that repeat in unusual places and odd ways. You might seek to disprove something, and establish its validity. Keep an open mind. Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Amidst much other activity, Venus is about to move from Cancer to Leo. Happening at the same time as the Gemini New Moon on Wednesday, this is one of several signs that your world is broadening; and that your view on life must follow suit. There is a metaphor from photography that illustrates your astrology. In one style of picture taking, the artist uses a wide-angle lens, and gets in close to the subject. This shows both the figure and the ground; the topic at hand, and the wider context. There is detail available, and there is framing that makes the detail meaningful. This is the perspective you need to have. When you're uncertain what you see (or as one master said, when you don't like your pictures) get closer to the action. Walk right up to what you're thinking about. Engage with the person you think you disagree with. You will find your common ground. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- This week's New Moon takes place in your solar 8th house, the one associated with a long litany of taboos and family secrets. The 8th house also describes some of your deepest desires, and you have Gemini on this house. That is an illustration of your desire to confront and engage with your twin soul, and the urgency that sexual bonding has had in your life (and probably still has). You are now being given an opportunity to confront a mental or emotional block. People love these things, and love to turn them into screaming controversies. However, you are responsible for the contents of your thoughts, your feelings and your desires. If you are dealing with a hang-up of some kind, address it honestly, and skip the part about what people did to you to make you this way. Whatever that may have been, this is your personal territory; your spiritual property. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- A variety of events describe you in a process of making deep discoveries about yourself. Not every Sagittarius courageously carries the torch of truth, though I credit you with being willing to go places within yourself that might easily freak out other people. That may be happening now, as a partner, lover or love interest is having an encounter with the limits of their ideas, and their emotional capacity. There is nothing you can do to stretch their ability to think or feel. You can hold space, and you can remind yourself that whatever they may be going through has little to do with you. This can be challenging to grasp, especially if a wider and older issue is being processed through the immediate experience of a relationship that you are in. Give people time and space to figure out what is really about them; and continue your own process of inner investigation. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- You could empty a room today by saying that one's sexual confidence is directly related to their overall confidence; and that sexual maturity is an indication of one's overall maturity. Yet, whether the room is empty or not, the point is worth your consideration, especially as you come to terms with some of your deepest fears. You possess the power of creation. When power is disowned, it tends to run wild. When power is denied or suppressed, it tends to turn toxic, and turn on its owner. And when power is fully claimed, one enters a relationship with it; takes responsibility; and must therefore engage in what can seem like a moral or ethical struggle. Here is a clue: You are not doing this to gain someone's approval, be it a particular individual (parent, lover, friend) or a group (your family, your "tribe," your colleagues). Your growth is your business. You are responsible for your integrity; or, said another way, nobody else is. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- The process of Mars retrograde in your sign is well underway, though not at full intensity yet. This is such a vital process in your life and your growth I suggest you take the deep-knowledge approach to the matter. For the past week, Mars has been moving slowly through your sign, close to the Moon's south node, a point called Ketu. This suggests that the first order of business connected to Mars retrograde will be some reckoning of the past with the present. You will know that you are making decisions when you start to adjust patterns and habits in your life. Some of these may seem to happen for you, as old arrangements crumble and you are set free from rigid entanglements. I suggest you take any freedom this process offers sooner rather than later, to establish your new patterns more closely on your own terms. You are past the time when your life can be dictated by others, or lived according to their preferences. Now is your big chance. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You can invent your way out of any situation, any mistake, any perplexing circumstance. But to do that, two things are necessary. One is that you take a methodical and systematic approach. This does not need to be on the level of astrophysics; more like a dedicated hobby, where you plan what you do, and do everything for a reason. Another involves seeing the connections, following them, and gradually understanding them. Think of this as a weaving process, where you follow the threads over time, work with the strands of truth and incrementally come to see the whole scenario for what it is. It will help if you think of life as a mystery to be solved rather than a game to be won. As Mars turns to retrograde movement later in the month, that mystery will focus increasingly on you. What you are after is to understand the ways that you have internalized the structures and rules of society, and limit yourself in ways that are just not necessary.

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