Celebrity Chef Eli Anderson on Holiday Meal Planning and Prep by the Moon

This week I was joined by celebrity chef and Virgoan epicurean Eli Anderson of DishItUpLocal.com to discuss how to plan this years holiday meals based on the sign of the transiting Moon, considered the astrological indicator of food, nourishment, eating habits, and emotional atmosphere:

If you have questions or need assistance, Chef Eli can be reached via his website or his Facebook page. For more information on how the Moon signs respond to different types of food, check on astrologer Fern Feto Spring’s article “The Care and Feeding of Your Moon”.

About the Author: Matt Savinar is a California licensed attorney (State Bar #228957), voluntarily inactive as of June 2013. He can be reached for questions, comments, or astrological consults at his contact page.

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Leo Sun, Aquarius Moon: The Super Star Space Warp(s) and the Best Friends Forever

(Image: The X-Files, available via Amazon.com)

Leo is the sign of the celebrity and the superstar. People with their Suns (conscious identity) in this high profile sign make for great media moguls, circus ringmasters, and goldmine owners according to astrologer Stella Hyde. (Source) Sitting 180 degrees opposite Leo is Aquarius, sign of the scientist, the space alien, the all round super-freak. People with their Moons (emotional needs) in this far out sign feel most at home in oddball places like science fiction conventions or when setting off political revolutions Hyde tells us. Actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are both Leos with their Moons in Aquarius. Both are famous (Leo) for starring in The X-Files, a show about space aliens and super-freaks (Aquarius). As a result of the show’s success, both actors are huge hits (Leo) on the science fiction convention (Aquarius) circuit where they’ve coined a veritable goldmine (Leo) from the strange, the freakish, and the extraordinary (Aquarius).

Neither Duchovny or Anderson are high-profile (Leo) political revolutionaries (Aquarius) per se. However, they were so riveting as Mulder and Scully that, in a round about, they did help to bring attention (Leo) to political matters often considered too fringe to be taken seriously (Aquarius). In the early 1990s anybody who believed the government was conspiring with the forces of evil to tap our phones, poison our water, and hide the truth from us was considered too nutty to have around polite company. By the time The X-Files finished its eight year run it was almost acceptable to be concerned about such matters. That shift in our culture was in no small part thanks to the high profile (Leo), super-cool (Aquarius) aplomb that Duchovny and Anderson brought to bear as agents Mulder and Scully. They were the first pair on network television to shine the spotlight (Leo) on two characters who, in effect, operated as proxies for all us intellectually dissident, fringe dwelling, social rejects (Aquarius) of the world. In a pre-internet world that was a very big deal (Leo), even a bit revolutionary (Aquarius).

Astrologer Raven Kaldera calls the Leo/Aquarius pairing the “Friendship Moon” while Suzi and Charles Harvey say it excels at “flamboyantly crossing accepted social boundaries.” (Source) Duchovny and Anderson were so interesting as Mulder and Scully because they portrayed their alter egos as friends first, ones who turned “crossing accepted social boundaries” into an art form of flamboyantly intergalactic proportions. Whether it was aliens out of Area 51, monsters from the deep, conspiracy theorists from the internet, dudes from the CIA, heck, even an astrologer in one episode (“Syzygy”) — Mulder and Scully certainly did not discriminate when it came to who they would associate with or befriend.

About the Author: Matt Savinar is a California licensed attorney (State Bar #228957), voluntarily inactive as of June 2013. He can be reached for questions, comments, or astrological consults at his contact page.

Dear Sports Witch: Progressed Ascendant from Flashy Leo to Meticulous Virgo?

Editor’s Note: this is a new column — “Dear Sports Witch” aka “Hey Sports Witch!” — featuring professional cyclist turned sports psychologist turned astrologer Willow Rockwell, pictured above. It was originally scheduled to appear in Hexagon #3. -Matt

Question: Progressed Ascendant from Flashy Leo to Meticulous Virgo?

Dear Sports Witch,

What role does the ascendant play in a person’s training program? I was born Leo Rising with Venus in Leo but in my progressed chart my ascendant is now Virgo with Mercury/Saturn both right there. I used to do tons of squats and deadlifts — with huge amounts of weight. People would always gawk and admire me and I would gladly answer their training questions. Now I feel like all I do is foam rolling, stretching and these weird “core” exercises to fix “imbalances” that my Pilates friend gave me. Am I ever going to be able to lift heavy weights again or am I stuck trying to activate my transverse abdominus and iron out my anterior pelvic tilt for the rest of my life?

-Neon Deon Leon

Neon Deon Leon,

The ASC rules a person’s body, their life path and their persona. You will always be a Leo rising, but progressions have a major impact on your physical self expression, especially when they first change signs. I am a Pisces rising, but when I progressed into Aries (the amazon warrior princess) I was at the top of my game. At the peak of my career (ranked #1 in the world) my ASC changed into Taurus (the earth mother goddess) and I became pregnant. Seriously, it was that dramatic. I retired after trying to come back after the birth, because I simply did not have the psychic or physical energy for it any longer.

Now I hardly even want to ride a bike! There are other things to do and other ways to move…

To me it sounds like you are very intuitive and right on track with what your body needs. Virgo is the sign of the goddess, and also the sign of the healer and healing. I would be interested to see when you progressed into Virgo, because in the beginning it is a very dramatic shift, but after a while a little bit of your Leo will come back. For now it seems you could benefit from exercising in nature (Virgo is an earth sign) and avoiding the mirrors (Leo) in the gym.

By embracing the feminine energy of the goddess you will balance out all the masculine Leo energy and really become whole. I also think the ladies will like that, and the Leo in you will like that too! It is important to remember that progressions are about moving forward and progressing, which is good! You will be admired as you once were, but now it will be for being a Renaissance man and not just an iron pumping stud.

-The Sports Witch

About the Author: Willow Rockwell — aka “Willow the Sadge Sports Witch” — was a professional cyclist for 17 years. She won two Bronze medals for the United States before retiring to raise her daughters with her husband Myles. The Sports Witch has a BA in psychology, is a Certified Sports Psychology Coach, and studied astrology with Dr. Julie Bresciani. She can be reached via her website WillowRockwell.com

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Moon/Jupiter Conjunct the South Node in Scorpio: Past Lives and Priesthoods of Death (Astrology of the Central Intelligence Agency)

Editor’s Note: this is excerpted from “Astrology of the Central Intelligence Agency”, one of four features originally published in the Summer 2016 print edition of Hexagon. Using its establishment date as its date of birth, the Agency has its Sun (identity) in Virgo (analysis) with its Moon (needs), Jupiter (expansion), and South Node (past lives) in Scorpio (secrets). -Matt

The Moon and the South node are the two primary points we look to if we want to understand a person’s past, be it their past lives or the formative years of this life. An intelligence agency like the CIA obviously doesn’t have “past lives” per se but an analysis of its Moon and South Node can still provide a lot of information about the circumstances surrounding its formation.

The CIA has both its Moon and its South Node in Scorpio, sign of the Shaman and the Spy, the Hitman and the Detective, the Investment Banker and the Contract killer, the Criminal Deviant and the Depth Psychologist, the Covert Op and the Deep Cover Cop. Astrologer Raven Kaldera associates the Scorpio Moon with Hecate, an underworld goddess of sorcery, mystery, and mind-control:

Hecate well understands the cycle of death and rebirth. She specialized in the kind of magic that we might consider necromantic: contacting and channeling the dead, asking their advice, gaining their protection, and persuading them to aid her power. The places that she haunted most frequently were crossroads, which symbolize choice, or places where crimes of passion had been committed, or criminals executed. (Source)

The CIA’s Scorpio South Node is conjunct expansive Jupiter, the planetary ruler of priesthoods—be they religious priesthoods or judicial ones. If the agency was a person this would suggest that in past lives (South node) they were a priest or lawyer (Jupiter), involved in the business of contacting or channeling the dead (Scorpio). As it turns out, the CIA’s formative years (South Node) were very much characterized by the sort of necromantic magic Kaldera associates with Hecate (Scorpio Moon), all carried out in conjunction with deeply covert utilizations of the priesthood that is the legal system (Jupiter in Scorpio). While it was President Eisenhower who signed the Agency into existence in 1947, it was lobbied for and designed by the Dulles brothers: John Foster and his brother Allen. Both men were partners at Sullivan & Cromwell, a powerful Wall Street law firm known for representing companies from the Hecate ruled underworlds of high finance. The Dulles brothers never engaged in literal necromancy (Scorpio Moon). However, both did utilize their backgrounds in law (Jupiter/South Node) to contact people involved in the business of death, to assist them in channeling funds, to provide them advice, and even to persuade them to aid in the Dulles’ ascent to power—all behaviors Kaldera associates with Hecate (Scorpio Moon). According to a NY Times review of the book The Brothers:

[John Foster Dulles] played a central role in channeling funds from the United States to Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Indeed, his friendship with Hjalmar Schacht, the Reichsbank president and Hitler’s minister of economics, was crucial to the rebuilding of the German economy. Sullivan & Cromwell floated bonds for Krupp A. G., the arms manufacturer, and also worked for I.G. Farben, the chemicals conglomerate that later manufactured Zyklon B, the gas used to murder millions of Jews. (Source)

During World War II, John’s brother Allen was the top spy (Scorpio) at the CIA’s forerunner agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). While dispatched to Italy near the end of the war, he communed with Nazi officers who had committed crimes against humanity that make necromancy seem tame by comparison. He also engaged in secret, behind-the-scenes legal negotiations on their behalf (Jupiter in Scorpio). According to a review of The Brothers published in Washington Monthly:

Dulles sought out Nazi commanders in Italy to see if they would agree to an early surrender, and succeeded. Operation Sunrise relied on the cooperation of figures such as General Karl Wolff, commander of SS forces in Italy—who was later found to be complicit in the murder of hundreds of thousands of Jews…(Source)

Dulles promised select Nazis like Wolff that he would arrange for them to avoid prosecution for war crimes in exchange for their assistance in setting up a secret anti-Soviet network following the war. According to an account published by journalist David Guyatt, this network was to be funded through black market sales of “vast stocks of morphine, plundered gold, and a mass of counterfeit British bank-notes.” (Source) As Guyatt explains, the morphine-funded network Dulles created with former Nazis worked so well that the Agency later exported it as a method to finance covert operations throughout the world. When the French were ousted from Indochina in the 1950s, the Agency moved in and assumed control of the heroin trade. By the 1970s the trade was utilizing smuggling methods more than a bit reminiscent of the necromantic methods Kaldera associates with Hecate at her most extreme, all protected by deeply covert legal maneuverings (Jupiter in Scorpio).

The Moon describes what we need in order to feel nourished. A case could be made that in the chart of an intelligence agency it would describe where the agency gets its funding from since funding is to an intelligence agency what food is to a human being. With its Moon (nourishment), Jupiter (expansion), and South node (past lives) in Scorpio, the Agency has a long history of receiving nourishment (funding) from expansive depths of the black budget so filled with darkness and death that they remain nearly unspeakable. For example, Vietnam veteran turned DEA agent Michael Levine recounts:

The Chang Mai factory the CIA prevented me from destroying in [1971] was the source of massive amounts of heroin being smuggled into the U.S. in the bodies and body bags of GIs killed in Vietnam. (Source)

The Agency’s Moon, Jupiter, and South Node in Scorpio are all located in the 6th house of the workplace. If recent reports are any indicator, the CIA’s workplace culture is a cornucopia (Moon/Jupiter) of paranoia and suspicion (Scorpio). For instance, the Agency engages in a practice known as “eye-washing” in which it actively deceives its own employees. According to a 2016 Washington Post piece on the practice, leaders at the Agency’s headquarters will send a cable with certain information out to a large audience of its employees. That cable will be followed up by another cable to a smaller number of employees telling them to ignore the previous cable. As explained by the Post, the practice sows internal paranoia (Scorpio Moon) and could be utilized to conceal human rights abuses from ever being reviewed by the legal system (Jupiter in Scorpio).

About the Author: Matt Savinar is a California licensed attorney (State Bar #228957), voluntarily inactive as of June 2013. He can be reached for questions, comments, or consults at his contact page.

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Mars in Cancer Trine Jupiter in Scorpio: The Homefront Hitwoman and the High Finance Holy Roller (Astrology of the Central Intelligence Agency, Part 4/4)

Editor’s Note: this is excerpted from “Astrology of the Central Intelligence Agency”, one of four features originally published in the Summer 2016 print edition of Hexagon. A Virgo (analysis) with its Moon in Scorpio (secrets), the Agency has a trine (supportive contact) between its Mars (fighting) in Cancer (the homefront) and Jupiter (expansion) in Scorpio (secrets). -Matt

The Agency has Mars (fighting, aggression) in Cancer, sign of home and family. According to astrologer Sue Tompkins, Mars in Cancer “may be prone to interfering inappropriately” in domestic matters. (Source) The Agency’s Mars (assertion) in Cancer (home) receives an expansive trine from Jupiter (religion, zealotry) in Scorpio (the underworld, the occult). The Agency’s mission statement prohibits it from operating domestically, but there are numerous reputable sources that indicate it has been fighting (Mars) on the home front (Cancer) and doing so in a very expansive (Jupiter) if totally undercover (Scorpio) fashion. For instance, in the 2007 documentary American Drug War: The Last White Hope, former LAPD narcotics investigator Michael C. Ruppert explains that, during his time as an officer, the Agency kept its eye on the domestic drug trade via operatives it had implanted deep within police departments throughout the country. These officers had access to what was then known as the “Narcotics Intelligence Network”, a computer system that kept track of pending drug busts. If a CIA-affiliated ring was about to get raided they would get a tip to clear out. “That’s the way the CIA protects its share of the drug trade,” Ruppert explains in the film.

According to astrologer Austin Coppock, when Mars is placed in the sign of the crab, one of the most primitive forms of life, it “taps directly into the primordial pool of blood and bathes in it.” (Source) Coppock associates Mars in Cancer with both Norman Bates and the archetype of the “Werewolf” who must guard against suppressed drives, eventually “damaging what one is sworn to defend.” (Source) In the case of the CIA, its suppressed (covert) drives to defeat Communism abroad have prompted it to engage in Werewolf-like forms of behavior at home, as described by Fletcher Prouty, Mike Ruppert, and others. The subsequent Norman Bates-style bloodbaths of addiction, violence, and economic devastation that erupted across the country as the crack epidemic took hold have proven extraordinarily damaging to communities throughout America—the very country the Agency has sworn to defend. Since the Agency is legally prohibited from operating on U.S. soil, this also means it has been “interfering inappropriately” in domestic matters, exactly what Sue Tompkins warns is one of the liabilities that attach to Mars when it’s placed in Cancer, sign of its fall.

Mars/Jupiter aspects like the one seen in the Agency’s chart are considered absolute powerhouse combinations as they combine the natural aggression of Mars (the warrior) with the religious fervor of Jupiter (the preacher). Tompkins considers Mars/Jupiter the combination of the “Holy Crusader” who can “often be found fighting for or on behalf of God.” (Source) The CIA’s extensive ties to religious organizations throughout the world have resulted in its being referred to derisively as “Christians In Action” by more ribald corners of the military-industrial complex. however, the true God(s) on whose behalf it crusades are the Lords of Big Business, most notably Fortune 500 members of the weapons and oil industries, both of which are dependent on war for their livelihoods. As part of this crusade the Agency has applied energy (Mars) to suppressing dissent on the domestic front (Cancer) via far-ranging (Jupiter) if totally secret (Scorpio) methods. For instance, as part of its 1967-73 “Operation Chaos”, the Agency “kept files on 7,200 Americans, and a computer index totaling 300,000 civilians and approximately 1,000 groups” as part of its crackdown on the anti-war movement. (Source) The Agency conducted similar operations on university campuses, codenamed “Operation Resistance” and “Operation Merrimac.” Given recent revelations regarding the surveillance state combined with the decades long hyper-ascendancy of Big Business, it’s by no means unreasonable to suspect similarly zealous, pro-business, home-front holy crusades (Mars/Jupiter) are still being carried out by the Agency.

Mars/Jupiter aspects are also associated with the mass mobilization of resources in the legal or judicial systems. The combination can be interpreted as warfare (Mars) involving the legal system (Jupiter). The Agency has a long history of conducting “lawfare” operations (Mars/Jupiter). For instance, in 1981 the Agency worked out an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in which it would be exempted from any formal requirements to report drug law violations on the part of its employees. The importance of that agreement in regards to what would soon be unleashed (Mars) upon the home front (Cancer) is difficult to overstate. According to Mike Ruppert’s analysis of the CIA’s agreement with the DOJ, “With the stroke of a pen the CIA had been absolved from turning in its employees, its contractors, and the employees of its proprietary companies who were soon to be found smuggling cocaine, hand over fist, and airplane over cargo ship.” (Source) That memorandum was, in effect, the legal justification for the crack epidemic—a multi-billion dollar business enterprise that would go on to generate enormous profits for scores of companies in the prison and judicial industries.

About the Author: Matt Savinar is a California licensed attorney (State Bar #228957), voluntarily inactive as of June 2013. He can be reached for questions, comments, or consults at his contact page.

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Photo: Hexagon #3, front and back covers

Marvelous March Horoscopes from Elodie Miaow

(Photo Credit: NAAN/Shutterstock)

Sun sign horoscopes cannot replace a proper analysis of your birth chart and transits of the moment. They are meant to be a broad insight into certain time signatures. If you want a more detailed forecast, you can book a reading with me at 9thhouseastrology.com. It will be my pleasure to help you unlock and prepare for any upcoming opportunities or challenges. The rising sign is essential in understanding our personal dispositions, please read your Sun sign and Rising sign for extra clarity. Happy explorations! -Elodie

PISCES/PISCES RISING ♓︎

If you haven’t noticed, I decided to switch things around and put you first in the line to receive your monthly forecast. That way you don’t have to spend the extra few seconds scrolling passed all the other signs to get to yours. By being number one (even if it’s just for this month) it also keeps you from having to pass by everyone else’s “problems” and run the risk of getting sucked in. This month is about You. The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8th and 9th is in your sign. The Sun will disappear for a moment and re-emerge – signaling the beginning of a new cycle. It will be dark for a moment but it is in the darkness that new life begins. Seeds sprout deep in the soil, away from the harsh and drying sunlight. This is why it is believed that a New Moon is a good time to set intentions. The eclipse will bring with her some revelations or perhaps a shift that could have some important impact in your life in the next year. It’s also good time to consider where in your life you might have “eclipsed” yourself and your needs and how you could find some equilibrium. The next 6 months will reveal a lot about partnership and the people you share your light with. There is a shift that is happening now and a story that will unfold and culminate in September. This time could be very energizing and confusing all at once. Focusing on a few important projects instead of spreading your sight in all directions will help you stay on course.

ARIES/ARIES RISING ♈︎

Don’t forget the momentum that you’ve felt around the Virgo Full Moon of February 22nd. Hold on to the vision of future victories in your mind’s eye. You will need a distant light house to get you through the waters of March. You might momentarily forget your crystal clear intentions as ghosts from you past resurfaces to test the dedication you have in moving forward. The Sun will find its heat again in the fires of Aries on the 20th of March. Until then, you are walking on the old battlefield. Mingle with the spirits who resides here. Get to know who, or what, they are so that you can release them. The more you resist the encounters, the more they will have a hold on you. You might as well get it over with. Old heart breaks, failures and self-defeating habits will try to get a hold of you. Acknowledge them for what they are and then let them go. The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8th and 9th is a perfect time to set your intentions around releasing. Bury the dead and realign the helm of your ship. Be aware of any lingering delusions around dead-end scenarios. But this month is not all about your ghost stories. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on the 23rd highlights your partnerships and a possible culmination of a recent team effort. You will find a second wind for your work and projects as the Aries season officially begins.

TAURUS/TAURUS RISING ♉︎

Your talents have gotten you a lot of praise recently and it’s not over. Expect a month filled with inspiring connections and inspiring people. The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8th and 9th is a good time to set intentions around sharing your bliss and what you love doing. It could also be about bringing more inspirational people in your life so that you can exchange knowledge and ideas. Collaborating on something bigger could prove to be a lot of fun. Step outside of your immediate concern to participate in a collective experience. In other words go out! A movie, a play or a concert could give you the prefect dose of soul-soothing medicine. Taureans usually like to have their boundaries delineated but you will have to put your walls down a bit this month. If you don’t do it voluntarily, it will happen anyway and it could be the type of boundary crossing that makes you feel invaded. There could be issues around a collective space that you have to share with others and a need to re-evaluate the situation. Communications should be handled delicately all month. Some people could be extra sensitive or on the defensive. Pay attention to what surfaces in your conversation and adjust your message in accordance. Earth signs like you can be anchors for the more emotionally fragile folks. Practice staying grounded and receptive. Flexibility will be your best ally all month.

GEMINI/GEMINI RISING ♊︎

If I had a magical formula that would help you resolve the conflicting dualities you are experiencing, I would give it to you. Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that and you have to find your own answers. Perhaps it is also that deep down you love contradictions because they keep you on your toes? Either way you have done your fair share of weight lifting in the recent months and I am wondering if you noticed your muscles getting bigger? With all the questions you have asked yourself, you should really start to know exactly what it is that you want. You are also very aware of what is lacking or what you can’t have at the moment and that might be why it’s challenging. Instead of focusing on the missing elements, maybe this month you can take stock of your blessings? The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8 and 9th is connecting you to your career or your social/public standing. You can bring significant changes that will have long-lasting effects but you have to discriminate between your fantasies and what is possible. Cultivating awareness of your inherent dualities and the narrative you tell yourself will help sort out your priorities. The greatest opportunities are found in adversity. Focus on your talents and all the tools that you have in your arsenal. Reality is stranger than fiction and you will be amazed at what you can set in motion with a little elbow grease.

CANCER/CANCER RISING ♋︎

The month begins with the distant calls of sirens, luring you towards nebulous territories. Since you are a natural dreamer with a rich fantasy life, this might not seem out of the ordinary. I would still take advantage of the first half of the month to renew with your love of dreaming. Connect with your muse. Let her guide you to the hidden treasures that your imagination holds. I would suggest that you keep a pen and paper handy so that you can write down the incoming waves of inspiration. Exploring uncharted territory will not suffice. You will need to translate your experiences. And that might be the difficult part. You might be tempted to bask in the glory of the indefinable emotions you experience and surrender to the immensities. However you will need to retrieve the treasures you find and bring them back. Connect to what you know in your heart to be true and take the first step towards aligning with that truth. Even if it is just a baby step. Find the proper vehicle for your revelations. If you had to give a physical shape to your dreams, what shape would you give to them? What material do you have available to you right now that would help you? Work with what you have. Expect the pace of things to pick up around the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on the 23rd. There may be a culmination of a recent project you’ve been working on. You could receive some praise for your contribution in your career. It looks like the end of the month will be very busy for you.

LEO/LEO RISING ♌︎

Recently, you have let all sorts of old insecurities take center stage in your mind. They crawled up, uninvited and made themselves comfortable, pretending that this is their rightful place. Your imagined downfalls, your flaws and fears have nagged you; starved for attention. What you might not have realised is that they are mere shadows and that your apparent loss of power is but a trick of the light. Don’t be fooled! You have already conquered them all. These ghosts are testing your resilience. They are not making you weaker, they are making you stronger by reminding you how far you have come. They are directly connecting you to your power and helping you surpass yourself. The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8 and 9th is asking you to exorcise remnants of these old narratives you might still be telling yourself. Be very clear about who you are and what you are made of. Let them know that there is no space in your life for anything but solid goodness. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on the 23rd brings the completion of a process that started about 2 years ago. You can close that chapter and expect a new one to begin soon. Be flexible about what is possible. This month, you are crossing a bridge and it’s up to you to visualise what is on the other side. Be ready to move forward with your head high and an open heart. Be ready to reclaim your rightful place.

VIRGO/VIRGO RISING ♍︎

The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8th and 9th is connecting you to your partnerships, what you are getting from them and what you wish you were getting from them. Discriminate between realistic expectations and fantasy. Are your expectations too high and are you constantly disappointed by what others deliver? Or is it that you expect too little and you undervalue yourself and your needs? It could also be a little bit of both. Plant your seeds. What is your vision of a healthy relationship? The give and take dynamic between 2 people doesn’t mean sacrificing your integrity. There is a certain amount of pressure right now to get to know your own needs. There is an emphasis on bringing health and vitality to you first. You are learning to delineate your boundaries and are experimenting between give and take. You need to find the perfect dosage and write down your recipe. This process might take some time but you already have a pretty good idea of the ingredients you need. One of the essential ingredients of course is: communication. We cannot expect others to telepathically anticipate our needs. We have to be able to articulate them. Often that is the tricky part. Misunderstanding happens when we tell a story in our heads and then assume that the other person heard us. We even react to others with the assumption that they know exactly where we are coming from. Good relationships don’t get built on assumption. Observe your interaction with others and see how your messages are received; I bet you this experiment will be a very enlightening.

LIBRA/LIBRA RISING ♎︎

The New Moon/Solar eclipse on the 8 and 9th is a great opportunity to bring back some well needed attention to your physical and mental well-being. You don’t need to go completely overboard with this. In fact, just a small barely noticeable adjustment to your routine could bring huge results down the road. One of my good friend was recently telling me about the concept of Kaizen which is the japanese word for ”improvement” or “change for better”. One of the most notable features of kaizen is that big results come from many small changes accumulated over time.(1) The emphasis is on the process and not the result. If you had to make one small adjustment to your routine to feel more vibrant, what would it be? What small step would you be willing to take to bring more vitality and health to your body? It could be as simple as taking 5 minutes a day to focus on your breath. Making ambitious resolutions is very noble but it can also be discouraging when life gets in the way. The beauty of Kaizen is that power lies in the minor adjustments. Since it doesn’t disturb your daily flow, the changes are barely noticeable. Overtime those small changes become more and more noticeable. In other news, the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on the 23rd is in Libra. It could signal the culmination of a relationship or a process that started about 2 years ago. A New chapter is about to begin.

SCORPIO/SCORPIO RISING ♏︎

Until the end of June one of your primary focuses will be on gathering the resources you need for your master plan. If you don’t have a master plan (which would be really surprising because you’re a Scorpio) I would suggest you formulate one. Dream big but remain fully aware of the work and the assets you will need to realise your goals. Keep in mind that you will likely need to step outside of your comfort zone to get there. The New Moon/Solar Eclipse on the 8 and 9th could be carrying with her old memories. You might have to take resolutions about something from your past that keep showing up but that belong to another time in your life. There will be ample opportunities this month to heal old standing issues. But don’t get stuck in the hurt trying to cover it up with a stoic demeanor. Find the medicine or in some case: poison that you need and take it. The important part is that you move through the month with a complete awareness of why you do what you do. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on the 23rd will bring with her some form of completion and the work you have done in the last 2 years to uncover the ways in which you undermine your success will start paying off. You are aware of your darkness and more willing than ever to coexisted with your shadow. You can finally close an old chapter that has dragged on too long and focus on your master plan.

SAGITTARIUS/SAGITTARIUS RISING ♐︎

It looks like you might have the drive and the steam to work hard this month. You are about to receive a triple dose of will-power to fire up your engines and whatever you are working on will benefit from this dose of vitality. You might feel like re-inventing the wheel but I would guard you against such a foolish enterprise. Be mindful of where you decide to invest your energy because it might come back to bite you later. Discriminating and prioritising are your new best friends. It’s not that you can’t do it all. But be aware that what begins now will take longer to complete than you think. Discriminate between what is possible and perhaps what needs to stay in the realm of fantasies for now. Knowing where you want to invest your time and energy will keep you from draining your batteries and will help you have the staying powers in whatever project you are working on. You might feel enthusiastic about many ideas but prioritising is essential if you don’t want to get overwhelmed by responsibilities down the road. Save yourself the headache and differentiate between the people who are worth collaborating with and the ones who may not be reliable. This might not sound like much fun but actually this is a period in your life when you can get a lot done and reach new grounds. You have the discipline, the guts and the stamina. That is why it is even more important to be wise about where you invest your time and energy.

CAPRICORN/CAPRICORN RISING ♑︎

With Spring on the way, the urge for renewal is increasing for all us. The trees are ready to release their sweet waters and it is the contrast of cold nights and warm days that trigger the flowing of the sap. Birch sap is commonly used here in the North for it’s diuretic and purifying properties. The sap taste like water but it contains vitamins, proteins, amino acids, sugars and enzymes. It helps the body detoxify toxins accumulated during the winter months, also eliminating toxins that only the liver can process. The reason I am telling you about the birch is because I think you could learn a lot from this tree right now. You have an abundance of sweet juices accumulated that are ready to be released into the wild/world. If you wait any longer these sweet juices might start fermenting into an intoxicating brew. Now would be prime time to nourish others with your unique properties. I was also thinking that you could probably use a dose of your own medicine at the same time. Before the end of the month, I would suggest you clarify, detoxify and purify your internal and external space. The medicine or ingredient you need to do that is within you. You hold the key to your sense of ease and it has to do with releasing, letting go, surrendering to the natural movement/flow that wants to happen.

AQUARIUS/AQUARIUS RISING ♒︎

You might be blissfully unaware of what is happening around you right now. We could say that you are focus on the task at hand, dealing with the daily grind and doing what needs to be done. It’s not that nothing is happening in your life but I have a feeling that you are one of the most equipped to deal with a crisis at the moment. The world could crumble around you, I think you would still keep all of your faculties. Your ability to deal with stressful situations was seriously tested in the last few years but now, nothing can surprise you. Your peace comes with a deep understanding that you cannot control everything, and you are fine with that. You know where you stand but it might be the people around you who create some drama this month. Be ready to deal with external fluctuations and temperature changes from scorching heat to freezing cold. I don’t mean this literary of course, but some of the situations that arise this month are not definitive. Use your own discretion on how you want to deal with them but keep an objective stance if you can. Things are not completely as they seem, there will be changes made down the road so there is no need to jump to conclusion. Be careful about quick fix solutions or something/someone who seems to good to be true: it/they probably is/are. The end of the month brings a flurry of activity, communications and responsibilities. Projects that begins now might take a lot more time than you think. Keep that in mind before you sign up for anything.

About the Author

Elodie Miaow blogs at 9thHouseAstrology.com

Horoscopes copyright Elodie Miaow, republished with permission.

Hexagon #2 Now Available:

Professional astrologer Elodie Miaow with her copy of Hexagon #2
Professional astrologer Elodie Miaow with her copy of Hexagon #2

Mecca Woods on the Astrology of Hip Hop Duo Salt N’ Pepa

Professional astrologer and hip hop aficionado Mecca Woods of MyLifeCreated.com joined me to discuss her article on the astrological connections between the all-star hip hop duo Salt-N-Pepa:

Mecca’s article on Salt-n-Pepa appears in the Spring 2016 issue of Hexagon, which you can purchase at your local Barnes and Noble. If there is no Barnes and Noble in your area you can also order from our store.

Fabulous February 2016 Horoscopes from Elodie Miaow

(Photo Credit: Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock)

Sun sign horoscopes cannot replace a proper analysis of your birth chart and transits of the moment. They are meant to be a broad insight into certain time signatures. If you want a more detailed forecast, you can book a reading with me at 9thhouseastrology.com. It will be my pleasure to help you unlock and prepare for any upcoming opportunities or challenges. The rising sign is essential in understanding our personal dispositions, please read your Sun sign and Rising sign for extra clarity. Happy explorations! -Elodie

ARIES/ARIES RISING ♈︎

Some interesting developments are happening in your career or how you are seen in the world. You now have a pretty clear idea of who is on your side, and who will help you further yourself and your work. The New Moon on the 8th of February connects you to your friends and the groups you mingle with. Doors are opening if you are willing to intertwined your fate with the folks who think like you. You have the skills and the avant-garde visions; you might be asked to take part in a group collective and teach what you know. There is also the possibility of a conflict between your ambitions and your personal life, as the responsibilities start piling up. There could be issues or fears around money and how you make it. That which ties you to others loom large this month; you might also have to face issues of shared resources or finances. In the second half of February, there is an opportunity to find inspiration and renewal through solitude or meditation. The Full Moon on February 22nd illuminates any dependency or addictions you might be struggling with; your focus turns toward healing any long-standing issues. Make your body a priority. Detoxify and rid yourself of any self-defeating behaviour that keep you from feeling whole. Jupiter has your back.

TAURUS/TAURUS RISING ♉︎

Your beliefs have been under incredible transformation. You have been slowly getting rid of assumptions, political views or teachings, that you’ve held on to, as you realise they are not serving you anymore. All of these considerations are giving you fresh perspectives and new philosophies to contemplate; it’s also allowing you to see new possible ways you could put them to good use. We could call this process: ”the creative reform”. The repercussions of your creative reform will be mirrored in all facets of your life. You will start seeing new roads toward places you can’t even begin to imagine. Taureans are known for being stubborn and single-minded, but it couldn’t be further from the truth at the moment. An iconoclast is hiding within you and is starting to make itself known. We are still in the early stages – you might have to stick to conventions for now. The New Moon on February 8th is asking you to integrate your recent ideas and visions to your career and to a larger extent your community. This looks like an excellent month to think about furthering yourself in your chosen path. You might feel like you can take on all the work by yourself, but by the end of the month, you will realise the important role people around you play in your success. Give thanks and acknowledge the support you’ve received in implementing your ideas. The Full Moon on February 22nd will illuminate the way you handle stress and the impact on your body. You might be curious about alternative or innovative trends in the holistic world. It could also be that you feel a need to detoxify and rejuvenate your body. Listen to what comes up.

GEMINI/GEMINI RISING ♊︎

Your obligations and responsibilities towards others is still being felt heavily this month. However, your ruler Mercury, now direct after being retrograde for most of January, allows you to look towards the future. You should really start feeling the ease flowing back into your life mid-month. Your gaze is on the distant horizon and possible new ventures. You could feel a need to break from the beaten path. Your career also needs to be addressed; you might be giving a lot more than what you are getting in return. At this point, you should ask yourself if it’s worth the sacrifices. There could be some stress around money, other people’s assets, and taxes. Make sure to give yourself ample space to decompress at home and consciously release stress and tension. The New Moon, on February the 8th connects you to higher learning, dreams, journeys or distant travels. It is a good time to set in motions long-term ventures that will help you broaden your horizon. Explore new ideas and concepts. You might also be asked to share what you know with a group of people; this could take place over the internet. By the end of the month, you should have a clear idea of where to invest your energy in the coming months. You will also have a clearer sense of where you need to make yourself and your well-being a priority.

CANCER/CANCER RISING ♋︎

The contracts, agreements and the work attached to obligations are strongly highlighted this month. Your wishes have been granted and you now have to deliver the goods. Lucky for you, your creative reservoir is bursting at the seams. Some folks might wonder how you do it, but you wont give your secrets away. One thing is certain: you have many tricks up your sleeve that are helping you succeed where so many failed. You could also give thanks to Mars in Scorpio, who is in partly responsible for fueling your engine at the moment. You are walking on a sharp edge that is directly connected to your career. You are also getting a lot of inspiration from the small details of everyday life: rejoice! You don’t get the creative juices flowing by indulging in front of the tv like a beached whale. You get it by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty; and that is exactly what you have been doing. You could say that the wisdom you have acquired in the bottom of your own darker corners is finally being integrated in healthy ways. If you don’t harness all the stamina in your creative pursuit, you could find your sex drive increased or, at worst you might become edgy and argumentative. If possible, defuse the tension in your personal relationships. Acknowledge your needs and the needs of your partner; and notice that it all originates from the same flame. You are too busy to be fussing over trivial details anyway.

LEO/LEO RISING ♌︎

The New Moon on February the 8th is in your house of partnership. It serves as a kind of reset button. Set your intentions around your relationships and what you expect from them. Let yourself be seen by others and reach out. Unexpected but fated encounters are very likely this month if you step out of your comfort zone. I realize that this might be easier said then done. How can you go about impleting new ways of doing things when you are so busy with the daily grind? Well, it starts with staying open to new encounters: people who could bring a lot of creative freshness, the ones we sometime label weirdos – artist, rebels, inventors or mad-scientist types. The current tensions you are feeling are mainly connected to the struggle between your need for unrestrained explorations and the obligations that are weighing you down. In other words, the battle between two very dissonant urges. By teaming up with others, you will be able to find some novel ideas and new perspectives. The Full Moon on the 22nd of February is in your house of material resources. It could clarify the things that are available to you, and how you can put them to good use. You will understand the sort of initiatives needed on your part to get where you want to be. Get in touch with your core motivations. What is driving you? What do you need? Exorcise your impatience by getting to the roots of your ambitions. Get feedback from others on your role and responsibilities. Then you can choose which road you want to take with a clearer sense of direction.

VIRGO/VIRGO RISING ♍︎

The darkness that has emerged in the last few months should be seen as a creative process. To touch others, one must have the necessary depth and the wisdom. That is, to some extent, the process you have gone through. By digging deep into your core, you have retrieved some pretty powerful stuff; and this process is not over. The romance or playfulness you are craving might not be forthcoming, but you are at the moment, one of the luckiest signs of the zodiac. Everyone has had to work hard to exorcise their demons, some more than others. With Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion in your sign until September, you can definitely count on some positive development in the near future. Here is the thing: Jupiter is currently moving backward through your sign until the second week of May as part of its retrograde cycle. You might not feel the blessings of the great benefactor quite yet, but he is working his magic backstage, and you are too. In astrology, it is widely understood that easy aspects or planets that are deemed beneficial are not always positive. Why is that? Because when things are easy, we usually take it for granted. You have until May, to train in becoming a grateful recipient of all the positive things that are happening, or that will happen to you. Part of your homework for the next few months is to learn to see and use opportunities that might not seem like opportunities, to your advantage. Develop an optimistic gaze; see the good in others; spot the silver lining; become a faithful devotee of chance; trust the outcome. Don’t take the gifts you receive for granted. The Full Moon on February 22nd is in Virgo. Expect some clarity around partnership.

LIBRA/LIBRA RISING ♎︎

Libra, you have hosted some interesting guests into your very private quarters in the past month or so. Their visit has prompt you to clean up all of your blind spots—the ones you can’t see everyday, where dust builds up. Some of the clutter has been family mementos you are holding on to for no reason except a sense of burdensome responsibility. This process felt scary at first but quickly turned into a catharsis. And now you can feel the spaciousness and ease that is slowly permeating through all the aspects of your life. All you had to do was be willing to shine the light in the attic for a moment to see the “monsters” for what they really are: a pile of old insecure rubbish that you have outgrown. There might still be some boxes in your basement that needs sorting, but at least you are aware of it. They say ignorance is bliss but, in your case, knowledge is power. The New Moon on the 8th is a push that can help you innovate in a project you are working on. Be alert for ingenious ideas that seem to pop out of nowhere. Listen to the iconoclast in you, the one who doesn’t want to do things like everyone else. The Full Moon in Virgo on the 22nd will prompt you to find solitude and tranquility. Retire from the world for a moment, maybe finish cleaning up your basement.

SCORPIO/SCORPIO RISING ♏︎

The first 2 weeks of February continue to be about clarifying your message. The way others receive what you have to say, the methods you use to communicate and the meaning behind what you are trying to convey was a big part of January. Studying the way others have communicated in the past might help inspire you to reform the way you use language and words. With Mars transiting in your sign for a good part of the year, you could appear a lot more pushy or combative than you really are. You don’t want to start an argument, you just know what you know—you know what you want and you want it now. The New Moon on February 8th prompts you to deal with family matters or your home front, and the material resources available to you. You are craving independence and self-sufficiency: set you intentions and get to work. Expect a tidal wave of inspiration to flow in around mid-month and make sure you capitalize on it. Deal with any fears associated with your powerful creative urges. Find allies that will help you further yourself and your creative projects. You have so many resources available to you at the moment; you just need to be willing to put in the extra hours.

SAGITTARIUS/SAGITTARIUS RISING ♐︎

The material resources available to you at the moment seem to be in a state of flux. Your income or the way you make money had to be reviewed or reformed in the last few months. You are now starting to feel the repercussions of these changes. It looks like you have a lot of work on your plate, and a lot of inspiration to get down to business. The New Moon on February 8th is a reset button in regards to the way you communicate. You are now in a place where you could teach what you know, if you don’t already. Another big theme coming up for you is connected to your sense of authority. Have you ever considered passing on your knowledge or mentoring? I think you know enough in your field of expertise to consider the option of taking students or apprentices or to work on your current projects. The Full Moon of February 22nd will highlight a sort of dichotomy between your place in the world and your inner sanctuary. Confusion on the home front is very possible in the second half of the month and you could find solace if you step outside, walk around, and talk to people in your neighbourhood. In the last week of February, there is an opportunity to clarify an issue or misunderstanding around boundaries and personal space. You should feel confident enough to bring up the conversation and find a solution.

CAPRICORN/CAPRICORN RISING ♑︎

As you go about your business this month Capricorn, I want you to contemplate this famous quote from the Greek philosopher Plato: ”The measure of a man is what he does with power.” Such a simple statement but in reality, very hard to put into practice, especially when we are asked to step up in a leadership role. Of course most Capricorn will say it is their natural birth right since they are after all one of the most competent sign of the zodiac. The problem arises when other people start relinquishing their own authority and look to you for answers. What do you do with the heavy responsibilities that are handed down to you by others? How do you handle problems that are not your own? Now would be a good time to reflect on your place in the world and how you go about using your powers. Venus in Capricorn until mid-month will give you a good balance between social grace and getting what you want. The New Moon on February 8th is a fantastic reset in regards to finances. Find new ways of generating revenue, and look for the trend setters that could help you innovate. You have a lot of resources available to you at the moment, capitalize on what you have. The Full Moon on February 22nd highlights your learning journey; take stock and adjust your sails.

AQUARIUS/AQUARIUS RISING ♒︎

Aquarius remains the most misunderstood sign of the zodiac. It is not that you are inaccessible; in fact, you are very much a social creature, but your mind dwells where not many people dare to venture. You are not bound by time in a mundane sense; but time is the thread that leads you to perceive future realities. Your gaze is set on the multiple possibilities that would allow you to reform our social mores and align them with your vision of the future. In a sense, time allows you to experience the future. Society needs people like you to move us forward and help us break free from the stale structures. It is so easy for you to see solutions for the problems that plague modern society that you wonder sometimes why people are still so archaic. The good news is that this is your time of the year. The New Moon on February 8th is in your sign and it is in some ways a new start for you. Forget about the projects that didn’t reach what you had envisioned. The future is now. Saturn, the traditional ruler of Aquarius, will be in Sagittarius until December 2017. This is your cue to reform some of your beliefs and philosophies. If you are still holding on to dated misconceptions about what you want, what you are or what you want to be, now is a great time to let them go. You are ripe for a new vision.

PISCES/PISCES RISING ♓︎

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward

My father is a Pisces and a guitar maker or luthier. Growing up I spent many hours in his shop looking around at all the exotic woods and little drawers filled with pieces of bones, shells, tagua nuts and ornamented guitar keys that would later become part of an instrument. He probably kept a watchful eye on me, but I felt like I had free reign to play around and explore. He would let me use his band saw to cut pieces of wood that I would turn into jewelry, giving me tips but also letting me make mistakes. Sometimes he would give me a small job, but it never felt like it an obligation. To this day, there is always an “aprentice” in his orbit and through the years many young artist have adopted him as a sort of “spiritual father”. As a Pisces, you hold a key to the mysteries of life that make others want to be close to you. You naturally take people under your wing without questioning their intentions which in turn makes them feel accepted. Your deep understanding of pain and struggle allows you to have compassion for everyone and this is a true blessing. Make sure you do the same for yourself as you come to the end of the yearly cycle and are about to celebrate another trip around the Sun. Have patience with yourself and for your perceived flaws and imperfections. Acknowledge your wounds and give yourself the compassion and acceptance you would give someone else.

About the Author

Elodie Miaow blogs at 9thHouseAstrology.com

Horoscopes copyright Elodie Miaow, republished with permission.

Hexagon #2 Now Available:

Professional astrologer Elodie Miaow with her copy of Hexagon #2
Professional astrologer Elodie Miaow with her copy of Hexagon #2

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