Astro4Business Intersections

Business success through Astrology

Entries (RSS)

Posts Tagged Mars

A4B Weekly Forecast – Full Moon and Full Week

Feb 13

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 5 Comments

Victorian Valentine's Day Card (Source:Wikipedia)

Hello everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day.  I hope your day is filled with sweetness and love.

This is a very interesting week.  We go up, up, up and over with the Full Moon on Friday so this accelerating energy will be with us all week.   The Sun moves from Aquarius into Pisces just after the Full Moon, but first it schedules its annual meeting with Neptune.  Mercury is also busy this week with an early week connection to Saturn, and a late week connection with Mars and Neptune.  And of course, Venus is not to be left behind during Valentine’s Week.

Let’s unpack the week day by day.

Monday

Monday is a highly creative day, yet grounded in realism and practicality.  Mercury in Aquarius forms a very compatible aspect with Saturn in Libra.  Mercury is “exalted” in Aquarius and Saturn is “exalted” in Libra.  This means that these energies are very well-suited to these signs, and on Monday, the aspect makes it all the more so.  This should be an excellent day, one of the best of the year, for meetings and communications that lead to long-term commitment.

You’ve got the gift today, so if you need to appeal to higher authorities, today is the day to do it.  As long as you communicate inventively, you will get all the support you need.  This is a great day for presentations to large groups.   You will be received very well and can begin long term, mutually beneficial relationships.

Don’t overthink it, though.  This aspect builds on decisions you’ve already taken.  The process is already in motion.  You just need to follow the rhythm as the potential unfolds.

Tuesday

On Tuesday we will feel the energy gearing up toward the Full Moon.  These next couple of days is the time to push your project to be ready to present on Friday.  The key will be bringing other people in close.  The Moon in Cancer brings a need for family-type bonding among employees and co-workers.  If you fulfill that need, you will get the support you’re looking for.  With the Sun in Aquarius, you may not be inclined to be all touchy-feely but you should adjust your attitude and do what it takes to bring everyone on board.

One caution though:  don’t get hung up on what isn’t working about your endeavor.  Focus on what is.  This lunar energy needs to be allowed to fulfill itself and it will with the Full Moon on Friday.  So let it flow!

Thursday

On Thursday the Sun meets Neptune in Aquarius for the last time.  By this time next year, Neptune will have moved into Pisces and the Sun and Neptune will meet in that new sign.  Today’s aspect will open up a new possibility, a potential to take advantage of the Neptune energy in Aquarius before it moves into Pisces.

Neptune in Aquarius since 1998 has emphasized the desire to work and live without borders, endeavoring to bring equality to all, sharing responsibility for resources, and distributing technology to the corners of the world.  The free exchange of knowledge through technology has come to almost everyone and brought global changes which were unimaginable before.

Take advantage of today’s Sun/Neptune conjunction by opening yourself to the inspiration that comes from the global community.  This would be an excellent day to have your staff take off from their normal duties and connect with each other, brainstorm, or simply spend the day surfing the net to see what inspires them.  Then gather at the end of the day and share all the best ideas, whatever is really out-of-the-box.  Creative roaming is called for today, and it will inspire your next moves for sure.

Friday

Friday is a powerhouse with the Full Moon in Leo, Venus and Saturn sparring, and the Sun entering the sign of Pisces.

The Full Moon is an opposition of the Sun and Moon in the sky and it can play out in two ways.  Opposition, of course, is always a possibility with the Full Moon as tensions run high and competing factions deadlock.  Or the energy can yield into balance and compromise, with both groups supporting each other to a better outcome for each.  It’s up to you, the leader, to manage this creative conflict.

With the Moon in dramatic Leo, you might want to make it fun.  Stage some kind of competition or event where your employees can showcase their best ideas.  Award points for artistic presentations.  And with the Sun in Aquarius, make sure people present in teams, with everyone getting a chance to shine.  See if the whole group can find the balance point as to which ideas get the green light.

A few hours later, you’ll bring it down to earth with the Venus/Saturn square.  Venus in Capricorn makes us fully aware of financial constraints and we will want to add practicality to creativity.  Even though the square aspect can be stressful as you choose between alternatives, in this case Venus is in Saturn’s sign, Capricorn, and Saturn is in Venus’ sign, Libra.  These two know and understand each other.  They both want discipline and reliability in business alliances.  They both favor long-term contracts over short-term.  They both want it in writing.  They both want the practical details spelled out and joint interests protected.  They both prefer austere, formal, no-nonsense interactions.  They’re both into legalese.  If you can align with this energy today, your decision may not be so stressful after all.

Late in the day the Sun enters the sign Pisces.  This is the time to breathe, to review the week, to take in a movie or toast the week with a glass of good wine.  Lots of progress will have been made this week.  It’s time to acknowledge it and relax.

Sunday

Most of us don’t work on Sunday, but this week it’s an excellent day for leadership, communications, and progress.  If you can schedule a workshop or mini-conference, you’ll be able to take advantage of Mercury, Mars, and Neptune meeting in Aquarius.  This is another powerful combination which brings your intellect, your ability to take action, and inspiration and creativity in alignment.

Look also to your social network and news from near and far to incite an original and unique new idea or product.  The more you interact with others around the globe, the more innovative your own thinking will become.   Your mental activities will be at a peak on this day as well as your willingness to act on inspiration.  Engineering, mechanics, physics, and technology are all favored today.  This week, rest on Saturday and make the most of this unique combination on Sunday.

A great week, a wonderful week, don’t you think?  And all gearing up to the major Jupiter/Pluto configuration next week, so stay tuned.

*******************************************************

To get an look at the year ahead, check out these posts:

Pluto’s Journey through 2011

Neptune Swimming through 2011

Uranus Flashes through 2011

Have you seen my new blog? Discussing all things astrological, for anyone interested in real-life astrology, check out Ellen Longo’s Astrology Blog.

Do you have a question 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 month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – February 2011

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

The Sun

The Moon

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Saturn

Neptune

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Astro4Business Month Ahead – February 2011

Jan 31

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 6 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for February, 2011.  What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?

  • We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
  • Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
  • We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
  • And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, organized religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few.  This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will depart, including old business models, practices, and products.

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.

Everyone with planets within the first three to nine degrees of any sign is actively dealing with this energy.  You will probably notice a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above.  Try to open a large space within yourself for a whole new perspective; be willing to irrevocably let go of something that has become outmoded become new.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is done they are the most rewarding because we are permanently freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011-2012, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all corners of the world, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.

The best way to work with this energy is to allow yourself to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.

If you have planets between 26 and 29 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life this year and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  Pay attention to non-intellectual sources of knowledge such as dreams and art.  Feel what is happening, listen for underlying currents rather than what is apparent on the surface.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life which have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Pisces

Uranus continues through the last degrees of Pisces until next month.  Over the last seven years Uranus has given us innovation and invention in business in a particularly Piscean fashion.

Pisces is the sign of immersion in the collective; of recognizing that the needs of the whole are more important than the individual.  While Uranus has been in Pisces we’ve seen flattening of management hierarchies, a marked increase in global transactions and interactions, and moving parts which come together for specific purposes and then split apart again to form new groups.  We’ve learned the importance of the “culture” of our business and its mysterious impact on our profits.  We’ve learned “emotional intelligence”, a Uranus in Pisces phrase if there ever was one!

In our businesses we’ve had to rely on diversification and collaboration to keep afloat.  We’ve seen the ascendance of social media and the internet and many of us have been dragged into it to give us the reach we needed to survive.  Sustainability for our businesses and our world has come to the forefront of our attention and our decisions.

Let’s take advantage of this last full month with Uranus in Pisces to shore up our relationships with our employees, our colleagues, and all our business contacts. Then next month, when Uranus moves into Aries, we’ll have the fully unified force of our collaborators behind us to push ahead into new territory.

If you have planets between 26 and 2 degrees of the next sign it’s time to let yourself be excited by something new; branch out, experiment, try new things.  Support a cause you believe in and invest your time in societal change.  This will positively channel the excess nervous and intellectual energy Uranus can bring.

Saturn in Libra

Last July, Saturn entered Libra where it will stay until October 2012.  Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support.

Saturn entered its annual period of retrograde motion on January 25th.  In retrograde motion for 4 ½ months each year, this phase provides the opportunity to examine whether our standard modes of operation truly spring from our own values, or have been imposed upon us by authority figures or societal norms.  It’s a time when our regular structures of support and stability may be withdrawn and we have to rely upon our own creativity and self-discipline to achieve our goals.

Saturn becomes less direct and overt when in retrograde motion which can relieve stress and struggle.  Yet as business managers we may see that our authority becomes undermined as others break free from outer rules and regulations too.  Be ready to improvise; think jazz rather than classical for the next few months.

Jupiter in Aries

On January 22 Jupiter entered Aries, the first sign of the zodiac.  Aries is a fundamentally aggressive mind-set, whether in the form of the lone-wolf entrepreneur or the established global company.  It brings a desire to take on the competition, expand into new territory, and develop new markets.

Competition will feature strongly over the next five months, and this competition could be directed against others or against the limits you’ve reached in the past.  There’s a lack of restraint to Jupiter in Aries, some may say a foolishness, which endeavors against all odds to win.

Jupiter’s ingress into Aries marks the beginning of a new twelve year Jupiter cycle.  This is an excellent time to begin a whole new endeavor.  Aries is the first sign of the zodiac.  Can you think about the next twelve years and being “first” in some aspect of your industry?  Jupiter likes to think big!  It’s time to take a new plunge:  big plans, big risks, the next five months will be a time of expansion, new projects, and bold moves.

In late February Jupiter in Aries forms a challenging aspect with Pluto in Capricorn.  To get a sense of this conflict, read the Pluto entry above, including the line “This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.”   Now read this Jupiter entry again, such as, “There’s a lack of restraint to Jupiter in Aries, some may say a foolishness, which endeavors against all odds to win.”   What do you think?  I think in our business lives (and globally) we can expect rising tensions and escalating aggression and conflict.  Issues of justice may rise to the surface and your full leadership ability may be required to negotiate peace.

Mars in Aquarius/Pisces

In January Mars entered Aquarius where it will travel until February 22.  This is an excellent time for scientific advances, increased competition in the social networking sphere, and progress in humanitarian issues.    Impatient for change, Mars in Aquarius revs up our mental activities and incites our interest in matters outside our local sphere. Look for techno-conflicts to increase until Mars leaves Aquarius late in the month.

When Mars enters Pisces, the tenor of our energy and output will really change.  Our focus may become scattered as we respond to subtle currents around us.  With Mars in Pisces we tend to see all sides of issues and may become over-emotional.  We can tend to scatter our energy in helping others rather than adhering to our own schedule and progress.

Unless, that is, you are in a creative field.  In that case, this placement of Mars brings inspiration and the energy to respond to it with concrete output.  Think Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh – both with Mars in Pisces.

Venus in Sagittarius/Capricorn

Venus is in Sagittarius for the first couple of days of February before moving into Capricorn for the rest of the month.  Use these first two days to follow-up with distant contacts and international clients.

When Venus moves into Capricorn, we become more concerned with material values.  We gain happiness when we’re frugal with spending, practical in creativity, and reliable in relationship.  We may be looking for prestige or status as this time, but remember, so are our employees and partners.  Be willing to give recognition where it is due.

Mercury in Capricorn/Aquarius/Pisces

Mercury is busy this month, finishing with Capricorn, zipping through Aquarius, and catching up to the Sun in Pisces by the end of the month.

As it finishes its time in Capricorn, put the final touches on your plans.  Then on February 3, Mercury will enter Aquarius, the sign of its exaltation.  For about 18 days, you can expect innovative thinking from yourself and those around you.  Your mind is steady, resourceful and intuitive during this transit and it particularly favors creative use of technology.  Writing and speaking to large groups is beneficial, so if the opportunity arises, make the most of it.

On February 21, Mercury slides into Pisces.  The sharp focused intellect of Mercury in Aquarius gives way to a softer approach.  Images communicate better than words when Mercury is in Pisces; be sure your writing and speaking include symbols and color.  Your thoughts flow more easily and your best ideas come from dreaming, day-dreaming, and fantasy, so include time for all of these.

Sun in Aquarius/Pisces

The Sun is in Aquarius until February 18, when it enters the sign, Pisces.  The Sun in Aquarius favors endeavors involving groups and teams as well as technology or science-related projects.

The Sun in Pisces marks a transitional time of year, a time of completion and preparation for the new start indicated at the end of Pisces, the time of the Equinox.  Use the heightened intuition of the Pisces Sun to sense how your direction will adjust to the coming season.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Aquarius on February 2, waxing to full in Leo on February 18.

Monthly Recap

This month we all may feel unnerved as we experience the growing tension between Jupiter and Pluto, culminating on February 25.  The silver lining to this square is the chance to bring an issue to the surface and deal with it swiftly and competently.  Squares bring with them the energy to resolve conflict.  Supported by the compassionate hands of Mercury and Mars in Pisces, we can work toward our ideals of mutual, interdependent opportunity for everyone.  This is a month where you may have to hold tightly to the wheel to maintain an even keel.

In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link.  Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.

Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!

Key Dates for the Month

February 2       New Moon in Aquarius

February 3       Mercury enters Aquarius; Venus enters Capricorn

February 18     Full Moon in Leo; Sun enters Pisces

February 21     Mercury enters Pisces

February 22     Mars enters Pisces

February 25     Jupiter in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn

*******************************************************

Have you seen my new blog? Discussing all things astrological, for anyone interested in real-life astrology, check out Ellen Longo’s Astrology Blog.

To get an look at the year ahead, check out these posts:

Pluto’s Journey through 2011

Neptune Swimming through 2011

Uranus Flashes through 2011

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

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A4B Weekly Forecast – Balancing the Past and Present

Jan 9

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 1 Comment

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)


Hi, everyone.

The week ahead is packed full, with a full range of influences.  We will deal with past, present, and future, the mundane and the inspired, the near and the far, mental activity and outward achievement, all under the waxing Moon.  Mercury and Mars are front and center this week, our minds and actions intersecting the global forces in our lives and then moving into the next sign.

First Mercury

Early in the week Mercury holds full sway.  Since Mercury represents our thinking processes and the commercial part of our brains expect this week to full of interactions, communications, and negotiations.  With Mercury in Sagittarius we are eager to expand our world view and focus on the big picture.

Mercury is influenced by Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter on Monday and Tuesday.  Information will pour in, especially whatever is needed to finish up about a year’s worth of goals, projects, and intentions.  Your mind may be flooded:  TMI!  You could be overwhelmed by what’s coming in, and yet pieces will fall into place which have eluded you for a long time.  But in order to mine all this gold you’ll have to stay open to messages from distant realms.  These outer planets don’t tend to rely upon personal interactions for information.  They work through impersonal sources like the news, or something you may pick up listening to a piece of music, or during an idle moment on a social network site.

It’s likely your new point of view will require you to let something go, or at least make peace with something from the past.  This is good; on a macro level the whole week is about preparing for new inspiration and new endeavors in the next couple of months.

Mercury enters Capricorn on Thursday.  Look for a news item or a conversation that brings a new understanding to your relationship with authority figures or a new slant on your business structure and traditional lines of authority and hierarchy.

Then Mars

A couple of days into the week, all this information translates into action.  Mars will travel over the same degrees as Mercury did, contacting the same planets from a different angle.  Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter will light a fire under Mars but again, it’s more about the desire to finish and hand-over a project that’s been in the works almost two years rather than instigating something new.

This could be tough because Mars in Capricorn wants to be productive in a tangible way and you may feel sure you know the right step to take about the future.  And while your intuition is probably spot-on, your opportunities this week will come in the form of reorganizing or rearranging old materials, cleaning up past mistakes, and clearing the decks for future endeavors.

Mars enters Aquarius on Saturday.  See if you notice the shift in your focus from the mechanics of running your business to more social or scientific aspects, such as research or technology.

Focusing on the Present

So all in all, you’re not wasting your time if your attention is drawn to finishing a major project from the past rather than striking out into a new direction for the future.  Your time is well-spent this week focusing on bringing the final touches to this project, supported by the additional information you receive early in the week.

The risk in all this is that you take your eye off the present.  We are in the waxing cycle of the Moon which requires us to focus on the near-term and getting the present work done.  Amid all the influences which draw our attention this week, there is still a need to simply sit in our workspace and produce.  With so much else going on, we don’t want to miss that this week is the prime part of the growth cycle of the matters at hand.  Reserve some space for what is right in front of you, letting your current project come to life.  It may need a second wind:  Lauren Bacall comes to mind.  What did she say?  “Just put your lips together and blow.”  Here’s a clip if you’d like to hear that classic line.

Have a great week and let me know how it all plays out!

Have you seen my new blog? Discussing all things astrological, for anyone interested in real-life astrology, check out Ellen Longo’s Astrology Blog.

Do you have a question 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 month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – January 2011

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

The Moon

Mercury

Mars

Jupiter

Uranus

Neptune

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Tags: , , , , ,

Astro4Business Month Ahead – January 2011

Jan 1

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 14 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Happy New Year and welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for January, 2011.  What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?

  • We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
  • Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
  • We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
  • And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few.  This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will depart, including old business models, practices, and products.

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.

Everyone with planets within the first three to nine degrees of any sign is actively dealing with this energy.  You’ve probably noticed a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above.  Try to open a large space within yourself for a whole new perspective; be willing to become new and to irrevocably let go of something that has become outmoded.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is done they are the most rewarding because we are permanently freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all corners of the world, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.

The best way to work with this energy is to allow yourself to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.

If you have planets between 26 and 29 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  Pay attention to non-intellectual sources of knowledge such as dreams and art.  Feel what is happening, listen for underlying currents rather than what is apparent on the surface.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life which have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Pisces

Did you feel the energy shift last month when Uranus regained direct motion?  You may have noticed a turnaround in all business matters influenced by the planet:  industry structures; innovation; new technology; invention; community impact; creative destruction; and rapid response, to name a few.

Uranus continues through the last degrees of Pisces for the next few months.  With the resumption of direct motion you may be experiencing a rush of pent-up desire for change.  And yet, until it passes into Aries in March, we are finishing up old business in an old style.

If you have planets between 26 and 2 degrees of the next sign it’s time to let yourself be excited by something new; branch out, experiment, try new things.  Support a cause you believe in and invest your time in societal change.  This will positively channel the excess nervous and intellectual energy Uranus can bring.

Saturn in Libra

Last July, Saturn entered Libra where it will stay until October 2012.  Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support.

Saturn enters its annual period of retrograde motion on January 25th.  In retrograde motion for 4 ½ months each year, this phase provides the opportunity to examine whether our standard modes of operation truly spring from our own values, or have been imposed upon us by authority figures or societal norms.  It’s a time when our regular structures of support and stability may be withdrawn and we have to rely upon our own creativity and self-discipline to achieve our goals.

Saturn becomes less direct and overt when in retrograde motion which can relieve stress and struggle.  Yet as business managers we may see that our authority becomes undermined as others break free from outer rules and regulations too.  Be ready to improvise; think jazz rather than classical for the next few months.

Jupiter in Pisces

Last June, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, entered Aries.  Aries is an initiatory sign and Jupiter thinks big.  Your former goals may have felt too limiting and you may have experienced a passion for growth, expansion, competition, and claiming new territories

Then Jupiter began retrograde motion in July and slipped back into Pisces.  You may have found your enthusiasm flagging for your new products and plans.  The forward momentum you’d been enjoying may have reversed, and you felt more restrained.  This has been an important phase for realistically assessing how much we can get done, to curtail overdoing and over-committing, and to take the time to slowly grow a project to completion.

In November Jupiter resumed direct motion and this month re-enters Aries.  Back to big plans and big risks, the next five months will be a time of expansion, new projects, and bold moves.  The beginning of a twelve-year cycle, this is an excellent time to begin a whole new endeavor.

Mars in Capricorn/Aquarius

In December, Mars, the planet that represents our drive, energy, and will, entered Capricorn.  Capricorn is a fantastic position for Mars.  Mars in Capricorn is focused, patient, and unrelenting in the pursuit of goals, especially business and career goals.  Mechanics and engineering are supported when Mars is in this sign as Capricorn gives entrepreneurial Mars the patience to devise and revise until a product is perfected.

On January 15 Mars enters Aquarius.  This is an excellent time for scientific advances, increased competition in the social networking sphere, and progress in humanitarian issues.  Not as focused and patient as Mars in Capricorn, Mars in Aquarius revs up our mental activities and incites our interest in matters outside our local sphere. Look for techno-conflicts to increase until Mars leaves Aquarius in late February.

Venus in Scorpio/Sagittarius

Venus spends the first few days of January in Scorpio before moving into Sagittarius on the 7th.   Venus represents pleasure and in Scorpio, happiness is found in emotional and material security.  You may have been more focused than usual on the balance in your cash accounts and on stabilizing your finances.

When Venus enters Sagittarius people seek pleasure from interacting with others, and the more distant the contacts, the better.  It is an excellent time to branch out your marketing efforts to new territories and it particularly favors international contacts.

Closer to home, be sure to provide opportunities for your staff to associate both on and off the job.  Venus in Sagittarius can have a roaming eye, so if you’re serious about retaining a key employee find ways to keep them enthused about your company. A staff tournament of some kind would help the group bond and take advantage of Venus in the sign of competitive fun.

Mercury in Sagittarius/Capricorn

Mercury finishes its sojourn through Sagittarius on January 13 and moves into Capricorn.  When Mercury is in Sagittarius we may miss the details of the present because our minds are captivated by the future.  Try to count to three before making any snap decisions.

Mercury in Capricorn is ideal for planning and strategy, so if you still have your 2011 business plan in front of you, set time aside to work on it this month.  From the free-wheeling Sagittarius energy we find ourselves in a much more serious frame of mind.  You’ll notice a heightened ability to concentrate and deliver on promises.  But watch out for a tendency to lose your sense of humor just when you need it most!

Sun in Capricorn/Aquarius

The Sun begins the month in Capricorn.  This is a time of resolutions and annual planning, taking advantage of the Capricorn qualities of patience, persistence, efficiency, and practicality.

When the Sun enters Aquarius on January 20th, we can begin to implement our plans.  Endeavors involving groups and teams are particularly favored with the Sun in Aquarius, as well as technology or science-related projects.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Capricorn on January 4, waxing to full in Cancer on January 19.  The New Moon is also a partial solar eclipse, one of the two solar eclipses each year.

Monthly Recap

This month may feel unsettled as the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter change signs, Saturn changes direction, and the Sun is eclipsed by the Moon.   The global environment will be fairly stable but your personal and business lives will require one adjustment after another.   This is a time to be “nimble and quick” in order to take advantage of changing situations.  It’s a month of wide-ranging activities so don’t be afraid to get out and beyond your normal boundaries – that’s where you’ll find opportunity.

In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link.  Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.

Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!

Key Dates for the Month

January 4         New Moon in Capricorn; Partial Solar Eclipse

January 7         Venus enters Sagittarius

January 13       Mercury enters Capricorn

January 15       Mars enters Aquarius

January 19       Full Moon in Cancer

January 20       Sun enters Aquarius

January 22       Jupiter enters Aries

January 25       Saturn assumes Retrograde Motion

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

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

The Sun

The Moon

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Mercury Direct and other Astro-Matters

Dec 27

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | 2 Comments

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)


Hello everyone.

This week holds two major astrological events in addition to the continuous waning of the Moon.

The Waning Moon

As the Moon loses more and more light and approaches the New Moon on January 4, this is the time to put the last minute touches on short-term projects, gain the final hand-offs and sign-offs, and clear your workspace of any clutter that has accumulated over the last few weeks.  You may have to let a project go, even if it isn’t finished.

You’ll find your mind more and more drawn to the future, even though that future is hazy at best.  That’s fine.  By the end of the week we will reach what Rael and Rudhyar, two master astrologers, call the “empty, dormant interlude between two cycles,” full of magic and mystery.  Let your imagination begin to create the next right thing, but don’t initiate anything until after the New Moon.

Mars challenges Saturn

On Wednesday, December 29, Mars and Saturn form an aspect of tension, tension we are likely to feel the entire week.  Mars is the part of us that desires action and movement.  You may find yourself or key managers wanting to take a stand, to choose between alternatives, and act.  This energy prefers to do anything, right or wrong, rather than nothing.

The Mars energy is somewhat modified by its travels through the sign Capricorn, which lends control and strategy to our impulses.  But when Mars meets Saturn this week we are still likely to experience frustration with anything that seeks to curtail our plans.  Even the advice above pertaining to the waning Moon might rub us the wrong way.  Mars wants to execute and Saturn and the waning Moon say, no!

This week will test us under pressure, particularly strong because both Mars and Saturn are very powerful in their respective signs of Capricorn and Libra.  You’ll probably run into a serious reality check or two in the form of limited resources or parental authority types.  Alternatively you may have to hold the reins in on team members who have the ball and want to run with it.  Plan first, and then you can let them act.

Mercury Direct

After three weeks of retrograde motion, Mercury resumes direct motion on Thursday, December 30.  The days just before the 30th can feel frustrating, as you’ve received the inspiration, have formed the new idea, but the pieces are not in place yet to act.  Once Mercury turns direct, it’s fine to get back to normal routines of travel, purchasing, and negotiating.  But remember, it may take a few days for your team to come out of the retrograde Mercury-induced slumber.  Best to wait until next week before demanding precision and accountability.

Have a wonderful New Year, and look for my new blog coming soon.  Something along the lines of “Studying the Stars:  a Lifetime of Learning.” The January Astro4Business forecast will be posted later this week.

Do you have a question 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 month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – December 2010

For a discussion of the entire Mercury/Mercury Retrograde cycle, see The Sun/Mercury Cycle

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

The Moon

Mercury

Mars

Saturn

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Astro4Business Month Ahead – December 2010

Nov 29

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 13 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for December, 2010.  What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?

  • We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
  • Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
  • We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
  • And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few.  This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will depart, including old business models, practices, and products.

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.

Everyone with planets within the first three to nine degrees of any sign is actively dealing with this energy.  You’ve probably noticed a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above.  Try to open a large space within yourself for a whole new perspective; be willing to become new and to irrevocably let go of something that has become outmoded.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is done they are the most rewarding because we are permanently freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all corners of the world, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.

The best way to work with this energy is to allow yourself to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.

If you have planets between 26 and 29 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  Pay attention to non-intellectual sources of knowledge such as dreams and art.  Feel what is happening, listen for underlying currents rather than what is apparent on the surface.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life which have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Pisces

Uranus is the final planet to regain direct motion this year.  After it comes to stillness and begins moving forward again on December 5 we will see a turnaround in all business matters influenced by the planet:  industry structures; innovation; new technology; invention; community impact; creative destruction; and rapid response, to name a few.

When the planet entered Aries last May, we began getting to know a new face of Uranus. Aries is the spark of entrepreneurial spirit, the initiating drive toward independence and individuality.  You may have noticed new ideas incubating and a spirit of bold entrepreneurship in and around your business.  But then Uranus moved into retrograde motion and there was probably a disruption in this full-speed-ahead current.  You may have felt ambivalent or dissatisfied with your new ideas and initiatives.

When Uranus moved back into Pisces in August there was another major shift. Yes, this was familiar territory; Uranus was in Pisces for most of the last seven years, since March 2003.  But it may have felt like stepping back in time.  From our new entrepreneurial spirit we re-entered the realm of collective ideas.  From forays into a new style of leadership, we fell back into flattened hierarchies and committee decision-making.  From enhanced independence we returned to collaboration and alliances.

Uranus continues through the last degrees of Pisces for the next few months.  With the resumption of direct motion you may experience a rush of pent-up desire for change.  And yet, until it passes into Aries again in March, we are finishing up old business in an old style.

If you have planets between 26 and 1 degree of the next sign it’s time to let yourself be excited by something new; branch out, experiment, try new things.  Support a cause you believe in and invest your time in societal change.  This will positively channel the excess nervous and intellectual energy Uranus can bring.

Saturn in Libra

In July, Saturn entered Libra where it will stay until October 2012.  Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support.

Last August, Saturn formed a difficult aspect to Pluto in Capricorn (see above.)  The stress of this aspect revealed the decay beneath structures in our businesses (and our world.)  Now the Saturn energy is building the Libra values of equity, parity, diplomacy, collaboration, and cooperation on the ashes of the past.  Saturn brings a serious and responsible attitude to this time, especially in the areas of partnership and business relationships.

Jupiter in Pisces

Let’s review where we’ve been with Jupiter, so we can tell where we stand now.  In June, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, entered Aries.  Aries is an initiatory sign and Jupiter thinks big.  Your former goals may have felt too limiting and you may have experienced a passion for growth, expansion, competition, and claiming new territories

Then Jupiter began retrograde motion in July.  You may have found your enthusiasm flagging for your new products and plans.  The forward momentum you’d been enjoying may have reversed, and you felt more restrained.  This has been an important phase for realistically assessing how much we can get done, to curtail overdoing and over-committing, and to take the time to slowly grow a project to completion.

In November Jupiter resumed direct motion.  You’ve probably felt enthusiasm and forward momentum returning to your workplace.  You can begin to think big again and the energy of Jupiter direct will support your efforts.  Take the promotion, take the risk, buy that lottery ticket!

Mars in Sagittarius/Capricorn

On December 7, Mars, the planet that represents our drive, energy, and will enter Capricorn.  Capricorn is a fantastic position for Mars.  Mars in Capricorn is focused, patient, and unrelenting in the pursuit of goals, especially business and career goals.  Mechanics and engineering are supported when Mars is in this sign as Capricorn gives entrepreneurial Mars the patience to devise and revise until a product is perfected.

Since Mars in business represents your second tier of leadership, expect your managers to step up and willingly take on more responsibility over the next few weeks.  In fact, they may demand it!  If you’re planning promotions, wait until after the 7th and then move ahead.

Venus in Scorpio

Venus re-entered Scorpio on November 29.  Venus represents pleasure and in Scorpio, happiness is found in emotional and material security.  You may worry more than usual about the balance in your cash accounts and focus your energy on stabilizing your finances.  However, you could go overboard if you are too passionate in your pursuit of security.

Be careful with this one:  permanent alliances can be formed when Venus is in this sign but irrevocable separations can be just as likely.  Long-lasting contractual or financial agreements can be gained at this time but may contain an element of intrigue and the possibility of betrayal.  Review everything carefully and if there are unspoken emotional undertones, make sure you get them out on the table before you commit.

Mercury in Capricorn/Sagittarius

Mercury entered Capricorn on November 30.  Mercury in Capricorn is ideal for planning and strategy, so if you still have your 2011 business plan in front of you, set time aside to work on it between now and December 18th.  From the free-wheeling Sagittarius energy we’ve entered a much more serious frame of mind.  You’ll see a heightened ability to concentrate and deliver on promises.  Watch out for a tendency to lose your sense of humor just when you need it most!

Mercury spends from December 10 to December 30 in retrograde motion.  In Astro4Business we understand the value of retrograde motion and welcome this time of review.  In fact this is a great time to look back over the year and analyze what worked and what can be improved.  See the links below for good information on how to handle retrograde Mercury.

Due to retrograde motion, Mercury will slip back into Sagittarius on December 18 which will be great for the holidays (as long as you can smile through travel snafus) but not as good for serious planning.  When Mercury is back in Sagittarius we may miss the details of the present because our minds are captivated by the future.  Try to count to three before making any snap decisions.

Sun in Sagittarius/Capricorn

Geometry of a Lunar Eclipse. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)


The Sun begins the month in Sagittarius.  This is a friendly, outgoing, optimistic time, the beginning of the holiday season.  In fact, we may tend toward over-exuberance as we know we are sliding into the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.  Increased sales are favored under Sagittarius and a generosity of spirit with employees and coworkers is a great use of this energy.

When the Sun enters Capricorn we begin the season of renewal as we celebrate major seasonal change.  The Equinox marks the beginning of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the beginning of Winter for us Northerners.  It is a time of resolutions and annual planning, supported by the Capricorn qualities of patience, persistence, efficiency and practicality.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Sagittarius on December 5, waxing to full in Gemini on December 20-21 (depending on your time zone).  The Full Moon is also a total Lunar Eclipse, one of the two lunar eclipses each year.  If you look at the graphic to the right, you’ll see how the Sun’s energy is blocked at the moment of the Full Moon. This can curtail the normal cyclic fulfillment of projects and goals this month, a wrench in the works.  If it directly contacts a point on your chart its influence can be felt for about six months.  This month’s Lunar Eclipse is at 29 degrees Gemini.

Monthly Recap

A lot of Capricorn energy this month, with Mercury, Mars, the Sun, and Pluto all spending time in this serious, practical, and ambitious sign.  Business will be on our minds and we’ll have the energy to take our plans forward.  We’ll be supported by three planets in superb placement:  Saturn in Libra will give us responsibility in partnership; Jupiter in Pisces fosters a spirit if interdependence and cooperation; and Mars in Capricorn gives focus and direction to our drive.  And don’t forget to check your chart to see if 29 degrees is highlighted; if so, the Lunar Eclipse will be prominent for you.

In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link.  Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.

Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!

Key Dates for the Month

December 5                Uranus resumes direct motion; New Moon in Sagittarius

December 7                Mars enters Capricorn

December 10              Mercury resumes retrograde motion

December 18              Mercury re-enters Sagittarius

December 20-21         Full Moon in Gemini; total Lunar Eclipse

December 21              Sun enters Capricorn

December 30              Mercury resumes direct motion

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

For tips on how to use Mercury Retrograde to your advantage, see

10 Best Practices for Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde – 10 Ways to Engage

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Revving Up & Cycling Down

Nov 28

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | 4 Comments

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)


Hello, everyone.

This week the Moon winds down, losing light until it merges with the Sun at the New Moon on Sunday.  Despite this general loss of energy there are also several important aspects during the week which will require us to step up and exert ourselves.  Take extra special care of yourself this week.  These are conflicting influences which could tax your body.  Rev up when you have to, and then cycle all the way down when you can.  Massage or long slow walks will help keep you in balance.

Monday

On Monday Venus re-enters Scorpio, covering the same ground she passed over in early September and early November.  You may see matters come back to the table for negotiation, this time with much more information and understanding of the people involved.  The moving parts will make more sense to you now and you may wish to re-organize (one more time!) in order to get the proper players into the proper positions.  Your efforts will pay off this time as Venus will stabilize in direct motion now for the next eighteen months.

In your business operations you could see a parting of the ways today, perhaps one part of your team veering off in a direction that the whole group won’t understand.  With Mars in Sagittarius challenging Jupiter in Pisces, it’s up to you to stand on the balcony today and make sure you understand the patterns which are evolving.  You’re the one with the long view and you’re likely to have a better sense of future opportunities than any of the conflicting factions.  You may have to make a judgment call to curb overconfidence or impulsive actions.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, Mercury leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn.  From the free-wheeling Sagittarius energy we’ll enter a much more serious frame of mind.  You’ll see a heightened ability to concentrate and deliver on promises.  Watch out for a tendency to lose your sense of humor just when you need it most!

Mercury in Capricorn is great for planning and strategy, so if you still have your 2011 business plan in front of you, set time aside to work on it between now and December 18th.  Due to retrograde motion, Mercury will slip back into Sagittarius which will be great for the holidays but not so good for serious planning.

Wednesday

With a supportive aspect between Mercury in Capricorn and Venus in Scorpio today, you will see conversations flow, good news, and a spirit of compromise and agreement.  This is an excellent day to buy new equipment, especially computers and the like.  This is one of the days this week when opportunities for growth may present themselves and ideas start to take on lives of their own but remember, we’re also winding down to the New Moon.  This is not the week to initiate a new endeavor but that doesn’t mean we can’t gather good ideas and dream a little.

Thursday

Thursday’s another tricky day considering the phase of the Moon.  It’s definitely not a time to initiate new action, but on the other hand initiatory Mars is in excellent aspect with intuitive Neptune so the urge to act will be powerful and possibly warranted.  This is a particular day to take care of yourself if you feel there is an opportunity just too good to pass up.  Go for it, but rest, too.  In fact, it’s in the resting that the best of the inspiration may come to you.

Friday

Today we enter the balsamic Moon phase, the dark of the Moon, when all of nature slows down and becomes still.  This is a fantastic phase for intuition, for tuning into the future and receiving inner guidance about what is coming next.  New approaches to old problems can suddenly rise to the surface if you allow an “empty, dormant interlude between [the] two cycles to do its mysterious work.” (Rael and Rudhyar, Astrological Aspects)

Ah, but letting ourselves be dormant will be tough today with a Mars/Uranus aspect: we’ll more likely be chomping at the bit!  We’re tired of waiting, we’re tired of stalling, and most of all we’re tired of everyone else’s opinions about what we should do.  Today we’re willing to fight for freedom from restraint, and as the leader of your team I must warn you:  everyone else is willing to fight too.  This can be a tense, stressful day as everyone tries to meet their own personal needs, possibly without regard for anyone else.

This aspect is valuable; it’s about trying to square the need to move ahead with the knowledge that there is more to be revealed.  You may not be able to avoid decisive action today despite the phase of the Moon and you may run into more push-back than usual from your team.  It will be up to you to stand your ground.

Sunday

Sunday is the power day of the week.  It begins with the New Moon in Sagittarius.  The New Moon brings a release of energy and new possibilities at every level.  Wait a couple of days to take action though.  On the actual day of the New Moon it’s hard to discern the difference between what you wish for and what has true potential.

Next, Mercury meets Pluto in Capricorn.  This aspect has the potential to expose hidden dysfunction in your business and bring practical solutions to overcome it.  It can also expose hidden resources, both talents and financial strength you were unaware of which can lead to a whole new beginning for your company.  Major change may not be accomplished in a day or even a few weeks; this is the very starting point in the Mercury/Pluto annual cycle.  But respect and document what comes to your attention today.  Great power and potential can be released into your mind.

And then last but not least on this incredible day, Uranus, the last planet in retrograde motion this year, makes its station and resumes its normal direct motion.  This signals a turnaround in all business matters influenced by the planet Uranus:  industry structures; innovation; new technology; invention; community impact; creative destruction; and rapid redirection, to name a few.

So I’d say we have our hands full this week, wouldn’t you?

Reminder

Since I’m traveling and enjoying the holidays, these posts will be more sporadic than usual until the end of December.   I think the best idea is to subscribe via the RSS feed above and then you’ll be notified by email whenever there is a new post.  I don’t want to lose touch with you.

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

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

The Sun

The Moon

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tinkering and Toying with the Aquarius Moon

Nov 11

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Today | 6 Comments

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

Tags: , , , , , ,

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – November 8-14

Nov 7

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | 6 Comments

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)


Hello, everyone.

Guess what?  This is a very light week indeed, with only two major planetary events.  And with the waxing Moon, now is the time to move ahead on your plans knowing there are no obstacles to block your progress this week…at least not from the planets!

Of course it’s important to note that if you personally are in the midst of challenging times, as shown by the current transits of the planets compared to your natal chart, then you will experience the ongoing effects of these transits.  However, you can expect relatively less interference from others this week, perhaps a reprieve and a little space to breathe.  That’s good, right?

On Monday Mercury leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius.  This may feel like a good thing; Scorpio can be a challenging sign for Mercury as communications can carry hidden agendas and we tend to perceive others as covertly looking for power or some kind of edge over us.

Sagittarius is much more uplifting and sunny; trust and optimism return to our own thought patterns and to our interactions with others.  But Sagittarius isn’t particularly good for Mercury either.  When Mercury is in Sagittarius we only see the forest, but we can’t see the trees.  So check and double-check anything that needs careful analysis before jumping to conclusions.

At the end of the week Mars and Saturn form a harmonious aspect.  This should show up as opportunities to expand the range or scope of your business with good advice from a trusted mentor.  This aspect is a marker of harnessed energy and progress in business and practical matters.  And if you experience an unexpected delay, this will turn out fortunately in the long run.

And that’s it!  Enjoy this tranquil week and certainly let me know how it goes.

Do you have a question 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 month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2010

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

The Moon

Mercury

Saturn

Tags: , , ,

A4B Today – October 28 starring Venus and Mars

Oct 27

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Today, Retrograde Motion | 2 Comments

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Good Day!

Two major planetary events today: Mars leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius and Venus in retrograde motion joins the Sun.  These two events are quite different so don’t be surprised if the day is full of twists and turns.

Mars in Sagittarius

Mars, as the ancient ruler of the sign Scorpio and the lord of aggression and war, has been particularly strong since it entered Scorpio on September 14.  We can all relax a little as he passes into Sagittarius.  If you’ve been grappling with a conflict that just wouldn’t yield, you can expect some breathing room soon, maybe even today.  Issues with investments, debt, insurance, and financial difficulties with partners are on their way to resolution under justice-seeking Sagittarius.

However, as Ray Merriman says, “Mars in Sagittarius can hardly be considered ‘mild.’  This is a wild, untamed horse, waiting to break loose and trample over anything it its path.”  If you have felt stuck lately, watch out.  You could suddenly experience lots of jostling, bravado, and risk-taking. If you do, it’s worth asking yourself:  is anything actually being accomplished?

The best case scenario for Mars in Sagittarius is an ability to stand on the balcony and see patterns in what is happening below.  The long-view should become clearer and the way to apply your staff toward a productive move forward should become apparent.  And people are more willing with Mars in Sagittarius to work as a team to accomplish a worthy goal.  Your challenge is to marshal everyone’s energy and keep it moving in the same direction.

Sun conjunct Venus Retrograde in Scorpio

This is the point exactly half-way through the Venus Retrograde cycle, the point where the Sun and Venus meet behind closed doors to share what’s been learned so far.  Since October 8 when Venus turned retrograde, we’ve all had our share of relationship and financial lessons and today we can become more conscious of how all the pieces fit together.

Up to this point you may have been dealing with matters from the past:  old colleagues coming back into your life; financial issues you thought you had resolved returning; negotiations you thought were settled coming back up for review.  Your staff may have expressed dissatisfaction with their pay or the amount of creative independence you allow them.  Or your creative people were just not as productive as usual.  Perhaps there was more inter-office conflict than usual.   All these are hallmarks of Venus retrograde.

After today you will feel a definite shift in the energy, not so much reviewing and reworking the past as slowly reorganizing to prepare for the future.  Whatever has been revealed by now in your professional relationships is probably the extent of it; now you have to figure out what to do about it.  As long as Venus is retrograde, until November 18, it is not the time to make any major changes.  Evaluation, yes, but change, no.  It is highly likely that other matters will gain in importance once Venus has turned direct, and other people’s behavior can shift too as they come to their own realizations.

It’s also not the time to make major adjustments in your investments or financial strategy.  It’s wonderful if you’ve become more aware of the reality of your financial situation and an excellent time to think through the ramifications of different options.  It’s also fine to renegotiate an existing contract or bank loan.  But it’s easy to react emotionally when Venus is retrograde and to make moves you regret later.  So hold tight.  The worst is probably over and the next three weeks are excellent for reorienting yourself to any new information and frankly discussing and resolving past miscommunications.

Do you have examples of Venus retrograde?  Let us all know in the comments.  I’ll start:  on my recent trip back East I met with former colleagues and employees I hadn’t seen in many years.  I could see how they’ve changed and grown and overcome difficulties they had when I supervised them.  As I let the image I held of them mature I realized that they could now mentor me, as I had mentored them in the past.  This updating of these relationships, as well as the link it provided to a past time, was my gift from Venus retrograde.  How about you?

For an excellent piece on Venus retrograde, check out Venus Retrograde for 2010: How to Constructively Use the Venus Retrograde Period by Lynn Koiner.

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 – October 25-31

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

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

The Sun

Venus

Mars

Tags: , , , ,