Dear Reader,
We are looking at a big month, for we have two eclipses coming your way. The first one will arrive on August 12 as new moon solar eclipse in Leo (20º). The other one will arrive on August 27-28 as a full moon lunar eclipse in Pisces (5º).
They are very different in nature—the first one is quite glorious, filled with new opportunities. The second one is challenging and will end a situation that has languished, has been frustrating to you, or has no future value. Uranus will be active at the August 27-28 lunar eclipse and might bring sudden news that could jar you. It would be best not to be away from home near the that eclipse. Everyone will be affected—we are all in this together.
Eclipses repeat in sign and degree every 19 years, but of course the transiting planets surrounding the eclipse are different now, so history never repeats. Nevertheless, you may be able to identify a theme that might come up again in a different way if you think back 19 years to that lunar eclipse of August 28, 2007.
Eclipses require a lot of description, clarification, and deep thinking on my end before I can write for each sign, so that took time this month.
Also, another reason I was a little late is that I finished writing my annual Year Ahead Astrological Wall Calendar for 2027, and it is now being editing and designed. Believe it or not, the word count for my calendar contains 16,000 words of copy, all written by me.
My work will go to our art director, Michelle Rouque, who designs the calendar and works on putting the words in the grid. She is in Los Angeles. My editor in chief, Edward Rubinstein, is in Philadelphia, and I live in New York. Sometimes I write a little too much to fit in the calendar box grid (where I describe the aspect of the day), so Edward and I work together to find a way to condense my words.
In the meantime, fashion illustrator Izak Zenou is working on the artwork—this is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. We collaborated on a cover this month, and I have approved it. Now I will see pen and ink drawings for the inside artwork for all 13 months (including January 2028). We will discuss each piece of art, I may make corrections, and then Izak will add his gorgeous colors. I love Izak’s work. He has done calendars with me over the past eight years. If you live in New York, you will recognize Izak’s work—he did all the illustrative branding for Henri Bendel, the fashionable Fifth Avenue department store.
Congratulations to Izak for his new residency at the elegant Carlyle Hôtel in New York City, where each month he sketches those who come to the hotel for high tea. We’re all lining up to buy tickets!
Thank you for sending me your beautiful stories about painful times in your lives. You write beautifully—some of the letters sounded reminiscent of the short stories by writer O’Henry. In some cases, I was so touched that I was moved to want to speak to the writer. If you send a letter to me, please include your phone number.
The project I am working on that includes a study of all sorts of pain—emotional pain and loss, physical pain, grief, financial pain, and varieties of pain I have not yet explored—is a study I am taking very seriously and will link to astrology. I am searching for how going through a painful experience makes us stronger, more compassionate, and more insightful and caring of others.
Your outpouring of love for Joyce, the lady who is a paraplegic was also overwhelming. I wrote about Joyce in my last letter to you.
Last month I brought up something I had been thinking about—that when I’m going through a stressful situation, I think about other things going on in my life at the same time. I try to find a thread that might link the two. I don’t believe there are coincidences—there is a reason both are happening at once.
I heard about Joyce just after I broke my leg on a trip to Simi Valley, California (outside of LA). I felt it was a sign that I must be grateful that I will eventually heal, but Joyce, who suffered a terrible auto accident more than a decade ago, can never have that kind of hope. I am trying to do what I can to cheer Joyce (although we have never met).
My cousin Maria went to see her lifelong friend Joyce in May, and when Maria returned home (she lives in San Francisco), she told me the heartbreaking details of Joyce’s daily existence. Joyce is in a small room with a TV and no ability to go out. She has a tiny window next to her bed, but not much of a view.
The only saving grace is that Joyce can still use her hands, as her paralysis extends from her chest down. She lives in a small adult-care home outside of Portland, Oregon. Joyce tells me that her only relative, her identical twin, no longer comes to visit, not even on her birthday or Christmas. I hope to make a trip to Portland eventually.
I asked Joyce when we spoke again by phone if she would like to receive a cheerful greeting card from some of my readers. Her response was so enthusiastic that I will give you her address. Joyce is a March-born Aries, and I could hear the buoyant, hopeful essence she has in her voice. I am continually awed by the resilience of the human spirit, no matter how difficult the challenges. Joyce inspires me.
If you could send Joyce a greeting card, or just a note on typing paper, that would be great. You can send a picture of yourself or your child, or of your favorite dog or cat, it would go so far to cheer her. I remember years ago when my mother, Little Mom, was deathly sick in the hospital for months, and you sent her cards. It cheered her so much. Little Mom recovered and we had six more years to enjoy her. I feel your letters played a big part in her recovery.
Here is where to send your note of cheer to Joyce if you would like to do so.
Joyce Meeuwsen
Season Adult Home
1921 19th Street
WEST LINN, OR 97068
United States
My broken leg (the tibia) is slowly being knit by Mother Nature. I cannot have an operation because I bleed excessively. My doctor tells me it will take a year to be completely well again. I started physical therapy and am putting some weight on my left leg, but I use two crutches (my “chop sticks”)—I am not ready to go to one yet. Once I can use one crutch, I can carry things, and that will be a big improvement!
My leg feels like a little baby chick’s legs—weak and wobbly, as if it is made of fragile eggshells. I want so badly to go to the United Astrology Conference at the JW Marriot on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. It is in September. (Go to www.uacastrology.com for information). It takes place every five years, and people from all over the world attend, so I don’t want to miss it!
The UAC conference is open to anyone interested in astrology, not only for pros, as there are many tracks of classes at all levels. If you go, be sure to get a ticket for the banquet. There’s a boat ride around Chicago on one evening—go to that, too. I have to keep working on getting well so I can go! If you plan to attend, please write to me at [email protected].
During eclipse time I always like you to share your stories with us all on social media. If anything comes up, please follow me and post a message that we can all read. This way we can all learn more about the nature of eclipses, the most powerful aspect in astrology.
I am on Instagram, Twitter (X), Discord, Blue Sky, and Threads. (Search for Susan Miller or Astrology Zone).
Good-fortune Jupiter’s move to the royal sign of Leo gives us all something happy and exciting to look forward to in a new part of life. I covered that, too, in your August report, so be sure to check out your forecast for your Sun sign and rising sign.
Best wishes,
Susan
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