November 2012

by Mac McLaughlin | Oct 31, 2012 | Weekly Forecasts

“First a tear drop, then a trickle and then a torrent of tears as you realize that you have destroyed the very thing that you wanted most.” I wrote that in another column several years ago. A Scorpio woman called and asked, nearly in disbelief, how and why I wrote those words. I told her that one of the negative traits of Scorpio is a form of self-destruction or destruction of what they fear. She had met a fellow that she really liked and they seemed to truly hit it off. He lived in a different city. She grew impatient as the days went by and became angry that he didn’t even have the decency to keep his word and call her. Well, she called him and left a message telling him what she thought of him for his callous, cad-like behaviour. Soon after, she got a call from a friend saying the fellow had lost his phone book and had been trying to reach her for days. She got a hold of him, but the air was chilly and it was the end of the story, thus the torrent of tears.

Scorpio does signal a time of endings and new beginnings. Pluto is the co-ruler of Scorpio. When Pluto makes an aspect with a planet, or sensitive point in our horoscopes, we go through some type of regeneration experienced as a breaking down and renewal of that planet’s significations. Here’s an example. Let’s say that Pluto contacts your Venus and you discover your mate is having an affair. Or maybe you’re having an affair. Whatever the case, there is pain involved as we evolve through the process of breaking apart and mending our hearts. Later on, wisdom gained, we plod forth towards new ventures with a new set of values, hard earned and stained with our tears of experience. As the Sun passes through Scorpio, we are provided with an opportunity to go deep within ourselves. We have two eclipses in November, heightening the intensity of the times all the more. Look within, find out what you truly want, or do not want any longer and resolve to rise above to the highest of your standards and values. Not to harp on the negative, I must say that Scorpio is the most deeply devoted and loyal sign when it comes to family and loved ones. “Till death do us part” must have been penned by a Scorpio. Eagles mate for life and so does Scorpio. Oh, they can break up with you, but they can never really let you go.

An eclipse takes place in your solar eighth house on November 13. The affairs of the eighth house will be in play for several months. Joint monies, inheritances, taxes, secrets, wills and legacies may be dealt with. Profound psychic experiences and dreams may occur and you might become deeply interested in metaphysics or spirituality.

There’s a big focus on your house of relationships. It’s all about how you get along with others, or not. Generally, you are able to get your own way, but now you may find that others are willing to put up a fight with quite a bit of resistance. It is time to reconsider your position.

You start the month off in high gear, as there are many demands to be met and little time to put it all together. It’s great to be busy and you may not mind the challenges, but you will have to watch your overall health. Month’s end is intense and dynamic, with relationships being featured.

A time in which you consider a new enterprise or the start-up of a new business has arrived. You may be yearning for some excitement and there is a hint of intensified relationships that may be in the works. Take it easy at the end of the month as battles may be brewing.

You must dig deep within yourself to come up with the proper course of action that will fulfill your yearning and burning desire for freedom and happiness. Home and family, along with matters of real estate, may come into play throughout November. December looks brighter. Plan on times with friends and family. New social circles are developing.

The natural instinct for Virgo is to get everything in order and in their proper places. Once those tasks are completed, you can delve deeper into your favourite topics, passions and hobbies. November is the perfect time for you to get things in their place. Home, family and career activities feature strongly in November.

Venus visits Libra until November 21, bringing her essence of love, grace, beauty, fairness and resources your way. Jupiter also casts his good influences as well and one cannot complain too much when the lesser and greater benific planets give us their blessings. Find the balance in all things and certainly share your love.

The solar eclipse on November 13 heralds an important time of changes for those born close to that date. Mercury retrogrades in Scorpio indicating an opportunity to rethink the plan or to rework any problems. Saturn spends the next couple of years moving through Scorpio helping you to structure, order and harmonize your life.

The lunar eclipse on November 28 casts some light on the concerns that have been developing in your life. Lord Jupiter casts his blessings via the eclipse as the Moon conjuncts Jupiter several hours after the eclipse. Revelations come your way and you may be excited regarding a breakthrough or a lucky break. Now you can move forward.

Mars and Pluto meet up in Capricorn on November 27, just hours before a lunar eclipse takes place. The general consensus would be to avoid danger and any form of angry confrontation. If the air needs to be cleared, this will be the time to do it. My hint is to not make more karma that must inevitably be repaid.

Your career house is lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s time to attain your goals. It’s a time in which you’re acknowledged for your accomplishments. For some, it is a time of honour and recognition; for others, it may indicate a fall from a high place.

Travel and career sectors are hot throughout November and December. You may be longing for something higher and more rewarding as your solar ninth house is activated this month. You might want to check out the deeper aspects of religion and mysticism. You could get the job that you have always dreamed of. Make it a reality.

October 2012

by Mac McLaughlin | Sep 30, 2012 | Weekly Forecasts

A blindfolded Goddess with a sword in one hand and scales in the other rules over the sign Libra. She represents impartial justice, balance, order and harmony. The Sun transits Libra until October 22. Libra is a Cardinal/Air sign bringing intellectual and artistic gifts to those born in this sign. The Sun forms a triangle with Jupiter in the first half of October, bringing opportunities to set things right. The Sun-Jupiter triangle brings hope, faith, trust and a cooperative spirit into the mix. The point of the drill is in using planetary awareness (astrology) to help assist us in dealing with the myriad complicated social and political concerns of the day. When we come across a giant boulder that needs to be moved, we know our human strength will not get it to budge one inch. If we apply a long enough pole and fulcrum, we can move the boulder easily. The planetary aspects, such as the Sun trine Jupiter, are our fulcrum and pole and when used wisely we can literally move mountains. Yes, there is magic in the stars. It is God’s handiwork.

In Ecclesiastes, it is written we have a time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Astrology is the cosmic clock and timekeeper for all terrestrial activities and events. Speaking of events, we have the US presidential elections taking place on November 6. After a lengthy study of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney’s horoscopes, I have come to the conclusion Obama will win. But hold on a minute. Remember the Bush/Gore race? It took place on November 7, 2000. Mercury, the planet ruling communications, was standing still, which is an indicator that things could go wrong and they certainly did. Well, guess what folks? Yep, good old Mercury retrograde takes place on November 6 and Mercury is standing still again as he prepares to back up along the ecliptic for a few weeks.

We know Mercury retrograde phenomena is strongly linked to all types of communication and transportation concerns. It may be a concern if Romney does get elected, as he is hawkish and willing to fight. Let’s keep an eye on this one and see where the world gets to, post November 6. Saturn will be in Scorpio starting on October 5 and this combination will bring its secrets, plans, plots and machinations to the surface over the next couple of years.

Your Sun is in Aries and the Sun moves through through Libra for the first three weeks of October. It’s your solar low of the year. It is time for some introspection, reflection and possible redirection of your energies and efforts to find the balance in all things. You may hunger for something deeper.

Saturn casts his stern glance from your opposite sign Scorpio over the next couple of years. It’s all about time and how you use it. Taurus, being a fixed sign, has its blessings and curses. The blessing is steadfastness, the curse, obstinacy and stubbornness. You may want to comply and concur rather than oppose and suffer.

I wish I were a Gemini in order to take advantage of the opportunities that Jupiter is bringing while he visits Gemini. He brings warmth, confidence, good luck and good timing. It’s highly likely that life’s activities are going to get ramped up as Mars casts his energy your way along with Jupiter in October and November.

It is time to prepare for the future. By your birthday next year, Jupiter will have entered your sign bringing untold blessings and opportunities for growth and advancement. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate, but start now. Move towards your goals, study and work hard and it will pay in its own way and day.

Mars and Jupiter throw good energies your way throughout the month. The Sun assists as well, Uranus too. All combined, the equation is that you are able to relate and communicate with all kinds of people from all aspects of life. Your timing is good and your resolve is strong and others pick up on it.

Lovely Venus pays a visit for most of the month. Well, she’s lovely most of the time; at other times, Venus helps us to reflect on how we’re really doing and some of the material may not be comfortable. There’s nothing like a good catharsis to re-align our values, principals, goals and ideals.

It’s your time to shine as the Sun moves through your sign. Saturn moves out of Libra in early October. The stern taskmaster has left some powerful impressions and deep lessons that may have carved some wisdom into your soul. A whirlwind fall season speeds by in a blink of an eye. Enjoy and rejoice.

Scorpios are old souls. In this incarnation, Scorpio is inclined to truly help mankind as they themselves have garnered a deep wisdom from the hoary past. The events destined to come to pass in the next two years will set your course for many years to come. Now is a time of correction and redirection.

Talk about intense. This is it. Mars visits Sagittarius throughout the month bringing an injection of energy, excitement, action and competition. Plus lord Jupiter casts his energy your way as well, bringing luck and fortune into the play. Mars and Jupiter oppose in the last days of October ramping up everything. Think twice, cut once.

Your career sector is hot. You learn a lot from secret sources throughout the month. No one can really outwork you or put in the same devotion to any subject at hand. Your instinct is to go deep and you should; think long-term while you’re at it. Shed the past and move forward.

Seize the day, seize the month and if you don’t, no big deal, but a very precious window of time has arrived, especially in the first half of October. If you want to get somewhere with your life, use the stars as your fulcrum and pole and make leverage now. Read the introduction.

Mercury and Saturn cast their energy into your sign bringing helpful news and information throughout the month. Now that Neptune has settled into Pisces for a very long visit, you can utilize Neptune’s energy to align yourself with your higher principals of compassion, love and service to all those who are suffering. New realities are dawning.

September 2012

by Mac McLaughlin | Sep 5, 2012 | Weekly Forecasts

We start and finish the month with full Moon energy. The blue Moon on August 31 carries its effects into early September. The Moon is bright. The combination of being full and in Pisces is bound to bring up some strong emotional energy. People tend to talk about their problems, fears, hopes and dreams under the Pisces Moon. We open up and let it all out.
It may be wise to keep careful watch over alcohol and drug consumption, as things can get crazy in a heartbeat with this dynamic energy unfolding. The end of the Month has similar vibes as we experience the harvest Moon on September 29. This full Moon is loaded and potently mixed with some strong planetary aspects throughout the day and it won’t take much to spark all kinds of action/reaction scenarios. The whole point of the drill is within the understanding that fore-knowledge of planetary situations can help us objectify energy and work with it, rather than against it. On a day such as September 29, it would be very wise to behave with restraint and caution. Not fearfully so, but in the sense that we can work towards positive resolution rather than adding more indebtedness karma-wise.
Although we’re having fun lying on the beach or hovering over the barbie, our minds are elsewhere – we’re thinking about school, the kids, work, career and myriad other things we know we must get to, tend to, soon. The summer is coming to an end and we can feel it. The fall equinox takes place on September 22. The instinct, Virgo instinct that is, is to organize and prepare for the coming colder seasons, thusly we have the harvest along with the impetus to order up, clean up, prepare and repair before winter sets in. Organize and systemize is the Virgo vibe. It’s back to the books; well, at least it used to be books. Now it’s some tiny, handheld device created by the Virgo nerds themselves, no doubt. He he, just kidding, sort of. Virgo is all about the details of any particular thing. They say that Virgo cannot see the forest for the trees, but Virgo will probably know everything about that tree and its environment and its needs and requirements to keep it healthy. What would we do without our Virgos to guide us along the proper path, err, correct path, right path? Anyway, dear Virgo often has the right answers. Virgo gone wrong is another story. Let’s save that one for another day and roll up our sleeves and get at it.

Lead the way! How, you ask? Stay true to yourself, honest and original. Aries types make excellent leaders because they are able to cut through the red tape and get directly to the point. Remain open and alert, as this is a time of great revelations and internal revolutions. Fate and destiny guide the way.

You will have to play nice as Mars spends the month in your opposite sign Scorpio. Contention, tension, competition, attraction and aggression are just a few keywords that describe the September vibes. All kinds of mini battles and disputes may arise. Home, family and real estate activities are featured. Excitement and good times go into the mix.

Home, family and career activities dominate the calendar. Expansive Jupiter is practically standing still in the middle of Gemini throughout September and October bringing Jupiter’s blessings of abundance and good fortune. You can enjoy the good times, but you would be wise to go for the gusto and attain your goals and dreams.

You will have some important decisions to make as September kicks into gear. Financial, professional and personal hurdles must be overcome. Once that is settled, whatever it is, you will be able to concentrate on making the best use of your time and energy. Opportunities for advancement are in place. Stay keen and alert.

Venus pays a visit for most of the month bringing her special energy on board. Resources may get a boost and so too will your personal magnetism. Mars squares off with Venus indicating all kinds of intense attractions and reactions. If you love the spotlight, which most Leos do, then this is your time to shine.

You’re in your solar high of the year, plus you start the month off with a bright full Moon bringing all kinds of revelations and realizations into your awareness. The Virgo new Moon on September 15 hints at a new start and a new leaf turned over. Opportunity awaits thee. Move forward with confidence.

The Sun enters Libra on September 22, bringing you into your solar high of the year. You may be adjusting to the change of circumstances in your life that has taken place over the last 30 months. The full Moon on September 29 brings important revelations your way and a few surprises to boot.

Mars moves through Scorpio throughout the month bringing courage and stamina. Mars also stirs things up and heated battles may come into play. Think long-term as Saturn visits Scorpio for the next two years and it may be wise to learn to live with less, especially less stress. Now is truly the time to make some changes.

Jupiter casts his blessings in the form of opportunities for advancement and spiritual growth. Travel, education, publishing and gambling are featured. Politics and law are topics that may flourish while this transit is going on. September offers hurdles and some tension that must be overcome. Career and family are feature topics throughout the month.

Travel, law, along with writing, publishing and education are featured. You may long for a deep drink of spirituality to slake your thirst for something higher, something transcendent. No matter what you acquire, you’ll only want more. It never ends and we are never satisfied. What to do? Let go and let God run the show.

Jupiter and Saturn cast their blessings, Uranus and Venus too. Jupiter brings good luck and good fortune. Saturn brings harmony, balance, rhythm, wisdom and sobriety. Uranus brings a form of originality and creative fluidity. Venus brings love and affection, resources and a whole lot of creativity. All we need now – is you!

The full Moon on August 31 takes place in Pisces. It will bring an understanding of how things are and how things will be. Pay attention to your dreams, as the symbolism in them may offer significant clues to your daily concerns. You may have to work a bit harder to accomplish your goals in September.

August 2012

by Mac McLaughlin | Aug 1, 2012 | Weekly Forecasts

It’s hot out there and I’m not talking about the weather. The Dog Days have arrived. Good old Mercury retrograde is in play and although Mercury goes direct motion on August 8, it will take several more days to get up to normal speed again. Related to us, it means communications will be hampered in some way. Delays and snafus, concerns regarding business, travel and transportation are the general fare when Mercury is dragging his feet and moving slowly. We all have our Mercury retrograde stories to share.

Mercury is moving through Leo, which is a fixed sign, meaning that attitudes and egos may clash and nobody wants to budge. In itself, this planetary energy would be plenty to deal with and we have dealt with it before. We can almost hear the collective yawn, as in, “So what? It’s not a big deal.” Along with the Mercury energy, we have a Mars/Saturn conjunction in Libra that will be in effect for the first three weeks of August making it a big deal indeed. Libra is a dynamic Cardinal sign indicating action and movement. Libra is the sign of peace or war and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see which way the energy is going in our society and in every society on the planet. Choose your topic and apply the above logic, or astro-logic, and we get a look into human behaviour at its best and worst.

The pictograph for Libra is a blindfolded goddess with a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other, meaning impartial justice. Obviously, there are myriad imbalances throughout the land and many things to consider: politics, law, the environment, poverty, the pipeline; the list is long. It is time to step up and contribute however you can. Battles will rage and outrageous acts will take place. Accidents, violence, incidents, fires and weather phenomena will dominate the news. No sense hiding under the bed, as the energy won’t go away and must be worked with. The remedy is to slow down and strive to be less judgemental and reactive. Help out where you can and be courteous and respectful to one and all. If you have a chip on your shoulder, certainly someone will knock it off for you. It is a time of confrontation as we strive to right the wrongs and bring freedom and justice to all. In the meantime, it’s summer and time to enjoy nature in its bounteous glory.

Aries is a very individualistic sign. They want to do things their way and when they want. Generally, the urge to be free and nonconformist is strong and, at present, it is intense. You may become frustrated if you have too many limitations. There are lots of opportunities to find the balance in all things.

Taurus Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been described as coming in with elbows extended. Taurus can be bull headed. It may be wise to let up a bit and allow others to have their way and say once in a while. August is a test of your ability to get others on-side with you.

Communications, business and travel are indicated. The stars are leaning in your favour. The general tenor of the stars is stressful, but for the most part they may benefit you. Your goodwill, along with some good luck, goes into the mix. Your ability to assess a situation quickly and act on it pays off nicely.

Venus brings her lovely energy to your sign throughout the last three weeks of August. Social events are attended and good times are experienced. Strong romantic attractions may take place and it may be hard to avoid temptation. Family gatherings are featured. Old issues with those closest to us may come up for review.

The full Moon on August 1 brings revelations. Issues come up and communications may be bogged down. It may take until mid-month to work through the complications. Life intensifies and you may experience some type of delay or problem with phones, computers, etc. The Leo new Moon on August 17 signals a new start.

It is time to rest and repair. The planets are not demanding a whole lot out of you this month so you can let down and enjoy life a bit. It’s a good time to rediscover yourself and what it is that truly makes you happy. It is time to nurture the spirit and attain internal peace.

Life can be trying at times, especially when Saturn is around. You have to tow the line and it can get tiresome. Now, Mars has joined up with Saturn until late August, bringing a series of frustrating circumstances into play. Accidents and incidents are probable and you will have to go easy, safe and slow.

Career activities are featured as the Sun moves through your solar tenth house. Mercury happens to be retrograding in that area as well and it may bring some type of delay or concern regarding negotiations until mid-month. Mars visits Scorpio late August and September bringing a surge of energy and confidence your way.

Jupiter’s passage through your opposite sign Gemini until next June will serve you well. He cast his light and influence into his own sign, bringing opportunities for growth and advancement financially, morally and spiritually. It can also be a time of waste and overindulgence if you are not careful. Relationships may flourish and bonds deepen as well.

You may be in the mood to make some important decisions especially regarding relationships. It is time to re-evaluate your position. What do you really want? What brings you peace of mind. It is time to settle accounts with yourself and others and move to the high ground. Intense career activity is on board as well.

The full Moon on August 1 takes place in your sign bringing intense energy and activity your way. You may be worked up about something and with Mercury retrograding in your opposite sign Leo, there may be conflict issues unfolding. Much depends on how you handle the situations that materialize in early August.

Venus traverses your solar fifth house which rules topics such as entertainment, children, investments and gambling. You may be in the mood to seek some enjoyment, be it good times with family and friends or attending a series of social events etc. You may be in a very creative space be it at work or home.

July 2012

by Mac McLaughlin | Jul 3, 2012 | Weekly Forecasts

We are not living in peaceful times, nor have we ever. Hold on a minute. That’s not true. We lived in peaceful times during the Golden Age. According to the mystics, souls pass through great cycles of time on their journey back to the source of pure light and love. They speak of a time in which men spoke only the truth and peace reigned on Earth.

The problem that eventually manifested for the souls living in the Golden Age was they were not motivated to rise above body consciousness and traverse the higher planes. They became satiated, secure and satisfied with their Earthly existence. It really doesn’t sound so bad to me. Wouldn’t it be great to experience a few hundred thousand years of peace, light and love? The saints teach us that this is the ultimate destiny for all embodied souls – that we will merge into the ocean of consciousness and experience eternal and divine love. Before we get to that though, we have a little work to do.

Although we may not understand it all, ignorance will not get us anywhere; neither will war, hatred, anger and retribution. Our modern day wars, clashes and conflicts, big and small, have their origins in the long forgotten past. If astrology has any practical use, it would be within its capacity to help us understand the karma of the times. Our clients want to know the truth and they want to know how to deal with whatever is on board, karma-wise. The one big problem astrologers experience is in the area of helping the souls understand the karma that manifests at different times throughout our lives. There is one law that overrides karmic law and that is the law of God’s mercy and grace. But in the meantime we have work to do and that work is learning to live non-violently.

There will always be hard and stressful planetary aspects going on. Uranus and Pluto were conjunct in the late sixties and it was a time of great unrest and protest. Uranus and Pluto are locked into a square aspect for the next two years churning up the seas and creating high stress and contention. Are animosity, distrust, hatred and resentment out there? I think so, but we have a chance to strive to still the waters that have been churned up into a great whirlwind of anxiety, fear and suffering. As the great mystics have taught us, you cannot wash away blood with blood, but only with the waters of forgiveness.

Mars types are generally fearless. Sometimes they are reckless and will do things that can be dangerous or thrilling. If this sounds like you, you might want to ‘go easy’ mid-month as the planetary aspects are loaded, potent and dangerous. If you are a thrill seeker, the time is right for high adventure.

Taurus knows the essential value of everything. July is a month in which you will weigh up what is real and what must go. It’s a time of soul searching, as you reach for the highest values available or sustainable. An influx of wealth may begin to flow your way. Peace is attainable.

The VIPs are coming for a visit this month. They’re already here. Venus and Jupiter arrive, bringing gifts of abundance, love and good fortune. If it is not so, know that it is time to make it so. Do not waste this opportune time fooling around and partying, but strive to make something of yourself.

An intense month unfolds. The full Moon on July 3 brings home the reality of your situation. A series of powerful planetary aspects heightens the pace, especially mid-month. July 16 to 18 are action packed days in which you will have to wend your way carefully. Excitement, drama and danger are in the mix.

It’s all about communication – or the lack of it – that tells the tale throughout July. The planets are leaning in your favour as a series of positive aspects unfold. You may have to re-think or rework your position, as Mercury turns retrograde in your sign on July 15. Strive for clarity, honesty and fairness.

Mars livens up your money house while Venus and Jupiter light up your solar tenth house of career status and your public image. You may be working hard and in the groove, possibly in the right place at the right time. In the midst of the flurry, you must take time for yourself.

It’s rock and roll time and hopefully it happens on the dance floor. I know it’s cryptic, but the planetary aspects are a bit hairy and need to be handled with caution. Excitement, romance, adventure and good times are indicated, but you must keep it together and stay focused on what you’re doing, especially mid-month.

Your intuition is strong and helps to motivate you. Now is the time when you must rely on your deep inner self for guidance. You may be contemplating big changes or sense that changes are in the wind, and they are. A time of redirection looms this fall. Behind- the-scenes work takes place now.

Your solar house of partnerships is lit up like a Christmas tree. Lord Jupiter and lovely Venus cast their energies your way bringing opportunities for successful relationships, be they personal or professional. You may have a change of plans or a change of heart mid-month. Joint monies, investments and inheritances may be active topics now.

The full Moon on July 3 takes place in your sign bringing revelations and realizations your way. The whole month is power packed for action, excitement and change. There is some danger involved. Take it easy and let up on the pedal a bit. Staying clean and letting your works be seen is best.

Mercury retrogrades in your opposite sign Leo mid-month, and there are some intense aspects going on as well. You might do well, as the planets are basically in tune with Aquarius. It’s all about communications and agreements. Check thrice, cut once. Read the fine print before you agree to any deal that comes up now.

The Moon transits Pisces from July 6 to 9. Take some time to let down and enjoy life on that weekend. You may be in a pensive mood and engaging in some deep soul searching. Health considerations or work related concerns may need attention. Your dreams may be vivid and chock-full of important information.