Saturn into Sagittarius

“The Path” by Reginald W. Machell

Full Moon in Sagittarius occurred at 4:02am Pacific today, and we all got a glimpse (or a big jolt) about our future path. The ruler of Sagittarius is the huge planet Jupiter – ruler of optimism, expansion, joviality, luck and money. This week it’s conjunct the North Node of the Moon which symbolizes The Future. Whenever the North Node is involved, our destiny appears. What insights did you receive today? What showed up in your life? This is your personal message about your path.

This Full Moon is intensified by Saturn in Sagittarius square to Neptune in Pisces. It was exact three days ago and impacts the energy of this moon. This is our dream meeting practical reality – and it can be painful. Saturn comes along, rips off our rose colored glasses and tests us on our personal beliefs. Saturn in Sagittarius is our truth and belief appearing as a wake up call. Neptune in Pisces gives us a vision of our lives that we never imagined before. We are each starting a new phase in our lives.

From Mystic Medusa:

"Sagittarius is the Archer, the Centaur, the court jester who tells the truth, the wanderer and the party come to life. All that.

And where you have Sagittarius in your chart is where you want to be absolutely free.

Yes, other houses in the chart lend themselves to rebellion and do-thy-own thing as well but your Saggo area is where you’ll take off out the back door when nobody is looking.  It’s where any obligation or expectation feels like blinkers, a bit and a bridle on wild-horse you and it doesn’t matter WHO  t.f you offend:  You are outta there.

Your Saggo area is where you don’t even have to think about or try to arrange being free –  you just ARE free there. If not? It’s terribly bad for you.

The house with Sagittarius on the cusp is where you kind of have hippy values and heaven help the poor sod who attempts to impose another paradigm onto your easy-come-easy-go-just-loving-the-sun-on-my-skin-breeze-in-my-hair-living-the-now policy."

Sagittarius is the truth that we find after our underworld journey in Scorpio.

Once we eliminate what had been holding us back (Scorpio), we can begin to expand our horizons (Sagittarius).  If Scorpio is the journey within, Sagittarius is the journey to far off and exotic lands.

BUT Saturn has also a mysterious dimension and we see it at times like now - between now and Xmas Eve, Saturn traverses the very end of Scorpio and it's like a little time warp. Ready or not, people and information will flow into your life that will prompt the most intense recollection of times gone by - yes, even if you Do live resolutely in the Now and for good reasons.

But the poignant echoes and feeling almost forced to reflect on cycles in your life is a part of this time so you do it with (i think) a lofty and inquiring attitude - okay, what DID you glean from that morsel of info or sudden memory flash?  This is Saturn at the end of Scorpio - there will be a most pertinent insight to be gathered from even the most random past montage or reanimation - you just have to get to it.

September 18 2015 – December 2017

It will be like a revelation, a coming out into the light, the focus of this week and this yuletide time of 2014, is Saturn moving into Sagittarius, 4:33pm 23rd December 2014 UT. After all this time Saturn in Scorpio finally moves off into Sagittarius for 6 months. “Trumpets sound and angels sing” seems very appropriate and worth a bit of a celebration, for the heaviness of Saturn  in Scorpio has been a trial of emotional upheaval, trust, money wars, control and power issues that have reared there unavoidable ugly heads, but have made us into who we are today, stronger, braver, and ready to take the next steps.

Watch for he shift, as Xmas conversations around family diners, lunches, BBQ’s  get more heated. Instead of holding in, or holding back for the sake of peace, or mum, or husband, or friend and like true Sagittarius, we let it rip, the spanner of truth gets set off into the works. We take control of situations not through emotional blackmail, but by letting it out, saying what we mean, meaning what we say, no matter what the consequences, it has to be done. After the deeper inner world experience of Scorpio, in Sagittarius all becomes wilder, freer and clearer, for that is the purpose. Yet remember as the Sagittarian will gets stronger, it does so for everybody. The dogma, the right way, this is the only way to see things, can be expressed in so many ways. Not all of which shall be so inspiring.

We are talking about Saturn here, the planet with the heaviest of archetypal meanings, structure, control, autonomy, authority, bounds and boundaries, work, commitment, responsibility,  put that with the openness of Sagittarius, the universal,  experience seeking, future oriented, high minded traveller and adventurer!

What type of images are formed? Her is an idea!

Saturn   – Sagittarius

Control –  Freedom
Closed – Open
Structure – The reason?
Autonomy – Sag love that!
Authority – Well I am the authority
Do it right – Don’t I always
Bounds – Yeah I’m into it, will it hurt?
Boundaries – Never
Rules – What for?
Commitment – Committed
Responsibility – Sorry I have to go, got other things to do
Lessons – but I know it all don’t I?

Get the idea? Saturn needs to loosen up and Sagittarius needs to gets serious. Will it ever happen? That is the exact tests of this time approaching. Lessons in Sagittarius! Can Saturn ever loosen up, well one thing really important to know here is that Saturn, the planet a gas giant, has a physical mass that could float on water, physically it is not a lead weight that the astrology of the past 1000’s of years has attributed to it. And think  about it heavy objects can fly, just look at a Jumbo Jet, defying gravity and taking off. It’s the ties that bind,  the heaviness we bring on ourselves, what we thing can’t be achieved or isn’t possible that we need to consider here with Saturn in Sagittarius.  Saturn is about control, who controls your life? Our beliefs will now take a firm hold of Saturn and the importance of living our own truth becomes ever so important. With Jupiter in Leo till mid next year also tests of faith come around in many ways.

For anyone with Sagittarius planets,  or angles, Saturn will now begin a firming, consolidating test to your faith, your faith in life and what you can make of it. How committed you are in living it, doing it, being it! For others with mutable angles and planets, Virgo, Pisces and Gemini, the tests may not be as harsh or trying, yet the signature is to stabilise with Saturn, stabilise what we mean, what we know, what we do, how we do it. Great time to finish and consolidate studies and something we really believe in. It’s not a time for giving in or giving up, but seeing things through, if they are true and if they are not, well you already know. If we don’t  believe in it , ask yourself what are you doing it for. Sagittarius seeks “meaningful”!

 Saturn is a great teacher in all aspects of life, after the lessons learnt in Scorpio,we move off to Sagittarius, a great teacher too, yet in the higher meaning of life. Saturn’s tests are all about needing to master the next steps in time. Together during this transit we put together mastering  all we know, consolidating the truth by which we live,  believing and having faith in what we are building, doing, seeking, and doing it all as right, according to us!

As you are doing it so will others be, so be prepared for some dogmatic, law affirming restrictions being imposed around us, especially through governments and authorities, travel restrictions and the like. Although we will be aiming to stand by our worldly freedom rights, continue to fight for what is right in this world, the law may have other ideas and the struggle will be to fight to remain freer than ever for the heaviness will be more apparent.

Good luck with it all, it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!

Full Moon in Sagittarius

Full Moon in Sagittarius, May 21st, 2016, 2:14pm Pacific.
This Full Moon is conjunct Mars Retrograde in Sagittarius. Ordinarily this brings impatience and temper tantrums, but Sag’s ruler Jupiter is currently in Virgo – giving us some restraint, maturity and focus on self care.

Sagittarius is the sign of the Centaur, Archer, Wild Horse and Wounded Healer. What are you aiming at? This full moon is about reviewing the goals you set for yourself at the Spring Equinox, March 21st. Or write some goals down on paper. It’s good to maintain focus with all the wild energy flying around this year. I bet the Preakness will be an exciting race on Saturday! Horse energy rules.

The Sun entered Gemini today at 7:36am Pacific. Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury, which is currently motionless in the skies above us; preparing to turn Direct on Sunday the 22nd at 6:20am. Stay away from making big commitments or purchases – wait for next week when Mercury is moving forward again. The month of May has been slow moving with Mercury and Mars retrograding together. We’ve had to retrace our steps to be certain our dreams have a solid foundation. This will start turning around now!

May 20th Sun enters Gemini
May 21st Full Moon 1 Sagittarius
May 22nd Mercury Direct at 14 Taurus, Sun conjunct Mars
May 24th Venus enters Gemini
May 26th Jupiter square Saturn
May 27th Retro Mars enters Scorpio

Saturn square Neptune

We’ve just had an astrological foreshadowing of 2016. The first square between Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces occurred on Thursday, underlined by Mercury’s conjunction with Saturn.

What does this mean? Our dreams receive a giant-reality-check-makeover.

All of this was further highlighted by Wednesday’s full Moon in Gemini.

Geminis, Virgos and Sagittarians REALLY felt the pressure to find clarity and the path forward. This is just the beginning! If we’re able to integrate this aspect we can find huge rewards down the road.

Saturn is the reality check. It is structure, discipline, maturity, time and timing. We reap what we have sown. Neptune is the planet of Magick and Belief. It’s the most spiritual and visionary of planets. It can awaken our consciousness or plunge us into escapist fantasies. The choice is ours.

When Saturn travels through Sagittarius, it brings a serious tone to our faith and inner truth. We need to follow a structure in order to experience freedom, walk our talk and apply ourselves with disciplined practice. Sagittarians around the world are becoming responsible in a new way.

Neptune is the visionary, and it’s natural home is Pisces. This dissolves our boundaries bringing vision, creativity, spirituality and music. There is no more separateness… we are all ONE. To quote Empowering Astrology: “Neptune does not entirely belong to our solar system. The view of life it teaches us originally belongs to other parts of the Milky Way.”

Neptune also brings the desire to escape reality.. leading us to drugs and distraction to escape the brutal realities of the world.

What happens when these two planets meet in a square? It’s an opportunity to structure our dreams – to make them real! This often happens through hard work which can be difficult for mystical types. As I said above the rewards are huge.

The other side is that illusions are shredded. People fall off their pedestals because their flaws become obvious. Are you playing out old, outworn patterns? Still going after the same people or situations that end up disappointing you? Time to snap out of it! If you’re lost in a fantasy or lying to yourself, the bubble will be burst in the upcoming months..

We’re in an interesting week astrologically. We’ll have a Gemini Full Moon tomorrow at 3 degrees and this one will oppose Saturn and square Neptune. We have some major things to figure out and commit to — things that must be in alignment with our hearts, our souls, and our higher good.

From Mystic Medusa: “This has been building all year, since last Xmas Eve actually, when Saturn first got into Sagittarius. A dream that you thought was sustainable and that was happening turns out to be based on quicksand.

A person you thought was your companion or staunch ally on the journey takes a side path away from you and you find out something dirty about them whilst you’re trudging onward. But there is no point berating them or even whining. They can’t hear you – your paths diverged a while back but you’re only now seeing it with Saturn Neptune.”

Full Moon in Sagittarius

Full Moon in Sagittarius at 9:19am Pacific

Current Planets 2-Jun-2015, 15:54 UT/GMT
	Sun	11		48'21"	22n12
	Moon	11		35'34"	17s41
	Mercury	7		20'30"r	18n44
	Venus	27		4'59"	23n17
	Mars	15		3'22"	23n07
	Jupiter	16		51'35"	16n37
	Saturn	0		51'16"r	18s12
	Uranus	19		22'42"	7n00
	Neptune	9		47'30"	8s37
	Pluto	15		2'57"r	20s34
	TrueNode	7		58'21"r	3s10
	Chiron	21		20'27"	0n46

Today's Full Moon has the themes of Communication and Freedom Drive woven into it (see astro map below). The planets Mercury and Mars are flanking the Sun in Gemini as it opposes the Moon in Sagittarius (and Saturn nearby at 0 degrees). This brings the feeling of wanting independence and freedom but needing to face the realities behind our desires. The three planets in Gemini are also trining the North Node in Libra, giving us a glimpse into the future.

Best advice: Don't rock the boat today and don't call anyone from the past. Focus on the future and avoid social complications this week, especially today! Don't confront authority figures today either. Drive the speed limit, get home safely and spend the evening planning your dreams and goals.

Mercury is Retrograde until June 11th, so now is the time to move slowly, reassess your life and make a solid, accessible plan you can achieve. Forget spontaneity, there's no rush right now, even though Mars is telling you otherwise. With Mercury and Saturn retrograde, there are loose ends to tie up before moving forward.

Galactic Center post from Cosmic Intelligence-Agency

The Moon aligns with the Galactic centre opposite Mercury. Big thoughts, big ideas, big reasons to go beyond the norm, the everyday and local space to align with the great beyond, the bigger picture, the meaning and purpose of all there is, highlighting the polarity of opposites, Gemini and Sagittarius.
The Galactic Centre is the rotational centre of our Milky Way, (@28degrees Sagittarius) our galaxy and remember Mercury is still in shadow zone keeping us in the everyday, the mundane when all we really want is to able to fly free, liberated and explore the great beyond. Take a journey to untangle from the everyday reality if you can today, your mind will be grateful, it needs a holiday and some cosmic coaching.
Recap the Mercury retrograde cycle here, which finishes next week 16th July.... 
http://www.cosmicintelligenceagency.com/2014/05/mercuryretrogradecancerto-gemin/
 

PHOTO CREDIT: 'Countryside Milky Way' by Eric Hines.

"Why I Will NOT See The New Jimi Hendrix Biopic, and I Think We Should All Boycott It" by ERIC DIN

"Why I Will NOT See The New Jimi Hendrix Biopic, and I Think We Should All Boycott It"


Excellent post from a very accomplished Bay Area musician who knows what he's talking about! I completely agree with Eric Din's sentiments that Hendrix was a gentle soul and is misrepresented in this movie. IF it's ever released, I will be boycotting it.

December 2013 Horoscopes

December opens with today's uplifting New Moon in Sagittarius, the wild horse! A New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the planet. Today through Wednesday is a time of new beginnings and to start new behaviors and projects. Sagittarius brings a drive towards independence, optimism and adventure over the next several days. Now is the time to think about goals for 2014, and to begin clearing and purifying your home to make way for the Year of the Horse in February. Next year will be fast paced, and you will want to be ready.

Most of the planets have been hovering in or near Scorpio since late October. November was definitely intense! For December, the next week or two is peaceful but we are hovering on the edge of a big shift. The fiery planet Mars (Drive) enters Libra (it's detriment) from December 7th, 2013 until July 25th, 2014, and Venus (Love) enters her retrograde in Capricorn (Reality) from December 21st to January 31st.  Two very forceful planets enter the arena of love in signs where they don't feel at home.

Mars in Libra is like a soldier in full armor trying to sip tea with elderly ladies in an etiquette class. He's gonna be ill-at-ease :) Our normal drives and ambitions will be tempered by the desire for balance with others. We need to respect other people and honor their needs. It's good for us but can feel limiting at times. One way to deal with this transit is chivalry. Most knights had a code of conduct they followed, some of it brutal of course, but I would focus on the gracious side.

Venus in Capricorn is almost the opposite - a romantic idealist throwing a tea party on the floor of the NY Stock Exchange. Ha! I'm having fun with these analogies :) Venus, with her charm and loving nature is going to feel ill-at-ease in the environment of practicality, ambition and harsh reality. UNLESS of course, we're talking about THIS Venus:

Just try to be more like her. Start planking.

Oh, and to make things slightly more complicated, both Venus and Mars are having retrograde cycles too! This means they will be turning backwards. Retrograde motion often brings out the truth in relationships, and can cause an onslaught of "re" words i.e. renegotiate, reassess, relearn, redo and return. Watch out for the ghosts of boyfriends and girlfriends past returning... 

I'll keep you posted on all this, but basically we're going to be reviewing our relationships and agreements with people over the next few months. Focus on creating BALANCE and negotiating fair, mutual decisions.

Onto the horoscopes! I will look at the position of your ruler. Reading your sun sign is important, but please read the sign that relates to your Rising sign. If you don't know your rising sign (also called the ascendant), you can figure it out on the Free Horoscopes link at astro.com. 

Aries:  The Ram
Your ruler, Mars, and is entering Libra this Sunday, Dec. 7th. Libra is the opposite of your sign. This will shine a giant spotlight on your house of Love and Partnerships - until next July! It could be cathartic, inspiring you to examine your patterns in relationships, guiding you towards a more satisfying future. Meanwhile the Sun is in your House of Travel and Philosophy until Dec. 21, bringing new insights about the meaning of life.

Taurus:   The Bull
Your ruler, Venus (Love), entered Capricorn (Stability) on November 5th, 2013 - bringing a pivotal romantic relationship into your life. This is a fantastic placement for you! Seriously. VERY seriously. Capricorn falls naturally in your House of Romance, so this could be a synchronistic moment in your life. There will be a retrograde period coming up on Dec. 21st and the past could come knocking... not to cause trouble but to be accepted and healed. You will be renewing your attitude about commitment in the coming weeks.

Gemini:  The Twins
Mercury, your ruler, is entering your House of Partnership this Thursday. This will set your mind ablaze with optimism and visions for your important relationships. Don't go so fast that you lose sight of everyone around you, and remember to be tactful this month. This is a great placement for you, and the high point will be the Full Moon in Gemini on Tuesday, Dec. 17th. More on that soon.

Cancer:  The Crab
The Sun, Mercury and Saturn have been crossing the deep ocean of Scorpio the last few weeks. For you this means tremendous focus on Romance and Creativity. Meanwhile, the most beneficial planet of them all, Jupiter, continues showering you with wealth until July 16th, 2014. This transit happens once every 12 years so it's really important to make the most of it. Now is the time to expand your life in any way you choose.

Leo:  The Lion
November was tough with your ruler, the Sun, in Scorpio. You are safe now. The Sun's entrance into Sagittarius on Nov. 21st lightened the mood. You've started enjoying yourself again. Romance and Creativity will be highlighted until December 21st. This Thursday, Mercury (Communication) joins the Sun giving a lot of energy to how you express yourself. And the upcoming Full Moon on Dec. 17th sheds a positive light on your career.

Virgo:  The Virgin
This Thursday the planet Mercury (Communication) will be moving into Sagittarius. This is important because Mercury is your Ruler, and it's joining the Sun in your House of Foundations. This transit heralds a month long focus on your Home and Security. The Sun illuminates and Mercury brings truth and understanding, so it's a great combination.

Libra:  The Scales
Your ruler, Venus, has entered Capricorn and will be there for a loooooong time - until the first week of March 2014. This can spark an interest in becoming financial stable, and dating with a new level of maturity. You might turn your attention to business for awhile. Rest assured you are over supplied with luck for it right now. Libra is a romantic idealistic sign. Capricorn can bring a reality check to your life that can feel harsh, but will be good for you in the long run.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion
The Sun, Saturn, Mercury and the true node have been hanging out in your sign for several weeks bringing insight, super human powers and lots of attention. You've had the drive and discipline to really get things accomplished, which made for a fabulous birthday! And there's more - Jupiter, planet of Luck has been traveling through your House of Romance and Creativity for several months now. This VERY lucky placement will continue through 2014 so make the most of it! 


Sagittarius:  The Archer
Your mood has shifted to Uplifted since the Sun entered your sign on Nov. 21st. Now you will pick up the pace as Mercury enters Sagittarius this Thursday. The messenger planet will deliver a strong dose of vitality to all your ambitions. Meanwhile your ruler, Jupiter, continues his slow turn through the sign of Cancer - your House of Other People's Money. The 8th House also rules Sex and Death. Check out estate sales and get good credit for anything right now! Just don't exceed the bare bones of your finances or there could be a sobering wake up call in your future.

Capricorn:  The Sea Goat

Your social life has kicked into high gear the last few weeks with the Scorpio sun traveling through your House of Friendships. Things have been steamy since June with Jupiter, planet of Luck in your Romance house. Your ruler, Saturn, continues his deep excavation through the sign of Scorpio, and he's only half way through. There will be another year of clearing skeletons from your closet. In the long run he is creating deep opportunities for you to grow, mature and prosper.

 
Aquarius:  The Water Bearer
There’s been a huge positive focus on your career sector the past few weeks with the Scorpio Sun traveling through your 10^th House. On top of that, Venus, the planet of beauty and attraction has begun her journey through the dark corners of your mind. She will be hanging out there and lighting the way until the first week of March. This is a fortunate transit as Venus can help you get out of your own way. Lots of good money aspects happening for the next year too.

 
Pisces:  The Fish
You are a happy fish these days. The planet of Luck, Jupiter, is still hanging out in your Romance and Creativity sector, giving you once in a lifetime opportunities to pursue your dreams. Jupiter expands and brings gold to anything he touches, so let your creativity loose. This will be happening for the next year too! Meanwhile the Sun has been traveling through your House of Perspective the last few weeks, giving you revelations. With the Sun’s entrance into Sagittarius on Nov. 21st, the focus has shifted a positive spotlight to your Career.

Full Moon AND Eclipse in Sagittarius ~ horoscopes

June is the month of eclipses. There are three of them which is unusual, and it's a major turning point for all of us! June 1st was a Solar eclipse, and now we have a Full Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius.
So what does it mean you ask??

Well, a Full Moon is a culmination. It's the full blossoming of events that have arisen over the past two weeks. But what if there is an eclipse at one of these points in time? Or three in a row for pete's sake????

When the World falls under the influence of an eclipse, things are out of the ordinary. It's an uncommon time, and we have rare and insightful experiences. It's like walking around your darkened bedroom with a black light - things show up differently, and we see things in a way we don't normally see them. Some things are brighter and easier to see and some things fall into shadow.

Quite simply, I feel it is a time when we touch the foundations of why we are here on this planet. Each of us gains some new insight or information into the life we are currently leading. This information can come through anything - our family, friends, a situation at work, or a bolt of lightning straight from the heavens into our consciousness. When it's an eclipse, I always pay close attention to what happens that day, because there will be something synchronistic about it.

The Sun has been in Gemini for the past couple of weeks - a time of getting out and talking to people. If you stay inside I bet you'll be organizing your house. Our brains have shifted into high gear for this month. With the Full Moon in Sagittarius, setting goals is highlighted. It's the time to figure out the best course of action for complicated relationships.

Check out the horoscopes below for your Sun sign AND your Rising sign. You can figure out your Rising sign (or Ascendant) here!

Aries:  The Ram 
The Full Moon is lighting up your House of Perspective. Some deep insights regarding your inner self are showing up. It's a great time to set some personal goals! Travel, philosophy and education are also highlighted.




Taurus:   The Bull
Do you owe anyone money? The Sagittarian Moon lights up your House of Other People's Money. New information comes bringing positive movement with debts, loans or real estate.

Gemini:  The Twins 
The Full Moon shines in your House of Partnerships! Deep insights comes to the inner workings of your important relationships. Set some goals for what you can and can't expect from people, and then practice acceptance.

Cancer:  The Crab 
The Full Moon lights up your House of Work and Health, offering some insight into how you meet expenses every month. Watch for a stroke of luck in this arena! In the meantime, get enough sleep, good food and exercise. Back to the basics!

Leo:  The Lion 
The Full Moon shines in your House of Romance! This is very lucky, so I recommend you get out and socialize. if you're unattached you might find a new love this week. Personal insights come through your romantic relationships OR creative endeavors!

Virgo:  The Virgin 
The Lunar Eclipse shines in your Home and places where you spend most of your time. Some insight could come about a new neighborhood you want to move to. The Fourth House also symbolizes the foundation of your being, so some deep personal revelations could appear this week.

Libra:  The Scales 
The Full Moon sends a ray of light to your House of Communication. You'll hear some marvelous information about yourself. Be honest, clear and truthful in negotiations with people this week. This week is about speaking your truth.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion 
The Lunar Eclipse is illuminating your House of Money. Insights about yourself come from things you value. The spotlight is on money and resources so make some time for these in whatever form they take.



Sagittarius:  The Archer 
You are the Moon's special child this week! Go bask in the unearthly light shining in your corner of the sky. Insights will come regarding your appearance and identity. Take stock of your life and take risks because luck is on your side this week!

Capricorn:  The Sea Goat 
The Full Moon shines in your House of Self Undoing. What are some of your negative habits that no longer serve you? What do you need to let go of? This is a hugely positive placement because the eclipse is lighting up your Blind Spot, giving you a unique chance to see things you don't always see.

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer 
The Full Moon in Sagittarius is lighting up your House of Friendships. Personal insights come through your companions. Or Facebook. Stay away from gossip and social intrigue.

Pisces:  The Fish 
The Full Moon Eclipse is shining in your House of Career. Expect a windfall, or some insights into moving forward in your profession. It's a great week to meet with the boss, get a raise, or even research a new career!

New Moon in Sagittarius - setting goals

Thanksgiving 2008......a day to remember gratitude and spend time with friends and family, but today is very significant astrologically too!

• Uranus, the planet of Revolution is turning Direct ~ watch for eruptions, sudden events, breakthroughs in science and tumultuous change and revolution, particularly in the world of computers and the internet. Sadly, I think the attacks in Mumbai might be related to Uranus's station.
• Pluto has moved into Capricorn for the first time in 200 years ~ the economic collapse announced the beginning of this shift. Capricorn is a sign of roots, reality and money, and brings an end to speculation idealism. It's time for hard work and earned income. Also, the last time Pluto was in Capricorn was the birth of our nation; how fabulous that we've elected such an articulate, intelligent and focused new President! Our first African American President!!
  
• It's a New Moon in Sagittarius! Yay! Sagittarius is the sign of the Archer. The archer aims and shoots his arrow. This is the time of year to set some goals. I ran across this great article today by Peter Spellman and thought I'd share it with you:

Turning Your Goals Into Successes

Success is often defined as the progressive realization of a worthwhile goal. I like that. If you are doing the things that are moving you toward the attainment of your goal today, then you are successful even if you are not there yet. It’s the goal that starts the whole journey (another way of saying this is, “the journey is the goal”).

An illuminating study on goal setting sponsored by the Ford Foundation found that:

• 23% of the population has no idea what they want from life and as a result they don’t have much.
• 67% of the population has a general idea of what they want but they don’t have any plans for how to get it;
• Only 10% of the population has specific, well-defined goals, but even then, 7 out of the 10 of those people reach their goals only half the time;
• The top 3%, however, achieved their goals 89% of the time – an .890 batting average!

What accounts for the dramatic difference between that top 3% and the others? Are you ready?: The top 3% wrote down their goals. Are you laughing yet? It can’t be that simple! Or can it?

Dreams and wishes are not goals until they are written as specific end results on paper. In some very real sense, writing them down materializes them. Goals have been described as “dreams with a deadline”. Written, specific goals provide direction and focus to our activities. They become a road map to follow, and the mind tends to follow what’s in front of it.

New band businesses tend to ignore the future consequences of their actions or inaction. Perhaps the most important task during the early days is to tune your attitude. Expect a positive outcome. Thicken your skin. Avoid reading evil motives into every adverse occurrence.

Notes for the Optimist

• Everything takes longer than you expect
• Everything costs more than you expect
• Plan on working hard for your dreams
• Always have a Plan B in your back pocket just in case.

Peter Spellman is Director of Career Development at Berklee College of Music, Boston. This article is from his new book, Plan Your Band!
(2007, Music Business Solutions).