Posts Tagged Uranus in Aries

Cisco Systems Update: Uranus in Aries

Hello everyone.

Some time ago I wrote an article in this blog about Cisco Systems.  I thought Cisco had a really interesting business model and also was an excellent example of a management structure that reflected Uranus in Pisces.  Here’s the link in case you want to revisit the article: Uranus in Pisces – Cisco Systems.  I also wrote that we would watch Cisco Systems as Uranus headed into Aries and see how they would weather that transition.

Today I read on Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s excellent Harvard Business Review blog that Cisco has restructured its operations due in part to two consecutive quarters of disappointing results.  The bureaucracy inherent in their former management structure had rendered them unable to take advantage of some opportunities, causing them to lose ground to competitors.

During the last decade, Cisco Systems instituted an operating structure truly in line with Uranus in Pisces. In order to stimulate innovation they developed an intricate system of councils and boards, some of which functioned without a formal leader.  As I mentioned in my former piece, while this strategy actually rescued their business by capturing cross-functional ideas and insights, there have also been drawbacks.  Fully a fifth of Cisco’s senior executives have left the company, unable to thrive in this kind of flat and complex management structure.

Uranus in Aries is a very different energy than Uranus in Pisces.  The committee/matrix structure that was effective with Uranus in Pisces will no longer work with Uranus in Aries.  Under this transit, business innovation will come through the efforts of the lone-wolf, the entrepreneurial-minded contributor, rather than the holistic, cross-functional team.

Trajan's Column (Roman Soldiers Building a Fortress) (Source:Wikipedia)

One of the commenters on Moss Kantor’s blog perceptively states that maybe we shouldn’t see Cisco’s reorganization in terms of failure, but rather simply change and evolution.  He lauds Cisco for recognizing the need to change and evolve and I agree.  Whenever there is such a massive planetary movement as Uranus passing from the very last sign of the zodiac, the sign of complete immersion in complexity, to the very first sign in the zodiac, the sign of simplicity and individual action, there is going to have to be a reworking of structures throughout society.  As Cisco’s chief executive, John Chambers, said, “It’s time to simplify the way we execute our strategy.”   It has nothing to do with failure; it has to do with natural processes –as natural as the earth transitioning from winter to spring.

This is simply where we are now.  As leaders and managers we should take advantage of this new energy and reform our operations.  We should give more credibility to individual contributors, agitators, spirited, independent-minded employees, people whose self-sufficiency sometimes makes it look like they’re not team players.  These are the people that ingenuity will flow through with Uranus in Aries.

No matter how collaboratively we’re inclined to run our business operations, we have to allow room for individual contributors at this time.  Some people thrive in environments of intense cooperation; others thrive in competition.  Some love to be immersed in a borderless environment while others do their best work when they’re left alone to pursue their own creative ideas.  Watch for this now.  It’s much more likely now that the rebel is the one who is truly inventive, channeling defiant Uranus in Aries and bringing real progress to our businesses.

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To read more about Uranus in Aries, see

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.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Weekly Highlights – Uranus in Aries

Hello, everyone.

This week is one we’ve been anticipating for almost a year now as it hosts the transition of Uranus from the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces, to the first, Aries.  Accompanied by a Mercury transit, this milestone should be apparent as our conversations, communications, and interactions with others bring Uranus right into our business lives.  In Roman times, Mercury was seen as the Messenger of the Gods and the god of commerce.  Look for a message this week about how you can take advantage of Uranus’ ingress into Aries.

Dutch, 1610. I love his expression; he seems to be contemplating the next era to bring to the world. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Uranus begins a new cycle

The outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are far distant from the Sun.  Their orbits range from 84 years for Uranus to 248 years for Pluto.  These planets represent the long cycles of societal evolution, the discoveries and mass movements in consciousness which form the backdrop to our lives.  When one of these planets changes signs it is marked by breakthroughs in thought and invention that catapult us into the next era.

The transition of Uranus into Aries is an even bigger event than its usual 7-year movement from sign to sign.  Since Pisces is the last sign in the natural zodiac, and Aries is the first, we are looking at a seismic shift, the beginning of a new 84-year cycle.  Uranus has not been in the first sign of the zodiac since 1928.  The whole period from 1928 to 2011 has been one long cycle of creative innovation which is now giving birth to a whole new cycle.

Uranus in Aries

Many astrologers have predicted dire consequences for the next seven years as Uranus wends its way through Aries.  It’s hard to say at the very beginning of a cycle what will eventually unfold but we can look at symbolism and history to form our assumptions.  And we’ve seen some hints ever since the planet Jupiter entered Aries in January.

Aries is the sign ruled by Mars, the Roman god of war.  This hot-headed god tended to act first and think later (if at all).  The Mars energy can be selfish, or at least self-referential, and full of desire.  Mars sees what it wants and takes it.  So it is concerning that Uranus, which brings change, rebellion, and technological advancement, is in cahoots with this god of war.

You can get a sense of Aries if you think about the force inherent in the Spring Equinox.  This powerful time contains the uprushing fever of life, the spark of fire powerful enough to force nature out of dormancy.  We’ve seen this fever across the Middle East and northern Africa lately; I’m sure we’ll continue to see it all over the world as Uranus follows Jupiter into Aries.  We’ll see it too in business inventiveness and scientific advances we can only imagine now.  Uranus itself embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological innovations.  Uranus bursts through the barriers of the outworn and traditional and ushers in the new.

Floor mosaic, ca. 200–250 CE. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

For so many years people have felt powerless to address the challenges of our world, especially those caused by entrenched positions in government, big business, and the military.  But now there is a new movement afoot – Uranus in Aries brings the understanding that we are individually powerful and that each act we perform has the potential to change our world.

This is the positive face of Uranus in Aries:  the one willing to take responsibility for the whole even if that means standing alone to do so; the lone hunter who provides for the entire tribe; the individual with the courage to speak out on behalf of others; the inspired entrepreneur who through her efforts improves other people’s lives.

We won’t be working in concert with others as much as we did when Uranus was in Pisces.  But in breaking free of the crowd we can break free of groupthink, too.  What do we think when we stand outside of the cluster we have identified with?  What is the truth for us alone?  With the courage of Aries, we can act from our own truth.

Uranus in Aries for Business

In business we will probably feel compelled to take risks we would not even have considered in the past.  We may feel confined by the people around us or the structures we’ve implemented and surprise ourselves and others by heading into a brand new direction.  We may seek opportunities for travel and study, or to bring scientific or technical discoveries into our products and services.  We may approach everyday challenges as battles to be fought and won.  We want out of our shell, even if we created it.

This week, with Mercury instant-messaging between us and Uranus, we will sense the fragrance of change coming in the wind.  Don’t ignore this foreshadowing.  It will allow you to catch the energy right at the beginning of this long cycle.

Let’s all watch for signs and signal of Uranus in Aries and let me know in the comments what you detect.

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

To get an overview of the year, 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 Mercury and Uranus, see

Mercury

Uranus

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Month Ahead – March 2011

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for March, 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 five to nine degrees of any sign is actively dealing with this energy but especially if those planets are in Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, or Libra.  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.  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/Aries

Uranus finally leaves the sign Pisces and enters Aries on March 11.  This transition is noteworthy because there is always a shift when Uranus changes signs.  But the transition into Aries is even bigger than the usual 7-year movement from sign to sign.  Since Pisces is the last sign in the natural zodiac, and Aries is the first, we are looking at a seismic shift, the beginning of a new 84-year cycle.  Uranus has not been at this beginning point in the zodiac since 1928.  The whole period from 1928 to 2011 has been one long cycle of creative innovation which is now giving birth to a whole new cycle.

Uranus began its ingress into Aries last May but due to retrograde motion it slid back into Pisces until this month.  Many astrologers have predicted pretty dire consequences for Uranus in Aries and we’ve seen the warm-up acts ever since the planet Jupiter entered Aries in January.

Aries is the sign ruled by Mars, the Roman god of war.  This hot-headed god tended to act first and think later (if at all).  The Mars energy can be selfish, or at least self-referential, and full of desire.  Mars sees what it wants and takes it.  So it is concerning that Uranus, which brings change, rebellion, and technological advancement is in cahoots with this god of war.

But there are positive sides to this new chapter.  Uranus itself embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological innovations.  Society is constantly moving forward and when the time comes when the traditional is just too safe and stale, the energy of Uranus bursts through the barriers and ushers in the new.

For so many years people have felt powerless to address the challenges of our world, especially those caused by entrenched positions in government, big business, and the military.  But now there is a new movement afoot – one in which we are all coming to understand that we are individually powerful and that each act we perform has the power to change our world.

This is the positive face of Uranus in Aries:  the one willing to take responsibility for the whole even if that means standing alone to do so; the lone hunter who provides for the entire tribe; the individual with the courage to speak out on behalf of others; the inspired entrepreneur who through her efforts improves other people’s lives.

We won’t be working in concert with others so much as we did when Uranus was in Pisces.  But in breaking free of the crowd we can break free of groupthink, too.  What do we think when we stand outside of the cluster we have identified with?  What is the truth for us alone?  With the courage of Aries, we can act from our own truth.

What does this mean for us in business?  We will probably feel compelled to take risks we would not even have considered in the past.  We may feel confined by the people around us or the structures we’ve implemented and surprise ourselves and others by heading into a brand new direction.  We may seek opportunities for travel and study, or to bring scientific or technical discoveries into our products and services.  We may approach everyday challenges as battles to be fought and won.  We want out of our shell, even if we created it.

If you have planets between 28 and 4 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

Saturn in Libra is the antithesis of Uranus in Aries.  It counsels patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships, leading to cooperation and mutual support.  This planet of structure and discipline provides some much-needed grounding and circumspection to hot and erratic Uranus in Aries.

You may feel torn between the tried and true (Saturn) and the desire for breakthrough (Uranus).  Strive for balance bringing the best of the old along with you into new territory.

Saturn is still in its annual period of retrograde motion.  Moving retrograde 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

In January Jupiter entered Aries, the first sign of the zodiac.  As noted above, 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 few months, whether this competition is 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.

Mars in Pisces

Mars entered Pisces last month changing the tenor of our energy and output.  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 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 will to respond to it with concrete output.  Think Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh – both with Mars in Pisces.

Venus in Aquarius/Pisces

Venus travels into Aquarius on the first of March and, moving quickly through that sign, enters Pisces on March 26.

Venus in Aquarius brings out our intellectual side.  Our social instincts rise; we become concerned with what is right and fair.  We can improve our professional relationships by joining associations or contributing with others to a just cause.  A group endeavor enhances our creativity.

Venus is exalted in the sign Pisces.  This is the time when you can catch your best creative ideas of the year.  Carry a recording device with you at all times because, while truly inspired, Venus’ gifts are subtle and can be elusive when she’s in Pisces.

Time spent on marketing and branding for which we recommend this to hire the worcester SEO company will pay off during Venus in Pisces and you can expect your employees to be imaginative and happy.

Mercury in Pisces/Aries

Mercury begins the month in Pisces, moves into Aries on the 9th, and then turns retrograde in Aries on March 30.

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.

Mercury in Aries revs our mental engines.  Our thinking becomes inventive and our communications persuasive.  Watch for aggressiveness; give others a chance to speak too.

You may have so many ideas and so much enthusiasm you’ll need extra help just to keep track of it all.  Watch for overload; headaches will be a sign to relax, cool your jets, and pace yourself.

Sun in Pisces/Aries

The Sun in Pisces is 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.

On March 20 is the Equinox; vernal for us northerners; autumnal for you southerners.  (That’s north and south of the equator.)  Half way between the longest and shortest day of the year, it’s time to take stock.  How far have you come since the Solstice?  Have you accomplished your goals so far this year?  Is there a course correction you need to make?

The Sun in Aries is a time of heightened energy and new beginnings.  Take advantage of this fire to get yourself on track.  You are ready; act!

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Pisces on March 4, waxing to full in Virgo on March 19.  Look for a new start in whichever house contains 13 degrees Pisces.  For me, that’s career and business!  (If you need a copy of your chart, see the box in the sidebar to request one free.)

Monthly Recap

With Mercury, Uranus, and Jupiter in Aries by March 11, and the Sun joining by March 20 this month will feature a fighting spirit and the will to conquer new territory and introduce radical new ideas.  Fortunately, Venus in Aquarius will bring in collaboration and Saturn in Libra will remind us of our interdependence with others.  The winning spirit of Aries is great for business but remember:  you’ll still need relationships once the gains have been won.

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

March 1          Venus enters Aquarius

March 4          New Moon in Pisces

March 9          Mercury enters Aries

March 11        Uranus enters Aries

March 19        Full Moon in Virgo

March 20        Sun enters Aries

March 26        Venus enters Pisces

March 30        Mercury turns retrograde

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For an overview of 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.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Uranus flashes through 2011

(Source: Wikipedia)

Hello everyone.

This is our third and final post in the series examining the travels of the three outermost planets during 2011.  We’ve covered Pluto and Neptune; check out the links if you missed them.  Today we’ll take a look at Uranus.  You’ll want to have your chart handy so you can determine whether Uranus will figure prominently for you this year.   If so, follow the advice at the end about pitfalls to watch for and ways to align yourself with the energy.  (If you need a copy of your chart, see the sidebar to request a free natal chart.)

Uranus

Astrology segments the planets and luminaries into three groups:  the personal planets including the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars; the societal planets Jupiter and Saturn; and the impersonal planets, the planets of the collective, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.  From the Sun all the way out to Saturn, we are familiar with these energies.  They form a part of our everyday experience of life and their patterns are developed in terms we understand.  We may not agree with the limitations imposed by Saturn, but they make sense to us and we’re generally willing to go along.  An example is the speed limit:  we may not like it for ourselves but we can recognize the beneficial restriction on our fellows.

All of the planets out to the orbit of Saturn were known and tracked for thousands of years.  Then we come to Uranus.  Uranus is the planet of the paradigm shift.  Can you imagine what it must have been like when it was discovered?  Not only was there this incredible invention, the telescope, but another body in the sky, the sky we had thought we had known so well for so long.

That’s the impact of Uranus in society and in our lives.  It serves to breakup conventions; it ushers in brand new information.  It propels us into unexpected ways of thinking and perceiving reality.  In business, its name is “innovation.”  Uranus governs change, disruption, reversals, brilliance, acceleration, eccentricity, the unique individual and the wider community.

Uranus represents an incredibly powerful mental dimension which, when brought into our conscious awareness, can yield startling and useful insights.  In the personal mind, it appears as sudden flashes of insight and intuition that often lead to upheavals in our consciousness and are reflected in our outer lives.

Uranus in Aries

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

In early March Uranus ends its 7 year stay in Pisces and enters Aries.  In business, Uranus in Pisces brought diversification to deal with new market forces, committee leadership, and collaboration, as well as global connection, dissolution of structures, and termination of hierarchies.  As it moves into Aries this year, the source of business innovation will transition to a more independent and aggressive impulse.  The innovation during the next seven years will come more from the efforts of the entrepreneur than collaborative efforts with peers.

We’ll see the shift in society too, and politics.  For many years people have felt powerless to address the challenges of our world, especially those caused by government, big business, and the other powers that be.  But there is a new movement afoot – one in which we are all coming to the understanding that we are individually powerful and that each act we perform has the power to change our world.

This is the positive side of Uranus in Aries, inspiring us to be the one willing to take responsibility for the whole even if that means standing alone to do so.  This is the lone hunter who provides for the entire tribe.  It is the individual with the courage to speak out on behalf of others.  It is the inspired entrepreneur who through her efforts improves other people’s lives.

Perhaps we won’t be working in concert with others so much as we did when Uranus was in Pisces.  But in breaking free of the crowd we can break free of groupthink, too.  What do we think when we stand outside of the cluster we have identified with?  What is the truth for us alone?  With the courage of Aries, we can act from our own truth.  This is the upside of Uranus in Aries.

Uranus in the heavens this year

Uranus begins the year at 26 degrees Pisces and enters Aries on March 11.  From there it continues to 4 degrees of Aries when it begins its annual period of retrograde motion.  Moving all the way back to 00 degrees Aries, it turns direct on December 10th and finishes the year still at 00 degrees Aries.

If you have chart points from 26 to 30 degrees of any sign, but especially Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, or Sagittarius, Uranus will bring its signature change and disruption over the next couple of months.  But it also brings startling clarity of mind and a desire to experiment and break through.  If you have chart points from 00 to 5 degrees of any sign, but especially Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn this is your year for independence and reinvention.

If Uranus is visiting you this year, the way to work with the energy is to let yourself be excited by something new; branch out, experiment, try new things.  Allow yourself to be struck by lightning, to be shaken up, to be surprised.  Let in new ideas, new philosophies, and allow yourself to be influenced by others.  Join a cause; work on the change you want to see.  It’s a time for intellectual fervor and for thinking way outside of the box.

Some complications

You may have noticed that Uranus is roughly covering the same degrees that Neptune will be covering, but in different signs.  If you have chart points at 26, 27, 28, 29, or 00 degrees you will be visited by both planets between now and the end of March.  And depending on which signs your chart points are in, you will be favored by one and challenged by the other.  For instance, say you have a 00 degree Sagittarius Sun.  Neptune will square your Sun from Pisces, which is challenging, and Uranus will trine your Sun from Aries, which brings opportunity.  So you’ll have two different, distinct, and powerful influences pushing and pulling you in different ways.  Don’t be surprised if you feel bewildered, or when one moment’s absolute clarity disintegrates into the next moment’s complete confusion.  Your heart and your mind may be taking you in different directions, or two support groups may be urging two different courses of action.

Both influences have something to bring, and they will each bring their impact into your business.  The big, wider world wants to take a hand in your life.  Since these aren’t energies we can regulate, I’d say embrace both.  By the end of March you’ll be on firm footing again or at least only dealing with one or the other!

And more complications

Similar to Uranus and Neptune, Uranus and Pluto will also be in close contact this year.  They don’t actually form an exact aspect until 2012 but they come within a degree or so.  Next summer may bring intensity and breakthrough for you if you have chart points from 3 to 6 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn.  But that’s another topic:  we’ll cover it closer to its due date.

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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.

For more information on Uranus, see these posts:

Uranus – an Introduction

Uranus in Pisces – Cisco Systems

Astro4Business Today – May 27, Full Moon, Uranus enters Aries!

Astro4Business Breakthrough!

Astro4Business – May 26

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Welcome Uranus in Aries!

Jumping into Uranus in Aries

Uranus and the Cycle of Innovation

Seven Classic Skills for Innovation

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

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – June 21 – 27, Turbulence

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

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


Hello, everyone.

Turbulent barely begins to describe the week ahead, a week so full of challenges and opposing forces that we’ll be called upon to be our very best just to remain centered.  But it’s exciting, too, and I have full faith that we all will step up and take advantage of these energies with courage and enthusiasm.  In fact the entire week is bristling with energy that may feel overwhelming at times but I’ll tell you, we are all up for the challenge.  We’ve been waiting for breakthrough and we are powerful enough and nimble enough to channel these forces beneficially.

Almost every planetary alignment this week is confrontational and the energies cluster around the major squares and oppositions that are the highlight of this summer – the summer of transformation.  While I’ve listed them day by day, each of the energies below will color the entire week with the Eclipse on Saturday lasting even longer.

Monday

The week begins with the Solstice, the point each year where the Sun reaches its most Northern or Southern point and then begins to head in the other direction.*  If the days in your hemisphere have been waxing, they begin to wane; if they’ve been waning they begin to lengthen.  This is a marked turning point in the entire year.  The Sun enters the zodiac sign of Cancer and a major adjustment point is reached.  It’s time to examine the plans you set in motion at the New Year and decide whether to continue, expand, or just scrap the whole thing.

And scrapping the whole thing might just be called for, because once the Sun enters Cancer it meets the conflicting energy of Uranus in Aries.  On the day of the Solstice we’re unusually open to changing direction and the sudden, unpredictable, inciting energy of Uranus in Aries may make us feel that nothing at all is better than the tried and true.  A major change is coming – this may be the day!

Wednesday

Then on Wednesday, that new Cancer Sun meets Jupiter in Aries.  Jupiter in Aries says new, new, expand, travel, learn, there are opportunities everywhere as long as they’re far from here; and the Cancer Sun may just be ready to be carried away.  It’s similar to Monday’s Sun/Uranus square in that the Cancer Sun would love to initiate something new but feels an obligation to be faithful to what has come before.  This could incite a riot within.  It’s time to come back to the theme of the week:  we are up to the challenge to invite in the new without destroying what we’ve built so far.

Thursday

Thursday’s all about our minds and reasoning processes; it asks, can you be reasonable, rational and also tuned in?  With Mercury receiving distinct and different messages from Saturn and Neptune, there’s a way to take advantage of both but it will take flexibility and setting aside preconditions.  When our minds are influenced by Saturn, they form the perfect container for whisperings from the mystical realms but only if you are willing to take those insights seriously and commit them to pen and paper.  With the right vessel, this is the day to store the wisdom of the week, so get that vessel polished and ready to receive!

Friday

Friday is still about our minds, but you may feel that you’ve lost your edge as Mercury transitions into Cancer.  Gone is the incisive wit of Gemini; in its place is a message full of meaning but you’ll probably feel like you’re listening to someone speaking under water.

It’s made doubly, or triply difficult because Mercury in Cancer forms an aspect with Uranus in Aries, which usually means clarity and insight, but Cancer and Aries are about as incompatible as two signs could be.  Our thought processes are emotional and reactive due to Mercury’s placement in Cancer and Uranus is impatient with delays and “feelings.”  Add to this an opposition between the Sun and Pluto, the ultimate signal of a power struggle, and your cup just might boil over.  Take the necessary precautions to be sure you vent this pressure in an appropriate manner and time so you end the day with no regrets.

Saturday

Saturday begins with Mercury and Jupiter in a shooting match and we know who will lose this one.  (See Friday)  Too much information!  You may want to close your office door and turn off the electronic devices to get some peace.  And really that’s a pretty good way to spend the Eclipse.

Today holds the Full Moon with the Moon in Capricorn and the Sun in Cancer.  It’s also a Partial Lunar Eclipse and it’s a whopper!  The crossed energies of the outer planets in play all this summer are involved in this Eclipse, with the Moon at the exact same degree as Pluto in Capricorn.  With this Moon the whole situation gets personal.

We all know the global economy is struggling, that government debt is spiraling out of control, that major businesses are imploding and gasping their last breaths.  But with this Full Moon Eclipse, it hits home.  These energies pour into our most personal lives, into our businesses and families.  Even if you don’t have natal planets directly affected by these massive and conflicting energies, people around you will.  Our collective challenges become personal challenges, and this may be a good thing –  it brings the power to mend the whole into our hands as well.

Sunday

On Sunday you may wish you had stayed in bed.  People want to unburden themselves and you may hear things you wish had been kept underground.  But when Mercury opposes Pluto, as it does today, the secrets will come out.

And Saturn in Virgo is at odds with Neptune in Aquarius.  Saturn takes the blinders off our idealism and relationships we thought were totally supportive may be seen as less so.  Those you thought were your allies may turn out to be “frenemies” and yet, some you thought were overbearing and demanding accountability may turn out to be your true supporters.  If you can discriminate who is who you’ll gain something of lasting value.

Remember, we are equal to these challenges.  It’s our time; let’s do it!

*From a geocentric point of view.

See the sidebar for further discussions about Uranus in Aries, Pluto in Capricorn, and Jupiter in Aries.

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

For more info on the planets influencing the week, see

The Sun

The Moon

Mercury

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

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Astro4Business Today – June 8, Earth and Fire

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Good Day!

Today welcomes the first of a string of Jupiter/Uranus conjunctions, this one in the Fire sign Aries.  Aries is the sign of new beginnings and these two giants teamed up in the first sign of the Zodiac in the very first degree of the sign indicates NEW in a big way.  But what’s fun about this series of contacts is that Uranus expresses its energy in our lives in completely unpredictable ways.  This coupled with Jupiter’s love of sport means the coming six months may feel like a merry-go-round spinning at top speed:  you know the ditty, round and round and round we go and where we stop, nobody knows!  Yes, that’s Jupiter/Uranus.

But looking at the other events in the sky today also brings up for me another adage:  we’re only given as much as we can handle.

Along with this immense, intense energy of Fire today, we are also blessed with lots and lots of Earth energy, the perfect remedy.  Once the Moon moves into Taurus today, it forms aspects with that Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, bringing poise, balance, and practicality to the day.  As much as we may feel like we’re spinning in a new direction, the Taurus Moon will calm us down and set us to work at our normal routines, grounding us and reminding us to stay in the moment and to deal with what’s in front of us.

The Moon goes on to form extremely beneficial aspects with Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn, lending even more stability to the day.  And Mercury in Taurus teams up with Saturn in Virgo – this is a day to make a solid plan and execute on it too.

The Earth influence steadies the Fire.  Surely change is coming but on this day, the birthday of a new Jupiter/Uranus cycle, all our pleasant work habits and daily routines come to our rescue.  Breath by breath, step by step, task by task we channel fiery enthusiasm into a truly productive, remarkable day.

To explore the Uranus/Jupiter conjunction and for an overview of the week, see the Astro4Business Week – June 7 – 13, Uranus Jupiter Conjunction

To explore Uranus in Aries, see these links:

Astro4Business Today – May 27, Full Moon, Uranus enters Aries!

Astro4Business Breakthrough!

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Welcome Uranus in Aries!

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

For more info on the planets influencing today, see

The Moon

Mercury

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto

Don’t forget. If you have an astrology-related business question (or a business-related astrology question) send it to me at ellen@astro4business.com. I’ll answer it in these posts, anonymously of course, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences. I look forward to it! Have a question now? Email it and let’s get started!

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Astro4Business Breakthrough!

Hello, everyone.

How are you doing?  Was yesterday a BIG BANG?  It was for me but I’ll get into that later.

Were you awake in the night?  So many people were, myself included, with that Full Moon shining in my window and the excitement of Uranus entering Aries, sight unseen.

Today I heard a really fine interview on blogtalkradio’s “Grace, Grit and Gratitude with JaiKaur.”  JaiKaur was interviewing Diane Booth Gilliam, the creator and owner of Yogastrology.  (You can listen to the interview here.) In the course of their conversation they spoke about something that made me think, yes, Uranus in Aries.

Some context first:  many astrologers are predicting pretty dire consequences with Uranus in Aries.  Aries is the sign ruled by Mars, the Roman god of war.  This hot-headed god tended to act first and think later (if at all).  The Mars energy can be selfish, or at least self-referential, and full of desire.  Mars sees what it wants and takes it.  So it is concerning that Uranus, which brings change, rebellion, and technological advancement is in cahoots with this god of war.

But Diane and JaiKaur were speaking about Uranus in Aries in a totally different context.  In fact, they weren’t even speaking specifically about Uranus in Aries but I could hear its influence in what they were saying.

They were talking about how for so many years we have all felt powerless to address the challenges of our world, especially those caused by government, big business, and the other powers that be.  But they were saying that there is a new movement afoot – one in which we are all coming to the understanding that we are individually powerful and that each act we perform has the power to change our world.

This is the positive side of Uranus in Aries.  The one willing to take responsibility for the whole even if that means standing alone to do so.  The lone hunter who provides for the entire tribe.  The individual with the courage to speak out on behalf of others.  The inspired entrepreneur who through her efforts improves other people’s lives.

Perhaps we won’t be working in concert with others so much as we did when Uranus was in Pisces.  But in breaking free of the crowd we can break free of groupthink, too.  What do we think when we stand outside of the cluster we have identified with?  What is the truth for us alone?  With the courage of Aries, we can act from our own truth.  This is the upside of Uranus in Aries.

Ellen’s breakthrough

When I started this blog last year on June 23 I told myself I’d give it one year of focused effort and then reevaluate.  I wasn’t sure there were that many people who were interested in the intersection of astrology and business, so I objectified my efforts with a goal:  100 readers a day.  If I didn’t reach 100, I would recognize that the topic wasn’t of interest and find something else to write about.

Yesterday, with Uranus in Aries in a beautiful supportive exact trine to my natal Sun in Sagittarius, and just finishing an action-producing square to my Moon and Ascendant, I broke 100!  In fact, I had 118 visits yesterday!  So almost one month early I broke through my first goal.

Thank you, thank you, to all of you whose readership means so much to me.  I really do write to you personally every day.  I think about you and your businesses and the stars, and try to discern what would be most helpful to you.  I imagine you and I in an early morning business meeting in person, outlining the energies of the day and deciding how to take advantage of them together.  You are the heart and soul of this blog.  Thank you, again and again.

To read more about Uranus in Aries, see these posts:

Uranus – an Introduction

Uranus in Pisces – Cisco Systems

Astro4Business Today – May 27, Full Moon, Uranus enters Aries!

Astro4Business – May 26

Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Welcome Uranus in Aries!

Jumping into Uranus in Aries

Uranus and the Cycle of Innovation

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Astro4Business – May 26

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Good Day!

How has your week been so far?  Are you feeling the approaching Full Moon and the transition of Uranus into Aries on Thursday?

The Full Moon, a 29 day cycle

The Full Moon is a monthly phenomenon and the Moon’s cycles in astrology primarily represent the ups and downs of everyday life.  The Moon corresponds to the people we meet day to day and the emotional reactions and responses that form our daily experience.  The Full Moon is a peak of activity, interaction, and accomplishment.  An idea, project, or alliance born with the New Moon gains speed and traction in the two weeks that the Moon waxes to Full, enjoys a few days of fruition, and then loses energy as we approach the next New Moon.  Then the cycle begins again.

Given the constant repetitiveness of the cycle and its relatively short duration, you can sense that the Moon affects the rolling, repeating, personal aspects of life:  what time do you go to your desk each day?  What will you eat today?  Gassing up the car.  Pruning the roses.  Balancing your bank statement.  Weekly meetings with employees.  Paying the bills.  Washing the clothes.  Heading home from work each day.

Today, the day before the Full Moon, it’s like we’ve pushed a boulder almost all of the way up a hill. We’re so close, with just a bit more exertion we’ll top the hill and the boulder will begin to roll on its own.  And today, we’re lucky because there is an aspect between the Moon and Mars that will give us that extra push we need, a burst of will power that can take us over the top.  Keep going; you’re almost there.

Uranus in Aries, an 84 year cycle

The transition of Uranus into Aries on Thursday is a much more far-reaching event.  Unlike the monthly cycle of the Moon, the cycle of Uranus is 84 years!  Standing at the cusp of this event is like standing at the birth of a baby, or a scientific discovery, or a new government.  This is not a coming and going kind of event; it marks the beginning of a long, long cycle which will most likely outlast our lifetimes.

It’s very natural to feel in limbo at this time, or in “the neutral zone” as William Bridges defines the term in his book, Managing Transitions.  It is an in-between time that can be uncomfortable with its lack of clear direction for the future.  We know the old is dying but we don’t know yet what is being born.

So this week can potentially feel pretty weird.  One part of us resonates with the Full Moon and the push to accomplish; the other part of us feels the transition point between the old and the new and an underlying disorientation.  There’s a lot to do in our daily lives, but the bigger picture is fuzzy at best.

Does this sound about right?  There’s a fascinating interplay of energies all week.  Tomorrow, we’ll look at some suggestions for how to deal with “the neutral zone.”

For more reading on Uranus in Aries, see the category to the right.

For an overview of the week, see the Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – May 24-30

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

For more info on the planets influencing today, see

The Sun

The Moon

Mars

Uranus

Don’t forget. If you have an astrology-related business question (or a business-related astrology question) send it to me at ellen@astro4business.com. I’ll answer it in these posts, anonymously of course, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences. I look forward to it! Have a question now? Email it and let’s get started!

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Astro4Business Weekly Forecast – Welcome Uranus in Aries!

Phases of the Moon, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern hemisphere will see a mirror image of this phase. (Source:Wikipedia)

Phases of the Moon, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern hemisphere will see a mirror image of this phase. (Source:Wikipedia)

Hello, everyone.

This week is all about one thing.  Well, two, if you count the Full Moon, but the ingress of Uranus into Aries is the really big news.  I think the Full Moon with the Moon in Sagittarius and the Sun in Gemini is like a giant spotlight announcing the entrance of Uranus into Aries.  When you see the Full Moon on Thursday evening, remember that, invisible to us, Uranus is sliding over the point separating Aries from Pisces.

Uranus’ cycle around the Sun is 84 years; the last time it entered Aries was in 1927.  Since Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, this week is the beginning of a new Uranus cycle.  Aries carries the energy of new beginnings and of the establishment of differentiation from the whole.  When Uranus was in Pisces we saw the ascendancy of the group and technological breakthroughs focused on connecting across barriers.  Aries is a very different energy.  Aries is the spark of individuation that causes a person, or a country, or a movement to want to stand outside the group, to establish itself as an independent entity.  Aries is much more focused on individual achievement, on making a name for oneself separate from the crowd.

Uranus governs technology, innovation, invention, and breakthrough on a societal scale.  Let’s see:  has there been a major cycle of innovation over the last 84 years?  Let’s look at a few of the breakthroughs that happened last time Uranus was in Aries.

  • First feature length talkie  (1927)
  • Big bang theory developed by Georges Lemaitre (1927)
  • Shanghai Massacre begins Chinese Civil War (1927)
  • Oscar DePriest is the 1st black Representative elected in a Northern State in USA (1928)
  • Discovery of Penicillin and its ability to fight bacterial infection(1928)
  • First large scale Jewish-Arab violence in Jerusalem (1929)
  • Einstein presents Unified Field theory (1929)
  • Stockmarket crash, 1st financial disaster of the Great Depression (1929)
  • First analog computer, called a differential analyzer (1930)
  • Refrigerators made safe for household use (1931)
  • Electron microscope invented (1931)
  • Amelia Earhart flies the Atlantic solo (1932)
  • Atom split first time by Cockcroft and Walton (1932)
  • Roosevelt elected and utters famous statement, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (1933)
  • Nazi terror begins; Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany (1933)
  • Mao Zedong begins Long March in China (1934)
  • Securities and Exchange Commission established (1934)
  • Persia becomes Iran (1935)
  • Nazis enact Nuremberg Laws to prevent racial pollution (1935)
  • DuPont creates Nylon, the first synthetic fabric (1935)

Of course there are many more examples and many achievements outside of this particular time period.  I chose these as examples of the kind of inventiveness that marks the beginning of the cycle.  In each of these examples you can clearly see two facets:  incredible developments in society and the kind of innovations that went far beyond the beginning of the cycle and affected the whole of life over the entire Uranus cycle of 84 years.

Uranus will spend just two ½ months in Aries before, due to retrograde motion, it returns to Pisces in mid-August.  It remains in Pisces until March 2011 when it reenters Aries for the next seven years.  I think this makes the next two ½ months most interesting.  What glimmers will we see of the coming time?  I think we’ll all sense a change in the tone of societal advances and be more than willing to spend a little more time in interdependent Pisces before we step firmly into Aries next Spring.  But keep track of what’s new around you and in your business, because change is coming!

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

For more info on the planets influencing the week, see

The Sun

The Moon

Uranus

For further reading on Uranus in Aries, here are some links to articles on Uranus that were written for the International Astrology Blog Carnival last March. They lay down a good foundation, even though not strictly written for business entrepreneurs. I’ve written a short explanation of each.

Ellen says – This is a great explanation of the interplay of the energies and suggestions for how to cope. Not business, but good.

http://www.astrogirl7.com/2009/12/2010-survival-guide-coping-with-brunt.html

Ellen says – A great astrologer, Steven Forrest looks at Uranus in each of the houses of the natal chart. Not business oriented but that doesn’t stop us from making the correlations. Remember, if you don’t know where Uranus is transiting in your chart, see the sidebar. I’ll send you your chart and let you know where Uranus is.

http://www.forrestastrology.com/General-Astrology/transiting-uranus-through-the-twelve-houses

Ellen says – Molly Hall explains Uranus in Aries to teens or to anyone who’s ever been a teen. A great read based on The Fool card of the Tarot, she gives a series of tips about how to walk into the coming trend.

http://astrology.about.com/od/transitsandaspects/a/UranusAriesTeens.htm

Ellen says – CJ Wright gives us insight into Uranus by sharing her reader’s stories of their Uranus transits. The first-hand stories really give you a sense of how Uranus operates. In the comments she responds to a reader saying she thinks Uranus in Aries may be a catalyst for entrepreneurs, and I agree.

http://auntiemoon.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/uranus-in-aries-the-change-is-gonna-do-you-good/

Ellen says – This one’s really great, especially if you’re interested in Second Life, as I am. I never thought of SL as connected to Uranus before, and I wonder how it will change when Uranus moves into Aries. It’s a great read.

http://virtuallivingasecondlife.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/how-second-life-emodies-uranus-symobolism/

Don’t forget. If you have an astrology-related business question (or a business-related astrology question) send it to me at ellen@astro4business.com. I’ll answer it in these posts, anonymously of course, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences. I look forward to it! Have a question now? Email it and let’s get started!

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Jumping into Uranus in Aries

Hi, everyone.

Floor mosaic, ca. 200–250 CE. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Are you ready for change?  This post initiates our deep exploration into Uranus in Aries.  This transit signals the beginning of a long season of change for several reasons.

First, Uranus itself embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur in our businesses and our lives because of sudden breakthroughs and technological innovations.  Society is constantly moving forward and when the time comes when the traditional is just too safe and stale, the energy of Uranus bursts through the barriers and ushers in the new.

The second reason Uranus is so “front-and-center,” a military expression, is its coming ingress into Aries on May  28th.  This transition is noteworthy enough because there is always a shift when Uranus changes signs.  Innovation is seeded from different areas and when Uranus was in Pisces it was seeded in collaboration and cooperation.  When Uranus moves into Aries, there will be a shift.  What is that shift?  We will be examining that in this series of posts.

But the transition into Aries is even bigger than the usual 7-year movement from sign to sign.  Since Pisces is the last sign in the natural zodiac, and Aries is the first, we are looking at a seismic shift, the ending and beginning of an 84-year cycle.  Uranus has not been at this beginning point in the zodiac since 1928.  The whole period from 1928 to 2010 has been one long cycle of creative innovation which is now giving birth to a whole new cycle.

And then the third reason to focus on Uranus is with its ingress into Aries, it completes the Cardinal T-square formation.  We’ve been adjusting to the energy of Saturn squaring Pluto since last fall; Uranus is the new kid on the block with his own point of view to bring to the conflict.

Let’s Jump In

So we’ll be exploring all of these issues.  To begin my research, I visited all of the articles on Uranus that were written for last weekend’s International Astrology Blog Carnival.  I found several that lay down a good foundation, even though not strictly written for business entrepreneurs.  Here is a list to get you started with a short explanation.  Read the ones that interest you and we’ll continue this conversation over the next few weeks.

Ellen says – This is a great explanation of the interplay of the energies and suggestions for how to cope.  Not business, but good.

http://www.astrogirl7.com/2009/12/2010-survival-guide-coping-with-brunt.html

Ellen says – A great astrologer, Steven Forrest looks at Uranus in each of the houses of the natal chart.  Not business oriented but that doesn’t stop us from making the correlations.  Remember, if you don’t know where Uranus is transiting in your chart, see the sidebar.  I’ll send you your chart and let you know where Uranus is.

http://www.forrestastrology.com/General-Astrology/transiting-uranus-through-the-twelve-houses

Ellen says – Molly Hall explains Uranus in Aries to teens or to anyone who’s ever been a teen.  A great read based on The Fool card of the Tarot, she gives a series of tips about how to walk into the coming trend.

http://astrology.about.com/od/transitsandaspects/a/UranusAriesTeens.htm

Ellen says – CJ Wright gives us insight into Uranus by sharing her reader’s stories of their Uranus transits.  The first-hand stories really give you a sense of how Uranus operates.  In the comments she responds to a reader saying she thinks Uranus in Aries may be a catalyst for entrepreneurs, and I agree. 

http://auntiemoon.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/uranus-in-aries-the-change-is-gonna-do-you-good/

Ellen says – This one’s really great, especially if you’re interested in Second Life, as I am.  I never thought of SL as connected to Uranus before, and I wonder how it will change when Uranus moves into Aries.  It’s a great read.

http://virtuallivingasecondlife.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/how-second-life-emodies-uranus-symobolism/

Ellen says – This article, by revered astrological writer Donna Cunningham, examines the stress of relocating, which has become common and will continue.  She recommends various Flower Essences that can help calm the spirit when under this kind of challenge.

http://skywriter.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/relocating-under-fire-help-from-astrology-and-essences/

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