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 !!!