A SERIOUS YET SENSIBLE MIND & TONGUE !!!

Mercury began its sharply focused transit through the traditional, reliable sign of Capricorn today, December 24th, at 5:12 AM EST ... this is the energy of a highly organized mentality ... it is a hard worker that stores up facts and figures for future practical use ... it is cautious and highly methodical as it knows what it wants and exactly how it plans to get it ... the mind as well as the tongue are serious and sensible ... communication is made cautiously, and for those born with this energy in their youth there could be doubt as to ones mental ability therefore yielding a need to prove ones self as having a good mind ... there is sometimes this doubt associated with limited educational opportunities in childhood that may be overcome by further study in adulthood ... words here are usually not spoken until they are well thought out unless, of course, MODIFIED by something else in the natal chart !!! ... one can appear to be rather formal, authoritative, reserved and self-sufficient which can sometimes inhibit communications with others ... natural logic and cautious planning are oriented towards material success and/or personal responsibilities ... thinking is well-organized ... learning is achieved through persistence, dedication, and steady progress ... one might become a little pessimistic under  this energy by mistakenly focusing on limits rather than potentials ... here we have a Mercury/Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) relationship that will ultimately give a very structured, organized and well thought out quality to the mind and communicating if there is no other energy adversely modifying it ... and with Saturn still transiting through the sign of Scorpio, we will be digging very deep down investigating facts and information in order to communicate more forcefully and effectively with others in order to bring about positive change and transformation  !!!

Mercury in Capricorn can make one ambitious, careful, calculating and very patient ... one excels at handling detail and rarely loses sight of the overall picture ... people born under this energy often obtain positions of leadership due to their dependability and their air of authority ... one must guard against becoming too dictatorial though ... the darker side of life is often viewed under this energy, yet a redeeming trait would be the very dry sense of humor bestowed here ...

The lesson to be learned with Mercury in Capricorn is how to think and communicate through what we are building ... the mind rules the matter ... it's the organizer ... there is the capability of extended concentration and excellent organization ... one becomes realistic rather than idealistic in the approach to their goals ... little of practical consequence escapes ones attention due to a keen sense of awareness ... think of Mercury in Capricorn like a laser beam - pointed and locked on exactly what it wants and it will know exactly how to get it ... ultimately it is not the facts that ones mind contains that determines its quality - it is how you use your mind and what you use it for that counts ... another essential lesson of Mercury in Capricorn is to learn to USE concrete facts but NOT be weighed down by them ... when you achieve this, you realize how ridiculous it is being enslaved to material status and belongings ... the energy of Mercury in Capricorn can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: good timing, mentally cautious, not easily fooled, retentive mind, methodical mind, orderly mind, serious when necessary, level-headed, clever, discriminating, shrewd, profits from little, employs others, sober, clear and deliberating mind, strong concentration, painstaking, patient

NEGATIVE: procrastinating, slow learner, sceptical, mentally overloaded, lacking originality and imagination, given to melancholy, boring and rigid, suspicious, devious, avaricious, uses others, stern, dry minded

Mercury now joins the Sun, Venus - currently retrograde, and Pluto in the sign of Capricorn ... that is a LOT of very serious, focused energy encouraging us to build something in our lives that will be practical and long lasting !!!

Use this energy well and you will never lose sight of what really counts the most - your resourcefulness ... be sure to give your mind a break when it needs it, or IT may break !!! ... help to inspire others with a goal that you are able to see more clearly than they can ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Capricorn until January 11th ... no doubt my fellow Capricorns and I will come up with some truly scathingly brilliant ideas as it passes through our birth sign and eventually transits over our natal Sun placement ... and for the next 20 days, one way to sum up this transit comes in a well known phrase made famous from the television series Dragnet - "JUST THE FACTS MA'AM" !!!

LOVES LABORS LOST ???

Venus, the planet which rules social urge, sense of values, love and affection, and financial matters began its RETROGRADE journey for 2013 yesterday, 12/21, at 4:53 PM EST ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers or friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... relationship issues, both personal and professional/ public and private, come to the forefront thus causing all types of contracts and partnerships to be reconsidered especially if they have become difficult or challenging ... this is also a time when our personal values get reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere ... one of the main purposes of a Venus retrograde is to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it becomes very important during this time to get in touch with ones present values, wants and needs, and to become clear about exactly what you want to attract and why ... is what you personally value inwardly being projected outwardly positively or is change needed on some level ???

As Venus, anatomically speaking, rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste, these areas of the body could encounter some kind of potential problem ... Venus spends the least amount of time in retrograde motion out of all of the planets ... within its 584-day cycle, Venus stations retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... it was last retrograde was from May 15th through June 27th, 2012 - what were you doing during that period that may have had to do with anything mentioned in this  blog specific to a Venus retrograde that has now resurfaced for review and rethinking or simply falls apart ???

Taurus and Libra born individuals, this is your planetary ruler so you have begun your period of personal "hibernation" so to speak to review and rethink what has transpired in your life since June 27th, 2012 ... but in addition to you, we all will be subjected to a period of reflection in our personal actions in regards to our social urges, sense of values, love and affection, and monetary affairs ...

Some things to remember during a Venus retrograde and this could be challenging as we are at the end of the Holiday shopping season - it is NOT a good time to purchase "luxury " items if you can wait because when Venus stations back into direct motion you might well find yourself thinking "Why did I spend THAT MUCH on something I really didn't need" or you may simply feel you did not get the anticipated value for what you spent your hard earned money to purchase ... often in a Venus retrograde money can become low and scarce and we can end up having to spend money we hadn't counted on spending, but in some cases one may end up getting money "coming back" to them from one source or another!!! ... it also is not usually a good time to begin a new job if you can wait because you may never get the money you expected out of the job, and the job might not pan out down the road for some reason ... that being said, unfortunately as a Venus retrograde can indicate the "tightening of the purse strings", salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ...

WEDDINGS ARE MOST CERTAINLY A HUGE NO-NO as this is the planet which rules romance, love and affection - do you really want the energy going backwards on the day you say "I Do"??? ... if you were to take the day of the actual wedding, and count forward to the end of the retrograde period, then that total number of days would be the actual number of YEARS it would be before the energy turned back into direct motion by progression in the event chart ... most likely there would constantly be issues regarding either love, emotions and/or money and that can make things very shaky !!! ... you should also have someone mark the time you were officially pronounced married and then have an event chart run for that time and the place to see in which house Venus retrograde falls, and you might get a very good idea where in life issues concerning love, money and personal values may surface during the marriage ... I'm not saying don't get married because I know weddings take time and preparation, just realize you may be adding an unnecessary challenge to the already challenging task it can be to navigate through the waters of a personal relationship ... to this end, I would also state the hopefully obvious - a Venus retrograde is definitely NOT the time to begin a new romantic relationship !!! ... Gotta love that Cosmic sense of humor when, after all, it is that "time of year when the world falls in love" !!! ... but keep in mind if you were born with Venus retrograde in your natal chart, these choppy emotional waters might not be as difficult to navigate as it will be for others ...

Speaking of relationships, you may find arguments and disagreements rearing their ugly heads and if you sever the ties in a Venus retrograde, when it turns direct you will probably be asking yourself why you cut that person out of your life ... on the other hand, relationships and partnerships that have been constantly challenging and overly stressful will most likely dissolve during a Venus retrograde period and it is usually best to let them go and move forward ... but this can also be a good time in certain cases where there is a chance to allow some healing to occur in a partnership or relationship that somehow managed to fall off track ... keep in mind that in a Venus retrograde people become a little less sociable and frequently forget their manners so it might be a good idea to "drop back and punt" and hold off passing judgment while the energy is moving backwards ...

This Venus retrograde will occur entirely in the sign of Capricorn - from 28 degrees back down to 13 degrees ... therefore this retrograde period may prove especially significant/challenging for all Capricorn born and particularly those born with their natal Sun placement between 13 and 28 degrees of Capricorn as Venus will back over your natal Sun ... also Cancer born may be more sensitive to this energy as retrograde Venus will be traveling in OPPOSITION to your Sun sign ... and needless to say if you were born with Venus in Capricorn, it will probably be a time where you learn something significant about the way you love and what you truly value ... as always, if you've had a natal chart run and know in which house or houses these degrees fall, then you get a good idea where in your life this Venus retrograde energy may be more pronounced ... for those of us having a birthday between yesterday, December 21st, and January 31st, 2014, we will get this Venus retrograde energy in our birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... yes, my fellow Cappies, we all, along with some early degree Aquarius born will get this in our solar return chart ... and what does this mean ????

The following is what astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Venus retrograde in your birthday chart for the whole year and it may be helpful in understanding what you may be dealing with :

"Venus retrograde indicates a time of comparison and contrast. Your increased ability to distinguish and value inner qualities separate from external situations signals an opportunity to compare and contrast the importance of each. Relationships, finances, and priorities should all be reassessed on the basis of the inner qualities they exhibit in comparison to the external pleasure or stress that they generate. Your focus on internal values will tend to overshadow your need for external manifestation; consequently, you will make adjustments in your pursuit of materialistic and external goals.

Relationships are always more important for the love you give and receive than the external trappings; however, this issue will become more evident during this year. You may be in love with a special person who treats you wonderfully, but refuses to consider marriage. If you were attracted to this person because of his or her inner qualities, it is important to appreciate your feelings for one another, and not get hung up on the legalization process. During this year you will tend to assess relationships you see or experience for the inner and outer qualities which they possess or lax. You can always find others who have the external trappings you desire without genuine caring. (Example: a verbally abusive marriage.)

External, artificial indicators of affection are meaningless. It is the inner and sometimes less apparent qualities that are important. Your attention to this issue will make the incongruity more obvious to you. Part of this discernment process can involve frustration with personal involvements which do not conform to your external expectations of what a relationship or partner should be. Love does not necessarily occur in neat little storybook packages, and frustration results from close attention to external storybook details which cannot truly satisfy internal needs. Outer limitations stress the importance of inner beauty. Because third parties may not easily see the qualities that you appreciate in your loved one, they may criticize your choice. Their criticism will encourage you to further define the inner beauty that attracts you. Those relationships which possess no redeeming inner qualities will seem void and unfulfilling. They can be discarded regardless of the external advantages they supply.

Values must be more closely attuned to the individuals aesthetic appreciation and therefore may be less consistent with societal preferences and standards. One can see unique beauty in what might appear ordinary to others. Your taste in material objects might depend on the emotional qualities associated with those objects. Price or status is unimportant.

Venus retrograde symbolizes an emphasis on the quality of life over the desire for financial gain. The money you earn should not be as important as the quality of your working environment and your satisfaction while on the job. Focusing on your inner need for contentment and fulfillment allows you to let go of a large salary, and search for an enjoyable employment position even though it may involve a pay cut. If you continue to work at a stressful job because of the pay, you may be very unhappy. Materialism will not bring you true happiness this year or any year. If you must remain in a stressful job, develop a strong belief in yourself and your abilities. Set goals that are rewarding and doable. Do not focus on your inability to perform at your best when conditions are at their worst. Some work environments are dysfunctional. Financially, this is generally a time to be conservative with funds. You cannot make good decisions about the quality of your life if you are more concerned with your monetary situation.

Social contacts and involvement in social activities are not emphasized while Venus is retrograde in the solar return. You need more time to focus inward and may withdraw from some or all social functions because you welcome the time alone. You might no longer enjoy these functions, or you might realize that certain social relationships are too difficult and unrewarding to maintain. For those individuals who require counseling, this can be a time of isolation. Withdrawal is common with Venus retrograde, but generally any time alone can be put to good use. You could want to be alone with one special person."

Now, a few other things for your consideration .... Capricorn is ruled by Saturn which is currently transiting through the sign of Scorpio which is ruled by Pluto as well as its ancient ruler Mars ... you can bet this Venus retrograde will have a lot of karmic implications attached to it ... Capricorn also naturally rules the 10th house so there will undoubtedly be many who will be reevaluating their careers and the way they project their public image ... Saturn rules the skin, the skeletal system, the teeth, knees, left ear and the auditory organs so there is always the chance an issue could arise in those areas where we have to shell out money we hadn't planned on spending to fix ...

And while we are doing all of this evaluation in regards to money, love, values, and partnerships/relationships, keep in mind that even if we think we have it figured out by the end of this retrograde period, Mars enters its shadow point on December 26th - 9 degrees Libra - in advance of its next retrograde period from March 1st through May 19th, 2014 which will be completely in the sign of Libra - 27 degrees back down to 9 degrees ... and Libra is ruled by what planet ??? ... yep, that would be Venus - so just as you think it's finished, it's only just begun !!! ... and to add insult to injury, so to speak, Mercury enters its next shadow point, 18 degrees Aquarius, on January 22nd in the middle of the Venus retrograde ... now doesn't it appear that the Universe is strongly drawing our attention to something, and how many of you will be open to receive the illumination and enlightenment from what could most likely be a very challenging and stressful period, but will end up helping us to grow by leaps and bounds and be more successful if we are willing to release our fear and/or stubbornness and let change take place ??? ... once again, have you read my blog from September 30th entitled "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop" ??? ... do so and give yourself an early Christmas present that might end up being of great "value" !!!

Venus remains retrograde until January 31st and will not be retrograde again until July 25th, 2015 ... and with all the above mentioned being said, try your best to keep your temper in check and mind your manners as they may be trying to take a little vacation from you and everyone else as well ... in the end perhaps one of the main results of a Venus retrograde is best summed up by the famous words of the Bard, that would be Shakespeare for those of you in the dark, himself - "The course of true love never did run smooth" !!!

A STEADY, SURE-FOOTED CLIMB UPWARDS TOWARDS POSITIVE GROWTH !!!

The Sun began its steady, sure-footed transit through the MOST FABULOUS, WONDERFUL, HONORABLE, CHERISHED, HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE, EFFICIENT, IN OTHER WORDS - NUMERO UNO BABY - SIGN OF THE ZODIAC - CAPRICORN, today, December 21st, at 12:11 PM EST  - YEAH!!! ... ok, so this happens to be my birth sign, BUT ... once again, WHO'S doing the blogging here - un-huh ??? ... I believe that allows me to embellish ever so slightly!!!! ... Old man winter has come to call, however for those in the Southern hemisphere Summer has begun and the heat is on ... the light hearted, fun loving fiery energy of Sagittarius is now replaced with the slower earth bound energy dedicated to manifesting ones ambition into reality !!! ... we now turn our attention to focus on practical matters and attempt to go into the New Year ready to be productive and successful !!!

Capricorn is the 10th sign of the natural zodiac and represents the beginning of the Winter season ... with the Sun in Capricorn we need to 'shine' through responsibility, in a traditional manner, in seeking attention through authority or authorities, and in our public image and/or careers ...

Capricorns glyph is the Sea Goat - the ancient symbol used to represent the sign ... the glyph shows the V-shaped beard of the Goat and the curved tail of the Fish ... the glyph is two straight lines that meet and are connected to a circle and a crescent ... this represents the melding of authority and responsibility that is made stronger through energy and passion ... the Goat's steps are slow and sure as they take their time to make sure they get where they are going ... the hooves representing the fact that they attain their goal through using surefooted solid steps ...

Capricorns quality is cardinal - beginnings ... its element is earth making it a sign a little slower to move ... its energy is feminine - nurturing and passive ... its key phrase is 'I Use' and keyword is 'Ambition' ... anatomically Capricorn rules the bones, joints and knees - but, also due to its association with Saturn, rules the skin, the skeletal system (including teeth), left ear and auditory organs ...

The planetary ruler of Capricorn is Saturn - the teacher, the taskmaster, the disciplinarian ... Saturn rules form, responsibility, organization, ambition, capacity for a career, limitations and delays ... Saturn also governs theories and scientific law, older persons, depth, patience, timing, tradition, conventionality, orthodoxy, and productive use of time ... it represents the principles of truth, of contraction, or solidification of wisdom and of aging ... Saturn's action is slow and lasting ... if you have had a natal chart done and know in which house Saturn is located, then you know where you best focus and assume responsibility, or where you may feel least secure and tend to overcompensate!!!

Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house of the zodiac ... this is a house of substance whose keyword is 'Honor'... this house shows your profession, your reputation, and your standing in the community ... it indicates your ego, status, fame, promotion, ambition, business and social activities, your employer, the government or any other authority over you ... it shows your achievements, how the world sees and evaluates you, and the influence you may exert in your own circle ... here we see the Church as an organization, and the opposite parent represented by your natal 4th house ... the parent who becomes the wage earner or authoritarian moves into this 10th house when you are able to distinguish between the two and no longer view them as one unit ... a footnote - if you are raised in a single parent home, then that parent is represented by both the 4th and the 10th houses ..

The lesson of the Sun in Capricorn is learning how to live through what we build upon ... it is concerned with making a success of life ... one is satisfied here through a sense of purpose and responsibility ... as this surefooted progression gets one to their intended goal, sometimes the foothold can be on someone elses feet or head!!! ... this is a very complex sign and often its energy is perceived as melancholy and stern - but anyone who cares enough to penetrate through the shell of reserve will be greatly rewarded as Capricorns affections and loyalty run deep, and it cherishes and protects loved ones ... it is here for the long haul!!! ..

The upper half of the Sea Goat represents the earthy and persistent climber ... but when the climber stumbles or falls, or simply realizes there is more to life than can be physically sensed, one begins to acquaint itself with the lower half being the tail representing the world of the fish - the mystical, irrational and unconscious inner realm ... when Capricorn gets spiritual it does so with the same practical efficiency that it deals with the material world ... and ultimately one comes to the realization how useful an awareness of the reality of invisible forces ( thoughts, feelings, the imagination) is, and that the roots and foundations - on which everything is actually built - are usually out of ones sight ..

Capricorn is old when it is young and gets younger as it ages ... this is due to Saturn's rulership which places great burden and heaviness on young Capricorns shoulders continually driving one to work, and even when a goal has been reached still says one can do even better!!! ... as a child of Saturn, Capricorn always needs something to improve and perfect ... the energy of the Sun in Capricorn can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: materially aware, responsible, efficient, orderly, ambitious, organizer, industrious, takes the reins, reserved, patient, thoughtful, deep understanding, resourceful, canny, persevering, disciplined, earthy, senses others' needs, employs others, solid

NEGATIVE: status slave, unscrupulous, ingratiating, wet blanket, cold, calculating, slave to self, dictatorial, inhibited, intolerant, worrisome, inscrutable, tight, suspicious, rigid, austere, opportunist, uses others, hard

It has always seemed ironic to me that the Sun would enter the focused serious sign of Capricorn only days before what is considered the merriest and most joyful Holiday of the year!!! ... however, we are constantly reminded by the Universe that there is a time for everything and anything in excess is usually not a good thing ... the Sun now joins Venus - very shortly to begin its next retrograde journey which means most every Capricorn born and a few early degree Aquarius born will get this backwards energy in their birthday chart for the year ahead - and Pluto in the sign of Capricorn ... with all of this heavy duty energy we have the potential to bring about great change and transformation in our lives as well as others, or we can bring about great ruin and devastation if we are not attuned to the "light" and what it is trying to illuminate in our lives !!! ... but it is also useful to be under this energy as the year comes to a close so that we can seriously reflect on what has happened and where we need to go from here ...

The Sun remains in Capricorn until January 19th ... take the time to reflect and review where you have been and what you have done this past year, and then start making plans as to what direction you need to be moving in next year to assure that personal and spiritual growth continues ... and even though we begin the year with Venus retrograde followed by Mercury in February, Mars from March until mid May, and then Mercury again June through the first of July, there is prolific potential to begin some major growth in our lives if we put our shoulder to the grindstone and positively use this determined, hardworking, even backwards moving at times, energy ...

If you happen to cross the path of a wonderful Capricorn individual, be sure to give them a great BIG HUG AND A SMILE - you know we Capricorns need all the hugs and smiles we can get with Saturn often weighing our souls down rather heavily at times - and wish us a HAPPY SOLAR RETURN!!!

"SHOCKING" ISN'T IT ???

While it's true that we are currently immersed in the frenzied and stressful middle of the Holiday season, and with it comes a stir of anticipation and a childlike excitement that can feel like a highly charged electrical impulse running through your body, there is another kind of "electrical impulse" that may be adding to the mix ... there is definitely SOMETHING ELECTRIC IN THE AIR as  the planet Uranus completed its retrograde journey and stationed back into direct motion today, 12/17, at 12:39 PM EST - just hours after the Full Moon in Gemini occurred ... it's quite likely to have been a very restless night for many !!!

Uranus is the planet representing sudden and unexpected change ... it is a shocker ... it gives flashes of insight, rebelliousness and originality ... it represents eccentricity, genius, inventiveness, revolution, intuition and the sixth sense, and everything that happens out of the blue!!! ... Uranus questions and challenges authority, and transcends business-as-usual social and cultural ideas to come to new solutions ... it absolutely insists on freedom but there is also an understanding here that freedom must be learned one step at a time!!! ... it rules electricity, technology, computers, and all things on the cutting edge ... most importantly - at least to me !!! - it is the planet that rules Astrology!!! ... while it was in retrograde motion, it was time for all of us to ask what changes are occurring in the world and how we are contributing to or working against these changes - the ability to see the importance between your own personal changes and the ones occurring globally, and the connection between the two, became a strong focal point ...

Uranus has literally been slowing down to shift direction and remaining at 8 degrees of Aries since November 16th, so it may have felt like there was an edginess and restlessness on some level of our lives for the last month ... since December 15th, it was, from an astrological viewpoint, literally vibrating at a stand still sending out its disruptive electrical energy ... when it turned direct today and for the next few days until we get used to the switch in motion, there could be sudden and unexpected occurrences or any of the previously above mentioned traits happening - has anything happened perhaps within the last week that was sudden and unexpected in some area of your life or the lives of others ??? ... or has anyone felt rather edgy and restless without really knowing why ??? ... now that Uranus is direct we can expect changes - it's time to start putting those changes in motion in a positive manner ...

Uranus is currently transiting through the sign of Aries - where the lesson of this energy is all about "awakening" through doing - it had gotten no further than 4 degrees of Aries before it began its retrograde journey for 2013 back on July 17th ... as previously stated, the Universe has been giving not only Aries born - who may have especially felt the impact of this retrograde - but everyone a glimpse of things to come and where CHANGE WILL NEED TO BE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED and WILL TAKE PLACE while Uranus transits Aries !!! ... it takes Uranus roughly 7 years to completely transit through each sign of the zodiac - it will not complete its full transit through Aries technically until March 2019 ...

There could be a lot of us who experienced elevated tension during this past week, and in some cases there was a sudden and unexpected change made out of the blue - or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... and over the next few days, until the direct motion energy settles in, there could be many sudden and unexpected instances of rebellion, disruption , explosion and confrontation ...

Aquarius born individuals, your period of "hibernation" is over for the year and it's time to move forward once again ... what have you been thinking about that needs some kind of change since July 17th of this year??? ... what unique things have you discovered about yourself, and where have you felt a need to break free from something or someone in order to express your individuality ??? ... Aquarius born individuals may especially feel the forward thrust of this powerful energy...

Aries born, with Uranus currently in your birth sign, you may be feeling an extra burst of edginess in your lives as well as an "electrical charge" urging you to break free of any restraints and assert your unique independence ... this also applies to Aries Rising and Aries Moon born as well ... but we all will feel this energy impacting our lives and if you've had a natal chart done, look to where 8 degrees of Aries falls and you might get a good idea in which area of your life this necessary CHANGE is going to manifest !!!!

Uranus remains in direct motion until July 21st, 2014 ... so now we all have this energy to be different, to be independent, to be rebellious, to have our own freedom and to do things suddenly and unexpectedly turned outward ... and in the fiery sign of Aries as well - YIKES !!! ... how will it play out in our lives and on a global scale ???

Since Uranus is only at 8 degrees and could still be considered to be in the initial phase of its complete transit through Aries, here is a reminder of what the energy of Uranus transiting through Aries may produce:

Uranus in Aries is energy whose mission it is to blaze new trails in science and social reform ... freedom to act in ones own way is of paramount importance ... there is courage, daring, initiative and resourcefulness ... if this energy becomes afflicted it can turn explosively impulsive, politically fanatic and violent ... this energy can make one very blunt and outspoken ... it demands change and refuses to live in the style of the parents or preceding generations ... the spirit of adventure is strong, and constant new experiences are required in order to remain happy and productive ... impulsiveness and bad temper are the pitfalls with this energy ... the challenge is to learn to develop more consideration towards others and a greater ability to cooperate ... when the urge for such great individualism this energy produces is carried out to extremes, it can blind people to the social structure on which a collective group endeavor depends ... no doubt the children born during this transit will certainly be some of the movers and shakers of the future ... Uranus was last in Aries from 1928 - 1934 ... it takes Uranus approximately 84 years to make one complete transit around the entire zodiac ...

Uranus in Aries is a pioneer that is quick to make a complete break from the conventional and take off in new, unexplored directions - including both social reform and new breakthroughs in science ... with the advancement of technology today just think of the possibilities the positive use of the energy could yield !!! ... it is said that Uranus in Aries liberates one impetuously ... there is a strong need for freedom and openness ... and when one breaks loose they will do so energetically, quickly and assertively ... the basic intention of Uranus in Aries is to re-assert one of the most fundamental human rights - the freedom to do what you want to do, and with this raw and primitive impulse, it can give rise to extremes including on one side being the reactionary and rebel to the other side of harnessing the courage and stamina to stick to ones resolve in the battle to lay the foundation for a new beginning in some field of human endeavor ...

So remember, as you are out there finishing up your holiday shopping and plans, even though people seem hurried, pushy and "rebellious" - especially if you get hold of that particular item they wanted to purchase or vice versa - we are simply not only "charging up" on our credit cards, but we are being extremely "charged up" by Uranus shifting back into direct motion ... "SHOCKING" ISN'T IT ???

THE SOCIAL MOVER AND SHAKER !!!

Mars began its passionate, fiery transit through the artistic, sociable sign of Libra today, December 7th, at 3:41 PM EST ... Libra is ruled by Venus the planet of love, money and relationships !!! ... Mars in Libra 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 ... 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 ...

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 elses "house" and must conform to their rules !!! ... Normally air (Libra) gives life to fire (Mars), but for all of its energy here, Mars can get out of control rather quickly ... Mars sometimes has trouble operating in the sign of Libra because of its need for direct action is limited by the need for approval and cooperation of others ... Mars here 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 ...

The lesson of Mars in Libra is learning to get 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 ... and what a huge boost you may get as the normal 6 week transit of Mars through a sign will be extended this time to 33 - yes you read correctly - 33 weeks due to its upcoming retrograde period beginning on March 1st, 2014 and lasting until May 19th ... and whether you use it productively or not will be up to you as well as whatever else is going on around your natal chart and in your life ... in fact, that will be the case for all of us ... we all may be absolutely thoroughly energized and/or worn out and exhausted when Mars finally leaves Libra !!!  

Mars was last in Libra from July 3rd, 2012 through August 23rd, 2012 ... what was going on in your life regarding money - how you earn and spend it, assessing personal values, and dealing with partnerships and relationships both public and private back then ??? ... something may come up for review from that period as this transit of Mars through Libra will include a retrograde period - completely in the sign of Libra - of a little over 11 weeks ... and even though you may get something positive beginning now, don't forget Venus, the ruling planet of Libra, begins its next retrograde journey two weeks from today on December 21st that will last until January 31st - gotta love that cosmic sense of humor now don't you ??? ... and speaking of retrogrades and "reviewing", now would be an excellent time to go back and read, especially if you haven't already, my blog from September 30th concerning the personal planet retrograde flip flop sequence which was set in motion back on October 1st and lasts until July 21st of next year ... after all, Mars is one of the major players !!!

Mars remains in the sign of Libra until July 25th, 2014 - a very long time to think about and rethink our financial situation, personal values, and partnerships and relationships both public and private !!!

UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE IS TRULY POWER !!!

Mercury FINALLY completed its serious and highly emotionally focused 66 day transit through Scorpio and  began its transit through the philosophical, visionary, idealistic, inspirational sign of Sagittarius yesterday, December 4th, at 9:42 PM EST ... hopefully the mindset and communications have begun to lighten up somewhat and become more cheerful as the Holiday season is underway !!! ... this Mercurial energy learns by gaining an overview of the Big Picture ... it wants to know everything !!! ... it can use way too many words and use great hand gestures sometimes knocking things over, and talk much too loudly at times ... but for all its challenges, this Mercury can be quite funny, bluntly honest, and entertain so well that you might find it appealing ... here we have a sincere energy with a great sense of humor ... sometimes things are blurted out without considering the consequences ... there can be highly intuitive flashes of truth ... there is also such an overabundance of varied interests that one can scatter their mental forces too thinly ... here the mind does not need sharpening, only good direction ... generous, progressive and honest, this Mercury does not like deception on any level ... there is great interest in higher education, philosophy and religion ... intellectual status is admired and one could become a non-stop talker ... there is a love of travel of any kind found here - foreign places, cultures and people can inspire ones mindset ... the mental approach is broad and quick ... communication is made enthusiastically, openly and optimistically ... the desire to be direct, truthful, generous and broad-minded aids in connections with other people ... thinking and reasoning are usually influenced by long-term goals rather than specific or short-term desires and needs ... honesty is usually a major focus with this energy ... one is likely to be quite articulate and gregarious ... there can be a tendency to leap to conclusions, overgeneralize and possibly over exaggerate ... one can inspire others through their ideas ... there is a natural inclination to learn and to teach other people what one knows ... there could also be an interest in writing or the law as well ...

Mercury in Sagittarius is in a sign opposite to one of the signs it naturally rules - that being Gemini - and is therefore said to be in "detriment" ... it is considered less "visible", appearing to not operate at its usual full power, but not less effective though ... it is visiting a sign where it must confirm to rules and regulations that it wouldn't normally have to do in certain other signs ...

The lesson of Mercury in Sagittarius is learning how we think and communicate through what it is we are SEEKING ... its the eternal student ... the mindset is broad and active and capable of cultivating itself and being aware of a variety of life's aspects ... there needs to be a focus here otherwise the knowledge and experience can yield a personal philosophy that is merely a scattered collection of ideas and thoughts that are disconnected ... here we have a seeking mind that is looking for the meaning of life ... one usually speaks their mind yielding a refreshing clearing of the air in order for one to see where they stand with others, and where others stand with you and themselves ... getting things off ones chest is important with this energy - left unsaid it could lead to difficulty with communications and evening with breathing !!! ... here is a mind filled with wonder at all this world has to offer - everything is there for the finding ... mental freedom, a good hot debate, laughing and joking, great thoughts and the promises of life are liked ... not so well liked are an overabundance of ideas, long sad faces, small minded people and those who are wet blankets ... the energy of Mercury in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: frank, sincere, open-minded, speaks ones mind, versatile mind, speculative, intuitive, noble-thinking, thinks big, learned, clever, far-sighted, philosophical, fair judge, sees truth, enthusiastic, cultured, eclectic, informed, well-connected

NEGATIVE: indiscreet, irreverent, overly talkative, scattered mind, irrelevant, illogical, poor concentration, overly-grand ideas, too academic, impractical, short-sighted, sermonizing, opinionated, self righteous, trendy, conceited, pompous

Mercury remains in the sign of Sagittarius until December 24th - only a normal 20 day transit this time around !!! ... for now, each of us can enhance our native born intelligence with formal training if we choose ... we should look AND listen ... gear your thoughts to an end that is enduring or even a cause that will inspire and enlighten others ... and the best advice one can be given with Mercury in Sagittarius is this - open your mind and in doing so you will come to understand one very important fact of life - KNOWLEDGE IS TRULY POWER !!!

THE CENTAUR'S PRECISELY LAUNCHED ARROW !!!

The Sun blazed its way out of dark, brooding Scorpio and began its joyful transit through the cheerful, optimistic and adventurous sign of Sagittarius yesterday, 11/21, at 10:48 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 super conscious ... 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 lesson of the Sun in Sagittarius is learning to live 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 traveled 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

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN TO ALL SAGITTARIUS BORN - 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, to a point, and aim for lofty new goals which is right up your alley!!! ... the Sun remains in Sagittarius until December 21st ... consider the Holiday season technically underway with the excitement of a young child's imagination shifting into high gear, and hopefully the benefit of good will towards each other ...

Holiday shopping could prove interesting as we all get into such a light hearted spirit, but remember Venus entered its shadow point on Wednesday, 11/20, in preparation for its next retrograde journey beginning on December 21st only hours after the Sun makes its ingress into Capricorn ... might be a good idea to get as much holiday shopping in and finished as soon as possible and certainly before December 21st if at all possible ... with all the retailers scrambling to make extra sales due to one week being lost with Thanksgiving so late this year, it's any ones guess as to who will truly "profit" from the Holiday sales, and who will feel like they really got the "value" of what their hard earned money was spent on !!! ... will the person receiving the gift be grateful and appreciate the "value" of what they have been given ??? ... and just how dramatically will Uranus stationing back into direct motion in Aries the final week of the shopping season elevate the "push and shove" usually associated with the frenzy of last minute shopping ???

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 Centaur's precisely launched arrow - you will hit your intended mark!!!

"A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES" !!!

Neptune - 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 yesterday, November 13th, at 1:43 PM  EST... having been retrograde since June 7th of this year, Neptune has been requiring 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 ... 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 !!!

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 7th 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 ??? ... especially if you know which house in your natal chart Neptune is currently transiting through thus giving an indication where in your life the transformation from this energy is taking place ... the same could be said for the rest of us as well ...

Neptune remains in direct motion until June 9th, 2014 ... 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 !!! ... it is time to immerse ourselves in the "waters" of compassion, creativity and spirituality !!!

TIME FOR MOVING ON !!!

Mercury completed its third and final retrograde journey for 2013 yesterday, November 10th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 4:12 PM EDT - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... hopefully, once again, the emotional disorientation and confusion while Mercury was retrograde in the "water" sign of Scorpio will now begin to clear as it is time to ease back into the forward swing of things on all levels ... this Mercury retrograde may have been especially challenging for many as Scorpio forced us to look deep within ourselves and come face to face with our most intimate and rawest emotions and feelings ... and with Saturn currently in Scorpio this introspection was even more challenging ... 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 10/21 through yesterday 11/10 and possibly as far back as 10/1 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey yesterday which was at 2 degrees of Scorpio ... did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from June 26th through July 20th ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from February 23rd through March 17th ??? ... BUT - this retrograde period was actually a very beneficial thing, especially for this who were strong and brave enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, our deepest emotions and deal with them, and finally release them in order to produce a calmer and more positive state of mind allowing us to move forward to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in what house or houses 18 degrees back down to 2 degrees of Scorpio falls - what kinds of issues did you have to deal with in the areas of life governed by those houses ??? ... how many of you went with the flow and how many of you tried to swim upstream in the raging current of Cosmic confusion ???

Of course the recurring question we may find ourselves asking now that Mercury is back in direct motion 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 - OOPSIE !!! ... all of these scenarios are possible as the energy of a Mercury retrograde is one where communications and mental energy is going "backwards" ... so now that the mental facilities are no longer going backwards - at least for most of us !!! - it's time to finally RELEASE that which must be let go of in order to produce a calmer and more positive state of mind allowing us to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth ...

In addition to all of its regular little annoyances, Mercury retrograding in the sign of Scorpio may have brought focus to the areas of life ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the house that Scorpio naturally rules ... so issues 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 ... and there could have been 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 ... health-wise, there could have been issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs which are the anatomical areas Scorpio rules  ...

Just a reminder of what Mercury can produce as it moves forward to complete its transit through the sign of Scorpio ... Mercury in Scorpio is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered non verbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche ... one often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archaeology and, of course, the occult ...

And finally a word about what Mercury in Scorpio is trying to teach us ... The lesson of Mercury in Scorpio is all about how our thinking is influenced by what we  desire ... it is the super sleuth of the zodiac ... what you desire and what you fear are tightly entangled in your mind ... this mind sees through people and situations ... this mentality rarely misses anything ... a caveat here would be not to fall into the trap of being suspicious of malice of intent when it does not exist ... sometimes this energy can create intrigue just to keep the mind on its toes ... this mind is basically sharp and efficient knowing that there is always something that needs looking into thus constantly exercising the mental muscle ... the sign of real mental power and superiority here is learning when to leave well enough alone which is usually understood here ... insight is sharpened with the ability to watch and wait silently which this energy bestows ... others can often benefit greatly from the penetrating insight found here ... one is happiest here when not overcome by personal fears and phobias as they end up clouding ones judgement ... this energy likes brain-teasers, mental control and intrigues ... it dislikes mental inactivity, weak-mindedness, lack of subtlety and mincing words ...

Mercury will be back up to full speed on November 27th when it returns to 18 degrees Scorpio - the point where it began its retrograde journey on October 21st  - and thus exits its retrograde zone ... however don't forget Venus will have entered its shadow point the day before on November 20th at 13 degrees Capricorn in preparation for its next retrograde journey beginning on December 21st ... could be the Holiday shopping season is going to be even more challenging, stressful and probably filled with a lot of people saying "HO HO HO-NOOOOOO ...  gotta love that holiday "gift" compliments of that Cosmic sense of humor !!! ... regardless it is okay to pursue projects and new beginnings - in fact now would be an excellent time to check out my blog from September 30th entitled "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flop" if you haven't done so already - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE !!!  ... as Mercury has kicked this process off, you might find the insight very helpful ... Mercury remains in the sign of Scorpio until December 4th and in direct motion until February 6th, 2014 ... TIME FOR MOVING ON !!!

THE CREST OF THE TIDAL WAVE OF EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS !!!

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 excess, began its retrograde journey for this year today, November 7th, at 12:03 AM EST ... 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, is currently transiting through the sign of Cancer, and just a reminder, the time has come for emotional healing ... one must find the courage and strength to take an honest look deep within and begin to release and let go of those negative thoughts, feelings and emotions that have been holding us back as well as possibly creating "dis"-ease within in our bodies ... it is now time to address issues within our home and families as well as issues surrounding our sense of security and the strength of our foundations in order to promote personal and spiritual growth ... and as far as our personal health, it's time to begin healing, if needed, in the area of the breasts and the stomach which are ruled by Cancer ... we are also learning to promote growth - both personally and for others - through nurturing ... so now we must take time to slow down and look back as well as inward to determine if we are honestly addressing our emotional needs, as well as others, or if we have allowed them to be blown out of proportion creating stress and disruption in our lives and the lives of others ... for the present time, we have reached the crest of the tidal wave of feelings and emotions we have been engulfed by and riding since Jupiter entered Cancer back on June 25th, and the energy has now turned inward so we all may end up doing a lot of soul searching and have to draw on our personal strength and courage to face the emotions that must be examined and then purged in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ... what sense does it make to allow ourselves to get so emotionally stressed out that we bring negativity and ultimately illness into our lives ??? ... we might actually get a little assistance with this process for the first four days with Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, as well as from Saturn currently transiting through Scorpio ... and though it may not always be pleasant or easy to digest, it will certainly prove to be a valuable source for transformation and healing if we allow the process to work !!!

Sagittarius 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 January 30th of this year ... 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 or even ignored ???

Jupiter remains retrograde until March 6th, 2014 entirely in the sign of Cancer ... for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done, look at where 20 degrees back down to 10 degrees of Cancer falls and you might get an idea where - based on the house or houses these degrees fall in - this review and rethinking process may take place in your life ... everyone should take a good look at where you have possibly over-expanded, physically or otherwise, and/or gone too far too fast ... keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities for growth and expansion that might come your way - yes, even in a Jupiter retrograde ... take advantage of them when Jupiter resumes its forward motion - be careful otherwise you might find that you have overlooked what could ultimately be that once in a lifetime chance !!!

VALIDATING LOVE THROUGH THE TEST OF TIME !!!

Venus, with stately grace and elegance, began its transit through the committed, disciplined and MOST AWESOME SIGN OF THE ZODIAC, Capricorn, today, 11/5, at 3:43 AM EST ... this Venus has a somewhat more somber and serious nature as it is transiting a sign ruled by Saturn - the taskmaster/teacher who tends to limit and restrict and produce a need for restructuring ... Capricorn is an Earth sign and when Venus transits an Earth sign interactions with others are sought sensually and with practicality ... it seeks comfort and stability ...

Venus in Capricorn enjoys being responsible, practical, and competent ... there is a tendency to relate seriously, formally, and at times with some reserve ... affection is expressed cautiously and soberly ... there is pleasure found here in self control and therefore sometimes there is inhibition in pleasure or love needs due to fears, limitations and inner doubts - all compliments of Saturn no doubt!!! ... here achievement of material wealth and status in the world gives one the feeling of emotional security ... ambitions, status or a conservative approach may affect love and social urges ... handling of money/possessions usually is very businesslike, pragmatic and very well organized ... predictability and fidelity are a must in love relationships ... this Venus wants to be "sure" ere it makes any commitments in partnerships but will work hard to make sure the relationship endures once formed ... Venus in Capricorn is a dedicated love ... this transit produces an elegant side of Venus - the one that loves dressing up, expensive accessories, and social affairs ... there is an interest in antiques found here which includes anything, or anyone for that matter, that has been around long enough to show its worth ... Venus in Capricorn is often starved for love ... OK everyone - GROUP HUG HERE !!!

Venus in Capricorn often seeks to improve its status ... proud and reserved in public behavior, this Venus dislikes overt public displays of emotion and affection which can yield an apparent dignified air which is resented by others as it becomes perceived as snobbishness ... emotions and sexuality can be repressed here, but in private there can be great sensuality ... though not openly demonstrative, there is great loyalty and steadfastness due to an innate sense of personal responsibility in important relationships ...

The lesson of Venus in Capricorn is all about learning to validate love through the test of time ... it is loving through building ... the revelation here is that love is indeed not a business and if one wants a deeply spiritual kind of love relationship, the heart must be opened up and surrendered ... to that end, the energy of Venus in Capricorn may be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: committed, serious lover, steadfast, constant, cautious, trustworthy, disciplined, objective, genuine affections, modest, cool exterior, reserved, dignified, sense of composure, self-controlled, upright, practical, resourceful, affluent, self-made

NEGATIVE: possessive, jealous, inflexible, self-righteous, inhibited, distrustful, stern, indifferent, undemonstrative, mean, cold manner, unfeeling, snobbish, too formal, self-contained, stiff, materialistic, money-grubbing, penny-pinching, selfish

My fellow Capricorns, this is our time to shine as Venus bestows its grace, charm and luck on us ... remember to ask for what you want now as you just may get it ... Venus now joins Pluto currently in the sign of Capricorn ...  we are all going to be taking a serious look as well as doing some serious thinking about something or someone in our lives, our financial situation and whether or not our personal values truly reflect outwardly who we are on the inside ... Venus remains in Capricorn until ... WAIT FOR IT ... March 5th, 2014 ... the usual 24 day transit is being extended out to 4 months as Venus prepares to take its next retrograde journey which begins on December 21st !!!

As Venus lovingly transits through the sign of Capricorn, it will not be unusual that we may frequently find ourselves requiring  proof of worth for the love that is being  "tendered"!!!

THE URGE TO MERGE WITH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE !!!

The Sun began its transit through the determined, aggressive, shrewd, secretive sign of Scorpio today, 10/23, at 2:10 AM EDT ... we are now being directed to turn inward to face truths about ourselves and what lies beneath  - "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" - OR CAN YOU ??? ... this energy can be extremely intense but also highly transformational ... being a water sign, you can bet the emotions will come into play constantly as opposed to the mental approach of the air sign of Libra ... this energy needs to shine passionately, through its power and resourcefulness, through seeking recognition for its penetration, and maybe through being in the limelight through a compulsive persistence ... Scorpio is rarely passive or neutral about anything ... jealousy, being resentful and vengeance are often expressed through this deep, quite private and reserved energy ... recuperative powers are quite remarkable ... here we have the energy of the truth-seeker who uses keen judgement coupled with penetrating insight which ultimately may empower one to exercise a great deal of authority over others ... science, medicine or any field of investigation could attract one ... willpower and persistence are key factors, and even though one may become rather reticent, when pushed one becomes very outspoken and extremely direct ... Scorpio may forgive but it NEVER forgets !!!

Scorpio is a feminine/fixed/water sign ... it is the 8th sign of the natural zodiac ... its key phrase is "I Desire" and its keyword is "Intensity" ... anatomically it rules the genitals - Scorpio born are often susceptible to infections of the urinary system and venereal disease ... in addition the inclination towards volatile emotions is the cause of exhaustion and ill health ... Scorpio is the sign directly opposite to Taurus in the natural zodiac ...

Scorpio is the natural ruler of the 8th house whose keyword is "regeneration" ... it is a house of endings ... many things are addressed here such as joint finances, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, secrets, sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration and death and surgery ... it also shows types of illness ...

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto - a planet representing destroying or reforming urges and fusion ... its keyword is "transformation" ... it governs things which are hidden from view as well as the masses, subversion, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, disappearance, bacteria and viruses, plumbing and unpopular causes ... its action is slow and inevitable ... if you've had your natal chart run, where you find Pluto is where you'll find complexity and where you'll have to solve problems on your own and without assistance ...

The lesson of the Sun in Scorpio is learning how we live our daily lives through pursuing what it is we truly desire ... it is the urge to merge with someone or something else ... it is considered the most powerful sign of the zodiac ... it can usually sense what is going on beneath the surface of most situations ... this ability can make one prone to influence, manipulate, corrupt, purge, harm or heal ... this energy is unchallenged in the ability to bring to the surface the cause of trouble - whether it is heartache, disease, financial problems, etc. ... there is a great understanding as to what sex is for and about ... this energy can easily cause us to get under others skin .. there is also a great intimacy with life itself ... the power of Scorpio can appear as a truly magnetic charm making one totally disarming, or it can be downright cruel running over others and striking quite unexpectedly ... there is ability to raise something or someone from the depths or throw them down there ... there are deep and genuine emotions here that are often hidden from the surface ... the greatest gift comes when one is able to let go of the fear and hesitation and allow something or someone in - then there is a magical transformational effect which can lead to great healing ... Scorpio likes total involvement, rooting out hidden causes, being persuasive, meaningful work and the untarnished truth ... it dislikes superficial relationships, only scratching the surface, feeling as though someone got one over on them, demeaning tasks and flattering and flattery ... the energy of the Sun in Scorpio can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: intense, loyal, passionate, faith-inspiring, dynamic, regenerating, compelling, magnetic, penetrating insight, scrutinizing, shrewd, resourceful, compassionate, strong and deep, brave, powerful, healing touch, self-sacrificing, intimate

NEGATIVE: obsessive, possessive, fanatical, emotionally draining, coercive, degrading, forces allegiance, seductive, suspicious, cunning, revengeful, self-punishing, cruel, overly rigid view, corrupt, manipulative, jealous, resentful

The Sun transiting through Scorpio now joins Mercury, currently in its final retrograde journey for 2013, and Saturn which began its roughly two and a half year transit of Scorpio in October 2012 ... there is a lot of cosmic energy driving us inward and forcing us to take an honest look at what lies deep within ourselves and how we project this to the outside world - are you strong enough to rise to the challenge ??? ... are we outwardly reflecting who we truly are inside ???   

The Sun remains in Scorpio until November 21st ... remember, power comes through YOU: hate, and power kills ... love, and power heals ... the greatest strength here is forgiving weakness ... if you look deeply enough into someone or something you may ultimately find yourself and discover your personal power ... reaching the point where you are no longer after something, you may realize what it is you are truly after ... for the next 30 days we all have the universal power placed in our hands to produce transformation, change, rebirth and healing in our lives as well as others ... or will we sink to the level of vengeance, destruction and ruin ???

TIME AGAIN TO "DROP BACK AND PUNT" !!!

Mercury began its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2013 today, October 21st, at 6:29 AM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this Mercury retrograde will take place entirely in the sign of Scorpio going from 18 degrees of Scorpio back down to 2 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 1st - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on November 10th at 2 degrees of Scorpio ... and just for the record, 18 degrees Scorpio is where Mercury ended its final retrograde journey for 2012 ...  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 ... this is the third water sign Mercury has been completely retrograde in during 2013 - first Pisces and then Cancer ... obviously we all have had to deal deeply with emotional and spiritual issues during the year ... Mercury retrograding in a water sign is a time to rethink the quality of life and gives us an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life's challenges ... in Scorpio, Mercury retrograde challenges us to find the courage and honesty to go deep within ourselves in order to bring about transformation and change in our lives in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth !!!

Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ending 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 ... if you must take certain actions during the retrograde, just make sure you move slowly and cautiously to hopefully prevent complications down the road ... and even that might not be enough - but life must go on !!! ...  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 ... the ultimate most proficient use of Mercury retrograde cycles is to reconnect the individual with the Universal "rhythm" ...

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Scorpio can bring focus to the areas of life ruled by Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, and 8th house matters - the house that Scorpio naturally rules ... so issues  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 ... and there could be 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 ... health-wise, there could be issues with the genitalia and reproductive organs which are the anatomical areas Scorpio rules  ...

If you've had a natal chart done and know where 18 degrees of Scorpio back down to 2 degrees of Scorpio lie, you may find additional insight as to what area, or areas, of your life may be more affected by this retrograde, and obviously whether it will involve one or two houses during the retrograde period ...

Below I have re-posted 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 10th).

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 - wait until after November 10th !!!

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 November 10th, 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 October 21st and November 10th will most likely have Mercury retrograde in your birthday chart - also known as your 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:

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 may even 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 forwarding 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 June 26th  through July 20th, or even actions we undertook since the Mercury Retrograde period before that of February 23rd through March 17th ... 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 25th and November 10th may be impacted in some special way as Retrograde Mercury will pass backwards over their natal Sun placement ...

Gemini and Virgo born, it is once again time for review and reflection of what is going on 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 21 days ... Mercury will remain retrograde until November 10th ... 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 sense of humor may need to be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily produces disruption and misunderstanding - it will certainly be one of your best allies !!! ...

Mercury is the first personal planet - those being Mercury, Venus, Mars - to take a retrograde journey in what I previously addressed as the "Personal Planet Retrograde Flip Flip", a process which takes place until July 21st, 2014 ... if you STILL HAVE NOT READ my blog from September 30th concerning this process, now would be an excellent time during the Mercury retrograde to "GO BACK, READ AND REVIEW" !!! ... Mercury remains retrograde until November 10th and after that it will soon be time for Venus to begin its next retrograde journey - during the Holiday season no less ... Meanwhile,will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... and certainly it would be an excellent time not to try and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion - GO WITH THE FLOW !!!