Tag Archives: Gemini

Some Rough Air Ahead

We’ve had kind of a break since the wild ride of mid-July. The Mercury retrograde we’re currently experiencing seems pretty mild compared with the astrology of last month. But now, we’re gearing up for some more interesting transits next week, and it looks like things are going to get turbulent again. 

On Wednesday, August 14th, Mars, which is now in buzzy Gemini, is going to align with Jupiter, forming a conjunction. On its own, a Mars-Jupiter conjunction could signify an expansion (Jupiter) of aggression and assertiveness (Mars). Mars is also about passion, and with it and Jupiter both in Gemini, you could be feeling the urge to vision board and make grandiose plans. You may send rambling texts to your friends with big ideas for the future. It’s cocaine energy. Mars and Jupiter are about dreaming big, but not so much about the details. And in the news, we may see some big protests and/or some large-scale threats of violence. 

With both Mars and Jupiter approaching squares (tense aspects) with Saturn in the days following their conjunction, there’s going to be conflict between the big, passionate, grandiose visions and movements and the harshness of reality. Saturn puts a damper on all that. It asks how you’re actually going to accomplish those pipe dreams of yours. I have both a Saturn-ruled sun and Mercury in my chart, and I feel like so much of my job is pressing my colleagues on how they are actually going to achieve those things that they are planning. I often ask, “OK, but what can you realistically do in this timeframe?” Saturn says no, which can be really frustrating, but sometimes we need the reality check!

The Mars-Saturn square will be exact on August 15th and the Jupiter-Saturn square is exact on August 19th. In the news, this coincides with the weekend leading up to and the beginning of the DNC. There’s been both astrological and non-astrological focus on how 2024 has paralleled 1968 in so many ways. The Astrology Podcast, the gold-standard of, well, astrology podcasts, had a really great breakdown of this in its August forecast episode. In the U.S., we’ve had student protests, an incumbent choosing not to run for re-election, an assassination attempt, RFK, this time Jr., and a planned DNC in Chicago of all places. Does that mean that the 2024 DNC is going to be the kind of chaotic shitshow that 1968’s was? TBD. But with the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn configuration, I could definitely see some large scale protests and demonstrative actions that are harshly suppressed by law enforcement.

Speaking of the sixties, I really love Mad Men. I want to go back and rewatch season 6, which felt super disjointed, but the point of the dissonant tone of that season was to show just how insane 1968 felt to those living it. There was a whole episode on the MLK assassination, and then in a subsequent episode, the RFK assassination appears merely as a last-couple-minute coda, as if to say, another one…when will this end? Megan weeping quietly on the bed, listening to the morning news, as Don numbly gets ready for work….how much of this year has felt that way? Then the credits roll to Friend & Lover’s bubbly “Reach Out in the Darkness”. The mindfuckery we’re experiencing now isn’t totally unprecedented, but that doesn’t make it less exhausting and anxiety producing.

One last potential manifestation of this transit: with both Mars and Jupiter in air sign Gemini and Saturn in Pisces, the most watery of the water signs, there’s big hurricane energy (i.e., big fierce wind up against water). Not a surprising parallel given this summer’s active hurricane season.  

And the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn of it all is just one strand of the astrology of this upcoming week.

On August 18th, there’s a Mercury-Uranus square, so another tense aspect, this one between the messenger planet of communication and technology and the planet of disruptions and surprises. This is another transit that drums up anxiety. Our thinking during these few days may be less rational than usual. Just take a beat before acting on any quick thoughts or impulses you may have. This is also the second time we’ve had this transit because Mercury is retrograde now; the same configuration also occurred on July 21st and will happen again on September 6th & 7th. So if you think back to what stories occurred on July 21st, both personally and in the zeitgeist, there may be some revisions to narratives or further developments, with the conclusions coming in September. 

And finally, on August 19th, there is a full moon in Aquarius at 27 degrees, opposite the sun in Leo, which is also aligned with Mercury. The moon and sun sidle up to that Mercury-Uranus configuration.

Whew. This is a very interesting full moon, compounding the energies described above. There are just a lot of things that are going to culminate, and the full moon, in the sign associated with innovation and the collective, is going to shed some light on our own roles in shaping our collective future. Leo is very much about ego, but the moon in Aquarius balancing it out encourages us to think less about the “me” and more about the “we.” What can we do for the betterment of our communities, for all? Reach out in the darkness, indeed. 

Of course, take this all with a grain of salt. Manifestations of these themes may be big and loud, but they could be small and quiet, too. Ground yourself and don’t freak out–we have a long way to go.  

Jupiter (& a Ton of Other Planets) in Gemini

Jupiter moved into Gemini on May 25th, where it will be until June 9th of 2025. When Jupiter transits through a sign, we see the themes associated with that sign amplified and spread. They get bigger and more prevalent. 

Gemini is an air sign that represents duality and communication. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, known as the trickster. I just read Circe by Madeline Miller and loved it. The book features Hermes (aka Mercury) as a character, and the playful and impermanent nature of Mercury is well described in the novel. Hermes is the messenger of the gods. He wants to be amused, entertained, to engage in tête-à-têtes, but he leaves at his liking, coming and going with the winds. In traditional astrology, Mercury can be either a benefic or a malefic planet, depending on certain factors. Again, duality is inherent to its essence.  

With Jupiter moving through Gemini over the next year, we can expect to see advances in communication and transportation technology. We’ll also likely see a continued preponderance of news about air travel. I hope there will be improvements and expansion in air travel, but I also expect that there’s going to be a lot of news and buzz about increasing winds due to climate change, so there will probably be more and more stories about the kind of turbulence that has been so prominent lately. 

Jupiter is technically in its detriment here because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign opposite Gemini. Whereas Sagittarius wants to dive deep into topics and learn everything it can about them, Gemini wants the CliffsNotes. Geminis want shortcuts, tips, tricks, and workarounds. They get both intrigued and bored easily. They’re quick-thinking, questioning, and skeptical. Those with prominent Gemini placements often have a lot of friends and a lot of different interests because they need variety. They’re renaissance people. 

Right now, the sun, Mercury, and Venus are all also in Gemini, giving us a lot of a ton of swift, airy Gemini energy. It’s like a blast of Gemini. The languorous days of Taurus season are behind us. My snake plant promptly died when all these planets moved into Gemini. I decided to give up on trying to keep it alive. And a few hours later I signed up to practice French on Duolingo. That’s Gemini season. 

And coming up on June 6th, we have a new moon in Gemini. So atop all this Gemini energy, the new moon offers a chance to start anew, to make some choices, to put words to our thoughts and dreams. Saturn in Pisces will be squaring the new moon, causing some tension. Saturn is the planet of responsibility, so you may feel burdened and not fully able to do what you want, but write it down anyway. Gemini season is the season of the notes app. 

Based on your rising sign, these are the broad brushstroke areas where you’ll see a lot of focus in the next few weeks, and then more long-term sustained growth over the next year as Jupiter moves through this part of your chart. 

Gemini rising – This is your first house, the house of self. You may be faced with some big choices over the next year which could result in long-term implications, but generally (everything is dependent on your own chart and planetary placements), this is a time of opportunity for you. Ride the wave. You get an extra boost now, and some of that magic will sustain until next June. 

Cancer rising – This is the area that deals with the subconscious and solitude. Dreams will be vivid and if you keep a dream journal, you’ll likely learn a lot about your innermost desires and fears. It’s a good time for planning a solo trip or meditation retreat for sometime in the next year. If you can, spending some time alone will likely be extra restorative and illuminating. 

Leo rising – Gemini is in your house of friend groups, community, and hopes. You may see some more action in this area and find yourself branching out, making new connections, and putting yourself out into the world. Leo placements are social creatures, but you’ll probably feel more social than you already do and reap the rewards to casting a wide net. 

Virgo rising – This part of your chart deals with your public persona and legacy. Most often this is tied to career, so this year you may be presented with some opportunities for career advancement or growth. You could create output that earns you widespread recognition. If you have been wanting to forge a new career path, this would be an auspicious time to take steps to do so. 

Libra rising – The planet Jupiter and the part of your chart where it will be this year share some significations, meaning that you may feel even more of a push toward some of their themes: spirituality, teaching and learning, and long distance travel. While Jupiter is in Gemini, you may take a longer and/or longer-distance trip than you would otherwise, develop a strong interest in another culture or language or religion (or astrology, which is a topic associated with this area of the chart), or enroll in an academic program or begin teaching classes yourself. 

Scorpio rising – For you, Jupiter will be in your 8th house. In traditional astrology, it’s the area of the chart that deals with life and death. More modern significations, though, expand the associations to the things we give to or receive from others. It’s the fruits and the byproducts of our relationships, everything from inheritances, our partner’s finances, and loans, to murkier stuff such as our emotional baggage and trauma. This could play out in many ways. You may get a mortgage or sell your place (when Jupiter was in my 8th house, I bought an apartment). You may get a bigger tax refund than usual that allows you to do something you wouldn’t normally do. Or you could start therapy!

Sagittarius rising – Jupiter is your chart ruler, so when Jupiter moves into a new part of your chart, you (and Pisces risings) feel it the most. There will be a lot of focus on relationships and partnerships this year. It could be that you’re entering a new phase of an existing relationship, or you begin a new one altogether. It could also mean you join forces with someone in a business partnership of some kind. Compromise and collaboration will be heavily featured themes for you with the planets in Gemini. 

Capricorn rising – The transits through Gemini are occurring in your area of work, health, and service, so there will be a short-term heavy focus on these themes, and then as Jupiter continues to go through Gemini for the next year, you’ll see an expansion in this area. It’s a good time to take steps to improve your work habits and your health routines, as the efforts put in now can pay off in the future. This part of the chart also deals with pets, so given Jupiter’s significance, you may find yourself adopting a new furry friend this year. 

Aquarius rising – Lucky you, this is the fun house, the part of your chart that rules joy, creativity, and romance. With so many planets in Gemini, this is the time to start doing the stuff you want to do. Lean into your creativity, and enjoy your sex life. This is also the part of the chart that deals with children, and Jupiter indicates expansion and growth, so just know that and act accordingly, depending on whether you do or don’t want a child anytime in the near future. 

Pisces rising – Gemini is in the area of your chart that is associated with home and family, and Jupiter is your chart ruler, meaning that you’ll likely feel Jupiter’s influence more than most other rising signs. This could be a year where you expand your home base, or focus more energy on your home. It could also be a time when your family grows, or the time you spend with your family increases. 

Aries rising – The area of your chart that deals with your neighborhood and neighbors, your siblings, short-distance/domestic travel, and communication will be buzzing. It’s a variegated collection of themes, so you may see growth or focus in just one of these topics or several. Maybe you find yourself traveling for work or pleasure a lot more than usual this year, or maybe you actually end up connecting with your neighbors in a way that feels enriching and expansive. 

Taurus rising – For you, Gemini is in your house of money and resources. This could indicate growth in income or an expansion or advancement to the way you earn your income. With Jupiter going through your second house, there’s a lot of potential for increased abundance over the next year, which could resonate in different ways. Maybe it’s money; maybe it’s the people around you that you value most.  

Enjoy the intellectual stimulation, and stay safe from the winds! And take all of these horoscopes with a grain of salt. Astrology is entertainment, not fortune telling. 

Sagittarius Season and the Full Moon in Gemini

On November 22nd, the sun moved into Sagittarius, so we are now in the swing of Sagittarius season. And in true Sagittarius fashion, this post is very late. 

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. As a fire sign, Sagittarius has an inherent need for action, and as a mutable sign, Sagittarius can go with the flow and transition easily. Of the fire signs, Aries is like a spark; Leo like a campfire; and Sagittarius is like a wildfire–traveling, shifting, and ranging.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, rules Sagittarius. Jupiter is about growth and expansiveness. This gives Sagittarius its own larger than life quality. Sagittarians are known for being adventurous. They want experiences, they want to learn, to travel, to live life to the fullest. I think of the famous “mad ones” quote from On the Road as distilling the Sagittarian essence (and not surprisingly, Neal Cassady had a Sagittarius moon.)

Sagittarians can sometimes get a reputation for being flakey because once they feel like they’ve fully immersed themselves in something, their desire to learn more about the next thing compels them to move on. Sagittarians are known for their forthrightness, which can sometimes come across as abrasive or uncouth, but a lot of times, it’s charming. Sagittarians are charmers. Sonja Morgan is a Sag.

As soon as Sagittarius season kicked off, because Saturn is at 0 degrees of Pisces, the sun formed a square (an aspect that causes dynamic tension) to Saturn. Then Mars followed shortly behind, moving into Sagittarius on November 24th and also forming a square to Saturn. Mars, the planet of action, wants to goooooo, especially in Sagittarius, and Saturn, the planet of boundaries, wants to pump the brakes, so in the few days around November 24th-25th, we may feel stymied or limited in ways that are incredibly frustrating. This can be especially emotional around the full moon, which occurs at 4 degrees of Gemini on November 27th at 4:16 am EST. 

The Gemini-Sagittarius axis is an interesting one. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, and as an air sign, it’s about quick thinking and talking; Sagittarius is a sign that’s about intellectualizing and philosophizing, so it isn’t as diametrically different from Gemini as some of the other opposite-sign pairings. However, it’s a fire sign, and it’s ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, so Sagittarius is all about big ideas. Sagittarians dream big and leave the details to others. I once had a boss who said, when describing herself, that she isn’t a workhorse, but that she meets people and comes up with ideas, but she leaves the work to her team. That feels very Sagittarius. Sagittarians can experience Geminis as too micro; Geminis can think Sagittarians are unrealistic blowhards.

The full moon in Gemini, opposite the sun, finds our emotional selves needing to tend to the prosaic details. We want to make to-do lists and find shortcuts. But the sun in Sag causes some tension with this need, as we may have our heads in the clouds, or we may be blowing past others’ need to talk it out and get the necessary info. 

This full moon is also opposite Mars, right on the sun’s heels in Sagittarius, and the sun/Mars and the moon are in a T-square with Saturn. This means that this frustrating Mars-Saturn square that we’re feeling over the weekend causes conflict and tension with our emotional and physical needs during the full moon.

At the same time, there’s a Mercury-Neptune square happening, which adds some extra confusion around this full moon. Gemini is a Mercury-ruled sign, so the moon is answering to Mercury, and in a tense aspect with Neptune, the planet of murkiness, boundarilessness, and confusion, there’s a general fog over everything. We may feel not only frustrated by our limitations this new moon, but we may also not be able to think clearly and understand quite why. Lovely. 

The good news is that after the full moon, the sun and Mars continue to progress past their squares with Saturn, helping things flow more easily. And on December 1st, Mercury moves into brass-tacks, earthy Capricorn, which enables us to focus on getting stuff done. However, Mercury is currently in its retro shadow, and it goes retrograde on December 13th, so get your holiday plans set and your shopping done before then! 

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. 

The Week of April 9th: Venus in Gemini & Jupiter-Sun Conjunction

This week starts off with a couple really great aspects on the 11th, then gets a bit more challenging closer to the 14th. 

After midnight EDT on Tuesday, April 11th, Venus enters Gemini. Gemini, a mutable air sign, is about talking, listening, thinking, synthesizing. It’s nimble and quick but can suffer from a short attention span. It’s also about duality. Gemini is represented by the twins, and when a planet is in Gemini, the things that planet rules have two sides. Gemini gives us options. Two roads and all of that. (Robert Frost was an Aries, but maybe he was a Gemini rising.)

With Venus, the planet of values and resources, including relationships and finances, in Gemini, it means that we are going to find ourselves placing greater value on connecting and communicating. Time to talk. Gemini loves tips and tricks. It’s pithy. Read about budgeting hacks. Figure out the quickest way to get to your friends’ apartments. We’re going to want to learn more and feel more connected to people and to ideas with this transit, so you’ll likely find yourself asking more questions of the people you meet or have surface-level relationships with, and you’ll also likely find yourself with 2x your normal number of browser tabs open.  

Once Venus moves into Gemini, it will form a trine to Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto is about birth, death, transformation, and regeneration. This is a good transit for changing up something in your look, or the way you manage your finances, or something in your relationship that has gone stale. Pluto’s influence can help us examine the things we value more deeply, discard what is not serving us, and really support or improve what we hold dear. 

Also on April 11th, the sun, which is in Aries, meets up with Jupiter, forming a conjunction. Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion and generally considered beneficial, and the sun is about vitality. This is generally a pretty great transit. This is a good time for shining your light and focusing your physical and mental energies on something that you want to grow. What area of your life or project could use a boost? On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, give that your attention. The only potential negative with any Jupiter transit is that we can be or do too much, so it’s a good time to be mindful of not over-exerting yourself, or over-committing yourself, or over-indulging. 

On Friday the 14th, the vibe changes a bit as Venus forms a square with Saturn in Pisces. Squares cause tension and can generate some conflict. And Saturn is a planet that is typically associated with limitations, contractions, and boundaries. So whatever Venusian ideas or things have been our focus for the past few days may hit some snags, or we may feel limited in those areas. After all, nothing gold can stay.

If you haven’t done them already, I wouldn’t suggest doing your taxes later this week, even though they are due on Monday the 18th. My unqualified advice would be to do them on Tuesday the 11th instead, when Venus is well-aspected. Saturn could also have us feeling a little stifled in relationships, or making us feel disappointed in the way we look. Just know that because Venus moves relatively quickly, this transit is fleeting, and those feelings will pass.

Enjoy the week! And take this all with a grain of salt, as always. Astrology is for entertainment purposes only. 🙂

This Week: a Full Moon in Gemini

This week, on Wednesday, December 7th, at 11:08pm ET, there will be a full moon in Gemini at 16 degrees. Full moons occur when the sun is exactly opposite the moon. In astrology, an opposition is thought to mark the culmination or climax of a cycle. Thus, full moons are generally a time for emotional releasing and letting go.  

Because this full moon is in Gemini, it is ruled by Mercury, which will have just ingressed into Capricorn. So it’s a transit that will be about communication, but Mercury in Capricorn is direct and no-nonsense, no beating around the bush. And to top it off, this full moon will be conjunct Mars, which is still retrograde and which will also be at 16 degrees Gemini. It could illuminate the themes that have marked the Mars retrograde period, which began back in late October. Given its placement in Gemini, it’s a good time for the release of emotions through words, but because of the Mars of it all, they may be fraught. It may not be pleasant. So while Gemini is the chattiest of signs, journaling or thinking purposefully about the stuff you want to let go of may be the best course of action for this full moon. Conversations could be helpful, but care must be taken not to pop off, get too angry, or say things that you can’t take back and may regret later. 

What are we releasing, related to Mars? Below are the themes that this full moon may pull focus to, depending on your sun and rising signs: 

For Gemini & Gemini rising: This will occur in the first house for you, the part of the chart most identified with the self (your personality, identity, physical body, and appearance). What part of yourself is dragging you down? This full moon, think about what is serving you and what isn’t. It could be an excellent time for cleaning out your closet, or on a deeper level, meditating on what you want to let go of to prepare for the new year. 

For Cancer & Cancer rising: The full moon is taking place in the part of the chart related to shadows, mental health, things going on behind the scenes, sleep, and dreams. Have you been having trouble sleeping these past couple months? This is a time to try to relax and get some rest. If there are things in your life that are making you particularly anxious or causing unrest, this is a good time to work through these issues through meditation, journaling, or therapy.

For Leo & Leo rising: This could be a cathartic full moon for thinking about the friendships and the groups of which you are a part that are sucking up more energy from you than they are giving you. It’s OK to release the feeling of obligation to others in order to give yourself some space or some time back. 

For Virgo & Virgo rising: The full moon will be lighting up your tenth house of career and legacy. This is a time to consider what you have been giving to your career. Are you doing what you want to do? How does what you put into it affect you? If there are parts of what you are doing as a career that are emotionally draining or unfulfilling for you, think about how you can potentially shed those. 

For Libra & Libra rising: Given that this full moon in Gemini is occurring in your house associated with philosophy, learning, and publishing, and it’s a Mercury-ruled full moon, think about what you have been writing, researching, and revising. It could be a good time to let go and put it out into the world. Reflect and submit or post if it feels right.

For Scorpio & Scorpio rising: This full moon offers potential for being shrewd about the money and time you owe or feel you owe to others. What are you getting out of the subscriptions you pay for? If nothing, cancel. It’s also a good time for setting boundaries and letting go of feelings of obligation to others who are demanding too much of your emotional energy. 

For Sagittarius & Sagittarius rising: You may find yourself having tough conversations with your partner or in your closest relationships at this time. If the relationship has run its course, it could be the right time to end things. However, if it is not, to get most out of these discussions emotionally, be measured and be mindful of the Martian energy that may be pushing you to be blunt and forceful in ways you may regret later. 

For Capricorn & Capricorn rising: What’s not working when it comes to the stuff you’re doing every day? That could be work, or your health routine, or how you’re taking care of your pet. Think it through and consider making small adjustments to reduce or eliminate what’s making you unproductive or unenergized in these areas. For example, if you aren’t keeping up with your morning exercise routine because the sun is rising later, try moving your workouts to a different time of day.  

For Aquarius & Aquarius rising: This full moon is occurring in the area of your chart associated with joy, creativity, fun, and children. If you have kids, you might be careful to temper any emotional outbursts at them this week because they may not actually deserve the tongue-lashing you want to give them. And with the moon here, it’s a good time to think about what issues or hang-ups you have that are preventing you from having a good time. This is a time to examine and let go of what’s impeding you from experiencing joy. 

For Pisces & Pisces rising: You may find yourself tempted to engage in some emotionally fraught conversations with family at this time. Tread lightly, but if there are family members that are causing you pain, you are allowed to set boundaries and withdraw, even just temporarily, in a way that protects you. 

For Aries & Aries rising: The full moon is occurring in the part of your chart that is associated with themes similar to those ruled by Gemini: communication, your local neighborhood, the conversations you have regularly, short trips you take, your commute. Is there something that isn’t serving you when it comes to the way you communicate or the ongoing conversations that are part of your regular routine? Or if there’s a trip you make regularly, is it exhausting you? This could be a time for thoughtful adjustments and editing in these areas. 

For Taurus & Taurus rising: This full moon takes place in your second house, which is associated with your values, resources, and money and finances. Think about your income and expenses, and how your budget contributes to or takes away from what you really love. This Mars retrograde has been a time for reconsidering and reflecting on these themes, and if there are things you’re ready to cut out or change, this would be a good opportunity for those realignments. 

For everyone, Wednesday and Thursday may feel volatile. The best advice is try to stay grounded and calm. The astrology gets a little nicer on Friday, December 9th, when Venus and Jupiter form a square, so the two benefic planets are interacting, and things will feel a little lighter.

Disclaimer: of this may ring true and some may not. As my astrology teacher, the brilliant Annabel Gat, has taught me, astrology was created by human beings, so it’s imperfect. The notes above are my interpretation of what the full moon could mean, but please disregard anything that doesn’t resonate.