Cosmos and Cocktails: Pop-up Astrology Sessions in NOLA

What do the stars have in store for you for the second half of 2012? The most intense astrology of our lifetimes starts this June, so it’s time to find out what’s going on in YOUR chart. It’s not the end of the world – but you’ll need guidance for the brilliant, powerful new beginning right around the corner.

Join the Saturn Sisters (Stefanie Iris Weiss & Sherene Schostak) and Stephanie Gailing (of Planetary Apothecary) for cocktails at the LOA lounge on Friday, May 25th between 5:30 and 7:30 pm.

Our stellar meet-and-greet over lovely LOA libations will mix general astrological guidance with mini-chart readings (available by appointment on our websites). Come with your questions, and we’ll be there for some mind-expanding celestial chat!

About Us:

The Saturn Sisters tell it like it is. Elle UK resident astrologers Stefanie Iris Weiss and Sherene Schostak are not your typical, crusty, cosmic advisors — they provide down-to-earth advice that you can use in the real world. When it comes to dating, breaking up, breaking down, and putting yourself back together again, the Saturn Sisters have been there and done that, and want to share their wisdom with you. Forget what you know about astrology and get to know the Saturn Sisters, the authors of Surviving Saturn’s Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life (McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books) and Fate of Your Date (Chronicle Books). Bust Magazine told its readers to “let Weiss and Schostak crack their can of sweet zodiac whoop-ass on your Cosmo’s Bedside Astrologer.” Take it from the Sisters’ readers and clients — you’ll be ever so glad you did. Learn more: www.saturnsisters.com.  Our daily, monthly, and yearly horoscopes: http://www.elleuk.com/horoscopes

Stephanie Gailing combines her knack for astrological insights with her background as a nutrition/wellness consultant, guiding clients towards self-awareness, personal empowerment, and optimal well-being. She’s the author of Planetary Apothecary: An Astrological Approach to Health and Wellness (Crossing Press). Her daily blog, Planetary Apothecary, and Elixir newsletters provide readers with wellness suggestions and a periscope into living life in sync with the natural cycles. Very involved in her professional communities, Stephanie is the President of the Washington State Astrological Association, on the Editorial Board of the Astrology News Service, and a founding member of Canning Across America.

Astro-Atlas*
2:40 pm: Moon (Aries) sextile Venus (Gemini)
2:44 pm: Moon (Aries) opposite Saturn (Libra)
2:44 pm: Moon void-of course
9:17 pm: Pallas Athene enters Aries

* all times are PDT

Also, remember that Venus is now retrograde. During the next six weeks, it’s like we’re taking a crash course in re-evaluating our values, finding out what’s really and truly important to us.

Astro-Atlas*
5:11 am: Moon (Aries) conjunct Uranus (Aries)
9:10 am: Moon (Aries) square Pluto (Capricorn)
9:20 am: Mars (Virgo) trine Pluto (Capricorn)

* all times are PDT

The goddess planet that governs relationships, money, art, beauty and all that we value and to which we are attracted goes retrograde today. While she does this backward dance every year and one-half–a time period when we learn to re-evaluate what it is that we value–this current cycle is going to be quite a profound one.

That’s because during this six-week period of retrograde Venus inspiring re-assessment of what’s really important is rife with a buffet of other powerful planetary shifts and alignments. Before Venus motions direct again on June 27, we experience two Eclipses (May 20 and June 4), Neptune stationing retrograde (also June 4), Jupiter’s entry into Gemini (June 11), the Solstice (June 20), the first of the Uranus/Pluto squares (June 24), and Saturn stationing direct (June 25).

In addition to this wide array of powerful planetary connections, sure to impact our life’s r/evolution, there’s also a very significant event on June 5 that involves Venus herself. This is the Transit of Venus, where as she comes between the Earth and the Sun we will see her shadow cast upon El Sol. The Transit of Venus is profound in that this paired event (the last one happened on June 8 2004) occurs every 121 years. So, these are truly once in a lifetime events.

I’ll write more about the Transit of Venus in the coming weeks, but will note here a few things. The Transit of Venus certainly brings to our attention the archetype of Venus–the feminine and her mystique that lives within all of us. Within that we not only are reminded of her bright side but also her shadow, the part of us where we don’t consciously embrace healthy relationships and a true value of our personal beauty and therefore cast it out. So this is a time when we can fully see all facets of the feminine, of love and beauty, so that we can embrace it in ourselves and in others.

The Transit of Venus occurs at 16 Gemini. While everyone will experience it, if you have planets or points around that degree of Gemini–or the other mutable planets of Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces–you may feel it more intensely.

Given that Venus retrogrades in Gemini, and Gemini is the sign of communication and the wordsmith, I’m feeling the urge to write a lot about this event and this time. I will do so more in later posts. In the meanwhile, to learn more about Venus retrograde, read this post I wrote on the subject.

Astro-Atlas*
2:09 am: Moon (Pisces) sextile Jupiter (Taurus)
2:54 am: Moon (Pisces) square Venus (Gemini)
4:59 am: Moon (Pisces) sextile Sun (Taurus)
4:59 am: Moon void-of-course
7:33 am: Venus stations retrograde
2:45 pm: Moon enters Aries

* all times are PDT

Astro-Atlas*
1:09 am: Mercury (Taurus) trine Pluto (Capricorn)

* all times are PDT

The Sun unites with expansive Jupiter and life seems filled with great possibility and potential. We can connect into a well of enthusiasm that can motivate us to proceed towards our goals and dreams. And it may seem as if a guardian angel sits on your shoulder providing you with auspicious opportunities to forge your life in a very aligned manner. This may be especially effective if we use our intuition and inherent compassionate nature as allies.

Yet, it’s important to root a sense of possibility with [at least a modicum of] practicality. If  not, we may get swept to sea in a somewhat ungrounded perspective of hope and vision that isn’t cemented in reality. This is especially true given that the Moon is in idealistic Pisces.

That said there’s an aura of magic about the day, where love streams forth and inspirations for making life better abound. And with messenger Mercury harmonizing with assertive Mars today as well, we’ve got gumption in our speech, able to share our ideas readily and gracefully.

If you do any artwork, today can be an incredibly fruitful day, as it can be for spiritual practice.  It’s also a wonderful time to surround yourself with loved ones, and those for whom your expressions of caring can help to touch their hearts.

Astro-Atlas*
4:42 am: Moon enters Pisces
6:24 am: Sun (Taurus) conjunct Jupiter (Taurus)
10:25 am: Moon (Pisces) conjunct Neptune (Pisces)
1:54 pm: Mercury (Taurus) trine Mars (Virgo)
8:48 pm: Moon (Pisces) opposite Mars (Virgo)
9:50 pm: Moon (Pisces) sextile Mercury (Taurus)
10:20 pm: Moon (Pisces) sextile Pluto (Capricorn)

* all times are PDT

With the Sun uniting with Jupiter (exact tomorrow), everything may seem bigger than it really is. That’s not bad, mind you. In fact, it can give you the sense of expansion and optimism that you need to push you forward in pursuit of your goals and dreams.

Astro-Atlas*
2:47 pm: Moon (Aquarius) square Sun (Taurus)
3:40 pm: Moon (Aquarius) square Jupiter (Taurus)
5:13 pm: Moon (Aquarius) trine Venus (Gemini)
5:52 pm: Moon (Aquarius) trine Saturn (Gemini)
11:28 pm: Hygeia enters Pisces

* all times are PDT

Today’s a day to focus on being a global citizen. Whether it be by making outreach to someone from another area of country, or learning about a culture unique from yours, expand your planetary canvas. It will reward you with insights that benefit you as you move through your world, beneficially impacting those with whom you connect in your daily life. It will also help to tend the flames of compassion in your mind and heart, as you realize that we are all more similar than we are different.

Astro-Atlas*
5:12 am: Moon (Aquarius) square Mercury (Taurus)
10:33 am: Moon (Aquarius) sextile Uranus (Aries)
7:22 pm: Mercury (Taurus) conjunct Vesta (Taurus)

* all times are PDT

We’re coming up to Sunday’s Sun/Jupiter conjunction, something to which you’ve likely been already connecting. This planetary union is associated with expanding opportunities affording us experiences that allow us to truly shine.

Astro-Atlas*
5:03 am: Moon (Capricorn) trine Sun (Taurus)
8:57 am: Moon (Capricorn) trine Jupiter (Taurus)
12:11 pm: Moon (Capricorn) square Saturn (Libra)
12:11 pm: Moon void-of-course
3:00 pm: Mercury (Taurus) sextile Neptune (Pisces)
10:03 pm: Moon enters Aquarius

* all times are PDT

Communicative Mercury shifted from catalyzing Aries to practical Taurus yesterday. And with that our processing of information may slow down as we also require material evidence to make judgements, rather than just being inspired by our instincts. Taurus likes to hold on to that which it knows and as such is known for a certain sense of stubbornness. Therefore  you may find yourself or others clinging tightly to their ideas or ways of sharing messages. While there’s something to be said for persistence, just watch that holding on too tightly to a communication routine for the perceived sense of security doesn’t get in your way of full self-expression.

Astro-Atlas*
6:32 am: Moon (Capricorn) square Uranus (Aries)
6:59 am: Moon (Capricorn) trine Mars (Virgo)
10:33 am: Moon (Capricorn) conjunct Pluto (Capricorn)

* all times are PDT