OFF WE GO AGAIN ????????

Mercury completed its first retrograde journey for 2014 today, February 28th, and stationed  back into direct motion at 9:00 AM EST - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... just don't sigh too long or too loudly and I will explain why shortly !!! ... hopefully, the emotional and mental disorientation and confusion produced by this dual sign Mercury retrograde in Pisces and then concluding in Aquarius will now begin to clear as it becomes time to move forward into the swing of things on all levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there may be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 2/6 through today, 2/28, and possibly as far back as 1/22 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 18 degrees of Aquarius ... did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from October 21 through November 10th  ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from June 26th  through July 20th ??? ... BUT - retrograde periods, even though annoying at times, are actually a very beneficial thing, especially for those who were strong and brave enough to dig deep down, as we need to validate, or in some cases invalidate, actions and situations gone awry and deal with them in order to finally release them to produce a calmer, positive and productive state of mind thus 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 3 degrees of Pisces back down to 18 degrees of Aquarius 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 why you were the victim of a 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 ???? ... 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 ...  how many of these relationship issues that resurfaced did you think surely had been settled back during the Venus retrograde from December 21st through January 31st ??? ... AND you may NOT be through with them just yet !!!! ... how many of you got married - OOPSIE !!! ... 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 especially with anything where electrical energy and/or computers were involved ... 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 these emotional holds and allow ourselves to move forward with our lives !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Pisces may have produced an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life’s challenges ... our minds may have become distracted either by constant confusion and misunderstandings, already a given in a Mercury retrograde, or strongly drawn to our intuitive abilities and the pursuit of some "ideal" ... also as Pisces, whose planetary ruler is Neptune, naturally rules the 12th house, were there issues regarding dealing with your inner strengths and weaknesses; endings on some level of our lives; places of confinement - jails, hospitals or mental institutions; the desire to withdraw to places of solitude so you could quietly reflect on your life and where you are heading; your frustrations; inner consciousness and the subconscious mind; charitable endeavors; was anyone deeply  inspired particularly if you have an aptitude for art, music, dancing or writing; or maybe some were dealing with actions that could ultimately result in their own self-undoing ???

On February 12th, Mercury returned to the sign of Aquarius to complete this retrograde journey ... the emphasis shifted to ones friendships, ideas, and goals in life as those are issues addressed in the 11th house of the natural horoscope which is ruled by Uranus the planet ruling Aquarius ... to that end, were there any  issues with groups to which one belongs, non-emotional relationships, the love one receives, money obtained  from ones profession or business, step children, adopted children and foster children, circumstances in life over which you have little control, and ones humanitarian interests ... did your mind become filled with creative, cutting edge ideas as you tried to determine how to incorporate them into your life ... did computers and electronics truly become victims of mayhem when Mercury reentered Aquarius ??? 

In regards to overall health, as Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, were there incidences of elevated  health issues in general during this Mercury retrograde ??? ... in addition to overall health, in Pisces especially the area of the feet and pineal glands, and in Aquarius the area of the ankles and the nervous system ...  

Mercury now moves forward to complete its journey through Aquarius ... and just a quick reminder of what this energy is all about follows: the mind and tongue tend to be unconventional sometimes to the extreme of shocking other people ... communication is made intelligently, objectively, openly, and independently... language used can be very individualistic and sometimes rebellious ... one thinks for them self and usually resists other people's answers ... learning is best done through questioning authority and seeking out unique experiences ... the mind is experimental, innovative, and future oriented ... one wants to explore all possibilities while keeping options open ... there is the tendency to jump from idea to idea resulting perhaps from an intuitive flash or brainstorming ... one must be careful not to become a victim of fragmented or erratic thinking ... there are usually excellent verbal skills here ... one can be quite objective allowing them to talk with just about anyone ... connections are best made on an individual basis ... interests usually include anything new age - oh say like astrology, numerology and tarot - and anything unusual, different, technological or progressive ... this energy frequently gives one the mind of a computer and the soul of a rebel !!!

Mercury in Aquarius usually indicates a fine and clever mind that is accurate, inventive and inquisitive ... people born under this energy - like yours truly!!! - often take a great interest in other people and have excellent judgement of human nature ... there is a love of analyzing character and motivation, and the finely tuned powers of observation that accompany this energy allow one to predict accurately how someone will react in a given situation ... Mercury here makes one a rather notorious people-watcher, and gives one a broad and emotionally detached outlook ... Aquarius is known as the sign of the truth-seeker and that characterizes the way this mind works ... sometimes one may seem eccentric as the ideas are so advanced ... and one may also enjoy saying things simply to shock other people - absolutely priceless, right ???

Mercury in Aquarius gives the mind the need for a lot of stimulation and activity ... interests are pursued thoroughly because of the capability of pursuing a train of thought for very long periods ... one is also capable of great inventive originality ... there is a desire to understand how the Universe is linked together ... one must be careful here of the powerful tendency toward abstraction causing one to become too detached and end up living in a mental environment that may be a long way from the reality of others around you ... also one may find that the thoughts speed so fast that one forgets to finish sentences - thinking others will understand where your thoughts were going - or one finishes other people's sentences for them in order to get on to the next topic ... a benefit of this energy is becoming aware that the individual mind is ultimately NOT separated from the Universal mind !!! ...

The lesson of Mercury in Aquarius is learning to think through liberating ... one perceives things mentally in a manner that seems to others as highly unlikely or even odd ... there is a definite streak of stubbornness running through the mind which is a result of having a sense of the "Truth" and understanding how things really  are ... one has to be careful of the inherent blind spot which is detached objectivity to the point of missing the emotional factors in a given situation ... one of the main challenges of this energy is to learn to communicate ones vision and help others see life from a point beyond their personal hopes and fears ...

Mercury remains in the sign of Aquarius until March 17th when it reenters Pisces to make its full transit which will conclude on April 7th ... Mercury will be back up to full speed on March 20th and it remains in direct motion until June 7th ...

Gemini and Virgo born, yet another period of review and reflection for you has come to an end ... how have you been enlightened ??? ... your ruling planet now resumes forward motion and much to your delight so will you !!! ... well sort of ....

HOWEVER ... before we all let go a huge sigh of relief and start to go too far too fast, keep in mind that roughly 26 hours after Mercury turns direct, Mars begins its next retrograde journey in the sign of Libra that will last for 80 days from March 1st through May 19th ... and for all the excitement and jubilation we now feel having Mercury back in direct motion, just how appropriate is it to use the phrase - "OFF WE GO AGAIN ..." ???

SEEKING THE "IDEAL" ... OR DECEIVING YOURSELF AND/OR OTHERS ???

The Sun began its transit of the dreamy, mystical sign of Pisces today, February 18th at 1:00 PM EST ... the energy now shifts from the rebellious, unpredictable marching to the beat of a different drummer to swimming in emotionally, compassionate yet sometimes very confusing waters ... in Pisces one may strive to shine by creating beauty, through ones compassion, through psychic openness, or seek recognition through spiritual or mystical paths ... those born under the sign of Pisces have come in with a soul lesson of needing to learn peace ...

Pisces is a feminine, water, mutable (flexibility/changeability) sign ... its symbol is two fish tied together - swimming in opposite directions which signify hidden depths, shifting emotional currents, conflicting desires and extremes of temperament ... its glyph is considered a picture of the human feet ... in symbolic terms the glyph is two crescent moons connected by a straight line representing emotion and higher consciousness tied to and limited by the material world ... its key phrase is "I believe" and its keyword is "Understanding" ... it is the sign opposite of Virgo ... anatomically it rules the pineal glands - in association with its ruling planet - and the feet ...

The ruling planet of Pisces is Neptune - Ancient God of the seas, second of the modern planets to be discovered (1846), and is the planet of illusion, glamour, mystery, and deception ... Neptune represents the spiritual or escapist urge, and its keyword is intuition ... it rules maritime matters, liquids, music, movies, stage and television, dreams, delusion, spirituality, ideals, mystique, hunches, creative functions, and things we take deeply for granted in life without questioning ... it also governs fog, petroleum, mystery, anesthetics, flattery, intangibles, fragrances, second sight, love of poetry, color and dancing ... in addition under its rule comes drugs and drug addiction, alcoholism, hypochondria, sleepwalking, trances, hypnosis, immateriality and abnormality ... its action is often subtle and gradual ... it is the higher vibrational octave of Venus and considered to be the second of the transcendental planets ... where you find Neptune in your natal chart is where you seek the "ideal", but also where you tend to deceive yourself and/or others ...

Pisces is the natural sign and ruler of the 12th house of the horoscope ... the keyword for the 12th house is subconscious and it is a house of endings - after all it is the final sign of the zodiac!!! ... the 12th house represents your inner strengths and weaknesses ... it depicts behind the scenes activity - including clandestine affairs - restorative solitude, places of quiet reflection, sorrows, handicaps, secrets, seclusion and frustration ...it can also indicate places of confinement such as jails, hospitals or mental institutions, as well as secret (hidden) enemies, restraint, inhibitions, exile, hidden dangers and self-undoing ...it shows the things we hide from others, and research, background, subjective sustainment, inner consciousness and the subconscious mind ... here we also find charity, sympathy and public welfare ... it is frequently referred to as the closet or dustbin of ones horoscope since it is in this house where we tend to sweep away or hide problems which are often too painful to face or difficulties that we refuse to acknowledge ... sometimes it can be a very creative area of the natal horoscope and can reflect ones aptitude for art, music, dancing, writing or acting ...

The lesson of the Sun in Pisces is learning to live through accepting ... life is a mystery and each one of us IS the mystery !!! ... under this energy one is innately aware and appreciative of all walks of life ... here one recognizes that the Soul of anything or of anyone is synonymous with sensitivity, which is synonymous with suffering, which is something one is undeniably aware of - joy and sorrow are one ... the energy of the Sun in Pisces can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: compassionate, self-sacrificing, suffers artistically, unassuming, self-effacing, gentle, still but stirring, wise, accepting, adaptable, confided in, sensitive, fascinating, mysterious, imaginative, multi-talented, selfless, devoted, easygoing

NEGATIVE: self-pitying, the human doormat, suffers needlessly, indecisive, self-limiting, wimpish, inwardly storm-tossed, inner doubts, oblivious, vague, un-forthcoming, escapist, deceptive, self-mystifying, impressionable, pointless, slaving, lazy

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN all Pisces born - your new astrological year has begun !!! ... The Sun now joins Neptune transiting in the sign of Pisces ... the Sun remains in Pisces until March 20th ...

While under the influence of Pisces, one can INSPIRE others in many ways - just don't forget to take some credit for it and then forget that you did ... give yourself to yourself before anyone else and become illuminated ... it is now time to explore your spirituality, and to dream, mystify, create, inspire, enlighten, be compassionate and believe in those fairy tale endings ... BUT - be cautious ere you might fall into the watery depths of addiction, depression and deception !!!

TRYING TO SWIM UP STREAM IN A RAGING CURRENT OF COSMIC CHAOS !!!

Whether we like it or not - NOT !!!! - Mercury began its first RETROGRADE journey for 2014 Thursday, February 6th, at 4:43 PM EST ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde … as always - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the current sign that planet is  transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!! ... that being said, some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already as Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it will come out of the retrograde on February 28th - back on January 22nd at 18 degrees of Aquarius ... BUT ... it might have been hard to determine if this was really due to Mercury entering its shadow point as Venus was still retrograde in Capricorn and Mars had already entered its shadow point on December 26th in advance of its next retrograde period completely in the sign of Libra beginning on March 1st ... this is the third retrograde of a personal planet - Mercury, Venus and Mars - in the personal planet retrograde flip flop sequence energy I addressed back at the end of September which will not conclude until July 21st ... the sequence of retrograde being Mercury, Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Mercury ... Obviously this will be a dual sign Mercury retrograde from Pisces back into Aquarius ... in fact all three Mercury retrogrades this year will be dual sign retrogrades ... we will be dealing with two different mercurial energies going backwards during each retrograde period ...

It practically goes without saying that things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ...  Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - and that goes double for USED CARS, as well as computers or anything that involves electronics ... purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period .... it is 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 any way to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...

To RE-peat, 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" !!! ... this first Mercury retrograde journey for 2014  takes place from 3 degrees of Pisces back down to 18 degrees of Aquarius ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses these degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life ...

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Pisces yields an emphasis for an opportunity to rethink old habit patterns and how we emotionally respond to life’s challenges ... As Pisces is ruled by Neptune the planet of illusion, delusion, the spiritual and enlightenment, we can certainly expect our minds to become distracted either by constant confusion and misunderstandings, already a given in a Mercury retrograde, or strongly drawn to our intuitive abilities and the pursuit of the "ideal" ... also as Pisces, whose planetary ruler is Neptune, naturally rules the 12th house, there could be issues regarding dealing with our inner strengths and weaknesses; endings on some level of our lives; places of confinement - jails, hospitals or mental institutions; the desire to withdraw to places of solitude so we may quietly reflect on our life and where we are heading; our frustrations; inner consciousness and the subconscious mind; charitable endeavors; we could also be deeply  inspired if we have an aptitude for art, music, dancing or writing; or maybe we will be dealing with actions that could ultimately result in our own self-undoing ... the last time Mercury was retrograde in the sign of Pisces was from February 23rd through March 27th, 2013 ...

On February 12th, Mercury will return to the sign of Aquarius to complete this retrograde journey ... the emphasis will shift to ones friendships, ideas, and goals in life as those are issues addressed in the 11th house of the natural horoscope which is ruled by Uranus the planet ruling Aquarius ... to that end, there may also be issues with groups to which one belongs, non-emotional relationships, the love one receives, money obtained  from ones profession or business, step children, adopted children and foster children, circumstances in life over which you have little control, and ones humanitarian interests ... the mind can also become filled with many creative, cutting edge ideas as one tries to determine how to incorporate them into ones life ... and for the double whammy here, computers and electronics will truly be at risk when Mercury reenters Aquarius !!! ... the last time Mercury was retrograde in Aquarius was from January 11th through January 21st, 2009 when it was part of another dual sign retrograde ... 

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances the have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... in Pisces especially the area of the feet and pineal glands, and in Aquarius the area of the ankles and the nervous system ...  a Mercury retrograde is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!!

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 (February 28th).

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 February 28th !!!

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.

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 ???

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 "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.

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


Back to me now ... Those born between February 6th and February 28th  have this Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return - birthday chart - for the whole year ahead ... the exceptions here being those born on the 6th and the 28th may or may not get this energy depending on what time you solar return occurs - some may be lucky enough to escape it for this year !!! ...  below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...

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

Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ...

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

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, once again it is time for you to "try" to slow down and review and reexamine what is going on in your life especially since the last Mercury retrograde ended on November 10th ...

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 October 21st through November 10th, 2013 or actions we undertook since the last Mercury Retrograde ended on October 21st, 2013  ...  actions taken during previous retrograde periods could come back to haunt us as well - for 2013 that would be June 26th through July 20th and February 23rd through March 17th ... 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 ... as previously stated, Mercury remains retrograde until February 28th ... SO ... slow down, try not to act too impulsively, and go with the universal flow and don't try to swim up stream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be kept very close by and called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment ... so in the end my fellow beings of light, as this first Mercury Retrograde period of 2014 is now upon us, the question is will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ???

LET YOUR LOVE FLOW ... !!!

Venus - the planet representing attraction, how you may give and/or receive love and affection, shows how each one of us perceives beauty and happiness, shows what we value and dictates our personal values, shows how you relate, how you create and appreciate harmony through social and artistic expression, show how we earn and spend our money, and shows exactly what it is you like - completed its retrograde journey and turned back into direct motion yesterday, 1/31, at 3:49 PM EST ...

As the weeks progress you may find little lights coming on in your mind as to decisions made in any of the above mentioned areas since the retrograde period began on December 21st ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people will realize that a significant partnership or relationship ended and some of you may now suddenly find yourself having changed your mind or questioning why you made that decision ... it is also possible the person may come back around and things might look entirely different ... however, if it was time for the relationship to end, then it must be let go of in order for you to grow personally and spiritually in order to move forward ... for those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, especially of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards ... time will tell ... marriages entered in to during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships ... unfortunately, also in this economy, this could have been the period where quite a few of you actually lost your job and are now job hunting once again!!! ... and let's not forget this little item - how many of you ended up shelling out money on something you had no intention of spending money on??? ... as an example, look at the winter storm we had in Atlanta and all the havoc it created even though a lot of it could have been avoided ... and then there are those that will have to shell out money for cosmetic repair to their cars that were stranded and/or abandoned and unfortunately were subject to traffic accidents or, in some cases, vandalism after they left their cars ...

For those of you who made significant costly purchases, especially of the luxury variety, you may find yourself wondering why you spent so much money or simply realize that what you thought you really desired doesn't hold much attraction (value) anymore or that you have over payed for what you got ...

As Venus anatomically rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste, there could have been health issues arising in these areas of the body ... or some could have had to go back and re-address an old issue concerning these areas ... did anyone have cosmetic surgery during the last 6 weeks, hmmmm???? .. there is a chance that some of you who did may ultimately not be pleased with the results or feel that you didn't get the enhancement you sought and here too, feel you may have over payed for the services rendered!!!

Certainly keep in mind that since this Venus retrograde occurred completely in the sign of Capricorn ... 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 ... so did this Venus retrograde have a lot of karmic implications attached to it in your life ???  ... Capricorn also naturally rules the 10th house so there were undoubtedly many who had to reevaluate their careers and/or the way they project their public image ... as an example, look at the way Atlanta city officials are having to scramble to answer for what they failed to do in advance of the winter storm in order to protect their reputation !!! ... as Saturn rules the skin, the skeletal system, the teeth, knees, left ear and the auditory organs issues could have arisen in those areas where one had to shell out money they hadn't planned on spending to fix ...

Everyone should try and think back to the period between May 15th and June 27th of 2012 ... is there something you may have begun in regards to any of the above mentioned areas Venus rules that became an issue for you during this Venus retrograde period ??? ... it is very common for this to occur ... to that end, anything begun during this current Venus retrograde period that just ended may yield problems in the days, weeks and months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period which begins on July 25th, 2015 ... anything begun from now until then may also become fair game!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period of "hibernation" for reflection and review - especially of what has transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on June 27th, 2012 - is now over and once again you start moving forward to pursue new avenues of personal and spiritual growth and maturity ... there could have been some significant insight, if you were paying attention during the last 6 weeks, that enlightened you as to what, where or who was no longer serving you and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ... and this also is a possibility for all of us !!!

Venus turned direct at 13 degrees and 33 minutes Capricorn yesterday ... although now direct, Venus remains in it's retrograde zone -  the beginning degree at which Venus actually entered its retrograde journey on December 21st, which was 28 degrees 59 minutes Capricorn, and must come back to - until March 4th ... then Venus will be back up to full speed once again ... but keep in mind that will be at the beginning of the next Mars retrograde, which begins on March 1st and will be completely in the sign of Libra which is ruled by Venus, the natural ruler of the 2nd and 7th house which rules, among other things - MONEY AND PERSONAL VALUES (2nd) as well as PARTNERSHIPS & RELATIONSHIPS (7th) - so we're not out of the woods just yet !!!

Venus once again moves forward now to complete its transit through Capricorn which will be on March 5th ... here is a reminder of what this energy is all about in case you have forgotten :


"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"


So now we have all had about 6 weeks to think about what we value and whether or not what represents our inward personal values is being properly expressed outwardly to others; our money - how we earn it and how we spend it; and our partnerships and relationships both personal and professional ... how many of you got the "message" and how many of you remained complacent and unyielding and ignored the energy ??? ... sometimes the Universe speaks to each one of us in a whisper, and sometimes it literally gets in our face and screams - THERE WILL BE CHANGE!!! ... for now though, it's time to live, laugh and let your love flow !!!