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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
I've started posting to the community blog on a wonderful site for baby boomers called ThirdAge.com. I urge you to check it out. It's lots of great information on a variety of topics and many community features, too. I'm posting there once a week on Wednesdays, hoping to provide additional insight on astrological topics and events. Click here to visit the ThirdAge blog.
Each month, shortly before the sun moves into a new sign (which usually happens around the 20th or 21st of the month), I'll suggest a way for your sign to take advantage of the opportunities provided by one of the solar month's major astrological features. In addition, you can read a short article on one aspect of putting together a horoscope forecast that will give you more insight into how to interpret your own chart.
Finally, I'll provide a list of keywords for some of the planets, signs, and houses that make up a horoscope so that you can further customize your horoscope.
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Happy Birthday, Cancer!
Venus will be in Gemini in your solar 12th house throughout your birthday month, suggesting that a small, intimate birthday gathering will make you feel more appreciated this year than a raucous party with many friends and acquaintances. Many Cancers prefer small and intimate as a general rule anyway, so if you are one of those Cancers consider this your astrological excuse to insist on a low-key birthday this year. Don't forget to make your birthday wish on the new moon date of June 25 or the days immediately after.
The sun will be in your sign throughout the solar month (of course) and Mercury will engage in a bit of odd bobbling action in which it will decide to vist Leo at the beginning of July and then change its mind and decide to go back to Cancer after the 10th. None of this is as important, though, as the fact that the next twelve months look pretty good for Cancers as far as I can tell. Unless you have personal chart factors that interfere with the smooth sailing ahead, as a lucky Cancer you're practically getting a free pass for awhile.
After some dyanmic eclipses over the last couple of years along the axis governing your home and career, the universe has shifted its attention to the much more low-key 3rd and 9th solar houses in your chart. These eclipses are unlikely to make much of an impact in comparison. No big planets are planning to make aggressive angles to your sign, and Uranus and Jupiter will both be in compatible water signs until close to the end of this year.
Saturn and Neptune may be trying to stir up tension in your financial life (including this month), but if you simply take care of your financial business in a sensible way (you can do that!), this influence shouldn't be enough to mar what is basically a nice period in which you can live your life as you see fit.
As a Cancer, you are a representative of the sign most closely associated with the emotions. Part of your purpose on this planet, as well as part of your learning curve, involves dealing with emotions. Your ruler, the Moon, teaches us that emotions flow like the tides, arise from subconscious, and are in constant motion. Emotions come and emotions go. Part of your gift as a Cancer is to understand and embody that truth.
This is actually a very difficult concept for humans to grasp. As a race, we have a very ambivalent relationship with our emotions. On the one hand, they offer us joy, inspiration, meaning, pleasure, and something to guide us, a source of wisdom. On the other hand, we frequently experience them as dangerous, overwhelming, painful, frightening, or something that we need to repress. It is very difficult for many of the signs (especially perhaps the fixed ones) to realize that emotions just come and go. They don't have to be clung to. They don't have to be acted on. They don't have to repressed. They don't have to be rationalized away. As human beings, we simply experience our emotions flowing back and forth like the tides the Moon rules.
You are one of the few signs that can teach the rest of us not to freak out over our emotions, but to let them rise and fall. Of course, first you have to learn how to do that yourself. This year, you have a close to perfect chance to just live in and enjoy the moments as they rise and fall. With Jupiter in your solar 5th house until almost the end of the year, you also have the chance to experience this in a most particularly beneficial way when it comes to love. Emotions don't last. They don't have to. You have the chance, if you're willing to be open to it, to experience in connection with romantic partners (or children if you have them) the reality that no matter what your Cancerian moods may be, you can always gently steer yourself back towards love, while not expecting yourself or others to experience super-loving feelings all the time. Anger or pride or distress happen in love relationships too. But love, like the tides, is eternal, and keeps coming back. Think love this month and this year, Cancer, and allow yourself to enjoy what it brings.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
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This month Venus will be in Gemini in your solar 3rd house. Theoretically, this is going to make the overall environment of the month pleasant, and you are certainly welcome to augment this energy by taking steps to make your environment (home and office) more attractive to you. Take advantage of this pleasant vibe while you can, and perhaps enjoy a short summer trip or two. (The 3rd house rules short trips.)
The rest of the inner planetary action centers around the signs of Cancer and Leo. Throughout the month, the sun will be squaring your own sign. Mercury will get into the act, too, from July 10th on. This isn't necessarily terrible, although such squares are often mildly uncomfortable. They may signal a need to attend to household chores like mowing the lawn, dealing with the garden, or getting things fixed. If you end up having to attend to these things, you might as well do the best you can to spruce up your home in such a way that you will feel really comfortable there.
Meanwhile, your ruler (Mars) is in Leo along with Saturn in your solar 5th house of romance and self-expression. There seems to be a sort of push-pull at work between ego and the need to restrain ego. If you are engaged in the hunt for love, you seem to need to find some way to come on strong without, well, coming on too strong. If you have children, the same dynamic seems to apply.
In fact, with regard to expressing yourself in general, it seems you can get good results (thanks to Venus in the 3rd) if you can use your naturally good Aries energy, yet restrain anything that might look like excessive pride or arrogance. I don't know how you are going to figure out how to maintain that balancing act, but I have faith in you, Aries. Besides, if it gets to be too much, you can always take one of those short summer trips I mentioned.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
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Hello, Taurus. So this month your planetary ruler, Venus, is in the solar house most closely associated with your sign, the second. That's a good thing. Well, hopefully it's a good thing--unless it makes you want to spend too much money. If that seems to be an issue, concentrate on attracting more money to you as well as spending more of it. Mars and Saturn in Leo may be trying to stir up some trouble on the home front, but don't worry about this too much as you have plenty of resources to deal with it all. Turn your attention instead to enjoying the sensual pleasures of having, making, or spending money and it should soothe any anxieties raised by Mars and Saturn.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Hello, Gemini. This month the sun and your ruler Mercury spend time in Cancer, in your solar 2nd house of tangible stuff. If you feel like spending money, and you have it to spend, this is the month to update your stuff to make sure it accurately reflects the ever-evolving real you. What stuff you want to update is up to you--a new cell phone perhaps, new luggage, new books, new whatever. Stuff associated with learning and communicating is most reflective of your sign and ruler, but you can update other stuff as well. If you don't have the money to spend, this is the month to think about how to get some.
Your ruler is actually going to bobble a bit, as Mercury will slide into Leo for about ten days at the beginning of July, and then suddenly decide it wants to go back into Cancer. So you may spend the first 10 days of July more interested in researching and gathering information and asking questions about stuff than actually getting it. You may find yourself making actual decisions after Mercury slides back into Cancer. By the way, a number of astrologers swear that it is bad luck and a terrible mistake to buy electronic equipment or anything major during a Mercury retrograde (which will begin on July 4). I have never found this to be true. I have found that it is entirely possible to have cell phone, etc., difficulties without any help from Mercury retrograde and that it just doesn't make any difference at all. Still, in the interests of full disclosure, I thought I'd let you know, and you can make your own decisions.
For additional keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Well, I guess the universe must love you Leo, because it keeps putting your sign in the spotlight. This month Mars and Saturn spend the whole month in your neck of the woods and Mercury joins them for twelve days around the beginning of July. I suppose the shorthand for this would be that if you use your mind to come up with and implement sensible actions to further your goals, you should see good success. Mars is moving away from conjuction with Saturn, which hopefully means your way is clear for constructive action throughout the solar month.
The one thing I should mention is that Saturn and Neptune will be within 5 degrees of opposition throughout the month, close enough to qualify as a stand-off. A common way for this kind of pattern to play out is for you, the Leo, to feel that your partner has been frustratingly fuzzy and disorganized for awhile. You may feel that he or she is not taking life seriously enough, or that you are being forced into shouldering a larger than fair share of responsibility in the relationship. Since your sign relates to children, this can refer to the responsibilities of childcare. If this has been occurring in your life, you can use this opposition to good effect if you're prepared.
With Mercury in your sign during the first 10 days of July (and the last couple days of June), you have a chance to talk things out with your partner and communicate your frustrations, if there are any. The goal is to come up with concrete actions you can take to ease the burdens on you. Since Mercury will be retrograde from the 4th of July on, you may find yourself wanting to talk out events or frustrations that occurred earlier. That's fine. In fact, you don't need to get in a shouting argument with your partner, just use Mars' help to engage and to get stuff on the table if need be. You can make good progress on both goals and problem-solving this month if you're willing to work the energy on your behalf.
For keywords you can use to customize an alternate interpretation- click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
VIRGO: AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22
For you Virgo, the sweet spot continues to be a water trine, with planets in Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. The sun and your ruler Mercury will spend some time in your solar 11th house of friendships, while Jupiter continues to grace your third house of communication. Uranus, meanwhile, continues to rumble in your 7th house of relationships. In other words, it's all about other people. With eclipses also scheduled to fall in your own sign and the sign of Pisces, there are some issues for your sign to work out over the next couple of years. What those issues are depends on your circumstances, but they have to do with how you relate to others. The way to work them out continues to be to interact and talk and socialize and mingle and learn what you can from others. Interactions with others, particularly friendly, non-intimate interactions continue to be how your chart is processing the changes you are in the midst of. So, in spite of Mars and Saturn in Leo in your reclusive solar 12th house, don't isolate yourself. Continue to be out and about, busy if need be, putting yourself in line to meet and talk with others.
Your ruler, Mercury, will actually bobble back and forth between Cancer and Leo, beginning to retrograde from the sign of the Lion back towards the sign of the Crab on July 4th. Don't let that unduly concern you. It just means more time in which your ruler can make good angles to Jupiter, so it all works out for your benefit.
For keywords you can use to customize an alternate interpretation- click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
LIBRA: SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22
The universe is putting a lot of attention on your values this year, Libra. With philosophical Jupiter in your second house of values, and good angles from Uranus in Pisces and the sun (plus Mercury for awhile), the stars are shining a spotlight on what's important to you. This has to do with your job-related and career aspirations, as well as your financial life and how you make money-related decisions. You need to work (or at least the universe would like you to work) on things that truly matter to you, that you value. With the sun in Cancer, it's time to put effort into the being the master of your own fate as much as circumstances will allow. Jupiter is supporting you all the way.
Another keyword to consider, besides values, is intuition. The combination of Jupiter, Scorpio, Cancer, Uranus, and Pisces is heavy on intuition as all these signs and planets have some gifts in that direction. Libra normally swings more toward the logical than the intuitive, and in fact is sometimes uncomfortable with intuition. Nevertheless, you need to actively listen to your intuition this month, particularly as it relates to job or career decisions, or to finances and investments. This is a good cycle for you, Libra, and it's intended to help you clarify your values in the light of your evolving experience.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
SCORPIO: OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21
Until almost the end of 2006, Scorpio, you have the greenlight from the universe to create new beginnings for yourself, using the power of your imagination. This month sees another fortunate water trine for you. Jupiter in your own sign is making good angles with the sun and with Uranus this month, giving you a lot of scope for new initiatives. Uranus in Pisces in your solar 5th house supplies the imagination and the inspiration. The sun in Cancer provides the knowledge. In fact, it's a good month overall for you to seek out the knowledge that will help you achieve your goals. Learn from other people's experiences; you don't have to invent the wheel yourself.
Meanwhile, Mars and Saturn in Leo are doing some potentially strange things in your house of career. This could work to your benefit or could frustrate you. Use good sense in this area of your life and don't sign up for more than you can handle. If other areas hold more appeal this month (like romance), you may do well to just let your career simmer for awhile until the energy cools down. On the other hand, if you know exactly what you want in your career right now and are willing to work to get it, now is a good month to capitalize by using the potentially stressful energy to your own benefit to get ahead. Whatever you do, though, don't forget to take some time out for yourself this month.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
SAGITTARIUS: NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21
Hello Sag. So this month let's talk about the trine between Mars in Leo and Pluto in your own sign of Sagittarius, as well as the effect of Saturn in Leo. We'll also address the opposition between Saturn and Neptune.
Pluto in your own sign has been trying to gradually transform your ideals for a long time, since 1995, in fact. With Neptune in your solar third house, a lot of you are showing signs that the transformation is taking hold. Since Saturn moved into Leo about a year ago, the universe has upped the ante a bit. Leo is the sign of your solar 9th house, the one associated with you, the one associated with the ideals that define you.
Mars moving through this sign has the potential to get you excited again, to get your idealistic side excited again. Saturn in the sign has been trying to get you to pause, to slow down, to reconsider your sign's propensity for wanting to decide how the world ought to be on a grand scale. Yours is an inherently idealistic and sometimes even moralistic sign, Sagittarius, and the opposition by sign of Neptune and Saturn has been trying to get you to figure out how to be a bit more realistic in your ideas and opinions--if only for your own comfort and edification.
This month, the chemistry between the planets is a bit strange. Mars wants you to get moving again, to pursue some idealistic agenda, while Neptune at the opposite end of the scale cannot figure out how, leaving you in a bit of a frustrating limbo. Your task this month is actually to ponder what you've learned over the past year or so--about yourself and the world. How exactly can you use your fiery Sagittarian energy to promote the ideals that are so important to you? What hidden and irrational factors (Neptune) do you need to take into account? How have you changed over the past 10 years? How have your beliefs evolved? Can they continue to evolve to make you more effective? The odd thing about this month, in spite of the activation of Mars, is that it isn't really about action. It's about learning, about getting smarter. How can you more fully express your Sagittarian self, your true beliefs and values, without being unrealistic and naive?
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
There's a bit of tension brewing in your money houses this month, Capricorn. Mars, Saturn, and for a brief period, Mercury, are all lined up in your solar 8th house, opposing Neptune in your solar 2nd house. Saturn and Neptune, the two heavies in the lineup, won't reach exact opposition but they'll be within 5 degrees of each other, which is too close for comfort. Meanwhile, Mars will make an exact opposition to Neptune.
Let's see if we can sort this out a bit. Neptune's been in your solar second house of money for about a decade, so that's not news. It's been fogging up money issues for you in general, perhaps allowing you to visualize what you'd ideally like in this area, while leaving you not necessarily exactly sure how to go about getting it. Saturn, meanwhile, has been spending the last year trying to make things difficult. Saturn here often specifically refers to the consequences of financial decisons you made in the past--some of which may be catching up with you. Things that may have seemed like a good idea some time ago may now be causing conflict. To put it bluntly, the planets are now saying that you need to get real in the area of finances. You need to get realistic, disciplined, and organized. The solution to your dilemmas, if any have caught up with you, is to experiment with creative problem-solving. With Neptune in Aquarius, you may need to wrack your brain for an unusual way to get a handle on things. You need to make sure your nest egg and your financial future are protected. Sheer grit alone probably won't do it. If you're married or have a business or romantic partner, this might be a good month to sit down with him or her and go over all things money-related and just brainstorm your way to a better financial future.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
AQUARIUS: JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18
Hello, Aquarius. This month Neptune in your own sign is facing down a gaggle of planets in your opposite sign of Leo. Okay, well not a gaggle, just Saturn and Mars, plus Mercury for 12 days. All year we've been talking about your relationships, and now we need to talk a bit about you, too. Neptune in your sign over the last decade has probably been having all sorts of effects on how you define yourself, some of them perhaps too nebulous to sort out just yet. That's not the problem.
The problem is that all those planets in your opposite sign (as well as Jupiter in Scorpio) can add up to a drain on your resources. There's a decent chance you've been giving of yourself all year, in your committed relationships and elsewhere. That's all good, and in general, I encourage you to do so. But this month, you need to pull back a bit. Conserve your resources and your energy. Structure your time carefully. We're entering the most draining period of the year for you, when planets in Cancer in your work sector demand attention, and planets in Leo oppose your sun. You'll be fine as long as you don't try to overdo things this month.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
PISCES: FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20
Hi Pisces. This month Uranus, planet of the unexpected, in your own sign is getting along well with the sun in Cancer. For some of you this may spell unexpected and transcendent romance. Not bad if it works out that way. Or you may find yourself behaving or expressing yourself in uncharacteristic ways, indulging a sense of freedom and experimentation and risk. You may find yourself initiating new projects. You may feel fired up and full of enthusiasm. However you choose to spend this month, make it one in which you joyfully go beyond your ordinary limits.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
THE SIGN OF CANCER
Cancer is a cardinal water sign. Planetary ruler: the Moon. Season: Summer. Associated with the 4th house of roots. Its symbol is the Crab.
One of the things the sign of Cancer represents is the human need for roots. For whatever reason in human psychology, we judge we're going in life by where we've come from. By extension, it also relates to our family of origin and the role we played there. It symbolizes both the past and the future, and what is of the most importance to us in both.
Given that it's ruled by the Moon, Cancer is also an erratic, moody sign, and it is associated with wander-lust, as of sailors at sea. Yet, in spite of its affinity with water, the sign of Cancer also values the land, and ownership of a plot of ground. In fact, Cancer is a strange compound of elements, and it isn't always what it seems. It likes to be close to other people, and yet it likes to keep its distance. It's associated with the comfort and pleasure of food, but also with stomach illnesses and ailments, often caused by stress. It's a soft and sensitive sign, yet it has a hard exterior for protection, and Cancers can be as hard to get to really know as Aquarians are.
On a mundane level, Cancer energy can be used for simple things, such as sorting out one's old photographs and finally putting them together in an album or scrapbook. This is the sort of thing that the sign of Cancer likes because it allows it to reconnect with the past, reflect, and knit together the story of life. All such activities are favored by Cancerian energy, including such things exploring one's geneology, or family roots. Summer family reunions are another example of Cancer energy.
On a more general level, the placement of Cancer in your natal chart can indicate where you need special care and nurturing, where you are extra-sensitive, and sometimes perhaps defensive. The way to use Cancer energy, in the natal chart or when working with the transitory movements of the planets in a horoscope, is usually to guide oneself by feeling. Caution is called for when working with Cancer energy, as Cancer is an inherently cautious sign. The goal is to bring into conscious awareness the subconscious factors and emotions at work in the area affected.
If Cancer is the sign of your 6th house for example, you may have a lot of feelings and sensitivities about your work, some of which could affect your health. The goal when planets are in the sign then is to gently bring those feelings to the surface so that you can correctly guide yourself around any pitfalls. Cancer in the 9th house, to use another example, may create a lot of sensitivities around the area of education. Cancer in the 11th house may create strong feelings around friendships. Looking at the planet involved can tell you something about the nature of the feelings involved or what they're for. Venus in Cancer, for example, can stimulate the affections. Regardless of the planets and houses involved, though, the rule of thumb is to go within for intuition and the guidance of your true feelings about a situation.
Some additional keywords for Cancer: The maternal instinct, receptivity, tenacity, nurturing, family, home, roots, traditions, emotions, sensitivity, caution, and the need for security.
Some keywords for the sun: Soul purpose, individuality, the father, one's vitality, consciousness, the self, the will, one's sense of drive, creative potential, the ego, and authority.
Some keywords for Mercury: Writing, the mind, speaking, learning, communication, commerce, messages, intellectual interests, mental abilities, speed, transportation, and language skills.
Some keywords for the Moon: Emotions, the body, instincts, fluctuating moods, rhythm, gut reactions, needs, dependence, responsiveness, memories, the subconscious, and perceptions.
Some keywords for Venus: Love, unity, harmony, pleasure, laziness, relationships, beautiful things, money, the arts, femininity, and aesthetic taste.
Some keywords for Mars: Energy, aggression, conflict, driving determination, strong emotions, male energy, keen competitiveness, sexual drive, and assertiveness.
Some Keywords for the 1st house: The self , personality, the body, appearance, ego, attitudes, how others see you, physical health and vitality, self-regard, and what inspires you.
Some keywords for the 2nd house: All personal resources, values, money, possessions, ownership, attachments, investments in real estate, self-worth, tangible items, gifts, possessiveness, and materialism.
Some keywords for the 3rd house: The daily environment, communication, cell phones, casual conversation, letters, email, commerce, acquaintances, neighbors, relatives, the ability to deal with daily life, and the part of the conscious mind that deals with daily tasks.
Some keywords for the 4th house: Roots, home, family, the parents, traditions, the past, patriotism, nurturing, the need for emotional support, where you belong, ancestors, and the subconscious.
Some keywords for the 5th house: Play, amusements, creative self-expression, romance, children, fun, pleasures, love affairs, and gambling and speculation.
Some keywords for the 6th house: Employment, health, routines, nutrition, chores, service, volunteering, nursing, service professions, illness, employees, and hygiene.
Some keywords for the 7th house: Intimate relationships, partnerships, enemies, marriage, counselors, the general public, the ability to attract and love others, what we feel we lack, what we like and dislike in others, and the ability to resolve conflicts.
Some keywords for the 8th house: The past, transformation, death, inheritance, other people's money, rebirth, trauma, abuse, crisis, the partner's finances, loans, and investments.
Some keywords for the 9th house: Philosophy, religion, the legal profession, travel, academics, synthesis, higher education, the higher mind, the search for meaning, ethical beliefs and standards, foreigners and interest in things foreign, and the ability to gain perspective on events.
Some keywords for the 10th house: Status, career, reputation, authority figures, tangible achievements, the father, the ability to garner admiration, honors, contributions to the communty, fame, vocation or calling, and professional accomplishments.
Some keywords for the 11th house: Friendships, groups, life direction, aspirations, visionaries, scientific thinking, humanitarian impulses, the brotherhood of man, and hopes & wishes.
Some keywords for the 12th house: Secrets, mental illness, incarceration, self-sabotage, dreams, fantasies, subconscious fears, spirituality, intution, oneness with the universe, the inner life, and guilt.
HOW TO USE KEYWORDS: The essence of learning astrology is understanding how to mix, match, and blend the concepts associated with signs, planets, and houses to figure out what is or will be affecting you at a given point in time. This takes practice and practice is exactly what you're going to have a chance to get if you use the keywords each month.
Keywords can be used to plan and take action using the month's energies, to explain events or to make predictions. Scan for keywords that seem relevant to situations in your own life. You'll have 3 sets of keywords you can blend, one for the planet discussed, one for the sign it's in and one for the solar house it's transiting. Pick the keywords that interest you most and create your customized horoscope!
For example, if the Sun is in Aries in your solar first house, if you want to plan or take action you might pick the Sun keyword 'power', the Aries keyword 'initiating', and the 1st house keyword 'self-expression' to create an intention for yourself that you have the power to initiate actions to express yourself more fully in ways that you desire. You'll know what 'self-expression' means to you. It works best if you pick keywords that 'speak' to you or that coincide with elements of your life that already concern you. To receive astrological benefits, it's not necessary that you obligate yourself to do something huge - it's only necessary that you take one step in the right direction at the right time. Astrology concerns itself with when things are born, and if you start something at the right time, you're riding on the energy that's already available to you in the universe.
You can also use the keywords to try to figure out if something that is affecting you is 'in the stars'. For example, let's say you find yourself wondering why you're getting drawn into conflicts with people at your church. You scan the keywords and realize 'Aha! The fiery energy of Aries is currently being activated in my 12th house of faith-related matters!' If the energy is uncomfortable, you'll have a gauge as to how long it will be prominent (oh good, it should ease up next month!) or if it's a good energy you'll know which planet to thank!
You can also try your hand at predicting. If you check in at the beginning of the month and notice that your house of friendships is highlighted along with some active planetary or sign energies, you might predict for yourself that you will be engaging in a lot more fun and restorative activities with your friends in the coming month. This is basically what professional astrologers do and now you have a chance to try your own hand at it and compare your results with the pros. Have fun!
NOTE: There are a wide variety of potential keywords associated with each sign, planet, and house. I pick different ones each month to give you an idea of the range from the most common concepts to much more subtle ones. Over time, you'll gain an intuitive sense of what kinds of concepts are associated with each element and you'll even be able to generate your own keywords as you get a feel for each of the signs, planets, and houses. Each keyword also inherently contains its opposite as well. For example, if the keyword 'divorce' is displayed, it doesn't mean you'll get a divorce. But it does mean that if that is a concern for you and something you want to avoid you have an opportunity, while that energy is activated, to take proactive steps to deal with potential problems or head off an undesirable outcome. So you can turn 'divorce' into 'keeping a marriage together' or 'illness' into 'taking steps to get and stay healthy'.
Use your rising sign for better forecasts! Most published horoscopes are based at least in part on transits to solar houses. Solar houses are based on your sun sign and are easy to calculate. Your sun sign is your solar 1st house, the next sign in the zodiac is your solar 2nd house and so on. You can always determine what solar house a planet is in if you know the sign. Simply start with your own sign and count around the zodiac until you reach the sign you're interested in. For example, if you're a Gemini, the sign of your solar 3rd house is Leo. Pisces is the sign of your solar 10th house. Astrologers who publish horoscopes use sun signs and solar houses for several reasons: a) almost everyone knows their birthday; b) they're easy to calculate; and c) they actually do have some effect. However, if you get a personal reading from a professional astrologer, he or she will almost always use transits to your natal houses to give you a reading instead. Natal houses are based on your rising sign, which is determined by the exact time, place, and day you were born. Transits to your natal planets and houses have at least as much effect on your life as transits to your solar houses, sometimes quite a bit more. If you really want to know your chart, and get better horoscopes, you should find out your rising sign (also called Ascendant). If you know the exact time and place of your birth, you can do this for free at a wonderful website - www.astro.com. Click on the link near the top that says 'Free Horoscopes'. On that page, scroll down to the link that says 'Chart Drawing, Ascendant'. Follow the prompts to enter the information concerning your birth time, date, and place. You'll get a chart that shows your Ascendant (the sign next to the designation 'AC'). To the left will be a box listing your planetary placements. Next to the listing for 'AC' your rising sign will be listed along with the degree of your Ascendant within that sign. Make a note of that sign and be sure to check the horoscope and keywords for your Ascendant as well as your sun sign!
TRACK YOUR RESULTS! Next month when you come back here for your next horoscope, take 30 seconds to assess the results of the action you took last month as a result of your horoscope. Did it make you feel better? Did it make your life any better? Did it give you renewed energy or did you find your effort blocked, delayed, or ineffective? Judging your results allows you to assess how responsive you are to a particular planetary, sign, or house energy. For example, some people are very responsive to the astrological Sun just the way some people are very responsive to a sunny day. Other people work better with the energy of other planets. Only by taking a moment to gauge your results can you learn which planets work best for you in your life. You may have an 'afflicted' natal Sun that never does much for you, but a raring-to-go Mars that will help you in a pinch every time. Checking your results each month will give you an increasingly accurate guide as to how to use astrology to enhance your life.
The PRACTICAL ASTROLOGY website provides a free, sequential course in astrology with at least one article each month on a particular element of horoscope interpretation. If you want to see any articles you've missed, or to receive each month's update by email, sign up using the link below. The Practical Astrology website does not share your email address with anyone else and only uses it to provide you with information concerning astrology from this website. Sign up!