name='keywords'/> Dance of the Phoenix: August 2016

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Friday, August 26, 2016

Mars, Saturn and Neptune Face Off as Confusion and Frustration Prevail




I realize that Mars in Sagittarius is direct and is finally out of its shadow period (where it was in mid-April when it stationed retrograde), but it has been wreaking havoc this past week with its interactions to Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces.

I totally related to what Michael Lutin had to say about Mars and Saturn in Sagittarius on his site:


He summed it up quite succinctly when he commented that having these two planets conjunct in Sagittarius entailed having the curiosity to push the envelope and explore coupled with a terrifying apprehension.  Has anyone been immune to the levels of anxiety that are prevalent these days?

To quote Michael Lutin:

“Mars Saturn in Sadge in the sign of the mind is the challenge to find sanity in madness, courage in fear, patience in restlessness, diligence in avoidance, truth in lies, temperance panic, wisdom in ignorance.”

Mars and Saturn were conjunct in 9 degrees of Sagittarius on August 24, 2016, inspiring me to tweet:

“Mars conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius today has a frustrating vibe that feels like driving full speed with brakes on.  Aargh!”

Basically, this aspect was all about wanting to move forward, as Mars is wont to do, but good old Saturn literally has a tendency to put the brakes on that movement by testing us, being somewhat restrictive and manifesting limitations.  Saturn is also squaring the nodes of the moon simultaneously, which provides a powerful connection between the past and the future.  We want to clear old doubts so that we can move forward but we are finding obstacles in our path.

Neptune in Pisces is adding confusion to the frustration by obscuring what action to take. Don’t you love that Neptunian fog? Neptune squares Mars and Saturn on August 26th and this is activating the Saturn/Neptune square which has been with us all year.  It will remain strong through mid-September, straight through eclipse season. In fact, the third hit of the Saturn/Neptune square occurs on September 10th in 10 degrees of Sagittarius and Pisces. How do we make our dreams a reality and break free of self-sabotaging patterns of the past?  The challenge with Neptune squaring Mars is to rise above the ego level so that we can find the answers on a deeper soul level.  That is a feat easier said than done for most of us.

On a personal level, transiting Neptune in Pisces is trining my Saturn in Scorpio, but I honestly can’t say that I have gotten a pass from all of this turmoil, trine or no trine. I am struggling to make my dreams a reality too and still somewhat unclear as to how I should proceed.  I was born with my own Saturn Neptune drama going on with both Neptune and Saturn in the 1st house.  With Neptune in the 1st house, I tend to live in another world, while Saturn in the 1st house makes me naturally apprehensive and reserved in terms of acting on my desires.  Saturn in the 1st house does not exactly imbue one with a ton of self-confidence or high self-esteem; it makes you work for it.  I do not make decisions lightly; it takes me what seems like an eternity to implement major changes in my life, but after having survived two Saturn Returns, I can say that I have a slightly improved set of tools in my toolbox and that I have managed to get myself unstuck from some pretty toxic situations.  I attribute that to my first house Neptune in Libra bestowing me with the faith that somehow it will all work out for the best if I put in the effort.  And that Saturn in Scorpio has definitely given me the tenacity to do the work.

I think that the sign below nicely captures the zeitgeist of the Mars/Saturn conjunction and Neptune’s involvement in this mutable configuration.




All is not total gloom and doom, however. On August 27, 2016, Venus and Jupiter are conjunct in Virgo.  Pretty sweet energy for weekend merrymaking.  Venus and Jupiter love to have a good time. Mercury in Virgo joins the party on August 28, 2016, so you may get some good news or an invitation to a fun social event.  Enjoy it while you can because Mercury is preparing for its next retrograde period on August 30th.  It stations retrograde in 29 degrees of Virgo on that day and resumes direct motion in 14 degrees of Virgo on September 22, 2016.  A Mercury retrograde in Virgo is all about the details, research and the body/mind connection.  Be prepared to review and restore when Mercury is retrograde in Virgo.

The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, I am still channeling that north node and Jupiter in Virgo energy by offering my Reiki services.  If you are in the Boston area, please consider getting a Reiki treatment at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley Square to destress, revitalize and remove blockages to healing.  It’s a perfect way to start your weekend off and can also be described as a spa for the soul to boot!   Reiki is the most profound treatment for stress relief because it concentrates on CALMING your body.

For more information on my Reiki services, please see this page on my site:


For my clients who can’t fit Friday into their schedule for a treatment or have difficulty traveling, I have also recently begun doing distance Reiki sessions for them.  I have a conversation with them about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages.  I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205. Additionally, I see clients at my home in Newton, Massachusetts and am generally available on weekends and evenings for your convenience.

If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can help you, please check out this page on my site:


If you are seeking more spiritual insight into your life, please consider getting an astrological reading. An astrological reading can provide valuable insight and tools.  If you are not quite ready for a full blown natal interpretation or a solar return forecast, I also offer one question astrological readings and composite couple readings that offer insight into the purpose of a relationship. And I offer shorter transit readings for three and six months which might help you navigate the rest of summer a little easier. If you purchase a three or six month transit reading, I will even look at how September’s eclipses affect you! You can learn more about my menu of astrological services, including the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Twitter at:


A contribution in any amount is deeply appreciated as gratitude is a daily part of my spiritual practice.

Mars stationing direct this summer inspired me to launch a new endeavor that will deliver my services to you at an affordable cost in the form of package deals.  I am offering four options: Silver, Gold, Platinum and a Tarot special for my tarot clients. Please check it out at:


Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:





Friday, August 19, 2016

Full Moon in Aquarius - The Almost Eclipse


We just experienced a Full Moon in 26 degrees of Aquarius on August 18, 2016.  The astrological community has been of two minds in terms of describing it as a lunar eclipse.  Some astrologers called it a penumbral lunar eclipse, which is more subtle and difficult to observe because only the outer shadow of the earth falls on the moon’s face. But other astrologers are calling it an “Almost Eclipse.” But this full moon may still have the impact of an eclipse in terms of the changes it brings.  It still packed quite a punch because Aquarius is the sign ruled by Aquarius and this full moon sextiled Uranus in Aries, Aquarius revels in being considered unconventional and weird.  Dramatic changes and visions of a new future are highly likely as a result of this full moon. On August 18th, I tweeted:

“#FullMoon in Aquarius has increased emphasis on wild card energy with its sextile to Uranus in Aries.  Expect lots of changes.”

The full moon in Aquarius also formed a challenging inconjunct (or as fellow astrologer Dietrech Pessin describes it, “Life’s messy, clean it up”) aspect with both Mercury and Jupiter in Virgo.  That inconjunct inspired me to tweet:

“Communications could get a little feisty and critical today as Aquarius #FullMoon inconjuncts Mercury in Virgo. #AlmostEclipse feels like one!”

The full moon inconjunct Mercury and Jupiter in Virgo generated massive amounts of mental tension that forced us to reexamine the details (Virgo loves its details, after all) and fueled the edginess associated with a full moon.  And a full moon in Aquarius tends to bring a heightened need for independence.

Letting go of situations and relationships that no longer serve our highest good was also a major theme of this full moon.  The sticking point with this is that anyone with a preponderance of fixed signs in their chart (Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio) know that this is no easy feat.  Fixed signs are tenacious and do not give up easily. That in itself has its pros and cons.

Saturn in Sagittarius was also a heavy hitter in this full moon.  It recently stationed direct on August 13th, prompting me to tweet:

“Saturn stations direct today & we have opportunity to release blockages & limitations that have been keeping us stuck for months.”

The response to this tweet blew me away because over 4000 people have seen this tweet in the past week.  Obviously I struck a collective nerve!

Saturn is still involved with an ongoing square with Neptune in Pisces which will be exact again on September 10, 2016.  So the theme of what is real and how to make our dreams a reality still prevails.  Saturn does love to prune away the deadwood, which certainly is a major component of the release theme. Saturn in Sagittarius was also squaring the nodes of the moon on this full moon, which puts more pressure on us to let go of the past (south node stuff) and move forward on our path (north node).   This volatile combination of Saturn, Neptune and the nodes reinforces the theme of busting through our resistance to what the future holds us for us.  And there is a palpable sense of urgency this this because Mars will catch up to Sagittarius on August 24th and when this conjunction occurs, we will definitely feel like the brakes have been slammed on.

On a personal level, I have been treating this full moon as a full blown lunar eclipse.  It fell in my 5th house of creativity directly opposing my Pluto in Leo in my 11th house.  It also squared my Venus in Scorpio in my 2nd house.  It is bound to usher in major changes for me in the areas of finances, values, creativity, aspirations, and group relationships and affiliations. 

I confess to having a very real fear of losing control of my financial destiny as I await the outcome of Massachusetts Senate Bill S2461.  Will I lose my ability to practice Reiki in 2017 if this bill is passed? I may need to devise some new tools for generating this portion of my income as a healer.

If you are interested in learning more about this bill, I strongly encourage you to go to this link:


If you live in Massachusetts and are interested in opposing the threat to Reiki in Massachusetts, I urge you to go to this link:


The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, I am still channeling that north node and Jupiter in Virgo energy by offering my Reiki services.  If you are in the Boston area, please consider getting a Reiki treatment at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley Square to destress, revitalize and remove blockages to healing.  It’s a perfect way to start your weekend off and can also be described as a spa for the soul to boot!   Reiki is the most profound treatment for stress relief because it concentrates on CALMING your body. 

For more information on my Reiki services, please see this page on my site:


For my clients who can’t fit Friday into their schedule for a treatment or have difficulty traveling, I have also recently begun doing distance Reiki sessions for them.  I have a conversation with them about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages.  I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205. Additionally, I see clients at my home in Newton, Massachusetts and am generally available on weekends and evenings for your convenience.
  
If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can help you, please check out this page on my site:


If you are seeking more spiritual insight into your life, please consider getting an astrological reading. An astrological reading can provide valuable insight and tools.  If you are not quite ready for a full blown natal interpretation or a solar return forecast, I also offer one question astrological readings and composite couple readings that offer insight into the purpose of a relationship. And I offer shorter transit readings for three and six months which might help you navigate the rest of summer a little easier. If you purchase a three or six month transit reading, I will even look at how September’s eclipses affect you! You can learn more about my menu of astrological services, including the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Twitter at:


A contribution in any amount is deeply appreciated as gratitude is a daily part of my spiritual practice.

Mars stationing direct this summer inspired me to launch a new endeavor that will deliver my services to you at an affordable cost in the form of package deals.  I am offering four options: Silver, Gold, Platinum and a Tarot special for my tarot clients. Please check it out at:


Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:





Friday, August 12, 2016

Mars Out of Bounds and Saturn Direct



Mars in 2 degrees of Sagittarius entered a phase called Out of Bounds on August 8, 2016 and I confess that I didn’t see it coming.  A planet is considered to be out of bounds when its orbit is greater than 23 degrees and 27 minutes north or south of the equator.

What does out of bounds imply for a planet?  Basically, it means that the energy of the planet feels stretched and out of control.  It is literally wild card energy.  When Mars is out of bounds, aggression, impulsivity, violence, self-centeredness, anger, extreme force and a tendency to pick unprovoked fights runs rampant. But on the plus side, Mars out of bounds can bestow us with courage, ambition, self-confidence, willpower, stamina and physical vitality.  Mars will be out of bound through October 30, 2016, which is a clear indicator that we can expect more disruptive energy in this very unusual election year. 

I checked my own chart and discovered that I was born under the influence of an out of bounds Mars in Aquarius.  Anyone who knows me well is aware that I am fully capable of great tenacity and the occasional tendency to literally shock people by rebelling against the status quo.  Katherine Hepburn was also born with Mars in Capricorn out of bounds, and she was definitely no slouch in the iconoclast department.

My personal prelude to Mars out of bounds occurred on August 7, 2016 when the Sun in Leo inconjuncted Pluto in Capricorn.  On that day I tweeted:

“Power struggles are possible today with Leo sun inconjunct Pluto in Capricorn. Adjustments and/or compromises may be required.”

This manifested in a big way for me when I received an email on August 7th from the Celebration of Reiki organization that the legislature in Massachusetts was trying to pass a bill (Senate Bill S2461) which would prohibit Reiki practitioners in the state of Massachusetts from practicing without having a license and passing a course of study of at least 500 classroom hours.   While I applaud the legislature’s efforts to protect women and children from human trafficking in the form of forced prostitution and sexual abuse, I do not believe that Reiki is a form of bodywork that poses any kind of threat to them because clients are fully clothed during a session and there is no inappropriate touching.  I touch the feet during a session to ground the person.  Period. Reiki is a form of energy therapy and while most Reiki practitioners have completed Reiki 1, 2 and 3, there is no nationally accredited program or licensing procedure. If this bill is passed and takes effect on January 1, 2017, I will be out of business and my Reiki clients will be deprived of the healing benefits of Reiki. This bill represents a threat to the livelihood of Reiki practitioners in Massachusetts and it hit home really hard. 

On August 8th, when Mars entered its out of bound period, I sprang into action. I responded to the Call for Action.  I sent emails and placed phone calls to members of the Senate and House to register my opposition to the inclusion of Reiki in this bill. And I attempted to explain how safe and non-invasive Reiki is. Ironically, Mercury in Virgo was conjunct the north node in Virgo on that day, so I was living out the energy of that aspect by attempting to restore some sense of order through communication.  I even sent a letter by snail mail to the author of the bill at the State House in Boston.  The Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing is only accepting email testimony from interested parties through August 27th, so there was no time to waste.

I am an astrologer, psychic and Reiki practitioner.  These practices constitute a large percentage of my multiple streams of income as a healer, and I don’t take kindly to any of my sources of income being threatened. My out of bounds Mars kicked into high gear this week as I fought for a cause that I believed in.  The eclipse on September 1, 2016 in 9 degrees of Virgo will be trining my north node in Capricorn, so I am hoping that all Reiki practitioners in Massachusetts will be able to continue practicing in 2017 without interference.

Saturn will station direct in 9 degrees of Sagittarius on August 13, 2016 after having been retrograde since March 25, 2016. This will be a time of reckoning, when we need to be responsible for our actions and understand what Saturn has been trying to teach us for the past few months. Whenever a planet stations, its energy is extremely powerful. Saturn, after all, is known as the Great Teacher.  But Saturn is a strict teacher that demands that you do the work by forcing you to confront your fears and insecurities so that you can muster the courage to move forward.  We need to stop being our iown harshest critic and let go of the self-criticism that no longer serves us. Any blockages that we have faced since March 2016 can be released now.  There may even be some rewards coming our way if we have done the work and we could actually feel lighter and more relaxed.

Saturn has been parked in my second house of finances and values since November 2013 and I am chomping at the bit waiting for it to leave that house in November 2016. OK, I did have a brief reprieve when it was briefly in my third house from February through mid-May 2016, but it will back in my third house for good on November 6th.  I have some important decisions to make regarding my finances, so my lesson isn’t completely learned yet.  But I am ready to move forward.

Saturn’s potent energy to create new structures will remain strong until we hit a slight  speed bump on August 24, 2016 when Mars in Sagittarius conjuncts it. A Mars Saturn conjunction is accompanied by delays, frustrations and obstacles that can make you feel like you are driving full speed with your foot on the brakes. I have a Mars Saturn square aspect natally, so I am all too familiar with the challenges that these two planets pose when they are not in a flowing alignment. My advice is to get busy now and be prepared for the slowdown that is headed our way on August 24th. Do the work NOW!

The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, I am still channeling that north node and Jupiter in Virgo energy by offering my Reiki services. If you are in the Boston area, please consider getting a Reiki treatment at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley Square to destress, revitalize and remove blockages to healing.  It’s a perfect way to start your weekend off and can also be described as a spa for the soul to boot!   Reiki is the most profound treatment for stress relief because it concentrates on CALMING your body. 

For more information on my Reiki services, please see this page on my site:


For my clients who can’t fit Friday into their schedule for a treatment or have difficulty traveling, I have also recently begun doing distance Reiki sessions for them.  I have a conversation with them about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages.  I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205. Additionally, I see clients at my home in Newton, Massachusetts and am generally available on weekends and evenings for your convenience.

If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can help you, please check out this page on my site:


If you are seeking more spiritual insight into your life, please consider getting an astrological reading. An astrological reading can provide valuable insight and tools.  If you are not quite ready for a full blown natal interpretation or a solar return forecast, I also offer one question astrological readings and composite couple readings that offer insight into the purpose of a relationship. And I offer shorter transit readings for three and six months which might help you navigate the summer months a little easier. If you purchase a six month transit reading, I will even look at how September’s eclipses affect you! You can learn more about my menu of astrological services, including the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Twitter at:


A contribution in any amount is greatly appreciated.

I am so thrilled about Mars being direct that I have officially launched a new endeavor that will deliver my services to you at an affordable cost in the form of package deals.  I am offering four options: Silver, Gold, Platinum and a Tarot special for my tarot clients. Please check it out at:


Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:





Friday, August 5, 2016

Mars and Venus Change Signs



Mars entered the sign of Sagittarius on August 2, 2016, the same day as the New Moon in Leo.  On that day I tweeted:

“Mars enters Sagittarius today renewing our energy & providing a green light to move forward with courage and inspiration.”

Mars was previously in Sagittarius from March 5 through May 27, 2016 but it moved back into Scorpio after a grueling Mars retrograde that featured themes of purging, clearing and healing. Fellow astrologer Lisa Zimmerman described its theme as Letting the Past Go and I wholeheartedly concur. Mars may be a co-ruler of Scorpio, but it has a very intense vibe in the sign of Scorpio, which is not a sign for lightweights, as astrologer Dietrech Pessin frequently says.  Mars was previously in Scorpio from January 4th through early March.  The Mars retrograde was a period of feeling stuck and now that Mars is direct in Sagittarius we can literally have a do-over for projects that got stalled last spring.

Mars in Sagittarius has a much happier, lighter, free-spirited and more optimistic vibe.  It is fun-loving, courageous and inspiring. lt is a very positive, auspicious omen that it reentered Sagittarius on the New Moon in Leo, which pertains to creativity and self-expression.  The first three weeks in August are prime time for taking some kind of action towards creating something new in our lives.  Why do I say the first three weeks in August?  Well, folks, that is because Mars in Sagittarius will conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius on August 24th.  This conjunction is a difficult, challenging aspect that will feel like you are driving full speed with your foot on the brake.  In other words, we will definitely experience some form of discouragement and delay in forward movement.  So make hay while that Leo sun is still shining and Mars has a lighter, more carefree vibe.  By August 24th the sun will be in Leo and on August 30th Mercury will retrograde in Virgo.  Enough said. With Mercury retrograde until September 22nd, our best course of action is to tweak any changes that we implemented during the first three weeks in August.  At least Mercury in Virgo will provide a much needed analytical resource for that tweaking.

Venus has been in playful, fun-loving Leo since July 13, 2016, but on August 5th it enters the sign of Virgo, where it will reside until August 29th. I realize that many are dismayed by this placement, since Venus is considered to be in its fall in the sign of Virgo.  Venus in Virgo wants to serve and improve and it may demonstrate its love by criticizing.  Nagging is a sign that someone with Venus in Virgo cares, if that is any consolation. There might be an increased focus on physical flaws, but it can also be a time to develop a little self-love. Venus in Virgo can be an optimal time to focus on new health and exercise regimes. While Venus in Virgo is not as light-hearted as Venus in Leo, it still can be a very alluring Venus placement. Eleanor Roosevelt had Venus in Virgo emphasizing the theme of service, but Brigitte Bardot, Julia Roberts, Robert Redford and Catherine Zeta Jones also have Venus in Virgo. 

Mars is in a lighter sign in Sagittarius and Venus is getting more serious in Virgo.  On August 6, 2016 Mars and Venus will form a very challenging aspect by squaring each other. This could play out in some relationship difficulties accompanied by competitive feelings.  Or some lucky souls could experience passion and sparks flying with new encounters.  On August 15, 2016, Venus in Virgo will conjunct the north node in Virgo and this is a very good thing because it helps us align with our soul’s mission.  If you are single and meet someone new around August 15th, it could be a very profound, life-altering relationship.

Mars and Venus changing signs could prove to be major game changers for relationships.  If you are curious as to how this will affect your relationships, why not consider getting an astrological reading to obtain more insight?

The north node in Virgo has an underlying theme of service to others.  In that spirit of pursuing my path as a healer, I am channeling that north node and Jupiter in Virgo energy by offering my Reiki services. If you are in the Boston area, please consider getting a Reiki treatment at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley Square to destress, revitalize and remove blockages to healing.  It’s a perfect way to start your weekend off and can also be described as a spa for the soul to boot!   Reiki is the most profound treatment for stress relief because it concentrates on CALMING your body. 

For more information on my Reiki services, please see this page on my site:


For my clients who can’t fit Friday into their schedule for a treatment or have difficulty traveling, I have also recently begun doing distance Reiki sessions for them.  I have a conversation with them about what they hope to achieve from a session, we set up a time for the session to take place when they will be in a state to receive healing energy and I follow up with a telephone conversation to discuss their experience and my perception of their blockages.  I have also incorporated a new technique with my distance Reiki treatments since I don’t always have a photo of my client.  I use a teddy bear so that I can scan and focus the healing energy where it is needed. If this appeals to you, please feel free to contact me by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205. Additionally, I see clients at my home in Newton, Massachusetts and am generally available on weekends and evenings for your convenience.

If you are interested in learning more about how Reiki can help you, please check out this page on my site:


If you are seeking more spiritual insight into your life, please consider getting an astrological reading. An astrological reading can provide valuable insight and tools.  If you are not quite ready for a full blown natal interpretation or a solar return forecast, I also offer one question astrological readings and composite couple readings that offer insight into the purpose of a relationship. And I offer shorter transit readings for three and six months which might help you navigate the summer months a little easier. If you purchase a six month transit reading, I will even look at how September’s eclipses affect you! You can learn more about my menu of astrological services, including the opportunity to provide a donation in the amount of your choice to demonstrate your support for my blog and daily astrological insights on Twitter at:


A contribution in any amount is greatly appreciated.

I am so thrilled about Mars being direct that I have officially launched a new endeavor that will deliver my services to you at an affordable cost in the form of package deals.  I am offering four options: Silver, Gold, Platinum and a Tarot special for my tarot clients. Please check it out at:


Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at: