The planetary influence starts to move into Pisces, starting with Venus and then Mercury. What face do you show to the world? How do you provide and receive healing? What in your past is holding you back? This week’s forecast provides some thought to splash around.

Astrology forecast for the week of Jan. 29, 2007

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

Men travelling a narrow path, seeking illumination. ~~sabian symbol

Sometimes you have to remain motionless until a conflict resolves itself. That doesn’t mean that you will not get your wish however. It’s hard for you to give up your spontaneity. You hesitate. You’re ambivalent. Wait….. You are going after a resolution. Times are changing and you have a new vision. A vision that includes a more philosophical and universal goal. Now you will appeal to others and they will say ‘how can I help?’. Everybody looks to you and suddenly you will be in the spotlight with the answers for a better tomorrow. Richard Paul Evans said, “”Life’s greatest philosophy is not handed down in stoic texts and dusty tomes, but lived, in each breath and act of human compassion. For love has always demanded sacrifice, and no greater love is there than that for which our lives are traded. And in this great cause of spiritual evolution we are all called to be martyers, to die each of us, in the quest of a higher realm and loftier ideals, that we may know God. And what if there is nothing else? What if all life ends in the silent void of death? Then is it all in vain? I think not, for love, for the sake of love, will always be enough. And if our lives are but a single flash in the dark hollow of eternity, then if, but for the briefest of moments, we shine - then how brilliantly our light has burned. And as starlight knows no boundary of space or time, so too, our illumination will shine forth throughout all eternity, for darkness has no power to quell such light. And this is a lesson we must all learn and take to heart - that all light is eternal and all love is light. And it must forever be so.”

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

A masked figure performs ritualistic acts in a mystery play. ~~sabian symbol

You are doing too much to hold yourself in balance, my friend. You think that if you say what you really feel and give up this methodical stance, the situation will get worse. Everybody wants to be in charge and you are no different. Are you being discreet or putting on charades? Standing up for yourself feels like it could send everything spiraling, but pretending you are something you’re not will be worse. It is time to take off your mask and step forward to remove the obstacle to your progress. Once you begin to tell the truth, your mind will become clear and you will know what to do. Do not be afraid to play the real you. William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”

Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20)

A black slave-girl demands her rights of her mistress. ~~sabian symbol

There are definitely elements of your life that you can be very happy about, but other things are beginning to come to pass. You are at a crossroad where you are feeling the weight of some rule or authority standing over you. Part of you wants to shrink back into yourself. This is the time three months before your birthday where you must face challenges to bring about a new understanding and start your solar year. So what if you have to deal with misfortune? You are innocent and you should remain innocent. Don’t give them anything to charge you on. Embrace your role as part of the community and don’t let anyone put you down. Maybe you can follow the example of Steven Wright when he said, “The judge asked, “What do you plead?” I said, “Insanity, your honor. Who in their right mind would park in the passing lane?”" This too shall pass.

Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 22)

A group of rabbits dressed in clothes and on a dignified parade. ~~sabian symbol

Your ego has been getting in the way of grasping the true meaning of a situation in your life. You have been listening to other people and their opinions are ringing more clear than your own. Is this perhaps because you don’t want your true self revealed? I’m telling you that you could miss out on a very attractive offer. This, however, is riding on you to perk up and save yourself. You are right to think that it is not going to be all carrots and lettuce. Remember though, the beauty of having rabbit instincts is a very keen awareness of ones environment. How can you go wrong? There is someone in your vicinity that loves you for who you are and is very sincere. You are in a position to move things into action, but only in the truest sense of who you are. William Hazlitt states, “Those who make their dress a principal part of themselves, will, in general, become of no more value than their dress.”

Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)

An Indian warrior riding fiercely, human scalps hanging at his belt. ~~sabian symbol

You are not completely trapped in a destructive role, yet you still hold tightly to ideas that you believe right. Is it an influence someone has on you? When you are down and out should you resort to an eye for an eye? Human sacred law states that what you give out is exactly what you will get in return. The universal mysteries make it so. So even though you understand the consequences of intimidating actions, that doesn’t mean you have to come to a standstill. There is something vital that needs put to rest. You are caught mid-breath and will be stuck at the end of this situation if you do not find closure. End it and let it wane with the moon. Then you can start anew when the moon is new. Buddha said, “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.”

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

Two Chinese men talking Chinese in a western crowd. ~~sabian symbol

In a world where all you have to offer is not understood, it is nice to find others of like-minds. You want stability, clarity and concrete ideas. You want directness and a no-nonsense delivery. Well…..your environment concurs. However, not everyone speaks the same “language”. There is a great power and a great responsibility available to you now to create something of real value. Watch carefully as this unfolds because how you set the tone in the beginning of this project will have to withstand challenges and successes. Create a firm and sound beginning. Include others and help them to understand where you are coming from so they can dream a dream as well. Paulo Coelho wrote in his book, The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream, “There was a language in the world that everyone understood, a language the boy had used throughout the time that he was trying to improve things at the shop. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired.”

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

A little child learning to walk with the encouragement of parents. ~~sabian symbol

You are not able to skip right out and do what you want. I know you want to and maybe you think that what you want is too much. It is perfectly natural. Despite the pressure you feel, there is a process that must be followed. A person must take a step before they can walk and walk before they can skip. Practice makes perfect and you will need a channel for your mind this week. Find time to go for a walk. There is a balance between saying, “I can do it myself dammit~!” and “I’ll do anything you want~.” Figure out what that means for you. John Muir said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

A fellowship supper reunites old comrades. ~~sabian symbol

All this time alone, you are now thirsting for companionship. This week you will get your wish. Keep in mind a few things. Remember when minding your manners at the table not to be too rigid, but yet try to, at least, keep your elbows off the table. Don’t talk with your mouth full. What you have to say can wait until you have swallowed. Take small portions until everyone has been served and then you may have seconds. And if you don’t get to sit with the person you want to sit with, turn your attention to the strength of your own character and what makes you, uniquely, you. The truth is that you will be spotlighted. Practice humility and you will succeed beyond measure. The Tao Te Ching states, “We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.”

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

A prophet bringing down the new law from mount Sinai. ~~sabian symbol

Sagittarius has been known in astrology as the reluctant prophet. Being a mutable sign your beliefs can be changeable and philosophy is a subject that holds your interest throughout your lifetime. You have come down the other side of some very steep issues. Building something has been giving you the heebie jeebies. This bright new world and bright new law has not yet been completely revealed. You are very afraid of what this means for your spiritual walk, yet you are very confident of its healing power and reward. Do not doubt yourself, Sag. Maybe you will not be able to affect a change in your environment but this doesn’t mean you should give up on your principles. It is alright if people leave as a result of this. You will heal. You are innocent. Let your actions be an extension of your innocence and convictions. Richard Bach wrote in Illusions, The Adventures of the Reluctant Messiah, “Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Being true to anyone else or anything else is not only impossible, but the mark of a false messiah.”

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

An Indian weaving a blanket in the light of the setting sun. ~~sabian symbol

The moon is approaching fullness and soon will begin to wane. This does not have you concerned as you plod through your daily life this week with renewed intuition. Your vision includes the long-term and the events that will lead you to your goals. As you weave your way toward sustenance, consider the results of dropping a stitch if you put down your work to deal with things unrelated to your well-being. Have someone assist you. Two sets of hands can be much more productive than one. Chief Seattle once said, “Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. All things are bound together. All things connect.”

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

An old owl up in a tree. ~~sabian symbol

Your eyes are keen on observing what is going on around you. It is difficult to release yourself into happiness when you instinctively know that there is a conflict. You don’t want to accept any answers from anyone claiming to be an authority. You are beyond authoritative control. Why can’t people just be equal? That’s good, Aquarius…..be true to yourself. This week be still. Observe. Wait. Edward H. Richard, so simply put, said “A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?”

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

An electrical storm illuminates the heavens and the forests. ~~sabian symbol

Where have you been? Have you checked into la la land to keep from dealing with the issues in front of you? That is what is seems like. Yet reality is much different. Why destroy the very place you have worked so hard to get to? You sense that a retreat is best when you really are not in a position to make anything happen right now anyway. Why pull up the energy? The fact is you could march right in and show them how powerful you are, but that would only cause you more work that really isn’t going to get you anywhere either. There is a problem however. You have planted the seed in another’s head already and somehow they feel responsible to channel your energy for you. Wha oh! Lightning is going to fly! No fear, sweet Pisces. Hold it all in check. All you can do is maintain a positive attitude and let your actions speak louder than your words. Look for the experience of May Sarton when she said, “Here life goes on, even and monotonous on the surface, full of lightning, of summits and of despair, in its depths. We have now arrived at a stage in life so rich in new perceptions that cannot be transmitted to those at another stage - one feels at the same time full of so much gentleness and so much despair - the enigma of this life grows, grows, drowns one and crushes one, then all of a sudden in a supreme moment of light one becomes aware of the sacred.”