GROWTH & EXPANSION - HAVE WE GONE TOO FAR TOO FAST ???

Jupiter, the planet known as the Great Benefic, and the planet which symbolizes growth, the law, beliefs, ethics, expansion, opportunity, wealth, faith, higher education, travel - long distance, religion, philosophy, joy, goodwill and sometimes excessiveness, began its retrograde journey for this year early this morning, August 30th, at 5:18 AM EDT ... transiting planetary retrogrades are often referred to as global wake-up calls ... usually right before a Jupiter retrograde it will be discovered or become apparent that society, organizations and individuals will have "gone too far" in their desires to expand and grow ... often the actions will have exceeded positive limits which necessitates a time for stepping back ...

Jupiter retrograde is a period for everyone to grow internally and prepare themselves for new opportunities that arise when Jupiter stations back into direct motion ... it is very important during this period to look within and develop a better understanding and awareness which hopefully will enable each one of us to figure out if what is being offered to us is what we really want and/or need ...

People born with Jupiter retrograde in their natal chart usually find that society's religions, beliefs, philosophies, and cultural values are not compatible with their own values ... they have to step back from the "norms" and rethink these things on their own in order to develop their own individual "operating systems" ... needless to say, during a transiting Jupiter retrograde, we may all experience this and those born with Jupiter retrograde may experience an enhanced desire to pursue their natal energy in regard to this area of our lives ... as Jupiter goes retrograde roughly every 9 months for a period of about 4 months, there are obviously a lot of people, like yours truly, born with Jupiter retrograde in their natal chart !!!

Jupiter, currently transiting through the sign of Taurus, is all about growth through being stabilized … remember, there is usually the ability to attract wealth in some way or other … but if not careful one may end up amassing wealth and accumulating material things and then wallowing in it and somehow losing everything or losing control of it … one must remember the Law of Infinite supply which states that in order to maintain wealth one must invest what one has in helping to further others … eventually one may come to realize that a sense of wealth rather than the wealth itself is all that really matters … this energy likes the good things of life, being the provider, material wealth, traditional values and warmth and comfort … it dislikes bare existence, wastefulness, being in debt, scarcity ...

 This Jupiter is all about manifesting things … it values money, possessions, physical gratification and beauty … there is usually a very deep appreciation of sensual pleasures … beliefs often center around being practical and the material world … one may spend a lot of their money and income on books, seminars, the search for knowledge and the collection of art objects … one needs to be careful about putting too much importance on possessions or gratifications … trust is usually placed in what is safe, secure and familiar … one may idealize enjoyment, finances, ownership or perhaps strengthen their faith and trust in life through contact with nature and simple pleasures … growth is achieved through being steady and reliable … so now all of this energy has turned inward and we begin rethinking all of the above mentioned intentions of Jupiter transiting through Taurus ... we all may be discovering "abundance" on an inner level of our lives ...

With Jupiter currently transiting through Taurus, one of the main things we will be reviewing is whether or not we've gone too far trying to manifest things and/or may have gone too far too fast trying to stabilize things in our life ... perhaps we've tried to expand our wealth and accumulate material things too quickly and somehow we now discover  it is out of control or we are losing control of what we have managed to acquire ...

Sagittarian born individuals, as Jupiter is the ruling planet of your Sun sign, this is your yearly period of review and reflection ... it is time to step back and reflect on what has been going on in your life since Jupiter last turned direct on November 18th, 2010 ... where have you possibly over-expanded, and what opportunities for growth and expansion have come your way that you either took advantage of or might well have overlooked ???

Jupiter remains retrograde until December 25th entirely in the sign of Taurus where it will complete its retrograde journey at 0 degrees of Taurus ...if you've had a natal chart done, look at where 0 to 10 degrees of Taurus falls and you may get an idea where this review and rethinking may take place in your life ... everyone should take a good look at where you have possibly over-expanded, physically or otherwise, gone too far too fast, and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities for growth and expansion that might come your way ... take advantage of them when Jupiter resumes its forward motion - be careful not to overlook what could ultimately be that once in a lifetime chance !!!

ALL SYSTEMS GO !!!

Mercury completed its second retrograde journey for 2011 this evening, 8/26, and stationed back into direct motion at 6:03 PM EST - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... time to ease back into the forward swing of things on many levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there may be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 8/2 through today 8/26 and possibly as far back as 7/15 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 18 degrees of Leo ... or did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from 3/30 - 4/23 ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from 12/10 - 12/30 - and guess what, I got hit by that one as I had "accidentally" purchased an MP3 player on 12/14 and today it just blew out on me !!!!

The recurring question we may find ourselves asking is  "WHY" ??????? ...What actions did you take or were taken against you that you may now be regretting or simply wondering why you chose to do or were the victim of that particular course of action, and why didn't you or the other person wait a little longer or are simply now trying to figure out why it happened ???? .... did you make any major purchases - homes, cars, electronics - that now don't seem like the best thought out course of action ??? ... there could be problems regarding any purchases made with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved .... relationships may have come to an end - some needed to and others may have jumped the gun and you are now wondering, or will be, why did I do that or end things at this point ... and how many of you got married - oops !!! ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ...

Did any of you have issues regarding your daily work and service, health and nutrition, family issues, romance, creative pursuits, or issues with children ???? ... anyone have health issues especially regarding the nervous system, intestines, the heart, the back or the spine ... and how many of you had travel plans that fell apart, ran into nasty delays or did not turn out how you thought they would ??? ... did anyone from your past come back around only to go out again or make you understand why they aren't actively in your life anymore ???

Now there may be a few instances where nothing really major happened but rather only minor annoyances ... those of you born with your natal Sun between 1 degree of Virgo back down to 18 degrees of Leo may also have had something significant occur during this retrograde as Mercury passed back over your natal Sun at some point ... (hint: if you have, or have not, had a natal chart run that means your birthday falls roughly between 8/11 and 8/25) ... also, any new beginnings made and contracts signed during the retrograde period may not pan out in the end as the energy simply won't be supported ... new jobs begun or accepted during the retrograde period may not prove to be what they were supposed to be or completely fall apart down the road ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Leo until September 9th at which point it will once again begin its transit through Virgo this time to completion which will be on September 25th ... even though it is direct, and that is a VERY GOOD thing, Mercury will not be back up to "full speed" until September 9th when it reaches the point at where the retrograde zone began on August 2nd which is 1 degree of Virgo ... we can all now take a deep breath and proceed to bust a move forward ... keep in mind things may really start popping and there could be a great big rush of energy propelling us forward ... so celebrate but know there is much work to be done with Universal support aplenty ... Mercury remains in direct motion until its final retrograde journey for 2011 begins on November 23rd/24th !!!

JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK !!!

The Sun began its transit through the methodical, perfectionistic sign of Virgo this morning, August 23rd, at 7:21 AM EDT ... the energy slows and now shifts from being flamboyant and dramatic to being highly analytical and work oriented ... with the Sun in Virgo, one likes to shine through their competency, through their work and/or health, through being pragmatic, and through their tendency towards discretion ... Virgo is a feminine/earth/mutable(flexible) sign ... it is reserved, modest, practical, very discriminating and industrious, highly analytical and painstaking, and always seeking to know and understand ... its keyphrase is "I ANALYZE" and it's keyword is "Practicality" ... its glyph is the Greek spelling for the word "virgin" ... anatomically it rules the nervous system and the intestines - this energy can make one prone to illness caused by stress and nervous tension ... it can also make one highly prone to ulcers ... it is the sign directly opposite of Pisces in the natural zodiac where one can be dreamy, given to imagination, self-delusion and escapism ... Virgo is the sign of work and self-improvement yielding a perfectionistic nature which will dissect and analyze - often over-analyzing - all of the facts in order to obtain the ultimate truth and gather all available information ...

Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury - the second sign Mercury rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury is the ancient God of communication and commerce ... you may remember that Mercury rules intelligence and reason, and tends to give one a rather highstrung temperament ... Mercury represents the intellectual urge, reasoning ability and all avenues of expression ... so naturally it would rule mental capacity, dexterity, rationalization, sensory perceptions, travel - in particular short trips, brothers and sisters, children, speaking, writing, bookkeeping, secretaries, neighborhood activities, letters, mailings, means of transportation, trade and techniques ... where you find Mercury in your natal chart is the place which shows where and how you best communcate ...

Virgo naturally rules the 6th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of duty and substance ... it relates to ones work, health and habits ... it shows employment, employees, tenants, servants, pets, and dependents ... it also shows service to others, routine day to day matters, ones clothing and how it is worn, hygiene, interest in food and health, sickness and all conditions that would affect ones health ... this house also shows aunts and uncles, self-adjustment, and the unconscious mind ... in this house, work and health are tied together ...

The essence of the Sun in Virgo is living through analyzing ... it is the perfectionist ... through constant analysis one seeks to reach a state of purity ... this energy must have some kind of work or be of some kind of service for life to make sense ... it is energy that is continuously preparing for something ... there is a need here to perfect some kind of technique through vigorous study and training and through this one can reduce the everyday wear and tear on the nervous system and the intestinal area ... proper rest, retreat and good diet are a must here ... serve your body well and it will serve you and others well in return !!! ... the energy of the Sun in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: thoughtful, analytical, lively mind, observant, scholarly, precise, pure intentions, discriminating, helpful, problem-solving, wholesome, health-conscious, industrious, methodical, efficient, reliable, modest, considerate, pure

NEGATIVE: over thinks, sceptical, worrier, critical, dry, fault-finding, interfering, problem-making, fussy, hypochondriac, workaholic, inflexible, overly mechanical, spoil sport, unsure, stand-offish, sterile, petty, melancholy, picky

The Sun remains in the sign of Virgo until September 23rd ... it now joins Venus in Virgo and we may really be overanalyzing things times a thousand since the ruler of Virgo, Mercury, is currently RETROGRADE until this Firday, August 26th !!! ... during the next thirty days we will be immersed in facts, figures, daily work aand service issues, health and nutritional issues, and possibly family issues on some level, but we must learn to step back and look at the larger picture to which is a very difficult task under this energy ... if something is working, DON'T try to fix it ... help where it's not needed becomes a hindrance ... understand that true perfection consists of being able to accept life's imperfections and not worry so much about picky, petty issues ... think of the mind as a "lens" with the ability to focus on what is not only close up but far away as well ... with that in mind, there is simply one thing left to say to everyone out there - JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK !!!

SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT "AHHHHH" !!!

Venus will begin its transit through the picky and detailed oriented sign of Virgo this evening, 8/21, at 6:11 PM EDT ... this is a highly discerning type of love ... Venus in Virgo enjoys competence, precision, and doing things the way they should be done - correctly !!! ... it is exacting, discriminating and/or critical when relating to other people ... affection is usually expressed in a manner of doing things for people or serving them in some way ... it is also expressed modestly and/or timidly ... pleasure is achieved by functioning efficiently and being helpful especially in repairing things, situations or people ... this Venus enjoys analysis, precision and organizing details ... logic and common sense makes this Venus very comfortable ... the handling of money and possessions is usually practical and thrifty ... there is a desire for common sense and for a willingness to work in love relationships ... this Venus can be more sincerely affectionate than any other sign, can manifest a very strong business sense, and knows exactly what is does and does not want !!! ... it often has a tendency to get so involved in details it becomes rather critical and demanding ...

The essence of Venus in Virgo is loving through analyzing ... ultimately one discovers that eventually you must surrender to the mystery of love and art - or objects thereof - and no longer analyze ... this energy can acquire a finely tuned sense of social, emotional, and artistic values ... one must also learn to be discriminating about being discriminating ... one must resist the temptation to tamper with what is already simply attractive ... this Venus likes a spotless reputation, good manners, sexual hygiene, and pure or natural art ... the energy of Venus in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: knowing what you like, discriminating, fine sense of aesthetics and design, artistic, sincerely affectionate, simple and clear, quietly charming, strong character, impartially kind, coolly
helpful, precision worker, specialist worker, painstaking, pure and modest lover, high moral sense, socially discerning, privately sensuous

NEGATIVE : critical of partners, fussy and nagging, easily dissatisfied, artistically neurotic, inhibits affection, undemonstrative, dry, socially stiff, hides sensitivity, emotionally absent, cold exterior, too exacting, retreats into work, indecisive, restrained, feeling sexually inferior, puritanical, social misfit, self-effacin

Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money will really be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo ... meanwhile, concentrate on what pleases others and not what displeases ... emotional expressions of how you feel are much better than no expression at all .... Venus remains in the sign of Virgo until September 14th ... but also BE AWARE - Venus will be transiting through one of the signs that Mercury naturally rules and what is Mercury currently doing ???? ... RETROGRADING - so while we may be searching for what we consider the "perfect love, don't make any decisions or new beginnings until after the 26th when Mercury stations back into direct motion - especially since compunding the challenge is Mercury currently retrograding in the sign of Leo which naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure !!!! ... Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is shining on you for the next few weeks so play it right and you might just get what you want ... for all of us it would be very wise not to make the object of your affections become the "target" of your affections - know what I mean - ahhhhhhhhhhh ???

UNIFICATION THRU LIBERATION - THE FINAL CHAPTER ...

Neptune, currently in its retrograde journey for 2011, returned to the sign of Aquarius last Thursday, August 4th at 11:11 PM, for its last sweep before beginning its complete transit through the sign of Pisces ... while in Aquarius, Neptune has been producing a time for enlightened humanitarianism, a time for science to begin using new technology and new forms of energy, and a time when the intuitive, clairvoyant abilitites of humanity were being highly developed and universal brotherhood was an objective to be established ... the generation born with Neptune in Aquarius will have visionary concepts they will put into practice ... this energy has often been referred to as the "flame of conscience" ...

Neptune entered the sign of Aquarius on January 29th, 1998 ... once Neptune stations back into direct motion on November 9th, it will do so at 28 degrees of Aquarius and finally complete its transit through Aquarius on February 3rd, 2012 when it begins its complete transit through Pisces, the sign it naturally rules, which will not be concluded until January of 2026 ... Neptune will not return to the sign of Aquarius for roughly 165 years !!! ... Aquarian born, where have you found your spirituality and idealism and possibly your urge to become an escapist challenged, or perhaps your intuitive abilities significantly enhanced since 1998 ???

RISE AND FALL - THE "TIDES" OF EMOTION and INITIATIVE ...

MARS - began its transit through the sign of Cancer today, August 3rd, at 5:22 AM EDT ... Mars being a fiery planet does not fare too well in a water sign like Cancer as water tends to rain on its parade of agression and initiative ... this Mars is highly emotional and is pulled between expressing its feelings and holding them in ... there is a great need for emotional security ... one may assert themselves here indirectly, shyly, sensitively or carefully, but this Mars is definitely prone to emotional outbursts ... identity is closely tied to home, family, and feelings ... energy levels seem to rise and fall with ones moods ... if your heart is involved in something, then this energy can truly accomplish anything it sets its mind out to do ... anger is more often expressed through crying rather than screaming and yelling ... one has to be careful with this energy not to give too much to others just to avoid confrontation ...

Mars is considered to be in its Fall in Cancer as it has difficulty expressing its real nature - it's like staying in someone elses house where you don't really feel comfortable ... The essence of Mars in Cancer is getting through nurturing ... its fighting or taking flight ... the sex drive is usually very strong here but that can be good or bad depending on how the energy is expressed ... one of the challenges with this energy is to find out what is really making you angry and deal with it ... figure out who or what it is that you genuinely care about also ... ultimately we must learn where the fine line falls between stimulation and outright aggravation !!!

This Martian energy likes close involvements, a secure sex life, and an active home life ... it dislikes mild mannered emotions, distress within the family setting, inner doubts anddomestic "fires" ... the energy of Mars in Cancer can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sensuous, provocative, passionate, sexually subtle, tenacious, protective, bold, hardworking, complex, adaptable, sensitive, healing, intuitive, original, occultist

NEGATIVE: irritable, evasive, too intense, sexually unsure, possessive, defensive, compulsive, neurotic, moody, quarrelsome, confusing, fatalistic, weird, spooky/spooked

Mars remains in the sign of Cancer until September 18th ... Cancer born, you will no doubt be "fired up" about something during the next six weeks !!! ... for all of us, we will be urged to keep the home fires brightly lit, but we must be careful not to go overboard and end up  "burning down the house" !!!

AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE - HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!

Whether we like it or not - NOT !!!! - Mercury is set to begin its second RETROGRADE journey for 2011 today, August 2nd, at 11:50 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde ... as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this is a dual sign retrograde going from the sign of Virgo at 1 degree and ending in the sign of Leo at 18 degrees ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point on July 15th - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on August 26th at 18 degrees of Leo ... things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ...

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ended prematurely others needing to be brought to a conclusion ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - that goes double for USED CARS, computers or anything that involves electronics ... also purchasing homes can end up producing unforseen 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 ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... 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 ...

Mercury retrogrades are simply 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 ... Mercury retrograding in Virgo could certainly give rise to issues in regards to daily work and service, health and nutrition issues,  possibly family issues and, anatomically, issues in regards to the intestinal area ... and that is just for the beginning of this retrograde period ...

On August 8th, Mercury returns to the sign of Leo for the completion of its retrograde journey ... In Leo, there could be issues in regards to romance, creative pursuits, 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 areas ruled by the 5th house of the natural zodiac which Leo naturally rules ... anatomically there could be issues with the heart, back or spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... and it should be quite ovious with all of the above mentioned possibilities, 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 ...

If you've had a natal chart done and know the area and house or houses where 1 degree of Virgo back down to 18 degrees of Leo lies, you may find additional insight as to what area of your life may be more affected by this retrograde and also whether it will indeed involve one or two houses during the retrograde period ...

Below I have reposted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival 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 26th).

Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that racecar 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 - wait until after August 26th !!!

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 after August 26th, you may 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 !!!

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 we live this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Re alize" 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!!! "


Back to me now ....Those born between August 2nd and August 26th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in their birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... 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 -

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 fowarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!!

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury Retrograde, that being March 30th through April 23rd, or even actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde period of December 10th through December 30th of last year ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born between August 11th and August 25th may be impacted is some special way as Retrograde Mercury will pass backwards over their natal Sun placement ... Gemini and Virgo born, this is once again time for review and reflection in your lives since Mercury is your ruling planet !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 25 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until August 26th ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal of a sense of humor should be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc ... it will certainly be one of our best allies !!! ... and in the end, as this second Mercury Retrograde period of 2011 is upon us, even though it's been since back at the end of April that we finished dealing with this energy - now it seems as if we never said goodbye !!!