Single Blog theory

Having 2 identical blogs is getting... confusing!

Back to the single-blog, which is at:

http://blog.artcharts.com/

Come visit!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

First Quarter Moon: determined for success

Friday, October 19 (4:33 am edt) the Moon and Sun are exactly square, forming the First Quarter Moon.

The Moon is in Capricorn. The Sun is in Libra. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn; Libra is ruled by Venus. Again, we see Venus and Saturn making a connection.

So where are you? What have you learned that you can APPLY it effectively in the world to achieve goals? With Mercury Retrograde (at 5 Scorpio 36) at this First Quarter Moon, take the time to keep looking until you feel you've reached an honest assessment.

Saturn, ruler of the Capricorn Moon, has been conjunct Venus (ruler of the Libra Sun) in early Virgo and both Saturn and Venus are at the Mercury/Mars midpoint -- and making helpful sextiles to both Mercury and Mars. Do not underestimate the value of a good plan to achieve your desires. You may be feeling lots of determined, positive energy, but to be effective, you need to know what to DO with it. Saturn's energy is constricting, yet it guides by setting limits and creating boundaries so you can focus on what you WANT to do.

Before you can make decisions, you have to be clear. What DON'T you want? What DO you want?

Taking responsibility for your choices is daunting, but if you're NOT willing to take responsibility for the choices you make, or aware that you have a choice, you can find yourself manipulating others to take responsibility for your decisions. It's always someone else's fault. Realizing the serious weight of responsibility can be overwhelming. Yet, if you don't take it on, you can feel victimized because others are making the important decisions for you.

Making a commitment DOES restrict how much time and energy you can put into other things, yet by putting your attention on what you choose and select, Saturn's restrictions can be opportunities to concentrate, make progress, get closer to a goal, all themes of Saturn energy.

While Mercury is Retrograde and exactly sextile Saturn at the First Quarter Moon, you may reflect on your goals and get clear about the steps you need to take to achieve them. Information may be hidden and hard to access, especially until the Sun-Mercury conjunction at 0 Scorpio (on Oct 23), but don't let that stop you! After the Sun-Mercury conjunction (the "inferior" conjunction) you may be able to access deeper information than you have recently, IF you are ready to look behind the scenes, under the covers, and beyond what your ego wants you to acknowledge.

Message of the First Quarter Moon: this is THE perfect time to get organized. Sort it out, write it down, think it through, again. And if you're still not sure, there's something you're missing, so do it again.

Once you know what to do, there can be opportunities to move ahead, but the strong Venus influence of this chart reminds us that it helps to be KIND. Being considerate can persuade even the most sensitive or difficult person.

But what's the problem with pressing your point when you KNOW you are right? Aren't you justified??! Yes, if you want to spend your energy holding on to being right.

Why do we need to be RIGHT? To prove our self-worth. When you need to be right to prove your self-worth, or for you ego's sake, the message your are broadcasting -- to yourself and others -- is that you're only worth something IF you are right. Feeling and believing that "you're only worth something IF you are right" is a belief that leads to unhappiness and negative feelings about yourself that can radiate out and touch everyone and everything you contact. What if feeling worthless causes bad feelings-- not because it's true, but because it is NOT true. And spreading bad feelings makes it worse, and worse.... So why not spread good feelings, because you really ARE worthy. That would be a strong positive statement that would empower you, which also radiates and vibrates.

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, if you benefit from the articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Making this workweek work

Continuing on with the Venus-Saturn conjunction theme, because the sky is not letting it drop...

Venus is quickly approaching the current Mercury-Mars trine by making a sextile to Mars and Retrograde Mercury (on Tuesday 10/16), while Retrograde Mercury and Mars form a perfect trine before dawn on Wednesday (10/17). With the Nodes, this forms a KITE formation, which is a Grand trine and a sextile to one of the points [Mars in Cancer trines North Node in Pisces trines Mercury in Scorpio and both Mars and Mercury sextile the Venus-SNode-Saturn conjunction in Virgo]. The KITE pattern is a symbol for supreme success. This is about figuring out the details for your greatest success.

You may see what you want, and you may want to go for it. Yet, making a decision can bring up endless details to figure out. If you allow that to change your mind or "awfulize" a situation until there is no way out, you can talk yourself into a negative spiral. This is about focusing on the positive by watching where you place your attention.

What about success and abundance challenges your beliefs about your routine and work?

How can you look at the feedback you're receiving to turn things around in your favor?

If something is in your way, talk it out, write it out, journal it out-- argue it out if you have to. And with the air cleared, you may be able to figure it out.

in Love&Light,
Lauren

Manifesting Love: the conjuntion of Venus and Saturn

Love is a teaching, and you're ready for the lesson.

Venus and Saturn are making a conjunction in early Virgo. What makes this reunion all the more powerful is that Venus Retrograde (this summer) gave us 3 Venus-Saturn conjunctions. This is the 3rd and last time.

A commitment you didn't feel ready, willing, or able to make earlier this Summer may seem like the right thing to do this Fall. It's a good time to get serious about a relationship.

The astrology books caution that Venus conjunct Saturn inhibits affection and can act as a barrier to love. Yet, committed relationships do create an exclusive club and form a barrier by their very nature. Yet, ongoing relationships can get an energy renewal [as Mercury and Mars form a trine to each other and sextiles to the Venus-Saturn conjunction]; guidance or reading can help you understand each other better so you can relate reasonably. When you approach a relationship as 2 people who are accountable for themselves AND responsible to the relationship, you can reach a renewed level of appreciation for the ongoing love you share-- no matter how you decide to proceed.

All relationships count, and business relationships can also mature now as you coordinate with a partner to plan for the future. Don't hideout-- get socially organized; work your social networks.

The conjunction of Venus and Saturn in Virgo can make learning more enjoyable, especially if it can help you to earn more from your profession. If there's a subject you're attracted to, take opportunities to learn in more depth. When you love your subject, even the most technical details are fascinating now.

If you can create a barrier to negative judgments, your passionate commitments can give you plenty of energy to enjoy an active and enlightening weekend.

Put feeling good first on your agenda and enjoy!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, if you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Libra New Moon: Slow dancing

[ArtCharts Express] InspiredAstrology Newsletter

::: New @ ArtCharts.com :::
now blogging at:
http://blog.artcharts.com/
http://artcharts.blogspot.com/
inspired astrology at myspace
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[ArtCharts Express] New Moon edition

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Jupiter squares Uranus: October 8
Libra New Moon: October 11 @ 1:01 am edt
Mercury Retrograde: October 12 @12:00 am edt

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Libra New Moon: Slow dancing

The New Moon in Libra, the sign of the scales, is the time to create balance.
When you are in balance, you can harmonize with others and enjoy your relationships. Whether you are relating to a person, a pet, something you are doing, or a work of art, you are relating and creating balance and harmony, using the appropriate words, images, colors, tones, gestures, feelings.

To create harmony with others, you need to be diplomatic and able to compromise. If you focus on keeping the peace, your own needs can become less of an issue and you may even overlook something personally important to avoid conflict. There is also a balance between compromising until you lose your integrity and being yourself at all costs.

At the time of the New Moon, the Sun and Moon are conjunct in Libra. Libra is ruled by value-conscious Venus. And Venus is making a semisquare to the Sun and Moon and a conjunction to Saturn-- all of this can heighten any gap that exists between what you want and the habits you enjoy that keep you from achieving it.

On this Libra New Moon, Venus conjuncts cautionary Saturn, while Mercury is stationing Retrograde in Scorpio (and will Retrograde back into Libra on October 23, also the day the Sun enters Scorpio). The message is slow down. Something needs to be unraveled and it can't be done at high speed.

How do we get OUT of balance? By letting the opinions of others limit our reality. And we let ourselves be limited so we can remain at a familiar comfort level. No wonder we're frustrated! Following someone else's path is a sure way to get lost, or out of alignment with your Self, your flow, your dream.

Seeking approval is a quick way to feel unsettled and lose your balance. If you are (unconsciously) chasing after approval, this New Moon is an opportunity to release that need. If you are always accommodating others to be fair and stable, you're not really keeping the peace or creating balance if YOU are out of balance by only giving and not allowing yourself opportunities to receive. You may create peace and harmony, but also lose personal integrity as you put aside what you KNOW is important so you can satisfy the expectations of another person or society in general.

Libra is ruled by Venus and Venus is conjunct Saturn, so it may not be easy to express your feelings and you can be more calculating than unconditional in your feelings towards friends and lovers. You may be socializing more, but it may be more out of work or obligation than enjoyment.

It may seem that people don't appreciate you. And you may feel that you are not loved for yourself, but for the functions you perform, the financial support you provide, or the work you do. If your commitment to your family usually comes before your career, it can seem that others are far ahead of you.

Releasing the need for approval is a challenge because it means accepting your own less-than-perfect tendencies; your own darkness. It's hard to accept yourself FULLY. You don't always approve of yourself or not all your impulses that are nice or friendly or harmonious, and some are uniquely personal.

Venus and Saturn conjunct in early Virgo can magnify any resistance to love. And affection can be harder to demonstrate. Yet, in Virgo, the message is that being a partner in a happy, fulfilling relationship can be taught and learned.

How do you get clear -- right NOW-- which is the only time there is!? The New Moon (Sun and Moon is trine Neptune and sextile Jupiter. The key is to have a vision. And you can get your vision by meditation, visualization, prayer, creativity, dreamwork, journaling. Let your subconscious have its voice. Open and give yourself inner access, whether that's by listening, feeling, sensing, or visualizing. However it comes to you, be open and let yourself see beyond what seems to be reality. Singing, dancing, and music can help you channel your sensitivity, and talent is NOT necessary (and may hinder the process if you automatically edit your every impulse). You can change your aura by listening to music, and you can get inspired by watching a movie or reading a book.

Pay attention to your feelings, allow them to be present. And then allow yourself to release hurts and forgive, starting with yourself. This can free up energy that is frozen in position by holding onto hurt that causes you pain. There is always something you get from every experience and once you can realize what that is, you can release any hold that experience may have on you. If you can't meditate and release by yourself, guided meditation can help you learn to sit silently with yourself, which can take practice. If you don't have a space that feels sacred and inspiring, this New Moon is the perfect time to create one. It doesn't have to be large, any space will do. It's not the size, it's what you bring to it, the way you decorate and give it personal meaning.

Mercury stationing Retrograde on a New Moon suggests that to get something NEW you may have to rethink something you are obsessing on (Mercury in Scorpio)
This is a message to SLOW DOWN. This is a balancing act that can be done-- slowly.

Thoughts are flying fast. Mercury will trine Mars 2 more times (Retrograde on Oct 17 and Direct on Nov 19), and they are both sextile Saturn (Mercury/Mars=Saturn, or Saturn is at the midpoint of Mercury/Mars). This is the time to use your mental energy to make clear and practical decisions. Libra, the Scales, is about balance. To achieve balance on the scale of this New Moon, you will need to tip the scales slowly and cautiously.

If you are experiencing a lack of energy, feeling stuck, apathetic, ashamed, or embarrassed, afraid, anxious, or depressed, you cannot just instantly expect yourself to move to an ecstatic state of pure joy. But-- just making the slightest push towards feeling better or shifting your perspective slightly can cause a major turnaround this Autumn. You don't need to PUSH, just a PING! of encouragement (New Moon - Sun and Moon sextile Jupiter) is enough to set a positive change of direction in motion.

While Mercury is Rx in Scorpio, we may be trying to figure out major, profound problems we recently raced past. While Mercury stops and travels backwards in Scorpio, we may be anxious about what we are sensing, and not ready to get drawn deeper into understanding a mystery. There are still lessons to be learned before we can dive deeper. Perhaps we don't really know what we want. Or we think about something and immediately negate the possibility that it could happen. During Mercury is Rx in Scorpio we get opportunities to rethink recurring negative thoughts. It's a great time to slow down your thoughts by journaling or meditating.

If you want to release but you are resisting, what new ideas are you resisting? Jupiter square Uranus symbolizes tradition interfacing with new ways of thinking. And since Uranus rules groups, we are not sure the new vision is aligning with tradition in a way that can create a mindset shift-- as a society. Yet old walls and ways are slowly changing and breaking down.

Resistance can even take the form of exuberant enthusiasm. When Jupiter is square Uranus, too much optimism can be unrealistic and encourage you to overdo something, overshoot your goal, thereby missing the mark. Perhaps you think you're best is never good enough, so you continue to work, polish, edit, do more, and more and more and it's still not good enough. You can create your own resistance by continuing to do too much, when your first impulse was fine.

From Libra to Scorpio
The Sun enters Scorpio on October 23

While the Sun transits through Libra, it's time to find balance --- the state when body, mind, emotions are aligned. And once we feel this balance, we are in an aligned state of body, mind, emotion with what we want, or our spiritual purpose. And then we are ready to move into a deeper or more spiritual perspective, which is Scorpio.

Buddha: "don't just DO something, sit there!"

And because nothing is ever perfect or complete, there's more (almost) daily on the ArtCharts AstroBlog


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SECTION 2. Using Astrology for Your Greatest Benefit
Libra is the sign of love and relationships. The New Moon is the time to think about how you relate to others, because this is also the time you can DO something about your relationships. You can change the way you look at others and how you feel about your interactions. How DO you react to insulting or negative comments? To love and affection?

The Love Forecast gives you invaluable insights into how you approach love, using the transits of Moon, Venus, and Pluto. Be ready, because this forecast discusses everything and holds back nothing.

The Relationship Potential Report looks at how you approaching relationships, using your 7th house cusp, or the Descendant to describe your relationship to Relationship. If the same problems resurface in your relationships, it can be invaluable to look at what you expect and what you bring to your relationships.

SECTION 3. Personal Readings
PING! Readings with Lauren: When you're feeling stuck or unsettled, let me give you more awareness of your situation. Sometimes you just need a nudge in the right direction. And then you can start moving towards a more positive and joyous life. Feel the power of your own inner support helping you grow, succeed, and prosper. 45 minute phone sessions -- $47 Click here to make your appointment now! or email Lauren for more info.

Next issue:
Full Moon on October 26: beyond the veil

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Thanks for subscribing. I sincerely hope you are benefitting from the newsletters. We appreciate your purchases. They keep artcharts (me) online and provide you with (my) original content. Thank you all for being here!
in Love&Light,
Lauren

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Mercury is stationing Retrograde: slow down, you move too fast

Mercury is stationing Retrograde.

From October 12 at midnight (edt) for the next 3 weeks (until November 1), Mercury will be apparently (from the Earth perspective) traveling backward in space.

There are many negative thoughts connected with Mercury Retrograde, and while it's true that some of those things can and do happen (purchasing a computer during a Mercury Rx in 2002 resulted in a computer that had to make multiple trips to the repair shop), there's a better way to think about Mercury Retrograde.

During Mercury Retrograde, Mercury, symbolic of our thoughts, stops moving and seems to hang motionless in space and then turn around and go backwards. And Mercury does it gain in 3 weeks when it stations Direct, and again seems to stop and then move forward again, slowly at first.

I've already seen and made data errors, all resulting in things having to be done twice-- AND also resulting in having to make CONTACT and CONNECT with other people. Mercury Retrograde-- especially in Scorpio and Libra-- reminds us that we need to CONNECT, to others and to our self.

When Mercury is Retrograde, it's time to SLOW DOWN. Our thoughts have been racing (as Mercury speeds up ahead of the Sun) and we are not thinking in the present, we are somewhere in the future. We forget to make essential connections when our minds are racing. And with Mercury in Scorpio, we make snap judgments, creating more interference in our minds.

How can you slow your mind and make the connections that are important, perhaps sacred. When you're going too fast, you can't stop to connect to much. You can keep collecting, talking, and reading bits and headlines, but it's hard to concentrate and learn anything in depth when you're always on the move for more.

During Mercury Rx through Scorpio and Libra, find ways to slow your mind. Talk about what matters. Just be with yourself, observe how what you put your attention on becomes more clear.

What are you missing by rushing all the time? Hopefully, you'll find out while Mercury is Retrograde.

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, if you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Venus emerges from the shadow

It's been a long time, but finally! Venus will enter Virgo on October 8 and emerge from the Retrograde shadow on October 11

As Venus Direct retraces her steps back to when she turned Retrograde at 3 Virgo in late July, get ready to act on your recently re-evaluated values.

How does money effect you? How do you think about money? How do you think money changes people? Do you see people with money as being better, happier, or just as miserable?

Some of us have an aversion to money because we see people who have money yet are not happy.

If you enjoy your life as it is, if you wouldn't change much even if you had more money, then you are already living abundantly.

And to the extent that you appreciate the people and things in your life, you are experiencing abundance. We all have Venus somewhere in our chart!

If you are not happy and you get more money, the money and things won't make you happy and can even make you more doubtful-- unless you are already happy. As Venus leaves Leo, it's time to access your own inner self-love. And from that perspective, you can start to make balanced, loving decisions.

Think of some of the positive things in your life. If you can appreciate just a few things you have right now, you already know the feeing of abundance. So you can activate it, ask for more of it, and be ready to receive it!

While Venus is in Virgo, you can refine all the ways you prevent love from being your guide. Focus on learning more about relationships and how to make your relationships more spiritual, connected, and whole. First with yourself, and then with others.

There's all ways more,

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, for more on the recent Venus Retrograde, see earlier blogs and newsletters

pps, if you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Begging Naked, a film by Karen Gehres

Let me share the story of the woman who helped me conceive the concept for ArtCharts. I'm still not sure who actually said ARTCHARTS first. It was 1996. She was making shoes, I was thinking about an astrology website. We both painted all the time, and had a duo "band", Flip. What has happened to Elise is disturbing.

A gifted and talented painter, my friend Elise Hill worked as a sex worker; and she brought her creativity to that stage as well. She became HOMELESS about 5 years ago. We watched her slip farther from reality, unable to change her course. Yet, Karen Gehres found a way.

Karen is a filmmaker and friend of Elise. So she made documentary about Elise's life, and it is showing at Film Festivals nationwide. It will be in NYC this weekend (see the Begging Naked myspace page for details), and Woodstock next weekend. And its message is both timeless and timely. And you can view, and purchase, Elise's paintings after the show.

At this point, I don't know if money will change Elise's life. Yet, recognition of her talent can only help her and her audience.

So go see BEGGING NAKED, a film by Karen Gehres.

I'm going to one of the showings at the Woodstock Film Festival.

in LOVE&LIGHT,
Lauren

ps, i include this post because it's personal for me. And also because viewers have told me how "cool it would be" if i were homeless and they could say, "my astrologer is a homeless woman from NYC". I want to share this because that thought is an illusion that can be cleared by watching this film.

Looking ahead...

I've been writing the next ArtCharts newsletter and realizing the profound and ongoing strength of the coming Jupiter-Uranus square.

Jupiter is approaching a square to Uranus. This is the last time they will square until 2013. This not something that happens every day, so this is a turning point in thought and the general direction of society. But it won't be a direct line to the new paradigm.

Next week there is a New Moon in Libra on the day Mercury stations Retrograde.

These events, occurring as Jupiter squares Uranus, underscore and accentuate the importance of this square.

Times are a-changin', but not effortlessly right now.

More on the newsletter....

So sign up if you haven't already!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, here's a link to subscribe to ArtCharts newsletter

Last Quarter Moon: revealed!

The Last Quarter Moon is powerful-- although it doesn't usually make headlines because it is not visible. At this point in the Moon's cycle, Moonrise is close to midnight, so we rarely see the Moon in the Last Quarter phase.

The Last Quarter Moon occurs when the Moon and Sun are exactly square, or 90 degrees apart (with the Moon approaching a conjunction with the Sun, or the week before the New Moon).

This square is between the Moon in Cancer and the Sun in Libra.

The Moon rules Cancer, so the Moon is strong. Emotions hit home.

And Venus rules Libra. Planet Venus is making a trine to Pluto. This trine is the last of 3 trines, due to the recent Venus Retrograde (see earlier blogs and newsletters); mutual desires that have been growing are becoming even more powerful.

While you'd do anything for a friend, if you don't feel that you are not getting your fair share, your negative emotions can be activated.

There needs to be a balance (Libra) between getting your own desires and needs met, and helping others achieve theirs.

It may help to overlook what you perceive as negativity or competition from others and focus on the warm feelings you share. To do this, you will need to work through feelings of self-doubt. If you let fear and self-pity allow you to feel and act in negative, destructive ways, you can feel even more invisible and slip into the doormat role. Before you give up, shoot yourself in the foot, or slink into obscurity, you have a choice-- what do YOU want to happen?! This is an opportunity to be open and honest, to go beyond the usual superficial level, and heal old wounds. And being open to this process can strengthen and deepen the bonds of love you share.

Share what you love and desire with the ones you love and desire and allow the abundance of joy to empower you today!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

It's GO time. What's your plan?

Now that Mercury is in Scorpio and Mars is trine in Cancer, it's clear sailing!

And to make you even more productive, both Mercury and Mars are sextile Saturn.

Message:

There are A LOT of ideas flying around, many of them very energizing. But before you make a move, get grounded, have a direction, and plan well.

That means it's time to make a DECISION!

As you get clear about your goals, the next step will come into focus.

But before you can make a plan and move forward, you need to make a decision. And to honor the choices and commitments you make, you'll need to follow directions and take all the necessary steps.

Since both Mercury and Mars are close to Retrograde stations, the progress you make right now may not be immediately visible, but it is happening. You CAN make VERY real progress if TRUST your process and put your energy into what you KNOW is your path.

Trust your guidance-- and be prepared to do whatever it takes to make it real.

Once you KNOW your next step-- and you KNOW it because it ENERGIZES you-- the next few months are the perfect time to do more reading and research. Whatever you need to learn is there to access! You only need to make a commitment and stay focused.

Once you know WHAT to do, Saturn at the midpoint of Mercury/Mars advises us to get GROUNDED.

What are the details and exactly HOW will you proceed.

As the SUN trines Moon and Chiron forming a fast-moving GRAND TRINE, you can find on-going inspiration from a mentor and/or teacher.

Timing: this can be felt on a personal level from Sunday night through Tuesday as the Moon (personal feelings) contacts this configuration.

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

New Season, New Blog Site

We have a new blog site!

The blog goes on at:

http://blog.artcharts.com/

Come visit and blog at inspiredastrology, the new ArtCharts blog.

Let's inspire each other!

in Love&Light,

Lauren

Fall Equinox: getting your balance

Fall Equinox is Sunday, September 23 at 5:52 am edt :: 2:52 am pdt

Fall Equinox is a time of balance.

The Sun is exactly on the Equator creating an exact balance of light and dark.

As the Sun enters Libra, sign of the scales, we are reminded of the importance of balance in our lives.

This Fall Equinox is an opportunity to achieve balance. But there are obstacles.

[Astrology: Mars is opposing Pluto and both are square the Sun just before the Equinox, creating a Mutable T-Square pattern while Mars is moving North by declination and will be out-of-bounds by declination (above 23.6N) from October through late April 2008]

If you continue to carry on power struggles, act out of resentment, or if want something TOO much, you can miss an opportunity to release old tensions and you can carry over negative emotions--that are ready to be released-- into the future. If someone is truly not ready to achieve balance and harmony and continues to speak abusively, move away! This is not the time to stay and continue to argue! You can send love to the person, but doing it from a distance can be more effective.

The belief that you HAVE TO control everything to make progress can be distracting you from doing just that. Once you send out a hope or intention, let your unconscious take care of delivery. If you try to maintain complete control over HOW it will happen, you are giving your subconscious the message that it has no place in your life. And this can block you from access to your intuition and prevent you from attaining your dreams and goals.

Yet, there's hope for peace and love [as the Sun and Venus are in "mutual reception" or, in each other's rulership signs]-- IF you focus on positive people and AVOID what does NOT attract you. That's it. Walk away. If you stay and continue to argue with someone who has no interest in creating peace or living in harmony, you will not be in harmony.

It's time to move forward and continuing to obsess on negative emotions will hold you back this Fall.

Since the Sun and Venus are in mutual reception (Sun in Venus-ruled Libra, Venus in Sun-ruled Leo), any insecurity you hold about being attractive can influence you to purchase whatever makes you feel more attractive. You may NOT be satisfied with people who do not live up to your standards of good looks and prosperity. This need for outside confirmation actually gives your inner self the message that you don't really think you're attractive, so you continue to buy and surround yourself with things and people you hope will make you appear more attractive. Yet, since the feeling of being attractive comes from within, continuing to compare yourself to others will continue to make you insecure about your looks and appeal.

Jupiter is strong in the Equinox chart as it approaches a square to unpredictable Uranus (on the angles on the East Coast, making its effect more obvious). And in Washington, DC, Uranus is directly on the DES and Jupiter is one degree from the IC (4th house cusp, bottom of the chart) on the East Coast). At an EQUINOX, this means action that comes from a positive inner feeling. Weather can be glorious most of the time, with surprisingly wild and possibly severe storms, likely coming up the East Coast.

Jupiter on the IC with Uranus on the DES encourages us to give a partner or ally enough space be their unique self, regardless of how that effects your status or plans, and even if you are surprised or alienated by your partner's actions. There's an opportunity to grow beyond your current comfort level, to open your mind and accept what you previously thought was too wild or unusual or unorthodox. If you can get beyond long-held, traditional beliefs, you can pursue interests and expand your mind. Instead of thinking your partner is being too radical or experimental, being more open to what they are thinking or saying can start to open you to new ideas. And maybe even prosperity. The more you stretch now, the farther you can go.

Digging roots can make you feel happy and abundantly prosperous. Yet, your ideal location may not be convenient for your partner, although it can be a place that is a personal investment for your well-being and prosperity. A solution may be a stretch, but thinking big can push your luck into new more prosperous territory.



in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, this is so much fun to write and I am so happy that people are enjoying it. To get more from these articles, I suggest purchasing your Fall Forecast from artcharts.com. That keeps you informed and keeps artcharts online. Visit our catalog and check out our full selection of uplifting and beneficial reports and forecasts. Donl't waste another day!

pps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Venus in the shadow

Venus is just starting to move forward in Leo. Yet, she will be in the "retrograde shadow" (the degrees which she retrograded back through) until October 8.

This is when we realize it is us, not them.

We may be learning to be satisfied with our best efforts, no matter how imperfect we think they are. Will you ever feel fully satisfied, fully confident and in command of yourself? We continue to stretch and grow, accomplishing what we never thought possible. Look back a few years and look at you now, would you ever have thought your current life possible?

Yet, achieving your dreamlife may not help your personal growth. Wealth doesn't change your feelings-- unless you work on yourself. Wealth won't give you what you want if you still blame others for your personal situation.

Often, doing everything we "should" to get approval does not result in happiness. All the bad things don't "just disappear." The need for approval makes it seem "normal" to give yourself away, and many of us acquire wealth so we'll be accepted.

Keeping what you don't want away from you is exhausting. You have to keep making sure it's not here, or there. Yet, if you are not looking to anyone to confirm your individuality, you're free.

This is the point of Venus retracing her steps in Leo (Venus is in the retrograde shadow phase, traditionally a time of increased confrontations). We all need to rely on our OWN self, not the opinions of others, which change and have little thought for you or your path.

Instead of letting others determine your course, you have to KNOW you're doing what you need to be doing, and keep doing it. If a criticism bears merit, listen! But if it is based on keeping you "in your place" through control or manipulation, you must disregard it. We are all here for our own special abilities. YOU can only be YOU. And if you accept that someone thinks of you as LESS and therefore you ARE less, you are selling yourself short, you are giving away your self-love, which is your connection to your inner flow, your divinity.

If your inner self depends on what others think of you or how much you own, you are FULLY owned by the whims of others.

in Love&Light,
Lauren



ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Venus stations Direct: Appreciation

Venus is stationing Direct. The Retrograde phase is over (Saturday, September 8).

If you read my newsletter on the Lunar Eclipse***, there was part towards the end about Retrograde Venus opposing Neptune.

Neptune was the Lunar Eclipse ruler (the Lunar Eclipse Moon was in Pisces and Neptune rules Pisces), and Venus is stationing while opposing Neptune. This makes a usually low-impact transit into a powerful influence.

What expectatons do we have? And how do we get disappointed? While we're focusing on what's missing or unclear, we miss the gifts and miracles that are RIGHT THERE.

Appreciation actually makes you happy. When you show your appreciation, your inner love opens.

How does this magic happen? YOU allow it to happen when you focus on the intention of doing something kind for another person.

We expect negative comments and criticism, yet we squirm when someone appreciates us.

We are hung up on the negative things we KNOW people think. We focus on them constantly and think it's more real than the appreciation.

How DO you receive gifts? Do you throw them away or do you appreciate them? When someone gives you a gift, do you say, "what a piece of junk?" Probably not. You probably say, "thanks." You may even treasure it.

When you neglect to appreciate and thank others, you negate their gifts and you ultimately deny yourself. Showing appreciation makes EVERYONE involved feel happier. Especially if you accept gifts in the spirit they are given, and decide if and when you want to repay a favor.

How DO you show appreciation? Start with yourself. Acknowledge your own accomplishments. Appreciate who you are, it doesn't have to be perfect, just you, right now, have something to appreciate about yourself. We are taught that acknowledging our good points is "blowing our own horn" which we think is arrogant. And it is arrogant when our bravado is based on (unconscious) fears. Yet, acknowledging appreciation for ourselves adds to our self-esteem.

Self-esteem is a good thing!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps. *** if you subscribe to artcharts newsletter and you missed earlier editions, you can still read everything! At the end of every newsletter there's a link "Read our messages as an RSS feed". If you click that link, you will find all previous newsletters.


ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Mars in action

Mars is in the astrological hot seat.

Astrologically, transiting Mars is currently square the Sun (Sept 17) and square Uranus (Sept 3) and opposing Jupiter (Aug 23). Mars will square the coming Solar Eclipse (Sept 11, 2007) on September 6. Events can be frustrating, even infuriating, or even explosive. You can get really hot, physically and emotionally.

How are you wired for an energy surge? Will you let yourself have a tantrum or will you be productive?

Mars in the horoscope generates heat. Emotionally, heat creates passion. Physically, heat creates inflammation.

Mars transforms desires into passion. A strong Mars arouses our WILL, giving us the energy to act and get our needs met-- now, not later.

When we use our passion to assert our will, sometimes aggressively, we may not be giving much thought to how others will react to the force we are exerting.

Why are we using force? To control others so we can get our needs met.

When we use control strategies to get what we want, it often doesn't work. Probably unconsciously, or by default, we often use approval/disapproval to control the other people. By withdrawing approval, we (try to) maintain control and get what we want from others.

With Mars so strong in the chart now, our patience can be pushed to a breaking point, increasing the feeling of urgency to get our needs met--- NOW! Or.....? Yet, it's a choice: accept others for what they can give, or reject people who don't give in a way that is exactly what you wanted.

Mars in Gemini in the hot seat (part of a Mutable Grand Square) can be distracting energy. There are so many things (large and small) competing for your immediate attention, you can easily get disorganized and not accomplish much. Everyone can feel like they have ADD.

First, do whatever you can to slow your thoughts. Breathe, meditate. Once you are refreshed, trust yourself. You will know exactly what to do next. And you'll have the energy and the ability to communicate in a way that motivates instead of manipulates. Then your desires can be met.

in Love&Light,
Lauren



ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Thank you

This is to express my gratitude to both people who gave me gift certificates to amazon.com, my favorite gift!

Amazon does not give me your email address so i cannot thank you personally. But i thank you!

To keep my mind lively and my writing of interest, i read! Every day. I have actually read the nearly 1000 astrology books i own (yes, some need to be recycled:). I was just out of new books, rereading old ones that felt new again. Yet, i have some ideas to research. So i thank you.

The next edition of the ArtCharts Newsletter is coming along, i've figured out the message of the Solar Eclipse, which doesn't necessarily make this newsletter easier to write! If you haven't signed up for the newsletter, do it soon (there is no charge to you). I'm planning to send it before the Eclipse next Tuesday morning (September 11 at 8:44 AM EDT).

Click to sign up for artcharts newsletter

This blog will move as soon as we can update all our links. I'll post when it moves and give you the link.

Make this a great day!

in Love&Light,
and with great gratitude,
Lauren



ps. If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! Thanks:-)

Lunar Eclipse, continued...

Hi,
The Lunar Eclipse Newsletter was sent to all subscribers this morning. I hope everyone is enjoying it. I'm getting lots of positive email, thanks:-)

A few clarifications on this hazy Pisces Full Moon--

Free stuff is fun. I collect plenty of it. If you sift through the bytes and pieces, you will start to see a pattern emerging. Many people seem to be having the same revelations and are trying to share, as well as profit.

Yet, as the planets, including slow-moving Saturn enters Virgo, we are at the doorway of a new phase, a time for new experiences. And these experiences will require more focus and discipline. The big brush strokes need more definition.

Dream a big future!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

Total Lunar Eclipse

Hi,
It's Monday morning.

Overnight, just before sunrise on the East Coast, there is a Total Lunar Eclipse.

The next ArtCharts Express Newsletter is all about the Lunar Eclipse. If you would like to read and understand more about the themes that this Eclipse energizes, please sign up for the Newsletter. It's free-- there is no charge to you!

Here's a link to sign up for the ArtCharts Express Newsletter.

Hope to "see" you there!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, the Newsletter will be sent to subscribers later today, so sign up now:-)!

Very Virgo

It's Virgo.

The Sun is leading the planets into Virgo this year. Saturn and Mercury follow next week.

Virgo is the season to purify. It's been fun to enjoy everything, yet personal preferences begin to return. This is just your personal process unfolding.

To get organized, you will need to make decisions-- what will you need and what can you discard? What is YOU and what is NOT really you? This will be the stuff you cannot continue to carry.

Virgo is the time to take a closer look at what you're doing. Practice, edit, fix, test, clean, file, and polish.

Eat foods that make you feel good. Get into your exercise routine. And while the Sun is in Virgo, you'll naturally want to stay away from what you know is toxic or unhealthy for you. Virgo amplifies sensitivies because it's time to be more aware of the difference between what is beneficial and what is not. Virgo makes sorting a priority-- and makes it easier to do.

Don't just criticize, refine:-)


in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, you can learn more about the sign of Virgo on artcharts website. click here

pps, Here's a traditional Celtic Work Blessing that is a gift for the Sun entering Virgo. Feel free to post it, print it, and read it often.


Celtic Work Blessing

May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work that you do
with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you
and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert,
approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.





If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Easy winning: Mars opposes Jupiter

Mars is opposing Jupiter.

Is there a limit to too much?

You may seem to be on a winning streak. Luck is with you. So you go one more round-- double or nothing-- only to lose.

What happened?

When do you win? When do you get to enjoy what you've won? When do you live happily ever after?

How important is WINNING the competition? More than a friendship? More than the value of another person? More than your spiritual development? If you really think you are better than the "other guy", what you are competing against? Besides love, everything else is illusion.

By competing and excluding, you are actually getting closer to what you are competing against!

If you are DRAWN to someone or something-- if you want to compete -- you are being pulled to it, closer to it, not more separate as you think. Ironically, the competition you engage in may be exactly what you need to drop, let go of, release. But your ego's need to win can push you to interact, even though the interactions you engage in are not positive and only serve to drain your energy.

If you don't want to be bored, move on. Don't wait for others, because they are probably fine with just sitting there and continuing the same old competition that goes nowhere and vampires all your energy.

Filling emptiness with exaggerated expectations and false triumphs does not add to your progress or joy; yet it can add to your stress when things don't work out according to your high expectations. Friends who are overly impressed by your success can be out the door if and when they detect any imperfection or defect. If you take this on as a real, meaningful judgment of your Self, you are lost.

Pushing for instant wins is an attempt to please these "friends". Yet, impressing them is unlikely to give you satisfaction--- and is probably impossible anyway. They will always keep that carrot dangling just beyond your reach---- And you will always want to impress those you think are perpetually dissatisfied and endlessly unimpressible! Who, exactly, is boring?!

in Love&Light,
Lauren




ps. I love giving and I am open to receiving! If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Obstacles, or steps to success?

On this Sun-Saturn conjunction in Leo, you can feel responsible and strong, serious and professional.

Are you working towards a goal? Are you succeeding? If not, why not? This is a good time to get clear about goals. (Saturn will enter Virgo September 2)

When you encounter obstacles to goals it can mean: 1- you need to change your goal, or 2- you need to improve your skills and find more creative ways to overcome blocks and start generating strength and success, even if you're not making big $, yet.

Get clear about your goal. Is it your goal, or is it something you think you "should" be doing. Should doesn't give you much energy or inspiration and makes everything more difficult and complicated to achieve.

Write it down. That makes it clear, which makes it more likely to become real.

If you are truly on the wrong path, be open to finding a better solution. There is more than one way to reach a goal. If you are a panic about not fulfilling a goal, remember that being overwhelmed does not help your creative problem-solving ability.

If doors continue to close, take a break. Do something for YOU. Take a walk, do something that inspires you, ask the right people for support or assistance. Wait until something in your best interests presents itself, and it will-- if you are open to it!

You have the power you need to create the life you want. Saturn is also trine Pluto, the aspect that saved the day for the financial markets last week. This is ultimate power and we each have it--- IF we think we do!


in Love&Light,
Lauren



ps. I love giving and I am open to receiving! If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Good wishes meet resistance

When we send or receive good wishes, the very next thought is often: RESISTANCE.

We immediately start to think of all the REAL reasons our good wishes can't, shouldn't, won't come true. It's almost automatic, especially if we're on autopilot!

You may think that thinking well of yourself is not realistic and will only make you weak and self-satisfied. Yet, it is precisely this thought that keeps you stuck where you are.

Why is this theme so prevalent right now?

Because Saturn and the Sun are conjunct in late Leo. The Sun "rules" Leo. They are SOLAR archetypes-- how we shine and radiate our essential Self (Sun) has come under the scrutiny of Saturn (restrictions).

This week is also the time Venus becomes the Morning Star, called heliacal rising (rising before the Sun). This is a powerful moment in Mayan legend, when armies were sent marching, and the potential for the "gods" to go on a destructive rampage was almost guaranteed.

Jupiter and Mars are opposing (exact on Thursday, 8/23, but also strong and personal through the week as the Moon interacts, conjuncting Jupiter and opposing Mars on Tuesday, 8/21, increasing energy and enthusiasm, although a successful outcome may not manifest on command.

When you see someone doing something that interests you, that could be a sign -- this is something you can do, too. Instead of resenting the person or thinking there is a limited amount of space for all the people doing it successfully, try shifting your perspective to love and abundance and you can immediately realize -- "this could be something I'm good at too." Sure, you may not be a pro the first day, but education and practice and desire can change all that in a relatively short amount of time. To create something you want takes a commitment of time and money, but it is an investment in building your own future.

Resistance can also come through inflated expectations of others to always be perfect and to always meet our needs. That is not possible, so this actually keeps you feeling less-than, which feeds resentment. When you see someone doing something you think you can do better, do you get hyper critical of the person and look for reasons to invalidate their efforts? Insisting on perfection, yours or theirs, is a sure way to keep yourself apart from the abundance you would like in your life and is how many of us resist love and abundance when we do not feel ready or capable of taking on more responsibility.

So where are you right now in your ability to take on more responsibility?

As you journey towards reconnecting with self-love, remember we maintain our own limits and keep ourselves in a bind. We resist. Even if a solution is just a thought away! When we are overwhelmed thinking "I can't", we don't think beyond that point.

We think we can't afford something, yet the funds are right there! We say we don't have what we need, yet what we are being offered something that could help us out of a jam and into a more lucrative situation.

Can you give yourself enough self-acceptance to open a pathway to more love and abundance?

in Love&Light,
Lauren



If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Venus and the Sun: magic hour

Venus and the Sun conjunct on August 17 at 11:42 pm edt.

(This is an "inferior" conjunction, called this because it happens when Venus is Retrograde.)

As the Sun and Venus conjunct, your sense of self-value may be obscured or in question. You may even feel overpowered by higher powers.

If you are (secretly) wondering what you are worth to the world, this week can stir up so many intense emotions. Before you determine your true value, don't forget your essential (Sun) Self-- the YOU that is always divine and always perfect. In the realm of spirit, no one person is worth more than another. We are all divine, except when we view ourselves from the perspective of others or our egos. Then we will never feel valued or good-enough. We don't feel the approval of others, so we don't value ourselves. And the cycle continues....

This Venus-Sun transit (conjunct Saturn and trine Pluto) is an opportunity to experience a transition or shift in how you feel about yourself. A feeling of positive self-worth that comes from within can transform how you relate to others, from friends to associates to loving partners.

If you are questioning your self-worth, this is a time you can tune into your own awareness. If you are questioning your love for someone, you may feel an intense desire to merge in a way that blends love and commitment.

Focus on your love and make magic!

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ps, i encourage you to work on your love relationships by using the Love Forecast, a guide to allowing love in your life, written especially for you.


If you benefit from the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Happy Birthday Ivory!

It's our dog Ivory's 10th Birthday!

We're celebrating and we invite you to join us.

The ArtCharts Canine Report usually sells for $10, but through August 2007, you can get a Canine Report for your dog for $20. Hmmm. That's double! Yes! And we will donate 50% of all sales to our local animal shelter in Saugerties, NY. Those dogs and cats could really use some help. This is a great way to get your dog's chart done AND have the satisfying feeling of having made a donation to dogs and cats without homes.

Click to visit the Saugerties Animal Shelter

I will report back on this blog let you know exactly how much I am able to donate to the shelter, including documentation of the donation. Let's give!

in Love&Light,
Lauren
and Ivory, Sparky, Philippe, and Muddy


ps. updating as promised:-) we're still hoping for a donation!

Special for your inner child: Venus Rx conjuncts Saturn

Venus is Retrograde and conjunct Saturn. The Sun and the Moon are also conjunct, so this makes the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn all in late degrees of Leo!

If you subscribe to my newsletter, ArtCharts Express, you probably read about the influence of Venus Retrograde on love and money. There's another facet of this Venus Retrograde in Leo that may hold the key to understanding your relationship to both money AND love.

It's your inner child.

Leo rules children. The focus of the Sun, Venus and Saturn conjunct in Leo shows the importance of the children, how we teach them, what they teach us.

Saturn and Venus are conjunct on a New Moon (which means the Sun is also conjunct Saturn). This is an opportunity to learn from your own inner child. What can your inner child teach you about your life right now? How can you, with what you know now, heal the hurts and calm the fears of your inner child? What can you tell your inner child about the messages he/she received? How can you help you inner child shift and release your old, limiting childlike beliefs, and provide your inner child with the wisdom and compassion of your adult perspective.

(After Venus stations Direct in September, Venus and Saturn will conjunct again in Virgo this October; so this is an on-going aspect, which means there will be plenty of opportunities to listen and understand its message.)

The ongoing Venus-Saturn conjunction helps us to see where in our childhood we were repressed, held back, not encouraged to grow in ways that are (were) our own unique path. This is the traditional image of the artist forced to study medicine or law to satisfy a parent's requirements. Were you allowed to be yourself as a child, or did you have to conform to standards?

Did you feel appreciated for who you were as a child? If not, you may still feel unappreciated. It may seem alien to express the affection you feel. If you don't feel lovable for who you are, it is very difficult to radiate love to others. This can make you seem like a cold person who keeps a distance and does not show their joy or appreciation. You start to feel (and act) cut off from your inner source of Love. And this only intensifies the feeling of being alienated and unlovable, which you continue to vibrate, and which continues to be your experience.

If you felt overly restricted and did not experience the joy of being appreciated as a child, you have the power to change that now. Re-parenting you inner child can open you to your free-flowing source love and appreciation in a way that feels safe and supported. The experience of experts and elders can help to guide you through this process.

You can get the guidance you need. Give yourself the gift of a Child*Star Report and learn more about your needs as a child and how you can best re-parent and encourage your development right now. I used to think development was only for children, but my astrology teacher immediately made it clear that we are (hopefully) always developing. There is always more we can learn, more of our talents and abilities we can develop and allow to flourish.

in Love&Light,
Lauren



If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

A Prayer on the New Moon

The New Moon is in Leo.

Leo is love. This Moon is in the 7th house of "the other". We are instructed to "Love thy Neighbor as Thyself". Yet, many of us are quick to blame our faults and problems on others. We are disconnected from our love and blame others, and that make us sad. Life is about being joyous, yet we deny ourselves the flow of joy in our lives. When we resesent, take offense, treat others with suspicion first, and fail to appreciate others as themselves, we are going against the flow, we are denying our own best interests. We want to control others. We want to decide how they "should" behave, what they "should" think, what their soul's purpose "should" be. And since that is not really possible, we become bitter. We create barriers instead of opening ourselves to love. And we blame instead of feeling care and consideration. We get smaller and feel worse, when the goal is to expand and feel joyous.

When presented with an opening to receive more love, we are skeptical. We don't have the time, we don't have the patience to experiment, we see no point in being still and opening to our inner source of well-being. We deny ourselves, and by doing that, we deny whoever we contact. We're not getting what we need, so we deny it to everyone, we vibrate denial. If we see someone who is generous, we think of how we can take more. We want to stop that flow of generosity. Better cut them down to size! And so continues the cycle of feeling worse.

Changing all that is as easy as releasing it and moving back into the love. The love is always there. Patiently waiting, sending you good wishes however you are feeling. Do something to feel good, and let the love radiate. Feeling good is the intention.

in Love&Light,
Lauren

ArtCharts Express

Hi everyone,

Wishing you a happy and prosperous Leo New Moon!

The latest issue of ArtCharts Express was just released. If you're a subscriber, check your email, it's there! Use the revised edition, there was a link error in the first, but the content is the same.

If you're not a subscriber or if you didn't get around to subscribing, and you'd like to get a copy anyway, I will personally forward you a copy. You can email me: lauren@artcharts.com. This is not automatic, so please be patient. I'm not always at my desk:-)

If you want to subscribe and get the next issue featuring the Lunar Eclipse and Saturn's entrance into Virgo, here's a link. It's free!

subscribe to ArtCharts Express Newsletter

in Love&Light,
Lauren


ps, a new blog about Venus Retrograde is coming soon, i just had an "idea flash"

The drama of blame: The Leo New Moon opposes Neptune

Blame seems so natural.

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to blame someone, anyone, for whatever is wrong.

If something isn't working, it must be because THAT person is a cheat, liar, thief, con artist, crook, creep, stupid, or out to get you.

What if none of that is true? What if that is all your own projection? your own choice of perception?

Then maybe you've found where you're hiding from your true self. Trying to shame someone for an error is not a sign of personal strength and inner confidence.

Here's the problem with blame. It makes you dummy down. You don't have to think beyond blame. Blame gives you permission to be condescending. You tell them off, and move on. But you don't go anywhere. You continue to complain to yourself and anyone else who will listen. Your mind becomes obsessed with blame and negative self-talk.

When you blame, you cut yourself off from appreciation. And when you can't feel appreciation, you repress your feelings of joy and well-being. You may think you are doing this to protect "the truth", but is being "right" really worth focusing on and radiating negative feelings?

If you think that you and everyone else has to always to be PERFECT, you can continue to feel disillusioned and exaggerate any defect into a shattering upset.

What if you could feel good regardless of what "they" did?

(Sun and Moon passing through the Saturn-Neptune opposition)

in Love&Light,
Lauren




If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Starring Venus

Venus is Retrograde.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Venus Retrograde entered Leo. This means Venus is now at 29 degrees Leo.

This puts Venus conjunct the FIXED STAR Regulus, the Lion's Heart, as she moves back towards the FIXED STAR Alphard, the Hydra'as Head. (This will happen when Venus and Saturn conjunct on Sunday's New Moon)

Fixed Stars have ancient and magical meanings in horoscopes; they are older than time. Fixed stars move at a rate hardly perceptible to a human lifespan, so they form a literal backdrop of our lives. Most of the fixed stars astrologers have noted and studied are part of the major constellations of the zodiac (the stars that span across the Earth's ecliptic), and are long believed to have an affect on your destiny, your essential character. What fixed stars influence your chart?

Artcharts needs your purchases and I really want you to have your personalized Fixed Star Report, so when you purchase ANY report at artcharts, include the word STAR in the comments section and get your personalized Fixed Star report at no additional cost. The Fixed Star report requires an exact time of birth (because it uses not only planets, but also your house cusps).


So that's the Fixed Star Report and your August TimeLine as your gifts for purchasing astrology or numerology reports at artcharts through Sunday, 8/12.

in Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Love and Conflict: Mars and Venus get stressed

If you didn't like Monday, Tuesday is an opportunity to get it right.

Venus is squaring Mars and briefly the Moon-- making love and attraction personal, public, and stressed. (Venus at 0 Virgo squares Moon-Mars at 0 Gemini)

Give and take are not in balance because it doesn't seem like there's enough time to wait for things to balance out. And with impulsive Mars in Gemini and Venus taking account in Virgo, words can hurt as much as physical violence. Words may not leave visible scars, but the damage done can last a long time, especially if someone wants to use it to make a point. Acting impulsively, you can do or say something that cuts to the point but is NOT in your best interests.

Is it momentary anger or a desire to cut and run? Perhaps a bit of both. But if you are irritated by a lack of perfection, you can be feeling especially stressed out right now.

Since life is ongoing, there is no completion or perfection. Yet, it could be time to cut or prune something that has gone too far and is sapping energy for meaningful growth. Venus Retrograde and about to (re-)enter Leo suggests a time to reevaluate how your self-confidence contributes to -- or interferes with -- attracting what you really want.

By immediately blaming others, you are giving up on your own ability to make and/or attract beneficial changes. Blaming gives whoever you are blaming all the power, while you are not to blame but also have no power, and no energy, to make changes. Feeling guilt or shame for mistakes or for your current situation is not the point, but accepting how you contribute can help you make changes and improvements that really could change your life, even if it takes time.

And since this is a Gemini-Virgo square, there can be cat and dogs fights, so watch your pets-- and how they interact with each other and with neighbor's pets. Mine have been riled up twice today. One run-away dog due to loud neighbor (Gemini) music (she's back) and a hissy cat fight (no thanks to claw clipping during a Gemini-Virgo square^^:)

in Love&Light,
Lauren

in Love&Light,
Lauren




If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks:-)

Speak up! But read this first

Mercury, planet of communications, is making 2 aspects simultaneously. If you're not sure whether to speak up or remain silent, consider this...

Mercury is sextile Mars and inconjunct Pluto. If you're know what you want, you can cut through piles of BS and get right to the point. If you believe in what you're doing, you can negotiate brilliantly and make the sale, sign the deal, teach a class, do more research.

You may not be all that concerned with how the other person takes what you're dishing out, and your compassion may not be high, even if you're discussing something very private or personal. Say what you mean and cut to the chase. Just be aware that if you bring up heavy subjects and you don't care how it makes the other person feel, you can create more resistance than cooperation.

with Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks so much:-)

Choose to be happy

Sun trines Jupiter.

You CAN have a fabulous day with lots of golden opportunities on the horizon that are NOT mirages -- if you can be open to feeling great. It's your choice.

with Love&Light,
Lauren



If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks so much:-)

Focus

Mars, the ACTION planet, is in the hot seat.

Mars is exactly square Saturn Tuesday and is also square Neptune, creating a tense t-square that DEMANDS action while making it more difficult to TAKE action.

Outside, expect HOT weather. On the personal level, there is an opportunity to free up STUCK energy and start moving towards achieving your goals. How? FOCUS.

If your FOCUS is on what you see as problems and imperfections, that is what you will continue to get, and more of it. Goals will be more frustrating than motivating, and your resistance will keep things exactly the way they are, even if you SAY you want change.

If you can look at the world and the offerings presented to you as having the potential to change, inform, and emotionally uplift your psychological energy, you can move past limiting patterns and beliefs. If all you find are faults, you are meeting your own resistance to your own passions and motivation. You can't FOCUS on gratitude and appreciation when you are blaming and assigning guilt. And-- you can't feel guilt and blame when you are FOCUSing on your gratitude and appreciation.

If you let past events determine your future, you are likely to hold on to the same fear, guilt, and inhibitions that have always limited your actions. Despite WANTING better things in your life, you will continue to self-sabotage and not receive your dream life. If you can stand on your own and take action based on what YOU know is right-action, you can start to move forward. Otherwise, you can continue to seek support and continue to find fault in how it is given.

with Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks so much:-)

Full Moon Awareness

The Full Moon is approaching and weather permitting, will be quite a show as the moon rises this evening.

Since i see astrology as energy, i have a few comments on the current state of energy.

Mars, the energy planet, is square Saturn, the cautious planet. This is a time when everything seems to get in your way of success. You may have spent considerable time and energy trying to make something criticism-proof, yet the responses you receive can be frustrating, non-existent, or even resentful.

Insisting that everything works according to your plan or schedule can create a one-way energy system. And the problem with that is that the energy cannot renew itself. It's a dead end. So you do a lot, but then the energy dries up and you wonder, why? what happened? Things may have seemed to be going great, but they were just going your way, and/or you did not create a path for the energy to flow back; receiving energy seems to be blocked or slowed way down.

How can you make this time less frustrating and more productive? Patience! And build a path for the energy to return. Let yourself receive positive energy, don't block it by feeling the frustration or thinking there's never enough. That's the old scare-city mentality. There IS enough, but you may need to accept building patiently now if you want to continue to be productive.


with Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let me know by buying my absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. My email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here! thanks so much:-)

Venus Retrograde: reawakening to your love

Why don't we make big changes that will improve our lives, free ourselves of the things we don't like, make major strides, live in our love?

We resist changing tooo quickly. We hold on and resist making changes that are too sudden or sped up.

So we make excuses, stall for time. We search for the key to change our lives, yet when we find it, we're not really ready, at that moment, to make a commitment to change. So we slow it down, think it over, make our own terms, get ready,,, slowly.

As Mars squares Neptune while Venus stations Retrograde, change is almost impossible, especially if you've lost your faith in your inner process. You need your intuition now, and shutting yourself off from it can be dangerously misleading and confusing.

You can benefit from Venus Retrograde, if you realize the key to understanding its energy. I've written too much for the blog, so for more on Venus Retrograde, please sign up for my completely free newsletter, ArtCharts Express. Here's a link so you can get my article on Venus Retrograde-- free! Thanks, i'm looking forward to sharing my insights and inspirations on Venus Retrograde 2007.
sign up for ArtCharts Express


Venus will be Retrograde for 40 days and 40 nights. More to come on Venus Retrograde 2007.


with Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Message from Mars: part 2

Mars takes action this week, even if it seems to be in slow motion.

Mars is square Neptune (7/23) AND Saturn (7/31), highlighting the current Saturn-Neptune opposition, and creating a fixed t-square. It is time to take action that comes from your own intentions.

Mars and Venus are about giving and receiving. If you are only taking, thinking you are "getting over" and not giving back, this is a deficit within you which comes from not believing you have anything worth giving, from thinking that you could never improve yourself, so why bother? This is apathy, the lowest level of energy. It keeps you stuck. What percentage do you have in remaining stuck? You may have good reasons to remain stuck, but they are all around not believing in yourself or your contribution.


Mars at this crucial focal point of the Saturn-Neptune opposition creates a t-square, an astrological aspect that means ACTION-- things can't "just go on", something has to give, something has to happen so that meaningful change can occur.

If your ego is getting in the way of expressing your passion and acting in a compassionate manner, it will be more obvious this week. If your intention is to prove who is right, prove your point, and keep your ego on top, you will somehow miss out, hit too hard, use your aggression instead of your assertiveness, creating anger and frustration instead of letting your confidence lead you to a positive perspective and a more successful outcome. This is because you are not using your potential, not coming from your love, not being open to yourself, so how could you be open to anyone else?


The problem is Mars square Neptune can make you unsure of yourself while Mars square Saturn can bring out your fears, making you think that they are correct, encouraging you to ACT on them. this can put you right into a negative spin. While you can harness this energy into a productive use, you can also create more blocks and impasses by letting your ego having full control.

This week, Mars is calling you to get clear. Simple idea. But not so easy to do or we'd all be there already. What obstacles are preventing you from making the progress you would like to make now? Vague resentments are not contributing to a positive vibration and can be keeping you from feeling good about yourself, what you're doing, and your prospects for the future. In a word, you can feel stuck in a negative pattern.

It's a blessing if your negative subconscious feelings come to light now because that gives you the freedom to create meaningful, lasting change that helps you to be yourself and manifest your higher good and abundance. But it will take commitment to make changes.

Perhaps you can find a safe place to be open with yourself so you can focus on clearing out some of the old debris that is clogging your energy, making you feel guilty and undeserving of the bright and positive energy that is also around you, if you chose to see it. If you can free your energy from guilt, defeat, blame, anger, and vague feelings of resentment, you can feel a lot more free, encouraged, positive.


Instead of blaming yourself and letting your frustrations continue to hold you back, you can make decisions that free your energy and allow you to move forward again. Writing down your goals can help you to slow down enough to get clear about what you really want. Think of steps you CAN take to make progress, regardless of how small they may seem and insignificant to anyone else. The only judge is that you can do it. You have to start somewhere to break the inertia.

This is your opportunity to TAKE ACTION that creates positive change in your life. Commit and create.


with Love&Light,
Lauren




If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Message from Mars

If you subscribe to artcharts newsletter, which is 100% free, you probably remember that action planet Mars is very active right now. Just as Venus is hanging stationery in orbit, hardly moving at all as she prepares for a RETROGRADE station this coming week. What can THIS do to your love life, nevermind your cash flow???

Before you think about love and money, Mars has a message for your ego.

Mars is sextile Uranus right now. This means there is more available energy--- for certain purposes! It's a good time to take initiative to connect with your goals, friends, groups, astrologer! Have a plan of action? It's time to TAKE action. Ask a favor. Connect with other individuals or groups doing similar work, find ways you can integrate your individual intentions with what the group is working to accomplish. Perhaps there's an opportunity if you're willing to pool your resources, cash, information, discoveries, you may be pleasantly surprised at the potential for a win-win outcome.

But in astrology, one aspect is never the whole story. It's part. But it's not the whole picture.

Monday, July 23, Mars is square Neptune, while Venus is stationing Retrograde (July 27). What you stand up for and demand to have NOW may be exactly what works against you most. You could expend a lot of energy for something that is really not what you want, need, or will be satisfied with. And if you're really pushy and refuse to live in harmony with the rest of the planetary citizens, you can actually wind up with more of what you DON'T want. Have you really won? What? Do you thrive on the constant drama of increased tension, or are you able to be open to the harmony of the universe, willing to work cooperatively for a greater good?

Maybe not. Maybe you have to have your way, and maybe you'll get it. But you may not be happy with what you get as Mars squares Neptune and Venus stations Retrograde. If you're feeling discouraged, who did you hope to discourage? cut off?negate? deny? reject? What or who are you trying to control? How are you focusing your energy on others that could be re-focused on yourself? Where do you HAVE to be right? There's your potential energy leak.

Mars square Neptune can encourage actions that show your inner truth, even if you would rather keep it hidden so you can appear to be what you fear you're not. Ironically, the more you try to hide your subconscious, the more obvious it can become to others-- especially now. How much energy do you expend making sure you keep certain parts of yourself hidden so you get approval? Maintain control? Feel superior? Does that extend to telling others why they can't possibly succeed? Besides all the ENERGY your disapproval takes away from you, it also deposits layers of guilt, layers that only add to your own bad feelings about yourself, dramatically decreasing your available energy AND making relationships more treacherous than loving. So ill wishes really wind up as stumbling blocks on your own doorstep, or disguised as bad karma. This is how your disapproval zaps your energy.

Trying to pretend none of this is true is only going to make it more true. It happens to all of us in all our relationships. What to do? Let it go! Paint your own world, make it easy to succeed. Sabotaging others is sabotaging yourself. Look directly at your bad wishes. Don't try to escape them. Accept them. Then you can let them go. Maybe while Venus is Retrograde.

This is not about denying more, it's about being open and letting it go so you can increase your energy and make life fun, again.

Get your ego out of the way, and watch your conflicts dissolve!


with Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Let your light shine

Here's a quote from Marianne Williamson i thought would be appropriate for today

"Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure.

We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone!

And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously
give other people the permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."

--- Marianne Williamson

Make this a fabulous day!
Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Mother Earth is HOT

Didn't intend to publish this yet,,,, still writing. But this IS a Mars transit! things happen toooo fast. More coming about Mars-Ceres, exactly conjunct now.

Ceres and Mars are conjunct in the Earth sign of Taurus. The Earth is HOT. Mother Earth is HOT. We are receiving an important message-- Mother Earth is heating up and needs our help! We need to nurture the Earth, immediately. We need to crusade FOR the Earth who nutures all of us.

Very timely, check out firethegrid.org. Read the story and participate if you are motivated (another Mars theme).

Love&Light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Mercury Direct!

Mercury makes a DIRECT station tonight!

Are you as excited as i am? I'm going to send out the first edition of Artcharts Express, my new astrology newsletter, as soon as Mercury makes its Direct station, 10:16 PM EDT.

Was this also a tough Mercury RX for you? I've heard stories.... and would LOVE for you to share yours on this blog.

Mercury stationing DIRECT in CANCER an appropriate time to retrain your mind and release old programming that keeps you in a RUT.

As Mercury makes its DIRECT station, Mercury is semisquare Venus-Saturn and Mars, putting Mercury roughly at the Venus/Mars midpoint, which will continue to intensity through the last week of July.

Your mind can be revolving around a love issue, going back and forth, unsure of your feelings, decisions, desires. Are you looking for problems? If so, your mind will find them! It could be time to set yourself free and release your WANTS so you can actually attain them! Sound confusing, it's not! WANTING implies lack. Training your mind to want gives you what you don't want--more of the same, or less of what you want.

Mercury semisquare Saturn shows your mind stuck in fear. If you're expecting judgments, looking for limits, only noticing faults, in others and in yourself, you can be moving forward in very slow motion, if at all.

Moon semisquare Mars is a stress aspect. Your mind is searching for stress, focusing on it. It's much harder, if not impossible, to solve problems when you're stressed. If you operate in default mode, you can find yourself getting angry and frustrated when you're too pressured to think clearly. Is the criticism you spread justified, or are you just finding fault because you're dreading something, hiding your fear, afraid of being judged and not getting the approval you would really like. Can you let that go?

WANTING or HAVING, it's your choice!

If you're especially frustrated about NOT getting what you WANT now, how can you let it go? Sure, what you WANT is vitally important. But the message you're giving your own mind is: you WANT it, so you don't HAVE it. Just try to make this shift. There's no failure possible!

With love&light,
Lauren


If you like the free articles on this blog, let Lauren know by buying her absolute favorite gift - an Amazon gift certificate. Her email is lauren@artcharts.com Click Here!

Soul Fire: available now

There's a short but exciting astrological event happening now. Yes, Mercury is stationing Direct, finally! But beyond Mercury, Venus is trine Pluto.

What makes you passionate? What gets you so excited you can't wait to make friends and money? What makes your spirit soar, reminds you that you HAVE energy to burn?!

Sure, you may say, i've gone for many things i've wanted in my life, only to be disappointed or frustrated. But that's not all that's happened in the past. There ARE times you've succeeded, without seeming to have tried. What makes these different?

Confidence. You are so SURE you are going to WIN, you do! When you feel the weight of "old baggage" making you feel like you have to push hard, manipulate more, gain control at all costs, there's no point (and no one responds anyway). Who wants more old baggage? Whether you're trying to score money or love, you (usually) don't get what you want when you want it SO badly it shows.

But today there's a Venus-Pluto trine. You've already WON BIG by FEELING your intensity. You already sense you can WIN. What works for you, works for the other person too. It's mutual. It's win-win.

But again, what makes this different? When you remove your feelings of HAVING to HAVE-- or else!, you are releasing your judgments of yourself, and others. Your enthusiasm is natural and contagious. This makes it easier for you to receive whatever you are most passionate about, whatever makes you feel most creative and alive.

You don't need to be pushed to make love or money now, you can naturally attract your desires. If you don't have a partner and aren't ambitious to increase your income, you can use this time to get more deeply in touch with your inner drive and creativity.

Whatever your situation, you can benefit by probing beneath the surface of your desires as Venus trines Pluto. Let your soul-fire shine!