“Confessions of a horoscope writer” and why I’m not one

July 24, 2012 By

horoscopesSomeone posted this article on our astroblogger Facebook group:

Until recently, I had a dirty little secret. I write horoscopes. Or at least, I used to. Now it’s not such a dirty little secret because a) I’ve just told you and b) there aren’t that many horoscope clients left in my portfolio any more, anyway. But back in the day – oh yes. I was the BBC Slink teen astrologer for 13 years until the site closed last year and provided daily teen horoscopes throughout that time. …

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You might think that this was a track record to be proud of. My husband, bless him, certainly thought so and would waste no time in telling people proudly about my various clients while I smiled through gritted teeth and quickly changed the subject. I wasn’t particularly proud; not ashamed either, exactly, but, well, embarrassed. You see, as a professional astrologer. I know better than anyone that sun sign horoscopes are by their very nature generalisations at best and at worst a load of tosh. Telling someone that I was writing them made it sound as though I – and worse, every other member of my profession – truly believed that all Scorpios were going to win the lottery on Thursday, but not before their Leo partners had ditched them for the next door neighbour and run off to start a new life on the Costa del Sol. Bracing myself for the “but you don’t actually believe all that stuff, do you?” question, it was easier to just move off the subject than try to defend *real* astrology and point out that I was just writing horoscopes because it paid well.

The word “horoscope” has come to mean those sun sign columns you get in your local newspaper or magazine, but its true meaning is the actual diagram of the planets at a given time and place.

There’s no doubt that horoscope writers have the potential for great fame – Steven Forrest is one of the greatest astrologers of our time, but it was his stint as horoscope writer at Elle Magazine that brought him into the limelight. Michael Lutin is well known among astrologers, but he too became more widely known when his “horoscopes” were carried by Vanity Fair and Huffington Post. In the UK Jonathan Cainer has achieved great fame through his “horoscopes” in a variety of major publications. And let’s not forget Rob Breszny, whose entertaining Free Will Astrology columns are syndicated worldwide.

Astrobloggers report that when they started carrying sun sign “horoscopes” their traffic shot up. And frankly, most people become interested in astrology through learning about their sun signs. Still “horoscope” writers admit that the practice is more art than astrology. Rick Levine of tarot.com, one of the most brilliant “horoscope” writers, has said in interviews that writing daily horoscopes is mostly poetry with a bit of astrology thrown in.

Over the years I have had offers to write sun sign columns, all of which I have declined. I suppose I am fortunate that I have another career so that I don’t need the money badly enough to sacrifice my principles. My main objection to these things is that while they are entertaining, they really have nothing to do with astrology. Yet the publications in which they appear carry no disclaimers, and no information that would draw readers to learn more.

We are fortunate that the internet gives anyone the opportunity to share their own astrological views with the world. As I write this our astrobloggers group has 172 members, all of whom can put their work out there for the international public to find and enjoy.

There’s also plenty of astrological nonsense out there that isn’t limited to sun sign columns, such as this new publication from Topix. In this magazine you can learn how astrologers analyzed birthcharts to “predict the future and Expose the Secrets they live with.” You can see which of the Real Housewives is headed to the poorhouse, and whether certain celebrities had a choice whether or not to get plastic surgery. (I snagged the photo from Jeffrey’s review.)

To put a positive spin on this, the magazine did use real natal charts and not just sun sign astrology in their articles, according to Jeffrey. And if it encourages more readers to inquire into the more serious aspects of astrology and the gifts and magic that it offers, I suppose that’s not a bad thing.

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December Skywatch is posted!

December 1, 2011 By

You can find it on my website here, or sign up for your own subscription with a translation into English.

Meanwhile here’s what you need to know about the first week in December, along with a synopsis of December’s major events.

OVERALL ASTROLOGICAL PICTURE

In December 2011 and January 2012 we will continue to see a relatively quiet planetary weather pattern. Jupiter and Uranus are highlighted now since they both change direction in December and they have both slowed down to a crawl in preparation of their direct turn. For most of December Uranus is at 0 degrees Aries and Jupiter at 0 degrees Taurus which puts them in an inconjunct aspect – a challenging aspect that creates friction without providing a release. In some ways this can be more difficult than a square aspect in which there is a resulting outer conflict that comes to a resolution, but it tends to be more of an irritation than a conflagration. Jupiter and Uranus both want change and neither tend to be satisfied with the status quo, so there is a great deal of pressure to shift now out of patterns that have become calcified and no longer fit.

During the first week of December Jupiter is approaching a harmonious sextile to Chiron which opens the door to healing and understanding that will help us to navigate through the challenges presented to us by the minor planets in early December. This is the second phase of a cycle that began in July, and because Jupiter is stationary right now and Chiron is also moving slowly having just changed direction in November, the two will be in a sextile formation until this cycle ends in February. Jupiter helps to facilitate the healing of wounds that Chiron inspires, opening opportunities and doorways for that healing to penetrate into the core of our being. This is a very positive aspect, but like all Jupiter events it will require that we pay attention so that we can use the opportunities that are provided to us.

Because most of December’s planetary interactions involve the fast-moving planets, these phases last only a few days at the most. The faster planetary cycles can provide needed stimulation and trigger us to move in and out of changes that may be occurring in our personal lives due to planetary interactions with our natal planets.

Mercury has been traveling retrograde since November 25th and will turn direct on December 13th.

DECEMBER DETAILS

December begins with an alignment from Venus to Pluto. Venus rules relationships, but also values and assets, and with Venus in the highly disciplined sign of Capricorn we are likely feeling very responsible to those around us. Pluto brings intensification and powerful experiences, so our relationships are likely to feel that force and power struggles can be the result. Pluto demands authenticity and truth, so for a day or two we will need to strip ourselves of any artifice that keeps us from engaging directly. Venus is also involved with finance, and as I write this on November 30 we are already seeing some rocking and rolling in the stock market that is likely to continue for the first few days of December.

The Sagittarius Sun and Mercury are lining up to form a square to Mars in Virgo on December 2. This cycle lasts only few days but can bring ego issues to the forefront to be dealt with and can make communication more difficult. Challenging aspects involving Mars carry a huge amount of energy that we can channel physically to improve our ability to temper emotion with wisdom, but they also tap into areas where we may feel frustrated or powerless. Identifying these areas will go along way in helping us to gain empowerment under this transit. This period is not favorable for negotiations of any kind since tempers can be short under this influence.

Fortunately a trine from Venus to Mars on the 5th will smooth out the rough edges of the more challenging Mars period. Venus seeks connection with others and Mars desires satisfaction of our individual needs, so this harmonious aspect brings out the best of both planets, making it easier to balance our interactions without sacrificing our own needs. And the sextile from Jupiter to Chiron discussed at the beginning of this article culminates on the 6th, further facilitating the healing of our interpersonal relationships but also of our own soul wounds.

for daily planetary cycles visit my Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Lynn’s Skywatch is posted!

October 1, 2011 By

You can read the whole article here, and if you’re on my mailing list you will receive the abridged version by the end of the day with a translation into English.  If you’re not on my mailing list, please sign up on my website!

Here’s the intro to get you started:

The big news for the year 2011 has been the challenging square aspect between Uranus (planet of revolutionary new ideas and radical action) and Pluto (destruction and transformation). We have seen the effects of this dramatic planetary cycle play out across the globe, from the Arab Spring which led to the downfall of Hosni Mubarek in Egypt, to the independence movements in many nations around the world. This aspect peaked in July and Uranus and Pluto continue to move slowly but surely away from each other. As October begins, the two planets are two degrees from the exact squre formation, and by the end of the month they will be far enough apart that the influence of the cycle is waning.

This gives us a planetary rest period with virtually no major planetary cycles to create disruption. It’s an opportunity for us to get back on track in our personal lives, and there will also be an unwinding of the stress that we’ve seen in the international arena. The month begins with four planets in Libra which helps us to regain our equilibrium (Libra is the sign of balance)

Throughout the month Jupiter, traveling retrograde, is moving into position to form a harmonious trine to Pluto. This is the second phase of a cycle that began in July and is a beautiful alignment for the expansion of our personal empowerment and confidence. Under this influence we can accomplish many things, so it’s important to be clear about what we want our lives to look like.

On October 3rd, and for a few days leading up to it, a square aspect from Mars to Jupiter can be extremely energizing and motivate us (through Mars) through optimism and an expanded sense of faith in ourselves (Jupiter) towards great achievements. There is some danger here that we may go “over the top” in our efforts to extend ourselves beyond our limitations, and if we feel restricted in our lives in any way we will be very aware of it during this time. Be careful to preserve your energy during these few days in order to get the maximum benefit.

This short period of expansion will be followed by a day or so of contraction when Mercury (the mind and information) conjoins Saturn (restriction) on October 5th. Communication with others could be difficult at this time, but we can also be more focused and disciplined that day.

For daily planetary updates please visit my Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

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Ten things you should know about astrology

September 14, 2011 By

While I’m out of town I’m reposting some older articles you might enjoy.

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1.  Your birthchart is much more than your Sun sign.  You have more than ten different astrological signatures in your chart!!

The astrology that most people know comes from the horoscope in the newspaper.  If you’re an Aries, you’ll meet an interesting person today.  Libra, it’s time to make a decision.  This kind of astrology is called Sun Sign astrology, and while there are some excellent astrologers doing Sun Sign columns, they are not very useful except in getting people interested to dig a little deeper.  Real astrology looks at the position of all of the planets on the day that you were born: each planet represents an aspect of our personality, and each planet falls in one of the signs which helps to describe our personality a little more completely.  The relationships the planets make to each other in our chart describe the way our various impulses and characteristics work together or against each other, which is very helpful in breaking through blocks and challenges.

2.  JP Morgan said, “Millionaires don’t use astrology, billionaires do.”

Because a study of astrological cycles reveal the ebb and flow of the psychology of the masses, these cycles can provide clues that are useful in financial investing.  For example, while Pluto was traveling through Sagittarius, the sign of expansion and optimism, there was a seemingly endless flow of consumer confidence that drove the stock and housing markets in an unending upward direction.  As soon as Pluto entered Capricorn in January of 2008, the reality check that Capricorn requires caused investors to realize that they were standing on a house of cards and with the fall of confidence came the fall of the markets and the rest of the economy.  Short-term planetary cycles can give some clues as to the twists and turns of the markets, but it is difficult to predict specific investments with any precision because of the huge number of variables: the cycles of the individual investor, the particular company, its CEO, etc.  JP Morgan consulted often with noted astrologer Evangeline Adams, who said Morgan “drove the world before him because he has astrology behind him.”

3.  Astrology can help to explain and solve problems in relationships.

The astrological charts of two individuals can be compared, revealing underlying compatibilities and potential problems that can facilitate successful interaction between the two.  This is effective for spouses, business partners, as well as parents, children and siblings.  We can also calculate a chart of the relationship, called the “composite” chart, and track the planetary cycles that the relationship is likely to encounter.

 

4.  Health problems can sometimes be seen in the birthchart.

It is not uncommon for people to suffer chronic health effects as the result of an energy imbalance in the physical body or the nervous system, and this may appear in the birthchart.  If an individual possesses a great deal of fire energy, for example, and that fire energy is blocked from expression by another planet or because it is in “detriment” or afflicted in some way, that fire can, without an outlet, create health problems such as stomach distress or nervous disorders,  Some charts reveal a greater tendency than others to hold emotional pain in the body, and in those cases we can track the timing of episodes so that greater care can be taken during certain times when that area of the chart is stimulated.

5.  Understanding planetary cycles can help us navigate times of emotional difficulty.

As the planets in the sky travel through the solar system, they often make angles to planets in our birthchart, stimulating a variety of different cycles called “transits” that affect us in a variety of ways.  Cycles of Saturn create pressure for success and achievement, and can induce delays and cause disappointment.  Uranus cycles urge us to make changes in our life where we have become stale, creating a sense of restlessness and desire for something new.  Under the influence of Neptune we hear the Siren’s call – stimulating a longing within us to experience the divine, an urge towards the mystic.  These times can bring delusion, confusion and illusion as well as strong creative and romantic impulses.  Understanding the nature of the cycle that is occurring helps us to navigate through difficult waters more easily, and it also lets us know when these cycles will begin and when they will end.

6.  However, astrology cannot reliably predict specific events in a person’s life.

With all due respect to predictive branches of astrology, it is nearly impossible to predict with any accuracy when specific events will occur.  This is primarily because our lives are not predestined; we have been blessed with free will and the power to make certain decisions within the framework of our overall destiny.  If we are not prepared to meet our soulmate during a planetary cycle that would normally encourage our love life, that meeting will be delayed until we are ready.  Often there is psychological and spiritual work that needs to be done before we can manifest the success that we desires.  We can predict cycles that are more conducive to fulfilling our dreams than others, but the unfolding of the details of our life are a magical mystery.

7.  Astrology has been used by popes and world leaders throughout history, including Benjamin Franklin, Ronald Reagan and Adolf Hitler.

Benjamin Franklin was known to study astrology and often used it in writing his Poor Richard’s Almanac.  In the book The Writings of Benjamin Franklin he extolled the virtues of the “noble and ancient art” at length.  Ronald Reagan’s use of astrologer Joan Quigley is well-documented, as is the use of astrology by Adolf Hitler.  What is less well-known is the use of astrology by various popes.

8.  There are many different types of astrology including Chinese, Vedic/Jyotish (from India), Horary (traditional), and the more modern psychological and transformational astrology.

 

While Chinese astrology is also based on twelve signs, it is a twelve-year cycle with each year being named after the twelve “original” animals., along with the placements of the planets, Sun and Moon.  Vedic or Jyotish astrology originates in India and uses only the seven traditional planets, along with the “sidereal” zodiac which takes into account the precession of the equinoxes, rather than the Western “tropical” zodiac which is based upon the equinoxes occurring at zero degrees Aries and Libra.  Horary and Jyotish are oncerned more with prediction than modern astrology, which uses the outer planets along with Chiron, asteroids, and other points, and looks at the psychological makeup of the individual rather than predicting a future that is thought to be fixed as fate.

9.  While an accurate birthtime is useful for more specific information, a great deal can be learned using only the date of birth.

The birth time sets up the structure of the houses and provides the ascendant, or rising sign and the exact position of the Moon and makes it easier to time events with some specificity.  But even without an exact time the date of birth provides the placements of all other planets and their relationship to each other which offers clues into the inner workings of the personality and allows us to predict major and minor planetary cycles.

10.  Notwithstanding the recent decision by a few silly astronomers, Pluto in astrology is definitely still a planet!

Pluto is tiny and far away, but in astrology it is the most powerful planet of all with the strongest effect.  We can’t really explain why or how it works, but a look into our past at times when we were experiencing a Pluto cycle will remove all doubts about Pluto’s power!

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Skywatch for September is posted!

September 1, 2011 By

Skywatch for SeptemberYou can read the article in its entirety here, or sign up on my website for my newsletter to receive a translation of Skywatch into easy to understand English each month.

Here’s the introduction to get you started for September:

The astrological indicators for September continue the trend towards less intensity than the energies we have been experiencing for much of the year, with only fast-moving planetary cycles.  Connections between outer planets have a more powerful influence that lasts longer, and we have had an incredible number of major cycles involving Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto over the past years.  Between now and next June there are no major planetary cycles so the crisis points have subsided somewhat for now.

Uranus and Pluto came closest in July to the challenging square that will dominate astrological news until 2015 or so, and these two planets are separating, although they are still within orb of the square which will continue to apply some pressure for change and a radical response (Uranus) to outmoded structures that no longer work in today’s world (Pluto in Capricorn).

Jupiter has just turned retrograde, and Pluto is stationary throughout the month.  Pluto, very much still a planet, inspires us to embrace the death of our old selves and emerge into a new life, very like the snake which sheds its skin as it grows and evolves into a new body.

Pluto will be changing direction on September 16th after traveling retrograde since April.  As Pluto prepares to to turn direct again its motion has slowed down to a crawl and is now “stationary” – it will only travel four minutes of arc between the first of the month and the direct turn, and then just five minutes until the end of the month.  With Pluto at a standstill, its energy is focused like a laser beam, an important transformational influence that will reveal any secrets or dark places that need to be exposed.  During this period there will be no challenging aspects of other planets to Pluto (except for the Libra New Moon on the 27th).  This should facilitate transformation and minimize resistance during the process.

On September 2nd the Sun trines Jupiter for a day or so, shining a light into our quest to bring positive things into our lives.  This is a good time to expand our vision and intentionally open our hearts beyond what we think possible.

There are no planetary aspects (other than aspects from the Moon) during the next few days until Mercury (the mind and mental function) opposes Neptune (spirituality and transcendence) on September 8th. This can be an imaginative time for a day or so, but it can also be confusing and promote delusion.  Try to avoid making business decisions on the 8th, but use that time to let your mind explore different ideas and philosophies or spiritual ideas.

For daily planetary news, visit my Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Skywatch for January is posted!

January 2, 2011 By

Skywatch for JanuaryI’ve posted the January Skywatch article on my website, so take a look. If you are not already on my mailing list please sign up in the sidebar and you’ll start receiving my newsletter each month which includes a translation of Skywatch into English which is easy to understand and strips out the technical language.

Here’s a tidbit to get you started for the month:

(Happy New Year!  For an overview of the planetary energies for 2011, please listen to this free mp3 of the Astrology of 2011. While the upcoming cycles of change are larger in scope than what we have been experiencing over the the past few years, they are less personal in nature and will likely offer relief from the intensely emotional transformation that many of us have experienced.)

As January begins Mercury has just turned direct after a three-week retrograde period, and for most of the month no planets are traveling in retrograde motion.  There is a sense here of forward movement now after a long period of apparent stagnation. It’s important to remember, though, that even when we feel stuck as we often do during retrograde periods small changes are occurring as we are forced to find greater perfection in “that which is” as we prepare for “that which will be.”

Jupiter and Uranus made their first conjunction last year in Aries, and the second phase occurred in Pisces.  For the past few weeks they have been moving ever closer towards their final conjunction which culminates on January 4th.  This is an explosive planetary combination that demands authenticity and freedom from restriction, and the dance of these two planets has fostered revolutionary fervor throughout the globe over the past year.  Both Jupiter and Uranus seek freedom, but they manifest somewhat differently.  Jupiter seeks the freedom to expand personally – to feel more confidence; to engage in adventures that expand the mind.  Uranus is more of the revolutionary, resisting confinement and shattering the status quo.  Together they create opportunities for breakthrough that are exhilarating but can also be challenging to those of us who are afraid of or distrust change.

During the first week of January we are approaching the second in a series of eclipses that began with the lunar eclipse at the Winter Solstice.  This eclipse, a solar eclipse at the New Moon in Capricorn on January 4th, features a lineup of four planets in Capricorn including not only the Sun and Moon, but also Pluto and Mars.  An eclipse occurs when one of the lunar nodes conjoins the Sun or Moon at the time of a lunation (a full or new Moon), and in the case of this eclipse Pluto is the bridge between the New Moon and the North Node.

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Lynn’s Skywatch for August is posted

August 1, 2010 By

Here’s the link to the Planetary Illuminations for August 2010, and here is a tidbit to get you started for the month:

August begins in the middle of the second wave of the Cardinal Drama, as I’m calling it. Mars has entered Libra, conjoining Saturn and opposing Jupiter and Uranus. The effect of these four planets alone generates a “stop/start” effect: Jupiter and Uranus in Aries are all about getting things going and yearning for change and a fresh new energy to come into our lives.

Uranus has been particularly powerful since it is virtually stationary, having traveled only one degree since May. It has been lingering at zero degrees Aries since the end of May, and on August 13th it will finally move off that degree and retrograde back into Pisces where it will remain until March 2011.

Both Jupiter and Uranus oppose Mars, the ruler of Aries, and Mars adds fuel to the fire and intensifies the flames. However, Saturn is also tightly enmeshed in this planetary combination, restricting and solidifying and demanding accountability, creating a “two steps forward, one step back” effect. Mars and Saturn are both in Libra, where the aggression of Mars tends to become more passive and less openly assertive as Mars needs to be.

This sense of a “herky jerky dance” as one person put it will last throughout the first week of August and is exacerbated by a square from Jupiter to Pluto that culminates on the 3rd of August but is felt a week or so beforehand. Jupiter seeks expansion and positive good fortune, and also helps us to construct a sense of meaning in our lives. The square from Pluto challenges all of our assumptions and forces us to face areas in our lives where we are not as powerful as we would like to think we are.

Mars is involved in that Jupiter/Pluto drama as well, accentuating our personal needs and desires and potentially running into frustration if our desires are not immediately satisfied. This is a potentially explosive time with a great deal of energy flying about. If we can harness that energy and channel it through physical exercise or creating powerful intentions, we will be able to create powerful change at this time. Any blockages are reminders that desire (Mars) must be accompanied by planning (Saturn) and aligned with our highest good (Pluto) in order to truly change our life (Jupiter/Uranus).

Any resistance to change will be futile now. This is not a time to settle into a comfortable complacency! But Saturn’s influence is strong and will ensure that change comes slowly and methodically. Learning to fall into a rhythm that vacillates between energetic excitement (Jupiter/Uranus) and working through blocks and obstacles (Saturn and Pluto) will help us to utilize this time most effectively.

Also at this time, Jupiter is moving into position to oppose Saturn exactly. Jupiter urges expansion and confidence, and Saturn restricts and creates doubt so these two planets are at odds even in the best of situations. These two in opposition to each other can create a bit of a schizophrenia between confidence and self-doubt that requires a conscious attention to be able to integrate. Yes – be confident and expand your vision of what is possible (Jupiter). But also remember the practical viewpoint and create a solid foundation (Saturn).

If you’d like your own (free) subscription to Skywatch, please visit my website or sign up in the sidebar by entering your email address.  And you’ll find daily planetary updates on my Facebook and Twitter pages as well.

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Astrology and the Forer Effect

July 7, 2010 By

astrology skepticHere is an interesting article about an experiment performed in 1948 by Bertram R. Forer who collected statements from sun sign columns and then presented them to his subjects as though they were personally assessed as part of a personality profile.  Note: “horoscopes” are not sun sign forecasts, the horoscope is the actual map of the sky at a given time – the astrological chart, if you will.

These statements include the following:

You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself.

While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them.

You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside.

At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing.

You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others’ statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others.

At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved.

Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.

The author of this article is correct – these do all apply to everyone to some extent or another.  The Forer Effect is designed to prove something psychologists call “Subjective Validation,” or as the author says, “you are far more vulnerable to suggestion when the subject of the conversation is you.”

The author goes on to write:

Seen straight on, horoscopes describe the sort of things we all experience, but pluck one from the bunch, turn it ever so slightly, and you will see the details, the accuracy. If you believe you live under a sign, and the movement of the planets can divine your future, a general statement becomes specific.
It is the the hope which gives subjective validation its power. If you want the psychic to be real, or the sacred stones to forecast the unknown, you will find a way to believe them even when they falter.
When you want to believe something, when you need something to be true, you will look for patterns; you connect the dots like the stars of a constellation. You will take the random and give it purpose, transmutate the chaotic into the systemic, see chance as fate.
Your brain abhors disorder. You find patterns where there are none, see faces in clouds, demons in bonfires.

Seen straight on, horoscopes describe the sort of things we all experience, but pluck one from the bunch, turn it ever so slightly, and you will see the details, the accuracy. If you believe you live under a sign, and the movement of the planets can divine your future, a general statement becomes specific.

It is the the hope which gives subjective validation its power. If you want the psychic to be real, or the sacred stones to forecast the unknown, you will find a way to believe them even when they falter.

When you want to believe something, when you need something to be true, you will look for patterns; you connect the dots like the stars of a constellation. You will take the random and give it purpose, transmutate the chaotic into the systemic, see chance as fate.

Your brain abhors disorder. You find patterns where there are none, see faces in clouds, demons in bonfires.

This reminds me of the Skeptics Challenge I ran on this blog a few years ago, where I challenged astrology skeptics to get a free mini reading from me to see if they changed their mind.   Several rather sincere skeptics did take me up on my offer and were notably impressed.  One skeptic, however (Paul), took the mini-reading I did for him and posted it on his blog, eliminating the statements that were specific to him and using only the general ones.

Paul very much wanted to continue the argument, but I have no interest in arguing the rational validity of astrology.  To me the proof is in the pudding.  I’ll be the first one to argue that Sun Sign newspaper columns, which some people call “horoscopes,” are very general.  They are meant to be!  Not all people born under the sign of Aries will have the same experience, the birthchart is too complicated for that to be the case.  Some of those people will have a heavy watery Pisces influence in their chart, others might have earthy Capricorn.

I do think it’s terribly sad that skeptics refuse to open their mind to the beauty and magic of the Universe.

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Lynn’s Skywatch for April is posted!

April 2, 2010 By

Just one date late, but we can chalk that up to April Fool’s Day. :)  I’ve posted the Skywatch article on my website, and you can read it here.

Here’s the introduction to give you an idea of what we’re in for in April! If you’d like to join my mailing list and receive an abridged version of Skywatch that’s translated into English with a minimum of geeky astrology language, just sign up in the sidebar to your right.

They say when March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb, and the same can be said of this astrological period. April begins with lamb-like astrological weather – there is a nice elemental balance with the Sun and Mars both in fire signs, Jupiter in watery Pisces, Mercury and Venus both in Earth, and Saturn, Chiron and Neptune all in air. There are no major problematic aspects to contend with in early April, but as the month progresses Saturn will retrograde back into Virgo and begin to face off against Uranus in Pisces. But more on that later!

Pluto takes center stage this month as it prepares for its retrograde turn on the 7th. Pluto has been at a virtual standstill at 5 degrees Capricorn since early March, and if Pluto is aspecting your own chart you are certainly feeling it now! The intensity of Pluto dredges up old memories, emotions and situations from the past but also helps us to let go of anything that no longer serves our personal growth.

Mercury enters Taurus on the 2nd, and because it will turn retrograde on the 18th it will remain in Taurus for a longer period than the few weeks which it usually takes to travel through a zodiacal sign. In Taurus, the mental function and communication (Mercury) becomes very practical and grounded, with a tendency to want to define firm ideas and ways of thinking about the world we live in. In Taurus, Mercury has an easier time during its retrograde path because there is more introspection and planning than there is when Mercury is in the more active signs.

Venus is active during the first few days of the month. This Taurus Venus is grounded and calm, with a desire for serenity and comfort. It does not want disruption or chaos to disturb the hard-won peace of its inner world, and that helps to bring a greater level of serenity to our interactions with others until later in the month when Venus enters Gemini. Venus trines Ceres on the 2nd, helping us to be more aware of the needs of others and our own inner connections between our emotions and our spirit life.

On the 3rd Venus forms a challenging square to Mars which is presently in Leo. Mars in Leo is very self-oriented, and Venus in Taurus desires peace and comfort so when these two face off there could be some minor conflict for a day or so. However, when Venus makes a harmonious trine to Pluto on the 4th it will become easier to transform (Pluto) any disharmony into positive change and personal transformation. The trine of Mercury to Ceres that day will also help that process as we discover new ways of thinking (Mercury) about the things that are important to us (Ceres).

On the 5th and 6th communication takes center stage. A challenging square from Mercury to Mars on the 5th can energize the mind and help to sharpen our focus and solve problems, but it can also result in arguments and disagreements. Both planets are in fixed signs and a stubborn attachment to personal opinions can make it difficult to compromise. This will be assisted by a trine from Mercury to Pluto on the 6th, and because Pluto also retrogrades that day Pluto is at its most powerful and helps to ease the tension and push through the desired results.

Any time we are dealing with Pluto it’s important to maintain a balance between clarifying our intention for what we want to see happen, and surrender to the powers of the Universe and our higher Self. Pluto empowers us, but it also wants us to be empowered at the highest level and not just from a place of ego. If our desires are not in harmony with the goal of the higher Self, they will not find fruition under Pluto’s influence.

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Skywatch for March is posted!

March 1, 2010 By

My Skywatch article for March is now available on my website, and I’m working on the simplified version for my newsletter.  (If you’re not already on my mailing list, please sign up in the sidebar!)

Meanwhile, here’s the information for the first week or so of March:

March begins on the heels of a powerfully optimistic Full moon in Virgo that included a conjunction of the Sun to expansive Jupiter, and the energy of that lunar event continues into the first few days of March. We also see the continuation of the alignment between Chiron and Neptune which has been gathering and releasing so much emotional drama for us over the past year. The exact conjunction occurred in mid-February and the planets are separating now, but they will be entwined and working as a team for most of the year so this process has not yet abated.

The other big news for March is, appropriately, Mars. The month of March is named for the planet Mars, because in the Julian calendar this marked the end of winter and the time to go back into battle. Mars in the sky has been traveling retrograde since December (planets don’t really move backwards, obviously, but sometimes they appear to and we call this retrograde motion), and March 10 it will change direction again. When a planet is preparing to change direction its motion slows down to a crawl and its influence is stronger. This will be particularly true this month because Mars is changing direction on the zero point of Leo where it is most powerful, and we are already seeing a heightening of aggression and combative behavior. Watch for this to become more pronounced as we get closer to the 10th, and then Mars will begin to pick up speed again. The faster a planet moves, the more quickly its influence fades.

On March 1, Mercury enters Pisces which will internalize our attention for a few weeks. Mercury, ruler of the mind and the mental function, is creative and full of imagination when in Pisces, but can be prone to fantasy and dreaminess. This is not always a bad thing but it does require care and attention that may be lacking now. However, it’s the perfect time for creative endeavors that require imagination, or for spiritual practice that involves stillness and connecting to the inner source.

On March 2 a challenging square from Uranus to Ceres will culminate. This has been building for some time and has likely created disruptions in the routines that we habitually practice to care for ourselves. Meals, exercise schedules – it may be that it’s been difficult to keep these things on track. Or perhaps we’ve been breaking up our routines to pursue new avenues of improving our connection to our bodies. This aspect was also involved in the earthquake in Chile.

Ceres is the goddess that presides over our attitudes towards caring for ourselves and for others, so when there is disruption (Uranus) in this area it can spill over into other areas of our life. But while Uranus has been challenging Ceres, Neptune has been soothing her with a sweet sextile and integrating our inner child with peace and divine love and compassion. This is a great combination, because Uranus pushes the limits and Neptune expands us spiritually.

On the 3rd Venus will conjunct Uranus followed by a challenging square of Venus to Ceres on the 4th and for a couple of days our relationships may require more attention which keeps us from our own needs, but after that point these issues will subside. With Venus moving into the self-oriented sign of Aries and trine Mars (ruler of Aries) on the 7th, it will become easier to maintain our center in our relationships.

We become more self-oriented under these influences, but the trine to Mars helps us to maintain balance. This is also aided by a conjunction from Mercury to Jupiter, helping our intellectual process (Mercury) to remain positive and to see Truth in all situations (Jupiter). By the 9th, however, some stress may have peeked into our relationships when Venus opposes restrictive Saturn. This will only last a day or two, and it could help us to strengthen our commitments and resolve towards others.

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