Monthly Forecasts

A note to my visitors:

Well, so far, only one person seems to have noticed: currently, I am not writing monthly forecasts anymore. I have various reasons for this decision and, since you did me the courtesy of looking up this page, I would like to explain them to you:

a) These forecasts can only ever be general and rudimentary, as they only address the Sun’s position in your chart, and even that only by approximation. I prefer to base my advice on your complete personal chart.

b) There are literally hundreds of web sources providing free daily, weekly and monthly sun sign columns, so why would I want to add to their number? I’m not interested in taking over the world! (Check the Links page for some of my favourites)

c) Unlike most of my colleagues writing such forecasts, I am currently not associated with any web service or magazine and, therefore, am not being paid for the two to three days it takes me to come up with a decent column.

In case you really feel I should continue writing ‘monthlies’, drop me an email. Ten different people encouraging me would be a really good argument to get me going again! In the meantime, why not have a private session to find out what’s in store for you personally?

March 2013

Generally Speaking...

We truly live in interesting and magical times - individual lives, collective consciousness and the world of circumstance are shifting massively. This process comes in waves, intercepted by ever shorter periods of apparent calm. In March, the annual Spring Equinox will be accompanied by a planetary drama that signifies the extreme jump from germination and gestation in the amniotic fluid of Pisces to wild, unpredictable and exciting expressions in Aries.

The month starts on a high note. An empowering period of profound depth and crystal-clear intensity comes to a head on 8/3, but will remain with us for some weeks to come. Still, many rather experience this as a time of great and inescapable pressure, inside and out. They may feel that one crisis is chasing the other and that we are given ever greater challenges, as things are getting ever more complex. So, how will we do when words demand deeds, while each act carries so much meaning and such dramatic consequence? We could be biting our nails or grow some serious claws this month!

A series of serendipities surrounding apparent disasters is still ongoing throughout March. We could be learning to create our luck by keeping the faith and doing it the Piscean way. Again, that means different things to different people. But with five planets and the Dark Moon in that sign (11/3), we have enough tools to be inspired, loving, artistic, empathic, visionary, scientific, cool and compassionate at the same time. Anything is possible … at least in our heads and hearts.

It would in any case be more constructive than feeling victimised and confused, afraid to move a finger or bat an eyelid. And it would be infinitely more pleasant than sticking our head in the sand, hoping the tide will soon roll over, because it won’t. We still have years of labour to come while giving birth to a new world!

This new world needs courage and compassion, and both can be found and practiced this month. Just beware of getting carried away too far in any direction, be it by the fairies or by your own helpless anger and frustration. Avoid evasive tactics, like over-optimism or impossible promises, during the week leading up to the Dark Moon (11/3) and watch out for those who, in their turn, may try to charm you with spin or double-talk. Luckily, communicator Mercury and generous Jupiter are closely cooperating; a strongly intuitive and philosophical approach works best. Mercury is still retrograde (until 17/3) and can still make daily business a pain, but this planet combination can make for a lot of fun and endlessly enlightening communications.

When Mars moves into Aries with the New Moon (12/2), developments accelerate as if the whole world suddenly had a spring in its step. The time for decisive action seems to have come; a time to develop enthusiasm and to make ripples in the pond.

The Spring Equinox (20/3, 11.02 GMT) continues this theme, but in a rather explosive way. While the Sun crosses the tipping point of spring, the waxing Moon in Cancer engages in a tense and unpredictably conflictuous formation that day. Pluto, Mars and Uranus are getting ready for radical revolutionary action. Individual feelings and the public mood could be close to boiling point. They will cool down (or be squashed?) a few hours later, though.

On 22/3, the flames of passion burn higher again. Venus moves into Aries and turns from a fairy godmother into a feisty amazon. Meanwhile, fiery Mars meets rebellious Uranus and goodness knows where those two will land us! Violent eruptions are just as possible as amazing feats of courage and heroism. What a change! Where we had five planets peacefully swimming through Pisces a fortnight ago, we now have four of them excitedly running around in Aries – go figure!

The days leading up to the Full Moon (27/3, 9.27 GMT) could bring a sort of brooding stalemate between our vision and action. A crisis, i.e. a turning point, is brewing up. On the day itself the Moon not simply opposes the Sun, as it does every month. It hooks up with all four Aries planets, in the process activating a so-called double Yod, or ‘Finger of God’. The problem is that God uses both index fingers, and they’re pointing in incompatible directions.

The boil is bursting; decisions HAVE to be made and decisive action taken over the next few days. Sudden changes in strategy occur. It’s a good thing that Mercury, still in imaginative Pisces, hooks up with both conflicting points of view and thus can help to make the right decision.

Mercury could now turn out to have another gift up his sleeve, for those who know to work it: by the end of the month, the figures of speech that we produce with our breath each day could be starting to manifest around us. Watch what you wish for, as you might get it!

How your sign will fare this month:

i Pisces

Of course you can’t escape the events that accompany the great changes of our time completely. But during the first half of March, things seem to be fairly wonderful up until the New Moon. After that, your true colours will be increasingly tested through your actions. You may be entering completely unknown territory, where experience and expertise are needed, yet can only help you so far. A tendency to act impulsively could prevail if you let it, and trigger short, sharp blows of instant karma. Luckily, you will probably be able to keep a cool head and a generous heart, which will be extremely helpful, especially around the Full Moon 27/3).

^ Aries

Your sensitive and inspirationally romantic side has received quite a boost lately and you may have enjoyed the full-on-ness of it over the past few weeks, as your imagination and your noble intentions went into overdrive. But enough is enough, isn’t it? It’s time for some real action! The New Moon becomes visible next to your planet Mars and in your sign. It signals that the time is right to make some of those inspired dreams come true. Your confidence and momentum increase until your impatience becomes almost unbearable around 22/3. Beware of anger, wrath and rashness now, and if in doubt don’t move! Save your salvos for the real crunch time that comes a few days later, with the Full Moon on 27/3.

_ Taurus

Are you still wearing those rose-coloured glasses, Taurus? And are you still diligently ploughing away at fulfilling your personal hopes and dreams? You may continue to do so until the New Moon on 11/3. During the following two weeks you may be losing some of your drive, while one planet after another moves into your 12th house of seclusion. Doubts and obstacles appear, the pressure is on in the second half of the month. Even you, who is usually so patient and slow to anger, could become irate around 22/3. Circumstances beyond your control demand swift action and flexibility. You don’t like change, but you can’t resist it now, so better go with what presents itself on and just after the Full Moon on 27/3.

` Gemini

Do you still know who you are and what you want? The last few weeks may have brought a dizzying plethora of new possibilities, but nothing concrete. Well, if you want to have a harvest, it’s time to work your garden now, literally and figuratively. Okay, you may not yet be ready, as your birth planet Mercury is still in retreat until 17/3. But after that, no more excuses. It may be difficult to manifest your dreams at first, but don’t let that discourage you. Around the Full Moon on 27/3 you may experience a dramatic change of heart and then come up with a plan. Your inner truth will show you a strategy to cope with the current chaos.

a Cancer

Despite life being so serious at the moment, you are bearing up with admirable patience and a philosophical outlook. Needs must, and seven out of ten planets in water signs are a huge support to you. However, things are shifting and just minding your own business may not be enough anymore. You may be expected to take the lead in the second half of the month, but hit frustrating obstacles the moment you do. Breathe deep and count to ten. Still, a confrontation is throwing its shadow ahead and seems inevitable around the time of the Full Moon, when your loyalty and dedication could receive a blow. Instead of plotting revenge, try to understand your own part in the proceedings.

b Leo

This last winter has given you ample opportunity to explore your inner life and to learn some home truths about yourself, the Universe and everything. You may have chosen to deny your fears and to ignore your hidden talents, or you may have completely transformed yourself. Now is the time to leave your cocoon and to emerge as a beautiful butterfly - or a moth, as the case may be. The need to express yourself openly gradually increases between New Moon and Spring Equinox (11-20/3). Will you stick to cautious realism or will you throw all caution to the wind? The choice is yours, but the days around the Full Moon on 27/3 may show you a way to do both.

c Virgo

With so many planets in your opposite sign, matters of relating and co-operating probably kept you busy over the last few weeks. In March, you may come to realise the consequences of jumping in at the deep end. Commitments you made may suddenly seem restricting and suffocating, but it will be difficult to just extract yourself without losing face, pride or profit. Well, this sort of limbo can’t go on forever, even though you’re likely to agonise over it for a while, changing your mind several times. Make your choice after the Full Moon and you will have a better chance to bring head and heart together.

d Libra

Pressing issues have been on the back burner for a little while, but don’t be fooled into thinking that they have been solved or will just go away. In early March, your optimism and good luck have no bounds. But the New Moon (11/3) rings in a new phase that demands making a choice and going for it - against the odds, of which there may at first appear to be plenty. This could relate to money, home and family, business or all manner of joint ventures, including personal relationships. Others may disappoint or surpass your expectations, so be wise and try not to have any. The intense Full Moon gives you a chance to break through outmoded behaviour patterns. Analysis and theory are done, put on your marching boots and walk the talk!

e Scorpio

Ah, isn’t life grand? Five planets and a New Moon in your house of love, joy and creativity, plus Saturn’s realism and Pluto’s power to transform your close environment. You could even get a grip on your resources, balancing spendthrift with common sense. Or, you may feel torn between gambling on your good luck and doing things by the book. Around 20/3 the emphasis is shifting from pleasantness to hard work. By the Full Moon, your daily life may undergo a radical change, whether self-implemented or caused by changing circumstances. This may be challenging at first, but once you’ve ‘crossed the great stream’, stand by your inner knowledge and your noble intentions and start making a cunning plan.

f Sagittarius

Your birth ruler Jupiter is currently in a very special relationship with communicator Mercury, meaning that you can profit from all things Mercurial, i.e. intellectual exchange, trading, entrepreneurship, wheeling and dealing. It also means you’re more willing than usual to give in to your big heart and to accommodate other people’s wishes. An especially lucky opportunity could present itself as early as 4/3. The recent emotional fuzziness is about to evaporate soon after the New Moon when love of life and enthusiasm for new endeavours are taking over. Don’t get too excited, Sag, or your impulsiveness could make you your own worst enemy. Try to think straight towards the end of the month!

g Capricorn

Austerity? What austerity? Let’s face it - secretly, you’re thriving when things get really tough. By now, you’re used to adapting your goals to ever changing circumstances and to make lemonade out of whatever fruit life dishes out. You’ll have an opportunity to do so successfully within the first week of March. However, as the month progresses, you may become ever more rebellious, stubborn and ready to throw babes out with the bathwater. By the time of the Full Moon, you may feel it’s time to put your foot down and to take drastic measures for the sake of sanity and security. Do what you must, but also do yourself a favour and think before you act!

h Aquarius

For a little while now, life has been nicely flowing along, while you have been doing ‘the right thing’. Apart from relatively minor upsets, all is quite well. However, the pace is changing dramatically in the middle of March. With spring in the air, your creative mind is going into overdrive. During your sleepless nights, you may find you’ve had enough of all work and no play. Be watchful in the second half of the month, otherwise minor mishaps and major arguments could throw some spanners in the works. But if you play your cards right, you may find the means and wherewithal to follow your bliss in the last week of the month.

February 2013

Generally Speaking...

February should be ‘not such a bad month’. Now, that’s good news, isn’t it, in these turbulent times? The Sun is moving through Aquarius and reaches the true Imbolc point in the evening of Sunday 3/02. The days are truly getting longer, there is enough daylight for the Sun to reach and awaken the seeds in the ground.

Giant Jupiter slowly gets up to speed, moving forward in early Gemini. Uranus, much smaller, yet seven times slower than Jupiter, sits in early Aries. These two form a rather fortunate combination throughout the month. The important thing about this aspect is its sequence. First, there will be eruptions of the unexpected, thwarting plans and expectations. Then the positive side of whatever it was that so suddenly changed becomes visible. So keep your cool and count your blessings!

The two other heavy weights, Saturn and Pluto, will remain at a distance of roughly 60 degrees from each other throughout the month. Pluto is still in the first half of his ‘destroy-transform-rebirth’ programme in Capricorn (i.e. concerning anything to do with nature, economics and political power structures). It will continue to be supported by Saturn in Scorpio (emotional control, coldness or cruelty, feelings of fear, authority exerted over resources). Saturn turns retrograde on 18/02 (until early July), meaning that emotional or financial processes that started somewhere between November 2012 and now, will be revisited, reviewed and possibly adapted.

Whether your life will be affected by the lucky twists and turns or by the austerity aspect or both, depends on how the planets involved are bound into your natal chart. But also watch them working in global developments, especially around mid month.

Mars will be marching steadily through most of Pisces this month, together with Mercury, the messenger and psychopomp.One wouldn’t expect combative Mars to be strong in empathic Pisces, as hurting others isn’t really on the Piscean agenda. But Mars rules over the water element and Pisces is part of that. I suppose the watery intuition tells Mars when to do what, which is not necessarily according to plan. And thus Mars in Pisces ends up with the reputation of being unreliable, on its own trip and even underhanded. We will see what that leads to around the 15th and 16th of the month, when Mars is in cahoots with Pluto and Saturn. (Tip: Look at what is not in the news!)

Mercury in Pisces can be incredibly imaginative, inventive and at times extremely funny, but may also experience thinking processes that cannot possibly be put into words. On 12/02, it will connect to Pluto and Saturn; watch out for more corruption coming to light and search official statements for double meanings around that time. On 23/02 Mercury will go into its first retrograde period of the year (until 17/03) and the usual warnings apply: New contracts and appointments will falter or be changed further down the line, traffic and transport may be compromised and miscommunication is rife. However, it is a good time for revision and re-organisation of administrative, logistical, study or publishing projects. Throughout the whole month, meditative endeavours and artistic activities will be favoured.

Venus, currently the evening star, will be travelling through Aquarius for most of February, changing into Pisces on 26/02. In Aquarius, Venus is calm, cool and collected, has eclectic tastes and loves a civilised debate. In this lofty air sign she is better suited for group experiences than personal encounters. Around 11/02, she will be very reserved, indeed, when she forms a difficult connection with obstructive Saturn, who may be causing guilt over duties and obligations. By the same token, there may be a need to structure diplomatic relations, which may get rather frosty at the time. Emotional people may experience a hard time, while rational types may be better able to cope with a general sense of rejection, neglect or separation. Remember, this too shall pass!

How your sign will fare in February 2013

h Aquarius

Aquarians can use this month’s energies to work on their resources. Venus helps you to become a magnet for what you need and more. Mars is ready and able to turn Mercury’s ingenius ideas into profitable action on your part. The New Moon in your sign on 10/02 signals a period of increased creativity and learning. Just don’t give in to the Aquarian tendency toward procrastination, or you might miss the gravy train.

i Pisces

Many Pisceans are in the process of critically examining their goals in life and adapting their hopes and dreams accordingly. This month you have not only your thinking cap on, but with Mars in your sign you’re raring to go. Beware of over-optimism and of taking on more than you can handle.Give your ideas and projects time to ripen; there may be vital information emerging towards the end of the month.

^ Aries

“I want, I want, I want” seems to be Aries’ motto this month. Yet, it may be hard to focus your actions, while there seem to be obstacles wherever you turn. Expecting too much too soon would only demoralise you. Good things take their time and there are no shortcuts for you now. However, the slightest changes in perspective can work miracles for you, so work with the power of positive thinking.

_ Taurus

You may be doing very well this month, Taurus. So well, in fact, that even you might throw caution to the wind and over-spend on wish fulfillment. There’s nothing wrong with indulging your whims every now and then – only, don’t rub it into other people’s faces. Instead, help someone less fortunate than yourself and collect good karma points, as this time of windfalls and achievements will not last forever.

` Gemini

As a born entrepreneur, you thrive on contacts and co-operation, Gemini. This month, you will get more wind in your sails than you have had since October last year. You’ll be humming with brilliant ideas and good intentions, and more people than before will be on your side. The snag? You’ll have to walk a very fine line between adapting to changed circumstances and being whimsical just for the sake of it.

a Cancer

Life is serious business for you, dear Crab, and try as you may, others will hardly come round to your views these days. As always, you have a choice to either become bitter and cynical or to thrive on your own steam for a while. The latter should be relatively easy this month, as travel, study and self-improvement are favoured. Late in the month, you may find a like-minded friend surprisingly close by your side.

b Leo

For most of the month, your attention seems to be focused on others, Leo, and you shouldn’t find it difficult to find the right allies. Deep and surprising insights and revelations are on the cards, giving you the cutting edge and putting you in a leadership position among your friends. Meanwhile, do not ignore your personal fears and their impact on your physical well-being. It’s a good month to change your diet and/or daily routine for the better.

c Virgo

Other people’s non-committal vagueness could drive you up the wall in February. Be diplomatic rather than confrontational, Virgo, especially around mid month. Your birth ruler Mercury changes direction on 23/02, followed by the Full Moon in your sign on 25/02. You’ll find that being right is not the be-all and end-all. Love, forgiveness and a supportive attitude will get you much further this month and earn you the respect you deserve.

d Libra

For Libras, February should hold the right mix of work and fun. There might be romance in the air or travel on the cards around 07/2, while mid month will likely bring a just material reward for your hard work. Studies and self-expression are favoured throughout the month; you might receive surprising offers to broaden your own and others’ horizons. A relative has your best at heart and is likely to offer assistance.

e Scorpio

If you haven’t done so yet, Scorpio, you might discover the power of positive thinking this month. In your daily reality, little is going according to plan and that could be rather frightening. However, if you can let go of the urge to plan, control, manipulate and force things your way, you’re in for some absolutely brilliant surprises. The secret is to remain accepting and optimistic in the face of sudden change.

f Sagittarius

Communication, trading and organising could be the Archer’s greatest strengths this month. Contrary to recent experience, you can now make yourself heard and get others to co-operate. Well, at least until 23/02, when communicator Mercury changes direction and others may change their mind about you and your plans, projects or promises. Try to keep restlessness, impatience or anger in check, especially mid month and around the Full Moon on 25/02.

g Capricorn

Many Capricorns currently feel like an invisible wall is separating them from their dreams. Others experience a distinct lack of future vision or motivation. This may partly be due to the notion that you have to earn any favours through hard work only. This month, look for the things that come to you, out of the blue and in mysterious ways, to brighten your life. Embrace them without guilt and feel the happier for it.