Most of us are living in an era, and in circumstances that mean we ignore the cycle of the Moon, from the sliver of a crescent that follows the New Moon to the luminous smile of the Full Moon, about two weeks later. While, once this cycle was noted in ritual, at home and in places of worship – and still is in some cultures – that tradition and the accompanying lore have been largely lost.
 In fact, often, those who live in densely populated urban areas are so busy that …

The other day I was discussing the role of the planet Mars in a particular individual’s chart.
 Mars is often defined as the planet of war and aggression.
But that way of looking at it is more a by-product of the past couple of decades of violent films than it is an accurate assessment of this far more complex planet – and the energy it signifies in each of our lives.
At its most fundamental, it is the ruler of the sign Aries – the sign which commences as the vernal equinox takes …

When I meet somebody new or encounter a stranger and it’s discovered that I am an astrologer, the question I’m asked most frequently is, bizarrely, “What sign am I?”
 My response depends on my mood.
If I’m feeling patient, I’ll jokingly ask if they don’t know.
Ha ha ha.
But if I’m feeling a little more short-tempered, I’ll respond that, as I’m not a clairvoyant, I don’t know.
However, that question is really what might be termed a nuisance query; something that is designed to be irritating.
 But next question isn’t provocative.
And it is usually asked …

All of the planets’ names are derived from myths.
And while few of the Greek and Roman gods are meant to have lived exemplary lives, Saturn’s was particularly unappealing.
Having been told one of his offspring would kill him and usurp his power, he devoured each at birth. Eventually his long suffering wife Rhea, caught on and handed Saturn a stone instead of little Uranus who did, indeed, grow up to end his father’s life and take over power.
At the moment, Sun sign columns – including mine – are all brimming with …

All the planets are named for gods. There are the Sun and Moon. And then, for about 4,000 years the line up consisted only of those planets visible to the human eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Then, with the invention of the telescope and resulting ability to view the most distant reaches of our solar system, Neptune, Uranus and finally, less than 100 years ago, Pluto, were added to the list.
The star planet in today’s blog is Pluto.
The dark god.
Seriously scary.
Ruler of the Underworld. But also, the only god …

Everybody adores reading about their sign of the zodiac. There are few things more pleasurable than dwelling on oneself.
 Well, the good bits.
When the astrological profile focuses on issues, shortcomings and lessons, suddenly it becomes less interesting.
 In fact, many people read only the good parts and ignore the rest.
This is too bad, because however pleasant it is to dwell on those admirable character traits, it doesn’t achieve much.
 Reading about challenges may not be a pleasant pastime.
But there’s so much to be learned, and a huge amount of personal power, to be …

I was about to wish all you Libras a Happy Birthday – when I realized that some of you may not be entirely sure whether or not you’re a Virgo or a Libra.
Until he began working for me, my fabulous assistant, Will, thought he was a Virgo. But once I did his individual birth chart, he discovered he had another identity – he’s a Libra.
This same dilemma occurs for anybody born on what’s often termed the “cusp” of a sign. The confusion is the result of the range of dates given …

Saturn, Uranus and Optimism
Sun in Virgo, Moon in Leo
Over the past weeks, I’ve heard from people all over the world who’re feeling demoralized, anxious about the chaos in so many areas of life.
Unsettling as events are, understanding the nature of what’s taking place is the first step to exchanging anxiety for optimism.
What’s more, because knowledge is power, knowing what’s behind the changes currently unfolding casts the future in positive light. This clarity makes both planning and action far more possible. 
These unsettling changes are being ushered in by a single, powerful, …

September 6 2009, Sun in Virgo, Moon Aries
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury is a very small planet.
But it gets blamed for some very big problems.
And the doom and gloomers have been working overtime lately.
During the past week I’ve received  panicked messages from those who’re concerned about the havoc Mercury’s retrograde cycle would cause.
First, I’ll explain exactly what the little planet of communication is up to – and what retrograde actually means.
And, then, I’ll tell you what to expect, what not to – and which worries have nothing at all to do with the …

Blog Monday August 31, Sun in Virgo, Moon in Capricorn
Astrologers read news stories with a different perspective than the rest of the world.
Where everybody else sees only the events and the figures involved, we see the signature of one particular planet.
In the fascinating story of Serena Williams’ comeback – after an almighty freefall from the tennis stratosphere to being ranked 140th in the world – it’s all about Pluto, the planet of truth, transformation – and comebacks.
Most are familiar with the Williams sisters’ amazing saga of being raised by parents …