Full Moon in Capricorn

There is a full moon in Capricorn on July 3rd at 7:38 am EDT. Full moons in Capricorn are about balancing our pragmatism and our feelings. They occur in the midst of emo Cancer reason, and the moon is the ruler of Cancer. Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, is all about getting shit done, so there’s a push and pull between the Saturnian urge to get down to brass tacks and forge ahead and the moon’s desire to honor our deepest feelings. Full moons are always about culmination and release, and this full moon encourages us to release the pessimism we may have been harboring about our goals and to use our wise minds (the intersection of our reasonable and our emotional minds).

Mercury, which is currently in Cancer and close to the sun, will influence this full moon, so communication is important, even if it’s just journaling or making lists for yourself. The day before the moon is full, Venus in Leo forms a square with Uranus in Taurus, so there could be twists, turns, and surprises in Venus-ruled areas (finances, relationships, resources) of your life. This full moon brings some grounding energy, though, because of its Saturnian earthiness. Also, the sun and moon are forming nice aspects with both Jupiter in Taurus and Saturn in Pisces, which lends a particularly helpful practicality. 

The full moon is taking place at 11 degrees of Capricorn, so you’ll feel it more intensely if you’re a Capricorn or Cancer rising or if you have an personal planets (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) and/or sensitive angles (your ascendant, descendent, midheaven, or IC) between 7 and 15 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra. 

I was going to write horoscopes for each sign, but I’m doing this late (sorry!) and if you’re feeling this moon, you already know how it’s unfolding for you, because its energy is already very present. For all signs, though, it’s a good time for making a concerted effort to balance emotions with rationality and proceeding accordingly.

Cancer Season: That Summer Feeling

On June 21st, the day of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun moved into Cancer, where it will be until late on July 22nd. Cancer is a cardinal sign, representing the beginning of a new season, and it’s a water sign, symbolized by the crab. Cancer is ruled by the moon, so when the sun is in Cancer, it’s answering to the fast-moving moon. The moon changes signs every couple days, which makes Cancer season super moody. 

Cancer is associated with home, family, and feeling rooted. It’s sentimental and nostalgic, concerned with memory and the way we feel or felt. Jonathan Richman’s song “That Summer Feeling” perfectly encapsulates the Cancerian vibe. (His natal Venus is in Cancer.) 

Venus’s current journey through Leo is encouraging us to be social this summer, but Cancer can be a bit of a homebody. The best way to merge these energies is to socialize with those that feel like home to you. Cancer season brings about a desire to visit our hometowns or reunite with family or old friends, which is a good way to recharge. It offers some respite after the chaos and buzziness of Gemini season. 

This year, Cancer season brings with it some bumpy transits. Mars squares off with Uranus on June 26th, which can bring sudden, unexpected shocks. And Mars opposes Saturn on July 20th, which means there will be a push-and-pull between action and will (Mars) and structure and systems (Saturn). So those dates are ones to pay attention to and try to be patient and take it easy. However, with Saturn and Neptune both in another water sign, Pisces, the sun will make trines, or positive aspects, with each of these planets as it moves through Cancer over the next few weeks, which will be helpful. 

Regarding people with Cancer placements in their birth charts, they are often moody, sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic. Like crabs, they wear armor, so they may come off as hard, but inside they are soft and vulnerable. Cancers are thought to be conflict avoidant, shifting side to side to avoid head-on impact. However, they feel deeply and can be fiercely protective and loyal, so if you come for a Cancer’s loved one, the pinchers will come out. This protective quality contributes to the nurturing nature of Cancers, which is considered to be the mothering sign of the zodiac. Ruled by the moon, those with Cancer placements, even if they themselves don’t become mothers, are often cast in mothering roles by others. (Cancer men especially can have mother issues, which is why they can sometimes get a bad rap.)

For Bravo watchers, Vanderpump Rules is teeming with Cancers: Ariana, Sandoval, Stassi, and Jax are all Cancer suns, and those four actually have quite a bit in common. They are all extremely sensitive, even though they present as tough. 

They’re all very intuitive and can read other people and situations really well, which, as a shadow quality, can make Cancers good at manipulating others. Even Jax of all people has been weirdly right about a lot of things, especially looking back in the wake of Scandoval, and of course, he has used his intuition to his advantage, continually playing upon the sympathy of others and finding easy scapegoats in order to ingratiate himself back into the group after his truly terrible behavior time and time again. Sandoval has done the same thing, just in a very different way, but it will be interesting to see how that works or doesn’t work now.

Ariana’s diehard loyalty to Tom, despite his shortcomings and repeated mistakes in their relationship, is pure Cancer. I recently rewatched part of season 3 of VPR because Bravo was showing a marathon, and the way that Ariana staunchly defended Sandoval in the whole Miami girl situation, confronting Miami girl and excoriating Kristen (to a somewhat cruel degree) even though she knew Tom had, in fact, slept with Miami girl, is very Cancerian, for better or worse. 

Cancer season is a great time for spending a Sunday in and binge watching, so if you haven’t seen Vanderpump Rules, who even are you? I highly recommend it. It’s up there with Mad Men for the greatest show of our time and astrological archetypes are on full display. 

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Venus in Leo, with a Retrograde

Venus, the planet associated with love, beauty, femininity, relationships, money, assets, and that which we value, is currently in Leo, just a few degrees behind Mars. Venus has been tagging along closely behind Mars in Leo for a couple weeks now, but Venus will be stationing and then going retrograde on July 22nd, so Venus will be slowing and Mars will be forging ahead, on into Virgo. 

Here are the key Venus in Leo dates: 

  • Entered Leo on June 5th
  • Goes retrograde in Leo on July 22nd
  • Retrograde until it stations direct on Sept 3rd
  • Moves forward through Leo until October 8th

This is a long time for Venus to be in one sign. What is Venus in Leo all about? Venus in Leo is showy. Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the sun, the giver of life, the main source of our vitality, so Venus is fiery in Leo. There’s an external quality to it, so the things that Venus rules are on display when Venus is in Leo. It’s big and bold. We’re showing our hearts on our sleeves. It’s about ostentatious displays of wealth and love, even if we’re just convincing ourselves. It’s “She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina” vibes, where the song’s main character can’t really afford to go anywhere to show off her fancy hat, but she wears it regardless.

Thinking about Venus in Leo, the other thing that came to mind immediately was Jeff Bezos taking those posed photos of Lauren Sanchez on their mega yacht and also literally having a bust of her created. I’m rooting for the orcas, but that is a pure distillation of Venus in Leo vibes.

When Venus goes retrograde in July, it will be a reality check. Sometimes Venus retrograde can feel a little harsh. You may have to deal with external factors that pose a conflict or confront you in one or more of the Venusian areas of your life, such as relationships or finances, and that may be tough. Leo is one of the “me” signs; ruled by the sun, it’s about the self, so the issues that may arise during the retrograde will likely feel very personal.

However, in traditional astrology, Venus is a benefic, so it’s a planet that is considered helpful. Use the retrograde period (July 22 – Sept 8th) to reconsider things and revise if necessary, and then you’ll be ready to move forward in those areas when Venus is direct again. The planetary retrogrades represent times to reassess and reevaluate, and those words are particularly key when Venus goes retrograde because Venus is about our assets and values.

In my interpretation, regardless of your sun or rising sign and even with the retrograde, Venus in Leo is a great time for socializing and being out and about. It’s a good time for pleasurable pursuits. I wouldn’t do anything big in terms of changing your appearance, though during the retrograde period, though, and maybe wait to schedule cosmetic procedures until after the retrograde ends.

Below is a bit about how the long transit of Venus in Leo could play out based on your sun and rising sign. My advice is to read for your rising sign first, as that’s where you’ll see these themes unfold over the course of the transit, but also read for your sun sign, because you’ll also likely experience those themes as well at some point during the Venus in Leo period. (For some reason, I also wrote these in reverse order of the zodiac? Maybe I did it subconsciously because of the retrograde. But that’s why these seem out of order.)

Leo & Leo Rising – This is a significant time for you. Venus in the 1st house and/or passing over your sun makes this transit even more about the self, even more about you. Go with it. This is a time for thinking about yourself (which you’re already inclined to do as a Leo rising or with the sun in Leo). A productive use of this long Venus in Leo period is to think about what you want, revise during the retrograde, and when Venus goes direct, lay out the long term plan. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising – This is occurring in your 2nd house of money and resources, which has a cross-over with the things Venus rules, so you’ll likely be experiencing some money stuff during this period. That could mean a career opportunity, since the second house is about how you make your money. Or you could be in a situation where you’re compelled to reevaluate your finances and realign them in a way that really pays dividends later. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising – Venus is moving through the area of your chart dealing with communications, short trips, and your neighborhood, so you’ll likely be feeling even more social than usual during this time. You may find yourself building some new relationships during this period, which could potentially feel a little one-step-forward-two-steps-back due to the retrograde, but could ultimately be long-lasting. It’s a great time to take weekend trips away to recharge and to bop around town. This part of your chart also deals with siblings, so this Venus in Leo period may feel particularly sibling-focused if you have one/them.

Taurus & Taurus Rising – Venus will be going through the area of your chart that is associated with home. You may be taking a lot of care with your living space and zhuzhing it up during this time. You can use the retrograde period to take into account the different needs you have, and then once Venus goes direct, start the redecorating. You may also experience an increased focus on your family as well.

Aries & Aries Rising – With Venus in another fire sign, it will be making a trine to your ascendant or sun, so unless you have some other mitigating factors in your chart, overall, this should generally be a nice, fun time for you. Venus is going through the part of your chart that deals with creativity and joy, so it’s a great time to really embrace and reconsider whatever creative practices you have and to lean into what makes you truly happy. It also has the potential to be a really sexy time for you, so if you don’t want to get pregnant (or get someone else pregnant), practice safe sex! 

Pisces & Pisces Rising – With Venus in your 6th house of work, health, and daily routines, it’s a good time to try out new fitness routines, commit to a health regimen or make changes to your diet, and go to the doctor. It’s also an auspicious time work-wise; you may be able to find ways to bring more pleasure to the everyday grind. Venus retrograde can also bring back some relationships from the past, so in your house of work, it could mean that you hear from or get in touch with old work colleagues. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising – When Venus is in Leo, the focus will be on your partnerships. If you’re in a committed partnership with someone, you may be feeling a little stressed or emotional about the relationship while Venus is in retrograde. Exes can also come back into your life during Venus rx, and with Venus in this part of your chart, this is more likely for Aquarius rising people. It may cause you to reevaluate your current relationship and/or recommit to that relationship in a more passionate way.

Capricorn & Cap Rising – Venus will be moving through your 8th house. The 8th house is about the stuff we get or inherit from others (everything from wealth to trauma). With Venus in this area of your chart, it could indicate a time when whatever you are getting from others is positive, or it could be that the person you are in a relationship with comes into more money or builds their assets. It could be that the taxes you filed are corrected and your refund is bigger than you anticipated, or that some debt you owed gets canceled.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising – You will likely be thinking about applying your time and money to some long-distance travel or cultural pursuits. It’s a great time to sign up for a language course or to go abroad, especially if traveling and/or learning are activities that are important to you. You will likely feel even more enriched by the experience than you normally would, and it could mean meeting people and building new relationships through that travel or study.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising – You may be feeling extra focused on your career these next few months. If you are looking for a new job or opportunity, this is a fortuitous time to make connections and work on your resume. If you’re happy where you are, you may think about how you can invest in yourself in a way that will continue to grow your professional life and help you get to the next step in your career further in the future.

Libra & Libra Rising – Venus rules Libra, so you will feel the Venus transits more acutely than other signs (other than Taureans). This is a time to be out with your friend groups. It’s a great time for socializing for everyone, but this will recharge Libras especially. You cast a wide net, so take advantage of your extensive networks and see people. Get out in the community and commit to causes you feel passionate about. It’s a good time to form coalitions or support groups; they may end up serving as resources for you down the road. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising – This may be a subtler transit for you than it is for most. Venus will be moving through the area of your chart that is associated with the realm of the subconscious. This will likely be a time of some introspection for you, and you may be well served by doing some shadow work and developing or strengthening a meditation practice. Virgos and Virgo risings often devote a lot (or most) of their time to others and act as caregivers, but during these next few months, your focus can be on your innermost feelings. 

Disclaimer: astrology is for fun; it’s not fortune telling. The above horoscopes are my interpretation of the Venus transit, but as usual, take everything with a grain of salt.

New Moon in Gemini: Sleepytime

There’s a new moon in mutable air sign Gemini shortly after midnight (on the East Coast of the US) on Sunday, June 18th. In Gemini, this new moon is about flexibility and versatility. The main aspect this moon is making is a square to Neptune in Pisces.

Neptune makes things foggy, and with hard aspects to Neptune, such as the square (90-degree angle) the moon and sun are making to it, there are often disappointments or things don’t turn out as you had planned or hoped. So with this new moon, best not to manifest or lay out concrete plans but instead to focus on Neptunian things: our emotions, our vibes, our literal dreams, and our visions.

The new moon phase is often a time when we may feel more tired (vs. full moons, when many feel wired). With the sun squaring Neptune, this is especially true of this new moon. If you can, rest. Try to get a longer night’s sleep than usual on Saturday, and again, pay attention to the dreams you have and what your subconscious is telling you, but focus more on the feelings than making sense of them and planning action based on your interpretations.

Elsewhere in the sky, there have recently been some sign changes.

On Sunday, June 11th, Pluto, which is currently retrograde, went back into Capricorn. Since Pluto moved into Aquarius in March, we’ve seen increased focus on AI and technology. Now, with Pluto back in Capricorn, some of the major stories of the past 15 years will be revisited, so things may seem less future-oriented. In the news, the AI stuff may take a back seat to politics and the economy. With Capricorn representing the patriarchy and systems, and Pluto about power, we’re going to see more events where those who have power try whatever they can to hang on to it.

Pluto’s in Capricorn until January 2024, then it goes back into Aquarius. However, it moves retrograde back into Capricorn again later in 2024 and will be in Capricorn until Nov 2024 (where it will be during the next US presidential election–yikes!), when it makes its full transition in Aquarius. Unfortunately, there’s the Tr*mp of it all. The efforts to hold him accountable and the fights over whether he has executive privilege or is subject to the laws that apply to the non-rich and non-powerful are extremely Pluto-in-Capricorn and USA-Pluto-return vibes, almost a little too on-the-nose, if you ask me. 

Mercury also changed signs this past week, going into Gemini on June 11th. Mercury rules Gemini, so with Mercury there, Gemini season is really in full swing. Lots of talk, lots of communication, lots of movement, lots of duality and versatility and options and choices to make.

Venus is now in Leo, where it will be for a few months because it’s going to go retrograde in July. Venus in Leo is fiery and vibrant. I’ll write more about Venus in Leo and its upcoming retrograde next week.

Until then, get some sleep!

Full Moon in Sagittarius

On Saturday, June 3rd, at 11:40 pm Eastern, there will be a full moon at 13 degrees of Sagittarius (opposite the sun in Gemini). 

Sagittarius is a Jupiter-ruled fire sign. It’s about learning and exploration and spirituality and travel, and Jupiter is the planet of expansion and amplification. Full moons are always emotional and a time for release, but in a Jupiter-ruled sign, the emotions are going to be even bigger and more amplified than with other full moons. You may feel an intense desire to embark on Sagittarian-type activities. This full moon will likely be marked by a strong need to explore. 

Jupiter is currently in Taurus and is answering to Venus (the planet that rules Taurus), so this full moon is also likely to have Venusian themes, with a focus on relationships, love, and money. Venus is currently at the late degrees of Cancer and approaching an opposition to Pluto, still at 0 degrees Aquarius. That energy will be felt around the time of this full moon. 

Oppositions generally mark culminations or turning points, and with Venus opposite Pluto, the planet of transformation, you may experience some deep and long-lasting changes at this time. Venus-Pluto aspects can feel a little obsessive. This may tie into the Sagittarian themes, so a positive manifestation of this full moon may be an intense drive to learn more about a topic that interests you or to book a trip far afield. However, the energy of the full moon could also potentially manifest in feelings of jealousy and insecurity. You might be convinced your partner is keeping something from you, or you may be the one hiding something. Even in friendships and family relationships, we may be feeling extra sensitive, or power struggles can present themselves.

With the full moon in Sagittarius, a sign that is very much about truths, opposite the sun in Gemini, which is all about talking, there will likely be some secrets revealed. It should be an interesting weekend. 

Gemini Season: Time to Talk

The sun moved into Gemini on May 21st. Gemini is a mutable air sign. Air signs are generally associated with thinking and intelligence, and ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, Gemini is quick-witted and loves to talk. Gemini placements mentally process through conversation. With Gemini, the wheels are always turning, the thoughts always rapid fire. (For Bravo watchers, Sam on this season of Summer House is a triple Gemini and exhibits the Gemini “gift of gab” with gusto.)

People with Gemini placements are inquisitive and ask a lot of questions, but they don’t always dive deep because they’re already thinking about the next thing while you’re answering them. Whereas Sagittarius is about in-depth learning, Gemini loves to learn but wants it pithy. Geminis love tips and tricks.

This ability to assess something quickly and move on to the next thing lends to the duality that’s associated with Gemini. The sign is symbolized by the twins and the tarot card of the lovers. Geminis can get a bad rap because unevolved Geminis can seem like they have two disparate sides to them, but Geminis are multi-faceted. Their thoughts and moods change frequently, so they can be hot, then cold, then hot again. They are also easily persuaded by a good argument, so they are malleable in their opinions. They get bored easily, which can lead to an aversion to commitment. Gemini is about options!

With the sun in Gemini, we’re encouraged to be seekers of information. Ask all the questions and cut through red tape. Release attachments to sunk costs. If something isn’t working, move on to the next. 

Gemini season always brings a buzziness with it. In the Northern Hemisphere, it coincides with the transition from spring to summer, and there’s always a charge in the air, possibility, choices, plans, movement. 

Depending on your sun and/or rising sign, this is where you’ll see the Gemini-ness of it all play out over the next few weeks, until the Summer Solstice brings the beginning of Cancer season. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising: This is your time of year! You’ll be feeling extra energized this month. For Gemini suns, this will be especially potent around your birthday (aka your solar return), and for Gemini risings, it will likely feel like sustained energy throughout Gemini season. Use it to get things done, make it about you, and do the things you want to do. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising: You may be feeling some energy and focus around delving a little bit into your subconscious at this time. You may feel compelled to do some shadow work, which with the sun in Gemini, may be best done through talking things out (e.g., with a therapist).

Leo & Leo Rising: Gemini season brings a focus on hanging out with friends. You’ll feel even more social than you already are, and you’ll be energized by surrounding yourself with people you like during this time. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: This is a prime season for thinking about your career. As a Virgo, which, like Gemini, is ruled by Mercury, Virgos have a love of words. It’s time to communicate your desires and strengths in your professional world, and if you’re looking to make a change or a step up, update your CV.

Libra & Libra Rising: Mercury retrograde is over, so it’s a great time to book that big trip you’ve been fantasizing about. You may also find yourself wanting to learn more about things that interest you during this time, so you’d be well served by signing up for classes, workshops, or webinars over the next few weeks. 

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: You may be a bit more focused on your ledger this month, especially your investments and your debts. Gemini is all about hacks and shortcuts, so it’s a great time for investigating a few budgeting or Excel tricks you can incorporate into your and your partner’s, if applicable, finances this month.  

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: This is a great time for flirting with your partner if you have one, or others if you don’t (or with others even if you have a partner, if that’s your thing). With the Sun in your 7th house this month, you’ll feel a sense of vigor in your one-on-one verbal exchanges. 

Capricorn & Cap Rising: How can you hack your work routine to make it better, or at least not a slog? Explore shortcuts for your normal routines, and it’s OK if you’re not feeling like you can necessarily commit or focus on one thing very deeply right now. You may be better off scheduling short blocks of time to focus on a task, then move on to the next, then circle back later. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: This is the time to have fun. Make plans for things that you want to do, that bring you joy. It’s also a great time for creative pursuits, especially incorporating communication, writing, or speaking in some way. Write your morning pages this month! 

Pisces & Pisces Rising: Gemini falls in your 4th house of home and family. Have you thought about rearranging your furniture? You may also want to go antiquing or visit a furniture store or look for art for your place during this time. Seeing all the different ways you can beautify your space is a great use of the Gemini sun. This is also a great time for quick check-ins (but not long, deep convos) with your family, which can give you an emotional boost.

Aries & Aries Rising: When the sun is in Gemini, it’s a time for Aries to get out and about. Be out in your neighborhood, explore new coffee shops, bars, stores. Take a different route home. Use the Gemini love of options and choices to try new things. You may even want to take relatively quick trips to explore new cities. 

Taurus & Taurus Rising: Mercury, Gemini’s ruler, is still in your sign until June 11th, so you may want to use the Gemini vibe to think about your wealth and resources and talk through your goals in this area. It could be with a financial coach or advisor, but even if it’s just with friends, speaking your goals and bouncing ideas off of others can serve you well. 

Jupiter in Taurus

On May 16th, Jupiter changes signs and enters earth sign Taurus, where it will stay until May of 2024. 

Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by Venus, and it’s associated with money, commerce, the economy, values, resources, materials, stability, and sustenance. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth. With Jupiter moving into Taurus, we can expect to see expansion in the areas that Taurus rules. As Jupiter moves through Taurus, though, it will be in conversation with other planets as it moves through Taurus, which will shape its impact.

Right away, as Jupiter first ingresses into Taurus, it will form a square to Pluto, which is currently at 0 degrees Aquarius. When planets form 90 degree angles to each other, there’s tension between them. With Pluto’s movement into Aquarius, we’ve been seeing themes of transformation and regeneration in technology (particularly AI) and movements of collective action. As Pluto forms a tense aspect to Jupiter in Taurus, we can expect to see push-and-pull between the efforts to expand these things and the reactive efforts to tamp them down.

This is further emphasized by Mars, which joins the action as it moves into Leo on May 20th. Mars will be opposite Pluto and forming a square to Jupiter in a configuration called a T-square. The energy will be volatile, and because each planet is in a fixed sign, the conflicts that will arise will be more fraught because of the unmovingness, the unblinkingness, the sheer will of each sign. 

Once Jupiter moves past this initial aspect, its presence becomes a little more chill. That’s until next April, when Jupiter gets to the 21st degree of Taurus and it will form a conjunction with Uranus, the planet of disruption, rebellion, and revolution. Conjunctions represent new cycles, so when Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct in Taurus, we’ll see a new cycle of expansion and disruption in the realms associated with Taurus.

Taurus is about stability, so Jupiter will likely increase the ongoing disruption to stability we’ve been facing since Uranus moved into Taurus. Given that Taurus is an earth sign, there could be literal earthquakes and/or some major climate-related catastrophes. There could also be big changes to the economy, or the value that is assigned to certain things, i.e., currency fluctuations or jolts in the housing market.

It could play out in more positive ways too, though. Disruption and revolution can lead to great things. This transit could coincide with the proliferation and growth of more socialistic movements to check the effects of unbridled capitalism and/or more vocal and mass mobilizations for environmental protection and justice.

Jupiter’s transit through Taurus is a great time for us to examine what we truly value, and to grow our efforts and activism around those values. 

How Jupiter’s time in Taurus will affect you depends on the ways it will interact with your natal planetary placements, but based on your sun and/or rising sign, these are the areas in which you will likely see Jupiter’s influence play out. 

For Taurus & Taurus Rising: Jupiter will be working its way through your first house, the house of self, which relates to our appearances, our personalities, and how we experience the world. Jupiter in the first house can be a great time of personal growth, and because Jupiter is traditionally considered a benefic planet, meaning that its presence is generally thought to be positive, its movement through your first house and/or its proximity to your natal sun can lend to success in your endeavors. It’s an excellent time to hone in on what you really want out of life and take the initiative to make that happen. 

For Gemini & Gemini Rising: Jupiter in your 12th house lends its influence to the realm of your shadow self, your subconscious, and your mental health. This can help with matters of your mental wellness or growth in this area through meditation, therapy, or other practices. When Jupiter is squaring Pluto at the very beginning of its journey through Taurus, you may experience some crises or moments of conflict that affect your mental health or awaken buried parts of your psyche, but ultimately as Jupiter progresses, so will your outlook. 

For Cancer & Cancer Rising: When Jupiter transitions from your 10th house, where it has been in Aries this year, into your 11th house, it’s time to take the career goals you honed in on and act on making those hopes and dreams a reality. The 11th house is also the house of friends and community, so you’ll likely see some growth in these areas over the next year. You may shed some friends whose values don’t align with yours, but you’ll likely feel more compelled to put yourself out there socially and feel more at ease than usual doing so, which could help bring your goals to fruition. 

For Leo & Leo Rising: Jupiter will be transiting through your 10th house of career and legacy. The 10th house isn’t always just career focused, but it deals with the imprint we ultimately make on the world. With Jupiter, a benefic and the planet of growth, in this house, it’s an exciting year for you. You may see yourself getting a promotion and raise, or being elevated in a way that brings you accolades or renown in your field. If you aren’t loving your career trajectory, it can also mark the beginning of a time of exploration for you, where you may take the initial steps toward figuring out what you actually want to do or transitioning to a career that matches your passions. 

For Virgo & Virgo Rising: With Jupiter in your 9th house, you will likely deepen your interest in learning, and you may be asked to teach in some way. Once Jupiter moves further from the square it’s making with Pluto, it’s also a good time for long-distance travel. You may find yourself with an increased sense of wanderlust over the next year, and quenching it through some far-flung travel will be enlightening and feed your need to study.

For Libra & Libra Rising: The transit of Jupiter through your 8th house over the next year could bring about a few different things. The 8th house deals with resources, as Taurus also does, but it’s those resources we receive from others or owe to them. It’s inheritances and debts, and it’s also transformation. So you may experience some changes and growth on a psychological level. You may also see your partner’s income or resources increase, or you could receive some money that’s been owed to you. Jupiter is generally considered a benefic, or a positive planet that helps with success, but depending on what it’s doing in your chart, it could expand your debts as well, so this is a good year to be careful when managing your own and your partner’s and/or family’s finances. 

For Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Jupiter will be moving through your 7th house, which will see an expansion of your partnerships. If you are in a relationship, you may feel renewed investment in that relationship and it’s generally a harmonious time (save for Jupiter’s interactions with Pluto at the beginning of its transit). You may also build other partnerships during this time, either business collaborations or other one-on-one relationships. If you’re not currently attached, you may be beginning a new romantic relationship at this time, or if you’re at the early stages, this is when you may get more serious or take that relationship to its next stage. 

For Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: Jupiter’s going to be moving through the area of your chart that deals with the day-to-day work you do, in your job or in caretaking, your co-workers, and your health. You may be taking on increased responsibilities or tasks at work, which one would hope would also lead to an increase in pay or a path to professional development. You could also find yourself increasingly focused on your health, so this is a good time to use Jupiter’s influence to commit to a more healthy lifestyle and/or implement any changes to your routine you have been thinking about or that your body’s been telling you that you need. 

For Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: The 5th house, where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, deals with a few topics: sex and romance, children, creativity, and fun. Embrace joy and leisure time and just doing what you want to do during this transit. If you are single, this is a good time to put yourself out there because you may see some sparks in your love life. If you’re with a partner, it’s a good time for reinvigorating your sex life. You are also likely to find creative and artistic endeavors to be rewarding over the next year. If you do your morning pages, it may lead somewhere. With Jupiter all about expansion, if you’re looking to conceive, you may be more apt to be successful during this period, or you may actually have a child. For those with kids, you may just be spending more quality time with them or find yourself valuing your free time with them more over the next year. 

For Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: Your home and your family will be a focus for the next year, with Jupiter going through the part of your chart that deals with this. You may be buying real estate during this time or moving into a bigger place. You may also see your family expanding in some way, or your relatives and/or the people you live with may see their wealth or resources increase. Jupiter represents abundance, so when it comes to your home and family, this could also mean more abundant love, a compulsion to spend time with the ones you love. 

For Pisces & Pisces Rising: The next year will see some expansion in your communication, and you may feel more energized when it comes to socializing. There will be a buzz around you. Jupiter may also see you traveling a lot because the 3rd house deals with short-distance travel. You might be taking a lot of trips for work or spending the year taking a lot of quick weekend trips to visit friends and/or siblings who live in other cities, and it’s a great time for that. Because Jupiter is a benefit and the 3rd house also encompasses siblings, your siblings may be experiencing some successes or growth during the time that Jupiter is in Taurus. 

For Aries & Aries Rising: Taurus and the second house, which is where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, have overlapping areas of focus: money, resources, and that which we value. Jupiter can signal successes in this realm, so you may find yourself getting a raise or growing your business in a way that increases your income. You may be focused on investing or building your savings accounts now, and it’s a good time to get more focused on your finances and your portfolio. It’s not just money we value, though, so this is also a good time for increased focus on the other things that matter to you. It could be your time, in which case organizing your calendar and ensuring you have more time to spend the way you like can also pay dividends. 

Just a reminder that astrology is for entertainment and is based on subjective interpretation of what’s happening with the planets in the sky. It’s not fortune telling, nor should it be interpreted as such, so take these horoscopes with a grain of salt. 

Big Eclipse Energy

In my post about the eclipse in Aries a couple weeks ago, I noted that while eclipse cycles usually herald transformations in our lives, individual eclipses may not bring big changes immediately. And here I am eating my words because this eclipse was pretty monumental for some. The Aries eclipse had friends of mine giving birth, finding out they were pregnant, getting job offers, and getting engaged. Eclipses also often signal endings, and I said goodbye to my beloved 17-year-old cat, who let us know it was finally her time to go, after two years of being treated for small cell lymphoma. She was elderly and had been sick with a chronic illness, so her death was not a shock, but it was the end of an era.

And now we have a second eclipse looming. There will be a lunar eclipse at 14 degrees of Scorpio on Friday, May 5th. This is the final Scorpio lunar eclipse of the Taurus-Scorpio eclipse series that began in late 2021, so you may see themes that began in your life in late 2021 or early 2022 culminating now.

Scorpio, a fixed water sign, is ruled by Pluto, the planet of death, rebirth, transformation, compulsions, and hidden things. On Monday, May 1st, Pluto stationed retrograde. In its initial dip into Aquarius, it only made it as far as 0 degrees. With Pluto stationing shortly before the eclipse, it will likely intensify the changes that come about during this eclipse, and Pluto and Scorpio aren’t short on intensity to begin with. It could bring some deep emotional catharsis and uncover some deep hidden truths that we either haven’t seen or have been intentionally ignoring. The eclipse is also opposite Uranus, currently in Taurus, which adds to the potential for jolts and shocks. 

Hang in there, and get plenty of rest over the next few days!

Mercury Retrograde in Taurus

Mercury went retrograde last week on April 21st, and before that, it was in its retrograde shadow for a couple weeks, so you may have felt the effects before last Friday. It is retrograde until May 14th. 

A couple things about Mercury retrogrades in general. First, it may be obvious, but Mercury doesn’t actually reverse. It just appears to go backward due to an optical illusion that occurs when the Earth is at its closest to Mercury. This happens 3 to 4 times a year. This article in USA Today explains it clearly and has some nice graphics to illustrate the concept. 

Second, things go a little haywire in the days leading up to, during, and in the days after a Mercury retrograde. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, travel, and technology. When Mercury appears to be retrograde, those areas become a little fraught. Miscommunications abound, emails get sent to the wrong recipients, flights get delayed or canceled, and frustrating tech snafus occur. 

It’s been a matter of days since Mercury stationed retrograde, and already there was a global Microsoft 365 outage, Southwest had a technical issue that grounded their flights for several hours last week, and my mother’s refrigerator died. The days leading up to the retrograde seemed particularly rough this time, with the solar eclipse in the mix. 

However, this Mercury retrograde shouldn’t be any worse than most, and in fact, it may actually not be as bad as some. It’s in an earth sign, as are the other Mercury retrogrades this year, and it’s the fixed earth sign of Taurus, so that makes things a bit more grounded than normal. However, Taurus rules money and resources, so you want to be especially careful with financial transactions this month. Double check your online banking so you don’t either pay the same bill twice or experience some unforeseen tech issue that causes your payment to not go through. That’s the kind of stuff that can occur with Mercury retrograde in Taurus. 

Otherwise, just follow the guidance that applies during any Mercury retrograde: reread your emails before you send them, double check your work, avoid buying any new technology during the retrograde if you can, and if you’re traveling, allow extra time, even if it’s just leaving for the subway a few minutes earlier than your normally would. And be patient, knowing that the next few weeks are going to be a little more frustrating than normal and you may have to do things over again later. Many astrologers recommend actually using the Mercury retrograde period to do “re” activities: reflecting, revising, and relaxing.

Eclipse Time

On April 19th/20th, depending on your time zone, a solar eclipse, which is also a new moon, will occur at 29 degrees of Aries. It will be exact at 12:12 am EDT. It’s the second new moon in Aries this year, which is really rare; usually there is only one new moon in each zodiac sign annually. So themes of this new moon are going to be in keeping with the same themes of the first new moon in Aries that occurred 4 weeks ago. 

There’s a lot of talk online and in the astrology world about eclipses, and I think the way the discussion is framed can inspire a lot of anxiety. But eclipses occur between 4 and 7 times per year, meaning that you’ve already lived through many. Yes, a lot of times eclipses can be accompanied by events that seem out of left field or that may knock us off balance. But this is usually felt more in the world and in current events than personally, and each individual eclipse is one part of an ongoing story. 

This week may generally feel a little nutty. People may seem weird, your interactions may seem especially charged, and you and others may be feeling angry and irritable. This would be normal with a solar eclipse in Aries, a fire sign ruled by Mars and associated with aggression. Those feelings may be exacerbated this time because this particular eclipse is also at the last (or, in astrology speak, “anaretic”) degree of the sign, which means it’s extra, extra Aries. An example: when Mars, the planet of action, aggression, and war, was at 29 degrees of Aries in 2021, it was Jan 6th, and people were literally ramming (Aries is symbolized by the ram) the barricades of the Capitol building. That was Mars in the last degree of Aries, not the sun and moon, though, so I wouldn’t expect that again; it’s just an example of how extreme a sign’s influence can be when a planet is at the last degree of that sign.

So, with the placement of this eclipse, we and others may be feeling extra punchy. But Aries also represents forthrightness, so we may be speaking our minds with no filter, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Mars is currently in Cancer, so it’s not as warlike and ready to pounce as it could be. It’s a bit emotional. So this may be a crying-tears-of-rage-into-your-pillow kind of week. 

In the world, we may see people acting out from a place of extreme defensiveness. This eclipse is also squaring Pluto, currently at the very beginning of Aquarius. Given the nature of Pluto in Aquarius, this may be a time when people collectively band together and fight against something. I am loath to date myself and quote Twisted Sister, but it’s a very we’re-not-gonna-take-it vibe. This eclipse could herald the beginning of some major movements. 

An eclipse cycle in a specific axis (so, in this case, Aries-Libra) unfolds over a year or more, so events that occur now will likely be one piece of a puzzle. Usually, for most of us, the changes that come with eclipses aren’t totally jarring, they play out over a period of time. This is the first eclipse of this new eclipse cycle in Aries and Libra, meaning that you will probably see some changes and evolution in the realms of your life that these signs rule, but while the first seeds may be planted this week, you likely won’t know the full story until you look back later, after this eclipse cycle wraps up in the spring of 2025. 

More pronounced changes may occur for you now if you have planets in your natal chart that get activated by this eclipse. You can investigate that by using a tool to look up your birth chart (there are many) and checking to see if you have any planets around 29 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn. (I also offer readings, so if you’re interested, hit me up!) 

Astrologers that I follow and trust recommend not manifesting or doing ritual work during an eclipse the way you may during other moon cycles, and because they know more than me, I heed that advice. Just let the events unfold.