Charlene Lichtenstein

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The Starry Eye Astrologer
Hosted by Charlene Lichtenstein
Special to washingtonpost.com
Monday, Mar. 26, 2001; 7 p.m. EST

What is your horoscope? Do you want to know what the planets and heavenly bodies have aligned this year -- in your career, in romance or surprises in your daily life? Tonight at 7 p.m. EST, "Madam" Lichtenstein, will take your questions on sun signs, lunar influences and all things in the stars.

Madam Lichtenstein's skills run in the family. Her great aunt, Etta Weimar, was the famous Romanian card reader to both kings and queens. A native of New York City, Lichtenstein was educated in Europe where she pursued the study of tarot and astrology. She returned to New York in 1974 and has lived in Greenwich Village ever since, dispensing advice whether requested or not.

Lichtenstein's monthly and weekly astrology columns are carried in newspapers across the country. When not writing or working on her Web site, AccessNewAge.com/zscope, Lichtenstein offers private consultation. She is a member of the National Council of Geocosmic Research and often lectures on both astrology and tarot.

Wondering how Mercury in retrograde affects your day-to-day life? What eclipses means for you and your loved ones? How to get in touch with your rising sign?

Below is a transcript.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Welcome to Starry Eye Astrology. I’m Charlene Lichtenstein, your online celestial seer, ready to answer your questions and engage everyone in a no holds barred discussion about astrology and the new age. Check out April’s horoscope on www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope as well as articles on void of course moons and Saturn Returns.

Starbite of the week:
Kudos to Russell Crowe! But was there any doubt that this pioneering Aries was going to succeed? Russell was born on April 7, 1964 in Wellington, New Zealand. He not only has sun in Aries (forthright, pioneering, aggressive and domineering personality), he also has moon in Aquarius (expansive and unorthodox emotionally), mercury in Taurus (careful, plodding thinker and communicator), venus in Gemini (charming, fickle and needs intellectual compatibility in love) and Mars in Aries (there is no stopping him once he sets his sights on what he wants – the great conquerer). He has volcanic Pluto in Virgo which is currently being squared by transiting Pluto in Sagittarius – great monumental changes. Life will not be the same. How true!

And now let’s see some of your terrific questions.

Farragut Square Park, DC: Thanks much for continuing to do these!!

I've tried posting a question a few times over the last couple months' worth of chats, so I'll try to keep it to a generic request regarding what trends appear in my chart for the remainder of the year (when I will thankfully be able to bid farewell to the heavy-handed old Saturn taskmaster, but not to the lessons, of course!). I was born 11/2/71 in Suffern, NY, at approximately 6:30 AM. What's in the "cards" (though it's not quite the medium in question)? Thanks again.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Thank you for your patience.
So let's see, you have Sun in Scorpio (generally an intense and passionate personality), mercury in scorpio ( a strategic and calculating thinker and communicator), venus in scorpio (passionate and intense in love), mars in aquarius (somewhat passive aggressive when you fight). Probably scorpio rising which places many personal planets in your first house of new beginnings and first impressions – an important area for you.

Your natal Saturn is 4 degrees in Gemini. Transiting Saturn is currently about 27 degrees in Taurus and will reach four degrees of Gemini in April so the greatest impact is about to dissipate once Saturn passes over 5-6 degrees of Gemini in June. Use the summer to survey the landscape, review your lessons and take a big step forward in your life plans. Things may begin to come into focus and fall into place at that time.

Expect some brightness in your relationship house in April as the sun enters taurus - it will not only transit your 7th houseof marriage but make great aspects to all your scorpio planets. Don't sit and wait for it to happen - go out and make your good fortune!

Washington, D.C.: Charlene,

I was hoping to get a read on whether marriage or a child were in my future this year.

I was born Nov. 7, 1960, which makes me a Scorpio, at around 3 a.m.

Charlene Lichtenstein: You can achieve anything you want by going out there and making it happen. Astrology does not predict "if" it tells you when is the best time to act on it.

So, let's check your planets -
You have sun in scorpio, mercury in scorpio (retrograde...), venus in sagittarius and mars in cancer. Possibly Virgo or Libra rising.

You are generally an intense and passionate person who surprises people when you are in love becasue you do not act in love like a typical scorpio. Venus in sag is very easygoing, friendly and honest and maybe not too graceful. Scorpios are very self contained and close to the vest. Venus in sag is not. So maybe you surprise people who expect you to be the same passionate and intense scorpio when you are in love. You throw them a curve ball!

April is a good month for sexual pursuits as MArch was good for seeking a reltionship (it's not too late!). The SUn is entering taurus on the 21st of APril and it will enter the sector of your chart devoted to deep personal merging. It makes a great aspect to your scorpio planets too.

Expect transformations in your family situation as Pluto travels through Sagittarius and over your sector of home and family. This will go on for a few years. There will be extra energy there as Mars travels through Sag for the next couple of months.

This means take action now for anything that you truly desire. Good luck!

Washington, D.C.: I was born on August 21st, 1958, at 8:10 pm
in Bay Ridge, Booklyn, NYC. What can you tell me about my horoscope?

Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun in leo, moon in scorpio, mercury in virgo, venus in leo and mars in taurus. Possibly pisces rising whch places transiting Pluto right at the top of your chart.

Are you experiencing dramatic changes in your career or your mission in life now? Is your stanfing in the community changing? Are you shifting directing? That is the impact of transforming volcanic Pluto in your chart now.

You are a very proud and gracious person and even more so in love. But you love an audience and greatly desire appreciation. Be careful of being taken advantage of when people use your good nature and only feed you compliments. You are a hard and persevering worker and can achieve great things once you get going.

April brings a chocie between home and career. How much time does each require? Compromise is in the air.

Portland, Oregon: Dear Charlene,

Hello, thanks for the great show! This is Saturn Return question. Here are the stats... My Saturn is in Taurus. (I just turned 31, and am welcoming the end of the retrograde in Taurus. It has been a really tough run. Things picked up a little last summer, and then dipped right on schedule with the retrograde.) My boyfriend's Saturn is in Gemini, and he'll turn 30 in October. Doesn't this mean he's just starting his Saturn return? Doesn't Saturn have to completely transit Gemini before he's free and clear of the return? Basically my question is what perameters define the return? Age, i.e. strictly 27 - 30? Sign? Thanks for your clarification!

p.s. On the flip side, for those worried about the return, a friend who just turned 28 is doing incredibly well... raise at work, positive notice from the bosses, good personal relationships... things seem smoother and more upbeat than ever in her life.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Thanks! And I love Saturn Return questions.

Saturn Reurns usually end around age 30 - more or less. It has to do with the degree of the planet. (Planets travel through 30 degrees of each sign). So if your boyfriend's Saturn is 4 or 5 degrees in Saturn, after the planet reaches 6-7 degrees, the impact dissipates. If you can tell me his birhtdate, I can see what degree of Saturn we are talking about - but make no mistake about it - he is finishing up his Return.

Thanks for your reference to your friend who is going through an easy SR. That happens too to some people. I suppose it's karma. Perhaps she is better at handling change and processing stress than the rest of us.

Northeastern US: I am an Aquarian and (in Chinese Astrology) a Fire Horse, two extremely strong signs, especially for a woman. I'm wondering if the different types of astrology work together harmoniously, if they should be respected separately, or if they conflict with one another.

Charlene Lichtenstein: I am not an expert on Chinese astrology but oftentimes the two sign categories match fairly well on a basic level. In fact, an Aquarian sun sign shows independence, an open happy and friendly nature, just like the Horse.

In western astrology, we like to look at the entire chart - all the planets - and can get a very nuanced analysis of a personality. I'm sure there is a comparable type of analysis in Chinese astrology but I haven't seen it firsthand.

Rockville, Md.: I was born 3/10/55, in Fort Worth, TX, at 1:59PM. Any thoughts about what the rest of the year might hold?

Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun in pisces, moon in libra, mercury in aquarius, venus in aquarius and mars in taurus.

You are the most unlikely pisces! Pisces tend to be romantic, dreamy and somewhat naive but with all that air in your emotional planets - moon and venus - you are probably not all that romantic and more intellectual than cuddly. Does that sound right? And with mars in tenacious taurus, you don't give up easily like most pisces.

With cancer rising, you give the appearance of being a sensitive pushover but that is just not the case.

The next couple of months should bring an emphasis on career and work - mars is transiting your house of work and health and the clorious sun is currently highlighting career prospects. It moves on APril 21st into taurus and shifts emphasis on friendships. You may have some hidden problems burst on the scene in mid-April as Saturn moves into your 12th house. There will be karmic issues that you will have to deal with. Good - it will lead you to happier times.

Lakeside: Esteemed Madame,

Is there any hope for a weary soul on an extended job search? I have been holding up well (till now) and aggressively pursuing my dream position (as well as some which aren't quite as dreamy) but my spirit is beginning to flag. Can you offer me any astrological insight? Is there hope on the horizon?

Vital statistics: born 7/12/58, 10:03 pm, North America. M.

Thanks, your devoted reader from the Midwest.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Well let's see.
You have sun in cancer, mercury n leo, venus in gemini and mars in aries. Probably pisces rising which places Sagittarius on the cusp of your career house. No wonder... you have transiting Pluto - the planet of volcanic change and transformation hovering over your career house. It will be there for a few years but it is currently retrograde which can cause stress and frustration. It goes direct in mid-August but luckily, mars too is transiting your 10th hosue giving you extra oomph when and where you need it during these frustrating times.

Mars will continue in sag until September and during this time it will put out energy that needs to be carefully directed by you. And did you know that the sun is transiting your house of money now until APril 21st? That is good news and can improve finances for you.

So don't let your enthusiasm flag. There is alot of action going on career-wise but you must be careful of not squandering the energy - direct it carefully.

Washington, D.C.: Hi, I was born on Aug. 19, 1971, at 5:30 pm in London, UK. I've been going through a tough period. Do you see any improvement ahead soon?

Thanks. Love your show.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh I can't resist a Saturn Return question. Yes, you are in the middle of your Saturn Return - a three year period of change, stress and frustration. You want changes... now! but they either don't happen, don't happen the way you wish or are not worth it once you get it.

The return period usually extends from ages 27-30. After the age of 30, things begin to fall into place - if you have learned your lessons that Saturn has been trying to teach you for the 3 prior years.

You have Saturnin four degrees of gemini so the end is near for you return. By June you should be seeing some beneficial impacts.
Hope that helps!

Jersey Girl: Madam,
I was born 2/4/66, 5:19pm at George Wash Univ Hosp. in DC; there are an awful lot of things up in the air for me right now--not necessarily all bad, but I'm wondering what my chart is showing for the rest of '01! I've never had my chart done, but I find the "general" Aquarius horoscopes to be frighteningly on target lately, so now I'm wondering about specifics!
Can you help?!? I'd be so very grateful.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Let's see why sun sign aquariius readings are hitting the mark for you now. Aha! You have sun, mercury and venus in aquarius. Lots of aquarius in your chart. You also have moon in cancer and mars in pisces so lots of your (possibly) superficial air is nicely humanized by your expressive moon and your energetic mars.

You possibly have leo rising which probably places all those aquarian planets in your house of relationships. Relationships are important to you. Are you reading predictions on relationships? I would also read Leo (your rising sign) for further clarification from the columns.

Well in APril, the sun will be entering your house of career on the 21st so expect a boost there. Saturn, the planet of challenges enters your house of friends - there may be some issues to work out but it will make the bonds stronger in the long run.

Hope that helps.

Texas Gal: I am a scorpio w/libra rising born in Arizona on 11/09/76 at 3:53 a.m. I am moving this fall to attend law school, probably back to Arizona. Do you see this as a good career choice and move for me? I am very interested in your views about it.

Charlene Lichtenstein: With libra rising, you have gemini on the cusp of your 9th house - the house of law and higher education. Gemini is well placed there because it is an intellectual sign that can argue well and see many interesting sides to an issue.

Lucky Jupiter is now sitting in your house of the law indicating expansion and good luck. Studious Saturn is about to enter that house in your chart on April 21st which indicates hard work for the next couple of years(law school? yes.) and success. SOunds like an excellent time and move to me.

Washington D.C.: I (Scorpio 1972)have recently started dating someone (Cancer 1965). We love each other and are both interested if seeing if marriage is in our future. Unfortunately, I have to move for a job this summer. Any hope for our prospects? Thank you.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Can you send me your exact birthdates? I want to see what the planet placements were on the exact dates for you and your partner.

Alexandria, Va.: My daughter is a Libra-- born October 13, 1969 (Monday) at 1:30am. She recently started dating a young man who is a Gemini. Can you tell me if he's the ONE?

Charlene Lichtenstein: Do you have this gemini's exact birthdate. I would want to see where their venuses are (how they express love) and their moon signs (how they express their emotions in general. ALso, if you can get me his birth time, I can see what is on the cusp of his 7th house of relationships.

Your daughter has sun in libra which makes her charming and diplomatic. She has moon in sensitive and loving cancer and venus in passionate and intense scorpio. For an airy and easygoing libra, she is pretty intense in love!

Let's learn more about this gemini fellow of hers. I need more information.

Paris, France: Born 25 August, 1952 in Utrecht, Holland.
When, if ever, am I going to meet a wonderful man I'll spend the rest of my life with? Thank you!!

Charlene Lichtenstein: Anything is possible! You have to go and get it - use astrology for the timing of it all.

You have sun in virgo, moon (emotions) in libra and venus (love) in virgo. Virgos have very high standards and with your venus in virgo as well as your sun, you have very high standards in love. Moon in Libra may also gravitate to physically beautiful people. Remember - we are all human and no one is perfect.

Transiting Pluto is currently traveling through Sagittarius which is squaring your virgo planets. Expect some changes and upheavels there. But this is good - sometimes you have to shake up the pot in order to break old habits. I suspect you will have a new outlook on love over the next couple of years.

If I had your birthtime, I could see what is happening over your house of relationships.

Arlington, Va.: Dear Madam Lichtenstein:

I submitted a similar question last week, but hoping this time I'll luck out. Understandable that you get so many questions.

I'm an Aquarius, born 2/18/75 (12:51AM) in northcentral PA. I've been having a tough time for the past few weeks, with a promotion (more work, meager money), family issues, issues with a guy (maybe friends/maybe not), getting into an accident, and just stress in general.

I'm having problems getting in sync with what is going on. Can you offer advice for this struggling one? How can Aquarians relieve or moderate stress? Thank you so much!!!

(Have to submit early so that I can still work at 7PM!)

Charlene Lichtenstein: I'll try and squeeze this in.

You have sun in aquarius, moon in taurus, mercury in aquarius, venus in pisces and mars in capricorn. Probably scorpio rising.

April, with the sun entering taurus and saturn entering gemini both on the 21st should bring some relief in partnerships. Money should be jittery with retro Pluto in that hosue for a while, but active mars will help temper any catastrophies. Put money to good use and first do extensive homework on any investment strategy.

Aquarians are air signs so they may have trouble relaxing. Relaxing for them is taking up some cause and meeting loads of unique and unorthodox people or some interesting book that spurs their mind.

You may want to check www.AccessNewAge.com in their aromatherapy catalogue. They have matched aromatherapy scents to each sign to help each sign reduce stress in its own unique way.

Hope that helps.

Charlene Lichtenstein: We have run out of time. Thank you all for your wonderful questions. For those who I could not get to tonight, please try again next Monday at 7pm. I will be waiting!

Until next Monday, and every Monday at 7pm Washington DC time, happy stargazing!

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