Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Astrology Dating's Weekend Romance Horoscope: July 2-4, 2010

The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction... squared by Pluto in Capricorn... is still making a lot of things exciting for a lot of people. You might find that excitement shifting towards the romantic... Venus is Leo is rolling into opposition to Neptune, and that can make for a lot of romantic feelings. Boy, it sure is a good thing no one's going to be out drinking and partying this weekend, and putting themselves in a position to make poor love life choices. Oh, wait. Happy Fourth of July!



Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Astro-Singalong: Scorpio Drunk Dials The Libra Ex

(All my new stuff is HERE, and you can contact me about consultations HERE)

Send a heartbeat to the void that cries through you 
Relive the pictures that have come to pass 
For now we stand alone 
The world is lost and blown 
And we are flesh and blood disintegrate 
With no more to hate.


Is it bright where you are, and have the people changed?
Does it make you happy you're so strange? 
And in your darkest hour 
My old secrets laid
We can watch the world devoured in its pain.

Learning The Aspects: How Your Planets Talk To Each Other, And What They're Saying About You (Part Four)



So now that we've learned what the aspects are and their individual natures... how do we make sense of it all, when you look at a chart and it says "Sun sextile Neptune" or "Venus quincunx Jupiter," or whatever? First of all, there are some fine books out there that list all the possible aspects between the planets in an easily, orderly manner. A lot of astrologers call these (sometimes a little disparagingly) "cookbook" listings. They may not give you the depth of experience an actual astrologer might have with them, but on the other hand... if you follow the right cookbook you may not become an Iron Chef, but you're bound to make tastier meals than the average person.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Post-Eclipse Advice: Pet The Goat

I've been looking at the upcoming planetary transits for the next few months. There's the usual mix of peril and opportunity out there, but I think I've already drawn one important conclusion:

Capricorn: you guys are going to get stiffed in the empathy-from-others department. Again.

Yes, that eclipse wasn't a lot of fun for any of us, but I think it's going to be a little less fun for you than for others.

Among all the heavy-duty planets involved in the eclipse, it's easy to overlook that Mercury has entered Cancer... your opposite sign. That means an emphasis on communications with your partner(s) in life. And on top of that eclipse energy? That (might) mean just one thing when it comes to your conversations with loved ones. So, naturally, verbally-induced disappointments are likely to be more frequent than usual for the next while.

This makes me a little sad, because I've always thought Capricorns were cute little things, like goats at the petting zoo. People generally agree with this assessment at first, until someone mentions bringing a goat home as a pet.

Seriously, though: I love you guys. Your just a sensitive as your opposite, Cancer, but manage to function in a dignified, orderly way... or at least you maintain the appearance of it, which is almost as good. On the inside, though? You're as messy as the rest of us... maybe a little more, because being a Capricorn is a little like being born wearing a pinstriped suit. You have the same needs as everyone else, but based on appearances, everyone assumes you showed up knowing how to change your own diaper. Efficiently.

Come to think of it, a lot of you out there look like you've got it together on the outside a lot better than you do on the inside. And that of course, is why I'm here.

(All my usual stuff is HERE, you can contact me about a reading HERE, and you can meet me in person tonight HERE!)

Astro-Singalong: Mercury In Cancer Drunk Dials The Ex And Leaves A Message

Tricky time never slows 
that moment walked me by without bothering to say--

Lucky time never stops 
that moment knocked me down without bothering to
SAY HELLO

...say hello 
say hello 
say hello...

-Deep Dish, "Say Hello"


Friday, June 25, 2010

My Pre-Eclipse Confession


I've already received a few e-mails about tomorrow's Big Dramatic Eclipse, hitting at 4:38 AM PDT. Let me re-assure you... it isn't going to do anything to you that the regular plain-old astrological transits weren't setting up already. There are a lot of very good blog entries around as to the specifics, but the one thing I'd like to mention here that I don't see mentioned so much elsewhere: I think you can feel this one brewing, more so than most. That shouldn't be a surprise, maybe... given all the other planets involved with this one. It's there in the gut. I could have almost told you it was happening without an ephemeris.

(And if you're looking for a consultation about how this eclipse, and all the other sky-dramas going on out there will affect you, you can write me here. Of if you're in the Bay Area and want to meet me in person tomorrow, read THIS.)

If you face difficult times, know that you'll overcome them. And if any bad surprises come along, you'll manage them. But keep in mind that sometimes an eclipse can bring sudden, dramatic... good news.

Other than that? I'm prepared.

Astro-Singalong: Mars In Capricorn, Presented With A Challenge

I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual,
the inspiration,
that made lady sing the blues

I'm the spark that makes your idea bright
the same spark
that lights the dark
so that you can know your left from your right

I am the ballot in your box
the bullet in the gun
that inner glow
that lets you know
to call your brother "son"

The story that just begun
the promise of what's to come
and im'ma remain a soldier
til' the war is won (won)

chop chop chop
Judo flip, chop chop chop
Judo flip, chop chop chop
Judo flip, chop chop chop



-Asheru, "Theme From Boondocks"





Thursday, June 24, 2010

Learning The Aspects: How Your Planets Talk To Each Other, And What They're Saying About You (Part Three)

Finally, with our Cruise Ship analogy, let's have a look at that cloud of diffuse smoke we're leaving behind as we pull out of port. These are what are called the "minor" aspects.
There are lots of minor aspects, which all come from dividing the circle into ever-smaller pieces, and the more you divide the circle up, the less effect those aspects have. For example, the semi-square and the sesquiquadrate (think of them as the "half a square" and "the square and a half"). They have roughly the same effect as a square, but are much less pronounced and less troublesome. Any proper square will have a much more obvious observable effect on your personality, but these two can show up as minor annoyances. Basically, if you understand everything we've covered so far, you know what you need to know.
Two of the minor aspects stick out a bit more as far as their importance and usefulness, though: the quintile (one-fifth of a circle, or 72 degrees) and the septile (one-seventh of a circle). The quintile represents a relationship between two planets that takes effort to bring out, but once you do it reveals you have a talent for it. You can also have a bi-quintile (144 degrees of separation) which acts the same way. A quintile is kind of like that guy you know who can write reasonably well, and is always talking about that great novel he wants to write... but he never seems to get any further with it than talking about it.

Eclipse Astrology Advice, From An Astrologer... And Free Drinks!


A lot of people are worried about the effect the upcoming Solar Eclipse in Cancer/Capricorn will affect them. Some should be concerned, some should relax... but I figure all of them could use an opportunity to discuss the matter in person with an actual astrologer. And, who knows? Maybe after that, a drink will be called for.

That's why I'll be appearing at Tedda Hughes Gallery, 1623 Polk Street, this Saturday (Eclipse Day!) starting at 8 PM. Also, I'll have copies of my book for sale. So drop by and say hi... if nothing else, it 's the Pride Weekend Kickoff, which is always a good time.

Hope to see you there!


(A discount on readings for readers of my blog? Why not? Click HERE for details, and a freebie!)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Astrology Dating's Weekend Romance Horoscope: June 25-27, 2010

Early Saturday morning is the eclipse, with the Moon in early Capricorn. Moon in Capricorn may not have a reputation for being the most romantic of placements, but it knows how to make the most of a messy situation. The romantic outlook for this weekend may not be all that straightforward, but there are lots of emotions floating around that you could make some use of. Or at least there are plenty of arrows to duck, whether from Cupid or elsewhere.



Mars In Virgo And The Eclipse: More Organs From Michelangelo


As Mars continues through Virgo... bringing to mind both images of cutting and medicine... another example surfaces of Michelangelo's knowledge of human anatomy (a subject I first covered HERE). According to the New York Times, there's a pretty detailed drawing of a human brain hiding in the Sistine Chapel... the second such brain illustration to be found there.

Of course, just like many of the "skeptics" I've found myself debating lately, not everyone wants to see what the evidence indicates. As a professor of Art History says in the above article... “My initial reaction on looking at the illustrations is that this is complete nonsense, to put it politely,” she wrote in an e-mail message. “To draw arbitrary lines all over Renaissance paintings and expect to be taken seriously by the scholarly community!”

It's a shame Professor Joanna Woods-Marsden didn't actually look at the illustration, because it's actually really, really obvious. Of course, the Professor probably has a strongly-entrenched world view she's heavily invested in protecting. This reminds me of a lot of the skeptics I've talked to lately.

Some people only see what they want to see, and will loudly defend their stance based more on blindness than vision.

What's this got to do with astrology? You may have noticed there's an eclipse coming up, and you may have noticed all the heavy planets involved in it. But Mars is dangling out there relatively un-aspected... almost as if it could up and do anything it damned well pleases with all that eclipse energy.

So, here's the lesson for the upcoming eclipse: take a good look at what's frustrating you, and then... measure twice, cut once. Loose lips sink ships... and sometimes relationships. The precious dogma you defend may be the end of something... or someone... a lot better for you than mere "beliefs."

(Contact me for discounts on readings... send an e-mail HERE for further details, and a freebie!)


Learning The Aspects: How Your Planets Talk To Each Other, And What They're Saying About You (Part Two)

Welcome back! If you are a member here, go get that free personality profile you got when you signed up. One of the benefits of being a member of The World's Greatest Astrology Dating Site is that you get to learn a little more about astrology... and about yourself too.
Last time (go read it if you missed it), we discussed how the aspects happen. This time, we're going to discover how they affect you and how the planets in your chart work. And since we are about to go on a voyage of discovery as to how the various planets in your chart work together, why not do it in style... on a cruise ship!
CONJUNCTIONS
The symbol for CONJUNCTIONS looks a little like a stick man looking through a telescope, like the crew of a ship looking ahead to where the ship is going. When two planets are conjunct, they are in the same place in your birth chart, and their energies fuse into one thing. Those planets tend to have the same view of the world, and can be a driving force in your personality, giving you a sense of direction. Of course, those Conjunctions can also be so distracted by their own view of the world that they can overlook an oncoming iceberg. Often a strong Conjunction can be a driving force of your personality.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Learning The Aspects: How Your Planets Talk To Each Other, And What They're Saying About You (Part One)

Knowing the sign placements of your planets and how they affect you is like have a big pile of auto parts: you could deduce what kind of car they're from, but unless they are all connected up the right way, that pile isn't going to get you very far.
The ways your parts connect to each other are called ASPECTS. The Zodiac, like any other circle, divides up into 360 degrees. We usually don't think of it that way -- we usually think of the Zodiac as being divided into twelve chunks of 30 degrees each. Each 30 degree chunk is called a "sign:" Aries is the first 30 degree chunk; Taurus is the next one, and so on. Whenever one planet approaches a certain number of degrees from another, those two planets are said to be "performing an aspect."
Like a clock, a birth chart is a round thing divided up into 12 slices. The planets travel around the outside of the birth chart/clock face. Earth is considered to be the middle of the clock. (And yes: astrologers do know that the Earth isn't the center of the solar system. We also know the Earth isn't flat. This demonstrates that astrologers have a better scientific grounding than many of astrology's critics. The birth chart, however, assumes that you are the center of your Universe... at least for purposes of doing astrology. If you need proof that you aren't the actual center of the Universe, go stand in line to get your driver's license renewed.)

A Note On The Upcoming Eclipse, Delivered By Vuvuzela

Another brief break from my usual blog at The World's Mightiest Astrology Dating Site today, to deliver a personal message about the effects of the upcoming eclipse on June 26th.

If you are familiar with the effects of a regular Full Moon on your birth chart, you know that you should look at your chart to see what houses the transiting Sun and Moon fall in at the time of the Full Moon. Then you pay attention to those department of your life in the upcoming couple of weeks or so. It's a little reminder about those things, kind of like this:


That's exactly how you should look at the upcoming eclipse. Nothing to worry about, right? Except of course, it's not a friendly little honking noise like a kid riding his bike on the street.
...It's more like that. So, you see, as long as all the other transits and progressions you're having are peaceful and harmonious, there's absolutely no reason to --

...worry about the dramatic long-term effects of something as mundane as an eclipse. So please, people, let's not over-react to --
...anything difficult happening in your life right now, because honestly, an eclipse isn't all THAT big a deal, and I'm not the least bit concerned about --
---things. I really hate the thought of anyone over-reacting to something as simple as a little old eclipse, even if Pluto, Uranus, and Jupiter are all heavily involved.
Okay, on second thought... maybe this eclipse is kinda significant.

***

UPDATE: I am still doing personal consultations. Write me for details, and don't forget to ask about my blog-readers --



Monday, June 21, 2010

Transits: Enough Rope

Today: a break from my usual blogging at Astrologydating.com for a more personal take on how transits work:

Off and on since late 2009 (and mostly on), transiting Saturn in Virgo has been squaring my natal Jupiter, and for most of that time, Uranus has been opposing that Saturn, and (in turn) squaring my natal Jupiter from the other side of the sky. This has all made for a lot of ups and downs in my personal fortunes and my general satisfaction levels with life, and if you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I've griped about Saturn in Virgo transits before

Because of retrogrades, a lot of transits come in three parts: transit, retrograde back, then the transiting planet goes forward and does it for a third and final time. With a difficult transit, it's a little like being hit by a truck, then the truck backs over you, then the truck takes off and runs you over again while it drives away. And admittedly, that's what my Saturn situation has felt like.

Yesterday the final peak of the Saturn transit passed the point where it squared my Jupiter for the last time. It was a day of significant mixed feelings for me. I usually advice my clients to review what happened in their lives when they reach this point in a troublesome outer-planet transit. So I spent a good couple of hours yesterday, looking at the results of the last year and a half or so had gotten me in my life.

Part of me was pleased that I had played the karmic hand I had been dealt as well as I have. And, after all, I'm still alive... and how can you complain about that? 

On the other hand... part of me kept hearing David Byrne, from about the 2:30 mark of "Once In A Lifetime," saying "my God, what have I done?" over and over again...


The lesson is this: Life always give you enough rope to hang on to, and enough to hang yourself with. The choice is yours.

My new stuff usually appears HERE, and if you're looking for a consultation (big discounts in effect NOW!) or further info on my books, you can contact me HERE.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Attention Bay Area Astrology Fans!

(Oh, darn. Looks like you missed it. Oh well... I'll be back there next Saturday, and I'm always available for consultations. Write me HERE for more details, and maybe even something for free)


I will be appearing in person at Tedda Hughes Gallery... 1623 Polk Street, in the always-amazing heart of San Francisco... tomorrow evening (Saturday, June 19th) starting at 7:30 PM.

I will be there to spread the divine enlightenment that is Astrology (I'll be selling autographed copies of my book, "Conquer The Universe With Astrology"), and will be sharing my profound insights about your future (there will be a Tip Jar).

Hope to see you there!

When Your Partner's Saturn Squares Your Venus

Anyone who has had a relationship can tell you that no relationship is perfect. We're human, and the complexities of our birth charts reflect that. How many times have you heard a friend (or yourself) say something like this at the beginning of a relationship...
"Oh, it's sooooo adorable when you fall asleep and start snoring!"
And then, by the end of the relationship, you hear/say...
"If I lose one more night of sleep to your snoring, I'm going to kill you!"
Any relationship that lasts longer than five minutes has to both value the positives each person brings to it, and work with (or ignore) the negatives. Any theoretical long-term relationship that doesn't have to follow that basic principle must, sadly, await further advances in robotics. And when an astrologer, or an astrology dating site, makes a pronouncement as to whether a relationship is a "good" idea or a "bad" one has to take this into consideration.
Case in point: in most references, you'll see that if Person A's Venus is squared by Person B's Saturn, the relationship is likely to either be a non-starter, or simply a bad idea. The truth is, though, that if there are enough "good" aspects between the two people, there is a good chance the relationship will be "good." And, if the two people are mindful of the relationship, there's always opportunities to work around that particular "bad" aspect.


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Astrology Dating's Weekend Romance Horoscope: June 18-20, 2010

"Oh dear. Tsk, tsk," said Mars in Virgo. "Things couldn't get much worse than this."

Venus in Leo clapped Mars on the back and laughed heartily. "Don't be a silly pessimist," Venus said, "things could always get PLENTY worse than this. Just you wait!"
***

As a lot of you who frequent this astrology dating site know, Venus is generally considered to be in charge of "love," and Mars gets the credit for "sex." Venus in Leo is a fun placement, and Mars in an Earth Sign certainly has its uses (ahem), but the two put together are a little like a dog chasing its tail this weekend. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, which is currently strongly placed in Gemini. The Sun... which rules Leo and is therefore Venus' supervisor this weekend... is in Gemini too. And with the Moon passing from Virgo to Libra (also Venus-ruled) this weekend, it's like Mercury is secretly running the whole emotional show. That can lead to a lot of romantic plotting and scheming (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), or just a lot of thinking and talking without any action. Which course the weekend takes is entirely up to you.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Mars In Virgo: Let's Trim Our Hair In Accordance With The Socialist Lifestyle!

We create our own dramas for our own amusement, and frequently participate in the dramas of others for the same reason. This is one of the reasons why television is so popular. It's that time of year where many TV series are winding up, and this can leave people a little restless, having to wait months to find out what their favorite characters will do next. It's enough to make a person want to create a little drama in their own story lines to fill in the gap.
Astrologically, Mars is often the source of interpersonal drama, and Mars is in Virgo now (where it will remain until the end of July). This placement is exacting, precise, and (when it knows what it wants) is not afraid to use tactics like pickiness, nagging, and sharp words to get its way, even when it isn't being direct and exact as to what its actual needs are. That's the tone Mars is bringing to many interpersonal squabbles of late.

Mars In Virgo: Let's Trim Our Hair In Accordance With The Socialist Lifestyle!

We create our own dramas for our own amusement, and frequently participate in the dramas of others for the same reason. This is one of the reasons why television is so popular. It's that time of year where many TV series are winding up, and this can leave people a little restless, having to wait months to find out what their favorite characters will do next. It's enough to make a person want to create a little drama in their own story lines to fill in the gap.
Astrologically, Mars is often the source of interpersonal drama, and Mars is in Virgo now (where it will remain until the end of July). This placement is exacting, precise, and (when it knows what it wants) is not afraid to use tactics like pickiness, nagging, and sharp words to get its way, even when it isn't being direct and exact as to what its actual needs are. That's the tone Mars is bringing to many interpersonal squabbles of late.


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Astrology Dating's Weekend Romance Horoscope: June 11-13, 2010

With Venus sextile to Saturn this weekend, the need for a more stable love life comes to the forefront. But both planets are quincunx to Neptune, which confuses the motivations and the techniques applied. Meanwhile, Mars trine Pluto insists you do something about it NOW... and Mercury square Mars doesn't particularly care what words you blurt out to get what you want. And the New Moon in Gemini will have everyone talking and thinking about these things. You can have whatever you want out of this weekend, provided you pick out the right signals and bear the waves.



Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Uranus In Aries (Epilogue): Something Stirs In The Cornfield

(Due to a freak blogging injury, Matthew Currie is not available today. In his place we present a Special Guest Blogger... the planet Uranus itself. Your slightly less massive and less methane-filled blog will return next time.)


Hi everyone. Hope you are all enjoying your smoothly-running, predictable lives, and are having a good time here on my favorite astrology dating site. I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to correct some misunderstandings about the nature of my tour through Aries.

It's my job to bring unusual and interesting circumstances into your life. Of course that's true of all the planets, but my deliveries have more of an unexpected, sudden feeling to them... even when they are as a result of things that have been boiling away quietly just beneath the surface, sometimes for ages.

You see, aliens will be landing. But, don't worry... everything will be just fine, and life will go on as usual. Stay calm. Some of them have landed already. They've landed in your work place and your relationships and in your head.



Thursday, June 3, 2010

Astrology Dating's Weekend Romance Horoscope: June 4-6, 2010

Saturn no longer retrograde? Check. Initial jolt from Uranus in Aries survived? Check. Now, on to the real business of life... romance. Jupiter and Saturn may constrain the finances a little this weekend, but the hearts and minds are open, so a little dating creativity can go a long way this weekend.The astrology is in place, and you've found the dating site... so no excuses, okay? There's plenty of excitement coming up in the next couple of months, so exploit this time of sweetness and light now. There will be work to be done in future... but odds are good you'll love at least some of it.


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Gary Coleman Is Dead, Gary Oldman Is Alive, And Uranus Is In Aries



Gary Coleman (Born, February 8, 1968, time unknown, Zion, IL) died of a cerebral hemorrhage Friday. Most astrologers (and rightly so) shy away from playing "prophet of doom," but in hindsight, Coleman's transits are classic for this sort of thing: Uranus, newly entered Aries, is conjunct Coleman's Mars/Saturn midpoint (associated with blood pressure issues). Saturn is conjunct his natal Uranus, and Neptune is conjunct his natal Mercury... all of which are bad signs for neurological issues, and circulation in the brain. 

Given his medical history, this may not be the biggest shock to those who knew Mr. Coleman. But Uranus always brings surprises. Consider the startling case of actor Gary Oldman, who (despite a current wave of Internet reports) is clinging tenaciously to life today. Thanks to the modern miracle of Internet communications (and the ancient miracle of miscommunication), there weekend was flooded with rumors of Mr. Oldman's death.

You see, Mr Oldman (March 21, 1958, 10:56 AM, London UK) has his Sun at 0 Degrees Aries.... right where Uranus is now.  His Sun is in his Tenth House, which rules public reputation. And his natal Saturn (in his Sixth House... daily work routines and such) is being squared by transiting Saturn. Translation: the rumors of Gary Oldman's death are highly exaggerated.

What does all this mean to you and me? Simple. Uranus is going to liven things up, unpredictably, for a lot of people in a lot of ways. And isn't that exactly what a good romance... or an exciting new career, or any of the other things people consult astrologers about... is supposed to do? 

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Uranus In Aries: The First Day Of School For Humanity

Here I was... all ready to tell you about my current special deal on readings... discounts, free stuff, and more... when the larger implications of all my recent astrological research fell into place with a dramatic thump.

Every once in a while, you've got to go out on a limb... astrologers included. I normally don't predict anything specific for anyone in the course of a consultation unless I have plenty of reason to back up what I'm saying. As a result, thankfully, I'm usually right, even about the crazier, less-easily-predicted things that come up. 

Having said that... here's me, out on a very big limb.

I think I've figured out what the Big Message will be with Uranus in Aries, combined with Pluto in Capricorn. It seems to me that when you put the two together... the undeniable transformation of how we view our material world and surroundings that will come with Pluto in Capricorn,. combined with the "what about me?" rebelliousness of Uranus in Aries.. we're going to be getting one undeniably huge result. And I think I've figured out exactly what form that will take.

It may be hidden away in the red, surprisingly damp soil of an otherwise dead-looking desert millions of miles away from us. It may make its voice known in a faint radio signal. Or it may be something even more dramatic... but one way or another, before Uranus leaves Aries in March, 2019, I believe we're going to discover something that may have been shouting at us from the sky since long before we had the ears to hear it.

We're all going to be a little less alone, whether that fits comfortably with everyone's world view or not. And how tragically limiting... holding to a single world, or a single world view, when there's just so much of everything out there.

It will be the beginning of humanity really grasping its place in the Universe. And, who knows? It could be the beginning of a fascinating conversation.

"It's the first day of school, fellas..."