“Dreams will get you nowhere; a good kick in the pants will get you a long way.”

-Baltasar Gracian

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

February is another rich and dynamic month. It really starts off with Neptune’s entry into Pisces on the 3^rd –a true watershed in time. But there’s still so much else going on and we’re still getting pulled in very different directions at the same time, so we’d be wise to pay close heed Neptune’s christening and launch party. We’re working on undoing old and outdated versions of our selves, but already we’re supposed to be blasting off into very new territory and forming new conglomerates of being, and even integrating them into our habits. It’s a whole lot, but when is it ever not?

Venus opposes Mars on the 1^st, frothing up latent tensions but offering a profound chance to let things go. The realities of life often don’t live up to their corresponding fantasies: We could choose to feel like a victim of this supposed travesty, or we could choose to release the fantasies and work to find more joy in what actually is, however endlessly mundane it may be. Work with what you have and be patient regarding progress.

Neptune moves into Pisces at 10:52 am Pacific on the 3rd to stay, where he won’t be done until 2026. A ritual of openness to the watery depths that this change promises would be wise, like a swim in the ocean. This is obviously going to be a long process, but we can help it along by getting in the mindset of surfing the waves. There’s a lot of paddling out, duck-diving waves and then waiting and, hopefully, getting zen-full before going with the appropriate momentum for a sweet weightless journey. More practically speaking: It’s a good idea to let go of our illusions and delusions and accept or even embrace the standard humanity of it all by chopping wood and carrying water, and then chopping more wood and carrying more water. Ritualize the practices of awareness so that they permeate your whole realm. But don’t expect an immediate tidal shift; these things have their own timing and don’t appreciate being rushed.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on the 7^th, pushing us into newer brain territory; new ideas, new conundrums, new solutions and some new challenges. This centers around whether we are patiently excited about the projects and growths at hand, or if we rebel and get annoyed at the lack of immediate reward for our efforts. First the tree, then the fruit.

Saturn stations retrograde on the 7^th. He will remain in apparent backwards motion until June 25^th. This is a potent revision period that will hover over us like a hawk. We may have added some new ways of looking at people and our relationships, but now it’s time to actually dismantle and discard the old versions that have passed their expiration dates. The idea is respect, maturity and especially taking responsibility for our own issues and not projecting them onto others. Super easily said, right? But we either do what we can in those regards or the world will push us into it in ways we wouldn’t like as much. We choose.

The Full Moon is at 1:54 pm, also on the 7^th, in 18 degrees of Leo. It feels rather dramatic, but preferably more like a play put on by children in which we are the children. Definitely stay aware of yourself and dance, play and laugh to process this energy instead of reacting to others and getting pulled into un-fun drama. Pour your heart into something, with passion, even if it’s just cardio.

Venus moves into Aries on the 7^th, where she will remain until March 5^th. This adds some spiciness to the whole mix; calling us to shake it up and keep it moving into fresh territory or risk the ever-so-dangerous boredom beast to come of out lurking. Dance, hike, run, try some new stimulations, be creative and dance some more. But really be present with everything; extract the essence from each bite.

Venus conjoins Uranus on the 9^th, offering us some beautiful fireworks, in proportion, of course, to how much we have been working on our stuff. It’s generally a breakthrough or breakdown scenario, and often something has to be broken down to facilitate the breakthrough. But five ways or another, this is demanding a reconfiguration of our constituents into a greater and more unique awesomeness.

Mercury trines Saturn on the 13^th, giving us a measuring stick to see how well things have been going. Now, unsurprisingly, this can be counter-intuitive in that some times having a shorter to-do and to-cleanse list is a sign of great progress. There usually aren’t cakes and surprise parties where Saturn is involved.

Mercury moves into Pisces on the 13^th, where he will stay until March 2^nd, and then return during his retrograde from March 23^rd until April 16^th. This could be a confusing time with intricacies and subtleties that elude explanation. The short version is that the frontal lobe, our standard inner narrator, has to relax and take time off so the more ancient parts of our brains can do their bits with some peace and quiet. It’s better to do this with ritual and practice than with more mindless distractions like television, games or whatnot. If we succeed, we may just get some useful information from our under-brains.

Mercury conjoins Neptune on the 13^th, giving a healthy taste of what this new Neptune placement has in store for us. I would say we’ll be receiving the first syllabus, but it’ll probably be a lot more free form and intimidating in its own special way: lack of direction. Don’t indulge the mind by imagining things to be clearer and more specific than they are. Swim with it.

Venus squares Pluto on the 15^th, frothing up the urge to purge. It’s time to let go of more non-essentials and other clutter, within and without, to make enough room for what’s to come. Bring light and air to the recesses.

Mercury sextiles Jupiter on the 16^th, allowing for more mental lightness and optimism. Think big and do look towards distant prospects and goal posts. But stick to mostly conceptual grounds because most is still in flux.

The Sun trines Saturn on the 18^th, asking us to approach the present happenings as what they are and not for the more theoretical future results. It’s tricky, because we should stay determined and consistent for the obviously good; but also be keenly aware of where we may be setting ourselves up for challenges to our motivation.

Mercury sextiles Pluto on the 18^th. This is sort of a trash pick up day; if you can get the cans out to the curbside, then much can be taken away more easily than having to lug it to the dump. It hinges on long ago ideas and events that are still unduly influencing our current optimization efforts. Be you now, not what you remember of you then.

The Sun moves into Pisces, also on the 18^th, pushing us down the river for another ride to We-can’t-tell-where. Take pleasure in the mystery of what we can’t see and work on strengthening your forgetfulness of the hard times and dark places. Refresh and spring clean from within.

The Sun conjoins Neptune on the 19^th, launching us into a quandary for some self-fermentation. Break yourself down into smaller more accessible pieces, fundamentals, mix together and let stew and ripen. The product may be a private mystic awareness that could infuse all we consume with depth and richness. Auto-kim-chi-ify.

The New Moon is in 2 degrees of Pisces at 2:35 pm on the 21^st. This is a very rich Piscean pile up, with Mars across the way, like a beautiful drill sergeant screaming “be human.” We may be tempted to drift around and avoid being here in ourselves. However, this is a super prime chance to dive headlong into our bodies and down to our cores. It would be appropriate to take a break from the grindstones, for sure, but don’t undermine anything either. A ritual of private and personal wholeness would be great. Do you.

Mercury opposes Mars on the 23^rd, lighting a fire in our minds. This can be used to slash and burn our silliness and our tendencies to react to things, like bad drivers. Oh, right, do be very careful driving or anything dangerous really, because we are all being tempted towards impatience and distraction. So, stay calm and practice mental centering when temptations, or frustrations, arise.

The Sun sextiles Jupiter on the 25^th, lending some lightness, either towards the end of the tunnel, or closer if all has been going well. We should still definitely be exploring our depths, but this is reminding us to bring with us the awareness that it’s for healthy purposes.

The Sun sextiles Pluto on the 27^th, plunging us a little deeper into our nooks and crannies if we work with it. It’s more old versions of self stuff to be jettisoned: most particularly regrets and obtuse fantasies of how things could have been on a different trajectory. For all we know, this could be the better and easier version, so let it go.

So, yeah. It should be another interesting voyage into uncharted territory. We may have read the brochures, but we can’t really be prepared for the adventures when they finally launch upon us. February does promise some impressive progress for those who truly seize the opportunities to auto-recycle and venture beyond their comfort zones. Just stay aware; too much distraction and you may not notice some of those traps in the trail. May we fare well.

“…A new beginning, suspiciously like the old one; only this time I’m ready.”

-Typhoon-‘Starting Over’

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

It’s a new year already. Though, astrologically speaking, it kind of already changed into the next phase in November and there is a lot going on; super-busy style. January starts by bringing December’s boil to more of a busy simmer. Then things start to get somewhat buoyant around mid-month. But then we’ll feel Mars slowing to a stop on the 23^rd and the busyness will return but with less visible progress. Mostly it’s just asking us to keep working at stuff as best we can–standard fare.

Mercury sextiles Saturn and then Neptune on the 7^th, calling us to integrate recent lessons and let the unpleasant teachers fade into the fog of memory. This could be a very important moment in time for turning towards the right direction and committing to whatever healthy path has recently presented itself. Just be sure that the functional elements are sound.

Mercury moves into Capricorn on the 7^th, where he will stay until the 27th. This period is very supportive of getting things done, organized and out of the way. However, it can also make us harder on ourselves and/or others. Keep the focus on productivity, not criticism and things should work better. Get moving or get out of the way.

Mercury trines Jupiter and squares Uranus on the 8^th, frothing up a different mental blend. This one is leaning more towards wild optimism and excitement, hopefully following on the heels of recent commitments. If things are not moving as you’d like, then be patient and keep master-minding some new angles of approach. Be aware of how the perspective shifts–and take advantage of it.

The Full Moon is in 18 degrees of Cancer at 11:30 pm (pacific) on the 8^th. This semi-mellow lunation is urging us to further support ourselves in the midst of many things/people that could be pulling at our energy supplies. The idea is simple: take care of yourself and then care for others—but the implementation from day to day is complex and always in flux. Don’t exceed your pace and make sure to put time aside for self-nurture; even just a bath will help.

The Sun trines Mars on the 12^th, giving us a chance to cut through some of our inner resistance, our stubborn ego, or other hang-ups. The challenge is that we could too easily coast on this downhill instead of pressing the gas in preparation for the next one. Keep the progress steady and consistent and be patient.

Venus trines Saturn and conjoins Neptune on the 13^th, pulling us in very different directions at once: One that is eager to be on the ground, in the garden, or otherwise enjoying natural earthly pleasures; the other pulling us up towards the ethers, into our fantasies. The ideal way to deal with this is to practice being in awe by allowing oneself to see and appreciate the dreamlike wonder that is all around us. This requires seeing through eyes of wise innocence.

Mercury conjoins Pluto, also on the 13^th, plunging us deep into whatever old detritus is preventing full integration and awesome-ification. Whatever hasn’t been purged from the body, the closet, the to-do list, et cetera, has got to go or at least be put on the soon-to-purge list. Wherever you may be in the process of simplification, keep going. Growth takes time and consistency.

Venus moves into Pisces, also on the 13^th at 9:47 p.m., where she will stay until February 7^th. This period of time is good for any inspirational pursuits: listening to more music, dancing, spiritual practices, even swimming. If it refreshes your spirit and is healthy enough, do it. Relax and unwind some of the tension, because we need to get rest when and where we can.

Venus sextiles Jupiter on the 14^th, lightening the mood of the weekend. We may want to get out with friends and be social and/or see a show. Affirm the positive and enjoy the respite.

The Sun squares Saturn on the 19^th, pushing us to keep getting ourselves together. Maturity and attentiveness are required to keep relationships balanced and smooth as this period could bring up lingering tensions. Let go of any biases and over-reactive tendencies you have and be open to seeing the perspective of others.

The Sun moves into Aquarius on the 20^th, asking us to stay open to whatever the world wants to teach us, even if it comes from unconventional sources. I mean, still take it all with a grain of salt, but be sure to suspend your beliefs enough to avoid getting stuck at a fixed vantage point.

Venus sextiles Pluto on the 20^th, stirring up the under layer of our relationships a bit. It shouldn’t be very scary and it can be useful for flushing misunderstandings and missed connections down the drain. Practice compassion and a real best-effort at understanding the issues of others.

The Sun sextiles Uranus and squares Jupiter on the 21^st, jolting us awake and/or further into action. It centers on where we see ourselves headed, how that may have changed recently, and what the heck we are going to do about it. Easily said, but, you got to strive to thrive.

The New Moon is in 2 degrees of Aquarius at 11:39 p.m. (pacific) on the 22^nd. Now is our chance to blast more fully this new coagulation of various facets of ourselves into a more functional alloy. If you have not yet gathered all these pieces, then get to work on this now. If ready, then flow with the current and use it.

Mercury trines Mars on the 23^rd, propelling us into more realizations and simplifications. This is a good time for further editing our inner narrator and keeping our minds looking decently towards the silver-lining in the drudgery of it all. Keep the mind on track.

Mars stations retrograde on the 23^rd, at 4:54 p.m. (pacific), going apparently backwards until April 13^th. And so it begins: months of training, pruning, streamlining, optimizing, cleansing, essentializing—or paying for the lack of effort. It’s very important to take care of one’s health during this period, like maybe getting back to eating better, exercise, stretching, et cetera. However, it can’t be forced; it has to be wanted enough to push through and start seeing results. Put your brain on the same program. Give yourself a tune-up. A ritual of openness to what this period could bring would be most appropriate.

Mercury squares Saturn on the 27^th, giving us a tough gauge for our growth. Use it for motivation; don’t get discouraged. Life usually has its own unique timing and this must be respected. We are better off if we work with it, patiently.

Mercury moves into Aquarius on the 27^th, taking the focus off of the grind somewhat, and shifting more towards new schemes and contemplations. The mind must be fed or it gets awfully grumpy and difficult to manage. Study and/or do something out of your ordinary.

Mercury sextiles Uranus and squares Jupiter on the 28^th, infusing a strong dose of cabin fever, if we have not been seeking enough adventure. Let us think of it as a ‘call of the wild,’ from within, asking us to get out there or risk wilting. Keep experimenting.

January, what will you bring us? We are all being pushed towards our own original take, combination, amalgam of humanity; to embrace these things in our selves more fully and inventively. This will represent very different paths for various people, but we should all be working through some old, goopy stuff, while also fostering the newness. And it’s most recommended to work on the goop and get it gone, because early February promises to change the game as Neptune ventures into Pisces, which he won’t be done with until 2026! May we all be as conscious and ready as we can be.

“Happiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances.”

-J. Donald Walters

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

Well, the year is almost over. December looks like life should stay busy and interesting, (though seeing that requires work.) The first half is rather dangerous if the momentums are resisted. A level head and steady application of effort is the standard protocol–along with some deep breathing for patience. The second half continues with that volatility but adds a lot more urgency to get ready and get moving or get over it. The whole month wants us to begin preparations now for the coming Spring and the festivities it has in store for us.

Venus conjoins Pluto on the 1^st, frothing up some old hang-ups and fears for processing and, hopefully, removal. This is definitely not a good time to indulge in fears or judgments. But it would facilitate taking our passions to a deeper layer. Stay focused on improving yourself.

The Sun squares Mars on the 2^nd, making for some rambunctious and possibly dangerous scenarios. If the stagnation is yours, then start breaking it up; if it’s in others, stay out of the way and do not engage. The key is to keep your self occupied; and the easiest would be health, exercise, or personal energy processing.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on the 4^th, offering a chance to undo some inner-monologue wackiness. Too much rumination over the same material can hinder a more thorough digestion and assimilation. Pay attention to the messages of the body and emotions and be open to some challenging adjustments. Choose and choose again.

Mercury squares Mars on the 4^th, bringing some sharpness out into the open. This can be used to cut through our own silliness and find new realizations while removing clutter. Or, without an outlet, it could erupt into conflict or drama. Stay focused and clear and keep it moving.

Venus trines Mars on the 5^th, facilitating some smoother relations and adding buoyancy to our moods. This opportunity could easily slide by unnoticed, but it could also be used to make sure that mutual respect and appreciation is understood between loved ones. Cut everybody some slack; especially you.

Uranus stations direct on the 9^th. This starts us on a resolution phase where we can reconfigure all sorts of various parts of ourselves into our greater whole. Though some pieces have gone through alterations; we need to figure out how to make a whole again, before the next round of the breakthrough or breakdown game begins.

There is a total Lunar Eclipse on the 10^th at 6:36 am in 18 degrees Gemini. This is yet another pointed and volatile energy that is pushing us hard to get into the new groove. The emphasis will vary widely between people, but the general focus is on how we interpret what comes to us and what we choose to ignore. Keep your eyes open while attending to the peripheral; not everything can be perceived from the center of our vision.

Mercury stations direct on the 13^th, prompting to us to figure out what in the craziness has really been going on for the last 6 weeks. If we got the message, great, now get down to the business of living it as perpetually as possible. If we are still unclear on the lessons, then dig around until you find them. Know that most things cannot be known before their time.

Venus squares Saturn on the 18^th, grinding us down to the solid core of our beings. If we have not been cleansing our worlds of non-essentials, then it’s time to catch up. However, if the way is cleared, then we can savor the lightness and feel how much easier it is to support ourselves without as many burdens on our shoulders.

The Sun sextiles Saturn on the 19^th, giving us a chance to gauge our progress. But, it’s important to view all this in its proper context; which means cutting much slack and giving more credit than our inner hard-ass would. It is better to measure progress and learning than failure and setbacks. It’s all part of the process.

Venus enters Aquarius on the 20^th, where she will stay until January 13^th. This will lend itself to socialization and connections. It’s the break after the grind; when we can relax a bit and find inspiration and new ideas from the multitudes around us. Keep asking questions.

The Sun sextiles Neptune on the 20^th, blurring the lines of awareness just enough that we could see our predicaments in a fresh light. However, this light is bent like that which shines through water, so don’t go making precision measurements. Instead, marvel at the beauty of the world’s distortions; it adds textural richness and can delight the soul.

Venus squares Jupiter and sextiles Uranus also on the 20^th. This one could be very interesting, but, as per usual, demands openness to new adventures of being. If the day is seized, new visions of creativity and satisfaction could be germinated, but we have to be flexible enough to bend with the flow. I guess the idea is to simply lean towards the positive, while keeping the middle ground; like leaning forward while walking and letting the gravity help us along. And check out Venus in the Southwest and Jupiter high in the East as evening ‘stars’ for some more inspiration.

The Sun moves into Capricorn on the 21^st, calling us to integrate and act on the recent developments, ideas and issues. Awareness is almost nothing without follow up and follow through. Just keep doing what you can with steady application of will. And remember to support yourself with confidence and auto-pats on the back.

The Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus on the 22^nd, stirring some restless wanderlust from deep down. We may want to rebel from the reality of certain situations and/or how much work they would actually require to make feasible and awesome. But, this should only concern us if we have been indulging in impractical fantasies. Otherwise, keep one eye on each step and one eye on the horizon as best you can.

The New Moon is on the 24^th, at 10:06 am (Pacific) in 2 degrees of Capricorn. This offers a renewal of our capacity to understand ourselves and the multifarious facets that make up our lives. Especially prominent is contemplation of our family and cultural heritage and how we came to be shaped from and in contrast to our origins. Respect it all as best you are able and own it.

Jupiter stations direct on the 25^th, starting us down the path of integration. It’s a time to reflect on what the year has brought us, especially the second half of it. Now it’s time to further climb into our own lives; with the perspective of the observer, but not a spectator. Be fully involved, but lucid.

The Sun conjoins Pluto on the 28^th, prompting us to get stirring up some muck for filtering and removal. You could think of it as New Year’s resolutions or just commitments to invest in oneself. Either way, get planning the next way of purging and purification. Stay grateful.

Mercury squares Mars on the 31^st, tossing an erratic spark into the mix. Be wary of people with pent-up angst, it’s not a good time to engage in dangerous liaisons. Instead, focus on the positive; laugh about it, have a good time and look forward to more good work opportunities to come.

So, December. It will probably keep us pretty darned busy and may fly by as a result. It could be ultra productive and rich with learning for those ready to blast through themselves and stay undistracted. On the other hand, it could be somewhat excruciating for those who have shirked the calls to act, clear, and lighten. Either way, the cleansing will continue and there will be ample opportunity for learning and becoming more whole. Don’t forget to take care of the physical vehicle. Find a good steady pace.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

-William Gaddis

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

November almost seems to have clear-cut themes. It’s looking like an alternation between the inner and outer purging of our lives. The inner tends to be the less-visible parts: our dreams, fantasies, beliefs, self-concepts, idealizations, et cetera. The outer is standard real life stuff, especially possessions and finances. Doing each side can facilitate the other, but starting with the outer is usually easier. Go through your crap and then go through the crap that floats up inside as a result.

Mercury squares Neptune on the 1^st, blurring the lines some more but hopefully bringing respite from the recent tensions. This is not the best for precise solutions, but it’s great for letting things float downstream. Contemplative pursuits are extremely recommended; let the thoughts follow the current, but keep yourself on the shore.

Venus moves into Sagittarius on the 2^nd, where she will stay until the 26^th. Be ready to venture away from the familiar because the standard entertainments won’t be quite as thrilling. Find something to keep you stimulated or at least be ready to self-entertain.

Mercury also moves into Sagittarius on the 2^nd, where he will stay until January 7^th, (extra long due to retrogradation.) This is a brain-overload period, where ideas and information fly fast and hot. Try to focus on what is actually relevant to your path, and avoid quests of distraction and deferment. Work on ridding your awareness of impurities, or the figurative fires will do it for you.

Venus and Mercury both trine Uranus on the 3^rd. This would tend to sponsor either catharsis and/or chaos; largely depending on what’s been happening lately with and around us. It would be fabulous for breaks from old patterns that no longer serve us, but it will definitely require a conscious choice and then the follow-up.

Mars opposes Neptune on the 7^th, whisking us off for an energetic-limbo contest with our illusions. It’s important to maintain our balance while passing under and beyond our self-undermining fantasies and former-futures. If this can be done smoothly, then we may find lots of motivation, energy and possibly inspiration that had been eluding our awareness. Don’t fall.

Neptune stations direct on the 9^th, gearing us up for the final push out of Aquarius before heading into Pisces in early February. This is our chance to jettison our personal-projection fantasies about how the world should be while increasing our compassion for and surrender to what actually is. Set the awareness free of its own former visions and get ready for a deeper plunge into one’s own creations come February.

The Full Moon is on the 10^th at 12:16 pm in 18 degrees of Taurus. This is a rather pleasant lunation except for the eclipse that comes at the end of this lunar cycle. It’s time to deepen our practicality and appreciation: keep streamlining those values and possessions (attachments) and pare it down towards the functional core of things. Reach out to special loved ones and affirm the importance of those connections.

Mars moves into Virgo on the 10^th, where he will remain until July 3^rd; a whopping 8 months due to retrogradation starting in January. This is going to be a whole lot: it’s asking us to work towards perfection while cutting out our perfectionist tendencies. Thankfully, it’s more of a paradox on paper: Realistically, it means we should be cutting deadwood and enriching our soils without getting too persnickety. Don’t let the details eclipse the process and progress. And seriously, don’t over-think things; take a break and come back at it fresh.

Mars trines Jupiter on the 16^th, urging us to get some creative envisioning/planning going. We need those aspirations and something to look forward to, just don’t cross over to the crazy side of optimism. Bolster that confidence.

The Sun squares Neptune on the 20^th, demanding more purging from the back cupboards of our psyches. Old self-identities and projections, outdated dreams and projections; they all could use some recycling. Let us all get over ourselves and back into ourselves.

Venus sextiles Saturn on the 22^nd, putting the brakes on satisfaction without growth. It should give us some rewards for our recent efforts and hopefully solidify the good. Practice trust and gratitude for whatever we receive, for it could always be worse.

The Sun moves into Sagittarius on the 22^nd, asking us to further stretch our egos. The easiest way is to study; feed the passion for knowledge and hopefully it will sponsor more flexibility and consciousness. Try refreshing your perspective on your life and its trajectory and see if some new avenues present themselves.

The Sun trines Uranus on the 23^rd, helping facilitate this ego-yoga that’s been going on lately; but not without our willingness to stay open and ready. Either way, push towards being more awesome without the constraints of specific destinations.

Mars trines Pluto on the 23^rd, offering us a chance to further cleanse and purge our minds and closets. It could be a little dangerous without an outlet, so figure something that can be composted and get it broken down and cooking in the mix; these things take time to make their transformation, so start now.

Mercury stations retrograde on the 23^rd, until going direct on December 13^th. We now have the chance to undo mistakes and make other necessary course corrections. This round has a lot do with perspectives and the belief systems that create them: It’s a good time to sort through these and trim them down. Maybe even revise our personal narratives by recasting all the roles/characters as normal people struggling to live their lives to the fullest–just like us.

Venus sextiles Neptune on the 24^th, bringing some relaxation and lightness more into the mix. Have some fun, take a break from the grindstone and smell the freshness of the air, or find better air if necessary. Breathe deeply.

There is a partial Solar Eclipse on the 24^th at 10:10 pm in 2 degrees of Sagittarius. This eclipse brings a potent opportunity for renewal and purification. Hopefully we have fewer things weighing us down and can fully embrace a reset to our operating systems. It would be appropriate to do a ritual honoring the learning experiences these Earth-lives offer us. Don’t forget to ask for help from the universe and trusted ones as appropriate.

Venus enters Capricorn on the 26^th, where she will stay until December 20^th. This is more pro-practicality and really supports getting some wise things done. Invest in some solid efforts now, even in the name of long-term laziness if it helps the psyche. Work through it. Don’t indulge sentimentality if it costs too much energy.

Venus squares Uranus on the 26^th, forcing us to shift our value systems even further; to find as much joy as possible in the process and processes instead of teasing oneself with the promise of purely future rewards. Enjoy the now; fewer expectations are better.

Venus trines Jupiter on the 27^th, giving us a needed boost of optimism and faith. Confidence in ourselves and in goodness can really help the flow of life by reducing unnecessary hesitations and sensitivities. Joy within helps foster joy without: There are upward spirals; they just require more effort than the downward.

So, what more can be said. Probably lots, but life doesn’t need to be any more complicated than it already is, and overload is best avoided. Anyways, the celestial weather is clearly trying hard to get the world and us to cut way down on craptasticness and get back to greater simplicity and standard common sense. May we all get gracefully back into the natural rhythm.

"Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.”

-Ludwig Borne

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

October may be relatively mellow, but it will still be tough because it’s working through old crap. The focus is definitely on integration. However, beyond just processing our own developments, it seems to be about reconnecting with others within this newer context; refreshing the connections. There is also a push for us to get more real, a little tougher on ourselves, but not to indulge any self-bashing tendencies, especially retro-active regret. Learn and keep going.

Mars squares Jupiter on the 2^nd, bringing up tension between our grand visions and the reality of the now. If we find ourselves disappointed, then now is the time to commit to more steady application of effort. If we feel the flames of excitement already, then it’s good for stoking that motivation and inspiration; envision practical awesomeness and keep putting it to action.

Mercury conjoins Saturn on the 6^th, pushing us to deal with our doubts and fears by either deconstructing them or by establishing and planning for positive growth. Self-support by giving yourself credit would be wise: Things take time and often involve taking two steps back for every three forward. Respect the timing.

Venus trines Neptune on the 7^th, highlighting a more dreamy and fantastical energy. Some kind of spiritual work would help, as would getting out and seeing a show or hanging with friends. The key is tolighten the seriousness of the times by stepping out onto the dance floor; flow with it.

Venus ingresses into Scorpio on the 8^th, where she will be until November 2^nd. This is a challenging placement that asks us to stay committed to our passions. If it doesn’t get the juices flowing, then don’t force it and look deeper. Love your quest, because you’re the only one on it.

The Full Moon is on the 11^th, in 18 degrees Aries at 7:06 pm (Pacific). This is a tough one in general, but will reward past efforts with less ruthlessness. Constructive and mature actions are extremely supported, or should I say required. Energy drains and causation fantasies need to be neutralized and trust needs practice. Be wary of taking things way too personally; it’s a fragile time for most. Organizing your closet and your home would be healthy outlets.

Mercury trines Neptune on the 12^th, making the mind a little mushy. This is tough for full logic and clear vision, but useful for more imaginative and mystical pursuits. Be open to whatever comes through the mind, but don’t try to grasp too tightly.

Venus sextiles Pluto on the 13^th, dragging some love and relationship issues out for processing. This could be rather emotional but can be used to deepen our mutual understandings and release some of our attachments, especially the less rational. Focus on appreciation and let the rest go.

Mercury moves into Scorpio on the 13^th, where he will stay until November 2^nd. This passage focuses on figuring out what we would really like, and hopefully increasing its presence. It’s not so much about money, but about the simple pleasures: rich conversations, emotional connections, being seen, enjoying nature, etc.

The Sun conjoins Saturn on the 13^th, forcing us to get through some issues or lingering tasks before we can relax and have fun. The main concern is whether we respect our human fallibilities and frailties without endorsing them. Can we be mature enough to accept the insecurities and immaturities and help them grow up?

Venus opposes Jupiter on the 14^th, urging us to stay open to goodness and grace and keep an eye out for all those silver linings. Gratitude is a powerful survival tool; it keeps us from over-indulging in stress hormones and tends to foster beauty. Not so much pie in the sky, but pie in the oven.

Mercury sextiles Pluto on the 16^th, promoting more refuse removal, especially of the mental fear-fantasy type. Dig in and discard any thought patterns and belief systems that are squandering your energy or setting you up for disappointment. Don’t dwell.

Mercury opposes Jupiter on the 17^th, asking us to embrace more optimism in some kind of higher purpose, or at least to be thankful for learning opportunities. Avoid hyper-vigilance and look to the light, even if it’s on the other side of the tunnel.

The Sun trines Neptune on the 21^st, giving us a chance to step out of ourselves and relax. Loosen your grip on self-identities and remember that we are all in the same human-life boat.

The Sun moves into Scorpio on the 23^rd, urging us to pay closer attention to our feelings and undercurrents. The focus is on further digesting recent changes and allowing enough space and rest to facilitate this. Baths are helpful.

Mars sextiles Saturn on the 26^th. This could be a very productive time if your world is prepared. If this is challenged, then removing remaining obstructions is the order of business. Avoid frustration and impatience, but stay focused and determined.

The New Moon is on the 26^th, at 12:56 pm in 3 degrees of Scorpio. This lunation is really begging us to stay centered in ourselves and focused on our integration processes. However, the temptation for mental distraction is very strong: So, ideally we could work with it by talking out our respective issues with family and close friends. But keep it clean.

Venus squares Mars, also on the 26^th, frothing up sub-surface angst and some steaminess. It would be wise to avoid tense people and relationships, because tolerance is scarce. But do work on recognizing the goodness in our core support systems. Some exercise in nature would be a great manifestation, or something creative and beautiful.

Mercury squares Mars on the 28^th, so drive carefully. This tends to both scatter and sharpen the mind at the same time; wanting us to find clarity in a morass of information. We don’t have to commit, but contemplating where we want to go with ourselves is supported. But this aspect can also make distracted people rather dangerous, so be aware of your surroundings and avoid confrontations.

Jupiter trines Pluto on the 28^th, for the 2^nd of 3 passes (7-7-11, 10-28-11 and 3-12-12). This is a reconsideration period; when we can rethink what we are working for and towards, when we can deepen our appreciation for the unfoldings and stop waiting for some elusive ‘doneness.’ Belief system overhauls should already be underway and working to strip things down to the core essentials; not just hard functionality/survival, but with accommodations and softness to nurture the humanity–like flowers in the bedroom. In other words: keep trimming the excess, stretch your comfort ability, but keep it soft.

The Sun opposes Jupiter and sextiles Pluto, also on the 28^th, dragging egoic resistance out, hopefully for catharsis and release. This could be a little scary, depending on how much one’s personal mythology has been projected onto the world, and how tightly it is held by the ego. A lot of it could be about releasing our attachments to former versions of our futures, or our resolution fantasies about how things could just magically work themselves out, with impeccable timing, like the plot wrap-up of a movie. Realize that these fantasies have served us by giving us hope or hard lessons to learn, but respectfully get over them. Seeing the light of the past helps us to see the light in what is to come.

Venus squares Neptune on the 31^st, which is cool for Halloween or mystical pursuits, but not good for indulgence. Pour yourself into the imaginative and uninhibited spirit of this time; but try and make it an infusion, not an escape.

Well, who knows, it seems straight forward-ish, but there are some invisible factors lurking that could really shift the momentum and the storyline. The central issue appears to be resisting change versus jumping into the fray of it. Setbacks and visits to the reservoirs can test our commitments and dampen our enthusiasms, or we can go with it and make way more progress than expected. Stay on your course and give yourself the benefit of the doubt.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

-John Muir

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context.

Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

So, September is advertising way more ease and flow than August as grand-cross, i.e. ‘do or cry,’ season is over, for now. September starts us off on the digestion and integration phase–or is it just recovery for now? Well, we should be tired; if we’ve been keeping up with the astrological demands. So now could be our chance to revitalize and recharge our physical and psychic systems. But, be sure to devote time towards keeping the momentum of change moving along, because it will be needed.

The Sun trines Jupiter on the 2^nd, helping us get our physical worlds more on track. It’s a good time to take better care of the body by (re)establishing healthy habits: to decrease the effects of stress and fatigue. Eat light and stay bright.

Mercury opposes Neptune on the 8^th, for the 3rd and final crossing; bringing or beginning some resolution to situations that have been frothed about since the end of July. It should help differing perspectives to become clearer and the hyper-sensitivity to wane. But don’t over-think it.

Mercury returns to Virgo on the 8^th, after a month of revisiting Leo, where he will stay until the 25th. This will be a welcome change that will get us into a more productive gear. It’s time to tackle those delayed projects and get our worlds more streamlined and efficient. Don’t get nitpicky, but keep busy.

Venus sextiles Mars on the 10^th, allowing us to re-imagine what we want and to contrast it with what we are getting. Recent times have been trying, and the emphasis is still leaning towards removing the undesirables from our space: bad habits, old hang-ups, excessive worry, and too many distractions. If this has already been in process, then start contemplating what will fill the newly-opened space. If getting rid of this old stuff has been avoided up until now, then get on with it!

Mercury trines Pluto on the 11^th, frothing up some residual crud to get over and clean up. It should be easier to see what has been hidden up until now, and the wiser choice can be more easily made. The time is ripe to flush away a whole big blob of old crap, but you still have to pull the handle.

The Full Moon is on the 12^th at 2:27 am in 19 degrees of Pisces. This is another nice lunation: it’s asking us to take care of the emotional reservoirs in tandem with the physical. Pay attention to the body’s messages and to whatever wisdom can be gleaned from dreams. Support the feedback loop between the physical body and the psyche. Dive inside and take a swim.

Mercury trines Jupiter on the 14^th, facilitating some better long-range vision and putting current processes into grander perspectives. It can be too easy to get stuck in the details and drudgery of any given effort and lose sight of its true worth. I guess it’s kind of: nose to the grindstone, eyes to the sky.

Venus moves into Libra on the 14^th, where she will stay until October 8th. This is a very helpful placement that will bring more easy joy, instead of dangling it in front of us like a carrot for which we must strive. Enjoy good company, close ties and connections of all sorts and work on reinforcing the beauty throughout. These things are essential.

Pluto stations direct on the 16^th, starting an even-deeper dredge-the-bottom cycle. Control and fear issues are topping the destroy-now-or-pay-later list. The good thing is that most of the cards are already on the table and now we just have to figure out how to get rid of them. Focus on each card as it comes to you; either integrate it or toss it.

Venus opposes Uranus on the 17^th, trying to break us out of our shells and open us to greater connectivity. The challenge is to reach out to the mundane with as much passion as we would to the most unique. Rise above the desire to be above and get horizontal.

Venus squares Pluto on the 18^th, pulling fears of real intimacy up for review. Enthusiastic revelry sounds like a good idea, but first we must neutralize the inner timidity. Be bold enough to be receptive and vulnerable.

Mars moves into Leo on the 18^th, where he will stay until November 10th. It’s a good time to take concrete strides towards the person that we really want to be. Cardiovascular exercise would be a natural place from which to facilitate this energetic push. Get moving with those inner longings for self-expression and creative vitalization. Be your own audience.

The Sun moves into Libra on the 23^rd, emphasizing attentiveness to others and joint endeavors. This time seems centered around supporting others and giving the benefit the doubt to, and supporting the empowerment of, loved ones. Putting our fears and insecurities away will facilitate this—we’re all presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Mars trines Uranus on the 23^rd, adding some wild tendencies to the mix. Patience and caution are highly recommended; especially with other people. It would be wise to channel this energy through exercise or ecstatic dance or yoga. Be creative with yourself.

Mercury moves into Libra on the 25^th, where he will stay until October 13th. Listen, and learn from what comes to you. It’s a time for working with how much knowledge can come when we see our worlds as indirect reflections of ourselves. What is the moral of the story for you now?

The Sun opposes Uranus on the 25^th, sponsoring a tempest of self-awareness. If we have been working hard to overcome some of our immaturities, then this will allow us to recapture some of the innocence that led to those immaturities in the first place. If, however, resistance has been indulged, then get over those parts of yourself, like, last week.

Mercury opposes Uranus on the 26^th, possibly blowing our minds with novel improvements to eternal quandaries. It’s confusing: what to breakthrough and what to pass by. Maybe the trick is non-direct engagement; break-in to our own issues and unravel the threads that bind us get us to get hooked. Either way, be wary and tolerant of others at the same time.

The New Moon is on the 27^th at 4:09 am in 4 degrees of Libra. This one is tough, but proportionate to this year’s progress. There has been a call to establish a newer version of ourselves and this lunation is pushing us to let go of the old version. It’s a chance for us to commit to further excellence in ourselves and our capacity to join with others in awesomeness. As a mantra: “I trust in the new.”

Mercury conjoins the Sun as both of them square Pluto on the 28^th (2:35 am-1:16 pm). This is potentially ruthless or cathartic; as usual, it depends on our charts and how well we have been handling them. It’s time to cleanse and purge whatever we carry that is not true to ourselves; they may have been crucial to our survival back when, but now they’ve got to go. Try to inject some innocence into the cynical places within.

Mercury sextiles Mars on the 29^th, giving us some motivation and drive to get over the hump. But be patient with your energy levels as the body may be less motivated than the mind. Keeping things in the envisioning phase may help.

Venus conjoins Saturn on the 29^th, putting a halt to frivolous enjoyment. If it’s not deep, authentic, and mature, it needs some nurture and attention–but with a stern hand. In other words, self-correct for silliness. Also, affirm love and appreciation where appropriate.

The Sun sextiles Mars, also on the 29^th, prompting an itch for action. If all has been going well, we should feel freer to be ourselves, with less effort to boot. But adjustments are still beneficial; especially regarding what we think we are expressing versus how it may be perceived. Keep it free, but be attentive to your dance partner.

Life always keeps work on our desk: finish a stack and it tends to supply the next. But, keeping that in mind, be sure to give yourself credit for being awesome and getting it done to the best of your abilities. Anyways, it’s mostly a mellower continuation of ongoing metamorphoses. So, it ends up striking me as a ‘stew and brew’ situation: Most of the ingredients have already surfaced and the idea is to keep stirring while making minor adjustments. Breathe deeply and listen to that intuition.

“Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things"

- Noam Chomsky

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us. 

Well, I hope everybody enjoyed the latter half of July, because August is more nose-to-the-grindstone. This month definitely has some tension building until the middle of the month and then it slowly subsides. Somehow, though, we should be calmly applying ourselves or we may end up too tense and unable to keep up. Pay close attention to health and habits because our vehicles must be well maintained during this period; and they are probably already a little fatigued if you’ve been keeping up. Anyway, August should be informative.

The Sun squares Jupiter on the 1^st, stimulating some long-range visions of where we’d like to take our self-development. Focus on practical ways to increase enjoyment— Which means infusing more joy into the most mundane.

Mercury goes retrograde on the 2^nd, until the 26th. This retrograde centers around deconstructing our intellectual critic and getting back more fully into our hearts. Critical awareness can be very productive, but is best when kept in close contact with our feelings, body and heart.

Mars moves into Cancer on the 3^rd, where he will stay until September 18th. This is a challenging placement thatasks us to qualify our personal desires against the needs of our close circles and larger communities. We do need to establish what we want, but should concentrate on that which is appropriate and needed in the circumstances. And be sure not to squander too much energy on worry.

Mars trines Neptune on the 3^rd, giving us a last chance (for now) to cut through illusions that keep us disconnected. Relax the survivalist instinct and get more in a steady flow. Slow down and meditate on things before acting.

Mercury sextiles Mars on the 4^th, stirring up the intellectual angst for further review. Mental editing is strongly supported; this is also known as slapping the mind back to its center. Any lingering anger issues might also usefully be broken down into bits and hopefully repurposed towards something more productive than reacting.

Neptune regresses into Aquarius on the 4^th, where he will stay until moving back into Pisces for good on February 3rd of next year. This will be a not-necessarily-too-subtle sea change that plunges us back into the last 14 years for a final cleanse. It’s time to get more realistic and less disappointed with modern culture and society; release the utopian and dystopian fantasies at the same time and work on easing into the middle ground with fascination (and maybe even delight) for what exists.

Venus squares Jupiter on the 4^th, sponsoring some indulgent tendencies and financial envisioning. The simple message is: don’t start partying until the work is over; don’t over-extend. But do reward yourself for the effort.

The Sun sextiles Saturn on the 5^th, opening the door to self-doubt or feeling some recently-increased stability. We can make strides to stabilize our energy levels and to focus on steady growth rather than to indulge in another gas-brake-gas cycle. And it would be wise to extend this steadiness to our expression levels in relationships as well.

Venus sextiles Saturn on the 7^th, prompting some financial planning and/or concern. Patience will be required because there is much that we desire to actualize, but which must nonetheless await the proper season. Focus on what is growing now.

Mercury moves back into Leo on the 8^th, digging into our ego issues for reassessment. As per usual, the middle ground is the goal: express your truth, but without domination or a need for a rapt audience. Have independent fun with it and bring the rest back to center.

Mercury opposes Neptune, also on the 8^th, dealing a blow to a mind not open to inspiration and paradox. Don’t struggle to figure things out; just let the deeper parts of your consciousness offer its quiet truths and be attentive to hearing them.

Mars squares Uranus on the 9^th, stoking the fires of crazy for us all. Anxious and rambunctious energy is at a peak: We should be getting bold with ourselves, but still treading cautiously. Do some personal breakthrough work and get active, but definitely be aware that some people will be powder kegs right now.

Mars opposes Pluto on the 10^th, dredging up some darker elements of ourselves and our ego’s impatience. We must persist with what we resist if we are to come into our wholeness. There’s always a lesson and a chance to go deeper into our truths, however unpleasant.

The Full Moon is in 20 degrees Aquarius at 11:57 a.m. (Pacific) on the 13^th. The lunations of late have been working us pretty hard, but this one is more about sharing in mutual enjoyment and happiness, and even maybe dancing. We should remind loved ones how much we appreciate their being, and we could also benefit from some mental mantras of self-love. Whatever it is that you struggle with most internally, repeat words of love towards those issues and feel the shift in energy, or at least the brain chemistry.

Mercury conjoins Venus as they both conjoin the Sun throughout the 16^th. This continues with the full Moon’s theme: enhancing positive connections with demonstrations of love and gratitude. Getting the body moving on some figurative dance floor would be a wise choice. Make the work into a game; our minds like that.

Mars sextiles Jupiter on the 18^th, revving up our drive to keep (or get) this show on the road. This would be good for home-based projects or taking a fresh perspective towards ongoing family patterns that could use some undoing. Don’t indulge in reactionary tendencies; stay on your path.

Venus opposes Neptune on the 21^st, inducing yearnings for more connection and greater flow. We could bemoan the supposed deficiencies or use that same energy to anticipate more harmonious outcomes. The key is relinquishing attachment and owning the light within.

Venus moves into Virgo on the 21^st, where she will stay until September 14th. This is a tough place for Venus because the demands of chopping wood and carrying water must be attended to or there will be a price. Still, the idea is to find pleasure no matter the task, for this is a sure step forward on the path to enlightenment.

The Sun opposes Neptune on the 22^nd, pushing us to stay centered and to avoid unnecessary confusions. Visibility is very challenged, so we must rely on intuition for personal guidance and detachment where others are concerned. Don’t fight it.

The Sun moves into Virgo on the 23^rd, bringing yet more emphasis to working with Earthly needs. Tending to the gardens and maintaining cleanliness are crucial aspects of our lives that would benefit from reaffirmation in this era of disconnection from the natural cycles. Don’t over-think, and try to work on things as if there were no obligation to do so.

Mars squares Saturn on the 25^th, highlighting our resistances like a brick wall in the road. Don’t try to ram through it impatiently or injury will result. Seek to take it apart,brick by brick, with the knowledge that it’s there to teach us something about ourselves. Don’t push it; disassemble it.

Venus trines Pluto, also on the 25^th, giving us space to replace our fears with cathartic growth. There’s a lot of heaviness going around and this is reminding us to trust in the worthiness of the tribulations. It’s all we can do.

Mercury stations direct on the 26^th, gearing up for some difficult integration to come. Sure, we come to understand things in new lights, but what the heck we best do with the revelations is a very different issue. This is asking us to remember to constantly qualify the mind’s decisions with the heart. Keep the mind off the throne.

The Sun trines Pluto on the 28^th, dredging up some of our obsessive tendencies and asking us to get over ourselves in those regards. Readjust the measuring stick if it helps, because nothing stays perpetually optimal in this realm. And maybe it shouldn’t.

The New Moon is in 5 degrees of Virgo at 8:04 pm on the 28^th. This is a kind of sneaky lunation because it’s not yelling as loudly as those of the last months. It’s a big one though, asking us to forgive people, primarily ourselves, and to integrate the learning without swinging towards the regret side of the ego. For all we know, things have been going perfectly because (and not in spite) of the haphazard wackiness.

Venus trines Jupiter on the 29^th, lightening the weather with a call to celebration; not of a job done, but of a process well in motion. The planetary weather is very different and every stretch that widens our perspectives is helping us prepare for the future.

Jupiter goes retrograde on the 30^th, not stationing direct until December 25th. This revision period wants to get us grounded and loving it. Easily said, but not as easily applied while so much is in flux. Work on appreciating the present crop instead of rushing into the future. To each its season; patience for now.

So, it’s not as tough as it sounds, if you join with the forces that be and make the requisite adjustments. The strange thing about this month is that it seems to emphasize happiness, enjoyment and appreciation while on the other side it’s pestering us with more and more issues to work through. Clearly, we should be squishing these together, the shoulds and the enjoyment. This requires substantial changes of mind, so that each new development can be welcomed with open arms as a teacher and, ultimately, a loved one. Respect the stress that rises but promptly put it to the side and proceed with a clear mind. And may we all find loving help for our efforts.

“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy that does not laugh.”

-Kahlil Gibran

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up.

When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

Oh July. The first half is rich with hustle and bustle that is the continuation of the Spring-time surprise we have had going on. But then it drastically mellows to more of a simmer. Then we get some time for recovery, except that we still have the option of obsessing about one thing or another, reruns, particularly that which is supposedly missing or that which could have been, at least in one’s mind. It’s definitely an important time to give yourself the support and internal praise necessary to counterbalance the possible horror of staring various demons in the face. Work through it all with confidence and, more importantly, humor.

There is a solar Eclipse in Cancer at 1:54 am (Pacific) on the 1^st. It won’t be simple or easy and we’ve felt the rumble of this one coming throughout June, especially since the eclipse on the 15^th. This one forms a very challenging grand cross in the sky that feels almost claustrophobic and will push us all to center, stabilize and hopefully find comfort in these rather turbulent, heavy and uncertain times. Make the changes that you have been resisting, and work towards preserving the recent shifts. Feel through whatever comes up for processing but don’t get dragged into the past or regret fantasies. Nourish the now.

Mercury moves into Leo on the 1^st, where he will stay through the 28^th before revisiting from August 8^th until September 8^th, due to retrogradation. July’s phase of this sojourn will focus on being more fully ourselves; a reinvention of sorts, but with a bent towards self-rediscovery. Work on having fun with the learning and keeping things light.

The Sun squares Saturn on the 2^nd, pushing us around to see how we hold up. A lot of issues have been frothed up recently and we do need to learn from them, but we also must stay self-supportive and trusting throughout. Lighten the load.

Venus moves into Cancer on the 3rd, where she will stay until the 28^th. The first phase of this will be rather bumpy, but it will smooth out after the 13^th. Reinvest in that which feeds your being: your comfort zone, the inner-circle of loved ones and circles of friends. Stay healthy and make sure to comfort the body and nurture it well; baths and fresh food always help. Stay nearby, but definitely come out of the shell and play.

Venus trines Neptune on the 4^th, lending a reflective and spiritual quality to the day. At some point we need to find comfort inside, beyond the physical, and work on releasing our attachment and dependency on the external. Once done within, external reflection is sponsored.

Mercury trines Uranus, also on the 4^th, nudging us towards the untried and far-out. Break out of the mental ruts, not because you have to, but because it’s a darn good time for it. Still, you do have to choose to do it. Mercury squares Jupiter on the 5th, steering us towards a readjustment of perspective. There’s a magical middle-ground outside of our limited viewpoint but still tapped into our personal mythologies. This can reveal new doorways for growth, or just survival.

Mars trines Saturn on the 6^th, grinding down our resistances and gassing up the engines. Cleanse and purge your space, your desires, your fears and doubts and whatever else comes up. Keep it clean, functional and autonomous.

Jupiter trines Pluto on the 7^th, marking figurative compost-celebration day. It’s definitely a time for purging, but also for recycling and reusing. This is mostly relating to our belief systems, expectation issues and fears in general. The focus is on composting cynicism and condemnation, getting the nourishment of compassion with wisdom and detachment back into the soil. This requires steady attention and stirring to keep the process moving; so stay vigilant, focused and most of all, consistent.

Venus squares Uranus on the 7^th, bringing a need for fun and relaxation to quell the antsy undertones. On a deeper level, if we can embrace the chaos lurking beneath our feet, we can dance in awe and wonder.

Venus opposes Pluto and sextiles Jupiter on the 8^th, splashing some hidden intensity into a foamy bath. It really depends how much cleansing has already been going on, but this could be a very deeply cleansing type bath or we may find ourselves still stewing in the same goop we should have rinsed off before taking the plunge.

Mercury sextiles Saturn on the 9^th, emphasizing a balanced approach to decision making and communications in general. These two (planets) love efficiency but sometimes betray it by indulging in criticism and judgment of other people instead of moving down the road.

Uranus stations retrograde, also on the 9^th, beginning a revision period that will last until December 9th. It’s a long session of breaking through and breaking down old versions of being, so that the newly planted has room to stretch out and embrace the light.

Mercury sextiles Mars on the 11^th, speeding up the pace briefly. This supports learning to glide instead of constant exertion. A helpful tactic is to cut the mind off when it starts itching for answers that it shouldn’t have or couldn’t comprehend.

Venus squares Saturn on the 13^th, highlighting all of our relationships and asking us to reaffirm and make the effort to stay connected. It would be good to avoid any blame, regret or judgment; but do make apologies or amends or thanks where you feel necessary.

The Full Moon falls in 22 degrees of Capricorn on the 14^th at 11:40 pm (Pacific). This is a welcome reprieve from the intensity of the eclipses, but the momentum is still strong and integration is much supported. Digest the experiences and growths, but don’t hang on to unnecessary specificities. Organize and optimize.

The Sun moves into Leo on the 22^nd. This time will focus on releasing old visions of the future and other various expectations. Growing into the fullness of our beings is far more of an eternal process than an external show. But we can still have fun watching our own shows, even the plot twists and turns.

The Sun trines Uranus on the 27^th, enflaming the itch for more wild exuberances. We need to keep the fires of interest burning bright; so feed them. Stay in calm excitation.

Venus moves into Leo on the 28^th, where she will be until August 21st. This demands more playfulness and more fun. Tough times fly by when we enjoy the ride and our fellow passengers.

Mercury moves into Virgo, also on the 28^th, where he will stay until August 8th when he heads back into Leo for a month. This is an important period for making critical course corrections, especially those regarding the ego and how tight it holds the reins. Deconstruct and revise the thought patterns.

Mercury opposes Neptune on the 28^th, possibly annoying the eager mind by sabotaging clarity. This is reminding us forcefully that the mind must surrender to the intuition and instinct–that which cannot be logically understood. Anyhow, sometimes echoes of the sublime are safer for the ears.

The New Moon is in early Leo on the 30^th at 11:40 am. This one is asking us nicely to just ‘be’ instead of trying to ‘do.’ We still really can’t see where this whole thing is taking us and we need to further surrender to the unfolding. Stay open and relish the mystery; it can truly sweeten the song of life.

Venus trines Uranus on the 31^st, coaxing us to give ourselves and loved ones more freedom and space. It’s easier to appreciate where you are when you pull off the road and take a breather.

Who knows, it could be rather enjoyable, especially when contrasted with the rapids that we’ve been navigating since this year began. Recuperation and relaxation are definitely on the list of the things to do; though more so after the Full Moon on the 14th. Then fun and openness to joy and light gain prominence. May we all keep the growth-work healthy and well balanced by friends, fun and love.

“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
-Carlos Castaneda

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up. When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

Well, June rushed up on us while we were trying to catch up and decided that it was eclipse season already. But this time it’s a triple dose of eclipses from June 1st straight to July 1st, summoning even more karmic lessons to the classroom. It’s an ongoing balancing act: paying close attention to what life is teaching us, which requires personal identification, while still not taking anything too personally. It is all about us, but only to us. On the other hand, it is a group project, but only in so far as people work through their own issues: Paradox.

The Sun trines Saturn on the 1^st, supporting some balancing of our long-term goals. We don’t have to make all the choices now, but it is a good time to trim down the extremism from whence we view things.

There’s a partial Solar Eclipse in Gemini at 2:03pm (Pacific) on the 1^st, plopping us into a month-long triple-eclipse cycle until July 1st. This is good for continuing May’s regrouping process: re-collecting ourselves and dealing with fairly practical issues. Organize and streamline your resources and take good care of the body. Get out of fear and discouragement issues.

Mercury moves into Gemini on the 2^nd, where he will stay until the 16th. This period is ideal for thinking through our choices and course-correcting our perspectives. It’s time for our choices to better actualize the positive changes of the last couple of months. Better to give the mind more info than to over-work older territory.

Mercury squares Neptune on the 3^rd, blurring the lines. We are being pushed away fromwhat we are focused on, but we still have to choose to zoom out and remove pixilation and shakiness or we may end up without any picture at all.

Neptune goes retrograde on the 3^rd, where he will continue until November 9th. Initially this will make things easier as it stops stirring up more and more new remnants to process. But then we’re going to have to go back over all the fresh confusion and inspiration and rework it into something we can’t yet imagine. Stop trying to figure it out; just flow.

Jupiter moves into Taurus at 6:56 am (Pacific) on the 4^th, ending the early-spring Aries party by leaving only slow-going Uranus stoking that fire. The pace should really cool off and the sense of urgency should relax. Financial concerns and planning will be emphasized, especially long-term practicality. Also, take a good look at what we really value and what we truly need to feel content. Simple is sweet; learn to love it and hopefully live it.

Mercury sextiles Uranus, also on the 4^th, frothing up some shaky impatience or anxiousness. Keep the mind calm and don’t indulge in fantasizing about the unknown with either good or bad stories. Life is mostly mundane anyways, so don’t fret.

Mercury trines Saturn on the 7^th, making for a little more smoothness of mind, or possibly swinging it to the doubtful side. Prepare for the predictable and don’t be too concerned about the rest. Do a little bit to work through issues every day: It’s good to continually choose consistency; keep it moving down the road.

Jupiter sextiles Neptune on the 8^th, calling us to take a dip in more mystic waters and to refresh our faith. Believing that everything is working out how it’s supposed to is, at the least, psychologically comforting and physiologically beneficial. We shouldn’t start transposing this into blind faith in people or life. Let us be more open to goodness without attaching expectation.

Venus moves into Gemini on the 9^th, where she will be until July 3rd. This supports being more social and lightening the general mood. Talk to friends and process life’s meanderings. Get out and do something fun; see some shows, take some long walks.

Venus squares Neptune on the 10^th, frothing up a yearning for some romantic activities or inspirational meditations, but potentially stirring discontent and retroactive critiques as well. Be present with the love you have and make sure to find it inside first.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on the 12^th, giving us another chance to realign our awareness with the better selves within. A clear distinction between mind and self is important because the inner monologue fills so much of the time. Don’t run around the perimeter of self with one facet chasing another. Stand in the middle.

Venus sextiles Uranus on the 12^th, bringing some more financial anxiety to the fore. Don’t run with it. Find something new and out of the comfort zone to experience or study. Be free.

Saturn stations direct, also on the 12^th, ending a ruthless relationship-testing crunch that started in late January. Relations shift quickly without the ease of fair weather and now the integration period begins. Don’t fight it; it just is.

There’s a total Lunar Eclipse at 1:14 pm (Pacific) in late Sagittarius on the 15^th. It’s fairly intense, primarily on the mental/emotional planes. It seems to be about questions and how closely we hang on to the need to find answers. For the best in life there are no direct answers, just echoes. And for the worst in life, there are no satisfying answers, only ones centered on human frailty, difference or ignorance. A better question is: What are you supposed to learn from it?

Mercury moves into Cancer on the 16^th, where he will stay until July 1st. It’s good for exploring our emotional hang-ups and reactions and working on the clarity of emotional expression. Dive into those waters, but make sure to stay aware of others’ feelings in the process.

Mercury trines Neptune on the 16^th, facilitating greater mental surrender to the flow of the emotions. Sometimes we have to feel our way through the passageways before visibility is restored.

Mercury sextiles Jupiter on the 17^th, modifying yesterday’s action with an urge for long-range vision. But it still has to be done through a more ancient part of the mind, so it’s not terribly straight-forward. A very different way of looking at things would help, but it would be better if we could find that way from within rather than seek it from outside counsel.

Venus trines Saturn on the 17^th, hopefully aiding moderation in all its forms. This time around it focuses more on moderation in relationships—keeping things on an even and steady keel. This requires taking responsibility for our reactions and accounting for differences in communication styles.

Mercury squares Uranus on the 18^th, trying to jolt the mind into greater awareness and flexibility. If we can’t get over the commitment to our viewpoints, the world will find a way to upset our position. This can create drama and restlessness if not received with consciousness.

Mercury opposes Pluto on the 19^th, dredging more mental resistance out for some kind of internal tug-of-war. Realize that the war is really with yourself and that if you don’t stop hanging onto to that well constructed learning tether, rope, one side of you will end up in the mud. Make room for more constructive pursuits.

Mars ingresses into Gemini on the 20^th, where he will stay until August 3rd. This is challenging, because we should be able to see where we want to go but are yet to fully establish how to get there. Either way, the idea is to stay present with each step. Avoid undue hesitation; keep your head down and go.

The Sun moves into Cancer on the 21^st, marking the longest day of the year. The emphasis here is to be adequately detached, like an observer of your own existence, while somehow being utterly present, even Zorba-like, by relishing life’s beauty and bounty.

Mercury squares Saturn on the 21^st, bringing tough choices to the fore and demanding that we dig up and out of our mental ruts. Doubt and fear are just not optimal uses of our energies. Also, internal issues can’t really be solved, but progress can be made.

Mars squares Neptune, also on the 21^st, diffusing our energies into more subtle layers of our beings. Partially, it’s simply asking us to slow down and avoid burn out. But it’s also requiring us to cut ourselves free of unrealistic attachments and fantasies. Find a knife.

The Sun trines Neptune on the 22^nd, giving us a chance to relax a bit and unwind. This is good for taking space for ourselves to just stew in our own juices a bit while we can.

The Sun sextiles Jupiter on the 25^th, allowing us to step out of ourselves and more fully back in at the same time. It’s kind of about getting more established in a new skin, after a shedding; it needs to be tested out and allowed to strengthen.

The Sun squares Uranus on the 26^th, tossing it all back up into the air. There are still stubborn ego issues that need to be melted down into something awesome. But keep that torch pointed at your own stuff.

Mars sextiles Uranus on the 27^th, adding more heat to this self-regeneration tempering process. This brings out egoic rebellion, either at others, or at our own attempts to melt down the immaturities within. They served a purpose for our survival at a time, but they’ve really got to go.

The Sun opposes Pluto, also on the 27^th, dragging yet more ego compulsions and strangeness out into the air (the truly anaerobic and putrescent junk). This is not the time to dissect it; just put it out to dry and come back later. Be extra cautious not to project issues onto the outside or to take anything personally.

Yeah, June. It looks like it could be an especially productive grind for those who are eager and willing to get over themselves and climb into a more autonomous vision of being. This kind of work is eternally tough, convoluted, and extra layered with mental constructs that only we can choose to undo from within. It could be a great comfort to accept that the World doesn’t really care about us all that much; then we are freer to care for ourselves and to find even greater comfort in the idea that the Universe does love us.

“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject”

Winston Churchill

Tips for almanac use: All the aspects can be felt in advance of the date of occurrence. It is good policy to view these as due dates for various energies and prepare accordingly for one’s context. Some slower interactions can be felt a month in advance, so it’s wise to read ahead and ritual up.

When we proactively manifest these symbols then the world doesn’t have to do it for us.

May is not nearly as boiling and swirly as April, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of complacency: The initiatives of April still need integration and a sort of slow-cooling process. The current brew is still sensitive to rapid fluctuations and not fully ready for use, either. And don’t mess with it too much; just let it simmer. On the other hand, we need to regroup and get our acts more caught up when and where possible.

The New Moon falls in mid-Taurus at 11:51 p.m. (Pacific) on the 2^nd. It’s time to renew our commitment to our worlds. But this one is tricky because it’s not yet clear what has really been happening and to what we are committing. So, we need to contrive a means to get past the trivial complexities and keep our energies focused on the core issues at hand. Check in with your body and intuition, stay calm and recuperate.

Mercury conjoins Venus on the 9^th, giving us another chance to encourage peace in the social-mental landscape: Enjoy beauty wherever it blossoms. Try to stop rehashing the supposed failures of the last couple months and tend to the growth at hand. And give yourself credit where it’s due.

Mars moves into Taurus on the 11^th until the 20^th of June. We can finally let off the gas a little and get an easier handle on the current trajectory. April was all push and now we can relax into a rhythm. Start to gently put more and more new styles into practice, but proceed with patience.

Venus conjoins Jupiter, also on the 11^th, prompting some further adjustments to our belief/expectation systems. This combination loves to believe the hyped up and exaggerated, often to our detriment. Life is more fun when we don’t indulge the advertisements.

Mercury conjoins Jupiter, also on the 11^th, offering clearer comprehension and acceptance of ongoing conundrums. As per usual, over-thinking against a backdrop of personal mythology is not very productive, however much time it passes. Choose to relinquish your stories and be present with what is in front of you. The rest is mostly in your head.

Mars sextiles Neptune on the 12^th, bringing the undercurrent of bone-weariness to the surface. It seems that we humans often resist and struggle until we are too exhausted to keep fighting it. Mars-Neptune is reminding us that we can slow the pace down before we smash into a wall or maybe the ground.

Venus moves into Taurus on the 15^th until June 9^th. Stop rushing and take a deep breath. Connect with nature; relish tasty treats; take a hike and smell the flowers. The ‘trial by fire’ is now more done and, like many adventures; it is easier to appreciate it as it moves into the past.

Mercury also moves into Taurus on the 15^th, until June 2^nd. Calm the mind and give it healthy, practical things to work on. It will now be easier to stop ruminating on ourselves and how difficult it can be for us to feel truly seen by and connected to others. Now is the time for us to be more natural and fluidly responsive—like an animal.

Mercury conjoins Venus on the 16^th; putting Humpty Dumpty back together again, or more preferably, prompting the realization that you never were an egg on a wall or any other story for that matter. Press the re-set button on the consciousness box and be narrative-free inside and narrative-neutral outside.

Mercury and Venus both sextile Neptune, also on the 16^th, further exacerbating the mind’s desire to get it all—the answers and the pre-assurances. We must surrender to instinctual wisdom or risk getting very confused and/or thrown off-course; and this means acknowledging more of our blind spots. Too much awareness would spoil the fun anyways, so let paradox and chaos inspire awe instead of panicked flailing.

The Full Moon is in late Scorpio at 4:09 a.m. (Pacific) on the 17^th. This is another tricky lunation. So much has shifted since the New Moon in Aries on April 3^rd, but it’s still very hard to know what the hell to do with it in the real world. Just work step by step and figure it out as it winds along; avoid dramatizing situations by viewing them too futuristically.

Mars and Mercury both trine Pluto on the 20^th. This would be best used to stop taking the actions/stories of others so personally. However, it could also froth up some frustration or anger towards things that don’t make sense. Look whatever scares you in the eye, ‘I’m not scared of you,’ and then keep walking, ‘but I’m going this way.’

Mercury conjoins Mars in the evening of the 20^th. This could bring some relief to the mental sense of urgency of late. It’s not do-or-die, so let’s further relax our hyper-vigilance and find a more grounded stance.

The Sun moves into Gemini on the 21^st, making us hungry for some more information and contemplation. It doesn’t mean we should resurrect outdated mental narratives, but we should definitely keep reworking our new scripts. Just keep it middle ground; make sure the characters are whole people, not fragments of humanity.

Venus trines Pluto on the 21^st, taking us deeper into the labyrinth. This aspect demands that we enjoy what we love instead of fearing its loss or fretting about whether we deserve the grace that has been afforded us. Just dance with it.

The Sun squares Neptune on the 22^nd, pushing us to stop carrying around last semester’s coursework and be more available for these new classes. If a ‘question’ doesn’t make sense, skip it and move onto the next one. There aren’t many great answers, especially to stupid questions.

Venus conjoins Mars on the 23^rd, launching us into a new ‘what are we going for and how are we getting there’ cycle. The emphasis is on simplicity and functionality in how we make it through the days. Taking solid care of the basics is always crucial: good food, sleep, mental and emotional health, and caring for loved ones. Simple is sweet.

The Sun sextiles Uranus on the 24^th, urging us to continue breaking out of old self-constructs and into a more cohesive unity of being. It’s not all that simple, but most of the complexities are contextual and created because of relativity. And ultimately, the key is whether we feel comfortable with ourselves; can we sleep comfortably with ourselves?

May is still pretty rich with essentialisms, even if it is mellower. We’re all still kind of distracted by our own processing and still grappling with our own habitual patterns and mental constructs. It should feel easier, whether you’ve relaxed a bit of the survival mode yet or not. If it feels tougher, then cut your losses and hit the reset button now. Either way, work it all out on the inside first and foremost. Be and allow.