Some years loom large in our memories decades down the road; others are blurry, easily forgotten. That universal human reality is reflected in the movements of the planets -- astrologically speaking, one year is often far more significant than another, just as in life. Most of the really important celestial factors move rather slowly; thus, it's not unusual to experience a time in which none of them have gone critical, when we can calmly keep on putting one foot after the other, on "cruise control."

Well, for you this is definitely not that kind of year. Something truly pivotal is occurring...

Tr. Uranus is Square Ascendant
In effect: May 9, 2004 - Jul 13, 2004
Peak Date(s): sometime after the report period.

The planet Uranus is presently stirring the pot of your life, and that always promises a tumultuous passage, peppered with unexpected developments and encounters. Outwardly, Uranus is the wild card, bringing unpredictable and unforeseen events into the picture. Inwardly, it signals a time of accelerated individuation...that is, a time in which who you really are and what you truly want are rapidly emerging and defining themselves. A portion of what you imagined to be your identity has, in fact, little to do with you; it is a side-effect of your social training, nothing more. And, like training wheels on a kid's bike, you are now ready to dump it. This has an unsettling effect upon not only yourself, but also those around you. Often during Uranian periods there is a distinct "changing of the guard" in our social circles; old relationships end, new ones appear. Claim your right to be yourself -- that's the essence of the transiting Uranus. Whatever it touches, changes. Trust the changes! Like a hard wind blowing the sand off a buried city, they are revealing who you actually have been all along. That's Uranus in general. Specifically, Uranus is square your natal Ascendant: sometime after the report period..

Currently Uranus is steering a course through your Tenth House. That's the traditional "House of Career," and any planet passing through that part of your natal chart suggests that external developmental pressures are now arising which have the effect of modifying your place in the world. Something is brewing in your profession or vocation, or in your social status -- the way you look to people who don't really know you very well. What is it? We can't say exactly, but to respond optimally to the potentials and challenges built into this event, you'll need to act according to the spirit of Uranus, as we just described it. But what's the core issue? What part of your own life is at stake? To answer that, we turn our attention to the Ascendant, which is being invited into development by these professional or social openings.

Like the rest of us, you are a complicated, paradoxical individual, full of contradictions and undercurrents. That's human. But another part of being human is that, like the rest of us, you need to get out of bed in the morning and put on a streamlined, simplified social mask that allows you to function in the social beehive. There's no way that you can have a truly intimate relationship with every face you see in your daily life, nor would you likely want such connections. So we all keep much of what we really are behind our astrological Ascendant, which symbolizes that mask. Physically, it is simply the sign that was dawning in the east at the instant of your birth...and symbolically it represents how you "dawn" on people who don't know you very well. When triggered by a passing transit or progression, the Ascendant signals the need to make some adjustments in the way you present yourself in the social world, so that your outer appearance remains reasonably aligned with who you have become inwardly. The work is superficial; which is not to say unimportant. Often it has to do with changing how you hold your body, the way you speak, and the clothes you wear.

The aspect connected with the astrological process we're investigating here is the square, as we have seen. The square, traditionally characterized as an unfortunate aspect, describes a geometric angle of 90 degrees between the natal planet and the moving trigger. To call squares "bad" is misleading. More accurately, they are compelling. In the area of your life we're considering, a terrific friction has arisen. It's not comfortable, but it is an extremely effective motivator. The trick in using the energy creatively lies in moving decisively -- determining precisely what you want, claiming it, and letting the rest go. A season of tough choices is upon you. Regarding the process we described in the previous paragraphs, there are costs involved in all the courses available to you...the most costly, for all concerned, being the course of indecision.

Tr. Saturn is Square Moon
In effect: Jun 2, 2004 - Jul 4, 2004
Peak Date(s): Jun 19, 2004

The planet Saturn is currently casting a gray light on your circumstances -- but is it the bleak gray of sorrow or the clear, comforting gray of wisdom and digested experience? That's the choice. Saturn is classically viewed as the "bad" planet, the "Greater Malefic." Don't believe it! Used correctly, its transits can bring dignity and self-respect. Essentially, Saturn is about maturity. The part of your life that's being touched by the Saturnian energies needs to grow up...which, despite the lies we're all told, is not a process one mysteriously completes on one's twenty-first birthday. There is an area of your life where you have simply outgrown yourself, at least inwardly. The task now is to adjust your outward circumstances to reflect the maturity you've already attained psychically and invisibly. It is a material problem, not fundamentally a psychological one. To succeed, there is first a need to face reality squarely, even if it's unsavory. Then to make a hard choice...that is, to reach an emotional bottom line and not be crippled by your awareness of the ambiguities in your situation. And finally, in a spirit of commitment, persistence, and self-discipline, to claim those circumstances in your life which reflect the hard inner work you've been doing over the last few years. That's Saturn in general. Specifically, Saturn is square your natal Moon: Jun 19, 2004.

Let's first understand that the action is in the Second House, for that's where Saturn is currently passing through your chart. And what does that signify? That the circumstances driving your development, at least in terms of this particular configuration, have to do with self-confidence...but not simply in the conventional psychological way. Here the self-confidence -- or lack of it -- is rooted in the quality and appropriateness of your resource-base. To use this time well, act in the spirit of Saturn, as we just described it, and claim what you need for your journey, whether this be money, connections, equipment, or skills. But what's the deeper issue? What part of your own life now hinges on your gathering the right tools, funds, and skills? To answer that, we turn our attention to the Moon, which is being invited into development by this quickening of your dignity, self-reliance, and aplomb.

Astrology is the basic "programming language" of human consciousness. That may seem like a bold claim, but it's easily tested and proven. Pick someone who imagines he or she knows nothing at all about astrology. Ask them what the Moon means. After an initially dumbfounded look, you'll probably get an answer such as, "I dunno...feelings?" Which is quite correct. The mind naturally associates the Moon with darkness, with moonlight...and therefore with ghosts and romance, magic and tears, vulnerability and exhilaration: emotions. Deep inside us all is a subjective realm. Love and hate, joy and sorrow, dwell there. So do our daydreams and our creativity. If we could "average" a person's mood over a lifetime, we'd have an excellent profile of his or her Moon. When the Moon is triggered into development by a passing transit or progression, your inner life is stimulated. You feel stirred up. Powerful currents of emotional energy, for weal or woe, are released into your psyche. The very basis of happiness for you is evolving.

While the energies of the Moon that we just described are obviously positive qualities for everyone, they play an especially personal part in your own well-being, looming larger and larger in your life as you mature. That's because the Moon lies in your natal Eleventh House, which pertains to your future, to your healthiest priorities, and to your most sustainable long-term strategies, all of which are well-described by that planet. Under the current stimulation of the Moon, an evolution in your goals is occurring, rendering some old dreams obsolete or complete as new, sometimes unexpected desires and values begin to make themselves felt. It is a season of re-orientation.

The two factors, as we mentioned, are linked by a square -- traditionally seen as a "bad" aspect, but more accurately seen as simply frictional. Squares generally suggest tough choices, external pressures, and at least some stress.

Tr. Neptune is Sextile Moon
In effect: in progress - continuing
Peak Date(s): Jul 23, 2004

The planet Neptune is presently tinting and shading your biography, adding its dreamlike quality to the existential stew. Close your eyes; there's a world in there. That's Neptune, the planet of consciousness itself. Now open your eyes. There's a world out there too, and it's hard to ignore it. In fact, the outer world has become so pressing in its demands that you've partly lost contact with the inner one. But Neptune, transiting through sensitive territories for you now, is fixing that. Your inner world is so full it's brimming over, overflowing its banks into your daily life. If you resist the process, you'll find a host of Neptune problems plaguing you: losing the car keys, forgetting to pay the electric bill, having the attention span of a three-year-old on a sugar jag. But there's an alternative: trust the process. Slow down. Meditate. Let the images come. Moult opinions. Breathe in, breathe out. Why? Because your unconscious mind has a message for you. It has to do with the possibility of happiness for you over the next few years, about how old sources of joy are drying up and -- critically -- about new ones you must learn to recognize. How do you receive the message? You stop resisting. You simply let it in. That's Neptune in the broad sense. How is it effecting you specifically? Neptune is sextile your natal Moon: Jul 23, 2004.

Let's begin deciphering this configuration with the understanding that the action driving these existential developments is showing up in the part of your life we call the Ninth House. That's where Neptune is currently making its influence felt, thus bringing events to bear upon you. Typically, when the "House of Long Journeys" is stimulated, life is eventful and expansive in tone. You are challenged to stretch out toward new experiential horizons through travel and educational efforts -- to toss hand grenades into the well-oiled machinery of your life. Why? Because deep down inside, you are starting to get bored with yourself! The key question with which you must wrestle is this: which adventure is the right one? Astrology cannot answer precisely, but here's one helpful hint -- to travel the right new road and thus refresh your spirit, you will need every ounce of the energy of Neptune that you can muster. It's that kind of adventure, that kind of stretching, that is appropriate for you now. But what's the core issue? What part of your own life is at stake? To answer that, we turn our attention to the Moon, which is being invited into development by the invigorating, exhilarating impact of these new perceptions.

The natal Moon -- that, as we have seen, represents your inner life, your emotions, moods, and attitudes.

Your Eleventh House played a role earlier in the report; now we see it in the limelight again, once more telling us that your skill in forming necessary alliances and coalitions lies at the heart of the situation we're considering. Two reflections emerge. The first is that to succeed here you need to use all your social and political deftness...you can't do it alone, and the people upon whom you must rely are, to put it charitably, "human." The second is that to set appropriate priorities you must think deeply about what you want...which is to say, you need to know exactly what is worth fighting for and what you are willing to sacrifice. One hint: for you, the right answers nearly always have the tone of the Moon, a planet we described above.

The aspect pervading the event we've just considered is, as we observed, a sextile. Technically, that refers to a geometric angle of 60 degrees between the natal planet and the moving one. Sextiles are traditionally viewed as "good" aspects. Certainly, they're exciting. There is a mood of eagerness regarding the process we're exploring here -- and that's glorious, provided you're wary of the excessive impulsiveness that sextiles sometimes breed. In any case, the spinning wheel of circumstances can be counted on to provide some fortuitous, unexpected opportunities for you during this period. You'll have to be quick to seize them, though. They're real, but they're short-lived.

What we've considered above is the underpinning of this phase of your life. It's truly elemental material -- the stuff of which milestones are made. There's no guarantee that astrological forces of such magnitude will be activated for everyone all the time. What follows is an analysis of some slightly less portentous dimensions of your astrological picture...less portentous, but still powerful enough to qualify as part of this year's "Invitation."

Try to see what follows in the light of all that's gone before...

Pr. Sun is Trine Midheaven
In effect: Apr 5, 2004 - continuing
Peak Date(s): sometime after the report period.

Ever so slowly, at the pace of a glacier, life changes us. You're not the same person you were five years ago. Your interests have evolved, your tastes are more refined. And, of course, your circumstances are different. This snail-paced journey -- the Evolution of the Self -- is reflected in astrology's most elemental symbol: the progressed Sun. When it comes to a sensitive zone of the birthchart, momentous changes nearly always occur...but they mirror even more rudimentary transfigurations in the deepest levels of your identity.

Needless to say, we wouldn't be mentioning all this to you if the progressed Sun were passing through calm waters in your birthchart now. But it's not, and in a minute we'll look at exactly where it is and what it's doing. Before we consider the specifics, though, one more point for the sake of perspective: the progressed Sun is a very slow-moving factor. It covers approximately one degree each year. Thus, even in a long life, it swings through only about a quarter of the birthchart. It follows that often many years go by in which, despite its overwhelming importance, the progressed Sun is basically not doing very much and can safely be ignored. The other side of the coin is that when the Sun does come to sensitive territories, a person has reached one of life's definitive turning points. Decisions are made, well or poorly. Bridges are crossed, and often burned behind us. Life takes off in a new direction.

You've arrived at such a juncture; your core is being transfigured. It's stressful, of course; change always is. But your ability to hear the new message that's coming up from inside you will determine to a great extent the level of happiness, creativity, and prosperity you will experience for the rest of your life. Let's get specific. How is the progressed Sun currently impacting on you? It is trine your natal Midheaven: sometime after the report period.. In thinking about this, remember that progressions are slow-motion events, and that this aspect simply peaks then; it will be in effect throughout the period of this report.

First, factor in that the action and the developmental invitation are unfolding in the Fifth House, for that's the region of your birthchart through which the Sun is now passing. Immediately, the focus on Fifth House energies suggests that you are currently entering an existential territory that requires creativity, unabashed self-expression, and experimental audacity. Your "inner child" is a little cranky now, demanding some fun and some self-indulgence, all of which is entirely necessary and appropriate to your journey at the present time. Thus, life's pleasures -- games, vacations, sports, loving interactions -- deserve attention now. Whether you know it or not, you need a boost...and you'll get it in part from the "playmates" and "new toys" of the nature of the Sun that are now passingly, fleetingly available to you. Don't let them get away! But what's the core issue? What part of your own health hinges on this renewal? To answer that, we turn our attention to the Midheaven, which is being invited into development by this period of playful, celebratory creativity.

Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief -- we all play some kind of role in our community. Sometimes you're paid for it; sometimes you do it for the principle of the matter. The public "hat" you wear is symbolized by the natal midheaven. Physically, it's the highest point in your birthchart, and it corresponds to the most outward, obvious dimensions of your life: your profession, your status, your social role. When it is stimulated by a transit or a progression, you are advised of some impending evolution or revolution in your style of hat, so to speak. Much depends on the nature of the progressed or transiting planet, but certainly some adjustments must be made in your outward life to reflect more adequately those inner developments which have already taken place.

In what way do those notions connect with your present circumstances? Understand that the Midheaven occupies the Tenth House of your natal chart, an area which refers to issues of career, status, and your public role...concerns which are currently undergoing considerable developmental pressure and change. All positive steps in terms of profession or your place in the community hold one point in common: they move you further and further in the direction of the Midheaven, as we just described it. Any work that will prove enduringly satisfying invokes the considerable energies of the Midheaven in you; any work that does not embody them will turn out to be transitory or deadening.

As we said, the aspect involved in the event we just described is the trine, which refers to a 120 degree angle between the natal planet and the moving one. Trines are traditionally viewed as positive aspects, and in fact they generally do correlate with opportunities. Additionally, their existence implies that support is available to you, if you are willing to move to claim it. And therein lies the rub with the so-called "good" aspects. They're not very dynamic. Just as pain is a more powerful motivator than contentment, the trick with trines lies in taking advantage of them before the wheel turns and their potential vanishes. With regard to the developments we described in the previous few paragraphs: a door is now open, a red carpet rolled out...but don't count on everything remaining that way forever.

Tr. Neptune is Conjunct Midheaven
In effect: in progress - Sep 14, 2004
Peak Date(s): Apr 9, 2004; Jun 24, 2004

Neptune played a part earlier in this report, but it has another trick or two up its sleeve. You may remember that this planet refers to letting down barriers and allowing the creative unconscious to speak. When handled well, it triggers a "seed time" in which new inspirations arise. If handled poorly, one tends to go off half-cocked while enamored of unrealistic ideas. So sit tight, enter trance, pay attention to your dreams and, if you're so inclined, pray or meditate. Neptune currently is conjunct your natal Midheaven. The inner opening process peaks Apr 9, 2004; Jun 24, 2004.

Currently Neptune is navigating your Tenth House. That's the traditional "House of Career," as we've already discovered, and it tells us that something of the nature of Neptune is brewing in your profession or vocation, or in your social status. To respond optimally to the potentials and challenges built into this event, you'll need to act according to the spirit of Neptune, as we just described it. Being true to yourself is the challenge, as is generally the case in life. But your public life, with all its superficialities and practical pressures, is perhaps the hardest place in which to live up to that ideal. To succeed here, pay special attention to the Midheaven, which is being invited into development during this time of professional or public reorientation.

The natal Midheaven -- that, as we have seen, represents the role you play in your community. It is connected primarily to two territories: your work and your reputation.

As we mentioned, the aspect involved in the event we just described is the conjunction, which refers to a precise alignment between the natal planet and the moving trigger. Thus, the process emphasizes fusion, integration, and synthesis. Of all the possible aspects, the conjunction is the most intense. The explosion rattles your outward circumstances; but it originates inside you, and puts you in the driver's seat. It is appropriate for you to claim some new level of power, of self-expression, and of autonomy. If you don't, no one will do it for you; and the opportunity will evaporate.

Tr. Neptune aligns with the Tenth House cusp
Date: Apr 9, 2004; Jun 24, 2004 - Continuing

Neptune played a part earlier in this report, but it has another trick or two up its sleeve. You may remember that this planet refers to letting down barriers and allowing the creative unconscious to speak. When handled well, it triggers a "seed time" in which new inspirations arise. If handled poorly, one tends to go off half-cocked while enamored of unrealistic ideas. So sit tight, enter trance, pay attention to your dreams and, if you're so inclined, pray or meditate. Neptune currently is conjunct your natal Tenth House cusp. The inner opening process peaks Apr 9, 2004; Jun 24, 2004.

The Tenth House -- we ruminated on this piece of astrological symbolism earlier in the report. It's up again, for Neptune has now entered it. Traditionally the "House of Career," the Tenth House actually signals any kind of change in your social status, although typically one's job is the centerpiece of the action. When stimulated, there is always a need to make some adjustments in the way you are interfacing with your larger community...in this case, to embody more of the spirit and tone of Neptune, as we just portrayed it.

Tr. Saturn is Square Venus
In effect: Apr 18, 2004 - May 29, 2004
Peak Date(s): May 11, 2004

Saturn played a role earlier in this account. Now it emerges again, in a new way. To refresh your memory, Saturn is ultimately the planet of maturity. It always places a strong emphasis upon hard work, decisive choices, and persistence. Saturn currently is square your natal Venus. The energies crest May 11, 2004.

Let's first understand that the action is in the Second House, for that's where Saturn is currently located in your chart. We've met this house before. As you may recall, it has to do with self-confidence, especially when that confidence is rooted in your personal resources -- and that means more than just money. The time has come to act in the spirit of Saturn, as we just described it, and to claim the skills and material you need. But what's the point? What are the real questions? The answer lies with Venus, which is being invited into development during this time of solidification and consolidation in your life.

Venus is the goddess of love, of peace, and of the arts. In each domain, balance is the ideal. Deep in your psyche, there is a place that seeks the comfort of balance and equilibrium, whether through shared fondness with another human being, an hour's peace in the garden, or the rapture that sometimes arises as we immerse our hearts and minds in something beautiful. That inner circuit is your natal Venus. When it is stimulated, we often see experiences arising which prophesy a change in your relationships, in what gives you serenity, or in your aesthetic experiences.

Preserving a sound alliance with Venus plays a leading role in one key area of your life: the Fifth House, which is where Venus lies in your birthchart. And what are the concerns here? Pleasant ones, generally: playfulness, creativity, and self-expression. Life is hard work -- human beings, yourself included, require periodic doses of renewal, peak experience, and simple joy. You can meet those needs in yourself in a variety of ways, but the ones that work best and most efficiently come from experiences connected with Venus, as we just portrayed them. And, in your current astrological circumstances, the need for that kind of re-charging is definitely up right now.

When Venus collides with Saturn, a season of vows and boundaries in your intimate life is upon you. It's helpful now to remember that grown-up love is more than an emotion; it's also a commitment, a discipline, and a promise to be honored even in the face of difficulties or passing estrangements. Take some time alone now; you probably need it. Be clear and be serious, and don't let anyone trick you into taking positions you outgrew years ago.

The two factors, as we mentioned, are linked by a square -- traditionally seen as a "bad" aspect, but more accurately seen as simply frictional. Squares generally suggest tough choices, external pressures, and at least some stress.

Pr. Mars is Opposite Jupiter
In effect: in progress - Jun 25, 2004
Peak Date(s): sometime before the report period.

Two cats are discussing which cat rules the world. You've seen them...they glare at each other, inches apart, switching their tails. As soon as one of them flinches, the chase is on. The other cat lunges; the flincher flees. The curious thing is that the next day they might easily reverse roles, the pursuer becoming the pursued. Those cats give us an abject lesson in the ways of the planet Mars. Each of us, deep in our mammal-programming, contains a pair of primal behavioral routines: Fight and Flight. Dominance and Submission. Hunter and Prey. When the progressed Mars hits sensitive astrological territory, as it is doing for you currently, you are offered a choice: will you be courageous, or will you get hurt? It's raw and rough, and usually rather black and white.

Psychologically, the archetype that you're working with this year is that of the spiritual warrior. In that archetype, there may be violence, but no love of violence. There is skill with the "sword," but no love for the sword. Those who respond weakly to the challenges of the progressed Mars generally experience some kind of victimization: they are exploited, or abused, or get themselves into some kind of "accident." They often become depressed. But all that is quite optional! The higher road is to claim your courage. Assertiveness is always necessary, as is boundary-setting -- and boundary-defending. In some part of your life, you must learn to say "Enough!" Mars is linked to our ability to desire. When it progresses to a sensitive point, you are invited to claim what you want. But that claiming, however legitimate, calls for considerable intestinal fortitude.

Let's start unraveling the symbolism by recognizing that the action and developmental invitation are most evident in that part of your life we call the Eighth House, for that's the region of your birthchart through which Mars is currently passing. Typically, such an astrological event suggests a period of moody intensity as old hurt feelings come up for healing and regeneration. It is probable that you have someone in your life now, be it a bed partner or a dear friend, with whom you can speak frankly about difficult emotional topics...and can do so in the spirit of Mars, as we just described it. Often the person is himself or herself of that same planetary nature, or is at least going through a time in which that kind of force is making itself felt. What is less certain is whether you will cast politeness aside and actually broach the sensitive subjects. But what's the core issue? What part of your own life is being affected by these unconscious biases? To answer that, we turn our attention to Jupiter, which is being invited into development as these inner pressures mount.

How is the progressed Mars currently touching you? It is opposite your natal Jupiter: sometime before the report period.. In thinking about this, remember that progressions are slow-moving events and that the action simply peaks then; it will be in effect throughout the period of this report.

Hope and faith are essential to sanity. Without at least a few bright dreams and expansive goals, a person grows flat and dull...becomes a time-server. The same can be said for self-confidence: we need it. And even if such assurance sometimes crosses the line into a sprinkle of arrogance, that's less troubling and limiting than sitting around afraid to take any risks at all. There is a gambler's circuit in your psyche that understands these notions perfectly well. Astrologers call it Jupiter. When stimulated by a passing transit or progression, it encourages you to extend yourself further into your world, to bet on yourself, and to recognize emerging opportunities. Be wary at the same time that you don't settle for glitter when gold may be just around the corner.

Good things in general come your way when you make a positive response to Jupiter. But one area has always been prominent in that regard -- the Second House, where Jupiter lies in your birthchart. There, in the area of providing yourself with a real basis for self-confidence, the optimal use of that energy is most critical. Sometimes it comes down to seeing to it that you have enough money. Other times, provisions, proper tools, or even skills are the focus. Always the key here is to recognize the intimate link between personal resources and personal assurance.

When Jupiter energies interact with Mars energies, opportunity coincides with the need for assertiveness. There is something here for you to claim; but to succeed, you'll have to be brave. A "paper tiger" figures somehow in the situation: something that's not nearly as scary as it may initially appear.

The geometric angle or "aspect" involved in the process we are studying is, as we said, the opposition. Not surprisingly, this suggests that the natal planet and the moving one are 180 degrees apart. Tension is thus woven into the spirit of this period of your life. The two forces we described are polarized, which often translates emotionally into a feeling of being damned if you do, and damned if you don't. How can you break the logjam? Recognize that any impossibilities you are experiencing in this area probably arise from an incomplete or biased perspective. The opposition aspect always calls for a leap into a new, more accepting level of consciousness. Something is missing in your view of the problem -- and that missing link (here's the corker...) lies in the wisdom embodied by those people or situations that are now antagonizing you. It's not that they're right and you're wrong; only that the truth that can carry you beyond this impasse lies somewhere between the two positions.

Tr. Jupiter aligns with the Fifth House cusp
Date: Jul 8, 2004 - Continuing

The planet Jupiter is currently coloring your circumstances. Before we say exactly how, let's attempt to understand the more general significance of any Jupiter event. Essentially, this is a call to recognize an opportunity. Traditional astrologers view it more starkly -- to them, it is simply the planet of luck. And that is often the case: the toast does tend to land butter-side up when Jupiter is crossing sensitive territories. But the real, evolutionary meaning lies deeper. One key is that Jupiter is future-oriented...it is concerned with bright, unexplored possibilities. Stripped to its bones, Jupiter always asks one primary question: how have you been underestimating yourself? Its transits signal a time when new opportunities come into existence, but to seize them you must recognize that you deserve them, that you are capable of rising to them, and that old deals and compromises are finished. Trust yourself, have faith in life, and go for it: that's the spirit of Jupiter. How is it affecting you? Jupiter is conjunct your natal Fifth House cusp: Jul 8, 2004.

Play -- that's the essence of the Fifth House. Traditionally called the "House of Children," it sometimes does bring kids into your life in significant ways. But ultimately what's at stake here is the well-being of your own inner child. And with Jupiter now entering your Fifth House, you need to loosen inhibitions: relax, indulge yourself, enjoy your "playmates."

All that may sound appealing, but rather lightweight. Don't be misled! Something extraordinarily portentous is occurring. Think of children at play: they almost always enact adult roles...astronauts, warriors, adventurers, parents. It's tough to escape the conclusion that play is a kind of neurological rehearsal for adulthood -- the clincher being our certainty that any child who chronically refuses to play is headed for psychiatric problems in adulthood.

Something new has crystallized in your deep psyche...a new Self, or more specifically, a new aspect of yourself, one that has the nature of a more mature expression of Jupiter. But you probably don't have a clue about how to turn it into anything visible and real! In exactly the same way, deep in the psyche of every child is an impression of adulthood, but almost no true understanding of adult realities. Kids manage to solve that problem, and so can you -- in precisely the same way. Get loose. Enact your imagination. Buy toys for yourself: a boat, a new car, watercolors, an extravagant trip. Go with your impulses. Connect with interesting strangers. In the spirit of Jupiter, do what pleases you. It's serious business, but here's the delightful paradox: if you take it too seriously, you'll blunder.

Tr. Saturn is Conjunct Jupiter
In effect: Jul 9, 2004 - Aug 10, 2004
Peak Date(s): Jul 25, 2004

Saturn played a role earlier in this account. Now it emerges again, in a new way. To refresh your memory, Saturn is ultimately the planet of maturity. It always places a strong emphasis upon hard work, decisive choices, and persistence. Saturn currently is conjunct your natal Jupiter. The energies crest Jul 25, 2004.

Let's first understand that the action is in the Second House, for that's where Saturn is currently located in your chart. We've met this house before. As you may recall, it has to do with self-confidence, especially when that confidence is rooted in your personal resources -- and that means more than just money. The time has come to act in the spirit of Saturn, as we just described it, and to claim the skills and material you need. But what's the point? What are the real questions? The answer lies with Jupiter, which is being invited into development during this time of solidification and consolidation in your life.

The natal Jupiter -- that, as we have seen, symbolizes your capacity for positive thinking and abundance. More deeply, Jupiter is about your faith in life and in yourself.

Your Second House came up earlier; now we see it stimulated again, once more suggesting that the deepest, most essential factors in the situation we're considering all hinge upon your personal resources and the resultant feelings of self-confidence and legitimacy that they engender. And what are the natures of the resources most pivotal to this self-esteem building process? A large part of the answer lies with Jupiter, a planet whose basic skills, tools, and connections always figure critically in your efforts to improve yourself or your position.

When Jupiter interacts with Saturn, you experience an odd confluence of providential fortune (Jupiter) and daunting impediments (Saturn). Essentially, something very good is available to you now, but to attain it you must undertake a herculean effort. More profoundly, that effort itself will crystallize a very specific transformation in you: it will grant you the dignity of your advancing maturity.

The two factors, as we mentioned, are linked by a conjunction -- the most powerful of the geometric aspects and one that suggests convergence, intensification, and often a new beginning.

Tr. Saturn is Square Neptune
In effect: Aug 17, 2004 - Sep 27, 2004
Peak Date(s): Sep 4, 2004

Saturn played a role earlier in this account. Now it emerges again, in a new way. To refresh your memory, Saturn is ultimately the planet of maturity. It always places a strong emphasis upon hard work, decisive choices, and persistence. Saturn currently is square your natal Neptune. The energies crest Sep 4, 2004.

Let's first understand that the action is in the Second House, for that's where Saturn is currently located in your chart. We've met this house before. As you may recall, it has to do with self-confidence, especially when that confidence is rooted in your personal resources -- and that means more than just money. The time has come to act in the spirit of Saturn, as we just described it, and to claim the skills and material you need. But what's the point? What are the real questions? The answer lies with Neptune, which is being invited into development during this time of solidification and consolidation in your life.

Close your eyes. Don't think of anything at all. Just be aware of all that infinite, dark space. Welcome to Neptune. In your natal chart, it represents the part of you that knows how to enter trance, to meditate, or to "space out." Everybody's got one, and everybody experiences that part of their consciousness from time to time. When triggered by transits or progressions, Neptune asks you to let go, to allow material to enter your mind uncensored and unstructured. It's more akin to feeling than thinking, but neither word captures it perfectly. Dreaming is the closest analogy...a sort of free-associative state in which your own mind works like an unpredictable movie theater. Why bother? Because such an astrological event signals that your unconscious mind or, if you prefer, your soul has an important message and is trying to get in touch with you.

Your Fifth House held our attention for a while earlier in these pages; now we see it making itself felt again. You have an inherent capacity for playful, recreational, or creative self-renewal, and it operates best when those self-renewing activities emphasize the spirit of Neptune, as we just described it. That part of your psyche is under some pressure now. Take advantage of the energy and enjoy yourself!

When hard-headed Saturn is stirred into the same pot with visionary Neptune, a season of brain-storming has arrived. A happy confluence now exists between creative imagination and shrewd practicality. Keeping them in balance is the art. You'll have some great ideas -- but not as great as they may at first seem. And you'll also see some formidable obstacles -- but not as insurmountable as you may fear. There is a middle course between optimism and pessimism. It's called visionary realism. Practice it!

The two factors, as we mentioned, are linked by a square -- traditionally seen as a "bad" aspect, but more accurately seen as simply frictional. Squares generally suggest tough choices, external pressures, and at least some stress.

Tr. Saturn aligns with the Third House cusp
Date: Aug 19, 2004 - Continuing

Saturn played a role earlier in this account. Now it emerges again, in a new way. To refresh your memory, Saturn is ultimately the planet of maturity. It always places a strong emphasis upon hard work, decisive choices, and persistence. Saturn currently is conjunct your natal Third House cusp. The energies crest Aug 19, 2004.

Serendipity -- that's the heart of the Third House. Bumping into the unexpected. Learning something utterly new. Traditionally seen as the "House of Communication," this phase of one's life is often characterized by an emphasis upon language. Writing, reading, teaching, learning, speaking, listening...all these are certainly Third House activities. But the essence of the house lies in the experience of surprise.

Saturn is currently entering your Third House; and under that kind of stimulation, boring routine is your worst enemy, even if those routines are laudably responsible, moral, and productive. The mind hungers for the unexpected...and often gets it. There is a tendency during such phases for the "wild card" elements of human life to occupy center stage. The unpredictable occurs; the proverbial monkey wrench is hurled into your carefully-laid plans. You are pressured to adapt, to change, to open your mind in the direction of Saturn. People of the nature of Saturn come into your circle now who are message-bearers; they offer ideas, books, excursions into exotic neighborhoods. Underlying the apparent randomness of this phase of your life is one unifying principle: slowly, methodically, your attachment to certain familiar ways of thinking is being undermined.

Ultimately, the Third House represents a time of preparation...and it feels that way, although you are not sure exactly for what you are being prepared. Trust the process; a seed grows best in broken soil.

Tr. Saturn is Conjunct Uranus
In effect: Aug 30, 2004 - continuing
Peak Date(s): Sep 20, 2004

Saturn played a role earlier in this account. Now it emerges again, in a new way. To refresh your memory, Saturn is ultimately the planet of maturity. It always places a strong emphasis upon hard work, decisive choices, and persistence. Saturn currently is conjunct your natal Uranus. The energies crest Sep 20, 2004.

Let's first consider that the action is in the Third House, for that's where Saturn is currently located in your chart. This is familiar territory. New information is coming your way. It may be somewhat startling or unanticipated, and it will most likely come to you through a messenger whose nature or mood is in accord with the tone of Saturn, as we just described it. But what are the core questions? What part of you is most profoundly impacted by this new knowledge? The answer lies with Uranus, which is being invited into development during this information-intensive period in your life.

There's a wild card in everyone, a rebellious, independent, free-spirited force that hates neckties and phony courtesies and all the slick moves that keep corporations and families from splitting apart. Astrologers call it Uranus. Stripped to its essence, this part of your astrological psyche is concerned primarily with the process of individuation, which boils down to whittling away all the parts of yourself which have arisen almost accidentally as side effects of your social background. When stimulated by transits or progressions, Uranus triggers your rebellions. It asks you to shed something unauthentic, unreal, or limiting in your life. Often it brings lightning-quick developments and unexpected circumstances. Almost always, there is a confrontation between you and some figure of authority, past or present.

It's helpful, of course, for you to embrace the power of Uranus positively in all departments of your life. But ever since you were born, one area has always stood out in that regard -- the Third House, which is where Uranus was located when you took your first breath in Vineland, NJ. There, in the area of communication, that energy is most critical. What you say, how clearly you express it, and how well you are heard are the issues currently experiencing developmental pressure. Finding your voice and using it are basic spiritual concerns for you; now they are being invited to take a quantum leap.

When Saturn interacts with Uranus, avalanche is the ruling metaphor. "Stuck" situations can only stay stuck for so long; sooner or later, when enough water builds up behind the logjam, something's got to give. Expect explosive developments, and prepare for them in two ways. The first: through dispassionate analysis you can anticipate eventualities and have some tactics for damage-control in place. The second: through imaginative forethought you can recognize some exciting emerging possibilities and be ready to seize them.

The two factors, as we mentioned, are linked by a conjunction -- the most powerful of the geometric aspects and one that suggests convergence, intensification, and often a new beginning.

Pr. Ascendant is Conjunct Jupiter
In effect: in progress - Sep 6, 2004
Peak Date(s): sometime before the report period.

"Style" -- the word, even if you're a very stylish individual, conveys something rather superficial and transitory. Yet none of us can avoid it: all of us, from the chic Parisian model to the most homespun field hippie, radiate style. It's the inevitable outward expression of our inner processes. If we didn't have style, no one would know we were here. Astrologically, your style is symbolized by the Ascendent, which is simply the sign that was rising in the east at the time you were born...or the sign that was "dawning" -- which is a good way to say it, because the Ascendent represents how you "dawn" on people: the first impression you make, the way you initially, spontaneously present yourself. Like every other aspect of your being, your style must evolve for you to avoid becoming stagnant. And that process is represented by your progressed ascendent, which is currently making some delicate transitions.

Often the changes we make under this kind of astrological influence have to do with very simple things: the kinds of clothes we wear, our way of speaking, hairstyle, body posture, our "manners." It's important to get the changes right, even though they are basically superficial adjustments. Why? Picture this: you're spending the evening with an old friend whom you've not seen for many years. Reflexively, unconsciously, you drift back into playing your old role. How do you feel? A little distant from yourself? Vaguely phony? The word "goofy" comes to mind. Now, imagine the evening stretched into weeks, months, years. That is the pitfall you are invited to avoid this year! The changes you've been creating in your deep psyche, all those profound realizations and insights you've been generating, must be translated into the surface of your character...into style. Authenticity is the aim. Succeed, and you'll feel more at ease with yourself, more spontaneous, and more comfortable in the social situations that occupy so many of the hours of our lives.

Let's first understand that the action is in the Second House, for that's where the Ascendant is currently passing through your chart. And what does that signify? That the circumstances driving your development, at least in terms of this particular configuration, have to do with self-confidence...but not simply in the conventional psychological way. Here the self-confidence -- or lack of it -- is rooted in the quality and appropriateness of your resource-base. To use this time well, act in the spirit of the Ascendant, as we just described it, and claim what you need for your journey, whether this be money, connections, equipment, or skills. But what's the deeper issue? What part of your own life now hinges on your gathering the right tools, funds, and skills? To answer that, we turn our attention to Jupiter, which is being invited into development by this quickening of your dignity, self-reliance, and aplomb.

How is the progressed Ascendent currently touching you? It is conjunct your natal Jupiter: sometime before the report period.. In thinking about this, remember that progressions are slow-moving events and that the action simply peaks then; it will be in effect throughout the period of this report.

The natal Jupiter -- that, as we have seen, symbolizes your capacity for positive thinking and abundance. More deeply, Jupiter is about your faith in life and in yourself.

Your Second House came up earlier; now we see it stimulated again, once more suggesting that the deepest, most essential factors in the situation we're considering all hinge upon your personal resources and the resultant feelings of self-confidence and legitimacy that they engender. And what are the natures of the resources most pivotal to this self-esteem building process? A large part of the answer lies with Jupiter, a planet whose basic skills, tools, and connections always figure critically in your efforts to improve yourself or your position.