"People accuse me of being arrogant all the time. I'm not arrogant, I'm focused."

Russell Crowe (April 7, 1964)

We All Have a Past

Astrology is based on cycles. If what I say about your past rings true, then you can trust what I say about your future.

Between 1994 and 1996, you did some serious downsizing because at that stage in your life, you had to let go of what was no longer relevant in your world. Some of you gave up jobs. Some of you gave up relationships. Some of you gave up homes. Some even gave up countries. Fortunately, at that time, you had a strong urge to travel and explore more of the world; and by 1996, you were looking good! People were impressed with you; and many of you made a name for yourself at that time. In some cases, this triggered a move that catapulted you into something fresh for 1996-97.

Looking back, you see now that it was around 1996 when you began to reinvent yourself. This journey took until about 2003. (Imagine who you were in 2003-04, looking back at your life in 1995. Was there a big change?)

By 1999, you received a lovely boost because lucky Jupiter was in your sign attracting good fortune, favourable circumstances and good people into your life. However, by 2001, you entered a two to three-year window that involved a change of residence, a change of jobs and a series of moves that ultimately completed the task you began in 1996, which was to reinvent the new you. "Ta da! Hello world!"

At that point, your mission in life was to secure a firm base for yourself. However, your approach might have been in denial or somewhat vague because Aries people are nervous about settling down, especially committing themselves to real estate and a 25-year mortgage. Yikes! How can a warrior-adventurer do that? You have to remain free so that you can move quickly when the need arises. What was fortunate at this time was that many of you got a better job or improved your job, which allowed you to support your home aspirations.

By 2005, relationships were looking sweet; however, in 2006, casual romance turned serious. This was when many of you decided that your gallivanting days were over. (Of course, this is never really true for an Aries.) At the same time, many of you benefited from an inheritance or practical assistance from partners or someone else.

By 2008, once again, your reputation was stellar. People admired you. This is why you grabbed the baton and ran with it, which in turn, set you on a course where you were busting your buns to prove to the world what you could do. And this is exactly what you did because by 2010-12, you looked great! Many of you received accolades or acknowledgement for your past efforts. The only downside was that in 2010- 2012, partnerships and close relationships were challenging. In fact, those that had outlived their usefulness ended. (This includes professional partnerships, as well as marriage and close relationships.)

Around 2014, you had excellent real-estate opportunities, but unfortunately, the support from others was just not there. In fact, this was a difficult time to get a loan or a mortgage, although some of you might have received an inheritance. You will certainly remember 2015 because that was a fun year to play! Vacations, love affairs, romance and playful times with children pleased you and gave you a lively sense of adventure!

Last year was a good year because many of you got a better job or improved your job and became more confident in your ability to succeed in your work. Work-related travel increased for some. All of you benefited in terms of health, except for the tension re: disputes about shared property, taxes, debt, insurance matters and mortgages. Nevertheless, your confidence was strong because you could sense that that you were coming into your own - and you were right!

And Here It Is ... 2017!

Wealth, Career and Reputation

To get a true picture of what's happening to you in 2017 in terms of career, money and your public reputation; we have to look at several planetary cycles - Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Jupiter has a 12-year cycle; Saturn has a 30-year cycle; and Uranus has an 84-year cycle.

You might blink and wonder 84-year cycle? Is this really relevant? Well, for you it is because in 2012, Uranus entered Aries where it will stay until 2019. Obviously, this is the first time any of you have experienced this. The influence of Uranus is powerful, sudden and dramatic. It often brings upsetting changes that free you from anything that is holding you back or restricting you. Those of you who listen to the dictates of your spirit will not see dramatic changes because you are personally manifesting ongoing change. However, if you have denied yourself the freedoms and feelings of independence that you deserve - then Uranus will suddenly change things to give you that independence and freedom, whether you are expecting this or not! It could be unsettling.

Basically, Uranus wants to free you from old limitations that are either self-imposed or imposed by others. That's why you are redefining how you relate to your world, especially your closest relationships and partnerships. It's true that sometimes when people want to be free of something, but they're afraid to make that change; they unconsciously trigger the change anyhow. For example, if they want out of a hopeless, grinding job, they might unconsciously do something that sets the wheels in motion so that they are fired. Or perhaps they cheat on their partner or do something they know will lead to the end of a relationship, which they really wanted to end. This is one classic way that Uranus works. Something happens apparently "out of the blue" and it changes your world by freeing you from something that was oppressive.

However, this is less likely to happen to you because by nature, you are brave, forthright, impulsive, spontaneous and more likely to follow your bliss (to quote Joseph Campbell). Nevertheless, it's important to know that right now, you are in the middle of this journey of Uranus in your sign. And depending on how it lines up with the day of your birth - whether it is March or later in April - it could be the reason you are undergoing a revolutionary time in your life. The clue will be that you will break up old patterns and embark on new courses.

Freedom will be another clue because it will important for you to feel free. Granted, it could be a time of wild instability and chaos, especially if your life has degenerated into dull routine. A big clue will be that you want anything new and exciting. You will rebel against anything you don't like. Actually, this is healthy. It's a message to you that it's time to examine your life and see what changes you need to make.

The Saturn transit is a 30-year transit; and to better appreciate how it impacts your life, I will echo some of what I said previously about your past. Basically, Saturn was in your sign from 1996 to 1999 triggering a huge beginning for you. This was when you began to reinvent yourself. For many, this beginning was so dramatic you might even have changed your daily wardrobe. You might have changed jobs or countries. You might have entered into new partnerships or left them. Whatever the case, this process of reinventing yourself was in its final stages during 2001-03. That meant you were honing the finishing touches on the New You - how you talked, how you listened, and even how you perceived your daily world. Because familiarity dulls our senses to the point where we no longer "see" anything, you needed something to jiggle your daily world. This is why a change of residence or job (or both) stimulated you to "wake up" and really see and listen in a fresh way.

Therefore, ever since 2003, you've been slowly climbing to your career peak, which will take place in 2018. Your hard work brought you recognition and kudos in 2010-11. Now in 2017, you're at a stage where you are getting performance ready for next year. You are waiting in the wings, going through your lines in your head. Therefore, this is your last year of preparation. It's important to get any further education or training that will put you in a position to maximize whatever happens to you in 2018 - 21. That will be your time of harvest. And logically, your time of harvest depends on what you plant and how much you invest in yourself.

Therefore, ask yourself what courses can I take? What training can I get? If courses and education are not the way you want to prepare for your time of harvest - then what about travel? Give serious thought to any experience that will enrich you, educate you, inform you and make you better skilled so that you can maximize the opportunities that come your way in the next four years.

Because you are so close to achieving your cherished dreams, you might feel that you know it all. Hubris is a fatal flaw for Aries. This is because Aries is the warrior, especially the warrior who leads others to victory. Naturally, you need to have pride and a strong belief in yourself. But this is also the time to be realistic and ask yourself what you can do to best be prepared to maximize the fabulous opportunities that will come to you starting in 2018.

Meanwhile, lucky, moneybags Jupiter moves much more swiftly around a chart. It sits in your sign for one year every 12 years. This year, it is travelling 180? opposite your sign, which is an excellent relationship for Aries. This means you are in a time of culmination in your life, and as such you are keen to expand whatever you're doing. Your chances for success are excellent at this time. Jupiter will encourage you, in an unconscious way, to go after everything that you want, especially in material terms. "Show me the money!" It is definitely a time for you to grow and expand in any way that will benefit you. This year is also a time where professional partnerships, consultants and experts can help you.

In a nutshell, next year you enter your time of harvest - a career peak; and this year is your final chance to get ready for it. For those of you who are not working in a salaried job, please note that this career peak still applies to you because the word career is based on the old French word carriere, which means highway so you are still going to enter a time where your personal reputation among your peers is at its peak.

Your reputation will garner respect from others. It will be a time when you see very clearly what is working and what is not. It's definitely when your hens are coming home to roost. This is a year when you will win recognition for your achievements! Count on it.

Romance and Relationships

"Is this my perfect year or what? I'm so stoked!" Yes, it's time for a major heads up because this year is the best year for friendships, marriage and committed partnerships that you have had since 2005. It is finally your turn to shine when it comes to close relationships. That's because lucky Jupiter will be travelling through the part of your chart that is called the House of Marriage and Partnerships. Jupiter does this once every 12 years; and the part of your chart that receives a visit from Jupiter always gets a wonderful boost of energy and optimism. Fabulous opportunities related to that part of your chart will materialize and expand.

In 2017, your intimate encounters with others will expand your world in two ways: First, these relationships will allow you to learn more about yourself as an individual, as well as how you relate to others. Secondly, this influence will expand your experience of the world around you, especially as you experience it through others.

Because Jupiter is known as the Great Benefic, this means that in 2017, your relationships with others specifically spouses, partners and close friends, will benefit you. These benefits might be tangible in terms of money, gifts and the opportunity for you to use something that they own. Or the benefit might come in the form of advice and instruction and education. It can also come as a psychological, emotional support - that thumb-sucking comfort of knowing someone has your back.

Because Jupiter is a sign associated with foreign countries, you might become more involved with someone from another culture or a different country. Or perhaps, your partner or close friend will introduce you to other countries and different cultures or make you more aware of them in some way. One thing is certain: Any close relationship in the year 2017 will have a consciousness-expanding effect upon you. This is definitely a great year for your sign to get married. In fact, there's a good chance that if you marry in 2017, this person will be slightly older, richer or more established in the world.

Do keep in mind that your close friendships will benefit you in 2017, which means you have to extend yourself to others. You can't hide! Make yourself available to others! Be friendly because you will benefit this year from making a social effort to interact with others. Don't be afraid to enter into a committed, intimate relationship with someone because you will be the one who gets all the goodies! (Actually, this kind of relationship is generally mutually beneficial, anyhow.)

Therefore, it's important to know that this is the best year in over a decade for you to marry; and it's also the best year in over a decade for you to encourage a really close friendship. Open up to these things - and give yourself a chance for happiness.

Home, Family and Real Estate

It stands to reason that if you are having one of the best years in over a decade for marriage and partnerships, most of you will have a better family life. That's because all the positive feelings that you will have with someone who is close to you (spouse or partner) will spill into all your other relationships with family members. It really comes down to the fact that you are happier this year! If things are going well with your partner, your family life will be happier.

Likewise, if you are enjoying a warm, loving friendship with someone who is close to you, this too, positively impacts your family relationships, mainly because you feel friendlier and more content. Oh yes, we all want to be loved!

Therefore, in 2017, the bottom line is that because you are a happier person (and you will be); and because you are getting warm feedback and affection from others (and you will get this); then in turn, you will be someone who gives others more affection, more respect and friendlier vibes. And hey, this warmth will spread like a domino effect! You will be a charter member of your own mutual admiration society.

Another reason that your family life will be richer and happier this year is because Saturn is giving you support. Saturn will help everything run more smoothly. Saturn will help you to accomplish much more. Saturn is all about the real world in black-and-white dimensions. Because Saturn is so supportive to you now, obviously your family life will improve because family has so many practical connections - roof overhead, beds to sleep in, food on the table, and so on. You will find it much easier to provide these necessities for you and your family this year. Furthermore, you will have a greater sense of security. It's all good.

Highlights of 2017 Month by Month

January

You begin this year high viz. with the Sun at high noon in your chart casting a flattering light on you. This means everyone is impressed with you. Friendship with others, especially artistic, creative types will blossom. Travel plans, as well as plans regarding further training and education, are likely. And of course, marriage and partnerships are blessed!

February

This is a popular month for you, so get out and schmooze. In particular, others can benefit you at this time, and this is on top of the greater benefit that the entire year brings you. Woo hoo! Mars is in your sign this month so you are pumped with energy. You are direct, forthright and ready to fight your battles or the battles of others. Discussions with bosses, parents and VIPs will go well. (Don't be too pushy.)

March

Because your birthday is just a month away, this means that your personal year is coming to an end. Therefore, use this time to hunker down and start to plan what you want your new personal year to be all about. It's important to set goals with deadlines because this exercise will better guarantee success. No question. This is also a wonderful month to buy wardrobe goodies. Don't hesitate to spend your money. Not only is it a good time to buy hats, it's also a good time to buy glasses. Yay!

April

Well, well, well, this is your month to shine! With the Sun in your sign now, you are energized and popular. Without any effort on your part, you magnetize favourable situations and important people to you. You're blowing money this month, but you are also working hard to earn it. Meanwhile, some of you will dabble in secret love affairs. Since this is the best year for you to get married in over a decade, these love affairs won't stay secret too long. Ha!

May

Now your attention turns to money, cash flow and finances. You will also have a greater concern over your possessions. You might want to take care of something or repair a possession. You will be more concerned with making sure that what you own works for you and not against you. This is another great month to buy wardrobe goodies, and the last great month to do this for the year. Your ruler fiery Mars is now travelling through the part of your chart that is all about your communications with others, which means you will be direct and to the point. You will say what you mean and mean what you say!

June

This is a fast-paced month!. You will notice that the tempo of your days is accelerating because you have such a busy schedule. Short trips, errands, conversations with many people, especially siblings and relatives, plus increased reading, writing and studying all combine to keep you on the go. Actually, the first half of this month is still a good time to buy wardrobe items. (Lucky you!) You will look fabulous this year! Partnerships continue to bless you. Do whatever you can to get ready for 2018, which is your peak year.

July

Now your attention turns to home, family and your private life. In fact, if you get a chance, you will welcome the opportunity to cocoon at home and stay out of the everyday insanity because you need to pull your act together before you take it on the road. Another reason you may be focused on home and family is some kind of conflict is taking place now. Increased activity at home is creating chaos. This could be due to visiting guests, renovations or a family event, which creates a big stir. This is the month to tackle home repairs.

August

This is a playful month! Romance, love affairs and fun relationships with others will totally appeal. Grab every chance you can to take a mini vacation or an extended one. Schmooze with others. Enjoy the arts, movies, sports events and outdoor activities. Romance can really get a boost this month! This is also a good time to redecorate your digs and make your home look more attractive. Invite the gang over for a barbecue. Support wild life - throw a party!

September

This month is a mixed bag because on one hand, you definitely want to work. You're keen to get better organized and be as efficient and productive as possible. Nevertheless, three planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - want you to play and boogie with others! Romance and love affairs will shine! You will also enjoy playful activities with children and competitive sports. Oh well.

October

This is the one month of the year when the Sun is (symbolically) as far away from you as it gets all year, which means you will need more sleep. (That's because the Sun is your source of energy.) In addition, this month, your focus will be on close partnerships. This is a particularly good month to talk to partners and close friends because the conversation will flow easily. Yada yada yada. Meanwhile, relations with coworkers are warm and friendly. And you're working hard!

November

It turns out that this is a passionate, intense month for you. Yes, sex will be hot and memorable! And sure enough, three planets are in the part of your chart related to partnerships and close friendships. Venus will warm these friendships and encourage charm and diplomacy. However, Mars will make you feisty and impatient with others. So it's a balancing act. And the best way to balance this is to practice patience. This is also a good month to tie up loose ends with taxes, debt, inheritances and insurance issues.

December

This month you want to get outta Dodge. By all means, travel if you can. Travel for pleasure or work. See beautiful places and admire the arts and handiwork of other cultures. This is also a good time to study or to start a new course because you are truly eager to learn. This strong emphasis on travel and other cultures could attract a romantic relationship to you, perhaps one with someone from a different background. (This is the most fun way to learn a new language.)

A Sneak Peek Beyond

I have said for several years now that the year 2018 is your career peak. (And even if you are retired and not in a paying job, this is still a career peak in your life path.) Therefore, 2018 is a time of graduation or promotion or anything that brings you accolades, kudos and the respect of others. You will be proud of your achievements. Furthermore, gifts, goodies, inheritances and assistance from others will come to you now. Yeehaw!

Ironically, 2020 is still a fabulous time for you because now lucky Jupiter is travelling through the top of your chart further augmenting your success and attracting even more opportunities for you to put your name up in lights. Once again, others respect and admire you. Not too shabby!

The year 2021 is popular. In fact, you will be so much in demand, your greatest challenge will be learning how to balance the demands that others make on your time versus the demands that you want to make on your own time. Because after all, you count, too. This means you have to learn how to please everyone else, and at the same time, not sell yourself out. It's a delicate balance.

In 2023, lucky Jupiter will return to your sign again where it will stay for a year. (It was last there in 2011.) This means it will be an easy, playful, fun-loving year for you. Opportunities will come to you. You will attract people to you. In fact, you will attract so many good things to you, the only downside is you might gain weight because you attract flesh to the bone. Aaagghh! Time to let out another pleat in the shower curtain?

Your Aries Mantra for 2017

"Partners and close friends are my good fortune."

Mercury Retrograde in 2017

Mercury retrograde occurs three times a year. This is when Mercury appears to go backwards in relation to planet Earth. (In reality Mercury always moves forward.) During these so-called retrograde times, the areas that Mercury has domain over inexplicably suffer from errors and delays. The errors are small but frustrating!

Mercury is the symbol of everything that moves forward:

  1. all forms of ground transportation, (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, taxis, trains)
  2. the mail, parcels, packages (Post Office and Courier and Delivery Services)
  3. communications -- email, social media, phone calls, conversations
  4. daily living (the people we encounter, the items we deal with, the transactions we make and how we relate to others.)

During Mercury retrograde, all the areas under the rulership of Mercury tend to go "backwards." (They certainly have trouble going forwards!) This is why we can expect transportation delays, missed buses and car breakdowns. Mail will be late or lost, daily items that we handle like keys and papers will be misplaced; and communications with others will be confused and misunderstood. Plus people from our past will pop up into our lives. "Boris?" "Natasha!"

Use Mercury retrograde times to finish things, study the past, do research and reflect. But do not open a business or begin new projects then. Mercury retrograde is also a bad time to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones.

The dates below are the actual retrograde dates plus the buffer times. This is because Mercury starts to slow down before it goes retrograde. Then afterwards, it needs more time to catch up to where it was at when it first went retrograde.

The craziness (delays and errors) is most pronounced during the actual retrograde time. However, if you are buying a big ticket item like a car or a computer, I recommend that you play it safe and avoid these purchases in the buffer times as well. You'll be glad you did.

December 19 - January 8 (Buffer times: December 2016 to - January 28)
April 9 - May 3 (Buffer times: April 1 - May 21)
August 13 - September 5 (Buffer times: July 30 - September 20)
December 3 - December 23 (Buffer times: November 26 - January 11, 2018)

Lucky Days for 2017

  • January 4, 5, 6
  • February 1, 2, 28
  • March 1, 27, 28
  • April 24, 25
  • May 21, 22
  • June 18, 19
  • July 15, 16
  • August 11, 12
  • September 7, 8, 9
  • October 5, 6
  • November 1, 2, 28, 29, 30
  • December 26, 27

Who Shares My Birthday?

March

21
Matthew Broderick 1962
22
Reese Witherspoon 1976
23
Keri Russell 1976
24
Alyson Hannigan 1974
25
Sarah Jessica Parker 1965
26
Martin Short 1950
27
Jann Arden 1962
28
Dianne Wiest 1948
29
Lucy Lawless 1968
30
Warren Beatty 1937
31
Gordie Howe 1928

April

1
Sam Huntington 1982
2
Christopher Meloni 1961
3
Alec Baldwin 1958
4
Robert Downey Jr. 1965
5
Pharrell Williams 1973
6
Paul Rudd 1969
7
Kevin Alejandro 1976
8
Patricia Arquette 1968
9
Marc Jacobs 1963
10
Daisy Ridley 1992
11
Trevor Linden 1970
12
Saoirse Ronan 1994
13
Kelli Giddish 1980
14
Abigail Breslin 1996
15
Emma Thompson 1959
16
Claire Foy 1984
17
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood 1987
18
Chloe Bennet 1992
19
James Franco 1978