The word synchronicity gets tossed around here a lot; every once in a while I get to experience it. Last week, while I was helping Eric to research some details about Bob Dylan for the Friday subscriber issue — namely his early gigs at The Gaslight in Greenwich Village — I noted that when he arrived in New York, one of his aims was to meet his idol Woodie Guthrie. He did manage to meet the man, as well as Guthrie’s acolyte Ramblin’ Jack Elliot.

Fast forward a couple days to Thursday afternoon: I pick up the Portland Phoenix and notice that who should be coming to town? Mr.Ramblin’ Jack Elliot himself. That night. While I would be busy working with Eric on, yes, the Bob Dylan 70th birthday issue. Eric and I made a concerted effort to get the issue wrapped early, but at about 9:30 when we finished I wasn’t feeling too hopeful about the 8:00 performance by a man who isn’t exactly getting any younger. I grabbed my camera and zipped downtown, hoping I might at least be able to stick my head through the door for the encore.

Luckily, Ramblin’ Jack is a real troubadour — he tells stories at least as much as he sings (perhaps more), with a tale between every song. One of those tales recounted how he came to learn “Don’t Think Twice”: snowed into a friend’s cabin in Pennsylvania for three days with a freezer full of venison, a bottle of Cutty Sark and a Bob Dylan record. After the three days, the whisky had dipped below the sails of the label’s ship and Jack had learned a new song. Jack and his friend drove into New Your City to The Gaslight to perform at the open mic night, where apparently the audience included Peter Lefarge as well as Peter and Paul without Mary. When Jack announced the song, Bob himself stood up and (in the telling I heard live) after three or four unintelligible utterances, told Jack, “I relinquish it to you.” Jack figured he’d never had anything “relinquished” to him before, so he’d better keep playing it — and telling the story.

Happy Birthday, Bob. And thank you — from Jack and me.

Dig it! Planet Waves is now available for portable devices through Apple App Store. Here is a direct link, or search using keywords Eric + Francis. Note, this app requires iOS 4.2 — you may need to update your system.

This is a free download including sign descriptions and a sign calculator. Then you can use it to purchase Eric’s monthly and weekly horoscopes as well as Light Bridge readings. This is an excellent way for people who are not subscribers to read my horoscopes, so tell your friends.

To find the app, search astrology + planet + waves in the app store — it should come up first.

Planet Waves Monthly Horoscope Now Available!

What does June have in store for you? The Planet Waves monthly horoscope by Eric Francis will be on its way to subscribers by around 9 am Tuesday. This edition includes an introduction focusing on the events of the next four weeks (Jupiter entering Taurus, two solar eclipses and a lunar eclipse), as well as extended forecasts — as only Eric can write them — for each of the astrological signs. For instant access, visit our subscription store.

Today’s Oracle takes us to the Cancer monthly of Dec. 12, 2005

Beware of moments when you clash with people who think they know more than you, but where such is clearly doubtful. The opposite may be true. Hold open to the possibility that someone else, particularly someone younger, is rather well informed — and that you’re working with outdated or partial information. You have nothing to lose by listening, and you’re finally in a position where you can afford to take a little greater chance than you might have wanted to, perhaps, in mid-October. However, it appears that a small risk you took then is doing well for you now. Not to encourage compulsive gambling — but it’s a good time to bet a little more.

Are you looking for an extra clue? That’s what astrology is for. New horoscopes are published weekly plus twice a month in Planet Waves subscriber edition and Planet Waves Light. And for your annual reading, check out Light Bridge.

Daniele, photographed on those ancient redwood roots. Photo by Eric.

Today is May 24. As the Moon ingresses Pisces at 8:23 am EDT, it makes a conjunction to Neptune, then later in the day to Chiron. This day has a clairvoyant, creative, emotionally sensitive vibe to it, where anyone and anything may seem transparent. Chiron and Neptune, both new arrivals to Pisces, will influence our lives through the end of the decade; the Moon comes sweeping through once a month, and today is the day.

This is one of those moments when whatever comes to the surface is what comes to the surface; the difference being the water is exceptionally clear and deep. For contact with these deeper realms, use all your senses, and tune into their higher vibrations. Your thoughts and observations may be fleeting. For artists this may be a magnificently creative day, but you might want to be alone so that you can tune in undisturbed by anyone not quite on your frequency. The day also has a turning point quality, since the Pisces Moon squares the Gemini Sun — this is known as last quarter Moon. Think of this as an overlay of the mental sphere and the imagination. You might say they are ‘at odds’ to one another but really, it’s an intersection where they cross paths. You can use any discomfort for creative purposes. Feel the mental energy surge through your creative circuits. You know better than to hold all that physical, mental and emotional energy in and dormant on a couch.

You are ripe for exploration. See your life as something more and put roots and seedlings down to make that happen, whether it’s a painting, a new recipe, a poem, a notebook or an actual new bed for herbs, greens and flowers. It could even be a conversation you’ve been dying to have with someone you want to know. Whatever it is, imagine your life in this body on this planet as the garden of your spirit. Breathe in what you want in that garden — the smells, the tastes, the colors and the living beings. The Sun is there to warm you up and spark your mind to reach for life-giving light. Just be present, move and grow.

Note to Planet Waves Subscribers: The June monthly horoscope will be published later this morning; please check your inbox between 9 am and 10 am EDT Tuesday morning. Subscriptions to Planet Waves include all weekly Eric Francis horoscopes, and two extra monthly horoscopes. If you’re not already receiving our amazing mailings, you’re invited to try a free trial subscription here.

By Len Wallick

Standin’ at the crossroad / risin’ Sun goin’ down…

- Robert Johnson “Cross Road Blues”

Our week starts off with a Taurus conjunction of Venus and Mars. On the surface, this aspect would appear to be exclusively earthy and sensual. This interpretation is part of the picture, since the energies of the divine feminine and masculine are clearly merging in the fertile fields of self-possession. As with all things aesthetic, however, that perspective will do for the day but it does not satisfy for the long term. In the big picture, there is something more going on.

In the longer and wider view, this conjunction of Venus and Mars is a tipping point. In our public and private lives, it finds us at a crossroads. This intersection has to do with the issues of power and gender in relationship, as current events verify.

The former chief of the International Monetary Fund and the previous governor of California are finding themselves being called accountable. In their respective legal and public arenas, both of these male humans (one hesitates call them men) are facing consequences for sexual behavior taken with impunity and out of a sense of entitlement. Having been so invested in their power, both Mr. Strauss-Kahn and Mr. Schwarzenegger are undoubtedly surprised that things would have come to such an awkward pass.

By the same token, no one of us can foretell with certainty the outcome for these two representatives of the patriarchy. It is meaningful but still largely symbolic that both are being called onto the carpet they thought they owned. While many are clear in their opinions, there is no clarity on the eventual resolution. Whether or not Strauss-Kahn is subject to just process and how the Governator’s prolonged indiscretion will affect his status and earning power will go a long way towards helping us to evaluate where we all are in our collective social evolution.

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Today’s Oracle takes us to the Libra weekly of April 26, 2004

The test of your faith that’s unfolding is not merely the gods entertaining themselves. Issues are coming to the table, demanding settlement and resolution. While some parties to the discussion insist that this is all merely a matter of principle, you know it’s a matter of integrity — in particular, your integrity. If decisions are worth anything, they require follow-up with meaningful changes and devoted action. You have no cause to doubt yourself here, but by all indications others still must demonstrate their willingness. It will be good for them.

Are you looking for an extra clue? That’s what astrology is for. New horoscopes are published weekly plus twice a month in Planet Waves subscriber edition and Planet Waves Light. And for your annual reading, check out Light Bridge.

1,500 tp 2,000 year old redwood roots, pulled from the ground in northern California logging operations. The roots then floated in the Pacific Ocean for about 150 years. They were brought to upstate New York, where they remain today on alongside a rural mountain road. Photo by Eric Francis.

This is our new daily astrology feature. Our plan is to post Monday to Friday at just past midnight in Eastern Time. This way, if you’re rushing off to work in London (Londoners rush just a little more than New Yorkers) you have something to read that will take you about a minute. Len Wallick’s astrology will be posted today at noon EDT.

Today is May 23, and the Aquarius Moon is creeping slowly along, in what’s called old gibbous phase — the Full Moon was just last week, and lots of the Moon is still visible. The Sun is in very early Gemini, having arrived Saturday, so happy birthday all you twins out there. Air sign Sun and Moon say, talk about it. Gemini is a time for breezy, satisfying conversations. Back one sign in Taurus, the hot news for the week is the Venus-Mars conjunction, which is exact this morning at 4:35 am EDT. Mercury is less than one degree away, so this is a triple conjunction of Venus, Mars and Mercury in Taurus. Can you say threesome? Mercury is getting in on the Venus-Mars action. According to ancient astrology, Venus is female, Mars is male and Mercury is bisexual (well, androgynous, but we know about that).

This aspect is actually about sex, though with Mercury in the picture, it has a touch of “the hottest sex organ is the mind.” Not everyone agrees; however, that happens to be true for people who have most of their erotic encounters through some kind of device — many people do. Taurus is saying get your pheromones into the act. All three planets plus Jupiter are visible in the predawn sky (at about 4 am, if skies are clear). The triple conjunction makes a trine to Pluto, opening the way to deeper passion and tapping into some evolutionary energy. The Moon makes a conjunction to an asteroid called Vesta at the same time the triple conjunction takes place. Vesta is about service and emotional healing, so make sure you invite that into the scene. Have yourself another fantastic day in the universe. Comments and questions are welcome. If you’re not a member of his blog, sign up free.

Note to Planet Waves Subscribers: The June monthly horoscope will be published Tuesday morning. Check your inbox. If you’re not already a subscriber, you’re invited to try a free trial subscription here.