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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, Leo!
This year the inner planets of Mercury and Venus are slow to join the party during your birthday month. Mercury won't enter your sign until August 10, and Venus won't until August 12. Meanwhile, Mars has decided to cut and run, bolting into Virgo just as the sun enters Leo. In a way, that's good because it gives you more time to take advantage of a harmonious water trine configuration in the sky. On the other hand, it also means that Mars will be opposing Uranus in your money houses on August 13.
On the water trine side of things, Uranus and Jupiter will be getting along quite well this month and they'll both be in a good mood with Venus and Mercury in Cancer. The sun will also meet up with Saturn in your sign this month (on the 7th of August). The sun will also oppose Neptune in Aquarius on the 11th. Meanwhile, the sun will also trine Pluto on the 16th. In short, it's a fairly active month, with the period between August 7 through 16 is likely to be when the most action when will occur, or the most noticeable influences.
I suspect the opposition between Mars and Uranus is the most significant of these influences for you. Uranus is the planet of high technology, so if your computer acts up or you encounter technological difficulties around the middle of August, you'll have something to blame it on. On a more personal level, these planets are probably going to have an argument with each other about money. Uranus has been in your 8th house of joint finances for awhile, and this year eclipses in Pisces and Virgo indicate that you're due for some shake-ups in how you handle money.
If you have any joint financial matters at all in your life, it seems Mars is scheduled to get very irritated about them and to want to point out to all concerned that you and your partner are perhaps working at cross purposes and need to get on the same page. The fact that the sun will be opposing Neptune in your 7th house of partners just increases the overall feeling your chart seems to have that you need to get some things worked out and some logical clarity established in your practical dealings with those you're closest to. This is the area then where you can make the most solid progress this month. Get things worked out with your partner, establish clarity, hash things out (heatedly if necessary), and take advantage of the support from the planets in Cancer, along with Jupiter in Scorpio. Face your financial reality, whatever it may be, and get real or get a plan. Preventative actions you take now may prove very helpful in forestalling problems come the eclipses next month.
Now I need to address Saturn and the subject of your Leonine purpose. If you read these scopes regularly, you're probably pretty tired of hearing about Saturn, but this big guy is important. Here's the thing. Leo is often said to be a sign of generative creativity. Sometimes that feels obvious to the Leo born; sometimes it doesn't. Creativity Leo doesn't always artistic creativity, although it can. At heart what it means is that your sign wants to make something happen that's beautiful, popular, or important. Something of quality. Sometimes it wants this because it wants to earn attention; other times that's just what it feels like it needs to do.
That's part of your Leo job on this planet. Lots of other signs aren't required to be stirred by this kind of inner ambition. Yours is. Someone needs to care about doing something important and attention-getting, or beautiful and appealing. You are the person assigned to care. Saturn in your sign, among other things, is indicating that he wants you to make something along these lines that lasts. Something that endures.
What this adds up to is a great opportunity for you. Saturn only visits your sign once every 29 years. That's a long time to wait for your next chance to get to work on something that will make a lasting contribution. Saturn will help you do it by trying to contribute organization, discipline, and realism. This is an area where listening to astrology can make the difference between dreams that come true and dreams that don't.
It doesn't much matter what your dream is. If you want to write and illustrate a children's book--work on it now. You have another year to take advantage of Saturn, but get started now during this month when the sun and Saturn meet. If you want to write a popular song--work on it now. If all you want is to build a sports memorabilia collection worthy of a museum--work on it now. Whether you want to build a business, a home, or character in your children that will serve them throughout their lives--pay attention to your ambitions now. This is your chance. Don't waste it.
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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I'm not going to guarantee it, but this may be a stormy month for you, Aries. Your ruler will be in Virgo in your solar 6th house of work, where it will take the opportunity to get into something of a clash with Uranus in Pisces. (The exact date of the opposition is the 13th of August.) If things get all tempestuous and riled up at your job in the middle of August, this would be the likely explanation. You could find yourself rushing around at work with a million things to do right at the moment when you feel like you really need a break. It's a temporary storm, though--won't last forever.
Meanwhile, the sun in Leo will oppose Neptune in humanitarian Aquarius on the 11th. This may or may not affect you at work, but in some ways the vibe is the same. Something in your current reality is not in sync with your evolving higher self and some potential heat could be generated. Your higher Arien self is being encouraged to become more and more concerned with the welfare of mankind as a whole. Things like global warming, let's say. In August, the inner planets by and large don't seem to give a hoot for the welfare of mankind as a whole; they just want to run the air conditioning full blast or hop in the SUV and take a gas-guzzling vacation. You could feel this as a mild inner conflict or as an external conflict between the forces of team-playing and immediate selfish practicalities. You could get a bit frustrated no matter which side you choose.
You can handle this tension as you see fit. In the long run, the forces of big-picture concern for the greater good are more significant for your sign. It's ultimately futile for Aries to resist this long-term trend. But hey, if you need to jump in the SUV and get away for a bit this month--I won't tell Al Gore.
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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Frank and funny astrological advice from Elsa Elsa
This month the sun will be in Leo the sign of the Lion, where it will directly oppose Neptune in the more universally oriented sign of Aquarius. Leo happens to the be sign of your solar 4th house of home and family, while Aquarius is the sign of your 10th house of career. This doesn't automatically mean that there will be a conflict between your career and family responsibilities this month, but that's the basic idea. The sun wants you to do more on the domestic front, while Neptune cries out that the team at work or in community activities needs you. The fact that both Leo and Aquarius are fixed signs like your own only makes the tension more pronounced.
What to do? Probably just balance the competing needs as best you can during August. These conflicts are common to many people in today's fast-paced world, particularly women. You can only do what Taurus is meant to do, pay attention to your relationships on both sides of the fence without giving either side of your life the impression that it's not important. The tension will ease up in a couple of months, and the pace should get more livable.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
This month is full of fixed sign action with the Sun and Saturn in Leo, Neptune in Aquarius, and Jupiter in Scorpio. Mercury and Venus join the party in Leo, too, near the middle of the month. The sun will be opposing Neptune in Aquarius and trining Pluto in Sagittarius. Meanwhile, Mars in Virgo will be opposing Uranus in Pisces. It's an active month.
This gives you a number of choices. You can use the Leo planets to rush about attending to the chores of daily life, chatting and gabbing, and perhaps enjoying yourself. You can use the sun/Neptune opposition on August 11 to kickstart your search for wisdom. You could use the Mars/Uranus opposition on August 13 (give or take a few days) to shake things up on the career front, make some changes, demand more time for your family, or otherwise stop settling for the status quo. Or you could use the sun/Pluto trine on the 16th to establish some deep communication with your significant other.
On the other hand, you're a Gemini, so why pick one? Why not try to do them all? Why not go with the flow and make it a busy month all around? You should have plenty of energy to deal with it all.
For additional keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Ah Cancer, your solar chart continues to be a piece of cake compared to that of some of the other signs. Not a single planet will be inhabiting the signs on your angles this month, and you'll have the benefit of Mercury and Venus in your sign until August 10 and 12 respectively. Why not kick back, enjoy the summer, and attend to things on the home front? Your sign is the one associated with all things homey and with relatively little to disrupt you (compared to some other signs), you could take the opportunity to withdraw a bit from the fray and refresh and recharge yourself as you see fit.
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
Let's see Virgo--this month we've got the sun in Leo opposing Neptune in Aquarius (on the 11th of August), and Mars in your own sign opposing Uranus in Pisces (on the 13th of August). The Mars/Uranus opposition could create momentary havoc with technology in your life (Uranus rules technology). On the other hand, in a way it's a good sign that Mars is reaching out to Uranus, even if the encounter may spark some late summer fireworks. Discussions could get rather loud.
This opposition sort of encapsulates what your solar chart's been all about for awhile, adjusting your relationships. Your chart just keeps reaching out, trying to establish some ground on which you can be connected to others on a deeper level than ever before, and it keeps encountering kinks it needs to work out of the system. Mars in opposition to Uranus can bring the kinks to light. But that doesn't mean you need to withdraw or stop reaching out. Hang in there and get things worked out with whoever you need to.
Meanwhile, the sun in Leo opposing Neptune is a different variation on the theme. Here the conflict is between ego and selflessness. It's all a bit complex. The Virgoan ego is all about being selfless. Neptune in your solar 6th house of service only increases this tendency. There can be an unconscious drift toward the martyr role on the part of unwary Virgo people, and this opposition is here to correct that. If you want to be selfless, then you have to put yourself first. If you can make sense of that conundrum, then you're on the right track.
Both oppositions are actually saying the same thing this month, in slightly different ways. Which is that you can't really have authentic relationships with anyone, including yourself, if you're sneaking about making hidden sacrifices that others don't have the opportunity to negotiate with you. So this month, you need to be fully present in your relationships, and engage in all the loud negotiating necessary to establish honesty, clarity, and forthrightness in how you get along with the people closest to you.
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
Good news, Libra. The sun is in Leo this month in your sociable solar 11th house. Mercury and Venus will be joining him there on the the 10th and 12th of August, respectively. Saturn in Leo in your house of friendly social relationships has been making things rather dreary in that sector for about a year now. The entry of three lively planets into the sector should offer some relief.
This makes it a great month for you to be extraverted, to get out and party and have some fun. The sun will also be activating Neptune in your romantic solar 5th house by opposition on the 11th of August, so if you play your cards right, you might be able to get something started. That aspect is just a preview for when Venus opposes Neptune on August 27, an even more romantic influence. In other words, get out there and be active, and something good could happen.
As a side note, Mars will opposing Uranus on August 13. Around that time, you could have some problems with your compuers at work. If the computers do go down at work, maybe you could use that as an excuse to sneak out early and do even more socializing!
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
Hi Scorpio. This could be a complex time for you in terms of your career and your public image in general. Saturn in Leo has been inhabiting the sector that governs these things for almost a year now, and this month it's joined in the sign of the Lion by the sun, Mercury, and Venus. All of these planets will eventually need to oppose Neptune in Aquarius in the sector that governs your home, family, and roots. This month, the sun gets things started by opposing Neptune on the 11th of August. It will also conjoin Saturn a few days earlier on the 7th.
Neptune has a tendency to fog things up, so my first line of thought is that you'll need to work to verify your sources of information when it comes to anything that affects your public status or reputation. In fact, the general indication is that you'll need to work period in order to get what you want. On the other hand, if you do put in the work, things could turn out quite well for you. If you happen to work in a field that's entertainment-related, the indications are even better, as Leo is associated with showbiz and entertainment of all sorts. If you're willing to put forth effort and attentively work through any ambiguities that arise courtesy of Neptune, this could be a good month for you, particularly since Jupiter in your sign will be squaring the sun which can lead to big things. Don't listen too closely to rumors, give in to self-delusion or place unwarranted trust in what others say (not usually a Scorpio vice anyway), and the next couple of months could be very productive for you.
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
Sagittarius is a complicated and dualistic sign, as so many are. On the one hand, it can be showy and shallow, and on the other it can be mystically wise. Saturn in the solar house associated with your sign (the 9th), has been trying to steer you away from the showy and the shallow while balancing out your mystical tendencies with some solid realism.
This month, a number of other planets join Saturn in Leo in your solar 9th, namely the sun, Mercury and Venus (after the 10th and 12th of August). The 9th house, interestingly, is one in which we can build alliances for the future. With the sun, and eventually Mercury and Venus all moving into a trine with Pluto in your own sign, you have a fair amount of power at your disposal over the next couple of months.
Alliance building, if you care to implement it, will most likely take place in areas relating to your career or business enterprises. If you happen to work in the media, this is doubly the case. The 9th house rules media through publishing, while Leo is associated with entertainment media. In a more general sense, if there's anything you'd like to get out there in front of the public, these next couple of months are good times to pursue that agenda with a vengeance.
Now I'm not going to tell you that your message, whatever it may be, shouldn't be the least bit showy and shallow, or that it should only express your mystical wisdom. In fact, with all these planets in Leo scheduled to oppose Neptune in Aquarius, I think the message is more likely to be that you should present your ideas in a way that incorporates a little bit of both. Showy and shallow will give your ideas some of the entertaining pizzazz and enthusiasm that pulls people in to listening to Sagittarians, while the balancing and more sober effect of Saturn will give your message some heft. Throw in Neptunian higher mystic knowledge and some Plutonian power, and you've actually got quite a potent combination on your hands. Whatever it is you want to tell the world, work now to build the relationships that can get your word out.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Hello, Capricorn. This month we see planets in Leo and Mars in Virgo face off against Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces. Specifically, the sun will oppose Neptune on the 11th, while Mars will oppose Uranus on the 13th of August. Watch out for technological glitches around this time. Prepare also for a bit of mystifying mystery, and perhaps some power struggles mid-August. On the other hand, if you choose to use the Mars/Uranus opposition across your solar 3rd and 9th houses for the highest good, you could gain some value from this electric energy.
Both of these are knowledge houses, and if you deliberately contact stimulating people to seek knowledge from them, you could potentially gain some mesmerizing insights or flashes of revelation. Just be prepared to be startled by what crosses your mind. You don't have to agree with what you hear to benefit. In fact, to be honest, a stimulating debate or argument with some could be just the ticket to give you an enlightening new perspective.
Meanwhile, what I said last month about taking care of financial business still applies. Deal with your finances before they deal with you!
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 the sun is in its home sign of Leo, the very sign of individuality and individual ego. This happens to be the sign opposite yours, and for a reason. Aquarius is not good at individual ego. Aquarians may be generally nice people and all that (hopefully you belong in that category), but things like joyful self-expression and living life to the fullest are not Aquarian strong suits. As the inner planets of Mercury and Venus enter Leo mid-month (on the 10th and 12th of August), the planets are setting up a steady drumbeat of a message: express yourself. Theoretically, you need to express yourself specifically in the area of partnership (a place where, ironically enough, you can be most yourself when things are going well), but the truth is you just need to express yourself. Put your thoughts into words and share them with the people around you. (A couple of oppositions mid-month should help you with this.)
Meanwhile, Saturn in Leo for a year has not been all that encouraging as far as helping you live life to the fullest or in the most joyful way possible. It's not a very joyful planet, and you may have been feeling its effects. That's why its all the more important that you do try to enjoy yourself in the latter half of August. By then, planets will have left your work sector, and you probably won't have the energy for heavy efforts anway. So don't make any, and just let yourself live for a 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
Pisces, this is intended to be a year of sweeping changes for you, as is 2007. Uranus in your own sign is responsible for a lot of this, and so are a series of eclipses in your own sign and the opposite sign of Virgo. You may feel the effects of eclipse activity as early as this month, from the beginning of August on. To put it another way, fate is trying to play an unusually active role in your life these days. Your job is really to adapt to whatever comes your way this month, as what these influences will bring is essentially unpredictable. All I can say for sure is that things are heating up, now that Mars has entered your opposite sign of Virgo. Fortunately, as a mutable sign, you're better than most at dealing with these things. If life throws you a curveball or two over the next couple of months, just go with the flow in a Piscean way.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
SATURN IN LEO
Leo is a fixed fire sign. Planetary ruler: the Sun. Season: Summer. Associated with the 5th house of creative expression. Its symbol is the Lion.
One of the things Leo is not associated with is maturity. In fact, it's associated with the child within, or the teenager within, full of adolescent vigor, cockiness, self-assurance, energy, and desire to make a difference. It has the childlike desire to be special, to be noticed, "Mommy look at me!" It's proud of itself and wants to tell everyone when it does something well, and how good it is as the skills its mastering. Leo is Muhammed Ali proclaiming "I'm the Greatest!"
Saturn on the other hand, is the planet of maturity. It's the planet of old age. Vigor is not its strong suit, and it entirely lacks the cocky, brash self-assurance that makes Leo charming at its best. Saturn is insecurity, withdrawal, morose shrinking from the limelight. It's fearful, and often doesn't want to be noticed.
This makes Saturn in Leo an odd conundrum. The energies are close to opposite, and that may be why some traditional astrologers declared that Saturn was in its fall in Leo, embodying grinding ambition without the confidence or enthusiasm to bring dreams to fruition. In fact, it is Leo's childlike qualities that allow it to be productive. Saturn in this sign is almost like a wound in the heart of the Leo reason for being.
For a lot of us, then, particularly those with strong ties in our charts to Leo, this Saturn transit almost forces attention to old wounds. Anyone whose sense of childlike joy has been wounded or take a hit by life can find this transit pushing old resentments to the surface like pus from an infected sore. Saturn is the planet of our necessary defenses, and it faces a battle in Leo, a sign which declares they're not that necessary after all.
In a way, this is good as it can allow us, if we take the time and trouble, to discharge the energy from old wounds to our playfulness. Astrological transits often work in a curious backwards way, in a which a planet that seemingly tamps down on or discourages Leonine joy can actually teach us how to learn to create it again. All Saturn does is bring issues to our attention if we have them.
Saturn is also the planet of conformity, while Leo is the sign of individuality. Saturn is about blending into the crowd, while Leo is about standing out as the only one uniquely like yourself. Part of Saturn's lesson in this sign, if you choose to take advantage of it, is to model yourself after those who exhibit strong Leo energy. For older folks who remember, there was a groundbreaking female politician, Bella Abzug, famous for her hats and her fiery way with words. That's Leo energy, not taking any crap from anyone, and using publicity to an advantage.
For the younger generation, there's J Lo, or her superstar predecessor, Madonna. For older rockers, there's Mick Jagger. A quality all of these people share in their public life is fearlessness. Having Saturn, the planet of fear, in Leo, the sign of fearlessness, gives us all an opportunity to really confront our fears of standing out, being special, going for it, making a difference, and promoting our special gifts. We've all got about a year left in which we can learn from Saturn in Leo. If fear of what you can do or be has ever dogged you (and doesn't our potential scare most of us?), you have your chance now to confront the blocks that hold you back. "Take a stand. Be someone. You can do it." That's what Leo says. Maybe it's a good idea these days to listen.
Some additional keywords for Leo: Creativity, the desire for applause, ego, individuality, standing out, fiery energies, aggressive pursuit of individual aims, personal warmth, self-expression, passion, pride, and amorous desires.
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 Jupiter: Abundance, expansiveness, a cheery outlook, foreign travel, big money, philosophical concerns, gambling, sports, risks, advertising, publishing, and luck.
Some keywords for Saturn: Contraction, restriction, life tests, aging, a mature outlook, building structure, limitations, rules, authority, obstacles, discipline, thrift, and hard work.
Some keywords for Uranus: Technology, universal ideas, humanitarian impulses, hopes for the future, sudden changes, shaking up the status quo, reversals, revolution, and science.
Some keywords for Neptune: Artistic impulses, drugs, chemicals, and alcohol, inspiration, imagination, deception, glamor, delusions, hospitals, subconscious yearnings, liquids, oil, psychic experiences, and romanticism.
Some keywords for Pluto: Global events, transformation, regeneration, and elimination.
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!