O Stars Above: Cancer Full Moon

Big Daddy Wields Tough Love

Endings and beginnings tend to overlap and mingle like waters at the changing of the tide. Heaven knows, astrological signs and planets are in a constant dance of beginnings, middles and endings, but a brightly-lit full moon makes clear what hides in the dark. The Full Moon in Cancer lines up with the New Year (January 1, 6:24 pm PST) and highlights a major shift.

After three years in Sagittarius, down-to-Earth Saturn moved into Capricorn (December 19) where his reality-based powers shine. After a thirty year absence, he's returned to the sign he rules and he's shaking us awake. Whether focused and productive or kicking and screaming, we will align with him, one way or the other, before he moves on (December 2020).

Saturn steadied our antics in spontaneous Sagittarius, but take note: wiggle room is official gone and fiddle-playing grasshoppers won't prosper in this cycle. Focus, time-lines, budgets, patience and discipline gather rewards under Saturn's tutelage, who wants to bless us with worldly recognition. But we must wrestle with where we fit into our community and what skills we can offer or hone. It's time to focus on doing what must be done and staying with it until our mission is accomplished. Big Daddy wields tough love – but, when he does rewards us, we can rest assured we earned it.

The first moon of this era holds clues for navigating the sea change. Mercury's forward motion says embrace expansive thoughts. The Sun and Pluto, two serious power players, traveling together remind us life doesn't last forever and there are no short cuts for integrity. The Great Mother Moon along with Venus underscores the importance of taking on goals that nourish us emotionally.

When we follow these hints, our Saturnian efforts make a life worth living even in the process.

Horoscopes January 1 to 16

Capricorn, doors are open wide and you know how to put your adult panties on and work! But, this isn't about ambition, hierarchy, or titles. Pluto in Capricorn burned those to the ground. This is about leadership power and responding to heart-needs as the work gets done. The Means are the End.

Aquarius, like Robin Williams, sometimes we need a good director who keeps us from being our own worst enemy. What would Big Daddy say directly to you? “The Age of Aquarius is barreling in and you are the leader of the age. Don't be a rebel without a cause.” Do some deep listening and rest.

Pisces, as a mystic you wouldn't think Capricorn's reality would be a good mix. But, Martin Luther King (Capricorn Sun) had a dream and lead a movement with his heart (Moon in Pisces). His powerful friends came along for the fun of an outing they called...a march. Lead fun changes!

Aries, if you're a leader making plans behind closed doors for your company or organization, read Capricorn above. It's not about your position in society, but the position of your heart and how you use it for society. Spending time with family reminds you everyone has ambitions for their loved ones.

Taurus, there's rarely been a better time for your pragmatic principles. In your plodding manner, the next three years and your work ethic put you in a good position – even if markets tumble. Keep your heart in your work and consider “giving back” on a regular basis. Show us the way.

Gemini, even the most casual relationships exchange values. Align with friends who share your values. Don't squander your hard earned experiences. They don't need you. You need them! The years ahead point toward methodical exploration of values and trust – of yourself, your friends and society.

Cancer, sweet mama, you're the natural partner to Capricorn's legacy building. Earth and water are conservative: baking takes time and building a company takes time. You can't go wild and crazy while doing real work. Remind us to keep our heart in the game. Feel the flow and find the fun.

Leo, people have no idea the work you do to bring your colleagues and day-to-day contacts grounded action and a generosity of spirit. Taking care of your health is job number one for awhile. Follow a daily routine that works for you for food, exercise and sleep. Take a long winter's nap.

Virgo, earthy-you can flourish over the next three years. You naturally work but here's an interesting twist - work needs to be fun, personal and creative. And try not to turn that into a job. Invite neighbors over for coffee, cocktails, gardening, sewing. Whatever is FUN! You can do this...

Libra, your social graces keep the community grounded. Ponder how manners and beautiful surroundings encourage listening and kindness in difficult conversations. Open your home for meetings with go-getters with ethical projects. You've got leadership and ethics with a gentle touch.

Scorpio, Jupiter expands your world and Saturn's energy supports your efforts. Strategy and focus are natural for you. Mars in Scorpio gives your pokes extra punch for the next month because you see hidden agendas. Use that info for your mission and stay with your heart.

Sagittarius, you have friends, resources, skills, tools, and character. Society is calling you to use yourself up. The invitation offers self-discovery. You can make it fun! Yes, you can stand on a mountain and jump in a squirrel suit, but going for something with more lasting value is the energy of the moment.

O Stars Above: Cancer New Moon

Summer's Nurturing Bounty - pexels.com

A Social Grasshopper, a Rowdy Teen and a Healing Breeze

In the summertime, the birds sing and everything...and just like that, summer's here! The Solstice sun stands at the peak of its journey to the light, taking in the green earth, blue waters, flowering gardens, beaches, and family outings, and then turns toward winter solstice and darkness.

But – but – wait! Sunshine, hot dogs and fireworks just arrived! Can't we fiddle and dance away our ninety days of summer like the grasshopper? Maybe! Both the solstice and new moon in Cancer (June 23, 7:30 pm PDT) charts promise an especially rambunctious, gad-about season filled with family, fun and a few emotional missteps. (Oops!)

Cancers, born under the sign of the Great Mother, get assigned the job of mothering everyone. But in truth, no one knows what truly feeds our hearts like we do. Only we know what makes us feel safe and allows us to live with open hearts. Deep nurturing is a gift only we can give ourselves. Living this truth is a tremendous step toward emotional maturity.

Mars bangs around in us like a teenager, gangly and out of control, barreling into life, knocking vases over, stepping on the cat's tail, slamming doors. He takes things personally, leads with his pride and bursts into intermittent, emotional snits. This inner kid needs focus and personally driven missions!

Summer brings a healing breeze and asks that we guide our inner teens, also in Cancer, to higher levels of emotional intelligence. Focusing our Mars on the courage to heal, nurture and protect our hearts makes us, like Marines in Haiti, powerful participants and caring advocates for all hearts in our families, tribes, towns, nations and world.

The Great Mother offers a summer re-birth in nourishing ourselves. Filling up with high octane emotional 'juice' sends us on our journeys with compassionate hearts. The world needs that kind of action, and so do we.

Horoscopes from June 23 – July 8

Cancers, you may normally feel a bit shy, but this month has you stage-center giving and receiving kindnesses, thinking, acting and talking about caring for your family and the family of humanity. Stick with family and friends return the nurturing, and release those who don't!

Leo, behind the scenes, deep in the collective consciousness, activities abound and you are tuned into the exact station. Step way back from your busy life. Drink lemonade on the porch, smell the roses, take a nap in the hammock. Listen. Watch. Read the symbols!

Virgo, in your quiet way you care for a huge network of folks. Schedule plenty of time to take care of them and notice how that feeds your heart. You may be rallying the cause for public policy about caring for others. Partner up and feel the glow of service.

Libra, part of your charm lies in the way you care for your work colleagues. Take time alone in your (well-decorated) cave contemplating the solid values in life, art and beauty that are worth your time and attention. Don't use your partnerships for anything less worthy.

Scorpio, get out of the cave and look toward the horizon for inspiration. Strategies and deep thinking takes a back seat to awakening to your personal emotional intelligence. How wide is the divide between your feelings and actions? Walk your talk from a heart-felt place.

Sagittarius, the full moon's work deepens with this new moon. This is a lesson in power: between you and your spouse, psychological acumen and the power of emotional currency. Are you investing your heart in your circle of friends and colleagues? Hmmm....

Capricorn, our ambitions take us only as far as our relationships help us. How are yours? Are you expecting too much, or too little? This month takes you to the heart of the matter: hidden regrets, debts and duties. In not sharing your true feelings, you could be your own worst enemy.

Aquarius, give your mind a break and work on your body. Yep, food, exercise, sleep do count! As an experiment, try 'feeling what routines works for you. Forget cutting edge and do what feels good so consistency becomes easy - in action and not just theory.

Pisces, play time! Whatever that means to you. If you aren't having fun, Fun, FUN, you are off track. You should shine, feel cared about, light up in conversation and feel emotionally feisty! Hmmm – that sounds like a romance! Fall in love with whatever and if someone else is involved, yahoo!

Aries, bottom line, your heart is at home! As well as the whole fam-damily! Gather in the clan, play with the kids, grill b-b-que on the patty. This is why you go out to be the great hunter so don't miss the pay-off. No family? Really? Claim the ones you love – related or not!

Taurus, friends galore want to spend time with you. They love you and want to hang. Neighbors, siblings, cousins, students, teachers, the barista at your latte stand – they light up when they see you. Haven't notice? Just watch - this is currency unlike any other - and the only kind that counts!

Gemini, what a wild and glorious birthday month! YOU create this crazy thing called life and if you don't like it, you of all people can change it. The important part is putting your heart as well as your delicious mind into the game. This may not sound logical, but it is true. The heart counts!

Stars Above Kitsap/Aries Total Lunar Eclipse

Alert! Do NOT unfasten your seat belt! The trip to healing and wholeness is not a free ride, and we have work to do before arrival. The stars are shouting, “Wake up - now - express your god-inspired ideas, and quit playing small and petty. Pick up the reins of your life and steer a path closer to your heart's desires.”

Eclipses trace twenty-year cycles which set up life themes. Think back to what you were doing in 1995. What did you drop then that you'd like to pick up again? A lunar eclipse moves security issues and unconscious patterns aside and gives us time to evaluate un-emotionally how we must move forward.

Aries is the initiating, life-giving energy of the Zodiac. It's the 'I'm in!' and 'Let's get 'er done!' excitement. The shadow side of Aries is...well, rude and dominating. This eclipse points to finding ways to express the dynamics of Aries leadership within collaborative partnerships (Libra) so all can move forward harmoniously. Speaking our truth with courage and courtesy could work miracles now.

On April 5-8 the stars illuminate important insights to the questions and uncertainties the past few years unleashed. We have worked too hard to miss the message, so tune in, focus on the future, and listen for directions.The Winter of 2015 charts guided us through an endgame equivalent to the final chapters of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is no going back: bridges were burned, systems demolished. It will take the noble qualities of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' participants who battled together to rebuild a better future. Those archetypes exist in each of us. Activate them now – starting with the future-facing courage of Strider, the Aries warrior-king.

Horoscopes – April 4-18
Note: Read your Rising sign or Ascendant, and your Moon, if you know them, too.

Aries, such exciting times for you and a new year to boot. You can't go it alone so seek your natural buddies. Your go-get-'em personality is on fire so pick your target and don't throw that energy around all wily-nily! Initiate through deliberate action, cowboy.

Taurus, Mars comes to visit -use it to plod forth knocking on doors and being seen by those you want the attention of. Colleagues are congenial and helpful. Take time to review last year. Resolve what needs attention and look at how you undermine yourself. (Yea, you!)

Gemini, Mercury in fire inspires you to spread your wings and fly. Shake the networking tree - friends can facilitate changes you seek. Once the door opens, be deliberate to get what you want. Dreams are talking to you. Clever you, change AND relaxation!

Cancer, so much going on at work, so much desire to be home. This eclipse says re-invent yourself at work. Ask for help. It feels risky, but you more than pull your weight and there are those who will help. Be brave, ask - you could get home sooner.

Leo, oh, my goodness, you want a spring break. Take it if at all possible and watch new ideas ignite. You worked hard all winter setting cement at the foundation of your chart. Finally, you are getting noticed. Can't leave? Adventures of the mind work - gather friends on a sunny deck.

Virgo, part of intimacy is speaking up for yourself. Sometimes it just seems you have to yell to be heard. Lower your voice, pick your moments and ask your guardian angel to help. (Really! Who do you think helps with your to-do-lists?) A little future dreaming together works.

Libra, your full moon in eclipse and your partners or clients looking to you for what- everything!? Try to see their point of view even though you feel vulnerable. Deep-seated patterns are coming into sight. Easy does it. A time-out and quiet reflection may be the ticket.

Scorpio, man, it's all about work lately. Work, work, work with its strategies and intrigues is fun for you. Be sure health routines can sustain the extreme sport of work. Oh, 'honey' does need attention, if you don't want 'honey' hot and bothered. Well, maybe you do.

Sagittarius, you are hyped up for adventures with sporty-types. Saturn, the task master, let up a bit, but you know in your heart you're about to embark on a journey that will call forth your inspiring self. Find your mission and embark. The Earth needs you!

Capricorn, such deep changes over the past few years, but rebirth is at hand. Retreating home is a necessity. Still, you're digging to find your true voice and act on it. Work-wise, diplomacy and some mental health days are called for. You deserve it!

Aquarius, okay, Chatty Cathy, it's all about you! Places to go, people to see – it's simply inspiring to be you and that is okay. Remember to include your significant one and listen to other points of view. Are you blogging? Publishing? What's the new focus?

Pisces, frankly, the more you take charge, the more money you make. And the better you feel about yourself which leads to new ventures. Chat openly with a best friend who helps you clarify your intentions so even you are clear.