Guiding
Planets, Challenges and Gifts:
This forecast into 2013 follows a formula for each sign of the
zodiac. The planet that is associated with, or disposits
the zodiacal sign, is the “Guiding Planet” for the
interpretational highlights for each sign for the year. Additionally,
Saturn,
on one hand, and Jupiter,
on the other, balance each other out as givers of challenges or
gifts, respectively. The forecasts are a bit longer than usual in
most cases, but will hopefully contain interesting and useful
astrological predictions to utilize throughout the year, and during
the specified periods given in some of the delineations.
Read
for your Ascendant:
It should be presumed that the reading for your Ascendant (or Rising
Sign) will be as accurate as for your Sun
sign.
If you do not know your Ascendant and want that information you can
go to many different on-line sites and get birth chart data, plus
much more. In most cases, you have to set up an account, (business is
business, I suppose) but can leave boxes unchecked that offer
newsletters, emails and other stuff. Here is one link to follow that
offers a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface to get
your natal astrological data. Try your darndest to get an accurate
birth time before you start.
Aries-
With Mighty Mars
as your Guiding Planet, Aries, you can always count on things to
change quickly, week-to-week and even day-to-day. In general terms,
for the first part of the year, Ram, be the bigger person, rise above
the fray, and keep your actions in line with your higher values. Just
in time for spring, the God of War and Sexy Dancing penetrates into
home
territory for
glorious rebirth and renewal. Things should pump along quite nicely,
if you can just be your natural self, until late July, which marks a
critical turning point in your personal year. At that point, pay
careful attention to the domestic scene, attend to any squeaky wheels
you have been trying to ignore, and be prepared to shift your agenda
and focus. Your challenge: stay on-track and dig deeper than you
typically would to suss out any underlying rot or leaking resources.
Gifts will come your way in 2013, splitting the year into two
six-month phases of fortune. The first half finds you getting useful
information, so keep your ears open. The second half of 2013 could
mean expansion of home, family, or just lots more fun spent with the
ones you love.
Taurus-
By tracking the progress of your guiding planet, Venus,
you can plan to be the best you can be during mid-spring. Mid-spring
is always your time, and especially so in 2013, when the Goddess of
Love and Pleasure sashays through your home sign, Taurus. A glorious
rendezvous with Jolly Jupiter
during the last week in May suggests that you Bulls should plan ahead
in order to be in position for “A+” experiences during that time.
Finally, the year closes with Venus
turning retrograde in Capricorn. If you always follow the rules and
bow to tradition, especially during the winter holidays, this might
be the year to break free while also expanding the possibilities of
the seasonal opportunities on
your own terms.
Your challenge area, according to Saturn
the Tester, lies in your closest relationships. It may take quite an
effort to keep your friends and/or lovers from becoming enemies, at
least occasionally, but you can deal with the worst as long as love
is not entirely lost. Key themes in the relationship department:
“boundaries” and “trust”. Gifts come via aforementioned
Jupiter;
take advantage of your enhanced capacity to generate
more money
during the first six months of 2013 and during the second half of the
year, learn, listen and don't be afraid to talk and teach –
communication will be the key to your success, halfway into 2014!
(Read Libra's Guiding Light themes for additional predictions that
apply to Taurus as well.)
Gemini-
Mercury,
your Guiding Light and the dispositor of your Sun,
Herald, Merchant, Thief and Psycho-pomp, whizzes around too rapidly
to single out one area of life for a given year, but there will
always be a couple of highlights that involve Big Issues and
Long-term Themes. Guidance, part 1: From the New Moon April 10th
through the New Moon on June 8th
you need to be above board, impeccably honest, and unerringly
accurate in your business and relationship dealings. Tricks,
short-cuts and sins-of-omission may be very costly. Upside:
inspiration and dreams can be very helpful. Guidance, part 2: Make
plans for Memorial Day weekend in late May, and the few days
following. This is about maximizing your pleasure and/or making a
proposal, presentation or public announcement for some project or
relationship you want cosmic support for. The challenge that you need
to deal with in order to succeed and prosper lies in any health
concern or drudgy chore that you avoid, saying things like, “It
feels like I'm going to die when I have to deal with that”. Whether
it means a visit to the dentist, hours spent cleaning the garage, or
“yuk!” - tidying up your files, there is a lot of blocked energy
that needs to be freed up. Gifting you, more than any other sign for
the first six months of 2013, is Generous Jupiter.
Turn on the charm, and work on your self-image and presentation –
the goal is to feel better on the inside, but a new pair of shoes
never hurts. During the 2nd
half of 2013, affording those shoes should get easier if you take
advantage of the“golden opportunities” showing up through the end
of the year. (Read Virgo's Guiding Light theme for predictions that
apply to Geminis as well.)
Cancer-
Your
Guiding Light, Cancer, is one of the two “luminaries” in our
planetary pantheon. Luna, traveling precipitously compared to the
grave and solemn pace of the outer planets, maintains one of two
basic, bio-energetic rhythms in our existence, along with her
astrological sibling, Sol.
These
“beats” reach poly-rhythmic crescendos 5 times this year at the
eclipses in spring and fall. A very interesting one for you, Crab,
comes at the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on May 24th
- mainly due to the combination of idealistic and dreamy indicators
at play. Questions to keep in mind in anticipation of this potent
event: How can I ground my highest ideals and spiritual values more
concretely in my daily life? In what ways am I exemplary at acting in
a spirit of service or consecrating my behavior to a Higher Truth,
but almost never, for whatever reason, speak aloud my true beliefs?
Or, despite being philosophically clear, and offering meaningful,
even “inspired” advice to help countless others, do I fall short
in the little details of my own life? Engage these question, or ones
like them, and you may reach an epiphany by mid-year, Cancer. The
bugaboo challenge you have to face lies in A) the ways you fail to
have fun, or B) the ways you take your relationship with your
creative projects or children too seriously. In either case you need
to lighten up. Jupiter
offers
varied gifts, split between the two halves of 2013. Jupiter
supports
the above-outlined inquiry into the intersection of belief and
behavior until the end of June. At that point, Lucky You, Cancerian!
Jupiter starts a majestic year-long stay in your sign. You will
simply shine brighter, improve in all ways, and grow, grow, grow.
Ahem, if you do indeed put thought and time into practicing your
philosophy, then you will grow in many areas of your life, not just
around your waist!
Leo-
You are looking at a transformational week for Leo in the rear-view
mirror as 2013 dawns. So, to follow your Guiding Light, first cast
back – did you make any New Year's resolutions or come to any
conclusions about yourself and your life since the winter solstice,
2012? There are going to be thresholds and gates as you cycle through
this next year, embodied by the outer planets, Uranus
and
Pluto,
as they make their mark on history, and your life. In case you did
not resolve to clean up your life in some way, re-think that and pick
one or two areas that really need some tidying up, and then proceed
with the rest of this forecast. Done? Now set a time-table and some
reality-check-points with me: During the week surrounding the Full
Moon in late March yield
to
the urge to be seduced by something or someone so scintillating and
exciting that it opens the possibility of liberating your mere lust
into the realm of cosmically-ordained adoration, taking you to the
outer limits of pleasure and passion – without necessarily
literalizing
the urge, unless you can proceed without lies, cheats, or
self-betrayal. Sometimes your imagination is more than enough. Next
stop, July 1st
,(and the few days before and after) to check to see if your
love-light is still shining. Are your professed spiritual or moral
values showing up in your closest relationship(s)? If not, this is
the week to do some shadow-boxing and see what is keeping you from
experiencing the love you so dearly want and need. Final stop before
the next cycle, October 1st, for a gut-and mind check. Start the
autumn with some inner work, and get some some support while you are
at it. Healing, and self-revelatory soul-searching are in order. Use
the current status of your connections with significant others to
help guide you to what needs care, cure and a medicinal approach.
Challenging Saturn
can potentially thwart the tremendous gains possible for you, so
watch any tendency to dominate, control, emotionally bruise or
neglect the people you call family – even ones from the past you no
longer live with. Saving the day: friends and community-oriented
social activities. Network your ass off, participate in your world,
and congregate among those you share faith, ideas and ideals with.
Just another year in the life of the Leo clan.
Virgo-
Mercury,
your Guiding Light and the dispositor of your Sun,
Herald, Merchant, Thief and Psycho-pomp, whizzes around too rapidly
to single out one area of life for a given year, but there will
always be a couple of highlights that involve Big Issues and
Long-term Themes. With the retrograde cycle of Mercury,
your Guiding Light planet tends to spend significantly longer periods
in one sign three times a year. Thus, you get to re-do, review and
optimize in three distinct areas of life, Virgo. Here is a head's up
regarding when and where to put extra focus and attention to make
your life ever better and more wonderful. For February and March, you
should relate to your business partners, bowling team, mate(s) and
BFF's like they are the most cherished beings on the planet. In June
and July expand the circle and show your allies, friends and
associates some love. For example, send a courtesy “thank you”
card to all your professional associations for their business,
support, referrals and so forth. In October and November, lubricate
your relationships with siblings and neighbors. Make an extra effort
to let sisters and brothers know you care, and make a surprise gift
of your pumpkin pie to a neighbor you usually just wave “hello”
to. The Cosmic Stumbling Block for Virgos in 2013 has to do with
your attitude. If you could put your daily waking orientation to life
on a bumper sticker, would it be positive and inspiring like, “The
solution to a problem changes the nature of the problem.” or
cynical, “If you are feeling good, don't worry. You'll get over
it.” Your daily life “slogans” color your experience of the
world, and you are being challenged this year to take responsibility
for your attitude and adjust accordingly. Gifts for you come through
career gains, and by establishing yourself in the eyes of society and
your professional peers. Even if “career” is not something you
relate to, a “calling” of some sort, or fulfilling life path
should open to you in the glory days of 2013. (Read the Guiding Light
themes for Gemini, as they will apply to Virgos as well.)
Libra-
Your Guiding Light planet, Venus,
is at her dazzling best in three different signs, according to
venerated astrological tradition. (See the Guiding Light portion for
Taurus, since it will apply to you as well, Libra.) Venus
is said to be “exalted” in the sign of the fishes, Pisces.
Universalizing her love and radiating pure vibes of peace and
goodness, Venus
is in her most transcendent phase the last few days of February until
the start of spring. These weeks are for opening the heart and
nurturing your tender side, Libra. Avoid ugly scenes when possible,
keep the news turned down, contemplate beauty, make art, and
generally soothe your soul so that your capacity to love and create
harmony will be flowing easily in the year ahead. When graceful Venus
is in your sign each year you can be at your natural best, and this
signifies a period where your refined social and relational skills
are at their peak. This is also a typically good time to
strategically negotiate and selectively charm your way into win-win
situations, or the best deal in town. In 2013, the Golden Goddess
shines in her rulership from mid-August to the 12th
of September. Your challenge this year is to maintain your
self-esteem even with a tight budget, and speaking of budgets, you
may need to keep better track of spending, avoiding lavish outlays of
cash and purchases of unneeded luxury items. If you learn and expand
your knowledge and know-how through June, you can effectively utilize
your new information and updated skill-set to maximize your
marketability and boost chances for promotions and recognition in
your work and your social sector during the following six months.
Scorpio-
Your Guiding Light planet, Scorpio, is the heaviest mover-and-shaker
of the solar system. Although recently demoted to dwarf-planet status
by astronomers, Pluto
is still the most feared and dreaded influence in the pantheon. Pluto
is
in a complex and powerful multi-planet alignment with other potent
“outer” planet players throughout 2013. Use your power gracefully
and for the benefit of others, Scorpio, in order to channel your
strength with minimal “blow-back”. Sometimes showing up, speaking
your mind, or simply taking control of messy situations is a major
challenge for Scorpios. If ever you were meant to show your true
colors, dominate when it is called for, and wade in when other balk,
this will be the time. Hounding you if you hesitate, Stern Saturn
will give extra force to your inner “judge” who will criticize
you harshly if you keep your light hidden under the proverbial
bushel. Keep your self-talk positive and encouraging. Think about
this old cliché, “To make an omelette, you have to break a few
eggs.” Gifts come through legacies and others' losses. If you step
bravely into the fray, hack through the denials and hidden agendas,
your star will shine and you can display your truest gifts, some of
which only appear in the midst of crisis, since, more than any other
sign, you can be strong and fearless in the most critical and charged
situations.
Sagittarius-
It is said that Saggitarians are born under a “lucky star,” and
while not technically true, with Good King Jupiter
as your Guiding Light planet, you generally get the boost of the
biggest benefactor in the heavens. If you can keep your friends and
lovers on your side and basically happy with you, Sag, you may find
that the goodies and gifts come your way from others near and dear to
you this year. In the Challenge Dept., it may be you have no one but
yourself to blame, Sag. Self-undermining behavior, semi-conscious
reactivity, mis-application of your power, and picking exactly the
wrong moment to put your hoof in your mouth can lead to self-undoing
in 2013. One good thing about being your own worst enemy, you do not
have to wonder who to blame. If difficulty arises from unexpected
quarters, it may also be that some folks are simply working at
cross-purposes with you, or that you have not been clear in
communicating your intentions to all the parties involved. Make an
effort to speak to those that need to know while also remembering
that telling the truth does not mean blabbing all you know.
Capricorn-
Striving for excellence is typical and admirable about you
Capricorns. This year the challenge lies in choosing the excellent
and most worthy among your friends and associates while also drawing
clear boundaries and limiting unfortunate and wasteful interactions
with those who drain your energy or put a strain on your peace of
mind. Health and happiness are linked this year, Cap. Beware the
tendency to overwork, a problem for some Seagoats, and make suitable
and agreeable life-rhythms a priority. This literally means balancing
work, sleep and play into an homeostatic equilibrium on a weekly
basis for the duration of 2013. With appropriate attention to the
details, and by delegating good support people to help keep tabs on
the small, but important matters, this should be a year of
establishing yourself and experiencing growth in areas near and dear
to your heart. The second half of 2013 brings happiness in your
intimate arenas and partnerships. Schedule ahead
of time
in your datebook periods from July through spring of next year so you
can ensure occasions of joy-filled experiences with loved ones and/or
business partners.
Aquarius-
Lighting the way for you Aquarians, and all the rest of humanity, is
lightning-rod Uranus,
sparking with flashes of electric brilliance, instilling genius and
originality into those able and willing to receive. You may be
learning-as-you-go this year, Water-Bearer, but do not let that stop
you from sharing your new-found knowledge as fast as you can
fact-check. Disseminating ideas comes naturally for most Aquarians,
but even for those who tend to be more introspective, this is the
year to write to the editor, apply for a patent, start the treatise
or magnum opus, pen your poems and otherwise print, fax and convey.
You may need to temper your more outrageous tendencies to rise to the
position of respectability you deserve, but this is more about your
quirky personality traits than your unusual ideas or out-of-the-box
solutions to tricky problems. Conformity is not your style, but
transferring the energy you expend struggling with authority figures
into showing what you are capable of can lead to advancement,
improved reputation, and honors for the hard work you have been
putting in already. Gifts are bestowed if and when you stop taking
yourself so seriously and recognize the “Leela” or play in the
nature of the cosmic game of life. Improved conditions at work and in
your overall health and well-being manifest starting in July.
Pisces-
Neptune,
under the modern astrological rulerships, is the Guiding Planet for
Pisces people. Throughout 2013, and for more than a decade more,
Neptune will
pass through Pisces star-space providing for a pure and essentially
unadulterated influence from the God of Dreams and Transcendent
Awareness. Your Guiding Planet, Pisces, asks you consider the
difference between style and artifice in regards to your connections
to others. Is it easier to “put on appearances” to get by? Do you
find yourself playing the chameleon in daily situations, and does
this allow the true, essential you to ever be really touched, known
and appreciated? The challenge for 2013 that stands in the way of
living more “as within, so without” comes in your reluctance to
trust your own wisdom, education and life experience, giving away
power to people who just have louder opinions. The gifts for you,
Pisces, come in two stages, split between the 6-month halves of the
year. January through June continues a theme of joy at home and happy
times with family and roomies. Party on the patio! From July through
December the pleasures come in creative endeavors, romance and
playful involvements with friends or kids, or
friends who can make each other feel like kids again.
