Rockie Horoscope 28

If you know your ascendant, read it too. GENERAL FORECAST: Tense. Mars in 16 Taurus is opposing its own placement in Scorpio at the Total Solar Eclipse last August -- so, Ptolemy's Law of when the shit hits the fan (hard aspects) hangs over us. Also, the planet of war, aggravation and that pain in your neck will meet up with Saturn (Saturday at 1:27 p.m. PDT) who has returned to its former position at the eclipse. Issues from the summer that have yet to be resolved will pop up and bite you. Mars is also 150 degrees (an inconjunct) away from Chiron, the wounded healer who is still hurting. The Mars-Saturn meeting is always difficult because Mars is hell-bent on going while Saturn insists on stopping. To complicate matters on a grand scale, Jupiter inconjuncts power-mad Pluto. Your reward for enduring these problematic aspects is a sweet and sexy Venus-Pluto trine under a loving Libra moon Sunday. That moon is full Tuesday at 10:41 a.m. PDT. Taurus begins Wednesday at 11:40 a.m. no matter if the unpredictable Mars-Uranus square that night arrives with an earthquake, air disaster or the prophet Elijah.ARIES (March 20-April 19)Try real hard to remember what you were concerned with during the total solar eclipse last August because chances are those issues will be back. But this time your financial position should be the polar opposite. Your decisive Mars ruler, in your Taurus money house, is giving you the incentive to push your way past the familiar roadblocks, and to use wired associates to achieve a measure of security. They may be shocked at your latest approach, but if they were on your side at the Chinese New Year eclipse, they'll be with you now. TAURUS(April 20-May 20)Bulls born around May 6 are juggling having ballsy Mars and earth-bound Saturn converging on their Taurus sun this weekend. Play it safe or be brave and take the dare? And how far do you take it while Mars is tested by media-hip, scientifically-savvy Uranus in your career midheaven on Wednesday? This can be a tough week for those who were having a hard time in August. But if you weren't, if your life is filling up with possibilities, be sure to take advantage of the one offered by your Venus ruler and sexy Pluto, to make you hot and happy all weekend long, to cop to it next Thursday.GEMINI (May 21-June 20)Planning for your retirement? Considering a retreat? Security issues (peace and the wherewithal to insure it) dominate while a powerhouse of planets -- Jupiter, Mars and Saturn -- get together in your Taurus house of "away from the fray." You may feel stymied, psychologically speaking; however, this is an excellent time for a breakthrough in therapy and a significant advance in your spiritual development. Take time to wander off your beaten track, to seek advice from a mentor with a world-view. The steps you take, the seeds you plant now bear fruit in 20 years. CANCER(June 21-July 22)A group you're attached to, the union, even your political affiliation can turn into a problem, e.g., the Cuban community in Miami's protest over Elian Gonzalez. Patriotism, patrimony, paternity are always hot Cancerian issues, and now that the North Node of the moon has crossed from Leo to Cancer, they'll remain so for a while. Emotions peak during the Aries-Libra full moon, so Crabs born close to the Leo cusp will be sucked into arguments about, fairness, diplomacy, relationships; your typical lunar Libra concerns. So will the others.LEO (July 23-August 22)A fight with the boss, trouble with the IRS, resentment over restrictions or responsibilities coming from the head of the family -- the frustrating Mars-Saturn conjunction in your Taurus midheaven can manifest in many ways. What you have to remember is that you can overcome anything; you did it during the dreaded Leo solar eclipse last summer, and while these troublesome planets are in your present astro-¼scenario, you'll do it again. A partnership matter that is unstable to begin with can get more "out there" midweek, but love (and a rollicking roll in the hay) will fix that. VIRGO (August 23-September 22)How you benefit from the paradoxical Mars-Saturn conjunction with its start-stop action, in your house of travel, higher education and philosophy, is beyond me, but rest assured, all the planetary activity in Taurus this spring will be good for the Virgin. You should have gotten an idea how good when Mars met expansive Jupiter on April 5th; add the structure Saturn gives to a situation on the 15th and you could have a plan, man. However, because you Mercury ruler is dilly-dallying around with artistic Neptune, you may prefer to play act instead of take action. Fair enough.LIBRA (September 23-October 22)This Libra full moon can feel heavy since it takes place at the tail end of your sign. The lunar vibe peaks on Tuesday after an adventurous weekend of love and revelation for you, financial planning for those you hold dear. While your Venus ruler is in gutsy Aries, feel free to voice your opinion, especially if your intervention might protect your lover or the kids from someone's erratic behavior. Accidents are bound to happen as people shake off the constraints they've acquired since mid-December and make a mad dash toward freedom. SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)Since everything that happens this week involves either your Mars or Pluto co-rulers, read the entire column. Twice, so you don't skip any of the events that might take place, the mind-sets that may take over while Mars, the stud, and Saturn, the established father figure, get together Saturday in your Taurus house of partners. Loving Venus trining sexy Pluto suggests that the more you open up to beauty, art and pleasure, the happier you'll be. Just watch out when Mars squares accident-prone Uranus midweek. Have an earthquake kit handy.SAGITTARIUS(November 22-December 21)The workload you were eager to assume last week when energetic Mars merged with your Jupiter ruler, can feel like a monumental drag and the worst mistake of the year, so far. That's because Mars and restrictiveSaturn join up in your house of work and health this weekend. If you are suddenly hoarse, can't sing a note, or have strep, blame this extremely difficult pairing of planets. And try to relax, at least until you hear the other shoe drop midweek when Mars and disruptive Uranus fight for supremacy. Computer crashes and/or fender-benders.CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20)Yes, no; stay, go. Every two years, when curious Mars meets your cautious Saturn ruler, Goats have to incorporate two contrary states of mind. How can you fulfill a desire to explore while tethered to your safety net? This time, the quandry concerns your creative life, the kids, a love affair or other pleasurable projects you've been nurturing while your Saturn ruler has been grazing in the garden of Taurus. Caps born near Aquarius may have a fascinating full moon experience; they'd better clean Karma while the lunar south node makes it possible. AQUARIUS (January 21-February 18)You might be under a lot of pressure as Mars, the impulsive warrior, and Saturn, the restrained general, fight for supremacy in your house. So much macho elbowing is fine if you're digging in the garden, but if you're operating heavy machinery, be careful. Before the week is out, while Mars finds ways to test your Uranus ruler, in your sign, no less, you could get hurt. Unexpected blowups, electrical shorts, a run-in with someone as stubborn as you. Try to remember what began in mid-December at the Mars-Uranus conjunction, because this square is related that event.PISCES (February 19-March 19)The cradle that rocks this week hangs next door or at a relative's house. What you don't expect to happen can shock your cozy scene, who you haven't seen since Xmas could walk in the door bearing gifts that are much better than before. It's a wild week, what with a full moon and the usual lunacy, made all the more thrilling (and scary) because Mars is throwing its militant weight all over the place. Don't get caught up in the passion of a struggle that is not yours. However, because Mercury favors your Neptune ruler, you could write about it. Curious about the future? Order a personalized Transit Forecast (30 to 40+ pages) detailing the major themes and issues that will arise over the next 12 months. Send name, date, time and place of birth, plus a check or money order for $40 per report to ROCKIE GARDINER, 1021 N. Genesee Ave., #1, West Hollywood, CA 90046. http://www.rockiehoroscope.com