Eclipses and Retrogrades: Keep Calm and Carry On Thinking

Dear Friend and Reader:

This week's big event is Saturday's partial solar eclipse in Leo, which concludes a three-part series set against the backdrop of Mars and Mercury both being retrograde.

Last year's partial solar eclipse over Pittsburgh. Photo by Nick Amoscato.

As ever, eclipses tend to induce a sense of compressed time and of everything being turned upside down. For some, this can mean a breakthrough; others simply find themselves taking one day at a time until normal service is resumed. I'll have more to say about this particular eclipse below.

First up, though, is the astrological Lammas, or Lughnasadh, which occurs when the Sun reaches the midpoint of Leo: the height of the summer season. That's coming up Tuesday morning ET.

Notably, when the Sun arrives it's very tightly conjunct the asteroid Pallas, which represents politics, strategy and intelligence. It certainly does no harm to add an extra layer of forethought to just about everything at present, especially with two inner planets in reverse gear.

Speaking of, on Wednesday night the Sun and Mercury form a conjunction. This marks the central point of Mercury's current journey backwards through Leo: always an interesting development, and usually positive. Look for clues in this moment as to where the retrograde might be taking you. What's changed since Mercury's station on July 26, or since the last Sun-Mercury conjunction on June 5?

Asking this may also give you insights into Saturday's eclipse, which we briefly discussed here. The Sabian symbol, A Houseboat Party, refers to the very human tendency to take short breaks from routine, enough to catch a glimpse of what freedom feels like, before relapsing into rigid frameworks, which feel safe and comfortable. Yet if there's one thing no-one can afford to do right now, it's to remain within those narrow guardrails, which are reinforced by the binary absolutism of the digital age.

Take every opportunity you get to introduce nuance and complexity into your thinking, or into the conversation. If you don't understand something, educate yourself. And above all, when the dust settles after these eclipses and retrogrades, keep on doing precisely the same.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

Cancer and Leo Readings are for Everyone

Dear Friend and Reader:

Recently, prior to his sabbatical, Eric issued several readings, including the Cancer and Leo birthday readings and tarot. These readings are designed primarily for rising sign and Sun sign.

However, these two in particular are also general readings, and applicable to everyone. This is because we are in a series of eclipses, which are taking place in Cancer and Leo — the signs of the Sun and the Moon. 

The readings offer many ideas for working with eclipse energy, handling Mars retrograde. And they do something very unusual, which is fully integrate astrology and tarot.

We are offering a special promotion: Cancer and Leo combined for just $66. 

These readings are honest, introspective astrology and tarot, and a pleasure to listen to. All feature original music by Vision Quest, the in-house Planet Waves musical group.

Instruction in Reading Cards and Charts

These readings have a second purpose: they are excellent instructional materials for how to use divination tools. Eric leaves his methods transparent, and provides the charts and the spreads. You can follow exactly what he is doing, and how he is integrating the information into a coherent narrative. 

It is rare that an experienced reader allows this level of insight into his or her methods, though Eric’s role is to teach those very methods, and not just provide you with a reading.

Eric’s ability to integrate astrology and tarot is unusual and helpful, and combines the insights of these two tools in an excellent way.

You are invited to check out these readings today. The combined offer is here; individual signs are linked below.

With best wishes,

Amy Elliott

Read more... The Sacred Space of Self The Perfect Video Readings for the Eclipse Zone

"You're the best! I love your readings and I appreciate this; share so much as a Cancer with Cap rising, especially. Lots of insight! Thank you so much."
-- L.J. Innes, on the Sacred Space of Self sampler video

Dear Friend and Reader:

I just wanted to be sure you've had a chance to watch the sample videos we have available for the Sacred Space of Self spring reading. If current events have you feeling overwhelmed or a little raw, you might find some solace and inspiration here to keep plugging away at whatever challenges you face now.

Currently all four of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) are compiled in one video. We're working on separating those into individual samples -- although, if you have one of those signs as your Sun or rising sign, you'll definitely get great insight from watching the whole compilation.

The fixed and mutable sign samples are available individually (each is linked from the sign name). The cardinal sign links go to where the sample for each sign begins in the compilation video.

Aries		Taurus		Gemini	Cancer		Leo		Virgo
Libra		Scorpio		Sagittarius	Capricorn		Aquarius		Pisces

Please note that those are only very short excerpts of the Sacred Space of Self readings! Each sign's complete video is a full 30-50 minutes long.

You can order individual signs of the Sacred Space of Self here. Or, go all-in for the complete 12-sign set, and you can watch the videos for your loved ones, too.

"I enjoyed these videos and all of them are surprisingly, completely in-depth. Well, not so surprisingly if you have heard Eric speak on other subjects."
-- Samantha Hampton, on the 2018 Sacred Space of Self readings

If you have any questions (including questions about arrangements for financial hardship), please email us at cs@planetwaves.net -- or, call us at (845) 481-5616.

Wishing you well,

Amanda Painter

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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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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

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. That schedule is on hold while Eric takes his much-needed sabbatical; however, this recent horoscope by Amy Elliott was written with the month of August in mind. Aries (March 20-April 19) -- The creative process involves a good deal more thought and effort than is sometimes portrayed. It's not merely a case of waiting for the divine light to descend and bless you with inspiration. Even Archimedes' legendary cry of 'eureka', which he supposedly uttered on discovering fluid displacement, was at least partly the result of training his mind to notice such things. Genius is something that's gained or developed gradually. Planning your steps, organizing your time well and working on your present project as often as you reasonably can is the surest way to reach it, even if the eventual breakthrough is not what you expect. Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- It's necessary from time to time to revisit the territory of the past, or to retrace your steps, in order to work out snags. When this happens, frustration is a usual response, especially in our culture where we want everything to move ahead constantly, often at a frenetic pace. Yet, however reasonable your emotion, remember that you can get past it and work around any delays that do arise. Every longterm effort has similar phases. You need not see these as the result of wasted labor; try to perceive them as a way to consolidate the foundations of what you intend to build when the gears are ready to shift. Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- One of your greatest gifts is versatility. You have the knack for adapting to pretty much any environment that presents itself, and for getting along with all kinds of people. One useful point to remember is that this ability depends largely on your willingness to keep an open mind, and also your curiosity; both can be cultivated through education and practice. Let these encourage you to enter unfamiliar situations and expand your horizons at least a little, especially if inexperience is the only thing really stopping you. Consider this an opportunity for adventure, for learning, or for personal growth. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- A lot of people get into trouble financially simply because they don't know the extent or limits of their funds. If you're not clear on your own circumstances, this would probably be an excellent time to find out, particularly if you're considering committing substantial resources to anything. If you find accounts challenging to understand, get hold of someone who can help, whether a professional or a trusted friend. Have them explain to you exactly what is available and what, if anything, you owe. The more you know, the more thoroughly you can plan ahead, and it'll likewise be far easier to avoid spending too much. Leo Birthdays 2018-19: Eclipses, Retrogrades and You -- Oh My!

"For what it's worth: never heard anything so right on, dead on, aligned with what I am looking at, aware of, dealing with, leaning into -- especially professionally and emotionally. I can't even list them all -- so many subtle angles and aspects that all resonate and add up. Affirming experiences, potentials, challenges. To a T. Wow. Will be getting these transcribed so I can read them over and over."
-- Robyn Landis, on a previous birthday reading

Dear Reader with Leo Sun, Rising or Moon:

Big things are happening in your sign right now. Can you sense it? Are you feeling energized and excited, on edge, perplexed, stuck, like you're right in the sweet spot of your flow, or just plain curious?

Remember last year's big eclipse in your sign? Smile -- you have more coming! Photo by Amanda Painter on Aug. 21, 2017.

Any of those responses (and more) would make total sense: Mercury is now retrograde in your sign, and on Friday, July 27, there was a total lunar eclipse in your opposite sign (and relationship zone) Aquarius. But that's not all! Soon, we'll get a partial solar eclipse on Aug. 11 -- in the same part of Leo where a storied eclipse took place in August of 1999.

Your solar year is getting off to a dynamic start -- and the events and energy of these weeks will ripple out, develop and influence your life for the next six to twelve months. That's why no matter when you listen to your newly published 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading, you're sure to discover a wealth of helpful and inspiring insights you'll be able to get to work with right away.

If you're new to Planet Waves and Eric's audio readings, you're invited to listen to last year's reading as a gift. The 2017 Great American Eclipse occurred in your sign last year, and it has been reverberating ever since -- so listening to your 2017 reading is sure to help you review your year and get oriented on what's to come.

When you order your 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading, you'll receive access to two audio segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each) and an extended description of your sign, plus custom-selected music by Vision Quest, the Planet Waves musical ensemble.

"Planet Waves has been crucial for me lately as I navigate this topsy-turvy landscape; life is in transition on so many levels and it's been an incredible resource in my life, especially now."
-- Ronny K.

Thank you again for your patience, faith, and for being a valued Planet Waves customer in these wild times.

Wishing you an excellent eclipse season,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you have any questions or prefer to order by phone, please call us at (845) 481-5616; you can also email us at cs@planetwaves.net. And don't forget: the 2018-19 Leo Birthday Reading makes a fantastic gift.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- As a personal quality, intelligence seems increasingly underrated. Currently, thanks to the tribal character of modern social discourse, there's a tendency to distrust those whose abilities set them apart from the group. Forget all of that and don't allow it to trouble you. You have a unique purpose on the earth, and the skill to meet whatever challenges may come is within your reach. You don't need anyone's permission to cultivate and make use of your resources, or to aspire toward further learning and greater achievements in your chosen field. Value both the person you are now and the one you are becoming. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- Certain feelings and past scenarios we've not quite dealt with can have a habit of returning to visit us from time to time. If that happens, remember that you're not alone in this experience, and also that you've come through all the challenges you previously faced. Human beings are far more resilient than we often give ourselves credit for; being a mutable sign native, you have this gift in spades. If something of this sort emerges, resist the urge to shove it back under the metaphorical carpet; rather, treat this as an opportunity to find a lasting and positive resolution. You will reach the other end if you keep going. Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Your ruler Venus has newly entered your birth sign, which may invest you with a certain irresistible charm this week. You might plan to spend time around friends and in your general social milieu, where you tend to shine. Leave behind any temptation to doubt yourself, or to hold back if you have some fun lined up. Just make sure it's the sort you're really going to enjoy; a variety of people will likely be drawn to you, so you can be discerning about who you actually want to hang out with. It might also be a good idea to avoid intoxication to a level where you start to lose control of your faculties, though that's really a useful rule at any time. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- Be careful not to hold on to resentment for its own sake. The longer you maintain it, the more energy it leeches. This isn't to say that grudges are never justified; rather, they tend to get in the way of healing when one is safe from any return of unpleasantness. In particular, this week's astrology is suggesting that it may be practical to consider moving on from a prior conflict, so as to orient yourself spiritually in the present, rather than the past. You might also bear in mind that our memories are nearly always subjective and incomplete, especially regarding events of long ago. Turn your thoughts to the future. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- Spiritual systems aren't often associated with practicality, although I imagine in your case there would need to be at least some groundedness in common sense or realism. There's also an attraction in simplicity. Note that over time our beliefs, and the rituals and habits we derive from them, can increase in complexity to the extent that they become less serviceable and less in tune with their original purpose or intention. That happens individually as well as collectively, and it's why examining your spiritual framework from time to time can be helpful, so as to allow it to evolve alongside you. Don't be afraid to consider that possibility. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- In order to reach maturity (which is the ongoing process of self-actualization), it is necessary to confront unfamiliar challenges, thus gaining in confidence and independence. That is naturally easier said than done; and some situations can be frightening when encountered for the first time. Yet growth follows on the heels of each experience. If you're faced with a scenario this week that seems less than ideal, try meeting it boldly. Dare to dare. This doesn't automatically require rushing in headlong or acting recklessly, however. You can take stock, make sensible decisions, and move forward one step at a time. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- If you're not quite certain of your next steps, especially where a relationship is concerned, there should be no problem with you taking a little time and getting your bearings. Above all do not force yourself into any entanglement, for any reason. There should be enough of an understanding between you and a partner to foster mutual trust. Listen to your intuition regarding this, and don't hesitate to ask questions if there's something you need to know. People who sincerely care about you will respect all of this, and give you the room to move at your own pace. If someone expresses frustration, ask yourself why. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Reviewing and re-organizing your daily routine involves a number of factors. The big overall question, of course, is whether your plans work for you. Included in that is the consideration of efficiency: to borrow from Occam's razor, the simplest solution is usually the right one, so ponder where you might remove or reduce steps. Another factor is whether you have, or can access, the resources to carry all this through. Luckily, this process is unlikely to establish traditions that are set in stone and last until they become superstitions. You're free to experiment, to change direction and to take as long as you need.

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