PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY January 18 2016 to January 24 2016 Monday January 18 Mercury Retrograde More Sally Fisher Art here. Hi Jonathan, Can you please explain your perspective on Mercury retrograde? Specifically in regards to signing contracts, the lease or sale of a house, or the acceptance of a new job offer. Is this Mercury retrograde different because of where Jupiter is situated? Kieran Hi Kieran, I don't think it is different. I simply think that a retrograde Mercury is never the problem that some astrologers claim. I'd happily advise someone to do a deal or take on a job while it is moving apparently backwards. In my experience it actually creates a beneficial time for all such activity! Tuesday January 19 Speculate to Accumulate More Sally Fisher Art here. I am often asked why, if all visible celestial bodies influence our lives, don't astrologers cast charts that include the position of the International Space Station? We probably should. The very existence of the ISS is an influence on us all. It allows us to justify aspirations that might once have been considered 'out of this world'. On a similar topic here's a question to ponder. If astronomers are so set against astrology because, they say, it encourages people to believe 'unproven speculation', why do so many of them seem to think it is OK to theorise about aliens? Wednesday January 20 Cause and Reflect More Sally Fisher Art here. Hi Jonathan, Your recent experiment worked for me. I am an Aries. My Moon sign is Libra. The forecasts for the first two days were spot on and I was hugely pleased. It was kind of like having my tea leaves read to me. Andrew Dear Jonathan, You recently said, 'Whenever we know what 'causes' something, we can do something constructive about it.' That's the world's biggest truth. People think explaining the cause is a way of trying to justify it. But it is vital to know the cause if we are to forgive, heal and solve problems. Indra Thursday January 21 New Planet? More Sally Fisher Art here. In 1781 we discovered Uranus. Two years later, the first manned hot-air balloon flight took place. Neptune's discovery, in 1846, coincided with the development of the Daguerreotype, an early forerunner of modern photography. Astronomers, now, say Pluto is too small to be a planet. Mind you, atoms are pretty small too and some might say the ability to split the atom was a pretty big thing. Today's even bigger question is: what world-changing technology and mind-blowing possibilities can we expect from a newly announced ninth planet, bigger than Neptune, on the edge of our solar system? Pretty Planets All In a Row Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are now like a string of pearls in the sky. That's exciting for early risers with clear skies. It is always thrilling to actually see the planets instead of just charting positions where their orbits suggest they must be. I agree with astronomers who say they are 'aligning' if, by this, we mean they form a line. But they are not forming what astrologers would call an important or auspicious alignment. They are certainly not all close enough to be in multiple 'conjunction.' I'll keep you posted as their movements become more meaningful. Friday January 22 Planet 9 More Sally Fisher Art here. Read my first impressions about the discovery of the new planet here. The Gift Dear Jonathan, Please tell me why you and many others feel that life is a 'gift'. It has never been what I think of as a 'gift'. I see millions suffering. I know they must not think it is a 'gift' either. Monica Dear Monica, I am truly sorry to hear you doubt whether life is a gift. Are you quite sure that the millions are equally unhappy? Even if they face unenviable circumstances, many may still feel gratitude. All it takes is a recognition that each moment, each breath, is a miracle, against all odds, in defiance of all explanation! Saturday January 23 Your Week Ahead More Sally Fisher Art here. This week brings the end of Mercury's recent retrograde phase, though Jupiter continues to retrace its steps for several more months. I am almost reluctant to write about retrograde phases, lest I feed the flurry of concerned comments echoing down the corridors of social media. Retrograde planets have lately become a topic of concern and consternation. The more I speak reassuringly about them, the more other astrologers seemingly keep advising their readers that it is a bad time to do this, that or the other! Actually, though, this is a good time! And this will be a good week. Planet 9 Read my first impressions about the discovery of the new planet here. Sunday January 24 Your Week Ahead - Love Focus More Sally Fisher Art here. Remember, your Love Forecast today does not just cover romance. A love forecast may also have something to say about your family life, your closest friendships and even some of your most important working relationships. Back to Index           Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts