FORWARD HO ... HO HO !!!

Mercury completed its final retrograde journey for 2012 yesterday, 11/26, and stationed back into direct motion at 5:48 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 11/6 through yesterday 11/26 and possibly as far back as 10/18 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 18 degrees of Scorpio ... or did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from 7/14 - 8/7(8) ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the Mercury retrograde period from 3/12 - 4/4 !!!! ... remember this was a dual sign Mercury retrograde from 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio ...

Now the recurring question we may find ourselves asking is "WHY" or "WHAAAAT ??????? ...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"... 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 ???

 

Mercury retrograding in Sagittarius, the sign ruled by Jupiter and also the natural ruling sign of the 9th house, could have given rise to issues regarding the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychological issues, mental studies, our dreams and visions, long distance travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports, spirituality and the church, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, and lessons we learn though living ... sometimes we just may have had a difficult time being able to perceive the bigger picture as well ... health-wise, there could have been issues with the liver, hips and thighs which are ruled by Sagittarius, in addition to general health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house of health ...

 

Mercury then retrograding in the sign of Scorpio shifted the focus to different areas in life - those being ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the matters that Scorpio naturally rules ... issues then could have arisen regarding things which are hidden - especially in the unconscious self, the masses, crime, phobias and obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, kidnapping, bacteria and viruses, generation/regeneration/degeneration, secrets and things kept undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all of these things ruled by Pluto ... also issues regarding support one receives from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual/physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death both literal and figurative, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigations, hidden assets, assets of partners alimony, and surgeries - all of these matters represented by the 8th house ... also health-wise, their could have been issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs ...

 

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 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio may also have had something significant occur during this retrograde as Mercury passed back over your natal Sun at some point ... 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, or perhaps you will not get the monetary compensation for what you were hired to do ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Scorpio until December 10th when it will re-enter the sign of Sagittarius for its complete transit ... even though it is direct, and that is a VERY GOOD thing, Mercury will not be back up to "full speed" until December 14th when it exits the retrograde zone which is the point at where the retrograde began on November 6th, and that was 4 degrees of Sagittarius ... we can all now take a deep breath, release it and energetically start digging into that Holiday shopping with perhaps a little less stress and aggravation !!! ... Mercury remains in direct motion until its first retrograde journey for 2013 begins on February 23rd ... for now it's time to bust a move and, in the spirit of the Holiday season, to do so by moving FORWARD HO - HO HO  !!!

THE LADY IN BLACK WITH THE LEATHER WHIP !!!

Venus began its lusty transit through the intense and sexually charged sign of Scorpio yesterday, 11/21, at 8:20 PM EST ... this Venus means business kidzz !!! ... it enjoys intensity and getting to the bottom of things ... it can be demanding, forceful, and absolutely unflinching in the way it relates to people ... affection is usually expressed passionately and accompanied with consuming and obsessive feelings ... great pleasure is found in figuring out hidden motives and meanings ... here one needs to penetrate deeply into a relationship in order to feel closeness and develop an emotional bond ... love and social needs can be hindered as a result of secrecy or a reluctance to trust others - an unwillingness to let ones guard down ... sharing the sexual, sensual, and financial areas of life may be difficult due to the need to become overindulgent or falling into the trap of denial ... becoming involved in a give-and-take scenario with others can yield transformational and transmutable energy ... there is also a desire for loyalty and the need to be swept away, seduced, fascinated and totally absorbed in love ... due to deep emotions and very strong and passionate sexual desires, there is also a tendency towards jealousy and being secretive ... sensing other peoples feelings may sometimes be difficult ... one can sometimes be very idealistic, religious or even mystical ... if advances are rejected under this energy, one can be desolated and the love becomes hate ... this Venus can forgive but it NEVER forgets and once scorned you will NEVER get back in as close as you used to be !!!! ... an attribute with this energy is the ability to be financially skilled with an eye for rewarding investment opportunities ...

The essence of Venus in Scorpio is loving through desiring ... it's all or nothing ... harmony created through conflict ... with Venus in Scorpio comes a neccessity to control ones strong emotional awareness of what turns people on or off ... ultimately the Power of Love is what Venus in Scorpio is about - and it usually has its way with you rather than you having your way with it !!! ... there is the possibility that there is the feeling that something is desperate or fated about ones love life ... there is also a deep desire to find love - a true genuine love that purges you and transforms your life towards its destiny ... love may be withheld in order to control a partner with this energy due to the inability to handle the depths of your own emotions and vulnerability that accompanies them ... Venus in Scorpio likes heartfelt emotions, gutsy experiences, sexual revelation, a depth of aliveness ... it dislikes superficial beings, lack of soul, a boring lifestyle and exposure to ridicule ... inevitably the expression of Venus in Scorpio leads to an unavoidable intimacy with onesself ... the energy of Venus in Scorpio came be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: sexually aware, sensuous, colorful, rapturous, stimulating, magnetic, influential, sultry, subtle, self-controlled, self-sacrificing, dignified, confiding, secretive, intimate, faithful, passionate, gives all, intense

NEGATIVE: sexually obsessed, blue, depraved, hurtful, bitter, hateful, poisonous, immoral, underhanded, manipulative, self-destructive, tight-lipped, not forthcoming, possessive, jealous, expects everything, fanatical

 

Venus now joins Mercury and Saturn in the sign of Scorpio - quite an interesting energy dynamic for a planetary "menage a trois" !!! ... you can bet this first weekend of Holiday shopping is going to be INTENSE and challenging ... gird your loins !!!!!!!!!!

Be aware the appetite for love here is like a bottomless pit ... when you discover that you cannot get enough, it might be best to turn the tables and start giving all you can give ... it will transform you ...

 

Venus remains in the sign of Scorpio until December 15th ... Venus in Scorpio is magnetic, mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful ... it sees, it stalks, it conquers ... it can change your life forever ... but keep in mind you might discover that what truly stirs your passions during this transit may not be what you really want once this transit is over and normal unbiased reasoning returns as Venus moves into open-minded and freedom loving  Sagittarius !!!

THE "ADVENTURE" WE CALL LIFE !!!

The Sun blazes its way out of dark, brooding Scorpio and begins its joyful transit through the cheerful, optimistic and adventurous sign of Sagittarius today, 11/21, at 4:50 PM EST ... this is probably the most positive sign of the Zodiac ... in Sagittarius we need to shine for our benevolence, shine through our optimism and enthusiasm, and seek recognition for our ideals ... freedom is sought and valued on all levels - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual ... this is the sign of straightforwardness and honesty ... naturally energetic and outgoing, Sagittarius usually attains its goals through the power of positive thinking ... here we have serious thinkers concerned with the well being of mankind as well as their own lives ... often the truth is spoken very frankly and undiluted so it's best to develop a thickened skin with this energy ... there is a desire here to expand into previously undreamed of realms viscerally through experience and the excitement of adventure ... there is strong inward drive to travel far and fast either geographically and/or in thought ... the creative urge is also very strong in Sagittarius which truly can make the Holiday season "the most wonderful time of the year" !!!

Sagittarius is a mutable (flexibility), masculine fire sign ... it's glyph is the Archer's arrow ... it is ruled by the planet Jupiter whose keywords are benevolence, expansion and protective urge ... its key phrase is "I understand" and keyword is "visualization" ... anatomically it rules the hips and the thighs - and there certainly can be the tendency for a lot of "expansion" in those areas of the body especially during this season of the year, right??? ... it is the sign opposite of Gemini ...

Sagittarius is the natural ruler of the 9th house - a house of "life" whose keyword is "aspiration" ... the 9th house denotes your higher mind and the superconscious ... it relates to law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychology, profound mental study, personal dreams and visions ... it shows distant travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports ... the 9th house also represents the church - as a spiritual factor, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics and public opinion in general ... it indicates the lessons we learn through living ...

The essence of the Sun in Sagittarius is living through seeking ... it is the adventurer ... life is seen as an opportunity ... it never really matters how hard the road ahead is because it is still a road to be travelled on and go places ... there is an intuitive grasp here of how life works - this is the "manager" of the Zodiac ... there is great power at ones disposal under this energy - if you let the proverbial "horses run wild" you might end up the victim of a big crash and torn apart ... under control and with a high target to aim at, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!! ... and so the energy to be harnessed can be the following:

POSITIVE: benevolent, generous, enthusiastic, jovial, optimistic, lucky, far-sighted, positive thinker, stimulating, outspoken, colorful, open and honest, able, good judgement, honorable, mobile, expansive, carefree, vital

NEGATIVE: promises too much, excessive, over-zealous, overbearing, blind to details, jumps to conclusions, contentious, inconsiderate, tendency to exaggerate, embarrassing, boastful, moralizing, pompous, volatile, scattered, irresponsible, careless, lascivious

Sagittarian born individuals, this is your time of year to SHINE ... it's the beginning of a new Solar year for you, so you have the chance to wipe the slate clean and aim for new goals which is right up your alley!!! ... the Sun will remain in Sagittarius until December 20th/21st depending on where you live ... consider the Holiday season technically underway with the excitement of a young childs imagination shifting into high gear, and hopefully the benefit of good will towards each other ...

 

Just a reminder, Mercury is still retrograde but only until next Monday, the 26th ... so be careful about starting any new Sagittarian inspired endeavors until after November 26th  ... HOWEVER, it is an excellent time to GO BACK and learn something new especially for the next few days, study and sharpen the focus on your "personal lens" you view life through - which is one of the things Sagittarius energy is so very fond of doing !!! ... and then Mercury will join the Sun as it returns to Sagittarius for the final 10 days of the Sun's transit through Sagittarius ... that would be the time to begin to implement those scathingly brilliant ideas you've been developing and mulling over !!!

 

The beginning of Holiday shopping could prove interesting as we all get into such a light hearted spirit, but with Mercury still retrograde, and the Moon entering Aries late tomorrow as the stores begin to open their doors and remaining in Aries through early Sunday morning, but being VOID OF COURSE ALL DAY SATURDAY ... and let's not forget what else is currently in Aries ... you got it - Uranus planet of the sudden and unexpected ... so that joyful, enthusiastic shopping endeavor could prove challenging and a big headache in some cases if you don't take your sense of humor along with you ... the pushing, shoving and even altercations could be epic !!!!

 

Just keep in mind, there's always a direction in which to head, and as each journey begins with one step forward, look upward and focus on one thing that will satisfy you and keep you on track, and be true to it ... and then - like the Archer's precisely launched arrow - you will hit your intended mark!!!

WE WORK HARD FOR THE MONEY - SO HARD FOR IT HONEY !!!

Mars began its transit through the responsible, hardworking sign of Capricorn yesterday, 11/16, at 9:36 PM EST ... this Mars energy is absolutely all about getting the job done and doing so very thoroughly!!! ... there is great energy channeled into professional ambition here ... it is extremely materialistic ... desire for recognition and high status is very intense ... actions are usually well organized and very carefully calculated to achieve concrete results in terms of money and professional advancement ... as a result, many business executives are born with Mars in Capricorn or have Mars in the 10th house - the house of career and public image ...

In astrological terms, Mars is said to be "exalted" in the sign of Capricorn ... every planet has one particular sign, apart from the one it rules, where it expresses itself most harmoniously ... complementary forces are increased and the virtues are magnified ... for Mars it is Capricorn because the organization and discipline of Saturn - the planet which rules Capricorn - makes for the most efficient, practical use of the Mars energy ... here people are more capable of decisive action ... not as much energy may be expended, but the energy that one expends is usually more effective ... there is also a high degree of self-control and discipline, and orders can be taken from those in power and implemented producing positive results ... therefore, it should come as no surprise that many who pursue military careers are born with Mars in Capricorn!!!

Mars in Capricorn bestows pride in doing a job correctly along with a corresponding disrespect for laziness and lack of ambition ... one has to be careful under this energy not to use people for the sake of status and material gain due to a loss of human values in the intensity of ones material ambition ... if Mars in Capricorn is heavily afflicted in ones natal chart with this placement, or the current transiting chart under this energy, there can be a danger of broken bones!!!

Mars in Capricorn signifies force and energy kept under control ... that is, to be used when it is necessary ... ones strength here lies in the ability to endure ... obstacles in ones path are usually run over roughshod ... there is vigor and dynamic force along with quiet self-reliance ... sexual nature becomes earthy and passionate with the element of self-control governing relationships ... sometimes one is hot-blooded, sexy and romantic, and at other times chilly, withdrawn and disinterested ... sexually, passion is expressed only to someone whom you have allowed yourself to become intimately involved with ... ultimately the lesson here is learning not to just indulge in a body for its own sake without appreciating that it houses a Soul ...

The essence of Mars in Capricorn is "getting through building" ... here we have the master builder, the chief executive ... one goes about getting what one wants with such a deliberate, pragmatic and sure-footed fashion, that whatever you get usually remains yours!!! ... achievements are based on a very firm foundation, and as a rule, short cuts are not taken as one realizes they often become the longer way around ... the key here is to learn to appreciate that one is getting somewhere by trusting that the "building work" is going on even though at times it may be taking place unconsciously or beneath the surface where most foundations are usually based ...

Mars in Capricorn can often be an indicator of the self-made person due to the ultimate realization, sooner or later, that it may become necessary to have to go it alone ... the ability to delegate and regulate is an essential quality under this energy ... and this apples to both the personal and professional areas of ones life ... this ability results mainly from having a purpose and a plan along with a sense of timing ... one of the greatest gifts of Mars in Capricorn is in learning to pace yourself and not be pressured by others who do not understand the certainty of ultimate success ... so the energy breaks down in this manner:

POSITIVE: persistent, single-minded, nobody's fool, industrious, works according to plan, earthy and practical, authoritative, respects order, disciplined, commands respect, sexually disciplined, capabale of celibacy, strong sex drive, self-reliant, energetic worker, decisive, cuts through red tape, inscrutable

NEGATIVE: pig-headed, disagreeable, dog-eat-dog attitude, workaholic, cold and calculating, insists on material results, uses others, lust for control, disregards others' rights, slave-driving, sexually controlling/controlled, suppresses libido, lacking affection, lonely, restless at work, agonizing, bucks the system, self-mystifying

Mars remains in the sign of Capricorn until December 25th ... but as the Universe giveth, so, with its own sense of cosmic humor, does it taketh away ... the cosmic joke here is that even though we are going to be infused with this energy that says move forward, get it done, achieve the ultimate, Mercury is still retrograde until November 26th - so be careful not to make major new starts with this driven energy until AFTER November 26th when the Mercury Retrograde ends ... however pouring your energy into preparations or research would be a good way to use this energy to start with ... is everyone laughing now or simply GROANING!!! ...

My fellow Capricorn born individuals, as you are probably aware when Mars transits ones birth sign, one is given an extra boost of energy, but for some reason - and with Saturn being our ruling planet, we subconsciously know that there has to be a hiccup somewhere - we will be short changed by roughly 10 days until Mercury turns around - but hey aren't we used to restriction and limitation anyway somehow or somewhere ??? ... be careful once Mercury turns back into direct motion that with all this extra energy, you don't accidentally "incinerate" someone with the fiery energy empowering you !!!

As the Holiday season is shortly upon us until after New Year's day, we start to feel the need to be in a festive and celebratory mode of operation ... the Universe in its infinite wisdom has seen to it that we begin to start focusing our attention on what must be done and preparing ourselves for what will ultimately be revealed to us ... and what a way to begin the arduous task of HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND COOKING than with this determined and hardworking energy of Mars in Capricorn - on your mark ... get set ... GO !!!

DREAMER'S AWAKE !!!

Neptune - the planet of the spiritual, the universal, the ethereal, the mysterious and mystical, enlightenment and/or delusion, sensitivity, imagination, escape, release, surrender, sacrifice, compassion, suffering, meditation, healing, artistic inspiration, music, drugs and alcohol, glamour, fantasy, religious drives, romantic love, film , altered states, dissolvement, uplifting experiences, confusion, consolation and dreams - completed its retrograde journey for the year today, November 11th, at 2:53 AM EST... having been retrograde since June 4th of this year, Neptune has been asking all of us to look inward and attempt to tune into the collective unconscious and try to understand how our fears, illusions, confusion, or personal spiritual journey is connected into the energy of what is happening with humanity ... hopefully we have been able to determine whether or not we have been applying our own personal energies in a positive manner in order to develop faith and spirituality ... it is possible that many of us have discovered that we have been aimlessly following a path of escapism and disappointment ... it has been a time to develop a rational objectivity concerning the intangible aspects of life which would include truth, fear, hope and inspiration ... many artists, musicians, poets and those who lead highly spiritual lives may have been able to tap into their higher selves and find inspiration to further their abilities ... hopefully, we have all been paying extra special attention to our dreams as they are sure to have brought us important messages from our unconscious state ... unfortunately there are those who may have been driven into drugs and alcohol as a way to "escape" what is perceived as the pain and suffering of daily life ... people born with Neptune retrograde in their natal chart are usually those who at some point in their lives find the need to question and test all aspects of faith and beliefs ...

Neptune is currently transiting through the sign of Pisces ... it began its complete transit through Pisces back on February 3rd of this year after having briefly returned to Aquarius during its last retrograde period in 2011 for some last minute business ... below is a review of what the energy of Neptune in the sign of Pisces, which it naturally rules, is all about :

Neptune was last in the sign of Pisces from 1847 – 1862 … some of the events occurring during that time included Brigham Young settling in Utah with the Mormons, John Sutter starting the California “Gold Rush”, Ferdinand de Lessups building the Suez canal, Marx and Engels writing “The Communist Manifesto”, Darwin developing the theory of Evolution, and this period saw the beginnings of the study of oceanography …

Some of the areas Neptune rules include: maritime matters, liquids, movies, stage and television, glamour, dreams, illusion, delusion, spirituality, mystery, anesthetics, love of poetry, color, dancing, drugs, drug addiction, alcoholism, hypochondria, hypnosis and abnormality …

In Pisces, Neptune’s qualities of spirituality and creative genius will be enhanced, especially for those born under this energy, and therefore may produce many great and gifted mystics, artists and spiritual leaders … these people will be deep thinkers with a profound understanding about the meaning of life … their compassion may be enhanced by intense psychic powers … there are many astrologers who think this generation could possibly bring in a period of ultimate self-realization and hopefully be able to bring peace and tranquility into the world … Neptune here does NOT value materialism, so this generation will be interested in exploring the inner man and woman …

In Pisces, for all of us, Neptune produces the potential for great strides and enhanced creative expression for people in any field of the arts … new medical discoveries will occur … new cultural concepts will be developed … there will most likely be a change on the face of religion in general but not necessarily in a bad way … there will be more of a tendency to explore and develop our inner selves yielding the possibility of attaining the capability of harmony between the physical and spiritual world … this energy will make us potentially more psychic, generous, understanding, responsive to the environment, more mystical and compassionate ... but it could also lead us in the other direction making us more gullible, passive, self-destructive and likely becoming a victim to all kinds of addictions … it is definitely a good time to start paying attention to your dreams as the Universe will undoubtedly be bringing us vital information while we sleep – keep a dream journal close by !!!

So the ultimate question here becomes whether we will give in to numerous savior/victim associations becoming separated from reality and runaway into escapism lost in a world of illusion, or will we reach new heights of empathy, compassion and spiritual attainment … If we use this energy positively we indeed will be more compassionate, self-sacrificing, intuitive, artistic and creative … used negatively we will end up melancholy, an escapist, a procrastinator, vague, and likely to become a victim of many forms of addiction including drugs and alcohol …

Pisces born, this is your ruling planet so it is time to "wake up" and begin to move forward on goals, desires, and dreams once again ... what have you been rethinking and reviewing in your life since June 4th of this year that you now understand is productive and what have you discovered that may be a hindrance and detrimental to your personal and spiritual growth ??? ... the same could be said for the rest of us as well ...

Also very appropriate is Neptune turning back into direct motion as we enter the major Universal energy shift heading into the end of 2012 ... no doubt our spirituality will play a large role in where we see ourselves and others individually and in the Universal "bigger picture" !!!!

Neptune remains in direct motion until June 7th, 2013 ... Neptune will not complete its transit through Pisces until January of 2026 ... and no matter what dreams may come - and they will in numbers - know that with Neptune in Pisces, dreams will definitely have the potential to become reality, and hopefully we will all rise to new heights of spiritual compassion and not fall into the depths of despair, deception, delusion and addiction !!! ... and as it has been said that a "dream is a wish your heart makes" - may each one of us find our dreams becoming a reality in our lives !!! ... just remember that turning that "dream" into reality might well be done with care and perhaps a little caution until Mercury completes its final retrograde journey for 2012 on November 26th  - but still for now, it is time to immerse ourselves in the "waters" of compassion, creativity and spirituality !!!

RECONNECTING ONE WITH THE UNIVERSAL RHYTHM !!!

Mercury is set to begin its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2012 today, November 6th, at 6:04 PM EST ... 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 will be a double sign Mercury retrograde going from 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio ... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point back on October 18th - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on November 26th at 18 degrees of Scorpio ... suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde 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 ... Mercury retrograding in a fire sign - Sagittarius - means we may be trying to figure out how our individual personal inspiration can help create our future ...Mercury retrograding in a water sign - Scorpio - is a time to rethink the quality of life and gives us an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotional respond to lifes challenges ...

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 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 ... 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 ...

And let's not overlook the obvious fact that as we begin this final Mercury retrograde period for 2012, it has the potential to have an extremely challenging effect here in the United States as today is the National Presidential Election ... there will probably be mishaps galore, counting errors, delays, machine malfunctions and, needless to say, great potential for a large amount of voter fraud !!! ... does anyone hear the possibility of the word RECOUNT ???????

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 Sagittarius, the sign ruled by Jupiter and also the natural ruling sign of the 9th house, could give rise to issues regarding the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychological issues, mental studies, our dreams and visions, long distance travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports, spirituality and the church, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, and lessons we learn though living ... sometimes we just have a difficult time being able to perceive the bigger picture as well ... health-wise, there could be issues with the liver, hips and thighs which are ruled by Sagittarius, in addition to general health issues as Mercury naturally rules the 6th house of health ... Mercury didn't get very far into Sagittarius before it went retrograde so a larger portion of this retrograde will be in Scorpio ...

Mercury returns to the sign of Scorpio on November 13th/14th - depending on the time zone in which you live ... then the focus will shift to different areas in life - those being ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the matters that Scorpio naturally rules ... issues then could arise regarding things which are hidden - especially in the unconscious self, the masses, crime, phobias and obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, kidnapping, bacteria and viruses, generation/regeneration/degeneration, secrets and things kept undercover, plumbing, dictatorships and unpopular causes - all of these things ruled by Pluto ... also issues regarding support one receives from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, sex, spiritual/physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death both literal and figurative, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigations, hidden assets, assets of partners alimony, and surgeries - all of these matters represented by the 8th house ... also health-wise, their could be issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs ...

If you've had a natal chart done and know the area and house or houses where 4 degrees of Sagittarius back down to 18 degrees of Scorpio lie, 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 (November 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 November 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 December 13th, 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 of you born between November 6th and November 26th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in your birthday chart - Solar Return - 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 ... below is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea says about having a solar return Mercury Retrograde -

"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 July 14th through August 7th/8th, or even actions we undertook since the Mercury Retrograde period before that of March 12th through April 4th ... 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 roughly between October 26th and November 26th may be impacted in 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 20 days ... Mercury will remain retrograde until November 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 !!! ...

In some ways this could be a truly challenging final Mercury retrograde for 2012 due to other planetary energy occuring at the same time ... especially Neptune slowing down to station back into direct motion on November 11th creating confusion and lack of clarity, a Solar Eclipse in Scorpio on November 13th, and Mars making its ingress into the sign of Capricorn on November 16th ...

Needless to say this is quite the cosmic joke or irony as the Holiday season is just about to get underway and with one of the largest shopping days Friday, November 23rd, things could be very interesting ... not to mention all the traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend ... but we all know that in the end, we will get through it and for many of us the only thing in our minds at that point will most likely be the burning question " ... and WHY did I do that ???" !!! ... so for now, it's over the river and through the woods in Mercury Retrogrades journey we go !!!