"I like restraint if it doesn't go too far."

Mae West
(Aug. 12, 1893 - Nov. 22 1980)

What Will 2019 Bring?

Last year I predicted "sexual secrets will continue, along with scandals about the media, universities, the church and foreign countries. (Russia springs to mind.)"

This year the big change for 2019 is the shift of Uranus into Taurus. The last time Uranus was in Taurus was from 1935 to 1942.

Uranus challenges rigid structures. It fights power and tyranny on behalf of the everyday person. Uranus is the energy behind unions, Green Peace and Amnesty International. Its rallying cry is "the greatest good for the greatest number!" Uranus represents technology, computers, the sky, aviation, air waves and the radio.

For the last seven years, Uranus was in fiery Aries. an independent "ME" sign. Consider how the "Selfie" society exploded in that time! Aries is also militant, hence the #metoo movement with its overnight groundswell.

But Uranus in Taurus will be very different: Taurus is tangible. It is Earth, the ground, the source of food. It is the sign of domesticated animals; and it rules money, wealth and banks. It is conservative. It values time-tested tradition.

New rules regarding banking will be introduced this year and in the next seven years. Revolutionary ideas will impact food production. There will be increased "sharing" of goods - shared housing, shared cars, shared gardens, shared jobs.

My advice is to protect what you have. Take care of what you own. Be financially prudent. Solidify your finances and get out of debt.

Meanwhile, for the first time in 12 years, lucky Jupiter will dazzle because it is back in its own sign! This will benefit travel, education, publishing, the media and give everyone increased hope! (Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn't permanent.)

Hello Leo!

Noble Leo, you are generous, proud, creative and quick to see the big picture. You love the theatre, fun times, sports, compliments, movies, majestic surroundings and spectacular vacations! You are dramatic, romantic and like to be noticed. You especially want recognition for your talents. You're a terrific host plus kids love you. Acting and teaching come naturally to you. You're never stingy and you hate pettiness. Your dress is sporty but eye-catching - animal prints, chunky, one-of-a-kind jewelry with your hair off your forehead like a lion's mane. You expect top billing. (Puleeze.)

A Backwards Glance

In the mid-90s, vacations, romance and playful times with children flourished. Around 1996, your job improved and recognition for your efforts became obvious by the turn of the millennium. This was also a time when many of you enjoyed travel opportunities and exploring avenues in publishing, the media, medicine, the law and higher education. In fact, in 2000, you were lookin' swell, kiddo!

By 2003, lucky Jupiter was in your sign boosting your confidence and encouraging you to think and act big! In the next two years, many of you downsized by giving up where you lived or worked to set off on a new path around 2006. By 2007, you were ready for fun, romance and vacations! Relationships were blessed in 2009; however, from 2011 to 2013, life was a roller coaster with job changes and residential moves. Nevertheless, 2012 was a wonderful year for your professional reputation.

In 2014-15, you worked to solidify your home base. This was also a time when you had increased responsibilities with family. Fortunately, in 2015, lucky Jupiter was in your sign boosting your confidence and attracting opportunities to you. In the last year, many of you have expanded your home base by either moving to bigger digs or improving where you currently lived. Your family might have expanded then; and members were more generous and mutually supportive. These are traits you admire because after all, the lion is always protective of his lair.

What Will 2019 Be Like?

Money and Career

This will be a successful year for your career, job and earnings for two reasons: Saturn and Pluto. When these two planets come together they can move mountains! Of course, Pluto has been travelling through your House of Employment since 2009 and will continue to do so until 2024. (Because Pluto's orbit around the Sun is 250 years, this means not everyone will ever experience this particular influence. Just some people, like you.)

Basically, this means that from 2009 to 2023, you will undergo great changes in your work, possibly even a complete change of jobs or career. You will encounter tension with people through your job, particularly bosses. Some of you will become involved in a Plutonian job, which would classically be tearing down something in order to rebuild into a better result like renovating, re-upholstering, re-sanding, refinishing, re-writing, repairing refurbishing, reconstructing or redoing anything. This also includes regenerative therapies - physical or psychological.

The bottom line is Pluto will drive you to work harder than you have ever worked before! The downside is it might drive you to work so hard you have a breakdown or suffer from burnout. Be careful about this. Leos think they're Superheroes and that they can do anything! (It's sort of true.)

This year, Saturn is moving closer by degree to Pluto until they are just three degrees apart. (They line up in January 2020.) This mean both these planets will work in tandem in your House of Employment. Saturn travels through this house once every 30 years, while Pluto travels through this house only once in lifetime for some people - but not all. Yes! Holy Moley!

The upshot is you will bust your buns as never before. You'll be PowerPoint on steroids! Pluto brings a powerful, inexhaustible energy to the table, while Saturn narrows and channels this energy so that they become "laser like" in accomplishing whatever you want to do. This makes sense because in 2021, you will get recognition for everything you've done since 2012, and in some ways, everything you've done since 2005. Think of this year as your grand push for the recognition you will get in 2021, and in some cases, as early as 2020.

This planetary aspect indicates you will be working hard. But another planetary aspect (Jupiter dancing with your Sun) is quite the opposite! (Whaat?) Jupiter makes you want to kick back, relax and sing Bob Marley songs. "Let's get together and feel alright." This influence is so pleasant, your problem will be that you just want to coast, enjoy life and do nothing! Ha!

You might think that one cancels out the other but it doesn't work that way in astrology. What it means is you will work hard and play hard! You will bust your buns and then take a fabulous vacation. "More whiskey! And fresh horses for my men!"

In addition, your creative potential is enormous this year. It's important to know that areas where you can boost your earnings are related to show business, the entertainment world and sports. This includes the hospitality industry i.e. restaurants, hotels and anything from the Bellagio in Vegas to a Pitch n Putt in Surrey.

Many will do well with financial speculation this year. In fact, the odds favour financial speculation in 2019. Ah yes, you will be Master of the Universe! (Who is surprised to learn that Tom Wolfe had Moon in Leo? No one.)

Relationships

In a word, I can tell you that this is the best year for romance and love affairs that you have had in over a decade! Yippee! I kid you not.

Lucky Jupiter will be travelling through the part of your chart that virtually symbolizes romance. ("Is that you, my love?") This lucky influence will encourage new relationships, especially with someone different, perhaps from another culture or a different country.

Romantic relationships as well as platonic friendships will expand your world and teach you new things in a fun-loving, playful way. You might meet someone new on vacation, or in a setting related to universities, colleges, publishing, the media or something to do with the law or medicine. Sports events, sports training and participation in sports is another area where you might encounter new romance.

Meanwhile, existing romantic relationships will be more playful and happy this year. You will have a busier schedule that includes more social activities, more theatre, more sports plus dining out and staying in hotels or visiting resorts.

Vacations will be a huge theme in 2019! One of the reasons you will have such enjoyable relations with others is that this year you will have the courage to be yourself and to express yourself without fear or apology.

You will be happy being who you are and confident to be in your own skin. In addition, relations with children will also improve this year. Expect many occasions where you will feel proud of them. Yes, you have much to look forward to!

Home and Family

Relations with home and family will improve this year - no question -- because you are happier and more upbeat! Yes, it's true that you are working hard but you are also playing hard. Note that I mention in your relationships with others (see above), that your relations with your kids will improve and be happier and more mutually generous and fun-loving.

Plan a family vacation this year because you will truly enjoy this. You will also enjoy entertaining at home, inviting guests for dinner or summer barbecues because you want to have fun! You're comfortable with yourself and confident and keen to meet others, especially people who are a bit offbeat or different or from another culture.

You want to explore new territory this year, and this includes social exploration and learning from others especially because these contacts will enrich the quality of your life and perhaps your family as well.

Some of you will expand your family through birth, adoption or marriage this year. Because you're working hard, as well as feeling confident and upbeat, many of you will make positive changes to where you live by deciding to renovate, redecorate and make your home more attractive. "Let's build a pool!"

2019 Monthly Highlights

January

It's interesting that this January very much reflects what your coming year will be all about because your primary thrust will be to work hard and be as efficient, effective and productive as possible. (You want to get the most bang from your efforts.) You want results! Nevertheless, two lovely goodies - fair Venus and lucky Jupiter - demand that you socialize, thrill to sports events, go out and have fun, party, explore romance, enjoy the arts, and hopefully, take a vacation! And hey, this is just the first month of a year when you are going to work and party and take more vacations than you have done so in years!

February

This month you will focus on partnerships, close friendships and members of the general public. You will learn a lot about relating to those who are close to you because you will have more objectivity, which will allow you to see your style of relating more clearly. Incidentally, because the Sun is now as far away from your sign as it gets all year, and it is the source of your energy, you will need more sleep! Respect your need for more rest. Yes, you will work hard as usual but fair Venus will ensure smooth relations with coworkers. Many of you will get a raise and at least, praise. You might also improve your working conditions or your workspace. Discussions about shared property will go well. Grab every chance to travel.

March

This is a relatively intense month. For starters, your ambition is aroused. You mean business. You're prepared to go after what you want with determination and passion! You are also concerned about red-tape details regarding taxes, debt, jointly-held property, insurance issues, inheritances, estates and such. Definitely devote some time to tying up loose ends. Furthermore, do your homework if you need to deal with important issues in these areas. Meanwhile, romance and sex will be passionate! Relations with partners and close friends are warm and rewarding. It's a good month.

April

"Oh to be in England now that April's here." You don't have to be Robert Browning to express this sentiment because this month, you want to travel! You're hungry for a change of scenery. You want some adventure and a chance to do something different. Not only do you want to be stimulated, you want to learn something! Some of you will travel in groups, possibly connected with a competition. Others will travel with friends, or on behalf of a charitable or nonprofit organization. This is a good month to ask for a loan or mortgage because people will be generous to you. This is also a hot, sexy month. Remember Mae West: "Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly."

May

This is the one month of the year when the Sun is at the top of your chart shining down on you like a spotlight. And this spotlight is flattering! This means that bosses, parents, VIPs and even the police and other authority figures will admire you even if you don't change your behaviour or do anything different. (It's smoke and mirrors.) Obviously, this means this is the month to make your move! Demand the advantage! Go after what you want! Travel for pleasure will still appeal and physical activity, especially related to competitive activity, is still at play for many of you, probably related to groups. "We win!"

June

You'll enjoy increased popularity this month seeing friends, and becoming more involved in groups, clubs and associations. Everyone wants to see your face! In particular, you will hang out with creative, artistic types more than usual. Relations with friends and acquaintances will be warm. In fact, a friend could become a lover because there are also indications of secret meetings and private trysts taking place. (You devil.) Naturally, your desire to enjoy a vacation is still strong - and this will continue for the entire year. Note: This is an excellent time to discuss your long-term goals for the future with someone because their feedback will be helpful.

July

Mixed messages are at hand this month because fiery Mars is in your sign boosting your energy and making you more forthright, direct and aggressive in all your dealings with others. Nevertheless, three other planets are "hiding" showing that in truth, you will feel most comfortable withdrawing from the busyness of everything around you and playing things low key. This is why you will seek solitude more than usual, even though Mars wants to draw you out centre stage with sword in hand! "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!"

August

You're in fine form this month because the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all in Leo. (It's a bit much - but you love it.) This means you are articulate, positive, energetic, charming and diplomatic. It's a great month for a vacation. It's also a great time for any kind of creative work or work where you will be the leader of the pack. (A role you handle well.) You are in control of situations wherever are and whatever you do because you will attract important people to you as well as favourable circumstances. Do note this is a great month to buy wardrobe treasures for yourself. Go crazy! (Is it too early for velvet?)

September

"Money, it's a gas, ... New car, caviar, four-star daydream. Think I'll buy me a football team." Your focus on money this month is major. This is because four planets are in your House of Earnings, which means you are full of moneymaking ideas! Plus you can also attract money to you. (Sweet!) This is not surprising because you're working hard to earn money and make contacts with others. Of course, with this strong financial emphasis, you're spending money! Being the generous Leo that you are, you are picking up the tab for others as well as buying beautiful things that appeal. But in your quiet moments, when you are alone, you will give serious thought to your values this month. What really matters? It's important to know this.

October

This month you're spread a bit thin. Your interests are varied and you're upbeat, curious and busy. Enjoy short trips. Another vacation? A weekend getaway? You are also keen to enlighten others about something. You're busy writing, reading and studying more than usual. Family conversations are important, possibly about home improvements, which you are considering. You're keen to redecorate and tweak your digs, and then, of course, entertain so that you can show others what you have done. Despite these busy, fun diversions - you are still motivated to earn money this month. Oh yeah!

November

This month you will pull in your energy somewhat - not completely - because you are focused on home, family and your private life more than usual. Family discussions and home repairs might be part of the reason for this. You might also be more involved with a parent. You have a strong desire for privacy and will appreciate opportunities to cocoon and relax at home. Nevertheless, fair Venus and lucky Jupiter will entice you to party and socialize! Meanwhile, Mars will make your communications with others more direct, which will be useful for those in sales, marketing, teaching, acting and writing. You will accomplish a lot!

December

This month is fun city! Accept invitations to party. Enjoy the arts, the theatre, movies plus gallery openings and hockey games. Get out and have a good time! Many of you will be actively creative because you're full of creative ideas. Increased chaos and activity on the home front might be troubling. (This could be due to renovations, residential moves or visiting guests.) Fortunately, relations with coworkers are warm and supportive. You continue to work hard. Early Leos, born in July are feeling restless with a growing sense of independence. Many of you are seeking ways to be self-employed or to be free from your slave-wave job.

A Peek Beyond 2019

Because you have been working so hard for so long, it is no surprise that in 2020, you will improve your job situation by either getting a better job or improving your existing job. Likewise, you will have a chance to improve your health by losing weight, exercising more or adopting a new dietary regime.

By 2021, partnerships are both favoured and challenged. It's a tricky year. In one way, it's a wonderful year for Leos to get married; and yet ironically, it's also a year when many Leos might end a relationship.

Grab every opportunity to travel in 2023 because you will be keen to expand your world by seeing new places and learning new things. This same year will favour publishing, the media, higher education and anything to do with law, medicine and dealing with foreign countries. By 2024, your reputation is stellar; however, your ultimate career peak awaits you in 2028. This is when you will really take a bow!

My Leo Mantra for 2019

"It's my turn to work hard and party hard!"

Mercury Retrograde in 2019

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. These errors are small but frustrating!

Mercury has domain over everything that moves forward:

  1. All forms of ground transportation, (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, taxis, trains)
  2. The mail, parcels, packages (Post Office plus Courier and Delivery Services)
  3. Communications - email, social media, phone calls, conversations
  4. It also includes 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 domain of Mercury tend to go "backwards." (They certainly have trouble going forwards!) Expect transportation delays, missed buses and car breakdowns. Mail will be delayed or lost. Daily items like keys and papers will be misplaced. Communications with others will be confused and misunderstood. People from our past will pop up into our lives.

"Boris?" "Natasha!"

However, we can make good use of Mercury retrograde times to finish things, study the past, do research and reflect. But do not open a business or begin new projects. 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 during the buffer times as well. You'll be glad you did.

Actual Mercury Retrograde Dates Buffered Dates (I use this one)
March 5 - March 28 February 26 - April 17
July 7 - August 2 June 23 - August 15
October 31 - November 20 October 20 - December 8

Lucky Days for Leo in 2019

  • January 21, 22
  • February 17, 18
  • March 17, 18
  • April 13, 14
  • May 10, 11, 12
  • June 7, 8
  • July 4, 5, 31
  • August 1, 28, 29
  • September 24, 25
  • October 21, 22, 23
  • November 18, 19
  • December 15, 16

Who Shares My Birthday?

July

23
Daniel Radcliffe 1989
24
Elisabeth Moss 1982
25
Geoffrey Zakarian 1959
26
Helen Mirren 1945
27
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau 1970
28
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis 1929
29
Geddy Lee 1953
30
Hilary Swank 1974
31
Rico Rodriguez 1998

August

1
Anne Hebert 1916
2
Mary-Louise Parker 1964
3
Mike Holmes 1963
4
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 1981
5
David Chang 1977
6
Michelle Yeoh 1962
7
Paula Echevarria 1977
8
Princes Beatrice 1988
9
P. L. Travers 1899
10
Antonio Banderas 1960
11
Viola Davis 1965
12
Peter Krause 1965
13
Tom Perrotta 1961
14
Mila Kunis 1983
15
Jennifer Lawrence 1990
16
Madonna 1958
17
Don McKellar 1963
18
Nicole Krauss 1974
19
Ville Virtanen 1961
20
Amy Adams 1974
21
Kim Cattrall 1956
22
James Corden 1978