Hold onto your hats

Fri 25 March – Thurs 7 April


Sun in Aries; Mercury in Aries (retro 29th); Venus in Aqua/Pisces 27th; Mars in Pisces/Aries 2nd

Listen, let’s not beat about the bush here, Sun and Mercury in active Aries means it’s time to forge ahead along new paths, lead the charge and start the ball rolling in the direction of your choosing. Oops…hang on a moment, what about Mercury’s retrograde from March the 29th? Telling the ram to halt his charge is like trying to put a tsunami on pause. Someone is going to get very hot and frustrated and blow the lid to his reactor. Even more so from April 2nd, when Mars also enters his own sign of Aries. Talk about an impulsive urge to push forward without forethought. This is a great time for those who see or need to see life as a battlefield, (or more civilly as a cricket field). The mood is brave, bold and courageous though not always courteous. Since there is no use in trying to curb your enthusiasm, or your competitive drive at this time, the best one can do is redirect that explorative pioneering spirit from the world out there to the inner path of the self. Mercury retrograde in Aries is best used to look at yourself. Aries is, after all the “I am” archetype, where “me first” has its roots. Forge ahead by all means, explore new and uncharted territory, go where no man has gone before, but realize first that the most important direction, the largest expanse of the unknown waiting to be mapped, the newest and most exciting realm filled with unimagined treasures asking to be discovered, is within. Any new external projects started now under the influence of the retrograde may have to be redone or repeated in some way, but by turning the explorative, initiatory impulse inward on yourself, and making your Self the centre of attention in the spirit of Aries, you harness the current trend in a positive way that prevents butting your head against a brick wall or locking horns with others.



Your mental trigger finger is likely to be not only itchy now but also quick to draw conclusions and once out there the bullet of your thoughtless words said in the heat of the moment will be hard to retract and could lead to injuries you later regret. Therefore, with the competitive masculine libidinal energy of Mars in Aries at its strongest from April 2nd onwards, by all means strive forth with all the enthusiasm and impulsive courage available to you, but remember the retrograde Mercury pulling the thought processes inward and become a pioneer of consciousness. The world always needs more explorers bold enough to enter still further into the uncharted territory of the psyche and return with a map, samples of the potential treasure available and the audacity to say “I did it first, and where I am, you can also be”. The triple Aries influence facilitates going it alone as opposed to team efforts so give yourself the time and opportunity and harness the unrestricted drive available to you. “I did it my way” could be the theme song of the moment, and God help those who get in the way of this independent, headstrong, spontaneous and easily aroused mood. Patience, self-control and humility are the qualities you will be most challenged to cultivate during this fiery time. Fortunately we have been here before and previous spiritual warriors have put warning buoys and sirens to alert us. The alarm bells are ringing, it’s time for fight or flight and fortune favours the bald.

Equinox but twice a year

Fri 11 March – Thurs 24 March 2011

Sun in Pisces/Aries 21 Mar; Mercury in Aries; Venus in Aqua; Mars in Pisces
The difference between this and last fortnight’s Pisces influences is that, although Sun and Mars are still floating on those same Neptunian tides, led by an unseen call or uncharted star, Mercury - now at the helm in Aries – is feeling much more decisive and to the point, up for a challenge and inspired by the competition of an opposing idea or unexplored territory. This can be a tricky combination, for until the equinox around the 21st, the Pisces Sun and Mars may be irrational or impractical, while the fiery Mercury intellect just wants to act, unable to be calm and contented with things as they are. This is where “active foolishness” may be considered more dangerous than “lazy foolishness”. Unless your dreams, whims or inspirations are well thought out and grounded in facts and logic, you may find yourself rushing off all amped but in a totally wrong direction, or even worse impulsively and impatiently taking foolish risks that could result in dire straits instead of giving credence to your clearwater revival. If you are living under any illusions about yourself or your position in the scheme of things, your foolishness will be obvious when you open your mouth. Possible ego inflation may arise if you forget your true identity, or even worse, start verbalizing your illusions or getting angry with those who do not see you as you see yourself.

The problem is that Sun – for a while – and Mars throughout this fortnight are apt to be highly emotional and driven by irrational impulses and deep subjective feelings as opposed to common sense. At the same time Mercury in Aries creates a thought process that is driven to act first and verify the emotional motivations later. Physical energy may also not be as available as usual, while at the same time mental energy is bursting at the seams or chomping at the bit. The result may be a passive exterior hiding an inner turmoil; or a tired, sluggish energy level or libido unable to respond to a bored or adventurous mind. The ideal synthesis of these current themes may be to work privately on any new and original artistic creations or ideas, something you can call your own and have some ego-identification with which at the same time may be of service to those in need. Whether it’s a children’s educational storybook or creative project, or perhaps a guided meditation manual or song track, or a new yoga dance technique, be content to work behind the scenes on a project that allows you to express your creative or cosmic inspirations, while at the same time avoiding the pitfall of measuring your success by the external results or anything more than your own psychic state of consciousness at the conclusion. Any feeling of solitude can be counteracted by the potential friends Venus in Aquarius can bring you, as long as you avoid being emotionally dependent on them reciprocating any deeply romantic sentiments to feel whole or complete in yourself. If you have a particular mood of, or appreciation for, songs of separation then this is the time to discover the true meaning of the separation of the lover from her beloved.

Swimming through Pisces

Fri 25 Feb – Thurs 10 March
Sun in Pisces; Mercury in Pisces; Venus in Cap/Aqua 2nd ; Mars in Pisces; Jupiter in Aries
With Sun, Mercury and Mars huddled together in dreamy Pisces be prepared to find yourself tuning in to a subtler frequency than usual as logic and practical rational channels are supplanted by feelings and intuitions. Pay attention to your dreams or any funny sixth sense hunches you may be picking up from the department of the inner voice. This is one of the more sensitive times in the year, in more sense than one. Be sure not to let yourself be sweet-talked or swindled though, for things may not always be as they seem just now. There is the tendency to be caught with a soft heart as boundaries melt somewhat, great for the romantics who want to woo any prospective paramours, particularly with poetry or song, although Venus in Aquarius from the 2nd may be more conducive to making friends first. You may find yourself to be more compassionate than usual, even sentimental, certainly sympathetic toward those in need. This is certainly “adopt the helpless” month.

On the other hand if you are already one of the helpless who tends to be weak-willed or undisciplined when it comes to mind-altering substances or other escapist tendencies, then this is also a vulnerable time. Will power may be reduced, so make sure you have your life jacket firmly strapped on as the watery Pisces tides sweep you along in their currents. Also if you are by nature already feeling a bit emotionally vulnerable or distressed, then be careful of the whirlpools of melancholy or depression dotted about the stormy seas of life. There are always causes for distress all about us in the form of war, famine, disease or whatever, what to speak of our own personal lives, and at times like this one needs to stay sensitive but not be overwhelmed by that suffering. Rather let any such concern act as a catalyst for your compassion for those in distress, as you think globally and act locally, working in your sphere of influence while simultaneously broadening you sphere of concern.



The lowered boundaries may also find you feeling odd or unfamiliar emotions which you may actually be picking up from someone near to you. Ideally you may be able to pick up on higher inspirational frequencies as you benefit from meditation, prayer, solitary introspection or contemplation. Go on a retreat if you can, where you can absorb yourself in uplifting practices while sheltering yourself from the harsh mundane world for a while. If that is too esoteric for your set and setting then take shelter of the realm of the visual or musical arts, both favoured by the triple Pisces trend. Inspiration and imagination should be flowing and even role-playing and acting comes more naturally, anything to allow access to fantasy as opposed to reality. Of course one man’s reality is another man’s illusion and what is daytime for you may be night for those with seats in another part of the auditorium of life as we know it, or with another translation to the manual; and with feelings, sentiments and instincts so easily impressed upon now, the conclusion may end up being a trans-logical simultaneous amalgamation of both versions.

Jupiter in Aries

Fri 11 Feb – Thurs 24 Feb



Sun in Aquarius/Pisces 19th; Mercury in Aquarius/23rd Pisces; Venus in Capricorn; Mars in Aquarius, Jupiter in Aries
As with last edition, planets in airy Aquarius are fanning and feeding the enthusiastic flames of Jupiter in Aries. Life should really feel worth living for a change, and any previous knocks over the past two weeks due to unbounded exuberance will be easily brushed aside. Even knocks to the pride can be soothed with the thought that there is always more experience to come, and only biting off as much as you can chew. If you are able to harness the fired up Jupiter archetype you will find yourself attracting some attention and even a following, as you command respect by your mere enthusiasm and readiness to plunge in head first.

The Aquarian theme may help to cultivate the much needed appreciation for, and enlistment of, the abilities of others. Being such an individualist can sometimes make one hard to harmonize with now. New projects will certainly appeal, even if it means abandoning stagnant ones. Venus in Capricorn will help you with fine tuning the timing, so you can sell, transfer or reinvest at the right time. You may need to feel your life is going somewhere during the 1st half of this year and it may feel as if this is the time to act on that impulse to explore new vistas or follow your star. Sitting around house bound will not be enough this year and fortune will be calling the bold. The pageant of life is playing your song and it’s a remix of Johnny Cash and the Holy Names.

So while you walk the line or go out on a limb just to get the fruit, this is the last fortnight to harness Mars in Aquarius and find your favourite system to buck, shackle to break or cause to campaign for. If you’re feeling hemmed in, try going for a run or a hike in the woods, wherever there is plenty of fresh oxygen available. Energy should be high spirited now and sudden surprises may manifest as if out of the electric blue. With all the primary planets in air or earth signs, emotional depth and sensitivity of feeling is going to take second place or be somewhat lacking, at least until Sun enters Pisces on the 19th. Aquarius needs freedom from anything claustrophobic or sentimental, preferring to campaign for the community, and Venus is at one of her shyest or inhibited now in Capricorn. Traditional values may appeal this month, when it comes to art, music and relationships. A more serious spiritual relationship or dimension to your current relationship may appeal or satisfy. The paradox is that you may need to open up first and surrender your heart, a tall order for some. However, if we remember that life is, in fact, all about love; that the Cosmic Source or God expands into individual souls in order to have loving exchanges, then it gives some perspective. Traditionally the most meaningful ways to cultivate these loving relationships amongst peers is by giving or receiving gifts, sharing meals, or hearing or discussing what is on one’s mind in a confidential setting. That means face to face, something fast being overwritten by Facebook to Facebook.

Keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars

Fri 28 Jan – Thurs 10 Feb 2011



The urge to break free from anything that cramps your style or feels emotionally stifling may arise during the Sun’s glide through Aquarius, especially from the 4th of February, when Mercury joins the Sun and Mars in that cool and detached air sign, and Venus moves out of swinging Sagittarius and into controlled Capricorn.

While mercury is still in Capricorn the old school approach is preferred but in Aquarius, Mercury favours anything new or cutting edge, any ideas ahead of their time or radical in social or scientific terms, maybe groundbreaking. So if you wanted to start advertising, for example, a new eco-friendly device, after the 4th would be the time. But up to the 4th, a conservative mindset predominates, or at least, cautious. Not a bad thing of course, just slower to process the situation. Also up until the 4th thinking will be logical and matter of fact. In Aquarius however, Mercury can stimulate the mind to work in lightning flashes of inspiration or genius, and in ways that could not be explained by logic, and could be seen as more intuitive. This is sometimes because Aquarius facilitates a more open minded, out-of-the-box approach to problem-solving, compared to Capricorn’s logic. With Both Mars and Mercury backing Sun in Aquarius by the 4th, any progressive, utopian or revolutionary ideas and ways of thinking are favoured. Nelson Mandela comes from a generation that had Uranus in Aquarius, its best sign. He was able to carry the archetype of Aquarian equality, justice and liberation via revolution for not only his country, but for the world. From 1912 right through almost uninterrupted past Mandela’s birthday in 1918 until mid 1919 Uranus was in Aquarius. Busy decade that. Meanwhile here in the present, the Aquarian conjunction of King Sol and his major General Mars for this entire edition, with Mercury taking minutes not far away, may get draughty for some with all this air sign activity. A lot may get no further than the head, or ideas phase. Nevertheless, those who are able to ground the quantum volume of infinite possibilities and narrow it down to a probability will find that a lot can be achieved in before unimagined fields. Open mindedness does have a blind spot, of course, namely the interpersonal or romantic skills. The emotional quotient is limited in the eyes of more watery personalities. The Goddess Venus also becomes shy or reserved after the 4th in Capricorn, either that or too busy with career. A way to win her would be with tangible items as expressions of love, cash or kind. Any type of security or maturity becomes attractive too.

Jupiter, let’s not forget, has just returned to Aries for a six month stretch, favourable for all Sun and Rising sign Aries folks. If you felt you needed a positive boost to your programme then this is it. Confidence and bravado are likely to soar if you need that kind of thing. The fire of Aries will demand expression so channel the progenitive propensities. Actions overtake words. Just be sure to watch the ego, read the manual and keep your feet on the ground as you reach for the stars.

Sun in Capricorn; Mercury in Sag/Cap(13th); Venus in Sag; Mars in Cap/Aquarius(16th)

Thurs 6 Jan – Wed 19 Jan 2011
The Sun continues his journey through Capricorn until 20 January, close on the heels of Mars and followed up by Mercury in the same cardinal earth sign from the 13th. As a result the mood may well be serious about achieving the ambitions and getting the job done. Perseverance should be available too, so make sure your ladder is up against the right wall. Up until the 13th the mind may well have some grand schemes and a general bigger picture of what is to be achieved, but thereafter the ability will arise to practically and realistically implement the plans and ideas, along with a better sense of timing. Now is a great time to focus on career, impressing the boss, acting as the boss or doing the right thing to further your public image. Duty calls a bit louder than usual, perhaps trying to get you off the beach or hotel bed and back into the office, which is the best place to focus on now anyway. While still in Sagittarius, Mercury offers the opportunity to continue the exploration of new, diverse and foreign concepts and gives you the drive and verbal enthusiasm required to convert a lion to vegetarianism if you want, though it is only after the 13th that a more focused, methodical and practical mental outlook will prevail, bringing the focus back from the distant lands and their exotic ideas, back to the tip of your nose which may be to the grindstone. Powers of concentration should improve, which is great whether you are in the office or the meditation room. The ability to stick at the task and put in many long hours will be available, even if you find people less talkative than usual now. When they do talk, it may be more about the business of the day and possibly with a hint of skepticism or conservatism. Be careful not to get too moody or morose if you are already a bit pessimistic by nature.

Fortunately Venus is still feeling very friendly, sociable and flirtatious in Sagittarius, adding a lighter, casual mood to balance the otherwise heavy Capricorn influence. Just don’t expect too much emotional commitment or dependability quite yet. The mood is right for lighter emotional exchanges though any serious attempt at tying someone down to emotional contracts or getting business-like in the relationship department may frighten the other party off. So casual is the key when it comes to the heart or the art now. If you find yourselves having philosophical differences then try your best to be flexible without needing to convert the other. Just because you say Krishna and they say Christa, is no need to call the whole thing off. Do you think God really minds too much either way what you label Him (or Her)? I’m sure God would rather you were romantic than semantic, as would your partner. You know what they say, “love me love my god.” Is your God the stern Capricorn father figure judging you from His throne, or rather your lover in the greatest romance of all time? Whatever it is, the choice is yours, and ideally your mate’s too.

Party like it's 2011

Thurs 23rd Dec – Wed 5th Jan 2011



Sun in Capricorn; Mercury in Sag (dir 30th); Venus in Scorpio; Mars in Cap

With Venus having spent so long in sexy Scorpio it’s more than likely that you have addressed, undressed or redressed your relationship issues concerning shared energies and shared resources (like the bed as well as the bank account) at some point during the past couple of months. If not then this is the final fortnight of the Love goddess’s swing through the most sultry and seductive sign of the zodiac so get it while it’s hot. If you’re not getting it, it may be that you are either too self-obsessed, work-distressed or God-possessed for your own good. Yes, there are still some celibate monks running around out there saving it up for the big climax in the sky, though in this day and age God only knows why. Mantak Chia would not recommend it, and neither would I. Been there, done that got the hang-ups, still trying to shake them off. Not to worry if the Mercury retrograde is leaving you feeling all tongue-tied (only until the last day of the year); internet dating is also an option, completely nerd-friendly and you can hide behind your monitor as you monitor the progress of your online romance. And hey, that significant other could be anywhere on the planet. Just don’t ask me how you plan to consummate the deal, perhaps with your scanner. On a serious note though, for Mars currently in Capricorn can be a bit too serious for his own good, especially since the Sun has joined him there at his workplace while the rest of us are on holiday – in the sunshine or making snowmen, depending on your hemisphere – get out of the office for a bit. Whoosh, did you see that? That was 2010 just flying past you while you had your nose to the grindstone. Yes, there it goes out the window while the sober Capricorn Mars leaves you feeling too shy to romance anyone but your secretary. There is life after money, just to remind you, and after status. Who cares where you hang on the corporate or social ladder? Is it that internal father figure tapping his cane in your direction, causing you to forget why you actually landed yourself on this planet in the first place? Sure, the goat likes to climb his or her way to the top of the heap, but what are you going to do when you get there? And have you ever thought that perhaps you are already there? As one great sage once said “Be there now”. There you have it, and life is for living; did you know that you already have it, whatever “it” is for you. You have already attained the goal, for the journey is the destination and you always had it. This is it, so welcome home. The striving is over, you can get off that ladder, pack away the treadmill, burn the good book and know your true self here and now where the rest of us are also busy, busy partying like its 2011.