Your Milky Way Horoscope Aug. 9-15, 2009

Mars in Gemini squares Saturn in Virgo on Monday evening; this is an aspect that commonly marks accidents and injuries, so drive defensively and hold onto railings. Saturn rules bones so there is always the chance of a fracture. Watch out for accidental electronic slip-ups, too, like sending a personal email to “all” at work. The mutable signs will be most affected (Gemini, Virgo, Sag, Pisces).
The Moon in Aries trines Sun in Leo on Tuesday morning. What a wonderful day for high, ebullient spirits. Wear red if ya got it.
Mars in Gemini trines Jupiter in Aquarius at midday Thursday. This can be an awfully lucky transit, especially for air signs — altho that depends on your natal placements and what natal houses are affected. Possible events include luck in sports, high energy, making good personal and business decisions, making a juicy commission, brokering a deal. Good luck!

The Dog Days of Summer Are Upon Us

Dogs also figure in the lore of ‘dog days’ because the Romans often sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the phase to appease Sirius. (I think you can stop worrying that your beloved Fido will be snatched by errant Romans, but you can keep your dog indoors just to play it safe. Also, I am pretty sure you can substitute hot dogs on the grill instead, and Sirius will be just as happy.) BTW August 16 is the feast day of St. Roch, who is the patron saint of dogs.

Astrology of Minneapolis Bridge Collapse 2007

The astrological chart for this event features not one but two Yods, and also a square between Mars and Saturn. Mars is often active in accidents, and Saturn is structure, and by extension infrastructure such as bridges. Jupiter (retrograde) is square the nodes of the Moon, and trining the Sun – Part of Fortune conjunction.

Looking at an astrological chart of the collapse, it features Pluto within minutes of the 27degree, 43 minute ascendant in Sagittarius. It is the point of a Yod, an isosceles triangle with 150 degrees between planets on the long sides, and 60 degrees between planets on the short side. The other planets forming this Yod are Mars at 26 degrees Taurus in the fifth house, and Mercury at 24 degrees of Cancer in the seventh house.

Fourth Week August 2007

A lot of people are under pressure this week. Try to act like you are all in the same boat – you are! Cut each other some slack. Use personal leave time if you have to. And remind yourselves to count the blessings you do have rather than the ones you don’t. Hug the kids, spouse and the dog.

Aries – March 20-April 19 – Ann Miller – The latter part of the week is terrific. You throw your energy into the task at hand, everyone  loves you, movie night is loads of fun, and you just feel so darn lucky to be alive. Eating in appeals more than going out, unless you have the option of visiting Mom. She’s always the best cook, right? Beg for her secret recipes while she’s cooking your favorites. (Even if you tinker with them later.)

Taurus – April 20-May 20 – Helen Tamiris – The last Full Moon of the summer seems like a good excuse to have one more pool party. You still have briquettes and margarita mix, so pay back the invites you’ve accepted all summer with one big gathering. The gambling spirit grabs everyone, but not necessarily the luck, so here’s what to do: Host a casino night with play money only, and let everyone win something.

Gemini – May 21-June 20 – Isadora Duncan – You may feel like you’re outrunning a boulder in an Indiana Jones movie. It’s a time for rolling with the punches and protecting yourself. Don’t make instant decisions right now because you need time to think things over. The weekend looks good for talking things over with a buddy or family member. Find someone to remind you of the values you were brought up with.

Cancer – June 21-July 22 – Gower Champion – Service organizations appreciate your energies this week., even if you only pour the coffee. Your executive skills come to the fore – you never did like sitting on your hands when there was so much to be done. I see you making internet connections or running an online forum or swap meet.

Leo – July 23-Aug. 22 – Leonide Massine – This is such a decisive time for you – you will either break through to the heights or to the pits. The breaks come to those who are ready. Many Leos have been training and working very hard for their big break, so here’s to you and congratulations.

Virgo – Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Lola Falana – It’s time for Virgos to make a decision about how to adapt to the changes in the air. Seek to be proactive and maintain control of the situation. Gather the best information you can from advisors and the web, sift and analyze. You may be forced to reinvent yourself (again!) but hey, that’s what multi-talented people do.

Libra – Sept. 23-Oct. 22 – Ben Vereen – You’re the Boss Mama this week. Your goddess power surges up from who knows where… maybe that last latte had a secret ingredient, who knows? I highly recommend making a goddess mask as a creative exercise. (A terrific free site at spiralgoddess.com has a self-test and how to make goddess masks.)

Scorpio – Oct. 23-Nov. 21 – Eleanor Powell – You’re more concerned with insurance for the kids before school starts than anything else. But once they are in classes, you give yourself permission to have your own playtime. Finally, a chance to visit a gallery or sign up for instructions at the craft store. The cat can play while the mice are away…;)

Sagittarius – Nov. 22-Dec. 21 – Hermes Pan – A marketing wiz can be a great help to you now in promoting your company or service. Perhaps an electronic newsletter needs revamping, or the email addresses updated. Seeks bids for new content or web designers.

Capricorn – Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – George Balanchine – Even stay-at-home Capricorn moms run their homes like a corporation. They run a very tight ship, and everything is planned out to the smallest detail. Ask them how they do it, and take a page from their book, so to speak.

Aquarius – Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – Ruth St. Denis – The beginning of the week is a good time of month to incubate dreams. Refer to dreams.ca for instructions on how to tap into this subconscious level of creativity, knowledge, and problem solving. Your brain has other ways of solving problems than with cold logic.

Pisces – Feb. 18-March 19 – Marius Petipa – A somber mood on Monday night yields to the excitement of new plans and new insights on Tuesday. Try not to burn yourself out on the first day of the rest of your life…Your mind leaps tall concepts in a single bound this week. This is a great time for quickly grasping new material but not for detailed work. Make outlines, and either triple-check your figures or work with a detail-minded partner.

Second Week August 2007

Remember the movie theme song that went “everybody’s talkin’ at me”? It’s a lot like that from Wednesday thru Friday. People are suddenly interested in what you’re selling and want to hear more. Whether you have to discount the price or not is up to you, but you’ll be glad to unload your goods and move on. The parties come to an agreement on the value of what they offer; communications flow easily and meanings are clarified. Finalize before mid-September.

Aries – March 20-April 19 – Serge Lifar – (This week applies to Aries Ascendant especially.) Your painting lights up with sunny colors, reminiscent of Van Gogh’s haystacks and sunflowers. Even if you can’t afford to fly to the south of France, you can still drive out to farm country. It isn’t the haystacks and vineyards you’re painting, it’s the light.

Taurus – April 20-May 20 – Margot Fonteyn – Your home is due for a makeover (especially for Taurus Ascendant). Even if you just painted some rooms, you’re not satisfied. Experiment with arranging pictures, swatches, and floor samples  in different areas for a few weeks before making a final selection. Warmer colors appeal to you now.

Gemini – May 21-June 20 – Henry LeTang – An extra boost of energy started last week and will charge your batteries thru September. A writing project or list of speaking engagements could command your attention during this period. While you’re good at ad libbing, take care to enter data into your calendar and give yourself adequate preparation time.

Cancer – June 21-July 22 – Twyla Tharp – You always wanted a fireplace in the family room, and finally you decide it’s time to get serious. Take your time checking out your options. With the many advances that have been made in efficiency, you could possibly have a net savings after rebates and all.

Leo – July 23-Aug. 22 – Leonide Massine – You get to talk to a receptive audience Sunday. Monday someone might think you’re more in love with being in front of an audience than with that someone — oh, we know that’s not true, is it? Promise some quality time later in the week, as you come to a closer understanding.

Virgo – Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Marge Champion – A tough start to the week as you  get your motor in high gear and no one else is chipping in. Just keep to your own tasks and avoid giving unasked-for advice. We know we’d be better off cloning you, but not everyone feels that way.

Libra – Sept. 23-Oct. 22 – Arthur Duncan – Sunday is great for a chit-chat with a friend over brunch. The friend may do most of the talking, but that’s OK. You will get your turn; for now just be thrilled for him or her. Friday night you may have such a cool dream that you get up to write it down or sketch it out. The sun comes up before you know it!

Scorpio – Oct. 23-Nov. 21 – Eleanor Powell – Late Tuesday you catch a real steal of the night online. The energy of the month is unusually creative for you, especially in tandem with Capricorn. You can’t wait for the weekend because it will be all about you…Maybe you take off next Monday, too, for an extended fishing trip at the cabin.

Sagittarius – Nov. 22-Dec. 21 – Alexander Godunov – Your exercise routine or drill work seem to go so much easier the second half of the week. Thursday evening is great for a get-together with chums. Your friendly rivalry is very good-natured, with the accent on “friend” and on not on “rival.” You’re feeling so generous, you might even play host.

Capricorn – Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – Moira Shearer – Call to confirm any Monday appointments before leaving the office. If a time slot opens up, hold an informal brainstorming session with Scorpio, as you are both in creative cycles. Those creative bursts come not from talking or sketching, but from actually walking thru it, seeing the props and backdrops, and improvising.

Aquarius – Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – Gregory Hines – (Also Aquarius rising.) People make you feel more welcome everywhere. And your spouse suddenly seems prettier, or is it the changing angle of the sun as we tumble toward autumn? It could be both. You always were a sentimental type anyway, so a short getaway to get re-acquainted seems perfectly normal. A golf holiday, or just puttering around the cottage, appeal equally to you.

Pisces – Feb. 18-March 19 – Rudolf Nureyev – Talking with the new hires in the department sparks some good ideas that send your mind and PC into action. Here you were afraid they’d take your job away, and it turns out that together you’re a winning team! Mentally toast the personnel manager when sipping your wine at dinner.