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The Starry Eye Astrologer
Hosted by Charlene Lichtenstein
Special to washingtonpost.com
Monday, Jan. 14, 2002; 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? Wednesdays 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. Im 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 months horoscope on www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope as well as articles on eclipses, void of course moons and Saturn Returns.
Starbite of the week:
The thwarted shoe bomber, Richard Reid was born on August 12, 1973 in Farnborough, England. I have not been able to locate a time of birth but we can examine some of his planetary placements. Reid has sun in Leo, mercury in Leo, venus in Virgo and mars in Aries. Generally speaking, Reid seeks approval and adoration (sun in Leo), can think expansively but may be prone to false flattery (mercury in Leo) and tends to act rashly and directly (mars in Aries) sometimes forging ahead with little consideration of the consequences. His venus in Virgo makes him particular in love and loyal. I cant help noticing that Reid is also in his Saturn Return that 3 year period between ages 27 and 30 of change, stress and Saturn-like life lessons. Talk about life lessons!
And now lets get to all of your great questions. Please remember to include your birthdate, time and place of all astrological requests.
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Wondering what the general prognosis is for me for 2002. I am a Scorpio man (11/20/57) with Libra ascendant (4:12 a.m. on birthdate in Chicago, Ill.). Please inform me if there is any further information that can be obtained beyond generalities. Thanks.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Ha ha! I wonder how detailed I can be in my two minute response. Well, I'll just have to try my best...
You have sun and moon in scorpio which makes for an intense personality (sun) and a passionate emotional nature. You also have Mercury in sagittarius - you are honest and forthright in your communication and universal in your perspective. Venus, the planet of love in capricorn - an area that you may feel less confident about. You can be very conservative in love and may not easily declare your deepest feelings for another until you are absolutely sure - you do not wear your heart on your sleeve. Mars (action) in scorpio - you are calculating and strategic. A formidable foe. Possibly libra rising.
In Feb 02, expect a great deal of energy emanating from the arts, creative pursuits, romance or young people. There may be some miscommunication here as Mercury retrogrades through this sector of your chart.
Career pursuits will still slog along while Saturn is retrograde. Things will clear in March so be patient. Lots of energy in relationships - if you are looking, get out and look!
So how is that?
Arlington, Va.:
Hi Charlene,
I was born March 7, 1959 at 6 a.m. in Washington, D.C. My husband was born January 30, 1954 at around Noon in Annapolis, Md. We have been married for 10 years. We have had problems (his affairs and drinking) and we are trying to work them out. He has cleaned up his act, but I am still unhappy with the absence of romance or intimacy in the marriage. What do the stars say about the future of this relationship?
Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun in pisces, moon in aquarius, mercury and venus in aries and mars in gemini. Possibly pisces rising which places virgo on the 7th house of marriage.
Your general personality (sun) is romantic, soft, dreamy, a pushover and creative. Yet, in love you can be remarkably strong and pioneering (venus in aries).
He has sun, mercury and venus in aquairus, moon in sag and mars in scorpio. Possibly taurus rising which places scorpio on his 7th house cusp.
He is very cool with all that Aquarius and whle your venus signs are compatible - aries and aquarius, there is obviously a need for youwith your pisces sun, to have more touchy feely betweent he two of you. He has no personal planets in water or earth which are the cuddly signs so unless you can find a way to find his hidden warmth, what you see is what you get. ANd, I might point out, your only water (or earth) personal planet is your sun, which is very important, but your love planets are fire and air - actually a good match to him. By the way, pisces are attracted to co-dependent relationships....
The stars say you have to make up your own mind (astrology tells you what the lay of the land is like - you still have to choose the path). I would say if your solar needs are as strong as you seem to imply, you will have to find your romance elsewhere. But, now that you know the lay of the land, why not try to navigate through it and see if you can get what you need here?
Silver Spring, Md.:
Hi there,
I've never posted but am excited to find out anything you can tell me. I was born in Cairo, Egypt at around 11am on Sunday, June 18, 1972. Thanks!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Welcome!
You have sun (general personality) in gemini, moon (how you express your emotions) in virgo, mercury (how you communicate) in cancer, venus (how you express love) in gemini, mars (how youreact and fight) in cancer. I have rising sign charts for the eastern time zone which places your rising sign at leo/virgo.
Generally speaking, you are a charming a witty person who is attracted to people who are intellectually stimulating (sun and venus). You can be very emotional when you decide to take action and communicate deeply held beliefs. (Cancer mercury and mars)
Feb 02 sees activity on the job - be sure you get clear directions before you start a project - there could be some miscommunication because of retro mercury in that area of your chart. Relationships become more prominent later in February as the sun enters your 7th house. If you are looking for a partner, this is an excellent time to look.
DOes this help?
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
I asked this question last week and it came in too late. You asked me to send it again and to remind you. So if you have time this week. Here's the question:
I have been depressed, very depressed for a period of about 3 years now. I have sought medical attention. I am just very sad and lonely most of the time. I am just wondering if there is any hope in sight or should I just give up. Date of birth is 3-10-70, 12:30p.m., Belleville, NJ. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Don't give up. Astrology is all trends - planets transit and give us a zetz and then they move on. You say three years of depression - did it kick in anytime between ages 27-30? That is the Saturn Return phase where we feel extra frustrated and stressed out. We want thing sthat we cannot get or, if we do get them, it is not what we wanted after all. Read more about the return phase at www.AccessNewAge.com/Zscope for more insights. What we don't learn during our return comes back to us again and again so that we are given more chances to get it right..
You have sun in pisces, moon in aries, mercury in pisces, venus in pisces, and mars in taurus. With all that soft pisces energy, you may naturally be a spiritual old soul who may feel depressed because they are in extra tune with their environment. You feel deeply. Adding to this transforming pluto which is currently transiting sagittarius and squaring all your pisces planets making the ground shake underneath you. Not an easy time. But a time that will pass as Pluto's degrees wane past your planets.
You may have gemini rising so pluto is also opposing your rising sign, and hovering over your relationship house. No wonder! Well it will take a while but this whole debilitating phase will wane and you will be in a very different place. PLuto brings change where change is needed - change that we are afraid to do for ourselves. Trust in the planets - they are taking you to new levels and you will emerge more in control and more confident when the transit finishes.
I hope that helps.
Baltimore, Md.:
Maria: 8/23/51 4 a.m., Mike: 5/12/53. We have strong disagreements, however we love each other, we resolve them, but he is most dominant. He's not quite as demonstrative with affection as I am. What is a good approach to affect change and to have balance? We've only been together two months, haven't had much time with each other due to his family responsibilities. But we hit it off really strong in the beginning. I want him in my life. What do you think?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Okay, You have sun in leo, moon in taurus, mercury and venus in virgo, mars in leo. Possibly cancer rising which places capricorn on the cusp of your 7th hosue of partnerships. You are a bit no nonsnese in love with that virgo energy but are also loyal and loving.
He has sun, moon and mercury in steadfast taurus - very stubborn too! Venus in aries - yeah talk about dominant in love! ANd mars in gemini which can make him argumentative.
Your venus is in sync with his sun - his general personality connects with how you express love. His venus is compatible with your sun - same thing.
A secret for dealing with those venus in aries types - let them take charge and let them think they have the final say. (ahem) Also, Taureans are very stubborn but can be cajoled with a wonderful meal and great wine in a comfortable home environment. They are also very sensual.
Just a thought.
Chicago, Ill.:
Okay, I know this makes me sound like a moron, but WHAT'S MY SIGN? My birthday is October 23, and half the astrology charts and horoscopes I consult claim that I'm Scorpio, and the other half tell me I'm Libra. So first of all, which am I, and second of all, why the confusion?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Not a moron at all - just an astrological beginner and we were all that at one time.
A question for you - what year were you born? You see, the sun changes signs mid-month every month but on different days depending on the year. Resubmit with your original question and I will look it up for you.
Portland, Ore.:
Good Evening,
I am submitting early due to work conflicts. Can you please shed some light on what sun sign I am? DOB 4/20/70 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Am I an Aires or Taurus? What do the stars hold for me?
Thanks.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Your question just popped up so good timing!
You are 29 degrees Aries (the last degree of Aries before it moves into Taurus). You also have moon in libra, mercury in taurus, venus in taurus and mars in gemini. Possibly taurus rising so you may surprise people - when they first meet you they think you are a taurus but as they get to know the real you (your sun sign) they see that aries energy!
In love you are loyal sensuous and can fall into a rut if you are not careful! You fight with words (mars in gemini) and can be very convincing in an argument.
Feb 02 brings a great deal of activity in career. Retro mercury may screw up some communication there so be sure you get the messages clearly and act very slowly, at least until mid-month. Money may be problematic until saturn redirects on Feb 8. Then you can put into action what you have learned from all those lean times.
Hows that?
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Charlene,
I entered the world on January 11, 1976 at 2:31 AM in Chicago, Ill.
I'm a late bloomer and can't seem to find a path to follow. I don't know my talents or what I might be good at. I love the fine arts and music. I would love to compose music and sing, design clothes, dance and write. However I don't seem to have natural talent in those areas. Some people discover their talents at a very young age and are pros at it by the time they're my age. I'm still wandering and bouncing around trying to find myself.
I've noticed that I'm competitive and suddenly feel the need to get going and catch up.
What are my strengths and weaknesses? Do you have any idea what my talents might be? Are the creative and performing arts the way for me?
Also, what should I be focusing on this year?
People tell me I'm a leader and business savvy. Very intuitive and brilliant. Sure I am but what good are those skills if I don't know where to apply them?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Well let's check your planets and then see what is happening on the cusp of your 10th house of career.
You have sun in capricorn, moon in taurus, mercury in aquarius, venus in sag and mars in gemini. Possibly scorpio rising.
Capricorns tend to have difficult beginnings and excellent endings . They are the "late bloomers" of the zodiac but once they get going, stand aside!! They lack self confidence and may be given more than their fair share of hard knocks but they learn from experience and can build an empire on their knowledge. So there!
With mercury in aquarius you are an unorthodox thinker who can see things globally. Venus in sag is honest, happy and platonic in expressing love. Mars in gemini gets things done through words and other forms of communication.
Leo is on the cusp of your 10th house of career. The arts, especially theater is a great outlet for you. Or anything that enables you to be surrounded by fans, that builds your confidence and gives you the opportunity to shine. Maybe that is the theater, maybe its sales, maybe its teaching, but you need an audience - not some dreary grey cubicle.
Hey, you know what else? Saturn the planet of problems and lack of self confidence is in your 10th house too. I bet that as you get into ages 27-30 you will struggle - and emerge victorious - in your career path. Read up on the Saturn Return at www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope and let's continue the discussion next week.
Charleston, S.C.:
My natal Moon in the 12th house is at 15 degrees Sagitarius (birth time 9 pm - 5/13/49 Los Angeles, Calif.). Of course there have been lots of upheavals in the emotional area of my life these past couple years. Pluto's transit (oppposing Saturn) has been methodically relentless. Is this aspect considered life-changing on an emotional level? Although much has been worked through, I'm still find myself emotionally involved in an ongoing long distance (20 year) relationship with a woman which appears never to reach resolution. I have been struggling to put this behind me. I would imagine the lessons of a Pluto's transit on ones natal Moon can be profound and far reaching. However I'm wondering it is Saturn's influence that can finally lay to rest the status quo of an unresolved relationship? -James
Charlene Lichtenstein: A good question.
My opinion is that the moon is a very changeble planet - it does change signs every couple of days. SO transits to the moon are less life altering than, let's say, natal Saturn or Pluto or even the Sun.
That being said, you have mercury and uranus in gemini which may also be hit by that transiting pluto. (Not sure of the degrees) so you are getting a zap on several levels. WHere are those planets in your chart?
Saturn is certainly the teacher of the zodiac and maybe that emotional hit (moon to pluto) will put soemthings to rest.
What is your girlfriend's birth data? What is she going through?
Reston, Va.:
Hi,
My son is coming up on his first birthday. I thought it would be interesting to see what his chart says about him: born in Reston, VA on Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 11am. thanks a lot for your time and effort.
Charlene Lichtenstein: As you know, I am not a fan of delving deeply into a child's chart - we want them to blossum on their own and not push them in any direction.
But astrology can be useful to see where he may feel less confident and may need some extra encouragment or understanding.
He has sun and moon in pisces, mercury in aquarius, venus in aries and mars in sag. He will have deep attachments to people and be creative and spiritual. He may be very universal in his thoughts and honest and generous in his actions.
He may possibly have taurus rising and has saturn in taurus which can make him shy and appear less confident in meeting new people or doing new things. Encourage him to carry himself proudly and confidently.
DOes that help?
Billings, Mont.:
Born: 11-10-66 at 20:49
46N55 98W42
Question or guidance: I've had many jobs, nothing like a calling that I've hoped for but pretty much good at anything. Career direction?
Follow up if allowed: Life purpose?
Thanks!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Well you have sun in scorpio, mercury in sag, mars in virgo. Possibly gemini rising which places pisces on the top of your chart in the 10th house of career.
Well I would say that you need something more spiritual, something where you feel that you can give something back to the world, help people and perhaps do something creative or religious. You need to be around people too or you will feel depressed. You need to feel useful and are dependent on the input of others.
The ruler of your 10th hosue cusp, neptune, is located in your 4th hosue of home and family. SO how about some work with families or help build homes if you are in construction.
WHat is your education in? Perhaps we can help narrow it down. But I would say that whatever you decide, yor path will need the above attributes for you to be satisfied.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh my! We stillhave so many great questions left in the queue and no more time! I am sorry to all of those who I couldn't get to tonight but please try try again next week. Thank you all for your great and spirited questions!
My next Starry Eye show is TUESDAY the 22nd (because of the holiday on Monday) at 6pm.
So until next Tuesday at 6p, happy stargazing!
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