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The Starry Eye Astrologer
Hosted by Charlene Lichtenstein
Special to washingtonpost.com
Monday, April 23, 2001; 7 p.m. EDT

What is your horoscope? Do you want to know what the planets and heavenly bodies have aligned this year -- in your career, in romance or surprises in your daily life? Tonight at 7 p.m. EST, "Madam" Lichtenstein, will take your questions on sun signs, lunar influences and all things in the stars.

Madam Lichtenstein's skills run in the family. Her great aunt, Etta Weimar, was the famous Romanian card reader to both kings and queens. A native of New York City, Lichtenstein was educated in Europe where she pursued the study of tarot and astrology. She returned to New York in 1974 and has lived in Greenwich Village ever since, dispensing advice whether requested or not.

Lichtenstein's monthly and weekly astrology columns are carried in newspapers across the country. When not writing or working on her Web site, AccessNewAge.com/zscope, Lichtenstein offers private consultation. She is a member of the National Council of Geocosmic Research and often lectures on both astrology and tarot.

Wondering how Mercury in retrograde affects your day-to-day life? What eclipses means for you and your loved ones? How to get in touch with your rising sign?

Below is a transcript.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Welcome to Starry Eye Astrology. I’m Charlene Lichtenstein, your online celestial seer, ready to answer your questions and engage everyone in a no holds barred discussion about astrology and the new age. Check out your horoscope on www.AccessNewAge.com/zscope as well as articles on void of course moons and Saturn Returns.

Starbite of the week:

I have found a copy of Vice President Cheney’s birth chart with his birth time –- Jan. 30, 1941, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln, Neb. The VP has Virgo rising which gives him a very conservative, no-nonsense and neat appearance. Virgos are the librarians of the zodiac so he also appears to have all his facts in order. With Taurus on the MidHeaven, he will be very successful (no doubt) but his success comes after years of hard work and dedication. His sun is in the 6th house of work and heath -– two very important areas for him. It is where he has to feel good, actualized or strong to feel absolutely in top form.

In May, transiting Saturn is hovering over his career house, providing challenges and professional lessons to be learned. Transiting Uranus is hitting his natal Mercury which is in his work sector. Expect a bolt from the blue -– possibly inspirational or maybe an accumulation of stress -– that pops. Transformational Pluto is transiting his 4th house of home and family and is approaching his natal Mars. This can mean that he makes some dramatic changes in his home or with his family. Let’s see how his May shapes up -– I’ll keep his chart handy.

And now let’s get to your great questions.

Sydney, NSW: G'day, Madam!

I'd be thrilled if you could tell me if travel back to the U.S. (D.C. included) is right for me for June/July this year, or is it better to wait? Also interested in the usual: my chances for finding true love this year, getting that book published -- and finally getting past Mr. P. Pan, b. July 24, 1970 in New Zealand. My details: b. 12/2/66 6:51 a.m. in Philly. Thanks, Katie.

Charlene Lichtenstein: You have a spirit of travel in your chart -– sun and venus in world-traveler Sagittarius as well as Sag rising. You like meeting new and interesting people and love to travel. You also have moon (emotions) in sensitive cancer so for a carefree sun-sign Sag, you have a soft and vulnerable heart. (Why else would you hang on to a Peter Pan?). You have mercury (thoughts and communication) in strategic Scorpio which is good. And energetic Mars (action) in careful Virgo. You are a careful thinker and have great follow through because you leave nothing to chance. SO with your lucky Sag sun, you also make a lot of your luck happen and grow.

Travel in July, especially after the 23rd when the sun enters Leo is a nice time to travel. The sun will be transiting your house of travel at that time which can provide extra luck and happiness there. However, as it transits your house of sex in June to early July, you may find a replacement for PP. So let’s see what happens.

Sydney again: That Peter Pan b. July 24, 1970 in New Zealand thinks he was b. between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. By the way, any connection -- you think -- that my beloved grandfather was b. July 24 as well? (and my grandmother on my due date of Nov. 27!)

Charlene Lichtenstein: That Peter Pan has just finished up his Saturn Return -- a three-year period from ages 27-30 where things are especially stressful and ever changing. He has had a few months to land back on his feet. If he hasn't made the right moves since last summer, seek greener pastures.

And, unless your grandfather was born in 1970, there is little connection except for, perhaps, their sun signs. Even then, depending on the year, your grandfather could have a different sun sign from PP because the sun changes signs on a slightly different day in a month each year.

Potomac Falls, Va.: We are in the process of selling our home and moving to another state. I'm in a dither about this (meaning sale of house). Can you see/tell when this will happen. Frantic in Virginia

Charlene Lichtenstein: I would check out a relocation chart for you with your birth date and time but in the new location. So if you send me all the pertinent data, I will check it out.

Herndon, Va.: I have a new niece, born on Friday, April 20, 2001 at 8:15 a.m. in Atlanta, Ga. Any idea what we have in store for us with this new little person?

Charlene Lichtenstein: How wonderful!

While I don't make it a point to cast horoscopes for infants or children (we don't want to push them in a direction -- it is better for them to live out their charts on their own) I will give you a quick overview:

She has lots of independent Aries in her chart -- sun (basic personality), Mercury (thoughts and communication) and Venus (love). I see her as an independent thinker and doer. She will have a great deal of get-up-and-go and great determination. Give her room to roam.

She also has moon (emotions) in Pisces making her romantic, spiritual and perhaps a bit intuitive. Give her great emotional support. She also has Mars in Sagittarius which makes her clever, global in her perspective and possibly interested (down the road) in some sort of international venture. (But not at nap time.)

She will be close to her family because all her fiery Sag and Aries planets make excellent aspects to her 4th house of family.

Hope that helps.

Washington, D.C.: Dear Madam L.: I'm submitting early because I won't be around later tonight and am hoping that you will PLEASE, PLEASE answer my question. I'm not doing well at all -- successive heartbreaking events have worn me down to the point that my work is affected. My birth info is 10/3/69 at around 10 a.m. EST. What do the stars hold for me in the areas of romance and career? THANK YOU!!

Someone in need of guidance

Charlene Lichtenstein: Oh dear.

You have sun (personality) in libra, moon (emotions) in Cancer, Mercury (communication) in Libra, Venus (love) in Virgo, Mars (action) in Capricorn and possibly Sag rising.

The first thing that strikes me is that, with Sag rising, it means that transforming and dramatic Pluto is probably transiting your first house -- new beginnings, new people and new projects. Everything is being shaken up in a blender and served to you in a mushy pile.

Pluto transits very slowly so this is not a flash in the pan. But Pluto does help to rid ourselves of things that are no longer working for us. Things that we have trouble getting rid of on our own.

Especially now as Pluto is retrograde. And compounding the whole thing -- Mars (planet of action) in Sag is going retrograde on May 11. This can mean that as you try to "fix" things, your actions have unintended impact.

Pluto goes direct in August, Mars in July.

Bright side -- lucky Jupiter is sitting in your house of relationships now as is Saturn. Saturn can bring an older, wiser and wealthier partner for you and Jupiter brings the luck. The sun also enters your area of partnerships on May 21. I see opportunities here if you can get out of your funk and get out there and look!

So you will have an interesting summer. Make it "good interesting" and don't wallow. Use your sunny Libra energy to make lemons out of lemonade.

Bethesda, Md.: Can an Aries man 4/14 and a Pisces woman 3/13 be a good match and a lasting relationship?

Charlene Lichtenstein: I need the years -- the planets are different each year. Where are your Venus signs? (venus is the planet of love). She is different for every Aries and Pisces.

Washington, D.C.: I'm a Gemini and I have a twin sister. Does that mean I could have extra Gemini traits?

Also, my b-day is June 7, my fiance's is April 10. Is that a good match?

Charlene Lichtenstein: I would love to run both yours and your sister's chart -- even twins born on the same day have different horoscopes.

I would want to see if you had other planets in Gemini -- that would give you extra Gemini traits.

You have to send me the full birth information.

Washington, D.C.: I'm trying to get this in early. I was born on May 8, 1968 at 5:30 a.m. I've had the normal ups and downs -- but am hoping that I'm looking forward to some ups. I'm in the midst of a slew of changes (work, city, boys, etc.) that have my stomach tied up in knots. Just curious if the stars are pointing to happy times ahead.

Thanks!

Charlene Lichtenstein: Okay. You have sun in Taurus, moon in Virgo, Mercury in Gemini, Venus in Taurus and Mars in Taurus. Lots of sedate, conservative, change-hating Taurus in your chart. Taurus is also the sing of the arts, of good living, good food and drink and sensuality. So that is not bad at all!

You possibly have taurus rising so new things and new beginnings should have a certain familiarity for you or you feel uncomfortable.

The sun is currently in your first house of new beginnings which is wonderful! It shows promising starts.

Neptune (foggy thinking) and Uranus (surprises) are retrograding in your career sector now which can make you feel a bit uneasy, but inspirational. Don't let your intuition make you do foolish things here.

Also, Pluto and Mars are in your house of relationships indicating transformations and actions but things can get a bit out of control until the summer. Hold back and let people come to you. Make yourself available but don't push. Actions will have a way of getting totally out of control.

By the end of the summer, you will be able to take the bull by the horns so to speak.

Hope that helps.

Washington, D.C.: I was wondering if you'd be willing to give me a current status report of things going on around me for next four weeks or so. My birth info is:

Aug. 22, 1966, 9:16 p.m., Philadelphia, Pa.

There's a man but Ii don't have a birth time. April 2, 1965, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

My questions have to do with a little bit of both career and love -- and its relationship to Barbados, where I'm looking to start a business. I've got a big trip coming up on the first and I'll be there til May 12 -- a lot of change is in the works, I feel, and just wanted to get a sense of what's happening around me, astrologically. No real specific questions, but the arenas are career, love, geographical relocation.

Thanks for whatever you can dig up.

Charlene Lichtenstein: You have sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars in Leo –- lots of Leo. You also have moon in Scorpio and Aries rising. Generally you are a very sunny personality –- you think in dramatic, grand terms and love the theatrical effect. You love “large” and are very generous in your affection.

Your Aires man has loads of Aries -– sun, moon, Mercury and Venus all in Aries. An excellent match to all your fiery Leo. You two are quite a team. He is has practical application with Mars in Virgo so not only can he help you build your castle, it will also have a firm foundation.

P.S., with your Aries rising sign, many of his Aries planets are in your first house of new beginnings. He helps you get going.

Some points in your chart for May -– Pluto in Sagittarius is currently transiting your house of travel –- dramatic transformations are possible through travel in the next month. Upheavals in your life too. Saturn, the planet of difficulties, is transiting your house of money. Be careful with your overall finances and spending. Don’t go overboard or Saturn will give you a life lesson there. Saturn is also making a square aspect to your sun indicating that the may be a roadblock between money and your job. Maybe you will overextend and spend too much, maybe you are thinking of leaving a good paying job expecting to recoup somewhere else, but there will be delays.

Uranus, the planet of surprises, is going to oppose your natal sun in the 6th house of work and health. Protect yourself –- you could face overexertion or a nasty surprise where you least expect it. I would also be careful and be cognizant of your surroundings and your health through the year.

On the bright side, transforming Pluto is making excellent aspects to your mercury which gives you great inspiration to make necessary change sin your life. Put ideas into motion.

Let me know how it goes!

Mid-Atlantic: Hi Charlene.

2/21/71, 12:05pm Madison, Wis. I'm coming out of my first Saturn Return and am hoping that you have suggestions of a relatively less stressful year for career and social life/romance. Any advice?

Thanks.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Congratulations! Feel anything different yet?

Here are all your planets:

Sun in Pisces, moon in Cap, Mercury in Aquarius, Venus in Cap, Mars in Sag and Sagittarius rising.

Your natal Saturn in taurus is probably sitting in your house of work and health. And your first house of new beginnings is being transited by transforming Pluto and energetic Mars. I think you are still on a whirlwind ride, but you are much better able to handle it.

This should be an interesting year for romance -- by mid-May you will have Jupiter, the sun, Mercury and Saturn all transiting your house of relationships. Things will heat up for you there if you put in the effort to find the right person. Get out there and look.

I sense that your career will also continue to be transforming since Pluto and Mars will be squaring your 10th house of career. But since you have emerged from your Saturn return learning experience I see you making your own success and not getting flustered by any changes or any roadblocks.

Go get 'em!

Silver Spring, Md.: Dear Madam -- I am at my computer unexpectedly and don't know if you received my earlier query.

I was born 5/16/47 in N.W. Washington, D.C. after 11 p.m.

I am considering looking for a permanent relationship (I've always been single) Any guidance on who to avoid and what sign to be alert to?

Thank you!!

Charlene Lichtenstein: Good timing -- your first question was the next one in my queue.

You have sun and Mercury in Taurus, Venus and Mars in Aries. Possibly Aquarius rising which places all your Taurean planets in your fourth house of home and family. Home and family are very important to you and you cannot feel totally complete until that area of life is where you want it to be.

You give off an interesting dual signal. WIth all that Taurus in your chart, your basic personality is quiet and more sedate. But in love you are a fire out of control! (Aries) You courageously go forward, damn the torpedos, and go after who you want. This is good but can cause confusion -- they perceive you as someone that they must pursue -- not vice versa.

I would have to run your complete chart to be sure, but I think that you lack water signs in your chart which means that you need to develop empathy and should seek a partner with water signs in their chart to give you what you lack.

Happy fishing this summer!

Potomac, Md..: Hi CL, I am bd born 4/23/27 in Binghamton, N.Y. at 9 a.m. Wife was born in Erie, Pa. on 6/18/34. Does this year look auspicious for travel, move to warmer climate, or vacation, or what, or maybe not. Our health is fine. Your comments would be appreciated. Thank You. Keep up the good work!

Charlene Lichtenstein: I happen to love Binghamton -- is Jimmy Ds still open? It had a huge horse on the roof.

But I digress,

You have sun in Taurus, moon in Cap, Mercury in Aries, Venus in Gemini and Mars in Cancer. Possibly Gemini or Cancer rising. You are a powerful thinker and communicator but can be quite careful when you actually decide to take action. You are friendly and more platonic than passionate and you need a meeting of the minds to really fall in love.

Your wife is a good match for you (but you knew that!) with her sun in Gemini (a good match for your love planet Venus) and her Venus in your sun sign Taurus. Astrology is sooo interesting!

If you have Gemini rising (I would have to run your chart to be absolutely sure) the year will be very interesting for you in the realm of travel. Neptune and uranus are both transiting your travel sector -- surprises and foggy thinking. This could be inspirational but it can also mean getting lost and having uncomfortable surprises (like lost luggage). However, if you have Cancer rising, you may be less spiritually enthralled, but you will have your toothbrush with you. No matter what your rising sign is, travel and have a great adventure! Just be prepared for anything!

If you are planning a major move, send me the place and I will run your chart on the computer with your birth date and time and the new place. I can let you know with greater detail how things look.

Alexandria, Va.: Hi Charlene,

I was born on March 1, 1954 at 5:33 PM at Buffalo, N.Y. I have Virgo at 6 on my ascendant, 29 Virgo on the second house, 26 Libra on my third house, and 1 Sagittarius on my fourth house. Scorpio is "intercepted" or "hidden" in my third house. It contains saturn retrograde at 9 in Scorpio. This saturn is trine to my 10 Pisces sun and 10 Pisces mercury retrograde, with venus in Pisces at 18. Saturn also forms a wide trine to my eleventh house uranus retrograde at 19 Cancer. Can you tell me what significance saturn plays in my chart (which has five retrograde planets in it)?

Thank you.

Charlene Lichtenstein: Wow, you have done your homework!

To most people this reads as another language -- astrologese -- but I will answer in English.

Retrogrades in a birth chart indicate where we do not "mesh" with our upbringing. So you have Saturn retrograde in your third house. I would say that they way you communicate (3rd house) in such an intense (Scorpio) strategic and calculating manner is different from the way your family communicates.

When Saturn is trine your sun, it means that you are a "quick study" and learn and apply your lessons well. It is wonderful.

While I would like to see your entire chart on a piece of paper so I can feel the shape and see the interactions, in the span of the two minute response time of this show, I would say that Saturn is a power point in your chart because it connects so many of your planets together -- and in a good way because these are all great aspects.

So if retrogrades are where we are different from our upbringing and Saturn is the planet of problems and resolutions I see this as making you stronger -- overcoming naysayers and any obstacles in many parts of your life and being able to go and create your own success.

And I will have a closer look at your chart to see if I see anything else. Let's stay in touch.

Mid-Atlantic again: Yes, things seem to be looking up already. I will be relocating to start a new job with a new professional status and am hopeful that this will be a time for personal growth as well. Thanks for your advice.

Charlene Lichtenstein: You are welcome!

Thanks for the feedback.

Charlene Lichtenstein: That is all the time we have for tonight.

Thank you all for all your great questions!

For those who I could not get to tonight, please try again next week -- my next show is Monday night 4/30 at 7 p.m.

Until then, happy stargazing!

washingtonpost.com:

That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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