Saturday there’s an eclipse of the Moon in Sagittarius, the sign of faith. This is the Sagittarius Full Moon, and the sensation of the event building is a little like an approaching thunderstorm. The air is heavy with some odd psychic vibe, which it might be with a Full Moon but which is especially palpable when there’s an eclipse.

(Skip to the Horoscopes)

This photo of a partial lunar eclipse is striking, but it is not the type of eclipse we’re getting Friday night into Saturday; that will be a barely perceptible penumbral eclipse. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

This is the last of three eclipses of our current season — and the last of the eclipses across the Gemini-Sagittarius axis that date back about two years. We’ve just had two eclipses along Taurus-Scorpio, which is the new axis; this is the encore of Gemini-Sagittarius.

As such it may relate to an old question that’s coming up again. To me that question is: what do you believe in? The answer to this question has more influence than you might think. In many ways our beliefs are the filter through which we perceive very nearly everything.

The problem with beliefs is that they are often driven by security needs rather than by what we perceive as real, or as necessary. If you eat meat, you have to believe that eating meat is OK. If your husband is a staunch conservative, you may need to believe in conservative values in order to meet an emotional or environmental need.

My take on this eclipse is that it (that is, the circumstances it describes) may prompt you to question something you thought was true, or that you thought mattered to you. You may find yourself unable to believe in what you know is not true for you. If you follow that in (as they say in some kinds of therapy) you may find yourself with an actual question on your hands — a question of faith.

Chart section showing the conjunction of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in Gemini during the eclipse. Also shown (l-r): south lunar node, Mars and Pallas Athene in Taurus; Sun in Gemini; and far right, Black Moon Lilith. View the full chart here.

Yes it’s in Gemini, although clarity (Mercury), substance (Venus) and wisdom (Jupiter) are all available there in varying combinations.

One subject described by the chart involves what we do with persistent fear. That’s a fact of the times we’re living in, where What to Be Scared Of is being broadcast on every channel. Anyone who watches TV or follows news on the ‘Net was treated this week to a constant vision of a town shredded by a tornado.

With or without a topic to graft onto, many people are caught in some form of persistent anxiety, fear or panic, and spend a lot of their time dealing with it. Much of this fear stems from various efforts to control — the ones exerted on us, and the ones that we exert on the world, often out of necessity. When that control spins out of control, one approach is to escape, or to try to — and that’s exactly the pattern that Saturday’s eclipse is here to awaken us to.

 
 
 
Aries (March 20-April 19)
Most of what we experience in life is shaped by how safe we feel. Those who feel safe also feel confident. They consume less energy on fear, and as a result have more to invest in creativity, productive work and loving experiences. What is interesting about experiencing safety and confidence is that it improves with practice rather than with external reasons or rationales to feel a certain way. It’s worth practicing, especially now that the planets are moving one by one into a position that makes it easier than it’s been in quite a while. When you tune your emotional body to a space of harmony and empathy, you get different results than if you are practicing competition or fear as your daily yoga. Events this month can take you on a journey into a grounded, confident space, and give you a model for how to feel stable there. With each passing event, you can go a little deeper into the calm assurance that you belong in your home, your community and in the world at this time. This is something you can commit to as a conscious choice, then gradually teach yourself and improve your skill, learning what thoughts, communication patterns and ways of connecting emotionally foster your sense of safety. If questions arise, they are most likely to focus on identifying and letting go of emotional thought forms that no longer serve you. Let them go and you will liberate space and energy for what is beautiful, good and true.

 
Taurus (April 19-May 20)
Seen one way, the focus of your life is on communicating your feelings, and slipping into a way of being where that comes more easily than you might expect. By ‘feelings’ I mean your point of view, your desires and the sensation of what it’s like to be alive. By ‘communicate’ I mean with others, though more significantly, with yourself. While I would not want to deny anyone consciousness, it often seems like we live in a world where many people have no idea what they feel, and I would say that most humans would be a lot better off if they did. You may, at first, experience the transits this month as magnification or exaggeration. If so, that’s an invitation to pay closer attention to the nuances and the cycles that seem to run your emotional experience. You still seem to have a disagreement with yourself over something, a potential grudge, judgment or inner dilemma where there may indeed be two sides of the story. If so, I suggest you get those two sides into a discussion, perhaps even a negotiation. Do your best to understand both points of view. Neither is strictly true; neither is incorrect; the two added together don’t tally up to the truth. Yet a new depth of understanding can emerge from an extended inner dialog, particularly if it’s gentle and emotionally grounded. This is as much about what is true as it is how you feel about it. Listen to your mind and your body.

 
Gemini (May 20-June 21)
Jupiter leaves your sign this month, though it lands somewhere just as influential for you. You’re living through a phase where you have beautiful, idealistic goals, though turning them into concrete results may be challenging. You may be feeling restlessness in your current work because you crave doing something more meaningful. Jupiter in Cancer will help you establish your understanding of the value of what you do. That, in turn, will help you create or see the circumstances that will make it seem more practical, worthwhile and easier to share. If you live confidently in your understanding that you really do have a gift, that will be compelling to others. Yet what’s more significant is that you focus your vision. It’s one thing to have an ideal or a dream. It’s another to refine that into something specific, and to analyze it into a few beginning steps. You may feel that to do so weighs down the idealism angle, burdening it with practicality. But what we’re describing here is accomplishing something, not wishing you could do so. Therefore, I suggest you put at least one long-held goal or desire to the test of reality this month. I suggest you persist with your plans for 90 days; say, through the end of August, which will take you well past the end of the Mercury retrograde that starts June 26. If what you dream of and want to do is really worth doing, you will have a clue by then.

 
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Jupiter arrives in your sign this month and until it does (on June 25), you may have the sensation that your life is dangling by a string. If you feel that way, trust that it’s made of nice strong fibers and that you’ll have enough of what you need to get you through to the next phase of your life. Jupiter in your sign is an authentic turning point, and it’s one you’ve been waiting for, potentially without realizing it was even coming. You could interpret this as your luck improving, though I think of it more as connecting to yourself, your community and your emotional resources. You might have the experience of seeing the obvious — solutions to problems that have persisted for too long, the strength to make decisions that will improve your life, and most of all, your presence in the world. You would think that walking around in a body would be more than enough to give you a clue you exist, but really this is about resonance with people who surround you. This same astrology will offer you some instruction on how important relationships are to you. That will come into focus as you start to see how much you mean to people and how much mutual benefit is possible. This is a reminder to focus on people to whom you have a real value and with whom you want to share. What you’re seeking is a real meeting. Where the depths of intimacy are concerned, almost doesn’t count.

 
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
Everyone needs a guardian angel, and you have a few. Who are they? People or spiritual entities? You’ll know better as you establish a relationship to them. What you may discover is that they’re sources of intelligence within yourself — what you may think of as your superconscious awareness. Some call this intuition; that’s close enough, though what you have developing now would be a particularly vivid form of it. As the month develops, you may find that this source of knowledge has more to offer you — far more than asking the opinions of others, for example, or watching public trends. Those external sources come with way more uncertainty than you need, and may be a distraction from admitting and acting on what you know to be true. One thing to remember is that your body speaks to you. The feeling you have thinking a thought is as meaningful or more meaningful than the thought itself; that’s your confirmation that you are onto something. This may guide you to trust countercurrents that may seem to violate prevailing (supposed) popular wisdom. These same aspects will help ease much of the anxiety you may be feeling, and provide you with a sense of confidence you don’t fully understand. That’s okay, and you don’t need to question it; just appreciate its presence. Whether these are actual angels, mentors or the ‘better angels of your nature’, the thing to do is listen to them, speak to them and thank them for their assistance. And don’t forget to ask when you need help.

 
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
Mercury, perhaps the most influential planet for Virgo, stations retrograde later in the month. As it moves in reverse (from our point of view on Earth) it will gradually form a perfect trine to Chiron in your opposite sign Pisces. In this we see an aspect that points to the bridge between friends and lovers. This reminds me of one of my favorite true jokes — when someone says they don’t have sex with their friends, I ask if they prefer to have sex with their enemies. Yet the intimacy suggested in this aspect applies to other facets of relating, perhaps highlighting what distinguishes a friend: in my view, the commitment to healing. I know there are many other definitions going around, and I would propose that this is not a word to use casually, but rather, to use thoughtfully. Your circle of friends is your circle of light. The people you call your friends are the ones with whom you share mutual support, and willingness to heal and grow. They are the people willing and openly offering to support one another. It may take you some time to apply this definition to the people around you and see who stands up to the test, though events this month will make it clear who qualifies. What will be more abundantly clear is that you do have friends, and one friend in particular who transcends all of the usual boundaries and is your companion on every level.

 
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
Though this is not necessarily the easiest time for Libras, it’s certainly a meaningful one, and you’re likely to experience a series of breakthroughs on some of your longest-delayed projects or goals. As these happen, leave room to re-evaluate your goals. Question why you have a goal, not just what it is. When you get to the level of your motives, you could shift your point of view with one thought. What’s changed in recent years is that the appearance of doing something, or being known for it, has less importance than ever. That’s a big help, an authentic step on the way to sincerity. Go deeper into who you are and what your real purpose is. Many encounters you have with others are provoking you to do just this: to assert yourself, sometimes in the face of what blatantly contradicts your ideas. What you may discover as you do this is that everyone has something to teach you, or some gift for you, even if the transaction seemed confrontational. Keep your sense of humor, and you will spend your days collecting useful ideas like a bee collects pollen and in the process feeds the world. As you rise in your success — and make no mistake, your star is rising, despite any dubious quests and struggles you’ve been through, or what any other astrologer claims — have fun discovering how much you don’t know, and therefore, how much you have to learn. This is a core element of leadership.

 
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Religion seems to have taken over both national and international politics, if one could go so far as to describe the crude ideological stampeding as religious. The resulting controversies are seemingly endless. Yet the need to express one’s faith is inherent in humanity, and it will always take some form, whether healthy or not. You may be feeling this calling now. From the look of your astrology, my observation is that it’s coming from a visceral level, not the level of ideas. You are beginning to feel your inherent truth, or to go deeper into a journey already begun, perhaps around 2001. Where this matter is concerned, the first question is who and what you serve. Bob Dylan was right: we all serve someone. It’s merely a question of whom, and for what motive. Your faith has the power to nourish others, something you’ve no doubt seen at work many times. Notice your ability to draw from a deep inner source, to allow yourself to be filled up, and then to offer what you have to the people around you. There is another way this could play out, though — by experiencing your generosity, you deduce that you have something to give, and in doing so, recognize that you’re in contact with the source of whatever that is. An image borrowed from Aquarius comes to mind — you’re now a kind of water bearer, though the urn is self-filling. Offer what you have to those who are thirsty. There are few better ways to learn compassion and humility.

 
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)
How you use your resources, or the ones to which you have access, says nearly everything about you. It’s the essence of how you relate to others, and what you might think of as your civic role. You instinctively know that humans only gain by putting together what they have, to benefit families, tribes, companies and nations. We need one another — and that is one of the most meaningful foundations of your understanding of life. Where the intent is to share and to be mutually supportive, it usually works well. I suspect that it pains you to see such waste, selfishness and the willingness of people to take advantage of what has been collectively accomplished. You may not be able to stop corporate crime, but you can be the person in your immediate environment who makes sure that resources are accounted for, kept safe and used wisely. Your chart looks like you’re about to be nominated quartermaster in chief for those you know; by one reading you could be coming into a windfall or an inheritance. By another reading you’re inheriting something from yourself, which may be measurable in money or observable as wisdom. In any event, you’re the steward of something that belongs not only to you but also to others around you. You’re being looked up to for your ethics and your ability to allocate this wealth wisely. You’ve been carefully ordering your priorities for years now. You know the right thing to do, and you have every reason to trust yourself.

 
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You’ve probably had enough of going it alone, or being willing to. Something seems to have stunned you to the awareness that it’s time to invite people into your life, and to be part of something larger. Yet the extended time you’ve spent in introspection has taught you a few things. You’ve learned so much about who you are, and moreover, you’ve learned how important it is to have that knowledge. Have you ever wondered how you lived without it? Really, you didn’t, but it was hiding on a deep level that would inform you in indirect ways. Now you’ve claimed what you know as direct self-knowledge, and this is offering you the confidence to meet the world on your own terms. There’s often a little gap that one has to cross over before doing that — perhaps something about the guilt of asserting yourself, perhaps about being seen as ‘selfish’, maybe the vulnerability associated with daring to encounter the world with what is true rather than a facade. I think you’ll find that your new approach is much easier, and more dependable. Who you are is something you don’t have to worry about, or think much about; who you are not is much more complicated, and consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, stick to who you are and what you want to share with others. Remember, this is more fun if you let go of jealousy, which means honoring the fun and pleasure others feel rather than trying to control it.

 
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
If work has been less-than-perfect lately, I think you’ll be happy with what you create over the next few weeks, and how you approach the puzzle of your work environment. For you, what you do is just as important as where and how you do it. You could have the ideal job but if the working environment were not suitable for you, it would just not work. Now you can consider your plans with your environment as the first step in your thought process. Notice how where you work influences your ideas — the quality of light, the space around you and how your body feels. Regarding work, there’s one astrological detail that no Aquarius should be without. You need human contact and a real sense of whom you’re helping. Whatever field this may be in, the way you support others, and relate to others, needs to be more like how an ideal family would relate than what we find in the average workplace. You need real confirmation that your work is nourishing others who actually need you. This is an extension of the ‘humanitarian’ idea of Aquarius, though what I’m reading is Cancer on the 6th house — where Jupiter is about to take up residence. You have a lot to offer and the more you give, the more you’ll discover that you have. For your own peace of mind and encouragement, make sure that you’re offering your gifts where they are appreciated. You have options.

 
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
I know it may sound silly to those who read old astrology books to suggest that Pisces people seek pleasure as their primary avocation; that’s what, in theory anyway, you do naturally. Yet that’s not my particular prejudice about Pisces; I tend to think of the last sign as signifying devotion to causes, to situations larger than yourself and to existence. When you offer your assistance, that’s not about feeling good for its own sake. Indeed, there are few signs that can persist through discomfort and delayed gratification like Pisces can. With your ‘ruling’ planet Jupiter changing signs this month to Cancer, your solar 5th house, you’re getting a clue that what gives you pleasure is the thing to focus on, at least for a full year till you get the habit down. This in turn will stoke your creativity, allowing you space to go in wholly new directions. If you want human companionship of the friendly erotic kind, that too is Jupiter in the 5th. In your chart that’s the story of something that feeds and strengthens most people — Pisces is the sign for whom sex is an inherently spiritual experience. Focus on the beautification of your home, starting from the kitchen out, and the food you prepare there. The way your chart is set up, everything you do along these lines will feed everything else, and you can get some energy cycling that feeds you and the people you love.

Sun in Leo is King of the Dramatic Declaration. His partner will never wonder how he feels, because he’ll wow her with expensive gifts, bold statements and sweeping romantic gestures. Although his love is genuine — he won’t put this much effort into impressing someone he doesn’t care about — the drama is designed to reflect on him. If Sun in Leo is in love, he wants the entire world to know about it. And to marvel at what a fabulous catch he is.

Moon in Pisces needs a gentle touch. This is the most sensitive of all the sign/planet combinations, with an almost painful degree of intuition. Moon in Pisces is so sensitive that she sometimes needs to retreat to her private dreamworld (in order to survive). But she’s also a diehard romantic, and needs a partner who weaves some delicate magic and escapism into their relationship. Flowers, an unusual piece of jewelry, or a private getaway for the two of them will do the trick.

Sun in Leo may attempt to sweep Pisces off her feet, but she’ll be overwhelmed by his flashy gestures. She may withdraw in shock, and Leo will feel frustrated and invalidated. He’ll be so focused on how she’s not appreciating him, that he’ll overlook any subtle hints she drops about her feelings. Moon in Pisces will have no problem intuiting that Leo needs adoration, but she may lose sight of her own needs (and risk being sucked dry by him) because she’s not great at setting boundaries. However, if Leo can tone it down a bit, and Pisces can recognize when to say “No,” they might be able to form an unusually romantic relationship.

View all the Sun-Moon combinations ››

Credit: TatyanaGI via iStockphoto

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to spot a romantic deceiver? There is, if you can have a look at their birth chart. Read on for some astrological red flags of the guy or gal who is so good at drawing you in, then letting you down. Some of these aspects will be obvious, some not. One caveat: although these aspects can be associated with manipulation or deceit, every person with these sign/planet combinations is not guaranteed to manifest their negative expressions. Everyone has a choice about how they use the energies in their chart. So if you have one of the aspects listed here, and you’re an upstanding partner — great! Speak up in the comments section with examples of how you use your powers for good.

The Dark Mother/Child: Pluto Squaring or Opposing Moon in Cancer

Moon in Cancer tops the list of planet/sign combinations that need security and nurturing. Cancer is the archetype of the Mother and the Child. Add a tough aspect from natal Pluto, and these needs can become twisted. Pluto intensifies, while adding an instinct for ferreting out vulnerabilities in others.

Vij’s Moon in Cancer squares Pluto, and he is a bottomless pit of need. He attracts, then grabs onto, a partner whom he senses can provide the comfort that was missing in his childhood. He’s the wounded animal, waiting to be healed. He appears deliciously vulnerable, and he’s usually in the middle of an emotional crisis. You just want to take him home. But his childhood featured some trauma (symbolized by the hard Pluto aspect) so he has become a master of emotional defensiveness. It’s all about feeling safe for him, and that means keeping you on edge (because an insecure partner is easily controlled). He insinuates himself into your life, so you feel like you cannot function without him. But the moment he feels threatened, he abruptly withdraws. Intensely loving, vulnerable Vij becomes cold and unfeeling. You’re left confused, hurt and desperate to experience that magnetic current of emotion that he offers (when it suits him). This is the dark, devouring Mother/Child archetype. The truth is, no one will be able to provide the security that Vij craves. He needs to find that sustenance within himself, rather than sucking it from his partners.

The Sparkling Distractor: Mercury Square or Opposite Uranus

Su-Jin is a sparkler when you first talk with her. She’s flirtatious, unconventional, and seems to take an interest in every word you say. But if you look at bit closer, you’ll see her eyes darting around the room, searching for something more interesting. Notice how she interrupts you, or shifts the conversation on a dime? This is Uranus’ energy, stepping in when things get uncomfortable. She’ll talk about random things, or say something shocking, in an attempt to distract you from whatever topic she’d rather not confront (it will usually involve feelings, or something about her past). Making plans with her can be next to impossible, because she hates being tied down. Years of this communication style has alienated others from Sun-Jin, but her mind is so active that she’s created whacked-out stories about why this is so. She hangs onto these ideas (Uranus’ energy can create fanaticism), so having a rational discussion with her is challenging. But she is capable of deep feelings. She’s just out of practice, and needs to engage with people in a way that doesn’t hold them at arm’s length.

The Illusionist: Personal planets (in Gemini or Sagittarius) Square, Opposite or Conjunct Neptune

This is not a Gemini/Sag bashing article. Lots of folks with the above mentioned configurations are simply imaginative partners with a lovely romantic streak. But for some, Neptune’s dreamy energy — combined with Gemini’s ability to tell stories, or Sag’s ability to up-sell — can create a partner who weaves beautiful dreams with no basis in reality. Often, there’s no malicious intent behind these big (but empty) promises. They simply find it easier to express themselves in broad brushstrokes; the details are ignored.

Chris has a Venus/Mercury conjunction in Gemini (opposite Neptune) and has difficulty deciding what he wants in a relationship. He is continually aware of other options, so he’ll make pretty (but vague) statements to you. If he can’t be held accountable, there’s always an exit. Bill’s Mars in Sag (square Neptune) is focused on the thrill of what lies over the horizon. He would love nothing more than to have you join him on his next great adventure, and you get caught up with his evangelical fervor. The problem is, his actions (Mars) are undermined by illusion (Neptune). He gives up, overwhelmed by a sense of futility and disappointment (and lets you down in the process). The issue with any planet in Gemini/Sagittarius (that’s muddled by a hard Neptune aspect) is bringing the vision down to earth, and getting specific.

The Evolutionary Seducer: Pluto in 1st House Libra

Libra rising is appealing, sociable and flirtatious. Add magnetic Pluto (especially when it falls within a few degrees of the Ascendent) and you have a potent recipe for attraction. These individuals have something that draws people to them. But Pluto is the planet of evolution, and wherever it falls in the chart is where transformation must occur. The 1st House represents identity, so these people are driven to transform themselves through the relationships they experience. This can lead to many, many compulsive encounters, all with the goal of enlightening the Pluto person.

Arun attracts men and women, and while not all these encounters involve sex, the other person feels that they are being seduced. She hasn’t been without a partner since she was sixteen (she’s 32 now). Arun claims that she does not go looking for people, and she’s being honest; Pluto’s energy is instinctive, and she doesn’t have much control over who she draws in. She just senses that associating with a certain person will teach her something new about herself. She doesn’t seem like a “player,” because Pluto’s intensity, and her very real quest for self-knowledge, gives her depth. She wants to know everything about you. It’s thrilling (and unnerving) to have this beautiful woman fixated on every detail of your life. Being with Arun can feel like sudden, total immersion in a capital “R” Relationship, with no breathing room. She has to be with you all the time, on her terms. Until one day, she tells you that she’s met someone else, and she’s leaving. What’s happened is she’s learned all she can from you (about herself) and that’s it. This revolving door of relationships will continue indefinitely, until Arun learns her true (paradoxical) evolutionary lesson: that a balanced relationship involves two people, and she doesn’t need to be in one to learn about herself.

This is not an exhaustive list. But it does describe some of the more prominent aspects that could indicate a troublesome romantic partner. If you’re involved with one of these people, know that you can’t change them. Awareness of what’s happening is helpful, but in the end, it’s their call.

Related Posts:

• Pluto Problems in Relationships
• A Case Study of Deception

Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter are all still in the Sign of the Twins as well. For better or worse (and likely, it’ll be for the better) wherever Gemini is in your chart, there is likely to be significant action. Don’t forget about the opposite part of your chart too — where Sagittarius is. All the activity in Gemini will have an influence there, too. Opposite Houses aren’t really all that “opposite”: like twins, they are different but often have surprising similarities.

Virgo and Pisces? You’re invited to the party too, even though all this energy may be a bit more difficult for you to manage. Enjoy the ride — and pack your motion-sickness medication just to be safe.

Gemini is quick and bright, and those gifts can sometimes (sometimes!) overcome some of the more lumbering and cumbersome of circumstances. And speaking of which… Uranus square Pluto is once more grinding towards the exact aspect. There’s no guarantee that the potentially explosive fury it can bring will manifest this week, but I’ll bet you’ll be able to feel it a little more. Eclipses can make everything a bit sharper and pointier.

Friday brings us the Full Moon/lunar eclipse at 4 degrees Gemini and 4 degrees Sagittarius. Have a look at the Houses in your birth chart those two points fall into, and what planets in your chart they are aspecting. This is the last in a series of three eclipses recently, and will charge those points in your chart until the next eclipse, which doesn’t come until October. The eclipse point is square Neptune, so brace yourself for a double-dose of having some delusions removed. Prepare for change, because change is preparing for you.

Sun in Leo knows that he’s special. He senses that he’s meant for bigger things than your average Joe, but he still strives for external validation. Although he courts attention from the general public, his biggest fan should be his partner. Sun in Leo loves generously, and he can be loyal, but it’s essential that his lover feed his ego with praise and focused attention on a regular basis.

Moon in Aquarius knows that she’s different. She doesn’t feel that this makes her better or worse than anyone else, it’s just a fact. She needs space (and alone time) to express her quirks and pursue her eclectic interests. A partner who attempts to box her into a traditional domestic situation will trigger her Shadow side: detachment and perverse behavior. Moon in Aquarius can be a loving, committed partner (even though she’ll never gush emotion) as long as her lover respects her individuality.

These two may be drawn to one another by their recognition that they are not one of the crowd. Each may secretly admire how the other expresses their individuality. But tensions can arise when Sun in Leo doesn’t get his quota of gushing admiration from his cool, Aquarius partner. And Moon in Aquarius may feel smothered by Leo’s demands and extravagant expressions of love. But the polarity in this relationship can be enough to hold it together (and both of these Fixed signs are too stubborn to quit). Over time, Aquarius can teach Leo to detach a bit from his “It’s all about me” worldview, while Leo can teach Aquarius that’s it’s ok to care what people think.

View all the Sun-Moon combinations ››

Image courtesy Flickr user webtreats

Since Mercury is ruled by Gemini, there is added power available now when it comes to words and information. If you’ve been wanting to meet someone new, you’ll be more likely to make a connection during this transit if you spend time out and about. This doesn’t even necessarily have to take place on the physical plane, since Gemini practically invented social networking sites. Online dating, Twitter and Facebook are just a few of the possible avenues where you can reach out and make a Gemini connection during this time.

Gemini thrives on motion and a fast-paced schedule, so you’ll probably feel even busier than usual, with lots of information flowing around to digest and process. It can be tempting to allow yourself to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, leaving little time to pay attention to your body and daily maintenance routines. Try to remember that the body fuels the mind, and make room for a little downtime during this active transit.

Credit: Choreograph via iStockphoto

The 8th House is a deep, dark place. It’s one of the most sensitive areas in your chart, representing sexual and emotional intimacy. But it’s also where you hide your compulsions and obsessions. It’s the house of instinct, endings, and the rebirth that follows those endings. The 8th House is where you do not have complete control, so when someone’s planets fall in this area, it can be an intense experience.

Loss of control is an important theme with this house; the person that activates it will confront you with this issue. That’s a frightening concept, but it’s an essential component of 8th House synastry overlays. The purpose of an 8th House connection is to teach you to deal with buried issues that you may not want to confront. You may be intensely attracted to, or repelled by, this person. Maybe you’ll feel a combination of both. Much will depend on how you handle your 8th House; the sign on the cusp and the condition of its planetary ruler will tell you more.

Before we look at examples, I should clarify that the 8th House person will experience the greatest intensity with this connection. The planet person will probably be aware that they have a deep impact on the house person. But how they feel about this will depend on which of their houses are impacted by the 8th House person’s planets. I’ll be writing an article on this (the potential differences between two synastry house overlays) at a later date.

Venus in the 8th

Edith’s Venus in Libra falls in Jim’s 8th House. Her flirtatious way of approaching relationships (and expressing her femininity) triggers some complicated reactions in him. He’s intensely attracted to her, but something about her light and airy approach bothers him. He finds her superficial and difficult to pin down. He wants her, but that whole flirtatious/friendly vibe she gives off (to everyone) really gets to him. He reacts with extreme fits of jealousy that seem to crawl out of nowhere, while criticizing Edith for being artificial.

Unbeknownst to Edith, she is confronting him with his Shadow (which lurks in everyone’s 8th House). Perhaps his Venus (which rules Libra, and his 8th House) sits in possessive, materialistic Taurus. He has issues with ownership and security, while being stubbornly entrenched in his personal values. He wants substance in a relationship, and he wants assurance that his partner belongs to him. But he didn’t realize he felt so strongly about these issues until he met Edith.

Where Jim and Edith go from here depends on how he handles this 8th House energy (that she has activated). If he isn’t ready to confront his Shadow, Edith’s harmony-loving Venus might find all of this too heavy, and she’ll break things off. Jim will be devastated. But maybe Jim is interested in self-transformation, so he’ll confront what Edith has unearthed. Jim may discover that a broader definition of “personal values” exists, and the social sugar that Edith sprinkles around is not the poison he thought it was. He might even get to the root of why he needs to hang on so tightly to his lover. There’s no guarantee that they’ll live happily ever after (Edith might still be freaked out by Jim’s reaction to her) but at least he’ll be taking steps to deal with the behavior that she triggers. He’ll become conscious of his 8th House issues, rather than functioning on autopilot.

Sun/Mars in the 8th

Trish’s 8th House cusp is in Aquarius. Uranus (her 8th House ruler) is conjunct her Moon (needs and emotions). Along comes Ken, and his Aquarian Sun/Mars conjunction falls in her 8th House. Trish’s Moon/Uranus conjunction is an uneasy mix of comfort (Moon) and disruption (Uranus). She needs excitement, but craves safety. She’s drawn to Ken’s detached way of expressing his ego and actions, but he also triggers her insecurities about being abandoned. He’s not always available, and that’s just what she wants (while dreading it at the same time).

Let’s take the connection a step further. Ken’s Sun/Mars forms a harmonious trine with Trish’s Moon/Uranus. He triggers her abandonment fears, but she’s able to work through them (with him) because his energy is in harmony with her needs (Moon). Maybe he insists on having his own space, but reassures her that he still loves her. He’s there for her, but he takes a lot of time for himself. Gradually, Trish realizes that she’s not going to be abandoned. She grows to trust Ken, while enjoying the electricity in the space between them.

But maybe Trish’s Moon/Uranus conjunction is hit by a tense square from Ken’s Sun/Mars, instead. The same abandonment issues are triggered, but this time Ken is more unpredictable. Perhaps he says he’s going to show up at Trish’s place, but he’s two days late (with no phone call). Trish is stuck on a rollercoaster of sickening anxiety, because Ken does this all the time. Someone else might have given Ken the boot the first time he pulled this, but Trish is tied to him because of that binding 8th House connection. She’s addicted to the excitement, dreads the anxiety, but loves the thrill when he finally does show up (apologizing) and they have passionate, make-up sex. Trish is still confronted with her dual needs for excitement/nurturing, but in a much harsher way.

Eventually, Trish may realize that she needs (Moon) to detach (Uranus), but will only be able to do so when her passion turns to revulsion. She’ll dump Ken, finally having reached her limit. And she’ll never look back. Sometimes an intense, 8th House attraction can flip to repulsion, if the 8th House person is pushed too far. Ken will be confused; he won’t understand how Trish’s white-hot feelings for him could wither away to nothing.

Mercury in the 8th

Not everyone is drawn to their 8th House guest. Bev’s 8th House cusp is in Virgo, her Mercury (8th House ruler) in uncompromising Aries. She barrels forward with her opinions, never slowing down to consider how others might react. Here’s Mark (who she works with), and his Mercury falls in her 8th House. Everything he says seems to get under her skin. He’s constantly challenging her, but not in an overt way. His quiet observations and probing questions just seem to push her buttons. While it’s true that he gets her thinking (when no one else does) Bev doesn’t want to think. She finds him invasive, and he makes her angry. Their interactions never go beyond tense conversations (that are peppered with Bev’s snarky responses). Mark is always a bit surprised at how strongly she reacts to his suggestions. She’s aggressive when she talks to everyone in the office, but she seems to respond almost violently to Mark.

No matter who activates your 8th House (or with what planets) they are guaranteed to set off a depth charge in your chart. If you’re the 8th House person, know that this relationship is your call to face down your Shadow. You’ll learn more than you ever imagined, but it’s up to you if you want to go there (not everyone is ready for an 8th House relationship). If you’re the planet person, know that the 8th House person’s reactions to you will not always be rational. Try not to take it personally: it’s more about them than you.

Related Posts:

• For the Love of Money: A Study of the 8th House
• Real Sex … With Saturn in the 8th House
• Pluto in the Eighth: Practical Magic

Mercury enters Gemini

Applying some intellectual versatility to your love life makes sense this week. Venus is also in Gemini, but other than a square to Neptune on Monday (making your feelings a bit foggy), Venus isn’t getting any particular aspects from any of the other planets this week. If you find that the hearts and desires in your life are a bit scattered, you might as well apply some of that scattershot Mercury energy to the matter. If sometimes it takes a thief to catch a thief, then sometimes maybe it takes a shotgun to kill a swarm of flies. A special precaution though: if what’s needed most is to communicate something clearly to a loved one, you might want to get that done before the weekend. Mercury square Neptune doesn’t usually facilitate clear transmission of ideas, even when a bright Mercury placement like Gemini is involved.

More potentially good news this week: there will be none of those ridiculously long Void of Course Moons happening to screw up your new initiatives. The potentially bad news? It will be harder to blame a Void of Course Moon for screwing up your new initiatives this week. Try blaming all that undisciplined Gemini energy instead.

Finally, for those of you seeking “good fortune” in one form or another: after an unusually long time bobbing around in Gemini, Jupiter is starting to pick up speed, shooting (by its usual standards) through the last eight degrees of Gemini in the next month. Have a look at your birth chart and see where those eight degrees fall, and you’re likely to have your load lightened a little in that department. Afterwards, in the last full week of June, Jupiter enters Cancer, the sign of it’s “exaltation.” In other words, the place where Jupiter does its best work. Start laying the groundwork for “overnight success” NOW!

Sun in Leo knows how to work an audience. He’s intensely aware of how others perceive him, because he thrives on their attention and approval. If his partner treats him like royalty, she’ll always have the best seat in the house (and a backstage pass). Sun in Leo is an exuberant and committed lover (as long as he’s not ignored) but this exhibitionist will look for attention outside the relationship, as well. This doesn’t mean that he’ll be unfaithful, but he does have a childlike urge to impress everyone he meets.

Moon in Capricorn is the closet CEO. It may not be immediately obvious, but in her heart is the need to achieve something. Her relationship may be organized around this achievement. Her partner should understand that, while Moon in Capricorn may love him to bits, she doesn’t actually need to be with him. She doesn’t really need anyone, and her Shadow can emerge when she shuts down and retreats to her emotional ivory tower (usually as a reaction to feeling out of control).

Sun in Leo will be the King, and Moon in Capricorn will be his power behind the throne. For all his charm and glamour, Leo can be a tad lazy if not properly motivated. Moon in Capricorn will take care of that by focusing his energy on a goal, and firing up his competitive instinct. Sun in Leo will be grateful (while admiring her strength) although he may sulk if she cracks the whip too hard. This is when Moon in Capricorn will have to learn to mix some praise in with her orders. But with her disciplined support and his way with the public, these two can write their own ticket (while admiring each other’s talents along the way).

View all the Sun-Moon combinations ››

If you’re single, this transit can encourage you to meet new people, though you may want to keep your expectations low, since it’s a better time to date and mingle than it is to forge any kind of long term commitment. For those already in relationships, Venus in Gemini offers plenty of opportunities for fun and new experiences. Take advantage of Gemini’s curious nature and see what you can learn about your partner that you didn’t already know. It may take a shared adventure or even the influence of someone else to bring out your partner’s “other” side, but since Gemini is the sign of the twins, the chances are good that you’ll find what you are looking for.

Parties and other social occasions should be particularly fun and interesting during Venus’ transit through Gemini. Everyone is just a little more open and engaged, hungry for new input and ideas.

If you have been feeling stagnant or stuck, Gemini’s breeze of fresh air and light will allow you to re-connect with other people in new and interesting ways.

An earlier version of this post appears here.