How to figure out if you're havig a midlife transit
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Each month, shortly before the sun moves into a new sign (which usually happens around the 20th or 21st of the month), I'll suggest a way for your sign to take advantage of the opportunities provided by one of the solar month's major astrological features. In addition, you can read a short article on one aspect of putting together a horoscope forecast that will give you more insight into how to interpret your own chart. I'll also cover a topic of the month.
Finally, I'll provide a list of keywords for some of the planets, signs, and houses that make up a horoscope so that you can further customize your horoscope.
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MONTHLY HOROSCOPE FOR ALL SIGNS
Happy Birthday, Capricorn
Tag! You're it. You're the sign in the leadership position that is. Pluto, Mars, the sun, Mercury, and, for a tiny bit Jupiter, are all in your sign during January.
This planetary line-up is a recipe for making major new year decisions or crafting detailed plans (especially between January 11 and 23). With your ruler Saturn in your solar sector of new experiences, you may also take on the role of leading others into new territory. The one thing your solar chart doesn't want to do is wait around on anyone or anything else. For the moment at least, you're in charge, so you might as well grab the opportunity to act like it.
Capricorn people born early in the sign (in December) may well feel a great deal of pressure in connection with their decisions this year, but Capricorns of all birth dates can look forward to a surge of positive energy in the sector of their charts that governs finances. Starting January 5, Jupiter will be in the sign of Aquarius, and he'll stay there the whole year. He'll join Neptune in that sign for a concentration of inflationary and expansive energy that could do anything from shower you with incomprehensible abundance to lure you into a delusionary and over-optimistic scheme that could leave you a victim of fraud.
The financial energy kicks off with a bang on January 26, via a new eclipse in the selfsame sign of Aquarius. You may not notice anything right at first (eclipses are rather unpredictable in whom they choose to surprise) but there's a decent chance that an opportunity will arise out of the blue or news will descend when least expected. To put it bluntly, your future is roaring up in its Ferrari to meet you.
That makes your astrological task for 2009 rather more serious than it might usually be. Here's why. As you may have noticed, we are currently living through astrologically tumultuous times. 2009 isn't really scheduled to be much less tumultuous and it may be even more so. The economic times they are a changing.
Partly they are changing because Pluto has moved into your sign and started highlighting the values associated with your sign. These values include things like thrift, saving, responsibility, the importance of infrastructure, stewardship, integrity, accounting for past failures, a disapproval of excess, a tendency toward pessissm and caution, contraction, and a concern with material and survival issues. This is a rather wrenching change from the values of Pluto in Sagittarius, which tended to celebrate excess, optimism, and recklessness.
So...since the values of your sign are so important in the world these days, that brings us back to that tag-you're-it leadership thing. Now I know most of you aren't going to be working in Obama's cabinet, but you do, in your own little circle, have a certain amount of increased responsibility to be well...Capricornian responsible and help guide the people you care about through the new world era. And just as the responsibility is falling on your sign's shoulder's, the universe is going to send that major temptation your way via Neptune and Jupiter and eclipses in your money sector.
Somehow or another you've got to figure out how to make the most of this amazing financial opportunity without being greedy or self-delusional or deluding others. You're going to need to be the Warren Buffet of your own little world. There's nothing wrong with getting rich--as long as your wealth--financial, spiritual, emotional, or familial--is based on true value.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
During this time, Aries, you need to focus on your career yet again. Your annual new moon in your solar career sector takes places on December 27, so you'll need to get cracking to take advantage of it. The sun is also in your career sector until January 19.
But wait! There's more! Your ruler Mars is also in your career sector from December 27 through February 3. Over the past 12 months or so, the skies have thrown so much career energy at your, they've been practically begging you to get yourself established somewhere or complete a major project or do something impressive career-wise. But this career push won't last forever, and January represents your last best astrological chance to make a big push with the help of the skies. Jupiter leaves your career house January 4, and by mid-February, there'll be little career energy left in your solar chart.
The exception would be those Aries born within the first few days of the sign. For them, Pluto in the early degrees of Capricorn will present a significant challenge. Although it isn't guaranteed to be a career challenge, there's a pretty good likelihood that the energy will show up in a career setting. Pressure is often a prelude to accomplishment, so take heart if you are one of the Aries so affected.
For most Aries, though, 2009 will see more astrological emphasis on things like friendships, community involvements, group participation, income from business, hopes and wishes, politics, or idealistic aspirations to do good in the world. The energy will come courtesy of Jupiter and Neptune, a potent, optimistic, and perhaps slightly daft combination. You may get a taste of your new world order for 2009 around January 26, when a new moon eclipse lights up Aquarius, the sign Jupiter and Neptune will be inhabiting throughout 2009. You may be surprised by an opportunity to contribute in ways you hadn't expected.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Special Articles:
The Signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, & Cancer
The Signs: Leo, Virgo, Libra, & Scorpio
The Signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, & Pisces
Link: New and Full Moons 2008
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Mid-January, at the full moon on the 11th, you may have a chance to grow closer to those near and dear. It's a good time for a get-together with neigbors, or, alternatively, to render assistance to a neighbor or sibling who needs it. Teh bulk of the month, though, is about fresh starts and big plans. 2009 is a career year for your sign, and January is the month to make plans and set goals.
The new moon in Capricorn (your sector of planning your ambitions) takes places on December 27, and ideally your planning should begin around that date. Make your new year's resolutions, write down your goals, draw up your wish list of items to achieve, and get yourself all organized for the year ahead. The ideal thing to do would be to whip out a calendar and set target dates for your goals. Sketch out an entire action plan, the more concrete and detailed the better.
Now, I know that's a lot of work, especially if your professional goals are kidn of vague and nebulous. And I'm not saying everything will pan out the way you plan it out. It may pan out much better. You've got a lot of planetary help and energy on your side in 2009, when it comes to a career dream. As in more energy than you may see again for more than a decade. You'll need your common sense to take best advantage of it, but it would be a shame to go through 2009 without at least taking the the time to let the universe know what your wishes and plans are. The energy gets a kick start January 26 (solar eclipse date), so do your best to get at least important dream down on paper by the end of the month.
For some additional keywords you can use to customize your own horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
The Planets: Sun, Mercury, Venus
One focus in January is on othe people and what they can do to help you. The assistance others can provide could be financial, medical, spiritual, or even romantic. The sun, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto all spend some of the month in your solar 8th house--and the 8th house is at least partly a symbol for the help we receive from others.
In fact, there's a long-term subtle trnd of transformation in your relationship to the resources other people can bring to the table, symbolized by Pluto in Capricorn. You've seen a taste of the Pluto in Cap era in the rather impressive financial meltdown in the latter part of 2008. Pluto in Capricorn doesn't necessarily mean a personal financial meltdown for you, but it does highlight the interdependence inherent in all things financial. A growing awareness of how interdependence works in your life is on the planetary agenda for your sign, but it's an awareness that is scheduled to develop slowly over time. This month's emphasis on the subject will give way to the other theme of the month.
Which is--new year's planning. Not for Gemini, however, does the recipe include the traditional dreary New Year's resolutions about going to the gym and eating less fat. Your sign will do better to focus on optimistic and happy goals, warm fuzzy feeling goals, or goals for spiritual growth. The universe is scheduled to blow your mind in 2009, and hopefully in a very good way, so you might as well align yourself with the universal intention and set your scanners searching for good stuff.
For additional keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
January seems to be all about what you need to do for other people, Cancer. The demanding planet Mars is directly opposite your sun sign, and a majority of planets are clustered around your solar 7th and 8th houses. These are the parts of your chart that have to do with the needs of others as opposed to your own self-interest. This is not a short-term trend; most of 2009 will have astrological energy that binds your fate closely to the fate of others.
This is not necessarily a bad thing; indeed your nurturing sign may find it positively enjoyable. The ties that bind you to others in 2009 may be financial, sexual, emotional, therapeutic, medical, romantic, work-related, educational, or familial. There's a better than average chance that joint finances will be a topic of interest during the year, but it's not guaranteed, for you may simply find it to be a year of healing.
In the short run, you may want to take advantage of peaceful Venus in your solar 9th house from January 3 on. Venus here can help you catch your breath and make some plans or set goals and intentions for the new year. Ideally, to take advantage of the astrological energy, the goals would be more oriented around relationships, emotions, enjoyment, and idealism than around traditional topics like going to the gym more often. A typical effective resolution or goal would be something like deciding to volunteer to teach crafts at a hospice once a week. Doing something for others will make your chart feel good, not just in January but throughout 2009.
For keywords you can use to customize an alternate interpretation- click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
First off, there's work. Your solar house of on-the-job stuff is all lit up in January. That's kind of normal for you at the beginning of the year, but this year Mars and Pluto are in your job sector as well as the usual suspects like the sun and Mercury. Your job and health-related new moon takes place on December 27, 2008, so the time around that date is excellent for laying out your ambitious goals for 2009.
Those of you with health problems can also make an aggressive effort to get well, get healthy, get medical help, or just get fit and toned. In fact, Leo is one of the few signs with a realistic shot at keeping those new year's going-to-the-gym resolutions.
Don't let
all the focus on work and health detract from your awareness of 2009's
overarching theme, though: other people. In 2009 you are scheduled to
have the chance to learn a tremendous amount from other people. Who you
surround yourself with will make all the difference this year. Choose
your companions wisely.
For keywords you can use to customize an alternate interpretation- click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
I'm not going to lie to you Virgo. The issue of self vs. others is going to continue to be a big astrological deal for your sign throughout 2009. There will be periodic clashes between Saturn in your sign (affecting your individuality and personal needs) and Uranus in the sign opposite yours (affecting your focus on other people). By the end of this rather intense round of negotiations between two heavy planetary hitters (toward the end of year), you should be an absolute master at balancing your needs and everyone else's. And then you can teach the rest of us!
Meanwhile, another huge theme for Virgo in 2009 is work and health, and the trend starts as early as January 5, when Jupiter moves into Aquarius. It's possible that you'll get so focused on these subjects in 2009 that you'll be tempted to forget almost everything else. Here's what's going on: expansive Jupiter will join inflationary Neptune in your work sector, along with Chiron and the Moon's Node. Work-oriented Saturn will also continue in your sign for most of the year.
On top of that, there will continue to be eclipses in your work sector in 2009. The first one takes place on January 26. These kinds of eclipses can mean all sorts of unexpected changes in the workplace including layoffs (not that you're particularly likely to be the target). In a worst case scenario, your workload will increase at the same exponential rate that your company's delusions about what you can reasonably be expected to accomplish do. In a best case scenario, you make a ton of money from your job, gain more freedom, make an ideal change and breathe a sigh of relief that you're one of the lucky ones to escape the worst of the economy's troubles. Your own real life will probably fall somewhere in between, so it's good to know both that work will need your attention and that obsessive worrying will not do any good.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Libra is one of those signs that ofen prfers to cater to the needs of others rather than distress itself by focusing on its own needs. If you are a Libran with this sort of personality, you may find some of the astrological influences of 2009 right up your alley. Jupiter and Neptune and Chiron and eclipses in the sign of Aquarius in 2009 should ensure that you can devote oodles and boodles of happy energy to your children, your lovers, fun stuff, and people you like. 2009 also looks to be a great year for Libras with a creative bent or who work in an artistic field.
On the other hand...you do have your own needs, some of which are represented by the continuing presence of Saturn in Virgo. Something is weighing you down or burdening you psychologically or physically. It could well be a work-related matter, or perhaps certain colleagues have been conspiring against you or making the atmosphere unpleasant. You do need to make an ongoing commitment to taking care of yourself physically and psychologically or the stress could affect your performance. You may feel some of the tension in January, as Saturn will oppose Uranus in early and mid-February. Sometimes the angst from these planetary confrontations builds up a bit in advance.
If you need to work off stress, a good way to do it in January is by getting a lot repairs and work done around the house. Mars is in your residential sector and although he can encourage spending a lot of money on your house, he can also help you get a lot of necessary work done in a short time.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Relationships continue to be key for Scorpios this month and throughout 2009. By and large things look to be happy on the home front for your sign this year, and some of you may even buy a new home before year's end. So it is other types of relationships that are more likely to provide the drama. Single Scorpios could find themselves in dating relationships that are intense but full of conflict. Excitement can be a wonderful thing, but there's also no astrological guarantee in 2009 that an exciting relationship is a beneficial one.
Some Scorpios with children may find themselves locked in a battle of wills with one or more of them. Friends could prove problematic this year; or just the opposite could occur. Some of you will find out just how strong the bonds of friendship are when your friends turn out to be your Rock of Gibraltar during stormy emotional times. This up and down, could-go-one-way-or-another energy comes courtesy of an ongoing series of clashes between stony Saturn and volatile Uranus. The next clash is scheduled for early and mid-February, so you may feel tension as early as this month.
Throughout it all, your home will be your refuge. Relationships with siblings and neighbors are highlighted in January, so maybe you could invite a few of them to your house to do a little bonding.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
Guard your money in January, Sag, as Pluto, Mars, the sun and retrograde Mercury in your financial sector could conspire to make a lot more go out than comes in. Hold on to your wallet or strap it shut with duct tape if you need to.
On a more pleasant note, 2009 highlights your relationships with siblings, neighbors, and others in your immediate circle. Jupiter will join Neptune in Aquarius, and you can't get a much more abundant influence than Jupiter and Neptune working together. In addition, there's a new moon eclipse in Aquarius on January 26, signaling the potential for a fresh start in a relationship or even an educational or travel-related endeavor.
Another potential manifestation of this abundant energy could be a much busier schedule than normal. The year may be awash in meetings, errands, messages, short trips, new people, and tons of stuff to do. This should mostly be fun and stimulating, although there may be times when it gets to be a bit overwhelming or confusing. If you're one of those Sagittarians who has a hard time following a schedule, you may need to hire a minder in 2009 just to keep you on track. Another possibility is that someone in your circle may deceive or disappoint you this year, although that won't happen to all Sagittarians certainly. Sag folks who work in media or publicity or promotions or advertising or communications should also have a banner year by and large, and a few of you may begin new work in this field.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
2009 is really all about you taking the initiative, Aquarius, and January will inaugurate this theme with something of a bang. It all starts when Jupiter moves into your sign on January 5. Jupiter is an initiative-loving planet, and he'll be in your sign throughout 2009. He may not reward your efforts immediately, but he will at some point, so the more tries you make the better your odds of success this year.
Admittedly, as January begins there are actually a lot of planets in the sign of Capricorn and your solar 12th house. The 12th house wouldn't normally know initiative if it came up and punched it in the face, so don't get too hard on yourself if your energy levels and enthusiasm aren't sky-high right off the bat. Your chart is still a bit sleepy and hasn't fully woken up.
The slow start will just give you a little bit of extra time to figure out what sort of things you want to initiate. Here's my suggestion: Tackle solving whatever problems have been building up in your life, whether they are financial, logistical, psychological, medical, relationship, etc. Jupiter is a great healer and can be a tremendous help. So often in life when we aren't immediately successful in solving a problem, we begin to adapt to it and put up with it and give up taking strong action to resolve it. 2009 is your year to un-adapt to your problems and demand more out of life.
Alternatively, you may get an important clue as to what sort of projects would be most personally beneficial to you in 2009 when the sun enters your sign on the 19th or around the time of the solar eclipse in your sign on January 26.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
As 2009 opens, we confront the same old themes again for Pisces--the desire for independence vs. the need to deal with others. Your solar chart continues to want both sides of the coin: distance and freedom, steadiness and security. Perhaps you can achieve a workable balance if you are willing to do things in an unconventional way.
2009 is apt to be an unconventional for you and everyone else, anyway. The reason for this is a heavy concentration of astrological energy in the typically unconventional sign of Aquarius. Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron, eclipses, and the Moon's Node are all in the sign this year. In addition, the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, is in your sign throughout 2009 as it has been for awhile. For some of you (depending on the location of your natal planets) this will be a huge dose of unconventional yet idealistic and humanitarian energy to absorb.
The upshot of all this is that 2009 may not be the year to push yourself forward. In fact, 2009 might instead be the year to focus more on concepts like healing and self-examination. The main opportunities of the year will have more to do with getting to know yourself than with outward or tangible goals. Think self-development, not conquering the world.
A final note. Mars is in your house of friendship this month, and while that can mean the occasional argument with a friend, a better use is to gather the gang together and go skiing or burn off some energy in some winter sports. Nothing wrong with socializing your way through the winter blues.
For keywords you can use to customize your horoscope - click here. For instructions on how to use the keywords - click here.
As someone who specializes in midlife transits...
As someone who specializes in midlife transits, one thing I have noticed is how individualized they are in manifestation. Astrologers naturally try to group and pull out themes from these predictable passages of midlife, but in real life, they hit you where you need it most, whether you know it at the time or not.
For me, the process of midlife crisis, or really midlife awakening, began with Uranus opposition Uranus. This is a transit that occurs around the age of forty-two, although when it begins varies from person to person. In my case, it began when I was forty.
It began with misery. I remember asking a friend of mine at the time-"do you think the universe is actually trying to get me to kill myself?" She paused and said, "Well, normally I always say no to questions like that, but in your case…"
I was busy losing the things from my life that I liked. People. Places. Routines. Possessions. Even the most minor and odd of possessions, like buying lunch and having it disappear without warning from my desk before I got a chance to eat it. Learning later that a cleaning person had helpfully decided to throw it away for me!
This sort of thing happened all the time. It is a very odd feeling to be walking around in some sort of alternate and warped universe in which you cannot even count on your lunch being where you put it.
In the bigger picture, the structures that I depended upon for comfort were being ripped away from me. Change was happening without my consent or permission and faster than I could absorb.
As if that wasn't bad enough, ghosts from the past were haunting me. Uranus is a planet of the mind in many ways, a stimulator of the mind. Uranus opposition Uranus stimulated my mind beyond all control, and I found myself obsessively rehashing events from long ago. It was as if I kept telling myself, against my will, 'this is why I am the way I am. Do not forget the events that are important to you.' It was an uncomfortable process, and it didn't stop until I consciously agreed to obey the inner dictates and make my current decisions with full awareness of my past. My life may have changed in adulthood, but somehow I needed to recognize that I could not abandon awareness of my roots.
The experiences were specific to me, but some of the themes aren't. The theme of loss is common during midlife transits, including Uranus opposition Uranus. The theme of forced changes is equally common. Feeling as though you have suddenly somehow dropped into an alternate reality that you wouldn't have chosen to visit is pretty frequent. Having to balance the needs of the present and future with due recognition for the experiences, wisdom and achievements (or pains) of the past is common with any opposition.
But the theme that stands out for me with midlife transits is: Darkness before the dawn. Astrologers who tell you that it won't get dark at night are not telling you the truth, really. It usually does. It has to. It has to get dark if there is going to be a dawn worth celebrating.
And the dawn does come. It really does. There are times when you don't think it will, but it does. Astrologers who tell you that the midlife transits are all bad aren't telling you the truth either. Some of the most spectacular dawns of your life (in a metaphorical sense of being a great awakening) will occur in conjunction with your midlife transits.
For me, the dawn began with an eclipse. And wowie zowie what an eclipse it was. That little puppy started me down a path of happiness I had not even known existed.
And that brings me to another theme that I see so often with people and their own midlife transit journeys: It's not just the midlife transits; it's everything else going on in your chart and your life.
You are a unique individual. Your own midlife passages will occur in your own personal astrological context. An eclipse that occurs during a transit like Uranus opposition Uranus may be a trigger for awakening in your life, as it was in mine.
Or the trigger in your life may be the fact that your husband is undergoing his midlife transits at the same time you are, so that his changes are a catalyst for your own awakening. You may be in a phase of your life wherein choosing where you live, finding your home, is of top priority in your life. The trigger for your awakening may be a move to a new city. I have also seen cases where a dire illness, such as a cancer diagnosis, becomes the portal to an awakening of individual power that a person never knew she had.
The tricky part of dealing with these portals to a new life is knowing which doors to choose! It is important, even vital, to say yes to the opportunities these times of change will bring. But sometimes learning how to say yes involves knowing what to say no to. Sometimes that means saying no to a marriage that has long outlived its spiritual purpose. But sometimes it means saying no to the temptation to divorce even though mutual growth has made the old structures of a marriage no longer workable.
One of the purposes of these transits is to help you understand which is which. Which decisions are authentic for you in spite of social pressure. And which decisions are not authentic for you any longer. The transits frequently do this by turning up the volume on your inner voice to almost unbearable levels. It is as though for a time you cannot get away from your thoughts, your feelings, your indecision and conflict. You must confront what your insides are telling you, if only to gain some relief.
And that
brings me to the final theme that I see with these transits, at least
in my own life and in those of my clients. And that is: other people
can help. Maybe even: other people are necessary. In times of transition,
you need someone to talk to. Someone who will listen. That person cannot
always be the person you used to rely on, for things are changing in your
life. When your inner voice becomes very loud, it becomes necessary for
someone else to hear it. The darkness is more bearable when you share
it, and so is the dawn that follows.
Some keywords for the sun: Soul purpose, individuality, the father, one's vitality, consciousness, the self, the will, one's sense of drive, creative potential, the ego, and authority.
Some keywords for Mercury: Writing, the mind, speaking, learning, communication, commerce, messages, intellectual interests, mental abilities, speed, transportation, and language skills.
Some keywords for the Moon: Emotions, the body, instincts, fluctuating moods, rhythm, gut reactions, needs, dependence, responsiveness, memories, the subconscious, and perceptions.
Some keywords for Venus: Love, unity, harmony, pleasure, laziness, relationships, beautiful things, money, the arts, femininity, and aesthetic taste.
Some keywords for Mars: Energy, aggression, conflict, driving determination, strong emotions, male energy, keen competitiveness, sexual drive, and assertiveness.
Some keywords for Jupiter: Abundance, expansiveness, a cheery outlook, foreign travel, big money, philosophical concerns, gambling, sports, risks, advertising, publishing, and luck.
Some keywords for Saturn: Contraction, restriction, life tests, aging, a mature outlook, building structure, limitations, rules, authority, obstacles, discipline, thrift, and hard work.
Some keywords for Uranus: Technology, universal ideas, humanitarian impulses, hopes for the future, sudden changes, shaking up the status quo, reversals, revolution, and science.
Some keywords for Neptune: Artistic impulses, drugs, chemicals, and alcohol, inspiration, imagination, deception, glamor, delusions, hospitals, subconscious yearnings, liquids, oil, psychic experiences, and romanticism.
Some keywords for Pluto: Global events, transformation, regeneration, and elimination.
Some Keywords for the 1st house: The self , personality, the body, appearance, ego, attitudes, how others see you, physical health and vitality, self-regard, and what inspires you.
Some keywords for the 2nd house: All personal resources, values, money, possessions, ownership, attachments, investments in real estate, self-worth, tangible items, gifts, possessiveness, and materialism.
Some keywords for the 3rd house: The daily environment, communication, cell phones, casual conversation, letters, email, commerce, acquaintances, neighbors, relatives, the ability to deal with daily life, and the part of the conscious mind that deals with daily tasks.
Some keywords for the 4th house: Roots, home, family, the parents, traditions, the past, patriotism, nurturing, the need for emotional support, where you belong, ancestors, and the subconscious.
Some keywords for the 5th house: Play, amusements, creative self-expression, romance, children, fun, pleasures, love affairs, and gambling and speculation.
Some keywords for the 6th house: Employment, health, routines, nutrition, chores, service, volunteering, nursing, service professions, illness, employees, and hygiene.
Some keywords for the 7th house: Intimate relationships, partnerships, enemies, marriage, counselors, the general public, the ability to attract and love others, what we feel we lack, what we like and dislike in others, and the ability to resolve conflicts.
Some keywords for the 8th house: The past, transformation, death, inheritance, other people's money, rebirth, trauma, abuse, crisis, the partner's finances, loans, and investments.
Some keywords for the 9th house: Philosophy, religion, the legal profession, travel, academics, synthesis, higher education, the higher mind, the search for meaning, ethical beliefs and standards, foreigners and interest in things foreign, and the ability to gain perspective on events.
Some keywords for the 10th house: Status, career, reputation, authority figures, tangible achievements, the father, the ability to garner admiration, honors, contributions to the community, fame, vocation or calling, and professional accomplishments.
Some keywords for the 11th house: Friendships, groups, life direction, aspirations, visionaries, scientific thinking, humanitarian impulses, the brotherhood of man, and hopes & wishes.
Some keywords for the 12th house: Secrets, mental illness, incarceration, self-sabotage, dreams, fantasies, subconscious fears, spirituality, intution, oneness with the universe, the inner life, and guilt.
HOW TO USE KEYWORDS: The essence of learning astrology is understanding how to mix, match, and blend the concepts associated with signs, planets, and houses to figure out what is or will be affecting you at a given point in time. This takes practice and practice is exactly what you're going to have a chance to get if you use the keywords each month.
Keywords can be used to plan and take action using the month's energies, to explain events or to make predictions. Scan for keywords that seem relevant to situations in your own life. You'll have 3 sets of keywords you can blend, one for the planet discussed, one for the sign it's in and one for the solar house it's transiting. Pick the keywords that interest you most and create your customized horoscope!
For example, if the Sun is in Aries in your solar first house, if you want to plan or take action you might pick the Sun keyword 'power', the Aries keyword 'initiating', and the 1st house keyword 'self-expression' to create an intention for yourself that you have the power to initiate actions to express yourself more fully in ways that you desire. You'll know what 'self-expression' means to you. It works best if you pick keywords that 'speak' to you or that coincide with elements of your life that already concern you. To receive astrological benefits, it's not necessary that you obligate yourself to do something huge - it's only necessary that you take one step in the right direction at the right time. Astrology concerns itself with when things are born, and if you start something at the right time, you're riding on the energy that's already available to you in the universe.
You can also use the keywords to try to figure out if something that is affecting you is 'in the stars'. For example, let's say you find yourself wondering why you're getting drawn into conflicts with people at your church. You scan the keywords and realize 'Aha! The fiery energy of Aries is currently being activated in my 12th house of faith-related matters!' If the energy is uncomfortable, you'll have a gauge as to how long it will be prominent (oh good, it should ease up next month!) or if it's a good energy you'll know which planet to thank!
You can also try your hand at predicting. If you check in at the beginning of the month and notice that your house of friendships is highlighted along with some active planetary or sign energies, you might predict for yourself that you will be engaging in a lot more fun and restorative activities with your friends in the coming month. This is basically what professional astrologers do and now you have a chance to try your own hand at it and compare your results with the pros. Have fun!
NOTE: There are a wide variety of potential keywords associated with each sign, planet, and house. I pick different ones each month to give you an idea of the range from the most common concepts to much more subtle ones. Over time, you'll gain an intuitive sense of what kinds of concepts are associated with each element and you'll even be able to generate your own keywords as you get a feel for each of the signs, planets, and houses. Each keyword also inherently contains its opposite as well. For example, if the keyword 'divorce' is displayed, it doesn't mean you'll get a divorce. But it does mean that if that is a concern for you and something you want to avoid you have an opportunity, while that energy is activated, to take proactive steps to deal with potential problems or head off an undesirable outcome. So you can turn 'divorce' into 'keeping a marriage together' or 'illness' into 'taking steps to get and stay healthy'.
Use your rising sign for better forecasts! Most published horoscopes are based at least in part on transits to solar houses. Solar houses are based on your sun sign and are easy to calculate. Your sun sign is your solar 1st house, the next sign in the zodiac is your solar 2nd house and so on. You can always determine what solar house a planet is in if you know the sign. Simply start with your own sign and count around the zodiac until you reach the sign you're interested in. For example, if you're a Gemini, the sign of your solar 3rd house is Leo. Pisces is the sign of your solar 10th house. Astrologers who publish horoscopes use sun signs and solar houses for several reasons: a) almost everyone knows their birthday; b) they're easy to calculate; and c) they actually do have some effect. However, if you get a personal reading from a professional astrologer, he or she will almost always use transits to your natal houses to give you a reading instead. Natal houses are based on your rising sign, which is determined by the exact time, place, and day you were born. Transits to your natal planets and houses have at least as much effect on your life as transits to your solar houses, sometimes quite a bit more. If you really want to know your chart, and get better horoscopes, you should find out your rising sign (also called Ascendant). If you know the exact time and place of your birth, you can do this for free at a wonderful website - www.astro.com. Click on the link near the top that says 'Free Horoscopes'. On that page, scroll down to the link that says 'Chart Drawing, Ascendant'. Follow the prompts to enter the information concerning your birth time, date, and place. You'll get a chart that shows your Ascendant (the sign next to the designation 'AC'). To the left will be a box listing your planetary placements. Next to the listing for 'AC' your rising sign will be listed along with the degree of your Ascendant within that sign. Make a note of that sign and be sure to check the horoscope and keywords for your Ascendant as well as your sun sign!
TRACK YOUR RESULTS! Next month when you come back here for your next horoscope, take 30 seconds to assess the results of the action you took last month as a result of your horoscope. Did it make you feel better? Did it make your life any better? Did it give you renewed energy or did you find your effort blocked, delayed, or ineffective? Judging your results allows you to assess how responsive you are to a particular planetary, sign, or house energy. For example, some people are very responsive to the astrological Sun just the way some people are very responsive to a sunny day. Other people work better with the energy of other planets. Only by taking a moment to gauge your results can you learn which planets work best for you in your life. You may have an 'afflicted' natal Sun that never does much for you, but a raring-to-go Mars that will help you in a pinch every time. Checking your results each month will give you an increasingly accurate guide as to how to use astrology to enhance your life.
The PRACTICAL ASTROLOGY website provides a free, sequential course in astrology with at least one article each month on a particular element of horoscope interpretation. If you want to see any articles you've missed, or to receive each month's update by email, sign up using the link below. The Practical Astrology website does not share your email address with anyone else. Sign up!
copyright 2008 victoria bazeley