Category: Evolutionary Astrology

There is a correlation between our inner being and the vast universe. Evolutionary Astrology illuminates your current life Soul-intent while analyzing and reviewing past life gifts and blockages. Because the Soul is the most profound level of our being, it produces the widest and most meaningful context for direction in our lives. As the old saying goes, you can’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you have been. I provide the “a ha” moments as you uncover subconscious blockages and bring latent gifts to life. No matter how many times we reincarnate we are never the same person again – make the most of each life – live a life that is most in tuned with the universe and nourishes your soul most deeply.

What in the World is Going On? It is Just Pluto Being Pluto….

In the beginning of the year I wrote a piece about the effects of Pluto in your chart. This tiny, dwarf planet is as intense and dynamic as Scorpio, the sign it rules. Now people are asking me what in the world is going on – we have Brexit, Trump, Congress staging sit ins, My answer is simple – it is Pluto. Now transiting Capricorn, Pluto brings uncovers deep pain and forces change. Capricorn is the sign of authority and government. As the Republicans scratch their head about Trump, we astrologers can see how his campaign fits perfectly into the anger of their base. You can’t feed people fear and hatred and expect it not to boil over – especially when Pluto is in Capricorn!

When Pluto moved into Capricorn we got the first African American President and this year we hopefully will get the first female one. However, we can also get Trump or we can have a total revolt and get neither of the two leading candidates. It is just the nature of the beast.

The last time Pluto visited Capricorn we had the American Revolution but also the bloody and disastrous French Revolution.

During Pluto’s transit through Sagittarius – from 1995 to 2008 we saw the rise of spirituality vs religion but we also had the explosion of fundamentalism and Sept 11.

Right now Pluto and Jupiter are trining – 90 degrees from each other – and that is a huge explosion of energy which can be fundamentalist in nature. (Jupiter rules Sagittarius.)

So keep this in mind as we watch the world again turn upside down. Pluto conjures change – how we make those changes are up to us.

Will Liberals Actually have to Thank Donald Trump?

Yes, we might! Donald Trump just might be our gift from Pluto.

Pluto is making a slow walk through the constellation of Capricorn (2008- 2023.)

Pluto insists that our dirty little secrets reveal themselves. That which hides has no defense against Pluto’s icy probe. Pluto is all about revelation and then change. Capricorn is the sign of structure and authority. When the two meet, exposure of corporate and government skeletons is a given.

First, we had the banking crises of 2008 when the nation learned of the tricks of the mortgage trade. Other scandals involving authority figures included the Penn State sex scandal and that of abuse in the Catholic Church.

Now we sit somewhat shell shocked as we watch Donald Trump proudly pontificate all of the Republican talking points they normally old whisper in code words to their base. Either he is trying to lose or he is arrogant enough to think that if he says this nonsense the other 70 percent of the country will fall into line.

As the Republican leaders cringe and dance, Trump speaks publicly all of the racist, misogynistic drivel they have been using to in secret. If he fails colossally in November, as is predicted, he might usher in the fall and rebirth of the Republican Party with more moderates in control. You can’t get more Plutonian than that!

Happy Strawberry Solstice

We have a strawberry or summer Full Moon on the Solstice this year! What a great convergence of energy – we manifest on the Full Moon and welcome the shift of the Sun into the cardinal energy of Cancer! You may not be one to wish on a star but this is the perfect time to make intentions to the universe!

As the Sun moves into Cancer this year he will have Venus tugging along at his heels. A Sun/Venus conjunction brings heightened creativity and romance to our lives. What a perfect combination to have at the summer solstice! We can frolic in the summer flowers, have a picnic and let our imaginations run wild.

The only thing making us a bit cranky is a conjunction of Pluto and the Moon in Capricorn! Pluto on the Moon is always a prescription for moodiness. Since they are both in someone sullen Capricorn we will have to remember that summer is here and we should leave our worries behind and go play.

Uranus is also squaring the Moon making the atmosphere even more quirky – almost a tinderbox situation. We have had enough of emotional outburst these past two weeks so everyone needs to watch their responses to people.

Let Venus win this battle. It is summer – enjoy, dream and manifest!

To the Young Woman on the Far Right and Far Left

Pluto is in Capricorn – change in government can go either way – up or down – backwards or forwards. It is up to us to keep progress in motion.

We now have a major party nominee for President of the United States who is a female but this isn’t about one election. It is about the progress and history that has led to this moment. It is a history that I fear you are forgetting and a progress you are failing to push forward. This is a fight spanning from Mary Wollensteincraft and Abigail Adams to we loud- mouthed baby boomers. This fight encompasses but goes beyond the Suffragettes who were jailed, beaten, force fed and even killed to give you the right to cast your vote this year.

To my sisters on the far right, I see so many of you willingly throwing away the fruits of that struggle to authoritarian, male dominated religions (not just Christian sects). They tell you to be pure and turn control over your body to your husband. They tell you to be submissive to men and hide your bodies. I can understand weak, frightened men trying to sell this claptrap – I do not understand young women buying into it.

To those on the far left, you see slights in buildings with inappropriate names but you seem blinded to legislation that chips away at your reproductive rights or that which closes domestic shelters. Woman still make less money than do men for equal work, and corporate day care is a disgrace. Where are those protests?

Let me tell you how it was in the “olden days.” I am not talking about Victorian times when women couldn’t vote, would lose their children if they divorced an abusive husband and couldn’t inherit money and property. This is about life in America for women until the 1970 – 80’s.

-There were no domestic violence shelters – because the term domestic violence didn’t exist. If you married a man who beat you – that was your problem. Cops didn’t respond to “family squabbles.” Wives usually relied on their husbands for money and unless you had very receptive and wealthy parents who took you and your children in, you remained with your abuser – for life or your death.

-if your husband wasn’t abusive, but “just an alcoholic” you took a menial job, worked all day and then went home and played full time mother. There were few if any day care centers. You did this while wearing the label “bad mother” for not being home with your kids all day.

-the term sexual harassment was nonexistent. If a male made sexual remarks to you at work –that was the price of working. Since most men held positions of authority you had nowhere to turn. I had members of trade associations call me at my house with propositions of sex and even grab me physically in the work place. Had I not had a sympathetic boss – I would have had to either submit or lose my job. My story was not unique and was rather mild in comparison to others. Read the history of the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas battle.

-there was no term reproductive rights because you had none. If an unmarried college age woman got pregnant she dropped out of school and her life became one of menial jobs to support that child. The man involved went on to complete school, get on with his chosen career and have the family of his choice. There was no “pill” until the “60’s and no right to control your body until 1973.

-if you were unfortunate to get breast or another “female” cancer, you suffered in silence, such things were not spoken of and there were no support groups.

-alcoholic treatment centers were usually for men as women alcoholic or drug addicts were not worthy of organized treatment programs and were too shamed to come forward. Addiction was not lady-like.
-girls could not play organized, competitive sports in schools until 1972 and Title 9.

-want ads were segregated male and female. Male jobs were in advertising, law, science, engineering, etc. Women’s jobs were teaching, secretarial and nursing. Never the twain met.

-women gave up job and careers at marriage. If fact, women didn’t have careers, they had jobs until they grabbed a man, any man to support them. Lucky were the ones who married for love. Many did so out of financial desperation.

-women couldn’t sign for loans, buy cars or make other financial moves without their husband’s signatures. When I started by business in 1986 a banker asked me if I really thought I could “pull it off by yourself.”

-we are all incensed at the absurdly light sentence the California rapist received this week. Until the 1990’s if a woman was brave enough to file a rape case against a man her entire sexual life was fodder for the defense team. Everything she did, every time she may have had one too many drinks, every sexual encounter she had was thrown into the public arena. She was on trial along with the rapist. In addition, she then bore the stigma of “rape victim” which was another term for “what did she do to deserve it.” Watch the fantastic 1974 Elizabeth Montgomery movie “A Case of Rape” to begin to understand what it was like.

-there were no women astronauts. In 1969, nine percent of medical students and 0.4 percent of engineers were women.
Sexually based limitations pervaded everyday life. Girls only played with dolls and took Home Economics. Shop and mechanics were not for them. You became a wife and mother because you had to not because you chose that life. We had a major debate when I was a senior in high school over the idea of girls wearing pants to school. Women only wore dresses and high heels to work no matter the inconvenience.

Progress is not a resolute creature. Read the history of the Islamic world and of the time they were the leaders in science, math and progress. Learn the plight of the women of Afghanistan and Iran who led relatively free lives until recently. Look to those who are trying to make our Founding Father’s religious zealots in order to restrict the rights of woman, gays and minorities, when they were at best deists who believed in the Enlightenment. It can happen here…it is happening here. Do you want to explain to your daughters why you chose to toss away rights gifted your generation at birth?

Mercury Moves into Gemini

on June 12. For those, like yours truly, who has a strong Mercury/Gemini influence in their birth charts this will be a time of high gear informational exchange. Mercury is the natural ruler of Gemini so he likes moving through this constellation. If your Mercury is in balanced you can use this time to finish an article or report in a timely fashion. However, if you have too much Mercury you can become an annoying chatterbox! Balance is always the key.

Even if you don’t have a good deal of Mercury you can use this time to clean out your “intellectual clutter.” Finish that book you started last year, finish those letters to your aunts or work on your “great American novel.”

Mercury wants us to communicate ideas and exchange information. Don’t waste this perfect opportunity to do both.

Preparing for the Saturn/Jupiter Square

In addition to all of the other “wonderful” retrogrades and squares we have this year, June and July will see the squaring of two planetary titans, Jupiter and Saturn. These two don’t like playing in the same ballpark under normal circumstances. This square will make their dance even more awkward.

Jupiter is the planet of growth, expansion, travel, optimism and learning our truth. Saturn dwells in the land of restriction, structure, studiousness – even depression and following in the footsteps of our elders.

As always, it is important to know where these planets were at the time you were born to understand fully how their square will affect you. In general, this is a time when movement and growth is restricted and when we feel stuck in a known pattern.

Because Saturn is in retrograde, the best use of this time of restless energy, is to explore what is holding you back from blazing new trails. Why can’t you get out of your rut, really? Is it your job, your boss, you kids, or is it your fear? Be honest with yourself as you turn your gaze inward to learn how you may be your own roadblock. Let Jupiter give you the courage to try make a change and take back a sense of joy and purpose in your life.

Conversely, you may also be someone who has been too Jupiter in your recent actions. Are you spending too much, traveling too much, not saving for that rainy day and taking too many risks? Is your insurance up to date, are you putting some money in your IRA – do you have an IRA? We blame Saturn for being kind of a fuddy duddy but we all need that energy of responsibility no matter how hard we fight it.

Be honest with yourself. Squares are difficult but they can also boost us into making profound changes. Without them we would never grow.

Venus Moves into Gemini.

Venus moves into chatty, flirty Gemini this week and will reside there until June 17. This is a very “summertime” placement when our thoughts move to fun and ease and we leave our serious selves behind. Gemini wants mental stimulation, a sense of friendship and constant change. The last thing on his mind is commitment, mortgage and rules.

If you want to have that deep, serious conversation with a mate I would not recommend you do it until Venus moves into emotional and watery Cancer. However, if you want to rekindle some excitement in your relationship or are looking for some intellectual sparring, now is the time to go for it. So pack a picnic basket and head out into the woods with your love and some good books and think silly, fun times.

People prone to extra-partnership relations might feel the pull of the Gemini twins now. Other than its fellow Air Sign, Aquarius, is the zodiac’s leader of infidelity. Please don’t be too influenced by his energy. It could come back to hurt when the emotions of Cancer begin to bubble. If you need something to keep you in check, remember, that John and Jacqueline Kennedy both had Venus in Gemini – as did Marilyn Monroe. As I said, Gemini is very capable of going too far.

Journaling during Mercury Retrograde with Create Write Now : A Personal Story

This year is that of the retrograded planet. On April 28 Mercury turned retrograde in Taurus and will remain “in reverse” until May 22. Of all the retrogrades this one sparks the most fear in the heart of the astrologically attuned. Perhaps we are more intimate with Mercury due to its close proximity to Earth. It could be due to his control of communications and that immediate contact is so essential in modern society. Whatever the reason, Mercury retrograde usually is not taken lightly.

However, more people should take a clue from Mari McCarthy of Mari teaches people how to dig through the causes of emotional and physical pain by journaling. To her, a Mercury retrograde is a wonderful time to get into the nooks and crannies where anxiety loves to hide.

In April I took her 24 Days Whole Health Journaling Challenge and got stuck on the fourth day’s requirement to talk to your body. We were to write a letter from the perspective of our body. The concept of listening so deeply to my body that I could put voice to it was so profound for me that I went back to that page again on the 28th when Mercury turned around.

I used his communication skills to go deep with myself. I visualized the auto immunity pathogens in my system and get their “perspective.” I had my thyroid write what it was like for them to attack it.

I am an unemotional Scorpio but this was astounding. I am going to redo the entire Challenge during this retrograde. I want to continue this deep “inner conversation” and encourage you try it as well.

The Positives of Retrogrades: Don’t Miss The Opportunities

Guest Writer: Julie Gray – Julie Gray is a holistic time coach and organizer helping others to eliminate overwhelm and enjoy more peace of mind – even when life gets crazy. https://profound-impact.com/. She has tips to utilize the Pluto/Saturn retrograde.

Pluto/Saturn Double Retrograde – Get Organized!

Saturn went into retro on March 25 and Pluto on April 18. You couldn’t create a better time to structure your life. Pluto demands deep change and Saturn is the zodiac’s organizer. Saturn controls time, form, structure and all things that keeps us from total anarchy. If you can never get projects done on time, if you can’t find anything as you race out the door, if your house and life is in disorder – pay attention. This is the time to get the work done to get yourself back in order.

I have asked my friend and super organizer Julie Gray of Profound Impact to give us some tips on how to take those important first steps. Visit her website https://profound-impact.com/ and discover your own “time personality” and how this can help you slow life down – while getting more done!

Five Steps to Organize Any Room in Your Home

Over 2000 years ago Aristotle stated that, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” This is known as Horror Vacui in the scientific world and The Universal Law of the Vacuum in spiritual communities.

If you open or puncture a vacuum-sealed container, air will rush to fill that space. Similarly if you let go of a relationship that isn’t working, a job that no longer fills you with joy, or (mental) clutter that is weighing you down – the universe will rush to fill this open space with positive people, energy, creativity, and opportunities – whatever you are lining up.

If you are itching for a change in your life – even if you aren’t sure what it is you want to change – decluttering your space is a powerful place to start.

Our stuff holds a lot of energy. It has the power to weigh us down even when we aren’t anywhere near our belongings. On the other side, I’ve never worked with anyone that didn’t feel immediately lighter after releasing what no longer serves them.

I’ve seen people lose weight, find a relationship, receive a windfall, go back to school, get a promotion, move to a new city, regain their confidence, enjoy more peace of mind.
Please don’t think I am attributing these big shifts entirely to the organizing process. That would be unfair. However I do believe that when you are ready to declutter you are already in the process of creating change. In addition, decluttering is like pouring gas on the fire. It is an accelerator.

Are you ready to get started?

Here are my five favorite steps for decluttering and organizing any room in your home. Be sure to let me know how these worked for you!

1. Clear out anything not related to that space’s function.
Throw out or donate the stuff about which you’ve already made decisions. Take to your car what you’ve been meaning to return or give back to a friend. Put things away. This step goes fast. Don’t get hung up in indecision paralysis. Starting here will build a ton of momentum and feel amazing.

2. Group like items together. You’ve most likely heard of this organizing principle before. It is critical to collect and store similar items together. Think of your office supplies, books, spices in the kitchen, bills to pay, and in-progress craft projects. Imagine that each category is its own family and you are creating little homes for all the family members to live together. You will tweak these categories over time. Always be on the lookout for new categories that want to live together.

3. Assign a home. As mentioned above, each of these categories – or new little families – that you’ve created needs a home. Notice the homes you’ve already created. Your reading pile by your bed, your bills by the front door, your vitamins next to the water glasses in the kitchen. You’ve selected homes that that work for you. Do this with the new categories you’ve created. Containers can *sometimes* help but not always.

4. Maintain. Even before you have finished your decluttering and organizing projects it is necessary to start a ritual or routine to reset your space at the end of day or week. One of my clients dubbed it the “7 Minute Sweep” in her household. Each evening they would set the timer for 7 minutes and as fast as possible pick items up and put them back where they belong.

5. Make it easy. One of the biggest tricks for keeping your space organized and clutter-free(ish) is to keep things simple. Make your space very easy to maintain. This may mean that you:

Delegate your filing to the babysitter or your assistant
Only leave half of your decorations out at any time put the rest “on rotation”
Leave piles on the floor if they work for you and aren’t causing anxiety
Create labels by hand or don’t use any at all (unless of course they help!)

Take notice in your home and office of where you are adding extra steps that don’t need to be there. Go the simple and easy route – for you.

Now it’s your turn to declutter. What could rush into your life if you released what is no longer serving you? How much better would you sleep? How much more creativity and energy would you have?

I encourage you to try this out and see for yourself.

Mercury Retrograde in Taurus – Are You Being Creative With Your Words?

Mercury begins his second retrograde of the year on April 28. This time around he will be transiting through the sign of Taurus, the same constellation the Sun is visiting now as well. Retrogrades are good times to explore how we use the energy of the planet in question. Mercury deals with giving and receiving information, learning, sales and our thought process.

Taurus is an Earth sign ruled by the goddess of creativity and love, Venus. When Taurus is in balance she exhibits many of the wonderful aspects of Venus – warmth, sensuality, caring, creativity. Taurus, however, can be stubborn, opinionated and easily stuck in a rut.

During this time of retrograde ask yourself some questions to understand if you need to rev up your word-smithing.

1. Do you have pages and pages of that unfinished novel or poem stuffed in your drawers?
2. Are the pages yellowed and crumbling? Why haven’t you been working on your project?
3. Have you been stalling about having “that conversation” you need to have with someone? Why?
4. Do you have a big presentation to give soon? Great – now is the time to work on it.
5. How many people do you owe emails or calls? Make that list to tackle, remember retrogrades are times to clean out backlogs.

You have until May 22 to get your creative cobwebs cleared and charge forth with new ideas and beautiful words!