Mars Shifts into Reverse, and a Full Moon Rises

Dear Friend and Reader:

Here we are, on the cusp of one of the signature astrological events of 2018: this Tuesday, Mars stations retrograde in Aquarius at 5:04 pm EDT (21:04:21 UTC). You might be feeling very curious about what you can (or want to) do right now, or too overwhelmed to take action on certain current issues; or maybe you desire to act but feel confused or frustrated in how to do so best in your particular social circles. Mars stationing retrograde in Aquarius can be seen to symbolize any of these possible states.

The August 2003 Mars retrograde, captured in a composite photo to show the path Mars traces. The short dotted line just above the Mars loop is Uranus doing the same thing. Photo by Tunc Tezel via NASA/APOD.

Eric has written extensively about Mars' impending journey backwards through early Aquarius and into late Capricorn, which will last for about two months. You can read two of those essays here for in-depth discussions: Mars and Society: Retrograde in Aquarius, and Mars Retrograde: Background, and Deep Background.

Without trying to cover all of that ground again, I want to mention some of the big themes you'll probably want to track in your life during these two months.

These may include things like: your experience of asserting yourself socially; the ways in which you discover who you are through conflict with others; how you respond when your individuality runs counter to prevailing social rules, patterns and expectations; how you perceive and engage your sexual desire, especially related to shifting cultural norms and the 'consent' conversation; where you locate your creative will and sexual agency (do you claim it? Do you place that power in others?). Insofar as the volition needed to make money relates to Mars, you might also pay attention to your motivation and sense of empowerment around your finances.

However your path of discovery unfolds this season, it's possible this week could feel particularly edgy. Part of that is due to the Mars station (not to mention certain current events, such as the horrific separation of children at U.S. border ports of entry). Mars as an energy type likes to push forward; being stationary and then appearing to move backwards seems counter to the essence of Mars on a very foundational level.

One facet of the Mars station chart worth noting is that the Sun will be opposite Saturn in Capricorn (exact the next day, June 27). This is a reminder not to get overwhelmed by the limitations others try to set on you. If you find yourself encountering 'difficult' people this week, it might take more understanding and empathy on your part to bridge that conflict and find a meeting place.

Chart for Mars stationing retrograde Tuesday. Mars is the red circle with the upward arrow, with a bold "09" next to it, at the bottom of the chart. The Moon is in late Sagittarius at the lower left, moving toward Capricorn. Saturn is the gold cross-and-squiggle at the lower left, with a bold "05" next to it; the Cancer Sun is the yellow circle exactly opposite, in the upper-right corner, also with a bold "05." View glyph key here.

You also may need to explore the delicate balance between expressing your needs and fulfilling your obligations to others. That's not always easy, and can become even more difficult if you're feeling emotionally worn out, lonely, or outranked/outnumbered. Being honest in communicating your needs and asking the other person do the same should help, though that does take more effort than many people care (or dare) to expend.

Finally, along with Mars stationing retrograde, we're also building to a Full Moon this week. That takes place Thursday, June 28, at 12:53 am EDT (4:52:53 UTC) -- also along the Cancer-Capricorn axis. The Sun will be in the Moon's sign -- sensitive, emotional, fluid Cancer -- opposed by the Moon in Capricorn (a more emotionally rigid placement, and the sign of government).

This would seem to be a reminder that no matter how much your emotions may threaten to run away with things, an effort to stay in touch with your mind, your physical senses, and verifiable facts will serve you well. You can afford to take some time to question your perceptions -- and to notice the ways that you are actually safe -- before responding to anything that feels especially triggering, particularly in online interactions.

With the energy of Mars kind of in limbo, and the energy of the Full Moon building to a head, it could feel like constructive releases are harder to find. But that does not mean you're stuck, even if it looks like you are.

There's always something you can do to blow off steam safely, though you might need to get a little creative -- and be willing to own your needs, desires and reactions -- to figure out what will work for you. When in doubt, helping someone else who needs a hand can at least shift your focus long enough to come back into your center. I see real opportunity this week to understand something better (perhaps yourself, if not a situation or another person). Stay curious, and see where that leads you.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter Planet Waves FM Replay: Interviews with Astrology Greats

As Eric is away this week, we thought we'd take the opportunity to remind you of two of his most exciting interviews. These are the most relaxed, extensive and informative conversations available -- Eric in his role as astrologically informed journalist, interviewing two of the great minds in modern astrology.

The first is with Rob Hand in 2015 [play program here]; a broad and enlightening conversation on the history of astrology, the minor planets, and more.

We also have for you Eric's 2016 interview with Robert Schmidt of Project Hindsight [play program here], following Schmidt's discovery of the inventor of Greek astrology, Eudoxus of Cnidus.

These interviews are well worth revisiting several times. We hope you enjoy them; Eric will return next week with a new episode. Remember, we're able to keep the lights on thanks to your generous contributions, as our sole sponsor -- so please continue to donate at this link.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott Are You Ready for the Sacred Space of Self?

Dear Friend and Reader:

It's not for everyone. It may be for you. Are you ready for a journey into your astrology, and the astrology of our times? Are you ready for a full-spectrum view of Mars retrograde?

This event is in Aquarius, the sign of society and its patterns. I have done something truly shamanic, which is to be transported deep into the shadowy underworld of what is going on, right beneath the level of appearances, and the level of technology. I have witnessed and experienced things I can barely describe.

All that I've learned, I've shared in the Sacred Space of Self. This reading covers Chiron in Aries, Uranus in Taurus, and Mars retrograde in Aquarius -- all of which are directly related events. (Mars is the classical ruler of Aries, where Chiron is, and Uranus, now in Taurus, is modern planet associated with Aquarius). We are working out an energy pattern.

Eric recording the Taurus Spring Reading video.

Everyone feels the need for change, sometimes to an urgent depth of necessity. These readings (12 of them, plus a supplemental one on Chiron in Aries) are a guide to moving through, working with, and experiencing these energies in a creative way.

I have designed a guide to change, as society changes.

In this letter, we have three offers for you: for the readings as stand-alone, or combined with a written reading a discounted membership or extension; and then with either my written The Art of Becoming reading, and a membership. Those are listed below.

We can customize a purchase for you, though that is easier by phone. This will also get you an opportunity to talk with Amy or Ellen, and if I'm in the office, with me.

Here are your options, described a little more elegantly:

Option One -- The Sacred Space of Self video readings, all 12 signs, one purchase per household (i.e., share with your kids); or individual signs. These are 40-50 minute readings, applicable to your Sun sign, rising sign, Moon sign and the astrological ideas you have of others. I consider it ethical to 'research' possible viewpoints of others as a means of improving communication.

Option Two -- The Sacred Space of Self plus a year of Core Community membership, whether new, an extension, or upgrade and extend. Core Community gets you all of our publications, website access, and The Oracle divination tool (and intelligent horoscope archive). This includes daily, weekly and monthly horoscopes. Also included is a Planet Waves diary (beautiful new pink ones arrived) or personalized astrology kit.

Option Three -- The Sacred Space of Self, plus Core Community, plus The Art of Becoming Annual Reading. This is if you are super curious, and you want to catch up. The Art of Becoming will always be relevant, though I propose you want the information that it contains right about now, or as close to now as possible.

Remember, if you're confused or want some other options, or need help on the financial end, call us at (845) 481-5616. If you leave a message we will get right back to you.

Thank you for your business, 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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Value in Every Reading: Get a Planet Waves Membership


Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

We published your extended monthly horoscopes for July on Thursday, June 21. Your extended monthly horoscopes for June were published on Thursday, May 24. 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) -- Your ruling planet Mars stations retrograde this week in Aquarius: the sign of groups, collective thought and the human mind in general. Particularly for you, this likely relates to your place within your community, whatever you consider that to be, and the influence of your friendships. Amid the roar of the crowd, however, you are learning to embrace more fully what it means to be unique. Mars retrograde will probably help you reflect on precisely where it is that you end and your social world begins, and whether or not it would be helpful to shift or strengthen that line. -- by Amy Elliott Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Uranus in your sign has begun to work its magic, as if opening up a bunch of formerly hidden doors. Over the summer, Mars retrograde will add its own flavor to this process, causing you to look again at specific ambitions or plans for the future. In the same way that you plant seeds with enough space around them so the roots and branches can spread, you need to consider whether your current path offers you sufficient room to develop and spread your wings. By the end of August, you may have an altogether different idea of what sufficient room actually means. -- by Amy Elliott Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- Belief can be a useful part of how we make sense of the world, because there are necessarily many things we don't know. However, reviewing one's beliefs should be an ongoing task, especially when confronted with any information that seems to cause discomfort. Mars is now inviting you to re-examine your beliefs at the most fundamental level. This is particularly true at the point where such ideas tend to become dogmas, which in turn can hold back your evolution. Consider this open season on everything that is not an established or verified fact. Curiosity can set you free. -- by Amy Elliott
Cancer Birthdays 2018: Embarking on Your Actual Path of Discovery

"One property of your sign is that it makes you a pioneer and a leader, at least potentially, when you do the work that you take the most seriously, or that's the nearest to your heart. It also turns out that your work is where you can do your most effective self-exploration. It's an actual path of discovery."

-- Eric Francis in The Art of Becoming, your 2018 annual reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

If you have a Cancer Sun, Cancer rising or a Cancer Moon, you've likely figured out one essential truth about yourself, alluded to by the quote above: you have what it takes to be a leader in the things that matter most to you. This doesn't mean you need to be 'the boss'; but it does mean that you're an ideal candidate to do something meaningful -- for yourself, for those you care about most, and for your wider world.

If you're not entirely sure what your next steps need to be along that path, you can count on your upcoming 2018 Cancer Birthday Reading to contain some excellent ideas.

Saturn, Uranus and Chiron are all in signs with direct and special relationships with your own. Life is on the move. And 2018 is looking like your time to shine: Saturn, Uranus and Chiron are occupying some of the more public and relational zones of your chart.

Eric will be covering what this year's big planetary moves mean for your relationships, work life, impact on your wider community, deepest calling, family and ancestral patterns, and more. Not only that, but eclipses are on the way: primarily along the axis that describes what you value and your self-esteem (Leo) and your relationship to money and sexuality (Aquarius).

"Ah Eric -- just listened to your reading. I was moved to tears by your closing words. Your passion, deep care and love always shine through; and you have the gift of all great teachers, of making one feel that one is being personally addressed, respected and taken care of."

-- Liz Glanville

Your two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) come with an extended description of your sign and access to last year's reading. When you pre-order your full Cancer Birthday Reading early, you'll lock in the discounted price of $33. The price increases when the reading publishes.

If you could use a friendly, calm, motivating voice this year, you'll find it in this reading. Eric does his best to use plain language, and always brings the best of his decades of astrological, therapeutic and spiritual training to these readings.

Wishing you a beautiful start to your birthday season,

Amanda Painter

P.S. This reading will make a thoughtful gift for any of your Cancer loved ones.

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Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- In your continual process of becoming, sometimes it's necessary to review your commitments. You'll probably be doing just that over the next couple months, as you take a fresh look at your relationship with the rest of the world, and the people within it. What might have seemed essential to your life previously may no longer be so today; a change in career trajectory, location or friendships might be coming due. This is unlikely to be a decision for today, or this week, so don't rush it; simply observe what happens as time passes, and you may well reach a natural conclusion eventually. -- by Amy Elliott Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- Mars stationing retrograde in your opposite sign is likely to give you some pause for thought concerning your intimate relationships, including to yourself and your desires. Just at present, you may be particularly aware of the kinds of fantasies that usually reside in the back of your mind. For a moment, take the view that anything is possible, and that partners are both able and willing to hold space for your feelings. What could you then discuss with them? What might you ask for? Once you contemplate these ideas, you may realize that they are not so terribly far from what is real and possible. -- by Amy Elliott Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- You are probably very much aware that the business of constructing a better world isn't usually accomplished within a few days, or even a few months. It's something people do every day; not merely in the voting booths, but in town halls, on the streets and (which can sometimes be overlooked) within themselves. So long as you are serving a cause you can truly get behind, it's important also that you feel stimulated and inspired. This can come down simply to the arrangement of your daily work. In the coming weeks, you'll be able to review and, if necessary, overhaul all these routines. -- by Amy Elliott Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- The forthcoming Mars retrograde will on some level have you reconsidering what it is you ultimately desire. You may already have experienced surprises on this score, especially if what you thought you wanted turned out to have been influenced by former authority figures. Now you're much more comfortable in your own skin, and can really take the reins. Start by recognizing what brings you pleasure and makes you feel good about yourself; how you can best exercise your creative gifts; how you can do a job that doesn't feel like work. Patterns and ideas will likely follow. -- by Amy Elliott Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- Your classical ruler Mars is about to change direction in the region that for you relates to home, safety and security, among other things. This signals that you're likely to be pondering the question of what precisely makes you feel safe and, perhaps, what really constitutes risk. The way things are going, we'll eventually all end up in self-contained rooms surrounded by antibacterial agents and Virtual Reality, so that we don't have to go outside and do icky stuff like interacting with real people. As the next few weeks progress, grant yourself permission to go forth and seek fun and adventure. -- by Amy Elliott Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- As a society, we have yet to master assertive communication, which is really another way of saying adult communication. Many people involved in conversations are either trying to push their own agenda, or are so involved on an emotional level that they struggle to apply reason. You have a knack for speaking the truth, and for being open-minded enough to listen effectively. What this coming Mars retrograde is likely to teach you is how to get your message across better. In those areas where your understanding might need an injection of fresh ideas, you could well receive that, too. -- by Amy Elliott Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- This summer, your self-esteem is due to undergo a reconstruction of sorts. You'll have the chance to dissolve, once and for all, a lingering issue of self-doubt that originates in some past event, and to which you really need not pay one iota of attention. You have plenty of resources, and plenty of personal gifts. I would make a special effort to banish any thought of needing to rely on, or compare yourself to, someone else. Instead, focus on the unique beauty of your mind, and the various ways you express it. If need be, display your accomplishments where you can see them. -- by Amy Elliott Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Mars is about to station retrograde in your sign for the first time in over four decades. Its rarity alone makes this an event of some importance, and an opportunity for you to bring about considerable changes in terms of your personal identity, and the way you view yourself and your place in the world. The only thing that can hinder you is if you allow self-doubt to prevail. Banish the idea that there is any goal you cannot accomplish. You're about to discover that any boundaries in your mind regarding how far you can grow, however solid they seem, can be swept aside like a curtain. -- by Amy Elliott Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You likely expend a good deal of your energy taking care of other people (and probably critters). Sometimes that can feel like a never-ending task, however fulfilling you generally find it. Mars retrograde in the most sensitive place in your chart will probably call attention to your need for rest, and your need to receive care as well as offering it. Take as much time and space as possible to recharge, and allow the kindness of your closest friends to nourish your body and soul. Don't be afraid to take the initiative and state your needs. Those who love you are more than willing to answer the call. -- by Amy Elliott

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