I’m considering going back to school. I’m very close to an undergrad degree and want to get my master’s degree in social work. I’m close to 50 years old and one of my concerns is finances—as I have a daughter who will be starting college in the fall as well. Is this a good time to consider this? Does it look like a good career path? DOB 08/19/1961 3:28pm.

There’s no time like the present to go back to school—especially with Jupiter, the planet of higher education, moving into Aries on January 22, 2011. Aries is a fire sign, just like your sign, Leo (the third fire sign is Sagittarius). Whenever you have a planet move into a zodiac sign that shares the same element as yours, then this creates what is called a “trine” energy in Astrology.

Trines are good because they create a bridge from one zodiac sign to another so that the planetary energy supports and encourages whatever action you want to pursue. Trines have always been associated with good fortune which is why Astrologers will look to them to see if this is a good time to pursue something or not. When you have a trine involving fire signs then values like self-realization, higher purpose, and exploring new paths become very important. Fire is the element that rules the spirit in Astrology.

Earth is the element that rules money. The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The earth signs want to know how you are going to pay for the things that you want to do. Thankfully you were born with Mercury and Pluto in Virgo and Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter in Capricorn. These are heavy-hitter planets and they’re also the planets that are going to help you out.  What’s interesting about 2011 is that Jupiter spends very little time in Aries before it moves on to Taurus. Jupiter is in Aries from January 22, 2011 through June 3, 2011. When Jupiter enters Taurus on June 4, 2011 it will be there for a year. Taurus is at the top of your solar horoscope which leads me to believe that you will be able to get some kind of government funding or scholarship to help you to get your master’s degree in social work. Jupiter will be traveling through Taurus from June 2011 to June 2012 creating what is described as a grand trine in earth. Grand trines confer protection, so this is what leads me to believe that you will have the resources to go to school during this time.

There’s a lot of activity going on in your horoscope now so I don’t think putting things off is the way to go. As an astrologer I would rather see you put these planetary energies to use than to try to postpone or redirect them. You may reach certain times in the coming year when you will question what you’ve gotten yourself into, but your planets in Virgo and Capricorn show that you will find a way to squeak by. It’s important to remember that you’re making a huge investment in yourself—both spiritually and financially. And it’s an investment that will pay off better than you expect.