LENDING GRACE WHERE AWKWARDNESS EXISTS !!!

Venus began its loving transit through the charming, sociable sign of Libra yesterday, September 29th, at 4:52 PM EDT ... Venus is very much at home here - considered to be in dignity - as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Taurus ... this Venus tends to first have a highly mental approach to love and romance with the emotional factor often coming into play later ... it enjoys art, harmony, and certainly people ... it can be charming, diplomatic, and graceful in relating to others ... affection is expressed with elegance, charm, and consideration ... fairness, balance and gentleness are qualities used when interacting with others ... sometimes there can be such an excessive desire for peace and tranquility that one avoids having to face issues which ultimately can inhibit intimacy ... there is pleasure found in balance and in beauty ... this energy appreciates symmetry ... the handling of money and possessions is most likely cooperative even though at times there could be a competitive edge ... Venus in Libra wants affection, beauty and ease in love relationships with a need for equal sharing between one and ones partner ... this Venus is also equally concerned about justice and fairness ...

Venus in Libra teaches us how to love through relating with others ... it's the aesthetic ... one can appreciate and understand art and society on their own separate levels ... there is an inner sense of harmony here which yields the ability to see life in terms of beauty and justice ... this ability comes from more of a mental approach rather than an emotional one ... here one recognizes that beauty is important with the question arising whether or not it is more than or simply skin deep ... the ultimate answer is that it is both ... Venus in Libra can easily be attracted to ones inner beauty in addition to or rather than their outward appearance ... there is also probably a fear of conflict and disharmony ... ugly scenes, feeling unattractive, uncouth behavior and fake love are strongly disliked ... this energy is likely to attract either popularity or wealth, or both ... social harmony, tastefulness, being in love, beautiful surroundings and true marriage are highly appreciated here ... the energy of Venus in Libra can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: eye for beauty, strong color sense, good ear, artistic, affectionate, likable, magnetic, fair-looking, refined, graceful, pleasant, socially correct, romantically steadfast, relates well, harmonious, just, empathetic, broad-minded

NEGATIVE: hung up on appearances, oversensitive, music snob, art snob, takes personal liberties, frivolous, seducing, vain, affected, phony, overly concerned with etiquette, superficial, insincere, avoids conflict, indifferent, cold, cynical, social outcast

Libra born individuals, this is your time when the love light of Venus shines on you - even though it usually does always as it is your ruling planet !!! - and, as always, ask for what you want especially during this period as you might just get it ... remember your personal ideal is something to strive towards and not stubbornly insist upon ... relationships will ultimately prosper on love and understanding of the best AND the worst ... and certainly the undeniable purest expression of Venus in Libra is developing the ability to lend grace where awkwardness exists and understanding in the midst of strife !!!

Venus remains in the sign of Libra until October 23rd ... A WORD OF WARNING though ... Mercury will be retrograde for the final 20 days of this 25 day transit with Mercury retrograde in the sign of Libra for the final 14 days of this transit ... make sure you proceed with caution wherever the object of your passion should lead you ere you come to witness firsthand the famous phrase "love amongst the ruins" !!!  ... with that in mind, it's still time to seek beauty and learn to truly appreciate it for what it is, determine where your passion for the pursuit of justice truly lies, play nice with the other children, and ultimately to discover the true "beauty" of partnerships and relationships !!!

WHAT LIES BENEATH !!!

Mercury begins its initial transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio today, 9/27 at 6:39 PM EDT .... Mercury in Scorpio is intense, probing and filled with boundless determination ... this is the placement of the natural born detective always wanting to get to the bottom of things and ferret out information and hidden motives ... it loves tuning into underlying messages ... communication is usually done very passionately and intensely ... a lot of messages are delivered non verbally ... intimate bonds are frequently formed through ones communications ... superficiality is not tolerated ... what is spoken emanates from the depth of ones psyche ... one often thinks about secrecy and silence and sometimes withholds information on purpose ... though the mind is usually thorough and organized, it can be easily swayed by powerful emotions and obsessions ... one seeks the underlying root causes here and is usually unyielding in their quest for information ... detective work might appeal to one here along with anything that looks beneath the surface such as psychotherapy, archaeology and, of course, the occult ...

Mercury in Scorpio can make one critical, skeptical, secretive and suspicious ... opinions are set and difficult to change ... one can also be shrewd, forceful and given to being very incisive through speech or writings ... sometimes one can needlessly wound others and also come across a being rather nosey and invasive ... this position of Mercury is good for the healing professions, chemistry, photography, research and big business ... ones mentality can become so deep and fixed it can overcome any and all obstacles to get what it wants ... one must learn here to avoid using others weaknesses for ones own personal advantage and passing judgment on those less fortunate than ones self ...

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

POSITIVE: sharp, incisive, subtle, satirical, perceptive, penetrating mind, stealthy, audacious, accurate, investigative, emphatic, determined, good concentration, quick-minded, profound, confiding, insightful, strategic

NEGATIVE: cutting, acidic, sneaky, sarcastic, suspicious, paranoid, intrusive, abusive, uncharitable, grilling, overstated, argumentative, mentally tense, presumptuous, meddlesome, incomprehensible, secretive, devious, scheming

Mercury now joins Saturn currently transiting through Scorpio ... One should use the energy of this mental ability to leave no stone unturned through boundless determination in order to find what they are really after which ultimately is - ones self ...

Now for the "good" news ... Mercury is currently slowing down to begin its third and final dual sign retrograde of 2014 - Mercury back into Libra - next Saturday, October 4th at 1:02 PM EDT ... it will get no further than 2 degrees 19 minutes Scorpio, and as a result of the impending retrograde, Mercury will not finish its complete transit through Scorpio until November 27th !!! ... we obviously have a lot of investigating to do over the next two months as well as readdressing issues with partnerships and relationships !!! ... Mercury has already entered its final shadow point for 2014 back on September 14th - so even though it is about to change signs, things most likely have already begun to go somewhat askew for many ... for now, it is an excellent time for a good mystery, to dig down and uncover the true facts, and for each one of us to take a crack at being a super sleuth ... and in the end, we may find that what we uncover proves to be something much more than simply being "elementary my dear Watson" as we ultimately discover - WHAT LIES BENEATH !!!

RESTORING BALANCE AND HARMONY !!!

The Sun began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra yesterday, September 22nd, at 8:34 PM EDT ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2014 is officially OVER, at least in the Northern hemisphere - onward to colder weather - YEAH !!! ... OK, do I hear a few BOOS out there ??? ... the Sun in Libra shines through cooperation, diplomacy, competition - one on one, and through aesthetic channels ... Libra is all about bringing things into balance and sometimes the desire to do so can create a situation where one continually bounces back and forth trying to come to a decision ...

Libra is the 7th sign of the natural zodiac ... it is a masculine, mutable (flexible/changeable), air sign ... its key phrase is "I balance" and its keyword is "Harmony" ... Libra is active, artistic, easygoing, peaceable, admires beauty and harmony, diplomatic, polished and extremely socially inclined ... its symbol is the scales which signifies balance, equilibrium, order and justice ... it is the sign opposite of Aries in the horoscope ... anatomically, Libra rules the lower back and the buttocks, and the kidneys ... natural born Libras are often subject to lower back strain and problems in the lumbar region as well as being subjected to kidney infections ...

Libra is ruled by the planet Venus - makes sense doesn't it ??? - which is the second sign Venus naturally rules, the other being Taurus  ... Venus represents the social urge as well as sense of values ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks and sense of taste ... Venus is all about relating - not sexually though - as well as being about people, art, emotions, marriage, luxury, possessions, pleasure and appreciation ... its keyword is "AFFECTION" ... if you've had a natal chart run, where you find Venus shows what you truly "love" and enjoy ...

Venus naturally rules the 2nd house - a house of personal values, substance, earning power, inner talents and resources, need for fulfillment, emotional feelings, sense of self-worth, and a house of personal liberty and material debt ... Venus also naturally rules the 7th house - a house of face-to-face relationships and cooperation - or lack thereof, business and marital partnerships/relationships, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, dealings with the public, open enemies, a house showing what you most lack about yourself, and a house representing your grandparents and anyone who acts as your agent or on your behalf ...

The Sun transiting through Libra is teaching us to learn to live and grow through the way we relate - restoring balance or at least trying to do so ... it likes pleasant surroundings, peace and justice, a partner/companion, being gentle and kind, and anything artistic ... it is important to realize under this energy that areas where there is conflict, disharmony or injustice is where the art of Libra energy is greatly needed and ultimately appreciated ... the energy of the Sun in Libra can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: aesthetic, graceful, peaceful, calm, socially oriented, popular, co-operative, amenable, attractive, refined, subtle manner, high principles, idealistic, socially aspiring and aware, diplomatic, harmless, friendly, a good counselor

NEGATIVE: affected, superficial, non-committal, lazy, lacking self-reliance, indulgent, insincere, vain, easily upset, lacking confidence, compromising, peace at any price, elitist, class-conscious, indecisive, ingratiating, discordant

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN ALL LIBRA BORN - this is your time of the year to SHINE !!! ... One of the key roles of Libra is to engage in social activities that blend the rough with the smooth ... one must learn that sensitivity requires both spiritual strength as well as awareness ... ones outward poise will remain intact as long as one learns to be subordinate to ones  inner sense of values ...

The Sun now joins Mercury in the sign of Libra and will remain in Libra until October 23rd  ... the next 30 days would be an excellent time to make use of bringing ones partnerships/relationships both public and private into balance and harmony by making sure their foundations are solid ... BUT ... keep in mind ... Mercury will begin its third and final retrograde journey for 2014 on October 4th and will be retrograde for the last 22 days of this solar transit with the final 14 days of the Mercury retrograde in the sign of Libra !!! ...  there is work to be done in our partnerships and relationships, but just proceed with caution especially after October 4th !!! ... for now, it would be an excellent idea to take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills and - "love the one(s) you're with" !!!

SHAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL !!!

Pluto - planet, dwarf planet, etc., take your pick  - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheaval, healing and renewal - completed its retrograde journey for 2014 today, September 22nd  at 8:34 PM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since April 14th and there undoubtedly has been a lot of reexamination on many levels of changes both we as individuals and as a society have been involved in ... now that Pluto has stationed back into direct motion, things will start to surface that we may have been seeking information about ... secrets will surely begin to be exposed and those involved will most likely be brought into public awareness even if they did not want their questionable actions to see the light of day!!! ... during the retrograde period we have all been trying to understand how we individually impact the Earth and other people as well ... Pluto is just about in the middle of its transit through the sign of Capricorn - turning direct today at 11 degrees Capricorn, so there are definitely going to continue to be issues arising concerning big business, the economy and governmental policy changes that affect everyone ...

Pluto tends to expose the "dark side" of things and bring it into the light even when it is not what some would like ... we are  currently witnessing what could be referred to as the shakedown of governmental lawbreakers as well as intense scrutiny of the very process of the way the government is functioning - or not !!! ... also people are empowering themselves to make authority serve the true needs of all people and the planet as well ... during Pluto's retrograde period this year, Uranus made its sixth square back on April 21st in its 4 year "square" dance with Pluto ... this "square" dance will continue until 2015 between these two movers and shakers so you can bet - THERE WILL BE CHANGE - as a square aspect between these two energies always produces massive social, political and economic upheaval !!! ... interesting to note, these two will both be going in direct motion ONLY once which will occur the last time they square each other on March 17th, 2015 ... this may be the point where the most potent effects of the energy may be felt !!!

There are two groups of people that are most likely feeling the effects of this powerful shift even though we all will on some level in our lives ... Scorpio born individuals, this is your ruling planet so now it's time to come out of your period of review and reflection which began around April 14th and start implementing changes or be prepared for change and transformation .... my fellow Capricorn individuals, we are going through massive change and transformation as this energy is making an added impact for us since Pluto is moving through our birth sign and will not complete its transit through our sign until 2024 due to its lengthy retrograde journeys and slow movement - after all it takes about 248 years to complete one journey around the zodiac !!! ... for those of you who have had a natal chart done and know in which house 11 degrees Capricorn falls, you most likely will feel some kind of power shift or impact in that area of your life from Pluto stationing back into direct motion ... in fact, it has been building since July 16th when Pluto reentered the 11 degree area where it would eventually slow down to station direct ...

Pluto remains in direct motion until April 16th/17th of 2015 depending on the time zone in which you live  ... So we should all now be prepared for upheaval, tearing down, transformation, change and rebirth somewhere in our lives - understanding not only that this process is absolutely necessary for personal as well as spiritual growth but more importantly we should always be prepared to expect the unexpected ... and now that Pluto has completed its retrograde journey and begins its forward motion once again, things may truly begin to shake, rattle and roll !!!

THE QUEST TO DISCOVER OUR PERSONAL TRUTH !!!

Mars began its transit through the adventurous, freedom loving sign of Sagittarius yesterday, 9/13, at 5:57 PM EDT ... Mars was last in Sagittarius from October 6th, 2012 - November 16th, 2012 ... this is a fire sign and Mars is extremely happy here, but it can be very productive or very destructive depending on how the energy is put to use ... and if not careful we can push forward so hard we end up running out of steam before we are finished with our quest !!! ... this Mars is an "exploring energy"!!! ... it believes life is far too short to tie up ones energy in one place for too long ... this energy can make one naturally optimistic, confident, extroverted and humorous ... freedom and expanded horizons are an absolute must here!!! ... there is a spontaneous inclination towards athletics, philosophy, education, adventure, exploration or anything that seeks MORE of life ... identity is tied to beliefs and values ... often what you want is guided by your faith which ultimately determines your goals in addition to your morality ... there is decisive action in the pursuit of your vision for the future or a personal aspiration ... often sexual drive and physical energy is fed by adventurous activities ... excitement, risks, movement and exploration are what Mars in Sagittarius thrives on ...

People born under or influenced by this transiting energy are frequently driven by strong religious and/or philosophic convictions ... remember, Sagittarius is the sign on the cusp of the 9th house in the natural horoscope ... one has to be careful here not to arouse resentment of others by trying to convert others to their dogmatic beliefs ... one will find a strong sense of patriotism under this energy ... there can be the desire to improve the social order in which one lives ... distant places and travel, especially foreign, and the adventure and excitement they provide beckon loudly!!! ... Mars in Sagittarius produces those who are direct and open in their attitudes and actions ... one of the biggest caveats found with this energy is beware the temptation to go too far too fast and spread ones energy way too thin ...

While Mars transits Sagittarius, we are learning that what we get or attain in life is accomplished through how we go about seeking it ... there seems to be a built-in urge that the sense of freedom of movement is your right thus allowing you to venture toward some distant horizon in any direction whenever you feel this urge ... however the operative phrase here might more likely be not in any direction but "in WHAT direction" ... to get what you want in life under this energy requires that you have a definite goal ... without this, Mars in Sagittarius could end up causing you to rampage about, both physically and emotionally, never acting on anything thus never really getting anywhere ... there must be a dream here to focus your energies on, otherwise you may ultimately feel constricted by life's situations since you haven't considered what exactly you want your freedom for - your personal banner needs something specific inscribed upon it !!! ... and in which way and how creatively will you use this fiery energy???

POSITIVE: independent, far-sighted, freedom loving, exploratory, daring and bold, adventurous, optimistic, forcefully convincing, crusading, effective teacher, active idealist, frank and open, to the point, clears the air, enthusiastic, lusty and vigorous, mobile, spirited, very friendly

NEGATIVE: opinionated, overlooks obvious, demands unlimited freedom, impetuous, scatters energies, wildly hopeful, self-righteous, fanatical, ear-bashing, preaching, tactless and rude, harsh, argumentative, extremist, lustful and carnal, restless, boisterous, lecherous

Sagittarius born individuals, did you wake up this morning with an extra dose of energy perhaps ??? ... enjoy the portion of Universal "Red Bull" you are empowered with but be careful not to "incinerate" others with this  energy boost you've been bestowed with for the next 43 days !!! ... you may feel no mountain will be too high for you to reach the summit of in your personal quest - we all may have the potential to feel that way !!!

Mars remains in the sign of Sagittarius until October 26th ... make the most of this elevated energy to explore new horizons and use it as productively as possible for the next 6 weeks ... BUT KEEP IN MIND - true to the "cosmic sense of humor" we are frequently subjected to, Mercury will be making its third and final retrograde journey for 2014 during the last half of this transit of Mars ... so just how far and how high will you be able to climb in your quest to discover your ultimate individual personal truths ??? ... and when all is said and done, hopefully you will come to realize - the "ultimate adventure" is getting lost in order to discover who, where and what YOU are!!!

THE "LOVE" OF DETAILED ANALYSIS ???

Venus began its transit through the picky and detailed oriented sign of Virgo today, 9/5, at 1:07 PM EDT ... this is a highly discerning type of love ... Venus in Virgo enjoys competence, precision, and doing things the way they should be done - correctly !!! ... it is exacting, discriminating and/or critical when relating to other people ... affection is usually expressed in a manner of doing things for people or serving them in some way ... it is also expressed modestly and/or timidly ... pleasure is achieved by functioning efficiently and being helpful especially in repairing things, situations or people ... this Venus enjoys analysis, precision and organizing details ... logic and common sense makes this Venus very comfortable ... the handling of money and possessions is usually practical and thrifty ... there is a desire for common sense and for a willingness to work in love relationships ... this Venus can be more sincerely affectionate than any other sign, can manifest a very strong business sense, and knows exactly what is does and does not want !!! ... it often has a tendency to get so involved in details it becomes overly critical and demanding ...

While Venus transits the sign of Virgo, we are being taught to learn to determine what it is we truly love through detailed analysis ... ultimately one discovers that eventually you must surrender to the mystery of love and art - or objects thereof - and no longer analyze ... this energy can acquire a finely tuned sense of social, emotional, and artistic values ... one must also learn to be discriminating about being discriminating ... one must resist the temptation to tamper with what is already simply attractive ... this Venus likes a spotless reputation, good manners, sexual hygiene, and pure or natural art ... it doesn't like relationships that have no mental stimulus ... the energy of Venus in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: knowing what you like, discriminating, fine sense of aesthetics and design, artistic, sincerely affectionate, simple and clear, quietly charming, strong character, impartially kind, coolly
helpful, precision worker, specialist worker, painstaking, pure and modest lover, high moral sense, socially discerning, privately sensuous

NEGATIVE : critical of partners, fussy and nagging, easily dissatisfied, artistically neurotic, inhibits affection, undemonstrative, dry, socially stiff, hides sensitivity, emotionally absent, cold exterior, too exacting, retreats into work, indecisive, restrained, feeling sexually inferior, puritanical, social misfit, self-effacing

Venus is the natural ruling planet of Libra, and as such, love, partnerships/relationships, personal values and how we earn and spend our money, in addition to our dedication to our daily work and service, health and nutritional habits as well as some family issues will be thoroughly examined under the cosmic microscope while Venus is in the precision, detail oriented sign of Virgo which is naturally ruled by Mercury ... In fact, until September 27th, Mercury and Venus are in mutual reception ... this occurs when each planet is in the sign that the other planet rules ... Mercury is currently in Libra and now Venus is in Virgo ... it's like each planet is visiting the other's home ... it is a positive placement as each planet strengthens the power of the other by working in cooperation and ultimately emphasizing the effect of the other planet ...

Venus remains in Virgo until September 29th ...Virgo born, don't forget the "love light" is now shining on you for the next few weeks - play it right and you might just get what you want ... for all of us it would be very wise not to let the object of our affections become the "target" of our affections while we are being encouraged by the Universe to be out there "looking for the perfect AHHHHHH" !!! 

LET'S "TALK" ABOUT LOVE !!!

Mercury began its transit through the charming, persuasive sign of Libra today, September 2nd, at 1:38 AM EDT ... harsh words and intimidating comments are seldom or very hesitatingly spoken while Mercury moves through this sign - after all, Libra is ruled by Venus which tends to soften and sweeten things while adding charm ... in many ways this can be considered as the cosmic energy for the "language" of love !!! ... Mercury in Libra produces a mindset that is usually concerned with human relations and psychology and produces a mindset towards balance where both sides of the issue are considered ... it gives an intense curiosity about the thinking and behavior patterns of others - it is very focused on one particular aspect of the mental and emotional plane and that is one-to-one relationships ... good communications and happiness in relationships are essential here ... there is a strong sense of justice which tends to make one very honest in their communications ... communications are generally made in a diplomatic, elegant and balanced manner ... feedback from others is a must in order to clarify your opinions ... mentally striving to support your heartfelt principles is often what inspires others with this energy ...

Mercury in Libra likes to consider all sides of an issue before making a final decision - the trap here is that Mercury, finding it difficult to explore any single idea without devoting equal time and energy to the opposite viewpoint and thus becoming distracted by too many facts, may yield indecisiveness which results in the inability to act on an issue thus getting lost ... Mercury in Libra also gives an interest to the law and the arts ... it bestows one with charm and diplomacy and gives the ability to communicate adeptly, elegantly, impartially and tactfully ... this energy produces natural born mediators and one who has truly mastered the art of whispering sweet nothings into your ear !!!

Mercury in Libra is teaching us to think and communicate through relating to others, and underlying much of this thinking is a desire for agreement ... it likes an honest reputation, refined minds, good manners, moral justice and likes to learn through interaction with others ... it does not like being underestimated, having no one to talk with, and mob mentality ... as always there are two different kinds of uses with any energy ... as for Mercury in Libra they are:

POSITIVE: agreeable, flexible, diplomatic, prudent, persuasive, charming, well-spoken, communicative, hardworking, disciplined, scholarly, orderly, eclectic, fair judge, good arbitrator, reasonable, team-spirited, principled, honorable, open-minded ...

NEGATIVE: weak-minded, non-committal, turncoat, smooth-talking, insincere, affected, rat-racer, blindly obedient, unoriginal, indecisive, cowardly, phony, boring, illogical, easily swayed, overly sensitive, flighty, superficial ...

Mercury is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Libra ... Mercury remains in the sign of Libra until ... WAIT FOR IT ... WAIT FOR IT ... until November 8th !!!! ... this is the last full sign transit of Mercury before it begins its final retrograde journey for 2014, on October 4th, which will be another dual sign retrograde going from 2 degrees Scorpio back to 16 degrees Libra before stationing back into direct motion on October 25th ...

Libra born individuals for now have a lot to think about during this transit and of course will most likely be sharing it with us in their charming, endearing manner they are usually born with - unless of course the birth chart indicates otherwise ... for all of us, this becomes a period of time when we have the ability to learn to speak more graciously and gently through our communications ... and to that end we are all encouraged to -

SPEAK KINDLY AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS !!!