Music To My Ears

Many of you may not know this but way back when (circa 2008), before I became an astrologer, I was a part of the indie art scene here in NYC for a few years. I wrote poetry, I dabbled in filmmaking, I performed onstage and at open mics, I went to all the underground art shows and indie concerts. And then somewhere along the line, I kind of fell out of love with the scene and gave that part of myself up as I moved on to pursuing a new direction in my life and career.

Then, about two months ago, I received an email from a very talented musician and composer, Marquis Hill. Marquis had the idea to do an astrology themed album and invited me to collaborate with him on it. I jumped at the opportunity. Not only did I love Marquis’ work and thought it would be cool to be a part of this project, but I knew that doing this would help me tap back into a part of myself that I’d been disconnected from for a very long time. Turns out my intuition was right.

Download Soul Sign by Marquis Hill.

Trumpeter, Composer and Producer, Marquis Hill releases a 12 track cosmic musical journey through the zodiacs in the form of a spoken word infused beat tape.

“ A yearning to learn more about the Zodiac - types and celestial influence for The Good - I’ve been inspired toward a fresh project. In its place, this extended spiritual knowledge of self is crucial in our lifetime. Collaborating with astrologers Mecca Woods and Boro the Lucky Libra - both hailing from the Bronx - we developed tracks that musically impressionize each Zodiac sign.

Here, jazz, spoken word and hip hop orbits and dances together. Each track is quite different, consistent with the often vast differences among the Zodiac signs and their types. Recorded during quarantine life, in Boston, NYC, and Chicago, this project underscores resilient elementals, energies in terms of fire, water, air, and earth”

The North Node Moves to Gemini

Image: GIPHY

You know how everyone is tired of the line "in these times of uncertainty"? Well, when the North Node moves from Cancer to Gemini and the South Node moves from Capricorn to Sagittarius on May 5, flexibility, curiosity, and letting go of the fear of uncertainty is where we're going to find the important lessons and blessings for the next 18 months.

Interestingly enough, the day the nodes switch is on May 5 (5-5) and 5 is known in divination as the number of change. Coincidence? Maybe.

Eclipses (which are some of the biggest harbingers of change) occur when the New Moon or Full Moon falls near one of the nodes. Over the next 18 months those eclipses will be on the Gemini-Sagittarius axis - the axis of learning and knowledge.

In order to move forward over the next 18 months a lot of the work will involve challenging old beliefs and philosophies, what we know, and scaling back or scaling down (Sagittarius). It'll also involve embracing duality (Gemini) - holding space for what's practical, factual, and intentional but also holding equal space for hope, inspiration, and dreams. Though if we want to see these dreams through, it's gonna take focus, adaptability, admitting we don't have all the answers, being open to learning, being open to working and sharing with others.

Communication is going to be a bigger deal when the North Node enters Gemini. Too many of us focus on being right and someone else being wrong, on dominating conversations without really listening to others. Some of us don't speak up enough. Some of us lack communication skills altogether (don’t send me anymore WYD? texts, please!). Expect to work on these areas.

Also, we'll need to be mindful of what we're giving our attention to on a regular basis. This nodal transit will definitely highlight how thoughts can become things. Of course, there will be things we need to hone and zero in on. There will be other things we'll need to quickly process and release. And then there will be things that we should pay no mind to at all.

Cocoa Butter and Sagittarius Season

It’s my favorite time of year - that’s right Sagittarius season! Of course I had to do a little tribute to my fellow centaurs.

Full Moon in Sagittarius: Freedom First

Artwork: Kenal Louis, kenalsworld,com

What fires you up? What makes you passionate? What are you willing to fight for?

Under today's Full Moon in Sagittarius, we're called to answer these questions as the Full Moon comes in conjoined to fiery Mars in Sagittarius, and opposite to the Sun in Gemini. We're supposed to get passionate about something, but what?

The Gemini-Sagittarius axis (polarity), is largely about honoring what we know or what we believe to be true. Through Gemini and Sagittarius, we move beyond our immediate four walls to access and learn information, then share what we've learned with others, crafting and re-crafting our personal belief system along our journey. However, as Full Moons are about releasing the things we no longer need; and Mars being retrograde now is about bringing that hot, Martian energy to the interior, we are called under this Moon to reevaluate our belief system, to reevaluate what we know in order to cast any self-limiting beliefs into the fire and watch them burn away.

Of course because Full Moons are emotional and the Sun in Gemini is more about words, and rational thought (and how we identify with those thoughts) we are reminded that head and heart must align for us to truly make progress forward. For example, how can we fully let go of something if not at the emotional level first? Or, how can we be in alignment with our convictions, our personal truths, our visions if how we feel doesn't align with what we speak? This Full Moon gives us the power to expand our awareness, to move beyond our personal borders (whether real or imagined) to become truer versions of ourselves. Mars gives us the courage to hold ourselves accountable. How will you define your freedom?

What To Do When You Don't Identify With Your Zodiac Sign

Photo: Getty Images Stock

Recently, I shared an article on Facebook, which described the work ethic of each zodiac sign. One of my Facebook friends commented on the post that "I'm always confused when I read Libra descriptions though because I don't seem to fit the bill.” I responded to her comment by asking if she had ever had her birth chart done. She said she hadn’t, which I of course figured out was the case, but it was my gentle way of informing her that astrology is a bit deeper than the pop culture or Sun sign astrology that we usually come across in newspapers and magazines. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sun sign astrology, as it is the Sun that symbolizes the core of who we are, our style of self-expression, when it comes to astrological interpretation. In fact, astrologer Jessica Adams wrote a really good piece a while back about the importance of Sun sign astrology and how folks (mainly professional astrologers) need to stop looking down on it. Here's the link if interested: http://www.astro.com/astrology/aa_article141231_e.htm

But I digress.

While I know that my Facebook friend meant no offense with her comment (and no offense was taken) it did make me think about the many other occasions when I’ve seen people post or speak about how astrology doesn’t resonate with them because they can’t relate to the traits assigned to their Sun sign or the horoscopes that they come across in popular media. Now while I’m no astrology fundamentalist (I recognize and respect that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea), I do suggest that people do a little research with it before they decide to write astrology off entirely. That said, here’s a couple of suggestions on what to do when your zodiac sign doesn’t ring true for you:

1.  Read more than one horoscope. There are tons of astrologers out there who write horoscopes; some for mainstream publication, some for their own website or following, which means there are a variety of styles, voices, and content to choose from for keeping current with the cosmos. I often recommend to astrology beginners to pick 2-3 astrologers they really dig and make a habit out of reading their forecasts. Sometimes you need to have options in order to find something that resonates with you.

2.   Look up your birth chart. A birth chart is kind of like having your own cosmic map or blueprint. If you know the hour and location of your birth, you can go to a website like astro.com, where you can pull up your chart for free and take a look around. If you’re feeling really brave, you can Google around a bit to try to interpret it first all on your own. However, no advice really compares to my last point:

3.    Get a reading. This tip is probably the most important advice that I can give you as even a horoscope won’t be able to go into full detail with you about your birth chart. In a reading, a reputable astrologer would not only show you, for example, that you’re an Aries Sun, Cancer Moon, and Taurus Rising, but they would also show you how these three pieces (and more) work together to fuel your greatness and how they can sometimes trip you up.

So, that’s it. That’s my approach. It’s actually the path I took before I became a professional astrologer. Try it out and let me know how it goes. And of course, if you ever need a reading, get atcha girl.

Mercury In Pisces: The Shaman & The Mystic

Artwork: Anto Machado

The world slows down a bit as Mercury enters Pisces today (March 5th). Over the next couple of weeks, the Universe encourages us to allow dreams, intuition, and compassion influence our thoughts and messages.

Note: there's a waning square between Mercury and Mars as Mars enters Sagittarius that will last another day or so before Venus joins the fracas (more on that later) between the mutable signs (Pisces, Virgo, and Sagittarius) on the 12th. A rule of thumb: Intuit first, then speak/act. Don't go for the BS.

Mars In Sagittarius in 2016

Photo: footloosenomad.com

Mars enters expansive and adventurous Sagittarius (March 5th) to make an extended stay from now until September (taking a brief dip back into Scorpio from April to July). Under this influence we're passionately motivated by distant travels, international causes, the bigger picture, heated debates, the mission for truth and justice and of course, good old fashioned debauchery. Though with Jupiter in Virgo (details), Saturn in Sagittarius (responsibility), and Neptune in Pisces (intuition) flanking Mars, we'll need to have a clear aim/strategy before taking off for territory unknown.

Listen To My Podcast...and Win!

Dropping that hot fire on you this week. LOL! So I have a podcast now. I'm talking news, film, and TV via astrology with my co-host @JChiron18. I am so excited about this!

Also, help us name our podcast! The lucky winner will win an astrology reading.

Take a listen: http://twosagittariusonflix.podomatic.com/ #NameOurPodcast

Full Moon in Sagittarius: Give Us Free

Photo courtesy of: http://sequine.forumotion.com/

On June 2nd the Universe blesses us with a Full Moon in Sagittarius. Coming into close quarters to Jupiter in Leo and Mars and Mercury (retrograde) in Gemini, this is a Moon that undoubtedly pushes us to break free. Under this Full Moon in Sagittarius we are encouraged to rid ourselves of emotional entanglements (it's also squaring off with Neptune in Pisces), unnecessary distractions, and anything that does not speak to our true purpose.

With the help of Mercury Retrograde, this is our opportunity to rethink anything (or anyone) that holds us back from our vision. Here is where we can redirect our energy (Mars) to more emotionally fulfilling endeavors that speak to the heart of who we are (Jupiter in Leo, Moon in Sagittarius). For some of us, this may be getting a second chance at a missed opportunity while for others, it may mean taking a gamble on an opportunity you may have been trying to talk yourself out of, but you're getting every reason under the Sun to just go and do it.

As the Full Moon in Sagittarius approaches, think about where the theme of freedom resonates the most with you right now. Then, once you’ve sat with this vision, send it out into the world.