"When people shake their heads because we are living in a restless age, ask them how they would like to live in stationary one, and do without change." — George Bernard Shaw

Leo 2009 Edition of Astrologically Speaking

Timeline: July 22, 2009 at 9:36 AM PDT - August 22, 2009 16:38 PDT

"When I hear somebody sigh,'Life is hard,'I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'" — Sydney J. Harris

I just had to have to quotes this month; life is about our perspective. Based on the stories I hear, I am one of the truly lucky ones; even with such an oddball profession as astrology. I have the privilege of working with people and using such ancient knowledge as my tool. At times writing the column is hard, however, I know from your emails that it is appreciated.

To read your horoscope and skip the intro click on your sign: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces

Leo2009 It has been quite the eclipse season with the mundane events and the many celebrity deaths, most eclipsed by that of Michael Jackson, whose funeral was held on the day of the Lunar Eclipse, these take place at the Full Moon. This July we have had two eclipses and there is one more on August 5. This series of eclipses repeats from 19 years ago, that is from 1990. In our private lives we are likely to be making radical decisions during this period (June-August). However, we also need to acknowledge that this can be a challenging time, when some of those new directions we find ourselves taking are coerced rather than something we chose.

I had an interesting conversation with a fellow Scorpio (someone I have known forever). He stated that no-one can tell the future, it is guesswork at best. I have spent over two decades, looking at the stars and planets, written numerous columns and articles about the future... Made me think. I do think that we have lots of freedom to choose, and the minute we make a choice, the direction of our path alters. I think with astrology we can understand what is going on, what will most likely take place if we continue in the same direction, and what other choices we might want to contemplate. I am writing on the day of the solar eclipse, I have had a few emails from colleagues who talk about the impact of the eclipses—I personally have never been able to predict what an eclipse will bring to an individual, have predicted a few forest fires, etc. I think of eclipses as timers, we might choose to finally ask our girlfriend to marry us; suggest that we move in together; decide to return to school despite the financial hardship and even choose to move countries, I moved to Canada back 1990 with the same eclipse that is taking place. A family member became engaged after about a decade of dating; someone else I know is planning a wedding after dating her fellow for over 10 years; my cousin made a trip of a lifetime back home after a 40 year absence, another family member is changing careers and going back to school, another found a career opportunity of a lifetime... in short ECLIPSES!

I took a year off from teaching and other similar activities and have just posted information about the first classes I will be teaching this Autumn. For the first time since 2004, I am offering a beginner class and this time I hope to be able to utilize technology more. It is kind of nice not to have to rely on photocopies of photocopies — as was the case back when I taught my first classes; a lifetime ago—but to be able to do proper presentations. Depending on how well I handle my grandiose plans, the classes may eventually be available for students at a distance.

Grandiose is a wonderful word for Leo, not to slight any of the Leos out there, I am married to one after all. Seven years ago, I posted an item about Leo in relationships, it was never finished, but the beginning is there. The site has been online for eight years, and even I have lost track of what is on it. I am working on it at the moment, but may lose interest in fixing older pages... I am also removing some truly antiquated items.

In the graphic you can note that the fire signs are in Orange, and this month the Sun will be in Leo and for a brief two weeks, so will Mercury. Mercury moved into Leo July 17; for me it was decision time. Mercury is racing along truly fast now, which means that we are more likely to rush through tasks and make many typos in our correspondence, etc. The fix it period is just around the corner! Mercury moves into Virgo August 2, and reaches the position it will return to, on August 18. Thus from August 18 until September 10 or so, starting something brand new, unplanned, etc. is best avoided. Mercury is retrograde September 6-30, 2009. If you noticed, I am actually starting a new course with Mercury still retrograde. Will keep my readers posted, should I need to cancel it. I find that Mercury retrograde is not something we have to worry about; during those times we tend to work and learn more methodically and we pay more attention!

I drew lots of Mercuries into the graphic for the month to illustrate the loop Mercury will make. Into Libra of new ideas and co-operation and then back to honing those details, with a meeting with Saturn of doing things thoroughly and methodically. This August-October is about how we relate, how we express our views and about learning to be more diplomatic and accommodating. Beginning at the end of October, for about 2.5 years, relationship matters are important once again. There is a new style about to emerge, to take into account the new gender neutral term 'life-partner'. Thirty years ago, we added Ms. to the titles Mr, Miss and Mrs; initially it was considered feminist, now it simply liberates us to use just Mr. or Ms.— mostly we don't use any of them these days.

Horoscopes

Aries

March 19-April 19

This month is filled with activity; for the most part you are having fun. The two July eclipses brought work/career and family matters to the forefront. The new beginnings are with home and family. These might be decisions to move, to purchase a home and/or news about upcoming major milestones in the lives of your loved ones or you. August is often a rather romantic period for you. This is a natural time to have some holiday time and make time for fun. Beginning early August work and health become something you need to address. Perhaps once again there is a change coming and you need to plan for it. Inspiration is high and this month you might choose to pursue your heart's desire, rather than something that is the more practical.

Note that horoscopes address potential issues in broad terms; I have numerous inexpensive astrological reports for sale on this site; ranging from personality analysis to annual predictive reports. Read about the reports. A sample report of each is available through links on that page. Special offers valid through September 22, 2009. Three relationship reports for $20 and Five personalized astrological analyses on your chart for $30.

Taurus

April 19-May 20

It is easier now to lose track of time, your concentration and make grand plans that will take more effort than you realize to accomplish. During the month the Sun is in Leo it is about family. This year there might be events and celebrations you need to organize, while tackling all of those other plans you have. You are likely to have all kinds of plans and ideas bouncing around in your head these days—a theme that is likely to continue for a few years yet. Starting late October, the plans are starting to fall in place as you gear up for a busy decade.

This is a wonderful month to hone your skills, sign up for courses in something that interest you or even to create a business plan. Pay attention to money matters, those small items tally up fast and can throw your budget off kilter.

Gemini

May 20-June 20

With Mars of action in your sign, you are busy these days and highly motivated. You might need to tone it down a little, because others might find your approach somewhat intimidating at the moment. You are certainly speaking your mind these days. Mercury is the planet associated with Gemini, and just look at how many Mercuries I placed on the graphic this month. It might even be hard to keep track of everything you are doing and thinking these days. The concentration is on family and loved ones; hobbies and home renovations and the whole gamut in between. In short life is busy and the days are not long enough. Ideas about making money, perhaps starting an enterprise are prominently in the picture now. It is about what you can and want to do, you have all kinds of choices and not choosing is also a choice. If you have experienced worries with money, now would be the ideal time to work up a budget, perhaps you can solicit help from a financial advisor at the bank.

Cancer

June 20-July 22

This summer is eclipse season, the ones on July 7 and July 21 influenced your sign. So in the last 30 days or so, you are more likely to have had big events. A new path opened for you, and it is up to you to make the most of it. An important relationship is likely to be at the centre of it all. You are likely working on long-range goals, which involve a change in status. Could be work, marriage, having children, buying a house—all kinds of milestone lie ahead—and this Summer is a pivotal time (read winter in the southern hemisphere). Venus graces your sign starting July 31 lasts until August 26; this tends to be a lovely time in terms of all things close to your heart. This could also spell a bit of money luck. Follow your heart and adhere to your own value system despite some of the contradictory messages in early August. Watch spending this month, you might feel overly generous, which in turn might limit what you have for daily expenses later in the month.

Leo

July 22-August 22

Happy Birthday Leo! Did you know that you can order an inexpensive birthday report for your year based on your date, year and time of birth? This year the major activity is about your goals and personal choices more so than any other year. Starting mid-October Mars moves into your sign for eight long months, and then it is about taking action that is in line with what you desire for you. Knowing that you have three months to finish projects, plan your action and motor on full speed. I don't know that Mars has spent this kind of time in one sign in over 100 years—therefore the impact will be strong. This month is about private matters, spending time with friends and remembering the importance of setting aside time for rest, relaxation etc. in order to recharge your internal batteries for a hectic year ahead.

Virgo

August 22-September 22

It is a great time to make progress with all of your bigger plans; pay attention to details. There is much activity at work and with career matters. The eclipse season is rather potent this summer, and tends to spell memorable times—at least in hindsight. When we turn on the news and watch the events, it serves as a reminder of how lucky we are not to be on the news. I think it helps bring things into perspective. For some these spell romance, having children or discovering a strong creative streak within us. I often find that the energy is tense around eclipses and sleep elusive. Your sign, like Gemini, belongs to Mercury. You can see the many Mercuries in this month's graphic, not quite the blur of the previous month, but lots of motion and then that retrograde period in September... August 2, Mercury moves into your sign, and will return for a second go around in September. This is typically about getting ahead of ourselves, that is we decide something, think it takes X amount of effort, and quickly realize that there are things we did not anticipate. The change in direction, most of September, represents that time when we play catch up. At least we have those catch up periods, compliments of Mercury, otherwise we would merely keep talking about what we will do.

Libra

September 22-October 22

Home, family, work, bosses are some of the topics for the season. It is a balancing act; you may find that you need to be more supportive or encouraging toward both family members and people who have control over what you do. Many a Libra is both planning and taking action to gain better employment, a change in the field, etc. The next 2.5 years beginning shortly after your birthday suggest you will be working extra hard, which in turn might suggest that you will be successful in the now. With short term plans and arrangements, keep things flexible. It looks like your schedule is rather hectic now, and you are more likely to take on extra responsibilities; try to be realistic about what more you can take on. If you opt to take on the role of the leader in a volunteer type of capacity, it will be harder to back down this year—keep that in mind when making those choices and decisions.

Scorpio

October 22-November 21

I have been revamping this website—a long way to go yet... I launched this site in August 2001; the Sun was in Leo as it is now. At that time my goal was to share astrological knowledge, in the past eight years this site has grown both in size and popularity. I get emails from readers all over the globe. Most of my clients are overseas these days. That sounds like career matters doesn't it? Well, for Scorpios the Sun in Leo month is about status and career! It may take a while but eventually we get there, right—we have patience, we are Scorpios. This year Jupiter of LUCK is influencing us, teaching us to make our luck. Starting the end of October, Mars of action will be in Leo for eight months... yup, plenty of opportunities to make changes in our status, career, gain recognition, validation, whatever it might be that you crave (now that's a Scorpio word); we don't settle for the mild word: desire, do we. For now Mars is in Gemini, and this is about being resourceful, looking after investments and debts. Check your statements with care, speak to your financial advisor (my appointment with one is next week), and review that insurance policy—shop around, get your three quotes, before choosing. Until mid-Autumn is the time to finalize plans and the time to eliminate things from your life that are no longer viable.

Sagittarius

November 21-December 21

Those wealth-building years began for Sagittarius last November, these last for 15+ years—the change of seasons mark the pivotal times. Now that the Sun is in Leo, you are getting some welcome praise and appreciation, however, very quickly—by August 2—you need to buckle down and show your skills. Venus, the money goddess, is in your financial sector for most of this month, which tends to spell a bit of luck but also the tendency to spend. Head out to the shops with a budget in mind, eh. If you look at the graphic for the month you can see many Mercury symbols (orange, green, turquoise and even black), the symbolic areas are plans, accomplishments and rewards from the same. Some plans need revisions and some of the work you are doing will likely return for a redo. This month avoid rushing tasks, especially those involving communication in any way (I don't actually know if there is anything that involves no communication). There might be some surprise travel in the stars now.

Capricorn

December 21-January 19

This summer is unusual both in terms of weather and the Eclipses. I am writing this in the sweltering heat of British Columbia—it hasn't been this hot for this long, in the past 19 years that I have lived here. Toronto is experiencing the coldest July on record...The eclipse on Tuesday (July 21) lasted a long time, the next one of equal duration won't come along for another 20 years, the newscaster proclaimed (I expect he meant 19). That solar eclipse took place in the sign opposite of yours, Cancer, which links the effects to relationships. Any tense situation is typically over after the eclipse is over, however, it is more likely that a new relationship was born or that one ended. Most likely something new emerged that could be lumped in the area of relationships. Indeed all of this month is more about how you can do more for others than about you. This in an excellent month for Capricorns involved in promotion, publicity, advertising, travel and publishing—yes there are likely to be adjustments in a few weeks, so for now it is important to pay attention to details, to read the fine print and learn to put a positive spin on things. Late October, all of your plans and goals become the attention of much of your efforts. Now is the time to fine-tune the how and with whose help.

Aquarius

January 19-February 18

Leo month is always about relating to you, this year it might also be about hearing secrets, keeping confidences and assisting friends and family with tough decisions. In short, you are likely to be the counsellor this month and well into the next. Remember that this column runs according to the astrological month, this is the Leo month and the Virgo month follows. I think I should state an advisory, if lending money beware that it might not come back to you; should your policy be 'never lend more than you can afford to kiss goodbye'. It is also about what you 'must' do in order to assist those you care about. I have noticed that my Aquarius friends have retreated...that is when I always know that there is too much stuff going on, and until we figure things out for ourselves, we do not care to discuss it. That is mostly true of fixed sign individuals Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio, particularly if they also have Mercury of communication in the same sign as their Sun.

Pisces

February 18-March 19

The Sun in Leo month is about being of service for you. 'What else can I do to make your life more comfortable?'—might sound like your mantra. You are coordinating, organizing and offering support, as you reward you do get the occasional thank you and deep within your heart you know it was sincere. However, it is as easy to feel that you are being taken for granted. Please read the quotes for this month... As the month advances it is still about relationships, but now you need to listen with extra care and choose your own words and responses with even more care. Yes, the potential for misunderstandings grows exponentially over the next 12 weeks, and forewarned is forearmed. This month is excellent for rekindling the passion in your relationship, a fresh start; maybe plan a short holiday and escape reality for a few days. Can't get away, well change your routine a little, plan a romantic evening, a picnic in the park or by the water's edge—imagination is your only limitation; and you have that in spades.

Classes

Anne's Book