You have to believe in yourself.”

-Sun Tzu

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.

April. This really is a fire festival of some sort. It’s rather scary and intense, but offers incredible beauty and growth as a balance. It’s a bit like watching a community fireworks show while the other side of town is burning to the ground. Or maybe some extreme sport is a better analogy: super fun if it’s your thing, but freaky if something goes awry. Maybe mountain biking down a steep trail would be apt. Anyway, the beginning of the month is pretty hectic and crazy busy and that speed will be maintained consistently across the month; so hopefully we are well prepared and equipped. ‘On your marks…’

Mars moves into Aries on the night of the 1^st, blasting us off into the new month at dangerous speeds. Mars will remain in this potent place until May 11^th, and we will all have to duck, weave and jab accordingly. Patience and calm will be at a premium and there won’t be much time to recuperate or integrate. There is a lot of room for growth, but make sure to duck the punches, or at least block.

Venus sextiles Pluto on the 2^nd, adding some more intensity to our relations and challenging us to stay balanced and present. This combination supports spring cleaning of many varieties; so be prepared to let go.

The New Moon is in mid-Aries at 7:32 a.m. (PDT) on the 3^rd is a firestorm of freshness and ferocity that will both reinvigorate us and Read the rest of this entry »

“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.” -Buddhist Saying

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, we’re still here, whirling around with rather obstructed views. March starts off with heavy form-destroying force; so pro-activate or something good could get damaged. By the 11th, a very new dynamic blasts onto the scene and presents us with the syllabus for the coming season and much more. The rest of the month is super rich and intricate, but may seem mostly about finding equilibrium after the blast on the 11th. It’s misleading though, because there’s some massive flooding of sorts coming in early April that we are supposed to be preparing for despite everything being on fire.

Venus sextiles Uranus on the 1^st, prompting some late-in-the-game adjustments of our aspirations and goals. We may rebel from releasing the fantasies of yore but need to make room for new flowers in the garden. Diversity is important.

Venus moves into Aquarius on the 1^st, where she will stay until the 26th. This asks us to create joy from within instead of relying on external yumminess to open the door. Things are not Read the rest of this entry »

“The coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave man… only five hundred.” -Meredith Willson

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 looks like it’ll take us up down and all around, but where it stops we just don’t know. The focus is on us doing our own dance while treating everybody else as equals on the dance floor. Let freedom course through your body as if you were grooving in your living room, but remain aware of others so as to avoid collisions. Most importantly, though, keep dancing.

Venus sextiles Neptune on the 1^st, enhancing the urge to escape into adventure or fantasy. Time spent in contemplation or enjoying soothing music or company would be good. Take deep breaths and enjoy whatever relief can be had.

Venus squares Uranus on the 2^nd, bringing more volatility to our relationships and financial situations-or at least bringing issues up to the surface. Strike out and be creative instead of bristling against the unpredictability of life. There are no guarantees.

Mercury sextiles Uranus, also on the 2^nd. This tends to get the mind all frothed up without a clear destination. We’re still steeping in the remnants of times gone by and it’s a good time for trying to integrate what we should while releasing any attachment to the rest.

The New Moon is also on the 2^nd, in mid-Aquarius, at 6:31pm Pacific. It’s time to release that which is hindering a re-inspiration. We are better served by self-coaching and self-cheerleading our way through this labyrinth because, like Ariadne, everbody else is busy caring for their own.

Mercury moves into Aquarius on the 3^rd until the 21st. This dynamic transit is urging us to Read the rest of this entry »

“For me context is king – from that comes the understanding of everything.”

-Kenneth Noland

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.

Wow, January is here and looking kind of fierce. It really starts with a bang, a concatenation of powerful aspects, on the 4^th and then turns into more of a grind of ‘paradigm re-evaluation’ mixed with the continuing elimination of out-dated or unhelpful self-constructs. Once Jupiter moves into Aries on the 22^nd the change train will be rolling along. It’s more ridiculously complex than saying that we gotta get on board, but it’s true.

There’s a Solar Eclipse in mid-Capricorn on the 4^th, blasting us into the new year with challenges and change. It’s a very potent combination, geared towards getting everything in alignment and balance while breaking down remaining resistance. It is a tricky combination: on one hand we really would like to reach out for more connection with the world; on the other hand, we’re somewhat mired in our own stuff and should be too busy working through karmic/past buildups to be off frolicking. Take it easy.

Jupiter conjoins Uranus, also on the 4^th, (as though the eclipse wasn’t enough). This adds another whole dose of crazy to the day, lending a hyper, jittery and explosive overtone that could be exciting and/or scary. Bold fluidity is good protocol, and it would be great for getting over and done with troublesome belief systems and other erratic influences.

Venus squares Neptune and then trines Uranus and Jupiter, also on the 4^th. Whew. This aspect cluster centers on satisfaction versus disenchantment. Except that the disenchantment is more plugged in and reactionary to outside inanities than normal. It’s super complex, but it’s still helpful to think about it in simpler terms: Are we embracing the beauty and that which lends light to our journeys or wishing for escape and fantasizing about hypothetical alternate realities? Contemplative perspectives are fine as long as they don’t downgrade the vantage of reality. Count your blessings.

Venus moves into Sagittarius on the 7^th, where she will Read the rest of this entry »

“Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.”

-Juvenal

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.

December is pretty wild and wooly. It’s kind of tossing us into a rinse, spin and repeat cycle; shake, beat and wash away. Hopefully it will be removing the gripes and grumblings of our awareness. Consistency, balance and adequate rest are recommended. It’s going to be tough, but there is a lot offered if we go with it.

Mercury sextiles Venus on the 1^st, prompting us to re-establish closer connections. There’s been some lingering grumpiness that could use some sweetness for balance. It’s also conducive to planning and budgeting for the near future, but use pencil.

Mars sextiles Neptune on the 2^nd, making for some listless impatience. Philosophical and contemplative pursuits are far more supported than tangible results.

Mars squares Uranus on the 3^rd, shaking things up quite a bit but not offering any easy release for the energy buildups. This volatility is best applied to Read the rest of this entry »

“Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.” -Francis Bacon

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 is already here. Its theme is to move through the leftovers of the past while letting go of as much as possible. So we’re facing challenges on one side and then being asked to find peace and happiness on the other It’s part of a big push to adjust and integrate then adjust and integrate some more, before the bigger planets start changing signs in January, March and then April. Do what you can. Make hay while the sun shines (in Scorpio)!

Venus sextiles Pluto on the 1^st, encouraging us to more deeply reconfigure our value systems, i.e. what nourishes us. Basically, we can either indulge in dissatisfaction with ourselves and/or our worlds, or we can focus on the good while acknowledging that things could be worse.

The New Moon is in Scorpio on the 5^th. This would be good for emotional processing and physical care. Letting go of unhealthy habits is the core—whether they be physical or more emotional/mental, like stressing and worrying about Read the rest of this entry »

“Progress lies not in advancing what is, but in advancing towards what will be” -Khalil 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. October is here already. It seems to focus on processing, integrating and purging. It’s less oriented on work and family issues and more centered on our relationships to ourselves and to others in a one-on-one context. Another theme is to stop trying to change things we have no control over: This is a constant issue in life but is definitely an area where deep growth can be achieved.

Mercury opposes Jupiter on the 1^st, infusing some hyperbolic tendencies into the mix. Communication will definitely be important but not necessarily easy to decipher because clarity is challenged, especially when emotion-laden topics are at hand.

Mercury opposes Uranus on the 2^nd, highlighting the erratic element in all interactions. This is not the time for stored criticisms or for any other volatile discourse. But communication breakthroughs are very possible; they just require care.

Mercury moves into Libra on the 3^rd, changing things up quite a bit. The emphasis turns from constructive criticism to a more diplomatic and connection-oriented outlook. Developing and/or strengthening our common grounds can help take our mutual understandings up a few notches. This will require honesty and attentive listening.

Venus conjoins Mars on the 3^rd, as Mars catches up to a slowing-before-retrograde Venus. This will dramatize certain unsavory parts of our relationships in Read the rest of this entry »

“Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”

-Victoria Holt

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.

Ah, September. It’s definitely different: The pace may not be as brutal as August, but the tasks at hand are still extremely fundamental issues. The rate of change is not likely to slow, it’s just that the emphasis is shifting more towards the internal and private realms: There’s a digestive process at hand, but things have already been soaked in the juices and now need sorting into those that will be assimilated and those that will be released. This is not a consciously rational process; it has its own wisdom and we (the conscious narrators) need to get out of the way.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on the 3^rd, marking the peak of this Mercury retrograde/integration period. This is clearly a time for removing clutter, not adding to it; either material and/or self-identity stuff. And definitely don’t indulge in self-abuse fantasies regarding the past. Life was never meant to be perfect and neither were we.

Venus trines Neptune on the 4^th, offering a playful respite to all the processing going on these days. Relax and let go enough to have some fun and relish the good stuff. Let some inspiration in; just don’t go running off to fantasy land.

The New Moon in Virgo on the 8^th is offering a prime chance for renewal and replenishing. Hopefully the gardens of our psyches have been Read the rest of this entry »

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
-Carl Rogers

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.

August is a little strange as an anti-climax of sorts. It starts off wild and wooly and builds and then things just kind of fizzle on down. Maybe it’s that these things have been brewing for so long that it’s ultimately hard to live up to the psychological hype that is such a strong human tendency. If this is as bad as it gets, have we been over-revving our engines? Can we be comfortable with things going decently if we’ve been preparing for worse? Do we turn this into hyper-vigilance against ourselves in response or can we actually respect existence and relax?

Jupiter squares Pluto on the 3^rd, plunging us deeper into old complexes and belief patterns. By now, most of the issues at play should be readily visible, so the initial shock of realization has hopefully worn off. However, we should still be pushing deeper into the abyss or the world will probably do it for us. A calm approach to awe-inducing possibilities is a good strategy.

Mars opposes Jupiter and squares Pluto, also on the 3^rd. This is quite a trigger; bringing Read the rest of this entry »

“To choose what is difficult all one’s days, as if it were easy, that is faith.”

-W.H. Auden

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.

Yeah, July.  It’s going to be a wild and crazy ride.  Hopefully, we’re metaphorically buckled up, strapped in and didn’t just eat a questionable meal.  The planets are definitely pushing and pulling us all in a number of directions at once and there’s no simple compromise between them.  Ultra-adaptability to the call of action is the idea, but try and keep it steady because this is a very volatile mix.

Mercury sextiles Mars on the 1^st, stimulating the urge to get clarity surrounding certain convoluted issues.  It is better to do this by feeling more instead of pushing to figure things out with the mind.  And avoid conclusions.

Uranus stations retrograde on the 5^th, shifting the focus from claiming territory to more fully moving into what has been claimed.  Many facets of our lives will need some adjustments and reworking.  Flexibility is being asked of us along with Read the rest of this entry »