Week of: 4/19-25
I shall entreat him
To answer like himself: if Caesar move him,
Let Antony look over Caesar’s head,
And speak as loud as Mars.
Enobarbus in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra (II.ii.5-8)
The morning mail bag keeps getting more and more interesting as I see a number of problems that seem to crop up with a Saturn and Mars arrangement in the sky. Here on the Planet Earth, I’ve had a disturbing number of complaints from loyal readers. Now, the way I see it, Saturn represents structure and authority, i.e., the police, or some rather large guys face. And Mars represents drive, i.e., like your tongue. Or fist. Mars really just represents the force behind that fist. Or tongue. But you get the idea, don’t you? And what happens when these two opposing forces connect?
I’ll give you a hint, it’s not a pretty sight. And if it didn’t involve Saturn’s authority in the form of an officer, consider yourself lucky. I much prefer when this sort of thing happens on a theoretical level as opposed to a literal level.
Aries [3/23-4/20]: Jupiter is almost always considered a positive influence, and I’m sure that I have lectured at length about Jupiter’s good luck. Of course, that doesn’t make this week any easier to deal with. Mercury is fast tracking through your sign, and the Sun is moving on into Taurus soon. Attention to meticulous details is the important idea to consider this week. I know you like the idea of painting life with broad brushstrokes this week, but a more pointed form is better way of approaching this week. A little tighter focus on some minor details results in a much better over all picture. And it’s a picture that you want to paint this week.
Taurus [4/21-5/22]: This is a time to presage some of the stuff that will be coming along for the lovely and sensuous sign of the bull, for the next year or so. But it’s a only a test. It’s not the real thing just yet. It’s like you’ve been getting ready for something, and this is the first test run. And that’s all that it is. Yes, Taurus starts soon, and that means that it’s birthday time. So for that one special early degree Taurus person, here’s a happy birthday. Venus, your ruling planet, is still over in the next sign, and because of that, you’re going to be a little more loquacious than usual. The Saturn influence is still strong, but there are a lot of little astrological tickles which lighten up the Saturn influence this week.
Gemini [5/23-6/21]: As much as this a strange time for dreams and similar unconscious activities for Gemini, there’s still just the slightest hint that something is brewing right now. And I use this as an allusion rather than as an example of the direct output of some Micro Brewery. No, beer is not the answer. But the jovial nature engendered by the advertising for just such a product might be the best tone for this week. In as much as you feel like a loner right now, don’t be a stranger. Under the Venus influence working for you right now, a little bit of outgoing attitude, a simple smile, a hearty “Howdy” will help.
Cancer [6/22-7/22]: There’s subtle planetary shift this week. Not a big deal for you, but being the kind and sensitive individual that you are, there’s a good chance that you get a boost this week, and I don’t mean like a booster chair at the 24 Hour Coffee Shop and Pancake Emporium, just up the road from me; although, for some Cancer folks, it’s going to feel like sitting in one of those tiny chairs. You will be elevated above the rest of us this week, in one form or another. A typical Cancer might shun the adulation, but somehow, I don’t think you’re going to let this one pass you by. The only difficulty with the attention is that it might feel like a bit of a tight squeeze fitting in that booster chair.
Leo [7/23-8/23]: I want everything to be wonderful in Leo Land this week. I want you guys to feel the beneficial effects of much of the positive movement of the heavens this week. There’s one problem with my god intentions towards Leo this week: Mars. Mars is moving backwards in his home sign of Scorpio. And he’s getting tough opposition from Saturn. Now, this isn’t going to affect everyone one of you, just a select few. And the influence is more fleet of foot than the last time it happened. But this will drag a few individuals down this week. There is, no matter how you look at it, a silver lining to this Leo cloud, though, this brings up something that absolutely requires your attention this week; something you once swept under the carpet.
Virgo [8/24-9/23]: I used to own this really nice old truck. It wasn’t fast, it didn’t have a big motor, it leaked a little oil everywhere it went, and when Mercury was retrograde, it leaked a little water from the radiator. Perhaps, as your perspicacious Virgo mind will observe, that radiator thing was nothing more than a self-fulfilling prophecy. Then again, maybe it was the planets. Look at your transportation this week. You’ll notice that you really, really want to do something about your vehicle right now. Unless you have your eyes set on a 1962 Cadillac, though, I would suggest that you spend a little bit of time talking nice to the mechanic, and hoping that this is just a temporary set back in the “wheels” department. It might not be the best time to actually buy a new truck. A little tire kicking never hurts, though.
Libra [9/24-10/23]: This is one of those weeks that seems to go from bad to worse, to even more worse. Notice the correct use of the term “seems” because, in fact, this week is not really degrading itself like this. As a matter of fact, later in the week, the Sun moves out of Aries, and this brings a little bit of relief. Maybe not much, but at this point, just about anything is better than what it’s been. To be sure, there’s still a strong Jupiter influence right now, and that’s supposed to be a good one, but having Mars doing a number backwards in the next sign might not leave you feeling as well as it should. As long we can’t change Mars, let’s have some fun with him, and don’t let the little problems get you down this week.
Scorpio [10/24-11/23]: At this point, my fine (much put upon) Scorpio friend, you are about sick unto death with this whole Mars is retrograde thing. Perhaps some jokes from the joke list would help, or a cute quip from Falstaff. Alas, I am bereft of such levity right now, and so are you. Saturn and Mars catch each other in passing this week, and this going to bring up “old issues” which need you attention. Imagine it’s sort of like the pitfalls of a Mercury Retrograde, only more so. And consider that whatever it was that buried a while back really does require you to unearth it now, and be prepared to deal with the consequences. If you decide to let that thing rot without uncovering it this week, you know, the dog will just dig it up himself and proudly leave it on your back porch. I suggest you beat the dog to the task. (Don’t beat the dog, though.)
Sagittarius [11/24-12/21]: This week starts out strong but it has a weak finish. While this may sound like a description of some wine from West Texas, it really only addresses the movement of the Sun, which goes flying out of Aries and into Taurus. This, in and of itself, is not big deal for the lucky Sagittarius, and other influences being put aside, there’s always a bit of luck due to Jupiter in Aries. Alas, that life could be so simple. The next planet out from us is Mars. And he’s having a bad hair day which means Sagittarius is having a bad hair day. The little stroke of luck is that hairstyles, being what they are, a bad hair day could be concealed as a new fashion. Work with the luck aspect this week — you’ll be surprised what you can pull off in the face of adversity.
Capricorn [12/22-1/20]: Sometimes, you know, it’s just really nice to be a Capricorn. This is one of those times. I’m serious. Just about everybody else is having a tough time with this mess made by the planets, not to mention that there’s a Virgo or two who is complaining about the cosmic dust which is really hard to get out of a white T-shirt. But your own chart for the week looks good, if not absolutely great. How about “above average”? I’d suggest that you were gifted this week, but then it would go to your head, and you wouldn’t get any work done. But use this little boost from the heavens to make progress where other, lesser signs are now faltering. We’re trying, but we just can’t seem to make any progress. And despite the odds being against you, you can do it this week. And maybe give the rest of us a hand? I hope so.
Aquarius [1/21-2/18]: “Just step away from the car and keep your hands where we can see them….” Ever heard that before? Not that I know anything about it myself, I’ve never gotten in trouble with like that. But before you become an episode on some sensational “true life” version of a television program this week, and especially before you get your head banged against the hood of a patrol car, consider your actions. “Is this the sort of thing that might get me in deep trouble?” you ask yourself. Being the good Aquarius that you are, that’s not a question that you would normally entertain. However, just this week, curb the rebellious side for just a bit, and don’t act rashly — you really, really don’;t want to spend any time locked up.
Pisces [2/19-3/22]: Remember last year? You sent me that note about how there were so many romantic interests in your life that were confused about? And now there are none? I realize I should have warned you, but all this time on your hands is nothing more than a vacation. Well, sort of a vacation. I mean, I realize that nothing is going particularly right at this point, but then, nothing is going spectacularly bad, either, so there you have it. And since the romance thing has died down, why not just enjoy this as a bit of a vacation? I understand that you can’t afford to actually go anywhere, and I realize that things are kind of dull this week, but a little boredom isn’t such a bad thing. Why not enjoy it? This is a perfect time for watching reruns on TV. In fact, you’re going to feel like this week is a rerun. Will Gilligan ever let them get off the island? Stay tuned.
