September 2024 - Lunar Eclipse in Pisces

On Tuesday, September 17th we have a lunar eclipse in Pisces. I’m sure you’ve felt these energies building in the past couple weeks. My hope here is to give those energies some names, and give you some tools for navigating this powerful, consequential time.

Eclipses in general are a super-charged full moon. Full moons are a time for releasing, when emotions come to the surface as part of a month-long cycle. Eclipses similarly pull things to the surface — whatever you’ve been trying to ignore or suppress becomes impossible to keep down. These feelings are dredged up so that we can consciously notice, process and move through them as the effects play out over the next 6 months.

Here’s the trick: eclipses are such complex emotional times that it can be hard to know what to do.

We can turn to astrology to intellectualize the various emotional patterns arising in ourselves and those around us. We can name feelings and say “ah-hah!” and grin as astrology reveals itself. We can do all these things and still have a boat load of feelings in an energetic tempest.

My advice is to put your sails down. Do not try to control this energy. Do NOT do manifestation work or look for the material actions this eclipse is pushing you towards. Look for patterns, take note, and then allow yourself to simply feel and exist in the energy. When the storm calms, take your bearings and write down your lessons before hoisting the sails again.

This is not to say that we should be completely passive and helpless passengers this week. We still have a responsibility to ourselves and each other to handle our responses with kindness and integrity. Don’t try to control your feelings, but do exercise control over what you do and don’t do because of them. In a world without a common emotional curriculum, we too often play the victim to our feelings and justify misbehavior.

All that to say, here’s some of the aspects in this eclipse chart. If you’re interested in learning how this eclipse will affect you personally, you can look at the transits to your birth chart on this date, and/or consult a professional astrologer.

Moon conjunct Neptune, opposite the sun. 😶‍🌫️
This aspect adds to this eclipse’s clouding effect. You are not meant to know what to do. You are meant to experience ambiguity and confusion — you are to be disoriented for the purposes of having to reorient yourself. The moon conjoins Saturn earlier in the day, creating a common narrative of 1) an emotional consequence and then 2) confusion on how to deal with it. The sun in Virgo means this could play out in relationships (not just romantic) as one person having a very literal experience or interpretation of something, while another feels more ethereal and out of grasp of the other. This can lead to feeling misunderstood and invalidated. Leave space for each person’s experience of these energies — don’t focus too hard on who’s “right”.

Moon and Neptune sextile to Pluto. Pluto trine to Sun. 🫂
This aspect deepens the feelings brought up above. In its more difficult moments, it can make the fight to be “right” or understood feel like a matter of life and death, wielding our survival mechanisms like wrecking balls. When used consciously, it lets us dig even deeper for boldly true and honest expression. This is a healing aspect, in that it uncovers the wound to be addressed.

Jupiter square to moon, Saturn, and sun. Trine to Venus. 🎇
Jupiter serves to expand energies. In this case, Jupiter in Gemini makes it more likely for us to want to over-process anything that arises in relationships. Communicating during the eclipse is a great thing, but it will be hard not to become attached to a specific outcome or shared understanding — that will likely not happen on this day. Trine to Venus in Libra, we may be more willing to reach a diplomatic “agree to disagree” state if we can find a secure place within ourselves instead of with others.

Chiron opposite Venus. ⏳
This aspect can bring a scarcity mentality to issues like your finances, relationships, and body image. With Chiron in Aries and Venus in Libra, you may feel like you need to fight for your autonomy in a relationship — be wary of pushing away the very things you want, out of fear of losing it. Combined with the Venus trine to Jupiter, watch out for overspending or trying to “buy happy” to escape uncomfortable feelings of not having — or being — enough.

Mercury opposite to Saturn. 🛣
This aspect can similarly trigger scarcity mentality. While Chiron opposite Venus is more about the idea of stability, Mercury opposite Saturn is the inability to stop focusing on roadblocks. This too can lead to over-processing, where one party feels they must ruminate or expound on the limitations they feel from another. It’s a good time for list-making, both to help you regulate your emotional responses and to find some peace in “making a plan” when everything feels a little too overwhelming.

Pluto trine Uranus, both sextile to the moon. 🗳
This aspect brings a societal aspect into personal consciousness. Pluto trine to Uranus is a long-lasting transit that’s been activated by Pluto moving through the final degrees of Capricorn. With Pluto visiting Capricorn one last time before it finally ingresses into Aquarius permanently, we’re likely to see unexpected consequences of attempts to maintain power and the status quo. Obviously, in America we can we can see this playing out in the build-up to the election among many other collective experiences. This eclipse will make us each individually aware of the uncertainty and precariousness of who will hold power, when, and why.

Hopefully this gives you some astrological food for thought, a place to start looking at your own birth chart, and some useful knowledge to navigate the coming days. I’m wishing you all a meaningful, resonant eclipse season and the presence of heart and mind to handle it intentionally.

July 2024 - Full Moon in Capricorn (again!)

July brings our second full moon in Capricorn in a month, holding up a mirror to our relationship to the power dynamics in independence and dependence, respectively. There’s 4 transits exact on the same day, and several others active in the chart. Let’s break it down together.

The Energy
On July 21st we have a full moon at 29º09’ of Capricorn. One month ago, on June 21st we had another full moon at 1º08’ of Capricorn with the sun at the same degrees of Cancer. What does this mean? This full moon cycle is extra charged with the polarity between Cancer and Capricorn.

June’s full moon asked us to look at our relationship to dependence and independence — where do we seek care from others, and how to do we care for ourselves? Where is there room for more balance between the two?

July’s full moon will pull that theme to the surface again. This time, it’s asking us to look at the ways power and survival mechanisms drive us toward one extreme or another. Dependence’s shadow is passivity, martyrdom and resentment. Independence’s shadow is isolation, close-heartedness and rigidity.

If last months full moon was a lesson, this month’s is the test. The concentration of energy on the 21st will intensify our reactions, adding to the challenges AND the potential in this lunation.

Here’s what’s happening in this full moon chart.

• Venus in Leo exactly sextile Jupiter in Gemini ♖

  • This is a great time for getting clear on what you value, and acting on it.

  • This transit lends itself towards brave, direct communication during this full moon.

• Mercury in Leo exactly square Uranus in Taurus ♘

  • Be careful not to conflate speaking bravely with speaking rashly. There’s a risk of taking up too much space with our thoughts and feelings and putting our foot in our mouth, all while missing what the other person is saying.

  • This can be a time for creative sparks. Don’t bring an umbrella to this brainstorm.

• Sun in Cancer exactly trine Neptune in Pisces (at the anaretic degree!) 🧜‍♀️

  • Empathy abounds this full moon, as long as we can endure the discomfort of our own vulnerability.

  • Starting open-hearted will be easy. Staying open-hearted through perceived rejection will be hard, but worth it.

• Mars in Gemini exactly trine Pluto in Aquarius ⚡️

  • Holy verbal processing. There’s a risk of getting into combative arguments and power struggles.

  • If you can dig deep, there’s energy to verbalize deep fears and feelings.

• Pluto in Aquarius conjunct the moon in Capricorn, both opposite the Sun in Cancer 🪢

  • This transit is the crux of this full moon. Our survival mechanisms (Pluto) will be quick to protect us (Capricorn) against our vulnerabilities (Cancer).

  • We can grow through this transit by choosing to notice our patterns without giving into them. How do we pull away when we feel vulnerable? How do we give too much away in order to be loved?

  • By offering yourself the best of Capricorn (self-ownership and responsibility) and Cancer (nurturance and care), we can feel safe enough to offer those same things to others. It’s hard work, but it’s the work this full moon.

• Neptune in Pisces sextile Pluto in Aquarius and the moon in Capricorn 🫂

  • Neptune brings an extra empathetic dimension to this full moon, adding a layer of dreaminess and devotion to the intense moon-Pluto conjunction.

  • This can bring forgiveness and understanding when it’s balanced, or passivity and martyrdom when it’s not.

• Mercury in Leo trine Chiron in Aries ♔

  • This aspect sets us up for heated arguments, as we feel we must defend our individuality.

  • Combined with the Mercury square to Uranus, beware of outbursts driven by your strongest emotions. If you can, try to think about the consequences of what you’re saying (ideally before you say it).

Reflections and Activities:

1. What unconscious behaviors arise for you when you feel emotionally threatened (rejected, vulnerable, etc.)?

2. Decide ahead of any procesisng or tough conversations to have a code word to break, cool down, and come back together. Give yourself and others a chance to de-escalate when possible, and draw on Neptune for a little extra forgiveness.

3. Use movement to vent energy this full moon. Try walking and talking, if you’re able, or even thinking and writing in a new spot. Uranus and Mercury will thank you with inspiration out of left field.

I’m wishing everyone a deep and meaningful full moon, and enough self-awareness and patience to recognize your patterns and choose your words wisely.

As always, wishing you the best out there.

Horoscopes 7.7.24 - 7.14.24

The Energy Report

I'm delighted to say this week is bringing us supportive energy for enjoying life a bit. Positive social experiences, emotional fortitude for digging deep, and some extra romantic vibes are all in store. We do have one tough transit on Friday that we'll need to get through together. Read on to work with the astrology and make the most of this week!

On Monday we have two exact transits — Venus sextile Uranus and Mercury sextile Jupiter. Together, these transits can help us enjoy new people, new ideas or new experiences with our usual people. It's a fantastic time for playing with your look a bit, just don't do anything permanent. Sextiles offer lovely sparks of energy but the certainty that a septum piercing is for you may fade in 48 hours. Note any sparks of inspiration under this transit, whether it's rearranging the furniture, a new short story idea, or a new way to communicate your feelings (all possibilities!).

Our next transit is on Wednesday the 10th: the beautiful sun in Cancer trine to Saturn in Pisces. Sun trine to Saturn is fantastic for digging into work you've been putting off. With its watery element, it may be better for copyediting poetry than for doing taxes. For all the writers out there, take advantage of this week with a rough draft on the 8th and a close read and edit on the 10th. Another possibility under this transit is having meaningful conversations, where both parties are more likely (whatever that means for them) to take accountability for their feelings. It takes a lot of awareness not to dip into defensiveness or victim mentality (downside of Cancer and Pisces) but it can be used to support humility, empathy and responsibility.

On the 11th we have Venus in Cancer trine to Neptune in Pisces. This is a very romantic transit, offering a dreamy, rose-colored lens to the day. This is a time when you may enjoy being with those closest to you — or simply in your own home — more than usual. Think Disney princess singing and sweeping the floors, bird helpers and all.

Our fantasy world may feel a bit clouded by the transit the following day, which we'll feel growing throughout the week. Venus will move from Cancer into Leo, and oppose Pluto at 1 degree of Aquarius. The shift in energy from Venus in Cancer to Venus in Leo will likely be noticeable. On the upside, where the energy encouraged evasiveness for the sake of diplomacy it will now be easier to be open and honest. Cancer responds, Leo ignites. Cancer is on the sidelines having a conversation with their best friend, Leo is on their 4th karaoke song. These are descriptions of the shift in energy, not generalizations for all Cancer or Leo sun signs.

Venus in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius can bring scarcity mentality and power struggles. We may feel like we don't have enough attention, enough uniqueness, enough of our own identity. We may feel we need to rebel against or conform to the collective, depending on our nature and how the transit hits our individual charts. You may feel tempted to fight in some way (words, protests, etc.); make sure you're fighting for something you believe in, not against a feeling that makes you uncomfortable. With this heads up, you'll be better prepared to de-escalate situations and if necessary come back to conversations under less challenging transits.

Read the below horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising sign to get a sense of how this energy will affect you and some useful tips.

Aries ♈︎

Early in the week, make space for inspiration in your home, and schedule some fun social activities! The two transits on the 8th may push you to express how much you appreciate the people closest to you in new ways — that's a fantastic use of this energy! You may feel extra confident and expressive; gift that to others and feel the love. Later in the week, be wary of conflicts where you feel your freedom threatened — be critical of whether you're reacting to something happening now, or something that happened in the past.

Taurus ♉️

A lot is changing for you right now, Taurus. Uranus has been transiting your sign for a while now, and it's likely brought massive shifts in your core identity and the pillars that hold it up — your home, your finances, your most stable relationships. This week, there may be some extra sparks to create a new kind of order in the chaos, or approach resilience through change in new ways. This is a time when the lessons you've learned over the past few years may be extra apparent and easy to access — take note! Call on those skills later in the week, as your survival mechanisms may kick in to defend you against the threat (real or perceived) of more change.

Gemini ♊️

With Jupiter in your sign, you may feel especially "yourself" right now, Gemini, whatever that means for you. Sextile to Mercury in Leo, this is a fantastic time for you to socialize, just make sure you're sharing the space with those around you. This is a good time for checking in on your finances and your boundaries around spending or saving — where is there room for more balance? Take note on the 8th and implement new practices on the 10th to help stabilize your big new ideas. You may feel extra defensive on the 12th, but there's also potential for you to be brave enough to challenge your old survival mechanisms.

Cancer ♋️

Venus is transiting out of your sign this week, so you may feel some sensitivity move into clarity and confident enjoyment. That transition isn't coming easy, with the Pluto opposition on July 12th. Fortify yourself with some good community time early in the week, surrounding yourself with people who mutually lift each other up. The 10th is a good time to reaffirm your commitment to the people closest to you, or face a situation where you need to set some boundaries. Be wary of main character syndrome on the 11th, my watery friend. Enjoy the romantic vibes, but don't lose track of shared reality.

Leo ♌️

Venus is moving into your sign this week! And while that can bring bold inspiration and fun self-expression, we'll have to run the Pluto gauntlet on Friday to access that positive energy. Themes that come up for you today (July 6th) may materialize and play out in your close relationships come the 12th. Be wary of placing your precious self-confidence and security entirely with another person. If that has been a theme for you, this week may bring it to the surface and ask you to cultivate more detachment and stable intrinsic worth. Get together with those you trust early in the week and ask if they're up for a deep convo — connecting over your insecurities early in the week will lesson your reactivity later in the week.

Virgo ♍️

With Mercury and now Venus moving into Leo, you may be feeling a shift in focus from your community of close friends to yourself as an individual. You may feel daunted by the question, "Who are you?" and answer it with facts and figures. Do some reflecting on your values on the 8th, and look for ways to reaffirm them on the 10th — likely those chances will show up in your close relationships or work life. Watch out for activation on Friday around your health or your daily routine — do your best to recognize when your nervous system is reacting to a real threat now, or a perceived threat triggered by past experience.

Libra ♎︎

Enjoy a nice tail wind to your career this week, Libra, though it may play out in ways you weren't expecting. This is a great time for socializing and making new connections — go to a networking event on Monday, if you can! Be wary of resentments under Venus in Cancer coming to the surface under Venus in Leo. Remember that diplomacy is not avoiding conflict, it's both parties handling it responsibly and respectfully. As your ruling sign moves into Leo, there's potential for you to live your values more bravely, including being diplomatic. Set goals on the 8th, put new practices in place on the 10th, and ride those tools through the turbulence on the 12th.

Scorpio ♏️

One area where you may feel more comfortable taking up space, Scorpio, is your career. With the veneer of professionalism creating some emotional distance, you may feel a bit safer coming into the spotlight. This week, take stock of the parts of yourself that you want to share with the world — be picky! The more boundaries you have between public and private, the more safety and self-ownership you'll feel. This work will help you later in the week, as some conflicts may arise between your authentic personality and what you think society expects.

Sagittarius ♐️

You're moving from a time of deep, private reflection into new ideas and philosophy. This week is a great time to pay attention to recent shifts — how are your values different than they were? How has the meaning of home and family shifted for you? Early this week is a good time to talk about these things with your significant other, or be creative with new ways to show these values. Be wary of trying to fit everything into one neat story this week, as tempting as it may be. You're likely to encounter some frustrating nuance or conflict come Friday that asks you to be flexible in your ideas — allow for nuance in the same story, instead of changing the story altogether.

Capricorn ♑️

This week, get creative with how you show up in your close personal relationships. You tend to love by fixing things, but one of the best gifts you can give is helping someone to help themselves (including your future self). The 8th through the 10th brings some ease to that, whether it's setting up autopay on bills or starting a weekly walking group with friends. Come Friday, be wary of resentments floating up for you — you can model responsibility for other folks. Look for ways you've reinforced behavior or helped create a situation and acknowledge them with grace and empathy — others might just do the same.

Aquarius ♒️

You've likely had some unexpected changes to your home and family recently, whether that's a physical move or a close relationship shifting. This week, the energy is there for you to find safety with yourself and others in new ways. What beliefs or attitudes keep you fearful of rejection? What can you challenge or reframe? Be brave enough to be different, Aquarius, and it'll be a gift to those around you. The 10th is a good day to reestablish a routine grounded in your values, and that routine will help you weather the turbulence of Venus opposite Pluto later in the week.

Pisces ♓️

You're sensitive to the energy, Pisces, and so you may feel the ups and downs of this week extra. Ride the good social vibes and creative sparks earlier in the week, whether that's going to dinner with friends or working solo in the studio. The potent Sun trine to Saturn on the 10th is a fantastic time for you to do some deep cleaning — physical and emotional. Listen to your favorite meditation or audio book while tidying up your space, then enjoy it the following day! Don't be afraid to respectfully rain check hard conversations come Friday — just make sure you're communicating your boundaries calmly and clearly.

Horoscopes 6.30.24-7.6.24

The Energy Report

On July 2nd we have Mercury in Cancer trine Neptune in Pisces at the anaretic degree. This aspect can fuel nationalistic thinking and fanaticism, helping to see only what you want to see. In its positive expression, it brings the ability to communicate sensitively and experience empathy — using the energy to put yourself in others shoes, rather than allow fear-mongering to push you farther into dissociation and away from others.

On the 2nd we also have Venus in Cancer trine Saturn in Pisces. This aspect can help ground the above energy into our values and actions, but if our beliefs are idealistic in the first place then we'll be building a castle of sand and sticking our heads in it. In its positive expression, we can find ourselves appreciating those closest to us, enjoying time with our family and friends, and possibly understanding them a little better than we have in the past. It's a good time to deal with finances, bookkeeping, etc.

On the 3rd we have Mercury in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius. This, unfortunately, can create ego conflicts and power struggles. Oppositions tend to play out interpersonally, so you may find that you or someone else is representing the individual (Leo) and struggling against the power of the collective (Aquarius). Mercury in Leo wants to do things "because I said so", while Pluto in Aquarius wants to do anything except what's expected. Watch out for the ways you may be on one or both of those extremes —pulling in the empathetic, watery trines of the day prior will really help curb the worst of this energy.

Finally, on the 5th we have a new moon in Cancer, as well as an exact Mars in Taurus sextile Saturn in Pisces. This aspect helps us activate the beautiful potential of this new moon — to begin something with the care it deserves. We must make sure we're motivated by extending or receiving care, however, and not "taking care", or being careful to avoid vulnerability. Mars in Taurus and Saturn in Pisces could take this tender Cancer energy and feel over-exposed, reacting by leaning on old habits — particularly if they involve stubbornness or a lack of boundaries — two sides of the same reactive coin.

The Venus trine Saturn will still be active in this chart, and it will behoove us all to draw on that energy from earlier in the week to stay empathetic to others and manage our worst reactions.

Unfortunately, we have a Venus square to Chiron on the next day that's going to really challenge us. Venus square to Chiron brings out our core wounding around the things we value and our sense of emotional safety. We may see some turbulence in the economy, or you may find yourself feeling dismay at your finances, body, love life, etc. With Venus in Cancer, we may have conflicts with our families arise — of origin or chosen. With Chiron in Aries, the conflict will be between your autonomy and agency (your ability to do what you want, when you want) and your responsibility to care for others. Our interdependence on each other made heavier by our shared history and relational ties.

Read the below horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising sign to get a sense of how this energy will affect you and some useful tips.

Aries ♈︎

As Mercury moves into your fifth house, you may find yourself struggling against "them" this week — whoever feels like they're keeping you from doing what you want to do. Watch out for entitlement in your thinking. Try to remember a time when you were challenged for the better, and be open to that happening again. This new moon on the 5th is a great time for you to start a new savings program that you can set and forget.

Taurus ♉️

This new moon is a great time for you two find meaningful connection in your community. You may need to reach outside your immediate home and family for a sense of belonging this week, as you're likely to feel at odds with those closest to you. Your life philosophy will evolve under Pluto in Aquarius. This week you may see the ways it's asking you to change, and they probably won't be easy. Stay open, if you can.

Gemini ♊️

You're a thinker, and this week you're likely to feel extra proud of your ideas and potentially extra challenged in them. For someone as Mercurial as you, this can be a lonely experience. Take advantage of the Mercury trine to Neptune on the 2nd to find some alike-thinking-minds, so you don't feel as reactive on the 3rd. You're likely to feel a strong scarcity mindset by the 5th and the 6th, but try to remember that feeling will pass. Don’t react too rashly in response to worry about your finances, family love, or home.

Cancer ♋️

With this new moon in your sign sandwiched between two full moons in Capricorn, you're likely feeling real big things. This is a meaningful season in your life, and you're being challenged to reflect and refine what "family" means to you — what is forgivable, what does “unconditional” mean, and when do you need better boundaries? There's some lovely energy to tap into on the 2nd, just make sure it's used with intention, and doesn't accelerate old patterns and survival mechanisms.

Leo ♌️

Mercury is moving into your sign this week, and is being activated in several transits (including a new moon!). You're likely to be feeling extra defensive in your thinking. If you can observe your ego impartially and notice when it may be too loud, you have an amazing opportunity to be an innovator, especially in your close personal relationships. There is an ever-evolving balance between the old way and the brave new one — spend time reflecting on that this week.

Virgo ♍️

Saturn and Neptune's transit through your seventh house of relationships is getting activated this week by sensitive Cancer and then proud Leo energy. The potential is for you to first reflect on the difference between a best friend and a good friend, and then be brave enough to adjust your boundaries accordingly. This new moon has beautiful potential for you to begin to materialize a new world outlook, but a risk of giving too much away simply to feel belonging.

Libra ♎︎

Soak up the the positive Venus trine to Saturn on the 2nd, Libra, and try to stay connected to that energy through the new moon and into Saturday the 6th. Your ruling planet — Venus — will be square to Chiron and forcing you into a tug-of-war between your freedom, your desire for close partnership, and your desperate need for a home and security. This is a very reactive place to be, so be wary of being propelled to action too quickly. Remember, if you're feeling activated try to calm your mind before you listen to it.

Scorpio ♏️

This can be a very spiritual week for you, Scorpio, as your 9th house is activated with Cancer's sensitivity and your 5th house is lit up with Pisces' empathic energy. Mercury into Leo may help you be brave enough to tap into your more psychic tendencies, so watch for strong intuitive hits. Just remember to be critical of what's intuition (calm, grounded knowing) and what's reactivity (urgent, anxious rumination).

Sagittarius ♐️

You're likely going to be thinking a lot about what family owes each other this week. Your home and family are in flux, as is your definition of commitment, boundaries and stability. Watch out for oversimplifying contradiction and nuance into your own personal black and white doctrine — give things time and space to unfold. Ambiguity can be especially difficult for you, my Jupiterian friend, but if you can separate your survival from certainty you can let things unfold in their own beautiful way and time.

Capricorn ♑️

Whatever came up for you last full moon is in a cycle of return, as the second full moon in Capricorn will rise on July 21st. You're likely to feel really insecure and activated around your close personal relationships come Saturday, and be tempted to reach for certainty before it’s time. Check in with yourself around the lessons on June 21st (independence vs. dependence). You're being challenged to live your boundaries, both with yourself and with others.

Aquarius ♒️

With Mercury moving into your seventh house this week and being lit up by Pluto, you may find yourself in extra argumentative conflict with those closest to you. Be wary of feeling like someone else's uniqueness is a challenge to your own — stay with the knowing in your bones that belonging only comes from self-ownership. You may be feeling extra insecure in a lot of ways, as Saturn and Neptune transit your 2nd house. Try not to ruminate on these things as Venus squares Chiron later in the week. Try to remind yourself what you really value — I doubt it's appearance, money or control over meaning and connection.

Pisces ♓️

This week you'll be tempted to define yourself by the things and people you care for. This isn't bad, but as Mercury moves into Leo you'll have to take responsibility for yourself as well. This new moon, reflect on the ways you serve others in order to serve yourself. How is it scarier to be alone than to be busy taking care of others? Who are you when you're not defined by others' energy? These questions will be painful come Saturday, but if you can define your values and act out of them you'll be able to sleep soundly, especially when the right thing is the hard thing.

July 2024 - New Moon in Cancer

This new moon brings the potential to begin something with the care it deserves. We must make sure we're motivated by extending or receiving care, however, and not "taking care". When we’re careful to avoid vulnerability we also avoid connection, and this new moon is asking us to invest in the responsibility to others that brings richness and meaning, while examining the responsibilities that are no longer needed or welcome.

The Energy
On July 5th we have a new moon at 14º23’ of Cancer.

There’s a few other transits active at the same same time. Here’s a breakdown of the energy at play, and the challenges and opportunities this new moon brings.

• Saturn in Pisces sextile Mars in Taurus (exact) 🐂

  • This transit adds a spark of energy to make material changes as a result of this new moon. In its positive expression, it can help us start a new project from a solid, thoughtful foundation and be open to new solutions to old problems. In its negative expression, that spark would have us leaning on old habits, particularly if they involve stubbornness or a lack of boundaries — two sides of the same reactive coin.

• Saturn in Pisces trine to Venus in Cancer 🏡

  • This transit offers a beautiful supportive energy from earlier in the week, helping us to connect meaningfully with each other. There is a risk of being too security-minded and loosening your boundaries to feel accepted or safe. In its positive expression, we can feel fulfilled by caring for others, and start new, lasting practices which deepen our empathy and compassion for ourselves and others. This is an important energy to tap into, especially given the…

• Chiron in Aries square to Venus in Cancer 😿

  • Unfortunately, this transit brings out core wounding around the things we value and our sense of emotional safety. You may find yourself feeling dismay at your finances, body, aesthetics or love life. With Venus in Cancer, we may have conflicts with our families or the people we share a home with. With Chiron in Aries, the conflict will be between your autonomy and agency (your ability to do what you want, when you want) and your responsibility to care for others. Our shared history and close ties will feel heavy this new moon, putting interdependence and independence at odds.

• Pluto in Aquarius opposite Mercury in Leo 🤺

  • This, unfortunately, can create ego conflicts and power struggles. Oppositions tend to play out interpersonally, so you may find that you or someone else is representing the individual (Leo) and struggling against the power of the collective (Aquarius). Mercury in Leo wants to do things "because I said so", while Pluto in Aquarius wants to do anything except what's expected. Watch out for the ways you may be on one or both of those extremes. In its positive expression, this can be like a tough love therapy session — when you put our ego aside, this aspect can bring us enough bravery to think differently about something painful.

• Jupiter in Gemini sextile Mercury in Leo 🤓

  • This transit will be exact the following week, but its energy can still be felt this new moon. Jupiter in Gemini is expansive, exploratory and extremely curious. Mercury in Leo is bold and brave enough to think innovatively. This risk is being too dogmatic in your thinking, being certain only you know the right answer. The potential is to be open to new ways of thinking, and bravely offering your ideas to a collective brainstorm.

• Pluto in Aquarius sextile Neptune in Pisces 🎳

  • Because this transit is between two slow-moving planets, it has been active in the last few lunations. Pluto in Aquarius wants to upturn old power structures, to do things differently. Neptune in Pisces can be dissociative and idealistic, tempted to oversimplify things. Add the nationalistic energy of Cancer and it’s easy to see why radical thinking and cult-like mentality may result. In its positive expression, these energies will sit in the background deepening our empathy and understanding of our interconnectedness, though it will take a tolerance for discomfort to tap into that energy.

Reflections and Activities:

1. Who are you nurturing in your life? What responsibility does that entail? What about it fills you up? What is only draining?

2. What do you believe to be true about the world? Examine where you may be oversimplifying things for the sake of your own perceived safety.

3. Practice writing down gray area facts. “I feel X, but I also know X.” Allowing nuance and contradiction to exist all around you will be a helpful practice this new moon.

I hope this new moon helps you start something beautiful and new, grounded in the understanding that the people we love the most cause us the most pain, but bring us the most love and meaning through it.

As always, wishing you the best out there.

Horoscopes 6.23.24 - 6.29.24

The Energy Report

This week continues the heavy Mercurial and Cancerian energy, bringing sensitivity and possibly self-protectiveness to our thinking.

On Wednesday we have supportive trine between mercury in Cancer and Saturn in Pisces. Normally a trine between Mercury and Saturn would be a phenomenal time to knock some work out that you've been avoiding — helping you dig in and stay focused more than usual. Cancer and Pisces take that supportive focus and direct it towards our feelings, asking us to establish and hold better boundaries. In its most positive expression, this energy can help us love ourselves and others with dependable empathy, increasing a sense of safety and belonging. It can be a lovely time to socialize, with engaging conversation about topics close to the heart. In its negative expression, we may struggle to reign in (Saturn in Pisces) our scarcity-based thinking (Mercury in Cancer) and get obsessive or overly self-protective.

On Friday we have two exact transits, a Mercury square to Chiron and a Venus sextile Mars. Mercury square to Chiron can be a difficult transit, as it puts our need to fight for something in conflict with our scarcity-based thinking. It's a time when conflicts with coworkers or friends may arise. We may find ourselves lashing out over a perceived lack of care. If you can work with the energy, it's possible to find out how to hold your own while also giving and receiving care, even when it feels hard.

The Venus sextile to Mars is a little extra wind at your back on this day, making it easier to act on your values. With Venus in Cancer close to Mercury, there's a risk of being too focused on whether you're receiving the love you need, and being fueled towards a stubborn combativeness as a result.

Finally, on Saturday the 29th we have a Mercury sextile to Uranus that can inspire new thinking and solutions, or bring about unexpected developments in the situations that arose with friends or coworkers earlier this week. This is a great time for socializing and having fun with others, though note that we'll still be feeling the Mercury square to Chiron, and therefor be quick to jump to defensive conclusions.

Read the below horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising sign to get a sense of the energy and some useful tips.

Aries ♈︎

You may be struggling to define yourself against your family recently, feeling like you must fight for your independence. This may be true, but be wary of fighting against something (the risk of rejection) versus fighting for something (connection and love) this week.

Taurus ♉️

You may be feeling the need to dig your heels in a little extra this week when conflicts arise, fueled by a sense of uncertainty about who you are in the world. Take a breath, and bring your focus to the things and people in front of you right now. Enjoy whatever there is to enjoy exactly where your feet are planted in a given moment.

Gemini ♊️

With such a Mercurial week, you may find your brain moving even faster than normal (if that's possible). Take advantage of the trine to Saturn on the 26th to organize your home and finances, while taking note of how and when things got a little too messy. This is a great time for reiterating and improving.

Cancer ♋️

It's your season, and it's coming with plenty of bonus Cancer energy to boot. You may enjoy extra small sparks of connection this week, as long as you can stay open to them. Try to work with the positive expressions of Cancerian energy this week, which you have more access to than others: empathy, compassion for yourself and others, and an understanding of what makes home, home.

Leo ♌️

With the Chiron square in Aries, everyone is going to feel a little defensive this week. It's possible that when others start defending themselves you'll think there's an attack to your individuality — there isn't! Enjoy the social energy of this week while feeling secure in yourself. Remember not to act while you're activated.

Virgo ♍️

This is a beautiful, social week for you, Virgo. Enjoy it. With Mercury, Sun and Venus in your 11th house and Saturn in your 7th, you have the potential to navigate boundaries with social commitments in a new way, whether that means opening up to more people or paring down to focus on those closest to you. Just make sure not to go all in on one of those — the energy wants you to find flexible balance, not a "right" answer.

Libra ♎︎

Your people are your job and your focus, Libra, but you may find this week that others relate to their people differently. There's lots of potential for good experiences at work, if you can navigate the defensive Chiron in Aries. You're being challenged to withhold judgement from those closest to you, so that you don't push away the very connection you want.

Scorpio ♏️

You're likely feeling all the watery energy of the Cancer and Pisces placements this week, and you're very familiar with the Cancerian urge to pull away from the risks of being seen. Be aware of your relationship to institutions this week — religion, higher education, politics — and use the trine to Saturn to comb through what aligns with your values and what doesn't.

Sagittarius ♐️

Your boundaries with home and family are evolving with Saturn's transit through Pisces. Try to notice the difference between reflection and rumination this week. You'll be challenged to simply let things go when it comes to your family, but you're equipped to do so, my mutable and fiery friend.

Capricorn ♑️

Your thinking is deepened right now, and Saturn trine to Mercury, Venus and the Sun in your 7th house means you're very focused on your close relationships. Your vigilance for vulnerability makes this week pretty uncomfortable, but if you can digest those feelings emotionally rather than rationally you may find some much needed clarity.

Aquarius ♒️

This is a great week to figure out what's important to you, Aquarius. You know exactly what you like and don't like, but go a level deeper than that to some guiding principles. What do you want to dictate how you live your day-to-day? Write down your routine and comb through it to decide what needs updating.

Pisces ♓️

You're being challenged to answer the question "who are you?" this week, whether you want to or not. With Mercury, Venus and the Sun in your 5th house, your creative energy is very focused on home and family. This is a great time to figure out who you are outside your commitments to others, and the boundaries of where you stop and others begin.

Horoscopes 6.16.24 - 6.22.24

This week starts analytical and a little fuzzy, only to become deeply emotional for a full moon in Capricorn on the 21st.

Read the below horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising sign to get a sense of the energy and some useful tips.

Aries ♈︎

Neptune is hugging your sign, and creating uncertainty in your friendships, work, possibly even your home life this week. This full moon will ask you to engage with others and reflect on your relationships — remember to slow down enough to feel alongside the collective. You'll miss an opportunity for meaningful connection is you focus on getting through this week as fast as possible.

Taurus ♉️

With Mars in your sign active in the full moon chart, you're going to want to do exactly what you want, when you want this week (every week?). The difference is you'll be emotionally motivated, and likely feeling uncertainty about where you fit into the world right now. Remember to take a breath before you act this week, and to stay genuinely curious as to what others are saying and why.

Gemini ♊️

Even though your solar season is coming to a close this week, it's certainly going out with a bang! With Neptune squaring Venus and Mercury in your sign, you may be extra focused on boundaries at work or around your finances. As the Cancer energy starts to take hold, try to stay with empathy for others' experiences, even if they don't make sense to you this week.

Cancer ♋️

There's a chance everyone will be on your wavelength this week, Cancer. With the full moon in Capricorn opposing a stellium in your sign, you may be feeling extra sensitive in your relationships. You know what it’s like to move through cycles of changing feelings, so this is a great time to pull out some of the skills you’ve learned for yourself and for others.

Leo ♌️

You likely had to deal with power struggles in your relationships last week, and the emotional aftermath this week is a marathon, not a sprint. Your determination and bravery is best used to face emotional discomfort this week. Be brave enough to be vulnerable in your relationships and steadfast enough for others to trust your boundaries.

Virgo ♍️

With your ruling planet, Mercury, as part of a mutable square to Neptune, you might be feeling mentally fuzzier than usual. You may want to jump into action under stress, but Neptune is going to sap some of that energy this week so you're forced to slow down. Your full moon challenge is to learn to when to accept your own limitations, and receive care from others.

Libra ♎︎

Your ruling planet — Venus — is moving from analytical Gemini into deeply feeling Cancer this week, and you're likely to feel that shift in energy. Things that you've been feeling more detachment from may get very real, very quickly this week. Be wary of white lies for the sake of smoothing over conflict — this full moon will challenge you to move beyond diplomacy into authentic, mutual respect.

Scorpio ♏️

You're more prepared than others to navigate the deep emotions of this week. You know what it is to feel intensely and you're more comfortable with the swirling depths of the psyche than other signs. Your challenge will be to monitor your attachment — the stellium in Cancer will tempt you to look for certainty and control. Instead, use its supportive energies as an air tank for your deep-dives into meditation, family history research, or a home deep cleaning this week.

Sagittarius ♐️

As the energy shifts away from familiarly mutable Gemini to cardinal Cancer, you'll likely feel some interpersonal tensions that have been brewing beneath the surface start to bubble up — that's okay! This is a fantastic time to take accountability for your feelings, and care for the people you're in conflict with by being forthcoming, grounded and empathetic.

Capricorn ♑️

Well, the full moon is in your sign this week! It's a time you'll likely have to release some sense of control or a vision for the future you've been carrying. As much as you don't like vulnerability, this is a great week to prove you're just as deeply feeling as Cancer, and to show up in your close relationships with your trademark brand of emotional realism and pragmatism.

Aquarius ♒️

There's supportive energy to move steadily towards your goals this week, Aquarius. You're not known for your focus, but you do understand how interconnected everything is — therefor "getting distracted" is just looking at a different side of the same thing! That perspective will help you and everyone around you navigate Neptune's challenges to clear and rational thinking this week.

Pisces ♓️

Though the week starts with some difficult squares, the sun-Venus-Mercury stellium moving into Cancer will give you more supportive access to its energies. Neptune is especially challenging you, my ethereal friend, to learn what you are and aren't willing to sacrifice in relationships. Looking at family patterns around autonomy and commitment would be a good use of your time this week.

June 2024 - Full Moon in Capricorn

This month’s full moon in Capricorn brings us an opportunity to find calm within the storm. We’re challenged to stay open-minded even when we’re feeling big things, and investigate the way our relationships cultivate independence, dependence or both.

Here’s a breakdown of the energy at play, and the challenges and opportunities this full moon brings.

The Energy
On June 21st we have a full moon at 1º08’ of Capricorn with the Sun at the same degrees of Cancer.

There’s a few other transits active at the same same time:

• Neptune in Pisces forming a t-square to the sun-Venus conjunction in Cancer and the moon 🥴

• Mars in Taurus sextile Venus and Mercury in Cancer 🚪

• Neptune in Pisces sextile Pluto in Aquarius 🌈

The Challenges

Neptune’s role in this full moon will make it hard to identify exactly what you’re feeling and why, all while you’re likely feeling a LOT. The Cancer -Capricorn polarity is highly sensitive and security-minded. Neptune is challenging us to hold boundaries while also offering care, rather than jumping to the nearest numbing coping mechanism.

With the Sun, Venus and Mercury in Cancer we may all be experiencing a little emotional tunnel vision — that what we feel is what is true, end of story. Mars in Taurus can help slow our impulsivity, but it can also create stubbornness and a scarcity mindset which won’t exactly help us listen to others and challenge that emotional reasoning.

The Opportunities:

Building skills to manage emotional reactivity in times of uncertainty. When things feel off and you’re tempted to scroll endlessly, what do you do instead?

Cancer and Capricorn represent two ways of caring for someone. Cancer cares by meeting your immediate needs, nurturing and soothing — encouraging dependence. Capricorn cares by teaching you how to meet your own needs — encouraging independence. This full moon gives you a chance to balance those energies in yourself and in the way you show up for others, with some extra stamina and clarity of intention.

Reflections and Activities:

1. In what ways were you taught dependence versus independence as a kid? How does that affect your relationships to others now?

2. When you have a big feeling, try to notice your physical response. If you can, try to sit with the physical sensations for 10 solid seconds. (I know, I know. It sucks.)

3. Lean into the positive side of all the Cancer energy by creating a safe space inside of your “shell”. Add extra flowers to your bedside table or light a candle and try to journal for a few minutes each morning. Cultivating a little cave of emotional safety will be a helpful, calming base to return to this week.

I hope this full moon reminds you how to be independent without shutting down, and dependent without abandoning yourself. You got this.

As always, wishing you the best out there.

Horoscopes 6.9.24 - 6.15.24

Welp. I wish I had easier news this week. We have some difficult Saturn and Pluto transits, with a lot of Mercurial and Geminian energy. This can indicate over-thinking, power struggles, and difficult conversations or conflicts with friends.

Read the below horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising sign to get a sense of the energy and some useful tips for navigating a potentially rough week.

Aries ♈︎

This week may bring your least favorite kind of uncertainty — the kind you can't do anything about. You'll be tempted to ruminate in order to feel like you're doing something, or to let your pent up "fix it" energy come out at something (or someone) else. To prepare for this week, come up with a "before I do anything else plan" that includes how to calm your nervous system BEFORE reacting to something too quickly. You've got this.

Taurus ♉️

You may feel in conflict with your community this week, like either they've left you alone or they just will not leave you alone. As much as you love your people, try to recharge your own mental batteries. This week is demanding flexibility — your favorite thing! To prepare for this week, make a short list of the things you CAN control each day and commit to doing them, while letting the rest unravel in its own time (as best you can).

Gemini ♊️

As you birthday season continues, you may be feeling like things just aren't moving the way or the direction you hoped they would. Your life goals may feel just out of reach, no matter how much you work on them. You may be tempted to over-process and work yourself into even more of a confused and reactive fog this week. To prepare, schedule time with a friend on Friday or Saturday and keep a list of the things you want to talk about — you may be surprised how many things fall down or off the list as the week progresses.

Cancer ♋️

This is a week when your shell may actually come in handy, Cancer. The trick will be to use it for protection to recharge, not to dissociate from the hard stuff permanently. You may feel like your faith is being challenged, and frantically search for meaning in the cluster of this week. Try not to rationalize or analyze in order to feel less. To prepare, schedule 30 minutes each day for phone-off, door-locked feel your feelings time. Let it out, let it sink in, whatever you need. Then get back out there and offer the emotional presence you're so gifted with — the world will need it this week.

Leo ♌️

You're probably not loving the way things feel this week, Leo. Your sunny disposition may be feeling clouded over by uncertainty and the yuckiest of emotions. You may feel overwhelmed by social commitments that aren't leaving you a lot of time to manage the yucky-ness. Don't be afraid to roll back some of those commitments or shift them to fit the energy. Maybe instead of a night out, you have a few friends over for tea and chit chat.

Virgo ♍️

Virgo, beware of over-functioning this week, especially when it comes to over-thinking the issues in your close relationships. You may want to solve things for everyone else, but the truth is you simply can't. Accepting your own limitations is the hard lesson you'll need to learn this week. To prepare, triage the things that actually need to get done (not that just FEEL like they need to get done) and do those first. Control what you can control — and remember that is NOT other people, unfortunately.

Libra ♎︎

Your daily routine is probably deeply in flux right now, Libra. The things and people closest to you may feel less reliable, and you may feel a bit alone. Remember that you're not, and try not to withdraw in reaction to perceived withdrawal. Stay curious, if you can, about what other people are feeling and why they're reacting the way they are. You'll be desperate for connection this week, just remember that you need to stay available in order for that to happen.

Scorpio ♏️

You may feel like your very identity is in flux, and wish to shy away from the world at this time. You may feel like the spotlight is shining in your eyes. Watch out for going too deeply into that fear or frustration, and instead try to keep perspective with those around you who are likely feeling similar things. All the changeable, amorphous energy this week will challenge your fixed nature, but your watery emotional world can be a strength that you draw on to navigate it.

Sagittarius ♐️

Okay Sagittarius, it's time to shine. Your resilience, optimism, and flexibility will make you one of the signs to have the "easiest" time this week. As much as you can, try to offer those gifts to others and know that they likely won't be on the same wavelength. Others' inflexibility can feel incomprehensible to you at times, but try to let them move at their own pace through the hard parts of this week. You can prepare by filling your own cup on Monday before the big draws coming later in the week.

Capricorn ♑️

The consequences that this week is bringing will make more sense to you than to other signs, my Saturnian friend. That doesn't necessarily make them easier to deal with. You may deal with boundary issues (especially with friends) early in the week that take the following days to unfold. Your defensive nature will be tested — try to stay open and curious to what other people are telling you. Your catch phrase this week is, "Feelings are subjective."

Aquarius ♒️

As Pluto slowly retrogrades out of your sign this summer, you may feel like the all the unexpected changes of the last few months are testing you. This week you may have to deal with feeling helpless or frustrated in your efforts to change things — in your personal life or in the world. You understand the certainty of uncertainty better than most signs, my contradictory friend. That's a gift you can offer others this week. You also know uncertainty isn't always bad — let things play out, and don't get discouraged permanently.

Pisces ♓️

So, things probably aren't feeling great for you Pisces. With Saturn and Neptune in your sign, this season is likely bringing enormous amounts of uncertainty — both in terms of what's coming and how you should navigate it. You're being asked to learn how to hold your boundaries right now, and remember that holding them means communicating them in the first place. You can prepare for this week by taking honest stock of where you're at and telling the people you navigate life with what you're going to need in order to be okay. If it's not respected, then you can move away or remind someone knowing that they had the information in the first place. Try to give everyone, including yourself, some generous but well-structured grace.

June 2024 - New Moon in Gemini

This month’s new moon in Gemini has a lot of beautiful puzzle pieces that form a heavy final picture. Pluto is deepening our thinking and offering mental resilience. Saturn puts that resilience to work as we’re confronted with our lived values. I encourage you to find one practice that recharges your ability to hold empathy for others.

Here’s a breakdown of the energy at play, and the challenges and opportunities this new moon brings.

The Energy
On June 6th we have a new moon at 16º18’ of Gemini.

There’s a number of other transits active at the same same time:

• Venus conjunct the moon and Sun in Gemini 🧐

• Saturn in Pisces square the moon, Sun and Venus in Gemini 📚

• Neptune in Pisces sextile Jupiter in Gemini 🪄

• Pluto in Aquarius sextile Neptune in Pisces 🥀

• Pluto in Aquarius square Mars in Aries 🤜

• Pluto in Aquarius trine Jupiter in Gemini 🪧

The Challenges

With the sun, moon and Venus all on top of each other in Gemini, there will be plenty of focus on communication, for better or for worse. Saturn forming a square (90º angle) to those three planets brings a challenging energy, and the strong Piscean influence in this chart can make you want to dissociate from difficult emotions.

The risk I see is feeling vulnerable at how uncertain things are, getting pissed off at something someone says, and angrily scrolling on your phone until you somehow feel worse than you did before. Watch the tone you communicate in, and whether you’re listening openly or defensively.

The Opportunities:

IF you can stay grounded enough to feel your feelings instead of escape them, you may find that you’re more able to communicate your emotions. We’ll all be a bit defensive and activated, so it’s a better time for journaling than processing with someone else.

Reflections and Activities:

1. Reflect on the things you spend your time and energy thinking about. If it’s something like how you look (very likely this new moon), how does that actually square up with what you value? Do you really think that changing your body is the most important thing? If that answer is yes, do you really want that to be the most important thing?

2. List the top 10 things you think about. Assign percentages of time to them. What aligns and what are you surprised by? If there’s changes to be made, this new moon is a fantastic time to start.

3. Go for a long walk, or another physical activity that helps you release energy, and then curl up with a film of book that makes you think. It can be about an issue in the real world, or an art film with layers of meaning and metaphor. The goal is to care for your body so that your mind can be active too.

4. This new moon is a fantastic time for starting a new practice that recharges you to stay associated with the world and feel empathy for those you agree with and (importantly) those you don’t. When we’re burnt out, it’s quick and easy energy to be frustrated by others or angry with the world. Take care of yourself this new moon so that you can engage with others and bring more sustainable kinds of energy — specifically curiosity, actual listening and grounded communication.

I hope this new moon brings you a good mental flow, the opportunity to buckle down and start something new, or simply a chance to expand your horizons.

As always, wishing you the best out there.

May 2024 - Full Moon in Sagittarius

This month’s full moon brings lots of potential — for dreaming, planning, and optimism as well as frustration, impatience and arguing. Focus your energy on understanding why you’re feeling a certain way, rather than what to do with those feelings.

Here’s a breakdown of the energy at play, and the challenges and opportunities this full moon brings.

The Energy
This Thursday, May 23rd we have a full moon in Sagittarius. The Sun will be at 2º 55’ of Gemini, and the moon directly opposite at the same degrees of Sagittarius.

There’s a number of other transits happening on the same day:

• Venus conjunct Jupiter in Taurus 🥰 (exact)

• Venus in Taurus sextile Neptune in Pisces 😍(exact)

• Pluto in Aquarius trine to the Sun in Gemini 🤯

• Pluto in Aquarius trine Jupiter-Venus conjunction in Taurus 🥺

• Pluto in Aquarius sextile Neptune in Pisces 😶‍🌫️

• Mars and Chiron conjunct in Aries 🤬

The Challenges

This full moon comes with layers and layers of energy! (As you can tell from the emoji spectrum above.)

You’re likely to be looking for stability and certainty, especially as it relates to your love life or finances. Unfortunately, this is not a time when things are likely to fall into place permanently! This means a lot of us may feel let down and frustrated by things not happening the right way, right now.

There’s a further risk of us thinking that things are falling into place, or talking ourselves into believing something out of a deep need for it to be true. We risk acting explosively or impulsively out of emotional overwhelm and a need to discharge the discomfort of intense feelings.

Watch out for circular arguments or a lot of processing for the sake of letting feelings out, rather than actually listening or collaborating on a solution.

The Opportunities:

We can use this full moon as a controlled experiment to witness our true motivations and learn about ourselves. If we know we’re likely to feel big things, then make this day about witnessing those feelings curiously, rather than getting blindsided and thinking that big feelings warrant big action — they do not.

It’s a fantastic time for going deep into inner reflection, especially facilitated by sensory experiences. Here’s some prompts and activities to make the most of this time:

Activities:

1. Make a “Feel My Feelings” playlist. Lock the door, put your phone on DND and let the music percolate through you, allowing your responses to flow freely. Depending on your mood and ability, don’t be afraid to dance or run it out. Mars will thank you.

2. Take the bath of all baths. Candles, bath bomb, flower petals… really go for it. The energy will help you get truly lost in an enjoyable sensory experience — let Neptune take you for a dreamy ride.

3. Have your closest friends over to make dinner together. Enjoy each other’s company and some good food. Keep it light, this is not a good time for emotional processing. It is a great time to laugh and feel supported by each other.

4. Make a 5 year plan, or a vision Pinterest board. Think of this as one of many possible plans. The goal is more to identify the things that are important to you than create a concrete set of next steps.

Prompts for Reflection:

1. What material things do I want to be stable in my life right now? (Love life, job, finances, home, etc.) What do I think those things will make me feel?

2. How can I provide those feelings for myself — now, under these material circumstances?

3. How am I releasing my anger? What’s my emotional hygiene like? What activities help sweep the floors, so to speak? What are responsible, sustainable practices for releasing big feelings?

4. What good, unexpected things happened in the last month? What am I grateful for? How can I make something good happen for someone else?

I hope you have a wonderful week, and the presence of mind to make the most of this full moon.

As always, wishing you the best out there.

The Saturn Return, Explained

The Saturn Return is probably the second best known transit in astrology. (The first is birthdays, but “Happy Solar Return” wasn’t as catchy.) Between the ages of 27-30, Saturn tends to get credit for every good thing and blamed for every bad thing that happens. It’s mythologized in our culture as something to dread. It is an important moment in life, but it’s far from the hardest or biggest transit out there. I’d prefer a Saturn transit over a Neptune transit any day.

Why Saturn?

Saturn rules the things in our lives that offer structure — it’s our strictest parent, our spines, our boundaries and our responsibilities. It’s the way we learn to parent ourselves, and the people, animals, plants and things in our life that are dependent on our care and guidance. It’s a common misconception that Saturn is cold and heartless, but Saturn cares deeply. It simply expresses that care by allowing us to fail and to learn, which not-so-gently teaches us to care for ourselves.

What’s a “Return”?

A “return” is when a planet moves 360º degrees around the birth chart (and therefor around the earth) to the exact place it was when you were born. Your birth chart is a circular map of all the planets’ positions relative to the exact place and time you were born. The sections of space around the earth that the planets can be in are the signs (Aries, Taurus, etc.) Your “rising sign” is the section of space that was on the horizon when you were born. Cool, right?

As planets move around the earth, they form certain angles to each other — these are called transits. “Natal” transits are when the planets today, moving around in the sky, form 60º, 90º, 120º, 180º, or 0º angles to a planet’s positions when you were born. These mark personal periods of intense energy, that may feel “easy” or “hard” depending on the transit, your nature, and the way you choose to engage.

What’s going to happen during my Saturn Return?

To understand what will happen in the future, astrology looks to the past. The Saturn Return happens after Saturn has formed every other angle to its position when you were born. Every one of these angles represent a phase of the Saturn cycle, when the Saturnian things in your life are working with more or less friction. Keep in mind less friction does not mean good or easy, it just means without friction. If you parked your car on a hill and forgot to put it in park, for example, working without friction makes for a pretty bad day.

The angles with the most friction, or dynamic energy (meaning you’ll consciously feel it more) are the square (90º), the opposition (180º), and the conjunction (0º). These happen in your first Saturn cycle at ages 7-8 (square), 14-15 (opposition), 21-22 (square again) and 28-29 (conjunction). By looking at what was happening in your life around those ages, you can identify the themes that are likely to come up again during your Saturn Return.

Saturn Returns at age 28-29 often coincide with big life events, internally or externally. It can be getting engaged, getting married, getting divorced, finding a partner, breaking up, having a child, losing a job, moving across the country. Really anything that adds both constraint and meaning to our lives is up for grabs, all the way down to our thought patterns and our boundaries within ourselves.

Should I worry about my Saturn Return?

People fear this transit because the idea of “consequences” (often used synonymously with Saturn) has a negative connotation. More neutrally, consequences are simply the events precipitated by your choices. The advantage to Saturn transits is that we can see how it wants us to make decisions, and it’s always the hard-but-right choice. Saturn is a hard teacher, but it gives you a crystal clear syllabus.

When does the Saturn Return end?

The real test of how you navigated your Saturn Return comes at 33, when Saturn transits past its natal point again and forms the first 60º angle (a “sextile”) to itself in your birth chart. This is the “without friction” moment mentioned above — if you did not take accountability and conscious action at 29, you may find yourself hitting a familiar wall at 33, made of your own worst impulses and destructive behaviors (whatever those are for you personally). The right time to learn Saturn’s lessons is right now, before you hit that familiar wall again.

Saturn Return coaching uses your birth chart to examine where Saturn sits and what other planets or points it is in relationship to. That knowledge combined with a conversation about the themes in your life around ages 7, 14 and 21 will help us examine and navigate your current Saturn Return. Leveraging the rest of your unique birth chart’s strengths and challenges can help you find the structure and reliability you (and Saturn) want and need in your life.

There are many excellent astrologers that provide Saturn Return coaching. If you’re interested in working with me, you can reach out here for custom Saturn Return coaching to fit your needs and budget.