It could be a basket of kittens, Virgo. Ernest J. Rowley ‘The Globe Kittens’ 1902 {{PD}}

Dear Virgo, you may be enjoying an enormous sense of freedom and a massive feeling of Self-confidence right now–and why not, you deserve it–and you’ll need it, when all that you’ve been ignoring catches up with you. That sounds harsh, but the reality is that you’ve got some things that aren’t yet showing in your rear-view mirror that will soon be right in front of you–and only you know if what’s destined to come forward will be rewards for past good deeds or the need to confront and deal with a lot of baggage you’d rather ignore. With your unique ideas of who you are, and your admirable sense of conscience, I’d bet that what catches up with you will be, if not wads of cash and baskets of kittens, at least something that will make your life much better than it is today–and you’ve got only yourself to thank for it. Happy Birthday, Virgo, and good luck!

‘In the Jungle, Florida’ Winslow Homer 1904 {{PD}}

Dear Leo, have you been feeling lately like you’re the last of your kind, a King among peasants, a clever big cat among house pets? That’s an overreaction, really, to some recent hurt feelings after you presented something innovative, unique, original–and it wasn’t well received. This coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, Leo, you’ve got a chance to go back to the drawing board; your influences will be unusual, and the result will be more clever, and more sophisticated, than your recent effort, meaning that the next time you float your idea or creation, it will be better and more completely developed, and your audience will too, and so can appreciate your generosity and genius, just as they are. Happy Birthday, and good luck!

Kobayashi Kiyochika (Japan, 1847-1915)
‘Fireflies at Ochanomizu’ {{PD}}

Dear Leo, are you running from something specific, or do you feel like you’re being chased? Six of one, half a dozen of the other, right? Well, not really–it appears there are some things you’d rather not look at, and they’ll be following you until you turn and confront them–but when you do, the respect you’ll earn (not to mention the peace!) will be tremendous–and you’ll gain a reputation as someone who has no fear. You may find you’re more sensitive than usual this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, but that will only enhance your charisma and draw potential romantic interests and abundance, moths to the glowing warmth of your flame. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

The ‘New You’ that emerges after the trials of this coming year may be just about this dazzling, Leo. Bartolomé Bermejo – ‘Resurrection’ c1475 {{PD}}

Dear Leo, it may feel like things are getting serious–really, really serious–and that you’re all alone out there. This coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, and only speaking of the psyche, of course, that’s true: you will be alone, and dealing with big energies of massive change, alteration, transformation, destruction, and, in just about a year, you’ll come out the other side re-born–or will it be more like a resurrection, with qualities, individuals, talents, and opportunities you thought long gone once again in your life and feasibly in your grasp? Though it will be dark and lonely for a time, don’t give up–because a re-made world, renewed vigor, and a totally renewed viewpoint, is waiting for you, just down the road. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

It’s unlikely your pizazz will go quite this far, Leo. ‘Midas and His Daughter’ Walter Crane {{PD}}

This coming Solar year, dear Leo, you act to change the home situation, the family situation, or your own inner landscape, but what changes is the daily routine, job, obligations and duties in the world, and possibly your health. It’s like you put effort in *here* and it comes out *over there*, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of rhyme or reason as to why. Quit trying to connect the dots and accept that your choices are shifting the Universe at a quantum level; you just can’t know what will be disturbed, what will pay off. Concentrate instead on your current highly potent sense of abundance; it’s almost a Midas touch, and if properly channeled (chiefly through the activities and subjects of the natal Houses with Sagittarius, Taurus, and Libra on the cusps) you could gain in some amazing ways, through to your next birthday. So happy solar return, Leo, and good luck!

Step by step, inch by inch–The Coliseum by ean-Baptiste Camille Corot {{PD}}

At this point, dear Leo, you may be feeling just a little at loose ends, even abandoned, as if all you need to see and do is behind you–now what? You’re coming up on a new start, but you’re not there yet–thinking, planning, gathering info–that’s what needs to happen now. Transformation of what is, the structures and strictures that exist in your life, is part of the task this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday–but you can’t do that alone, nor should you expect to re-build Rome in a day–step by step, even inch by inch, if you have to. You’ll be given more than your share of opportunities in this period, though, and you should expect to take advantage of these, with the understanding that this is a time of development, of growing and organizing your power, preparing for the new start that is just around the figurative corner–but that it’s not quite time to act, yet. Happy Birthday, and good luck!

Mary Cassatt – The Boating Party 1893-94 {{PD}}

Emotions, and the craving to dig deep into the psyche and connect with your elemental Self, may be strong this Solar year, Leo, especially during the early part of it–and through to your next birthday you may be occupied (obsessed?) with connecting to those unique parts of you that offer strength and that carry your talents–because it’s time to take an accounting of those, and get the word out about what you are perfectly suited to do. Telling others about your ambitions may help you make needed and fortuitous connections–and with an active but stable home scene (or just being appropriately secure in yourself) you will be able to share creative ideas and energy with others, and so perhaps change your job, daily routine, or duties to be more expressive of the Self. Happy Birthday, and good luck!

Gustav Klimt 1912 {{PD}}

Dear Leo, this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, your instincts may be your biggest asset. You’re headed toward big change in the (sort of distant) future, and the path between here and there is littered with matters that have been located in your ‘blind spot’, and so outside your awareness. This year, taking a creative, fearless tack in trying to expand your reach, generate gain, support relationships, and give sufficient energy to home matters and causes to which you’re dedicated is the only way to go. Emotional resilience from a Solar Return Taurus Moon, and an enhanced ability to dig for the Truth, will certainly help. You’ll face a lot of unexpected challenges; meeting them with optimism and imagination is the only useful answer. Happy Birthday, and good luck!

‘Self Portrait with Sunflower’ Anthony van Dyck 17th century {{PD}}

Dear Leo, if I have to sum up the coming Solar year for you, I’d say, ‘Stressful, Emotional Communications’–but that wouldn’t tell you half what you need to know, and might be a little alarming, to boot! You will take action based on agreements, information shared, knowledge, networking, and you must remain acutely aware of just how much both what you hear and how you process it will be affected by each party’s emotional palette. A lot of what causes the stress will be seated in a feeling that you alone can act, that you must choose or lead, and that there’s little time to waste–but you’ve got to remember, these are perceptions, and that’s no guarantee that they’re accurate. Sort it out through trusted relationships that empower you, and through creativity that centers either on your home or on some cause to which you’re dedicated. These will help ground you and allow you some perspective in communication issues–and they’ll make for an especially fulfilling year. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!

The Fortune Teller-Caravaggio 1595 {{PD}}

This coming Solar year, dear Leo, through to your next birthday, you may be consumed with understanding the past–or are you obsessed with finding out about your future? While you figure that out, you may enjoy a large dose of creative energy, and the ability to lead others and yourself in a unique direction. Originality may be your strength this year, but distraction by trying to decipher your history is distinctly possible–as is living in the future and neglecting what is. Do your best to keep consciousness in the present, and know that gaining ground with your ambitions doesn’t mean you have to give up those most unique parts of yourself. Happy Birthday, Leo, and good luck!