Astrological Forecasts with a Traditional Twist

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

May 2013 

Happy May Day! Whether you celebrate with May poles or with workers’ parades, it’s a holiday. High Spring! Flowers! Let’s all take a deep breath and be grateful that April is over. It might have been a rough ride, but it’s behind us now and a bright strong month lies ahead. We have work to do! 

Wed May 01 begins with the Moon moving into Aquarius. An hour later, Mercury changes signs and enters the most stubborn sign of them all,  Taurus. This can be a month of strong clear thinking and deep appreciation of the good things in life. We are also getting a month of Wednesdays with the Moon in fixed signs. Dig in! 

Fri May 03 the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces. This is always good for dreams, fantasies, and lush music, as well as romantic imaginings, all story material. 

Sun May 05 the Moon is in Pisces when Mercury exactly opposes Saturn. Listen more than talk, read more that write, and leave the criticism to others if you can. Five hours later, the Moon makes a sextile to Venus and goes void of course till evening when the Moon moves into Aries. It’s hard to get more tender-hearted than this, until the Aries part. Be sensitive, then flame on for the work week.

 

Mon May 06 the Moon conjunct Uranus in Aries. Start the work week with a constructive, positive bang.

 

Tue May 07 the Moon is void of course in Aries when Mercury conjuncts Mars. Mars. In Taurus. How refreshing! It’s not all sweetness, light, and roses, though. It can be indecisiveness with stubbornness at every step and misstep. Continue anyway, knowing that what you write today may need heavy editing later.

 

Wed May 08 the Moon is in Taurus all day. Ration those desk-side treats, go for less or no sugar in the coffee, and write. It’s also the day before the New Moon, so Heads Up. Actually, this New Moon is also going to be a Solar Eclipse. Make that a double Heads Up! Compose yourself, keep calm and carry on with the writing. At the risk of self-contradiction, let me say Heads Down, too, and let the outside world do its stuff while I hide out and write in peace.

 

Thu May 09 is a celestially busy day. First, a very dark Moon conjuncts (occults, actually) Mars in Taurus. Some very deep personal pleasure may be what keeps you going. This is early in the day and it’s always good for striking a few sparks. Two hours later Venus changes signs and enters Gemini. You may desire to work on more beautiful projects than the world currently allows. Four hours after that, an even darker Moon conjuncts (and occults) Mercury in Taurus. Thoughts and attention may turn dark and profound. Five and a half hour later, at last, we get the New Moon and solar eclipse at 19Tau. Then, for better or worse, the Moon goes void of course. Happily, all this is happening on Jupiter’s day of the week, perhaps comforting and reminding us that we are not alone.

 

Fri May 10 in the late afternoon, the Moon enters Gemini, making a conjunction with Venus three hours later. It’s an auspicious start to the writerly hours from now till the wee small hours of Monday May 13. If you’re not writing, you can still gather information, observations, conversations, all those things that get processed into writing at the end.

 

Sat May 11 while the Moon is in Gemini, the Sun conjuncts Mercury in Taurus. Is it not the season for parties and social get-togethers of all kinds? There will be lots of people with lots of news and lots to say. Mentally take notes, and try to not eat and drink toooo much.

 

Sun May 12 the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Taurus, then goes void of course. Look forward to a pleasant, maybe productive, low-stress end to the weekend. Start the work week full of energy.

 

Wed May 15 the Moon is void of course in Cancer when Mercury changes signs and goes home to Gemini. You may want to just sit quietly and listen to the birds sing. Mercury may consider this fun for a bit, but the Moon may find it inspiring. Two hours later, the Moon moves into Leo. If it’s been a lackluster, less than inspired and inspiring day, this can perk up things for you.

 

Sat May 18 the Moon is void of course in Leo when Mercury squares Neptune. Go for low-profile in public, as this combination easily makes for big misunderstandings (and spicy plot complications). Two hours later the Moon enters Virgo. This often cools things down. Twelve hours later, the Moon opposes Neptune. This means we have the Moon, Mercury, and Neptune in mutable signs, making a T-square that points to mutable fire, Sagittarius. Something you’ve submitted or said or posted could be published and/or seen soon. Heads Up. Be discreet (or at least deliberate) on Facebook, if nothing else. Monday and the start of the work week may tell the tale.

 

Sun May 19 has little of writerly or artistic interest going on, although the Moon is in Virgo (one of Mercury’s home signs). However, it’s also the last day of the year that the Sun spends in the sign of Taurus. Often the last degree of a sign can carry an extra punch, so be on guard to be kind to your tummy and not over-gluttonize. Tomorrow the world may seem brighter, faster, more chipper and chippier. Brace yourself and look forward to as much writerly activity as you can tolerate as the Sun prepares to spend the next month in Gemini. Heads Up.

 

Mon May 20 the Moon moves into Libra. That afternoon the Sun itself changes signs, leaving Taurus and entering Gemini. Heads Up for us for the coming month. This would be prime productive writing time if it weren’t also so darn invigorating and full of social interactions, field trips, cultural enrichments, and other people’s words. Go with the flow and make what magic you can.

 

Wed May 22 the Moon is void of course in Libra for the first half, then moves into Scorpio for the second half. You may not get more serious as the day progresses, but the world around you might.

 

Thu May 23 the Moon conjuncts Saturn retrograde in Scorpio. It’s also the day before the Full Moon, which is also a Lunar eclipse. Heads Up on the eclipse part. Don’t severely judge your work or yourself. Just keep working and give it time.

 

Fri May 24 the Moon is in Sagittarius when Mercury and Venus make an exact conjunction in Gemini. If you haven’t submitted or returned phone calls for a while, this is a good time. Four and a half hours later, we get the Full Moon and lunar eclipse at 04Sag. This is a lot of mutable energy. If you’re having trouble staying focused, at least you shouldn’t be bored. This could make for great social situations and opportunities, too. Just be safe, and don’t party all this energy away. If you’re feeling brave, maybe ask the universe for something to work on that’s bigger, grander, and of more universal appeal and usefulness. You don’t have to save the whole world at once, but your work might help some tiny corner of it. Every bit helps. This Sun in Gemini-Moon in Sagittarius Full Moon comes only once a year, after all.

 

Mon May 27 the Moon is in Capricorn when Mercury and Jupiter make an exact conjunction in Gemini. Even if you write profusely or find yourself running off at the mouth, it should mostly be work-oriented. Capricorn doesn’t like gratuitous anything. Seven hours later the Moon conjuncts (occults, actually, not that we can see it) Pluto in Capricorn. Stay calm and have a cup of tea.

 

Tue May 28 the Moon is in Aquarius when Venus makes an exact conjunction with Jupiter. Here are the two benefics, conjunct in Gemini. Yes, I know, it’s the day of the week belonging to Mars. So be proactive and do something great with it. Heads Up in a good, good way.

 

Wed May 29 the Moon is in Aquarius all day. We started the month with the Moon in Aquarius and now we’re getting the chance to tie up some mental loose ends, maybe return to something we started or resumed a few weeks ago.

 

Fri May 31 the Moon is in Pisces all day. In the wee small hours, Mercury changes signs and enters the Moon’s home, the sign of Cancer. This is a lot of the element water, and if you don’t tend to being weepy, you still may spend a lot of the day being more emotional than usual. About three hours later, the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces. If you don’t normally remember your dreams, now you might. Not an hour after the Moon-Neptune conjunction, Mars changes signs and enters Gemini. This eventually can fire up your writing enthusiasm. All these things happen before the day has properly begun on the East Coast of the U.S. It may be a groggy day with a lot to think about, or it could be a day when thoughts coalesce out of some emotional mist. Perhaps it’s better to write than talk about it, except with a very select few folks, of course. (For some of us, it’s almost always better to write than to talk, anyway).

 

The month may seem like one colossal cosmic mixed bag but you can pull it all together and get more done of lasting value than you ever suspected.  Just dig in and hammer away. That’s what it mostly comes down to, anyway. Have a well-anchored, powerful, productive month, plough on ahead and don’t look back. Heads Up!

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Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

  April 2013

 

Welcome to the flowery fantastic month of April. The way this year’s going, it may still have some snow and rain, too.

 

Mon 01 Apr the Moon is void of course in Sagittarius most of the day. You may have a zillion plans in mind and people to call. Relax. You don’t have to do everything instantly. The Sun makes a sextile to Jupiter, a nice touch for the start of month.  Late that night, the Moon enters Capricorn. Serious attention to work kicks in tomorrow. Sleep while you can.

 

Tue 02  Apr the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn. Keep the intensity under control and you can be extremely productive.

 

Wed 03 Apr the Moon is in Capricorn all day. We do get a nice little Moon sextile Mercury aspect in the profoundly early hours, before the Moon goes void of course in Capricorn. We can work with that, though. Think intensity of feeling that can be expressed with a light touch.

 

Sat 06 Apr the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces. This can be one dreamy weekend. Have fun but be safe. Can you feel the temperature of the universe rising? It’s because tonight Venus conjuncts Mars. Heads Up. Go long on deep passionate appreciation and go short on anger and impatience.

 

Sun 07Apr the Moon conjuncts Mercury in Pisces. If there’s a need for any ‘kiss and make up” from yesterday, this aspect will not help. Say as little as possible and listen as much as you can.

 

Tue 09 Apr the Moon conjuncts Uranus in Aries. Surprise yourself, and try to keep surprise small and close to home. Also, it’s the day before the New Moon. Automatic Heads Up. Today and tomorrow are not good days to take any unnecessary risks.

 

Wed 10 Apr we have the New Moon at 20Ari.  Heads Up. This might be your big chance to launch some major project near and dear to your heart. Four hours later, the Moon conjuncts Mars in Aries. It may be hard to rein yourself in, so if wild horses are dragging you off somewhere, try have it be somewhere good. Three and a half hours after that, the Moon conjuncts Venus in Aries. This is a little sweeter and gentler, but don’t totally trust your judgment or any self-criticism, since you’ll likely just love everything that you’re doing. Remember, Venus and Mars were conjunct just a few days ago. Yes, Venus moves that fast. We’re getting another month of Wednesdays with the Moon mostly in cardinal signs. (A few hours later today when the Moon moves into Taurus is the only non-cardinal Wednesday time we get.)

 

Fri 12 Apr the Moon is in Taurus when Pluto goes stationary retrograde. Why am I even mentioning this? Some people think Pluto’s not even a planet. Old habits die hard.

 

Sat 13 Apr the Moon enters Gemini. Heads up in the most writerly of ways. We have from now till late on Monday to make the most of our word count, our submissions, networking, and all the research we can squeeze in. Seven hours into this, Mercury changes signs, leaving Pisces and entering Aries. See if you find yourself writing, or at least talking, faster. (The signs Aries and Gemini are sextile to one another and it’s not all that hard for an Aries spark to start a fire in Gemini.  See what you can do with it.)

 

Sun 14 Apr the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Gemini. You may be working on something big, or you may be partying and networking (or eavesdropping and researching) in high gear. Of course, it’s also a good day to read yourself into the ground.

 

Mon 15 Apr the Moon is in Gemini when Venus changes signs and enters Taurus. You may be more inclined to stop and smell the roses. Venus rules Taurus, by the way, and everybody might be wanting more beauty (and just plain old more of everything) in their lives. Write long and luscious. This evening the Moon enters Cancer. It’s hard to get softer and deeper than this. Heads up for tomorrow, though, because this marshmallow could just get toasted.

 

Wed 17 Apr the Sun conjuncts Mars in Aries.  This is a lot of heat and flame. Heads Up. It’s a good day to lock yourself in your writing office, write the most inflammatory personal emotional outrageous stuff you can, and let the rest of the world go its own way until tomorrow, as much as the world will permit you. If you get a rejection or negative reply or exchange of any kind, take a deep breath, keep smiling, and keep all murderous thoughts to yourself, since this will all defuse itself and pass rapidly. Have a cup of tea. A hot cup of tea. Don’t spill it.

 

Thu 18 Apr the Moon is in Leo most of the day. You may be compelled to show somebody some work before it’s really ready. You know what you can share with whom. Before the day ends, the Moon makes a trine to Mercury. Apply this to sensible plans for tomorrow and don’t hash over anything you did today. That’s done. This is also the last day of the month that the Sun spends in the sign of Aries, and this could lend a slightly manic feel to your work. Tomorrow will be vibrant and bright in a totally different way. Relax and sleep well. You’ve earned it.

 

Fri 19 Apr the Moon is void of course in Leo when the Sun changes signs and moves into Taurus. The Sun and Moon are both in fixed signs, and people may be less willing to change their plans or their opinions. There could be a slight control-freak feeling to the day. Be happy that Taurus is ruled by gracious, seductive Venus.

 

Sat 20 Apr the Moon is still void of course in Leo when Mercury conjuncts Uranus. Wonky ideas may have a longer shelf-life today. Two hours later Mars changes signs and enters Taurus. This should slow things down some but don’t expect a lot of mellowness. This can have a lot of ‘work hard, play hard’ energy, and that can create one of those weekend you need to recover from.

 

Tue 23 Apr the Moon is in Libra when Mercury makes a sextile to Jupiter. You should be able to listen better today, but you’ll still have to pay attention to hear what’s really being said. This makes a great character flaw or quality, by the way.

 

Wed 24 Apr the Moon is in Libra all day, though most of the time it’s void of course. Take a breather and let yourself settle down into something pleasant that deserves a chunk of focused time and energy. (Venus rules Libra, too, so pleasantness counts.) Heads up for tomorrow, though.

 

Thu 25 Apr is the Full Moon at 05Sco. Scorpio full moons are always intense, so just stay calm and work on the small but crucial details, even it it’s only grammar and punctuation. If that’s too big, choose to work on only commas or breaking up run-on sentences. This full moon is also a lunar eclipse. Heads Up. Resolve to fix  one basic flaw or eliminate one bad (or unproductive) habit this month. Four hours later the Moon conjuncts Saturn in Scorpio. You can’t do things too slowly or too carefully today. Be happy, after the mania and mad rush of the previous month.

 

Tue 30 Apr the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn. Isn’t this pretty much how the month started? Given all that Scorpio and Saturn energy yesterday, today we’re buttoning down of the last button left open from yesterday. Embrace the narrow focus, the intensity, and the dedication to perfection, even if it’s only one small item. One by one, those small things add up. Don’t be too hard on yourself, though. Be sane, reasonable, and forgiving, especially of yourself. Things aren’t always this restrained.

 

It’s a super high-energy month and we can get a lot of work done. We can also fritter away a lot of time, so pay attention day by day to where your time and energy are going. We’re also up to our horns in passion, too, with the Venus Mars conjunction and also the Sun Mars conjunction. Go with constructive rather than destructive when you can, but we all know, sometimes you just have to pitch that manuscript into the fireplace, get a drink, and start afresh. Mar is also about having the courage to start afresh. You can’t be a wimp and write (or do any art), but you already know that.

 

And so onward we go, into the spring and into a year that looks to be rampant in creativity.  Grow and nurture your share!  Heads Up!

  

 

 

Here comes March comes howling in!

 

Fri  01 Mar the Moon enters Scorpio. Serious stuff, this, and good thing. We have serious work to do. That it’s Venus’s day of the week may grant us all a little grace throughout the month. (continue reading…)

Heads Up! The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

February 2013

Welcome to short and sweet February. (It might be cold, too.)  We start on the sweet Venus day of Friday with the Moon in Libra (one of the two signs ruled by Venus). Go for pleasantness and nice manners all month long. It can take you further than you suspect. (continue reading…)

Happy New Year!

We have the Moon in Virgo, giving us meticulous attention and appreciation for the small things as well as the big things in the coming month, and indeed in the whole year.

Jan 01 is a Tuesday, and the planet Mars brings us energy and motivation. Let’s not just burn it away.  Aspect-wise, it’s  a rich and complicated new year day, with the Moon opposed Neptune. Let this keep pointless fantasy under control without squelching your sources of inspiration. Two hour later the Moon trines Mercury, opening wide the channel to express yourself. The day ends with the Moon square Jupiter retrograde in Gemini. Big heads can resume normal size and the faucet gush of wordage can be set to an appropriate stream or trickle. (continue reading…)

We start the last month of the year on a Saturday (Saturn’s day) with the Moon at home in Cancer. (continue reading…)

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

November 2012

Welcome to November, in an autumn when even the weather has been intense and weird. We have a great beginning, with Nov 1 being on Thursday (Jupiter’s day of the week) and the Moon in writer/artist-friendly Gemini. Venus exactly opposes Uranus today. Don’t let this turn you off from the experimental and unconventionally creative (is that redundant?) this  month. Let it enhance your sensitivity to the new and fresh. Find the charm in what’s radical, without getting swept away. The Moon also conjuncts Jupiter today. This can raise emotions and personal expectations, too.  Make this a happy, productive day and take it forward with you all month long. (continue reading…)

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

October 2012

Happy October. We somehow survived that zinger of a full moon that ended last month.  It that didn’t kick-start your independent spirit, troublesome or no, I don’t know what will. Now we get to do a lot of it all over again, only different. Way different.

October 1 is a Monday, the Moon’s day. Remember to make this a month to be good to people, (continue reading…)

Welcome to the heart of Virgo, a time when we want softer voices, softer touches, and better attention to detail. Not that we get everything we want. (continue reading…)

Heads Up!

The Writer’s Astrological Almanac

by Kathy Watts

August 2012

Here we go into the sunny month of August, most of which has the Sun at home in the sign of Leo the Lion.  Shine on! We also start the month with a Full Moon in Aquarius.  It’s hard to get bigger and brighter than this! (continue reading…)