Food for thought from Virgo

Digestion and assimilation of food and thoughts are Virgo’s tools for healing. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo (4:38 AM, PDT) calls us to make discerning choices.  To separate the wheat from the chaff.  What nourishes you and what is just waste?

"I say a few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand." Benjamin Franklin

Everything is first created in mind as thoughts, which then create emotions and physical conditions.  Luckily, Jovial Jupiter is showing up with the gift of positive thinking by feeding the Virgo Moon with optimism.  

Work with the energy of the heavens and set your intentions on the New Moon, reap the results on the Full Moon.  This is especially true for September, the month of the Harvest Moon (September 19th).  

No junk!  In your food or in your thoughts!  Collecting grievances pollutes the mind, fills your feelings with guilt, sets your table with toxic waste.  September brings focus to making amends, to forgiving.

♡ Date Night:  Venus in Libra and Mars in Leo

Friday is a day of effortless grace under the elegant beauty of a Libra Moon.  She’s on her way to an exact pairing with Venus Saturday evening.  Your emotional response to love carries a heightened sensitivity and oodles of affection.  In spite of the lingering influence of the health conscious Virgo New Moon, you’ll probably overindulge.  So make it sweet with hugs and kisses.

The Force of discernment is with you.

Here’s your horoscope for the week of September 1-7, 2013:

Aries ♈ (March 20-April 19)

Your vitality sparkles so brightly that you may be a blinding light to those with less zest. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo calls you to look at how strongly your emotions affect your health. Your diet strongly influences your health right now, and you may experience fluctuations in both. Walk away from disharmonious situations. You'll feel better. The end of the week holds emotional challenges. If it looks like a roller coaster, no matter how exciting, don't go for the ride!

Taurus ♉ (April 20-May 20)

Diet and nutrition are up for review and revision this week when health conscious Virgo treats you to her discerning tastes.  Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo calls you to be a bit too picky when it comes to romance. You have an urge to clean up your emotional needs, make them less "messy." Instead, try to enjoy this very fertile time. Remind yourself often that change does not equate with instability!

Gemini ♊ (May 21-June 20)

You're getting rid of emotional clutter. As an intellectual Gemini you know that everything is first created in mind by your thoughts, which then create emotions and physical conditions. As within, so without. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo lands in your 4th house of home and family, helping you make a clean sweep of 1001 petty annoyances and old family habits that no longer serve you. Your whole outlook is colored by whether or not there's happiness at home.

Cancer ♋ (June 21-July 21)

It’s a powerfully intense opportunity to transform your life. Sunday the Moon leaves Cancer, dries herself off, and warms up your feelings around Leo’s campfire until Wednesday morning.  Spiritual insights take your understanding to another level. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo will be a time of daydreaming. Your communications are full of emotions that are tied to family affairs. Sort out the grievances and forgive. Forget. Do the thing you think you cannot do--let it go.

Leo ♌ (July 22-August 22)

Everything feels bigger, like standing in a spotlight.  The Leo Moon is the heart of romance and heart-centered loyalty that lasts a lifetime.  The stage is set for a return to home, a time of security and safety that is deeply rooted in the past. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo is in your second house of resources, and calls you to take stock of your wealth. Consider the source. You're rich with so much more than money.

Virgo ♍ (August 23-September 22)

A major jumping off point comes this week. Luckily you get relief from detail duty, and your focus can widen. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo (4:38 AM, PDT) calls you to revise your expectations. In your desire for perfection you have set the bar too high, especially for yourself. Childhood conditioning pops up so you can see where you began to focus too much on the responses of other people. Untie your emotions. Forgive the past and start over.

Libra ♎ (September 23-October 22)

Great start to your week with the Moon in Leo making a sweet vibration with Venus in Libra. You find it easy to speak the language of your heart, easy to feel your love for someone. Still, you must watch for "leaks" from your memories, your unconscious mind, which color your feelings with too much sensitivity or shyness. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo calls you to remember that you're not alone. Challenges come at the end of the week when you must take stock of deeper issues even though the excitement of life distracts you.

Scorpio ♏  (October 23-November 21)

You're not inclined to follow anyone's rules, even your own! A little recklessness at the beginning of the week gives way to a powerful need to be emotionally connected with your friends. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo calls you to separate the trusted companions from the "friends" who don't keep their commitments to you. Wheat from the chaff. You don't even have to say anything, just hold the friends you value in mind. Let the rest fall away.

Sagittarius ♐ (November 22-December 20)

Polish the mirror, look at your light shining there. You are the philosopher, knowing that thoughts determine how you perceive the world, what you will think is real. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo is a time to initiate new career plans and own your right to be heard--publicly. Expect recognition for your efforts. Be unabashedly ambitious. Don’t let a little rain on your parade dampen your artistic spirits.

Capricorn ♑ (December 21-January 19)

Anxiety makes you uncharacteristically rebellious. For you this is freeing and not likely to be at someone else's expense. You have a wise patience arriving with Thursday’s New Moon, calling you to use Virgo’s discerning skills to initiate new and healthier habits. This is the perfect time to clean up your diet. And mentally, anything that won't easily "digest" should be forgiven and forgotten.

Aquarius ♒ (January 20-February 17)

The confident feelings generated by the Leo Moon during the first part of the week turn to the dark side of doubt when Sheriff Saturn lays down the rules--way too restrictive for you. Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo calls you into intense and sensitive feelings that connect you to souls who have passed on and are still in a spiritual partnership with you. You take away the wisdom that words are only the surface of any relationship.

Pisces ♓  (February 18-March 19)

This week you are noticing how heavily your imagination affects, even creates, the mood you're in.  Thursday’s New Moon in Virgo puts your affections on "fluctuate." You may feel like your partner has turned into your father, or you've turned into his mother! You can assimilate these contradictory points of view into a new idea. Let your need to be loved dissolve into the ocean of all loving parents. Blow someone's mind; fill their heart with your joy.

Be bodacious!

Warrior Mars takes up the evangelical sword of Leo the lionhearted this Tuesday, firing up the zeal and forcefulness behind your actions. Strong leadership backed by oodles of self-confidence is the hallmark of Mars in Leo. It's seven weeks of full steam ahead.  

Nature echoes this theatrical display, Mars on stage in all his audacious boldness, in the "Bodacious Bearded Iris."  Time to be outstanding!  To live life by your own rules.

Harrison Ford, Beyonce, George Clooney, Robert Redford, Sophia Loren, Cher, and many more actors have Mars in Leo.  Born to be on stage, and delightfully playful, Leo's creative gift is to join with the imagination of a child.

"Once I get a clear idea about what I want to accomplish, then acting is just dressing up and playing."  Harrison Ford

Friday's Moon in nurturing Cancer will create three beautiful interlocking triangles, a Grand Trine, that form a bridge to connect your dreams with reality.  Forgiveness joins accountability and wisdom. This is quite literally a stairway to heaven.

♡ Date Night:  Venus in Libra and Mars in Leo

If you add audacious Venus in Libra to bold Leo Mars you get bodaciousness!  Gutsy moves, remarkable romance, and outstanding results! The celestial lovers are cookin' once again.  Venus in air, Mars in fire, make for a combustible love experience this weekend.  You'll feel happy and energetic.  Your relationships are humming along on a lively harmonious note of compatibility.  Both of you are in the mood for giving, and receiving, generously of  yourselves.  Excess can even be a good thing, as long as your credit card is not involved.  

The Force of bodaciousness is with you.

"He who is incapable of feeling strong passions, of being shaken by anger, of living in every sense of the word, will never be a good actor." Sarah Bernhardt

Here’s your horoscope for the week of August 25-31, 2013:

(★ Astrology Wonks see bottom of page)

Aries  ♈ (March 20-April 19)

Self-confidence is not usually a problem for you since Aries pioneers must be sure of themselves to go ahead. Tuesday is therefore an energizing green light for you to initiate a new project. Your style will be the best of Harrison Ford; "When I go out on a call, I want to put out a big fire, I don't want to put out a fire in a dumpster!" The grand trine in water signs this week may try to dampen your enthusiasm by trowing in a soggy idea here and there; not worth your time! Do what you do best--move on to the next innovation.

Taurus  ♉ (April 20-May 20)

Sunday starts your week on a Rock of Gibraltar note, of knowing you're acting from a solid foundation. It's a slower pace but pleasurable. Lots of Leo frazzles your nerves and you're not sure which way to turn. Your big strength this week, like help from Above, is to remember that it's not about performance, it's about the story that wants to be told. You tune in so well by the end of this week that you'll have a direct channel to the angels that hover lovingly around you.

Gemini  ♊ (May 21-June 20)

Wind in your sails arrives with Warrior Mars in Leo, and you have unrelenting forward momentum for the next seven weeks. Issues of familial loyalty and regal dominion over all that is rightfully yours are forefront. If you slow down to hear the message in this week's grand trine in water signs you'll feel a happy sparkle inside that sheds light on your purpose. It comes like a slow trickling brook carrying thoughts of the wisdom in forgiveness. Your words are mature but may not inspire trust in others unless you can promise consistency. 

Cancer  ♋ (June 21-July 21)

Shed everything that holds you back. Too muchness, with a topping of excess, can launch you into multi-tasking even though it's not good for you now--while you're molting. Summer is when the crab sheds her outer shell, to accommodate a new year of growth. Love your softness and vulnerability. It's what makes you open to the enormous gains in store for you. You're approaching a spiritual milestone that peaks this Friday in a golden triangle of your dreams turning into reality.

Leo  ♌ (July 22-August 22)

As the regal king of the jungle, you take the top of the hill, you're the center of attention (you know you love that!) for the next seven weeks. Fortunately this will be a controlled burn since your willpower is so strong that you can corral people and ideas into just the form you need.  Virgo will add efficiency in how you phrase your requests, but they still won't really be heard unless you pour your heart into the delivery. It's always about the heart dear Leo.

Virgo  ♍ (August 23-September 22)

As the week begins, let yourself luxuriate in a day of rest--even two! With the Sun and Messenger Mercury in your sign, your thoughts are solar powered. Wednesday is auspicious for you; your inquiring mind reaches many new understandings.  Rise above your tendency to use dry or concise words aimed at efficiency, they won't catch the ear of your listener. Nerves may be on edge after Warrior Mars moves to Leo Tuesday, but you benefit from Friday's bridge between your dreams and their actualization in reality. You have a super highway to heaven.

Libra  ♎ (September 23-October 22)

Monday, ruled by the Moon, is usually moody but this one arrives with a zinger just for you. Sparks fly from the goddess of love (in your sign) challenging the god of lightning; exotic, erotic, exciting or you're not interested! Keep you eye on the consequences, then let 'er rip! After Mars moves into fiery Leo this Tuesday, you have seven weeks ahead of moving mountains; big boulders rolling out of your way. It's also a romantic time, and very creative, with Leo fire from Mars playfully flirting with your Venus in Libra. Leo sets your brains on fire!

Scorpio  ♏  (October 23-November 21)

The really big news is this week's Grand Trine in water signs which blesses you with a three pronged magic wand of Forgiveness, Accountability, and Wisdom. It builds to a peak on Friday. You've had the accountability wizard working wonders of organization for you since last October. Then Visionary Neptune joined in to raise your hopes. Now it's all set into motion by the sensitivity of the Cancer Moon, building a golden bridge between your dreams and your reality. Heaven comes to earth! Your dreams are manifest.

Sagittarius  ♐ (November 22-December 20)

For the next seven weeks you belong in the forefront of activity. Whether you're leading a group or starting a new project yourself (very likely) you are in charge. Even though you like a soap box and a big parade, you're actually not comfortable being the boss. Now that changes. You're learning Harrison Ford's lesson of relentlessly busting the box office, over and over agin; "You may get real tired watching me, but I'm not going to quit."

Capricorn  ♑ (December 21-January 19)

Like writing a great mystery novel, you can solve old puzzles by stitching together forgiveness, commitment, and emotional strength into a quilted vision of whole picture. Your relationships have perhaps felt heavy with responsibilities since last October. Now the Grand Trine in water signs that builds throughout this week will bring you a sensitivity and tenderness of emotions that will solidify your faith in each other. Saturday dawns with a joyous warmth of feeling, a quiet confidence, and a generosity of spirit that permeates your very soul. Truly a stairway to heaven.

Aquarius  ♒ (January 20-February 17)

Your objective viewpoint is vitally needed in the current seas of dreamy ideas without boundaries. Use the language of your heart as you try to give instructions to others; your keen intellect is of less use to you now. Warrior Mars in Leo begins seven weeks for you in which to join your imagination to that of a child's. It will add emotional strength to your wise words and the impetus to speak out. Friday's Grand Trine in water signs can heal some ancient scars for you. It's a time to go within and shut down the noise of doing.

Pisces  ♓  (February 18-March 19)

The tried and true has the benefit of safety, but clinging to it can squash your need to move forward in your life. You're going to get lifted out of any ruts you have by waves of prophetic insights that wash through you all week. You'll have exceptionally inspired artistic gifts; anything your create via you imagination. You understand that nothing and no one can hold you back except yourself. The weekend is for love letters; give away bunches of them and experience the sweet vulnerability of receiving them back tenfold.

✶ Astrology Wonks

The Moon enjoys the pleasurable comforts of Rock of Gibraltar Taurus beginning this Sunday at 6:15 PM, PDT.  

At 10:56 AM Monday morning Venus in Libra is in an opposition with Uranus the god of lightning.  Fireworks. Tuesday is a tense square between Venus and Jupiter at  2:53 PM.  

Mars moves into Leo at 7:05 PM, Tuesday evening for a 7 weeks.  Friday the Moon moves into Cancer at 4:32 AM, then makes an easy flowing Grand Trine in water signs with Neptune at 12:23 PM, and Saturn at 6:53 PM.  Bridges are built out of golden dreams that fall to earth as a new reality.  

Lightspeed leap in consciousness

What’s the speed of darkness?  Darkness disappears at a speed of 186,000 miles per second!  The planets line up to give us the greatest “magic” trick of all; turning on the lIght of a higher consciousness. Quick as a twinkle, the stars light your way through the chaos of the ego’s dark works.  

A Grand Cross of enormous transformational energy is forming this week, peaking on Saturday the 24th through Tuesday the 27th.  Same old wars, conflict, and violence are heating up the circuit breakers, tripping the overload switch, shutting down old networks.  It’s our heavenly opportunity to look for new sources of Power.  

Blame it on the Full Moon.  This Tuesday she rises full in Aquarius at 6:45 PM, PDT.  We put our hands on our hearts and pledge allegiance to being more tolerant of differences, more accepting of ourselves.  

“Woman overboard!” is triggered by the excessive restlessness of a tense square between Generous Jupiter and Urgent Uranus.  Tensions will peak this Wednesday, but we’ll feel it for many weeks.

The Sun shines in Virgo beginning Thursday at 4:01 PM.  Quickly joined by Messenger Mercury the following afternoon.  Mercury is exalted in Virgo, and our minds become strongly analytical and our communications are eloquent and proficient.

♡ Date Night:  Venus in Libra and Mars in Cancer

Feel free to play around, but you better keep it in good taste.  There’s excess and unbridled passions ahead between Venus and Mars, adding tension to relationships.  He just can’t seem to get his manners up to her standards; he sees her demands as temperamental.  Your Mars (yang) energy is intensely aggressive and moody. Your Venus (yin) must have companionship, and you’ll provide the empathic bonding to go with it.  

The Force of light is with you.

Here’s your horoscope for the week of August 18-24, 2013:

(★ Astrology Wonks see bottom of page)

Aries  ♈ (March 20-April 19)

Sparks fly from your fingertips and surround your every move, suggesting you are a person of imminent possibilities!  The Sun and Mercury together in precise Virgo will bring meaningful order to your work, if you can integrate your intuitive hunches with cold hard facts.  A hot-blooded Aries Moon this Friday has you lightning a fire under a rigid Virgo mountain, creating lava that changes your whole landscape. You’re pushing the envelope.  Impatience with restrictions sends you into a revolutionary revolt, arrows flying.  One pierces your skin, and shows what you are made of--pure innovation!

Taurus  ♉ (April 20-May 20)

Uncharacteristically, you throw caution to the wind!  Your 5th solar house of creativity and romance is activated, making this an excellent time to write that play or win a game of chess.  If romance does show up, you really will be interested in his mind!  And nothing long lasting, because when the Grand Cross energies of urgent, powerful change arrive, you’ll feel it as an urge for exotic experiences.  You don’t care whether they last or not.  

For the next two weeks your mind is occupied with an intellectual interest in art. When the Sun and Mercury join forces this Friday in compatible Virgo, you’ll have a window of solar powered reasoning open up. You’ll organize your thoughts and plans brilliantly.  

Gemini  ♊ (May 21-June 20)

You may feel too restless to want to persevere with the details needed to complete your project. Chisel, wheelbarrow, and chipping a lot of rock is required to actually manifest your vision. For help, you can call on the balance and artistic eye of Venus in Libra, your harmonic muse right now.  The Sun and Mercury move into Virgo and your 4th solar house of home and family.  Literally, it’s time to clean closets (one at a time). Cleanliness and attention to detail will actually help you to relax.  Logic wants to rule your intuition for the next two weeks.

Cancer  ♋ (June 21-July 21)

Generous Jupiter in Cancer, the archetypal Santa Claus, can easily overdo his love of expansion and cornucopias of all the good things in life.  Sometimes his gifts spill out faster than you can sort them, and this is one of those times!  But, at the same time, you’re getting a surge of superior intellectual ability and mental agility from the movement of the Sun and Mercury into your 3rd solar house of communications for the next two weeks.  It doesn’t just mean your inbox is loaded (which it is), it also has you writing and speaking with a great deal of originality.  You still need to think before you hit “send,” but you can get your point across and sell anything!

Leo  ♌ (July 22-August 22)

Your Monday morning bowl of oatmeal overflows, drips on an add in the paper which causes you to notice it’s “50% off” for the dress you bought last week and you rush to find your receipt so you can spend your lunch hour getting a refund.  It’s good news, but in a way that jangles your nerves.  That’s the way the Grand Cross energies come across to you.  The Sun and Mercury in Virgo light up your 2nd solar house of money and resources beginning this Friday.  You’re mentally preoccupied with business and improving your earnings.  Since Virgo is the sign of the quintessential CEO of...well, everything, you have two weeks of producing practical, concrete results.  Money.

Virgo  ♍ (August 23-September 22)

In sync!  You’re entering a period of intense desire to express yourself.  You are absolutely clear about who you are, and ready to show anyone who’ll listen.  Nothing in your environment escapes your notice.  Expect lots of coming and going, and an urge to be in action.  The Sun enters Virgo Thursday afternoon, beginning the call of letting go that precedes your birthday. Your love of organization combines with your clear analytical mind when Mental Mercury also enters your sign this Friday.  Willpower and sharp communication collide as conjoined twins this Saturday afternoon, a brilliant time for thoughtful planning.  

Libra  ♎  (September 23-October 22)

Take it on. The optimism will be there to make it work. You can tap into the adventurous spirit within you, and put your dreams and wishes into motion. Venus acts as your touchstone during the Grand Cross intersection of power, rebellion, expansion, and cooperation.  Not easy bedfellows since almost anything you do or think can become excessive.  The Sun and Mercury in Virgo is in your 12th solar house of the universal mind.  For the next two weeks your thinking will be strongly influenced by past experiences which bubble up as vague impressions.  You gather information through your feelings, your keen intuition, and psychic abilities. Say what you see.  Your degree of artistic inspiration is high, generating powerful emotions that need expression.  Expect a serendipitous meeting, a relationship with ties to your past, that will stir deep and powerful desires.  Stay present.  

Scorpio  ♏  (October 23-November 21)

With Generous Jupiter there is always a choice; you can take something wonderful and go overboard with it, or you can finally put that fabulous idea into motion.  The one that’s just been waiting for enough optimism to fuel it.  Your generosity of spirit is tied to your feelings about home and family roots, and gets expressed as a parental, nurturing human kindness.  Regardless of your sex, you’ll feel your maternal instincts strongly. The Sun and Mercury in Virgo are bestowing a love of truth, impartiality, and original and objective thinking to all your communications with friends and groups.  Especially the next two weeks, you’ve got profound insight into the larger picture of cultural trends.

Sagittarius  ♐ (November 22-December 20)

Delivering on your promises is not guaranteed with Jupiter courting the god of lightning; you may suddenly turn away from a worthwhile project simply because your initial excitement wanes.  The Sun and Mercury have both dropped into earthy Virgo which falls in your 10th solar house, lighting up your professional ambitions so that they become more lucrative.  For the next two weeks you’re likely to gain power and leadership, distinguishing yourself by your brilliant ideas.  But, stop and think before you share.  Restraint of pen and tongue won’t come easily but it has rarely been more important than now.

Capricorn  ♑ (December 21-January 19)

Sun and Mercury in Virgo is in your 9th solar house

You’re not asking too much.  You’re asking far too little.  So much is coming your way that you have lots of reasons to feel optimistic. And to be busy sorting out the excess.  You’re more concerned with attitudes than with facts.  With Sun and Mercury moving into your compatible sign, Virgo, your ability for sharp minded analysis is going to create some brilliant record keeping systems in your brain. Ideas fall into place like tumblers in a lock. Doors open. You’ve got two weeks ahead of enormous focus, concentration, and travel in the realms of the higher mind.

Aquarius  ♒ (January 20-February 17)

Your logical mind is going to get into heated debates with your intuitive side.  Freedom at any price seems like a good idea when the Moon takes flight into Aquarius this Sunday evening, on her way to the Full Moon Tuesday.  Look back to July 22nd when the first Full Moon in Aquarius occurred (yes, twice in one month!) for the personal needs that were revealed then and want fulfillment now. The Sun and Mercury, now in Virgo, fall in your 8th solar house, which tunes your thoughts to other planes of existence. Caring for our planet earth is a perfect combination of the Aquarius Full Moon and Generous Jupiter’s idealistic causes. You’re ingenious in formulating strategies.  

Pisces  ♓  (February 18-March 19)

Your emotions are without boundaries or borders while you merge with the universal mind, and tap into your own deepest knowing.  Jupiter in an internalized stress with Uranus requires a great deal of patience, and if you can persevere the rewards come in sudden opportunities and lucky chances. The Moon wades into Pisces this Tuesday evening at 9:43 PM, creating two days of harmony with Serious Saturn.  Your ideas take on structure and practicality.  You’d like others to hear your words exactly as you meant them.  Your poetry takes on depth of meaning and universality of appeal that raises the horizon of hope for many others.  Don’t be shy about sharing!  

✶ Astrology Wonks

Tuesday at 6:45 PM, PDT, the Moon is Full in the sign of Aquarius for the second time in 28 days!  Moonrise for the Aquarius Full Moon this Tuesday is 7:32 PM, PDT; 7:16 PM, EDT.

 

1st of 3 squares between Jupiter and Uranus is this Wednesday at 12:15 AM, PDT.  Patience Grasshopper, patience!

The Sun enters practical, down to earth Virgo this Thursday at 4:01 PM.  It’s time to get organized. Mercury enters Virgo, the sign of rulership, Friday.  Vulcan logic!

August 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th we have a Grand Cross in cardinal signs formed by Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer, Venus in Libra, and Pluto in Capricorn.  If your Sun sign is in Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn this is a major turning point for you.  

Venus in lovely Libra gets into a tense battle of self-discovery with Powerful Pluto this Saturday at 3:01 AM.  Venus square Pluto brings intense sexual passions;”fated” kismet.