ANALYZING AND SCRUTINIZING EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION !!!

Mercury began its lengthy transit through the highly focused sign of Virgo today, July 30th, at 2:19 PM EDT ... thinking and communicating processes now shift from what was a fiery, highly creative energy to being more rational and efficient sometimes to a fault  ... and even though Virgo is an Earth sign which is somewhat prone to slower movement,  Mercury is dignified in this position, very happy and very much at home here and functions well as this is one of the two signs it naturally rules - the other being Gemini ... Mercury was last in Virgo from August 7th through August 27th, 2015 - a very fast transit but not this time !!! 

This energy usually gives the mind a rather precise, thorough and analytical ability ... communications and thinking can be logical, helpful, critical, negative, skeptical, practical or humble ... one is apt to put their mind to work doing their job ... this intellect is excellent for writing or technical crafts, and converting ideas into a tangible form ... there is a talent for organization, but sometimes the discriminating and highly focused mind could get mired in too many details and become excessively critical ... one of the challenges of this energy is to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture in addition to avoid getting immersed in all the fine details ... learning is best achieved in an organized sequence and a logical presentation ... 

The concern for details can often lead to the syndrome of "not being able to see the forest for the trees" ... there is also likely to be an interest in health, nutrition, competence and ones day to day work ... this Mercury says exactly what it wants to say - no more no less ... to quote a familiar television phrase,  this energy wants to know "Just the facts Ma'am" !!! ... it has a quick, dry wit, bestows a fine eye for detail, and usually produces very neat and readable handwriting ... this energy can also make one very skilled with their hands and often craftspeople are born with this energy in their natal chart ...

Mercury in Virgo is very impartial and gets to sorting through all the details to where the logic and precision can discover the heart of the matter ... with this fine intelligence, systematically clarifying and refining information received and understanding the patterns comes naturally ... here we have a logical, practical mind that produces a quick learner ... on the challenging side, Mercury in Virgo can make ones mind so very active with all the extraneous processing that it is sometimes difficult to quiet and still the mind yielding restlessness and/or the inability to sleep ... just ask someone born with Mercury in Virgo !!!

Mercury is in Virgo teaches us to learn to think through analyzing ... it's the pure mind ... the ability to reason functions very well here ... a big challenge though is to not live totally in your mind and understand there is a big difference between knowledge and actual experience ... this energy also can help one assist others in seeing things more clearly - in forms such as writing, editing, counselling, teaching, drawing and translating ... there is the ability to assimilate vast amounts of complex information ... 

Ironically, when it comes to expressing something close to ones heart, this energy can make one obscure it in a lot of irrelevant references ... this energy makes it necessary to thoroughly grasp a specific subject as without training or education one is more likely to suffer greater than others from being unemployed, underemployed or unemployable ... the ultimate goal with this energy is to appreciate that what gets in the way of understanding life is thinking way too much about it - a totally clear mind is really no mind at all !!!! .... the energy of Mercury in Virgo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: analytical, objective, systematic, logical, discerning, precise, meticulous, clever, eloquent, well-read, well-informed, accurate, retentive memory, fast learner, highly efficient, good worker, modest, helpful, practical

NEGATIVE: unfeeling, remote, clinical, cold and dry, hypercritical, trivial, worrisome, wordy, bookish, intellectual snob, misses the point, greedy mind, impatient, high strung, workaholic, self-critical, skeptical, slave to reasoning, pointless

Virgo born individuals, no doubt you will be infused with plenty of practical ideas as Mercury passes through  your birth sign ... for all of us, with Mercury in Virgo we should remember that the point we are trying to communicate should be remembered, researched, rehearsed and then expressed ... make the best of what you actually know ... what's the use of knowing everything and feeling nothing ???

Mercury now joins Jupiter, which is nearing the completion of its transit through Virgo that began back on August 11th, 2015, and will be joined by Venus the end of next week on August 5th ... 

Mercury remains in the sign of Virgo until ... WAIT FOR IT ... October 7th and you know why !!! ... Mercury will almost get to the very end of Virgo, that being 29 degrees 5 minutes Virgo, on August 30th at which point it will begin its third retrograde period for 2016 going from 29 degrees 5 minutes Virgo back to 14 degrees 49 minutes Virgo ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on August 10th when it reaches 14 degrees 49 minutes the point where it will complete its next retrograde journey on September 21st/22nd depending on which time zone in which you live ... look in your natal chart to see which house or houses those degrees fall and you might get a clue as to what area of your life the trickster may be potentially stirring up havoc and mayhem !!!

For roughly the next 10 weeks, the thrust of Mercury's mission in Virgo boils down to encouraging us to analyze and scrutinize every piece of information, and to ultimately make sure we have crossed every T and dotted every I  .... over and over again more so this time which ironically is just what Mercury loves to do anyway !!!

A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED "INNER" AWAKENING ???

URANUS - the planet known as the great awakener, the rebel, the planet of intuition and the sixth sense and sudden and unexpected change as well as revolutions and breakthroughs, radicals and radical ideas and behavior, the ruler of astrologers and inventors, and the planet closely associated with electricity, technology and electronics - begins its retrograde journey for 2016 today, July 29th, at 5:06 PM EDT at 24 DEGREES 30 MINUTES  ARIES - do I hear a loud collective groan of  UH-OHHHHH ??? !!!! ... where you find Uranus in your individual natal chart is usually where you tend to do the unusual and break from the norm ... Uranus, which takes 84 years to make a complete journey through the 12 signs of the Zodiac, most certainly marches to the beat of a different drum !!!! ... and if you know or are an Aquarius born individual, you probably understand this very well !!!

Uranus is the planet of the unconscious, and even during a retrograde journey that is where its energy will be most highly concentrated ... however, during a retrograde period the energy will tend to be even more pronounced ... people born with Uranus retrograde in their natal chart - and there are a lot of us out there since Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months out of each year - are frequently found on the forefront when it comes to change and actions that are oriented towards the future and on the cutting edge ... the desire to reform or rebel is perhaps even stronger during a retrograde period than when Uranus is direct ... if you've had a natal chart run and know in which house or houses 24 DEGREES 30 MINUTES ARIES back down to 20 DEGREES 33 MINUTES ARIES fall, then you might get an idea in what area of your life this retrograde energy will most likely play ...

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

Uranus, is currently just over halfway through its transit through the sign of Aries - where the lesson of this energy is awakening through doing ... it began its complete transit through Aries on March 11th, 2011 ... It has been literally slowing down and sending out its often disruptive vibrational energy at 24 degrees Aries since June 24th and has literally been stationed at 24 degrees 30 minutes Aries since July 24th creating a lot of tension and irritation on many levels no doubt !!! ... the Universe has been making not only Aries and Aquarius born - who may especially feel the impact of this retrograde - but everyone aware there WILL BE CHANGE which NEEDS to be and MUST be addressed while Uranus transits Aries !!! ... it takes Uranus roughly 7 years to completely transit through each sign of the zodiac - it will not complete its full transit through Aries technically, due to retrograde periods, until March 2019 ... there could be a lot of us who experienced this tension during this past week ... in some cases there may have been a sudden and/or unexpected change take place out of the blue ... or even a confrontational situation arose we were not expecting ... over the next few days, until the retrograde energy settles in, there could be instances of rebellion, disruption, explosions and confrontations  ... Uranus remains retrograde until December 29th at 4:29 AM EST which means it will be resuming direct motion forcing out its disruptive and challenging energy and as a result, fireworks and celebrations may not be the only explosive actions occurring as we bring in a New Year !!!

Aquarius born individuals, this is your yearly period to review and reflect on what is going on in your life and see how and where you might need to make some positive changes to further personal and spiritual growth ... you may especially want to pay attention to what has transpired in your lives since Uranus finished its last retrograde journey and resumed direct motion back on December 25th, 2015... along with Aquarius born individuals, we ALL will most likely have something illuminated from our subconscious that needs to be dealt with which certainly requires a necessary change as well as rethinking something somewhere in our lives that we suddenly and probably quite unexpectedly took action against to bring about change that perhaps now we realize wasn't the best course of action to have taken ... but will we willingly do this or will the Universe force us to come face to face with our erratic actions ???

Now we all have this burning drive (Aries) turned inward urging us to move forward with purpose, to be different, to be independent, to have our individual freedom, to do things suddenly and unexpectedly and to be downright rebellious (Uranus) !!!

One thing is for sure - when we are dealing with the sudden, unexpected, disruptive, revolutionary energy of Uranus, which can lead to something highly innovative and ahead of its time or perhaps or negatively something that is disastrous and life changing in a way we didn't want, it makes it absolutely a time to be prepared to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ... so the ultimate question becomes - will you become a rebel with or without a specific cause ???

ACKNOWLEDGED ... APPRECIATED ... APPLAUDED !!!

The Sun began its "regal" transit through the dramatic, romantic, proud sign of Leo today, July 22nd, at 5:30 AM EDT ... this solar energy is all about is being acknowledged, appreciated and applauded !!! ... the Sun in Leo encourages one  to shine through creative endeavors, seek recognition through risk-taking or exciting activities, shine through ones generosity, and certainly shine through ones own charisma ... this is the ultimate in fire energy - it is very happy,optimistic energy ... and isn't the Sun pretty much at its peak in Summer during July/August (at least in the Northern hemisphere !!!) ??? ... it's easy to see why these native born individuals are so warm and cheerful - unless of course they are modified by some other "darker" energy in their natal chart !!! ... 

The Sun in Leo bestows us with a pronounced craving for attention ... Leo energy usually loves giving and receiving hugs ... if you've had your natal chart done, then you may gain awareness on what "stage" of your life this energy may affect you over the next 32 days ... The Sun is extremely efficient with its energy transiting Leo as it is dignified in this position which means it is in the sign that it naturally rules !!!

Leo is a masculine/fire/fixed sign which makes it enthusiastic, powerful, expansive and creative, generous and extravagant, dogmatic and VERY FIXED in its opinions ... as previously stated, Leo is ruled by the Sun, so the Sun is extremely happy to be transiting through this sign !!! ... the Sun is the center of our solar system and therefore the most powerful planetary influence which bestows vitality and authority ... 

Leo's symbol is the Lion - regal, brave, dominating,possessing nobility and pride, and sometimes insensitive to pain ... the glyph for Leo represents two valves of the heart ... it is also the Greek symbol for the first letter of Leo ... symbolically, it is two incomplete circles of the Sun joined by a crescent Moon (its tail) which symbolizes that power is derived from both the intellect and the emotions ... its key phrase is "I Will" and its keyword is "Magnetism" ... the Sun is the main expression of the individual ... it shows the qualities of leadership and success ... it represents the masculine principle, the father, husband, and men in general ... it rules health, vital principles, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience ... wherever the Sun is located in your natal chart is where you find the life and heart of your horoscope - it is where you truly want and need to shine !!!

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

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

The Sun in Leo teaches us all about learning to live through the process of creating and being creative ... it is one who is truly a child of the Sun ... it wants to shine and be the center of attention ... even if you are shy or lacking in confidence, you will want to be noticed in some way ... respect is vitally important not only for yourself but from others as well ... respect is dependent on self-respect ... a radiant glow is often physically noticeable ... 

Leo can create an "air of certainty" which makes many things possible ... but for all the apparent confidence streaming forth from ones heart, it can belie the fact that one is highly dependent on being appreciated !!! ... here one must pay special attention to critics and admirers alike to avoid being blinded by ones own light and thus destroying whatever it is that one originally tried to create and maintain - a relationship, ones home, health, profession or even ones own children ... just like the Sun, Leo energy cannot see the shadow it casts ... ultimately Leo must realize that its power and influence shine through it and not from it ... and when that power is wounded or challenged, it is very much like the Sun disappearing behind a cloud - the world becomes a colder and darker place ... the energy of the Sun in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

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

The Sun now joins Mercury and Venus already transiting through the sign of Leo - that is a lot of optimistic, positive energy surrounding us - make good use of it !!! ... the Sun remains in the sign of Leo until August 22nd ...

This larger than life energy compels each one of us to take "center stage" in some area of our life - even more so with Mercury and Venus adding their respective energies to the mix !!! ... and as that famous song goes ... "WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE LIVING FOR ... APPLAUSE ... APPLAUSE !!!

THE COSMIC "CURTAIN" RISES - ENTER STAGE LEFT !!!

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts" ... to that end the Cosmic "curtain" rose yesterday, July 13th, at 8:47 PM EDT as Mercury began its dramatically expressive transit through the ambitious, optimistic sign of Leo ... Mercury is now ready to blaze through Leo where the mindset and communicating functions will most likely become "center stage" somewhere in your life for the next few weeks ... as Leo is a fire sign it will bestow Mercury with a lot of creativity ... this Mercury is quite the performer who wants to get your attention along with your admiration any way it can ...

Mercury was last in Leo from July 23rd, 2015 through August 7th, 2015 ... Mercury is considered to be in its "fall" in Leo ... that meaning it is in the sign opposite to the one where it is considered to be in "exaltation", which in this case is Aquarius where it expresses its energy harmoniously with its forces increased and its virtues magnified ... HOWEVER, Mercury in its "fall" in Leo can yield a difficulty in expressing its real nature ... it is said to be like staying in someone else's home and being where you do not really feel comfortable ... Nevertheless, there is a lot of positive potential from this mercurial energy !!!

Mercury in Leo thinks dramatically and always with the heart ... here one can become a visionary and  highly idealistic ... romantic attachments tend to take a major portion of ones concentration ... there is a display of dignity, a sense of innate refinement, and a desire to make good impressions on others ... there is also a desire to be the authority in ones chosen field ... there is ability to solve problems, but sometimes the details are ignored ... ambition abounds under this energy ... and since this is a very dramatic energy for communication it should not be a surprise that every now and then comes the tendency to exaggerate, be self-centered, or tell a little white lie or two !!! ... entertainment could easily be ones forte with dramatic talent being given here - okay all you wannabe actors, now it's time to show us what you got !!! ... this is often the natal placement of those in the entertainment industry ... there could be skills at sales, advertising, promotion or any means of persuading people with ones mind and tongue ... there is also a desire to have ones thinking or style of communication given a lot of attention ... speech is made with abundant energy, great pride, liveliness and a lot of charisma ... drama and humor is frequently used in communications ... learning is best achieved when one is aroused and excited by a particular topic ... sometimes the ego has a way of getting involved here which could lead to fixed thinking or limited objectivity ... presentations are usually dramatic and magnetic ... one could become interested in power, children, fame and creativity ...

Mercury transiting through the sign of Leo teaches us to instill our thinking process with ambition and creativity ... its the idea person ... one is usually proud of their intellectual talents and capabilities ... with the mind being so closely connected to the heart, there is great passion, strength and originality in the mode in which one thinks and communicates ... sometimes there is insecurity here which can lead to one coming on too strong or causing one to underestimate the power of their mind ...

Mercury usually functions best when it is cool and detached from the ego, but this can become difficult in the self-conscious sign of Leo where personal aims and intentions appear to be to all-important and other important factors become far less important ... it is wise to realize that people give up trying to help others who always think they know better ... but ultimately, being able to combine ones own creative and enterprising mind with an awareness of others ideas and attitudes that are involved in your personal drama will benefit everyone ... problems are usually approached with great imagination and energy ... learning to use the input of others will allow one to avoid being a one-person endeavor, and then the mind will become a vital spark that will ultimately ignite a larger group endeavor ... the power of Mercury in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

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

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

Mercury now joins Venus already transiting through the sign of Leo with the Sun to follow on July 22nd ... so you can bet those ideas are most likely going to be grand and scathingly brilliant - at least in the mind of the one from which it sprang !!!

Mercury, true to its fleet footed nature, will do a hop, skip and a jump through Leo as it will complete its transit through the sign of Leo in just 17 days on July 30th ... So exactly what kind of "scene" from what kind of "play" will each one of us be "acting out" during this dramatically expressive transit of Mercury ... new ideas and projects just might have quite a theatrical air about them !!!

HEADS UP - this is the last full sign transit Mercury makes before it begins its third retrograde journey for 2016 ... Mercury will enter Virgo on July 30th and get to 29 degrees 5 minutes Virgo on August 30th at which point it will begin its next retrograde journey lasting from August 30th through September 21st/22nd completely in the sign of Virgo going from 29 degrees 5 minutes Virgo back to 14 degrees 49 minutes Virgo ... Mercury will enter its next shadow point on August 10th when it reaches 14 degrees 49 minutes Virgo the point where it will conclude its retrograde journey on September 21st/22nd ... and just so you are aware, there will be a fourth Mercury retrograde period for 2016 but it begins towards the end of December and won't conclude until January 2017 !!!

While Mercury is in Leo, it is wise to remember that we should teach others what we really want to learn our self ... we stand or we fall by what we say and how we say it ... do not ignore that "small still voice" that is an important part of the greater good ...

One final word of advice - be aware that whatever springs from your mind, and ultimately from your lips, is only as good and true as that which dwells in your heart ... So, curtain up ... light the lights ... cue applause ... now, let's get out there, take center stage, think big and then communicate with a dramatic flair which for certain people will not be a difficult task at all now will it ???

GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ROMANCE !!!

VENUS began its "roaring" transit through the dramatic and romantic sign of Leo today, July 12th, at 1:34 AM EDT ... Venus was last in Leo from June 5th, 2015 until October 8th, 2015 due to its retrograde journey last year ... Venus actually completed its initial transit through Leo, but got no further than 0 degrees 46 minutes Virgo when it stationed retrograde on July 24th/25th and went back to 14 degrees 23 minutes Leo ... don't be surprised if issues from that period - especially June 30th, 2015 through September 6th, 2015 - resurface during this transit !!!


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 ... this is where 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 ... 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 is currently the only planet transiting through the sign of Leo with Mercury to follow tomorrow, and the Sun to join the love fest a week from Friday on July 22nd ... we have a chance to discover and face what is truly in our hearts and how to genuinely and creatively express that in our partnerships and relationships, or perhaps change something in order to make the partnerships/relationships beneficial and provide more positive personal and spiritual growth in our lives !!!

Leo born, the social and romantic spotlight is also now shining brightly on you - enjoy the smoldering flames of passion and love - just don't incinerate yourself or anyone else with it !!!


Venus remains in Leo until August 5th ... and as I always like to point out with this particular transit of Venus, Madonna, a Leo born individual herself, probably best summed up this energy in her famous song  "Burning Up for Your Love" - and that is exactly what we all could potentially be doing for someone or find someone doing for us over the next 25 days !!! 

MOVING FORWARD ONCE AGAIN WITH DRIVE, INITIATIVE AND COURAGE !!!

MARS, the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, completed its RETROGRADE journey for 2016 on Wednesday, June 29th, at 7:38 PM EDT ... the purpose of a Mars retrograde ultimately is to evaluate what it is that motivates you and for you to determine if you are on the correct path to achieve your goal, and if you are doing what you should be doing to get there ... inside a Mars retrograde, it is time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that ones intent is accomplished effectively ... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... also, old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... Mars takes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ... Mars was last retrograde from March 1st, 2014 - May 19th, 2014 completely in the sign of Libra ...


Mars retrograde brings issues of frustration or hostility to the surface we have deliberately suppressed due to their disruptive qualities which can cause forward movement in our lives to be temporarily delayed ... sudden reversals of interest and drive may occur, as well as the termination of a long term goal as it may become apparent that the effort is inappropriate for the long term ... also old wounds, hurts and frustrations may arise seemingly out of context but usually there is a purpose for this ... during a Mars retrograde it is usually a good idea NOT to undertake any new beginnings per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... now sometimes you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons, if at all possible, as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retrograde will run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being June 29th, or at some point during the next two years, or even when Mars takes its next retrograde journey  - which will begin in June of 2018 !!!


This Mars retrograde was a dual sign retrograde going from 8 degrees 54 minutes of Sagittarius back to 23 degrees 3 minutes Scorpio ... if you have had a natal chart done, you can look to where these degrees fell by house and/or houses in order to see if  you had to rethink some kind of action you may have taken or where you might have encountered delays and frustrations and had to shift into a different direction in whatever area of life the house or houses rule where these degrees fell ... if you were born with your natal Sun between 8 degrees 54 minutes Sagittarius and 23 degrees 3 minutes Scorpio, at some point Mars crossed back over your natal Sun and, among other things, there could have been a few days when you felt as if someone unplugged your energy outlet ... many of us may have had that feeling during the entire Mars retrograde cycle !!! ... and if you have any natal planets in the signs of Sagittarius and Scorpio within these degrees you probably experienced some kind of energy produced in relation to the planet and the area of life in which house it is placed when Mars backed over that planet ... also Mars may have produced some action if it made an aspect to other planets in your natal chart regardless of sign but still within the same range of degrees ... as with Mercury retrograde periods, sometimes those born with Mars retrograde may have found this period more productive since they are already comfortable and have a better understanding of this backwards energy ... in a natal chart, those born with Mars retrograde are said to have actions in the current life that are recreations of the past, and they are also frequently in competition with themselves ... Many would agree this Mars retrograde, with a Mercury retrograde completely embedded in it, was particularly brutal especially after it returned to the sign of Scorpio on May 27th for the final portion of its retrograde period !!!


As Mars was last retrograde from March 1st, 2014 through May 19th, 2014 in the sign of Libra it is most likely there could have been issues that arose specifically with actions taken during that period in addition to other issues that surfaced during this retrograde period ... and as Libra naturally rules the 7th house of face-to-face relationships dealing with business and marital partnerships, divorce, contracts, lawsuits, bargains, agreements, dealings with the public, open enemies, your cooperation or lack thereof with others as well as how you share with others, and particularly what you most lack about yourself, these would all be areas where issues may have arisen from the past retrograde period ... what possibly was begun that had to be readdressed, readjusted, and reworked, or simply have run their course and come to a necessary ending needing to be released in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ???


Mars spent the first 41 days of this retrograde period in the sign of Sagittarius in which it began its initial transit back on March 5th ... Sagittarius is the natural ruling sign on the 9th house which is considered to be the house of Life ... the 9th house represents the higher mind, the super conscious, the law, religion, science, ideals, higher learning, philosophy, psychology, profound mental study, ones dreams, ones visions, long distant travel, foreigners, foreign dealings, commerce, big business, imports and exports, the church as a spiritual factor, the clergy, in-laws, grandchildren, intuition, ethics, the public opinion in general, and the lessons we learn through living ... the ruling planet is Jupiter which rules wealth, leisure time, optimism, height, growth, morality, prosperity, indulgence, aspirations, sports, luck, hunting, fondness for animals, health and growth ... how many of you had issues or a combination of the above mentioned in your life while Mars was retrograde in
Sagittarius ???


Mars reentered the sign of Scorpio on May 27th where it spent the final 33 days of its retrograde period ... Scorpio is the natural ruling sign on the 8th house which is considered to be a house of Endings ... the 8th house represents the support you receive from other people - including financial, moral, spiritual, and physical ... it represents legacies, trusts, wills, taxes, insurance matters, secrets, sex, spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth, degeneration, death, occult matters, sleep, deep research, investigation, hidden assets, assets of partners, alimony, surgery and shows types of illness ... the ruling planet is Pluto which rules the underworld and that which is hidden from view including the unknown "worlds" within your submerged or subconscious self, conception, printing, the masses, waste, subversion, atomic power, crime, phobias, obsessions, slow growth, birth and death, isolation, coercion, disappearance, kidnapping, bacteria, viruses, generation.degeneration, that which is developed secretly or undercover, plumbing, dictatorships, and unpopular causes ... how many experienced issues in relation to these issues as Mars completed its retrograde journey for 2016 in the sign of Scorpio ??? ... Unfortunately I experienced this energy first hand as I lost my dear mother quite suddenly and unexpectedly about halfway through that period ...


Mars is the ruling planet of Aries which is the natural ruling sign on the 1st house, or Ascendant, which is considered a house of Life ... the first house represents your personality, your natural disposition and tendencies, your individuality and the way you express yourself, how people see you and the way you want others to see you, the way you "package" and "market" yourself, your physical body, your health, early childhood years, your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance and the beginnings of all enterprises you under take ... to reiterate, Mars represents your animal nature, desires, sexual energies, assertiveness, force, power, construction, work, strife, competition, surgery and operations, weapons, war, accidents, inflammations, wounds, cuts, burns, scalds, violence, tools, iron and steel, actions that are sudden, self-assertive and disruptive actions, and energy that can be used destructively and angrily or with courage and strength ... how many experienced issues in these areas during the Mars retrograde ???


In regards to health, how many faced issues for the entire retrograde in the area of the external reproductive organs, head and face, for the first 41 days in regards to the hips, thighs and liver, and during the final 33 days in regards to the genital area, the elimination and reproductive systems ???



ARIES BORN - your period to slow down and review and reexamine - which you DO NOT like to do at all - has concluded and now it's time to see what has and what is going on in your life since the Mars retrograde is over ... SAGITTARIUS AND SCORPIO BORN  - did you especially feel that rush of energy return that Mars bestows as it transits through your birth sign ??? ... Even though Aries born individuals as well as Sagittarius and Scorpio born may have been more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we all experienced it somewhere in our lives, and lights may begin to come on in our heads as we discover that perhaps we should have either waited a while longer before taking action or possibly never have taken a particular course of action to begin with in certain situations ...


Mars has now resumed forward motion to finally complete its transit through the sign of Scorpio which began back on January 3rd ... below is a reminder of what the energy of Mars in Scorpio can produce:

Mars in Scorpio produces energy that is EXTREMELY DRIVEN, and that would be a huge understatement !!! ... this energy can give one an increased confidence in ones own personal power, make one very intense, driven and confrontational, but also can make one sexy, compassionate and incisive ... there are apt to be strong desires, compulsions, and a need to thrive on challenges ... some desires may be achieved here only by transforming some intense emotions ... the urge to control others is great along with a susceptibility to becoming vengeful, resentment, and a lack of trust in others resulting if one goes too far ... there is great endurance with this energy as well as all-or-nothing tendencies ...


And the SEX DRIVE - CAN WE TALK ??? - is unbelievably pronounced when influenced by this energy ... there is an incredible amount of stamina bestowed ... most people born with natal Mars in Scorpio understand that sex is a natural bodily function and they can go at it all night long and the next morning pick up where they got off - oops, I guess I should rephrase that and say where the left off !!! - and start all over again unless of course something else is modifying this energy in their chart by natal placement or due to transits or progressions ... they also are usually not the least bit inhibited about talking about sex and some will be very experimental in their approach to satisfying this drive ... and at the very least these people will be very driven about something and/or someone ... the house placement at birth would give a good clue as to what it's all about ... for the rest of us, we will get a good clue about the drive of this transit depending on what area of life the house or houses rule where 30 degrees of Scorpio is found in your natal chart !!!

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

Mars is the "ancient" ruler of Scorpio ... after all, Pluto, the current ruler and also referred to as co-ruler, was not discovered until 1930 ... so this can be a very beneficial placement as Mars is very comfortable in this sign ... in fact many astrologers would agree that Mars is "dignified" in the sign of Scorpio ...


The tremendous emotional intensity here gives one relentless courage and a thoroughness in executing their direct intentions ... Mars in Scorpio can lead to the greatest level of spiritual achievement or to the lowest depths of moral degradation and destruction depending on how the energy is used ... while this energy can make one very secretive and not reveal their plans or actions without good reason, there is a need here to learn greater detachment and objectivity ...

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

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

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


Mars in Scorpio yields the potential to get a lot accomplished if it involves work that requires highly concentrated and disciplined energy ... and ultimately, who and/or what you may be driven towards pursuing in hopes of it ending with a "bang" may only wind up ending with a weak little whimper !!!



Mars remains in Scorpio until August 2nd when it will reenter the sign of Sagittarius to makes its complete transit through that sign ...Mars will exit its current retrograde zone on August 22nd when it returns to 8 degrees 54 minutes Sagittarius where it began this retrograde period, and remains in direct motion until June 26th, 2018 when it begins its next retrograde journey which will be another dual sign retrograde period going from Aquarius back into Capricorn ...

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES - which hopefully you have already done since June 29th !!! ... but be careful not to put the pedal to the metal and start going too far too fast just yet ... perhaps you might want to take some advice from Dorothy and her friends and simply "ease on down the road" !!!