I found this very interesting…. and accurate. Obviously, I’m sharing!

Article Source – Crystal B. Astrology

The next time you’re looking to the stars for validation, you may want to keep your chart ruler in mind because in astrology, it’s a beacon that illuminates where you shine brightest…and it has a lot of pull when determining your day-to-day horoscopes. “Each astrological sign has a ruling planet, or a planet that is most closely associated with that sign,” says astrologer and intuitive healer Rachel Lang. “Your chart ruler is the planet that rules your ascendant or rising sign.” (You can use a birth chart generator to figure out this placement if you don’t know what that is already.)

“Your rising sign represents your body and your interaction with the outside world,” says Lang. “It’s the first impression you give to others and how others likely see you. Your chart ruler informs that first impression. It relates to certain attributes, personality traits, and behaviors.”

Below, we explain how to find your chart ruler and how to know where it’s most prominently displayed in your life.

How do you find your chart ruler

The first thing you want to find what planet rules your rising sign. Now, for what it’s worth, originally rulerships of signs did not include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto because ancient astrologers didn’t know they existed. But Lang and a lot of astrologers today use the lineup below, which includes the modern planets.

• Aries: Mars
• Taurus: Venus
• Gemini: Mercury
• Cancer: Moon
• Leo: Sun
• Virgo: Mercury
• Libra: Venus
• Scorpio: Pluto (traditional planet: Mars)
• Sagittarius: Jupiter
• Capricorn: Saturn
• Aquarius: Neptune (traditional planet: Saturn)
• Pisces: Neptune (traditional planet: Jupiter)

But that’s just the beginning. To find out where, precisely, your chart ruler is illuminated, we need to find out two new things. “When examining your ruling planet, you want to note the condition of that planet, what astrological house and sign it’s in, and what aspects it has to other points in your chart,” says Lang. “That will give you clues about how others perceive you and how you face the world.”

I’ll use mine as an example, walk with me here. I’m a Virgo rising. This means Mercury, which rules over technology, travel, and communication, is my ruling planet. My Mercury is in Aries, and it dwells in the 7th house of partnerships. That means a lot of things, but one way to look at it is this: Relationships will always be extremely paramount to me, and the way I thrive at connecting with people, especially romantically, is with my quick wit. That’s going to be a recurring theme in my life, and that’s how I’m going to get plenty of people to fall in love with me.

But that’s one self-indulgent through-line. Getting a reading from an astrologer, or at least reading what your chart generator says, can help speak louder to how your chart ruler plays into your life. But one easy, everyday way we can see its significance is by noticing notable movements of your planet in cosmic forecasts. “Each time there’s a transit or progression to your chart ruler, you tend to feel it strongly, as you’re sensitive to the overall influence of that planet, physically, mentally, and emotionally,” says Lang. So Team Virgo rising, you’re going to have an extra rough time during Mercury retrograde.

It’s understandable if this all sounds dense, so let’s start smaller. Below, we unpack what each chart ruler means in a brush stroke…and it’s your mission to find out where it lies.

What your chart ruler says about you

1. Mars: Aries Rising

Mars is the planet of our need to individuate and carve a path for ourselves. Assertive, courageous, energetic, you may have a fiery disposition.

The influence of Mars can make you bold in the pursuit of your goals,” says Lang. “Others might see you as a force for change. You’re not afraid to take action on behalf of what you care about and love.”

2. Venus: Taurus Rising and Libra Rising

Venus is a harmonious planet associated with love (obviously) and self-worth, as well as finances. That means those ruled by it are always seeking beauty and fairness, and grounded by a need for stability.

“You have a unique sense of style and a desire for balance in your life, even if you don’t always experience it,” says Lang.

3. Mercury: Virgo Rising and Gemini Rising

“Your mind is always moving, and your body may be too,” says Lang. “You have a lot of energy to exert, and exercise is important. You may even be fidgety. This gives you a mental quickness and even a sharp wit. You crave order and structure, even if you often feel disorganized and spread thin.”

4. Moon: Cancer Rising

Think about how the moon regulates the ebb and flow of tides, being simultaneously reflective and receptive. It’s a sign of high emotions, so Cancer Rising has a sensitive visage: You may appear to others to be kind and caring.

“Others experience you as a nurturer, but it’s important you tend to yourself as well as others,” says Lang. “You are sensitive to the moods of others and may be an empath. The moon gives you an intuitive and creative personality.”

5. Sun: Leo Rising

You shine a bright as the sun, it’s absolutely unmistakable and it permeates every facet of your life (but especially the house the star resides in).

“You appear to others to be charismatic, even if you sometimes shy away from the spotlight,” Lang says. “You may find yourself in the center of attention or being asked to step into a leadership role.”

6. Jupiter: Sagittarius Rising

Jupiter is the planet of luck and abundance, so consider yourself both fortunate and mostly likely fabulous if that’s your chart ruler.

“Jupiter’s the brightest biggest planet in our solar system, and others might experience your optimism and brightness, too,” says Lang. “This ruling planet indicates a mix of generosity and openness. It’s the great benefactor, and others notice your charisma, and tend to feel good in your presence.

7. Saturn: Capricorn Rising

Saturn is the planet of our perceived limitations (yikes) but it may help to create a life of law and order.

“This ruling planet gives you a strong sense of structure in your life,” says Lang. Your bone structure might be distinct, in fact, as Saturn rules bones, teeth, and skin. You’re not afraid of self-discipline.”

8. Uranus: Aquarius Rising

“This is the planet of independent thought and being uniquely you,” Lang says. “Its influence suggests you may be more free-spirited and have a slight rebellious streak. You may not always want to stand out or be different, but others may see you that way.” You can be a thought leader, inventor, or innovator.

9. Neptune: Pisces Rising

Neptune is the planet of mysticism and dreams, imbibing its children with a highly spiritual and creative nature. Neptune also lacks boundaries; that means you need to protect yourself, because you’re probably also an empath of sorts.

“You might be more receptive to the moods and emotions of others,” says Lang. “Neptune rules Pisces, the water sign, and you can sense you wear your heart on your sleeve.”

10. Pluto: Scorpio Rising

Since Scorpio casts a dark and intense presence, it’s chart ruler Pluto tends to give someone the impression of being powerful and deep. As such, others fall right in line when it comes to treating you with respect and honoring your boundaries.

“Pluto is the planet of rebirth and regeneration,” says Lang. “Its influence suggests you feel a need to understand hidden motivations and truth so you can be a problem-solver for yourself and others. You appear to be deep and thoughtful.”

Article Source – WellandGood.com

Everyone has ten planets in their natal chart, and Neptune is one of them. Your Sun describes your ego. Your Moon how you feel and Mercury is the way that you think.

Everyone knows that Venus is the planet of love, and the rising sign is how others view you, and Mars is what drives your motivation and passionate pursuits.

But, what does your Neptune sign mean?

Your Neptune sign meaning is unique depending on the zodiac sign you were born into and the house it was in at the time of your birth.

It not only helps to explain your psychic intuition and how you dream, but it also is a generational planet that gives insight into what’s going on in the world during your time of birth.

Discovered in 1846, Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun and is invisible to the naked eye; it is a gaseous planet and is called the “blue planet” because of its blueish foggy and cloudy surface.

The meaning of Neptune is tied to the God of the Sea in Roman mythology (Poseidon in Greek Mythology).

Neptune takes 165 years to revolve around the sun and spends 14 years in each sign, making it a big factor in a critical chunk of our lives. It has feminine energy and rules the twelfth house and Pisces.

The meaning of Neptune in astrology:

Neptune is associated with dreams, the ideal, magic, daydreams, and spirituality. Neptune is all about evolving, changing, and using spirituality to better ourselves.

Neptune is not all dreams and fun fantasy; on the negative side, it is also linked with lethargy, addiction, chaos, confusion, escapism, and being easily influenced.

Neptune can inspire but can also confused and upset.Idealism is great, but sometimes harsh reality must set in which can be upsetting and disappointing.

Neptune is connected to everything unseen; the planet is all about the forces at play in life and subconscious desires. In charge of our dreams, hopes, and creativity, logic and reality are the antitheses of Neptune.

Neptune encourages empathy and intuition, as well as sacrificing for the greater good.

The meaning of Neptune can be interpreted in dance, music, and poetry as well as theatre, television, movies, and fashion.

Any profession that relates to spirituality, creativity, devotion, and fantasy relates to Neptune.

Priests, artists, actors/actresses, poets, dancers, nuns, and tarot readers are some prime Neptune-related jobs and occupations.

When Neptune is in one of your houses, this means you need to have trust and hope in this aspect of your life. Additionally, it means you may face deceit and confusion in this area.

Neptune can have positive and negative effects in astrology; it can be a catalyst for great inspiration and creativity.

A time of energy and connection to the unseen, Neptune is a turn away from the logical and corporal world and a step into dreams, aspirations, hopes, and the ideal.

It makes sense that Neptune, with its cloudy and hazy appearance, is tied so closely to all that is mysterious and hidden from us.

Neptune can indicate a desire to remove yourself from the world around you; it can be ideal for creative inspiration but can also cause melodrama and discontentment with the life you have currently.

Neptune encourages you to remove barriers and strive for what you want with no thought for limitations. Everyday routines are rejected.

Negatively, Neptune is connected to alcoholism and drug use and those affected try to escape reality. Neptune has a strong influence on if an individual has a tendency to struggle with addiction.

For better or worse, Neptune is a dynamic planet that has a monumental effect on our lives; its slow rotation around the Sun makes its impact profound and easy to distinguish.

Here’s everything you need to know about Neptune and what it means in astrology, and your zodiac sign in general! Read on to figure out how this planet shows up in your life.

Neptune sign meaning for all zodiac signs and astrology houses:

Aries: first astrology solar house

Energetic and fiery, Neptune in Aries or the first astrology house are imaginative people who break down barriers and go after what they want.

However, they can struggle at deciphering the truth in areas they are passionate about.

They tend to be spiritual and religious and want to bring peace to those around them.

Taurus: second astrology house

Neptune in Taurus and the second astrology house are all about possessions and having the next new thing; it can be hard to motivate them, but once they start something there’s no holding them back.

They are typically practical about what they want and how they will achieve their dreams.

Gemini: third astrology house

Neptune in Gemini and the third astrology house tend to see the best in everyone around them and love spending time with people.

They are expert communicators and excel in education and deep thinking.

Cancer: fourth astrology house

Neptune in Cancer and the fourth astrology house are very protective of their loved ones and enjoy having their people around them at all times.

They are deeply emotional when it comes to their friends and family and will do anything for them.

Leo: fifth astrology house

Neptune in Leo and the fifth astrology house are fun-loving individuals with tons of natural charisma, which draws people to them constantly.

They have a love of drama and entertainment and can be impulsive as opposed to intellectual.

Virgo: sixth astrology house

Neptune in Virgo and the sixth astrology house are all about healing people and protecting the world.

These are naturally caring people who love nothing more than to serve others. Idealistic and empathetic, they are very detail-oriented as well.

Libra: seventh astrology house

Neptune in Libra and the seventh astrology house love being diplomats and have strong opinions on freedom and equality.

They tend to stand up for what they believe in just as often as they try to defuse tensions.

Scorpio: eighth astrology house

Neptune in Scorpio and the eighth astrology house tend to be very intense and passionate individuals who become very interested in different things.

They are talented and ambitious people who are very interested in the secrets of the world around them.

Sagittarius: ninth astrology house

Neptune in Sagittarius and the ninth astrology house believe in freedom for all and are typically very tolerant of those around them.

They dream of a better world where everyone is in harmony and respects one another.

Capricorn: tenth astrology house

Neptune in Capricorn and the tenth astrology house tend to be interested in money and success. They want to be wealthy and powerful and will work hard to make this happen.

The road to this point can be confusing and difficult to manage, but they have a knack for both inventive ideas and practical planning.

Aquarius: eleventh astrology house

Neptune in Aquarius and the eleventh astrology house are loyal people who march to the beat of their own drum.

They can seem a little different to those around them, but they are very idealistic passionate people when it comes to their dreams and passions.

Pisces: twelfth astrology house

Neptune in Pisces and the twelfth astrology house are typically very spiritual and religious.

They want to serve others and create the best possible world for everyone.

They are selfless, empathetic people who take this quest very seriously and want nothing more than peace.

Article Source – YourTango.com

Since Neptune is such a slow-moving planet, it’s sign placement applies to many people in the same generation. Thus, while it matters and should be read, I’d pay more attention to the house placement in your personal natal chart, as it’s very specific to you. Calleen

Your midheaven sign (aka Medium Coeli or MC) is the point on your natal chart that showcases your professional success and public image. Here’s how to find yours, what it means, and how to use it to your benefit.

As ardent followers of the practice know, there’s so much more to astrology than understanding your sun and rising signs. Ready to go deeper into understanding astrology? It’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of your chart. Your midheaven sign, also known as the Medium Coeli, or MC, is different than other aspects of your chart because it is not a planet. It is the highest point at the top of your chart and represents the southernmost high point above the horizon at your time of birth. (See, this is part of why having your exact birth time — or getting your crush’s if they’re willing to give it — is essential.) The midheaven is also the cusp of the 10th House of Social Status of the natal chart and can tell you a lot about your public life. 

Your midheaven sign is sometimes conflated with your rising sign, as they’re both outward expressions of your persona, but they are actually quite different. While your ascendant, or rising sign, shows the mask you wear for the world, or how others first perceive you, your midheaven relates more directly to your career, public life, and reputation. It points towards the outward expression of your individuality. If you have the day, time, and place of your birth, you can easily learn your midheaven on the app TimePassages or the site Cafe Astrology.

Knowing what your midheaven sign is can help you understand more about both your professional and social life, so once you’ve checked your birth chart, keep on scrolling to find yours in the list below. However, please remember that astrology is supposed to be fun. You’re a complex person with a complex natal chart, and the midheaven is only one aspect, so take this information with a grain of stardust. 

Aries Midheaven

As Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and a passionate fire sign at that, Aries midheavens are excellent self-starters and quite confident. They likely like to do things their own way and make wonderful entrepreneurs. People with an Aries midheaven may be happier working for themselves or owning their own business than having a boss. While they excel at starting projects, they can be stubborn and sometimes lack follow-through. They also tend to act impulsively, which helps them take business risks but can also get them into trouble. If your midheaven is in Aries, it’s important to get in touch with your instincts (meditation is helpful) to help separate which impulses are healthy and which are not.

Taurus Midheaven

As Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and abundance, Taurus midheavens enjoy the finer things in life and often achieve them. People with their midheaven in this grounded sign are drawn to creativity and elegance. However, they can be lazy at times and struggle with motivation. Despite these lulls, they are ultimately extremely hardworking and never give up on a goal. As a result, they often achieve success (even if it takes them a little longer than they would like). If your midheaven is in Taurus, you will feel less anxious about your professional life with the more stability that you have.  

Gemini Midheaven

If your midheaven is in Gemini, you likely tend to be extremely charismatic (and perhaps a bit of a flirt). People with their midheaven in this sign are quite charming, and unafraid to use that charm to get ahead. Gemini midheavens are quick-witted and tend to excel in their careers, especially if they are in the communication field. In fact, professional monogamy can be difficult for them. They may find themselves leaving one career to start another more than once, or juggling a few side jobs, or working best as a freelancer. Because Gemini is a social sign and terrific gossip, people with Gemini midheavens make fabulous influencers. 

Cancer Midheaven

If your midheaven is in Cancer, you might make an exceptionally compassionate and understanding boss. Because Cancer is ruled by the moon, these people tend to be very in tune with their emotions. This is an important skill because it’s common for people to compartmentalize their feelings from their work-life and, as a result, burn out or experience a lull in creativity. Those with their midheaven in this sign will likely excel in artistic careers or professions that help others. Cancer midheavens can experience professional ups and downs like the tide of the moon. Remember not to take professional criticism personally, but to learn from it and grow. 

Leo Midheaven

Leo is ruled by the sun and represented by a beautiful lion who wants to bathe in the spotlight. As a result, if your midheaven is in Leo, you can expect to have a professional life filled with public-facing attention and praise. People with their midheaven in this sign tend to be incredibly ambitious; on the flip side, they can lose sight of the long-term goal as smaller opportunities for fame or recognition arise. A Leo midheaven can also be prone to speaking up publicly, so they need to make sure they think before they speak, lest they find themselves in some unwanted drama. Be thoughtful and use the mic for good. 

Virgo Midheaven

Beyoncé is a Virgo, and an artist known for her utmost attention to detail. If your midheaven is in this sign, you may find yourself striving to achieve this level of perfection professionally. This accuracy and high level of performance can bring great success in life. However, those with a Virgo midheaven should also watch out for obsessive thinking and be careful of being overly-critical of their coworkers. Since Virgo is the healer of the zodiac, they may find satisfaction through a profession that helps others. 

Libra Midheaven

Because Libra is represented by the scales and is the sign of justice, Libra midheavens seem to be the best at avoiding public scandal and criticism. And, if they do brush against drama, they are excellent at maintaining fairness and balance, and thus, their reputation. However, in their desire to keep the peace, they should be mindful of people-pleasing. Libra midheavens have opportunities for immense success, in particular in fields of communication, diplomacy, or the law. However, if you have a Libra midheaven, don’t be too scared to show some teeth when it’s required, or else risk being left behind. 

Scorpio Midheaven

Scorpio midheavens have no interest in a dull-yet-steady career unless they are only working there as an undercover journalist. Scorpio midheavens are always investigating, and make excellent reporters, detectives, and therapists. They do not shy away from the dark underbelly of life; rather, they prefer to expose, interrogate, and heal it. As a result, they can tend to take on tough topics and achieve notoriety for their bravery. However, if this is you, be mindful of your obsessive tendencies and ability to manipulate people with your cleverness. If you don’t channel those traits into healthy outlets, you may risk burning bridges and becoming paranoid. 

Sagittarius Midheaven

Sagittarius midheavens are wild at heart with a lust for life. If your midheaven is in Sagittarius, you may feel constrained by the typical 9 to 5 grind. Those with this midheaven find inspiration in travel and foreign cultures, and always want to learn new things. Their inner archer (the symbol of Sagittarius) will feel eager to shoot off money-making arrows if they can find a profession that allows them to travel. They have a gregarious, confident, and charismatic nature that will help them network and make social connections. However, they can occasionally be a little harsh, and sometimes, this makes them difficult to work with. If this is you, you must find a way to balance your ego in order to collaborate more harmoniously with others. 

Capricorn Midheaven

Capricorn midheavens do not have to worry about motivation. After all, this is the sign of success and money, so if your midheaven is in Capricorn, you are likely very career-oriented and rarely let anyone (or anything) get in your way. Your success will not happen by accident or overnight, but over time by honest hard work. However, Capricorn midheavens can also sometimes end up isolating friends, family, and lovers by prioritizing professional tasks over the personal. They can also come off as a little bit icy to employees or co-workers with their practicality, but despite the tough exterior, they do crave security and love in their personal lives, so it’s wise to remember to nurture these relationships. 

Aquarius Midheaven

People with their midheaven in Aquarius tend to be individual thinkers and can become quickly frustrated with corporate structures. As Aquarius is the innovator of the zodiac, they especially shine in fields such as tech or activism. However, they should work on not acting totally aloof or blowing off coworkers if something else interesting comes along. They’d do well to remember that collaboration is important, even if they feel they sometimes work best alone. Even the most brilliant of us sometimes needs another perspective. 

Pisces Midheaven

While other placements separate work from life, if your midheaven is in Pisces, you may have a hard time separating your professional and personal life. However, you can use this to your advantage. Many Pisces midheavens find great success by working with partners or friends, or in creative fields which allow them to utilize your deeply creative, psychic, and emotional nature. These qualities make them the person everyone looks to for new ideas, as their innovative mind is constantly creating. However, they can also be prone to daydreams and distractions, so they may need to utilize focus and motivation tools to keep their head in the game. 

Article Source – Allure.com

Find your natal Chiron sign (Chiron’s placement in your chart) in the tables at the bottom of this post. Or, use our Chiron Calculator to find yours instantly.

Then, read on to understand Chiron’s influence in your chart.

Chiron in Aries (or 1st House):

Wounds: Anger management, lack of self-worth, aloofness and isolationism, cutthroat competition style—needing to be #1 or refusing to participate, comparing and despairing

Healing Gifts: Empowering people to embrace their individuality, channeling anger into creative expression, fearless individuality, modeling independence

Chiron in Taurus (or 2nd House):

Wounds: Stubborn resistance to (and fear of) change, following the flock instead of forming your own values and beliefs, addiction to comforts like eating and drinking, materialism and money struggles

Healing Gifts: Creating serene environments, savvy financial planning, holding down the fort during turbulent times, calm in the storm, practical magic, teaching/modeling traditional wisdom

Chiron in Gemini (or 3rd House):

Wounds: Fear of being alone (without a “Twin“), approval-seeking, nervous chatter or addiction to gossip, constant pivoting that makes it impossible to finish what you start (Sparklepony Syndrome), anxiety about being judged, sibling rivalry

Healing Gifts: Play-based learning, communication arts, cooperation and mediation, using wit and humor as a tool for connection, putting people at ease/inclusivity

Chiron in Cancer (or 4th House):

Wounds: Trouble feeling “at home” or safe—both in your body and in the world, hoarding resources and money, emotional eating, xenophobia and “stranger danger,” family dysfunction (possibly with the mother)

Healing Gifts: Creating a safe haven for community, empowering women, nutritional wisdom/nourishing with food, savvy financial planning

Chiron in Leo (or 5th House):

Wounds: Need for validation, attention and approval, presenting a false front, addiction to drama and intensity, romance/love addiction, chasing the high

Healing Gifts: Empowering others through authentic self-expression, playfulness and healthy hedonism, using the arts to uplift and spread a positive message

Chiron in Virgo (or 6th House):

Wounds: Debilitating perfectionism, people-pleasing, distorted self-image (body image), anxiety about people’s judgments, being excessively critical of others, hypochondria

Healing Gifts: Creating structures to help people improve their lives (from home organization to wellness), being a storehouse of practical wisdom, creating empowering media

Chiron in Libra (or 7th House):

Wounds: Inability to commit to relationships, paralyzing indecision, romanticizing, trying to force peace at any price, trouble ending relationships

Healing Gifts: Fostering peaceful communication and harmonious compromises, diplomacy, creating beauty and heart-opening experiences, being a messenger for Cupid

Chiron in Scorpio (or 8th House):

Wounds: Nihilism, sexual addiction (possibly springing from childhood sexual abuse), power struggles, jealousy and obsession, trouble leaving bad relationships

Healing Gifts: Soul-deep sexual healing, alchemy (turning “trash” into treasure), helping people through extreme life passages such as births, deaths and other transitions

Chiron in Sagittarius (or 9th House):

Wounds: Fanatical or zealous beliefs, disruptive nomadic tendencies, aggressive or tactless communication style, chasing the “high” of the next big thing

Healing Gifts: Revealing higher truths with compassion, fostering diversity and inclusivity, creating conscious media, laughter as medicine

Chiron in Capricorn (or 10th House):

Wounds: Obsessive ambition, using career as an escape, fixation on gaining status and approval, family dysfunction (possibly showing up as daddy issues)

Healing Gifts: Levelheaded leadership, environmental consciousness, utilizing resources to provide for everyone

Chiron in Aquarius (or 11th House):

Wounds: Destructive rebellion, scientific detachment from emotions, trying to “fit in”

Healing Gifts: Social justice/activism, fostering utopian communities and a sharing economy both online and IRL, uplifting idealism

Chiron in Pisces (or 12th House):

Wounds: Fear of asserting boundaries, escapism, addiction, denial/not living in reality, having a parent with an addiction or who was mentally ill

Healing Gifts: Helping people let go of limiting beliefs, spiritual and esoteric leadership, psychic/metaphysical/shamanic powers, helping people live out their fantasies

Article Source – AstroStyle.com

Retrogrades, Taurus season, and a supermoon — oh my!

Congrats, star sisters: We’ve officially made it through the first quarter of 2021! The astrology of April 2021 is picking up speed with lots of planetary shifts and the first retrograde in more than two months. March ushered in the astrological new year, Aries season, and the start of spring, so we’re heading into this new month with a lot of new beginnings energy on our side. You’ll definitely want to mark your calendar for some of the major astrological happenings in April 2021.

The first half of April will be dominated by the feisty energy of Aries season 2021, which climaxes during the spunky new moon in Aries on April 11 (which auspiciously happens to be the first new moon of the springtime). As we transition into the second half of the month, we’ll start to feel the grounding vibes of Taurus season more intensely, as a whopping three planets enter the sign of the bull between April 14 and 19.In fact, all the personal planets in astrology will be switching signs this month, so we’ll be feeling some significant energy shifts.

Speaking of shifts, the end of the month brings the first planetary retrograde since February, as Pluto retrograde 2021 begins on April 27. Until then, we’re officially in a retrograde-free zone — so take advantage of this forward-moving energy before things get wonky.

A Fiery Aries Energy Blast

Aries is the cardinal fire sign of the zodiac, and Aries season is all about taking action, acting on our passions, and fearlessly charging toward our goals. We head into the month of April with both the sun and love planet Venus in Aries, which brings out our feisty inner-leader and emboldens us when it comes to romance. And on April 3, communication planet Mercury enters Aries and joins the rest of the planetary crew, bringing mental and logistical matters into the mix and inspiring us to impulsively speak our minds, no matter the consequences.

This all culminates on April 11, during which we’ll experience the cosmic renewal brought about by the April 2021 new moon. This is the first new moon of the astrological year and takes place in the zealously zingy sign of Aries, which charges it with the magic of an ultra-powerful new beginning. It’s a great time to set brave and boundless intentions for the season ahead.

Grounding Into Taurus Season

After a high-powered trip through Aries season, Taurus’ zodiac vibes will take the wheel mid-month, asking us to slow down, get grounded, and embrace our pragmatic side. On April 14, romantic Venus enters Taurus, which ups our sense of sensuality and indulgence when it comes to love and money. No need to rush anything in romance now, as Taurus likes to be pragmatic, take its time, and enjoy the present moment.

On April 19, both the sun and Mercury will join Venus in Taurus — which marks the beginning of Taurus season 2021. With three significant planets entering Taurus’ earthy territory within just a few days of each other, the energetic shift will be palpable — and we’ll finally be able to settle down and start making sense of all the plans we made during Aries season.

Powerful Emotions & A Super Full Moon

Emotions will get particularly potent during the last third of the month, as action planet Mars enters Cancer on April 23. Cancer zodiac energy is maternal, gentle, and sensitive — which is the opposite of Mars’ take-charge, passion-fueled, rough-and-tumble vibe. Fiery Mars isn’t very comfortable in watery Cancer, so we might feel like our ability to take action on things is a little stifled by overprotective feelings and intense moodiness.

As if Mars’ descent into Cancer didn’t put us deep enough into our feelings, we’ll also have an emotionally charged super full moon rise in the water sign Scorpio’s territory just a few days later on April 26. The April 2021 full moon, known as the Pink Moon, will shine a spotlight on our deepest sentiments and darkest secrets — so get ready to plunge beneath the surface and immerse yourself in life’s greatest mysteries.

Let The Retrogrades Begin

The last few days of the month bring us a familiar but nonetheless annoying astrological phenomenon: the start of the year’s retrograde season, which kicks off on April 27 with Pluto retrograde 2021. This backspin will have us diving deep into self-reflection and embracing serious internal transformations through October 6.

This planet’s backwards journey happens every year and lasts for about five months, so it’s nothing we haven’t experienced on an annual basis already. But after a solid two months free of any retrogrades, this vibe might require some adjustment time.

Article Source – Bustle.com

In Western astrology, the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water are used to classify each zodiac sign into groups with specific attributes. The elements are referred to as the life-giving source for their accompanying zodiacs. Each of the 12 signs falls into one of the four elements, causing each element to take on three zodiacs. The elements are the foundation through which individual tendencies are born. Knowing your astrological element will allow you to make sense of your connections with others and nature. The elements similarly align with tools like tarot cards that assist you in learning more about yourself. Remain open-minded and discover what element includes your zodiac below. 

Fire

Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius embody the passionate Fire element. As expected, Fire signs are recognized for their spontaneity, impulse, creativity, and courage. They are often difficult to silence or contain and typically pursue big ideas with no apprehension. While all three zodiacs embody the energy of the Fire sign, they all have slight nuances that set them apart from one another. Sagittarius is known as the mutable Fire sign, so it is more adaptable than its neighboring zodiacs but still remains determined. Leo, on the other hand, is the fixed Fire sign and fervently embodies passion and loyalty. Lastly, Aries is the most innovative Fire sign. Aries spends no time lingering in the past and presses on into the future with a sense of certainty and confidence. Altogether, Fire signs are not afraid to say what they think and forge their own creative path. 

Earth

Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, come together to embody the practical and reliable qualities of the Earth element. As the most grounded element, Earth signs respond well to the things that they can clearly touch and see. This is what makes them sensual beings who are prone to deep connection. You can always count on an Earth sign to be there, as they often believe they have a responsibility to support those within their sphere. They value logic and embody dependability. Taurus is the most pragmatic Earth sign, it finds comfort in planning and conceptualizing each step of its journey. Virgo is similarly practical and hardworking. It celebrates perpetual dedication but sometimes falls victim to overburdening. Finally, Capricorn often takes the position of an overseer. It is cautious and realistic. Earth signs tend to work with what they have, they stray away from bombastic ideals and pursue linear trains of thought and action.

Air

Air signs, which include Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, are intellectual and social creatures. They tend to allow the universe to sway them in any direction it pleases, and remain at peace with wherever they land. Air signs are curious; they seek out connection and knowledge. Most importantly, they are master communicators who can engage with almost anyone. Gemini is the mutable Air sign, its nature to take on different personalities lends to its adaptability and status as the social butterfly of the zodiac. Libra is often referred to as the cardinal Air sign, it is more action-oriented and aims to have a balanced life. Libra won’t hesitate to find the perfect equilibrium by taking the time to organize and plan. Aquarius is the fixed Air sign, embodying a free-spirited attitude and an affinity for non-conformist thinking. However, Aquarius is also disciplined in the way they handle serious matters like money and love. Altogether, Air signs are expert empathizers. They synthesize all that they engage with at an impressive speed and move through life with a sense of trust in the universe.

Water

Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces make up the astrological element of Water. They are the most emotional signs within the zodiac and embody the fluidity their element. They are nurturing and perceptive which allows them to take on the happiness and sorrow of those that they connect with. Cancer forges a close connection to its origins at home. It values the act of care and cherishes its given and chosen families. Scorpio is skilled in the way it understands complicated thoughts and feelings. Its emotions drive all of its actions forward, making Scorpio an intensely determined sign. Finally, Pisces is an extra sensitive sign. It is ruled by the planet Neptune, which sharpens Pisces’ ability to connect with others to the point of detriment. Pisces tends to adopt an escapist attitude but are compassionate nonetheless. Water signs come together to form the most receptive signs within the zodiac. It is possible that they might be overlooked due to their changing forms, but they are always aware of how others are feeling. 

Article source – lofficialusa.com

I was a hardened astrology skeptic until my mother, a lover of all things woo-woo, booked me in for a chart reading with an eccentric septuagenarian astrologer named Fritz on my 18th birthday. In the 90-minute session, Fritz cracked a window onto my angsty teenage soul: Everything about me—from my nerdy obsession with Manga cartoons to my quirky fashion sense—seemed to be written in the stars.

A few years later when I first discovered Linda Goodman’s Love Signs, I learned that astrology could come in handy when it came to navigating my romantic life too. Heralded as “the first astrological blockbuster,” the book was essentially a self-help guide for lovelorn astrology geeks. Goodman takes each of the 12 sun signs and explores the romantic compatibility with each of the others in detail.

You don’t have to get too deep into the almost 1,000-page text to understand that Linda lived on her own kooky planet. In the foreword, she explains that she wrote Love Signs over the course of a decade while sequestered in a haunted suite at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, finally completing the book in 1978, a scenario that brings to mind Miss Havisham levels of insanity. (It’s worth noting that, fours decades on, the book’s conventional heteronomrative framework in no way stands the test of time.)

Still, it’s hard not to be just a little charmed by Love Signs. Like your favorite auntie, Goodman draws you in with her deliciously gossipy tone, casually dropping romantic advice in the form of cosmic cautionary tales. Sometimes it hits so hard the hairs on the back of your neck will stand up. Other times, you’re left thinking what the hell was this woman smoking. You don’t have to be a believer to enjoy the book—true believers will know it’s more about your chart anyway—but you do have to be a sucker for a good love story.

Revisiting Love Signs during these strange days, so many moons after I first picked it up as a guileless 20-something Taurean transplant from London, has been something of a revelation. About halfway through reading it again, it dawned on me: Could it be that I’ve dated every freaking sign of the Zodiac? (Yes, really!)

And so in the spirit of comparing notes—and of course, Valentine’s Day—I’ve catalogued my experiences as they relate to the 12 astrological love matches for my sun signs as described by Goodman.

The Jovial Taurus

A few years back, an astrologer (not Linda Goodman) told me I’d do well with a Taurus. The idea immediately struck me as a bit of a snooze. Who wants to date somebody with all the same irritating hang ups as them?

When I did finally met a Taurus man, it didn’t feel like I’d met my match exactly. In some ways we were similar: he liked plant pots, yoga, green juice, and sitting under trees maybe more than any other man I’ve met. But in all other things we were worlds apart.

Oddly my first date with this Taurus ranks as one of the best of all time. In truth, it didn’t start out as “a date” at all: I was interested in buying his ceramics, so he invited me over. One thing led to another and somehow we ended up goofing around playing target practice with broken pots and BB guns in the back of his studio. Then seemingly out of nowhere, he produced a tandem bike—wouldn’t it be fun to take a ride through Greenpoint at golden hour he said. Sitting on the back of this beautiful bike made for two, the wind blowing in my hair, was totally dreamy. We passed by his favorite antique store (or course he had perfect taste) and then made a pit stop for coffee. I thought to myself: Does this day really have to end?

What happened next contradicts everything you’ll read about Taureans: he actually turned out to be sort of a flake. Like most bulls though, he did have a sensational sense of humor. About a year after that magical date, he sent me a gift that still makes me smile to this day: a ceramic pot modeled after a man’s lower torso with the words “Property of Chioma Nnadi” painted across the butt.

The Handsome Libra

Besides being level-headed, mild mannered creatures, Libras have a reputation for being good looking. Goodman doesn’t hold back in her depiction of the attractive Libra. She gushes endlessly about their “satiny voices,” their “gorgeous laugh,” their “beautiful eyes” etcetera etcetera. “A Libra smile is a deadly weapon that should be outlawed,” she writes.

The Libra man I dated in my 20s was tall, dark, and yes, devastatingly handsome. When we met at a fashion party in the Meatpacking District, I remember thinking I’d seen him before—because who would forget a face like that? Then I realized I had actually seen his face plastered on a billboard for Abercrombie and Fitch overlooking 8th Avenue.

When he asked for my number at the end of the night, I legitimately thought he was joking. My coworker, a plain-spoken Gemini who later ran into us on a date at a now shuttered bowling alley in Union Square, was eager to share her personal thoughts about this too. “Chioma, that guy is too good looking for you,” she said wagging her finger.

Believe it or not, the handsome Libra man didn’t turn out to be such a bad boyfriend, even if long-term romance was never on the cards for us two. (Libra is the cardinal of the three air signs, which is bad news for an earth-bound bull like me.) Truthfully, the pretty boy thing did end up being tiresome. Men and women would flirt with him shamelessly, then slip their number into his pockets when they thought I wasn’t looking—it didn’t seem to matter that I was standing right there, holding his hand. One time we walked into a Macdonald’s in the village, and the entire joint erupted in a chorus of wolf whistles. Still, true to his well-adjusted Libran nature, he never did let it go to his head.

The Neat Freak Virgo

Known for their inscrutable perfectionism, Virgo might be the most anally retentive sign of the zodiac—as someone whose rising sign is Virgo, I say this with love. I once dated a Virgo who organized his closet so meticulously it looked like the inside of a Ralph Lauren store; nubby cardigans hung on wooden hooks just so, rows of perfectly worn-in brogues lined the shelves; stacks of polo shirts were neatly folded, then colored coded. Even in the throes of passion, he’d pause to tidy away the clothes I’d tossed on the floor of his well-appointed Brooklyn loft. God forbid I borrow one of his Purple Label shirts!

As Goodman tells it, it’s impossible to seduce a Virgo man for various reasons, partly because, as Virgins, they’re literally absorbed with themselves. Even still, she posits that for the Virgo and Taurus, “there’s a lot going for the relationship from the start.” This, in my humble opinion, is highly debatable.

I will say that the first man to float the idea of marriage was a Virgo. Six years after we broke up, in which time he’d moved to Virginia, found god, and been ordained as a pastor, this Virgo man called me out of the blue. “What if we made a proper go of it?” he said with a perfunctory tone, as if he was proposing driving lessons not marriage. “There’s a fashion college in the next town, you could teach there when you move here.” I didn’t have to consult my copy of Love Signs to know the answer was no.

The Spicy Aries

Aries are known to be fiery, outgoing types. In my experience, they’re also great dancers. My salsa teacher was supremely talented in that respect, brimming with Big Aries Energy despite his compact frame; even in his chunky, 3-inch platform sneakers, he was barely 5ft 7” tall.

As Goodman tells it, Aries need “a dash of magic to make life interesting.” Sparks did indeed fly on our first date. Thanks to his experts skills—he was actually the Cuban Salsa Champion of the World—dancing together felt like walking on air.

And yet what goes up… must come down. Goodman’s advice on the matter is sobering. “You can see right away that these people are not Bobbset Twins,” she writes. As predicted, the spell was swiftly broken. Before I’d even graduated from beginner to intermediate, he’d found a new dance partner—petite, feisty, and a Sagittarius—in the advanced class.

The “Twinning” Gemini

This chapter should probably come with a trigger warning, given the number of people I know who’ve had their heart broken by a Gemini. I remember ribbing my Gemini ex boyfriend about this when he first slid into my DMs. “You know, you and I are the astrological match from hell. We’re doomed!! HAHAHAH” I wrote with a flurry of crystal ball emojis.

Geminis might have a reputation for being badly behaved and inconsistent, but really I think they’re deeply misunderstood. As Goodman points out, you are essentially dealing with two personalities. On a good day, they’re excellent conversationalists, quick witted and exceptionally sharp. On a bad day, well, let’s just not even go there.

The trick to making it work with a Gemini is to avoid their evil twin at all costs. My ex boyfriend’s evil twin had an annoying habit of rearing his ugly head at the most inopportune times, when we were rushing to catch a flight (evil Gemini twin can’t bear to be late!), or waiting on line for a table at a restaurant (evil Gemini twin needs food!); there was nowhere to run or hide. For this unfortunate situation, Goodman has plenty of sympathy. “Pity the poor Taureans who are faced with these two fast-moving people!” Just like I said, doomed from the start.

The Oddball Aquarius

“There are exceptions, but the average Taurean girl who is unhappily involved with an Aquarian male is more vulnerable to being devastated by it than he is,” writes Goodman. By the time I came to read these fateful words, it was already too late: l was hopelessly in love with an Aquarius. Wonderfully gregarious, deeply humanitarian, and truly impossible to pin down, my ex boyfriend fit the sign’s oddball profile to a T. Goodman’s description of his eccentricities is especially uncanny, down to his weird aversion to kissing and back rubs (though his obsession with Hello Kitty ephemera is clearly unique to him.)

Did we find common ground? Very rarely. Where I was content with dinner-and-a-movie dates, his idea of a cute night out usually involved value meals at White Castle or breaking into abandoned buildings with his skateboard. What class! Somehow though, every moment we shared was giddy and enchanting. Even my Aries mom fell for his charms, though she had his number long before I did. “You know he’s sort of like a glass of champagne,” she said shortly after being introduced, “fun for the night, but you’ll have a hangover in the morning.”

The Hybebeast Leo

Leos are usually big, warm-hearted creatures who like to be the center of attention. I’ve personally always had a soft for them. For all my enthusiasm though, Goodman doesn’t seem to see much fertile ground between us. The one thing she does see is a shared sense of loyalty. Fun fact: I dated a Leo who literally had the word loyalty tattooed across his chest.

Me and this hypebeast Leo also shared a love of fashion. In fact he would often remind me that Coco Chanel was a Leo (and yes, Barack Obama too). I used to joke that he loved sneakers the way Carrie Bradshaw loved Manolos: you literally couldn’t move in his apartment for Nike boxes. Ultimately, trying to imagine how we could ever share a closet—let alone the rest of my lives together—was virtually impossible.

The Wishy-Washy Pisces

In nature as in astrology, earth and water elements are technically very compatible. In the best case scenario for a Taurus and a Pisces, they are “magically pulled together in order to carry out the karmic balance of action and reaction.” Goodman cites the poets Robert Browning (a Taurus) and Elizabeth Barrett (a Pisces) as the perfect example of this pairing. As the story goes, their courtship was conducted in secret; Barrett’s father strongly disapproved of the union. Barrett literally snuck out of the house to marry her boo.

Sounds all very romantic doesn’t it? But don’t be fooled: there is a B-side to the Taurus-Pisces dynamic that plays out quite differently. “The wrong blending of these two can create mud or quicksand,” writes Goodman. Let’s just say things can get messy.

Pisces are elusive and mysterious creatures, which makes them very intriguing for the simple Taurus. True to form, my Pisces man suggested we meet at the Russian bath house in the East Village. At first I couldn’t decide whether this was intriguing or maybe just an odd choice for a first date. Once I’d got past the standard issue swimwear situation, and the fact that I was practically naked with a man I barely knew, things improved considerably.

Little did I know that steam rooms and cold baths were basically this man’s raison d’etre. He’d fill his weekends with excursions to bathhouses in far-flung corners of the Tri-state. “There are these great Korean spas that are open all night in Jersey,” he’d tell me excitedly. Naturally his curious obsession made it impossible for our relationship to take root; soon all prospects of hanging out dried up. Weirdly enough, I wasn’t that bummed really; plenty more fish in the sea.

The Emotionally Unavailable Cancer

Admittedly, the research I have on Cancer men is pretty thin. I will say that I’m blessed to have a sweet and loving Cancer man for a father. Cancers are known to be sensitive types and tend to have a high emotional IQ. As Goodman points out, they’re also ruled by the moon and prone to mood swings. They feel things deeply, so when they are wounded in love it can take them a while to get over it.

Such was the case with the Cancer man I encountered when I first moved to New York. He had kind, dark eyes, and a warm smile, and yet you could practically see the sad little rain clouds gathering over his head. Despite the obvious red flags, I persisted. Maybe my Taurean charms could help turn his frown upside down? “Love at first sight is not quite what happens when an Earth sign like Taurus meets a Water sign like Cancer, it takes time,” writes Goodman.

Turns out this Cancer was more than a little lovesick—but not about me. He spent most of our date at a tapas bar in Nolita bemoaning a recent breakup. “She just radiated beauty,” he said, reaching for his fourth gin and tonic. “It was like a halo glowed around her head.” I stuck around long enough for the patatas bravas I’d ordered to arrive and listened to the story of his ex girlfriend, a free-spirited Aries who had dumped him for a wealthy Sagittarius hotelier and moved to Costa Rica, then made my excuses and left. There was nothing more to be done. The only thing that might heal his broken Cancerian heart, was time.

The Couch-Surfer Sagittarius

When it comes to my romantic life, I think it’s best not to recycle the past. In my experience, things rarely work out any better second time around. The Sagittarius man has been the exception to that rule. He was just an awkward teenager when I first sidled up to him at a hip hop party in soho. I was 22 years old, three years his senior so practically a cougar.

Predictably the love connection was short-lived. (Maybe three weeks at best?) He disappeared and then resurfaced a few years later, a little older and maybe wiser too, but still restless in his soul. As I had learned from Love Signs, Sagittarius are dreamers. They’re always flying off in search of adventure. Holding down a conventional job was never going to be his thing. Even when a fancy advertising firm chased him down with the promise of a six-figure salary, he had no trouble turning them down even if it meant sleeping on his mom’s couch.

The Sagittarius man “needs a woman who will believe all his dreams and not one who constantly pops his balloons with needles of doubt.” And it’s true that maybe too often I rained on his parade. When he suggested we try for a baby, I wondered aloud how we’d find room for a crib in my tiny apartment. I mean, I already had two roommates!

Even still, our shared love of simple pleasures always brought us back together. On the mornings that he’d walk me to work, holding my hand for the hour-long trek to Manhattan, I was reminded that the sweetest things in life are free.

The Gentlemanly Capricorn

Of all the signs in the zodiac, Capricorn might be the one that got away, at least for me. According to Goodman, Taurus and Capricorn are practically soul mates. “When these two animal meet at the zoo, the ground shakes with the vibrations of destiny,” she says. “Who knows what success lies ahead when a bull and a goat get into harness together.”

Sadly it took my Capricorn suitor a couple of attempts to even get my attention in the first place. The poor guy sent flowers to my office twice—first pink roses, then orchids. (In all fairness, he forgot to sign his name on the first bunch.)

Capricorns are modest and reserved. And as Earth signs, they’re also pretty dependable. So don’t expect any curveballs here. This Capricorn man was also very generous. Each time we’d meet, he’d bring me a small gift. So when I mentioned on date two that my friend, a gentle Virgo, had just had a baby boy, he showed up on date three with a big box from Bloomingdale’s for the little guy. “Oh my god you should marry this man!” my friend said gleefully unwrapping the onesies. Was it me, or was this Capricorn trying too hard?

Regrettably he didn’t really get the chance to prove himself either way. Just as I was warming to him, the couch-surfer Sagittarius came back around yet again; poor mister Capricorn was dropped like a hot potato! If Linda Goodman would call this a cruel twist of fate, my therapist would say it was self-sabotage.

The Seductive Scorpio

Picture the scene in Jungle Book when Mowgli is hypnotized and damn near suffocated by Kaa, the cunning boa constrictor, and you’re halfway to comprehending the complex Taurus-Scorpio dynamic. Goodman sums up the ominous nature of this union like this: “The more quickly this horror is disposed of, the better.”

Scorpions are sexy and secretive, the kind of people who lurk on Instagram but rarely post. My Scorpio crush was for sure far too cool to be on social media. He also suffered from Batophobia, the fear of being in or close to tall buildings. Instead of picking me up at my office, a medium-sized skyscraper in midtown, we’d meet at a park nearby. It was weird, but I liked him anyway. Plus he’d always come wearing some ridiculously stylish outfit—maybe a powder blue suit and a matching headwrap to keep his dreadlocks in place—then off we’d go for vegan lunch.

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, he never pushed the friendship any further. Which is probably for the best—because oh the horror! And yet part of me still thinks, what if?

Article Source – Vogue.com