Midlife Transits

There’s a big emphasis on your knowledge and information houses in February. Neptune moves into your solar 3rd house of information on the 3rd of February. He joins Venus there, and the sun and Mercury follow him into the sign on the 19th and 13th respectively. There’s also a new moon in Pisces on the 21st. The third house is the house of common sense, everyday knowledge, not advanced learning or anything.

The strange thing is that Neptune is a planet of uncommon sense and cosmic knowledge. (more…)

Happy New Year Capricorn. As your sign continues to enjoy favor from planets in all of the earth signs, let’s start by talking a bit about the Jupiter in Taurus part of the equation. Jupiter is in your solar 5th house, the one associated with creative projects. With the sun in your own sign until the 20th, you have a double dose of energy relating to imagination, originality, and new ideas that Jupiter in Taurus can help you capitalize on productively.

If you’d like any of these potential ideas to pay off in a financial sense, then January is good for that also. (more…)

Planets are moving into your sign, Capricorn. Venus actually entered on the 26th of November and stays until the 20th of December. On the 22nd, the sun moves into your sign. Meanwhile, there’s solid, steady energy in the other two earth signs compatible with your own. (more…)

There’s some good news in November. We see energy in all the reasonable earth signs friendly with your own sign. Venus even moves into your sign a bit early this year, on the 26th of this month.

November is also Scorpio month. (more…)

When it comes to relationships, one thing Capricorn likes is interpersonal solidness. What that means to Capricorn is a relationship that doesn’t really change under stress. A relationship where things flow along smoothly unless something really extreme is going on. In October, you’ve got a pretty good shot at that solid state you prefer. Pluto in your own sign will be flowing along smoothly with Jupiter in your love life sector for the last 8 days of the month. That’s a nice vibe.

What might not be so solid is your finances. Neptune is slowing way the heck down these days so that he can ooze his way toward stationing next month–and then finally turn direct and leave your financial sector for good next year. Neptune’s influence on your finances can be quite good or just maddening. Neptune morphs all over the place at the slightest provocation and refuses to commit himself to any particular form of action.

Mars, meanwhile, is kicking up his heels in your sector of joint finances. Mars in Leo has virtually the opposite personality from Neptune in Aquarius, so financially speaking your solar chart doesn’t know if it’s coming or going. This too shall pass.

You’ve also got career energy this month. Saturn in Libra has hopefully been helping you build up experience in your chosen career and giving you opportunity to observe how things are done at the top. That experience could pay off in at least a minor way during the first week of the month, when the sun, Mercury and Venus are in your career sector along with Saturn. Beginning on the 9th of the month, emphasis gradually shifts toward your interactions with reliable, trustworthy friends. If you can avoid financial problems, it’s actually a pretty decent month.

One of the things that I haven’t mentioned for Capricorn yet is that Jupiter in the 5th house (Jupiter in Taurus in your solar chart) can be related to making money through what’s called ‘speculation.’ In other words, investments that have some inherent risk, such as putting money in the stock market. I don’t have Jupiter in the 5th house, and I haven’t checked whether this proves true in real life, but if you are considering putting money in the stock market or some such thing, Jupiter in Taurus could be part of the reason. Another part of the reason could be the return of Neptune to your solar financial house.

Neptune likes easy money. When Neptune is good financially, it can be very very good. Think of all those dot.com millionaires and even billionaires. However, when it’s bad, you can lose a bundle. Think of when the dot.com bubble went bust.

Lately, the stock market’s been about as speculative as you can get. I’m not advising whether you should or shouldn’t put some money into speculation. I’m just pointing out that your chart is eyeing the possibility of big profits and that you can make your own decision using your sharp Capricorn brain. With Venus (money planet) in your house of international affairs during the first half of September, this could have something to do with foreign investments, but you’ll want to get specifics as Virgo doesn’t like to do anything without specifics and cold, hard analysis.

If you don’t want to turn your attention to practical matters (unlike Capricorn, but just in case), the first part of the month sees a lot of energy in your solar 9th house of philosophy and contemplating the meaning of existence. This may not be exciting but it can be restful.

On the 14th, Venus moves into Libra, which represents the most visible sign in your solar chart. This is the sector of your chart where you get attention, where you are watched, listened to, where your words are given authority. Given that Saturn has been hanging out in this part of your chart for quite a while, you may be viewed as an admirable figure or a cautionary tale. In either case, Venus softens the perceptions of you a bit. That’s probably good because Saturn in the solar 10th house is kind of a heavy placement.

Saturn can do big things for you and your reputation, but generally not easily. The sun joins Venus and Saturn in this sector on the 23rd, and Mercury makes it a foursome on the 25th. If you want to make changes in your career or reputation, the time to do so is around the time of your annual career new moon, which this month falls on the 27th.

Switching gears, Pluto stations and then turns direct this month, making him especially potent right now. These days, Pluto is your personal planet of heavy changes. If your sun is at 4 degrees Capricorn (you were born 4 days after the start of the sign, right around Christmas), then Pluto is at its peak of power in your chart. Fortunately, that means a turnaround is in the works and whatever heaviness you’ve been undergoing is about to lighten up. If you’re not a December born Capricorn, Pluto’s switch in direction will probably manifest in a more muted way, but you will still probably feel a bit of a shift.

So far, we’ve been focusing on money, career, and heaviness, but Jupiter in the 5th house can also signal a good time to begin a new relationship. If you’re in the market for love, it’s time to advertise yourself.

Got yourself a lover Capricorn? If you don’t, Jupiter in Taurus (which is strong because it stations this month) would like to help you get one in your possession. Because that’s how Taurus looks at lovers, as things you possess. It looks at your children that way too.

There are disadvantages to this outlook, as some will point out, but for the moment, the idea is simply to get these things or enjoy the fact that you already have them. That’s not too terrible. Speaking of possessions, this month Neptune slips back into the sector of your chart that symbolizes the tangible kind, the physical stuff you own. You’re almost finished with Neptune in this sector of your solar chart but not quite yet.

Neptune by its nature makes it difficult to seize and hold things, because it’s too darn passive to be very firm about anything. If you are greatly affected by Neptune, this symbolism could be fairly literal. Things may slip out of your grasp. I’m sure there’s a metaphysical lesson in all this, but hopefully you’ve learned it already, whatever it is.

In August, planets in Leo will be opposing Neptune and you can either take that as a caution to hold on tighter to your money and your stuff or decide you’ll just go with the flow and not worry about it. The bulk of the Leo influence (except for Mercury) will be over by the 23rd. The upside of this aspect is that it can also be simultaneously romantic and sexy.

In fact, with Jupiter in sexy Taurus, sexy Mars in your relationship sector and Neptune opposed to Venus in your solar 8th house of sex, you could have one of your sexiest months of the past dozen years! Admittedly, Mars will be getting grumpy with all kinds of planets this month, but a little passion could more than compensate for fleeting irritations.

By the 23rd, we’re in Virgo season, which is about development. This could be personal development, project development, idea development, whatever you’d like. The idea is to point yourself in the direction of a desired outcome. It’s also about looking at the relationship between the parts and the whole. A great time to ponder all this and initiate something is around the time of the new moon in Virgo on the 28th.

Mercury does go retrograde this month (until the 26th), a time when astrologers traditionally say that things go wrong. The hype is overblown because, as every good Capricorn knows, things can go wrong at any time and Mercury is not usually to blame. If anything, the squares between Mars in Cancer and the angles of your solar chart would be more likely to make things go not as intended in your home or career life. Nevertheless, it can be comforting when you or someone near you is saying “what the heck is the matter with things today” to murmur “Mercury retrograde” in an authoritative voice. Hey, it might as well be good for something! Things will return to normal around the middle of next month.

And now one final enigmatic tip: stillness is healing in August.

Uranus skids to a stop in Aries this month, at the bottom of your solar chart. Then he goes retrograde. The effect of this will partly depend on your rising sign and partly depend on whether you have Capricorn planets at 4 degrees (Capricorns with birthdays around the 26th of December have their suns at that degree). The most likely effect is that the bottom line on some issue will become abundantly clear.

If the bottom line doesn’t reveal itself  automatically, you can use the energy, especially around the 9th, to force the issue and get some clarity. It’s also possible that someone will give you some surprising news in the four or five days before and after this date. Whatever the issue in your life might be, it should get first dibs on your attention, and the lines of communication need to stay open.

Other December born Capricorns will be dealing with Pluto more directly, and some of you will be dealing with both Pluto and Uranus simultaneously. Pluto can bring a person pretty low, and it is one deep planet. There’s nothing to do but go deep with it. Even if you were not born in December, having Pluto in your sign can be pretty deep, and it’s good to remember that it’s okay that you are gaining depth. With these outer planet transits a lot depends on the specifics of your chart and your situation.

The Plutonian depths may make the relatively superficial energy of Mars in Gemini in your 6th house of work and health a relative relief. This is not a long transit like those outer planet ones. It lasts all throughout July, though and could bring some energetic variety to your workload. Or it could have you trying out new exercises or sports to keep yourself both entertained and in shape.

Even better, Jupiter has moved into your solar 5th house of fun and love. Jupiter’s a traveling planet, but you might be better off to put the summer vacation on hold til next month and enjoy a little romance right where you are. Because…speaking of romance, there is one last solar eclipse in Cancer taking place this month, on the 1st. This kind of an eclipse almost always refers to another person coming into your life.

Typically this means a new love interest (unless you have recently embarked on a new relationship or are previously committed). Sometimes it means a new best friend or a new business partner, someone that you like, that you would be happy to choose to be with. At any rate, it represents a bit of potential good news, an advancement in the trajectory of your life. Venus will also be in Cancer for much of the month, adding to the pleasure associated with other people.

If things go well in the first part of the month, you may be in a prime position to take advantage of the nice Leo energy in your house of sexuality as the month develops.

The Capricorn chart is a bit complex at the moment. For all of 2011, one planet or another has been stoking the Arian competitive fires at the base of your chart. This trend continues in June, but the energy shifts a bit.

First, we have to understand a bit about the role of competition in the Capricorn solar chart. The basic idea is that part of the Capricorn character is formed by an experience of having to contend or compete, during childhood or at home, with other people for the kind of basic acknowledgement that all people need. This is just something Capricorn internalizes so that it forms part of the Capricorn approach to life and then the Capricorn forgets about it and doesn’t even realize how much he or she is always competing for acknowledgement. In the past couple of years, Jupiter and Uranus have come along to inflame that particular part of the Capricorn experience and bring it back into play. In June, Jupiter moves on to Taurus, leaving Uranus by himself to figure out how to connect with family members or at home so that the vital acknowledgement keeps coming from the people most likely to take you for granted.

To add to this, Pluto in your own sign is ready or even itching to fight for you. Now that buffer Jupiter is out of the way, Pluto is gearing up for a knock-down, drag-out battle with whoever is not giving you your due. Fortunately, perhaps, during June, you can use some of this building energy in your chart in an area that Capricorn finds comfortable–work. There’s a lot of energy in your solar work sector, including an eclipse.

Eclipses represent shocking events or news and the first one of the month is in Gemini on the 1st of June. Typical events in this sector would a very surprising job offer (even if you’re out of work). Since Gemini also represents your solar sector of health, an eclipse could signal a scary piece of health news that propels you into getting into shape permanently. Even if you don’t get any eclipse news, you can use this new moon to start some healthy habits.

There’s also a rather flammable lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on the 15th. This is the type of eclipse that can bring hidden enemies or hidden information to light and make your chart mad, as it is in no way in a mood to see you dissed right now. It will be up to you to set the record straight.

May starts out with thoughts of home on your chart’s mind. The thoughts may relate to literal physical matters, such as upgrading your furnishings or redecorating. Or the thoughts may have more to do with relationships, concern about divisions or conflicts within the home. Either way, you can use the energy of the month to undertake a thorough overhaul or get a fresh start.

Because Uranus will be in your home sector for many years to come, it’s important to learn how to manage this craving your chart has for fresh air, literally or metaphorically, in your domestic life. Other possibilities for using the energy include making connections with your neighbors to bring new and potentially compatible people into your life. If you’re already friendly with your neighbors, the first half of the month might be a good time for a get-together. The dates around the 11th of the month are especially good for this, as Jupiter is just dying at that time to crowd a bunch of people into your home for a festive time.

Another good day for festivities occurs during the week before Memorial Day, around the 25th. An early holiday barbecue would fit the bill just fine and usher in the summer vibe the planets crave. The one thing the planets are not in the mood for this month is having you be alone. Speaking of which, after the first half of the month, the planets move toward a focus on love and personal relationships and intimacy.

In May you can get a deliciously fiery spark going in your love life. If you are single, it’s a chance to play the field. The action may actually start earlier in the month, as early as the 30th of April. Mars and Jupiter connect at that time and on the 1st of May, and there’s a new moon in your love life sector on the 3rd. This a very hot energy; use it wisely.

The Taurus energy that lights up your love life can also relate to things and material items. On the 20th, Pluto makes good aspects with Mercury and Mars in Taurus, giving you a chance to focus, if you’d like on the stuff you need to get and/or throw away. Be specific and organized in your lists of things to toss, replace, or acquire.

On the 21st, the sun moves into Gemini, centering your chart around work and health matters. But Pluto and Venus also make a nice angle, which is a very sexy aspect. Enjoy.

Relationships with family members are highlighted in April for Capricorn. There’s a lot of Aries energy banging around the enclosed space that is your home throughout the month. Even if you live alone, it is important to make the vital connections with your family a priority right now. In fact, make that your new moon’s resolution on April 3–stay connected to family members.

The truth is, you may already know what’s up on the family front. As the month opens, the sun, Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus are already in Aries, the sign of family for the Goat. With Mercury retrograde until the 23rd, maybe you will be dealing with some ongoing situation with a sibling. Another possibility with Mercury retrograde is that words said previously led to a misunderstanding or anger that now reveals itself so it can be straightened out. Or perhaps you are in the midst of important discussions with family members about the future. There may even be an ongoing family issue that you’ve been wrestling with since last summer. Whatever the situation is, it needs your attention in April.

Of course, Pluto is still in your sign, so you have your own personal agenda to attend to as well. It’s just that with 6 planets in the domestic sector of your chart this month, the requirements of others take temporary precedence.

There is one area of your chart that’s not so duty-oriented this month, that requires no heavy obligations. That’s the Neptune in Pisces sector after the 4th. Neptune encourages you to vent your feelings in words, maybe a journal, a few scribblings, a chat with a neighbor, a casual conversation with an acquaintance that allows you to process all the domestic drama. Feel free to take advantage of Neptune’s help.

Aries energy is busting out all over these days, often displaying itself in the form of dramatic showdowns in the news. For Capricorn, however, Aries energy is less about a physical manifestation of bravery, protest, or determination, as it is an emotional or spiritual influence. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the energy; you certainly can. Capricorn is the master of using the energy at its disposal.

You can start on the 9th, when Mercury moves into Aries by setting up an orderly and goal-oriented process for handling your domestic affairs. Jupiter, already in the Arian home and family sector of your chart, will help. You’re going to need this orderly, goal-oriented process because on the 11th Uranus enters Aries. Uranus is not the least bit orderly and it often doesn’t seem very goal-oriented either. As a Capricorn, you need the physical structure of a system to back you up while you accidentally explore the spiritual and emotional highs and lows that Uranus will bring over the next 7 years. You need to be organized so that you can deal with the disorganization to come. May sound paradoxical, but it will help.

Of course, you always have Pluto in your own sign to deal with too. Pluto is also an emotional and spiritual influence, or at least often a subconscious one, which frequently amounts to the same thing. In your own sign, it can affect your body, so you need to be organized with that too. Don’t slack off on the exercise, the sleep, the nutrition, etc. In other words, if you can get your own systems in order, then you will be in an excellent position to uncover all sorts of interesting spiritual and emotional depth in yourself. If you let your systems decay or get chaotic, the Aries influence of Uranus over the next 7 years can be a bit more, uh, harrowing than it really needs to be.

In late January, Jupiter moves back into Aries and the part of your solar chart that deals with your domestic life. This is a reprise of energy from 2010, when Jupiter and Uranus both briefly visited this sign. It also marks the beginning of a very long planetary emphasis on your home and family life. By March, Uranus will settle in for a 7-year stay in Aries, during which you can expect Uranus to try to throw you for a loop many times when it comes to your roots and home base. Think back to the summer of 2010. Whatever came up then is likely to recur as theme this year. Another possibility is that you will be getting ready to temporarily hang your hat in a different location for awhile.

There’s also plenty to enjoy in February. You’ve got Mercury in your sign for the first couple of days and immediately following that, you get Venus in your sign for the rest of the month. Having Venus in your sign can be like being temporary royalty.

The other ongoing influence, of course, is having Pluto in your sign. Pluto will be actively working to transform you this year if your natal sun is at between 4 to 7 degrees of Capricorn (December-born Cappies). For the rest of you, the influence is more subtle. Transformations can be mysterious and not seemingly all that momentous. To give an example, Pluto in your sign can make a dedicated meat-eater decide to go vegetarian or coax the flat-footed into taking up dancing. These are simple changes that can have a more profound effect than you might think. Go with the flow if the urge to change a habit comes upon you; it could make a positive difference in your life.

Happy Birthday, Happy New Year! This is a big month astrologically, as we have a solar eclipse in your sign, Jupiter and Uranus merged in Pisces for the first 10 days of the month, and then Jupiter moving into Aries. Add it all up and it amounts to a change of direction. The solar eclipse on January 4 is personal to you; it can indicate any kind of a fresh start in any area of your life that’s important to you. That covers a lot of territory, so you’ll be the one to judge what it means. You can recognize eclipse energy by its jolting, often surprising feel.

Jupiter’s move into Aries on the 22nd signals another form of changing direction. Jupiter turns his attention away from your communication sector and toward your family and domestic life sector. Eventually Uranus will come along for the ride (in March), creating a double wallop of family-oriented energy in 2011. For the moment, though, Uranus and Jupiter will conspire to quicken all your thoughts. It may be sort of like riding an intellectual roller coaster during the first third of the month.

Additionally, either Mercury or Venus or sometimes both will be in your solar 12th house all month.  One thing to watch out for though when a couple of planets are in your 12th house is the possibility of illness. This is especially true since the eclipse on December 21, 2010 fell in your 6th house of health and may have weakened your defenses. Take care of yourself!

As for your year ahead, well it’s a Piscean/Neptunian year in many ways. That’s because Neptune will move out of Aquarius and your sector of material objects and possessions into its own sign Pisces. Neptune is super-strong in Pisces and it will be there from April through July 2011, basically.

Neptune in Pisces for Capricorn is the sort of influence that tries to mush all your neatly organized separate thoughts into one big mashup of incoherent holistic wholeness. It will take awhile to get used to thoughts that do not want to organize themselves or explain themselves, but rather that want to float about your psyche as vague impressions, intuitions, and wordless knowings. This is not a bad thing; it’s just a new thing.

Other than that, you had a taste in 2010 of the combination of eclipses in your sign and in Cancer, of Saturn in your career house, plus Jupiter and Aries in your domestic sector. A fair amount of 2011 will be like the summer of 2010. In June, though, Jupiter moves into Taurus and your love life/social life sector. That should make you happy. If you were born in December, 2011 will be a rocking and rolling year, with plenty of thrills and chills. If you were born in January, it will be a bit more mellow likely and you’ll have time to adjust your soon to be expanded capacity for super-big thoughts.