Archive for category Astro4Business Today

Venus and a Major (General) Promotion

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

Now that the end of the week has come, it’s time to collect your observations about the last few days.  With Venus and Jupiter resuming direct motion on Thursday, each in a sign it rules, we’re testing the astrological theory that we would have noticed a turn of events in the areas ruled by the two planets:  Venus ruling professional relationships, money, creativity, art, job satisfaction, and good public relations; Jupiter ruling new opportunities, expansion, foreign markets, philanthropy, justice and vision.   We were looking for real world turns and advancement: promotions, windfalls, proposals, etc.

Several of you have left comments about the week so far.  For myself, I’ve noticed a desire for more freedom (Jupiter) and less confinement in my typical routines.  Not a very powerful outward expression but one that mirrors what I described in the Weekly Forecast:  a feeling of release, relief, a returning excitement.

But I just heard from my brother, who is a one-star, Brigadier General in the U.S. Army.  On November 17, when the planets were at a standstill just before turning, he was notified that President Obama had recommended to Congress that he be promoted to the next rank, Major General.

Of course, I immediately looked at his chart.  I was expecting a Jupiter influence as he has Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius as his rising sign.  But to my surprise, it was the turning of Venus that marked his promotion.  Moving through his tenth house of career and public standing, Venus came to stillness exactly on his North Node in Libra.  The North Node denotes what we’re meant to accomplish in this life, the highest expression of our dharma.  This is a beautiful example of the turn of events we were expecting to see.  (This example also started me thinking more seriously about Venus as a war-goddess, as the Mesoamericans believed.)

It got me to wondering why some of us enjoyed an unexpected blessing, and some of us noticed nothing at all.  In my life Venus formed favorable aspects to my natal Moon and Jupiter also aspected my natal Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.  But I haven’t noticed any particular outer manifestation of the turnaround.

So would you like to continue the data collection about this phenomenon?  Think back over the past week:  have you noticed any reversals of fortune?  Whether you have or not, let us know in the comments section.  If you’d like to include your birth data (place, time, and date) either in the comments or in a separate email to me at Ellen@astro4business.com I will gather all the data and report back on what I find.

The more people to respond, the better; if all 120 regular readers report in, we’ll have a real sample to work from!  And remember, it’s just as important to let me know if something changed or nothing changed.  Only in this way can I look at all the charts objectively and see if there are patterns.

Thanks for your participation and have a great weekend.  I’ve got my HP tickets for tomorrow night.  Can’t wait!

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 15 – 21

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

Venus

Jupiter

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Saturn and Mercury – in Good Hands

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

Today we enjoy a supportive aspect between Mercury and Saturn.  All week the lunar energy is building toward a culmination at the Full Moon on Sunday, yet this Mercury/Saturn aspect will make us question things like data security and earning a practical return for the time we’re investing.

With Mercury in Sagittarius our minds are likely to range far and wide.  You’ll be enthusiastic about communications, meetings, and global interactions and less likely to want to deal with the humdrum tasks in your local environment.  The whole time Mercury is in Sagittarius (November 8 – 30) we’ll have to tie ourselves to our desks; our instinctive impulse will be to roam free.  It’s actually good to build in some time for this kind of far-ranging, imagination-stoking wandering.  This is the natural time of the year for exploration and adventure, maybe not in a physical sense, but definitely in the mind.  If you really can’t get out, then this is a great time to read about topics foreign to you and discover new fields of interest.

If you allow some of that wandering today, you’re likely to run into someone who will resonate with your ideas and yet has some practical advice for you too.  Saturn in Libra is very keen to share wisdom and experience and the harmony between these two planets today will make us eager to listen to good advice.  In fact, why not round up a trusted advisor and take them to lunch today?  Let your minds ramble together and see if you don’t find a key to a new launch or venture.

I’m having a medical procedure tomorrow and with this aspect I feel I am in good hands.  Actually Mercury rules the hands and Saturn is the sense of authority, stability, and wisdom.  So I’m surrendering to the procedure with confidence and faith.

I am having a sedative for the procedure so I may not write a post tomorrow.  But here’s a reminder about our experiment we’re conducting this week.   From the Astro4Business Weekly Forecast:

There’s an astrological theory which says that on the day a planet resumes direct motion, it manifests a turn of events in our lives.  Let’s test this theory.  Both Venus and Jupiter resume direct motion on November 18 and both are very strong in signs they rule, Libra and Pisces – if there was ever a prime testing time, this week is it.  Take notice if you experience a turnaround in the matters mentioned above (professional relationships, money, creativity, art, job satisfaction, good public relations, new opportunities, expansion, foreign markets, philanthropy, justice and vision.)   We’re looking for real world turns and advancement: promotions, windfalls, proposals, etc.

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far here or on Facebook.  We’re really within the zone of manifestation now, so keep your senses peeled.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 15 – 21

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Mercury

Saturn

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Moon in Pisces – Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Good Day!

With the Moon and Jupiter in psychedelic Pisces joining the Sun in the caverns of Scorpio – it’s just not a day to write!  Too much water, not that I mind a break from all this rationality I usually live in.

So here’s my offering for today, on my mind when I woke up this morning.

Enjoy!

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 15 – 21

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Sun

The Moon

Jupiter

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Tinkering and Toying with the Aquarius Moon

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

A perfectly smooth day today with aspects of ease between the Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn.

Actually the Moon/Mercury aspect occurs while most of us are sleeping so if you’re reading this the evening before put a pen and paper by your bed.  You may just get the inspiration you’ve been looking for and you’ll want to jot it down before it vanishes.  And if you’re reading in the morning think back to last night.  Anything worth remembering?

Later in the day you’ll get a boost of energy from Mars in Sagittarius.  You and your key employees will be thinking out of the box this afternoon.  Exploration and adventure will be on everyone’s mind so keep the creative juices flowing, even if it’s Friday.  If you’ve been tinkering with a new product idea, today’s the day to toss it to other people and see what they think.  You may be surprised how much further they take it, sensing applications you weren’t even aware of.

You don’t have to be afraid of going overboard though because the final aspect of the day is between the Moon and sensible Saturn.  Not just fun or frivolous, whatever your team comes up with will have practical applications and a good chance of actually being implemented.

Have you tried anything new this week?  I am toying with taking a blogging bootcamp.  The first week is free so I’ve been participating.  Good ideas so far.  Here’s the link in case you’re interested.   Oh, and by the way, the bread I mentioned in yesterday’s post was just OK.  It looked beautiful but lacked flavor.  More experiments to come.

Have a fun Friday and a relaxing weekend.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 8 – 14

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Mercury

Mars

Saturn

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Aquarius Moon Today – More Theory, Less Grindstone

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Good Day!

I’ll be glad when the Moon moves out of Capricorn today – two and ½ days of serious focus is about all this Sagittarius/double Gemini can handle.  Don’t get me wrong.  I appreciate Capricorn and its planet Saturn – really everything worthwhile that I’ve accomplished is due to that energy of focus, hard work, and discipline.  But I do enjoy the intellectual Aquarian Moon that’s coming today – more theory, less grindstone, please!

The Moon continues to grow, gathering steam, as it approaches a turning point on Saturday.  This is still the time for inspiration and throwing ideas against the wall to see what will stick.  In a couple of days we’re going to have to choose:  what will we take to completion, what will we let go?  But for now the options are limitless so try to stay open to whatever comes in the door.  It’s too soon for certainty.

There’s an interesting aspect toward the end of the day (MDT) that may bring a disheartened moment; perhaps a discovery that you’ve been misled by some information or that someone’s communications have been less than honest.  Mercury is in Sagittarius now and Sagittarius is known for digging matters out from under the table and laying them bare for all to see.  Yes, it can be painful to realize you were in the dark, but it’s better to know now while you still have time to resolve it.  It could be rough for a few hours but I think we’ll all be grateful by the end of the day.

That’s it!  I hope you’re enjoying this relatively tranquil week.  I know I am.  Even though I’ve been working hard, I’ve still had time to take the dog for a run, enjoy a couple of hatha yoga sessions, meditate twice so far this week (yeah!), and experiment with a new bread made with a biga starter.  I’ll let you know how it comes out – it’s about ready to go into the oven.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 8 – 14

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Mercury

Saturn

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A4B Today – November 10 Saturn in Libra – the letter of the law

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

Today, the waxing Moon in Capricorn encounters Saturn in Libra and we could run into an obstacle or restriction, someone standing in our path and demanding accountability.  Saturn in Libra comes in the form of rules and regulations, forcing us to toe the line.  Our task is to maintain our enthusiasm for our new project, even while making sure we please the powers that be.

One of my clients is a successful PhD, working for a government agency.  Just a couple of months ago he was tapped to replace his boss when his boss retires next year.  Enter Saturn in Libra – the letter of the law.  In my client’s discipline he has to publish two papers each year of original research.  In the past this requirement has been fairly lax; it was fine to publish three papers one year and then one the next, or one extensive paper instead of two.

Now the environment has changed, true to form for Saturn in Libra.  Saturn represents the rules and regulations put upon us by society, government, and authority figures.  When Saturn entered Libra last July it brought with it a penchant for the letter of the law.  If the rules say two papers, then that’s two, not three and definitely not one.

My poor client, who has been working long hours on a piece of breakthrough research, has to stop his important work and publish something.  Never mind that the research is not complete; never mind that the findings are half-tested; never mind that truly innovative work is put on hold.  The law says publish two, and so he must or face consequences that could include losing the chance for the promotion.

Of course you can see where this is going.  In the future, instead of one intensively analyzed piece of research, he and his peers will be tempted to break the topic into pieces in order to meet the publishing requirement.  Instead of a timely breakthrough that can further everyone else’s work, people will hold back to be sure they have something to fulfill next year’s quota.  Instead of undertaking a significant venture, they will be sure to take on lesser projects so they can write them up on time.

Unlike my client working for the government, as business owners it’s up to us what rules and policies we enforce.  Yet with Saturn in Libra we may be more inclined these days to demand accountability strictly to meet some predetermined target.  It’s worthwhile to stop and examine whether the requirements we are placing on ourselves and our employees will actually further our success or whether we just demand them because we think business should be run that way.

I know for myself I have to continually guard against falling into habits and routines that I impose on myself just because they are “best practices” or because another business person I respect uses them.  I can become quite rigid with my schedule:  so many hours on this, so many days on that.  I’m much happier with a bit more flexibility but like most successful business owners, I have a fair share of Saturn energy.

Good old Saturn:  it brings discipline, focus, and persistence, but can become rule-bound if I don’t keep my eye on it.  How about you?

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 8 – 14

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Saturn

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A4B Today – November 9 Preparing for Pluto

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

Today the waxing Moon enters Capricorn, bringing a focus on systems and business proficiency.  Anything you can do over the next couple of days to bring your latest inspiration down to earth will pay dividends in the future.

Capricorn loves planning.  Capricorns know that all the knowledge and inspiration in the world is useless unless it is translated into deeds.  But before springing into action we need to plan our course.  There are any number of good business plan templates on the internet; it’s a great idea to download one of them and fill in the blanks.  Here’s the link to the SBA’s Small Business Planner.  Writing a plan does not have to be hard and it provides the first gate  to be sure your idea has wings.

Pluto visit

The Capricorn Moon joins Pluto in Capricorn today, an event which repeats itself each month.  These days are our opportunity to understand at a deeper and deeper level how Pluto in Capricorn is playing out in our personal and business lives.  The more we come to understand the presence of Pluto energy, the better we can prepare ourselves for its inevitable visit.  Everyone with planets in the early degrees of Capricorn has firsthand experience with Pluto and there seems to be an interesting pattern emerging.

After hearing from several clients it looks like Pluto has a penchant for putting someone on an unexpected pedestal and then bringing about a dramatic fall.  I’ve seen this so many times now I can’t ignore it.  First comes the surprise promotion, the fantastic new client, the coveted award; then the firing, the client desertion, and the humiliation.  And now that Pluto is in Capricorn, this seems to be playing out most often in business and careers.

Time after time, people don’t see it coming and don’t have a clue as to why it’s happening and what it means.  Since Pluto moves so slowly across the heavens, it can take many months or even a couple of years before the impact passes.  It becomes a test of endurance and equanimity, which are often in short supply.

Should you despair if you see a Pluto transit coming your way?  Not at all.  It is ultimately extremely rewarding and the more time passes, the more you will recognize the permanent gifts you received during the transit.  These gifts are usually along the lines of being freed from work environments or careers that were dead-end and making you miserable.

Do Pluto transits have to be hard?  Only if you still have an ego.  Most of us are quite sure we know what’s best for us and we fight and suffer as a result.  If you can resist the temptation to struggle against Pluto’s action, whether that’s losing a job, having to relocate, or needing to start completely over in your business, then you’ll be fine.  But that’s not easy.  We’re often unaware of what is making us unhappy.  Like Steve Martin says in the movie LA Story, “I was deeply unhappy but I didn’t know it because I was so happy all of the time.”

So be sure to pay attention on a day like today.  Every month the Moon and Pluto bring us a glimpse of what is outworn and in need of purging.  So go ahead and take some concrete steps to clear out the old and make room for the new.  That’s aligning with Pluto rather than being victimized by its energy.  The old skin has to go if we’re going to become renewed.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 8 – 14

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Pluto

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A4B Today – November 5 Scorpio New Moon and Demeter

Good Day!

Late today, MDT, the Sun and Moon merge in the zodiac sign of Scorpio, marking the simultaneous moment of the end of an old cycle and the beginning of a new one.  Here are some random thoughts for this New Moon.  I seem to have lost my normal rational linear style in these hours just before the New Moon; perhaps that’s Scorpio pulling me into the underworld of impressions and associations rather than objectives and timelines.

Demeter, British Museum (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Scorpio and its planetary ruler Pluto are on my mind in a big way this week.  Those of you who are Facebook friends know that a couple of days ago my car was stolen.  I don’t even know exactly when it happened.  It was parked next to my house from about 7:30 in the evening and we didn’t notice it gone until about 8 the next morning.  We had gone out to dinner the night before in the other car; it could have been stolen while we were out and in the dark we didn’t notice when we returned.  It could have been stolen in the night; so quietly!  Or perhaps while we took the dog for a run before daylight the next morning.  When we returned from the run we were like, where’s the car?

Irrevocable change:  that’s the hallmark of Pluto and its sign Scorpio.  I’ve been thinking a lot about Demeter and Persephone.  Do you know the myth?  Demeter, the goddess of the earth and the seasons, is picking flowers with her beloved daughter Persephone when a great chasm opens in the earth and Hades (Pluto) rises in a chariot, captures Persephone, and abducts her to his realm, the underworld.  I’ve been thinking about Demeter, continuing to pick flowers, unaware of the magnitude of change she was about to face.  What did she think when she noticed her daughter was gone?  How did she feel as she began to piece together what happened?  Her grief was so great we are told that the entire earth went into standstill and all the fruits of the harvest died in her sorrow.

Losing a car is not like losing a daughter.  But I feel that I understand this myth much more deeply now, as well as the sign Scorpio.  The undeniable irrevocability of the loss; the absolute impotence of our own power in the face of forces which lead to thievery or worse.  I keep thinking, but don’t they care what they are putting us through?  Don’t they feel the pain and sense of vulnerability they have caused us?  Of course my rational mind understands fate and its necessity, as well as the realities of some people’s desperate economic situations, but my feelings refuse to be comforted by philosophy, no matter how true.

The Return of Persephone by Frederic Leighton (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

I was reading about Demeter in Bulfinches Mythology this morning and he speaks about a statue of Demeter which is in the British Museum.  Of the statue he says, “There is no exaggeration in the grief, only the calm dignity of a sorrow which in spite of hope refuses to be comforted.”  This is a perfect statement for the strong, quiet exterior of Scorpio which hides a deep and wise feeling nature, a wisdom born of pain, if you will.

In case you don’t know the rest of the story, the destruction of the earth from Demeter’s grief was so great that the gods implored Hades to let Persephone return to the surface for four months each year.  Her mother’s joy flowered into spring and summer, only to grieve into autumn and winter when she returned to the underworld again.  Another Scorpio theme:  cycles of death and resurrection.

I know we’ve all been here.  The Scorpio energy holds an undeniable place in each of our lives.  To everyone touched by strong Scorpio energy, my hat is off to you.  If you have a great Scorpio story, please share it in the comments in honor of this New Moon.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 1 – 7

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Sun

The Moon

Pluto

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A4B Today – November 4 Consistent Contributor

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Good Day!

The following is from my Astro4Business Weekly Forecast for Thursday:

This is the upbeat day of the week with the only waxing aspect between the Sun and Saturn.  When these two are on the field the subject is leadership and management.  We all know these are two different skills, but in small business you wear both hats, don’t you?  It’s time to test a new management style, perhaps one you glimpsed about a month ago when the Sun and Saturn met in conjunction.

One client just shared with me today that due to her frustration at her staff not getting things done she is testing a new, more commanding style and seeing results. This is a very seasoned leader and manager but she knows there is always something new to learn, something to try and improve.  Today you could recognize this new direction.

With Saturn, you may encounter resistance; this is natural.  It may even be coming from you, your inner rebel who doesn’t want to do the work even though you know the outcome will be solid.  Or you may feel uncertain or hesitant; this too is a natural reaction to a new vision.  But there’s something more to achieve and Saturn instills the discipline to do it.

The Daily Good

I’ve recently found a new website called the Daily Good.  I wanted to share this quote and excerpt as it perfectly reflects today’s focus of Saturn in Libra.  Consistency, cooperation, and acting for the benefit of the whole group are qualities we are all developing under Saturn in Libra.  The following is from the Daily Good:

“If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative. –Author Unknown

Fact of the Day:
Ever wonder why some groups, companies, or communities flourish while others flop? Researchers say it’s the influence of a ‘consistent contributor’- ‘a person who always contributes, regardless of others’ choices.’ ‘The consistent contributor looks for the collective good first and personal good second,’ explains Risk Management Professor J. Keith Murnighan. The consistent contributor can drive the actions of others, acting as a catalyst for cooperation by altering the perceptions and actions of their fellow group members. They initiate cooperation, leading the way for others to follow suit. ‘…if someone consistently acts as a friend, it’s easier for others to act as friends and everyone benefits.’

Be The Change:
Identify consistent contributors in your workplace – and find out why they are so. See for yourself if they are happier, more recognized or more successful.”

Do you have a consistent contributor in your workplace?  Today would be a great day to thank them for their ongoing commitment and contribution.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 1 – 7

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Sun

Saturn

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A4B Today – November 3 Reciprocal Mentoring

Source:Wikimedia Commons


Good Day!

Today is a power day in this lunar cycle.  The dark of the Moon has come, those couple of days just before the New Moon when our energy turns inward for rejuvenation and reflection before the upswing of the new cycle.  Today, as we spend time finishing up and, ideally, resting, the Libra Moon meets Saturn, also in Libra.

Libra is the sign of relationship, including business relationships, and Saturn is very powerful in this sign.  Saturn has a special affinity with business as the Saturn energy contracts our ideas and inspiration into material form.  Without the limiting and disciplined focus of Saturn, our best ideas would remain on paper and never become manifest in the world.

As the Moon meets Saturn in Libra, chances are good for an informative and insightful interaction with a seasoned business advisor.  This is an excellent day to meet to review where you’ve been and to envision where you might be going.  If this supporter is intimately related to your work like a trusted colleague or long-term partner, then even better.  You’re both willing to share your insights today and figure out how to take your business to the next level.

If you don’t have this trusted ally, today is a good day to look around and establish a connection with someone for a mutually beneficial relationship.  Be willing to give as much as you receive; you may have just the edge someone else is looking for while they may have a talent you’d like to develop.  A casual conversation is fine to get it started, but you should look for a long-term, committed relationship for a defined length of time in order to take advantage of today’s energies.

By the way, it’s fine to begin this relationship today, even though we are days before the New Moon.  This is not an externalized partnership; this is a behind-closed-doors one-on-one affiliation, which you will hopefully develop over time into a valuable, though discreet, asset in your business.  This relationship will focus on career advancement and professional development, and again, if you can connect with someone whom you can mentor too, it will be doubly beneficial.  Reciprocal mentoring is perfect for Saturn in Libra.

Do you have someone in mind?  Are you already working with someone?  Let us know about the relationship in the comments.  Saturn will be in Libra for the next couple of years:  let’s all make the commitment to gain this valuable business partnership.

Do you have a question about your business for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the week, see the Weekly Forecast – November 1 – 7

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Saturn

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