THE URGE TO FIND BALANCE BETWEEN PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL NEEDS/DESIRES AS WELL AS BETWEEN SELF-SURRENDER AND SELF- AGGRESSION !!!

MARS - began its fiery, passionate transit through the romantic, sociable sign of Libra on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, at 7:23 PM EDT ... Libra is ruled by Venus the planet of love, relationships and money !!! ... Mars was last in Libra from August 27th through October 11th/12th, 2023 ... think back to that time period as to what was going on and be prepared as similar issues have the potential to arise once again especially if they were not properly addressed or handled incorrectly during that period !!!

Mars is said to be in "detriment" in the sign of Libra as this is the sign directly opposite the one it rules which is Aries ... Mars is therefore like a guest in someone else's "house" and must conform to their rules !!! ... Normally air (Libra) gives life to fire (Mars), but for all of its robust energy, Mars here can easily get out of control rather quickly !!! ... and it should be no surprise that Mars sometimes has  trouble operating in the sign of Libra because its need for direct action is limited by the need for approval and cooperation of others !!!



Mars in Libra urges us to find the balance between personal and interpersonal needs and desires as well as the balance between self-surrender and self-aggression ... this Mars can be as gentle as a lamb or become as mad as a hornet !!! ... it is strategic, charming, generous, amiable, cooperative, persuasive, enjoys entertaining, sociable and very interested in new ideas ... self-reliance is sometimes lacking here and one must learn to stand on their own ... here we have energy that is naturally people oriented and often learns through relating with others ... it can be highly competitive ... it is energy which makes one work on balancing opposites and therefore indecision can arise if you go overboard with the need to weigh and balance everything ... identity is tied in with interactions to others ... physical and sexual drive are strongly influenced by ones partner ... the sex drive can be very impulsive and extremely sensuous !!!



Mars in Libra can also propel one into a conflict of argument with someone else - and at times people are forced to agree with you just to end the discussion and shut you up !!! ... it can be sweet and smile a lot, but ultimately "kill you with kindness" ... as Mars is considered such a fiery planet, it is possible that during this transit one could have "flare ups" with health issues in regards to the lower back, the buttocks and the kidneys !!!

Mars in Libra is the initiator of social activities and wants to be noticed and appreciated ... sometimes personal desires and ambitions can be confused with others ... aggressive and energetic partners are sought here ... this energy can produce great anger when principles of justice are violated even if the person is not the actual victim ... a large amount of this energy can be spent forming emotional relationships ... this is an excellent position for producing highly unique artistic and literary talent !!!



Mars in Libra ultimately shows one how to get what we want through how we relate ... its the social mover and shaker ... the drive to balance impulses ... a major challenge here is to get what you want but do so by fitting in with social values and emotional requirements ... one must learn to adjust needs and values to their desires ... desires here tend to spring from a feeling of wanting everyone to be in harmony and pull together ... ultimately the energy of Mars in Libra is the ability to be aware of and have the courage to express and live by your own moral convictions !!!

Mars in Libra is the transformer ... it likes togetherness, doing things in style, the social whirl, knowing ones own desires, and equal partnerships ... it dislikes injustice, being overly blunt, indecisiveness, being dominant or being dominated ... the energy of Mars in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: attentive lover, enthusiastic, skillful lover, gentle, fair, easygoing, diplomatic, co-operative, persuasive, binding, discreet, perceptive, idealistic, intuitive, principled, measured, polite, considerate, agreeable, sedate

NEGATIVE: fawning, idolizing, impersonal, tentative, bland, indecisive, insincere, misleading, devious, awkward, judgmental, unreal, unfeeling, self-limiting, inhibited, vulgar, selfish, impulsive

Libra born individuals, this is the time when your energy is given that extra big boost ... just proceed with caution at first, which we all should, as Mercury is currently ending its retrograde in Leo on the 11th !!! 



ARIES born, your ruling planet begins transiting through a new sign ready for you to learn new lessons or repeat some if you didn't get it during previous transits of Mars through Libra ... okay, perhaps SCORPIO born too as this is your ancient ruler !!!

We may find this period very productive but we will also have to guard against proceeding with such great force that we accidentally "incinerate" others with our heightened enthusiasm and drive ... it is also possible that others may interpret your actions as pushy and confrontational even though your intentions and emotional intent are just the opposite !!!

Mars remains in the sign of Libra until September 22nd ... take care not to let the object(s) of your affection (Libra) get so infused with this fiery warrior energy (Mars) that they end up becoming the object(s) of your aggression and you accidentally by mistake end up destroying them !!!

MAKE LOVE NOT WAR !!!

A HIGHLY EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO EVERYTHING WE ARE ATTRACTED TO - THE NEED TO HEAR THE WORDS "I LOVE YOU" ... OFTEN !!!

 

VENUS - the planet of love, affection, attraction, social interactions and desires as well as the ruler of the 2nd and 7th houses of the natural zodiac - began its emotional swim through the nurturing, intuitive sign of Cancer yesterday, July 30th, at 11:57 PM EDT  ... Venus was last in Cancer from June 17th through July 11th, 2024 !!!  

Venus transiting through a WATER sign such as this, ruled by the Moon, takes on an even more emotional rather than an intellectual connection to everything it is attracted to ... Venus in Cancer enjoys home, food, nurturing and/or dependency ... it can be very sensitive and protective in relating to people, and it appreciates emotional warmth and attachments ... affection is expressed protectively, tenaciously and in a nurturing manner ... pleasure is found through security ... ones comfort level may well depend on feeling like part of a "family" !!!

Venus in Cancer produces a preference to share within a very closely attached group ... if one should lack faith under this energy, there could be a result of moodiness, shyness, over protection - including self and others, and stinginess which could interfere with the potential for closeness and the ability to enjoy life ... money and possessions are usually handled cautiously ... there is a desire to nurture and/or be nurtured in ones love relationships ... closeness involves dependency, care taking and receptivity ... this Venus energy can be somewhat thin-skinned and truly needs to hear the words "I love you" often !!!

Venus in Cancer shows us to learn to love oneself as well as others through the process of nurturing ... it believes that home is indeed where the heart is ... the expression of love here is tied into the need to give or receive comfort and security ... there is the trap to become so concerned with receiving love that you forget the quality and quantity of love you actually give ... this love is usually of the most instinctive kind ... there is a romantic leaning towards the sentimental ... there also comes a rather changeable nature in showing or accepting affection which usually is a result of doubts about ones own attractiveness ... home and family are central to ones happiness here ... there is the possibility that one possesses cooking, decorating, or other domestic skills under this energy ... sometimes the fear of change and/or disruption within the home and family produce worry which physically expressed manifests in the form of stomach or throat problems ... the  energy of Venus in Cancer can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: gentle, kind, tender, romantic, sentimental, sensitive, compassionate, dreamy, devoted, loyal, unselfish, dependable, caring, protective, motherly, sympathetic, home-making, reassuring, comforting

NEGATIVE: timid, gooey, fawning, easily hurt, moody, muddled, clingy, too attached, weak-willed, dependent, fussy, shy, insecure, fears unfamiliar, gluttonous, vulnerable, taking others for granted, emotional threatening, inhospitable



Cancer born individuals, this is your time to "glow" as Venus moves through your birth sign and shines its "love light" on you ... be nice and kind enough and you just might get what you ask for !!!

Venus now joins Jupiter currently transiting through the sign of Cancer ... Venus remains in the sign of Cancer until August 25th !!!

While Venus transits the sign of Cancer, try to relax and enjoy as the Universe is guiding us and teaching us how to gently navigate through the "emotional waters" of love ... perhaps we all now could try and use Mother Nature as a "role model" for how to nurture and nourish ourselves as well as others ... allowing others to sometimes lean on you will help prevent you from continuously leaning on others too much ... by admitting to our hopes and what hurts us we can ultimately encourage others to do so as well !!!

ONE IMPORTANT CAVEAT HERE - with the potential for the love of food, along with "other" things and you know exactly what I am talking about, being greatly heightened, as the old saying goes, ONE WHO INDULGES - BULGES ... in the case of this particular "loving" energy transit, it could be in more than one way - check back with me next year in APRIL/MAY ... okay ???  

A PRONOUNCED CRAVING TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION - CONFIDENCE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON BEING APPRECIATED !!!

 

The SUN began its "majestic" transit through the dramatic, romantic, proud sign of Leo today, July 22nd, at 9:29 AM EDT ... this solar energy is all about is being acknowledged, appreciated and applauded ... the overly emotional days of processing everything through our feelings lessens greatly now and our unique creative genius takes center stage !!!



The Sun in Leo is very happy here ... in fact it is in dignity as this is the sign it naturally rules in the zodiac ... when a planet, or luminary in this case, is in dignity, you control the circumstances in whatever area of your life the sign falls !!! ... The Sun is extremely efficient with its energy transiting Leo being dignified in this position ... if you've had your natal chart done, then you may gain awareness on what "stage" of your life this energy may affect you during this 32 day solar transit !!!

The Sun in Leo bestows us with a pronounced craving for attention ... Leo energy usually loves giving and receiving hugs ... The Sun in Leo encourages one  to grow through creative endeavors, seek recognition through risk-taking or exciting activities, extend generosity, and certainly embrace ones own charisma ... this is the ultimate in fire energy - it is very happy, optimistic energy ... and isn't the Sun pretty much at its peak in Summer during July/August (at least in the Northern hemisphere !!!) ??? ... it's easy to see why these native born individuals are so warm and cheerful - unless of course they are modified by some other "darker" energy in their natal chart !!! 

Leo is a masculine/fire/fixed sign which makes it enthusiastic, powerful, expansive and creative, generous and extravagant, dogmatic and VERY FIXED in its opinions ... as previously stated, Leo is ruled by the Sun, so the Sun is extremely happy to be transiting through this sign !!! ... the Sun is the center of our solar system and therefore the most powerful planetary influence which bestows vitality and authority !!!

Leo's symbol is the Lion - regal, brave, dominating, possessing nobility and pride, and sometimes insensitive to pain ... the glyph for Leo represents two valves of the heart ... it is also the Greek symbol for the first letter of Leo ... symbolically, it is two incomplete circles of the Sun joined by a crescent Moon (its tail) which symbolizes that power is derived from both the intellect and the emotions ... its key phrase is "I Will" and its keyword is "Magnetism" ... the Sun is the main expression of the individual ... it shows the qualities of leadership and success ... it represents the masculine principle, the father, husband, and men in general ... it rules health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience ... wherever the Sun is located in your natal chart is where you find the life and heart of your horoscope - it is where you truly want and need to shine !!!

Leo anatomically rules the heart, back, spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... emotional strain and physical overexertion can cause back and spinal ailments in Leo born people ... sometimes Leo born people can be overbearing and challenging to the point of unknowingly provoking others into impulsive violence !!! ... Leo is the sign directly opposite of Aquarius in the natural zodiac !!!

Leo naturally rules the 5th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of life whose keyword is "Creativity" ... the 5th house represents children, artistic expression, love affairs, romance, pleasure, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculation, hobbies and what distracts you from your main employment ... it also represents your emotional attitude, the love you give, your enterprise, sports, originality and creative outlets, shows dramatic, literary or artistic ability, shows publications, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy and the education of children ... also represented here are any groups to which you may belong that relate to having fun !!!

The Sun in Leo encourages us to live through the process of creating and being creative ... it is one who is truly a child of the Sun ... it wants to shine and be the center of attention ... even if you are shy or lacking in confidence, you will want to be noticed in some way ... respect is vitally important not only for yourself but from others as well ... respect is dependent on self-respect ... a radiant glow is often physically noticeable !!!

Leo can create an "air of certainty" which makes many things possible ... but for all the apparent confidence streaming forth from ones heart, it can belie the fact that one is highly dependent on being appreciated !!! ... here one must pay special attention to critics and admirers alike to avoid being blinded by ones own light and thus destroying whatever it is that one originally tried to create and maintain - a relationship, ones home, health, profession or even ones own children ... just like the Sun, Leo energy cannot see the shadow it casts ... ultimately Leo must realize that its power and influence shine through it and not from it ... and when that power is wounded or challenged, it is very much like the Sun disappearing behind a cloud - the world becomes a colder and darker place ... the energy of the Sun in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: noble, confident, generous, gracious, encouraging, commanding, ambitious, enterprising, proud, cultivated, dramatic sense, impressive, self-expressive, wealth of ideas, fun to be with, warm, affectionate, loyal, romantic

NEGATIVE: pretentious, self-righteous, flamboyant, domineering, demanding, intolerant, overestimating, vain, snobby/stuck-up, melodramatic, show-off, self-centered, overbearing, overblown, scorching, affected, fierce, impossible, unrealistic



HAPPY SOLAR RETURN LEO BORN !!!! ... Leo born individuals this is your time of year to SHINE - even more so than you usually do most of the time !!!



For all of us, we should remember that most of those who love us do so for our "inner glow more than our outer show" ... the Sun never tries to shine AND set conditions - THE SUN JUST SHINES !!! ... recognize, appreciate, respect and pardon both yourself and others ... take time to get in touch with your inner child and try to enjoy the simple pleasures of life !!!

The Sun now joins Mercury, currently retrograde in Leo, and also being influenced somewhat with Venus in Gemini which is ruled by Mercury ... quite the intriguing planetary "menage-a-trois" so to speak ... and least we forget Uranus has recently entered the sign of Gemini, again ruled by Mercury, so Leo season could be quite unpredictable and shocking in some form or fashion !!! ... the Sun remains in the sign of Leo until August 22nd when it moves into Virgo and we become highly focused on daily work and service, health and nutrition and possibly family issues !!!

For now, this larger than life energy compels each one of us to take "center stage" in some area of our life ... and as the lyrics to that famous song goes - "WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR ... APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE" !!! 

IS THAT ROMANCE AS STRONG AND SOLID AS YOU THOUGHT OR WERE YOU JUST LOOKING THROUGH A PAIR OF ROSE COLORED GLASSES ???

MERCURY -  began its second retrograde journey for 2025 today, July 18th, at 12:45 AM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, or most anyone else who writes about this "phenomena", then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde ... as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!! ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on August 11th - on June 30th when it reached 4 degrees 14 minutes Leo  ... from now on things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves RE-DOING things, not only inside the retrograde period, but especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion !!! 



This Mercury retrograde lasting 24 days will be completely in the sign of Leo going from 15 degrees 34 minutes Leo back to 4 degrees 14 minutes Leo ... Mercury was last partially retrograde in Leo during August of 2024 but in different degrees of Leo ... nevertheless, anything come to mind during that period regarding this backward energy - especially in regard to the areas of life ruled by which house/houses this occurred in your natal chart ??? 

Those especially likely to feel the effects of this retrograde include Virgo, Gemini and Leo born, as well as those with a Leo rising sign or Moon natal placement ... more so likely if any of these have degrees at the same placement as this retrograde period ... just remember, what we are reviewing and possibly having to revise or simply let go of which may have begun from June 30th and during this period will still be under review once Mercury stations direct on August 11th and has to scrub back over these degrees up until August 25th when Mercury returns to 15 degrees 34 minutes Leo !!!

For all of us, now becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives ... don't be surprised if issues arise from actions and new beginnings taken during the most recent Mercury retrogrades which would include March 15th - April 7th, November 26th - December 15th, 2024; August 5th - August 28th, 2024; and April 1st - April 24th, 2024 ... and as always, it would not be out of the realm of possibilities to have issues arise from Mercury retrogrades further back than these most recent three ... after all, Mercury is known as the "trickster" and you never know what may occur or "resurface" to be dealt with and completed !!!!!!

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others ... partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially cars - a big NO NO, computers or anything that involves electronics !!! ... purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it !!!

And what about Weddings you ask ... or did you ??? ... NO NO NO !!! ... now I know it takes time to plan a wedding and if you have already done so then there is no need to rush and cancel it ... sometimes it is the impromptu weddings that run into serious trouble ... regardless, I would highly suggest you get someone to note the time when you are pronounced a married couple and then find a reputable astrologer to run an event chart for the "birth" of the wedding relationship in particular to see in which house this Mercury retrograde energy falls ... this would give you a good idea in what area of life you might run into difficulties down the road or certainly where to keep an eye out for potential trouble !!!

It is very important to understand that Mercury retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to go back to rethink and review our actions especially as the energy relates to the current sign that the planet is transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!



Mercury retrogrades are a time for reviewing and revision ... as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm ... this is NOT the time to make vast sweeping changes ... rather one should keep an eye open for possibilities that could prove more satisfying once the energy has returned back to direct motion ... and to point out once again, I have found that some people who are born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart may have the tendency to navigate these often turbulent waters somewhat easier !!!

Mercury retrograde in a Fire sign, this time being Leo, causes us to question how any means of inspiration can helpfully create a better future for ourselves !!! 

Mercury retrograding in Leo could certainly cause issues to arise in regards to romance - therefore those getting married during this period could potentially be greatly affected, creative pleasurable activities, emotional attitudes, the love we give to others, social affairs, the education of children, and any dramatic, literary, or artistic endeavors as these are the areas ruled by the 5th house of the natural zodiac which Leo naturally rules !!!

I want to reiterate the potential "romance" issues with this retrograde ... people from your past are likely to come back around and try to convince you to "take them back", but in most cases you will hopefully be able to understand why things did NOT work out, especially if the relationship was begun under a prior retrograde, especially Venus or Mars, period !!! ... even more challenging is the Sun will be in Leo for the final 21 days of this Mercury retrograde as well as Venus will be in Gemini, ruled by Mercury of course, during the first 13 days of this Mercury retrograde !!!

Leo is ruled by the Sun and as such, there could also be issues arising in regards to ones personal expression, the quality of leadership and success, the father, husband, and men in general, health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy sense of identity, ones capacity for experience !!!

In regards to health, Mercury specifically rules the nervous system, brain, sight, hands and arms ... and the Sun rules the heart and the back, and Leo rules the heart, back or spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... all of the aforementioned areas potentially developing issues but not necessarily all at the same time ... and also there could potentially be other health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house which include health and nutrition !!!

A Mercury retrograde is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!

If you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses 15 degrees 34 minutes Leo back to 4 degrees 14 minutes Leo fall in your chart, then you may get a good idea as to what main issues this Mercury retrograde has in store for you ... this is where you are most likely going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life governed by the house or houses where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best ... once again a good reminder of how important it is to have a natal chart run by a reputable Astrologer !!! 

Gemini and Virgo born since Mercury is your natural ruling planet, this is your time to "try" and slow down for personal review and rethinking - especially in regards as to what has transpired in your lives since Mercury last resumed direct motion on April 7th !!!

Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival (Navigational as I refer to it) Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :


"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:

Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.


Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (August 11th).


Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes !!!


Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either. Hold off until AFTER August 11th !!!


Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!


Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.


Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts in August after the 11th, you will most likely find better deals and buys.


Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and you won't live up to your suggestion.


Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over.


Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun!


Re-examine – Well, just about everything. Smile.


Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over, dear heart?


And so it is. Three times a year, sometimes four, we live with this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.


Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point !!!"



Those of you born between July 19th and August 10th will definitely have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday (solar return) chart for the whole year ahead ... those born on July 18th and August 11th may or may not get this backward energy depending on the time of your solar return ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:



The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return, is summed up below by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return" :



"A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years birthday ... its energy can be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs .... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart !!!



Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" !!!



The mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor !!!




Another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!!



This is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed !!!



It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "





Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding certain actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 24 days ... again, Mercury remains retrograde until August 11th !!!

It would be in your best interest to slow down and try not to act too impulsively and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware that tempers will flare and patience may become very scarce at times  ... most importantly, keep that sense of humor close at hand ... it will definitely be needed many times !!!

As always my fellow beings of light, when all is said and done, the burning question becomes whether or not will we become the victim of Constant Cosmic chaos, the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity - or perhaps both ???  

THE LOVE OF INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION AS MUCH AS ROMANCE - BUT WILL YOU BECOME "FICKLE AS A PICKLE" ???

 

VENUS  - the planet representing love, affection, attraction, beauty, happiness, value and values, indulgence, superficiality, social and artistic expression, and harmony - began its transit through the charming and versatile sign of Gemini Friday, July 4th, at 11:31 AM EDT ... This Venus is both lighthearted and emotionally objective, and Gemini, being an air sign, encourages Venus to move about a lot ...VARIETY is indeed the spice of life which includes objects, foods, experiences, and most importantly PEOPLE ... Venus was last in Gemini from May 23rd through June 17th, 2024 !!!

Venus in Gemini likes intellectual stimulation as much as romance ... this Venus can be "fickle as a pickle" as there is a tendency towards a lack of commitment since Gemini makes Venus way too lighthearted to remain in one place for too long and can cause it to be very flirty ... often there is literary talent along with a love of language as well as sociability ... it enjoys mental stimulation as well as learning ... there is a pronounced casual air in relating to people ... this Venus just loves good ideas ... affection is expressed playfully, youthfully, verbally and lightheartedly ... the handling of money and possessions is usually objective and logical !!! 

Venus in Gemini is extremely oral, so to speak, as it thrives on good communications and intellectual give-and-take in love relationships ... flirting and engaging in superficial relationships could occur due to the desire for a lot of variety and new stimulation as well as a desire to keep things cool and steer clear of too much emotional intensity ... intelligence and quick wit is highly attractive here ... this Venus enjoys being amused and entertained, otherwise there will be the tendency to look over ones shoulder at whoever is passing by ... Venus in Gemini is frequently drawn towards younger partners !!!

Venus in Gemini bestows the lesson to us that the most effective way we learn to love is through communicating ... it can be a sparkling personality ... there is a strong desire here to prevent stagnation and maintain fluidity so if you fall in love under this energy blindly expecting security and predictability you could be in for great disappointment ... Venus in Gemini is a budding love rather than love in full bloom so it has to be allowed to develop ... loving through communicating means letting the one you love know it rather than sitting on your feelings ... this Venus likes to get around - it is said that sexual or family ties are your "heart", but it is the diversity of social relationships that are the "lungs" which breathe life into your very being ... being a sign of duality, Gemini will cause Venus to be more aware of what it wants than what it thinks it wants ... it is most likely that under this energy one will only attract what they truly desire ... the energy of Venus in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: amusing and friendly, coolly affectionate, light-hearted, emotionally objective, socially at ease, emotionally buoyant, stimulating company, lively conversationalist, ear to the ground, good-humored, expressive, agile and witty, socially adaptable, emotionally flexible, well-connected, charming, courteous, tactful, co-operative

NEGATIVE: overly flirtatious, flippant and flighty, makes light of others feelings, emotionally distant, social butterfly, superficial values, lack of commitment, meaningless banter, shallow gossip, empty gestures, verbose, restless and fickle, double standards, inconsistent partner, social opportunist, insincere, easy come - easy go

Gemini born individuals, this is your time to "glow" and become more "attractive" - the "love light" is shining on YOU ... as always, you should seek out and ask for what you want ... you just might get it !!!

Venus is now transiting through Gemini by itself so "let's give em something to talk about ... how about Love" ... Venus remains in Gemini until July 30th !!!

During this transit, try your best listening to your heart and not your own voice as well as other peoples voices ... others will appreciate you if you truly appreciate them ... expressing your feelings verbally, without being overbearing, will open new doors both socially and emotionally ... time to get out there and experience the reality of variety truly being the spice of life ... and while you're at it, you just might become proficient at speaking the "language" of  LOVE !!!  

SPEECHES MADE WITH ABUNDANT ENERGY, GREAT PRIDE, LIVELINESS AND A LOT OF CHARISMA !!!

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts" ... to that end the Cosmic "curtain" rose on yesterday, June 26th, at 3:09 PM EDT as Mercury began its dramatically expressive transit through the ambitious, optimistic sign of Leo ... Mercury is now ready to blaze, sort of this time around, through Leo where the mindset and communicating functions will most likely become "center stage" somewhere in your life for the next few weeks ... as Leo is a fire sign it will bestow Mercury with a lot of creativity ... this Mercury is quite the performer who wants to get your attention along with your admiration any way it can ... Mercury was last transiting through Leo from July 2nd through September 9th, 2024 - a longer than normal period due to a retrograde period, and that will be the case again this time as Mercury will begin its next retrograde period for 2025 in mid July !!! 

Mercury is considered to be in its "fall" in Leo ... that meaning it is in the sign opposite to the one where it is considered to be in "exaltation", which in this case is Aquarius where it expresses its energy harmoniously with its forces increased and its virtues magnified ... HOWEVER, Mercury in its "fall" in Leo can yield a difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said to be like staying in someone else's home and being where you do not really feel comfortable ... Nevertheless, there is a lot of positive potential from this mercurial energy !!!

Mercury in Leo thinks dramatically and always with the heart ... here one can become a visionary and  highly idealistic ... romantic attachments tend to take a major portion of ones concentration ... there is a display of dignity, a sense of innate refinement, and a desire to make good impressions on others ... there is also a desire to be the authority in ones chosen field ... there is ability to solve problems, but sometimes the details are ignored ... ambition abounds under this energy ... and since this is a very dramatic energy for communication it should not be a surprise that every now and then comes the tendency to exaggerate, be self-centered, or tell a little white lie or two !!!



Entertainment could easily be ones forte with dramatic talent being given here - okay all you wannabe actors, now it's time to show us what you got !!! ... this is often the natal placement of those in the entertainment industry ... there could be skills at sales, advertising, promotion or any means of persuading people with ones mind and tongue ... there could also be a desire to have ones thinking or style of communication given a lot of attention ... speech is made with abundant energy, great pride, liveliness and a lot of charisma ... drama and humor is frequently used in communications ... learning is best achieved when one is aroused and excited by a particular topic ... sometimes the ego has a way of getting involved here which could lead to fixed thinking or limited objectivity ... presentations are usually dramatic and magnetic ... one could become interested in power, children, fame and creativity under this energy !!!

Mercury transiting through the sign of Leo teaches us to instill our thinking process with ambition and creativity ... its the idea person ... one is usually proud of their intellectual talents and capabilities ... with the mind being so closely connected to the heart, there is great passion, strength and originality in the mode in which one thinks and communicates ... sometimes insecurity here can lead to one coming on too strong or even cause one to underestimate the power of their mind !!!

Mercury usually functions best when it is cool and detached from the ego, but this can become difficult in the self-conscious sign of Leo where personal aims and intentions appear to be to all-important and other important factors become far less important ... it is wise to realize that people give up trying to help others who always think they know better ... but ultimately, being able to combine ones own creative and enterprising mind with an awareness of others ideas and attitudes that are involved in your personal drama will benefit everyone ... problems are usually approached with great imagination and energy ... learning to use the input of others will allow one to avoid being a one-person endeavor, and then the mind will become a vital spark that will ultimately ignite a larger group endeavor ... the power of Mercury in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally creative, distinctive verbal style, warmly articulate, identifies with popular ideas, grasps the entire issue, intellectually confident, focused concentration, fixed intentions, enthusiastic worker, convincing speaker, outspoken and optimistic, knows ones own mind, teaching and planning ability, foresight, executive mind

NEGATIVE: mentally conceited, liking the sound of ones own voice, only interested in ones own ideas, overlooks details, mentally arrogant, inflexible mind, stubborn and one-track mind, self-centered, feels superior at work, craves appreciation, verbally over-bearing, talks "AT" others, wrapped up in pet projects and theories

Mercury is now transiting through Leo by itself !!!

So exactly what kind of "scene" from what kind of "play" will each one of us be "acting out" during this dramatically expressive transit of Mercury ... new ideas and projects just might have quite a theatrical air about them ... Mercury remains in Leo until September 2nd !!!


Mercury will get no further than 15 degrees 34 minutes Leo when it begins its second retrograde journey for 2025 occurring from July 18th through August 11th completely in the sign of Leo ... this retrograde period will go from 15 degrees 34 minutes back to 4 degrees 14 Leo ... and being in Leo there is definitely the potential for romance, creative pursuits and pleasurable activities to be thrown on a wild roller coaster ride ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on June 30th when it reaches 4 degrees 14 minutes Leo !!!



While Mercury is in Leo it is wise to remember that we should teach others what we really want to learn our self ... we stand or we fall by what we say and how we say it ... do not ignore that "small still voice" that is an important part of the greater good !!!

One final word of advice - be aware that whatever springs from your mind, and ultimately from your lips most likely in a dramatic fashion, especially during this extended transit, is only as good and true as that which dwells in your heart !!! 

So, curtain up ... light the lights ... cue applause ... now get out there, take center stage, think big and then communicate with a dramatic flair which for certain people will not be a difficult task at all will it now ??? 

THE ULTIMATE REALIZATION THAT ONES FAMILY IS THE HUMAN RACE ITSELF - PROCESSING LIFE MORE EMOTIONALLY RATHER THAN INTELLECTUALLY !!!

The SUN began its transit through the emotional, nurturing sign of Cancer yesterday, June 20th, at 10:42 PM EDT heralding the arrival of Summer in the Northern hemisphere ... also known as the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year - the days begin getting shorter each day until the Winter Solstice - which began in the Southern hemisphere today - in December in the Northern hemisphere ... the pace of life now takes on a somewhat slower tempo than the hectic pace it had while the Sun was racing through Gemini ... the Sun, now moving into Cancer, a water sign, hopefully ensures the slowing down of a very hectic pace of life roughly within the last 30 days while it was in the high strung sign of Gemini !!!

We now begin to process life through a more emotional rather than an intellectual filter ... with the Sun in Cancer one needs to grow through nurturing warmth, through protection, through attracting others through sympathy/dependency, and through family, ancestry or roots !!!

Cancer is the sign whose key phrase is its need to give and receive emotional warmth and security, to feel and to give devotion ... Cancer born individuals are warm and understanding but they can be very touchy at times ... wound them or befriend them and they will never forget ... they love to keep in touch and usually have a remarkable memory ... this is probably the most sensitive sign of the Zodiac but it is also often the least likely to let you know what they are feeling deep inside !!!

Cancer is a feminine/water/cardinal(beginnings) sign ... its symbol is the Crab - possessing an impenetrable exterior which covers soft flesh below ... the glyph of Cancer is the claws of the Crab which are also representative of the human breasts ... symbolically, the glyph shows two circles of the Sun that are connected to two crescent Moons ... these two Moons represent the Cancer desire to store memories and possessions, and the circles tied to the Moons represent the force which is expressed through the emotions and the imagination ... Cancer rules the breasts and the stomach which explains why Cancer born usually love to eat and often fight the battle of the bulge - unless modified by other energy in the natal chart !!! .. they are also subject to digestive ailments resulting from tension and emotional stress ... anatomically, Cancer also rules digestion, the left eye of the male and the right eye of the female !!!

Cancer is ruled by the Moon - maybe you can now understand why Cancer born individuals seem to go through so many mood changes so quickly - after all, the Moon does change signs about every 2 to 2 and a half days ... it takes roughly 28 days to complete a spin around the entire zodiac ... the Moon represents the female principle - mother, wife and women in general ... it also represents the public in general, along with instincts, moods, the tides, phases, receptivity, fluctuation, habit patterns, reflex actions, personal interests, desires, needs, magnetism, growth, fertility, the need to touch, impressionability, consciousness, liquids, commodities, nursing, tradespeople !!!

Cancer is the natural ruler of the 4th house of the horoscope ... the 4th house shows property - houses and real estate - and all that is secluded ... it is the house of endings, the closing years of life, the ending of all matters, fame after death and place of burial ... it represents the parent who has greater influence on you as a child, your subjective self, and the foundation on which you build your own unique character ... as a child one may perceive this house as relating to both parents but as one learns through growth and understanding, the 4th house will ultimately reflect the nurturing parent !!!

While the Sun transits Cancer, the Universe encourages each one of us to learn to live through nurturing oneself as well as others ... it's holding on with Love - the instinct for survival ... Cancer has also been often referred to as the "Lighthouse of Welcome" ... the ultimate lesson here is that ones family is the Human Race itself ... emotional awareness is more acute here so use it constructively ... determine and perform your responsibilities generously ... learn to trust in the Universe and understand that all things must pass, and realize each day is a new day a new beginning ... the energy of the Sun in Cancer may be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: emotional, feeling, receptive, sensitive, psychic, gentle, tender, vulnerable, sympathetic, nurturing, providing, caring, protective, maternal, feeding, domestic, patriotic, shy, retiring, collecting, tenacious, oriented toward the past, retentive, emotionally encouraging, thrifty

NEGATIVE: insecure, moody, defensive, devious, over-emotional, non-trusting, hypersensitive, touchy, brooding, smothering, clinging, consuming, over-protective, dependent, fearful, timid, clannish, withdrawn, grasping, stuck in the past, afraid to let go, anti-social, argumentative, apathetic

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN CANCER BORN - this is your time of the year to SHINE - and have a good cry if  you're feeling really emotional - maybe a lot of us will !!!

The Sun is now transiting through Cancer with Mercury and Jupiter - a lot of emotions have the potential to surface for each os us to deal with in order to move forward by promoting further personal and spiritual growth ... the Sun remains in Cancer until July 22nd with Mercury beginning its second retrograde journey for 2025 for the final 5 days of this solar transit !!!

Obviously your feelings and emotions will be heightened and challenged ... be prepared to become more in touch with them whether it be through a fleeting glimpse or a deeply profound experience with something or someone near and dear to you ... and, as the Crab always carries its home - its shell - on its back wherever it goes, we all might as well click our heels 3 times and repeat what Cancer energy, as well as Dorothy Gale, so lovingly makes us aware of - 

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME !!!