Dear Friend and Reader:
The month begins during the interval between two eclipses. We had a partial eclipse of the Sun in Sagittarius this past Friday, Nov. 25, and now we’re heading for an especially potent total eclipse of the Moon in Gemini on Saturday, Dec. 10. This won’t be visible from most of North America, but we’ll feel it as an acceleration of time, and the sensation of polarization in our human encounters. People may seem especially opinionated, and others may exploit ordinary differences in viewpoints to advance their own cause. You don’t have to get caught in the game. Pay attention to what is happening behind the scenes. There is another story entirely, which involves escaping from the conspiracy of fools — the tendency of so many people to make the same mistakes over and over again. Note that Mercury, now retrograde, will station direct in Sagittarius on Dec. 13. The Sun enters Capricorn on Dec. 22, followed by a potent New Moon square the Aries Point on Dec. 24.
Lovingly,
Aries (March 20-April 19) — Much of the time, people do a fine job helping one another avoid any form of healing process. At other times they agree to support one another’s growth, wellbeing and resolving their pain. I suggest you choose which side of this equation you’re going to encounter in the people around you, which will mean two things: knowing who has the agenda of not getting better; and then choosing your healing partners carefully. What exactly is a healing partner? It’s someone in your life whose primary purpose is to facilitate your process, be they a friend or a practitioner of some kind. It’s a relationship dedicated to improvement of your life on the deepest level. Make up your mind who you want, and choose the people most likely to give you that.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Many artists are hard on themselves, but perfectionism and creative flow are two different things. Sorting out the difference is one of your new long-term projects. Since there’s no such thing as ‘perfect’ you might want to question the value of an ism that’s based on a nonexistent state of being. The alternative would be embracing the idea that your life, and all you create, are works in progress. The breakthrough level is making contact with your motives to create at all. When you get there you’ll feel the raw power that drives the impulse to shape, design or create the world around you. That corresponds to the drive to shape and create yourself, and this is a passionate impulse. Remember how much you love life. Remember that you were born, and you are free to influence your environment. The question is how.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury, your ruling planet, is retrograde in your opposite sign right now, which means that your role in a partnership matter is under special focus. Whatever the situation, whoever seems to be ‘at fault’ and whatever the apparent cause of the current developments, remember: you’re not working with full information at this point. Do not rush to judgment, or come to any conclusions. You will know a lot more mid-month when Mercury stations direct and the rest of the facts come out — particularly the ones you had no clue even existed. You will need to be patient, put up with the suspense and make a lot of room for misunderstanding (especially of those who simply do not get where you’re coming from). Arguing your case will only make it worse. People need to figure out certain things for themselves, and they will — if they want.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — There is plenty about yourself that you don’t know, and it’s likely that you’re going to make some unusual discoveries over the next few weeks. I trust that what you find out will help you make peace with something that has long been a source of confusion and irritation, if only for having made so little sense for so long. I think you’ll be surprised how obvious the truth turned out to be. This may have been something you’ve known for a long time, and if so, that does not reduce its value. Your recognition of what is so, and what it means to you, is what really matters. With this persistent issue out of the way, you will have a lot more energy to invest in a goal or desire that for some reason you have not been able to act on.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The lucky break you’re about to get in a career matter has very little to do with luck and lots to do with your devotion to and obsession with preparation. True, it may seem like luck when so many factors begin working in your favor, but consider how long you’ve persisted on this quest and how many times you’ve tried to get it right. As you know, the key to your success actually is in how you conduct your relationships. There would be no point to talent, to knowledge or to experience without a way to share these things with others, and that has been your primary focus. Things have taken a little longer than if you were a professional conqueror, but your success would be nowhere near as meaningful.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Mars has entered your birth sign, where it will be for the next eight months — a long time for Mars to spend in one sign. There will be many psychological facets to this transit, but the most significant for you is gaining an understanding of one of Virgo’s most famous qualities — self-criticism. If that habit helped you, it would not need so much in the way of critique, but my sense is that it’s outdone its use. Yet you may need to figure this out palpably for yourself. I’m talking about something that is violent rather than evaluative or reflective. That is to say, the thing you need to understand is self-attack, not your ability to reflect honestly on who you are or what you do. While you’re figuring this out, easy does it.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Events this month will feel like foreshadowing in a novel — little clues and hints of what is developing in your life. The challenge is to notice them when you feel them, and make use of the information. Certain clues you’re getting now will make a lot more sense come next June. The theme is making contact with what I will reluctantly call your higher purpose. This may not be a particular activity, but rather a sense of contact with the ‘real you’ that has an otherworldly quality. This is a beautiful feeling when you notice it, and though it’s not necessarily coming in at full-energy right now, you’re getting a taste of the energy — which might feel like the sensation of being absolutely sure you belong on the planet at this moment.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The key to your success right now is not being afraid to be unpopular while not doing anything special that would make you be that way. You’re having to assert your will and your intentions in a delicate environment. Now, it always seems that way, and part of what you’re learning is diplomacy. But this is a special case. It takes integrity to assert your will or your viewpoint in the face of those who might have some other position, but it’s vital that you not let those other viewpoints deter you. This is a matter of integrity, and that is the way to proceed. Know all sides of the issues involved. Be prepared with the facts. And remember that people are more likely to respond to your emotional tenor than the information you present. Be correct, and be mellow about it.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Be mindful of the effects you have on others. And be mindful that the effects you seem to have may not all be coming from you. That said, I suggest you be especially observant, especially for all the things that go unsaid in human affairs. You don’t know what people are thinking about you when the lights are off and they’re under the covers. But there will be clues: the particular look in someone’s eyes, the tone of their voice, the way they influence a conversation to help you feel good about yourself. Don’t take any of this for granted, or take it casually. There are people who truly care about you, and at least one of them is making his or her presence known in ways that will be too subtle for most mortals to appreciate.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Explore the power of love. That’s the benefit of letting go of fear, which is something that for some reason seems to be happening to you right now. Of course, you might let go of fear right after you feel a bunch of it blow through town, but sometimes that’s how it goes. Let everything that you feel remind you that love is what gets the job done here in the human dimension. Love is what focuses your awareness, and makes you a person worth noticing. It’s what draws people to you, and what ensures that you have the resources you need for a solid life. Contrary to popular belief it’s not hard work — unless that work is done with love. This has always been your career ambition. Now you can let it take over your life.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You are going through some kind of transition that’s calling you into the public eye. I suggest you embrace this willingly. You don’t need to be a star or even an extrovert to have a presence in the world. And you don’t need to do much asserting yourself to have a presence in the world. You merely need to get out of the house and be present where you are. Do yourself a favor and stay about five drinks behind the crowd. You need your full faculties available, and you need to be conscious what you say to whom. I’m not suggesting you be quiet, but rather that you focus on the conversation you’re in with some precision. Let your presence speak more than your words — and remember that your presence is more like a laser than a flashlight.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This is the moment to take some territory in your professional life, which is another way of saying taking authority over your affairs and making an impression on the world with your talent. This has already begun to happen over the past few weeks; things you did that barely seemed to get noticed in the past are now finally getting attention. Here’s the thing. As my old therapist Joe Trusso likes to remind people, don’t judge your performance. Just do what you do and go on to the next thing. I would add that you have no way of knowing just how many people, or who in particular, your work is influencing. That means the imperative has to be on quality. Tune your instrument every time you play. Keep your focus, project yourself clearly and know your song well before you start singing.