The team at Planet Waves has just finished the second edition of Planet Waves Parenting, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you what we have on offer. Parent Waves is the world's first astrology journal dedicated to people taking care of kids. It's designed to provide a forum for information, and a place to express your views. The new edition is available for everyone to see -- not just subscribers.

The mission of Parent Waves is simple. We feel that taking care of kids and caregivers is tied for first place as the most important kind of activism. And we think -- we know -- that astrology can help, and we're determined to put that information together and make it available to you.

Our second issue has many fine features. First, we've interviewed parents around the world and asked them what it's like to be raising kids now. This is a magnificent, detailed piece of journalism, written by our readers -- perhaps you among them. You'll hear some of their deepest concerns about the times we live in, their most creative ideas, and read rare perspectives on how they feel about their children. Major points from the astrology of each writer is included, so you can get a window into how their charts fit into their ideas and experiences.

I've written a new piece called "Chiron in Your Child's Birth Chart," which is an easy, clear introduction into the subject of Chiron for everyone, but with a focus on kids. This is the first in a series on reading the charts of children. There's also a collection of essays by our columnists, including "Trust Your Children" and "Children and Freedom," as well as a new, raging column from Mad Mom. We provide a mix of astrological and non-astrological writing and, as I am sure you would guess, we're not afraid to take on challenging issues. Last, there is the monthly Cosmic Child horoscope -- a new horoscope column I've created to give parents insights into the astrology of their sons and daughters.

Please drop by -- if you like what you read, like our plans, and support our work, we invite you to be part of the Planet Waves Parenting community -- please click on the subscription link to sign up. See you there!

As for the latest news.

Chiron in Aquarius has come with a wave of togetherness, such as the chief executive of the USA meeting with the political leaders of Europe. There has been much talk of reform, allegiance and reunion; much polite applause and inspection of the troops. But Bush was visiting Europe as the Leo Moon approached the full, which suggests we were witnessing a bit of drama. In an astrology-meets-tennis moment, the prez arrived at the opposite end of the lunar cycle as did Condi Rice, his Secretary, of State, who was whisked across the continent during the recent Aquarius New Moon. The two visits are connected, both in diplomatic terms as well as in astrological ones. One was designed to lead the way for the other, to warm up the territory. There is clearly an agenda in operation; the timing points to something deliberate and calculated.

There are a few ways to look at a Full Moon. One is that it tends to break deadlocks and provide the space for disagreements to shift, so the timing was good in that respect (try this some time, but work the energy gently...you kind of just need to sit there and watch it happen). The other is that it tends to emphasize differences and contrasts, perhaps as a means of people agreeing to be different and, maybe, getting on with business. There were plenty of contrasts to emphasize this week, as the Moon, moving through a relatively empty part of the sky, made a series of six oppositions to planets concentrated in Aquarius and Pisces during the past 72 or so hours.

Interesting that even as Bush promised to help Europe, the dollar lost about 1.5 cents against the Euro during the European visit, as South Korea announced it was considering shifting its investments from the dollar to other currencies. The price of oil went up as a result, and indirectly, so did the price of all European goods. The one thing that Europe needs is an economic boost. The weak dollar is not helping, and with Saturn soon to be in Leo, we need to watch this issue. I heard no mention of what might be done to stem the tide. And there was no serious mention of what everyone knows is the real issue between the United States and Europe, the war in Iraq -- while two British soldiers were convicted in the prisoner abuse scandal.

Then there is the not-small matter of Europe selling weapons technology to the Chinese, something that the US -- which should be concerned about the Chinese -- is opposed to.

This same week, word has begun circulating widely that the US is likely to commence military action against Iran despite the claim that this is "ridiculous." At the same time, this trip to Europe is being sold as an effort to put aside differences over Iraq and get together on Iran, on diplomatic grounds. But diplomatic is a Greek word meaning two-faced; and I feel from the charts that what we're getting here is a show, something that will look good and be used as a ruse, or is now being used as a distraction. In some ways, the ceremonies felt more like an exposition of differences rather than points of alliance. There's a lot of Neptune in the charts now -- with so much going on in Aquarius and with the Leo Moon opposing Neptune this week, it seems that what we saw on television was just that -- television.

The Moon opposed many planets in Aquarius and Pisces both before and after the Full Moon, which was overnight Wednesday to Thursday. As the coming months progress, the Moon in the chart for this visit will do the same thing -- progress, one degree per month, toward the full, and thus re-emphasize the series of opposition aspects under which the visit occurred. The discussion will continue in some form or another, hopefully in words. None of the issues will go away. But something else is afoot, and I have a feeling that we're not being told what. These progressions will, at least, eventually bring out the issues, and make it clear what the real discussion (the one we're not hearing about now) is about.

There is, however, the X factor: Monday's ingress of Chiron to Aquarius, and the forthcoming Chiron-Nessus conjunction. To me, this development represents the thing that gets our attention, that awakens us to real information, and spurs the world to correct action -- and most of all that reminds us that we're all in this together. We are, cousins, brothers and sisters, whether we know it or not. So we might as well know it.

Here are a few of your questions for the week. More details on the ongoing manifestation known as astrology and life at Planet Waves, including a daily blog and lots of new photography.

Love v. Career

Dear Eric
For a while now I've been wondering about my purpose in life and what I am (or should be) looking for in (love) relationships. I sometimes get the feeling that the answers to these questions might be somewhat incompatible. As I'm looking into the first, the second, even the question itself, seems to have a way of slipping away from my awareness all by itself (and vice versa), leaving me with the feeling that I should dedicate my life to either love or career. No matter which I choose, the other will definitely suffer. Maintaining a relationship can take up so much energy that it (the world) gets left to its own devices. As I'm writing this down I'm becoming increasingly aware my dilemma is a symbolic one and instead of making this ridiculous choice I should start looking in the right places, but still, this is how I feel. You must get this type of question a lot and I truly wish I could be more interesting but I really could use some pointers.

Thank you, Robin
30 October 1978, 2 am
Geleen (that's in Holland)

PS, Thank you for PlanetWaves, It's good to know people are still THINKING out there...

So, then I looked at your chart and indeed, Saturn is very close to your ascendant, in Virgo. First let me say that this placement is powerful, as in durable, determined, strong, and with great potential for the mastery of knowledge. But it's difficult because too much of an identification with Saturn (and what is in the ascendant we tend to identify with) can make life feel heavy. And lonely.

And it's really necessary to do something unusual, which is to master Saturn and its message, in order to move those energies through your life and get onto a higher vibration.

Mastering Saturn is a matter of two things, I think. One involves discipline. Discipline is practice, focus, and clarity.

The other is finding the endless well of creativity within you. Most people don't look at Saturn this way. But I assure you that it is true, and that this aspect of Saturn is available to anyone who seeks it out: who takes life seriously, who wants to serve the world (very important for you) and who dedicates themselves to the long haul.

Aleister Crowley -- unknown to be one of the most influential astrologers of the 20th century -- has kind words for the Saturn in Virgo placement. "This kinship tends greatly to stability of moral character and to the confirmation of practical wisdom. It gives an orderly, critical and analytical mind, usually of a serious cast if Saturn is well dignified. The intellect should be capable and original."

Now all this bodes well for you to have a good relationship with Saturn. It is true, you need to find work that satisfies this description of Saturn in Virgo. You are unlikely to enjoy any other work. And so much Saturn in your chart says you need pleasure, so this is a win-win. You need to find the work that gives you the intellectual and ethical pleasure you need and want. If you think of it that way, you are likely to be able to orient your whole being ON pleasure and work your way out of some of the most limiting factors of your state of mind. Just remember that one of them is likely to be a sense of perfectionism, to which you hold yourself -- so, easy does it, you are competent, dedicated and strong.

Yet what you are addressing in your question is a relationship between love and work. I want to propose that when they are functioning well, the energy and passion to both do satisfying work and relate to others lovingly come from the exact same inner source, and it does not matter how you get there, as long as you get there. As you reach for this space in your center, remember that true work and true love are very closely related -- in feeling, in intensity, and in the drive to connect with humanity.

And to do this, it helps to move certain blocks out of the way. Here is one possible aspect to work with.

You have a conjunction of the Moon and Pluto. This is in the 2nd house, a personal place that contains many of the feelings you hold about yourself. There is quite a lot of 'lone wolf' to Moon-Pluto contact, particularly the conjunction. And this is a very old feeling; it is likely to date back to your earliest childhood experiences, and contains much that you picked up emotionally from your mother. My sense of the conjunction is that it's prone to some swings of mood and, when relationships do arrive, they are very intense with many ups and downs (this is the conjunction acting on Libra). At the heart of this whole issue is how you feel about yourself. Despite the inability of caregivers to love themselves, you must learn, and you can.

There was a pattern in your early environment, and it was precisely this pattern of intense swing, intensity and very likely, judgment. There was as a result a definition of love that was created that came with these properties. It takes time, but much of growing into what I will call real love means coming up with an idea of love that does not include these unnecessary and unfortunate -- but deeply engrained -- properties of emotion.

The more emotionally stable you become, and emotionally open, the more you will find that you are available to people, and they are available to you. Starting from the point you're at, it might be better to think of love in less 'all or nothing' terms than we usually do, reach to people as best you can; let that reaching take you out of your isolation. And when you get into a situation that seems to be taking an enormous amount of work in a relationship, it would be wise to reality-check and ask what exactly is going on. What old emotional patterns are you playing out? Where did you learn them?

You are a deep person. Go deep and figure it out, and look at all your early caregivers.

All the learning I've done, through my own growth work and self-investigation, training and helping as many people as I've been able to, has taught me one huge lesson: that being happy basically involves identifying and letting go of our parents' emotional patterns, communication patterns and relationship styles. Only then can we really be ourselves.

You are an extremely intelligent person -- probably far more intelligent than you suspect, and you do suspect something. Use your intelligence for your own benefit. But more than anything, take it easy, that is, easier on yourself, and let the love flow. I suggest you reveal your secrets, particularly how much you care about people.

One last bit -- I highly recommend a book called A General Theory of Love.

Hi Eric
I'm really am interested on your views on horary astrology. How accurate do you think it is? as I am about to make a life changing decision based on a recent horary reading. Please help.

Maureen
Oxford

Dear Maureen
I have a friend who owns a Chinese restaurant here in Paris, and he taught me an old expression from his culture yesterday: "If you like the cook, you'll usually like the food." I thought, this explains my views on astrology perfectly. The way I usually say it is, "The astrology you get is only as good as the astrologer you get."

However, regardless of astrology, it's a good idea not to violate your own intuition. Often we try to get divination to do that; or to support us when we're in doubt. So when it comes down to it, you have to ask yourself plain and simple: does this feel like the right decision? Even if it's a little risky?

Horary itself is a miracle. This is a form of astrology that is based on charts cast for the time an inquiry is made, or received by the astrologer. It is quite strange how the chart for the time that you're standing in the post office reading an inquiry from a client can possess all the symbolism of that question, to shocking detail that would be ascribed to a pure flight of fancy by anyone other than an astrologer who understood the chart.

But that is the key: understanding the chart, understanding the many rules by which horary operates (and which saves it from descending into intellectual anarchy), and most of all, really working with the spirit of astrology, the living Spirit that is behind the work, and following along with its vibes, suggestions and insights.

Now, I don't have your astrologer's chart or his or her interpretation, so I can't check that work and say if I think they rendered a worthwhile judgment. But I have cast my own chart inquiring about your question. And it is a friendly chart. It's also dramatic and daring and has a liberating feeling to it; and it looks like you've got a lot of protection around you. The chart is for a few hours before a rather stunning Full Moon.

This looks like a big moment in your life. You sound excited.

Do you have any real option but to set your doubts aside and go for it? That is a real question.

Thanks for writing.

Cheers
Imke

Dear Imke
I would say that this fits into the 'personal invitation from the cosmos' category. It is interesting, isn't it? Anybody studying or even remotely following astrology has a collection of eclipse stories, and before the year is up you should have a few interesting ones of your own. And astrology almost always speaks in patterns rather than in single events. Part of reading astrology is following those patterns and feeling a message come through the repetitions and the rhythm.

Eclipses represent breaks in continuity. They are points of no return. They often feel like fate is at work. Yet they are times of big decision, which is about anything but fate.

The ascendant and the Sun are personal points. They are about you: your sense of self, sense of identity, sense of mission, as well as your actual self, identify and mission. Eclipses tend to take away what is not necessary and emphasize what is necessary. So there are a variety of shifts, adjustments and movements that are suggested, and the prospect that your life will not vaguely resemble what it is today.

What this does not mean is that you'll lose something vital about who you are; to the contrary, my sense is that this energy is designed to bring out, develop and evolve exactly who you are.

Work with the eclipses carefully; pay attention to the shifts that come with the solar and the lunar events; and do your best to spend the days of the eclipses doing exactly what you want, or as close to it as you can come.

Then, take that ride again.

Sincerely
Moonlinsky

Dear Moonlinsky
First off, beautiful visions. Thank for sharing that imagery.

Second, I don't doubt for a moment that it's happening: in other words, that you're seeing something real, even if others don't readily perceive it.

Third and counting, I think you are glimpsing into the astral plane (or higher) and seeing the energy of the Moon (which is a condenser and radiator of energy) in another dimension. Now, I know that millions of Cainer.com readers are nodding in agreement, saying, "But of course, darling."

However, for those who are wondering, I'll take a throw at 'splainin it. The dimension we typically see and experience is not the only one there is. There are many dimensions, and are mind/brain/spirit system can perceive many of them and deliver them to consciousness. Some work better when we're sleeping (such as dreams, which at times are a direct experience of another plane of reality). Others work when we are awake.

Now, even being awake is usually a dimensional journey as much of what we see when we look is looking right into other planes of reality, only it registers as 'normal vision'. You, however, are looking into another plane of reality and seeing it as such; it's quite beautiful and creative from what you are describing, and you are basically looking at the energy of the Moon.

As astrology students, we certainly do enough with the Moon to presume that it has some kind of energy coming from it. And at least from your perspective, this is what it looks like.

I suggest, however, that you take them in stride; just watch the show, feel the energy and see if there's any additional information coming through. Perhaps ask for a message, or ask your mind to provide some feedback on what it's receiving. What you are experiencing is a kind of relationship, so feel free to say, "Hi, how are you doing?" I am sure the Moon would love to hear from you.

Keleigh

Dear Keleigh
I don't see anything in your chart that says, "This is why this is happening now," but we can be sure that it is happening. You do, however, have what I would call an intense chart, with a lot of emphasis on the 12th house -- the most potent house that functions as a psychic portal. In recent years, that door has gradually opened. Also, you have quite a few Cancer planets, and Saturn has been going over them -- which can create a state of mind that "needs to see around the wall."

There are definitely some people who can, quite naturally, see into other dimensions, including other dimensions of time. Often, the dream realm is a place where we find the most easy access, as ego consciousness is out of the way. I can't explain why you're having these experiences, which are sometimes called precognitions, but I can say that it's a more or less normal mode of reality, even if it's not so commonplace. Yet at any given time, there are a bunch of visionaries on the planet, and some are looking ahead at what's (probably) coming.

I can possibly offer some insight into how it works, however.

Imagine that time flows in one direction, like a river, and that we're sailing down the river facing backwards. This is how most people experience time. But if you imagine that the river of time is not straight, it's more like a Spirograph design that crosses over itself many times; and further, that it flows in both directions, with a breeze carrying a scent all over the place; and further, that as someone riding down this river of time, you can turn your head and look around (you don't need to only face the past, and obviously, you don't); then it's a lot easier to conceptualize what you're experiencing.

Now, what to do with the information you're getting is a far more important question. And I think that before we can get some clarity on that, you may need to enter into a more conscious relationship with your gift. Think of it this way. There is some aspect of your mind that is providing you with this intelligence data. Perhaps you could ask, before going to sleep one night, for a vision that helps explain why it is you're getting this data. Then see what comes to you.

Was there some time you asked for this gift, perhaps during childhood? And what are your earliest recollections? Think carefully.

It may also be a very good idea to begin studying a divination art. I like to think of pure psychic power as kind of like keeping your money in the mattress. But if you study a divination system (Tarot or astrology will do) you gradually move that investment into more secure funds than paper money.

Last, remember that what you're experiencing is, in all likelihood, optional. You can ask for it to stop, or ask the information to come through in a different form, or tune to a different station. However, the words of A Course in Miracles come to me at the moment: "You will be told everything you need to know."

For those interested in psychic or healing phenomena, I recommend a book called The Holographic Universe. It's short, easy and very interesting, and ties together many 'unexplained' phenomena.

Please visit Planet Waves Parenting -- the first astrological journal for parents, at http://PlanetWavesParenting.com/

Bridge to the Core, the 2005 Planet Waves annual horoscope, has turned out to be a very nice web page: up to 1,400 words per sign in the annual forecast area; a number of articles addressing Chiron in Aquarius, Saturn in Leo, and sign changes by two other centaur planets (Pholus and Nessus); an astrological calendar for 2005; and a massive charts resource area for students of astrology or those who are just curious. I've done my most in-depth writing ever on 2012 and the astrology between now and then. There are dozens of magnificent bridge images sent in by our readers. There is writing by Planet Waves literary slugger Jeanne Treadway (who writes about walls, while I cover bridges) and a Mayan astrology report through July by daykeeper Carol Burkhart, of the Galactic Alchemy web site.

Bridge to the Core is free to all Planet Waves subscribers. To find out more, check this link. http://planetwaves.net/2005horoscope.html

Email your question to Eric info@planetwaves.net
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