CURTAIN UP !!!

The Cosmic curtain will rise today, July 31st, at 6:46 PM EDT as Mercury begins its "dramatic" transit through the ambitious, optimistic sign of Leo ... FINALLY completing its full transit through Cancer, after originally entering Cancer on May 31st, nearly 9 weeks due to its second retrograde journey for 2014, Mercury is now ready to blaze through Leo where the mindset and communicating functions will most likely become "center stage" somewhere in your life for the next few weeks ... as Leo is a fire sign it will bestow Mercury with a lot of creativity ... this Mercury is quite the performer who wants to get your attention along with your admiration any way it can ... Mercury in Leo thinks dramatically and always with the heart ... here one can become a visionary and highly idealistic ... romantic attachments tend to take a major portion of ones concentration ... there is a display of dignity, a sense of innate refinement, and a desire to make good impressions on others ... there is also a desire to be the authority in ones chosen field ... there is ability to solve problems, but sometimes the details are ignored ... ambition abounds under this energy ... and since this is a very dramatic energy for communication it should not be a surprise that every now and then comes the tendency to exaggerate, be self-centered, or tell a little white lie or two !!! ... entertainment could easily be ones forte with dramatic talent being given here - ok all you wannabe actors, now it's time to show us what you got ... this is often the natal placement of those in the entertainment industry ... there could be skills at sales, advertising, promotion or any means of persuading people with ones mind and tongue ... there is also a desire to have ones thinking or style of communication given a lot of attention ... speech is made with abundant energy, great pride, liveliness and a lot of charisma ... drama and humor is frequently used in communications ... learning is best achieved when one is aroused and excited by a particular topic ... sometimes the ego has a way of getting involved here which could lead to fixed thinking or limited objectivity ... presentations are usually dramatic and magnetic ... one could become interested in power, children, fame and creativity ... this Mercury is very strong in its purpose but is still considered to be in its "fall" - as it is in opposition to the sign, Aquarius, where it is considered to be exalted - making the expression of its true nature somewhat difficult ... remember a planet in its "fall" is said to be like staying in someone else home where you do not feel very comfortable ... but there is still plenty of potential to be found with this placement of Mercury !!!

While Mercury is transiting through the sign Leo, we are learning to instill our thinking process with ambition and creativity ... its the idea person ... one is usually proud of their intellectual talents and capabilities ... with the mind being so closely connected to the heart, there is great passion, strength and originality in the mode in which one thinks and communicates ... sometimes there is insecurity here which can lead to one coming on too strong or causing one to underestimate the power of their mind ... Mercury usually functions best when it is cool and detached from the ego, but this can become difficult in the self-conscious sign of Leo where personal aims and intentions appear to be to all-important and other important factors become far less important ... it is wise to realize that people give up trying to help others who always think they know better ... but ultimately, being able to combine ones own creative and enterprising mind with an awareness of others ideas and attitudes that are involved in your personal drama will benefit everyone ... problems are usually approached with great imagination and energy ... learning to use the input of others will allow one to avoid being a one-person endeavor, and then the mind will become a vital spark that will ultimately ignite a larger group endeavor ... the power of Mercury in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally creative, distinctive verbal style, warmly articulate, identifies with popular ideas, grasps the entire issue, intellectually confident, focused concentration, fixed intentions, enthusiastic worker, convincing speaker, outspoken and optimistic, knows ones own mind, teaching and planning ability, foresight, executive mind

NEGATIVE: mentally conceited, liking the sound of ones own voice, only interested in ones own ideas, overlooks details, mentally arrogant, inflexible mind, stubborn and one-track mind, self-centered, feels superior at work, craves appreciation, verbally over-bearing, talks "AT" others, wrapped up in pet projects and theories

Mercury now joins the Sun and Jupiter already transiting through the sign of Leo ... so you can bet those ideas are most likely going to be grand and scathingly brilliant - at least in the mind of the one from which it sprang !!! ... Mercury, true to its fleet footed nature, will do a hop, skip and a jump through Leo as being back up to speed again after its recent retrograde period, it will complete its transit through the sign of Leo in just 16 days on August 15th  ... now is the time to make good use of that New Moon energy in Leo that was "birthed" five days ago on the 26th - new ideas and projects just might have quite a theatrical air about them !!!

While Mercury is in Leo, it is wise to remember that we should teach others what we really want to learn our self ... we stand or we fall by what we say and how we say it ... do not ignore that "small still voice" that is an important part of the greater good ... one final word of advice - be aware that whatever springs from your mind, and ultimately from your lips, is only as good and true as that which dwells in your heart ... so let's get out there, take center stage, think big and then - communicate with a dramatic flair which for many will not be a difficult task will it ???

"I WANT YOUR SEX " !!!

Mars will  blaze its way into and begin its intense and intimate transit through the "wicked", driven, probing sign of Scorpio today, July 25th, at 10:25 PM EDT ... as Mars is the planet of action, aggression, initiative, courage and sexual drive and Scorpio is the sign of profound desire, transformation, regeneration and healing - LOOK OUT!!! ... so how many of you will find yourselves beginning to become really fired up and driven about pursuing something and/or someone as the days and weeks progress, feeling intense and full of energy, rather irritated about something or just plain extra horny - more so than usual !!! ... hmmm????

Mars in Scorpio is energy that is extremely driven, and that would be a huge understatement ... this energy can give one an increased confidence in ones own personal power, make one very intense, driven and confrontational, but also can make one sexy, compassionate and incisive ... there are apt to be strong desires, compulsions, and a need to thrive on challenges ... some desires may be achieved here only by transforming some intense emotions ... the urge to control others is great along with a susceptibility to vengefulness, resentment, and a lack of trust in others resulting if one goes too far ... there is great endurance with this energy as well as all-or-nothing tendencies ... and the SEX DRIVE - CAN WE TALK??? - is unbelievably pronounced in this energy ... there is an incredible amount of stamina bestowed ... most people born with natal Mars in Scorpio understand that sex is a natural bodily function and they can go at it all night long and the next morning pick up where they got off - oops, I guess I should rephrase that and say where the left off!!! - and go at it again ... they also are usually not the least bit inhibited about talking about sex and some will be very experimental in their approach to satisfying this drive ... of course other energy in the natal chart could modify this but at the very least these people will be very driven about something ... the house placement at birth would give a good clue as to what it's all about ...

Mars in Scorpio can be very angry about something but you may never know it ... it will forgive but NEVER forget!!! ... it will eventually get retribution in some form but, since it has tenacity, it might not be right away ... this is the natural planning and plotting energy of the zodiac!!! ... Mars in Scorpio can make people a very dangerous enemy as they may hold grudges and nurse anger like steam in a pressure cooker until it explodes  and the effects can be disastrous ... there is also the extra ability to recover from physical strain here more so than any other placement ...

Mars is the "ancient" ruler of Scorpio ... after all, Pluto, the current ruler and also referred to as co-ruler, was not discovered until 1930 ... so this can be a very beneficial placement as Mars is very comfortable in this sign ... the tremendous emotional intensity here gives one relentless courage and a thoroughness in executing their direct intentions ... Mars in Scorpio can lead to the greatest level of spiritual achievement or to the lowest depths of moral degradation and destruction depending on how the energy is used ... while this energy can make one very secretive and not reveal their plans or actions without good reason, there is a need here to learn greater detachment and objectivity ...

The lesson of Mars in Scorpio is all about what we get through our desires ... the powerful sense of survival and sexuality becomes intertwined here ... it gives one a kind of magnetic intensity that illicit a response from others whether or not you are actually looking for it ... the inherent strength and power of Mars in Scorpio is the ability to heal or transform the environment in some way and this begins with your self-image ... there is absolutely no equal to this energy when it comes to pushing for changes and improvements where they are most needed whether its for personal evolution or the evolution of society ... the possible effects of Mars in Scorpio energy are as follows:

POSITIVE: charismatic, highly sexed, irresistible, emotionally rich, strong-willed, indestructible, forceful, courageous, thorough, exhaustive, determined, ambitious, probing, healing, discreet, perceptive, passionate, deep, powerful

NEGATIVE: megalomaniac, degrading, dissipated, resentful, stubborn, self-destructive, brutal, seething, cruel, exhausting, unrelentless, ruthless, prying, manipulative, devious, caustic, jealous, dark, cold-blooded, revengeful

Mars remains in the sign of Scorpio until September 13th  ... the next 7 weeks could prove to be either extremely productive or highly disastrous depending on how you use and react to the energy ... Scorpio born individuals, remember this is a 7 week period where you become more energized while Mars is in your birth sign - just be careful not to "incinerate" or steam roll over others with this extra boost you receive !!! ... Aries born, you may find a highly compulsive drive over the next 7 weeks to dig deep down and solve the "mystery" of some situation or person that has become the object of your desire !!!

Mars now joins Saturn currently in the sign of Scorpio ... and as the weeks progress and Mars moves up closer to conjunct Saturn towards the end of August, we could find ourselves becoming the frustrated victim of the "start/stop ... start/stop ... stop/start" energy that Mars and Saturn in conjunction can produce as the energy needed to complete the intended action can simply run out ... or perhaps we will get a lot accomplished if it involves work that requires highly concentrated and disciplined energy ... and ultimately, who or what you may be driven towards in hopes of it ending with a "bang" may only wind up ending with a weak little whimper !!!

WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR - APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE !!!

The Sun begins its transit through the dramatic, romantic, proud sign of Leo today, July 22nd, at 5:41 PM EDT ... a  lot of what this energy is all about is being acknowledged, appreciated and applauded !!! ... the Sun in Leo encourages one  to shine through creative endeavors, seek recognition through risk-taking or exciting activities, shine through ones generosity, and certainly shine through ones own charisma ... this is the ultimate in fire energy - it is very happy,optimistic energy ... and isn't the Sun pretty much at its peak in Summer during July/August ??? ... it's easy to see why these native born individuals are so warm and cheerful - unless of course they are modified by some other "darker" energy in their natal chart !!! ... it craves attention, and Leo energy usually loves giving and receiving hugs ... if you've had your natal chart done, then you may gain awareness on what "stage" of your life this energy may affect you over the next 32 days ...

Leo is a masculine/fire/fixed sign which makes it enthusiastic, powerful, expansive and creative, generous and extravagant, dogmatic and very fixed in its opinions ... Leo is ruled by the Sun so the Sun is extremely happy to be traveling through this sign !!! ... the Sun is the center of our solar system and therefore the most powerful planetary influence which bestows vitality and authority ... its symbol is the Lion - regal, brave, dominating,possessing nobility and pride, and sometimes insensitive to pain ... the glyph for Leo represents two valves of the heart ... it is also the Greek symbol for the first letter of Leo ... symbolically, it is two incomplete circles of the Sun joined by a crescent Moon (its tail) which symbolizes that power is derived from both the intellect and the emotions ... its key phrase is "I Will" and its keyword is "Magnetism" ... the Sun is the main expression of the individual ... it shows the qualities of leadership and success ... it represents the masculine principle, the father, husband, and men in general ... it rules health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience ... wherever the Sun is located in your natal chart is where you find the life and heart of your horoscope - it is where you truly want to shine !!!

Leo anatomically rules the heart, back, spine, the right eye of the male and the left eye of the female ... emotional strain and physical overexertion can cause back and spinal ailments in Leo born people ... sometimes Leo born people can be overbearing and challenging to the point of unknowingly provoking others into impulsive violence !!! ... Leo is the sign directly opposite of Aquarius in the natural zodiac ...

Leo naturally rules the 5th house of the horoscope ... it is a house of life whose keyword is "Creativity" ... the 5th house represents children, artistic expression, love affairs, romance, pleasure, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculation, hobbies and what distracts you from your main employment ... it also represents your emotional attitude, the love you give, your enterprise, sports, originality and creative outlets, shows dramatic, literary or artistic ability, shows publications, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy and the education of children ... also represented here are any groups to which you may belong that relate to having fun ...

The lesson of the Sun in Leo is learning to live through the process of creating and being creative ... it is one who is truly a child of the Sun ... it wants to shine and be the center of attention ... even if you are shy or lacking in confidence, you will want to be noticed in some way ... respect is vitally important not only for yourself but from others as well ... respect is dependent on self-respect ... a radiant glow is often physically noticeable ... Leo can create an "air of certainty" which makes many things possible ... but for all the apparent confidence streaming forth from ones heart, it can belie the fact that one is highly dependent on being appreciated !!! ... here one must pay special attention to critics and admirers alike to avoid being blinded by ones own light and thus destroying whatever it is that one originally tried to create and maintain - a relationship, ones home, health, profession or even ones own children ... just like the Sun, Leo energy cannot see the shadow it casts ... ultimately Leo must realize that its power and influence shine through it and not from it ... and when that power is wounded or challenged, it is very much like the Sun disappearing behind a cloud - the world becomes a colder and darker place ... the energy of the Sun in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: noble, confident, generous, gracious, encouraging, commanding, ambitious, enterprising, proud, cultivated, dramatic sense, impressive, self-expressive, wealth of ideas, fun to be with, warm, affectionate, loyal, romantic

NEGATIVE: pretentious, self-righteous, flamboyant, domineering, demanding, intolerant, overestimating, vain, snobby/stuck-up, melodramatic, show-off, self-centered, overbearing, overblown, scorching, affected, fierce, impossible, unrealistic

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN LEO BORN !!!! ... Leo born individuals this is your time of year to SHINE - even more so than you usually do most of the time !!! ... for all of us, we should remember that most of those who love us do so for our inner glow more than our outer show ... the Sun never tries to shine AND set conditions - THE SUN JUST SHINES !!! ... recognize, appreciate, respect and pardon both yourself and others ... take time to get in touch with your inner child and try to enjoy the simple pleasures of life !!! ...

The Sun now joins Jupiter in Leo ... that is a lot of optimistic, positive energy surrounding us which may be very helpful especially since Saturn has just stationed back into direct motion in dark, secretive, intense Scorpio once again making us slow down, focus and look deep within ...   the Sun remains in the sign of Leo until August 22nd/23rd depending on the time zone in which you live ... for now, since this larger than  life energy compels each one of us to take center stage in some area of our life it's time - CURTAIN UP ... LIGHT THE LIGHTS  AND ... CUE APPLAUSE !!!

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!!

URANUS - the planet known as the great awakener, the rebel, the planet of intuition and the sixth sense and sudden and unexpected change as well as revolutions and breakthroughs, radicals and radical ideas and behavior, the ruler of astrologers and inventors, and the planet closely associated with electricity, technology and electronics - begins its retrograde journey for 2014 today, July 21st, at 10:53 PM EDT at 16 degrees 30 minutes Aries - do I hear a loud collective groan of  UH-OHHHHH ??? !!!! ... where you find Uranus in your individual natal chart is usually where you tend to do the unusual and break from the norm ... this planet, which takes 84 years to make a complete journey through the 12 signs of the Zodiac, most certainly marches to the beat of a different drum !!!! ... and if you know an Aquarius born individual, you probably understand this very well !!!

Uranus is the planet of the unconscious, and even during a retrograde journey that is where its energy will be most highly concentrated ... however, during a retrograde period the energy will tend to be even more pronounced ... people born with Uranus retrograde in their natal chart - and there are a lot of us out there since Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months out of each year - are frequently found on the forefront when it comes to change and actions that are oriented towards the future and on the cutting edge ... the desire to reform or rebel is perhaps even stronger during a retrograde period than when Uranus is direct ... if you've had a natal chart run and know where 16 degrees back down to 12 degrees Aries falls, then you might get an idea in what area of your life this retrograde will most likely play out depending on what house or houses in which it retrogrades  ...

During a transiting Uranus retrograde, it's time for each one of us to ask ourselves what changes do we see happening in the world and ask ourselves how we are contributing to or working against them ... it is very important during the retrograde period to look at the connections between ones own personal changes and those that are occurring around the world ... how are they connected and do we need to find a better way to do that ??? ... are we helping mankind move forward through positive growth or are we being counterproductive through our rebellion to assert our individuality, independence and freedom and ultimately causing more problems than we solve ???

Uranus, currently almost halfway through its transit in the sign of Aries - where the lesson of this energy is awakening through doing - has gotten no further than 16 degrees of Aries - it began its complete transit through Aries on March 11th, 2011 ... It has been literally slowing down and sending out its often disruptive vibrational energy at 16 degrees of Aries since June 30th creating a lot of tension and irritation on many levels no doubt !!! ... the Universe has simply been making not only Aries born - who may especially feel the impact of this retrograde - but everyone aware there WILL BE CHANGE which NEEDS to be and MUST be addressed 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, due to retrograde periods, until March 2019 ... there could be a lot of us who experienced tension during this past week, especially today and yesterday ... in some cases there may have been a sudden and unexpected change take place out of the blue ... or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... over the next few days, until the retrograde energy settles in, there could be instances of rebellion, disruption, explosions and confrontations  ... Uranus remains retrograde until December 21st ...

Aquarius born individuals, this is your yearly period to review and reflect on what is going on in your life and see how you might make some positive changes ... you may especially be paying attention to what has transpired in your lives since Uranus finished its last retrograde journey and resumed direct motion back on December 17th, 2013... along with Aquarius born individuals, we ALL will most likely have something illuminated from our unconscious that needs to be dealt with and most certainly requires a necessary change ... but will we willingly do it or have the change forced upon us ???

So now we all have this burning (Aries) drive turned inward urging us to move forward with purpose, to be different, to be independent, to have our individual freedom, to do things suddenly and unexpectedly and to be downright rebellious (Uranus) !!! ... it will be interesting to see how this plays out in our lives as well as on a global scale ... One thing is for sure - when we are dealing with the sudden, unexpected, disruptive, evolutionary energy of Uranus, which can lead to something highly innovative and ahead of its time making it necessary for us to learn to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ... so the ultimate question becomes - will you become a rebel with or without a specific cause ???

THE POWER OF LIVING WITH STRONG, SOLID, SECURE FOUNDATIONS !!!

SATURN - the planet representing discipline, effort, sense of order, limitations, obstacles, and testing by placing limitations and obstacles in our lives - stationed back into direct motion today, July 20th at 4:36 PM EDT ... Saturn, the celestial taskmaster, teaches us the lessons, both easy as well as often extremely challenging, we MUST learn on our journey through life in order to grow personally and spiritually ... it frequently puts limitations and obstacles in our path in order to make us slow down and make sure we are building strong foundations and structures on solid ground ... while Saturn has been in retrograde motion, since March 2nd of this year, hopefully we all have been reviewing and trying to restructure systems, programs, organizations, corporations and rules to allow them to function more efficiently ... we also have had time to become more aware of our own personal authority and power and whether or not it fits within society or needs some adjustment on some level ... in addition, we've been reviewing whether or not society rules and policies are helping give us structure or limiting us in some way ...

Now that Saturn has turned back into direct motion, we are better able to see where we stand and begin to move forward in building a more secure structure and foundation in our lives ... at this point we can start working diligently towards pursuing more stability and security in our lives ... no doubt we may encounter limitations or restrictions either self imposed or imposed by authority figures on some level ... or perhaps the Universe itself will even throw a road block or two our way to make us realize whether or not we made good use of this retrograde period !!!

Just a reminder Saturn is currently in its transit through the sign of Scorpio which began last on October 5th,2012 ... below is a "refresher" as to what this transit of Saturn involves :

Saturn in Scorpio energy is extremely purposeful and indeed its lessons will have the potential to lead to vast transformation and change ... Saturn and Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, actually get along well together ... and since Pluto is currently transiting through the sign of Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn, and with Saturn now in the sign ruled by Pluto, they are considered to be in mutual reception ... in mutual reception, they are visiting each others homes and this can make for a more positive and productive position for both to be in ... each planet strengthens the power of the other and they tend to work in cooperation with each other ... it can make their energies much more powerful but let it not be said it will by any means be easier ... so does this make this transit of Saturn more challenging or more rewarding - or maybe both ??? ... in fact, Saturn and Pluto will be in mutual reception during this entire transit of Saturn as Pluto does not complete its transit through Capricorn until November, 2024 due to retrograde periods  ... so only time will tell and it will certainly depend on where you are in life and what is going on ... if you know in which house or houses of your natal chart the 30 degrees of Scorpio fall, then that is most likely the area of your life you may experience this energy play out during this transit of Saturn ... and when Saturn concludes its transit through Scorpio, you should be able to look back and realize change has taken place and hopefully you will feel and realize it was for the better ...

Saturn is very powerful in the secretive and passionate sign of Scorpio ... it enables one to understand human motivation ultimately enabling one to control others which can be either a very good or very challenging and, in some instances, very disastrous ... the dominant strength this energy gives is usually masked by a pleasant and congenial exterior ... however, Saturn here will place obstacles in our paths frequently in the form of emotional difficulties and sometimes even scandal ... achieving power negatively under this energy can lead to downfall due to rumors and gossip ... this is an excellent position for executive ability and unwavering commitment to a particular goal ... there is little, if none at all, patience with laziness and unwillingness to work ...

Saturn in Scorpio will certainly test our desire nature ... it will frequently bring to light that which is hidden even if we don't want it to be revealed so beware !!! ... there can be challenges, limitations, and obstacles in regards to the masses, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death which does not necessarily always relate to the physical form, coercion, generation, degeneration, things which have been developed secretly and undercover, plumbing, dictatorships, and unpopular causes - all areas naturally ruled by Pluto ...

Other challenges, restrictions and testing could appear in the form of joint financial ventures, the support one receives from others - financial, moral, spiritual and physical, legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, occult matters, sleep, deep level research, investigation and hidden assets including the assets of partners and alimony, and surgery ... all of the aforementioned being concerns of the 8th house which Scorpio naturally rules ... 

Health wise, there could be issues developing with arthritis and gall stones ... there also exists the possibility that skin conditions could develop and erupt from not letting deep personal issues be known and properly dealt with ...

With Saturn in Scorpio, we are all being tested through our nature of desire ... do we use it or abuse it ... we are being taught how to effectively express any kind of personal power be it sexual, financial, political, etc. ... the main challenge is for us to overcome the tendency to agonize about which course of action we should take in order to avoid our energies being misdirected ... this can be either a very rewarding transit of Saturn because it and the sign of Scorpio like to have a sense of control, or it will turn into a disastrous misuse of power that ends up hurting or destroying things as well as other people through ruthless, underhanded scheming ... the greatest achievement will be made if we are able to acknowledge and identify our personal convictions and then positively act on them ...

Saturn in Scorpio likes highly organized power, an intense commitment, knowing secrets, explicit intimacy and strong characters ... it does NOT like to lose control and not knowing ... positive personal and spiritual growth will come through transformation resulting from us being able to gain honest awareness of our failings as well as others and then dedicating our efforts to correct the situation ...

My fellow Capricorns, it is now time for us to "wake up" from our "hibernation period" where we have been reviewing and rethinking what has transpired in our lives, especially since March 2nd, and move forward  as this is our ruling planet ... we have a yearly period of about four and a half months to review and rethink ... 

Scorpio born, the Universe continues its action of placing your lives on a huge learning curve giving you the opportunity to achieve greater personal and spiritual growth even though it is likely to not be an easy process at times ... and that would be an understatement we all can relate to !!!

Saturn is usually teaching all of us very difficult lessons ... but holding firm and staying positive will get us through this stronger and better able to deal with life and its many challenges ... but if you keep your feet firmly planted and try to understand that the "light at the end of the tunnel" usually signifies greater personal as well as spiritual growth, you will definitely come through a much stronger person and able to handle this journey through life more efficiently for the lessons you have taken seriously and made great personal effort to learn from ... you will certainly be better equipped to deal with life and its many constant challenges !!!

Saturn stationed back into direct motion at 16 degrees 39 minutes of Scorpio where it has vibrating been at an "astrological standstill" since July 17th ... this retrograde period began at 23 degrees 19 minutes Scorpio and the house or houses of your natal chart where these degrees fall show where in life you may have been feeling the weight of the "Cosmic teacher" bearing down with challenging lessons ... did you make an effort to change or ignore it ???

Saturn remains in direct motion until March 14th, 2015 ... it will initially begin its transit through the sign of Sagittarius on December 23rd but will get no further than 4 degrees 55 minutes Sagittarius ... Saturn will not complete its transit through the sign of Scorpio, which it will reenter on June 14th/15th per retrograde motion, until September 17th/18th, 2015 depending on which time zone you live in ... Saturn has only one more retrograde period in Scorpio before it leaves not to return for approximately 29 years  ...

As a Capricorn born who will be ruled lifelong by Saturn, I can say that from personal experience the transits of Saturn aren't always a bad thing that should be dreaded ... while its actions can be difficult and challenging, Saturn's main objective is to help us grow and become a better, more highly functional and successful person by finding the courage deep from within to take a serious and honest look at where we are versus where we should be going ... and this is done by making sure our foundations in life are always strong, solid and secure !!!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS !!!

Venus, the planet of love, affection, attraction, social interactions and desires began its emotional swim through the nurturing, intuitive sign of Cancer today, July 18th, at 10:06 AM EDT ... transiting through a WATER sign such as this, Venus takes on an even more emotional rather than an intellectual connection to everything it is attracted to ... Venus in Cancer enjoys home, food, nurturing and/or dependency ... it can be very sensitive and protective in relating to people, and it appreciates emotional warmth and attachments ... affection is expressed protectively, tenaciously and in a nurturing manner ... pleasure is found through security ... ones comfort level may well depend on feeling like part of a family ... there is a preference here to share within a very closely attached group ... if one should lack faith under this energy, there could be a result of moodiness, shyness, over protection - including self and others, and stinginess which could interfere with the potential for closeness and the ability to enjoy life ... money and possessions are usually handled cautiously ... there is a desire to nurture and/or be nurtured in ones love relationships ... closeness involves dependency, care taking and receptivity ... this Venusian energy can be somewhat thin-skinned and truly needs to hear the words "I love you" often ...

Venus in Cancer is all about learning to love oneself as well as others through the process of nurturing ... it believes that home is indeed where the heart is ... the expression of love here is tied into the need to give or receive comfort and security ... there is the trap to become so concerned with receiving love that you forget the quality and quantity of love you actually give ... this love is usually of the most instinctive kind ... there is a romantic leaning towards the sentimental ... there also comes a rather changeable nature in showing or accepting affection which usually is a result of doubts about ones own attractiveness ... home and family are central to ones happiness here ... there is the possibility that one possesses cooking, decorating, or other domestic skills under this energy ... sometimes the fear of change and/or disruption within the home and family can yield worry which physically expressed manifests in the form of stomach or throat problems ... the  energy of Venus in Cancer can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: gentle, kind, tender, romantic, sentimental, sensitive, compassionate, dreamy, devoted, loyal, unselfish, dependable, caring, protective, motherly, sympathetic, home-making, reassuring, comforting

NEGATIVE: timid, gooey, fawning, easily hurt, moody, muddled, clingy, too attached, weak-willed, dependent, fussy, shy, insecure, fears unfamiliar, gluttonous, vulnerable, taking others for granted, emotional threatening, inhospitable

Cancer born individuals, this is your time to "glow" as Venus moves through your birth sign ... be nice and kind enough and you just might get what you ask for !!! ... Venus now joins the Sun and Mercury already transiting through Cancer ... Venus remains in the sign of Cancer until August  12th ... perhaps we all now could try and use Mother Nature as a "role model" for how to nurture and nourish ourselves as well as others ... allowing others to sometimes lean on you will help prevent you from continuously leaning on others too much ... by admitting to our hopes and what hurts us we can ultimately encourage others to do so as well ... but  be on guard because as the old saying goes, one who indulges - with this energy overindulging is more likely - bulges ... and in the case of this particular loving energy, it could be in more than one way !!! ... for the next 26 days, the Universe asks each one of us to gently navigate through the emotional "waters" of love !!!!

JACKPOT !!!

JUPITER - planet representing growth; laws; beliefs; ethics; expansion; opportunity; wealth; faith; broadening - knowledge, horizons and understanding; higher education; travel; religion; philosophy; excess and over doing - began its transit through the highly creative, self-assured fiery sign of Leo today, July 16th, at 6:30 AM EDT ... leaving the highly emotional waters of Cancer, Jupiter is now ready to bring a greatly enhanced joy and optimism to this journey we call life !!! ... Jupiter in Leo yields expansive, optimistic and highly self-confident qualities ... it brings an abundance of energy and usually creates a strong constitution ... growth and expansion are linked to ones self-expression ... creativity abounds and the more one taps into it, the more creative one has the potential to become ... inspiration is rarely absent with this energy ... it yields an enthusiastic zest for life with the desire that it be enjoyed in a big way ... the keyword for Jupiter in Leo is EXUBERANCE !!!

Jupiter in Leo is helpful and highly ambitious normally acting while others merely dream ... it yields a dramatic and often very colorful personality ... here we have a natural entertainer ... it can also bestow leadership ability, dignity, and an incredible ability to inspire confidence and enthusiasm in others ... it is generous and benevolent but almost always with the expectation of personal admiration and appreciation in return being attached ... being steadfast, reliable and honest are also potential benefits of this energy ... honor and prestige that is well deserved can be conferred by this Jupiter ... here we find an open-hearted person who enjoys including others in their lives ... things are usually done  on a lavish, dramatic grand scale especially parties and social occasions with budgets not being given much consideration !!! ... one might desire to become involved with business involving the entertainment industry, artistic endeavours, sports and education ...  this position often brings great success and as a result, there is a particular affinity for gambling and speculation, but one must guard against overindulgence to the point of bringing about financial ruin ...  

Jupiter in Leo can also produce a love of children and interest in their growth - especially their moral development ... here we have the potential for the ability of making excellent teachers, Sunday school leaders and spiritual counselors to the young ... 

The challenges of Jupiter in Leo include conceit because the principle of expansion combined with one of the major downfalls of Leo, egotism, can produce vanity and glory ... one must learn that greatness will eventually come from service to mankind along with cooperation, and not through self-importance ... there is also the possibility of losses in love and romance due to an over inflated ego and excessive pride  ... becoming arrogant, shallow and overbearing resulting in over doing everything is another trap one may fall into ... blowups yielding highly unrestrained displays much like huge, overblown childlike tantrums can occur if one is not careful ... the tendency to get so wrapped up in oneself that one ignores the rest of life is quite possible ...

Leo naturally rules the 5th house which is considered a "house of life", therefore Jupiter transiting through Leo could potentially bring about expansion and growth in regards to children, artistic expressions, love affairs, romance, pleasures, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculations, hobbies, your emotional attitude and the love you give, sports, originality, creative outlets - dramatic, literary or artistic ability, the fine arts, social affairs, and any groups to which you belong which relate to having fun ... in regards to health, there could be issues regarding the back, spine and the heart all being parts of the body ruled by Leo ... 

To reiterate, Jupiter in Leo likes gambling, speculation, pageantry, ceremony, drama and grandeur, children, generosity and lavishness ... it does not like anything dull and ordinary, not taking risks, having no dependents, penny-pinching and mean-heartedness ... the energy of Jupiter in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: big hearted, benevolent, inspirational, prestigious, honorable, noble, self-confident, radiating warmth, energetic, strong stamina, self-assured, generous, an entrepreneur, a big thinker

NEGATIVE: big-headed, pretentious, self-serving, misleading, not keeping promises, hollow, egomaniac, ostentatious, overbearing, intolerant, over-confident, spendthrift, overblown, unrealistic

Leo born, as if you need any more energy to boost your ego and drive the rest of us crazier - love you ... mean it - you are now bestowed with a 13 month period of extra potential for expansion, growth, opportunity and outright luck so keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention - hopefully the expansion won't be just through your waistline !!! ... Sagittarius born, your ruling planet has now moved into a new sign ready to teach you new lessons to further your personal and spiritual growth ...

Even though Jupiter is now transiting through Leo, many of us are not quite yet finished with the energy of Jupiter in Cancer ... those having birthdays since June 25th of last year up until yesterday, July 15th, still have the energy of Jupiter in Cancer around them as it was in their solar return chart for the year ahead ... if your birthday is today and your solar return occurred before 6:30 AM EDT, adjusting that time for the time zone in which you live, then you still are dealing with Jupiter in Cancer energy ... but as your birthdays pass from today onward, that energy will be replaced with Jupiter in Leo ... so some have just a short time left and the rest of us have longer to be working with both of these Jupiter energies ... and just how challenging it becomes would certainly depend on where you are in life !!!

As always, if you know what house or houses thirty degrees of Leo fall in your natal chart, then you will be able to get a good idea of what area of your life this exuberant energy for expansion and growth will most likely occur !!!

Jupiter was last in Leo from August 1st, 2002 - August 27th, 2003 - what was going on in your life back then ??? ... Jupiter remains in Leo until August 11th, 2015 ... one should be trying to live life to the fullest with a steady, quiet self-confidence which is ultimately what this energy is all about !!! ... to that end, as we all begin to "exuberantly" seek to expand our lives on some level, perhaps we will be blessed by "lady luck" and find ourselves saying, hopefully quite often, whether quietly to ourselves or out loud at the top of our lungs -  JACKPOT !!!

BACK TO "THINKING WITH THE HEART" !!!

Mercury reentered the domestic and sympathetic sign of Cancer today, July 13th, at 12:45 AM  EDT ... once again our thinking and communicative processes turn from an intellectual mode towards a more emotional mode of operation as the ruler of Cancer is the Moon which among other things rules the emotions ... Below is a reminder, in case you don't "remember", what this energy is all about :

"Mercury in Cancer has a way of subconsciously picking up signals from everyone else .. the mind becomes as much a receiver as a transmitter under this energy ... here we have a highly intuitive mode of thinking and communicating ... this placement also usually bestows a very good memory along with strong poetic power ... Mercury in Cancer thinks with the heart and often interprets the meaning of others communications through how it "feels" ...

Mercury in Cancer does not always say everything it is feeling as it tries to avoid hurting itself and others as well with careless ill-spoken comments ... one is very protective of their thoughts ... it likes to nurture ideas and encourage growth before sharing ... one uses emotions as well as logic and often may end up letting sensitivities sway ones decisions ... subconscious fears, habits, or prejudices could inhibit ones objectivity or openness to the new ... there is usually an above-average psychic ability ... one learns through absorbing their  experiences and making emotional connections ... interest here may include family, the home, the land, the past, the public or security ... Oh yes, we most definitely may find ourselves thinking about food A LOT - and with Venus currently transiting through Taurus, we may find ourselves partaking of the dreadful activity of over eating which ultimately causes the wrong kind of "expansion" in our lives !!!

The lesson of Mercury in Cancer is all about thinking through nurturing ... its the caring mind ... one has to be careful not to take everything so personally here ... it is important to remember to look at the facts in addition to the opinions of others ... it is also important to remember and be aware that each one of us is our own source of light and warmth ... most importantly it is necessary to make a collection of good memories that will give rise to clear and positive thinking ... the energy of Mercury in Cancer can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally tenacious, good memory, reliable, sensitive mind, poetic, intuitive, agreeable, absorbs information, attuned to public opinion, profound, polite, softly-spoken, discreet, diplomatic, arouses sympathies, emotionally appealing, persuasive speaker

NEGATIVE: mentally habit-ridden, distracted, inflexible, overly impressionable, impractical, irrational, yes-person, too open, taking things too personally, depressive, self-conscious, unclear, incomprehensible, diffuse,  prejudiced, untruthful "

Many of us may now be rethinking and reviewing what we were involved in from May 29th through July 17th as Mercury began its initial transit through Cancer on May 29th, then began its retrograde journey on June 7th having gotten no further than 3 degrees Cancer returning to the sign of Gemini on June 17th for the remainder of its second retrograde journey for 2014 which ended on July 1st ...

Mercury will now make its complete transit through Cancer which will conclude on July 31st ...

PUTTING YOUR "THINKING CAPS" BACK ON AGAIN !!!

Mercury completed its second retrograde journey for 2014 today, July 1st, and stationed back into direct motion at 8:50 AM EDT - do I hear a BIG SIGH OF RELIEF out there ??? ... hopefully the emotional and mental  disorientation and confusion while Mercury was retrograde in the "water" sign of Cancer and then in the "air" sign of Gemini will now begin to clear as it is time to ease back into the forward swing of things on all levels ... over the next few days to the next few weeks or even months, there will most likely be some "a-ha" lights coming on in regard to decisions made during the retrograde period from 6/7 through today 7/1 and possibly as far back as 5/22 when Mercury entered its shadow point - the point where it would come out of the retrograde journey today which was at 24 degrees of Gemini ... or did issues and complications or questioning arise in regards to things done during the last retrograde period from February 6th - February 28th ??? ... or maybe even as far back as the retrograde period from October 21st - November 10th, 2013 ??? ... if you've had a natal chart done, you should look to see in what house or houses 3 degrees Cancer back down to 24 degrees Gemini 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 ???

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 wondering why you 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" ...

While Mercury was retrograde in Cancer did anyone have issues arise including : your home, parents, family, foundations, psychological roots, personal security, property - houses and/or real estate, for some the closing years of life, and endings of any kind ... these are all issues addressed in the 4th house of the zodiac naturally ruled by Cancer ...

While Mercury completed its retrograde journey in the sign of Gemini, which it reentered on June 17th, did anyone encounter issues including all forms of communication, as these surely got crossed and frequently especially since this is what normally gets affected in a Mercury retrograde regardless of the sign it is in ??? ... with the keyword of the 3rd house being "awareness", were there times when you seemed to be "lost in a fog" and not processing clearly ??? ... in addition, did anyone have issues regarding your local environment, brothers and sisters, all means of transportation especially in relation to short trips, and the adaptability of ones mind to learn and understand new ideas ???


In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so in addition to health issues in general during which are quite possible during a Mercury retrograde, while in Cancer did anyone have issues in the areas of the breast and stomach ??? ... while Mercury was retrograde in Gemini did anyone have health issues flaring up regarding the hands, arms, shoulders and lungs ???

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 !!!

Just a reminder of what the energy of Mercury in Gemini is all about :

"Mercury in Gemini gives a mind and tongue that can be very restless but very good at absorbing and learning information easily and then sharing it ... one can be quite articulate but sometimes have the tendency to talk or even gossip too much ... there is a skill for verbal expression and the ability to communicate quickly and cleverly ... often the ideas and manner of speech come off a bit superficial due to the urge to communicate perceived information immediately or because one is covering too much ground ... this energy is all about learning and communicating ... there is a high degree of curiosity about everything coupled with an eagerness to learn as much as possible - the world is ones school of life and therein exists a sumptuous, endless and delicious banquet of knowledge !!! ... the mind is likely to be logical, rational, and able to offer information on most any topic ... friendly interchanges are frequent along with the tendency to ask a lot of questions ... there is a high degree of nervous energy which can flow into speech, gestures, writing or manual dexterity in some fashion ... there is also the possibility of physical dexterity and flexibility ...

Those born with Mercury in Gemini, as well as the rest of us that are subject to its transiting influence, can be very hard to pin down ... one often holds down more than one job or may work on a number of projects at one time ... quick, versatile and interested in the world at large, one tends to live mostly on a mental plane ... one MUST have facts and information - there is a basic need to KNOW ... this energy frequently makes one  good at languages and math, gives one a love of reading, studying , traveling, and talking with new people about what you have learned or are thinking about ... there is also the potential for a lack of being able to stick-to-it as well as a lack of order in ones life ... usually this energy can produce one who knows a little bit about everything but not a lot about anything !!!

Mercury in Gemini teaches us to learn to think through communicating ... the mind is fed and nurtured through making contact with as many people and as many subjects as possible ... the intellect is wired up and ready to go ... it must constantly be stimulated otherwise nervous irritability or restlessness can occur ... the mind is efficient due to its ability to be quick and acquisitive, but the quality of the mind is only as good as what is being fed into it through social, business and educational pursuits - input becomes just as important as output !!! ... there is the capability of thinking on two or more levels at one time ... but one must guard against not having a definite direction to move in or else there can be the result of great mental confusion ..."

Mercury remains in direct motion until October 4th ... it remains in the sign of Gemini until July 12th/13th, depending in which time zone you live, and then reenters, to complete its full transit through, the sign of Cancer  ...

Mercury is now moving forward to exit its retrograde zone which will occur on July 15th when it returns to 3 degrees Cancer ... Mercury is indeed back in forward motion gaining momentum to return to full speed at that point ...

Now that Mercury has resumed forward motion, the Personal Planet (Mercury,Venus, Mars) Retrograde Flip Flop sequence, which I addressed in my blog back on September 30th of last year, is now concluded for all intents and purposes ... both Mercury and Mars still have to exit their respective retrograde zones - Mercury on the 15th and Mars on the 21st ... nevertheless, it is time to begin to move onward and upward and what good timing this is ... we enter the month of July which is going to be full of multiple planetary energies that will certainly require our attention and sharp focus in order to process and positively incorporate into our lives ... SO ... if you missed my post yesterday appropriately entitled "Aspects & Ingresses & Stations ... Oh Myyyy", or simply ignored it - FOR SHAME !!! - now would be an excellent time to go back and read it ... and why ??? ... because, as Mercury surely understands, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER !!!