PERSONAL PLANET RETROGRADE PERIODS : 2015 - 2016 !!!

Since I have had numerous messages with questions regarding the personal planets – Mercury, Venus and Mars – retrograde periods as many of you have now become enlightened and aware over the years of the potential challenges they can produce in our lives, and with the Sun currently transiting through the sign of Taurus with one of the main purposes of this energy being to bring security and stability into our lives through being practical, it seems like an excellent time to pull out the Cosmic binoculars and look ahead to address the personal planet retrograde periods for the remainder of 2015 and through 2016 since many of you have become quite savvy about planning ahead for better results … both Venus and Mars are going to be making their next retrograde journeys during this period … Venus beginning the end of July this year and Mars beginning the middle of April next year with Mercury retrograde periods sprinkled in between !!!

At least we can be thankful all three planets are not going to retrograde in a seemingly non ending succession as they did from October 2013 – July 2014 ... regardless, the Universe will be placing each one of us on a steep learning curve in the "school of life" particularly in reference to the way we think and communicate, romance, partnerships and relationships, personal values, finances, and our personal initiative and aggressive tendencies over the next 20 months ... 

Mercury, Venus, and Mars are considered to be "personal" planets as their energy tends to reveal behavior characteristics that make one unique ... the Sun and Moon are also in this group but they never go retrograde ... the following is a list of the timing of their retrograde periods from this May through January 2017 since 2016 will actually have 4 Mercury retrograde periods with the last one beginning mid December 2016 and ending in early January 2017 ... each retrograde period will be addressed in more detail later as they actually begin ...

Every planet, no matter which one that is involved in a retrograde journey, goes through a period of influence ... it begins with the approaching backward energy making itself apparent, the actual retrograde period where the energy is indeed moving backwards, and then the energy turning back into forward motion as the planet moves back to the point where it began its retrograde period ... these points are respectively referred to as:

SHADOW POINT - the planet, still in forward motion, reaches the degree where it will end its upcoming retrograde period

RETROGRADE PERIOD - the degrees and sign, or signs in some cases, where the retrograde takes place

EXIT RETROGRADE ZONE - the degree and sign where the retrograde period began to which the planet has now returned to and is passing over ... considered by some astrologers as the planet returning back up to full speed ...

Shadow points aren't always thought of as being that detrimental, but they often will produce some kind of energy or event that appears to foreshadow what the upcoming retrograde period will involve ... the retrograde period is the actual time where one should slow down and be careful as to actions being taken especially in regard to which particular area of life the planet, and the sign it is retrograding in, rules or exerts its energy over ... if you've had a natal chart done then you will get an even better idea as to where this backward energy will present in your life for you to deal with in regards to the house or houses it occurs in, natal planets it aspects, and natal planets the retrograde planet crosses back over ... once the retrograde is over the planet has now resumed forward motion and in most cases it is not a problem to proceed with what needs to be addressed in your life, but one might want to be somewhat more cautious until the planet exits the retrograde zone ...

The following is a brief description of the general effects of a Mercury, Venus or Mars retrograde period ... as mentioned before, they will be dealt with in more complete detail later as they occur ...

MERCURY - Mercury goes retrograde 3 and sometimes 4 times a year ... it governs our thinking and how we communicate naturally governing the 3rd house (Gemini) of the horoscope ... it also governs the 6th house (Virgo) thus making its retrograde period a time when work and health issues arise especially in regard to the sign or signs it takes its retrograde journey in ... as a rule, 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 - that goes double for USED CARS, 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 becoming 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 !!!

VENUS - Venus goes retrograde roughly every 18 months for a period of about 6 weeks ... Venus naturally governs the 2nd house (Taurus) which addresses money, how you earn it and how you spend it, as well as personal values ... it also naturally governs the 7th house (Libra) which addresses face-to-face partnerships and relationships ... during a transiting Venus retrograde, old lovers or friends may resurface - some hoping to reconnect while others are only in and out for "pass and review" so to speak ... relationship issues, both personal and professional/ public and private, come to the forefront thus causing all types of contracts and partnerships to be reconsidered especially if they have become difficult or challenging ... this is also a time when our personal values get reconsidered - both material and spiritual - to see if they still make sense or need adjusting somewhere ... the main purpose of a Venus retrograde is to reconsider relationship and acquisition needs as these change over time for all of us ... it becomes very important during this time to get in touch with ones present values, wants and needs, and to become clear about exactly what you want to attract ... it's NOT a good time to purchase "luxury " items if you can wait because when Venus stations back into direct motion you might well find yourself thinking "Why did I spend THAT MUCH MONEY on something I really didn't need or want", or you may simply feel you did not get the anticipated value for what you spent your hard earned money to purchase ... often in a Venus retrograde money can become low and scarce and we could also end up having to spend money we hadn't counted on spending, but in some cases one may end up getting money "coming back" to them from one source or another!!! ... it is not usually a good time to begin a new job if you can wait because you may never get the money you expected out of the job, and the job might not pan out down the road for some reason ... that being said, unfortunately as a Venus retrograde can indicate the "tightening of the purse strings", salaries could be cut back or the job may be terminated for one reason or another ... we also tend to become a little less sociable and often forget our manners ...  ABOVE ALL ELSE, weddings are most certainly a huge NO-NO as this is the planet which rules romance, love and affection - do you really want that energy going backwards on the day you say "I Do" ???

MARS - Mars goes retrograde roughly every 22 months for about 9 - 10 weeks ... Mars naturally governs the 1st house (Aries) which addresses not only the way we individually project ourselves out into the world but ultimately our desires, drives, ambition and personal energy ...  during a Mars retrograde we have to evaluate what it is that motivates us and we have to determine if we are on the correct path to achieve our goals, and if we are doing what we should be doing to get there ... Mars retrograde periods are time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that our intent is accomplished ... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields an awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... it is often said that during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and that our energy can hit a lull to the point where it seems our get up and go truly got up and went !!!!

The following are the actual dates of the upcoming personal planet retrograde periods in case you would like to mark your calendar or make a note in order to be prepared for something important you may be planning ... and for the sake of saving excessive typing, these are the following letter abbreviations to note the period of the particular retrograde ... SP = Shadow Point ... RX = Retrograde Period ... ERXZ = Exit Retrograde Zone :

2015:

MERCURY -

SP : 5/4 ...  4 degrees 34 minutes GEMINI

RX : 5/18 – 6/11 ...  13 degrees 9 minutes GEMINI – 4 degrees 34 minutes GEMINI

ERXZ : 6/27 ...  13 degrees 9 minutes GEMINI

VENUS -

SP : 6/21 ...  14 degrees 23 minutes LEO

RX : 7/25 – 9/6 ...  0 degrees 46 minutes VIRGO – 14 degrees 23 minutes LEO

ERXZ : 10/9 …  0 degrees 46 minutes VIRGO

MERCURY -

SP : 8/28 ...  0 degrees 54 minutes LIBRA

RX : 9/17 – 10/9 ...  15 degrees 55 minutes LIBRA – 0 degrees 54 minutes LIBRA

ERXZ : 10/24 ...  15 degrees 55 minutes LIBRA

2016:

MERCURY -

SP : 12/19/15 ...  14 degrees 55 minutes CAPRICORN

RX : 1/5 – 1/25 ...  1 degree 3 minutes AQUARIUS – 14 degrees 55 minutes CAPRICORN

ERXZ : 2/14 …  1 degree 3 minutes AQUARIUS

MARS –

SP : 2/17 ... 23 degrees 3 minutes SCORPIO

RX : 4/17 – 6/29 … 8 degrees 54 minutes SAGITTARIUS – 23 degrees 3 minutes SCORPIO

ERXZ : 8/22 … 8 degrees 54 minutes SAGITTARIUS

MERCURY –

SP : 4/14 … 14 degrees 20 minutes TAURUS

RX : 4/28 – 5/22 … 23 degrees 36 minutes TAURUS – 14 degrees 20 minutes TAURUS

ERXZ : 6/7 … 23 degrees 36 minutes TAURUS

MERCURY –

SP : 8/10 … 14 degrees 49 minutes VIRGO

RX : 8/30 – 9/22 … 29 degrees 5 minutes VIRGO – 14 degrees 49 minutes VIRGO

ERXZ : 10/6 … 29 degrees 5 minutes VIRGO

MERCURY –

SP : 12/1 … 28 degrees 51 minutes SAGITTARIUS

RX : 12/19 – 1/8/17 … 15 degrees 8 minutes CAPRICORN – 28 degrees 51 minutes SAGITTARIUS

ERXZ : 1/27/2017 … 15 degrees 8 minutes CAPRICORN

Now you have a basic idea of what to expect over the next 20 month period in regards to the backward motion and resulting potential influence of these three planets ... transiting retrogrades affect everyone because the energy we feel from the retrograde planet is "different" while it is, so to speak, moving backwards ... it doesn't mean it is all doom and gloom and something that should be dreaded ... sometimes a retrograde period may come and go with side effects barely noticeable while other times it could prove extremely challenging ... but that of course is going to depend on where you are in life and what is going on around you ... for those born with any of these planets retrograde in their natal chart, I sometimes have found these clients seem to navigate these often choppy waters with less stress and aggravation ... and you have to keep in mind that these particular energies aren't the only ones producing influential energy down here below ... there are always many different energies in play "upstairs" at any given time which results in the universal energy affecting one through transits around their natal chart, progressions to their natal chart, solar returns, lunar returns and a vast array of other cosmic influences which can usually be deciphered for you by a credible astrologer ...

Though we all will probably experience some kind of effect from the ensuing retrogrades, those that may be more sensitive to the energy include Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Taurus born as these are the actual signs in which the various retrograde periods will take place … Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, Libra, and Aries may be especially sensitive to these retrograde periods as these three are your ruling planets : Mercury = Gemini and Virgo, Venus = Taurus and Libra, and Mars = Aries …

Ultimately retrograde periods are simply Universal time outs put in place to slow us down and give us the opportunity to get back in sync with the Universal rhythm thus making them thought of as global wake-up calls ... so why try to swim upstream in a raging current of disruptive planetary energy … go with the flow - adjust and adapt … and, most importantly, in trying to determine what is going on around you due to planetary energy interplay and influence as nothing is set in stone, it is always a good thing to keep in mind a phrase when synthesizing the overall astrological energy at any given moment in time - "MODIFIED BY WHAT ???"

"Everything must change ... nothing stays the same ... everyone must change ... no one stays the same ... "

MAINTAINING STABILITY OF EARTHLY THINGS !!!

The Sun began its yearly transit through the patient, practical sign of Taurus today, 4/20, at 5:42 AM EDT ... the pace of life slows down a little as the Sun has left the fiery sign of Aries and shifts into a slower mode of energy in Taurus an earth sign ... with the Sun in Taurus, we need to shine comfortably, seek recognition deliberately, shine in ones own dependability, and have a drive for recognition which manifests itself through sensuality and/or personal possessions ... Taurus is a feminine, fixed, earth sign therefore its tendency to nurture and comfort through a methodical but slower and more stable course of action ... its key phrase is "I Have" and its keyword is "stability" ... being a fixed sign, Taurus can appear to be quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined and practical, stubborn and resistant to change ... its symbol is the Bull and its glyph is the head and horns of the Bull - symbolically the glyph is a half-moon forming a cup that rests on the circle of the Sun ... the cup representing material wealth and power derived through the force of the will (the circle) ... the Bull can be strong, stubborn, plodding, and can be both fierce and gentle ...

Anatomically, Taurus rules the neck and the throat - there are a lot of Taurus born people that have beautiful speaking and singing voices, but their vulnerability is to colds, laryngitis, sore throats and thyroid problems ... Taurus is the sign directly opposite to Scorpio ...

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus - the Roman goddess of beauty and the arts, pleasure and the emotions ... Venus bestows an influence towards a love of luxury and exceptional creative ability ... it is NOT the planet of SEX for those of you who think otherwise!!! ... Venus rules the throat, chin, cheeks, and the sense of taste, art, culture, aesthetics, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sentimentality, sweets and sugar, color, harmony, poetry, paintings, jewelry, singing, drama, and music ... it governs emotional contacts,  tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of every kind as well as sociability, disposition, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation ... in your natal chart, the place where you find Venus shows what you really enjoy  !!!

Taurus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house of the horoscope which is a house of substance with its keyword being "values" ... this house indicates financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning  power, and any gain or loss through your own personal efforts ... it shows your inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth including your sense of values ... since there is a widespread belief that liberty is largely related to the money, the 2nd house is also the house of personal liberty ... it is also considered the house of material debt ...

The Sun in Taurus teaches us to live through learning how to stabilize ... here we have the beauty (Venus) and the beast (the Bull) !!! ... the purpose of the Sun here is to help maintain the stability of earthly things ... one may find it surprising to realize that the important main possessions here are a sense of Earthly harmony and wholesomeness, and not necessarily a substantial amount of money and material possessions ... there is the distinct ability to endure change with this energy ... it is also interesting to note that when change has to be made and something must be let go of, when you let go and endure the change you ultimately discover how much more stable things actually become !!! ...

The greatest indication of values is beauty which is something that cannot be owned but only appreciated ... the energy of the Sun in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: earthy, sensuous/artistic, productive, practical provider, steadfast and stable, unruffled and calm, even-tempered, soothing, self-trusting, loyal, persevering, trustworthy, appreciative, admiring, affectionate, aesthetic, physically comforting, magnetically healing, attractive

NEGATIVE: materialistic, gross and extravagant, plodding and ponderous, sluggish and lazy, boneheaded, boring, self-satisfied, possessive, stubborn, bigoted/fanatical, self-gratifying, idolatrous, lecherous, aloof, unaware of the "unseen", sucker for good looks, easily attached

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN TAURUS BORN - you are beginning a new Solar year !!! ... this is your time to "SHINE" while all of us try to incorporate your natural born energy into our daily lives and learn through experiencing it ...

We are all now being challenged to try to discover our truest, deepest and highest values and then realize how well we can express them physically ... hopefully one will come to the realization during the next thirty days that the value of Earthly things is simply that they serve to keep bodies happy and healthy ...

The Sun now joins Mercury and Mars currently grazing their way through Taurus ... that hectic pace of  the solar energy in Aries begins to diffuse and slow down to a point hopefully allowing our feet to be more firmly planted beneath us as we strive for security and stability in our lives ... the Sun remains in Taurus until May 21st ... now let's all get out there and grab that "bull" by the horns - OLE !!!

DEEP-REACHING TRANSFORMATION !!!

PLUTO - whose cosmic energy has the potential to bring about empowerment, destiny, awareness of obsessions, penetration to divulge hidden causes, to produce profound levels of consciousness, can bring about death - not necessarily of the physical body - rebirth, regeneration or destruction, transformation, harming or healing, depth and insight, and  has the energy to enable us with self-renewal begins its retrograde journey for 2015 today, 4/16, at 11:51 PM EDT at 15 DEGREES 33 MINUTES CAPRICORN ... as Pluto has been slowing down, astrologically speaking, and vibrating sending out its intense energy of transformation and change - much of which we either hadn't expected or in many cases really wanted - the last several weeks, it has probably produced a lot of intensity and restless tension in many peoples lives somewhere ... if you've had a natal chart done and know where 15 degrees 33 minutes Capricorn falls, then you might understand where in your life this impending shift was preparing to take place ... check to see if you have any natal planets at 15 degrees of any sign to determine whether or not Pluto is making a stressful or favorable aspect influencing your life ...

While Pluto is in Capricorn, we can expect deep-reaching transformation of the social order and laws, corporate structures and in the areas of personal responsibility, fulfillment of duties, and general awakening as to personal destiny ... we might also expect some changes in the geographical structure of the earth as well - noticed the increased frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions since Pluto entered Capricorn in January of 2008 ???

Pluto is an outer planet and its energy is directed towards not only personal but generational transformation, so it makes this a time for everyone to step back and review how each one of us is contributing to the future and evolution of mankind and the Earth, or perhaps how we are working towards destroying it ... it’s important to become more conscious of how we individually and collectively impact the Earth and our fellow human beings ... and how willing are you to take an honest look deep within yourself and be open minded and have faith enough to face your inner truth in order to determine where change must take place ???

Scorpio and Capricorn born could be especially sensitive to this shift and what it produces, as well as Cancer born as Capricorn is the sign in opposition to your natal sun placement ... but we will all feel this energy somewhere in our lives both individually and collectively ... keep in mind the tearing down and change is needed in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ... in some cases it may be very drastic and challenging while in others it may not have quite the forceful impact ...

Scorpio born individuals, this is your yearly period of review and reflection of what is transpiring in your life, and especially what has transpired in your life since September 22nd of last year, that is urging you to release, allow transformation, regeneration and healing to take place in some aspect of your life - in other words, where MUST change take place due to a "cracked" or severely weakened foundation that will not support personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and that goes for all of us as well !!! ... if you have a Scorpio Moon or Ascendant you may be more sensitive to the retrograde period as well - Moon people through emotional issues and Ascendant people through issues of how you project yourself out into the world ... also if you know which house in your natal chart Pluto is currently transiting through, that "stage" where life plays out will produce some interesting and possibly challenging energy ... I have also read many times that when an outer planet - Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - shifts directions, a slightly increased number of "souls" tend to leave the  planet ... particularly those who are elderly ... something to watch especially at the very beginning of the retrograde period and at the end ...

Pluto naturally rules the elimination and reproduction systems of the body so there could be issues there ... maybe, maybe not ... Pluto is also the natural ruler of the 8th house - which includes the support you receive from other people including financial, moral, spiritual and physical ... it addresses legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters and lets not forget "secrets", sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth and degeneration and death - not necessarily actual physical though .... also occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigation, hidden assets - including the assets of partners and alimony, and finally, surgery - any of these areas are fair game during the Pluto retrograde ...

Pluto remains retrograde until September 24th/25th depending on which time zone in which you live ... as the harbinger of powerful upheaval, transformation, destruction, "death", rebirth and deep healing, Pluto stationing retrograde certainly has the potential to and will shake things up ... and one thing is absolutely for sure where Pluto is involved whether in forward or retrograde motion - THERE WILL BE CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION !!!

ACQUIRING A TRUE DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE !!!

Mercury, steadily and with a precise logical progression, begins its highly concentrated transit through the sign of Taurus today, 4/14, at 6:52 PM EDT ... our mode of thinking and communicating will now shift from the rapid fire energy of Aries into the slower and more methodical energy of Taurus ... the keyword for this energy is "factual" ... here the mind and tongue work deliberately and steadily with the tendency to sometimes get stuck in mental ruts ... this energy can be highly practical and grounded ... business skills or any activity that incorporates the use of common sense usually accompanies this energy ... often there can be learning through  tactile contact or actual physical manipulation of the world ... perceptions can often be limited due to a desire to learn slowly and carefully ... there is a desire to bring ideas down to earth, and there are usually interests in money, sensuality and physical comfort ...

Mercury in Taurus loves to read - ANYTHING !!! ... time is taken in order to arrive at all decisions ... this Mercury also likes to "sleep on it" and needs solid, tangible, physical proof in order to really believe in anything ... the thought pattern is developed in terms of worth thus making "value" the ultimate selling point ... there is usually an excellent memory bestowed by this mercurial energy and it makes one a good observer but ironically one is apt to listen inattentively as their mind is almost always already made up and will rarely be changed !!! ... even though there is a love of reading, it is ultimately realized that experience teaches one the most valuable lessons in life ...

Mercury in Taurus teaches us to think through stabilization ... it's all about the concrete mind - SEEING IS BELIEVING !!! ... the mind here likes to chew things over and over in order to acquire a true depth of knowledge ... there is more of a taste for the traditional rather than the abstract and the avant-garde, and one finds it is steady working habits that produce thorough and solid results ... ultimately there is a gift given here to see how any plan will work out in physical terms ... the energy of Mercury in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: sound mind, thorough, patient, cautious, shrewd, resourceful, sensible, realistic, good concentration, mentally sure, deliberating, practical thinker, sense of form, steady mind, enduring, mentally laid-back, docile, undemanding

NEGATIVE: slow minded, plodding, tardy, guarded, mean-minded, money-grubbing, boneheaded, one-track-minded, overburdened, limited thinker, stubborn mind, lazy-minded, dumb, misses the point, couch potato

Mercury joins Mars already in Taurus with the Sun to join the party in 6 days ... Mercury remains in the sign of Taurus until April 30th  ... this is the last complete sign transit Mercury makes before it begins its second RETROGRADE journey for 2015 on May 18th ... when Mercury enters Gemini on April 30th it will get no further than 13 degrees 9 minutes Gemini which is the point where it begins the retrograde period ... it will retrograde from 13 degrees 9 minutes Gemini back to 4 degrees 34 minutes Gemini when it ends the retrograde period on June 11th ... Mercury will enter its next shadow point on May 4th when it reaches 4 degrees 34 minutes Gemini  ... and given that Gemini naturally rules the 3rd house which involves all kinds of communications as well as all forms of transportation, this could prove to be an extremely challenging Mercury retrograde - more so than usual !!!

Taurus born individuals, are you beginning to feel the tempo picking up in your thinking and communicating somewhat ??? ... now is your chance - along with the rest of us - to get a lot accomplished and get our minds anchored to a firmer foundation of rational and practical thinking with this earth energy ... and that's no "BULL" !!!

THE "LANGUAGE" OF LOVE !!!

VENUS  - the planet representing love, affection, attraction, beauty, happiness, value and values, indulgence, superficiality, social and artistic expression, and harmony - began its transit through the charming and versatile sign of Gemini today, 4/11, at 11:29 AM EDT ... being an air sign, Gemini encourages Venus to move about and here variety is indeed the spice of life which includes objects, foods, experiences, and PEOPLE !!! ... Venus was last in Gemini from June 23rd through July 18th, 2014 ...

This Venus is both lighthearted and emotionally objective ... Venus in Gemini really likes intellectual stimulation as much as romance ... there is a tendency towards a lack of commitment as Gemini makes Venus way too lighthearted to remain in one place for too long and can cause it to be very flirty ... often there is literary talent along with a love of language as well as sociability ... it enjoys mental stimulation as well as learning ... there is a pronounced casual air in relating to people ... this Venus just loves good ideas ... affection is expressed playfully, youthfully, verbally and lightheartedly ... the handling of money and possessions is usually objective and logical ... this Venus wants good communications and intellectual give-and-take in love relationships ... flirting and engaging in superficial relationships could occur due to the desire for a lot of variety and new stimulation as well as a desire to keep things cool and steer clear of too much emotional intensity ... intelligence and quick wit is highly attractive here ... this Venus enjoys being amused and entertained, otherwise there will be the tendency to look over ones shoulder at whoever is passing by ... Venus in Gemini is frequently drawn towards younger partners ...

Venus in Gemini teaches us to learn to love through communicating ... it can be a sparkling personality ... there is a strong desire here to prevent stagnation and maintain fluidity so if you fall in love under this energy blindly expecting security and predictability you could be in for great disappointment ... Venus in Gemini is a budding love rather than love in full bloom so it has to be allowed to develop ... loving through communicating means letting the one you love know it rather than sitting on your feelings ... this Venus likes to get around - it is said that sexual or family ties are your "heart", but it is the diversity of social relationships that are the "lungs" which breathe life into your very being ... being a sign of duality, Gemini will cause Venus to be more aware of what it wants than what it thinks it wants ... it is most likely that under this energy one will only attract what they truly desire ... the energy of Venus in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: amusing and friendly, coolly affectionate, light-hearted, emotionally objective, socially at ease, emotionally buoyant, stimulating company, lively conversationalist, ear to the ground, good-humored, expressive, agile and witty, socially adaptable, emotionally flexible, well-connected, charming, courteous, tactful, co-operative

NEGATIVE: overly flirtatious, flippant and flighty, makes light of others feelings, emotionally distant, social butterfly, superficial values, lack of commitment, meaningless banter, shallow gossip, empty gestures, verbose, restless and fickle, double standards, inconsistent partner, social opportunist, insincere, easy come - easy go

Gemini born individuals, this is your time to "glow" and become more "attractive" - the "love light" is shining on YOU ... as always, you should seek out and ask for what you want - you just might get it !!!

Just a reminder, there are only 2 more complete sign transits after this one, that being Cancer and Leo, before Venus begins its retrograde journey for 2015 on July 25th ... however, Venus will have just entered Virgo when it goes retrograde at 0 degrees 46 minutes Virgo, so this Venus retrograde will be predominantly in the sign of Leo which rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure ... do I hear a few groans out there ??? ... Venus will enter its shadow point, the point where it will complete its retrograde journey on September 6th, when it reaches 14 degrees 23 minutes Leo on June 21st ...

Venus, the only planet currently transiting through the sign of Gemini, remains in the sign of Gemini until  May 7th ... for the next 27 days, we all should try to tap into our natural wit and appeal ... try listening to your heart and not your own and other peoples voices ... others will appreciate you if you truly appreciate them ... expressing your feelings verbally, without being overbearing, will open new doors both socially and emotionally ... time to get out there and experience the reality of variety truly being the spice of life ... and while you're at it, you just might become proficient at speaking the "language of LOVE"!!!

OPTIMISTIC VOICES !!!

JUPITER  - planet representing growth, the laws, belief and ethics, expansion, opportunity, wealth, faith, higher education, travel especially long distance, religion, philosophy, joy, goodwill, as well as excess and extravagance - completed its retrograde journey today, 4/8, at 12:58 PM EST at 12 DEGREES 35 MINUTES LEO ... while Jupiter has been retrograde since December 8th, 2014, we have all been rethinking and reviewing our growth and expansion and determining whether or not it may have gone too far too fast and needed some adjustment ... during this period we have all hopefully experienced some kind of internal growth and have been preparing for opportunities that may now become available as Jupiter has stationed back into direct motion ... now is the time to finally determine whether or not what is being offered is something that you truly want and whether or not it will positively promote personal and spiritual growth, or is something that is merely stroking your ego ... 

This Jupiter retrograde period occurred from 22 DEGREES 38 MINUTES LEO back to 12 DEGREES 35 MINUTES LEO ... if you've had a natal chart done you know where these degrees fall, and the areas of life ruled by the house our houses involved are most likely where situations had gone too far in an effort to produce growth and expansion, and had to be addressed and adjustments made  ... 

Sagittarius born individuals, it is time for you to come out of your "hibernation period" and begin moving forward once again ... where did you receive illumination and enlightenment and what have you been busy reviewing and rethinking in your lives since December 8th??? ... what is it that you really want, and what is it that is simply excessive and unnecessary for personal and spiritual growth and expansion ... and we all should have been doing that on some level of our lives ...

Jupiter has now resumed forward motion to complete its transit through the sign of Leo ... Jupiter was last in Leo from August 1st, 2002 - August 27th, 2003 - what was going on in your life back then ??? ... below is a reminder of what this highly optimistic energy is all about :

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 openhearted 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 endeavors, 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 being mean hearted ... 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

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 remains in direct motion until January 7th/8th, 2016 depending on the time zone in which you live ... Jupiter remains in Leo until August 11th, 2015 and will not return for approximately 12 years ... 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, optimistic voices will hopefully encourage us 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 !!!

THE "SLOW BOILER OF THE ZODIAC" !!!

Mars began its plodding transit through the methodical, persistent sign of Taurus yesterday, March 31st, at 12:27 PM EDT ... Mars energy is challenged here as now being in the sign Taurus, which is ruled by Venus which rules Libra, and Libra is the sign  directly opposite to the sign Aries which is ruled by Mars ... Mars is therefore said to be in "detriment" in Taurus thus not operating at its full power, and it appears to take on more of the sign's rather than the planets coloration ... it is said that if a planet is in detriment, it is visiting where it MUST conform to rules and regulations ... and what happens when a fiery planet transits through an earth sign ??? ... there can often be "burning" and "scorching" involved !!! ... Mars was last in Taurus from April 20th through May 31st 2013 ...

The energy of Mars in Taurus is likely to be naturally sensual and it appreciates the physical gratifications of life ... determination and endurance are often quite strong ... one can assert themselves steadily and stubbornly ... being grounded is very important ... results MUST be tangible ... the energy moves towards consolidation or physical beauty ... one is happiest when they can control a situation and achieve material success through ones own particular personal method ... identity is tied to pleasure, possessions and comfort - too much material focus here will lead to possessiveness and/or overdrive ... sexual drive and physical energy can be very enduring - after all Mars is passing through the sign represented by the Bull !!! - and it can be influenced by a deep appreciation and savoring of the physical senses ... this energy is also frequently referred to as the "slow boiler of the zodiac" as it puts up and up with a situation until you think there will be no anger expressed, and then all of the sudden you see one who is ready to charge at something or someone and meet the situation head on !!! ..  there is good earning power here but one is usually very particular about how one spends their money ... even though one may judge others harshly under this energy, one will usually fight injustice to the bitter end !!!

Mars in Taurus teaches us all about getting what we want or need through stabilizing ... here one is able to progress easily and steadily in the material sphere of life ... however, sometimes one can get stuck dogmatically moving in the same direction unable to change direction ending up spending ones energy in a meaningless and frustrating manner ... the key here is the ability to establish what actually constitutes stability rather than blindly conforming to an overly materialistic society ... the decidedly sensuous nature may also find appealing the idea that ploughing back into the Earth what one has gained from it - in the form of possessions, pleasures or experiences - will naturally produce newer, fresher "fruits of labor" ... this energy likes wealth and comfort, concrete results, being dominated or dominant, taking its time and planning and foresight ... it dislikes wishy-washy relationships, being pushed and changes that are brought about suddenly ... the energy of Mars in Taurus can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: capacity for work, earning power, productive/industrious, methodical, practical, persistent, patient, close to nature, crafts person, mechanically skilled and able, dependable, sexually attractive, sensuous, passionate, executive ability, formidable, powerful reserves of strength

NEGATIVE: materialistic, greedy, wealth for wealth's sake, plodding, boring, slow to change, slow to act, brutish, mechanical and thick-headed, jealous and possessive, smouldering, carnal, intense, vindictive, bullying, violent when pushed

Mars in Taurus needs to identify its "beast" and re-channel its energy and transform its nature ... Taurus born individuals, enjoy this period of that extra burst of energy and use it for something constructive and productive ... just be careful not to "charge" at and knock down others with your boosted personal power ...

Mars now joins Venus currently transiting through Taurus ... Mars remains in the sign of Taurus until May 11th ... focus on how your material awareness and/or position could end up being of benefit to others ...  oh yes, and be aware you just might end up running into a lot of horny people or finding yourself in the same frame of mind during the next six weeks - "Ole" !!!