The Sun moves into the sign Aquarius on February 11th and stays until March 14th. This is a very special time of year for all Aquarians, but we must remember, each and every one of us has the 12 signs in our astrological chart, which means we all have Aquarius in one of our houses. And whichever house Aquarius resides in within your chart is the area of your life where the effects of the Sun in Aquarius have the most impact.

Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac relating to groups, prosperity and the fulfillment of dreams. It reflects the Bible verse, Ask and you shall receive. It is associated with reaping benefits of all kinds – they can be physical, material, emotional, spiritual, or all of the above depending on how we perceive what a gain means to us. Aquarius is represented by the symbol of the water bearer, who brings nourishment to humanity. Its keyword is “I help”. Aquarius focuses on groups that have a humanitarian dimension.

The ideas of Aquarius are original, humanitarian and idiosyncratic. During this time, you might be interested in exploring ideas others might perceive as unorthodox, but are often based on knowledge from antiquity, such as the sciences of astrology and palmistry which Aquarius rules. People with a strong Aquarius influence are often considered eccentric because they are ahead of their time. They live by their own ideas—usually visionary and thought provoking – and, consequently, do not follow the norm.

Discover how the Sun in Aquarius is influencing (or can influence) your life and relationships. Book a consultation with us, either in person, by phone or via Zoom. We’ll discuss how to make the most of this planetary transit!

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Lovebirds James and Laurie are roughly the same age, so they are not separated by a generation gap. Unfortunately, James and Laurie don’t perceive the world (or their relationship) in the same way, which means they are separated by a perception gap.

James’ perception tells him that Laurie has no problem with him taking some time to relax by himself and chill out reading the newspaper. But Laurie’s perception tells her that James is deliberately ignoring her, which (to her) means she is not smart enough, pretty enough or interesting enough to be worthy of James’ love and attention.

James thinks Laurie should understand he is tired and needs a little alone time, but eventually he senses her discomfort and feels judged, isolated and resentful. Laurie is upset that James is not giving her his full attention and trying to engage her in conversation; she is resentful that he is being selfish and feels excluded and ignored. The lovebirds are misperceiving each other, emotions are heating up and tempers could quickly flare.

James and Laurie have entered the perception gap; they need a way out before it undermines their relationship—before the gap widens and becomes a chasm they can’t escape.

Luckily for both James and Laurie, they can easily change this potentially damaging scenario by switching the lens of their perception from one of emotion to one of devotion. If Laurie can shift her focus from expecting something from James to wanting only what is best for him, she will no longer feel ignored—quite the opposite, she will take joy in the fact that James finds pleasure in a brief reading and relaxing respite. And if James can take a peek over the top of his newspaper once in a while to ask Laurie if she is okay, she won’t feel ignored and he will feel happy knowing she is content. If James and Laurie can conquer their emotion with devotion, the perception gap will be closed and all will be well in their contented love nest!

Losing our peace of mind because we expect our happiness to be delivered to us through the words or actions of others—be it a lover, boss, family member or friend—is a sure sign we are not thinking correctly . . . that we are dependent on others for our joy or sense of self-worth. True happiness, contentment and peace of mind can only come from within. When we seek it from outside ourselves we fall victim to our vacillating desires, the whims and moods of others, or to the misperceptions of our unreliable physical senses. In any of these cases, we are pulled away from our peaceful, spiritual center within—the only place where pure, selfless love can blossom, grow and be expressed. There is no room for anger, resentment or disappointed in a loving heart, only happiness and joy. As the great sage Paramahansa Yogananda wrote: "Real love is only happy in the happiness of the beloved".

 

The warrior planet Mars marched out of the sign of Pisces February 3rd and entered its home sign of Aries, which it rules and where its dynamic energy is very powerful.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and is known as the great initiator of projects, schemes and dreams. In Aries, our energy is young and boundless, our spirits are high, and our optimism is at full-throttle—a driving combination that emboldens us to tackle any new task, no matter how demanding, and to get things going. It is Aries that gives us the impulse and motivation to take that first step in a journey of 1,000 miles, to type the first word of a novel, or to lay the foundational brick of a skyscraper.

Mars in Aries infuses us with courage, stamina and vigor, making this time a truly extraordinary transit for any new undertaking. No need to pause and sweat over the details of how things will turn out in the long run, just grab the ball and start running toward the end zone. This is a transit of action and beginnings; if you don’t get started, you won’t have any details to worry about anyway.

The main cautionary note concerning Mars in Aries is that both the planet Mars and the sign Aries possess an aggressive nature; the combination of their forceful energies can make us ultra-competitive or even downright combative. This may manifest in our behavior as arrogance, petulance, an impatient or dismissive attitude toward companions, coworkers and competitors or as angry intolerance with anyone we perceive to be standing between us and our goal. The key to productively channeling this intense energy is through self-control and self-awareness . . . and the greatest tool available to humankind for developing these traits is daily meditation. Fortunately, this transit is a doubly auspicious time to develop a regular meditation practice—not only will Mars in Aries give us the initiative to begin meditating, but by meditating we will be able to make the most of everything a Mars-Aries transit has to offer. It’s a win-win scenario!

This transit will last only six weeks, but in those six weeks we can make a start at transforming ourselves and start a new chapter in our lives. So let’s make the most of it by taking on a project or cause that has been sitting on the back burner, be it a proper diet or exercise routine, a spiritual discipline, a job search, volunteering in the community or mentoring someone in need of help and guidance. Even if it is just making a phone call you have been putting off—now is the time to do it! Stop waiting and start acting, the force of Mars in Aries is with you!

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From 10:34 pm on Sunday January 20th until 12:16 am on Monday January 21, there is a total lunar eclipse that can bring monumental change to our lives.

With the blotting out of the Moon, the eclipse represents a time where we can reset our emotions and clear away any emotional baggage of the previous six months. If we take time to reflect, the shadowy period of the eclipse can be auspicious because it allows us to connect to our inner divine light.

A lunar eclipse opens a doorway to our innermost self, presenting a perfect opportunity for soul-searching, personal reflection, spiritual contemplation and meditation. In short, by temporarily darkening the light of the luminaries of Sun and Moon, the eclipse empowers us to seek our own light and elevate our spiritual awareness—and few things in life are more important than that! Eclipses are so powerful because they bring to light the issues that need to be healed.

This eclipse is especially powerful, as the Moon is in its own sign of Cancer, reflecting our innermost nature. This feminine, yin sign is sensitive and perceptive. Its keyword is “I feel”. The Moon rules our very roots—motherhood, the home, family and happiness of heart. The entire foundation of society is based upon these roots. It is how we are nurtured and recharged in order to have the strength to go out in the world and fulfill our karma. It relates to the mother who carries her child. She knows the feeling of two heartbeats, two souls in one body. She feels that closeness.

The lesson during this eclipse is that although it is fine to feel, it is more important what we do with our feelings, how we use them. Do we use our feelings to get what we want? Or do we use our sense of reason as well, so we can channel our heightened sensitivity to work for ourselves and others? Does our super-sensitivity create drama and chaos in our life or are we able to realize what the yogis refer to as Kama Muta, Sanskrit for moved by love?

So this eclipse is an excellent time to evoke our emotion to be moved and touched. We can peel away the protective layers we have erected around our heart in order to feel the deep and tender emotion of love.

If you want to know more about the influence of the full Moon in your chart,
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The Sun moved into the sign Capricorn on January 13th and will stay until February 11th. (Check our conversion chart below.)

Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac relating to karma (destiny); it pertains to the heights of personal achievement and reaching the zenith of our career. Capricorn reflects a far-reaching vision that impels us to embark upon new undertakings; it reflects a tenacious nature that implies, no matter how long it may take us, we will find a way to resolve situations and overcome obstacles in order to get where we want to go and obtain the goals we have set for ourselves.

In the West, Capricorn is symbolized by the sure-footed mountain goat, that most determined of creatures who persistently and steadily navigates perilous terrain until it reaches the mountaintop. The ability to get what we want this month (in life and in love) is bolstered by the fact that the sign of Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of discipline, responsibility, wisdom and transformation. Saturn’s role is to build and stabilize foundations. So, this month, especially as we set out to fulfill our New Year’s resolutions, we can do ourselves a great favour by putting Capricorn’s steely determination to good use designing practical, realistic plans and strategies that will allow us to attain our objectives in our work, life and relationships.

Take some time to seriously contemplate what it will take for you to make the changes you need to make in order to fulfill the dreams and hopes you want to realize. Buy yourself a calendar and write down a step-by-step plan that will enable you to reach you goals—stick to the plan until you are standing on top of the mountain with a big smile on your face!

Discover how Sun in Capricorn is influencing (or can influence) your life and relationships. Book a consultation with us, either in person, by phone or via Zoom. We’ll discuss how to make the most of this planetary transit!

Call us at 866-428-3799 from Canada or the U.S.
You can reach us from anywhere in the world by calling: 819-428-4298 or click here.
We are here to help!

 

Remember, we practice Vedic astrology.
That means your Sun sign may be different from what you’ve always thought it was, and that could change your entire outlook on life!

Click on our Conversion Chart to determine your Vedic sign.

 

The coming year will be a year of change, challenge and opportunity for us all. In fact, looking at the astrological chart for 2019, it is fair to say that the dawn of 2019 will likely initiate a revolution in our personal lives. Why? Because in 2019 our 4th house—the most intimate and personal of the 12 astrological houses—will be jam-packed with powerful planets that can be as transformative and volatile as they are influential. The key thing to remember about the 4th house is that it is directly related to our sense of comfort and security—it pertains to home and hearth, to our homeland, to our mother and all that nurtures us; it is where we take refuge from the world and is the cornerstone of our happiness and contentment of our heart. In order to feel safe, secure and loved, it is essential that our 4th house is balanced and stable. But, as we are about to see, maintaining balance and stability in the 4th is going to be a major challenge in 2019, a year that promises change.

Let’s begin at the beginning. As we rang in the New Year Virgo was rising and, as you likely know, Virgo is ruled by Mercury, which is in the fiery sign of Sagittarius in the 4th house. However, Mercury is not alone in the 4th house—indeed, it has plenty of company. Sun, Saturn and Pluto—all extremely powerful celestial bodies—are also in the 4th. That’s a total of four planets in the 4th house, and whenever four or more planets take up residence in a single house—a phenomenon known as a stellium—the affairs of that house exert an intense, even obsessive influence on our lives. Such concentrated focus on one house can consume all our attention, time and energy, which can unbalance us and lead to dramatic and unexpected upheaval in our lives, especially the areas of our lives most affected by that house. In the case of the 4th house, it is our personal and home life, including our sense of safety and security, that will come under intense planetary influence.

To better understand those influences, let’s take a moment to consider the nature of the planets that are parked in the 4th house. First, there is vacillating Mercury, which can behave either as a benefic or malefic planet. Then we have Sun with its nuclear-level heat that can naturally initiate movement and change. Then we have Saturn (sometimes referred to as the planet of “blessings in disguise”) that often pushes us to take a hard, honest look at the way we think and behave, thus forcing us to change, grow and mature. Finally, there is the tiny powerhouse planet of Pluto, a relentless instigator of change known as “the God of transformation and rebirth”, which often demands us to undergo a major catharsis before allowing us to move on with our lives. And of course, all this potential change is taking place in the sign of Sagittarius, which is represented by the truth-seeking archer, whose penetrating arrow is aimed heavenward in a constant search for honesty and uprightness. So, as you can see, all the elements of revolutionary change will be at work in the 4th house in 2019. And it is a revolution that could easily challenge our sense of personal security, stability, comfort and happiness.

But, as they say, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. In other words, being aware of what the planets are up to in our 4th house allows us to prepare for any changes coming our way, ensuring that we can use that transformative energy to our advantage. Usually, the best way to manage the extreme influences of a stellium is by drawing upon the balancing influences of the planet (or planets) in the opposite house—in the case of the 4th house, the opposite house is the 10th, the house of our public persona, work and career. Unfortunately, in the 2019 chart, there are no planets in the 10th house to help balance out the intense 4th house energy and maintain an equilibrium between the 4th and 10th, between our personal and professional lives. This means it will not only be easy for personal dramas and emotional upsets to disrupt our private lives, but for those private problems to spill over into the workplace and negatively impact our career. Therefore, in the coming year, we must endeavor to create the balance needed for a peaceful, happy and successful life from within ourselves: we must balance, strengthen, stabilize and protect our 4th house by drawing upon the most loving, caring and peaceable qualities residing in the depths of our heart.

When we focus on being kind, loving, peaceful and compassionate (especially with our loved ones at home), we shore up and fortify our 4th house. In doing so, we will remain calm, even-tempered and good-natured no matter how tumultuous or stormy our life becomes, or how many changes we must endure—be those changes emotional, financial, romantic or professional. Indeed, with a stable 4th house, any changes we choose to make (or are forced to deal with) in 2019 will serve to make us stronger, wiser and better people. Achieving balance in the 4th house—in our private life—helps us generate positive energy that radiates into our “public life” 10th house, allowing us to shine at work through our increased focus, creativity, productivity and effectiveness. In short, being healthy, calm and kind at home will allow us to be more brilliant and successful in our career and have good relations with everyone we meet. This is the type of change we want to strive for in the coming year—it will enable us to balance our 4th and 10th houses and effectively use the power of the four planets in the 4th house to our greatest advantage.

And the best way to strengthen our 4th house is by developing both a healthy and balanced lifestyle, a lifestyle supported by an optimistic outlook, a peaceful state of mind and a caring, generous disposition. Throughout 2019 it is extremely important for us to set positive goals both at home and at work, and then do all we can to achieve those goals by following a nutritious diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest, being ever-mindful of the needs and concerns of others, and remaining in touch with our spiritual nature through a regular practice of meditation, self-reflection and/or prayer. Fortunately, the Cosmos will help us in this regard as Jupiter—the planet of illumination—is in the 3rd house in the sign of Scorpio sitting with Venus, aspecting our 9th house of higher wisdom.

To sum up, if we remain anchored to our heart, 2019 will be a great (and perhaps magical) year for transforming even the most difficult changes and challenges into incredible opportunities and amazing success stories! To quote the enlightened Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda: “Opportunities in life come by creation not by chance. When you are attuned with your soul, you will be able to think correctly about everything you do.”

Namaskar! Have a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year!

Jupiter is now in the sign Scorpio, which is ruled by Jupiter’s very good friend, the planet Mars—a friendship that makes for an extremely auspicious planetary combination. In fact, it is doubly auspicious because, on December 21st, Mars entered the sign of Pisces, which is ruled by Jupiter, creating a Cosmic dynamic known as an “Exchange of Lords”, often resulting in sudden prosperity and great success. This particular Exchange of Lords is a result of Jupiter being in the Mars’ sign of Scorpio, and Mars being in the Jupiter sign of Pisces. Even better, Jupiter is aspecting Pisces.

Pisces is the zodiacal force that supports the cultivation of mystical awareness—it possesses the power to reshape, or even completely change, the very foundation of our reality. And, given the fact that the nature of Pisces is one of kindness, patience, deep perception and spirituality, this transit presents us with a golden opportunity to widen our outlook and expand our heart by becoming more considerate and sensitive to the feelings of others.

So, until February 3rd, you want to make the most of this compassionate exchange of planets to heal any troubled relationships, let go of past hurts and forgive any slights or transgressions. In short—it is a perfect time to get in touch with our deepest feelings of love and fellowship, and then express those feelings to others. If we do so, 2019 could be one of the most outstandingly loving and compassionate years of our lives.

If you would like to learn more about how you can take advantage of this transit’s positive energy and how it is affecting your astrological chart, please call us to book a private consultation, either in person, by phone or via Zoom. We’ll explain how you can make the most of this incredible cosmic event over the next year!

Call us at 866-428-3799 from Canada or the U.S.
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If you feel as though you are surrounded by darkness lately, there is good reason—the days are becoming increasingly shorter and the nights increasingly long. But don’t fret too much, once we reach the Winter Solstice on December 21st (the longest night of the year), the days start getting longer and everything will seem a bit brighter again.

In the meantime, take comfort in the fact that during this long stretch of extra darkness, we will experience a planetary transition known for its enlightening effect. On December 14th, the Sun moves into the sign of Sagittarius, where it will remain until January 13th. (Remember we practice Vedic astrology, which calculates the position of the stars a bit differently than Western astrology!)

Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac, relates to dharma (virtue), reflecting a higher level of understanding and truth. Astrologically, it is represented by the symbol of the archer, whose arrow is always pointed upwards toward the illuminating brightness of the heavens. The key phrase associated with the archer is: “I seek to understand”, which makes sense because the sign of Sagittarius rules philosophy, higher education, self-study and spiritual wisdom. Sagittarius itself is ruled by the benefic planet Jupiter, the planet representing expanded awareness and humankind’s search for purpose and meaning in life.

We will know that Jupiter is having a positive effect on our lives when we see a Ring of Solomon appear on our Mount of Jupiter (the pad of flesh below our index finger). The Ring of Solomon is a small line in the shape of a semi-circle and takes its name from the biblical King Solomon, renowned for his great wisdom, penetrating insight into human nature, fair and balanced judgement and sage counsel.

This is a very special time of year for all Sagittarians, but we must remember, each and every one of us has the 12 astrological signs in our astrological chart, which means we all have Sagittarius in one of our houses. And whichever house Sagittarius resides in within your chart is the area of your life where the effects of the Sun in Sagittarius have the most impact. And we can put that powerful energy to work for us to get things done and help us look at the world with a new and vibrant perspective. The energy of Sun in Sagittarius is very yang (male)—it is fiery, high-octane and freedom-loving in nature, reflecting a powerful desire for wide-open spaces forever seeking an opportunity to break free of restraints and find greater meaning, truth and purpose in life.

So, let us take advantage of this enlightening transit, which lasts only from December 14th to January 13th, to brighten up these dark days, open our eyes to some truths about ourselves, increase the breadth of our vision, revitalize our sense of purpose and embrace the joy of self-discovery! And why stop there? The energy of Sagittarius can also be directed toward philanthropic pursuits, humanitarian causes and to improving the environment—all of which benefit the whole of humanity and help make our world a better place to live.

Discover how to put the energy of Sun in Sagittarius to work for you in your life and relationships. Book a consultation with us, either in person, by phone or via Zoom. We’ll show you how to make the very best of this exciting planetary transit!

People with a strong Sagittarius in their chart include:

Nelson Mandela, who had a Sagittarius ascendant; Paramahansa Yogananda, who had the Sun in Sagittarius; and Michael Moore, who has the Moon in Sagittarius.

Click here for information on our Birthday Special.

Call us at 866-428-3799 from Canada or the U.S.
You can reach us from anywhere in the world by calling: 819-428-4298 or click here.
We are here to help!

Remember, we practice Vedic astrology.
That means your Sun sign may be different from what you’ve always thought it was, and that could change your entire outlook on life!

Click on our Conversion Chart to determine your Vedic sign.

This is a very special time for all Scorpios, which includes anyone born between November 15 and December 14. Don’t forget we are doing Vedic astrology so you might be surprised to find your sign is actually the one before it. Understanding your Sun sign from this perspective will make a world of difference in your life.

During this time, not only does it mean that the Sun has made its once-annual “Solar return” to the astrological position it was in at the moment of your birth, it also means you are celebrating a birthday and are about to embark on a brand-new year in your life!  It is an excellent time to let the most positive aspects of your birth sign shine through.

Scorpio is ruled by fiery Mars—the noble warrior, which means this already exciting transit will be brimming with intensity and passion, with a strong emphasis on finding meaning and truth. The Sun illuminates our lives when it is in Scorpio—so take advantage of the transformative power of this transit while it lasts. It’s a great time to breathe new life and purpose into your career and relationships.

Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac, reflecting the ability to uncover hidden treasures – all that is not immediately apparent to the physical eye. This includes archaeological finds, hidden aspects of our psyche and metaphysical truths.

It is very difficult to pull the wool over the eyes of a Scorpio. Scorpios make excellent researchers and detectives. There is a willingness to search for the truth no matter how painful the process, and often results in their personal transformation.

 


Those who share your Sun in Scorpio Birthday

Margaret Atwood, Kevin Parent, Francis Cabrel, Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Charles De Gaulle, Indira Gandhi, Robert Hand, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, Jim Morrison, Tina Turner.


The Sun fills our life with light, warmth, vitality and vision. And the Sun shines upon us with extra brilliance when it is in the sign of Scorpio.

We’ll show you how to make the most of Sun-in-Scorpio energy in your chart.Book a 60-minute consultation, which are available in person, by phone or via videoconference (Zoom).

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call us at 514-488-2292, or toll free at 866.428.3799, or by clicking here: https://birla.ca/about-us/contact/. We are here to help!

The planets are presenting us with several predominant themes this year. If we are able to recognize these themes, we can take advantage of them and bring success and happiness to many areas of our lives!

 

Charting the Year Ahead

Let’s take a look at what the planets have in store for us over the next 12 months by looking at the birth chart of 2018. As most of you know, our individual astrological birth chart is determined by our ascendant—the constellation (or sign) that is rising on the Eastern horizon at the moment of our birth. The ascendant becomes our “first house”, which determines who we are—it relates to our physical body (the vessel that carries our soul) as well as our overall personality and the way we address the situations that arise throughout our life.

The same holds true for each new year, which is born at the stroke of midnight on the morning of January 1st. By a quirk of our solar system, the constellation Virgo is the sign that is always rising on the Eastern horizon when the New Year is rung in. That means that 2018 has Virgo as its ascendant—Virgo is 2018’s first house.­

 

Start the Year by Seeking Perfection Within

The fact that Virgo is 2018’s ascendant tells us that a major theme of the coming year has to do with perfection. Virgo is the sign that wants and demands perfection in all things. We should approach this theme with our eyes wide open, because if we don’t focus on perfecting things in our own lives, we will try to perfect the actions and attitudes of others. In other words, we could become critical, nosey busybodies. So, in 2018 we would be well-advised to look inward and concentrate on perfecting important aspects of ourselves, such as: developing a healthier physical exercise routine; a healthier dietary regime; sounder work habits; more open and honest communication skills when dealing with friends and family; and building deeper spiritual practices, preferably ones that include reflective prayer, meditation and yoga. Seeking perfection in ourselves will help us take advantage of the possibilities offered through the energy in 2018’s alignment of planets—and there will be plenty of positive energy going around.

 

Auspicious Alignments in 2018

One of the biggest boons that arise from a Virgo ascendant is that Virgo is ruled by Mercury, creating a Yoga Karaka effect because it rules two auspicious houses. In fact, Yoga Karaka translates as “giver of good”. It can greatly increase our ability to realize and manifest our dreams and goals.

Without getting too technical, a planet is considered a Yoga Karaka when it represents a Trine (an angle of 120°) and a Kendra (an angle of 90°). A planet is Yoga Karaka when it represents the Trine (1st, 5th and 9th houses) and a Kendra (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses) at the same time. The Trine suggests all these features are working in harmony and the Kendra provides strength and stability. This year, Mercury is ruling over a Trine: Virgo in the 1st house (in which our soul’s purpose is expressed through our physical body) as well a Kendra: Gemini in the 10th house (representing our career, purpose and heights of accomplishment). This combination gives the capacity to achieve our desired goals.

If that wasn’t spectacular enough, the cherry on the top is a full Moon in Gemini in the 10th house, relating to our professional lives while aspecting the Sun in Sagittarius in the 4th house, which relates to our private lives. And really, who doesn’t like the full Moon? A full Moon suggests the fulfillment of our ideas: its light is radiating at its maximum, reflecting the light of the Sun—and the light of the Sun expresses the fullest and purest intentions of our heart and soul. It is a most powerful combination—Moon (our mind) is working in concert and in perfect harmony with Sun (our soul) to express and manifest our deepest heartfelt wishes.

And there is more good news in the 2018 chart! The 11th house (indicating success and the potential of finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow) is ruled by the Moon sitting in the sign Gemini in the 10th house. The Moon in Gemini in the 10th tells us that our creative ideas have no bounds and can be freely put to use in realizing our goals. This doubly confirms that we can make enormous gains by properly directing our imagination, creativity, originality and resourcefulness.

Now . . . where should we direct all that creative energy? Well, the placement of Mercury tells us where we should concentrate our focus, and this year Mercury is in the 3rd house of creativity--younger siblings, courage, communications and short trips. The 3rd house is an “Upachaya” house, which means that even if we are facing extremely challenging problems in these areas of our lives, those challenges can be overcome and all problems resolved with enough time, patience and fortitude. For example, a writer suffering from writer’s block will eventually have a major breakthrough if they continue working diligently and not give into despair. Simply put, if we remain focused, dedicated and put in the hard work, we will definitely experience great success!

Remember, Mercury in the 3rd is aspecting the 9th house, and the 9th house is one of the most important features in our chart, second only to our ascendant. It relates to our luck and our good fortune. In 2018, it reveals our potential to ease (or completely melt away) past burdens, hardships and struggles—but only if we allow ourselves to grow closer to our intuition by tuning into the Divine within us.

 

The Key to Success in 2018 in a Nutshell

The full Moon in the 10th (relating to our career) is aspecting our Sun in the 4th house (relating to our home). The 4th house relates to the joy we derive from a secure and loving home base, for example the love we give and receive from our mother. It relates to our overall happiness, including the health of our heart—both physically and emotionally. It relates to our fixed assets, like our car, land and property.

This year, as well as the Sun, the 4th house is jam-packed with other planets, including Saturn, Venus and Pluto. Being bombarded by so many planets at once creates what we call “a tornado effect”. Properly harnessing the power of this swirling mass of 4th-house energy by channeling it productively is critical if we hope to enjoy all the professional and personal success that is ours to be had in 2018—including financial gain, emotional security, a stable home and work environment and a deep sense of inner calm. So, it is important to not let anything disturb our peace of mind and heart, and to put down a strong anchor in the 4th house.

We cannot escape the tornado effect—we may be surrounded by chaos in our immediate surroundings or enveloped in tumultuous world events this year. But we cannot allow our emotions or our thoughts to be sucked up into this whirling vortex—we cannot be scattered or impulsive, but must remain focused on what is most important in our work, our home life and in our hearts. It is within our power to transcend negative influences and use the vast “tornado” energy at our disposal to transcend our environment and go deep within to find true success.

Please remember, because the Sun in the 4th is the ruler of Leo placed in the 12th house (the house of loss or enlightenment), our inner happiness depends upon our perception of events and the choices we make. So, let’s view the proverbial glass as being half full, not half empty; let’s embrace freedom instead of loss, let’s choose hope over despair.

Use the same principle of calm, focused and mindful reflection to deal with any potential tornado effects in the following houses, which are closely tied to 4th house-energy:

The 5th house, relating to: Children, sex and romance, affection, planning/programming, learning, teaching and doing mantras

The 6th house, relating to: Vitality, the immune system, health, short-term financial and long-term karmic debts

The 2nd house, relating to: Immediate surroundings, including coworkers and neighbours, material assets and treasured personal possessions.

The 9th house, relating to: Higher perception, mentors, teachers, Gurus, pilgrimages, long voyages, morality, the search for truth and higher learning.

The 12th house, relating to: Expenses, investments and returns; loss/liberation, foreign contacts and enlightenment.

 

Summing Up

To completely enjoy and take advantage of our full Moon, it is imperative that we anchor down the 4th house—we must keep our feet firmly planted on the ground so we can tap into the energy of the tornado and not be blown away by it. As in any year, but especially in 2018, we must not make emotional decisions based on illusory perceptions or self-aggrandizement. It’s best to remain centered in your heart to ensure you rise above the storm, embrace the light of the Sun and Moon, and enrich your life with the limitless planetary energy that is being unleashed. If you prepare yourself by getting your emotions in check and make wise, thoughtful choices, you will weather the storm and emerge happier, healthier ands more secure emotionally and financially.

Have a great 2018!