Leo Full Moon - February 2, 2007

We all want to be adored. But at this Full Moon in Leo, the Finger of God is pointing at us, and we demand to be recognized, dammit! Full Moons are already stressful, as the Sun and Moon are in conflicting signs of the zodiac, trying to negotatiate a way to get opposing needs met. But this time, Uranus and Mars are in the picture, each making an exact quincunx -- a 150 degree angle -- to the Moon. This configuration is called a yod (Bob Marks provides an excellent explanation), with Uranus in Pisces and Mars in Capricorn sextile (60 degree angle) each other, and the Moon opposing their midpoint. (Have I lost 90% of my readers yet?) In addition, the Sun is sitting at the Mars-Uranus midpoint. In a yod, the two planets in sextile put a focus on the third planet -- in this case, the Moon.

Cafe Astrology provides the following planetary pictures:

MA/UR=MO [Moon at Mars-Uranus midpoint] Excited females. Accident or operation (female). Womb operation.

MA/UR=SO [Sun at Mars-Uranus midpoint] Sudden bodily action. The energetic or fierce man. Sudden injury to the body.

Mars-Uranus aspects relate to sudden action, restlessness, impulsivity. Accidents can occur under Mars-Uranus aspects because one doesn't stop to think before one acts. Additionally, Mars governs sharp objects, and Uranus governs electricity. Fortunately, under a sextile these two planets don't create too much havoc. However, in a stressful relationship to the Moon and the Sun, there is a problem "fitting in" this energy with the Leo-Aquarius axis. The Moon and Sun are in outgoing, yang signs (fire and air), whereas Mars and Uranus are in introverted, yin signs (earth and water). It is almost as if there are two different musical acts playing in the same hall at the same time, and each band refuses to play the others' tune.

Mars is hard at work in Capricorn, the Sun is focused on helping humanity in Aquarius, Uranus wants to rock the Spirit in Pisces, while the Moon -- all the way at the more "personal" side of the zodiac -- just wants some attention! Why do you y'all have to be focused on these bigger issues? Why can't we just play, or have sex, or hop on a bus to Atlantic City?

It can be easy to have your pride wounded this Full Moon, because face it ... you're not the be all and end all. Mars, Uranus and the Sun are telling you that there's a whole world out there that does not cater to your wishes. And they're doing it in a way that can come as a shock. A little brusque. A bit cold.

But don't give up. You are important, even if it's a struggle to get noticed. In the meantime, avoid "excited women" and "fierce men." And it's probably wise to avoid surgery.

Moon Mood Eating

I have written an article at AOL Horoscopes: Are You a Moon Mood Eater?

Some Shameless Self-Promotion

Fellow Brooklyn astrologer Samuel Reynolds has interviewed me in The Seeker about how I became an astrologer, my combination of astrology with psychotherapy, and more.

AOL Horoscopes' Celebrity Stars Week in Review has quoted my insights into Paula Abdul's erratic behavior. (This link will only be active until Thursday, February 1).

Aries Saxophone Legend Michael Brecker Dies

Jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker died of leukemia on January 13. Michael was hands down one of the best contemporary tenor players. In my teens, I first heard him in Steps Ahead, and devotedly followed him as he developed his solo career, reunited with his brother Randy in The Brecker Brothers, and participated in numerous side projects. I knew he had a blood disease a few years ago, but his death is still a shock, and I feel sad every time I hear him on internet radio.

Michael was born March 29, 1949 (time unknown), on an Aries New Moon. His Sun is conjunct Mars and Venus, opposite Neptune, and trine Pluto. Venus-Neptune is a musically intuitive and imaginative combination, and Mars in its own sign – conjunct an Aries New Moon – corresponds with his barrelhouse, driving jazz solos. An Aries New Moon signifies the "burst of life," and Michael's playing literally "initiated" a whole new style, with probably thousands of jazz musicians studying his transcribed solos note for note.

He also has Mercury in musical Pisces square brilliant Uranus, a combination that fits his unique, twist-and-turn melodies. Truly, a genius. He will be missed.

Capricorn New Moon - January 18, 2007

Lately, I've been getting in touch with an inner drive to achieve success, to rise to the top. Yet, I have had to accept that this requires hard work ... lots of it. For a heavily Piscean individual with a lazy Taurus Midheaven, this seems contrary to my nature. After all, a large part of me just wants to loll about in creative bliss, unconcerned with trivial, worldy matters like money and status. Sure, I have fantasies about being world-famous, but I want recognition to fall in my lap because I'm so wonderful (blame delusional Neptune!); I don't actually want to slog away to achieve fame.

However, unless you're born royalty (or an heiress to a wealthy hotel chain), you have to labor to get ahead. And if you don't have the potential to shock and awe people with a revolutionary product or insight, you need to just buckle down to get where you wanna go. It takes discipline, long hours and dedication.

What are your aspirations? When you fantasize about the pinnacle of your future achievements, what do you see? Capricorn's ruling planet, Saturn, is opposing Neptune for the first half of this year. We all want to manifest our dreams. And now, with the New Moon in Capricorn, it is the time to do what it takes.

So over the next two weeks, initiate a business project or take action to build on your reputation. Roll up your sleeves, and get cracking!

If you've got a planet or angle around 28 degrees of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) or if you have a birthday around January 18, April 18, July 21 or October 22, then this New Moon will provide even more opportunity for you. Look to the planet involved, as well as the aspect the New Moon makes, to find out how it will impact you.

The real definition of 'plutoed'

From astrobarry:

Among the innumerable inane end-of-year honors that show up in trivial headlines, this one from American Dialect Society caught my eye. Apparently, the verb 'plutoed' has been awarded its 2006 Word of the Year award. By their definition, to 'pluto' is 'to demote or devalue someone or something', an homage to by the IAU. In my book, however, a more precise definition of this planetary action-word is 'to repress awareness of difficult-to-process archetypes by deploying false labeling'. Language, by all accounts, is forever evolving.

Oompa Loompa

Astrology of the iPhone

The iPhone looks like one of the most revolutionary devices in history. I've been watching Steve Jobs' very long presentation, and I'm just blown away.

Steve started his MacWorld 2007 keynote address on January 9, 2007 at 9 am in San Francisco. (View chart.)

• Uranus square Jupiter. Uranus-Jupiter aspects are notable for breakthrough technologies.
• Aquarius on the Ascendant. Aquarius rules computers. Aquarian endeavors are ahead of their time.
  
• Neptune Rising. This is a multimedia phone, on which you can view photos, listen to music, watch movies, view Google maps, and surf the internet. Neptune also relates to idealism, and the iPhone is like a fantasy made real. The "real" part is Neptune's opposition to Saturn. A lot of hard work went into making this dream reality.
• Pluto-Mars conjunct in Sagittarius. This phone will transform (Pluto) the way we act in the world (Mars), giving us the freedom (Sagittarius) to do much of what a Mac does -- anywhere.
  
• Pluto-Mars square Moon in Virgo. The Moon in Virgo relates to our need to get tasks done, to stay organized, to be practical. The iPhone is a combination wide-screen iPod, cell phone, and internet communications device. It doesn't really address the needs of someone who's got to keep track of to-do lists, word docs and spreadsheets -- things you can do, for example, on the Treo. The iPhone expands the possibilities for multimedia on-the-go, but it's not going to meet our task-oriented needs.
• Sun-Mercury conjunction in Capricorn. It's a phone (Mercury) that wants to be noticed (Sun); phone as status symbol (Capricorn). It is also notable that this phone distinguishes itself by how we use our fingers (Mercury).
  
• Venus in Aquarius. The iPhone attracts (Venus) by being different (Aquarius).

This post was slightly amended on 1/11/07.

I am so happy!

I am now officially a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NY, which means I can legally practice psychotherapy here. (Yes, Virginia, I am not only an astrologer!)

I've been working towards this license for seven years, accruing 3000 hours of supervised experience. It's not been an easy path, I tell you! All the hours I did in California up to 2001 didn't count. And I had one supervisor-from-hell. But overall, I feel I've had sound clinical training and helpful colleagues.

So if you know anyone in NYC (Brooklyn especially) who would benefit from mental health services, please refer me! I can be reached at 347-423-4631.