DEATH ... REBIRTH ... UPHEAVAL ... TRANSFORMATION ... HEALING !!!

Pluto - planet, dwarf planet, etc., take your pick  - associated with death, rebirth, transformation, change, upheaval, healing and renewal - completed its retrograde journey for 2015 today, September 25th  at 2:55 AM EDT ... Pluto has been in retrograde motion since April 16th going from 15 degrees 33 minutes back down to 12 degrees 58 minutes Capricorn 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 12 degrees 58 minutes 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 ...

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 16th 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 12 degrees 58 minutes 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's intensity has really been building since September 16th when Pluto reentered the 12 degree area where it would eventually slow down to station direct ... and since it stationed direct just below 13 degrees Capricorn, many may have felt Pluto's intensity building since July 18th when Pluto returned to 13 degrees 58 minutes Capricorn !!!

Pluto remains in direct motion until April 18th of 2016  ... We all should now be prepared for upheaval, tearing down, death - not necessarily always physical, rebirth, transformation, change and even the potential for deep healing 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 once again begin to shake, rattle and roll !!!

WORK ... WORK ... WORK !!!

Mars blazes its way into the highly analytical and perfection seeking sign of Virgo today, September 24th, at 10:18 M EDT ... we all are now literally driven to step up the work productivity times 1000 !!! ... this is the universal energy of the true workaholic ... when Mars transits through an earth sign - Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus - sometimes its force is slowed down to a point, and it usually manifests its power conservatively and patiently ... but remember we are talking about normally aggressive Mars now in a sign that pays a LOT of attention to DETAIL, DETAIL, DETAIL accompanied by a deeply penetrating analysis and practicality ... Mars is a planet whose nature is represented by a fiery drive, and Virgo is an earth sign represented by a slower and more exacting energy ... and what does fire have the potential to do to Earth ??? - SCORCH AND BURN, so proceed cautiously and carefully !!!

Mars was last in Virgo from October 15th  through December 7th 2013 ... anything come to mind about what may have occurred in your life during that time frame ??? ... it is important to remember that Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and thus it can be said that Mercury and Mars will now have a connected relationship as a result of this transit ... it would therefore be extremely wise to think carefully before you speak in order to avoid verbal confrontations that are most surely guaranteed to surface with these two planets and their energies dancing together - especially as Mercury is currently in its final retrograde period for 2015 until October 9th and could have some affect on the beginning of this transit !!!

Mars in Virgo is scientific and logical ... it enjoys working ... and working ... and working !!! ... it is extremely thorough and painstaking ... this energy is usually able to perform even the most monotonous tasks well - surgeons and craftsmen are often born under this energy ... sometimes it can get so engrossed in the work details that it loses sight of the overall project and can come to the conclusion that the effort is hopeless and decide to move on - thus making this energy driving one to the point of undertaking too many projects at once ... one must guard against becoming overly critical, and one must also be on guard to avoid working themselves so hard they end up bringing on some form of illness ... under this energy one might need to address health issues - especially inflammations or issues in the intestinal area, or one may simply decide its time to pursue a healthier lifestyle and begin a new diet regimen or nutritional routine ...

Mars in Virgo usually plans its actions carefully and executes them very systematically ...efficient functioning is important in both work and bodily health ... the basic inclination here is to be practical, thrifty, dedicated and follow an approach that tries to find flaws and fix them ... personal identity is tied to being competent and doing things correctly ... Mars in Virgo considers cleanliness is of utmost importance - the caveat here is to avoid too much nitpicking, self-criticism and getting so enmeshed in the details that you inhibit your ability to act ... sexual drive and physical energy are influenced by ones sense of effectiveness and ones competence ... and too much focus on "performance" could result in inhibition and failure to be productive ... one can also negatively affect their health by becoming so engrossed in pursuing the art of perfection !!!

Mars in Virgo teaches us to get what we want through detailed analysis ... it can be the slave-driver or slave-driven ... here good health represents efficiency ... many times one may ask themselves exactly what is it that they are striving for ... it is said that one of the lessons under this energy is to learn by giving in to the energy of the sign opposite of Virgo which is Pisces - in other words giving into the mystery of life itself, the world, sex and just letting everything run on autopilot for awhile ... Mars in Virgo can flip back and forth between chastity and promiscuity very easily since we have Mars (desire) and Virgo (purity) whose energies are intertwined ... this energy likes work that is done with very fine precision, getting things right, a professional touch, good sexual hygiene, and proper technique ... it dislikes inaccuracy, people who don't put forth effort and those who lack dexterity and grace ... the energy of Mars in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: fine sexuality, hits the target, watchful, even-tempered, helpful, healing ability, attentive, subtle touch, industrious, methodical, energy-saving, thorough, shrewd, clever, ingenious, precise, accurate, clean, economical

NEGATIVE: frustrating, sexually exacting, voyeuristic, repressed, interfering, hypochondriac, neurotic, workaholic, inflexible, energy wasting, never finishing projects, exploitative, cantankerous, critical, fussy, sanctimonious

Virgo born individuals, this is your time for an expanded extra energy boost - just what you need to be further fueled by that detail, practical, analytic and work driven oriented energy you were born with ... so you may be thrust into overdrive - but we still love you !!! ... BUT ... the cosmic joke here is that your ruling planet is currently retrograde for 16 more days in which you are being asked to review and reexamine so perhaps that is where the thrust of this energy boost may affect you for the beginning of this transit of Mars !!! ...  as always for everyone, if you've had a natal chart done look to which house or houses the sign of Virgo resides in and, you can gain insight as to what area or areas of your potentially will be charged up by this Martian energy ... Just keep in mind, don't go too far too fast just yet until Mercury finishes its retrograde journey on October 9th !!!

Mars is currently the only planet transiting through Virgo ... Mars remains in the sign of Virgo for the next 50 days until November 12th ... JUST A HEADS UP, especially for those who like to plan ahead - Mars next retrograde period will be a dual sign retrograde going from Sagittarius back into Scorpio and occur from April 17th through June 29th, 2016 ... one more complete sign transit before it begins to slow down in advance of its retrograde period !!!

Make good use of this time as there is the potential to get a lot accomplished through steady and controlled effort even with Mercury retrograde for the first 16 days of this transit of Mars  ... and just a reminder, Uranus is currently transiting through Aries which is ruled by Mars and so it "deposits" its energy in with Mars in Virgo ... with all that drive and heightened energy to expand, liberate, do things suddenly and unexpectedly (Uranus) intertwined with the urge to do things with precision and accuracy (Mars in Virgo), the tendency to "incinerate" yourself and others with this fiery energy will be something to be on constant guard against and end up pushing you into a potential state of hazardous overdrive ... 

But without a doubt, we will certainly be very busy crossing every "T" and dotting every "I" ... OVER AND OVER AND OVER !!!

GROWING THROUGH HOW WE RELATE - THE UNIVERSAL SCALES OF JUSTICE !!!

The Sun began its transit through the charming, social but sometimes indecisive sign of Libra today, September 23rd, at 4:21 AM EDT ... also known as the Autumnal Equinox - equal day and equal night - Summer 2015 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 encourages us to shine 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 accidentally causing indecision or frustration instead !!!

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 teaches 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 joining Mercury, which is currently in its third and final retrograde journey for 2015, will remain in Libra until October 23rd  ... the next 31 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 be retrograde in Libra for the first 17 days of this solar transit ...  so proceed with extra caution with the work needing to be done in partnerships and relationships especially until after October 9th when Mercury stations back into direct motion !!! ... meanwhile for now, it would be an excellent idea to take the lyrical advice of Stephen Stills and - "love the one(s) you're with" !!!

THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL TRUTHS !!!

Saturn – planet symbolizing the lessons we have to learn in life; what we fear; force of circumstances through which we are driven to find the discipline, effort and sense of order to overcome limitations and obstacles; the taskmaster and teacher – emerged from the watery depths of Scorpio, where it has been transiting since it returned to Scorpio on June 14th per retrograde motion, and FINALLY completed its transit through the dark, brooding sign of Scorpio yesterday, September 17th at 10:47 PM EDT and has now begun its complete transit through the philosophical, broad-minded, religious, fiery sign of Sagittarius which actually began back on December 23rd, 2014 … Saturn's transit through Scorpio began back on October 5th, 2012 and now finished, it won't return to the sign of Scorpio until November of 2041 ... no doubt these past nearly 3 years have been difficult, intensely challenging and, and in many cases, extremely heart breaking ... hopefully we have come through this dark period with a better understanding of the lessons and issues we were presented and as a result have a much stronger foundation to stand and build upon ...

Saturn's energy was extremely purposeful and indeed its lessons had the potential to lead to great transformation and change while in Scorpio ... Saturn was very powerful in the secretive and passionate sign of Scorpio … it enabled one to understand human motivation ultimately enabled one to control others which can be either a very good thing or a very challenging thing … the dominant strength this energy gave may have often been  masked by a pleasant and congenial exterior … however Saturn here may have placed obstacles in our paths frequently in the form of emotional difficulties and sometimes even scandal … achieving power under this energy could have lead to downfall due to rumors and gossip … it was an excellent position for executive ability and unwavering commitment to a particular goal … there was very little patience here with laziness and unwillingness to work … 

Saturn in Scorpio could have been brought us challenges, limitations and obstacles in regards to the masses, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, coercion, generation, regeneration, and degeneration, things which have been developed secretly and undercover, plumbing, dictatorships, unpopular causes – all areas ruled by Pluto …

Other challenges, restrictions and testing could have included joint financial ventures; the support one receives from other people which includes financial, moral, spiritual and physical; legacies; trusts; wills; taxes; insurance matters; intimacy and sexual matters; spiritual and physical regeneration; psychological rebirth; death – not necessarily ones own; occult matters; sleep; deep level research; investigation and hidden assets including the assets of partners and alimony; and surgery - all matters represented by the 8th house which is the house Scorpio naturally rules … health wise, there could have been issues with arthritis and gall stones … there also exists the possibility that skin conditions could have developed and erupted from not letting deep personal issues be known and dealt with …

The main lesson Saturn in Scorpio presented was testing us through our desire nature … did we use or abuse it ??? … were we taught how to effectively express any kind of personal power be it sexual, financial, political, etc. … the challenge was to overcome the tendency to agonize about which course of action we should take in order to avoid our energies being misdirected … this could have proved either a very rewarding transit for Saturn because it and the sign of Scorpio like to have a sense of control, or it could have turned into a disastrous misuse of power that ended up hurting or destroying things and other people through ruthless scheming ... the greatest achievements were to be made if we were able to acknowledge and identify our personal convictions and positively act upon them ... 

Just a reminder of what this shift in energy and the resulting transit of Saturn through Sagittarius may produce in our lives :

Saturn's energy now shifts its focus from deeply personal issues - sex, personal power, joint finances, psychological issues, deep emotional issues and spiritual matters ... now  its mission is to test our faith, higher beliefs, philosophical views, our personal understanding of life and what our relationship to it is in relation to how and where we individually fit into the greater scheme of the expansive universal picture ... in other words a major shift from validating our deep emotions to validating and in many cases adjusting our mental processes - a daunting task no doubt !!! ... wherever Saturn goes, it brings a heaviness with it that slows us down and in many cases restricts and limits us in order for us to hopefully take an honest, hard look at whatever area of life is represented by the sign it is in ... if we are strong and patient enough to deal with the pressure, Saturn will ultimately reward us with a much stronger foundation even though we often must be willing to release and give up something or even someone in order to bring about greater personal and spiritual growth !!! ... Saturn was last in Sagittarius from 11/17/85 through 11/12/88 ... if you were born during that period, you are now entering the year of your first Saturn return which usually occurs between the ages of 29 - 30 ... that means Saturn has now made one complete transit around your natal chart since birth having taught you valuable life lessons in each area of life represented by the house it was transiting through ... have you gained wisdom and helpful insight from the "cosmic teacher" ???

Many would say that Saturn is not favorably placed transiting through Sagittarius ... Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter so it can be said that now Saturn and Jupiter are in a "working relationship" ... here we have restrictive yet highly organized Saturn working with free-spirited, expansive Jupiter ... yet this combination can actually yield extremely positive results ... as Saturn elevates our concentration it compliments the urge to study to increase our intellectual and philosophical beliefs and views of life ... this transit encourages honesty and being straightforward as well as bestowing the ability to speak up ... here we have the potential to manifest inspirational energies and raise higher thought forms on a global scale ... Saturn in Sagittarius will empower us to take a serious approach to religion, philosophy and higher education ... it may encourage us to be more honorable and adhere to a more strict moral code ... this energy is independent and capable allowing us to search for truth and justice ... it can yield intellectual discipline and bestow great powers of concentration ... those born with this natal energy, in addition to those who harness the energy of this powerful transit, can become excellent teachers, religious or spiritual leaders, or even political leaders - but we should not forget that "sometimes it is the enthusiasm of the messenger that is more important than the details of the message" ... physical exercise to promote circulation is very important ...

One of the greatest challenges of Saturn in Sagittarius is to guard against the tendency to set high hopes and then be fearful that they will be decimated or not going to come off the way we had planned ... but if there is one thing that Saturn repeatedly tries to teach us is NOT to give into fear but keep moving forward one step at a time and not rush ... this is why Saturn is known as the teacher and the taskmaster ... and as such while it is transiting the sign of Sagittarius restrictions, lessons and tasks to improve may present themselves in the following areas : wealth, leisure time, big business, the higher mind, optimism, growth, morality, prosperity, indulgence, higher education, philosophic reasoning, aspirations, vision, idealism, sports, luck, long-distance travel, hunting and fondness for animals - all of these areas ruled by Jupiter ... also there could be issues to deal with involving the super conscious, law, religion, science, psychology, profound mental study, your dreams and your visions, foreigners and foreign cultures, commerce, imports, exports, the church as a spiritual factor, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, public opinions, and the lessons we learn just by living - all of these being areas governed by Sagittarius the natural ruler of the 9th house of the horoscope ... as far as health is concerned, there could be issues during this transit in regards to the liver, hips and thighs which are the areas of the body ruled by Sagittarius ...

Saturn in Sagittarius through its testing what we seek hopefully allows us to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground as our minds are seeking a higher meaning ... realize that the most valuable knowledge comes from within so contemplate and even meditate ... realize that in your personal journey you must take both the high and the low road in life ... this Saturn likes searching for the truth, furthering ones education, adventures that serve a particular purpose, a good reputation, physical as well as metaphysical exercise ... it does not having what we hope to discover blocked in any way, being aimless and simply wondering about, being dishonored, and simply being static failing to move forward ... the energy of Saturn in Sagittarius can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: honorable, high moral fiber, prudent, superior but not in an obnoxious way, philosophical, able to reflect intellectually on life's meaning, devoted, fearless, earnest, trustworthy, a good teacher, well informed, highly focused attention, strict yet simple way of living, skillful and clever

NEGATIVE: high-minded, self-righteous, superior in a snobbish manner, offensive or irritating in a pointed manner, intellectual pride, hypocritical, easily hurt, lacking tact, insincere, fearing disapproval, brow beating, smug

Sagittarius born, the Universe has placed you on a huge learning curve in the "school of life" for the next two and a half years giving you the opportunity to achieve positive personal and spiritual growth even though at times it might not be easy … my fellow Capricorns, our planetary ruler has moved into a new sign and is now ready to teach us another set of lessons that will do the same for us if we release fear and allow change to take place … but we all will experience restriction, challenge, necessary change that hopefully produces beneficial growth somewhere in our lives through this transit … if you've had a natal chart done, you will probably get a good idea where Saturn transiting through Sagittarius is going to “school” you especially in regards to the area or areas of life governed by which house or houses of your natal chart are affected by Saturn's transit !!!

Scorpio born, no doubt you are finally breathing a sigh of relief at what has truly been a challenging period over the nearly 3 past years !!! ... Did you learn the lessons - did you get the message ???

Saturn is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Sagittarius … Saturn remains in Sagittarius, due to retrograde motion, until December 20th, 2017 ... And isn't it ironic that the Universe would place a Mercury retrograde right at the beginning of Saturn's reentry into a sign that governs a higher level of mental processing ???

Once again,I feel it necessary, as a Capricorn born who will be ruled lifelong by Saturn, to explain, especially from personal experience, that the transits of Saturn aren't always a bad thing that should be dreaded … while its actions can be difficult, restricting limiting and challenging, Saturn’s main objective is to help us grow and become a better person by taking a deep, serious and honest look at where we are and where we should be going by making sure our foundations in life are strong and solid !!!

TIME TO DROP BACK AND PUNT ... AGAIN !!!

Mercury just began its third and final RETROGRADE journey for 2015 today, September 17th, at 2:10 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! ... this retrograde occurs completely in the sign of Libra going from 15 DEGREES 55 MINUTES LIBRA back to 0 DEGREES 54 MINUTES LIBRA ... as always, there could be more than the usual number of "misfires" as this backward energy takes over... some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point back on August 28th - the point where it will come out of this retrograde period on October 9th at 0 DEGREES 54 MINUTES LIBRA ... and to potentially complicate things even more with this Mercury retrograde is the fact that it comes on the heels of the Venus retrograde which ended on September 6th, and Venus is still moving forward to exit its retrograde zone which will occur on October 9th ... and since Venus rules Libra, we could find ourselves encountering issues that occurred during the Venus retrograde from July 25th through September 6th ... to many people it may simply seem as if the Venus retrograde just hasn't quite ended yet !!!

Suffice it to say that during a Mercury retrograde things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... it is also not unusual to have people from our past come back around but it frequently ends up being for only what I refer to as a "pass and review" ... There is always the chance that something we have done in a previous Mercury retrograde may come back and "bite" us thus requiring that we address the issue and resolve it or take a different course of action ... Mercury was last retrograde from May 18th through June 11th, before that January 21st through February 11th ... and yes even Mercury retrogrades prior to this year could now produce some unexpected issues to arise and stare us in the face during this retrograde period ...

It is very important to understand that Mercury retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom even though things do frequently go off kilter ... and even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions ... especially in regards to the areas of our lives governed by the house, or houses, in which this retrograde energy takes place ... BOTTOM LINE - even though we often joke about it, Mercury retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but rather approached somewhat cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves in order to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!

Communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods - some ending prematurely others needing to be brought to a conclusion ... 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 ... also 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 within the retrograde period .... it is also not a good idea to enter into any kind of contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!! .... obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is anyway to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... if you must take certain actions during the retrograde, just make sure you move slowly and carefully to hopefully prevent complications down the road ... and even that might not be enough - but life must go on !!! ...  I have frequently found, though, that in many natal charts I've done, people born during a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ...

To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... the ultimate most proficient use of Mercury retrograde cycles is to reconnect the individual with the Universal "rhythm" ...

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, it is now once again time for you to step back and review and re-evaluate what has been going on in your lives especially since June 11th which was the end of the second Mercury retrograde this year ...

In Libra, Mercury retrograde challenges us to mainly address our relationships and partnerships both public and private - but didn't we just get through having to do that during the recent Venus retrograde especially while it was retrograde in Leo ??? ... and it wouldn't be out of the question that the need may arise to address personal values and our monetary situation with Venus ruling Taurus as well even though the retrograde is not in that sign !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Libra can bring into focus the areas of life ruled by Venus as well as 7th house matters and also potentially pulling in 2nd house matters as Venus naturally rules these two houses of the horoscope ... so issues could arise regarding art, culture, possessions, partners, beauty, charm, good taste, sweets and sugar, harmony, singing, drama, music, emotional contacts, tenderness, moral character, marriage and unions of all kinds, pleasure and appreciation - all things ruled by Venus ...

There could also be issues in regards to financial affairs, possessions (excluding real estate), investments, earning power, gains or losses through your own efforts, inner talents and resources, your need for fulfillment, your emotional feelings, your sense of self-worth, sense of values, personal liberty and material debt - all matters represented by the 2nd house ...

But there is the greatest potential for issues to arise regarding business and marital partnerships, marriage, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, agreements, dealings with the public, open enemies, cooperation or lack thereof with other people, addressing what you most lack in yourself, grandparents, and any people who act as your agent or on your behalf - all matters represented by the 7th house which is the specific sign on the house Venus naturally rules where this Mercury retrograde is taking place ... and because Mercury rules communications, don't be surprised if people seem to lose their manners and tact which is what usually occurs during a Venus retrograde !!!!

Health-wise, there could be issues with the throat, chin, cheeks or sense of taste which are areas ruled by Venus, and the kidneys which are ruled by Libra ...

As Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th house, there is always the possibility of issues regarding daily work and service, as well as ones health and nutritional habits ...

If all of the above mentioned areas weren't enough to have to consider where possible issues could arise,  keep in mind if you've had a natal chart done, then look and see where you find 15 degrees 55 minutes Libra back to 0 degrees 54 minutes Libra ... this is where you are most likely going to find issues arise particularly for you in the areas of life governed by the house or houses where this Mercury retrograde falls in your natal chart ... A lot to "think" about when the mental processing is not functioning at its best !!!

Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde Survival Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :

"Here is your Survival manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:

Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later.

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (October 9th).

Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes!....

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after October 9th !!!

Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens!

Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy.

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx. When you do go to purchase your parts AFTER October 9th, you may find better deals and buys.

Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and  you won't live up to your suggestion.

Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over.

Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun!

Re-examine – Well, just about everything !!!

Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over ?

And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you the patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Re-alize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us.

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


Back to me now ....Those of you born between September 17th  and October 9th will have Mercury retrograde energy in your birthday chart - also known as your Solar Return - for the whole year ahead ... however those born on the September 17th and October 9th may or may not depending on what time your solar return actually occurs ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart:

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

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

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

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during previous Mercury Retrograde periods ... we must look and see what is now running into problems, falling apart, or what simply will not work out and needs to be let go of and ended so we can move forward when the retrograde period is over ... one more item of interest - those born roughly between September 17th and October 9th may be impacted in some way as retrograde Mercury passes  back over their natal Sun placement !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 23 days ... so slow down and try not to act too impulsively or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce ... HOWEVER ... that personal sense of humor, being one of your best allies, may need to be called upon frequently as the Mercury Retrograde merrily produces disruption and misunderstanding !!! 

So the lingering question still remains - will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ??? ... it is most definitely NOT time to try and swim upstream in a raging current of cosmic confusion ... so take a deep breathe and go with the flow for it is now time to DROP BACK AND PUNT ... AGAIN !!!

CUPIDS ARROWS - BACK ON TARGET ???

Venus - the planet representing attraction, how you may give and/or receive love and affection, shows how each one of us perceives beauty and happiness, shows what we value and dictates our personal values, shows how you relate, how you create and appreciate harmony through social and artistic expression, shows how we earn and spend our money, and shows exactly what it is you like - completed its retrograde journey for 2015 and stationed back into direct motion today, 9/6, at 4:29 AM EDT ...

As the weeks progress you may find little lights coming on in your mind as to decisions made in any of the above mentioned areas since the retrograde period began on July 25th ... there are an abundance of possibilities within this scope ... a lot of people will realize that a significant partnership or relationship ended, and some of you may now suddenly find yourself having changed your mind or questioning why you made that decision perhaps too hastily  ... it is also possible the person may come back around and things might look entirely different with Venus moving forward again ... however, if it was time for the relationship to end, then it MUST be let go of for you to grow personally and spiritually in order to move forward ... for those of you who began significant new partnerships or relationships, especially of the romantic variety, you may discover that they will not have longevity as they were formed when the energy of love and relating was moving backwards ... time will tell ... marriages entered in to during these times often have an added sense of pressure - after all, Venus does naturally rule the 7th house of marriage and partnerships ... unfortunately, also in this economy, this could have been the period where quite a few of you actually lost your job and are now job hunting once again!!! ... and let's not forget this little item - how many of you ended up shelling out money on something you had no intention of or no idea that you would be spending money on???

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

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

Keep in mind that since this Venus retrograde occurred in the sign of Virgo, very briefly, and then Leo ... while there was about 7 days of Venus retrograde in Virgo there may have been an emphasis on the desire to seek even more perfection by picking apart relationships, cause the tendency to have been even more judgmental about people, and made one become rather obsessive about health and nutrition ... and when Venus returned to the sign of Leo - which naturally rules the 5th house which addresses matters of the heart, creative endeavors, and how one spends their leisure time - for the remaining 38 days of the retrograde period romance, partnerships/relationships, creativity, and the pursuit of pleasurable experiences probably were put under the "cosmic" microscope very intensely !!!

Everyone should try and think back to the period between December 21st, 2013 until January 31st of 2014 ... is there something you may have begun in regards to any of the above mentioned areas Venus rules that became an issue for you during this Venus retrograde period ??? ... it is very common for this to occur ... to that end, anything begun during this current Venus retrograde period that just ended may yield problems in the days, weeks and months ahead, or lie dormant until the next Venus retrograde period which begins ... anything begun from now until then may also become fair game as well !!!

Taurus and Libra born individuals, your period for inward reflection and review - especially of what has transpired in your life since the end of the last Venus retrograde on January 31st, 2014 - is now over and once again you start moving forward to pursue new avenues of personal and spiritual growth and maturity ... there could have been some significant insight, if you were paying attention during the last 6 weeks, that enlightened you as to what, where or who was no longer serving you and was not truly reflecting who you are on the inside as well as preventing personal and spiritual growth ... and this also is a possibility for all of us !!!

Venus stationed direct at 14 degrees and 23 minutes Leo today ... although now direct, Venus remains in it's retrograde zone -  the beginning degree at which Venus actually entered its retrograde journey on July 25th, which was 0 degrees 46 minutes Virgo, and must come back to - until October 9th ... then Venus will be back up to full speed once again ... but is this retrograde energy completely over yet ??? ... and don't forget if you had a birthday from July 25th through today, September 6th, yo will get this Venus retrograde energy for the whole year ahead per your solar return this time ... however, those born on July 25th and September 6th may or may not get this in their solar return depending on the time your solar return actually occurred this year ... now you can understand why it is so important to have a natal chart run for reference as to how the cosmic energy personally affects you on your journey through life !!!

Speaking of October 9th, Mercury is currently in its shadow point in advance of its third and final retrograde journey for 2015 beginning on September 17th which will be completely in the sign of Libra which of course is ruled by VENUS ... so it could be possible that some of the issues that arose during the Venus retrograde may still be lingering or come back up again especially if they were ignored and not taken care of adequately ... Taurus and Libra born you obviously have a lot to be processing during this time ... but more apparent is the fact that the Universe is trying to get every one's attention in regards to something in these areas that has to be addressed !!!

Venus now moves forward to complete its journey through the sign of Leo ... below is a reminder of what this energy is all about in case you have been too distracted to remember :

THIS VENUS CARES - IT REALLY CARES, and will make darn sure you know it !!! .. this energy loves big entrances and high drama ... ultimately, it just outright loves good  old-fashioned romance ... it enjoys the limelight, attention, admiration and applause ... it gives a natural magnetism and sex appeal ... others often find the expression of this energy down right exciting ... affection is expressed dramatically and wholeheartedly ... it can make one magnanimous, loyal, playful and magnetic in love ... the handling of money and possessions is usually generous, extravagant, and speculative ... there is a desire for zest, enthusiasm and an adrenaline rush in ones love relationships ... ones pride and urge for recognition affects ones capacity for closeness ... clothes and appearance are also very important with this energy ...

Venus in Leo teaches us about how we love through what we create ... love "shines" ... it is important to give some form of creative expression to your feelings and passion in relationships ... and even though one is very  enthusiastic, there ironically may exist a deep-seated "doubt" of ones own ability to be loved which others cannot detect outwardly from you ... here artistic sense is very strong ... life is frequently viewed as an ongoing creative experience ... at some point, one must ultimately go looking for their inner beauty ... one thing you can be compared with is your self-respect ... what each of us has to give is priceless ... channel the larger than life energy here into larger than life pursuits or pastimes ... love and allow yourself to be loved in return ... this energy likes admiration, mutual respect, lavish parties, showing off ones partner,and old fashioned classic courtship ... it dislikes even the slightest rejection, behavior that is insulting, being "shown up" by others, and a lack luster love ... the energy of Venus in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: romantic, ardent, passionate, loyal, artistic, dramatic, entertaining, fun-loving, radiant, outgoing, warm, openly affectionate, charming, attractive, benevolent, gives a lot, social pride, personal pride, fun to be with


NEGATIVE: unrealistic, sexually obsessed, consuming, too loyal, prima donna, overbearing, demanding, inappropriate, self-centered, showy, brassy, flirtatious, seducing, flaunting, expects too much, snobbish, vain,  competitive, game-playing

Venus remains in Leo until October 8th, and in direct motion until March 4th 2017 ...

So now we have all had about 6 weeks to think about what we value and whether or not what represents our inward personal values is being properly expressed outwardly to others; our money - how we earn it and how we spend it; and our partnerships and relationships both personal and professional ... how many of you GOT the "message", and how many of you remained complacent and unyielding and ignored what the Universe was trying to draw your attention towards ??? ... sometimes the Universe speaks to each one of us in a whisper, and sometimes it literally gets in our face and screams - THERE WILL BE CHANGE!!! ... for now though, it's time to try to live, laugh and let your love flow ... and hopefully Cupids arrows will now be flying back on target towards lovingly piercing your heartstrings instead of impaling you in ya BUM  !!!