"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."

Lily Tomlin (b. Sept 1, 1939)

Introduction to Annual Forecasts for 2011

Pluto is in Capricorn. It has been in Capricorn since November of 2008. Before that, the last time Pluto was in Capricorn was in the mid 1700s. Hey - that was when we had the Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Verrrrry interesting. In astrology, Pluto has rulership over countries, and Capricorn rules the government. That's why when Pluto returned to Capricorn in November of 2008, it was easy to predict President Obama would be elected because that was a revolutionary event! The first Afro-American President of the United States.

This year, in 2011, the next two outer planets will change signs. Neptune moves into Pisces (the very sign it rules) and Uranus moves into Aries.

Do we care?

Well, the last time Neptune was in Pisces was between 1848 - 1862. And the last time Uranus was in Aries was 1927-1935. (Tough times for many people!) However, the last time that both planets shared the signs they are moving into this year was from 1848 to 1851. Holy French fries! Those dates coincide with the great potato famine in Ireland. Does this mean we're heading into a famine? Sadly, in some places, I fear the answer is yes. Fortunately, in June this year, Jupiter the planet of wealth is moving into Taurus, the sign of tangible wealth and banks. This will bring some positive juice to financial institutions.

We are definitely entering a decade where fire hazards will be more harsh than usual. Uranus rules explosions and unpredictable events, and Aries is a feisty Fire Sign! Do yourself a favour and buy a fire extinguisher. (I did. It cost $30.) Install smoke detectors. Keep cooking areas and stoves clean. Make sure your microwave vents can "breathe." Be smart with heaters, and don't use ordinary extension cords for them. Check electrical cords and get rid of old frayed stuff. And never smoke in bed. In just one year, when Uranus was in Aries during 1845, 1000 buildings burned in a Pittsburgh fire; 1500 houses burned in Quebec fire; 1000 homes burned in New York city fire, 1600 were killed in a theatre fire in Canton, China.

Not only are fire hazards on the increase, but fiery revolutions are more likely to take place as well. Yes, the natives are getting restless. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

We will start to see new patents for new inventions, especially related to drugs, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gas, oil, and the film industry. The explosive quality of Uranus in Aries is very creative and exploratory!

The last time that both Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Aries occurred, we had gold rushes. "Go West, young man, go West!" Indeed, with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and wealth moving into Taurus, the sign associated with tangible wealth and banks, we can expect the economy to look richer in some way after the summer. About time!

 

Look at You!

People think you're neat and picky and detail-oriented. What a woefully inadequate label! Actually, you're marvellously intelligent and discriminating! You have humour, guts, and audacity. You're one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. Virgos can be hugely successful! (Warren Buffet, Donald Trump, Mother Teresa, Leo Tolstoy, Beyonce Knowles and Adam Sandler to name a few.) You're very focused once you know what you want. And no one derives greater satisfaction than you from providing a standard of excellence, especially excellent service to the world. You're a doer! And you're always aware of wellness and good health. (For example, you know one should never eat on an empty stomach.)

 

Who Doesn't Have a Past?

After struggling in the mid '80s to establish a home for yourself, you worked hard in the early '90s. By 1994, because of increased recognition for your efforts, you began to take your power. However, this was a tough time for relationships. Fortunately, soon your home scene expanded or improved (even though you were getting less from partners and other resources in the late '90s). Not to worry. This threw you back on your own two feet, and you survived. All this contributed to success or a culmination of your efforts around 2001-03. In fact, by 2003-04, you felt blessed with opportunities (perhaps travel) and general good fortune! Nevertheless, by around 2005-07, you began to undo much of what you had created since the '90s. It was time to move on. This is why you entered a whole new world around 2008, where essentially you began the process of reinventing yourself. (Heed the words of fellow Virgo, Lily Tomlin, "I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.")

 


Reality Check for 2011

You have a sense of having survived. (This gave you mettle and toughness.) You know you've reached a new level of effectiveness. That's why from here on, rewards will come to you as if on a silver platter! This is a fortunate year because even though you're not sure about what you want to do to earn money, you're establishing values that will serve you well in the future. Even if your earnings only slightly improve, you will still benefit from the wealth and resources of others. Some of you will receive an inheritance. Others will have the use of things that others own. This is a great year to go for a loan from a bank or do fundraising, or negotiate deals with others. People are willing to help you! It's a winning year to form working partnerships. You will benefit from what they own. If you pool your resources with others you'll get a "good deal." Things that occur this year will make your life richer and more rewarding in the future. Many of you will also explore new belief systems -- you might find God. (I didn't know he was lost).

 

Career and Reputation in 2011

This is your year for personal advancement. Many of you will be given increased power where you work. Others will be given more power in an organization to which you belong. Some of you will use this power to introduce reforms. Your main thrust now is to determine what is important to you. What do you really value? Whether consciously or unconsciously, you're trying to get better control over your life through what you own and what you earn. Rather than focusing on earnings, focus on your work. (My piano teacher used to say, "When you're sweeping the floor, take care of the corners because the middle will take care of itself.") If you don't know what you want, your life will reflect this. You'll feel out of control. Once you establish what it is you want it might be different from what you thought you wanted! You can enhance your career through travel and further learning, training or education. Schmooze with people from different backgrounds. Prepare yourself for a time of wonderful opportunity to boost your reputation in the summer of 2012. From then on you're laughing! In a few years, you face choices about career changes and residential moves. This state of flux will be far easier if you know what you want.

 

Relationships Close (and Closer) in 2011

Relationships benefit you this year. Factoid. Almost all your encounters with others, whether they're personal, intimate, casual or professional, will result in a situation where others help you. This year do not go it alone. Interact with people! Make new friends. Get involved. (Don't tell yourself these relationships are more trouble than they're worth.) You'll also notice you're more powerful and more effective in your communications to others. In fact, this is a great year to ask for professional help or assistance from doctors, lawyers, counsellors, or an astrologer. If you get involved with someone, or you choose to marry this year, it will likely be with someone older, richer, more worldly, or more experienced than you. (Nothing wrong with that.) You might find that a relationship (possibly professional) or a warm friendship helps to "heal yourself" in some way. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Just saddle him up and ride him home.

 

Money in 2011 (the Folding Kind)

You have to work very hard this year to generate your earnings. Furthermore, you'll wonder what you should do to earn money. What kind of work will be meaningful, and fulfilling, and give you a sense of joy and accomplishment? Although your earnings need not be inhibited or restricted, this is a good time to reduce debt or work to get out of debt. Money will come to you from other sources. This will help you to reduce debt. In addition, you will have the use of the resources of others, and that will help you in practical terms in some way. If you're thinking to join forces with someone or enter into a partnership to boost your earnings, this is a good year to do this.

 

The Fast Track for Improvement in 2011

In the next decade, you have a fabulous chance to improve your body, your knowledge, your emotional state of mind, and even your immediate surroundings. (Like wow!) It's as if something is magically going to help you do this. Don't question it. Just use it.

For example, something like yoga will enormously improve both your body and mind. Other times, with a certain physical activity, you might improve by 10 per cent. But this year, with the same activity, you'll improve twice that amount! More than any time before in your life, you have the ability to evolve and grow. Many of you will arrive at deep insights into what makes you tick. This will help you decide how you want to grow in a new direction. Take advantage of the fact that your chances to improve yourself in every way are hugely enhanced! (Especially if you're a mouse potato working in a cube farm.)

Try it!

 


Your Virgo Mantra for 2011

"Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better."

 


Mercury Retrograde in 2011

You can use Mercury retrograde times or be abused by them. What's it gonna be?

(Of course, Mercury never really goes backwards. This is just "relative" to planet Earth.)

The bad news: The dates below are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things, not begin them. Charge your cell phone. Pay your phone bill. Keep gas in the car and a working flashlight. Smile a lot. Buy fresh flowers and dark chocolate.

The good news: The dates below are good times to tackle repairs. Clean out closets, drawers, desks and cupboards. Finish projects. Do research into the past. Study anything. Contact people from your past. Re-apply for a job. Try to get something you wanted before that fell through. Try once again! Organize old photographs. Finish that "To Do" list. These things will go surprisingly smooth!

There are two sets of dates below: The actual time of Mercury retrograde is on the left. But Mercury slows down ahead of time, and then takes a long time to "catch up" to where it was when it first went retrograde. These longer-time periods are on the right. When buying pricey transportation or a computer, I recommend respecting the dates on the right.

Actual Mercury Retrograde Still Dicey for Big Purchases
(I use this one)
March 30 - April 23 March 25 - May 11
August 2 - August 26 July 21 - Sept. 10
November 23 - December 13 November 16 - January 1, 2012

 

Lucky days for Virgo in 2011

  • Jan 21, 22, 23
  • Feb 18, 19
  • Mar 17, 18, 19
  • Apr 14, 15
  • May 11, 12, 13
  • June 7, 8, 9
  • July 4, 5, 6,
  • Aug 1, 2, 28, 29, 30
  • Sept 25, 26
  • Oct 22, 23, 24
  • Nov 18, 19, 20
  • Dec 16, 17

 

Famous People Who Share Your Birthday

August

23 Kobe Bryant 1978
24 Marlee Matlin 1965
25 Sean Connery 1930
26 Rick Hansen 1957
27 Sarah Chalke 1976
28 Jason Priestley 1969
29 Michael Jackson 1958
30 Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 1797
31 Scott Niedermayer 1973

September

1 C. J. Cherryh 1942
2 Mark Harmon 1951
3 Salma Hayek 1966
4 Beyonce Knowles 1981
5 Loudon Wainwright III 1946
6 Anika Noni Rose 1972
7 Evan Rachel Wood 1987
8 Alexandre Bilodeau 1987
9 Michael Buble 1975
10 Colin Firth 1960
11 Harry Connick, Jr. 1967
12 Jennifer Hudson 1981
13 Tyler Perry 1969
14 Sam Neill 1947
15 Prince Harry 1984
16 Amy Poehler 1971
17 Anne Bancroft 1931
18 James Gandolfini 1961
19 Trisha Yearwood 1964
20 George R. R. Martin 1948
21 Rob Morrow 1962
22 Rosamunde Pilcher 1924