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Astro4Business Weekly Highlights – this Summer’s T-square

Jul 3

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 378 Comments

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

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


Hello, everyone.

Several astronomical events influence our astrological world this week, and the planet Uranus assumes retrograde motion on Saturday.  The Moon is waxing all week, which makes this a week for setting new plans in motion.  Venus and Mercury are also active, but the biggest aspect of the week is an angle of opportunity between Jupiter and Pluto.

Some background

This summer, the outer planets Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto form a configuration called a T-square in the heavens.  Saturn in Libra opposes Uranus in Aries, and Pluto forms a 90-degree angle to both.  This aspect has been in place since last summer, and the Uranus/Pluto aspect will continue until next summer.  This summer the aspects come within a couple of degrees of exact, close enough to feel, but not close enough to come to a head and force a confrontation.  This spells tension without the opportunity to actually address and relieve it.

When a major configuration involves outer planets, we generally experience the aspect in our peripheral vision.  We hear about the struggles happening in distant lands, or we know that major institutions are being shaken to their knees.  It affects us, but not in our personal or business lives.  This week features a few transits that bring these global issues into our local spheres.

Jupiter/Pluto

Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, forms an excellent aspect with Pluto in Capricorn this week.  If you’ve been struggling with transitions or if the breakdowns in the economy have been shaking the structure of your business, this week can secure your foundations again.  There is potential for practical solutions this week, which you can invite through earnest effort and a bit of trust.  Change has come; this week you’ll recognize the benefits of that change and start looking forward to the future again.  This is important, so keep your eyes open.

Since the aspect between Jupiter and Pluto is in earth signs, we’re not looking for something subtle.  Concrete manifestation is more likely but sometimes this aspect feels so good we miss the fact that some action is required.  An opportunity that comes your way this week can carry you far into the future, so grab it when it comes.

Venus and the T-square

Venus, the planet of material rewards and interrelationships, meets up with the Saturn/Uranus/Pluto T-square, as well as Jupiter and Neptune this week.  Having just entered the sign of Cancer, she’s spending the week negotiating peace treaties among all the players.  If we can just treat each other like family, she says, then we can all reach prosperity together.

Venus is no lightweight.  We tend to personalize her because she represents a part of ourselves that is easy to feel and operates in our day-to-day lives.  But as one of the emissaries of the Sun, she acts as an agent of our essential purpose in life through forming relationships with others.  No matter what may be happening in the wider world, this week Venus bridges opposing parties and reminds us that collaboration beats competition every time.  For us this means staying alert, seizing the moment, and choosing to nurture and protect everyone within our sphere, from employees to competitors to our human family as a whole.

Mercury and the T-square

Mercury, the planet of reason and intellect, is also in the mix this week.  Another agent of our conscious will, Mercury translates our intention into communications and problem-solving.  The new, the technological, the innovative will flow into our thoughts this week; keep yourself open to radical viewpoints and inventive solutions to technical difficulties.  Mercury is with both Uranus and Jupiter this week, which can lead to exciting breakthroughs.  Later in the week, a supportive Mercury/Saturn aspect brings the discipline and perseverance to settle the buzz of the week into a practical implementation plan.

Uranus Retrograde

Happy July 4th!

Uranus represents originality and unconventionality, either the brilliant genius or the willful rebel without a cause. Each year Uranus spends five months in retrograde motion.  Retrograde motion is a visual event rather than an astronomical one.  From our vantage point on earth, it looks like the planet begins to move backward against the backdrop of the constellations.

When Uranus entered the sign of Aries a few months ago, we were probably flooded with new ideas for our businesses, innovations we couldn’t wait to try, a restructuring whose time had finally come.  We may have been “on fire” with potential and possibility.

Especially with unpredictable Uranus in impulsive, risk-loving Aries, the innovations we’ve been so fired up about could probably use a second look.  This is the gift of retrograde motion – it gives us a chance to retrace our steps, to check initial results against expectations, and to correct decisions before they can do real damage.

When a planet moves into retrograde motion, we can experience reversals and disruptions for a week on either side.  The tricky part about an outer planet like Uranus is that the reversals could well seem to be coming from forces outside yourself:  that new project doesn’t get approved after all, that funding doesn’t come through as scheduled.  If this is your experience, take a step back.  Uranus can act suddenly and swiftly but after a couple of weeks, as we adjust to the retrograde energy, we’ll discover the purpose for the setback.  And then we’ll be thanking our lucky stars!

Have a wonderful week!  Happy Independence Day to everyone in the U.S.
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For an overview of the month, see Astro4Business Month Ahead – July 2011

For an overview of the year, check out these posts:

Pluto’s Journey through 2011

Neptune Swimming through 2011

Uranus Flashes through 2011

To read more about the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Moon

Mercury

Venus

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Pluto

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Month Ahead – July 2011

Jul 2

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 81 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for July, 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 activities.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn, where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to the structures of our world:  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, leaving no stone unturned.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and while Pluto is in Capricorn we will systematically bring about the end of 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.

Pluto has been in retrograde motion since April.  If you’ve been working with an old problem you thought you had resolved, excavate any lingering issues and put them finally to rest.

To read more about Pluto in Capricorn and its impact on your chart this year, see Pluto’s Journey through 2011.

Neptune in Pisces

Neptune begins and ends the month at home in Pisces.  Neptune in Pisces begins a shift from the intellectual associations and words-based networking that were common for the last thirteen years when Neptune was in Aquarius, to connections based on feelings and shared beliefs.

Neptune turned retrograde on June 3, it annual retreat back through the heavens until next November.   When the distant planet Neptune turns retrograde, we are likely to see its effects in society.  Retrograde motion is a time of revisiting what has happened in the past, this time back to February 2011.  Look for reversals or reexaminations of decisions regarding health care, oil drilling (Neptune rules oil and liquids of all kinds), the creative arts, drugs legislation, and shipping, to name a few areas.  If your business is involved in any of these industries, be prepared for lack of clarity until November.

To read more about Neptune in Pisces and its impact on your chart this year, see Neptune Swimming through 2011.

Uranus in Aries

Uranus left the sign Pisces and entered Aries in March beginning a new 84-year cycle of scientific and political innovation.  Uranus embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological inventions.  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.

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.  We may seek opportunities 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.

On July 9, Uranus enters its annual period of retrograde motion, which will last until December.  With Uranus retrograde, there could be a disruption of the innovative energy of the last few months.  You may begin to feel ambivalent or dissatisfied with your new ideas and initiatives.

This feeling of dissatisfaction is common in the first few weeks of a retrograde cycle.  This is not to say that you should abandon your new projects.  The retrograde part of the cycle is the perfect time to develop and test ideas and reevaluate your tactics and approach.  Use this time to discern which of your ideas have lasting value and which have limited potential.  Ideally, you will see yourself as an explorer in unknown territory, as Erin Sullivan says in her excellent book, Retrograde Planets. This is the time to test your new strategy before you invest too heavily.

To read more about Uranus in Aries and its impact on your chart this year, see Uranus Flashes through 2011.

Saturn in Libra

Saturn in Libra is the antithesis of Uranus in Aries.  It counsels patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships, which leads to cooperation and mutual support.  This planet of structure and discipline provides 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 resumed direct motion on June 12.  Don’t be surprised if you have the sense you’re repeating the past in your business or career; until the end of September, Saturn will be covering the same degrees for the third time.  Remember, the third time’s the charm!

Jupiter in Taurus

On June 4, Jupiter entered the earthy sign Taurus.  Jupiter, the planet of expansion, in Taurus, the sign of physical, tangible objects, spells material abundance.  Sounds good, doesn’t it?  Taurus represents the natural fecundity of the earth:  trees beginning to fruit, cows full with milk, greening pastures.  In nature, Taurus is the time when the initial spark of spring settles into solid growth.

With Jupiter in Taurus, it’s time for us to turn our attention to practical matters.  We can codify our expansion plans and build systems that will insure lasting success.  It’s a time for slow, steady growth and long-term investment.  Think, “Built to Last.”

Mars in Gemini

When Mars moved into Gemini on June 20, we may have started spinning our wheels.  Perhaps we have too many projects vying for our attention, or too many interests pulling us in different directions.  The best use of this energy?  Learning and teaching, intellectual exploring, gathering new information, and training. This energy is also excellent for creating new distribution channels for goods and services, both transportation-based and the virtual kind.

Venus in Gemini/Cancer/Leo

We start the month with Venus in Gemini, but on the 3rd she transitions into Cancer.  When Venus is in Gemini, we are extroverted, chatty, and love nothing more than to sprinkle our attention across many projects and many people.  With Venus in Cancer we relate more empathically, expressing more nurturing and understanding.   Relationships with customers, partners, and employees may feel more maternal than professional yet fortune lies in our ability to treat people like our own family at this time.  This is a great time for company barbeques and celebrations.

On June 28, Venus moves into Leo.  This begins a few weeks of fun.  Venus indicates what makes people happy, creative, and productive and Leo loves showmanship, competition, games, and sports.  To build camaraderie, try a company softball game or online video tournament.  Company culture is a key component of success.  Venus in Leo is a great time to build a collaborative culture through fun and games, showcasing individual talent.

Mercury in Cancer/Leo/Virgo

Mercury begins the month in Cancer but moves into Leo on the 2nd.  When Mercury enters Leo, conversations and communications become showy and dramatic.  Sales presentations should include a bit of flash and a bit of fun.  Just warn your sales team not to come off as cocky or overconfident, which is sure to turn people off.  Make sure your customer remains the center of attention at this time.

Mercury in Virgo at the end of the month is great for writing, documentation, and detailed project plans.  Also great for getting that bookkeeping caught up!

Sun in Cancer/Leo

While the Sun is in Cancer until the 22nd, make extra time for your employees and customers.  Make sure you understand what they need and nurture these relationships sensitively.

When the Sun moves into Leo, step into the limelight.  As the leader of your team, this is the time of year par excellence to set direction and reinforce your authority.  You may become hypersensitive to issues of loyalty, recognizing who is really on your team, and who is just passing through.  Of course, loyalty is a two way street, usually only given when it is received in kind.

Phases of the Moon

There was a New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse in Cancer on July 1(MDT), waxing to Full in Capricorn on July 15.  There is another New Moon on July 30 in Leo.  Look for a new start early in the month in whichever house in your chart contains 9 degrees Cancer, then again at the end of the month in whichever house contains 7 degrees Leo.  (If you need a copy of your chart, see the box in the sidebar to request one free.)

Monthly Recap

There is some tension building in the skies this month, as Uranus in Aries comes within two degrees of a square to Pluto in Capricorn.  Jupiter arbitrates the dispute until the 19th, linking Uranus and Pluto together with wise counsel and benevolence.  But after the 19th, all the gloves are off and we may sidle up to a conflict between big systems and the desire for independence.  I say “sidle up” because this aspect does not become exact until next summer when we can expect a real revolution.  This summer we’ll feel the stirrings of future change.

Here’s a treat:

Are you in astrological overwhelm?  Check out this link on my other blog for 5 simple ways to get your feet wet in astrology without drowning. Astrology is so Vast; Where Do I Start?

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

Key Dates for the Month

July 1               New Moon; Partial Solar Eclipse

July 2               Mercury enters Leo

July 3               Venus enters Cancer

July 9               Uranus assumes retrograde motion

July 15             Full Moon in Capricorn

July 22             Sun enters Leo

July 28             Mercury enters Virgo; Venus enters Leo

July 30             New Moon in Leo

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For an overview of the year, check out these posts:

Pluto’s Journey through 2011

Neptune Swimming through 2011

Uranus Flashes through 2011

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Month Ahead – June 2011

May 31

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 50 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for June, 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 activities.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn, where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to the structures of our world:  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.

Pluto is still in retrograde motion.  If you’ve been working with an old problem you thought you had resolved, excavate any lingering issues and put them finally to rest.

To read more about Pluto in Capricorn and its impact on your chart this year, see Pluto’s Journey through 2011.

Neptune in Pisces

Neptune begins the month at home in Pisces.  Neptune in Pisces begins a shift from the intellectual associations and words-based networking which were common for the last thirteen years when Neptune was in Aquarius, to connections based on feelings and shared beliefs.

Neptune comes to a virtual standstill on June 3 and begins apparent retrograde motion, commencing its annual retreat back through the heavens until next November.   When the distant planet Neptune turns retrograde we are likely to see its effects in society.  Retrograde motion is a time of revisiting what has happened in the past, this time back to February 2011.  Look for reversals or reexaminations of decisions regarding health care, oil drilling (Neptune rules oil and liquids of all kinds), the creative arts, drugs legislation, and shipping, to name a few areas.  If your business is involved in any of these industries, be prepared for some lack of clarity until November.

To read more about Neptune in Pisces and its impact on your chart this year, see Neptune Swimming through 2011.

Uranus in Aries

Uranus left the sign Pisces and entered Aries in March beginning a brand new 84-year cycle of scientific and political innovation.  Uranus embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological inventions.  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.

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.  We may seek opportunities 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.

To read more about Uranus in Aries and its impact on your chart this year, see Uranus Flashes through 2011.

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 concludes its annual period of retrograde motion on June 12.  You may find yourself restarting a partnership or work alliance you thought you left behind last October.  If so, you’ll have a lot more information now to make solid progress this time.  Don’t be surprised if you have the sense you’re repeating the past; until the end of September Saturn will be covering the same degrees for the third time now.  Remember, the third time’s the charm!

Jupiter in Aries/Taurus

For much of the last year, Jupiter has been in Aries.  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.

On June 4, Jupiter enters the sign Taurus.  Jupiter, the planet of expansion, in Taurus, the sign of physical, tangible objects, spells material abundance.  Sounds good, doesn’t it?  Taurus represents the natural abundance of the earth, trees beginning to fruit, cows full with milk, greening pastures.  In nature, this is the time when the initial spark of spring settles into solid growth.  It’s also time for us to settle down.

Many people are burned-out from Jupiter’s sojourn through Aries.  Risk-taking and expansion have been the keywords of the time.  Now is the time to codify those good ideas and to build systems that will insure lasting success.  It’s a time for slow, steady growth and long-term investment.  Think, “Built to Last.”

Mars in Taurus/Gemini

Mars is in Taurus until June 20.  This is the time for patient and persistent work.  Mars in Taurus is a builder, piece by piece, nail by nail, bringing vision into concrete form.

When Mars moves into Gemini, we can lose focus.  Our interests may become scattered and we may find ourselves spinning our wheels for a while.  The best use of this energy?  Learning and teaching, handing on to others what you know, mentoring, studying, and training.  It’s also excellent for building distribution channels for goods and services, both transportation based and virtual.

Venus in Taurus/Gemini

Venus is in her home sign of Taurus until June 9.  Venus in Taurus turns our attention toward security, the real-world kind, the kind with dollar signs.  We want to invest in bricks and mortar and build relationships which will stand over time.

Venus in Gemini is very different.  When Venus is in Gemini, we are extroverted, chatty, and love nothing more than to sprinkle our attention across many projects and many people. We are happiest when we’re out and about, furthering our network and negotiating.

Mercury in Taurus/Gemini/Cancer

Mercury in Taurus brings a stabilizing influence to your mind and careful, productive communications.  But on June 2, Mercury enters its home sign Gemini.  When Mercury moves into Gemini, conversation and networking become the order of the day.  Immerse yourself in knowledge and data, and the more sources the better:  books, magazines, news, email, social media, and face-to-face all yield important clues about where your business is heading and the steps to take to get there.

After less than two weeks in its favorite sign, Mercury moves on into Cancer on June 16.  When Mercury travels through Cancer, your employees may prefer a one-on-one conversation rather than the most brilliant presentation.  And your customers want to feel you listen to them rather than be dazzled by cleverness.  Meet with everyone who needs your attention.  This is a good time to spell out your vision and gain people’s loyalty.

Sun in Gemini/Cancer

The Sun in Gemini is the perfect time for sales and communication, press releases, and for disseminating your company news as widely as possible.  It may be time to add to your sales force or start a company blog to broadcast your product as widely as possible.  Communicate, communicate, communicate.  Just be sure you only promise what you can deliver.

When the Sun moves into Cancer and through the Solstice on June 21, it brings a time of adjustment, correction, or fine-tuning.  Take all of the feedback you gained when the Sun was in Gemini and use the action-oriented Solstice energy to respond to the needs of your customers.  Make whatever changes will add value to your business.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Gemini on June 1 (MDT), waxing to Full in Sagittarius on June 15.  The Gemini New Moon is also a Partial Solar Eclipse and the Full Moon is a Total Lunar Eclipse.  Look for a new start on the New Moon in whichever house in your chart contains 11 degrees Gemini.  For me, that’s the 12th house, spirituality and service.  (If you need a copy of your chart, see the box in the sidebar to request one free.)

Monthly Recap

This is a month of change, with most of the planets either changing sign or direction.  Add to that two eclipses and this becomes a power month, one that ends in a very different place than it began.  But there are no major difficult aspects to the outer planets this month, so it should be a month of progress.  If you keep it loose, it may even be fun!

Are you in astrological overwhelm?  Check out this link on my other blog for 5 simple ways to get your feet wet in astrology without drowning. Astrology is so Vast; Where Do I Start?

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

Key Dates for the Month

June 1              New Moon; Partial Solar Eclipse

June 2              Mercury enters Gemini

June 3              Neptune assumes retrograde motion

June 4              Jupiter enters Taurus

June 9              Venus enters Gemini

June 12            Saturn assumes direct motion

June 15            Full Moon; Total Lunar Eclipse

June 16            Mercury enters Cancer

June 20            Mars enters Gemini

June 21            Sun enters Cancer; Solstice

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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.

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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Cisco Systems Update: Uranus in Aries

May 24

Posted by Ellen Longo in Businesses in the news, Uranus in Aries | 36 Comments

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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The Summer Ahead: Action!

May 23

Posted by Ellen Longo in Current Events, Uranus/Pluto Square | 8 Comments

Hello everyone.

The following is an excerpt from a Straight to the Point Response I prepared for a client last week.  As I spoke about the general influences coming up this summer, I realized that the advice is applicable to all of us so I thought I’d share it on this blog.  It addresses the Uranus/Pluto square in place over the next two years and how we might experience this aspect in our businesses.  The client is beginning a new community service this summer but my remarks apply to any new project you may be starting.  I’ve taken out all of the personal references stemming from the individual situation to maintain the client’s anonymity. This is a transcript of an audio recording, pretty much word for word, so you may want to read it as if listening to a talk rather than reading a document. Use this next link to learn about modern Business Finance.

Phoenix depicted in the book of mythological creatures by F.J. Bertuch (1747-1822). (Source:Wikipedia)

I wanted to talk about the coming summer in general and how your project fits in with what the whole world is going through this summer.  I’m sure you’re aware of the major aspect in the sky right now, which is Uranus newly in Aries squaring Pluto in Capricorn.   This is an influence that permeates the whole world and we can certainly see it in some of the political situations that are happening right now.  I wanted to talk about it because if we were to make a chart of the endeavor you’re starting, it would have this major Uranus/Pluto aspect in the natal chart of its birth.  Anything that is birthed now will have this aspect.  It’s the undergirding of what we’re all doing in our day to day lives right now and anything that is born now will reflect the energy of this major square.  The aspect is not exact until next summer but it gets very, very close to exact; it’s certainly close enough to be a major factor influencing whatever is born at this time.

It’s a great time for building something that serves the community; Uranus is a force concerned with bringing community together.  Uranus rules community and groups of all kinds.  But this summer Uranus is in conflict with Pluto.  Pluto is the planet of breaking things down and transforming things, of releasing the energy that is trapped in things.  I think your endeavor can do this also, but not without stresses and tension in trying to accomplish what you’re hoping to accomplish regarding the community.  You can see this Uranus/Pluto square now in many places around the world.  Pluto in Capricorn is a very solid, almost stuck energy and it’s very stable.  This is not to say it’s stable in establishing what is good or righteous and Uranus is trying to break through or break down or free things that have gotten very stuck.  Pluto’s a pretty powerful planet but so is Uranus.  It’s like two titans in the sky, both in an intractable frame of mind.

But the square is in cardinal signs, Aries and Capricorn, and how we are meant to respond to this kind of impasse is to take action.  This is not the time to be passive or to feel that the powers that be are more powerful than we are.  Especially with Uranus in Aries we’re all meant to take action and to believe that we can have an impact.  As challenging and intractable as this impasse is, we can actually make a difference using these same energies, which will affect our lives, the lives of our communities, and the life of the world.  You can see this same energy fomenting the revolutions in the Mideast because people are feeling that as individuals we have power to make a difference and that what we do individually actually has an impact on the world around us.

Intractable Square (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

With a square the energy is so powerful and hard to deal with that sometimes we project one part or the other.  But the point is that both the Pluto and Uranus archetypes are in play, in each of us and throughout our world.  Sometimes it becomes so difficult to reconcile two energies when they are in a challenging angle to each other that we project one side or the other, or if there are two of us involved in a project, one person may play one role and the other may play another role.  The person playing Uranus in Aries might be seen as the innovator, the risk-taker, the one who wants to break free of the past, to begin something new, something creative and inventive.  Another party, either your community in general or one of the two of you, might play the person more in the power seat, more connected to the structures already in place or more content with what has been traditionally acceptable in the past.  For example, your project could be an upstart and there is another established group you may be in conflict with.  Or you guys may be part of the established structure that honors the traditions of your community and someone else may be coming in and trying to foment a revolution, be the upstart, the new kid on the block.

Both of these energies are in play and both are part of your endeavor.  So if you run into one of the two corners of this energy, either the upstart innovator or the tradition-bound system, just remember that both of these are part of the birth of your endeavor.  They will both stamp your endeavor, and they both have a lot to give your endeavor because there is a great deal of energy generated as we try to manage this conflict throughout the world and in our lives.

Capricorn Glyph (Source:Wikipedia)

One of the symbolic representations of Pluto is the phoenix, the mythical bird that immolates itself and then rises from the ashes of its former self.  This energy is very much in our environment these days also.  As I thought about this for your project, I wanted to say that this symbol is one you should take advantage of now.  Just like the phoenix is resurrected from the ashes of its former self, our role right now is to dig in the ashes of our former selves, the ashes of the past, and recognize those things that were valid; talents you developed, strengths you cultivated, and innovations you made can be carried into this new endeavor.  You shouldn’t assume that everything from the past should be scrapped.   There are good solid innovations from the past that can be brought into the present.  There are valuable resources in what you are bringing to this new project.  Even if the past is no more, there are still valid ideas and valid creative expressions that can be brought into the current endeavor.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t let things go; you should.  That’s what Pluto in Capricorn is all about, systems and structures that have been in place for a long time that have become tradition-bound and need to fall, to topple and to be reborn.  But look for the baby to keep, so to speak, as you empty the bathwater.

Uranus in Aries begins a new 84-year cycle.  There’s a lot of energy right now for new beginnings.  It actually harmonizes in a way with Pluto in Capricorn because Pluto in Capricorn is about breaking down old structures, any that have become dead, decayed, and in need of rebirth.  And then Uranus in Aries comes along and says, this is the way I’m going to do it:  revolution, power to the people, power to the community, something new, something that we haven’t tried before.  These two together spell a time of change and the establishment of new unique ideas.  It’s a great time to think in completely unique and creative ways, to try things you’ve never tried before, or have never been attempted by anyone before.  It’s a time to really let your creative imagination be free, and not just because we’re each individually channeling this energy of revolution and change.  But our customers, the people who partake of our creative endeavors and products, will also be ready for something different, something unique, something new – we’re all ready to let the past be the past and to step into a new paradigm.

Aries Glyph (Source: Wikipedia)

Uranus in Aries is very entrepreneurial and individualistic, so the innovations and changes are coming through the individual.  Uranus operates through groups very well but each person in the group is going to want to express himself or herself individually.  It might be more difficult than usual to have people work as an ensemble, to get everyone to sing the same note, metaphorically speaking.  You may have to build this understanding into your operations because each person feels they have something to give that is unique and individual and is willing to stand alone to offer it.  You’ll have to account for the lone wolf who wants their own unique voice to be heard and if you do, that wolf will join you in the pack.

And lastly I wanted to say to expect the unexpected.  With Uranus in Aries we’ll all be surprised that what we think we’re doing, well, the future is anybody’s guess as to where it’s going to go. So hold to your plan loosely.  I think your idea is great and the endeavor will be successful but hold it loosely so that as time unfolds it can change.  I think change is going to be a big feature of the coming couple of years: change is a keyword of both Uranus and Pluto.   Change will be part of any endeavor being born at this time.  So hold your enterprise in a way that you can allow it to change, maybe even often and maybe dramatically.

For a specific time of unpredictability, the whole first half of the month of August is a very volatile time.  There are very close aspects with Mars, Uranus, and Pluto which bring lots of energy and lots of instability.  There are likely to be major decisions you need to take or challenges you need to deal with at that time and you’ll need to actively guide the ship through some rough waters.  Remember to take the wheel and steer.

At this point I addressed their situation in a more personal manner, looking at their natal charts, current transiting planets affecting their charts, and suggesting some dates for incorporation.  But the above is guidance for all of us to keep in mind as this time of change begins.

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For more on Uranus and Pluto during 2011, see:

Uranus Flashes through 2011

Pluto’s Journey 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.

To read more about the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

Uranus

Pluto

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Weekly Highlights – Alert!

May 22

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 8 Comments

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

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


Hello everyone.

This week continues this month’s relatively easy and fulfilling trend.  No difficult planetary aspects mark the sky and in fact, there’s a couple which are full of promise, supportive and invigorating.  We’re in the waning phase of the Moon, with its tone of letting go of the current projects on our desks, and we’re beginning to prepare for the next monthly cycle which begins with the Solar Partial Eclipse on June 1st.

Monday

This is an excellent day for coming to agreements, ones that will stand the test of time.  With Venus conjunct Mars in Taurus, there’s an ability to commit to a lasting bond and to put that commitment to practical use.  Each time two planets meet in the sky it brings energies together in a new way for a new cycle.  This week’s meeting forges a new bond between our creative juices and the ability to take the action necessary to reach tangible outcomes.  It can set up a cycle that will continue to produce results until the next time Venus and Mars come together, which is in April 2013.

How can you take advantage of today’s conjunction?  Put your creative team together with your operations people; you could be surprised how well they work together and the practical yet elegant solutions they come up with.  You don’t have to do it yourself today; the people around you can take the reins and set the new cycle in motion.

If you’re a one-or-two person shop like I am, grounded, steady work today will lead to great results.  It may be slow-going and tedious at times but just take up one concrete task after another.  At the end of the day you’ll have produced something valuable, something with legs that will set a firm foundation for the next couple of years.

Wednesday

Uranus entered Aries earlier this year, marking the beginning of a new 84-year cycle of innovation and invention.  Initiative, spontaneity, change, and breakthrough are some of the keywords of Uranus in Aries.

On Wednesday, with the Sun in Gemini forming a sextile to Uranus, you are likely to encounter information which gives you a peek into where this new Uranus cycle is taking you.  You could recognize an opportunity for growth and development; something that may have been lingering in the back of your mind could take shape.  Take the time to synthesize information from a number of sources and you’ll see the pattern.  This is an energizing aspect, bright and alert.

Go easy on the coffee this week though; this Sun/Uranus aspect will provide plenty of nervous energy and caffeine may jangle your nerves just a little too much.

Have a great week!

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

To read more about the business descriptions of the planets mentioned today, see

The Sun

The Moon

Venus

Mars

Uranus

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Month Ahead – May 2011

Apr 30

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead | 7 Comments

Solar_system
Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for May, 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 activities.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn, where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to the structures of our world:  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.

Pluto turned retrograde on April 9.  You may have noticed a reversal which will lead you back to a problem you thought you had resolved.  If so, you’re not quite finished with it yet.  Excavate any lingering issues and put them finally to rest.

To read more about Pluto in Capricorn and its impact on your chart this year, see Pluto’s Journey through 2011.

Neptune in Pisces

Neptune begins the month at home in Pisces.  Neptune in Pisces begins a shift from the intellectual associations and words-based networking which were common for the last thirteen years when Neptune was in Aquarius, to connections based on feelings and shared beliefs.  New groups will form around a unified vision for the future.  Borders will shift as disparate groups come together and merge into one larger whole while other sectors dissolve.  New tools and technology will pervade our business processes based on changing media which will allow for more spontaneous creativity.  We will incorporate the senses more and more into products and services.  Look for breakthroughs in medical fields including alternative medicine and mental and emotional health.

To read more about Neptune in Pisces and its impact on your chart this year, see Neptune Swimming through 2011.

Uranus in Aries

Uranus left the sign Pisces and entered Aries in March beginning a brand new 84-year cycle of scientific and political innovation.  Uranus embodies the principle of change, especially the kind of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological inventions.  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.

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.  We may seek opportunities 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.

To read more about Uranus in Aries and its impact on your chart this year, see Uranus Flashes through 2011.

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.

Jupiter in Aries

In January Jupiter entered Aries, where it will be until June 4.  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.

Jupiter in Aries begins 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.  This is a time of expansion, new projects, and bold moves.

Mars in Aries/Taurus

Mars is in Aries until May 11.  Use these first days of May to initiate new ideas and fresh projects while the Aries energy fuels us with vitality.  Your staff will enjoy a challenge, contest, or competition.

When Mars moves into Taurus on the 11th you’ll notice a definite shift in energy.  This is the time to take the best of the ideas generated while Mars was in Aries and begin the patient and persistent work it will take to bring them to fruition.  Mars in Taurus is a builder, piece by piece, nail by nail, bringing your vision into concrete form.

Venus in Aries/Taurus

Venus is in Aries until May 15 when she too transitions into Taurus.  Venus in Aries is the time to initiate new relationships and present bold propositions:  the flashier, the better.

Venus is Taurus is a very different energy.  Venus in Taurus is less heady and more sensual.  This is a great time to woo new customers and colleagues by exhibiting your emphasis on excellent value and long-lasting relationships.  Spend that marketing expense account and if you don’t have one, eke out some money from somewhere to take your best prospect to a fine restaurant.  Appeal to the senses while Venus is in Taurus.

Mercury in Aries/Taurus

Mercury also moves into Taurus on May 15.  While Mercury is still in Aries, keep talking, envisioning, inventing, and persuading.

When Mercury moves into Taurus you’ll notice a stabilizing influence return to your mind and your communications will be much more careful and productive.  Remember to have patience with yourself and others if you lose that spark you had when Mercury was in Aries.  What you gain is the ability to actually plan and implement those great ideas, albeit at a slower pace.

Sun in Taurus/Gemini

The Sun is in Taurus until May 21 and then moves into chatty, intellectual Gemini.  The Sun in Taurus brings form and functionality to your business.  The Sun in Gemini brings the energy of exchange and interchange.  Get out from behind your desk and meet and greet people.  This is a time of sharing your thoughts and gathering ideas from others.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Taurus on May 3 (MDT), waxing to Full in Scorpio on May 17.  Look for a new start on the New Moon in whichever house in your chart contains 12 degrees Taurus.  For me, that’s the 11th house, community and group endeavors.  (If you need a copy of your chart, see the box in the sidebar to request one free.)

Monthly Recap

After a few months of high energy, high impact Aries energy, our activities will settle down this month with Mars, Venus, and Mercury moving into Taurus. There are no changes in any of the outer planets either, in terms of sign or retrograde motion.  Add to this that there are no truly difficult aspects between any planets this month so we’ll have time to take a breather, enjoy the spring or autumn, and conserve our energy for the future.  Steady and sure-footed are the keywords this month.

Are you in astrological overwhelm?  Check out this link on my other blog for 5 simple ways to get your feet wet in astrology without drowning.  Astrology is so Vast; Where Do I Start?

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

Key Dates for the Month

May 3              New Moon in Taurus

May 11            Mars enters Taurus

May 15            Mercury enters Taurus; Venus enters Taurus

May 17            Full Moon in Scorpio

May 21            Sun enters Gemini

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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.

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 – Lightning followed by soft rain

Mar 20

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 9 Comments

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

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

Hello everyone.

This week features the waning Moon, a Sun/Uranus conjunction, and a visit from Venus, which is always a good thing.

The Waning Moon

The two weeks following the Full Moon is the time to round the bend and start heading toward the next new beginning.  In order to be fully open and prepared for whatever is next, we need to bring our current projects to completion, hand them in or hand them off, and then document, archive and clear our workspaces.  This first week after the Full Moon brings energy to adjust your project based on input from others and to finalize your work.  Even if you didn’t get everything done that you wanted to, time will move us on.  So find a good stopping point and begin your cleaning up and clearing away.

Sun/Uranus Together Again

On Monday we have our annual Sun/Uranus conjunction.  Conjunctions are when two planets (in astrology we often refer to the Sun and Moon as planets, just for the sake of consistent language) come together at the exact same degree in the arc of the sky.  Since the Sun travels through the entire zodiac in one year, every year it conjuncts each of the other planets.

Conjunctions are times of new beginnings, new input, new perspectives, and new possibilities.  Uranus has moved into Aries recently so this is the first time the Sun has met Uranus in Aries in 84 years.

The Sun is the most conscious part of ourselves.  It represents our identity, our essential nature, and our role as leaders in our businesses.  Uranus embodies the principle of change, especially the kinds of transitions that occur because of sudden breakthroughs and technological innovations.  Uranus bursts through barriers like lightning and ushers in the new.

With the Sun hand in hand with Uranus this week we are likely to experience a heightened sense of possibility along with a desire to break our business out of its mold.  Depending on your nature, you may feel an excess of nervous, intellectual energy or you may feel annoyed with things moving too fast, too soon.  Either way it’s important to stay open for new insight this week.  You could get a message straight from the future that can guide you for the next year.  You wouldn’t want to miss that, right?

Venus joins Neptune

At the end of the week Venus is in conjunction with Neptune, also an annual event.  We haven’t heard much from Venus lately; she’s been overwhelmed by the machinations of the outer planets.  But this is her week to shine.

Venus and Neptune have a lot in common.  They are both concerned with values, assets, fashion, trends, creativity and public relations.  The difference is that Venus operates in our local environment and Neptune operates in distant time and space.  But these two together can form a bridge that brings the whole world right to your business doorstep.

Venus Enthroned, by Henrietta Rae 1905. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Venus with Neptune is an excellent time to cast your net far and wide.  I once took a Performance Communication training with the excellent Isabel Anderson.  One of the exercises we did was to envision ourselves picking up a huge fishing net and flinging it as far as we could toward the distant horizon.  We actually went through the motions of picking up the heavy net, throwing it with all our might, and then waiting and imagining it unfurling further and further into the distance.  The point was to cast our intention over everything, to envelope everything, to connect with others further and further afield.

This is a good image for this week as we approach the Venus/Neptune conjunction.    We can understand this week how much our success is connected to the success of all people; we can develop relationships with colleagues in far distant realms; we can interact around the world, as far as our imaginations can capture.

Venus and the Sea

Then on Sunday Venus enters the sign Pisces where she’ll be travelling until April 20.  Venus is exalted in the sign of the sea which means she brings her best when she’s passing through this sign.  Pisces lends Venus compassion, alignment, and a spirit of service to others.  In business, you’ll find yourself more in tune with your customers and employees; it will be easy to anticipate other people’s needs.  I have high hopes that Venus in Pisces will sprinkle a soft drizzle over the fire of so many planets in Aries.    In your business and in the world, look for conflict to simmer down and creativity and diplomacy to soar.

Have a wonderful week!

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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.(This service is suspended until May 1, 2011 as I’m out of the country.)

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

For more information on the business aspects of the planets mentioned today, see

Venus

Uranus

Neptune

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Weekly Highlights – Fleet-footed Mercury

Mar 13

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Week | 6 Comments

Today is the anniversary of the day German-born British astronomer and composer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus (pictured) in 1781 while in the garden of his house in Bath, Somerset, England, thinking it was a comet.(Source:Wikipedia)

Hello everyone.

Mercury continues to be bright and active this week.  After last week’s conjunction to Uranus and square to Pluto, this week the messenger of the gods joins Jupiter in Aries on Tuesday and then opposes Saturn in Libra on Friday.  This sets up a powerful Full Moon on Saturday in Mercury’s sign, Virgo, and then the Equinox, Vernal or Autumnal, on Sunday.

Mercury joins Jupiter in Aries – Excitement!

Mercury represents our intellectual faculties and rules all kinds of meetings, communications, written and verbal interactions, negotiations, and transportation.  As the conscious part of our mind, he travels in two directions:  into our subconscious, gathering subtle impressions to bring to our awareness, and into the world around us, bringing external information to consciousness, too.

Mercury with Jupiter in Aries is immensely creative.  New ideas sprout with fervor, an abundance of inspiration taking us into new territory and beyond.  This does not mean every idea is a good one; this energy is big on enthusiasm and short on practicality.

Big plans under this aspect carry big risks too, and new projects can ignite suddenly and then die away after the initial enthusiasm.  This is not to say that there is nothing worthwhile in all this excitement.  The bridge that Mercury forms to Jupiter can alert us to opportunities and our intuition will be in high gear.  We just need to know that some of our ideas may be flashes in the pan.  Enjoy the energy, but don’t invest in it yet.

Mercury opposes Saturn in Libra – Circumspection

Toward the end of the week a healthy dose of Saturnian energy will bring matters down to earth.  The Mercury/Jupiter energy will have us running in different directions, bearing our own flag; the Mercury/Saturn energy will remind us of the requirement to work with others and to put practical plans in place if we really want to accomplish something.  Mercury/Saturn will alert us that agreements should be in writing, and that contracts should be signed, sealed, and delivered, not just sitting on someone’s desk somewhere.  Saturn helps us with the practicalities that give our ideas legs and protects us from going too far, too fast.

The Saturn energy may seem to come from outside authorities, the boss, or the investors, your accountant, someone demanding you to slow down and pay attention.  Or you may have to be the one to put the brakes on your team’s imagination.

Don’t be surprised if the optimism of the early part of the week turns into discouragement by the end.  Actually, balance is needed between the two.  So I’d say take the week as it comes.  Be excited by new information in the early part of the week, and then focus on plans for implementation in the latter part.

Full Moon in Virgo – Presentation

The waxing energy of the Moon all week will contribute to accomplishment and when it is Full on Saturday it’s time to display our latest project.  This is presentation time; you’ve taken your latest effort as far as it will go and it’s time to let it stand on its own.  With the Full Moon in Virgo, a technical, detailed presentation will capture everyone’s attention.

Equinox – Celebration

Sunday is the Equinox, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the Southern.  Half way between the longest and the shortest day of the year, this is a turning point in the annual cycle of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.  It’s time to take stock:  how far have you come since the December Solstice?  Are you on track with your goals for the year?  Is there a course correction you need to make?

I think a celebration is in order for Sunday.  This year may have been difficult so far but the Equinox brings a shift and the first day of Aries can make everything fresh and new.  Let’s welcome the new energy with space for a new perspective!

Have a wonderful week and let me know how it all pans out.

This Just In

As I was finishing this post I heard from a client.  She was checking in about last week’s ingress of Uranus into Aries and linking this to the earthquake and nuclear reactor explosion in Japan.  These events could have a direct impact on her business as one of her biggest clients is connected to the nuclear industry.

How about you?  Did you experience any fallout in your business from last week’s events?  Tell us about it as we all tiptoe into Uranus in Aries with anticipation and some trepidation, knowing that sudden and unexpected events (Uranus) can bring a whole new cycle of innovation (Aries).

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

For 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 more information on the planets mentioned in today’s post see:

Mercury

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Pluto

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

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Astro4Business Month Ahead – March 2011

Feb 28

Posted by Ellen Longo in Astro4Business Month Ahead, Introduction to Astrology for Business | 11 Comments

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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