Happy New Year! Debunking the Mayan myth and more

Forget what you've heard about the Mayan prophecy. The world is not coming to an end in December 2012. The most logical explanation for the Mayan calendar ending on 12/21/2012 I have heard is that they simply could not see beyond that date thousands of years ago when carving it on to a stone slab. Such a point in the future must have seemed like eternity, so far in the distance the day might never arrive. As fate would have it, the Mayan people vanished long before 12/21/2012. Perhaps if their civilization had survived, a new, extended version of the calendar, created say on paper..., most likely would have charted a calendar through this millenia and a few more beyond.

Sleep soundly and fear not. For 2012 brings good tidings! In Chinese astrology, this is the Year of the Dragon, a truly magical time. And 2012 has the makings for dreams coming true.

The first weekend of the New Year brings a full moon in the home-loving sign of Cancer the Crab. Come in out of the cold on Saturday and snuggle down into your toasties. Put a pie in the oven and curl up by the fire. Really, is there anything more delicious? Yum. This weekend is a warm, relaxing culmination after all of the holiday excitement and frivolity. Take advantage of the quiet time to share your thoughts, ideas and dreams for the future: both titans Jupiter and Saturn cast a beautiful angle to Mercury, communication planet. For the next week, Jupiter magnificently amplifies whatever you are saying; while Saturn gives your message structure and resonance. With Mercury finishing up in the fiery sign of Sagittarius, aim your arrow well. Now is the time to make yourself heard.

The good vibes of the full moon continue to heighten through MLKing, Jr. weekend, as Venus and Neptune pair up in Aquarius. These are the love planets. In Aquarius, sign of the unconventional and group conciousness, you may find yourself on an unexpected romantic weekend or the recipient of long-overdue recognition by a group you belong to: SURPRISE!

Accept such beautiful cosmic love graciously and use it to support your dreams. Because this is dream-building time. Adding to the Venus-Neptune match is the harmonious energy between Saturn and Neptune. Saturn is all about putting one foot in front of the other, building slowly, surely, effectively. But illusory Neptune could not be more different. It is ephemeral, like irridescent vapor. Think fame, dreams, film, and yes, addiction. Things you cannot catch with your bare hands that delight the senses, make you high. So when Saturn and Neptune align, it is similar to a master filmmaker at work: shooting a scene each day, then, after three months of hard work (Saturn), pure entertainment is created...a movie (Neptune).


So ask yourself: what is your dream? More importantly, why do you want that dream. If you understand why you want something, the what and the how are easier to fill in the blanks. Right now, Saturn and Neptune are in the signs of mental signs of Libra and Aquarius. This planetary grace is particularly beneficial to art, relationships and invention. What art can you create? What dream relationship do you want? How can you reinvent yourself? When you know why you want to pursue a certain dream (Neptune), doing the work (Saturn) becomes a step-by-step guide.

Plant your dream during the New Moon on Monday, January 23rd, then plan to work hard. And you could have to work extra hard, as fiery planet Mars turns retrodgrade on the same day. Since Mars is cycling through the work and health sign of Virgo, you may feel bogged down as though a heavy weight is on your shoulders, or that your wheels are spinning but not gaining any traction. Take care of your health this winter. Do not skimp on exercise or eating and sleeping well. Rest assured, pun intended, if you invest the time and energy in your dream, by mid April things will really start moving forward. Progress! Hooray!

Eclipse time!

December begins in the midst of two celestial events: mercury retrograde and an eclipse cycle.

The retrograde period ends on December 13 so any plans and activities that are stalling or hitting "re"peat will now move forward full steam ahead for the next several months. After mid-December is a great time to mail packages and cards for the holidays. Projects and travel plans should unfold smoothly.

The second major event this month is the full lunar eclipse occurring on Saturday, December 10th. Eclipses act as portals, openings that allow energy to pour through. These are often tied to fate and while in ancient times were considered unfortunate, modern astrologers view eclipses in broader terms...significant benchmarks, endings, or beginnings. Lunar eclipses, such as the one on Sunday, are tied to endings, since the full moon culminates what was started during the months or perhaps years before. For example, in 2004 the Red Sox baseball team won their first world series in 80 years on the night of a full lunar eclipse, breaking the "curse" Babe Ruth was believed to have put on the team when traded to the Yankees years earlier. Clearly, this was a most fortunate event (although St. Louis Cardinal fans may disagree, losing the series 0-4) that ended a long cycle of the Sox losing in the playoffs and world series.

Saturday's eclipse will occur at 18 degrees Geminii...so all forms of communication are impacted as well as short distance travel (by car especially), and matters involving siblings. Your life will be affected depending on which house the eclipse occurs in your astrological chart. It is best to hold off on signing anything during an eclipse cycle. Especially this month with Mercury in retrograde to boot. Sign on the dotted line after the 13th if possible.

As we delicately dance through life, there are some really beautiful planetary aspects this month. Saturn (builder/structural energy) is making a lovely angle to dreamy Neptune. Dreams really will come true this holiday season. See your dreams turn into reality: anything that you have taken the time to carefully develop and grow will manifest before your eyes; conversely, it is a terrific time to plant dreams for the future. As both these planets are in air signs (Libra and Aquarius) ideas, communication, and particularly inventions and the arts benefit now. Creativity unleashed in all its glory!

Helping this wonderful energy is the earth grand trine between powerhouse Pluto, titanic Jupiter and action planet Mars. All three planets are in earth signs. And what comes from the earth? Treasures to be mined. Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus have to do with manifestation. Literally reaping what you sow, as in days of yore at harvest time. This troika continues to help us through March, particularly in the New Year after Jupiter, planet of abundance, turns direct on Christmas Day. During this Season of Light, ask and you shall receive.

A note for this week only, Mars and Venus are harmoniously aligned. Relationships bloom and grow as male planet Mars directs his energy toward womanly Venus, ruler of love and money. Mars is cycling through Virgo now. Planning, precision, work and health rule the day. Take advantage of its alignment to Venus in Capricorn, where she is preoccupied with building, status, profession and integrity. One of the blessings of this angle are that any health issues that have been brewing could be resolved beneficially now.

Last, revolutionary Uranus turns direct on Friday, December 9th, right in time for the eclipse and Mercury turning direct motion. Uranus rules rebellion, lightning, electricity, earthquakes, and change. In other words: anything unpredictable. Think Occupy Wallstreet. Uranus is at an attention-getting degree as it begins a whole new cycle in Aries. What in your life is calling for change? The more we ignore something, the larger it can grow. Wherever we have swept things under the rug, Uranus will shake it out. Better to surrender than resist. A tip from the Universe: allow. You have permission.

11-11-11: Count Your Blessings!

It's easy to say, but it is not something we always do. This month though, especially during the time of Thanksgiving, is terrific to begin a practice of gratitude.

Messenger planet Mercury conjoins Venus, planet of love and money, in adventurous Sagittarius for the first three weeks of November. Spiritual, educational and travel journeys are on the docket. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to leave your home to learn and enlighten ....perhaps begin a journey inward, that meditation practice you've always thought about. You may explore new spiritual opportunities or take a class that broadens your horizons and where you meet new people.

Whether or not you do meditate, consider saying daily words of thanks to Source, Spirit, God, or whatever you name as the higher power. You don't even need to reserve special quiet time to do this. You can be driving/commuting to work, preparing a meal, even showering. It is simply important to acknowledge all that you have been given. When the north node of the moon joins Mercury and Venus next week, the direction you intentionally set is emphasized. Like a Sagittarian archer, aim your arrow at exactly what you want in life and then fire away.

During November, we all share in the bounty. The much-talked about date 11-11-11 next week bears immense blessings. In metaphysical circles, this number is very special, a number of the angels. Eleven-eleven-eleven is a true attention-getter, calling us to realize how loved we are, enveloped in angelic goodness and light. The angels are here to help us to manifest our potential and become our highest and best selves.

So isn't it amazing that on the magical day 11-11-11, planetary energies align to deliver our needs and dreams? Since May, Jupiter and Pluto have been making a beautiful angle in the earth signs of Taurus and Capricorn, fostering our material desires. On November 11, action planet Mars will move into Virgo to enhance the strength of powerbroker (Pluto) and titan of abundance (Jupiter).

This configuration will be with us for a while: mid-November until March 2012. Now you will reap rewards for all you have sown over the past months and years. At month's end, Venus will join Pluto in Capricorn to heighten this planetary troika, bestowing further blessings, possibly honors granted in a very public forum for work well done. This is also an excellent time to plant seeds for the future to manifest dreams you have always thought about but never put into motion. And because of the time of year, it is literally a good time for harvesting the earth as well as planting in the ground what will flower next springtime. For those struggling with health concerns, you may now find long-sought relief as Virgo rules health.


As always in life, there is ying for every yang. Mercury turns retrograde on November 23, the day before Thanksgiving. You might think this is a cosmic joke, falling on the heaviest travel day of the year, as Mercury rules short distance travel. Helpful as mercury will be in early November, look out between November 23 and December 12, while the messenger planet doles out its notorious communication snafus. Best to tread lightly. If you don't have to travel, this year might be better off laying low and staying local. Eat turkey at home; maybe have the neighbors over since Aunt Betty's flight could be delayed...

If you do have to travel over Thanksgiving, plan really well in advance and be sure to have extra fuel, cash and essentials on hand. Try to remember that the point of the retrograde phase is to slow us down, not to "do" so much but to "re"flect, "re"fresh, "re"new...partake in any of those "re" verbs. This might be especially hard as we gear up to the Holiday Season. However, if we are truly "re"laxed over the retrograde three weeks and practice gratitude, heading into the Season of Light and the New Year will all that much easier!

Decision Time!

Nothing says, "jump down from that fence and make a decision" like the current line-up of planets! Wow!

Saturn is slowly percolating through the art and relationship sign of Libra. The sign of the scales, Libra also rules balance and judgment. Choices abound right now...which direction to take, deliberating what will happen if you follow one path and not another. Relationships are hugely at play too, figuring out what you value in each, how to balance and maintain them all, be they at work, home, school, or community.

Over the next weeks, three planets bring enormous focus and emphasis to Saturn and its big push to swing life into alignment. The Sun, Venus and Mercury are in close contact with the Taskmaster, all in Libra, pushing our will, as well as relationships and money, and how we think and communicate, to decide, decide, decide. Because Libra rules art and design, it is a highly creative time. And for those with courage, there is rarely such a perfect time to leap into new ventures: Go For It!

Helping you to branch out into new territory is dream-maker Neptune which makes a beautiful angle to Venus this week, assuring that for those who have faith in themselves, what is focused upon will become real. The challenge is thinking you can do it all. Hence decision time. Taking on too much right now will break the veritable camel's back with just one extra piece of straw. You may find yourself needing to be in several places at once more often than not this month. Smaller is better. By that I mean, less is more...if you really need to juggle and keep all those balls in the air, juggle two or three baseballs rather than four or five soccer balls.

Another great way to manage right now is to carve out time just for you. Libra rules peace, harmony and beauty, too! Give yourself a break: take a trip to a museum, walk in a garden or natural surrounding, get a relaxing facial. Afterward, you may find it easier to make that important decision or realize it really is OK to let go of something no longer serving you. Later, you'll wonder what you were hesitating about to begin with! "What took me so long?!"

On a larger scale, (pardon the pun!), since Libra rules relationships, it also rules negotiation. Around the United States, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement is taking off. Above all, this movement is about achieving fairness, balance, and equity by calling attention to the immense disparity that exisits in our nation. One percent of the population holds 99 per cent of the wealth. People are holding "sit-ins" for three weeks now. The New York City police are arresting scores but the protesters haven't budged. Giant Jupiter making a difficult angle to feisty, fiery Mars will make sure they aren't going anywhere! These brave men and women are an example of those who have made a choice: they will not move until the financial titans start negotiating, bringing about change. Meanwhile, mainstream media has been woefully reluctant to cover this event, perhaps due to the close ties between media and finance.

Last, this time is about Justice with a capital J. Hooray for Amanda Knox, freed at last after serving four years for a crime she did not commit, with a complete lack of DNA evidence to finally prove it. Justice and judgment are not for the faint of heart. On an individual level, each of us is asked to determine how to live the best, most honest and creative life. One thing is for sure, life as we know it is never stagnant. So if you have been dreaming of a goal, now is the time to dive in headfirst. Be brave and jump off that fence. Leap and the net will appear!

Rays of Light

It has been a challenging summer for some of us indeed!

The on-going friction between Pluto and Uranus continues to dig up areas of our life we'd rather ignore and catalyze us into change. This is reflected in the endless struggle to get the economy moving, increase jobs, and calm the wild swings of the stockmarket. The public is also immensely dissatisfied with both Congress and President Obama. These our national pillars, Wall Street and the US government, will continue to be under the gun until they are reformed to create more streamlined, equitable and effective systems for all.

And we haven't even talked about the on-slaught of severe weather that has wrought havoc throughout the country! Fire, floods, tornadoes, (even a rare East Coast earthquake) have left a path of destruction from West to East this year, upending peoples' homes and lives. Wow. Expect this pattern to continue as Pluto and Uranus do their snake dance awakening the masses. Change is the only constant and the only way to deal with change is to accept and embrace it!

Within this upheaval, however, there is a great big ray of light. Hooray! First, Mercury turned direct at the end of August just in time for vacation to conclude and folks getting back to work and school. This autumn is a great time to launch head first into projects and plans put on hold for a little summer relaxation. Travel and appointments should proceed without any interference or delays.

The second BIG helper is that Jupiter is making a beautiful, flowing angle to Pluto. For nearly a year (May 2011 until March of 2012!) both planets smoothly glide together as they cycle through the material earth signs of Capricorn and Taurus. Repository of our desires, Pluto in Capricorn asks us to take stock and reform what gives structure to our lives, the building blocks such as our homes, jobs, communities, government. Meanwhile Jupiter recently turned retrograde in Taurus, the sign of money and possessions. We are asked to meditate on what we value, how we spend our days, and earn a living. It is a terrific time to evaluate our personal resources, be they talents, real estate, or finances. Ask what possession, job, or relationship no longer serves you; or conversely, ask what talent or resource have you let languish? How could you match your unharnessed talents and resources to best serve your deepest desires? In the midst of all the roiling, inevitable change around us, as summer timelessly turns into fall, focus your attention on how to create the life you most desire.

Then when Christmas rolls around, like a great big present, Jupiter turns direct on Christmas Day this year so that we may move forward into the New Year, putting our resources and desires into action!

Direct motion!

The Yin and the Yang of it all....wow!

It can honestly be said that whenever we have a problem, the solution always appears with it. This August is such a month. Truly a time of yin and yang! A door may close in your life, but at the same time, a window will in fact open. Through it, you will be able to see horizons that may have gone unnoticed before.

The month of July ended with the new moon in the fiery sign of Leo, urging us to create: create our day, our lives, our destiny. During the first week of August, not only is the New Moon (by definition joined by the Sun), moving closely with Venus planet of love and money, this troika makes a beautiful angle to Uranus, the big time change agent. The effects of this creative powerhouse give tremendous ability to bring much needed positive changes to our relationships and how we choose to earn a living. At the same time, we are benefiting from terrific angles between messenger planet Mercury, tranformational Pluto and uber beneficent Jupiter. Moving through practical and material earth signs, these planets will help manifest our hopes and dreams. In other words: show us the money. If not actually delivering the goods, then this group definitely gives us all the signs and directions for getting our needs met. This is a great harbinger for solving the debt crisis in the United States!

Also during the first week of August, Mars and Neptune are urging us to take time for family, preferably near water. Combined with Mercury Retrograde beginning August 3 (lasts until the 26th), this is an excellent time to go away on vacation and make great use of all the Re-trograde words: Read, relax, restore, renew, revisit...

Of course the Mercury's retrograde bears with it the reminder that for all the upsides this month, there are some significant challenges. The retrograde itself can cause all sorts of snafus: glitches with phones, computers, travel delays, and accidents to name a few. Heightening this is some difficult angles between Mars, Uranus and Pluto. Uranus is asking us to change outdated patterns in our lives at the same time Pluto is calling up what must be transformed for the better. Acting as a catalyst for these two planets is Mars in Cancer, sign of home, family, nurturing. So wherever we have avoided or resisted change on the family and homefront, between August 5 and 18th, there will be particular focus in this arena. Because Uranus and Pluto are involved in the mix, accidents and the unexpected are a distinct possibility with family members. Fortunately, Neptune's positive energy to Mars will help clean away and heal any damage leftover, as well as the Venus-Sun match giving creative solutions and clear directions to find our way ahead.

The final planetary yin and yang comes at the end of the month. Mars in Cancer will make a challenging angle to Saturn in Libra. The dance of these two planets is asking us to balance our personal needs and desires with those of our family and loved ones. Moms who continually put everyone before themselves will find this is really not going to work now. Time will have to be carved out for some self-care and creative ventures. The great news is that as Venus and the Sun move into earthy Virgo, they will make a beautiful angle to Pluto - quenching deep desires and restoring health and vitality.

May you find your place in the sun!