Charlene Lichtenstein

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The Starry Eye Astrologer
Hosted by Charlene Lichtenstein
Special to washingtonpost.com
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001; 6 p.m. EST

What's your sign? 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 6 p.m. EST, "Madame" Lichtenstein, takes your questions on sun signs, lunar influences and all things in the stars.

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, the washingtonpost.com celestial seer, ready to answer your questions and engage everyone in a lively discussion about astrology and the new age. Check out this month’s horoscope on www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope as well as articles on eclipses, void of course moons and Saturn Returns.

Starbite of the week:
Venus, the planet of love, moves into Sagittarius today spreading good vibes and delightful charisma to new areas of our lives. If Venus is transiting your 11th house of friends, you may find that your pals gravitate to you. If Venus is transiting your 4th house of home and family, you may find that love and good cheer fills your household. Where is transiting Venus sitting in your chart today?

And now, what do you have to say? Please remember to include your birthdate time and place for all astrological readings.

Washington, D.C.: Liebe Charlene,
I am hoping you can give me some insight into my grandfather's personality/ways of interacting with others. He lived to be 96 and most people found him quite eccentric - but I only knew him when I was a child and he was great fun to be around. I looked up his chart (do not have time of birth for him) and found that he has a complete absence of fire and earth signs.
20 PIS - Sun
10 AQU - Moon
23 AQU - Merc
19 AQU - Ven
05 AQU - Mars
29 CAN - Jup
18 SCO - Sat
24 SCO - Ura
15 GEM - Nep
10 GEM - Plu

Charlene Lichtenstein: Thank you for all of the planets. I wish I had your grandfathers exact birthdate and time however so I can calculate his ascendant. Without that information I can certainly give you an overview of his planets but can’t tell where those planets map out in his chart wheel - how he reacted to children (5th house) family (4th house) or friends (11th house) etc.

Well sun in pisces people are very sensitive, romantic and intuitive generally speaking. And all those aquarian planets would certainly make him more unorthodox, rebellious, expansive and unique. His communication (mercury), how he expressed his love (venus) and how he acted and reacted (mars) would be very uniquely aquarian. Yet he would have had a great deal of empathy with his pisces sun and the scorpio and cancer planets. Deep feelings and passions expressed in an outrageous manner.

Does that help?

Alexandria, Va.: Hi Charlene,

I lost my job Oct. 16 and haven't had any luck getting a new one though I've sent out nearly one hundred resumes. My birthday is 12/1/74 at 10:00 p.m. Any idea on when things might start to turn around for me? Also, I've pretty much had it with men. Will this change anytime in the future?

Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh dear on both the job and the men. Well let’s see, you have sun in sag, mercury in scorpio, venus in sag, mars in scorpio and possibly leo rising . You have also stepped into the beginning of your Saturn Return. The return is a three year period, generally from 27-30 which is stressful, full of frustration and changes. We desperately want things…. Now! But things either never come or when they do come, it is not what we wanted at all. Read more about it at www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope . However, this 3 year period is a growth phase where Saturn is trying to teach us lessons that we need to succeed. When we learn these lessons, we can go to greater heights than we ever imagined possible. Hopefully we emerge from our return at age 30 stronger, wiser and much more capable of knowing ourselves and what we want in life.

So in answer to your job question – it may take longer than you think and you may have to accept a job for the money for the time being. But use this time to plan, take classes, learn about yourself, learn from your interviews etc etc. It will be an interesting and fruitful journey.

PS Mars is transiting your 7th house of relationships and then enters your 8th house of sex on Dec 9. I see some action in these areas. Also, venus (planet of love) enters your work arena on Dec 27 – good news – so keep plugging and don’t be discouraged.

Aspen Hill, Md.: I have to admit that your insights have been very good and I was hoping you could shed some light on a current situation. My husband, 5/17/51 at about 1 a.m. in Chicago, Ill., is having a difficult situation at work with a particularly untrustworthy employee, and a department head who veers from being unsupportive to antagonistic. I'm hoping there might be some celestial indication that this will resolve itself soon. Any thoughts?

Charlene Lichtenstein: Well thank you!

Your husband has sun (personality) in taurus, mercury (communication) in taurus, venus (love) in cancer and mars (action) in taurus. Possibly pisces rising.

I would say that your husband appears likle a pushover to others - this is the combo of the pisces rising and all that placid Taurus in his chart. Never underestimate a Taurus! They make look pliable but they are immovable and, when they get going, they are absolutely unstoppable - like a rcok falling down a hill crushing everything in its path.

Taureans give a lot of rope to people. They put up with an awful lot of annoyance and never say a word. But once they are angry, watch out!

Your husband currently has transformative and volcanic Pluto transiting his career house so expect big changes here over the next few years. The sun, mercury and venus are also in his 10th house of career indicating good changes and will prove successful. This energy then wanes and moves into friends and social groups by the end of December.

Would like to know the planets of his nemisis. Can you get that for me?

New York: Hi Charlene --

Thanks for doing this chat! Can you tell me what, if anything, the future holds for me and this man I met? My birthday is 11/27/68 in New York at 11:10 p.m. His is 5/15/69 in Dublin, Ireland. (Don't know his time)

Also, I'm thinking about buying some property in the next few weeks. Is this a good time for me to do so? Thanks!

Charlene Lichtenstein: Well let's see:

You have sun (personality) in sag, moon (emotions) in romantic pisces, venus (love) in conservative capricorn. Possibly virgo rising which places pisces on the cusp of your 7th house of relationships.

He has sun in taurus, moon in taurus, venus in aries. He is generally cautious and slow to react, but in love, he sees who he wants and goes after her will great energy and direction! There is no stopping him!

His sun and moon are well aspected to your venus indicating that you two understand each other in love. And his venus is well aspected to your sun. The way he expresses his love meshes well with your general personality.

I sense that you are very comfortable with each other. He may be stubborn and relatively slow moving for you sometimes but you need that stability and you know that too.

Sounds good to me!

Germantown, Md.: Dear Charlene,
I have been waiting for my query to be answered by you since last two weeks and I also got your Saturn study sheet. I wish to get the guidance on my horoscope regarding the ultimate direction of my career. I moved here in USA in July, 01 from my country India and got the job in computer software field. The last five years (since 1995 when I started my career as financial consultants), that was third change in career. My query is "will I be more successful in future in my current job (computers) or in my own business/profession? And also the current effect of Saturn's return in my life & career will be permanent & beneficial or not? My birth particulars are as: Date of birth . June 13, 1972, Time 04.13 AM, India, Latitude 26.14 N Longitude 78.10 E

I hope and wish that this time I will get my query answered. Thank you and best regards.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Thank you for your patience and perseverance! I get many many questions each week and try to answer as many as possible.

I have your birthchart in front of me – I ran it on the computer. You have sun and venus in Gemini, mercury, moon and mars in cancer. Gemini is rising which places Saturn – the return planet of the query – also in Gemini and the sun in the first house of new beginnings. New beginnings are a source of stress for you ( Saturn) although it is always something you strive for (sun). You learn a great deal from meeting new people and exploring new ideas and can go far with the knowledge that you collect. You will go far professionally – the sun and Saturn make excellent aspects to the top of your chart (the 10th house of career). You also have 4 planets sitting in your 2nd house of money so money and possessions are very important to you. You can, through hard work and by channeling all that Saturn stress, live comfortably.

Should you stay in computing? Aquarius on the cusp of the 10th house is new technology, electricity and reaching out to the world – a pretty good fit, I would say. However any other professional that can deliver these attributes will also work well for you.

Ah, but you are still in the middle of your Saturn Return (for those who would like to read more about the stressful challenging Saturn return which hits us for three year stints every 27-28 years, please visit www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope ) You will emerge from the return period in about August 2002 because Saturn seems to be moving a little more slowly in Gemini. Lucky you. But on the bright side, you will emerge stronger, more successful and sure of yourself after the transit.

I hope that helps. Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes.

Washington, D.C.: If a person has a moon and/or ascendent in a sign generally believed to be incompatible with his/her sun sign (a square, for example), does this frequently manifest as incongruous or dysfunctional emotional or personality traits in that individual? I have a Taurus Sun, Leo Ascendant, and Sag moon (4/30/64; 13:14; Phoenix, Ariz.)and often feel strong motivations in seemingly opposite directions, and have been called by friends "a study in contrasts." How can one reconcile the strong and very different needs of associated with key individual components of the horoscope if they are incompatible in combination? And what are the implications, if any, in terms of compatibility with persons of other sun signs or sign combinations?

Charlene Lichtenstein: Interesting question.

First, I would say that your general personality is taurus - steady, stable, slower to react, hard working and very capable. You appear to others (ascendant) to be more leo - dramatic appearance, very confident, expansive and perhaps a bit theatrical. Emotionally, (moon) you are very sagittarian. You are honest in expressing how you feel, you can be more friendly, perhaps less sensitive and very expansive in your feelings. So I don't see this as incongruous.

Your other planets to get a fuller picture - mercury in taurus, venus in gemini, mars in aries. You are a careful thinker and studied communicator. In love you can be very flirtatious, perhaps you have a wandering eye? ANd when you take action, you are powerful and direct!

So there are a great deal of varying characteristics because your planets are in all different signs. That is perhaps why, in different situations that call for different responses (love, career, friends etc) you may have varied reactions.

With relationships I would say that you would do well with someone who you feel gives you freedom and respect (aquarius on the 7th), attracts you mentally (venus in gemini), is very attractive to you (taurus sun) and perhaps someone from a different country (moon in sag).

Send on their birth info when you find someone interesting and I can tell you more.

Hope that helps.

Washington, D.C.: Hello, I am a Libra, born at 11:35 a.m., Oct. 15, 1969, in Wisconsin. I seem to be going through a difficult time -- the end of 2000 and 2001 has brought many crises that I struggle to deal with: death of grandmother and great aunt, illness and death of father (whom I was very close to), depression because of this, anxiety in dealing with work and grad school responsibilities. Are you able to tell me if a new cycle is approaching? Thanks much!

Charlene Lichtenstein: I am so sorry to hear that.
Let's look at your chart - you have sun in libra, moon in sag, mercury in libra, venus in virgo and mars in capricorn. Possibly capricorn rising which places aries on the cusp of your 4th house of family and sag on the cusp of the 12th hosue - spirituality and things that are hidden from us.

You are generally an optimistic and cheerful person (sun in libra), open heart (moon in sag), quick and diplomatic mind. You are steady and loyal in love (venus) and are very careful and conservative in taking action. Your mutable planets (sag and virgo) which also happen to be your emotional planets, have been hit by transformative pluto for the past couple of years. Dramatic, volcanic change whether we want it or not. Pluto changes the landscape in our lives so we look a things differently. Pluto is also transiting your 12th hosue so this change is at a very vulnerable and psychic level. Pluto is there for a while but PLuto makes us stronger so as all these difficulties wend their way through your chart, you will find yourself getting stronger and more able to maneuver the changes.

December should prove to be a much happier time for you as the sun moves into your house of new beginnings on Dec 22nd followed by venus, love. Get out there and mingle - meet new people and expand your social circle. INterview, lanch new ideas. There are great possibilities out there.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how you are doing.

Greenbelt, Md.: What should Cancers expect in the upcoming year? June, 25, 1970, Bronx NYC, 6:20 p.m.

Thanks -- have a good holiday.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Well not just any Cancers - how about just you and your unique birthchart?

you have sun in Cancer, moon in pisces, mercury in gemini, venus in leo and mars in cancer. Your general personality is like a cancer and well as how you react to things - sensitive, careful, thrifty and family/home loving. But when you communicate, you communicate like a gemini - witty, charming and clever. You love (venus) like a leo - big, expansive, generous, like to be the center of attention.

You possibly have cancer rising whihc means that the way you first appear to people, is pretty much how you are in your general peronality. No surprises here!

December has mars entering your travel sector on the 9th. Are you planning a trip? It is an energetic time for you. ALso, if you are in schollo, you may be very busy at that time. The sun enters your relationship sector on the 22nd and venus, planet of love, on the 27th. I see a lovely one to one new years celebration for you if you are in a relationship. If you are still looking, the end of December brings some great possibilities - don't sit at home!

Throught 2002 expect transformations on the job and try to institute a revamping of your health and gneeral diet regime. Keep getting those check-ups too!

Charlotte, N.C.: Submitting early because I never get home in time to catch you. Darn that commuter traffic!!
4:19 a.m., 4/18/70, Charlotte, N.C.
Anyway, this year has been alternately good and bad -- thumbs down on romance and career, thumbs up on more bonding with family. When, if ever, will the romance/career quadrant pick up? I'm so bored with my job that my favorite past time has become "what can I do today to keep from going to work?" And romance, my goodness, romance. ALL the wrong men crossed my path this year. HELP ME OUT Ms. L!

Charlene Lichtenstein: Not so early - we are right in the middle of the show now!

Okay, you have sun in aries, moon in virgo, mercury in taurus, venus in taurus and mars in taurus. Possibly pisces rising which places conservative virgo on the cusp of your 7th house of relationships and cancer on the 5th house cusp of romance. You loooove romance but can be a little, shall we say, sensitive about it. One little mishap and it overturns the romantic apple cart for you. Yet, you have slow and steady venus in taurus so learning to overlook initial bumps in the road may make your path of love a bit easier to navigate. Be more forgiving of foibles. ANd don't be afraid to let your hair down, lose control and just have fun.

What are some of the birthdata of wrong men?

Philadelphia, Pa.: Hi Charlene
I was wondering if you could tell me when I may meet someone special in my life. I was born in Philadelphia on 3/26/71 at 8:06 a.m. Thank you.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Well astrology does not predict the future. It is best used for timing and planning. I can tell you the better times to look. You make your own success - astrology tells you when and where to place your efforts.

You have sun in aries, venus in aquarius and possibly taurus rising which places libra on your 7th hosue of relationships and virgo on your romance sector. Are you a bit distant and less passionate in love? Do you love "people" but may have trouble deciding on one particular person? Remember that partners need love and attention. You can get very caught up in ideas and ideals and may neglect relationships. Try to find attention and energy for them to nurture and strengthen them.

In Decemebr you have many planets transiting your 8th house of deep merging and sexual intimacy. If you are interested in a more physical relationship, the possibilities are good especially early in the month. Mars moves into your 11th hosue of freinds on the 9th indicating that maybe if you ask friends and social groups, they can set you up with possible suitors.

So get out there and look. Ask friends and remember to try to be romantic and cuddly. I see success!

Tucson, Ariz.: Charlene,

I moved to a new city a few months ago, and I'm having trouble meeting people and making friends, even though I'm in college and around people all day. I feel like I don't connect with anyone. Will my social scene start getting brighter soon? I'm starting to feel very lonely. I was born 6/25/78 at 2:20 a.m. in Minnesota.

Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun in cancer, mercury in cancer, venus in leo and mars in virgo. Possibly taurus rising which places pisces on the cusp of your social house (11th).

I see Mars is entering pisces on Dec 9, energizing your social circle. This is a great time to join a club or group of like minded folks. (Do you like geneology? Cancers are very family oriented. Maybe you can join a family finder group?) Pisces on the 11th indicates that you get spiritual nurturing from friends. Maybe you can join a church or temple group? Maybe you would like to get involved in a new age group? (pisces energy is intuitive) The possibilities are endless if you get involved!

Let me know how it goes.

New York, N.Y.: Hi Charlene. Life has been overwhelming me lately... mainly on the job front -- where I can't seem to keep up. I think it's affecting my relationship with my husband and my friends. Any relief in site? Thanks!

Born: April 30, 1969 6:35 p.m. Chicago, Ill.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh dear. Well you have sun in taurus, moon in libra, mercury in taurus, venus in aries and mars in sag. Possibly scorpio rising which places aries on your job sector and leo on your career house.

Sun in taurus folks like to do things slowly, carefully and steadily. They are not good at changign quickly - they like to review and consider. Yet, with mars in sag, you do what needs to be done to balance things in life. But your sag planet is being transited by volcanic Pluto which places dramatic and powerful force against your energies. So no wonder life seems overwhelming.

Well this transit takes a while to pass but guess what? You will learn to maneuver through the changes and pressures. That is the lesson of pluto - it will teach you how to prioritize and naviagate. Not a pleasant task for you but a needed one. The important thing is to not let this pressure imapct your family and friends. December, with mars entering your area of fun and creativity, should be loads of fun and frolic. Enjoy it while it lasts. Next month, mars enters your work arena and you will be ready and raring to attack all projects.

Think prioritize... and change.

Somewhere, USA: Please help! I'm a Leo, birthday: 8/17/73 1-something p.m., New York, N.Y. I seem to have been going through a bad couple of years. Is this the case with all Leos? My professional life has improved, but personal life is still on the rocks. Any insights?

Charlene Lichtenstein: All leos are different - they are all born at different times in different places.

You have sun and mercury in leo, but venus in virgo and mars in taurus. You are generous, theatrical and expansive, but in love you are conservative, helpful and particular. You act deliberately, with great consideration and care. Some may say slowly..... very unlike a leo!

You are also going through your Saturn Return and it sounds like a classic case to me! Read more about it at www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope . The return lasts about 3 years from 27-30 where you feel stressed, frustrated and thwarted in your dreams and goals. But saturn is teaching you powerful lessons so this is a great learning time. You will emerge even more successful at age 30, if you learn Saturn's lessons.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Whew! We have run out of time. Thank you all for your great questions. For those who I couldn't get to tonight, my apologies - please try again next week.

We have a different schedule this December becasue of all of the holidays. The next two shows will be on Monday nights at 6p - the 10th and the 17th - and then, on Christmas week, I will be here THURSDAY December 27th ready to gaze into all 2002 questions! Get ready! All times are at 6p. And January 2002 - all WEDNESDAY nights at 6p.

Looking forward to seeing all of you on the next Starry Eyes. Happy stargazing!

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