The Fifth House Haven

Happy spring to all of you! Collectively we’ve all been dragging our heels thanks to the Mars retrograde that started back in January. And of course Mercury had to jump on the bandwagon and do a backwards boogie for these past few weeks, too. But luckily that is about to all change in April. Check out my April Health and Fitness Horoscopes at G Fitness Revolution to see what the planets have in store for you this coming month. And if you’re an Aries, check out the Aries Health and Fitness Profile.

Besides for astrology, G Fitness Revolution is an online resource for getting into the shape of your life and reaching optimum health. The site is growing at a rapid rate and soon it will move to subscription only. Check out all that it has to offer now while you can peruse it for free.

As for this blog, keep checking in to see my recent thoughts with an astrological twist. I’m also contributing a Health and Fitness Blog on G Fitness Revolution about my own journey to health and fitness. Please check it out.

Peace N Love to all of you!

Laura

Hi everyone, I hope this note finds you all happy and healthy. I also hope you’ve had a chance to check out my monthly health and fitness horoscopes at G Fitness Revolution. This site, which is only a couple of months old, is gaining popularity quickly – and for good reason. It has everything you need, including exercise routines, diet and nutrition plans, tips from certified personal trainers, and informative articles, to help you reach your health and fitness goals.

I wanted to give you a heads up that on March 26th of this year, this site will become subscription only. The cost of membership will be a mere $5 a month (a lot cheaper than hiring a personal trainer to come to your house) and well worth it. But now is the time to visit the site and enjoy all that it has to offer for nada.

And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out my blogs about taking the G Fit Challenge. I’m down 13 pounds since January first and haven’t felt this good in a long time!

PeaceNLove,

Laura

Happy New Year to my lovely readers! I hope this blog finds you all healthy and happy.

And since we’re on the subject of health and happiness, I wanted to share with you an article I’ve written for a health and fitness site, G Fitness Revolution. This site has been designed by health and fitness professionals to be your one-stop shop for all of your exercise and dietary needs. There are work out videos (everything from dance to kickboxing), diets, articles, and even health and fitness horoscopes and astrology articles written by yours truly. The site is brand spanking new and is growing at a pretty amazing rate. Be sure to check it out.

I wrote the following article for this site and I wanted to share it with you to give you an idea of the kind of stuff I’m writing.

PeaceNLove to all of you, and I’ll be back here monthly with more parenting and kid-related astrology material …

Laura

Keep Your Fitness Goals on Track During the Mars Retrograde

By Laura DiLeva

It’s the New Year and you’re ready to take the world by storm. You’ve got big plans for your body: To lose weight and to get in the shape of your life. Good for you! But before you jump in feet first, you might want to consider how the upcoming Mars retrograde period might affect your best intentions.

In astrology, Mars is the ruler of action, passion and physical vitality. Mars is also the solar ruler of the first house of the physical body, including our muscles and adrenaline. Virgo is the sign of health, discrimination and knowledge. So when Mars is in Virgo, it’s time for putting your energy into your health, beefing up your knowledge about how to eat healthy, and finding the right exercise regimen to achieve optimum benefits. Bodes well for the New Year’s resolution you made to get fit, don’t you think?

Well, yes it does. Under normal conditions. However, there’s a catch: Mars is slowing down and will go retrograde starting January 24, 2012 and the retrograde period will last until April 14, 2012. When a planet goes retrograde, it’s as if it’s operating on autopilot. It’s there, but not pulling its weight. You can try tapping into its energy with all your might, but you’re still going to get back “the least it can do.” Also, whatever that planet rules seems to go haywire, breaks down, or just doesn’t work as well as it should.

So will Mars taking a vacation until April put the kibosh on your plans to get fit and healthy? No, not necessarily. But you may have to adjust your methods and approach a bit. Remember, the planets compel not repel. Go with the help you’re currently getting from the Universe and you’ll succeed. Try to push it and ignore it and you’ll wind up frustrated and defeated.

Here are some tips for staying focused on your fitness goals during this Mars retrograde period:

Take your vitamins. Have you noticed lately that people around you (perhaps even you) are suffering from a cold or virus that they can’t seem to shake? Well, Mars has actually been slowing down for a while now. Since Mars, the planet of physical vitality, is getting weaker and it’s in Virgo the sign of health, it stands to reason that natural immunities need some extra TLC. It’s a good idea at this time to make a good, quality multi-vitamin a part of your daily routine.

Of course getting your vitamins through the food you eat is also imperative. Vitamin C is the immune system’s best weapon and B vitamins help us stay active and alert, so make sure you’re eating foods high in those nutrients. Mars also rules iron, including the iron in your bloodstream, so try to get plenty of that mineral in your diet. Low iron will make you feel weak, so add foods high in iron to your diet and take a supplement if you need it.

It’s important if you’re trying to loose weight that you don’t skip meals or leave out important nutrients just to shed pounds faster. That plan will backfire because it will leave you weak and unable to fend off germs.

Guard your good health. Be extra vigilant about washing your hands and get plenty of rest. Nothing stops a fitness program in its track like the flu or a nasty cold. And with Mars so sluggish, once you stop your fitness routine, you’re going to have to muster up extra energy just to get back on track. I’m not suggesting you walk around wearing a surgical mask, but I’d certainly avoid getting sneezed on, especially around the days Mars is stationary retrograde (January 24th) and stationary direct (April 14th).

Don’t start anything new. I’m not talking about trying a new exercise class or an exercise video that you’ve never done; instead I mean don’t do anything major like take up a new sport, join a team or run your first marathon during a Mars retrograde. Chances are after the retrograde your new sports equipment will gather dust in the garage and the marathon experience will go down in history as an epic fail.

Instead, focus on improving your current game. Has there been something holding you back from getting to the next level? Now’s the time to analyze the situation and work out the kinks. Now’s the time to train for that marathon, to perfect your skills, to practice, practice, practice. It’s a great time to rediscover a sport, workout, or gym that you used to enjoy in the past. Reconnect with an old work out buddy – you both can help each other get back on the right track. Revisit what worked for you before.

Slow down really take notice of the foods you put in your body. The sign of Virgo represents all that is pure, natural and untainted – and this includes your food! If you want to get your body moving in the right direction, go back to basics (remember Mars in Virgo is going backwards) by eating healthier foods and by rediscovering foods in their natural state rather than the processed variety.

Before you put something in your mouth, make sure it still resembles what it looked like in its natural state. For example, an apple that still looks like an apple is fine. But an apple that’s been cooked down with sugar and packaged with preservatives as applesauce is probably not your best bet. Stay away from faux “diet foods” like 100-calorie snack packages, no-calorie sodas and fat free puddings. All of those “healthy” foods contain unnatural ingredients. Your body will reward you if you get the bulk of your calories from natural foods unhampered with chemicals.

Accept that you may not get the results you want quickly. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Virgo is a very critical sign, and during a Mars retrograde in Virgo it’s common to become hypercritical of others and of yourself. Accept that the weight will not melt off quickly and you won’t bulk up overnight. It’s nothing you are or aren’t doing: Mars the metabolic inferno is taking a break. Cutting too many calories will only leave you frustrated and anemic, and exercising too compulsively may leave you injured.

Remember what I said earlier: Go with the flow of the Universe. If you don’t, you’re likely to become frustrated and may give up on achieving your goals. Now is the time to focus on eating healthy, to treat your body kindly, and to work out any kinks in your game. If you take that approach, come April when Mars is back on track and it’s all systems go, your body will reward you for your diligence and patience – while the folks who threw in the towel during the retrograde period will be scrambling to pick up the pieces to get back in the game.

Even if your Sagittarius child is just a day old, you’ve probably already noticed that this kid likes to do it up BIG. Big screams, big cries, big appetite, big smile, big heart. This is because he’s ruled by Jupiter, the benevolent, big fatty of our solar system. Besides for being the planet of optimism, ideals and good fortune, Jupiter is also the planet of growth and expansion. For the Sag child, it’s never too early to start living large.

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. Fire is enthusiastic, courageous and spirited and mutable is changeable and always in motion. So be prepared because this happy-go-lucky firecracker’s knob is turned to “full speed ahead”. The desire to explore unseen territory and to expand his horizons burns strong.

If you’re the parent of a Sag baby or toddler, you’ve probably already noticed how much your little one hates sitting in a stroller or a play pen. Strapping or caging your Sag in results in Jupiter-sized tantrums. However, be aware that if you don’t somehow harness this kid, he’ll take off on you. It’s a Catch 22. Just keep a close eye on him at the mall.

These exuberant, outgoing kids are surprisingly cerebral, often getting wrapped up with thinking about what they’re going to do next. Just look at the way he walks: Head up, eyes skyward, trotting along at full speed ahead. This brings to mind their symbol, the Centaur: The human part of the Sag (the brain) is shooting arrows into the sky and wondering where they’ll land while the horsey part of the Sag (the vehicle that gets him there) tramples along.

It won’t take long before you realize why their “vehicle” just so happens to be the less desirable end of a horse. Every Sag kid haplessly treads in dog dirt and trudges it throughout the house at least once (a year). If you are the parent of a Sag child, I seriously hope you’re not a neat freak because these kids are anything but. If you have anything white in your house – a carpet, couch or wall – I suggest you replace it with something darker and less apt to show the inevitable stains. Your Sagittarius child has more important things on his mind than keeping his room, or the rest of your house, tidy. Philosophically he will never understand why you spend so much time cleaning something that’s going to get dirty again, anyway: What a waste of life – you can be out enjoying yourself instead.

If your Sag kid isn’t sticking his foot in dog poo, there’s a chance he’s sticking his foot in his mouth. These kids believe in speaking the truth and have a habit of blurting these “truths” out at inopportune moments. He’s almost impossible to embarrass; however, you may feel like crawling under a rock when he asks Aunt Edna if she’s really a man because she’s got a mustache. One day he’ll learn when and where to verbalize his poignant questions and observations. Until then, hang in there.

You may have heard that Sagittarius is the luckiest sign of the Zodiac, and there is definitely some truth to that. But they’re not lucky because the Universe favors this sign above all others. Instead, Sagittarians unwittingly create their own luck. Thanks to the unwavering optimism bestowed on them by Jupiter, they just believe that everything will work out just fine and as a result it usually does. Really, that’s where the infamous Sagittarius luck comes from: By believing and knowing everything will go just swimmingly, they, in turn, create that reality. Having Jupiter as a ruling planet is truly a wonderful thing.

Because Sagittarius’ idealistic tendencies run strong and deep, honesty is of the utmost importance to him. He has a hard time seeing the faults of others and expects that everyone is as honest as he is. As a result this self-assured fiery sign can be taken down in an instant by a single harsh dose of reality. When he finds out he’s been lied to he’s crushed. However, your Sag is also incredibly resilient. So if his faith is crushed and he falls into a funk, take comfort in the fact that this phase will be short lived. Nothing gets these kids down for long.

These kids love to laugh and clown around and are often surrounded by an adoring crowd of friends. Who doesn’t like to laugh or to be cheered up? They’re truly uplifting to be around, and even at a young age kids will gravitate to their cheery personalities. Their friends will include kids from all walks of life. They are extremely curious about how other people live, and later in life their urge to travel and immerse themselves in other cultures will take over. In the meantime, they’ll study the culture of their friends’ families and will report their findings back to you with astounding astuteness and a touch of humor. Seeing the world through the eyes of a Sagittarius is always amusing.

As for travel, Sagittarians absolutely adore family vacations. If you have the means, the best gift you can give your Sag child is a trip somewhere fun or exotic. If you can’t travel, you can take trips around the world together through books, the Internet or educational television programs. These kids are probably the most adventurous eaters of the Zodiac, so you can even take culinary trips: Make a traditional dish from a country or place that currently has your Sag’s interest – he’ll love that.

It stands to reason that many Sagittarian kids play the role of the class clown. Sadly, many teachers become so exasperated with their wise cracks and antics that they fail to realize how smart these kids are. Again, this is the dualistic Centaur at work: The animal part of them wants to “horse around” while the human side of them houses a brilliant mind. Granted not all Sag kids treat school like a playground and are quite studious. And regardless of how seriously they take school, they usually manage to get good grades because they’re inherently quite bright.

But there are a great number of them who need to learn that school is a place to study and learn. They must be taught this concept because their true nature is that of the traveler and wanderer: The world is their classroom. Sitting at a desk is counterintuitive to the experiential learning tendencies inherent to this sign.

Burnt out, lazy teachers are better off retiring than putting themselves in the same classroom as a Sagittarius. When these kids are fully engaged in what’s being taught, they are often not satisfied with the information the teacher is doling out. “But why?” they’ll ask the teacher over and over. The teacher has a choice: Dig deeper and give them the answer they’re looking for or suffer from headaches. The Sagittarius will not relent until he understands “why” because therein lies the truth of the matter. And Sagittarius settles for nothing less than the truth. It’s easy to see why Sagittarius is the sign of the philosopher.

These kids are normally very healthy and enjoy physical activity. Don’t think that their lack of grace – and downright klutziness at times – is a reflection of their physical abilities. No, tripping over their two feet and accidentally knocking down store displays is just a symptom of their tendency to get caught up in their thoughts and not paying attention to what’s going on around them. These kids are actually quite athletic and often physically gifted. They’re fast, flexible and great team players. They are the epitome of great sportsmanship out on the field, court, ice rink, dance floor – or wherever they may chose to play and compete. Because Sagittarians love an audience, they are also drawn to the theater. And if your Sag doesn’t get a role he tries out for, he’ll happily work behind the scenes during that production and hope for the best for the next audition.

On a final note, yes your Sag is good-natured and has the ability to laugh at himself. However, keep in mind this kid does have limits and under his jovial exterior is a hair-trigger temper. He is a fire sign after all, and a temper comes with the territory. Yet just like his ruling element, the fire often burns out as quickly as it starts, and he rarely holds grudges. This jovial, optimistic kid is on an adventure called life, and he won’t let anything – not even anger and resentment – keep him from fully enjoying the ride.

Until next time…

PeaceNLove,

Laura

From the moment your Scorpio child was born, you were hypnotized by the way she gazed so deeply and intently into your eyes. The bond between you was immediate and tangible. But what you probably didn’t realize was this intense gaze wasn’t merely bonding: She was staring deep into your soul and figuring you out. Yes, no mystery gets by a Scorpio, even a Scorpio infant. However, your Scorpio will remain a mystery to you for a lifetime.

Assuming you are “astro-curious” (let’s face it, you are reading an astrology blog), you’re probably aware of Scorpio’s somewhat frightening reputation around the natal neighborhood. It’s the sign of sex, death and transformation. Scorpio natives are intense, vindictive, power hungry and secretive. If they don’t get 100 percent loyalty from you they’ll toss you out like yesterday’s trash. I mean that literally: You may wind up one morning in a dumpster hog-tied and gagged. Blah, blah, blah, etc., etc.

Then, as a parent, you look down at your Scorpio tot, sleeping so peacefully and angelically in her crib. You can’t help but shake your head and wonder how such a sweet cherub could possibly live up to such a formidable description. Well, there are two reasons for that.

First, Scorpio is probably the most misunderstood sign in the Zodiac. Many of the descriptions you read overemphasize the negatives to the point of exaggeration and don’t explain why they behave the way they do. (The good news is Scorpio could care less what others think of them and actually find the bad press kind of funny.)

Secondly, I believe Scorpio’s formidable reputation is a result of the basic human fear of the unknown. Heaven knows every Scorpio ever born is an enigma. You can talk to a Scorpio for hours and later realize you don’t know a thing about them. Instead, they kept you talking and extracted your life story from you in embarrassing detail. It doesn’t take long to realize that Scorpio is holding back, that what you see is not the whole story. But this is not because they’re dishonest, it’s because at either a conscious or unconscious level they’re aware of their personal power and realize that some people are afraid of this power.

So what is it about their power that freaks others out so much? Their ability to rise above the drama and to live their lives unfettered by others’ opinions and expectations? Their passion, drive and determination? Their ability to get to the heart of a situation, to see beyond the B.S. and to sniff out a phony a mile away? Their intensity, determination, trustworthiness, transformative abilities, and magnetism? Oh yeah, that’s some spooky stuff right there.

Scorpio’s ruling planet, Pluto, has endowed this sign with an arsenal of qualities and abilities to help them achieve their mission in life. In mythology Pluto was the god of the underworld who had the ability to go to hell and back – something Scorpios can expect to do several times throughout their lives, even if those journeys are on an internal level. Pluto makes sure Scorpios can not only survive life’s ups and downs, but can also rise above their hardships and setbacks and to show others, by example, how to turn life’s negatives into positives, and how to transcend from the depths of despair and to soar above the world like an eagle.

These Plutonian personality traits may seem like a tall order for a child to handle, and make no bones about it, your child is indeed emotionally intense. The saying, “Still waters run deep,” describes Scorpio to a tee. Scorpio is a fixed, stubborn water sign, literally a deep, bottomless, still pool of water. And if water is the archetypal symbol of emotion, then by golly Scorpio is blessed with an abyss of emotional depth.

Your Scorpio child is also incredibly magnetic. There’s something about the Scorpio energy that others find fascinating. Your Scorpio will have no problem attracting others into her life, and some kids may even become obsessed with wanting to be her friend. Conversely, Scorpios have the ability to look right through people, which can cause negative reactions from insecure kids who have something to hide. As a result, some kids may take a disliking to your Scorpio because she unwittingly makes them feel uncomfortable. This can confuse your child who has been nothing but nice.

Scorpio children possess a kind of emotional intelligence that goes way beyond what most other children can comprehend. So they might feel a bit lonely and misunderstood while waiting for their peers catch up. You can help quell this loneliness by showering them with endless amounts of unconditional love and understanding. Don’t buy into the Scorpio aloofness, that’s really just a cover for vulnerability. They desperately need to be understood and to be accepted for who they are. Self-doubt will only hold your Scorpio child back from being the truly magnificent person she’s meant to be.

Scorpio can be in a crowd, but not of it. She uses her razor sharp intuition to help her read people and situations, giving her an edge in social situations. In this respect, playing the social game is part of her strong survival instinct. She’s highly vulnerable and fears being “exposed” to kids she doesn’t trust. However she will always remain uncomfortable on an internal level when she is not being true to her authentic self. She may try to fit in because she’s inherently aware of how cruel kids can be and is afraid of being targeted by bullies. This may result in paranoia, second-guessing her behavior and obsessing over whether she said the right thing. As a result, socializing can be very stressful for your Scorpio.

As Scorpio gets older, she’ll become more comfortable in her own skin and will better understand her own personal power and the effect she has on others. She’ll be the first among her peers to learn how to stand strong and be true to herself. Scorpio can teach her friends a thing or two about living an authentic life. If Scorpio gets an uneasy feeling from the girls in the popular crowd, she’ll stay away from them – regardless of how badly they want her in their clique. Scorpio would rather hang out with the “freaks and weirdos” who make her feel comfortable than the popular kids who make her feel uneasy.

Once she makes a friend she trusts and can be herself around, that friend is for life. Your Scorpio child loves deeply and with all of her heart, and is prone to possessiveness and jealousy. Her mind is programmed to see things as all or nothing. Either her friend is her best friend or not her friend. For example, a young Scorpio may be hurt to find that her best friend had a play date with someone else and may feel betrayed. Or your older Scorpio may be very hurt to learn that her closest friend was invited to a sleep over at another girl’s house. You need to make her understand that just because her friend has other friends, it doesn’t mean she loves her any less.

You can help by encouraging your Scorpio to expand her social horizons and by explaining how there are different levels of friendship. Help her see that casual friends are OK to have and she doesn’t have to give her heart and soul to everyone she hangs out with. Sometimes it’s OK to just play with someone who makes her laugh or to see a movie with someone she has one or two things in common with.

Scorpio can be attached to the hip of a best friend for years, but if that friend foolishly betrays her, Scorpio will walk away and never look back. Once she hits Middle School and starts sharing “secrets”, expect to see one or two of her friends fall off the face of the Earth. (Not literally of course.) Let’s face it, it’s next to impossible for a young girl to keep a secret. And if a friend blabs something Scorpio tells her in confidence, that friend will no longer exist in Scorpio’s world. Scorpio is able to wipe out all memory of the good times they shared. It’s that simple. No fuss, no drama. Scorpio simply severs all ties. You’re either her friend or you’re not, and friends simply do not betray confidences. The end.

“Time heals all wounds” doesn’t apply to these people: Instead the wounds sit simmering in a pot that eventually boils over. The saying, “Don’t get mad, get even,” was most likely first uttered by a thwarted Scorpio. Scorpio can wait a lifetime to get back at someone who hurt her, but what a waste of time and energy it is to hold on to that kind of negativity! With Scorpio, suppressed anger eventually either goes within causing psychological damage, or is released in retaliation. Both scenarios do nothing for Scorpio’s spiritual evolution. So since forgiveness doesn’t come easily to your Scorpio, it’s imperative as a parent to teach her early on that humans are fallible and that forgiveness is necessary. They need to learn to let go and let bygones be bygones.

Your Scorpio is very passionate and determined and will give 110 percent of her focus and energy to accomplish a goal. You may think that a child is not capable of this kind of intensity, but your Scorpio is just not like any other child. If your Scorpio gets up one Saturday morning and tells you that she’s going to learn to ride a bike that day, take her seriously. Even if she’s never tried riding a bike before, this child will accomplish her goal, hell or high water. Just remove her training wheels and wait. By dinner she’ll come in a little bruised and battered, but she’ll be smiling. Why? Because she taught herself to ride a bike.

Thanks to their fabulous memories, the ability to focus and concentrate and their natural inquisitiveness, Scorpios do rather well in school. However, some Scorpios may rely too much on their intuition and too little on studying when it comes to tests. This may eventually catch up to them in the higher grades when multiple-choice tests are replaced by essay exams. So they need to learn good study habits young – it’s for their own good. Mars is their co-ruler, giving them strong, athletic bodies, so they may enjoy sports – especially the swim team. They’re very strategic thinkers and can do very well on a chess team. And because they are so emotionally intelligent, they make great actors, so they may enjoy the drama club, as well.

Scorpios are inherently interested in death, so don’t worry if your child asks you questions about dying and the afterlife. She may even find cemeteries quite fascinating and may enjoy reading tombstones. They believe in ghosts and may actually have the ability to communicate with them, as Scorpio is a very psychic and intuitive sign. When they get older they may even adopt a Goth style of dressing. Even if wearing all black isn’t your cup of tea, please refrain from judging her. Any time your Scorpio feels comfortable enough to express who she is to the outside world she should be encouraged and commended. Let her individuality shine through and let her know you love her completely, inside and out.

Until next time…

PeaceNLove,

Laura

It’s that time of year again when we’re asking our kids who or what they want to be for Halloween. And of course (like everything else in life) this question of “Who will you be?” gets me thinking about astrology.

Sure, astrology can give you some insight into what kind of costume your kid may want to wear. But on a deeper level, it’s the subject of who they want to be that gets me thinking about our astrological mission in life, which is defined by the Sun.

When someone asks you, “What’s your sign?” they’re really asking you, “Where was the Sun when you were born?” And of course the Sun was in one of 12 signs. But our Sun signs don’t singularly define us: We have an entire natal chart of planets, aspects, houses, asteroids, critical points, etc. that work together to make up who we are.

However, the Sun is probably the most important planetary player in a chart because it defines our mission here on Earth and represents the personality your child will spend a lifetime developing. It is everyone’s life-long quest in life to follow his Sun, to become that sign. Even when you, as an adult, say to someone, “I’m a Leo,” what you’re really saying is, “I’m in the process of becoming a Leo.” The journey never ends.

So with that said, as your child questions who they want to be for Halloween, you can’t go wrong by using astrology as a guide. Astrology can help you hone in on the perfect costume more quickly, and will make your child’s choice more fun and meaningful. The following list provides some ideas as to what kind of costumes suit each Sun sign. To get more ideas, read up on your child’s Sun sign and think of a person or character that represents that sign’s mission.

Aries: A costume of a person or character that’s a brave, courageous leader, such as a police officer, ninja, action hero or gladiator.

Taurus: A costume of a person or character that’s beautiful, artistic and connected to nature, such as an animal, ballerina or farmer.

Gemini: A costume of a person or character that’s trendy, whimsical and carefree, such as a vampire (they are very “hot” right now), a fairy, or a character from a favorite book or video game will work.

Cancer: A costume of a person or character that’s nurturing and somehow cares for others such as a chef, doctor or nurse. Anything nautical appeals to them, too.

Leo: A costume of a person or character that’s entertaining, attention grabbing and in charge such as royalty, celebrity, rock star or a diva.

Virgo: A costume of a person or character who is intelligent, helpful and health conscious such as a vet, doctor, body builder or yoga instructor.

Libra: A costume of a person or character that’s beautiful, fashionable and ethereal such as a supermodel, bride (this is the sign of partnership), or half angel/half devil (this is the sign of balance).

Scorpio: A costume of a person or character that’s mysterious, powerful and unorthodox such as a Halloween ghoul/monster, private detective, or the “bad guy”.

Sagittarius: A costume of a person or character that’s adventurous, active and humorous such as a pirate, clown or a popular cartoon character.

Capricorn: A costume of a person or character that’s historical, based on reality and sophisticated like Shakespeare, a person from colonial times, or a famous royal.

Aquarius: A costume of a person or character that’s unique, ingenious or rebellious such as a mad scientist, astronaut, or space alien who’s come to take over planet Earth.

Pisces: A costume of a person or character that’s mysterious, mythical and nautical such as a unicorn, mermaid or the tooth fairy.

From the outside looking in, it’s all lollipops and rainbows. Your Libra child is a delight to take out in public: Her dimpled smile can melt the coldest of hearts and her pleasant, polite demeanor fills you with pride. She always says “please” and “thank you” and has the vocabulary of a little adult. Not to mention she manages to keep her dress neat and clean throughout the day and there’s never dirt under her fingernails. Yes, to onlookers you are the proud parent of a gossamer angel.

However, if any of those onlookers would spend a day as a fly on the wall in your house, they’d see your child is human, just like the children who are born under the other 11 signs. It’s just Venus making your kid appear so sweet and sugary. (Venus usually checks out once Libra is in the comfort of her home. You’re on your own after that.)

Libra is a cardinal air sign, meaning that children born under this sign display leadership qualities in all things pertaining to the air element: communication, socialization and intellectual pursuits. And indeed you will find that your Libra child is sharp as a whip, is friendly on the playground, and is quite the talker. But it’s really Libra’s ruling planet, Venus, that gives these kids the upper hand as leaders: They are endowed with the ability to literally charm and cajole others into doing their bidding. Even a baby Libra knows how to melt her caregivers into a pile of goo so they’ll give in to her every whim.

But of course that gets old after a while. And as you can imagine, a great deal of Libra babies grow into spoiled – albeit adorable – children. And once you finally get your wits about you and start putting your foot down, the Libra child will have had enough practice cajoling others (thank you mom and dad for the lovely, yet indulgent first few years) and will be ready to take the show on the road at school. There she will most likely be a beloved student and friend, and she’ll save her moodiness, indecisiveness and argumentative streak for you at home. Hurray.

Libras don’t set out to be moody; instead, they set out to maintain balance in their lives. You’re probably familiar with their symbol, the Scales. Well, it’s true that Libras are all about justice and fairness for all, as the scales are known to represent. But to a Libra the scales are a literal symbol of life as they know it. These people are in a constant struggle to keep those scales balanced or they get set off kilter. Now I’m not a Libra, but I imagine that’s a difficult task.

So how might this need for balance manifest in your child’s life? Well, Libra kids like to keep things equal. They like things to be fair. Cool, right? But as we know life isn’t always fair, and things aren’t always equal. So instead of moving on and accepting that, they feel the need to regain balance. This is fine when they have control over a situation; for example, making sure everyone has had their turn being the mommy during a game house.

But sometimes situations are simply unfair and there’s nothing your little Libra can do about it. To a Libra, an unfair situation equals chaos. You’ll spend many hours listening to your Libra child wail, “But it’s not fair!” (The typical response, “Sorry dear, but life is not always fair,” does not fly well with Libra. She’s pretty sure she can balance things out if you give her the chance.)

With her sense of fairness comes an inherent ability to see two sides of every story. This ability makes your child a natural peacekeeper on the playground, and could lead to a future career as a lawyer or judge. But as admirable as this trait may be, as a parent of a child who needs both sides of a story represented, you might find yourself going to bed with headaches or literally pulling your hair out during “conversations” with your Libra child.

The typical Libra response to the word “black” is “white”, as is the response to “up” is “down.” To the non-Libra public, this comes off as kind of argumentative. However, to a Libra, she’s just trying to keep the balance, to show that there are two sides to a story. And since kids are not especially familiar with grey areas, your Libra child is likely to respond with something completely opposite. Remember, your kid really isn’t doing this to irritate you; she merely needs to keep her scales balanced (of course as she’s completely screwing up yours.) Just keep your cool, let her work out what she needs to in her head, and remain firm in your resolve. She really does want to please you, and getting annoyed with her is only going to upset her and make her nervous.

Yes, patience is the key when dealing with a Libra child. As a result of their endless quest to weigh the pros and cons and to see both sides of a situation, they are very slow about making what most of us would consider simple decisions. For example, figuring out what to wear to school could easily take an hour.

This is where you can help your Libra. Libras are cardinal signs and do like to lead, so rashly choosing an outfit for her in order to avoid an hour of mind numbing deliberation will only infuriate her. However, I also understand that you don’t want the kid to miss the bus because she is unable to make up her mind. So my advice is to pick out two outfits for her to choose from. Expect some deliberation, it’s only natural. And don’t tell her what outfit you’d prefer her to wear, because she’ll just choose the opposite one. Just present her with the outfits, tell her she’s got five minutes to make her decision, and then walk away. This approach works for what to eat for breakfast, what book to read before bed, etc. Basically, if the Libra has a choice to make, limit her options and give her a time limit. Even a Libra would agree that’s a fair strategy.

As your Libra child gets older, she’ll become more aware of the many nuances and grey areas in an argument or situation, and will be less likely to see things in terms of polar opposites. You would think this would make life easier, but instead it opens a whole new can of worms. As a result, taking tests or writing essays can be a challenge for a Libra kid. How can you choose a right or wrong answer when there clearly is no right or wrong answer? Multiple-choice questions make a Libra’s eyes dazzle, and Libra is capable of supporting and then arguing against the same point in a single essay.

Yet despite the test taking quandary Libras often face, there’s no doubt that Libras love school. Not only do they have an insatiable appetite for learning, they love the social opportunities school offers. Libra is the most social Sun sign, beating out chatty Gemini and natural born leader, Leo. That is because Libras literally need the company of others to feel actualized. This is the sign of partnership, the sign of the significant other. It’s no happy accident that Venus endows these kids with friendly, diplomatic personalities and beautiful physical appearances that naturally attract others. Being with others is essential to their well-being.

However, so is time alone. And no I’m not contradicting myself. Remember, it’s all about balance. Time with friends needs to be balanced with alone time. So don’t think twice if your social Libra child feels like locking herself in her bedroom with her iPod or with crayons and a coloring book. She just needs to rebalance, to regain the equilibrium set off kilter by others. Leave her alone. When she’s ready, she’ll reappear chipper as usual.

Yes, even young Libras inherently understand the difference between being alone and loneliness. Loneliness and being left out socially is one of the Libra child’s biggest fears. Because the Libra child is very concerned about what others think of her, she may tolerate abusive behavior from her friends and hold her tongue when she really has the right to express her anger. Her basic instinct is to keep peace at all costs, which often translates into a tendency to put the needs of others before her own. You must encourage her to be herself and to speak her mind. Try to teach her that it’s easier in the long run to be liked for who she truly is. Drive home the idea that she has every right to express herself and that by constantly looking to others for approval, she’s giving her personal power away.

On a final note, if you’re wondering what your child is likely to excel at, look no further than Venus. Venus is the planet of love and rules all things beautiful, which encompasses, for example, art, music and fashion. You’ll most likely find that your kid has an eye for putting an outfit together, has a knack for picking up musical instruments and hearing harmonies, and is a whiz with a paintbrush. People are naturally attracted to her, and don’t be surprised if your Libra child becomes interested in love and romance at an early age. Her way with people and her genuine interest in the well being of others may propel her to run for student body president. And thanks to her ability to argue any point rationally, sans personal judgment, she’s destined to be a star on her school’s debate team. (That is, as long as she doesn’t change sides mid argument.)

Until next time…

PeaceNLove,

Laura

Oh no, I’m late. The Sun has been in Virgo for a couple of days now and I am just getting around to posting this blog. If it was any other sign, I wouldn’t feel so bad. However, this is Virgo we’re talking about. This diligent sign wouldn’t let a Mercury retrograde get in the way of completing a simple article on time. Well, fortunately Virgos are as forgiving as they are efficient.

Before I start, let’s clear the air about Virgos. Yes, this is the sign that is known for being critical, fussy and nervous. The nag of the Zodiac, the celestial stick in the mud who would rather work than play. But they’re so much more than that! Let’s face it: Someone has to get something constructive done around here. Without Virgos, the planetary playground would just be mayhem. We need Virgos to keep us in line. And you’ll see early on that your little Virgo is up to the task.

One could argue that “Virgo child” is a contradiction in terms, mutually exclusive words that just don’t go together. Virgo children are more like adults stuck in itty-bitty bodies. They are usually more mature and serious than other kids. This is because they’ve got a lot on their little minds. As a parent of a Virgo child, it’s important that you wrap your mind around Virgo’s mission in life: That is, to make this world a better place for all of humanity. It’s how they go about accomplishing this that makes them unique: Fix, fuss and work until the job is done.

Virgo’s goal is nothing less than perfection, which everyone knows (even Virgos on some level) is unattainable. Yet they’ll keep striving toward attaining flawlessness until they collapse from exhaustion. They are here to serve humanity, to sweat the details, so the rest of us can enjoy the best earthly experience possible. Sounds like a lot of hard work doesn’t it? And you wonder why these kids are so serious. (Though I should add that Virgos are actually quite funny. They’re masters at observing, analyzing, and pointing out the ridiculousness of a situation.)

Virgo is ruled by swift little Mercury, the planet of thought and communication. This endows Virgo with oodles of smarts. But unlike Gemini, the other Mercury-ruled sign, Virgo is not especially outgoing. Gemini is a talkative, sociable, mutable air sign that takes information in and spews it back out to the next available listener. Virgo, a mutable earth sign, takes information in, analyzes it to death, and tries to make sense of it on an internal level. If the information they receive “does not compute” they’ll ruminate over it until they get their answer. Later on, when they learn to read, they’ll pour themselves into researching a topic and learning everything they can about it. Geminis have no interest in being experts. “Know enough to get by” is their motto – who can focus on one topic when there are so many out there to explore?

The Virgo need for sense and order can be spotted early on. Your little Virgo probably has a very specific way of organizing his toys and keeping his space “just so,” and may become agitated when other kids come in his room and mess things up. But let’s make this clear: Yes, Virgos do have well-deserved reputations for being neat freaks. However, if your kid isn’t neat and tidy, don’t just assume he was dozing behind the barn door when these Virgo traits were being handed out. Even if he’s a slob (which he’ll probably grow out of during his life-long process of becoming his Virgo Sun) he’s got a certain way of organizing his room, books, clothes, space that he doesn’t like disturbed. And even if it makes no sense to you, it makes perfect sense to him. Mess with his sense of order, and you’ll have an uptight, nervous Virgo on your hands.

Virgos are very concerned with health and wellness and you’ll find that your Virgo will respond better to eating his vegetables and brushing his teeth twice a day if you explain the health benefits of these practices. Don’t be surprised if your Virgo becomes obsessed with germs. If his best friend catches a cold, he may worry that he will get sick, too. Don’t breathe on his food, eat off his plate or use his fork because his appetite will be completely ruined. Hypochondria will be a life-long battle for your Virgo – the good news is this trait will keep him diligent about maintaining good health.

Virgos are also hyper aware of their personal appearances. Yes, Leos hold the record as “most vain in the Zodiac” but Virgo comes a close second. They are not necessarily concerned with looking better than everyone; instead, they’re more concerned about looking as perfect as possible. I’ve seen a Virgo child simply refuse to wear a shirt that had a few loose threads. A Leo would overlook a few loose threads if the shirt is simply fabulous and attention grabbing. So make sure your Virgo child’s clothes are stain free and in good condition. If not, getting ready for school in the morning will be a nightmare.

Your Virgo is extremely astute and observant. Nothing gets past him. And he has a knack for knowing just how to fix things. Ironically, this is how this sign gets its reputation for being critical. (Seriously, how do you fix something without pointing out its faults? We need to give Virgos a break, here.) However, as easy as it is for him to dole out criticism, it’s very difficult for your Virgo to take criticism. Again, this all ties into his self-imposed standards of perfection. Let him know that no one is perfect, that perfection is impossible, and it’s a necessary part of growth and learning to know how to take constructive criticism.

If you’re prone to being critical yourself, tone it down with your Virgo child. You need to dole out criticism kindly and conservatively with this kid or you’re liable to do damage to his self-esteem. As it is, your Virgo is already so hard on himself. It’s true that Virgos are inherently shy and unassuming, but it’s my opinion that they are this way because they buy into the constant self-criticism going on in their heads.

They show their love by helping others, which is a very beautiful thing; however, they may be inadvertently conditioning themselves to believe that they must be useful in order to be loved or accepted. You must lead by example and make your Virgo feel unconditionally loved 24/7. Compliment them often, boost their confidence, and encourage them to be silly. They really need that.

Your child’s relentless search for perfection will make him a hard, diligent worker at school. He will take his studies seriously, will remember to complete his assignments as asked, and will follow class rules. You would think these traits would make school a breeze for these kids, but not necessarily.

Virgo has the potential do more harm to his own self-esteem than his peers or teachers. For example, he may make himself a nervous wreck before taking a test because he’s afraid of getting any answers wrong. Or he’ll pour his heart and soul into a book report and after he hands it in will stress over whether the teacher liked it, or if it was good enough to deserve an A. This kind of pressure is hard for a kid to take so be aware of night time belly aches or the inability to sleep at night – even young Virgos are prone to anxiety. Tell him he did his best and the teacher will recognize this. In my humble opinion, I think it’s actually healthy for a Virgo to let go a bit and get a B once in a while. Once he gets a less than a perfect score and sees that the world hasn’t ended, his anxiety level will surely diminish.

His acute awareness of his own shortcomings can really take the fun out of his school years, but you can help. Encourage him to engage in extra-curricular activities. Let him know that he doesn’t need to be the best on a sports team or doesn’t need perfect pitch to join the choir. It’s OK to just go out there and have fun, to play a sport for the fun of it or to sing because it brings him joy. Because when your Virgo is joyful and living life to the fullest, he’s nothing less than perfect.

Until next time…

PeaceNLove,

Laura

Scientists have yet to agree about the center of the universe. Where is it? Does it exist at all? Well, if scientists would give astrology more credence, they’d have an answer to this quandary: Leos are at the center. The world, universe, what have you, revolves around them. Discussion over.

Leo kids are charismatic. Their ruler, the Sun, endows them with infectious, gregarious personalities and the kind of smiles that can melt the polar ice caps. They are warm, affectionate children who will smother you in hugs and kisses. They will entertain you with their antics and amaze you with their talents. This is a fixed fire sign: They are constant beacons of optimism, energy, vivaciousness and spirit.

That is, when they’re not being demanding tyrants.

Leos are often described as self-centered and if you know any, young or old, you might agree with that description. But don’t confuse their self-absorption with that of their Aries brothers and sisters. It’s Aries’ “me first” attitude that rubs others the wrong way and has given them the reputation for selfishness. Leo’s attitude is more about privilege, more like, “Step aside, I come first; I’m royalty after all.” They are not selfish, just entitled. The outcome is equally infuriating of course, but at least you know where they’re coming from: Straight from their visions of grandeur.

But it’s not their fault. The cosmos have programmed these kids to believe they deserve nothing less than everything, including all of your attention. They believe the world sleeps while they do, and awakens when they do. They have no idea that there’s a world outside of their own microcosm, sphere, royal domain. And try telling Your Highness that he can’t have what he wants when he wants it. Unheard of! “No” is the answer they give you, not the answer you give them, and these fearless, tenacious spitfires will try to wear you down until you cave in. Don’t.

Leos are very sensitive and care very much what others think of them. Yet, they can be self-serving and demanding which isn’t a people pleasing quality. Your little Leo will throw a fit in a store because you won’t buy her a toy. Yet she’ll wind up incredibly embarrassed because her very public outburst has drawn the attention of onlookers. Yes, Leos are masters at adding insult to their own injuries. Of course she’ll blame you for everything and not take responsibility for the tantrum. “If you only bought me the toy, everything would have been fine,” she’ll pout. Don’t let her get away with that. From the get go you must teach your Leo early on to accept responsibility for her own behavior. Accountability is an important component of humility, which is one of the hardest, yet most important, lessons for this sign to learn.

These kids may be very stubborn (they’re a fixed sign) but as a parent you’ve got a very simple yet powerful tool at your disposal: Praise. They crave, love, no they need, compliments. If she’s not doing well in math, instead of telling her no computer games or TV until she brings up her grades, tell her that based on her wonderful reading and writing grades it’s apparent that she’s very smart, and you just know she’s capable of getting good math grades as well. Don’t scold her – flatter her into wanting to do better.

But be aware that compliments can be a double-edged sword. As a parent you don’t want to overdo it and create a kid with a chip on her shoulder. It’s a slippery slope with Leos: Without proper praise they don’t reach their full potential and can wither on the vine. Yet you still need to teach them not to get too full of themselves and to make sure their egos are healthy and well balanced.

These kids are fun and entertaining, but they can also be exasperating. For example, they are fiercely independent and will want to do things for themselves. Yet they insist on being served. They can be sitting two feet away from the refrigerator and will still call you in from the other room to fetch them a juice box. So much for independence, they’re royalty after all. They also have a constant need to be noticed. The young ones literally get insulted when they raise their hand in class and the teacher picks someone else. Hard pill to swallow when you’re convinced the world is a stage and you’re the star of the show.

Leos of all ages are natural actors and actresses and have a flair for the dramatic. They are confident in front of others and may also be show-offs. It’s common to find your Leo child posing in front of the mirror, holding a pretend microphone and performing a hit song or accepting an award in front of an audience of adoring fans. Most Leos dream of being famous when they’re young. Many hold on to that dream and achieve fame in their lifetimes. This is a very creative, strong-willed sign, and there’s really nothing that a Leo can’t do. They’re masters at taking a creative idea and manifesting it into reality, from conception to completion. They can act, sing, dance, write, design clothes, paint, draw – as long as what they’re doing involves an adoring audience, they’re interested.

Like Libras, they are acutely aware of what’s fashionable and beautiful, and they figure out early on that the beautiful people are the folks that are most favored and adored in our society. (Sad but true.) With younger girls this will manifest itself as an interest in make up, jewelry, playing dress up and being very particular about what they wear to school. They may become aware of their bodies at an early age and perhaps even obsessed with their weight. They care very much about being popular in school, and may feel they must have the latest fashions and paint the prettiest picture possible to be liked. Try to instill in your Leo early on that it’s what’s on the inside that makes you beautiful, not what’s on the outside. Explain how the images of models and Hollywood actresses in magazines are altered by computers and are not fair or realistic representations of beauty. Most of all, let them know that they are perfect the way they are and deserving of love regardless of their appearance. If they don’t get a handle on this as kids, vanity will be their Achilles Heel for a good chunk of their lives.

Leos normally love school. Sure learning is fun, but what they really like is seeing their friends every day. They are usually popular and the leaders in their social groups, and like a lion in the wild, they will fiercely defend their status among their peers. They are very protective of their friends and will remain loyal to them forever – that is, as long as their friends display the same kind of loyalty. Leos are deeply hurt by betrayal, and will walk away from a friend who is disloyal. However, they don’t hang on to hurt. If the friend apologizes, it’s water under the bridge and she will move on without ever mentioning the incident again.

Even young Leos are very attached to their friends and often feel responsible for their happiness. If your Leo tyke’s best pal was in a grumpy mood at the bus stop before school, your little Leo will take it personally and wonder if she did something to cause her friend’s unhappiness. Little does she know her friend’s mom forgot to buy waffles so breakfast was ruined that morning, starting the day off on the wrong foot. (Your Leo’s friend is apparently a Cancer.) No, your Leo will somehow think it was her fault (another downside of believing the world revolves around her) and will wind up unhappy too. Little does she know it’s the waffles to blame for her friend’s sour mood.

(Actually moodiness is a state so foreign to Leos, they literally can’t comprehend what it is. Unless someone upsets them, they are most likely in a good mood. They wake up with a smile and go to bed with a smile. These kids are blessed with one of the best dispositions in the Zodiac. They are happy and bubbly. So their friend’s moods may confuse them because they really have no frame of reference.)

Leos are very generous and will give their friends the shirts off their backs. Be watchful that the craftier kids do not exploit this trait in your child. There are actually Leo children out there who are somewhat shy, who are not brimming over with confidence. (More praise would help these kids out.) However, because social life is so important, these shyer, less assuming Leos still want to fit in and find a group of friends to call their own. To be liked and accepted, she may start giving her friends her toys and personal belongings. Some kids may take advantage of her generous nature and will come to expect “gifts” and may start demanding more. Poor Leo, all she wants to hear is, “We don’t want your stuff, we want you!” Hopefully her friends appreciate her for who she is and not what she’s willing to give away.

These kids are athletically inclined, but not always interested in sports (especially the girls.) They girls are more likely to want to take dance classes: They are extremely coordinated, strong and flexible. Come recital time the fancy costumes are right up their alley and the going up on stage in front of an audience is like a fantasy come true. Older Leo kids will probably want to audition for plays, join the drama club or try out for the cheerleading squad. They have a flair for anything creative. They literally can do anything they put their minds to.

Until next time…

PeaceNLove

Laura

We’re all familiar with the legend of the werewolf: On the night of the full Moon, some perfectly normal guy sprouts fur and fangs and turns into a vicious beast who goes on a killing spree. Well, if you’re the parent of a Cancer child, it would be wise to always keep this myth in mind. Not because your child is secretly a monster. No, because like the werewolf the Moon directly affects your child’s moods, and there’s really nothing you can do about the strong influence it has on your kid. Some nights you’re going to have to just duck and cover.

As the parent of a Cancer, I’m sure you’re familiar with this kind of scenario: You’re at the playground and your child is being her sweet and unassuming self. She’s the kid on the playground who avoids conflict, the first to come to the aid of a friend who’s upset. She includes everyone in her games and is careful not to leave anyone out. She shows a remarkably mature ability to empathize with others and it’s not unusual for her to burst into tears if she sees that one of her friends is hurt or upset. Yes, she is a warm, sensitive child who is very in-tuned to the needs of others. She’s a nurturer by nature and very affectionate and loving. She’s a delightful child who is fun to be around and who loves to make her friends laugh.

Then suddenly the darkness descends. Her expression changes. She becomes snappish, crabby and sullen. She clings to you and no longer wants to be with her friends. She wants to go home. No one knows why. Nothing happened to offend her. Did someone do something to cause this 180-degree turn in her demeanor? No, it was not a someone, instead it was a something.

Namely, the dusty, old rock orbiting the Earth.

Every Sun sign is ruled by a planet (or luminary) in our solar system. But to say that the Moon rules the sign of Cancer is an understatement. Cancers are literally lassoed and hog-tied by the Moon. That’s because there is no object in outer space closer to the Earth than our Moon. The Moon has a powerful effect on our planet and the creatures that live here. As it goes through its phases, it not only affects our environment, such as the weather and the tides, it also directly affects the behavior of animal life here on Earth, including highly evolved primates such as ourselves. More crimes are committed on full Moons, more people wind up in emergency rooms on full Moons, more people have emotional meltdowns on full Moons, and more werewolves are spotted on full Moons. (OK, the last bit isn’t true.)

In essence, all of us here on Earth are affected by the Moon. But when it’s your ruling planet, its influence is amped up to a complete other level. Cancer is the only sign that has its ruling planet breathing down its neck. The Moon is like an overbearing parent who pushes and pulls at her kid all day based on her own moods and whims. No other sign has a closer, more powerful ruling planet than Cancer. And since the Moon is constantly changing, being ruled by it is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster ride. Parents of Cancer children are no strangers to their kids’ wild, sudden mood swings that come out of nowhere. The good news about the Moon is it changes all the time, so if you don’t like your Cancer’s mood, check back in five minutes.

Now that we’ve got those annoying mood swings out of the way, let’s talk about the benefits of having the Moon as a ruling planet. Cancer is an intuitive, emotional water sign and a cardinal sign of leadership. These people have the ability to grip people’s feelings, tug at their emotions and cajole them into doing their bidding. They rub a salve of empathy and compassion on your psychic wounds, nurture your inner child, and leave you feeling whole and loved. Cancers have a way of subconsciously harkening us back to a time when we felt unconditionally loved and nurtured by our mothers. No wonder they have such power over us and that, consequently, the Moon rules the public.

Your Cancer girl will take on the role of “Mother to the World” at a young age. In the case of a boy Cancer, he will be seen as compassionate leader by his friends – the quiet kid who is inherently kind. Cancers are extremely sensitive and they learn early on how to put up a barrier, a veneer that protects their touchy emotions. Like the crab, their Zodiac symbol, this hard outer shell is their suit of armor, their shield against whatever hurt – intended or not intended – may come their way. When their feelings get hurt, which is often, they are careful not to show that they’re upset. Revealing their emotions makes them feel vulnerable. They’d just as soon remove themselves from the situation, go home, and lock themselves in their rooms for a self-imposed time out. Cancers tend to hold on to hurts and are prone to holding grudges. It may take a while for a Cancer to learn to trust someone who once hurt or offended her.

Home is your Cancer’s sanctuary. There is no place they would rather be. And even though they love their parents equally, Cancer children form very strong attachments to their mothers. A close, positive relationship with her mother is essential to the emotional and psychological well being of a Cancer child. A mother literally can’t pour enough TLC on to her Cancer child. Often Cancer boys run the risk of becoming “Momma’s Boys” but if I were the mother of a Cancer boy, that’s just a risk I’d take. Cancer boys turn into Cancer men, and a Cancer man who has had a great relationship with his mother is definitely a keeper. With both sexes, the relationship with mom directly correlates to this child’s future emotional and psychological well being. Yes, you can say that about any child, but with a Cancer this fact is exaggerated by 1,000.

If your Cancer child chooses to pass on a playdate so she can hang out with you at home, don’t worry that there’s something wrong with her socially. Even though Cancers enjoy the company of other children, they’re not especially socially driven. Family comes first to these kids. This trait is inherent and remains strong a lifetime. You may have a hard time getting your kid to leave home when she grows up. And don’t be surprised if she winds up buying the house across the street from you when she has a family of her own. Her family is her lifeblood and she’s especially interested in her ancestry. She’ll be mesmerized by stories about her great, great grandparents and your family’s countries of origin.

When your little Cancer is in a social mood, she’ll prefer to play with her friends at home. She’ll love bringing her friend into her room as she takes great pride in how she has it arranged and decorated. There’s a good chance that she will keep every toy Santa has ever brought her and will have every birthday card she’s ever received stashed away safely. They form emotional attachments to objects, which can lead to hoarding. However, she’s happy to share her stash with her friends, and loves it when they find as much joy in her things as she does.

Cancer children are very sentimental. It’s never too early to get them their own digital camera, and once they’re old enough to use scissors and glue properly, they’ll love creating scrapbooks. They are historians by nature and will start documenting their lives as soon as they are able to. Not that they need to put anything on paper: Cancers have the best memories of the Zodiac, so you can be certain that they’ll remember what you said and who you said it to with great precision and detail. Be careful what you promise your Cancer child because she’ll hold you to it.

Cancers have a complicated relationship with food. Food is what feeds us, what keeps us alive, what nourishes are bodies. It makes us feel good, both physically and emotionally. Many of us equate the physical pleasure of eating with emotional satisfaction. As a sign that’s so connected to the instinctual, Cancers are more susceptible to the seduction of food. Not to mention, our earliest memories of being nurtured revolve around being fed by mommy. Plus the family gatherings Cancers so dearly enjoy also often revolve around food, such as family picnics and holiday dinners.

So it’s no surprise that many Cancers turn to food when they need emotional comfort, and you must be very watchful of their tendency to soothe themselves with food. If your Cancer comes home crying because she had a bad day at school, don’t offer her a bowl of ice cream to cheer her up. Find another way to comfort her. By eating she is just stuffing her feelings deep down inside (not to mention this behavior could very well lead to a food addiction later on in life.) Cancers are already prone to holding their feelings inside and they need a constructive way to bring their emotions to the surface and to release them. Have her draw a picture of how she feels. That will get it out of her body and on to paper. Then dispose of this drawing that represents her negative emotions. You can do this by ceremoniously flushing it down the toilet. She’ll find that hilarious and a good chuckle will have her back on track in no time.

Cancer children have a great talent for taking care of others – even you. You can depend on your Cancer to get her chores done because she knows that by doing her part at home she’s helping her family. She’ll happily help you prepare meals, feed the dog, fold the laundry, even give you a shoulder rub at the end of the day. But there is a mercenary side to Cancer that must be recognized and honored. The best way to show a Cancer that you appreciate what she does around the house is to give her an allowance. Yes, even though she does love you and her family, she still enjoys being compensated for her work. And if you think she’s going to crack open her piggy bank any time soon, don’t hold your breath. She’s saving for a rainy day. If that rainy day comes when she’s 50, so be it. Financial security is synonymous with emotional security for Cancers. An intact piggy bank helps her sleep better at night.

On a final note, with a Cancer child you will never have to worry about living out your final days destitute and alone. The same commitment you made to her when you brought her into the world is the same commitment she will make to you during your Golden Years. The thought of one of her parents spending her final days in a “home” and away from her family is just not an option for adult Cancer. She will provide you with a loving home when you’re old and grey and can no longer care for yourself. After all, when it comes to taking care of loved ones there is no one that compares to Cancer. Not to mention she learned from the best (you) and really appreciates all that you did for her when she was young and dependent on you. You’ll always be her mommy or daddy and she’ll always be your adoring child – regardless of whatever mood the Moon may put her in that day.

Until next time…

PeaceNLove,

Laura