"In two decades, I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."

Erma Bombeck (Feb. 21, 1927 - April 22, 1996)

The Year 2016

For thousands of years, we have observed cycles: Seasons, lunar revolutions, birth and death. This year we are in a cycle where the planet Saturn is in the zodiac sign Sagittarius from 2015 to 2017. This cycle of Saturn in Sagittarius previously occurred in 1927-29; and 1956-58; and lastly in 1986-88.

The planet Saturn represents discipline, structure, form and the law courts. It tangibly defines our world through dimensions and regulations. It shrinks and solidifies.

The zodiac sign Sagittarius expands and spreads out! It has domain over foreign countries; publishing, TV, radio, and social media; universities, colleges and libraries; medical schools; law-making, jurisprudence and finally, philosophy and religion.

This year with the planet Saturn in the sign of Sagittarius, we will see new, practical applications of our beliefs and ideas, especially related to social media, universities, churches and laws governing medical care plus how we deal with foreigners and immigration.

In previous years, when Saturn was in Sagittarius, radio became regulated for the first time through the FCC, which itself, was also just formed as a governing body; the first television license was issued; sound came to film with The Jazz Singer; the Academy Awards began in 1927; regular TV programming began; and Nintendo introduced the Zelda series. Likewise, this year and next, we will see new regulations to broadband technology and the Internet, as well as television and social media.

Because Sagittarius is the sign of "foreign countries", every 30 years when Saturn is in this sign, we experience breakthrough connections between countries. In 1927, we had the first transatlantic telephone call. In that same year, Charles Lindbergh stunned the world by flying nonstop from New York to Paris. In 1928, the first TV station was started; and soon the first television show was beamed from London to New York.

In 2016, scientific inventions, especially in aviation, will shrink the world. Mergers and legislation about broadband media will take place. Meanwhile, every county suffers from xenophobia because everyone is afraid of what is foreign or strange. (Guard against the common mistake of confusing xenophobia with xenofocaccia, which is a bread some people can't chew.)

This year the biggest change will be to our way of viewing foreigners -- no matter what country we live in. The timing is right for everyone to see that we are all more alike than not. We all want to be happy.

Does Your Past Predict Your Future?

This forecast begins with highlights of your past because if what I say about your past rings true, then you can trust what I say about your future.

If you look back, you might remember what a playful year 1990 was. Many of you took a fabulous vacation and travelled for pleasure or work. Some of you expanded your family through birth, adoption or marriage. Romance, love affairs, the arts and social schmoozing were exciting! You might also remember that from 1991 to 1993, life was topsy-turvy because you were on the move! Things were changing fast because you gave up relationships, friendships, residences and possessions as you barreled your way into your future to begin a whole new world in 1994. (Gasp.) Yes, that was a pivotal year. At that time in your life, you entered a new 30-year cycle that will not be completed until 2023.

In 1994, you entered a new world that was so different you might have even changed your daily wardrobe. (You were destined to reinvent yourself from 1994 - 2001.) This means that in 2001, you could look back at your life in 1993 and think - oh, how things have changed!

Fortunately, in 1994, you received help and support from others, which was a vital for some. Others might have received an inheritance, and yet, others easily got a loan or a mortgage. Fortunately, just as you were stepping out in this new world, in the following year in 1995, your career and your reputation got a boost! Some of you received a promotion or praise for your efforts because it was easy to impress people then - both professionally and personally. You were popular in 1996, and good fortune smiled on you in 1998 when lucky Jupiter returned to your sign to stay for a whole year. Jupiter in your own sign is such a blessing!

However, in 1999, more changes were at hand - big changes. In the following two years, many of you changed your residence or job or both. Life was a whirlwind! By the year 2000, your home scene improved because many of you moved into bigger and better digs or benefited through real-estate negotiations. By 2002, your focus on children, vacations, romance, love affairs, the arts and sports gave you a lift. This was followed by job opportunities in 2003. In 2005, you benefited from the wealth and resources of others; and perhaps, some of you received an inheritance at this time. Travel opportunities and a chance to explore new avenues in higher education, medicine, the law, publishing and the media were yours in 2006. Yes, you were going places!

By 2007, your hard work paid off because you finally got recognition for your talents. Perhaps it was this increasing recognition that created problems with partnerships in 2009-10? (That was a slog!) Many relationships ended then, which meant you had to get along on less in 2011-12. Fortunately, many of you boosted your own earnings at that time. By 2013, once again, you felt happier at home and increasingly confident in achieving something that was important to you. And in the last year, because you have been blessed with opportunities at work, as well as chances to improve your health, you were now approaching a life peak or a time of harvest in your life. Yes, 2015 was your year of preparation and waiting in the wings. "Are you ready for your close up Miss Garbo?"

And Here It Is ... 2016!

Wealth, Career and Reputation

This is a stellar year for your job, your career and your reputation among your peers. It's important that you know that this is a powerful time. You might call this your time of harvest because all the seeds you planted since 2001, and certainly since 2008, are now coming to fruition this year. Obviously, where you planted well, you will receive benefits, kudos, praise, recognition and promotions. Some of you will graduate. Some will get married. Someone might have a long awaited child. Others might have a chance to spin off and be successfully self-employed. Many of you will enjoy great success in your job. Essentially, in this time of harvest, your cherished dreams can come true.

Naturally, harvest is also when you see what seeds did not ripen. Therefore, there will be some failure and disappointment. But this will be minor, for most of you because this is traditionally a year of hard work and great success. If you do experience disappointment - move on quickly because this is your hour to shine! Do not dwell on failure. Look at what you have achieved and build on this. This year is also a time of heavy responsibilities. It's not time to rest on your laurels.

One of the reasons you are powerful this year is because you have a strong sense of who you are and what you can do - finally. This year will also give you the greatest opportunity to make a positive impression on important people and the world in general. For most of you, this will be one of the most rewarding times in your life because you've earned it. Give yourself a pat on the back. Treat yourself to a pair of shoes that make you want to dance!

Let's look more closely at 2016 on a month by month basis, in terms of your career, job and reputation.

January is wonderfully popular! You feel the sense of success that is beginning to flourish all around you. Issues related to medicine, the law, publishing, the media and higher education are favoured. Business travel is also favoured. This month and indeed, most of this year, is an excellent time to form a new business partnership.

In February, you will be low key and want to work behind the scenes. Nevertheless, relations with colleagues who are younger and especially those who are talented in the arts will be successful. This is a good month to explore clubs, groups and professional associations.

In March, you shine! You have the power of the Sun, Mercury and your ruler Neptune in your sign. You will be skilled talking to others and will easily persuade people to your way of thinking.

April is a month when you will focus strongly on cash flow, earnings and financial negotiations.

Fortunately, Mars is high in your chart now, arousing your ambition, helping you successfully complete what you want.

May is a busy month! You are on the go with short trips, conversations, errands and increased reading, writing and studying. Travel possibilities are still percolating.

In June, you will make an effort to create a more attractive workspace. Family businesses will flourish because your attention is focused more on your personal life.

In July, you want to play! This is an excellent month for a vacation. It's also a good time to explore opportunities in the arts, the hospitality industry, the entertainment world and anything related to children.

In August, you will work hard because it feels good. You have an agenda and you intend to achieve something. Whatever you do will be rewarding at this time.

September is a good month to focus on colleagues and professional partnerships. Remember that this is an excellent year to enter new partnerships. September is also a good month to negotiate financial deals because you will come out on top.

In October, travel appeals. Important discussions will take place and you will spend energy clarifying issues about shared property, insurance matters and anything you own jointly with others, including debt.

November is an exciting month because you will explore new avenues, especially related to foreign countries and people from other cultures. This is a good time to check out opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine, the law and higher education. It's also a good time to take advanced training and anything that will promote your career or enrich your life. Take note that for the rest of the year (this month and next) your negotiations with others will benefit you financially.

In December, the Sun is high in your chart casting a flattering light on you, which makes you look good in the eyes of bosses and VIPs. This is why they will ask you to take on increased responsibilities or perhaps even promote you. Don't worry - you will succeed because good lighting is everything!

Love, Partnerships and Friends

When it comes to relationships, you are the big winner in 2016! Not only is your career blossoming at this time of harvest, in addition, lucky Jupiter will be sitting in your House of Partnerships and Marriage promoting all your relationships. Let's face it, in 2016 you majorly score!

This is a great year to get married, without question. It's also a great year to begin a relationship. Quite likely, this person will be older, more established or possibly richer because of the Jupiter connection. Without doubt, they will bring joy to you and enrich your life in some way. For many, this person could be from another country. And certainly, you will make friends with someone from a different background or a foreign country because whoever you encounter now will have a consciousness-expanding influence on you. You will learn from them. They will broaden your experience of the world. Indeed, because others benefit you so strongly this year, even assistance from others in the form of lawyers, counsellors, doctors and consultants will help you.

Another lovely influence that will benefit your romantic connections and relationships is the fact that you are enjoying such success. This makes you feel confident, and confidence and success are sexy! Admittedly, you will have lots of responsibilities and have to work hard. But you will enjoy relating to others now because you have nothing to hide. You are out there flying your colours!

Of course, nothing is perfect - life never is. Ironically, the very influence that is bringing you your professional success, will at times make you discouraged and give you a low vitality. It can make your dealings with others, especially VIPs difficult. It can be a strain on your health, which is why you should take care of yourself and respect your health this year. In some ways, what is occurring at this stage in your life is linked to something that happened about seven years ago. Whatever was left unresolved than might create difficulties at this time. But do not be discouraged by these words. I simply have to honestly point out where you have challenges at this time of favourable success in your life!

Your overall tone for this year is one of success and culmination. You will feel this success in your relationships as well as in your professional life. Therefore, it's wise to remember that the cause for much of your success is the seeds you planted in the last 7 to 14 years. Knowing this, a wise Pisces will be aware of the seeds that they are planting today.

Home and Family

It's important to protect your health this year because you might overextend yourself by working too hard. You might also try to be everything to your family and loved ones, which will also stretch your personal resources. Remember to take care of yourself. Pamper yourself. Respect your body. Without your health - everything changes.

It's important to remain focused on loved ones and family members because this year, it's easy to be distracted with your job, social prestige, status, fame and success. These are glamorous tokens. However, is someone dear to you - a spouse or child, is threatened in any way - all of these tokens of success are almost meaningless. So it's important to keep your priorities straight. It's important to know what really matters.

Obviously, marriage and partnership are beautifully favours this year because of the placement of Jupiter in your chart. Existing partnerships will be more joyful and richer. Your partner might earn more money for example and that takes stress away from worrying about household expenses, bills and the education of children etc. You will also find that partners are beneficial to you in a practical way - more helpful. They will also be a greater support in a psychological and emotional way as well.

Family travels are more likely this year because you want to get out of town and expand your horizons. In fact, you will feel the travel bug very strong this year. You might also put a strong emphasis on education for family members or even yourself this year

Let's look at 2016 in terms of your personal life and family responsibilities.

January will be busy, social and you will be involved with friends and groups. Because your appreciation of beauty is heightened, you will enjoy introducing family members to museums, art galleries and the cultures of other countries.

In February, you will socialize with younger, creative people but you will also choose to be low-key and private.

Because March is such a strong month for you, you will lend lots of energy to your family and personal life. Travel continues to appeal.

You might make big purchases in April because cash flow and money are flowing. This is a great time to buy wardrobe treasures as well.

May is a busy month when you can expect to spend more time with relatives and siblings. You need to talk to others.

June is definitely a time when you will focus more on your family, and you will enjoy redecorating and making your home look more beautiful.

The month of July is playful! This is the perfect time to enjoy sports events, the arts and take your family on a vacation. Romance is also light-hearted ad sweet.

In August, you will work to pull things together at home so that you feel you are organized. It's important to feel organized this year because you must take care of your health. And when you feel disorganized, this creates stress. No stress this year!

By September, respect your need for more sleep because you will need more rest because the Sun is now opposite your sign giving you less energy.

Family discussions about shared property and inheritances can be settled in October. However, arguments with a friend are likely. (You can handle this.)

In November, if you can travel - by all means do so because you will enjoy this. Relations with parents are good this month.

December is a time where you feel powerful and friendly with everyone. Get out and schmooze! It's also easy to get a loan or a mortgage or assistance from others this month, and especially in 2017.

A Sneak Peek Beyond

"Show me the money!" This will be your theme for 2017 because this is a year when you will benefit from the wealth and resources of others. Your partner might make more money, which indirectly benefits you. You can get a loan or a mortgage. You will also benefit from the use of things that other people own. Meanwhile, your career stands strong!

Travel opportunities will delight you in 2018. This is also a great year for higher education and schooling. In 2019, once again, you shine! Jupiter at the top of your chart brings kudos, promotions and acknowledgement from others. From 2022 to 2023, you will dismantle much of what you created since 2008. It will be a time of downsizing and letting go of what is no longer relevant in your life. Nevertheless, the year 2022 is sweet because lucky Jupiter will be in your sign again.

In 2023, you begin a whole new path. Your state of mind than will be optimistic because you will be eager to go forward and do something completely new. The year 2025 is fantastic for real-estate deals. This is your opportunity to move to bigger and better home, as well as enjoy mutually generous, enhanced relationships with family members. Gosh.

Your Pisces Mantra for 2016

"I am grateful for who I am and what I have."

Mercury Retrograde in 2016

Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones.

Dates below are actual retrograde dates and buffer dates. Why? Mercury slows down before it goes retrograde and then it needs to catch up to where it was at when it first went retrograde. Use buffer times to avoid big purchases like cars.

Actual Mercury Retrograde Dates Buffered Dates
(I use this one)
January 5 - January 25 January 1 - February 14
April 28 - May 22 April 19 - June 8
August 30 - September 22 August 18 - October 6
December 19 - January 8 December 11 - January 28

Lucky Days for 2016

  • January 13, 14
  • February 9, 10
  • March 7, 8
  • April 4, 5
  • May 1, 2, 29, 30
  • June 25, 26
  • July 22, 34
  • August 18, 19, 20
  • September 15, 16
  • October 12, 13
  • November 9, 10
  • December 6, 7

Who Shares My Birthday?

February

19
Smokey Robinson 1940
20
Rihanna 1988
21
Chuck Palahniuk 1962
22
Clinton Kelly 1969
23
Kelly Macdonald 1976
24
Michelle Shocked 1962
25
Rashida Jones 1976
26
Johnny Cash 1932
27
Kate Mara 1983
28
Frank Gehry 1929

March

1
Justin Bieber 1994
2
Daniel Craig 1968
3
Tyler Florence 1971
4
Tamzin Merchant 1987
5
Eva Mendes 1974
6
Felicity Huffman 1962
7
Laura Prepon 1980
8
James Van Der Beek 1977
9
Oscar Isaac 1979
10
Olivia Wilde 1984
11
Terrence Howard 1969
12
Jason Beghe 1960
13
Kaya Scodelario 1992
14
Jamie Bell 1986
15
Jack Whyte 1940
16
Victor Garber 1949
17
Hozier 1990
18
John Updike 1932
19
Glenn Close 1947
20
Bobby Orr 1948