Beyond the Thrill of Death

Dear Friend and Reader:

There is a gem of a book from the early 1970s called The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment. It's about 50 little pages in total and designed to be memorized. The purpose of the book is a trip guide. At the time, people were taking a lot of LSD and it was still a relatively new thing in the culture, so there was a bad trip problem. The book is about how not to have a bad trip — on acid, or in life.

The author, Thaddeus Golas, explains the vibrational relationships between beings, and how this affects the way we perceive one another. At one point in the book, he explains how people get high off of being threatened. Horror movies are one of the most popular genres; millions of people go out and pay $12 plus popcorn to be terrified for a while.

Well, we have all just been threatened with death for two months running. That's how you get people's attention. Nothing like a hostage situation, terrorism, a mass shooting or a bit of anthrax to silence the room and give everyone a cortisol rush.

The 'Death Works' Era of History

However, it's a vulnerable state: death works. Threatening death is a great way to get people to do what you want. The reason for this is most people have not established a relationship with death, which is a necessary step on the path to adult maturity.

Most people you meet are either terrified, creeped out or numbed out by the topic. That's why bad actors are able to use it to gain power.

This year's astrology has been dominated by Pluto: the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, Jupiter conjunct Pluto, and Pluto square Eris.

Pluto was discovered in 1930, in time for the Great Depression (what was so great about it?), the rise of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, and konzentrationslagers and gulags. The Pluto era has been death-obsessed. It's time to get over it. We need something more effective than ongoing death threats to get our attention.

Going Beyond Pluto

In 1992, the first object in our solar system beyond Pluto was discovered. For a generation, this was known as 1992 QB1.

This offers access to a realm behind death, and a teacher gentler than the "grow or die" message of Pluto. Tuesday at 7:40 pm EDT, the Sun makes its annual conjunction to Albion/QB1. This is an opportunity for meditation.

In my article on the 20th anniversary of Albion/QB1, I wrote, "There's a lot here about letting go of fear, which is part of every healing process. QB1 shows us that there's something on the other side of what we're afraid of, and of the fear itself. Our prior model of the solar system seemed to be saying that there was nothing on the other side of Pluto, of death; last stop, game over."

And: "This new discovery whispered that there was more, and that it was worth letting go of the fear, and I think that QB1 shows a way of doing that. In the chart, think of it as pointing the way beyond your perceived limits about death, which remains a thought so terrifying to most people that they cannot even consider it. Now in the metaphor of the solar system, we have something in the model that says there is more; that there exists something beyond this perceived edge, which we can access if we want."

There is much more in the article, which is a classic.

Mercury square Saturn: Respecting Time Boundaries

Monday, Mercury enters Taurus. The first thing it does is make a square to Saturn, which occurs within hours of Sun conjunct Albion/QB1 the following day. So we get a picture from the inner planets about what this large idea means in an immediate and local sense.

Time is the most important boundary. That is why showing up on time, and doing your work on time, is such a relevant symbol of respect, for yourself, for others and for existence. There is a maturity factor involved. Mercury and Saturn describe this beautifully. The reason you don't want to hire someone who shows up late for a job interview is they are admitting how immature and disrespectful they are. They are admitting their lack of willingness to plan.

In order to work with time as a friend and ally rather than enemy, it must be used consciously, at least on this plane of existence. Pay attention to how long things take. Make realistic estimates, leaving yourself extra time for delays. Many people do things like estimate their time of arrival somewhere, but leave out getting to the car, parking, and walking to their destination.

There are few things more stressful in the course of an ordinary day than being late, which then delivers a cortisol rush.

To "take your time" does not mean to dawdle; it means to use your time wisely, and to claim and occupy it fully. Time can "be on your side" only if you are on its side.

More on Daily Astrology & Adventure as the week progresses.

Thank you Amy for writing the horoscope for the second week running. I was using my time well and doing a good job on the May monthly horoscope and article.

With love,
Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscope for May was published on Saturday, April 25. We published your extended monthly horoscope for April on Saturday, March 28. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) — When it comes to getting involved in a fierce argument, especially online, opportunities abound. Trolls, and people with nothing better to do, are busily provoking fights on every single subject under the sun. However, there is no need for you to become drawn into any of it. Your time and energy are far too valuable to waste on an endless exchange of angry words. It's also currently possible for certain matters to blow up into something larger than their essence, with you accidentally in the middle of it all. You'd be wiser to keep a rein on your impulses, and choose your actions with deliberation and care. Remember that you can have profound and valid principles without any requirement to display them to others. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.



The Journey of You and Chiron | A New Reading by Eric Francis

Anyone who has encountered it is curious about Chiron. Planet Waves provides one of the few dependable online sources of information on this unusual planet. For the 10th anniversary Astrology Studio reading, I will be covering Chiron in Aries — a momentous event for all those born under this sign, and of high interest to everyone else. Get instant access to this reading here.

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Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Your ruler Venus is slowing down as it approaches the spot where it will station retrograde in a few weeks. Meanwhile, on Monday, Mercury enters your sign. Both events introduce a note of caution and of pause before reaching conclusions on a serious matter. However clear something might seem, the situation warrants thoroughness and triple-checking to ensure you haven't missed any significant elements. In particular, what might seem to be black-and-white may well prove to be nothing of the kind. Therefore, even if you're sure you know the truth, act as if you don't, and be open to the possibility of error. Few important issues merely involve a choice between two obvious polar opposites. The world is usually much more complex. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

You can now get instant access to your 2020-21 Taurus Astrology Studio here for just $44. This reading focuses on a professional breakthrough toward the end of the year, and preparing you for this development. Venus retrograde in the spring is preparation. Mars retrograde in the autumn is preparation.

Ultimately this is a spiritual development, yet in reality we are talking about aligning your purpose with action, with a calling, and with an opportunity. Elements of the reading go out to a series of power steps in 2021. Read more.

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Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury, your ruling planet, is about to join the Sun in the most sensitive, delicate area of your chart. Exploring this region of your life can feel like being awake in a dream landscape. Circumstances you might believe to be immovable could suddenly look very different, or something you thought barely possible appear abruptly within your reach. Often, what really changes is not the external world but your perception. Be patient with yourself as you navigate this interesting territory. Your sign being mutable does not require you to perform constant feats of mental gymnastics. Should an occurrence surprise you, take whatever time you need to adapt to it and fold it into your understanding. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Your 2020-21 Gemini Astrology Studio, The Sacred Space of Self, is now available for pre-order at just $33. The reading covers Venus retrograde in your sign, Vesta in your sign, Saturn in Aquarius, and the momentous astrology at the end of the year. Get the best price by pre-ordering today. Thank you for your business and your trust.

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Cancer (June 21-July 22) — One of the many gifts of Mercury is discernment. It can add a sharpness that cuts through fog and obfuscation, and its focus will now aid you in working out a specific issue among your friends, or in wider society. There's a condition, however: dump your preconceptions. You may feel as if you're on to what seems like the truth, yet whenever you become certain, stop and consider. It's entirely possible that there are more veils to lift. You can do this more easily if you keep in mind your unswerving devotion to the truth, no matter what form it takes, and no matter how long you'll need to spend unraveling all the layers. When in doubt, verify. When you think you know, verify a few extra times. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The spotlight on your professional life continues this week as Mercury enters that region of your chart. What this event describes is an opportunity for progress. However, it may not come in the form you're expecting. You'll want to cast your net somewhat wider, and look out for anything that seems like movement — regardless in which apparent direction. The clue that reveals all will involve a sense of instinctive relief, or of greater freedom to act like yourself, which you might not even have noticed was previously lacking. Job roles sometimes have a way of dividing people into segments, becoming a "role" indeed in the theatrical sense. The best work includes, and retains, the entire person. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your ruler Mercury entering your 9th house, representing the higher mind, spirituality and aspiration, reminds you that you are a complex being. It may be temporarily convenient to ignore certain parts of your nature; it might feel more comfortable to squeeze yourself into a neat category, even if it feels like a tight fit. Yet eventually the part of you that's sidelined finds a way to turn up at the party. It would be wise to embrace and welcome it before it throws in too many golden apples. In a way, this is at the core of many spiritual teachings: acknowledging the whole of you, including the bits you feel embarrassed about, helps you find your way toward oneness with all things, and thus to fulfillment. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — A situation like the one currently pervading the globe is bound to provoke a variety of emotions in response, especially when it's unprecedented. This is appropriate and usual. Whatever you might be feeling, the healthiest approach is to acknowledge it, even if you think it lacks reason or justice. You will benefit enormously from giving yourself the room to explore your reactions without turning on the judgment. Don't feel guilty because you think someone else might be suffering more intensely than you, or because they're in a riskier position. Everyone has to find their own means of working through this experience. Get out of your own way, take your time and trust your instincts. They will lead you right. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Amid this extraordinary moment, profound changes are sweeping through society, including within personal relationships. Mercury entering your opposite sign is urging you to forge a communication channel with a loved one, which runs in both directions. You stand to gain plenty of useful knowledge, both from opening up about your own feelings and experiencing someone's response, and from listening carefully to others. Likewise, offering your unconditional support could be of substantial assistance to those who need it most. These are pretty intense days, with astrology to suit. Yet this also provides an unparalleled opportunity in terms of personal growth, and of creating strong, mutually helpful human connections. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Current circumstances are calling on your ability to adapt, and to treat the unknown as a chance to explore. Your charts imply that you're likely to figure out immensely useful ways to manage the day-to-day twists and turns — perhaps you've already developed some thoughts. First things first: you may safely ignore anyone who shows up only to criticize or dismiss while you're doing the work; this also means you can trust yourself. Secondly, whatever ideas you come up with will probably be of real help to those around you, so offer them freely. The proactive and practical aspects of your outlook will be particularly refreshing to loved ones. There's certainly a lot to be said for getting on with the business at hand. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — In terms of your personal development, what's most likely to challenge you right now is a belief or mode of thought, to which you are tempted to cling at all costs. This seems to relate to underestimating your capabilities in some way. Letting go of this concept will surely release a lot of energy. Why, then, is it so difficult to dismiss? One answer might be that you're afraid of how powerful you'll become if you do so, or of what others could think. Forget it. This is about truth as much as efficacy, and nothing but the truth will do. Besides, you owe to yourself the confidence and reliance that this act of progress requires. It is fully warranted. Your aims have been boxed in for too long. It's time to widen them significantly. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — The focus on your 4th house continues this week, as Mercury joins the Sun and your modern ruling planet Uranus there. This region represents the past, though also the foundation for who you can become, and where you are going. If there are former occurrences you need to heal from, doing so could be viewed as an act of justice for yourself. It's certainly no quick fix, but then substantive personal growth generally isn't. Nevertheless, you have the perfect right to seek inward peace, and to use your gifts. Part of the route, by the way, involves digging out and gradually divesting from attachments to other people's approval. With enough practice, you'll learn to place yourself firmly at the center of your universe. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — It is a peculiar quirk of the human species that we have the capacity for self-consciousness and to guard ourselves, to an extent, from the whims of nature. Yet humans are still (as of this writing) flesh and blood, and even the most logical of minds still harbor the emotions and the needs of flesh and blood. When developing any idea, it's important to stay alert to this, even if you think you can set your feelings aside. They are often more resilient than can first appear, and it's worth keeping an eye out for clues, especially in your immediate reactions to changes or events. The point is not to secede entirely from your emotions, which is impossible anyway. It's to understand them, and by extension yourself. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

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