Question of the Hour 5*10*06

Should I look for a new job or ask for another raise?   

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May 6 2006 2006
7:06 am PDT
San Francisco CA
2 Gemini rises

A client had recently re-negotiated her compensation plan in her favor. However, at an industry conference she found out she was still making much less than competitors who were not as successful at increasing sales as she was. She felt in a bind because she had just gotten some of what she wanted, yet didn't know whether to look for a new job or ask for another raise.

With 2 Gemini rising the client is principally represented by Mercury, and in all questions we also view the Moon. Mercury is in Taurus in the 12th house - this aptly describes her situation, trapped with money on her mind. First, should she look for a new job? With Aquarius on the MC representing the current job, the next job in this question is shown by Pisces. Aquarius is a sign that Mercury likes due to triplicity rulership of air signs, but Pisces is the very worst sign for Mercury since it is both detriment and fall. No way! Stay where she is, simple as that.

On to the additional raise. The boss is Saturn, the ruler of the 10th (not Uranus for you modern astro readers). Mercury is applying to square Saturn. Mercury isn't in any dignities of Saturn, and Saturn isn't in any dignities of Mercury. In other words, conflict with nothing to ameliorate the situation. If she asks for another raise (also note her money is also ruled by Mercury with 25 Gemini on the 2nd cusp) is her boss going to give it to her? Not a chance. Slow moving Saturn in a fixed sign is not budging and will turn down any further requests.

In case you are thinking that I am being too negative by advising her to hold off on both the new job and the raise, just check the day and hour ruler of this chart: both Saturn, buried in the 3rd house. It's time to wait.

When will the client be more able to again re-negotiate or even look for a new job? Right now Mercury is at 2 Taurus, deep in the 12th house. She will gain *considerable* power when Mercury enters the 1st house, not only by house position but also by entering one of Mercury's own signs. This means she will get what she wants. There is exactly 1 sign difference between now and then, so the quick and not quite well thought out answer would be in about 1 year (for a cadent house this is typical timeline). But we have to check the speed of Mercury! Mercury is currently moving over 1.5 degrees per day and in just a few more days will increase speed even further to travel several weeks at over 2 degrees per day, the fastest Mercury ever gets. So instead of 1 year, we can say in about 6 months.

When we look directly at her money, a similar picture emerges. Currently money is represented by Mercury with 25 Gemini on the 2nd cusp, but in 5 units of time money becomes the waxing Moon in an angular house and in mutual reception with Mercury to boot. When will she get more money? Since the Moon is in an angular hours and mutable sign, in about 5 months fits very well.

The Moon's motion confirms this judgment - the Moon will conjunct the all important part of fortune in about 16 degrees, just 1 shy of half a sign.

Because I like to be completely thorough for all my clients, I checked the natal chart to see if this correlated and sure enough in about 5-6 months she'll be in a more beneficial time as far as her career is concerned.

In the meantime, the client will gain satisfaction by being productive (Moon in Virgo). With mutual reception by exaltation between Moon and Mercury, I advised her to document (Virgo) her sales gains and improvements for the company so she'll be in a better position to get everything she wants at the end of the year.

Specific advice to client:

* Don't look for a new job just yet; you'll be in a better position in about 5-6 months. At this time you can either get the raise you want or find a new job.

* Don't push your boss by asking for another raise right now; it won't happen anyway.

* Document everything you are doing for the company so you have real evidence to present if trying for the raise, and it might even come in helpful if seeking a new employer.

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