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”

Cocoa Butter and Virgo Season

Cocoa Butter/Buzzfeed asked me to stop by last month to do a short video on Virgos and Virgo Season. Check it out below!

Libra season video coming soon!

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.

The March 2016 Eclipses: Whatever You Do, Keep Moving

Ok, so the big news for this month are the eclipses. For those of you who may be unsure of what eclipses mean, think of them as really, really, really important (super, even) New and Full Moons. Except, the difference between an eclipse and a regular New or Full Moon is that eclipses tend to bring sharp and fast changes that can often feel like a crisis or emotional upheaval of sorts, and unlike a regular New or Full Moon, eclipse energy lasts for a full six months.

The eclipses of this month: one on March 8th in Pisces (Solar) and the other on March 23rd in Libra (Lunar) pick up where the Virgo and Aries eclipses of September 2015 left off. Eclipses come in pairs and wil set off a chain of events (or at the very least heighten our attention) in two very connected areas of our lives; for example: career and family. The purpose of eclipses is to keep us moving, keep us growing, and to help us with a shot of tough love to let go of anything holding us back.  People often report feeling the effects of an eclipse (myself included) up to a week or so before it actually happens. Since eclipses have to do with the very emotional energy of the Moon, I usually advise people to get all the rest, nourishment, and comfort they can get around this time. Eclipses can be tough on the body and spirit. But when that medicine they deliver kicks in, we become all the more better for it.

Eclipses in Pisces tend to highlight what we need to release and heal, when we need to listen to intuition, engage compassion, and dream big. Solar Eclipses spark beginnings and fresh starts. Those of us with planets or angles (look to your birth chart) near 18-22 degrees of Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Pisces will be most strongly affected.

Eclipses in Libra tend to highlight where we need to be more diplomatic, gracious, and balanced in our relationships. Lunar Eclipses signal endings and culminations. Those of us with planets or angles near 2-6 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn will be most affected. Incidentally, this eclipse will be the final eclipse of the Aries-Libra pairing which began back in October 2013, and took place again in April 2014, October 2014, March 2015 and September 2015. Think back to see what epiphanies or actions may have been triggered at that time. This is eclipse will be the final chapter of the story.

Still, the eclipses won't be the only things happening this month. Read my March horoscopes (coming soon!) to find out what else to expect.

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.

Jupiter in Virgo: Work The Earth

Photography: Olivia Malone for marahoffman.com

Hellooooo Jupiter in Virgo! Over the next 12 months: refine, renew, reorganize, remedy. Work the earth. To find out what the planet of luck, opportunity, and abundance has in store for you, check out my August Horoscopes.

Mercury In Virgo: Writing Your Narrative

Courtesy of bigstockphoto.com

Communicator Mercury, transits its home turf in meticulous Virgo from Aug 7-27, and we're concerned with just the facts. We're checking our to-do list and checking it twice as we're the mood to get our lives in order. If you find something or someone to be an unhealthy distraction, it's time for a little self-analysis. Edit out what is no longer useful/necessary, then rewrite your narrative. You are the author of your story.

Venus Retrograde: Refunds And Receipts

Flowervases by Martin Klimas

Beginning today until September 6th, Venus goes retrograde; first in Virgo, then moving back to Leo. As the planet of love, harmony, beauty, and wealth; Venus helps us to get pleasure out of life. Symbolizing our approach to relationships and what we deem valuable, natal (birth chart) and transit (orbiting/moving) Venus pushes us to find balance, improvement, and security in everything we hold near and dear to our hearts.

However, when a Venus retrograde comes along, our special things (and people) come up for review. Challenges and disagreements in relationships become more apparent, while a job, location, or subject we may have loved doesn't seem so lovable anymore. Finances come up for scrutiny too. If our bank accounts are lacking, Venus retrograde asks us to reassess our worth. Are we settling for less than we deserve? And what about our personal style? Is it time to look the part we want to play? Could our look use a little va-va voom?

In Virgo, Venus retrograde asks us to go over our relationships and budgets with a fine tooth comb; analyzing the results and involving ourselves with only the people/things that improve us. In Leo, Venus retrograde is about valuing our talents, our specialness--and when others don't, having the confidence to walk away.

As with any retrograde period, this is a time to review the areas that Venus symbolizes; not necessarily a time to act on them. This means, that we make note of the challenges that come up, think and discuss resolutions but we don't make actual changes until Venus goes forward or direct. This review or sitting period ensures that we don't make hasty decisions and get the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the seriousness of the situation. This rule also of course applies to beginning new relationships, jobs, etc. we want to be long term or doing anything drastic to our appearance. Wait until Venus is direct.

Though we'll all be affected by Venus retrograde (depending on where she currently is orbiting in your birth chart), those of us who can expect the lessons of this Venus retrograde to hit particularly close to home are:

• Libra Suns and Ascendants/Risings (Venus is your ruler)
• Taurus Suns and Ascendants/Risings (Venus is your ruler)
• Sagittarius, Virgo, Gemini, and Pisces (while Venus is in Virgo)
• Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius, and Taurus (while Venus is in Leo)

And remember, when it comes to retrogrades, don't panic. Think of retrogrades as Cosmic Quality Assurance. The Universe is helping you to make sure your wheels don't fall off when you hit the gas.

Venus in Virgo: Choosy Lover

"Virgo" by Sheeba Maya, sheebamaya.com

On July 18th, the Moon helped kick off Lady Venus' transit of Virgo, indicating that our emotional fulfillment, well-being, and finances will be best experienced through a discerning and sensible filter. When the planet of love and wealth expresses herself through an Earth sign such as Virgo, quality over quantity becomes the mantra.

Given that Venus will go retrograde on July 25 (and back into Leo, from July 31-September 6) it seems appropriate that her first stop before heading backwards will be in Virgo. As with Virgo, a Venus retrograde encourages us to go over our relationships and money matters with a discriminating eye, eschewing anything (or anyone) that's more trouble than it's worth.

Aside from being the zodiac's Editor in Chief, Virgo also teaches us the importance of service to others. During the height of Cancer season, I stressed how vital a self-care practice is to navigating the wear and tear of everyday life.  Though as Leo season approaches; bringing with it Jupiter's move to Virgo, and later followed by Venus, much of the cosmic emphasis will be on extending the support and concern outside of ourselves. Just make sure that your time and resources are being given to a worthy cause.