By Kazimir Malevich – Yale University Art Gallery, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14527839

Who knows the true power of words? Mercury does, especially when Pluto is all up in his stuff–then we’ve got devastatingly serious energies propelling our most casual of utterances, turning them into agents of change, giving our ideas unintended (and often unrealized, by us) impact, and bringing a force to expression that can transform, alter, even destroy lives. Am I being too dramatic? Not really–Merc is in Pisces, bringing any and all un-channeled creativity to bear on our communications–so if you’re a frustrated Artist, or just plain frustrated, all that unfocused imagination can really dress things up, and not in a good way. But then again, that’s the wonder of the novile aspect: it offers the contact between Merc and Pluto the cleverest, smartest expression, the kind with an obvious touch of genius about it. That knife can cut both ways, though, offering brilliant ideas for change, or ingenious thoughts seeded with destructive purpose.

Remember, too, that the messages you receive, what you hear and read and sense, all have the engine of Pluto behind them. We can be as much impacted by what we are exposed to as we can be by communications aimed straight at us. That means, among other things, that the ideas, people, and material we surround ourselves with today will have an effect–and that effect can be psyche and world changing, given the power with which it arrives. especially if that portal is through the unconscious.

(Mercury nov Pluto)

Setting the table for your year ahead. Art by Peter Ilsted {{PD}}

Happy Solar Return to those born with the Sun at 22 Aquarius! (this year in effect evening Pacific time of the 10th through evening of the 11th–see your birth chart for your Sun degree!) This year the instinctual nature is only enhanced by acceptance of your own power and by actions taken within any status you hold; this makes for some strong intuitive perceptions, if you are open to them and don’t look away from the facts just because you love that person or thing. You know what’s smart; now do what’s right. Expect significant tension later in the year, conflict between the head and the heart, that may be best resolved by considering the material needs of all involved.

‘Il Saltimbanco’ By Antonio Mancini 1879 {{PD}}

The impulses are all in the right direction, as we try to walk a very fine line (or tightrope!) it’s just that influences keep threatening to push us off balance, in one way or another. We’re empowered and in position, but is what we’re aiming for wise? Is the dream healthy or delusional? We love, but even as we contemplate our feelings we are tempted to point out injustices, rage, what’s been ignored, as if it must be righted before the emotion can be fully deployed. What’s the deal, really? Values and priorities are being communicated, loud and clear, but we’re able to hear only in proportion to how much we trust our own instincts and our ability to respond to what we learn. The key may be to be totally, consciously aware of our own woundedness, embracing what our hurt has taught us–that, I think, is where our true power and authority will be found. It’s in awareness of our own distortions that we find good guidelines for objective assessment, for knowing if what we’re doing is right.

(Pallas qnx Juno, Neptune contra-parallel Hygeia, Venus semi-sq Black Moon Lilith, Mercury parallel Vesta, sq Sedna, and qnx NN, Sun nov Chiron and parallel Ceres)

Bringing back ‘Born Today’, for a while, at least! Meant as a few encouraging/ warning words for those enjoying a Solar Return.

Setting the table for your year ahead. Art by Peter Ilsted {{PD}}

Happy Solar Return for those with the Sun at 19 Aquarius! (Evening of the 7th-evening of the 8th Pacific time) It’s all about being prepared to accept the successes the year ahead provides! Highlights are likely to involve myriad opportunities (especially those that allow you to live a dream or goal, or that offer you a chance to share your gifts), chances to travel, or occasions to learn ‘the facts’. Your world expands, and so does your reach. Avoid impulsive or erratic behaviors–it’s not the time to insist on originality or indulge temper–and don’t succumb to the temptation to hide in your wounds. Too, beware any deeply buried Self-destructive urges–the psyche may be inclined to dig them up at the most inopportune times.

Get a full ‘Born Today’ report specific to you and your natal chart here–