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The Starry Eye Astrologer
Hosted by Charlene Lichtenstein
Special to washingtonpost.com
Monday, April 8, 2002; 6 p.m. EDT
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? Each week, "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. My websites are www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope and www.TheStarryEye.com
Starbite of the week:
I found a copy of the Israel “birth chart” (countries, buildings, corporations and even event have horoscopes, you know…) at www.stariq.com. It has the country’s birthdate as May 14, 1948 at 4:37pm EET in Tel Aviv. Israel has sun in Taurus – persevering, steadfast, loyal, stubborn and sometimes slow to move – but once it gets going it doesn’t stop. Moon in Leo – expressing emotion dramatically. And the moon is the highest planet in the chart – almost on top of the Midheaven. Emotional “public face”. Venus in Cancer – mothering expressions of love – offering the Right of Return to all Jews in the diaspora. Mars, the planet of energy and how to fight, in Leo – again, dramtic and almost theatrical displays. Mars, problematic Saturn, volcanic Pluto and emotionally Moon are all in the 10th house of career/public face. This is a very important area of the chart to Israel and it brings with it problems, dramatic change and a feeling of vulnerability.
Right now, Israel is facing some difficult times and some tough planetary aspects; Transiting Saturn in Gemini is currently making an exact conjunction to natal Mercury in the 8th house (death, deep psychological breakthroughs etc) Thoughts of life and death and the problems surrounding it. Transiting Saturn is currently opposing transiting Pluto (that big opposition that hit during 9/11) It is transiting Israel’s 8th house and the 2nd – things we value. Transiting Mars is easing up on a conjunction with Israel’s Sun and is leading into a difficult square to its Mars – this caused a change or reassessment of life goals and dreams and will now set off explosive results. Thank goodness Mars moves quickly and the situation will cool down in a coupleof weeks.
Next week – Arafat’s birth chart!
And now let’s see what you have to say. Please remember to include your birthdate, time and place of all astrological requests.
Washington, D.C.:
Does one's Saturn return always last three whole years? The idea of this experience lasting more than six months fills me with despair. What do people do other than buy red sportscars during this time (I can neither afford nor want one)? Is my reaction normal, and would it be deriding my spiritual growth to medicate myself through the period? What is a Saturn return anyway?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh dear! Please don't worry about the Saturn Return. It is a time of approximately 3 years (more of less....) every 28 years. It is a learning and growth phase that we NEED to go through so we can more fully realize our potential and dreams.
Some buy red cars at this time, some buy bicycles, some go without. Each one of us faces our return in a different and hghly personal way. Without the return we may go on in our blithe and unproductive ways. With it, we can reach the heights!
Don't medicate - participate!
Please read more about the Saturn Return on my websites. My newly designed pages are located at www.TheStarryEye.com and look under "Zodiascope" on the top of the page.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Charlene. I broke off my engagement about eight months ago. Will I meet someone this year that I will marry? My birthday is July 5, 1963. I was born in Bay Shore, N.Y., at 6:35 a.m. Thanks.
Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun (personality) in cancer, moon (emotions) in sagittarius and venus (love) in gemini.
For a sensitive and moody Cancer, you are pretty devil-may-care in love! You may have cancer rising which means that to others you may appear to be very cancerian - mothering, loving, sensitive and caring. When they get to know you better and, perhaps, fall in love with you, you let them see your flirty, platonic Gemini venus. Youneed a meeting of the minds more than a cuddle, it seems to me.
And with Cancer rising, you may have capricorn on the cusp of your 7th house of marriage. You need to find someone established, perhaps a bit older than you and perhaps someone with money. You will take your time but will marry well.
Try to find someone who is playful and gives you your freedom - a friend, a pal as much as a lover.
As venus moves into your 11th house of friends this APril, you may find love in social organizations or through clubs. What are you waiting for? Get out and meet this month!
Washington, D.C.:
Hi, Charlene! I love your chats, and you have been very helpful to me previously. I have submitted this question before and am hoping that you will have the time to consider it.
Here's where I'm at: LOTS of changes and challenges over the last couple of years, but I have grown a lot and let go of a lot of baggage. In August 2000, started a job that has been intensely challenging, exhausting, and which I really don't like (not because it's challenging, but I just don't like the subject matter). Romantic life has experienced a lot of changes/upheavals, too, with only a modicum of activity over the last year or so.
So, with everything in flux, I decided that I needed to focus on one area and get it settled down. I decided to focus on getting a new job, since I see it as the foundation of everything else (i.e., I don't have the emotional energy for a relationship or to maintain family/friends because the job exhausts me!). I started a job search and have really hunkered down with that at the expense of other things for the moment. Is this astrologically supported -- should I be taking a different tack? I would love to be situated in a new job that I am passionate about by September. I would also like to know if my single-mindedness is shutting me off from meeting some fantastic relationship!
Thanks for any insights you have: DOB is 6/19/1962, 8:37 a.m. in Okinawa, Japan. I am advised by you and others that I have Gemini sun, Capricorn moon, and Leo rising. All the best!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Thank you.
Glad you gave me your rising sign because my charts are for the NE of the US.
With Leo rising, you will have a great deal of activity this APril in your 10th house - the career sector. The sun (optimism and hope) enters on the 21st for a month. Mercury enters on the 14th - thoughts and communication will be on target. Venus is there now - love and harmony. SO your thoughts are in the right direction. Mars, the planet of energy, is in your 10th house until the 14th when it moves into your secotr of friends and social connections. You may find that you have social acquaintences who can bring you to the next step in your career.
Don't worry about possibly missing out on other things - lucky Jupiter is sitting in your 12th house of hidden things. Something lucky and expansive will reveal itself exactly when you need it.
Keep going - the planets are well situated for you now.
Houston, Tex.:
Hi Charlene! Love your chats -- you've been a tremendous help to me in the past year, and even helped push me to make a big change and move to Houston, which turned out to be the start of an intensely positive cycle in my life.
I'm writing because there are two areas in my life that I'm feeling a bit unsure of. Since relocating to Houston, I have been in a serious relationship that feels like a life partnership. I would change nothing EXCEPT his occasional possessiveness and unrealistically high expectations. For instance, he has had multiple, multiple sex partners, but does not approve of me having any more than a handful. He admits it's a double standard, but he can't help the way he feels. Also, he's a little paranoid that men pursue me and ask me on dates -- even though I assure him that I am committed to him and have done nothing to encourage their attention, besides being friendly and a little flirtatious (as is my nature!).
Because I'm an independent person, his rare possessive flare-ups take me by surprise and leave me questioning his trust in me. He's not a jealous person by nature, but I seem to do or say some free-spirited things that leave him wanting to exert more control over me. Is this something we can work through with time, or does he have ingrained trust/control issues that will never quite dissipate?
My birthday is Feb. 12, 1979, at 4:03 a.m. in Dallas, Tex. (Sag rising, moon in Leo, Mars and Mercury in Aquarius, Venus rising in Capricorn, and Neptune also rising at time of birth.) He was born March 14, 1975 in Houston, Tex. at 3:30 a.m. (moon and Venus in Aries, Mars and Mercury in Aquarius like me.)
Also, I am thinking of relocating yet again -- this time to Charlottesville, Va., for law school. Would you have a chance to run a relocation chart?
Thanks Charlene!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Being a possessive venus in scorpio myself, I will not comment on the lack of monogamy in your life partnership. I will simply read the planets for you.
You have sun in aquarius, moon in leo and venus in capricorn. With sag rising, you have flirty, some say fickle gemini on the cusp of your 7th house of relationships. This indicates to me that you may attract those who need multiple partners. But it can also mean that you need a meeting of the minds with your partner. Venus in cap indicates that you may have feelings of uncertainty in love. You may be afraid of expressing your love or losing your love. It is an area that you need to develop confidence. This will come during your Saturn Return when you go through ages 27-30 (read more about the return at www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope)
He has sun in pisces and moon and venus in aries. Pisces can also take multiple lovers since they are in love with love and highly romantic. Aries energy indicates that they like to be in charge and make all the rules. (But maybe not necessarily follow them themselves....ahem.) I think this is the way he is. He will have to want to see things your way. He calls the shots, or at least he thinks so.
I will be happy to run the relocation chart in time for next weeks show - please remind me of your question at that time.
New York, N.Y.:
Dear Charlene:
Your advice is so helpful. I love your show! I am seeking insight about career/moving. I recently lost my job (my progressed Moon entered Virgo in my sixth house). Now I'm wondering whether a move to another region would improve my job search luck. Does this moon progression symbolize a move? Or just a change in jobs?
Another thing that puzzles me is my natal sun square Saturn (separating, seven degrees). Now this square is transited for the next two months by Saturn sextile my sun. Does the sextile transit activate the negative, difficult energy of the square?
Finally, what do you think of relocation charts? In your experience do they reveal?
Thank you Charlene.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Good questions.
My opinion is that with the Satrurn square you may feel a "zetz" or a reminder of that life lesson stuff from your saturn return but you are better able to handle it and can turn it into something extremely productive. What were you grappling with during your return? That will give you a clue with the square. And, you can reap rewards during the sextile, in my opinion, because you ahve all that past knowledge to give you good direction. Let me know how it goes!
Travelling during your birthday (the solar return) is an interesting way to modify yourluck for the next year. I have been trying it for about 5 years now and it has been very interesting! I can't say what would have happened had I not travelled, but so far so good. SO I would have to say that relocation charts and solar return charts (relocating just on your birthday) can have some impact.
Reston, Va.:
I'm the woman born Nov. 13, 1967, at 2:33 p.m. in Falls Church, Va. I wrote you last week asking about my next pregnancy. Well, it's here. I was actually pregnant when we chatted and am hoping that all goes well with this one. I thank you for reading the cards and telling me that temperance came up. Temperance is an issue I need to understand better in my life. It looks like this baby will be due about Dec. 18, 2002. What is ironic is that the twins I had that didn't survive were born on Dec. 20, 2001. Does it bode well for me that the next baby is due at the same time the first actually were born? Also that is my husband's birthday (12/20/56,Boston, Mass.). Any advice for us and this new baby?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Congratulations!
The planets change placement every day so even if the baby's birthday is close to your twins, if it is two years off, the charts will be very different. I wouldn't worry.
You have sun in scorpio and moon in aries. You are very strong emotionally and can withstand even the biggest strains. Aries is powerful and you are emotionally powerful. You may have pisces rising. Saturn is currently in your 4th house of family so you may feels some strains with family or around the hosue. However, lucky expansive Jupiter is in your 5th house of children now (!) so this is wonderful for you!
I would not let family issues create stress for you - it could have impact. Let your husband handle that stuff and be sure he helps you around the house. With his sun and venus in sag, he will be a wonderful friend and playmate for the baby.
Chevy Chase, Md.:
Hello Madame Lichtenstein,
I enjoy reading your column every week. I am wondering what the future holds for my romantic life. I am a female Cancer born June 30, 1976 at 9:19 p.m. in Riverdale, Ga.. Thanks!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Thank you!
Well, you have sun in cancer, moon in leo and venus in cancer. I would say that generally speaking and when you are in love, you love to cuddle and feel closely connected with your partner. You can be sensitive and mothering and your moon in leo also indicates that youcan be very generous and dramtic in your displays of affection. You may also need reassurance and attention. You may possibly have pisces rising which places virgo on the cusp of your 7th house of relationships.
You may be seeking someone earthy and loyal. SOmeone who will be hter efor you through the good times and the bad. Support and assurance.
Jupiter, the planet of luck, is happily sitting in your 5th house of creativity and romance. Use the time through the summer to explore your more creative side and seek lovers through fun activities. Younever know who is waiting for you at the next party!
Keep in touch and let me know how it goes.
Sagittarian influences?:
Hi Charlene! You have said that one of the things you look at in terms of a person's romantic relationships is the sign on the cusp of that person's 7th house. I have Sagittarius on the cusp of my 7th house (and a Taurus Sun, Aries Venus, Leo Moon, and Cancer Mars). My soon-to-be ex-husband was a Sagittarius Sun with Sagittarius Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter as well. Was all this Sagittarius the reason we were attracted in the first place? The reason we broke up (a break-up that he suddenly initiated about a year ago?) Did Pluto have something to do with it? Then, the first guy I go out with after our break-up was yet another Sagittarius, who ALSO abruptly broke things off. What's going on? Do I just need to stay away from these guys?
Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh those sagittarians!!
Well you are obviously attracted to Centaurs - not only from your 7th house activity but also your fiery Venus (love) and moon (emotions).
Try this exercise - list all the love/ sexual relationships you've had and by the name, add their sun sign. I bet you will see a pattern! See which relationships were the most successful for you and that should indicate where your next sun-sign mate should be. It would go by sign or by element (fire, earth, air or water).
Washington, D.C.:
Love your show! I've had a rocky couple years with jobs. I've been in my current position for two months and hate it. I just received a new job offer and am not sure if I should take it. What do the stars say? My stats are 11/12/75, 7:37 p.m., in Jacksonville, N.C. Thanks!
Charlene Lichtenstein: Hmmm. You have sun in scorpio, mercury in scorpio and mars in cancer. Possibly gemini rising placing pisces on the top of your chart.
Does this new job offer you the following:
Working in a intuitively comforting environment
Enable you to delve into issues and come up with answers
Something creative
A small working unit like a team or family
Enable you to solve mysteries
Enable you to embrace change and work with it
If so, then go for it.
Stargazing in Maryland:
Madame --
Last week I submitted a question about the impact of five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter) converging in May. Your response was that it will impact mutuable signs hardest. Okay, I'm a curious Leo with lots of Virgo in my chart. Would you please explain how this convergence might impact me? My birthdate is 8/18/50 at 2:18 p.m. in Russell, Kan. Thank you very much.
Charlene Lichtenstein: I see two virgo planets - mercury and saturn and they may be sitting in your 10th house of career.
I would say that n May you may be forced to make a decision between relationships and your career path. Maybe you will work long hours and your partner will feel neglected? Maybe you will be unable to do something in your career because of other committments? Maybe a relationship will chaff and you will need to release it.
This too shall pass - the planets in gemini are all fast moving. But be aware of the possible impact.
Boston, Mass.:
Please help me. My birthdate is 2/2/73, born at 5:15 EST, and my boyfriend's birthday is 8/14/70, born in the a.m., EST. We have been together for a little over two years, and have broken up a few times, always getting back together but never really fixing the problems that caused the breakups in the first place. We had a terrible argument this morning, and I'm wondering if it's really over for good. He says he isn't sure that we have any kind of future together, although he loves me. I'm tired of him being so noncommital, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough to end it with him. I've hoped for so long that if I just stuck it out, he would want a future with me, which I realize now was pretty stupid. Please tell me, should I just break up with him now? Should I wait it out a little longer and see if he comes around? He's trying to not be so afraid of commitment, and even suggested that we see a therapist together, but I'm not sure it'll ever work out.
Charlene Lichtenstein: You are in the middle of your Saturn Return which is a three year period (ages 27-30) of stress and frustration. We wnat things NOW but we either can't get them, or if we do, theya re not what we wanted after all. The more we push, the more the world pushes back. SOund familiar?
Please read more about the return at www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope and it may give you more direction.
So my suggestion is to not push so much. Ease off and try to take in the lesson here in how you are handling this situation. I bet that after your 30th birthday you will know exactly what you want to do and who you want to do it with.
Chicago, Ill.:
Do you have any advice for an upcoming birthday girl? born April 16, 1976 in South Carolina around 11:00 p.m. What does this year bring? Thank you.
Charlene Lichtenstein: How can I resist? Happy Birthday!
You have sun aries, moon in scorpio, mercury in taurus, venus in aries and mars in cancer. You are robust and pioneering, you are emotionally deep and penetrating. A careful thinker and communicator, and may fight on a emotional level. You are strong in love and see who you want and can go right after them.
You may possibly have sag/cap rising. I see a great many planets transiting your 6th house of work right now. You may be putting in extra time at the office and may be concentrating more on health and exercise. Eating correctly and increaing your energies.
The next year should bring older, wiser and more established people in your life - possibly in relationships. Intimacy will be a source of luck and expansion for you with Jupiter in your 8th house.
Currently you have great outlets for creativity and fun. Make good use of time - by next month you will have a great many things to take care of and less time to party.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Charlene --
I submitted this question last week but gave you the wrong birth year. However, being the astute astrologer that you are, and me being the Sagittarius Sun/Pisces Moon woman that I am, I'm sure you can appreciate my own lack of appreciation of details, especially such trivial ones as the year I was born.
So, here goes again. My b-day is 11/27/68 at 11:10 p.m. in Rochester, N.Y. I was wondering if you could tell me what you see as far as my career, as I am looking for another job, preferably in publishing, which I love. Can you also tell what careers I may be most successful in?
Also, when I did my chart at one of those freebie sites, I came up with a planet called Varnum a couple degrees from my mid-heaven point. Am I supposed to be following some sort of Varnum-like career path? I don't even know what it is, so if you could tell me, that would be awesome and maybe even enlightening.
Thanks for doing this chat.
Charlene Lichtenstein: Never heard of Varnum - must be an asteroid which I don't generally use. I will be happy to do a little research and get back to you ont hat next week.
You have sun in sag, mercury in scorpio and mars in libra. Possibly virgo rising which places gemini on the cusp of your 10th house of career.
Publishing or anything having to do with writing, communication, teaching or speech would be great for you! With your sun in the 4th house, you may like to work at home or work in some independent manner. Yet you need to be able to bounce ideas off others and express your opinion. Gemini energy also likes to be "in the know" and meet glamourous interesting folks. It is the sign of gossip too so any juicy bits are relished.
Teaching is another good area because it encourages an exchange of ideas, diplomacy, speechwriting, politics - you get the idea.
Cumberland, R.I.:
My sister was born 12/11/59 6 a.m., Boston, Mass. She is so moody & takes offense the smallest things the rest of the family doesn't know what to do! Can you offer any insight? My mom's an Aries, dad's Aquarius and I'm a Leo with Cancer rising, sun on ascendant.
Thanks!
Charlene Lichtenstein: She has sun in expansive sag, moon in placid Taurus and venus in intense and moody scorpio. Possibly sag rising with scorpio on the 12th house of hidden things (also possibly containing her venus). Love is a hidden and intense caldrun for her. She is serious and intense and jealous in love. She may be extra intuitive with moon in the 12th.
With this passionate scorpio energy, she is surrounded by loud and jolly fire and air. She is simply more serious than the rest of you and may feel things more deeply (don't know where all of your moons and venuses are - would need your birth data).
Understand her need for loyalty and deep feeling. Don't tease her and don't put her on the spot. I'm sure this contributes to her feeling of uncomfortableness.
Let me know if this makes sense.
Charlene Lichtenstein: We have run out of time! It goes by so fast!
Please join me next Monday - 6pm right here - for The Starry Eye.
And please check out my newly designed site and let me know what you think of it - www.TheStarryEye.com
Until next week, happy stargazing!
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