Hi Moonkissd!

I was born on April 23, 1984 at 12:23 or 12:24 p.m. in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am currently a registered nurse in San Francisco. I have moved all my life due to my father being in the military. I currently live on my own with my brother because my parents, whom I am very close to, just moved to Puerto Rico. It has been a difficult change because I now have the responsibility to provide for my brother what my parents provided for both him and I. I believe life is beautiful and I try to share that with others. I am a happy person and a free spirit. However, due to the changes within the last few months I feel almost trapped not knowing where my life is going or how long I will be in this position. As for love, I’ve had my lows within the last few years and on a recent trip met someone who gave me hope. Whether it will lead to anything, I’m not sure but I believe in love again. In any case, I just wonder what is in store for me in the future? What is my purpose in life? Any input would be appreciated and I thank you for your time.

Dear Trapped,

You are very young to be held responsible for another young person’s life and yet here you are. It is no accident, it is by divine design. Your job is to embrace what’s been put in front of you without blaming your parents, your circumstances or your brother for curtailing your freedom.

As a Taurus, family is your foundation and your life teacher. In tarot, the Heirophant (teacher) card is the Taurus card, and the lessons you’re here to learn have everything to do with the legacies & responsibilities they pass on to you. You have incredible strength, tenacity, persistence, patience and an ability to build a life you really value. But you’re stubborn! You want to tell life what to do, instead of allowing life tell you what to do. Fine, this is a natural desire. Yet a some point every person is asked to relinquish their plans for the larger plan. Can you embrace what you’ve been given, grow gracefully, and open to learning what you need to learn? You are being asked to do just that.

The answers will unfold in time. With your natal Sun/Pluto opposition, this is a lifelong process for you, triggered by Saturn’s square to your Node/Uranus. And the introductory lesson is always the hardest – lesson 1: discovering your capacity to grow, change and thrive – under pressure, compliments of your family. Re-frame that to: compliments of your soul growth. You can wrestle with your situation, and you will, and you’ll learn that’s about as effective as arm wrestling Hulk Hogan. There’s no winning back what you’re being asked to give up. You’re giving up a piece of your freedom, a small price for the exchange of becoming a person who really knows herself.

This is the beginning of a new stage of life for you, and the unfolding of your life story. It feels pivotal, because it is. You’re on the edge of your seat. When will it change, what happens next? That’s how a life change feels. When you start surrendering, over and over, to the possibility of remaining in the question mark of your life (and become life’s willing student) sometimes “I don’t know” is the only answer you’re given. It’s a fine one. Keep asking and keep exploring.

You can tap your higher self for guidance, one of the ways to do this is by adopting a spirit animal – Taureans have a natural affinity for being comforted by mother nature’s creatures. I love this poem about animals, and it seems particularly Taurean:

I think I could turn and live with animals,
they’re so placid and self-contained,
I stand and look at them long and long.
They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Not one is dissatisfied,

not one is demented with the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another,

nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
(“Song of Myself”, Walt Whitman, 1819-1892)

You’re transforming, so contemplate the butterfly, or as a Venus-ruled sign, adopt a mythological goddess, the goddess Kali. The butterfly doesn’t dramatically transform into a free-flying beauty, she blossoms gradually, after she submits to the forces of change. The goddess Kali’s power is her intimacy with change and death; she embraces sadness and suffering as part of life. She never blames a “power over” her, instead she becomes the power. She sits in graveyards to understand. She makes friends with life/death on its terms.

You will get stronger in the first few months of 2008. You’ll discover a resovoir of inner strength and embrace the new road ahead. You’ll also enjoy some success at work in February, when you feel a sense of mastery with your skill set, which could even allow you to move into a position more to your liking in March. In all, you feel more stable and sure of yourself. The tidal wave has passed.

Last but not least, love, oh love! Look to July 2008, connected with someone at work. You will be more settled, focused and confident in your direction. And ready to radiate the confidence and pride of your Leo rising.

Best of luck,