Episode 103. An aspect refers to the angles planets make to each other in the horoscope. They are measured by mathematical angles, which means you need to know a bit about geometry. I’ve talked about aspects in previous episodes so please go back and listen to learn more.

When planets make aspects to the Sun in your natal chart, it can affect your selfhood and willpower. For example, if you have the Sun at a positive angle with Pluto, it can indicate that you are able to stand firmly in your power and might be a leader. If the Sun is in a challenging aspect to Pluto, you may be a person who is timid - or has a tendency to abuse your power.

Aspects to the Sun can give a clue about your energy and courage. If your chart is well aspected but your Sun is weak, it can make it difficult to rise to your potential. In that case, you may have to work extra hard to grab those opportunities.

Episode 102. If you've been studying astrology for any time, you know that the Moon impacts your personality, namely your emotional world. But did you know that the phases of the Moon you're born under have something to say about you too? For example, I'm born near an eclipse - which amplifies my intense Scorpio Moon. The current transits of the Moon also can create an impact based on your lunar phase. Curious?

Listen in as Sarah Faith Gottesdiener joins me to share her wisdom on Lunar Types. You'll learn about the various phases of la Luna, the effect it has on your persona, and how current transits affect your "lunar type." Sarah is such an amazing teacher - I learned so much! Tune in and lunar on!

The website mentioned in this episode is NASA Skycal.

Psst...check out Sarah's upcoming class Moonbeaming 2020. Pre-order her book: The Moon Book: Lunar Magic to Change Your Life.

Episode 101. Back when I started studying astrology, the books available were from a heteronormative perspective. There were little if any, books that spoke to the LGBTQ+ audience. But times are changing and authors like Colin Bedell are giving astrology an update. In Queer Cosmos: The Astrology of Queer Identities & Relationships, Colin delivers a fresh, empowering astrology book for the LGBTQ+ community. He joins me today to talk about his book, astrology from an LBGTQ+ perspective, compatibility, issues around shame, and so much more.

Listen in to our soulful and sometimes funny conversation and learn why I think his book belongs on EVERY astrologer's shelf. (Psst...get the book.)

Episode 100: The Imum Coeli or Nadir. The Imum Coeli which is Latin for “bottom of the sky or lowest point” is also known as the IC or Nadir. It’s where the Sun was at the lowest point at midnight. This is the point on the cusp of the fourth house in the astrological chart. (It’s reversed in the southern hemisphere.)

The IC represents your private self, and your root or home base. It symbolizes where you’re coming from while the Midheaven, which is opposite the IC, represents your public life, reputation, career, and where you’re going. If your Imum Coeli was Cancer, you may have a strong connection to your family and mother, while someone with Aquarius on the fourth house cusp may come from an eccentric background - and might be distant from their family. 

Episode 99. The Descendant is the cusp of the seventh house of the astrology chart. It’s easy to find. This point is directly opposite your ascendant. So if your rising sign is Taurus, your Descendant will be Scorpio.

While your Ascendant shows the face you present to the public, the Descendant gives a clue as to how you operate in relationships. The sign on the cusp of the seventh house can also represent what type of people you are attracted to and how you might start a romantic relationship. Keep in mind, the Descendant and seventh house aren’t just about romance - it can symbolize all of our important partnerships, including business.

Episode 98. A stellium occurs when there are three or more planets in a single sign or house. When it happens, it puts a lot of focus on traits associated with that sign or house - and it also emphasizes the areas that house rules. For example, if you have the Moon, Mercury, and Venus sitting in your 4th house in the sign of Taurus, you’ll approach 4th house matters like a Taurus. This means you’ll be the warm nurturing earth-mother type who loves to create a cozy nest surrounded by things that make you and the people you love feel secure. You might even be possessive about your family but you’ll see that as protective.

Learn more in this little lesson.

Episode 97. Cazimi occurs when a planet is in a tight conjunction with the Sun - within 17 minutes of the arc. In other words, the planets need to be as close to exact as possible. Astrologers will say that a Cazimi planet is “in the heart of the Sun.” Cazimi gives the planet strength or superpowers. It amplifies the energy.

Learn more in this short episode.

Episode 96. You know what aspects are. They're the angles the planets make to each other and can impact how they interact. For example, two planets that are 90º apart are in a square - and this indicates tension. So what are astrologers talking about when they mention applying and separating aspects?

An aspect is applying when the faster-moving planet is heading toward the slower-moving planet and closing in toward the exact orb. It's intense. I liken it to "crowning" - the period before the baby is born. You can feel it, you know it's coming, and you have to brace yourself. It's the buildup before the grand finale.  For applying aspects, the tendencies are magnified. 

Separating aspects occur when the faster-moving planet is moving away from the exact orb of the aspect made to that slower-moving planet. The energy here is like the birth has happened, now we're adjusting to our new life, and perhaps feel a sense of relief.

Learn more in this short episode.

Episode 95. After a year spent frolicking in Sagittarius, Jupiter slipped into Capricorn on December 2nd. This is a less "fun" transit because Jupiter is in its fall when moving through Capricorn (it's in its rulership when hanging out in Sagittarius). So what does this mean? 

For one: it can be a strong time for business expansion. But as RuPaul says: "You better work." In other words, the rewards are there for those who are willing to do the work. There's more. Listen in to this tutorial and get the scoop. As always, my goal is to help you be prepared, not scared.

Episode 94. I am a huge fan of setting New Moon intentions. It's a practice I've been doing for years - and I swear by it! I began perfecting my intention setting with a book called New Moon Astrology by Jan Spiller. Recently, I received a Wish Beads bracelet from Alexa Fischer.

Alexa is a master at goal-setting and wish-creating so I thought it would be fun to talk about setting intentions with her. Listen in on our conversation and learn how you can create strong, positive intentions around the New Moon (or any time).

The other book mentioned in this episode is The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual by Lisa Marie Basile.