The dragon wing of night o’erspreads the earth,
And stickler-like the armies separates.
My half-supp’d sword that frankly would have fed,
Pleas’d with this dainty bait, thus goes to bed.

Achilles in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida V.viii.17-20

Having seen this one play several times, on stage, in London, it’s a strange one. I read it as a “Black comedy” first time I encountered it. Subject to interpretation, and your mileage may vary. “The dragon wing of night” inspired me, for this week’s scope. Bit of a mixed metaphor.

Sun’s in Libra, we can all see both sides?

Horoscopes starting 10.12.2017

Libra

There’s a really old computer-to-printer trick, used to work with the old ink–jet when the technology was new and cheap. Take an image, for example, and have it run out at twice the size desired, so, let’s say it’s a 4 X 6 image, right? Make that 8 X 12 on the computer with corresponding resolution. In my example, I would use double size image at 300 DPI, then have the printer print it at half size. This “tricked” the computer and printer combination into an effective resolution of 600 DPI. It was a way to use existing technology and get a little better performance out of it. Someplace along the line, and at least one techie will point out my trick doesn’t work, and that’s true, it no longer works — except as an illustration of a point. Point and process. With Libra birthdays, and with Venus in her new position, in Libra? We need to be s little sly, a little tricky and yet, straightforward about the process. That trick really doesn’t produce a photo image that carries a higher resolution — up against the limits of the hardware: the printer. But it does produce an image that looks a little sharper than the original. Weird how that works. Tricky, but really, straightforward. Happy Birthday, baby!

Scorpio

As much as I adore my little Scorpio friends, there’s always that totally fixed nature about them. Stubborn, to some, while I do prefer the term, “Tenacious,” seriously, that’s just a nice way to say “stubborn as all get out.” That being duly noted?

There’s a tendency for Scorpio to get stuck on an idea, sometimes with only the barest shreds of evidence. Sometimes, there’s only the hint of evidence, no real supporting facts. “I know a guy who read this thing that proves that I was right!” If a non–Scorpio person offered that up as evidence, who would believe them? No one. So, let’s spin this around, is this a fact that’s been independently verified? Can you provide supporting evidence from a variety of sources?

“I know it’s true! I read it on a web page!”

Seriously, Scorpio? Seriously?

Sagittarius

In older science fiction, there’s usually a mention of some device that connects to a super–computer someplace, and that little device, wrist–watch–like, or i–tablet–like, or even, like a laptop. Portable and yet, the device has access to the worlds’ literatures. Knowledge, originally in book form, then, now, even, available as digital text and portable. Given the current state of tech? Not nearly as far–fetched as the original authors would have us believe. While I was perusing some ancient Greek philosophy texts, I realized that the web, in its various incantations, exposes me to several belief systems I would’t otherwise be exposed to. I was looking at a Roman author, in translation, wrapping some thought processes around Stoic ideology.

Good stuff for Sagittarius. This doesn’t require delving deep into arcane philosophies or learning to read a dead language like Latin, no, this is about more than one belief system that helps spell relief for Sagittarius. If the current beliefs don’t offer enough solace, try branching further afield, like looking at older texts for new stuff.

Capricorn

There are many ways to “clear” a space. For years, a little bit of sage, burnt offering, was the way to go. Sea salt was also a good move. On more than one occasion, I’ve been in big halls, and I’ll just grab a salt packet from the concession stands. Works well enough. There’s chanting, burning, gonging, Tibetan Bells, signing bowls, any number of methods to clear a space. In the spring, this is Texas, like February or so, I like to open the windows and let the breeze wash out the stale winter air, leftover from six weeks of being cooped up. Pick one. Pick several. Combine a variety of ideologies and see what fits the Capricorn mood. Any one of variety of ways will make the sense of foreboding and unresolved issues drift way. Banish the thoughts with a simple, Capricorn–compliant ritual that works for you. Prayer, medication, meditation, chanting, gonging, bells, burning sage, I don’t care. Something symbolic to clear the Capricorn space as we get ready for new starts.

New stuff ain’t here yet. Clear some space for it.

Aquarius

One simple idea. This is spun out of another simple idea, on more than one occasion, a client has suggested that I do a “Wine pairing, and reading,” as in, pair a wine with an astrology chart. “Looking at your chart, a decent California Pink Zinfandel works best…” Fun idea — probably not going to happen, but it has been observed, depending on the client’s level of intoxication? My readings — and my jokes are greatly improved. Me not being much of a drinking man these days, I can’t say either way. As an Aquarius, with that lovely Aquarius mind at work? Think about the original idea of “Wine pairing,” then stretch a bit further, but along the same lines, and remove the single word “wine.” There’s a primordial Aquarius need for a pairing — of some kind. A California Merlot? A slightly piquant Lubbock Cabernet? There is, or was, such a thing, a winery near Lubbock, TX. For my West Texas buddies, ask them, they’ll know about the local vintages. Doesn’t have to be wine, but local is a strong possibility. Local, or localized pairing, and possibly, like the notion of an astrology reading and a wine? Perhaps it would be two items that most people wouldn’t normally pair. Although, yeah, wine always improves my content. Ask the Pisces.

Pisces

Over the years, after working a West Texas Tour circuit for an extended period of time, I was conversant with landmarks that are no longer there. Working in Austin and San Antonio, predominately in the last few years, I get to see the change in Austin’s skyline, each week. I was attempting to prove my chops — my “West Texas street cred” — by citing a little known restaurant in a small town. Been three or four years since I’ve been that way, and my attempt, while valiant, well–placed, and accurate? Place closed, subsumed by that ever–present march of progress. Too bad, place was there for more than 40 years, if memory serves — and it might not. It was a gentle let-down. While my heart was in the right place, all I did was show I had dated references.

Aries

There is a certain amount of the Aries “bandwidth” that must pay attention to finite details. Painstaking as this might appear to be, the details are crucial to running a smooth operation.

We all want a smooth Aries operation, right?

Right.

“Right” was rhetorical.

Nitpicking details, finite spaces and making, sure, here’s one that bugs me, making sure there is but a single space after each complete word. That’s just a recent example. With one piece of highly valued software, stuff I use frequently? If I tap the space bar twice, the program puts in a period, full-stop, and then capitalizes the next word. Very. Annoying.

Smooth operations in Aries-land? It’s in the details, this week. I have sift through thousands of words and make sure I. Didn’t. Double. Space.

Details, it’s all in your details, and attention to even the smallest of tasks pays off with results. Good results. Pretend you’ve got more Virgo than you really have. Helps, you know?

Taurus

A favorite image, oft repeated in variations, is the Taoist “Yin-Yang.” A circle with two figures, swimming after each other, a vaguely stretched teardrop shape, supposedly with two little dots, one in each figure, and the perfect balance of light and dark, positive and negative, equal parts of everything, in balance. In harmony. Two of each, perfectly balancing each other. Good and bad. Left and right. Up and down.

It’s not just Jupiter moving into Scorpio — opposite from you — but also Mercury tickling Jupiter. What this does is upset the careful balance you’e arrived at. The detente, the peace, the equilibrium. The Taurus calm is about to be shaken up. Good or bad? Again, that’s back to the Taoist symbol, often coopted by too many other groups. It’s a little of both, but the shake up represents material that might’ve needed a slight re-alignment, anyway. Not bad, equal parts. Steady? No. Bad? Not so much.

You recall my Hamlet quote, really just a citation?

Gemini

“Ease and Grace, repeat, ‘ease and grace,’ bywords for Gemini?” I usually get a couple of ill-formed, half-formed, or non-formed thoughts after that little Gemini mantra, but seriously, it does work. There’s a single, remaining “thing” that really, I mean, really pisses you off. My poor little Gemini friend, all bent out of shape over a perceived slight.

“Ease and Grace,” repeat that twice. “Ease and Grace.”

Not helping? Then the long form of the question and the astrological answer is that this is an issue that will go away — on its own — in about seven to ten days. Fade away. Ride off into the sunset. Disappear. No longer be a big deal. However until you realize that this issue, problem, obstacle stubborn fool in front of you, until your good Gemini self gets this under control, mentally?

“Ease and Grace,” repeat that twice. “Ease and Grace.”

“I don’t want your stupid mantra, I want this fixed. Now!”

Would that I could, but the more you worry about this? The less that gets done, elsewhere. Turn your attention to the things you can fix? Then repeat, “Ease and Grace.”

It will be easier, and smoother, more graceful, soon. Very soon. Repeat as need be.

“Ease and Grace,” repeat that twice. “Ease and Grace.”

Cancer

Working backwards is sometimes the easier way to work ourselves forwards. I was looking at my schedule for November, and wondering about some of the time before then, what days were available for fishing, consultations, and so forth. Can easily see how I prioritize, fishing comes first, and then everything else. Working backwards — in this respect — working backwards is how we work forwards. Start at the destination, then see what steps are needed to get our Cancer selves from where we’re currently at to where we need — want — whatever — to be. Start out at the end of the cycle and see what processes, what steps, what questions, what tools, what kind of scheduling commitments have to be fullfilled in order to arrive at that destination, that goal, that finished product.

Work backwards to arrive at our best forward motion. Might not work for everyone, but with the pressure on the Moon Children at this moment? Start at the end point and work backwards. Gives a perfectly serviceable plan, and having stepped it backwards, going forward is much easier.

The Leo

Having read several novels “in translation,“ as it were, I tend to favor either the original language or just a book that was written in English. I will tend to joke about me being Texan, and as such? English is a second language to me. Helps when that is properly enunciated with a Southern Drawl. Punctuates the point.

Any Leo, but especially The Leo appreciated punctuation like that. Something that hammers home the point so there is no disambiguation. That’s the problem with reading a work “in translation” because there will be the translator’s personal bias, no matter what they say. Coloration, emotional tone, idiosyncratic shading from one source or another, and the very idea that ideas don’t always convey from one language’s idiom to the next.

This week is a week “in translation“ for The Leo. It is about second-hand information, and the various levels of extraneous material that such accompany such distractions. A goal is to understand that this is a week that is being translated, and understand that it might be a source of unwelcome editorial direction to The Leo’s material.

None of this is bad, just recall, it is a week that is being served, “In translation.”

Virgo

Zipping over here, then zooming over there, and then, back again. There’s a frantic pace that unfolds, been going on for a spell now, hasn’t it?

Pause. No, stop. Just stop.

There’s the ever–present Virgo whine, “I can’t stop now!”

Week before, Mars — in Virgo — “squared” Saturn — in Sagittarius — which brought up an issue. Now that Venus has left, and the Mars pressure has lessened? Now is the time to go back, wait for it….

“Pause. No, stop. Just stop.”

I realize there’s too much to do, but instead of a headlong rush into a fray, pause long enough to realize stopping, if only for a moment, gives you a chance to halt forward motion long enough to figure out the best way to constructively move your Virgo self forward with minimal damage.

Pause. No, stop. Just stop.