Posts Tagged Sun

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.

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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

Tags: astrology, business, Full Moon, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Sun, Venus

A4B Weekly Forecast – Restart your Finances!

Feb 5

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 10 Comments

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

Hello, everyone.

This week we’re supported by the waxing Moon, the time of the month when projects take off and progress is easy. You’ll find opportunities for growth and development of your ideas and you may see them take on a life of their own. During the first few days of the week stay open to input from many sources; don’t put the cap on it too soon.

By Friday, when we reach the first quarter Moon, you will have to commit to one alternative over another. It’s time to decide on your course of action. Once you do, you’ll see your project unfold step by step, more like the tortoise than the hare. You’ll have lots of time to get it done and lots of endurance to resolve the inevitable challenges that will come your way.

On Sunday the 13th the Moon moves into Gemini and communication will be key. This is the time to talk about it and write about it. The Sun in Aquarius mixes well with the Moon in Gemini; a speaking engagement at the beginning of next week would be ideal. Can you arrange it? If not, get your ideas out there on your social network; the wider it goes, the better.

Venus/Pluto

On Wednesday Venus and Pluto meet in their annual tete-a-tete in practical Capricorn. Venus and Pluto are both concerned with money. Venus represents your personal and business finances, the deals on the table, the balance in your account, your financial negotiations with your employees, and how you use your financial sense to grow your profits. Pluto represents vast resources like the global financial system, the economy, the banking structure, the stock market and investments.

When these two get together each year, it’s an annual start-over point. It’s time to recognize the reality of your economic situation as well as the global situation and get them in sync again. And once you’ve figured out what your company needs to do, it’s time to bring your staff into the know and create a new consensus.

I don’t mean this to sound dire. You could realize that you can loosen the purse a little, that your financial condition has actually improved. You may see that it’s time to invest again, in equipment or infrastructure or finally making that new hire. We’re talking about alignment: aligning your situation with the global environment and aligning your actions and those of your staff to the current reality, whatever it may be.

You’ll find that people are ready this week: your partners are on board and your bankers or investors are willing to look at a new plan. Given the waxing Moon, this Venus/Pluto aspect is a sign of a new start, good numbers, and real progress. So don’t be afraid to get real.

Nothing underhanded though. You may have to develop your financial plans in secret and you probably should. But with Pluto on the field, anything devious will be exposed in the end so resist that temptation. Honesty is the only policy with this aspect.

Have a great week and let me know how it’s going in your business life!

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For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – February 2011

In case you missed our 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 more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned this week, see

Tags: astrology, business, Moon, Pluto, Sun, Venus

Astro4Business Month Ahead – February 2011

Jan 31

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 6 Comments

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 25^th. 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

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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.

Tags: astrology, business, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn, Sun, Uranus, Venus

A4B Weekly Forecast – Full Moon and Farewell to Jupiter in Pisces

Jan 16

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | No Comments

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

Hello, everyone

This week the Moon gains strength on Monday and Tuesday, reaches Full Moon on Wednesday, and begins to decline by Friday. Up and over the top, the Moon signals the time to bring your current projects to fruition with an extra push early in the week, and full exposure for the rest of the week. This is the week to really go for it; to exert all your energy and effort to make it happen.

In the days leading up to the Full Moon, you might consider whether an additional detail or conversation would put the finishing touches on your project and make it ready. The Moon in Gemini brings a focus on writing, speaking, or studying; all communications have the potential to add the last final ingredient to make your project perfect.

When the Moon reaches Full, it’s time to let your project stand on its own. With the Cancer Moon you’ll have no doubt as to how it will be received: everyone’s reactions will be on their sleeve.

Then as the Moon moves through Leo and into Virgo by Friday, you’ll have to strive to share the limelight where it is due and not take criticism or acclaim too personally. You may have to adjust to input and opinions about your product. Sometimes even we can’t recognize the flaws in our design until it’s out there for others to see. This is a beneficial transition; allow your design to change in order to meet your customer’s needs.

Jupiter in Pisces final opportunity

The Sun sextiles Jupiter this week, a last hurrah for these two planets in these two signs. The Sun exits Capricorn on Thursday and Jupiter exits Pisces on Saturday but before they do you have the opportunity to take the best from the past and institute it into your company policies and values. No matter how inclined you are to look forward rather than back, open yourself to all you’ve learned about bonding, connection, and crafting a shared vision for the future.

With Jupiter in Pisces you’ve been enjoying the benefits of creating links between people within your organization and also forging links between your company and other organizations. You’ve been championing the underdog and you’ve stuck by people who just needed some additional mentoring to be successful.

As Jupiter moves into Aries, the tenor will change, both within your company and on the field of competition. Try to maintain some of the Piscean attitude of service and unity as you begin to step into more aggressive expansion efforts. Big plans and bold moves will take over soon; use this week to cement the bonds you’ve forged lately to bring the best into the new business environment.

Packing a Punch

The other major influence this week is a Mercury/Pluto conjunction on Monday. This is an incredible opportunity to forge new plans, even an annual goal, which is undergirded by practical understanding of the global environment in which your business operates. You can expect deep insights about the coming year and the impact of our continuing economic climate on your business.

This aspect also brings extraordinary power to our thoughts and words, so be careful what you say! For better or worse, your words can ignite transformation today, so use this energy wisely. And shield yourself against reckless words from others; everyone’s speech will pack a punch on Monday. (For another take on this powerful aspect, see my discussion in my other blog.)

Let me know how your week unfolds!

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

Tags: astrology, business, Full Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, Pluto, Sun

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – January 3, 2011

Jan 2

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | No Comments

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

Hello, everyone.

Here we are at the first week of the New Year! As much as I love the holidays, I am always so happy when the decorations come down. There’s an almost zen-like simplicity in early January compared to the prior weeks which satisfies my senses after so much excess. I also feel a pent-up need for productivity which has been stalled since Thanksgiving. So here we are: a clean slate to express our dreams and aspirations.

There are three main astrological events this week, each with its own flavor and guidelines.

Venus

This is a week in which Venus (social instincts, negotiations, professional relationships, long-term contracts, public relations) features strongly. About to enter Sagittarius on Friday, she finishes her stay in Scorpio with aspects to Neptune and to Tuesday’s Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. These outer planets will bring the larger environment and collective groups into our personal sphere this week.

You may not love everything you hear, and with Venus in square aspect to Neptune our tendency will be to sugar-coat the signals we receive from others. On the other hand this is a week in which we can make real progress in instituting values of appreciation, acknowledgment, and fairness into the business environment, even beyond the four walls of our own operations. If social networking forms a part of your strategy, this is the week to exploit this means of networking and branding. Reach for collaborations and alliances, both near and far.

New Moon/Eclipse

Tuesday is the power day of the week with the New Moon and a solar eclipse. New Moons are potent times of insemination. The deep inspiration which emerges at the New Moon is enhanced by the solar eclipse and the usual admonitions made even stronger. The actual day of the New Moon, Tuesday, is a day for listening, receiving, ruminating, contemplating. We have to open a large space within to hear and hold the insights which will bubble up from within.

Coming off the holidays, it may be difficult to keep things on hold and wait for the proper time to act, but if you can refrain until Wednesday you’ll have all the pieces in place. Let Monday and Tuesday be receptive and you’ll have everything you need for a new beginning on Wednesday. Don’t wait too long though; by Thursday you should be moving firmly into new territory or you may encounter resistance or inertia. Counter hesitation with action from Wednesday through the rest of the week.

Sun/Saturn

On Friday, the Sun in square aspect to Saturn challenges us to choose between alternatives: you’ll have to decide, probably under pressure, what you’re prepared to sacrifice and what trade-offs you’re willing to make. One part of you, or a trusted advisor, will want to maintain the status quo, but this can lead to missed opportunities. The other camp may press for change, willing to sacrifice stability for creative exploration. You’ll have to square these two approaches with each other.

I read a quote which applies perfectly to this Sun/Saturn energy: “Managers promote stability while leaders press for change, and only organizations that embrace both sides of that contradiction can thrive in turbulent times.” (John P. Kotter, Harvard Business Review)

In our small businesses, we usually play both manager and leader. Can you embrace both sides this week?

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

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

Tags: astrology, business, Eclipse, Saturn, Sun, Venus

Astro4Business Month Ahead – January 2011

Jan 1

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 14 Comments

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.

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.

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.

Saturn in Libra

Saturn enters its annual period of retrograde motion on January 25^th. 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.

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 7^th. 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 20^th, 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

Tags: astrology, business, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn, Saturn Retrograde, Sun, Uranus, Venus

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – the Sun/Mercury Cycle

Dec 12

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week, Retrograde Motion | 26 Comments

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

Hello everyone.

Since the most important aspects this week center around Mercury retrograde, including the Sun/Mercury retrograde conjunction, I thought we should revisit the whole Mercury retrograde cycle. The cycle of Mercury retrograde is a tri-annual event and learning to use it well should be in the tool bag of every business person.

First, a review

First, let’s review what the Sun and Mercury symbolize. In astrological thought, the Sun is the essential Self, the individual spark of life that provides energy, purpose and meaning to all of our endeavors. In business, the Sun represents you, the leader, in your role as the one who sets the goals and standards, the values of the company, the direction and flavor. The Sun is the center around which all other facets of the business revolve, including the employees, the customers, the systems, the controls, the profits, and the outcomes.

Mercury represents the mind, speech and communication faculties; all of the conversations, messages, and memos it takes to keep things moving. This faculty of the rational, reasoning mind is inseparable from the essential Self, just as in the Solar System the planet Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. The Sun has a creative impulse and, in a sense, hands it off to Mercury to bring into manifestation through speech, planning, and enlisting others.

Mercury has two faces. One we experience 80% of the time, the outward facing mental processes which apply attention toward the tasks at hand. This is the busy Mercury, the mind that is constantly transmitting, processing, and analyzing information and making literal, reasoned responses.

Mercury’s other face is its retrograde motion, periodic times of looking inward toward inner sources of wisdom. At these times the mind is not so reactive to outer directives, but delves deep into stores of experience and unconscious knowledge to bring back a perspective that only those realms can give. This is an extremely valuable aspect to Mercury, as important to our mental health and acuity as sleeping is to waking.

Both sides of Mercury are important to expressing our essential selves: the directly relational Mercury and the inner-tuned awareness of Mercury retrograde.

The Cycle

The Sun/Mercury cycle is always the same, with the same number of days in each phase of the cycle. Our present cycle began in October and looks like this:

Mercury and the Sun were both moving forward and met at the exact same point in the zodiac. This was on October 16 in Libra.
Mercury zoomed ahead of the Sun, all the way to 5 degrees of Capricorn. The Sun was 16 degrees behind Mercury at 19 degrees of Sagittarius.
Mercury turned retrograde and started moving back while the Sun was still moving forward. This happened on December 10.
Mercury and the Sun again meet at the exact same point in the zodiac, the Sun having moved forward to 28 degrees of Sagittarius and Mercury in retrograde motion having moved back to 28 degrees of Sagittarius. This is where we are in the cycle this week, on Sunday, December 19.
The Sun will continue to move forward and Mercury will continue to move back for about 10 days, making them even farther apart.
Mercury will turn direct, this time on December 30 at 19 degrees of Sagittarius. The Sun will be ahead of Mercury at 8 degrees of Capricorn.
Now both the Sun and Mercury will be in forward motion, but the Sun will begin 19 degrees in front of Mercury. Mercury will finally catch up with the Sun on February 25 at 6 degrees of Pisces. This is the same stage of the cycle as step 1 above, but now the Sun and Mercury will have both moved forward in the zodiac to Pisces rather than Libra. And then the whole cycle will begin again.

The Meaning

So if the Sun is our essential Self and its purposes and Mercury represents our thinking, speaking, and communicating faculties, what does this cycle tell us about the interaction of these parts of ourselves, and how can we use these cycles in our businesses? (To skip the detail, go to “In a Nutshell” below.)

In step 1 above, the Sun and Mercury briefly join together on the exact same degree of the zodiac. This is the best time for a meeting of the minds, an excellent day for communication and planning. It’s like our purpose and our ability to represent that purpose in speech and interaction are hand in hand. It is also a good day to hand out assignments, sending people on fact-finding missions, exploring future possibilities, with a requirement to report back in on what they find.
In step 2 above, Mercury zooms ahead of the Sun, moving into the Sun’s future. In other words it travels farther into the zodiac than the Sun. It is ahead of the Sun, like a sentinel or a trail-blazer, getting the first look at the lay of the land. This is the time when your team may be able to see the world more clearly than you, as they fulfill the assignments you gave them hands-on. It is important to listen carefully during this time and continue to support them as they discover new territory.
In step 3, Mercury reaches its farthest point ahead of the Sun, stops, and proceeds into retrograde motion. An interesting thing happens when Mercury starts retrogressing. It actually covers the same ground it has just been over, in effect, getting a second look but from a different direction. So it not only has new information for its next meeting with the Sun, but it has actually seen it from two different points of view, once going forth, and once coming back.
This is the time to pull in those reports, to begin to examine the findings, and to course- correct based on the new information. It is also a time to gather the troops back into the fold if they’ve been out on their own too long. This is the time for reconnection and to re-familiarize yourself with your people and their stories.
This Week: In step 4, Mercury meets the Sun again, this time in retrograde motion. It has information for the Sun about the future, it has seen the path the Sun is about to walk. Another great day for a formal meeting, but this time Mercury, in retrograde motion, is still in listening mode, looking for synchronicities and making connections that aren’t apparent on the surface. This meeting may need to account for this. It may be that your best lieutenant has something very important to share but may have a hard time putting it in words. Or you may have an inspiration that will express itself easily through non-linear means, such as color, or music, or movement, rather than the usual white boards, power point, or outlined memos.
Step 5 is a really interesting part of the cycle. The Sun and Mercury have met and exchanged energy and information, but Mercury keeps moving back in retrograde motion for about 10 more days, while the Sun moves forward. This is the point in the cycle when the Sun gets ahead of Mercury. It’s almost like the Sun says, good work, I’ll take it from here for a while, you get some rest.

Mercury stops to fasten his sandal.(Wikimedia Commons)

And maybe this is a hint we should take for ourselves and our staff. Maybe these ten days should be about rest, with the leader taking on the mantle directly for bringing the business forward. The scouts and emissaries have earned a few days of lowered expectations, and it’s always good for the leader to interact directly with the business environment.
In step 6, Mercury resumes direct motion. During our present cycle this will happen on December 30. Whenever Mercury changes direction it slows down for a few days, so this is probably not the time to expect everybody to be 100% back on course. Give it a few days before you start expecting people to be fully back into the rational, linear mode.
In step 7, both Mercury and the Sun are moving forward, yet Mercury is quite a bit behind the Sun. This is the time when the Leader is in their full power, has stepped into their role completely, setting expectations and demanding accountability. It’s also the time when you can start handing off projects to people; you’re in front, you see the future, you know your ultimate direction. This is a time of maximum clarity and your troops are awake and alert – even if your only troops are your own faculties.
And back to step 1.

In a Nutshell

So here are the key dates for the next cycle of Mercury, starting with this week’s Sun/Mercury conjunction (for more detail, see above):

December 19 – Sun meets Mercury in retrograde motion. Action: Meet with your people, collect assignments, listen, and disseminate information.

December 19 – 30 – Mercury in retrograde motion; Sun moves ahead of Mercury. Action: Let your people rest, take the lead, plan your next steps based on new information.

December 30 – February 25 – Mercury in direct motion, Sun ahead of Mercury. Leader implements new plans, moves forward; everyone involved in current projects.

February 25 – Sun meets Mercury in direct motion. Meeting of the minds. Spell out your vision, hand out new project assignments, and create exploratory teams for future innovation.

February 25 – March 30 – Mercury in direct motion moves ahead of Sun. Teams work on innovation, exploration, future possibilities. Leader manages, coordinates, and provides resources.

March 30 – Mercury turns retrograde, still ahead of Sun. Teams finish assignments, begin to report in. Leader reviews.

April 9 – Sun meets Mercury in retrograde motion. Action: Meet with your people, collect assignments, listen, and disseminate information.

And here we’re back to step 1 in the cycle. Can you see the natural rhythm that comes with the Sun/Mercury cycle? Shall we give it a try?

Happy Holidays Reminder

Since I’m traveling and enjoying the holidays, these posts will be more sporadic and spontaneous 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 an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – December 2010

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

10 Best Practices for Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde – 10 Ways to Engage

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

The Sun

Mercury

Tags: astrology, business, Mercury, Mercury Retrograde, Sun

Astro4Business Month Ahead – December 2010

Nov 29

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 13 Comments

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.

Neptune in Aquarius

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 7^th 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 18^th. 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: astrology, business, Business planning, Eclipse, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Retrograde, Saturn, Sun, Uranus, Venus

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Revving Up & Cycling Down

Nov 28

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | 4 Comments

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 18^th. 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

Tags: astrology, business, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Sun, Uranus, Venus

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – And Some News

Nov 21

Posted by Ellen in Astro4Business Week | 5 Comments

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

Hello, everyone.

If I had to pick a theme for the week, I’d say it will be finding the balance point between our desire to expand, look afar, and interact with foreign soils, and our need to care for the emotional needs of others. We’ve got lots of fire sign energy this week, with its motto “Don’t fence me in!” and lots of water energy, with its motto “Connect!”

We’ll all have to be careful not to polarize and take the side that is easier or more familiar to us and blame others for playing the other role. If you tend to more fire, then you may feel that others are trying to trap you with their demands. And if you tend to more water, you may feel that others are not as caring and careful as you are. But both energies are at play this week and the more we can claim both sides ourselves, the smoother the week will go.

Monday

The Sun moves into Sagittarius today and it’s your astrologer’s birthday! Sagittarius ushers in the time of year when our impulse is toward celebration and freedom. I’ve always thought it was a reaction to the darkening of the days in the Northern Hemisphere; merriment in the face of the death all around us in the month before the Winter Solstice.

And for you Southern Hemisphere people it seems a natural celebration of the growing light, with all the hope it contains, the possibilities for expansion which are the heart of Sagittarius.

Tuesday

After the Full Moon on Sunday bringing our ideas and projects to fruition and display, this is the first point of adjustment, with a quincunx between the Sun in Sagittarius and the Moon in Cancer. Today we must adapt our plans to the needs of others, adjusting to the pull of emotional ties. As great as our vision is, at this phase of the Moon we have to accept what is instead of what could be; this is the time to recognize the realities of our situation and take practical steps to align ourselves with these realities. And the realities are likely to include the impact of our plans on our employees and family. It’s the natural time to scale back and compromise.

Thursday

Today holds a square between Mercury and Jupiter, a day when we’re peering out the window yearning for distant pastures, but our duties and/or morals require us to focus on emotional connection. It’s not all challenging though, because both Mercury in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Pisces understand the need for the imagination to roam. How about roaming with a different group, or adding some eclectic members to your tribe? If you’re celebrating the holiday, how about a different sort of festivity? Service to others would be a great use of the energies of day, especially if there was a learning component involved.

If today is not a holiday for you, then I would schedule time for some wandering with others: bookstores, museums, libraries, your local university. All these activities take advantage of the day.

Friday

Today is the day to bring your project home, fully realized and perfected by the feedback you received earlier in the week. The Sun and Moon move in harmony today in fire signs, so it’s time to cast a wider net and display your new product or project. If you’ve scheduled a customer demonstration, everyone will appreciate a bit of dramatic flair. Don’t be afraid to let your light shine today.

If you’re in retail, you know today can be one of the best days of the year. Really go all out with lights; go over the top. Today is a natural for a sense of fun and optimism.

Saturday

Today Mercury in Sagittarius forms aspects to both Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces. This indicates information and communications coming in from far and wide. You’ve probably been yearning for some new images or input; they will come today if you look outside your local community to global interaction. And yes, over the internet is certainly a possibility.

Sunday

On Sunday we reach the 3^rd Quarter Lunar phase. It may feel too soon but it’s time to start letting the last project go, handing it off to others for further implementation. With the Moon in Virgo your best move is to carefully and precisely hand it over to someone you trust. Pass it on with specific instructions, even taking the time to document what has led to this point and your expectations for the future. And then work on letting it go completely over the next week, to prepare open space for new inspiration at the New Moon.

And some news

Holidays and travel to London and Bruges are beckoning me; how can I refuse? I expect my writing will be a little more spontaneous over the next few weeks as this Sagittarius goes exploring and making merry. 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.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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

Tags: astrology, business, Jupiter, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Sun, Uranus