Cassini is a space probe that was launched in 1997. Its mission is to take pictures of Saturn, its moons and its rings. On April 27 Cassini started its final chapter, to dive between the rings and the planet, finally plunging into Saturn’s atmosphere on September 15, 2017. Real time data from the initial dive is helping scientists and engineers protect the spacecraft on the 21 trips through the rings of dust, rocks and ice formed from ancient meteor impacts. As Cassini flies through the rings not only will it teach us about the debris but also how to protect itself.

When I was a child, Saturn was my favorite planet. I used to draw it all the time. Now as I learn more about Saturn in astrology, its status as my favorite has been challenged. In astrology, Saturn is the planet of restrictions and limitations. Some astrologers even think that it represents karmic lessons from past lives.

Throughout our childhoods we are impacted by our surroundings with little control. This aspect of our experience creates the bad self talk that is in our minds, or our debris. Each time we dive into this detritus we become better at protecting ourselves, we get a better view of ourselves, and what is limiting us. Eventually, we become like Saturn. We can never fully discard the flotsam and jetsam of childhood but we can get it far enough away from us to make a beautiful, unique planet.

P.S. Remember, signs with * it’s a big week for you.

*Aries – Justice – Justice is the big sister of the Ace of Swords, your card from last week. This means you have another week to change your mind. Justice is here as a reinforcement to the Ace of Swords, because this is either a major mind shift or you didn’t take last week’s tarotcast seriously. So to repeat: you can change your mind by learning something new, changing an old thought, or changing your stance on something. With any of these choices you will gain a new perspective on how you think.

Taurus – Page of Swords – The Page of Swords advises that the best use of your time this week is as an investigator. Spend this week asking questions, learning about others’ thoughts and ideas, and doing research. You can learn a lot by asking questions and listening, or even just listening. This week, keep your thoughts to yourself.

*Gemini – Chariot – The Chariot is all about balance and control.  Since you all have been working with your emotions these past two weeks, the trend continues in the emotional arena. Your best action is to look at the lessons of the last two weeks around your emotions through a lens of control and balance. The Chariot’s challenge to you is to show your emotions without letting them run wild. Look to the chariot race in Ben Hur. How do you want to run this race?

Cancer – Eight of Pentacles – The Eight of Pentacles is the card of mastery. This week, do what you love to do and bring it out into the world. Here’s the challenge: you can tweak things, but be careful of self-judgment and self-doubt. Remember, just because we are always learning does not mean we aren’t already skilled.

Leo – Four of Cups – With the Four of Cups this week you are staying in the emotional lane. This card’s challenge is for you to center yourself in your emotions without too much senseless contemplation. Much like last week, the way to balance your emotions is send some of your love outward. Think of it like working on a computer and don’t forget to look up from the screen every hour or so.

Virgo – Ace of Pentacles and King of Swords – This is your fifth Ace of the year. So, I had to pull another card for you to ask why all the Aces. As I stated before, Aces are about beginnings. At the beginning of the year it was just a whisper of your inner self wanting something new. Now, there is more of a demanding tap on the shoulder. Either you all are starting a lot of projects or you are thinking a lot about starting things, and then stopping. Either way you are lacking follow-through. The King of Swords elaborated with some advice. He is the card of authority, defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. You have an ethical dilemma (being Virgos this is usual for you) between your creativity and some authority figure (which could even be you if you are a boss). Your challenge is less about who or what moral obligation is stopping you from being creative. The Aces and this King are reminding you of your ability to craft something new, independent of anything but yourself.

Libra – King of Wands – Last week, The World asked you to go out and try things on for size. This week the King of Wands wants you to spend more time at home. His challenge is for you to get into your hammock/beach blanket/couch and to take stock of where you are and how are feeling about your life. This is not a deep, soul searching kind of pondering. This is more philosophical, grateful and contemplative.

*Scorpio – Moon – You all are back in the soup this week with the Moon. There has been a lot going on with the planets these past 18 weeks and it has started to shift but not enough for you, Scorpio. Until May 4th it will still be pretty high energy in the world. The Moon’s lessons are around emotions and your sensitivity to them. This week is a time for you to take a lesson from your fellow water sign, Cancer the crab. Try to move sideways or dig in and hide when confronted with other people’s emotions, so your own emotions don’t flare up.

Sagittarius – Ace of Cups – Last week the Emperor challenged you to once again up the ante. This week you can take a break and bathe in some love with the Ace of Cups. The Ace of Cups challenges you to soak up and spread love as often as you can. Even though you all try to convey that you don’t need others, you all are some of the biggest love bugs. So go be social and hug somebody.

*Capricorn – The Tower – The Tower’s lesson is around change that happens that you have no control over. The challenge with this card is your reaction to this kind of change. This can look as simple as in a traffic jam on the way to an important meeting. Or as complex as finding out your company is downsizing and through no fault of your own you are laid off. How you deal will tell you a lot about who you are at the moment. The big reminder when the Tower shows up is that the physical change was necessary to enlighten your attitude or thump you out of your stagnation.

*Aquarius – Temperance – Last week Death reminded you to gratefully acknowledge an ending because it is the fertilizer for the new to grow. This week, Temperance brings balance and an overall sense of ease into your life. Your challenge is to accept this possibility of everything being even keeled. The calmer you are, the calmer your world will be. The challenge is that until May 4th when Mercury goes direct again, the world in general is pretty sensitive but if you stay the course all will be well.

Pisces – Five of Swords – The Five of Sword’s lesson is around ego. Sometime this week your ego will be challenged. The enlightening thing about this card is that the buttons that are pushed are fixable because you will see them in all their Technicolor splendor. So this week’s work is learning how to tune your ego’s response from an 11 to at least a 5.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nin.