Astrology is a master teacher of life that offers us 3 priceless gifts: harmony, connection, and meaning.

I have chosen astrology as my navigator for life because it is the only scientific discipline that has managed to help me make sense of my life – me, my relationships, and what I am doing on this planet. Astrology has brought harmony to my chaotic world, connected the scattered dots — otherwise known as the life events — of my life, and created meaning out of my seemingly meaningless life circumstance. Astrology has allowed me to see my truth, and because of that, I hold on to it tightly as my spiritual, intellectual, and soulful guide.

Having said that, it is quite common to turn to astrology for easy answers. But what I have learned is that the best way to use astrological wisdom is to understand its symbolism and combine it with your own version of your life story instead of being told how that life story will unfold.

As you may have heard, on December 21, 2020, Saturn and Jupiter will be conjunct at zero degrees Aquarius. Since Saturn and Jupiter are transpersonal planets, this conjunction and sign change from Capricorn to Aquarius will reflect a social and collective shift. But I’m sure that you’re more curious about how this much-talked-about celestial event will affect you personally. And that is what I would like to talk to you about today. Let’s first explore the symbolism of Saturn and Jupiter and then we will see what area of your life will be highlighted at this unique moment in time.

To give you a better feel for the difference between Jupiter and Saturn, here are a few examples that astrologer Maxine Taylor offers that I really like:

If Jupiter is God’s Law, Saturn is Man’s Law…

If Jupiter expands, Saturn contracts…

If Jupiter is optimistic and generous, Saturn is restrictive, serious and hangs on to what it’s got…

If Jupiter says, “don’t worry, everything is going to be ok.” Saturn says, “let me plan carefully…”

If Jupiter gives you gifts, Saturn squeezes money out of a dime…

If Jupiter says, “if I want it, I’m going to buy it,” Saturn says, “I can get it for you wholesale.”

Jupiter is often seen as the “good guy” and wherever it is in our natal chart or by transit, we think life will be great and problem free. However, to be fair, we must not forget that every planet has the potential to express itself both in a desired and not-so-desired manner. So, it is important to be aware of that and make sure that we don’t become OVERLY indulgent, optimistic, unrealistic, lazy, risky, and self-righteous.   

Saturn, on the other hand, is often represented in astrology books as being synonymous with fear, restriction, and “the bad guy”. However, a better way to think about Saturn may be to view it as reality. Through Saturn’s lessons, no matter how tough they may be, we are offered an opportunity to mature, be more conscientious, and responsible. Ultimately it teaches us detachment, surrender and acceptance. It tests our discipline, perseverance, and ability to manifest through hard work. Saturn is our greatest teacher – the one who asks us to look at our life through a clear lens and see if that life is the way that we really want it to be. All of us find ways to lie to ourselves. However, Saturn can see through the lies even when we cannot. So, if things sometimes don’t go our way, it could be because Saturn knows the deeper truth within us and is helping us clear the way for what our soul actually desires.

With that in mind, let’s now take a look at what this could mean for you personally. A natal chart or blueprint is comprised of 12 houses, or areas of life. And depending on your time of birth, each house will correspond to a particular area of your life. Meaning, if we use an equal house system and your Ascendant or first house cusp is in Aries, the second house will be Taurus, third house Gemini and all the way around the zodiac with the twelfth house being Pisces. The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, as I mentioned earlier, even though we will all feel this unique conjunction collectively, it will also affect us on a personal level depending on what house of our chart holds zero degree of Aquarius.  

So, the question is – where will this push-pull between God’s Law and Man’s Law, expansion and constriction, giving and hanging on, and believing and knowing occur in your chart and how can you best work with these energies.

Take a moment to find where zero degrees of Aquarius is in your chart and read below to see which area of life will be in focus for you (if you would like some help finding that information, please feel free to contact me through my website at www.romantic-ideas-for-life.com):

1^st house: approach to life, self-image, personal appearance, and body structure

2^nd house: movable possessions, resources, self-worth, talents

3^rd house: community, basic education, brothers and sisters, concrete knowledge

4^th house: home, one of the parents, emotional foundations

5^th house: self-expression, creativity, hobbies, recreation, children, love

6^th house: routine work, daily habits, health, small animals

7^th house: partnerships, marriage partner, public

8^th house: re-birth, regeneration, sex, joint income, inheritances, loans

9^th house: higher education, religion, philosophy, distant travel

10^th house: career, reputation, social foundations, social image, one parent

11^th house: life goals, groups, friendships, organizations

12^th house: transcending of past limitations, spiritual obligations, service

The ideal, to me, is always balance. And when I think of these 3 energies together – Jupiter, Saturn, and Aquarius – I think of equilibrium between vision and realism, and I can’t help but imagine real-life manifestation of our ideals and higher purpose. What better combination can we wish for, for turning humanitarian dreams into reality, than that of hopeful Jupiter, idealistic Aquarius and practical Saturn. My wish is that you use this moment in time wisely to clearly define who you are, what you believe, and what you want both for yourself and the world around you…and go for it!! This is the time to be YOU and create the life YOU’VE always imagined. The universe has your back, as do I!!

Since I’m an Aquarian myself, I feel well-equipped to answer the following question — are Aquarius sign people weird or genius? I think Aquarians have genius potential but sometimes express themselves in ways that make others think they’re weird. Aquarius sign individuals are gifted with the ability to conceptualize outside the box; a unique perspective that at times seems foreign to the more conservative signs of the zodiac.

At their best, Aquarian ideas can be eye-opening and insightful. At their worst,  they can seem extreme and delusional. The result is dependent on two things: one, the Aquarian’s own ability to translate his/her unique ideas in ways that don’t shock and alienate others, and two, the other party’s own beliefs and perceptions about life.  You’ll probably think that the Aquarius sign person in your life is a genius if your definition of “different” is “unique.” However, if you believe that “different” is “odd,” then you’ll find that same person more peculiar than brilliant.

Let’s find out what you think about Aquarians. Take a sec and look at the cartoon picture above. What do you see? The man is looking at the animals behind the window, right? But, consider for a moment that it is the  animals observing the man? Can you imagine such a thing? Or is the concept simply too ridiculous for you to fathom? Your answer should give you a clue about whether you think Aquarius sign people are weird or genius.

For the typical Aquarian, this question is a no-brainer. We sense a potential reality beyond our current awareness and aren’t thrown off by what it could entail. Therefore, animals watching us, birds talking about us, or plants loving us are all within the realm of possibility in the Aquarius universe. To us, knowledge is a forever evolving entity shifting human perception of the “truth.” And it is this mysterious flow of yet-to-be-known facts that stimulates our curiosity and mental creativity. Is this weird or genius? You judge for yourself. But, the next time you meet a quirky Aquarius and immediately think to yourself – “weirdo!”, consider that this person just might be a creative genius a bit ahead of his/her time.

Happy birthday to all you Aquarians out there! May this year bring you closer to your inspired life.

YOUR HEART'S ROMANTIC TRAVEL DESTINATION

Places have birthdays just like we do. So, before you choose your next romantic travel destination, I suggest you consider the following:

First, once you’ve decided on an itinerary, find the date of birth (date of incorporation) of your travel destination (city, state, and/or country). If the locale’s sun sign and/or moon sign is compatible with your sun and/or moon sign, most likely you will feel a natural pull/attraction to that travel destination.

Second, choose a romantic travel destination that will satiate the desires of your soul. The sign of your natal Venus position describes the types of activities that make your heart pump faster and stronger and fill it with warmth and joy. For instance, if your Venus is in the sign of Sagittarius, as mine is, you’re probably attracted to distant lands that offer plenty of opportunity for adventure and intellectual/spiritual exploration and pursuits. However, if your Venus is in Pisces, you might be attracted to romantic travel destinations that are near large bodies of water offering serene, mystical, and laidback experiences. Or, if you’re a Gemini sign Venus, locales that are cultural, trendy, and socially-oriented might be more to your liking. In any case, next time you plan a romantic vacation, experiment by choosing a destination that offers the type of activities that speak to your Venus sign.

Third, consider booking a session with an astrologer who specializes in astrocartography. You can either have the astrologer analyze destinations that you’ve chosen or have them make recommendations of their own. What’s amazing about the astrology of space is that it can take the guesswork out of finding a place for your love-life to flourish. A special map will show you exactly where your romantic energies are emphasized and brought forth.

Finally, remember the allure of the unknown. Don’t plan everything. Maybe — don’t plan anything. Buy your ticket and just go. Often, the most wonderful experiences result from unpredictable circumstances and meetings. So choose a destination and go where your intuition takes you. Whether this is my Sagittarius Venus talking or not, I will bet your spontaneous trip will leave you with many memories to sustain you until your next adventure.

Many of you have asked me about zodiac signs that are compatible with one another. For example, is the Scorpio sign good with the Libra sign? Does the Pisces sign get along with the Aquarius sign, and is the Virgo sign attracted to the Leo sign? I often come across black and white yes or no answers to these questions based solely on traditional sun sign analysis. If only the living of life itself were that simple! My answers are more subtle and nuanced.

We humans are complex creatures and often are pulled toward others by forces we don’t understand, staying with those who baffle us and leaving others we understand completely (or think we do). What is it  that draws us into these contradictory webs of entanglement? My guess is that it’s the other factors of our charts overcoming  the power of our sun signs. For example, the moon’s sign in our charts, together with its aspects and house position, describes our security needs, emotional self-expression, instinctual behavior patterns, and the types of partners we might seek. So when looking for a mate, we could be drawn more to the characteristics represented by the needs of our moon sign rather than those of our zodiac sun sign.

Another long-term bond initiator is Saturn. Often, when we see one individual’s Saturn connect to another’s personal planets, we can be pretty sure that these two people will be in each other’s lives for a long time. The relationships formed under the influence of this aspect are not always easy, but most result in long-lasting unions. The reason is that Saturn’s lessons take a while to master and a lifetime to maintain. Some of you might balk at the amount of work required. However, the rewards for those who pass Saturn’s tests are huge in power and longevity. Remember, “no gain without pain” is a cliché precisely because it is true.

And then we have the Nodes of the Moon. You probably have experienced their workings even if you think you haven’t because it is the nodal connections between our charts that make us feel as though the stranger we’ve just met has been a friend for a lifetime. When one person’s nodes bond with another person’s personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars), there is  often a powerful sensation of “Hey, I already know you,” at the first meeting.  I can’t be certain, but it’s a safe bet that you’ve already experienced this feeling of certainty before.

My two reasons for sharing this information with you are (1) to encourage you to give an “incompatible” sun sign a chance. If you only know what lies on the surface you don’t know very much; (2) to encourage you to take the plunge and explore these techniques for yourself.

Make the following experiment. Think of a person with whom you connected immediately, someone with whom you felt “it was meant to be.” Then go to the North Node Data page and find the nodal positions for both of you. See if either of your nodes connected to the other person’s personal planets. I’d love to know what you find. I believe that if we filter  astrological hypotheses through our own personal experiences and share our findings with each other, we can come closer to the truth we all seek.