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Glossary of Astrological Terms
Ascendant

We experience day and night because the Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. It is because of this rotation that the Sun, Moon and planets seem to rise and set. The zodiac is a fixed belt (imaginary, but very real in spiritual terms) around the Earth. As the Earth rotates, the different signs of the zodiac seem to the observer to rise on the horizon. During a 24-hour period every sign of the zodiac will pass this horizon point at some time or another. The sign that is at the horizon point at any given time is called the Ascendant, or rising sign. The Ascendant is the sign denoting a person’s self-image, body and self-concept – the personal ego, as opposed to the spiritual ego indicated by a person’s Sun sign.

Aspects

Aspects are the angular relationships between planets, the way in which one planet stimulates or influences another. If a planet makes a harmonious aspect (connection) to another, it tends to stimulate that planet in a positive and helpful way. If, however, it makes a stressful aspect to another planet, this disrupts that planet’s normal influence.

Astrological Qualities

There are three astrological qualities: cardinal, fixed and mutable. Each of the 12 signs of the zodiac falls into one of these three categories.

Cardinal Signs

Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

The cardinal quality is the active, initiating principle. Those born under these four signs are good at starting new projects.

Fixed Signs

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius

Fixed qualities include stability, persistence, endurance and perfectionism. People born under these four signs are good at seeing things through.

Mutable Signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces

Mutable qualities are adaptability, changeability and balance. Those born under these four signs are creative, if not always practical.

Direct Motion

When the planets move forward through the zodiac – as they normally do – they are said to be going ‘direct’.

Grand Square

A Grand Square differs from a normal Square (usually two planets separated by 90 degrees) in that four or more planets are involved. When you look at the pattern in a chart you will see a whole and complete square. This, though stressful, usually denotes a new manifestation in the life. There is much work and balancing involved in the manifestation.

Grand Trine

A Grand Trine differs from a normal Trine (where two planets are 120 degrees apart) in that three or more planets are involved. When you look at this pattern in a chart, it takes the form of a complete triangle – a Grand Trine. Usually (but not always) it occurs in one of the four elements: Fire, Earth, Air or Water. Thus the particular element in which it occurs will be highlighted. A Grand Trine in Water is not the same as a Grand Trine in Air or Fire, etc. This is a very fortunate and happy aspect, and quite rare.

Houses

There are 12 signs of the zodiac and 12 houses of experience. The 12 signs are personality types and ways in which a given planet expresses itself; the 12 houses show ‘where’ in your life this expression takes place. Each house has a different area of interest. A house can become potent and important – a house of power – in different ways: if it contains the Sun, the Moon or the ‘ruler’ of your chart; if it contains more than one planet; or if the ruler of that house is receiving unusual stimulation from other planets.

1st House

Personal Image and Sensual Delights

2nd House

Money/Finance

3rd House

Communication and Intellectual Interests

4th House

Home and Family

5th House

Children, Fun, Games, Creativity, Speculations and Love Affairs

6th House

Health and Work

7th House

Love, Marriage and Social Activities

8th House

Transformation and Regeneration

9th House

Religion, Foreign Travel, Higher Education and Philosophy

10th House

Career

11th House

Friends, Group Activities and Fondest Wishes

12th House

Spirituality

Karma

Karma is the law of cause and effect which governs all phenomena. We are all where we find ourselves because of karma – because of actions we have performed in the past. The universe is such a balanced instrument that any act immediately sets corrective forces into motion – karma.

Long-term Planets

The planets that take a long time to move through a sign show the long-term trends in a given area of life. They are important for forecasting the prolonged view of things. Because these planets stay in one sign for so long, there are periods in the year when the faster-moving (short-term) planets will join them, further activating and enhancing the importance of a given house.

Jupiter

stays in a sign for about 1 year

Saturn

2½ years

Uranus

7 years

Neptune

14 years

Pluto

15 to 30 years

Lunar

Relating to the Moon. See also ‘Phases of the Moon’, below.

Natal

Literally means ‘birth’. In astrology this term is used to distinguish between planetary positions that occurred at the time of a person’s birth (natal) and those that are current (transiting). For example, Natal Sun refers to where the Sun was when you were born; transiting Sun refers to where the Sun’s position is currently at any given moment – which usually doesn’t coincide with your birth, or Natal, Sun.

Out of Bounds

The planets move through the zodiac at various angles relative to the celestial equator (if you were to draw an imaginary extension of the Earth’s equator out into the universe, you would have an illustration of this celestial equator). The Sun – being the most dominant and powerful influence in the Solar system – is the measure astrologers use as a standard. The Sun never goes more than approximately 23 degrees north or south of the celestial equator. At the winter solstice the Sun reaches its maximum southern angle of orbit (declination); at the summer solstice it reaches its maximum northern angle. Any time a planet exceeds this Solar boundary – and occasionally planets do – it is said to be ‘out of bounds’. This means that the planet exceeds or trespasses into strange territory – beyond the limits allowed by the Sun, the ruler of the Solar system. The planet in this condition becomes more emphasized and exceeds its authority, becoming an important influence in the forecast.

Phases of the Moon

After the full Moon, the Moon seems to shrink in size (as perceived from the Earth), gradually growing smaller until it is virtually invisible to the naked eye – at the time of the next new Moon. This is called the waning Moon phase, or the waning Moon.

After the new Moon, the Moon gradually gets bigger in size (as perceived from the Earth) until it reaches its maximum size at the time of the full Moon. This period is called the waxing Moon phase, or waxing Moon.

Retrogrades

The planets move around the Sun at different speeds. Mercury and Venus move much faster than the Earth, while Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto move more slowly. Thus there are times when, relative to the Earth, the planets appear to be going backwards. In reality they are always going forward, but relative to our vantage point on Earth they seem to go backwards through the zodiac for a period of time. This is called ‘retrograde’ motion and tends to weaken the normal influence of a given planet.

Short-term Planets

The fast-moving planets move so quickly through a sign that their effects are generally of a short-term nature. They reflect the immediate, day-to-day trends in a horoscope.

Moon

stays in a sign for only 2½ days

Mercury

20 to 30 days

Sun

30 days

Venus

approximately 1 month

Mars

approximately 2 months

T-square

A T-square differs from a Grand Square (see above) in that it is not a complete square. If you look at the pattern in a chart it appears as ‘half a complete square’, resembling the T-square tools used by architects and designers. If you cut a complete square in half, diagonally, you have a T-square. Many astrologers consider this more stressful than a Grand Square, as it creates tension that is difficult to resolve. T-squares bring learning experiences.

Transits

This term refers to the movements or motions of the planets at any given time. Astrologers use the word ‘transit’ to make the distinction between a birth, or Natal, planet (see ‘Natal’, above) and the planet’s current movement in the heavens. For example, if at your birth Saturn was in the sign of Cancer in your 8th house, but is now moving through your 3rd house, it is said to be ‘transiting’ your 3rd house. Transits are one of the main tools with which astrologers forecast trends.

Personality Profile
ARIES AT A GLANCE

Element – Fire

Ruling Planet – Mars

Career Planet – Saturn

Love Planet – Venus

Money Planet – Venus

Planet of Fun, Entertainment, Creativity and Speculations – Sun

Planet of Health and Work – Mercury

Planet of Home and Family Life – Moon

Planet of Spirituality – Neptune

Planet of Travel, Education, Religion and Philosophy – Jupiter

Colours – carmine, red, scarlet

Colours that promote love, romance and social harmony – green, jade green

Colour that promotes earning power – green

Gem – amethyst

Metals – iron, steel

Scent – honeysuckle

Quality – cardinal (= activity)

Quality most needed for balance – caution

Strongest virtues – abundant physical energy, courage, honesty, independence, self-reliance

Deepest need – action

Characteristics to avoid – haste, impetuousness, over-aggression, rashness

Signs of greatest overall compatibility – Leo, Sagittarius

Signs of greatest overall incompatibility – Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Sign most helpful to career – Capricorn

Sign most helpful for emotional support – Cancer

Sign most helpful financially – Taurus

Sign best for marriage and/or partnerships – Libra

Sign most helpful for creative projects – Leo

Best Sign to have fun with – Leo

Signs most helpful in spiritual matters – Sagittarius, Pisces

Best day of the week – Tuesday

Understanding an Aries

Aries is the activist par excellence of the zodiac. The Aries need for action is almost an addiction, and those who do not really understand the Aries personality would probably use this hard word to describe it. In reality ‘action’ is the essence of the Aries psychology – the more direct, blunt and to-the-point the action, the better. When you think about it, this is the ideal psychological makeup for the warrior, the pioneer, the athlete or the manager.

Aries likes to get things done, and in their passion and zeal often lose sight of the consequences for themselves and others. Yes, they often try to be diplomatic and tactful, but it is hard for them. When they do so they feel that they are being dishonest and phoney. It is hard for them even to understand the mindset of the diplomat, the consensus builder, the front office executive. These people are involved in endless meetings, discussions, talks and negotiations – all of which seem a great waste of time when there is so much work to be done, so many real achievements to be gained. An Aries can understand, once it is explained, that talk and negotiations – the social graces – lead ultimately to better, more effective actions. The interesting thing is that an Aries is rarely malicious or spiteful – even when waging war. Aries people fight without hate for their opponents. To them it is all good-natured fun, a grand adventure, a game.

When confronted with a problem many people will say, ‘Well, let’s think about it, let’s analyse the situation.’ But not an Aries. An Aries will think, ‘Something must be done. Let’s get on with it.’ Of course neither response is the total answer. Sometimes action is called for, sometimes cool thought. But an Aries tends to err on the side of action.

Action and thought are radically different principles. Physical activity is the use of brute force. Thinking and deliberating require one not to use force – to be still. It is not good for the athlete to be deliberating the next move; this will only slow down his or her reaction time. The athlete must act instinctively and instantly. This is how Aries people tend to behave in life. They are quick, instinctive decision-makers and their decisions tend to be translated into action almost immediately. When their intuition is sharp and well tuned, their actions are powerful and successful. When their intuition is off, their actions can be disastrous.

Do not think this will scare an Aries. Just as a good warrior knows that in the course of combat he or she might acquire a few wounds, so too does an Aries realize – somewhere deep down – that in the course of being true to yourself you might get embroiled in a disaster or two. It is all part of the game. An Aries feels strong enough to weather any storm.

There are many Aries people who are intellectual. They make powerful and creative thinkers. But even in this realm they tend to be pioneers – outspoken and blunt. These types of Aries tend to elevate (or sublimate) their desire for physical combat in favour of intellectual, mental combat. And they are indeed powerful.

In general, Aries people have a faith in themselves that others could learn from. This basic, rock-solid faith carries them through the most tumultuous situations of life. Their courage and self-confidence make them natural leaders. Their leadership is more by way of example than by actually controlling others.

Finance

Aries people often excel as builders or estate agents. Money in and of itself is not as important as are other things – action, adventure, sport, etc. They are motivated by the need to support and be well-thought-of by their partners. Money as a way of attaining pleasure is another important motivation. Aries function best in their own businesses or as managers of their own departments within a large business or corporation. The fewer orders they have to take from higher up, the better. They also function better out in the field rather than behind a desk.

Aries people are hard workers with a lot of endurance; they can earn large sums of money due to the strength of their sheer physical energy.

Venus is their money planet, which means that Aries need to develop more of the social graces in order to realize their full earning potential. Just getting the job done – which is what an Aries excels at – is not enough to create financial success. The co-operation of others needs to be attained. Customers, clients and co-workers need to be made to feel comfortable; many people need to be treated properly in order for success to happen. When Aries people develop these abilities – or hire someone to do this for them – their financial potential is unlimited.

Career and Public Image

One would think that a pioneering type would want to break with the social and political conventions of society. But this is not so with the Aries-born. They are pioneers within conventional limits, in the sense that they like to start their own businesses within an established industry.

Capricorn is on the 10th house of career cusp of Aries’ solar horoscope. Saturn is the planet that rules their life’s work and professional aspirations. This tells us some interesting things about the Aries character. First off, it shows that, in order for Aries people to reach their full career potential, they need to develop some qualities that are a bit alien to their basic nature: they need to become better administrators and organizers; they need to be able to handle details better and to take a long-range view of their projects and their careers in general. No one can beat an Aries when it comes to achieving short-range objectives, but a career is long term, built over time. You cannot take a ‘quickie’ approach to it.

Some Aries people find it difficult to stick with a project until the end. Since they get bored quickly and are in constant pursuit of new adventures, they prefer to pass an old project or task on to somebody else in order to start something new. Those Aries who learn how to put off the search for something new until the old is completed will achieve great success in their careers and professional lives.

In general, Aries people like society to judge them on their own merits, on their real and actual achievements. A reputation acquired by ‘hype’ feels false to them.

Love and Relationships

In marriage and partnerships Aries like those who are more passive, gentle, tactful and diplomatic – people who have the social grace and skills they sometimes lack. Our partners always represent a hidden part of ourselves – a self that we cannot express personally.

An Aries tends to go after what he or she likes aggressively. The tendency is to jump into relationships and marriages. This is especially true if Venus is in Aries as well as the Sun. If an Aries likes you, he or she will have a hard time taking no for an answer; many attempts will be made to sweep you off your feet.

Though Aries can be exasperating in relationships – especially if they are not understood by their partners – they are never consciously or wilfully cruel or malicious. It is just that they are so independent and sure of themselves that they find it almost impossible to see somebody else’s viewpoint or position. This is why an Aries needs as a partner someone with lots of social graces.

On the plus side, an Aries is honest, someone you can lean on, someone with whom you will always know where you stand. What he or she lacks in diplomacy is made up for in integrity.

Home and Domestic Life

An Aries is of course the ruler at home – the Boss. The male will tend to delegate domestic matters to the female. The female Aries will want to rule the roost. Both tend to be handy round the house. Both like large families and both believe in the sanctity and importance of the family. An Aries is a good family person, although he or she does not especially like being at home a lot, preferring instead to be roaming about.

Considering that they are by nature so combative and wilful, Aries people can be surprisingly soft, gentle and even vulnerable with their children and partners. The sign of Cancer, ruled by the Moon, is on the cusp of their solar 4th house of home and family. When the Moon is well aspected – under favourable influences – in the birth chart, an Aries will be tender towards the family and will want a family life that is nurturing and supportive. Aries likes to come home after a hard day on the battlefield of life to the understanding arms of their partner and the unconditional love and support of their family. An Aries feels that there is enough ‘war’ out in the world – and he or she enjoys participating in that. But when Aries comes home, comfort and nurturing are what’s needed.

Horoscope for 2018
Major Trends

Some of the long-term major planets are shifting this year. They will make sure that you don’t get too fixed in your ways. Saturn changed signs at the end of 2017. Most of you – especially those of you born late in the sign of Aries in April – haven’t felt this yet, but you will feel it more next year. Saturn will be in Capricorn, your 10th house, for the next two years, which will make the year ahead a very strong career year. It’s the kind of year where you succeed by sheer merit and for no other reason. Therefore strive for excellence in all that you do. More on this later.

The other important headline is Uranus’s move out of your sign – where he’s been for the last seven years – into Taurus. This is not yet the full-blown transit but a ‘shot across the bows’, an announcement of things to come. After seven years of redefining yourself and experimenting with your image, you seem to have settled on something that works for you. You’ve learned to deal with sudden personal changes. Now, you will learn to deal with sudden financial changes. The financial life is becoming very exciting – very adventurous – just as you like it. This move will also start to stabilize your love life. More details later.

Jupiter has been in Scorpio, your 8th house, since October 2017 and he will be here into November of the year ahead. This indicates the prosperity of partners or the current love interest. Often it shows inheritance, but hopefully no one has to die. It shows good fortune in tax and estate issues and an ability to pay off debt. It also favours projects involving personal transformation. For many of you, depending on your age, it indicates a sexually active kind of year. Again, more details later.

On November 8 Jupiter will move into Sagittarius and into a beautiful aspect with you. He will bring more travel, more money and more optimism. He will bring good news for those applying to colleges or universities – and for those already enrolled in these places, he brings success in studies. But first, you have to pay your dues of hard work and striving for excellence.

Neptune has been in your spiritual 12th house for many years now, and he will be there for many more. So the spiritual life is important, and growing. Those of you on a spiritual path will see much progress this year for Jupiter in Scorpio is making very nice aspects to Neptune.

Two important planets in your chart – Mars, the ruler of your Horoscope, and Venus, your love and financial planet – will make rare retrogrades this year. Unlike most of the other planets, these only move backwards once every two years. Mars will be retrograde from June 26 to August 27 and Venus from October 5 to November 16. Retrogrades are good times for reflection and review, rather than overt action, and we will deal further with this in the monthly reports.

Your most important interests this year will be your body and image (from January 1 to May 16 and from November 6 to December 31); finance (from May 16 to November 6); sex, occult studies, personal transformation and reinvention (until November 8); foreign travel, higher education, theology and philosophy (from November 8 onwards); career; and spirituality.

Your paths of greatest fulfilment this year are personal transformation and reinvention (until November 8); foreign travel, higher education, religion, philosophy and theology (from November 8 onwards); children, fun and creativity (from January 1 to November 17); and home and family (after November 17).

Health

(Please note that this is an astrological perspective on health and not a medical one. In days of yore there was no difference, both of these perspectives were identical. But now there could be quite a difference. For a medical perspective, please consult your doctor or health practitioner.)

Though Uranus leaving your sign is a good aspect for health, you still have two cosmic heavy hitters – Saturn and Pluto – in stressful alignment to you, so health still needs careful attention paid to it this year, even if you don’t feel like it. The empty 6th house of health suggests that you’re not paying enough attention.

Two long-term planets in stressful alignment will not of themselves cause disease, although if you have pre-existing conditions they can worsen now. But when the short-term planets join the party, this is when you become more vulnerable. So the times to watch are from January 1 to the 20th, June 21 to August 22, September 22 to October 23 and December 21 to the 31st. Try as much as possible to rest and relax more during those periods. If you can afford it, spend time in a health spa or book some massages. Let go of frivolities that waste your energy and focus only on essentials.

As our regular readers know, there is much that can be done to enhance the health and prevent problems from developing. Give more attention to the following – the vulnerable areas of your Horoscope (the reflex points are shown in the chart below):

 The heart has become important in recent years and is still important this year. Cultivate a healthy faith. Many spiritual healers affirm that worry is the root cause of heart problems: replace worry with faith.

 The head, face and scalp are always important for Aries. Regular scalp and face massage will not only strengthen these areas but the entire body as well, as there are reflexes and meridian lines there that run through the whole body.

 The musculature. It isn’t necessary to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, just to have good muscle tone. Weak or flabby muscles can knock the spine and skeleton out of alignment, which will cause all kinds of other problems. What are often diagnosed as ‘back’ problems are really muscle problems. Vigorous exercise – appropriate to your stage of life – is advisable.

 The adrenals are also always important for Aries. More importantly, learn to control anger and fear, the two emotions that stress the adrenals.

 The small intestine is another important area for Aries, and the reflex points are shown above.

Mercury is your health planet, and he is a fast-moving – and often erratic – planet. Sometimes he moves very fast, sometimes he goes slowly, sometimes he goes backwards. It is no accident that the qualities of flexibility and changeability are attributed to Mercury. Your health regime should embody this kind of flexibility.

Because Mercury moves so fast, he will move through every sign and house of your Horoscope in a given year. Thus there are many short-term health trends that depend on where Mercury is (and the aspects he receives). These are best dealt with in the monthly reports.

Mercury will go retrograde three times this year – from March 23 to April 15; July 26 to August 19 and from November 17 to December 6. These are times to avoid making major changes to the diet or your health regime. Instead, do more research and homework during these periods.

Home and Family

This is not an especially strong home and family year; career seems much more important this year. Your 4th house is basically empty in 2018, with only short-term planets moving through there. Generally this shows the status quo prevailing. You seem more or less satisfied with your home and family situation and have no pressing need to make important changes. It is basically a good sign.

However, changes and upheavals will happen, but you will more or less react to them rather than be initiating anything new. For a start there are three solar eclipses this year. This is very unusual – generally there are only two in a year. This indicates dramas – life-changing kinds of events – in the lives of children or children figures in your life. The eclipses will also impact the overall finances of the family and especially of one of your parents or parent figures. One of the solar eclipses – the one on July 13 – actually occurs in your 4th house and this will impact strongly on the family. You will need to be more patient with them as passions seem to run high.

Two lunar eclipses (the usual number) will also affect the home and family, and we will discuss them more fully in the monthly reports.

Parents and parent figures in your life are having a stable home and family year. Likewise, siblings and sibling figures. Children, however, are likely to move, and it looks happy. If a parent or parent figure has been ailing, there is good news on the health front towards the end of the year. If he or she is not ailing, there are happy job opportunities coming. Grandchildren of appropriate age are prospering this year – especially after November – and can have multiple moves. This has been the story with them for some years now. They seem very unsettled and restless. Children or grandchildren of appropriate age (or those who play this role in your life) also seem more fertile than usual.

One of the parents or parent figures in your life is feeling older than his or her years and seems overly pessimistic. Everything looks black. They need to lighten up a bit. He or she seems to be taking on more responsibility, and this could be the cause.

This is not an especially great year for heavy duty house renovation or repairs. However, beautifying the home in cosmetic ways will go especially well from May 19 to July 23.

Finance and Career

A new financial era is just beginning in your life this year, and it will continue for at least seven more years. The financial life is about to become very exciting – very adventurous – just as you like things.

Uranus is making a major move into your 2nd money house on May 16, remaining there until November 8. This is going to produce many dramatic financial changes – changes of investments, of financial strategy and of thinking. If you’ve been dissatisfied with the way your finances have been going, you have to allow Uranus to shake things up a bit, so that the obstructions can be removed. His goal is to bring you to ‘financial freedom’, but this can’t happen if you’re stuck in old attitudes.

In general you tend to be a risk taker – the Aries nature is about overcoming fear and developing courage – and now you will be even more so. So what if some things don’t work out as planned! As long as you maintain your fearless attitude, you’ve won. There’s always tomorrow.

The old financial rule books – the collected financial wisdom of the experts – get thrown out this year (and for the next few years). You’re going to learn what works for you through trial and error and experiment. You will explore new paths. Some, as we mentioned, might not work out – but others will. You will gain all kinds of insight into wealth, not written in any books. This is knowledge worth having.

Uranus in the money house suggests earning through the high-tech sector – a huge sector. It favours online activities and cutting-edge technologies (some not even invented yet). You will probably spend more on technology too, but it seems like a good investment.

Uranus favours start-ups – especially in the high-tech industries. These are interesting as jobs, investments or business ventures.

When Uranus is involved in finance anything can happen at any time. Opportunities can come in the darkest moments when you least expect it. Earnings can be more erratic too. The financial highs can exceed your wildest dreams, but the lows can also be ultra-low. It will be a good idea to set aside money from the good times to tide you over during the low times. The financial swings can be very extreme. One must learn not to fear either the heights or the depths. One must expect nothing, but be ready for anything.

Career, as we mentioned above, is very important this year. It has been important for many years, but now even more so than before. Saturn’s move into your 10th house of career is the cause. This indicates that you are taking on more responsibility – always a sobering factor. Saturn will exert pressure on you, not a punitive pressure but a pressure designed to educate and organize. Under pressure, one is forced to stretch one’s abilities, to find the best, most efficient way of doing something, to bring out the best that you have to offer. When Saturn is finished with you in two years’ time you’ll find that you can do a lot more than you ever believed.

This pressure can come in various ways. You can have a very demanding boss, or demanding clients and customers. Satisfying them is a challenge. Saturn in your career house shows a need for more management skills. Good management will enable you to handle all this. Many of you will be placed in managerial positions.

As we mentioned earlier, the year ahead is about succeeding through sheer merit and for no other reason. It is about being the best at what you do, without gimmicks or short cuts. You will see the positive results of this approach in 2019 and 2020, when you start to reach new career heights.

Love and Social Life

Last year was a banner love and social year. Many of you married in 2017, or met significant others. You seem more or less satisfied with the status quo this year. Your 7th house of love is not a house of power. Those of you involved with someone special will probably continue in that relationship. The unattached will most likely stay unattached. There is no cosmic pressure to make drastic changes.

In general, Uranus’s move out of your sign is a positive move for love. People will find you less rebellious and more stable. A lot of your freedom-loving urges have been sated in the past seven years and you’re more open to settling down.

Venus, a fast-moving planet, is your love planet. She is a good planet to have as this is her natural domain. In any given year, she will move through all the signs and houses of your Horoscope. Thus love opportunities can happen in many ways and through many people – it all depends on where Venus is and the aspects she receives. These short-term trends are best dealt with in the monthly reports.

Venus will make a rare (once in two years) retrograde movement from October 5 to November 16. Don’t be too upset if a current relationship seems to go backwards instead of forwards, or seems tentative during this period. This is a time to review the love life and to plan positive improvements for the future. You can act on your plans when Venus starts moving forward again. (The same applies to financial matters too.)

Those of you working towards a second marriage will have very wonderful opportunities towards the end of the year – from November 8 onwards. Something serious is developing here. Those of you working towards your third marriage will have opportunities with people involved in your finances. Wealth seems an important romantic turn on. A business-type partnership can happen from May 16 to November 6. Those working on the fourth marriage have a quiet, stable year.

Married children or children figures will have their relationships tested this year. They have two eclipses in their house of love. (This would apply to serious relationships too.) Siblings and sibling figures will find love from November 8 onwards. Grandchildren (if you have them) have a status quo social year.

Self-Improvement

Neptune, the most spiritual of all the planets, and your personal spiritual planet, has been in Pisces for some years now and will remain there for many more years. However, Neptune is much stronger in his own sign and house than usual. Thus your spiritual urges – your idealism – are much stronger these days. Jupiter, your planet of religion and philosophy, will be making very nice aspects to Neptune for most of the year – until November 8. So there’s a lot of spiritual growth happening. Your dream life is more active and your extrasensory perception is stronger. You’re experiencing all kinds of ‘synchronicities’, meaningful coincidences, these days. It would be tempting to let go of the world and just focus on spiritual matters. But the power in your career house (and especially Saturn’s presence there) forces you to be more ‘worldly’. Somehow you have to be practical and idealistic at the same time, to marry these two urges, to make them cooperate with each other. Getting the right attitude to spirituality will be a big help. When understood correctly it is the most practical thing a person can do. It leads (usually indirectly) to practical, measurable results.

I heard a radio host recently, who mockingly asked: ‘Can prayer fill potholes?’ He invited callers to comment on it. Most said no. But this only shows a lack of understanding. Prayer might not directly fill a pothole (though it can), but it will definitely fill them ‘indirectly’ by creating the conditions and circumstances where they get filled in natural ways.

So the cosmos is calling you to learn to make the spiritual power practical in your worldly affairs.

With Uranus in your sign for the past seven years you have had to deal with issues of ‘identity’. This is more important than psychology. Most of what passes for psychological problems are really problems of ‘mis-identification’. Get the right perspective on identity and the psychological problem melts away. By now, after seven years, you understand this. Now and for the next seven years the lessons from Uranus are financial. They are about learning to be comfortable with financial change and insecurity, to take the changes in your stride and to make the changes benefit you. You have plenty of time to learn these lessons, but it’s good to get started now.

Jupiter, as we mentioned, spends most of the year in your 8th house. This favours your efforts to reinvent yourself and give birth to the person you want to be – your ideal self. This can be hard work, but you have the support of the cosmos. To have more, you must ‘be’ more.

Month-by-month Forecasts
January

Best Days Overall: 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 31

Most Stressful Days Overall: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 29, 30

Best Days for Love: 5, 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 27, 28

Best Days for Money: 5, 6, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28

Best Days for Career: 5, 15, 16, 25

You begin your year with 90 per cent of the planets above the horizon and a super-charged 10th house of career. The entire year ahead is a strong career year, but right now you’re in the strongest month of a strong year. Almost all the action this month is in your 10th house of career. The message? Focus on your career – handle that properly and everything else will fall into place. (The lower part of your chart will get stronger in four or five months’ time, but it will never completely dominate your chart. This is a year to focus on your outer objectives.)

You’re working hard. You’re successful, but you’re earning it the hard way – through work and real merit. Yes, social connections are helpful this month – especially until the 18th – but they can only open doors. Eventually you have to produce. So, your health needs watching this month as this is not your best health period. Until the 11th pay attention to the liver and thighs. After the 11th give more attention to the back, knees, teeth and bones. (Regular thigh massage will strengthen the lower back.) The most important thing, as always, is to make sure you get enough rest. Health will improve after the 20th, but it will still need watching.

Mars, the ruler of your Horoscope, spends most of the month in your 8th house. This is a great aspect for weight loss and detox regimes. Mars will travel with Jupiter from the 4th to the 9th. This is a very happy transit and brings financial expansion and perhaps a foreign trip. Women of appropriate age are much more fertile then.

There is a Lunar Eclipse at the end of the month on the 31st. It occurs in your 5th house and affects family and children. Children and children figures are having important life changes. Family members can be more temperamental, and often repairs are needed in the home. Be more patient with your family at this time. This eclipse sideswipes Venus, your love and financial planet. It is not a direct hit, more a glancing blow, and often shows important financial changes (perhaps scares) and a need for a course correction in love and finance.

February

Best Days Overall: 9, 10, 19, 27, 28

Most Stressful Days Overall: 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, 26

Best Days for Love: 4, 5, 16, 25, 26

Best Days for Money: 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 25, 26

Best Days for Career: 2, 11, 12, 21

A Solar Eclipse on the 15th appears to be a powerful one – it is not just the Sun that’s getting eclipsed, but Mercury and Jupiter as well. Mars in your 9th house all month indicates an urge for travel (and many of you will have to), but it’s not very advisable during this period. (Apart from the eclipse, Jupiter, your travel planet, is receiving stressful aspects.) If your journey is not strictly necessary, don’t do it. If it is necessary, avoid the eclipse period if at all possible, and allow more time to get to and from your destination.

The Solar Eclipse occurs in your 11th house of friends, so friendships can get tested. Often, the testing it is not the fault of your relationships but because of dramas that are happening in the lives of your friends. Children of appropriate age (or children figures in your life) are having their love relationships tested. Single children can decide to tie the knot over the next six months. Drive more defensively during this period. Communication and technology equipment can become more temperamental now and some of it might need replacement or repair. Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date and that all your important computer files are safely backed up. Technology is wonderful when it works as it should, but when it doesn’t, oh my! It’s a horror! It’s as if life stops.

Health and energy are much improved over last month, but the eclipse can cause a health scare or necessitate a change in your health regime – an important change. The job situation is also shaky for a while.

Both love and money go well until the 11th, but afterwards you will have to work harder for earnings. Perhaps you’re not enjoying what you have to do to earn your money. It is as if you can’t be bothered. If you put in the extra work you should prosper. Venus will be in her most powerful position from the 11th onwards – in the sign of Pisces. This indicates strong earning power (and social magnetism). Financial intuition is important now and, happily, it appears strong.

Love can be found in spiritual locales from the 11th onwards, and is idealistic and very tender. The beloved (or the people you meet) are likely to be more sensitive, more easily hurt, so be aware of your body language and voice tones.

March

Best Days Overall: 8, 9, 18, 19, 26, 27

Most Stressful Days Overall: 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 31

Best Days for Love: 3, 4, 8, 18, 19, 26, 27, 31

Best Days for Money: 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27

Best Days for Career: 1, 10, 11, 12, 20, 29

Spring is the season of new beginnings. Astrologically speaking it is the best time of year to start new projects or launch new products into the world. This year, it is better than usual. The planetary momentum is overwhelmingly forward. From the 20th (the first day of spring) to the 23rd, 90 per cent of the planets are moving forward – so those three days are the best days for starting a new project. (The Moon will also be waxing then, an added plus.) However, if you can’t start your project on those three days, the 20th to the 29th is also a good time (80 per cent of the planets will be moving forward).

Career is still active – especially from the 17th onwards – but the month ahead is a mostly spiritual-type month. It is a time for inner growth. It is a good time to focus on meditation, spiritual studies and charitable activities. Good to feed the ‘inner you’. Those of you on the spiritual path will gain insights.

The month ahead looks very prosperous as well. Venus, your financial planet, crosses your Ascendant and enters your 1st house on March 6. This brings financial windfalls and happy opportunities. You look rich these days. You have that image. People see you that way. This aspect gives a wonderful feeling of being ‘pursued’ by money, rather than you having to pursue it.

Love, too, is happy. Venus does double duty in your Horoscope. She is both the love and financial planet. So love, like money, pursues you. Your existing spouse, partner or current love is more attentive and is trying to please you. He or she is totally on your side.

Mars crossing your Mid-heaven on the 17th indicates personal career success. You’re above everyone in your world. You’re recognized for who you are and for your achievements. People look up to you.

The month ahead is very hectic and fast paced, especially from the 20th onward. But happily you have the energy to handle it. You can enhance your health even further through foot massage and spiritual healing techniques until the 6th. After then, scalp massage and physical exercise will be good.

April

Best Days Overall: 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24

Most Stressful Days Overall: 1, 7, 8, 21, 22, 27, 28

Best Days for Love: 1, 7, 8, 16, 17, 27, 28

Best Days for Money: 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, 22, 27, 29, 30

Best Days for Career: 7, 8, 16, 25

Last month on the 20th the planetary power reached its most Eastern position. You were in your most independent kind of period and this continues in the month ahead. With your 1st house so strong, you’re having your way in life (only career responsibilities are limiting you now). If changes need to be made – if conditions are not to your liking – then change them; make them as you wish. You have the power to do this now. (Later on in the year it will be more difficult.)

You also entered one of your yearly personal pleasure peaks last month and this continues, until the 20th of this month. This is a time for exploring (and gratifying) all the pleasures of the body. It is a great period for getting the body and image in right shape, the way you want it to be.

This year’s personal pleasure peak is different from those of past years. Yes, you want to have fun and indulge the body, but you also want to be successful in the world. Career pulls you one way while the fun-loving urges pull you another. With a little bit of creativity you can manage both. There are no rules as to how this is done. Every person finds their own solution.

Last month, the planetary power started to shift below the horizon. The lower half of the Horoscope (the night side) is as strong as it will ever be this year – 40 per cent (and sometimes 50 per cent) of the planets are there. However, the upper half is still very dominant so you still need to focus on the career, but you can allot a little more time to the home, family and your emotional well-being. This is not a big priority this year, but it can’t be completely ignored. Sometimes people need less sleep than at other times, but they still need some sleep.

The month ahead looks prosperous. On the 20th, the Sun enters your 2nd, money house and stays there for the rest of the month ahead. You’re in a period of peak earnings. There is luck in speculations (though please don’t do this with your rent or food money) and money is earned in happy ways. You’re enjoying your wealth. Children – depending on their age and stage in life – are either supportive in a material way or through inspiring you to earn more. Venus in the money house until the 24th is another good financial sign. Financial judgement is good. Conservative. (Though you should be careful of overspending on the 17th and 18th.)

Singles find love opportunities as they pursue their normal financial goals and perhaps with people involved in their finances.

May

Best Days Overall: 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 29, 30

Most Stressful Days Overall: 4, 5, 18, 19, 24, 25, 31

Best Days for Love: 7, 8, 17, 24, 25, 26

Best Days for Money: 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27

Best Days for Career: 4, 5, 14, 22, 31

Venus spends most of the month ‘out of bounds’ – from the 6th to the 31st. This shows that in finance and love, you’re going beyond your normal sphere, outside your normal neighbourhood. You’re thinking ‘outside the box’, which often brings just the right solution. It was the ‘box’ itself that was causing the problem in the first place.

You’re still very much in a yearly financial peak until the 21st. So you’re in a period of peak earnings. The New Moon of the 15th occurs in the money house, making it an excellent financial day. But more importantly, it will clarify the financial life as the month progresses – and well into next month. The information that you need to make a right decision is winging its way towards you.

Uranus, as we have already mentioned, makes a major move into your money house on the 16th, creating excitement and change. This transit is only the harbinger of things to come. It favours online activities. Your financial planet, Venus, will be in your 3rd house of communication until the 19th. This favours sales, marketing, advertising and PR activities. People need to know about your product or service. Good use of the media pays dividends too. On the 19th Venus will move into your 4th house, indicating earning through the family and family connections. Family support is good (and mutual). Financial intuition is strong. Venus opposes Saturn from the 25th to the 27th; earnings can be stalled for a few days, but this is a short-term problem. Indeed, the delays will make the final outcome even better.

Mars, the ruler of your Horoscope, has spent the past two months in your 10th house of career. You’ve been very successful during this period, and now you’re ready to be more socially oriented. You’re still focused on your career, but you’re more sociable about it. You’re there for your friends now, and are probably more popular.

Love, for singles, can be found in your neighbourhood – but not in your usual haunts. There are love opportunities in educational settings – at school functions, the library or bookstore or at lectures. You’re attracted to those who have the gift of the gab and people who are easy to talk to. You like the ‘smart people’ these days. Later on, after the 19th, you’ll crave emotional intimacy and emotional sharing. Love becomes a ‘mood’ issue. The challenge will be to get in the right mood – and get your partner in the right mood.